Vishwakarma Day celebrated with religious fervour, gaiety

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8: Like other parts of the country, the Vishwakarma Day was celebrated today with religious fervour and geity. Various function was held on the occasion in which large number of people participated.

On this occasion, a big function was organised by the Pelican House, Gangyal in which various industrialists and entrepreneurs from Gangyal Industrial Estates and adjoining factories participated.

Minister for Industries and Commerce, Mr Bodh Raj Bali, who was chief guest in the function, garlanded the portrait of Lord Vishwakarma.

Minister congratulated the industrialists, entrepreneurs, artists and factory workers throughout the country for celebrating the day. He said the popular Government headed by Dr Farooq Abdullah has progressed in various sectors especially in industry sector. He said that Government will provide full incentives to the educated youth for setting up their industrial units. He said that Lord Vishwakarma has blessed us a great treasure of crafts.

Mr Bharat Bhushan Raina, Mr A K Wadhera, Mr Ram Sahai and other indusrtrialists and prominent citizens were present on the occasion.

Minister of State for Food and Supplies, Mr Ajay Sadhotra has called upon the people to adopt a methodical approach for further popularising and giving spurt to all technical works and professions.

Addressing an impressive function organised in connection with celebration of Bhagwan Vishwakarma Day by Vishav Karma Committee at Misriwala on Jammu-Akhnoor Road. Minister asked all those connected with the technical professions to attain excellence in their fields and provide job-oriented training to their wards to give befitting and glowing tributes to Bhagwan Vishav Karma.

An impressive Vishwakarma Day function was held today at Rani Talab, Digiana which was organised by the Vishwa Karma Sabha, Digiana. Mr H S Bali, Chairman of the J&K Legislative Council, was chief guest on the occasion.

Addressing the function, Mr Bali assured the Vishwakarma Sabha that financial assistance will be provided and the demands will be got fulfilled. Demands of the allotment of 2 marlas of land for the Sabha office was also made on the occasion and Mr Bali assured the gathering that the demand will be looked into.

The Science Instrument Centre of the Jammu University celebrated Vishwakarma Dewas as its annual function. Puja and Havan were performed on the auspicious occasion. Vice-Chancellor of the Jammu University, Prof R R Sharma, inspite of his ill health graced the occasion and joined the Puran Ahuti alongwith other dignitaries and the staff of the USIC and other science departments. Apart from Dr S L Abrol, incharge USIC, Prof Zahoor-ud-Din, Registrar, Jammu University, Prof B L Kalsotra, former HoD Chemistry, Dr H N Sheikh, Mr Chaman Lal Sharma were present on the occasion.

Vice-Chancellor also inspected the various workshops of the instrumentation centre and Dr Abrol explained the working of various workshops.

Jay Kay Vishwakarma Labour Union, Rehari, celebrated Vishwakarma Day at Devi Chand Municipal Park, Rehari Colony. About 800 labourers participated in the function which was presided over by Mr Dev Raj Malhotra. Mr Ali Mohammed Naik, Dr Mehboob Beg and Mr C L Saraf were chief guests in the function. Mr Malhotra, president of the Union, placed a charter of demand before the chief guests.

Mr Vinay Raina and Mr Surinder Singh thanked the chief guests for sparing their precious time and attended the function.

Shri Vishwakarma Sabha, Udhampur celebrated Vishwakarma Day with great pump and show. People from all walks participated in the impressive function. Among others who participated in the function included Mr Balak Ram, ex-MLA, Mr Chuni Lal Khajuria, MLC, Mr Ravi Mangaloria, president Chamber of Commerece, Mr Radhashyam Manhas, president VKS Udhampur, Jagdev Raj,Amar Chand Chalotra, Barkat Ram, Ashok Kumar, Jai Krishan, Sunil Khokar, Bodh Raj and others.

It was urged to the State Government to declare holiday on Vishwakarma Day.

PPEU to hold dharna on Nov 10

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8: The meeting of the working committee of Provincial Power Employees Association (PPEU) was held at Gladni Grid Station under the presidentship of Mr Shakti Gupta.

As per a release while addressing Mr Shakti Gupta informed the power employees and daily wage workers that PPEU has been time and again been approaching the Principal Secretary to Government, PDD to release second instalment of funds under the head 4801-T&D out of Rs 7 crore kept under his disposal for distribution among different wings of PDD to meet the wages of the daily wagers.

The PPEU has earlier warned the authorities to go on mass dharna on November 10 in case the wages were not provided to the daily wagers and others well before Diwali.

The meeting therefore decided to stage massive dharna on November 10 at Canal Power House Complex to express their anguish over the fact that despite availability of funds the wages of daily rated workers and others were not released well before Diwali festival. Mr Shakti Gupta said further that the Chief Engineer Electrical M&RE has miserably failed to project the genuine demands of the daily wagers and concede the same when some of the demands were under his competence. He alleged that both, the Chief Engineer and Principal Secretary to Government PDD have been sabotaging the cause of the PDD employees by not presenting their case in true spirits before the Government and creating problems by withholding the available funds of wages for their petty interests.

The PPEU meeting decided to take the matter to the court of law for alleged harassment to PDD employees by the authorities at the helm of affairs as the daily wagers of PDD have not been paid their wages for the past three to four months.

The main demands of the PDD workers and employees included release of wages of daily rated workers, issuance of regularisation orders of daily wagers having completed seven years of service as on March 31, 1996, March 31,m 1997, March 31, 1998 and March 31, 1999, grant of two and a half days extra salary to ministerial staff and drivers etc, convening of DPC at district provincial and state level to fill up vacant posts, filling up of vacant posts of Technician -III from amongst Departmental Technicians-IV having academic qualification of matriculation and above with technical qualification from ITIs in relevant trades.

The meeting appealed the PDD employees and workers to participate in the dharna to be held on Wednesday in the office complex of Chief Engineer M&RE, Canal; Head Complex Jammu from 11 am to 4 pm.

Prominent among those present in the meeting included Messrs D P Warikoo, secretary general, Gulzari Lal, senior vice president, Yesh Paul Gupta, senior vice president and other rank and file of the PPEU.

Jammu city heading towards improved telecom services

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8: The Jammu Telecommunication has introduced various facilities for the people of City of Temples within a short span of time.

The Internet, which is a greatest phenomenon of this century, is going to be the basis of communication in the world society in the coming years. The Jammuites probably did not even imagine that this could be brought to their doorsteps. The credit of the Internet facilities in Jammu goes to the Telecommunication officers who have not only introduced the services but taken great pain to improve it.

Intelligent Network Services (IN) is the service wherein the subscribers can have the facilities like Virtual Call Calling (VCC), Free Phone Services, Account Call Calling, Virtual Private Network etc. These services relieve the pressure on local telephone exchanges and have lessened the problems of common public which have been experiencing inconveniences by the PCOs.

ISDN is the new technology of the next century wherein various facilities are available which include, video conferencing, high speed data transmission, transmission of data and voice communication together and high speed internet communication.

Mr R R Lalwani, Mr S K Talwar and the staff have taken great pains to implement these services in Jammu Telecommunication at a great pace. Although there was no appreciable development in provisioning of basic telephone services for the last 5 to 7 years but the work has started on a great note in the urban and rural areas and it is visible to all in the recent times.

A system is going to be implemented wherein subscribers will be able to register their complaints about the telephone services and to clear the complaints.

Khan expresses shock over Jandrali accident

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8: Mr Abdul Majid Khan, president All J&K Low Paid Employees Federation (LPEF) has expressed shock and grief over the death of a large number of bus passengers in road accidents at Jandrali in Kathua district on Saturday.

As per a release, Mr Khan also expressed his deepest sympathy with the families of those Government employees who were killed or injured in the accident.

He urged the State Government to provide the adequate compensation to the bereaved families and medical treatment to those who have been injured in the accident.

He alleged that due to the poor transport facilities in the area the buses plying on the route are often overloaded. He also criticised the callousness of the authorities in enforcing the traffic restrictions.

He said the dilapidated condition of roads was one of the reasons for the fatal accidents.

Teachers Forum to continue boycott of examinations

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 8: Jammu and Kashmir Teachers Forum (JKTF) in a meeting here today has resolved to continue boycott of the all the examinations conducted by the J&K State Board of School Education and State Institute of Education (SIE).

The meeting however, decided to exempt the classes from First Primary to 7th standard from such a boycott call on the plea of parents, students and various organisations.

The Forum meeting which was charged under the presidentship of Mr A Q Wani asked the members of the teaching community to conduct the examinations from First to 7th standard with dedication and professional expertise.

The teachers were also urged to follow the exam boycott call strictly for the remaining classes till Government issues the formal orders.

The meeting strongly criticised the Government for what it alleged its criminal silence on the problems being faced by teachers community.

It warned that in case the demands were not solved immediately the boycott call will be extended to Jammu and Ladakh regions also.

The meeting said that a delegation of the Forum will visit Jammu in this regard and hold talks with the teachers community and other employees organisations there to garner their support for the statewide agitation.

Meanwhile, the Forum has postponed the Secretariat ghaero which was scheduled for today in view of Diwali festival upto November 15.

Tributes paid to Pt Prem Nath Dogra
Chaman assures speedy development of region

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8: Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and BJP Member Parliament from Udhampur-Doda constituency Prof Chaman Lal Gupta has assured people for the speedy development of his constituency as well as other parts of the region.

While paying tributes to Pt Prem Nath Dogra on his 116th birth anniversary celebrations at Brahman Sabha here this evening, Prof Gupta said that he will take up the problems of the people of his state and especially from his area with the Central Government and would try his best for the early redressal.

He referred to the problems like electricity and water in the state and felt that despite demonstrations at various level, their problems remained unresolved. He said that the real tributes to Pandit Ji would be to follow the path shown by him.

Earlier, the Union Minister was honoured by the Pt Prem Nath Dogra Vichar Manch members and was offered a Dogra traditional turban and a shawl. A toy aeroplane was also presented to Prof Gupta on the occasion as a symbol of his Ministry.

The State BJP president, Mr Daya Krishan Kotwal and BJP MLA from Gandhinagar Ch Piara Singh, Sabha president Pt Mool Raj Shastri were also present on the occasion. The programme was organised under the supervision of senior BJP leaders- Mr Chander Mohan Sharma and Mr Ashwni Gupta.

Mr Kotwal while speaking on the occasion, appealed the BJP activists and the Jammuites in general to follow the path selfless service as shown by the Pandit Prem Nath Dogra. He also highlighted some events of Pt Dogra’s life.

Mr Chander Mohan, during his welcome address, spoke in length about some achievements of Pt Dogra and paid tributes on this occasion.

A bhajan sandhya was also organised in which renowned artists from Jammu participated. Later, these artists were also honoured by the chief guest by presenting them shawls. A community dinner was also arranged for the gathering.

CM meets Governor

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8: Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah called on the Governor, Mr Girish Chandra Saxena here this evening.

Dr Abdullah who arrived in the winter capital this morning after official visit abroad, spent half an hour with the Governor. He also extended Diwali greetings to Mr Saxena.

Congress workers hold protest demonstration

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8: Congress activists led by Chief Whip of the Congress Legislative Party, Mr Ashok Sharma today staged protest demonstration against un-presidential power cuts in State in general and Jammu region in particular. Congress activists also served a detailed memorandum to the Governor, Mr G C Saxena in this regard.

Addressing the Congress workers, Mr Ashok Sharma said that the National Conference Government has failed on account in providing power supply and drinking water to consumers, maintain law and order and solve of the woes of rural and urban population besides unrest among the students, educated unemployed, employees of the government and to eradicate corruption in public life.

Mr Sharma criticised the BJP leaders for maintaining a ‘criminal silence’ over the suffering of the Jammu people. He asked people of Jammu to teach BJP a lesson for its back-stabbing. He accused BJP leaders to supporting all anti-people policies of the State Government just for the lust of power.

Secretary of the PCC, Mr Raman Bhalla, in his address criticised the Farooq Government for sucking blood of the people by corrupt practices and playing with the career of the students, traders by not supplying adequate power in Jammu. He said that under the pretext of financial crunch all developmental works have been stopped but Ministers and leaders of the ruling NC and BJP have been pocketing money meant for developmental and other welfare purposes.

Mr Bhalla warned National Conference Government against its anti-people policies and said that Congress workers would organise ‘Secretariat-Chalo’ march to force the Government to mitigate suffering of the people. He asked the people in general and youth in particular to support Congress at this crucial hour to get the masses rid from the most corrupt State Government.

Mr Gharu Ram Choudhary in his speech demanded insurance cover to the crops and cattle on Government expense and immediate relief to the border people against the loss they suffered due to Pak firing.

Mr Kuldeep Sharma, president, ex-servicemen cell of the party, said that NC Government has diverted an amount of Rs 8000 crores from the plan funds as per the reports, which shows the anti-people policies of the State Government.

Mr Ashwani Sharma, senior Congress leader attacked the State Government for rampant corruption in the administration. He alleged that Ministers and high officials were busy in making their own axe to grins and have forgotten the purpose for which they were choose by the people. He demanded CBI probe into the misuse of public money by the high ups in past three years. He highlighted woes of the border migrants.

Prominent among those who addressed the gathering included M L Koul, Shiv Dev Singh, Lal Mani Sharma, Naboo Galson, Sewa Ram Sharma, Kanta Bhan, Lalita Sharma, Raj Bakshi, K L Gupta, Harbans Barak, Dr Chuni Lal, Janak Raj, Ravi Angral, K L Sharma, Pritam Singh, M Y Mugal, B D Gorkha, R C Raju and others.

Porters hold protest dharna

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 8: A protest dharna of un-employed youth, who were employed as a porter during Operation Vijay at Kargil, was held under the banner of Dogra Kranti Dal here today.

As per a release, the procession of un-employed Kargil volunteers started from Dabber Park and after passing through main bazar the procession culminated near D C Office. The processionist shouting slogans against the Government all the way to D C Office.

While addressing the procession, Mr Balwant Singh Mankotia urged the State Government for justice with the Kargil volunteers who have rendered their services on high attitude during the Operation Vijay at Kargil. He further demanded that regular services should be provided to such youth in different Government Departments untill then a stiphen of Rs 1500 should be provided to them.

The Unemployed Youth Association president Mr Raghubir Gandotra while speaking on the occasion said unemployed youth of this district will continue their fight against injustice, corruption, social evils till their goal is achieved.

Mr Surjeet Singh, Chairman of the Association said that if necessary steps were not taken in due passage of time, un-employed youth will come on road.

Meanwhile, a body of Kargil volunteers has been nominated with Rattan Singh as its president and Sita Ram as vice-president. The other office bearers of the body include, Romesh Kumar, Mohan Lal, Surjit Singh, Krishan Singh, Satish Kumar and Suresh Singh.

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