NSS adopts Residential School for Blind, Ambphalla
VARSITY NOTE

By Nishikant Khajuria

With the expiry of last date for the withdrawal of nomination form for the post of secretary Jammu University Students Cultural Council, decks have been cleared for the direct contest between Hema Gandotra of PG Sociology and Tabbasum Mugal of Law Department.

Voting will be held on November 29 between 1 pm to 2 pm and result is likely to be declared by 3 pm. Three joint secretaries of the Council have already been elected uncontested on November 23 as only three nomination forms for the posts were filed.

Today, a day before the voting, both the candidates alongwith their supporters, were seen engaged in campaigning and trying to woo the voters to make sure their victory.

Interestingly, despite the fact that both the candidates are female, muscles are being flexed to rout the rival. Some outsiders and ex students of the University were also seen canvassing for one of the candidates. In view of the prevailing situation, the possibility of some untoward incident during the voting, also can not be ruled out, feel the University students.

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Despite the tall claims regarding strengthening of the security on the Campus, the JU authorities don’t seem to be keen to make this prestigious institute free from ‘rotten’ elements as the former have turned down Dean Students Welfare Prof N A Ganai’s request for the recruitment of more security staff for a proper vigil on the Campus.

Instead of recruiting more security staff, it has been suggested that the University will hire two securitymen from private agencies at the retirement of any JU security staffer. It will gradually increase the number of security men, whether it may take years, the authorities said.

It may be recalled that inadequacy of security staff is being listed as a major reason behind the failure to maintain law and order in the JU premises. Presently, the Jammu University has only thirty security guards and four head security guards to man law and order on the Campus.

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‘Display Your Talent’, the annual affair of Department of Students Welfare, is going to start from December 12. Unlike previous years, this time the event will be held in five phases which are; Literary, Music, Fine Arts, Dance and Theatrical.

The first phase will be of Fine Arts and Literary. Fine Arts include painting, sketching, clay modelling, collage, poster making and photography while Literary include debating, elocution, poetry reciting, on the spot essay writing and quiz.

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National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers of Jammu University are observing Children Welfare Week from November 28 to December 4 which happens to be Nations Disabled Children Day.

The week commenced today with, a painting and poster contest which was held in the memory of late Aarti Dutta, who was a very active NSS volunteer of Jammu University. 36 children from twelve institutions participated in the competition, themed "Neglected Child".

Later a function was organised in the University auditorium wherein Rs 20,000 were donated to the management of SOS Home, Channi Rama and Rs 5000 each to two mentally retarded children. NSS volunteers had collected this donation money by selling greeting cards. Residential School for Blind, Ambphalla was adopted by NSS to make it a part and parcel of Jammu University.

On the occasion, a Children Welfare Society was also formed. Registrar JU will be chief patron of the society while NSS will look after its management.

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Jammu University Students Chapter of Consumer Council will be formally

launched on December 9 during a function at the Environment Sciences Block. As per Teacher Incharge of the Council, Dr Shohab Inayat Malik, objective of the JU Students Chapter of Consumer Council is to bring awareness among the students for their consumer rights.

Power cuts hampering studies of children: Maa Shakti

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 28: Maa Shakti, a NGO for the welfare of the children and youth, conducted weekly educational programme, which was attended by children of various schools of Jammu.

During the meeting with the parents of the participating children after the conclusion of the programme, Mrs Anusuia Devi, vice chairperson of Maa Shakti discussed the problems being faced by the children due to the excessive and long duration power cuts. It was pointed out that the early morning and evening hour curtailments, the same were hampering the studies of the children.

She advocated the need to provide best facilities of life to the children, since they are the future of the society and stressed the need to provide uninterrupted power supply at all costs for the benefit of the students.

Suggesting the remedial measures in the wake of scarcity of electricity, Mrs Devi said that the power cuts during pre-dawn and post dusk hours may be avoided so that the studies of the children do not suffer for want of light. Steps may also be taken to ensure that there are no power cuts other than the notified schedule of the curtailment so that the children may organise and plan the study work according to the availability of the light, she said.

Mrs Anusuia suggested that the provision of community study halls with continuous power supply may also be considered by the authorities where the children could come and study.

She also appealed to the school authorities to have the work to be done in class rooms in such a way that assigning home work to the children especially in the case of children reading in primary classes, could be avoided wherever possible, as there is no light in the evening.

NSUI Kathua unit constituted

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Nov 28: Mr Sanjeev Pathania district president National Students Union of India (NSUI) has constituted the district body.

As per a release, Messrs Chander Shaker has been nominated as vice president while Abhishak Sharma, Jagdish Bhandral, Farooq, Krishan Bhardwaj and Sushil were appointed as general secretaries.

Rajnesh, Rakesh Verma, Lekh Raj Khajuria and Brajish Chib have been nominated as the secretaries while Mr Arun was appointed as spokesman.

The nomination was made by the district president after seeking approval from the state NSUI chief Mr Rajeev Saraf. Later the office bearers in a meeting expressed their full faith in the leadership of Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Ms Meenakshi Natrajan, presidnet All India NSUI and Rajeev Saraf J&K chief.

CM accords farewell to Jagat Governor,
CM describe JKP as a force to reckon with

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov. 28- Governor Mr G C Saxena and Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah on Monday described Jammu and Kashmir Police as one of the ace State force in the country and said it is capable of taking any challenge on law and order front.

Bidding adieu to Director General of Police, Mr Gurbachan Jagat, at a dinner hosted by the Chief Minister, the Governor said the State police which had low spirits a few years ago emerged one of the forces to be reckoned with under professional leadership of the outgoing chief. Of course, he got all the help from the Chief Minister to see the force come up.

Complimenting Mr Jagat for his valour, hard work and commitment to duty, the Governor said that he is an officer with unusual caliber who never beats his own trumpet though there is much to his credit. Though the State will miss him yet he can contribute in a big way as BSF chief in a situation the State like Jammu and Kashmir is faced with, he added.

He said an officer is judged by what his officers and colleagues think about him and Mr Jagat has been able to take along all ranks in a real team spirit. ‘He is a fine human being’, Mr Saxena said.

Chief Minister Dr Abdullah said Mr Jagat accepted the assignment in sensitive State when people were reluctant to take up such a challenging task. With his vast experience in strife-torn Punjab, he was instrumental in shaping the J&K police as a vibrant force, he said.

The Chief Minister said the police has achieved such an excellence that any State of the country could bank upon it to meet the law and order situation. ‘Like para military forces, the Jammu and Kashmir Police would be requisitioned by other States one day’.

Describing Mr Jagat as an upright, honest and dedicated officer, the Chief Minister said nowhere in the country any police chief has ever visited far-off places to conduct recruitment under own supervision. Mr Jagat did it in order to have best youth in the force, he said.

Dr Abdullah said Mr Jagat will be heading a leading force that has most of men deployed in Jammu and Kashmir. In his new capacity also, Mr Jagat will have an opportunity to serve the State, he said wishing him success. ‘Parting is always sad but it is a happy movement to bid farewell to an officer who is going to have a very important assignment’, he said.

Expressing his gratitude to the Governor and the Chief Minister, the Director General of Police said he accepted the challenge against the counselling of his colleagues and retired seniors. After coming to the State, he however got fullest professional satisfaction, he said, adding that he served the people of the State, which is of prime importance for the country.

Mr Jagat said whatever he achieved during his four-year stint was because of team spirit and excellent back up by all ranks of the police force. He said he got as much cooperation and affection from his men which he could not get during 20 years service in Punjab police.

He said while the Governor always guided him by giving dispassionate advice, the Chief Minister was always keen to see the police to come up at a valiant force to meet the situation. He made a mention about the support given by the Ministry of Home Affairs in strengthening the force and augmenting logistics. He also acknowledged the valuable guidance Mr Ali Mohammed Sagar and Mr Mushtaq Ahmed Lone, in their capacities as Ministers of State for Home. Without this valuable support, ‘My task would have been really difficult’, he said.

Mr Jagat said that he will be in constant contact with the State in his new role as DG, BSF, and the force that has the largest deployment in the State. He said Jammu and Kashmir will always remain a priority for him. He gave an account of the operations conducted by Jammu and Kashmir Police in close co-ordination with security forces in combating militancy. ‘After relinquishing office, I will be telling to my grand children the stories of my years in Jammu and Kashmir.’ he said.

The Chairman Legislative Council, Mr Abdul Rasheed Dar, Deputy Speaker, Legislative Assembly, Malik Ghulam Hyder and the Ministers, senior civil and police officers were present on the occasion.

Shah calls for improvement of civic facilities in housing colonies:

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Nov 28 -The Housing and Urban Development Minister, Mr. Mohi-ud-Din Shah has under scored the importance of developing modern housing colonies in palatable conditions having all facilities for the inhabitants within the reasonable expenditure so that the people could afford to own plots and construct houses.

Addressing the meeting of officers of J&K Housing Board here yesterday, Mr. Shah said that the land provided by the Government to the J&K Housing Board and Srinagar and Jammu Development Authorities should be utilized properly to create more revenue yielding assets and meeting housing/shopping requirements of the people.

Mr. Shah said with the construction of commercial complexes and shop sites we can not only give boost to the economic development but also provide good avenues of earning livelihood to our educated youth. He said that colony planners should rise to the occasion and carve out such models of colonies, which are befitting to our requirements and socio cultural needs.

The meeting discussed various matters relating to improvement of civic facilities in colonies, establishment of new housing colonies, shopping complexes, bus stands etc. to cope up the rapid growth of Jammu and Srinagar cities and other major towns of the State.

The meeting also took stock of the basic amenities being provided to the inhabitants of the housing colonies managed by Jammu and Kashmir Housing Board. The problems on account of supply of drinking water upgradation of drainage system and electricity also came up for discussion in the meeting.

Gang of criminals busted, 5 nabbed

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 28: The police busted a gang of criminals and arrested five members of the gang from their respective hide-outs last night.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Udhampur Mr Satvir Gupta said that a few days back residents of Hartaryan and Samole village complained that some unidentified persons were terrorising the inhabitants of the area by pelting stones during night. They further alleged that these criminals had let loose the reign of terror especially among the women and the children.

The people thought that a group of militants was operating in the area and was planning to strike and loot the villagers. Taking cognizance of the incidence, a Tikri police party led by SI Prem Chand was deputed to work out the case. The police laid nakas and managed to nab five members of the gang namely—Siraj Din alias Kaka, Shafi, both sons of Fazal Din of Hartaryan, Bitti , son of Kakau , Raji, son of Surju of Hartaryan and Makhan, son of Sarju of Muttal. While three were nabbed from there and two others who escaped were captured from their hide-outs.

The SSP said that accused persons have confessed their crime during preliminary investigation. Their main motive was to terrorise the locals and conduct thefts in the area. Two sharp edged weapons were also recovered from the possession of Shafi and Makhan. The accused have been booked under section 147/336 RPC and 3/25 Arms Act at Police Station Katra.

DB decide Tehsildars selections case after twenty years

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 28: The Division Bench of the State High Court comprising Justice A M Mir and Justice Arun Kumar Goel has decided controversy of Tehsildars selection case and held that SRO 57/82 issued on February 25, 1982, which was applicable from June 1, 1981 be struk down to the extent of its application retraspective and held that this shall be applicable prospectively.

In the 30 pages judgement in which 23 pages judgement were written by Justice Arun Kumar Goel it was held that SRO 57 of 1982 could not have been retrospectively made applicable and it is declared to be so. Thus all the four LPA No. 81/98, 80/98, 78/98 and 79/89 deserved to be allowed and SWP No. 623/1982 is hereby allowed and SWP No. 724/83 273/83 and 429/94 stands dismissed.

As a further consequence of allowing these appeals it is ordered that the State Government shall re-draw the merit of the appellants on the basis of SRO 571/79 by excluding private respondents and any other candidate who was considered alongwith them by operating SRO 57/82 retrospectively, thereafter grant further relief to the appellants on the basis of this direction. This entire exercise is to be completed on or before March 31, 2001, the court orderd.

In the seven pages separate judgement written by Justice A M Mir it was observed that the fairness of this retrospective application in view of all what we have observed, we do not find it possible for ourselves to witness the game of un-fairness played by the Executive as silent spectators. We have a constitutional obligation to scale down those of the actions which are illegal and unfair. We, therefore, strike down the re-trospective application clause of the SRO 57 and hold that the SRO shall be applicable prospectively. The above findings are only recorded as supportive of and in addition to the reasoning afforded by my learned brother (Mr Justice Goel) in favour of this proposed judgement.

"I fully agree with this judgement which would be complied within the same manner in which Mr Justice Goel has directed".

Advocates S K Anand and D S Chouhan appeared for the appellants whereas Additional Advocate General A Kapoor appeared for the State Advocate Sunil Hali and Advocate D C Raina appeared for the respondents and Public Service Commission.

This landmark judgement passed in a four Letters Patent Appeals filed by Gian Chand Sharma and others, Mustaq Ahmed Qazi and other Qamar-ud-Din Khan and others and Shiv Raj Singh and others. In the appeals, it was submitted that vide SRO No. 571/79 respondent State had framed the J&K Departmental examination (Tehsildars) and this rules in enforce from October 12, 1979. According to rule 5(4) states that a candidate who appears in all papers at a time and passes in all but one paper may be given by the Commission grace marks not exceeding 10 to enable him to secure the minimum number of pass marks in the paper in which he has failed provided that the total number of marks in all papers secured by him without the grace marks aggregate to not less than 50%.

In the instant case private parties appeared in the examination on the basis of this SRO which was conducted in June 1981. It was also submitted that respondents No. 26 to 48 (23) could not qualified the test in terms of the rule 5(4) of the SRO.

However with the aid of grace marks respondents Mr Ali Mohammad Dar and Qazi Mustaq Ahmed were declared successful. It is not in dispute to all the private respondents except two named above are not eligible for being considered for promotion to the post of Tehsildar. The State Government in exercise of power U/S 124 of the constitution of Jammu Kashmir issued SRO 57/82 dated February 25, 1982 by means of this SRO rule 5(4) was ammended thereby it was directed that instead of 50%, 45% shall be deemed to have been substituted from June 1, 1981 which was challanged by the appellants seeking quashment of SRO 57 of 1982.

PDP leader receives over-whelming response in hilly backward areas
Time ripe to get the people rid of Farooq’s yoke: Mehbooba

Excelsior Correspondent

MAHORE, Nov 28: The ruling National Conference has utterly failed to ameliorate lot of the masses and ever increasing miseries of common man can be mitigated only by getting the people rid of the yoke of the mis-governance of Farooq Abdullah.

These views were expressed by J&K Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) vice-president, Ms Mehbooba Mufti while addressing series of public meetings in the hilly backward areas of Salal, Arnas, Dharmari and Mahore.

"Except making tall promises and befooling people on emotional issues successive National Conference Governments have done nothing to mitigate miseries of the masses", she said, adding, " Farooq Abdullah’s father, Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah had befooled masses on the issue of plebiscite now the son has been exploiting peoples’ sentiments by showing them lollipop of autonomy.’’

Pointing towards the hellish conditions of the masses living in these backward areas, Ms Mufti said that non-development and backwardness of the people of these areas, who have been voting for National Conference since long, were tantamount to tell upon the mis-governance and anti-people attitude of the successive National Conference Governments.

She insisted that time was ripe to get the masses rid from the mis-governance of National Conference to get resolved their basic problems.

Launching a scathing on Farooq Government for, what she alleged, fostering corruption and nepotism at all level, PDP vice-president said that only achievement of the Farooq Government was legitimisation of corruption. "Farooq Abdullah has doled out licenses to his Ministers and other touts to make money by adopting all legal and illegal means", she alleged.

"Braving militants threats people had expressed their faith in ballot during the 1996 Assembly elections with a hope that their elected Government would solve their woes", she recalled but regretted that miseries of the masses further compounded after installation of the popular Government.

Appreciating decision of the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee to stop all anti-militancy operations in the holy month of Ramzan, Ms Mufti emphasised that cease-fire should be implemented at all levels to create a cordial atmosphere at grass-root level. She, however, cautioned that some vested interests were hell bent to sabotage the on-going peace process.

She reiterated her party stand that gun was no solution of any problem. "Dialogue is the only way to solve any problem", she said and favoured dialogue with all sections of the society to solve the vexed Kashmir problem. She also expressed her grave concern over atrocities committed by the militants and security forces on common masses.

Cautioning people against the nefarious designs of the ruling National Conference, Ms Mufti exhorted the people to elect honest and dedicated persons in the forthcoming Panchayat polls to give a befitting reply to the National Conference for its mis-deeds.

Addressing the meeting, prominent Gujjar leader and general secretary of the PDP, Master Tassaduq Hussain has accused ruling National Conference of meting out step-motherly treatment with Gujjars and Bakerwals. "Though these poor people (Gujjars and Bakerwals) have been voting for National Conference but Sheikh family has never initiated any concrete step for the welfare and betterment of these people", he alleged. He alleged that funds meant for the development of the Gujjars and Bakerwals have been pocketed by the ruling party leaders. "Central Government has alloted crores and crores of rupees for the betterment of these nomadic people but State authorities have not spent even a penny on these people", he said and alleged that all funds meant for the welfare of poor and backward people have been pocketed by the ruling party leader.

PDP general secretary accused National Conference Government of discriminating with the people of backward areas. "Most of the schools in these areas are without teachers, hospitals lack doctors and medicines but authorities were not taking any steps to make schools and hospitals functional", he regretted and said that Jawahar Rozgar Yojna, Indra Awas Yojna, BPL ration supply, Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS) and many other programmes have not been implemented in these area.

Mrs Shanti Devi, PDP Mahila wing president, in her address said that National Conference has no right to stick to power as it has lost its representative character. She appealed to the people to join the PDP and strengthen hands of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed.

Accorrding to a PDP hand out, these rallies were planned by S Surinder Singh, state secretary of PDP, incharge Udhampur district, who has remained mobile for the past several months to strengthen the base of People’s Democratic party.

Mr Altaf Hussain, Gh. Ahmed Mir, Surinder Kumar, Anwar Hussain, Qamarudin Din, Ch. Rassol Nishat and others addressed the meeting.

Ms Mufti, who conducted an extensive of tour of these backward dusty areas, received over-whelming response at various places. Poor people, living in virtual hellish conditions, trudged down hill tops and listened her raptly. People were seen lined up on dilapidated roads to receive PDP leader.

Alienated by the programme and policies of their respective parties some political workers also joined PDP. Mr Pritam Singh, Krishan Singh, Balbir Singh, Sher Singh, Dharam Singh, Khemraj, Suram Singh, Karnail Singh, Pasit Singh, Randhir Singh, Kulbir Singh (all from BJP) joined the PDP. Ch. Rasool Juda, Barkatullah, Balwan Singh, Master Candilla, Changan Singh, Mohammed Maqbool, Bashir Ahmed, Ram Singh, Puri Singh, Abdul Ahad Mir, Lal Singh, Dalip Singh, Amar Singh, Omkar Singh, Sudershan Singh, Mohammed Shafi Lone, Mohammed Riyaz, Mohammed Mushtaq, Jamal-ud-Din, Ishaq Malik, Abdul Hamid, Qamardin, Mohammed Amanullah, Mohammed Shafi and some other political activists resigned from their respective parties and joined PDP.

Ms Mufti also visited Mahore Hospital and expressed her concern over condition of the hospital which lacked adequate staff and infrastructure. She regretted that Mahore Hospital has been catering to the needs of about 1 lakh people but the said hospital was in a dilapidated condition. She also expressed her anguish over conditions of the roads.

Gujjar students celebrate festival in Poonch hostel

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Nov 28: Inmates of Gujjar and Bakkerwal hostel Poonch celebrated Gujjar festival- cum- parents conference in the hostel complex yesterday.

As per a release, the function was presided over by vice-chairman Gujjar and Bakkerwal State Advisory Board Haji Buland Khan. Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Mr Khalid Hussain was the guest of honour. Prominent citizens were also invited to attend the function.

The inmates of the hostel presented cultural programmes in which traditional folk songs. The nomadic characteristic of the community was also highlighted. The folk songs were composed by Master Kartar Chand and Khalid Mir.

Warden of the hostel Mr Altaf Hussain highlighted the problems of the hostel. He also discussed the delay being caused in the benefits to the children of this community under the category. Mr Khalid Hussain while speaking on the occasion stressed the need to maintain communal harmony.

Haji Khan appealed to the inmates of the hostel to work hard in the educational as well as in other fields and bring laurels to the community. He also appreciated the efforts of the late Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah and Madr-e-Mehrban for their contribution in the welfare of the members of the community.

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