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Poonch 12 Pak intruders gunned down on IB in Ramgarh Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 21: Alert Border Security Force jawans thwarted a major infiltration bid from Pakistani side in Ramgarh sector of Samba......more AC
Revenue, others Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 21: Vigilance organization Jammu after conducting preliminary enquiry in a case of land grabbing measuring 14 kanals and 17 marlas at Chhani Rama (Trikuta Nagar).......more Campaign
begins Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 21: The celebrations of National Land Resources Conservation Week was launched.....more NC
fulfilled promises Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 21: Former Minister and Provincial president of the National Conference for Jammu Mr Bodh Raj.....more Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 21: The Newborn Week, organised by the Department of Paediatrics, Government.......more |
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Workshop
on empowerment Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Nov 21: A three-day workshop on empowerment of teachers for quality of education started in Vivekanand College of Education.....more Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 21: National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Dulhasti Hydro Electric Project organised a road show at Town Hall Udhampur today.....more Government’s
role on Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 21: The Working Committee Evacuees Property Tenants Welfare Society in a meeting held under the chairmanship of Mr Banarsi Dass Angral.......more Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 21: Mr Ram Sahai , president Chamber of Commerce and Industry hailed the efforts of Commissioner Sales Tax, Mr A R Mubarki for organising training cum awareness programme about the Value Added Tax (VAT) System to be implemented in J&K.............more |
3 ultras killed, jawan injured in
Poonch Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 21: Alert Border Security Force jawans thwarted a major infiltration bid from Pakistani side in Ramgarh sector of Samba and gunned down 12 intruders during early hour today while three militants were killed during encounter with security forces in Poonch sector today. A senior BSF official said that a night patrol at Nanga border post in Ramgarh sub sector of Samba, noticed the movement of some infiltrators from the Pakistani side on the international border at around 1.30 am today and laid a trap. As soon as the Pak intruders came under firing range, they were challenged and asked to surrender. The intruders did not respond to the warnings and started running towards Pakistani side. The BSF men opened firing and gunned down eight of them on the spot. Some of them, however, managed to cross over to that side taking advantage of darkness and bushes. Some Pakistani currency and a diary containing telephone numbers of Sialkot was recovered from their possession. Again, at around 3.15 AM, another BSF party observed movement of intruders from Pakistani side at an adjoining BOP near Nanga and resorted to firing after issuing warning. Another massive infiltration attempt was foiled with the killing of four more intruders. The bodies were later handed over to local police. Meanwhile, a top militant was eliminated by security forces Lower Tippa area of Dara Sangla in Poonch sector during fierce gun-battle today. One AK—56, 4 magazines, one hand grenade and some ammunition was recovered from the slain ultra. A jawan of 25 RR was also injured during encounter and was hospitalised. In yet another encounter in Khanetar area of Mendhar, two more militants trapped since yesterday were shot dead this morning in a joint operation by Army and STF of J&K police. One of the slain terrorist has been identified as Abu Talib of Pakistan. The second could not be identified. One AK-56 rifle, 4 magazines, a wireless set, one pistol, 70 rounds, one IED box were recovered from the encounter site. A report from Doda said that SPO, Ejaz Ahmed of Patnazi in Kishtwar, who had escaped with service weapon from a police post in the same area, was killed during encounter with security forces today. The deserted SPO was actually a surrendered militant who after serving with security forces some time had re-joined militancy. The police and army for looking for him for the last several months. Last night when he came to see his family at Patnazi village, the troops received information and surrounded the house. The militant tried to escape after firing on the security force men but was killed during exchange of fire. |
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AC Revenue, others in Vigilance net Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 21: Vigilance organization Jammu after conducting preliminary enquiry in a case of land grabbing measuring 14 kanals and 17 marlas at Chhani Rama (Trikuta Nagar) has booked the then Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Mr Ganga Dutt Bhagat, the Naib Tehsildar Settlement Jammu, Messrs Shanti Saroop Gupta, Patwari Halqa Kulwant Singh and Girdawar, Manohar Singh. This land was already acquired by the State and was transferred to Housing Board/JDA in 1971 and the allottees were paid one third of the land for compensation. This land was allotted on the name of Tirath Kumar Bhagat sole Trustee of Shiv Shakti Sai Sat Guru Kabir Welfare Trust Tallab Tillo, Jammu and conferred ownership right of the land upon the Trust illegally with ulterior motives by way of attesting mutations in gross violation of rules. According to an FIR complaint lodged by one Subash Chander of Channi Himmat it was alleged that the accused has sold a piece of land to the complainant under a sale deed which was got registered in favour of the complainant on November 1999. On the receipt of the complainant a preliminary enquiry was conducted. During the inquiry it has transpired that land measuring 43 kanals and 19 marlas comprising of Khasra No 1-17 min and 18 min of village Channi Rama was acquired in favour of state vide mutation number 121 under the big landed State Abolition Act. Afterwards the said land was acquired by Housing Board/JDA in the year 1971 and the allottees were paid their share. The then Collector Agrarian reforms (ACR Jammu) in connivance with concerned functionaries with ulterior motives, malafide intentions. The ACR without any authority reopened the already settled issue and by abuse of his position conferred ownership rights of this land measuring 43 kanals and 19 marlas upon Mohinder Lal and others. The ACR by manipulation of the factual position ignored the Jama Bandi entries. It was further revealed that on December 16, 1993 the said Naib Tehsildar Settlement Jammu in connivance with patwari and girdawar of halqa Channi Rama in furtherance of criminal conspiracy with Tirath Kumar Bhagat sole trustee of Trust conferred ownership rights of land measuring 14 kanals and 17 marlas. It was further revealed that Tirath Kumar Bhagat in gross violation of existing rules received an amount of Rs 50,000 and sold the land to the complainant which was actually a government land. In the complaint it was alleged that being custodian of the revenue record the revenue officials were knowing about the facts that the said land was acquired by the Collector Land Acquisition Jammu in 1971 for Housing Board/JDA and the compensation of this land was paid to the owners and allottees has hatched the criminal conspiracy with Tirath Ram Bhagat and attested the mutation measuring 14 kanals 17 marlas. |
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Campaign begins to celebrate conservation week Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 21: The celebrations of National Land Resources Conservation Week was launched by J&K State Land Use Board today after holding a quiz programme at Blooming Dale Public High School, Nanak Nagar, Sector 8. The theme of the programme was "Our land, our future". Ch Piara Singh, MLA who was the chief guest on the occasion highlighted the issue of soil , water and air pollution. He stressed that the children must inculcate in them the spirit of community participation in organising tree plantation programme, sanitation and proper utilisation of land resources. He said that with the rapid growth of population, the availability of fresh water and clean air have become a casualty and these must be conserved and developed through individual and collective efforts. The first prize in the quiz was won by Water team led by Master Akash, the second prize by Air team led by Master Pankaj and the third prize was won by a team led by Pooja Chouhan. The shields were distributed among the teams. The programme was chaired by Ms Vinod Bala Sharma, Joint Director while Mr Hamant Choudhary spoke at length on the theme and slogan and the awareness campaign. |
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NC fulfilled promises made with public: Bali Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 21: Former Minister and Provincial president of the National Conference for Jammu Mr Bodh Raj Bali has claimed the NC has fulfilled all the promises made with the people of the State. Addressing Panches, Sarpanches and the Party workers at the NC headquarters here today he stressed for the management training and education to the Panchayat members so that they can be able to well understand their role and duty towards public. Reacting sharply to the propaganda unleashed by some leaders against the Chief Minister and the Party Mr Bali said these so called leaders do not believe in democracy. NC is an elected Government and it knows how to honour the aspirations of the people. He also appealed the party workers to carry on the agenda of the party with dedication and educate the people about the achievements and works of the ruling party. Referring to the revision of electoral lists Mr Bali informed that NC has demanded intensive revision instead of summary revision and after intensive revision, the lists should be printed and published in three regional languages that is Hindi, Urdu and English. Meanwhile, the Provincial Committee members in a condolence meeting held here today condoled the sad demise of Block president Hiranagar of the Party Mr Chuni Lal Khajuria hailing from Sallan. The members paid rich tributes to the departed soul and observed two minutes silence in her honour. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 21: The Newborn Week, organised by the Department of Paediatrics, Government Medical College, concluded here today. The Minister for Health and Medical Education. Mian Altaf Ahmad, who was the chief guest at valedictory function at SMGS Hospital, reiterated the Government’s firm resolve to take effective steps for providing adequate medicare to mother and child. He said, among other things, a drive has been launched crash courses to train mid-wives and anganwadi workers to upgrade their skill. The Minister impressed upon the doctors to work with dedication and serve the people especially in the rural areas as well. They must create awareness among the masses about both preventive and promotive aspects of health services in the State. He appreciated that Newborn Week has been arranged by the Paediatric Department to make people aware about the healthcare of newly born. All the information about safe delivery, medicare of new born should be imparted particularly in rural areas. The Principal Secretary Health and Medical Education, Mr H L Kadlabju emphasised the importance of prompt and adequate management of the newborns. The Principal, GMC, Dr H L Goswami, stressed the need for holding neonatology awareness campaigns to focus attention on prevention and treatment of low birth weight. Prof D B Sharma, Head of Paediatric Department, gave detailed account of activities undertaken during the week for creating awareness among the people both in urban and rural areas. Prof Suraj Gupte, chairman, Scientific Committee and chief co-ordinator of Neonatal Committee said it is proposed to carry such awareness programmes in para-urban slums and rural areas. He sought massive support from agencies-official and NGOs. The function was compered by Dr Ashok Gupta and Dr A S Sasan presented vote of thanks. |
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Workshop on empowerment of teachers organized Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Nov 21: A three-day workshop on empowerment of teachers for quality of education started in Vivekanand College of Education today for Principals and teachers of selected schools and students. As per a release, Prof Mulakh Raj Chilana, Director Global Institute for Quality Education and Rewarding Life, former Professor of NCERT and Educational Advisor Govt of India was the chief guest on the occasion. He elaborated the major concerns in quality education which he stressed must be thoroughly understood by the teachers. Teachers play a key role to bring quality education in schools. Prof Chilana said modern technology should be geared to achieve the multi-faceted goals of quality education. This would require every teacher to be a counselor and every parent to be an active participant in the teaching of children. Schools must also undertake action research projects to solve their own problems, he maintained. The students at the inaugural occasion also presented a brief cultural programme including Saraswati Vandana and a welcome song. Chief Education Officer Kathua Mr Sudesh Mahajan was the chaired the programme. Principal of the College proposed the vote of thanks. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 21: National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Dulhasti Hydro Electric Project organised a road show at Town Hall Udhampur today. As per a release, the show was organised as a part of mission 2012" Power For All" to educate and make aware the masses that the power is critical infrastructure and if the country has to take the advantage of revolution in information technology and to realize its dream of becoming super power it has to turn around the power sector. Besides the Chief Engineer, Electrical Dulhasti Project, senior officers of district administration, officers from J&K Power Development Department, prominent citizens and school children participated in the road show. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Jatinder Singh, Chief Engineer apprised the audience regarding present power scenario in the country and solicited their cooperation in implementing the blue print of the power sector development prepared by Ministry of Power Suresh Prabhu and Minister of State for Power Jayawanti Mehata. The slide projections were also presented in question and answer session. The entire presentation was very interactive and lauded by the audience. Messrs A A Khan Senior Manger (E) NHPC and Mr D S Pawar ,Executive Engineer J&K PDD while speaking on the occasion stressed upon the people to make judicious use of power. |
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Government’s role on Resettlement Act assailed Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 21: The Working Committee Evacuees Property Tenants Welfare Society in a meeting held under the chairmanship of Mr Banarsi Dass Angral its president discussed the situation created due to enforcement of Resettlement Act of 1982. As per a release, the meeting which was attended by the prominent citizens and evacuees property tenants decided to evolve a joint strategy in this regard. The participants said that the act has far reaching political, constitutional, demographic and diplomatic implications and consequences and is detrimental to the security,safety and unity of the state and nation. The meeting assailed the National Conference Government terming it incapable, corrupt and opportunist which after failing on all fronts is willfully perusing this anti national agenda to befool and woo the voters of a particular community in the forthcoming assembly elections in the state. The participants were also critical over the criminal silence maintained by the Central Government whom they blamed were compromising the unity and integrity of the state. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 21: Mr Ram Sahai , president Chamber of Commerce and Industry hailed the efforts of Commissioner Sales Tax, Mr A R Mubarki for organising training cum awareness programme about the Value Added Tax (VAT) System to be implemented in J&K by year 2003. In a statement issued here today, he said the programme which is being conducted by the faculty members of National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, Government of India is very useful and educative. He said Dr Agarwal, Dr Kavita Rao and Dr Mishra who are conducting the programme are trying to make the knowledge about the VAT system quite vivid and simplified. He said yesterday a special session was arranged and attended by the representatives of different trade and industries and office bearers of Chamber of Commerce and the Industry. The faculty members explained the salient features of ideal VAT system and about the proposal structure to be implemented in the first stage. Mr Sahai said the VAT system basically means the collection of part of taxes at every stage from manufacturing to the retail outlets in which every stage would be able to recover the tax already paid by them and the balance of the sale made by them have to be deposited in the state exchequer. He said moreover there will be zero rate of taxes on exports to other countries or inter state exports, zero rate of taxes on consignment transfers and branch transfers and the system will have the threshold with a particular limit of amount which will be covered under the scheme of turn over tax. |
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No action taken against
guilty Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Nov 21: In the process of earning more money in short period the officials of the Prison Department have now indulged into misappropriation of property of Department and height of the laxity on the part of senior officers is that these ‘corrupt’ officials are not brought to book. According to highly placed sources in the Prison Department, Superintendent of the Hiranagar Jail smelling foul play ordered physical verification of stocks of the jail on August 7, 2000 vide order number 1230/32. He directed the verification officer to submitted report within days. The verification officer after two days submitted a detailed report of the stock of the prison and in his report he showed misappropriation of goods worth Rs 2 lakh. "The verification officer despite every possible efforts had failed to collect any record of items worth Rs 2 lakh", the sources said, adding "in the report he mentioned that there has been no record of goods worth Rs 2 lakh and it seems that some officials have embezzled the same". "The embezzled goods worth Rs 2 lakh included 150 quilts, 663 bed sheets, 259 blankets and 2 fans", the sources informed and said that "the said report was sent to Director General of Prison Mr S S Ali for appropriate action and further investigation in this regard but till date nothing has been done so far and the officials who had misappropriated goods worth Rs 2 lakh have not been booked. Quoting the similar incident, the sources further disclosed that when Jandi jail was handed over to Special Task Force (STF) the goods worth lakhs were also found missing and there was no record as to where the goods had gone. "At that time all the costly items were found missing and goods having less cost were intact", the sources said, adding then the report was also submitted to the senior authorities of the Prison Department for appropriate action against the guilty officials. Similar incidents were also reported from Reasi jail sometime back and from the jail goods worth lakhs were found missing having no record of their whereabouts. Sources apprehended that if senior authorities of the Prison Department would not take any action against such ‘corrupt’ officials the day is not far when these greedy officials would sell out the prison too and added that there is dire need to properly check the records and goods of each and every prison. "There is every possibility of missing of goods from different prisons particularly highly fortified Kot Bhalwal Jail", the sources said, adding such incidents in three prison show that senior authorities are not bothered about the missing of goods from prisons and are unnecessarily shielding `corrupt’ officials. They said that earlier the staff of Prison Department was indulged into swallowing money meant for providing luxuries to detenues and now they have started dwindling property of the prison by taking benefit from the laxity on the part of senior authorities. The question as to how can goods worth Rs 2 lakhs be taken out of the prison despite the tall claims of the senior authorities that proper vigil is being maintained in and around all prisons. Despite repeated attempts the Director General of Prisons Mr S S Ali could not be contacted for comments in this regard. |
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Academic standard of Silver Bells School appreciated Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 21: A colourful annual function of Silver Bells High School was celebrated at Abhinav Theatre wherein Mr Vijay Bakaya, Principal Secretary to Government, Education Department was the chief guest. This was the occasion of annual prize distribution for the entire children of Silver Bells High School at Paloura. Speaking on the occasion founder Principal of the School Mrs Vijay Lakshmi Dutta said 18 years back when she started this school at that time Paloura village was considered as a most remote village but with the grace of the God and the parents confidence this brought name and fame. It was just mere hardwork of parents, staff and management that today Silver Bells High School comes under the rank of few schools in the town which are leading at present. The annual day function was started with Saraswati Vandana by 10th class students with the request to chief guest to give permission to start 11th and 12th classes also. Later, the chief guest distributed prizes among those students who performed well in their academic activities. Arpana, Nirwin, Vashali, Aroushi, Sunil, Shruti, Simrin, Megha, Tanya, Rahul, Sagar, Sushant, Vishal, Abhimanyu, Karan, Robin, Sumeet, Shallu, Nidhi, Robin, Rishav, Rajan, Ishaan, Sharang, Pankaj, Sneha, Sunny, Robin, Pardeep, Tihksha, Barleen, Sourav, Vikas, Meenu, Sushant, Sakshu, Bipin, Nishchint, Priyanka and Adity were among others who received prizes. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Bakaya said that cultural programme and the confidence of all the students shows that how much pain taken by the shcool authorities in building the future of the students. He also appreciated the academic standard of the School. |
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SC passes strictures against NHEPC Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 21: The three judges bench of Supreme Court of India comprising Mr Justice B N Kirpal, Mr Justice N Santosh Hedge and Mr Justice Ashok Bhan in a Special Leave Petition filed by National Hydro Electric Power Corporation Limited against the judgement and order of the Division Bench of Jammu and Kashmir High Court passes on April 2, 1999 has passed strictures that it is unfortunate that a public corporation should waste money and file such fribolous litigations with this observation the Supreme Court dismissed this SLP filed by NHEPC through advocate Mr S S Upadhyaya against the judgement of the Division bench of the State High Court. This litigation has been started in the year of 1983 when the Collector Land Acquisition Reasi has passed an award for compensation of land measuring 727 kanals which was acquired for Salal project in the year of 1986 in favour of the owner of the land against the decision of the District Judge Udhampur. A writ was filed in the State High Court which was decided in the year of 1995 in favour of Collector Reasi. Against the judgement of single judge an appeal was filed in the Division Bench J&K High Court through advocate S C Gupta. The judgment of the Division Bench was passed on April 2, 1999 in favour of the claimant and against the Collector. Aggrieved by the order of the DB the NHEPC Limited has filed Special Leave Petition in the Supereme Court which was dismissed with the strictures passes by the SC against the Corporation. Advocate Jagdev Singh Manhas, SC Gupta and Advocate Ashok Mathur appeared in the SC for the respondents. |
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Govt committed to provide
best healthcare facilities Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 21: The Minister for Health and Medical Education, Mian Altaf Ahmad today said that the Government is committed to provide better medicare facilities to the people of remote areas of the State. The Minister was speaking at the inaugural function of free eye camp organised by the Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Jammu in collaboration with Viklang Chatra Trust at Community Health Centre, R.S.Pura. The Minister said that such camps, the people should be made fully aware so that they do not get frightened with the name of surgery as the eye operations are quite minor. He said that Government is committed to provide modern medical facilities in Primary Health Centres and Sub-Centres of rural areas so that they do not face any difficulty. Mian Altaf said that while officers and officials, who working with dedication and zeal in rural areas would be rewarded, would also stern action be taken against those found guilty. The Minister was informed that 120 para medical personal and 200 anganwari workers have been trained to upgrade their knowledge during current year. He was told that Border Mobile Hospital is also working in the area to extend medicare facilities to the needy. He stressed upon the people to come forward and cooperate with the medical staff to control various diseases and also help in successful launching welfare programmes taken up by the Health Department. He said that Ultra Sound machine would be soon installed in the Community Health Centre at R.S.Pura to facilitate diagnostic facilities. Earlier, MLA R.S.Pura, Mr. Ram Chand Bhagat donated an ambulance to the Community Health Centre, R.S.Pura from the Constituency Development Fund. Among others, who were present on the occasion included S. Piara Singh, Ex-MLC and senior officers of the Health Department. |
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MVD records substantial revenue increase Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 21: The Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) has registered an increase of Rs 2.26 crore in its revenue this year with collections swelling to Rs 16.58 crore upto October, against Rs 14.18 crore during corresponding period last year. This was stated at a review meeting held here today with Minister for Information and Transport, Mr. Ajatshatru Singh in the chair. The department’s revenue collection has appreciably gone up from Rs.6.50 crore in 1993-94 to Rs. 23 crore in 2000-01. During this year, the department is expecting exceeding the target of Rs 24.21 crore to touch a collection of about Rs. 25.70 crore. The meeting was told that for the first time, the Transport Department has revitalized and strengthened its flying squad to book traffic violators. To check overloading and adherence of traffic rules, three check points at Manwal, Nagrota and Railway Station have been established. The Minister emphasized the need for monitoring pollution level for which a proposal of establishing a Neptune Vehicle Fitness Test Line has been taken up with concerned quarters. The Minister also discussed various problems being faced by the employees of MVD and assured their immediate redressal. Later, the Minister also held a review meeting with the State Motor Garages Department. During the meeting it was stated that a Transport Minister’s Trophy will be introduced from first week of January next year to honour the best technicians, drivers and NGOs of the State. The Minister was informed that the department has recorded a revenue of Rs. 5 lakh from 29 auctioned vehicles, Rs. 3 lakh from unserviceable stores and Rs. 14 lakh from other auctioned vehicles. Mr. Singh was apprised of the old and non-functional vehicles in the department. The Commissioner/Secretary, Information and Transport, Mr. A. S. Sidhu was also present in the meeting. |
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Mutton, wool production on rise in Kashmir Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 21: Sheep farming plays an important role in providing livelihood to economically down trodden communities and forms an important constituent of the State’s economy. It is also vital for meeting the requirement of mutton, which is in more demand in Jammu and Kashmir than other parts of the country and for production of fine wool required to produce products like Kashmiri tweed, carpets and shawls. These products find place in the world market and serve as a good source for foreign exchange besides offering base for sustained economic profile of a large number of artisans. The Sheep Husbandry Department has been making all out efforts to improve genetic potential of the indigenous sheep population. For achieving self-sufficiency in livestock products, the Department has imported improved breeds of sheep from various countries. During 1996 alone, the Department imported 229 Corriedale (New Zealand) for this purpose. The experiments conducted on converting local sheep with Kashmir Merino have revealed that cross breed produce 2-3 times more wool of fine quality and weigh 50 to 70 per cent heavier as compared to local sheep. On the basis of these experiments, the National Commission on Agriculture has suggested that the level of exotic inheritance in Jammu and Kashmir could safely be maintained at 75 per cent. According to the present estimates, the sheep population in Kashmir Valley is 15.41 lac against 13.89 lac in 1996-97. The cross breed sheep population has gone upto 7.57 lac from 6.8 lac in 1996-97 while the goat population has risen to 3.86 lac last year against 2.82 lac in 1996-97. Following genetic improvement of the indigenous sheep and introduction of new varieties, the mutton production in the Valley has gone upto 78.79 lac kgs in 2000-01 against 71.05 lac kgs in 1996-97. To bridge the gap between the demand and the availability, the Department has taken up several measures, which include bringing the plateau regions of Pulwama and Anantnag districts under mutton production by way of cross breeding of livestock. For meeting the requirements of Corriedale rams, the Department intends to import 60 rams and 600 ewes to strengthen the sheep farms at Kewa and Zawoora. During the last year, 378 rams produced at Sheep Breeding Farms were distributed to the field organizations for further propagation. Similarly, the wool production has gone upto 22.98 lac kgs in 2000-01 from 20.98 lac kgs in 1996-97. To further augment the production of wool and mutton, a Rabbit Farm has been established at Wussan in Baramulla district. The farm is meeting the requirements of fur and skins to a great extent. To give further fillip to the Pashmina development in the State, a Pashmina Goat Farm has recently been set up at Kargil. The two Pashmina Farms in Leh having 2.40 lac pashmina producing goats produce 64,000 kgs of high quality pashmina wool annually. Efforts are also on to convert non-pashmina bearing goats found in Khalsi, Upshi and other areas of Ladakh into wooly type goats. For this purpose, an Angora Goat Farm has been established at Stakna in Leh where high quality Angora bucks are being produced for distribution in the field. There are at present 335 Sheep Extension Centres and 43 Mobile Centres in the Valley, in addition to 8 Sheep Breeding Farms and one Fodder Farm. During last year, these Extension Centres treated 4.38 lac sheep against various contiguous and non-contiguous diseases and vaccinated 9.83 lac sheep. Over 10 lac dosings and 3.39 lac dippings were also given during the same period. |
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Ramzan terms panchayat,
cooperative elections Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 21: The Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives Ch Mohammad Ramzan has said that the Government is making all out endeavours to revive and strengthen co-operative movement in the State with a view to improve the rural economy. The Minister was speaking at the concluding All India 48th Co-operative Anniversary function organized by the cooperative societies of district Udhampur, here today. The Minister said that the cooperatives play a significant role in protecting the interests of farming community. He called for diversification of business by the cooperatives for making them sustainable and profitable and asked the members to identify the business best suited to their interests. The Minister said the Government has decided that all necessary inputs relating to agriculture and allied sectors will be provided to the farmers through the cooperative societies to protect the farmers from money lenders, etc. He said the Government has already decided to distribute of kerosene and fertilizers through cooperative societies to sustain their economy and the Government will also bear expenditure on freight charges of inputs. He said only the cooperative societies can provide best possible services to the people at the gross-root level. The Minister called upon the Registrar Cooperatives to make uniform by-laws for all the cooperative societies in time with the Cooperative Act to streamline the functioning of these societies. He also asked for restoration of cooperative assets illegally occupied by some members and clearance of debts from the defaulters. The Minister said that the elections for cooperative societies and Panchayats is a land-mark achievement of the Government after 23 years. He said previously these institutions were government oriented while Dr. Farooq government has democratized these institutions in a big way. President, J&K Cooperative Union and former Minister, Mr. Mohammad Ayub Khan also addressed the function. He emphasised the need for creating more awareness about the new Cooperative Act and the role of cooperatives in transforming the socio-economic conditions of the farmers. Dr Hari Ram Sharma, Secretary, District Ex-Servicemen Consumer Store, Udhampur that every society should contribute towards upliftment of families living below the poverty line. He said that his society has adopted 3 children of disabled soldiers for providing free education to them upto 12th standard who were provided winter dress and tuition fee on the spot. He presented a cheque of Rs 12,000 as Government dividend to the Minister. The Deputy Registrar, Co-operatives, Udhampur on the occasion gave a resume of last years development activities of co-operative institution in the district. |
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Countrywide architectural
competition held Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 21: Srinagar will have a magnificent and state of the art museum on the banks of world famous Dal lake to house the rich repository of antiques of different periods of Kashmir’s glorious history. Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today inspected the models for the proposed ‘House of Heritage’ designed by reputed architects of the country. A countrywide offer had been sought for designing the blue print of the project and three entries were received. These were displayed for inspection of the CM and an expert committee constituted under Mr I M Chisti, a renowned Delhi-based Kashmiri architect. Though many offers had been received yet the number of architects was shortlisted, who would be paid honorarium in accordance with the norms and guidelines of the Council of Architecture, New Delhi. For achieving design excellence, it was decided to promote an architectural competition, as a prestigious project of such a magnitude at such a picturesque spot of international fame, is executed rarely. Work on this prestigious project will be launched on December 5 this year, the birth anniversary of Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. The Centre has released an installment of Rs two crore for the construction over a land measuring 37 kanals and seven marlas. Minister for Finance, Mr Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister for Works, Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar, Financial Commissioner, Planning and Development, Mr. K B Pillai and Principal Secretary, Education, Mr. Vijay Bakaya were present on the occasion. Dr Abdullah gave certain suggestions with regard to the layout of the complex, stressing the need for ensuring central heating and allocating safe and adequate space for precious jewellery. Director, Archives, Archaeology and Museums, Mr Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din briefed the Chief Minister about the salient features of the complex. The special features of the museum would be establishment of an exhibition area comprising sections to house jewellery, paintings, decorative art, papier machie, wood carving and latchi, daily use items made of straw and wood, copper and silver ware, Tibetan art and Serpentine stone utensils. The textiles section will include shawls and dresses, floor covering, manuscripts, numismatics, anthropology, arms and armory while the archaeological section will have adequate space for displaying stone sculptures, bronze, etc terracotta and pottery. Separate spaces for natural history and geology have also been earmarked in the proposed plan. Built in the lap of famous Shankracharya hills at Boulevard, the museum will be in a style most suited to the site, its environs and architectural heritage of Kashmir valley. Besides, the blue print for the museum is in accordance with its functional requirements. The prestigious nature of the project is obvious for being ‘House of Heritage’ having monumental capacity by its very nature touches all levels-local, regional, national and international. The complex will be fire and damp proof, designed to withstand disaster like earthquake, snowstorm as the city of Srinagar falls in the zone V of seismic map of the country. At times, due to excessive rainfall, particularly in the catchment areas, the water level rises in the lake and even crosses the Boulevard entering a portion of the land of the proposed site. Therefore, care has been taken while selecting the construction area. The buildings in the complex will have a provision for both natural and forced ventilation with arrangements for removal of air by mechanical means. The service area, corridors and passages will have maximum natural light and in case of exhibition area, the natural light will come indirectly. In view of the Valley’s cold climate and adverse effect of hard coke burning on objects inside the exhibition galleries, adequate arrangements for central heating system would be made. The museum premises will have isolated spots in the park for displaying stone sculptures to be shifted from Lal Mandi Museum Park. To save these from snow, waterproof roofing would be erected. The models would be kept for public display in Srinagar for three days. |
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