Govt deplored for anti-workers policies
BMS holds demonstration in front of Div Comm office

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 13: Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh today held a mass demonstration and staged dharna infront of the office of Divisional Commissioner, Jammu to lodge protest against the State Government’s anti-workers policies and in support of long pending demands of the industrial workers.

As per a release, a large number of workers from trade unions participated in the demonstration to express their resentment over the casual attitude of the Government towards the industrial workers’ problems. They also submitted a memorandum containing demands to State Government through the Divisional Commissioner.

Mr L R Singh, senior leader of the Sangh criticised the State Government for its anti-labour policies for not revising the minimum wage of industrial workers which was last revised in 1995 and demanded that it should be Rs 75 for unskilled workers, Rs 100 for semi-skilled and Rs 125 for skilled workers.

He also alleged that functioning of Labour Department is not proper and workers’ cases for justice are delayed and many labour laws are not being implemented. Even the Board for contract labour abolishment is not constituted in the State though the act was passed in 1970. The workers pension scheme 1995 is not implemented in the State which is a welfare scheme for the workers and has been implemented throughout the country.

Mr Vijay Chandel, state president, deplored the management of the Dharmarth Trust for adopting anti-labour policies and misutilising the property of trust for political purpose. Mr Harbans Choudhary, state secretary, asked the Government to provide regular power supply to the industries as many units are on the verge of closure which will endanger the employment of workers.

The other demands raised by the various trade union leaders included payment of regular wages to Super Bazar employees, regularisation of daily wagers who have completed seven years of service, opening of workers welfare centre at Bari Brahamana and Gangyal and establishment of separate industrial court at Jammu for speeding disposal of the labour cases.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Messrs N K Gupta, Sat Pal Singh, Ajay Singh, Omkar Sharma, Som Dass and Karan Singh.

Stir continue for open choice
College students boycott classes, hold demonstration

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 13: Demanding open choice in the forthcoming annual examinations, college students, sans their female counterparts from both the Government college for women, today again boycotted their classes and held demonstration.

The agitating students took out a procession and held demonstration in front of Jammu University. They kept the road blocked in front of JU gate and disrupted vehicular movement for more than an hour.

Interestingly, the female students of GCW Gandhi Nagar and GCW Parade, did not join their male counterparts despite their reported support to ongoing agitation.

The students of GGM Science College, MAM College and SPMR College, led by Vinay Sharma, Binder Paul Singh Romy - Arvind Raina and Satvir Singh, respectively, boycotted their classes and assembled in the premises of GGM Science College. The slogan shouting students were addressed by some members of All College Co-ordination Committee which is spearheading the stir for open choice.

Later they marched towards Jammu University and held a demonstration in front of the Campus premises. The protesting students tried to barge into the Campus but the University authorities, who were all prepared for such an attempt, had already closed the main gate. A heavy deployment of police had also been made near the Campus to avoid any untoward incident.

Shouting slogans against the JU authorities and demanding open choice, the students remained there for more than an hour and kept the road blocked disrupting traffic. They were also addressed by some student leaders who announced to continue the struggle till a decision was taken in favour of their demand.

Later a meeting was convened between ACCC members and district administration at the Police Control Room wherein Deputy Commissioner Jammu Mr R K Goyal appealed students to join the classes and get their syllabi completed. The appeal was, however, turned down by ACCC members who described the suggestion impractical as students can not attend extra classes and make preparation for their forthcoming exams at the same time.

SSP Jammu Mr R R Swain asked students not to take out processions and hold demonstrations for the sake of law and order of the city. The ACCC members, rejected this suggestion also and vowed to organise demonstrations and processions.

The DC, however got students agreed for a meeting with Registrar JU and the college Principals to find out an amicable solution on the issue of open choice. The meeting will be held tomorrow at the PCR.

The ACCC members who attended today’s meeting with the district administration, included Binder Paul Singh Romy, Vinay Kumar, Harmeek Singh Pinchu, Kiran Malhotra (presidents of MAM College, GGM Science College, SPMR College and GCW Parade, respectively), Arvind Raina, Rupali Gupta, Divya Gupta, Shikha, Jyoti, Kiran Kour, Satvir Singh, Lucky, Anil and Asif.

Bazaz for expediting peace process

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 13: Mr Bhushan Bazaz, president, Jammu Kashmir Forum (JKDF) has called upon both India and Pakistan to now expedite the peace process.

After meeting a cross section of population during his week-long extensive tour of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Bazaz told EXCELSIOR today that all sections of people are now yearning for early peaceful conditions after the bold cease-fire initiative of the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee.

The people in Jammu and Kashmir have suffered untold miseries during the past more than a decade and want early stopping of cross border terrorism, he said.

Mr Bazaz expressed the hope that the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee and Pakistan’s Chief Executive, General Pervez Musarraff can together work for taking measures to put an immediate end to ongoing strife and militant activities.

Both the countries should sincerely iron out their differences and give peace a chance, he added. The chapter of conflict and confrontation must be closed, he said adding a new phase of mutual goodwill and co-operation should begin.

Mr Bazaz, who had been to Pakistan and visited parts of PoK, said that overall there also majority of common masses want peace and good neighbourly relations for the overall welfare of the people on both sides of the border.

Acupressure, Acupuncture camp being held at Digiana

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 13: A 16 day long Acupressure and Acupuncture Camp is being organised at Digiana Gurudwara Ashram, near here from March 15 to 30 by Dr Ravi Nanda and Dr Manju Nanda.

Both the doctors are from Katri, M P and they have come here on demand to treat some patients suffering from chronic back ache, knee pain and Asthama.

According to a handout issued by the organisors of the camp, the treatment given to the patients will be free of cost and the camp will be open to all.

Dr Ravi Nanda has done his MD (Acupuncture) from Indian Academy of Acupuncture Sciences which is affiliated with Sri Lanka University. Apart from this he has done advance and Super Advance diplomas in Su. JOK Acupuncture for which he got the training nd the practice from the Great scientist Sir Park Jo Woe of Korea.

Both Dr Ravi and Manju have done number of camps in different cities of India i. e Calcutta, Delhi, Ludhiana, Nagpur, Mathura, Rewa, Indore and Satna. Over 10,000 patients have successfully been treated in these camps.

It said the Acupressure and Acupuncture is the only medical system in which no medicines internally or externally are used.

As per the etologey of Acupuncture there is a energy flow in the 14 different meridian which is known as "Qi" and whenever there is any restriction in the flow of "Qi" one gets the problem and to get rid of any medical problem the Acupunturist has to restore the flow of "Qi".

To maintain the human body without any problem we have to stimulate the remote switch (acupuncture points) with the help of needles.

Dalit Sena for fullfilling aspirations of Jammu people

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 13: Mrs Kailash Kumari has been nominated as president of the Parliamentry Board of the state unit of Lok Jan Shakti Party.

This was announced by Mrs Kumari while addressing a press conference today. National president of the party and Union Communication Minister, Mr Ram Vilas Paswan in a letter to Mrs Kailash Kumar has appointed her as Parliamentry Board president. Mrs Kumari is also president of the Jammu and Kashmir Dalit Sena.

She said that Dalit Sena will serve as back-bone of the Lok Jan Shakti Party in the State. She asserted that Lok Jan Shakti will formulate several programmes and policies for betterment and upliftment of the weaker and neglected lot of the society.

While urging party chief Mr Ram Vilas Paswan to announce three separate presidents for Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh region, Mrs Kumari regretted that leaders from Kashmir were always imposed on people of Jammu region. " There is a feeling among people of Jammu region that leaders from Kashmir have been imposed on them", she said and favoured that three separate president of the party would be announced for all the three regions keeping in view the wishes and aspirations of the people of Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir.

Highlighting woes of the Jammu people, she said that their party was not in favour of trifurcation of the State but aspirations of the people of Jammu region should be fullfilled. "I am of the view that if aspirations of the people of Jammu were not fullfilled it is difficult rather impossible to keep the State united", she said.

Mrs Kailash Kumari also announced other office bearers of the Jammu and Kashmir Dalit Sena. Mrs Gurcharan Koul Khalsa was nominated as vice-president, Himmat Singh as joint secretary, Baldev Singh, Dharam Paul Dogra as district president Jammu, H R Sharma as advisor, Jarnail Singh Bomrah as general secretary and spokesman and Mr A R Lone as general secretary.

Earlier a meeting of state executive body of the Dalit Sena was held under the chairmanship of Mrs Kailash Kumar. Dalit Sena hailed decision of Mr Ram Vilas Paswan for appointing Mrs Kailash Kumari as president of the J&K Parliamentary Board.

It was also decided in the meeting to appoint Mr A R Lone as general secretary of Dalit Sena.

SOS Home to adopt more militancy victims

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 13: SOS Children’s Village, Channi Ram management has decided to adopt some more destitute children especially those who have become victims of militancy.

The decision to this effect was taken in the annual general meeting of the SOS Body held here today under the chairmanship of Mr O P Modi.

Mr A K Arora, secretary of the Association presenting annual report informed the house that out of the present strength of 68 inmates, 32 children are the victims of terrorist violence. Most of such victims adopted are from Valley, Doda, Poonch and Rajouri.

Presently, there are 23 girls and 45 boys in the home and 12 more destitute children can now be accommodated in the home, because one more dormitory has been completed in the new block. The school is being upgraded from Nursery to 3rd standard. One six-bedded health centre is also under construction, he added.

Mr Arora further disclosed that last year’s result has been very good as all the children have passed and 11 children have obtained Ist, second and third positions in their schools. The children are also being provided in house tuition. Medical care centre, under the supervision of Dr K L Gupta, retired Director Health services and Dr Chaman Lal, Assistant Surgeon is being provided. All needs of children including food, milk, fruits, clothing and education are being met with donations from noble people of Jammu, he said.

He informed the House that a trust—Balgran Charitable Trust, with a corpus finally aggregating to Rs 42 lakhs has been formed and first cheque of Rs 1.28 lakh has already been deposited in its account. The Trust income will be utilised exclusively for scholarships to the deserving children for their higher education.

Prominent among those present on the occasion included— Mr K L Dubey (DIG retd), Dr K L Gupta, H B Khajuria, Mrs Swarna Jamwal, Mrs Santosh Magotra, Mr P V Rawal, Mrs Urmil Arora, Mrs H R Avasthi and Mr S N Sharma.

Contingency plan to meet drought

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Mar 13: Contingency plans are being formulated for Kashmir Valley and Jammu region to meet the situation arising out of the continuance dry spell threatening ensuing Kharief cropping in the State.

The contingency plans would take care of the cropping pattern in different agro climatic zones keeping in view the availability of irrigation water and moisture content.

The decision to this effect was taken at a joint interaction held between the Scientists of SKUAST, Kashmir, Agriculture University, Jammu and Heads of the Development Departments here today.

The Financial Commissioner, Agriculture Production, Mr. I.S.Malhi presided. The Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Kashmir and Vice Chancellor, Agriculture University, Jammu also attended the 8th interaction session, which lasted for nearly 6 hours.

To meet the challenge posed as a result of severe drought conditions various options were discussed during the one to one interaction programmes. After thorough deliberations and keeping in view the climatic conditions obtaining presently in the State, it was decided to go in far such cropping, which would harvest maximum benefits to the farmers.

It was considered necessary to divert one-lakh hectares of paddy lands in Kashmir valley for cultivation of maize and pulses in such areas where there is acute scarcity of irrigation water. It was also agreed to introduce local varieties of maize and pulses best suited under the prevailing drought spell. Seeds shall be properly treated with chemicals to control blast and other seed born diseases.

It was decided that the Agriculture Scientists would make a fresh study of the prevailing situation and recommend the crops that could be sown by the farmers in different areas.

Various problems facing the Horticulture industry in the State also came up for discussion and it was decided to constitute a Core Group which would suggest measures for diversification and zonalisation of fruit trade and improving the fruit production. The Core Group would also recommend measures required for post harvesting and marketting of fruit. The suggestions made by the Scientists of the SKUAST in this regard were also discussed threadbare.

The Financial Commissioner, Mr. I.S. Malhi asked the Directors of Agriculture Kashmir and Jammu to formulate their action plans in tune with the recommendations made at today’s brain storming interaction session besides preparing a calendar of agricultural operations needed to be adopted by the farmers on month to month basis. He asked them to gear up their men machinery and educate farmers about the cropping pattern, which has been necessitated due to unprecedented dry spell. He stressed the need for complete harmonization and close rapport between the field staff and the Scientists for achieving better results even in difficult situation.

J&K seeks Central assistance for upgrading ISM

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Mar 13: A comprehensive proposal is being sent to the Central Government envisaging to provide medicare facilities to the people of the militancy affected areas of the State through Indian System of Medicines (ISM). Among other things, the proposal also includes enhancements of funds for medicines to Rs. 50,000 from Rs. 13,500 at present for each ISM institution.

This was revealed at a high level meeting of Health and Medical Education officers held here today to review the functioning of the ISM Health Institutions. The Minister for Health and Medical Education, Mian Altaf Ahmad presided.

The meeting discussed matters regarding shortage of qualified manpower, infrastructure facilities and supply of medicines in ISM Units.

Addressing the officers, the Minister asked the functionaries of ISM institutions that they should bring more transparency in their working and evolve a viable mechanism for supply of medicines to needy people. This, he said, would help to minimise the hardships faced by the people with regard to medical facilities particularly in rural and far-flung areas of the State.

He said the ISM Units had to play a vital role in such areas where allopathic health institutions are not available and cater the urgent medicare requirements of the needy people. He directed the officers to ensure that all the ISM units functioned properly and staff posted in such institutions discharge their duties with renewed zeal and dedication.

Poll schedule for 6 blocks of district Leh announced

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Mar 13: The Chief Electoral Officer, J&K who is also the Election Authority under Panchayat Raj Act for Panchayat Elections in the State has announced the poll schedule for 6 blocks of district Leh.

Dates for filing of nomination papers for Leh and Kharu block has been fixed on 16, 17 and 19 of March, 2001. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on 20.3.2001 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is 22.3.2001. The polling will take place on 6 April 2001.

For Khaltsi and Nobra blocks, the dates for filing of nomination papers have been fixed on 17, 19 and 20 March 2001. Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on 22 March 2001. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is 24 March 2001, while polling will be held on 9 April 2001.

Similarly, the date for filing of nomination papers in Durbuk and Nyoma blocks have been fixed on 22,23 and 24 March 2001. Scrutiny of papers will take place on 27 March 2001 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is 29 march 2001. Polling will take place on 12 April 2001.

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