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

JAMMU, Sept 30: The Arena Multimedia today interacted with the inmates of the Home for Aged and Infirm at Ambphalla here today. It was a rare sight wherein old men and women shared their emotions and experiences with the new generation, young trainees of Arena Multimedia. This unique meeting of young and old was arranged by Ms Arpana Dewan of the Arena Multimedia.

The Multimedia gave a dress to each of the 70 inmates, of whom 19 are females. The students had contributed for the clothes.

They talked to them and listened to the stories of these senior citizens and provided them a touch of tender care and attention.

One trainee said that it was a unique opportunity for them to so intimately share ideas with persons ripe in age and rich in experience.

Mr Dwarka Nath Gupta is president and Mr N N Khajuria is secretary of the Home looking after the helpless and needy aged persons.

Dharna enters 80th day

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 30: The protest dharna launched by the daily wagers union of the Animal Husbandry department entered 80th day here today.

The protest is being held under the chairmanship of Mr Paras Ram Poonchi in support of demand for regularisation of the daily wagers. The union leaders who addressed the gathering included: Tilak Raj, Surinder Singh, Tarsem Lal, Mohinder Lal, Som Lal and urged the authorities that the demands should be met early.

Mr Paras Ram Poonchi made a strong plea for enhancement of the wages in view of the rising prices.

PDD employees demand funds

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 30: At the meeting of the working committee of the Provincial Power Employees Union, held under the chairmanship of Mr Shakti Gupta the problem of lack of funds for the salary to regular and daily rated worker came up for discussion.

Mr Gupta informed that the matter has been taken up with the Development Commissioner, Power and the Principal Secretary, Power Development Department and funds will be got released soon. The workers were asked to be united.

The matter regarding the regularisation of daily wagers also came up for consideration at the meeting which was attended by Mr D P Warikoo, general secretary, Gulzari Lal, vice president and Yash Paul, Sr Vice president.

Graft charges framed against Addl Dy Comm

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 30: The Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Jammu Mr VK Phull today framed charges against Mr Asgar Ali Shah and his brother Farooq Ahmad Shah for possessing of assets valuing Rs 87,30,985/- disproportionate to his known source of income. Mr Asgar Ali Shah was charged under Section 5(1)(e) read with Section 5(2) PC Act, 2006 read with Section 120-B RPC and Sections 12 and 14 of Publicemen and Public Servant Declaration of Assets and other Provisions Act of 1983; whereas Mr Farooq Ahmad Shah younger brother of the accused Asgar Ali Shah was charged for committing offence under Section 120-B RPC.

The prosecution case is that on conducting a secret enquiry into the allegations that accused Syed Asgar Ali Shah, the then Addl Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara has raised assets beyond his known source of income, the Vigilance Organisation, Jammu has registered a case under FIR 43/96 and conducted search at the residential house No. 773-A Gandhinagar, Jammu belonging to and possessed by Asgar Ali Shah. The documents and the assets found during the house research in the shape of moveable valuing Rs 41,20,307.38 and immoveable valuing Rs 44,36,872/- either in his name or in the name of others including his brother Farooq Ahmad. It is further alleged case of the prosecution that Asgar Ali Shah in connivance of his brother Farooq Ahmad in order to conceal his ill-gotton wealth raised assets in the name of his brother, who helped and facilitated Asgar Ali Shah in raising assets in his name. The investigating agency also collected material reg. The known source of income of accused and found that income of the accused from all sources during the check period was worth Rs 11,23,710/- and his expenditure was Rs 12,97,506/-. Thus the expenditure exceeding the income to the tune of Rs 1,72,776/- which too has been including the disproportionate assets of the accused, Asgar Ali Shah, was finally found in possession of the assets, valuing Rs 87,30,975/- disproportionate to his known source of income, which accused could not explain, inspite opportunities given to him. After completion the investigation the Vigilance Organisation obtained sanction for prosecution against the accused and presented the challan in the court of Special Judge. Senior Advocate MH Beig appearing for the accused has vehemently contended that the sanction accorded by the Government to the prosecution of the accused is prima facie invalid.

The sanction order was also challenged in the State High Court by the accused. However, the High Court prima facie observed that the sanction order appears having been issued after application of mind. Advocate Beig further contended that the search of the house of the accused has been conducted without obtaining search warrants and the accused No. 2 the brother of the accused No. 1 is not a public servant and FIR was not registered against him. On this point, the court observed that prima facie it appears that the investigating officer had reasonable plea to conduct the search without obtaining search warrants and thus provisions of the Section 165 CrPC has not been violated, therefore this condition of Senior Advocate MH Beig is also without any force.

While framing the charges, Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu Mr VK Phull observed that the material relied upon by the prosecution is that the accused No. 2 young brother of the accused No. 1 is a Benamidar and accused No. 1 Mr Asgar Ali Shah is the real owner of the assets found in the name of his younger brother accused No. 2 who in connivance with accused No. 1 has allowed accused No. 1 to raise assets in his name to conceal his illgotten wealth amassed by corruption and illegal means by Asgar Ali Shah and thus accused Farooq Ahmad added and facilitated his elder brother concealing his assets. Therefore prima facie case of trial of accused Farooq Ahmad alongwith accused Asgar Ali committing offence of criminal conspiracy stands established.

With this observation the court framed charges and directed the prosecution to examine the prosecution witnesses on next date of hearing. Advocate RS Thakur, Special Public Prosecutor alongwith Mr KS Charka, Dy Director Prosecution appears for the Vigilance Organisation and Senior Advocate MH Beig and AN Naik and Inder Singh Advocate apepared for the accused persons.

State Teachers Association holds meet

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Sept 30: A meeting of Jammu and Kashmir State Teachers Association was held under the chairmanship of its president Mr Karan Singh here today to discuss the various problems being faced by the teachers.

As per a release, the speakers criticised the Government for its decision to withdraw the facility of appointment on compassionate ground under SRO 43. They said that this facility had been earned by the employees after a long struggle and urged the Government to review its decision. They also demanded immediate release of two DA instalments due from January and July this year along with second instalment of 5th Pay Commission arrears.

Mr Singh while addressing the meeting called upon the teachers to remain united for further struggle in near future to get their demands including encashment of earned leave, national transfer policy and removal of pay anomalies conceded.

Prominent among others who attended the meeting include, Kuldeep Sudan, Bhopinder Singh, Ashok Kumar, Ved Parkash, Chander Mohan, Sudershan Kumar and Romesh Kumar.

Built two-year back, girls Hostel still lying vacant

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Sept 30: Even after construction of the girls hostel for Degree College, Rajouri two years back, the claimants, who hail from far off places, are still taking shelter in the rented accommodations in the town.

Both students and College administration is unable to occupy the building because that is "quite unprotected" in absence of a compound wall.

Soon after the construction work on the building was finished, the Principal of the College approached the concerned agencies time and again, but only estimates over estimates were made.

According to a senior Lecturer of the college, who pleaded anonymity, the girls are approaching the Principal and the concerned warden, who cannot take risk by sending young girls to an ‘unprotected’ structure.

These girls are presently putting up at rented accommodations with a hope that they may be provided with hostel facility by the college because they are uncomfortable there, he further said.

There are around 75 girl students most of whom belonged to Nowshehra and Sunderbani areas, who need hostel accommodation.

When contacted Principal of the College, Prof R C Sharma, said, " the college has submitted estimates thrice with the Director Colleges and now it is upto them to take action".

In the last estimate, round about Rs 4.2 lakh expenses are expected in the construction of compound wall, informed the Principal.

Nagar Sankirtan procession being taken today

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 30: The series of devotional lecturers organised in Shri Raghunath Temple Jammu will conclude tomorrow with the holding of "Nagar Sankirtan" procession at 5 pm.

The procession will be led by Shree Srimad B B Tirtha Goswami Mahraj and his entourage. Besides from Jammu, the devotees from Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi will also participate in the function.

The lecturers of Shree B B Tirtha Goswami Mahraj are being attended by a large number of people from all walks of life.

To commemorate the Nama Sankirtan process as taught by Shree Chaitanya Mahaprabu, a huge Nama Sankirtan process will be taken out at 4-30 pm from Shri Raghunath Ji Temple in Purani Mandi tomorrow. This Sankirtan will also be taken under the leadership of Shree B B Tirath Goswami Mahraj.

Lok Shakti nominee retires in favour of BJP in Anantnag

SRINAGAR, Sept 30: Lok Shakti candidate from Anantnag parliamentary constituency, Abdul Rashid Bhat, today joined the BJP along with several other activists and retired from contest in favour of BJP nominee, Shoukat Hussain Wani.

Announcing the decision, Bhat appealed to voters in his constituency, scheduled to go to polls on October 4, to exercise their franchise in favour of BJP as it was the only party which could solve the problems facing the people of Jammu and Kashmir, a statement released by the Pradesh Lok Shakti said.

Bhat and other top leaders of Lok Shakti here including general secretary Javid Ahmad Bhat also announced their decision to join the BJP state unit.

We joined BJP with our activists to strength it in the state, they said in a statement.

Senior BJP leader in Kashmir, Dilawar Ahmad Naiku, welcomed the Lok Shakti leaders into the party. Speaking on the occasion, Naiku condemned the State Government for the incident at Akhnoor in which one person was killed and over 40 others injured in police action recently.

He said the National Conference Government had failed on all fronts and the common man was being harassed in the Valley. (PTI)

Nanak Nagar residents concern over fire incident

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 30: A meeting of the General Body of Jammu Welfare Committee of Sector Nos 6,7 and 10 of Nanak Nagar, was held yesterday under the presidentship of Mr Harbans Singh.

The Committee expressed concern over the horrifying fire incident whih occured in an open piece of land in Sector No. 7 creating panic among the residents of the area and its adjoining colonies of Trikuta Nagar and Preetnagar etc.

The members of the Welfare Committee held the Police Department responsible for being hand in glove with the people trading illegally in inflameable liquids. It was held that where as a single KOil depot can fulfil the requirements of an average sized sector, a disproportionate number of Koil depots have been allowed by the Food and Supplies Department.

The members of the Committee assailed and ridiculed the failure on the part of the traffic police and other allied agencies in checking the menace of illegal entry and parking of trucks and diesel/petrol tankers in Nanak Nagar. The entry and parking of such tankers in an residential area is illegal. Besides creating traffic chaos these tankers are also responsible for deplorable conditions of roads/lanes and drains.

They alleged the presence of these tankers is the reason behind the mixing of kerosene with petrol and diesel which is later on sold to the diesel and petrol filling stations. This is a loss not only to the residents of Nanak Nagar but to the society as a whole. It may be noted that a single Judge Bench of the Hon'ble High Court has already issued orders and directions recently to the Traffic Police, Jammu, Administrator, Municipality and Police Department, Jammu for the implementation of ban orders on the entry of heavy vehicles in the colony of Nanak Nagar, Jammu.

The members also opined and decided to suggest emphatically to the concerned that the entry into the residential areas of Nanak Nagar for the trucks carrying cement, sand, kiln, ration and water supply etc may be allowed but only through single-point entry which should be properly guarded by a permanent CRPF/Police Post. Unauthorisedly parked heavy vehicles may be imposed heavy fines, the members further asserted.

Awami Morcha stages dharna

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 30: People of Jammu under the banner of Jammu Awami Sangharash Morcha staged three hours long protest dharna in front of the office of the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu today. They were protesting against the frequent cuts in power supply in the rural and urban areas of Jammu region.

The demonstrators criticised the Government for its failure to provide regular electricity and drinking water to the people and expressed anguish over the four times high increase in power tariff. The frequent cuts in power supply has made the life of the people miserable, students are the worst sufferers. They alleged that they raised in slogans against the Government for its anti people policies in the matter of supply of electricity. The dharna was addressed among others, by Maj Gen (Retd) Jagdish Singh Jamwal, Dhan Raj Bargotra,, Hari Chand Jalmeria, B M Dubey, Ranjit Singh, Prof Nirmal Kamal, Mast Nath Jogi, Ram Rattan Sharma, Ghan Sham Singh Charak, D K Khajuria, Sewa Singh and Haji Abdul Rehman.

The speakers asked the Government to provide regular electricity and drinking water to the people of Jammu region. They decided to hold next dharna on the same issue on Oct 16 at Shalamar Chowk here. Later in a meeting, the executive committee of Jammu Awami Sangharash Morcha was formed to carryout the struggle to the logical conclusion with Maj Gen J S Jamwal as patron, Dhan Raj Bargotra, president, Hari Chand Jalmeria, general secretary, Mast Nath Jogi vice president, Ram Rattan Sharma joint secretary, Ranjit Singh, joint secretary, B M Dubey, publicity secretary, and Ghansham Singh, treasurers.

Academy pensioners' plea to release pension

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 30: The J&K Cultural Academy Pensioners Association has strongly deplored the pick and choose policy resorted to by the Cultural Academy in releasing the pay revision/DA arrears to a select few retirees of a particular unit of the Academy, thereby ignoring the rightful claims of other suffering pensioners.

The action which smacks of double standards and favouritism is in utter violation of all the set standards of natural justice and well laid norms of administrative propriety. This is also tantamount to utter disregard of SRO-127-C of 1988 dated 16.4.1998 issued by the Finance Department in this behalf, an association release issued here said.

The Association also assailed the attitude of the Academy in withholding the payment of enhanced DA @ 22% and the enhanced Medical Allowance to its pre-1998 retirees and payment of Gratuity/Commuted value of pension to other retirees whose rightful dues have been withheld during the last about two years on flimsy grounds even though frivolous and avoidable expenditure exceeding a crore of rupees has been incurred during this period.

It is a pity that the secretary is busy in organising a great song and dance programme in Tagore Hall Srinagar and has no time to alleviate the sufferings of the retirees, the release remarked.

The Association said that it was grately concerned that the retirees representing a galaxy of eminent and nationally acclaimed artists, who have won laurels for the Academy and the State of Jammu and Kashmir, during their long service career in the Academy have been made to run from pillar to post and suffer immense hardship and humiliation due to sheer indifference and apathetic attitude of the Academy authorities.

The Association appealed to the Chief Minister to intervene in the matter and get early action initiated on the memorandum already submitted by the pensioners of the Cultural Academy for early release of their pending claims.

Security arrangements for Mahakali Mandir demanded

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 30: Mahakali Mandir Shopkeepers Union, JDA Complex Bahu Fort has demanded permanent security arrangements in the shopping and shrine complex.

This demand was made by a deputation of the Union which called on Vice Chairman JDA, Mr R K Handa and senior Superintendent of Police Mr M A Anjum.

The deputation which was led by Mr Pawan Kumar, president of the Union also demanded stopping of backdoor entries and installation of metal detectors at the entrance of shopping complex.

Latter a team of JDA officers led by Executive Engineer, Division No II visited the site today morning and closed one unauthorised gate. They warned the defaulters of action if they failed to comply the instructions and opened the double door.

Appreciating the action of the authorities the Union expressed the hope that remaining double door system and encroachments made by some shopkeepers will be removed soon.

The Union however flayed the Jammu Municipality for anti encroachment drive in the area.

Mr Parveen Kumar has urged the Municipality authorities to get the land at parking places freed from the land grabbers and encroachers. Expressing concern over the encroachment of land at Car Parking place in Bahu Fort he warned that in case the Municipality failed the Union will resort to protest.

1500 pilgrims from J&K to perform Haj

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Sept 30: As many as 4500 pilgrims from J&K State are expected to perform Haj during 2000 and arrangements for their passage and comfortable journey and stay at Makat-ul-Makarama and Madina Sharif were discussed at a high level meeting here today.

The meeting chaired by Convenor, State Haj Committee, (Division Commissioner), Mr Khurshid Ahmad Ganai was attended by senior level dignitaries representing Indian Arilines, Air India, Airport authorities, Immigration and (Customs Departments). It may be recalled that Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee had recently announced that the possibilities for initiating direct Haj flights from Srinagar, Ahamada-bad and Lucknow be explored. The matter as such was discussed in depth and it was felt necessary to consolidate the basic infrastrcture at the Airport besides improvement in runway required for introducing chartered International Flights and as such decided to retreat the flight schedule as per last year's practice for this years' Haj season also.

The matters related to the smooth conduct of Haj Flights schedule, lodging and boarding arrangements were discusse threadbare. It was decided that two flights would be conducted daily from Srinagar to Delhi and connected flights from Delhi to Jeddah for Valley based pilgrims whileas pilgrims from Leh and Jammu would be lifted directly to Delhi for onward connected flights to Jeddah.

Mustafa warns Docs against Pvt practice in working hours

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 30: The Medical Education Minister, Dr Mustafa Kamal has asked the doctors to avoid private practice during office hours and if any body found doing practice would be dealt under law.

Dr Mustafa Kamal was addressing the Head of the Departments of the Government Medical College Hospital here today. He said Government is not against the private practice but it can not tolerate to see that the doctors on duty do private practice. He said although the Government has allowed the doctors to do private practice considering to reduce the work load in the hospital and to facilitate the patients to consult the doctors and have treatment privately upto his entire satisfaction.

The Minister asked the doctors to work in a team sprit and attend the patients devotedly. He said the patients should also be given proper treatment which ever is available in the hospitals and maintain the image of the hospitals. He said, the hospital is not a department but it is an institution which requires dedicated service to the suffering humanity. All doctors engaged in the hospital should devote their services upto the entire satisfaction of the hospital as well as of the patients. If anything adversly happens in the hospital it becomes the duty of all the concerned doctors to face it jointly and not to blame anyone.

Dr Kamal also instructed all the HODs to give proper cause of the death if occured in the hospital to his attendent or his kith and kin for his satisfaction. This will help the doctors to face any harassment from the public but as well as good for the hospital.

The Minister directed all the HODs to submit a monthly report of the patients registered under OPD and Indoor to the Principal, Medical College or Superintendent of the Hospital for onward transmission to the Government. He said the detail of the operations done in each ward of the hospital and rounds taken by the doctors be also intimated alongwith the cases of death if any occured quoting causes monthly.

Referring to the over rush of the patients in most of the wards of the hospital, Dr Kamal assured the doctors that this matter will be considered sympathetically so that the rush of the patients be reduce and shared by other hospitals at Sarwal and Gandhi Nagar also. He also said that most of the units of the hospitals are very important and every care should be given for its proper functioning.

The Minister assured the doctors that their genuine demands if any would be considered sympathetically but the doctors have to work upto the aspiration of the Government. He also asked the doctors to avoid unauthorised and regular absence from duty.

While giving resume of the activities of the hospital, the Principal of the Medical College Hospital, Dr H L Goswami said that every care is being done in providing the treatment to the patients coming in the hospital. He said even the Cancer patients are being given free treatment which ever is available with the hospitals. He assured the Minister that every efforts will be made to improve the working of the hospital upto the expectation of the suffering community with proper medical treatment. He apprised the Minister that the committee constituted to investigate the causes of deaths occured in the hospital will submit its report shortly.

PHE employees hold procession

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Sept 30: The employees of Water Works (PHE) Employees Association held a dharna at sub division Garhi today in protest against assault on one of the employee by a shop-keeper at Chopra Shop while he was performing his duty.

As per a release the PHE employees from Garhi, Rehmbal, Jib Thati, Tikri and Muttal participated in the dharna and procession.

Later the dharnaites took out a procession which was led by Mr Som Nath, district president of the Association, which starting from Garhi Sub Station of PHE Department to Rehmbal Police Station to express their anguish over inaction of police in the matter.

However the police called the erring party and also the responsible persons of the area and after over one hour discussion, the erring party gave a written apology and a compromise was reached after which the processionists disbursed peacefully.

Prominent Association leaders who participated in the deliberations included Messrs S Baldev Singh, Rattan Singh, Rajinder Heera, Ashok Kumar, Jawahar Lal and Rakesh Kumar.