Karmath AVIAM UDYAT celebrates 32nd raising day

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec. 1: An Engineer Regiment of the elite Bombay Sappers Karmath Aivam Udyat celebrated its 32nd Raising Day in the Northern Sector today.

Raised on 1 December 1966 at Leh by amalgamation of veteran field companies of yore, this Regiment boats of a distinguished track record. The unit has served in varied types of terrain and theatres of operation, notable amongst which was its active participation during 1971 war in J&K Sector.

It was instrumental in the construction of Leh Airfield and commissioning of the Micro Hydroelectric Station at Ganglas in 1967 within a year of its birth. It provided aid to the Oil India Limited in Assam during the general strike by its employees in 1982 in the trouble torn North East. The Transit Camps at Patsio and Palchan along Road Manali-Upshi-Leh are the handiwork of this elite unit.

From the high altitude of Ladakh when these sappers moved to the sands of Rajasthan they were awarded the Indira Vrikshamitra by the Rajasthan Government for their contribution to the ecological development in the desert at Pokaran. It was also intimately involved in contributing towards the nuclear developments of the nation.

The unit is presently deployed in engineer support to the Counter Insurgency Force and is heavily committed in the construction of temporary accommodation for the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) troops at far flung places. They have constructed various types of shelters to accommodate about 10,000 troops commissioned at various places in Doda District to provide uninterrupted potable water to the troops. In a record time frame for the visit of the Prime Minister during March this year they constructed a helipad at Navapachi, located in in hospitable terrain in High Altitude. Troops of this unit are also engaged in undertaking preliminary construction work for Bhaderwah Military Station the foundation stone for which was laid by the Raksha Mantri Mr George Fernandes on August 24.

Addressing the Special Sainik Sammelan on the occasion, Colonel Sunil Kumar Mishra, the Commanding Officer complimented the troops for their dedication and appealed to them to continue the good work in keeping with the unit's tradition and impressive past record of one Vir Chakra, one Yudh Sewa Medal, three Sena Medals and 21 Chief of Army Staff Commandation Cards.

HC queshes prosecution in vigilance raid case

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec. 1:Mr. Justice R C Gandhi of Jammu Kashmir High Court Jammu Wing has quashed sanction and prosecution of a co-accused in the much publicised Vigilance Raid Case of a Section Officer in the Office of Deputy Commissioner Kathua Hem Raj Gupta.

The petitioner Arjun Dev Kohli a close relative of Hem Raj Gupta was also implicated in the raid case for rendering illegal assistance in pursuance of criminal conspiracy to save Gupta from criminal charge of acquiring disproportionate assets. The property of the petitioner was shown by the Vigilance as Benami and belonging to Hem Raj Gupta and thus the petitioner was named as co-accused for rendering illegal assistance to Gupta.

While allowing the writ petition of Mr Kohli, Mr Justice Gandhi observed that to make out a case for criminal conspiracy the evidence collected by the prosecution should be of the nature of inspiring confidence, if unrebutted, should lead to reasonably established a prima facie case.

The evidence of the record even if take on its face value is not sufficient for establishing a prima facie case for framing a charge against the petitioner. The court allowed the petition and quashed the Government order granting allowed the petition and quashed the Government order granting sanction for prosecution of the petitioner also.

The Vigilance Organisation had registered an FIR against Hem Raj Gupta alleging therein that during the period of his employment he indulged in corrupt practices and by abusing his official position as public servant has obtained huge benefits and raised assets both moveable and immoveable.

It was also alleged that he projected petitioner, wife and daughter of petitioner as owners of the shopping complex which actually belongs to Mr Gupta. The property was categorised as Benmai and came to the conclusion that Mr Gupta committed offence U/S 5(2) of PC Act. 2006 read with section 120-B RPC alongwith petitioner.

A Government order of 6-5-1998 granted sanction for prosection of Mr Gupta alongwith petitioner. The petitioner through advocate R.P. Bakshi filed a petition wherein he stated that he is a contractor by profession and his father was also a renowned contractor.

He said that he is an Income Tax Payee and has property in his name besides wife and the daughter. The daughter was married to the son of the accused Hem Raj Gupta and she was given two shops by partition of the property. He also referred to documentary evidence to show that he is bonafied owner of the property and has been falsely implicated. Mr Rahul Pant Advocate appeared for the respondent in the case.

Govind Ram tours Panchari

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Dec 1: The Minister of State for Health, Mr Govind Ram Sharma who is also the vice chairman of the District Development Board has said that Government is fully aware of the problems of the people living in far-flung areas of the State.

The Minister who was on one-day tour of Panchari block was addressing a public gathering at village Moungri, about 55 kms from here yesterday.

During the tour besides District Development Commissioner, Mr Mehboob Iqbal, MLA, Mr Jagjivan Lal, MLC, Mr C L Khajuria, Member State Advisory Board for Gujjar and Bakerwals, Advocate, Mohammad Shafi and district officers accompanied.

Mr Sharma said that under the dynamic leadership of Dr Farooq Abdullah, the present Government has embarked upon various State and Centrally sponsored welfare schemes to mitigate the suffering of common masses. He asked them to derive maximum benefits from these schemes for socio-economic transformation. He impressed upon the local people to keep the surrounding hills green by planting saplings which would also help in maintaining ecological balance. He also asked them to plant fruit saplings to develop horticulture and grow vegetables to meet their local demand. He exhorted upon the women to keep themselves busy by adopting subsidiary occupations which would supplement their income. He advised the people to adopt small family norms for the betterment of their family.

Replying to the demands of the people, the Minister assured construction of Dak Bungalow at Moungri, three additional rooms for high school, Moungri and one 10 bedded hall for Health Sub-Centre, Moungri and asked the District Development Commissioner to explore possibilities for these works.

The Minister also distributed two sewing machines among two widows and cheques worth Rs 67,000 among 29 beneficiaries of Panchari block under Integrated Social Security Scheme and National Old Age Pension Scheme at an awareness camp organised by the Social Welfare Department to make the people aware about the scheme of the department.

During the tour, the Minister inspected development works constructed by Rural Development Department involving Rs 2.35 lakh which include protection wall, tanki and bath-room and path, foot-steps covering over one kilometre length from main road to Middle School, Panjar.

The Minister formally inaugurated Rs 5 crore Birun-Kainthgal Project, the second phase of IWDP Tikri Jangalgali by installing 16 members Village Development Committee and administering oath to the members to work dedicatedly.

While giving salient features of the project, the Converator of Forests, Mr C M Sath said that 16 Micro Sheds will function in 37 villages of Panchari and Udhampur blocks and tackle 12,500 hectares of land by saving land from erosion and construction of community works. During this year, nearly 1.50 lakh plants of Chir, Mulberry and other fast growing species would be planted.

The Minister distributed prizes among the first three best speakers of a debate contest viz. Puran Singh, Miss Madhu Kotral and Mr Angrez Singh on a topic ‘‘Health and Family Welfare Programme’ organised by Integrated Wasteland Development Project, Tikri-Jangalgali.

On the occasion, Mr Jagjivan Lal, MLA announced Rs 2 lakh from his constituency fund for electrification of Lali village.

Enroute deputations met with the Minister at Kainthgali, Kothi Lahad, Panjar and Lower Kalsote and put-forth their demands like construction of Panchayatgarh, houses under Indira Awas Yojana, educational institutions and Minister assured sympathic consideration.

Tariq releases newsletter

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 1: ‘To control growth of population which actually effects an individual, his family and surroundings, is more important than merely talking about the need to have small family’, said the Minister for School Education, Mr Mohammed Sharief Tariq while releasing a news letter ‘‘Population Education Project’’ at Model Institute of Education and Research here today.

The Minister said that a comprehensive campaign needs to be launched to educate the masses through various media agencies to bring a change in the attitude of the community through sustained information, education and motivational activities to get rid of the dreaded disease of AIDS which is more dangerous than cancer and extend these activities to every nook and corner of the State.

The Minister said that the whole world in engaged in fighting war against this disease and undergoing research work to find proper treatment for this disease.

The Minister said that he was happy that the Board of School Education has extended its activities in the fields of academics, holding seminars and workshops on various topics and training the teachers in sensitive issues like AIDS with adolescence education programmes besides conducting examinations of certain levels.

Earlier, a debate was organised by the Model Institute of Education and Research in which students drawn from different schools spoke on the prevention of AIDS. Intellectuals and educationists of repute were present on the occasion.