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| Keep strict vigil on timber smugglers:
Nengroo Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 22: Minister of State for Forests, Mr B A Nengroo....more Ramzan
reviews Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 22: The Agriculture, Rural Development and Cooperatives...more Excelsior Defence Correspondent NEW DELHI, Dec 22: Pakistan's present rulers are all likely to intensify the....more CEDT-I
organises EDP Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 22: Mr R S Khandpur, Director General CEDT-I.....more Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Dec 22: Various problems being faced by the people of the backward and hilly .....more |
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Cong asks
Govt to Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 22: Pradesh Congress- I leaders have criticised the state Government for its inaction and .....more MLA
demands Panchayat, Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 22: Congress Member Legistalative Assembly from Kalakot and chief whip of CLP...more Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 22: The term-end December 1999 examination for B.C.A. students....more Nazir asks
partymen Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 22: General Secretary of the National Conference, Sheikh Nazir Ahmed...more |
Keep strict vigil on timber smugglers: Nengroo Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 22: Minister of State for Forests, Mr B A Nengroo has said that the government is committed to protect and preserve the natural forests of the state which are still the best of its kind in the country and the world. He was speaking to Forest Protection Contingent at Jagatpur near Kathua on Tuesday. The minister was on inspection to the institute and also conducted extensive tour of various Forest officers of Kathua Division. Mr Nengroo complemented the Forest Protection Force staff for effectively checking smuggling of timber and banned willow clefts to the neighbouring states. He advised that all such cases of smuggling should be brought to the logical conclusion by booking the culprits and auctioning the goods seized under the Provisions of the revised Forest Act. The minister also inspected the check post at Lakhanpur and asked the staff to keep a strict vigil on the timber smugglers. He sought a review of the grazing fee in the imported cattle which has not been revised since decades, in order to increase the revenue of the department. During his extensive tour, the minister also conducted surprise checking of various saw mills in the area. He was accompanied by Principal Chief Conservator and other senior Forest officers. |
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Ramzan reviews working of Horticulture Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 22: The Agriculture, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister, Chaudhary Mohammad Ramzan has called for a total change of the Planning by Horticulture Department which would help the Orchardists to compete with the international market. This has become essential because of the changed trends to import various species of apple and other fruit in the country as also in our State. The Minister was reviewing the working of Horticulture Department in Jammu today. Chaudhary Ramzan remarked that fruit industry was the back bone of State's economy which even survived during the peak militancy period. He, therefore, stressed upon the officers of Horticulture Department to work with renewed zeal and dedication to achieve the objective. He further impressed upon the officers to give maximum stress an production of quality plant material. The officers were asked to undertake intensive touring in their respective areas. In the meeting it was revealed that 2.13 lakh hacters area has so been brought under Horticulture in the State. The production of fruit in the State has touched the level of 9.71 lakhs metric tonnes. The annual income to the State was more than 750 crores and 25 lakh people were directly or indirectly dependent on this industry. Chaudhary Ramzan also said that Department of Horticulture Planning and Marketing would shortly be revamped so as to make its offices throughout the country functional and result oriented. Minister of State Agriculture, Mr Namgyal also participated in the meeting. |
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Army's
requirements to be expeditiously processed Excelsior Defence Correspondent NEW DELHI, Dec 22: Pakistan's present rulers are all likely to intensify the proxy war and engage even in Kargil-type misadventure, the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. Mr Fernandes made it abundantly clear during question hour that a high state of defence preparedness was being maintained and a constant vigil exercised to meet any threat all along the border. The requirements of Indian Armed Forces, Mr Fernandes said, were reviewed on a continuing basis for induction of modernised weapons and weapon systems and keeping in view threat perceptions and the prevailing strategic and security environment as also emerging technologies. In his reply to a question by Mr P Prabhakar Reddy, Mr George Fernandes stated that the Government of India had called upon Pakistan to take steps to repair trust and confidence and facilitate the process by creating a proper environment in which meaningful dialogue can take place. He regretted that New Delhi had soon "no response yet that Pakistan is going in this direction". Mr Naneshwar Misra wanted to know if it was a fact that chief of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, a major terrorist organisation of Pakistan, had declared that it would again occupy Kargil peaks. In his reply, the Defence Minister stated that the Government was aware of media reports in this regard. The Government, he said, had taken up with Pakistan that it should stop support to cross-border terrorism and abandon abetment of terrorism and its anti-India propaganda to create a conducive atmosphere for the implementation of the Lahore process and a resumption of the composite dialogue. Mr Raj Mohinder Singh enquired if the government was giving concessions for admission in colleges and in other institutions to the families of heroes killed in the recent Kargil war. The Defence Minister's reply: No specific concession for admission in colleges and in other institutions has been given to the families, of defence personnel killed in Kargil operations. However, the children of the defence personnel including those killed in action, are entitled to various educational concessions, including the reservation of seats in schools and colleges. According to Mr Fernandes, while 25 per cent reservation is provided for the wards of the serving and retired defence personnel for admission in Sainik schools, 28 per cent seats in MBBS course in college under the control of Ministry of Health, one seat in BDS course and two seats in the engineering course under the Annamalai University are reserved for the wards of defence personnel. The wards of defence personnel killed in action are given first priority. The Defence Minister also informed the House that two seats in each of the IIT at Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras and in the Banaras Hindu University Institute of Technology are reserved for the children of defence and paramilitary personnel killed or permanently disabled in action. In the militancy schools, 67 per cent of the seats are reserved for the wards of JCO and other rank (OR) level defence personnel and 20 per cent of the seats are reserved for the wards of officer level defence personnel. On improving logistics for troops in Siachen Glacier, the Defence Minister informed Ms Veena Verma that the requirements of logistic support to the troops in Siachen are being continuously reviewed. He asserted: "It is the constant endeavour of the Government to provide requisite logistic support to troops to enable them to perform their assigned tasks effectively. Important measures, taken in this regard, inter alia included improved automatic grenade launcher (lighter version) with upgrade ammunition, night sight for weapons, additional sniper rifle with night sight, availability of upgraded ammunition for 155 mm gun, disposable rocket launchers, deployment of modified communication grid, high altitude cable for improved line communication and solar battery charging. According to the Defence Minister, requirement of special clothing has been fully met. The prevailing practice in the Ministry of Defence is to constantly review and upgrade clothing in keeping with the availability of better and more comfortable equipment. Measures also include issue of high calorific special ration, installation of bio-digester for disposal of human waste, emergency casualty evacuation equipment, greater availability of hyperbaric chamber required for treatment of high altitude pulmonary odema (HAPO) cases, central heating system and trolleys to carry load over ice-walls. In his reply to a question by Mr Kartar Singh Duggal, Mr George Fernandes said that 29 officers -- Army (26) and Air Force (3) -- were killed during the Kargil conflict. He put the number of other ranks killed at 495. As against 1287 other ranks seriously injured, the number of officers injured has been put at 62. The Defence Minister said: "No meaningful comparison of the casualties of the Kargil conflict with those of the wars with Pakistan in 1947-48, 1965 and 1971 is possible, as the intensity, duration and the Armed Forces personnel deployed in these wars were different. In his reply to a question by Ms Veena Verma, Mr Fernandes said that consequent on the implementation of the recommendations of the fifth central pay commission, the ex-gratia amount was released to Rs 5 lakh cases of death occuring due to accidents in the course of performance duties and in cases of death occuring in the course of performance of duty attributable to acts of violence by terrorists, anti social elements etc and Rs 7.5 lakhs in case of death occuring during enemy action in international war or border skirmishes and action against militants and extremists. Mr Fernandes informed the House that the Kargil conflict has been treated as war-like engagement and ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh has been granted to the next of kin of those killed in the said operation. This apart, from the National Defence Fund Rs 5 lakhs have been provided for dwelling unit, Rs 1 lakh per child for education up to two children per family and Rs 1.2 lakhs for needy parents who were dependent on the deceased soldiers. |
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CEDT-I organises EDP with SISI collaboration Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 22: Mr R S Khandpur, Director General CEDT-I (Centre for Electronics Design and Technology of India, today said Information Technology will become one of the biggest industry by 2005. The CEDT Director General was addressing at a valedictory function of Entrepreneurship Development Programme at CEDT Jammu centre, which was organised in collaboration with Small Industries Service Institute, which starting from November 24 last, concluded yesterday. He assured the participants that EDPs would now on would also be held at District Headquarters. He said Information Technology has virtually taken over from Electronics and now knowledge is available with us and the only need is to exploit is fully that too at a very fast pace, because the speed in change holds the key to success. Mr Khandpur shared his past experience with the entrepreneurs and asked them to remain in touch with their course coordinators. Earlier Dr R K Abrol, Director CEDT Jammu centre asked the entrepreneurs to keep the needs of the customers in view, while opening up their own ventures. He suggested them not to lose heart if they wanted to become a job provider in place of becoming job-seekers. Mr R C Chopra, Director Small Industries Service Institute (SISI) stressed on the entrepreneurs to learn about the working behaviour, which was suitable for business. Mt T N Kumar, Director Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) called for building self-confidence and will to struggle, clear vision about the concept and stress on information and contacts to excel in business. In all 26 entrepreneurs who included 7 female candidates completed their entrepreneurship Development Course successfully. Three of them also spoke on the occasion about the course. they included Aminder Singh, Suresh Kumar and Ms Nusrat Jahan Ara. |
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MLA demands Panchayat, Municipal elections Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 22: Congress Member Legistalative Assembly from Kalakot and chief whip of CLP, Mr Ashok Sharma has demanded restoration of local self Government by holding Panchayat and Municipal elections in the state at the earliest. In a press statement issued here today, the MLA who conducted the extensive tour of his constituency said that unless 73rd and 74th Amendments of Constitution of India are incorporated in the J&K Constitution by amending Sections 24 and 25 there can not be decentralisation of powers and the self governance in the state. Mr Sharma demanded the constitution of State Finance Commission in the state to strengthen Panchayat Raj and setting up of Panchayat Training Colleges at district level to impart training to Panches, Sarpanches, members and chairpersons of Lok Adalats. He accused the National Conference Government of causing disillusion among the people by avoiding Panchayat and Municipal elections for over 22 years, under a well planned conspiracy. The Congress leader urged upon the Chief Minister and the Chief Electoral Officer of the J&K to hold early Panchayat elections. He alleged that the Chief Minister, even on the floor of the Legislative Assembly House had announced to hold Panchayat elections soon, but he failed to make his commitment. He also condemned the appointments of ministers as chairmen of the District Development Boards and shifting of PDD plan from DDB to state sector to curb the will of people. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 22: The term-end December 1999 examination for B.C.A. students New Course (registered in July, 1998, January 1999 and July 1999) will be conducted at C.E.D.T Gandhi Nagar, Jammu (149/A/D) on December 25 and 26 and for MCA/BCA students Old Course (registered in 1996, 1997 and January 1998) will be conducted on December 27 to 29 at the P. G Department of Computer Science, University of Jammu. In a press release issued here today, Dr J R Dhotra, Co-ordinator has advised to report their respective centres at 9 a.m sharp on the above mentioned dates alongwith Examination Hall Tickets and Identity Cards. |
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Nazir asks partymen to build close rapport with masses Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 22: General Secretary of the National Conference, Sheikh Nazir Ahmed has exhorted the party workers to build close rapport with people and work for their welfare as envisaged in the ‘Naya Kashmir’ programme which the late Sher-i-Kashmir placed before the people in 1944. Addressing the district working committee meeting of the Kathua district, Mr Nazir asserted that National Conference Government which came in thick of militancy, has done a commendable job against overwhelming odds. It has brought back peace and development to the State, he said and added that under the stewardship of Dr Farooq Abdullah, State was moving towards the path of prosperity. NC general secretary, who had a special message for the party functionaries, called upon them to intensify the drive for party membership which comes as per schedule in the constitution. On completion of the membership drive, the election which are soul of the party democracy, will be conducted as per the party constitution. Senior National Conference leaders Messrs. Bodh Raj Bali, former Industries and Commerce Minister, Rattan Lal Gupta, Ram Paul, Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, S Peter, Dharam Vir Singh Oberoi, Ajit Kumar Sharma and other addressed the functionaries of the district. They called upon party workers to strengthen further the party by forging unity and solidarity in the rank and file. Mr Bodh Raj Bali underlines the need to stand solidly behind the dynamic leader Dr Farooq Abdullah who stands committed to ameliorate the lot of the people in the three constituents units of the State by providing smooth and equitable socio-economic development. Earlier, Sheikh Nazir Ahmed started his week long tour of the districts of the Jammu province, starting from Kathua. |
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Employees strike affects normal life in Valley Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Dec 22: Working in all Government departments remained paralysed for the third successive day today in the entire Valley as all Government employees observed strike in support of the four day Kaam Chhor Hartal call of the EJAC. According to a handout issued by the EJAC, Srinagar, employees all over the State abstained from work today on the third day of their strike programme and working in all Government offices and corporations were badly affected due to the strike. Demonstrations and rallies were held by the employees on all tehsil and district headquarters in support of their demands. A big rally of the employees was held in Court Complex, Srinagar which among other was addressed by Messrs. Nissar Ali Mir and Muntazir Mohi-ud-Din, leaders of the Joint Action Committee. The employees raised slogans in support of their demands. Future programme of the employees agitation will be announced by the provincial convenor of the EJAC in a rally of employees scheduled to be held in Government Press Complex, Srinagar and Civil Secretariat premises in Jammu. Meanwhile the members of the EJAC were holding consultations with each other to finalise future strategy to be announced tomorrow. |
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Pak military build-up
continues From B L Kak NEW DELHI, Dec 22: The Government of India does not rule out Pakistan's involvement in attempts at raising a new anti-India outfit, known as 'Kashmir Liberation Army' (KLA). The Government, however, has no concrete information in this regard. In fact, the Minister for External Affairs, Mr Jaswant Singh, said in reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that the Government was aware of terrorist groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir. Mr Jaswant Singh informed Mr Sushil Kumar Shinde and Mr Madhavrao Scindia that while the Government had, in July last, come across a media report about a new terrorist organisation called 'Kashmir Liberation Army'. Both Mr Shine and Mr Scindia enquired if the guerrila organisations engaged in the 'Kashmir jehad' had decided to set up 'Kashmir Liberation Army' for a unified struggle against Indian Army in J&K. In his reply, Mr Jaswant Singh made it clear that while the Government was aware of terrorist outfits operating in Jammu and Kashmir, there had been no concrete information so far about the plan to raise 'Kashmir Liberation Army'. Mr Jaswant Singh assured the House that the Government would continue to take all necessary steps to safeguard the safety and territorial integrity of the country. Answering a question by Mr Vilas Muttemwar, Mr Jaswant Singh said that the Government was aware that the British authorities seized, in July this year, 20 tonnes of Pakistan-bound vital nuclear arms components. Mr Jaswant Singh said that in India also a North Korean ship was seized, which it was suspected, carried cargo for Pakistan. Mr Jaswant Singh said that while Pakistan continued to receive defence-related materials from various countries, the Government of India had consistently highlighted, in various fora, the adverse effect on India's security of the continuing supply of material for Pakistan's nuclear and missile programme. These supplies, he regretted continued despite the existence of various export controle regimes and declarations of restraint and restrictions by supplier countries. Mr Jaswant Singh held out an assurance: Government of India will continue to urge the countries concerned to be alive to these concerns. The European Union, Mr Jaswant Singh informed Mr GS Basvaraj, is fully aware of India's grave concerns with regard to the menace or international terrorism as well as cross-border terrorism in India. Reiterating that the European Union had been supportive of New Delhi's position on terrorism, Mr Jaswant Singh stated that the European Union had, in the 6th committee of the UN General Assembly, made a supportive reference to the Indian proposal for a comprehensive convention on international terrorism. The Minister for External Affairs said in reply to a question by Mr P Kumarasamy and Mr Naresh Puglia that an Indian Air Force officer and 6-Army personnel, who were taken prisoner by Pakistan during its armed intrusion and aggression in the Kargil sector of Ladakh, were tortured, subjected to inhuman treatment and killed in captivity. While the Government of India, Mr Jaswant Singh recalled, conveyed the anguish and deep anger of the people of India to the then Foreign Minister of Pakistan in New Delhi on June 12, the international community's attention was drawn to these brutal acts of Pakistan. New Delhi, he pointed out, would continue to take up the matter in appropriate international forums. In his reply to a question by Mr Brahma Nand Mandal, Mr Jaswant Singh said that India had become a nuclear weapon State. "This is simply a question of fact, and is not related to the US Senate rejection of the ratification of the CTBT", he added. Mr Ramesh Chennithala wanted to know if India will be capping its nuclear programme if it signed and ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). "No", pat came the reply from Mr Jaswant Singh, who explained that the CTBT sought only to ban nuclear explosive testing. Mr Jaswant Singh said that the tests conducted by India in May 1998 had given the country the basic capabilities for maintaining a minimum nuclear deterrent. |
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Sikh bodies hail election of Wazir Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 22: A meeting of various Sikh Organisations was convened under the chairmanship of S Jagdev Singh, president State Akali Dal J&K. The prominent participants in the meeting unanimously hailed the victory of Tarlochan Singh Wazir, a hard hardworking person and social worker expert in transport industry. The meeting said his election to the post of President Jammu Kashmir Motor Transport Companies Association is a big achievement. It hoped that under his dynamic administration as President the transport industry will achieve new progressive dimensions and he on his part will utilize his experience bringing this industry on track. The meeting further said that Mr Bakshi will surely to a lot in introducing welfare schemes for the drivers and conductors like that of Insurance etc. The participants in the meeting were Messrs Paramjit Singh, general secretary AISSF and Mohinder Singh NC leader and social worker, Balbir Singh Bedi, general secretary SAD and Manmohan Singh Chairman of Gole Gujral. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 22: A deputation hailing from District Doda under the presidentship of Th Randhir Singh, NCP J&K Unit alongwith Abdul Gani Shah, Madan Lal Gupta Vice President, Pardeep Singh Parihar, Ch Hussain Ali, general secretary and A Q Khan met the Health Minister Mian Altaf and apprised about the inhuman treatment meted out to patients who became victims of bus accident that took place on 22-11-99 at Pathimhalla Kishtwar. They alleged that BMO got injected out dated injunctions to the patients inspite of their residence. Some outdated injunctions were shown to Minister as proof. President of NCP further apprised about the vacant posts of Gynaecologists, Eye specialists and Bone Specialists and pleaded to get these posts filled up immediately as the people living in such far flung and backward areas may not suffer in future. It was further pleaded to ensure the adequate supply of medicines in Sub-District Hospital, Kishtwar and to provide proper medical treatment to the patients. Minister gave a patient hearing to the deputationists and assured them that their grievances will be removed and probe into the death of one Mrs Jyoti Parihar W/o Mr Vijay Kumar Parihar of Matta Kishtwar will be ordered. The Minister further assured the deputation that doctors who have not joined their assisgnments in such areas are being directed to join immediately otherwise a strict disciplinary action will be taken in this regard. |
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" Clean Jammu Green Jammu" campaign launched Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 22: Partap Mandal, a social organisation has launched a campaign " Clean Jammu Green Jammu" while entering into the next millennium. The Mandal, formed by the residents of Partap Garh Mohalla today organised an impressive function with a resolve to keep the city clean and grow more trees in the city for preserving ecological balance. Administrator of the Jammu Municipality, Mr K B Jandial was the chief guest on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, chairman of the Mandal, Mr Baldev Khullar highlighted the achievements of the organisation. He appealed the residents of the area for maintaining cleanliness in their localities and also to beautify the area. He stressed the need for developing landscapes, parks in the open places and to paint drainage pipes and poles. Mr Jandial while appreciating the role of the Mandal, appealed the citizens to stop the use of polythene bags as the waste polythene bags choke the drains , causing over flow and dirt in the lanes and bylanes. A cheque of Rs 10,000 was presented by the chief guest to the chairman, Partap Mandal for further improvement of the area. A memento was presented to the chief guest by Mr Sunil Gupta president of the Mandal. The SHO, City Police Station, Mr Ravi Gupta was also honoured on the occasion for maintaining law and order in the area. Mr Jagdish, the founder member of the Mandal presented the vote of thanks in favour of the chief guest, other Municipal officials including the Health Officer and the Executive Officer besides others present at the function. |
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Tarigami favours talks with striking employees Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 22: Senior Communist leader, Mr Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami (MLA) has said that present state Government employees strike constitute the culminating point of a pro-longed pursuance of anti-worker and anti-poor policies of the Central and the State Governments. In a statement issued here today, Mr Tarigami said not only the economic package, the Centre Government was even denying the State even its legitimate rights. Today, when the common man is suffering as a result of a paralysed Administration, the state Government does not condescend to enter into negotiation with the striking employees. He demanded that Government should start early purposeful negotiations with the striking employees to redress their genuine grievances and provide succor to the ailing citizens who have been denied their right of treatment. |
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