Gandhi Jayanti celebrations
Governor, CM, CJ sign 'Manifesto for Peace'

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 2: As part of Gandhi Jayanti celebrations, the Governor, Mr. Girish Chandra Saxena, the Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah and the Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Dr. B. P. Saraf today signed the 'Manifesto 2000 for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence', at a special function held at Raj Bhawan here this evening.

Signing of this Manifesto, drafted by Nobel Prize Winners under the aegis of UNO, is an important gesture, reflecting the commitment of the people of the State for peace. So far, over 27 million people in the country have signed the Manifesto.

The UN General Assembly has declared 2000 as the International Year of Culture of Peace and the decade of 2000-2010 as International Decade for Promotion of a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World.

The Manifesto enjoins upon member States to avail an opportunity to turn the 'Culture of War and Violence into a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence'.

The six pledges, the Manifesto speaks about are 'respect all life; reject violence; share with others; listen to understand; preserve the planet; and rediscover solidarity'. The Governor, the Chief Minister and the Chief Justice appended their signatures on these pledges on behalf of the people of the State.

These six pledges which were signed today describe these as 'respect the life and dignity of each human being without discrimination for prejudice; practise active non-violence, rejecting violence in all its forms: physical, sexual, psychological, economical and social, in particular towards the most deprived and vulnerable such as children and adolescents; share my time and material resources in a spirit of generosity to put an end to exclusion, injustice and political and economic oppression; defend freedom of expression and cultural diversity by giving preference always to dialogue and listening without engaging in fanaticism, defamation and the rejection of others; and promote consumer behaviour that is responsible and development practices that respect all forms of life and preserve the balance of nature on the planet'.

Speaking after signing ceremony, Mr. Saxena said that the Manifesto is a good augury for our strife torn Jammu and Kashmir. He said the pledge of peace and non-violence which he as head of the State has signed is the imperative need and we believe in firm action towards fulfillment of this objective.

Dr. Abdullah, who also spoke on the occasion, said that these pledges aim at ensuring respect for human life and making sincere efforts for attainment of peace so that entire world flourishes to the happiness of everyone. He said, people of the State strive to work for humanity and end of violence, which is part of our glorious traditions.

The Chief Secretary, Mr. Ashok Jaitly, Principal Secretary, Home, Mr. C. Phunsog and Principal Secretary to Governor, Dr. S. S. Bloeria were present at the signing ceremony.

Zoos for Srinagar, Jammu
Wildlife imperative for eco-balance: CM

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 2: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today said the centre would be approached to seek China's permission for facilitating the visit of a team to Tibet to find if continuing Shahtoosh trade threatens antelope.

Speaking at a function held in observance of the millenium's first Wild Life Week here this afternoon, the Chief Minister said the team will comprise wild life officials and representatives of Shahtoosh traders whose trip would be sponsored by the Government. "If the team feels threat to antelope as genuine, the Shahtoosh traders will have nothing to do with it," he said, adding that with this the controversy over the issue would end once for all.

The Chief Minister said that as a result of measures taken to preserve wild life, their population is on increase in the state. He stressed for creating awareness among the people especially students about the need for protecting wild life and said that two zoos would be set up at Manda in Jammu and Dachigam in Srinagar for people to see nature's fauna. He asked for preparing comprehensive plans for conservation of various sanctuaries like Hokersar, Hygam and Mirgund.

Dr Abdullah called for evolving a mechanism and adopting an integrated programme for making use of dead wood as fuel by those living near forests while stringent measures would be taken for preserving the green trees. Steps have to be taken for bridging the gap between energy-need and energy source. This has become imperative in view of growing pressure of forest resource since other sources of energy like electricity and LPG have become costlier and scarce. He made a fervent appeal to the people for making judicious use of electricity, generation of which is affected during winter due to lesser water flow.

The Minister for Forests, Peerzada Ghulam Ahmed Shah and the Minister of State for Forests, Mr Bashir Ahmed Nengroo were among those who spoke on the occasion.

Students of various educational institutions of the valley presented a variety programme depicting the importance of wildlife in maintaining ecological balance.

The Chairman, Legislative Council, Mr Abdul Rashid Dar, several ministers, legislators, representatives of various non governmental organisations, officers and school children were present on the occasion.

Abdullah for attitudinal change towards
reformed prisoners

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 2: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today called for an attitudinal change in the society towards reformed prisoners so that they lead dignified life as responsible citizens.

In his presidential address at a function held to release the New Jail Manual here this morning, the Chief Minister stressed for adequate training to jail staff on reformative measures and said acquaintance of the manual is imperative for jail administration to bring about a desired change in the prisons. He said the jail staff should know that prisoners too have certain rights, which have to be honoured.

He stressed for undertaking reformative programmes for prisoners so that after their release they start life afresh.

Agreeing to the suggestion of the Chief Justice, Dr B P Saraf, who released the manual, to incorporate guidelines of the Supreme Court on jail reforms as a separate chapter, Dr Abdullah said that this would be ensured in its vernacular editions to be brought out shortly. Efforts would be made to translate and print the manual in Urdu and Hindi, and gradually in Kashmiri and Dogri. He said the manual should not be treated as a closed book but it will be open to suggestions and modifications, if any, for improving the jail functioning, he added.

The Chief Minister said copies of the new manual would be provided to all the courts in the state and made easily available to people and jail inmates. He complimented law and home ministries of the State besides those associated with the compilation of the manual.

Dr Abdullah said jails in the State have been modernised over the years and facilities like medicare, sanitation and hygiene and adequate accommodation provided for the inmates.

CJ for implementation of jail reforms in true spirit

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 2: The Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Dr B P Saraf today called for extensive training to jail administration in laws and new ethos of prison justice.

Speaking at a function after releasing the new jail manual here this morning, the Chief Justice hailed the State Government's effort to undertake jail reforms and bring out new jail manual despite constraints of resources and situation and said that desired results can only be achieved if these are implemented in true spirit. This, he said, is possible by familiarizing the jail administration with changing ethos and new criminal jurisprudence that has emerged in the last fifty years. He made a strong plea for translating jail manual and all relevant circulars for jail administration in Urdu and making these easily accessible to prisoners and the public.

Mr Justice Saraf also impressed upon the jail administration to strictly follow the guidelines given by the Supreme Court and that jail manual should have a separate chapter containing the summary of the important decisions and guidelines of the apex court on prison justice. He said every member of the jail administration must keep the jail manual with them as a Bible and made it within the reach of every prisoner.

In his illuminating speech quoting judgments of apex and other courts, the Chief Justice said that Supreme Court has held that the prisoner continues to have the fundamental right to life as enshrined under Article 21 which is not confined to the right to physical existence but also the right to the use of every faculty and to live with basic human dignity.

Dr Saraf said no one can be deprived of his right to live with basic human dignity except by reasonable, fair and just procedure prescribed by law and indeed no procedure which deprives a person of his right to live with basic human dignity can possibly be reasonable, fair and just. The Supreme Court, he said, has in fact granted the status of fundamental right to the immunity against torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment even though it is not specifically enumerated as fundamental right in the Constitution.

He said the issue of prison conditions and environment has emerged as a pre-dominant theme of correctional philosophy raising questions about inmates' rights. Lawful imprisonment restricts the Constitutional rights but not eliminate these fully. The courts have held that 'imprisonment does not spell farewell to fundamental rights'.

Dr Saraf said that Supreme Court has also banned routine handcuffing of prisoners as constitutional mandate and declared the distinction of prisoners as obsolete. It was held that it is arbitrary and irrational and to classify prisoners in B class and ordinary class. The Supreme Court also protects prisoners from abuses such as racial discrimination, constant danger of assault by other inmates, excessive corporal punishment, harsh and degrading jobs, and unjustifiable restrictions on the right to practice religion and receive legitimate visitors.

The Chief Justice described the new manual as a great achievement of the Jammu and Kashmir Government in the field of prison reforms. He presented the first copy of the released manual to the Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah, who presided over the function.

The copies of the manual were also presented to the representatives of ICRS, Chairman State Human Rights Commission, Mr Justice G Q Parrey, Chairperson, Women Commission, Dr Girja Dhar, Law Minister, Mr P L Handoo, Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University Mr M Y Qadri, students of the law faculty of Kashmir university.

On the occasion, the members of the drafting committee were honoured.

Spl campaign against automobile pollution
PCB, Traffic cops join hands to contain pollution in Jammu

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 2: The Pollution Control Board authorities in co-ordination with the Traffic Police, in its fresh move to create awareness among the people about increasing automobiles pollution level in the winter capital city, launched a special drive and checked over one hundred mini-buses plying on the city routes today.

Chairman of the State Pollution Control Board Mr P P Sharma, SP Traffic Jammu, Mr M S Slaria were present on the occasion. These agencies in consultation with the Prozone India Limited conducted thorough checking of several vehicles and recorded the smoke volume emitted by them with computerised machine.

It was noticed by the Traffic police and PCB teams that several vehicles had obtained Pollution control certificates from various State Transport department authorised private agencies, but even despite this their vehicles were emitting more smoke than the permissible limit of 65 Hartidge Units.

The officials issued warnings to such defaulters and asked the operators to get the defect rectified within a week. Some vehicle plying without pollution certificate were challaned heavily. Some mini-buses operator possessing over-dated certificates were also penalised. The Traffic police authorities also took cognizance of those authorised pollution check agencies which were not providing computerised slips, showing various readings of emission of smoke level alongwith the certificates.

The Chairman of the PCB took serious note of the functioning of such agencies which provide pollution certificates and resolved to take action in this regard. He disclosed that computerised equipment of Prozone India Limited alongwith the team of its experts was hired for the purpose and the campaign would continue in the state. The chairman of the Prozone India Limited, Mr PR Abdullah was also present and assisting the Government agencies.

The team had selected National Highway point in Gandhinagar area near Convent School, Jammu. Mr Sharma further said that similar exercise has been commenced in Srinagar and it was proving very useful to create awareness among the operators of private and government vehicles. But much emphasis is being given on the public transport. In response to a question, he disclosed that Government vehicles are also being booked for this offence.

SP Traffic, Mr Slaria told Excelsior that taking serious note of increasing volume of traffic and automobile pollution load in the Jammu city, heavy on the spot fine is being imposed on the defaulters. Though, the department has shortage of equipment, but it’s being hired from other concerns for the purpose.

He said the idea is to create awareness among the people. They should themselves get their vehicles checked from the Pollution check centres in routine and keep them environment friendly for the better health of the citizens. This way, the people would certainly help the law enforcing agencies. If they possess the valid certificates there will not be any penalised. Mr Slaria said that authenticity of some certificates collected is being verified and it is feared that fake certificates are also being provided by some agencies.

3 million die of TB every year in India

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU,Oct 2: About three million people die of tuberculosis and equal number of new cases are found positive every year in the country.

This was disclosed at the 51st TB Seal Sale Campaign inaugurated by the Principal Secretary Health and Medical Education, Mr H LKadalbaju here this morning.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Kadalbaju said despite being fully curable disease we could not control this disease only because we could not make our people fully aware about the fatal results of this disease. He also appealed the media to help educate the people about this dreaded disease.

He stressed upon the doctors, Para-Medical staff, NGO’s and educated people to serve the weaker section of the society, where this dreaded disease has spread its roots, due to their illiteracy and unawareness. He said by doing this they will be paying real tribute to the father of the nation on whose birth day we are celebrating this day as a TB Seal sale day.

Mr Kadalbaju said that we should not celebrate this occasion just as a ritual. He said, if we really want to serve the ailing humanity, we have to serve at the grass root level and educate the rural and uneducated people, who develop this disease due to unawareness, malnutration, unhygienic conditions and illiteracy. He further said that we must educate them and make them aware of this killer disease.

Principal, Government Medical College, Dr H LGoswami while speaking on the occasion said it is a matter of great concern that inspite of availability of best drugs and diagonosis facilities, we could not control T B in past half century.

While elaborating the facts and figures about this disease, Mr Goswami disclosed that among ten dreaded diseases, T B stands at number one. In our country one T B patient dies every one minute. This way about 3 million people face death every year by this killer disease. He said by another 50 years this figure will double itself. He further said, if not treated a T B patient can give infection to 12 healthy persons.

Mr Goswami said, in India 60 per cent AIDS cases carry T B disease. One lakh children below 5 years of age are effected by T B every year. We have 20 T B patients out of every one thousand people and out of ten deaths one is by T B He disclosed one third of T B patients of world are in India alone. He said, T B is fully curable disease, provided medicines as advised by the doctors are taken regularly for the prescribed period. He said prevention is always better then cure. He advised the parents to get their children vaccinated with BCG in first 12 months.

Among others, who spoke on the occasion included, District Development Commissioner, Jammu, Mr R K Goyal, Director Health Services, Dr R K Goel and Dy Chairperson, T B Association Mrs Bakshi.

Consumer Column
No check on essential commodities rate

Avtar Bhat

Under Section 5 of Essential commodities Act of 1955, the Director Food and Supplies and district magistrates are empowered to fix the prices. The prices fixed by them for the essential commodities can remain in force for a period of one month and after that the same can be revived through a fresh notification issued in this regard.

Under this Act the prices fixed through such a notification for the essential commodities can remain in force for a period of three months and thereafter the District magistrates have to call a fresh meeting of the Price Committee to fix the rates.

But unfortunately this is not in practice in our State. Here the prices once fixed are hardly revived. Taking the advantage of this lacuna the business community rules the roost by charging the prices from customers as per their sweet will.

Due to the concerned agencies failure to maintain constant check on the prices of essential commodities, the consumers are being fleeced by the business community who in case of certain items charge more than double of the manufacturing cost from them.

Take the example of milk cake. The authorities have fixed its selling price Rs 110 after taking a decision in the Price Committee meet. But what has been observed that the manufacturing cost on the milk cake is comparatively very less than what has been fixed by the authorities.

Earlier the confectioneries had fixed Rs 120 as the price of milk cake and after the hot persuasion of various consumer organizations the authorities slashed the prices by Rs 10 per cake.

But while taking the manufacturing cost involved in consideration, the maximum cost involved in making a milk cake is hardly Rs 45 to 50 and in villages the Halwaies sell it on the same price while in cities and towns the Halwaies charge the exhorbitant rates.

It is not known how a Halwai in village manages to sell the cake on half the rate when he has to purchase raw material like sugar and flour etc from city.

This is a serious question and needs the attention of the price committee and other agencies involved. In other confectionery items even the rates vary to a great extent from one shop to another.

In Jammu City "Gulabh Jammans" are sold at a particular shop for Rs 45 a kg while at other places its price is Rs 70 a kg. It simply indicates that Halwai earn high margin on this commodity. Otherwise no shopkeeper will put himself in loss by selling any commodity at half the price than what is available in market.

It would have remained in the interest of customers if the Price Fixation Committee takes these facts into consideration and fix rates accordingly.

Take the example of other confectionery items like ‘Mathi’ , ‘Pakora’ etc prepared in refined oil. Their prices increased when the prices of mustard and refined oil hiked two years back but after the prices of mustard oil slashed by 80 percent since then there has been no decrease in prices of confectioner products manufactured in Mustard and Refined oil.

Moreover, the Halwaies do not deduct the weight of boxes in which they pack the sweets or any other item. There will be hardly any box used for packing one kg of sweets that does not weigh over 100 grams. While the cost of the box will hardly be Rs three to five but consumer purchases it at the rate of sweets by paying Rs 10 to 15 for the same.

Same is the case with mutton the Government has fixed its prices two years back and as per the standing Government notification the prices for per kg of mutton can not exceed Rs 78 and any butcher charging more than that is liable to punishment under the law.

But what happens in practice that the mutton is sold at the rate of Rs 100 and 90 in the market in open violation of Government notification. While the butchers dealing in the "Halhal" mutton sell a kg for Rs 100, those selling the "Jatka" charge Rs 90 for a kg.

Though there is no public outcry on the issue and consumers pay gladly the price, the officials seem think it improper to poke their nose in the matter by taking the drastic action against the butchers for over charging. By giving such a raw deal to the business community the authorities are themselves making mockery of the rules and regulations made for the public welfare from time to time.

Now what will be the fun of the fixation of rates when the butchers have already increased the price of mutton by 20 percent than what has been fixed by the Government.

Likewise, the rates have been fixed for the "Dhabawalas" and as per the Government notification a full plate of rice should weigh 400 grams. But in practice no where the customers are served this quantity. Though it seems odd and indecent for a customer to protest against serving the less quantity of food to him but the officials of Weights and Measures could have set the things right by making on spot checks on dhabas and hotliers during the lunch and dinner time.

Some quarters suggest that Government should constitute a separate Directorate to maintain the prices of essential commodities as it seems totally illogical that Director Food and Supplies who is himself a supplier can not be expected doing any justice when the violation is being made by his own Department.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 2: The Jammu and Kashmir Nationalist Front today organised an impressive dharna at Shalamar Chowk to intensify its on-going agitation for reorganisation of the State. Representatives of different political, social and religious organisations attended the day long dharna and pledged to intensify their agitation for the reorganisation of the State.

Addressing the dharna, Mr Tilak Raj Sharma, convenor of the Front, accused successive State Government of meeting out step motherly treatment with Jammu and Ladakh regions of the State. He regretted that except making statements ruling parties have not take any step to mitigate miseries of the masses. "Instead of giving just and genuine rights of the people of Jammu and Ladakh, successive State Governments have even meted out step-motherly treatment with these two regions of the State", he said.

He was of the view that reorganisation of the Jammu and Kashmir State, with carving out of separate states for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh having union territory and homeland for migrant Kashmiri Pandits in a part of the Valley was in the best interest of the people of all the regions, sub-regions and sections of the society.

President of the Jammu Mukti Morcha, Prof Varinder Gupta while addressing the dharna disclosed how successive State Governments have discriminated Jammu and Ladakh regions in every spheres. He urged the people to remain united to take the on-going agitation to a logical end.

National Panthers Party MLA, Mr Harsh Dev Singh in his address said that solution of the every problems confronting Jammu region was separate State. He said that trifurcation of the State was the only solution to fulfill aspirations of the people of Ladakh and Jammu regions who have discriminated with every sphere of life.

Mr Harsh Dev cautioned the people against nefarious designs of State Government, which according to him, was hell bent to divide people in the name of region and religion. Panthers Party MLA, who represent backward constituency of Ramnagar, said that far-flung and backward areas of Jammu regions have been bearing maximum brunt of the discriminatory policy of the State Government.

Mr Abdul Rouf Gania, advocate from Doda while addressing the dharna highlighted miseries of the people of far-flung and backward areas. He said that except making statements ruling elites of the State have done nothing for the betterment and welfare of the residents of backward areas. He was of the opinion that miseries of the people can be removed only with separate state for Jammu region. He said that aspirations of the people of backward areas of Jammu and Ladakh regions can be fulfilled only after Jammu get statehood.

Dr Jagdish Dubey, Janta Dal MLA from Bishnah constituency, while favouring trifurcation of the State, said that problems of the rural people can be solved only by carving separate states of Jammu and Kashmir and union territory status for Ladakh region.

Prominent intellectual, Prof K L Bhatia gave strong arguments in favour of trifurcation and homeland for displaced Kashmiri Pandits while addressing the dharna.

Mr Yash Bhasin, while addressing the dharna exhorted the people of Jammu, Ladakh and displaced community to remain united to intensify their struggle.

Prominent socialist leader, Mr Jagdish Gupta, Vijay Sharma from Kathua, Krishan Dev Singh from Arnas, Dr Agnishekhar of Panun Kashmir, Dr Ajay Chrangoo of Panun Kashmir, Mr Ashwani Chragnoo of Panun Kashmir Movement, Mr Som Nath Dabgotra were among prominent who addressed the dharna.

Jammu traders allege harassment at Lakhanpur

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct. 2: The representatives of various trade organizations of Jammu called on Mr Ram Sahai, president, Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Office bearers to discuss the problems being faced by the trading community of Jammu with regard to the working of vigilance Recovery and Lakhanpur Wing of Sales Tax Department.

They brought into the notice of Mr Sahai about the excesses being committed by the these wings of the Sales Tax Department resulting which the dealers are subjected to lot of harassment. These actions are encouraging corruption and under hand deals in which many officials of the department are openly involved. The traders are pressurized to the extent that they are forced to succumb to these corrupt practices, a release said.

The members of the delegation exhorted Mr Sahai to take serious view about the situation where the shops of the traders liable to pay meager amounts are sealed whereas the traders of Valley whose liability is in lakhs and crores are not even touched what to talk of sealing of their premises. The traders of Jammu have always cooperated with the Government and majority of them are scruplous tax payers.

The further pointed out that Finance Minister and Commissioner Sales Tax in the recent past had repeatedly announced that all the issues will be sorted out after giving due consideration to the factors noted above and the Chamber will be taken into confidence before any stringent steps are taken by the department, but on the contrary the traders of Jammu are made to face innumberable problems at Lakhanpur. The GR's are being seized on the pretext of of difference in addresses than the one entered in Registered Certificates. Transport Yard from Ware House has been shifted to Transport Nagar, so it should have been incumbent upon the department to change all the addresses suo-moto. The bills of same rates are detained while the otehr bills of same rates are released. Even the bills of limited companies excise paid are also seized on the pretext of underinvoicing. The department which has no foolproof method to verify the rates of a particular commodity should be asked to detain only those G.R.'s which are without bills.

The vehicles are detained for days together resulting into Jamming of Traffic at Lakhanpur and adding to hinderance in free flow of trade. They further brought into the notice of Chamber, the excesses being done by officials in Vigilance department. The enforcement wing officers who are postd there are settling their scores by harassing the assesses on small issues which could have been ignored otherwise. The officials transfered from enforcement wing are getting preferential treatment than the officials already serving over there. Extreme action taken by the Recovery department which should have been more active at Srinagar before starting their drive in Jammu has further added to the woes of Jammu Traders.

Mr Sahai assured the members of the delegation that he will ensure that the genuine problems of the traders of Jammu are mitigated in an cordial and cooperative manner for which Chamber stands committed.

| home | state | national | business| editorial | advertisement | sports |
| international | weather | mailbag | suggestions | search | subscribe | send mail |