Iranian Ambassador calls on Omar
SRINAGAR, JUNE 03 – The Iranian Ambassador, Syed Mehdi this morning called on Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah here. The Minister of CAPD, Qamar Ali Akhoon and Minister for Animal Husbandry, Aga Syed Ruhulla were also present on the occasion.            Matters relating to mutual interest were discussed in the meeting.No:PR/DI/12/821/....

Banihal deputation meets CM
SRINAGAR, JUNE 03 – A deputation from Banihal area led by Sajad Shaheen today called on Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and presented him a memorandum of demands relating to the development of the area.The deputation besides requesting special packages for road connectivity, installation of mini hydel and wind projects under new and renewable energy, upgradation of basic amenities and recruitment drive by the Police Department in un-represented and backward areas of Banihal Constituency.The Chief Minister gave patient hearing and said that the demands would be given due consideration. No:PR/DI/12/822/....

Omar inaugurates book fair
SRINAGAR, JUNE 02 – Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Saturday underlined the need of inculcating book reading in new generation to keep this culture alive. He said the advancement in technology and enhanced coverage by TV channels; internet and computers have declined the habit of book reading especially in the younger generation.Addressing a gathering of writers, educationists, students and lovers of literature after inaugurating book fair at S. P. College here, the Chief Minister said that holding of book fair in Srinagar by National Book Trust of India after 1986 is a welcome step in the direction of reviving the habit of book reading among the people.Omar Abdullah said that it is observed that present generation is not so fond of reading books. “They instead watch TV or remain busy with i....

CM interacts with All India Service Probationers from J&K
SRINAGAR, JUNE 02 – Stating that sincere public service delivery by officers ultimately count on ground and leave lasting impression in the minds of people, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Saturday asked All India Service Probationers from Jammu and Kashmir to make this aspect benchmark in their service career. Congratulating the probationers for qualify the prestigious All India Service examination 2011-12, Omar Abdullah expressed satisfaction over the trend developed in youth of Jammu and Kashmir to prove their mettle and intelligence at the national level. The Chief Minister during the interaction with the probationers who called on him here today shared various life experiences with them. He said Jammu and Kashmir would be glad enough to utilize their services in the State. “If we have t....

BJP MPs, MLAs call on CM
SRINAGAR, JUNE 02 – A team of Parliament Members and MLAs of Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) led by Raj Nath Singh this morning called on Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah here today. The team comprised of Ravi Shanker Prassad, V. Raj Patil, Ashok Khajuria, Shemsher Singh and Nandda Ji. NO.PR/DI/2012/785/....

More stringent law to check sale of spurious handicrafts in offing: Slathia
SRINAGAR, JUNE 2: Minister for Industries and Commerce, Mr. Surjeet Singh Slathia today announced to issue 70,000 Artisan Credit Cards (ACC) this year to enable crafts persons of the Srinagar to get hassle free credit facilities from the Banking Institutions.Speaking at the, first of its kind, live interactive session with the artisans of Kashmir at Handicrafts Museum-cum-School of Designs at Exhibition Ground Srinagar, Mr. Slathia said that to provide marketing channels to the crafts persons during the current tourist season and ensuing Shri Amarnath Yatra, a calendar for organizing Handicrafts Exhibition cum Sale events from May15 to September 2012 has been planned so that artisans could sell their products to the tourists without exploitation of middlemen. These stalls would be set–up b....

Omar inaugurates Girls Hostel, lays foundation of Boys Hostel at Kashmir University
SRINAGAR, JUNE 02 – Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Saturday said that the balance between expansion and consolidation is of prime importance for meaningful growth and development of various sectors adding that education and health care fields demand all the more focused attention in this regard.Interacting with the students of Kashmir University here after inaugurating the Girls Hostel and laying foundation for Boys Hostel, Omar Abdullah replied questions of the students pertaining to wide ranging subjects.The Chief Minister said that his government concentrated on consolidation aspect during the first two years of its tenure to operationalize the infrastructure and ensure smooth functioning of health and educational institutions to the benefit of the people. “We provided equipment, faculty....

Govt has prioritized development of Shehar-i-Khas on fast tract basis: Gul
SRINAGAR, JUNE 02: Underscoring the need for completion of various development projects within the stipulated time frame, Advisor to Chief Minister, Mr. Mubarak Gul today visited Shehar-i-Khas Idgah Constituency and inspected the ongoing development projects with the stressing on following the quality standard. He inspected under construction Rs. 12 crore Mother and Child Care Hospital constructed by PWD (R&B) Department under district plan. The project was started in 2004 and will be completed at the end of this year on which Rs. 5 crore has been spent upto April this year.Addressing the people Mr Gul said that after completion of the 30 beds hospital the need of almost all the population of constituency and its adjoining areas will be fulfilled. Referring to other demands, Gul said, ....

Treasuries play vital role in enforcing financial discipline: Rather
JAMMU, JUNE 02 - Affirming on strict adherence to the treasury code by the officers, the Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Mr Abdul Rahim Rather said that Treasuries are the financial face of the Government and custodian of the public exchequer. Speaking at the 10th periodical meeting of the Treasury Officers, representatives of Accountant General (A&E), Stamps and J&K Bank, here today, the Minister asserted that treasuries have a vital role to play in enforcing financial discipline and ensuring transparency in the system.Rather exhorted upon the Treasury Officers to strictly maintain Budget Control Registers and in no case allow Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) to exceed the Budget allocations .He said that no  irregularity with regard to the payments in excess o....

Omar meets public in Awami Mulakat
SRINAGAR, JUNE 01 – Reaffirming his government’s determination to work vigorously for permanent peace and sustained development in the State, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Friday said that a well defined roadmap to reach out all areas and all sections of the society is being followed alongwith facilitating the forward movement in the process of restoration of permanent peace and tranquillity.Talking to different deputations who called on him in his Friday Awami Mulakat here, the Chief Minister said that the positive results of the initiatives his government has initiated to focus development and peace simultaneously, have started yielding visible results.“From the day first, I assumed the charge of Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, my government’s attention has been on the twin subjects....