DIES: Sajad Ahmed, 22, of Sangrampora Sopore who was under PSA detention died at SKIMS, Soura. His family accused police of not providing him proper medical treatment despite court directions. Sajad was detained last November and lodged in sub jail Baramulla. He was later shifted to Dstrict Jail Kupwara. Sopore observed a complete shutdown in protest.
PLANNED: Power Ministry is planning to start working on 35.7 MW Parnai Hydro Electric Project on Suran river after May 2012, once the bidding process is complete. The project is worth 483 crore and will be completed in four years. A total of Rs 30 crore have been earmarked for it this fiscal. Another project of 12 MW on Girjan-ki-Gali is in the line.
STARTING: The fisheries department is installing an imported feed mill at the cost of Rs 10 crore at Manasbal to boost trout production and ensure availability of feed to both government and private fish farms. The National Fisheries Development Board has provided 90% of the funds as grant. The mill will go operational in April 2012.
DIRECTED: The J&K High Court has directed the Divisional Commissioner Jammu to furnish status report, within three weeks, of the alleged nexus of politicians, police officers and bureaucrats with land mafias in Jammu and Samba. In case of failing to do so, the Divisional Commissioner would have to appear in the court in person.
PULLED: J&K Chief Commissioner served a show-cause notice to the PRO, R&B Department who failed to send an order copy of demolition of a Dak Banglow in Gurez, which reportedly is a heritage structure. The commissioner pulled up the state government for demolishing the structure which served as an inn for visitors between Srinagar and Askardu before 1947.
IMPROVED: Jammu and Kashmir Industries Limited (JKI) has improved its turnover to Rs 6.33 crore as against last year’s Rs 2.61crore. It is predicted to jump to 11 crore in next fiscal year. The figures were shared in its 149th board of directors meeting.
SANCTIONED: Twelve new hospital projects have been sanctioned for J&K. These projects will help to build a quality healthcare infrastructure, Health Ministry says. Among these, six will be constructed in Jammu and six in Kashmir province; three are district hospitals and the rest are sub-district hospitals. The estimated cost of this project is Rs 232 crore and in the first phase Rs 45 crore will be released.
RECORDED: The statement of Shuja Latoo, one of the investigating officers in Ganderbal fake encounter was recorded partly due to the paucity of time in the Sessions Court. The case is listed for another hearing in second week of April when the full statement will be recorded. In the infamous Ganderbal fake encounters case one Abdul Rehman Padroo was killed and labeled as a LeT militant – Abu Hafiza from Pakistan.
INTENSIFIED: LAWDA intensifying its demolition drive, removed about 101 illegal structures and seized about 21 trucks and tippers transporting material for construction in the restricted zone. FIRs have been lodged with the police against 16 people allegedly involved in “illegal operations”. People have been warned against any sort of construction, encroachment and transportation in lake which comes under LAWDA.
RULED: The J&K High Court has ruled that passport cannot be denied to a person if his sibling has committed an offense which is prejudicial to the security of state. The ruling was passed in the case of Khursheed Ahmed Wani, a veterinary scholar whose brother is being accused of “indulged in anti-national” activities. The court ordered that the passport be granted to Wani within six weeks.
PAID: 14 Rashtriya Rifles battalion released about Rs 32 lakh rent of nearly 40 families from Bandipora for occupying their land at the Kharpura camp. A camp was first set up at the site by the paramilitary BSF, which was taken over by the CRPF and then by Rashtriya Rifles since November 2003.
SUSPENDED: One Defense estate officer and one sub divisional officer (grade I) of Defense Estate have been suspended in a land grabbing case of defense land near Srinagar. The CBI has initiated its inquiry.
PLANNED: The state government is setting up a shooting range worth Rs 649 lakh at Nagrota. This will be one of its kinds and will raise the profile of sports in the state, sports ministry says.
SANCTIONED: The central government has sanctioned Rs 150 crore to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as Special Industry Initiative (SII) for J&K for the coming fiscal year. The amount will be spent on various measures to encourage businessmen to invest in the state, they say.
