Jammuites clinch top position in Navratra
Festival contests

Excelsior Correspondent

KATRA, Oct 12: Jammuites clinched top positions in All India Devotional songs competition organised by Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department at Katra as part of Navratra festival.

Kamal Sharma and Party was adjudged the second best while Ravi Sharma and Party bagged third prize in close contest. The teams were awarded cash prizes besides glittering trophies. There was thunderous applause from the audience including devotees from all over the country, leading artists of the State and local people.

The premises of "Chintamani" Temple Katra echoed with "Jai Mata Ki" and enchanting "Bhaints" presented by Jammu troupe. The devotional songs penned by Vijay Atri and Ravi Sharma and were composed by Ravi Sharma himself, an eminent composer of All India Radio and Doordarshan.

The team led by Mr Kamal Sharma comprised of Renuka, Monika Raina, Kulwant Kour, Vishal, Jagdeep and Upinder while Ravi Sharma headed the team members Vaishali, Priyanka, Reeta Rani, Manmeet Kour, Sukriti and Parul Sharma, all of Saraswati Sangeet Kala Mandir.

Rythemist of National Repute Kamal Sharma, stage, TV and Radio Artist assisted by Randhir Kumar and Kasturi Lal displayed their talent on Naal, Dholak and Dhol respectively. Charan Singh and Rakesh Anand played melodious musical notes on Sitar and Flute respectively. Support in Rhythm was provided by young artists Gautam, Rohit and Ramit.

It needs mention that 15 teams from various parts of the country were selected from the daily contests held during Navratras, competed for grand final. Both the Jammu teams have also won first prize of Rs 10,000 each in the qualifying round.

Harsh Sugandh, Vikas Mohan, noted film producers from Bollywood and Ganesh C Jain, Managing Director, Venus Records and Tapes Company were the adjudicators. The performance of Jammuites was highly appreciated by the adjudicators, organisors and audience.

Guests of honour from Mumbai distributed the prizes and trophies.

Electrical engineers flay transfer policy

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 12: J&K Electrical Engineers Graduates Association (JKEEGA) in a meeting here today has strongly criticised the transfer policy adopted by the PDD authorities at different levels.

As per a release, the meeting alleged that orders are being issued and modified at will to suit the adjustment of some favorites and attempts are being made to give them some choice postings while the unprivileged were being dislocated and made to serve at left over posts or being attached in circles and direction offices even after serving at difficult places.

The meeting which was chaired by general secretary of the Association Mr Ravinder Sharma, said this attitude of the authorities will demoralise the sincere engineers and will become a cause of their frustration.

The meeting has decided that the Association will approach the Chief Minister who is also looking after the Ministry of Power and Minister of State for Works and Power Mr Qamar Ali Akhoon and seek their intervention in the matter so that justice prevails.

Central intervention sought to get merger order revoked
Agitating camp college students threaten ‘self immolation’

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 12: Camp college students, who have been protesting against the State Government’s decision to merge the camp colleges with Jammu University, today threatened to take extreme step if the order of merger was not revoked immediately.

"If State Government does not revoke the order of merger, we will not desist from taking any extreme step which included self immolation," said Mr Vinod Pandita, president of Camp College Students Association, which is spearheading the ongoing agitation.

Charging the National Conference Government with its nefarious design to snap the last link between migrant students and the Valley, Mr Pandita termed the decision of merger as a step towards complete Islamisation of the Kashmir Valley.

He alleged that decision to merge camp colleges with Jammu University was a well planned conspiracy of the National Conference Government to create a wedge between migrant Kashmiri Pandits and Dogras of Jammu.

Mr Jetinder Reshi, chairman of Camp College Students Association, while launching scathing attack against the Education Minister Mohd Shafi Uri, alleged that Mr Uri was acting on the behest of foreign powers. He appealed the Central Government to intervene into the matter immediately and get the merger order revoked.

Mr Reshi alleged that not even a single leader of ruling National Conference or any Minister of the Farooq Government bothered to contact the agitating migrant students who have been protesting against the ‘black’ decision of merger. "The State Government is forcing migrant students to take to streets and thus disturbing routine studies of the latter," he added.

Ms Sunanda Koul, another students leader, alleged that on the one hand the Farooq Government is bent upon snapping the ties of migrant students with Kashmir University while on the other hand blue prints for the return of Kashmiri migrants to the Valley are being prepared to fetch grants from the New Delhi.

The camp college students appealed the community leadership and other organisations to come forward and support the migrant students’ genuine demand who have been fighting to save their identity.

Zero Hour in Assembly

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Oct 12: More than a dozen Members of Legislative Assembly drew the attention of the House towards their several issues of public importance today in the Legislative Assembly during zero hour.

Mr. Bali Bhagat while demanding enhancement of pay of teachers appointed under Rehbari Taleem Scheme as per their qualifications sought the Government’s intervention in releasing the long pending teacher list of Doda from SSRB.

Mr. Nissar Ahmad Khan demanded immediate steps from the Government for stopping the infiltration and investigation for innocent killings in Poonch.

Mr. Ghulam Rasool Naz, Mr. Farooq Ahmad Mir and Mr. A. R. Veeri described the power position in their respective areas as alarming and demanded immediate repairs of transformers and also providing drinking water to the people.

Mr. Prithvi Chand raised the issue of Patnitop and demanded further expansion of the area as a tourist resort.

Malik Hyder and Mr. Sagar Chand drew the attention of the House towards the dilapidated condition of roads in Basohli. Mr. Sagar Chand demanded construction of a bridge and establishment of a Degree College at Basohli.

Mr. Harsh Dev Singh demanded immediate steps for arresting the vehicular pollution in the big cities causing great threat to the health of the people.

Mr. Som Nath demanded immediate supply of seeds and pests to the farmers for the current sowing season.

Mr. G. M. Jan demanded strengthening of understaffed schools in his constituency.

Choudhary Chuni Lal demanded expansion of Ranbir Irrigation Canal for the facility of farmers.

Mr. Abdul Gani Naseem, Mr. Ashok Sharma, Mr. Jagdish Raj Dubey and Mujahid Mohammad Abdullah also raised their issues during the zero hour.

26,000 fake migrant registrations cancelled-Qayoom

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Oct 12: The Minister for Revenue and Rehabilitation, Mr. Abdul Qayoom said in the House today that 26,000 fake migrant registrations have been cancelled in the State so far.

Replying to a question by Sheikh Abdul Rehman, the Minister said that certain fake ration cards as well as registration of migrant families who left the valley due to militancy from 1990 have been noticed in the past and cancelled accordingly.

The Minister said the cash assistance involved in cancellation of such fake ration cards worked out to over Rs. 31.60 crores and the quantum of ration issued to these fake ration card holders was of the order of 95139 quintals of rice, 21171 quintals of atta and 3390 quintals of sugar.

Replying to the supplementaries, the Minister said that another 16 such fake cases have been detected and referred to crime branch for investigation. He said the Government have formulated certain guidelines for registration of migrants and no person is registered as a migrant without the CID verification.

Government contemplates to create Additional Courts-Handoo The Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mr. P. L. Handoo said in the House today that Government is contemplating to create certain courts of Additional District and Sessions Judge on temporary basis to speedily settle the pending cases both on Civil as well as criminal side.

Replying to a question of Mr. Khalid Najeeb Suharwardhy, the Minister said that appointments to these Courts are envisaged to be made on tenure basis for a period of two years from amongst the retired District and Sessions Judges and the supporting staff shall be appointed from amongst the retired officials of the Subordinate Judiciary to reduce expenditure to be incurred on this scheme which has been recommended by the Government of India, Eleventh Finance Commission.

The Minister said that the Eleventh Finance Commission has awarded Rs.334 lakhs to the State for upgradation of Judicial administration for eliminating or substantially bringing down pendency of cases in the District and Subordinate Courts.

Mr. Handoo said that under the award certain Courts of Sub-Judge/Munsiff are also proposed to be created. He said a comprehensive action plan is being formulated in consultation with the High Court for the purpose.

The Minister said that Government is committed to provide cheap and speedy justice to the people and in order to expedite the disposal, quite number of steps have been taken by the Government and the High Court.

Replying to the supplementaries, the Minister said that the Government was contemplating to set up a Munsiff Court at every Tehsil Headquarter adding that the Jammu and Kashmir was the only State in the country to have the less pendency of cases. He said the pendency of cases in the State has come down to 34,000. He said during the last two years alone various Courts including 10 Munsiff Courts, one District and Sessions Judge Court, one Matrimonial Court and two additional Bank Courts have been set up in the State.

Zero Hour in Council

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 12: Nine members of the House raised several issues of Public importance during Zero Hour today and pleaded for immediate action by the Government.

Ch. Nizam-ud-Din Khatana demanded immediate repairs to the building of Sheep Farm Reasi which is in a dilapidated condition.

Mr. D. K. Kotwal pleaded for early allotment of Government accommodation at Jammu. He said that he has been trying for it since the present Government came into the power four years back but has not been alloted any accommodation so far.

The Chairman of the House, Mr. Abdul Rashid Dar took serious note of the matter and asked the government to clear its position in the House by Tuesday and ensure that the Hon’ble Member is either provided Government accommodation or paid rent for the private house acquired by him there.

Mr. B. L. Bhat requested the Government to accept the demand of migrant students sitting on dharna at Jammu to save them from any loss in their studies and they should be allowed to continue their studies in migrant colleges there.

Mr. Aziz Mohammad Qari pleaded for dumping of adequate firewood in Kargil district for winter months well before the closure of Zojila Pass.

Mr. Mohammad Sadiq Malik drew the attention of the Government towards bad sanitation condition of Government Medical College Hospital, Jammu. He said even the intensive care unit of the hospital does not have water pipe connections and demanded an inquiry by a committee to examine what has happened to the money being spent on the hospital sanitation particularly during the past few years.

Mr. M. Y. Taing demanded that suitable measures be taken to ensure that the recent price hike in fuel does not in anyway effect the fruit growers in the Valley as it was the only industry here which has somehow provided sustenance to a large chunk of population during the last decade of turmoil.

Mr. Chuni Lal Khajuria demanded that immediate steps be taken for improving the condition of lanes and by-lanes in Udhampur city which are in a dilapidated condition from quite a long time now. He said dirty water flowing towards the sacred Dewika river should be diverted towards some other place as a large number of devotees take dip in the holy river.

The Javid Hussain Shah demanded that rate lists of firewood and K.oil, fixed by the Government, should be got prominently displayed in the Bandipore market as the dealers are charging quite higher prices from the consumers there.

Mr. Abdul Rehman Tukroo demanded that the farmers and fruit growers whose crops have been badly affected due to draught, be adequately provided financial and other assistance.

State to seek World Bank assistance for rural development - Farooq

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Oct 12: The Government would seek World Bank assistance for rural development schemes to ensure uniform development of all areas of the State.

Stating this in the Legislative Assembly today while replying to a debate on the resolution of Mir Saifullah seeking transfer of State Sector funds to the District Development Boards, the Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that he had discussed the issue with the Union Finance Minister, Mr. Yashwant Sinha who is now on a senior position at the World Bank. He said Mr. Sinha has told him that the World Bank could provide assistance to the tune of 500 million dollars in schemes like rural electrification, healthcare and education. He hoped that the State would be benefitted by Mr. Sinha being at the World Bank.

The Chief Minister asked legislators to prepare rural development schemes for their areas that would benefit maximum people. He said good schemes would be forwarded to the Union Finance Ministry for World Bank assistance. He said the Government wants uniform development of all regions, particularly border areas. He assured the legislators that schemes identified by them would be discussed with them. He, however, said priorities must be fixed while finalising the schemes.

Agreeing with the members’ demand for more funds to the District Development Boards, the Chief Minister however, did not agree with the idea of keeping the State Sector funds at the disposal of the District Development Boards. He said if that was done no major projects could be undertaken. Citing examples, he said, projects like Sawalkote Hydel Power Project can not be completed if funds meant for these are transferred to districts. He said, likewise, construction of Shopian and Kokernag roads would not have been possible under such a dispensation.

Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that the District Development Board meetings would be convened on the pattern adopted by late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah whereunder the entire Cabinet participated and took decisions at such meetings. He said the constituency development fund of the legislators would be enhanced to Rs. 50 lakhs this year.

Later, Mir Saifullah withdrew his resolution.

Earlier, Mr. Dilawar Mir, Mr. Som Nath, Mr. Ashok Sharma, Mr. Mubarak Gul and Mr. Harshdev Singh spoke in favour of the resolution.

Tax collection increases

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 12 - The Tax collection in J&K State has witnessed an unprecedented increase during the period of four years of the present Government.

Stating this, the Finance Minister, Mr. A. R. Rather, told the Legislative Council, in reply to a discussion raised by Mr. D. K. Kotwal, today that while 107% increase was registered in the taxes collected by the Sales Tax department, an increase in the collections of Excise department was of the order of 103%. He said the total collections made by the Sales Tax department during the year 1996-97 were Rs. 124.12 crores and this has touched to Rs. 260 crores by end of 1999-2000. Similarly, the Excise department’s collections rose from Rs. 143.96 crores in 1996-97 to Rs. 290 crores by the end of 1999-2000. He said because of the strenuous efforts, first quarter of the current financial year has shown considerable increase both in sales tax and excise collections.

The Minister said that the recovery of Sales Tax arrears has also shown remarkable improvements. As against the total collection of sale tax arrears of Rs. 1.17 crores in 1995-96, these have touched to Rs. 6.87 crores during 1999-2000. The trend registered so far in the current year, in collection of arrears, the Minister said shows a quantum jump. Only in the first two months of the current financial year, Rs. 3.26 crores have been collected.

The Finance Minister said that the growth rate in State’s revenue had adversely been affected during the period of turmoil in the State. Soon after coming to power the Government undertook a number of measures both to increase the revenues as also to collect the tax arrears which had accumulated during the period of years. Huge amount of sales tax had also fallen in arrears. Though the traders had collected the same from the consumers, yet it had not been deposited. The Government announced ‘Amnesty Scheme’ to the traders to help to deposit these arrears. Besides providing them incentives, easy installments were fixed for payment. A large number of traders took the benefit of the scheme and started paying the arrears as per the installments fixed under the scheme.

Mr. Rather said that many traders did not avail of the facility under Amnesty scheme and huge arrears are still with them. The Government decided to realise the amount through persuasions. They were also given an opportunity to reconcile the figures with the departmental functionaries. The whole matter, he sad, is closely being monitored. The Sales Tax functionaries have been clearly told that no leniency whatsoever should be shown to defaulters. The status, position or any other factor will be of no consequence in effecting recoveries. Where the persuasions fail, the Minister said, measures as warranted under law, are being taken. Besides issuing notices, attachment of property have been issued. He hoped that during this year the recoveries of arrears will also show considerable improvements.

The Finance Minister said the sales tax arrears had accumulated to Rs. 517 crores. Giving details of the arrears and the measures being taken to recover the same, the Finance Minister said that of this, an amount of Rs. 155 crores has come within the ambit of Amnesty Scheme. The said amount is recoverable in 30 regular installments. Any default, he said, will result in loosing of the incentives by the trader under the scheme. Though the instalments are being collected under the scheme, however, the entire amount will continue to be shown as arrears till last instalment is recovered. The Minister said that Rs. 38 crores out of arrears have been stayed under various court orders. He said the cases are being vigorously persued and services of senior lawyers, wherever necessary have been utilized to expedite the same

Mr Rather said sales tax arrears amounting to Rs. 50 crores are outstanding against various government departments and Public Sector Undertaking. Efforts are being made to effect these recoveries. He said due to poor financial heath of some public sector undertakings, the Sales Tax department feels difficulties in collecting the taxes from them. However, efforts are on to collect the same.

The Finance Minister said that Rs. 141. 81 crores are outstanding against non-existent dealers whose whereabouts are not known. These traders have become untraceable over a period of time. Now a team is being set-up to look into such cases and identify them. Final decision will be taken after receiving reports from the teams.

Referring to the financial scenario in the state,. Mr Rather said that because of strict financial control, better financial management, greater accountability and better tax management there has been considerable improvement in the state finances. Authorisation of payments at treasures are made immediately after completion of codal formalities. No bill or cheques remains pending for want of cash if it is within the budgetary provisions and after codal procedures are completed.

Those who participated in the discussion include Mr D. K. Kotwal, Mr Y. R. Malhotra, Mr A. R. Tukroo, Mr M. Y. Taing, Mr Mohammad Sadiq Malik and Mr C. L. Khajuria.

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 12- Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today said the cult of violence unleashed by the neighbouring country has left innumerable scars on humanity in Jammu and Kashmir.

He was talking to a delegation of Red Cross led by Dr Vimala Ramolingam, Secretary General Indian Red Cross that called on him here this morning. Ms Kasandara Warpell, Head of Delegation of ICRC and Qazi Mohammad Amin, Honorary Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir Red Cross were also present.

Chief Secretary, Mr Ashok Jaitly, who was present, also interacted with the delegation.

Dr Abdullah said the people of the state want to come out of this situation and join the march of progress and development. Ironically, he said India and Pakistan are spending huge funds on defence that could be utilized on welfare of the people. It is because of the paucity of resources that public utility services like healthcare get suffered. The condition of hospitals in the state is not very rosy, he said, adding that besides further improving the system there is need to inculcate the spirit of dedication, zeal and commitment among doctors and para medical staff.

The Chief Minister lauded the efforts of organisations like Red Cross that helped people in distress across the globe and said ‘every little thing helps humanity immensely’. He advised the team to concentrate on specific areas and draw pilot projects on sustainable basis instead of covering vast areas with limited resources.

He asked the Red Cross to involve people’s committees and non-governmental organisations in implementation of various welfare schemes. He said till the village panchayats come into being after elections, villagers and citizens committees should be co-opted to help in providing assistance to the suffering masses. Efforts should be made to ensure that assistance percolates down to genuine people especially those living far off and border areas.

Dr Abdullah said the teams of Red Cross have been visiting various areas, hospitals, jails etc in the state to have feel of the facilities available there. He said such teams are welcome to visit anywhere in the state to provide respite to people suffered from Pak militancy.

Dr Vimala Ramolingam briefed the Chief Minister about the relief measures undertaken by the Red Cross for mitigating the sufferings in Jammu and Kashmir. She said Rs 17 lakhs have been released by the Ministry of Home Affairs for destitute and orphans. She said orphan students would be provided assistance in the shape of scholarships and uniforms.

The Chief Minister suggested that the grant of relief material proposed by the team be distributed in Poonch and Kupwara districts.

Chief Secretary Mr Jaitly also called for involving voluntary organisations in philanthropic activities and said women and village people should be involved in greater numbers. He hoped that the Red Cross would cover border areas on priority.

Ms Kasandara Warpell, Head of Delegation of ICRC said that her organisation wants to help the state by providing ambulances.

The team, on a 3-day visit to the Valley, has visited, inter alia, several hospitals, which include Bone and Join Hospital, Zanana Hospital etc in Srinagar City. They also called on the Governor, Mr G C Saxena last evening.

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