Surya Jamwal bags first place
GCW Gandhi Nagar organises symposium on
Food problems

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 21: Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar organised a symposium on the topic ‘role of youth in solving food problem’ in collaboration with Jammu Consumer Council in the college auditorium, here today.

A number of college students spoke on the topic and gave their valuable suggestion. Ms Surya Jamwal was adjudged first by the judges, while Arti and Manpreet Sudan bagged second and third positions respectively. Two speakers, Shamia Sadiq and Himani Bakshi were given consolation prizes.

Earlier, speaking on the topic, chief guest, Prof R R Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu said that there was need for highlighting the various day to day problems including food, road, electricity and drinking water and stressed on the improvement of the distribution system at the global level.

He pointed out that around 80 per cent of the world product is enjoyed by the 20 per cent of the world population and rest 20 per cent is distributed among rest 80 per cent. Prof Sharma exhorted the youth to fight for its equal distribution and appealed that to help in fighting against hunger.

Mr Ved Bhasin, who represented the Jammu Consumer Council (JCC) called upon the youth especially the women to come forward in combating the food problems.

The Principal of the College, Mrs Kusum Sharma, welcoming the chief guest spoke about the role of youth in creating awareness in the society regarding the food problems like malnutrition, hunger, low production and adulteration etc.

Mr Jatinder Bakshi, secretary general JCC introducing the subject said that because of explosion of population and diminishing of natural resources, there is need for wise management of the available natural resources.

Other students, who spoke on the symposium were Sonia Kaur, Jimmy, Ravleen and Avneet, wherein Mrs Raj Bharti, Mrs Renu Azad and Mrs Rageshwari Matoo were judges.

Prof Hemla Aggarwal ably conducted the proceedings of the symposium and the vote of thanks was presented by Prof K K Sehgal.

SDICO resents merger move of Himalayan Wool

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 21: An extra ordinary meeting of executive body of the association was held today wherein members took a serious note of proposal made by State Government to merge M/s Himalayan Wool Combers with J&K SIDCO Ltd.

State Government is well known to the fact that SIDCO is already facing a lot of problems owing to financial crunch in the State. Even SIDCO's internal financial position is so tight it is very difficult to bear the financial burden on account of salaries wages of employees on monthly basis. SIDCO is running the entire show with the help of existing staff to the entire satisfaction of J&K State Government, the Association release issued here said.

It said that SIDCO is nodal agency for the rapid industrialization in the State but if the proposal of merger M/s Himalayan Wool Comber's in SIDCO gets matured, it will have very bad effect on SIDCO and industries. The financial burden in the shape of salaries and wages of M/s Himalayan Wool Comber's staff is big amount which entirely is unbearable for SIDCO and would have direct effect on Industries Department, the release said.

The Association urged upon the Government to reconsider its proposal and have another proper steps/schemes to treat with the M/s Himalayan Wool Comber which would protect the interest of SIDCO as well as J&K State Government.

Gen Malik assumes charge

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Oct 21: Maj Gen Mohan Lal Malik assumed the appointment of Major General Incharge Administration at Headquarters Northern Command vice Major General BS Keron who has since been posted to Army Headquartes.

An alumini of the Indian Military Academy the General Officer was commissioned in the Corps of Signals in June 1965. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College and also has two post graduate degrees from Madras University and IIT Kanpur. In addition to attending a number of professional courses in India he has the distinction of undergoing a prestigious Army course in Russia.

During his more than three decades long career in the Army, Major General Malik has held a number of command, staff and Instructional appointments at various levels - both in the Corps and General Staff Channels.

Major General ML Malik before taking over his present assignment was the ADG (TT) at Army Headquarters.

Commemoration parade held

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Oct 21: Commemoration parade was held in District Police Lines Rajouri today. Contigent of CRPF, District Police, District Armed Reserve and Auxiliary police took part in it.

The DIG of Police Rajouri-Poonch Range Mr K Rajendra Kumar, IPS took the salute and addressed the jawans. While addressing, he asked the members of force to remain in readiness to meet the challenges.

He also assured the jawans that welfare of families of jawans who laid their lives in the service of Nation will be looked after properly.

Banners indicating casualities suffered by the police personnel in the country, casualities suffered by J&K Police and names of martyrs of Rajouri police were displayed in the main bazars of the town. Prominent citizens and Retired police personnel in large numbers attended the parade and laid wreath. Names of the Martyrs were read over by SP Rajouri and Commandant CRPF.

Restrictions on load carriers' entry

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 21: The District Magistrate, Jammu, Mr P K Tripathi under Section 144 Cr P C has imposed restrictions for the entry of all load carriers, trucks/tippers, tractors/trollies, rehras/reharies and tangas in Jammu city limit from Ashoka Crossing, Warehouse, Vikram Chowk, Canal Road, Bakshi Nagar Pulli, Old Children Hospital, TCP, Nagrota, Radio Station Chowk, Panama Chowk and Bahu Fort Crossing from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. daily.

According to order the restriction has been imposed with immediate effect to prevent any traffic hazard and for the safety and security of the general public and other usuers of the road. The order shall remain inforce for a period of five months from the date of its issue.

Plea to use funds in judicious manner

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 21: State Finance Minister, Mr Mohammed Shafi today stressed that in view of the financial crunch face by the State Government Departments should utilise funds in a judicious manner.

Speaking at the one day conference organised by J&K Accounts (gazetted) services officers, he said that there was a big gap between the income and the expenditure of the State Government, so those on responsible positions should see to it that maximum benefit is derieved out of the poor tax payer's money.

On the occasion, senior officers of the accounts department also highlighted problems faced by them and suggested remedies to improve work culture in the department.

The main focus was on improved in service conditions, opening up of promotional avenues and alleged discrimination against the accounts officers.

Speaking on the occasion, principal secretary finance, Mr Ajit Kumar said that department have to understand the difference between spending and spending wisely.

He said that accounts officers should carve out a niche for themselves and make the Government feel their importance by proper application of their potential.

Others who spoke on the occasion include, Director Accounts and Treasuries, Mr M R Malik, Mr Mohammad Amin Lala and Mr Abdul Rasheed Rather.

77 policemen attain martyrdom in one year
J&K Police has achieved significant success
in anti-militancy operations: IGP

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 21: Inspector General of Police, Jammu range, Mr Radhavinod Raju today said that Jammu and Kashmir Police would be activated to such an extend that it will lead other forces in the on-going anti-militancy operations in the State.

Talking to EXCELSIOR, after paying homages to the police personnel in connection with the Police Commemoration Day, Mr Raju said that over the past one year seventy seven police personnel of Jammu and Kashmir Police have laid down their lives while protecting integrity and unity of the nation. He claimed during the past some years local police have participated in many anti-militancy operations and got success in eliminating some hard-core and dreaded militants.

Pointing towards last one week anti-militancy operations in the higher reaches of Poonch, Rajouri and Doda districts, IGP, Jammu claimed that in its joint operations with army, the local police have achieved major success in killing some dreaded militants including most wanted foreign mercenary Shaheen Talibani, a self-styled area commander of Harkat-ul-Ansar.

Appreciation police personnel for launching comprehensive anti-insurgency operations in the Jammu region, Mr Raju said that local police have been doing a commendable job in the militancy plagued areas.

IGP, Jammu, however, admitted that it was high time to equip Jammu and Kashmir Police with most sophisticated weapons to take on militants.

Mr Raju also disclosed that Village Defence Committees (VDCs) would be provided with modern weapons and communication equipments. He said that more VDCs would be formed in the militancy infested areas of Jammu region.

Earlier like other parts of the country Police Commemoration Day was observed with solemnity in the Parade Ground of District Police Lines, Jammu today.

Inspector General of Police, Jammu range, Mr Radhavinod Raju laid a floral wreath at the memorial erected in honour of the police personnel who had laid down their lives while on duty. Floral tributes were also paid by other dignitaries present on the occasion.

Mr Raju read out the names of all those jawans and officers of police and para-military forces who had sacrificed their lives for the maintenance of law and order and integrity of the country over the past one year.

Recalling sacrifices of the fellow colleagues, Mr Raju said that in all 987 police personnel died in action from September 1998 to ending August this year in different parts of the country. Out of these, seventy seven officers and men from Jammu and Kashmir Police have also laid down their lives. These included two Inspectors, four Sub-Inspectors, Two Assistant Sub-Inspectors, thirteen Head Constables, 39 Selection Grade constables and seventeen Constables.

A two minute silence was also observed on the occasion.

Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Mr B S Jaswal, District Development Commissioner, Jammu, Mr P K Tripathi, DGP (retd) Mr M M Khajuria, Maj Gen (retd) Jagdish Singh Jamwal, chairman Institute of Public Opinion, Mr Ram Sahai, ex-MLC, Mr Gulchain Singh Charak and several other serving and retired police and civilian officers attended the function.

Reports of the observance of police Commemoration Day have also come from the districts of Doda, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch.

Reports from Udhampur said that Police Commemoration Day was observed at Sher-I-Kashmir Police Academy. A commemorative parade was held in the Academy Memorial ground in the memory of policemen who laid down their lives while performing their duties.

Director Sher-I-Kashmir Police Academy, in his address paid homage to the officers and jawans of police who laid down their lives while discharging their duties.

Grievances of Dental College students highlighted

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 21: Mr Abdul Gani Naseem, Mr M Y Tarigami, Ch Piara Singh, Mr Mohammad Shafi Bhat and Mr Ghulam Rasool Naz demanded that the examinations of the students of the Prime Medical College, Humhama, Badgam be conducted without further delay to save their career.

Mr Jagdish Raj Dubey demanded that more Urdu teachers be posted in Jammu region. Mr Abdul Wahid Shah also demanded that more teachers be posted in Gool-Arnas area.

Mr Faqir Mohammd Khan referred to a recent fire incident in his constituency resulting in damage to a number of houses and death of a child and demanded that the affected families be provided relief besides ex-gratia for the family of deceased child.

Mr Prem Lal pleaded that medicare facilities be improved at the Sub-District Hospital, Hiranagar and punctuality of doctors ensured in this health institution. Mrs Bimla Luthra also stressed that medical facilities at SMGS Hospital, Jammu be upgraded and sanitary conditions in the Gynaecology Ward improved. Mr Mohammad Abdullah Mujahid urged that work on the construction of building of District Hospital, Baramulla be speeded up for its early completion. Mr Farooq Ahmed Mir too stressed for upgradation of health care facilities in Banihal area and providing of two more ambulances for the hospital.

Mr Sagar Chand pleaded for improvement of various link roads in Kathua.

Mr Mohammad Aobas stressed for improvement in power supply in Kargil.

Mr Harshdev Singh demanded that process of selections by the SSRB be expedited and all the pension, selection lists released forthwith.

Mr Mohammad Maqbool Lone demanded creation of a tehsil with headquarters at Kreeri.

Mr Abdul Gani Malik referred to the killing of a teacher by militants in Gulabgarh recently and demanded security arrangements for the employees serving in the area.

Mr Saif-Ullah Mir stressed for adequate availability of ration at the ration ghats in Kupwara in view of the draught-like situation.

Mr Hans Raj Dogra pleaded for construction of second and third bridge on river Tawi in Jammu to ease traffic congestion in the city.

Mr Abdul Rehman Veeri demanded that immediate steps be taken for demarcation of jurisdiction of Bijbeharas tehsil.

Sheikh Mohammad Rafi referred to the supply of ponies by some of the farmers of Shopian for Shri Amarnath Yatra two years ago and demanded that their wages be release at the earliest.

Ch Chuni Lal drew the attention of the House towards the shelling from across the border in border belt on Jammu and demanded supply of ration and tents as also providing cash assistance to the affected people.

Mr Ashok Khajuria stressed for setting up of Municipal Corporation for Srinagar and Jammu cities.

Qazi Jalal-ud-Din demanded enquiry in to the killing of a boy, Farooq, in Kishtwar area, besides grant of exgratia relief to his next of kin.

Mr Ram Chand Bhagat and Mr Mushtaq Ahmad Bukhari also raised the issues of pulic importance during the Zero Hour in the Legislative Assembly.

Arrangements for Mehraj finalised

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 21: Arrangements in connection with celebration of Mehraj-un-Nabi (SAW) were finalized at a high level meeting chaired by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr Khurshid Ahmed Ganai here today. Among others MLA Hazratbal, Mr Muhammad Sayeed Akhoon, the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Mrs Tanveer Jehan, the Chief Engineer, PHE, Mr M S Khan, Senior Officers of Police, Revenue Health, Srinagar Municipality, Electricity, SRTC, Telecommunication, Food and Supplies Departments and Secretary, Muslim Auqaf Trust attended.

The meeting was told that adequate arrangements have been made to provide uninterrupted supply of potable water and electricity to devotees who throng Dargah Hazratbal in large numbers on this occasion. Temporary taps will be installed while tankers will be made available in the premises of the shrine. A 20-KV generator will also be installed to ensure electricity in the event of any power failure. The SRTC, KMD and other transport agencies will ply special services from various parts of the Valley to Dargah Hazratbal. The Health department will set-up first aid camps. The sanitation in and around the holy shrine is being improved and street lights repaired for convenience of the devotees. The Food and Supplies Department will provide additional quote of one kg sugar per ration card to consumers in the city.

Addressing the meeting, the Divisional Comissioner stressed upon various agencies to work in close cordination to provide necessary facilities to the devotees. He said the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar will be the Nodal Officer for supervising the arrangements for the purpose.

Similar arrangements are also being made at Asari Sharief Sheri Kalashpora, Jenab Sehab Soura, Lal Bazar and other shrines and mosques in the city. The administration of other districts have been asked to makes arrangements at shrines and mosques in their respective areas.

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