Omar announces several measures for Industrial promotion

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, July 23: The Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industries, Mr. Omar Abdullah today said that the Union Ministry of Environment was formulating rehabilitation package for the Shahtoosh traders in the wake of proposed ban on the trade in J&K.

Speaking to the mediapersons after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between SIDCO and STPI at Rengreth here today, the Minister said that the Union Ministry and the State government were seized of the problem of the Shahtoosh traders and were considering a rehabilitation package for them.

When asked why did the State Government ban the trade when it had been arguing that there was no hard evidence to suggest that the Tibetan antelope was killed to obtain wool for the exquisite shawl, Mr. Abdullah said that over a period of time, the evidence submitted to the State Government seem to have convinced the government that the antelope was actually killed and that it why it has announced ban on the trade. He said the Environment Ministry was seriously considering the request of the State government for one time waiver to Shahtoosh traders to enable them sell their products.

The Minister said the figures given in the media about the artisans and traders dealing in the Shahtoosh trade were exaggerated and there were not more than 25, 000 of them. He said the ban was necessitated in the light of the world-wide concern for the wild life. He said India was a signatory to the international convention and since the trade was banned every where except in J&K, it would remain limited to the State and could not have survived for long in any case.

The Minister said that the Union Ministry of Commerce was taking steps to boost exports from the State. He recalled that a Special Group had been constituted under the Economic Advisor in the Union Commerce and Industry Ministry to suggest steps for further growth of exports from J&K. He said the Group would submit its report in two months. The Group would visit Srinagar on August 22 to have meeting with State Industries and Commerce Ministry and representatives of the trade and commerce.

Spelling out steps taken by his ministry for the industrial development in the State since he took over as the Union Minister of State, Mr. Abdullah said a leather development project and a Rs. 2 crore craft development institute have been sanctioned for Jammu and Kashmir. Besides, market development assistance was provided for promotion of sale of handicrafts outside the country. He said the centre would bear a one-time expenditure of Rs. 60 lakhs for the promotion of sports industry in the State.

Mr. Omar Abdullah said that the Union Ministry for heavy industry has included the HMT unit at Srinagar in its rehabilitation package drawn for the HMTs all over the country. He said he had taken up the problems confronting the ITI, Srinagar with the Union Minister for Communication. He said for the development of the Dal Lake, Austian assistance is being considered for a sewage treatment plant. An Industrial Promotion Policy for Jammu and Kashmir was formulated and is now waiting for broad financial package.

The Minister said a comprehensive programme for Internet connectivity with V SAT link at the block level for the State has received positive response from the Prime Minister. This, he said, would usher the State into the IT scenario in a big way.

Cremica ice cream parlour opened

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 23: An ice cream parlour of "Cremica", a product of Cremica Agro Frozen Private Limited, Ludhiana, was thrown open today at Vasudeva Food Sales, near Women College Parade, here.

President Chamber of Commerce and Industries Mr Ram Sahai inaugurated the parlour which is first ever Cremica ice cream parlour in Jammu and Kashmir.

Cremica is well known for its delicious taste and different flavors. Jar packing is its another unique quality.

Proprietor of the Vasudeva Food Sales, Mr Nimish Mahajan said that despite Cremica’s unique delicious taste, its special varieties would be available at the parlour on economical rates suitable to commoners, particularly students.

Special arrangements for marriage parties and other functions can also be ordered at the parlour, he added.

DC visits Khour border migrants

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 23: Deputy Commissioner Jammu Mr R K Goel alongwith other office bearers of the district visited Khour border migrants camps and reviewed the situation arising out of rains and floods in the camps.

As per a release the Deputy Commissioner held detailed discussions with Border Migrants Welfare Committee Block Khour for removal of their difficulties faced by camp dwellers due to rains.

The DC issued necessary instructions on the spot to the concerned officers. He assured the Migrants Welfare Committee office bearers to do everything possible to mitigate the sufferings of camp dwellers at an earliest.

Master Baldev Singh Bhau, chairman of the committee thanked the Deputy Commissioner Jammu for his favourable attitude towards the migrants. Later the border migrants committee held a condolence meeting to mourn the sudden and tragic demise of a migrant youth Johny, son of Kehar Singh, vice president of the committee. Others who attended the meeting included Messrs Baldev Singh, president, Chhaju Ram Narwalia, Bachan Singh, Harnam Dass, Capt Jai Singh, Charan Dass, Chur Singh, Mohinder Singh and Lal Chand Subedar.

PEEU blames State Govt for power crisis

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 23: Shifting all blame on State Government for the present power crises, the Provincial Electric Employees Union (PEEU) today criticised successive State Governments for not exploiting power generation potentials available in the State.

Addressing a press conference, president of the Union Mr Dalip Singh Azad said that State has huge potential of generating power through small hydro power stations and regretted that except making tall claims successive State Governments have not taken any steps in this regard. "What to say of starting new small hydel power stations, authorities have even failed to maintain those which were already existing", he said and demanded that Salal Hydel Power Project should to handed over to the State Government so that power curtailments in the State, particularly in the militancy affected areas, could be minimised.

"The non-completion of Sewa Hydro Electric Project Basohli in Kathua district was enough to show the inefficiency of the State Government as the said project has not been completed even after the lapse of 20 years", Mr Singh said and added that even 10 kilometer approach road for the proposed site of project was incomplete yet.

"It was very painful that even after 50 years of Independence the employees and general masses have been begging for their fundamental rights", he said, adding "on the one hand militancy has been ruining the State and on the other hand the State Government was creating problems for the general masses and the employees community due to its wrong policies". The PEEU president said that the State Government has even failed to provide basic amenities like water and electricity to the people and salaries to the employees.

He said that the State Government had accepted the 5th Pay Commission of India Recommendation—Central pay scales and 15 percent DA in favour of State Government employees from January 1996. "But, the State Government has withheld the 15 percent DA since last three months and one instalment of 5th Pay Commission arrears has also not been paid which was due from April, 2000", he stated and disclosed that the IAS and IPS offices, who were deputed in the State have been enjoying the central pay scales and DA. Whenever DA and other dues are demanded the Government raises the issue of financial crunch, the PEEU president said and held State Government responsible for the prevailing financial mis-management.

Informing about the discriminatory attitude of the State Government towards the employees community, he said that Rs 8.24 crores was sanctioned and allotted to the Maintenance and RE Wings of Jammu and Kashmir for the death compensation to the line workers of PDD who died in harness. He regretted that not even single penny has been paid to the poor families of the victims so far and demanded high-level enquiry to know where the money has gone?

Pointing towards the recent brutal murder of lineman from Nagrota on duty, he said the linesmen and other staff members have been sacrificing their lives for the Department but their families have not been paid any compensation.

The other demands which were highlighted included regularisation of daily wagers and timely payment of salaries and wages to the daily wagers.

Rural contractors hold meeting

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, July 23: An emergent meeting of the Rural Contractors Association was held under the chairmanship of Mr Harpal Singh.

According to a press release, all the office bearers and members of the working committee attended the meeting. Mr Kapoor Singh, vice-president of the Association moved a resolution in the meeting which was unanimously passed.

The resolution demanded that all the works departments should float the tenders for the different works to provide job to the labourers and contractors for proper utilisation of funds. The resolution particularly stressed upon the Sewerage Department to float the tenders for different works in the district.

Mr Harpal Singh, while addressing the meeting strongly condemned the malpractices of the departmental execution of sewerage works without inviting tenders in the district.

Mr Mohammed Aslam Chandel, general secretary strongly criticised the routine of execution of sewerage works in Udhampur without inviting tenders. He warned that not even a single work without floating tenders will be allowed for execution and each such work executed departmentally without floating tenders will be referred to the Vigilance to avoid the mis-utilisation of funds through the department.

Mr Mool Raj Gupta, vice-president of the Association also addressed the meeting.

Messrs Ram Dutt Sharma, Girdhari Lal Basnotra, Jugal Kishore, Govind Ram Khajuria, Ram Lal, Om Parkash and Rattan Singh attended the meeting.

PHE employees hold meeting at Bhaderwah

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 23: A meeting of the employees of the PHE Department was held under the chairmanship of Mr Abdul Hafeez Fani, president of the Low Paid Employees Federation.

According to a press release, speakers expressed serious concern that authorities have not paid any heed to their long pending demands. Later during the elections, Mr Lov Kumar, Kuldeep Singh Manhas and Romesh Padha were unanimously elected as president, senior vice-president and secretary respectively of the PHE Employees Association. While as Messrs Yog Raj, Farooq Ahmed, Sardari Lal and Javed Najar awere elected as vice-presidents, Farooq Ahmed as joint secretary and Abdul Majid, Pyar Chand, Abdul Rehman, Kailash Kumar, Ram Parshad, Mushtaq Ahmed Mangoo and Abdul Qayoom as publicity secretary, joint publicity secretary, cashier, accountant, chief organisor, chief advisor and patron respectively. The newly elected body undertook the work collectively for getting conceded demands of the employees.

PKM stresses for evolving common strategy

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 23: As a part of its public mobilization drive, Panun Kashmir Movement organised a meeting at Sarwal today in which members of Kashmiri Pandit community and office bearers of PKM participated.

As per a release the meeting was presided over by Dr M K Koul. Mr Ashwani K Chrungoo, PKM president while addressing stressed on the need for evolving a common strategy to face the onslaught of Ismalic fundamentalist movement. He said the philosophy and demand of homeland needs to be understood in an appropriate and clear perspective.

The PKM leader said no group, section or a community has faced genocide, ethnic cleansing, exodus and apartheid in their own land of birth anywhere in India and added that the case of Kashmiri Pandit community was not limited to their displacement alone, but had far reaching consequences for the whole nation.

He said, besides, it presents a very important dimension of Kashmir tangle. Mr Chrungoo said the Kashmir tangle cannot be solved without the settlement of aborigines in their land of birth. The international community will have to address this issue in the light of their support to the conventions in this regard. He added that KP community need to place its point of view very clearly and candidly.

The Panun leader said since the majority community has refused to co-exist with the Pandits in Kashmir, the KP community is justified in demanding a separate homeland for them in Valley. He said the homeland demand with State status can bring solution to all the problems of displaced community.

He said in order to achieve the desired result, the KPs require movement to be given a new face-lift and life for which everyone amongst has a role to play.

He also disclosed that though Kashmiri Pandit Representative Assembly has already been dissolved on July 13 itself, yet an initiative for a joint strategy has been taken in hand and "we hope it shall materialize soon as there was positive response from all concerned quarters in this regard", he added.

Mr Chrungoo said the unanimity on the political issues concerning the community has paved a safe route to achieve what the community actually desires. He added that the whole leadership is conscious of the aspirations of the community in this behalf.

Earlier Mr B L Koul, senior vice president of PKM, while addressing said that the time has come when Kashmiri Pandit community should expose the failures of Central Government in connection with the policy regarding Kashmir. He emphasized that Central Government was responsible for the present political mess in regard to Kashmir. He clarified that KPs cannot remain mute spectators in the present scenario and he said there is a perceptible change in the situation that existed in 1947 and the situation at present. The Kashmiri Pandits have an inalienable right to demand their due in Kashmir and that no solution was possible unless the community does not form a part of the negotiations.

DJSF demands admission to all in colleges

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 23: Doda Joint Students Federation in a meeting under the chairmanship of Mr Raj Kumar, expressed anguish over the admission policy of various colleges in Jammu.

As per a release while speaking Miss Monika Kotwal demanded that all those students who have applied for admission in various colleges should be got admitted, otherwise they will get frustrated.

DJSF president criticised the Government for not increasing seats in colleges, keeping in view the increasing population in the State.

The meeting appealed the education Minister to direct the Principals of concerned colleges to get the seats increased. The DJSF has threatened to launch agitation in case all the students were not provided admission in colleges.

JD leader flays statement of Hurriyat leader

Excelsior Correspondent

BHADARWAH, July 23: Janata Dal held a public meeting at Bhadarwah under the chairmanship of Mr Nand Lal Sharma.

As per a release while addressing Mr Mast Nath Yogi, State Janata Dal senior vice president stated that Hurriyat Conference chief Mr Ali Shah Geelani was demanding Azadi. He questioned to Mr Geelani as to what type of Azadi he was demanding.

He said in the Indian constitution there is freedom of speech and written expression. It not that enough for a citizen of India? If there was no freedom of expression of one’s thought within constitution, Mr Geelani would not have won the elections twice and entered the State Assembly.

Mr Yogi demanded that Mr Geelani should clarify as to what sort of Azadi his party wants? He further pointed out that when three lakh Kashmiri Pandits migrated from the Valley, what constructive role was played by Geelani and other leaders of his clan. Mr Geelani should explain it while addressing public meetings instead of raising hollow slogans of Azadi is meant for all communities of the State.

Mr Yogi also stated that Farooq Government has failed on all fronts as unemployment and corruption was at its peak and back door entries were being made in the Government ignoring merits and deserving students with brilliant academic career were being ignored for Government services.

Mr Yogi added that all development works have come to a stand still. The Government servants were also disappointed with the attitude of the Government as their DA has been impounded after giving two instalments. Abnormal hike in kerosene oil, LPG and foodgrains has affected the day to day life of a common man. Instead of solving the genuine problems of the masses, Dr Farooq has raised the slogan of Autonomy and diverted the attention of the public towards that. He said this step would affect the integrity of the country and weaken the nation. Everyone having loyalty with the country should resist this deep conspiracy. He asked the Government to implement Sarkaria Commission report for giving more powers to the States.

Mr Narinder Pal Gupta and Mr Ghulam Rasool Shah also expressed their views in the public meeting.

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