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| Significant headway in reconstruction programme: Sagar Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: The Works Minister, Mr Ali Mohd Sagar replying to a calling attention ......more Hopeful
of favourable decision Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Hopeful of a favourable decision by the State Government, the teachers of ....more Handwara
episode Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: The security forces maintained complete restraint during the Sunday’s ...more Aziz
demands copter Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: National Conference (NC) Legislature Mr Abdul Aziz Wani today.....more Charging
of more fare Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Charging of more fare to the legislatures by JK Guest......more |
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PDP for
removal Excelsior Correspondent KISHTWAR, Mar 28: People’s Democratic Unit for district Doda has demanded the removal of SDM Kishtwar for alleged misbehave with the........more Special
Taxi operators Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Special Tourist Taxi Association has alleged that the taxi operators are being harassed and imposed fine/challan by the concerned....more Anjuman-e-Islamia
Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: A literary meet of Anjuman-e-Islamia will be held at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan at Jammu on April 3....more Minister
admits shortage Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: The Minister of Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Mr Abdul Qayoom today informed the House that there is a shortage of.....more |
Significant headway in reconstruction programme: Sagar Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: The Works Minister, Mr Ali Mohd Sagar replying to a calling attention notice by Syed Abdul Rashid said in the Legislative Assembly today that the reconstruction programme launched by the State Government from 1996 has made a significant headway over the years. The infrastructure that had been destroyed as a result of violence and subversion has to a considerable extent been restored. As part of this, the roads and building department has formulated an ambitious plan for availing loan assistance from the NABARD. But all the schemes/proposals cannot be submitted to NABARD in one go. As such, a phasing has to be done. He said the roads in Kokernag constituency are generally trafficable but not in fairly good condition owing to increased traffic intensity. Winter damages have also taken place on these roads. With regard to Anantnag-Kokernag - Vailoo road, the works minister said that the length of this road is 31 kms. The damages are being repaired as per availability of funds. Damages of road from Anantnag to Achabal have recently been repaired, damages beyond Achabal upto Vailoo are appreciable and restoration has been started. The road from Vailoo to Daksum is with BEACON Project. He said, the project for upgradation of Anantnag-Achabal-Kokernag - Vailoo road has been sponsored by State Government to NABARD for an amount of Rs. 868.57 lacs and the sanction is still awaited as project has been detained by NABARD on the plea that NABARD does not encourage the upgradation of the major district roads. This road was taken up for upgradation under state sector and pre-macadamization works undertaken upto Vailoo during 1998-99 but due to subversive action the work got suspended in October, 1998, he said. The Minister said that Deesu Larnoo Lenhanwan road length 17 kms. has been taken up previously for upgradation at a cost of Rs. 371.00 lacs against which Rs. 4.60 lacs were booked ending 3/99 under State Sector by way of metalling and remetalling but work could not be continued during the current year due to non-availability of funds. The upgradation of Vailoo Gadole Road length 7 kms was in progress under district sector during 1988-99. An amount of Rs. 8.83 lacs was spent by the end of 3/99. No funds become available for improvement of the said road during the current financial year. The physical achievements of road upto ending 3/99 is metalling 3 kms, remetalling 6 kms, drainage crossings 8 rft., walling and pipes 270 rfts. He said that the upgradation of Wandeyalgam Magani Sund Brari Road length 6 kms. was in progress under district sector during 1998-99. An amount of Rs. 10.59 lacs was booked ending 3/99. No work would be taken up during the current due to non-availability of funds. The physical achievements ending 3/99 are remetalling 4 kms. bridges and culverts 10 rift., walling and pipes 430 rft. |
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Hopeful
of favourable decision Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Hopeful of a favourable decision by the State Government, the teachers of University of Jammu and the degree colleges have suspended their strike for the time being. Whileas, the University teachers have called their general body meeting for April 3 to discuss the scenario after the expiry of the date fixed by the State Government to take the decisions regarding the demand of the teachers. It may be recalled that the teachers both in the University and degree colleges of the Jammu Province are demanding release of arrears of the Fifth Pay Commission. Talking to EXCELSIOR, the Jammu University Teachers Association, general secretary, Dr Vachaspati said that the yesterday’s general body meeting had decided to suspend the strike till the April 3 in view of the Government’s assurance for a favourable decision with regard to the pay arrears before March 31. He further said that if the Government fails to release the arrears, then they will discuss the issue in the general body meeting already called for April 3. Whereas, the college teachers, who have the same demand have also set their eyes on the March 31 for some good news. The College Teachers Association, president Dr M L Dogra has also called the executives meeting in the first week of April to calk out the further course of action. |
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Handwara
episode Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: The security forces maintained complete restraint during the Sunday’s operation at village Chak-e-Dodipora in Handwara tehsil of North Kashmir while flushing out the holed up militants from a wooden mosque. This was stated by Minister of State for Home, Mr Mushtaq Ahmed Lone in the Upper House today soon after the Question Hour was over. The Minister while sharing the members concern over the issue said Government is fully aware of the sensitivity of the matter but some times the forces are compelled to take such action. He said during the search operation the holed up militants attacked the security forces who had to retaliate. Two army personnel and three holed up militants were killed in the encounter, he said, adding though complete restraint was made that mosque is not damaged yet one rocket hit its tomb. The Minister said we are also shocked over the episode but in such encounters the minor damages can not be ruled out. He said the Government will repair the damaged portion of the mosque soon and bear all its cost. Regarding the Doda situation and torturing of seven jawans by a cop and his associates, the Minister said he does not have the complete details regarding the matter. He assured the House that statement on the episode will be given by him either by tomorrow or as early as possible. "But as of today I am not in a position to give a statement as the information is to be collected from a remote district", the Minister said. Earlier speaking on the Handwara issue the NC member Mr Mohammed Aslam said the Home Department should issue instructions to the forces asking them to maintain complete restraint while making such operations on religious places which are of sensitive nature. He warned ISI and Pakistan will try to exploit the religious sentiments of people by taking control of religious places in future also. He was joined by his Party colleague Mr G N Shaheen who expressed serious concern over the Handwara issue. Regarding the whereabouts of Mr Zahoor Ahmed Dalal of Moominabad Anantnag in South Kashmir who has reportedly been picked up by Gypsy borne men outside his residence on March 24, the Minister said an immediate inquiry will be held and the House will be informed accordingly. The matter was raised by Mr Javed Hussain Shah of National Conference who alleged as no where abouts of Mr Dalal are known the district Administration in Anantnag is silent on the issue. Seeking the intervention of the Chair he demanded that Government be asked to locate the person immediately. On this the Chairman Mr A R Dar asked the MoS Home who was sitting in the House to hold an inquiry in the matter and report the House about it. |
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Aziz demands copter service for Marwah Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: National Conference (NC) Legislature Mr Abdul Aziz Wani today demanded starting of copter services twice a week for Marwa, Warwan and Dachana in Doda district till the road is constructed in the area. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, the member said the entire area has been ignored in developmental field and no funds have been earmarked for this purpose. He said the people in this belt are delinked from the rest of the State due to non availability of transport facilities. He also demanded that sufficient funds be earmarked for the development of the area and construction of roads. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Abdul Rashid Shaheen said that one person namely Mr Ali Mohammed Bathari’s where abouts are not known who was picked up by security forces 15 days back from Srinagar. The member said the family members of Mr Bathari are in distress as they have not got any clue of their kin since then. Mr Bhushan Lal Bhat also of NC expressed concern over the prevailing water scarcity in migrant camps at Mishriwala, Muthi, Purkhoo and Nagrota. He urged the Government to take immediate steps in making the water supply position better in all migrant camps by pressing more tankers in service. Mr Daya Krishan Kotwal demanded Hindu female medicos undergoing training at Medical College Srinagar be allowed to migrate to Jammu in place of those Kashmiri girl students of the Valley who intend to go back. The member said the female medicos outside the Valley are facing hostel problems in Valley as 14 girls are sharing a one hostel room there. Mr S M Gill demanded renovation of Jammu, Kashmir Guest House at Amritsar which he alleged is in dilapidated condition. |
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Special Taxi operators allege harassment Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Special Tourist Taxi Association has alleged that the taxi operators are being harassed and imposed fine/challan by the concerned Government agencies. As per a release, a meeting of the members of the Association was held here today under the chairmanship of Mr Anchal Singh. All the executive members were also present. It was decided in the meeting that Taxi operators of Jammu and Kashmir will not pay any fine/ challan as the rates since June 1999 have not been revised by the Government. They said the rate for Jammu-Srinagar per passenger was finalised as Rs 300 one way but the operators were charging only Rs 250 per passenger, but even then the operators are being harassed by the officials deployed on the Highway. The members sought the intervention of Chief Minister into the matter and also resolved to go on strike if the matter was not settled. |
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CM assures beefing up of security in valley Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 27: Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah has said that security would be further beefed up in minority pockets in Kashmir valley. Patrolling would be intensified and measures taken to instill confidence among the people, he said while talking to a deputation of Sikhs of Rafiabad, Baramulla that called on him here this afternoon. Mr Mohammad Dilawar Mir, MLA, led the deputation. The CM said the people of the State irrespective of their religious affiliations have suffered immensely in the wake of Pak sponsored militancy during the past decade. The selective killings, he said, demonstrates the evil design of enemy to create wedge between the people of various communities and to disturb tranquality in the State. He cautioned people to be vigilant against nefarious designs of elements inimical to peace and said: "We have to foil all such attempts unitedly." |
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Minister admits shortage of doctors in Valley Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: The Minister of Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Mr Abdul Qayoom today informed the House that there is a shortage of specialists and psychiatrists in Kashmir Valley at present. He said these doctors were forced to migrate due to militancy which added to the peoples problem. The Minister who was replying to a question of Mr M Y Teng said the people suffering from depression and other diseases have been put to acute problems after the migration of Dr Sushil Razdan a renowned Neurologist and demise of Dr Beg. The Minister said there is shortage of doctors in the Valley hospitals today. He however said the efforts are being made to provide the facilities to patients in the mental hospitals and the land has been identified for construction of hospitals and staff strength is being increased. He however, maintained that due to the financial crunch we could not give a practical shape to this move. He said the Government has also approached the State Public Service Commission (PSC) to fill up the vacant posts of lecturers in various branches. The Minister replied in affirmative when the member wanted to know whether it is a fact that number of patients suffering from depression has gone upto an alarming extent due to the prevailing circumstances in Kashmir Valley. |
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No survey conducted on Shiva Canal: Bhat Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: The work on Atalgund Micro Hydel Scheme is yet to be started though investigation and project report for the installed capacity of 2 X 400 Kw Project was completed in 1989. This was stated by Minister of State for Power, Mr Ghulam Hassan Bhat in the Upper House today. The Minister who was replying to a question of Mr Firdous Syed of NC said no survey for construction of Power House on Shiva Canal in Bhadarwah was conducted so far. Raising a supplementary the member wanted to know why the work on the Project was not taken up in hand during the last 12 years. He alleged the Government was not applying its mind to Bhadarwah Project. Rejecting the contentions of the member the Minister said the work on this Project could not be taken up in hand due to funds constraint. Rs 9.80 lakh was provided subsidy by the Government to the beneficiaries for land leveling and reshipping during year 1989-99 under Command Area Development Jammu while Rs 14.05 lakh was provided under this scheme during this period in Kashmir Valley. This information was given to House by Minister of State for Agriculture Mr P Namgyal in reply to a question of Mrs Depinder Kour today. The Minister said during the year 1997-98 a subsidy of Rs 32.25 lakh was provided in Jammu region while subsidy of Rs 16.59 lakh was provided in Kashmir Valley. He said during year 1996-97 the subsidy under Command Area Jammu was Rs 30.95 lakh while for Kashmir Valley it was Rs 17.17 lakh. |
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BJP demands inquiry into Mendhar incident Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, March 28: Mr Kuldip Raj Gupta, vice-president State unit of Bharatiya Janata Party has demanded a probe into the incident of killings at Mendhar. According to a release, the BJP demanded inquiry into killings of nine minority community members and maintained that some youth of victim families who were recruited as SPOs were without salary for the last several months. Mr Gupta said that the police has registered a murder cases against one Mr Chaman Lal and his son who fired at some unidentified gunmen for self-defence during night. The victim who was later killed appeared to be a VDC member, believed to be moving for possible strike alongwith other elements who disappeared. The BJP leader who met the Chief Minister disclosed him that after the recent killing of four minority community members at Mendhar , some unknown men knocked at the door of Chaman Lal. The family members asked for the identity of the strangers outside but they did not respond. Sensing trouble, the family members resorted to fire in self defence. Later, it was found that one of the victim who later killed, was a VDC member. The police registered murder case against Chaman, his brother and son. Mr Gupta urged upon the CM to order a special inquiry into the matter and absolve the members of the charge booked by cops. Dr Abdullah assured the leader that justice would be done with the minority members. The BJP leader also demanded compensation in favour of forty persons who were injured in Rajouri bus blast recently. He also sought a probe into this blast, which Administration claimed having occurred due to cooking gas cylinder explosion. |
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Gupta cautions people against ISI's nefarious design Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28 : The Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta, has cautioned the people against the misleading propaganda being carried out by Pakistan and agents of the ISI in Jammu and Kashmir who are providing material for such a propaganda to the enemy. He said that it was strange that some elements were still demanding what they call as an independent probe into the massacre of 36 innocent Sikhs in Chithi Singhpora of Kashmir although one of the local militant has already been arrested and on basis of his interrogation five foreign mercenaries in army uniform have been killed in an encounter in the same area of Anantnag District. According to a press release Prof Gupta was addressing a public meeting at Deenga Amb. He said that he visited twice to the village after this painful incident but he did not found a single person there who expressed doubts about the hands of security forces. On the contrary many of the villagers openly talked about that who were the guilty persons, he added and said that it was a strange situation that tactically while Pakistan was shifting the blame on the Indian agencies, certain elements keeping in tune with the enemy were busy in spreading rumours and trying to create confusion. He said that in a bid to commulise the situation the upper ground apparatus of the ISI has playing to the tune of enemy and pointed out that they never talked about any Independent inquiry when there had been several such other massacres but now as the American President, Mr Bill Clinton, and other world nations have begun to take note of such a killings, the Pak-military ruler is trying to playing clever and certain other elements were enganged in creating confusion. Prof. Gupta stressed the need for maintaining communal harmony and fight the enemy designs unitedly by frustrating the unitedly by exposing the tactics which are being employed by the terrorists and their mentors. He assured that he would take up the problems facing the people with the concerned authorities. The meeting was also addressed by the pradesh general secretary of the BJP, Mr Bhagwat Sawroop, and pradesh secretary Mr Kashmira Singh. They were highly critical of the functioning of the State Govt and perpetrating discrimination against Jammu region under communal and other considerations. |
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Bhagidari
scheme being introduced in SRTC Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Information and Transport Minister, Mr Ajatshatru Singh today stated that the administration would launch concerted efforts to ban Pakistan Television (Ptv) in this border State. This statement was made by the Minister in response to debate over grants of his Department during the second session of the Legislative Assembly here today. "Pakistan has unleashed large-scale propaganda in support of its militant groups functioning on this side of border". "While the Government can’t control their broadcast here, it is possible to ban Ptv transmission by issuing suitable instructions to the cable operators. The Government shall formulated specific regulations to ensure the same at the earliest possible", he further added. To further counter the propaganda from across the border, the Central Government had worked a comprehensive package of nearly Rs 430 crores. "Under this package, the first objective will be to upgrade the existing stations at Jammu and Srinagar. Subsequently stations will be opened at Udhampur and Rajouri", he added. Along the border areas, more VLPTs and HPTs would also be installed and the entire process will be completed by January 2001. The Central Government had also started an 18 hours Kashmiri Channel to keep the people versed of the exact happenings in Kashmir. Coming to the Transport Department, he stated that during the last decade about 120 vehicle of the Department had been set ablaze by the militants. To overcome the shortage of vehicles, the Department also purchased more 1280 buses and 500 trucks. Setting aside the notion that SRTC was still in red, the Minister commented that for the first time the Corporation had paid an installment of nearly Rs 5 croers from its own earning. There was also an overall rise in the revenue of the Department and it had increased to the turn of Rs 43 crores. Dwelling on the new ‘Bhagidari Scheme’ being introduced by the Corporation, he said, "instead of opting for privatisation it had been mutually decided that the employees of the Corporation would be made share holders. We hope that within a period of two years, the Corporation would come to the level of break-even". Speaking over the grants of his Department, Minister for Food and Supplies, Mr Ajay Sadhotra stated that the prices of petroleum related products would definitely rise to some extent in view of the hike announced by the Central Government. "We were able to prevail on the Central Government to increase the quota of kerosene oil for the winter season. But, the price is bound to escalate in tune with the rise announced by the Union Government. There has also been a rise in the cost of LPG cylinder by Rs 50 and this will also have its rebounding effect over the prices in this state", he said adding that for the benefit of masses the administration can also open more extension counters, if required. Coming to the Public Distribution System of the State, he said that there were at present 1564 centres in Kashmir 212 in Ladakh and 1994 in Jammu region on basis of the projected population of 1991. "The State Government also held negotiations with the Central Government and the sugar quota was increased upto the level of 600 grams per individual. The festival quote was also upgraded to the level of 2250 metric tonnes in view of the multi-religious society of the state", he added. The Union Government, he added hat not officially communicate to us about any changes in the existing PDS system as had appeared in the newspapers. |
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Sack cops responsible for SPOs’ killing, torture: Sena Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: The Jammu and Kashmir Unit of Dalit Sena has strongly condemned the alleged torture and killing of Special Police Officers belonging to minority Scheduled Caste community in Doda and demanded arrested and dismissal of cops responsible for it. In a press statement issued here today, Mr Kuldip Singh, secretary general and Syed Islam Shah District president Jammu condemned the torture and killing of some SC members serving in Doda. These leaders who also visited the GMC hospital to inquire about the health of victim Om Parkash (SPO) were told that four SC community SPOs alongwith another Rajput Mohinder Singh were attached with 26 RR unit. Some local sympathisers of the militants tried to falsely implicate these boys in a theft case. SPO Om Parkash was taken into custody by cops for investigation. Inspite of taking him to Police station or DPL, Doda the cops took the SPO to an isolated place where only two houses of the majority community exist. The SPO was brutly tortured by about twenty cops by using third degree methods. As he was removed in one of the rooms he saw SPO Daya Krishan hanging from the ceiling with his head down. The cops started beating with rifle butts to both of them. They allegedly abused the Army and the SPOs attached with them. After the village heads contacted a senior officers, the victims were removed to Doda with their intervention. Daya Krishan was declared dead in Doda hospital and Om Parkash was referred to Jammu. No action has been taken by the SSP or DIG of the Range against the cops responsible for the inhumane Act. It was alleged that SSP Doda, Mr Munir Khan was shielding the guilty cops due to reasons best known to him. The community members have threatened to launch a massive agitation if all the cops responsible for the cold blooded murder of the SPOs and torture were not dismissed and arrested. |
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Sikh organisations hold meeting at Digiana Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: An urgent meeting of various Sikh organisations was convened at Digiana Ashram, under the chairmanship of Mahant Manjit Singh of Dera Nagali Sahib (Poonch). The organisations which took part in the said meeting include J&K State Gurdwara Prabandhak Board, State Akali Dal, Shrimoni Akali Dal, Istri State Akali Dal, Sikh Welfare Furum; All India Sikh Student Federation, Bhai Kanaya Sewa Society, Sikh Naujavan Sabha, State Youth Akali Dal and presidents and secretaries of all Gurdwaras and prominent Sikh leaders were also participants in this meeting hailing from Kashmir valley. During the delebrations of the meeting - in the memory of Chithi Singh Pura Martyrs and Akhand Path is being held at Digyana Ashram which shall culminate on Sunday the April 2 between 9 AM to 1 PM After the Ardass Langer will be served to the participants. Mahant Manjit Singh of Dera Negali Sahib (Poonch) is paying a visit to Chithi Singpora - Mattan on March 31 and participate in the Antim Ardas of Martyrs. Mahant will be back on April 2. The meeting was addressed by the Mahant Ji and advised that brotherhood should be maintained at all costs as in the past and demanded of the State and Central Governments for the protection and security of the life and properties of minorities in Kashmir valley and elsewhere also. |
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CPI hails stand of All Party Sikh Action Committee Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Communist Party of India held a meeting under the chairmanship of Mr Abdul Rehman Tukroo, secretary, Kashmir Council, to take stock of the situation developed after Chithi Singhpora carnage. As per a release a brief report of CPI delegation, which just returned from the Valley, was analysed. The CPI delegation included Dr Joginder Dayal, secretary Punjab Council of the party, Comrade Bhan Singh Bhaura, Mrs Bhaura and state CPI leader Mr Tukroo. The CPI appreciated the stand taken by All Party Action Committee of Sikhs of valley endorsing preservation of age old bonds between the different sections of Kashmiri people. The CPI appealed the people to understand real intentions of terrorists, especially foreign mercenaries, aimed at creating communal discard and stand united to defeat game plan of the enemy by preserving communal harmony at all costs. The CPI also decided to send another delegation to Valley to pay homage to victims of carnage by taking part in Bhog ceremony at Chithi Singhpora. The delegation will comprise Jagjit Singh Anand, Comrade Atamjeet Singh, Mohd Yousaf and Amarjeet Singh. |
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