Mumbai based
J&K Sitar player to promote
Indian music in UK
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6:
A young Sitar player from Jammu and Kashmir, Raaj
Kumar Dogra, presently putting up in Mumbai, has
been approved for 10-day abroad tour to promote
Indian music in England (UK).
Raaj, who is one
of the members of approved team proceeding for
London on November 25, has also emerged as a
young music director in the Bollywood in recent.
The team will be
participating in music concerts in London,
Leeverpool and Leeds.
Prior to this
assignment, Raaj has a many national and
international seminar, workshops and music
festivals to his credit including that of in the
countries of Switzerland, France, Spain, Paris
and Rome.
This young Sitar
player, was a gold medalist from University of
Jammu in 1993, had his initial training from Prof
Kalpana Raina and Mr O N Raina in the Music and
Fine Arts College, here.
Raaj was talking
to EXCELSIOR on his visit to his native place
Jammu.
|
Rs 2 cr given to farmers as
compensation for land mine-fields
Process of withdrawal of troops
from IB commences
slowly in Jammu sector
*Army plans to clear mine fields in phased manner
By Gopal Sharma
JAMMU,
Nov 6:
While the process of withdrawal of troops from
the International Border in Jammu sector has
commenced with the announcement by the Central
Government with a slow pace, the Administration
in Jammu, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch districts
has disbursed an amount of over Rs 2 crores as
compensation to the farmers whose land has been
used for laying mines in the forward fields by
the Army.
A Defence
spokesman disclosed that the troops will not be
withdrawn from the areas along the Line of
Control (LoC) but the process as per the
announcement by the Central Government is going
on slowly in Jammu sector. There is hardly 187
kms of International Border in J&K , right
from Paharpur in Punjab to left bank of river
Chenab and from Mirpur Kona area of Akhnoor
across the river, the Line of Control begins. The
areas of militancy infested Rajouri and Poonch of
Jammu region fall all along the LoC and the
troops will continue at their respective
locations.
Responding to a
question the spokesman said that he will not be
able to give specific details regarding
percentage of troops or the battalions or
companies moving in the process. But they will be
sent to the earlier destinations or the new
locations identified. The movement also depends
upon the availability of number of trains and the
clearance from higher Defence authorities and
relevant instructions in this sensitive area. It
may take some time to pull back completely but
the Border Security Force personnel will be
manning the security all along the borders
followed by the Border Police as per the earlier
security set up.
Deputy
Inspector General Border Security Force, Jammu
Sector Mr P S Chehal when contacted said that BSF
troops were managing the security along the
International border earlier also and will
continue it in the same fashion even if the
troops pulled back. He maintained that the Army
may be planning at its own to clear the mine
fields or pull back from certain areas but he was
not aware of any such move. He said the Army
troops still continued to be along the borders in
his area of operation and it is free to take
independent decision regarding movement or
pulling back. He, however, avoided to confirm the
withdrawal of troops from certain forward
pockets.
Responding to
another question, the DIG said that during
assembly elections several companies of BSF
personnel from the border belt in Jammu sector
had been withdrawn and after the process was
over, they moved back to their old locations.
With this, the border security has further been
strengthened. " We have already plugged the
sensitive areas with the Pakistan border but the
possibility of intrusion some times can not be
ruled out," Mr Chehal said adding that
effective measures have been taken to prevent
infiltration in his area of operation along 187
kms border belt of Jammu sector.
While the Defence
authorities are planning to clear the mine fields
in some areas, the District Administration Jammu
has disbursed more than Rs one crore as
compensation to the farmers whose fields were
used by the Army for laying mines during
deployment of troops along the border few months
back.
Deputy
Commissioner Jammu, Mr Rohit Kansal when
contacted said that in Jammu district an amount
of Rs one crore has already been disbursed as
relief to the border migrants and Rs one core to
those farmers whose fields were used by the Army
for laying mines as they could not cultivate them
till now.
He said that most
of the people from Samba, Bishnah and R S Pura
tehsils have gone back to their respective border
villages but in Akhnoor and Khour areas a large
number of families are still in camps. In Bishnah
tehsil alone Rs 50 lakh has been disbursed so
far. As per a rough estimate there would be about
15,000 to 20,000 families still taking temporary
shelter at different locations in Jammu. During
peak hours over 1.20 lakh families had migrated
in district Jammu alone and over one lakh as per
a rough estimate have gone back, he maintained.
The sources said
that Rs 8 crores have been released by the
Government on account of providing compensation
to the people whose fields were used for laying
mines in the region. The assessment has been made
jointly by the Revenue and the Army authorities.
The Divisional Administration has requested the
Central Government to release, Rs 25 crores as
relief/ compensation in favour of affected people
from border areas. The remaining amount is
expected to be released in coming months.
Deputy
Commissioner, Kathua Mr B D Sharma disclosed that
in Kathua the process of disbursement of
compensation is going on in the 150 affected
villages in the district. The district was
provided Rs 1.75 crore by the Government as
compensation for the farmers. An amount of Rs 30
lakhs has been paid so far and the rest will be
paid by the end of this month.
Mr Sharma
disclosed that in district Kathua, almost all the
border migrants have moved back. In some areas
like Pansar where several houses were burnt in
Pak shelling, the process of construction is
going on and the people have been provided relief
after making on the spot assessment by the
Revenue authorities.
The reports from
Rajouri and Poonch districts indicated that most
of the area is hilly in these two belts but where
ever the land mines have been laid along the LOC
in the fields, the farmers are being paid the
compensation at the same rate. Deputy
Commissioner, Poonch Dr Pawan Kotwal claimed that
process of disbursement was going on but he will
not be able to give exact details without getting
relevant information from the concerned Revenue
officials. Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Mr K A
Khan was not available for comments when
contacted. However, it was learnt that most of
the affected people fall in Nowshera tehsil of
Rajouri district.
|
Bhim Singh’s plea to CEC
Excelsior Correspondent
NEW
DELHI, Nov 6: Chairman Jammu Kashmir National
Panthers Party Prof Bhim Singh has demanded to
change the three notifications to two, as the
three Rajya Sabha Members namely- Abdul Rashid
Mirza, Sharifudin Sharak and Ghulam Nabi Azad are
retiring on November 29, 2002.
In a protest
letter written to the Chief Election
Commissioner, Prof Singh said the Commission is
holding election for one seat each separately
under notification No. 318/ J&K/ 2002 (1) and
No.(2) whereas, the Commission is holding
election of other two seats separately under
another notification.
Prof Singh who is
also noted Supreme Court lawyer, further said
that election of all the three seats for the
Rajya Sabha has to be held under one notification
so that 87 MLAs could elect three members by
casting a single vote each as all the three seats
are falling vacant on the same day.
He said since one
MP shall be retiring on Nov 25, 2002 the election
to that seat may be held under separate
notification. This procedure is totally
discriminatory, illegal and unconstitutional, he
maintained. He warned that such act will only
invite unnecessary litigation.
|
Mir for expeditious disposal of
land acquisition cases
Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu,
Nov 6:
The Minister for Housing and Urban Development,
Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir has urged upon officers to
ensure expeditious disposal of all pending cases
relating to setting up of housing colonies in
Jammu. There should be no reason for delay in
finalization of these cases, he said, adding
every effort should be made to eliminate
red-tapism at every level.
Reviewing the
working of the departments under his charge at a
meeting here today, the Minister said there
should be no room for un-due tossing of files as
it creates problems in the quick implementation
of the programmes at the ground level.
The Minister asked
the Vice Chairman, JDA and
Commissioner/Secretary, Revenue to immediately
finalize the cases relating to acquisition of
land required for setting up of new colonies in
Jammu. He said the bottlenecks coming in the way
of acquisition of required land should be
mutually sorted out immediately.
Mr. Mir exhorted
the functionaries for judicious utilization of
funds earmarked for each sector. It should be
ensured that the schemes taken in hand are
completed in right earnest and within the
stipulated time frame so that the benefits of
these schemes percolate to the desiring and the
needy people, he added. He sought scheme-wise
details about various programmes and the progress
registered on these so far. He called for
identification for slum dwellers and those living
below the poverty line and the lower income group
so that schemes are formulated for ameliorating
their lot.
Among others
present in the meeting were
Commissioner/Secretary, Housing and Urban
Development, Commissioner/Secretary, Revenue, VC,
JDA, Managing Director, Housing Board and other
senior officers of Housing and Urban Development
Department.
|
ABSS to
hold rally on Nov 8
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6:
Akhil Bharatiya Shiv Sena (ABSS) today warned to
stage a rally on November 8 in protest against
what it alleged the "pro militancy stance of
the new State Government.
This was disclosed
at a joint press conference by ABSS state chief
Messrs Yogesh Gupta, spokesman, Rajiv Jasrotia
and Sanjay Sawhney another Party leader.
They said the Sena
will intensify its agitation against the PDP led
Government as the Party has announced to be soft
on militants by withdrawing POTA, disbanding SOG
and holding talks with terrorists.
Lashing out at
Congress and National Panthers Party, Mr Gupta
said they betrayed the Jammu people by
surrendering the post of Chief Minister to
Kashmiris.
He also criticised
the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Syeed for his
rigid stance on the issue saying he created the
main hurdle by opposing the Chief Ministerial
candidate from the Jammu region.
If Mufti Mohammed
Syeed does not change his policies, the Congress
and NPP should withdraw their support to him said
Mr Jasrotia. He said the protest rally will be
taken from Janipur to Civil Secretariat.
He alleged the new
Government has ignored the Jammu Region in its
Common Minimum Programme (CMP) and blamed the
Congress chief Mrs Sonia Gandhi for repeating the
same blunder which late Prime Minister, Mrs
Indira Gandhi had done.
Strongly
advocating for the reorganization of J&K
state he said this is the only alternative to
prevailing problems in the State.
Asking the people
of Jammu to come on one platform in support of
the statehood demand, Mr Sawhney said why an
umberila organization of Jammu State Morcha,
Statehood Front and other like minded parties is
not framed on the pattern of Hurriyat Conference.
|
ADEWA
pins hopes in new Govt
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6:
Agriculture Displaced Employees Welfare
Association (ADEWA) in its executive meeting here
today has expressed the hope that the new state
Government will be sensitive enough to the
problems of the displaced employees who find
themselves caught in a quagmire of bureaucratic
apathy and Government neglect.
As per a release,
the Association also decided to submit a
memorandum to the Government on various demands
and emphasis on favorable decisions on the
previous Government’s policies regarding
migrants. It will also stress to look into the
Apex Committee decisions of February 5, 1996, 10
June 1997 and 31 March 1998.
The meeting also
prepared a detailed agenda to be submitted to the
Government regarding the various demands. The
meeting was presided by Mr V. K. Kashkari,
president and Mr Pankaj Handoo, general secretary
of the Association.
|
Teenaged
militant released as Police fails to present
challan under POTA
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6:
Presiding Officer POTA Court, Mr P L Razdan has
ordered the Police to release one Basharat Majid,
15, and Bashir Ahmad of Kupwara, Kashmir, who
were presented in the Court for judicial remand.
This followed
after the counsel appearing for the accused
persons, M L Thusoo filed objections and
submitted that the accused persons, who were
arrested, have completed 180 days in custody and
Police have failed to comply with the Section 49
of POTA and 167 CrPC in which it has been clearly
mentioned that under POTA, Police has to produce
challan against the accused within 90 days from
the date of arrest, and if it failed, it has to
take permission of extension, from the Court, for
90 more days.
The Court while
releasing the accused, observed that Police has
failed to comply with the mandatory provisions
under POTA and the accused are directed to
release on their furnishing bail bond and
personal bond to the tune of Rs 40,000 each.
According to the
Police story, the accused persons were arrested
while they were roaming in mysterious
circumstances on May 21, 2002. During their
interrogation, they had disclosed their
identification and said that they crossed the
border on April 16, 2002 after obtaining training
for handling sophisticated weapons in Pakistan
camp and brought with them weapons including
AK-56 rifles and 90 cartridges and also two
grenades which were recovered from a Khud near
Sajatpur under Police Station Domana.
A case under
Section 3/4/5 POTA was registered against them.
Yesterday Police requested the Court for
extension of remand which was refused by the
Court and accused were released on bail.
Meanwhile, POTA
court also ordered the release of one Surinder
Singh alias Fauji alias Gogi, a PDP activist, who
was arrested by Udhampur Police on April 7, 2002
under POTA.
According to
Police, the accused had joined Army in 1980 and
was discharged in 1984 during " Blue Star
Operation" after conducting Court Martial.
He had joined Sikh Student Federation and it was
alleged by Police that he alongwith other
persons, committed murder of one Santokh Singh of
Simbal Camp and had later left for Nepal.
In 1986, he had
come from Nepal to India when Intelligence Bureau
(IB) sleuths apprehended him and handed over to
Gandhinagar Police. He was interrogated at Joint
Interrogation Centre Jammu and later booked under
Public Safety Act for a period of one year. After
completion of one year detention, he was released
from Central Jail Jammu.
The Court released
him on bail as Police failed to present challan
within the statutory period as mentioned under
POTA i.e 90 days with an extension of 90 days,
with the permission of the concerned court.
|
Medical
employees unions warn agitation
Lab Technician of GMC assualted
by Sena leader
By Mohinder Verma
JAMMU,
Nov 6:
A Laboratory Technician of Blood Bank of
Government Medical College and Hospital was
assualted by president of Hindu Shiv Sena Krishan
Singh Manhas on the intervening night of November
5 and 6.
The Laboratory
Technician Shashi Padha was performing his duty
in the Blood Bank last night when Sena leader
Krishan Singh Manhas came alongwith some persons
and entered into verbal dual with the Technician
over some issue.
After heated
exchanges, Manhas assualted Technician Shashi
Padha and it was only after the other staff
members of the Blood Bank intervened that the
Technician was saved from the clutches of Manhas
and party.
To lodge protest
against the attacks on hospital staff by the Sena
leader Krishan Singh Manhas day in and day out,
Medical College Labarotary Technicians Union and
Medical Employees Union held an emergency meeting
this morning and discussed the issue.
Later, a
deputation of both the Unions led by president of
Medical Employees Union Mr Pardeep Sharma called
on Principal Dr H L Goswami and informed him of
the whole incident.
"The hospital
staff is being regularly harassed by the Sena
leader, who has always been seen roaming in the
hospital premises alongwith his
`goons’", the sources said quoting
employees’ leaders as saying and made it
clear to the Principal that hospital staff is not
going to tolerate interference of the anti-social
elements like Krishan Singh Manhas in their way
of functioning.
The deputation
also warned to adopt tit for tat policy if such
incidents took place in future and gave two days
time to Principal to take action against Manhas
failing which all the employees unions of
Government Medical College and Hospital will go
on indefinite strike.
Principal Dr
Goswami, later, lodged a complaint against Manhas
in the Police Post Medical College and forwarded
the copy of the same to Sub-Divisional Police
Officer (SDPO) Bakshi Nagar. In the letter, he
has clearly mentioned that Manhas’s
anti-social activities in the hospital premises
are on increase and demanded stern action against
them.
Meanwhile, Friends
Club, Government Medical College and Associated
Hospitals in a meeting held under the
chairmanship of Mr Vijay Sharma condemned the
attack on Laboratory Technician of Blood Bank and
urged Principal to take stern action against such
elements who are disturbing the smooth
functioning of the hospital.
|
Naib-tehsildar
convicted for accepting bribe
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6:
Special Court, Anti-Corruption Kashmir has
sentenced one Peer Hafizullah for one year
imprisonment and a fine of Rs 2000 in case FIR
6/99 under section 5 (2) PC Act, 2006 of Police
Station Vigilance Organization Kashmir.
The case FIR was
registered against Peer Hafizullah while he was
posted as Naib Tehsildar, Parnavi, Budgam, for
misusing his official position by demanding and
accepting Rs 1000 as illegal gratification from
the complainant Mr Ghulam Qadir Thoker on January
14, 1999 as consideration for not cutting the
trees which the complainant had planted on
Government Land (Kahacharai). The bribe money had
been recovered from the constructive possession
of the accused.
In two other
separate cases charges were framed by Special
Court, Anti-Corruption Kashmir. In case FIR No
85/99 charges were framed against Mr Mohammed
Afzal Kuchhey, XEN, Mr Ali Mohammed Butt, AEE,
Mushtaq Ahmed Butt, JE, Mr Abdul Rashid Malik,
AAO, Qazigund under section 5(2) Prevention of
Corruption Act 2006, for drawing excess amount
fraudulently than the amount actually spent on
construction of school building Damhal,
Hanjipora, Tehsil Kulgam.
In case FIR No
166/98 the charges were framed against the
accused officials Mohammed Shah, Ex-ZEO,
Dangiwacha, Sopore, Bashir Ahmed Lone, Headmaster
Middle School Wetergam, Abdul Khaliq Rather,
teacher Middle School Wetergam, Abdul Gafar Khan
the then JE, REW, Block Rafiabad and one Mohammed
Ayub, contractor regarding execution of work for
construction of play field and drawing amount
more than actually incurred on the construction.
|
DC
reviews development works in Doda
Excelsior Correspondent
Doda,
Nov. 6:
An amount of Rs.2436.55 lakh, out of released
amount of Rs.5285.02 lakh against the approved
allocation of total Rs.8704.13 lakh has been
spent on various sectors under the district plan
of Doda district during the Ist two quarters of
the current financial year.
This was stated at
a meeting of District Officers held under the
chairmanship of District Development
Commissioner, Doda, Mr.Bashart Ahmed Dar. While
reviewing the financial and physical achievements
recorded during the first six months of the
current financial year, it was revealed that the
expenditure incurred during the period include
Rs.404.78 lakhs on Agricultural and allied
services, Rs.61.56 lakhs on Rural Development,
Rs. 60.07 lakhs on Industries sector, Rs.4747.30
lakhs on communication, Rs.1156.88 lakhs on
Social and General services while as on planning
machinery an amount to the tune of Rs.5.96 lakhs
stands incurred during the period.
Under Centrally
sponsored schemes, an amount of Rs.49.82 lakhs
against the available funds of Rs.981.77 lakhs
has been spent on various schemes during the
period which includes Rs.37.21 lakhs on DRDA,
Rs.12.28 lakhs on DPAP and Rs.33,000 on JGSY
while under NABARD scheme, an expenditure to the
tune of Rs.266.71 lakhs has been incurred on
various sectors which include Rs.264.89 lakhs
under R&B sector and Rs.1.82 lakhs under
Minor Irrigation sector. The total availability
of loan received by the department is to the tune
of Rs.446.65 lakhs.
Regarding the
physical achievement recorded under District Plan
during the first 6 months of the current
financial year, under Agricultural sector an area
of 36825 hectares of land was brought under
cultivation of different high yielding varieties
of crops for which 242.36 quintals of high
yielding variety seeds were made available to the
farmers besides 1812 tonnes of chemical
fertilizers. Under plant protection scheme, 8.90
hectares of land was covered and 29.80 quintals
of pesticides were distributed. Under Vegetable
Development Scheme, 90 kgs of vegetable seeds
were distributed among the farmers whileas 1700
farmers were trained at 34 farmers training camps
about the new and latest technique of
cultivation. The Dhingri Mushroom production was
recorded to the extent of 4 quintal while as 3.40
quintals of honey was produced besides 520
Agriculture implements were distributed to the
needy farmers.
Under
Horticulture sector, top working was made on 1312
fruit plants, 50 metric tonnes fruit products
were processed and 18 persons were trained in
this processing. Under Animal Husbandry sector,
Rs.1.44 lakhs animals were treated against
various diseases besides giving doses,
vaccinations to them. Under Sheep Husbandry
sector, nearly 4 lakhs sheep and goats were
treated from various diseases. Under minor
irrigation, an area of 11 acres was covered while
under Rural Development sector, 13 Self Help
groups were formed.
Under Roads and
Building sector, black topping was made over 2.3
kms of roads, metalling was made on 7.25 kms,
shingling was made on 2.58 kms and 4.40 kms fair
weather roads were constructed.
The meeting was
informed that under youth service and sports
sector, 500 youth festivals were organized. Under
the welfare of SC/OBC scheme, pre-metric
scholarships were provided to 3533 students
belonging to S.C. families. Under Nutrition
programme, 10323 children in the age group of 6
month to 3 years and 7053 children in the age
group of 3 to 6 years besides 2557 pregnant women
and 2885 nursing mothers were covered. Moreover,
it was stated in the meeting that under Self
Employment Scheme, 205 cases were sponsored for
financial help while under PMRY 138 cases were
sponsored of which 18 cases stands sanctioned
during the period under report.
|
Symposium
on health awareness organized
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6:
Directorate of Field Publicity, Poonch unit,
organized a seminar "Health awareness: a key
for human survival" for the campers of
Public Youth Development Club (NGO) at Youth
Hostel Nagrota.
As per a release
nearly 150NSS volunteers drawn from different
colleges and Universities of northern India
participated in the symposium and interacted with
each other in presenting health scenario of the
country and suggested various remedial measures
in containing the deadly diseases viz AIDS,
Hepatitis-B, Polio, TB etc.
Dr Vijay Gupta who
was the chief guest of the function, dealt in
length about various initiatives taken by the
Government for prevention of such diseases. Dr
Gupta called upon the youth to ensure community
participation in all health awareness programmes
in order to achieve the goal of "Health for
all" in the country.
In the
competition, Kumari Santosh Sharma from Maha
Vidyalaya Shimla and Kumari Indu from Government
College for Women, Parade (Jammu) bagged first
and third positions respectively whereas Khan
Feroz Shamas from Government SPMR College Jammu
secured second position. Later chief guest gave
away prizes among the winners on the occasion.
Earlier Sangam
Kala Kendra, Jammu registered artists with Song
and Drama division enthralled the campers by
presenting colourful cultural programme on
national unity, communal harmony and eradication
of social evils.
|
DC
reviews stock of food-grains in Kathua
Excelsior Correspondent
Kathua,
Nov. 6:
The District Development Commissioner, Kathua,
Mr. B.D. Sharma reviewed the stock position of
food grains in far-flung areas of the district in
a meeting of officers of Food and Supplies
department here yesterday.
While addressing
the meeting, Mr. Sharma exhorted the Food and
Supplies department to ensure availability of
sufficient stock of food grains in far-flung
areas of Kathua district keeping in view the
ensuing winter season.
Mr. Sharma
directed the Assistant Director, Food and
Supplies to persue the matter with the higher
authorities for release of food-grains for three
months and ensure transportation of the same and
other essential commodities to these areas within
next 10 days.
He further
revealed that a total of 30,300 families have
been identified under BPL, 5400 families under
Annatodya for providing food-grains at
concessional rates in Kathua district.The
department has also identified 550 families under
Annapurna scheme. The DDC further said that
committees headed by the Tehsildar of respective
tehsils have been constituted to verify the lists
of beneficiaries/ families already identified
under the categories of BPL, Annatodya and
Annapurna schemes. The other members of the
committees included BDO, TSO and Sarpanch of
respective tehsil.
The Assistant
Director, Food and Supplies, Kathua, Mr. Krishan
Chand Sharma apprised the meeting that the
department has initiated necessary steps for
winter storage in far-flung areas of the
district. He said that 1375 quintals of wheat,
1382 quintals of rice and 450 quintals of sugar
will be stored at various stocking centres at
Lowang, Bhandar, Duggar, Dullangal, Duggan, Koti,
Roulaka and Fatehpur in Bani Naibat.
The food-grains
would be available at the rates already announced
for the families identified under BPL and
Annatodya Schemes. The beneficiaries of Annapurna
Scheme would also get 10 kg rice per month per
ration card free of cost.
Tehsil Supply
Officers of various tehsils also attended the
meeting.
|
 |
| Yuva Shakti chief, PWF leaders
join Jammu People’s Front Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6:
President of Yuva Shakti, general
secretary-cum-spokesman, secretary of People
Welfare Forum and president Mahila Mandal Jammu
today joined Jammu People’s Forum and
pledged to support front in achieving its role
and objectives.
This was disclosed
by Mr Satish Poonchi, president of Jammu
People’s Front while addressing a
press-conference. "Yuva Shakti president Mr
Yashpaul Khajuria, general
secretary-cum-spokesman of People Welfare Forum
Dr V S Jamwal and president Mahila Mandal Jammu
Mrs Kanchan Sawhney have joined our Front to help
us in achiving our goals", he said.
"Jammu
People’s Front is committed to give its full
support to the newly formed coalition Government
and hopes that every elected member of Assembly
will work according to expectations of the
people", Mr Poonchi said and added that
Jammu People’s Front will act as watch-dog
for implementation of things which are mentioned
in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the
coalition Government.
Dr Khazan Singh,
former president of People Welfare Forum said
that in case the coalition Government failed to
fulfill the promises it has made with the people,
Jammu People’s Front will adopt different
means to protest against that.
Both Mr Poonchi
and Dr Khazan Singh expressed their surprise over
a news-item published in section of press in
which Mr Chadda has been stated to become the
self styled chief patron of the JPF. "Mr
Chadda already stands expelled from the Front by
a majority of the vote of the executive body for
his anti-party activities", they disclosed
and said that Mr Chadda has been misusing the
name of JPF.
Messrs Saroop
Singh, advisor, Janki Nath Dhar, vice-president,
Ravi Khajuria, publicity secretary and S S
Bandral, cashier were also present in the
press-conference.
|
BJP
holds dharna against CMP of coalition Govt
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6:
Bhartiya Janata Party, state unit, held mass
dharna at Shalamar Chowk yesterday under the
chairmanship of Mr Daya Krishan Kotwal, state
president against Common Minimum Programme of
coalition Government in Jammu and Kashmir. BJP
also observed the day as "Chetna
Diwas".
As per a release
while addressing Mr Kotwal said CMP of coalition
Government is pro-militants and termed it as
pro-Hurriyat, secessionist and total surrender to
Kashmiri chauvinism.
Mr Kotwal scoffed
at the categorization of terrorists into
compartments, while the truth remains that a
terrorist is a terrorist and evil for the
society. He questioned Mufti on the issue of
dialogue and said dialogue for what? He said
dialogue if any should be to get vacated
illegally occupied areas of the State from
Pakistan.
Lashing out at
Congress, party general secretary and spokesman
Dr Nirmal Singh said Congress has surrendered
before PDP dictates and has detracted from its
promises made to the people. He added that
intentions of the Government have become clear by
scrapping of POTA and only consideration of Wazir
Commission report. He said consideration is
nothing when they had promised its
implementation.
The BJP spokesman
said further that removal of army pickets from
Bhaderwah and Rajouri areas and killings of
innocent by militants at Bhaderwah and blast at
Poonch was a sinister conspiracy to hand-over
state to terrorists.
Dr Singh
questioned Congress president Sonia Gandhi,
" Is she going to be lenient towards killers
of Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv
Gandhi? Is she going to rehabilitate their
families and call them innocent, questioned Dr
Singh.
|
|
Sectt
employees meet Finance Minister
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6:
A delegation of Civil Secretariat Employees
Association led by Haji Mohd Afzal Qadri met the
Minister for Finance and Planning Department
today.
As per a release
the delegation gave the Minister the first hand
information about secretariat work culture, which
was totally missing due to lack of
accountability.
The employees
leaders also informed the Minister about
back-door appointments, extensions granted to the
favourites by the erstwhile and also
emphasized/stressed for the enhancement of
retirement age from 58 years to 60 years in order
to bridge gap and cement the relationship with
rest of other state employees who were benefitted
with the privilege of 60 years age under 5th Pay
Commission recommendations.
The Minister
assured fullest support and impressed upon the
employees to show same spirit in implementing the
Government’s policy and programmes to
ameliorate the sufferings of the common man,
subjected to in the State.
Others in the
delegation included Messrs Manzoor Ahmed Khan,
Chaman Lal Chaman, Ali Mohi-ud-Din, M A Raja and
S Surjeet Singh.
|
|
BOSE
constitutes committee to enquire
mass copying incident
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6:
The Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School
Education (JKSBOSE) has taken serious note of the
incident of mass copying incident and appointed
departmental inquiry committees under a senior
officer of the Board and a senior educationist to
make an in-depth enquiry under a senior officer
of the Board and a senior educationist to make an
in-depth enquiry into the case.
The Committee has,
infact, already started its work and last but by
no means the least the Board once again
gratefully acknowledges the role of the police in
their attempt to unearth the truth and book the
culprits whosoever and howsoever highly placed
they may be.
According to a
press release issued by Prof Jai Pal Singh,
secretary of the Board, in order to dispel the
misgivings of the public in general and students
in particular the might have been created due to
some unsavoury happening at Centre No 132 of
Higher Secondary School examination Part-II
Bi-annual session 2002 constituted at St. Peter
High School, B C Road Jammu a few days back.
Release stated
that the Board would like to put the records
straight and inform the knowledgeable that,
"the Board has been conducting public
examination since its inception in 1965. It has
introduced new techniques of evaluation and
adopted innovative measures from time to time
which besides ensuring smooth and fair conduct of
examination have also gone a long way in making
the whole system transparent without compromising
on secrecy and confidentiality. As a matter of
fact the Board has created an infrastructure
whereby it can detect any malpractice, as may
have taken place at any centre of examination at
the time of computer analysis of results even if
such cases are not reported from the centres of
examination".
"The
cancellation of examination of eleven centres of
Secondary School Examination (Private) April
session 2002 and the re-test of students of the
said eleven centres which brought down their pass
percentage from more than 90 percent to nearby 5
percent is a case in point which has vindicated
the stand taken by the Board in respect of the
centres where copying had taken place", the
release stated.
|
|
|
