* More funds to flow shortly

JAMMU: The Planning Commission of India (PCI) has released Rs 1000 crore worth first installment of current financial year's annual plan for the State. The PCI would be releasing remaining amount of the plan during subsequent months. A handsome amount from out of Rs 7300 crore was likely to be released well before onset of the winter to give pace to development works.

SHOPIAN: The potential places along the historical Mughal road would be soon developed as eco-tourism sites under a special Rs 1.50 crore project.

The project to be jointly implemented by the Forest, Tourism and Wild Life Departments envisages massive aforestation, conservation of wild life habitats and rich eco-system of the area , besides creation of sustainable tourism infrastructure. The information was given by the Minister for Forests and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmed during his tour to Shopian district.

Extraction of sand, bajri beneath bridges, culverts banned

JAMMU: The State Pollution Control Board (PCB) has issued orders for closure of B N Stone crusher at village Thathar, Bantalab as the same was located near residential area and adding pollution to the air and noise pollution in the area. The order regarding the closure of stone crusher was issued by Chairman Pollution Control Board, Lal Chand on the basis of public complaints. Mr Chand said that Board will take strict action and will not allow functioning of any stone crusher adjacent to residential areas threatening the environment and causing noise and air pollution.

JAMMU: With the Asian Development Bank funding worth Rs 360 crore, the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) has augmented nearly 24 million gallons of water per day (MGD) for Jammu city by constructing 54 tube wells and raising 59 over head tanks.

Not only this, ERA has also provided big relief to the people of the winter capital city by installing 44 high capacity pumping equipment at 13 critical pumping stations for better pumping and 38 dedicated feeders at various PHE pumping stations for assured water supply.

Regular auditing, monitoring of radiations stressed

JAMMU: Taking serious note of the general complaints that Electro-Magnetic Radiations from the cell-phone towers have been leaving adverse impact on wildlife especially birds and bees, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has issued detailed advisory containing the actions to be undertaken by various agencies in order to avoid the impacts of radiations on such species.

SRINAGAR: Rs 880 crore gas pipeline project from Gujarat to Jammu and Kashmir will be completed within 36 months.

This was revealed by the officials of Gujarat State Petronet Ltd (GSPL) during the power point presentation made in a high-level meeting chaired by Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Raman Bhalla here today. Minister of State for Revenue, Nasir Aslam Wani was also present in the meeting. The GSPL officials highlighted importance of laying Rs 880 crore Gas Pipeline project from Gujrat to Jammu and Kashmir and its benefits to the people of the state. They said that project has to be completed in 36 months while the survey of the said project has already been completed.

SRINAGAR: Today's Traveller Magazine has conferred the prestigious "Best Adventure Destination" in the country award on Jammu & Kashmir.

JAMMU: Concerned over regional grid failures last week, Union Power Ministry today issued fresh set of directions to eight Northern States including Jammu and Kashmir for carrying out mandatory reforms with thrust on special protection system for the power grids and automatic demand management scheme. It has also fixed time-lines for the implementation of each direction.

The 12-point directions were chalked out during the meeting of Chief Ministers and representatives from various Northern States and Union Territory of Chandigarh convened by the Union Power Minister, Veerappa Moily.

Several houses, acres of agricultural land inundated

Twenty-four persons trapped in flash floods were rescued on Sunday by the police, the Army and the locals in Samba, Kathua and Jammu districts, where dozens of houses and several acres of agricultural land are still inundated. “Twenty-four people and cattle were rescued from Ujhm Basantar and Tawi rivers in Samba, Jammu and Kathua,” officials said.

*Dal dwellers, KPs get their share

JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in his capacity as Planning Minister, has approved four major sectors as priority areas for the year 2012-13 to utilize Rs 700 crore, which the Planning Commission of India had given to the State Government under the Prime Minister’s Re-construction Plan (PMRP) during July 13 meeting with Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia.