Old faces repeated in Coop union elections

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 23: Former Member Parliament Mohd Ayub Khan was elected as president and Mr Jatinder Dev as general secretary again, of the Jammu and Kashmir Cooperative Union.

As per a release, the newly elected Board of Directors of the union held its first meeting on Saturday to further elect the office bearers.

Mr Ghulam Hassan Gilani was elected as vice-president for Kashmir division, Mr Rajesh Sharma vice-president for Jammu division, Mr A A Zargar, secretary Kashmir while Mr Kashmir Singh as secretary Jammu division. Ms Shanta Bharti, Mr Ram Sahai and Mr Ali Mohammed Dar were elected as members executive committee.

The Board reviewed the working of Cooperative Movement in J&K and identified the areas of future thrust.

‘State Govt discrimination with Gujjars’
NC leaders pocketing funds meant for
development activities: PDP

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 23: Accusing ruling National Conference of maintaining a criminal silence over ever-increasing miseries of the masses, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today alleged that ruling elites have pocketed all funds meant for the development and betterment of the poor people.

Addressing a joint press conference, general secretaries of the party, Mr Ved Mahajan and Master Tassaduq Hussain said that State Government has miserably failed to mitigate miseries of the masses. PDP leaders who conducted an extensive tour of the Doda district with PDP chief Mufti Mohammed Sayed, said that inhabitants of the far-flung areas of the Doda district have been living in virtual hellish conditions but authorities have not taken any step to heed woes of the people.

Listing woes of the people of Doda district, Mr Ved Mahajan said that management of the Dulhasti and Baglihar Projects have exploiting local youth who have been recruited in the projects. He alleged that leaders of some political parties have been getting commission from the company constructing these projects. He demanded abolition of the ‘Thakidari’ system and urged the authorities to constitute recruitment committee comprising prominent residents to recruit local youth in these project.

Demanding degree college for the people of Ramban Banihal, Gool and Arnas, Mr Mahajan said that students of these areas have to been facing lots of hardship due to non-availability of college in their areas.

Master Tassaduq Hussain, a prominent Gujjar leader, while listing the problem of the Gujjars in the district accused the ruling National Conference of meting out step-motherly treatment with Gujjars and Bakerwals. He said that various development funds meant for the betterment and welfare of the Gujjars have been siphoned off by the National Conference leaders by one way or other. He charged the State Government of befooling poor Gujjars and accused the NC leaders of utilising Gujjar’s funds for their luxuries.

Highlighting woes of the Gujjars, Mr Hussain said that PDP has decided to launch a massive agitation for the rights of Gujjars. Pointing towards the recently held Gujjars convention at Srinagar, he said that in a resolution convention has demanded all benefits to the Gujjars under Scheduled Tribe status. Beside other demands convention demanded reservation under SRO-537, fully utilisation of funds meant for the development of the Gujjars, separate department for the welfare of the Gujjars, constitution of cooperative and marketing societies to sell products of the Gujjars, permanent settlement of 5 lakh nomadic Gujjars, compensation to Gujjars in the case of natural calamity and inclusion of the Gojjari language in the 8th Scheduled.

PDP leader also expressed his grave concern over the non-functioning of mobile schools and veterinary hospitals meant for nomadic Gujjars.

PDP general secretary, Mr Ved Mahajan said that party has decided to hold executive meeting on November 4 at Jammu to discuss announcement of the Chief Minister to hold Panchayat elections. He also disclosed that party would also discuss its economic agenda in the meeting.

Sena declares war against terrorism
BJP failed to protect interests of Hidus; says Yash Gupta

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 23: Declaring an open war against Pakistan and its Interservice Intelligence (ISI), the State unit of Shiv Sena today warned that it will not hesitate in taking to arms in combating over 11 year long militancy in J&K State.

"Our aim is Hindu "Raksha", (security of Hindus), peace and tranquility, to fight terrorism and construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya," said Mr Kalki Ji, newly appointed president of Shiv Sena while talking to mediapersons here today alongwith his general secretary Mr Yash Gupta.

Mr Kalki Ji said Balasahib Thackeray is concerned over terrorism and hence we appeal all to come on a single platform to launch a decisive battle against it.

The Hindus in the State are facing persecution and efforts are being made to convert Jammu also as a Muslim dominated area by the Government after construction of new colonies here, he alleged and warned that Sena will never allow this to happen.

The Sena State chief who opposed the trifurcation of J&K however maintained that Jammu people should be given their due share.

The State unit leaders while launching a frontal attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged that Party has totally failed to protect the interests of the Hindu community in Jammu and Kashmir State.

The Party which played the Hindu card in the past general elections has hurt the sentiments of the Hindus all over the country as it failed to come upto their expectations after coming to power at Centre, alleged Mr Yash Gupta.

The Party’s strength increased in Lok Sabha from two seats to 180 after playing the Hindu card in previous Parliamentary elections, he said, adding but it deviated from the basic issues including construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya, common Civil Code and abrogation of Article 370.

Terming them the important issues before the people he declared that Sena like BJP will not skip them from its agenda.

He said the State Unit of the Party has been reconstituted by the Sena supremo Balasahib Thackeray after the dismissal of former general secretary Mr Ashok Gupta from the Party.

He said Balasahib who churned the Party’s State unit for 12 long years has now appointed Mr Kalki Ji as its State unit president while Mr Davinder Shastri will continue to hold the post of "Samparakh Parmukh".

Among the other office bearers nominated by him include Messrs Kuldeep Luthra, Anil Gupta and Ranjit Bali as vice presidents. He said Vipun Hindu has been nominated as district president Jammu, Sanjay Mahi Jammu City chief and Bodhraj Sharma, Narayan Mangotra, Jitender Kumar and Yougeshwar Shastri have been nominated as vice presidents for Jammu district.

He said Rakesh Gupta and Yash Gupta have been appointed as "Op Samparakh Parmukh."

Strike threatened to be intensified
KP leaders term merger as attempt to create
wedge between Dogras, migrants

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 23: Describing the State Government’s decision to merge camp colleges with Jammu University as an attempt to create a wedge between the Dogra and migrant students, prominent Kashmiri Pandit organisations have threatened that the community will resort to all agitational means to get the ‘sinister’ order revoked.

"The merger decision is a well planned conspiracy by the National Conference Government to break the political assertion of Jammu and Kashmir and create a rift between the Kashmiri Pandits and Dogras who have joined hands for trifurcation of the State," said Dr Agnishekhar, convener of Panun Kashmir, while addressing a joint press conference, here today.

Terming the merger decision as irresponsible, uncalled and a conspiracy to punish the nationalist forces, he stressed that the community leadership will not succumb to such tactics of the National Conference Government and will intensify the ongoing struggle if the decision is not revoked.

The Panun Kashmir leader appealed the student community, particularly of Jammu, to remain vigilant of nefarious designs of the National Conference Government which is hell bent to develop enemity among Dogras and Kashmiri Pandits.

Dr Agnishekhar also demanded a public apology from the Education Minister Mohd Shafi Uri for his alleged remark that the Government could arrange for the return of those Kashmir Pandits to the Valley who wanted to remain affiliated with the Kashmir University.

President of All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference Mr Amar Nath Vaishnavi, feared that the merger decision will not only delink the younger generation of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley but also result into complete Islamisation of the Kashmir University.

"It is a threat to secular colour of the Valley and identity of Kashmiri Pandit community who were first forced to migrate from their houses and now the only link between their younger generation and the Kashmir Valley is being snapped by merging camp colleges with Jammu University", he said.

Another community leader Mr O N Trishal, president of All Kashmiri Pandit Solidarity Conference, appealed the Governor and Chancellor of the Kashmir University Mr Girish Chander Saxena to personally look into the matter and use his good office to revoke the ‘sinister order of the Farooq Government.

Mr Trishal disclosed that the community leadership will soon approach the Human Resources Development Minister Dr Murli Manohar Joshi to apprise him about fallouts of the merger order.

"Earlier, we had approached the Union Home Minister Mr Lal Krishan Advani and get him apprised of the situation but Mr Shafi Uri misled him by informing that the merger was a long pending demand of Kashmiri Pandits," said Dr Agnishekhar and criticised the Education Minister for launching a disinformation campaign.

The community leader threatened to intensify the ongoing agitation against the Government decision and said they will go to any extent to get the merger order revoked.

Meanwhile, the ongoing chain hunger strike being observed by the camp college students against the merger decision, entered into 10th day today.

Those who sat on relay fast today were Neelam Pandita, Sumit Jamwal, Sujit Mattoo and leaders of All Kashmiri Pandit Youth Front, namely Rakesh Koul, Ravinder Raina, Romesh Mahoori, Ashok Dhar, Rajesh Handoo, Ravinder Trishal and Basant Kumar.

Demonstration on optical memory cards

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR Oct. 23: Shonkh Technologies, a private sector group, on Sunday gave demonstration of optical memory cards for vehicle registration and citizens identity cards at SKICC here.

Union Minister for Home, Mr L K Advani, Union Minister for Defence, Mr George Fernandes, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Mr Girish Chandra Saxena, Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah, Minister of State for Home, Mr Mushtaq Ahmed Lone and senior officers were present on the occasion.

The executives of the concern briefed them about various facets of the optical cards.

Fisheries complexes inaugurated

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Oct 23 : The Minister for Forests, Environment and Fisheries, Peerzada Ghulam Ahmed inaugurated the newly constructed fisheries complexes at Ashijipora and Kokernag in Anantnag district yesterday. The complexes have been constructed within a record period of about 2 years at a cost of Rs. 26.27 lacs. With the compellation of these complexes, the much needed requirements of district office Anantnag and Fisheries Development Project office, Kokernag will be fulfilled.

The Minister also paid visit to the Village Trout Fish Farming Project, Kokernag, which is spread over an area of 15 hectares. He went around the various raceways, hatcheries etc.. The Project is comprised of 44 different raceways, which include 16 European, 12 American, 3 traditional, 9 open and 4 small type raceways for rearing fish on modern methods. He also visited the new and old Feed mills, Laboratory and Hatchery Houses of the Project.

The Minister expressed satisfaction over the functioning of the Fisheries department and appreciated the efforts of functionaries. However, he impressed them to redouble their efforts for increasing the fish production and popularize the modern methods of fish rearing culture in the State.

During the inspection of the Project, the Development Commissioner, Fisheries, Mr. N. A Jan informed the Minister that the Village Trout Fish Farming Project at Kokernag was established in 1984 with the assistance of European Economic Community (EEC). The phase- I of the Project was started in 1984 at an estimated cost of Rs.1.37 crore with a production target of 10 tonnes fish per annum and achieved a record fish production of 20 tonnes per annum. The phase-II of the project could not be started due to turmoil. However, an intermediate phase was taken up at an estimated cost of Rs. 2.50 crore with the production target of 20 tonnes per annum. As a result of successful implementation of this phase, the production target increased to 50 tonnes per annum with the achievement of 85 percent survival rates. Besides, the production was reduced considerably with the establishment of new Feed Mill (Ottevenger) imported from Holland. The feed was standardized for the first time.

Mr. Jan also apprised the Minister that the Trout Production has increased from 43 quintals in 1985-86 to 600 quintals per annum in 1999-2000, besides, the fish seed production has increased to 1.2 million per annum. Under the extension programme of the project, 22 Trout rearing units/ sale centres have been established throughout the State including Kargil, Leh, Doda, Poonch and Rajouri. For the first time, Trout fish has been put to sale for the common men at various sale centres including the central marketing division, Gagribal in Srinagar. During the last financial year 12 tonnes of fish were soled to the common men, besides, the Trout is being exported outside the State to the five Star Hotels.

The proposal for execution of 14 crore phase-II of the project under Indo-French collaboration has already been submitted to Central Government for approval. With the implementation of this phase, the Trout production of the State will increase to 500 tonnes per annum. Besides, about 500 village trout units (Water Mill-raceways) located in far flung areas inhabited by Gujjar and Bakerwal villages shall be established and the Trout culture will be fully commercialized.

Earlier, the Minister inaugurated a new Trout Fish Sale Centre at Kokernag.

During the tour, the Minister was accompanied by the District Dev. Commissioner, Anantnag, DIG, Anantnag, Development Commissioner, Fisheries, Chairman, State Pollution Control Board, Director Soil Conservation, Legislators of the District and Senior officers of Fisheries, Forests and allied Departments

Dogri Sasngrash Morcha intensifies movement

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 23: To intensify the movement for inclusion of Dogri in Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution the Dogri Sangarsh Morcha held a meeting here today.

As per a release, the meeting expressed anguish over the cold attitude of the Union Government towards the long pending demands of the Dogri speaking people.

The meeting criticised the Government for its callous and discriminatory attitude towards the Dogri language and Dogras saying that despite being eligible for inclusion in the Eighth Schedule the Government is delaying the decision.

It said the Dogri has been already recognised by Sahitaya Academy in 1969 and also recommended by State Government for inclusion in Eighth Schedule.

The language has richness in literature, art and other forms of cultural heritage with a separate script for writing is spoken by one crore people in J&K and adjoining areas of Punjab, HP and Pakistan.

The meeting alleged that keeping Dogri out is naked denial of democratic rights to the Dogras.

The Morcha stressed the Union Government to immediately introduce the official bill for the inclusion of Dogri language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution in the ensuing session of Parliament.

To draft the Constitution of the Morcha a five member Committee with Dhanraj Bargotra as chairman, Hari Chand Jalmeria as convener and Prof. Nilamberdev Sharma, Dr Champa Sharma and Mohan Singh as members were constituted.

Army organises tour for 20 Doda school boys

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 23: Twenty School children of district Doda who were on a 15-day Sojourn to vision India—2000 on their way back to home were honoured by Maj Gen P K Grover, GoC Tiger Division at a function held here today.

During interaction with the children the GoC said that aim of the excursion was to expose the children of witness the great heritage of the country. The trip for children from militancy infested areas has provided an excellent opportunity for these youngsters to see for themselves the unity in diversity that existed in the country and its all round development would go a long way in motivating the local youth to work towards nation integration.

Later, they left for Doda. Earlier, the GoC distributed gifts among the students. The trip had been organised by 9 sector RR on behalf of counter insurgency force- Delta. The children were taken to Ajmer, Jamnagar, Jaipur, Agra and Delhi during 15-day visit.

Apart from visiting various places of historical importance and national interest, the children were also introduced to the President of India, Mr K R Narayanan and high officials of the Indian Army.

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