The ever degrading sanitary conditions at the general bus stand Jammu is a serious concern. The nullah flowing through it is prime source of stink and garbage which even makes it difficult for people to stand in the yard of bus stand. It is very astonishing that the bus stand is under the nose of Jammu Municipal Corporation office, despite that JMC is not paying attention towards its sanitation.

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil today accentuated the need to undertake the "second Green Revolution that will enhance agriculture productivity as also adopt new technologies for the optimum utilization of agricultural produce" so as to take on the urgent challenge of our times food crisis.

LEH: The Rural Electrification Corporation Limited has approved and sanctioned a project for Rs. 198.08 crores for electrification of Leh district. Out of the Rs.198 crores, Rs. 38 crores will be sent on scheme for rural electricity infrastructure and rural household electrification for 6909 rural household in Leh district and the rest Rs 160 crores will be spent on laying 66 KV transmission line and erecting power station from Dha to Hemya to enable transmission of electricity from Alchi project to various villages of Leh district.

Governor Lt Gen S K Sinha and Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today described shrinking agricultural land in the state a grave issue and emphasized the need to go for research-oriented agri-practices to increase productivity. While addressing to second convocation of SKUAST-J, Chief Minister, who is also the Pro- Chancellor of the varsity, maintained that in J&K, there is great scope for agriculture but unfortunately, the land-holdings here are almost negligible. "Almost 75 percent of the area comes under forests

Authorities fail to come to the rescue of farmers, orchardists THE recent hailstorms which hit major parts of Kashmir valley and the upper reaches of Jammu region and damaged the crops wherever sowing operations are nearing completion should send alarming signals in the corridors of power. But unfortunately, things do not appear to have moved anyone in the government despite the fact that the farming community has been crying loudly to take note of their losses. Heavy rains coupled with hailstorm was fourth in less than a

Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beig today said that government was committed to provide basic amenities to the people especially in the rural and far-flung areas. He claimed "massive development has taken place in all sectors during the last five and half years and people can make feel the difference on ground". Beig was addressing a largely attended public meeting at Kalaroos in Kupwara today.

To boost agriculture production and to raise the socio economic conditions of the rural people of Reasi district who are mainly dependant on agriculture and allied services, the government has earmarked an allocation of Rs. 294.60 lakh for the current financial year under agriculture and allied services sector for Reasi district. It was disclosed by the District Development Commissioner, Reasi Sanjeev Verma in a meeting held here at Reasi the other day.

With heaps of organic, inorganic matter and above all stray dogs in every nook and corner of Srinagar city, people have urged the concerned authorities to restructure functional mechanism, mobilise scavengers in order to keep the city clean and pollution-free. Although the governmental efforts are on to add more and more cosmetic arrangements to turn the valley more attractive and captivating, people believe that such attempts cannot yield positive dividends until and unless the functionaries of SMC do not mobilise their sanitary staff, especially scavengers.

Despite recommendations of the Rangarajan Committee and the Prime Minister's Reconstruction package, much of which is dedicated to power sector, non-transfer of two major projects to Jammu and Kashmir by the union power ministry has dashed all hopes of addressing the issue of acute power shortage and consequent drainage state's scarce revenue.

Inability of hospital authorities in Srinagar to handle patients care properly; the hospitals have now come under scanner vis-