SRINAGAR Amid fresh rain and snowfall, the unusual cold spell for April continued to shiver people in Kashmir valley today with day temperature in Srinagar, the summer capital of the State, plunging to nearly seven degree centigrade below the normal.

There have been or at least expectations of a real bumper crop in the country this year (July 2010-June 2011). One feels this is the time for structural change in the food distribution system in the country, with a structural change in the distribution of food grains to the needy.

Keeping in view the reservations of Opposition and Ruling Alliance Members over some of its clauses, the Legislative Assembly today referred the Jammu and Kashmir Prohibition on Conversion of Agricultural Land for Non-Agricultural Purposes Bill to the Select Committee for detailed deliberations on several provisions.

JAMMU, A total of 14,359.62 hectares of forest area is still under encroachment in the State and 1009.27 hectares area has been retrieved during the last five years.

This was informed by Minister for Forest, Mian Altaf in response to a question of Congress MLA from Bhaderwah, Mohd Sharief Niaz in the Legislative Assembly today.

JAMMU, Government today introduced bills in the Legislative Assembly to ensure efficient use of energy and its conservation, prohibit the conversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes and to amend the Panchayati Raj and Cooperative Societies Acts.

JAMMU, Minister of Forests, Environment, Ecology and Remote Sensing, Mian Altaf Ahmad today said that protection of forest wealth is the prime duty of every individual, as the forests are important for maintaining ecological balance and safe and secure environment.

The Minister was addressing awareness

Minister for Rural Development and Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Mohammad Sagar has said that proposal for construction of Chhatroo-Singhpora-Vailoo tunnel is under consideration, adding that study of the project has been conducted and recently mode of execution of the project discussed at a high level meeting.

Replying to a question by G.M.

Stating that the Agriculture sector which had lost its 'glory' in the era of industrialisation, has been brought back into the focus of State's financial scenario, Minister for Agriculture, Gh.

JAMMU, Mar 10: Minister for Forests, Environment and Ecology, Mian Altaf informed the House that a 3-member committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Chairman, Pollution Control Board comprising its members as Magistrate and Police Officer of their respective areas to give suggestions how to control the noise pollution in twin capital cities of the State.

The Minister was replyin

JAMMU, Mar 10: NHPC India