Provincial convention on Nov 6
PDP to launch mass agitation against State Government

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 3: The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples’ Democratic Party has decided to adopt agitational approach to force the ‘non-serious’ State Government to mitigate miseries of the masses.

Addressing a press conference, Mr Ved Mahajan, senior PDP leader, alleged that woes of the masses increased manifold after installation of the popular government in the State. "Except pocketing money meant for development and other welfare purposes, ruling elites have done nothing during the last three years", he said and regretted that BJP, which was always in fore-front to oppose policies of NC, has maintained a criminal silence over all mis-deeds of the State Government after un-holy alliance with NC.

"What so ever may be the statements of local BJP leaders, it is reality that the party has leave its ideology for lust of power", he said and termed BJP’s brazen alliance with NC as back-stabbing. "People of Jammu region had overwhelmingly voted in favour of BJP candidates with a hope that party would oppose anti-people policies of the NC but the BJP has cheated Jammuties just for the lust of power", he alleged.

Mr Mahajan, however, said that PDP would oppose tooth and nail all anti-people policies of the Farooq Government and would unmask both NC and BJP. Coming down heavily on State Government for its apathetic and indifferent attitude towards the genuine demands of the government employees, PDP leader demanded two DA installments due in January and July this year, arrears of the 5th Pay Commission, COLA for PSU employees. He also demanded regularisation of all daily wagers who have completed seven years in service.

Highlighting woes of the border migrants, Mr Mahajan asked the Government to make permanent arrangements for border migrants and demanded relief for them at par with Kashmiri migrants. He expressed surprise that Kashmiri migrants have not given cash relief for the last three months, despite the fact that cheques have been issued.

Launching a scathing attack on NC Government, Mr Mahajan said that despite assurances by the two Prime Ministers, State Government has not take any step regarding opening of the agriculture university in Jammu.

PDP leader expressed anguish over the imposing of unprecedent power curtailment and said that students have been facing lots of hardship due to this unprecedent curtailment.

Mr Mahajan, however, declared that PDP would adopt agitation path to force the State Government to solve problems of the masses.

PDP leader said that first provincial convention of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples’ Democratic Party will be held on November 6 at Jambulochan Hall. Senior leader from Valley are also participating in the convention.

Grand ‘Gurmat Samagam’ at Digiana Ashram

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 3: A grand Sikh religious congregation was held at historic Digiana Ashram in the memory of late 108 Mahant Bachiter Singh ji here today.

The grand ‘Gurmat Samagam’ is being organised at the Ashram here by Mahant Manjit Singh of Dera Nangali Sahib (Poonch). A large number of Sikh religious leaders and other devotees of Mahant Ji participated in this religious function.

As a part of this function, the Akhand Path (Holy teachings of the Sikh Gurus) commenced on Monday. A large number of devotees from various parts of Jammu, R S Pura, Kathua, Udhampur, Poonch, Rajouri and parts of Kashmir Valley visited the Ashram to seek the blessings of the Mahant Ji.

At today’s function, Mahant Manjit Singh of Dera Nangali Sahib, presided over. Former Head Priest, Darbar Sahib Amritsar, Giani Sahib Singh and senior member Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Delhi, Giani Devinder Singh were the special guests besides, former Minister, S. Rangil Singh. Various other religious leaders also attended this function.

President, SGPC S.Sudershan Singh Wazir and S. Harbans Singh, MLC who also attended the function paid and rich tributes to Mahant Ji and congratulated Mahant Manjit Singh for his tireless efforts in establishing various educational institutions, health centres and Ashram for the orphans and down trodden community members in the state.

The gathering paid rich tributes to Mahant Ji on his eighth death anniversary. A huge pandal in the compound of the ashram had been erected and the devotees including a large number of women and children, were witnessing the occasion. The religious men were busy in chanting the teachings from the Holy Guru Granth Sahib. A free langar was also organised by the managing committee of the Ashram.

According to a devotee, this religious function in the memory of Mahant Bachiter Singh Ji, is organised every year. Last year, the function was organised at Nangali Sahib in Poonch while this year it was decided to organise the function at Digiana Ashram, Jammu. An Engineering College has also been opened on the name of late Mahant ji at Jammu recently while several Ashram for the orphan and down trodden children have been set up by Mahant Ji. A free health centre has also been opened at Nanak Nagar by the managing committee for the welfare of the community.

The others who spoke on the occasion include—Messers Manjit Singh, Gurdev Singh, Jagdev Singh, Paramjit Singh, Harnam Singh, Jagjeet Singh, Gour Singh, Man Mohan Singh, Mohinder Singh, Tarlochan Singh Wazir, Gurbachan Singh and Kulwant Singh.

Arrest warrants against Shashi Thakur, 2 others

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 3: The Special Municipal Mobile Judicial Magistrate, Jammu has issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Inspector, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Ms Shashi Thakur and two others, here today.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu has been directed to execute the order and take necessary action.

Warrants have been issued after the respondents failed to report in the court of law despite issuing of summons on two different dates earlier.

The other two persons are Sham Lal, Selection Grade Constable and Mohan Lal, Head Constable presently posted at Police Station, Janipura, Jammu.

It may be recalled that Inspector, Shashi Thakur, then incharge, Police Post Janipura had allegedly assaulted Mr Abdul Ahed Mir, Assistant Sub-Inspector, CID, Special Branch Jammu inside the Police Post.

Mr Mir was later admitted the hospital and still getting treatment for the injuries he sustained in the assault.

Jhiri Mela from Nov 21

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 3: The historic week long Jhiri Mela is being held at Shamachack, Jhiri near Jammu this year from Nov 21 to Nov 28 as usual.

This was disclosed at an officers meeting held here today to review various arrangements for the Mela. Additional Dy Commissioner, Jammu, Mr Khalid Hussain presided.

The meeting discussed in detail various arrangements for the Mela including law and order, traffic, transport, drinking water, electricity, health and fire services. In addition, arrangements for various civic amenities and cleanliness were also discussed in detail. The PDD has been asked to put up maximum number of electric points to facilitate the pilgrims.

The meeting also decided that adequate firewood will also be provided to the pilgrims for cooking their meals during Mela period. Adequate quantity of kerosene oil would also be provided for the purpose. Street lights and flood lights would also be installed at the conspicious places. All the schools of the area have also been closed from Nov 2 for a weeks time. It was also decided that the venue of conducting examinations in Kalyanpur Jhiri will be changed to Sharma Chak. Fair price shops will also be set up in the Mela. Gambling and skill games have been strictly prohibited during the Mela period.

Jhiri Mela is celebrated every year in memory of a saint-peasant Baba Jitto of 15th Century who sacrificed his life against imperialism and Jagirdari system. People from different parts of the country especially Punjab, Haryana and Jammu participate in the Mela with devotion and dedication.

Bali for implimentation of industrial package

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 3: The Minister for Industries and Commerce, Mr B R Bali has asked the Central Government for early implementation of the industrial package announced for the North Eastern states by the Union Finance Minister, Mr Yashwant Singh during his recent visit to the State.

Mr Bali was addressing the industrialists, entrepreneurs and members of Industrial Association during inspection of various industrial units at Bari-Brahmana and Birpur in Jammu suburb today. He said that the State needs generous financial help from the Central Government for its development because the economy has shattered due to militancy during last ten years. Despite meagre resources of the State and provided adequate employment opportunities to the youth. As a result of our continued efforts for the revival of industries like the Food Processing, Juice, cement factories, transformers, manufacturing plastic units and various other units are in operation in the State. The State has also kept up the traditional handicrafts for which the Government has been extending various facilities to encourage the artisans.

The Minister revealed that the Central Government has accepted the proposal for setting up two institutions one each at Jammu and Srinagar for improvement of our designing of art and design of handicrafts so that these could compete the national and international markets. He said that the Industrial Growth Centre, Samba is nearing completion and its first phase will be commissioned shortly. He said that our State is participating in International Trade Fair on November 14 at Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Delhi while handicraft exhibitions will be organised at various places in Delhi. He said that various industrialists of the country were approached to set up viable industries in the State and some of them have agreed to our request.

During his visit, the Minister inspected Zedon Experts (Rubber Section), Zedon Experts (Garment Section), M/s Sai Silk Industries, SICOP, Industrial Estate, Bipur, M/s Malhotra Colour Co SICOP and M/S M N Food Industries.

During his visit the industrialists and entrepreneurs apprised the Minister of various problems including condition of roads, power position, etc. Mr Bali gave a patient hearing to the problems and assured early steps for mitigation of problems.

The Minister was accompanied by the senior officers of Industries, SIDCO and Members of Industries Association.

Minister assures upgrading Kishtwar hospital

Excelsior Correspondent

KISHTWAR, Nov 3: The Minister for Transport, Mr B A Kitchloo has sought public cooperation to the Government in its endeavour of resuscitating the medicare system in far flung areas of state which stands badly affected due to militancy since a decade now. He assured the people of Kishtwar tehsil that all-out efforts are being made to upgrade the present Sub-District Hospital as full-fledged District Hospital with all infrastructure so that it can cope with the rush of patients and provide better medical facilities to the poor people of the area. He made fervent appeal to the medical professionals to serve the ailing humanity with a missionery zeal and come to their expectation in true sense.

The Minister was addressing a well attended gathering here the other day on the occasion of inauguration of a Ultra Sound Centre which he presided as chief guest.

The District Development Commissioner, Doda, Mr D K Nargotra, and senior functionaries of other departments, doctors, political, social workers and prominent citizens were also present in the function.

The private Ultra Sound Centre, a first one for the area has been opened by Dr Bashir Ahmed Mantoo, a renowned Surgeon specialist hailing from Padder of tehsil Kishtwar for the convenience of the ailing community who hitherto had to travel to Jammu and other places for the said purposes.

Graft charges framed against F&S Storekeeper

Excelsior Legal Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov. 3: Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu Mr V K Phull today framed charges against Mr Gulzar Ahmed the then storekeeper Mahore for misappropriation of food grains to the amount of Rs. 15,81,969 and directed the prosecution to lead evidence in the case on December 4, 1999.

The charges of corruption/misappropriation of food grains were framed in a challan presented by Vigilance Organisation. According to the challan, it was alleged that Gulzar Ahmed, storekeeper Mahor Food Supply Department had committed the offence during his posting from October 1981 to May 1994. This alleged misappropriation embazzlement of Government Store was detected during the investigation conducted by the Vigilance Organisation. The accused Gulzar Ahmed had handed over only 463 quintals of wheat to the new incumbent 1612 quintals were found to have been misappropriated which he could not explain.

The total value of misappropriate wheat was calculated to the tune of Rs. 8,09,825. The rice PR 106 was misappropriated by the accused to the tune of Rs. 1,57,753. Another quality of rice IR-8 was also misappropriated to the tune of Rs. 19,508 similarily he misappropriate 10 Quintals of Levy sugar casting Rs. 9,923. He also misappropriated Gunny Bags valuing Rs. 9,270/-/

It was also stated that the accused utilised sale proceeds of food grains to the tune of Rs. 5,75,688 for payment of carriage of food grains.

The Judge after hearing the arguments from both the sides framed charges against the accused and directed to produce the evidence in the case for trial.

Birpur land scandal case
Plea to drop proceedings of trial rejected

Excelsior Legal Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov. 3: Special Judge Anti Corruption Jammu, Mr V K Phull today rejected the application filed by Ravail Singh and Rashpal Singh who are facing trial in much publicised Birpur land scandal case titled "State V/S Khazan Chand and others for dropping of the proceedings or staying the same till final disposal and decision of the arbitrator to be appointed by the Government in terms of the judgement and order dated May 5 passed by High Courts Division Bench in L.P.A. titled "Kartar Singh and others V/S State of J&K and others.''

While rejecting the plea the court held that the application of the applicants/accused appears to be mis-conceived and hereby rejected and directed the counsel for the applicants accused to advance remaining arguments on the next date of hearing and the other accused present in the court were directed to produce law books referred by their counsells during the course of arguments.

Mr. Phull in the 15 page order obrserved that the facts of the case for the disposal of this application are that a big chunk of land situated at vilage Birpur was acquired by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir for Army and tentative amount of compensation was assessed Rs, 1,92,59,755/- out of which an amount of Rs. 1,54,07,804/- as 80% of assessed compensation was deposited by the Defence Estate Officer.

It is the alleged cases of prosecution that in order to obtain the amount of compensation, accused Ravail Singh, Rashpal Singh, Chain Singh and Jagat Singh hatched a criminal conspiracy with accused Mohan Lal Suri the then Assistant Settlement Officer Jammu, U C Dingra the then Settlment Tehsildar Jammu Vijay Kumar Gupta the then Settlement Patwari Birpur and Ghulam Nabi the then Patwari Birpur and in furtherence of the said criminal conspiracy public servants accused by abuse their official position conferred possessory rights to the extent of 81 knals and 4 Marlas of land under survey No. 1035 in favour of Ravail Singh and Rashpal Singh situated at Birpur and thereafter the accused in connivance with the officials hatched a criminal conspiracy to further confer on due pecuniary benefit to accused by abuse of their official position declared Revail Singh in possession of 800 kanals of land and Rashpal Singh in possession of 700 kanals of land under Survey No. 1035 Min situated at village Birpur.

In order to enable the accused to receive compensation from accused Khazan Chand the Additional Deputy Commissioner Jammu a writ petition was filed before the High Court and accused Khazan Chand in conspiracy with the beneficiaries accused filed a misleading affidavit before the High Court on his own though he was not summoned by the High Court, in order to enable himself to disburse the compensation to un-deserving claimants under the grab of court order and paid the amount compensation to the tune of Rs. 1,54,07,804/- to Ravial Singh Rashpal Singh, Chain Singh and Jagat Singh.

On the complaint of the then Deputy Commissioner Jammu Mr Prevaz Dewan an FIR was registered and on the completion of the investigation the vigilance Organisation Jammu presented chargesheet for trial of accused Khazan Chand the then Additional Deputy Commissioner Jammu and others U/S 5(2) PC Act. 2006 read with section 409/467/468/420/472 and 120-B RPC.

Mr Phull further observed that the Division Bench in the judgement dated 5-5-1999 had given clear findings that the title of the petitioner is dispute therefore, they were not entitled to on account payment of compensation and on this aspect upheld the findings of the single bench passed in a writ petition No. 413/91.

The Division Bench of the High Court had directed the State Government to appoint an arbitrator to adjudicate upon the dispute regarding the persons to whom the compensation is payable and till the dispute is adjudicated upon by the orbitrator, in view of the court the present criminal proceedings can neither be dropped or stayed.

Special Public Prosecutor M.S. Malik and Deputy Director Prosecution Mr K S Charak appeared for the Vigilance Organisation while advocate Sunil Sethi appeared for accused applicants in this case.

NIIT Centre at RS Pura inaugurated

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov. 3: The NIIT, the premier software and training company under its universalization of computer education plan launched its fourth centre at R S Pura. The earlier being at Bari Brahmna, Samba and Akhnoor.

Mr B.S. Jaswal, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu inaugurated the R.S. Pura Centre and appreciated the efforts of Mr R S Pawar for his mission of taking computer education even to the remote areas of the country.

On the occasion, Mr Jaswal asked each and every segment of the society like students, the house wives, the retired persons to take the benefit of the NIIT centre at R S Pura and beocme computer literate so that they do not remain behind those in the urban areas.

Mr R K Sharma, Managing Director of The Jammu Central Co-operative Bank Ltd, was also present on the occasion. He said that in opening the centres in the rural areas, NIIT is subsidizing technical reference material costs, as well as from infrastructure also. This facilities is not available to the centre being set up in the metropolitan and urban areas. This is being done with the intention to enable young entrepreneurs to set up small centres in the rural areas, like that of R S Pura.

Earlier Mr Amit Sharma and Mr Dalip Kohli, Directors of Ranbir Info Highway Systems (P) Ltd. a sub license of the NIIT R S Pura Centre, welcome the guests and latter delivered vote of thanks.

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