Taj lays foundation of Rs. 5 cr Tral sports stadium

Makhdoom Sahib (RA) Ropeway inaugurated

Srinagar, December 23:

Maintaining that comprehensive programme has been undertaken for development and beautification of the historic old city Srinagar, the Minister for Rural development and Panchayati Raj, Mr. Ali Mo-hammad Sagar has said that the present coalition government has ushered golden era of development in the State. However, with myopic attitude are trying their best to ne-gate the achievements of the gov-ernment and mislead the people for their ulterior motives.The Minister was addressing a huge gathering after jointly inaugurat-ing the prestigious Makhdoom Sa-hib (RA) Ropeway in the presence of the Minister for Tourism, Mr. Ghulam Ahmad Mir here today. The Ropeway has been constructed by the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation at a cost of Rs. 6.5 crore. Chairman Waqf Board, Mr.

M.Y. Qadri, Political Secretary to chief Minister, Mr Tanvir Sadiq, MLC, Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, Sec-retary Tourism and Culture, Mr. Zaffar Ahmad Bhat, Deputy Com-missioner, Srinagar, Mr. Farooq Ahmad Shah, Commissioner SMC, Dr. G.N. Qasba, Director Tourism Kashmir, Mr. Talat Parvez, SSP Srinagar, Mr. Amit Kumar, MD JK

Cable Car Corporation, Mr. Tufail Mattoo and other senior officers of different departments were present on the occasion.Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sagar said that the government has undertaken several measures for the sustained development of the Srinagar city which includes the

See Ropeway on Pg. 11

Srinagar, December 23:

Reacting to the recent statement of Chief Min-ister Omar Abdullah that the next government in Jammu and Kashmir will also be a coalition government, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Con-gress Committee (JK-PCC) chief Saif-ud-din Soz Monday said that the Congress will emerge as a single largest party in the state in the forthcom-ing polls.Soz, while talking to KNS stated that the Congress in the state has attained a strong foothold and that people here have accepted the represen-tative character of the party. “The base of the Congress in the state has become very strong and with optimistic approach I believe that ours will be the single largest party in the state.”

The state Congress chief further stated that the party will sweep the polls at large and its prime re-sponsibility would be to fight for the rights of the common people. “Our prime concern is to fight for the basic rights of the people of the state and we are committed to take the state to the new horizons of development.”Commenting over the possibility of the post poll alliance for the formation of the next government in the state, Soz told KNS that if the time demands the same, the decision will be taken by the Con-gress high command and all the perspectives of the alliance would be taken into consideration before the final call into the mat-ter would be taken.Soz added, “Ours is the national party and we will act in accordance to the directions issued by

the party high command about forging an alliance with any party here. Whether complete or the outside support, we have to wait for the high com-mand.”Stating that the Aam Admi Party must come forward for the forma-tion of the government at Delhi, Soz said that the people usually suffer due to the non- availability of the public representa-tives in the government sector and therefore AAP must not show reluc-tance in the government formation.Maintaining that the state government em-ployees must shun the path of confrontation and should work for the betterment of common masses here , Soz said that he is fighting for the employees’ demand for the enhancement of the

See Soz on Pg.11

New Delhi, December 23:

The Union Minister for Health and Family Wel-fare, Ghulam Nabi Azad launched screening device for cervical cancer, called ‘Magni-Visualiser’, here today. The device has been designed and developed at Institute of Cytology and Preventive Oncology (ICPO), NOIDA which is one of the premier Insti-tutes of ICMR and is in-volved in epidemiology and development of indigenous HPV vaccine.Speaking at the launch function, Azad congratu-lated the scientists at ICMR and ICPO for designing and developing this cost-effec-tive and affordable device for screening cervical can-cer in its early stages. He stated that cervical cancer is still the number one kill-er cancer in several parts of rural and semi-urban India. It has been estimated that about 1 lakh 32 thousand cases of cervical cancer are

diagnosed every year and 74, 000 deaths occur due to it every year. It accounted for 9% of total deaths due to cancer in 2010. He further said that many of the cases may still be going unre-ported in many rural areas taking the number even higher.

The Health Minister stated that with this device it will be easy to screen and detect cervical cancer in its early stages thus making treat-ment more effective. He stated that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched the “National Programme on Prevention

and Control of Cancer, Dia-betes, CVDs, and Stroke” in 2010 in 100 selected dis-tricts taken up initially as pilot project across 21 States to address the chal-lenges posed by the rapidly increasing burden of NCDs, particularly Cancer,

See Azad on Pg. 11

From our special correspondent

Srinagar, December 23: After spu-rious drug scandal which left the whole valley under a sever shock, the sensational disclosures of adul-terated spices (Saunf) and toned milk have shaken the Kashmiris who are living on the edge because of the health hazards created by some private concerns dealing with the production of poison in the name of milk and spices. Kanwal Masala which produces Saunf and other spices has sent shock waves in the spine of the people after they heard that the Saunf they are using in their preparations is adulterated and hence unsafe. According to the reports the health officer of Srinagar Municipal Corporation Dr. Shafat Ahmad after taking samples of the Saunf masala sent them for tests along with the samples from other companies to Calcutta where the Saunf of Kanwal Masala was found adulterated and hence unsafe for the human health. The health officer exhibiting courage and honesty im-mediately after receiving the report,

made it public through print media and cautioned the people about its usage. The health officer has done his public duty in a manner that proves everybody is not sailing the same boat and there are honest offi-cers in majority in the government who cannot be bought, influenced or politically pressurized. Reliable sources told Zabarwan Times that pressures were mounted on Dr. Shafat but he stood on his feet and did not yield under pressure. After some days of surfacing the matter the company got certificates from private testing laboratories and pub-lished them as paid advertisements in the local papers to repair the dents caused to the credibility and sincer-ity of the company. However when contacted by Zabarwan Times Dr. Shafat said that the final authority in food testing system is the govern-ment run Calcutta central labora-tory where the samples were sent by the municipal corporation. He said that when the reports of the Calcutta central laboratory were received he made it public because he wanted that he should not become a part to

an unpardonable crime against the society. “I don’t want to become the part of a heinous crime and will sin-cerely discharge my duties which I am supposed to perform sincerely and honestly”. He said that the sam-ples of other companies dealing with eatables are being taken in a system-atic and routine way so that those

persons playing with the health of the people will be brought to the book and action under law will be initiated. He said that people cannot be put to risks and health hazards by those companies who throw human values, their conscience and their own credibility in to winds. He has appealed the people not to go by the

advertisements launched by these companies and bring to the notice of the government if they suspect any adulterated food item produced by any company. When contacted several physicians told Zabarwan Times that the several adulterated spices if used for a long time can cause even the dreaded disease like intestinal or stomach cancer. They said not only this it creates many complications in the human body. They advised the people to avoid the excessive use of spices which they said even otherwise are health hazardous. He said that the spices should be used to the minimum and it will be better to avoid them totally. A common man Abdul Rashid Dar of Anantnag talking to this paper expressed his dismay over such a greedy act and said that higher au-thorities are watching these acts as silent spectators and there is no checks on the adulteration in the valley which goes on unabated. In fact the drug controller, the health department , the police and the dis-trict administration has to join

See Kanwal Masala on Pg. 11

Tral, December 23:

Minister for Medical Education, Youth Ser-vices & Sports, Mr. Taj Mohiud Din today laid the foundation stone of a Rs. 5 crore sports sta-dium at Bugani here today.Addressing the func-tion after laying the foundation, the Min-ister said the pro-posed stadium would be laced with all the

standard facilities and amenities for playing all games. He said giv-en these facilities the sports complex would also be used to play and host matches and tournaments of state and national level.Mr. Taj said he is very optimistic about the creative capabilities of local youth and it is only a matter of expo-sure that these youth

See Taj on Pg. 11

CMYK

CMYK

CMYK

CMYK

TUESDAY December 24 | 2013 | 20 Safar 1435 AH | PAGES 12 | VOL NO: 3 | ISSUE NO: 327 | RS: 2/- (AIR SURCHARGE FOR JAMMU /DELHI/LEH 50 PAISA)Pen For JusticeLargely Circulated, No. 1 Bilingual Daily of J&K

Kanwal Masala clarification- A reality or manipulation

http://www.zabarwantimes.com

WEATHER

TEMPERATUREMAXIMUM MINIMUMSUNSET ON(TUESDAY)SUNRISE ON (WED)

05:28 pm07:35 am

-0.4 0C5.1 0C

FORECAST FOR NEXT 24 HRS:

FORECAST OF SRINAGAR:

Light Rain/Snow would occur at isolated places over the state.

Partly cloudy sky with haze. Maximum & Minimum temperatures will be around 08°C & -02°C respectively.

Azad Launches ‘Magni-Visualiser’ Screening Device For Cervical Cancer

Soz reacts to Omar’s coalition remark

Breaks Saqlain Mushtaq’s record

Calls on President of Nepal

See More On Page 06 See More On Page 07

See More On Page 10See More On Page 08

AAP to form Government

in New Delhi

Potato saves from

Heat ailments

Inside story

On Edit Page

Spurious substandard pesticides fertilizers

India lives in villages and ninety per cent of the village population lives on agriculture. Whether it is rice, wheat, fruit or vegetables, all is grown and

Speaker reviews pace on dev works in Eidgah Srinagar

The Speaker, Jammu and Kash-mir Legislative Assembly, Mr. Mubarak Gul today directed all executing agencies to gear up re-spective field functionaries and speed up the pace on all ongoing developmental projects under

See More On Pg 10

See More On Pg 9

Calcutta government central laboratory final authority in food testing system- Dr. Shafat

‘Congress to emerge single largest party in the state’

Srinagar, December 23: The High Court has directed owners of Khyber Milk, Kanwal spices and Avon agro industries private limited to deposit Rs 10 Crores each in the office of director Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura.The three companies have been ordered to deposit the said amount within two weeks. The order came in a petition seeking implementation of food safety and standard rules in the state. The director SKIMS Soura, according to KNS correspondent has been directed to keep the amount in a separate account till the court passes separate orders for the utilization of deposited amount. The court has also asked the government to file compliance report with regard to its various directions passed in the matter. Matter has been

See High Court on Pg. 11

Comprehensive programme undertaken for development, beautification of old city: Sagar

Jammu, December 23:

In view of slippery condi-tion of NHW-1A coupled with rain/snow fall and poor road condition and with a view to ensure safety and security of pas-sengers on NHW-1A be-side hassle free movement of load carriers especially in Lower Munda-Jawahar Tunnel, Ramsoo-Ramban and Patnitop sectors strict one way traffic will be in force on NHW-1A from December 24 till further orders. Under this sys-tem, one way traffic from Jammu to Srinagar and vice versa will be allowed on NHW-1A on alternate days. However, daily pro-grammes regarding up and down movement of traffic after assessing the situation, weather/road

See Traffic onPg. 11

One way traffic on NH from today

‘Adulterated’ milk, spices caseHigh Court directs Khyber, Kanwal,

Avone to deposit Rs 10 Cr each

Carpenter dies in GulmargSrinagar, December 23: A carpenter died in a fall while working at a JKTDC hut at Gulmarg. A carpenter Moham-mad Iqbal Najar Ghulam Ah-mad resident of Brain Nishat fell from a roof top while work-ing at a JKTDC hut near Hos-pital Gulmarg resulting in his injuries. He succumbed to inju-ries while on way to Tangmarg Hospital.

Fire incidentsSrinagar, December 23: Fire broke out in a room of a joint residential house of Moham-mad Ashraf Sofi son of Gh-ulam Hassan Sofi and others at Arawat Ashai Kocha, falling under the jurisdiction of Police Station M. R Gung, Srinagar. The room was partially dam-aged in the incident. Fire was brought under control by Fire tenders.Fire broke out in the single storey residential house of Ghulam Mohammad Chopan son of Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din resident of Watloora, falling under the jurisdiction of Po-lice Station Panzalla, Sopore. The house was completely damaged in the incident. Fire was brought under control by Fire tenders and local police. However, no loss of life or in-jury was reported in the inci-dent.Fire broke out in a shop of Mst. Naseema daughter of late Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh resident of Mirakabad Shalimar which engulfed an adjoining shop of Mohammad Ismail Mir son of Mohammad Mir resident of Mirakabad Shalimar. Both the shops were com-pletely damaged in the inci-dent. Fire was brought under control by Fire tenders and local police.

Daily ZABARWAN TIMES SRINAGAR | TUESDAY 24. 12 .2013

Feed your mind today, Libra. The day’s energy supports growth and expansion, so why not see about learning about something you’re interested in? Challenge yourself by read-ing or taking a class. There are plenty of online subjects to engage you. Find something that interests you that you can do in your own time.

You’re more into socializing today than anything else, Scorpio. This could be great providing you don’t have a heavy workload. See who’s available and go for it. If you need to get something done, you’ll have to resist the temptation to chat too long. Use breaks for this and keep your focus on getting done what you’ve taken on. There’s always the evening to get together with friends.

You may find it hard to admit that you can’t do everything, Sagittarius. There are some jobs that you aren’t cut out to do. Why pretend when a better option would be to delegate the task to someone else? If you don’t feel a strong connection with something or someone, don’t force it. Pretending that you’re capable of something will only cause frustration for you and everyone else.

Don’t be surprised if you’re pensive, Capricorn. It’s one of those days when daydreaming can happen more readily. Your imagination may also be at a peak. Rather than fighting this so you can be more productive, jot your ideas down. It may be to your advantage, as better and innovative ways of doing things can pop into your mind. Take time to ponder. It can bring great results.

Chatting with your loved ones may be more appealing to you today than any other day, Aquarius. It may be important to curb this desire if there are many things that need your attention. If you’re at home, don’t spend all your time on the phone or loafing. Consider tending first to things that need to get done. Socializing will be far more enjoyable without guilty feelings about what you should be doing.

Pisces, you can expect to feel a little more energetic to-day. In fact, you may run circles around everyone. What a great way to start the day. Head out with the confidence that you can easily handle anything that comes your way. Take time to enjoy the company of others as much as possible. If there are meetings on the agenda, handle them right away.

Today may be a time of heightened reasoning and judg-ment for you, Virgo. What a great way to get things done! Pull out unfinished projects and get going. Tackle issues or problems that have surfaced recently by facing them di-rectly. Make the most of this day’s energy by thinking about ways to do things more efficiently. Be confident that you can handle anything.

You might feel like doing something different today, Ar-ies. Everyone needs a break from the regular grind and this is a good time to try something new. Perhaps you feel like vary-ing your routine. If this is your day off, you might spend the day doing whatever strikes your fancy. Try a new wardrobe style. Go to a movie. Do something to spice up your life today.

Start your day writing in a journal, Taurus. This provides an avenue to communicate and connect with your inner be-ing. Things you need to do, ambitions, and even challenges can appear while you’re writing, providing a map that you can follow. Even if starting is difficult, stick with it. The words will come if you give it a chance. It can make your day much easier.

You might find it hard to get going, Gemini. Taking di-rection could rub you the wrong way, especially if you’re set on doing something different. Communicate your ideas and how you want to approach things rather than let irritation get to you. Your approach will be better received if you leave emotions out of it. You may even get kudos for staying calm and collected.

You might feel cheerful and generous today, Cancer. Helping others will probably suit you, and matters will move along smoothly. If there are outstanding projects from ear-lier, tackle them first. It’s an opportune time to get caught up on challenges. Don’t hesitate to lend a hand if you’re ap-proached or notice someone in need. This will benefit them as well as you.

Make an effort to connect with someone you miss today, Leo. Even if it feels painful at first, you’ll feel a lot better once you do. Pick up the phone, write a note, or send an email. Let the person know you miss and care about him or her. Expressing yourself is often far better than stuffing your feel-ings. The person may be missing you just as much.

Rather for devel-oping Yousmarg as tourism hubYOUSMARG, (BUDGAM) DE-

CEMBER 23:- “After travelling across the country and the world as well, I have not spotted such a beautiful place but natives need to realize the importance of this natural treasure and preserve this mesmerizing land-scape, pleasant weather, Kashmiri culture and above all the values of Kashmiriyat”, said Ghulam Ahmed Mir, Minister for Tourism, after in-augurating Jammu Kashmir Tourism Development corporation’s Premium Brand Hotel Kong Posh at Yusmarg. The hotel was jointly inaugurated by the minister for tourism Ghulam Ahmed Mir and minister for Finance and Ladakh affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather who also represents the area in state assembly.

“This place has the poten-tial to give competition of established touristic places and along with the activities of adventure tourism like camping, trekking, hiking. The place can be explored for pilgrimage/reli-gious tourism, as it has the repute of

being the land of Nund reshi, Sheikh Noor-u-din wali. Tourism is a sure shot way of bringing home socio-economic development and as long as tourism doesn’t link itself to local activities, it’s spirit is lost”. Tak-ing the occasion to aware locals about various schemes of tourism depart-ment, the minister encouraged locals to buy tourist coaches on which the department of tourism shall be giv-ing them a subsidy of 50% and on an expenditure of Rs one crore on con-struction of hotels, Rs 30 lakh shall be provided by the department, hence urging them to create their liveli-hood by engaging in tourism related activities. Reminding them that Rs 29 crores had been earmarked for Yus-marg out of which Rs 21 crores have been spent already on constructing huts, herbal garden, JKTDC hotel and other landscaping. “Now is the time to strengthen the hands of Yous-marg development authority by local people’s participation, without which tourism can’t flourish”. Thanking the UPA government at centre, Mr Mir said that 12 development authorities across the state wouldn’t have come up without the support of central government and all of them aim at providing livelihood to locals and de-velop Kashmir as a world class tourist

destination. The hotel Kongposh of JKTDC

has come up with an expenditure of Rs 3.97 crores and consists of 22 su-per deluxe rooms. “It is equivalent to a 4-star rated hotel and is one of the

premium brand of JKTDC which has been constructed keeping the local architecture in mind and has been constructed on environment friendly lines. After Khyber at Gulmarg this

can very well be second in the pre-mium properties in JK and first of its kind by JKTDC, informed Manag-ing director JKTDC, Shamim Ahmed wani.

Abdul Rahim Rather thanked

people of his constituency for brav-ing sub zero temperatures and be-ing present in huge numbers at the occasion. Reminding people that life was instilled in Yousmarg develop-

ment authority only in the year 2009, when NC-Congress coalition took over the reins of state, he said that developmental activities need to be sustainable and scientific so that they don’t harm environmentally fragile places like meadows and water bod-ies and every step of infrastructural development needs to be taken care-fully. “First developmental activity in infrastructure building is road net-work, which his constituency can boast of”,he said with great content-ment.

The Finance minister fur-ther said that Doodganga, Bargah and Nilnag are the adjoining places of tremendous natural beauty which need to be taken on touristic map of valley along with Yusmarg .Possibil-ity of snow skiing should be explored in the area and Nilnag-Yusmarg cable car should be the next step in the de-velopment of the place.

Mr. Rather said be it contem-porary government at centre lead by Manmohan Singh or the forefathers of Indian National congress, the Con-gress party have always given special importance to Kashmir and the cur-rent coalition of NC-Congress at state level is an everlasting tie up of two secular parties which no communal party has the power to break.

Rs. 21 cr spent out of Rs. 29 cr earmarked for Yusmarg Dev: G.A.MIR

Saifullah chairs Select Committee

MeetJAMMU, DECEMBER 23:

The meeting of the Se-lect Committee of Jammu

and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on “the Jammu and Kashmir Private Secu-rity Agencies (Regulation)

Bill, 2013 (L.A. bill No.11 of 2013)” was held under the Chairmanship of Min-ister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Mir Saifullah here today.

Threadbare dis-cussion was held on vari-ous issues related to the Jammu and Kashmir Pri-vate Security Agencies (Regulation) Bill, 2013

(L.A. bill No.11 of 2013)”.Legislators, Nasir

Aslam Wani, Yashpaul Kundal, Jugal Kishore and

Peerzada Mansoor Hussain attended the meeting and gave their valuable sug-gestions with regard to the bill.

The Committee sug-gested to incorporate amendments in the Bill favouring the way for compensation Rs. 2.00 lac as ex-gratia relief to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs.50,000/- for seriously injured in case of any incident while discharging their duties.

Among others, Princi-pal Secretary Home Mr. Suresh Kumar, Secretary Assembly Mr. M. Ram-zan, Special Secretary Mr. M. R. Singh, Additional Secretary Law Mr. Achal Sethi and other officers of Assembly Secretariat at-tended the meeting.

Mir tours Dooru, takes stock of people’s developmental needs,

inspected projects

Urges for expediting the issuance of EPICs

ANANTNAG, DECEMBER 23:

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Mr. Shalindra Kumar today visited South Kashmir district to assess the preparation made for the Parliamentary polls here to-day.

Mr. Kumar while reviewing the arrangements being put in by the District Election Officers of Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian districts directed for expediting the issuance of the EP-ICs to achieve the targets in full besides exhorted for celebration of National Vot-ers Day to register maximum number of electorates.

Div Com was also apprised about the steps being taken to update the voter lists and about the incorporation of young voters in the list.

At Anantnag, it was given out in the meeting that out of total Draft Voters of 535140 in Anantnag, 498194 EPIC’s have been issued besides photographs of 461498 electorates have been made

available in the electoral rolls. It was also informed that out of total 20240 migrant voters, the photographs of 4721 electorates have been captured till date and 5000 registration forms have been distributed among the migrant voters of district Anantnag.

It was also revealed that the final

publication of electoral rolls of both the districts will be published on January 06, 2014.Divisional Commissioner directed the concerned to make necessary ar-rangements for celebration of National Voters day on January 25, 2014 in which the best performing poll official and Booth Level Officers will be rewarded.

Div Com reviews poll preparedness in South Kashmir districts

Dr Abdullah calls on President of NepalIndia offers all assistance

in Renewable Energy

JAMMU, DECEMBER 23– The 59th National School Games Volley Ball Championship for both Boys and Girls (U/14 years) concluded at MA stadium, today.

The 5-day championship was organized by Department of Youth Services and Sports under the aegis of School Games Fed-eration of India in which 42 teams of both boys and girls from 22 States across the country participated.

Minister for Roads & Buildings and Mechanical Engineering Mr. Abdul Majid Wani was the Chief Guest, while as Minister of State for Youth Services and Sports Mr. Feroz Ahmad Khan was guest of honour at the concluding ceremony of the tourney.

Highlighting the importance of games in life, Mr Wani called upon the budding youth to take active part in sports activities, saying that co-curricular activities are vital in harmonious devel-opment of youth. He hoped that the budding players that partici-pated in the tournament would work hard to become ace players of the nation and bring laurel to the State and country while play-ing in national and international events.

Mr. Feroz complemented the participants in the mega sports event calling upon them to be ambassadors of the state and carry forward the message of peace to their respective states.

Director General, Youth Services & Sports Naveen Aggarwal said that a team would be selected from among these players who participated in the 59th National School Games for Volley Ball U/14 for both boys and girls, who will represent the country in the next Asian Games to be held in Vietnam.

59th National School Games Volley Ball tourney concludes

Wani gives away prizes, trophies

JAMMU, DECEMBER 23:

The Speaker, Jammu and Kash-mir Legislative Assembly, Mr. Mubarak Gul today directed all executing agencies to gear up re-spective field functionaries and speed up the pace on all ongo-ing developmental projects under execution in Eidgah, Srinagar to ensure that these are completed in time bound manner. He also asked them to use funds in full and ju-diciously.

Chairing a high level meeting of officers convened to review the pace of progress on different works for development of Eidgah, Srinagar here today, the Speaker asked the Jammu and Kashmir Project Construction Corporation (JKPCC) to furnish a detailed report

including liabilities, if any, about turffing and earth filling works.

Threadbare discussion was held on completion of demarcation and removal of encroachments, drain-age system, construction of two main gates and Mimber Sharief at the religious place.

It was informed in the meeting that Rs 4 crore project for installa-tion of solar lights from Safakadal to Ali Masjid to Soura and other corridors have been formulated and forwarded to the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Gov-ernment of India.

The Director Floriculture Kash-mir briefed the meeting about the works of beautification taken up by the department at the Sprawling ground.

Mr. Gul directed for plantation

of new flowers and ensuring proper maintenance of the park.

It was informed in the meeting that construction of temporary De-watering Station near Aali Masjid Eidgah is in progress and Rs.19 lakh are to be required for laying of out-fall pipes from Eidgah to Reshanhar Nallah.

The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary, Planning and Development Mr. B. R. Sharma, Secretary, Assembly M. Ramzan, Secretary Revenue Mr. Vinod Koul, Secretary, Housing and Urban De-velopment Mr. Satish Nehru, Secre-tary, Waqaf Board Mr. G. M. Rather, CFC Mr. Ravi Mangortra, Managing Director, JKPCC Mr. T. R. Bhagat and other officers and engineers of vari-ous departments besides officers of Assembly Secretariat.

Calls for sustained livestock growth by scientific methods

JAMMU, DECEMBER 23: Stressing the need for sustained growth of livestock, the Minister of State for Animal and Sheep Husbandry Mr. Nazir Ahmad Gurezi Monday directed the Animal Husbandry department to prepare a comprehensive plan for construction of Liquid Nitrogen Plants (LNPs) at Kashmir and Jammu to ensure scientific preservation of Bull Semen.

Chairing a meeting of officers of Animal Husbandry department con-vened to review the physical and financial achievements under different centrally sponsored schemes and working of the department here today, Mr Gurezi asked the officers to work with utmost dedication and honesty.

Threadbare discussions were held on strengthening existing semen banks, import of semen straws, procurement of breeding bulls for natural service, manpower development and computerization.

While discussing revenue accruals out of semen straw sale, the Min-ster directed them to prepare action plan for up gradation of breeding sheds at Ranbirbagh, Ganderbal.

It was informed in the meeting that Liquid Nitrogen Plant, Shalteng, having production capacity of 1.25 lakh per year is used for preservation of bull semen.

Gurezi reviews achievements of A&SH deptt Speaker reviews pace on dev

works in Eidgah Srinagar

NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 23:-

India has offered all possible assis-tance to Nepal in developing its renew-able energy resources. This offer was made by Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Minister for New and Renewable Energy when he called on the President of Nepal, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav at Kathmandu.

Dr Abdullah was on a day-long visit to the Nepali capital.During the meeting the Dr Abdullah also conveyed the con-gratulations of the government of India on the successful conduct of the second constituent assembly elections in Nepal.

Dr Abdullah also called on Mr Khil Raj Regmi, Chairman of the Council of Minis-ters of the Interim Election Government. During the meeting, Dr. Abdullah briefed him on the energy situation in India and the rapid growth of the renewable energy sector in India. He spoke of India’s plans to add significant amounts of renewable energy to its energy mix in the next 5

years. He also highlighted India’s condu-cive and investor friendly policy frame-work for promoting renewable energy in a big way. Dr. Abdullah suggested that Nepal had great had great potential for enhancing its use of renewable energy resources, particularly, hydro, solar and biomass and offered to provide all pos-sible assistance for the purpose.

Earlier, the Minister inaugurated the India INVESTRADE in Nepal-an exposi-tion and buyer seller meet on the electri-cal equipment and energy sector. Speak-ing on the occasion, Dr Abdullah made a strong pitch for cooperation between the two countries to develop Nepal’s hydro-power resources. Terming it a ‘win-win proposal’ he urged for a meaningful co-operation between the countries to ease the power situation. He also urged the Indian exhibitors who were part of IN-VESTRADE to work closely with their Ne-pali counterparts to help develop Nepal’s vast and untapped energy potential.