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| Mufti for monitoring mechanism to achieve physical targets of development schemes Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: The implementation of the current year’s plan and resource mobilization were threadbare discussed at the meeting of the Council of Ministers convened by the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad....more PDP
welcomes Farooq’s Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has welcomed the change of heart exhibited by the former Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah vis-a-vis the dialogue process initiated........more Rs 42 cr
fraud By Gopal Sharma JAMMU, Dec 6: A fraud worth over Rs 42 crores has been detected in the Kishtwar tehsil of district Doda in the Food, Supplies and Public Distribution Department involving.......more World
Disabled Day observed Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: Minister for Education Harsh Dev Singh today announced that Government would establish....more Printers
to get relief Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: Deputy Chief Minister Pt Mangat Ram Sharma has said that J&K printers will definitely get some........more |
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Haryana
Governor exhorts Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: Babu Parmanand, Governor of Haryana, exhorted the youth to uphold the moral values and spirit of patriotism for the nation to forge ahead........more Patwari
acquitted Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu, MK Hanjura has acquitted Pitamber Lal, the then Patwari Halqa Nagrota, who was caught red handed by Vigilance Organization on April 16, 1985 while allegedly accepting bribe of rupees 1,000 from the complainant.........more DB stays
toilet Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: Division Bench of the State High Court comprising Acting Chief Justice VK Jhanji and Justice Syed Bashir-ud-Din, in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has issued notices to the Municipal Corporation Jammu and Sulabh International with the directions that till further orders........more Gambling,
drinking in BDO’s office Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: An Accountant in the office of Block Development Officer (BDO) Bishnah and a history sheeter were among five persons arrested by the police.......more |
Mufti for monitoring mechanism to achieve
physical Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: The implementation of the current year’s plan and resource mobilization were threadbare discussed at the meeting of the Council of Ministers convened by the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed here today. First of its kind, the Council of Ministers expressed their views on the implementation of the plan schemes in different sectors. It was noted that more than 50 per cent of the plan allocation have been utilized. The Chief Minister stressed the need for an effective monitoring mechanism at different levels and advised Ministers to monitor the implementation of plan schemes to ensure full utilization of plan funds. The Chief Minister indicated that he himself will review functioning of each sector and remove bottlenecks if any so that the physical targets are achieved in full. Last year a record expenditure of over 91 per cent was achieved and effort would be made to further improve the performance. The meeting also took stock of the revenue mobilization under this year’s budget. The Finance Minister, Muzaffar Hussain Baig gave a detailed account of the effort and the results achieved to improve revenue collection. He said while overall revenue collection has shown upward trend mostly because of strict monitoring and plugging loopholes and fiscal reforms, much needs to be done in recovery of power tariff, which did not match with the overall revenue collection performance. The concerned authorities have been directed to speed up power tariff collection. Due to the introduction of new slab to help flat rate consumers, the target for revenue collection under this head has already come down from about Rs. 800 crore to about Rs. 400 crore. Thought it is not a healthy trend as the Government is spending a whopping sum of Rs. 1600 crore on purchase of power to maintain the present level of supply, the Government has given substantial relief to the consumers this year. The Chief Minister also impressed upon the Ministers to plan their visits to various districts in such a way that they are able to interact with people on one hand and monitor implementation of schemes on the other hand. Chief Minister said while performance of each sector has been good but its projection in the media does not match with it. He advised them to project their achievements in the media. Mufti Sayeed who described the two hour long meeting as very fruitful said that such meetings would be held more frequently to benefit from the views of the Ministers. This was the 2nd such meeting, first having taken place immediately after expansion of the coalition Government. Deputy Chief Minister, all Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State attended the meeting. Chief Secretary was also present. |
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PDP welcomes Farooq’s change of heart Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has welcomed the change of heart exhibited by the former Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah vis-a-vis the dialogue process initiated to resolve the Kashmir process. In a statement issued here today, a spokesman of the PDP said, "His offer of good offices to mend fences between the two Hurriyat factions represents a U-turn for Farooq as he had in the past been insisting that no talks should be held with it unless they swear by the constitution". The spokesman was responding to Dr Abdullah’s speech at Sheikh Abdullah’s mazar on Friday. The spokesman said that it was a welcome acknowledgment of the policies of the coalition Government, which had from the beginning been advocating dialogue as the only way out of Kashmir crises. That Dr Abdullah was now speaking peace in place of his ‘bombard Pakistan’ doctrine and ‘no talks with Hurriyat’ is a vindication of the forces of peace set in motion by the coalition Government. He had earlier subverted all such initiatives for his partisan and family interests, PDP spokesman alleged. About the threats held out by the NC patron to topple the democratically elected Government of the State, the spokesman said it only reinforces the general perception that Abdullah family treated Kashmir as its fieldom, which it must rule by hook or by crook. Farooq ironically used the occasion of his father’s birth anniversary once again to reiterate that the family did not believe in democratic norms, he said. PDP spokesman regretted that the welfare measure introduced by the coalition Government to restore the Muslim Auqaf to the Muslim community was being distorted by Dr Abdullah who was considered it as a case of paradise lost. "What happened to the NC’s challenge to take the matter to the Court of Law?", the spokesman asked. He further said that misuse of Auqaf funds and properties by Abdullah family and their kith and kin was a matter of common knowledge. However, it would soon become authentic after the audit of its accounts was completed. Rejecting the accusation that the State Government was trying to destroy the legacy of Sheikh Abdullah, the spokesman said that late leader hardly needed enemies with a son like Dr Farooq Abdullah himself was responsible for destroying everything noble associated with the late leader. The only family tradition he keeps alive is the love for power and its perpetuation within the clan. For that, as it known, Dr Farooq is capable of making worst compromises, not to speak of trying to use his ill gotten money for engineering defections. |
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Rs
42 cr fraud detected in F&S By Gopal Sharma JAMMU, Dec 6: A fraud worth over Rs 42 crores has been detected in the Kishtwar tehsil of district Doda in the Food, Supplies and Public Distribution Department involving carriage and loss of food grains. The State Cabinet which discussed this major fraud case two days back, has approved it for the thorough investigation by the Vigilance Organisation and fixing the responsibility on the employees of Revenue and F&S department involved in this case and recommending for the stern action. Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Mr Taj Mohi-ud-Din disclosed that first ever major scam has been detected in the Wadwan block of tehsil Kishtwar the home constituency of Kitchloos. The officials of revenue, F&S and allied agencies not only kept the Department in the dark, but also threw dust into the eyes of Election authorities of India by projecting the population of this far-flung area three times more than the actual which comes out to be 20,022 souls. By manipulating record with the help of Patwaris, Girdawars, Naib Tehsildars, Tehsildars and other F&S staff, the population has been shown as around 61,000 souls in Wadwan block of Kishtwar. For the last six years, the department was facing loss of Rs seven crores per year. Those involved in this multi-crore fraud has managed to swindle Rs 42 cr from the Government exchequer. This major fraud is the creation of previous NC Government because a particular politician’s family was benefited by it. The manipulation in record also helped them a lot in ensuring success in the elections. Taking advantage of militancy, the NC legislator used his influence and managed the whole show in connivance with some trusted Revenue and F&S officials. Even the key F&S officials in Kishtwar and Doda area were being posed with their consent in the past. A nexus has been exposed which was functioning for the last so many years. Elaborating further, the Minister said after receiving complaints the department conducted secret inquiry and it was found that hardly 20,022 souls reside in 24 villages of this remote Wadwan area. In the Census record more than 10,000 voters have been shown higher than the actual. The nomad population which is hardly around 6000 in the area has been projected around 23,000 in the area. He pointed out that the supplies were being made from Matigowaran area of Anantnag in this remote wadwan area but the manipulation of record made in Kishtwar. From preliminary probe it was found that loss worth Rs 4.60 cr per year was being suffered on account of carriage while Rs 2.70 cr in food grains while some more pilferage was being evaluated by the staff officials. Mr Taj pointed out that Chief Minister and the entire Cabinet has taken serious note of this first ever fraud in the F&S in the State and has recommended for the thorough probe by the State Vigilance Department. The people right from Storekeeper level to TSOs, DSOs, ADs and all others involved in the fraud will not be allowed to scot free. The scam amount may go up as it is preliminary estimate prepared by the special team of Government officials. The trucks were dispatched for Kishtwar (Wadwan) but they never reached there. The carriage amount was siphoned in connivance with key officials, causing loss worth crores. He said the efforts are on to effect some changes and make the things streamline in the department. |
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World
Disabled Day observed Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: Minister for Education Harsh Dev Singh today announced that Government would establish another school for blind students in Jammu for which the identification of land would be finalized shortly. A scholarship of Rs. 1200 per year would also be enhanced to all physically challenged children including the blinds. This would help bring them to under the ambit of education and would help implementing Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in its true perspective, he added. The Minister was speaking at a function organized by National Federation of Blinds, Jammu on the occasion of World Disabled Day. MLA Bishnah Ashwani Kumar and eminent social activist Rani Bloeria were also present on the occasion. Blind students from LBM Blind School and Blind School, Roop Nagar presented an impressive cultural programme on the occasion. Students exhibited excellent skills while presenting debates on the issues related to blinds, gazals, songs etc. The representatives of the society expressed that the implementation of the act relating to reservation for physically challenged people in Government jobs, which was formulated in 1998, is still awaited. No blind is getting any kind of reservation, the relief is generally given to the low vision people. The problems of lack of facilities especially for the blind girl students was also projected on the occasion. Addressing the gathering the Minister said that Government has plans to connect even physically challenged people with the mainstream of the development. For the reason more schools for blinds would be established. He stressed that much more than the efforts of the Government and formulation of acts in this regard what is actually required is the social support to this section. Mr. Harsh Dev appealed to the blind students to make a firm commitment to themselves to remain confident and self reliant as God has gifted them with extra mental capabilities. They must strive to achieve best education to frame a dignified future for themselves. Government would make every possible effort for sorting the issues related to their reservation in jobs and the provision of extra accommodation and facilities in their schools. Rani Bloeria in her address approached to the common people to help spread happiness and livelihood to these small innocent kids who otherwise are living in a world of darkness. She said that awareness related to eye donation must be spread through all channels to bring that normal life to every blind child. |
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Printers to get relief under new industrial policy: Dy CM Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: Deputy Chief Minister Pt Mangat Ram Sharma has said that J&K printers will definitely get some relief under new Industrial policy. Addressing member of North India Printers Association in a function here this evening, the Dy Chief Minister said that printing technology has progressed a lot in the past several years and the computers have brought revolution in the industry. The competition in the printing is increasing day by day and the Jammu printers should have the capability to compete. Recalling the days of mannual printing in the Chand Press and Amar Art press etc, Pt Mangat Ram said that during those times it was very tough and laborious job but the technology has brought sea change. He said under new Industrial policy, some concessions and incentives for the printing industry will also be given. He also assured that some percentage of Government departments’ printing job will be kept for the local printers and their request for providing maximum job will be taken care of. But at the same time, he suggested them to provide quality work in time limit and also offer competitive price. Minister for Agriculture, Mr Abdul Aziz Zargar who was guest of honour on the occasion said that the industry which is providing employment to about 10,000 people deserve immediate attention of the Government and he recommended that this industry be provided relief under industrial policy as it is connected with all the prime segments. He also supported the demand of introducing Printing Technology diploma or degree in local Institutes/ colleges. Mr Ved Bhasin, chairman of Kashmir Times Group of Publications while speaking on the occasion projected the problems of the printers and said that this sector has remained ignored by the State Industrial department despite the fact that it has been an industry. He said all the benefits, concessions and incentives which are being provided to the Industry by the Government should also be given to this sector. Mr Surendra B. Dhote, president All India Federation of Master Printers congratulated the members of Jammu Printers Association for this annual meet and said that the Jammu printers should try to compete with the other states and develop the technology. The interactions and sharing of information would help them a lot in making progress in the field. Founder president of JPA Mr S K Gupta and NIPA general secretary Mr Chopra also spoke on the occasion. Mr Arun Kumar Gupta, president JPA besides other veteran printers were honoured on this occasion. Minister for Sheep and Animal Husbandry, Mr Y P Kundal also graced the occasion. Mr Harbans Singh of Amar Art Printers and Mr Iqbal Nargis of Chand Press were honoured for their distinguished contributions in the trade. |
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Haryana Governor exhorts
youth to uphold Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: Babu Parmanand, Governor of Haryana, exhorted the youth to uphold the moral values and spirit of patriotism for the nation to forge ahead. Speaking at the cultural programme organised by the KAWA Institute of Management and Technology. The Governor said the new generation should be made aware about the sacrifices made the freedom fighter for attaining independence and need for its preservation. The function was held in the auditorium of Government College for Women, Gandhinagar, here today. Citing the result of recent Assembly elections in four States, he said that young generation ( 64 per cent of voters below 30 years of age) has brought about change. The teachers should give a proper lead to the students so that the tangible results are obtained at the grassroot level to benefit the poorest of poor, he added. He said that sustained endeavours must be put in for achieving the laudable Constitutional objectives of education to all, jobs to jobless, land to the landless and house to houseless coupled with health for all. The Governor said that they must work with dedication for upliftment of the society, particularly the weaker sections and disadvantaged groups. Striking an emotion chord, Babu Parmanand said that in Jammu he feels like coming to family-fold. The Haryana Governor stressed that while rightly promoting spread of science and technology, the education sytem should neglect the humanities, history, philosophy and such other subjects. The Chief Guest Babu Parmanand released the Kawa souvenir on the occasion, The Governor Babu Parmanand also distributed prizes among the students of Kawa Institute of Management and Technology for their achievements in diverse spheres of activities. Vice Chancellor, University of Hissar (Haryana) Vishvaji also addressed the audience and highlighted the functioning of this university to which KAWA institute is affiliated. Kashmira Singh, ex-MLC, also spoke at the function. M S Katoch, Director of Kawa Institute of Management threw light on the activities and achievements of this institution set up in 1976 at Jammu. The students trained at the institute in various computer courses and other spheres are making a mark, he observed. The Minister of State for Public Health Engineering Jugal Kishore Sharma as also a number of prominent citizens, academicians and students attended the cultural programme. |
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Patwari acquitted after 19 years Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu, MK Hanjura has acquitted Pitamber Lal, the then Patwari Halqa Nagrota, who was caught red handed by Vigilance Organization on April 16, 1985 while allegedly accepting bribe of rupees 1,000 from the complainant. In the acquittal judgment, Mr Hanjura observed that the witnesses have demobilized the prosecution version in their statements. The statements of theirs has to be accepted as gospel truth in the light of the law laid down by the Supreme Court, because their statements under Section 161 CrPC have not proved by the prosecution as the Investigating Officer has not been asked whether or not they had deposed to the contrary before him. Neither the complainant, nor the shadow of witnesses for the independent witnesses cited as such in whose presence the recovery of the money is alleged to have been made by the Investigating Officer, have supported the prosecution case in any manner whatsoever. According to the Vigilance case, the complainant Shah Mohd of Chak Rakhallan Nagrota that he approached the Patwari for not dispossessing him from a portion of land situated in the same village. The Patwari had demanded rupees 3,000 and the deal was settled for rupees 1500 out of which rupees 500 were paid to the accused in advance and other amount paid on April 16, 1985 when the Vigilance had laid the trap. The case was decided after a span of 19 years when the Patwari was acquitted. |
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DB stays toilet construction near temple Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: Division Bench of the State High Court comprising Acting Chief Justice VK Jhanji and Justice Syed Bashir-ud-Din, in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has issued notices to the Municipal Corporation Jammu and Sulabh International with the directions that till further orders, the construction of Public Toilets adjacent to the Temple of Shri Hanuman Ji at Purani Mandi Jammu shall remain stayed. The DB also directed the Registrar Judicial of the High Court to convey this order to the Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation and also Chairman Sulabh International. The court direction was passed in a CMP filed by Pawan Pandoh and other residents of Purani Mandi in a PIL which is pending before the High Court, against the construction of public toilets near the Temple. |
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Gambling, drinking in
BDO’s office Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: An Accountant in the office of Block Development Officer (BDO) Bishnah and a history sheeter were among five persons arrested by the police for indulging in gambling and drinking in the BDO block. Police spokesman said that someone rang up Bishnah Police Station at around 5 pm and disclosed that gambling and drinking was going on in the BDO block. Soon after receiving the information, a police team led by SHO (DySP Probationer) Manjeet Kour swung into action and raided the BDO office. In one of the rooms, police team found five persons indulging in gambling and drinking. As soon as they noticed the police they tried to flee from the spot but their attempts were foiled by the alert police team. From the room, police recovered Rs 5000 and some consumed bottles of liquor. All were immediately taken into custody and during investigation disclosed that they had been using the BDO office for gambling and consuming liquor for the past quite sometime. One of the arrested person later turned out to be Accountant in the office of BDO and another a history sheeter. The preliminary investigation revealed that the illegal practice was going on in the BDO’s office with the active assistance of the Accountant, who used to be in possession of the keys of the office. They have been identified as history sheeter Gurmeet Lal, Accountant Raj Kumar, Om Parkash, Tilak Raj and Ashok Kumar. |
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Dalit Maha Sabha observes Nirwan Diwas of Ambedkar Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: To observe 47th Nirwan Divas (death anniversary) of Bharat Rattan Dr B R Ambedkar, All J&K Dalit Maha Sabha organised an impressive function at Ambedkar Chowk, Gandhi Nagar, here today. Tara Chand, Speaker of J&K Assembly, who was chief guest on the occasion, threw light on the life and mission of father of Indian Constitution and exhorted people to follow the path shown by Dr Ambedkar. Mr Ram Paul, MLC and ex-Minister stressed on the need of education among Dalit Samaj and said that only by virtue of good education, a real samaj can be developed. Vijay Kumar, president of All J&K Guru Ravi Dass Sabha, Milkhi Ram, president of J&K unit of All India Megh Sabha, Ram Rattan Dogra, Banarsi Dass, Tarsem Lal Khullar, Sham Lal Barson, Baba Kuk Ram Mahant, Baba Joginder Singh, Vijay Kumar Magotra and Jagdish Lal also addressed the gathering. On the occasion, a Dalit Swadhikar rally was also flagged off by the Minister of State for Animal Husbandry Yash Pal Kundal. The rally will culminate at Mumbai where three similar rallies from Gujarat, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu will also culminate. While flagging off the rally, Mr Kundal said that education of children was must not merely for the jobs but also to develop their mind and enable them to compete in every sphere of life. A cultural programme was also held on the occasion in which students of Dr B R Ambedkar Convent School Bantalab and Muni Kamal Public School, Gangyal, presented items. |
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Coalition MLAs claiming
undue credit of Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: Pradesh Bhartiya Janta Party has alleged that some legislators of ruling coalition parties were claiming undue credit of Central Government sponsored development works and schemes in Jammu and Kashmir. "Some MLAs are politicising the developmental activities and taking undue credit for the schemes which have been sponsored and funded by the BJP led NDA Government in Centre," said Charanjeet Singh Khalsa, secretary Pradesh BJP, while talking to mediapersons, here today. He also accused the State Government of not co-operating with the Central agencies in proper implementation of development schemes and thus retarding growth of the State. Mr Khalsa claimed that it was State BJP which worked over time and left no stone unturned to convince the Central Government to meet financial needs of the State. Highlighting demands of the transporters and Punjabi speaking people in the State, the BJP leader alleged that the Mufti Government which claims to be champion of minorities, has shown utter disregard to the sentiments of the Punjabi speaking people by not filling-up posts of Punjabi teachers in Government schools. He demanded a rational transport policy and said that the existing system has caused enormous financial losses to the already suffering transport community. The Sikh leader in BJP also expressed concern over the alleged dis-information campaign by Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amrinder Singh against Akali leader Prakash Singh Badal and said that by resorting to such tactics, Congress has injured religious sentiments of Sikhs all over the world. |
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Meeting held to chalk out contingency plan for Doda Excelsior Correspondent DODA, Dec 6: On the directions of Chief Secretary Dr Sudhir S Bloeria and Director General of Police Gopal Sharma, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of DIG Udhampur-Doda Range Satvir Gupta to chalk out contingency plan for the Doda district. The meeting which was attended by the officers of all the departments finalised the steps for the convenience of the people and tourists in case of any snowfall and blockage of the national highway and other link roads. It was decided in the meeting that a control room would be set-up where representatives of all the departments would be available to render any possible help to the people of the district as every year due to heavy snow-fall people have been facing many problems which include shortage of essential commodities. The representatives of the Health Department agreed to station three ambulances at Ramban, Banihal and Batote for the benefit of people during extreme chilly conditions. On the instructions of the DIG Satvir Gupta, the concerned department has already constructed three sheds particularly at Digdol and Peerha so that in case of any road blockage due to snow-fall the passengers may not suffer and could stay in these sheds till the clearance of the road. Moreover, adequate security and basic amenities of life would be made available in these sheds. The meeting was among others attended by Deputy Commissioner Doda Mehboob Iqbal, SSP Ramban Garib Dass and Additional DC Ramban Sohan Lal Raina. |
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SC/ST Confederation
organises car, Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Dec 6: District unit of All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations alongwith Lord Buddha Club of India observed Nirvan Divas (death anniversary) of Bharat Ratan Baba Saheb Dr B R Ambedkar by organising a car/scooter rally here, under the presidentship of Bansi Lal Kundal. Rallyists raising slogans started from Kali Bari and marched up to Dr Ambedkar bridge via Mukarji Chowk-Parliwand Road. On reaching Ambedkar bridge participants paid rich tributes to Baba Saheb. Speaking on the occasion president Bansi Lal appealed the participants to work for the welfare of the poor down trodden and for this collective efforts be made by all organisations of the Confederation. Confederation general secretary Lok Nath Dogra stressed on the need of a casteless society having mental freedom which was the dream of Dr Ambedkar. He appealed the participants to attend SC/ST/OBC Rights Conference being held on December 7 at Abhinav Theatre Jammu in which Speaker Assembly Tara Chand will be the chief guest and the Conference will start at 2 pm. The SP (Retd) Rattan Chand also addressed the rally and assured the participants that the will continue to work for the weaker sections of the society to fulfil the dreams of Baba Saheb. Mr B D Ladwal Buddhist also addressed. Others who spoke included Baldev Raj, Darshan Kumar, Manohar Lal, Roshan Choudhary, Mohan Lal and Balak Ram. Dr Suraj Parkash presented vote of thanks. |
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Week long orientation
course on functional Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: Week long orientation course on ‘Functional Skills in Corporate Sector’ concluded today at Jammu University. Fifty students of the University participated in the course. The objective of the course, organised by Employment cum Advisory Bureau/Centre for Adult, Continuing Education, JU, was to provide opportunity to the University students to learn functional skills required in contemporary competitive world. Interface sessions were held on functional skills and related knowledge based areas like changing patterns of recruitment, facing group discussions and interviews, achieving excellence by knowing self, communication skills, IT skills, self-employment opportunities and confidence building. The lectures were delivered by Prof R D Sharma, Prof Rajiv Gupta, Prof J R Dhotra, Prof Indu Aima, Dr Neelu Rohmetra, Dr Rajinder Mishra, Vinod Sharma, Shyam Swaroop Gupta, Dr M D Bali, M K Gupta and Manisha Sareen. Dr Daljeet Magoo, Employment Officer, was co-ordinator of the programme. |
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ABVP observes Dr Ambedkar's
death anniversary Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: With a view to inculcate social equality among the youth and the society, ABVP organised Samajik Samrasta Diwas on the death anniversary of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar. The programme was organised by Bharatiya Vidhya Mandir, Raj Samba which was attended by large number of students and local citizens. ABVP state secretary Pawan Sharma was the main speaker on this occasion and Pawan Kohli, Principal of the Vidhya Mandir presided over the function. In his address Pawan Sharma threw light on the life struggle of Dr Ambedkar. He said that Dr Ambedkar through out his life struggled to eradicate the menace of untouchability and to bring social equality in the society. He appealed to the youth to pledge for bringing the social equality in the society which could be real tribute to this great son of the soil. Vikas Sambyal, ABVP joint secretary highlighted activities of ABVP in Samba. He further announced that prize distribution function of Sunil Updhaya Memorial Gyan Pratiyogita at tehsil level will be organised on December 8, 2003 at Higher Secondary School, Samba, a release issued here stated. |
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Gharu Ram inaugurates Khadi exhibition Excelsior Correspondent Kathua, Dec 6: Khadi and village Industry Commission (Ministry of Industry Government of India) organized a Khadi Gramodyog exhibition at town hall here today through its institution Khadi Gramodyog Sewa Sansthan, Jammu. Minister of State for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Ch. Gharu Ram who was the chief guest inaugurated the exhibition while MLA, Sh Babu Singh presided over the function. This exhibition was having 18 stalls. Speaking on the occasion, Ch. Gharu Ram highlighted the importance of Khadi Gramodyog and its need in the present era. He said that this movement was started by Gandhi Ji at that time to neglect the foreign trade in India and generate the enthusiasm and brotherhood through Swadeshi products to be utilized by the common man of the country. This also provides employment opportunities to the rural people and help to uplift their socio-economic conditions. |
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Children Science Congress organised at Rajouri Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Dec 6 : J&K State Council for Science and Technology, Department of Science and Technology in collaboration with National Council for Science and Technology Communication, Government of India organised district level children’s science Congress-2003 at Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Rajouri the otherday for Rajouri and Poonch districts. Various educational institutions participated in the said competition by way of presenting work done, project reports formulated by the students on local area problems identified under the focal theme "Food system: Towards Nutrition for all". Children science Congress is a National level activity in which students from all walks of life in the age group of 11- 17 years are involved. The activity is primarily meant for inculcating scientific culture among the students. During the course of technical sessions, several projects were presented by the student groups from various schools under sub themes- food production, food consumption, safety and its nutritional values, food storage, food preservation and transportation. On the occasion, prizes were given to the student groups for encouragement. The first prize was bagged by Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Rajouri for the topic ‘Rain water management and drip irrigation’. The second prize went to Himalayan Education Mission Higher Secondary School for the topic ‘Food adulteration, security and water pollution’. Third prize was bagged by National Public Higher Secondary School for the topic ‘Pisciculture-Fish production’. Consolation prizes were also given to the participants. |
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Saroori addresses gathering at Thathri Excelsior Correspondent Doda, Dec 6 : Chairman of Social Welfare Advisory Board, G. M. Saroori, who is also MLA of Inderwal constituency, has said that the Government is fully aware of requirements of all the areas of the state particularly of Doda district and is committed to provide all possible facilities at the earliest. Mr Saroori was addressing a gathering at Thathri during his visit to the site of the area where a number of shops were gutted in mysterious fire incident on 30th of November. The people putforth their various demands, which include providing of fire tender, ambulance, repair of X-ray machine, supply of laboratory equipments and posting of female Gynecologist at Thathri in particular besides providing relief to the fire victims. The chairman assured that these demands would be brought into the notice of concerned authorities. He also asked the local administration to be available to the public and mitigate their sufferings within available resources. Over nine lakh pilgrims visit Shiv-Khori Shrine Excelsior Correspondent Reasi, Dec 6: An amount of Rs. 58.21 lakh is being utilized for construction of 2.75 km tiled footpath from Ransoo to Shiv-Khori Shrine. Of this Rs. nine lakh has been spent so far for its construction by the Shiv-Khori Shrine Sewa Sankalap Samiti; Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Katra and social organisations of the area. This was disclosed by the Tehsildar Reasi, R. S. Tara at a meeting of local committee, which was presided over by SDM Reasi, Sanjeev Verma. Mr Tara apprised that a record number of over nine lakh yatries, both from within and outside state, paid obeisance at the shrine this year in comparison to the corresponding period last year wherein 7.50 lakh pilgrims visited the shrine. He informed that at present about 2000 to 2500 pilgrims are daily reaching Ransoo, the base camp of pilgrimage, for their onward journey to the shrine. He said Rs.19.50 lakh has been registered as donation from the devotees. The meeting was informed that for the convenience of the yatries 15 local guides have been appointed to assist them. Besides, PHE division Reasi has also formulated a project of Rs.16 lakh for providing adequate drinking water to the devotees throughout the year. The SDM Reasi disclosed that a comprehensive plan has been prepared for complete development of Shiv-Khori Shrine. Coalition regime failed on all fronts: Sadhotra Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Dec 6: Continuing its move to expose the misdeeds and anti-people policies of the PDP led coalition government, a rally was organised today at Udhampur. The rally started from Tikri and passed through main bazaars of Udhampur and culminated at Town Hall Udhampur. Provincial president of National Conference, Jammu province, Ajay Sadhotra addressed the rally which was attended by senior leaders and MLAs of the party. The rally was converted into a big public meeting at Town Hall. While addressing the rally, Mr Sadhotra said that this rally was in continuation with the rally of November 12, 2003 which was held in Jammu. He further said that NC has been organising rallies in all district headquarters to expose the misdeeds and anti-people policies of the coalition government and to wake up the ‘deaf and dumb’ government from its slumber. Mr Sadhotra lambasted the coalition government and accused Mufti of shying away from responsibilities. He further alleged that hilly areas were completely neglected by the state government. He said that the sectors like tourism, trade and industry were totally neglected by the government and problems of farmers, unemployed youth and down-trodden strata of the society in Jammu region have gained new proportions under present dispensation. Referring to the recent power hike that has been enforced by the state government arbitrarily without properly following the norms and going into the genuinesses of the cases has caused much harassment to the consumers and none in the department is prepared to listen to the grievances of the consumers. He said that NC under the leadership of Omar Abdullah will fight for the rights of the people and expose the ugly face of the government, a release issued here today stated. Rs 27 crore spent on development works in Leh district Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: Of the total annual allocation of Rs. 57 crore for different development projects in Leh district, Rs. 26.92 crore were expanded by end of November 2003. During the next financial year, education would be the priority sector for development in the district. Giving this information at the General Council meeting of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) here today, the Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), Mr. Thupstan Chhewang said adequate funds would be allotted to the education sector for infrastructure development like construction of laboratories, additional class rooms and multi-purpose halls as envisage under a Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Operation New Hope schemes. He said Rs. 11.41 crores would be spent on engineering sector during the current year. Mr. Chhewang called for coordinated approach with respect to execution of rural development works. He said since several government agencies were engaged in rural development it was necessary that the efforts were coordinated to have optimum results. This would accelerate the much needed development process, he said and added that priority would be given for completion of spill over works. The CEC said that notable progress has been registered in the district since the LAHDC came into existence. He said an effective monitoring and supervising system in the execution of development works is doing well. The meeting, second only held during the current year, was told that Rs. 27 lakh had been spent on procurement of high yielding variety of seeds and agriculture tools for farmers. Haj training for pilgrims of Srinagar Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Dec 6: All the Haj pilgrims of Srinagar tehsil, selected for Haj pilgrimage are asked to report for 2nd phase of Haj training at Ziarat Sharief Sayed Sahib Sonawar at 10.30 a.m. from December 9 to December 14. Similarly the Haj pilgrims belonging to tehsil Kangan and Ganderbal shall receive the 2nd phase of training at Physical Training College Ganderbal on 13 and 14 December at 10.30 a.m. The Haj pilgrims from serial No. 01 to 400 shall be given training on December 9, serial No. 401 to 800 on December 10, serial No. 801 to 1200 on December 11, serial No. 1201 to 1600 on December 13 and serial No. 1601 onwards on December 14. Jt operation in Doda to
recover ammunition Excelsior Correspondent DODA, Dec 6: The joint search operation of Army and Police has been going on in the whole district of Doda since December 2 to bust the hide-outs of the militants and possible dump of the ammunition. According to DIG Udhampur-Doda range Satvir Gupta, the operation was launched to bust the hide-outs of the militants and dump of ammunition as once the snow starts falling it would be difficult or rather impossible for the security forces to recover the ammunition dumped by the terrorists. During four days of the search operation, the security forces have not only succeeded in effecting recovery at some places but also in collecting information about the terrorists from the people. "The operation has been mostly covering the areas notorious for the movement of the terrorists", the DIG said and added that Since December 2 the operation has been going on uninterrupted. The operation was the outcome of the recent meeting between the senior officers of the police and army wherein a number of measures were finalised to tackle insurgency. During the search operation, a number of suspects were also rounded up by the security forces and their interrogation was going on. Sharma for encouraging private sector quality education Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma today reiterated coalition government’s resolve to promote quality education in the state with focus on providing better education facilities to the children of under privileged class. Speaking at the annual day of Alexander Memorial School here today, Mr. Sharma said that private sector would be encouraged in a big way to open their schools in villages especially in remote areas to provide best quality educational facilities to the children there. Later, a scintillating cultural programme was presented by the students of the school. The Deputy Chief Minister felicitated the child artists who performed in the variety cultural programme. JD-U flays Govt for failure to recover power tariff Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: Janata Dal (United) has urged the coalition Government to recover huge arrears and put a check on the misuse of energy by the Ministers and other Government men, instead of harassing the innocent people to meet the mounting electricity losses. Mr Sanjesh Gupta, president JD-U said that electricity arrears have accumulated to over Rs 500 crore and biggest defaulters are Government Departments including that of PDD. Addressing party workers Mr Sanjesh Gupta pointed out that lakhs of units of electricity are being consumed daily at the bungalows and other places of Ministers, senior Government officials and their State members but there are hardly any meters hence no accountability, not to say of effecting recovery. Others who addressed the meeting included Bhagat Ved Prakash, Dr A K Kharu, Mrs Asha Koul etc. Meeting of rehabilitation officers convened Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Dec 6: A meeting of the officers of the rehabilitation wing was convened under the chairmanship of Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Lokesh Jha in his office on December 4, wherein representative of Ministry of Rehabilitation, Government of India and Provincial Rehabilitation Officer, Jammu participated. The issues relating to the displaced persons of 1947 were discussed in the meeting. Mr Jha was apprised that the deficiency forms were forwarded to the concerned tehsildars in order to get them verified and completed by the concerned claimants and submit the same to the PRO Jammu by 20th December of 2003 for favour of further necessary action. As such it was decided to inform all such concerned claimants who have filed up their deficiency form in the year 1998-99 to pursue the same before concerned tehsildars and fulfill formalities prescribed for the same by 20th December 2003. Canon India organises dealers meet at Asia Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: To inform the dealers about new product launches of the company, Canon India a subsidiary of Canon Singapore organised the first ever associates meet at Hotel Asia this evening Giving details about the products and Company, its Territory Manager, Mohammad Sadar-E- Azam said the Canon has innovative products. He said Canon India having its Headquarters at New Delhi has a base of 400 employees all across the country. Giving more details Mr Azam said the main objective of this dealers meet was to aware the IT channel partners about the company, its products and working structure and provide knowledge about the Canon. He said the company has taken initiative in print media, T V commercials, retail initiatives, various channel programmes etc. He also informed the dealers about the new products like Bubblejet printers—I-905, Allin One —MPC 190, MPC-730, scanners 3200, 3200 F and Laser, LBP-3200. These were the new launches of the Company, he added. He said Canon India which is 100 percent subsidiary of Canon Singapore has a good organisational team. The Company has representatives in every state of India,he added. He said the Company has introduced the laser printer in 1975 and in India it has 117 service centres. He said the company has also announced gift offers with Canon Bubblejet Printers and Canon scanners. This offer is valid upto December 31 or till the stock lasts. Earlier in his welcome address, Ashim Khudda the Company’s Business Manager for J&K, said our products are much better and company has achieved growth of 200 per cent in last one year. The Company has the global Headquarters in Tokyo and it was established in 1933. On the occasion Rajiv Mahajan a dealer from the City was felicitated. Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 6: Mr M L Koul former Joint Director All India Radio, New Delhi breathed his last here this evening after a prolonged illness. Mr Koul a Veteran Journalist had earlier worked as Special Correspondent, All India Radio Kashmir besides other parts of the country. Later he was promoted as Joint Director, AIR and posted at New Delhi. He has also served as member of Executive Committee Jammu Press Club twice. Mr Koul was associated with All India Kashmiri Pandit Conference, an Organisation of Kashmiri Pandits. The journalist fraternity has expressed grief and sorrow over his demise and expressed deepest sympathy with bereaved family. The cremation will take place at Shaktinagar Shamshan Ghat at 4 p.m. The Excelsior reporters also held a condolence meeting to mourn the demise of Mr Koul. The meeting prayed for the eternal peace of departed soul. Legal Line By Rajesh Bhat The three word sentence ‘First Information Report’ (FIR), in crude language "Parcha", literally sends shivers down the spine of a common man by just hearing it. But believe, it is this very FIR that is considered the most sacred document in the legal term. It is this very report which forms the basis of any happening, crime, incident or occurrence and is the tool for every investigation to take up. To put the machinery of justice into motion, it becomes the duty of every citizen to lodge the FIR against the commission of any offence against him or any body, but the way it has been protrayed and projected, makes a common man to think twice before lodging FIR. There are many hidden fears that pull back the common man to lodge FIR, because he has to visit the Police Station for the same. But lodging of FIR doesn’t make any body a criminal or party to the crime. It is the most important document and needs to be lodged as a matter of right with all its cleanness and in unalloyed version. It is not necessary that FIR is to be lodged in the cases of criminal activities only. Even in the incident of missing persons, loss of documents, vehicles etc., the common man feels its need in day to day affairs. In case of any mishappening in the locality, one can file the FIR. Similarly, to help the law enforcing agencies to take up the job in order to maintain law and order in the area, the FIR helps in tracking the criminals, terrorists and other anti-social activities. So why fear FIR? The term FIR has not been defined in the code of Criminal procedure but it is that information which is given to the Police first in the point without wasting time. It is that information, the law enforcing agencies begin their probe to any happening. In today’s Legal Line, we have taken up this very term to discuss what actually FIR is, what is its significance and how it is the most sacred document. For this purpose, we have sought the legal opinion of noted Advocate, Mr INDERJEET GUPTA for today’s issue of Legal Line. According to Mr Inderjeet Gupta, in order to constitute the first information, two things are necessary—— it must be just information and must relate to a cognizable offence on the face of it. Under Section 154 CrPC, the First Information Report is defined broadly in three categories: 1. Every information relating to the commission of the cognizable offence is given orally to an officer in charge of the Police Station. The Officer shall reduce the information to writing by him or under his direction, and be read over to the informant, says Advocate Inderjeet Gupta, adding that every such information whether given in writing or reduced to writing shall be signed by the person giving it and the substance thereof shall be entered in the book to be kept by such Police Officer in such a form as the Government may prescribe in this behalf. 2. A Copy of the information recorded under Sub-Section (1) shall be given forthwith, free of cost, to the informant against a proper receipt. 3. Any person aggrieved by a refusal on part of the officer-in-charge of the Police Station to record the information referred in the sub-section(1) may deliver personally or cause to be delivered or send by post the substance of such information in writing to the Superintendent of Police concerned, who, if satisfied that such information discloses the commission of a cognizable offence, shall either investigate the case himself or direct an investigation to be made by any Police Officer subordinate to him, in the manner provided by this Code and such officer shall have all powers of an officer incharge of the Police Station in relation to that offence. According to Advocate Inderjeet Gupta, the object of FIR from the point of view of the informant, is to set the Criminal law in motion. From the point of view of the investigating authorities, it is to obtain information about the alleged criminal activity so as to be able to take suitable steps for tracing and bringing to book the guilty party. Once the information is given of the incident, the informer, who can be any person, should know that the FIR must be shown to be the work of the informant and not dictated by someone else. If is doesn’t flow from the mind of the informant, it could not be the basis of investigation into the crime, says Advocate Gupta. Elaborating further, Mr Gupta says that FIR can be from any quarters—even anonymous source. It is not necessary that the FIR should be lodged by an eye-witness only. It is of most importance, in recording the FIR, that the actual words of the complainant/informant should be used by the Officer-in-Charge of the Police Station and not a translation of them. For the information of our common readers, Advocate Gupta says that the telegrams and telephone messages are not informations under this Section for lodging FIR, since they are neither reduced to writing by Police, nor given in writing signed by the informant. However, Mr Gupta says that if a telephonic message is given by a known person who discloses his identity and contains all necessary facts and is reduced to writing by the Station House Officer (SHO), then it can be treated as FIR. No doubt it will not be found signed by the informant, but that requirement of Section 154 is a technical formality which doesn’t effect its admissibility, says Advocate Inderjeet. He further said that no piece of information, however, vague, indefinite or unauthorized can be recorded as First Information, merely because it was received first in point of time. Mr Gupta says that the prompt lodging of the information lends credence to the prosecution version and diminishes the possibility of a coloured version being put up by the complainant in the report. It is for this reason that the courts view with concern any delay in the lodging of the FIR. Mr Gupta says that law provides for time and date of lodging of the FIR to be recorded on the Register and that record serves as an internal check about the promptness with which the FIR was lodged. The prompt lodging of the FIR to a great extent brings out spontaneous version of the occurrence and rules out the possibility of a coloured and thought out version. When delay has been satisfactorily explained, the FIR can be relied upon to corroborate the testimony of the informant. Advocate Gupta while making the readers aware of the technicalities of the FIR, says that if any SHO refuses to enter in the Station diary, a report made to him concerning the commission of offence, and enters instead in the diary totally different and false report from the one which is made to him, the SHO will be liable to be convicted under Section 177 RPC. So next time when you see any mishappening or feel law enforcing agencies need your help as an eye-witness to begin their job, or in day-to day affairs you encounter such incidents when you are compelled to lodge FIR, do please perform your duty by lodging FIR. By that action, you will be helping yourself also in the longer term. |
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