Implementation of elementary education on top agenda: Harsh

Excelsior Correspondent

Udhampur, Nov 23: The Minister for Education, Mr. Harshdev Singh has said that implementation of elementary education will be on the top of agenda of the State.

The Minister was speaking at 18th District Level Science Exhibition organized by the State Institute of Education and Training, Reasi at Nehru Memorial Academy premises here today.

The Minister said that as already announced , 840 new primary schools are being opened in the State while in first phase, 40 new schools will be opened in the district. He said that it has also been decided to open 300 education centres under education guarantee scheme. Appreciating the difficulties of the students in receiving education who have to walk long distances, the Minister assured that their problem will be solved by opening one school at one kilometer.

Mr Singh said that the Government was working out a plan to improve the educational standard to make it a model education through out the country.

The Minister congratulated the staff and students for their participants in the exhibition. He was thrilled to see the excellence shown by the students in preparing the science models. He said that our students are intelligent, talented and competent who need exposure from time to time. He said that unfortunately the required facilities could not be provided to the students to improve their talent. The Minister hoped that our children will earn name in future life by their hard work and intelligence.

Earlier, speaking on the occasion, the Director, School Education Jammu said that universalization of education and computerization was the challenge which need visionary spirit and joint efforts to carry it forward. He said that the Minister is well versed with the problems of students and teachers of the district and every effort will be made to mitigate the problems.

Local MLA Udhampur, Mr. Balwant Singh also spoke on the occasion. He stressed the need to provide Dogri language to sustain our culture and Dogra heritage.

Later, the Minister accompanied by Director Education, DDC, Udhampur and MLA, Udhampur went around the exhibition stalls and interacted with the students and staff presenting the models.

The functions was concluded with the prize distribution among the participants.

AMML observes heritage week

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 23: Amar Mahal Museum and Library (AMML), Jammu is observing World Heritage week from November 19 to 25 in collaboration with the Tour and Travel Association.

According to a release, the AMML alongwith ASI and Travel Association is organising a heritage walk in the morning from Mubarak Mandi to Amar Mahal on November 24. In addition to young boys and girls, a number of eminent citizens are also expected to participate in the heritage walk.

During the week, various schools of the city took part in the heritage week programmes. The schools who took part in the week-long programme included: Jack and Jill High School, Govt High School, Bakshi Nagar, Army School, Kaluchak and Shastri Memorial Higher Secondary School, Paloura.

These heritage walks are part of our popular museum-in-education programme under which the museum keeps on doing activities, which educate the citizens particularly the youth about our rich heritage of art and culture and also the need for its preservation as also further promotion.

The AMML has been arranging a variety of educational programmes like lectures, and talks on various aspects of cultural and historical heritage by experts. The objective is to create awareness among the people about our cultural heritage and environmental issues.

NSS Kathua organises Hepatitis-B awareness prog

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Nov 23: As the second step of the joint Hepatitis-B and Typhoid vaccination program taken up by NSS and Biovac—Wockhardt Ltd—a safe vaccination program was organised today in Government Degree College. The program will continue tomorrow.

The programm was inaugurated by Dr P L Kaul, Principal Government Degree College, Kathua. Tremendous enthusiasm was observed among the NSS volunteers and other students as well. The faculty and other staff also participated in this program.

Wockhardt representative Mr Dilbagh Singh praised the selfless efforts of the NSS volunteers and NSS Program Officer Prof Sumanesh Singh, who worked very hard to make this program a success.

More than 150 students took Hepatitis-B vaccination on the first day of the program. The NSS volunteers have also spreaded awareness in the neighbouring areas and a number of locals are expected to participate in the program and get their families vaccinated tomorrow.

Prof V K Kapoor, Coordinator—NSS Jammu will be present in the program tomorrow and share ideas with NSS volunteers. Prof Sumanesh Singh has appealed the local people to come to the College campus to get themselves educated about the disease and its hazards and get vaccinated their families.

54 bovines seized; 6 arrested

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 23: Police today seized 54 bovine animals and arrested six persons for illegally transporting them in four trucks.

On a specific information that a large number of bovine animals were being smuggled to Srinagar in four trucks, a team of Banihal Police led by ASI G K Wani under the supervision of Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Jaswant Singh Katoch laid a naka near Banihal.

One by one all the four trucks bearing registration numbers JK02G-2670, JK02G-3795, JK02C-5661 and JK02F-2199 were seized, which were illegally carrying bovine animals from Jammu to Srinagar.

Six persons including four drivers were arrested by the police. They have been identified as Paramjeet Singh, son of Joginder Singh of Vijaypur, Mohd Azam, son of Mohd Hussain of Poonch, Sadiq Hussain, son of Barkat Hussain of Rajouri, Joginder Raj, son of Daya Ram of R S Pura, Fazal Din, son of Mohd Bashir and Binu Hussain, son of Shamas Gujjar, both the residents of Beli Charana.

Centre used power for personal gains: Sonia

CHANDIGARH, Nov 23: Congress president Sonia Gandhi today charged the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government with using power for "personal gains" saying that the BJP led Government had failed on all fronts.

"The Centre has used power for personal gains... A common man could not get relief in the BJP’s rule," Sonia said addressing the 81st rally of ex-servicemen drawn from the north zone here.

"The last three years of the Government proved nothing more than false promises, hollow slogans, misrule and numerous scandals, including coffin and Tehlka," the Congress president said in her 14-minute speech before a mammoth crowd of ex-servicemen drawn from Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Chandigarh.

"The work of the Government is to make life of the people smooth and painless," she said adding that the BJP failed to execute a single work that could provide relief to the common man.

Sonia, who received a standing ovation from the gathering as she stood on the dais, said that we should draw inspiration from soldiers to attain success."To reach at any height we must draw inspirations from brave soldiers, who sacrifice their lives at borders, she added.

On the occasion Sonia felicitated the family members of six valiant soldiers who were decorated with different gallantary awards, inclduing Param Vir Chakra (PVC), for scarificing their lives defending country’s frontier.

These included family members of Naib Subedar Nand Singh (Maha Vir Chakra-MVC), Capt Gyan Singh (Victoria Cross), Hon Capt Joginder Singh (PVC), Hon Capt Karam Singh (PVC), Capt Gurcharan Singh (PVC) and Flying Officer Nirmal Singh Kahlon (PVC).

Sonia also released a magazine brought out by the ex-servicemen.

She also presented a token blanket to Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Vidya Stokes for the people of a village in Sangla Valley. Several trucks full of blankets were later sent for the people of the village which was recently destroyed in a major fire in the Valley.

Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh said that his Government would strongly deal with the people playing with the dignity of the retired soldiers.

"The Punjab Government will seriously consider the legal issues involving retired soldiers," he said.

He demanded that pensions of soldiers should be substantially raised and one rank one pension norm should be implemented."The Congress will raise the soldiers pension issue in the Parliament and force for enactment of a law in this regard," he added.

The Punjab Chief Minister said that if Congress was voted to power at the Centre the party would change the policies and programmes concerning soldiers.

Making a dig at Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Amarinder said that at the time of Kargil operation Pakistan forces were entering Indian territory but the PM was busy in extending friendship hand to his counterpart in that country.

"These people (Centre) do not know what is happening in the country," he ridiculed.

He said that his Government had increased the award money given to PVC, MVC, VC and Sena Medal.

"Earlier a small amount was given to the family members of soldiers who sacrificed their life at frontiers," he added.

Congress ex-servicemen cell chairman Lt Gen M M Lakhera castigated politicians for allegedly failing to take note of the problems faced by soldiers.

He demanded change in pension scheme, implementation of policies for widows of soldiers and handicap soldiers. The soldiers should also be given due representation in several elected bodies, he added.

He said that those who are at the helm of powers are drenching the country in the politics of caste and religion.

He called upon retired soldiers to boldly face such forces for the bright future of the country.(PTI)

Attack on CRPF camp outcome of ‘healing touch’
Governor’s address is militant-friendly: BJP

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 23: Terming Governor’s address to joint session of State legislature as ‘pro-militancy’, Dr Nirmal Singh, spokesman of State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged that in his eight point address the Governor has run against the wishes and expectations of the people of Jammu region.

Talking to media persons here today, Dr Singh said that the address of Governor is the real indicative of the policies which are going to be adopted by this coalition Government and added that the Governor’s address gave clear indications that Government would be more worried about militants than the people and development of the State.

"The first point of the Governor’s address talked of aggressive people than those who wanted peace and were the worst sufferer of militancy", he said and added that the coalition Government released hard-core terrorists on the name of political prisoners despite the fact that militancy is a national issue and Central Government should have been taken into confidence before initiating such type of steps.

According to Dr Singh, the second point about abolition of Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) is yet another step to help enemies as in the absence of a tool to stop militancy the bloodshed is all set to increase. "If the existing laws were sufficient enough to check militancy then why not any of the terrorists was punished", he questioned while pointing towards the statements from certain quarters that State has a number of anti-militancy laws.

Moreover, the decision to look into the custodial killings could not be considered a positive step in any way as this will give a severe blow to the morale of the security forces, Dr Singh said, adding the Governor talked about giving ex-gratia to the families of militants but he didn’t utter even single word about those peace loving people who have not received the same for the last so many years.

Seeking clarification from the Congress and National Panthers Party (JKNPP) which promised people of representing their feelings, the spokesman of State BJP termed both Congress and NPP as opportunistic alliance partners and said that the first big blow of pro-militant steps was suffered by the State in yesterday’s Fidayeen attack on CRPF camp. "Released militants are re-organising themselves and future will witness horrifying incidents", he cautioned.

"Neither problems of border as well as PoK refugees nor security forces and Village Defence Committees did receive any mention in the address of Governor", Dr Singh said.

In reply to a question, he differentiated the National Conference Government and present coalition Government by saying "old wine in new bottle" and added that Mufti, who always talked of strengthening democracy is working in a haphazard manner which is evident from the fact that he nominated those in the Assembly who lost elections.

BJP MLA from Nagrota Jugal Kishore was also present in the press-conference.

Special checking squads constituted

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 23: In order to have a check over the price index, the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Mr. Anil Goswami convened a joint meeting of officers of different departments and traders organizations here today.

The meeting was attended by Director, Food and Supplies, Dy. Controller, Weights and Measures, Administrator, Jammu Municipality, President Chamber of Commerce, President, Consumer Protection Organization, President, Halwai Association, President, Retailers Association and President, Dhaba Union.

The meeting discussed in detail the factors leading to price hike and measures to control the price hike and provide quality perishable and non-perishable products to the consumers. It was decided to constitute a 5-member committee of concerned departments including Food and Supplies, Weights and Measures, Drug Control organization to review and fix the prices of different commodities in a week’s time. Till then, the prevalent prices are to be charged. The meeting also decided to update the price lists of different commodities prepared by dhaba-wallas. The meeting also discussed in detail the price indices of meat, eggs, chicken, vegetables and fruits.

The meeting also decided to constitute four special squads of different officers to check and control the prices of essential commodities in different parts of Jammu district. The first squad will check the prices in tehsils of Jammu and Akhnoor. This squad comprises Additional Dy. Commissioner, Jammu (Incharge), Assistant Director, Food and Supplies, Jammu district, SDPO, TSO, Inspector Weights and Measures and Inspector Drug Control. The second squad will operate in R.S.Pura and Bishnah tehsils and comprises Assistant Commissioner(G) (Incharge), Assistant Director, Food and Supplies, SDPO, Inspector Weights, Inspector Drug and TSO. The third squad will operate in Samba and Gandhinagar areas and comprises Assistant Commissioner (R) (Incharge), Assistant Director, F&S, SDPO, TSO, Inspector Weights and Measures, Inspector Drug, Inspector Food, Jammu Municipality, Inspector, Food & Supplies. The Fourth squad comprising Deputy Director(Adm) (Incharge), Assistant Director, F&S, SDPO, Inspector Food JM and Inspector Weights and Measures will do its work in Jammu city. All the officers (Incharge squads) will send daily report to Director, Food and Supplies, Jammu.

The President Chamber of Commerce said that the present market has a variety of products available according to the capacity of the buyer. He suggested to fix price of each brand according to its quality. The President, Consumer Protection organization suggested to curb the menace of over-charging by dhaba-wallas and other shopkeepers on the National Highway. He opined to utilize properly the tourist potential especially to Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. The President Dhaba-walla Union pleaded for updating the old rate lists. The President, Retailers Association emphasized for taking measures to check price level in the rural and sub-urban areas.

While reviewing the consumers problems, the Divisional Commissioner underlined the need for keeping a watchful eye on the sellers and stressed upon the concerned authorities to ensure that the shopkeepers do not charge exorbitant rates and provide quality products and pure commodities to the consumers. He also asked the authorities of Food and Supplies, Drug Control, Weights and Measures and NGO’s to keep a closer liaison with the shopkeepers as well as consumers and cooperate in controlling price hike.

DC Doda inspects hospital

Excelsior Correspondent

Doda, Nov 23: An amount of Rs. 10.10 lakh is being spent on the renovation, repair, construction of water tanks and purchase of surgical equipment for the District Hospital Doda during current financial year.

It was revealed during the inspection of the District Hospital Doda made by District Development Commissioner, Mr. Basharat Ahmed Dhar today. He was accompanied by Superintending Engineer, (R&B), PHE, Divisional Forest Officer, Chief Medical Officer and other officers during his visit.

The District Development Commissioner had a round of different wards of the hospital and met with the indoor patients and inquired about their health and medical facilities being provided to them by the hospital authorities. He expressed his great concern over the unhygienic conditions of wards, bath rooms and filthy bedding. The DDC released Rs. 1.60 lakh on the spot for the purchase of surgical equipment, washing machine and construction of water tank with 20,000 litre capacity exclusively for hospital. He directed the Chief Medical Officer and doctors to bring transparency in their working and mitigate the suffering of patients who are already facing hardship due to worst sanitation condition.

The DDC also inspected sanitary block currently under execution and took stock of its pace of progress. He directed the executing authority to ensure that work of the hospital should be completed within a month time. He said the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeeed had already issued directions for improving the functioning of District Hospital in District Development Board meeting held at Doda on 15th of this month.

The DDC also had a round of Doda city and Id-gah areas alongwith team of officers and inspected various lanes and drains. He directed the Executive Officer, Notified Area Committee, Doda for keeping town neat and clean. He also took stock of the arrangements of essential commodities for the ensuing Id festival.

Mukerjee accorded warm welcome on Jammu visit

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 23: Mr Dalip Mukerjee, general secretary All India Regional Rural Bank Employees Association was accorded a rousing welcome by Jammu Rural Bank Officers and Employees Associations here yesterday.

Mr Mukerjee, while addressing the gathering of officers and employees, apprised them of the current developments at the central level and present priorities confronting the very existence of RRBs such as scrapping of Chalpati Rao Committee, formation of National Rural Bank of India (NRBI) and adequate manpower planning in RRBs.

He said that to attain these goals, a massive dharna of 10,000 workers is being held on November 26 and November 27.

He appealed to all workers to make it a grand success with maximum participation. Mukerjee while appreciating the active role played by JRB officers and employees, impressed upon them to continue with their struggle. Messrs Surjeet Singh, APS Brar, president and general secretary NZRBEF and Rashpal Chowdhary, general secretary JRBEA also spoke on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Mukerjee, in the company of Joint Action Committee members of JRBOA and JRBEA called upon the Chairman Jammu Rural Bank to apprise the latter of the developments at the national level in RRB. He also took up some vital local issues pertaining to the staff of JRB, such as promotions with retrospective effect, release of pending allowances etc.

A release issued here said that Chairman gave a patient hearing and was very receptive and promised to find an amicable way in resolving these issues.