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| APS Udhampur basks in academic glory Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, May 30: The performance of the students of APS Udhampur in the Central Board of School Examination (CBSE).....more Tourism,
health care Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 30: A meeting of the Tax Payers Association J&K was held at Srinagar with Chief Minister.....more Charges
framed against Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 30: Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu, Vikas Kant Gupta.....more HC stays
cancellation Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 30: Justice R C Gandhi of the State High Court Jammu wing.....more AWWA
demands Excelsior Correspondent NAGROTA, May 30: Expressing serious concern over increasing road accidents on National Highway-II in Nagrota....more |
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Govt
charged with Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 30: Accusing the State Government of bureaucratic approach towards the annual Amarnath Yatra.........more BJP
demands special Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 30: Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) has demanded setting up of state and district level schedule tribe advisory boards for the socio-economic....more Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, May 30: A high powered delegation of Panun Kashmir (PK) led by its chairman, Dr Ajay Chrungoo called on Mr K C Pant ..........more Jet
Airways to enhance Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 30: Jet Airways has decided to introduce a new range of crockery and linen in its business class ( Club Premiere or CP) on flights operating between the metro cities........more |
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APS Udhampur basks in academic glory Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, May 30: The performance of the students of APS Udhampur in the Central Board of School Examination (CBSE) was outstanding and praiseworthy. As per a release, in the CBSE Class X examination, APS Udhampur secured 100 percent result with 20 distinctions and 43 first divisions, out of a total of hundred students who appeared in the exams. Keshav Banarji basked in glory and carved a niche by topping both, the school and district with a whooping aggregate of 91 percent marks. He achieved coup de academics by securing the highest marks in English-92 percent, Hindi-86 percent, Maths—91 percent and social Studies—95 percent. Shiveta Cherwoo filled in the second slot with a competitive 90.2 percent. She exulted at having topped in Science by securing an incredible 97 percent and shared 86 percent in Hindu with Keshav Banarji. Chavi Mahajan ranked third by securing an aggregate of 85.8 percent and enjoyed the privilege of securing 91 percent marks in Maths too. Swati Sharma too topped in English by securing 92 percent. In the CBSE Class XII examinations, 49 students appeared, nine students secured distinctions and 26 students bagged first divisions. Rashi Sanson excelled and topped the Science stream with an enviable aggregate of 88.2 percent. She enjoys the distinction of topping in English—90 percent, Chemistry—97 percent and Biology—86 percent. Ruchika Kotwal bagged the second position and exhibited her penchant for Physics by securing a mind boggling 96 percent. She shared the coveted 86 percent in Biology with Rashi. Prerna Gupta, the Maths genius, occupied the third slot by scaling Mathematical heights by securing 96 percent in Maths. Halas Karma was triumphant at topping the Commerce stream with an aggregate of 75 percent and Vasundhara Baigra topped the Humanities stream by securing 78.4 percent. The Chairman, Maj Gen Purshotam Vig, VSM, congratulated the students and the staff for their stupendous performance. |
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Tourism, health care issues discussed Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 30: A meeting of the Tax Payers Association J&K was held at Srinagar with Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah to highlight the problems being faced by the common people in Gandhinagar and Sarwal Hospitals, which needed immediate upgradation. The meeting was also attended by Principal Secretary Tourism Parvez Dewan and Principal Secretary Health and Medical Education, H L Kadalbaju. Chairman of the Association, Ram Sahai said that proper care could not be given to over 400 people who visit Government Medical College Hospital daily. In view of that, hospitals of Gandhinagar and Sarwal be upgraded with modern facilities, so that the people living in these areas could avail the facility and lessen the burden on the main hospital, it was pointed. It was further pointed out that the number of the surgical cases increase daily, and as such Trauma Hospital be also started in Jammu. During the meeting, certain suggestions were made vis-a-vis the facility of introducing open heart surgery in Jammu. The Chief Minister, later directed Kadalbaju to take necessary action in this regard. Pawan Kesar, senior vice president of the Association, who also represented the Tax Payers Association, complimented Chief Minister for bringing improvement in the health services by introducing MRI-CT Scan (spinal), cath lab and new lifts in Government Medical College Hospital. On the issue of facilities being provided to the tourists visiting Patnitop, the Chief Minister was apprised that inspite of rupees 2500 being charged for a hut, the maintenance was not adequate, as incase of power cuts, particularly at night, generator facility has not been provided. Further, there is a shortage of drinking water in Patnitop area; working of telephones deteriorating day in and day out; no parking facility for buses and soundings becoming dirty and filthy. The meeting also stressed the need for maintenance of Kud Dak Bungalow. Dr Abdullah directed Mr Dewan to look into all these complaints at the earliest, an Association release issued here said. |
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Charges
framed against Doc for obtaining Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 30: Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu, Vikas Kant Gupta has framed charges against Dr Shagufta Salam, D/o Peer Salam-ud-Din for hatching a criminal conspiracy with accused Faqir Mohammed, the then tehsildar Banihal, Mohd Iqbal, then Nazir and Ghulam Mohammed Malik, then Patwari Halqa Paristan in order to manage a certificate under Resident of Backward Area (RBA) category in her favour. After obtaining RBA certificate fraudulently, Dr Shagufta had produced the same before Competent Authority for her selection to MBBS course. The lady was selected by the Competent Authority on the basis of this fraudently obtained certificate for her admission in Medical College Srinagar in 1987. The court, while framing charges against her, directed Deputy Director prosecution to lead the evidence in this case on the next date of hearing. It may be mentioned here that after the competition of the MBBS course, Dr Shagufta was appointed as doctor and is presently working as Medical officer at Qazigund, Kashmir. |
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HC stays cancellation of appointment orders Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 30: Justice R C Gandhi of the State High Court Jammu wing has issued notice to Commissioner-Secretaries of Food and Supplies and General Administration Department, Director and Assistant Director of Food and Supplies Doda for filing objections within four weeks. In the meantime, petitioners have been permitted to continue in service. In case they don’t succeed in the petition, the salary if paid, shall be recovered and no equity shall be made available in their favour. The petitioners shall file an undertaking before the respondents that incase they don’t succeed in the writ petition, they shall be liable to reimburse the salary to the respondents and the respondents can also recover it as arrears of land revenue. These court directions were passed in a writ petition filed by Farooq Zargar and eight others, whose appointment orders were cancelled by the respondents vide Government order number 513-GAD of 2001 of May 14, 2001.The same has been challenged before the High Court on the grounds that these appointments were made in relaxation of the rules and the same was approved by Minister of Food and Supplies and confirmed by Chief Minister. The petitioners said that the Commissioner-cum-Secretary GAD cancelled these appointments and termed the impugned order as totally illegal and arbitrary and prayed for the quashment of this order. |
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AWWA demands diversion of
traffic towards Excelsior Correspondent NAGROTA, May 30: Expressing serious concern over increasing road accidents on National Highway-II in Nagrota, the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) has criticised the civil administration and traffic police for its failure to keep check rash driving on this route. AWWA demanded diversion of traffic towards Nagrota Bye-Pass. Addressing a press conference, secretary of the AWWA, Mrs Urvashi Madhva said that it was all due to the negligent attitude of the civil administration and traffic police that hit and run accidents on this national highway stretch continued to increase. She said that residents of Nagrota Garrison have failed to understand as to why the killer speeding traffic is not being diverted on to the Nagrota Bye-Pass which has been constructed at the cost of Rs 12.5 crores. "While the number of accidents continued to increase, the traffic is still not being diverted perhaps due to the petty political reasons of a insensitive State administration and local vested interests", she alleged and wondered that repeated requests to divert the traffic on the Bye-Pass have fallen on deaf ears of the insensitive and callous administration. She also raised doubts about the fitness of the Bye-Pass road by the transport union which are incorrect. Disclosing that 50 accidents occurred on this road during the last one year, Secretary of the AWWA said that due to rash and negligent driving on this road 6 innocent persons have lost their precious lives during this period. "For children crossing this killer road is difficult rather impossible task as not even a single traffic police personnel has been deployed on this road to keep check on rash driving which has been proved as bane for the residents of Nagrota area", she said, adding, ‘what to talk of children even housewives can not go to market for purchasing as for the last one year this road has been proving as death trap for pedestrians ". Mrs Madhva said that though Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah had directed the local administration to divert the traffic towards Bye-Pass but no action has been taken so far. Mrs Ayesha Choudhary and Geeta Pandey were also present in the interaction with media-men. It is worthwhile to mention here that AWWA so days back in a press release has expressed concern over increasing road mishaps on that spot. It was stressed in the release to decongest the traffic on the road by using bypass so that no more widows are created by an insensitive and callous administration. It was warned that if the selfish transporters and administration does not act then residents of Nagrota Garrison will be forced to take the cause to the High Court for justice through Public Interest Litigation (PIL) |
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Govt charged with imposing
restrictions Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 30: Accusing the State Government of bureaucratic approach towards the annual Amarnath Yatra arrangements, Vishva Hindu Parishad’s Baba Amarnath Yatra Niyas has opposed some restrictions imposed on the devotees who are wiling to perform the holy pilgrimage. "Not learning any lesson from the failure and problems arising out of unimaginative approach of the authorities during the previous years, the State Government is again adopting the confrontational course by taking decisions which are impractical in nature," said Mr Tilak Raj Sharma, a trustee of the Niyas, while addressing a press conference here today. The VHP leader alleged that the restriction on the number of Yatris per day as 3500 amounts to curbing the Yatra since this way only one lakh pilgrims could visit the holy cave during the month long Yatra. "Government is trying to restrict the Yatra to one lakh whereas the number of pilgrims has been touching the figure of about two lakhs for the last few years," he said and added that the holy cave has also the intake capacity of much higher number than 3500 per day. Mr Sharma also criticised the Government decision for not to make current registration of Yatris at Jammu and claimed that the move was not reasonable as it would discourage the devotees who wish to go for Darshan of Shiv Lingam. "Authorities should be reasonable and announce current registration at Jammu well in time to avoid worries of the prospective pilgrims," he stressed and further demanded the setting up of a current registration centre at Udhampur. "Setting up of total 7 to 8 registration centres in the country and that too far off from the places of prospective pilgrims causes inconvenience and hardships to the prospective pilgrims," he said and again claimed that current registration at Jammu was much convenient to the Yatris rather than travelling 300 to 500 kms to get their names registered at their capita cities. Lamenting that the Yatra arrangements are controlled from Kashmir despite the fact that Jammu city is the nerve centre of the pilgrimage, Mr Sharma demanded that a senior IAS office of secretary level should be made nodal officer with his office located at Jammu. The Niyas trustee also resented the induction of ‘non-serious’ persons as the members of newly constituted Shri Amar Nath Yatra Shrine Board and suggested that representatives of Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), engaged in the promotion of the Yatra, should be included in the board. Mr Sharma also demanded elaborate security arrangement for the Yatra so that militants could not strike again on the pilgrims. |
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BJP demands special package for Gaddis, Sippis Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 30: Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) has demanded setting up of state and district level schedule tribe advisory boards for the socio-economic development of Gaddis and Sippis who have been neglected in all spheres of development in Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing a day long conference of Gaddis and Sippis organised by Ramban unit of BJP Jan Jati Morcha at Kanderi , Pradesh BJP chief, Mr Daya Krishan Kotwal has expressed his concern that though both the communities have been declared scheduled tribes but no benefits of reservation and development have been given to them due to the discriminatory policies of the National Conference Government against them. He emphasised for reservation of Gaddis and Sippis hostel on the pattern of Gujjars and Bakerwals hostel in Jammu region so that the youth of these communities will be facilitated in pursuing higher education. Mr Bali Bhagat, MLA Ramban, who has organised the conference pleaded for reservation of Assembly seats for Gaddis and Sippis and formulation of a special plan for their upliftment and development as they constitute a large chunk of population in Doda, Udhampur, Kathua and other districts of the State. He charged that funds funds provided by the Centre for development of these communities are diverted by State Government for other sectors and this tendency must be stopped immediately. The MLA demanded fool proof mechanism for ensuing reservation for Gaddi and Sippi youth in services and professional colleges on the pattern of Himachal Pradesh and special recruitment driver to clear backlog posts. Mr Bali released a sum of Rs one lakh out of his constituency development fund for providing civic amenities in Gaddi and Sippi populated areas. Mr Om Prakash Gupta also spoke on the occasion. Mr Chuni Lal was unanimously elected as president of Jan Jati Morcha of Assar block. Mr Om Prakash Sarpanch, Mr Ishar Lal, Mansa Ram and several other prominent Gaddi and Sippi leaders expressed their views and demanded special steps for their over all progress. |
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Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, May 30: A high powered delegation of Panun Kashmir (PK) led by its chairman, Dr Ajay Chrungoo called on Mr K C Pant here this evening. A P K handout issued here today, said the delegation made a detailed presentation on the background of the religious cleansing of Hindus in Kashmir valley and the imperative of Panun Kashmir. The members of the team discussed at length the national perceptions of Kashmir crisis and the Centre’s handling of the problem. The delegation also expressed its concern on different dimensions of the crisis. The other members of the delegation include Dr M K Teng, chairman, advisory Committee and Mr Kuldeep Raina, generals secretary of the organisation. |
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Jet Airways to enhance in-flight service in CP Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 30: Jet Airways has decided to introduce a new range of crockery and linen in its business class ( Club Premiere or CP) on flights operating between the metro cities of Mumbai and Delhi from June 1, 2001. A spokesman of the Airways disclosed that this novel range and related collateral will subsequently be introduced on June 5 and 10 respectively, on Jet Airways flights between Mumbai and Kolkata and Delhi and Kolkata. The new look crockery has been designed to Jet Airways specifications by renowned Japanese manufacturer ‘ Noritake’. In confirmity with the colour scheme of Club Premiere, the new Crockery is white in colour with a rich blue and gold border. In addition to the change in crockery, the design of menu card, stationery kit, coasters as also the packing of the accompaniments have been changed to be in line with world class standards. It will also introduce an exclusive service on flights where hot snacks are served. A selection of items will be presented on a trolley to the passengers who will have the benefit of opting for their preferred choice of snacks. It may be recalled that Jet Airways was recently conferred the prestigious Market Development Award for 2001 by Air Transport World, a leading aviation magazine of USA. With an average age of 2.78 years, the Jet Airways Fleet is one of the youngest in the world and offers both Business Class and Economy Class on most of the Boeing 737 flights. The airline has flown over 24.29 million passengers since its inception on May 5, 1993 untill end of April 2001. |
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Under ground water
table recedes Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 30: With the under ground water table depleting and level in major rivers coming down considerably due to the long dry spell of Winter, the entire Jammu region has been hit by severe drought. The situation has become so alarming that the entire kandi belt is facing acute shortage of drinking water with ponds and other natural sources of water drying up. Though this belt which sans the natural resource is normally immune to water shortage during the Summer, but the situation has become more alarming this Season. According to official sources this year the under ground water table has depleted by 20 feet in various PHE tube wells which has affected the normal water supply to a great extent. The water scarcity has become acute in some localities especially the outskirts of the City where drinking water is supplied after a week and people asked to store the same. The situation is so acute and alarming that in many localities the water scarcity has become a bone of contention among the people. The situation has taken such a critical turn that people in various localities in defiance of the Departmental rules and regulations have cut the main water supply pipes resulting into the infighting among the different groups. The situation is not confined to this only but at various places people come on roads in protest against the water scarcity. The agitating people even resort to road blockades. Recently in Jandhotra village of Kathua district people resorted to three hour long road blockade in protest against the water scarcity. This was preceded by another agitation in the Rajbagh area where the people even blocked the National Highway. The scarcity is not confined to Kathua district but to Jammu, Udhampur, Doda, Poonch and Rajouri districts also. The worst affected localities in Jammu include Kandi belt of Jindrah, Nagrota, Bhatindi, Channi, Gangyal, Digiana, Kaluchak, Chinore, Bantalab, Roop Nagar, Durga Nagar, Gurah Keran, Kotbalwal, Paloura Patoli and Babe Da Talab etc. In these localities instead of alternative days as was routine previously the water is supplied after a week’s time which has generated a lot of public resentment. The inhabitants of Mohalla Shiv Temple Bhatindi, Kashmiri Mohalla and Lane No 4 of this area were facing acute water scarcity for over last three months now. The inhabitants of these localities allege that water is supplied once or twice a week now which was supplied on alternative days previously. The people while expressing their resentment against the PHE Department say the water is not supplied regularly though the people are paying the tariff as per urban rates. According to Mr Rajinder Singh, president Mohalla Welfare Committee Lower Bhatindi, the PHE has conceded 30 per cent shortage and accordingly the water was supplied on alternate days earlier. He said to meet the shortfall in Summer the Department had pressed in service the water tankers also on alternate days but later they have been also abandoned for unknown reasons. This has added to the woes of people further, he added. He warned that the people will come on roads if steps were not taken to improve the supply position. The main problem in the area according to Mr Bhupinder Singh another member of the Committee is leakage in pipes which are not being plugged by the Department. He said though lot of money has been spent on Master Plan yet the supply position deteriorates year after year. The acute Water scarcity has also hit the Indira Vihar Colony Talab Tillo and some areas of Gole Gujral. The inhabitants in various localities are sore over the PHE authorities failure to initiate action against the people using the motors on main supply lines. The Rabi crops have completely been destroyed by the long dry spell and now the drought is going to affect the Kharif crops in water scarce areas of the region forcing the migration of farmers in search of fodder and water for their cattle in various areas. According to Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control, Mr Khurshaid Hussain the water level in Partap Canal was 9. 80 feet in March this year while it was 11.70 in the same month during last year. He said the water level in Ranbir Canal at Akhnoor was 14.80 feet in March this year while it was 16.80 feet in March last year. This means the water level in the river was two feet less what was during last year. The water level in the irrigation tube wells in Jammu which are away from canal in isolated patches have also come down from 10 to 30 feet. This varies from place to place said the Executive Engineer Irrigation Tube Wells Division Jammu. He said out of 152 tube wells in Jammu and Kathua district falling under the Division maximum lie in border areas. These tube wells need immediate repairs as the level has receded to such an extent that some of them give sand , he said adding out of 152 tube wells 10 are sick at present. Another main reason for the scarcity in irrigation areas fed by the Ranbir Canal according to farmers at tale end is that some farmers cut the distributors due to which the water flows through the nullahs and drains down to Pakistan. This way the farmers on the tale end of the canal are deprived of the water supply. |
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Army providing succour to thirsty people of Rajouri Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 30: The Army troops are regularly providing drinking water, the most valuable commodity now-a-days, to the thirsty people of remote villages of Rajouri district. The ever increasing mercury in Rajouri district has brought about a heat wave, not experienced earlier. To add to this misery, the area did not get much snowfall as a result of which the snow on the mountains melted in the month of April itself. The month of May has seen most of the springs drying up somuchso even water in nullahs have reduced to a trickle and unable to meet the ever increasing demand of potable drinking water. Resources under the Army have been pressed into service to provide succour to the people. Long queues have been forming up at the water distribution points nominated. Occasional showers have not dampened the spirits of the people who await the arrival of the water bowsers albeit with umbrellas. This is so as only muddy water, not fit for drinking flows through the streams and nullahs. Delegations from affected villages are increasing day by day requesting the Army authorities for provision of drinking water. Concerted efforts are being made to ensure that all get equal share. In addition, the burden on the girl child and women to fetch water from far off places have been reduced to a large extent. The Army troops are doing this at no cost. Their only aim being to overcome the problems of the poor people in the remote villages and bring smiles on their faces, an Army hand out issued here today said. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 30: Maharaja Harisingh Agricultural Collegiate School has achieved yet another set of success in CBSE results. As per a release in the All India Senior School Certificate examination 65 out of 95 students secured Ist division. 54 students got distinction in various subjects. Anshu Jain scored the highest percentage by obtaining 89.4 percent, followed by Ashish Ambardar with 88.4 percent, Arshia Mir and Manav Mahajan scored 87.2 percent, Parul Sharma and Deblina Roy scored 86 percent in English, Nikhil Razdan excelled with 100 percent marks in Maths. In Physics Manav Mahajan took the lead with 94 percent, Arushi Munshi 94 percent in Chemistry, Anshu Jain 97 percent in Biology and Saurabh Mahajan 92 percent in Computer Science. In All India Secondary School Certificate Examination out of 232 students, 174 secured Ist division. Total number of distinctions in all subjects went upto 394. Akshay Bhat topped with 91.4 percent followed by Chavvi Gupta with 86.6 percent and Neha Thukral 86.2 percent. Three students Akshay Bhat, Nanika Mahajan and Sahil Anand scored 91 percent in English. Varun Mahajan and Kunal Gupta obtained 86 percent in Hindi, Akshay Bhat and Deepika Jamwal scored 98 percent each in Maths and Science respectively. In social studies again Akshay Mahajan took lead with 97 percent marks. The Principal, staff and management have congratulated the students on their excellent performance. |
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Puran Singh tours Billawar, highlights demands Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 30: Thakur Puran Singh, former MLA Billawar, conducted an extensive tour of the constituency from May 23 to 29 and addressed series of meetings at different places. As per a release Mr Singh expressed astonishment that no development works have been carried out by the Government except for NABARD works at one or two places, while accommodation in High schools has been reduced from 12 rooms to merely four or five rooms, condition of hospitals and dispensaries pitiable with scarce staff and no medicines for patients. Mr Singh said no water supply schemes have been completed and the existing supply schemes become defunct due to leakage of pipes and indifferent attitude of engineers and the staff. He added that water was being supplied through tankers to influential people and the general public left to face acute scarcity of water in villages Baggan, Sethar, Maroon, Bathur, Garh Malti, Rampur, Suraraha, Dharamkote, Dadwara, Magloor, Katly, Sunkal and Badoli etc. The people of Bacheitar Magloor Panchayat told Mr Singh that despite their repeated requests the department is not supplying water through tankers. The people, said Mr Singh, have planned to block National Highway to press their demands. The people added that condition of katly road was in deteriorating condition and needed immediate repairs. Mr Singh urged the concerned authorities to press one water tanker for the villagers of Bacheitar regularly for one month till the monsoon starts, otherwise there was every apprehension of erupting law and order problem. Mr Singh also demanded fodder and free ration for the survival of the animals and people immediately. |
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Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, May 30: The Minister for Labour S.Harbans Singh visited border areas of R.S. Pura and Suchetgarh blocks and addressed public meetings at Gharana and Dewangarh today. The Minister said that the Government headed by Dr. Farooq Abdullah is fully committed for the development of border areas and steps will be taken to improve the conditions of the farmers. He sanctioned 10 Shallow hand pumps for Gharana panchayat and 10 for Dewangarh panchayat. He also assured the residents of village Gharana that a new tube-well for irrigation will be installed and work shall commence within one month. Earlier the Minister inspected works on R.S.Pura- Chakroi, Haripur-Gharana, DCB-Dewangarh old, R.S.Pura-Sai-Mana and Birla roads. The Minister also inspected Gharana-Bakarpur kucha link and assured that a plan will be chalked out to construct the road. He also assured that Haripur-Gharana road measuring 6 kms will be black topped soon. Mr. R.S. Chib former Minister also addressed the public meetings and raised the problems of the border belt of tehsil R.S.Pura. He emphasised that road, power, irrigation sectors need priority. During the inspection, Mr. S. N. Manial, S.E., Irrigation and PHE and Mr. H.K. Koul xen, R&B were also present. |
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