Daily Excelsior.........State

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 21: Over Rs 229 crore have been realised as revenue by the Excise and Sales Tax Departments in the State during the first seven months of the current year. This is 15 per cent more than the corresponding period of last year.

This was disclosed by the Finance Minister, Mr Mohammad Shafi while addressing two seperate meetings of the officers of the Excise and Sales Tax Departments held here today. The meetings were held to review the achievements of these departments upto ending October during current fiscal year.

Reviewing the performance of the Sales Tax Department it was revealed that over Rs 116.22 crore have been realised upto ending October during this year. This comes to Rs 17.09 crore more than the corresponding period of last year. Of this, an amount of Rs 92.43 crore has been collected as general sales tax, about Rs 21.08 crore as motor spirit tax, Rs 2.45 crore as passenger tax and Rs 25 lakh as property tax.

A target of collecting Rs 209 crore has been fixed for the department for the current financial year, against which, the revenue has been realised to the tune of 55.61 per cent so far.

The Finance Minister said that as part of modernisation process of revenue collection, computerisation of the department will be done in a phased manner. He asked for preparing a plan for the purpose. He said that he will review the computerisation plan within a months time so that further improvement could be brought in recovery and monitoring of revenue collection.

The Minister asked that circle-wise status reports regarding recovery of sales tax should be prepared. He also directed for preparing circle-wise directory of the dealers.

The Sales Tax Commissioner, Mr Najamus Saqib while giving a resume of the department said that the process of verification of dealers has been started and it will be completed by ending December this year. He said the collection of sales tax in Kashmir valley has also increased considerably and there will be further improvement in it in the near future.

The Excise Department has realised an amount of Rs 113 crore as revenue during the period. This is 59.73 per cent of the target of Rs 189.30 crore fixed for the department for the current year. Out of this, Rs 65.91 crore have been collected as Excise, Rs 45.36 crore as toll tax and Rs 1.79 crore as entertainment tax. This realisation is 12.71 per cent more than the corresponding period of last year.

The Finance Minister said that ultimately we will have to generate our own resources as we can get Central assistance upto a certain level only. He said due to the concerted efforts of the officials of the department, targets were achieved in full last year. He said this year not only the targets will have to be achieved but exceeded by Rs 30 crore at least.

Mr Shafi said that as far as toll tax is concerned, our State has a special position and exclusive powers for its recovery. He said the toll tax should be recovered imaginatively to enhance the recoveries.

The Finance Minister stressed that the computerisation is an important factor for bringing more efficiency in working of the department. He asked the Excise Commissioner to formulate a plan before close of the current financial year for computerisation of the department. He said that the manpower should be adequately trained and quality computers bought for better results. He said best computers with highly trained manpower should be put at the Toll Plaza at Lakhanpur were four new weigh bridges are being installed. He said that we have only one entry point at Lakhanpur and it is very easy for us to control the recovery of taxes.

The Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, Mr Ajit Kumar stressed for ensuring to give maximum revenue to the State. He said that there is a great responsibility on the Finance Department not only to achieve the targets but exceed these.

Earlier, the Excise Commissioner, Mr A B Salam Bhat gave details about the revenue collections.

The meeting among others was attended by the Director, Finance, Ms Naseema Lankar, Deputy Commissioners of Excise and Sales tax Departments and Excise and Taxation Officers.

Another explosive event in KC Residency

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov. 21: K. C. Residency witnessed another explosive event named as "MASK THE FACE AND HIT THE PLACE". It was a grand gathering of more than 200 people. Girls & Guys were in fullest of spirits & mood. It was itself a lyrical charm to feel the mixing of melody and hard beats. It was giving an illusion of metro for a fraction of time. Temperature was falling down in the town whereas temperature inside the disc was gearing up.

According to the F&B Manager, K C Residency. This disc. INFERNO has the capacity of more than 75 couple at a time. This event was sponsored by SOUTHERN - COMFORTS & Co. sponsored was INTERSHOPPE, Residency Road.

Prize winners for the event were Mr Romi & Ms. Gurmeet (Best dressed couple), Mr Ejaz & Ms Muski (Best dancing couple), Mr Nitin (Best male personality), Ms Riya (Best female personality), Ms Seema Singh (Face in the crowd). The prize was distributed by Mr R S Bandral (Representative Southern Comfort) and Mr Ravinder Mittal (M/s INTERSHOPEE).

Police welfare centres doing good job: Mrs Jagat

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 21: Mrs Kiran Jagat wife of Mr Gurbachan Jagat, Director General of Police, has underlined the need to bring out the latent creative faculties of the children for fully developing their personality as disciplined and decent citizens of India.

Speaking at the concluding function of children week, organised by the State Bank of India at Police Lines here this morning, Mrs Jagat said children should be given all encouragement for their all round growth. She appreciated the talent exhibited by the school boys and girls in the age-group of three to eighth years in different competitive events like painting, dances, games and sports.

She said such functions should be organised frequently to ensure full flowering of personality of the future citizens of the nation. She congratulated the staff and students for their impressive performance.

Mrs Jagat, who was the chief guest at the function, also distributed prizes among the kids who were adjudged as best.

In on-the-spot free hand painting competition, Priya of KG got the first prize while Syed Mushtaq and Nazia secured second and third position respectively. In musical chairs, Sushil Bhan, Kuldeep Koul, Vandana Sharma bagged top slot, Spoon race had Vivek, Shakti Bhan and Sadhana Manhas topped, in toffee race it were Nirmal, Rakesh Kumar and Shiva Saproo who got first three position while in dance Khusboo, Sonika and Suraiya who were adjudged first, second and third positions respectively.

Mr S M Kapoor, Deputy General Manager of SBI, while presenting vote of thanks said the the Bank is also engaged in involving itself with the community it is serving. He stated that as in the past the SBI will continue to organise such activities in future.

Mrs Shashi Kapoor presided, Mrs Indira Wazir, Mrs Bimla Sharma, Mrs Nina Bakshi,Mrs Sushila Mina, Mrs M M Khajooria, Mrs Misra attended the function. Among others DIG Jammu-Kathua range, Mr S K Misra, DIG, Armed, Mr Darshan Kapur, SSP, Mr Ashok Gupta, Chief Manager, SBI, Gandhi Nagar, Mr Y P Sharma were present.

Mrs Kiran Jagat, who is chairperson of Police Women Welfare centre, told EXCELSIOR that this institution is building up and doing very well . Besides, rendering social service for the women of Police personnel especially widows and children. The centre is being shifted to a new building within a month’s time,she disclosed.

She said that the women are involved in crafts like embroidery, knitting, stitching of clothes and handicrafts which fetch them some income. The widows and distressed women are given financial assistance as well. She said such a centre is functioning at Srinagar and at the district level too some centres like in Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua, Udhampur also rendering useful service to women and children of Police personnel.

The school for kids upto third standard with strength of nearly 100 is being run by the welfare centre, she said and added that kids of Police families are provided free education in it. Answering a question, she stated that lot of attention is being paid to this school and objective is to bring it up , in due course of time, to a high school level. The present centre premises will be exclusively for the school, she added.

Two die, 8 injured in road accidents

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 21: Two persons died while as eight persons were injured in different road accidents. Besides, a 22 year old man attempted suicide and a house wife received burn injuries in separate incidents since last evening.

According to reports, a 80 years old driver was killed when his truck skidded off the road and turned turtle at Chanani here late last night. He was shifted to Government Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead. The body of the deceased was handed over to his family after post-mortem. He has been identified as Makhan Singh son of Rokhal Singh of Kud.

A young man identified as Vijay Sharma son of Inderjeet Singh of Paloura committed suicide by consuming some poisonous substance at his home. He was rushed to hospital by family members where despite doctors’ hectic efforts he expired. The cause behind this extreme has not been reported so far.

Meanwhile, five persons were injured when their bus in which they were travelling turned turtle at Sajra Chack near Gajansoo this afternoon. The injured were immediately shifted to GMC Hospital and their condition was stated to be improving now. According to injured the accident occurred due to rash driving.

They have been identified as Kartaro Devi (60) wife of Tara Chand, Shakuntala Devi (35) wife of Manga Ram, both the residents of Gajansoo, Chuni Lal with his wife Parkasho Devi and son Raj Kumar of Muthi.

In other accident, three persons including two minor children were injured when their scooter slipped off the road at Patta Paloura. Some passers-by immediately rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to hospital where they admitted. The condition of them was stated to be serious. Police identified them as Sonam (3) daughter of Shamsher Singh, Rahul (4) son of Uttam Singh and Paranjeet Singh (24) son of Uttam Singh of Patta Paloura.

A 22 years old girl attempted suicide by consuming some insecticides at her home last night. Her parents immediately rushed her to district hospital where doctors referred her to GMC Hospital in view of her deteriorating condition. She was now under-going treatment here and her condition was stated to be normal. The cause behind this step is yet to be ascertained. She has been identified as Gurbinder Kour daughter of Avtar Singh of Kathua.

A young house wife received 20 percent burn injuries when her clothes accidentally caught fire while working at home. She was shifted to hospital and admitted here. Her condition was stated to be improving now. She has been identified as Laxmi wife of Jag Parshad of Krishan Nagar.

WB Day Speaker meets Vakil

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 21: The Deputy Speaker, Legislative Assembly, West Bengal, Mr Anil Mukherji called on the Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly, Mr Abdul Ahad Vakil here today and held detailed discussion on wide ranging issues of mutual interest.

The Speaker briefed the guest about the improving situation in the State and told him that the democratic institutions were getting back on rails adding that people were participating at all levels to make these institutions more functional and purposeful. He said that the State's economy has started throbbing with new life and hope with the installation of the popular Government. Mr Vakil told the Dy Speaker that rule of law and discipline has been strengthened and political life reactivated from the gross root level. He said the people are extending full cooperation to the Government in restoring normalcy in the State.

The Dy Speaker, West Bengal Legislative Assembly appreciated the State Government's efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and to make human rights respected. He also expressed his satisfaction over the efforts being made by the State Government for making the Legislative Bodies more functional and responsive to the needs and urged of the people.

The Chairman, State Legislative Council, Mr H S Bali, Parliamentary Secretary, Mr Ram Pal and Secretary, State Legislative Assembly, Mr Mohd Iqbal Ganie were also present on the occasion.

DB modifies order of HC single Bench

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 21: A Division Bench of the Jammu Kashmir High Court comprising Mr Justice A M Mir and Mr Justice O P Sharma, has modified the order of single judge passed on 12-11-98 whereby the court stayed the transfer of Inder Jeet Singh from Secretary Legislative Council to General Department.

In the appeal filed by Chairman of the Legislative Council Harbajan Singh Bali, the Division Bench modified the order of Single Bench to the extent that status quo as existed on 12-11-98 shall be maintained. After admitting the appeal to hearing, the Division Bench disposed off the same with the direction to the appellant and others to file objections before the Writ Court and hoped that the single judge shall pass appropriate order after hearing the parties as soon as possible. The counsel for the parties were directed to appear before the Writ Court on the date fixed in the case.

Mr Inderjeet Singh through Mr A K Sawhney advocate had challanged his transfer from the post of Secretary, J&K Legislative Council alleging malafides and lack of power of the chairman to transfer him. In the writ petition petitioner had alleged that the Chairman of the Council was annoyed with him as he objected to certain unreasonable and extra legal actions and demands of Mr H S Bali. He said he had objected to the purchase of a photograph of Sheikh Mohd Abdullah at an exhorbitant price of Rs 20,000, when he was Deputy Chairman, as the same photograph could have been obtained from the Information Department at reasonable price. The petitioner also alleged that he had objected to the appointment of brother-in-law of the PHO of the Chairman and son-in-law of his Jamadar. The chairman took offence and harboured malice and ill will towards the petitioner. In the appeal the Chairman however denied the allegations and said that the petitioner was legally transferred. It was also stated that the appellant was not granted any opportunity to file objections and the order of transfer had already been implemented on November 9, 1998. The single judge had kept in abeyance the order and directed status quo as existed before the passing of transfer order dated October 30 1998.

The Division Bench however modified the order and directed status quo as existed on November 12. Messrs Sunil Hali, M S Malik and K S Johal advocates appeared for appellant while A K Sawhney and J P Singh advocates appeared for the respondents.

Sushma Choudhary to unveil Mirpur memoria

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 21: Ms Sushma Choudhary, Financial Commissioner, will unveil memorial of the martyrs who were brutally gunned down by the Pakistani aggressors at Mirpur in 1947.

According to a press release issued here today by Mirpur Balidan Divas Celebration Committee, on 10 Maggar-Mirpur Balidan Divas on November 25 the memorial will be unveiled at Bakshi Nagar, in front of the Government Medical College.

A meeting of the Committee was held today under the chairman ship of Mr H L Bargotra, Rtd Session Judge. Addressing the meeting, general secretary of the Committee said that memorial was erected to recall the supreme sacrifices made by the martyrs.

Besides Prabhat Pharies, havan yagna and langer will also organise on the day to pay tributes to the thousands of innocent men, women and children, who were killed by the Pakistani aggressors in a brute inhuman act.

The function will be organised jointly by various organisations like Mirpur Sikh Foundation of India and Shiksha Bhawan Higher Secondary School, Bakshi Nagar.

National book fair concludes in KV 2

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 21: The "National Book Week" fair inaugurated in Akhnoor at Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 2, Akhnoor at Tanda by the Deputy General Officer Commanding, 10 Inf. Div, Brigadier CPS Mehlawat, Chairman of the Vidyalaya Management Committee concluded on November 20.

In this exhibition nearly 2000 titles published by CBT, NBT,Publication division (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) Vigyan Prasar, NISCOM, Sahitya Akademi, ICAR and TERI were displayed by Harmukh Pustak Ghar, distributor for these publications in Jammu and Kashmir State.

Inaugurating the exhibition, the Chairman, Brigadier CPS Mehlawat stressed that this National Book Week will disseminate the message of books as harbingers of peace and prosperity as well as wisdom and knowledge. The objectives can best be achieved by creating an awareness about the significance of books among the youth.

The "Verocious Club" of the Vidyalaya under the guidance of the chief patron, the Principal Mr SC Khajuria and patrons Mrs Pooja Gupta, Ms Sukhwinder and Mrs Vimal Choudhary along with six students was applauded for taking a lead, in staging this pursuit of academic and literary inoculation for the first time in this town of Akhnoor. A large number of children from the nearby Army, public and Government schools accompanied by the teachers and parents also visited the Book Fair, including the wife of Dy. GOC Mrs Manjit Mehlawat.

During the week long festival there were special lectures on theme reading, wall newspaper and creative writing through music etc. The "Most Read Book" status in the Vidyalaya went to the title ‘Tinkle’ edited by Anant Pal published by HG Mirchandani for India Book House Pvt Ltd while the ‘Readier of the year prize’ was bagged by Ms Monika of class VIII-B for having read the maximum books and submitting its review in a year.

Steps to augment water supply in Srinagar

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 21: Several measures are underway to augment the water supply in Srinagar city and its adjacent areas. In this connection work on Pokhribal and Doodganga Water Treatment Plants are coming up at a cost of Rs 6.60 crores.

This information was given to Public Health Engineering and Irrigation Minister, Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar during his inspection of the plant today. He was informed that with the completion of these plants water supply would be augmented in water scarcity areas like, Lal Bazar, Hawal, Rainawari, Makhdoom Sahib and other adjacent areas. These schemes would supply additional 54 lakh gallons of water daily raising the total supply to 5.50 crore gallons daily to city dwellers.

The Minister asked the concerned engineers to intensify tempo of work on 4th plant of Doodganga, so that the water scarcity in Bagh-e-Mehtab, Kanipora, Nowgam and adjacent areas would be removed under augmentation scheme.

Minister’s assurance to Plus Two lecturers

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Nov 21: The Minister for School Education, Mr MS Tariq has assured the plus two lecturers that their genuine demands will be considered sympathetically.

The Minister was speaking at a reception hosted by the plus two lecturers forum, Rajouri district in his honour in Gujjar Hostel, Rajouri today. He asked the teaching community to improve the quality of education being imparted to the students and said that the result percentage should be upgraded.

Mr Tariq also emphasised the need to inculcate the ideals of secular ethos among the students.

Later, Mr Tariq inspected the on-going construction work of additional multi-storey building of Gujjar Hostel estimated to cost Rs 39 lakh. He asked the engineers of JKPCC to speed up the construction work and complete the building shortly.

The District Development Commissioner, Rajouri, Mr BA Runyal said that in a short span of time, the Education Minister has brought many reforms in the Education Department. It is evident that the pragmatic approach adopted towards the teaching community in general and lecturer in particular by the Hon'ble Minister will never be forgotten.

The District Development Commissioner also asked the teaching community to attend their schools regularly and devote their skills wholeheartedly for providing education to the children.

The president of the Forum, Mr Ram Parkash Sharma said that the Minister has taken daring and un-daunted steps for regularisation of bulk of the teaching incumbents who were anxiously waiting for the last 12 years.

Among those present on the occasion were Commissioner/Secretary, Education, Mr PL Raina, Director Education, Mr RK Goel, prominent citizens and lecturers.

Awami League deputation meet GM

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 21: A deputation of Awami League, youth wing, today called on General Manager, Industries Mr Bhagat and apprised him of the problems being faced by unemployed youths in getting their units registered.

The deputationists urged the General Manager to initiate all possible measures to ensure that unemployed youths don’t suffer at the hands of Industries officials. Mr Bhagat gave a patient hearing to the deputation and assured to redress their grievances.

The deputation was led by Awami League state youth wing general secretary Mr Charanjit Singh and comprised Mr Deep Malia and Mian Rakesh Jamwal.

BJP questions Congress policy on Kashmir

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov. 12: The Bharatiya Janata Party has asked the Congress to come out in clear terms about its Kashmir policy with regard to Pak-sponsored insurgency instead of creating confusion and thus helping the secessionists and anti-national elements.

Sharply reacting to the statements of the certain Congress leaders especially those of former Home Minisster, Mufti Mohd. Sayeed and some others casting aspersions on the security agencies and the Government at the Centre, the senior BJP leader and Member Lok Sabha Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta alleged that Mufti Sayeed and his men in the Congress were indulging in misleading and confusing utterances and thus, directly and indirectly playing the game of separatists and terrorists sponsored by the ISI of Pakistan.

Regarding the demand of Mufti for having unconditional dialogue with the militants, Prof Gupta said that Mufti should explain that what could be the basis for such a dialogue when they are playing as agents of forces operating from across the border and these forces have kept no secret about this designs to harm the unity and integrity of India as also have merger of Jammu & Kashmir State with Pakistan.

He questioned that why Mufti Sayeed did not opt the course of dialogue and sort out the problems of Kashmir when he himself was the Home Minister at the Centre.

The BJP leader alleged that the militancy in Punjab as also in Jammu & Kashmir was the result of the follies of the Congress rulers and it was the Congress which had encouraged, rather planned, the birth of Jamat-e-Islami and other such like fundamentalists.

Prof. Gupta alleged that the secessionism and insurgency in Jammu Kashmir was sustaining but for the internal sabotage from within the Government and also by the men who are operating in various guises including that of the Congress leaders.

He said that it was a strange situation that on one hand in Jammu areas the Congress leaders plead for strong steps against militancy and also Pakistan, on the other they in Kashmir were pleading against harsh measures by pronouncing that the policy of bullet would not work.

Prof Gupta said that instead of creating confusion and mislead the people by raising contradictory voices, the Congress as a party should come out that what do they mean in Kashmir as also in Jammu.