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| DCC Udhampur holds meeting Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Dec 10: Emergent meeting of the District Congress Committee of Udhampur was held today under the chairmanship of Mr Balak Ram......more Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Dec 10: The Minister for Works, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar today inaugurated tube wells at .......more Bukhari
stresses Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 10: Subsidy of Rs. 31.15 lakh has been provided to 588 entrepreneurs during first eight months of the current financial yeay.....more Kamal for
expeditious Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 10: The Government has sanctioned a 6.3 KVA Receiving Station for the Integrated Infrastructure Development Centre...more Arrangements
for Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Dec.10: Arrangements for celebration of Eid-ul-Fiter in Jammu were finalised at a meeting of officers held under the chairmanship....more |
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Witnesses
turn hostile Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 10: The First Additional Sessions Judge Jammu, Mr D C Sagotra has acquitted all the accused charged with the......more Consumer
Column Avtar Bhat The monopoly maintained by the operators of passenger vehicles including the three wheelers and the continued traffic mess in Jammu has become the cause of concern ......more Cong
demands judicial Excelsior Correspondent BASHOLI, Dec 10: Congress leaders have demanded a probe through a retired Supreme Court Judge into the killing of Mr Daya Ram, Block Congress Committee...........more Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 10: National Conference (NC) has swept all the 12 seats of Board of Directors of Central Cooperative Land and Development Bank (CCLDB) J&K State with heavy margin defeating all the opposition candidates belonging...........more |
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Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Dec 10: Emergent meeting of the District Congress Committee of Udhampur was held today under the chairmanship of Mr Balak Ram, district president in which the nomination of Bhopinder Singh Pathania as a working president of the district was discussed. According to a press release, workers present in the meeting unanimously rejected the nomination of Mr Pathania and said that this decision has no sanction of the rank and file at the district and block levels. Meeting termed this action as another attempt by the PCC chief, Mr M S Qureshi to disrupt and disintegrate the Congress Party. Meeting further remarked that it was really unfortunate that the high command was totally insensitive to the genuine grievances of the majority of the State Congress leaders. Meeting was attended by Mr Balak Ram, Sudesh Kumar Gupta, Brij Mohan , Mrs Geeta Devi, Om Parkash, Shanker Dass, Sardari Lal Dubey, Meraj Din, Shakeel Shah, Harpal Singh, Sunil Kapoor, Hari Krishan, Balak Ram, Prem Nath, Jaswant Singh, Abdul Gani Bhat, Mohammed Shafi Bhat, Noor Mohammed, Ram Saroop, Capt Ram Lal, Sham Lal, Krishan Chander Bhagat. |
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Sagar
inaugurates tube wells at Muthi, Paloura Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Dec 10: The Minister for Works, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar today inaugurated tube wells at Muthi right and Patta Paloora completed at a cost of Rs 1.36 crore. With the commissioning of these tube wells the drinking water supply in Greater Jammu has been augmented by seven lakh gallons per day. The areas where the supply position would improve with the commissioning of these tube wells include Roop Nagar, Ban-Talab, Durga Nagar, Paloura, Patoli, Bakshi Nagar and Rajpora. Addressing public meetings on this occasion, the Minister said that with the completion of these two tube wells, a battery of 27 tube wells have been completed in Greater Jammu under Master Plan phase-I. Completed at a cost of around Rs 15 crore these tube wells have shot up the drinking water supply in Greater Jammu by 1.08 crore gallons per day. The Minister said that 30 more tube wells are being installed in Greater Jammu in the Master Plan phase-II to further bring down the gap in demand and supply of the potable water. The Minister said with the depletion of surface water resources the thrust is now on exploration of ground water. He said as a part of this programme more tube wells and hand pumps are being installed in the water scarce areas of the State. He said an additionality of Rs 5 crore has been provided to District Jammu for exploration of ground water during the recently held District Development Board meeting. Mr. Sagar called for installation of hand pumps at religious places and educational institutions to augment the drinking water supply there. He said 400 hand pumps have already been installed in the district under this programme. Mr. Sagar said a Rs 545 crore project has been submitted to the Centre for augmentation of water supply to Jammu region with the taping of Chenab near Akhnoor. He said a massive drinking water augmentation programme was currently under progress in the rural areas of the State under accelerated rural water supply programme (ARWSP). He said over 250 water supply schemes have been completed in the rural areas of Jammu region under ARWSP. The Minister asked the engineering departments to take up as many schemes as they can to provide succor to the people of the State. He said more projects should be submitted for NABARD funding to further improve the road network in the State.Mr. Sagar said there has been appreciable improvement in the road upgradation programme in Jammu region and several far-flung areas are today connected with good motorable roads. Speaking on the occasion, Legislators, Mr. Hans Raj Dogra, Mr. Sat Pal Lakhotra and Zubaida Salaria appreciated the commendable job done by the Minister for Works, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar to extend basic amenities of life to the people. They said it was due to the hard work, dedication and honesty of the young minister that people in every nook and corner of the State have today good roads, safe drinking water and assured irrigation facilities. The Minister was also accompanied by, MLC Bhushan Lal Bhat, Chief Engineer R&B, Jammu, Mr. Ravinder Singh, Chief Engineer PHE, Mr. J. R. Gupta, Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control, Mr. Khursheed Aslam, Chief Engineer Mechanical, Mr. G. L. Arora and Director Stores procurement Department, Mr. K. C. Gupta. |
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Bukhari stresses for special drive for recovery of loans Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 10: Subsidy of Rs. 31.15 lakh has been provided to 588 entrepreneurs during first eight months of the current financial year under various Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes Corporation welfare schemes. This was revealed at 27th Board of Directors meeting of J&K Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes & Backward Classes Development Corporation held here yesterday. The Minister of State for Social Welfare, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari presided. The meeting was further informed that the corporation in collaboration with national level corporations has also disbursed an amount of Rs. 51.04 lakh under the direct financing schemes during the period. It was decided in the meeting to introduce one time settlement scheme as launched by other state financial corporations so that people can be motivated to clear the long standing dues. Board also constituted a committee who will identify the trades and the institutions, which will impart trainings to the target group of youth under the Skill Development Programme of the Corporation. Addressing the meeting, Mr. Bukhari impressed upon the management of the Corporation to bring transparency in their working and inculcate a sense of responsibility in the staff so that the aims of the corporation can be achieved effectively and efficiently. The Minister stressed the need for launching a special drive for the recovery of the loans, already advanced in the past. In this respect, he asked the management to take stringent measures including publication of the lists of the defaulters in the press as well as initiation of the legal proceedings against the chronic defaulters. He called upon the management to take all necessary steps for improving the recovery position of the Corporation, which has a direct impact on the financial health and cycling of the funds. Among others, the meeting was attended include Mr. Jagjivan Lal MLA, Principal Secretary, Social Welfare, Mr. N. R. Gupta, Managing Director, SC, ST & BC Corporation, Mr. Mumtaz Afzal, Senior Manager, NSFDC, Mr. B. S. Chumber, representatives of Finance and Planning Departments. |
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Kamal for expeditious completion of IID Batal Ballian Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 10: The Government has sanctioned a 6.3 KVA Receiving Station for the Integrated Infrastructure Development Centre (IID) at Batal Ballian in Udhampur district. This will cost Rs. 1.50 crore. The Minister for Industries and Commerce, Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal today reviewed the status of the IID being set up under Centrally sponsored programme at a cost of Rs.6.58 crore. The facility is aimed at giving boost to industrial development in the State. The Minister gave on the spot instructions on the issues related to expeditious completion of the project, hoping this will be commissioned by March next year. He also desired linking of the IID with National Highway By-pass enabling smooth flow of raw material, finished goods etc. from and to the Centre with other destinations. The Minister also visited present industrial estate at Udhampur where 17 units with a turnover of Rs. 5 crore are functioning with the support of Industries and Commerce Department. He was informed that the department has provided Rs. 54 lakhs to the units of Udhampur in the shape of subsidy during past two years Later, a deputation of Chamber of Commerce headed by its President met the Minister and apprised him about the problems of trade and industries and assured that all efforts shall be made for providing necessary assistance for development of industries in Udhampur district on priority. Dr. Kamal also visited the Kashmiri Migrant Camp located at Batal Ballian and assured a deputation that their problems would be sorted out soon. Instructions were issued to the PHE Department for ensuring adequate drinking water supply to the camp. Later, addressing a meeting of the officers of Industries and Commerce Department, the Minister emphasised the need for solving the problems in the industrial sector and also undertaking a survey of the industrial potential of the district. The Minister was accompanied by Director Industries and Commerce, Mr. M. Saleem Beg and Managing Director SICOP, Mr. V. C. Sharma, besides officers of Industries and Commerce Department SICOP, Power Development Department and district administration. |
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Arrangements for Eid-ul-Fiter finalised Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Dec.10: Arrangements for celebration of Eid-ul-Fiter in Jammu were finalised at a meeting of officers held under the chairmanship of Additional Dy.Commissioner, Jammu, Mirza Mohd. Ashraf here today. The main venue for the offering Eid prayer will be the Id Gah Jammu where Id prayers will be performed at 10 a.m. The arrangements finalised include regularization of traffic, supply of drinking water, power, essential commodities, security, medicare, sanitation etc. The SP Traffic will ensure smooth and efficient regulation of the traffic besides barricades will be installed in order to avoid any confusion while entering into Id Gah. The Jammu Municipal Authorities will ensure proper cleanliness in an around Id Gah and Food and Supplies Department will fix the prices of mutton and chicken and ensure that these commodities are made available on reasonable and fixed rates. Among others, the meeting was attended by the representative of Police, Food and Supplies, Municipality, Health, Poultry Marketing, Chief Medical officer, General Secretary, Anjuman Imamia and president, Meat Sellers Association, Jammu. |
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Witnesses turn
hostile Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 10: The First Additional Sessions Judge Jammu, Mr D C Sagotra has acquitted all the accused charged with the murder of one Sikander Arora alias Billu of Fathu Chowgan, who was killed by rival gangsters inside Central Jail on November 2 1997. They were all let off as the witnesses turned hostile and prosecution failed to prove the crime. Those acquitted included Sanjay Kumar, Vijay Kumar, Kewal Krishan, Ameet Sharma, Vipin Gupta and Naresh Kumar. In his 26 page judgment, Mr Sagotra observed that the majority of the prosecution and eye witnesses have tuned hostile. Further, the recovery of the alleged weapon used in the alleged commission of offence has not been proved. As per the prosecution story, these weapons were provided by accused Janak Singh who has already been discharged by the court. The court questioned who provided these weapons to the accused persons, has not been provided by the prosecution. The Investigating Officer has not been produced by the prosecution and the accused parsons have not been offered opportunity to cross-examine him specially about the statement of the persecution witness Shahid Sheikh who himself has contradicted his own statement, the Judge said, adding that under these circumstances, the prosecution has badly failed to prove story. Advocate Vishal Sharma appeared for the accused persons while’s Additional Public Prosecutor Harminder Singh appeared for the prosecution. According to the prosecution story, Sikandar Arora alias Billu, an alleged gangster who was lodged inside Central Jail in a murder case, was attacked by rival group members inside the Jail. He was seriously injured and later taken to the hospital, but while shifting, he had breathed his last. One kirich and a wooden " Daatan" were recovered from Ameet Sharma, Vijay Kumar and Naresh Kumar— all members of a rival Bakra group. Accused Vijay Kumar was facing trial in a murder case of one Surinder Kumar alias Gogu, the brother of the deceased. As such, there was enemity between these groups of under trials. Accused Sanjay Kumar had reportedly taken two kirich from the accused Janak Singh on September 23, 1997 from Medical College Jammu complex where he had gone there for his medical check-up. Due to the negligence and carelessness of the Central Jail employees, the accused persons had successfully taken the weapons inside the Jail premises. These weapons, as per the prosecution story, were later used in executing the murder of Billu. After the competition of the investigation, the challan was presented in the court. After four year’s of trial, all the accused were, however, let off as the witnesses had turned hostile and prosecution failed to prove the case. |
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Consumer Column Avtar Bhat The monopoly maintained by the operators of passenger vehicles including the three wheelers and the continued traffic mess in Jammu has become the cause of concern for the common man who has been the worst sufferer of prevailing mismanagement on the part of the concerned agencies. Contrary to the expectations of the people, the authorities at the helm of affairs have failed to stem the rot and reform this rotten system which has compounded the worries of the people. But how the people can get rid of these worries when the concerned authorities are sleeping over the issue. These operators are ruling the roost. They not only cheat the passengers but also violate the standing rules of the land in many ways. The main allegation against the operators of passenger transport in Jammu is that they are involved both in violation of route permit as well as contravention of route permit. And had the concerned agencies been maintaining a strict vigil on these vehicles, the operators of the passenger transport could not 0dared to violate the route permit and cheat the passengers. However, the rules are clear in this regard and any vehicle found involved in violation of route permit is liable for the cancellation of the same. But having the goodwill of the transport authorities who hell on the earth can dare to take cudgels with them. In different areas it has been witnessed that the mini buses and matadors do not ply upto the terminal point but return a kilometer or half in advance. This common practice of cheating is prevailing in some city as well as rural areas where the passenger vehicles do not go upto their last destination despite charging the full fare from the passengers. In Channi Kamala area the last stop for the mini buses has been fixed near Satyam Banquet Hall but no minibus operates upto that place and they instead return in half way. Moreover, the drivers as well as conductors are defying the rules by not wearing the uniforms which is obligatory for them. And despite the constant demand of the various consumer organisations the authorities at the helm are not interested in enforcing this rule. This way it is very difficult to identify a driver or the conductor of the vehicle. Like the many private vehicles the passenger transport is also being operated by the drivers who do not possess the valid license. The driving of passenger vehicles by such persons is dangerous. They can expose the passengers to grave risk but who bothers to take cognizance of it. This is the main cause of common accidents also. By making the wearing of uniforms mandatory for both drivers and conductors a check can be maintained that no unlicensed driver takes the control of the steering as is a common practice at present. This way even the passengers will feel satisfied that the operator driving their vehicle is a licensed driver. Moreover, there is no check on the speed of these vehicles. Over taking by mini buses and matadors to get more and more passengers is a common practice and some times this proves fatal after the vehicle meets the accident. There is such a monopoly of the operators of these vehicles that on a particular route some times they keep the speed of 80 kilometers per hour and after covering a distance of 15 to 20 kilometers they slow it down from 10 to 15 kilometers an hour. This way they cover the distance of 30 minutes in over an hour some times. Besides the matador operators of different routes have identified some stops on their routes where they halt the vehicles for 10 to 15 minutes wasting the precious time of the passengers and fearing trouble no passenger dares to ask them to drive the vehicle. Same is the case with three wheelers they too maintain monopoly as there is no check on the rate charged by them. For just a one kilometer distance the minimum charges demanded by a three wheeler is Rs 20 and if the passenger resists and makes bargaining then they will come down to Rs 15. The use of meter like Delhi by the three wheelers is not common in our state. There will not even a single three wheeler which has a meter in working condition. Hence they charge as per their will especially for the longer distances, especially when the consumer is in hurry. But passenger has no alternative except to yield as they know that the operators are in league with the Department of RTO, Weights and Measures and Traffic Police. Had it not been so there is no fun of not using the meters by them as the metered rate fixed for Jammu is over 65 per cent for the first kilometer than Delhi and 130 percent for the subsequent kilometers. Moreover, while framing the rates the Government is not taking the various consumer organisations into confidence which it ought should. Such a sordid state of affairs which has given a complete monopoly to the operators of passenger vehicles needs to be overhauled. |
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Cong demands judicial probe into killing of Daya Ram Excelsior Correspondent BASHOLI, Dec 10: Congress leaders have demanded a probe through a retired Supreme Court Judge into the killing of Mr Daya Ram, Block Congress Committee chief Bani. Paying rich tributes to late leader, senior Congress leader Pt. Mangat Ram Sharma and MLA Kalakote, Mr Ashok Sharma asked the people to maintain communal harmony and brotherhood at all costs. The Congress leaders expressed serious concern over the circumstances that led to killing of BCCI chief. They said the events after the killing also created some doubts which can vitiate the atmosphere in case the truth does not come out. They said to ensure that the confidence of the people is restored and the feeling of insecurity is checked the holding of independent probe into this episode has become necessary. They also demanded that the VDCs be strengthened by providing the modern weapons, communication net work be improved and adequate security personnel in and around the Bani belt be deployed. The Congress leaders also appreciated the role of the people and local police in maintaining communal harmony and brotherhood. They maintained that no body is above law and those involved in conspiring or killing of the Congress leader be dealt with iron hands so that the security of the people gets top priority. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 10: National Conference (NC) has swept all the 12 seats of Board of Directors of Central Cooperative Land and Development Bank (CCLDB) J&K State with heavy margin defeating all the opposition candidates belonging to different political parties in an election held on December 8, the results of which were declared today. These elections were held after a gap of over 25 years. Those elected as Directors included Rattan Lal Gupta, Ajit Kumar, Sunil Verma, Fazal Hussain and Ghulam Hussain Tak (from Jammu region) and Hafizullah, Hamidullah, Tracing Narboo, Syed Hussain, Sb Rashid, Gh Nabi Dar and MA Khan from Kashmir region. After getting elected, all the five Directors belonging to Jammu region , later visited Sher-e-Kashir Bhawan where they were accorded a rousing reception. Addressing the gathering, Bodh Raj Bali, NC president Jammu province while felicitating the newly elected members, urged them to work for the development of the rural masses in order to fulfill the dream of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah. The functioning of the Bank apart from other works, is to provide long term agriculture credit to the farmers for improvement in the agriculture sector. Among others who were present at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan included Sheikh Bashir Ahmad and S Peter. |
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BSNL warns subscribers against private agency Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Dec 10: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has informed the subscribers that no private agency has been authorised by it for collection of payments on account of telephone bills as advertisements are appearing in the local news papers in this regard. In a statement issued here today, it said in addition to designated post offices, only BSNL collection centres already functioning at DTO building Anantnag, DTO Building Baramulla, Barzulla Exchange, Hariparbhat Exchange and Suliman Complex, Dalgate are authorised to collect the payments. The BSNL warned that any subscriber making payment through unauthorised agencies shall be doing so at its own risk and BSNL will not be responsible for any claims. |
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