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| Ajat inaugurates several projects at Udhampur Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Mar 21: The Minister of Information & Transport, Mr. Ajatshatru Singh today inaugurated Indoor Badminton complex......more Centre providing additional Anganwari Centres to J&K Excelsior Correspondent New Delhi, Mar 21: A deputation headed by Minister of State for Social Welfare, Syed Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari today called on Union......more 101
students receive Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 21: Thirteenth convocation of the regional centre of the Indira Gandhi National Open University was held today........more Rousing
reception for Govind, Sagar at Akhnoor Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 21: The Minister for Works, Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar has cautioned against the conspiracies being hatched to weaken.........more Kashmiri
folk legend Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 21: With the staging of popular folk legend of Kashmir, Aka Nandun on Monday at IVth Bharat Rang Mahotsav which is under going at New Delhi, the National Bhand Theatre.....more |
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PHE
workers fast Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 21: The PHE Workers Welfare Association has continued its strike while the hunger strike launched by it today entered 47th day with Messrs Ram Lal.......more Governor’s
intervention sought Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 21: Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) today staged a dharna in front of the Raj Bhawan in protest against the non-implementation of Supreme Court order regarding providing of cash doles, free ration, free medicines, shelter to all the Jammu migrants as well as to the displaced persons from IB and LoC in the recent past.........more Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Mar 21: What is probably the first incident of its kind in Srinagar, ground has given away in a Soura locality damaging nearly two dozen residential houses in the area...............more JM’s
night operation Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 21: Continuing with the anti-encroachment drive, the Jammu Municipality last night demolished extended portion of atleast 30 shops and Tharas opposite GGM Science College on Canal road.........more |
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Kumari resigns from Lok Jan Shakti Party.... Akali
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Ajat inaugurates several projects at Udhampur Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Mar 21: The Minister of Information & Transport, Mr. Ajatshatru Singh today inaugurated Indoor Badminton complex, Cow Shed-cum Milk Production Centre and Deer Park, Tanday besides laying foundation stone of Auxiliary Midwife Training (AMT) school building in Udhampur. The Minister is also the Chairman, District Development Board, Udhampur. The Indoor Badminton complex has been constructed in the Sports Stadium, Udhampur at a cost of nearly Rs. 18 lakh. Of these, an amount of Rs.8.50 lakh were provided by the Dr. Karan Singh, M.P. out of his Constituency Development Fund and Rs. 9.47 lakh were contributed by the Youth Services and Sports Department, Udhampur. The Minister also played inaugural Badminton game with the District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, Mr. Shailendar Kumar. Talking with the sports persons, the Minister said that the government was making all endeavours to promote sports activities in the State. The Cow Shed-cum-Milk Production Centre has been constructed in village Jib at a cost of Rs. 6 lakh by the Rural Development Department. Besides, a Veterinary dispensary facility has also been set up at a cost of Rs. 3 lakh. Nearly, Rs.96 lakh have been spent in Udhampur block by Rural Development Department on various community works including seven Panchayat Ghars. The AMT school building has been planned for two stories in the premises of the district hospital, Udhampur at an estimated cost of Rs. 2.49 crore. The building will be comprised of minor Operation Theatre, ECG, Lecturer halls, demonstration, seminars, registration and other allied rooms. Besides a Library hall, Conference hall and X-Ray room will be constructed. AMT hostel is also planned for three storied structure which shall be taken up in a phased manner. The Deer Park, Tanday has been constructed in the vicinity of Udhampur town by the Forest Department at a cost of over Rs. 9 lakh. Spreading over an area of about 100 kanals of land, various species of wildlife will be kept in the park. On the occasion, the District Development Commissioner apprised that pathways and a natural pond would also be developed in the park. The park will create awareness among the people about the rich flora and fauna of the State besides, attracting tourists. Earlier, addressing a public gathering at Jib, the Minister said that the demands putforth by them will be placed in the next District Development Board meeting for review and the genuine demands would be approved after deliberations. He said Udhampur district is fast developing as a business hub and every effort would be made to speed up tempo of developmental works in the town. The Minister also inspected the Conference hall of District Development Board, which is under construction at an estimated cost of Rs. 21.11 lakh. Expressing his satisfaction over the pace of work, the Minister stressed to equip the hall with all modern facilities. The hall is expected to be completed during this year. |
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Centre providing additional Anganwari Centres to J&K Excelsior Correspondent New Delhi, Mar 21: A deputation headed by Minister of State for Social Welfare, Syed Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari today called on Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Mrs. Sumitra Mahajan and requested her for early sanction of additional ICDS projects and Anganwari centres to Jammu and Kashmir. The deputation which among others included Mr. Ali Mohd. Naik, Mr. A.R. Shaheen and Ch. Talib Hussain, all Members of Parliament apprised Mrs. Mahajan about the implementation of various social welfare schemes in the State. The deputation also discussed with the Minister the performance of State Social Welfare Department in smooth implementation of various schemes particularly the Self Help Groups, Swayam Sidha Swadhar, Rashtriya Mahila Kosh and PMRY schemes. Mr. Bukhari also apprised the Union Minister that J&K Social Welfare Department has already submitted monthly MPRs of ICDS upto ending Feburary this year. Appreaching the progress of Social Welfare Department, the Union Minister admitted that there has been lot of improvement in submission of reports and utilization certificates on various centrally sponsored schemes by the State Government. She insisted upon the delegation to make concerted efforts for better utilization of funds under several centrally sponsored schemes especially those aimed at creating awareness among the women and destitutes. Mrs. Mahajan assured the deputation that the Union Government is actively considering sanction of additional anganwari centres to Jammu and Kashmir and also increase in honorarium for anganwari workers. In this regard the decision will be communicated to the state government soon. The Principal Secreatry, Social Welfare, J&K, Mr. N.R. Gupta, Joint Secreatries, Ministry of WCD, Dr. Rekha Bargahava and Mrs. Rohini Shrivastava also participated in the meeting. |
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students receive degrees, diplomas Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 21: Thirteenth convocation of the regional centre of the Indira Gandhi National Open University was held today. Prof Bharat B Chatto, Vice-Chancellor of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University was guest of honour in the function. 101 students were provided degrees and diplomas in various programmes in the convocation. While presenting report of the Regional Centre, Regional Director said that IGNOU regional centre Jammu came into existence in March 1998, with the jurisdiction over the entire J&K state. Subsequently a separate regional centre was set up in Srinagar in 1999 for Kashmir region, limiting the purview of this regional centre to Jammu province of Jammu and Kashmir state comprising of districts of Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua, Doda, Rajouri and Poonch. The regional centre started with just one study centre in Jammu and student strength of just little above 1200 in 1998. However, within a short span of just five years, this regional centre has not only grown in terms of enrollment and its network of learner support centres but also made its presence felt in the educational scenario of this area. "For the on going academic session we have enrolled about 4000 students who are attached to 15 learner support centres, established in prestigious organisations of this region. We are running different academic programmes in major areas like medical sciences, computer applications, tourism, management, environment, nutrition and health, women studies and teacher education and of all the students enrolled for the on-going academic session, about 30 percent are enrolled in professional and job oriented courses. "We are aware of the peculiar needs of the region. Geographical inaccessibility, poor transport system, lack of access to technology and adverse climatic conditions drastically affect the access to conventional system of education. Distance education has a lot of potential to surpass these barriers. We have done our best efforts to reach out to our learners in remote and far-flung areas through our innovative delivery strategies", he said, adding, "our regional centre has used live radio counselling and live video teleconferencing in a big way involving various subject matter specialists in the region during the out-going academic session. We received encouraging response equally from both our students and non-students". He further said that IGNOU concerned about the lack of educational opportunities for all those disadvantaged people who are for one reason or the other out side the purview of conventional higher learning institution. "With the objective of catering to the specific needs of jail inmates we have also opened up a special study centre in district jail Jammu and had all the inmates come out with flying colours in their academic programmes". Highlighting future planning of the regional centre of IGNOU, regional director said, " we do feel about the peculiar problems which migrants and displaced people face in our state. Efforts have been done by our centre to create awareness about IGNOU’s academic programmes in border areas. We have recently launched a PG certificate programme in Participatory Management of Displaced, resettlement and rehabilitation". Professor Murli Manohar Joshi, Minister of Human Resource Development was the chief guest in the main convocation function of the Indira Gandhi National Open University which held at IGNOU Campus, New Delhi. The convocation was held simultaneously through teleconferencing mode via satellite at IGNOU, Regional Centre Jammu. |
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Rousing
reception for Govind, Sagar at Akhnoor Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 21: The Minister for Works, Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar has cautioned against the conspiracies being hatched to weaken the National Conference and making it a scapegoat to serve the political interests of a particular class of self-styled leaders to prop up them against the wishes of the people. Addressing a mammoth public rally, organised at Akhnoor today to felicitate, Mr Govind Ram on his induction in the Council of Ministers, Mr Sagar said the party has become an eyesore for some people, especially after its landslide victory in the recently concluded Jammu-Poonch Parliamentary elections and several fronts have been opened to weaken it. He, however, said such useless and naive overtures could have disastrous political implications for the State which is overcoming the bloody turmoil facing it for the past more than one decade. Mr Sagar said the party would never allow the designs of such elements to take shape as it would only lead to creating a new phase of political uncertainty in the State. He said instead of playing political games, the need of the hour is to strengthen the nationalist forces in the State, who have offered innumerous sacrifices for bringing back peace and normalcy to Jammu and Kashmir. Mr Sagar said such machinations were tried in 1977 and then in 1987 as well, but have failed to erode the mass base of the party representing the urges and aspirations of the people. He said whenever the people were given a fair chance to decide, they always gave an overwhelming mandate to the National Conference, giving a befitting reply to its enemies. Mr Sagar said a new breed of self-styled politicians is now being propped up in the State against the NC, "but the people know them well as they are the people who got thousands of Kashmiris killed in the name of so-called Azadi and are now after grabbing power." Mr Sagar said the NC would welcome the participation of separatists in the forthcoming assembly elections and is ready to accept the people’s verdict. "But instead of seeking favours to further their political interests, these leaders should contest the elections on their own," he challenged. Mr Sagar said these so-called leaders are scared of facing the people on their own as they know they would be rejected by the masses and get exposed. He said after getting thousands of Kashmiris killed and amassing huge assets in the name of the struggle, these so-called leaders are now dreaming of grabbing power, using the good offices of their well-wishers, both within and outside the State. Launching a scathing attack on the politicians resorting to exploitation of religious and regional sentiments to grab power, Mr Sagar said the recent historic victory of National Conference is a clear verdict of the people in favour of the progressive, secular and nationalist policies of the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah and his party. He said this is also a befitting reply to the opportunist politicians playing with the religious and regional sentiments of the people. He said the greatest achievement of the party is the three-fold increase in its votes in the Jammu district. He said the main concerns of the people are peace, progress and development and not the issues like mandir, masjid or separate statehood. Mr Sagar said he was happy that the people of Jammu have reposed their faith in the dynamic leadership of Dr Farooq Abdullah and by giving him the Parliamentary seat have put more responsibilities on his shoulders. "We assure the people of Jammu that we would do our best to come up to their expectations," he asserted and said that NC is the only party which is representing the aspirations of the people of all regions and religions living in the State. Mr Sagar hailed the induction of Mr Sharma into the cabinet and said that he would be given a free hand to work for the development of not only his own area but the whole State. He said the people of his constituency are lucky to have produced such a dedicated and honest leader. Speaking on the occasion, the newly inducted Minister of State, Mr Govind Ram Sharma thanked the people for maintaining unity and integrity. He said that the State Government is aware of the difficulties faced by the people of the border areas and has initiated measures for their well being. He appealed the people to strengthen the hands of Dr Farooq Abdullah for the overall development of the State. Mr Sharma announced that he will visit each Panchayat and assess the developmental needs of the people and ensure speedy redressal of their grievances. Earlier, the Ministers were accorded to a rousing reception at Akhnoor where they paid obeisance at the ancient Kameshwar Temple and prayed for the peace and prosperity of the State and the country. |
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Kashmiri folk legend Aka Nandun
staged Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 21: With the staging of popular folk legend of Kashmir, Aka Nandun on Monday at IVth Bharat Rang Mahotsav which is under going at New Delhi, the National Bhand Theatre of Wahthora has come into lime light again. This secular theatre was forced to curtail its activities due to the 12 year long turmoil in Kashmir and it could not make any major performance during these years as used to be. However, the lull was broken on July 31 last year when the play was staged at Folk Theatre Workshop, Tagore Hall, Srinagar. The workshop was organised in collaboration with the J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages. At Bharat Rang Mahotsav IV the play received applauds not only from the audience but also from the artists of other states who participated in the festival which was organised by National School of Drama. The audience liked the play as well as its mesmerizing music. Some theatre experts after viewing the play said it is a neat and clean production. Bharat Rang Mahotsav IV is the theatre festival of over 125 plays from all over the country. Besides the artists from Bangladesh, Germany, Korea, Israel and Mauritus also participated in it. The play is being staged at Abhinav Theatre here tomorrow in collaboration with the J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages. Aka Nandun is a very popular Kashmiri arch- type and tale said Mr Moti Lal Kemo a Sahitya Academy Award winner and renowned theatre personality who is also the patron of the National Bhand Theatre, Wahthora. He said the play is in two acts. It has been primarily written for Bhand artists so that they could include the play in their repertoire. The first act is full of humor and satire, the second has pathos, agony and pain. The play has Shaivite-Soofi undertones and fully uses the Vaks and Shrukhs (verses) of Laleshwari and Nund Rishi, he said , adding it contains folk style songs and dances. It has been so designed that artists (Bhands) can give open air performance as per their age old practice. Since the story is prevalent in Himalayan region in one version or the other, the costumes have been designed as per Himalayan culture, said Mr Ghulam Ali Majboor, its Director. He said representation of Kashmiri ethos through theatre and art has relevance during the present turbulent conditions of the Valley and it is not so easy to rehearse a play and then present the same without risk. No female artist has so far played with the Bhands due to the social taboo. This is the reason that most of the bhands are giving up their age old tradition as no patronage is available to them except the Government of India which provides some grants to sustain the theatre, said Mr Mohi-Ud-Din Ajiz Manager of the Theatre. In Akanandun the tale is narrated by a Mystic (Faqir) to folk dancers and jesters about a queen longing for a son after the birth of seven daughters named Kama, krodha, Moha, Lobha, Mud, Ahankar and Villasa. She gets a boon from a maverick Sadhu to bless her with a son on the condition that the boy be named Aka Nandun and be returned to him after 12 years. After his birth the Aka Nandun is reared up as a prince and taught all the affairs of kingdom and the family remains attached to the worldly pleasures forgetting the conditional boon. One day Sadhu arrives and asks for return of 12 years boy. The queen tries to lure the Sadhu with money, land and jewellery but he is adamant, "Return my Aka Nandun". After her persuation fails, Sadhu commands her to kill Aka Nandun into pieces, fry them and serve them into 11 plates. "Relish the dish", she is asked. The queen wails , but the Sadhu does not relent. Finally she complies and the Sadhu leaves directing her to call ‘Aka nandun’ aloud. She weeps, wails, cries and calls for Aka Nandun and here boy appears on the stage. The Queen becomes happy after seeing Aka Nandun and having undergone agonizing moods. She is a changed person detached from worldly pleasures. Who is Aka Nandun, jesters ask the Faqir. ‘Chita Shakti’ answers Faqir, ‘that controls all the sentiments, desires and states of mind’.‘Attachment to worldly pleasures and their overindulgence is transitory and searching the self is important. The role of Maskharas (comedians) is performed by Bashir Ahmed and Gulzar Ahmed. Gulzar and Raza Maqbool are performing the role of Faqir while Farooq Ahmed is Jogi (myst). Tariq, Nissar, Mudassair, Nissar II, Imtiaz and Nazir perform the role of seven sisters. The role of Aka Nandun is performed by Aka and Maharani (Queens) by Sona Ullah. |
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PHE workers fast enters 47th day Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 21: The PHE Workers Welfare Association has continued its strike while the hunger strike launched by it today entered 47th day with Messrs Ram Lal, Mangal Dass and Kundan Lal replacing the previous batch of fasters. As per a release while addressing provincial president of the Association Mr Bakshi Singh maintained that the struggle will continue till all the demands were conceded by the Government. He said that the State Government instead of solving their demands, was making these more complicated. He cautioned the Government not to test the patience of the workers and shun the path of confrontation with them. Mr Singh said further that the PHE workers can not be blamed as the Government has itself forced them to go on path of agitation. He stated that if the strike gets prolonged the responsibility would lie on Additional Chief Secretary Finance Mr Jalil Ahmed. Prominent leaders of the association who addressed the gathering included Messrs Surinder Kumar, Pushpinder Kumar, Babu Singh, Chuni Lal, Mela Ram, Subash Singh, Girdhari Lal and Darbari Lal. |
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Governor’s
intervention sought Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 21: Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) today staged a dharna in front of the Raj Bhawan in protest against the non-implementation of Supreme Court order regarding providing of cash doles, free ration, free medicines, shelter to all the Jammu migrants as well as to the displaced persons from IB and LoC in the recent past. Addressing the dharna, Prof Bhim Singh, president of JKNPP said that Supreme Court Division Bench headed by Justice B N Kirpal issued the directives to all the concerned Deputy Commissioners on a writ petition filed by JKNPP seeking relief to the migrants of Jammu. "On the direction of the Apex Court, a central team also visited some of the migrant camps and filed a false report at the instance of the Jammu administration", he alleged and said "the central team failed to visit Talwara, Reasi etc where more than 600 families are rotting and the team even didn’t visit Devipur or Naiwala Camp". He further alleged that the State Government filed a false affidavit in the Supreme Court that each migrant was being given cash dole of Rs 200 and free ration, tents and blankets but this is totally false. He appealed the Governor to send a team to SIDCO camp in Samba where migrants have not received any ration or money. In a memorandum submitted to the Governor, Prof Bhim Singh sought his intervention to ensure that each migrant of Jammu province is provided atleast Rs 200 per month, 15 kg of ration, fodder for the cattle, compensation of the land placed under mines by the Army and due compensation for the loss of crops due to land mining and requisition. Through the memorandum, JKNPP also urged the Governor to make appropriate arrangements for the free medical camps and schooling for the children of the migrants at the camps besides free tent facility as was stated by the State Chief Secretary in an affidavit before the Supreme Court. State president of JKNPP Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, MLA Harsh Dev Singh, general secretary B B Kotwal, Faquir Chand, Bhupinder Singh, Mrs Vijay Chib, Bansi Lal Sharma and several other leaders of JKNPP were among others who stagged dharna. |
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Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Mar 21: What is probably the first incident of its kind in Srinagar, ground has given away in a Soura locality damaging nearly two dozen residential houses in the area. Several houses developed cracks and some boundary walls have collapsed due to the caving in of the ground at Khawjapora and Sheikhpora, Nowshera in Soura area of Srinagar city since Tuesday. Reports said that situation has assured a serious turn as families have begun shifting to safer places. "It is safer to flee to other places rather than to reel under the fear of getting buried under falling houses, a local news agency quoted a resident of the area as saying. Reports said that a section of pavement opposite to the Islamia College in down town locality sank yesterday causing damage to the gate and outer walls of two houses. The slippage has caused widespread panic among the residents and people are scared to sleep in their houses. |
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JM’s night operation affected 30 shops at Canal road Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 21: Continuing with the anti-encroachment drive, the Jammu Municipality last night demolished extended portion of atleast 30 shops and Tharas opposite GGM Science College on Canal road, Jammu. This was the 4th such major night operation, 2nd during the week to remove encroachments on footpaths and drains. During the last three months extended portions of about 120 shops have been demolished. The areas cleaned up included Jewel Chowk, Talab Khaitkan, Residency road and Canal road. The cover drains and Tharas on both side of the Vinayak Bazar have also been removed and fresh deep drains are being laid by R&B department. About 50 shops are affected in the area. This will, however, improve the drainage system in this low lying area. The Jammu Municipality drive is receiving lot of support from not only the people but also from the shopkeepers who had over the years encroached the drains. After night long operation in Jewel Chowk in the month of January this year and warning of similar operations in other areas, shopkeepers are now themselves coming forward and requesting Jammu Municipality to demolish their extended Tharas and encroachments. The last night operation was planned on the requests of some of the shopkeepers. However, the Administrator, Jammu Municipality, Mr. K.B.Jandial who supervised the whole operation alongwith Executive Officer, Mr. M.L.Padha and Executive Engineer, Mr. M.M.Gupta agreed to suspend demolition of remaining 20 shops for one day on the request of the concerned shopkeepers to demolish the encroachments themselves as it would prevent larger damage. The Jammu Municipality, he said will clean up the choked up drains which were covered with Tharas for many years and lay it afresh. The Municipality, he informed plans similar operations in other areas in near future. Mr. Jandial has once again appealed to the shopkeepers to voluntarily remove covering over the drains and encroachments made on the road. |
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Kailash Kumari resigns from Lok Jan Shakti Party Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 21: Mrs Kailash Kumari, chairperson of J&K Parliamentary Board Lok Jan Shakti Party today resigned from the primary membership of Lok Jan Shakti. Addressing a press-conference, Mrs Kailash Kumar said that Lok Jan Shakti Party and its leadership is not working on democratic principles and for the interest of Dalit people. "The party’s leadership very well knows that Dalits are the backbone of Lok Jan Shakti Party but despite that Dalit Sena is not being taken into confidence", she further said. "I have been working as State president of Dalit Sena with the national president Mr Ram Vilas Paswan for the last 16 years but I could not contribute much for the betterment of the Dalit people", she said, adding "the Sena’s high command never cooperated with her in redressing the woes of Dalit people". Considering all these aspects, she said, executive body of Dalit Sena took a decision few days back that a social forum be framed at State level and accordingly All J&K Social Forum has been framed. "All the present office bearers of Dalit Sena and all the primary enrolled 6000 members of Dalit Sena have extended their support to the Social Forum and welcomed the step of State Dalit Sena", Mrs Kailash Kumar disclosed. "At present 51 members State Committee has been framed and presidents of three regions and district bodies will be announced very soon", she said, adding "this Social Forum will help neglected lot of the society". Claiming that national political parties are doing nothing to redress the woes of Dalit people, she gave much indications to join National Conference, wherein she worked for about seven years from 1981 to 1988. She, however, made it clear she will abide by the decision of executive body in this regard. |
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Akali conference on
Mar 23 Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 21: Taking strong exception to the unceremonious ouster of Air Marshal Manjeet Singh Sekhon from service, some Sikh organisations have alleged that the officer was made scape-goat. "Sekhon was unnecessarily humiliated and forced to resign only to stop a dedicated person from occupying the office of Air Chief Marshal," alleged Mr Gurdev Singh Ishar, president of Shiromani Akali Dal Jammu-Kashmir, while addressing a joint press conference with some other socio-religious organisations, here today. It may be recalled that Air Marshal Manjeet Singh Sekhon was forced to resign from the service on the allegation that he had written a letter to former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal seeking latter’s favour for his transfer to Western Command of Air Force at Delhi. The Sikh leaders also sought to justify the seeking of political favour by Sekhon and claimed that in India, all officers, even in belt force, exploit their political connections for better posting or promotions. "However, the punishment was given only to a Sikh officer who was to become Air Chief Marshal in the near future,"he added. Mr Ishar further said that the incident was first of its kind in a democratic set-up and the community strongly condemns it since the weapon was used against a Sikh officer who fought with bravery for the country during 1971 war. President of SAD J-K disclosed that to highlight the problems being faced by Sikh community in the State as well as minorities in other parts of the country, an Akali conference is being held at Digiana Ashram in Jammu on March 23. The one day conference will be held under the patronage of Mahant Manjeet Singh of Dera Nangali Sahib. While the Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah will be the special invitee in the function, prominent Sikh leaders, including Bhai Ranjit Singh, Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Sucha Singh Chotepur, Sukhdev Singh Bhour and Harminder Singh Gill of All India Sikh Students Federation, are likely to participate in the seminar. Some prominent Sikh leaders, who were present in the press conference, included Mohinder Singh, Paramjeet Singh, Dayal Singh and Kulwant Singh. |
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Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Mar 21: A complete bandh was observed today in the township of Ghordi in tehsil Ramnagar in protest against the alleged manhandling of a member of the NGO by the Block Development Officer on Wednesday. The reports said the main bazar in the Ghordi block headquarters remained closed today as a mark of protest. The people were demanding action against the BDO, Mr K D Koran. The problem occurred at the meeting being held on the direction of Deputy Commissioner Udhampur with the concerned Block and Tehsil officers with the Panchayat members, heads of NGOs and other prominent persons of the area to discuss local problems on Wednesday. This meeting has been fixed for third Wednesday of every month. The members of the NGO, Des Raj Tripathi, Bharat Bhushan and Sukh Ram during meet raised allegations of corruption and illegal practices in the BDO office at Ghordi. This irked Mr Koran who allegedly manhandled Mr Des Raj. It resulted into strong resentment among the people of the area and Panchayat members. It was alleged that most of the officials despite instructions of the DC did not attended the meet. Mr Koran when contacted denied the allegations of manhandling, however, the Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Mr Shailender Kumar has assured to hold inquiry into the incident and take action against the concerned officer if found guilty. |
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Levying entry tax on tourist buses lauded Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 21: Mr T S Wazir, president of J&K Motor Transport Companies Association and Chairman Jammu Province Bus Operators Union today lauded the imposition of Rs 2000 as road tax on the All India Tourist Buses entering the J&K State. As per a release, he expressed high gratitude to Dr Farooq Abdullah, Chief Minister and Mr Ajatshatru Singh, Transport Minister for having approved it and introducing a bill to amend the J&K Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1957 whereby a road tax of Rs 2000 per day will be levied on each All India Tourist Bus. Mr Wazir said that this has fulfilled the long pending demand of the transporters and it will provide a good revenue to the state exchequer. He further said that this decision will also provide a deterrent for unauthorised operation of the vehicles in the State. |
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