Wish They Were This Honest and Truthful When in Power

Financial wiz Dr. Haseeb Drabu, who has the dubious distinction of taking doublespeak to its glory during his years in authority by calling highly subsidized J&K budget as "zero deficit budget," can also be brutal and frank in his retirement. He lays out the case against false statements perpetuated by the National Conference and the Chief Minister. Drabu says allegations of low allocation of central assistance is a red herring that seeks to divert attention from the gross fiscal mismanagement of the last five years

Problem of the Plan

Haseeb A Drabu

The annual state plan, normally a low key technical matter, has evoked considerable public interest this year. No sooner was it finalized with the Planning Commission (PC), the Chief Minister expressed his dismay over the “low annual plan allocation to JK”. Many political analysts deciphered the “political smoke signals” and journalists saw it as yet another “snub” to the state government. The government economists are writing unending articles on PC’s lack of understanding of the J&K economy while the industry bodies are venting their anger on it. The bewilderment at the Plan “fiasco” behooves only the ignorant. The facts are quite simple: the fiscal management of the state government for the last five years has been exceptionally poor. It this that has led to the truncation of the state plan size. Here is how.

The PC has provided Rs 10,396 crore as central assistance to the state plan. This amount is more than sufficient to cover the approved plan of Rs 7,300 crore. Indeed, it should not only be able finance the state government’s proposed plan of Rs 8,000 crore but also leave a surplus of Rs 2,396 crore for all the frills and fancies of the state government.

As such, by no standards whatsoever is the plan allocation low. For instance, Assam, a comparable special category state, has got a central assistance of Rs 8,873 crores to finance a plan of Rs 12,500 crore. That is how it ought to be: plan size should be more than the central assistance. In the case of J&K, it is the opposite: the central assistance is higher than the plan! And has been so for a while now.

What is happening to the money that the PC is giving? Of the Rs 10,396 crore allocated for the state plan, Rs 6,867 crore is being used to meet the non-plan deficit. This leaves the state with Rs 3,529 crore of central assistance for the plan. To this are added borrowings of Rs 3,770 crore to arrive at a plan size of Rs 7,300 crore instead of the Rs 8,000 crore proposed by the state. Why was the plan size cut?

Simply because, in the last five years, Centre’s assistance to the state plan has increased by Rs 6,000 crore but the size of the state plan has increased only by Rs 2,800 crore! The difference between what the Centre gave and what was used in the Plan -- Rs 4,200 crore has been diverted to fund non plan expenditures. The implication is straight forward: irrespective of the past legacy, incrementally the fiscal situation in the last five years has worsened substantially.

For the record, what did this government inherit as it fiscal legacy, in terms of plan financing, from the previous regime? In 2008-09, the state plan of Rs 4,500 crore was financed through central assistance of Rs 4,403 crore. The plan was bigger, albeit marginally, than the central assistance. The state contributed, in the form of state’s own resources, Rs 97 crore to its own plan.

Five years later, in 2013-14, the state’s own resources are budgeted to be negative; (-) Rs 3,200 crore. What this means is that the current expenditures exceed current revenues including borrowings by Rs 3,200 crore. It can’t get any worse than this when a government borrows to defray its current expenditure and still not able to meet all its current liabilities. In less than five years, the state has skillfully been driven from poverty to penury.

The poor fiscal health is ascribed, from the peon to the principal secretary, to the problem of power; the under recoveries, the low tariffs and then, of course the Indus Water Treaty! That the power revenues and expenditures distort the fiscal balance is correct to some extent. It was precisely in recognition of this structural issue the PDP led coalition had introduced a separate power budget as Part B of the state budget. It was done to ensure that fiscal policy doesn’t get distorted by the power sector.

Till 2008-2009, power deficit was indeed the main contributor to the over deficit. That year, state’s balance from current revenues (BCR) was (-) Rs 2,000 crore while the power deficit was Rs 1,400 crores. This meant that the non-plan deficit of the state without power was Rs 600 crores which was easily covered by the plan grants. Not anymore. The BCR projected by the state now is (-) Rs 7,800 crores! The power deficit for 2011-12 was Rs 2,000 crores. Assuming an increase by 40%, it will now be around Rs 2,800. Even then, the state resource position budget without any impact of power deficit, has a gaping hole of Rs 5,000 crore! In fact now the non-plan deficit without power is now almost double that of the power deficit. This is the real problem.

The implication of this fiscal crisis is that even the Rs 7,300 crore state plan will largely be on paper only. For, Rs 1000 crore borrowing in the plan is in violation of the ceiling of Rs 2,771 crores. If approved, by the Ministry of Finance, it will fritter away the big advantage of J&K’s plan financing of 90 per cent grants and 10 per cent loan. Actually the plan then is 51 per cent loan financed and not 10 per cent as is claimed. If it is not approved, then the Rs 1,000 crore is a pie in the sky, and the effective plan is only about Rs 6,300 crore.

Further, the non plan deficit projected by the state government was Rs 7,837 which has been “improved” by the PC to Rs 6,939. In real terms, a gap of Rs 898 crores has been left unfunded. Adjusting for this, the plan is down to Rs 5,400 crore. Out of which, Rs 2,300 crore are tied grants, wherein the state government has no flexibility. The actual state plan then reduces to Rs 3,100 crore! Finally, using the proportion of plan capital expenditure given in the budget 2013-14, the total capital expenditure in the plan will not even be Rs 2,500 crores! No wonder if people complain of where the money disappears! The fact is that it wasn’t there from the beginning. The emperor, it turns out, doesn’t have any clothes.

(Reproduced from the Greater Kashmir)

Stench in Srinagar City

Fazili describes how the paradise is facing duel stench emanating from Achan Saidpora Solid Waste Dumping Site on one side, and from untreated water of Brari Numbal mini lake on the other. The stink is in the heart of the city

(Er. Mohammad Ashraf Fazili, 68, was born in Srinagar. He received his early schooling from the Government Middle School, Nowhatta, Srinagar, and from M.P. High School, Baghi Dilawar Khan in Srinagar. Mr. Fazili completed his F.Sc. from the Sri Pratap College in Srinagar, and received his Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the Annamalai University with honours grade. He joined the J&K government service upon graduation and steadily rose up the ranks to the position of Chief Engineer at his retirement. He managed a number of important infrastructure projects during his government service, including the Model Town Chrar-i-Sharif, Lower Jhelum Hydro Electric Project, Solid Waste Disposal Scheme Srinagar City, Circular Road Project Srinagar City, etc. He has numerous publications to his credit, including Srinagar the Sun City, Our Ancestors and Saints of Kashmir, etc., which were presented in seminar and symposia. He writes for various journals and is presently working on the Jhelum Valley Civilization.)


SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL MISMANAGEMENT OF GREATER SRINAGAR CITY

Way back in 1981, the J&K Government entrusted to UEED, the task of formulation of the feasibility report with the objective of developing the baseline information and parameters for formulating and designing a well conceived cost-effective scheme for hygienic collection, transportation and disposal of solid wastes of Greater Srinagar city. While the second phase of the work under this project would involve the exercise for establishment of the appropriate scheme and its engineering aspects. Having retained M/S Universal Enviroscience as consultants, a report was formulated, which identified and delineated the areas and essential components which were of relevance to the second phase of the work and also provided a conceptual system of the solid waste management programme for Greater Srinagar city.

The subjects covered were:

(I) Review of growth pattern of Srinagar Town based on population, sectoral activities, geo-climatic and other conditions and land based use pattern.

(II) Identification and assessment of sources, nature and quantum of solid wastes in Srinagar town based on sources, nature- physical and chemical characteristics, classification of solid wastes-assessment of recoverable materials and of fuel and fertilizer production and quantum.

(III) Inventory and assessment of existing solid waste collection (including house boats and dunga boats), transportation and disposal facilities and manpower and workshop facilities.

(IV) Conceptual system of solid waste collection, transportation and hygienic disposal and location of additional sites in Srinagar.

(V) Identification of the areas for further investigations and survey.

(VI) Guidelines for improvement/modifications of available data/reports.

(VII) Recommendations on financial aspects and time bound programme of the project.

The physical and chemical characteristics of the solid waste samples revealed that the wastes are most amenable to composting. Besides other recommendations for improving the door to door collection system, transportation, sanitary landfill for a few years, installation of mechanical compost plants at Noorbagh and at the landfill site within a period of five years was recommended to Srinagar Municipality. The recommendations were partly implemented by the SMC, but the main recommendation for installation of mechanical compost plant (MCP) was shelved for reasons best known to the authorities.

The issue of preparation of a detailed project report on Solid waste Disposal of Srinagar city was again taken up by Srinagar Municipality in 2000 AD, but its results were not known.

The problem of stench in Srinagar city, would have been, eliminated if the proposed “Mechanical compost plants” would have been installed in time, which would have also minimized the land area required for sanitary landfill, besides generating organic compost to be made available to the farmers to enrich their soil. This way the harmful effects of chemical compost would also have been obviated.

I was specially deputed by UEED to New Delhi to inspect the mechanical compost plant of NDMC in eighties. I also attended an interstate meeting in Housing Department in New Delhi, who took review of the already functioning compost plants of different cities. I understood that our state had made no efforts to obtain Central assistance for establishing the mechanical compost plant. Later I was tipped for visiting Japan for observing their system of disposal of solid and liquid wastes, but it did not mature as my sanction order became victim of red tape in the secretariat offices.

As observed by me at NDMC the process of conversion of compost takes just three weeks by dumping the wastes directly from trucks on a platform, sprinkling water and turning the wastes mechanically for 21 days during which period considerable heat gets generated in the wastes and decomposition takes place. Thereafter the wastes are placed on conveyer belts and hand picking is done for any hard materials like stones, metals, glasses, plastics, polythene etc. by the persons who remain on either side of the slow moving belt. For smaller elements screening is also recommended. The decomposed waste ultimately goes to the pulverizer, for grinding it in to a powder, which is packed in bags to be sold to farmers. There is no problem of stench during this operation as has been observed in various metropolitan cities including the capital city of Delhi.

Everyday there is a protest lodged in the media by the inhabitants of the surrounding areas, even Imam of Jamia Mosque Srinagar has condemned from pulpit on Friday prayers, the apathy of the authorities for not being able to tackle the problem of stench emanating from Achan dumping site for the last three decades. Similarly the Brari-numbal mini lake in the heart of city has turned to be a cess-pool adding to the already existing foul smell from Achan site. The STP constructed at huge cost is non functional and filth from four lakh citizens pours in to the mini lake round the clock.

In view of the growing menace of stench spreading in to the interior of the city of Srinagar, it is high time that Govt. wakes up to the situation and takes up the construction of the compost plants as recommended by the experts of international repute.

According to Master Plan of Srinagar Metropolitan area 2000-2021, for a population of 12 lakhs in 2000 AD and estimated 23.50 lakhs in 2021 AD, Solid Waste including fruit and vegetable wastes works out to 538 tons and 1356 tons / day respectively. Out of 538 tons of solid waste 300 tons were handled by the Municipality in 2000 AD and the remaining 236 tons waste was partly dumped in water bodies, partly in ditches and partly salvaged in the form of Kabadi materials at domestic levels. As for the disposal of waste materials, SMC managed to collect the garbage from 308 collection points in 2000 AD (presently 575 points in 2013) within the municipal limits. These collection points are interspersed all over the city on roads in open form. However recently in certain selected areas, plastic dustbins have been provided by the SMC and door to door collection is made against a monthly charge of Rs. 50/- per house hold. This has reduced the open spread of solid waste attracting street dogs, besides spreading local obnoxious smell in these particular areas.

According to the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, it has at present only one Dumping Site at SyedporaAchan which comprises of 540 Kanals of land. Where the waste is being spread over and is further being covered with clay and use of disinfects are also being made. The existing Dumping site is being improved and modernized in a scientific Engineered Landfill site through the financial and technical guidance of Asian Development Bank. A detailed action plan/project report on this score has been prepared. In fact some of the works have been taken up for execution by the J&K Economic Reconstruction Agency against the money released by the Asian Development Bank. All the environmental and other related issues will be redressed under the modernization plan. The modernization of existing open dumping site into a scientific Sanitary Landfill site will be taken up for execution by the J&KERA in a couple of months against the estimated cost of Rs. 22.00 Crores that will take care of all the pollutants including that of air quality, ground water quality and aesthetic look and landscaping of the interior of Landfill site as per guidelines of J&K SPCB. Besides this there will be a permanent facility for regular monitoring of these components in future

As can be viewed from the future programme of SMC regarding disposal of solid wastes, the recommendation of the construction of Mechanical Compost Plant has been ignored for unknown reasons. It would be prudent if some officers were deputed to inspect the working of the mechanical compost plant of NDMC, whereby they would get a clear idea of its efficiency and its suitability for our conditions.

Bidiversity and Biophysical Changes in Kashmir's Environment

Professor Kak, working deep in anthropogenic activities (impact of humans/air pollution on biodiversity and ecology) in Kashmir brings yet another environmental challenge to the fore

(Dr. Abdul Majeed Kak, 62, was born and in Nowhatta, Srinagar. He received his primary education from the Government Middle School in Nowhatta and his secondary school education from Bagi Dilawar Khan Higher Secondary School in Fateh Kadal. He completed his college education at the Islamia College of Science and Commerce in Srinagar. In 1977 he was the first candidate from the University of Kashmir to be selected by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of the Government of India for a doctoral research scholarship at the university leading to a Ph.D. in Botany in 1980. He is currently the Research Coordinator in the Department of Botany at the Islamia College of Science and Commerce in Srinagar. Dr. Kak has over 35 years of teaching experience and research experience of over 25 years. He has received numerous research awards resulting in publication of 70 research papers and has authored two books on Botany. He completed a novelty ethno-botanical museum with about 600 antique and extinct wooden artifacts of Kashmir that has been created in the Islamia College of Science and Commerce (ICSC), a project supported by a grant from the Ministry of Culture, New Delhi. Presently the Ministry of Environment and Foresta of the Government of India, New Delhi, has awarded him a major prestigious research project along with a team of four highly qualified scholars that are working on the impact of anthropogenic activities on Himalayan lakes.)


Another Deadly Invasion Alligator Grass, a Dreadful Noxious Weed Attacks Dal Lake

Alligator grass, aquatic weed also referred as pig weed is a Perennial, floating emergent, noxious invasive weed, has recently invaded our famous fresh water bodies. Although subtropical weed supposed to be native of S. America has infiltrated our lakes just some years before has started causing serious threat, like many other noxious invasive. Azolla, a water fern that was reported in the year 2004 for the first time in all our freshwater lakes has unrecordedly deteriorated the essence, charm, water quality and upgraded eutrophication, beside completely wiped many of our medicinal and highly nutritional aquatic weeds also lot many underwater life forms, from our lakes. Since that time also hue and cry was raised to eradicate this noxious weed being a great threat to our water bodies instead concerned authorities paid deaf ear to our reporting and suggestions with the result proliferation of Azolla is out of control as it has chocked every nock and corner of all our precious lakes by forming thick carpets everywhere in every lake. Nominal surface removal for few days or rare downpour is never remedial measure to control multiplication of the weed because the plant has high power of regeneration; every broken piece regenerates into a adult plant. It has spread in all valley lakes including far flung rural Manasbal Lake and Wular lakes. Thick layers are recorded in Nageen, Dal, Hokher sar Anchar. caused a lot of deterioration to our world famous lakes and are out of control to eradicate or check.

Periodical visits made to monitor deteriorated conditions of all lakes of the valley by collecting water samples and to record the impact of various anthropogenic activities on aquatic vegetation. It was noticed that one more worsen invasive noxious weed has infiltrated in almost in all our lakes, commonly called Alligator grass and Scientifically named as Alternathera philoxeroides. This weed grows healthy in high-nutrient (eutrophic) conditions that obviously indicate that our lakes have turned highly nutritious. This species was reported for the first time in Wular Lake in the year 2008 but in dispersed form, has now spread in all fresh water lakes in thick mats, in such a short period of time, particularly in Dal Lake and in all its tributaries channels. Now the weed has started forming thick mats, large and extensive rafts floating on surface of water with emergent body in deep waters near shallow waters or lake margins it remains attached to the lake substratum.

Considered one of the worst aquatic weed in the world as it becomes serious threat to the fresh water bodies. It grows in dense mats with massive underground rhizomatous root system. It obstructs waterways, hinders navigation, increases pollution and wipes all native plants by over shading them.

Ultimately under water life both flora and fauna get completely destroyed. It has been internationally established that the weed cannot be eradicated once it has infested in any water body, despite numerous costly attempts. So in many countries attempts have been made to eradicate it soon it starts infestation in any water body. There is no evident biological control for the weed, even certain permissible chemicals have been applied but none has remained successful.

Mechanical removal without care facilitates its proliferation and spread enormously. Stolens can regenerate from burial to 30 cm deep. Alligator grass bears prominent white flowers which are bisexual but viable seeds are not produced. So reproduction is entirely vegetative by bearing vegetative buds in the submerged stems propagate enormously and is very difficult to control its proliferation physically. The weed is worldwide in distribution. In India it is reported from Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Tripura, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, even in Delhi and Punjab. It grows even in marshy boggy place and tolerates all abnormal weather conditions.

Recently it has been established that, Alligator grass is considered to be one of the worst aquatic weeds in the world. It has the potential to become a serious threat to waterways, agriculture and the environment. "The Commonwealth of Australia States that, "Alligator weed disrupts the aquatic environments by blanketing the surface of the water impeding penetration of light and gaseous exchange (sometimes leading to anaerobic conditions) resulting adverse affects on flora and fauna. It also Promotes health problems by providing habitats for mosquitoes and other stoning insects and degrade natural aesthetics." Control of this species has proven to be an expensive and complicated ordeal wherever it has established. It is also stated that, Alligator grass has been very rarely successfully eradicated. Once it infestes any water body it is very difficult to eradicate, despite numerous costly attempts. For this reason, the highest priority for the management of alligator weed is an effective system of early detection and eradication before infestations become established. This noxious weed reproduces entirely by vegetative means and relies on the production of nodal buds on stems. Each node has two axillary buds. Also thicker roots and underground stems are capable of proliferation. Spreading is by fragmentation.

Alligator grass is on the Prohibited Aquatic Plant List – (5B-64.011). According to Florida Statute, “No person shall import, transport, cultivate, collect, sell, or possess any noxious aquatic plant listed on the prohibited aquatic plant list established by the department without a permit issued by the department.”

Unfortunately there is no check of such noxious weeds in our State, neither concerned officials nor lake authorities’ bothers or takes any heed of our yelling. Applying antique and out dated method of surface removal is not scientific way, instead these methods help noxious weeds to spread more rapidly. It is wished that the lake authorities will take a serious note of it and will make their research and monitoring wing functional and answerable.

Bringing Realism in the Fantasyland

Arjimand's commentary should normally start a dialogue on the role of economy in public empowerment and possibly a path to political autonomy, but in reality it will be ignored just like other harsh realities surrounding Kashmir

(Mr. Arjimand Hussain Talib, 38, is from Srinagar and matriculated from Tyndale Biscoe Memorial School in 1991. He subsequently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering from Bangalore University. He is also an alumni of the International Academy for Leadership, Gummerbach, Germany. Arjimand writes regular weekly columns for the Greater Kashmir and The Kashmir Times since 2000 on diverse issues of political economy, development, environment and social change and has over 450 published articles to his credit. His books include: " Kashmir: Towards a New Political Economy", and "Water: Spark for another Indo-Pak War?". Arjimand is a consultant in international development, and a contributing editor with Greater Kashmir.)

Begging Bowl Syndrome: Who Bells the Cat?

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah talked some frank economics on Thursday at Tangmarg. While emphasising the need for economic self reliance of Jammu & Kashmir, he advocated revenue generation investment. Candidly enough, he said tourism would not fetch the state the much-needed revenue, even though private entities do get some benefits. In veiled words, he also warned of a possible time when the state may not have even the money to pay salaries to its employees.

Omar also said that he seems uncomfortable almost begging for funds from the central government every year. To him this dependence is supposed to go.

So far so good. But the moot question is: how would this economic dependence actually go? It is a profoundly political question if J&K’s this growing dependence is as a consequence of its intrinsic economic weakness or it is a manufactured one.

Good intent alone does not deliver the desired results. In recent years, National Conference has seldom articulated an economic vision that would seek to address this dependency syndrome. Its political mobilisation and campaign has barely reflected a strategic course that will address this issue.

It is possible that the National Conference does not wish to make the agenda of economic self-sufficiency a formal political manifesto. Beyond the National Conference, this question is relevant to People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sajjad Lone-led People’s Conference (PC) and other parties as well. What do these parties actually plan to do to end this growing dependence? And a more immediate one: what vision will these parties unveil facing the electorate in 2014?

In recent years, all the three parties have articulated the need for the control and management of the state’s water and power resources by the state itself. These are the only three parties that have articulated their economic visions in their political vision documents as part of the final resolution of J&K issue. However, there is a dearth of a comprehensive economic agenda dictated by the needs and the challenges of the present times. So will these parties be able to chart an economic agenda for 2014 elections derived from their political visions? National Conference has not produced any economic vision for the state meeting the needs of the present times since its path-breaking Naya Kashmir Manifesto. The challenge with the Naya Kashmir Manifesto is that it is heavily socialist in its outlook and that some of those visions for economic and social development do not quite meet the requirements of the present times. But some aspects do provide some space for adaptation.

Let us take the Article 23 of the manifesto, for instance, which provides for “a planned economy for ensuring rapid economic growth and social justice.” This Article also exhorts the goal of self-sufficiency and enhanced state income. Will National Conference be able to adapt that vision to the present times?

Some other visions of this Manifesto, like the Article 24, which calls for nationalising heavy industries, sounds outdated. National Conference must embrace a vision where it has to be seen as a facilitator for the private sector to participate in all spheres of economic activity.

Similarly, the Article 32, which sees public, private and cooperative sectors as distinct, and often mutually exclusive, is a redundant idea because it calls for preference for the public and cooperative sectors. In today’s times the state cannot think of economic self reliance without making the private sector the front runner in running the state’s economic activities.

National Conference would also need to revisit the Article 37 of its political vision, which has preferred nationalisation of goods and passenger transportation of the state’s major routes.

In sharp contrast, PDP’s Self Rule Vision and Sajjad Lone’s Achievable Nationhood both look more in sync with the needs of the contemporary times. What, however, remains to be seen is how these two parties will be able to chart an economic agenda or 2014 as derived from their larger political visions enshrined in their vision documents.

For instance, PDP’s Self Rule envisages the establishment of a “common economic space” through a Preferential Trade Agreement within the geographical boundaries of Greater Jammu & Kashmir. Self Rule’s second vision is making Greater Jammu & Kashmir a free trade area, which it plans to term as “Regional Free Trade Area”. It also seeks an agreement to eliminate tariffs between the two pats of J&K while they maintain their own external tariff on imports from the rest of the world, including India and Pakistan. PDP is also interested in an elaborate regime for the “rules of origin” for trade between the two sides.

How PDP adapts this grand vision to the cross-LoC trade will be an area of interest for the 2014 elections. It will also be interesting to see how this expanded cross-LoC trade will help enhancing the state’s overall revenue. Although the Self Rule vision also proposes co-circulation of both Indian and Pakistani currencies, that idea may not fit in the requirements of 2014.

Sajjad Lone’s Achievable Nationhood shares a lot of commonality with PDP’s Self Rule vision. But, again, its larger vision for J&K’s final resolution will have to adapt to the needs of 2014. People’s Conference will have to demonstrate how it will translate its vision for reducing the state’s economic dependency.

While Achievable Nationhood in its vision for the “new state of affairs” considers an economic union of the two parts of J&K, it will also have to elaborate how it will approach the present cross-LoC trade for creating what it calls a separate customs territory with free movement of goods, services, capital and labour between the two parts. It will also have to demonstrate, as a beginning, how it will consider removing “internal trade barriers and the harmonisation of the external trade barriers”, as what Achievable Nationhood actually contemplates.

PDP’s Self Rule vision contemplates relegation of some fiscal spending responsibilities in J&K on some supra-national agency, but the question is: would 2014 be the right time to imagine its merits?

People’s Conference, on the other hand, identifies the elements for such a scheme by recommending joint development of banking and insurance sector, common banking norms and regulations, harmonised fiscal policy, cooperation in investment, joint exploration of natural resources and energy sector. But will all these ideas make sense in 2014. If not, how best can these two parties adapt these ideas to the needs of the present times?

It is true that these larger visions of these three parties basically identify the contours of a final resolution of J&K issue. But a question for 2014 will be relevant: without the necessary economic breathing space, would it be prudent for them to wait for the final resolution for making their ideas to work or they will adapt to end this politically crippling dependence?

This Social Disease Can Be Eradicated

Bashir is convinced that Kashmir can recover its social and moral health if corruption was brought under control

(Mr. Bashir A. Bashir, 62, was born in Srinagar. He passed his higher secondary schooling from Baghidilawar Khan, and graduated from the Gandhi Memorial College Srinagar. Mr. Bashir completed his Law Graduation from the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Urdu. and received his M.A in Political Science from the University of Kashmir. He joined the Bar in 1973 and was appointed as Additional Advocate General of the J&K in 1984 till 1986. He is a practicing advocate of J&K High Court and has been recently designated as the Senior Advocate by the Hon'ble High Court of J&K.)

When Pruning is a Must

All organs of the state are infected with all kinds of corrupt elements. Corruption is eating into the vitals of the society. Moral values have taken a severe battering. The valley, once known as abode of saints and rishis, is losing that glory now.

More we hear the cries against this dangerous disease of corruption, more it is taking roots as if the phenomenon is getting social recognition. Consequently there is no result orientated action by way of punishment against corrupt people. I have no hesitation in saying that the judicial system of India has also failed to deliver in this regard the way it should have delivered because of undue delays in dispensation of justice for whatever reasons. The net result is the society by and large continues to suffer particularly those who do not belong to the affluent class of the society.

Law of nature dictates certain vital rules for betterment and protection which should be followed as and when needed. For instance pruning of the trees is very important for there healthy growth or amputation of a diseased organ in a human body is must to save the remaining body from infection which may lead to death otherwise. Likewise weeding out the corrupt is very vital for the proper and healthy survival of the society at large but how this goal can be achieved is the basic question. Honble Supreme Court while deliberating in different cases of compulsory retirement has coined a word called as "DEAD WOOD"to get rid of corrupt and undesirable elements in the services before they reach the actual age of superannuation and the competent authority has been held entitled to do so on subjective satisfaction after taking the service record of the official concerned into consideration in an objective manner. Though this is not the hundred percent guaranteed method of eradicating corruption but nevertheless it sends the signal to the corrupt elements that they can face the brunt without any excuse to avoid it if the competent authority wants to do it. Again this step can be taken only when the official concerned has either reached age of 48 years or has service of 22 years at his back as per our State laws. It means in case of less than that age or service he can not be compulsorily retired even if he is a known corrupt person or dead wood to be called by that name which includes within its meaning inefficient also. Best course would have been to amend the law and keep this option available to competent authority from five years of service only to be exercised at any time so that officials would always feel they can be shown the door if found undesirable.

Recently Hon'ble High Court in its best wisdom has taken the decision of compulsorily retiring three senior judicial officers of District & Sessions Judges rank which news item appeared in GK. I can't comment upon the merits on which this decision was taken nor do I comment in any way upon their individual conduct or performance. But the point I wish to bring home by this instance is that why should not the executive take the lead or lesson from this decision taken by the Honble high court to initiate and weed out corrupt officials (unless they have the constraint of having non honest available) and check the situation from slipping from bad to worst. Details of rampant corruption pouring out daily from the Seat of governance are shocking. The conscience of common man seems to have been deeply hurt because corruption is bound to infect every organ of the society. That is why every day scandals after scandal be it spurious drugs supply, fake appointments, fraudulent withdrawal of bills, etc is surfacing leaving a lasting impression that nothing is going to happen to improve the situation.

I would Sincerely wish the authorities that be to start process of pruning. That alone can save us from further mess.

Drug Abuse Among Kashmiris

Afsana presents a topical status of the growing drug problem among Kashmiri youth and how the government is addressing the issue. This article is part of Indo Global Social Service Society's (IGSSS) second Media Fellowship Programme in Jammu and Kashmir under its project “Youth Action for Peace”

(Ms. Afsana Rashid, 32, was born and raised in Srinagar and attended the Minto Circle High School. She graduated from the Government College for Women with a Bachelor's degree in science, and completed her post-graduation degree from the University of Kashmir, obtaining her Master's Degree in Mass Communication and Journalism. She has received numerous world-wide recognition and awards for covering economic depravation and gender sensitive issues in Kashmiri journals, which include Sanjoy Ghose Humanitarian Award, Bhorukha Trust Media Award 2007, and the 2006-07 UNFPA-Ladli Media Award. Her work on "Impact of conflict on subsistence livelihood of marginalised communities in Kashmir and Alternatives", was recognized by Action Aid India in 2005-06. She has travelled abroad attending a workshop on "conflict Reporting" by Thomson Foundation, Cardiff, UK, and a seminar for women in conflict areas by IKV Pax Christi, Netherlands. In February, 2008, she compiled a book, "Waiting for Justice: Widows and Half-widows." She has been a valley based correspondent for various local and national journals.)

Drug Abuse - a Challenge to Society

Drug abuse in Kashmir is a glaring socio-cultural, religious and medical problemconfronting the contemporary society. It is a growing concern that needs immediate attention by one and all. “Substance abuse, emerging as medical, social and health problems of immense consequences is very common in Kashmir. Because it is not only a disease of person who is afflicted, but it is a disease of family, disease of neighborhood and disease of society. It involves all. This is a huge problem which is already in epidemic proportions,” says Dr. Arshid Hussain, valley’s renowned psychiatrist at Government Psychiatric Disease Hospital, Kashmir.

He said there is more of cannabis use again. “Cannabis is again taking a centre-stage, though for a long time opioids took a centre-stage. Medicinal opioids are continuously being used. Alcohol is also increasing.”

The psychiatrist states that the trend world over is that substance abuse is more common in urban areas and underprivileged and is hugely associated with other mental health issues, whereas in Kashmir, the trend is different. “It is common not only among this population but in rural population as well.”

Dr. Hussain, who also works as Assistant Professor, department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College Srinagar,points out multiple reasons that lead to drug-addiction. He said influence by peer-group is one of the major contributing factors for the menace.

“Substance use spreads by sheer peer pressure. It is the only mental health problem, which is contagious. If one student in the school is a drug-addict, all others are at risk.” He adds there was absolutely no education available to children that it is harmful.

Explaining further, the psychiatrist says absence of other modes of recreation and enjoyment, conflict and its easy availability are other contributing factors that lead to drug-addiction. “I seriously believe sports as well as outdoor activities can play a major role in curbing drug-addiction among youth whereas its easy availability plays a major role in its spread.”

Dr. Hussain admits that statistics about drug-addicts during conflict in Kashmir can’t be traced. “We just can’t trace it and can’t say what would have happened in absence of conflict.” He however, adds with decline in traditional Kashmiri society, culture that acted as buffer against many such things, started breaking and number of people started abusing substances.

“When we woke up to substance abuse, we were caught unawares and there was already an epidemic going on,” says the psychiatrist, while referring to a survey conducted in south Kashmir in 2001-2002. He said the survey observed that drug-addiction was common among the age-group 18-30 and 17 percent of males had responded ‘yes’ to have taken to substances, “which is actually very high.”

He further stated that drug-addicts didn’t approach doctors till they were forced to as they end up with certain health complications. He recollects that he first saw such a patient in ward number 6 of Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital in 2000 and the patient had reported seizures, multiple times. Ultimately, he was found abusing substances.”

He shared “though such patients were already there but they didn’t easily come to doctors. The trend has changed a bit; still there are a lot of fatalities. Young people die of substance abuse, young people die of accidents because of substances and young people die of mental health because of substance abuse. 30 percent of them are institutionalized in psychiatric hospital and most of them have a history of substance abuse.”

Dr. Hussain adds, “With time they end up with medical or psychiatric emergencies and stay in hospital for life or die in accidents.”

Social taboo and stigma and lack of education prevent people from attaining timely treatment. “Due to lack of education among people, they don’t come forward for early treatment. Less percentage of population considers it as a medical problem. It has all dimensions – socio-cultural, religious and medical dimension,” he says, adding “Once we medicate it, we de-stigmatize it a bit.”

Currently, there are two functional de-addiction centres – one is police de-addiction centre and other is with Psychiatric diseases hospital. “There was a time when we had none, now we’ve two. Atleast we’ve some hope, now. Still these are in need of more facilities.”

The psychiatrist says families do cooperate as they’ve no other choice. “No comprehensive policy is in place to rehabilitate them.”

He shares usually there are high chances of recurrence, as per literature, but “here in Kashmir, recurrence rate is definitely much lesser than what is written in literature. It takes not only weeks or months but years for their treatment. Leaving one part unattended usually leads to recurrence.”

He observes there is no idea of rehabilitation. “Basically, treatment of substance user is done in four steps. Motivation where counselor, religious leaders and family has a role; followed by de-toxification process wherein de-addiction centres play their role; followed by maintenance wherein community, health system and society has a role followed by rehabilitation. We’ve done little bit in everything except rehabilitation.”

Dr. Hussain stresses drug-addiction among females is low. “As it makes good news, so we talk about it. But, actually, it is at a very low level. I am not denying that the problem is not there, but its proportion compared to males is low. Culture and religion are the reasons responsible.”

He shares till date he has seen 10 female drug-addicts compared to 7000 males. He recollects most of these drug-addicts approached him, unmotivated or when they had a serious psychiatric issue or any other complication.

“Cannabis that is grown so widely here can be abused and that is where the problem starts. Here government can play its role. But for rehabilitation purpose, non-government organizations should step-in. These are the areas where they need to pitch in.”

He adds former drug-addicts, who have been de-addicted can help to fight this menace. “It has been observed worldwide that such groups have been effective in fighting the menace. Those can be of real use here as well but there is no one yet. Besides, we need good place and human resources in de-addiction centres and need more de-addiction centres. Helplines too can be advantageous. Probably, there is one helpline. We require more and it can be useful for motivation and education, especially when they are reluctant to come over.”

Dr. Ghulam Ahmad Wani, Assistant Director, Health Kashmir and in charge Mental health, Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir says stigma is the biggest problem and is found more in urban population. “Awareness, especially what would be its complications and impact on children is important. Things are improving and patients are coming forward.”

Dr. Wani states “We are running National Mental Health Programme, which has two components - District Mental Health Programme that is carried out in district hospitals of health department and National Mental Health Programme, which is a component of Government Medical College and is related to upgradation of mental hospitals of the college.”

He informs about 30 crore rupees have been sanctioned under the programme, out of which 10 to 15 crore rupees have already been spent. He further informs the programme is being run since July 2008 and 1,20,000 patients have been treated, so far. “Out of which, eight percent have been diagnosed with substance abuse.” Dr. Wani adds there can be single or multiple substance abusers.

“About 5623 patients were treated with substance abuse in 2012 and the sub-types of substance abuse included Nicotine was found in 49 percent of patients, cannabis in 35 percent, Benzodizapines in 54 percent, alcohol in 5 percent, cocaine in 2.4 percent, pain killers in 3.3 percent, kerosene oil in 0.2 percent, ink erasers in 0.4 percent and boot polish in 0.3 percent.” He adds generally, they’ve found multiple substance abuse like nicotine, cannabis and others being done by a single person, which is known as multiple substance abuse and is found in 71 percent.

Collective data of all these years (2008 to 2012) shows that the percentage is almost same and it is infact, going up, he further adds.

Drug de-addiction centres of Directorate of Health Services are at sub-district hospital Sopore, district hospital Baramulla, sub-district hospital Khan sahib in Budgam and in district hospital Anantnag, says Dr. Wani, adding there is 30-bed de-addiction centre at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh hospital and 10-bedded de-addiction and rehabilitation centre, PCR and 15-bed Rahaat centre, Khanyar in the private sector. “There are no rehabilitation centres; they are all drug de-addiction centres except PCR.”

He observed that there should be de-addiction centre in every district and sub-district hospital. “Funds and manpower are required. Perhaps this year funds are coming and we might be recruiting people. We have sent PIP to Government of India (GOI), according to which about 26 lakh are required per district.”

Meanwhile, according to a report about drug de-addiction centre PCR, Kashmir from March 01, 2008 to December 31, 2012 total number of patient visits/follow ups is 6000, total number of patient registrations 921, total number of patients admitted/treated 416, total number of patients treated on OPD basis 505, minimum stay of an indoor patient is 21 days and maximum stay of an indoor patient is 45 days or more.

The report, while providing district wise data of patients reported to drug de-addiction centre PCR Kashmir from March 01, 2008 to February 29, 2012 says 351 patients were reported from district Srinagar during this period, followed by 105 in district Baramulla, 45 in Budgam, 41 in Anantnag, 37 in Pulwama, 24 in Jammu/outside state, 20 in Kupwara, 17 in Bandipora, Ganderbal and Kulgam, each, 16 in Shopian, 14 in Tral and one in Leh.

About occupation wise data of patients from March 01, 2008 to February 29, 2012 the report further quotes 163 were businessmen followed by 162 unemployed, 148 students, 81 drivers, 77 government employees, 37 police personals, 14 were street vendors and doctors/health workers, each and nine belonged to private jobs.

Putting Elders to Shame

Imaad is a young man with a passion to see his birthplace restored to its pristine condition. But as things stand, even a return to environmental and ecological conditions that prevailed in 1980's is a dream. He writes about Pahalgam and the Dal

(Mr. Mir Imaad Rafi, 20, was born in Srinagar. He completed his high schooling from the Delhi Public School (DPS), Srinagar, and is presently a 2nd year Law (B.A. LLB) Student at the Symbiosis Law School in Pune. He recently started a civil society group in Kashmir that assists youth of Kashmir by providing career counselling to students, inviting guest speakers, and reaching out to schools in remote areas of the valley to encourage interest in knowledge and proper education. In leisure time, Mr. Rafi interacts with people to comprehend public thoughts on issues of interest, and writes about social and environmental issues in leading English dailies published from Srinagar.)

Pahalgam - a Lost Paradise

In a state where there is a lot of talk about tourism industry, a viable tourism policy and implementation of current laws on ground seems to have taken a hike. Pahalgam, one of the most preferred tourism destinations in the world is gradually turning ugly due to sheer mismanagement by authorities. Men who vandalize nature have no interest in maintaining the balance in ecology. His aim is to suffice his own needs. Here comes the role of government which needs to counter such actions and protect the environment.

With much fanfare Pahalgam development Authority (PDA) came into being in 2003. It was expected that PDA will serve the purpose with what intention the government constituted it. Unfortunately the development authority got embroiled in the usual red tape and its inefficiency has led to what we see today, massive illegal constructions. Currently, the tourism department has extended the limits of PDA to the lower villages of Pahalgam but it forgot to question its achievements in its earlier jurisdictions. People have witnessed illegal constructions under the nose of PDA officials. Some say that it’s a nexus between the land mafia and the officials. It seems as if the illegal constructions have overshadowed the pace with which the development authority would issue the permission. The basic flaw in the whole system is of monitoring. When the authorities grant permission for repair to any structure, it usually gets misused. It was primary duty of PDA to cease the construction and take lawful action against the violators but it didn’t happen. Already having sufficient bed capacity, many hotels came up without any permission. Pertinently the hoteliers curbed the existing laws as they enjoyed proximity to the government. The centralization of powers has led to abuse of power which has not only led to large scale failure but the genuine concerns of the local villagers who are unaware of their basic rights have been ignored.

In such a scenario, one could imagine working of a typical corruption stuck government department. Now the extended jurisdiction would only mean extra icing on the cake for the officials who would leave no stone unturned to disobey the position they hold. Mufti led government, with an idea to promote tourism at local level and to empower the local population, gave permission for converting residential houses into boarding lodges as is a practice in the U.K but the locals misunderstood the concept and did the reverse which resulted in mushroom growth of structures. Delhi Municipal Corporation which takes the violators’ head on and have taken on the mighty. Powerful business houses have been demolished be it the Haldiram’s food outlet or any other showroom, every illegal building has been removed. Therefore, there is special need to replicate such steps here in Kashmir particularly in Pahalgam. With the Pahalgam ecology under threat, some locals who approached the honourable court with a PIL staying ban on constructions and other works, paved way to some extent but at the same time it deprived the poor people of shelter needs as in winter season their structures get damaged. The PIL was filed with mollified interests to satisfy their political agenda but the honourable High Court’s strict orders and constituting a one man committee proved successful when it came to deal with the encroachers. With support from the court, the development authority could have strengthened its roots in Pahalgam and administer it better. But to no surprise the authority’s functioning led to further deterioration in administration as the concerns of the needful were left unnoticed. And the losers in all this were the tourism players particularly hotels.

For a tourist it makes no difference whether the repair has been done or not, he pays to enjoy the services of a hotel and make best use of it during the stay. The unanswered call of the hotel industry brought a bad name to Pahalgam tourism. Although one witnessed Bollywood’s presence in the scenic valley be it Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar or Yash Chopra’s Jab Tak Hai Jaan. Pahalgam has played a vital role in revival of Bollywood. Much recently Actors Aliyah Bhat and Randeep Hooda have shot across the lengths of Pahalgam. Thus reviving its connection with the film industry.

Government’s political approach towards Pahalgam was unexpected as we saw closure of amusement park on grounds of environmental concern while as hundreds of hotels without proper STPs whose drainage directly pollutes the river lidder have been given permission to operate. The concern of the government was so one sided that it led the honourable court to intervene into matters of public concern. We must thank the judiciary for its necessary action and taking suo motto cognizance of the worrisome situation.

I hope the honourable high court would take cognizance of it and try to evolve a strategy which benefits both ecology and the tourism players. Secondly the locals must also understand the value of the green gold for the ecological imbalance would lead to an inevitable disaster for the future generations.


Dal Needs a Vision not Rhetoric

Our inheritance, the majestic Dal Lake with a history of over hundreds of years is losing its charm by every sunset. The Dal, which used to attract thousands of tourists every year to the Valley, is no more the recipient of compliments. Today one hesitates to stand by the Dal shore as the smell doesn’t allow one to enjoy the charm of the Dal wrapped in arms of the Himalayas.

Our actions and the persistent silence over the dying Dal have lead to what it is today, from being 75 sq km; Dal has shrunk to 25 sq km in area and from 45 ft to 20 ft in depth. These indicators play a secondary role as compared to the continuing activities in and around the Dal which habitats almost 50,000 people who demand property rights on 300 hectares of agricultural land and 670 hectares of water area.

The number of establishments mushroomed around the Dal such as commercial buildings, restaurants, hotels and guesthouses which lack proper drainage facilities have contributed to the reduction in the size of the lake. There are a number of factors which promote the growth of the weeds in the lake which according to the authoritative survey is responsible for its deterioration. According to an international survey, it is said that if weeds cover more than 25% of the surface of a lake then there should be implementation of weed control. 

Unfortunately our state without any concept and expertise, using a single method went on to serve the cause. Starting from non-technical methods to prevent growth of weeds, the presence of livestock around the Dal is a major concern as their fecal wastes and other pollutants around the surface adds as manure to the weeds. Therefore, excluding livestock from the lake will significantly reduce water-weed problem.

In places like Hyderabad, Hussain Sagar Lake has fencing all around its circumference, thus preventing pollution by visitors and locals. The same can be adopted in Kashmir around Dal and other lake bodies. Secondly, the agricultural activities undertaken by the inhabitants of Dal also contribute to the growth of weed. In the interiors of Dal, their are small pieces of agricultural land with trees along the borders, which shed leaves and branches into the water. This adds to the build-up of organic bottom trash, the same is a common practice in the interiors of the Dal. The use of fertilizers on agricultural land by them is hazardous as ultimately the fertilizers are drained off in the lake and again manure the sediments of the deadly weeds. 

Thousands of houseboats that host a major chunk of our tourist influx is without any sewage solutions, its ironical that in the 21st century, we still stand primitive, without any remedy and action. In my opinion, after every thirty houseboats a portable odor free sewage plant should be installed or mounted on a wooden base and the same shall be transported to the shore where there is a nearest Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). This will encourage eco tourism and also help in regaining the pristine beauty of the Dal. The hotels around the Dal too can install portable odor free STPs jointly which do not occupy much space and energy. Such portable STPs are available not so far but in states like Maharashtra.

Besides that we need to imbibe in ourselves the passion to save the environment and avoid practices which pollute the lake. It is to be noted that the lack of government commitment, insufficient cohesive academic research centered on in understanding the importance and essence of conservation and management of the Dal, owing to financial constraints and required expertise is an issue. There are a number of ways for preventing weeds besides the mechanical harvesting which is adopted by the authorities. The accumulation of rich organic bottom materials feeds the weed and algae growth. Eventually something must be done either natural or biological to reverse the build up of these bottom materials and other sediments or the entire lake will reduce to a swamp. The organic bottom deposits rob the water of valuable oxygen that fish and other organisms need for health and growth. This will also affect the flora of the Dal. The Decomposing water weeds can deplete the oxygen supply, resulting in fish kills due to suffocation. Dense plant growths can provide too much cover, preventing predation, and leading to stunted (small-sized) fish populations

Over the years, many new methods have been developed for controlling the weed. When the water level is dropped, it exposes some of this material to the air, sun, and freezing. This allows the material to break down much faster in the air, while drying and freezing kills many of the rooted aquatic weeds. The organic bottom material is what supports the weed and algae growth that causes so much trouble in lakes. The level should be dropped to expose as much of the bottom area as practical and maintainable for the survival of the fishes. 

The white Amur fish (grass carp) are weed eating fish that are native to the Amur river of China and Russia with ability to control moss and weeds at a wider range of temperatures than most other fish. They have been utilized in order to regain the dying lakes across the world and presented successful results in places like Arizona. A three kilogram white amur can eat nearly three-quarters of its weight in weeds every day. Machine cleaning of weeds has become a rare occurrence in other countries since the fish were introduced. This translates to saving additional maintenance costs. The Fish can save the government hundreds of crores in annual operating costs and promote innovative and environment friendly water management practices.

The Dal authorities should develop catchment areas and fish grates on experimental basis with sterile fishes. If found successful, then the same can be done on a larger scale. Reducing light penetration is another factor in limiting weed growth, as the direct sunlight supports their growth so the water can be darkened with commercially available nontoxic water dyes to color the water in order to reduce light penetration and shade out nuisance plants.

It is, therefore, the need of the hour to approach professionals available across the globe who have achieved successful results in lake conservation and outsource can be viable option for the same.

Is The White Fuzzy "Cotton" Blanketing the Valley a Pollen?

Majeed says contrary to the impression spread by uninformed media, the popular cotton ("phrast phump") in not pollen

(Dr. Abdul Majeed Kak, 66, was born and in Nowhatta, Srinagar. He received his primary education from the Government Middle School in Nowhatta and his secondary school education from Bagi Dilawar Khan Higher Secondary School in Fateh Kadal. He completed his college education at the Islamia College of Science and Commerce in Srinagar. In 1977 he was the first candidate from the University of Kashmir to be selected by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of the Government of India for a doctoral research scholarship at the university leading to a Ph.D. in Botany in 1980. He is currently the Research Coordinator in the Department of Botany at the Islamia College of Science and Commerce in Srinagar. Dr. Kak has over 35 years of teaching experience and research experience of over 25 years. He has received numerous research awards resulting in publication of 70 research papers and has authored two books on Botany. He is presently engaged in promoting and strengthening local and regional museums, a project supported by a grant from the Ministry of Culture, New Delhi.)

Seeds Not Pollen

Locally called as Phrast Phumb (Poplar cotton), poplars were cultivated on war footing basis, a few decades ago both by the Social Forestry department as well as by the locals because of its rapid growth. It is abundantly grown being a cash crop everywhere on road sides, around educational institutions and wherever there is availability of even a small space, it is planted by the social forestry. It is grown near margins of all our water bodies; large chunks of Wular Lake, around and interiors of Dal Lake, Anchar and Hokher Sar lakes have been converted into thickets. Many of our precious water bodies like Waskur, Mirgund, Naran Bagh lakes and Narkara wetland are now no more or exist in their remnants. They have been converted into land masses by the cultivation of either willows or Russian poplars resulting in the near extinction of all our precious water bodies.

The growth of many local poplars like Kashur phrass, Punjaeb Phress and Dude’ phrast, is normal and not so rapid, are environment friendly with multidimensional benefits and are more economic in totality. For the past two or more decades, they have been under the threat of extinction due to overpopulation of Russian poplars whose figure is in millions. Russian poplar, scientifically called as Populus ciliate is considered as endemic to Asia. We have about five species of poplars growing in Kashmir, and for the past few years more hybrids have been introduced in the valley, correct identification of which is difficult. Poplars have separate sexes, either male or female plants, seeds are mortal, even if produced, but its viability is short just for a few days. So the plants are raised by cuttings (branches) in a damp or near marshy places till it develops roots and are sold and transplanted later on. Pollen grains are the male gamete carriers while Phrast Phumb is the Seed produced by the female plants and is not pollen. So to call it as pollen is incorrect.

In the valley, early spring or beginning summer is the climax season of shedding enormous pollens and seeds, many plants shed their pollen in huge quantity that causes a hazardous atmosphere throughout the valley. Pollens are tiny particles mostly invisible to the naked eye. They can be easily inhaled through mouth or nose as they are abundantly present in the air, or even many types of pollens adhere and get stick on the pores of the exposed human body parts.

Ordinarily, the introduction of a foreign substance into the body tissues causes the immune system to create antibodies to neutralize the threat and protect against any subsequent invasion by the same intruder. These antibodies are glycoproteins and are called as called Immunoglobulins. Each Ig antibody is specific for one particular allergen. In case of pollen allergy, the antibody is specific for each type of pollen, causing a lot of irritation and various ailments. Many men and women and mostly infants are more susceptible to these allergies and suffer from many respiratory and other skin diseases. Poplar cotton is not pollen; it is a natural process of shedding seeds through the wind. This seed dispersal mechanism is scientifically called as Censor mechanism. The non viable seeds of poplars are naturally embedded in a roll or bed of fibres or plush, to make them light so as to float along with the wind currents to far distances. It is not the case of Poplars only. Hundreds of other plants have the similar kind of seed dispersal mechanism. The best example is our Maidan Hund (Taraxcum officinale) having fibres arranged in an umbrella fashion, making seeds very light and are flown to the far distances from their parent plants by air currents.

The existing problem of this dispersal is that the production is so enormous, it seems to a person as if it is snowing particularly in Srinagar city, around Bemina and along all road sides of all routes and national highway. Seeds are directly inhaled through mouth or nose and causes a lot of irritation to the mucous membrane of respiratory tract and if it is deposited somewhere in the trachea, it may cause complicated problems in the throat and even lungs. No scientific work has been carried out till date with regard to the harmful effects of these fibres or even by non viable seeds, but one gets suffocated and irritated when these seeds are inhaled.

It is a significant step in the history of the state taken by Deputy Commissnor Srinagar, prohibiting DFOs of social forestry and urban forest department under section 133, (Srinagar area only) not to cultivate further saplings of Russian poplars. But what about millions of saplings particularly sold in Batamaloo Bus Stand area during early spring. There should be total ban of selling and cultivation of such hazardous plants. Strict orders are needed to uproot them immediately particularly for the city people where these hazardous plants are cultivated even in kitchen gardens. No doubt it is commercially important cash plant, utilised in poor construction work, Ply wood industry, Match sticks industries fake and duplicate furniture industries, paper industry, package boxes for transportation of dry and fleshy fruits etc. Recently its bark has also been utilised medicinally, but its demerits exceed its utilisation particularly when human lives are at stake. People and schoolchildren prone to allergies by poplar cotton should restrict their movement and should use masks or wet handkerchiefs even when they stay at home or outside. White travelling in vehicles, windows should be closed to prevent entry of this seed mass as prevention is far better than cure.

Honor Among Crooks

The Controller and Auditor General's (CAG's) Annual Report proves that in spite of programs funded by the Central Government to promote job growth in J&K, the administrative machinery in the State is not performing to even the most mediocre standards. But the most astonishing thing is how no politician is willing to discuss CAG reports because the sword cuts both ways

CAG Indicts Industries Department for Poor Performance

Dinesh Manhotra (Ihe Tribune)

Jammu: Even as the Union Government has extended a “special” industrial package worth Rs 296 crore till this fiscal end in J&K, the state government has miserably failed to properly utilise the earlier packages announced by the Centre.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, which was tabled in the Budget session of the Assembly, has pointed out that special industrial packages had failed to achieve desirable results of generating employment for the locals.

While announcing that the Centre has accepted the demand for the extension of Rs 296-crore industrial package to the state till the end of the present fiscal year, Industries and Commerce Minister Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo claimed yesterday that it would help in generating employment opportunities for the locals, besides boosting industrialisation in the state. Employment generation was the basic objective of both the Union Government’s incentives as well as the industrial policy of the state, the report said.

It added that a total of 5,312 industrial units were registered during 2007-12, which gave employment to 38,380 persons at an average of seven persons by each industrial unit. The average employment provided by each industrial unit ranged between six and nine from 2007-08 to 2011-12, which defeated the basic cause of announcing such incentives.

One of the objectives of the Central package and the state industrial policy is to generate 90 per cent employment for the locals in industrial units. But the CAG report said the Department of Industries and Commerce was not monitoring whether the industrial unit set under the special industrial packages were meeting the objective of employment generation. “The employment-generation data was accepted as claimed by the industrial units without any mechanism for verification being in place,” the report said. “There is no mechanism in place to monitor the turnover, value of output, profitability, extent and quality of turnover and extent of value addition in the manufacturing units to see whether these are commensurate with the burden of tax concession and subsidies on the public exchequer,” said the audit report. The Centre yesterday accepted the demand of the state government and extended the special industrial package till March 2014. The special industrial package will be applicable with effect from tomorrow.

Unmitigated Indulgence

Fazili shares a common experience in Kashmir, demonstrating once more that the the society has become "a slave of traditions burdened by showmanship and rat race"

(Er. Mohammad Ashraf Fazili, 68, was born in Srinagar. He received his early schooling from the Government Middle School, Nowhatta, Srinagar, and from M.P. High School, Baghi Dilawar Khan in Srinagar. Mr. Fazili completed his F.Sc. from the Sri Pratap College in Srinagar, and received his Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the Annamalai University with honours grade. He joined the J&K government service upon graduation and steadily rose up the ranks to the position of Chief Engineer at his retirement. He managed a number of important infrastructure projects during his government service, including the Model Town Chrar-i-Sharif, Lower Jhelum Hydro Electric Project, Solid Waste Disposal Scheme Srinagar City, Circular Road Project Srinagar City, etc. He has numerous publications to his credit, including Srinagar the Sun City, Our Ancestors and Saints of Kashmir, etc., which were presented in seminar and symposia. He writes for various journals and is presently working on the Jhelum Valley Civilization.) 

Wazwan or Mazwan

A few days back I got trapped in a “Hamrah-i-Shah”, at a ceremonial function accompanying the bridegroom at late night. The invitation card indicated the time of the departure of the barat at 8 p.m. Unlike other places of the world, time is a free commodity for us and as usual the barat left four hours past the scheduled time, at 12 o’clock midnight. Instead of adopting a shorter five-minute route, the guide preferred a long roundabout that consumed an hour more.

Thus we reached the bride’s place the next day as per calendar. The reception and warming the meals took another hour. The meals were finally served at 2 a.m. and finished at 3 a.m. We left with the bride by 4 a.m. Meanwhile, there was a call of Azan from the mosque and we thanked Allah on bestowing on us the sense of punctuality at least for Azan-call.

During the serving of the Wazwan the usual order of serving the courses was violated as besides usual preparations like the ones covering the trami (copper rice plate shared by four persons sitting around), kababs, tabakh maz, chicken, methi maz, dhani phul, over six new varieties were served before the usual first course of meat preparation that is when Rista was served. This was followed by many more courses and all of us were condemning the extravagance and lamenting on becoming a silent partner to this large scale waste, but none had the moral courage to protest against this violation. Perhaps our sense of realization has died down and we have become slaves of our traditions burdened by showmanship and rat race. Since the guests could eat hardly 20 percent of the dishes served, we on our part persuaded one of us to carry the spared dishes to our home in a polythene bag. It was a great relief when the person agreed to the proposal.

It is believed that Wazwan has its origin in Iran or Central Asia, but no traces of it are reportedly found there. It might have been a Kashmiri innovation like Kangri, Wagu, jajir, etc. The Wazwan was a prudent way of serving meals devised by our ancestors, as instead of serving individuals separately; four people shared the same plate, which would lead to easier service besides closer contacts and also mutual sharing and enjoying the food. Each part of the lamb was utilized in preparation of a particular dish like the chest for preparing tabakh maz, thighs for dhani phul, rista gushtaba and kababs; other parts for preparing rogan josh, korma, etc., and the order of serving was besides the coverings of the plate - rista, rogan josh, cheese, aab gosht, korma, gushtaba. This would be just sufficient for four persons with 2 kgs of meat per plate with no wastage. Now we have resorted to more than double the quantity and some people are seen galloping down ten times more calories than the required ones and hence succumbing to the resultant frequent diseases as registered in the hospitals. The average requirement of calories per person has been worked out only about 1600-2500 per day. Assuming that the stomach is flexible, they fill their bellies in one go to their full extent with all solids salads, curd, half a dozen chatnis plus ice cream and a tin of Coke or Pepsi, etc.

In spite of the present dearth of meat due to boycott of the dealers, meat has been made available in plenty for marriages, as much as five to ten quintals per function. The function as such must be rechristened as mazwan instead of wazwan.

Once I happened to read the diary of an Australian tourist girl, who had recorded therein that she wondered how Kashmiri people would eat a plateful of rice, when she hardly could take just a spoonful of it and even then her stomach got upset. At another incident an official guest from Thailand refused to take a kabab, saying it would raise his cholesterol level, while as our overweight minister hosting the party consumed half a dozen kababs making the guest aghast with wonder.

In another function a French tourist shared wazwan in the trami with us. While asking him about his whereabouts, he disclosed that he is a Muslim convert, the reason being that he had got impressed by the simple burial given to King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, when he too was there in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. However, when he saw meat dishes being poured on our plate and getting stockpiled for disposal into dustbin, he said that had he known that Muslims waste food in such a manner he would have reconsidered his decision to convert.

Let us pray that attention of preachers and medicos is drawn towards advising the common people about the plus and minus points of wazwan and the number of calories found in the different courses of these preparations against the average body requirement. An NGO needs to inculcate the sense of time among common people. The host is handicapped when the guests come late, who at present wait for a mobile response to start of service of the feast. The recent turmoil had made people to make amendments in timings, number of guests or number of courses, but with the relaxed atmosphere, we are heading back to square one.

There is an alternative method of service in South India where Biryani is served in a huge flat container and every one sitting around pour Biryani in his respective plate according to his requirement and there is zero wastage. A trend towards buffet service has also begun, but common people seem to be not in its favor. In view of the extravagance, the new generation is adopting a revolutionary simplified approach of nikah ceremony being held in mosques with distribution of a few palms. The money wasted on wazwan and all the pomp and show serves the future needs of the newly married couple or for distribution among the needy and downtrodden.