Labour Department notifies Citizens’ Charters

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 8: The Labour department is yet another department of Jammu & Kashmir Government that has notified Citizen’s Charter. It comes in the wake of instructions of the Chief Secretary Mr. Ashok Jaitly to make functioning of the public dealing departments and PSUs more transparent and accountable. This is important segment of the strategy to make the government more responsive The department deals with the activities aiming at welfare and security of the labour engaged in factories, industrial units, establishments, undertakings and construction projects etc.

This is achieved by implementing 26 Labour Laws, mostly Central Acts, in the state. Through these Acts, the department strives for and ensures for the labour class satisfactory and humane working conditions; timely payment of wages, not less than the minimum wage fixed by the Government, and bonus; settles disputes between the management and the labour through conciliation and regulates working hours and ensures extension of facility of various kinds of leaves. The department also ensure adoption of safety measures at the place of work by the employer; social justice and equity as envisaged under the law; benefits to working journalists and motor transport workers under the special Acts for them and provision of medical facilities and compensation in cases of death and injury to workers.

Assistant Labour Commissioner at districts implements all social legislations like Workmen’s Compensation Act, Payment of Wages Act, Payment of Gratuity Act, Industrial Disputes Act Labour officers, Labour inspectors, Inspector of Factories and Boilers are the authorities to inspect periodically the factories and other industrial establishments within their jurisdiction, implement all other labour laws and initiate action against the defaulters. Such inspections, mostly joint, are aimed at ensuring availability of facilities to the working force, which are specified or envisaged in the law. They act as guide and facilitator than to promote undesirable effects.

A grievances redressal cell exists in the offices of the Labour Commissioner- cum- Provident Fund Commissioner, Dy. Labour Commissioner at Srinagar and Jammu, Assistant Labour Commissioner at district level. They endeavour to settle complaints within 48 hours. The senior officers can be contacted on telephone to register and seek redressal of grievances. They include Labour Commissioner at Jammu (547526) and at Srinagar (476005/472524); Dy Labour commissioner, Central, Jammu(546022) Dy Labour Commissioner, Kashmir(479541) Dy Labour Commissioner, Jammu(48557); Asstt. Labour Commissioners, at Jammu (571276), Srinagar (450869), Kathua (34763), Udhampur (70677), Rajouri (63213), Poonch (24123), Doda (33560), Kishtwar (59358), Pulwama (41261), Anantang (22571) and at Baramulla (34437).

Trade unions should frequently interact with the Assistant Labour Officer, Assistant Labour Officer and also with the Labour Commissioner to seek the help of the department in asserting their legal rights as also protection.

Deputy provident Fund Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu are responsible for administration of Employees Provident Fund Act. They are also responsible for ensuring that all units come under the ambit of the Act and due contributions are recovered. They shall ensure timely issuance of Annual Accounts Statements to the subscribers.

Labour Department has its offices out side Jammu & Kashmir State to look after the interests of the migratory labour of the state. These are located at Chandigarh, Delhi, Jalandhar, Ambala, Shimla and Amritsar. Headed by the Dy Labour Commissioner at Delhi and Assistant Commissioner at Chandigarh, these offices attend to the problems of the J&K labour and also provide medical facilities. These offices manitain liaison with the concerned state government to seek prompt redressal of the grievances of our labour from these Governments.

Mahila Cong workers stage dharna against NDA Govt

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 8: Mahila Congress workers staged a dharna at Satwari Chowk to demand the resignation of NDA Government at the Centre.

Mrs Farida Muneer, State president Mahila Congress and Mr Raman Bhalla, senior leader addressed the gathering.

In their speeches, both these leaders said that the need of an hour was immediate dismissal of the NDA Government at the Centre after its involvement in corrupt practices the wake of Tehelka disclosures.

Mrs Farida urged upon the womenfolk to come forward to expose the NDA as it has failed on all fronts. She said that Mahila wing will organise similar programmes in Jammu and Kashmir to mobilise the public opinion against the corrupt Government. She said that people of J&K should not forget " blanket scam" and should teach BJP a lesson by voting it out of power in the next elections.

Mr Raman Bhalla on the occasion said that those involved in "blanket scam" were still holding top positions. The people have realised that they got swayed away by hollow slogans of BJP, as the life of a common man has further become miserable.

Mr Bhalla warned that Congress will intensify agitation if the Government remained a silent spectator over " blanket scam" and said that resignation of NDA can only satisfy the people of the country.

The senior Congress leader regretted that it was a matter of shame that the constituents of NDA Government were one way or the other involved in the scam. The exposures through Tehelka and that of ‘blanket scam’ in Jammu and Kashmir bear testimony to the fact that NDA Government was neck deep into corruption, Mr Bhalla said, while demanding immediate resignation of Vajpayee Government.

Prominent among others who addressed the people included Kanta Bhan, Lalita Sharma, Santosh, Chanderprabha, Chanchala , Swarna Devi, Raj Bakshi, Sumrita Devi, Kuldeep Raj Bitoo and Jugal Sharma.

Sagar visits Ganderbal areas

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, April 8: The Works Minister, Mr Ali Mohammed Sagar today visited Ganderbal tehsil and took stock of the undergoing development works. He inspected 55 meter long under construction bridge of Gadoora on which an amount of Rs 1.87 crores are being spent. Later, the Minister inspected Rabitar Bridge which is 74 feet long on which an amount of Rs 78 lakh are being spent. These bridges will be completed in May 2001. He also inspected Shadipora-Narayan Bagh Bridge which is 220 meter in length and for which an amount of Rs 9.97 crores are being spent. The bridge will come up in 2002.

Mr Sagar also inspected Sheerpathri Water Supply Plant which will come up at a cost of Rs 2.13 crores and will provide potable water to 14 villages comprising nearly 14250 souls. He said this plant will come up in October 2001.

Earlier, the Minister addressed four public meetings at Gadoora, Haran, Narayan Bagh and Sheerparthri in Ganderbal. While addressing the gatherings, Mr Sagar said that this is the golden chance that peace talks are going on and which will get peace and restoration in the State.

He said though the State has Muslim majority but every community has its right to give their opinions for success of peace process and early settlement of all disputes between India and Pakistan. He said that some so-called leaders do not want peace process to succeed for their vested interests. They are wholly and solely responsible for the death and destruction in the State. He said that people are aware that gun culture has brought bloodshed, massacre and destruction and nothing else even people knew who have destroyed the State’s precious wealth. He said that it is the National Conference Government under the leadership of Dr Farooq Abdullah that the infrastructure have been got on rails which was in shambles during the turmoil period in the Kashmir valley. He urged upon the people to be aware from these so-called selfish leaders who are misleading the people for their vested interests. He said that Chief Minister is leaving no stone unturned to restore peace and normalcy in the State.

He said that Government will provide an amount of Rs 22 lakhs for drought hit areas of the tehsil for irrigation purposes.

Convention on unity of J&K State organised

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 8: A convention on unity of Jammu and Kashmir State, sponsored by regional committee CPI (M) and Regional Council CPI), resolved to preserve the integrity of the State, while creating a credible mechanism for empowerment at grass root level.

The convention was presided over by Comrade Bishan Dass, regional secretary CPI (M), opened with the speech of noted writer Mr Balraj Puri, who explained how Kashmiri Muslims resisted attempts to communalize him. He argued that regional autonomy was a condition precedent for unity of the State and plurality the strength of the State and the country. The CPI(M) State secretary Mr M Y Tarigami, MLA, who was heard with rapt attention said the unity had become a compulsion of life and for that the people of J&K had to fight their own battle and not allow others to take charge. He was at pains, to narrate the attempts at communalizing killings of innocent, who he said represented humanity and not any community or caste. he explained that a separate state was a self-destructive process and that the interest of J&JK lay in its unity and not setting up of one region against the other. He recounted that Jammu already divided in 1947 did not afford to be divided once more. He called for an inter-regional dialogue alongwith the dialogue initiated by the Centre.

Mr O N Trisal (CPI-M) moved a resolution for decentralization of political power and economic resources to the three regions and its devolution at the grass root level. It was seconded by Naresh Munshi and adopted unanimously.

Kanwal Dev, regional secretary CPI said the demand for trifurcation amounted to revival of two nation theory and assured that it was the common man who was discriminated against, and who has to take the battle in his own hands.

Prof M R Puri, ex-vice chancellor of Jammu University said in today’s world when countries were uniting, talking of separate state was anachronistic.

Mr A R Trakroo, regional secretary CPI (Kashmir) and MLA in his address vowed to fight those who are out to divide J&K. He stressed the need for unity of secular forces.

Mr Zaffar Iqbal Manhas, social activist, laid stress on unity among have-nots as also against vested interests, who were behind the trifurcation moves.

Mr S P Verma, secretary Akhil Bharat Rachnatmak Samaj conveyed the message of Didi Nirmala Deshpande, expressing her solidarity with the convention.

Salathia stresses on speedy development of Kandi areas

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 8: The Government is fully aware of the problems of the rural people especially residing in Kandi and far-flung areas of the State.

This was stated by Minister for Power, Mr S S Salathia while addressing a public meeting at village Badori in Vijaypur block of Jammu district today. He said the dry spell has aggravated the problems of the people living in Kandi areas and special Girdawari has been ordered to assess the loss caused by drought.

Mr Salathia apprised the meeting that a proposal for construction of two roads from Badori to Budhwal and Badori to Bari Khud has already been submitted to NABARD for financial assistance.

He said a high voltage transformer has already been installed to improve the power position besides a tube well is also proposed to be commissioned at Khedian to meet the drinking water requirement of the area.

The Minister announced Rs five lakh for construction of lanes, drains and other development works from his Constituency Development Fund.

Master Nool Hassan, Mr Mohinder Gupta, Advocate, Mr Rattan Chand and Haji Ahmed Din also spoke on the occasion.

At a separate function, the Minister inaugurated a unit of Jawala Motor Body Builders near Sarore on Jammu-Pathankot National Highway. This unit will cater to the needs of body building of all kinds of vehicles including buses trucks, matadors and trolleys etc. This will also save toll tax and expenditure incurred on body building from outside the State, the Minister was informed.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister assured all possible assistance from the Government and stressed upon the educated youth to come forward and avail the opportunities of self employment schemes under State and centrally sponsored schemes to start their income generating units.

The Chief Engineer, EM & RE Mr H S Raina , Mr R S Salathia,Mr Jatinder Sharma, Executive Engineers, PDD, senior officers of PHE and PWD were also present on the occasion.

VHP disapproves dialogue on Kashmir

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 8: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has categorically disapproved the proposed dialogue with the militants and separatist outfits on Kashmir saying that they do not understand the peace initiatives and needed equally harsh treatment.

This was stated by non else than the international secretary general of VHP, Dr Parveen Bhai Togdia, while speaking to the newsmen here this afternoon.

He was of the view that in Kashmir Islamic fundamentalists are fighting Jehad, a holy war, which ends with the occupation of that peace of land/territory for which they are fighting. So, expecting peace from such destroyers of humanity is foolishness. The Government, instead of extending cease-fire and initiating peace process, should become offensive, in order to eliminate the secessionist forces, who are hell bent on ethnic cleansing in Kashmir.

He said," militants are still active and till their backbone was not broken there is no fun of talks. The bullets from the militants gun should be answered with bombs, visually angry Dr Parveen equipped.

While, attacking the ISI and its supporters in Pakistan, he suggested war with Pakistan to eliminate the enemy forever. "A war with Pakistan will be cheaper for India than fighting the militancy not only in J&K, but in other parts of the country", he said.

However, he admitted that the Kashmir issue has now became a religious issue and ultimately it has to be resolved, in the larger interests, though by political means.

Quoting examples of recent rumours of burning of Holy book, ‘Quran’ and creating anti-India feeling in Nepal by attacking the Bollywood star, Hrithik Roshan, Dr Parveen said that ISI wants to destabilise India through one or the other means.

And to counter and check the ISI activities within the country, he said the VHP is making a time bound programe , before September,to recruit 30 lakh strong cadre from all parts of the nation. They will be given intensive training to tackle such divisive forces and also to demonstrate as and when a need arises.

When asked how many will be from J&K, he informed that around 50,000 youth will be recruited from the trouble torn State.

Later, he said that Bajrang Dal,which was being branded as the organisation of Hindu fundamentalists by the so-called seculars, believes in upgradation of society as a whole.

Without considering the cost and creed, the VHP has educated the 6200 tribal and remote villages by providing them education upto sixth standard. An amount of Rs 10 crore has been utilised for the social cause by the VHP in the country, he elaborated.

Meanwhile, the State unit of the VHP handed over a donation of Rs 80,000 to the visiting general secretary for the earth quake victims of Gujarat. The cheque was handed over by the State president, Dr Rama Kant Sharma.

Others, who were present included Hem Raj Khajuria, state secretary, Surinder Aggarwal, vice-president and Jammu city president.

Black Day to be observed on Apr 17
Non-teaching staff alleges nepotism, favoritism
in Higher Edu Deptt

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 8: All J&K Colleges Non-Teaching Employees Association has alleged gross violation of service conduct rules and misappropriation of funds in large scale has been going on in Colleges and Higher Education Department.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Ram Kumar Sharma, chief advisor of the Association alleged that nepotism, favoritism and corruption are the main work being done by some College Principals and authorities of Higher Education Department with the assistance of some junior staff.

"The condition is worst in the Higher Education Department and due to the nexus between senior authorities and few junior staff the illegal transaction of money is going on unabated", Mr Sharma said, adding they have also applied double standard policy and have been humiliating and harassing the sincere and dedicated staff members.

Lashing out at authorities of Higher Education Department, the chief advisor of the Association said that despite being aware of the gross violation of service conduct rules none from the Government side bothered to intervene in the matter. "The Department has become a hub of corrupt officials with all transfer, promotion and appointments being done by accepting huge money", he further said, adding those who can not afford to bribe are harassed, humiliated and posted in far-flung areas.

Pointing towards pick and choose transfer policy, Mr Sharma said that Mrs Neelam Jamwal, central body cashier, was being transferred after every 10 months by the senior authorities of Higher Education Department. He also alleged that since the appointment of present Director every transfer, promotion and appointment is being done by accepting lakhs of rupees setting aside service conduct rules and Department is becoming a business centre for corrupt officials.

"We have brought the matter to the notice of Commissioner Education Department a number times but nothing has been done so far in this regard", the chief organisor of the Association disclosed. He alleged that purchases are being made in some College and Higher Education Department without floating any tender and Cashiers and Principals have been indulged into hushing up all these purchases.

He demanded reorganisation of Higher Education Department and making up of proper rules and norms for promotion, transfer and appointments so that employees are not harassed any further.

He disclosed that on April 17 all colleges non-teaching staff will observe Black Day in Jammu province and on April 18 they will go on one day mass leave. He warned the administration to stop nepotism, corruption and favoritism in the Colleges and Higher Education Department immediately failing which Association will intensify agitation.

Messrs Ram Kumar Sharma, Sham Lal, Parhlad Singh, Neelam Jamwal, Neelam Kapoor, Bansi Lal, Dawood Iqbal, Abdul Hamid and Yaqeen Mohd were also present on the occasion.

PMMET to open centres at all District HQs
Making militancy affected people computer literate

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 8: With an aim to make the people of backward and militancy affected areas computer literate, Prem Nath Memorial Educational Trust has decided to set up computer institutions at all District Headquarters.

This was disclosed by Mr Yeshwant Parihar, Managing Trustee while addressing media-persons here today. He said that their main aim was to make each individual of militancy affected areas computer literate by imparting higher education in computer application, information technology and academic education.

"Supertach (I) Computers under Prem Nath Memorial Educational Trust was the first ever computer institution established in militancy affected Kishtwar on May 1998", Mr Parihar said, adding "we are also launching University courses such as M.Sc Information Technology, MCA, BSc Information Technology, BCA, PGDIT, PGDCA and DIT in Kishtwar in collaboration with VIT College. All these programmes will be conducted under the GG Das University, Bilaspur, MP and Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Bangalore.

The Managing Trustee said that during the last three year we have trained around 500 students so far, adding in the year 1999 it started awareness programme by approaching all the schools and institutions wherein 2000 students took part and avail the benefits of programme. In year 2000, another computer awareness programme was launched for the employees of the town to have them first hand knowledge in which more than 100 employees of the various Government Department in Kishtwar participated.

"Our institute is under consideration to be sponsored by J&K Government for educating poor students and employees of various Departments", he disclosed, adding the Trust has also decided to open day boarding school at Kishtwar and under this scheme all the poor students of backward areas, wards of those army personnel who have sacrificed their lives for the nation will be provided free education upto 8th standard.

Informing that Trust is being run on no-profit and no-loss basis, he said that fee of Rs 475 per month has been charged from those who can afford and Rs 275 from those who could not afford for local courses in computer.

Political reservations for STs demanded
Gujjars be made a party to proposed talks: Chowdhary

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 8: J&K Gujjar United Front has demanded that the representatives and Gujjar and Bakerwal community constituting one fourth of the state’s population be included in the proposed talks on Kashmir being initiated by Centre in next month.

The Front president Mr Anwar Chowdhary and secretary general Shah Mohammed Chowdhary while talking to media persons here today termed the initiative taken by the Centre in this regard a welcome step. They said that they will support any step taken to restore peace and normalcy in the state. "Even we favour holding of dialogue with Pakistan if it is aimed at restoring peace in the trouble torn state", they added.

However they maintained that Jammu Kashmir is an integral part of India and the accession of the state with Indian Union is final.

Demanding that our views should be sought on Kashmir Mr A Anwar Chowdhary said how some handful people can take decisions on our behalf. He also favoured inclusion of people from Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmiris in the proposed dialogue.

The Front leaders alleged that despite the fact that Gujjars and Bakerwals constitute 25 lakh of the states population they have been ignored in every decision making body.

Making a scathing attack on National Conference (NC) Government Mr Shah Mohammed blamed it for opposing a private member’s bill aimed at granting political reservations to the Scheduled Tribes in the state.

He said it was obligatory for the NC being the ruling Party to bring this bill but the way Mr Ghulam Mohi-u-Din Shah opposed the Bill moved by Mr Harsh Dev Singh in the Assembly reveals that the Government is not interested in the welfare of the community.

Both Anwar Chowdhary and Shah Mohammed appreciated the efforts of Mr Singh and thanked the other members who supported the Bill.

Advocating strongly that the community be granted the political reservations, they said the NC Government should have taken the decision soon after assuming office in 1996 in this regard by amending the State Constitution but the way they are avoiding it shows that their intentions are not clear.

He alleged the Government is not intentionally bringing the Bill in Legislature as it is not interested to give due representation to the community in the next Assembly elections also.

Making a dig at the Government for not giving due representation to the Community in the Legislature, the Front leaders said that only two MLAs are representing it in the Lower House when they had nine to 10 Legislatures in the previous governments.

"We had more representation during the Congress regime in the state legislature", said Mr Anwar Chowdhary in response to a question. He alleged that community has totally been ignored in all spheres of life.

Demanding the disbanding of Cabinet Committees on the Gujjar and bakerwals, Shah Mohammed Chowdhary said when the rules and regulations are already there what is the need of constituting these committees.

He said the Indian Constitution guarantees us ample rights but they are not being implemented by the State Government. The Front leaders who alleged that rules and regulations were ignored while making the recruitments in the police recently demanded a special recruitment drive be launched for the community.

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