Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: Terming Sunday’s terrorist attack in Mahamaya forest area as a glaring administrative lapse, Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP)....more

State Financial
Corporation intensifies
recovery drive

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: The recovery campaign by State Financial Corporation in the months of July and August this year, has further been intensified to recover overdue loans from.......more

Gazal recital a
lacklustre affair

By Lalit Gupta

JAMMU, Dec 2: Every thing was fine, the singer, the accompanists, the audience, but some how the musical soul seemed to be missing in today’s Sham-e-Gazal which was held at the Abhinav Theatre, here today.................more

Transfers of
AEEs, JEs in PDD
put on hold

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU Dec 2: The Government has decided to put on hold transfers of Assistant Executive Engineers and Junior Engineers in Power Development Department to.....more

Megha Gupta makes
best Rangoli

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: Megha Gupta of Department of Management Studies was adjudged first in Rangoli contest under ‘Display Your Talent’ by the Department of Students Welfare.......more

Cabinet approves
DPS in every district
for quality education

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: The State Cabinet which met here today with Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in chair approved a new policy initiative to take quality education beyond urban areas and to bring non-affluent sections of population.......more

Permanent recognition
for 10 years' old private
schools: Harsh Dev

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: The Minister for Education, HarshDev Singh today said that with the view to expand the horizon of educational facilities in the State and to bring improvement in the academic standards the Government has taken a decision to simplify the norms for recognisation of private educational institutions.........more

SSB all set to be
withdrawn from J&K
in next two months

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: All the four battalions of the Special Security Bureau (SSB)which have been guarding vital installations in Jammu and Kashmir are likely to be relieved of strategic duties...........more

Pahari people hold rally
1,800 posts of para
medical staff will be
filled up soon: Lal Singh

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Dec 2: Minister of Health and Medical Education, Ch. Lal Singh announced filling up of 18,00 vacant posts of para medical staff within one month......more

Mufti responsible for terrorist attack: Bhim Singh

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: Terming Sunday’s terrorist attack in Mahamaya forest area as a glaring administrative lapse, Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) supremo Prof Bhim Singh today said that Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed was also answerable for these lapses as he held the charge of Home affairs.

Addressing a press conference, Prof Singh smelt a deep rooted conspiracy in the attack on senior most IAS officer K B Pillai and demanded a high level probe into the entire episode. "There are some ISI agents in police as well as in the administration and the government must single out these black-sheep to streamline the system", he demanded.

Prof Singh’s JKNPP is a constituent of the coalition Government.

Prof Singh lambasted Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed for, what he alleged, representing himself as the leader of all coalition partners. "He is only Chief Minister of coalition Government not leader of all coalition partners", he said and recalled "we supported the Mufti as the Chief Minister under compulsion as Congress leadership wanted that the public mandate should not go waste".

He asked the Mufti not to impose his agenda on other coalition partners. He further alleged that the Mufti has been trying to establish his leadership only in Kashmir.

Although Prof Singh stressed on the need of involving elected representatives in the dialogue, he welcomed decision of some groups to hold talks with Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishan Advani.

"Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had made the commitment that the Union Government would talk with the elected representatives of the State after the elections to seek peace resolution of the situation to end all forms of discrimination with the people", he recalled. He asked the Union Government to fulfill the promise and start multiple dialogue simultaneously with the elected representatives of all the regions of the State.

"This is not a problem of the Valley. The real issue is the continuous discrimination with the people of Jammu and Ladakh regions in the field of culture, language, politics and administration", he argued.

He added, "the Centre must understand the sentiments and the 55 years old aspirations of the people of Jammu province". He warned that any failure to remove discrimination with Jammu would be disastrous.

State Financial Corporation intensifies recovery drive

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: The recovery campaign by State Financial Corporation in the months of July and August this year, has further been intensified to recover overdue loans from chronic defaulters of industrial sector, transport and hotels.

The Corporation has yesterday initiated measures to seal the premises and take over an industrial unit in Industrial area, Bari Brahmana being in default, but better sense prevailed upon borrowers and with active cooperation from the President Bari Brahmana Industries Association, the Company paid an amount of Rs 52 lakh on spot by cheque, as a result the sealing of the unit was deferred.

The Corporation intends to take similar action against two-third prominent business houses in Kashmir valley also as they have not responded to our recovery measures. As a fall out the SFC proposes to take over the assets of these units with the assistance of Police Department.

The recovery campaign of the Corporation has gained momentum since August last and till date it has recovered an amount of Rs 9.12 crore while the total recovery during the first eight months of the current year is Rs 14.46 crore. The recovery during the corresponding period last year was Rs 10.67 crore showing an increase of 36 percent, while the increase from August this year over the corresponding period is 91 percent. The recovery made by the Corporation for full financial year 2002-03 was Rs 16.43 crore.

The Corporation has stated that management shall continue the recovery drive on war-footing till the dues are recovered in full. The defaulters of the Corporation are, as such, advised in their own interests to square up their default amounts.

Gazal recital a lacklustre affair

By Lalit Gupta

JAMMU, Dec 2: Every thing was fine, the singer, the accompanists, the audience, but some how the musical soul seemed to be missing in today’s Sham-e-Gazal which was held at the Abhinav Theatre, here today.

Organized by North Zone Cultural Center, Patiala, in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art and Culture, the gazal recital by Salim Iqbal, a renowned singer from Punjab, failed to impress.

The singer presented a mixed fare of Urdu poetry by well known poets like Ahmad Faraz, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, and ‘kalam’ of Baba Farid and Bulle Shah. The redintion of the lyrics of Sufi saints of Punjab, which are great expression of spiritualism woven in every day context, also seemed flat and failed to bring to fore the richness of the all-time great poetic content.

Salim Iqbal who belongs to the historic city of Maleherkotla and comes from Amanatkhani ‘gharana’, had his initial training from his grandfather Padamshree Haji Rehmat Ali Qawwal. Interested in ‘gazal’ singing from very beginning, Salim Iqbal, has been awarded many awards including Shaan-e-Gazal by Punjab government in 1993.

But Salim Iqbal who was also accompanied by his eldest son, was visibly lacklustre in today’s performance. Notwithstanding the subtle nuances of classical music on which most of the compositions were based, the lay listeners who only enjoy the lyrical rendition of poetry, found today’s recital wanting.

Earlier Deputy Chief Minister, Pundit Mangat Ram Sharma, the chief guest of the evening, noting with regret thin audience in the hall and said that a full hall certainly encourages the artistes and creates an environment for good performance. He suggested that efforts should be made to invite young people so as to make them interested in art and culture. He lauded the role of Cultural Academy in organizing programmes that reflect the composite culture of all the three regions of the state.

Earlier Secretary, Cultural Academy, Ramesh Mehta, welcomed the chief guest and informed about the programmes being organized by Academy in coming months.

Transfers of AEEs, JEs in PDD put on hold

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU Dec 2: The Government has decided to put on hold transfers of Assistant Executive Engineers and Junior Engineers in Power Development Department to ensure steady collection of revenue which would get effected by making transfers at a time when the financial year is about to end.

This was stated by Minister for Power, Mohmmad Sharief Niaz in a meeting held here today.

The Minister however, said that filling of vacancies of immediate nature at particular places will be considered. He exhorted upon the concerned officials to speed up the revenue collection in their respective areas to achieve the fixed targets in time. He also asked them to intensify regularization of illegal connections. He said that there is immediate need to plug the loopholes that lead to power and revenue pilferage.

Megha Gupta makes best Rangoli

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: Megha Gupta of Department of Management Studies was adjudged first in Rangoli contest under ‘Display Your Talent’ by the Department of Students Welfare in Jammu University, here today.

Nidhi Vaid of Department of Computer Science and Shveta Behl of Department of Education bagged second and third place, respectively. For preparing beautiful and impressive Rangolis, Certificate of Merit were announced to Khyama Sharma of Kalra College of Education, Pallavi Bali of MC College College of Education, Richa Mahajan of MIET, Jyoti Bala of Department of Law, Sakshi Mahajan of GCW Parade, Susheela of KCS College of Education and Menka of Guru Nanak College of Education. Dr Shubra Kapoor, Bishamber Mehta and Subash Kakre were judges of the contest. The participants made beautiful Rangolis using saw dust, flower petals, pulses, rice and colours etc.

SFC to supply raw material to JKI on administered prices

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: To make Jammu and Kashmir Industries Limited self-sustainable, the Government has agreed to supply raw material to the company on administered prices.

The decision to this effect was taken at a high level meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma.

Forest Minister, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Sofi, Minister of State for Industries and Commerce, Raman Mattoo, Principal Secretary, Forest, Ajit Kumar, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, A. Sahasranaman, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, P. Patnaik, Managing Director, State Forest Corporation, Dr C.M. Seth, Managing Director JKI, G.M. Bhat and other officers of JKI and Forest Corporation were also present.

To sustain the JKI, it was agreed that the State Forest Corporation would provide 36000 Cft of B and C Class timber annually to JKI on the last year’s average auction rate with 10 percent discount and this practice will remain in force for two years.

For improving the economic viability of the resin and turpentine factories run by JKI Limited, it was also agreed that the Corporation would supply 73 percent of the resin being extracted by the Corporation on last year’s open auction rates with 10 percent discount.

It was also decided that a high level team of officers of SFC and JKI would soon visit Himachal Pradesh to ascertain the procedure for supply of resin and the working of the resin and turpentine factories. The committee headed by CCF Jammu would submit its report to the Government within one month.

It was stated that prior to 1997, the JKI was getting its raw material from SFC for running its joinery mills. However, this practice was stopped in July 1997 when JKI was asked to participate in open auction, which was disadvantage to the company. The procedure for stopping this practice had led to serious problems for the company affecting its performance and putting at stake the livelihood of the employees of the company.

The JKI being the largest consumer of timber and the largest employer in wood sector in the state used to get preferential treatment in supply of timber and its prices and the SFC used to supply pre-selected quality of timber to JKI on pre determined prices.

Keeping this in mind, the meeting agreed to revive the old practice and agreed in principle to supply timber and resin to JKI to make it a self-sustainable company. However, it was made obligatory on JKI to make cash payments for the supplies to be made by SFC.

Sharma for installation of devices to check
growing industrial pollution

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma today called for adequate pollution measures at industrial units adding that industrialization should not be at the cost of human health.

Addressing an awareness camp on ‘industrial pollution’ organized by Samajic environmental welfare association, a NGO, at Smailpur this afternoon, the Deputy Chief Minister cautioned that if steps are not taken to check environmental pollution, the situation would take an ugly turn threatening the survival of bio-diversity. He said deforestation has also contributed heavily on environmental degradation.

Mr Sharma underscored the need for rehabilitation of degraded forests and plantation of trees on vacant lands in and around the habitations. He said this would go a long way to check the menace of pollution to a great extent.

Minister of State for Rural Development Ch Gharu Ram was also present.

As regards industrial pollution, the Deputy Chief Minister said that it would be made obligatory for the industrialists to install anti-pollution devices at their units and also make provisions for installation of affluent treatment plants at the factory sites.

Mr Sharma said that pollution which is spreading at an alarming rate cannot be controlled by the government alone and sought cooperation of NGOs, voluntary organisations and the school children for creating awareness about the hazards of pollution and measures to control it. He said a vigorous campaign has to be launched for the purpose.

Referring to some of the industries responsible for creating pollution, the Deputy Chief Minister said that he would be soon convening a meeting of Pollution Control Board, Industries Department and the industrial so that remedial measures are chalked out to check the growing industrial pollution.

Minister of State for Rural development Ch Gharu Ram who also spoke on the occasion said that the rural development has taken up construction of school buildings and panchayat ghars in the rural areas in a big way. He said the Central Government has provided Rs 87 crore for undertaking development works in rural areas.

Mr Gharu Ram called upon the students community to come up in a big way and help in afforestation so that no vacant land is left without a tree.

BJP accuses Govt of befooling Kashmiri migrants

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: Pradesh Bharatiya Janta Party has accused the Mufti Government of befooling Kashmiri migrants and alleged that Government claims of taking steps in direction to return of Kashmiri Pandits to Valley, were false.

In a press statement, BJP spokesman Prof Hari Om said that the Government should first crush terrorism in Kashmir with a heavy hand and then talk about the return of displaced families to the Valley. Such an approach on the part of State Government has become a dire necessity, he said and asserted that shifting Kashmiri migrants from Jammu to Kashmir would be transfer from one camp to another.

However, at the same time, he welcomed Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed’s statement that the internally displaced Kashmiri Hindus, Sikhs and others would be paid arrears of enhanced cash relief before December 30 and that every efforts would be made by his Government to improve conditions in the refugee camps.

The BJP leader claimed that the credit for getting cash relief enhanced, undoubtedly goes to the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre and not to the Congress-Panthers-PDP coalition Government. He expressed the hope that the State Government would honour its commitment and disperse among the displaced families the entire amount it has received from the Union government for mitigating some of their hardships and meeting their basic needs.

Retailers Association president seeks
deferment of VAT system

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: Mr Yash Paul Gupta, president, Retailers Association Jammu has drawn the attention of the State Government towards deferment of the introduction of VAT system by the Union Government consequent upon the general resentment and protests made by trading community all over India including J&K State.

As a result it was left to the State Governments to consider the viability of its application or otherwise depending upon the local situations. Mr Gupta said latest moves by the State Government in implementing the system goes against the spirit of keeping on hold the introduction of VAT system more particularly in our State which has a distinct characteristic for realisation of revenue to the State Government by way of Toll Tax, both for the incoming and outgoing goods at the lone entry point at Lakhanpur.

The Toll Tax ak\lone fetches an income of about Rs 500 crore per annum to the State Government and in effect the taxable range on incoming goods varies between 2 to 5 percent with its ultimate impact on the goods provided to the consumers.

Mr Yash Paul Gupta while referring to the news item published in a local Daily, stated that Government by its own admission has stated that ‘as against the revenue realisation of Rs 236.36 crore ending October 2002, the Sales tax Department has realised an amount of Rs 287.60 crore registering an increase of Rs 51.25 crore. This shows a remarkable hike in sales tax realisation also.

Hence there appears to be no justification for introducing a cumbersome VAT system in the State which is already reeling under the impact of militancy and thousands of retailers and trading establishments operating in far-flung, hilly and inaccessible areas, said Mr Gupta adding that the need of the hour was to further streamline the process of realisation under the existing rules. To achieve this end the Federation of Retailers would extend it all out support and cooperation to the Government.

The president, Federation of retailers Associations Jammu appealed the Chief Minister and Finance Minister J&K State to consider all aspects dispassionately and defer the proposed implementation of VAT system in J&K State indefinitely.

Hindu Shiv Sena alleges shortage of medicines in GMC

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: President of Hindu Shiv Sena Jammu and Kashmir, Krishan Manhas today alleged shortage of medicines in the Emergency Department of the Government Medical College Hospital Jammu.

Addressing a press conference, Mr Manhas said that all the patients are being asked to purchase all sorts of medicines from the market despite the availability of the medicines. "What to talk of medicines even senior doctors are not available for the patients in the Emergency and whenever their services are required the Casualty Medical Officer (CMO) have to call them and delay in their arrival has been claiming the lives of patients", he further said.

He alleged that ambulances are being provided only to those persons who have contacts with the doctors. He appealed the Health Minister Ch Lal Singh to pay surprise visit to the Emergency Department of the hospital in the late hours to ascertain as to how many problems are being faced by the patients.

He disclosed that Hindu Shiv Sena Jammu and Kashmir will soon organise a demonstration in the hospital premises in protest against the denial of proper medicare facilities to the patients.

AIDS awareness programmes organised

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: Nari Pragati Kender J&K State, organised an HIV/AIDS awareness programme on World AIDS Day. SHO Janipur Bishnesh Kumar, presided over the programme as chief guest while Sneh Bali, Raj Sehgal and Rattana Bharti were the special invitees on the occasion.

Satya Jamwal, president of the organisation, apprised about the works done by Nari Pragati Kender regarding awareness on the deadly disease and methods for protection from it.

Sneh Bali spoke about the fast spreading disease of AIDS in India and stressed on more awareness about the disease.

SHO Bishnesh Kumar lauded the works done by Nari Pragati Kender for welfare of society and assured all possible help from the law enforcing agency to spread awareness on the disease.

Under the ‘Universities Talk AIDS Programme’-Phase II, NSS unit of Government College Kathua organised a two-day workshop on the AIDS awareness.

The workshop included a poster making competition on AIDS in which Sunil Kumar, Ajay Sharma and Deepak Sharma were adjudged first, second and third, respectively. Dr A K Koul, Pathologist Government District Hospital Kathua, Prof P K Rao and Prof M S Pathania, were the judges.

Prof R K Gupta, senior Professor of the college, presided over the function.

On the concluding day, a rally was organised by the NSS unit in which hundreds of NSS volunteers took part. The rally, which took off from the college campus and concluded at Ram Lila ground, was flagged off by Prof R K Gupta. The volunteers were raising slogans and carrying banners awaring society about the HIV/AIDS.

Jammu and Kashmir Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses organised a STD and HIV/AIDS awareness and medical check-up camp at Transport Nagar, Narwal on the World AIDS Day. The camp was organised in collaboration with J&K State AIDS Prevention and Control Society.

The main objective of the camp was to aware the mobile population, such as truck drivers and helpers, about STD and HIV/AIDS, and also to treat the patients who are suffering from Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

An exhibition of STD/HIV/AIDS, was also organised on the occasion wherein informative materials like pamphlets, posters, booklets etc were displayed. During the camp, JKSPYM workers also distributed free condoms.

World AIDs Day was observed at PHC Mishriwala by the Department of Community Medicine Government Medical College Jammu.

Minister for Social Welfare Mula Ram, who was chief guest on the occasion, stressed the need for education for prevention against the deadly disease.

A small exhibition was also organised on the occasion for awareness about the AIDS.

Dr Vijay Mengi and other doctors from the Department of Community Medicine, addressed the gathering and informed people about preventive measures from HIV/AIDS.

SJIT conducts inter-school Computer Quiz

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: St Joseph’s Institute of Technology (SJIT), a Pune based organisation conducted an inter-school Computer Quiz of its kind at St Peter’s School, B C Road Jammu. teams from eight reputed schools viz DPS, SPS, VB School, Cooperative School Deeli and Talab Tillo, J&K Police Public School and Montessori Nargis Dutt School R S Pura participated.

Teams were divided in two groups. In the first group Cooperative Public School Deeli team comprising Kartik Kapoor and Arjun Gupta emerged as winners where as team from J&K Police Public School comprising of Dheeraj Singh and Ankit Thakur were the runners up.

In the second group Eshan Wali and Ankit Saproo of Cooperative Public School emerged as winners while Rubina Jandiyal and Abhinav Gandotra of St Peter’s School were the runners up.

Mr Sushil Razdan, Director SJIT Jammu distributed prizes and certificates to the winners and other participants.

Winners and runners up have qualified for the final of the inter-school quiz competition which will be held during the SJIT mega event in January next.

Property dealer, brother, son arrested for murder

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: Police today arrested a property dealer and his two family members in connection with the murder of a slain DySP’s brother Prithpal Singh alias Lucky at Billol bridge under the jurisdiction of Bari Barahamana police station last week.

Arrested persons have been identified as Balbir Choudhary, a property dealer, his brother Manjeet Singh and son Niranjan Singh alias Kali, all residents of Magowali, RS Pura, presently putting up at Trikuta Nagar.

They have been charged with the murder of Lucky, brother of slain DySP Manjeet Singh. A case against them has been registered under Section 302 RPC.

A police party, which arrested the accused from a hideout at village Redhman in Ramgarh, was led by Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Bari Barahamana Sardar Khan and SHO Inspector Varinder Singh under the supervision of SSP Jammu Dr Kamal Saini and SP South Bhupinder Singh.

Police said a dispute over a plot was reason behind the murder. Victim Prithpal Singh was also a property dealer.

Weapon of offence, a sharp edged weapon, has also been recovered from the accused.

One held, hunt on for others
Police foils murderous plan

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: Police today foiled an attempt of murder at Green Belt Market and arrested one of the miscreants. The hunt was on to nab the others including son of National Conference legislator.

Police spokesman said that yesterday two miscreants including son of NC legislator Depinder Kour entered car assessories shop at Green Belt area and entered into verbal dual with some youth sitting there over some minor issue.

At that time, both Amardeep Singh, son of NLC Legislator and Minta remained quite and came to the shop after some hours alongwith more miscreants. But by that time the youth had left the shop.

Amardeep Singh and his companions warned the shopkeeper to invite the youth to his shop tomorrow on some pretext and if he failed to do so they will not allow him to open the shop.

The shopkeeper instead of contacting the youth informed Gandhi Nagar Police about the incident. Police asked the shopkeeper to give some time to the miscreants to reach the shop.

As per the fixed time, both miscreants and police personnel reached the area. As soon as the miscreants started moving towards the shop police team led by SHO S S Sambyal tried to apprehend them. But only one could be arrested while others managed to escape from the spot after hectic chase.

The Santro car bearing registration number DL4CH-1437 in which the miscreants came to the area was also seized by the police. From the car, police also recovered several sharp-edged weapons.

The arrested miscreant has been identified as Sukhbinder Singh of Nanak Nagar while the absconders have been identified as Amardeep Singh, Minta and Parminder Singh.

A hunt was on to nab the absconding miscreants but no arrest was made till late this evening.

Varsity Notes
JU gets unofficial clarification over
B Ed degree controversy

By Nishikant Khajuria

Rajasthan Government has unofficially clarified that there was no problem with B Ed degree from the colleges affiliated to Jammu University or Kashmir University.

Though a written assurance in this connection is likely to be received by end of this week, top sources in Jammu University disclosed that Secretary Education in Rajasthan Government has denied the rumours that B Ed degree from JU was not being considered valid there.

The Jammu University has also been clarified on a job advertisement by Rajasthan Government according to which only NCTE approved B Ed degrees were declared valid. There has been no problem with JU degree which is UGC recognised only while the advertisement was aimed to check fake B Ed degrees from some colleges in Bihar which are not recognised by NCTE, Rajasthan Government has unofficially explained Jammu University.

However, an official assurance from the Rajasthan Government over validity of JU degree in the State, is likely to be obtained by Monday only as the entire Government machinery was busy in the State Assembly elections.

Meanwhile, notwithstanding Vice-Chancellor Prof Amitabh Mattoo’s assurance that their problem would be solved by this week, the students of different B Ed Colleges, affiliated to Jammu University, are still nervous about their fate.

These non-State students, whose number is more than five thousand, are still boycotting their classes and assembling on the University Campus daily to highlight their problem and demand. No only the students of B Ed Colleges in Jammu and its adjoining areas but also of those in Reasi, Sunderbani etc, are dashing on the University Campus to highlight the issue.

While a section of the affected students are apparently not convinced of the Vice-Chancellor’s assurance, others feel that the University would not take up the matter if they released pressure on it. This is the reason that we are continuously boycotting our classes and assembling on the University campus, said a B Ed students from Rajasthan.

******

Record number of students participated in the Rangoli competition of ongoing ‘Display Your Talent’ contest. Total 72 students from different colleges and departments of the University, participated in the Rangolii contest, which was last among the fine arts section.

The literary competitions, including elocution, debate, quiz and essay writing, will begin from December 8.

According to Prof Devinder Singh, Dean Students Welfare, this time coding system is being applied to conceal identity of participants to the adjudicators. It has been done to avoid any allegation of partiality or favourtism by judges.

Further, efforts are being made to invite adjudicators from outside so that any possibility of influencing them is reduced to almost zero, he added.

It may be recalled that earlier during the mega event of ‘Display Your Talent’, sometimes allegations of favourtism by adjudicators were levelled.

******

Safdar Hashmi Memorial Lecture is being organised by MA Urdu Professional Course in Jammu University and Rasa Javedani Memorial Literary Society on December 8 at the University auditorium.

Prof Ajaz Ahmed, Visiting Professor with Centre for Political Studies in JNU and senior consultant of ‘Frontline’ magazine, will deliver a lecture on the topic ‘New Imperialism and its Political Implications. CPIM leader and MLA Mohd Yusuf Tarigami will be chief guest on the occasion. An exhibition on Hashmi’s contribution to filed of theatre, shall also be organised on the day. This was informed by Dr Shohab Inayat Malik, president of Rasa Javedani Memorial Society.

******

Department of Students Welfare in collaboration with Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), is organising second Veraana Aiballi Debate in Jammu University on December 20.

‘Regional Identity is Threat to National Integration’ is the topic for the debate. The participants will speak for and against the motion.

******

Shah for unity among separatists

SRINAGAR, Dec 2: Continuing his efforts to unite the separatist camp ahead of proposed talks with the Centre, Democratic Freedom Party president Shabir Ahmad Shah today said all leaders should talk with one voice as hopes have been raised about a solution to the Kashmir issue.

"Hurriyat is divided and there is chaos all around. We need to unite under one banner and speak with one voice at this crucial and historic juncture," Shah said after an hour-long meeting with former Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq.

He said the latest developments in bilateral relations between India and Pakistan had raised hopes of a possible solution to the Kashmir issue.

The two countries have been making steady improvement in bilateral ties, Shah said adding now it is the turn of Kashmiri leaders to play their role in resolution of the issue.

Shah said he had been in constant touch with leaders of both factions of the Hurriyat in his endeavour to unite all leaders and so far the response was encouraging.

In an apparent reference to Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Jamaat-e-Islami and People’s League, Shah said some important members claim to be neutral to the Hurriyat split. "I don’t get this. Everybody has to be clear in their stand."

However, he said "my efforts should not be construed as an attempt to rejoin the Hurriyat. I have neither supported Syed Ali Shah Geelani nor Maulana Mohammad Abbas Ansari."

Shah, however, said he would not hesitate to get back into the conglomerate if his suggestions for its reorganisation and reshaping were implemented.

He was expelled from Hurriyat Conference in 1995 during chairmanship of Geelani, after he met US Ambassador to India Frank Wisner against the dictum of the amalgam.

On the roadmap proposed by the Ansari faction, he said no proposal is practicable unless it has the approval of the three regions of the State.

"The house has to be united on something as major as the resolution of Kashmir issue. No party or a group of parties can take the decision on their own without taking other parties into confidence," Shah added. (PTI)