Ministers assure migrants

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Nov 3: The Minister for Industries and Commerce, Mr Bodh Raj Bali the Minister for Sheep and Animal Husbandry, Mr Surjit Singh Salathia and Minister for Food and Supplies, Mr Ajay Sadhotra today assured the people of border areas that the Government is committed to provide full security to their lives, their cattle wealth and properties and at the same time cautioned them against the machination of Pakistan to create disruption in our area and its attempts to internationalise the Kashmir issue.

The Ministers who were interacting with the 11-member Border Action Committee at Hiranagar today stressed upon them to keep interests of nation foremost in their minds and should understand the evil designs of Pakistan whose sole aim is to disturb our peace and tranquality.

The Minister said the problems created by unprovoked firing by Pakistan are not the problems of the people of the border areas alone, it is the problem of the entire nation and assured the border people that they will not find themselves alone in this difficult situation. They said that the State Government fully realise their hardships and assured that all out efforts are being made to mitigate them. They said that it is our country and we should not take any step without considering its wider ramifications which in any way affect its integrity and solidarity.

The Ministers said that firing is not confined only to Hiranagar alone, it is spread throughout the State and stressed the need for united and concerted efforts to meet this challenge posed by Pakistan. The firing along the State border is also part of the nine-year proxy war launched by Pakistan against the people of State and called upon them to show the same courage and fortitude as shown during 1947, 1965 and 1971.

The Ministers called upon the Border Action Committee to ponder over the issue in the interest of the nation and ensure that as first step, the migrated people return to their villages at the earliest.

The Ministers made it clear that it is a temporary phase and situation along the border is going to improve in a few days.

The Ministers issued orders on spot for distribution of free rations under the relief package to the people in all the 27 border villages affected by Pak firing and called upon the Border Action Committee to cooperate in the distribution.

The Ministers assured that problems projected by the Action Committee can be discussed across the table and they are even prepared to arrange their meeting with the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, who is always keen to come to the aid of the people and redress their genuine problems and grievances. They also assured accelerating the tempo of development activities in this border area.

The IGP and DIG, BSF, Mr UC Chhabra and Mr AK Sethi, who also later joined assured that security all along the border has been beefed up and all possible security measures are being taken to provide protection to the people on our side. The situation, they assured, is going to improve in the coming few days to the entire satisfaction of the border people.

Among others Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Mr BS Jaswal, IGP, Mr Kuldip Khuda, were also present.

Sadhotra reviews supply position of essentials

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 3: The Minister of State for Food and Supplies, Mr Ajay Sadhotra reviewed the position of availability of essential commodities and their prices at a joint meeting of officers, traders and consumers here today.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Sadhotra assured that their was no shortage of essential commodities like salt, edible oils, pulses and vegetables in Jammu division and said that a Committee for checking the price rise of essential commodities has already been constituted under the chairmanship of Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jammu. He said that the present Government headed by Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah is committed for the welfare of the people from all angles.

Mr Sadhotra revealed that a Consumers Protection Amendment Bill has already been prepared and will be inacted soon to further ensure protection of consumer rights. He warned the black marketers, adulterators, holders and profiteers that law will take its own course against such law offenders.

The meeting was informed that fair price shops of vegetables and fruits have already been set up in Military Hospital, Satwari, Bakshi Nagar and Bus Stand Jammu areas by the J&K Horticulture Processing and Marketing Corporation while more such shops are likely to be set up in Gandhi Nagar, Gole Market, Nai Basti, Parade, Tonga Stand near Canal Road, Jani Pur, Panjtirthi and Bakshi Nagar for the facilities of consumers. It was also informed that two fair price fruit shops have also been functioning near Medical College and Bus Stand on experimental basis. Besides two fair price dry fruit centres have already been set up at Narwal Mandi Jammu and Katra on experimental basis in order to provide fruit to the consumers at whole sale rates.

Earlier, the president, Chamber of Commerce, Mr Ramesh Gupta and other businessmen who attended the meeting assured the Minister on behalf of the business community to sell the essential commodities to the people at reasonable rates and offered their full cooperation to the Government while taking action against profiteers, hoarders and black marketeers.

JD blames NC, BJP for price hike, lawlessness

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 3: A workers Committee meeting of the Janata Dal block Bishnah was held today in which the stock of the developmental works in the block was taken.

As per a release, the meeting was chaired by Mr Balwan Singh, block president and Dr Jagdesh Raj Dubey, MLA and secretary general of the state Party was the chief guest.

Addressing the meeting Thakur Balwan Singh urged the workers to work unitedly for the betterment of the people and strengthen the Party by enrolling more members.

He alleged both Nation Conference (NC) Government at State and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led Government at Centre have failed to protect the interests of the common man.

He blamed the BJP for the sky rocketing prices of essential commodities.

Mr Balwan Singh held NC Government responsible for increasing militancy and lawlessness.

He also blamed the present Government for its discriminative and biased approach towards the Jammu region saying that the people of the region are being discriminated in the employments as well as waiving of loans upto Rs 50,000.

He urged the Government to take immediate steps in stopping the firing from across the border which has affected the farming community worstly.

Addressing the workers Dr Jagdesh Raj Dubey apprised them about the developmental works in the constituency. He assured them immediate completion of pending works.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 3: Prof R R Sharma, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu today called upon the volunteers of the National Service Scheme(NSS) to take up active welfare work for betterment of the society.

Delivering the valedictory session of the 10-day training programme of NSS project officers here today, the Vice Chancellor said that NSS is a very important dimension of the education and it should render much needed service to the people.

Referring to insensitivity to those suffering in the society, Prof Sharma said the great national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi had a vision of selfless service to vulunerable sections of the society, which task must be undertaken by NSS worker both in the rural and urban areas.

The Vice Chancellor expressed the hope that the experience gained by the participants in the 10-day NSS training programme, will be utilised by them for the benefit of the society. He thanked the organisers of the training programme at which 32 persons from different educational institutions from Kashmir, Jammu, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana participated.

Prof M C Sharma, Dean, Academic Affairs of Jammu varsity, said that NSS can play a pivotal role in improving the living conditions of the people.

Prof Zahoor-ud-Din, Head of Urdu Department and Registrar of the University, underlined the need for selfless service to the society especially in the rural areas and for weakers sections.

Dr V K Kapoor, Programme Co-ordinator of NSS, outlined the objective of the scheme and gave details about the training programme.He informed that the course was conducted in four groups with wide-ranging discussions and field experience.

Dr Hem Pal Singh of Govt Women College, Prade, Dr Narmta of Govt College, Udhampur; Dr Jasbir Singh of Jammu University and Dr Hari Singh, Dr Raghuvir of Himachal Pradesh and Dr Javed Kamla of Kashmir University narrated their experiences about the training programme and also the need for effective implementation of the NSS. Ms Neerja Ganjoo of MIER conducted the proceedings and Prof Satya Veer Gupta presented the vote of thanks.

HC allows retired official's writ for pension benefits

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 3: Mr Justice O P Sharma of Jammu and Kashmir High Court Jammu Wing has allowed a writ petition of Har Saroop Kaila retired Deputy Director Food and Supplies with the Direction that any difference in the pension and gratuity payable to the petitioner will be paid with interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum with effect from first April till payment is made.

The petitioner had filed a writ petition wherein it was directed on 12 July 1993 to the respondent to settle his pension case. After getting the pension the petitioner against wrote a letter dated 6-5-95 informing the respondents including Accountant General that he stood inducted into KAS vide Government order dated 23-9-91 but the benefit of induction has not been given to him while authorising pension. The General Administration Department informed the respondents that the petitioner though stands inducted into KAS time scale but was not entitled to any arrears. Since the date of induction of the petitioner in the time scale of Rs 1300-2030 was on 9-3-84 and he retired on 31-12-86, the pension had to be authorised accordingly. The department had already approached the Accountant General to authorises him pension on the basis of Government order of his induction into KAS in 1991. The counsel for the petitioner Mr R K Gupta prayed that the delay in authorising the pension entitled the petitioner to interest at the rate of 12 percent PA.

The court observed that the facts reveal that the petitioner has shown little interest in getting his pension case settled. His own indifference, it appears, was alone responsible for the delay in getting his pension case settled. There is, however, some delay because even after the General Department clarified the matter in January, 96, the Director Food and Supplies wrote letter in September 98 this delay cannot be justified. In view of this the petition was allowed to the extent that any difference in pension and gratuity will be paid with 12 per cent PA from 1-4-96 till payment is made to him. Mrs Seema Shekhar Advocate represented the respondents.

Gupta highlights Doda problems

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 3 : There is acute shortage of rations as also that of fooder in many areas of Doda District because of little rains during rainy season this year.

The Bharatiya Janata, Party leader Prof Chaman Lal Gupta MP has stressed the need for supply of rations as also fooder to save the people as also their cattle from starvation.

Addressing a largely attended public meeting at Ramban Prof. Gupta regretted that the Government was paying no attention to the said situation facing the people of the hilly areas of Doda district.

He said that there were no facilities of irrigation and other development in most of these areas despite spending of hundreds of crores of rupees provided by the Government at the Centre during all these years of Independence.

This backwardness and neglect of developmental activities clearly indicate that huge sums have been swindled by the ruling leaders-both those of the Congress and National Conference, he alleged and further said that misuse of public funds was also one of the reasons for eruption of insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir.

Prof. Gupta expressed satisfaction over the steps taken by the BJP led Government at the /Centre for initiating steps to have cantonment at Bhaderwah and military Stations at some other places in the sensitive District of Doda.

He also hoped that the deployment of more forces in the militancy infected areas of Doda and other places would create a sense of security among people. He asked the against the agents of ISI and other forces, hostile to India and they not be mislead by rumours and anti-national activities.

The public meeting was also addressed by Messrs Bali Bhagat, MLA, Abdul Aziz Katoch, Om Prakash and others who voiced the numberous problems facing the people of remote areas.

Restrictions in border areas

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov. 3 : The District Magistrate, Jammu, Mr P K Tripathi under section 144 Cr PC has restricted the movement of any person or persons during the night hours from 8 p.m to 5 am within 5 kms. border belt of Jammu district including all the areas west of across Manawar Tawi right from Chakla up to Narojian.

According to the Magistrate, under exceptional circumstances, the nearest SHO of the police post of Commander of BSF border outpost/Post Commander of the Army if satisfied and the movement is essential for any person or persons be allowed to move about during curfew hours to seek urgent medical aid or undertaking threshing operations or undertaking irrigation operation etc. by issuings necessary curfew passes by the competent authorities.

Khajuria decries hollowness of Govt

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov. 3 : Mr Yash Pal Khajuria, former Minister has decried the hollowness of Government's claims that the militancy and the financial crisis has been contained in the State, which was evident from daily reports in the media.

Addressing a Congress Workers meetings at Chenani and Udhampur Mr Khajuria said that a majority of MLAs and Ministers stand isolated from the problems faced by the common men. People are looking towards Congress workers will have to shoulder the responsibility of identifying themselves with the people's cause.

Mr Yash Pal Khajuria said that the BJP Government has failed on all fronts and that its fate would be sealed in the ensuing Assembly elections of the four States.

Mohd. Ayub Khan, former Member Parliament said that the people of State are disillusioned with the BJP's promises of a clean administration, ensuring accountability and containing militancy. He said that despite immense tourism potential in Kud, Patni Top and Chenani, the Government has done precious little to promote-tourism in these parts. Ayub Khan said that no attention was being paid to the development of horticulture, and agriculture in these areas.

Prominent among those who attended the meeting were Shankar Dass, Gita Devi, Sardari Lal Dubey, Om Parkash Magotra, Kamal Kishore, Surinder Advocate, Sunil Kapoor, Abdul Qayoom, Khalida Begum, Krishan Chander Bhagat, Master Bodh Raj, Madan Lal Pachiala, Harbans Lal, Gopal Dass, Prithvi Chand, Maan Singh and Rajesh Gupta.

Slathia tours border areas

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 3: The Minister for Sheep and Animal Husbandry, Mr Surjit Singh Slathia has assured the people of the border areas that the Government is making all out efforts to solve their problems arisen due to unprovoked firing from across the border.

Addressing the people at Regal during his day-long extensive tour of Rayian, Mawa, Rajpura and other border villages of Hiranagar tehsil today, Mr Slathia said that besides providing free ration at the scale of 5 kgs per head per month, Rs 3000 each will be provided to the farmers who could not cultivate their land due to Pakistani firing. He said the livestock of the farmers of affected villages will also be provided insurance cover for which the premium will be paid by the Government. He said compensation will also be provided to the farmers who suffered loss of cattle due to the firing.

The Minister stressed upon the people to face the challange posed by Pakistan boldly and help the administration in defeating her nefarious designs. He asked the people no to leave their houses due to Pakistan firing and said the Government will take all possible measures to protect them.

Mr Slathia, who is also Vice-Chairman, District Development Board, Kathua said that adequate steps are being taken to speedup the process of development of the border areas so that the socio-economic conditions of the people are improved.

The Addl Dy Commissioner, Kathua, Mr O P Kalandaria, Superintendent of Police, Kathua, Mr R R Swain and senior officers of several other departments accompanied the Ministers during the tour.