Tributes paid to IRP Constable Sind Raj

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 7: Senior Congress leader and members J&K Pradesh Congress Committee Mr Ashwani Sharma today said that the cross border terrorism have taken the large number of innocent lives and property worth crores of rupees has been destroyed during the last 12 years.

He said that successive State Governments have totally failed to protect the lives and property of State people.

He was speaking at commemorative function held at village Adlhar in tehsil Bishnah of late Sind Raj, Constable IRP who was killed in fighting with terrorists four years back.

Paying floral tributes to martyr, Mr Ashwani Sharma said that thousands of personnel of security forces have laid down their lives for the sake of motherland and unity and integrity of the country.

He said that present appeasement policies of NC and NDA Governments will not be able to curb militancy and both the Governments are pursuing anti-people policies which are adding to the miseries of the people. He demanded that militancy should be curbed with iron hand so that the peace was restored back in this trouble torn State.

He further said that while dealing with militancy, the Government should also accelerate the development in the border belts of Jammu region so that the people would heave a sigh of relief and their financial constraints would be removed.

He warned Pakistan that war will not solve the problem of Kashmir issue and held that this should be discussed under Shimla Agreement and said that if Pakistan dare to take misadventure step it will be wiped out from the map of the world.

He advised Pakistan not to take extreme step and be realistic so that the issue could be solved in proper and peaceful manner.

Messrs Baldev Raj Bhagat, Sat Pal, Pardeep Sharma, Amarnath, Madan Lal, Mohan Lal, Madan Lal, Babu Ram, Mulkh Raj and Som Lal were among others who spoke on the occasion.

Leadership Foundation conducts seminar at SPMRCC

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 7: Leadership Foundation organised free counselling seminar at the SPMR College of Commerce. The topic of the seminar was the various options for higher studies in India and Abroad.

The main speakers on the occasion were the Foundation Centre head Mr Vivek Sharma and the SPMRCC alumni Mr Vishal Kapur and Mr Amit Padha.

Talking to aspirants of CAT/MCA/CDS/GRE/GMAT Mr Vivek informed that 27 students of Foundation cleared CAT to get to various colleges like SP Jain, MICA Ahmedabad, ITM Mumbai etc. He specifically reiterated that the students of Jammu are best in the country and maintained that if Foundation can send three students of Jammu to a college like Symbiosis in one academic year there is no reason why more students cannot.

He deliberated on the selection procedures of various colleges and suggested students to apply to colleges in keeping with their skills. The students, who missed these details, can have the same from the office of Leadership Foundation.

Mr Vishal Kapur mentioned that more often then not, the students of Jammu were maintaining first positions at their respective colleges in Pune. He informed students that Foundation keeps a vast databank of pen and paper tests as well as computer based tests. He stressed the need of following a structured plan to achieve good scores in these tests. He mentioned that practice of regular GDs helped him a lot in final personality tests.

Mr Amit Padha also spoke in length about the ways and means to prepare.

Commenting on seminar, Ms Shailaja said that this was a truly informative session and hoped that Institute conducts some more, in times to come. Among others to praise the session were Mr Parul, Mr Gaurav and Ms Poonam.

Foundation announced a Free Mock CAT on Sunday for the students of the city who might be applying for the same this year. The test would be sponsored by TEJPUNJ, an NGO working for the causes of education and employment in the city.

Issue of discrimination on top agenda of Chamber: Sahai

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 7: Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jammu, president Mr Ram Sahai has said that issue of discrimination with the people of Jammu has always been on top priority of the Chamber and it has taken the lead in the past to correct this imbalance created by the successive Governments in the State.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Sahai said that representative body of trade, commerce and Industry of Jammu division has been over a period gathering reactions from all over the province about the impact on the economy of the Jammu region on account of the frequent avoidable bandh calls on various issues.

He clarified that after detailed discussions, majority of the members took the decision to refrain from participating in such bandhs since the impact of these bandhs was becoming disproportionate to the economic needs of the society. As pointed out earlier by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the average daily loss suffered by the people of Jammu on account of one day’s bandh is said to be to the tune of Rs 28 crores. The effect of a day’s bandh is felt even on the next day or two and also makes an impact on the previous day’s commercial activities.

During this period of militancy, Jammu’s economy being what it is , is unabe to bear the loss of so frequent avoidable bandhs. This was the main reason why Chamber of Commerce & Industry had some time ago appealed to one and all to desist from making calls of frequent bandhs in general. The purpose behind it is purely economic and there are no political overtones in our move, he maintained.

Mr Sahai pointed out that Chamber has always been protesting against the discrimination meted out to Jammu people and has taken the lead in the past and shall keep on doing so in the future. On Nov 1 meeting convened by the Divisional Commissioner where all major political party members were present, it was agreed upon by most of the leaders that frequent bandhs were not in the interest of the economy of Jammu. It was suggested to the representatives of Chamber that they should make exception of Nov 5 bandhs. It was further suggested that soon after the political parties and others involved would sit together and formulate a joint agreed policy to not to resort to bandhs except for every emergent situation and enfore the bandh fully if it required to send the right message to the Government as warranted in the situation unitedly.

The CCI president further claimed that some leaders of the organisations giving bandh calls had approached him and requested not to oppose the bandh for the over all interest of the Jammu people. In view of this the CCI did not mobilize public opinion either through press, media meetings or otherwise and not even issued the direction to the members to open their business establishments. No office bearer of any Association or senior members of the executive committee were deputed to ask the business community to defy this bandh call.

There should be no misconception that bandh would not have been successful had the Chamber also not put its might in this bandh. In order to malign Chamber , some political parties and other organisations gave objectionable statements raising allegations and showing the Chamber in poor light and facts brought to focus are not correct. The Chamber wants to clear it that CCI stands for both the aspirations of the people of Jammu as also the aspiration of Jammu business community and shall always be an active player to protect the rights of the people of Jammu. It has taken up the issue of power forcefully with the State Government in various meetings with the CM and the Power Minister. The Chamber is also alive and concerned to the problems being faced by the business community in particular and people of Jammu in general.

Terrorists killed 939 civilians killed this year
Militancy violence registers 55 percent increase

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 7: Even as Pakistan has ‘offered’ support to the United State of America (USA) in war against terrorism, its support to the terrorists active in the Jammu and Kashmir is going unabated.

55 percent increasing in Pakistan sponsored terrorists violence in the current year as against the corresponding period the last year is a clear indication that our neighbour has been providing every possible help to terrorists involved in executing heinous crimes in the state.

Most startling is the quantity of the recovery of arms and ammunition. Recovery of arms/ammunition and explosive material from militants since January 1990 till date is enough to equip more than three army divisions.

Enumerating militancy related details, a police spokesman today that foreign terrorists dominated out-fits executed 3882 incidents of violence this year as against 2503 reported during the corresponding period of last year with a view to cause colossal damage to the life and property of people in the state. This incidents included explosions, hurling of hand grenades, rocket attacks, random firing, arson, abductions, hanging etc. Out of 3882 violent incidents, 931 were directed against police and security forces.

The spokesman said that 939 innocent civilians have lost their lives and 1765 sustained injuries in the militant violence this year. During the corresponding period of last year militants killed 752 civilians and caused injuries to 905 civilians.

Out of 939 civilian killed this year, 512 have been fallen to militants bullets in random firing, 153 have been killed after abduction, 70, lost their lives in explosions and 47 civilians in hand grenades. The number of injured is almost double as compared to last year.

The spokesman said that target oriented operations against militants conducted by police/security forces have inflicted heavy casualties on Pak sponsored ultras. The anti-militancy operations have led to the elimination of 1606 militants this year as against 1306 militants killed during the corresponding period of last year. 73 of militants have also surrendered to the authorities this year. 8 incidents of group clashes between militants have taken place this year resulting in the death of 4 militants and 2 civilians.

He said that 515 police and security forces personnel have sacrificed their lives in the proxy war during the first ten months of the current year. These include 117 officers and jawans of the state police, 53 SPOs, 11 VDC members and the rest are security forces personnel. In addition, 1209 police/security forces personnel have sustained injuries during operations and encounters with militants.

The enemy, spokesman said, has continually been trying to weaken our economy by striking at our public and private assets. Though the magnitude of damage is not that much as it was in the early years of militancy because of extensive as well as intensive security cover. He revealed that in keeping with their wicked plan, militants have set ablaze 42 government buildings, 24 bussiness establishments, 5 religious places, 275 houses of majority community, 32 houses of minority community and 44 cow sheds this year.

On the recovery front, the spokesman said that the arms/ ammunition and explosive recovered from militants during search operations and encounters since January 1990 till October 2001 are enough to equip more than three divisions of army.

The recovery includes 22897 rifles of AK series with 46661 AK magazines and 30 lakhs rounds followed by 9018 pistols/revolvers with 8622 magazines and 1.86 lakh rounds, 985 UMGs with 1299 magazines and 1.20 lakh rounds, 75 LMG/SLRs with 31 magazines, 323 sniper rifles with 43000 rounds, 57 carbines with 16 magaziners, 142 303 rifles with 6029 rounds, 923 RPGs, 63 GPMGs and 32 magazines and 24 rounds of telescope rifle.

In addition, 3965 rockets, 705 rocket launchers and 2110 rocket boosters have also been recovered during the period.

The recovery during the period also includes a huge quantity of material. So far 29 tones of explosive material including RDX, 4425 IEDs, 43978 grenades/hand grenades, 52660 detonators, 5166 anti-personal mines and 476 anti-tank mines have been recovered during searches, raids and operations with the cooperation and intelligence back-up of people.

In the meantime 3313 wireless sets, 510 binoculars and 15759 metres of cordex wire have also been recovered from militants, according to the police spokesman.

J&K to become first Hepatitis-B free State soon
Kamal launches vaccination campaign in Jammu

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Nov 7: The Industries and Commerce Minister today exuded confidence that the J&K State will become Ist Hepatitis-B free State of the country soon just as it emerged first small pox free State a few decades ago.

The Minister was speaking at a function held at Government Medical College Jammu to launch ambitious Hepatitis-B vaccination campaign in Jammu province here today. The campaign has already been launched in Kashmir province on 14th September by the Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah.

The campaign has been organised by the Health and Medical Education Department in collaboration with the multinational WOCKHARDT Pharmaceutical concern in a bid to make the J&K State Ist Hepatitis-B free State in the country. The company is providing vaccines on highly subsidized rates and the average cost is one-third of the normal cost.

The Principal Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Mr. H.L. Kadalbuju, Principal, Government Medical College, Jammu, Mr. H.L. Goswami, Direcrtor, Health Service Jammu, S. Jasbeer Singh, Member Special Tribunal, Dr. Ved Gupta, Dirtector Information, S. Narinder Singh, Director Family Welfare, Dr. Jandial, Director AIDS Control Programme, Dr Parmar and a galaxy of faculty members were present on the occasion.

Dr. Kamal lauded the efforts of the functionaries of health and medical education department for launching various health care programmes in the State and said that eradication of Hepatitis-B virus would be another milestone in our preventive health care management. However, he stressed the need for educating the masses about the dangers of Hepatitis-B virus and said main focus of the health care delivery system should be on preventive measures to leave a limited scope for curative aspect.

Extending good wishes on behalf of the Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Health and Medical Education Minister, Mian Altaf Ahmad for success of the vaccination campaign, Dr Kamal hoped that the coordinated efforts of NGOs, functionaries of health and medical education department and pharmaceutical firms like WORKHARDT. India the 2nd most populous country of the world could be made Hepatitis-B free starting from its crown, the J&K State.

The Principal, Government Medical College Jammu in his welcome address said that persistant infection of Hepatitis-B virus in body causes chronic liver diseases.

The Director Health Service Jammu said that in the first instance the campaign is being launched in Jammu and Kathua districts on 10th and 11th of November 2001. In the 2nd phase in Rajouri and Poonch districts on 2nd and 3rd February 2002 and lastly in Udhampur and Doda districts on 16th and 17th of February 2002. He said that 150 vaccination centres have been arranged in Jammu district and 50 centres in Kathua districts.

The campaign was formally launched with the free vaccination to 50 children from under privileged families. These children would be provided all three vaccine doses free of cost by the WOCKHARDT.

Shah for modern town planning concepts
for urban devlopment

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 07: The Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah has asked the agencies involved in urban development to formulate their plans strictly keeping in view the population growth, requirements of people and having provisions for greenery and pollution free environment in the cities and towns.

Mr Shah said that modern town planning concepts have to be adopted while planning for housing colonies, shopping complexes, parking places, parks and transport terminals. He was speaking to the officers of J&K Housing Board, Jammu Development Authority and Jammu Municipality here today at a meeting held under his chairmanship to review the activities of these agencies.

The Minister said that there is a tremendous pressure on cities and towns which is going to increase further in future and as such there is a need to have comprehensive and eco-friendly planning for development right from now. He said that unauthorized and haphazard constructions and inconsistency in developmental programmes has now no place in modern development.

Referring to cleanliness drives in the twin cities of Jammu and Srinagar, Mr. Shah said various measures have already been taken in this direction and added that Municipalities in both the cities are being equipped with loaders, tipers and mechanical instruments to ensure regular and timely cleanliness. He said that cleanliness of cities and towns is not possible without the cooperation and sense of responsibility of citizens.

Rs 5 cr filtration plant to be installed at Tawi Left
Water supply in 8 Jammu towns to be completed
by year end : Sagar

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Nov 07: The augmentation of potable water in eight towns of Jammu region would be completed under Accelerated Urban Water Supply Programme(AUWSP) by the end of current financial year.

This was stated by the Minister for Works, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar while presiding over a review meeting of PHE Department Jammu here today.

The Minister announced release of Rs 10 crore for the completion of water supply schemes in Bishnah, Poonch, Akhnoor, Basohli, Nagri Paloura, Thana Mandi, Garhi Rambal and Bhaderwah towns under AUWSP. He said 30 towns of the region have been taken for augmentation of potable water under AUWSP at an estimated cost of Rs. 110 crore. These include Samba, Vijaypur, Bari-brahmana, Doda, Kishtwar, Thana Mandi, Rajouri, Poonch, Garhi Rambal, Bishnah, Akhnoor, Arnia, R.S. Pora, Bhaderwah, Reasi, Basholi, Nagri Paloura, Kathua, Nowshera, Sunderbani, Chenani, Ramnagar and Hiranagar.

Out of these augmentation has already been completed in 6 towns including Sunderbani, Chenani, Ramnagar, Hiranagar, Samba, Vijaypur and Reasi at a cost of Rs 7.38 crore. The cumulative expenditure on these towns till date is Rs 34 crore.

The Minister said for augmentation of potable water in Jammu city Rs 5 crore filtration plant would be installed at Tawi left. He said with the completion of this plant 20 lakh gallons per day potable water would be added to the city supply line. The Minister also announced release of Rs 1.50 crore for installation of another 4.5 MGD capacity filtration plant at Shittlee. The total cost of the project, he said is Rs 12 crore. With the completion of these schemes the gap in demand and supply of potable water in Jammu city would be reduced to a large extent and people would get lot of relief, he added.

The Minister said under the ground water exploration programme 10 tube wells would be commissioned by the end of current year while 6 have already been commissioned. He said with the completion of these tube wells additional 25 lakh gallons of potable water would be made available to greater Jammu. The areas were the tube wells have already been completed include Muthi Left, Peerkho, Tawi left and Bandhu Rakh while tube wells at Muthi Dreemland, Shastri Nagar, Patta Paloura, Thangar Pattian, Domana, Badori, Mishriwala and Jammu University are to be commissioned by the end of this month. The department also installed 213 hand pumps in Jammu region during the current year.

The Minister said the department was presently supplying 52 million gallons of potable water per day to Jammu city which would be further augmented by additional 5 million gallons by the end of current year.

The Minister said under Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP), 206 schemes have been taken up for execution in the first two phases out of which 42 have been completed while 73 are targeted for completion by the end of current financial year. The total allocation for the current year for the ARWSP schemes is Rs 24.87 crore out of which Rs 7.73 crore have been spent so far.

The department, he said has also started pilot project for district Udhampur for 100 per cent coverage for the rural population of the district with potable water. The estimated cost of pilot project is Rs 25 crore, out of which Rs 7 crore have been released so far.

The Minister expressed dismay over the poor progress of work under ARWSP and warned disciplinary action against the officials who fail to deliver goods. He said despite availability of adequate funds people have to wait long to reap the benefits of these schemes which can never be tolerated. He said Government wants that the benefits of various development schemes should trickle down to the people without any wastage of time in paper work. The Minister called upon the officers of the PHE Department to gear up so that all the schemes under ARWSP are completed within targeted time.

Mr. Sagar said provision of potable water and better road communication facility is the thrust area of the Government especially in the remote corners of the State. He said people in these areas were suffering for want of better civic amenities and it was the duty of the officers to work day and night for extending basic facilities to them.

The Principal Secretary Works, Mr. Ajit Kumar, Chief Engineer PHE Jammu and senior officers of Planning and Finance Department were present at the meeting.

Govt introduces package Atta bags for consumers

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Nov 7: With a view to provide quality Atta at reasonable rates to the consumers the Government has introduced 10 kg bags at the cost of Rs 74 through PDS system.

This was divulged by the Minister of State for Food and Supplies, Mr. B.A. Nengroo in a meeting held here today.

The Minister informed that these bags are available at all Government ration depots. He further said that the Government is also planning to introduce a centrally sponsored Sarvpriya Scheme through National Cooperative Consumer Federation of India Limited (NCCF). The scheme will provide quality products at cheaper rates to the consumers.

The meeting was further apprised that the Sarvpriya Scheme will be introduced on December 5 and implemented from January 26 onwards.

Meanwhile the Minister also stressed the oil companies and LPG agencies functioning in the State to provide additional quota on concessional rates to the people during the month of Ramzan. In order to provide better service he assured enhanced supply of consumer goods at subsidized rates during the holy month.

He also disclosed that the State Government has accorded sanction to 41 LPG and oil agencies for the next of the kin of Kargil war victims. Out of which, 19 LPG and 5 k.oil units are already functional. The remaining 17 are under process which will be implemented within this year.

The Minister stressed for uniform rates of LPG and k.oil in militancy infested areas and advised the oil companies, LPG agencies to devise a proper system for the same.

He lauded the services rendered by the department in providing quality food grains and maintaining check in the market.

The meeting was attended among other by Commissioner/Secretary Food and Supplies Department, Director Food and Supplies Department, Mr. Ahluwalia, General Manager, Marketing Operations and representatives of various oil companies, LPG agencies.

Kept locked in office for three hours
ABVP activists gherao Dean Students Welfare

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 7: A high voltage drama was witnessed in the Jammu University when Dean Students Welfare Prof R D Sharma, who has the responsibility to look after security and law and order on the Campus, was gheroed and kept locked in his office chamber by some Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad activists.

The ABVP activists were protesting against the new guidelines of the Dean Students Welfare for letting the Campus auditorium for functions which included rent charges from a non-campus body.

Shouting slogans against Prof Sharma and the ‘un-necessary’ restrictions for the auditorium use, the ABVP activists, led by Mr Darshan Bharti, barged into the office of Prof Sharma and kept him locked in his office chamber for more than three hours.

Interestingly, the entire staff of the University security remained unaware of the gherao of Dean Students Welfare and the drama ended only after ABVP activists unlocked the office of Prof Sharma with a warning that they would gherao him again tomorrow .

Some heated duels took place between Prof Sharma and the protesters as the former remained adamant on his decision over the new guidelines and ruled out to accord any concession to ABVP for holding some functions at the auditorium. The high voltage drama began this morning at around 10.30 am when about some ABVP activists appeared near the office of Prof Sharma and shouting slogans against the latter, forced their entry into his office chamber.

They locked door of the Dean’s office and did not allow Prof Sharma to move outside for more than three hours. The ABVP activists asked Prof Sharma to lift the un-necessary restrictions for auditorium use as well as provide them auditorium, free of cost, to hold a function in connection with the ‘Law-Day’ on November 26.

However, all the demands of protesters were turned down by Prof Sharma who said that he was not the sole authority to take decision in that connection. Though, he sought to pacify them by saying that some of their demands may be taken into consideration after November 12, he firmly ruled out to accord them permission for holding Law-Day function at the auditorium on the ground that ABVP was a outside agency.

The gherao continued for more than three hours but no securityman of the University could sense the trouble. Though a head security guard, who was not allowed to meet Prof Sharma by the agitators, witnessed the presence of about fifty students there, he too could not understand the situation and left with an impression that some delegation might have come to meet Prof Sharma.

The ABVP activists unlocked the office door after more than three hours and that too with a warning that they would gherao Prof Sharma tomorrow again.

Prominent ABVP activists, who participated in the gherao included Adarsh Kumar, Ranjeet Sharma, Diwakar Raina and Mandeep Singh Jamwal.

| home | state | national | business| editorial | advertisement | sports |
| international | weather | mailbag | suggestions | search | subscribe | send mail |