CM visits LJHP, inspects damaged site
Farooq asks engineers to have power project
repaired early

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Apr 9 : Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today visited the Lower Jhelum Hydel Project (LJHP) at Gantmulla, Baramulla to inspect the damage recently suffered by fore-bay of the project affecting power generation. He was accompanied by the Works Minister, Mr. Ali Muhammad Sagar.

Dr. Abdullah inspected the damaged spot and asked the officials of the power development department to prepare a project report for repair and renovation of the LJHP and ensure the work is executed within a stipulated time. He instructed them not to go for temporary restoration but have permanent repairs done. He asked them to ensure de-silting of the bay simultaneously and expressed himself against the work not having been done during winter when the water discharge and power generation was very low. He said doing the job now when water discharge was high and generation could be more, would only mean loss to exchequer.

The Chief Minister was briefed about the damage to the power project. He was told that 7 out of 10 pillars of the fore-bay were damaged. The restoration work had already started, he was informed. The central water commission is preparing a report for the repair of the fore-bay.

Dr Abdullah later dropped by the Jawahar Navodayala, Shahqoot and interacted with students and teachers there. He was apprised of the problems like lack of sufficient accommodation, poor road communication and scarcity of drinking water confronting the students and the staff of the school. He asked the Works Minister to look into the problems and have these sorted out. About the reconstruction of the gutted school building, he said the matter would be taken up with the Union Human Resource Development Minister.

The Chief Minister lauded the students of the school for their good performance in competitive examinations and called upon them to work harder for achieving higher success. He said the purpose of establishing such schools in rural areas was to provide better education to students from the poorest sections of the society. He asked students to be honest, truthful and punctual which, he said, were pre-requisite for a successful life.

KPs say conditions not conducive for return,
hail Pallone’s statement

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 9: All Kashmiri Pandit Solidarity Conference (AKPSC) in its meeting presided by Mr O N Trisal discussed the political and security scenario prevailing in the state and the country.

As per a release, the members expressed serious concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the State. It lauded timely statement of influential US Congressmen, Frank Pallone of Democratic Party who in his letter to Prime Minister, Mr Vajpayee has urged him to redress the grievances of Kashmiri Pandits and make this issue as a main part of his socio economic agenda during his visit to the Valley.

Further the members said that the Pallone expressed that it was high crucial that the concerns of the Pandits be an important part of the Prime Minister’s agenda.

Executive while appreciated the clear thinking of Mr Pallone who said the Islamic terrorists are promoting and furthering the ethnic cleansing of KPs.

The meeting said that AKPSC has often characterized this Government as anti KPs and this has been clearly stated by Mr Pallone when he says the living conditions in the camps have stripped the Pandits of the basic dignity that should have been provided to all human beings.

It said that Executive has been clamoring over these years that KPs are living in sub human conditions but no one paid heed to this.

The meeting said in all seven lakh KPs have left the Valley so far and Mr Pallone has rightly asked the Prime Minister to reorganise the state with union territories along with KP homeland.

The meeting said AKPSC has been saying that KPs need a homogenous, compact and comprehensive territory with all its constitutional and security mechanism.It expressed satisfaction that the international community is realising by and by what KPs had to face and what is their plight now.

Those who addressed the meeting include Messrs H L Bindroo, M K Kaul, T K Kaul, S K Tickoo, Ashok Mota, Rajni Bhat, M L Mahaldar, P L Aima and Usha Bhat.

Meanwhile the All India Kashmiri Samaj Displaced Kashmiris Action Committee (AIKSDKAC) in a meeting held under the chairmanship of Mr D N Bhat its vice president discussed the issues confronting the displaced community.

It lauded the role of majority of Kashmiri Pandits who refrained from the socalled new initiative on return of the community to the Valley.

The meeting said such initiative are premature and counter productive at this stage when the political and social scenario in the Valley has not changed as the separatists and fundamentalists have not been neutralized.

The meeting asked the community members to be vigilant from the vested interests within the community who always prefer self projection by such initiatives.

The leaders also urged the community members to enlist their voters in the voter lists which have been notified by the Chief Electoral Officer.

Kovind criticises Cong, other political parties

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Apr 9: The Udhampur district unit of BJP organised a high level party conference which was attended by a large number of party workers and pro-BJP Sarpanchs drawn from 45 Panchayat segments of the district. Mr Ram Nath Kovind, All India president of Scheduled Caste wing of BJP was the chief guest, who was accompanied by Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, Union Minister of State for Food Processing.

As per a release while addressing Mr Kovind strongly criticised the Congress and other political parties for launching a villifying campaign against BJP to tarnish its image among the people and to further the political interests in the coming Parliamentary elections.

Accusing these parties of having done nothing, he said the leaders of these parties have exploited the scheduled caste people since the day of independence and these people continue to be used as their vote bank, while these parties did nothing for their upliftment during all these 50 years.

He divulged that during Congress rule only 30 percent people belonging to SC categories were educationally sound got the benefit of reservation in recruitment whereas the remaining 70 percent were badly neglected.

Mr Kovind added that since the BJP-led Government has come to the fore the policy with regard to development of Scheduled Castes has marked a big change as BJP has started taking the lower rungs of SCs in respect of development into confidence and more poverty stricken Scheduled Castes are being accorded priority with regard to recruitment in Government jobs. The BJP has even lifted the ban of the Supreme Court imposed on departmental promotions and now reservation has been imposed on departmental promotions also.

In addition to this the BJP Government has also taken a number of strides to provide Scheduled Castes with required infrastructure in health, sanitation, electricity and communication and provided allocations through Rural Development Sector to implement these programmes.

Mr Kovind stated that since most of the SCs reside in rural area and in order to improve their living conditions, all the habitation areas are being connected with viable road network under the Prime Minister’s ‘Sadak Nirman Yojna’. He exhorted the workers and Sarpanchs to gear up their activities to bring awareness among the masses about programmes and policies of the BJP and thus neutralise the villifying campaign of Congress and other political parties.

Others who addressed included Messrs Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, Shiv Charan Gupta and Chajju Ram Shastri as also various other party leaders having come from remote and far flung areas.

Sanitation drive in Katra

Excelsior Correspondent

KATRA, Apr 9 : The Administrator Notified Area Committee Katra, Mr. R.C. Sharma convened a meeting of prominent citizens of the town here yesterday. The meeting discussed to give face lift in the town on the occasion of Chaitru Navratars and further improvement in the existing civic amenities being provided.

The Administrator, revealed in the meeting that a sanitation fortnight drive has been launched by the Notified Area Committee keeping in view of the rush of pilgrims expected during the coming days. So far on Panthal road large scale garbage has been lifted and choked drains cleared by removing filth, thousand plastic bags and other waste material. An anti-encroachment drive have also been started to remove congestion for the facilities of visiting pilgrims as well as locals.

He further disclosed that a grievance cell shall start functioning in his office within days which will redress and register complaints.

In the meeting citizens suggested and projected demands which include maintenance of birth and death record through computerized system, construction and repair of lanes and drains through proper planning. They assured full cooperation for the development of the town.

Earlier the Administrator alongwith Additional SP Katra visited the number of places for identification of land required for the creation of idle parking of vehicles in the town.

Sadhotra calls for maintaining brotherhood,
communal harmony

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 9: The Minister of State for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Mr Ajay Sadhotra has called upon the people to endorse the values of secularism taught by saints and seers which has helped us to emerge as a society based on mutual brotherhood and tolerance.

The Minister was addressing a religious congregation organised by Guru Ravi Dass Sat Sangh Society at Jaswan in Marh block to commemorate Guru Ravi Dass on his 625th birth anniversary.

He said that there was an impending need to revive and re-educate ourselves with these values to regain the past glory of India.

Regretting the incidents of communal violence in some parts of the country, he said no religion teaches hatred and all human beings are equal before god. He said the events that took place in Gujarat has greatly effected our reputation as a secular country. He said that there was a need for close introspection so that we can look into the evils of communalism and its repercussions. He said lack of education was major stumbling block in our march towards peace and prosperity.

Underlining the importance of education, he said ignorance was a curse which gives rise to such evils. He stressed for initiating a sustained campaign against communalism by way of educating young generation particularly women folk.

Responding to the local demands, the Minister said that the present government was trying its best to ameliorate the problems to maximum extent.

Plus 2 lecturers demand early polls for Forum

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 9: In a meeting held here today, the Plus 2 Lecturers underlined the need of immediate reconstitution of J&K Plus 2 Lecturers Forum and expressed their full faith in the election commission headed by Mr Ghani Sham Sharma.

As per a release the meeting was chaired by Mr H D Qureshi, former general secretary of the Forum. The speakers expressed their views on various issues confronting the lecturers’ community and all were unanimous on the opinion that delay in holding election of the Forum will further deteriorate the already vexed problems of the Plus Two community.

The speakers also expressed concern over delay in regularisation of left out in-charge lecturers in accordance with the existing orders of one third of total strength of lecturers, promotion of senior lecturers on vacant post of Principals and implementation of reservation rules for the reserve categories.

The meeting was attended by Messrs Yash Paul Sharma, Deedar Singh, Nirmal Choudhary, S Harbans Singh, Subash Puri, Kali Dass, Dr Satvir Gupta, Bashir Dar, Rapheal Prem Nath, Charan Dass, S Budhi Singh, Vidya Sagar Sharma, Vijay Sehgal, M L Vaid and D D Sharma.

Pradesh Vishwakarma Sabha holds meet

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 9: A general body meeting of Pradesh Vishwakarma Sabha was held on Sunday at Shakti Nagar temple under the presidentship of Mr K C Raina, in which members from Rajouri, Nowshera, Doda, Udhampur, Kathua, Jammu and Srinagar participated.

As per a release at the outset the meeting observed silence to condole the sad demise of Mr Paras Ram, a member of Sabha. The agenda of the meeting was streamlining the management of Vishwakarma temples in the State, raising of funds for Sabha and formation of working committee.

Mr Madan Lal Chalotra appreciated the initiative of Sabha of fighting for its cause. Rakesh Chargotra said 27 percent reservation is legitimate right of backward classes, we should fight tooth and nail for achieving the goal. Mr Hari Chand stressed the need for unity in Sabha in every sphere.

Mr Nazar from Srinagar said much time has been wasted with a hope that the Government would provide us the basic rights. Mr Kali Dass stressed the need of mass awakening amongst the depressed classes and also counted the initiatives taken in this regard. Jaswant Rai of Kathua also spoke.

Sabha members present on the occasion nominated the working committee of the Sabha and decided to raise funds by applying different ways and means.

Others who expressed their views in the meeting included Messrs R C Angotra, K C Verma, Mangal Dass, Nagarmal, Prithvi Raj Khokhar, Jia Lal, Lakhpal Rai, Radhey Sham, Ramesh Chander, Sham Lal, Mohan Lal, Tara Chand, G L Chanda, Rattan Lal, Saije Ram and Chuni Lal.

Arnas killing widely condemned

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 9: Various social and political organisations have condemned the killing of seven persons in village Dhandli in Arnas block of Mahore tehsil.

Vishav Hindu Parishad today expressed shock and grief over the killing of seven Hindus in terrorists’ attack at village Dandli village in Arnas block of Mahore tehsil. The VHP leaders held the State Government responsible for the carnage.

Jammu and Kashmir Freedom Movement has condemned the brutal massacre of VDC members and their families in Arnas. Mohammad Sharif Sartaz, general secretary of the Movement termed the incident as inhuman and shameful act.

Jammu Central Brahaman while condemning the act, described these strikes as a proof of security lapse and intelligence failure.

Mahatma Gandhi Forum also expressed shock over the incident and said that Government should keep vigil over the disruptive elements who want to vicitate the otherwise peaceful atmoshpere.

Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) also condemned the killings of Hindus and asked the Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah to resign on moral grounds.

Kul Hind Nove Soan Kashmir Front held intelligence and security forces failure responsible for the carnage.

Senior Congress leader and MLA Nowshera Mr R S Sharma condemned the killings of peace loving citizens in Arnas and said that the terrorists even didn’t spare innocent children and womenfolk.

Bar Association Udhampur has also condemned the killing and urged the administration to reinforce the area with additional security forces.

Thakur Gulchain Singh Charak, president Dogra Sadar Sabha and vice-president JK PCC condemned the massacre of innocent persons and said that it was only due to the inadequate security that the massacre took place.

District Youth Congress (Jammu) also condemned the killing of Hindus in Arnas block and held the State Government responsible for such carnages.

Mrs Vijay Chib, provincial president of Panthers Party condemned the killing of innocent people in Arnas and held Dr Farooq Government responsible for increase in massacre of innocent people.

Fashion Exhibition organised

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, April 9: Two young talented and beautiful women in an enterprising venture, Ms Pooja Kochhar & Ms Rubal Sood organised an exhibition at 28 D/C Gandhinagar of ladies suits, a marvelous collection of fabrics, Crochet shoes and block print suits.

The exhibition enabled the ladies to catch a glimpse of the fashion world outside Jammu & take a stock of the latest developments taking place around the country in the world of fashion. Most of the suits displayed have been designed by Madhu Sud, Auroma, the Boutique, Amritsar.

This exhibition displayed a lot of variety in ladies suits including hand painted suits, block print suits, embroidered suits in various fabrics like crepes, cottons, voils, georgette, south cotton, Chanderi, crushed crepes, crushed cotton.

The suits are of latest trends having shirts with trousers, salwars, churidars, flairs etc. This two-day exhibition will conclude on April 10 (Wednesday).

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