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cases remaining undetected 12 cases of HIV positive detected at District Hospital Kathua in 6 months * Need of testing facility at SDH level From Mohinder Verma KATHUA, Dec 18: With 12 cases of HIV positive have been detected in the District Hospital Kathua during the last six months and 25 deaths......more Damdami
Taksal Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 18: Damdami Taksal, a religious body of the Sikh community, opened a shop ......more Kavita
Thakur Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 18: Ms Kavita Thakur, a young talented Kathak dancer....more Free eye
camp by Excelsior Correspondent Udhampur, Dec.18: A 4-day free eye camp is being organised by Rotary Club......more Sadhotra
for Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 18: The Minister of State for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.....more |
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Tension
mounts as By Gopal Sharma JAMMU, Dec 18: Tension has mounted all along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) in the region following massive deployment.....more Soft stand
of Govt Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 18: While condemning the recent attack on Parliament by the terrorists, Panun Kashmir, general secretary, Mr Kuldeep Raina today said......more Excelsior Correspondent SAMBA, Dec 18: A massive dharna was organised today at Samba town to lodge protest against shifting of Fast Track/Circuit Court of Additional District and Session Judge from Samba......more HC quashes
termination Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 18: The State High Court has quashed the termination order of a lady constable of Jammu and Kashmir Police who was sacked from the department for entering wedlock second time during the life span of the first husband.......more |
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Possibility of large number
cases remaining undetected From Mohinder Verma KATHUA, Dec 18: With 12 cases of HIV positive have been detected in the District Hospital Kathua during the last six months and 25 deaths due to Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) reported during the last three years, the number of persons having HIV positive virus is on rise in this district due to inadequate facilities. Sources in the Health Department said that the 12 cases have been detected at only District Hospital level and the possibility of a large number of cases in far-off areas of the district having remained undetected could not be rule out. "Deaths due to AIDS have come in light during the last three years but the testing facility was made available in the District Hospital only in the month of May this year", the sources said, adding "the authorities concerned are still gropping in dark about the total number of HIV positive cases in the district". The sources further informed that only those cases were detected by the authorities which came at District Hospital and a large number of cases in far-off areas of the district have remained undetected due to inadequate facilities and inertia on the part of concerned authorities. "Ghagwal, Hiranagar and Bani blocks of this district are mostly under the grip of HIV positive virus with maximum cases having been detected from these areas", the sources further informed and said that "these areas are infected due to the reason that large number of people of these areas are working as labourer outside the State". Even the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Kathua confessed that like in all developing countries, truck drivers and migrant labourers were the prime carriers of the virus in Kathua district. He further confessed that the facility of detecting HIV positive cases is presently available only at District Hospital. Sources informed that there has not been any official level checking of these labourers despite the authorities concerned being fully aware of the fact that only these labourers are transporting the HIV virus in the district. "The lack of testing facility at Sub-District Hospitals is the main reason behind large number of cases remaining undetected", the sources further said, adding "the authorities concerned have not initiated steps like mobile services to detect the cases in far-flung areas of the district". The CMO said that they have record of only such cases which are detected at District Hospital and it is very difficult to furnish the details of exact number of HIV positive cases. During the last three years, around 25 persons have died due to deadly Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in Kathua district and barring one case, the authorities of Health Department have no prior information about the said persons having been infected with HIV. "Mere seminars and speeches can not serve the purpose and to prevent the spread of this deadly disease the authorities will have to initiate steps", the sources stressed and said "those persons who were found HIV positive even don’t have information about the consequences of disease and consider it as curable one". Sources informed that a number of cases have also come into light which clearly show that even two to three members of some families are carrying HIV virus. In a society where sex is not discussed openly, the administration should evolve new strategies to reach out to the people of far flung areas to make them aware of this deadly disease. Sources informed that 12 deaths have been reported from Ghagwal block, 2 from Kathua block, 2 from Kradki village, 2 from Samthyal, one from Katal Brahmna, 3 from Badoli, 2 from Audh and 2 from Rattanpur during the last three years. The sources said that the Health Department should make available the facility of detecting HIV positive cases at Sub-District Hospitals and mobile service started to prevent the situation becoming from bad to worse. |
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Taksal opens shop to provide religious literature Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 18: Damdami Taksal, a religious body of the Sikh community, opened a shop near Gurmat Pustak Bhandar at Nanak Nagar, sector 11, Jammu. According to a press release, Bhai Mohaqam Singh, chief spokesperson of the Damdami Taksal, Jatha Bhindra Mehta of Amritsar, who is also editor of monthly magazines ‘Khandedar’, Amritsar, inaugurated the shop to provide religious literature, magazines, calendars and other religious material showing the history, development and future programmes pertaining to Sikhism. Damdami Taksal, a religious body was founded by the Tenth Guru Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj and then headed by Baba Deep Singh Ji Shaheed. Later on, with facing many hardships and other hurdles being created by disgruntled leaders, it emerged as a strong body representing and propagating the real and truthful Sikh doctrines which were emphasised by Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj himself to guide the Khalsa Panth created in 1699 AD at Anandput Sahib. During the inauguration, eminent persons young and old alongwith intellectuals attended the programme enthusiastically and wished a great success to the organisers, Mr Sarabjit Singh and Ranjit Singh. |
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Kavita
Thakur charms Jammuites with Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 18: Ms Kavita Thakur, a young talented Kathak dancer, charmed Jammuites with her superb performance in the Abhinav Theatre, here this evening. The Academy of Art, Culture and Languages has organised the programme. Kavita Thakur made Kathak presentation with great aplomb and impressed with her dance movements quite in tune with the music recital and admirably well expression of emotions during the performance. Her fine footwork especially during the "jugalbandi" was also an added attraction. This young classical dancer started with Vandana and then presented bandishes in Teen Taal in Lucknavi shelli followed by a variety of performances. Her facial expression and dance movements was liked by all on the song: Jal Yumuna bharan kese jauo Aaj Machi dhoom bajat madhur been " This evening’s performance was one of the memorable event after a long time. The audience repeatedly applauded the display of artistic talent by Kavita Thakur. She is a promising Kathak dancer. The instrumentalists and musicians who accompanied the dance item were: guru Munna Sukhla director of music composition and recital, Sunil Mishra on tabla, Vijay Parihar on harmonium and Munir Ahmed on sarangi. They did well their job in synchronising music with movements of the dancer to the delight of those present. The Secretary, Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Mr Balwant Thakur lighted the traditional lamp to inaugurate the programme. Prof Nilamber Dev Sharma presented a bouquet of flowers to Kathak dancer. Ms Kavita Thakur, while talking to EXCELSIOR said that it was her first performance to Jammu where she got good response. She would like to visit this city of temples again and again as the people here do have appreciation for art and culture. The dancer was initially trained in the art by Mrs Ela Pandey in Shimla. She has given solo and group Kathak performances in the youth festivals and other major events in Himachal and various other parts of the country. She was trained at Kathak Kendra, National Institute of Kathak Dance, New Delhi in 1994. Further fine turning was done under the guidance of Guru Munna Shukla. Already she had given performances, among other places in Lucknow , Delhi, Dehradun, Ranchi, Jodkhpur, Kolkata, Mumbai as also in International Tourism Culture festivals at Beijing, China. The Academy of Art, Culture and Languages has scheduled " Lok Utsav-2001" at Mubarak Mandi, Jammu from December 19 to December 22 to project our rich cultural heritage. |
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Free eye camp by Rotarians at Kishtwar Excelsior Correspondent Udhampur, Dec.18:- A 4-day free eye camp is being organised by Rotary Club and Krishan Lal Sharma Memorial Rotary Eye Hospital, Udhampur in collaboration with Faridya Charitable Trust, Kishtwar from December 21 to December 24, 2001 at Kishtwar in Doda district. With a view to provide free and specialized treatment against eye ailments, Rotary International, Japan in collaboration with J&K Rotary foundation of Rotary International has jointly set up a prestigious Rs.2.50 crore Eye Hospital at Udhampur. Since its inauguration in December 2000 the organisors of this hospital have conducted four free eye screening camps and treated over 40,000 patients in general OPD. Besides over 600 eye patients have also been operated upon for cataract surgery and for implantation of Inter-ocular lenses. Patients belonging to weaker and down trodden sections of the society have been provided free medicines and other surgical requirements. An experts team of eye specialists from Rotary Eye Hospital will screen the patients suffering from various eye ailments during the camp. Free cataract operations will be conducted on the spot with other treatment. The eye patients will be provided free medicines, food, boarding and lodging at the camp. The eye patients of serious nature and those who would require inter ocular lenses shall be operated upon and provided adequate Medicare in the Rotary Eye Hospital Udhampur such patients shall be provided with free and Fro transportation, inter ocular lenses, medicines, food, boarding and lodging during the treatment period at Rotary Eye Hospital, Udhampur. |
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Sadhotra for inculcating patriotic spirit among youth Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 18: The Minister of State for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Mr. Ajay Sadhotra has called upon the teachers and parents to inculcating a sense of patriotism among youngsters. The Minister was addressing students, prominent citizens, parents and school staff at Government Girls High School, Marh Bagh during annual day function today. The Minister also distributed an amount of Rs 65,000 as scholarship at the rate of Rs 300 each student among 235 SC students on the occasion. Referring to the recent terrorist strike on Parliament and State Assembly, the Minister said the time has come that all of us should rise to the occasion and frustrate the designs of the enemy. He said, the attack on the democratic institutions should be considered as an attack on our freedom and liberty. He said education and discipline in life are important, but prevalence of patriotic sense among the masses is equally important for a society to survive. Calling upon people to foil the enemy’s design firmly and strongly, the Minister said unity is imperative for achieving the cherished ideals of defending nation’s integrity sovereignty. Any weakness will be detrimental to the national interest, he said. Mr. Sadhotra cautioned people about the game plan of elements inimical to peace and tranquility and said their main intention is to create mistrust among various sections of people to further their designs. Such attempts deserve to be foiled unitedly as the people, particularly those belonging to Jammu and Kashmir, have demonstrated in a greater measure during over the past 12 years. The Minister expressed concern over the growing incidents of militancy and said the youth have a definite role in this situation. He said today’s youth are well aware about the situation in the country and world over as they are getting every bit of information through fast reaching electronic media. He hoped that the youth would understand the gravity of situation and prepare themselves to fight the terrorism to the hilt. He said the youth are future of the nation and the country has high expectations from them. The Minister asked the teachers to give extra attention to prepare the students for facing the challenges on every front. He also urged them to prepare the pupils for facing competitive exams apart from teaching prescribed syllabus by conducting special classes. |
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Tension mounts as Pak Army
movement By Gopal Sharma JAMMU, Dec 18: Tension has mounted all along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) in the region following massive deployment of Pak Army closer to the borders in J&K state. A senior Army officer in the Northern Command headquarters, quoting intelligence agencies operating on the either side, disclosed that massive Pak Army build-up along the border has been observed in past three days in this sector. The movement of heavy and medium machine guns, tanks, armoured cars, troops and other weaponry has been noticed closer to the borders in Pathankot, Samba, Chhakergarh, R S Pura, Chicken Neck, Nikki Tawi and Chhamb areas. The inputs received from Jhanggar, Kalsian, Pir Bhadesar, Laam, Nowshera, Balakot, Mendhar and Poonch area also indicated that Pak troops’ movement has been visible for the last couple of days along the Line of Control. In the hilly terrain of Rajouri and Poonch, the civilians residing closer to that side of the LoC, particularly in Nikyal, Lam, Balakot and Sawjian areas have been instructed to move to the safer places. The reports also indicated that scared border villagers in view of the emerging situation have started sending their children and women to the safer places. Responding to a question, the officer said that Pakistan has even continued its build-up in certain areas after the completion of their winter exercise few days ago. During that exercise, even in some pockets, the Pak army continued to be retained, which included—Sialkot, Amru Chak, Gujranwalla, Jalalpur, Chhamb and Mirpur. It is not out of place to mention here that Pak authorities have already cancelled the leaves of its troops and started their deployment in the forward areas. Another senior officer from 16 Corps when contacted said that visible Pak army movement along with tanks has been noticed from several points in Chicken Neck, Nikki Tawi, Chinab, Ravi and Basantar riverine areas in past 48 hours. " Our troops are also on the maximum alert and prepared for any action ," he added. The officer further said that civilians residing closer to the border on this side have not been disturbed so far. They are still at their respective places and carrying out their routine work. If required, they will be asked to move to the safer places but the time has not come as yet. He however, claimed that there are certain hamlets and villagers like Suchetgarh, Dewangarh, Nikial, Panjgrain etc. which are very closer to border/LoC, are facing maximum degree of threat. Inspector General BSF Jammu Frontier Mr Vijay Raman said, " nothing is normal on that side of the border as we are observing for the past few days. Things seems to be normal on our side but massive army build up is there opposite Jammu sector of Pak area and something is surely getting cooked up there as per our observations. The BSF is there as it was earlier and carrying out its job effectively but we can not say whether Rangers are still there at their BOPs or replaced by Pak troops. The forces on our side are quite vigilant and keeping a close eye on all the activities on the other side, " he maintained. The IG further said that intermittent firing all along the IB is continuing and its intensity increases during night. He said the Rangers have tried to create tension by causing series of blasts along the border in the recent past but it only speaks of their frustration. The Jammu Sector Commander of BSF, Mr P S Chehal was, however, not available for the comments. Meanwhile, tension is prevailing among the border villagers of Akhnoor, Pallanwalla, R S Pura, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch sectors following massive army build-up on the borders. According to them Pakistani troops have been observed building bunkers, protection walls and laying gun positions in their own territory. In view of the tension, the farmers have stopped moving closer to the border and carrying their cattle for grazing in their fields towards zero line. They further said that our army has also been engaged in massive protection work and digging trenches besides carrying similar other operational activities along the border. |
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Soft stand of Govt on terrorism led to Dec 13 attacks: PK Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 18: While condemning the recent attack on Parliament by the terrorists, Panun Kashmir, general secretary, Mr Kuldeep Raina today said such unfortunate event is the result of the failure of Central and State Governments to weed out terrorism and subversive elements within the politico-administrative set up at both national and State level. Mr Raina who presided over a meeting of Jammu unit of Panun Kashmir here today which was convened to discuss prevailing situation that has arisen out of terrorist attack on Parliament on December 13 alleged that the main stream political establishments are not still taking up the issue seriously. He said the recent statement of Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee that India would wage "Aar Paar Ki Ladai" is basically the statement to absolve the Government from any responsibility for its failure to protect the lives, property, religion and culture of the people. He said such serious statements in absence of snapping diplomatic ties with Pakistan and without declaring the same a terrorist country means to bury the head like ostrich in the sand and do not see the approaching tiger. Mr Raina while elaborating the details of the one day conference to be held in Abhinav Theatre said that they are completing one decade of struggle of Margdarshan Resolution-91 on December 28 and the same resolution is the guiding principle for their organisation. He said the organisation has already undertaken a mass campaign to seek the reaffirmation of community members towards this resolution. He said the objectives which the December 28 conference has before it include to symbolise and reflect the oneness of the community in its assertion of political, economical and cultural rights, to reflect the artistic, cultural and intellectual acumen of the Kashmiri Pandits and to evolve an integrated strategy to achieve the cherished goal "Homeland". |
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Excelsior Correspondent SAMBA, Dec 18: A massive dharna was organised today at Samba town to lodge protest against shifting of Fast Track/Circuit Court of Additional District and Session Judge from Samba to Jammu city. Members of Bar Association Samba and prominent citizens of tehsil joined the dharna. According to a press release, while speaking on the occasion, Mr Sukhdev Singh Sambyal, president of the Bar Association apprised the gathering that Bar Association has been continuously on strike from December 5 against shifting of Fast Track Court. He said that there was strong resentment among people of Samba against decision of the concerned authorities to shift Fast Track / Circuit Court. Prominent among those who addressed the dharna included Messrs Satish Dutta, Capt Parsidh Singh, Ravi Khajuria, (Cong-I), Kashmir Singh, (BJP) Pawan Dev Singh, (NC) Arun Khajuria (Panthers Party) and Sarpanches Major Daleep Singh, Dinesh Singh, Anil Choudhary, Capt Balwant Singh Nagra, Pritam Chand, Balwant Singh, advocates Manjit Singh, Ganesh Sharma and Subash Singh Sambyal. It was unanimously decided to launch a strong agitation for recalling the High Court order whereby these courts were shifted to Jammu city, under the banner of Bar Association Samba. |
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HC quashes termination order of a lady cop Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 18: The State High Court has quashed the termination order of a lady constable of Jammu and Kashmir Police who was sacked from the department for entering wedlock second time during the life span of the first husband. While quashing the termination order, Justice Vijay Kumar Jhanji directed that the petitioner (lady constable) be reinstated immediately and given all consequential benefits without any further delay. The order said that the termination order has caused an aspersion against the character and integrity of the petitioner and it must be considered by way of punishment, no matter whether the petitioner was a probationer. " The impugned order being stigmatic, could have been passed only after holding the regular inquiry and giving an opportunity to the petitioner to prove her defence. It is the conceded case that neither the memorandum of charges was served on the petitioner, nor she was given opportunity to lead evidence in her defence", the Justice observed while quashing the order. Suraya Khan, a lady constable of J&K Police was terminated from the services on the allegations that she had conducted second marriage with one Riyaz Ahmad of Doda during the life-time of her previous husband Mohammed Shaffi of Rawalpura, Srinagar without the consent of the first husband and approval of the Department which was void abinitio. In the termination order number 280 of February 22, 2000 , passed by Senior Superintendent of Police,Doda, Muneer Ahmad Khan,it was alleged that she was seen in the company of "ill-reputed persons" many a times and her retention in the Police Department was considered as "highly prejudicial" to the maintenance of the discipline and integrity of the department. It was further mentioned that her services were no loner required in the Police Department and subsequently discharged from the service. The petitioner Suraya Khan challenged this order through Advocate O P Thakur. The High Court quashed the order of SSP. However, it was observed that the competent authority shall be at liberty to pass order after holding enquiry in accordance with law, as it thinks fit and proper. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 18: State executive committee meeting of Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh was held here under the presidentship of Mr Vijay Chandel in which senior BMS leader Laxman Ravinder Singh was also present. As per a release the state general secretary of the Sangh Mr Nand Kishore Gupta, presented the minutes of the last meeting which were approved. Various other resolutions were also passed in the executive meeting which called for immediate grant of Disturbed Area Allowance to central and state Government employees of Jammu province, issuance of Minimum Wage Revision notification, stoppage to power cuts in favour of industrial units and contract Labour Board be constituted. Through other resolutions passed in the meeting the BMS deplored the functioning of Provident Fund Department and alleged that there were financial irregularities and corruption as even PF slips of workers have not been issued for the last 10 years. The meeting held that the ESI Hospital which was due for commissioning in September last has not yet been constructed completely and demanded that work on the same be expedited. The meeting also demanded that labour cases pending for years in different fora should be cleared immediately, SIDCO should maintain the roads and lights in Industrial area Bari Brahmana, two percent DA instalment should be released in favour of State employees from July last and all daily wagers be regularised, salary should be released in favour of postal employees for the strike period and immediate steps taken to implement the decision for creation of Postal Division at Rajouri and funds released for construction of Head Post Office building. Other demands raised in the meeting pertained to release of salary of Super Bazar employees which has not been paid to them for the past six months, payments to Dharmarth Trust employees at par with Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board employees and GREF workers job security rules should be framed as they have been for more than 20 years as daily wagers. At the outset the meeting through a resolution condemned the attack by terrorists on Indian Parliament and asked the Central Government to crush militancy with strong hands. It also extended all out support to the Centre in its fight against militancy. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 18: A meeting of the Village Level Workers Association was held under the chairmanship of Mr Kapoor Singh Jamwal, provincial president demanded filling up of vacant posts of Inspectors Panchayat and others which have not been filled yet since long. As per a release the Association has taken up the issue several times with the Director Rural Development for filling up of the vacant posts of BDOs out of Departmental Quota, but despite promoting department functionaries the outsiders are being inducted as Block Development Officers by violating all rules and regulations at a time when even the High Court has also quashed such back door appointments. Association demanded filling up of vacant posts of BDOs only from the Department as there are no gazetted Services rules inforce in the Department after induction of the Department in the J&K Combined Services. The Association also discussed the PMGSY in detail which is newly introduced employment scheme for the rural poor masses. Association showed resentment for issuance of guidelines of the said scheme and held that double standards were being maintained in the Department. There is a system for execution of Rural Development Works in the Department by which Executive Engineers are empowered to execute the works physically and financially which is against the departmental system and on the high rates which are prevailing in the Department. Association said it was unfortunate that different rates are prevailing for execution of the same nature of works in different schemes. Moreover in the Works Department there is supervision of senior higher officers like SE and Chief Engineer but in the said guidelines the works worth crores of rupees are at the disposal of Executive Engineer without any supervision and check. They said in Rural Development Department there were several engineers in the RDD who were not qualified civil engineers and questioned how funds to the tune of crores of rupees are kept at their disposal. Association demanded that either the works should be executed through the Departmental system or the same be handed over to R&B Department which is specialized in the construction of roads with sufficient infrastructure. Association also demanded clarification of SRO 64 regarding time bound promotions. The meeting was attended among others by Messrs Raj Paul Gupta, provincial general secretary, Baldev Raj, cashier, Mohinder Singh District Jammu president, Surinder Kumar Sharma, president for Udhampur district, Joginder Singh Kathua president, Raghbir Singh District Jammu general secretary and Abdul Rashid, member of working committee. |
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Postage stamps on Digboi Refinery released Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 18: A postage stamp of Rs 4 denomination of 100 years of Digboi Refinery was released today by Mr Piran Ditta, Head Postmaster at Gandhinagar Philatelic Bureau in the presence of Postal Officials Mr O P Sharma, PA and Mrs Sarita Sharma PA. Digboi Refinery history was made more than a century back in a remote corner of Assam in the midst of dense jungles when a group of Italian Engineers Commissioned by the Assam Rly. and a trading company to build a railway line from Dibrugarh to Margherita accidentally discovered oil and it was here in Digboi that the first commercially viable oil well in India known as well number one was successfully drilled in September 1889. The first modern refinery in India was built and commissioned in December 1901. The stamp which was released today is available for sale at Philatelic Bureau Gandhi Nagar and other Philatelic counters in Jammu city. |
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