Concern over migration from Gool villages

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 6: Mr Sher Singh, president Migrant Cell, block Gool has shown his grave concern over the unabated migration of the peace loving people from the hilly and remote areas of Gool.

In a statement issued here today, he said recently 65 families have migrated from the villages adjoining to Sangaldan.

The statement said a deputation led by Mr Sher Singh called on Deputy Commissioner Udhampur during his recent tour to Sangaldan and urged him that the entire hilly area be handed over to army for flushing out of militants.

The deputation said this way the migration of peace loving people from these remote villages can be stopped. He also demanded action against the harbourers and sympathisers of militants.

Mr Singh has also demanded immediate relief and ration for the migrants and due compensation to the next kin of those who have been killed by the militants.

He urged the Deputy Commissioner that immediate relief be paid to Oma Devi wife of Kali Dass of village Seri Pura of Chachwa who was recently injured in militants attack. The victim is presently under going the treatment in Government Medical College Hospital Jammu.

He also demanded that the security be provided to buses from Sangaldan to Dharam Kund as the area is covered by densly forests.

The deputation also met Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, MP during his visit to Ramban and urged him that the area be handed over to army.

Ram Pal cautions people against Pak designs

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 6: The working committee meeting of J&K Scheduled Caste Cell was held here today. The Parliamentary Secretary, Mr Ram Pal presided.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Ram Pal said that unity and integration would enable us to grapple over the problems and hardships in day today life and for the upliftment of scheduled caste and backward classes in the State. He stressed upon the people to be more vigilant about nafarious designs of Pakistan. He said that militancy has brought unfold miseries and shattered the economy of the State.

The committee discussed various problems being faced by the backward classes especially those residing in far-flung and remote areas of Jammu province.

The Working Committee unanimously adopted various resolutions including the inflation in prices with regard to essential commodities which have made the life of the common man especially the down-trodder communities more difficulty who are not in a position to make their both hands to meet.

In another resolution adopted in the meeting that adequate steps needed to be taken to speed up process of development of scheduled castes and backward classes.

It was further stressed that monitoring cells should be set up in Social Welfare Department and in Scheduled Castes and Backward classes Corporation so that benefits percolate at the grass-root level.

The meeting also discussed for providing interest free loans and subsidy to the houseless persons.

It was stressed that the Advisory Board of Scheduled Castes should be made more effective and people of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes by included in the Service Selection Board and State Public Service Commission.

The Working Committee emphasised to strengthen the hands of Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah for paying special attention for upliftment of backward sections of the society.

Prominent among those present on the occasion including general secretary of the Cell, Mr Nand Lal, Advocate, Mr Rajinder Kumar, Incharge Youth Cell, Mr Ravi Kumar Dogra and vice chairman, Mr Om Dalmotra.

6 officials of Drugs Controller suspended

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 6: Six officials of the Controller Drugs, Jammu were placed under suspension by the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Mr Govind Ram Sharma today, during his surprise inspection. The Minister said that the delinquency will not be tolerated at all costs. He also inspected the record of drugs manufacturing and drug sale licences which are being issued by the authorities.

The Minister was apprised that the office buildings of the Dy Controller, Drugs and Food, Jammu/Srinagar is under construction. The land for the complexes measuring four kanals in Muthi near Jammu and two kanals at Bemina has already been purchased. The total estimated cost for the construction of office complex at Jammu will be incurred Rs 34 lakhs. The Minister inspected the site plan of the complexes.

The Minister went around various sections of the office of the Controller, Drugs and supervised the functioning of the office which includes Drug Testing Laboratory and Store. The Minister was also shown the seized over-dated medicines worth lakhs of rupees by the Drug Controller.

The Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare also visited the Sub District Hospital, Sarwal, Jammu and checked the attendance of the doctors and other staff. The Minister was satisfied over the functioning of the hospital and directed the staff and doctors to work with zeal and devotion to the service of the humanity.

The Minister also went around the various wards of the hospital and enquired from the inmates about the welfare and the treatment provided by the hospital.

Among others, the Director Health Services, Jammu, Dr R K Goel was also accompanied the Minister.

Processions in Jammu banned

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 6: The District Magistrate, Jammu, Mr P K Tripathi has imposed restrictions under Section 144 CrPC on taking out processions by individual or groups of individuals as also on raising provocative slogans in some specified areas of Jammu city in the wake of opening of winter secretariat at Jammu.

The areas restricted for such activities include Bajaj Tower to Amar Filling Station, on flyover from Police Control Room to District Institute of Education and Training behind New Secretariat, Jammu, on flyover from Subash Chowk (Maheshpura Chowk) to District Institute of Education and Training and Rotary behind New Secretariat to New Secretariat.

This order shall remain into force for a period of two months from November 8 or till rescinded.

6 ITI Poonch staffers suspended

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Nov 6: The Deputy Director Technical Education, Jammu, Mr P L Saroop suspended 6 employees of Industrial Training Institute, Poonch yesterday during his surprise visit to the institution who were found absent from duty. Apart from it, 9 employees after attending the duty for first half day were also found absent in the second half day on the same day.

He ordered to stop the pay of the absentees for this month till further order. He expressed his grave anguish over the prevailing absentism in the institute where hundreds of youth are undergoing the training in different trades. He directed the supervisory staff to ensure punctuality and accountability among the employees for smooth and efficient functioning of the institutions.

Reserve 5 posts of Anganwaris
High Court notice to Minister

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 6 : Mr Justice O P Sharma of the State High Court has directed the State Government and the authorities of the Social Welfare Department to keep five posts of Anganwadi workers reserved till disposal of the writ petition and also issued notice to the respondents including Minister for Social Welfare Mian Altaf Hussain and Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly Mr Hyder Malik.

These directions were passed by Mr Justice Sharma in a writ petition filed by Mr Ravinder Kumar Sharma Advocate challanging the appointment of eight respondents as Anganwadi workers.

The petitioners Rehana Parvaiz and four others have submitted that the Department of Social Welfare issued a notification on February 5, 1997 inviting applications from female candidates only for the post of Anganwadi workers.

There were 22 posts for Block Lohai Malhar in District Kathua. The qualification prescribed was Matricuation and the age for illegibility was between 21 years to 45 years.

The advertisement also mentioned that candidates should be local residents of village Patti of the area concerned.

The petitioner submitted that they were interviewed on May 12, 1997 at Lohai Malhar but no select list was issued. However by an order on June 16, 1998 eight persons were engaged/appointed as Anganwadi workers on the instructions of the Minister concerned on the recommendation of the Deputy Speaker who is local MLA of the area.

The petitioner alleged that some of the appointees were not eligible as per advertisement as one of the respondent is still under age while others not local resident and also less qualified. They alleged that the appointments were made purely on political consideration and in violation of norms and allegibility criteria. Seeking quashment of the appointments they submitted that 22 posts for which interviews were conducted were lying vacant in the Block.

Hundreds pay homage to Saint Dewan Sahib

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov. 6: A huge gathering in hundreds of followers of Udas Marg Sanstha assembled at R S Pura on the eve of Antim Ardas for paying homage to the Saint ''Mahatma Dewan Sahib Ji Maharaj'' who attained Samadhi on October, 12. The Satsangis belonged to different states and sections of our society.

As per a release, many prominent Satsangis like S Piara Singh, Ex MLC, Messrs H L Hitaishi, Ex Minister, Bhagat Ram Chand, MLA, R S Pura, Muni Ji Jain and R S Chib, Ex.Minister, Sewa Ram Bhagat, Vice-President and Sat Pal Bhagat, General Secretary of Sanstha, while paying Tributes to the great Saint said irrepairable loss has been caused to the mankind.

They said the Dewan Ji has been preaching love and integration among human beings irrespective of caste, creed or colour and was a greatest cementing force among our society. The speakers urged the Satsangis to carry on the sacred mission of the saint with missionary spirit and enthusiasm.

Mr Bhagwan Dass, the president of Managing Committee was declared by the Sangat to function as ''Sanchalak'' of Sanstha and was offered a ''Saropa'' by the Sangat.

The ''Sanchalak'' Mr Bhagwan Dass assured to carry out the sacred mission with dedication an selfless service to the Sangat with cooperation of Committee.

The fuction concluded with serving Guru langar in the name of great Saint, to gatherings.

Sarva Dharamsthal inaugurated

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Nov 6 : The Sarva Dharamsthal constructed by the Poonch Brigade within the Moti Mahal Complex was inaugurated by Brigadier A S Sekhon Commander 93 Infantry Brigade on behalf of General Officer Commanding 25 Infantry Division here yesterday.

A brief religious prayer conducted by the four religious teachers is Padri, Pandit, Granthi and Maulvi was a part of the inauguration function.

The inauguration was preceded by rendering of devotional songs and prayers by the children of Sant Mela Singh school, Maharaja Hari Singh Public School, Zia-ul-Ulum School and Christ Church Convent Poonch.

The function was attended by DC Poonch, S P Poonch and a large number of civil dignatories. All Army officers in the station and a large number of soldiers also attended the function.

The Dharamsthal was conceived by the previous Commander of 93 Infantry Brigade, Brigadier Ravinder Singh and its foundation stone was laid by the previous General Officer Commanding of 25 Infantry Division, Major General S S Chahal, VSM on 16 May 1997. The construction within the limited financial resources available to the Army, has been done in a record 18 months. Contributions for the project has been voluntary, both from the Army and civil from Poonch and Jammu.

Poonch, the famous border district of Jammu has a multi religious population of Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims, who have over the centuries blended as one community.

In order to maintain close liaison between the Army and civil population, to foster harmony and strengthen the secular belief of the local population, and as a legacy of its 50 years of service in this district, 93 Infantry Brigade under took construction of this multi religious place of worship, to be dedicated to the troops of the Poonch Brigade and inhabitants of Poonch. The Dharamsthal has a Mandir, Gurdwara, Masjid and a Church, thereby integrating four religions under one roof which can seat approximately 200 persons at a time.

While speaking on the occasion Mr Jan, MLA Poonch Mr M S Khan, DC Poonch praised the efforts of the Army in conceiving the novel design of the Dharamsthal and in executing the work to perfection. They also emphasised the contribution of the Army towards social harmony in the district and stated that this multi-religions institution will and one more chapter in close Army-Civil cooperation and the glorious secular traditions of Poonch.

Brig A S Sekhon, Commander 93 Inf Bde while inaugurating the Dharamsthal underlined the importance of communal harmony in this sensitive border district and exhorted all present to work towards a totally secular Poonch. Such efforts also send correct singals across the border. He stated that all developmental work will proceed smoothly in Poonch since the Army was always there to thwart any attempt by anti-national elements to disturb peace and harmony.

He praised the efforts of all the people connected with the project and thanked all present for attending the function and making it a success.

This Dharamsthal it is hoped, will attract visitors and become an important religious spot of the district following the Gurdwara of Nangali Saheb at Chandak, Budha Amarnath Mandir at Mandi and the Ziarat of Sain Illahi Baksh at Loran and that it will add to and spread religious tourism thereby bringing the district on to the national tourism map.

Food-stock position in Kupwara reviewed

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR,Nov 6: The financial and physical achievements registered under current financial year’s District Development Plan of Kupwara district and stock and supply position of food-grains and essential commodities in view of the on-set of the winter, was reviewed at a high level meeting held at Kupwara today.

Minister of State for Food and Supplies , Mr Ajay Sadhotra presided over the meeting. Besides MLAs and MLCs, Minister of State for Home, Mr Mushtaq Ahmad Lone was also present.

Giving details of the financial achievements, District Development Commissioner, Syed Yasin Shah informed the meeting that over 39 per cent of the current financial year’s plan allocation of Rs 37.76 crore have been spent by the end of October this year in Kupwara district.

Reviewing the stock supply position of the food-grains, the Ministers were informed that 24,400 quintals of rice, 5400 quintals of wheat,2600 quintals of atta, 1620 quintals of sugar and 400 quintals of salt were presently available at various outlets in the district.

Besides,12000 quintals of rice,2400 quintals of wheat,300 quintals of sugar and about one lakh later of kerosene oil have been already stocked in the border and snow-bound areas of Thangdhar, Machil and Keran which is sufficient to cater to the local needs of these snow-bound areas by the end of May next year.

Minister of State for Food and Supplies , Mr Ajay Sadhotra while speaking in meeting, called upon the concerned officers to intensify their activities and ensure maintenance of prices of essential goods. He sought the cooperation from the traders in the enforcement of the prices so that consumers could be saved from the unscrupulous traders and profiteers.

Minister of State for Home, Mr Mushtaq Ahmad Lone asked the Police to constitute the price checking squads which will be entrusted with the hjob of checking the prices of the essential commodities. He also reviewed the case of the ex-gratia relief of the militancy victims.

The Ministers also directed the engineers of the Electric and PHE departments to immediately streamline the power and water supply in the district.

Mr Sadhotra also ordered for immediate opening of kerosene oil depot at Gouripura and Budinumbal. Mr Sadhotra said that the Food Corporation of India has already ordered food-grain godown on which Rs 20 lakh will be spent. Later, Mr Sadhotra inspected various ration depots and godowns in the district.