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| Kargil shadowed Lahore, not Wagah From Ahmed Ali Fayaz WAGAH BORDER, Feb 24 : Uniformed men of 10-Satluj Rangers are anxiously waiting for a dignitary. So do their fellow countrymen in civvies. A small group of.......more Aadhi
Raat Ke Baad By Ravinder Kaul The number of artistes is reducing by the day. If ‘Baby, the play presented in the Theatre Festival on Thursday had four artistes, today’s play......more Government to carve out residential plots from EP Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 24: The Government contemplates to carve out plots from the land annexed to the evacuee property, Kothies.....more Zero Hour
in the Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 24: Mr. G. S. Jamwal raised the issue of including Dogri language in the 8th schedule of Indian constitution in the Legislative Council.......more Business
advisory Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 24: The first report of Business Advisory Committee was tabled in Legislative Council today......more |
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First ever
I.T. Call Centre Excelsior Correspondent New Delhi, Feb 24: Jammu and Kashmir State will have its first ever Call Centre at Software Technology Park Rangreth, in Srinagar.......more NSS
organises inter-college debate Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 24: Thirty two students drawn from various colleges of Jammu region and Kashmir valley participated in 9th Prof B D Sharma.......more Prof
Puri’s plea to Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 24: After Chief Minister’s statement in the Legislative Council regarding admissions of Prime Medical College students in......more 37th
Nirwan Diwas Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 24: The 37th Nirwan Diwas of the greatest Dogra Saint, seer and sage Swami Nityanand Mahraj will be celebrated with reverence under the auspices .......more |
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Kargil shadowed Lahore, not Wagah From Ahmed Ali Fayaz WAGAH BORDER, Feb 24 : Uniformed men of 10-Satluj Rangers are anxiously waiting for a dignitary. So do their fellow countrymen in civvies. A small group of three young ladies in black robes, have occupied an equal number of garden chairs just to maintain a constant gaze on the swelling Indian crowds across the grand barrier. Even after 15 minutes of the last deadline i.e. 1730 hours (IST), there are little signs of the start of the ceremony of retreat- the daily ritual of folding back the Indian and Pakistani national flags, for the night, in honour of the soldiers killed while defending their respective borders. Westward, the sun threatens to set on the sprawling city of Lahore but there are little symptoms of impatience among the 1200-odd Pakistani visitors. Atop the Indian gate-cum-pavilion- 60 metres short of the zero point- the BSF hi-fi is at its high pitch. Since the Pakistani gate-cum-pavilion is still under construction and perhaps everybody is not permitted to sit on the lawns, visitors begin to line up on either side of Delhi-Lahore highway. Much like the 2000 Indian men and children, the Pakistanis listen to Lata Mangeshkar's ''aey mere wattan ke logo'' with a semblance of respect and solemnity. And interestingly, the Rangers don't rush to play Ghulam Ali or their patriotic numbers to neutralise the rivals. Suddenly, a soldier of BSF 19 Bn strolls over to the zero point, but only to inform the counterparts that the dignitary has left Amritsar and he is well on way. There is neither objection nor impatience from the other side. At this point of time, a BSF official, who has worked for two years of militancy in Pulwama, informs this writer that the common guest of the Indian and Pakistani border guards was none but the additional Director General of BSF. He explains that the Indians do similarly wait whenever a senior Pakistani official wishes to be the guest at the ritual. As the top paramilitary official, flanked by Commanding Officer BSF 19 Bn Mr Wadhwa, reaches the venue, there is pin-drop silence on both sides of the line of Partition. And the commands begin to follow on the same rhythm from either side. In the 10-minute process, firstly a contingent of five soldiers march towards the zero point from both sides. Two scouts one each from BSF and Rangers tread fast in opposite directions forcefully throw open the iron gates and shake hands only to turn back and retreat quickly. With brief intervals of commands, they shake hands three times more and finally two different soldiers hold the strings in a criss-cross and gently pull down the two flags of their respective countries. Resounding slogans of ''Bharat mata ki jai'', ''Jai Bhawai ki'', ''Pakistan Zindabad'' and ''Narai Hyderi, Ya Ali'' onliven the friendly atmosphere. Lastly, the iron gates are shut back angrily and the flags put with reverence in particular rooms of the border barracks. The entire show is lively in spite of the Kargil which shadowed the spirits of Lahore in May 1999. Just three months before, Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had extended the olive branch of peace and friendship to them Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif from the same track of Wagah. The jubilation in the peace-loving people of India and Pakistan proved short-lived as the grand intrusion in Kargil surfaced to Vajpayee's bewilderment. Thereafter too Vajpayee's bus has been shuttling between New Delhi and Lahore but devoid of any policies and diplomacy''. The move is yet to be reciprocated by Sharif's successors. Even as neither Indian nor Pakistani politicians have travelled by Delhi-Lahore bus since February 1999, Indian Home Minister L K Advani has definitely visited this border point in November 2000. But not for pushing yet another bus to Pakistan. The purpose of his visit, as an inscription records, has been to inaugurate the newly constructed gate. The milestone here depicts Delhi 490 Km away. But, obviously that is for the ordinary commuter. The political chasm between Lahore and New Delhi continues to be far far more. Apparently, there are no iron gates in between but the dubious divider of ego is perhaps no less hard. |
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Aadhi
Raat Ke Baad By Ravinder Kaul The number of artistes is reducing by the day. If ‘Baby, the play presented in the Theatre Festival on Thursday had four artistes, today’s play had only three . Shankar Shesh, the Hindi playwright who wrote a number of powerful scripts in the late sixties and early seventies, had also written a number of plays keeping in mind the problems faced by the amateur theatre groups in the country. The problem of non availability of female artistes and also the problem of dearth of trained and competent actors. Hence, he wrote plays with no female characters and with minimum number of artistes. Plays like Fandi (two male characters) and Aadhi Raat ke Baad (three male characters), the play presented by Rangshala in the ongoing Theatre Festival here today. The play deals with the age old theme of ‘the thief with a golden heart’. Right from Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables this idea has been used by the authors to the hilt. The thief in this play is on the run as a rich builder, whom he wants to expose, is after his life. He takes refuge in the house of a judge and wants that the judge should hand him over to the police, as he would be feel safer in lock-up than he does when he is free. The interaction between the judge and the thief is the mainstay of the play in which many dark secrets of the society are revealed. But for a brief appearance of a neighbour, the play is carried forward through the interaction of these two characters alone. As can be expected, this makes the play verbose. With a very limited acting area at the disposal of the actors, the only way to carry forward the play was dialogues. It must go to the credit of the two actors Himanshu Darshan and Umesh Singh that they were able to sustain the play upto its full length. They remembered their lines well and acted reasonably well. Particularly, there is a definite spark in young Himanshu and if trained properly and rigorously, he can come up as a good actor in the times to come. There was very little direction in the play and the only thing to be done was learning the lines properly. This the actors had done. The set was also neither here nor there. In fact this was the ultimate impression that one carried of the play-neither here nor there. The Festival takes a break on Sunday. It will be resumed on Monday with Theatre Mitra presenting its play Taj Mahal Ka Tender under the direction of Sanjay Kapil. |
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Government to carve out residential plots from EP Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Feb 24: The Government contemplates to carve out plots from the land annexed to the evacuee property, Kothies and buildings in the State. The plots would be leased out through open auction to fetch the income to the Government and efficiently maintain and protect the evacuee property in the State. The Evacuee Property Department has already evicted illegal encroachment on an orchard measuring 25 kanals at Rawalpora, Srinagar and converted it into residential plots, which are being leased out through open auction. The government has taken several measures to streamline the functioning of the Evacuee Property Department. In order to update the inventory of the evacuee property, survey teams were constituted to identify shops, orchards and other properties which were hidden so far. The department has already restored the position of one orchard at Patniyal and the process of identification and restoration of other properties is on. The department has also prepared a plan for Malyari land at Akalpur, Jammu to carve out plots on the pattern of Rawalpora, Srinagar and lease out them on auction. An enquiry has also been ordered against the officers who were found involved in embezzlement or grafting of evacuee property orcahrds in the State. In order to remove encroachments on evacuee properties, the department is maintaining close liaison with the Revenue Department authorities. The department also intends to submit a proposal to government for better utilization of evacuee property land at Boulevard, Srinagar so as to raise some commercial assets on it which will fetch handsome income to the department. Illegal mutations under Section 4 or 8 of the Agrarian Reforms Act previously being attested by the department have been stopped forthwith. As a result of this measure, large number of mutations have been challenged and action against defaulting officers was initiated. The department has launched a vigorous campaign to collect the outstanding rent arrears from the occupants of evacuee property. Against the target of Rs. 6.47 crore, the department collected rent arrears amounting to Rs. 5.06 crore during the last two years. Rs. 3.20 crore was realised in Jammu division and Rs. 1.86 crore in Kashmir division. The department also proposes to undertake the revision of present rent structure to meet the management and maintenance of evacuee properties. The department has approached the government for realisation of outstanding rent amounting to Rs. 20.64 crore from various government departments occupying the Evacuee Property. |
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Zero Hour in the Legislative Council Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 24: Mr. G. S. Jamwal raised the issue of including Dogri language in the 8th schedule of Indian constitution in the Legislative Council today and demanded that Government should initiate necessary steps in this regard. Mr. Abdul Aziz Wani raised the question for payment of relief and compensation to the fire sufferers of Madwa and Wadwan adding that after elapsing a long pretty time the cases of fire sufferers have not been finalized. Qari Abdul Aziz asked the Government to ensure proper functioning of telephones in Drass area adding that these are non-functional since last four months. Mr. Abdual Rehamn Tukroo demanded early completion of bridge over nallah Lidder at Hakoora village. Mr. Veer Chand Mahasha asked the Government to ensure cleanliness in Dogra hall area so that the long pending demand of the people of this locality is fulfilled. Mr. S. M. Gill urged the Government to evacuate the illegal occupants from the Moulana Azad Stadium, Jammu as it was meant for accommodating sports persons visiting Jammu. Mr. Bhushan Lal Bhat demanded early action to release the money for taking up road project in Barnai and Muthi areas. Expressing concern over Udhampur kidnapping case Mr. Daya Krishan Kotwal urged the Government to recover the kidnapped girl immediately. Mr. Ikhlaq Khan demanded restoration of water supply to Mendhar as the villagers are facing water scarcity. |
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Business advisory committee report tabled in LC Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 24: The first report of Business Advisory Committee was tabled in Legislative Council today. The Committee which met on February 19,2001 approved the provisional calendar of the House business. The committee further decided that the Rural Development, Industries and Commerce, Power and Education ministries will be discussed during the current session. The motion was unanimously passed by the House. Meanwhile the House condoled the demise of vetern Communist Leader and former Union Home Minister, Mr. Inderjeet Gupta. The members observed two-minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed soul. Besides the leader of the House, Mr. Abdul Qayoom, M.Y. Taing, A.R. Tukroo, Mr. D.K. Kotwal and Mr.Bhushan Lal Bhat paid rich tributes to the late leader. The leader of the House Mr. Abdul Qayoom said that the late Inderjeet has always pleaded the cause of weaker and neglected sections of the society and relentlessly for upholding the high traditions of secularism and democracy. Mr. M.Y. Taing while paying glowing tributes to late Inderjeet said that the country has lost a great Parliamentarian and intellectual of high caliber who always championed the cause of poorer sections of the society. He said that Mr. Inderjeet faced all the challenges boldly in his political life and the best way of paying tributes to the late leader will be to follow his principals. He said the leaders like late Inderjeet have left a mark in the political system of the country through his simplicity and high moral values. |
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First ever I.T. Call Centre coming up at Rangreth Excelsior Correspondent New Delhi, Feb 24: Jammu and Kashmir State will have its first ever Call Centre at Software Technology Park Rangreth, in Srinagar. This Centre will be set up in Joint sector at a cost of Rs 10 crores and the work is expected to start very shortly. The Call Centre will be set up jointly by J&K SIDCO and Astra Net Com Pvt. Ltd. a Delhi based Company already running a Call Centre at Gurgaon Haryana. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the Managing Director J&K SIDCO, Mr. G.Q Wani and Chairman Astra Net Com Pvt. Ltd. Mr. Rakesh Gupta here last evening. The Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, the Union Minister for Commerce and Industries, Mr. Omar Abdullah and the J&K Industries and Commerce Minister, Mr. Dr. Mustafa Kamal were also present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister assured all possible assistance and support to the I.T. operators to set up Software and other I.T service units in the State. He impressed upon the entrepreneurs to set up such ventures in the State and help solving the un-employment problem. Mr. Omar Abdullah informed that this project was a good beginning to introduce I.T. culture in the State which will attract larger investments in the State and will also help the State Government to create more job opportunities in private sectors. The Chief Minister was informed that the project will provide employment to 300 persons directly in the initial stage which will increase gradually to 1500 persons in second phase. The project will generate a business of Rs 80 crore annually. Others present on the occasion, were Joint Secretary Ministry of Information and Technology,Mr. Lakshmi Narayan, Director General Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Mr. S.N. Zindal, Resident Commissioner, Mr. Pankaj Jain and Executive Director,Electronic and Software Export Promotion Council (ESE,) Mr. D.K. Sareen. |
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NSS organises
inter-college debate Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 24: Thirty two students drawn from various colleges of Jammu region and Kashmir valley participated in 9th Prof B D Sharma Memorial inter-college debate on the topic: " Trifurcation is the only solution to Kashmir problem" Organised by the National Service Scheme (NSS), this day-long debate was held in Tagore Hall of the Government Women College, Pradehere today. The students hotly debated the pros and cons of the re-organisation of the State into three separate units. The main issues raised were whether this will be division on religious lines, how about economic viability of the separate entities and its political implication on the overall situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Ms Huma Zareen, a student of Women College, Baramulla, who secured the first position stoutly opposed trifurcation. She said first we must get back areas under occupation of Pakistan and then think of any re-structuring the set-up in Jammu and Kashmir. Rekha Malik, a student of Luthra College of Education, Jammu bagged the second prize for her forceful advocacy of trifurcation of the State in view of discrimination and domination of one region over the other. She argued that re-organisation is definitely not on communal lines. Ms Minakshi Raina of College of Education, Jammu’s case was that trifurcation is no solution to the vexed Kashmir problem. She underlined unity and brotherhood. Three consolation prizes were given to Ms Poonam, Govt. Women College, Prade, Ms Veena Sharma, Luthra College, Talab Tillo; and Mr Ifthikhar Hussain Zargar of Govt Degree College, Handwara. While special prize was also given to Mr Farooq Ahmed, a student of Govt Degree College, Doda. Running trophy was bagged by the Luthra College of Education, Talab Tillo, Jammu. Prof Zahur-Ud Din, Registrar of University of Jammu gave away prizes. Panel of judges for the inter-colleges debate were: Dr Champa Sharma, ex-HOD, PG Dogri Department, Prof Kailash Rajput, ex-Principal, GWC, Gandhinagar, Dr M A Khan, Director, Colleges, Mr O P Sharma, Special Correspondent, Daily Excelsior and Mr Jagdish Chander, Principal, Universal Academy, Jammu. Prof V K Kapoor, Programme Co-ordinator of NSS, outlined the objective of Prof B D Memorial inter-college debate and said it is 9th in the series. He also stated that NSS has been organising the activities among the students and youth. Speaking on the occasion, Prof Zahoor-Ud Din questioned the economic viability of the proposed units and said social justice must be provided to all sections of the people in all the regions in Jammu and Kashmir. Prof A N Sadhu, chaired one of the session, called for very cautious approach to such sensitive political issues. Dr Nilofar, Principal, Govt Women College, Baramulla and Dr Arun Kumar Gupta, Principal, Govt Degree College, Rajouri were vice chair persons in this session. While Prof K L Bhatia, Head, Law Department, JU, who presided over the morning session, built up a case for trifurcation on the plea that the Constitution provided for such re-organisation of Indian states. He asserted that this will lead to faster development and harmony. Dr M A Khan, Director, Colleges also spoke and underscored need for uniting hearts rather than dividing the people. Earlier, the programme started with swarsati bandana and lighting of traditional lamp by the chief guest. Prof Kiran Bakshi, Principal, Govt Women College, Prade welcomed the participants. |
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Prof Puri’s plea to agitating students Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 24: After Chief Minister’s statement in the Legislative Council regarding admissions of Prime Medical College students in Govt Medical colleges, there is no scope for suspecting the bonafides of the Government in this matter. In a press statement issued here today, former Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University Prof M R Puri expressed that from the entire case, it seems that all the parties and even the politicians who intervened on behalf of the students with the Centre, acted in a good faith. The Centre on humanitarian grounds as well as political considerations decided to help a group of beleaguered students of Kashmir Valley and Dr Farooq Abdullah who was persuaded by the Centre to move a proposal for their accommodation in the Government colleges, all of them tried to pull the students out of the mess in which they were placed. The same actors should now sit together and find a way out to resolve this crisis created by the admissions. Mr Puri observed that students may be mollified if given a definite assurance that these admissions will not in any way affect the future intake of Govt Medical Colleges. The alternative should be to send them back to the Prime Medical College and pursue the case of recognition of the college with the Medical Council of India. The entire academic community is deeply concerned about the loss of studies of the agitating students. The current session is almost washed off for them. He further appealed to the students that if they are offered an assurance mentioned above they should call off the agitation and resume their studies, Mr Puri added. |
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37th Nirwan Diwas of Swami
Nityanand Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 24: The 37th Nirwan Diwas of the greatest Dogra Saint, seer and sage Swami Nityanand Mahraj will be celebrated with reverence under the auspices of Swami Nitya-Nand Smarkh Samiti Panthal, Udhampur tomorrow. This spiritual saint of the Duggar Desh was born at Kallar, Udhampur in 1927 Bikrimi in the family of Pt. Chandeera Mouli a great and famous astrologer of Udhampur. Swami Ji was admitted to the Raghunath Pathshala at the age of six where he came in contact of a yogi. He was so impressed by his personality that he left his studies and became the disciple of this Yogi. He left for Himalayas and continued his search for truth. He wandered for truth from place to place for 12 long years to attain true knowledge and at last he attained his goal near Charyai hills which is now named as Giyan Kot. In 1910 Swami Ji came into contact with Madan Mohan Malvia who introduced him to Maharaja Partap Singh. The Maharaja became his follower and appointed Swami Ji his Raj Guru. During his life time Swami Ji authored many books one of which includes the "Yog ka sidha marg"has many editions. He discovered an ancient existing Shakti, Sthal at Panthal and established a Ashram there. He breathed his last in 2020 Vikrimi at Katra where his Samadhi was constructed. His another Samadhi was also built at Panthal where he is worshiped by a large number of devotees daily. His Nirvan Diwas is celebrated at State level. |
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ASKPC takes serious view of Akhoon’s statement Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 24: Executive Body of All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) held a meeting here today under the chairmanship of Mr R K Raina, its senior vice president to take the stock of the present political scenario and the cease-fire extension by another three months by the Indian Prime Minister. As per a release, the meeting expressed surprise over the wrong information of N C Member, Mr Mohammed Syed Akhoon that about 90 per cent houses belonging to the minority community have been sold in the Valley. The meeting said Mr Akhoon is ignorant of the facts which are totally otherwise. It said only a fraction of the houses have been sold due to the difficulties created by the migration and a pretty good number of houses, orchards and thousands of kanals of agriculture land are still there. It said the houses structures have been grabbed and the records tampered with. In villages the minority property including the places of worship and cremation grounds have been grabbed in connivance with revenue authorities. The meeting while criticising Mr Akhoon said his statement speaks volumes about the sincerity of the N C Government for migrants return. The meeting was highly critical of the State and Central governments for their failure in rehabilitation of the community which even after the 12 years of migration is living in sub human conditions. It also said that the unemployment of educated youth has assumed dangerous proportion and the Government is playing the role of a silent spectator to see the extinction of the community and the members like Mr Akhoon has put a seal on their return. |
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Chamber, others discuss prevailing situation Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 24: A meeting chaired by Mr Ram Sahai, president, Chamber of Commerce and Industry and attended by representatives of various trade and market associations was held here today. As per a release the meeting was held to take stock of the situation arising out of the ongoing agitation by the student community and other organizations against Government’s failure in cancelling the illegal admission of the PRIME College in Government Medical Colleges and also authorities’ failure in tracing the abducted girl student from Udhampur till today. The members present expressed great resentment over Government’s apathetic attitude due to which Jammu is witnessing daily traffic disruption and frequent bandhs as a result of which the business community is suffering most for none of their fault. They held that Jammu which is a hub of pilgrim tourism needs a peaceful and congenial atmosphere to promote economic activities and in their endeavour to maintain peaceful atmosphere the people of Jammu despite all provocations have always cooperated with the Government and maintained communal harmony but due to wrong decisions of the Government with regard to PRIME Medical College and inept handling of the Meenakshi kidnapping case, the atmosphere has been so vitiated that the number of pilgrims has also gone considerably down giving a set back to the trade of the region. All the members not only expressed sympathy with the student community but offered their full support in their mission to get the admission of PRIME Medicos in Government medical Colleges cancelled. They also called upon the police authorities to act fast to recover the girl so that the situation could be saved from further worsening. |
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Sagar lays wreaths on martyr police personnel’s bodies Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 24: Works Minister, Mr Ali Mohammed Sagar, who is currently also holding Home portfolio today, flew in from Jammu and visited Anantnag Police Lines where he laid wreaths on the bodies of Mr Abdul Rashid, SHO and Mr Abdul Ahad Khan who were among the five police personnel killed by militants near Kokernag yesterday. The bodies of the two were later taken to their ancestral villages in Kupwara district with full police honour. Forest Minister, Peerzada Ghulam Shah, MLA, Mr Gul Rafiquee, Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, Mr G A Peer, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Anantnag and senior police officers were also present on the occasion. Later, Mr Sagar visited Ganderbal and offered condolences to the families of the two other slain police personnel, Mr Abdul Majid and Mr Manjoor Ahmad. The Minister paid rich tributes to the killed police personnel and said that they had laid down their lives in the service of the county and would be remembered forever. He also expressed deep shock over the incident on behalf of the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah and conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved families. He said that bloodshed and wanton killings would not lead militants to anywhere and asked people to unitedly fight the militancy. Later, he also visited the residence of late Javed Ahmed Nath in Maisuma and consoled the bereaved family. |
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Oppn members object
Akhoon’s statement Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 23: The State Assembly today witnessed heated exchanges between the NC Legislator Mohammed Syed Akhoon and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress members over the illegal occupation of Kashmiri migrants houses in the Valley. As soon as Syed Akhoon stood up from his seat to say that 90 per cent Kashmiri migrants have disposed off their houses and the Muslims are being unnecessarily blamed for illegal occupation, he was strongly rebuffed by members from opposition BJP and Congress. Taking serious objection of member’s statement all opposition members including Ch. Piara Singh, Ashok Sharma and Lal Singh lodged a strong protest against the member’s statement and were engaged in a verbal duel with him. Taking the Government to task for its failure in restoring the property and houses of the migrants in the Valley, Ch. Piara Singh alleged that a house of Jammu Muslim has been grabbed and converted into a mosque at Batamaloo. Earlier replying to the question of Harsh Dev Singh of Panthers Party (PP) the Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Mr Abdul Qayoom said 604 houses of Kashmiri migrants have been occupied by private persons while 786 have been occupied by security forces in the Valley. The Minister said out of 604 houses occupied by civilians, 181 have been got vacated by the Government while 56 have been got vacated from security forces so far. Mr Qayoom said under the provisions of the J&K Migrant Immovable Property ,Prevention and Restraint on Distress Sale Act of 1997, the District Magistrates have been authorised to protect and preserve the migrant property. He said 28,000 houses were left by 52,000 Kashmiri migrant families who left the Valley after the onset of militancy. However, unsatisfied with Minister’s reply Harsh Dev Singh pressed for deferring of the question. But soon the Speaker Mr A A Vakil intervened who turned to member saying the Government has furnished the maximum information. He, however, asked the Minister to collect the information regarding the member’s question about steps Government has taken for recovery of rent from those who have illegally occupied the migrants property. Harsh Dev also demanded that the migrants putting up at Belicharana be given relief at par with the other migrants. In a written reply to the question of Mushtaq Ahmed Kuchhey, the Minister said large number of fake registrations of Kashmiri migrants have been noticed and 26,000 such fake registrations were canceled or suspended by the Government. In reply to another question of Ch. Piara Singh, the Minister categorically denied to treat the migrants from Chamb at par with Kashmir valley. |
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Valley to have 9 hr
power supply Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Feb 24: With the temporary restoration of the 132 KV transmission line at Sher Bibi Banihal reconnecting Kashmir with the Northern grid and the availability of the locally generated power, the Valley with now have 9 hour power supply in 24 hours from tonight. Announcing this at a high level meeting of officers of the Power Development Department here today, the Minister for Power, Mr S S Slathia said that the 9 hour power availability would be uniform in rural and urban areas of the Valley. The power supply, he said, would be made available to consumers in different slots. He said the restoration work on the 220 KV line was also taken up. He said the permanent restoration would take some time but efforts were on to have it temporarily resorted to ease the inconvenience faced by the people in Kashmir due to disruption in power supply. Mr Slathia regretted that consumers of the Valley had to undergo lot of difficulties due to the blast of the two transmission towers. He said engineers were working hard to fully restore the power supply. The Minister urged the people to make judicious use of the available power, avoid its mis use and pay their power tariff bills in time. He said that there was vast gap between the requirement and the availability of power. The meeting discussed the later power position and decided to notify the revised curtailment schedule soon. The Minister called upon the engineers of the Power Development Department to ensure faultless implementation of the schedule. The meeting was attended by the Managing Director, Power Development Corporation, Mr A M Matoo and Chief Engineers, Electric Maintenance and System Operations. |
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Call for Jammu bandh on Feb 26 Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 24: Various social, religious and trade organisations have given a call for Jammu Bandh and civil curfew on February 26, Monday to lodge protest against failure of authorities to trace the kidnaped girl and illegal admission in medical colleges. According to a press release, an emergent meeting of the various organisation was held today at Shri Amar Kashatriya Rajput Sabha to discuss prevailing situation in the Jammu region. All the participants spoke on the issue of the abduction of the girl from Udhampur in which state government has shown inability to trace the girl. It was apparent from the last fortnight that the administration was involved in the episode, participants of the meeting alleged. They aired apprehension that the girl will be liquidated to destroy the evidence. Meeting also expressed concern over backdoor admission of the students of an unrecognised college into Jammu and Srinagar medical colleges. It was decided in the meeting to observe one day strike on February 26 and meeting appealed to the people to observe bandh. Representatives of Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Federation of Jammu (North) Traders Association, Muslim Federation Jammu, Bajrang Dal, Vishav Hindu Parishad attended the meeting. In a separate press release issued Shri Amar Kashatriya Rajput Sabha has appealed to the people to observe complete bandh on February 26 to register protest against failure of the authorities to recover the missing girl Meenakshi who was kidnaped on February 8. Sabha also decided to organise a protest demonstration on same day. |
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