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| RSS forcefully demands removal of Farooq
Govt Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 10: Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh pradesh unit has strongly criticised the State Administration for its alleged failure to protect......more Lucrative
jobs in civil sector From B L Kak NEW DELHI, Aug 10: The Government of India is confronted with a serious situation, arising from the continuing shortfall in the intake.....more JKLF on
diplomatic Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Aug 10: The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has sent a delegation of its senior members to United Nations (UN) in Geneva.......more Furnish
names within 10 days Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 10: Justice (Retd) O P Sharma, holding One Man Commission of Enquiry into the incident of firing at Haigam, Sopore, has directed General Officer.......more Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Aug 10: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today discussed problems faced to Sikh community in Kashmir valley......more |
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Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Aug 10: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today favoured formation of a committee for upkeep of temples in the Kashmir........more HC issues
arrest Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 10: Justice R C Gandhi of the State High Court has issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Farooq Shah, Secretary .......more Kerosene
oil dealers Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 10: Kerosene Oil Retail Dealers Association in a meeting under the presidentship of Mr Tilak Raj Mahajan, decided unanimously to on indefinite strike from August 13......more SRTC
BoD meeting Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR Aug.10: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today expressed concern over dismal performance of public sector undertakings in the State and called for streneous efforts of workers and..........more |
RSS forcefully demands removal of Farooq Govt Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 10: Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh pradesh unit has strongly criticised the State Administration for its alleged failure to protect the life and property of the people in the state. As per a release, a meeting of the members of the RSS was held here today under the chairmanship Mr Indresh Kumar. The meeting took stock of the situation prevailing in the state and Jammu city. Mr Indresh while speaking in the meeting strongly condemned the attack by militants in which several innocent persons were killed at Jammu Railway station. It was observed by the members whenever, Farooq Abdullah speaks of Autonomy many precious lives are lost. The Chief Minister who is also chief of Unified Command has failed to control the terrorism and is not only competent to handle proxy war perpetuated by Pakistan but his role is also dubious in this regard. The state unit of RSS forcefully demanded to dismissal of Farooq led National Conference Government in J&K and imposition of President’s rule in the state. The present Governor should be replaced immediately and a strong and tough person be appointed as Governor in trouble-hit state. The meeting urged that Central leaders either in Government or in Opposition should come out with practical steps to curb the terrorism. Centre should take stern action against terrorists and to respect the feeling of the public should destroy the terrorist training camps so that people of the state live in peace, dignity and honour. Otherwise the prevailing situation will result in migration from Jammu region too, which ultimately will disastrous for the unity and integrity of the country. While appreciating the daredevil action of Lance Naik Suresh Kumar of 9 JAK Rifles who averted the ghastly action of terrorists by killing one of them, it was resolved that all such brave acts by our forces, VDC members or by any other should be rewarded suitably and Suresh Kumar should be rewarded honoured by a gallantry award. The meeting concluded with pray for the peace of departed souls and consolation to the bereaved families. Prominent among those present in the meeting included—Messers Kumarji, Prant Sah Sangh Chalak, Satya Pal, Banarsi Dass, K L Bhatia, Rakesh Kumar, Sudesh Pal and Satish Kumar. |
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Lucrative
jobs in civil sector From B L Kak NEW DELHI, Aug 10: The Government of India is confronted with a serious situation, arising from the continuing shortfall in the intake of defence personnel for the Army, Air Force and Navy. The three Services have already launched aggressive image projection campaigns. But people, particularly the youth, have been found hesitant to join the Indian defence establishment. Reason: The lucrative job opportunities in the civil sector, defence analysts have confirmed, have made the youth stay away from the three Services. This phenomenon has been termed as " quite disturbing". Equally disturbing is the situation, arising from the move by an increasing number of defence personnel including officers seeking voluntary retirement. This trend, if allowed to remain un-checked, would definitely create a serious shortage of defence personnel at all levels in the three Services. The Defence Minister, Mr Jaswant Singh, and top echelons in the Army, the Air Force and the Navy do not deny the fact that with the opening up of the economy leading to "new vistas of lucrative jobs" in the civil sector, there has been some impact on the youths’ preference for a career in the Services. A career in the Armed Forces is generally considered as risky and hazardous. The Government has noted that while there has been a sharp increase in the shortfall of men being recruited in the Air Force and the Navy, the Army managed to cut down the shortfall to 37 per cent in 1999 and to 26 per cent in 2000. The shortfall in the Navy was about 38 per cent in 1998. It came down to 29 per cent in 1999 and 28 per cent in 2000. The scenario in the Air Force is certainly not encouraging. According to observers, the Air Force is in "great trouble" , with the per centage in shortfall increasing from 33 per cent in 1998 to more than 45 per cent in 2000. Statistics available with the Defence Ministry reveal that more that 40,000 personnel retire from the Army in 1998. The number of retired personnel substantially increased to well over 58,000 in 2000. In 1998, 2700 personnel retired from Navy. The number rose to over 4000 in 1999 as against 2822 in the year 2000. As many as 2370 men retired from the IAF in 1998. The figure rose to 3316 in 1999. The year 2000 saw upward trend with more than 4800 men seeking retirement. Meanwhile the Defence Minister and Gen S Padmanabhan, Chief of the Army Staff, are reported to have seen set thinking anew, with the bitter criticism by a retired Army officer, Lt Gen Vinay Shankar, against the Indian Army for being what he termed as "mute and hapless witness to a growing crisis in its command structure". A top Government source told EXCELSIOR on Friday that Mr Jaswant Singh was found a bit disturbed, after going through a write-up authored by Lt Gen Vinay Shankar. Lt Gen Shankar’s finding number one: Neither those whose business it is to ensure that the Army’s efficiency is maintained at a level which is in consonance with the nation’s security requirements, not those who are expected to function as watch dogs over the country’s pivotal institutions.The problem, he has noted with a measure of dissatisfaction is certainly serious. Especially, when viewed against the backdrop of the nation’s security environment and the Army’s operating conditions. Finding number two: The first organisational problem that is having an adverse impact on the cutting edge of the Army is the deficiency of officers. The Army has helplessly watched this deficiency grow from the mid-‘70s. Finding number three: Equally serious problem is the aging of officers at critical levels of command—company, Battalion and brigade. Age has a direct bearing on physical fitness, drive and daring. Finding number four: The occasional tinkering with the selection process has only succeeded in causing dissatisfaction amongst officers without any meaningful gains for the purpose that the selection percentages were reduced. Finding number five: An then there is the spill over problem of carrying a large number of demotivated officers on account of their supersession. Such officers in direct command of troops can have an undesirable effect on their discipline and morale. |
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JKLF on diplomatic mission in Geneva Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Aug 10: The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has sent a delegation of its senior members to United Nations (UN) in Geneva to participate in the 53rd session of the UN Subcommission on Human Rights. The delegation is headed by Mr Abdul Majid Tramboo and among its other members include Usman Raheem Ahmed. A JKLF handout issued here today said, its chairman Yasin Malik has sent the delegation on a diplomatic mission to Geneva to increase awareness and support for the struggle of independence in Kashmir and to elicit the effective attention of UN Human Rights body towards the plight of people of Jammu and Kashmir. The delegation will be making a number of interventions before the Subcommission informing the United Nations about the plight of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the context of international law including the UN Frameworks on human rights and fundamental freedoms, admission of justice, economic, social and cultural rights and the protection of indigenous people, the statement said. It further added that JKLF delegation will be meeting diplomats from a number of important countries to apprise them about the plight of the people of J&K and discuss with them the potentials for the solution of the Kashmir dispute through the restoration of sovereign independence to Jammu and Kashmir. |
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Furnish
names within 10 days Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 10: Justice (Retd) O P Sharma, holding One Man Commission of Enquiry into the incident of firing at Haigam, Sopore, has directed General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 15 Corps to furnish the particulars of the Officer/Officers involved in this firing incident within 10 days. The incident had taken place on February 15, 2001 in which five persons were killed and many others injured when Army resorted to firing to disperse a crowd at village Haigam, near Sopore. While issuing directions , Justice Sharma observed that the Commission after examining the affidavits and other documents, found that it was necessary to inquire into the conduct of the officers concerned who fired/directed firing on the crowd at Haigam near Sopore. Accordingly, notice under section 10 was despatched with covering letter to GOC 15 Corps on April 30, requesting him to serve the same on the said officer(s). This notice was, however, returned on the plea that it didn’t bear the address of the officer concerned and therefore, same could not be served. Although, this was not expected from GOC, yet it was ignored and fresh notice issued on June 19, 2001, requesting GOC to furnish the name and address of the officer, who according to the statement made by Lt Gen J R Mukerjee to the press on February 18, 2001, had directed controlled firing on the crowd. It was significant that in response of the notice of April 30, 2001, the GOC vide letter dated May 8, 2001 sought four weeks time to place the Army case before the Commission, because of absence of the counsel. Again, on July 5, 2001, further time was sought before filing its report and same was granted. However, this application was filed without disclosing the name and address of the Officer who is said to have directed opening of firing at Haigam. "Why the GOC is reluctant to disclose the name of the officer concerned when Col T Prashad and Anil Bhan, SCGSC have admitted that internal inquiry on the basis of the promise held out by then Lt Gen is going on, is not understandable. As a matter of fact the applicant should have explained to Commission the nature of inquiry and the stage at which it stood on that date. But even the information was not being furnished. Justice Sharma took serious note against the attitude of the Army authorities and said that neither GOC is defending the officer concerned, nor the officer is being allowed to defend himself. Since the notice issued to GOC was only to furnish the name and particulars of the officer concerned, therefore, the scope of inquiry was limited to conduct of the particular officer or officers involved. There was no mighty reason for GOC not to have disclosed the address and particulars of the officer concerned so that he could appear before the Commission to explain his position of all the circumstances leading to the incident of firing of individual act has to be justified by an individual in absence of any order from the Army Headquarters that any number of Army Force can open fire at any place at any time on any one without justification. Such an order will militate against the mandate of Section 4 of the Armed Force (Special Powers Act 1990). With these observations, Justice Sharma rejected the application questioning the jurisdiction of the Commission and applicant was directed to furnish the particulars of the Officer/Officers concerned within 10 days and the proceedings were adjourned till August 27, 2001. |
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Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Aug 10: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today discussed problems faced to Sikh community in Kashmir valley at a high level meeting of the ministers, officers and representatives of various Sikh organisations. The issues discussed included representation to Sikhs in democratic institutions, statutory bodies, professional educational institutions, promotion of Punjabi language, employment and various welfare measures. Delegates of Sikhs at a meeting raised the issues with the Chief Minister here last evening. In all, 253 representatives of various Sikh organisations had participated. The meeting also discussed the issue of grant-in-aid to Khalsa High School in Srinagar, issue of state subject certificates expeditiously, removal of unauthorized Khokhas around Amirakadal Gurdwara, development of areas inhabited by Sikhs On the issue of alleged deletion of villagers’ rights from revenue records, it was decided that the Revenue Minister will issue instructions to revenue agency not to delete any chullah or interfere with the entries in the girdawaries pertaining to Sikh community. The memorandum presented by the community came up for discussion at the meeting, attended by Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Mr Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah, Minister for Education, Mr Mohammad Shafi, Minister for Finance, Mr Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister for Revenue, Mr Abdul Qayum, Minister for Agriculture, Choudhry Mohammad Ramzan, Minister for Sports, Labour and Employment, S Harbans Singh and Minister of State for Home Mr M A Lone. Chief Secretary Mr Ashok Jaitly, senior civil and police officers were also present in the meeting. |
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Farooq for committee for
upkeep of Valley temples Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Aug 10: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today favoured formation of a committee for upkeep of temples in the Kashmir valley. Responding to the suggestion putforth by a core group of migrants at a meeting convened by him, the Chief Minister said that possibilities for setting up a panel for management of temples in the Valley will be examined. He announced that a three-member committee, with himself as its chairman, will take stock of the conditions of various temples in the Valley and take immediate measures for their renovation and upkeep. Mr P N Taku, President Durganagh Trust will be its Vice Chairman and Prof Satish Raina, Advisor to CM on Minority Affairs as the Secretary. Referring to the constitution of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, Dr. Abdullah said the step would greatly help in improving the facilities at the cave shrine and track from Pahalgam. He said the offerings during the just concluded pilgrimage have been valued at over Rs one crore. The Chief Minister gave on the spot instructions for mitigating the problems of the Valley based minority community and said all efforts would be made for redressing their grievances. On the points raised by the migrants, the Chief Minister said that he would pursue with the Union Home and Finance Ministers the issue regarding enhancement of their cash relief, which is already pending with the Centre. He said the demand for hike in cash relief is genuine the State Government will raise it at appropriate levels again. He said the problems pertaining to essential services in various migrant camps would be redressed immediately and asked the Works Minister Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar to visit Jammu for taking stock of the pace of progress on various water supply schemes especially at Batalballian camp. Dr Abdullah noted with satisfaction the disposal of cases pertaining to payment of ex-gratia relief to gutted migrant property in the Valley. Over Rs 35 crore have been disbursed so far to 4453 families whose dwelling units etc were burnt during militancy. He asked the Divisional Commissioner to dispose of remaining 253 cases also and said that the issue pertaining to unauthorised occupation of migrants’ property would be looked into earnestly. The Chief Minister asked the relief organisation to prepare a blue print for constructing multi storey complexes with two-room flats for replacing the dome-type structures that have developed leaks at Muthi. He said he will take up this issue with the centre. He said he will be himself visiting migrant camps next week. The Chief Secretary while speaking on the occasion asked the migrant organisations to set up committees in each camp and undertake various works with their consultation. The migrants must get a chance to fix priorities. The meeting was attended by the Minister for Finance, Mr Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister for Revenue Mr Abdul Qayum, Minister for Works Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar, Chief Secretary, Mr Ashok Jaitly, Advisor to CM on Minority Affairs, Prof Satish Raina, Financial Commissioner Revenue Mr S D Singh, Commissioner/Secretary Revenue, Mr A. R. Parray, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Mr Khursheed Ahmed, Relief Commissioner (Migrants) Mr Dilip Singh and others. Representatives of the migrants including Mr P N Taku and Mr A N Vaishnavi were also present. The issues discussed included promotion of migrant employees, grant of various benefits, postings, health, water and power supply, settlement of pension and GPF cases, on-the-spot recruitment of migrant youth in police and other services, accommodation and leftover property in the Valley. |
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HC issues arrest warrants against SSRB Secretary Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 10: Justice R C Gandhi of the State High Court has issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Farooq Shah, Secretary J&K Services Selection Recruitment Board (SSRB) for violating the court directions. The Court, on August 3 had observed that non-filing of affidavits by the Secretary as well as Principal Secretary to Government Education Department had stalled the court proceedings. "The conduct of these officers is quite contemptuous. They are directed to surrender before the court on August 10, 2001", the court had ordered. However, when the case was taken up today, Shah didn’t appear. Non-bailable warrants were issued against him and the same sent to SSP Srinagar for execution and to secure Shah’s presence on August 14. Princy Bhat and others had filed contempt petition , wherein it was mentioned that the respondents had not t implemented the judgment of the court dated December 30, 1999. |
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Kerosene oil dealers to go on indefinite strike from Aug 13 Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 10: Kerosene Oil Retail Dealers Association in a meeting under the presidentship of Mr Tilak Raj Mahajan, decided unanimously to on indefinite strike from August 13 to protest against un-lawful Government order directing them to sell K Oil to the residents of only their concerned areas who are holding valid ration cards. As per a release the decision to go on strike was taken on the advice of Mr Sunil Malhotra, chairman after consultation with all members. The association said the dealers were helpless as they are to face the masses that too without any proper security to them. Association appealed all the dealers not to lift any quota allotted to them till any unanimous decision was taken by it. Through another unanimous decision a 31 member adhoc committee was framed to help the president with Mr Rattan Lal Sharma as advisor, Mrs Swarn Jain as senior vice president, S Kulbir Singh as vice president, Sunil Malhotra as chairman, Dalip Gupta as general secretary, Suresh Kumar, Tanvir Akhtar, Sikander Jain, S Manjit Singh, S Sukhbir Singh and S Surinder Singh as secretaries, Vijay Gupta as office secretary, Pradeep Gupta as propaganda secretary, Madan Lal Sharma, Kuldeep Sharma and Ashok Kumar Sodhi as deputy secretaries. The members are Messrs Ludhar Mani, Kulbhushan Gupta, Prem Sharma, Pawan Sharma, Bodh Raj, Ishar Dass, Mrs Shanti Gupta, Madan Lal, Mrs Indra Malhotra, Arun Khosla, Ram Paul, S Harbhajan Singh, Vijay Gupta and Vimal Kumar. |
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SRTC BoD meeting Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR Aug.10: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today expressed concern over dismal performance of public sector undertakings in the State and called for streneous efforts of workers and the management to bring these out of red otherwise the precious public funds would continue to go down the drain. Chairing the meeting of the Board of Directors of State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) the Chief Minister asked why the private sector flourishes leaps and bounds and the public sector continues to be in red. This trend must be checked, as the Government can not afford to bear the huge recurring losses, he added. He said despite pumping into the SRTC over Rs 31 crore periodically, the returns are quite dismal. The work force of the corporation, he said, must ponder over this sorry state of affair and put in their best to bring it on the track. Unless the PSUs earn for themselves at least, these will continue to be the white elephant for the Government. Dr Abdullah said while there are dedicated and zealous workers in every sphere, but black sheep and sharks negate their good work and eat up the very vitals of their own organisations, which provide them sustenance. The Chief Minister, however, appreciated the efforts to steer the SRTC to health in past over two years and added that no stone must be left unturned to plug the loopholes in its functioning. He asked the Transport Minister Mr Ajatshatru Singh to convene a meeting of the Transport Ministers of Northern states for taking a view about the functioning of state-run transport sector, freight structure etc. Earlier the Minister for Transport and Information, Mr. Ajatshatru Singh, who is also the Chairman of the Corporation, said that despite 45 days strike by the employees of the Corporation, it has earned a revenue of Rs. 44.14 crore last year. The Corporation suffered a loss of Rs. 6 crore due to strike. He said the cash losses of the Corporation have been brought down to Rs. 17.92 crore in 1999-2000 from Rs. 20.27 crore in 1998-99. With the improvement in the functioning of the Corporation the fleet utilisation improved to 64 per cent last year against 55 per cent in 1996-97. The physical performance also showed increase of 13 lac kms last year. It went upto 326.28 lac kms against 313.96 kms in 1999-2000. The Finance Minister Mr Abdul Rahim Rather was present in the meeting. He asked the corporation to nominate an officer for collection of recoveries from the departments under arrears. This will help in improving the revenue component of the corporation, enabling it to liquidate loans etc. in time. The Board, however, expressed satisfaction for increasing its fuel efficiency which has gone up to 3.81 KMPL in 2000-01 from 3.60 in 1997-98,better than all State Road Transport Undertakings in the hill regions of Northern States. The Corporation has repaid Rs.14 crores out of its own resources towards the outstanding loans for the first time .It has also brought down the vehicle-staff ratio to a great extent. For effecting recovery Rs.6 crore outstanding against various departments, it was decided that the issue would be sorted out by the Finance Minister. The Board directed the management to deploy on duty one of its officers for ensuring recovery of outstandings. The Board decided to constitute a committee to examine the issue of grant of pensionary benefits to the Corporation employees. It directed the Managing Director to evaluate the cost for purchase of two tyre-retarding plants, one each at Srinagar and Jammu. Among those present in the meeting were the Financial Commissioner, Finance, Mr J A Khan and Commissioner/Secretary Transport and Information, Mr Mushtaq Ahmed. |
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Shafi for achieving academic excellence in polytechnics Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Aug 10: The Minister for Education, Mr. Mohammad Shafi yesterday expressed concern over poor results in polytechnics, saying that despite best efforts of the government the performance of these institutions is nowhere near expectations. The Minister was addressing a meeting with the heads of polytechnics to analyze the factors responsible for the poor performance of polytechnics. Mr. Shafi said that the technical institutions must be able to produce the quality professionals who are competent enough to be absorbed in jobs immediately. He said that they must try to search for the market orientation and requirement of industries. Pointing mere 20 per cent pass percentage of the Civil, Mechanical and Electrical engineering diplomas from polytechnics, Mr. Shafi said that the stagnant position of the results must change now. He stressed the need for enabling the polytechnics to project themselves as standard institutes of learning in the State. He said that the miracles are not expected but a beginning must take place by analyzing the factors responsible for the lack of performance of the students. Periodical inspection of the institutions is essential in this regard, he added. Mr. Shafi said that the failures should be treated with concrete positive efforts and not with fake justifications. The Minister discussed with the heads of the polytechnics the problems faced by them and the reasons behind dissatisfactory performance. He said that it is the responsibility of the Government to ensure quality results from the educational institutions and for that all possible efforts would be made. The Minister assured provision of infrastructure and other facilities to the polytechnics to modernize and diversify the technical education. He added that the whole procedure of admissions and conduct of examination has been streamlined. Besides regular studies in the educational institutions has been ensured. With the new schemes adopted by the department the time lag is completely eliminated during academic session. Mr. Shafi said that the quality input of students in polytechnics is essential to achieve good output from them. Administrative failures must be completely eliminated from the system. The schools should provide strong foundation to the students so that they successfully carry on with their graduation courses and compete in the competitive examination. Mr. Shafi stressed the need for creating educational atmosphere for which the involvement of teaching staff in ensuring good results is essential. Mr. Shafi said that the polytechnics must concentrate on attendance and should make a practice to conduct the exams only after completing the syllabus. He said that the lack of proper facilities for students in private polytechnics will not be tolerated. They are bound to spend 60 per cent of their earnings on salaries and at the same time must not charge the students excessively, the Minister added. Curriculum analysis, career counseling of students, introduction of semester system, need for moderation of question papers, remedial teachings and some other similar issues were also discussed in the meeting. The Commissioner/Secretary, Education, Mr. Vijay Bakaya, Director Technical Education, Mrs. Masooda Yasin and many other higher officials of the education department were present in the meeting. |
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Sheep units on 50%
subsidy to shepherds Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Aug 10: The Jammu and Kashmir Government is vigorously pursuing with the Centre to declare Chopans of the State as Scheduled Tribe. The Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Ch. Mohammed Ramzan stated this during a meeting with a deputation of the J&K Chopan Welfare Association, who called on him here today. The Association presented a memorandum listing various demands of the community. Ch. Ramzan said that the Government has already taken up the matter with the Centre for declaring the Chopan community as Scheduled Tribe on the pattern of Gaddies of the State. He said the Centre is being requested again to take immediate decision in the matter so that a population of nearly 3.50 lakh Chopans could avail benefits that are available to Gaddies and other Scheduled Tribe community in the State. The Minister assured the deputationists that Government would provide sheep units to Chopan community on 50 per cent subsidy. Referring to the demand for appointment in Sheep Husbandry Department, the Minister said that preference would be given to the candidates belonging to the community while making appointments of Shepherds in Sheep and Animal Husbandry Departments. He asked the Director Sheep Husbandry, Kashmir to examine the possibility of providing free medicare to the live stock during its grazing in high land pastures. The other demands listed include provision of insurance cover to the livestock, besides grant of financial assistance under Indira Awas Yojana for construction of residential houses. The Commissioner -Secretary Animal and Sheep Husbandry Mr. R.L.Bharti, Director Sheep Husbandry and Joint Director Animal Husbandry, Kashmir were also present. |
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Measures
discussed for improvement of Excelsior Correspondent LEH, Aug 10: In order to identify the root cause of poor performance in the education system in Ladakh and to find out appropriate solution for bringing improvement in the system , a meeting of the District Education Committee, All Ladakh Students Union, and LAHDC was held here on Thursday. The meeting was chaired by Chief Executive Councillor, Mr Thupstan Chhewang. The representatives of All Ladakh Teachers Association were also present in the meeting besides heads of Education Department and representatives of some NGOs. In his address Mr Chhewang strongly appealed to the participants to share equal responsibility. He particularly asked those who are directly associated with the implementation of education policies in the district to find out various ways and means to remove the defects in the education system. He said the LAHDC has been giving the top priority to the Education Sector for bringing qualitative improvement in the education system since its inception in 1995. After threabare discussions on various issues for bringing improvement in the education system, the meeting decided to submit a memorandum to the State Chief Minister for initaiting appropriate measure for improvement in the system. The meeting also decided to constitute a five member Study Committee to undertake in depth investigation into the reasons for continued poor performance at the 10th standard examinations and other levels. The Committee will also identify the cause of poor performance of education system of the region and thereby recommend the comprehensive measures to bring significant improvement in the achievement rates in education at various levels. |
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Forgery in service
book by KGP staff From Aijaz Hussain SRINAGAR, Aug 10: Throwing all official norms and rules to winds, some officials at Kashmir Government Polytechnic (KGP) College, Srinagar have allegedly forged the service book of a retired professor who has put in over three decades of service in the making of the Institution. Even the pension case of this veteran teacher and former Head of the Department (HoD), Automobile Engineering, Mr Sheikh Ashraf Majeed has not been settled during the last two years. While talking to Excelsior, Sheikh Ashraf alleged that damaging entries were made in his service book well after his retirement by some officials at KGP. "I came to know it only when I approached the Accountant General’s Office Srinagar for restoration of my service book as advised to me by the office staff of the college in connection with the settlement of my leave salary and payment", he revealed. Sheikh who claimed to produce the documentary evidence to prove the forgery of his service book said "I have Xeroxed my service book and got it attested by Notary in J&K State High Court before the records on the page 14 were mutated." He said that he had submitted the written representation to many government functionaries in this regard. "I have even met the Governor and narrated him the whole affair," he added. He alleged that though it has been established that the officials are guilty of forgery, they have all gone scot free. Having served the KGP in the Department of Automobile Engineering as its Head, Mr Sheikh apart from being professional par excellence, has also outstanding contribution in the extra curricular activities of the college. He while expressing serious concern over the act of the office staff, said besides his service book, students and most of the college staff were witness to his meritorious services. "But unfortunately, in this part of land one has to perish for his honesty," he exclaimed. "The only sin I have committed is that I have been honest, dedicated and indefatigable in my approach", he claimed. Mr Sheikh demanded immediate action of higher authorities in this regard so that he is not to made suffer more. Efforts to contact the KGP authorities failed as none of the senior officials was available for comments. Mr Sheikh has been running from pillar to post for settlement of his pension case and other post retirement benefits inspite of the fact that there is no fault at his end. The guidelines of the Ministry of Personnel in the Union Government as also the State Government’s clear cut instructions make it obligatory on the Department to settle the cases of retiring officials within six months after the attainment of superannuation. |
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PHE employees hold protest dharna at Udhampur Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Aug 10: A dharna of PHE Employees Association was held at sub-office Chenani in which employees from Latti, Duna, Mantalai, Sudhmahadev, Sarmoli, Kud, Patnitop and other areas participated. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Mr Som Nath, district president PHE who is also INTUC chief of the district Udhampur. According to a press release, Mr Som Nath, while addressing the dharna, strongly condemned the state government for its failure on all fronts to solve the long pending demands of the employees despite giving assurances time and again. He criticised the State Government for changing government departments into private companies where no labour rule being adopted. He appealed to the government employees to be ready and united to check the mean desires of the government for discriminating with employees. Employees demanded reglarisation of daily wagers under SRO 64 according to which all daily wagers who have completed seven years of services should be regularised. Keeping in view the hike in the prices of the essential commodities enhancement of wages of daily wagers from Rs 60 per month of Rs 100 per month also demanded. Employees flayed the state government for its failure to release pay of the employees in time. 2 and half day salary under essential service act was also demanded for the all categories of employees of the PHE. Employees also demanded maintenance of GP Fund accounts of government employees with improved service and issuance of updated balance sheets to individuals. Messrs Jagdish Magotra, Raj Krishan, Des Raj, Girdhari Lal, Darwara Singh, Govind Ram, Mohammed Sharif, Kapoor Singh, Noor Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed and others also addressed the employees. |
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| Shah visits GMC, inquires about
conditions of firing victims Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 10: The Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDF) chief Shabir Ahmed Shah today visited the Jammu Medical College and inquired about the health of those who were injured in the Tuesday night’s railway station firing. Shah expressed sympathy with them. According to a press release, he described the firing incident as cruel and in-human and aimed at creating communal divide among the masses in J&K State. While appreciating the people of Jammu region for maintaining communal harmony despite gravest provocations, he cautioned that the promulgation of disturbed act in Jammu region is aimed at consolidating the authoritarian and puppet regime of Dr Farooq Abdullah and deprive the people of their minimum basic fundamental rights. Mr Shah condemned the killing of innocent and unarmed people to whicheven faith and religion they belong to and cautioned that certain vested interest and communal elements are hell bent to disturb the communal harmony in J&K. He appealed to the intellectuals, writers, poets, lawyers to come forward and contribute for meaningful role in evolving a lasting solution to the Jammu and Kashmir problem. |
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