Harsh flays Govt for giving soaps to liquor industry
Budget has nothing for poor, farmers: Oppn

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 16: Lone Panthers Party (PP) member Mr Harsh Dev Singh today vehemently opposed the State budget for year 2001-2002 while participating in the discussions in State Legislative Assembly few minutes before the Finance Minister made his concluding speech.

Commenting on the budget he said a suspense filler budget was later turned out to be a tragic tale. He said that the budget shows that Government has totally become bankrupt and it has nothing to offer to people.

He said the budget is a same tale of unprecedented financial crunch and blamed the Government for breaching the financial discipline in the state saying this question baffles the mind.

Harsh Dev took Government to task that why so many soaps have been given to Liquor Industry and why not golden handshake proposed for it.

He while smelling a rat in Government’s undue favour to Shaw Wallace said the Industry has an income of 70 to 80 crores why such benefits is given to this industry.

Expressing concern over the plight of farmers, Harsh Dev alleged that they have been ignored in the budget. He said that these farmers are virtually facing starvation. They are in problem but Government has not bothered to give any package to them.

He said why Government will bother for farmers because it is interested to give benefits to liquor industry.

He also strongly advocated for closure of Upper House saying the amount spent on it will be diverted for the development of the State.

He also criticised the Government for appointing teams of advisors taking the very vitals of our economy as lakhs of rupees are being spent on their office establishment.

He said there is no mention about Agriculture University in this budget though the bill has since been passed by the Legislature.

He said the Government has been making much noise about financial crunch but it is its duty to arrange funds and said if you can not arrange the funds you should quit.

Earlier speaking on the budget the Congress MLA Ch. Lal Singh also lambasted the Government for not taking into consideration the interests of the farmers and poultry. He said no scheme has been provided for their betterment in the budget.

He took the Government to task for not giving relief to the buses plying on the routes of Basholi, Bani and Billawar from Toll Tax though a provision has been kept in SRO 1970 in this regard.

He alleged that the Cement industry which was on the path of progress has been neglected and flayed the Roshni scheme.

However, the member while hailing the enhancement of import duty on liquor demanded hike in taxes on state liquor.

He alleged that the import of milk and poultry items will ruin our domestic industry.

Opposing the budget the BSP’s Sheikh Abdul Rehman said it is based on speculations and guess. He said the Deve Gowda Government has given special assistance of 800 crore to State and Gujral Government also sanctioned this amount next year but present Central Government did not keep the promise.

He said our annual plan should have not been less than 2700 crore but Centre is not ready to help and wanted to know why such discrimination is there.

He alleged that some bureaucrats at Centre were creating hurdles in sanctioning the annual plan.

He also lashed out at Government for not taking the action against the corrupt officials and officers saying only 45 officers have been punished in the state for corrupt practices.

Terming it an eye wash he alleged that hundreds of employees are involved in corruption but Government is not taking action against them.

Sheikh said the money got from Centre goes to few pockets and criticised the creation of more posts of bureaucrats saying for one Chief Secretary there are three now.

Even the number of posts of Chief conservators of forests have been created but we have failed to protect the forests. Likewise he said there are six advisors on whose salary lakhs of rupees are being spent.

He said there is nothing for poor people in this budget and terming it pro rich and anti poor.

Hailing the budget the NC’s M S Tariq said there is a discernible change in Kashmir valley which was engulfed by militancy in 1989. He said today people move freely in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley. This all was possible due to the efforts of NC Government which assumed the office in 1996.

He regretted that despite our efforts of restoring peace and order in the State Centre was not cooperating with our Government. He said our respect has been hit after the cut made in annual plan outlay by Centre and there is no guarantee that we will get it in future or not.

Expressing concern over the plight of people living in twin districts of Rajouri Poonch he alleged that despite cease-fire the people are burnt alive there.

The Janata Dal United member Dr Jagdish Dubey also opposed the budget saying no provision has been made to restore the electricity which has been damaged by last year’s storm. He also pointed out the JAKFED scam and blamed the Government for its failure in taking action against the guilty.

The NC members who hailed the budget include Ms Zubeda Salaria, Dilawar Mir and Qazi Jalal-u-Din.

Many hurt as police lathicharge, lobs teargas
shells on students

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 16: More than a dozen college students, including girls, were injured as police lathicharged and lobbed teargas shells on their procession in front of Jammu University, here today.

The violent processionists made heavy stone pelting on policemen in which a few cops and some passers-by sustained injuries. They also damaged some vehicles and completely disrupted traffic movement on the road for more than two hours.

The trouble erupted when a massive procession of college students, who were demanding open choice in forthcoming annual examinations, was stopped by police near the University premises. Police did not allow the students from moving towards the Campus and asked the latter to disperse. The demonstrators, however, remained adamant on moving forward which resulted into pushing and jostling between them and cops for several minutes.

Ultimately police resorted to heavy lathicharge and lobbed tear smoke shells on the demonstrators in which more than a dozen students including girls were injured. In the melee, some cops also sustained injuries.

Vinay Sharma, president of GGM Science College received a major wound when a tear-smoke shell hit his right foot. Kiran Malhotra, Divya Gupta, Harmeek Singh Pinchu, Arvind Raina, Rupali Gupta, Narinder Paul Singh Lucky and Satvir Singh were among the injured students.

Police chased the demonstrators and got them dispersed. Some students, however, re-assembled in the MAM College premises and started pelting stones on cops. The ding-dong battle between police an students continued for about half and hour and vehicular movement on the road remained disrupted during the time. The violent students badly damaged a Jeep, parked in the MAM College premises.

Earlier, students of GGM Science College, SPMR Commerce College and MAM College boycotted their classes and proceeded towards Jammu University. En-route, the slogan shouting students were joined by their female counterparts of GCW Gandhi Nagar and GCW Parade and their strength swelled to more than one thousand.

Raising slogans in favour of open choice and against the Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University, the students held a massive demonstration near the campus premises where a heavy deployment of police had already been made in apprehension of the violence.

The agitators kept the road blocked for more than half an hour and attempted to force their entry into the campus which was followed by police lathicharge and teargassing.

To check the protesting students from entering into the campus, both the University gates had also been closed. Dean Students Welfare Dr Pritam Singh alongwith Chief Security Officer Major Harnam Singh remained near the main gate to monitor the situation and avoid any untoward incident.

Later a meeting of All Colleges Co-ordination Committee, which is spearheading the ongoing agitation for open choice, was held at GGM Science College premises wherein it was resolved to further intensify the struggle. The ACCC members pledged to continue the agitation and boycott of classes till open choice was granted in forthcoming annual examinations.

Meanwhile, various students organisations including Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, National Students Union of India, Jammu Joint Students Federation, J&K Students Socialist Federation have condemned police lathicharge on students’ procession.

They justified the students’ demand for open choice and accused the University authorities of forcing the former to resort to agitational path.

JD(U) demands probe into Tehelka episode,
debate in Parliament

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 16: A meeting of the Pradesh Janta Dal (United)today passed a resolution which demanded a thorough probe into the Tehelka episode and also a debate in the matter in the Parliament.

" The people involved should be dealt with iron hands as it has proved vulnerable for the country" the members demanded in the meeting held under the chairmanship of JD(U) Pradesh chief Mr Mohd Maqbool Dar, as per a release.

The Pradesh Janata Dal (U) welcomed the resignation of Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes which is in the interest of the country.

JD (U) severely criticised the State Government for termination of the daily wagers from service driving many families to the verge of starvation.

Dr Jagdish Raj Dubey, MLA and general secretary of the party, charged that drought situation has been created in the entire Jammu region but the State Government has not bothered to initiated any action so far.

The farmers of Jammu region have been left high and dry by the state administration, he added.

The party has chalked out a programme to organise at the district level processions and dharnas against the " wrong policies" of the National Conference Government in the State.

Among others, the meeting was attended by Messrs Ved Prakash Bhagat, Sanjesh Gupta, A K Kharu, Daljit Singh Lovely, Rajinder Sharma, J R Rana, Subhash Chander, Dinesh Singh, Chanan Sharma, Abdul Rashid Lone, Deep Sagotra, Ashok Mehra Fayaz Ahmad Dar and Anju Mehra, Satya Devi, Krishna Devi and Asha Mehra.

Question Hour in Assembly
‘Bungling’ in appointments again echo in Assembly

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 16: Mr Bali Bhagat, BJP MLA today charged of " bunglings" in the 129 appointments made in Class IV in the Public Health Engineering Department during the past two years. The legislator wanted to know under what criteria the persons have been adjusted on compassionate ground and how these were selected out of many.

The member insisted to get the specific reply to his supplementary to the main question asked by Mr Lal Singh on behalf of Mr Tara Chand but the Works Minister stated that these appointments have been made on humantarian considerations where someone’s bread earner has been killed or such ground.

Mr Harsh Dev Singh, MLA from Ramnagar, also wondered how selections have been made out of many such persons whose cases are gathering dust in the corriders of power.

The Minister said that if there are specific complaints these can be looked into but the members seem to be not fully satisfied with the reply.

In reply to a question of Mr Som Nath, MLA, the Government disclosed that an amount of Rs 50.96 lakh has been allocated under the Indira Awas Yogana (IAY) for Samba constituency.

It was also informed that 225 families have beneficiaries during the last five years under this scheme.

It was also stated that Rs 4.10 lakh had been spent by the Fisheries Department in Samba constituency during last three years, the House was informed. During the last fiscal 12 low cost houses for fishermen have been constructed.

Four private fish farms, during the current year, have been provided with fish seeds on subsidised rate as also technical knowhow. Besides, 11 community ponds have ben stocked with quality fish seed.

Mr Mohd Abbas, NC MLA was informed in reply to his question that 17 small irrigation canals have been constructed under Desert Development Programme (DDP) in Zanskar constituency of Ladakh region. All these irrigation canals are functional. This information was given by the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayatiraj in the House today.

The Government in a written reply has admitted that there are some 36 encroachments ranging between 10 to 40 years in Jasrota Wildlife Santuary. The area encroached is nearly 100 acres of land in various compartments.

It was stated that steps have been initiated by the Forest Department to evict the encroachers under Section 48. A of Forest Act.

PSU employees hold massive rally

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 16: Working in all public sector units remained paralysed through out the Jammu region on the third successive day in response to the strike call given by All Public Sector Employees Joint Action Committee.

The strike call has given to lodge protest against failure of the State Government to fulfill their long pending demands including release of COLA and DA.

On the third consecutive day large number of public sector employees took out a rally from the Transport Yard, Bikram Chowk. The rally was led by Mr Suresh Sharma, chairman of the PSEJAC. Employees from State Road Transport Corporation, HPMC, SFC, Agro Industries, JKPCC, SIDCO, J&K Minerals, Silk Factory, Handloom Corporation, JK Cement, SC-ST Corporation, Joinery Mill, JK Pre Cast, TDC, Wool Board, Red Cross, SICOP, R&T Miran Sahib, JKI took part in this massive rally. The employees also blocked traffic at ever-busy Tawi Bridge for quite some time.

The procession started from Bikram Chowk and passed through various bazaars of the city and culminated at Shalamar Chowk where the procession turned into a big rally. Traffic on the Shalmar Chowk remained disrupted for more than two hours.

A number of trade union leaders addressed the rally and criticised the State Government for its failure to accept their long pending demands. Employees accused State Government of adopting discriminating attitude with public sector employees.

Addressing the rally, Mr Suresh Sharma lambasted the government for its criminal attitude by withholding the COLA for three years. He also condemned brutal use of force by the police on peaceful demonstrators of the SRTC a day back. He assured the brutal use of force on employees would not muffle the genuine voice of PSU employees. He said that employees were every ready to face bullets for their just and genuine demands. The rally demanded immediate release of arrested SRTC employees leaders namely Amrik Singh, Anchal Bakshi, Jagjeet Singh Bhawa and others. Leaders in one voice condemned brute lathicharge and tear-gasing on SRTC employees who were protesting peacefully for their demands.

Speakers while addressing the rally, strongly condemned the budget presented by the Finance Minister, Mr Abdul Rahim Rather as, according to them, the same was silent about release of COLA.

Mr Joginder Paul, S William, Mrs C K Sudan, Mrs Basanti, Jai Krishan, Ab. Manan Bhat, Karam Chand, Puran Chand, Surinder Gupta, Baldev Raj, A K Tandon, Surjeet Singh, Kuldeep Kumar, Yash Paul Samyal, Purshotam Lal, Parveen Kumar, Madan Sharma, Karan Singh and other members of the All Joint Action Committee spoke on the occasion and flayed State Government for crushing agitating PSU employees by its repressive and ill conceived policies. They demanded immediate release of COLA. The employees later lifted the dharna.

Employees leaders demanded immediate regularisation of drivers working in SRTC on Km basis, regularisation of daily wagers, pensionery benefits, implementation of SRO-43, 14 and diversification of the working of the corporations whose filed of working has been affected by the market.

Rohit elected state president of AIRBG
It is high time to throw out NDA Govt at Centre: Tiwari

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 16: Launching a scathing attack on the BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government at Centre for defence deal scams, the National Chairman of All India Rajiv Gandhi Brigade Mr M V Tiwari today said that the security of the country can not be compromised and those who dabble with sensitive areas should not be allowed to go scot free.

Addressing a press conference after electing Mr Rohit Mahajan as president of the Brigade for Jammu and Kashmir State, Mr Tiwari said that on one side the BJP has been beating the drums of Swadeshi and on the other side its office bearers are working as mediators in defence deal scandal and accepting bribe in dollars. "The country is not safe in the hands of BJP and it is right time, after startling disclosures by the tehelka.Com, to throw it out", the national chairman of the Rajiv Gandhi Brigade said.

Apprehending that BJP Government may use influence to change the result of investigation into the defence deal expose, Mr Tiwari said that Defence Minister George Fernandes would definitely be given clean chit in the said scandal. "Every day our Army Jawans are sacrificing their lives in guarding the territory of the country but it is very shameful that the Defence Minister of the country was indulged into defence deal scams and putting the security of the nation at stake", he said, adding if the BJP Government was not thrown out the whole country will be sold at the hands of foreigners.

He also apprised that a delegation of Rajiv Gandhi Brigade had also met President of India few days back and asked him to throw out the BJP Government at an earliest so that country could be saved from being sold.

When asked about the Bofors Pay-Off case, the National Chairman of the Brigade said that it was only Bofors Gun which brought victory for India in Kargil war. "Had not the Rajiv Gandhi finalised the deal for buying Bofors Gun, Kargil would have been taken away by the Pakistan", he said, adding in the Bofors case there were only allegations but in startling disclosures by new portal there are proof of videotapes.

The newly elected state president of the Rajiv Gandhi Brigade Mr Rohit Mahajan said that his main priority will be to strengthen the Brigade at grass root level. He assured that Brigade will fight aagainst the wrong policies of any Government.

Mr Sandeep Pahlwan, national general secretary and Mr Verinder Manhas were also present on the occasion.

Removal of Trust president demanded
Dharmarth Trust employees hold protest demonstration

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 16: Dharmarth Trust Employees Association today held a massive protest demonstration in front of trust office Karan Bhawan.

As per a release, the demonstration was held in support of long pending demands of the Association which included pay scale at par with Shrine Board employees, one month pay as bonus, pension benefits, formation of promotion policy, regularisation of daily wagers, maintenance of service books, formation of transfer policy, implementation of gratuity insurance scheme, ousting of above 65 years employees and halt to back door appointment in the trust.

Addressing the employees, Association president Mr Karnail Chand, general secretary Mr Pritam Sharma, senior vice-president Mr Daljit Singh, finance secretary Mr Chanderjeet Singh strongly criticised the trust president for his dictoral behaviour with low paid employees. Commenting on unfair labour practice and using the trust office and machinery for political activities, the Association demanded from the Chairman of the Trust Dr Karan Singh to remove trust president Thakur Diwaker Singh and reconstitute Trust Council with able and non-political person as president for the interest of Trust as well as its employees by March 31.

The Association warned that if their demands would not be conceded before the said date the employees will be left with no other option than to sit on dharna in front of the residence of Dr Karan Singh at Delhi.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Laxhman Ravinder Singh, senior leader of the Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh supported Dharmarth Trust employees’ demands and asked the management to sit across the table with the employees’ representative and settle the demands ambicaly failing which agitation will be intensified.

Other who spoke on the ocasion included Messrs Vijay Chandel, N R Gupta, Harbans Choudhary, Ashok Choudhary and Karan Singh.

34,000 students appear this year
Middle Exam results by Mar 25: CEO

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 16: The results of about 34,000 students who appeared in Middle Class examination this year from 20 zones of Jammu district, will be declared by March 25, 2001.

This was disclosed by Chief Education Officer, Jammu, Mr R K Abrol while talking to this correspondent today.

Earlier conducted by DIET, this was for the first time that the responsibility of holding Middle class examinations was entrusted to the office of Chief Education Officer. " The examinations were conducted in absolutely smooth manner despite shortage of staff, particularly four Zonal Educational Officers in Jammu", Mr Abrol said.

While 18,000 students belonged to Government run institutions, the remaining 16,000 students represented private schools in Jammu district, the CEO said. He said that these students represented 373 Government and 389 private schools, adding that there were 320 centres (228 in Government schools and remaining 92 in private institutions)

Visibly happy over the smooth conduct of this year’s middle class examinations, Mr Abrol said that presently evaluation of papers was being done in 100 centres, involving 2,500 teachers.

The CEO said that utmost care was taken that the teachers from private schools be also made the part of this entire exercise. "Right from conducting of examinations, holding of inspections and preparation of results, we involved both Government as well as private teachers", Mr Abrol said. He had all praise for concerned Zonal Education Officers, with whose dedication and hard-work, these examinations were conducted smoothly.

Asked why this responsibility was entrusted to the office of CEO as the same examinations were being conducted by DIET earlier, Mr Abrol said that the main reason for it was that Principal DIET was not having administrative control over the teachers. He disclosed that there was a proposal of holding the similar kind of examination for Class 9th and 11th in future.

Terming the Middle examinations as very important, Mr Abrol said that those candidates who clear this examination, will only be allowed to appear in 9th class. And those who fail, will be retained in 8th standard and given a chance next year as regular students.

The special feature of this year’s examination, Mr Abrol said, was that it was held in five subjects with 72 question papers ( Four sets of question papers were used— one set for five Jammu zones).

To a question, the CEO said that transfer of teachers will take place in the middle of April. " Care will be taken that every school gets a teacher for all subjects. Further, those who have over-stayed at a particular place will be transferred, while’s those teachers who have served away from their homes, will be adjusted near to their residences", the CEO said, when asked about the transfer norms to be adopted for this exercise. Mr Abrol, however, said that those who were medically unfit, will not be transferred after verifying their documents from the concerned Medical Board.

WEEKEND - CHAT
Efforts intensified to revive cultural glory

By Dinesh Manhotra

Braving threats, he has been assiduously trying to counter propaganda. ‘Show Must Go On’ is the main aim of Mr Ashraf Sahil, Director Doordarshan Srinagar who has been trying to revive glory of secular culture and heritage of the Jammu and Kashmir at this crucial juncture. It was Mr Sahil who revived lost cultural glory of all three regions viz Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, which had been badly eroded. The credit of making Directors and Producers of both the divisions to work with great enthusiasm also goes to him. He is the one officer, who don’t believe in security as he thinks he should be accessible to all. In his conversation with Weekend-Chat, Mr Ashraf Sahil asserts that Doordarshan Kashmir has intensified its efforts to highlight the culture of remote areas and far off community. He also lists his achievements as Director of this important Doordarshan Station. Excerpts.

vAttacks on media specially on All India Radio and Doordarshan have been intensified. What is the impact of these attacks on employees?

I do agree that attacks on Doordarshan have been increased but we are determined and committed to go ahead with out task. Recent attack was the sixth militant attempt to blow up Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar but we are committed that "Show Must Go On’ to revive the glory and secular culture of the State.

vWhat special programmes your Kendra has been telecasting?

We have been telecasting a number of programmes. 16 hours Kashmir Channel has been telecasting some programmes specially programmes. Beginning of the Kashir Channel is landmark achievement in the history of the state. It was first time in the decade long militancy that 200 film artists gathered in the Valley when the channel was launched. It was a morale boosting event for employees who have been working under threats. I want to give all credit to Mr Harish Awasthi, Director General Doordarshan for making the Kashmir Channel a great success. Locally Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah always tried to add qualitative dimensions to the channel by lending moral support.

vThere are reports that Doordarshan programmes are not reaching areas specially in the border areas where people have to watch PTV. What steps you are taking to improve this situation?

I do agree but we have installed HPTs at Kathua, Poonch, Leh, Gurej, Uri and spread our net-work. Situation has considerably improved after installation of these HPTs.

vWhat steps are being taken for highlighting culture of all three regions especially the distinct languages?

Besides Kashmir, Dogri, Gojri, Punjabi and Pahari progammes we have been even telecasting Sheena and Pastu language to fulfill aspirations of the different ethnic groups. We will start a programmes in Balti very soon. We have been even dividing our budget equally among Jammu and Srinagar artists equally so that local aspirations should be fulfilled and there were no allegations of regional bias.

For encouraging local artists we have been stressing on telecasting more and more programmes based on local folks and culture. Our thrust is on regional ethos as people want to see their own culture and ethos. I am of the opinion that these programmes will inculcate a sense of participation among people.

vBeing a director of Doordarshan Kendra, Srinagar what are your achievements?

Our biggest achievement is that despite enemy’s attempt we didn’t allow media to become casualty. When I took over, the biggest challenge before us was survival of institution and to bring back the working of Doordarshan Kendra on track which was badly derailed due to militancy. During beginning of my tenure there was not much participation of the people. What to say of cultural programmes in Doordarshan Kendra even cinemas were closed at that time. We not only reactivated totally derailed system but totally restored team work among my colleagues.

One more thing which I want to mention here that there were no Cameramen, directors or producers either in Jammu or Srinagar. Today we have more than 100 people at both Jammu and Kashmir divisions, who are committed to work at every conditions.

Today Kashir channel is telecasting programmes for 16 hours and DDK for four hours including one hour state hook-up, connecting Jammu. DD Kashir is being telecast in 42 countries through satellite. Launching of Kashir in June last was a landmark achievement. Over 200 film artists gathered in valley to witness the launching programme.

If more interested people want to come forward in the field of production, they will be welcomed but they should have basic knowledge and experience.

With active co-operation and support of Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah, we have been able to revive cultural activities and organised seminar plus special audience programmes in the auditorium as all cultural activities had stopped after burning down of Tagore Hall.

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