PPEU delegation meets Power Minister

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 11: A delegation of Provincial Power Employees Union (PPEU) led by Mr Shakti Gupta today met Minister for Power, S S Salathia to apprise him about the collection of maximum revenue upto March 2001.

It was pointed that the present collection of the revenue was rupees 20 crore excess than that of previous financial year. Mr Gupta said that maximum illegal connections were regularised which added to the revenue collection.

The delegation was informed by the Minister that the seasonal rates for air conditioners shall be rupees 6,000 for domestic purposes and rupees 12,000 per season for the commercial purpose. The Minister advised Mr Gupta to get the connections of ACs regularised in all cases which also include bureaucrats and high police officers.

The PPEU president apprised the Minister about the Government order number 134, dated April 3, 2001 which pertains to the benefit of ITI trained Matriculate employees. It was demanded that all ITI holders with Matriculation who don’t get the benefit under this order, should also get the same. It was stressed that as per SRO 149 category-B, all those employees who have completed seven years of service in PDD, may also be benefited and covered under this SRO.

A PPEU release issued where said that the Minister assured the delegation that the genuine demands of the employees will be looked into sympathetically.

Among others who comprised the delegation included Bashir Ahmad Salaria, Satya Paul Sharma, Rajan Babu, Ashok Kowal, Joginder Singh, Rajinder Kumar, Koshal Sharma, Rakesh Gupta, Ashwani Kumar, Harsh Bali, Harbans Singh and Subash Gupta.

FIR lodged against Shrine Board employee for misappropriation

Excelsior Correspondent

KATRA, Apr 11: An FIR has been lodged against an employee of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board for duping Board of about rupees 70,000 by misappropriation.

The accused employee, engaged in the Board on Muster Roll, has been identified as Shanker Singh, S/o Shiv Dass of village Galiote of Udhampur tehsil.

According to an FIR lodged with Katra Police, it has been mentioned that on April 7, the Accounts wing pointed out some discrepancies in the Bank Account, wherein lesser amount was credited in the Bank vis-a-vis the amount that should actually have been credited as per the vouchers and receipts available on records.

Upon this revelation, the record was cross-checked with J&K Bank Katra. It was found that some receipts (counterfoils) were tampered. From the initial questing of the staff posted at Niharika/Vishramghar, the name of Shanker Singh emerged as the prime accused. Singh during questioning has also reportedly admitted having misappropriated the money.

The Katra Police has been in the meantime informed to take action against the accused as per law and also recover the misappropriated money.

Farooq pays rich tributes to departed leader

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Apr 10: The ashes of former Deputy Prime Minister and veteran Kissan leader Choudhry Devi Lal were immersed in river Chenab at Akhnoor Ghat, 32 kilometers from here, by Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah this evening.

The urn was carried in an open carriage from Civil Secretariat in a cavalcade upto Akhnoor.

The Chief Minister, his ministerial colleagues, Chairman Legislative Council Mr Abdul Rashid Dar, legislators, senior National Conference leaders and workers escorted the carriage carrying ashes of the former Deputy Prime Minister.

Enroute, groups of people at various points on the National Highway, carrying banners and portraits of Choudhry Devi Lal paid floral tributes to the late leader. Slogans ‘Tau Devi Lal Amar Rahe’ rented the air as the carriage with flower-bedecked urn and portrait of Mr Lal passed through the highway.

At Akhnoor Ghat, thousands of people including men and women paid their respects to the departed leader as Vedic hymns were recited by the Pujaris. A police contingent presented a gun salute and sounded the last post. The police band played the tunes ‘ Ae mere wattan key logo.....’. The smartly attired jawans lowered their arms as a mark of respect to the departed leader.

Dr Abdullah carried the urn in a boat and immersed the ashes into the Chenab amid people on banks chanting ‘Choudhry Devi Lal Amar Rahe’.

Earlier, the urn brought by the Chief Minister from New Delhi yesterday, was kept in the Civil Secretariat for Public Darshan. The mortal remains of the former Deputy Prime Minister were consigned in the Union capital on April 7.

Dr Abdullah led his ministerial colleagues in laying wreaths at the urn. Several legislators, leaders of various political parties and senior officers including Chief Secretary Mr Ashok Jaitly paid floral tributes to Choudhry Devi Lal.

Describing Choudhry Devi Lal as a messiah of poor farming community and a freedom fighter who always espoused the cause of under privileged classes of society, the Chief Minister while paying tributes to the departed leader said, the imprints of the grand old man of Indian polity would continue to inspire people to work steadfastly for social justice and economic upliftment of poor.

Balwant Thakur’s play staged in National Theatre Festival

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 10: The first performance of the play "Ghumayee"(Dogri) written and directed by Balwant Thakur and presented by Natrang Jammu was staged at Shri Ram Centre for Performing Arts, New Delhi, in the Third National Theatre Festival `Bharat Rang Mahotsav’ organised by National School of Drama.

The performance at Delhi came out to be one of the most noble and innovative presentation of the festival and has been considered to be a better play than the earlier productions of Natrang like "Bawa Jitto" and "Mahabhoj".

The visual language created through various tableaux and images was the high point of the play particularly in a scene where a youngman was shown accomplishing an uphill task of bringing water from a source which was miles deep down.

Now for the Jammu theatre audience and theatre lovers, the play is being performed on April 17 at Abhinav Theatre Jammu. The play is based on a Dogri folk tale "Lade Ladi Da Dhak" and comments on the hollowness of marriage institution despite the rituals of bonding of two individuals through sacred traditions and rituals. He play highlights women’s empowerment specially when new millennium is focussed on women. In this play the protest of a bride is shown against the casual attitude of her groom. In a dramatic situation, the bridegroom is thirsty and is unable to bear and asks for water. The groom instead of trying himself persuades the accompanying Baraties to fetch water for his bride. The repeated requests of the husband are met with a plea that job is impossible to accomplish. In a sequence where a youngman agrees to fetch water,the husband bets with the youngman that if he succeeds in bringing water in one go, the Dulhan will be given to him. The youngman brings water, but dies immediately after Dulhan quenches her thirst. At this moment the Dulhan declares herself as the widow of the youngman. This powerful theme of the play has created lot of vibrations in the theatre circles of Delhi and the experts are of the opinion that this is the most contemporary play based on a folk tale and with some more work, the play is going to be a master piece of Indian Theatre.

The Music of the play composed by Suraj Singh with the help of Brij Mohan was highly appreciative particularly the singing of Mrs Sunita Babu and Mr Suraj Singh. The Delhi audience was over-whelmed by the use of Pahari music in creating the dramatic action of the play.

The lead role of Dulha has been successfully performed by Anil Tickoo and Dulhan by Ms Jaldeep Kaur, who in her maiden performance has proved her worth. The youngman was played by Vikrant Sharma and this role was also appreciated by Delhi audience. Others whose performance was also worth mentioning included Suresh Kumar, Sat Salarbi, Neeraj Kant, Supriya Kohli, Pankaj Sharma, Aanchal Khajuria. Others who performed in the play included Neeraj Jamwal, Sumit Sharma, Gopal Singh Chouhan, Sudhir Kumar, Pawan Sharma, Sunra Babu, Aarushi Thakur, Mohit Sharma, Kabir Babu and Beer Singh.

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Apr 11: Jammu and Kashmir Government has sought an outlay of Rs. 2000 crore for the State’s annual plan for 2001-2002. This includes revenue component of Rs. 806.40 crore and capital component of Rs. 1193.60 crore.

The Chief Secretary, Mr. Ashok Jaitly projected State’s annual plan outlay at the opening session of the 2-day meeting of senior State officers and 7-member team of Planning Commission led by the Principal Advisor, State Plans, Mr. P. K. Mohanty, here today.

Mr. Jaitly said that annual plan should be finalized at the earliest so that development works are executed as per schedule and expenditure monitored accordingly right from the start of financial year.

Giving brief resume of efforts to improve fiscal situation in the State, the Chief Secretary said that the State government has done its best for resource mobilization and the performance of Jammu and Kashmir is best at least among the special category states. He said tax revenue and power tariff collection has increased considerably in the recent years. He said that metering and power tariff collection is being constantly improved.

He called upon the Planning Commission to take up the matter with Union Finance Ministry to meet the non-plan gap of the State. The annual plan allocation has remained static for the last three years and now liberal financial allocations should be made to the State for speeding up tempo of development.

Mr Jaitly said that we do appreciate the financial constraints of Government of India also but at the same time steps are required to meet the developmental needs of Jammu and Kashmir. He referred to Pradhan Mantry Gramodaya Yojna (PMGY) and said there should be some flexibility for the State while implementing the scheme in view of its peculiar developmental needs.

The Chief Secretary said that State is confronted with a serious drought situation due to long dry spell, scanty rains and less snow fall which has affected Rabi crop. As a result, State is facing irrigation and drinking water scarcity, he added and said that Government has formulated a drought action plan which is being sent to the Centre for liberal financial allocation.

The Chief Secretary also stressed for giving focus on employment programme as it is one of the priority areas for the State Government. The Centre should also help the State in a big way to tackle unemployment problem.

He said though State has made much headway in increasing literacy, at the same time, efforts are being made relentlessly to further achieve the objective of universalisation of education.

Mr Mohanty assured that Planning Commission wants to finalise the current financial year’s annual plans of Jammu and Kashmir and other states at the earliest.

He suggested more improvement in collection of power tariff and promotion of literacy. He also appreciated the State for better implementation of MoU signed with the Centre.

The 2-day meet will hold detailed group discussions for finalizing the annual plan for the State for the current year. It will also discuss growth rate, status of implementation of MoU and review physical and financial achievements in key sectors like agriculture, power, irrigation, tourism, education, health, rural development, industries and employment registered during the last two years.

Antodiya scheme effective in JK from this month

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Apr 11: Antodiya Ana Yojana, a Centrally sponsored scheme aimed at to provide ration to the poorest of the poor on concessional rates, is being extended to Jammu and Kashmir from the current months.

This information was given to Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah while being presented a report on proforma accounts of Food and Supplies Department for the year 1998-99.

The report was presented by the Minister of State for Food and Supplies, Mr. Bashir Ahmed Nengroo to the Chief Minister, Commissioner/Secretary, Food and Supplies, Mr. S. R. Kapoor and Director Food and Supplies, Mr. S. C. Jandial were present.

Under Antodiya scheme rice would be provided to the poor of the poorest consumers for Rs. 3 a kilogram and Atta for Rs. 2 a kilogram.

The Proforma Accounts Report has been prepared at the directions of the Chief Minister.

As per the report 15.93 lakh quintals of foodgrain were procured at a cost of Rs. 93.10 crores. Of this, 15.48 lakh quintals were sold at a net cost of Rs. 103.48 crore. Net profit earned during the year amount to Rs. 1.85 crore after providing for the interest element to the tune of Rs. 2.57 crore. From the gross profit earned, over Rs. 6 crores have been incurred on administrative expenses, the report says.

J&K seeks export Development Fund from the Centre

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Apr 11: The Industries and Commerce Minister, Dr. Mustafa Kamal has stressed the need for devising new WTO (world Trade Order) compatible strategies with special attention towards boosting exports in handicrafts, silk fibre, pashmina and carpets and urged the Centre to set up an Export Development Fund for J&K so that export potential in handicraft and handloom sectors is fully tapped.

The Minister was speaking at the one-day conference of Textile Ministers and Secretaries of various States and Union Territories held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi yesterday to deliberate upon Nation Textile Policy.

The conference was inaugurated by the Union Finance Minister, Mr. Yashwant Sinha while the Union Textile Minister, Mr. Kashi Ram Rana presided.

Dr. Kamal also renewed demand of the J&K Government to Central Silk Board for liberal assistance to re-engineer silk sector including establishment of a cocoon bank as recommended by the Godbole committee 1997 so that cocoon produce in J&K are reeled within the State and yarn thus produce is used in the weaving sector. He said, this facility would help the State to increase the value addition of cocoons by about Rs 700 lakhs in yarn and Rs 1600 lakhs if converted into fabrics. This would increase value of the cocoon by more than 100 per cent on yarn and more than 240 per cent on fabrics.

Dr. Kamal also urged the Centre to take early measures per implementation of their recommendation of doctor A.C.H. Prasad , the economic advisor, department of commerce, Government of India.- Committee for boosting exports in handloom, textiles and Handicrafts sector in the J&K State. The measures suggested by the Committee include re-opening the office of Textile Commissioner in Srinagar, interest free loan to exporters for installation of computers with ERP system for easier design development and colour combination for exports, duty free import of silk yarn to promote Kashmir Silk rugs, setting up of modern facilities for spinning of silk and wool yarn in the rates of 50 is to 50, 70 is to 30 and 60 is to 40 to meet the demand of mixed yarn carpets being recent trend in the international market.

Dr Kamal said that the service centre at Delhi is mostly focussed on cotton fabrics whileas the J&K is a woolen producing State and hence needs a separate weavers service centre. The Minister also requested the Union Ministry of Small Scale Industries to declare the carpet craft as village and cottage industry like Pashmina as carpet industry is major handicraft sector of J&K State and is the main source of foreign exchange. He said this craft is mostly adopted by poor sections of the society living in rural areas.

Dr. Kamal thanked Union Government for extending Deendayal Hathkarga Protsan Yojna to Baramulla and Udhampur districts of the J&K State for which an amount of Rs 99.10 lakhs has been sanctioned. For revival of militancy damaged infrastructure Dr. Kamaal pleaded that the J&K State deserves special dispensation keeping in view its locational disadvantage and economic backwardness.

Dr. Kamal said, several measures have been taken for development of cocoon production, productivity and quality of various varieties including propagation of high yielding mulberry varieties and use of improved silk worm races for production of high quality seeds as well as adoption of disease management technology. As a result of these measures the cocoon production has increased from 650 MT in 1995-96 to 890 MTs in 2000-2001. The production of silk-worm seed has increased from 24 kg per oz in 1995-96 to 33kgs per oz in 2000-2001. Similarly, the raw silk production in private sector increased from 07 MT during 1996-1997 to about 20 MT during 2000-2001. The State envisages to strengthened infrastructure for producing about 2000 MT of cocoons by end of 2010, Dr. Kamaal added.

The Minister was accompanied by the Director Sericulture, Managing Director, Handloom Development Corporation and Deputy General Manager, Handloom Development Corporation.

No room for hatred-violence in civilized society: Kamaal

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Apr 11: The Industries and Commerce Minister, Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal called upon the teaching community to strive hard for inculcating spirit of peace, love and religion tolerance among the students adding that there is no room for hatred and violence in a civilized society.

Speaking at the Mother’s day function organised by the Lawrance Public School Jammu in memory of Madr-e-Meharban, Begum Akbar Jehan at Abinav Theatre here this evening, the Minister said that the biggest challenge facing humanity at present is violence, intolerance and gun cult and all civilized people should join hands to eliminate this ugly menace from the society. Besides, the teaching community should also create massive awareness among the students about the conservation of environment as the ever increasing pollution have assumed an alarming proportion.

The Minister also highlighted the role and responsibilities of mother in all round development of the personality of a child and asked parents to devote their time towards their wards so that their energies get channelized in proper supervision and direction.

The Minister also gave away awards and prizes among the students of the school for their outstanding performance in academic and extra-curricular activities.

Dr. Kamal also released the annual magazine of the school "NIVIDA" which has been dedicated to Madr-e-Meharban Begum Akbar Jahen.

The Chairman, J&K Board of School Education, Prof. A. M. Charoo also spoke on the occasion and revealed that the Government was soon going to introduce new syllabus in schools with a view to lower the burden of book load on tiny tots. He expressed his concern over the extra ordinary load of books on children.

He said education system in the J&K State is being taken towards a new and forward direction adding that the Union Ministry for Human Resource Development has send a document to the State for adopting a national curriculum. He said new education policy would take care of the students who are weak in Mathematics and provide them alternative lines.

Mr. Charoo expressed his concern over negligence on the part of parents towards their children adding that "children do not need only money for education but require love and care" also.

Earlier, the students of the school presented a colourful and entertaining cultural programme on the occasion.

PPEU delegation meets Power Minister

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 11: A delegation of Provincial Power Employees Union (PPEU) led by Mr Shakti Gupta today met Minister for Power, S S Salathia to apprise him about the collection of maximum revenue upto March 2001.

It was pointed that the present collection of the revenue was rupees 20 crore excess than that of previous financial year. Mr Gupta said that maximum illegal connections were regularised which added to the revenue collection.

The delegation was informed by the Minister that the seasonal rates for air conditioners shall be rupees 6,000 for domestic purposes and rupees 12,000 per season for the commercial purpose. The Minister advised Mr Gupta to get the connections of ACs regularised in all cases which also include bureaucrats and high police officers.

The PPEU president apprised the Minister about the Government order number 134, dated April 3, 2001 which pertains to the benefit of ITI trained Matriculate employees. It was demanded that all ITI holders with Matriculation who don’t get the benefit under this order, should also get the same. It was stressed that as per SRO 149 category-B, all those employees who have completed seven years of service in PDD, may also be benefited and covered under this SRO.

A PPEU release issued where said that the Minister assured the delegation that the genuine demands of the employees will be looked into sympathetically.

Among others who comprised the delegation included Bashir Ahmad Salaria, Satya Paul Sharma, Rajan Babu, Ashok Kowal, Joginder Singh, Rajinder Kumar, Koshal Sharma, Rakesh Gupta, Ashwani Kumar, Harsh Bali, Harbans Singh and Subash Gupta.

| home | state | national | business| editorial | advertisement | sports |
| international | weather | mailbag | suggestions | search | subscribe | send mail |