Progs got deviated
Radio, TV employees’ strike enters 2nd day

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 11: The strike launched by the Programme Staff Association (PSA) of All India Radio and Doordarshan Jammu unit in support of its long pending demands, today entered the second day, as the functioning of the electronic media was affected badly by the ongoing strike.

Meanwhile,the Association of Radio and Television Engineering Employees (ARTEE) are going on the indefinite strike from tomorrow.

The spokesman of PSA Jammu unit, Dr N S Manhas in a statement here said that the the scheduled and fresh programmes of Radio Jammu got deviated today on its both primary and Yuva Vani channels. Large number of artists and talkers left the station unattended, a PSA release issued here said.

The release said that the repeat broadcasts and music was played for most of the transmission time today due to the strike. Causal staff and announcers were pressed into the service, but despite that important programmes were deviated and functioning of duty room was terribly affected.

The release said that due to the employees strike,the second transmission started late by five minutes today, normally there being no scope for such lapses in the broadcasting.

The release further said that important programmes like Samachar Patron Se, Vidyarthion Ke Liye, Child and Women Programmes, Meerpuri Programme, Hindi literary magazine Nirjhar and Dogri Sangeet on primary channel got deviated. The Yuva Vani service was totally crippled due to the employees’ strike as programmes like Phone-in Farmaish, Niharika, Hindi play, Yuva Jagat, Nav Bahar, Young World and Aazmaish programmes remained off the air.

The employees also resorted to the dharna on the second day in the premises of Radio Kashmir Jammu.

Meanwhile, the subordinate Engineering staff of Doordarshan Kendra Jammu under the banner of Sanyukt Sangarsh Samiti today started their agitation to press the Government to concede the demands of the employees.

The ARTEE release issued here said that the complete strike will be observed from tomorrow till the demands were met.

JAKFED registers profit

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec. 11: The Jammu and Kashmir Co-operative Supply and Marketing Federation Ltd.-JAKFED-which had suceeded in reducing its operational losses from Rs 1.26 crores during 1996-97 to Rs 13 lakhs in 1997-98 has registered a profit of Rs 14 lakhs during the first six months of the current financial year.

This was stated at the meeting of Managing Authority of JAKFED held here today under the chairmanship of Minister of Co-operatives, Rural Development and Panchayats, Mr Abdul Rahim Rather, who is the Chairman of the Managing Authority.

The meeting was informed that considerable increase in the availability and supply of fertilisers, cement, consumer goods and diversification of activities resulted in not only wipping out the operational losses but also earning profit by the Federation this year. Effective supervision, close monitoring, greate co-ordination and determined efforts by the functionaries of the Federation also played a key role in improving the functioning of the Federation.

It was stated that there has been gradual increase both qualitatively and quantitatively in the working of the JAKFED during the past two years. The turn over during 1996-97 was Rs 20.81 crore while as during 1997-98 it increased to Rs 34.15 crores and in the first six months of the current year it was Rs 17.73 crores.

Fertiliser, forming important component of agricultural inputs, received the priority attention of Federation. Timely and uninterrupted supplies in quantum jump during Kharief 1998. During 1998, 25, 997 Mts of urea 6745 Mts of DAP and 360 Mts. of MOP was supplied against only 24,400 Mts of urea, 4009 Mts. of DAP and over 350 Mts. of MOP supplied during 1997. The first two months of the current Rabi, the meeting was told also witnessed considerable increase in supplies made against the corresponding period of last year. During October-November, the first two months of current Rabi 3438 Mts of urea, 3427 Mts of DAP and 664 Mts of MOP were supplied as against 2621 Mts of urea, 3156 Mts of DAP, 115 Mts of MOP during the same period of last year. In addition over 1850 Mts of DAP has been supplied during the first ten days of the current month.

The sale of cement increased from 1.27 lakh bags to 1.90 lakh bags ending November 1998 which represents 50% increase in the sales of cement over the last year.

Regarding LPG it was stated that the supply position has improved with the introduction of point delivery service as well as strengthening the home delivery. The home delivery is being ensured within six days from the date of request.

As part of diversification programme the rice Sheller situated at Miransahib which was closed for the last five years has been made operational. Procurement of over 3500 quintals of paddy has been made and the same is being husked. Consumer goods are being made available at most competitive prices.

The Managing Authority approved grant of interim relief in favours of employees of the Federation. The relief will be 20% of the basic pay subject of a minimum of Rs 250 and maximumof Rs 600 per month.

The Co-operative Minister stressed upon the functionaries of the Federation to ensure that fertilisers are made available to the farming community in time and at fixed rates. He said the rationale behind setting up of the Federation was to provide maximum help the assistance to the farming community. Every endeavour, he said, should be made to achieve these objectives.

Mr Rather said that though a lot of improvements have been witnessed in the working of the Federation during the past two years yet there is a great scope for its further improvements. He expressed the hope that functionaries would rise to the occasion and work with more dedication, zeal and sincerity and run it on healthy and sound lines.

The Managing Director of the Federation, Mr NK Verma apprised the Managing Authority of the steps taken in improving the working of the Federation. He also listed the achievements registered during the last two years.

CM calls for efforts to end terrorism

Excelsior Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Dec 11: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah has called for all cut efforts to end terrorism saying that it is the biggest threat to human rights in the world today.

In a message on the occasion of the Human Rights Day today, Dr Abdullah described terrorism as a crime against humanity and said that all democratic and pro-people forces must join hands and save the humanity from the danger of terrorism and all types of violence. He said in Jammu and Kashmir people have been suffering from terrorism and have been subjected to avoidable attrocities and untold miseries after our neighbour Pakistan inducted terrorism in our State. He said Pakistan has made directly and through her agents our people as cannon fodder in a bid to fulfill her nefarious designs to grab our State. However, she would never succeed in her plans. The gallant people of Jammu and Kashmir have already frustrated her designs, he added.

Regretting the world opinion has not yet forced Pakistan to stop terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Abdullah said that though the security forces and the police have been able to contain militancy and bring down the level of violence, yet our over 900 innocent people of our State have been killed by terrorists this year. Even the women and children have not been spared by them.

Recalling their barbaric acts at Dhakikote, Prankote, Wundhama, Surankote, etc the Chief Minister said innocent blood is being shed under the misconceived notion of ‘jehad’. In fact the so-called mujahids neither have any religion nor any respect for human rights. They are basically murderers and their acts must be condemned by one and all.

Re-affirming Government commitment to protect human rights even in situation like terrorism, the Chief Minister said the State Government have already set up a statutory Human Rights Commission which is engaged in investigation of complaints of human rights violations independently. He said while security forces and police have done a commendable job in combating Pak-sponsored terrorism, yet complaints of excesses or the human rights violations by the Forces are properly investigated and guilty punished under law. There is no question of condoning such lapses in a civilised society, he added.

HC rejects bail application of woman murder accused

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 11: Additional Sessions Judge Jammu Mr Dev Raj Sharma has rejected the bail application of Mrs Promila who is facing trial in a murder case alongwith her son and other accused.

While rejecting the bail application Additional Sessions Judge held that it is a fact that the accused Promila is in the jail for the last two years and has been charged for offence U/S 302/34 RPC. The only daughter of the accused, according to the application died a few days back is not a ground for admitting the applicant accused to bail because there is no new question of looking after the girl. The other ground taken for bail is that the husband of the accused is mentally unsound, as such, is not in a position to look after the family. There is nothing on record about the mental disorder of the husband of the accused and even this ground appears to have been taken up for the first time in application of bail as the earlier application for bail dated 5-6-1997 is silent. Thus there are no circumstances in the case to allow bail to the accused. As such the bail application is rejected.

Mrs Promila alongwith accused Kewal Krishan and others was facing trial for committing the murder of Des Raj on June 18, 1996 on a land dispute in a village Bishnah. She filed bail application through Senior Advocate B L Kalgotra on the ground that being a female and accused in jail for the last more then two years and is entitled to the benefit of Ist provision to Section 497(1) CrPC. That the only daughter of the accused died two days back but the applicant being in jail alongwith all family members could not attend the funeral even, the earlier application for bail was denied as three eye witnesses had not appeared in the witnesses box but now with the recording of statements of all the eye witnesses the earlier position stands changed. After recording the statements of the witnesses it is a fit case for admitting the bail. Even the witnesses have stated nothing against the accused applicant and also the husband of the accused is mentally unsound and there is no one in the family to look after the family.

GIC, others hold strike

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 11: General Insurance Employees Association, Jammu unit held a mass rally against Government’s policy of introduction of IRA Bill in the Parliament.

As per a release while addressing the leaders denounced the anti-worker policies of the Government and expressed great resentment against the introduction of IRA Bill. The leaders held that bringing of foreign insurers would tantamount to bad repercussions in Indian Market which would affect the Insurance Industry in general and the employees in particular.

The call for one day strike was given by the GIEAIA Headquarters at Mumbai and Delhi. Solidarity was expressed by all insurance employees associations, officers associations and other allied associations to observe one day strike.

The rally was addressed by Comrade Ashwani Koul, president, Arun Puri, secretary, R K Dhar, organising secretary and Comrades Ramesh Lal, T K Pandita, Ramesh Munshi, Ashwani Pandita, P L Sadhu, R K Vaishnavi, Tarsem Lal, T N Koul, Vipin Dhar and Sunil Kapahi.

The Northern Zone Insurance Employees Association observed one day strike the call for which was given by All India Insurance Employees Association which forms a part of CITU. The LIC employees of Jammu division held massive demonstration in front of LIC of India branch Unit-I, Karan Bhavan Jammu and then marched to the Town Hall Jammu to join the platform of mass agitation organised by CITU.

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) held a mass rally of employees, peasants, youth and students of Jammu in connection with the all India strike call by the National Platform of mass organisations against disastrous economic and industrial policies and the communalism.

While addressing Comrade M Y Tarigami, MLA and state secretary of CPI (M) lashed on the Central Government’s economic policies. He said that the BJP Government was not learning lesson even after its recent debacle in Assembly elections in three States. He said instead of learning a lesson the BJP Government has ventured out to bring out a legislation viz Insurance Regulating Bill in the Parliament.

Others who addressed included Messrs Mohd Maqbool, Om Parkash, K K Bakshi, Bashir Ahmed, Gurdeep Singh, S N Koul, , Kishore Kumar, Sham Parshad, Bishan Dass, Om Parkash and Santo Parshad.

A grand protest rally was organised this morning by Uttrya Railway Mazdoor Union affiliated with INTUC at Railway Siding Jammu without disrupting the working of the railways. The Chief Guest Thakur Randhir Singh criticised the BJP Government for allowing black marketers and hoarders to raise the price of onion,oil and other essential commodities putting the weaker sections into difficulties.

The NABARD Employees Association Jammu held strike today in support of its fraternal trade unions spread all over India against the anti-workmen policies being pursued by the managements of PSUs, Banking and insurance sectors and by the Government of India.

Horti employees list demands

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 11: Horticulture Non-Gazetted Employees Union in a meeting held here under the chairmanship of Mr Ghulam Mohd Ganee listed the demands of the employees.

The Union release issued here said that the employees also met the Director Horticulture and listed their demands before him.

The demands include filling up of the vacant posts, upgrading of the technicians, 50 per cent quota from gazetted vacant posts to be kept reserved for no-gazetted departmental employees and pending TA claims and funds.

Tailor commits suicide

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Dec 11: A tailor Bishan Dass, son of Mr Khushi Ram of Ward No. 6, Hiranagar ended his life by jumping into a 50 feet deep well.

As per a release the tailor was drunk heavily when he jumped into the well.

According to reports some nearby people heard the cries of Bishan Dass, who informed the police. The police rescued him from the well and rush the the SDH Hiranagar where he was declared as brought dead.

It may be recalled that a few days ago his wife had also jumped in the same well but was rescued by the people of the locality.

Benazir supports Hurriyat demand

Excelsior E-Mail Service

Rawalpindi, Dec 11: Pakistan's former Prime Minister and leader of the opposition, Ms Benazir Bhutto, has supported the calls for Kashmir’s All Party Freedom Conference (APHC) to be given the observer status at the UN General Assembly in the same way as the PLO was given this status.

Talking to an APHC delegation, lead by its convenor Yousaf Naseem, in Islambad, Ms Bhutto reiterated her party's support for the Kashmiri freedom movement and said that she was fully behind the calls for the APHC to be internationally recognised.

Claiming that it was her government which had taken steps for the APHC to be given the observor status at the OIC, she said that her government was also looking into the possiblity of such a seat in the UN before it was removed from power.

Ms Bhutto said that it was imperative that the present government pushed for this important step to balance its claims of support for the Kashmiris.

She also called for a comprehensive rehabilitation program for the Kashmiri refugees who have had fled their homeland. After the meeting Ms Bhutto telephoned the ailing APHC leader Abdul Ghani Lone to equire of his health.

JKLF leaders in Pakistan occupied Kashmir have welcomed Ms Bhutto's latest calls and said that it was a test for any sincere government in Pakistan to see that "Kashmiri movement was recognised internationally" and not just used for domestic purposes.

Appreciating Ms Bhutto's calls for APHC to be recognised at the UN, the JKLF general secretary in London, Azmat Khan, said that it was a realistic prospect and could prove to be a turning point for the "Kashmiri movement if Pakistan was willing to make the move." He also said that while it was an encouraging sign that some of Pakistani leaders were having serious thoughts about the future direction of our movement, it was ironic for the leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party, to make such a call when this party continues to oppose the recognition of Pakistan occupied Kashmir as an "independent sovereign state" and had in the past sought to change its political and constitutional status by force where as the ruling Muslim League has not even opened its party branch in (PoK) territory.