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| Dogri Writers’ conference Artists depict Dogra culture on 2nd day Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 10: The colourful cultural evening with Dogri folk songs marked the high point of the second day of 3-day All India Dogri Writers Conference at Abhinav Theatre here today. .....more Effigies
of Union Health Minister, CM burnt Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 10: Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, spearheading the ongoing students’ agitation against erratic power......more Channi
demands Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 10: National Conference leader and vice-chairman Minority Cell Kashmir, S. Harcharan Singh Channi has.......more ENVIRONMENT
| FOCUS By Gopal Sharma The city of temples is today facing a major problem of proper garbage disposal.....more NHPC
claims high Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 10: National Hydro-electric Project Corporation, Salal.....more |
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Bar
Association Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 10: Bar Association Jammu in a meeting here held today under the chairmanship Mr D S Saini expressed full support to Jammu Bandh on February 12.........more Cong, NSUI
condemns Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 10: Senior Congress leader Mr Raman Bhalla has expressed his serious concern over the worsening law and order situation in Jammu Region and spurt in militancy related activities in the state......more JKNF
appeals people Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 10: Jammu and Kashmir Nationalist Front has appealed all sections of the society to make Jammu bandh on February 12, complete and a grand success. .......more Sikh
community to Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 10: An all party meeting of the Sikh community was held at Gurdwara Nanak Nagar, here yesterday under the chairmanship of Retired Col AJS Mehta to discuss .....more |
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Dogri Writers’ conference Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 10: The colourful cultural evening with Dogri folk songs marked the high point of the second day of 3-day All India Dogri Writers Conference at Abhinav Theatre here today. Melodious devotional songs by Ghulam Mohammad and party with three items was applauded by the delegates attending the conference. The popular folk song " Jali Jaan Udhampuraa dian Dhakian" was sung by him at the request from the audience. His karkan about holy Vaishno Devi was highly appealing. Bhakhan by renowned Pradhuman Singh and Krishna Kumari reflected the rich cultural heritage of the Dogras. The audience was spellbound by their performance. In the morning session of the conference, Dr S P Srivats presented a paper on " Dogri Lok Varta: Sambh samhal Di Lod Te Tarikakar" depicted the cultural heritage of the Dogras and the need for its preservation. Hemant Sathe’s paper was on the modern trends and future of Dogri language. He underlined the need for adoption of modern technology for promotion of Dogri. Dr Vijay Puri highlighted the importance of having literature in Dogri for children as well. While Mr Mohan Singh presented a paper on journalism in Dogri and lamented that there has been high mortality among the Dogri journals and papers. Kahani Goshti ( short story session) was informative and interesting. Six Dogri writers who read their stories were : Prof Madan Mohan Sharma, Dr Lalit Magotra, Dr Manoj Sharma, Mr Chaman Arora, Mr Raj Rahi and Mr Tara Danpuri. These stories depicted the human emotions and touched socio-cultural issues. Duggar Manch staged a drama " Ik Ladai Hor ". It was emotion-packed presentation of the present social conditions with declining moral values. The drama presentation had professional touch and sent across the message effectively. This 3-day conference has been organised by the State Academy of Art, Culture and Languages. |
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Effigies
of Union Health Minister, CM burnt Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 10: Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, spearheading the ongoing students’ agitation against erratic power supply and alleged illegal admissions of PRIME medicos in Government Medical Colleges, took out a torch light procession in the city, this evening. Shouting slogans against the National Conference Government and Union Health Ministry, the ABVP activists, holding ‘Mashals’, passed through various bazars of the city and later burnt the effigies of Union Health Minister Dr C P Thakur and Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah. About one hundred ABVP activists assembled at the Geeta Bhavan near Parade Ground and started the torch light procession. Passing through Rajtilak Road, Purani Mandi, City Chowk, the processionists reached at Raghunath Mandir Chowk and burnt the effigies. They were demanding immediate cancellation of admissions of unrecognised PRIME students in Government Medical Colleges in Jammu and Srinagar. Some prominent ABVP leaders also addressed the processionists and vowed to continue the ongoing agitation till a logical conclusion. Those who addressed included Mr Ramesh Pappa, Dheeraj Bali, Vivek Sharma, Adarsh Kumar and Pawan Sharma. Meanwhile, the ongoing relay hunger strike against illegal admissions and frequent power cuts, continued as next batch of ABVP activists comprised of Veer Singh, Kuldeep Kumar and Balwan Singh Miyan today sat on fast. Reports from Akhnoor said that, ABVP organised an impressive rally of students in the town against erratic power supply and illegal admissions of PRIME medicos. The rally, attended by hundreds of students including girls, was addressed by ABVP leaders namely Adarsh Kumar, Suresh Magotra and Pawan Sharma. Meanwhile, according to a press statement, ABVP state secretary Mr Vivek Sharma and state joint secretary Mr Adarsh Kumar, who alongwith other ABVP activists, had gheraoed the Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on February 8, have strongly criticised so called champions of human rights for their silence over the police excesses on peaceful student demonstrators. Former president of ABVP and BJP leader Dr Nirmal Singh has also condemned excesses on ABVP activists and demanded action against guilty police officials. He also criticised the State Government for misleading people by claiming that adjustment of PRIME medicos in Government Medical Colleges were made as per instructions of Central Government. "The Union Government in its order has clearly mentioned that the eligible PRIME medicos may be adjusted in Government Medical Colleges whereas the State Government order has completely ignored the illegibility as all the 67 students had not passed any entrance test,", he said and demanded immediate cancellation of illegal admissions. |
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Channi demands security for Sikhs in Valley Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 10: National Conference leader and vice-chairman Minority Cell Kashmir, S. Harcharan Singh Channi has demanded security for the Sikh families residing in Kashmir. As per a release, Mr Channi while condemning the barbaric killing of six members of the minority community demanded full protection to the Sikhs residing in Kashmir. He also criticised the Security agencies and alleged that they failed to protect the life of the minorities. |
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ENVIRONMENT
| FOCUS By Gopal Sharma The city of temples is today facing a major problem of proper garbage disposal and management of solid wastes. The domestic and hospital wastes has become really an issue of headache for the Jammu Municipality and allied agencies which is spoiling its beauty and surrounding environment. Due to increase in urban fringe area, the city boundary is increasing day by day and has attributed reduction in buffer zone. The case of Jammu city is somehow exceptional as compared to other cities of the country because city’s population has increased mainly due to the migration from Kashmir Valley. The area of responsibility for the Jammu Municipality has also increased manifold. Although the Jammu Municipality has engaged large number of employees for the disposal of solid wastes and installed community bins at various city points yet the infrastructure available with it is not sufficient for lifting the garbage produced every day. It is said that the present capacity of lifting garbage by JMC per day is not more than 120 Mt ton while the city produces at least 230 Mt ton solid wastes. It is clear that the remaining wastes remain scattered on the roads and lanes of the city. With the recent retirement of about fifty safaikaramcharis of the JMC, the workload has also increased on the remaining staff. The old Jammu city has very little sewerage system and it is composed in the form of open drains. The JMC is taking advantage of its terrain structure and the open drains are directly flowing towards the river Tawi, thus polluting its water to larger extent. The people of the city are not only using the open sewers for disposal of liquid waste but also using it as onsite dumping site for their garbage disposal. A senior official of Pollution Control Board said that comprehensive plan is being initiated to tackle the solid waste management problem in the country by the Government. For this strategy has been adopted with the appointment of an expert committee from the members of Ministry of Environment and Forests, Central Pollution Control Board, the Union Ministry of Urban Development and the Department of Industries. He said a special manual has been prepared by the committee appointed by the Government which would act as a guide to Urban Local Bodies for the purpose of disposal of solid waste. The Ministry would also assist various State Governments and the urban Local Bodies in the formulation of a firm policy besides providing the technical guidance through the Central Public and Health Engineering organisation. The Ministry of Non-Conservation Energy Sources has undertaken a national programme on energy recovery from Urban Municipal and industrial waste. It is promoting various Scientific methods for gainful utilisation of Municipal solid waste and garbage in the urban areas for energy recovery, waste reduction and abetment of environmental pollution. A large number of projects have been undertaken in different parts of the country under the programme and some of them are stated to be at various stages of implementation. The domestic and Industrial and the hospital wastes are contributing in big way to pollute the environment. The quality of food and vegetables is also being affected due to the alarming pollution level of the soil. Taking note of Supreme Court appointed committee guidelines, the Ministry of Urban Development has also taken several effective steps in this regard. The report has been circulated to all the states for immediate action since the job of the solid waste management is the responsibility of the States and the urban Local Bodies. It has also constituted a Technology Advisory Group (TAG) for five years to collect information on various proven technologies, provide technical assistance to urban Local Bodies, set benchmark on the Solid Waste Management for Local Bodies. The Urban Environment and Engineering wing has a major responsibility to overcome this problem with the cordial support of the Municipalities, Local Bodies. But the public cooperation and the general awareness among them are the equally important aspects. The reuse of the domestic and hospital wastes and proper treatment of sewerage water and other products would certainly contribute a lot in minimising the increasing pollution level. Taking serious note of alarming situation in Jammu, there is immediate need to stimulate the functioning of the UEED and the local bodies. The Jammu Municipality, which tried its best to ban the polythene bags failed in its efforts due to non-cooperation from the public and non-seriousness on the part of Government. In the absence of a firm policy on Environment in the state and half hearted approach, the situation is fast deteriorating.
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NHPC claims high power generation Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 10: National Hydro-electric Project Corporation, Salal (J&K) authorities have claimed that Salal project continued to maintain the power generation as per its full capacity. Reacting over a publication appeared in the columns of this paper titled ‘ Land erosion, silt affecting power generation at Salal Hydel Project’ on Feb 4, Manager (P&A) vide his letter No. NH/SHEP/PR—4/2001 dated 09-02-2001, claimed in contradiction to the figures available from the Power Grid Corporation and the J&K Power Development Department that due to extra efforts by Salal Project Management and NHPC the power generation as per the full capacity has been maintained till date. It also claimed that during the year 1999—2000 the project has achieved the highest ever generation of 3249 MUs. The Corporation Manager further claimed that they wanted to bring out the factual position for the general information of the public. So, it’s promise from us to fulfill the NHPC’s desire very soon. |
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Bar Association supports Jammu bandh Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 10: Bar Association Jammu in a meeting here held today under the chairmanship Mr D S Saini expressed full support to Jammu Bandh on February 12. As per a release, the Bar members resolved to abstain from courts on that day in support of the Jammu bandh call given by various organisations in protest against the power curtailment, backdoor appointments in MBBS and discrimination with the people of Jammu. The meeting also criticised the State Government and blamed it for failure on all fronts. |
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Cong, NSUI condemns kidnapping of girl Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 10: Senior Congress leader Mr Raman Bhalla has expressed his serious concern over the worsening law and order situation in Jammu Region and spurt in militancy related activities in the state. Addressing a public meeting here today, he strongly condemned the kidnapping of a girl by some goons in Udhampur and demanded her immediate recovery. He said it is unfortunate that the people who were talking high morality in public life have failed to rein in their own party workers from going astray and indulging in anti social activities. The Congress leader took the district administration to task for its failure in protecting the honour and dignity of women folk. He said the broad day kidnaping of a girl has exposed the hollowness of the Government and the administration. He also strongly condemned the suicide attack on Police Headquarters at Srinagar in which eight cops lost their lives and blamed the weak policies of present Central and state governments a main cause for the spurt in militancy. Meanwhile the NSUI state chief Mr Rajeev Saraf has also strongly condemned the kidnaping of a girl in Udhampur and demanded her immediate recovery He warned that in case the girl was not recovered within 12 hours the NSUI will be forced to launch agitation. |
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JKNF appeals people to make Jammu bandh complete Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 10: Jammu and Kashmir Nationalist Front has appealed all sections of the society to make Jammu bandh on February 12, complete and a grand success. According to a press statement, the Front appealed that all business establishments, educational institutions should remain closed and no vehicle, including private ones should ply on the road. The release added that the Front activists, on February 12, will gherao the State legislature and civil secretariat after taking out procession. They will also court mass arrest. |
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Sikh community to discuss Valley situation on Feb 17 Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 10: An all party meeting of the Sikh community was held at Gurdwara Nanak Nagar, here yesterday under the chairmanship of Retired Col AJS Mehta to discuss the situation and other related matters after the recent killings of Sikh community members at Mehjoor Nagar Srinagar and Narwal, Jammu. The meeting also discussed the statement of Jaswant Singh and others that appeared in February 7 issue, in which an ultimatum was given to the Government to "decide on the issue of security by February 11, failing which the Sikhs of Kashmir would start migrating from the Valley ". The meeting termed this statement as " uncalled for" at this sage. It was, however, decided in the meeting that all the prominent Sikhs of Jammu and Kashmir, on February 17, will take stock of prevailing situation in the Valley and decide the future course of action. The meeting also appealed to the Sikhs from the valley not to take hasty steps to migrate till the final decision is taken by the community members in February 17 meeting, Col Mehta, who is the president of J&K Sikh Welfare Council, said in a statement here, |
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HC directive on petitioner’s case seeking regularisation Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 10: Justice Arun Kumar Goel of the State High Court has directed Chief Engineer Public Health Engineering Department and others that if on the basis of the available record with the department, having worked as a daily wager, then the petitioner’s case be examined for regularisation in terms of SRO 64 of 1994. The court further directed that the respondents should examine the case of the petitioner relating to the full wages as daily rated/minimum wages fixed by the Government, and the same be done on or before April 30, 2001 incase the petitioner was entitled to the same. This court order was passed in a writ petition filed by Vinod Kumar through Advocate Gourab Pachnanda, whereas the petitioner submitted that he had been working with the department continuously since 1992 and was entitled for regularisation under SRO 64 of 1994. |
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HC seeks information on electricity arrears Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 10: Division Bench of the State High Court comprising Chief Justice Dr B P Saraf and Justice N A Kakru has directed the Chief Engineers of Electric Maintenance and RE wings from Jammu and Kashmir divisions to furnish the information on illegal power connections and arrears against the consumers by February 14, 2001 in the light of the earlier directive dated December 26 last year. The direction was issued on Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Association of Self Help and Awareness and others, seeking direction for supply of uninterrupted electricity to the people. On December 26, 2000, the Bench had directed Chief Engineer Jammu region to submit a fresh list of deflectors alongwith the detailed arrears. The Chief Engineer, Kashmir , was also directed to furnish the similar information. Davinder Mahajan, one of the petitioners, however, wanted to amend the petition, which was allowed by the bench. In another PIL filed by Association of Self Help Awareness, the court issued notice to the respondents respondents returnable after six weeks. Earlier Chief Engineer Jammu division had filed the detailed report pertaining to the electricity arrears which was over rupees 150 crore. He also supplied the information about the illegal connections in Jammu division. His counter-part from Kashmir, has yet to supply the similar information from the Valley. |
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513 Haj pilgrims leaving Jammu on Feb 21 Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 10: As many as 513 Haj pilgrims from different districts of Jammu region are leaving Jammu for the pilgrimage on February 21 this year. It was disclosed at an officers meeting held here today to review various arrangements for the purpose. The Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Mr R K Goel presided. The meeting discussed in detail various arrangements like food and accommodation, electricity, water supply, medical facility, transport, traffic, sanitation, security etc. With a view to receive the Hajis, a reception committee was also constituted on the spot. The pilgrims will start reaching Jammu from February 19. The committee will ensure comfortable stay of Hajis at Danish Kadan,Jammu. The meeting also decided to provide uninterrupted power supply at Danish Kadan, Talab Khatikan and Shaheedi Chowk area from February 19 to February 21. Special arrangements have also been ensured for inoculation of the pilgrims. A separate medical camp will be set up at Danish Kadan for Hajis. The meeting was apprised that General Managar SRTC Jammu will provide buses for transportation of Hajis from Shaheedi Chowk to air port on 21st February. The Ist batch scheduled for 9.20 a.m. flight will catch bus from Shaheedi Chowk at 6.15 a.m., the second batch schedule for 9.50 a.m. flight will catch the bus at 7 a.m. and the subsequent two batches scheduled for 1 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. flights will catch their buses from Shaheedi Chowk at 10.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. respectively. The State Information Department will install public address system at Danish Kadan from February 19 to February 21 and at airport on February 21. Senior officers from different concerned departments attended the meeting. |
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Rs 24 crore spent on development works in the State Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 10: Over Rs.24 crore have been spent on various rural development works during first 10 months of the current financial year in the State. This was divulged by the Minister of State for Rural Development, Mr. Ajay Sadhotra while presiding over a high level meeting of the officers held here today. The meeting was informed that under EAS Rs 13.47 crores were spent to complete 3869 rural development works in different parts of the State. Under JGSY, Rs 4.34 crores have been spent thereby generating more than six lakh mandays by completing 1570 works in the State. The meeting was further apprised that an expenditure of Rs 2.55 crore were made under IAY for construction of 3463 houses for the members of poor section of the society. Under SGSY Rs 3.67 crore were utilised benefiting 3282 people while loans of Rs 9.12 crore were also provided for the purpose by different financial institutions. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister stressed that all the ongoing development works be completed in the stipulated period. He said that officers should come up to the expectations of the people especially those residing in rural areas. He suggested that a system be formulated with a view to involve the people particularly from rural areas with regard to development works. He also emphasised that the funds be utilised properly. He further said that no compromise would be made on quality of works and asked the officers that local people be consulted while executing the works in their respective areas. He said that State Government is conducting free and fair elections in the State with a view to involve rural people in the development process. The meeting was attended among others Directors, Rural Development, Jammu and Srinagar and large number of senior officers of the department. |
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CM, others review PCR situation Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Feb 10: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah accompanied by Works Minister, Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar, Minister of State for Home, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmed Lone and Director General of Police, Mr A K Suri today visited Police Control Room, Srinagar and took stock of the situation arised due to militant’s attack on the control room yesterday evening. The Chief Minister paid homage to the deceased Policemen and expressed his sympathies with the bereaved families. Dr Abdullah said that all possible assistance would be extended to the bereaved families including their proper rehabilitation. The Chief Minister appreciated the Police Force for combating the ongoing militancy in the State adding that Jammu and Kashmir Police has always maintained the grandeur of their uniforms and laid their lives for maintaining law and order in this State. The Chief Minister said that important police installations need to be shifted from civil congested areas so that Police personnel could handle such situations in more effectively. He said the police force always keep in mind that the civilians in such areas are not harmed while retaliating the militants attacks. It may be recalled that 8 Policemen were killed and 6 injured in yesterday’s suicidal attack by militants on the PCR, Srinagar. Two militants were got killed during the encounter. |
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Govt to amend Consumer Protection Act: Nengroo Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 10: The Minister of State for Food and Supplies, Mr Bashir Ahmad Nengroo said that the government will consider to bring amendments in the existing Consumers Protection Act to make it more comprehensive and need based. Addressing second State level Consumers Protection Council meet here today, Mr Nengroo emphasized the need for better cooperation and coordination between consumers and Food and Supplies department for ensuring immediate redressal of public grievances, rendering better services, and supply of essential commodities at reasonable rates to the consumers. Referring to the poor response of the people for lifting Above Poverty Line (APL) rice and wheat from sales out lets of Food and Supplies department, the Minister said godowns of the departments are full to its capacity with food grains and wheat to meet the entire requirements of the people. He said the department since its inception has been playing a vital role in supplying food grains to the people at controlled rates through its sale out-lets covering the entire State including far flung and remote areas. Every effort is being made to supply quality food grains to the consumers and in case of any complaint department is always ready to remove the entire stock and supply fresh rations to the people. He appealed NGOs and consumers to lift maximum stock of food grains so that market prices are maintained and supply made more effective. He also appealed the council members to intensify their awareness campaign and help the department in rendering better services to the people. The Minister said that government will soon set-up district consumer councils so that the grievances of the people living in the far-flung areas are redressed effectively. He said measures are afoot to improve efficiency of LPG home delivery system. He said that government is also examining the domestic and commercial requirement of the LPG so that consumer supply is not effected and misused. The Minister advised doctors and nursing homes to charge fee as fixed by Health department under SRO 132 and display prominently the same in the Clinics. He said that auto metering and pre paid taxi service would be taken up with the concerned authorities. The Minister directed Municipal Authorities to conduct regular inspections of the market to maintain the quality and process of essential commodities. He further directed them to take action against the offenders. Mr Ved Bhasin, President Jammu Consumers Council, stressed the need for creating a separate consumer affairs ministry. He suggested creation of a post of price controller so that the prices of various commodities is kept under check and maintained regularly. He also advocated the need for amending the consumer protection act as the consumers are being cheated by vested interests in far flung areas. Earlier, a two minutes silence was observed as a mark of sympathy with Gujarat earthquake victims. The meeting was attended by several senior civil functionaries of the State, which among others included Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Commissioner/Secretary, Food and Supplies department, Director, Food and Supplies department, Jammu/Kashmir, District Development Commissioner, Jammu and Administrator Jammu Municipality. |
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