|
| SAC flays policies of State, Central Govt Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: A meeting of Jammu and Kashmir Sharnarthi Action Committee (SAC) was held under the chairmanship of Mr Hardit Singh.....more Maj Gen
Manmohan takes Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Maj Gen Manmohan Singh has taken over as 40th Colonel Commandant of Corps of Signals......more Zero Hour
in the Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Various issues of public importance were raised in the Legislative Council during Zero Hour today......more CM
presented donations Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah was today presented cheques amounting to over Rs 1.71 lakh towards CMs Relief Fund.......more Forest
officials Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: The Forest Minister, Peerzada Ghulam Ahmed Shah said today in the Legislative Assembly that five forest officials......more |
State
Police being Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Police Personnel and SPOs are being equipped with sophisticated weaponry, hi-tech communication gadgets and........more Problems
of killed pol Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah today said that he had taken up with the Prime Minister the matter regarding providing succour.......more Cong holds
protest Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Congress Party organised a protest rally at Akhnoor today in protest against the failure of the State and the Centre Governments......more Work
remains paralysed Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Mar 28: The working in all PSU undertakings in district Udhampur and Doda remained paralysed on the 15th consecutive day today as the employees of .......more |
|
||
SAC flays policies of State, Central Govt Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: A meeting of Jammu and Kashmir Sharnarthi Action Committee (SAC) was held under the chairmanship of Mr Hardit Singh Panchhi and Mr Hemraj Sharma here today to take stock of the situation prevailing in connection with the long pending problems of the displaced person of 1947 from POK. As per a release, the meeting took serious note of the policy of the State and the Central Government because both have not taken an initiative for the redressal of grievances of displaced person from POK. The meeting said that the field staff was bent upon to cancel allotment of the DPs by mutating lands in favour of the tenants on the basis of the cultivation of kharif 1971 which cannot be applied in cases of DPs to whome some concessions are also available in the Agrarian Act. Moreover, the rent of DP houses are being contemplated to be raised which is a sheer injustice with the DP allottees as they stand exempted as per the decisions taken in the past by the Government and the recommendations of the various committees meant for this purpose. The meeting warned the Government to refrain from such anti-Sharnathi activities and policies. The meeting also decided to intensify the struggle and hold area wise meeting for preparation of the struggle. Two minute silence was also observed in the meeting to pay tributes to Mr Makhan Lal Musa, Dy PRO who was associated with DPs for more than four decades and it was urged upon the Government to fill the vacancy either by promotion or on the basis of contractual services of an experienced person of the Department. Others who participated in the meeting included Messrs Kirpal Singh, Lekh Raj Khajuria, Susheel Sharma, Kartar Singh, Joginder Singh, Hira Singh, Makhan Singh Tara, Rachpal Singh and Bhagat Singh. |
Maj
Gen Manmohan takes over as Col Comdt Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Maj Gen Manmohan Singh has taken over as 40th Colonel Commandant of Corps of Signals. Alumni of National Defence Academy, the General Officer is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He has also attended National Defence College at New Delhi and Higher Command Course at College of Combat Mhow. He holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration and is a fellow of the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers. Major General Manmohan Singh has been a General Staff Officers (Operations) in an Infantry Division and at Command Headquarter. He has also been a Deputy Commander of an Infantry Brigade in Western Sector. Amongst him other notable assignments, he has commanded a Mountain Division Signal Regiment in high altitude in Sikkim and was instrumental in planning and restoration of communication during the flood which struck Mangan district in August 1983. He is presently posted as Additional Director General Personnel Services at Army Headquarters. Prior to this, he was Chief Signal Officer of Sourthern Command. He has also been Major General Operational Logistics at Army Training Command. Maj Gen Manmohan Singh is also the recipient of Ati Vhishist Seva Medal. |
Zero Hour in the Legislative Council Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Various issues of public importance were raised in the Legislative Council during Zero Hour today. Mr G N Shaheen condemned the discretion of Holy book of Quran and said that the persons involved in such acts should be punished under law. He said that such uncommon acts are a part of conspiracy hatched by vested interests to weaken the secular fabric of the country. Mr Bushan Lal Bhat while condemning recent sacrilege of Holy Quran, demanded protection of all religious shrines in the Valley. Mr Javeed Ahmed Shah demanded action against the absconding employees of Food and Supplies Department who have allegedly crossed over to Pakistan alongwith hefty sum of public money. Mr Y R Malhotra demanded introduction of evening classes for those science students who were unable to secure admission in the Government Colleges last year. Mr Mohammad Aslam demanded regularization of services of 657 teachers of erstwhile institutions run by Fallahi-Am Trust. Mr Abdul Rahman Tukroo urged the Government to ensure protection of property of Kashmiri migrants in the Valley. Mr G S Jamwal demanded rectification of discrepancy by virtue of which the candidates below 5'-11" height were not selected by the Police Department during its recent recruitment drive. Qari Aziz demanded ensuring admission of Ladakhi students having secured 40 per cent marks in the schools and colleges at Srinagar and Jammu. |
CM presented donations towards Gujarat victims Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah was today presented cheques amounting to over Rs 1.71 lakh towards CMs Relief Fund for Gujarat victims. A cheque for Rs 71,200 was presented by Mr A K Kapoor, Chairman, Adarsh College of Education, Tarore. The amount has been raised by the students and management of the college for Gujarat earthquake victim. Another cheque for Rs one lakh was presented by Dr Arun K Gupta, chairman, Model Institute of Education and Research (MIER), Jammu to the Chief Minister. Minister for Education Mr Mohammad Shafi and Minister for Information and Transport Mr Ajatshatru Singh were present. The Chief Minister appreciated the gesture of these institutions for sharing the agonies and contributing towards the rehabilitation of people in parts of Gujarat. He complemented students, teachers and the management of various institutions for their generous help to people in distress. Earlier, Mr Kapoor apprised the Chief Minister about the functioning of College of Education and plans of the management to open a degree college at Tarore. While appreciating the opening of B Ed colleges in private sector for meeting the growing requirements of student community, he assured that the points raised by Adarsh College would be looked into. |
Forest officials involved in excess falling shifted - Shah Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: The Forest Minister, Peerzada Ghulam Ahmed Shah said today in the Legislative Assembly that five forest officials prima-fasie involved in un-authorised felling of unmarked trees in Tragbal block in Bandipora Forest Division in last October -November have been shifted from the area and the extraction work suspended. Replying to the Calling Attention Notice of Mr Faqir Mohammad Khan, the Forest Minister said that action against the labour-mate is being taken under Forest Act. He said new mates have been engaged by the Department for extracting the marked volume after terminating the contract of defaulting mates besides imposing penalty at 10 per cent of the contract cost. Giving details of the case, Mr Shah said that during the current year marking to the extent of 19,037, FTs of Kail/Fir in Compartment 81/Khuhhma of Tragbal clock in Bandipora Forest Division was ordered to be worked out departmentally by engaging mates namely S/Shri Mohammad Akbar Parra and Mohi-Ud-Din Dar for extraction and transportation of stocks. He said during the course of work some labourers engaged by the mates resorted to un-authorised felling of unmarked trees to the extent of 16 trees. The matter came to the notice of the DFO concerned, who visited the Compartment and found that 16 unmarked trees had been felled un-authorisedly. The DFO took the cognizance of the case and shifted the staff who were prima-facie found involved and suspended the extraction work. The timber extracted un-authorisedly to the extent of 1252 CFTs ( 81 Logs) was transported to Timber sale Depot Bandipora under the proper release orders. The staff who were found involved and shifted are Mohammad Halim Khan, Forester, MY Wani and MY Shah, Forest Protection Guards, A R Zargar and Abdul Aziz Malik, Forest Guards. |
State Police being equipped with
sophisticated Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Police Personnel and SPOs are being equipped with sophisticated weaponry, hi-tech communication gadgets and body protectors (BP jackets) in increased number and quantities to minimize causalities while combating militancy and maintenance of law and order. Replying on behalf of Minister Incharge, Home to a calling attention notice tabled by Mr Javeed Hussain Shah in the Legislative council today the Revenue Minister, Mr Abdul Qayoom informed the House that the J&K Police has been progressively involved in curbing the militancy in addition to its responsibilities of crime detection and maintenance of law and order. Active participation of J&K Police in combat operations against the militants and their mentors from across the border has antagonized the militant groups. Annihilation of the top brass of militants and recoveries of large quantities of arms/ammunition has dealt a serious blow to the militants game plan. Persistent efforts of police in busting of terrorists of outfits, smashing of hideouts, destroying of their upper ground networks are the main achievements that have led to frustration among the ranks of militants organizations. The laurels earned by the State Police has had to pay a price. As a result of militant vengeance 452 police personnel have undergone martyrdom while fighting militants and terrorists. Of these, 53 personnel were killed after 28.11.2000 upto March 15,2001, the ongoing ceasefire period. Besides, 165 Special Police Officers (SPOs) have also been killed fighting militants. They did remarkable job while performing their duties. Members of the Village Defence Committees (VDCs) in Jammu region have also helped to contain the activities of the militants at tremendous cost of their lives in helping Police, Security Forces in instilling a sense of security among fellow beings in far flung areas where presence of Police/Security Forces is thin. So far 49 VDC members have laid their lives. While answering supplementary the Minister said that the ex-gratia relief to SPOs is also being taken up. |
Problems of killed pol.
workers families taken Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah today said that he had taken up with the Prime Minister the matter regarding providing succour to dependents of political workers killed in militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. Replying to a supplementary by Ch. Mohammad Hussain in Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister said the Home Ministry is examining this issue. About a proposal to provide ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakhs to the next of the kin of those killed in militancy in lieu of job on compassionate grounds has not been approved by the Centre, which provides funds for the purpose under security related expenses. He said some media would have to be found to this issue as nationalist forces belonging to mainstream parties are becoming targets of militants every day. To strengthen their resolve to fight militancy with fortitude, political activists should not nurture a feeling that their kith would be left un-cared by the Government in the event of their martyrdom, he added. Referring to ban on certain category of employment, Dr. Abdullah said the State Government has signed MoU with the Centre in this regard. These factors have also affected the recruitment process. In written reply to the question, the Chief Minister furnished a list indicating appointments made on extreme compassionate basis/exigencies of services. Regarding the lifting of ban on Class-IV appointments, he said, there is no such proposal under consideration with the Government at present. |
Cong holds protest rally at Akhnoor Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Congress Party organised a protest rally at Akhnoor today in protest against the failure of the State and the Centre Governments in mitigating the sufferings of the common masses. Holding banners and placards, the protesters, led by former Minister Madan Lal Sharma and MLA Tara Chand, passed through main bazars of the town and later culminated the rally at tehsil headquarters. Addressing the rally, the Congress leaders Madan Lal and Tara Chand alleged that the BJP led NDA Government at the Cenrte was neck-deep in corruption. " The recent exposure of corruption in defence deals through Tehelka, needs no further investigation", the Congress leaders said, while demanding immediate resignation of BJP led Government at the Centre on moral grounds. Highlighting the local problems, the Congress leaders said that the State and the Centre Governments were hoodwinking the drought conditions prevailing in Akhnoor tehsil and other kandi areas of Jammu, where the cattle and other animals were starving without fodder and drinking water. "The people residing in border areas need immediate attention besides provision of food, clothing and shelter to them", the Congress leaders said, adding that it was, however, a matter of "shame" that these people dont get even these basic amenities. The leaders demanded immediate measures to provide relief to the border migrants at par with Kashmiri migrants. Prominent among those who attended the rally included Gian Chand, Om Parkash Charan Dass Sharma, Angreju Ram Sharma, Pathan Singh, Suraj Parkash Sharma, Raghunath Sharma, Lal Chand, Babu Ram, Beli Ram, Dhani Ram, Balbir Singh, Mohan Lal Sharma, Noku Ram, Sita Ram, Bodh Raj, Rattan Lal and Shamsher Chand. |
Work remains paralysed in PSUs for 15th day Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Mar 28: The working in all PSU undertakings in district Udhampur and Doda remained paralysed on the 15th consecutive day today as the employees of SRTC, SFC, JKHDC, JKPCC, SICOP and SC/ST Corporation staged a dharna at Dabbr Park here in support of their demands. The employees also took the Government to task for what they alleged its criminal silence over the long pending demands. While addressing the demonstrators Messrs Oranjan Bakshi, president, F A Malik, general secretary, Gurmeet Singh,organisor, Hafizullah Wani, secretary and Shahnaz Iqbal treasurer of All Public Sector Employees Association Udhampur condemned the yesterdays police action on peaceful protesters of all public sector employees Joint Action Committee at Jammu. Expressing sympathy with the injured employees they warned the Government of serious consequences for adopting anti working class policies. The public sector employees working in district Doda also condemned brutal action of police against the peaceful protesters of PSU who were protesting against the failure of State Government for not fulfilling the demand of the employees who are on strike since March 14. Meanwhile the PSU Employees Association declared that the strike will continue as per the programme of PSEJAC till the Government does not concede the demands of the employees. |
Zang Trai"
function held at K P Sabha Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: "Spirit and Science"a book on moral education, written by Master Sat Lal a renowned teacher of the J&K was released by president Kashmiri Pandit Sabha, Mr T N Khosa at a function held at Sabha Office here. The book which has been published by Arun Art Printers, Jammu is meant for youth (age group 12 to 16 years). The author of the book emphasizes that for the proper development of children value based lessons are important. He said it is both spirituality and Science that will make best citizens out of children. The book contains spiritual poems, spiritual stories from all scriptures and science topics. These are sure to help in making good boys and girls and develop a scientific outlook which will remove superstition and bigotry prevalent among the ignorant. The book will serve the cause of education in the country. Introducing Master Sat Lal, Mr H N Tiku, treasurer of the Sabha stressed the need for revival of Sanskar(moral) education. He said the moral education has completely been forgotten both by parents and the teachers as the materialistic world has completely captured the human beings in such a way that one does not see anything beyond that. He said presently there are no moral considerations which has caused void between elderly people and younger generations. He said the lack of moral education is the cause of indiscipline among the youth. In previous times the parents, grand parents while stressing on moral education and before sending their wards to schools they were imparting them this education through stories from religious books. He said the joint family system also played an pivotal role in awakening the children morally. But he regretted that lack of moral education today has resulted in many problems among the youth like arrogance, misbehavior and disobedience. He said even in some cases the drugs have influenced the youth who in turn lost the balance in making distinction between good and bad. Some have even indulged in violence, he added. Meanwhile annual function of Kashmiri women popularly known as "Zang Traay " was celebrated with usual fervour and gaiety in the Sabha premises today. The programme was chaired by a renowned saint Mohni Ji Khosa popularly called (Mumiji) by her devotees. Incharge of Sabhas women wing Ms Nimi Tickoo while welcoming the women exhorted them to realise their potential for economic, physical, social and mental empowerment.Ms Sumedha Daftri a noted religious scholar gave a discourse on religion , society and role of women. Earlier Mr T N Khosa president K P Sabha released a report on steps to fight social evils. Mrs Ratni Ji Razdan and Shama Ji Handoo also spoke on the occasion. A programme on Bhakti Sangeet was also organised. |
Chowkidar serious after being beaten by MLAs son Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Mar 28: Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, M S Khan today ordered medical examination of a Chowkidar, who was mercilessly beaten-up and rendered unconscious by Raj Kumar Gupta son of MLA Udhampur, Lala Shiv Charan Gupta. Official sources said the medical examination of Munshi Ram son of Teja Ram, a resident of village Katheel, Ramnagar was ordered following complaints and protests from the people, who had spotted Munshi Ram in unconscious condition. Munshi Ram was reportedly working as a Chowkidar Lalas son, who had taken contract of Railways work at Channi Morh here. Reports said that some building material was found stolen from the contract site. However, instead of reporting the matter to police, Raj Kumar Gupta allegedly beat-up the Chowkidar. People, who saw Chowkidar in unconscious condition, brought the matter to the notice of police and civil authorities here. The Chowkidar, who had been handed over to police by Raj Kumar, was shifted to hospital on peoples protests and medically examined. People have also submitted a complaint to police officers here demanding registration of a FIR against Raj Kumar. |
Klave By Ravinder Kaul More things change, more they remain the same, goes the old adage. The last play of Natyotsav, jointly organised by Sangeet Natak Akademi and the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Klave presented by the theatre group Abhinaya from Thiruvananthapuram fully endorsed this thought. In its presentation of Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillais short novel The Scavengers Son, Abhilash Pillai, the director of the play, had attempted to intermittently transpose the story between the time it was written around 35 years ago and the present. It was a totally different experience to watch this play. In fact calling it a play in the traditional sense does not really explain what went on in the Abhinav auditorium here today. Performance would be a more appropriate word. It begins with the entry of audience into the auditorium in total darkness. A film is running on the screen at the rear end of the stage showing scavengers busy cleaning the toilets. The toilets are modern so one can surmise that the action is taking place in the present. A woman is wailing because of labour pains. This goes on and on for more than 15 minutes. A child is born. The scavengers son. The scavenger christens his son as Mohan and wants to educate him. He sends his son to the school with the hope that he will not adopt the profession of his father. But the son keeps asking his father about his profession and mingles with the children of other scavengers. The outbreak of Cholera in the scavengers colony kills many persons. Although, Mohan, alongwith his parents survives but he is compelled to join the profession of his parents. The paradox highlighted in todays performance is the truth of our country in the new millennium in which computers coexist with starvation. While all the modern gadgetry is showcased in the play, the story being narrated is that of the plight of scavengers. At the culmination of the play one realises that it is actually a play within a play. The life and problems of the artistes enacting the roles of the main protagonists of the play are highlighted in the second part and from here the storyline starts jumbling up. The director wants to say too many things simultaneously. A live camera with images being blown up on the big screen moves in the auditorium. A red flag carrying trade unionist tries to unite the scavengers and delivers fiery speeches. Some activity is also going on in a translucent cage in the rear and animated pictures and paintings keep appearing on the film screen. The speakers blare the sound of loud drumbeats. Noise, screams, fast moving pictures, speeches, it all becomes too heavy after a while. This dose is a bit on a stronger side but the director has probably intended it to be so in order to jolt the viewer into waking up to the real condition of the downtrodden of the society. What was presented in todays performance may well be forerunner of the way things are going to happen in theatre in the times to come. Art has already amalgamated technical advancement into its ambit. Theatre is the next in line and a harmonious blend of technology with appropriate storyline can open up new vistas for theatre. The six day long Natyotsav culminated with this performance with the promise by Sangeet Natak Akademi officials that more such Festivals will be organised in the State in near future. |
452 police personnel, 165 SPOs killed in militancy Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: At least 452 police personnel and 165 SPOs have been killed while fighting militants in Jammu and Kashmir in last ten years. Responding to the calling attention notice moved in the Legislative Council by the Javid Shah (MLC) today, Revenue Minister Abdul Qayoom while replying on behalf of Minister Incharge Home said that J&K police has been progressively involved in the curbing of militancy in addition to its traditional responsibilities of crime detection and maintenance of law and order. He maintained that active participation of J&K police in combat operations against the militants and their mentors from across the border has antagonized the militant groups. The annihilation of the top brass of militants and recoveries of large quantities of arms, ammunition has dealt a serious blow to the militants game plan. Persistant efforts of police in busting of terrorist outfits, smashing of hideouts, destroying of their upper ground network are the main achievements that have led to frustration among the ranks of militant organisations. In various militancy related operations 452 police personnel have undergone martyrdom. Of these, 53 were killed after November 28, 2000 up to March 15, 2001. Not only this, 165 SPOs have also laid down their life in anti-militancy operations. The members of Village Defence Committees have also contributed a lot in containing militancy. About 50 VDC members have been killed so far in various encounters with militants in State. In order to minimise casualties to the state police personnel and SPOs, body protectors/ (BP Jackets), sophisticated weaponary and communication equipment are being issued. Mr Shah further pointed out that while police families were getting Rs five lakh as ex-gratia in case of cops death in militancy related incidents, the SPOs were deprived of such relief while he is also performing the same job. Even he is wearing uniform from his own pocket money and shoes as well. He is being treated at par with other civilians killed in operations. The minister however, claimed that the matter has already been taken up with the Central Government and decision in this regard is still pending. |
Prof Guptas
resignation demanded Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 28: Demanding dismissal of Vajpayee Government in wake of tehlka.com expose, activists of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress, led by Mr Yogesh Sawhney, held a demonstration near the Raj Bhawan, here today. A memorandum, demanding dismissal of Vajpayee Government, was submitted to President of India through the Governnor Mr Girish Chander Saxena. The agitators also burnt the effigies of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Union Civil Aviation Minister Prof Chaman Lal Gupta. According to the memorandum submitted, the Youth Congress expressed its concern over the tehlka.com videos which exposed the corruption in defence deals. Referring to the controversy following the distribution of alleged Pak made blankets among Panchs and Sarpanchs by the Union Civil Aviation Minister Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, the Youth Congress demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter and sacking of Prof Gupta. While addressing the demonstration, Mr Yogesh Sawhney said that following Tehlka expose, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has not moral right to continue to remain in power. Referring to the blanket controversy, he demanded immediate resignation of Prof Chaman Lal Gupta for distributing Pak made blankets which were reportedly sent Pakistan Government as relief for the Gujrat earthquake victims. "It is highly shamful for the BJP to misuse the relief meterial and probe should be ordered into the matter," he said. He labelled serious allegations of corruption against Prof Gupta and demanded an inquiry to establish how the latter accumulated property worth crores after becoming a Minister in the Union Government. The Youth Congress leaders pledged to launch a mass movement against corrupt BJP-led NDA Government and sought peoples co-operation in this struggle. Others who addressed on the occasion included O P Chopra, G S Charak, D S Langey, Ashwani Puri, Dr Kanwal Singh, Rajesh Bittu, Dr Gurdeep Singh, Naseeb Singh, Deepak Kumar, Sanjay Sahni, Sanjeev Gupta, Ramesh Billa and Vijay Kumar. |
Harbans condemns sacrilege to Holy Scriptures Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Mar 28: The burning of holy books is the work of anti-national forces that do not want our nation to emerge as a global force, the Minister for Labour, S. Harbans Singh said at Bishnah today. Speaking on the occasion of Jor Mela commemorate in the memory of Baba Mehtab Singh Ji, Baba Labh Singh Ji and martyr Baba Pritam Singh Ji of erstwhile Kotli Sahib (now in Pakistan), Mr. Singh appealed to the people to maintain communal harmony and universal brotherhood. Referring to Sikh history, the Minister said that Sikhs have always braved the onslaughts and made sacrifices for the nation. He made mention of the life and times of martyr Baba Pritam Singh Ji, and said that Baba Ji offered himself for martyrdom by refusing to leave the historic Gurudwara of Kotli Sahib to awakened the conscience of mankind and heal the wounds caused by ethnic violence. This way he foiled nefarious designs of anti-national forces. The Minister paid obeisance at Gurudwara and prayed for peace and prosperity in the State. Dr Kulwant Singh and Dr. Dalip Singh presented Saroopas to the Minister. Present on the occasion, include Dr. Sukhdev Singh and Dr. Trilok Singh |
| home | state | national | business| editorial | advertisement | sports | |