Grant of pension to Army personnel
DB dismisses appeal, upholds order of Single Judge

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 24: Division Bench of the State High Court comprising Justice V K Jhanji and Justice B L Bhat has dismissed the appeal filed by Union of India and others against the judgment passed by the Single Judge, whereby Single Judge, while allowing the petition, had observed that the petitioner has become entitled to pension and he is being wrongfully deprived of the same. It was also directed by the Single Judge that the pensionary benefits be calculated and paid to the petitioner within a period of three months.

Against this judgment, the Union of India filed appeal on the ground that the petitioner—Bashir Ahmad had served the Army for nine years, one month and 21 days and thereafter kept him for two years in the reserve and not 15 years as has been held by the Single Judge. As such since qualifying service for the pension was less than the required one, the petitioner is not entitled for the pension, it was submitted.

Advocate Rajinder Singh, appearing for the petitioner, made a reference to the record of service maintained by the appellant, wherein it was on record that the petitioner had served Army for over nine years and kept reserved for 15 years. Original Service Book was also produced by the petitioner’s counsel for the perusal of the court.

While dismissing the petition, the DB observed that on going through the record, " we find that the contention of the appellants that he was kept for two years in the reserve, is not correct. " In view of this finding, even if counter of the appellant had been taken into consideration, then also result would have been the same as has been found by the Single Judge, it was observed by the Division Bench , while dismissing the appeal filed by Union of India.

Cheater awarded 2 yrs RI

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 24: In a rare case of cheating where cheater has been sentenced, the court has directed the accused to undergo rigorous imprisonment for two years.

Accused Kartar Chand, had allegedly cheated Central Cooperative Bank for obtaining loan of rupees 10,000 by mortgaging the immovable property which he had already sold.

The City Judge Jammu, Mr Sanjay Parihar, today, after considering the fact and arguments of Prosecuting Officer D P Singh and Advocate Sunil Malhotra appearing for the accused, observed that the accused has tried to make out a case that the property which was the subject matter of the case, is not the one which happens to be mortgaged. It was, after the scrutiny of the record, found that the case against accused under section 420/RPC has been proved beyond any shadow of doubt. He was accordingly convicted and sentenced for two year’s rigorous imprisonment.

As per the case, Kartar Chand had obtained loan of rupees 10,000 from Central Cooperative Bank by mortgaging the immovable property (HNo 294 at Sarwal Jammu). The mortgage deed was registered in the Court of Sub Registrar Jammu.

When the accused failed to liquidate the loan amount, the Bank initiated proceedings against him and accordingly an award for recovery was passed.

It was found during the investigations that Kartar Chand had played fraud, as this immovable property was already sold to one Chaman Lal on July 1, 1980.

A case of cheating was registered against the accused and later challan presented in the court.

Natrang stages "Holi" at Abhinav Theatre

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 24: Natrang—a famous theatre group, staged a Hindi play—"Holi" at Abhinav here on Wednesday evening.

The play, originally written in Marathi by Mahesh Elkunchwar and later translated in Hindi by Vasant Dev was directed by Balwant Thakur, secretary of the State Cultural Academy.

The play comments upon the modern educational system and revolves round the life style of new generation and their approach towards life. The play depicts the college life and the attitude of the college goers towards studies, life and their inter-relationships.

The play begins with the situation which provokes the young college hostlers to revolt against the administration as they are not allowed to go for a holiday on the eve of ‘Holi’ and one lecture on culture is arranged to which the attendants is made compulsory. The disgruntled students let out their suppressed anger on their guest speaker who is forced to flee. Administration reacts by detaining certain boys and expelling Ranjeet. The action is taken on a report by one of the boys ‘Anand’ who betrays the students. The boys come to know about this and torture him. He is dressed up as a woman and is locked up in a room, where he hangs himself. His suicide gives all his friends a shock. They repent but in vain.

The performance of Pawan Verma as Anand, Vikrant Sharma as Ranjeet, Neeraj Kant as Gopal, Pankaj Sharma as Srivastava, Sumit Sharma as Tamur and Pancham Choudhary as Laloo were appreciated by the audience. Anil Tickoo acted as assistant director of the play.

Governor declares 4th All India Band Competition open
Saxena hails JKP for holding national events
amid challenges

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 24: Governor Mr Girish Chandra Saxena today appreciated the grit of Jammu and Kashmir Police in organizing various national events while braving the challenges of terrorism.

Declaring open the 4th All India Police Band Competition at Bakshi Stadium here this afternoon, the Governor said the police force is credited with many sacrifices that has earned it an enviable place among the people in the state and the country.

He hoped the police force in other states would emulate the fighting spirit of the police and para-military forces which is being exhibited in Jammu and Kashmir. He praised the police for performing its important role in difficult situations. In such a charged situation, it is appreciable to hold such events that entertain the masses, he added.

Referring to the importance of police band, the Governor said that it has emerged as an important factor in every force. He hoped the participating bands from different states and organizations would demonstrate their excellence in the weeklong competition.

Speaking on the occasion, Director General of Police, Mr A K Suri hoped that such events would send a right signal across the country about the situation in Kashmir. The participating contingents would return to their states with a message of changed situation in the valley that will certainly help in revival of tourism. ‘See the situation for yourselves and carry a message of normalcy for tourists to come to this place’, he asked the participants.

Mr Suri urged the participating bands to display their talent in places like Mughal Gardens, Gulmarg etc for the entertainment of the people. He said holding of this event depicts the capacity of the Jammu and Kashmir Police not only to handle law and order situation but successfully organizing other activities as well.

He said the competition is first of its kind in which various states and several central forces are participating except the ITBP that is celebrating its raising day.

He presented a memento to the Governor.

Earlier, the Governor took salute at the parade of smartly attired participating contingents, playing different tunes. He was also introduced by the DGP with the members of organizing committee.

Later, the motorbike squad of the Jammu and Kashmir Police displayed magnificent feat that enthralled the audience.

Senior officers, several Additional Directors General of Police, all ranks of the police and para-military forces were present on the occasion.

The brass and pipe bands of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, BSF, CRPF and SSB are participating in the competition.

Lady cops of Jammu and Kashmir Police carried the flags of different forces and states in the march past.

The Governor also released a special souvenir on the occasion.

"No separate arrangements as we are following NACO guidelines"
No clear policy to properly manage AIDS cases in GMC

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Oct 22: While number of Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrom (AIDS) patients reporting to region’s premier medical institute—Government Medical College and Hospital—is on rise for the last one year, the authorities concerned have not yet prepared any fool proof plan to effectively manage such patients which otherwise are being also ‘advised’ to leave the hospital.

Sources in Government Medical College and Hospital told EXCELSIOR that for the last one year there had been a remarkable increase in AIDS patients reporting to hospital for diagnosis and treatment. However, much to the chagrin of not only patients but also doctors that no clear policy has been formulated by the hospital authorities for managing such cases in an effective manner.

"On an average three AIDS patients are approaching in Emergency Wing of the hospital by one way or another every month but as and when diagnostic reports clearly establish patients having been suffering from this deadly disease they (doctors) clearly tell the patient to `leave’ the hospital", sources said.

A number of doctors of different departments, who have been performing duties on rotational basis in Emergency Wing on the condition of anonymity said that they had virtually surrendered themselves in view of the lack of facilities to treat AIDS patients.

For the last one year every time when AIDS patients reported in Emergency Ward, the hospital administration was informed and stressed to make separate arrangements for treating them as there has been high risk of other patients getting infected with AIDS virus due to even small carelessness of the para-medical staff.

"Nodoubt AIDS is a non-curable disease but by way of medicines the lives of effected persons can be prolonged even upto a decade but despite being aware of this fact, the hospital authorities have not initiated any steps to provide required medicare and basic facilities to the patients", the sources said.

For treating AIDS patients, the hospital requires separate ward, medicines on subsidised rates, not for selected patients but for all those who get admitted in the institute directly for treating AIDS or for some other diseases and sophisticated machines to properly diagnose the AIDS patients. But till today no plan has been prepared to properly manage such cases as a result of which doctors, para-medical staff and even other patients are exposed to high risk of getting infected by virus of this deadly disease. Sometimes, even para-medical staff refuses to even attend the AIDS patients.

"Due to lack of all these facilities the AIDS patients, who have been coming to hospital with a hope that doctors will prolong their lives through medicines, are being simply asked to leave the hospital", the sources said added that GMC—which is being claimed as region’s premier medical institution—has been merely working as a referral centre for AIDS patients.

AIDS patients require medicine for prolonging their lives to the tune of Rs 12000 to Rs 15000 per month and CD-4 count tests which in market cost thousands of rupees. But neither machines required to conduct such tests nor medicines on subsidised rates are available in the hospital. Moreover, AIDS Control Society—a body which has to guide every medical institute with regard to management of such cases, never bothered to come forward and its functioning remains only on paper.

"A department of the hospital which has been directly associated with such patients should be made nodal point for managing such patients and medicine should be made available on subsidised rates, if not free of cost, to save the lives of a large number of AIDS patients reporting to hospital", the sources suggested and disclosed that due to lack of hospital administration’s support the department which is directly associated with such patients is trying on its own to issue guidelines.

When contacted, Principal of GMC Jammu Dr H L Goswami said "we cannot keep the AIDS patients separately as there have been clear guidelines of National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), adding "the para-medical staff is trained enough to tackle patients suffering from deadly diseases".

About the CD-4 Count tests, he said the sophisticated machines required for the same are not available in the hospital and ascribed the same to shortage of funds being provided by the Government. "We are managing medicines for AIDS patients free of cost but we at the same time cannot rule out the possibility of some patients not receiving attention due to their non-admission in the hospital", the Principal further said.

Central team assesses drought losses in Doda

Excelsior Correspondent

Doda, Oct 24: The six members Central team headed by Managing Director, National Development Corporation, Mr. P.K.Misra including Deputy Advisor, Department of Drinking Water, Mr. Denash Chand and Director Central Water Corporation, Mr. P.K.Sadhu visited Doda and Kishtwar today to assess the damages caused to Kharief crop 2002 due to drought in the district Doda. The Director Agriculture Jammu, Mr. S.N.Anand accompanied the Central team.

The team held a joint meeting of concerned district officers and representatives of farmers from different parts of the district and took stock of the damages caused due to drought prevailing in the district.

The team was apprised that under agriculture sector during Kharief 2002 an area of 53780 hectares was brought under cultivation which include 45200 hectares under maize, 4520 hectares under paddy, 1820 hectares under pulses, 1650 hectares under vegetable and 590 hectares under fodder cultivations. The damages caused to these crops has approximately been assessed as 60 per cent of paddy, 78 per cent maize, 52 per cent vegetables and 100 per cent pulses and fodder and overall average has been worked out 78 per cent throughout the district.

In horticulture sector against an area of 19,000 hectares only 2932 hectares has been affected due to drought resulting the loss of 3096 metric tonnes of fruit. The team was further apprised that under animal husbandry sector 50 per cent of the total cattle population of four lakh has been affected and there is a need of Rs. Nine crore for the purchase of feed and fodder to save the lives stock while as a provision of Rs. 4.95 crore is required to save the sheep population. Under sericulture sector 18 nurseries has been raised in the district which have raising the capacity of 10 lakh mulberry plants but due to drought only 25,000 plants were raised during this year.

Mr. P.K.Misra while addressing the officers and representatives of the farmers said that the Central Government is fully aware about the difficulties being faced by the farmer community in general and the farmers living in far-flung and hilly areas of the district in particular and is committed to provide relief to the sufferers of natural calamity. He assured that the damages projected by the district administration has been assessed by the team on spot and will submit its reports to the Union Government for releasing funds so that the relief could be provided to the affected people due to drought.

Ophthalmology conference at ASCMS from Oct 26

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 24: XVI annual conference of North Zone Ophthalmological Society will be held on October 26 and 27 at Acharya Shrichander College of Medical Sciences, Sidhra Jammu.

According to a press release, the conference will be attended by Ophthalmologists from the states of Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, J&K and union territory of Chandigarh.

More than two hundred delegates are expected to join the deliberations of the conference. The conference programme includes preconference courses on ultrasonography in ophthalmology, sterlization and good O T practices, symposium on management of complication of intraocular surgery and around fifty papers.

Guest lecturers will be delivered by Dr Atul Kumar from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Dr N Shroof of Shroof Eye Hospital from Delhi in their specialised fields.

The conference will be inaugurated by Prof R R Sharma, Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University on October 26 in the auditorium of the institute.

Bhim only alternative Chief Ministerial candidate: NPP

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 24: State secretary, Jammu Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP), Mr Romesh Khajuria has made a fervent appeal to all political parties and MLAs to support his Party chief, Prof. Bhim Singh as the new Chief Ministerial candidate for Jammu and Kashmir state.

The NPP leader who recently contested the Assembly elections from the Idd Gah Constituency in Srinagar district of Kashmir Valley was talking to media persons here this morning. He also voiced his deep concern over the failure of political parties in reaching at consensus on Government formation in the state.

He urged the political parties to honour the mandate of the people and arrive at some sort of consensus in order to provide good governance to the people.

He maintained that under the prevailing circumstances, Prof Bhim Singh is the most acceptable candidate for Chief Minister’s post as he enjoys a good reputation in all the three regions of the state and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). Besides Prof Singh is also well versed with the local problems and issues, he added.

Mr Khajuria said during his campaign in Srinagar, he found that the people of the Valley are fed up with the gun culture and they wanted an end to it.The NPP chief has the will and determination to rid state from this menance, he claimed.

He said by participating in the Assembly elections enmass, the Kashmiri people have displayed their faith in Indian democracy. He also praised them for their secular character.

The NPP leader criticized the PDP chief, Mufti Mohammed Syed for ignoring the wishes of the people of the state and creating hurdles in Government formation.

Lambasting the PDP supremo, he termed his demand of Chief Ministerial post as totally provocative and unjustified.

GBWF expresses concern over Pahari people

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Oct 24: All J&K Gujjar Bakerwal Welfare Forum, in a meeting under the chairmanship of Ch Mohd Yaqoob Batti, highlighted various problems faced by the community vis-a-vis present political scenario.

As per a release the speakers stressed on the need to work for the welfare of the community with great dedication and to bring about mutual confidence and promotion of sense of brotherhood between different sections of the society.

The meeting strong exception to the report published in Daily Excelsior on October 21 and held that some vested interests were deliberately spreading mis-information to create wedge between Pahari speaking people and the Gujjars. The meeting held that Gujjar community wishes well to all other communities of the society.

The meeting noted with surprise that Pahari People Joint Action Committee has demanded political reservation of all the constituencies in Rajouri Poonch districts and some others from where according to them the candidates belonging to their community have been declared successful. It is pertinent to mention that that political resolution has not been granted to the Gujjar community even having been declared as Scheduled Tribe for over a decade now.

The speakers in the meeting stated that it has been made to appear that only Pahari speaking people reside in the districts of Poonch and Rajouri.

The Forum meeting has called upon newly elected MLAs of Rajouri and Poonch district to clarify their stand vis-a-vis statement issued by Pahari People Joint Action Committee which bears signatures of their close relations and associates.

The Forum appealed to all such representatives and responsible individuals not to play in the hands of forces of hatred and to work and speak for mutual amity and brotherhood between all the sections of the society for their overall upliftment, based on principles of co-existence.