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| 2-day workshop begins on integrated ecodevelopment of Himalayan region Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 28: The two-day workshop on " Ecodevelopment Research in J&K State: Project Presentation-cum-Evaluation .....more Natrang
Theatre Festival By Ravinder Kaul It is a historic occasion for theatre in Jammu. It is for the first time that any theatre group is holding a nine day Festival......more Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Dec 28: To ensure speedy redressal of the people’s grievances and check the crime rate, the concept of seeking community....more HC asks
PSC, Govt to Excelsior Legal Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 28: Division Bench comprising Chief Justice H K Sema and Justice S K Gupta has directed Public Service Commission (PSC) and State of J&K......more 14 illegal
appointments Excelsior Legal Correspondent JAMMU, De 28: Justice V K Jhanji of the State High Court has quashed 14 appointments of Class-IV employees.....more |
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Shutdown
in Valley over Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Dec 28: Kashmir valley today observed a shutdown in protest against the killing of the five members of Hindu and Sikh communities in Anantnag.......more Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 28: Justice T S Doabia of the State High Court has directed the Government, Jammu Municipality and others to take a decision with a view to see that alternate allotment is made available to the petitioner who was running an automobile workshop near Amphalla and was deprived of the same by the authorities under anti-encroachment drive......more IB is
‘working boundary’ Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, DEc 28: With the border tension rising between India and Pakistan, Radio Kashmir Srinagar conceded relief to the Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf when it began to call the International Border (IB) in Jammu.......more Mufti
stresses on Excelsior Correspondent R S PURA, Dec 28: Stressing on the need of continuing diplomatic offensives to put pressure on the enemy to stop importing terrorism ..........more |
2-day workshop begins on integrated
ecodevelopment Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 28: The two-day workshop on " Ecodevelopment Research in J&K State: Project Presentation-cum-Evaluation " organised by the Department of Botany, University of Jammu and sponsored by G B Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development (GBPIHED), Almora, in Uttar Pradesh, commenced here today. The academicians and experts from Universities of Kashmir and Jammu, SKUAST, Kurukshetra, representatives from different Government institutions and various NGOs are participating in the deliberations. In the workshop, the project proposals are to be discussed at length and evaluated. Inaugurating the workshop, Professor B B Chattoo, Vice Chancellor, Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board University, said that academicians, NGOs and above all the people must address the problems of environment. Scientists and the people have to work together to restore the Himalyas to full health and better environment. He expressed the hope that the two-day deliberations would lead to fruitful results. Dr P P Dhyani, scientist of GB Pant Institute of Himalyan Environment and Development outlined the activities and achievements of this premier institution engaged in conducting and promoting studies and research on Himalayas. Dr Dhyani disclosed that during the last over a decade, merely three project proposals were received from Jammu and Kashmir for funding by GBPIHED. Out of these, two were sanctioned but only one was taken up, he stated adding that this workshop is being organised to attract more attention on integrated ecodevelopment of Himalayan region. Welcoming the delegates, Prof R N Gohil, Head, Department of Botany, Jammu University, underlined the importance of the theme of the workshop. Dr I A Hamal, Convener of the workshop, introduced the subject and underscored its importance. Prof R C Gupta of Kurukshetra University spoke about the ecodevelopment. Prof A K Kaul gave a detailed account of research work on ecodevelopment in Jammu and Kashmir and stressed need for gearing it up. In the two technical sessions, various important project proposals were discussed. Among others, the scientists who made presentations included: S P S Dutta, A R Yousuf, A K Wakhlu, K K Sharma, D N Sahi, Roopma Gandotra, Mrs Mehmooda Qamar, on different topics. There was active question-answer session in which vital issues were raised and useful suggestions made. |
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Natrang
Theatre Festival By Ravinder Kaul It is a historic occasion for theatre in Jammu. It is for the first time that any theatre group is holding a nine day Festival of its plays in the city. At a time when even the Drama Festival, organised by the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages every year, does not attract more than five/six entries, it is indeed no mean achievement to stage nine plays in a row by a theatre group entirely from its own repertoire. The team of Natrang deserves unequivocal appreciation for this unprecedented venture. However, the significance of Natrang, which was established in 1983, is not restricted to its present endeavour alone. There are many more ‘firsts’ to its credits. Natrang was the first group from Jammu to perform its play in a Zonal Theatre Festival organised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA). The play was Kaun Nachaye Naach which was performed in 1985 SNA Zonal Festival held at Chandigarh. But the group really hit big league with the enormous success of its play Bawa Jitto, which was first performed in the North Zone Theatre Festival organised by SNA at Kurukshetra in 1986. This play has already seen as many as 54 performances in various national as well as regional theatre festivals and is still going strong. The legend of Bawa Jitto, firmly rooted in the Dogra land and adapted for stage by Ram Nath Shastri,proved to be the launching pad of Natrang on the national theatre scene. Another play that gave respectability to Natrang at the national level was Mahabhoj. Originally written by Mannu Bhandari in Hindi and adapted by Ram Nath Shastri into Dogri, this play proved to be the another major success of the group. The play was first performed in the Zonal Theatre Festival of the SNA at Allahabad in 1989 and has also seen over fifty performances. In addition to these plays, the group has also performed 802 shows of its 72 plays including Chouraha, Sinhasan Khali Hai, Poster, Kasai Bada, Bhoma, Khadia Ka Ghera, Holi and Ghumai, all in its own inimitable style that lays emphasis on body movements, using the artistes as actors as well as props and presenting a visual spectacle through various fascinating images created by the artistes on stage. It has participated in 70 major theatre festivals of the country. In recent times, the group has shifted its focus and is concentrating on children’s theatre. Its two children’s plays Mere Hisse ki Dhoop Kahan Hai and Aap Hamare Hain Kaun have been performed in a number of children’s Theatre Festivals all around the country. Yet, these cold statistical details do not do justice to the significant contribution of Natrang to Jammu Theatre. There are two major aspects in which Natrang played a pioneering role in theatre of the city. It , for the first time, brought about a competitive spirit, a kind of killer instinct, in the staid and laid back theatre scene of the city. With its voracious appetite for awards, it won all the major awards in the State Academy Festivals for its early plays Chouraha, Kaun Nachaye Naach and Poster, it suddenly jolted the theatre groups of the city from a deep annual slumber and compelled them to pull up their socks. The fact that a number of other theatre groups have also subsequently participated in National and Zonal theatre festivals and created a distinct niche for themselves speaks volumes about the pioneering role played by Natrang in this field. The second most significant change that Natrang brought about in the mindset of the theatre people of the city was related to their attitude towards financing of theatre. Natrang went all out to tap all funding agencies in order to make theatre a financially viable proposition. It received liberal grants from SNA, Department of Culture (Government of India), J&K Cultural Academy, Tourism Department (J&K), Border Area Development Scheme, North Zone Cultural Centre, Ford Foundation, Education Department (J&K) and many other governmental and private funding agencies. In the current year alone the group has received Rs.6,06,000/- from Department of Culture, Govt. of India, (as per its website), that translates into more than Rs.50,000/- per month. In addition to this it is one of the highest beneficiaries of financial assistance from the J&K Cultural Academy this year. It is also receiving liberal grants from Sangeet Natak Akademi, performance fees from NZCC and a number of other departments of the State government under various schemes in the current year. Not only this, the group has also been able to convince the Jammu Municipality to allot a commercial site in a prime location to it at a nominal rent for establishing its office as well as its Studio. Although the financial well being of Natrang has not really rubbed on other theatre groups of the city and it remains as an sole oasis of affluence among the financially starved other theatre groups of the city, it goes without any doubt that the group has proved by example that a theatre group can survive in these turbulent times provided it knows the way to tap various funding agencies. Natrang has not been very active lately. With the appointment of its director Balwant Thakur as the Secretary of the J&K Cultural Academy, the group has been denied the advantage of a full time director. Balwant Thakur, the director of the group, is fully conscious of this and he admitted in a press interview (The Tribune, Feb.4, 2001) that" mine was only a beginning; I could not pursue it to perfection because with my shift to the Academy, my energies got divided thus my experimental work suffered." The group has lately been depending upon Guest Directors and Children’s Theatre, that most of the major theatre groups do on the fringe and not as mainstream theatre activity. With all things said and done, Natrang is a major theatre group and it is a rare opportunity to witness all the major plays of the group that gave name and fame to Natrang at one go. Every serious theatre buff must watch this festival in its entirety to trace the origins of a successful theatre group. |
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Community
participation being introduced for effective policing Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Dec 28: To ensure speedy redressal of the people’s grievances and check the crime rate, the concept of seeking community participation for better policing would be introduced in the Srinagar city shortly. This was stated at a joint meeting of civil administration, police and citizen’s council held here today under the chairmanship of Minister for Works, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar. Responding to the over-whelming concern of the members of the citizen’s council over the alarming increase in crimes like car thefts, extortion and excesses, the Minister asked the police to ensure security of the civilians which is the prime duty of the force. He said nobody should be allowed to misuse the uniform to harass the public. Mr. Sagar said the District Magistrate, Srinagar and SSP City should work in close coordination to ensure speedy redressal of the public grievances. The Minister impressed upon both the civil administration and police to restore confidence among the people who have suffered the worst during the ongoing turmoil. He said the elements inimical to peace should not be allowed to take advantage of any untoward incident and the administration should always make the first move to come to the rescue of the people. Taking a serious note of the complaints by public about harassment by the police and security forces, the Minister said that the Government would never desist from taking action against the officials found indulging in anti-people activities. Speaking at the meeting the DIG Police, Srinagar, Budgam range, Dr. Vaid said that the department would hold regular meeting with citizen’s committees and youth forums to further strengthen the Police - Public relations. He said as a part of this programme youth clubs would be constituted in the city to involve the young generation in constructive activities. He said, the police officials would also visit the educational institutions and interact with the students there. The DIG assured the meeting that action would be taken against the erring cops where the complaints are found correct. The Minister also reviewed the progress of development works in the city, besides power scenario and availability of essential commodities. He instructed the municipality authorities to continue the anti-encroachment drive in the city. The Minister also instructed the municipal authorities not to dump any waste material in river Jehlum. The members of the citizens council raised various issues related to power, drinking water and transport facilities. The Minister assured that their grievances would be looked into and asked the concerned officials to personally visit the areas wherefrom the complaints have come. Responding to the demand of the citizens regarding erratic power supply, the Minister instructed the PDD authorities to strictly follow the curtailment schedule already issued. He said there should be no additional cuts, especially during morning and evening. Earlier, the District Development Commissioner, Mr. Abdul Hamid gave a resume of the progress of developmental activities in the district. The SSP city, Mr. R. S. Swain informed the Minister about the prevailing law and order situation of the city. MLC, Mrs Shamima Akhtar, heads of departments and district officers besides prominent citizens were present at the meeting. Later, the Minister addressed a party workers meeting where the speaakers raised the problems of their respective areas. The Minister issued on the spot instructions for the redressal of the grievances. He asked the party workers to remain in close touch with the administration for the speedy and satisfactory execution of the developmental works. |
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| HC asks
PSC, Govt to appoint petitioner in gazetted cadre Excelsior Legal Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 28: Division Bench comprising Chief Justice H K Sema and Justice S K Gupta has directed Public Service Commission (PSC) and State of J&K to issue appointment letter within a week in favour of Ms Rimpi Ohri (Singh) in pursuant to the interim order passed by this court, whereby one post has been kept unfilled under the reserved category of LAC. Rimpi, under LAC category had applied for Combined Service Competitive Examination in 1999. She was, however, considered in open merit and not treated as Reserved Category candidate. The result of the examination was published on July 26, 2001 wherein her name was not included in the select list. The plea of the Public Service Commission was that her certificate for reserved category was valid for only two years and the same had expired at the time of applying for the post. In the 17 page judgment, it as observed that the resident certificate was issued on October 26, 1995 under the provisions of SRO 126. However, despite the expiry of the certificate, she was the resident of that area continuously throughout from the date of application till publication of the result. Even the valid resident certificate was submitted on October 24, 2001. Under these circumstances, the Bench is of the view that she was factually resident of LAC and couldn’t be denied the benefit under SRO 126, the Court ruled. With these observations, the Court directed the concerned authorities to issue the appointment letter within a period of one week. |
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14 illegal appointments in Horti Deptt quashed Excelsior Legal Correspondent JAMMU, De 28: Justice V K Jhanji of the State High Court has quashed 14 appointments of Class-IV employees in the Department of Horticulture and directed the Government through Chief Secretary Financial Commissioner Agriculture Production/Horticulture and others to constitute a selection committee for conducting interview within a period of six weeks. The selection committee, so constituted, shall conduct interviews and the respondents would appoint those persons who are found meritorious by the selection committee. The petitioners who had applied for the appointment would also be called for interview, it was directed. The Court, however, said that the petitioners shall also be entitled to cost of rupees 1,000 to be paid by the State of J&K. This significant judgment was passed in a writ petition filed by Narinder Kumar and others through D C Raina, wherein the illegal appointment of Class-IV category in various districts in the Horticulture department, were challenged. While allowing the petition, Justice Jhanji observed that when the petition was admitted and number of opportunities granted to file counter, no steps in this direction were taken. Government Advocate Baldev Singh appearing in the case, even sought time to file counter on the last Date of hearing . His request was accepted subject to the payment of cost of rupees 1,000 , but neither cost was deposited, nor objections filed, the Court said. In absence of any counter, the averments made in the writ petition have gone unrebutted and, therefore, the court has no option, but to allow the petition and to quash the appointments, the Justice said. |
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Shutdown in Valley over Anantnag carnage Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Dec 28: Kashmir valley today observed a shutdown in protest against the killing of the five members of Hindu and Sikh communities in Anantnag district last week. Three Sikh girls and two Pandit woman had died in mysterious nocturnal shoot-out in the twin villages of Poshkreeri and Hugam. Call fot the shutdown had been given by the separatist amalgam, Hurriyat Conference, which in fact wanted to "attract the world attention towards the human rights violations" by security forces and local counter-insurgents in Jammu & Kashmir. Hurriyat hs condemned the Anantnag killings but, as usual, its needle of suspicion is still directed towards security forces. Euphemistically, it has called for "an independent probe by world bodies" to ascertain the facts behind such killings. Transport was off the road and most of the shops and business establishments remained closed. A number of Government offices, courts and banks —particularly all branches of Jammu & Kashmir Bank—were also closed. Attendance was thin in the Government offices which were open for business. Reports available from district headquarters and major twonships said that most of the people responded to the Hurriyat calls and remained indoors. Meanwhile, a critically injured cobbler, Rattan Lal S/O Kashmiri Lal R/O Chandigarh has succumbed to injuries at a hospital. He was among the 26 civilians and four Police personnel who got injured in a grenade blast at Budgam on Thursday. As already reported, DIG Srinagar Dr Shesh Pal Vaid and SP Budgam Ashiq Bukhari escaped unhurt when a militant hurled the grenade on their cavalcade at Budgam. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 28: Justice T S Doabia of the State High Court has directed the Government, Jammu Municipality and others to take a decision with a view to see that alternate allotment is made available to the petitioner who was running an automobile workshop near Amphalla and was deprived of the same by the authorities under anti-encroachment drive. While disposing of the petition and making the observation, the Court directed the respondents to see to, in the light of the earlier Court directions, within a period of three months from the date copy of this order is made available by the petitioner to the respondents. These directions were passed in a petition filed by Mulkh Raj through Advocate CS Azad, wherein the petitioner mentioned that since 1988, he was running an automobile station on a piece of land measuring seven marlas situated adjacent to Ved Mandir Amphalla, B C Road. This piece of land was a sort of a jungle and was leveled by the petitioner and made it workable. However, in 1998, the Municipality made an attempt to dislodge the petitioner. It was on November 25, 2001 that the Municipal authorities " bulldozed" the business premises of the petitioner. The same was challenged in the Court |
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IB is ‘working boundary’ for Radio Kashmir Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, DEc 28: With the border tension rising between India and Pakistan, Radio Kashmir Srinagar conceded relief to the Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf when it began to call the International Border (IB) in Jammu region as the "working boundary". It was none other than Gen Musharraf who christened that phrase for the 200 Km patch of border between India and Pakistan, officialy known in India as International Border (IB). Inspite of India’s objection to the phrase, Gen Musharraf and his ebullient Defence spokesman, Maj Gen Rashid Qureshi, have been calling the IB in Jammu division as "Working Boundary". Radio Kashmir picked up the phrase this evening when it repeatedly referred to the Jammu IB as "Working Boundary" in its current affairs programme "Shaherbeen". |
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Mufti stresses on intensifying diplomatic offensives Excelsior Correspondent R S PURA, Dec 28: Stressing on the need of continuing diplomatic offensives to put pressure on the enemy to stop importing terrorism in the country, the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) supremo, Mufti Mohammed Sayed today said that country was passing through a decisive phase. Addressing a Kissan rally at this border town amidst tension, Mufti referred to the statement of Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee in which he had stated about Aar Ya Par. "Aar Ya Par does not mean full scale war", he said and added that Prime Minister has rather referred towards taking final decision against terrorism. "It means to give signal to the enemy that India will not tolerate terrorism any more", he said, adding, "terrorism is not a solution ofany problem. "We are not in favour of war but every country has right to protect its highest institutions", he said and strongly condemned attack on Parliament and termed this attack as assault on the highest institute of the nation. He was of view that diplomatic offensives should continue. "From cease-fire to ‘much-talked’ Agri Summit, India has taken every possible effort to tackle the issue of terrorism with peaceful manner but some people take it otherwise", he regretted. Pointing towards developments taking place at international level, Mufti said "one thing is very much clear that gun is no solution of any problem. Now it is not considered as excuse to take gun if justice denied". Asking Central Government to avail the opportunity when people are fed with terrorism, Mufti stressed on the need of taking sincere efforts to remove alienation of the masses. "We can win war with enemy but our main stress should be to win heart of the own people", he said and recalled why former Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi had held dialogue with Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah despite being the fact that nation had won war against Pakistan in 1971. "War with Pakistan is different thing but dialogue with local people should continue", he stressed. Addressing the rally, prominent Kissan leader, Mr Trilok Singh Bajwa expressed grave concern over deteriorating situation on the border. He criticised Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah for enjoying holidays at London while the inhabitants of state have been facing hardship. "It is very unfortunate that thousands of people have been living their homes and hearth due to the prevailing situation on the border but our Chief Minister has been enjoying holidays at London", PDP leader said. "It is very unfortunate that a person like Farooq Abdullah is the helm of affairs in this sensitive state", he said, adding, "It is hobby of Farooq Abdullah to leave people at the mercy of God at every crucial time", he said and recalled how Farooq Abdullah had left the country in 1989 when militancy started in the State. "From 1989 to 1996 Farooq remained at London while people of his State were facing violence", he recounted, adding, "the way Farooq Abdullah is sitting at London is a clear indication of his non-seriousness". Highlighting problems of the inhabitants of this border town, Mr Bajwa said that miseries of the people further compounded due to the prevailing conditions on border. He lambasted the local administration for not paying heed to the problems of the masses. Zonal president of the PDP, Ch Chuni Lal, who is resident of a border village Hansa, in his address, criticised the administration for taking efforts to mitigate woes of the masses. "Thousands of families have left their homes and hearths but administration has not take any step to provide them food or shelter", he said and warned that PDP will launch an agitation if steps were not take to provide shelter of the migrants. Master Tasaduq Hussain, general secretary of the PDP, in his address, asked the people to strengthen hands of Mufti Mohammed Sayed. "Only PDP can get you rid from the yoke of the National Conference", he said and cautioned the people against nefarious designs of NC and BJP. He alleged that both these parties trying to exploit sentiments of the people for their petty political gains. Mahila wing president of the PDP, Mrs Shanti Devi, while speaking in the function, exhorted the people to come forward and strengthen hands of Mufti Mohammed Sayed. She said that it was high time to united oppose anti-people policies of the National Conference. "Neither BJP nor Congress can tackle NC. Instead of opposing wrong polices of NC these parties are hand in glove with NC to further their personnel interests", she said and claimed that only PDP can oppose policies of NC. Mr Baldev Slathia, district rural president of the PDP, in his address accused the NC Government of intentionally neglecting rural areas. He said that farmers have been facing hardship due to non-availability of seeds and fertilizers but authorities seem to looking unconcerned about their hardship. Mr Slathia cautioned the people against evil designs of BJP and NC. Pointing towards decision of the State Government to bring out controversial Resettlement Act from the cold storage, Mr Slathia said it was game plan of the both NC and BJP to exploit religious sentiments of the people. Secretary of the PDP, Mr Murtaza Khan accused the ruling National Conference of dividing people in the name of religion. He said NC Government has been failed to mitigate miseries of the masses that was why party has been trying to befool people on emotional issues. He cautioned the people against these nefarious designs. Mr Dhaman Bhasin, secretary of the party, while speaking in the rally, asked the people to strength PDP as this party was the only and effective alternative of the NC. Mr Sukhvinder Singh, labour wing president of the PDP, in his emotional speak exhorted the people to come forward and strengthen hands of Mufti Mohammed Sayed. Mr B D Gorkha and Ch Chuni Lal zonal presidents of PDP organised this impressive Kissan rally which was attended by large number of farmers. Despite tension on border large number of farmers from border areas attended this rally. |
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SFC sanctions loans of Rs. 66.72
cr; reduces losses from Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 28: The Jammu and Kashmir State Financial Corporation has sanctioned loans of Rs. 66.72 crores and reduced losses from Rs. 6.69 crores to 30 lakhs during last five years. Stating this here today the Finance Minister, Mr. Abdul Rahim Rather, said the loans disbursed during the period have helped over a thousand entrepreneurs and resulted in generating direct and indirect employment to 25,800 persons. The Finance Minister, who is the Chairman of the Corporation, was addressing the 41st Annual General Meeting of the Shareholders of the Corporation here today. Financial Commissioner, Finance, Mr. J. A. Khan, Managing Director, State Financial Corporation, Mr. Vinod Gupta, senior functionaries and shareholders of the corporation were present in the meeting. Mr. Rather said that the Corporation has been serving the entrepreneurs in the State for the last forty-two years in a satisfactory manner even though it had to restrict its working due to turmoil. In order to face the challenge, he said the State Government took various corrective measures to revitalize the activities of the institution by liberalizing the procedures of assistance and introduction of new schemes, particularly for educated unemployed youth and the upliftment of the rural poor. The Corporation has witnessed signs of improvement by initiating these measures, he added. The Chairman said that the role of the Corporation has become all the more important in the present context, because of its being one of the main constituents for economic development in the State. He said that the corporation has in order to improve the economic conditions, introduced various measures for flourishing small scale industries hotels and transport sector. Mr. Rather disclosed that the Corporation has effected total recoveries of Rs. 118.34 crores during the last five years. He said that though the recoveries have picked up yet it has not touched the desired level. Efforts are being made for recovery of the over dues, besides the disposal of unproductive assets of chronic and willful defaulters. The Corporation, he said has settled a few cases on merits on the request of borrowers. He appreciated the efforts of the Corporation in completing the backlog of accounts of seven years, which were pending for finalisation. The Corporation, the Chairman said mobilized its resources out of its internal generation and by raising bonds to the extent of Rs. 5 crores. The SIDBI after providing refinance facility to the extent of six crores rupees, stopped further refinance pending settlement of repayment programme. However, he said the issue has been resolved and SIDBI has now agreed to reschedule the overdue principal which will be repayable in 45 quarterly instalments commencing from December 2000 with no interest chargeable on the amount upto September 2003. The SIDBI has also agreed to review the position again thereafter, he added. Highlighting the measures of the Corporation to attract more entrepreneurs for setting up of their own ventures, he said it has reduced the margin from 25 per cent of the project cost to 10 per cent in respect of borrowers of remote and backward districts of the State. The Finance Minister said that is because of improved working conditions, dedicated, determined and sincere efforts of the functionaries of the Corporation that losses have shown considerable decrease. As against losses of Rs. 6.69 crores incurred by the Corporation at the time of taking over by the present Government, these have now come down to Rs. 30 lakhs. Efforts are on for the total wiping out of the losses and to run the Corporation on profitable basis, he added. The Minister assured the shareholders that the Government will continue to strengthen the corporation, through further development in the infrastructure which in turn would create more avenues for unemployed youth of the State. The Managing Director of the Corporation, Mr. Vinod Gupta while welcoming the shareholders said that the Corporation has achieved the distinction of updating of its accounts and henceforth the accounts of the Corporation shall be placed before them well within the stipulated time. He said efforts are on to bring maximum number of entrepreneurs, within the ambit of its schemes. He said through print and electronic media as also through seminars the people are made aware of the schemes of the Corporation and the incentives available thereunder. It is because of this awareness programme that a large number of young entrepreneurs have been attracted to the schemes and have availed of the loaning facility. The shareholders while appreciating the efforts made in improving the working of the corporation, however, presented various suggestions for further improving the working of the corporation. These were discussed in detail and decisions taken. The Finance Minister assured the shareholders all the suggestions that would help in improving the functioning of the corporation will receive serious consideration. |
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Shakdhar, Trisal support
"Homeland" demand Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 28: Panun Kashmir which was previously opposing the Central Government over the years for lack of will in taking a decisive action against Pakistan, the main sponsor of terrorism and proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir, however sees a ray of hope after the changing perception of Prime Minister and Indian leadership against the enemy. " I never believe in criticism for the sake of criticism", said Dr Ajay Chrangoo, chairman Panun Kashmir while addressing a seminar on the occasion of Homeland Reaffirmation Day at Abhinav Theatre here today. He said after the December 13 attack by the terrorists on Indian Parliament the Centre Government has realised that enough is enough and there is limit to India’s patience. The statement of Prime Minister that the war against the terrorism has reached a decisive phase and there will be "aar par ki ladai" has created a ray of hope among the millions of countrymen in general and the displaced Kashmiri Pandits in particular, Dr Chrangoo declared. He said India showed total indecisiveness in giving a befitting reply to the enemy since the terrorism started in Punjab and the lack of will on the part of Central Government to take on the enemy was the main reason that the Panun Kashmir was opposing its policies viz a viz terrorism. Dr Chrangoo while strongly justifying that India should smash the roots of all terrorist outfits including the Hizbul Mujahideen said there is no difference between the indigenous terrorists and mercenaries. He said had it been so then why US attacked the Afghanistan and smashed the Taliban when only 2000 terrorists were outsiders while rest were Afghans. Dr Chrangoo who made a strong dig at Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah and his Party National Conference (NC) said there is no difference in the agenda of Hurriyat and NC. He said those talking of the secularism and Kashmiriyat have basically nourished the terrorism through their policies and programmes. Lambasting at Marxists and Leftists he blamed them for harboring the terrorism by justifying their actions and asserted that the war against terrorism can not be fought till its roots are not destroyed. Challenging the right to self determination demand he said why this right will be given to Kashmiris and why not the views of Indians were sought at the time of partition. They too should have been asked whether they favour partition or not. He categorically stated that no Pandit is ready to return to the Muslim dominated Kashmir after suffering the persecution and atrocities for over five decades’’. He said Pandits have suffered persecution in Kashmir and even after the NC Government came to power no steps were taken to redress the grievances of the community. He wanted to know how many youth of the community were given the employment among the 1.5 lakh employees appointed by this Government. He said if India is really interested in defending the secularism in Kashmir it should totally reject any dialogue on Kashmir and had we been able to defend the secularism in Kashmir there would have been no migration of Kashmiri Pandits. He said not only in Kashmir the Jammu region is facing a serious threat and people have migrated from Rajouri and Poonch districts. He while expressing doubts over the secular credentials of the NC Government said Chinab Valley Development Council, greater autonomy and Resettlement Act are frought with serious consequences. In his address Mr Sunil Shakdhar, president Delhi Samiti who was the chief guest on the occasion also turned the tables on State Government. He while ridiculing the NC Government and the statement of the acting Chief Minister said the Party is working for the Third agenda. He said the army can take on the external enemy but we are much afraid of internal enemy and alleged that the NC workers in Kashmir were not killed for India but for the third agenda. Mr Shakdhar said the Parliament attack was a challenge to entire Hindu community. The Muslims are safe in India and they feel no threat from majority community but what happened to minorities in Kashmir which is a Muslim dominated state he asked. He said the community was not only thrown out and its right to live snatched but it has been deprived of "right to death "even. He while strongly advocating for the Homeland demand said the KPs have to live and die in Kashmir and P K is fighting a political war while asking the community to support it. He asked the community leaders and intellectuals to come forward and fight a joint war against the enemy. The demand for a separate "Homeland" was also strongly advocated by Dr Shashi Shekhar Toshkhani who said the "Margdarshan" resolution was a water shed in giving new direction to the community. Earlier Mr M K Teng a community think tank said it is a civilisational war in Kashmir at present,. He said the Muslim fundamentalists who are engaged in de- Sanskritisation of Kashmir have an ultimate goal of de-Sanskritise entire Himalayan region. In his address Mr O N Trisal, president AKPSC while justifying the Homeland demand blamed the Pan Islamic forces for the present plight of the community. He also blamed the State Government for neglecting the Jammu and Ladakh regions and justified the UT status for Ladakh. Among the other who spoke on the occasion include Messrs Sunil Hali advocate and Mr Shalinder Aima, PK leader. Earlier three PK activists including Pt Pushkar Nath Razdan, Pt Som Nath Kaul and Jawahar Lal Raina were felicitated for their services to organisation. They were presented the awards by Pt. Omkar Nath Shastri, chief Editor Vijayshewar Panchang. While speaking he urged the community to refrain from lavish spendings on marriages and other social functions. He also stressed on preservation of Kashmiri culture and announced that Pt. Prem Nath Shastri Sanskritik Sanstha will soon start teaching Sanskrit to community members. This Sanstha he said has been constituted with the cooperation of Pir Panchal headed by Mr Ramesh Hangloo. The function started with Sarswati Vandhna and garlanding of the portrait of Godess Shakti. During the second session which started after lunch the students of Abhay Public School staged "Akanandun" a famous Kashmiri stage drama written by Mr M L Kemo a Sahitya Academy Award winner and well known dramatist. Besides Mr Rawi Bhan recited a Bhajan. Mrs Nancy Kaul from Daughters of Vitasta also spoke on this occasion. Mr Behari Lal, press secretary, PK compered the programme. |
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TRAI notifies regulation on Port Charges Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 28: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India today notified the Telecommunication Interconnection (Port Charges) Regulation, 2001. The Regulation pertains to the Port Charges payable by the Interconnection Seeker to the Interconnection Provider for terminating the interconnection links on the network interface of the interconnection provider. The Authority decided to undertake a review exercise relating to port charges because of the multi-operator environment that has emerged with the induction of new Basic and National Long Distance Operators in the Indian Telecommunication Network. In the course of this review, the Authority also took account of the inputs received from operators including the incumbent, who is the main supplier of ports at present. The new entrants have been representing to the authority that there was a reluctance on the part of the incumbent to supply ports at the prices specified by the Authority in the past. It was also represented by the incumbent that the prevailing charges had an anomaly in that they encouraged the interconnection seeker to place more than the justified demand for ports because the annual port charges for 8 ports were of the same order as that for 33 ports. It, this, transpired that the port charges needed to be re-evaluated and the existing anomaly corrected so that there is no economic disincentive for supplying the ports. The Regulation provides both general rules and disciplines on port charges and the specifies the amounts of charges for ports. The general rules and disciplines are similar to those specified in the Regulation notified on December 14, 2001 by TRAI on interconnect charges and revenue share. The Schedule one of the Regulation specifies the port charges, in terms of five slabs. These charges also address the anomaly relating to the previous port charge regime. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 28: Director General of Police (DGP), Mr A K Suri met with disabled persons victims of mine blasts of Poonch district, who came back from Delhi after receiving artificial limbs. Prof Jagbir Singh, president of the Pritam Spiritual Charitable Trust Poonch said that for the last 12 years 1700 ill-fated victims of bombs, IED, mines, grenades blasts and firing etc have been provided artificial limbs. Today 49 people including male, female and children were brought here and provided artificial limbs to them from Delhi. DGP thanked the members of the Trust for organising the camps and providing limbs to the disabled to them. He said two buses have been provided for transportation from Poonch to Delhi and back to Poonch under their civic action programme and boarding and lodging arrangement were made in Delhi also. He said that J&K Police was ready to for any kind of help for them like transportation, lodging, boarding and cost of limbs for them. DGP said that police will bear all the expensive of books for study of Gh Mustafa whose father was killed in bomb blast. ADGP Armed Gopal Sharma, IGP Jammu, P L Gupta, Commandant HG and CD JP Singh, Addl SP Jammu, Manohar Singh and SP South, Mr J L Sharma were present in the function. |
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J&K colleges non-teaching staff to go on agitation Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 28: All J&K Colleges Non-Teaching Employees Association as a part of its joint struggle has resolved to launch an agitation if the Government failed to redress their long pending demands. In a press conference held here today, Ram Kumar Sharma Chairman and Sheikh Abdul Hamid president said that more than sufficient time has been given to the Higher Education Authorities in mitigating the pending demands but now the Association has resolved to paralyse the Administration in the Colleges with its massive state-wide agitation. They disclosed that agitational programme has been slated for February 12, 2002 and as a part of its united struggle, the non-teaching staff in all the colleges will go on mass-casual leave. The agitational programme may be extended and made indefinite, they warned. The Government will be responsible for the consequences because the Association is struggling for the last more than 15-16 years. All the Principals of the colleges have realised the fact and supported the cause. Mr Kumar said that widespread resentment is brewing among the Association members over the step-motherly treatment of the authorities. He said non-implementation of UGC pattern pay scales and its other allied benefits with effect from 1-1- 1986, in favour of college non-teaching/ non-Gazetted employees needed to be resolved whereas, their counterparts college teachers and staff of University of Jammu and Kashmir, two Agriculture Universities , State Board of School Education are getting the same benefits since then. He pointed out that re-organisation of colleges and change in infrastructure of service condition of non-teaching staff of colleges is need of the hour to be looked into afresh, in view of increase in work load due to heavy turn over of admissions by more than 50 per cent. So, there is dire need in increase of non-teaching staff by further creation of posts and promotional avenues of the employees. The promotion chances of some categories of posts are bleak, rather negative like Lab Assistants, Librarians, carpenters, Plumbers, Gasmen, Assistant PTI’s carpenter, Laboratory Bearer and other allied categories. Almost all of these posts are of technical nature, therefore a fresh re-organization of grades is required for them. Mr Hameed said that basic criteria for Secretariat Training Class for Senior Assistants working in the Degree Colleges of the state for promotion to Head Assistant needed to be waived off for those employees because the same was not implemented in University of Jammu, Kashmir, SBSE and some other departments and who got the promotions after this capsule course and there was no need of secretary training course to the college clerical staff. He also demanded one per cent reservation quota for admission to their kids in Jammu / Kashmir Universities and also provide one per cent reserved quota for the wards of employees who are working in different colleges. Mr Kumar demanded that Govt College of Engineering and technology be declared as autonomous body as per the REC norms, rules and regulations. All Class IV employees of colleges be provided uniforms and Local Fund employees of J&K Colleges be regularised on the pattern of daily wagers and the Higher Education department should declare the Local Fund employees as PDL and regularised under the provisions of SRO pertaining to the daily wagers because such persons are backbone of the colleges of the state. |
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Cabinet extends relief package to Akhnoor migrants Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 28: Jammu and Kashmir cabinet has approved an allocation of Rs one crore for providing respite to the people migrating from borders in the State in the wake of shelling from across the border. The cabinet that met with Acting Chief Minister Mr Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah in the chair here decided to place Rs 50 lakh each at the disposal of Divisional Commissioners, Kashmir and Jammu for the purpose. Briefing about the decisions taken in the meeting, the Chief Secretary Mr Ashok Jaitly said last evening that the cabinet also decided extension of relief package for border migrants of Akhnoor area in Jammu upto March 2002. This assistance will be applicable from October 2001 upto March next, he said, adding that this will entail an expenditure of about Rs 5 to 6 crores. He said initially the relief had been sanctioned in favour of these migrants in July 1999 for six months in the first instance and later extended from time to time. |
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Reservation in promotions, induction into KAS Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 28: The state cabinet has asked the cabinet sub-committee on induction of reserved categories into Kashmir Administrative Service to finalize its recommendations within two weeks. The sub committee had been constituted to recommend modalities regarding reservation in promotions and induction into KAS. The recommendations would be placed before the cabinet for its consideration. This was decided at the meeting of the state cabinet which met here yesterday under the chairmanship of Acting Chief Minister, Mr Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah. By another decision, the cabinet also approved the Draft National Health Policy, stressing on areas like pollution control and disposal of hospital waste, computerization, improving syllabus for medical graduates and post-graduates for bringing uniformity in the teaching and knowledge levels. Regarding strengthening health infrastructure, the cabinet recommended that population norms should also be combined with the specific geographical and physical features of various areas like hilly and inaccessible. The possibility of mobile health centres to cater to such areas should also be seriously considered. It also suggested that pilot projects for development of medicinal plants should be launched in states like Jammu and Kashmir that have vast and tremendous potential. |
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Rs 48 lakh Water Testing Laboratory commissioned Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Dec 28: Minister for Works, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar today inaugurated a Training Centre cum Water Testing Laboratory at Zainakote, Srinagar. Set up at a cost of Rs.48 lakh, the Centre would serve as a nodal agency to undertake detailed investigations of drinking water samples to ensure supply of safe potable water to the people. The Centre would also train the field staff of the Public Health Engineering department to undertake water testing in the rural areas. First of its kind in the State, the Centre would undertake a wide range of parametres including testing for toxic substances, trace and heavy elements besides bacteriological analysis. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said the provision of safe drinking water to the people has been prioritized by the Government in view of the alarming increase in incidence of water borne diseases. He said after achieving the quantitative target, the PHE department was now concentrating on guality parametres, taking advantage of the latest research work conducted in this area. Quality considerations, he said, assumed greater significance particularly after it became known that water is a carrier of many fatal diseases. Mr. Sagar said setting up of training cum water testing laboratory at Zainakote was a step in this direction. The department, he said, have set up base-level water testing laboratories at district level also to monitor the quality of water being supplied to the people. Besides, a mobile water testing kit capable of undertaking a wide range of parametres have also been pressed into service for on the spot testing of water samples in remote and far-flung areas of the State. The Minister said the need was however, felt to have a central laboratory cum training centre with a wide scope were more detailed investigations could be undertaken. Mr. Sagar said on the instructions of the Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah all the water supply schemes in the State would be provided with filtration plants to ensure purity of drinking water. The Minister said henceforth water samples from all the water supply schemes in the valley would undergo regular testing at the newly established centre. He said the concerned Executive Engineers would be personally responsible for ensuring regular testing of water samples. Mr. Sagar said action would be initiated against the officials from whose area the complaints of contaminated water are brought into the notice of the Government. The Minister assured that adequate staff would be provided to the Centre besides a vehicle to make its functioning more effective. Speaking on the occasion, the District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Mr. Abdul Hamid hailed the setting up of the Centre and said that it would go a long way in ensuring supply of safe potable water to the people. He described the setting up of the Cenrte as the greatest contribution of the PHE department towards the society. The Chief Engineers of PHE, R and B and Irrigation and Flood Control departments were also present on the occasion. |
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RSS discusses situation at IB, LoC Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 28: The Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) in a meeting here on Thursday under the leadership of Mr Indresh Kumar its national joint Sampark Parmukh discussed the prevailing situation in the Jammu, adjoining border areas and along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) created due to the shelling from across the border. The RSS while expressing concern over the heavy shelling of Pakistan in the forward areas forcing the migration of people from the border villages, criticised the Chief Minister for his long absence from the state. The meeting in an appeal to State administration urged it to help the displaced people by all means. It also made a fervent appeal to Sangh workers to come forward in the help of displaced people and for national cause. They were also cautioned against the nefarious designs of the enemy which may try to spread the rumors. The Sangh also urged both the Central and State Governments to impart training to the young people in self defence. The RSS has announced to provide the voluntary services and open blood matching camps that could be offered to the people in need. The medicines and blankets are also being distributed and a medical centre has been opened in Vivekananda Hospital in Ved Mandir here. |
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