BJP wants CBI to handle Hawala probe

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec 11: Vice-President of the State BJP and former Lok Sabha member, Abdul Rasheed Kabuli, today expressed apprehensions that the State Government may misuse Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO) as well as the current Hawala investigation for the electoral gains of National Conference in the forthcoming Assembly elections.

In a conversation with EXCELSIOR, Mr Abdul Rasheed Kabuli, emphasised his demand that the so called Hawala investigation be conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He said that Police had already handled the case in a dubious manner by arresting and releasing the Valley’s leading businessmen and that it had neither clear intentions nor necessary competence to handle the sophisticated electronic-financial crime. Besides, Kabuli asserted, the NC Government’s track record of holding investigations and commissions of inquiry was "least to say, disappointing". the NC Government, he said, had always used such matters for its vested political interests.

Sensitive matters like Hawala investigation, involving the Valley’s leading businessmen could not be left to the mercy of the State Government, he added.

Kabuli also expressed his apprehensions that the NC Government could also misuse articles like POTO for its electoral gains. He, in particular, referred to the Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah’s threat to "bury the opposition" before the next Assembly elections. Kabuli said that, in view of Dr Farooq Abdullah’s public threats to the opposition, the Centre cannot give POTO as carte blanche in the State Government’s hand.

He welcomed the Union Home Minister L K Advani’s reconsideration of POTO and bringing the matter for legislation in the Parliament and asserted that the Central Government should allay all apprehensions expressed my media.

Kabuli said that his party had passed several resolution in an extra-ordinary meeting on Monday. The main features, according to him, were welcoming the Centre’s reconsideration and Mr Advani’s move of the POTO legislation, demanding CBI probe into the J&K Hawala racket as also appreciating New Delhi’s decision to reconstitute the K C Pant panel for an interaction with Hurriyat leaders in the direction of seeking a political resolution to the Kashmir crisis.

Peace Council for spreading message of
non-violence in Kashmir

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 11: The Jammu and Kashmir Peace Council today organised a seminar on ‘Peace in Kashmir’ under the chairmanship of Mr Mohammed Ashraf Azad. Mr Mohammed Ayub Khan, Abdul Aziz Zarger, ex-Minister, Dr J N Dhar, freedom fighter, Mr Din Mohammed Cheeta and Ms Komal Choudhary were guests of honours in the seminar.

While welcoming the participants, Mr M K Koul stressed for involving common masses and to educate them to adopt non-violence means. He stressed on the young generation to shun the path of violence and work for the betterment, peace and prosperity of the people of Kashmir. Mr Mohammed Ashraf Azad, chairman of the Council while thanking the participants urged the State and Central governments to start rebuilding of the infrastructure by involving the common people in the process. He also said that common people of the Valley have become frightened and suppressed due to long drawn militancy and he appealed the people to come forward and fight against such barbaric acts.

Later talking to media persons, Mr Mohammed Ashraf Azad, chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Peace Council said that Council was formed on April 11, 1998 in difficult and odd situations. He said that main aim of the Council was to awake the people of Jammu and Kashmir against the evil designs of anti-social and anti-national elements. He said that for the last one and a half decade the state has undergone tremendous changes. The degeneration of cultural heritage, educational standards, moral values and humanitarianism has completely eroded from the Valley. He said that the fundamentalist forces with the support of gun culture have changed the man into wildness. "Human life has no value, every human life is at the mercy of gunmen", he regretted, adding, "the infrastructure of the Valley is completely vanished".

He said that Council has started efforts to rebuild the infrastructure and to rebuild the Valley’s old aged culture, as sense of self-confidence is required to be infused among the general masses. He said that Council was bent upon to serve the nation and bring the youngmen in the state into the main stream. "The most important task in this regard is opening of anti-fundamentalist schools so as to educate the young generation about the basic principles of holy Quran, Geeta, Bible and Gurugrandh Sahib as no religion of the world teaches hatred", he said, adding, "Islam or any religion of the world never preaches Jehad to kill innocent people and meaning of Jehad is to protect unarmed innocent people".

HC asks JDA to re-auction site for Amusement Park

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 11: Justice T S Doabia of the State High Court has directed Jammu Development Authority (JDA) to re-auction the site for setting up of the Amusement Park here.

While allowing the petition challenging the allotment of the Amusement Park in the city, the Court directed that in that re-auction, respondent— M/S Regency Amusement Limited would also be eligible to take part. Since the respondent has set up the project, therefore, in the event of contract going to another person, the respondents would be then at liberty to remove the installation or in the alternative, JDA would indicate in the tender notice the value of the installations, and any body taking over the project in the new bid, would have to pay that much money also, the Justice directed, adding that in that case, that money would be given to M/S Regency Amusement Limited.

The court, however, ordered that the order be not implemented upto December 31, 2001. As respondent is running the business for public entertainment, the respondent would continue to run the business till some alternative arrangement is made, the court further directed.

The Justice directed that in case alternative arrangement goes to another person, the money spent by M/S Regency Amusement Park would have to be compensated by the person who offers the highest bid. Advocate Sunil Hali appeared for the petitioner JK Amusement Parks while’s Senior Advocate Parmod Kohli with Advocates PN Raina and Vishal Goel represented the respondents.

The JDA in 1993 had issued a notification inviting applications from reputed firms for setting up of Amusement Park on 40 kanals of land in the heart of the city. The proposal was changed and venue shifted without any notice. Upon this, the petitioner challenged the same, while’s M/S Regency Amusement Limited contested that case on the ground that the petitioner had earlier filed petition and was dismissed as withdrawn, as such this petition was also liable to be dismissed.

However, the Court observed that the earlier petition which was dismissed as withdrawn, would not stand in the way of the present petition.

Mufassil Bars to agitate against shifting
of Fast Track Courts

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 11: Mufassil Bars have decided to resort to agitational path in protest against the shifting of Fast Track Courts from rural locations to Jammu city.

Mr Sukhdev Singh Sambyal, President Mufassil Bars in a statement here said that the decision was taken following the failure of the Chief Justice to concede to the demands of the Mufassil Bars which were put forth before him in the shape of a memorandum submitted today. "The Chief Justice has not conceded to the demands and it has now been decided to go on strike", Mr Sambyal said, adding that the next course of action will be decided on December 18.

Earlier, during the day,the Association submitted a memorandum to the Chief Justice wherein it was mentioned that the scheme of Fast Track Courts, which was started few months back, was greatly welcomed by the rural public. It was pointed that the scheme had various plus points and fulfilled the aspirations of the weaker sections of the society, as it provided cheap and quick justice at their door-step.

The memorandum said that due to its sudden withdrawal, the rural people were shocked to know that the same Fast Track Courts have been shifted to Jammu city and Kathua town. It said that the scheme was fully coming upto the expectations and aspirations of the people who have now been deprived of their legitimate right to speedy and cheap justice.

It was impressed upon the Chief Justice that the order dated December 3, 2001 be recalled and the Fast Track Courts be allowed to work as before.

The statement, however, added that the demand of the Mufassil Bars were not accepted by the Chief Justice of the State High Court.

Ved Rahi felicitated for his literary contribution

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 11: Mr Ved Rahi, an eminent writer, journeyed down the memory lane and a vision of future, at prestigious " Meet the Author" programme organised by the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, at Abhinav Theatre, here last evening.

Mr Rahi, in an emotion-packed speech, reminiscenced about his long literary career and said the journey is still on. He has crossed a number of milestones with creditable achievements.

This author and noted personality in Filmdom, who has earned a bagful of coveted awards and prizes including Sahitya Akademi for contribution to Dogri literature, said: " in creative writing it is my life long endeavour to know myself and to investigate my inner-self".

There are three important aspects of one’s identification he said. First, what thinks of himself, second what people think about him and what really he is.

In his speech in chaste Dogri , Mr Rahi stated that this living language has immense capacity for expression of all human feelings. He underscored the point that the Dogri is capable of faster growth. The young talented writers and poets have to make it people’s language which is vibrant.

Mr Rahi holds that touch-stone of good literature is when it does not follow fashionable trends, instead has the shine of inner self, depth of truth that reflect the fulfillment of one’s being.

Born and brought up in Jammu, Mr Rahi has achieved singular achievements on the literary as well as filmdom. He has written dialogues for over 25 films, directed a number of tele-serials and assisted in full-length films. Currently he is engaged in production of Veer Savarkar which Mr Rahi says it a" challenging task".

The Academy of Art, Culture and Languages in collaboration with Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi organised this "Meet the Author" programme to highlight activities and achievements of this prominent writer.

On this occasion, four books in Dogri published by Sahitya Akademi were released.

Deputy Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, Ms Renu Mohan Bhan said such programme offer opportunity of interaction with prominent writers and know their life and literary contribution.

Mr Balwant Thakur, Secretary, Cultural Academy, Maj Gen (Retd) G S Jamwal, a galaxy of Dogri writers, academicians and prominent citizens were present.

Army to provide financial aid to 68 widows

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 11: Financial Assistance will be provided to 68 widows and other next of kin (NoK) of Martyrs of the Sikh Regiment at a special ceremony being held at Mamun Cantonment on December 14.

A defence handout issued here today said that Maj Gen R K Mehta, General Officer Commanding, 29 Infantary Division will grace the occasion. The Sikh Regiment is one of the Indian Army’s oldest and most decorated Regiments. It has the bulk of its recruitment from Punjab , Jammu and surrounding areas.

It said the nation has not forgotten the defiant stand by Subedar Joginder Singh of Ist Sikh at Bum La in 1962, where he led his platoon to inflict the first defeat on the invading Chinese.

In this battle, Joginder Singh made the supreme sacrifice and was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously. In another action at Wolong in the same year, Sepoy Kewel Singh of 4 Sikh fought a Magnificent delaying action and single handedly held at bay marauding Chinese invaders till he too made supreme sacrifice. He was awarded Mahavir Chakra. The Saga of bravery and gallantry continued in 1965 and 1971.

The Regiment has bagged ten Victoria Crosses, 100 Indian Order of Merit, 231 IDSM, 50 Military Cross, 51 Military medal and 16 Distinguished Service medal (all Pre-Independence). The Regiment during Post Independence era bagged two Param Vir Chakra, Two Ashok Chakra, one Padma Vibhushan, one Padam Bhushan and 14 Maha Vir Chakras.

The GOC will acknowledge the contribution of sons of Punjab to the security of the nation and also convey his appreciation and gratitude to all the widows. He will also express indebtedness of the nation towards the gallant martyrs and their families.

Workshop on Pollution Awareness at Gangyal
Patnaik for more coordination between industrialists, PCB

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 11: Chairman J&K State Pollution Control Board (PCB), Mr P Patnaik has stressed on more coordination between the industrialists and PCB to keep the environment pollution free.

Mr Patnaik was the chief guest at a workshop on Pollution Awareness in Industry organised by Jammu Branch of National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) Ltd at Gangyal Industrial Sector this afternoon in collaboration with Directorate of Industries and Commerce, J&K State PCB and Association of Small Scale Industries.

He said as citizens of this state we have to take maximum steps to check pollution and hence the industrialists and PCB should work together.

Terming the workshop as a grand success, he said such workshops are meant for interaction where the issues are deliberated so that we can better understand each other. He was referring to the questions raised by different industrialists regarding the problems being faced by them from PCB in getting the No Objection Certificates (NOCs).

Mr Patnaik said industry has to progress for the development of the society but at the same time it is our duty to save the environment.

Supporting the views of Mr A K Shingla, Environment Specialists on Environment Audit he said though it is a new subject but it is necessary for every industry to make industry environment friendly.

He also stressed on organisation of such seminars so that the industrialists will improve their financial ratio.

He said purchasing of pollution control devices is must for the industry and while framing the project report it is very well written in the report that what kind of devices are to be installed.

He said some industries install the affluent treatment plants while others the pollution control devices. But later these do not run forcing the Department to issue notices.

Agreeing with the views of industrialists that pollution will be there where the industry exists, he said "still we have to put a limit to it".

He said no doubt there are sufficient laws in this regard and new are being enacted but there is lack of implementation.

Stressing that industrialists and PCB officials have to understand each other for better results, he asked them to identify those officials who harass you.

He also suggested that the industrialists can take the benefit of common treatment plants.

Quoting the renowned environmentalist Mr M C Mehta who has said that the anti pollution agencies are not working in J&K, he maintained that if the law is implemented strictly then the problems will be grave.

Earlier Mr M S Beg, Director Industries and commerce gave a detailed lecture on pollution in industry concerns and policy.

He suggested for the healthy growth of industry the Pollution Control Board should take the industry friendly steps. He also suggested an advisory role of the PCB and in this connection an Advisory Committee to be constituted which would guide the unit holders in tackling the pollution problems, in addition the Board being only a regulatory body.

The procedural awareness and documentation of consent mechanism for issue of NoC was explained by Mr J N Sharma , Environment Engineer of the Board.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr A K Shingla stressed on environment audit. Pollution control is not a liability but a process he said, adding "If we check pollution we save industry".

He said normally the pollution control devices are designed and if the system is efficient we can save our money.

Industrialist K R Dogra while speaking on the occasion said the problems of pollution in Jammu are mostly due to the generators and mini-buses.

He expressed concern over the problems being faced by the industry through the hands of PCB in seeking the NoCs etc.

He while asking the Department to be cooperative said the PCB has to give suggestions regarding the installation of pollution control devices.

Mr Anil Suri, president Bari Brahmana Industries Association (BBIA) made a dig at PCB for not implementing the Government orders issued from time to time.

He said 65 industrial units have been exempted by the Government from seeking NoCs in 1999. But these orders are not being implemented.

He said residential colonies are coming up in organised areas where industry exists and this should not be allowed to happen as such a trend will pose a threat to the existence of industry.

The welcome address was given by Mr A K Bhan Accounts Officer NSIC while Mr A K Verma, Branch Manager NSIC in his key note address highlighted the importance of environment on human beings and society as a whole.

He further appealed the Chairman PCB to expedite the issue of consent to SSI units who seek registration under Government purchase programme of NSIC, enabling them to participate in tenders at all India basis.

Mr V C Sharma Managing Director SICOP also attended the workshop.

A lecture on environmental Awareness- a managerial approach was given by Mr R C Chopra, Director SISI. Other speakers included Mr A K Wadhera, president ASSI.

Ch Mohammed Hussain inaugurates Sterling
Infotech at Rajouri

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI Dec 11 : Minister of State for Revenue, Choudhary Mohammed Hussain today inaugurated Sterling Infotech, Computer Education Centre at Rajouri.

Sterling Infotech is an authorised training centre of the Centre of Electronic Design and Technology of India, an autonomous scientific society under Ministry of Information Technology, Government of India.

Sterling Infotech in Rajouri has been launched by two young entrepreneurs Javed Iqbal Choudhary and Rajan Suri.

With the opening the Sterling Infotect, Computer Education Centre, youth of the Rajouri can get advanced computer training in this hilly backward district.

After inaugurating the institute, Ch Mohammed Hussain inspected the centre. He was given details of courses being offered by the centre. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Hussain said that in this present era of information technology, young generation should adopt IT as a field to excel. "The educated youths instead of eyeing on Government jobs should adopt Information Technology field as it is very difficult to provide Government job to each and every educated youth", he said, adding "in this era there has been wide scope for the computer literate persons".

He said that with the facility of computer one can easily contact his relatives and friends at far off places through Internet and added that due to internet facility gap between the countries has been reduced.

He also informed the gathering about various schemes being framed by the Government for providing computer related education to the young generation.

Congratulating management of the computer centre, Mr Hussain hoped that this institute will provide modern computer education to the youth of Rajouri district. He advised the students to avail the opportunity.

DIG Rajouri, Mr S S Bijral, SSP Rajouri, Mr Munish Sinha, Youth NC leader, Mr Zulifkar Ali Choudhary, academicians and prominent citizens of the Rajouri attended the inaugural function of the computer centre.

Residents of the Rajouri town in general and youth in particular expressed their gratitude towards young entrepreneurs for opening advanced computer centre at Rajouri town.

Workshop on prevention of AIDS
Students catch teachers unaware by posing
brilliant questions

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 11: The teachers were caught unaware by their students on the penultimate day of five day workshop on prevention of AIDS here today by posing them some brilliant questions which they had not expected.

Two days back the teachers while participating in the workshop had maintained that the students will not be able to pose the questions to them and they will shirk to discuss the issue with them. But all proved contrary to their expectations today when 60 students from different higher secondary schools of Jammu not only interacted with 30 teachers on sex education soon after the ice breaking session ended but also posed a volley of questions on the subject to them.

The students showed such brilliance that they posed the questions with medical background on the subject. Even some students asked why the women are much prone to HIV than men.

Commenting on the questions posed by the students SCOPE office bearers who are organising the workshop said this gives the impression that they (students) possess the information but have certain misconceptions which needed to be cleared.

They said the organisors of the workshop are using the platform to clear these misconception about the dreaded AIDS.

Today’s programme started with the ice breaking session which was followed by question answers session. The students were also given a set of 35 questions to see what sort of information they possess on HIV, AIDS and Sextually Transmitted Disease (STDs).

To clear some of the misconceptions of the students they were shown a Hindi movie "Phir Subah Honey Hai". The film is related to a family where a male member becomes HIV positive.

Later a lecture was also given by Prof Sham Naraian Lal from History Department of Jammu University. He said to make the discussion broad based on the subject the students should frame the Pair groups and if the leader of the pair group is educated the discussions will become broad based and healthy and the students will be saved from many misconceptions.

He said as the students can not directly interact with the teachers, the leader of the PG will be a mediator between them and the teacher and that is where from the channel of communication starts.

He said the suggestions of the students are to be taken that what sort of programme should be started regarding the subject. He said this is a national movement which should not be forgotten after a month or so.

He said to keep this movement forward you have to create surprises and suspenses, only then the programme will succeed and it can be taken up as a movement.

A play on dreaded AIDS presented by the sixth class students of moved the audience to tears.

Among others who participated in the deliberations include Messrs Mohit Oswal, Amjad Afridi and Prof Archana Kaul, general secretary SCOPE.

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