Sagar for Naya Kashmir

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 4: "National Conference has a glorious past in upholding the bonds of secular traditions and mutual brotherhood taught by its patron 'Baba-e-Quom' Late Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohd Abdullah who spent his whole life for fighting this noble cause" said Mr Ali Mohd Sagar, Minister for Irrigation, PHE and Flood Control while addressing a huge public gathering at Bhatindi near Jammu here yesterday.

The Minister said that the best homage to the departed leader on his birth anniversary would be to re-built Naya Kashmir according to his dreams and work for upliftment of poor and down-trodden.

The Minister assured the people that Government contemplates to provide all basic amenities to every section of the society without any caste, colour and creed. Regarding provision of water supply, electricity, road communication facilities to the inhabitants of the newly developed colonies of Gaziabad, Zabirabad, Nawabad and Bhatindi in the outskirts of Jammu city the Minister issued on-the-spot instructions to the concerned to provide potable drinking water where this facility is not available and will continue to provide other basic needs as per their requirements very soon.

The Minister was accompanied by Parliamentary Secretary, PHE, Ghulam Hassan Bhat and MLA, Mr Syed Akhoon on his inspection to different sites to find out water resources for this area.

Earlier, the Parliamentary Secretary PHE while addressing the gathering appealed the administration to work dedicatedly to extend all basic facilities to the people of the area.

Old age pension disbursed

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 4: Over Rs 17 lakh have been distributed under old age pension, Integrated Social Security and pre-matric scholarship schemes to the deserved persons in Akhnoor tehsil till so far this financial year. Of this over Rs 3.27 lakh have been provided to 1,406 beneficiaries under old age pension scheme, Rs 6,25,050 to 1,388 persons under Integrated Social Security Scheme and Rs 7,89,064 as pre-matric scholarships.

This information was given at a meeting of officers held at Akhnoor today. The Minister for State for Health and Family Welfare, Mr Govind Ram Sharma presided. The meeting reviewed performance of various sectors in the tehsil.

The meeting was informed that Rs 32 lakhs have been spent on execution of 78 ongoing developmental works in Akhnoor block so far.

The meeting was told that 76 centres have been established for implementation of pluse polio immunisation programme in the Akhnoor zone and 60 in Planwalla zone.

It was stated in the meeting that 30 trucks of fertilisers have been stocked in Akhnoor for distribution to the farmers for the current kharief season. for this purpose, 23 distribution centres have been set up.

The Minister impressed upon the officers to work zeal and dedication so that the ongoing developmental projects could be completed within stipulated time for the benefit of the people.

Employees JAC flays Govt

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 4: Jammu and Kashmir Government Employees Joint Action Committee comprising of different Federations, associations and unions in a meeting condemned the alleged callous attitude of the Government for not disbursing the Central 5th Pay Commission arrears due from April this year as also against crediting of 3 percent DA instalment with effect from January 1998 to their G P Fund accounts instead of releasing the same in cash.

As per a release the employees JAC felt it with great concern that the sky rocketing prices of essential commodities were not taken into consideration by the authorities at the helm of affairs and instead they chose it to credit the arrears of the same into the GP Fund accounts.

The JAC demanded disbursement of 5th Pay Commission arrears in cash to employees without further delay, disbursement of DA arrears in cash to them from January to December 1998, release of second instalment of DA at the rate of 6 percent from July 1, 1998 in cash, encashment of wages of daily wagers and their regularisation, transfer of G P Fund accounts of State Government employees to the Nationalised banks and introduction of Pass Book System.

The JAC demanded enhancement in Medical Allowance from Rs 80 to Rs 200 and bonus to all State Government employees and workers.

The JAC has appealed to all sections of the employees to remain united and to show solidarity as shown by them in the past.

PSE Jt Action Committee announced agitation Prog

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 4: Public Sector Employees Joint Action Committee has announced the second phase of agitational programme of observing 48 hours work down strike from December 11.

As per a release the executive secretariat of PSEJAC met formally under the chairmanship of Mr Suresh Sharma at Jammu in which all the members were of the unanimous view that in the wake of back-tracking of the Government from its commitment made with PSEJAC on November 18 with regard to restructuring of COLA or DA instalment, there was no alternative than to adopt second phase of agitation.

It was resolved that on December 11 and 12 work shall remain paralysed in all the public sector undertakings and demonstrations at gate level shall be held at each Public sector undertaking unit. On December 12 It was decided to take out a grand rally from Bikram Chowk in which workers leaders of all the PSUs will address.

Meanwhile the PSEJAC delegation led by Suresh Sharma and comprising of Messrs Swaran Singh Chib, S William, Suraj Singh, Anchal Bakshi, Manjit Singh, Amrik Singh, Rakesh Ram Pal, Nar Singh, Mrs C K Sudan, Madam Basanti, Joginder Pal, Ashok Anand, Baldev Raj, Karan Singh, Pawan Kumar, Arshad Khan, Surinder Gupta, Jagjit Singh Bawa, Yash Pal Sambyal and others called on the Finance Minister Mr Mohd Shafi and expressed great displeasure for delaying release of COLA as committed earlier. Other demands putforth by the delegation included release of COLA to daily wagers, increase in wages, time bound promotion, pensionary benefits and release of pay arrears.

The chairman asserted that there will be no let up in the struggle.

Cement manufacturers resent proposed
hike in power tariff

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 4: All J&K Cement Manufacturers Association held a special meeting which discussed the current hike in power tariff as proposed by the Government from next month.

As per a release the president of the association Mr R B Gupta retaliated that the new proposal of Government was uncalled for and unjustified. He said that industry was already facing enough problems and the current rates of electricity as charged were already a burden to the industrialists. Moreover shortage and frequent shut downs of electricity were causing enough problems for industries in Jammu and Kashmir.

A memorandum was passed unanimously in which the present step of the Government was condemned. Mr Chopra called upon the Government that to reconsider their decision as the functioning of Small Scale Cement Units and other industries in Industrial Estates would be very badly effected and in due course of time would face closure, which would further aggravate the problem and many employees would be rendered jobless by way of closure of the industry.

Karan highlights grievances of militancy torn people

Excelsior Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Dec 4: Dr Karan Singh, Rajya Sabha member from Jammu and Kashmir State has while rejecting the third party mediation in bilateral talks with Pakistan, has reiterated that apart from the problems vis-a-vis Pakistan aggression, there were many internal matters which were still pending.

Dr Karan Singh said this while intervening in the discussion on "bilateral relations" in the Rajya Sabha yesterday. He said that the refugees who came from Sialkot in 1947 still do not have the voting rights in the State Assembly even after 50 years while the refugees from Pakistan occupied Kashmir have not been fully rehabilitated yet on the lines of the refugees who came from the rest of Punjab.

Dr Singh asserted that 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh Kashmiri Pundits, who had to leave the valley were still languishing in camps and in the Valley itself, thousands of people have been killed as a result of militancy and anti-insurgency measures.

Where is the relief for orphans and the widows? asked Dr Singh adding that when there is an earthquake everybody rushes there with relief. "We have had a political earthquake in Kashmir for nine years. How many thousands of widows are there? How many thousand of orphans are there? Has anybody paid any attention to that" asked Dr Karan Singh adding that 50 years is a long time.

"We must certainly persuade Pakistan to give up its one point obsession with Kashmir because that has brought nothing but death and destruction to the people of the State, I suggest to the Prime Minister that whatever internal measures need to be taken should be taken. On the one hand you take the line that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India while on the other you do not extend to the people there the sort of facilities that are available. There was an earthquake at Latur, everybody rushed there. Has anybody got any compassion for the suffering people there in the Valley?" stated Dr Singh.

Dr Singh said thousands of people have been killed. "I am not now going into the security measures as that is a different matter and the army and other forces are doing it there. What I am appealing for is that this is a human problem. There are cries of orphans and the wailing of widows. Is there any awareness? Is there any compassion here in the Government of India?"

Dr Singh asked "will the Prime Minister assure us that necessary steps would be taken apart from the security measures for the welfare and benefit of people there?" All the three regions of J&K were upset as in Ladakh there is firing in Kargil, the Valley of Kashmir has been witnessing turmoil for the past nine years and in Jammu, Poonch, Rajouri and Doda district were disturbed.

Mentioning the point raised in the Rajya Sabha by Mr Barik, Dr Singh said apart from merely bilateral relations, "have we come out with any innovative proposal? A couple of months ago, I wrote an article called `The sub-continental confederation’. Have we come out with an alternative proposal? This is the way in the long run to solve the problems of this sub-continent. Can we envisage something on the lines of European Union—India-Bangladesh and Pakistan— so that ultimately this fractricidal way, that we had for 50 years—where there are millions of people starving on both sides— could be brought to an end?"

Dr Singh added that "our diplomacy should not only be reactive but must have an innovative forward looking and far-sighted diplomacy". He urged the Prime Minister to throw some light on the Government policy.

Sharma demands construction of Jammu, Poonch rail link

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 4: Mr R S Sharma, MLA Nowshera Constituency has expressed his anguish on the inordinate delay in the construction of Jammu, Poonch Railway Line.

In a statement issued here today, he alleged that though the ground work of survey had since been completed, the present Central Government has shown no seriousness in completing the project which is hanging in balance.

He however, complimented the previous Central Government for having acknowledged the long outstanding demand of the people of the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch to connect these districts with outside world.

Mr Sharma urged the Central Government to go in depth in analysing the economic conditions of the people of the area who are already facing problems on account of meager means of communication which have direct impact on developmental activities.

In the task of rebuilding the better base for the development of these two border districts, the railway line will be a major instrument for all out progress of this hilly and remote area, he maintained.

Mr Sharma said the railway line will not only give a boost to trade, tourism and industry in this border belt but also generate employment opportunities for both educated and uneducated employed youth.

Mr Sharma expressed the hope that Railway Ministry while going ahead with the expansion programme will not loose the sight of Jammu, Poonch Railway line and consider the project with a realistic approach.

Mr Sharma has also sought the intervention of Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah in the matter.

JKGPB charges Punjab Govt with politicising Khalsa celebrations

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 4: Jammu and Kashmir Gurdwara Parbandhak Board has charged the Punjab Government with politicising the tercentenary birth celebrations of Khalsa Panth.

Addressing a press conference here today, chairman of the Board S Sudershan Singh Wazir alleged that the Punjab Government has sidelined the Akal Takht Jathedar and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee in chalking out all the programmes of tercentenary celebrations.

‘Akal Takht’ is supreme authority in the Sikh community and all religious function must be organised under the patronage of it," he emphasises and appealed the Punjab Government to hold the celebration function under the directions of SGPC.

However, Mr Wazir said, the celebration programmes being organised by J&K Gurdwara Parbandhak Board, have been chalked out with the consent of president of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra. Three day ‘Khalsa March’ is one of such functions.

Elaborating on the purposed ‘Khalsa March’ , which shall be flagged off by the Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on December 15 at Digiana Ashram, Mr Wazir said that the State Board has made elaborate arrangements in this connection. The March will reach Golden Temple at Amritsar on the same day from where Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjeet Singh will flag it off for Anandpur Sahib, next morning.

The State Board is providing transport and all facilities—free of cost— to the participants of the March, said Mr Wazir. He also complimented the Chief Minister for constituting a state lavel committee under his chairmanship which will look after the arrangements of tercentenary celebration. The Khalsa March shall be received enroute by the various leaders of Punjab.

Mr Wazir expressed his gratitude to other religious, social and political organisation, particularly the State Akali Dal, Shiromani Akali Dal, All India Sikh Students Federation, Sikh Naujwan Sabha for assuring assistance to the State Gurdwara Board for organising the celebration programmes." Co-operation of some other organisations like Muslim Federation, Jammu and Sanatan Dharam Sabha will also be seeked," he added.

Others who were present in the press conference included Messrs Manjeet Singh, secretary J&K Gurdwara Parbandhak Board, Gurbachan Singh Dutta, Prem Singh Tara, Jasbir Singh, Balak Singh, Mehar Singh Roshan, Mohinder Singh, Rajinder Singh, Paramjeet Singh, Gurdev Singh, Waryam Singh and Mohinder Singh.

PHD chamebr teams hike in power tariff irrational

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov. 4: The phenomenal hike in power tariff announced by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir is irrational as it will negate all efforts being made towards revival of industry in the State which has suffered continously for the past 9 years due to militancy.

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry alleged the State Government has violated its own commitment of not increasing the power tariff made at the time of announcement of the industrial policy in May 1998. The impact of increase in the next 3 years will be more than 300% for all categories of consumers which is substantial by all standards.

It said, the industrial units in the State which are at a disadvantage vis-a-vis other states and are finding it difficult to sustain will have to bear an increase of over 52 percent in the first year, 50 percent in the second year and over 48 percent in the third year.

State Government should also carefully asses the extent of impact the tariff hike is likely to have on the new power intensive projects, a PHD Chamber release said.

Instead of going in for increased tariff the State Government should have concentrated on reducing the transmission and distribution losses, which are the highest in J&K as compared to other States in the country. The I&D losses in the State are nearly 45-50 percent of the total availability and a large percentage of these asre on account of rampant theft and pilferage of power. I&D losses in 1995-96 were 48.8 percent in J&K as compared to 21.2 percent for the entire India. The Chamber feels that each percent of loss reduced will generate substantial revenue.

It said there is need to strengthen the billing system for timely recovery of dues. The functioning of Power Development Department (PDD) should be streamlined to ensure a faster recovery from a large number of consumers. There is dire need for a more strong and vigilant cell to keep regular check.

The Chamber said, PDD should operate on commercial lines J&K Power Development Department has been making commercial losses of around Rs. 350 crores a year. The State Government should reimburse the losses of PDD. As of now no subsidy is paid by the State Government to Power Development Department, it alleged.