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Haque to approach HC to
seek justice Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 19: After eight months of severe mental and physical torture in alleged ‘illegal’ custody ....more Vested interests trying divide people" Slathia Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Aug 19: Minister for Power, Mr.S.S.Slathia today said the state has ushered in an era of progress...more ST
realisations Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Aug 19: The tax collections by the Sales Tax Department in the State have touched Rs.97.67 ..more Excelsior Correspondent Udhampur, Aug 19: The Minister for Forests and Environment, Peerzada Ghulam Ahmed Shah inaugurated Sub Office building of Integrated Watershed Development.....more Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Aug 19: The Minister for Information and Transport, Mr Ajatshatru Singh today called upon newly constituted Panchyats to shoulder their......more |
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Indira Colony residents ransack Power House Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 19: Enraged over unscheduled power curtailment during unbearable heat, residents of Indira Colony Janipur ransacked office ........more Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Aug 19: A high level meeting of executive members of Koshur Markaz and Kashmiri writers and poets .....more Democratic Movement holds one day rally at Kathua Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Aug 19: The Democratic Movement (a registered political party) held one day cadre correspondent at ....more By Gopal Sharma The Government is planning to constitute Forest Development Committees for the over all development......more |
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Haque to approach HC to seek justice
Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 19: After eight months of severe mental and physical torture in alleged ‘illegal’ custody of the Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Punjab Police, a Jammu University student, Mehmood-ul-Haque has demanded CBI inquiry into his implication by police in false cases which they could not prove in court and stern action against those policemen who are indulging in third degree methods and implicating innocents in their mad race for medals and out of turn promotions. A regular student of Urdu Department in Jammu University, Mr Hque was mysterious picked up in a Police Gypsy from the university gate in December last year. The issue remained talk of the town and Campus for several months. The family members and the University authorities raised huge hue and cry over the issue. Not only this, the issue was raised by some legislators in the J&K Assembly. Interestingly, the police remained tight lipped and never disclosed his whereabouts after it was established from the police sources that he had been picked up by SOG men. Talking to Media-persons at a press conference here today, the boy exposed the high-handedness and the acts of some SOG men who have let loose the reign of terror among the people and even indulging in settling personal scores. Mehmood too, was victim of one of such case. He alleged that behind this entire episode a lady police inspector- Shahida and a DSP from Rajouri and presently posted at Jammu city South, manipulated the entire case and spoiled his career. He said such officers are responsible for forcing the students and innocents to turn criminals or militants. He was implicated because of the reason that he had refused a marriage offer from lady police officer of his community in Rajouri and he had to pay the price. She in connivance with DSP, Lone had threatened to teach a lesson and they would go to such an extent, he had never thought of it. Mr Haque, who is already a post-graduate in Geography, was residing in Channi Himmat police quarters with his elder brother who is working as Head Constable and is presently posted at Jammu Airport with SP Anti-Hijacking Amjad Parvez Mirza. His elder brother is SI in SOG Kashmir and his services are laudable. He further alleged that on the instructions of these two officers, he was lifted on December 21, 2000 from University gate by Jammu SOG team, blind-folded and after keeping at Jammu for a couple of days, he was taken to Rajouri. Narrating his tale of woe he further disclosed that lady police officer use to keep him in private isolated houses/ hideouts and not in the police station. He was beaten up mercilessly, tortured and forced to accept that he was involved in militancy cases, smuggling arms and ammunition, etc. He was even threatened that even no prophet can come to his rescue and he will be implicated in such cases that he will never come out of jail. Some intelligence officials came to know about the acts of SOG men and they submitted some reports to their seniors. This went into my favour, otherwise I would have been eliminated in fake encounter. But they could not do it here and even failed to prove cases against me. They indulged in yet another dubious plan to shift me to Batala as they connived with a Punjab police party which had come to Jammu from Batala in March this year in connection with some case. " I was handed over to Punjab police and taken to Batala. After keeping me there for a couple of days near Ramnavmi festival, SHO Hargobindpur Police Station and DSP Baldev Singh of Punjab Police enacted a false story and threw dust into the eyes of top police brass by claiming that they arrested three top Pakistani militants and alongwith arms and ammunition." The police also claimed that militants had planed to strike on the eve of Ramnavmi festival. He said that two others shown as my associates were strangers to me and I had never met them earlier. The police failed to prove any case against me. They even then connected me with a blast case at Hoshiyarpur. He said that in his life he has never been to Hoshiyarpur and never indulged in such activities. During his stay in custody he came into the contact of a few Shiv Sena workers who had also been detained in a petty case. He narrated his entire tale to them and City vice president Shiv Sena, Batala- Romesh Nayyar in a press conference the next day exposed the misdeeds of Batala police which appeared in all the major newspapers and an inquiry was started against them. He demanded that conspiracy hatched by some police officers against him be thorough investigated by CBI and an impartial probe be held." I am ready to face even death sentence if found involved or connected with any case of militancy and if the police officers ruining my career are found guilty be given severest punishment so that they may not dare to torture and victimise innocent persons and especially the career conscious students. |
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Vested interests trying divide people" Slathia Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Aug 19: Minister for Power, Mr.S.S.Slathia today said the state has ushered in an era of progress and prosperity during the last five years and will flourish as a single entity under the Chief Minister, Dr.Farooq Abdullah. He was addressing a largely attended public meeting of Christian Community at Bari-Brahamna this morning. He decried the vested interests for dividing people on the basis of caste, creed and colour and exploiting them on one pretext or the other for their petty gains. He said that National Conference alone could keep together the people of three regions of the State. Referring to developmental activities executed during the recent past, Mr. Slathia said that much has been achieved and much is to be achieved in the State. He sought the cooperation of the people for implementation of various welfare programmes launched for improving the lot of weaker sections of the society. Responding to the demands for construction of a link road in the area, the Minister announced that work on it will be initiated soon and hoped for its completion before Christmas Day. Mr.Slathia appealed to the women folk to participate in the coming election and fight for their rights in the society. He stressed upon party workers to remain in forefront for the just cause of mankind and work for the poor and weaker sections of the society. Mr. Bodh Raj Bali, provincial President, National Conference, while addressing the gathering said that the NC is the only party which can preserve integrity and solidarity of the State. He said NC has offered sacrifices to uphold the secularism and democratic values and its leader Dr.Farooq Abdullah is committed to lead the state to its past glory. Mr. Peter, Political Advisor to Chief Minister, also spoke on the occasion and listed demands of the community. He appealed the people to strengthen the hands of Dr. Farooq Abdullah for their brighter future. Smt. Bimla Luthra MLA, Smt. Dapinder Kour MLC, Mr. Rakesh Motoo Advocate Mohinder Gupta and Mr. Jugal Mahajan were among the prominent who attended the meeting. Earlier, Mr. Slathia inaugurated a Classical Furutiner House in private sector at Trikuta Nagar. The house will provide latest model of furniture to the people at reasonable rates in the vicinity. |
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ST realisations increase by 25 pc Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Aug 19: The tax collections by the Sales Tax Department in the State have touched Rs.97.67 crores during the first quarter of the current financial year, registering an increase of 25.54 per cent over the realizations effected during the corresponding period of last year. This was stated at the first quarterly review meeting of the Sales Tax Department-Jammu division-held here today under the Chairmanship of Finance Minister, Mr. Abdul Rahim Rather. The Financial Commissioner, Finance, Mr. Jalil Ahmed Khan, Commissioner Sales Tax, Mr. A.R.Mubaraki, Special Secretary Finance, Mr. K.M.Wani and senior functionaries of the Sales Tax Department were present in the meeting. The tax collections of Rs.97.67 crores during the period April-June this year include Rs.69.63 crores from general sales tax which is Rs.15.46 crores more than the collections made during the corresponding period of last year. The other collections include Rs. 25.21 crores on account of Motor Spirit Tax, Rs.1.94 crores from Passenger Tax and Rs.88.77 lakhs from the property Tax. The review of targets and achievements of Jammu division revealed that the department collected Rs.74.58 crores taxes during the first quarter of this year registering an increase of Rs.11.98 crores over the corresponding period of last year. This includes Rs.47.72 crores from General Sales Tax, followed by Motor Spirit Tax to the tune of Rs.25.21 crores. The collections of Passenger tax and property tax account for Rs.1.44 crores and Rs.20 lakhs respectively. While appreciating the increase in tax collections during the first quarter, the Finance Minister cautioned the functionaries against any complacency. He said that they have to work hard to generate more revenues for the State. Mr. Rather said that the functionaries have to meet the challenge of improving the collections with firm courage and determination. He said that it was the result of strenuous efforts of the functionaries that sales tax collections have shown remarkable increase and the receipts have more than doubled during the past two years. He said that a firm resolve and greater enthusiasm is required to achieve the current year’s targets. It is expected that the department shall not only achieve the targets but surpass these to help stepping up the developmental activities in the State. Mr. Rather called for sustained and vigorous efforts for effecting sales tax recoveries. He said that the special drive launched for recoveries has to be continued. It should be fully ensured that the current demands do not fall in arrears at any cost. The recoveries should be monitored closely and continuously. Any lapse in effecting recoveries, he said, would be viewed seriously. He issued on-spot instructions to streamline the working of the department. The meeting had an in depth review various wings of the department in the division. While reviewing performance of Sales Tax Check Post Lakhanpur it was revealed that penalty and security amounting to Rs.73.01 lakhs had been made during the period April-June this year. The revenue collected at the Check post was Rs.260.15 lakhs during the period as against Rs.162.50 lakhs during the corresponding year last year. This reflected an increase of 60 per cent. The Recovery Wing, the meeting was told made strenuous efforts to recover the arrears. The special drive launched for old recoveries remained unabated. Large number of traders deposited the arrears. The wing generated revenue of Rs.1.28 crores during the first quarter of the current financial year. This was against the collections of Rs.62.15 lakhs made during the corresponding period last year. This reflected increase of 106 per cent. The Appeals Wing of the Sales Tax Department had disposed off 70 appeals during the period April-June. The meeting was told that priority had been given to old appeals and backlog is being cleared. Vigilance and Inspection Wing of the department had made 28 surprise checks and inspections during the period. 122 tax evasion cases had been detected and over Rs. four lakhs has been imposed as a penalty. |
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Excelsior Correspondent Udhampur, Aug 19: The Minister for Forests and Environment, Peerzada Ghulam Ahmed Shah inaugurated Sub Office building of Integrated Watershed Development Project and up-gradation of 9 km road from Gundian to Sunetar in Ramnagar yesterday. The Minister was accompanied by MLA Ramnagar, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Mr. P. Patnaik, Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu, District Development Commissioner, Udhampur and other officers of various departments. On the occasion, the Minister said that the Government is fully resolved to restore hundred year old glory of forests which used to be potentially rich in forest wealth and wild life and assured massive plantation for the purpose. He said that the Government has provided funds to the tune of Rs.20 crore, this year for the implementation of two IWDP Projects in Udhampur district and over Rs. one crore are likely to be provided by the Centre. He said that the integrated development has been set in motion which include the involvement of Agriculture, Horticulture, PWD, Rural Development, Education, Animal and Sheep Husbandry. Addressing village development committees of IWDP as well as way side public meetings at village Saitaini, Kooh, Kaugha, Kaghote, Jaloh, Dhiari, Kirmoo and Barta after inspecting the forest enclosures and other works done under IWDP, the Minister expressed satisfaction over the pace of progress. The Minister said that the Government has decided to set up Forest Development Committees on the same pattern in which direct public participation will be sought to execute the forest promotion schemes. He said that in order to ensure accoutability and speedy pace of progress, video film record of the works will be maintained and also projected through Website. While inspecting Saitaini Village Woodlot by Social Forestry, the Minister and the MLA planted a forest sapling. At village Kooh, Mr. Shah assured the people that funds will be arranged for the construction of three km. Kooh-Bains Tractor road. Responding to the demand of people of village Kougha, the Minister assured to arrange funds for the construction of Kougha to Pingla Matra road. At village Jaloh, the Minister agreed to provide funds for the construction of 100-feet trolley to benefit the people of the area. At village Barta, the Minister handed over five cows to free of cost to BPL families for improving their economic condition. |
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Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Aug 19: The Minister for Information and Transport, Mr Ajatshatru Singh today called upon newly constituted Panchyats to shoulder their responsibility towards ruralities, saying the democratic installation at the grass root level would be vested with adequate powers to ensure speedy development of rural areas. He was speaking at an impressive function held to administer oath to 20 Sarpanch and 120 Panchs of Dansal block of Jammu district at Jhajjar Kotli. The BDO Dansal, administered the oath. Addressing on the occasion, the Minister congratulated the newly elected Sarpanchs and Panchs and asked them to work for upliftment of the rural masses and maintain close liaison with the government functionaries for development of their respective areas. The Minister said that the government under the dynamic leadership of Dr.Farooq Abdullah has fulfilled its commitment of conducting Panchayat elections in the State, that have taken place after 23 years. He said women will be provided 33 per cent reservation in these institutions to ensure their participation in decision making. The Minister said the objective of Panchyat Raj is decentralization of powers and planning. The people at the grass root level will now formulate their development plans keeping in view need of their areas. He asked the Panchs to closely monitor the development process which will help in speedy upliftment of those areas were from they have been elected. Referring to the demand for construction of more Panchayat Ghars in the block, the Minister said that these will be constructed at these places where ever required. Among others, Director Rural Development and prominent citizens were present on the occasion. |
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Indira Colony residents ransack Power House Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 19: Enraged over unscheduled power curtailment during unbearable heat, residents of Indira Colony Janipur ransacked office of the Power Development Department (PDD) at Janipur Power House. A group of residents of Indira Colony Janipur Saturday night gathered near Janipur Power House and staged dharna there to lodge protest against failure of the officials to restore power supply in their area. Shouting slogans against Power Development Department the residents continued their dharna for quite some time. When no senior officials came listen their grievances, the enraged residents entered into the Power House and ransacked the office. Slogan shouting residents smashed window panes of the Power House and broken some instruments lying the power house. Residents even damaged furniture and wireless set. Fearing being attacked by the angry mob, most of the employees performing their duty in the Power House ran away from the Power House. The residents continued their ransacking operation for more than half an hour and then went to their locality. |
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Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Aug 19: A high level meeting of executive members of Koshur Markaz and Kashmiri writers and poets was held at Rajouri to take stock of the efforts of State Government for promotion and development of Kashmiri language in the State in general and in Jammu region in particular. As per a release the meeting was held under the chairmanship of Mr Shahbaz Rajourvi. Expressing serious concern over the step motherly treatment with Kashmiri language in Jammu division, Mr Shahbaz assailed State Government for delaying introduction of Kashmiri in educational institutions as per Government decision taken earlier for introduction of mother tongues in the State. Few teachers that too from few districts have been given orientation training for Kashmiri language and urged the Government to arrange such training programmes in Jammu division at an earliest so that Kashmiri loving population does not feel isolated and discriminated in Jammu region. They also demanded full fledged TV Station for Jammu. The members also demanded that a regular Kashmiri programme on Radio Kashmir Jammu should be started at least for an hour and that other local radio stations may be instructed likewise. A resolution to this effect was also submitted to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for an early redressal of their genuine grievances. Prominent among those who spoke in the meeting included Messrs A R Fida, Zafar Iqbal, Mushtaq Shaz, Qayoom Naik, Rashid Raina, Bashir Dar, Bashir Mir and Sheen Rather. |
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Democratic Movement holds one day rally at Kathua Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Aug 19: The Democratic Movement (a registered political party) held one day cadre correspondent at Mahajan Hall Kathua on the agenda of present situation of JK issue of Jammu State and to chalk out strategy of coming Assembly elections. As per a release the conference was presided over by Mr Babu Singh, founder, Democratic Movement. Mr Himmat Singh, regional convenor, Rajesh Kumar Sarpanch, Devinder Singh Sarpanch, Polli Singh Sarpanch, Varinder Singh Sarpanch, Bisheshwar Singh Sarpanch and Varinder Singh Sarpanch participated in the conference. Mr Babu Singh while inaugurating the conference expressed serious concern that on the post Agra Summit, the spurt in militants activities especially in Jammu region have increased resulting into killing of innocent people and tension on Indo-Pak borders has increased abruptly, which has further aggravated the communal tension. Mr Bahu Singh said declaring of Disturbed Area to Jammu division may be a temporary administrative measure but not a permanent solution of the militancy and chronic J&K problem. Mr Babu Singh said the solution of militancy and J&K problem needs two level meaningful dialogue process on the issue of give and take, one at Indo-Pak level and the other between India and representatives of all sections of Jammu and Kashmir and the Government of India. He said Kashmir region people demand more freedom and people of Jammu demanding separate statehood while Ladakhi people raising their voice for Union Territory status and the demands of PoK people are simmering. He said Pakistan is fighting war for Pan Islamic agenda and India wants to retain Jammu and Kashmir if her fold at any cost. This complex situation can lead to Indo-Pak war, which would be a terrible one because of both countries having gone nuclear. Mr Babu Singh in his speech elaborated about Democratic Movement concept, model and guiding Principles of DM viz scientific humanism, democratic globalisation and the like. |
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By Gopal Sharma The Government is planning to constitute Forest Development Committees for the over all development of forests in the Jammu and Kashmir. These committees will be registered and entrusted with the task of afforestation as the State Government is contemplating to launch plantation programmes involving local villagers and Panchayats in near future as it has already announced the wind up of Social Forestry Project of the Forest department. Forest Minister, Peerzada Ghulam Ahmed Shah told this correspondent that an officer of the rank of DFO will recommend the village Forest Development Committees and provision will be there to get them registered. The Panchayat members will also be involved in the afforestation activity and separate funds will be provided for plantation purpose in the areas identified by the Forest officers in phased manner. Massive afforestation job is being carried under various projects funded by the State Government and the Central agencies. He expressed satisfaction over the afforestation task being carried under four Integrated Watershed Development projects at Akhnoor, Ramnagar and Kashmir Valley. He said that Rs 40 crores each will be provided to Jammu and Ramnagar projects where massive plantation job has been taken up on barren lower, middle and upper Shivalik ranges. He expressed that he himself walked into several enclosures developed by the forest teams and supervised the work personally. Under various sectors like Forestry, Construction, Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry excellent work has been done in certain pockets. The community participation is being given importance and on this pattern, Village Development Committees have been constituted under these projects. The main thrust is on environment protection and water conservation as several areas of these Shivalik belts in Jammu region are facing water scarcity. Deforestation has created havoc in last several decades and all out efforts are being done to protect the forests from further destruction. Forest minister on response to a question on delay in release of funds by the World Bank for the said project said that the funds for this financial year are yet to be provided by World Bank. But it is hoped that the funds will be released by the end of this month. He said thirty percent component of these funds are provided by the State while 70 % funding will be done by the World Bank. A total of Rs 198 crores will be provided in five years for these four projects in the State. About seven per cent has been kept as labour component and villagers are required to work to cover up this aspect. But it has been learnt that delay in release of funds occurred as the cash starved State Government failed to release its own share of 23% for these project activities. The Union Ministry of Agriculture has been requested to help it the smooth funding and completion of the activities. A senior Forest officer said that a VDC is constituted by the villagers in each village comprising of 11 to 15 members in which representation is given to each hamlet / morha, caste and community. Village development plans are constituted in consultation with the VDCs and the villagers keeping in mind the priorities of the area people. After the plan is approved by Govt, execution is done with the active participation of VDCs. Efforts are made to put the contribution of the VDCs in each developmental activity. Since people are very poor and can not afford to contribute monitorily, their contribution is in the form of labour and supervision of the developmental works. The villages are identified and taken up for development in phased manner. The official further pointed out that execution of programme basic needs and requirement of the locals was kept in consideration. All efforts are being utilised to improve the socio-economic condition of the villagers through various schemes. Awareness programmes are also organised by the project staff time to time for the benefit of the community,he maintained. |
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Sant Nirankari Mandal holds Hepatitis-B camp Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 19: A Hepatitis-B camp was organised today in the premises of Sant Nirankari Satsangh Bhawan Shastri Nagar Jammu, under the divine guidance of Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj. According to a press release, this camp was third camp in the series. The first camp was held on February 18, second of March 18 and now it was third round. In these camps about 3000 doses of injection of Hepatitis-B was administered to children as well as adults. The team of staff was rendered free service in the camp include Dr Ramesh Birpuri, Jugal Gupta, Vijay Kumar, Ashok Birpuri, Sanjeev Virdhi, Ashawani Kumar, Ankush Sharma and Ramesh Kumar. Sant Nirankari Mission, branch Shastri Nagar Jammu also celebrated Mukti Parav as Guru Pooja. In which thousands of devotees participated from all over the Jammu region. |
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Teachers constitute body for Jammu district Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 19: The organisation elections of district Jammu, a unit of the Jammu Provincial Teachers Association was held today under the chairmanship of Mr Yash Paul Sharma, headmaster and the proceeding was conducted by Ch. Mohammed Iqbal. According to a press release, before the election the teachers expressed their view points. The gathering was also addressed by Mr B R Baru, provincial president, G L Sharma, Balwan Singh, Suraj Singh, R S Pathanai, Omkar Singh, Yash Pal Sasan, Ram Paul Sharma, Joginder Singh Manhas and others. The election was conducted by a panel of three members B R Baru, Yash Paul Sharma and Mohammed Iqbal. Mr Balwan Singh Jamwal was unanimously elected as president, Mohan Lal Sharma as vice-president, Joginder Singh as vice-president, Maheshwar Sharma as general secretary, Ayub Khan as secretary, Ch. Mohammed Iqbal as organisor, Bishwanath as cashier and R S Pathania as publicity secretary. In the end, Mr Mukund Lal Sharma congratulated the newly elected team and advised the body to work hard for the benefit of the teachers. Meeting also discussed problems including earned leave to teachers, initial higher to the teachers as directed by the Court etc. |
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Farooq condoles Renzu, Gayas-u-Din demise Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar Aug 19: The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah condoled the sad demise of former Speaker, Legislative Assembly, Mr Ghulam Rasool Renzu and former Minister and Dy. Chairman, Legislative Council, Peer Gyas-u-Din. In his messages the Chief Minister said both these personalities have served the State with earnest zeal and dedication and their contributions will be long remembered. The Chief Minister, described Mr Renzu as a front ranking political leader of fifties who later joined administration and served as a civil servant for a long time with distinction. Paying tributes to late Mr Gayas-u-Din, the Chief Minister described him a champion of downtrodden and said that he always worked for the common man as a progressive political activist. Dr Abdullah prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and expressed his heart felt sympathies with the bereaved families. |
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Gujjars’ convention held CM cautions against divisive forces Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 19: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah has said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir want end of gun culture imposed on them from across the border and yearn for peace and tranquillity. Speaking at the State Level One-Day Gujjar and Bakerwal Convention held at Ladha Dhar, Ansar, the Chief Minister complimented the people living in border and upper areas of the State for valiantly facing the situation created by Pakistan and said that in the proxy war, they were exposed to many risks. He said that he was aware of their problems as it was very difficult to differentiate between the friend and the foe in war like situation. In such a situation, the people are caught between the guns, he said. Dr Abdullah hoped that the good sense will prevail upon the neighbor." Let us all pray for the peace to dawn in the State, which has witnessed lot of bloodshed, he said. The Chief Minister assured that Gujjar and Bakerwal communities that their difficulties will be mitigated earnestly and said that he has apprised the Union Home Minister about their plight. He, however, cautioned them to remain vigilant from the bad elements and divisive forces who were bent upon creating wedge between the people by exploiting their religious and regional sentiments. Dr Abdullah called upon the community to modernize their traditional pursuits and adopt the modern and scientific methods to give boost to the productivity that will in turn stabilize their economy in general and the State as a whole in particular. He said that the Government has taken up various measures for raising the living standard and asserted that unless they stand up on their own legs, they cannot achieve the desired goals. He asked upon them in particular to come forward to take active part in socio-economic and political activities. The Chief Minister referred to the deep yearning of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah and Madre-e-Meherban to see these communities to flourishing. He asserted that the Government was giving for devolution of powers to the people at the grass-root level and said that the newly elected Panchayat members have been empowered to execute the development schemes and monitor the progress and monitor the functioning if the administrative units in the areas. The Chief Minister said that the Government introduced Rehbar-e-Tallem scheme with a view to improve the functioning of the schools by preferring the local youth. He urged the community members to take maximum benefit out of this scheme. Vice Chairman, Gujjar and Bakerwal Advisory Board, Haji Buland Khan presided over the first session while’s Balraj Puri chaired the second session. Among others who were present on the occasion included Minister of State for Rural Development Ajay Sadhotra, Minister’ of State for Revenue Mohammed Hussain, Deputy Chairman Legislative Council C L Khajuria, MLA Zubeda Salaria and the members of the State Advisory Board besides large number of people of Gujjars and Bakerwal community. |
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