PCB claims ‘zero’ discharge from factories

SAMBA: Eight buffaloes were killed while four others fell ill after they consumed poisonous water from a nallah coming from SIDCO Industrial complex Samba to Basantar river this afternoon. The members of the Gujjar community whose cattle were grazing near river Basantar came to know about the matter and rushed there. They found six animals dead and about half a dozen others writhing in pain on the ground. They lodged their strong protest and alleged that their cattle died after they drank polluted poisonous water coming from about twenty factories located in SIDCO complex Samba.

City facing 3 MGL water shortage per day

JAMMU: A mega Rs 1008 crore water supply project is being prepared to cater to the need of drinking water by lifting it from river Chenab near Akhnoor for the Greater Jammu while the city is still facing a shortage of nearly 3 MGL (30 lakh gallons) of water per day. Authoritative sources told Excelsior that the State Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has already given a nod to the project which will be completed in two phases. The project has been designed to cater to the need of water supply for the Greater Jammu for the next 30 years. The river Tawi has been found inadequate to meet the demand of water supply for over 13 lakh souls or more in next one decade.

JAMMU: At least six persons were killed in land slides, house collapse and flash floods as the heavy rain created havoc in the region since last evening.

The traffic was disrupted on several roads for some time in the region as flash flood in various nallahs and land slides put the normal life out of gear. The traffic on busy Samba-Mansar- Udhampur-Srinagar road came to grind halt after land slides hit the road at Papar Morh near Nud last mid night. The traffic on the road could be restored only around 10.30 am today.

SRINAGAR: The State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) headed by Chief Secretary Madhav Lal, approved the Action Plan 2012-13 for Rs 112.08 crore under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) in a meeting held here Thursday.

Under the Plan Rs 12 crore has been earmarked for implementation of vegetable initiative for urban clusters of the state, Rs 50 crore for Saffron and Rs 14.91 crore for Development of Diary, Goatry, fisheries, sheep and poultry.

JAMMU: In order to provide respite to the people from the acute power crisis, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today sanctioned Rs 200 crore for purchase of additional power and Rs 12 crore for speedy repair of damaged transformers and other system improvement works. With this decision, the availability of electricity will increase by 250 Mega Watts (MW) and consumers will heave sigh of relief from the power curtailments up to large extent from tomorrow itself when the Power Development Department will issue fresh electricity supply schedule.

SRINAGAR: Speaking in the 2nd session of the marathon 65th Board of Directors meeting of Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) here last evening, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah received detailed account of modus operandi of launch of new power projects by the Corporation. The Board also approved Rs. 1850 crore annual budget for JKSPDC.

The Board approved invitation of tenders for development of 390 MW Kirthai-I & 990 MW Kirthai-II as fully State owned projects through EPC mode. The Board approved award of contracts for 9 MW Hanu & 9 MW Dah to the eligible lowest bidder on the basis of tender process successfully completed by the Corporation.

Need of alternate line between capital cities via Rajouri-Poonch stressed

JAMMU: In order to meet the electricity requirement during winter months when generation from hydro projects comes down considerably, State Government has demanded one each Thermal and Solar Power Projects from the Union Government besides alternate transmission line between Jammu and Srinagar via twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch for dependable power supply to snow bound areas. The State has also reiterated the demand of Rs 1000 crore equity assistance for the construction of Stage-II of the Baglihar Hydroelectric Project on river Chenab at Chanderkote in Ramban district.

SAMBA: The Plan of Rs 65.88 crore for District Samba was approved in a meeting of District Development Board (DDB) held under the Chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand.

The District Development Commissioner, Samba Mubarak Singh gave a detailed account of physical and financial achievements for the financial year 2011-12 and proposed an annual plan for the financial year 2012-13.

Environment Ministry, PCI express concern over ‘slackness’

JAMMU: Notwithstanding the fact that Jammu and Kashmir has been categorized as sensitive from climate change point of view, the State Government has remained insensitive towards preparation of State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) and missed several deadlines set-up by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.

RAJOURI: The traders and local people from Rajouri town held massive protest demonstration against the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department at main chowk here today.

They were protesting against the concerned authorities for their utter failure to provide drinking water to the people of Rajouri town. The agitators shouted loud slogans against the PHE Minister, Chief Engineer PHE and concerned Executive Engineer.