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| Bilateral rights in aviation Govt needs to make clear its stand Excelsior Special Correspondent NEW DELHI, Oct 10: Air India is in the news, one again. The Government of India, too, is in the news.....more Harleen to
attend Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 10: Harleen Kour, who has lready been selected for the scholarship course in England......more Youth
appeals to Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 10: A young student of BA Part-II Amit Dogra, who is scheduled to undergo a major operation......more Romeo
Force dedicates Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Oct 10: Romeo Force today dedicated a basket ball and volley ball ground to higher secondary school village Chandak and opened....more Graft
charges framed Excelsior Legal Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 10: Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu, Vikas Kant Gupta today framed corruption charges against Sub-Inspector......more |
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Centre for history, Culture of Jammu, Ladakh holds talk Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 10: The Centre for History and Culture of Jammu and Ladakh Regions, organised a talk today on ‘Pre-History in India’. The talk.....more ARTO,
Inspector arrested Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 10: Assistant Regional Transport Officer, Anantnag and an Inspector of the Regional Transport office were arrested by the ..........more Boycott
of classes continues Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 10: Continuing their stir against the State Government’s decision to merge the camp colleges with Jammu.....more LPEF holds
dharna, Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, Oct 10: Employees held mass dharna and demonstration at Poonch on the banner of All J&K Low Paid Employees Federation under the presidentship of Mr Rahat..........more |
Bilateral rights in aviation Excelsior Special Correspondent NEW DELHI, Oct 10: Air India is in the news, one again. The Government of India, too, is in the news, considering the facts that it has really very little option but to offer prospective investors in Air India the guarantee of a monopoly privilege, albeit of a limited nature, for flights into and out of the country. The airline's fleet is of considerable vintage and is unlikely to excite prospective investors in an industry that is already plagued by excess capacity. Its accumulated losses and a bloated workforce that is short on morale too are not likely to add substantial sums in business value by way of goodwill. In the circumstances, aviation experts point out, the best the airline has to offer prospective investors is the monopoly right to ferry passengers, conferred on it by the Government under bilateral agreements in civil aviation. These experts also point out that investors are only too aware of this and the success of the disinvestment exercise is, therefore, predicated on a clear commitment from the Government on this. It is argued that the proposal to confer monopoly rights for a limited period of 5-7 years is not without its filly side. Bilateral rights in aviation are an example of counter trade where nations agree to buy equal quantities from one another. But this concept has rarely worked and is, in any case, out of tune with WTO-dictated liberalised environment for foreign trade in goods and services. While it is difficult to say how long such anachronisms in global trade would last. With airlines around action coming together, through formal mergers or loose alliances, the strong national orientation implicit in bilateral rights is losing its relevance. Hence, all the more reason for experts to insist that the Government should make clear its stand as otherwise it may get embroiled in legal controversies over developments that are not of its making. There is trouble ahead for the Government from yet another source. It is increasingly coming under pressure over conferment of monopoly rights in different sectors of the economy. The evolution of customer choice, a strong underpinning to the development of any sector is bound to be stymied by the phenomenon of State-ordained monopoly. In the event, the Government may not be able to escape coming under pressure to nullify monopoly privileges granted earlier. This, experts insist, is not going to be easy unless accompanied by the award of a suitable sompensation for the party enjoying such monopoly privileges hitherto. People saw the Government exposed to such a predicament in the case of overseas communication service— a monopoly conferred on the public sector Videsh Sanchar Nigam — and which it is now compelled to undo with a promise of compensation to the latter. Any commitment on retention of monopoly rights then implies payment of compensation at a later date if such rights can no longer be guaranteed. The successful completion of disinvestment exercise then ends up becoming an IOU that a subsequent Government may have to redeem. |
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Harleen to attend international student conference Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 10: Harleen Kour, who has lready been selected for the scholarship course in England, has now received an invitation for attending international student conference being held at University of Southampton in England. Talking to EXCELSIOR , Harleen in an exciting mood said, "it was for the first time that any one from J&K has been selected for this conference prior to the scholarship course". Harleen will leave for England in November for the Conference. Few selected students from each country alongwith the representative of the country will participate in this conference. Presently, Harleen is doing her MA Economics (IV semester) from the University of Jammu. |
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Youth appeals to people to save his life Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 10: A young student of BA Part-II Amit Dogra, who is scheduled to undergo a major operation at AIIMS on October 20, has appealed to people, social organisations and clubs to donate generously to save his life. Dogra had met with a serious accident at Janipura on July 24 and lost his voice. The operation is to be performed to restore his voice. Dogra has appealed to people to donate in his bank account No. 8801 at Citizens Co-operative Bank, New Plots and send money orders at his House No. 42, Old Janipura, Jammu. |
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Romeo Force dedicates playing fields to locals Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Oct 10: Romeo Force today dedicated a basket ball and volley ball ground to higher secondary school village Chandak and opened a welfare centre for women at Palera in Mandi area of district Poonch. Brig K S Yadava, Commander 6 Sector Rashtriya Rifles inaugurated the playing grounds and welfare centre at both these places. Speaking at Higher Secondary School at Chandak he stated that a good education system should aim at over all development of the students, in that sports also plays an important role. And its with that aim these play grounds have been constructed by the Army for the school. Brig Yadava while inaugurating the Women's Welfare Centre at Palera, said that women from important part of any family and the society. The aim of opening this welfare centre is not only to teah the young girls and women of the area knitting, cutting and tailoring, but also to earn money for their family and encourage local art and craft. Four sewing machines, one wool knitting machine and accessories for embroidery work were provided to the center by the Army. Around 60 girls had enrolled in the welfare center. Commanding Officer of the local battalion also spoke on the occasion. Present during the occasion in addition to important personalities of the area was Mir Poonchi, ex MP of Poonch. |
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Graft charges framed against CID official Excelsior Legal Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 10: Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu, Vikas Kant Gupta today framed corruption charges against Sub-Inspector Atma Singh, then posted as Sector Officer, CID/SB, R S Pura and directed the prosecution to lead evidence in the case and fixed November 28 and 29, 2000 for next date of hearing. According to the Vigilance version, it was alleged that the accused while posted as Sector Officer, CID/SB R S Pura, in his capacity as public servant, demanded an amount of Rs 5000/- as bribe from the complainant Jasbir Singh on the pretext that he would not prepare his history sheet. In the challan it was alleged that after pursuation the bribe amount to be paid by the complainant to the accused was settled at Rs 2000, the complainant Jasbir Singh lodged a complaint with the Vigilance Organisation. A trap party was constituted to lay a trap on March 16, 2000 and Atma Singh was caught red handed while accepting the bribe amount. He was arrested on the spot and later released on bail on March 23, 2000. The Vigilance Organisation after collecting the evidence prima-facie established the case against him under the provision of Corruption Act. After obtaining sanction for prosecution of the accused, a challan was presented in the court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu. Today, after hearing the arguments from both sides the Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu, framed corruption charges against the accused Sub-Inspector. Advocate S Inder Singh appeared for the accused in this case. |
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Centre for history, Culture of Jammu, Ladakh holds talk Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 10: The Centre for History and Culture of Jammu and Ladakh Regions, organised a talk today on ‘Pre-History in India’. The talk was delivered by Prof B K Ganjoo of Department of Geology of Jammu University. As per a release Prof Ganjoo started with evolution of human beings and talked about the period when human beings appeared in Indus or sub continent. Then he talked about the historiography of pre-history. He told that how in 1935 Yale-Cambridge School started work on Indian Archaeology. He also pointed out the colonial bias in the interpretation. It was only after arrival of H D Sankalia that Indian Archaeology was placed in its proper prospective. He also delighted upon the process of advancement of the study of archaeology. In this context he talked about the latest approach as formulated by I Hodder and Robert Bindford. He concluded his talk with the slide show of some of the important archaeological sites. The meeting was presided over by Dr Jigar Mohammed, head of the Department of History. Vote of thanks was presented by Dr Anita Billawaria and attended among others by large number of Faculty members, scholars and students. |
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ARTO, Inspector arrested in Vigilance trap case Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 10: Assistant Regional Transport Officer, Anantnag and an Inspector of the Regional Transport office were arrested by the sleuths of State Vigilance department in a well-knit trap while accepting bribe. Giving details, a senior official of the Vigilance organisation said that the action was taken against these officers including ARTO—Badur-ud-Din Wani and Inspector Qazi Mushtaq Ahmed after the receipt of a written complaint. The bribe money amounting to Rs 10,000 was also recovered from them on the spot. Both of them were arrested and sent to police lock up. The spokesman said that a complaint was lodged by one Zahoor Ahmed Ganai and Bilal Ahmed Khan of Anantnag, alleging that both of them were running a Transport Company jointly at the name and style of Pine Valley Transport Company in district Anantnag and both had approached the Motor Vehicle Officials for registration of some vehicles. The complainants alleged that the officials were causing delay and after repeated requests to do the needful, they putforth a demand of Rs 40,000 as bribe for the purpose. Even they agreed to receive the amount in installments when it was told that they were not able to pay such a huge amount for this work.The matter was later taken up with the Vigilance organisation and a case FIR 45/2000 was registerred in this connection. A trap party accompanied by independent witness from Srinagar was sent to Anantnag to investigate the matter. In the course of investigation, the trap party arrested ARTO and Inspector red handed while accepting first installment of Rs 10,000 from the transporters. Some documents have also been seized by the Vigilance party. Meanwhile, in another case of corruption, the Vigilance department filed challan in the court of law against Manoranjan Dhar of Police department. The accused had demanded and accepted Rs 42,000 as bribe from the complainant for getting his son recruited in police. The case FIR 31/99 stands registered against him with Police Station Vigilance Kashmir. |
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Boycott of classes
continues Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 10: Continuing their stir against the State Government’s decision to merge the camp colleges with Jammu University, students of the camp colleges boycotted their classes and held a dharna in front of the Raj Bhawan. The agitators also submitted a memorandum to Governor Mr Girish Chander Saxena seeking his intervention into the matter and get the order of merger revoked. The memorandum was handed over to the Governor’s ADC since Mr Saxena was not in Jammu. Earlier, students of GGM camp college boycotted their classes and shouting slogans against the Education Minister, ruling National Conference and Bhartiya Janata Party, marched towards MAM camp college. Joined by their counterparts in MAM camp college, the agitators held a demonstration in the college premises. Later, the agitating students moved towards the Governor’s house and staged a dharna in front of the Raj Bhawan for about two hours. Addressing the dharna, president of Camp College Students Association Mr Vinod Pandita said that the migrant students will intensifytheir ongoing agitation if the State Government does not revoke the merger order. Terming the merger as a criminal conspiracy hatched by the ruling National Conference to destroy the identity of Kashmiri Pandits, Mr Pandita said the migrant students will never allow these pan-Islamic elements to fulfill their dreams. Mr Anuj Tandon, Jammu Joint Students Federation leader, while addressing, said that by implementing the merger order, Farooq Government wanted to close the doors of migrants return to Valley. Others who addressed the dharna included Sunil Dhar, Amit Raina, Neeraj Koul and Sunil Jotshi. |
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LPEF holds dharna, demonstration Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, Oct 10: Employees held mass dharna and demonstration at Poonch on the banner of All J&K Low Paid Employees Federation under the presidentship of Mr Rahat Hussain Nehvi. Dharna was organised on the call of Comrade Abdul Majid Khan, state president of LPEF. As per a release the dharna was held in support of demands including release of due DA instalment in cash, payment of 3rd instalment of 5th Pay Commission in cash, enhancement in the rate of daily wagers and consolidated rate workers, village guards, Anganwari workers, part time instructors and Numberdars, with the price index, regularisation of daily wagers in accordance with provisions of SRO 64 of 1994, release of second instalment of pension arrears of pensioners immediately, leave encashment benefits to teachers and initial higher start to graduate and post graduate and selection grade to teachers and raising retirement age to 60 years at par with Central Government employees. Various local demands were also highlighted which pertained to transfer of all employees according to norms, release of plan grants in favour of employees and maintenance of GP Fund Accounts and issue of pass books to the subscribers. The speakers included Messrs Rahat Hussain Nehvi, Majid Poonchi, A A Zami, Daljit Singh, Basant Ram Sharma,, Abdul Hamid, Sarwar Manhas, Muni Lal, Aziz Manhas, Shabir Hussain, Sabar Hussain, Mohd Sadiq and Mohd Rashid. |
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Annual congregation of Rattra Biradari on October 13 Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 10: The annual congregation of Rattra Biradari will be held on October 13 at Dev Sthan of Sheela Devi, Kul Devi at Badhwani Talab near Shri Jagan Nath Puri Temple, Samba. As per a release, religious Bhajan and Kirtan will be performed on the occasion. The Poojan of Kul Devi will be performed upto 11 am which will be followed by Bhandara. All the Rattra families are requested to participate in the religious function to seek the blessings of Kul Devi. |
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Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 10: The Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah today hoped that the State would have a good plan which would be finalised after the return of the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission to Delhi in October 12. "I have been assured of a good plan", Dr. Abdullah informed the Legislative Assembly today while intervening during reply to a question by Mr. Som Nath about the creation of new NES blocks in Jammu province. He said during his stay at New Delhi recently he met the Prime Minister, Finance Minister and the Deputy Chairman Planning Commission and discussed with them the delay in the finalization of the State Plan. He said with the finalization of the plan, he was sure that the financial crunch faced by the State would end. The Chief Minister said all the District Development Commissioners have been authorized to spend 75 per cent of last year's plan size so that development works did not suffer. He said if any District Development Commissioner has failed to spend the authorised ceiling of money, action would be taken against him. He said the Government has decided to start work in anticipation of the plan in hilly and far flung areas to mitigate the problems of the people. Earlier in reply to a question by Mr. Som Nath, the Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Ch. Mohammad Ramzan said that the demand for creation of new blocks has been received from various quarters including the public representatives. He said the proposals received so far are under the consideration of the Government and a decision will be taken at an appropriate time keeping in view the financial health of the State and other norms. In reply to another question of Mr. Shiv Charan Gupta, the Minister said that Rs. 2.50 lakh has been provided to Director Rural Development Jammu for maintenance of assets. He said another Rs. 90 lakhs have been reimbursed only yesterday for upkeep of development assets and maintenance of zamindari khuls. In reply to yet another question of Ch. Lal Singh, the Minister said that Kathua, Barnoti, Hiranagar and Gagwal blocks of Kathua district are presently under the control of Assistant Commissioner Development command area Samba, while 4 remaining blocks of Bilawar, Basholi, Lohai Malhar and Bani area under the administrative control of Assistant Commissioner Development non-command area Kathua. He said a denovo look is being taken to bring command and non-command area under one executive head to facilitate activities of Agriculture, horticulture, sheep husbandry and animal husbandry. The Agriculture Minister in reply to a question by Mr. Mujahid Mohammad Abdullah said in the House today that Government have already acquired 44.18 kanals of land at Kanispora Baramulla for development of fruit and vegetable market under NABARD loan assistance scheme. He said fresh fruit is largely transported by road and the availability of trucks during the season has been satisfactory. The Minister said that some consignments of Bogugosha variety of Pear have fetched low prices compared to the last year as the fruit was not of a good quality. He said due to drought condition the fruit has remained undersized. |
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Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 10: A Bill to amend the prevention of Ribbon Development Act, Samvat 2007 (L.A.Bill No. 13 of 2000) was introduced by the Works Minister, Mr. A. M. Sagar in the Legislative Assembly today. The amendment is aimed at to curb the encroachments and un-authorised constructions along the highways more effectively as the fines provided under the existing Act are two small to prove deterrent. According to present Act, any person who contravenes the provisions of the Act is liable to prosecution and on conviction shall be punishable with a fine which may extend to Rs. 100 and in case of continuing contravention with a further fine which may extend to Rs. 10 per day. The Finance Minister, Mr. A. R. Rather today introduced three amendment Bills which include a Bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Urban Immovable Property Tax Act 1962, Bill to amend Jammu and Kashmir General Sales Tax Act, 1962 and Bill to provide for validation of certain orders, proceedings and acts made, taken or done by any authority under the provisions of the levy of Tolls Act, Samvat 1995. The Bill amending Jammu and Kashmir Urban Immovable Property Tax Act, 1962 seeks to empower Assessing Authority to make the assessments where any unit of the property has escaped assessment or was under assessed during the currency of the valuation period. The Bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Sales Tax Act, 1962 proposes to transfer all revisionary applications made under section 12 pending disposal with Commissioner Sales Tax for adjudication by the Appellate Tribunal in the same manner as these if were the applications made before the Appellate Tribunal under section 11-A of the Act. Besides, proviso to provide for the conditions attendant on entertainment of appeals is sought to be incorporated to secure the interests of the revenue. The practice of transfer of cases of seizure initiated at the check post to the authorities at the divisional headquarters of the Assessing Authority having the jurisdiction over the importer is proposed to be backed up with the specific legal sanction. The revisionary powers of the Commissioner Sales Tax are proposed to be confined to the actions initiated suo - moto for purposes of satisfying himself as to the correctness, legality or proprietary of the proceedings or the order made thereon by the Appellate or any other authority appointed under section 3 to asses the Commissioner Sales Tax. The enforcement wing of the department has been disbanded in July 2000 and as such the provisions containing reference to the wing and the authorities there under have to be amended suitably. The third amendment Bill seeks to protect and validate the actions taken by the functionaries at the toll posts levying additional toll on export of dry fruits in terms of SRO 348 of August 1982 notwithstanding the fact that the said notification has been superceeded vide notification SRO 359 in December 1998. The latter notification though shown to be issued in supersession of the previous notifications issued on subject does not reflect the intention of the Government, as there has been no conscious decision to discontinue the levy authorised under SRO 348 of 1982 and in the past the operation of the notification used to be saved as and when the rates of toll were revised. Earlier, Finance Minister laid on the table a copy of the "Action Taken Report" on the report of the House Committee to look into the default in the advancement recovery of loans by the Jammu and Kashmir State Financial Corporation presented to the House on April 7, 2000. The Speaker, Legislative Assembly announced the names of Panel of Chairman of Chairmen in the House today. These include, Mr. Shiv Charan Gupta, Sheikh Abdul Rehman and Mr. Ghulam Mohammad Bhawan. |
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Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Oct 10: Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah congratulated Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee on his successful surgery at Beach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. In a telegraphic message to Mr. Vajpayee today, the Chief Minister said the people of Jammu and Kashmir join him in wishing the Prime Minister a speedy recovery. |
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