Dy CM exudes confidence to wipe out
militancy, restore peace

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 23: The Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Mangat Ram Sharma has exuded confidence in eliminating militancy and restoring normalcy in the troubled-torn State and asserted that there would be no discrimination with any region in development and other spheres.

Addressing a public meeting to felicitate him and Mr Raman Bhalla MLA organized by the residents of Apna Vihar, in the outskirts of Jammu city last night, the Deputy Chief Minister expressed the hope that the Government would be able to contain militancy with active cooperation of the people. He said the discrimination meted out by the previous Government to Jammu region would be done away with. He said the Common Minimum Programme adopted by the coalition partners is committed to implement the recommendations of Wazir commission envisaging carving out of three more districts in Jammu region besides the constitution of delimitation commission for increasing assembly constituencies in Jammu region as per the population. Inclusion of Dogri language in the Constitution of India is also a part of the Common Minimum Programme, he said adding that the Government would vigorously peruse this with Centre.

The Deputy Chief Minister appealed the people to maintain peace and tranquility and cautioned them to remain vigilant against the nefarious designs of the adversaries who want to communalize the situation. He said the coalition partners are against the division of the State and yearn for further cementing the ties with rest of the country. He said Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of secular India and would continue to remain so. He sought the cooperation of the people in strengthening the Government that is committed to remove the regional imbalance and give equal opportunities of development to all the regions.

Mr Sharma said that for accelerating the pace of development and improving the sanitary condition in the city of temples, the Jammu Municipality would be provided Rs 2 crore adding that the government is contemplating to hold elections to the civic bodies at the earliest.

Referring to the demands of the inhabitants in the area, he said the Government would examine the possibility of constructing a fly-over on national highway connecting Apna Vihar besides undertaking digging of tube-wells to augment drinking water facilities in the area. He said a high capacity transformer would also be provided in the area besides taking up various other development works under the MLAs constituency development fund. The work on two tube-wells is nearing completion, while the work on other two tube-wells would be taken up shortly. Regarding development of the park in the area, he s aid that the matter would be taken with the J&K Bank as it has assured to develop parks in Jammu city

Mr. Raman Bhalla, MLA and Mr. Ashok Sharma Ex-MLA also spoke on the occasion. Mr. Raman Bhalla announced to provide funds under his constituency development fund for purchase of high capacity transformer for the area.

Earlier, on the arrival, the Deputy Chief Minister and the local MLA, Mr. Bhalla were accorded rousing reception.

Non-release of power connection
DB imposes Rs 10,000 cost, directs CS to hold enquiry

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 23: Division Bench of the State High Court, comprising Chief Justice BC Patel and Justice Muzaffar Jan has directed the Chief Secretary J&K Government, to hold an enquiry and find out the erring officers responsible for neglecting the application of the applicant, who had approached for a power connection for an industrial unit.

The Chief Secretary has been asked to submit the report to the court within a period of three weeks. The DB also imposed a cost of rupees 10,000 with the direction that the amount be recovered from the officers who have neglected in considering the applications of the applicants.

These directions were passed in a writ petition filed by Shree Guru Kirpa Alloys and Jatinder Lal Kuthiala for the release of 2000 KVA load for their steel plants.

In the judgment written by Chief Justice for the Bench, it was observed that very casually submissions were made by the Government Advocate Shaista Hakim, appearing for the State, that the matter will be considered. "It is required to be noted that as pointed out earlier, the court issued notice on July 29, 2002 and March 27, 2002, but the respondents are not bothered to file reply. Now, it is stated that record has been seized by the Registrar Vigilance Judicial in October 2002. To be precise that the record has not been seized, but produced before the court and the same has been transmitted to the Registrar Vigilance", the order said.

It pointed that if the Government officers were keen to decide the case, they could have obtained the copies of the relevant record. "In the instance case, since 1997, the Government is not deciding to release 2000 KVA load to the petitioner. No explanation is placed before the court as to why action is not taken since 1997. It is brought to our notice that Government by an order number 183-PDD of 2002, dated June 21, 2002 has sanctioned the supply of 1950 KVA with the certain conditions in favour of M/S Tawi Chemical Industries, after the direction was issued by the Single Judge in a writ petition", the order said.

The DB further observed that there is no reason why the State Government should not give similar treatment to the present applicant. Senior Advocate AV Gupta, appearing for the applicant, stated that in view of the directions given by the Single Judge, the application should be considered, is the Government has no record, then whatever the record is available with the petitioner will be supplied to the Government and Government shall consider within 10 days. The DB allowed the applications with the cost of rupees 10,000 which shall be recovered from the officers who have neglected.

Writers Forum organises Kahani Goshti

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 23: Writers Forum today organised ‘Kahani Goshti’ in which Mr Malik Ram Anand, a noted Urdu short story writer and intellectual presided over the function.

According to a press release, while giving presidential remarks, Mr Malik Ram Anand appreciated the efforts of the Forum for organising such Goshtis and also providing the platform to the writer community of the Jammu region to think seriously for the healthy society and brotherhoodness. He said that a writer can never be Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian and he always writes for the humanity on the whole. He while appreciating the short stories of Harbhajan Sagar and Surinder Neer in Punjabi presented in this Goshti said these stories are representative in their respective style, craft and theme. He further said that whatever a writer feels in the society tries to depict that feeling in his writers. He suggested that writers should seriously target the evils of the society so that common folk should be aware of these evils spreading rapidly and polluting the environment.

Earlier, Mr Pritpal Singh Betab, while giving his remarks about the story presented by Malik Ram Anand, said that in this short story the writer has highlighted the sage of 1947 partition of India and Pakistan.

Dr Baljit Raina, while commenting on the short story of Harbhajan Sagar said that this story is not only a story of a filmy hero but it is a satire on the common man that he always believes in fantasies and expects miracles from their so-called heroes which is never possible in real life. He said that Harbhajan Sagar is known for his unique style and craft of the story presentations.

Dr Gurcharan Singh Gulshan, Devinder Singh, Vishwanagrik, Vikramjit, Rahat Hussain, Dr Janak Singh Kirti, Harbhajan Sagar, Kulwinder Meet, Surinder Neer, Dr Arvinder Singh Amn, S I H Kazimi and Dr Monojit Singh took part in the discussion.

PKM activists review political situation

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 23: Panun Kashmir Movement (PKM) in connection with its public mobilization drive, organised a public meeting at Janipur Park where present political scenario in the state was discussed besides other problems of the community.

According to a release, the meeting was attended by the members of the Kashmiri Pandit community and was presided over by Messers S N Bali, Virender Koul-secretary Jammu unit. Mr Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, president of the PKM while speaking on the occasion criticised the Government for its failure on the security front. He said that there was need to tackle problem of terrorism with a strong belief and understanding that the Islamic terrorism is a threat to the stability of the nation and welfare of its citizens.

He said the terrorism has left lakhs of people in the state homeless. While thousands of people in Jammu region have also been killed and economy of the region shattered, the Government’s soft policy has not yielded any tangible result. The rhetoric that the Kashmiri Pandits shall be settled in Kashmir in ‘batches’is aimed at to mislead the people in the state and the nation about the real nature of the Islamic terrorism in Kashmir.

The PKM leader asserted that Pandits have an inalienable right on Kashmir and have territorial, political and cultural concerns in Kashmir. The demand of homeland takes care of all of our concerns, he maintained.

Mr A K Machama appealed the community members to strengthen the demand of homeland as it is panacea for all ills. He asked the people to spread the message the demand for homeland and contribute to this mission.

JKLTF holds meeting

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 23: A meeting of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh Teachers Federation was held under the chairmanship of Mr Mukand Lal Sharma, general secretary, which was convened by Mr V R Baru, association president.

As per a release large number of teachers from different districts participated in the meeting the agenda of which was to re-organize the Federation at grass root level in all the districts of Jammu province and conduct of conference/ election in the first week of February next.

Kathua district president Mr Chaman Lal Sharma, Kathua district president declared that none would be allowed to use the Federation for political motives as it is purely a apolitical organization. He criticized the working of CEO Kathua who does not sit in his office which results into various difficulties to teachers of the district in early redressal of their problems.

The demands of the teachers pertain to an early disposal of their G P Fund cases, Time Bound Promotion and timely disbursement of salary to teachers. He requested the Central leadership to take up,the matter with higher educational authorities to that teaching community could be saved from harassment.

Mr Vijay Sharma, Rajouri district president also cast aspertions on CEO Rajouri and demanded his immediate transfer from the post.

POONCH district president of Federation Mr Jai Singh stressed on the need of electing san honest, charactered and clean imaged person as president for smooth functioning of the Federation.

Mr Mukand Lal proposed to hold a conference of the Federation in the first week of February. He also announced to hold next meeting of the Federation on January 5 next year at Geeta Bhavan Jammu to chalk out the programme of conference and the election.

Mohyal Mela held

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 23: Mohyal Mela was held at Mohyal Saraswati Bhavan Jammu in which over 1500 Biradari members participated. Col B N Bali was the chief guest while former Minister Mr Bodh Raj Bali was guest of honour and Dr S D Bali was stage secretary.

Mr M L Bakshi, president, welcomed the guests and the participants while Mr Bhim Sen Bali read out the secretary’s report.

Elections were held through a resolution by Mr Bodh Raj Bali and seconded by full house in which Mr N L Bakshi was declared elected as president. Later Mr Bakshi announced the executive body. The executive body putforth the amended constitution for approval. A number of other resolutions were also passed by the House like Uthala on 4th day.

It was decided to start Mohyal Computer Institute for imparting training to boys and girls.

Former presidents were awarded trophies and prominent Mohyals were given shawls. Merit awards were given to 20 students and 13 awards to participants of cultural programme. Vote of thanks was presented by Dr S V Bali and thereafter community lunch was served.

Painting contest of small kids was also held and first three positions were awarded prizes.

Know Your Legislator
A soldier of 1971 war, emerging as shining
star in J&K politics

By Gopal Sharma

Though most of the people in the J&K state know the senior Congress leader Madan Lal Sharma but only few of them are familiar with the fact that the man who is now a shining star in the J&K politics, is basically a soldier, who during 1971 war was seriously injured and had to leave the Army on medical grounds. In explosion, he lost his eye and received multiple fractures in the leg.

A disciplined soldier, hailing from a border village in Khour block of tehsil Akhnoor is bestowed with the fighting instinct in him. Due to this ability he is there to continue fighting for the rights of his people and projecting their problems in very efficient and powerful manner in the State Assembly for the last several years.

Mr Sharma, was now elected for the third time to the J&K Legislative Assembly from Akhnoor. For the first time, he was elected from Chhamb constituency in 1983. Again in 1987, he was elected to Assembly from the same Chhamb constituency and remained Education Minister in the Cong—NC combine Ministry after Rajiv—Farooq accord. Thereafter, this Assembly was declared reserved and he shifted to Akhnoor.

For third time, he contested elections from Akhnoor constituency and was declared winner to the State Assembly. He defeated National Conference legislator—Govind Ram Sharma, who also remained Minister of State for Health in the Farooq Ministry. He bagged about 17,109 votes whereas, the BSP candidate Dr Gafoor remained at third place by securing 9735 votes. NC got 16,037 while BJP candidate Ram Saroop secured only 8695 votes.

Mr Sharma, who was inspired by his father—Sarpanch J R Sharma to join politics was initially inducted to Congress Party as Block president of Congress for Khour Block in 1977 and became District president of the Party for Jammu Rural the next year with his ability, dedication to serve the people and leadership qualities. Earlier, he also formed Ex-Servicemen Sangharash Samiti and worked for the welfare of the retired defence personnel. Later, it was merged with J&K Ex-Servicemen League. He also formed a local Cooperative Society and was its founder chairman. He was elected as state general secretary of the PCC in 1993 when, Mr Ghulam Rasool Kar was the president. He contested Parliament elections in 1999 and 2002 from Jammu-Poonch constituency but could not succeed. He remained at second position and got impressive number of votes.

Not only the politician, Mr Sharma is also an environmentalist who bagged the Indira Priyadarshni award in 1994 for Chanota project in Kandi area of Akhnoor where lakhs of trees were planted with the community participation under Social Forestry Scheme of the Government of India. He was the guiding force behind the people of this Khour Kandi belt and this was one of the best project in any community participation programme of its kind in the state.

Expressing his strong resentment over the winding up of Social Forestry by the NC Government, the MLA said Government is spending Rs 50 lakhs per month on the salaries of the staff but not taking any work from them. Due to the internal-fightings of the bureaucrats the Forest department and the environment has suffered a lot. While various countries are spending huge money on plantation and saving environment and containing pollution, unfortunately, the NC Government closed down the Project merely for its vested interests. He claimed that the coalition Government would discuss the issue and take decision in this regard very soon.

His village—Palatan is hardly 200 meters away from the LoC and is often targeted by the Pakistani troops. Most of his villagers are languishing in migrant camps for the last several months now. They are infact affected during Kargil war and thereafter, massive migration started after army deployment in view of Parliament attack. He has deep pain for his villagers especially the border migrants and has pleaded their case of land allotment at safer places and adequate relief from the Central and the State Governments.

Mr Sharma, a strongman in the PCC is also AICC member. He is infact considered as the backbone of the Party and under his leadership in district Jammu (R) Congress has performed very well. He also remained the J&K Olympic Association president from 1995 onwards for one term. Mr Sharma who is state general secretary of the PCC is also continuing as DCC Jammu rural chief. He claims that out of 13 seats, 5 seats in Jammu rural have been bagged by Congress while three urban seats have also gone in favour of Congress Party. He is the person who had resigned during coalition Government as Minister for Education after the then Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah declined his request of block level recruitment of teachers. Later, Dr Abdullah had to concede to his demand.

While responding to a question, the MLA expressed that coalition Government will complete its term because an experienced Chief Minister like Mufti Sayeed and visionary leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad and Sonia Gandhi are involved in running the show with the cooperation of independent legislators. Moreover, the people of the State who have given mandate against NC Government have lot of hopes from this dispensation. Commenting on the ugly development and suspension of last cabinet meeting, he said these issues are minor. After all the things will be approved after taking all the cabinet ministers into confidence. He said the coalition is committed to function as per the Common Minimum Programme and all the constituents have to function in a responsible manner.

Listing his priorities for Akhnoor constituency, the new MLA said the water supply, road communication, construction of schools, upgradation, employment, Agriculture and Horticulture will be his top priorities. He alleged that former MLA carried out uneven development of the constituency and also interferred in the functioning of Government officers. With the connivance of some IWDP officials, he spent lot of money in the construction of roads and ponds but other sectors remained totally neglected. The people could not get actual benefit from Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry sectors. A massive liability has been created. Now, such things will not be allowed to happen and we will keep a close watch on the activities of the Project in our area.

The MLA disclosed that a major demand of the people of this area was second bridge over Chenab which was abandoned several years back due to non-release of funds. The Government has been pressurised to start the work on this bridge by April next year. The Government is spending Rs 16 crore on this bridge which will be of its kind in the northern region or perhaps in the country. The Congress legislators are committed to get Wazir Commission Report implemented besides Delimitation Commission. He said the Chief Minister, Mufti Sayeed has already announced Girls Higher Secondary School for Akhnoor and Chowki Chora while High schools for Dana Danu and Narayana besides 10 Plus Two school at Dori Dager. A lot is yet to be done to improve the Health facilities for the people of this block, he maintained.