Lawyers take out procession against opening
of Fast track courts

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 23: The members of the Bar Association Jammu took out a procession at Mubarak Mandi, here today in protest against the opening of Fast Track/ Circuit courts . The protesting lawyers who are on agitation since April 19 were shouting slogans against the High Court authorities demanded immediate withdrawal of controversial scheme.

The protesting lawyers who were led by Mr D S Saini, president Bar Association were highly critical of the High Court authorities for disturbing and detracting the judicial system in the state. The procession culminated in a public meeting outside the Bar Complex. Addressing the gathering the speakers charged the HC authorities of conniving with the Chief Minister to destroy and denigrate the judicial system of the state. They said the step is also aimed at to negate the role of lawyers in t he justice delivery system and perpetuate the authority of the executive.

They said the efforts of both the judicial authorities and the Chief Minister to create a wedge between rural and urban people is not only unethical but also unconstitutional.

They said that the Jammu Bar Association being duty bound to uphold the rule of law has taken up the cause that no authorities what soever should be allowed to function arbitrarily and destroy the judiciary an important pillar of the democracy.

Terming the scheme as hollow they alleged that the demand regarding creation of more courts and appointment of more judges in the various parts of the state have been denied by the Government.

They warned that the aim of speedy disposal of cases can not be achieved by derailing the present judicial system but by strengthening it.

Among others the secretary Poonch Bar Association Messrs Sanjay Raina and A S Manhas president Young Lawyers Association also spoke on the occasion.

Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra

Excelsior Correspondent

Katra, May 22: The pilgrims traffic to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine has started picking up. On an average 20,000 to 22,000 pilgrims are daily visiting the holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. During the first week of the current month, 10,000 to 12,000 pilgrims were daily reaching at the base camp, Katra for their onward journey to the holy cave shrine.

During the first fortnight of the current month, about 2.41 lakh yatries have darshan of the holy cave shrine. Of them, 2.33 lakh were from outside the state.

Meanwhile a total number of over 17.02 lakh devotees have paid their obeisance to the holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine since January 1st todate.

Whereas during the correspondence year of last year 15.64 lakh pilgrims had visited the shrine. Thereby pilgrimage has registered an increase of over 1.38 lakh this year so far.

With the continue influx of pilgrims to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine throughout the year, the hotel industry at Katra, the base camp for the pilgrimage has made a big highway, several posh hotels and number of guest houses have come up recent year. Besides this, Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, J&K Tourism Development Corporation and Dharamshallas run by various organizations are providing comfortable and less costly accommodation to the pilgrims.

Slathia reviews power situation in Jammu

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 23: The Minister for Power, Mr S S Slathia has impressed upon the electric engineers to educate the consumers about the judicious use of electricity for domestic purposes and pay the bills earnestly according to their actual consumption.

He was reviewing the power situation at a meeting of senior engineers of Jammu Division here today.

The Minister called upon the engineers to work honestly and with dedication to achieve the targets fixed for collection of Rs 445 crore revenue and legalize atleast one lakh illegal connections in the Jammu Division during current year so that economic condition of the Department is improved and better services provided to the public.

Besides raising revenue , the priority must be given to improve and strengthen the power supply system. He said for the upgradation of the distribution system more funds are being released by the Government soon.

The engineers apprised the Minister about the problems being faced in repairing of damaged transformers for want of material at the central workshop. Mr Slathia authorised the Executive Engineers to get these transformers repaired from reputed firms under proper supervision. He said that the firm repairing the transformers should provide a warranty for at least one year. At the same time the executive engineers concerned will have to certify that the repairs done are upto the mark.

Regarding the enhancement of the funds under maintenance , he said the matter will be pleaded with the proper forum. He advised them to make judicious use of funds and produce results. He said proper attention should be given to monitor the functioning of field staff and make them accountable. He asked them to make fresh power load agreements with the Government departments and realise revenue according to their present consumption.

Mr H S Gupta Chief Engineer, Systems Operations apprised that steps are afoot to educate the consumers that they should use electricity only whenever and wherever necessary. People should also be made conscious that their power consumption will be metered and charged accordingly.

This way , he said we can reduce the consumption of power to some extent and also increase the revenue collections. He said a team of engineers will pay surprise visits to different areas to ensure that the electric supply is not misused by the consumers.

Mr Slathia assured engineers that all their problems will be given due consideration and those who show good results will be awarded suitably. He directed them to maintain power curtailment strictly according to the announced schedule and give patient hearing to the problems of the people on priority.

The Development Commissioner, Power, Mr Vinod Sharma, Chief Engineer, Maintenance, Mr Jigmet Namgyal, Mr R S Wazir, Mr S K Raina and Mr K B Sharma superintending engineers were also present in the meeting.

JKPCC workers protest, ‘gherao’ GM in office for 4 hours

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 23: Employees of Jammu Kashmir Project Construction Corporation (JKPCC) today ‘gheroed’ General Manager of the Corporation and locked him in his office chamber at Rail Head Complex Jammu for over four hours in protest against the non release of their salary for the last two months.

A large number of workers of the JKPCC struck work and went on strike here in the morning. The workers from various Corporation offices reached the main Head office at Rail Head Complex and staged dharna in front of the office of General Manager Mr M Y Bhat. They locked the GM in his office chamber alongwith two senior officers and conducted their ‘Gherao’ for more than four hours.

They were shouting slogans against the Managing Director and the Minister concerned for their discriminatory attitude towards the workers of Jammu in the JKPCC. President of the Workers Association Mr Jagmohan told visiting reporters that workers of JKPCC in Kashmir and also with the move office were also on strike but they have been given salary. Moreover, all the employees of other Corporations have received their salary while the JKPCC employees are being harassed by the Management on different pretexts for the reason best known to them. The workers had also conducted gherao of the GM for a few hours on May 22.

The Association leaders further said that families of a large number of workers are at the verge of starvation as they have been denied salary for the month of March and April and moreover, no keen interest has been taken by the General Manager Mr Bhat to sort out the issue.They also demanded release of COLA and regularisation of daily wage workers.

Mr Sadhotra alleged that Finance department in its circular has already assured to give budgetary support to PSUs. He objected the reduction in the annual budgetary support from Rs 75 crores to Rs 64 crores by the Government. The work in the Corporation shall remain paralysed till the salary is not released. He pointed out that one Prem Bahadur —peon and a few employees who were taken ill were not provided any financial support by the GM despite repeated requests and were left on the mercy of God.

Meanwhile, the General Manager when contacted by this correspondent claimed that he has taken up the matter with the Managing Director and is awaiting response from Srinagar. He further claimed that he faxed a message to the MD on May 22 and narrated the situation prevailing here. It is hoped that the matter would be resolved in a couple of days. Managing Director Gulzar Mohammed was not available for comments when contacted.

Amarnath Yatra SASB advises pilgrims

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 23: Keeping in view the recommendations of the Lt. Gen. J.R.Mukherjee Committee limited capacity of pilgrim track and the existing infrastructure, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) has advised the intending pilgrims not to leave their homes for holy pilgrimage before getting themselves registered for the purpose. They have also been advised to reach Jammu only 3-4 days before the date of darshan as indicated on the registration slips. These slips would be issued by the offices of the J&K Tourism Department at Delhi, Chennai, Ahamedabad, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata and Jammu in the 2nd week of June 2001.

The SASB came into existence on February 21, 2001 with Mr. Girish Chandra Saxena, J&K Governor as its first ex-officio Chairman, Mr. Parvez Dewan Commissioner Secretary Tourism, J&K its Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Varin Choudhary, Director Employment, J&K as the Additional Chief Executive officer. The Board has been constituted for the better management of Shri Amarnath Yatra and upgradation of facilities to the pilgrims. In the first instance, the SASB would be responsible for the arrangements between the Amaravati Sangam to the holy cave.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Shrine Board has made a donation of Rs. 50 lakh to the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board. In addition, donations have started coming in from philanthropic organizations as well as NGOs. For instance, St. John’s Ambulance has volunteered to provide medical facilities at one of the six recognized, traditional pilgrim camps. Other NGOs initiated action in collaboration with the SASB for the construction of permanent accommodation for pilgrims, toilets, rain/snow shelters, drinking water purification, emergency electric supply and most importantly, for the improvement of the pilgrim track from the Chandanwari as well as Bahal sides.

The SASB intends to build toilets along the route from its won resources. As soon as weather conditions permit, it plans to commence work on the construction of permanent accommodation for 6,000 pilgrims at Chandanwari in the first place. Several parts of the two pilgrims routes are covered with snow for around 7-8 months a year. For another two months, sub-zero temperatures do not permit any construction activity in which cement is required because cement can not set in the extreme cold that prevails along most of the route. Therefore, because the working season is limited to 3-4 months a year, most permanent structures will take 2-3 years to complete.

Most of the pilgrim route is between 11,000 and 14,500 feet above the sea level trekking at such high altitudes possess severe problems to the health of the pilgrim. Every year a few pilgrims die while performing this arduous trek. Therefore, the SASB has advised all pilgrims to get themselves checked by a doctor before undertaking this difficult pilgrimage secondly, it is observed that several pilgrims are inadequately clothed during the yatra. It most be borne in mind that temperatures fall to zero at most of the camps even in July and August.

Plan for reconstruction of Kankah at
Chrar-I-Charief approved

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 23: The plan for reconstruction of gutted historic Khankah at Chrar-i-Sharief was unanimously approved at a joint meeting of the prominent citizens of the Chrar-I-Sharief town, members of Muslim Auqaf Trust and senior Government functionaries held here today.

The Housing & Urban Development, Minister, Mr. Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din shah, who is also the chairman of the High Level Committee on Model town Project, Charar-i-Sharief presided.

The Finance Minister, Mr. Abdul Rahim Rather, the Revenue and Rehabilitation Minister, Mr. Abdul Qayoom, Vice Chairman, J&K Muslim Auqaf Trust, Mr. G. N. Kochak, Advisor Works, Muslim Auqaf Trust, sheikh Abdul Salam, Chief Town Planner Kashmir, Mr. Mir Naseem and Project Director, Model Town Charar-i-Sharief Mr.Mohammad Ashraf Fazili were also present.

The new Khankahi Sharief would be constructed at a cost of Rs. 5 crores on modern lines with all precautions to preserve the historic and religious sanctity of the gutted structure. The cost of the project would be born by J&K Muslim Auqaf Trust. The new Kankah-sharief complex would be raised over an area of 27000 Sq. ft. which is 17000 Sq. Feet more than the gutted structure and will have a capacity to accommodate 3500 devotees at a time to offer prayers as compared to the capacity of only 1200 devotees in the old gutted structure. The construction of the new Khankah-i-Sharief would be started during the current year itself.

Briefing about the salient features of the proposed Khangah-e-Sharief complex the Chief Architect of the Shrine Complex, Charar-i-Sharief, Mr. Munir Ahmed Khan said that the new Kankah complex will be two storied with a basement mosque over 6000 Sq. feet area for women devotees. Earlier, there was not such a provision in the gutted Khankah.

He said latest innovations in the lighting and illumination technologies would be put to use during the construction of the shrine of revered Suffi Saint, Hazrat-Sheilkh-ul-Alam and the Kankah-e-Sharief Complex to recreate spiritual themes in resemblance with the lighting patterns adopted in the religious places in Central Asia. He said that the new Kangah is proposed to be constructed in the expanded area towards west about 150 feet away from the main shrine complex to remove over congestion in the area.

He said the new mosque has been designed on the principles of Islamic Architecture with dome and Manors. However, the hamam space and a spacious vestibule shall be added to the new structure to address the climatic constraints of the valley. In addition, a wide double arched colonnade (Sabat), around the holy shrine zone for outdoor activities of the devotees and a Bitul-Quran to facilitate study of holy quran and the teachings of the holy saint are also proposed to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 8 crores.

The entire shrine complex comprising the main shrine of Hazrat Sheikh-ul-Alam, Khangah, Sharief and Sabat is proposed to be developed over an area of 1.66 lakh Sq. feet as compared to only 99000 sqt. fts. before gutting of these structures, thus adding 66000 sqt. Feet to the complex area.

The Housing Minister called upon the representatives of the local Muslim Auqaf Trust and Senior Citizens of the town to lend wholehearted cooperation to the administration in speedy execution of the prestigious shrine complex project. He said all bottlenecks coming in the way of the re-construction programme of Kangah Sharief could be removed only with the cooperation of the local populace. He urged the need to follow the path shown by the revered suffi saint, Hazrat sheikh-Noor-ul-Noorani and said that we should imbibe spirit of non-violence, peace and amity to present Islam in right perspective.

The Finance Minister, Mr. Abdul Rahim Rather said that keeping in view the religious and historical importance of the Chrar-I-Sharief Town, the availability of funds would not be allowed to come in the way of speedy development of the shrine complex project in particular and the town in general.

The Revenue Minister said that the government was keen for speedy execution of the model town project and to solve the problems of the local people.

State suffering Rs. 6000 Cr losses every year
Compensate J&K for losses caused by Indus Water
Treaty: Sagar to Centre

Excelsior Correspondent

New Delhi, May 23: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has called upon the Centre to take appropriate measures for compensating the State for the losses it suffered as a result of the Indus Water Treaty.

In a written statement circulated at the first meeting of the Working Group of National Water Resources Council held here on May 22, the Works Minister, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar pointed out that the State was suffering huge losses as a result of handing over the rights of its rivers to Pakistan under the Treaty.

The Minister said that the Indus Water Treaty apart from putting restrictions on drawal of waters from the Indus, the Chenab and the Jehlum, also puts restrictions on the total storage capacity that can be created on these rivers. The State Government, he said, has to, as such, per force take up run of the river hydel projects only and undergo colossal losses in terms of power generation and consequent revenues. The Minister said that considering the State’s estimated potential of hydro power at 10,000 MWs, the annual energy losses because of the Treaty restrictions come to the enormous 30,000 million units valued at Rs. 6,000 crore a year.

Apart from the revenue losses, Mr. Sagar said, the State Government has also to face popular dissatisfaction caused by alarming power shortages. He said that despite having such a great potential for power generation, the State has to import power at huge costs adding to its economic backwardness.

The Minister also highlighted the losses the State is suffering in the irrigation sector as a result of curbs under the Treaty on utilization of its water resources. Due to the restrictions on the use of waters from these rivers, 1.7 lakh hectares of land are devoid of irrigation facility in the State. The recurrent losses on this count in terms of agriculture produce, he said, has been estimated to be Rs. 352 crore per year. The losses, as is obvious, are debilitating to the State’s predominant agrarian economy.

Mr. Sagar said the National Water Policy would have to take care of this peculiar problem facing the State and recommend measures for compensating Jammu and Kashmir for immense losses being suffered by it due to the Treaty.

The Minister also pointed out the losses being suffered by Jammu and Kashmir due to the delay caused in the construction of Shahpurkandi Dam by the Punjab Government. He said due to the inordinate delay in the construction of the Dam by the Punjab government on the Ravi, Jammu and Kashmir has been devoid of 0.54 MAF water as per the agreement reached between the two States as early as 1979. He said the losses suffered by the State for want of the water allocated to it from the Ravi has totaled over Rs. 7.50 crore.

The Minister also expressed opposition of the State to the proposal for vesting river Basin Organisation with statutory powers. He suggested that the organization should only have advisory role in planning, development and management of the Basins or Sub-Basins.

The Minister welcomed the proposal to have a national level information system for an efficient and developed system on which the State’s can bank.

Sagar reviews Milad arrangements at Hazratbal

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, May 23: The Minister for Works, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar reviewed the arrangements being made for the ensuing Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), at an officers meeting in Hazratbal today.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr. Mumtaz Afzal, District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, SSP, Srinagar, SP Traffic, Director Health Services, Chief Engineer, R&B, Chief Engineer, PDD, Chief Engineer, PHE, Vice Chairman, SDA, Administrator, Srinagar Municipality, RTO, Kashmir, Director Fire Services, Kashmir, Deputy Director Food and Supplies besides the officers of the Lakes Wterways Authority, UEED and JKSRTC were present. The MLA, Hazratbal, Mr. Mohammad Syed Akhoon, Secretary Muslim Auqaf Trust and Imam of the Shrine were present.

Addressing the meeting, the Minister asked the concerned officials to ensure round the clock supply of water and electricity at the shrine. He asked the administrator Srinagar Municipality to ensure cleanliness around the shrine and see to it that no footpath vendors are allowed to put up stalls there.

Mr. Sagar said that nobody should be allowed to use the shrine as a political platform especially during the Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW). He said lakhs of devotees come here to pray in a peaceful manner and nobody should be allowed to districts the peace at such religious places. The Minister asked the police to keep a vigil on the miscreants who are bent upon disturbing peace and sanctity at the religious places.

Mr. Sagar also urged the Auqaf authorities to streamline the internal arrangements so that discipline is maintained while offering prayers.

The meeting was informed that a control room is being set up where officers from all the departments including police will remain present round the clock. The Assistant Commissioner, Revenue would be the Nodal Officer of the control room.

The Srinagar Municipality would establish makeshift latrines and wash rooms for the devotees. The Health Department would set up first-aid camps both at the shrine and enroute.

The meeting was informed that parking arrangement for the vehicles bringing devotees have been made at the Kashmir University Campus and the Regional Engineering College. The traffic will move through one way to and from the shrine. Transport facilities for devotees would be available from all the tehsil headquarters, the meeting was informed.

A group of tourists from Gujarat, who had come to pay obeisance at the shrine, interacted with the Minister. They expressed satisfaction over the situation in the State and said they will be visiting all the places of religious importance.

Open School Scheme to be launched in Kashmir - Shafi

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, May 23: The J&K State Board of School Education contemplates to launch a scheme of Open School in the State shortly. This was disclosed by Minister for Education, Mr Mohammad Shafi at a meeting conducted to review the working of educational institutions and various schemes under execution. Open School Scheme will facilitate the students unable to attend the formal system of education for various reasons. It will help achieving the objective of 100 per cent of literacy in the State, said Mr Shafi.

In a world where creativity and knowledge has the highest priority the right to education is nothing less the right to participate in life. Our efforts is to avail it in every nook and corner of the State in the easiest possible way, the Minister added.

Under Open School Scheme various correspondence courses will be designed for different levels and would be sent to the students. Limited class room lecturers will be taken at nearby centre to prepare them fully for the exams. Examinations will be properly conducted by the board and so will be prepared the results.

The meeting which was also attended by Principal Secretary, School Education, Registrar, University of Kashmir, Chairman, BOSE, Director, School Education and other senior official of the department took a few major decisions.

It was decided that the examinations to under graduate classes will be rationalised by the University of Kashmir with a view to enforce a regular calendar of exams and thereby cut down procedural delay. The B.A., B.Com, BSc, first year and third year exams will take place in first week of November each year. The second year exams will commence after the first and third year exams. The results will be issued within 45 days of completion of exams.

Taking care of the students declared pass after revaluation of their papers, facing problem in getting admission in colleges due to time lapse, it was decided to give them admission in BA, BSc, BCom in different degree colleges on the basis of catchment fixed for them. The last date for admission would be 30th May for such cases. Mr Shafi aspired that the Board of Secondary Education in future would strive to reduce the time lag involved in the revaluation process to avoid any such difficulties.

Mr Shafi said that the Government is keen to broadbase the education system in a manner to set an example for rest of the Country. We are firm on our decision to take out fully computer literate batches from our higher secondary schools. For achieving the same target it was planned in the meeting that the blue print for phased introduction of different level of computer courses in higher secondary schools from the next session will be drawn by 15 June.

It was declared that the BOSE will also notify a curriculum for computer awareness for the upper primary classes (6th and 8th) in the private schools where compute education has already been started. Such institutions will be bound to go by the syllabus so that a meaningful compute awareness for which the students are made to pay, could be assured.

Mr Shafi also sais that the effort would be made to have strict control on privately affiliated institutions so that they provide quality education with concrete results.

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