  |
|
| NABARD employees hold demonstration Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Jan 13: The employees of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.....more Deptt
drivers Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 13: All departmental drivers union has condemned the state government .....more Political
parties flay Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 13: Various political parties have condemned the State Government for invoking Essential.....more NABARD,
Jammu bags Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 13: Jammu Regional Office of NABARD has been adjusted first among banks working....more ‘No work, no pay’ to be implemented strictly in Kashmir: Div Comm Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Jan 13: In pursuance of the decision of the State Government, to invoke ‘ESMA’ some....more |
 |
BJP leader
criticises Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Jan 13: Leader of BJP Legislature Party Mr Shiv Charan Gupta has criticised the Farooq Abdullah Government for its anti-people policies which have created lot of problems for people. .....more Kashmiri
leader’s Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 13: Mr Shadi Lal Pandita, president Kul Hind Nove Soan Kashmir Front has urged the Chief Secretary of the state......more Vaid
distributes Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 13: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and MP Mr Vaid Vaishno Dutt today distributed the Nimbark Rice Mills prizes here at Kanak Mandi......more Rs 20 crs
credit plan Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Jan 13 : The Government have approved a Credit Plan of Rs 20 crores for development of handicrafts and handlooms sector with 5 per cent interest subsidy on working capital......more |
NABARD employees hold demonstration Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Jan 13: The employees of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development held a protest demonstration here today. The call for the countrywide protest was given by the NABARD Employees Association, Mumbai. The employees launched this struggle against the proposed move of the government to privatise the Rural Credit Delivery system and other decisions taken recently. Speaking on the occasion the two leaders of the employees namely—Satish Kumar and Rajesh Badyal drew attention of the NABARD management towards the sinister aspects of this move of the Union government. They said that this move will cause serious impact on the farmers and rural people. |
 |
Deptt drivers condemn Govt for invoking ESMA Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 13: All departmental drivers union has condemned the state government for declaring the employees strike as illegal and invoking Essential Services Maintenance Act on them by the government. According to a release, a meeting of the members of the Union was held here today under the chairmanship of Mr Balwan Singh. The members alleged that the government has taken such steps to crush the employees’ strike. They however, maintained that the strike would gain momentum despite restrictions imposed by the government. Those who attended the meet included — Balwinder Singh, Parmanand, Swarn Singh, Kartar Chand, Dhanraj Raina, Sagar Chand, Mohan Singh, Anoop Sharma, R R Bakshi, Anoop Singh, Kuldip Kumar, Gopal Khajuria, Keshav Singh, Anoop Kumar, Mangat Ram and Mohammed Salim. |
|
Political
parties flay invoking of ESMA, support Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 13: Various political parties have condemned the State Government for invoking Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) in the State to suppress on-going agitation of the employees. An emergent meeting of the office bearers of the Bharatiya Janta Party was held under the chairmanship of Mr Daya Krishan Kotwal, state president of the BJP. According to a press release, meeting took strong exception of the decision of the State Government to invoke ESMA. Addressing the meeting, Mr Kotwal regretted that instead of starting negotiations with striking employees, State Government has adopted confrontationist approach in dealing with employees’ problem. He advised the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah not to adopt adamant attitude and start talks with employees as State machinery in this militancy plagued State has virtually came to stand-still due to on-going agitation. Dr Nirmal Singh, O P Gupta, Ashok Khajuria, Hans Raj Dogra, Kavinder Gupta and others also addressed the meeting. A meeting of the Bahujan Samaj Party was also held under the chairmanship of the Sheikh Abdul Rehaman, MLA to take stock of the situation arising due to on-going strike of employees. According to a press release, meeting urged the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah to adopt positive attitude and to accede the genuine demands of the employees. BSP leaders also appealed to the agitating employees to come on negotiating table and resolve the issue. Mr G L Bhagat, Tulsi Dass Langeh, K A Qazi, Santosh Dogra and others also attended the meeting. Mr K A Qazi, secretary of the BSP in a separate press note issued here today, strongly condemned the action of the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah against the striking employees. He demanded an inquiry against the corrupt Ministers and legislative members of the Assembly. He also supported demands of the employees. Chief Whip of the Congress Legislative Party, Mr Ashok Sharma has termed invoking of ESMA as black law to curb trade union rights. He has strongly condemned and criticised State Government. He asserted that Congress would not allow this black law to take away the fundamental rights of the thousands of employees and would fight tooth and nail. He urged upon the State Governor to prevail upon this situation to ensure that this situation would not take ugly turn. He said that Farooq Government has failed to provide essential services like power, water and healthcare to the people in past over three years. Mr Sharma warned the NC Government of dire consequences if the issue of employees strike was not resolved without any further delay. He also warned the Government against harassing the employees leaders for its own faults. Communist Party of India (Marxist) has described the invoking of ESMA as blatantly undemocratic step. In a statement issued here today, Mr M Y Tarigami, state secretary of the CPI(M) said that NC Government must start immediate negotiations with employees, instead of standing on any ego. The Government can not back-out from the solemn pledges made in black and white years before. CPI(M) demanded that Centre should come too the rescue of the State at this critical juncture by providing additional resources to the State and State Government should adopt the course of talks rather than resort to repressive measures. Expressing deep concern over the invoking of ESMA and declaring employees strike as illegal to suppress the agitating State Government employees, the state secretary of the International Democratic Party, Mr Hoshiar Singh, alleged that Jammu and Kashmir Government had come to deal with its employees with heavy hands to conceals its own financial mis-management and economic offenses. Mr Singh said that there was no justification in punishing the innocent employees for the faults committed by the Government who had got amount of two DA and 5th Pay Commission arrears from the Central Government. He pointed out that confrontationist and suppressive methodology against the people would prove counter productive and suggested that Government should immediately resume negotiations with the employees. Jammu and Kashmir Council of Communist Party of India expressed regret over the State Government’s decision to invoke ESMA and declaring on-going agitation as illegal. In a statement issued here today, CPI urged upon the State Government to adopt liberal attitude towards demands of the employees. Mr Yash Pal Khajuria, PCC, general secretary, has also disapproved State Government’s unilateral decision to declare on-going agitating as illegal and invoking ESMA. In a statement issued here today, Mr Khajuria, appealed to the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah to reconsider the whole issue with a cool mind and invite the striking employees leaders for talks. Mr Prem Lal MLA Hiranagar strongly resents the attitude of Government in dealing with the State employees who have been striking for the last more than 20 days without any serious efforts on the Government's part to redress genuine grievances of the employees. The evoking of the ESMA against these striking employees amounts of suppressing the democratic means of protests. He urged upon the authorities to release the employee's representative who have been arrested by the police. |
|
NABARD, Jammu bags award for excellence in Official Language implementation Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 13: Jammu Regional Office of NABARD has been adjusted first among banks working in Region "C" by the Regional Implementation Office (North), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, for commendable implementation of GOI’s Official Language Policy. The award consisting of a shield, and a certificate was received by Mr Bhawar Puri, General Manager, NABARD, during a glittering function held on January 12 at Lucknow. Mr Subodh Kumar, Rajbhasha Officer of NABARD, Regional Office, Jammu was specially honoured with an appreciation certificate for his outstanding work in the Bank for promoting the extensive use of Rajbhasha and popularising it. The Town Official Language Implementation Committee, Jammu and its Secretary were also honoured with a shield and certificate. On behalf of TOLIC, Jammu, the shield and certificate was received by Mr Bhawar Puri. It is noteworthy that a number of schemes and programmes including Hindi workshops and Distance Education Module for non-Hindi speaking staff are operational in NABARD’s Jammu Regional Office for promotion of Rajbhasha. The award from GOI can prove to be much more motivating for the staff of NABARD, who have always shown keen interest in progressive use of Hindi, said release issued here today. |
|
|
|
Vaid distributes Sarveshwar prizes Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 13: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and MP Mr Vaid Vaishno Dutt today distributed the Nimbark Rice Mills prizes here at Kanak Mandi. The prizes were fixed by Nimbarak Rice Mills on their Sarveshwar Pure Basmati Rice Brand and main prize was presented to Mr Naresh Kumar a resident of Bakshi Nagar by Mr Dutt. The award carrying a Colour TV was presented to Mr Kumar at M/S Gian Chand Ravinder Kumar, Kanak Mandi dealer of Sarveshwar Basmati Rice. Speaking on occasion Mr Dutt hailed the services rendered by the Mill to its customers and expressed that the quality of Sarveshwar Basmati brand, which is processed in J&K, is considered as the best. A Mill handout said the scheme is still in operation and many more prizes will be distributed in near future. |
|
Rs 20 crs credit plan for handicrafts, handlooms approved Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Jan 13 : The Government have approved a Credit Plan of Rs 20 crores for development of handicrafts and handlooms sector with 5 per cent interest subsidy on working capital. Stating this at a Press Conference here today, the Industries and Commerce Minister, Dr Mustafa Kamal, said that the Credit Plan was recently finalised in collaboration with the financial institutions which will make the money available. He said a meeting to this effect was held with the representatives of J&K Bank, State Financial Corporation, NABARD and SIDHI, who agreed to provide the money for the Credit Plan. Describing the Plan at a major incentive, he said, it would revive the 600 year old industry in the State, besides generating employment for many people. He said handicrafts were important component of the State's economy providing employment to over 3 lakh artisans and self employment for about 10,000 persons annually. He said Government have implemented many schemes to encourage artisans and craftsmen which include training programme at elementary and advanced stage in different traders in 552 training centres, formulation of co-operatives societies for passed out trainees, rebate on sales conducted by the Apex marketting federation and district marketing societies, subsidy on bank interest, holding of craft bazars, awards to craftsmen and self employment programme for artisans. He said an Integrated Craft Development Institute for handicrafts and handlooms is being established at Srinagar with Central assistance. He said the annual production in handicraft sector reached Rs 290 crores while that in the handloom sector to Rs 153.56 crores. Giving on overview of the Industrial scenario in the State, the Minister said Jammu and Kashmir has been declared as industrially backward State due to its locational disadvantage and geographical limitations which come in the way of attracting much investment. He said that the State is vested with good mineral base, substantial water resources is famous world over for its handicrafts, tourism, horticulture produce and cottage industry. He said the Valley offers a dust free environment suited for of low-volume, low-weight and high value industrial units like electronic compotants, equipments and items requising precision engineering. The Jammu region, on the other hand, has potential for development of all types of industry while in the Ladakh region demand based and resource based industry can be developed. He described Mineral, Agro, Horticulture and wood based industries, food processing and handloom and handicraft and silk and Silk products, electronics, precision engineering, software, gems and jewellery, power projects and leather as main potential areas for industrial development in the State. The Minister said the Government's effort is to revive the industry which has suffered severely during militancy. He said all efforts will be made to put the industrial sector on its legs again and in this regard particular referred to the forward-looking new Industrial Policy announced by the present Government with a package of incentives including 30 per cent capital investment subsidy on power tariff, interest subsidy, transport subsidy and rehabilitation of sick units. He said the policy aims at bringing new technologies and making optimum use of the rich and abandant human capital available in the State. Referring to sick units, Dr Kamal said these units require liberal assistance for rehabilitation for which purpose a census of industrial units has been conducted to assess the extent of sickness and viable potential for industrial develop-under different activities. He said the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, has been asked to take up with the concerned authorities, the issue of occupation of industrial areas by the security forces. He said the officer has been asked to look for alternate accommodation for the security forces so that the industrial estate become available for industrial activities. He said promotion of industrial growth in the State was essential to generate employment and entrepreneurs should not be eyeing on subsidies only. He said our experiences in the past have been bitter as units holders including from outside the State, availed of subsidies and incentives and disappeared from the scene. This trend has to be reversed, he said. The Minister said the State was fortunate to have Mr Omar Abdullah as the Union Minister for Commerce and Industries, who, he said, was familiar with the industrial scenario in J&K and had roped in his other ministerial colleagues to ensure industrial development in the State. He said the Centrally sponsored Information Technology Park was being set up at Rangreth at a cost of Rs 9 crores for which Rs 4 crores have already been received. He said Rs 138.60 crore Export Promotion Industrial Park at Karthuli, Jammu shall be partially operative during the current financial year while an Integrated Industrial Project at Udhampur has already been completed. He said the first phase of the long awaited Industrial Growth Centre at Samba also been operational by the end of this year. He said during the last three years 2311 industrial units were registered in the Valley by the District Industries Centres generating employment for 9851 people. In reply to a question, the Minister said Director Industries and Commerce would look into the complaint of electrified barrier put up by security forces around the Zakura Industrial Area. Speaking on the occasion, the Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Mr Mohammad Shafi Pandit, said that the Jammu and Kashmir Handloom Development Corporation has achieved success in identifying 500 old designs of Pashmina shawls. He said these designs were identified from museums, old books and private collections. He said as many as 100 such designs have been put into practice while 60 have been commercially adopted. He said the designs have generated interest in foreign countries. An exhibition of these designs has already been held in Japan while another was planned in France on January 19, 2000. Regarding the Central ban on Shahtoos shawls, Mr Pandit said the legal position in this regard is well known. He said under the Central Legislation, the Shahtoos is banned while it is not so under the State Wildlife Act. He said the State Government has been pleading with the Centre that allegation that the Tibetan antelop (Cheru) was being slagathered for obtaining Shahtoos has not been established. He, however, said the State Government has not been able to convince centre as yet. |
|
‘No work, no pay’
to be implemented strictly Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Jan 13: In pursuance of the decision of the State Government, to invoke ‘ESMA’ some directions have been issued for compliance of all Deputy Commissioners, HODs and Head of Offices:- According to Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, the principle of ‘No Work No Pay’ has to be implemented strictly in respect of employees who do not report for duty. The attendance of the employees should be closely monitored and checked and a report thereof submitted to the office of Division Commissioner Kashmir latest by 2.00 pm every day, the order said. Similar action will need to be taken in the Districts where District Officers will report attendance to the concerned Deputy Commissioners by 2.00 PM every day positively. It was pointed that while reporting attendance, the list of those employees who were present be submitted and any report without such lists would be treated as "unacceptable". The HODs have been asked to refrain from calling the District Officers for meetings in Srinagar except in cases of extreme exigencies. Similarly, the Divisional Level Officers were told that they will not leave their Hqrs for Jammu of any other place without the prior permission from the Divisional Commissioner. The HODs were further advised to counsel their employees against adoption of agitational methods in view of the fact that the State Government had already made its final offer to the employees and expressed its inability to consider anything more in view of the financial crunch. It was also felt and clarified that there was absolutely no reason for the gazetted officers and heads of subordinate offices to remain absent and keep their offices locked when they are not part of the striking employee union. Strict notice be taken of officers not attending to their duties. All Heads of Departments connected with the maintenance of essential services and supplies were asked to make all efforts to maintain supplies and essential services at the optimal level so that the public does not suffer. As regards release of salary of the employees for the month of December 1998 the Divisional Commissioner said that the Government has already made it clear that it is ready to pay salary to those of the employees who have actually reported and performed duties during the month. It is for the HODs and Heads of Offices to segregate such employees and prefer their claim separately before the Treasuries. However, due caution is to be taken in this regard and the certification provided by the concerned drawning and disbursing officers will have to be authentic and true in letter and spirit. |
|
|
Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 13: A meeting of Block Congress Committee, Vijaypur was held under the presidentship of Ch Munshi Ram. Chief guest was Mr Shivdev Singh, president DCC Jammu. According to a press release speakers highlighted the problems of the area like supply of seeds and fertilizers to the farmers of border area, completion of Raha Lift-Irrigation Scheme. They also raised the point of unsatisfactory telephone communication net-work between police stations and public making it difficult to liaison with each other at the hour of need when there is increase of militancy. The workers also hailed the decision of Mr Sonia Gandhi president AICC for nominating Dr Karan Singh for Rajya Sabha. While speaking in the meeting Mr Shivdev Singh president DCC criticised the Government both at the centre and the State for dealing with the strike of Government employees causing great inconvenience to the common man. He also told the workers that the Government has totally failed on all fronts like developmental. He also exhorted the Congress workers and deligates to join the proposed Congress Sankalp yatra rally on 19-1-2000 at Bishnah. Among others who addressed the meeting included Gauri Shanker MLA, Onkar Nath, Dr Chuni Lal, Janak Raj Sharma, Karam Chand, Joginder Chaudhary, Sukhdev Singh, Amar Nath, Asha Singh, Tirth Ram, Rajinder Kumar, Som Nath Sharma, Bittu Ram and Munshi Ram. |
|
|
Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 13: A meeting of executive members of Doordarshan Approved Drama Artists Association (DADAA) Jammu was held to hail the reorganisation of Akashwani Door-dar-shan Artists Association. It is a very good omen that ADAA has extended its field of functioning to work sincerely for the welfare of Doordarshan artists also, the DADAA release issued here said. It Congratulated Mr Rajinder Motial for assuming the presidentship of ADDA and decided to extend every possible co-operation for the cause of welfare of artist community of Jammu region and development of rich Dogra Culture and heritage. The DADAA hoped that ADAA would also fight for the demands for which DADAA has started the struggle to up-grade the Jammu Doordar-shan into a full-fledged Doordarshan Kendra, Increase in the frequency range of transmission of Jammu Doordarshan Kendra so that it could reach to entire Jammu region and its services also be utilized for counter the false propaganda of Pakistan, Dogra talented unemployed youth be employed in Jammu Doordarshan, Dogri and Hindi Serials, Dramas, Tele-films be regularly tele-cast on Doordarshan Jammu and moreover, check on the quality of programmes of Doordarshan Jammu. The meeting was chaired by Raj Singh Jamwal, president. Others who attended the meeting included B S Manhas, Janak Khajuria, Kulvir Singh Salathia, Sandesh Vir Dogra, Madan Rangila, Arun Bakshi, Uttam Singh Uttam, S P Chopra and J C Bharati. |
|
Prohibitory orders clamped in city Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 13: The District Magistrate Jammu has imposed Section 144 Cr PC within the Muncipal limits of Jammu and Notified area limits of Samba, Vijaypur, R S Pura, Bishnah and Akhnoor tehsils from tomorrow. According to an order issued by the District Magistrate here today, assembly of five or more persons in any public place within all notified area committee limits in the aforesaid tehsils and Municipal limits of Jammu has been prohibited. The District Magistrate has also ordered that no processions shall be taken out by any individual or groups of individual and no provocative slogans shall be raised by anyone in these areas. The order will not apply to marriages and funeral processions. The order will remain in force for a period of one month or till recinded whichever is earlier. |
|
|
Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 13: A Dewan was organised at Gurdwara Sahib, Karan Singh Basti, Upper Gadi garh (Jammu) today to celebrate the 334th Birth Anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The Shabad Kirtan was performed on this occasion. Afterwards, Giani Darshan Singh highlighted the life events of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Other prominent personalities who spoke on this occasion include - Balk Singh - vice president of Shoromani Akali Dal, Jagbir Singh - Sr Akali leader, Paramjit Singh - Gen Secy AISSF, Mohinder Singh chief organiser and Bhai Kanaya Sewa society. Mahant Manjit Singh of Dera Negali Sahib also spoke on the life of Guru Ji and appealed the Sikh Sangat to celebrate the 2000 century and work for the unity and integrity of the country and for the humanity and abandon toxication. |
|
Low paid Employees Federation flays State Government Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 13: Mr Sampat Parkash, State president, All J&K Low Paid Government Employees Federation, while addressing State Council of the Federation, in an emergency meeting called today, criticised the brutal action of the State Government to suppress the Trade Union Rights of the Employees, imposition of the ESMA, and the consequent arrests of the employees. In a statement issued here today Mr Sampat Prakash said instead of correcting its own lapses and failures to improve the economic health of the State, recover outstanding due from the reclacitrants and defaulting quarters, and marshalling resources, the State Government has restored to rob the genuine rights of the employees. The employees have no role in the financial crunch, the State is beset with, nor have they shared the spoils, which has the led the State to the brink of disaster. By undermocratic means, the imposing draconian ESMO and intimidation, the State Government has strengthened the resolve of the employees to press for their demands. If the Government believes that the employees will be frightened into submission, it should revise its opinion. The employees will carry on their struggle with redoubled zeal. "The employees' struggle is not motivated by any ulterior purpose except the interest of the employees", re-iterated Mr Sampat Prakash. He further said that the employees' struggle has not allowed itself to be used by any political slogan throughout its history, particularly its history during the last turbulant decade. At this hour of trial as well, the employees are united in their resolve to struggle for their genuine demands. He has faxed a message to the leaders of the Trade Union Movement of the country to come out and demonstrate their solidarity with the employees of the State in fighting the imposition of the ESMA and other dracorian laws, imposed by the State Government to gag the voice of the employees. |
|
|
|
| . |
|
| home | state | national | business| editorial | advertisement | sports | |
