Ex-servicemen rally held at Ratnuchak

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 16: The military station Ratnuchak organised an ex-servicemen's rally as a part of Vijay Diwas celebration, to have close interaction with the ex-servicemen of Ratnuchak and surrounding villages about 20 kms from here, today.

Addressing the ex-servicemen, Brigadier D S Grewal, Commander of an Armoured Brigade, highlighted the contribution and valour of all those who took part in the 1971 Indo Pakistan War and brought laurels to the nation and the country. He asked the ex-servicemen to render their valuable services to the nation as they had been doing while in uniform. Army, the Commander said, is thankful to them for their contribution to the Army as well as civil administration and the organisation has an obligation to look after their welfare. He described the ex-servicemen to exercise utmost vigilance in and around their villages they come from an to help inculcating a sense of discipline and security consciousness in the minds of the civil populace. The Commander further told the ex-servicemen that their duty towards the nation has increased manifold in the present scenario, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir State.

The Vijay Diwas celebration included a medical camp, interaction with various banks for providing financial assistance to the ex-servicemen, establishment of a grievance cell to look into the problems of ex-servicemen.

On behalf of ex-servicemen, Major Tannatar Singh (retired) thanked the Commander for adopting Ratnuchak village for its all round development and also looking after interest of ex-servicemen and resolving their problems earnestly.

Meanwhile, Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) at the station organised a war widows meet in which 20 war widows were presented with giftes by Mrs Anjali Garewal, the AWWA president at the station.

Speaking at the function, she said AWWA has earmarked funds especially, for the war widows to meet their medical needs at the Polyclinic Centre established at the station. Besides, financial assistance for the marriage of their daughters as well as creation of job opportunities for their children are taken on priority basis to enable them to live with honour and digity which they rightly deserve, she remarked.

NC Govt losses credibility Cong

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec. 16: President J&K PCC Ch. Moh. Aslam and leader of Congress Legislature Party Ms Mehbooba Mufti have said that NC Government headed by Dr Farooq Abdullah has lost credibility because of its total failure on all fronts and lack of political initiative to resolve the Kashmir problem for achieving peace in the State.

While addressing public meetings at Mugal Maiden, Chatroo and Kishtwar Ch. Aslam said that the NC has failed to deliver the goods and come upto the expectations of sufferings masses. The people are fed-up with the present Govt which has "beaten all past records" of "corruption" "favourtism" and "nepotism" during short-span of two years.

He said that present National Conference Minister and ruling party legislatures have become a "liability" on the State exchequer and the State has been pushed to a financial crunch because of luxuries and extravagancies of Chief Minister; his colleagues and favourites in the administration. He also doubted the sincerety of the National Conference Govt to hold Panchayat elections, and said the ruling party leaders do not want to shed their control, dominance and share in developmental works.

He said that National Conference Govt is not interested to hold Panchayat and local body elections as its leaders know that people will vote against the party candidates. Two months back on the floor of Legislature, Govt announced that electoral rolls would be made up-to-date, but no communication has been sent to the Chief Electoral Offficer for this purpose so far, he added.

Speaking at these public meetings, Congress Legislature Party leader Ms Mehbooba Mufti said that Congress party would mobilise public opinion in the country against the anti-people policies of National Conference Govt.

She said that Congress party will launch a campaign from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and will inform the people what is happening in J&K State. The ruling party can no longer take the masses for granted and crush them with suppressive measures. Ms Mehbooba asked the Centre not to fall prey to disinformation campaign against Kashmiri people launched by National Conference and desist from crushing the people. She said this was the time when people of Valley badly needed healing touch, both the Government were busy using oppressive measures.

She said that Govt of India must initiate dialogue with all concerned as the problem could not be solved through security means. Security forces have done commendable job to contain militancy to greatest extent, but it should be supported by a political follow up, she added.

Referring to local demands, Ms Mufti demanded that Kishtwar should be declared as separate District as it is a long pending demand of people of Kishtwar. Besides she urged that Govt should declared Doda district as Backward Tribal area and a special package of employment programme should be announced immediately for unemployed youth of the Doda district, she added.

NC fails to solve people's problems, says Mula Ram

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec. 16: A meeting of Block Congress Committee Marh was held at village Haripur today, which was chaired by Mr Tallenter Singh, Working President BCC Marh, Mr Mula Ram former Minister was the chief guest in the meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Mula Ram said that National Conference Govt has totally failed to mitigate the problems of the people. Today the unemployment problem has become more complex and unemployed educated youth are disappointed. People belonging to Scheduled Caste and other Backward Classes have not been given due share in the welfare schemes launched by Centre Govt. in the State.

He alleged development works are stand still and State Govt employees are not getting even pay dues or other allowances in time. Farooq Govt has mismanaged the State economy as well as the Central funds and has pushed the State into financial crunch.

He further said that Marh block was affected due to recent hail storm but Govt failed to provide relief to the affected farmers. Mr Mula Ram appealed the Congress activist of the Block Marh to fight unitedly for the cause of people.

Mr Tallenter Singh highlighted the problems of farmers owing to non availability of seeds, fertilizers, irrigation water, electricity etc. He also demanded renovation of link roads from Patta to Pouni Chak and Gho to Pardhore besides relief to the storm affected farmers and irrigation facilities at tail end villages.

Others who spoke in the meeting include Messrs Ashu Ram Bhagat, Pt Asha Nand, Deva Singh Chowdhary, Rattan Lal Sharma Youth Block President Seva Ram Dogra and others.

IIPA organises a lecture

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 16: Mr M C Gupta, Director, Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) has stated that the administration has to fine tune and gear itself to meet the challenges task ahead in the 21st century.

Delivering a lecture, organised by IIPA, Jammu and Kashmir chapter here this evening, Mr Gupta said the country will have to fully prepare for tackling problems like rapidly growing population, mass illiteracy and also promoting democratic spirit, scientific temper and secular outlook.

Mr Gupta said the pace of population growth was negating the fruit of development and urgent attention has to be paid to this serious problem.

The prevailing mass illiteracy is another burden which will go on into the next century. The literacy is 55 per cent among male and merely 41 per cent in female but the number of illiterates has gone up and it would need concerted endeavours.

Challenges ahead also include the adoption of Information Technology for accelerated development of the country in spreading knowledge and utilising it for eradicating mass illiteracy. The globalisation and liberalisation as also empowerment of women,and weaker sections of the society. The IIPA, he observed will assume important role.

Mr Ram Sahai, vice chairman, while welcoming Mr Gupta, said the IIPA has a vital role to play in the next century. He pinpointed the activities being carried on by the IIPA’s J&K branch.

Mr S P Sahni in his introductory remarks said that the IIPA has a to play significant role in preparing the administration for the challenging tasks ahead.

There was open discussion in which members also participated. Among those who were present included: Mr S V Bhave, Mr A C Chaturvedi, Mr Swami Raj Sharma, Mr Vikram Gaur, Prof A N Sadhu, Prof K L Bhatia.

JDA employees protest against encroachment,
observe strike

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 16: The employees of Jammu Development Authority (JDA) observed a strike today in protest against the forcible encroachment of five kanals of JDA land at Rail Head Complex by the Waqaf organisation.

The normal working in the offices of the Authority was affected due to strike, a JDA Employees Union handout said.

The employees alleged that the Waqaf employees under the patronage of Minister of Haj and Auqaf in full police protection on December 14 tried to encroach the land which belonged to JDA at Rail Head complex.

The JDA Employees Union which spearheaded todays strike also alleged that despite the directive of Chief Minister in whose notice the matter was brought by the JDA authorities the Waqaf Department refused to remove the encroachment and continued the unauthorised construction of compound wall and one room at encroached site to grab the JDA land worth crores of rupees.

The JDA employees in an appeal have urged the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah and Minister of Housing and Urban Development Department to intervene in the matter personally and get the encroachment vacated.

The Union handout said the highhandedness of the Haj and Auqaf Ministry will impede the functioning of the JDA which is an autonomous body and has flourished day by day.

The JDA employees warned to continue strike if action against the Waqaf Organisation is not taken for encroaching the land.

Revised TA rules approved

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec. 16: The Cabinet which met here today with Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah in chair has approved the revised T.A. Rules.

Announcing the decision, the Chief Secretary, Mr Ashok Jaitly said that new TA rules will have effect from Ist December 1998.

Officers have been categorised into 5 classes based on their pay under article 309 of J&K CSR for purposes of TA/DA.

The officers drawing pay of Rs. 16,400 and above are put in the class-I while these falling in pay range of Rs. 8000 to Rs. 16,399 in the second, Rs. 6500 to Rs. 7999 in the 3rd, Rs. 4100 to Rs. 6499 in the 4th and above Rs. 4100 in the fifth class.

The daily allowance for Government employees on tour/transfers has been revised. During stay in Government/Public Sector guest house or at their own arrangement, the class -I officers would be entitled to Daily Allowance of Rs. 170 in case of B-I class cities, Rs. 210 A-class cities, Rs. 260 in A-I class cities and Rs. 135 in other cities. The Daily Allowance for class II officers would be Rs. 150, Rs. 185, Rs. 230 and Rs. 120 respectively.The class-III officers would get Daily Allowance at the rate of Rs. 130, Rs. 160, Rs. 160, Rs. 200 and Rs. 105 respectively. In case of class IV officers this rate would be Rs. 110, Rs. 135, Rs. 170 and Rs. 90. For class V the allowance would be at the rate of Rs. 70, Rs. 85, Rs. 105 and Rs. 55.

The Officers drawing pay of Rs. 16,400 and above would be entitled travelling by AC Ist class while officers drawing Rs. 8000 and less than Rs. 16,400 would be entitled trasvell by 2nd AC second tier sleeper. The officers falling in the 3rd group with pay ranging from Rs. 6500 to 7999 would travel by Ist class/second AC three tier sleeper/AC chair car and officers falling in the 4th group falling in pay range of Rs. 4100 - Rs. 6499 would travel by train in Ist class/second AC three tier sleeper chair car. The officials falling in the 5th group drawing pay below Rs. 4100 would travel in train by 2nd sleeper.

As regards air entitlement, the officers drawing basic pay of more than Rs. 10,000 shall be entitled to travel by air on tour within the State and officers drawing basic pay of more than Rs. 12,600 ouside the State from Srinagar to Delhi vice versa officers with basic pay of Rs. 16,400 and above is entitled to travel by air to any station outside the State.

When the Government servent stays in hotel of other establishment providing boarding and or lodging at scheduled tarrif, the daily allowance would Rs. 425, Rs. 525, Rs. 650 and Rs. 335 in respective cities (as mentioned above) in case of class-I officers, Rs. 330, Rs. 405, Rs. 505 and Rs. 225 in case of class II officers, Rs./ 250, Rs. 305, Rs. 380 and Rs. 200 for class III officers, Rs. 160, Rs. 195, Rs. 245 and Rs. 130 for the class IV officers and Rs. 85, Rs. 100, Rs. 125 and Rs. 65 in case of class V officers respectively. However additionality of 50%, 75%, 100% as the case may be over and above the normal rates of daily allowance admissible on existing rates of D.A. as per article 335 of CSR read with Note 2 and Note 2-B or elsewhere in the existing rules shall cease to operate from Ist December 1998.

As regards transfer grants, subject to the fulfillment of conditions laid down in Note-2A, officers would get transfer grant of Rs. 900 in case of class - I and class -II officers, Rs. 600 in case of II and IV, officers and Rs. 456 in case of class V officers.

The Note - 2 below article 331 has be be recasted with effect from 1.12.1998, as the Government servent who are on tour in cities of Jammu and Srinagar, the conveyance hire actually incurred subject to the following scales may be reimbursed provide he does not make use of Government vehicle or the corporation or autonomous body etc.

Class - I and class -II officers, Rs. 40 per day class III and class IV officers, Rs. 24 per day, class VI oficers, Rs. 16 per day.

Expensive marriages
Where are we going ?

By O P Sharma

The season of marriages is on. While for some it is time for merrymaking, for others it is an opportunity for display of affluence, lavish spending on parties, decoration and dowry items.

The show of money is "shamelessly vulgar" and it is polluting the entire social environs. While such un-necessary spending put avoidable burden on the individual families, they also adversely affect the overall economy and weaken the social fabric.

Culprits All:

The sacred marriages are now a days inflicted by two major evils: one,overspending in marriage parties and the second is dowry system. Both are penal offences but the practice goes on openning flouting the Guest Control Act and the Anti-dowry Act.In gross violation of these regulations, marriages are solemnised with pomp and show with lavish parties thrown to hundreds of persons. The vulgar display of money power neither attract the wrath of guest control act nor even the attention of Income Tax authorities.

The Government is also among the ‘culprits’, who defy the guest control order by having official parties with invitees numbering into hundreds. Even the highest in the administration turns Nelsons’ eye to the whole affair. It is all the more astonishing that all this is done when the Jammu and Kashmir State is passing through a turbulent phase and the financial crunch stares us in the face. It seems that the "rulers" do not feel shy to demonstrate their immunity to the rules and regulations.

The politicians too are the worst violators of this norm of simple marriages. The senior bureaucrats and leading businessmen take marriage as an opportunity to show off their ill-gotten money. The marriage of Jayalalitha’s foster son some years back in Chennai created a stir of sorts by its great pomp and show with record number of guests. The intellectuals and so-called social leaders too indulge in it though they are often heard cursing the evils of extravaganza in the marriage ceremonies. The Wazawan with unlimited Kashmiri non-vegetarian dishes and crowds of guests are the latest trend in marriages. There is little consideration towards the wastage, which also seems to be a part of the show.

Distressing trends:

In Jammu, system of stall of golgapas, chat, ice-cream and coffee along with meals has come to stay. The "free flow of wine", vulgar dances on the busy streets blocking the traffic, throwing of currency notes and decorations are meaningless. The firecrackers add to the already high level of noise pollution and high risk of fire. Another disturbing trend is celebration of marriages in big hotels with lavishing spending but which lack the personal warmth.

It is the middle and lower strata of society which is dragged in this nefarious game of overspending feeling the pinch very hard.

Social Action:

Equally to blame are the social and religious leaders, who do not take up the challenging task of reformation in the marriages. This situation in society is at an alarming proportion. All the people feel the pangs of this unbearable burden but there is nobody to bell the cat. Member of several communities are now falling into this trap and indulging in wasteful expenditure in marriages. It is noteworthy that Sikhs have brought in simplicity in the marriage parties and even the dishes to be served have been prescribed.

It is certainly not a religious question but an urgent social issue.It is high time the people sit, pause and ponder as to where are we going. It is of utmost importance the menace of high cost of marriages tackled by a strong social action by the people themselves. It is also essential that the Government must also come out of its deep slumber and inertia to courageously take action against all those who violate the guest control order. The people throughout the country have to stand up against these social maladies.