Sadhotra raids FCI godown

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 12 : The Minister of State for Food and Supplies, Mr Ajay Sadhotra today conducted a surprise inspection of the FCI godown at Nagrota. During the course of inspection he found 128 tonnes IR-8 sub-standard, non issuable rice and 122 tonnes issuable ''A'' grade rice besides the stocks of 900 tonnes of wheat.

The Minister debarred the management of the stores from making sub-standard supply of rice to the Food and Supplies department and also directed the concerned department to not lift non-issuable food grains from the stocks for consumption by the public.

Elaborating the policy of the present Government. Mr Sadhotra said sub-standard ration will not be allowed to be supplied to the people at any cost Meanwhile, he also asked the rationees to immediately return the ration to concerned depot holders, if they find that the supply was below the standard.

The Minister, during his intensive inspection went found barracks and verified the quality of the fresh arrival. He also got opened some of the bags in his presence and took some samples from the gunny bags.

Among others who also accompanied the Minister in the inspection included: Commissioner Secretary Food and Supplies, Mr R K Jerath, Director Food and Supplies, Jammu Mr S S Jamwal and Regional Manager FCI, Jammu.

New information technology being introduced : Pandey

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov. 12 : The new information technology is being introduced in a big way in the Information Department for quick dissemination of information.

Stating this while interacting with the Jammu based mediapersons here this evening the Director Information. Mr Sudhanshu Pandey said, the department is being linked up with the internet. He said, measures are being taken for faxing photographs to the state capitals, Srinagar and Jammu for publication in the newspapers. Arrangement is being worked out to provide the nit net facilities to all the district information centres in the State. For hard news, utilisation of the services of police telecommunication network is being contemplated, he added.

Mr Pandety said all possible measures will be taken to reactivise all units of the department so as to ensure timely delivery of official information to the media persons and news agencies. He said monitoring of the flow of the news and public relations wings will be further improved to establish close liaison and rapport with the media.

Welcoming the suggestions of the pressmen regarding setting up of a press room in Jammu and Srinagar. Mr Panday said that efforts will be made to identify a suitable accommodation for establishment of a press room which would be equipped with all modern facilities. He said the sugestions put-forth by the journalists would be thoroughly examined and steps will be taken to improve the functioning of the department.

Mr Panday hoped that mediapersons will extend their co-operation for further strengthening the relations between the department and the press.

Shah visits Hazratbal

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov. 12 : At the instance of Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah the Minister for Haj and Auqaf Peerzada Ghulam Ahmed Shah today visited Hazratbal to personally review the arrangements for Meraj-i-Alam. The MLA representing the area, Mr Mohammad Syed Akhoon, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Mr Khursheed Ahmad Ganai and senior officers of Food and Supplies, Public Health Engineering, Traffic Revenue, Police, Health departments, State Road Transport Corporation and Srinagar Municipality besides representatives of KMDA, Western Bus Service and Mini Bus operators and Secretary Muslim Auqaf Trust accompanied the Minister.

The Minister was informed that 140 temporary taps will be installed for convenience of the devotees. A ten KVA diesel generator set has been kept as a stand by in case of disruption in electric supply. Adequate arrangements for communication have been made while the public address system is being installed at more places in and around the shrine.

The Minister was told that 10 medical camps will be setup at different places enrote Dargah Hazratbal while a mobile camp will function round the clock to ensure adequate medicare facilities to the needy persons.

The SRTC will ply 150 special buses and the KMDA and Western Bus Service 200 buses each from various destinations of the Valley to cater to the needs of the devotees, on this occasion. Adequate arrangement for sanitation in and around the Dargarh have also been made. The electric and PHE departments have made elaborate arrangements to ensure uninterrupted electric and water supply to the people.

Earlier, the Minister while addressing a high level meeting at Divisional Commissioner's office uged the officers to put efforts for ensuring adequate arrangements at various other shrines and mosques in the Valley on the eve of Melraj-i-Alam.

The Divisional Commissioner, Mr Khursheed Ahmad Ganai gave details about the arrangements made by the administration regarding Mehraj-i-Alam.

Court frames corruption charges against ex-Minister

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 12 : In the fifty years of Independence this is for the first time where the court framed corruption charges against ex-Minister Mrs Gurbachan Kumari Rana for possessing assets/property worth of Rs 1,89,459/02 which was dis-proportionate to her known source of income.

Special Judge Anti Corruption Mr V K Phull directed prosecution to examine its witnesses on December 23 and 24, 1998.

While framing the charge against ex-Minister Mrs Gurbachan Kumari Rana, Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu Mr Phull observed that perusal of the material placed on record revealed that accused Mrs Gurbachan Kumari Rana had acquired assets/property worth Rs 1,89,459/02 to be disproportionate to her known source of income which she had acquired by misuse of her official position as a public men.

In the charge sheet, the individual disproportionate assets have been calculated. However, court discharged Mr Khazan Chand the then Director Food and Supplies and husband of accused Mrs Gurbachan Kumari Rana on the grounds that there was no valid sanction accorded by the competent authority for his prosecution.

So far as accused Gurbachan Kumari Rana (ex-Minister) is concerned, valid sanction for her prosecution has been accorded by the competent authority as contemplated under section 6 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. and her individual liability has been fixed and she can be tried even in the absence of accused Khazan Chand because prima facie the material placed on record is sufficient to disclose that she had acquired assets/property worth Rs 1,89,459/02 paisa which was disproportionate to her known source of income and thus had committed an offence U/S 5 (1) (e) punishable U/S (2) PG Act 2006 for which she has to be tried and charged.

The Vigilance Organisation after investigating the case had filed challan for the trial of accused Khazan Chand the then Director Food and Supply Jammu and Mrs Rana the then Minister for Excise and Taxation J&K Government for possessing assets disporportionate to their known source of income.

The facts of the case of prosecution were that one Babu Ram sent a complaint to Chief Secretary alleging that accused Khazan Chand Rana had entered into a partnership business with Bishan Dass and Jagdish Raj through his brother-in-law Sukhdev and sister-in-law Mrs Maya Devi involving Rs 35 lacs for running a factory at Bari Brahmana.

The accused had constructed a three storeyed house at Gandhinagar Jammu valuing Rs 12 Lacs and has deposited Rs 6 to 8 Lacs in the name of his wife and daughter in Canara Bank Gurdaspur. He un-authorisedly used Government vehicle at Delhi. On this complaint, the Vigilance Organisation Jammu registered a case in the year of 1986 and started investigation.

During the investigation the residential house situated at Gandhinagar Jammu where accused Khazan Chand resides alongwith his wife and family members in fact found to have been constructed by him in the name of his wife Gurbachan Kumari Rana and the value of the house was assessed to be Rs 6.65 lacs.

Accused Gurbachan Kumari Rana, wife of accused Khazan Chand served as MLA from June 1977 to March 1983 and from June 1983 to July 1984 and March 1986 to November 1986 and Cabinet Minister from July 2, 1984 to March 1986.

The accused Khazan Chand joined the Government services as KAS probationer in November 1965 and served at various posts and in the year 1986 he was posted as Director Food and Supplies Jammu. During the course of investigation it was established that both the accused persons by misuse of their official positions being public servants and public men accumulated disproportionate assets in connivance with each others to the extent of Rs 2,06,258/59 which is 44.90% in excess to their known source of income. The other allegations made in the complaint were not found established against the accused and presented challan in the court of Special Judge Anti Corruption Jammu whereby the court on April 18, 1995 has discharged accused Mrs Gurbachan Kumari Rana on the ground that sanction for her prosecution has not been accorded by the competent authority as defined U/S 6 of J&K PC Act 2006 and the sanction accorded for the prosecution of accused Khazan Chand is ambiguous and without application of mind and thus accused Khazan Chand also discharged. After the order of discharge the Vigilance Organisation Jammu re-investigated the case and presented this challan in the court of special Judge Anti-corruption Jammu, and obtained fresh sanction for the prosecution of Mrs Gurbachan Kumari Rana from His Excellency the Governor of J&K State. Chief Prosecuting officer Mr K S Charak appeared in this case for Vigilance Organisation and advocate S C Bali appeared for accused Khazan Chand.

'Freshers Dhamaka' in JU

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov. 12 : Jammu Joint Students' Federation (JJSF) in collaboration with Jammu University Students Cultural Council organized a spectacular cultural programme titled ''Freshers Dhamaka'' 98 to welcome the newcomers in the Jammu University.

A large number of students including boys and girls participated in the programme which was held in the lawns of the University for the first time, a JJSF release issued here today said.

Mr Ashfaq a student of MCA presented a scintilating ghazal which left the audience spell bound. But Mr Manvir Singh Lalli of Law department stole the show by his Punjabi song ''Aaja Nach Le'' which forced many a students to shed the inhibitions and dance along his tunes. The repeated requests from students forced him to sing another song.

Ms Shweta Kher of Library Sciences rendered a beautiful song much to the chaggin of the student community.

The repeated insistence of students for a Punjabi song was satisfied by Mr Varinderjit Singh Babbu of Law department who enthralled the audience by his marvellous performance. Mr Tanvir Ahmed Mughal of History department presented some lighter moments when he delivered some dialogues in the style and voice of some popular Bollywood stars.

Prince Rajan of Management Studies and Vishal and Group of Law department presented excellent dance performances.

Mr Vikas a JJSF activist reminded the audience of famous pop star Michael Jackson when he presented a break dance sequence.

The other participants included Mr Chander Kant, Yogesh, Ms Arti Prem Lal and various other artists also presented their items. JJSF and Students Cultural Council also presented awards to the best male and female singer and dancers.

Mr Manvir Singh Lalli and Mr Varinder Singh Babbu received the first prize jointly for the male singer while Ms Shweta Kher received the first prize for best female singer.

Mr Prince Rajan received the prize for best dancer.

The judges including Mr Jeevan Sharma, Brijmohan and Hari Dutt Shishu were also presented mementoes.

Earlier Mr Rajesh Vidyarthi, Sr Vice President JJSF and Cultural Secretary Student Cultural Council welcomed the freshers and Mr Rajinder Jamwal president JJSF presented the vote of thanks. The programme was compared by Ms Monika and Mr Sidharth.

Prof Gupta pleads for liberal Central grants

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov. 12 : The Bharatiya Janata Party has pleaded for liberal grants by the Centre for developmental activities in Jammu and Kashmir but at the same time it demanded that some effective mechanism should be evolved that all three regions of the State should get their due share and the grants should be utilised for the purpose for which these are allocated.

Addressing public meetings at Ghoni Talab, Foreway, Laddan and other places in Udhampur District, the Senior BJP leader and Member Lok Sabha, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta said that during the past about 50 years under the various poverty alleviation schemes and other developmental activities, the Centre has pumped over one Lakh Crores of rupees in this State but with painful results. He said, the Central funds were misused to the extent that not only the poverty and backwardness is sustaining but also regional disparities and distance between the poor and rich increased. He alleged that the money of poor Indian exchequer has been wasted and drained for the luxury of certain families.

The BJP leader further added that because of the misuse of the Central funds the regional disparities assumed new dimensions and the resentment against ruling class ultimately helped Pakistan to exploite the particular section of the youth for resorting to violence and insurgency.

He impressed upon the people to raise their voice against those who had looted the funds got fom the Centre but at the same time should also create unity and harmoney among various sections of the people to furstrate the designs from across the borders.

The meetings were addressed by BJP Legislative Party leader, Messrs Shiv Charan Gupta, Pradesh General Secretary Om Parkash, Member Assembly, Prithvi Chand, District President Master Chhajju Ram.

They pointed out that many development works executed during all these years existed only on papers and the conditions of the link roads was aweful, the proverty unemployment and other evils have made the life miserable.

Prof. Gupta has completed his week long tour of Udhampur areas. Earlier he had an extensive tour of many areas of Doda District.

Police nabs cheat in Anantnag

Excelsior Correspondent

ANANTNAG, Nov 12: Police have apprehended a Government employee while allegedly offering bribe to an SHO for releasing of his vehicle and asking him to hush up certain criminal cases against him.

Official sources here said that a Handicrafts Department employee Mohammad Saleem Gada of Botengo had collected different amounts of money from unemployed educated youth and assured them that he would manage for them Government jobs. Having ultimately lost faith in him, the youngsters caught him a few days back, detained his Maturi car No: DAC 1318 and asked him to repay the entire amount. He rushed to the local Police Station and got an FIR registered against them while describing them as militants.

Police investigated the matter and the case was dismissed as not admitted. Gada appeared the Police Station and offered a bribe of Rs 10,000 to the SHO and the Inquiry Officer while requesting them to hush up the criminal cases against him and also release his car. He was caught red-handed when he was passing cash worth Rs 5000 to the SHO.

Sources said that Gada had collected money from a large number of gullible and innocent people. Gada, according to sources, had earlier been involved in several cases of impersonation and cheating, mostly in Education and Rural Development Departments.

Police have apprehended Gada in the presence of an Executive Magistrate registered against him criminal cases of cheating and impersonation.

VHP smells rat in Government policies

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 12: Vishwa Hindu Parshid (VHP) has blamed the State Government for its involvement in adopting the dubious means to change the demographic character of the Jammu region.

The State Working Committee of the Parshid which met here on Wednesday expressed its concern over what it termed the anti Hindu activities of the State Government, a VHP release issued here today said.

The meeting which was held under the chairmanship of Mr Tilak Raj Sharma, working president of VHP passed three resolutions in which it cautioned the people against the alarming rise in the ISI and CIA activities in Jammu region.

Through other resolutions it alleged that a big conspiracy is being hatched to change the demographic character of the Jammu region. While through the third it criticised the Government for not making the adequate and proper arrangements for the settlement of migrants from border area of Hiranagar and Doda district.

Addressing the meeting Mr Ras Bhari alleged that the Government was taking no pains to settle the problems being faced by the Hindu community of Jammu region. He expressed surprise and concern over the tactical move of State Government to grab the holy Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi for financial and political gains.

Mr Tilak Raj Sharma blamed the Government for its apathetic attitude towards the Hindu migrants of Doda district and border tehsil of Hiranagar. He demanded that the migrants of Hiranagar be provided full compensation for their crops and property they have lost due to unprovoked firing from across the border.

He demanded that the West Pakistani refugees settled in the State should be granted permanent resident status and right to vote.

The meeting also finalised the plans for the forthcoming Udhampur camp of the State Executive as well as Bajrang Dal and Durga Vahini.

NC fails to deliver goods: Beg
Aslam asks partymen to get ready for united struggle

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 12: Pradesh Congress chief, Ch. Mohammad Aslam has exhorted upon the Partymen to get prepared for united struggle to expose the misdeeds of National Conference (NC) ministers and legislatures who are playing with the rights of the people through their agents.

Addressing a public meeting at village Majalta in Ramnagar tehsil in Udhampur district on Wednesday, he warned the Government that menace of chit system and favouritism launched by the ruling party leaders will not be tolerated as they were playing with the basic rights of the commonman. This was stated in a Party handout issued here today.

He alleged the appointments, selection of developmental works, their allotments, issuance of loans under various poverty alleviation schemes and even relief measures to the victims of militancy or natural clamity are being done on pure political considerations.

He warned that such type of favouritism will not be allowed to continue and asked the partymen to wage a war against this injustice.

Stressing the need for unity and discipline in the Party he said the indiscipline will not be tolerated by any one how big he may be. He said efforts will be made to carry along every one and give due respect to the workers who are the real assets of the Party.

Accusing the NC Government for increasing corruption and nepotism, the senior congress-I leader and former MP, Mr Mangat Ram Sharma alleged that the funds meant for developmental purposes were drained out by the ruling Partymen.

He said the Congress is fully united in the state under the leadership of Ch. Mohammad Aslam and due place will be given to loyal and deserving partymen.

However, he while making a dig at those contesting or working against the party candidates said such people have to undergo a test for their loyalty towards party.

Launching a blistering attack on the Dr Farooq Abdullah Government, former Minister and senior Congress leader Dr Mehboob Beg said NC Government has failed to deliver the goods and deal with the situation in the state.

He said the people are fed up with the present dispensation which is neck deep in corruption and looking after personnel luxuries of Chief Minister and his other colleagues.

Dr Beg also expressed concern over the plight of displaced people from the Valley and alleged that the promises made by the NC Government with the community have not been fulfilled.

Mr Balwan Singh, urged Congress workers to activate themselves and apprise people against the failure NC Government.

The meeting was organised by Mr Bhupinder Singh Pathania. Others who addressed it include Messrs Mohammad Ayub Khan, Yash Paul Khajuria, Ch. Talib Hussain, Raghunath Singh, Yogesh Sawhney, Hukam Chand and Balak Ram.