Pollution board urged not to ‘harass’ hoteliers

Srinagar: The J&K Hoteliers Club on Friday urged the J&K Pollution Control Board (JKPCB) not to harass the hoteliers of Gulmarg in north Kashmir. A JKHC statement said a meeting of the club’s Special Assistance Committee was held where the issue of sewage treatment plants of Gulmarg hotels was discussed. The club urged the JKPCB not to ‘harass the hoteliers of Gulmarg for running STPs as the hotels have zero occupancy’. “The repair and renovation of Boulevard Road hotels should be given priority as the hoteliers need day-to-day upgrade of their establishments,” the statement said. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Mohammad Afzal Parray while JKHC chairman Mushtaq Ahmad Chaya and secretary general Tariq Rashid Ghani were also present. TNS

Govt forms panel to consolidate SROs

Jammu: The government has set up a committee to consolidate all Sadr-e-Riyasat Ordinances (SROs) issued by various departments on the same subject to avoid over-lapping. “The panel  will be headed by Mohammad Rafi Andrabi, Director Codes, Finance Department,” said an order of Principal Secretary, Finance, Navin Kumar Choudhary. TNS

PIL filed against NC chief in Delhi

Jammu: A public interest litigation (PIL) was on Friday filed in the Delhi High Court against National Conference president Farooq Abdullah seeking action for his reported controversial remarks on PoK, including that it belonged to the neighbouring country. The plea was filed by Delhi-based Maulana Ansar Raza who claimed to be a social activist. pti

Farooq visits martyr Sohanlal’s house

Jammu: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah visited the residence of martyr Sohanlal Bhagat at Sarah Pargalta in Bajalta panhayat of the Nagrota assembly constituency and extended condolences to his father and other members of the bereaved family. Sohanlal of Assam Rifles was martyred in when an improvised explosive device went off in Chandel district of Manipur on November 13. National Conference provincial president Devender Singh Rana, senior state vice-president Surjeet Singh Slathia, additional general secretary Sheikh Mustaffa Kamal and Trilochan Singh Wazir also accompanied Farooq. Farooq and other senior leaders prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss. TNS

Volleyball tourney

Jammu: Sainik School, Nagrota, defeated hosts Border Security Force (BSF) School, Jammu, 2-1 in the final to clinch the CBSE Jammu Sahodaya Volleyball Championship, which concluded here today. A total of seven schools affiliated to the CBSE competed in the tournament. Vijay Singh of Sainik School was adjudged the best player of the championship. Chief guest Ram Awtar, IG, BSF Jammu Frontier, gave away prizes to the winners and runners-up. Declaring the meet closed, the IG emphasised the importance of sports for everyone in the society. TNS

NCC camp held

Jammu: The National Integration Camp, Jammu, which started on November 7, entered its 10th day of training on Friday. In all, 500 cadets from different states of India are participating in the camp. A number of activities were held on Friday. The camp was visited by Hilal Ahmed Parray, Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services and Sports along with Rajnesh Kumar, Additional Secretary, Youth Services and Sports. Parray was given a guard of honour by the cadets. Cadets of all NCC directorates presented a beautiful cultural programme on the occasion. TNS

Mirwaiz regrets rejection of Islamic banking

Srinagar: Muttahida Ulema Council president Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday expressed “dismay and regret” at the Centre’s rejection to introduce Islamic banking. In a statement, he said the people of Kashmir had been demanding the introduction of Islamic banking for a long time. “It is ironic that while unIslamic practices such as liquor is promoted in the name of tourism and economic growth, there is no push from these quarters to introduce Islamic banking as a clean means of bolstering the state economy,” Mirwaiz said. TNS