KAF hails Musharraf’s stand against religious groups

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, June 13: Kashmir Aid Foundation (KAF) has applauded Pakistan’s Military ruler Gen Parvez Musharraf for his criticism of some Pakistan-based religious groups who were bent upon to promote hatred and animosity between the two neighbouring countries.

Addressing a meeting of KAF activists, Mir Shahid Saleem, secretary general said a stable progressive and prosperous Pakistan can better serve the interests of Muslim Ummah the world over and said that the groups and organisations based on religious fanaticism and bigotry in both the countries were responsible for creating an atmosphere of mistrust and antagonism between the people of two countries.

Describing Musharraf’s approach as realistic and confessions of the harsh realities faced by Pakistan, Saleem said that sensational slogans would not take Pakistan any where.

Prof Shakeel Raina while addressing the meeting, said irresponsible and belligerent statements made by some Jehadi groups were not only undermining the credibility of Pakistan as a tolerant and responsible nation, but also tarnishing the image of Islam. He said Kashmir is the easiest problem to be solved if both the countries stop making it an issue of their prestige.

The KAF release called upon India and Pakistan to keep a close watch on the elements involved in spoiling the atmosphere ahead of Vajpayee-Musharraf summit.

Peerzada blames Hurriyat, NC for present mess

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 13: Holding the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) responsible for the present turmoil in the Kashmir valley, the state Lok Jan Shakti Party chief Peerzada Abdul Hamid said Hurriyat leaders mislead the people from time to time during last 12 years of turmoil.

Talking to media persons here today, he said the Hurriyat leaders have no clear stand still on Kashmir and the decision of suspending the movement should have been taken by them very earlier.

He said while the Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah is also responsible for the present turmoil in J&K, the former Chief Ministers Syed Mir Qasim and Ghulam Mohammed Shah can not be exonerated in this regard.

He said the promotion of corruption and nepotism during their rule is one of the main causes of the peoples resentment against the Government.

Making a strong dig at National Conference he said the Party has been exposed for its anti democratic policies and no fear polls can be expected under its rule.

He alleged rigging in the recently held Panchayat elections in the Kashmir valley saying that among the uncontested panches and sarpanches most are surrendered militants.

He said that the Panchayat elections in the State were purpoted to be on no party basis but the National Conference workers contested them with all the Government resources and help at their beck and call.

Condemning the double standards of the State Government, Peerzada said his Party will seek mandate of the people for its candidates who have clean track of record and who are capable and committed to the cause of the people.

He while strongly condemning the sacrilegious act at holy Shrine of Charar-e-Sharief and other religious places demanded a high level probe into it.

Peerzada in a fervent appeal urged the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee and Union Tele Communication Minister, Mr Ram Vilas Paswan to provide a special package to the youth who are disillusioned due to growing unemployment problem.

He said his Party will contest forthcoming elections against the parties who are responsible for the present situation in the State. "We will also join hands with those like minded parties who are ready to fight against these parties and in case no one comes forward then we can contest on our own", he added.

He demanded that the property and wealth amassed by surrounded militants be seized and Government should probe where from this money came.

He also demanded security to his Partymen and lashed out at State Government for withdrawing the security to his partymen who have contested the last elections.

The Party state unit secretary general, Mr Kulbir Singh alleged that there exists a nexus between surrendered militants and State Government. He also demanded that the Assembly elections be held under the President’s rule in the State.

J&K Chief Justice inaugurates fast track court at Kargil

Excelsior Correspondent

KARGIL, June 13: The Chief Justice of J&K High Court Dr B P Saraf today inaugurated Fast Track Court at Kargil and also laid foundation stone for construction of Court Complex at Sankoo.

The District Administration, Judicial officers of High Court, Bar members and large number of local residents attended the function.

Speaking on the occasion at Kargil and Sankoo the Chief Justice said the purpose of opening of Courts at Kargil and Sankoo was to provide speedy and cheaper justice to the common man particularly those living in remote and far off areas of the State. he said keeping in view the hazardous topography of the District of the district, one Munsiff court will be set up in Sankoo block shortly for immediate disposal of pending cases.

Dr Saraf said suggestion boxes have also been set up in all the courts functioning in Kargil to redress the grievances of of the people for their easy access to the High Court through the established suggestion box for immediate justice. The Chief justice assured the people that all the pending cases in the courts will be disposed off within six months.

The Principal District and Sessions Judge Kargil, Mr Altaf Hussain while expressing his views on the opening of Fast Track Court in the backward Kargil district described it as a mile stone for helping the poor and down trodden people. He said people hailing from far off places like Sankoo, Suru and Zanskar will also be benefited. He further said these Fast Track Courts will make the judiciary functioning more viable and decentralize the present Judicial Mechanism.

The secretary Bar Association Kargil said the setting up of Fast Track Court was a welcome step and would help disposal of pending cases expeditiously as also to provide speedy justice to the common man of Kargil district.

Dip Enggs discuss demands

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 13: Office bearers of central body as also unit functionaries of All J&K Diploma Engineers Association, participated in a meeting under the presidentship of Mr R S Jasrotia, president.

As per a release the meeting was convened to review the entire promotional scenario after the successful operation of quota upto the post of Executive Engineer in Power and R&B sector vide SRO 209 of 1992 and also to introspect the means and methodology appropriately required in the trade union context to induce and envisage the proper thrust and impetus to the analogy of dismantling the huge and ugly stumble of stagnation at the first promotion level for which as a consequence several mutually agreed upon parleys between Association and the Administration have been held and the process was on towards its way of hopeful conclusion.

Mr R S Jasrotia congratulated the office bearers for their collective efforts in making SRO 209 of 1992 operative upto the rank of Executive Engineer level. He appealed the entire rank and file of the association to maintain endurance and vigil so that the journey of further struggle was carried out by the Association to realize the target of first compulsory promotion to the majority of stagnated diploma engineers.

Mr R K Kohli, vice president while declaring that a team of Jammu Association shall remain camped at Srinagar for coming months to look after and expedite the matters of grave significance pending in the Civil Secretariat Srinagar.. He also warned the anti-cadre elements for sabotaging the cause of this constructive community. He said as the quashment of Circular No 518 of 10-3-1998 is being contested by the Association, a lot of hope has been generated that justice would be done to their cadre.

Association general secretary Mr Jugal Kishore thanked the Works Department which has maintained sanctity of SRO 209 of 1992 while making promotion to the post of Executive Engineer. He appealed that Government should come out with a SRO in defence of its reorganisation of 1987 so that promotions held between 1987 and 1992 were confirmed without creating any imbalances and intricacies for any fresh promotions in the post-Supreme Court Judgement scenario.

Messrs V P Sharma, R S Sudan, Sunil Sharma, P C Sharma, Sudhir Singh, Dheeraj Khajuria, S K Abrol, Ashok Gupta, Sanjay Sharma, V K Trikha, Jov Raj Singh Slathia, Tara Chand Gupta, Beant Singh, V K Verma, Dil Bahadur Singh, Devinder Sharma, Pawan Gupta, Anil Bhakri and Divakar Sharma also participated in the meeting.

Sharma pleads for recruitment in Nowshera
under DGP quota

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, June 13: Mr R S Sharma, MLA Nowshera, met the Home Minister here and emphasised to implement the long out-standing assurance about recruitment of unemployed youth of his constituency in police force under DGP quota.

As per a release the DGP and Commissioner Home Affairs were also present. Establishment of fire fighting stations at Nowshera and Sunderbani was also discussed during the deliberations.

Mr Sharma in his meting with the Social Welfare Minister and Principal secretary Social Welfare Department stressed for opening of 55 Anganwari centres in the left over areas of Nowshera and Sunderbani blocks for which the proposal stands already formulated by the Social Welfare Ministry of the State.

The Social Welfare Department acceded to the demand for providing education to the inmates of Bal-Ashrams up to Higher Secondary level and the matter has already been taken up with the education Department, Mr Sharma was informed.

Mr Sharma called on Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr B R Singh and invited his attention to the memorandum presented to the Chief Minister.

In his meeting with Rural Development Minister Mr Sharma sorted out developmental activities of his constituency. Mr Sharma also met Ministers for Works and Health Minister and discussed about the problems of his constituency.

Mr Sharma had a meeting with Principal Secretary Education and Commissioner-cum-Secretary Revenue Department Mr Vijay Bakaya and Mr A R Parray and deliberated upon the issues pertaining to Nowshera constituency.

Get-together with Dogri writers organised

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 13: A get-together of Dogri writers was held in the seminar hall of the Cultural Academy to discuss the matters pertaining to Sheeraza Dogri.

As per a release, the meeting was presided over by Padam Shri Prof Ram Nath Shastri.

In his inaugural address, Dr Om Goswami, Additional Secretary said that this special meeting was called to keep a liaison with the writers and get their guidance with regard to improvements in the main literacy Sheeraza organ of Dogri language. He said that it was a matter of pride that Sheeraza had continued its publication since December 1965 when it was started. It has played an important role in promoting a language, literature and culture of the region.

A galaxy of Dogri writers participated in the meeting and expressed their views in order to cope with the changing time and present needs. Those who took part in the discussion were Messrs Ram Nath Shastri, Ved Ghai, N D Kamwal, N D Sharma, Archana Kesar, Shashi Pathania, Dhian Singh, Mohan Singh, Hemant Sathe, Tara Smailpuri, Brahm Swroop Sachhar, Chaman Arora, Shiv Dev Singh and Praduman Singh.

Prof Ram Nath Shastri on behalf of Dogri writers said that the Academy will get fullest cooperation from the poets and writers for the betterment of its Dogri Journal. He expressed hope that the newly promoted Editor will take every possible step to raise the standard of the magazine. He asked the lovers of Dogri to subscribe the journal in large numbers so that it reaches every nook and corner of the State and outside the State also.

Mr Balwant Thakur, Editor-in-Chief of the chain of journals being published by the Academy in different languages while giving concluding remarks assured the fraternity of writers that Sheeraza will be brought in time and its periodicity will be maintained at all costs. He also said that the financial constraints will not be allowed to obstruct the timely publication of Sheeraza.

The proceedings of the programme were conducted by Dr Gian Singh, who is also the editor of Sheeraza Dogri.

Sakina inaugurated National Integrated
Camp at Pahalgam

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, June 13: The Minister of State for Tourism and Floriculture, Ms Sakina Itoo inaugurated a 6-day National Integration Camp at Pahalgam last evening. The Camp was organized jointly by the Department of Youth Services and Sports Authority of India. Over 150 students and youths representing 13 districts of the State and 9 students belonging to Madhya Pardesh participated in the Camp.

Speaking at the inauguration Ms Itoo said that such Camps provide an opportunity to develop sense of self confidence, discipline, mental and physical alertness and courage among the students. These camps also provide a forum for students and youth to interact and understand each other view points and thereby help to promote spirit of patriorism and national intrigation. She stressed for organizing more such Camps in district and tehsil headquarters for maximum participation of students from far-flung areas.

Ms Itoo issured full cooperation of the Government in boosting the moral of the students by involving them in such activities and ensuring their participation in national building.

The Director Youth Services, Asgar Ali apprised the Minister that main objective of the camp was to develop leadership qualities, friendship, brotherhood and mutual understanding among the students. He said the main stress is given to change irascible behaviour into variety and benevolence through training, demonstration, teaching, exploration and exposure among the students.

The main highlights of the first day camp included action song (Rajisthani dance), Dogri song, Ladakhi action song, skits and folk songs presented by the students of Jammu,Anantnag, Udhampur, Leh, Pulwama, Budgam districts and Madhya Pradesh.

The prominent who witnessed the programme were Mr Prithvi Chand, MLA, Mr Naaz MLA, Mr Gill MLC, a large number of prominent citizen and students of various local educational institutions.

Seminar on problems of water bodies
Peerzada for effective measures to conserve water bodies

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, June 13: Afforestation and regeneration of degraded land by massive plantation, cleaning of water bodies in the State of Jammu and Kashmir is a thrust area where the Government is paying attention on top priority.

An amount of Rs 10 crore would be spent for development of forests under Integrated Watershed development project and various forest conservation and protection measures during the current financial year in Kupwara district. The entire district will be covered under forest development agencies, each agency will comprise prominent citizens and officials, will be provided Rs 1 crore for regeneration and development of forests.

This was stated by the Minister for Forests and Environment, Peerzada Ghulam Ahmad while inaugurating a day long seminar organized by the Directorate of Environment and Remote Sensing at Kupwara yesterday in connection with the celebrations of "World Environment Day". The topic of the seminar was "problems of water bodies and wetlands in the State and its conservation. The aim of organizing seminar was to create general awareness about protection of forests, wetlands, lakes, rivers and other water bodies from pollution, ecological restoration of degraded habitate to achieve long term benefit through conservation and sustainable use for survival of mankind. As many as 1000 students from various schools and Degree Colleges of Kupwara district and participated in the seminar.

Addressing the seminar, the Minister said efforts have to be made jointly with the people’s participation for ecological restoration and eco-development of wetlands and water bodies of the State, which have become the target of human greed. He appealed the people to come forward and play their role in conservation and protection of natural resources like rivers, lakes and other water bodies. He called for joint efforts for preservation/propagation of critical endangered species and conservation of valuable habitate and heritage areas. He urged upon the people, NGOs, academicians and professional institutions and public sector undertakings to actively cooperate the Government and participate in all the activities being organized by different agencies for achieving the goal of conservation of the environment.

Peerzada announced that the office of the Pollution Control Board has been set up at Kupwara for pollution free and balanced environment in the district.

Mir Saifullah, MLA Kupwara while speaking on the occasion, stressed the need for effective operation of "Integrated Watershed Development Programmes and suggested effective mobilization of pollution control and scientific treatment of sewerage around water bodies and conferring powers to village forest protection committees to deal with forest smugglers.

Mr Nasir Khan, MLC Kupwara also spoke on the occasion and stressed the need for organizing such seminars and other awareness programmes in frontiers of the district so that the people living near forests are apprised about the importance and conservation of forests/environment.

A colourfull cultural programme on the problems of water bodies, wetlands, protection of forests and its conservation were presented by the students of various schools on the occasion.

Earlier while welcoming the participants, the Director Environment and Remote Sensing, Mr Vinod Ranjan said, there are as many as 1248 small lakes in J&K State including 500 in Kashmir valley that need immediate treatment.

Later, the Minister gave away the prizes and trophies to the students who were adjudged the best orators and artists.

Among others who attended the seminar were Mir Saifullah, MLA Kupwara, Mr. Nasir Khan, MLC Kupwara, Haji Mohammad Sultan, Ex-MLC, Chief Wildlife Warden, Chief Conservator Forests, Kashmir, Project Director, Social Forestry, Director Environment and Remote Sensing Project, Chief IWDP, Director, Soil Conservation, SP, Kupwara, Member Secretary State Pollution Control Board and senior police and civil officers of the district.

Four towns of Valley being brought under
IDSMT Scheme: Shah

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, June 13: Acting Chief Minister, Mr Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah has said that four more towns viz Anantnag, Baramulla, Pulwama and Kupwara in Kashmir valley are being brought under the scheme of Integrated Development of Small and Medium Towns (IDSMT).

Mr Shah was presiding over a meeting to review the developmental works being executed by the Local Bodies Department, Kashmir here today. Mr Shah said that the basic aim of the works programme is to raise remunerative, non-remunerative and durable assets in the State.

The meeting was informed that in Baramulla town 14 works at a cost of Rs 8.18 lakhs have been completed under Urban Development Scheme during 2000-2001 and Rs 9 lakhs have been spent on 15 works under National Slums Development Programme during 2000-2001 (NSDP). Three wards of the town have been covered under street lighting under NSDP. Besides 10 seated community latrines have been completed in Baramulla town at a cost of Rs 8 lakhs under low cost sanitation programme.

The Minister said that 15 more sweepers will be engaged on contractual basis in Baramulla town for improving cleanliness of the town and the existing slaughter house in the town will be renovated.

It was also disclosed in the meeting that Rs 22.70 lakhs have been spent on the construction of the town hall in Kupwara town. Five shops at a cost of Rs 3.05 lakhs have also been completed in the town. 23 works at a cost of Rs 6.50 lakhs have been completed under Urban Development Scheme during and three works at a cost of Rs 5 lakhs have been completed under NSDP during the last year. Besides, Rs 7.50 lakhs have been spent on the development of the bus stand at Kupwara.

It was stated that a Rs 21 lakhs project for the construction of town hall in Pulwama town has been approved. Five shops at a cost of Rs 3 lakhs have been completed under Urban Development Scheme. Under low cost sanitation programme 8 seated community latrines at a cost of Rs 5.80 lakhs are under construction in Pulwama town. Under Constituency Development Programme (CDP) Rs 4.85 lakhs are being spent on beautification of public park and construction of bathrooms near Jamia Masjid, Pulwama

While referring to the works programme in Pahalgam town it was stated that Rs 23 lakhs are being spent on the construction of town hall in Pahalgam town. Eight shops at a cost of Rs 3.05 lakhs are under construction in the town where as six seated two urinal blocks at a cost of Rs 8 lakhs are near completion. Under (CDP) Rs. 3 lakhs have been spent in the town on small works in the town during last two years. Under Urban Development Scheme, Rs 3.47 lakhs have been spent on 6 developmental works and on purchasing of tools and plants.

The Minister said that to review the works programme in different towns and notified areas meetings with concerned MLAs, MLCs and officers the local bodies department will be convene soon at various district headquarters

The meeting was attended by Commissioner/Secretary, Housing and Urban Development , Mr G N Ahangar, Director Local Bodies, Mr M Y Teli, MLA Baramulla, Mr Mujahid Mohammad Abdullah, MLA, Kupwara, Mr Mir Saifullah, MLA, Pulwama, Mr B A Nengroo, MLA Pahalgam, Mr M Akbar Pathan.

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