Land acquisition for rail project in Kashmir completed: Hakeem

KT NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, Jan 9: Land acquisition process for the prestigious railway link from Qazigund to Baramulla in the Valley has almost been completed and Rs.220 crore distributed as compensation amongst the land owners of Anantnag, Pulwama, Srinagar and Baramulla districts.

Major portion of 15503 kanals of the land has been acquired while the process for acquiring 188 kanals is in progress.

This information was given to the Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Hakeem Mohammad Yasin while chairing a meeting of Collectors of Anantnag, Pulwama, Srinagar and Baramulla and senior functionaries of Northern Railways, J&K.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr.

Khurhsid Ahmad Ganai and Secretary Revenue, Mr.

Mumtaz Afzal also participated in the meeting.

The Minister instructed Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir for formulation of a comprehensive employment package for the educated and other skilled kith and kin of the owners whose maximum land has been acquired for the railway project for onward submission to the Centre for early consideration.

He said locals should have preference in the jobs in railways in the Valley.

Indo-Pak peace process a leap forward: CM KT NEWS SERVICE SRINAGAR, Jan 9: Welcoming the outcome of the meeting Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and President Pervaz Mushrraf at the sideline of SAARC, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that a comprehensive dialogue would soon commence by the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr.

Advani to address the internal dimension as well.

He said a favourable atmosphere created in the aftermath of SAARC summit has left positive impact in the sub-continent and in the state as well.

Addressing separate public meetings at Beehama and Wutlar in Ganderbal tehsil after laying foundation stone of Rs.

1.57 crore Revenue complex and Rs.

6.66 crore Rural Water Supply Scheme, the Chief Minister said that the peace process between the two neighbours was a leap forward towards resolution of the vexed Kashmir imbroglio and time is not far away when the dream would be realized into reality adding that the walls of hatred between the two neighbouring countries would collapse and enable people from both the sides to ventilate and share their feelings and sentiments to one another.

He said that the people from both the sides have strong urge to visit each other and reopening of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road would be definitely a historic step taken in this direction.

The people of the border areas from Jammu to Ladakh felt extremely happy and cheerful soon after the announcement of cease-fire on LoC and exchanged sweets as a good will gesture.

He said that the people of the Valley were the greatest sufferers confronted between India and Pakistan but now with the movement of peace process and friendship, a new hope has been generated among the people for a bright tomorrow.

Expressing optimism over the next round of talks between the two nations, he said it would inevitable fructify encouraging results and he was sure enough that the peace process would be taken to logical conclusion saying that there is no question of retreat.

He said that this process would further the cause of friendship and peace between the two nations and would provide an opportunity for the divided families of either side to meet together after a long span of 56 years.

Mufti Sayeed said that when we talked about dialogue to adhere internal and external dimensions may took it serious but people in the election supported us.

With our effort and image of the people, there is movement forward the peace process.

"Our stand on peace and Kashmir tangle is vindicated by the joint declaration of SAARC Summit", which too resolved to address both the issues bilaterally through negotiations between India and Pakistan with pragmatic approach.

About development scenario in Ganderbal, the Chief Minister said this area which once used to be a bastion of particular party would be credited for blowing the winds of change across the state by wresting the power with the coalition government.

He said that the area located at a stone's thrown from capital city of Srinagar has been lagging behind in matters of development.

However, he said "we have resolved to develop Ganderbal as a central point by zeroing in a focus on every sphere of life ranging from availability of all basic amenities to multifarious development activities.

He said the coalition government is determined to shape the destiny of the people and whatever the commitments would be fulfilled in toto.

Seeking cooperation of the people in development programmes, the Chief Minister said that we are marching ahead with our programmes judiciously and fairness which are aimed at trickling down the benefits to the lower strata of the society.

He directed the R&B department to complete construction of Revenue complex at Ganderbal within one year instead of two years targeted period.

Similarly, PHE authorities were asked to ensure early completion of water supply scheme at Wutlar with two years rather than staggering it over a period of three years.

He also directed irrigation and Flood Control department to immediately undertake the process desilting of Zamindari khuls as has been done last year.

The construction of check dams under Panchayat schemes should also be taken up, he added.

Earlier, the Chief Minister distributed 27 appointment letters among educated unemployed youth of Ganderbal tehsil under Rehbar-e-Taleem and Education Guarantee schemes.

With this, the number of appointees under the two schemes in the tehsil has risen to about 500.

Minister for PHE and Irrigation Qazi Mohammad Afzal and Minister of State for Education Mr.

Veeri were also present.

Minister of State for Education Veeri in his address at Wutlar said that the dialogue between India and Pakistan is the only way out to resolve Kashmir tangle.

He said that the coalition government has accorded priority to agriculture and irrigation sectors on which 80 per cent of rural population would bank upon for sustenance.

Likewise, the scope of university level education has been widened by opening university camps in districts of Baramulla and Anantnag at the doorsteps of the students.

He said the network of DPS schools has been created across the valley with 20 per cent reservation for the poor meritorious students who would not have to shell out any expenses on this count.

The Minister said that the people are the fountain head of power and they have every right to judge the performance on ground adding that although one year's tenure in office is quite a short period to assess the achievements yet the coalition government has had innumerable financial and physical achievements to its credit.

Mufti condemns grenade attack KT NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, Jan 9: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad has strongly condemned the grenade attack by militants on Chhoti Masjid here this afternoon injuring 21 persons.

In a statement, Mufti Sayeed said that it is highly deplorable that militants have indulged in such a shameful act to target people offering namaz.

Asking all right thinking persons to condemn it in strongest terms, he said that the people would not allow such elements to succeed in their nefarious designs to disrupt city's peace and amity.

He asserted that such acts would not deter us from our effort to restore peace and normalcy with dignity in the state as the people are strongly yearning for it.

Meanwhile, on the instructions of the Chief Minister, Principal Secretary General Administration and Secretary Health visited the Medical College Hospital earlier in the day when Mufti Sayeed was in the valley to ensure that the injured get best possible treatment.

They also enquired about the condition of one Abdul Rashid Khan, an employee of the secretariat, who has sustained serious injuries in the grenade attack and admitted in the emergency.

All possible medical attention is being given to him.

Deputation meets Mattoo, demands allotment of land KT NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, Jan 9: A deputation of Handicraft Artisans Association, Srinagar called on the Minister of State for Industries and Commerce, Mr.

Raman Mattoo and presented various demands including allotment of land in their possession for securing financial assistance provided under Government of India scheme for construction of work sheds.

The Minister said that since it is difficult to get land records in the name of applicants, certificate for 15 years ownership possession of particular piece of land would suffice for fulfilling the requirement, under the scheme.

He said the matter would also be taken up with Development Commissioner Handicrafts, Government of India.

Mattoo asked the Association to submit applications with Director Handicrafts who in consultation with concerned District Development Commissioner would organize a two-day mela for according necessary clearance.

Regarding the demand for disbursement of working capital in a single installment to the Artisans, the Minister said that the matter would be taken up with the Jammu and Kashmir Bank.

To ensure that the loan benefits provided to the artisans go to rightful persons, the Minister said that apart from other eligibilities artisans be asked to obtain certificate from President Artisans Association.

He said similar certificate should be made a prerequisite for participation of artisans in craft bazaars, melas etc.

Minister for Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Mr.

Muzaffar Hussain Baig has strongly condemned the grenade attack out side a mosque in Jammu today in which several civilians including Secretariat employees were injured.

The Minister has described it an act of frustration of the vested interests who want to derail the ongoing peace initiative taken by India and Pakistan.

Later, on the instructions of Chief Minister Mr.

Baig visited this evening to Government Medical College Hospital to enquire the welfare of the injured persons and ordered immediate relief for the injured.

Peerzada visits injured in hospital KT NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, Jan 9: Minister for Rural Development Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed today visited Government Medical College Hospital to enquire about the people injured in a grenade attack at Peermitha locality here.

Strongly condemning the attack, the Minister said that targeting innocent people and make them victims of violence is a heinous and condemnable act.

He enquired about the health of the patients and stressed for complete medical care.

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