Phunsog, Banal felicitated

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 7: The Governor, Mr G.C. Saxena awarded a trophy to Commissioner/Secretary Home, Mr C Phunsog and a Gold Medal to Inspector General of Police, Mr CL Banal at an impressive function held here today for their excellent performance in achieving the target for realising the funds for Armed Flag Day during last year. Against the target Rs one lakh, an amount of Rs 1.05 lakhs was realised by the Home Department.

Speaking on the occasion the Governor lauded the role of various departments in observance of Armed Flag Day and said that consistent awareness campaign is needed to be launched for executing of the Armed Flag Day so that maximum funds are realised for helping the war widows and victims of the insurgency.

Addressing the function the Director, Sainik Welfare Board, Col B M Dass (Retd.) said that an amount of Rs 5.88 lakhs was realised during the Army Flag Day last year and current year's target has been fixed at Rs 20 lakh.

Among others who were present on the occasion include Maj Gen. GS Jamwal (Retd) Maj Gen BN Dhar (Retd), Brig K Jagmohan (Retd.), Mr Gulchain Singh Charak MLC and senior officials of the Rajya Sainik Board.

On this occasion the Governor released a brochure in three languages English, Hindi and Urdu to create awareness among the ex-servicemen regarding concessions and benefits extended to them by Jammu and Kashmir Rajya Sainik Board.

Function to observe death anni of Ambedkar held

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 6: A large function was organised on the 42nd death anniversary of Baba Saheb B R Ambedkar at Ambedkar Chowk here in which glowing tributes were paid to Baba Saheb for his distinguished services to the nation and the down trodden.

As per a release, two resolutions were passed at the gathering. It was resolved that more vigorous efforts should be launched to fulfill the ideals of equality, liberty and fraternity as set out by Dr B R Ambedkar. Through the other resolution the Central and State Governments were urged to take immediate steps to implement the directive Principals of the Constitution which were meant to emancipate the common man from the yoke of poverty. Central Government was also urged to take firm steps to check the growing menace of corruption, criminalization and terrorism from the country, distribute land among the landless in rural areas and checking the diversion of funds meant for social sector and public utility by various states.

On the occasion blankets were distributed among the needy persons.

Prominent persons who offered homage to the memory of Baba Saheb included Babu Parmanand, state president of Bhartiya Dalit Sahitya Academy, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, MP, Choudhary Piara Singh and Mr Hans Raj Dogra, MLAs, Thakur Kashmir Singh, secretary BJP, Mr R K Handa, vice chairman, JDA, Tilak Raj Atri, former Minister, Hem Raj Phonsa, Mrs Suresh Jamwal, B R Kundal, Commissioner Medical Education, Bali Bhagat MLA, Mr Soba Ram Deputy Director Hospitality and Protocol, Mr Ram Rakha, president Building Construction Union, Sub Amar Nath Bhagat and Mr Vijay Bhagat.

KPs allege discrimination in KAS induction list

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 7: The Kashmir Pandit (KP) community has alleged total discrimination with it in the recently released KAS list among inservice Block Development Officers (BDOs) by ignoring the two seniormost officials of the community.

According to the community leaders not a single Kashmiri Pandit officer was inducted in the list whileas the representation was given all the communities in it.

They alleged that neither the two seniormost BDOs from the community serving in the remote areas were included in it nor any body from the migrants figures in the list of 31 officers who were inducted into KAS by the State Government recently.

Expressing his anguish and resentment Dr Agni Shekhar, Panun Kashmir supremo said what message the State Government wants to convey by its biased and discriminatory attitude towards the community.

Making a scathing attack on the Government he alleged that after the ethnic cleansing of the minorities from the Valley the Government is bent upon its total rout in the state administration.

Echoing his views the president Panun Kashmir Movement, Mr Ashwani Kumar Chrangoo said the entire community was shocked with what he said the discriminatory and anti KPs attitude of the State Government.

He said the apprehensions of the community regarding the present State Government have come true as instead of bridging the gulf created by the fundamentalist forces in the state which forced the community to become the refugees into their own country the Government is further trying to alienate the community with its policies.

He said how can the community expect a better treatment from a Government which has ignored the two seniormost KP officers while inducting their juniors in the KAS list.

He alleged that two members of the community who were at serial number 10 and 45 were superseded by their juniors at serial number 52, 55, 64 and 66 in the seniority list.

Terming it a great injustice with the community and the incumbents he said one officer who has been deprived is at the verge of retirement.

The KP leaders said that in view of brewing resentment among the community all the KP organisations will be approached to launch a decisive battle against the increasing discriminatory policies of the Government towards them.

The KP leaders warned that in case the Government fails to provide justice to the community they will take up the matter before the National Human Rights Commission and seek its intervention in the matter.

Armed forces flag day celebrated

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Dec 7: Armed Forces Flag day was celebrated throughout the Northern Sector. A special flag was sold and donations received from the rank and file and the civilians. The flag displayed on coat lapels were a proud demonstration of the support for the gallant military personnel by the countrymen.

Armed Forces Flag day is celebrated on a December 7 every year to honour the valiant and the dead. To salute the veterans and renew the solidarity with all the service personnel.

The defence committee of the cabinet, in July 1948 decided that collections should be organised for the welfare of the serving defence personnel and their widows Rehabilitation of battle casualities resettlement and welfare of ex-servicemen and their families on a suitable date. The defence minister's committee on August 28, 1949 decided that the flag day would be observed on Dec 7.

Prior to 1947 collections for welfare of ex-servicemen used to be organised as remembrance day, on the November 11 each year, as ‘‘poppy day’’. On this day paper poppies were distributed to the public as a token of gratitude in return for their donations. These collection were primarily intended for the benefit of the British ex-servicemen.

Collections made on Dec 7 are pooled into a fund known as the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. It is operated by a Managing Committee presided over by the Raksha Mantri at the Centre and the Governor at the states.

Pahari Forum meets PM

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec 7: A High Level delegation of J&K Pahari culture and Welfare Forum headed by Minister for School Education, Mr Mohammad Sharif Tariq, who is also the Chairman of the Fourm called on the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee here today. The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah was also present on the occasion.

The Chairman Pahari Forum demanded that Pahari speaking people of Jammu and Kashmir State be given a schedule tribe status which is a long pending demand of these people. The Chairman also informed the Prime Minister that during the year 1989, the matter of granting scheduled tribe status to the Pahari speaking people was recommended by the State Government but was excluded by the Union Government. The matter was persued by the Forum from time to time in the Centre but no headway has been made so far.

It was stated that the State Government has recommended the case of granting scheduled tribe status to the Pahari speaking people keeping in view the topographical and socio-economic conditions and cultural heritage of the people living near the Actual Line of Control (LoC) right from Sunderbani in district Rajouri to Keran Karnah in Kupwara district and in some other such pockets of the State.

The Prime Minister gave a patient hearing to the demand of the delegation and said that the matter declaring the Pahari speaking people as schedule tribe is under active consideration of the Government. He assured the delegation that favourable action in the matter would be taken shortly.

The Chairman Pahari Forum also apprised the Prime Minister regarding present law and order situation in the border districts of the State.

The other members of the delegations included former Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Mr Abdul Rashid, former Minister, Mr Rafiq Hussain Khan, MLA and General Secretary of the Pahari Forum, Mr Mushtaq Bukhari, vice chairman Pahari Forum, Mr Kuldeep Raj Gupta, MLC, Mr Mohammed Aslam, Mr Qazi Mohammed Sheikh and Mr M R Bandy.

Orientation course for officers, inspectors of Labour Deptt

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 7: A two days orientation course for the different functionaries of Labour Department of Jammu Division was inaugurated by the Labour Commissioner, J&K Government today in the office premises of the Deputy Labour Commissioner, Jammu.

The Labour Commissioner while inaugurating the course emphasized the need for effective implementation of all labour laws so that the purpose behind these social legislations is achieved and a succour is provided to the otherwise exploited weaker section of the society.

The Labour Commissioner desired that special attention has to be paid for effective implementation of J&K Shops and Establishments Act so that the interests of the employees working in different establishments and shops are secured. The Labour Commissioner further emphasized that every inspection in the field must be objective and result oriented.

The Labour Commissioner thanked the ex-officers of the Labour Department for sparing time to make this course a success, a release issued here said.

Govt decision welcomed

Excelsior Correspondent

KISHTWAR, Dec 7: The member Legislative Council, Mr Abdul Aziz Wani and BSP leader from Paddar area, Mr Hari Krishan Tickoo has hailed the decision of the Government to provide free rations for two to three months to those farmers whose crops have been damaged during the last hail storm and drought in the State.

Both these leaders of the far-flung and backward areas of tehsil Kishtwar have appealed the Government especially the Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah for conceding other demands of the people of Marwah, Wardwan, Dachen and Paddar areas like compensation against damages from 50 to 75% occurred to their crops, authority of essuing permanent resident certificate (PRC) and backward area certificate (BAC) to the Naib Tehsildars performing their duties in these areas who are already possessing powers of the Ist Class Magistrates.

Mr Tickoo has also complained that the farmers of Paddar area whose agricultural land came under Motor road, has not been provided compensation since more than 12 years despite the fact that the Central Government has already released the amount of compensation for the purpose. He said it has further added to the sufferings of the local people and the farmers are practically facing starvation in view of non-payment of compensation of their land neither they are in a position to purchase alternate land or rations from the open market to feed their families in these days of sky rocking prices not these poor fellows has any source of income at their disposal.

Mr Tickoo warned that the Government should realise the problems of the poor farmers and should initiate steps for ensuring release of compensation in their favour at an earliest before they are forced to take some extreme step for the purpose and the situation goes out of the controlled for the Government.

Speed limit restricted

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Dec 7: To ensure public safety and to prevent accidental hazards due to high speed of vehicles on Dhar-Udhampur road within town area limits of Udhampur town, the Additional District Magistrate, Udhampur, Dr Pawan Kotwal has under section 144 Cr PC imposed restrictions on the speed of all categories of vehicles and ordered to maintain a speed of 20 km per hour on the stretch of Dhar-Udhampur road within the town area limits of Udhampur town with immediate effect till further orders.