DJSF elects office bearers

Excelsior Correspondent

DODA, Dec 23: Doda Joint Students Federation held its annual meeting under the presidentship of Mr Raj Kumar.

As per a release Mr Randhir Singh Manhas was nominated as chairman and Miss Rabia Javed as vice chairperson. Other office bearers nominated included Messrs Miss Laila Anjum as senior vice president, Miss Rahat Nazir, Tanveer Akhtar and Haseena as vice presidents, Kuldeep Thakur and Anil Raina as general secretaries, Gowhar Hafiz Fani as spokesman, Athar Parvez as convenor, Miss Sunita Sharma as cultural secretary,, Vikas Kant Sharma as press secretary, Yudhishtar Rana as stage secretary, Sanjeev Sharma as cashier, Ranjit Singh Manhas, general secretary for colleges, Mulkh Raj as secretary and Kamal Sharma as students grievances secretary.

The disciplinary action committee members included Messrs Chaman Lal, Sukh Chain Singh, Rajeshwar Charak, Gurdev Singh, Rahat Nazir and Yudhishtar Rana.

The Advisory Committee comprised of members Dr V K Kapoor, Aijaz Hussain Zargar, Yunus Kichloo, Vidya Dhar and other scholars of Doda.

After the election the president highlighted the achievements and future planning of DJSF.

The speakers criticised the State Government for giving step-motherly treatment to Doda district and the Jammu region. They demanded that the selection for professional institutions should be made separately for Jammu and Kashmir regions.

The DJSF president hailed the decision of Prof R R Sharma, vice chancellor for opening of a sub office of Jammu University at Doda. He appealed the Public Service Commission chairman to fill up the posts lying vacant in various colleges of Doda district. Mr Raj Kumar congratulated the newly elected office bearers and hoped that all of them would strive for betterment of the Federation in particular and the people of Doda district in general.

Court stays election, annual session of Ayurvedic Cong

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 23: The City Judge Jammu, Mr P N Razdan, has stayed the election and annual session of the All J&K Ayurvedic Congress on a petition filed by Dr Padam Dev Raina.

In his order the City Judge said that the defendant Dr Ram Rattan Jamwal (Pandit), general secretary All Jammu and Kashmir Ayurvedic Congress, Jammu shall not go ahead with conducting of presidential election of Ayurvedic Congress under the notification issued by him dated 1-12-1999 and also restrained him from conducting presidential election till further orders. The order is subject to filing of objections from other side. The defendant was directed to file objections and written statement by January 7, 2000.

The petitioner has filed a suit for declaring the election calendar for the election of president All Jammu and Kashmir Ayurvedic Congress Jammu dated 4-10-1999 issued by the defendant as null and void being ultravires to the constitution of All Jammu Kashmir Ayurvedic Congress with a consequential relief of mandatory injunction thereby restraining the defendant from conducting the election pursuant to the said election calendar and also for holding meeting scheduled to be held on December 25.

Meanwhile Vaid Devendra Trigu, president, All India Ayurvedic Congress, New Delhi has in a telegram to Dr Dev Raj Sharma, president Jammu and Kashmir Ayurvedic Congress, Jammu, has inter-alia mentioned that "in view of controversy regarding presidential election process for year 2000 of J&K Ayurvedic Congress, the proposed meeting dated 25-12-1999 to conduct election stands cancelled. Election Process stands stayed till further instructions. Letter Follows".

Function held to celebrate Christmas
Shah stresses on religious tolerance, brotherhood

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 23: Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr Ghulam Mohi-u-Din Shah has stressed on religious tolerance and brotherhood among the all communities.

Speaking at a function organised by Christian Welfare Association at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here today, Mr Shah said that no religion teaches us hatred but tolerance is the hallmark of all religions.

He said a true Muslim as per the teachings of Islam is he who loves the mankind and respects all faiths and prophets.

The Minister regretted that the word fundamentalist is being misintrrupted. He said a fundamentalist is that he who follows the basic principles of his religion and there is no harm in that.

He said a Fundamentalist Muslim or Hindu is he who follows truly in the teachings of their respective religions but those who exploit the religion for their vested interests or indulge in violence on the name of religion are doing great deserves to their own religions and nation as a whole.

Such people, he said are not the enemies of mankind but also their own religions.

He said we are living in a country with different religions and languages and being the citizens of this great nation we have to think of nation as a whole and not for our own region or state.

He said the best message on the occasion of Marry Christmas will be if we are resolve to develop the real spirit of humanism and follow the teachings of of our profits and Avtars.

Earlier speaking on the occasion Rev C M Khanna, priest incharge st. Paul’s Church said the Jesus Christ had come with the message of peace, love and tolerance for the entire world and on the occasion of Merry Christmas we all should shun hatred and violence and work together for the prosperity and development of our nation.

He said India is a great democracy in the world where the people of all faiths and diverse cultures live. He hailed the Government of India for releasing a special Dak ticket on the eve of Marry Christmas.

Mr Khanna said on the eve of Christmas and the new year occasion we should all apologies for the past wrongs done by our parents and great grand parents, so that no community will have ill will against each other.

The presentation of cultural programme by various Catholic bodies added colour to three hour long programme.

The highlights of the function were a Hindi film song "Suno Ghor Sey Duniya Walo, Buri Nazar Na Hum Pai Dalo, Chahee Kitna Zor Lagado- Sab Sey Agay Hongay Hindustani" which was presented by the students of Tiny Tots School.

Besides artists from Church of North India, Raju and Party, artists of All J&K Christmas Welfare Association and Hoshiana Choir presented various melodious songs and courses in the praise and devotion of Jesus Christ.

However an english song ‘Joy to the World’ presented by Roshana Sitaray Carlos Group dominated the entire show.

A quiz competition was also organised on the occasion and the toppers were presented awards.

Among the other dignitaries who were present on the function include Minister of State for Home, Mr Mushtaq Ahmed Lone, National Conference MLA, Mubarak Gul, Bishop N M Nisar, S M Gill, MLC and president Christian Welfare Association, Mohammed Abdullah Majid MLA, Rattan Lal Gupta, N C leader and Mr Waris Gill.

Ration card holders deprived of commodities
‘Corruption’ mars PDS in J&K

The Public Distribution System (PDS) seems to have become a subject of public criticism in the state following repeated complaints about the diversion of rationed commodities particularly sugar and kerosene oil into the ‘black market’. These subsidised commodities have virtually failed to reach the actual ration card holders, particularly the poor and lower middle class populace.

Most of the poor and lower middle class consumers are being fooled and fleeced by the owners of the ration and kerosene oil depots every months. These consumers are deprived of their monthly ration of levy sugar and other commodities. But all the complaints made to the authorities concerned are ‘unheeded’.

Thanks to the nexus between unscrupulous ration depots owners and corrupt officials of the Food and Supplies Department, this massive racket in the state is flourishing. On other hand, the poor masses keep making endless trips to the ration and kerosene depots to be often turned away on one pretext or another.

On condition of anonymity, a ration dealer of Satwari area, said that all dealers have to pay commission to the ‘corrupt’ officials of Food and Supplies Department to maintain their supply.

Due to the nexus between the Food and Supplies Department officials and ration, kerosene oil depots owners, the poor masses are facing many problems. The rationed commodities particularly the sugar disappears from the ration depots due to the gulf between its subsidised price and open market price. Not only the price, the quality of rationed commodities is not good as the ration depots owners sell the commodities, supplied by the Food and Supplies Department, in the open market and get poor quality commodities for distributing to the ration card holders.

The owners of the ration depots are continue to befooling the poor masses on the pretext that what can they do if they received poor quality of rationed commodities from the Food and Supplies Department.

Most of the people are also deprived of sugar quota which the Government is providing to the people on the festivals like Diwali, Eid etc. The ration depots owners are fleecing the people on the pretext that they have not received any instructions from the concerned authorities in this regard.

"I have reached the ration depot to get the sugar of the Diwali festival but the owner gave me a harsh reply and said that he has not received any sugar quota for this purpose", said Mr Ajay Sharma and added that the ration card holders of the other area have received sugar on the Diwali festival.

Kerosene oil is perhaps the most thriving blackmarketeering racket. It is alleged that a large quantity of kerosene is sold off to the industries, halwais etc. by the dealers or owners of the depots in the black market. While the depot price of the kerosene oil is Rs 3.50 per litre, the price of kerosene in the black market is Rs 6 or Rs 7 per litre. Thus it is more lucrative for the dealers or the owners of these depots to sell it in the black market. While the Government gives the dealers or owner of depots a nominal commission, the latter easily get double profit by selling kerosene oil in black.

One can see a long queue of consumers in front of every kerosene depot to get the oil but only lucky or influential persons get the oil and the poor ones are deprived of the kerosene due to the nexus between the depots owners and black marketers. After giving kerosene to 20 or 30 persons the owners of these shops displayed a board reading ‘stock out of order’. But the fact is that the remaining kerosene oil is supplied in black.

"I have to wait for more than an hour to get the kerosene oil but that too only 5 litre as the owner of the fair price shop refuses to give me more kerosene oil on the pretext that we have to meet the requirement of all the people", said Ravi Singh and added that despite lodging repeated complaints to the concerned authorities nothing has been done.

When this correspondent contacted the Food and Supplies Department, no senior official was available for the comments.

On the whole it is matter to grave concern and Government should take stern action against the ‘corrupt’ kerosene oil and ration depots owners, who are continue to fleecing the poor masses. This practice should stop so that the ration card holders can get good quality of commodities and don’t suffer more.

—MOHINDER VERMA

Cong for early resolve of Govt employees strike

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 23: Expressing serious concern over the condition of ailing patients in various hospitals and other sufferings of the general public due to strike, senior Pradesh Congress Committee leader, Mr Raman Bhalla has urged the Government to resolve the crisis by initiating negotiations with the representatives of the Employees Joint Action Committee at the earliest.

The Congress leader, who visited several city and rural hospitals and some government offices alongwith the Party workers, alleged that both ruling National Conference in state and the BJP led National Democratic government at the Centre are sleeping over the burning issue. He said the public in general is the worst affected due to this ongoing strike.

He said that government employees are demanding arrears of their hard earned money lying in the coffers of the government and despite assurance, the government has failed to make its commitment. The Public Sector employees are demanding COLA and daily wagers their regularisations as per the norms fixed by the government but the government is least bothered and has the only plea of financial crunch. He also demanded regular payment of widow and old-age pension.

Criticising the government for long power curtailments and water shortage in Jammu and several other towns in its surrounding, the Congress leader said that government has even failed to safeguard the fundamental rights and provide basic amenities to the citizens. It has badly failed to protect the life and property of the people.

Mr Bhalla pointed out that communication is the most important and vital mode in any force and the Intelligence wing but unfortunately, the " high profile" J&K police could not provide telephone facility to its various new police stations like Bagh-e-Bahu, Channi Himmat, Simbal, Janipur etc. Even the telephone exchange of the police is non-functional for the last over two months. The matter is of serious concern that the citizens can not contact the concerned Thanas or the police posts at the time of need or any crisis.

He alleged that it shows the non-seriousness on the part of Police Chief and the Home Minister in the troubled state. Due to non-payment of bills worth lakhs to the Telecommunication authorities, the police has been turned handicapped, he maintained.

Governor releases first issue of Shamas Bari

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 23: The Governor, Mr Girish Chander Saxena released the first issue of the Pharai magazine "Shamas Bari" at Raj Bhawan at a simple but impressive function. The Chief Minister was also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor said that the basic value of our civilization and national ethos were peace, harmony, tolerance, co-existence and love for mankind which has bound together the multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural societies of a large country of that of India. The Pahari people who are industrious and culturally rich have played a big role in maintaining the national unity and integrity. He said the magazine would go long way in promoting the age old traditional culture and would further help strengthen the mutual brotherhood among the people of the State.

Expressing his satisfaction over the endeavours of the Pahari Welfare Society, the Chief Minister said that magazine would give a big fillip to the Pahari language and would encourage the Pahari writers, artists and poets. He felt that Pahari language should be given a due place over the electronic media in the State which can play an effective role in counter propaganda across the border. The population residing in border areas of the State are mostly Pahari speaking.

The Chief editor of the "Shamas Bari", Mr Zafar Iqbal Manhas briefed about various programme and measures being executed by the Pahari Welfare Society from promotion of Pahari culture and language. He said that Pahari is a ancient language and had lost its identity with the pace of time. The present day Pahari, spoken in Jammu and Kashmir is modified language and written in Urdu script.

Messrs. Mohammed Shafi (Education Minister), Mirza Abdul Rashid, M Sadiq Malik, Kafeel-ur-Rehman, Balwant Thakur, Amin Anjum Manhas, Haji Khursheed, M. Iqbal Malik, Mumtaz Ahmad Khan, Deep Singh, Shabir Khan, Ashan Malik, M. A Akram Malik, Rashid Qammer, Tahir Naseem, Dr Sajad Mirza Irfan-ul-Haq and others spoke on the occasion.

HC comes to rescue of Salal Project employee

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec. 23 The Division Bench of the State High Court comprising Chief Justice Mr Justice Bhawani Singh and Mr Justice R C Gandhi has finally come to the rescue of an employee of Salal Hydro Electric Project, Jyotipuram under transfer to Hydro Electric Project Sikkim.

The Division Bench directed that Bashir Ahmad (Appellant) be taken back and the intervening period be treated as on duty.

Bashir Ahmad had been relieved with effect from 10th August, 1999 and asked to report Teesta-V-Hydero Electric Project Sikkim declaring Bashir Ahmad as surplus at the Salal Project. Bashir Ahmad had earlier filed a writ petition challenging the order of NHPC of declaring him as surplus and transferring him to Sikkim on the grounds that he being a personnel belonging to Schedule Tribe Category (Gujjar) was not considered for selection to operation and maintenance staff strength of Salal Project, despite his representation.

Mr Justice T S Doabia while allowing the Writ petition of Bashir Ahmad directed the Respondents to consider by claim. They may either reject or accept the same but in both the events, a speaking order be passed. Till an order is passed the service condition of the petitioner be not altered.

However, the Respondents-authorities passed an order three days after the judgement of the Single Bench and informed him that his claim for consideration for selection in operational and maintenance strength of the project cannot be considered , due to non submission of the requisite certificate of ST certificate within the stipulated period.

He was also informed that he stands relieved from the Project with effect from 10th August 1999 for further duties at Sikkim.

Bashir Ahmad against challenged the said order in a writ petition on the grounds that despite court's orders dated 6.8.1999 for considering the case, the Respondents illegally and arbitrarily rejected the same vide order 9.8.1999. However, Mr Justice T S Doabia dismissed the writ petition of the petitioner holding the same without merit. The petitioner filed an appeal through Advocate S C Gupta before the Division Bench challenging the order of Singh Bench.

The appellant submitted that he has 21 years of service and being a Schedule tribe was illegally denied selection in the O&M strength of Salal Project. The Appellant submitted that the Single Bench directed the Respondents to consider his claim but the Respondents rejected the same with the observations that the claim cannot be considered.

This order was challenged again before the Single Bench in subsequent writ petition, but the same was dismissed.

It was submitted that the order the Single Judge suffers from non-application of mind and prayed for quashing the same.

The Division Bench observed that keeping in view the family condition of the appellant and difficulties of the management, the petition is settled with the directions that the petitioner shall be taken back, who shall report within seven days to General Manager, Salal and the intervening period shall be treated as on duty.

The case shall not be a precedent. Mr J P Singh Advocate appeared for the Respondents.

MIER official participates in international seminar

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 23: Prof Gulshan Nath Kohli, Administrator, Model Academy, has participated in an international seminar on world peace through education and culture at Taj Bengal, Calcutta.

As per a release,the seminar was organised by India National Chapter, Calcutta or International association of Educators for World Peace, a recipient of UN Messenger for Peace Award, a NGO United Nations.

Prof Kohli was nominated to represent North India and J&K Chapter of IAEWP by the North India and J&K State Chancellor Dr Arun K Gupta, Director MIER. The seminar was inaugurated by Prof P C Sinha, Minister Government of West Bengal.

The paper read by Mr Kohli on world peace especially on peace in J&K State was very much appreciated by all the participants. The gist of her speech was "we do not want peace for our time but we want peace for all the times".

Dr Arun K Gupta, Director MIER congratulated Prof Kohli for his sucessfull performance in the international seminar, which has brought laurels to the IAEWP chapters of Noth Indian and J&K.

The other high dignitaries who were present in the function included, Dr S K Aggarwal, National Chancellor, Mr Justice M R Malik, former Justice High Court Calcutta, Dr Michael Culbert, President International Council for Health Freedom, USA, Prof Dr Jan Hakemulder, President International Open University, Neitherland, Dr Josef of De-Ubaldo Philipines, Mr Manoranjan Sarkar, former Joint Secretary University Grants Commission and Mrs Sushila Chaurasia, President Asian Institute of Human Rights Education.

UDS distributes clothes to trainees of ATMAN

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 23: The Udhampur Development Society (UDS) organised a function at ATMAN—a cutting tailoring centre for women belonging to weaker section—at village Jakhani here today.

As per a release, the function was presided over by Mr Radha Krishan Gupta, prominent businessman of Udhampur. Mr R R Badyal, District Manager NBARD was the chief guest on the occasion.

Mr Badyal while speaking on the occasion explained self help group scheme launched by NBARD for the economically weaker section of the society. Mr Sunil Kapoor, Chairman of Udhampur Development Society spelt out the programme of starting self help groups by the Society. He disclosed that in this connection Mr Sanjeev Baigra, the secretary of the Society has undergone a ten days training at Tapovan, Himachal Pradesh. He also disclosed that Udhampur Development Society is plaining to start ATMAN’s centre at village Rewa in which women belonging from families below poverty line will get one year free training of cutting, tailoring, embroidery and souzni.

In his presidential address, Mr Radha Krishan Gupta appreciated the noble work especially the launching of ATMAN. He also appealed to the NGOs to come forward and aware the rural public about self help groups.

The Udhampur Development society also distributed suit peaces to trainees of the centre which were donated by Sunil Kapoor, Raj Kumar Dubey, Sanjeev Baigra, Sunil Verma, Manohar Lal Sharma, Rakesh Gudda and Rajinder Dhar.

Among others who attended the function include, Sanjeev Baigra, Vijay Singh, Miss Pushpa Devi, Nazir Ahmed, Imitiaz-ul-Abral, Asif Anjum Iqbal, Ajay Kumar, Rakesh Gudda and Sushma Khajuria.

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