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| More organisations assail Govt for invoking ESMO Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 17: More employees organisations have pledged to continue their ongoing strike and have condemned the .....more Power
curtailments The people from all walks of life feel humiliated with the enforcement of 12 hour power cut .....more Tenth Oil
Conservation Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 17: The Tenth Oil Conservation Fortnight was formally inaugurated by lighting the traditional lamp by the .....more Sawhney
warns against global warming Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 17: A seminar on "Green Audit" under National Environment Awareness Campaign 99-200....more Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan. 17: NHIA was badly damaged due to rains and snow in March 1998. With the existing resources it was expected to take almost two years to rectify the.....more |
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Udhampur
employees Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Jan 17: The employees of various departments in District Udhampur today staged a demonstration in support of their demands and......more Lathicharge
on Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 17: Expressing serious concern over the police lathicharge on the protesting Government employees, the PCC......more Employees
warn the Govt Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 17: All Departmental Drivers, Operator and Cleaners Federation observed total strike on the 29th day and participated in the rally......more Incentive
for industrialists demanded Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 17: Newly elected president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Mr Ram Sahai today urged......more |
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More organisations assail Govt for invoking ESMO Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 17: More employees organisations have pledged to continue their ongoing strike and have condemned the State Government for invoking ESMO and demanded immediate steps to release the employee leaders. The J&K Coordination Committee of Trade Unions (CCTU), the constituent of J&K Employees Joint Action Committee (JKEJAC) in a meeting held here , took a serious view of the decision of the Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah in invoking ESMO. Some of the employee leaders including Messrs Gurmeet Singh, Sham Prasad and Arun Moza visited various State Government offices today to mobilise the employees for participating in the demonstrations and rallies. The Executive Secretariat of Public Sector Employees Joint Action Committee met here today wherein it condemned the Government for imposing " No wages" rule in the State. The Committee handout said that the decision to invoke ESMO was most rigid approach on part of the administration. The Action Committee also condemned lathicharge and teargassing on the employees. Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) convened a meeting here wherein it was pointed out that the Government functionaries have themselves put the Government into the financial crunch and there was no scope to withhold the due wages and arrears of the striking employees. The INTUC also condemned the Government for invoking ESMO. Former General Secretary , All J&K Plus Two lecturers Forum, Mr H D Qureshi has in a statement here condemned the step taken by the State Government in invoking ESMO in Jammu and Kashmir without any reason, rather than looking into the grievances of the employees. He demanded immediate release of the employee leaders. Mr Vijay Kumar, District President Plus Two Lecturers’ Forum has strongly condemned the lathicharge and arrest of the State Government employees by the Police. Addressing a meeting, he urged upon the Government to negotiate with the employees to end the ongoing stalemate and release the arrested leaders of the employees. Mr O P Gupta, District Vice President and Mr H D Qureshi, former general secretary of the Lecturers’ Forum have also condemned the dictatorial attitude of the Government to impose draconian laws on the employees who are fighting for their legitimate rights. Messrs S P Shastri, Gopal Krishan and Gurcharan Singh also addressed the meeting. Non-Teaching Employees Union , Jammu University President, Mr Aman Sharma has condemned the lathicharge and tear-gassing on the striking employees who are demanding the fulfillment of their genuine demands. He said that the so-called financial crunch is due to the misdeeds of the State bureaucracy . He also condemned the Government for invoking ESMO. An emergency meeting of Draftsmen Association was held under the chairmanship of Mr T R Sarotia, wherein the Association demanded immediate steps to look into the grievances of the striking employees. Jammu and Kashmir Accounts Employees Association in a meeting held here demanded immediate steps to release the employee leaders. Food Corporation of India Staff Union in a meeting held under the presidentship of Mr Daljit Singh, reviewed the ongoing strike of the State Government employees. The meeting later unanimously condemned the Government for invoking ESMO. The PHE Employees Union Jammu in a meeting held under the chairmanship of Mr Darshan Magotra has strongly condemned the State Government for not acceding to the demands of the State Government employees. The Union also condemned the " excesses" committed on the employees during their peaceful protests. It also assailed the Government for invoking ESMO. Backward and Scheduled Caste Coordination Committee in a meeting held here under the chairmanship of Mr M L Chalotra expressed serious concern over the fate of the striking employees and asked the Government to hold early negotiations so as to put an end to the present tangle. Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh has assailed the Government for imposing ESMO and has condemned the arrest of the striking employee leaders and demanded immediate solution of genuine demands of the employees. Housing Board Employees Association in a meeting held here, organised by Mr Jai Krishan Bhat condemned the Government for invoking ESMO. The Association statement said that afterall the employees are demanding nothing except DA and second installment of their pay arrears. It demanded immediate steps to withdraw the controversial ESMO. |
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Power curtailments worry people The people from all walks of life feel humiliated with the enforcement of 12 hour power cut by the State Government and there is a growing public resentment against the Government decision. It is for the first time that such a heavy curtailment schedule has been framed by the Government in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in last 50 years. No doubt the Government has many compulsions behind its decision and the main being its failure to clear the arrears amounting to hundreds of crores to the Northern Grid which is supplying the power to state. But this in no way means that the Government will put the people to trouble for its own wrong policies and decisions. Who is responsible for non payment of arrears to Northern Grid. It is not the blunder of the people that such huge arrears have been kept withheld since a long time. There is no denying in the fact that state of Jammu and Kashmir has suffered a lot during the decade long militancy which is the main reason of prevailing financial crunch but at the same time the PDD authorities can not absolve themselves of the responsibility for non clearance of the pending arrears from the people. It is mostly alleged that the PDD is taking no steps to recover the pending arrears from the people. Not only in Kashmir Valley but in Jammu region also the Department has shown no sincerity in making such recoveries. This was recently revealed by the outgoing president of Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Ramesh Chander Gupta who alleged that no steps are being taken by the Department to collect the fee from those consumers who are ready to pay it . Moreover, what justification the Government has in recovery of fee from those consumers on the increased tariff rates who have not installed the meters when the electricity remains off for 12 hours a day and at what rate the fees will be collected from them now. By deducting the fee as per the agreement rates is total injustices with them as due to the power curtailment electricity consumption in such homes and business establishments will be less. This simply reveals the fee collection system in the Department is totally faulty and needs a complete overhauling. Instead of making the common man a scapegoat at present by enforcing such a huge curtailment on him and enhancing the tariff so high the Government should have over the years not provided subsidy on the power to people on which thousands of crores have been lost so far. Had the state not lost such a huge amount on subsidies it could have earned a good revenue to meet the expenses on power generation or import and the present situation could have been averted. As the Jammu and Kashmir has a lot of potential for power generation this amount could have been spent on the construction of more projects. But it has not happened due to the wrong policies of the rulers over the years. At present the state is facing a situation that it does not have the money to built the new power projects and those which have already been taken up in hand are facing the financial constraints. The construction of new projects is only possible either from the Center’s assistance or with the help of a private sector undertaking now. Moreover, the Government has never bothered to look into the other lacunas in Power Development Department (PDD). Till it does not look into the basic cause of poor revenue collection and power loss, the situation will never improve. Today every class of people is agitated over the power cuts especially during night hours. The student community whose exams are drawing near are much more worried. Night power curtailments have also scared the people who fear worst after the recent escalation of militancy violence. Equally worried are the people living in border areas who can become the safe targets of militants in the darkness. Hence the Government can not simply absolve itself by enforcing the power curtailments but has to find the ways and means to overcome the problem. AVTAR BHAT |
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Tenth Oil Conservation fortnight inaugurated Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 17: The Tenth Oil Conservation Fortnight was formally inaugurated by lighting the traditional lamp by the Commissioner-cum-Secretary Food and Supplies, Mr R K Jerath at a function held here today. In his address, Mr Jerath highlighted the necessity of taking this message of oil conservation amongst all sections of the society including school children, housewives, transporters and agriculturists. He stressed the need of solar energy, minimise the use of petroleum products, reduce the use of private cars and suggested to promote the public transport as an alternative of pubic vehicles. During this fortnight, a series of programmes would be organised by the Oil Industry to create awareness about the need for oil conservation amongst different sections of the society which will include transport, industrial and agricultural sectors. Mr C M Kachroo, State level Coordinator and senior Divisional Manager, Indian Oil Corporation gave a detailed account of the petroleum product consumption pattern for the last 50 years and outlined the importance of conserving oil due to wide disparity between demand and indigenous product which puts a heavy burden on the foreign exchange reserves. The welcome address was delivered by Mr S Malhotra, sales, HPCL and vote of thanks was proposed by Mr A K Saxena, territory manager BPCL. |
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Sawhney
warns against global warming Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 17: A seminar on "Green Audit" under National Environment Awareness Campaign 99-200 was organised here at KC Residence today. The theme of the seminar was to keep the environment clean and green. The seminar was organised by Regional Council of the Institute of Chartered Accounts of India in collaboration with WWF India Jammu and Kashmir. It was presided over by Prof Y R Malhotra, Ex-Vice Chancellor Jammu University and Chairperson WWF while Mr H S Bali, Chairman Legislative Council was the chief guest and Prof Shashi Kant HoD Bio Sciences Jammu University and S P Sawhney a prominent citizen were the guests of honour. Though divergent views were expressed by the various speakers but all of them were unanimous that the efforts of Chartered Accountants will help to rid the planet earth from the pollution. Speaking on the occasion, Mr S P Sawhney said that merely talking about the pollution control will not serve any purpose. He said concrete steps are needed to save the earth from environmental degradation. He said the Himalayas lying in the North of J&K are vital for our state and so for our country. The Indian civilisation is based on Himalayas as saints and sages from times immemorial got inspiration from here. Besides, he said millions of people depend for livelihood on Himalayas but today it is also facing the threat of pollution. The 104 glaciers which lie in the Himalayan range are paid no attention. These glaciers are eroding due to global warming and environmental degradation, he added. Warning against the dangers of Global warming he said the Siachen Glacier has receded 8 meters in last 25 years and if the glaciers continue to recede with this pace there will be none left in next 50 to 60 years. He said forests which play an important role in keeping the environment clean are becoming denuded day by day and only 11 percent of country’s land is under forests at present. He said chartered accountants can play an important role in keeping earth free from pollution control by seeking the cooperation of industrialists in preserving the environment. However , different view was expressed by Prof Shashikant on the subject. He said instead of blaming others we all should share our responsibility and contribute what ever we can in preserving the environment. He said merely organising seminars will not help but we all have to be practical, share responsibility for the blunders of others and make efforts to correct them. Rejecting that the Government is not taking any step in preserving the environment he said every year trees are being planted by the Government departments entrusted with this task. However, the number of trees planted is less than those which are being cut. He also maintained that there are sufficient laws for the protection of environment but they are not being properly enforced. Showing his optimism that there is no threat to the environment in India he said the number of people are working in this field who have made sacrifices for preservation of environment. In this regard he hailed the services of great environmentalists and Chipko movement leader Sunder Lal Bahugna, Baba Amte and Meda Patkar. He said environment audit is a sensitive issue and hence not an easy job. It needs total cooperation of the industry and the Government. He asked the gathering either you should be bold enough to make sacrifices in achieving the objectives or leave the country as it is. In his presidential address Mr Y R Malhotra while maintaining that environment consciousness is not lacking in our country, however suggested that the seminars should be followed by such workshops to give more ideas. He said creating of public opinion to stop the industrialist pollution is must and alone audits can not do any thing in this regard. He said the society can play an important role in keeping the environment clean. Admitting that we have failed to create environment awareness even after the 50 years of independence, Mr H S Bali, Chairman Legislative Council said now we should at least realise where we are and where we are going. He said the population explosion in last 50 years is one of the basic factors of environmental pollution. Seeking the cooperation of the people he said we all have to make efforts to protect the environment. He also while hailing the chartered accountants for taking an initiative said that with their efforts the country can be saved from pollution. Earlier in his welcome address Mr Ravi Kumar Gupta Chairman of the Branch said the environment protection from the growing pollution has become an issue of global concern and to deal with the same public awareness is as important as the legal and regulatory frame work on the part of the Government. Mr B K Sharma a Chartered Accountant while presenting his paper on the need of the Green Audit expressed that energy conservation and environment protection are the two basic issues which need to be taken care of in next millennium when the industry is rapidly growing, population is multiplying and industrial pollution increasing. Mr Manmohan Juneja Chartered Accountant and Miss Sakshi Arora a C A student dealt with the technical aspects of the Green Audit also known as environment audit. The vote of thanks was presented by Mr Viney Saraf, vice chairman of the Branch and the programme was conducted by Mr Vinod Gupta, secretary of the branch. |
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Employees warn the Govt against repression Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 17: All Departmental Drivers, Operator and Cleaners Federation observed total strike on the 29th day and participated in the rally from PHE Complex to Health Department and at Shalamar here today. Mr Balwinder Singh, president and Mr Anoop Singh Jamwal, vice-president of the Federation addressed the gathering and condemned the attitude of the Police for throwing stones, raid in Emergency wing of SMGS Hospital and ruthless teargass on the employees and patients, as per release. The president alongwith other members visited the Emergency wing of Govt Medical College, Bakshi Nagar and found 30 employees injured due top lathi-charge and tear shelling. The Federation leaders have appealed the general public, all the political leaders to pressurise the State Government for meeting the genuine demands of the employees. The Federation has warned the Government against repressive measures against the employees. |
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Incentive for
industrialists demanded Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 17: Newly elected president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Mr Ram Sahai today urged the State Government to implement, in letter and spirit, the industrial incentive package already approved by the Cabinet. Talking to EXCELSIOR after assuming charge of the prestigious post, Mr Sahai said that Government should provide additional special incentives to the industrialists of this militancy plagued State. He, however, expressed regret that instead of formulating a comprehensive plan for industrialists, the State Government has adopted an indifferent attitude towards industrialists. "Militancy has been increasing day by day and only solution to keep a check on increasing alienation is to provide jobs to the unemployed youth", he said and claimed that only private entrepreneurs could provide jobs to the youth. "In the present age of free economy private entrepreneurs have to play a vital role in socio-economic development of the society and Government should initiate concreate steps in this regard", he said. Coming down heavily on the State Government for its failure to provide quality and uninterrupted power supply to the people, Mr Sahai said that traders and indutrialists were the worst victims of power crises. He strongly demanded uninterrupted power supply to save trade and industry in Jammu region. CCI, president said that students were also bearing the brunt of the unscheduled power curtailments. Recalling Government assurance to provide quality power to the citizens, Mr Sahai said that authorities have totally failed to keep their promises. He did not see any justification for increasing proposed power tariff in April 2000. When his attention was drawn towards his narrow margin of victory and his failure to get support of small traders, Mr Sahai claimed that he has received support of every section of the traders. "Though I got over-whelming support from peripheries but it does not mean that I did not get support from small traders, particularly of walled city". He, however, made it clear that I am now president of the all Chamber members weather they have voted for me or any one else and I will strive hard to solve their problems". Three time Chamber president expressed his resentment over the dirty politics of some politicans, who were hell bent to politicise the traders and industrialists’ organisation. Listing his priorities, Mr Sahai said first and fore-most priority of his team was to force the State Government to provide quality and uninterrupted power supply in Jammu region. Earlier, Mr Ram Sahai along with his team of office bearers took over the charge in Chamber office in the presence of large number of traders and industrialists. While taking over the charge, Mr Sahai expressed his gratitude to all the members who have supported the present team in election. He also announced that his first priority will be to mitigate the problems arising out of long hours of power curtailments. He expressed his determination to find its logical solution. A resolution was unanimously passed in the very first meeting of the new Chamber team regarding power crises. Resolution said as " the present schedule of curtailment in no case is acceptable to the members of trade and industry in particular and people of the State in general, hence the Government authorities should review their decision in this regard and find out an amicable solution in consultations with Chamber so that sufferings of the people, who definitely are paying but want full returns of their payments, could be mitigated ". |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan. 17: NHIA was badly damaged due to rains and snow in March 1998. With the existing resources it was expected to take almost two years to rectify the damages but the highway was restored ever better than original by Aug. 99 There was not a single sinking or unmetalled place. The highway served the cause of "OP Vijay, the entire induction went off unhindred. There was not a single day of road closure from Apr. 98 to 10 Jan. 2000, a record for this highway. The highway was at its best and geared up to bear the brunt of snow during the winter. The snowing started this year on January 12. The entire stretch of the highway received snow, it was heavy to very heavy at Patnitop and Jawahar Tunnel. The stretches effected by snow are usually confined between. Kud to Perrha (Patnitop) and Banihal to Qazigund (Jawhar Tunnel), which is approximately 70 Kms. Based on this and average snow of 60 cms the snow operations has been planned. The expected clearance time is about two days from stoppage of snow. It snowed right from Udhampur to Srinagar and the clearance of snow was extended to almost 100 km. With an average snowfall of 1 m, the maximum being 1.5 m at Jawahar Tunnel, the snow stopped at 2300 h on January 14 which was cleared by 1800 h on 15 Jan by working throughout the day and night. The snow clearance operation was supervised by senior officer from Jawahar Tunnel. The dedication of men and decision to carry out snow clearance during night, against all the odds of no visibility, militancy and avalanches paid off the dividend. The road was open with in less than 24 hours after stoppage of heavy snow. |
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Promotion of tourism to be given top priority: Salathia Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 17: Minister of Tourism, Youth Welfare and Sports, Mr Surjit Singh Salathia has said all efforts will be made for promotion of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir State which is on the top priority of the Government. Addressing a gathering of Travel Agents Association Jammu (TAAJ) at Hotel K C Residency here today on promotion of Tourism in Jammu Region’’, the Minister asked the Association to include the Kashmir region also in their demand charter. He said all efforts will be made by him in solving the problems of the travel agents in the state and he assured them full help from the Government. Others who were present on the occasion include Commissioner, Secretary Tourism Mr Maria Desalphine, Director General Tourism, Mr Ashraf, Divisional Traffic Manager Northern Railway, Mr T C Bhardwaj, Station Manger Indian Airlines, Mr Rajesh Batra, Airport Manager Jet Airways and Mr Naresh Kumar. Earlier the Association submitted a charter of demands to the Minister in which the problems being faced by the travel agents were highlighted. The memorandum demanded incentives for travel agents as part of Tourism Industry, development and upgradation of leisure tourist circuits, development of adventure tourism, regularisation and development of pilgrim tourism, functioning of provincial directorates and enforcement of Tourist Trade Act. Besides the memorandum demanded that flights to Leh be increased especially in winter months, introduction of direct superfast trains to Jammu from other stations of the country, representation of TAAJ in various Government boards and organisations, framing of yearly Calendar of tourism events, opening of Entertainment and Conferences Centre at Jammu, introduction of light and sound programmes and construction of Tourist Complex at Akhnoor. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan. 17: Mr D K Kotwal, State Bharatiya Janata Party president, in a statement has strongly condemned the attitude of the State Government towards the agitating State Government Employees. He said that having mis-managed and misgoverned the State affairs, Dr Abdullah Committed grave financial irregularities, Dr Farooq Abdullah must talk to the agitating employees and settle their just and reasonable demands amicably and suitable as the continued strike has resulted in immense hardships to the common man. It is worth-while to keep in mind the deteriorating conditions of the amenities of power supply, drinking water health services etc. for the common man. The resultant failure and break down of the State machinery has brought about perilous situations in the State. The State of Jammu and Kashmir, being security sensitive, the present situation provides an opportunity to the anti-national elements to take advantages. The State Government must vigorously persue and investigate the various instances of corruption, scandles that have come to the public notice against the Ministers and others. Some Ministers are constructing palatial mansions and they should disclose the sources of money for constructing these mansions with crores of rupees from the State exchequer. When crores of rupees are outstanding against these politicians and others, it does not behove the Chief Minister to say that State does not have finances to meet the just demands of the employees. Mr Kotwal demanded that State Government should issue a "White Paper" one the State's Financial position and disclose before the public the circumstances that have led to the alleged financial crunch in the State. He further demanded that the State Government should check the rampant corruption and ensure financial discipline and accountability in the heirarchy. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan. 17: To commemorate the Army Day celebration, an Inter School Debate competition was organised by Army School Ratnuchack in which 10 schools participated and the topic for the debate was 'The Supreme sacrifice made by our soldiers was necessary to maintain integrity of our border against Pak Misadventure' in Kargil. Mrs Mona Maharaj Singh, first lady of of the Brigade (3 Independent Armoured Brigade) and member educationist, school Managing Committee presided over the function. The participating schools were Army School Kaluchak, Army School Ratnuchack, Delhi Public School, JK Public School, Army School Damana, Saink School Nagrota, BSF Sr. Sec. School Paloura, Army School, B. Bari, Army School Akhnoor K V No. 2 Jammu Cantt. Performance of all the participating school students was worth appreciating. First prize was bagged by the Suman Saurabh of Sainik School Nagrota, second prize was bagged by Ankur Dutta and Guneet Chadha of B.S.F. Senior Secondary School, third prize was bagged by the Anshumalini of Army School Ratnuchak and the Consolation prize went to Danpreet Singh Bali of Sainik School Nagrota. Mr Vijay Puri, the Principal of the school, while declaring the results, emphasised that the sacrificing nature is inherited by all the Indian. She added that the essence of protecting the motherland is carried by the us right at the time of inception. The chief guest, Mr Mona Maharaj Singh in her brief speech applauded all the participants for their marvellous performance and emphasised that such competitions should be held time and again, as they help the students to develop the public speaking skill and face the challenges of the life. |
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Pol parties condemn police lathicharge on employees Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 17: Various political parties have strongly resented the Government attitude towards the employees who are on strike for the past over 28 days in support of their genuine demands. Mr Prem Lal, BJP MLA, Hiranagar, in a release said that the Government in place of resolving the issue has resorted to confrontationist attitude which was sure to prove detrimental in the long term interests of the public in general and the State Government in particular. He said invoking of ESMO has added fuel to the fire, thereby forcing the employees to harden their stand on their demands. He urged the Government to shun the path of confrontation and instead adopt the path of meaningful dialogue to break the ongoing stalemate. He also resented the use of force, lathicharge and teargas shells on the employees today. Mr Kuldeep Raj Gupta, vice president State BJP, urged the Government to concede the genuine demands of the striking employees keeping in the view the hardships being faced by the common people. The Internationalist Democratic Party state secretary Mr Hoshiar Singh has condemned the Government stand vis-a-vis employees strike and urged the authorities at the helm of affairs to get the issue sorted out through a meaningful dialogue, as the demands of the employees were just and genuine. Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party in a meeting under the chairmanship of Sardar Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, state president condemned the lathicharge and use of teargas on employees, who have been fighting for their due rights and termed the Government action as shameful. He said the Government instead of tackling the issue has adopted confronting attitude which was bound to prove counter-productive for it in the long run. He alleged that the funds provided by the Centre to clear the arrears of 5th Pay Commission to employees have deliberately been diverted and misappropriated in the name of developmental works. The meeting was attended among others by Messrs B B Kotwal, Kamal Goria, Mohd Yousuf Ganai, Thoru Ram Sharma, B L Sharma and Jagdev Singh. Pradesh Janata Dal (United) state general secretary Dr A K Kharu has strongly condemned the brutal use of force on employees by the Government and held that the national Conference Government headed by Dr Farooq Abdullah has completely failed in providing a smooth governance as the same was seemingly on its last leg. He appealed the Prime Minister to impose Governor’s rule in the State of Jammu and Kashmir so that law and order situation was back on rails. |
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