Wazir conspiring to divide Sikh community: SAD(Badal)

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 9: Management Committee for tercentenary celebrations of Khalsa — spearheaded by J&K unit of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) — has charged the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Board chairman, Sudershan Singh Wazir with conspiring to divide the Sikh community by announcing a separate Khalsa March from Jammu.

"Mr Wazir is misleading the community and the State Government is supporting the action of such miscreants, who are bent upon to create a rift in the Sikh community," said general secretary of the Committee Gurdev Singh Khalsa while talking to media persons here today.

It may be mentioned here that SGPB chairman Sudershan Singh Wazir, during a press conference on December 2, had announced that a ‘Khalsa March’ from Digiana Ashram Jammu to Anandpur Sahib would be organised on December 15.

"Whereas, whole Sangat and Sikh religious organisations had already announced for ‘Khalsa March’ and it was decided that said March will start from Parade Ground Jammu for Anandpur Sahib on December 18", said Gurdev Singh. Following the announcement, a 51 membered managing committee under the presidentship of Giani Balwant Singh was also formed to chalk out the programmes in this connection, he recalled.

Challenging the authority of Mr Wazir, S Gurdev Singh claimed that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Board was in minority. "The Board has become defunct since it did not convene even a single meeting of its members in the current year," he said. Gurdev Singh also claimed that half of the SGPB members were critical towards Mr Wazir.

Working president of J&K unit of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) Mr H S Raina alleged that Mr Wazir was playing a dubious policy. Referring to his statement in the December 2 press conference, Mr Raina said,"Wazir accused the Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr Parkash Singh Badal and SAD (Badal), while on the same occasion, he claimed that Punjab Govt would be given warm reception".

Elaborating about the chalked out programme of the ‘right Khalsa March’, the management committee said that the March will proceed from Jammu on December 18 and reach at Akal Takht from where Jathedar of Akal Takht will flag it off for Anandpur Sahib, next morning.

Mr Gurdev Singh criticised ‘so called SGPB chairman’ for organising the march under the leadership of Mahant Manjit Singh of Dera Nangalian Sahib since a religious march should be led by either Guru Granth Sahib or Panj Payara.

"Our March will be led by Panj Payara and it has nothing to do with so called December 15 march," he added.

Dr Goel felicitated

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec. 9 : Dr R K Goel, Director Health Services Jammu who is also the over all incharge of Health Education Bureau was adjudged best and presented with a plaque of honour as a token of award from south Asia Regional Focal Point, World Alliances for breast feeding action through Breast Feeding Promotion Network of India for promoting exclusive breast feeding during World Breast Feeding Week from Ist August to 7th August 1998.

Every year three awards are given to the best three institutions who are involved in the promotion of breast feeding practices. The Health Education Bureau, Directorate of Health Services Jammu has been promoting breast feeding practices for the last five years by organising various health education activities like lectures discussions, talks, seminars, quiz, paintings etc etc. But year 1998, Health Education Bureau has been adjudged best organisation for promoting breast feeding practices.

This year the theme selected was ''Breast Feeding The Best Investment'' because it has been the most natural response of a mother to satisfy the emotional and neutritional needs of her infant.

This natural food has proved to be the complete and protective food for the baby. That this can even save us money, is perhaps not thought of.

Dr Ashok Saraf, Physician Specialist Govt Hospital Gandhinagar Jammu and Dr Arunadatti, Asstt Director Health Services (HEB), Dr Mahesh Gupta, Children Specialist and every member of the Health Education Bureau were very much involved during the observance of World Breast Feeding Week.

Army organises medical camp for border people

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec. 9 : Over a dozen border villages of Hiranagar Tehsil availed the medical facilities at their door step when a two-day medical camp, organised by the Guraj Division, was declared open by Major General P K Chibber, General Officer Commanding of the Division at village Hariya Chak about 80 Kms from here, today.

Over 2000 people, suffering from various ailments, were provided specialised treatment and free medicines distributed. A dedicated team of 10 Army doctors and six civil doctors, specialists in various disciplines, including gynaeocology, padiatric and dental facilities were provided at the camp. Colonel K R Saraf, an eye specialist, who is Commanding a Field Ambulance Unit in the formation, was looking after the eye ailments of patients at the camp while Colonel A Sabhlok and his wife Dr Mrs D Sabhlok were providing dental health care to the people who thronged the camp in large numbers.

The village elders and ex-servicemen of the area were all praise for the Army for providing X-Ray and Laboratory facilities as well as transport and even meals to the patients. They further requested the GOC that such camps may be held in the area which were of immense value.

Later, General Chibber also went round the camp and met the ex-servicemen of the area. He also distributed shawls to the war widow. Special facilities were provided to the ex-servicemen at the camp site for-taking up cases of pay and pension claims and information of various on going scheme for their welfare. They were also apprised of establishment of a Permanent Advisory Cell at the formation Headquarters where they can avail various facilities under one roof. A battalion of the Rajputanta Rifles made all out efforts in organising the camp.

Civil-military liaison meet review security situation

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec. 9 : Major General G S Negi, General Officer Commanding of a Division stressed the more need of integrated functioning and co-operation of all agencies to curb the militancy in border district of Rajouri and Poonch as well as in Udhampur district.

The General was speaking at the civil and military liaison conference held at Rajouri about 150 Kms from here yesterday.

He said that the militancy related incidents have come down due to concertive efforts of the security forces and situation is well under control.

The General Officer cautioned the participants that they have to keep guard against the use of IEDS by the militants during the winter season, particularly when roads are closed with a blanket of snow which makes detection difficult.

Major General G S Negi expected close co-operation amongest all the agencies to lay more emphasis in the developmental projects, particularly construction cum repairs of roads, improvement of communication net-work as well as launch more welfare related schemes for the welfare of villagers, especially in the remote areas to instill confidecne amongst the locals.

The conference was attended by Mr K Rajendra Kumar, DIG of Police Rajouri-Poonch Range, Mr Ram Lubhaya, DIG of Police, Doda Udhampur Range, Mr B A Runyal, DC Rajouri, Mr H K Lohiya, S P Rajouri, Mr M S Khan, D. C. Poonch, Mr J P Singh, S P Poonch, Mr S Mehboob Iqbal, DC Udhampur and Mr A K Chaudhary, SP Udhampur. From Army and BSF side, Brigadier S P Raman, Brigadier A C Chopra, Brigadier Satish Kumar, Brigadier A K Chaudhary, Brigadier Tara Singh, Mr M C Parmar, DIG BSF Ramban, Mr A Ranganathan, DIG BSF Rajouri Sector, Colonel S C Sharma and Colonel D K Kher attended the conference.

Patwari acquitted as prosecution fails to prove case

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec. 9 : The Special Judge Anti-Corruption Mr V K Phull today acquitted Kuldeep Chand S/o Nasib Chand of Pind, the then Patwari at Hiranagar of the charges of accepting bribe during a tap laid by the Vigilance Organisation as the court indicted the prosecution for miserally failing to prove its case.

While acquitting the Patwari, the Judge observed that the prosecution has miserably failed to prove its case regarding the alleged manner of demand, acceptance and recovery of the bribe from the accused.

Thus the prosecution failed to prove conclusively the ingredients of demand, acceptance and recovery of the bribe money from the possession of the accused. The position which emerges from the evidence adduced by the prosecution is that when the raiding party failed to get the accused trapped while demanding and accepting the bribe money they in order to succeed in its designs and to make the trap a success cancelled the material facts found on the spot. ''Therefore the prosecution has miserably failed to bring home the guilt to the accused beyond reasonable doubt and the benefit of doubtgoes to the accused and accordingly acquitted from the charges and challan dismissed.''

Mr Phull also observed that prosecution concealed one of the material aspects of the case which came on record during the course of trial from none other than the prosecution witnesses to the effect that accused and complaintant reached at the bus stand Rajpura on Bi-cycle. This makes the prosecution case highly doubtful and its evidence unworthy credence. Mr K S Charak Chief Prosecution Officer appeared for the Vigilance while S Inder Singh Advocate for the accused.

According to prosecution, the accused had demanded Rs 200/- as bribe from the complainant Ram Krishan for issuing a copy of Khasra Girdawari with regard to land. The complainant narrated the matter to the Vigilance on February 21, 1995 and thereafter a trap was allegedly laid and accused arrested red handed.

The court today acquitted the accused and dismissed the Vigilance Challan.

Rajput Kumar Sabha holds meet

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 9: A general body meeting of the Rajput Kumar Sabha was held under the chairmanship of Th. Gulchain Singh Charak, MLC in which the organisational matters were discussed. Besides this the discrimination meted out to the community was also kept on the top of the meeting agenda.

The meeting was presided over by Mr Narayan Singh Jamwal president of the Sabha, a release issued here today said.

Addressing the meeting, Mr Sham Singh, president Badhori Shakha stressed on unity among the community. He also demanded opening of more Shakas.

A grave concern was expressed over the discrimination meted out to the community by some members. They urged the community to fight against this discrimination.

The speakers also urged the workers to remain actively involved with the activities of the Sabha and take effective steps to fight for the legitimate rights.

Mr G S Charak urged the community leadership to come forward and guide the youth in overcoming their problems so that they can compete and face all challenges boldly.

Mr N S Jamwal, president of the Sabha asked the youth and female to take active part in the eradication of social evils in the community. He urged them to fight jointly against the discriminative attitude of the Government.

ATI depu meets MD SFC

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 9: A deputation of timber industries led by Mr Jai Singh, president Association of Timber Industries (ATI) called on Managing Director J&K SFC and General Manager Sales and discussed their problems with them.

As per a release, the matter relating to sale of timber by SFC depots outside the state was broadly discussed. The delegation pointed out that all old stocks lying in the Department for over four months be regarded, reclassified and relotted for disposing it off quickly.

It also demanded that the stocks of timber being sent outside the state for sale must be produced in auction in Jammu depots and the quantity which remains unsoled should be transported outside the state.

It also demanded stopping of the issuance of timber to the staff for domestic purposes and a vigil should be maintained to ensure that such stock is not misused.

Civil Secretariat employees rigid on strike call

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 9: To mobilize employees support for December 14 strike, the office bearers of Civil Secretariat NG Employees Union lead by its president, Mr Govind Ram Sharma visited various offices in the Civil secretariat today.

The offices visited by them include Revenue, Tourism, Estates, Public Works, Ladakh Affairs, Law and General Administration, ARI, Dispensary, Civil Secretariat Treasury and Planning Department.

They also met with the gazetted officers serving in these departments and apprised them of the employees demands which they alleged have not been accepted despite holding of demonstrations in Civil Secretariat, Srinagar from October 12 to 28.

The employees in a one voice supported the call and resolved to take the strike to its logical conclusion. They maintained that there will be no let up in their stand now.

However, the Association in a statement issued today expressed the hope that Government will release the difficulties of the employees and solve the demands immediately so that no confrontation between the Government and employees takes place.

SRTC employees plea to CM

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 9: Various unions of Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation Employees which are affiliated to Jammu and Kashmir Trade Union Congress (JKTUC) in an appeal to Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah have urged him to solve the pending demands of the employees immediately.

In a handout issued here today, the employees alleged the issue of COLA is pending with Government since 1997 and the pay arrears have not been released for last six months.

The corporation employees demanded pensionary benefits on the pattern of Central and State Government employees.

The employees in a meeting held under the chairmanship of Mr Suraj Parkash Sudan also demanded release of COLA and DA. It alleged that despite the assurances given by the Chief Minister, the demands of the Corporation employees are still hanging in balance.

It said no headway has been made in regularisation and enhancement of wages of daily wagers and implementation of SRO 43.

It demanded that the MD be given powers regarding the settlement of these demands.