Over 4 lakh pilgrims visited holy shrine of
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Mar 5: A record number of 4.32 lakh pilgrims from different parts of the country have visited the holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji since January Ist, this year. During the corresponding period of last year, 3.61 lakh pilgrims had Darshan of the holy cave shrine, registering an increase of 71,000 pilgrims.

During the last month, over 1.74 lakh devotees had paid their obeisance at the holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. Of them, 1.36 lakh were from outside the State.

Currently, about 10,000 pilgrims are daily reaching Katra- the base camp of pilgrimage.

Elaborate arrangements for comfortable stay of pilgrims have been made by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

National Seminar on Fisheries Concludes

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Mar 5: The renowned scientists of the country have underlined an imperative need to initiate immediate steps for the development of the fisheries in the country especially in J&K State recommended that the topography of the State is most suitable for fish-rearing.

The suggestions were provided by the scientists today at the concluding day of the 3-day seminar on "Indian Fisheries: Status and Prospects in Relations to Environment Dynamics,".

Prof. O.P.Sharma Dean Science Faculity Jammu University presided over the valedictory function. The seminar has been organised by the Post Graduate Department of Zoology in which more than 46 renowned fisheries scientists drawn from 12 Universities of the country participated.

The important decisions taken by the scientists seminar included immediate measure to stopeutrophication of water bodies, collection of breeding areas, habitat conservation and its proper management, rehabilitation of ponds in Punjab and J&K and consolidation of fish farms. The suggestions further said that to promote poultry and fish culture, proper survey of the village ponds and farms should be conducted at panchyat level. The seminar also underlined the need of including fish culture in college syllabi. Stressed was also laid to further simplify the process of taking loans from banks for the fish farmers. The deliberations stressed upon ICR for generous funding in order to expand infrastructural facilities at University level.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. O.P.Sharma said that the 3-day deliberations of the seminar have brought to the surface a number of problems and their solutions in the field of pisciculture. He complimented the organizers of the seminar.

Prof. M.K.Jyoti, director of seminar, expressed satisfaction over the highly encouraging response of the scientists about the subject and added the recommendations of the seminar will be provided to the different fishery concerned quarters.

Prof. P.K.Saxena from Punjab Agricultural University Ludhina, Dr.H.S.Hassan and Prof. H.R.Singh also expressed their views about the seminar and described it as a grand success.

Dr.Kuldeep Sharma, General secretary of the National Seminar conducted the proceedings of the function.

Among others who attended the valedictory function included prominent scientists from J&K Fishery Department, University Teachers and students.

HC quashes appointments in Sheep Husbandry Deptt

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 5: Justice Arun Kumar Goel of the State High Court has quashed the appointments of nine persons in the Sheep Husbandry department in Doda district, while terming them contrary to the provisions of SRO-188 of 1969.

This order was passed in a writ petition filed by Liyaqat Ali and five others through Advocate D C Raina, challenging the appointments on the grounds that the same were made at the behest of then Sheep Husbandry Minister and present Power Minister Surjit Singh Slathia. Further, all the appointees belonged to Jammu district, but were appointed in Bhaderwah Sheep Migratory Project in Doda district in a clandestine manner without proper advertisement.

While quashing the appointments, Justice Goel observed that after hearing both sides, it was found that the posts are of district cadre and their appointment was in contravention to the provisions of SRO 188 of 1969.

The court further directed that the respondents will pay cost of rupees 2000 to the petitioners.

JUTA stages dharna in support of teachers demands

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 5: Jammu University Teachers Association (JUTA) staged a dharna in front of Administrative Block today in support of the various demands of the teachers.

As per a release, the Association is demanding that promotions under career advancement scheme be given effect from the date a teacher becomes eligible as recommended by UGC and as being implemented in other Universities.

It is also demanding implementation of UGC guidelines regarding raising of age of superannuation to 62 years, enhancing the accumulation limit of earned leave to 300 days, counting service rendered in other institutions as specified by the UGC and the adhoc services in the matter of placement and promotion.

The other demands include removal of anomalies created by grade revision, grades to PTIs, coaches of Physical Education Department and promoting them in their respective higher scales with effect from 1986, treating the staff of continuing Education Department at par with the teachers of the University and giving them the due benefits, providing reservations to the wards of the University employees for admission to the post graduate and the other courses run by the Jammu University as is done in the case of Kashmir University.

Besides the Association is demanding withdrawal of decision of the University Council according to which the concessions given in donation fee to the wards of University employees in the matter of admission under payment category has been set aside.

J&K Sikh United Forum constituted

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 5: In orders to get the grievances of the Sikh Community redressed, to consider the safety and security of the Sikh minorities in Kashmir Valley and to unite the various Sikh parties J and K Sikh United Forum was constituted in a meeting here today.

The meeting which was held at Gurdwara Nanak Nagar was attended by representatives of all Akali factions, Sikh Sangat, Sikh Students Federation and other groups from Kashmir and Jammu region.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Mr Harbans Singh Azad former Minister.

Among the others the gathering was attended by S Parduman Singh Azad, S Teja Singh, Bahu Sant Singh, Ex-Chairman Gurdwara Prabhandka Baord and S Surinder Singh, president DGPC, Jammu.

All the speakers expressed concern regarding safety and security of the Sikh minorities living in Kashmir.

The meeting at the same time appreciated the constructive role of majority community in strengthening the traditional communal harmony. It urged the Sikhs living in Kashmir not to take any decision in haste which will go against the interests of the community and the country.

The meeting however expressed the feeling that the Sikhs are being discriminated against in every respect and they have been denied the representation in legislature as per their population.

The meeting decided that the community will unitedly fight for its rights.

It constituted the J&K Sikh United Forum which will seek guidance from Messrs Azad and Harbans Singh, Minister for Labour and Employment.

It also nominated S Amarjeet Singh Mehta as president of the Forum. S Basant Singh was nominated as its vice president while S Mohan Singh Kala will be as general secretary.

Jagmohan Singh will be secretary, Ayya Singh Dardi as publicity secretary, Sant Singh as joint secretary and Gurbax Singh Kala as cashier.

Oedipus adjudged best play
Awards for Annual Drama Festival announced

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 5: The Academy of Art, Culture and Languages has announced the result of the annual drama festival held on February 21-26 at Abhinav Theatre here.

As per release, " Oedipus", a classical Greek tragedy, staged by Shivani Cultural Society has been adjudged as the best play whereas " Mahabrahman" by Samooh Theatre has been declared to secure the second position in the festival organised by the Academy of Art, Culture and Languages this year.

Five plays which were staged in the festival were: Mahabrahman, depicting caste problems; Baby, exploitation of weaker sections and females of mahanagars; Oedipus, the classic Greek tragedy; Adhi Raat ke Baad, an exposure of legal system in the country; Taj Mahal Ka Tender, a politico-administrative satire.

These plays were staged by Samooh Theatre, Natya Karmi, Shivani Cultural Society, Rangshala and Theatre Mitra respectively.

The best acting awards for male and female categories have been secured by Mr Ajay Khajuria and Miss Suman Pandita for their roles in Oedipus and Baby respectively. The best direction award goes to Mr Anoop Verma for his direction in the Oedipus play.

In the category of second Best Awards, Mr Rajesh Kotru who performed as Sideshwar in Mahabrahman has got the male award while Ms Varsha Dogra, who acted as Rewati in Mahabrahman has clinched the second Best Actress prize. Mr Repal Sharma who acted as Madhu in in Mahabrahman has been declared as the best child artist.

Prizes for best costume designing , make-up and music have been bagged by Ms Varsha Dogra, Mr Kamal Sharma and Ms Gurmeet Jamwal respectively for the play Mahabrahman. Mr Kamal Sharma has been adjudged as the best make-up man for Oedipus also.

Consolation prizes has direction has gone to Mr Sudhir Mahajan for his play Mahabrahman, while Urmil Khosa of Shivani Cultural Society has got consolation prize for costume designing. Consolation for music has gone to Mr Arvind for his music in play, Baby produced by Natya Karmi. Certificates of merit have been given to Dhanesh Dogra in Mahabrahman, Vikram Sharma and Satvir in Oedipus, Himanshu in Adhi Raat Ke Baad, Suresh Sharma, Rajesh Raina and Yogesh Sharma in Taj Mahal Ka Tender, Ms Mitali Gupta and Richa Anand in Oedipus.

Consumer Column
Chemists sell doctors' samples

Avtar Bhat

Though banned by Government yet it is a common practice in our state that the druggists and chemists are giving the medicines on their own prescription to the patients. There by this particular business community openly violates the statue which totally banishes the prescription made by any person less than status of a doctor.

What is being witnessed that these chemists donot only sell the medicines on their own prescriptions but also some times even change a doctor’s prescription by giving the another drug saying that it contains the same salt which is contained in the particular medicine prescribed by the doctor. This way the ignorant and illiterate patients get fully cheated.

It is only the doctor who can have the proper judgment of salts contained by particular drug and when he prescribes a medicine of a particular company to a patient what authority a chemist has to replaces it by the another drug if he does not have the same medicine in his shop. Instead of changing the prescription the patient should simply be told that the particular drug is not available in his shop and he can purchase it from another place.

The main complaint about these chemists is that they even sell the doctors samples which are usually prohibited for sale and punishable under law. But paying a scant respect to the law some chemists openly sell it in the market. Recently a Chemist in Jammu City sold a doctors Sample Fibril 50 grms which is a natural fiber laxative to a consumer for Rs 16 despite the fact that the outer label on the sample reads Physicians Sample not to be sold.

When the consumer refused to purchase the medicine pointing towards the label and said that it is a sample which is banned for sale, the shopkeeper simply avoided the argument saying that the company also deducts the cost of samples from the chemists.

Agreed this can be true but what is the fun of pasting a label on the drug reading "doctors sample not for sale". This means then the company dealing in the drug is cheating the consumers. The customer was not even given the receipt for this particular medicine when demanded by him.

However, some times when consumers show more cleverness and refuse to take the sample, the chemists to avert any trouble gently say that the medicine has been given mistakenly and can be exchanged.

But to make the sale of doctors sample more easy and to evade the eye of the law enforcers, some chemists most tactfully wash the outer labels not for sale by spirit.

Even the over dated medicines are also sold mostly to illiterate customers and migrant labour form outside the state who are ignorant of reality.

The chemists in many parts of the state also willfully charge over eight per cent Sales Tax on medicines and in some cases the Sales Tax is also charged when it is written on the label that the retail price is inclusive of all taxes or the price should not exceed libeled on the drug. Besides, the tranquilizers and drugs with richer alcohol quality are also being sold by the shopkeepers without the proper prescription being made by the doctors. This way they are directly jeopardizing the future of hundreds of youth in the state who fall a prey to the drug addiction.

This trend will have serious consequences on the society if not checked by the authorities at the helm of affairs in time. Even the consumer organizations working in the field should take a onus to themselves and educate masses against this menace to free the society from the drug addictions.

The shopkeepers found guilty for selling the medicines without the proper prescriptions should be dealt severely under the law so that they may not dare this in future. The various Government agencies dealing to maintain check on drugs should intensify the patrolling and make the constant checks so that no shopkeeper violates the statue at his sweet will.

College students demand open choice, serve
ultimatum to JU

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, March 5: What was the matter of apprehension, today became a known fact when college students served an ultimatum to Jammu University authorities demanding open choice in the forthcoming annual examinations.

The demand was made during a meeting of All College Co-ordination Committee members with the JU authorities, here today. The ACCC members threatened to take to streets once again if their demand was not conceded before March 10.

The University, however, rejected the demand and asked students to join their classes with an assurance that their syllabus will be completed before the ending of April month and results declared in time.

The meeting, which was held at the JU Committee Room, witnessed some heated arguments from both the sides since students as well as the University authorities remained firm on their stand.

It may be recalled that the students had been boycotting their classes since January start in protest against erratic power supply and illegal admissions of PRIME medicos in Government run medical colleges of the State. The agitation was called off only on last Friday after the adjustment order was cancelled by the State Government.

Registrar JU Prof Zahur-ud-Din, Dean Academic Affairs Prof A N Sadhu, Dean Students Welfare Prof N A Ganai and Associate Dean Students Welfare Dr Pritam Singh represented the University side.

Later talking to EXCELSIOR, Prof Zahur-ud-Din said that the students were suggested to attend their classes with an assurance that their syllabus would be completed till April end by making arrangements of extra classes and their result be also declared in time. But, he added, the University clearly ruled out any possibility of open choice since the demand was pre-mature.

The meeting ended in a deadlock as the students served an ultimatum to the University authorities that they would take to streets if their demand was not conceded before March 10.

The ACCC members, who attended the meeting, were Vinay Kumar, Kiran Malhotra (presidents of GGM Science College and GCW Parade, respectively), Rupali Gupta, vice president of GCW Gandhi Nagar, Narinder Paul Singh Lucky, Arvind Raina, Pandhu, Jyoti and Anil.

BJP leader calls on Uma Bharti

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 5: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation led by Mr Anil Parihar called on Union Minister of State for Sports Miss Uma Bharti at New Delhi on Saturday and apprised her of various problems being faced by youth in Jammu region in general and Doda district in particular.

As per a release, while apprising the Minister of the various demands of the youth of the Doda district he demanded that they be given the benefits of newly central schemes initiated for the development of youth.

Mr Parihar also said that the youth of this hilly and backward district also possesse the good talent in sports which needs to be exploited.

He demanded initiation of special schemes for them so that the talented youth of this district can compete in the national competitions in the various categories of Sports.

He while apprising the Minister of the unemployment problem among the youth also demanded that the district be given a preference and special package be announced for the unemployed youth. Besides they should be given benefits under various self employment schemes.

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