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Pollution,
shrinking SRINAGAR, Oct 29: The picturesque waters of the Dal Lake in Kashmir, which draws tourists from the world over, is quickly being......more Ram Paul inaugurated medical aid camp Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 29: The Minister of State for Agriculture, Mr Ram Paul inaugurated a medical aid camp for Hepatitis B at Guru Ravi Dass Temple, .....more Govt harassing migrants occupying qtrs: Khosa Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 29: President Kashmiri Pandit Sabha (KPS), Mr T N Khosa has criticised the State Government for harassing the migrants....more People are fed-up with gun: Farooq Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 29: Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah has said that the people here are fed up with gun and they want peace to live an honourable .......more Ballot boxes from Excelsior Correspondent LEH, Oct 29: Out of total 205 polling stations of 26 constituencies of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, ballot boxes from 125 polling ....more |
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Nirankari Mandal mourns demise of Sewadar Excelsior Correspondent SAMBA, Oct 29: Sant Nirankari Mandal Samba branch paid rich tributes on the sad demise of its Sewadar Mr Sewa Ram Ji (Shikshak) of branch Samba......more Parrey justifies
decision Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 29: Jammu and Kashmir Awami League has expelled its general secretary, Messrs S K Tickoo, vice chairman Liyaqat Ali and......more Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 29: All Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh Teachers Federation in a meeting held today discussed various problems confronting teachers, lecturers and headmasters........more State BJP divided on Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Oct 29: State Unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party seems to be divided on the demand of trifurcation and the separate state-hood to the Jammu region. Apparently, confused over the Central..........more |
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Pollution, shrinking spell doom for Dal Lake SRINAGAR, Oct 29: The picturesque waters of the Dal Lake in Kashmir, which draws tourists from the world over, is quickly being stripped off its shimmering beauty and shrinking in size with routine dumping of industrial wastes and encroachment along its banks. Once a star tourist attraction with its famed Shikaras, the lake would soon be little more than a cesspool of filth due to the encroachment, mechanical deweeding and sluggish water movement. Situated at an altitude of 1,580 metres above sea level in East of Srinagar with their lower slopes descending to the lake and orchards and wooden fields in the backdrop, the lake has shrunk from 58 sq km to the present 11.05 sq km. Continued agricultural activity in the floating gardens and catchment areas, land reclamation, encroachments and constructions in and around the lake have also contributed to its steady degradation. On the surface, the lake may still look beautiful, but it has been polluted with sewage wastes and poisonous effluents which have been routinely routed to its waters over the years. The change in the lake’s colour has been attributed to mechanical deweeding by some experts, but other scientists feel that it is because of lack of circulation and sluggish is an unfortunate state of affairs as a sixth century treatise mentions the lake as ‘Sureshwari’ and calls it a jewel," says a historian. The lake extended from Shankarcharya hillock in the south of Mahadev Mountain in the north and from the present day Saderbal in the east to Telbal in the west. The name ‘Dal’, a large water body, seems to have come into use later. The pollution has not only been caused by the neglect of Government agencies but also the lack of basic civic sense on the part of the people, the experts say. The first encroachment inside the lake took place around the 1960s when Nehru Park, a tiny island in the lake, was constructed by the then Government headed by Premier Ghulam Mohammad Bakshi. Presently, there are over 1,000 registered house boats of various kinds in the lake, which until 1989 added the refuse of more than 7,000 tourists, apart from that of 10,000 inhabitants of the area. Although the registration of new houseboats for the lake was banned by the Government, the process continued in an unauthorised manner and today the number is over 1,400. Alarmed by the steady environmental decline of Dal, the Jammu and Kashmir Government set up an agency ‘Lakes and Waterways Development Authority’ in 1997 for restoring the lost glory of the lake but there were reports of alleged misappropriation of public money worth crores of rupees. "Unfortunately, the persons made responsible for the job of saving the heritage of Kashmir and development of the lake indulged in largescale irregularities, financial indiscipline and ....Looted the state exchequer for corresponding gain to themselves", a spokesman of the State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) told PTI. He said scrutiny of the records has revealed irregularities in the execution of so-called integrated development related works in and around the lake like deweeding, skimming, renovation, execution of mechanical works and making irregular appointments. The enquiry further showed that public money has been squandered, the spokesman said, adding at some places work was shown to have been carried out on paper while huge amounts of money was drawn. More than Rs 15 crore had been shown as spent on various projects on the lake, the spokesman said, adding an enquiry revealed rampant corruption. Since the preliminary enquiry has prima facie established the allegations of misuse of official position, financial irregularities, commission of grave misconduct, the svo has formally begun a probe by registering seven FIRs. The State Government has also initiated a Rs 297.90 crore project for cleaning and conservation of the Dal and Nagin lakes. The report would be sent to the Centre which has already agreed to the 100 per cent funding of the project, Government sources said. A detailed project report prepared by by the alternate hudro energy centre, University of Roorkee, sponsored by the Union Ministry for Environment and Forests, came in for serious discussion with various participants passionately pleading for restoration of the water bodies to their earlier ecological status. "The lake is not dead yet and it is time to initiate an action plan to protect it in order to restore its grandeur," Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah said recently at a function here. (PTI) |
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Ram Paul inaugurated medical aid camp Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 29: The Minister of State for Agriculture, Mr Ram Paul inaugurated a medical aid camp for Hepatitis B at Guru Ravi Dass Temple, Krishna Nagar here today. The camp was organised by Guru Ravi Dass Sat Sang Committee in collaboration with Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu. In his inaugural address the Minister eulogised the organisors for this goodwill gesture to organise the camp for the children below five years of age at subsidised rates. He said that the volunteer organisations can play an important role in social service. The Minister while asking the people to follow the path shown by the great saints and sages like Guru Ravi Dass, said his message was brother- hood, peaceful co-existence and tranquillity to make this society prosperous and full of divine blessings. The Minister announced that to provide medical facilities to the people a Government dispensary would be set up at Guru Ravi Dass Temple complex in near future and the matter in this respect will be taken with the concerned authorities, he added. A team of doctors including Dr T R Mema, Dr C R Shivgotra, Dr Nathi Ram, Dr Raj Kumar Thapa, Miss Ashu Bhardwaj and Dr Vijay Bali rendered their services at the Camp in which 400 persons were vaccinated against the Hepatitis B. |
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Govt harassing migrants occupying qtrs: Khosa Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 29: President Kashmiri Pandit Sabha (KPS), Mr T N Khosa has criticised the State Government for harassing the migrants occupying the Government quarters at different places here. In a statement issued here today, Mr Khosa said as the State Government has failed to evacuate these migrants from the quarters after the intervention of Supreme Court of India, it (Government) has adopted the new tactics of harassing and humiliating them. He while expressing his shock and surprise over the Government’s fresh move alleged that thousands of rupees are being demanded from these occupants as rent without any logic and reason. He said rent bills on exhorbitant rates have been dispatched to some occupants to harass them which will be resisted by the entire community with full might. He said the Kashmiri Pandits who been hounded out from the Valley on gun point by Islamic terrorists are already in pain and agony and any bid by Government to harass them further will not be tolerated by the Sabha. He while warning the Government said that entire community is with these migrants and it will not hesitate in coming on roads to lodge the protest against the Government’s unjustified attitude. Mr Khosa asked the State Government to be sincere towards the community and stop the harassing tactics forthwith. |
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People are fed-up with gun: Farooq Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 29: Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah has said that the people here are fed up with gun and they want peace to live an honourable and dignified life. He said, unfortunately, there are people amongst us who do not want peace to return because of their wasted interests and are hell bent to create problems for the people. These people can not be our friends he added. Addressing a well attended one-day convention organised by the fishermen at Naseem Bagh in Hazratbal Constituency here today Dr Abdullah said that our whole economy depends on tourism and our efforts should be revive this industry as it has the potential to generate jobs for our unemployed youth, adding that peace and normalcy was imperative for it. Dr Abdullah appealed the people to take full care of Dal Lake and other water bodies to ensure restoration of their prestige glory so that more and more tourists visit Kashmir. Referring to the demands made by the fishermen, Dr Abdullah said that fishermen below the poverty line would be declared backward soon. He said that a colony for fishermen without houses would be raised some-where near the Dal Lake to provide them shelter and this community would be brought under Centrally sponsored schemes like Indira Awas Yojna (IAY), Jawahar Rozgar Yojna (JRY), and Employment Assurance Scheme (FAS). He said the Government would consider giving them Rs. 500 in cash and 2.50 kgs nylon thread to each family as was being given to them previously. Besides, raising the insurance cover from Rs. 35,000 to Rs one lakh would also be considered. The Works Minister, Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar, the Forest Minister, Perzada Ghulam Ahmad Shah, MLA Hazratbal Constituency, Mohammad Syed Akhoon were also percent on the occasion. A Variety cultural programme was presented on the occasion. |
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Ballot boxes from polling stations start reaching Leh Excelsior Correspondent LEH, Oct 29: Out of total 205 polling stations of 26 constituencies of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, ballot boxes from 125 polling stations were received at the counting centre here today. The ballot boxes alongwith polling officials were brought from Fotoksar polling station by helicopter today. The remaining ballot boxes from five polling stations of Lingshet constituency will be airlifted here tomorrow and day after tomorrow. More ballot boxes from the far off polling stations of Nyoma, Nobra, Chushul, Tangtse, Markha, Waris, Fastan, Digar, Khema and Khyungroo are expected here tomorrow evening. More than 90 percent polling in 35 polling stations and above 80 percent in 36 polling stations have been recorded out of 125 polling stations, the ballot boxes from where have been received so far. An average 70 percent polling was recorded in these polling stations. The highest 100 percent polling was recorded at Tsogsti polling station and the lowest at Hemis-shukpachan polling station. At Takshi polling station a 102 years old woman Mrs Haya Bi exercised her right to franchise with the help of her family members. The counting of ballot papers will take place on November 3 and by the same evening the results are expected. The election authority of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Mr Dheeraj Gupta has expressed satisfaction over peaceful conclusion of the elections. |
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Nirankari Mandal mourns demise of Sewadar Excelsior Correspondent SAMBA, Oct 29: Sant Nirankari Mandal Samba branch paid rich tributes on the sad demise of its Sewadar Mr Sewa Ram Ji (Shikshak) of branch Samba. As per a release, J&K zonal incharge of Sant Nirankari Mandal Mr Jagmohan Choudhary started the funeral procession after offering rich tributes to the beloved saint Sewa Ram Ji, on his last journey of life. Mr Talab Raj, Pramukh Samba branch, Mr Sat Paul, Khetriya Sanchalak Kathua, Kuldeep Singh Khetriya Sanchalak Jammu, Satish Wirdhi, Pramukh Kathua, Jaswant Raj Sharma, Sanchalak Jammu, Des Raj, Sanchalak R S Pura and a large number of saints, relatives, friends and prominent citizens also took part in the last journey upto the Shamshan Bhoomi. After funeral a large Satsang was organised in which Mr Jagmohan Choudhary briefed the gathering about the importance of sewa to serve others and gave example of Late Sewa Ram Ji., who was compelled to leave the human body in a road mishap. Mr Jagmohan Choudhary urged the authorities to provide compensation to the kin of the deceased Sewadar as he is survived by his wife and four children. Mr Sewa Ram has been working in the Handicrafts Department at Bani and had come for celebration of Bhaiya Dooj to Samba. |
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Parrey justifies
decision Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 29: Jammu and Kashmir Awami League has expelled its general secretary, Messrs S K Tickoo, vice chairman Liyaqat Ali and chairman Youth Wing Usman Majid from the Party for their anti party activities. While justifying the Party decision its chairman Mr Jamshed Sherazi alias Kukka Parrey blamed them for trying to sabotage the Party and jeopardize its image. Addressing Party’s meeting at its Headquarters Durga Nagar, near here today, he alleged that some elements had taken the refuge in the Party to fulfill their nefarious designs. He thanked the people of the state in extending full cooperation to him in his fight against the Pak sponsored militancy. He said the need of the hour is upholding of integrity and unity of the country and his Party cadres will leave no stone unturned for this. The Partymen who attended the meeting assured the Awami League leader their full support in his struggle and said that they will work for the unity and integrity of the country. They also resolved to frustrate the gameplan of Pakistan and its agents and eradicate the militancy from the state. Later a fresh body was constituted and Mr Kukka Parrey was re-elected as the chairman of the Awami League. Prof Ghulam Nabi Rattan Puri was elected as general secretary and Peer Mohammed Yousf Shah as provincial president Kashmir. Ghulam Rafique was elected chief organisor of the Party and Sona Ullah Lone as chairman Youth Wing. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 29: All Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh Teachers Federation in a meeting held today discussed various problems confronting teachers, lecturers and headmasters. As per a release the Federation stressed upon the Government to release DA instalment to the Government employees and pensioners at the rate of 3 percent and also release the pending arrears of 5th Pay Commission report. The Federation hailed the decision taken by School Board authorities regarding conduct of examination and evaluation timing from 2 pm to 7 pm as many lecturers, teachers and headmasters can take the classes in schools and can also take part in evaluation in the marking centres. In this way the working of the schools will not suffer. Federation also stressed upon the Education and Board authorities to increase the rates of remuneration to the supervisory staff deputed for conduct of examination as also for staff doing marking of the papers. The Federation requested the Board authorities to make available the books of history and geography of Class 10, because the same were not available in the market presently. and the students suffering badly in this behalf. |
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State BJP divided on J&K’s trifurcation issue Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Oct 29: State Unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party seems to be divided on the demand of trifurcation and the separate state-hood to the Jammu region. Apparently, confused over the Central leadership’s stand regarding the opposition to the trifurcation of the J&K state, the two heavy-weights in the state BJP leadership, Mr Daya Krishan Kotwal ( State unit chief) and Lala Shiv Charan Gupta, leader of BJP Legislature Party have started acting as the opposite poles of a magnet piece. Both have the different stands on the issue leaving the Party workers and the people in general in confusion. While Kotwal supported Home Minister, L K Advani’s statement claiming that BJP unit was not in favour of trifurcation and it wanted that all the three regions be given the political power by constituting regional councils, MLA Gupta strongly put forth the demand of separate statehood for Jammu . Mr Gupta said that this demand is quite genuine to make the Jammu region well developed, prosperous, free of militancy, corruption and unemployment. The region has been suffering exploitation in every sphere in the hands of Kashmiri leadership since long. Justifying the demand of separate statehood, Mr Gupta who is also vice-president of the Party in J&K said that there is ample of discrimination at every level and the Jammu region is not receiving due representation in the state services, its share in respect of Assembly seats has been fixed arbitrarily and its economic development has been ignored. He urged upon the Central Government to accept the demand of state-hood to bring an end to the every type of discrimination with the Jammu region. The militancy in Kashmir also disturbed the peace in Jammu region. The BJP leader called upon the people of Jammu region to stand united to fight for getting the statehood for Jammu as their miseries will never come to an end till they succeed in their mission. |
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Strike enters 56th day Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 29: The Camp College students whose chain hunger strike entered 16th day and the boycott of classes 56th day today have warned to intensify the agitation from November 1. The Camp College Students Association which is spearheading the present strike in a handout today claimed that all camp schools, relief counters, medical dispensaries and other migrant institutions will remain closed from November 1 in support of the students demand. It said the strike will continue till the demands of the camp students are met. It said the students in today’s strike were joined by Messrs Kundan Lal, Moti Lal, Jawahar Lal, Chuni Lal Koul, Rajesh Kotru, S L Bhan, Sohan Lal Bhat, Sunil Koul and Mohan Lal Bhat. Addressing the demonstrators Mr O N Trisal, president All Kashmiri Pandit Solidarity Conference (AKPSC) strongly condemned the State Government for its apathetic attitude towards the students of KP community. He while warning the Government demanded immediate revocation of the decision regarding the merger of Camp colleges with Jammu University after delinking them from Kashmir University. Mr Rakesh Kotru, ex president MAM Camp College urged the Governor, Mr G C Saxena to intervene and save the precious time of the students. Mr Amit Raina, secretary GMC Camp College warned the State Government of dire consequences and demanded immediate revocation of merger decision. The demonstrators were addressed by Messrs Rahul Dhar, Vijay Pandita, Umesh Koul, Sunil Koul, Yograj Wangoo, Sujeet Mattoo and Suneet Jamwal. Meanwhile, All India Kashmiri Hindu Forum has expressed its total solidarity with the striking displaced students. In a statement the Forum chief Mr R L Bhan has taken strong exception of the State Government’s apathetic attitude towards the displaced KP community. He while condemning the decision strongly urged the entire community to come on a single platform and give a tough resistance to the discriminative policies of State Government.
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2 die in mishaps Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 29: Three members of a family including a girl were injured when a group of assailants attacked them with sharp edged weapons at village Sarora under the jurisdiction of Domana Police Station over dispute involving a piece of land. According to police reports, Major Singh, son of Ramlal of village Sarore alongwith his brother Janak Raj and sister Kali Devi were harvesting their crops when a group of assailants led by one Joginder Singh, son of Prabhu Singh of Dai Chak attacked them with sharp edged weapons. The assailants repeatedly attacked trio and leaving them in pool of blood before managing to escape from the scene. Some farmers working in the adjoining fields, immediately rushed to the spot and informed the police. Getting the report of incident, police party from Domana police station reached the spot and shifted the injured to Government Medical College Hospital. Their condition was stated to be critical till reports last came in. Domana Police have registered a case under Section 147, 148, 447, 149 RPC and launched a hunt to nab the assailants. The other accused who were involved in the incident included Arjun Singh, son of Joginder Singh, Karnail Singh, son of Nand Lal, both the residents of Dai Chak. Meanwhile, one Prem Chand Verma son of R C Verma of Janipur was knocked to death by mini-bus bearing number 2817/JK02H at Main Chowk Janipura this afternoon. Some passers-by immediately rushed to the spot and shifted the critically injured to hospital where the doctors declared him as brought dead. A young house-wife died due to critical burn injuries as her clothes reportedly caught fire while cooking at home. Identified as Shakti Devi, wife of Chaman Lal of Mera-Mandrian was removed to Akhnoor hospital by family members where doctors referred her to Medical College in view of her deteriorating condition. But she could not fight for her life and succumbed to injuries. Meanwhile, a tipper owner was seriously stabbed by a truck driver and cleaner at Chichi Mata near Samba today. The tipper owner was on its way to collect ‘Bajri’ from the river Basantar when a driver and cleaner of another truck chased him and inflicted serious injuries on him with sharp edged weapon. The accused fled away from the spot leaving behind the victim bleeding profusely. He was removed to Samba hospital where doctors referred him to Medical College here. His condition was stated to be critical till reports last came in. The victim has been identified as Ghulam Qadir son of Saraj Din of Bari Brahamana. Getting the report of incident, Station House Officer (SHO) Samba police station S S Samyal immediately swung into action and suceeded in apprehending the accused Amarjit Singh of R S Pura and Harjit Singh of Rani Bagh. Overtaking of vehicle was stated to be reason behind the incident. |
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Shastri for rejection of Fin Commission report Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 29: President National Mazdoor Conference (NMC) Mr Subash Shastri has urged the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee to outrightly reject the recommendations of 11th Finance Commission by virtue of which Central Government will not appoint any Pay Commission in coming ten years to review the pay scales and other service conditions of the employees. As per a release, Mr Shastri in a plea to Prime Minister expressed his concern over the recommendations saying that they have been made at such a time when the employees all over the country are facing acute economic problems. He also urged the Prime Minister to take the necessary steps to finalise the annual plan of J&K State for 2000-2001 as all the developmental schemes in J&K have come to grinding halt due to non finalisation of the same. |
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Sahyog solemanises marriage of a poor girl at Mulochack Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 29: Sahyog- a social welfare organisation has set an example of rare service of society by organising marriage of an orphan girl of a poor family residing in border village Mulochack of R S Pura tehsil. The marriage of Miss Jeeta Devi D/o late Baisakhi Ram with Mr Swaran S/o late Paras Ram of R S Pura was solemnised in presence of the Minister of State for Food and Supplies, Mr Ajay Sadhotra at village Mulochack. While giving blessing to the newly married couple, Mr Sadhotra complemented the social service being rendered by Sahyog for upliftment of weaker section of society. He said that the organisation has set an example which should be practised by other such organisations also. The founder of Sahyog India, Dr Ashwani Jojra disclosed that so far the organisation has arranged 303 such marriages during the last few years. He added that the organisation has been rendering service to society from 1985. He appealed the people to cooperate the organisation in carrying out the works of social welfare. Commandant BSF, SSP Border, Mr M K Sinha, Dy. S P Mr P S Jamwal, Dr Yash Paul, S P Verma, Jaswant Singh, D D Khajuria, Ranu Gill, Kamal Singh others attended the function. Later a number of deputations and individuals met Minister of State for Food and Supplies at Mulochack. The Minister listened problems of the people and assured them that their genuine demands would be given due consideration. The problems included construction of a bridge over a nallah on Pindi-Mulochack road and completion of spill over work on Kulmorh to Mulochack. |
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