"Turning the Tide" released
Information Department organises Photo exhibition

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Oct.24:- The Minister for Industries and Commerce, Dr,Mustafa Kamal has today said that the State has witnessed an era of multi-dimensional achievements in different sector of development during the last five years despite proxy war launched by Pakistan to destabilize the socio-economic structure on the name of Jehad.

Speaking at a function after inaugurating a photo exhibition "Rebuilding Jammu and Kashmir" organised by the State Information Department at Sher-I-Kashmir Bhawan here today, Dr. Kamal said that at the time when the popular government assumed power in 1996 the entire development process of the state had come to a grinding halt and environment of chaos, uncertainty, agony and helplessness had overpowered the people of the State and every day looked like a dooms day and every night was full of agony, pain and sorrow. The democratic institutions had lost their sanctity, the economy was totally shattered , the administration had come to a stand still, rule of law was distant cry and the development process existed no where.

Dr. Mustafa Kamal while referring to the ill effects of draconian militancy said that even the senior political experts were doubtful whether any government could ever restore order and rule of law in that situation saying that Pakistan and its sponsored militants would never allow it to continue for long . Such was the ground situation prevailing in the State at that time, the Minister added. Dr.Kamal said that this draconian scenario has now become a thing of the past and an era of development has dawned in the State with coming of the popular government headed by Dr.Farooq Abdullah in power.

Dr.Mustafa Kamal while referring to the cross border terrorism unleashed by Pakistan said that sufficient blood has been spilled of the innocent people of the State and they can not tolerate more bloodshed on the name of Jehad. He said there is an urgent need of retaliation on the militancy centres of Pakistan on the pattern of USA which has pledged to eliminate terrorism from the global map.

The Minister while referring to the new era of the development in the State stressed upon the Union Government for providing inputs for over all progress. He said the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi had seen a ray of hope in Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah at the time of partition when entire Indian subcontinent was burning in the flames of communal frenzy and hatred. The sacrifices made by the people of the State during partition of the country can never be forgotten by the country, he added. He said that the developmental achievements could only be accomplished through active cooperation of the people and the administration.

The Minister complimented the State Information Department for its indefatigable efforts under the guidance of its Director Mr. K.B.Jandial to disseminate the message of development to the people at the grass root level. He said without active and selfless spirit of working this could not have been possible.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister for Information, Mr. Ajatshatru Singh said that the Department of Information is a bridge between the government and the people saying that it has to play a pivotal role in mobilizing public opinion about the government. He said that the State has made tremendous achievements in different sectors of development The Minister while referring to the Pak sponsored militancy said that now the over all situation in Kashmir has appreciably improved as a result of coordinated and sustained efforts of the security forces, J&K Police and the people cooperation. The political activities has also picked up and the environment is fast returning to normalcy.

Expressing his satisfaction over the functioning of Information Department the Minister complimented the officers and employees for their dedicated efforts for propagating the image of the government. He underlined the need for further improving the pace of functioning.

The Director of Information, Mr. K.B.Jandial in his vote of thanks said that the nature of functioning of this department is different from that of other departments. He said that the Information Department has sacrificed as many as nine of its officers and employees while on duty during last 12 years of militancy in the State. Despite a number of difficulties, the department has always shown good results on all the fronts and has fearlessly projected the image of the government in even in crucial times. He suggested the government to provide required incentives for further bettering the functioning of the department.

On the occasion Dr.Mustafa Kamal also released the book " Jammu and Kashmir Turning the Tide" . The 271-page book having 7 sections elaborately describes Saga of transformation during last 5 years in the State.

The Photo exhibition had 60 panels and about 300 photos of development process in different region of the State during last five years. The exhibition was visited by number of people.

Construction of lanes, drains in Janipur demanded

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 24: Samajwadi Party vice-president Syed Jameel Shah has demanded execution of work of drains and lanes in Basant Nagar and Janipur area.

As per a release, Mr Syeed while touring the area discussed the problems of the residents being faced at present. They alleged that there is no safai Karamchari and nobody lifts garbage from the lanes. Unhygienic conditions are prevailing and the mosquitoes are breeding there. The area is also facing acute water shortage and unscheduled power curtailment.

Gandhi Nagar residents resent poor telephone service

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 24: The inhabitants of Gandhi Nagar locality have been facing many problems due to some technical fault in the telephone lines for the last more than 10 days but none from the Bhartiya Sanchar Nigam Limited despite repeated complaints hascome forward to improve the functioning of telephone lines of locality.

According to a delegation of inhabitants of Gandhi Nagar which visited EXCELSIOR office today, sometime disturbances start in the telephone lines and both the persons on ends of the lines can not hear each other’s voice clearly.

"Usually the lines suddenly get disconnected after giving two or three rings", they said, adding "even after repeated attempts of dialing the numbers can not be reached resulting into we are made to wait sometimes upto half an hour".

The delegation further said that sometime after dialing the number consumers hear nothing other than sound of winds. "We have been confronting with this problems for the last 10 days but none came from the BSNL to listen or mitigate our grievences", the inhabitants said, adding "it seems that senior authorities of BSNL are here only to make tall claims instead of performing duties effectively".

They questioned as to what is the fun of installing customer service cell in Gandhi Nagar Exchange when we are even deprived of smooth facilities of telecommunication. "For dialing one number we have to make attempt for 5 to 10 times", they alleged and said that "sometimes we can not convey emergency message to our relatives due to poor service in this locality".

Not only Gandhi Nagar, even some other localities like Trikuta Nagar and others surrounding Jammu Railway Station are facing similar problems.

Despite repeated attempts no senior officers of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, J&K Circle, Jammu was available for comments in this regard.

Activists of NC, BSP, BJP, Cong join NPP

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 24: Several leaders and activists of National Conference, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), BJP and Congress of Dhamma and Jansal Panchayats of Majalta Block today resigned from their respective parties and joined J&K National Panthers Party at a function held at Garh Dhamma in the presence of MLA Mr Harsh Dev Singh.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Harsh Dev Singh hailed the entry of new comers into the party. He urged the Panchayats to remain in touchwith the general masses and work hard for ameliorating their lot. He said that Panchayats should be equipped with sufficient powers to deal with local issues at village level itself.

He announced that Bharnara-Lella-Jansal road had been processed for NABARD funding and would be constructed on priority as and when the funds become available from the said agency. He announced the release of Rs 0.80 lakhs out of his discretionary grant of constituency development fund for the construction of additional accomodation for Middle School Dhamma.

He called upon the PHE Department to ensure regular drinking water to Pagyal hamlet in Dhamma and urged the Government to ensure immediate provision of seed and fertilizer for the farmers as delay in the supply of same was adversely affecting the crop production.

Those who joined NPP included Messrs Karan Singh, Sham Lal, Madan Lal, Paras Ram, Mohinder Lal, Tara Chand, Dharam Singh, Prem Chand, Salam Din, Soka Ram, Prem Singh, Partap Singh, Kewal Gupta, Sagar Singh, Romal Singh, Sandokhu Ram, Lal Din, Ashok Kumar, Suresh Sharma, Dhani Ram, Gian Chand, Thakur Dass, Uttam Singh, Madan Singh, Shanker Singh and Pitamber Lal.

K.oil dealers apprehend harassment, demand quota

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 24: Kerosene Oil Dealers Association members have apprehended harassment and victimisation at the hands of Director Food and Supplies and demanded regular release of quota to the genuine dealers.

According to a release, this apprehension emerged after a four member delegation of the Association led by its senior vice-president met the Sat Paul Jain, which had gone to the director, was allegedly misbehaved by the officer who not only used unparliamentary language but also sought to rough up the deputation with the help of some outsiders.

They further alleged that instead of listening to the genuine grievances and problems of the members, the officer threatened them of dire consequences. Not only this, the Director also used filthy words for Minister concerned when the Association members claimed to approach the Minister.

The members had gone to meet the Director F&S, Jammu on Wednesday to request him to ensure regular supply of kerosene oil quota to the genuine dealers. They also complained about the increasing demand of illegal commission by the concerned F&S inspectors during the supply of each consignment to the dealers. This issue annoyed much to the Director.

They said in view of the recent raids, the harassment from police authorities has also increased and keeping in view the demand of kerosene and the present situation in view of police raids on several points of black-marketeers and diesel-petrol mixing racketeers, they are apprehending more problem ahead. The Association members sought immediate intervention of the Minister concerned into the matter.

Congmen flay Qureshi for remarks against Azad

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 24: Pradesh Congress leaders sharply reacted to the recent utterances of Mr Mohd Shafi Qureshi president PCC against AICC general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad and loyal state Congress leaders.

In a joint press statement issued here today, the leaders pointed out that Mr Qureshi has no moral right to harm the integrity of those party leaders who remained loyal to the Party throughout their life. They said Mr Qureshi himself was Governor when Congress was fighting against National Conference and BJP in Assembly elections here. He himself knows better in what circumstances he left the party for personal interest and became Governor.

They pointed out that Mr Qureshi has been residing out of the state for the last about two decades and do not have mass base here. It is surprising and rather shocking that Mr Qureshi is pin pointing those leaders of the Party who remained loyal to the Party and never mislead it for their petty personal interests. Such acts on the part

senior leader like Mr Qureshi will only weaken the party and he should abstain from such utterances against senior party leaders and other loyalists. They sought immediate intervention of Party president Mrs Sonia Gandhi and installation of non-controversial PCC president.

Prominent among the signatories to the statement are—Vinod Sharma, Jugal Mahajan, Hans Raj Bhagat, Ghulam Mohd Saroori, Narinder Sharma, Shashi Manhas, Om Parkash, Mangal Sharma, Sarabjit Singh, Prem Lata Bakshi, Dilshada Begum, Sukhdev Singh, Balwinder Singh Sambyal, Subhash Billowria, K D Singh, Rashpal Singh Saini, Kewel Krishan Bhagat, Rakesh Sharma, Sunil Anand and Santosh Manhas.

Sani supervisors of Municipality elect body

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 24: Sanitary Supervisors of Jammu Municipality in a meeting discussed the unpleasant situation created recently by outgoing president of the Union Mr Ramesh Gill and dissolved the existing unit, under the chairmanship of Mr Krishan Gill.

As per a release the new office bearers elected unanimously included Messrs Krishan Gill, Chairman, Vijay Kumar as vice chairman, David Mattoo as president, Balbir Singh, Surjit Singh and Kewal Anand as senior vice presidents, Ravi Sharma, Pawan, Rakesh Kumar and Vivek Kumar as vice presidents, Dev Anand Gill and Akshay Kumar as general secretaries, Suresh Sethi and Shadi Lal as deputy general secretaries, Shanker, Yousaf Sotra, Ravi Sotra and Bansi Lal as secretaries, Manzoor Ahmed and Loku Ram as joint secretaries, Hallery Sotra and Frances Teji as office secretaries and Buti Ram and Karam Singh as cashiers.

Misra demands removal of Qureshi

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 24: Congress activists from Vijaypur, Samba and Parmandal blocks have outrightly rejected the newly formed PCC on the behest of new president Mr Mohammed Shafi Qureshi.

In an emergency meeting of these three blocks held here today under the leadership of Mr Vinod Misra former secretary Pradesh Congress Committee, the members strongly criticised the Mr Qureshi demanded his immediate removal.

Mr Misra said the majority of the members including Mr Qureshi have no mass base and public support.

The meeting was attended by Messrs Sukhdev Choudhary, Babal Gupta, Raghubir Sharma, Satya Bhushan, Arun Sharma, Ramanand Sharma, Tirath Bhagat, Rakesh Chalotra, Prabhu Singh, Narinder Singh, Bodh Raj, Dr Chajju Ram, Anchal Singh, Krishan Singh, Subash Kumar, Bal Krishan Thapa, Dwarika Nath, Dalip Singh, Anwar Choudhary and Ch. Farid Mohammed.

BSP condemns Govt for anti-SC policies

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 24: Apex committee meeting of Bahujan Samaj Party held under the presidentship of Sheikh Abdul Rehman condemned the State Government led by National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah for its anti-scheduled, scheduled Tribe and Backward classes policies.

As per a release the BSP demanded reservation to SC and ST communities as per strength of population at district and division levels. The state unit of BSP also demanded 27 percent reservation for socially and educationally backward classes on the basis of caste as per recommendations of B P Mandal Commission duly upheld by the Supreme Court of India and demanded exclusion of self-created artificial backward classes under the guise of ALC and RBA from the category of socially and educationally backward classes as contained in SRO 126 of 1994 and also demanded reconstitution of J&K State Commission for Backward Classes with due representation to Backward Classes an that the chairman of the said Commission must be from amongst Backward Caste.

The BSP also demanded political reservation to Scheduled Tribes in J&K State, Reservation to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes at District and Division Level in proportionate to their population at respective levels, 27 percent reservation for socially and educationally backward classes on the basis of caste by implementing recommendations of Mandal Commission in toto.

Others present were Messrs Som Nath MLA, Pawan Manni Advocate, Roop Lal Advocate, Manjeet Singh, Pritam Pangatia and Chaman Lal.

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