CM approves
additional allocation of
Rs 4 crore for
Pulwama
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR,
Nov 13: An additional allocation of Rs, 4
crore has been sanctioned for Pulwama district
raising the current year’s plan to Rs. 58.49
crore for execution of development process and
implementation of welfare schemes.
This was announced
by the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed at
the Cabinet-cum- Pulwama District Development
Board meeting held here today. The meeting among
others was attended by Deputy Chief Minister, Mr.
Mangat Ram Sharma, almost all Ministers of
Cabinet, Legislators of Pulwama district, Chief
Secretary, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir,
District Development Commissioner, Pulwama and
all Head of departments.
Threadbare
discussion was held over the execution of
development process and implementation of welfare
schemes.
The Legislators
projected demands of their areas and pleaded for
additional allocations for completion of several
ongoing projects. Several decisions were taken on
the spot. These include construction of General
Bus Stand at Shopian, extension and up-gradation
of Pulwama Bus Stand, execution of Wukherwan-
Banderpora road, procurement of Ambulance for
Public Health Centre, Keller, setting up Science
Faculty in Degree College, Shopian, Tral and
Higher Secondary School, Rohmoh.
The Chief Minister
also directed PWD authorities to explore
possibility for raising footbridge at Chursoo on
river Jehlum to link it with Dogripora. The Board
also approved construction of school buildings in
Padgampora, Sambora, Konibal and Noorpora Tral.
The decrease in
saffron production was also discussed in depth
and suggestions were sought from the Vice-
Chancellor, SKUST to revive the saffron and Ambri
fruit produce. The Chief Minister also directed
to take up Aalamgunj- Imam Sahib road viable for
a vast areas. He also asked PHE authorities to
explore possibility augmentation of drinking
water facilities in Rampathri for which the Board
approved release of Rs. 30 lakh for execution of
the project to provide succour to 20 villages of
the area.
The Minister of
State for Works, Mr. Nawang Rigzin, Education
Minister, Mr. Harsh Dev Sing, Social Welfare
Minister, Mr, Mulla Ram, Housing and Rural
Development Minister, Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir and
Minister for Urban Development, Peerzada Mohammad
Sayed highlighted the priorities of their
respective departments and urged for effective
implementation of the programmes and schemes so
that people in general are benefited.
The Finance
Minister Mr. Muzaffar Hussain Beigh in his
address underscored need for adopting responsive
and accountable attitude while dealing with
common masses.
Referring to the
performance of State Forest Corporation, Mr.,
Beigh asked the authorities to check green
felling of forest wealth. He, however, said dry
and fallen wood can be extracted for timber use.
He also appealed officers of the administration
to improve work culture in all the offices and
institutes adding that officers should not
hesitate to have on spot assessment in reviving
the implementation of programmes at ground level.
He said that the Ministers would himself inspect
all development works to ensure quality and
effective work at the grass root level.
The Finance
Minister asked the administration to initiate
measures right now for formulation of
comprehensive plans for next financial year.
The Deputy Chief
Minister, Mr. Mangat Ram Sharma while expressing
satisfaction over the performance of various
departments, hoped the same tempo and spirit will
continue in the administration so that sufferings
of people are mitigated and desired results are
achieved by the implementation of Common Minimum
Programme.
Summing up the 4
hours long discussion of the Board, the Chief
Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said by virtue of
interaction between Legislators and officers of
implementing agencies, Government seeks a
valuable feed back. He stressed need for
involving rural educated youth for active
participation of development process.
Mr Sayeed
reiterating accountability, integrity, honesty
and punctuality of administration said that
institutions like Panchayats, Local bodies and
Municipal bodies need to be created for effective
monitoring and evaluation of development process
and implementation of welfare schemes at the
grass root level.
The Chief Minister
urged upon all officers to adopt transparency on
the working and performance of their departments.
|
Make police stations centre of
all activity: DGP
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 13:
A meeting of police officers was held here today
under the chairmanship of Director General of
Police, Mr. A.K.Suri, with a view to take stock
of law and order and security situation.
Addressing the
officers DGP called upon them to ensure that
police stations become the centre of all activity
and all grievances are redressed by them. There
should be no room for corruption and laxity.
‘Corruption needs to be eradicated. More
humane touch should be given in the working of
police. For this a closer rapport with the masses
is essential’, Mr. Suri said, adding while
no innocent should suffer, criminals, he
emphasised should be dealt with an iron hand.
Mr. Suri also
stressed on the formation of mohalla committees
and exhorted officers to organise symposia and
police-public meets for better understanding of
people’s problems and grievances. He said
that police must ensure a better and peaceful
working environment which alone can ensure
socio-economic development in the state.
The meeting
besides reviewing the security scenario also took
stock of welfare measures for the police
personnel. The welfare measures discussed
included ex-gratia relief to the families of
police martyrs and scholarships to their
children, updating of GPF accounts, expeditious
settlement of pension cases and housing
facilities for the accommodation of police
personnel and their families.
The meeting was
attended by IGP Jammu Zone, Mr. P.L. Gupta, DIG
Rajouri-Poonch Range, Mr. S.S.Bijral, DIG
Doda-Udhampur Range, Mr. Abdul Rashid Khan, DIG
Jammu-Kathua Range, Mr. Dilbagh Singh and Senior
Superintendents of Police of the districts of
Doda, Kathua, Udhampur, Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch,
Jammu Border and Police District Ramban.
|
Policy on recruitment in
Government service
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 13:
Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered that no
appointment shall be made by any department or
officer except as per procedure provided under
Government Order No.129-F of 2001 issued on April
27, 2001.
According to a
circular issued here complete ban was imposed on
recruitment in Government service vide Government
Order No.74-F of 2000 dated April 20, 2000 issued
by the Finance Department. This ban was
subsequently relaxed vide Government Order
No.113-F of 2000 dated 18th July, 2000 for the
cases where selection process was already
complete. Subsequently, on the basis of the
recommendations of a cabinet committee, further
orders were issued by the Finance Department vide
order No.129-F of 2001 dated 27-4-2002.
In the said order,
it was among other things, ordered that all
Administrative Departments shall initially refer
all vacant posts to the Standing Screening
Committee headed by the Financial Commissioner
(Finance) which shall scrutinize all cases meant
for reference to the selection agencies. Posts
can be referred to a selection agency only after
the clearance of the Standing Screening Committee
has been obtained.
The matter has
been further reviewed and it is hereby directed
that no appointment shall be made by any
Department or officer except as per procedure
provided under Government order No.129-F of 2001
dated 27-4-2001. If any officer is found to have
made any appointment in any capacity, viz. on
regular, temporary, adhoc or contract basis, he
may be doing so at his own risk and
responsibility and that serious disciplinary
action will be taken against such officer.
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Arun takes over as new CGM
Telecom J&K Circle
BSNL to start mobile phone
service by
August 2003: CGM
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 13:
Chief General Manager, Telecommunication J&K
Circle (now BSNL), Mr Arun Kumar has said that
Mobile telephone service is expected to be
launched by August 2003 in the Jammu and Kashmir
State.
Speaking at a
felicitation function organised by the Chamber of
Commerce and Industry, Jammu in his honour as
well as to bid farewell to the outgoing CGM, Mr
Rajinder Singh here this evening, Mr Arun said
that BSNL is all set to launch Wireless Local
Loop (WLL) service by January 2003. Most probably
this service for the people of J&K will be
made available from January 26.
For the purpose,
site for the three towers has been identified in
the city at different locations. Besides Old
City, it will be Gandhinagar and Ban Talab. There
will be no compromise on account of height of the
towers for generating good signal. He regretted
that demand for the service is not much as per
the indications till now.
Referring to the
much publicised Mobile Phone Service in the
state, the new CGM said that J&K and
North-eastern states still remain deprived of
this service. The clearance from various agencies
is must for launching this service in J&K and
the concerned authorities are now taking
initiative to start it here also.
There has been
much demand of this service and it is hoped that
if the things went well in the coming months, the
Mobile service will be launched by August 15,
2003. For this, there is need to keep pressure on
the higher authorities in the capital to expedite
the process, he maintained.
Seeking
cooperation from Chamber and allied
organisations, the new CGM assured coordination
for the smooth functioning. He also disclosed
that facility of making use of internet and the
telephone at the same time, will also be provided
to the consumers and for this an instrument can
be installed for the dual purpose. While working
on the internet, call facility will also be
there.
Mr Rajinder
Singh, who has been shifted and now posted as CGM
in Himachal Pradesh was honoured on the occasion
by the members and given a memento by the
president of the CCI, Mr Ram Sahai. Mr Singh
while sharing his experience during his posting
in Jammu extended thanks to all for cooperation
and honour accorded to him.
In his welcome
address Mr Sahai, gave brief account of the CCI
and assured to accord full cooperation to the Mr
Arun. He also appreciated the services of Mr
Rajinder Singh and his team for improving
telecommunication services in Jammu. He pointed
out that with the hard work of the officers here,
the telephone services have been improved a lot
in the State. He also hoped that with the coming
of new CGM the process of commencing Mobile
service will start here soon.
On behalf of CCI,
Mr Sahai offered full cooperation to the new CGM
and his team. Mr R K Upadhya, General Manager,
Telecom was also present on the occasion.
Senior Vice
president of CCI, Mr O P Gupta and
vice-president, Mr Pawan Gulati were also
present.
|
Throw
out bureaucrats creating hurdles: FCIK
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR,
Nov 13:
The Federation Chamber of Industries, Kashmir
(FCIK) has cautioned the new Government against
those elements in the bureaucracy whose attitude
of working has always become a hurdle in the
development and prosperity of the Industry in the
state.
According to a
release, the members in a meeting held here today
under the chairmanship of caretaker president Mr
Imtiaz Ahmed Kuttay the participants accused
these thrusted bureaucrats of totally ignoring
the situation in the State and behaving like
colonial rulers. They are hell bent to malign
their image in public and remained busy in
creating a wedge between Jammu and Valley based
units.
The members said
that all those bureaucrats who creates hurdles in
the smooth functioning of the Government and
cause harassment to the general public should be
thrown out of the State. It will help a lot in
the growth of industry in the State.
Mr Imtiaz said
that under the new governance , the industry in
the Valley is being bestowed with a gift of
disconnections and hundreds of units are being
forced to close down the left over working units
daily. The basis for this action is being made to
the unilateral list of outstanding prepared by
the Power Development Department against units
for non- utilisation of power granted in their
favour as per the agreement of 1989.
The FCIK appeals
the new Government to issue orders for
restoration of electric supply to all the units
and appoint a high level committee under the
chairmanship of Chief Minister, Mufti Mohd Syed
to sort out a just and amicable solution to this
problem.
|
Two JKLF
commanders freed from Kot jail
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 13:
Going ahead with release of the terrorists
despite pressure from some quarters especially
the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), two top
terrorists of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front
(JKLF) were today set free from the high security
Kot Bhalwal jail.
Though official
sources were tight-lipped over the release of the
terrorists, certain reliable sources said both
the JKLF terrorists were released on Government
directions. They have been identified as Bashir
Ahmed Bhat, a resident of Anantnag and Sheikh
Abdul Rashid, a resident of Srinagar.
Bashir Bhat was an
‘area commander’ of JKLF while Sheikh
Rashid was a ‘deputy commander’. They
had been detained under the Public Safety Act
(PSA) and lodged in Kot Bhalwal jail for last
three to four years. While the PSA in respect of
Sheikh Rashid was revoked by the Government, the
PSA in respect of Bashir Bhat had been quashed by
the High Court.
Both of them were
freed from Kot Bhalwal jail this morning and
driven to a CID Cell under tight security for
completion of the legal formalities. The duo were
expected to be flown to Srinagar in the next two
day and released formally.
With the release
of two JKLF terrorists, a total of seven ultras
have been freed by the Government during last
three days. On Monday, JKLF president Yasin Malik
and commanders Shaukat Bakshi and Nazir Ahmed
Sheikh and Hizbul Mujahideen ultra Ayub Dar were
released while yesterday Peoples League leader
Waza was set free on the State Government
directions.
Release of the
terrorists was part of the Common Minimum
Programme (CMP) of PDP-Congress (I) coalition
Government in the State.
According to
sources, both Bashir Bhat and Sheikh Rashid were
hardcore terrorists and were involved in a series
of subversive activities in the Kashmir valley.
In view of their role in the terrorist, they had
been detained under PSA after their arrest by the
security forces.
|
Over
1,500 children take out peace march in Banihal
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 13:
Over 1,500 children and more than 50 teachers
created history by participating in a symposium
cum debate and a rally organized by students of
all the schools of Banihal today.
This was the first
event of its kind after nearly a decade and half
where in such a large gathering of students took
place for social academic cause.
In this
unprecedented event a large number of children
from different schools of Banihal started
assembling in the Higher Secondary School Banihal
from morning. After the reception of the students
the event started with the hoisting of national
flag which was followed by the welcome address of
Principal Higher Secondary School Banihal. While
addressing the students he exhorted them to
participate in cultural and social events and
help in bringing about the peace, communal
harmony and development in Banihal.
The event
commenced with a symposium cum debate in which
children in large numbers from Government Higher
Secondary School and Girls School Banihal,
Waldhen Academy, Govt Middle School Banihal,
Adnan English School Holna, Karwan High School,
Karawa Middle School, Karawa, Duligam Higher
Secondary School, Duligam English School and
Karawa High School, Banihal spoke on the topics
like "Peace and National Integrity",
"Peace and Harmony", "Values of
Education", "India of My Dreams",
"Values of hard Work", Prophet Mohammed
an Angel of Peace","Ills of
Terrorism" and "Development of
Banihal".
After the
symposium the children took out a peace and
national integration march through the Banihal
market.
The army officers
of the RR who were invited said children are
future builders of the nation.
|
Traffic
regulation discussed at high level meeting
Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu,
Nov 13: The
Divisional Commissioner Jammu Mr. Anil Goswami
convened a high level meeting to discuss various
points for regulation, monitoring and stream
lining of the vehicular traffic on city roads.
The meeting
discussed in detail various points for regulating
the traffic and properly monitoring traffic jams
especially at the peak hours. The point discussed
included restriction for plying of heavy vehicles
in Jammu city especially on Janipura road,
fixation of timing, construction of road
dividers, identification of parking places, one
way traffic especially for heavy vehicles to
fruit Mandi, removal of encroachment on road/foot
paths, violation of route permits, earmark
"Patti" on each matadoor/colour the
matadoor "Patti" route-wise. Report
regarding total Nos. of old vehicles having life
of 30,25,20 and 15 years, identification of
originating point, time of departure of 2X2 buses
for Kathua route, stopping of overloading,
temporary permits, widening of approach road from
Janipur to High Court, stopping of overloading,
widening of approach road from Janipura to High
Court and etc.
The Divisional
Commissioner Jammu, Mr. Goswami apprised the
meeting that the directions issued by the State
High court have to be implemented in toto to seek
the required results in order to channelize the
traffic in the city as regards setting up of
parking places , Mr. Goswami asked the Dy.
Commissioner, Jammu to identify the spots to be
used as parking places of matadoors, mini buses,
Autorikshaws, two wheelers, Tata Sumos etc. The
Administrator Jammu Municipality was asked to
ensure the removal of encroachment on roads and
in congested bazars immediately.
The RTO was
directed to prepare a list of old vehicles having
life of 30, 25,20 and 15 years so that the matter
could be taken with the Government for taking
appropriate action in this regard.
The SP Traffic was
directed to strictly enforce the rules regarding
use of helmet by two wheeler drivers. Besides
they will not allow the old vehicle to ply on the
city roads. The Traffic authorities were also
asked to check rash driving especially by the
motorcyclists and other heavy and light vehicles.
In Jammu city as well as other long and short
routes.
Among others those
who were present in the meeting includes Dy.
Commissioner Jammu, Mr. Rohit Kansal ,
Administrator, Jammu Municipality, S.Narinder
Singh, Joint Director Information, Mr. Satish
Nehru, Chief Engineer, PWD, SP Traffic, RTO Jammu
and Presidents of Matadoor Union.
|
National
level training programme on PIM commences
Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu,
Nov. 12: A
week-long national level training programme on
Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) under
Command Area Development Programme was
inaugurated by the Chief Engineer, Irrigation and
Flood Control (retd), S. Inderjit Singh here
today. The programme has been sponsored by the
Union Ministry of Water Resources and is being
conducted by the Water and Power Consultancy
Services (WAPCOS) (India) Ltd, a Government of
India undertaking.
The Director
Agriculture, Mr. S. N. Anand was the Guest of
Honour while as Director, Command Area
Development, Mr. M. M. Khan presided.
In his inaugural
address, Mr. Singh stressed the need for active
participation of Agriculture and Irrigation
departments besides users in the operation and
maintenance of irrigation system. He said that
persons working in the field especially in
irrigation commands has to equip themselves with
latest technologies available besides interacts
with co-workers, planners and technologists on
different aspects of developments and field
problems.
The Director
Agriculture in his address highlighted the
importance of PIM and said that there is a need
of creating awareness among the masses in general
and farming community in particular about the
methods preserving different water sources.
The Course
Director, WAPCOS (India) Ltd., Mr. D.P.Gupta gave
detailed resume of the course content and need
for adoption of participatory approach in
irrigation system management by the farmers and
water users.
Vote of thanks was
presented by Project Officer, S&W, Command
Area Development, Jammu, Mr. K.R. Gupta.
The function was
also attended by former Director Agriculture, Mr.
D.P. Khajuria, Chief Agriculture Officer, Command
Area, Agriculture scientists and agriculture
field workers.
|
CM
breaks precedence, invites VC to make
presentation at Dev
Board meeting
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar,
Nov 13:
Breaking precedence, the Chief Minister Mufti
Mohammad Sayeed today invited the Vice
Chancellor, SK University of Agricultural Science
and Technology (SKUAST), Dr. M. A. Kamal to make
a presentation on the saffron production at the
joint meeting of the State Cabinet and the
District Development Board, Pulwama held here
today. This follows the concern the Chief
Minister has expressed in view of the decline in
saffron production in the valley and asked
experts to suggest ways and measures to arrest
the trend.
The Chief Minister
evinced keen interest in the presentation and
sought clarification on various points. He
underlined importance of greater interaction
between scientists and farmers to work out ways
for increasing productivity. He asked the Vice-
chancellor to increase the intake capacity of the
Agriculture College, Wadoora and ensure that the
passed out graduates have enough field
experience. He suggested sprinkle irrigation of
saffron fields in the event of drought and asked
experts to examine its possibility on the Pampore
Karevas, the land of Saffron.
Dr. Kamal said
that SKUAST was actively engaged in research
activities to increase the saffron production and
make the crop disease free. He said the
University recently established Rs. 30 lakh
research centre at Konibal, Pampore in the heart
of the saffron growing belt where scientifically
designed experiments were undertaken to cover all
aspects of the cultivation of the exotic flower
especially with respect to the problems faced by
farmers. He said the productivity at the research
station was expected to go up to 3.5 kgs per
hectare as compared to the 2 kg to 2.5 kgs per
hectare normally achieved in the saffron fields.
The
Vice-chancellor said that the research station
has evoked lot of enthusiasm among the farmers in
view of its success in ensuring steep increase in
the per hectare production. He said the
scientists were continuously interacting with
farmers and acquainting them with the scientific
know how about the cropping of saffron. The
interaction, he said, is helping in removing
doubts in the minds of farmers. He said the
University has established demonstration plots in
the saffron fields of farmers were production is
more than in the rest of the fields.
Dr. Kamal said the
SKUAST would tomorrow organise a workshop on
saffron production where researchable issues
concerning increase in saffron productivity and
its conservation against possible diseases would
be discussed. The workshop would be held under
the World Bank funded National Agriculture and
Technology Project of the Indian Council of
Research.
|
Efforts
on to formulate cohesive strategy
GMC finally wakes up,
planning multi-disciplinary
seminar on AIDS
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 13: The premier medical institution of
the region—Government Medical College and
Hospital has finally awaken and started planning
cohesive strategy to treat Acquired Immuno
Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients on the
recommendations of World Health Organization
(WHO) and National AIDS Control Organization
(NACO).
Sources in
hospital told EXCELSIOR that the question as how
to treat AIDS patients carefully in the
institution has become the talk of the every
concerned department and Department of Medicine,
which is directly associated with such patients,
has become first to initiate constructive steps
in this regard.
"Very soon
Department of Medicine is organizing
multi-disciplinary seminar in cooperation with
National AIDS Control Organization (NACO)",
the sources said and added that during the
seminar the senior doctors of all the departments
and NACO will jointly formulate cohesive strategy
to treat AIDS patients in the hospital, who were
being advised to leave the hospital till now.
According to
sources, the Principal of the Hospital Dr H L
Goswami has also sent letters to all the
concerned departments to know what steps they
were initiating in this regard. "The basic
aim of organizing multi-disciplinary seminar is
to unitedly decide what types of medicines and
therapy should be given to the AIDS patients for
prolonging their lives and what GMC Hospital can
do in this regard at institutional level",
the sources added.
"After
formulating cohesive strategy the State
Government will be pressurized to provide
medicines for AIDS patients on subsidized
rates", the sources further said and
informed that Department of Medicine today had an
interactive session to discuss the strategy.
In the interactive
session, the sources said, Dr Amit
Basnotra’s presentation was highly
appreciated by all and Dr Vijay Gupta, HOD of
Medicine held detailed discussions with Dr S K
Gupta, Dr S S Soodan, Dr Manoj Sharma and Dr Anil
Sharma. "Today’s interactive session
and the seminar which will be organised shortly
are the steps to gear-up the institution for
tackling increased number of AIDS patients",
the sources said.
According to
available figures, currently one in 25 AIDS
patients is able to afford treatment for this
deadly disease in developing nations and both
NACO and World Health Organisation (WHO) are
aiming at to make it available to atleast 50
percent of the patients by the year 2005.
|
State
unit of Shakti Dal dissolved
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 13:
To revamp the party in Jammu and Kashmir, state
unit of Shakti Dal has been dissolved and new
body will come into force with in next couple of
days.
This was disclosed
by Mr Kuldeep Sharma, state president of the
party while addressing a press-conference here
today. Mr Sharma has been authorised by the party
high command to nominate the persons of integrity
into the new set-up of the party.
"The
enrolment of members will soon start and within
next three months around five lakh persons will
be enrolled in the party in Jammu region",
he said and added that the workers of the party
will also be trained in such a way so that they
could properly highlight the grievences of the
people particularly in rural areas.
According to Mr
Sharma, the members will be trained at block
level to acquaint them with the policies and
programmes of the party. "The party will
take up the burning issues like corruption,
unemployment, basic needs of the people of the
State with the Government", the president of
Shakti Dal said.
These measures
were discussed in party’s high-command
meeting at New Delhi which was held under the
chairmanship of Mr Varun Gandhi, patron of the
Shakti Dal. In the meeting, Jammu and Kashmir
State Committee was represented by Mr Kuldeep
Sharma, office bearers and contestants for the
just concluded Assembly elections.
"The meeting
also discussed the performance of Shakti Dal in
the recently held Assembly elections and it was
felt that due to shortage of time the party could
not get mass public support", Mr Sharma said
and added that the performance of contestants was
appreciated as within a period of three months of
party formation, they got good number of votes.
The State
president of Shakti Dal disclosed that in the
month of January next year the party will
organise a camp in Jammu which will be attended
by Mrs Maneka Gandhi.
|
 |
Meritorious
students awarded certificates
Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA,
Nov 13:
The 6th annual award presentation of Lala
Kanhaiya Shah Educational Trust was held in which
CEO Kathua Mr S S Jamwal was the chief guest and
Principal of the Government Higher Secondary
School Mr K K Gupta presided over.
As per a release
various awards instituted by the trust were given
away. The Uttam Vidyarthi Award carrying a cash
prize of Rs 4000 was won by Mr Ajay Kumar, a
student of RSJN Higher Secondary School Kathua.
Neha Sharma won Laksh Merit scholarship award for
SSE and Sulekha Bhadwal bagged Achhri Devi Merit
scholarship for MSE. Gulzar Ahmed won honours for
topping in 10+2 examination. Financial assistance
for books and uniforms was extended to deserving
Primary students for pursuing their studies.
Students excelling
in various activities were also presented
mementoes, a certificate of honour and a set of
books each. Mukesh Raina got honours for Sports,
Sonia Gupta for best debator, Arun Sharma for
environment protection and Arti Sharma for
cultural activities. Books for School Library
were also presented.
|
Samaj
Sudhar Committee discusses demands
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 13:
Jammu and Kashmir Samaj Sudhar Committee in its
meeting here today under the chairmanship of
Irfan Mohd Ismail Zargar and M Y Wani, which
discussed in details various important aspects
and issues concerning genuine rights of disabled
persons.
As per a release
the committee demanded that widows and disabled
persons should be given Rs 500 per month. The
committee also demanded that old aged shopkeepers
who have attained the age of 60 years should also
be given old age pension at the rate of Rs 500 at
a stage when they are not in a position to pay
tax to the Government.
The committee also
called for payment of Rs 500 per month to all
educated unemployed youth as their pocket
expenses. The committee also urged the Government
to open atleast one Anganwari worker in every
village.
The committee also
called upon the Government to restore all the
SRTC buses from where these have been withdrawn
for the benefit of general public.
The Committee
appealed the Militant groups and the security
forces to exercise restraint during the holy
month of Ramzan.
Those present in
the meeting included Messrs Irfan M I Zargar Mohd
Yousaf Wani, G M Beigh, G M Sheikh, Mushtaq Ahmed
Wani, Mehraj-ud-Din Ganie, G H Ganie, Rajinder
Mehra, Anil Manhas, Ghulam Nabi Beigh Mohd
Shakeel, Shamsher Singh, Ajay Sharma, Vinod Tak,
Nayeem Gupta, Pinky Sharma, Suriya Begum, Radha
Krishan, Sat Pal Singh, Naresh Kumar, Farooq
Ahmed Sohail, Syed Aijaz Shah, Bipen and hundreds
of workers.
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JSM
warns CM against releasing terrorists
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 13:
The Jammu State Morcha (JSM) has taken serious
note of the release of some terrorist leaders,
who were involved in the heinous crime of murder,
on the pretext of giving healing touch.
In a press
statement issued by Prof Varinder Gupta,
co-convinor, JSM termed these releases as
irresponsible act. "Healing touch is to be
provided to the common masses who suffered and to
the families who lost their dears, by attending
to their grievances. By releasing the terrorist
leaders Mufti Government is taking a great risk
and it should fix punishment for itself if the
situation deteriorates and goes out of
control", he said, adding, "Mufti
Mohammed Sayeed is already being held responsible
for escalating violence in the Valley when he was
Union Home Minister and had got released his
daughter Rubia Sayeed in exchange of hard-core
terrorists".
It was stated that
the release of Showkat Ahmed Bakshi immediately
after Mufti took over as the Chief Minister
confirms the story that kidnaping of Rubia was
merely a drama staged to manage release of some
dreaded terrorists.
Pointing towards
statement of Yasin Malik, JSM stated that
Malik’s statement has exposed that Mufti had
hobnobbed with militants to ensure victory in
Assembly elections. "It is neither judicious
nor reasonable to release militants without their
cases being secrutinized by a screening
committee".
JSM asked the
Congress and Panthers Party to press the PDP to
take steps to end discrimination with Jammu
region. Statement stated that besides
implementing Wazir Commission’s
recommendations, new Government should constitute
Delimitation Commission and strength of employees
from Jammu region in Civil Secretariat be raised
to 50 percent. It was further demanded that
employees of Valley posted in Jammu region be
replaced by the Jammuites and package for
migrants at par with KPs, who suffered due to
militancy and border disturbances be announced
and alternate accommodation be arranged for the
people living along the borders.
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Plight
of daily wagers highlighted
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 13: Mr Subash Shastri, president of the
National Mazdoor Conference has urged the Prime
Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to sanction a
special package of Rs 10,000 crores for speeding
up development efforts in Jammu and Kashmir to
provide much needed respite to the people of the
State.
According to a
press release, while addressing a rally at Marh,
Mr Shastri said that the special Central package
should have earmarked amount for tackling the
problems of the salaried class in the State.
He expressed
plight of the daily wagers of Rural Development
Department, Social Forestry Project and Water
Shed Project etc due to non-disbursement of their
wages.
He also urged the
Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed to
personally intervene into the matter and release
the pending installment of DA in favour of the
employees.
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Painting competition held on
diabetes
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 13: In
continuation of the world diabetes day celebrations,
second annual painting competition on the subject of
diabetes was organised at Institute of Music and Fine
Arts, Poonch House, Jammu.
According to a press
release, on the occasion, Dr Raj Kumar Sharma,
diabetoligist, Medical College Jammu explained about the
assuming endemic proportion of Diabetes Mellitus all over
the world and as per the WHO reports India will have the
dubious distinction of topping the nations with maximum
number of diabetes (57 million) by 2025.
Dr Raj Kumar Sharma has
made an effort to start Diabetes Awareness Programme from
schools and colleges, in order to generate awareness
among the generation.
The paintings were judged
by the eminent jury and Dr Raj Kumar Sharma gave away the
prizes to the winners. The first prize was won by Sunita
Bhatt, while three second prizes were awarded to Seema
Sharma, Monika Gupta and Pawan Kumar.
Court rejects Iftikhar
Geelani’s bail application
NEW
DELHI, Nov 13:
A Delhi court today rejected the bail application of
Delhi-based journalist Iftikhar Geelani, who was arrested
by the police for allegedly possessing classified
documents.
Chief Metropolitan
Magistrate Sangeeta Dhingra Sehgal denied bail to
Geelani, who is lodged in Tihar jail here for the past
six months.
Geelani, Bureau Chief of
the Kashmir Times, had been booked on June 10 under the
Official Secrets Act for allegedly possessing details of
Indian troop deployment in Jammu and Kashmir.
The accused has said that
he was innocent and had been arrested as he is the
son-in-law of firebrand Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah
Geelani. If convicted, he could face up to 14 years of
imprisonment.
Police had earlier said
that he was supplying the "secret documents" to
Pakistan. (UNI)
CM announces additional Rs 6 cr
for Anantnag
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar,
Nov 13: An
additional allocation of Rs 6 crore has been approved for
Anantnag raising the current year’s plan to Rs 74.65
crore for execution of development process and
implementation of several welfare programmes in the
district.
Decision to this effect
was taken at a joint meeting of Cabinet and District
Development Board Anantnag here today.
Chief Minister, Mufti
Mohammad Sayeed chaired the meeting and it was attended
among others by Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Mangat Ram
Sharma, Finance Minister, Rural Development Minister,
Housing and Urban Development Minister, Social Welfare
Minister, Education Minister, MoS for works, Legislators
of Anantnag district, Planning Commissioner, Divisional
Commissioner, Kashmir, District Development Commissioner,
Anantnag besides all heads of departments and district
officers.
The Legislators projected
demands of their respective constituencies and pleaded
for additional allocations for completion and speed up of
ongoing works. Most of the members urged for augmentation
of drinking water facilities in scarcity areas,
improvement in communication facilities, repairs/
replacement of damaged transformers.
After threadbare
discussion held over the demands, the board took
decisions on the spot to over come the problems and
executing agencies were directed to expedite and
accelerate the pace of work so that people are benefited
and their suffering are mitigated.
The major decisions taken
by the board for public interest include installation of
hand pumps in needy areas, allocation of required funds
for completion of irrigation pump station Symthan,
upgradation of Girls High School Verinag to Higher
Secondary School Status, remodelling of Brah canal,
dispensary at phrislo Kund, PHC Kelam.
Earlier, the MOS for
Works, Education Minister, Housing and Urban Development
Minister, Social Welfare Minister, Rural Development
Minister highlighted the priorities and thrust areas
adding that people at the grass root level should avail
benefits of the common minimum programme formulated by
the coalition Government.
Winding up the five hour
long discussion, the Chief Minister gave several
direction to the administration and executing agencies
for timely completion of on going projects. He said the
officers should ensure transparency of their performance.
He also underscored need for quality work by way of
adopting norms and specifications.
Welfare scheme launched in
Anantnag
to benefit 47000 poor women
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar,
Nov 13: The
Government today launched a welfare scheme to help
malnourished poor women in Anantnag district as a Pilot
project in the State.
Announcing this at a joint
meeting of Cabinet and District Development Board
Anantnag, Social Welfare Minister, Mr. Mula Ram said that
under this centrally sponsored scheme, the malnourished,
pregnant ladies, nursing mothers and adolescent girls in
the category of BPL families shall be provided 6 Kg free
ration (food grains) per month. This free ration shall be
supplied through public distribution system outlets by
Food and Supplies department for three months. The
eligible girls and women for this benefit are those who
are less than 35 Kgs and 40 Kgs respectively.
This is a 100 per cent
centrally funded scheme which will involve an expenditure
of Rs 1.25 crore. The Central has released Rs 68.41 lakh
as first instalment.
Mr. Mula Ram said that
47000 per cent would be benefited by the scheme. These
include 31525 adolescent girls in the age group of 11 to
18 years and 15132 pregnant ladies and nursing mothers.
Community institutions to be
strengthened for
accountability, transparency: CM
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR,
Nov 13: Chief
Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that his
Government would strengthen community institutions to
ensure greater accountability and transparency adding
that all rural works would be implemented through the
active involvement of these institutions.
Winding up the twin
meetings of the state cabinet with district development
boards of Pulwama and Anantnag held here today, Mr.
Sayeed said community institutions like panchayats have
to play a major role in the development of the State. He
said all development works in rural areas would be
carried out through panchayats and where these elected
institutions were not available at the moment the
community members would be involved in the process. He
said the assets of panchayats and other civic bodies need
to be well looked after and the Government would revive
the posts of Mali-cum-chowkidars to ensure the
care of these assets.
Envisaging wider role of
supervision and monitoring of development works for
legislators, the Chief Minister said officers would be
accountable to the elected representatives of the people
who in turn would be responsible for successful
implementation of various programmes. He said the
administration being the instruments of the Government,
had to materialize its policies and programmes. "We
have reposed faith in you and it is now your duty to
deliver", he told the s officers. The Government, he
said, believes in authority with accountability on which
there would be no compromise. He asked officers to work
with missionary zeal and bring about the perceptible
change.
Responding to the
problems raised by legislators particularly in case of
damaged electricity transformers, Mr. Sayeed said that a
blanket order had been issued for repairs of all damaged
transformers across the valley. He said where the damage
was beyond repairs the transformers would be replaced. He
said this was done in view of the inconvenience faced by
people on this account. He said as per another decision
the works under the Prime Minister’s Sadak Yojna
would be carried out through public works department, as
these works were required to be executed as per PWD
specifications. He asked the concerned officers to ensure
transparency in the allotment of works.
The Chief Minister said
while he had no Aladdin’s lamp to overnight change
the situation yet his consistent effort would be to work
towards this end. He said the challenges ahead were
enormous and it was about time to work together to
achieve our goal. He said he did not believe highlighting
achievements of the Government in terms of expenditure of
crores of rupees but in real physical achievement.
"We are making a beginning and hopefully people will
soon see the change", he said.
Throughout the meetings,
Mr. Sayeed evinced keen interest in knowing the problems
of the people as reflected by their elected
representatives and sought answers form concerned
officers.
He announced an
additionality of Rs. 4 crores for district Pulwama and
Rs. 6 crores for district Anantnag, making the total
outlay of the current year’s district plans as Rs.
59.49 cr and Rs. 74. 65 cr, respectively.
The Deputy Chief Minister,
Mangat Ram Sharma, Minister for Finance, Planning and Law
and Parliamentary Affairs, Muzaffar Hussain Beig,
Minister for Rural Development, Pirzada Mohammad Syed,
Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Ghulam Hassan
Mir, Minister for Social Welfare, Mula Ram, Minister for
School Education, Harsh Dev Singh and Minister of State
for Works, Nawang Rigzin also addressed the officers.
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