Government will appoint 3350 teachers under SSA and EGS soon: Harshdev

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Dec. 3: With an endeavour to stream-line the functioning of Education Department, the Government would soon appoint 3350 teachers under Serva Shikshya Abhiyan (SSA) and Education Guarantee Scheme(EGS) the decision was taken at an officers meeting held here today. The Minister for School Education, Mr. Harshdev Singh presided.

Addressing the officers, the Minister said that to provide standard education, basic material infrastructure is required to be built up for the emergence of disciplined society. He further said that the present government is committed to pursue a pragmatic education policy so that in the growing competitive world, out children could face the challanges with confidence and made their presence felt by the attainment of quality education.

He enjoined upon the officers, to direct all education officers to process the appointment under SSA and EGS on the pattern of Rehbre-e-Taleem Scheme which is already prevalent in the department before December 31st,2002.

He said that teachers selected under the schemes would be imparted preliminary training in the month of January next year at the block level.

Providing better accommodation facilities and ensuring community involvement under SSA Scheme, he said that village level education committee would be entrusted with the responsibility for the construction of the buildings and funds would be available to these committees. The concerned agency engaged in the construction of the buildings would be asked to speed up the work, he added.

To make these schemes result oriented, he said that teaching and learning material would also be furnished in these schools by the department as enshrined in the common minimum programme of the present Government.

The Minister expressed his satisfaction over the introduction of Dogri and Kashmiri, languages in the schools and called upon the Board of School Education (BOSE) authorities to come up with the primers in the languages of Pahari, Gojri and Punjabi so that these languages could be brought in the school curriculum.

The meeting decided that under the computerization , all the schools in the State would have computer lab and to begin with 50 per cent schools would be equipped with computer lab and other related infrastructure by the next academic year.

The Director, School Education and Secretary Education were present.

Ex-Policemen League holds meeting

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 3: A special meeting of the office bearers of Ex-Policemen League -welfare unit district Jammu, was held in the office of the League unit.

According to a press release, main agenda of the meeting was to chalk out the programme and problems to be discussed in the regular monthly meeting of the district unit scheduled to be held on December 12. In the meeting it was decided to form a committee and its members will visit the residence of the police officials who were victimised by the militants recently in Jammu district. The Committee will inquire about the difficulties being faced by the families of the deceased police officials who laid down their lives while fighting the militancy.

The meeting was presided over by Mr V I Bhasin while Messrs Anoop Singh, J L Gupta, Mohammed Saleem, B R Thapa, S S Samybal, O P Sharma and others attended the meeting.

Gujjar-Bakerwal students’ delegation calls on Prof Mattoo

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 3: A delegation of the All J&K Gujjar Bakerwal Students Federation led by Mr Khaliq Firdous Choudhary, state president today met Vice Chancellor of Jammu University, Prof Amitab Mattoo and congratulated him for his appointment as Vice-Chancellor.

According to a press release, delegation apprised him of the problems and hardship being faced by the students of Gujjar and Bakerwal communities due to step motherly treatment of the administration.

Among others who were in the delegation included Naseem Javid, Iqlakh Ahmed Choudhary, Mohammed Javid, Shakeel Choudhary, Mohammed Mushtaq, Farooq Kassana and Arshad Hussain.

Housing Minister visits Dal Lake, treatment plant

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar Dec 3: Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir today inspected manual deweeding operation, removal of encroachments on green belt around world famous Dal Lake, functioning of Bra Numbal Sewerage Plant and Ompora Housing colony, Budgam and took stock of the problems being faced by the residents of the colony in respect of drinking water, power supply and transport.

The Minister while inspecting the works under execution on Dal Lake by the department of Lakes and Waterways was told that manual deweeding operation has been started for the first time in winter months and concerned authorities were directed to continue this operation till March end next year.

Mr. Mir also inspected revival of springs on the Dal periphery and reconstruction of parks and other beautification works.

The Vice-chairman of Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LWDA) presented a list of achievements of LWDA to the Minister on this occasion.

Mr. Mir asked LWDA authorities to set up a sewage treatment plant on the periphery of Dal Lake so that the glory lost is revived.

A high level committee for granting and examining permission for constructions and issuing orders for removal of encroachments on the green belt around Dal Lake was constituted on this occasion, which will be headed by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir and its member will be Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar and Member Secretary, Additional Commissioner, Kashmir.

It was decided that land will be identified for rehabilitation of displaced persons of Dal Lake soon. Plate forms in between the houseboats will also be removed, it was decided.

Taking stock of the functioning of sewerage treatment plant, the Minister said that regular power supply will be ensured to the plant as necessary fee has already been deposited with PDD.

Later, the Minister visited Ompora Housing colony and took stock of the problems being faced by residents of the colony with respect to drinking water, power supply and transport.

The Minister issued on the spot orders for arranging water tankers for uninterrupted drinking water supply to the colony and also adequate power supply.

The concerned officers were asked to ensure all the basic facilities including medicare and other facilities to the inhabitants soon.

Panthers Party organises meet at Rajbagh

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 3: A meeting of the workers of the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party of district Kathua was held at Rajbagh. The meeting was presided over by Panthers Party chief Prof Bhim Singh. State president, Sardar Mushtaq Khan, party MLAs Faqir Nath and Yashpal Kundal also participated in the meeting.

According to a press release, while addressing the meeting, Prof Singh made it clear that it was the fore most duty of the Panthers Party- a partner in the coalition Government, to impress upon implementation of the points in the Common Minimum Programme. He said that the party is working as ‘watch dog’ to see that there is no deviation from the CMP and the people of Jammu get justice in every field of development and discrimination meted out to them are not be repeated. Mr Singh urged upon the workers to unite and work for the benefit of the people.

Prof Singh further said that district committees will be formed in such a way that representation from each corner, community and society will be safe guarded.

MLAs of the party, Messrs Faqir Nath and Yashpal Kundal pledged their full support to the people of district Kathua and said that they will work for the development and upliftment of backward areas of Kathua district also.

Anita Thakur, R S Manju, Ishwar Dass Sawhney and others also addressed the meeting.

DB passes strictures, dismisses appeal with Rs 2,000 cost

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 3: Division Bench of the State High Court comprising Chief Justice BC Patel and Justice Muzaffar Jan, has passed strictures against Managing Director J&K Sheep and Sheep Products Development Board, General Manager and Manager of the same Board, while observing that the appeal is nothing but an abuse of process of the court.

In the judgment, written by Chief Justice for the Bench, it was observed that the present appeal has been preferred by Sheep Husbandry Department and others against the order of the Single Bench dated February 19, 2002, whereby the Judge had heard the couple of matters together and recorded no finding and by indicating the precise case of each petitioner, had given a direction to consider the grievances.

"When the officers were not deciding the matter of the persons concerned, they are required to approach the court. When the court gives direction to the concerned officer to decide the mater, unfair approach is adopted by these officers by preferring an appeal", the DB held.

Government Advocate Shaista Hakim appearing for the appellants, fairly stated that the Single Judge has recorded no findings and in view of the status quo, none of the petitioners being in service, there is no adverse order against the State. The appellants are required to be considered and decide the case and have to convey the decision to the concerned respondents. The DB didn’t find any reason to interfere with the impugned order.

The DB took a serious note and said that when an employer is approached, it becomes the duty of employer, more particularly when it is the State, to answer the employee concern.

With these observations, the DB dismissed Latters Patent Appeal (LPA) with a cost of rupees 2,000 to be deposited in Advocate’s Welfare Fund.

Lt. Gen D P Sehgal visits Jammu

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 3: Lt. Gen. DP Sehgal,ADC Signal Officer in Chief (SO-in-C) and Senior Colonel Commandant of the Corps of Signals, visited the Jammu Region for Three days.

The Signal Officer-in Chief visited Headquarters of 16 Corps and reviewed the operational communications. He also visited the Signal units in the region and interacted with officers and all ranks. The General Officer expressed his satisfaction with the communication support being provided and efforts towards modernization.

Majalta Police solve robbery case

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Dec 3: Majalta Police claimed to have solved robbery case in which five robbers had looted a sum of Rs one lakh and seventy one thousands from Puran Chand, a salesman of M/s J K Oil Mills, Bari-Brahamana on August 20, 2002 at Gambir Bridge Dhar-Road National Highway.

Majalata Police under the leadership of SHO Majalata Mahesh Sharma and his team worked out the case after a particular information given by the SSP, Udhampur, Mr Deepak Kumar. A special team was constituted under his and Dy SP HQ Goverdan Singh’s supervision which included Mahesh Sharma and Sanjeev Gupta incharge Police Post Mansar.

The police has also recovered full looted amount, some sharp edged weapons, one LML scooter without number, one Enfield Motorcycle bearing number 1166-JK02D. Five accused namely Gulcharan Singh R/o Raghunath Pura, Ward No 7, Udhampur, Vikram Singh, Ranjeev Singh, Sanjeev Kumar, Kaka Singh all residents of village Balli, Udhampur. Vikram Singh alias Vikru was a PSA detenue and Gulcharan Singh alias Raju is a chain snatcher.

The said case FIR No 51/02 U/S 392/341 RPC 4/25 A Act P/S Majalta has been worked out.

DB seeks Commissioner’s suggestions for improvement of Puranimandi Park

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 3: In a case of Public Interest Litigation (PIL), considered by the High Court on a letter written by the residents of Puranimandi, the Division Bench has asked Commissioner (appointed by the Court) to make suggestions for the improvement of the area adjoining the park.

"These suggestions be made within a period of two weeks", the DB asked Advocate DC Raina ( Commissioner), who was earlier deputed to have an on-spot inspection of the area for making a report regarding the encroachments etc.

In his report, Mr Raina has submitted that at the time of inspecting the area alongwith some officers of Jammu Municipality, no encroachment was noticed within or outside the area adjoining Puranimandi Park. Fencing by iron grills upon boundary wall was found on-spot and there was no rehri found adjoining the Park and also no parking around the Park.

In his report, Mr Raina had, however, submitted that much more is needed to be done if the area earmarked for Park, is required to be developed.

After the submission of the Report, the DB comprising Chief Justice BC Patel and Justice Muzaffar Jan observed that Advocate DC Raina, being conversant with the area, is requested to make suggestions in this matter.

It may be mentioned here that the residents of Puranimandi had written a letter to Chief Justice of the State High Court, wherein it was alleged that encroachments galore in the area, particularly at the site of Park, where commercial activities were going on unabated. This letter was treated as PIL and various orders have been sofar passed in this case.

Jammu Motor Dealers’ Association flays Municipality decision

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 3: The president Jammu Motor and Machinery Parts Dealers Association and other shopkeepers of Parade Ground have expressed concern over the construction of paid parking place in front of shops at Brahman Sabha Chowk, Parade.

In a statement issued here today, the Association said the move will certainly deprive the business community of the area of its livelihood. The Association said in view of the heavy rush of the public which has increased over last one decade, the construction of paid parking place will certainly and surely affect the common people as well as business establishments surrounding the area. To avoid any hardship and inconvenience, the Association appealed the Municipal authorities that pre paid parking place be constructed as per the proposal of the Association to avoid the hardships to be faced by the common masses and business establishments who have been running their business for last over 50 years in the area.

This move will not deprive the business community of their lively hood but also affect the college going students, it said and added that in case the proposal was not changed the Association will be forced to chalk the future course of action.

Mufti’s ‘Mission Delhi’ succeeds
Centre revives hope for J&K peace talks

By B L Kak

JAMMU: It looked like a one-day cricket match, with New Delhi playing as host on Monday, December 2. And at the end of the event, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed found himself to be the ‘Man of the Match’, simply because of his improved skills in bating and bowling in the field of politics.

As an old player in the field of politics, the Mufti, now going about as the new Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, sent—it was certainly not his intention—alarm bells ringing, in the initial stages of the birth of his Government, with his loud utterances against the continuing "alienation" of Kashmiri masses and incarceration of a number of locals with no serious charges against them.

And when his administration initiated the move, which culminated in the release of a handful of political prisoners, his foes found it convenient to give currency to reports about "growing displeasure" in Delhi’s power corridors at the J&K Government’s "soft" line vis-a-vis militants. This phenomenon did trigger doubts and suspicion in relation to the shape the Centre-State relationship would take as days and weeks roll by.

These doubts seemed deepening in the wake of some fiery statements and comments by a section of Delhi’s political class against Mufti Sayeed’s choice of operations in relation to the victims of militancy as well as to the talk of "unconditional" talks with separatists. And when senior Central leaders, such as the Deputy Prime Minister,Mr LK Advani,Minister of State for Home, Mr ID Swami, the BJP chief, Mr Venkaiah Naidu, and New Delhi’s interlocutor on J&K, Mr Arun Jaitley, voiced reservations on the State Government’s line of action, the Mufti’s adversaries seemed to have been further encouraged while pursuing a campaign of disaffection against him.

So much so, Mufti Sayeed’s statements, first in the Legislative Assembly and then in the Legislative Council, before the conclusion of the special session of the Legislature, were interpreted differently by different people. It, at the same time, did not suggest that the J&K Chief Minister and his men were on a weaker wicket.

The "Big Brother" in Delhi, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, was quietly monitoring the J&K situation as well as the principal characters on the scene, prominent among them being the Mufti himself. On his part, the Mufti, too, had, without any fanfare, kept his channel with Delhi wide open—indeed, he did send out clear signals about his "Mission Delhi", which, it was reiterated, would commence soon after the end of the session of the State Legislature in Jammu.

The Prime Minister and his Ministerial colleagues, namely, Mr Advani, Mr George Fernandes and Mr Jaswant Singh, besides the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Mr KC Pant, got sufficient time between the third week of November and December 1 (when Mufti Sayeed arrived in the Union capital) to work out the NDA Government’s responses to the J&K Government’s new demands. During the period, if some men of consequence in the BJP-led coalition Government chose not to offer bouquets to Kashmir’s new Chief Minister, the Prime Minister played his ‘Kashmir card’ very well, without, of course, allowing anyone on the J&K scene to provoke him to say anything in the absence of his meeting with the Mufti.

Both of them—that is, the Mufti and Mr Vajpayee—baffled the Delhi-based Kashmir-watchers. Officers from Jammu and Kashmir, presently on deputation and posted to different departments of the Union Government in Delhi, were taken aback when Mufti Sayeed allowed himself to be the State’s first Chief Minister to have interacted with them shortly after he landed there on December 1. Mr Vajpayee on the other hand created moments of restlessness among these watchers, though for a short time after the sundown the same day, by keeping his cards close to his chest.

The lid was finally off the pot, after the 60-minute meeting Mr Vajpayee had with Mufti Sayeed. The Prime Minister accepted the Mufti’s point of view that the Centre should honour its commitment to talk to the newly-elected MLAs and other parties in the State. That the Kashmir leader was satisfied with the success of his "Mission Delhi" was borne out by three striking developments.

First, of course, was the responsive approach adopted by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Defence Minister, the Finance Minister and the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission during their separate meetings with the J&K Chief Minister.

Second, the Mufti managed to extract promises of assistance, including a Rs 130 crore aid covering the power and other sectors. Third, he succeeded in extracting a commitment from the Union Government for raising of an Army battalion to absorb unemployed youth in J&K. And the rest is history!

Sharma inaugurates blood donation camp

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 3 : The Young Blood Association, Jammu and Kashmir Chapter, Jammu organized a blood donation camp at SMGS hospital here today in which 21 persons voluntarily donated blood.

The Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Mangat Ram Sharma who was the chief guest inaugurated the camp.

The main purpose of organizing the camp was to create awareness among the people about the importance of blood donation.

On this occasion, the Association also organized a painting competition in which nearly two dozen children of various schools of Jammu city participated.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sharma said that donating blood is a noble cause and everyone should come forward to provide his helping hand in creating awareness about its importance and the need for donation.

Mr. Sharma laid stress on strengthening the blood banks to meet the growing demand of needy and poor people. He called upon the youth to create awareness among the people about the importance of blood donation and said by donating blood one could save the life of others. He allayed the misconception that blood donation result in weakness or other ailments. He asked the blood bank authorities to build up sufficient stocks of blood that could be used in times of emergency.

Mr. Sharma complimented the Association for creating awareness among the people and hoped that it would open its branches at district headquarters. He asked the voluntary and social organizations to organize such camps in remote and far-flung areas in a big way and also create awareness about its importance.

Principal, Government Medical College, Jammu, Dr. H. L. Goswami, Director Health Services, Jammu, Dr. Jasbir Singh and President of the Association, Mr. Bharat Bushan Raina also spoke on the occasion.

Later, Mr. Sharma presented awards to the students who were adjudged the best in the painting competition. Mr. Ankush Mangotra of S.D.Higher Secondary School, Julaka Mohalla bagged the gold medal. Ms Supersha Kher of Jagriti Nikeetan School won the silver while Ms Shafali Kalra of Presentation Convent School bagged the bronze medal.