Teachers protest at Ghagwal

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 18: Protest demonstration was held today in front of Zonal Education Officer, Ghagwal registering resentment against withdrawal of initial start to qualified teachers and demanded for early settlement of SITU promotion cases and release of 5th Pay Commission arrears.

As per release, a deputation of teachers led Mr Charan Dass ,secretary, J&K United School Teachers Association met the Zonal Education Officer, Ghagwal and apprised him about the problems facing the teaching community. The deputationists included: Messrs Vijay Kumar, Birbal, Tara Chand Sharma, Sadev Singh, Surinder Kumar, Aman Sharma, Kewal Krishan and Anil Kumar Verma.

BJYM holds protest dharna

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 18: State unit of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha today held a dharna at Shalimar in protest against recent hike in power tariff and change in prime time programmes of PGR centre Jammu.

The dharna was organised under the presidentship of state BJYM president Mr Shamsher Singh and also attended by Mr Jayoti Parkash, general secretary of the Morcha.

BJYM activists on dharna, raised slogans against the State Government and charged the Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah with forcing Jammu people to resort agitational path.

While addressing the dharna, BJYM president Mr Shamsher Singh alleged that the State Government hiked the power tariff without consulting other parties. The BJYM will never tolerate the facist policies of Farooq Government, he emphasised.

Mr Jyoti Parkash, general secretary of the Morcha, expressed his concern over the change in prime time programmes from PGR centre Jammu and said the Government decision—in this regard— has hurt the sentiments of Jammu people.

The Morcha leader said that relaying of Kashmiri programmes from Jammu Kendra may compell people of this belt to switch to Pak TV since Dogra people could not understand the Kashmiri language programmes. It will help Pakistan in its task of anti - India propaganda on Kashmir issue, he feared.

BJYM city unit president Mr Titoo Dogra also addressed the dharna.

DGP inaugurates medical camp at Police Lines

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 18: The Director General of Police, Mr Gurbachan Jagat inaugurated a 5-day Annual Medical Camp at District Police Lines, Jammu today. The Camp has been organised by the Police Department for inservice, retired police personnel and their family members. The Director General Police also inaugurated Blood Donation Camp on the occasion.

Interacting with the blood donors mainly police jawans, Mr Jagat lauded them for participating in this gesture of human welfare. About 200 jawans from district police lines, JKAP, 12th Bn, IRP 4th Bn donated blood at the camp. A team of senior doctors of the department of Blood, Transfusion, Medical College, Jammu conducted the blood donation. One lady Inspector, Madhu, Incharge, Police Welfare Centre also donated blood.

The Incharge Blood Transfusion Department said that blood would be utilised in the hospitals after proper verification of HIV.

The 5-day medical camp is expected to attract about 5,000 patients belonging to the police personnel families. They would be provided treatment in the OPDs of Dentistry, Opthalmology, Gynea and Obstetrician, Orthopaedic, Dermatology and General Physician.

About haft a dozen renowned pharmaceutical organisations from within and outside the State had put up their medicinal stalls. These agencies have also sponsored the medical and blood donation camps.

Free medicines, opticals, minor surgical operation and incisions are also being provided to the patients during the camp.

The Inspector Generals of Police, Mr Gopal Sharma, Mr Ashok Bhan, Mr C L Banal, Mr Madan Lal besides Senior Superintendents of Police and other officers and jawans were present on the occasion.

Doda was neglected during Governor's rule: Minister

Excelsior Correspondent

DODA, Dec. 18: The Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Mr Govind Ram Sharma has said that during the Governor's rule in the State little attention had paid towards the development of hilly and backward areas of Doda district, but soon after the present Government came into power two years back, took various measures to provide all sorts of basic amenities to the people of all the regions particularly in hilly and backward areas of the State.

The Minister who was on 2-day extensive tour of Doda district was talking to a number of deputations. He amphasised the need for people's cooperation for implementation of various development programmes launched in the State by the Government for upliftment of socio-economic condition of the weaker sections of the society.

The District Development Commissioner, Doda, Mr D K Nargotra apprised the Minister that presently there are 124 vacancies of Assistant Surgeons, specialists and 150 para-medical staff. The Minister said that all the vacant posts of Assistant Surgeons and Dental Surgeons will be filled within one month. He also ordered for reopening of AMT school at Doda in which 45 inmates of female multi-purpose workers, X-ray dental and laboratory of technicians will be imparted training in two batches. He said where these posts are laying vacant.

The Minister also announced to provide one ambulance to the District Hospital, Doda shortly. The MLA Doda, Mr Khalid Najeeb Sohawardhy and MLA Inderwal, Qazi Jalal-ud-Din also met the Minister and apprised him various problems being faced by the people.

The Minister also visited District Hospital, Doda and went round various wards/sections and enquired about the health-care and diet being provided to indoors patients.

Addressing the Health functionaries, Mr Sharma lauded the role of staff posted in District Hospital, Doda. He said that it is their duty to serve the mankind and advised them to workhard with more dedication to maintain their noble profession in the society.

The Minister also visited the site of new district hospital's building, Doda for which 80 kanals of land has already been acquired. He further said that the project for the district hospital has been prepared and sent to the Planning Department. The project is estimated to cost over Rs. 11 crore. This include Rs. 1.10 crore for purchase of new machinery and equipments and Rs. one crore for staff quarters.

The Minister was accompanied by the Director, Health Services, Jammu, Mr R K Goel, CMO, Doda and ADMO, ISM, Doda during the tour.

The Minister earlier visited Kishtwar and Bhadherwah and took stock of the functioning of the Health Department there.

Govt to construct modern community halls

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 18: The Government have launched an ambitious time bound programme at a cost of Rs 12 crore to construct modern Community Halls in all major towns of the State. These halls would be used as marriage ceremony halls and other social functions by the common people besides providing office accommodation to local bodies units. In the first instance, multifunctional community halls would be constructed in 22 towns expected to be completed by the end of next fiscal year.

This was decided at an review meeting of the local bodies held here today under the Chairmanship of the Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari. It was decided that in the first phase the community halls would be constructed in Ganderbal, Kulgam, Pampore, Magam, Pattan, Kupwara, Uri, Kargil, Tangmarg and Pulwama in Kashmir division and Akhnoor, Bishna, R S Pora, Kishtwar, Basholi, Sunderbani, Khour, Reasi, Thanamandi, Banihal, Billawar and Poonch in Jammu division.

It was also decided that a massive programme to construct modern slaughter house with scientific disposal system would be launched in towns and cities of the State to improve civic and sanitation conditions. Low cost sanitation units and community latrines would also be constructed in the towns and cities of the city to keep the environs neat and clean. Renovation and upgradation of the existing town halls would also be undertaken besides, raising remunerative assets for strengthening economic footing the local bodies.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister urged the need for greater co-ordination between local bodies and Urban Development agencies so that works of immense public utility are identified and executed on priority basis. This, he said would create a visble and good impact of the department among the masses. Mr Ansari said that the people have high expectations with housing and urban development department as it directly deals with their immediate basic amenities and the officers should strive hard to fulfil their aspirations. Mr Ansari said that urban development agencies conduct a thorough survey to identify genuine beneficiaries living below poverty line so that they could be benefitted under various welfare schemes of the State and Central Governments.

The meeting among others was attended by the Commissioner Secretary Housing and Urban Development, Mr Pankaj Jain and the Director of Local Bodies Srinagar and Jammu.

Comittee for Khalsa Panth celebrations

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 18: The Government have constituted State Level Committee under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah to commemorate the tricentenary celebrations of the birth of Khalsa Panth.

The other members of the Committee include Mr H S Bali, Chairman Legislative Council, Mr Ashok Jaitly, Chief Secretary, Mr L S Malhi, Financial Commissioner, Agriculture Production Department, Ms Sushma Choudhary, Financial Commissioner, Revenue, Mr Gurbachan Jagat, Director General of Police, Mr B R Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr Balwant Thakur, Secretary, Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Director Information, S Sant Singh Tegh, S Gurmukh Singh, S Rangil Singh, Mr Harbans Singh Azad, Mr Harbans Singh, MLC, Mr M D Bandey, Mr Sudarshan Singh Wazir, president, J&K Gurudwara Prabandhak Board, All District presidents of Gurudwara Prabandhak Committees of the State, S Kulwant Singh Johal, Advocate, Giani Surain Singh Baspur (R S Pora), S Lakhbir Singh, Akhnoor, Giani Balwant Singh, president Akali Dal (Badal), S Kartar Singh, Kathua, S Kehar Singh, Udhampur, S Harcharan Singh Khalsa, Poonch, S Jarnail Singh, Ramgarh, S Jaswant Singh Hayatpuri, Srinagar, S Tarlok Singh, president Bus Operators Association, president Transport Association, Prof Devinder Singh, University of Jammu, Mr H S Anand, Jammu, S Swarn Singh, IFS (Retd), S Mohinder Singh Ranjoor, Dr Daljit Singh, Srinagar, Prof M R Puri, V C Jammu University (Retd), Bibi Surjit Kour W/o S Mahavir Singh, Bibi Satwant Kour W/o S Mohan Singh and S Gurdev Singh Khalsa, General Secretary, Akali Dal.

Orphans being made victims of Govt's apathy

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec 18: More than 15,000 orphans of the Kashmir valley are being subjected to the extreme difficulties by the Government as the concerned departments have failed to complete investigations of ‘The J&K Yateem Trust’ for ‘‘Grant in Aid’’ of the State Government.

The (27 years old) Trust although offered financial assistance by many foreign institutions has been unable to procure it as registration is not being provided to it by the Central Home Ministry under Foreign Contribution Regulation act (FCR).

These hard facts were disclosed by the Chairman of J&K Yateem Trust Haji Abdul Rashid Hanjoora at a press conference today.

Although the Trust is fully sufficient in Manpower and has done a commendable work in the past years but the economic crunch slapped on it's face by the indifferent attitude of the investigating agencies has made the life of innocent orphans miserable.

Speaking at the press conference, Mr Hanjoora revealed that the Trust is only one of it's kind in the entire Valley and was being provided fifty percent Grant in Aid by the social welfare department for last so many years.

‘‘With the inception of militancy, the Trust was required to produce ‘Non Involvement Certificate’ from the District Magistrate for this grant’’ he stated.

‘‘Although we had applied for certificate well in time but Government agencies have failed to complete investigations even after three years and subsequently grant for these poor orphans has been withheld for no fault of theirs’’ stated Mr Hanjura.

He further informed that many foreign agencies like Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and others are ready to provide us with money and expertise for the welfare of orphans, destitutes, widows and disabled of the Valley but even Central Home Ministry has not provided us with FOR, pre-requisite for availing foreign contributions, although having applied three years before for the same.

Expressing his disgust over this indifferent attitude of the Government, Mr Hanjoora alleged that the Government is encouraging NGO's and Voluntary organisations only in the papers but in reality the thorns are being placed in their paths.

He further informed that many people are coming forward for the welfare of orphans, whose number has increased due to militancy related violence and is still on the increase, but the efforts by these indivisuals are not enough to sustain these innocent victims of fate. He stated that he has approached Nation and State Human Rights commissions to took into the treatment being meted out to orphans in the Valley and expressed hope that Government will look into their problems.

Mr Hanjoora also appealed to the people to come forward and donate liberally for these innocent victims, in the coming holy months of Ramzan.

State level Bajrang Dal meet on Dec 26

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 18: The first ever state level convention of Bajrang Dal will be held on December 26 and 27 at Geeta Bhawan here.

The decision to this effect was taken in the Steering Committee meeting of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal today.

The prominent leaders of the two organisations who participated in the meeting include Messrs Tilak Raj Sharma, Dr Rama Kant and Khem Chand, a VHP release issued here today said.

Mr Vinay Katiyar, founder president of Bajrang Dal will be the chief guest on the occasion.

JE selection case again referred to CJ

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec. 18: In the matter of selection criteria of J.E. Grade II in which two judges had differed each others the case was referred to the Chief Justice and the Chief Justice has been referred the case to Mr Justice M Y Kawoosa to elicit the opinion of majority in the case.

Today Mr Justice M. Y. Kawoosa sent back this case to Chief Justice to get the points of difference formulated.

Today this important case of Rota-Kota for the selection of J.E. Grade II came up for hearing before the Mr Justice M. Y. Kawoosa after the difference of opinon between two judges Mr Justice Arun Kumar Geol and Mr Justice O. P. Sharma in which separate judgements have been written.

Advocate D.C. Raina appeared for the petitioner invited the attention of the court to rule 23 (2) and urged that the points of the difference have not been formulated by the differing judges as is invisaged by Sub rule (2) of 23 as "if the judges comprising the Bench are equally divided on any point, they shall states points upon which they differ and the case shall then be heard upon the point by one or more of the other judges designated for the purpose by the Chief Justice and such points shall be decided according to the opinion of the majority (if any) of the judges who have heard the case including those who first heard it."

Advocate General Mr M A Goni has contended that there is no need to formulate points of differents because the whole case has been decided by two different judges, so that court has to decide the whole case afresh.

Mr Justice Kawoosa held that he had gone through the order of reference under sub rule (2) of rule 23. So I subscribe to the view of advocate D.C. Raina appearing for the petitioner that the differing judges should have formulated the points of difference though notwithstanding this objection does not affect merit of the case, but however, to be on safer side. I think it is better to send the case back for getting the points of difference formulated so that tomorrow it will not be left open or raise objection that the third judge has traversed beyond his jurisdiction to decide the whole case. For these reason, therefore, the case is sent back to Chief Justice to get the points of difference formulated, Judge, added. In this case Advocate D.C. Raina appeared for the appellants, Advocate General Mr M A Goni and Advocate Anil Sethi appeared for the respondents.