India and Pakistan have concluded their arguments in the dispute over the 330-MW hydro-electric project on Kishenganga, a tributary of the Jhelum in Jammu & Kashmir.

Islamabad claimed that the project will harm its share of river waters while New Delhi asserted that it was contemplating such a project even before the signing of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 and would otherwise have not agreed to the pact.

SRINAGAR: Government today said it has set a target of generating over 4,000 MW of power during the next five years.

"A number of power projects have been launched for execution while many are in the pipeline to achieve the target of generating over 4,000 MW of power during the next five years," Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said. During his visit to the prestigious Baglihar Hydro Electric Project (BHEP) at Chaderkote in Ramban along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, the Chief Minister inspected various units, including the dam, which is common for the first and second stage of the BHEP.

PIL regarding pollution generated by polythene bags

JAMMU: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding pollution being generated by polythene bags, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Virender Singh and Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar today directed Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation and Chairman Pollution Control Board to appear in person on the next date of hearing.

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has given go ahead to the establishment of two Bio-medical Waste Management Projects one each at Jammu and Srinagar with the directions for setting up of facilities of incinerators at Leh, Kargil, Doda and Poonch.

Approving the proposal involving on expenditure of about Rs 7.40 crore for the creation of this facility to cater to the bio-medical waste generated in various Government and private hospitals in the State, the Chief Minister said that the identification of feasible sites for establishment of Bio-medical Waste Projects should be time-lined to start the construction work.

Project to be completed at cost of Rs 5353.82 cr in 60 months

JAMMU: In a positive development towards start of work on 850 Mega Watt (MW) Ratle Hydro Power Project on river Chenab in Kishtwar district, Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) has recommended environment clearance for the project and the formal orders in this regard would be issued by the Union Environment and Forest Ministry shortly. Official sources told EXCELSIOR that a high-level team of M/s Ratle Hydroelectric Power Project Pvt Ltd of GVK Group made a detailed presentation regarding all the issues connected with the execution of the project which includes location of dam site,

JAMMU: The Stone Crusher Owner Association (SCOA) has expressed resentment against the order issued by State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) for closure of BN Stone Crusher.

In a meeting held here in this regard, president, SCOA Vikram Randhawa described the report given by Additional DDC Jammu frivolous and misleading. He said that the Unit has valid NOC till May 2012 and has been continuously running its business for last 22 years. No proper hearing was given to the aggrieved unit holder, he added

* 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.

The glaciers in Indian occupied Kashmir are melting by more than half a meter every year, but its long-term impact remains unknown in the absence of water data from downstream rivers, European scie