Rs one cr for renovation of Mahadeva temple

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Oct 12: An amount of Rs one crore will be spent by the Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board, Katra for the construction and renovation of an ancient Mahadeva temple at Reasi. This was disclosed by the additional Chief Executive Officer, Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Katra, Mr Dheeraj Gupta, while laying the foundation of the temple yesterday.

Mr Gupta stated that people of the area donated 14 kanals land for the construction of Mahadevi temple. Additional Chief Executive Officer also inspected the site of Sula Park, Reasi and assured the people that the renovation of the park will be taken in hand by the Shrine Board shortly.

President, Prabhandhak Committee of the temple, Dr Sukhdev Sharma thanked the Chairman, Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Katra for taking over the renovation work of the temple.

Among others, SDM, Reasi, Mr R C Sharma, Tehsildar and other prominent citizens were also present.

JK Bank organises training programme

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 12: The J&K Bank Staff Training College, Jammu in collaboration with NIBSTC, New Delhi is organising a special intensive programme on Credit Management for its Senior Officers and Branch Managers of Jammu Region from October 11 to October 15.

The objective of the programme is to upgrade knowledge and skills of the officers in regard to assessment of credit needs of various types of borrowers.

The J&K Bank is training 27 officers in the programme which was inaugurated by Mr Shamas Farooq, General Manager (Training) on October 11. Mr Farooq exhorted participants to take advantage of this special opportunity to acquire maximum knowledge so as to contribute their best efforts to increase advances of their branches, and also guide borrowers in meeting their credit needs.

Earlier Mr M R Bhagat, Dy General Manager and Principal Staff Training College in his welcome address highlighted the role played by J&K Bank in the development of J&K State. He advised participants to contact prospective customers for providing credit for their business and to meet their requirements for acquiring consumer duriables for betterment of their living standard.

He also mentioned the importance of training in providing better customer services.

During the Inaugural Session, Mr K K Jindal programme Director, explained the programme contents which are to be covered in the programme of 5 days duration.

J&K Bank Credit Policy, Retail finance, working capital and project finance, are some of the important programme inputs.

J&K Bank Staff Training College will be organising more programmes for its officers to train them to help exporter customers, retail customers SSI units and also to provide excellent customer services.

So far, Staff Training College has conducted 15 training programme including computer applications, from April to Sept 1999 in which 187 officers and 103 clerks have been trained under various fields of banking.

JDA Account Head attached; contempt rules framed

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 12: Mr Justice R C Gandhi of the State High Court has directed the Registry for framing rules against Mr R K Handa Vice Chairman, Jammu Development Authority (JDA), who will show cause to the rule within two weeks. Meanwhile the Account Heads of the Jammu Development Authority have been attached and shall not be operated by the Drawing and Disbursing Officers of the JDA.

In case, the compliance report is filled regularising the services of the petitioner vis-a-vis Atma Ram and Ashwani Kumar berore the next date of hearing, the Account Heads of the JDA shall be treated to be released, but till then the Account Heads shall not be operated. The Registry was directed to send a copy of this order to Treasury Officer, Jammu for compliance.

This court order was passed in a contempt petition filed by Mohan Lal, whereby the petitioner submitted that order dated November 20, 1992 has not been complied with.

While the court directed to comply with the orders within three weeks but despite granting number of opportunities, since the last two years, the order was not complied with.

The counsel appearing for the Respondent-contemners not only sought to implement the orders of the court, but also a made a statement to file compliance report. Despite that even no action to worth implementation of the judgement was taken by the Respondents.

Mr Justice Gandhi while directing the Registry for framing rules and attachment of Account Heads observed that the single judge has directed the Respondents to consider the case of the petitioner for regularisation of services, estending the treatment meted out to Atama Ram and Ashwani Kumar. The petitioner is also entitled to the same consideration and treatment. The supplementary affidavit filed by the Respondents R K Handa, Vice Chancellor, Jammu Development Authority was not in consonance with the spirit of judgement sought to be implemented.

Looking to the conduct of the Respondent designs to defeat the judgement of the court with contumacy, the Registry was directed to frame rules against Mr R K Handa.

Senior Advocate, H L Bhagotra appeared for Respondent- JDA.

Govt flayed for inordinate delay in selection
of Naib Tehsildars

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 12: Interviewed candidates for the post of Naib Tehsildar in a meeting held here strongly resented the inordinate delay in the release of selection list by the authorities at the helm of affairs.

As per a release the meeting noted with great anguish that the Government has failed to declare the said list even after 15 years of the initiation of the selection process. They said the entire process of selecting Naib Tehsildars was started way back in 1984 when the posts were first time advertised. The said posts were re-advertised in the year 1987, 1989 and finally in 1993 which was followed by written test on August 25, 1995, result of which were declared after two years in June 1997, that too in three phases to allegedly accommodate candidates with lower merit followed by viva voce tests.

The selection authorities who were immense pressure from all quarters displayed their efficiency and immediately after one month finished all the interviews in July 1997. In all about 15,000 candidates had appeared in written examination and about 700 candidates were made to face the interview.

They said delay in declaration of the final result has sealed the fate of 700 candidates despite their running from pillar to post and knocking at the doors of the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary and Chairman and Secretary of the Service Selection Board.

Smelling bunglings in the selection of Naib tehsildars, the interviewed candidates have alleged that State Government was delaying the release of the list to still accommodate the kith and kin of vested interests.

It was resolved in the meeting that injustice or any sort of tempering with the already approved and finalised list will not be tolerated and urged the State Government to take effective measures for prompt release of selection list of Naib Tehsildars.

Drought - affected people to get relief
Cabinet approves package for border migrants

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 12: The State Cabinet which met here last evening under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah took several decisions. These included revised relief package for victims of border shelling/firing in Jammu division and Kashmir valley, relief package for the drought affected families of Kashmir valley and Doda district and also approved the recent upward revision of fare and freight rates of transport vehicles.

Announcing the decisions taken by Cabinet, Chief Secretary, Mr Ashok Jaitly said that under the revised package for victims of border shelling/firing, free ration for 6 months @ 9 kg foodgrains (7 kg Atta and 2 kg of rice in Jammu division and 7 kg rice and 2 kg Atta in Kashmir division) per month per person would be provided to such families, falling in the 5 kms belt along the LoC and between the IB (International Border) and Ditch-cum-Bund (DCB) along the International Border who have not been able to sow their crops due to border shelling/firing.

He said that in addition, Kerosene oil @ 10 Lts per family per month, besides, cash assistance of Rs 200 per member of the affected families would be provided per month. However, cash assistance would not be payable to Government employees and their immediate family members. He said that under the one time relief, ex-gratia relief of one lakh rupees would continue to be paid under the standing orders to the next of kin of person killed.

He said the injured persons would also be provided relief as is provided under Government order of 1990 and 1997 and for damaged immovable property @ 50 per cent of the assessed loss subject to the ceiling of Rs one lakh in each case as a result of border shelling/firing.

The Chief Secretary said that free medical treatment including cost of drugs would continue to be provided to the persons till such time as they on back to their homes and hearths. Free medicines would be also be provided to the livestock in the border belts where the farmers have not been able to sow/grow crops due to border shelling/firing till the next sowing season. He said this relief package is also applicable to the landless labourers living in these zones.

Mr Jaitly said by another decisions the Cabinet also approved the relief package for drought affected families who would be provided free of cost foodgrains at the scale of 5 kg per head per month for four months. This measure would cost Rs 51 crore. He said in addition to this Rs 18 crore subsidy would also be provided as cost of seeds and fertilizers to the affected farmers.

The subsidy would be available even on the seeds to be given during Rabi crops which primarily comprises oil seeds and oat seads. The major requirements of seeds would be however, in Kharif crops. He said the Agriculture Production Department has taken advance action for the purpose for ensuring timely availability of seeds as well as fertiliser so that people do not face any difficulty in carrying out agriculture operations. The financial implications involved in the cost of seeds and fertilisers works out at Rs 41.83 crores. However, the subsidy would be limited to Rs 750 per hectare amounting to Rs 18 crores and would be made available to all the affected families.

He said that Rs 25 crores is expected from the Ministry of Rural Development and out of the Rs 47 crores, Rs 2 crores have been earmarked for Doda district. He said the employment generation would be ensured to suppliment the income level of the drought affected families and the programme will be executed during the months of November -December, 1999 and March-April 2000 and free ration would be issued during the months of January-February and May-June. 2000, when rural population / farming community will not have their own foodgrains, stocks to fall back upon.

Mr Jaitly said that greater thrust is being given on improvement and upgradation of the sources of drinking water which have either dried up or got depleted. He said Rs 2.57 crores have been approved for upgradation of the identified schemes, of which, Rs 40 lakhs have already been released. He said that in the interregnum period the tanker services shall have to be sustained to maintain the drinking water facilities in the worst affected areas. He said similarly for augumentation of pump sets and improving the irrigation facilities in the affected areas, Rs one crore have already been allocated. He said the Cabinet has also approved a proposal whereunder 50 per cent sub-sidy would be available to the farming community for establishing pump sets for irrigation purposes.

Mr Jaitly said the total area under the Kharif crop in Kashmir valley is of the order of 3.26 lakh hectares, out of which 35,000 hectares remained unsown, because of drought situation. He said that in 17 out of 26 tehsils of Kashmir division, the damages to the Kharif crop primarily paddy and maize has been between 60-100 per cent while in 9 other tehsils, the damage has been between 30-59 per cent. About 22 lakh population whose total dependence is on agriculture has been adversely affected while in Doda district the extent of damage is estimated to be 74 per cent involving 250998 souls.

Mr Jaitly said the State Government has sent two memoranda to Central Government seeking assistance to the extent of Rs 214.47 crores for Kashmir division and another Rs 64.65 crores for Doda district of Jammu division.

He said on the basis of the memoranda, the Central Team led by Mr S K Ojha, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture visited the State from September 22-25, 1999 to have first hand information about the impact of drought on the Agriculture crops. The recommendations of the Central team are likely to be taken up for consideration in the Inter-Ministerial Committee of Calamity Relief Fund and the Special dispensation from the National Fund of Calamity Relief is expected to be available to the State in about two months time.

Mr Jaitly said that Cabinet has also approved the recently announced 20 per cent hike in fare and freight rates in the State in view of the increase in diesel prices. He said the revision would further be reviewed in the month of February, 2000.

Tarika selected for participation in Millennium
Young People Congress

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 12: The state office of World Wide Fund for Nature India in collaboration with Peace Child International, UK and United Nations has selected Nature Eco-Club volunteer Miss Tarika Chopra daughter of Mr Ashok Chopra in the category of WWF-India activist for participation in the Millennium Young People’s Congress being held at Honolulu, USA from Oct 21 to November 3.

The selection which was made at the national level selected two WWF-India volunteers from Nature Club category and six from WWF-Indian activist category from all over India. The visit of Miss Tarika Chopra is sponsored by the WWF-India, J&K, Lions Club International, Jammu Tawi, Rotary Club, Udhampur and students and staff of Dalhousi Public School in which Miss Tarika Chopra is presently studying.

Miss Sheetal Sawant, Mr Tarsem Singh and Ms Priya of KV 2, Jammu Cantt stood first, second and third at state level in the category of national delegates. On Oct 21, an International Youth Congress focusing on global sustainability, human rights and peace will bring together young people from around the world.

The selection of young environmentalist for an international congress is a great honour for the State of Jammu and Kashmir. WWF-Indian and all the young environment activist of the state wished her a great success in the congress.

85 pc College Principals working on adhoc basis

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 12: Eighty five per cent of the Principals in different Degree Colleges in Jammu Province are working on adhoc basis and the number was increasing since 1994.

Accourding to reliable sources, no post for the Principal has been advertised by the Public Service Commission after 1994 in the State.

Only two Principals of Degree College Udhampur, Dr Surinder Saproo and GGM Science College, Prof Vijay Prakash are exercising their powers as Head of the Institutions, they said.

While rest of the Principals in the 13 Degree Colleges in six districts of Jammu Province have been assigned the job of Principal on the basis of their seniority.

On the condition of anonymity, one such officiating Principal in Jammu told this Correspondent that "nor they have been empowered with the basic powers, the other permanent Principals are enjoying, neither they are being given the monetary benefits of additional duties by the Principal".

These adhoc Principal, who take over officiating charge generally when they are close to their retirement, sometimes they head the institution for a small period of six months.

When contacted the newly elected president of the College Teachers Association, Prof M L Dogra said that present practice of incharge Principals adopted by the Government is leading to indiscipline in most of the colleges and developmental activities are standstill.

"If a permanent Principal is to be appointed, he or she can chalk out a plan for the overall development of the College, but in the present set-up, these adhoc Principals are just passing their time", adding that if the Government is really interested in raising the standard of higher education in the state, it should should think over such basic needs in the Colleges.

MLAs voice concern over drough like situation

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 12: Twenty-three members raised various issues of public importance during the Zero Hour in the Legislative Assembly today.

Mr Abdul Majid Mir, Mr Ashok Sharma, Mr Bali Bhagat drew the attention of the House towards the drought-like situation in the State and demanded that immediate arrangements be made for providing ration and arranging fodder for the affected areas. Mr Mir pleaded for increase in the quota of ration while Mr Bhagat urged for conducting of special Girdawari to assess the damage caused to the crops in Doda district. He said a special package be announced to the drought-hit areas for taking up employment generation programme under EAS and free ration for six months be given to the people of such areas. Mr Sharma demanded that a Central team should also visit Jammu region to assess the quantum of damage caused to crops due to long dry spell.

Mr R S Sharma, Mr Prem Lal and Mr Chuni Lal raised the issue of firing from across the border in their respective areas. Mr Sharma demanded construction of pucca bunkers and protection walls to protect the people and houses from shelling in the border areas of Nowshera, besides, providing food and shelter to the affected people. Mr Prem Lal said that since people could not cultivate their agricultural land in the border belt of Hiranagar, the electric charges for pump-sets should not be charged from them. Mr Chuni Lal also urged for providing compensation to the inhabitants of 11 affected villages who are putting up in camps.

Mr Mohammad Abdullah Mujahid and Mir Saif-Ullah drew the attention of the House towards the recent fire incidents in their respective areas causing damage to the houses and shops and demanded adequate compensation to the affected families.

Mr Mohammad Syed Akhoon and Mr Mubarik Gul referred to the killing of National Conference activists and demanded adequate security to the political leaders. Mr Akhoon pleaded that security bunkers be again set up in Srinagar city while Mr Gul stressed that at least one of the next of kins of each political activist killed in militancy be provided Government job.

Mr Ghulam Rasool Naz demanded that the power transformers which are out of order in Bandipora, be repaired at the earliest.

Mr Harshdev Singh pleaded that initial higher start be given to all the graduate and post-graduate teachers and their pay anomalies be removed.

Mr Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Mir urged that work on the Industrial Growth Centre, Lassipora be speeded up for its early completion.

Ch Piara Singh raised the matter regarding regularisation of college principals.

Mr Mushtaq Ahmad Kuchhay referred to a mine blast at Pampore on the polling day and demanded a full report on it from the Government.

Mr Prithvi Chand stressed for taking up the matter with the Jammu University regarding modification of result of some of the students of Degree College, Udhampur.

Mr Jagjivan Lal demanded nomination of two members in the committee so that work on the setting up of Mata Vaishno Devi University be speed up.

Mr Ashok Khajuria drew the attention of the House towards the drinking water scarcity in Jammu city and demanded urgent steps for augmenting the water supply.

Sheikh Abdul Rehman suggested that Calling Attention Notices should also be included during the current session.

Mr Jagdish Raj Dubey, Mr Abdul Rehman Veeri and Mr Ram Chand Bhagat also raised issues of public importance pertaining to their areas.

The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Abdul Ahad Vakil directed that the issues raised by the members during the Zero Hours should be taken due note by the Government so that appropriate follow up action could be ensured on these issues.

Prem Lal calls on CM

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 12: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Hiranagar, Mr Prem Lal and chief advisor Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) called on Chief Minister here today and urged him to condone the fare of the irrigation pumps installed for irrigation purposes in Tehsil Hiranagar.

As per a release, they also demanded compensation for the people who were injured in border firing.

The Chief Minister assured the MLA that compensation will be given to injured persons and fare of pump sheds condoned as the farmers of this border belt have not been able to cultivate their land for last so many years.

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