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1 BSP to protest against NDA Govt’s move to review Constitution: Rehman Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 29: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will stage a rally in Union Capital on the birth anniversary.....more NSIC
organises workshop Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 29: The Union Home Ministry has issued directives to security forces to lift the material......more Mismanagement
mars Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 29: "Abhinandan 2K", a welcome party for freshers of PG Physics and Electronics Department....more Hema
elected Secretary Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 29: Hema Gandotra of PG Sociology Department, has been elected as new Secretary of Jammu University......more Several Women Welfare Schemes under execution Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 29: Over Rs 1.46 crore have been provided to 381 beneficiaries among minorities living below....more |
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Paramilitary
forces to Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 29: All central para-military forces have been directed by the Union Home Ministry to make purchases from the industrial units located in the Jammu and Kashmir on DGS&D rate contract......more RSS
concern over Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 29: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Mohanrao Bhagwat has expressed shock over the news-item published in some newspapers, wherein it was alleged that RSS had justified the massacre of Sikhs in 1984 in the wake of the assassination of Mrs Indira Gandhi.......more Jagat
praises police for Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 29: The Jammu and Kashmir Police has emerged as one of the best police force in the country during the last four years.......more Doctoranywhere.com
to Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 29: Rated as one of the best medical portals in the country, Doctoranywhere.com has decided to expand its operations ................more |
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Power staff, engineers to observe strike on Dec 12.... JKNF for tight security in view of ‘ceasefire’ .... LPEF frames bodies for Anantnag, Ganderbal.... |
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Kanshi Ram to flag off rally
on Dec 1 Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 29: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will stage a rally in Union Capital on the birth anniversary of Baba Sahib Bhim Rao Ambedkar falling on December 6 in protest against what it alleged the NDA Government’s move to change the basic fundamentals of Indian Constitution. This was stated by state BSP chief, Sheikh Abdul Rehman while talking to reporters here today. He said a jeep rally will be flagged off by the National president of the Party and MP Mr Kanshi Ram at Janipur Chowk on December 1 who will visit here on that day. The BSP leader claimed that from 6000 to 10,000 people from the State will participate in this rally. Making a scathing attack on the NDA Government for constituting the Constitutional Review Committee, he said the BSP apprehends that such a step will hit the interests of the people belonging to poor and weaker sections of the society who by this move will be deprived of all constitutional safeguards. He said so far as the need of amending the Constitution is concerned it has been amended a number of times in past and hence there is no need of setting up of such Committee. The BSP leader also made a strong dig at the NDA Government for persuing pro capitalist and anti poor policies. He alleged that the entry of multinationals in to Insurance Sector privatisation of Air India, Maruti and banking sector is an indication to this effect. This, he said shows that there is a big conspiracy to deprive the weaker sections of the society of their rights. He said the enhancement of ration rates for the people living below poverty line, removal of subsidy and increase in the prices of K Oil is aimed at giving benefit to big businessmen. Lambasting the Union Government for its anti poor policies he said the foodgrains are cheaper in the market than the rates in Government depots. Hailing the unilateral cease-fire announcement of Mr Vajpayee, he termed it a bold and a right step in right direction. The BSP chief asked the militant outfits and secessionist organisations to give it a positive response and make this initiative a success. He said the ball is now in the court of militants and they should realise that a non Muslim Prime Minister has taken the initiative for peace in the holy month of Ramzan which should get a positive respond. He however, said the ceasefire should be a permanent affair and Government should pay attention towards the other problems of the people. Favouring an Indo, Pak dialogue on Kashmir issue, Sheikh Rehman asked the Chief Executive of Pakistan, Gen Pervez Musharaf to reciprocate properly India’s ceasefire initiative without buckling under the domestic pressure. He said though BSP does not consider Kashmir as a disputed territory but by inviting Pakistan in dialogue the people will know the realty. He said Pakistan’s own existence is in danger as she is facing crisis in Sindh and Baluchistan and "I doubt her attempt of annexing Kashmir will not lead to its own disintegration". He said though the militants role on the ceasefire issue is not encouraging but there is hope that a good sense will prevail upon them and they will say good buy to arms. Sheikh Rehman was however all fire on Shiv Sena and State unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for opposing the ceasefire. Opposing strongly the trifurcation demand the Sheikh Rehman alleged the protagonists of this movement are toeing the lines of Hurriyat Conference who are fighting for the secessionism. He said the discrimination with people of Jammu and Ladakh will not end by trifurcation but there are other solutions to this problem. He asserted that neither the entire Jammu nor entire Ladakh region is with the trifurcation demand but these are the splinter group of politicians who have raised the issue for their vested interests, he alleged. |
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NSIC
organises workshop Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 29: The Union Home Ministry has issued directives to security forces to lift the material from the registered industrial units in Jammu and Kashmir. A communique in this regard was received by Directorate of Industries and Commerce from the Union Home Ministry yesterday. This was disclosed by Director Industries and Commerce Mr Mohammed Salim Beg while addressing a workshop at Bari Brahmana near here today. The workshop was organised by the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) Limited a Government of India Enterprises in collaboration with Bari Brahmana Industries Association (BBIA) and District Industries Centre (DIC) Jammu. Mr Beg who was the chief guest on the occasion said this is a good beginning as it has opened the entry route for the Small Scale Industrial (SSI) units of the State. Mr Beg said the SSI units should not shirk from present competition but try to improve the quality of their products. He said we are facing competition at every level even the competition has fast increased in the local market. The Director I&C while assuring all support to SSI units said the stage has come when we should make a targeted effort to improve market of our units. He said competition has further enhanced due to the globalisation which has thrown a serious challenge of competing in the international market. Citing the example of a pencil cell, he said the Indian cell is sold for Rs 7 in market while the same cell manufactured in China is sold for 62 new paisa. He asked the industrialists to gear up to avail the marketing opportunities as SSI units. He said our case has become much stronger by the letter and by and by it will become applicable to all departments. He also appealed the NSIC for cooperation in getting the tenders floated from various Central Government offices so that the industrialists of J&K can participate in Central Government purchases. He however, cautioned that registrations will not bring any advantage unless they are not followed in manner and asked the SSI units to take advantage of NSIC registration programme and tendering process. Regarding the revival of five percent subsidy to the industrial units he assured that the matter will be taken up for reviewing. He also urged the Sick units to settle the accounts and take the advantage of soft loans. In his key note address Mr A K Verma, Branch Manager NSIC said this organisation was established in 1955 by Government of India to promote aid and foster the growth of small industries in the country. He said NSIC has a dynamic history of over four decades of promoting and developing SSI sector in India and abroad by providing them financial, technical and marketing support through its various schemes like hire purchase, leasing, raw material assistance and bill financing. He said the corporation also provides marketing support by tendering marketing scheme, contortia approach and arranging national and international trade fairs and exhibitions. He said the registration with NSIC under single point registration scheme is a big boost to small scale sector and small scale units registered with NSIC under SPRS scheme. They are at par with DGS&D and are eligible to tenders all over India. Mr Verma said such units are exempted from payment of earnest money and security deposit is waived off upto the amount of limit sanctioned. Besides the SSIs are getting 15 percent price preference over the price quoted by large units, he said, adding as the state and Central Governments are the largest buyers of variety of products , therefore SPRS is most beneficial for SSI enabling them to participate in the Government tenders without blocking their capital and in getting a major share of Government purchases. He said the Government has reserved over 358 items for SSIS including eight handicraft items. He said over 30,000 units are registered with NSIC under SPRS and supplying goods worth about Rs 2000 crores. Director SSI Mr R K Chopra also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the role of his organisation in providing the technical and other knowhow to the industrialists. Mr B M Sharma president Bari Brahamina Industrial Association (BBIA) in his address said though there are number of good plans but the industry in India is not doing well. Despite organising buyer,seller meets the results are not remarkable he said,adding though the marketing support is important today the manufacturer does not know where to sell his product. He also alleged that NSIC rate of interest is very high as compared to banks and demanded setting up of Department for purchase of raw material. He also demanded better power supply to industrial units and encouragement from Government in setting up of joint effluent plants. |
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Mismanagement mars ‘Abhinandan 2k’ Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 29: "Abhinandan 2K", a welcome party for freshers of PG Physics and Electronics Department, Jammu University, was held today at the Campus auditorium. In addition to cultural items, songs, group dances and other usual items which are common features of all freshers parties, "Abhinandan 2K" was marked by hooting, mismanagement, power failure and "Hinglish" of some PG freshers. Despite the fact that this intro party had maximum number of sponsors, the programme was poorly managed. Cops were deployed at the entrance of auditorium but there was no check on the hooters who disturbed the programme frequently. No one among the seniors dared to shoulder the responsibility of mismanagement and everyone passed the buck to others. A junior on the condition of anonymity disclosed that the programme has become victim of seniors tussle. Like earlier intro parties, cultural items, songs and group dances were performed on the occasion. Freshers were called on the dice and asked to give their introduction. They were also asked some questions and display talent. Jahangir Hashmi was adjudged as Mr Fresher. Although some cultural items were praiseworthy but hooters did not spare anyone and continuously disrupted the programme. |
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Hema elected Secretary of JU Students Cultural Council Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 29: Hema Gandotra of PG Sociology Department, has been elected as new Secretary of Jammu University Student Cultural Council. She defeated Tabbassum Mugal of Law Department. Hema secured 16 votes while her opponent Tabbassum Mugal managed to get only seven votes. Out of 28 voters, 23 Cultural Secretaries from various departments exercised their franchise. To avoid any untoward incident during the voting, elaborate security arrangements had been made. No one, other than the voters, were allowed to enter the polling centre. Station House Officer of Gandhi Nagar Police Station Shamsher Singh Parihar and Incharge Police Post Bikram Chowk were camping near the polling centre. JU Chief Security Officer Maj Harnam Singh was personally supervising the security and he remained there till the announcement of result. The Election Commissioner Dr Dhyan Singh Bhau announced the result in presence of both the contestants. Mr R K Koul acted as Returning Officer while Mr Vijay Atri was the Presiding Officer. Dr J S Dev, Joint Registrar, Prof R D Sharma, Dr N R Sharma and Dr Desh Bandhu were the Observers. Professor Lalit Mangotra, Chairman of Campus Cultural Committee, Prof N A Ganai, Dean Students Welfare, Prof Rekha Choudhary, Prof K B Razdan, Dr Naresh Padha, Dr Ramnika Jalali and Dr Raj Kumar were also present on the occasion. Hema Gandotra, daughter of Mr Vijay Gandotra, has created history since this is for the first time that a female student has become Secretary of Jammu University Students Cultural Council. After the announcement of result, Hema Gandotra while talking to EXCELSIOR, listed her priorities as the Secretary and assured to improve the functioning of Students Cultural Council. She also expressed her gratitude to all Cultural Secretaries for making her successful. It may be mentioned here that Miss Vaishali Sharma of PG Hindi Department, Miss Manmeet Kour of Geography Department and Pradyot Gupta of Commerce Department have already been elected uncontested as Joint Secretaries on November 23. |
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Several Women Welfare Schemes under execution Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 29: Over Rs 1.46 crore have been provided to 381 beneficiaries among minorities living below poverty line for setting up income-cum-employment generating units in different traditional and non-traditional trades under NMFDC scheme. This was revealed in a review meeting of J&K Women's Development Corporation held here yesterday under the chairmanship of the Minister for Social Welfare, Labour and Employment, Mr B A Kitchloo. Similarly, the meeting was told that under NORAD scheme, 3655 women were provided training in different traditional and non-traditional trades till ending March 1999. For this purpose, Rs 1.28 crore were released during the period. Besides, the Central Government sanctioned Rs 85 lakhs for providing training to 1710 women. A proposal for setting up of 81 training centres involving a cost of Rs 1.81 crore has been sent to the Centre. The meeting was also informed that Rs 10 lakhs has been disbursed among various beneficiaries through NGOs under Rashtriya Mahila Kosh. The meeting was further informed that the schemes under National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation, National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation, National Scheme for Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers, National Safai Karamcharies, Finance and Development Corporation and National SC and ST Development Corporation are also under process and will be implemented by the Corporation very soon. Addressing the meeting, the Minister stressed the need for effecting recovery in a better way as the recovery position of the Corporation is weak. He impressed upon the officers of the Corporation to identify genuine beneficiarie so that down-trodden and weaker sections of the societies are uplifted by providing loan facilities under various State and Central Schemes. Among others the meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary, Social Welfare, Mr S D Singh, Special Secretary to Government, Social Welfare, Mtr Naseema Lankar, and Managing Director, Womens Development Corporation, Mr S A Leharwal. |
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Paramilitary forces to make
purchases Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 29: All central para-military forces have been directed by the Union Home Ministry to make purchases from the industrial units located in the Jammu and Kashmir on DGS&D rate contract. This is the result of the sustained efforts made by the present Government for opening of the institutional markets of Central Government agencies for industrial units of the State. The State Government had constituted a task force under the chairmanship of Industrial Advisor, Union Ministry of Small Scale Industries and ARI for working out a mechanism under which the units located in the Jammu and Kashmir would be able to participate in the purchase programmes of Government of India organisations. One of the recommendations made by this task force was to grant purchase preference in favour of the small scale industrial units of J&K State by the Defence and para-military forces. The Minister for Industries and Commerce, Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal has impressed upon the industrial units of the State to avail of this opportunity and organise their production and sale so that they are able to take advantage of this purchase preference. He has also instructed the officers of the Industries and Commerce Department to provide necessary guidance and follow up for implementation of the decision of the Union Home Ministry in letter and in spirit. |
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RSS concern over anti-Sikh statement Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 29: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Mohanrao Bhagwat has expressed shock over the news-item published in some newspapers, wherein it was alleged that RSS had justified the massacre of Sikhs in 1984 in the wake of the assassination of Mrs Indira Gandhi. " We cannot simply imagine that pernicious lies and canards could dip to such despicable depths. It really makes us very sad that the functionaries of J&K Gurudwara Prabandhak Board and some Sikh bodies should have rushed to the press to condemn RSS without caring to verify the contents of news item published in a Jammu-based newspaper", a statement issued here said. It said that " should we say that these functionaries are playing into the hands of the enemies of Hindu-Sikh unity . Whether it were 1947 tragic events at the time of the partition or the recent killings in Chattisinghpora in Kashmir, the RSS has been in the forefront along with our Sikh brethren in shouldering the trials and travails unitedly", the statement said. The statement which was released by Delhi Prant Prachar Pramukh, Kishor Kant, said that as for 1984 anti-Sikh riots in the Capital, it was the RSS that had come to the defence and favoured Sikh brethren. These families were given protection by RSS workers. Similarly, in score of places like Patna, Bharatpur, Ranchi and Coimbatore, the Swayamsevak of RSS played a decisive role in Saving the Sikh families, the statement said, adding that " we wonder whose interests these so-called secular Sikhs are pursuing by trying to malign the RSS by leaving such malicious and fake charges". The statement appealed to the Sikh leaders to reconsider the wisdom of their statement in the light of the facts and withdraw the same in the fairness of truth and justice and in the larger interest of the country and particularly of Sikhs themselves. The statement also declared that it will lodge defamation case against the news item, against all those who are responsible for the same. |
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Jagat praises police for excellent performance Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 29: The Jammu and Kashmir Police has emerged as one of the best police force in the country during the last four years. This was stated by the out-going Director General of Police, Mr Gurbachan Jagat, during his address to the Jawans and officers at a farewell parade held at the splended grounds of the District Police Lines here this morning. Mr Gurbachan in his emotion packed address said that the State Police exhibited its best performance, in all aspects, due to the benevolent leadership. The modus operandii, arms, ammunition, transport facilities, information technology and communication equipped to the force helped to achieve spectacular success in a number of operations, he added. He said that these achievements became possible due to well- planned and enthusiastic team work accompanied with peoples’ cooperation. He said that timely help and advice by the State Chief Minister and Union Government was the major factor for achieving successes in a crusade against insurgency in the State. Complimenting the officers and Jawans of the J&K Police for their successful operations on various events in the State, Mr Jagat asked them to keep aloft the flag of chivalry and selfless service to society and dignity of duty. He reminded that the magic of the success of the police lied in the condition that everybody from the highest to the lowest rank, was dedicatedly involved in his or her duty. Mr Gurbachan said that the past experience has proved beyond doubt that for effectively combating of insurgency in a State, it was vital to modernise and strengthen the State Police force. Mr Jagat also eulogised the people of the State in general for extending their cooperation in maintaining law and order in different areas. He said that the State’s Police, at present is one of the strongest force in the country. The function was also attended by the IGP, Jammu range, DIG, Jammu and a galaxy of senior police officers and Jawans. |
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Doctoranywhere.com to expand operations in J&K Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 29: Rated as one of the best medical portals in the country, Doctoranywhere.com has decided to expand its operations in the Jammu and Kashmir State. Doctoranywhere.com provides a comprehensive doctor-to-doctor medical consultation solution to medical professionals that in expensive yet technologically user-friendly. This service has already evinced interest from more than 160 towns and cities in India. Telemedicine is becoming an integral part in India in providing online healthcare solutions. Doctoranywhere.com has recently expanded its operations outside Maharashtra in the States of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan. To keep up with their expansion plans, Doctoranywhere,com has recently appointed Mr Ankush Jain as channel partner for Jammu. This service helps general physicians access expert assistance and modern technology from specialists of their choices across the nation right from his clinic. This also ensure better, convenient, fast and cost-effective treatment to the patients. The service provides the specialists an opportunity to expand their practice by working on a variety of cases beyond their geographical limits. It also saves the patients’ considerable time and money to seek specialist advice. The patients benefit from Doctoranywhere.com by not having to travel and wait for days to get specialist opinion, which they can now get from their own family physicians. Moreover, the service is backed by a call center which operates round the clock. Proctor and Gamble Healthcare and Hygiene (PGHH) and doctoranywhere.com have recently entered into an alliance to synergies their marketing initiatives in India. This initiative provide a great boost in providing a practical platform of telemedicine which is much needed in a country like India. The alliance is being viewed as one of the most significant ones in the dotcom era. Being the first alliance of it’s kind, it has tremendous potential to become a trendsetter in this sector, said a release issued here today. |
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Power staff, engineers to observe strike on Dec 12 Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 29: J&K Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers has decided to observe one day token strike on December 12 in protest against the present power policy of Central and State Governments. The call for the strike was given by National Coordination Committee of electricity employees and engineers. The Coordination Committee has expressed strong resentment against the unbundling and privatisation process of power sector in J&K on the dictates of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). It said such a process will not only damage the interests and service conditions of employees and engineers but will also deepen the power crisis and hit the commonman, the industry and agriculture sector badly. The Committee has demanded immediate stopping of unbundling and privatisation of power sector, scraping of electricity bill 2000 and ensuring of reforms within the framework of Electricity Supply Act of 1948, withdrawal of State Electricity Regulatory Commission Bill, reconstitution of power sector after amalgamation of PDD and PDC, making of existing PDD/SEBs financially viable, controlling of power theft, making the metering of power supply compulsory and the loss incurred by the PDD and SEBs on account of concessional or free tariff should be compensated by the state and Central Governments and workers and ensuring the participation of engineers and workers in the management. The J&K Coordination Committee comprises of five associations/unions which are J&K Electrical Engineering Graduates Association, All J&K Diploma Engineers Association PDD, Unit, Provincial Electric Employees Union, Central Non Gazetted Employees Union and Electric Lineman and Workers Union. |
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JKNF for tight security in view of ‘ceasefire’ Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 29: Jammu and Kashmir Nationalist Front has stressed upon the need to maintain utmost vigil and general alert throughout the State in view of the ceasefire announced by the Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. Addressing a press conference here today, convenor of the Front Mr Tilak Raj Sharma said that incidents of provocation from militants’ side were expected and the Government before announcing such decision should have been taken all possible security measures. Mr Sharma said that most of the BJP leaders except those in the Government were in favour of trifurcation of the Jammu and Kashmir State. However, Home Minister L K Advani and Sushma Sawraj, I&B Minister has expressed that Government have some its own contraints and therefore, it was not possible to accept such a proposal immediately. He said that the delegation of the Front which recently visited Delhi from Nov 18 to 25, met Congress president Sonia Gandhi, BJP president Bangaru Laxman, Madan Lal Khurana, Dr Karan Singh, NCP Supremo-Sharad Pawar, Cong MP Madhav Rao Scindhia and Mr Ahmed Patel and CPI (M) leader Ram Chander Pillai. The delegation members apprised the Central leaders of the highly popular demand of the people of Jammu and Ladakh for reorganisation of J&K State with creation of separate states of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory for Ladakh. They opined that trifurcation move will tackle militancy in the State as it will localise militancy of Kashmir valley and Jammu and Ladakh will be isolated from it. The delegation also tried to remove apprehensions about the implications of the move in certain quarters and presented convincing arguments that reorganisation was the best solution to defuse mutual regional tensions and distrust and thus help coming to mainstream of alienated sections in Kashmir. It was impressed upon that this demand has been backed by the Gujjars and Bakkerwaks and majority of the Muslims of Rajouri, Poonch and Doda districts. Though the Central leaders are well aware of the discrimination being meted out to the people of Jammu and Ladakh regions yet it’s heartening that there is difference of opinion about this move. Commenting on Advani’s recent statement that trifurcation was not in the interest of the nation, Mr Sharma described it as most unfortunate under present situation. He further disclosed that Front is organising workers convention on December 10 in Jammu and a national level seminar on Dec 23 on the subject. Later, a women conference will also be organised. |
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LPEF frames bodies for Anantnag, Ganderbal Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 29: Mr Abdul Majid Khan, president, All J&K Low Paid Employees Federation, while addressing employees conferences at Ganderbal and Anantnag in Kashmir valley, urged the State Government to release 3 percent DA instalment in cash without any further delay. As per a release Mr Khan deplored the anti-people and anti-worker policies of the Central and State Governments which were responsible for rapidly rising cost of living. Raising retirement age of State employees to 60 years at part with the central counterparts, immediate enhancement in the wages of Anganwari workers, Village Guards, Numberdars and daily wage workers, grant of two and a half days extra pay to employees of PHE and PDD, Health and Medical Education, Sheep and Animal Husbandry and other Departments and release of salary grants under plan schemes to pay salary to the employees, were the other demands highlighted in these conferences. At Ganderbal hundreds of employees went in a procession from Duderhama to Behama Public Park. Abdul Sattar Mir presided over the conference and Mir Ghulam Rasool Batwani, general secretary LPEF Kashmir, inaugurated. Messrs Ghulam Hassan Ganai, Javed Iqbal, Mushtaq Shopiani, Mohd Shaban Bhat, Bashir Ahmed Kalsi, Ali Mohd Dar, Habib Ullah Baba, Sheikh Nisar Ahmed, Ghulam Mohd Yatoo, Abdul Khaliq Dar, Khurshid Ahmed Reshi, Noor Mohd Katju and Ali Mohd Khan were among the speakers. Abdul Sattar Mir, Ghulam Hassan Hajam and Imtiaz Hussain were unanimously elected as chairman, president and secretary of LPEF unit Ganderbal while Noor Mohd Sheikh, Ali Mohd Dar and Sheikh Abdul Rehman were taken as senior vice president, vice presidents, Ghulam Nabi Shah, Ghulam Mohd Mir, Habib Ullah Baba, Muneer Taj and Mohd Usman Wani were elected as joint secretary, cashier, organisor, organising secretary and advisor. Javed Iqbal and Noor Mohd, convenor and secretary, LPEF Kangan block were also inducted as senior vice president and organisor in the district committee. Nisar Ali Beg presided over one day conference at Anantnag, which was inaugurated by Mir Ghulam Rasool Batwani. Besides Mr Abdul Majid Khan, Sheikh Nisar Ahmed, Ghulam Mohd Yatoo, Abdul Hamid, Master Wali Mohd, Malik Ghulam Hassan, Mohd Yousuf Mir and Ghulam Hassan Ganai spoke in the conference. Nisar Ali Beg, Sheikh Nissar Ahmed and Ghulam Hassan Ganai were unanimously elected chairman, president and secretary of LPEF, Anantnag district while Master Wali Mohd, Mohd Yousuf Mir and Malik Ghulam Hassan were elected as senior vice president, cashier and organisor respectively. Speaking at the conference Mr Majid Khan laid stress on the employees to strengthen the Federation in every respect so that it was able to continue its persistent and protracted struggle for redressal of all the common as well as sectional problems of the employees and against the anti-workers policies of closure, privatisation of public sector units and Government Departments damaging the service prospects of the employees. |
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Cease-fire aimed at restoring peace in J&K, says Gupta Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 29: Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Prof Chaman Lal Gupta today said the recent announcement of cease-fire by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee was third attempt by the BJP-led NDA Government to restore peace in the State and should be taken seriously by Pakistan. "The first attempt was made by Vajpayee (to restore peace) during his Lahore bus ride in March last year and the second by his quick reaction to Hizbul Mujahideen’s cease-fire announcement ending July this year", Gupta told newsmen, adding ‘this is the third offer of peace and should be reciprocated by Pakistan by stopping every kind of infiltration and firing on the borders’. Asserting that cease-fire announcement shouldn’t be taken as weakness of India, the BJP MP from Udhampur-Doda constituency said the Centre wanted an end to over 11 years long militancy and restore peace in the State. "People of the entire State have fed up with violence in the State and want to get rid of militancy. The strong desire for peace among the people has also forced the secessionist organisations to welcome the cease-fire", Gupta said. Replying to a question, he said as of now no direct link had been established by the Centre with All Party Hurriyat Conference. Referring to some killings and other incidents of violence in the State in the aftermath of cease-fire, he said: "the Government had anticipated such strikes by the groups, who were opposed to restoration of peace in the State". He said the local support to militants was waning as people want an end to militancy. In reply to another question, Gupta said trifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir was never approved by state unit of the BJP, which stands only for Regional Councils. Reminded about BJP Legislature Party leader Lala Shiv Charan Gupta’s open support to trifurcation, Gupta said this might be his individual opinion. Regarding delay in state’s plan, Gupta said the Centre was asking for utilisation certificates of the works done which the State Government wasn’t providing. Hotel Corporation of India (HCI) Managing Director R C Aggarwal, who also addressed the press conference said with the recent initiative of Government of India for ushering peace and tranquility in J&K State particular in Kashmir valley, HCI is undertaking major renovations of Srinagar property located at famous Dal Lake and also initiating measures to boost tourists traffic to J&K State. In order to do so, HCI has decided to set up an office at Jammu which will provide composite packages to tourists visiting Jammu and peripheral areas particularly pilgrimage tourists, which would cover their pilgrimage to Mata Shrine, visits to Patnitop and other places of tourists attraction in J&K State. These tourists will be provided pick up facilities at Railway Station/Airport at Jammu, wash up facilities at Jammu and Katra and also transport facilities all included in the package. For further facilitating these tourists, possibilities are being explored to have priority darshan and also provide staging facilities at Bhawan, a handout issued in the conference said. HCI also offers packages under the name (Paradise I & II) for visits to Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam covering duration of 6 & 4 days respectively at very affordable tariff. It is also formulating a package exclusively for pilgrims visiting Amar Nath in the ensuing yatra to conduct their yatra via Baltal Route. This would entail their reception at Rail Head/Airport at Jammu move to Baltal and All other attendant facilities enroute. Now tourists from Mumbai, Delhi and its neighouring places would be in a position to avail the above facilities from HCI offices at Mumbai, Delhi, Rajgir and Srinagar. Tourists would also be provided Hotel reservations for other stations also at HCI Hotels which will be a great attraction for the tourists for planning there holidayings. With aggressive marketing, the Centaur Group has offered 50% discount to senior citizens, 40% discount to public sector undertaking and other Government Officers, on its published tariffs. It has also started organising regional food festivals at its hotels. For the first time a novel short stay, "Flexi Hours scheme" (4 hours and 8 hours) at very affordable rates has been launched which means pay for the stay and not for the day. These initiatives have all received tremendous response. The company's Chefair Flight Kitchens in Mumbai and Delhi have embarked on renovation as well. The company is also diversifying its activities by opening of down town duty free shops. Entertainment centres, water sports activities, food courts and upgraded health club activities at its hotels in Mumbai and Delhi. |
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Shafi’s plea to
students to suspend agitation Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 29: Minister for Education Mohd Shafi has appealed the agitating migrant students to suspend their agitation and resume their classes in the larger interest of the student community and their parents. Addressing media-persons here this evening, Mr Shafi claimed that Government has always tried to provide every possible facility to the students of the Kashmiri displaced community in Jammu. He claimed that their interests have been fully protected even in the new dispensation of evening colleges. Mr Shafi regretted their threat to take the agitation to the streets and advised them not to fall prey to the vested interests and waste their academic session. He said the Government conducted series of meetings with the representatives of the agitating students at different levels and explained to them that the interests of the migrant students are fully protected and they should have no misgivings on this count." Their policy decisions related to admissions to camp colleges this year do not undermine the interests in any manner"he added. Justifying his claim, the minister said due to decline in the roll of migrant students in camp colleges , the available facilities in two camp colleges here have been utilised meaningfully by accommodating the local students as per UGC norms. Initially in 1990, 11 camp schools and three camp colleges were set up in Jammu and Udhampur to provide educational facilities to the wards of the migrant families and services of 130 teachers were availed for the purpose. Only three schools are practically functioning now while others have gone defunct and roll has declined considerably. The camp college at Udhampur was also closed due to dwindling roll. In GGM Sc College and MAM College of Jammu too, the migrant students’ roll went on declining. There is no limitation to the students of this community in seeking admissions. Mr Shafi further said that earlier these students were demanding affiliation with Jammu University and the Government has agreed to their earlier demand. But surprisingly they have now opposed it after coming into the influence of some vested interests. The Government affiliated these colleges with Jammu University because of locational factor and proximity. Expressing serious concern over the change of stance, the minister said the Government has offered to provide to such students hostel facility and security who are willing to continue their study in Srinagar colleges. He pointed out that Principals of two Srinagar colleges are Kashmiri Pandits and working their since long. He said studying in one university or the other in the state does not make any difference as earlier there used to be only one university in the state. Replying to a question he said 531 local students have also been accommodated in these evening colleges. In response to a question he said that Government has directed the private B.Ed. colleges to start Degree courses. Principal Secretary Education Ms Sushma Choudhary in response to another question said that by making academic arrangements in colleges, the intake capacity of day colleges has been increased which was beneficial to the local as well as the migrant students. She said 167 migrant students were accommodated in day colleges this year. |
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Dr Mahajan to chair Scientific session in Iracon Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 29: Dr Annil Mahajan, Consultant Physician and Rheumatologist has been invited to chair a session in IRACON-2000 (Indian Rheumatology Association Conference). This is an honour as he is the first doctor from J&K State to Chair a session in IRA Conference. This conference is being held from 1st Dec. to 3rd Dec. at Calcutta. This a prestigious national meet of Rheumatologist which is held once in a year. More than 200 delegates all over the country are participating in this National event. Delegates from America, UK, China and Bangladesh and other countries are also attending this important conference. Scientic papers on various diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis and other types of Arthritis, SLE, Scleroderma, Vasculitis, soft tissue rheumatism and other Rheumatology diseases are going to be presented by medical lumanaries in the field of Rheumatology. Dr Mahajan is also presenting one scientific paper in this conference. |
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