Param Vir Chakra awardee complains of ill-treatment

Excelsior Correspondent

R S PURA (Jammu), May 16: Jammu and Kashmir’s highest surviving gallantry award winner— Param Vir Chakra awardee, Bana Singh said that Britishers were more practical than the Indians with regard to their commitments and promises.

Britishers are still remembering the services of the Victoria Cross Indian winners and inviting them to London and honouring them time to time, said the straight forward, 52 years old Bana Singh in an exclusive interview to EXCELSIOR at his native place village Kadyal in R S Pura.

Looking quite dejected with the treatment given to him, Bana Singh said, "our Param Veer Chakra (PVC) has no match with Victoria Cross and if we compare these two, the PVC is equivalent to zero", he said.

Referring to a similar incident, Bana Singh, who retired last year as honorary captain, said that, the Bana Singh Stadium which was named after him in 1988 by the then Minister for Health, R S Chib, is still

crying for the development.

"Thirteen years have gone when they honoured me and promised construction of a stadium after my name in my home town, but nothing came up till now except a boundary ball without a gate" he lamented and continued that when the Government cannot complete a project then what else they can give to a soldier, who fought for the integrity of the country.

‘Indians have become habitual to delay the things and the Stadium is one of the worst examples", he said adding, " One must be given the credit of his work in time and delayed things make me unhappy".

If the politicians cannot fulfill their promises then why they make them. They have no right to play with the sentiments of the people, he continued.

Quite unhappy over what was happening around him, Bana Singh said that he was feeling suffocated in the selfish society. He said that every body is running after money and have no respect for the fellow citizens.

‘During the last six months of his retirement from the Army, I have watched things closely. I have seen that no body cares for you in the Government-run departments not only in J&K, but throughout the country’, he lamented.

When asked about what facilities he has been given after PVC, he quickly replied, "nothing else but an amount of Rs 1500 in addition to my pension and an amount of Rs 500 as pension to my mother. The then Minister had promised a medical and an engineering seats for my sons, who are 12th and 10th standard students, but I feel that too will not be provided." With whatever he is getting from his job, Bana Singh has married his two girls and living happy by working in the fields.

However, Bana Singh hesitatingly disclosed, "he had applied for the

licence of a liquor shop, but my proposal was straightway refused I was told that the issue of liquor licences have been banned’’.

At the time of awarding the highest award of the country, Bana Singh was one of the three Subedars, two officers and 57 other ranks, who fought at a height of 21,153 ft which was in the occupation of Pakistan. After three-day fight, the Bana Singh led third and last party concurred the strategic height on June 26, the Indian Government changed the name of the post Qaid-e-Sani to Bana Post.

Other three live Pram Vir Chakra holders are Dhan Singh Thapa, Sanjay Kumar of JAK Rifle and Sanjay Jadav.

Documentary on Bana Singh and another PVC holder was also completed for the ‘Pram Vir Chakra’, but that could not be telecast because the producer Ketan Anand was demanding Rs 8 lakh per episode as extra expenditure, which the Government refused to pay.

CS for availing institutional funding for JK development
Measures afoot to tackle unemployment

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, May 16: Chief Secretary, Mr. Ashok Jaitly has underlined the need for maximum resource mobilization for speeding up development effort in the State, stressing availing of loan facilities from financial institutions like NABARD, HUDCO, REC, LIC for the purpose.

Addressing a meeting of Committee of Secretaries here today, the Chief Secretary asked the Power Development Department to seek loans from NABARD and other financial institutions for execution of various schemes.

Referring to the need for suitable project profiles for funding from NABARD and other financial institutions for welfare and development projects, Mr. Jaitly asked the Planning Department to draw up a training schedule for various functionaries of different departments within a week positively. This training programme on project formulation should be for the whole year, he added.

The Chief Secretary asked the Finance Department to expedite formulation of ‘Purchase Manual’ detailing broad guidelines for effecting Government purchases at state, divisional and district levels. He also directed the department to prepare a proposal for further delegation of financial powers.

Mr. Jaitly impressed upon all those departments having large public-interface to formulate Citizens’ Charters, specifying the details of services and the time frame within which these are provided to the citizens. The charters be formulated within a month for publication in the J&K Secretariat Newsletter being brought out by the Information and ARI departments. He directed for organizing seminars and group discussions about theses charters on the electronic media for awareness of the people to elicit their views to further improve the services being provided by the Government.

As part of strengthening the grievance redressal mechanism, the Chief Secretary impressed upon all the administrative secretaries to respond to the people’s grievances and problems promptly. He asked them to meet the people regularly at fixed hours on all working days to attend to their problems.

Referring to the steps being taken to tackle unemployment problem confronting the State, the Chief Secretary stated that the Empowered Committee on Employment will meet once a month to coordinate and intensify efforts in this direction.

Mr. Jaitly said, he will take up with the Cabinet Secretary the issue of launching special recruitment drives for youth of the State in various central organizations. The Chairman, Railway Board will be approached to depute special recruiting teams for on-the-spot selection of candidates as they did in the past in the State. He said the Navy organized two recruitment drives in Kashmir valley recently and recruited 22 youth in the organization. Another such drive will be launched in the Valley during September this year. The Indian Oil Corporation has also agreed to take 10 engineers from the State as a special measure.

The Chief Secretary asked the Director Employment to arrange coaching for youth of the Valley to fill up 300 vacancies in the JAKLI within next 10 days. If need be, special coaching programmes should be organized every year, he said.

It was stated that the Employment Department has started coaching programmes for the candidates of the State for appearing in various interviews to the vacancies in the central organizations and private sector. This is being made a continuous feature.

The possibilities for absorbing Jammu and Kashmir’s technocrats and professionals in private sector have also been discussed with All India Management Association, New Delhi. The bio-data of 2000 such unemployed youth, who are willing to serve outside the State, is being documented for about 500 positions. So far, the bio-data of 1700 such youth has been computerized while the bio-data of 300 more technocrats and professionals is being procured and documented shortly. The selection will be made through a mega placement event being organized in August-September this year. This on-the-spot placement will be made through FICCI, CII, PHDCCI, ASSOCHAM , etc.

Deputations, legislators meet CM

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, May 16: Several deputations and legislators met the Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah here today and apprised him of various problems. The problems related to further improvement of various services and development works.

Mr. Javed Ahmed Shah, MLC urged upon the Chief Minister to consider opening of a degree college in Bandipora for enabling students of the town and its adjoining areas to pursue higher education.

He also brought to the notice of the Chief Minister status of various developmental schemes and stressed the need for expediting pace of work for their completion in scheduled time frame.

Mr. Javed Shah expressed his gratitude to Dr. Abdullah for taking keen interest in expeditious development and welfare of the people living in remote and far-off places of the State.

A deputation of National Conference Minority Cell led by Mr. Bushan Lal Bhat, MLC also called on the Chief Minister and requested improvement and renovation of Khir Bhavani temple in Tullamulla.

Dr. Abdullah assured that the condition of the Shrine complex would be got assessed for necessary measures.

The deputation also brought to his notice the problems like HRA, promotion benefits of migrant employees.

Dr. Abdullah assured Mr. Javed Shah and Mr. Bushan Lal Bhat, MLCs that the points raised would be examined at appropriate level.

Sadhotra for all round development

Excelsior Correspondent

Kathua, May 16: The Minister of State for Rural Development, Mr. Ajay Sadhotra called upon the recently elected Sarpanches and Panches to work with great zeal and devotion for all round development of their respective areas and come to the expectations of the people.

Addressing a one day training-cum-orientation programme organised by the Rural Development Department at Government Degree College, Kathua and Block Headquarter, Barnoti yesterday he said that suitable amendments in Panchayati Raj Act would be made taking into account the healthy suggestions from the Sarpanches and Panches for speedy development of rural areas. He said the Sarpanches and Panches are accountable to the people as they had shown faith in them while electing their representatives. He said that the powers would be delegated to all the Panchayats as soon as the election process is over throughout the State.

Referring to unemployment problems, Mr. Sadhotra said that this is the duty of the Sarpanches and Panches to create awareness among the unemployed educated youth for adopting self employment schemes rather than running after white collar jobs. As regards, the functioning of educational institutions in the State, Mr. Sadhotra said that the State Government has taken effective measures to rejuvenate education system and has succeeded in re-functioning of 5,000 closed schools in the State. He said Rehbar-e-Taleem programme launched in the State has also shown encouraging results. In Kathua district, all the 49 closed schools have been made functional and 287 Rehber-e-Taleem teachers have been engaged for the purpose. Morevover, 250 posts of teachers are being filled through SSRB shortly to meet the requirement of teaching staff in the district.

Mr. Sadhotra said that a target for constitution of 50 self help groups in each block every year has been fixed. He asked the concerned Project Officers and Block Development Officers to launch the campaign at grass root level and constitute self help groups for setting up of joint ventures to improve the socio-economic standard of the people living below the poverty line. He said that lists prepared under below poverty line programme would be revised and amended with the recommendations of respective Panchayats. He said that Kathua district has been brought under the road connectivity programme and all the villages and hamlets would be connected with main roads in a phased manner.

Referring to drinking water problems especially in Kandi belt of the district, the Minster said that 11 additional water tankers have been pressed into service in Hiranagar and Kathua subdivisions to meet the drinking water scarcity. He said last year only five water tankers were pressed into service do meet the drinking water requirement in both the sub divisions.

Mr. Sadhotra replying to female sarpanch, Smt. Aradhana Andotra regarding more representation to women folk in various fields, said that the State Government has already decided to give 33 per cent reservation to the women folk in Panchayats.

The Director Rural Development, Mr. M.A. Qureshi also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the activities of the department.

MLA, Kathua, Mr. Sagar Chand in his speech complimented State Government especially Dr. Farooq Abdullah for holding Panchayat elections in the State without any violence.

Among others, DDC,Kathua, Mr. Mehboob Iqbal, Vice-Chairman SC Advisory Board, Mr. Nand Lal, SSP, Kathua, besides a large number of Sarpanches and Panches attended the function.

HC directive to reinstate petitioner

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 16: Justice T S Doabia of the State High Court has directed J&K Government and others to reinstate the petitioner Romesh Chander of JKAP-5th Battalion, then posted at Anantnag and whose services were terminated in March 1994 for his unauthorised absence from duty.

The Court clarified that the petitioner will not be entitled to any back-wages and would start getting wages with effect from the date he produces a copy of this order.

This order was passed in a petition filed by Romesh Chander whose services were terminated on March 29, 19994 for remaining allegedly absent from duty unauthorisedly and misbehaving with his Guard Commander. Petitioner challenged this order on the grounds that he had filed an appeal before the higher authority, but no specific reply was given.

In his eight page judgment, the Justice referred to various judgments of the Division Bench of the State High Court and rulings of the Supreme Court and said that the petitioner is right in his submission that he should have been heard in the matter. " Another factor which is required to be mentioned is that what should be the quantum of the punishment when an employee is on unauthorised absence and the same is required to be taken note of. In this regard law is noticed in the judgments."

While admitting the petition, the Court directed that the petitioner be reinstated and the respondents be at liberty to hold inquiry against the former. " In case they decide to hold inquiry then show cause notice should be issued and inquiry officer appointed at the earliest", it was ruled.

Advocate Gagan Basotra appeared on behalf of the petitioner.

Culture Corner
Devotional songs in voice of popular cine singers

By O P Sharma

The eagerly awaited cassette, of devotional songs of Kaliveer, is now ready and going to hit the market shortly. Containing seven devotional songs in Hindi sung by popular Bollywood bhajan singer Anuradha Paudwal and other renowned singers like Abhijeet Bhatacharya, Mohammad Aziz and Jaswant Singh have added charm to this musical cassette. Two local singers Ms Lovely Chandra and Anita Sharma also have lent their melodious voice in this cassette.

The melodious voice of bhajan queen Anuradha Paudwal has added sweetness to this musical cassette of bhajans in praise of tutelary diety and prayers invoking his blessings.

A Kaliveer Charitable Trust, which has Mr D C Raina as president, has taken up the task of spreading his words of wisdom and message of universal human brotherhood. This cassette "Kaliveer Aashirwad" is of 60-minute duration prepared as a project of the turst. The cassette’s recording has been done at Paramount Studio, Mumbai for getting most melodious voice and also technical excellence.

Melodious Voices

The lyrics, in praise of the diety Kaliveers, have been written by young talented Arvind Goswami. The music arranger of this cassettee is Mr Babloo Chakravorty, of "Mohabettein fame". The music tunes have been prepared by Mr Brig Mohan, a Jammuite, who has done a good job of it.

That Anuradha Paudwal took up the assignment of singing for this saint is a matter of both pride and faith for the trust. She has cut the disc with her beautiful song :

Meri Vinti suno Balbir ( Please listen to our prayer)

Her other devotional song beautifully sung is:

Hey Sheshnag Avtar ( O! incarnation of Sheshnag)

Paudwal’s another contribution is singing of aarti.

Mohammad Aziz’s rendering of

Dharti par Amrit Barsa do (Bless the earth with peace and your blessings).

Abheejit Bhattachargee alongwith Lovely Chandra sang: Kaliputra Aaye Bagiya Mein while Bhagye Dwar Ka Kholo song by Jaswant Singh is impressive.

Anita Sharma and Lovely Chandra have teamed to sing Hey Antaryami Kaliveer Swami as also two devotional songs by Lovely Chandra are in the cassette.

Spiritual Power

According to folk-lore, Kaliveer was a contemporay of Raja Mandlik of Ayodhya and Goga Chohan, possessingbest of human qualities and spiritual power. He was chief counsellor of Raja Mandlik and a saint with high spiritual attainments. He gave discourses to the raja about the craft of administration and selfless service to the common people. Gift with rare characteristics and supreme vision, he has thousands of followers.

Dr Om Goswami has in his book " Shri Kaliveer" based on folkloric information written about this Kuldevta of some castes and communities. His sacred place is situated in Sunjawan area, on the outskirts of Jammu city.

Mr D C Raina, an Advocate and president of Kaliveer Charitable trust after this first-ever cassette of Kaliveer devotional songs, proposes to launch "Shri Kaliveeer Kripa" and also " Shri Kaliveer Prasad" in near future. The idea is to popularise the philosophy of this tutelary diety, a real karamyogi, among the people.

PRIME medicos being re-adjusted in Govt
medical colleges: ABVP

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 16: Union Health Ministry is all set to re-adjust unrecognised PRIME medicos in Government run medical colleges of Jammu and Kashmir as Medical Council of India has agreed in principal to increase the existing number of medical seats for the State.

This was disclosed by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad national secretary Mr Ramesh Pappa while addressing a press conference at the Vidyarthi Bhawan, here today.

The ABVP leader claimed that Central Government decision to re-adjust PRIME students, was conveyed to him by none other than the Union Health Minister Mr C P Thakur in New Delhi.

"Mr Thakur himself told us that to re-adjust unrecognised PRIME students, the Medical Council of India has agreed to increase 67 seats in Government run medical colleges in J&K State," he said

Divulging the details of his meetings with Mr Thakur, which were held on May 2 and May 8, Ramesh Pappa said that he alongwith ABVP national general secretary Mr Atul Kothari were called by the Union Health Ministry to attended these meetings at New Delhi wherein he came to know about the astonishing development.

Expressing his surprise over the extra ordinary efforts being made by the Union Health Ministry and Medical Council of India for ‘illegal’ re-adjustment of unrecognised PRIME medicos, the ABVP leader alleged that some higher-ups in Central Government have been bribed to get the task accomplished.

"Some brokers in corridors of power and Union minister from Jammu and Kashmir have been bribed to arrange the things in favour of unrecognised PRIME medicos," he said.

Refusing to identify the said minister from J&K, Mr Pappa announced that his organisation would expose these black sheep at an appropriate time after collecting sold proofs against them.

Mr Ramesh Pappa claimed that Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah has also expressed his willingness for re-adjustment of PRIME students if ABVP assures not to launch agitation against the move. "A letter in this connection, written by the Chief Minister to Union Health Ministry, was shown by Mr Thakur during our meeting with him," he disclosed.

Reiterating well known ABVP stand against illegal adjustment of unrecognised PRIME medicos in Government medical colleges, the student leader threatened to launch a violent agitation if Union Health Ministry dares to go ahead with the unlawful admissions.

"ABVP will oppose the proposed move of the Union Health Ministry tooth and nail and a massive agitation would be again launched against the illegal admission which may go violent," he announced and warned the Central Government not to take Jammu people as far granted.

Mr Pappa also claimed that increase in number of seats in Government run medical colleges of J&K would not help Jammu students as results of competent exams are manipulated in the State. "We also clarified this thing to Mr Thakur and asked him to fix quota of seats for each region," he added

At the same time Mr Pappa also ridiculed the PRIME medicos’ plea that their case was genuine and Government must come forward to save their career. " If they are innocent and their case is genuine they why don’t they approach the court instead of bribing higher-ups to get their admissions in Government medical colleges," he asked.

It may be recalled that ABVP had spearheaded a successful two month long agitation against earlier adjustment of unrecognised PRIME medicos in Government run medical colleges of State and got the controversial order cancelled.

Over 22,000 new telephones provided
Jammu Telecom Distt

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 16: The Jammu Telecom District which comprises of twin revenue districts of Jammu and Kathua has added 26,180 lines of equipped exchange capacity during the financial year 2000-01 and provided 22, 494 new telephone connections during the same period. This was stated in a handout issued by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited here today. It said the same telecom district provided 61 village Public Telephones (VPTs) as a result of which 1472 villages out of 1685 villages have been provided with telephone facilities as on March 31 this year.

The total equipped capacity and number of working liens in Jammu Telephone District were 1,13,220 and 80,930 lines respectively as on March 31, this year, the release said.

It said during April this year 1,332 new telephone connections have been installed. The waiting list in Jammu, Kathua Chawni exchange has been cleared upto serial number 18017 by March this year. The Exchange of Gandhinagar, Janipur, Trikuta Nagar, Channi Himmat and Gangyal are in a position to provide telephones on demand. However, certain pockets like Sunjawan, Bhatandi, Sanjay Nagar, Satwari Cantt, Nai Basti Ashok Nagar, Digiana Camp Ashram, Rani Talab, Farid Nagar, Ambedkar Nagar, Roop Nagar, Sector 8 & 9 Nanak Nagar, Bahu Fort, Gulshan Ground, Christian Colony, Narwal Bala, Transport Nagar, Fruit Mandi, Bazigar Mohalla, Janipur, Mohalla Dalpatina, Gujjar Nagar, Prem Nagar, Residency Road, are technically non feasible at present. The efforts are being made by the Department to make these areas feasible as soon as possible.

It said the Department during the last financial year opened 1,169 STD/PCOs in Jammu Telecom District for the convenience of the people. New National Internet Backbone (NIB) node was opened with the capacity of 1,450 internet subscribers. At present a total number of 2,431 internet subscribers are working through Internet nodes.

The handout said during the last financial year , STD facility was extended to 20 exchanges in twin districts of Jammu and Kathua. Optic Fibre Cable (OFC) Transmission system were commissioned for 19 exchanges and under ground cable of 1,17,456 mts were laid in the last financial year in Jammu Telecom District. The Department also introduced computerised accounting and billing system and computerised new telephone connection shifting etc. Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) for fault repair services, billing inquiry, changed number announcement etc were installed during this year.

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