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| Negligence of JM, Traffic Deptt
aggravate situation Expressway lacks essential features, proving ‘death trap’ for commuters By Mohinder Verma JAMMU, Mar 20: The Jammu and Kashmir’s first ever expressway constructed at a huge cost has become a ‘death trap’....more Dharna, hunger strike of HWC/HHRO still continue Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 20: The dharna of Himalayan Wool Combers/HHRO employees entered 217th day and more Drought
hit Rabi Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Mar 20: To assess the situation arisen due to dry spell causing damages to the Rabi crops of the farmers...more Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Mar 20: The Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Law and Parliamentary.......more Students
hold Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 20: Accusing school management of adopting callous attitude towards their future......more |
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Display
Your Talent Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 20: In the " Display Your Talent" programme, Classical Vocal (solo) and Classical Instrumental (solo)......more 22
Ammunition Company Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 20: The riots of different hues was displayed at a flower and Garden competition held at Nagrota....more Public
Sector employees’ Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 20: On the call of Public Sector Employees Joint Action Committee (PSEJAC) chairman, Suresh Sharma the work in all the Public Sector......more Boycott
of classes continue Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 20: Infuriated over the alleged adamant posture adopted by Jammu University towards demand for open choice in the forthcoming annual examinations, a group of college students today barged into Administration Block of Jammu University and staged a dharna before Vice-Chancellor’s office....more |
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Negligence of JM, Traffic Deptt
aggravate situation By Mohinder Verma JAMMU, Mar 20: The Jammu and Kashmir’s first ever expressway constructed at a huge cost has become a ‘death trap’ for most of its users as the bridge lacks what is considered as absolute important and essential features like sign boards and lighting system. Everyday there are incidents of people being killed due to the absence of these essential features. Hardly a month ago, a motorcyclist plunged off the bridge in the evening hours and died as he could not see the road ahead due to lack of lighting system at the expressway and only last week five persons were critically injured as their Gypsy collided with a mini-bus at, what is considered as most dangerous point, Vigilance Office sharp curve due to lack of sign boards and non-deployment of traffic police personnel. Moreover, there are a number of such point at flyover bridge which have claimed a large number of lives and rendered many wounded due to the absence of necessary features for safe driving. Though a huge amount has been spent on plantation over the bridge by the Floriculture Department yet the authorities concerned don’t seem to be serious enough to take steps for providing the essential features for safe riding over expressway. It is a matter of grave concern that even deaths of a number of vehiclists have failed to invite the proper attention from concerned quarters. The few points on the flyover bridge which have claimed lives of number of people and rendered many wounded are sharp curves before and after Vigilance Office, near MLA Hostel, near SMGS Hospital, near Shakuntala Theatre and near K C Theatre etc. These points with very sharp curve have no sign board and lighting and drivers can not even see the vehicle coming from the opposite direction. Those who earlier didn’t make use of flyover can not even imagine of such sharp curves ahead. Moreover, there are a number of places on the flyover where round-abouts have not been constructed thus proving ‘jaws of death’ for many of its users. Furthermore, driving over flyover in evening and night is not considered less than inviting one’s death particularly for two wheelers. Though speeding vehicles can be controlled in the day and curves can be negotiated somehow, yet in night lack of sign board and lighting system as also head lights of the vehicles coming from opposite direction are proving costlier for many of its users. One of the interesting fact is that not even a single traffic police personnel has been deployed at flyover bridge to check rash and negligent driving. Almost all the vehicles particularly two-wheelers are using flyover bridge as field to show ‘driving skills’ and plying them at very high speed taking benefit of non-availability of traffic police personnel. It seems that Traffic Department didn’t consider the expressway as a part of its jurisdiction and not serious in checking rash and negligent driving despite being aware of the fact the all the traffic rules are being violated over the expressway. There are number of instances that motorists enter the flyover bridge from the wrong side by taking benefit due to the absence of efficient traffic cops and fall victim to accidents. Moreover, the Jammu Municipality has been dumping waste materials on the expressway near Shakuntala Theatre thus creating difficulties for the commuters. Sources said that a number of complaints were sent to Divisional Commissioner, Jammu and Administrator Jammu Municipality and Traffic Department but there seems to be shortage of sympathetic ear. When contacted a spokesman of PWD said that the tender was floated in the year 1997 to luminate the expressway yet nothing firm has been done so far for providing basic essentials of expressway like lighting system and sign board. "How can we start the work to luminate the expressway when we don’t have any money", he further said and informed that approximately Rs one crore is needed for luminating the expressway. He informed that despite repeated recommendations to the State Government for sanctioning money needed for lighting the fly over bridge the Electric Division of PWD has not received any response from the Government so far. "The prevailing financial crunch along with power crisis could be the reason behind delaying the electrification of expressway", he added. Regarding sign boards, he informed that by next financial year the same will be erected at vulnerable points. "Whatsoever are the excuses yet the ultimate suffers are the commuters who are falling victim to the neglecting attitude of Jammu Municipality, PWD, Traffic Police and State Government", the sources said, adding why not all these things were done before the inauguration of expressway. |
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Dharna, hunger strike of HWC/HHRO still continue Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 20: The dharna of Himalayan Wool Combers/HHRO employees entered 217th day and chain hunger strike 121th day today in front of Divisional Commissioner Office, Jammu. Addressing the employees, the union leaders said that on March 12, 2001 Government informed in the house that they have closed the both the companies —HWCL/HHRO and its employees will be given VRS in shape of Golden Handshake and is going to implement the same policy in other Public Sector Undertakings also for surplus staff but in case of Himalayan Wool Combers the policy has been implemented forcibly. The leaders said that they had met Chief Minister twice who assured the employees that Government will take sympathetical consideration and will adjust the employees in other Government departments but nothing has been done so far. They also claimed to have met Chief Secretary who also assured the employees that they will not be left on roadside and will be adjusted in groups in other departments. Earlier the Government had adjusted all the employees of public sector undertaking—M/s Old Woolen Mills, Srinagar, Tawi Scooters Jammu, M/s Vijaypur Electric Society, Jammu and some employees of J&K Industries Limited in other Government departments. They appealed the Government to adjust all Himalayan Wool Combers and HHRO employees on same pattern. |
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Drought hit Rabi crop damages being assessed: Qayoom Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Mar 20: To assess the situation arisen due to dry spell causing damages to the Rabi crops of the farmers in the State, a high level meeting was held here yesterday evening which was presided over by the Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Mr. Abdul Qayoom. The meeting was informed that the Central Government will be approached for deputing a Central team for taking on-the-spot stock of the damage caused to the Rabi crops in the State. It was also decided that the State Government will plead with the Centre for allotment of sufficient funds after the survey team visits the State. Mr. Qayoom directed that Girdawaris of the affected areas of the State should be prepared by April 10, 2001 and the departments like PHE, Agriculture, RDD, Irrigation and Flood Control, Revenue and other concerned departments should gear up for meeting the requirements of the farmers whose crops have been affected due to drought or are likely to get affected due to the situation arising as a result of dry spell and unprecedented scanty snow-falls. The Minister said that mass awareness campaign should be launched to educate the people for sowing alternate seeds so that better crops are obtained in lieu of what they used to get from the traditional crops. He also directed the officers that sufficient seeds should be made available at various depots for sale to the farmers so that they are able to sow various types of seeds in time. Mr. Qayoom appreciated the initiatives taken by various agencies in providing necessary guidelines to the concerned officers for assessing the damage. Those who attended the meeting include the Financial Commissioner, Agriculture, Financial Commissioner, Revenue, Commissioner/Secretary Revenue, Divisional Commissioners, Kashmir and Jammu, Special secretary Revenue and other concerned officers. |
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Modern
solid waste management plants for Jammu, Srinagar cities
proposed Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Mar 20: The Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah today said that elections to the Municipal Corporations in the State are likely to be held within six to eight months. Rules under the newly enacted law by the State Legislature in autumn session are currently under preparation, he said. Mr. Shah was replying to the discussion on the demands of grants of Housing and Urban Development and Law and Parliamentary Affairs departments in the Legislative Assembly today. He also disclosed that a committee has been constituted to delimit the wards for the municipalities and other local bodies under the Act. The Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Director Local Bodies, Jammu/Srinagar alongwith concerned Deputy Commissioners are members of this committee. The committee, he said, will also suggest inclusion and exclusion of areas from such bodies. Sharing the concern of the members on civic scenario in different parts of the State, the Minister said lack of adequate finances and poor infrastructure are mainly responsible for it. The Government, he said, is conscious of the situation and is taking measures to improve it. He said the scientific disposal of solid waste is the only answer to sanitation. He said the Government is in touch with private and foreign promoters in solid base management to set up plants to convert solid waste into manure. These plants are proposed to be set up both in Srinagar and Jammu. He said land for the purpose has been identified at Bantalab in Jammu and at Achin Idgah in Srinagar city. Giving details about the measures taken by the Government to improve civic and sanitation facilities in the municipal and local bodies, the Minister said that modern scavenging equipments are being procured to groom dirt and filth from the interior and narrow lanes of the congested cities. The manpower is being trained to operate these machines. He said 16,000 dust bins are being distributed among the people in Jammu city this year while this experiment has already been undertaken in Srinagar city. He said the strength of sweepers in civic bodies is being increased keeping in view the manifold increase in the population in cities and towns. Besides, training the staff and manpower in the Municipalities and Local Bodies in latest techniques of scavenging and sanitation, he said efforts are also on to mobilize the revenue resources in civic bodies, He said a novel experiment of night scavenging and door to door collection of garbages is continuing in Jammu which has proved very successful. Efforts are being made to improve the financial position of the Municipality. He said first phase of Bahu Plaza shopping complex earns income of Rs. 75 lakhs annually and an completion of its second phase the earning will touch over Rs. one crore. In Srinagar too several income-generating assets have been created to strengthen the economic base of Municipality. Under the Urban Employment Programme, the Minister said that several schemes have been launched in the State. Under the programme, the unemployed youth are being provided training and loan facilities for setting up of their own employment generating ventures. He appealed the members to create awareness among the people about this programme so that large number of people could derive benefits by these schemes. The Minister said that the single window system has been introduced for granting house building permissions to minimise delays. The system provides that if the building permission is not granted to the eligible applicant within 60 days, he can go for the planned construction without waiting for the sanction. Referring to the functioning of the courts, the Minister said that the pendency of cases in the courts has considerably decreased adding that against 71,000 cases pending in courts last year, the number of such cases has come down to 36,000 which reflects improvement in the working of the judiciary. He said the vacancies of Judges in the High Court would be filled up as early as possible adding that the total strength of the Judges will, however, remain at 14. Responding to the demand of the members about increase in their emoluments, the Minister said that a comprehensive Bill as promised by former Law Minister will be brought before the House after thoroughly examining the demand. After the cut motions moved by Mr. Prithivi Chand, Mr. Shiv Charan Gupta and Mr. Som Nath were withdrawn by them, the House unanimously passed the grants for the year 2001-2002 amounting to Rs. 1,99,96,13,000 for the Departments of Housing, Urban Development, Law and Parliamentary Affairs under the charge of the Minister. Earlier, 12 members took part in the discussion who include Mr. Ashok Kumar Sharma, Mr. Mohammad Shafi Bhat, Mr. Som Nath, Syed Abdul Rashid, Mr. Mohammad Dilawar Mir, Mr. Harshdev Singh, Mr. Sadiq Ali, Mr. Ghulam Rasool Naz, Ch. Piara Singh, Sheikh Abdul Rehman, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Kuchey and Mr. Mohammad Farooq Mir. |
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Students hold demonstration against May Fair School Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 20: Accusing school management of adopting callous attitude towards their future, students of May Fair High School Chand Nagar, who were denied admission by the Board authorities to appear in matriculation examinations, today staged a protest dharna at J P Chowk and disrupted traffic for more than two hours. The enraged students were demanding action against school management for, what they alleged, playing with their future. The students, however, lifted the dharna only after assurance of the school management that they have been enrolled as private candidates and would appear in matriculation examination (private) beginning from April 20. Earlier, 18 students of May Fair High School went to appear in their matriculation examination at Jewan Nagar School but only three of them were allowed to sit in the examination. Remaining 15 students were informed by the officers conducting examination that they were not registered as candidate. The shell shocked students rushed to their school to get their roll number slips so that they could sit in examination. In the meantime their parents also reached to the school. The students and parents get enraged when they were informed by the school management that Board authorities have not issued roll number slips to 15 students of the school due to some technical reason. Enraged over the callous attitude of the school management, students and their parents staged a dharna in the premises of the school and later marched towards J P Chowk. Joined by some residents, students blocked traffic at ever-busy J P Chowk and disrupted vehicular movement for more than two hours. There was virtual chaos and confusion in the area. Senior police officers reached the spot and tried to pacify the students and their parents. Talking to EXCELSIOR parents of some students alleged that they were cheated by the school management. Parents further informed that they have even paid examinations fees as well as registration fee for Board examinations. It was only after assurance of the management that school would bear all expenditure and remaining students would be allowed to sit in matriculation examination (private), the students lifted the dharna. Later talking to EXCELSIOR, Principal of the School, Ms Geeta Dikshit told that school has been registered upto 2002 and affiliated with Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education. Giving reasons for denying permission to 15 students in appearing matriculation examination, Ms Dikshit said that their school has collaboration with another private school for examination but the management of that school has cheated them at last moment. She produced all records and receipts of fees to authenticate that their school has been registered and affiliated with J&K Board of School Education. While admitting that there was some mistake on part of their school, Ms Dikshit asserted that they would not allow one precious year of students to get spoiled. " Keeping in view the interest of the students we have decided to enroll them as private students", she said and added that school will bear all expenditure to get the students appear in coming matriculation examination (private). Ms Dikshit stated that roll number slips have been issued to students to appear in private examination. |
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Display Your Talent Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 20: In the " Display Your Talent" programme, Classical Vocal (solo) and Classical Instrumental (solo) competitions were held in the varsity campus here today. Organised by the Dean Student Welfare, University of Jammu, in the first session 12 students from various colleges and varsity departments took part in Classical Vocal contest. The students’ performance, by displaying their talent in presenting " Mian Malhar", Jaunpuri, "Ahir Bhairav" "Des", " Malkauns", "Jayjawanti" and "Shankara" in their melodious voice was appreciated by the audience present in the auditorium of the University of Jammu. Mr Varun Kotwal, student of GGM Science College, Jammu secured the first position in the competition of solo classical vocal category. Ms Taniya Gupta of Govt College for Women, Prade got the second position while Ms Sabindu Sharma was adjudged third in the contest. Ms Shivani Raina of Govt Women College, Prade was awarded Certificate of Merit. In the second session held in the afternoon, vibrant sounds of different musical instruments like sitar, flute, tabla, violin guitar echoed and the budding artists enthralled the audience by their scintillating performances. In the Classical Instrumental solo N Percussion contest, Ms Monika Sharma of PG Department of Education, JU, was declared first. Mr Amit Sandotra of Govt Degree College, Udhampur secured second position while Ms Pooja Gupta of PG Department of Hindi, JU, stood third. Ms Arti Devi and Ms Nisha Mahajan of Women College, Udhampur and Vandana Sharma of Govt Women College, Prade were given certificate of merits. In the Classical Instrumental Solo Percussion, Mr Anil Salgotra of Govt SPMR College of Commerce, Jammu and Mr Dharamveer Singh of MAM College, Jammu obtained first and second position. Ms Shifali and Hema Gandotra compered the programme. Veena Gupta, Mr Ashutosh and Lalit Magotra were adjudicators for classical vocal while Dewan Virender Mohan, Rajinder Raina and Savita Bakshi were experts for judging instrumental music. A number of faculty members, students and artists were present at the programme of Display Your Talent. |
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22 Ammunition Company tops in flower show Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 20: The riots of different hues was displayed at a flower and Garden competition held at Nagrota, near here today. Over 40 varieties of flowers in numerous shades were displayed by the participants which attracted the attention of the visitors at the show. The 22 Ammunition Company had been topping almost since a decade in flower shows held in the past and repeated this year too by bagging overall trophy of flower show followed by 966 Transport Company. Sixteen prizes were won alone by 22 Ammunition Company in different competitions. Meera Khanna, president Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) Nagrota Corps gave away the prizes to the winners. Lt Col P Ganguly of 22 Ammunition Company won the prize in Private Garden followed by Maj Ashish Sunder Lal of 966 of Transport Company. In Grand Floor, Col Ajit Singh of Corps Hqrs won the first position followed by Lt Col I S Hooda of the same Corps. In Kitchen Garden category, Lt Col P Ganguly got the first prize followed by Maj Ashish Sunder Lal. Amongst the Unit Gardens, 22 Ammunition Company got first position followed by Corps PRO Unit. The Potted Plants competition was again won by 22 Ammunition Company while’s Shabira Hooda won three prizes in flower arrangements. |
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Public Sector employees’ dharna in 7th day Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 20: On the call of Public Sector Employees Joint Action Committee (PSEJAC) chairman, Suresh Sharma the work in all the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) remained paralysed on the seventh consecutive day today. At all district and tehsil headquarters, the employees held gate meetings and demonstrations in support of their demands. At Jammu, a combined gate demonstration of SRTC, SFC, Agro, Silk Factory, SICOP, SIDCO, Arts Emporium and HPMC was held at SFC lawns. While addressing the employees, Sharma said that inspite of the clear-cut announcement of release of COLA by Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah, no steps have been taken for the same. He said that the policy decision of the Chief Minister to release COLA should have been promptly taken by the concerned Ministry to issue the orders. It was declared that the employees will continue their strike till the demands were met. The Chairman further appealed to all the political parties to come to the rescue of the employees in highlighting their plight. Meanwhile, Bar Association Jammu has extended its support to the demands of the agitating Public Sector Employees in Jammu and asked the Government to reconsider the demands on merit and in longer public interest. Association president D S Saini has urged the Government to accept the demands and desist from anti-employees attitude. The J&K Agro Employees Workers Union, in the meantime, has unanimously resolved to extend full support to the agitating employees and has urged the Government to have sympathetic consideration towards the employees of Public Sector Undertakings. |
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Boycott of classes
continue Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 20: Infuriated over the alleged adamant posture adopted by Jammu University towards demand for open choice in the forthcoming annual examinations, a group of college students today barged into Administration Block of Jammu University and staged a dharna before Vice-Chancellor’s office chamber. Seeking a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor Prof R R Sharma, the agitating students, including girls, raised slogans in favour of their demand. The dharna continued for more than two hours. To avoid any untoward incident, a strong posse of policemen were immediately rushed to the site who virtually seized the Adam Block. Ironically, no University official, except Associate Dean Dr Pritam Singh, bothered to walk down the site and pacify agitating students to lift the dharna. Even after coming to know that the Vice-Chancellor was not present in his office chamber, the students refused to lift the dharna and demanded that Principals of all degree colleges in the city be summoned there to discuss the open choice demand. Dr Pritam Singh sought to pacify the agitators and appealed them to lift the dharna. He assured them to arrange their meeting with the University authorities after discussing the matter with Vice-Chancellor. The dharna continued for more than two hours during which the agitators raised slogans in favour of open choice and against the Vice-Chancellor. Later, they dispersed peacefully. Earlier, students of GGM Science College, MAM College, GCW Parade, SPMR College and GCW Gandhi Nagar, boycotted classes and held demonstrations in their respective colleges. |
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Work in PSUs remain paralysed in Udhampur Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Mar 20: The work in Public Sector organisations remained paralysed in the district for the sixth consecutive day today in response to the strike call given by All Public Sector Joint Action Committee. The striking workers of the district gathered at Dabbar Park here this morning. They are protesting against the state Government failure for fulfilling the long pending demands PSU employees. Mr R. Bakshi, a prominent Association leader was leading today’s protest. Mr F A Malik, Jagmohan Sadhotra, Madan Lal and Gurmeet Singh also addressed the rally. They expressed their anguish over the attitude of State Government for not taking effective steps and regretted that instead of removing the rampant corruption State Government was acting on wrong policies. They demanded immediate release of COLA, arrears of 5th pay commission, pensionary benefits, implementation of SRO 43, time bound promotions and regularisation of daily wagers. Most of the employees from JKHDC, SICOP, JKPCC, SRTC, SFC and SC/ST Development Corporation participated in the rally. The workers alleged that Dr Abdullah’s claim that all the Corporations were running in loss was not true. For any loss to some Corporations, its inefficient management and Government itself is responsible for the same. Unchecked huge number of backdoor appointments in the corporation and non-accountability on the part of so called bosses of the Corporations are the basic reasons behind it. But Government even knowing this has failed to maintain financial discipline. The Government must identify and throw out the real culprits. |
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ST candidates get due share in police recruitment’s: Shah Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 20: Government is taking due care to ensure that the reserved categories gets due representation in appointments in Armed Police and IRP. However, the representation to various reserved categories depends on the availability of eligible candidates of these categories at district level as the recruitment of personnel to these battalions is done with district as the unit. Under such procedure, it is possible that in some districts the representation to these categories may be higher than the percentage reservation while in some other districts it may be the other way round. This was stated by the Housing and Urban Development Minister, Mr. Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah on behalf of the Home Minister in reply to the calling attention motion of Ch. Mohammad Hussain regarding ignoring of scheduled tribe (Gujjar and Bakerwals) in the IRP selection in 7th and 8th battalions. The Minister said that about 142 candidates belonging to schedule tribe out of total 1702 candidates have been recruited in 12 districts which accounts for overall 8.34 per cent the percentage will change after the recruitment process in Anantnag and Rajouri is completed. The final overall reservation percentage may be higher than 8.34 per cent nearly 10 per cent, the Minister added. |
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Chairman seeks Govt Statement on Kanihama incident Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 20: The Chairman Legislative Council, Mr Abdul Rashid Dar today directed the Government to make a statement in the House regarding the action taken by the police against the person allegedly involved in the incident of throwing acid on a women at village Kanihama in Beerwah area of district Budgam. Raising the issue in the House during Zero Hour Ms Shamima Firdous said that the women suffered 90 per cent burn injuries when the accused sprinkled acid on her body. She said the lady was presently undergoing treatment at SMHS Hospital, Srinagar. Expressing grave concern over the incident, the Member said that the police has taken no action against the accused even after he was identified by the victim and her family. The Member also demanded that the matter should be referred to the State Women’s Commission for necessary action. Taking serious note of the incident, the Chairman asked the Government to inform the House, within one week, about the action taken in the matter. Qari Abdul Aziz demanded restoration of traffic on Sonamarg-Kargil road as the snow has been already cleared from the road by the beacon authorities. The newly elected MLC, Nazir Ahmad demanded that the migrants of border areas of Rajouri district putting up in the camps at Jammu should be treated at par with the Kashmiri Pandit Migrants. Mr Bhushan Lal Bhat demanded fulfillment of demands of Tourism Development Corporation Employees at the earliest. Mr G S Jamwal urged the Government to undertake the eco-development of Shivaliks under the Forest Departments afforestation programme. He said the project was initially proposed to be covered under forest department but later has been transferred to Agriculture Department. Mr G N Shaheen expressed shock over the incident in which Syed Ali Shah Geelani was injured. He also condemned the act. Mr Brij Mohan Sharma urged the Government to address the grievances of striking Public Sector Employees. He said the Government should formulate comprehensive plan for the rehabilitation of these employees. Mr A R Tukroo demanded regularization of all the daily wagers who have completed the minimum seven years service. He also urged the Government to revoke the disengagement order of these daily wagers issued recently. |
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Kukka Parray flays Pak, Hurriyat for betrayal Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 20: Awami League chairman Mr Kukka Parray today said neither Pak based terrorist organisations not Hurriyat has shown any positive response to Indian Government’s extended cease-fire to build a conducive atmosphere for bilateral talks for permanent and peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue. In a statement to the press Mr Kukka Parray said that upsurge in brutal killings of innocent people in Jammu and Kashmir by the Jehadi forces backed by Military regime of Pakistan clearly reflected war mongering mentality of Pakistan. Mr Parray cautioned Pakistan to give up war mongering mentality, awake to the ground realities and see the writing on the wall and respond to the Indian Government’s peace initiative by effectively curbing cross-border terrorism and stopping spilling blood of innocent people in Jammu and Kashmir. Mr Parray said religious fundamentalism bred and fed by Pakistan Pakistan has assumed enormous proportions and posed greatest threat to the world peace, multi-religious and multi-regional unity the world over. He said it was high time for Hurriyat and their mentors across the borders to open their eyes to the emerging new realities in the light of total rejection of the United Nations resolutions of 1948 for resolving Kashmir issue by the United Nations Secretary General Mr Kofi Annan and his refusal to grant audience to Hurriyat leaders. Mr Kukka Parray said that Pakistan should grasp this opportunity, take note of changing world opinion, act on the advice of Mr Kofi Annan, stop cross-border terrorism and enter into unconditional bilateral dialogue with India for lasting peace in the sub-continent. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 20: Mr A R Mishra, the son of the soil, who took over the reigns of the Punjab National Bank, Shalamar Road branch as chief manager in December 2000, after serving the bank in different capacities has brought about various innovative schemes in the Bank. The Shalamar branch of the Punjab National Bank has various specialized services in addition to normal banking services. The bank branch is authorized dealer in foreign exchange with SWIFT facility, it has been authorized branch for collection of Direct and Indirect taxes, authorized branch for collection of RBI Relief Bonds, Authorized branch for collection of Public Provident Fund. As part of banking system the branch is offering a number of schemes which have been tailored to the taste of customers, which included savings with cheque or no cheque facility, Quarterly automatic compounding of interest, facility of automatic renewal if desired, free safe custody of FDRs as per choice and loan/over-draft facility, facility to withdraw in units of Rs 10,000 on which no interest/service charge would be charged, instant loan/ over-draft facility without additional papers, facility to withdraw cheques. lockers in highly safe zone, having RBI currency chest with facility of soiled notes, authorized for merchant banking, authorized for investment/treasury port folio, authorized for disbursement of pension, fully computerized with on line service, having tele-banking and telefax services already in force, installation of ATM and on line internet facility on the anvil, special department for credit to SSI sector, housing, trading, education, conveyance, personal loans to employees of Government and Public Sector and pensioners, computer loans, loans for cyber cafe, lubricant booth loans to ex-servicemen, loans against immovable property, loans against future rentals of immovable property and to SSI sector for infrastructural and other fees etc for granting of ISO-9000-9004, loans for agriculturist whether direct or indirect,, special Fixed Deposits for monthly, quarterly, half-yearly income, Principle safe, flexible recurring deposits, PNB Credit Card, PNB Gift Cheques, PNB Traveller Cheques etc. |
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HC stays shifting of SDM office at MLAs behest Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 20: Division Bench of the State High Court, comprising Chief Justice Dr B P Saraf and Justice Muzaffar Jan has directed that the office of Sub Divisional Magistrate may not be shifted till further orders. The Court direction was passed on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the residents of Dudu Basantgarh. The notices were issued to the Government which were accepted by Additional Advocate General, Amrish Kapoor, while’s Advocate Gagan Basotra accepted the notice on behalf of Harshdev Singh, MLA, Ramnagar. The residents of Dudu Basantgarh and other adjoining areas had filed a PIL by Ex- Naib Sarpanch Latti, Khem Raj and Shiv Ram, member Aman Committee Latti through Advocate Anil Sethi wherein it was alleged that the office of ADO was upgraded as Sub- Divisional Magistrate with the Headquarters at Dudu. In the petition, it was alleged that Prithvi Chand, MLA (BJP) from Chenani constituency and Harshdev Singh, MLA from Ramnagar had joined hands with a view to shift the office of SDM from Dudu to Basantgarh where Prithvi Chand belongs. The petitioners prayed before the Court for quashing Government order dated october 5, 2000 and seeking direction to the respondents to permit the functioning of office of SDM at Dudu. |
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