Sagar asks militants to shun path of violence

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 15: Works Minister, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar has once again appealed militants to shun violence and join the national mainstream for ensuring development and progress in the State.

Addressing a public meeting at Khoshipora, Zainakote today, the Minister said some vested interests were bent upon destroying the future of our youth by instigating them to take to violence and thereby affecting the peaceful atmosphere.

Mr Sagar criticised the opponents of the Government for keeping their eyes shut on the development and achievements registered during the last 5 years. He asked them to judge the performance of the Government on the ground before making unfounded criticism. He said, under the leadership of Dr. Farooq Abdullah, the Government has successfully reconstructed the damaged infrastructure during this period. He reiterated the Government’s resolve to serve people and continue its efforts for mitigating the sufferings of people.

The Minister inspected two filtration plants and two reservoirs, under construction at Kalidora, Chadoora at a cost of Rs.1.85 crore. He also inspected the work going on at six-lane Batmaloo- Qamarwari road at a cost of Rs.11.27 lakh and Bemina bridge coming up at a cost of Rs.10 crore.

He directed the concerned agencies to complete the works of extremely public importance in a stipulated time. He also stressed on quality work.

The Minister later met various deputations of people. He assured them to solve their problems as early as possible.

Lok Adalats organised at Kupwara, Anantnag

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 15: Lok Adalat’s were organised at Kupwara, Anantnag and Aishmuqam by respective legal aid committees, today.

At Kupwara long pending 100 matrimonial and motor vehicle act cases were settled on the spot and compensation of Rs.15.23 lakh paid to the parties after amicable negotiations. The District and Session Judge chaired the function.

At Anantnag, 195 cases were settled amicably under the chairmanship of District and Session Judge. Similarly sizeable number of pending cases were settled during the Lok Adalat organised at Aishmugam.

The legal experts of respective legal aid authorities explained the aim and objective of holding Lok Adalats and appealed all intellectuals to guide the poor and deserving justice seekers to avail free legal aid service facility.

Bathindi to be promoted as tourist destination

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Nov 15: The Minister for Labour and Sports, S. Harbans Singh and MP Mirza Abdul Rashid today inaugurated/laid foundation stones of nine works benefitting 1500 families being executed by Rural Development Agency at a cost of over Rs. 33 lakh at Bathindi.

Giving details of the works being executed, it was informed six of the total nine works were executed under MP Local Area Development scheme, two under District Plan and the remaining one was funded under MLC Constituency Development Fund.

Besides a newly constructed block at Government Middle School, Bathindi was also inaugurated by the Minister for Labour.

A community hall cum auditorium and a dispensary was also proposed on the occasion, land for which already stands identified.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Singh said that the present Government is committed for the speedier development of the villagers and down-trodden.

Laying emphasis on the development of the sub-urban areas, he said that development of the sub-urban regions like Bathindi will result in radical transformation in the standard of living of the people of the rural areas. Connecting rural areas with the urban towns through network of roads is the top priority of the present Government. This in turn will pave the for progress, prosperity and quicker development of the ruralities, he added.

Mr. Singh said that the government plans to link Bathindi with all the adjoining areas namely, Channi, Narwal, Sunjawan, etc. through venal road network. Easy accessibility to Bathindi will result in progress of Gujjar community residing here. Bathindi in the coming times would be promoted as an ideal tourist destination because of its picturesque beauty, said Mr. Singh.

Member of Parliament, Mr. M.A. Rashid, who also spoke on the occasion proposed upgradation of the Government Middle School, Bathindi to High School level. He also sanctioned Rs. 20 lakh for the proposed construction of community centre and dispensary at Bathindi. Besides, a play ground for school childrens was also contemplated.

Expressing his concern over the rising level of pollution, Mr. Rashid called upon the localities of the area to under take afforestion of the whole region so as to make Bathindi an ideal residential colony.

Othres present on the occasion include, Director Rural Development, Mr. Mehboob Iqbal, District Development Commissioner, Jammu, Mr. Rohit Kansal, prominent citizens and localities of the area.

Children's Day celebration
Effective measures needed for creating mass awareness
for registering of births and deaths

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 15: Effective and coordinated efforts are needed for creating massive awareness among the masses with regard to registration of timely births and deaths enabling to achieve cent per cent registration by 2010. At present birth rate registration in the State recorded at 65 per cent.

This was stated today by the Principal Secretary Health and Medical Education, Mr. H. L. Kadalbaju while presiding over a function of children’s day celebrations 2001 for registration of births and deaths organised by Chief Registrar of Births and Deaths, Director Family Welfare, Jammu. He said though the registration of births and deaths is mandatory under the provisions of law enacted for the purpose but the registration of births and deaths is not being recorded satisfactorily because of poor response by the general public.

He said timely registration of births and deaths are imperative for overall socio-economic development of the State. He said "we are living in a cyber age and should go for computerization of all the vital documents". He said such data is very vital and will prove very useful for seeking admissions in educational institutions and for obtaining the voter identity cards.

He suggested one-day workshop should also be held very shortly to discuss threadbare the issue and devise ways and means for achieving registration of cent per cent births. He said, if possible, the invitation to Registrar Births and Deaths, Government of India could also be extended for reaping his expertise in the field.

Administrator, Jammu Municipality, K. B.. Jandial speaking on the occasion said that organising of such functions in future will serve the purpose by creating public awareness so that they are motivated for timely registration of births. He said it is a vital document and one should not be hesitant in registering the births as well as deaths. He expressed concern over the poor response from the masses and added that as per census report though the literacy percentage of Jammu city is encouraging still lack of awareness exists. He said even the response from the Government run health institutions are satisfactory but it is decimal from the private nursing homes. He stressed that these nursing homes should also be persuaded for regular registration of births and deaths occurred. He said concerned licensing authorities should gear up there machinery in this behalf.

He said that at present annual registration of births as per records is between 11000 to 12000 against 16000 to 20000.

He said the Jammu Municipality is contemplating to computerize the records so that the important information could be well preserved for the posterity. He requested the health authorities for providing computers enabling the organisations to computerize the data well in time.

He also said that Municipal camps would also be organised in this behalf which will go a long way to create awareness among the people.

Director Economics and Statistics, Mr. G. R. Malik who is also the Additional Chief Registrar of Births and Deaths presenting vote of thanks said that the process of registration in the State received a severe set back during the decade long turmoil. He said with the efforts of the machinery the derailed process has gradually been brought on the right track and present registration of births has been recorded at 65 per cent. He sought the active cooperation of the general public in registering the births and deaths caused.

He said besides collective approach it is the responsibility of individuals also to get their births and deaths registered well in time.

Dr. P. K. Jandial, Director Family Welfare who is the Chief Registrar of Births and Deaths also spoke on the occasion.

Birth Certificates to a number of parents were given on the occasion.

Director Health Services, Jammu, senior functionaries of Health and Medical Education, Family Welfare, and Jammu municipality officers were present among others on the occasion

Vasudev Kutumbkam Welfare Society organizes
Deepawali function

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 15: Madam Governor, Mrs Rajni Saxena was the Chief guest in a Deepawali and Bal Diwas function celebration organised by "Vasudev Kutumbkam Welfare Society" organisation in the premises of V. K. Sarvodaya school Rajiv Nagar Slum area.

The President Dr. Ved Kumari Ghai in her welcome address, gave a resume of activities of the society and said that more than 800 children of the slum area are being helped to get education.

About four hundred students of slum area attended the function and presented patriotic songs and skits, highlighting importance of education for all, Mrs. Chandra Gupta, chief Executive Officer JUDA and Mrs Rani Baloria were the special guests.

Mrs. Saxena appreciated the programme efforts of the students and advised them to take full advantage of opportunity provided to them. She also announced the donation of Rs. 10,000 for picnic of children.

Mrs. Santosh Chopra and Mrs. Vimal Bhatia, who are providing voluntary coaching to the students were honoured on this occasion. The teachers working in various centres of Vasudev Kutumbkam Society were also honoured.

Prof. Rita Jitendra presented vote of thanks and pointed out that the children are future of the society. School bags, uniforms and sweets were distributed among the students by the chief guest.

Vishwakarma Day celebrated at Jammu.
Safeguarding labour rights prime duty of Govt: Kamaal

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 15: The Industries and Commerce Minister, Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal today said that Government endeavours to take all possible welfare measure for labour class so that no one sleeps hungry and no labour is left without shelter.

The Minister was speaking at the function held here today in connection with the Vishwakarma day celebrations. The function was organised by the Jay Kay Vishwkarma Labour Union, Jammu.

Vishawkarma day is celebrated on 17th September every year throughout the world mainly in factories and Industrial areas where the workers resolve to perform better from this day. According to mythology, Vishwakarma is the divine architect of the whole universe and is personification of the creative power.

The Minister said that the National Conference Government was committed to safeguard the rights of labour class and it was towards this direction that Sher-i-Kashmir, Late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah took several revolutionary measures to mitigate sufferings of this down trodden section of the society and protect them from the exploitations. These measures include land to tillers and waiving of over burdening loans. He said it was outcome of these measures that the condition of labour class in J&K is far better as compared to other parts of the country.

"There is hardly any labour in our State who sleeps hungry on open roads " said Dr. Kamal adding that the State Government with the coordination of centre has recently launched many schemes like Antodiya and Anapurana Yojana aimed at to provide foodgrains on most concessional rates to the people living below poverty line besides providing them assistance for shelter upgradation. The aged person above 65 years even get 10 kgs of rice free of cost throughout the country, Dr. Kamal added.

Likewise, the Minister said that under Indira Awas Yojana people living below poverty line are provided cash assistance of Rs. 10,000 for repairs of their houses and Rs. 22000 for construction of a new house. The scheduled caste and scheduled tribes people also fall under this category, he added. Main objective of these welfare schemes is to ensure that no body in the country remains without food and shelter, Dr. Kamal added. He said there are 6 crore tonnes of food grains dumped in godowns in the country. However, he stressed for taking family welfare norms so that un-checked population growth may not hamper the pace of advancement in various sectors. He also advised the labour class to take up self employment ventures under Industries sector for improving their living standard.

Dr. Kamal also hoped that the changing world scenario will have positive impact on the relations between India and Pakistan and the people of these two neighbouring countries would come close to each other. Dr. Kamal was responding to the demand of the labourers from outside the State to provide their identity cards which has become necessity due to proxy war unleashed by the neighbouring country.

The MLC, Mr. M. S. Gill, Provincial Secretary, National Conference, Jammu, Sheikh Bashir Ahmad, President and Convenor of the Vishwakarma Labour Union, Mr. Dev Raj and Mr. Vijay Raina were also present.

Salathia distributes relief
Food and Supplies, Social Welfare deptts.
Organise relief camp

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 15: Successfull conduct of Panchayat Elections is another milestone in fulfilling the dream of Baba-e-Qoum, Sher-i-KashmirSheikh Mohammad Abdullah in building Naya Kashmir.

This was stated by Minister for Power, Mr. S.S. Slathia while addressing the beneficiaries of a relief camp at Vijaypur today. The relief camp was jointly organised by the Food Supplies and Social Welfare Departments.

The Minister said that elected Panchayats will soon be empowered and sufficient funds would be provided for insuring proper and speedy development of the respective areas. He said the 33 per cent representation of the women will be made in the Panchayats through nomination wherever they are not elected through contest.

He said that Government has launched a number of welfare schemes aimed at ameliorating the lot of poor and weaker sections of the society living below poverty line. He advised the people to avail maximum benefit of the welfare schemes for upgrading their socio-economic conditions.

Mr. Slathia appealed the people to remain vigilant and united to thwart the nefarious design of so called leaders who are exploiting the innocent people on one pretext or the other.

The Minister distributed cheques of Rs 524 each among 25 old age beneficiaries, Rs 1250 as stipend among the scheduled caste trainees of social welfare centre, Ramgarh and Rs 500 each to five mothers under maternity benefit scheme. Thirty widow were also provided sewing machine and tailoring kits arranged by the Social Welfare Departments. He also distributed rice bags of 10 kg each among 182 beneficiaries free of cost living below poverty line under Annpurna scheme of Food and Supplies Department.

Earlier, Mr. Slathia witnessed a cultural programme presented by the children of Government Girls High School Suchani in connection with celebration of Children’s Day. He highly appreciated the performance of the children.

Mr. Sukhdev Singh, District Social Welfare Officer, Mr. Ratan Lal Sharma, Mr. Hans Raj also spoke on the occasion.

Shah for greater involvement of cooperative
societies in housing sector

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 15: The Housing and Urban Development Minister, Mr. Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah has stressed for greater involvement of cooperative societies in the Housing and Agriculture sectors in the State.

Mr. Shah was addressing a function organised in connection with celebration of Cooperative Week here yesterday. The function was jointly organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Cooperative Housing Corporation and Jammu House Building Society. The Cooperative Week is being celebrated from 14th to 20th November 2001 throughout the country.

The Minister said that Cooperative Societies especially Cooperative Housing Corporation have attained greater significance in the modern times in view of stress on cities because of influx of rural masses. In such a situation, House Building Cooperative Societies and Corporations could play a vital role by developing housing colonies on modern lines, having all basic amenities for householders. He said Government will encourage such cooperative societies and private parties who come forward as colonizers and facilitators in housing sectors for establishment of new colonies in the cities and towns. However, while preparing their proposals they have to keep provisions of drinking water, electricity, road communications and other civic amenities and the prices of land should be maintained at an affordable level for the middle and low income groups, he added.

Referring to the solid waste management in the cities, the Minister said that the modern technology is needed to be adopted so that the people are provided better and clean environment. He said Rs.1.67 crore has been made available to Municipalities of Jammu and Srinagar for purchase of load carriers and dust bins so that sanitary conditions are upgraded. This will be in addition to the normal budget allocation, the Minister added.

Mr. Shah said that the Government was keen to hold Municipal and Local Bodies elections to give them representative character and allow the people to manage the municipal affairs and development of cities and towns by themselves with all the facilities by the Government at their back.

The Chairman, J&K Housing Cooperative Corporation, Mr. B. S. Manhas, President, Co-operative Societies, Mr. Ayoub Khan, General Secretary, Cooperative Societies, Mr. Jitender Dev also addressed at the function.

Rather inaugurates 439th Branch of Jammu
and Kashmir Bank

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 15: The Finance Minister, Mr. Abdul Rahim Rather inaugurated the 439th Branch of Jammu and Kashmir Bank at Kachi Chowni, here today.

Minister for Power, Mr. S. S. Salathia, Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Mr. M.Y. Khan, President Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Ram Sahay, senior functionaries of Jammu and Kashmir Bank and a large number of people were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the Finance Minister lauded the remarkable progress registered by the Jammu and Kashmir Bank in the recent past. He said because of tremendous increase in its banking business the bank has achieved a distinguished position among the banks of the country. J&K Bank, he said is one of the pioneer banks of the country today. Greater dedication, determination and sincerity of the functionaries is the primary cause of the such an upward swing in the activities of the bank, he added.

Mr. Rather said that there is hardly any sector of economy in the State where the bank has not contributed in its development. He said tourism, industrial, transport and allied sectors received the greater attention of the bank resulting in strengthening economy of the State. He said by extending greater loaning facilities to the people a very large number of industrial and agro-based units had come up in the State helping in generation of more employment opportunities.

The Finance Minister said that because of appreciable customer service and co-operative approach the bank’s deposits had shown phenomenal increase.

He said it is a matter of great satisfaction that the computerization of the bank branches has been speeded up and 216 branches have now been computerized. This, he said, will help in providing better and speedy banking facilities to the people. The bank had last year achieved all time high profit of Rs. 167 crore, this, he said, is an appreciable achievement. He expressed the hope that the bank will maintain the present tempo and touch all time high records both in deposits and its business activities in the coming years.

Mr. Rather said by establishing its branches in various parts of the country the Bank has now extended its services from Kashmir to Kanaya Kumari. The day, he said is not far off when the bank will extends its services overseas too.

The Minister for Power, Mr. Surjeet Singh Slathia who presided the function and also spoke on the occasion said that the Jammu and Kashmir Bank which is one of the pioneer banks of the country has played a very important role in speeding up the developmental scenario in the State. By computerizing 216 branches, the Jammu and Kashmir Bank has speeded up the process of switching over to the latest technology and providing better and quick services to the customers. He said the bank besides other vital sectors has contributed a lot in the industrial sector and generating more employment opportunities to the youth. He said that there is a need of more simplification of rules, regulations and procedures so that maximum number of people are brought within the ambit of banking facilities.

Earlier the Chairman of the Bank, Mr. M. Y. Khan highlighted the achievements registered by the bank in the past five years. He said the business turnover of the bank has registered unparalleled increase. This year would witness increase of about 25 per cent in the business turn-over the past year. The number of computerized bank branches which was only 30 some five years back has now touched 216 and by year end it will go upto to 250. Eighty percent of business of the bank is now covered by computerized branches. The number of ATM machines installed by the bank has gone upto 29 and by the year end it would go upto 50, he said. Telebanking facility, he said is now available in 22 branches.

He said the profit of the bank which was only Rs. 18 crore only some years back have now touched Rs. 167 crores last year. During the first six months of current financial year profit of Rs. 110 was recorded. The measures taken by the bank in promotional activities and for the welfare of employees were also highlighted by the Chairman.

Earlier the Finance Minister inaugurated Automated Teller Machine-ATM at the Civil Secretariat branch of J&K Bank. The machine, the Minister was told will work round the clock. The Chairman of the Bank and senior officers of the Bank were also present on the occasion.

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