NDS holds ‘Ek Milati’
Om Vidyarthi’s book released

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 22: Nami Dogri Sanstha organised "Ek Milati" with renowned Dogri writer Mr Om Vidyarthi, a recipient of Sahitya Akademi award at here today. He was honoured with Sahitya Shri award by the Sanstha.

" Cheer Te Chinar" a Dogri book by Mr Om Vidyarthi was also released by Mr Ved Bhasin.

Mr Om Vidyarthi, while speaking on the occasion, said that he got interested in Dogri literature from childhood and took to making contribution to enrich this language. Belonging to beautiful Ramnagar area, this IFS officer was deeply interested in nature and environment and mostly writing on these topics.

Mr Vidyarthi has written a number of books in Dogri language. He has dealt with the flora and fauna as also the subject of protection of environment.

The present book "Cheer Te Chinar" is also mainly based on the theme of environment preservation.

Dr Champa Sharma, former HOD, Dogri, JU and noted Dogri poet Mr Yash Sharma spoke about the growth of Dogri literature as also the literary contribution of this writer.

Dr Vijay Puri read out a detailed paper on the literary career and contribution of Mr Vidyarthi.

Mr Mohan Singh, Sahitya Akademi awardee, also highlight the literary style as well as contribution of Mr Vidyarthi to Dogri language and literature.

Mr Harish Kaila, president, Nami Dogri Sanstha, stated that the 4-year old organisaion has been honouring the authors, poets and other luminaries. The Sanstha has been arranging meetings and special literary and cultural functions.

Mr Mohan Lal Komal and Mr Surinder Manhas sang melodious songs on the occasion and added charm to the function.

Lal Singh visits LD, Children Hospitals as a common man

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, June 22: After streamlining health-care system in Secretariat Dispensary despite tough resistance, Ch Lal Singh, Minister for Health and Medical Education this morning made a surprise visit of Lal Ded (LD) and Children Hospitals here.

The Minister’s visit to both these health institutions was kept a well guarded secret and even the escort of Ch Lal Singh was not accompanying him.

When Minister entered Lal Ded Hospital, even the patients, attendants, para-medical staff and doctors could not recognize that the Health Minister, in guise of a common man, was inside the hospital premises.

During his visit in emergency/casualty section, not even a single medical/para-medical staff member was present. The attendants complained that doctors and para-medical staff were not punctual in their duties and remain mostly in canteen or adjacent rooms.

The Minister rushed to the Canteen and to his surprise, he found doctors gossiping. The duty doctor from the emergency was also in the canteen and without proper uniform. The other doctors and para-medical staff were also in casual dresses without name plates. Such doctors were fined rupees 500 and rupees 200 respectively.

The hospitals were found in extreme insanitation conditions and heaps of garbage in every corner, for which hospital administrations was found responsible.

The attendants and patients appreciated the surprise visit of Lal Singh. He warned stern action against those who fail to perform their duty honestly.

For the convenience of the general masses, the Minister gave his telephone numbers — 2478762 (R) and 2452276 to intimate him directly in case of any complaint or emergency.

Joint efforts imperative for defeating militancy: Sinha

Excelsior Correspondent

Kathua, June 22: The Governor, Gen S.K.Sinha today reiterated the Government’s resolve to tackle the menace of militancy jointly by seeking active cooperation of the masses saying that the history reveals that combined efforts have always yielded pragmatic results.

Addressing district officers at Kathua, Gen Sinha emphasized the need of strengthening the Village Defence Committees especially in border areas of the State in order to check the infiltration from across the border. He stressed the need for strengthening the VDS’s not only for the purpose of defence but also for better source of information.

Gen Sinha said that the security forces are rendering yeoman’s services by putting their best efforts in fighting the militancy in the State despite various difficulties including poor read communication in remote and far flung areas. He said that optimum utilization of man power and other resources should be ensured to launch successful offensive against the militancy particularly in mountainous areas.

The Governor exhorted upon the officers to put their sincere efforts honestly and dedicatedly in serving the people especially those living in backward pockets of the State and said that attendance regularity of the doctors and para-medical staff should be monitored frequently.

The Governor appreciated the introduction of telemedicines facility in the District Hospital, Kathua by the Health Department and hoped that the people of the area would take maximum benefits of the new technology by consulting the best doctors even from outside the State for their advance treatment.

Regarding Amarnath Ji yatra in the State, the Governor asked the District Administration to provide best facilities to the pilgrims especially those coming from outside the State. He hoped that with the active cooperation of the people, the ensuing yatra would be most successful event. He emphasized the need of development of water management programme and said that surplus water during rainy season be conserved by constructing water harvesting tanks so that optimum utilization of water resources can be achieved.

The District Development Commissioner, Kathua, B.D.Sharma gave a detailed resume of various developmental, demographic and geographic activities of the district. He said that over Rs. 41.75 crore have been spent in the district under district plan against an allocation of Rs. 47.29 crore during the last financial year. The expenditure including Rs. 2737.16 lakh as revenue component, and Rs. 1437.80 lakh as capital component inclusive of Rs. 336.24 lakh as additionality. The DDC also gave a brief account of the various sectors including PWD, Irrigation, Social Welfare, Education, Command Area Development and water situation in the district.

The Superintendent of Police, Manish Sinha apprised the Governor about the recent militancy related incidents in the district, deployment of security forces including army in the militancy prone areas.

Later the Governor inspected the National Fish Sood Farm Kathua. He was apprised that the National Fish Seed Farm was taken up as a Centrally sponsored project in the year 1984 and added that the project is one of the largest fish seed farm in India and Major fish seed production center of the country. He further apprised that the project envisages production of quality fish of fast growing fish species for stocking in the available water bodies to generate economic activity by way of production and marketing of fish . He said during the current financial year the farm has a target of producing 150 lakh fry and as such to make available 16 lakh fingerlings for further stocking in to various water bodies of the J&K State.

Among others, the Additional Deputy Commissioner, U.C.Dingra, Superintending Engineer, Hydraulic Circle, Vinod Goswami and other senior officers were present on the occasion.

Retired Officers Forum organises lecture
IGP seeks people’s co-operation to make crime free society

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 22: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu zone, Mr P L Gupta today assured that every possible efforts will be made to make police as public friendly. He, however, sought co-operation of the people to make society crime free.

Addressing a lecture organised by the Retired Officers Forum on ‘Public-Police Relations Management’ here today, Mr Gupta, while responding to the complaints of the gathering, asked the people to approach higher police officers in case of any complaints. "We are always for your service", he said and assured the gathering that Police Department has been trying to make this force as people friendly. "When you feel that your genuine grievances are not addressed, you must approach senior officers at once without any hesitation", he advised the gathering.

While admitting that some time some odd police personnel may misbehaved with civilians, he, said that majority of the policemen are very much aware how to behave with common masses.

IGP, however, regretted that entire police has been dubbed at anti-people with any reason. "We too are member of the same society", he said and sought co-operation of the people to eradicate crime and other menace from the society. He assured the retired officers that every efforts will be initiated to make this force as people friendly as co-operation between police and public was must.

"Good relations between police and public are must particularly in the vitiated atmosphere as a result of the onslaught of militancy in the State", he said and added that the Police is hardpressed not only to control militant activities but also to curb the rate of crime besides maintenance of law and order in the society.

In this process, he said, sometimes harsh measures have to be undertaken. He emphasised the importance of projecting the ‘human-face’ of the police force in protecting the honour, life and property of the general public.

Earlier, Dr J K Sharma, president of the Retired Officers Forum welcomed the guests and audience besides introducing the chief guests and presiding officer of the meeting. Mr S C Rekhi, secretary of the Forum gave a resume of the activities of so far undertaken for the welfare of the retired officers and importance of the present meeting in the light of current security scenario. Mr Rekhi said that retired officers have to play an important role in the society as they are experienced and aware of many things.

The function was sponsored by the State Bank of India. Mr I C Sharma Senior Manager of the State Bank of India elaborated Bank’s social commitments and incentives provided to the senior citizens. He said that SBI has always remained in the forefront for the economic development of the country. Mr Sharma informed that retired officers about various schemes and policies being started by the Bank for them. He appealed to the retired officers to avail benefits of these schemes and policies.

Dr V K Whig, publicity secretary of the Forum thanked Mr P L Gupta, chief guest, I C Sharma, Senior Manager SBI and other members for making the programme a grand success. The programme was conducted by Mr S C Rekhi while Mr D N Kotwal, Ch.Bharat Bhushan, Jai Lal Gupta, J B Suri, S C Anand, H S Sasan, H S Raina, Vijay Bagotra and Avtar Singh members of the executive committee of the Forum also graced the occasion.

Chamera hydel project phase-II completed

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 22: The Power Grid Corporation of India has completed transmission system associated with Chamera Hydroelectric Project Phase-II in a record time of 12 months.

According to a release, the project has been completed at a cost of around Rs 45 crores against the approved cost of Rs 49. 50 cr. The 400 KV transmission system will help in evacuating power to Northern Grid from Chamera Hydroelectric project stage -II of PHPC once the project is commissioned.

Govt sanctions Rs 401 cr for power reforms

SRINAGAR, June 22 : The Government has sanctioned Rs 401 crore for undertaking several reformatory measures aimed at improving the power scenario of the State in a phased manner, Power Minister Mohammed Sharief Naiz said today.

In order to improve the power scenario, Rs 401 crore has been sanctioned under Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (APDRP), Naiz said.

In the first phase under APDRP, Rs 20 crore will be spent on Srinagar and Budgam districts of Kashmir region and Jammu district of Jammu division.

Leh and Kargil districts of Ladakh region would also be brought under the purview of APDRP for which, he said, a comprehensive project of Rs.52 crore was awaiting approval of the State cabinet.

In order to curb power pilferage and to ensure transparency in maintenance of electric lines, upgradation of distribution system and to provide uninterrupted power supply to the people, the Government has decided to constitute Locality-Wise Monitoring Cells (LWMC) involving local people and NGOs.

The cells would be empowered to go through several complaints like mismanagement, over charging of power tariff besides creating awareness among the people for judicious and need based use of electricity.

Naiz said the Government was purchasing power from the northern grid to the tune of over Rs.1200 crore annually against which a meager revenue of Rs.350 crore was received.

Stating that the people should come forward voluntarily and register their actual load, he said they should help in supplementing Government efforts in strengthening the power infrastructure of the State.

The Minister said performance of the officials would be properly monitored on the basis of their efficiency in managing distribution system and realising the targetted revenue in their respective field.

Officers with record collection of revenue would be encouraged and defaulters would be punished, including forced retirement, he said ading Government was contemplating to strictly adhere to the standing rules and order the transfers of all such incumbents to the level of engineers who have completed their minimum term of two years at a particular post.

He said mechanism adopted for the attachments and premature transfers would be done away with, adding an engineer could be considered for posting as technical officer or stores office only once in his service career. (PTI)

Case registered, 5 detained
Aggrieved KAS aspirant attempts self immolation

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 22: Seeking postponement of KAS Mains examinations, an aggrieved aspirant for the Service attempted self immolation in front of the Central Library in Jammu University today.

However, timely action of Gandhi Nagar police station SHO Inspector S S Samyal rescued the youth, identified as Tazeem Dar, from self immolation attempt. He was subsequently whisked away to the police station and taken into preventive custody.

The high-voltage drama took place on the University Campus at 11.15 am this morning, minutes before the JU Vice-Chancellor Prof Amitabh Mattoo’s press conference.

Shouting slogans against the J&K Public Service Commission and seeking postponement of the KAS Mains examinations, which are beginning from tomorrow, a handful of aggrieved KAS aspirants assembled in front of the Central Library.

Within minutes of gathering there, Tazeem Dar, who was leading the group, took extreme step and made the self immolation bid after sprinkling kerosene oil on his legs.

However, quick action by the SHO Gandhi Nagar Police Station Inspector S S Samyal, who already had prior information of the immolation plan and was camping there alongwith his cops, overpowered Dar and foiled the attempt.

Besides Tazeem Dar, four more youth were taken into preventive custody for helping the former in attempting self immolation. Their identity was established as Khaliq Firdous and Ramzan Khan. Police sources said a case is being registered against the youths under Section 309 RPC for attempting to commit suicide.

It may be recalled that on last Friday, Tazeem Dar and some other KAS aspirants had alleged violation of reservation rules by J&K PSC and threatened to resort to extreme step if Mains examinations of the Services are not postponed in the light of State High Court order.

Injustice led to secessionism in J&K, NE: Shankracharya

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 22: Jagadguru Shankracharya Swami Adhok- sajanandadevartirtha ji has said that secessionism is the outcome of the injustice done to the people by the political system in the country.

Addressing a press conference here today, the religious personality said that people of Jammu and Kashmir have been the victims of the pride and prestige issues between the India and Pakistan. The people of this otherwise peaceful and secular state have been suffering only due to the wrong policies of the politicians of both the countries.

He said the only the politicians are responsible for the fate of over 4 lakhs people from Kashmir who became migrants in their own country. The political leaders failed to act in the right direction at that time in early ninetees and could not prevent the mass exodus from Valley. Thousands of innocent people have lost lives during this bloodshed and it should be stopped now.

The religious guru further said that injustice is the root cause of secessionism and gun-culture in any part of the world. If the politicians or those ruling the nation take care of every group or the region, such problems will never emerge. Whether it is North East, Assam, Nagaland or J&K, the problem started after injustice/ discrimination. The political leaders must rise above their petty interests and think for the welfare of the society and their people.

Criticising the politicians for exploiting religious people during elections, Shankracharya said that Dy Prime Minister used a large number of religious personalities during his Rath Yatra and he used to exploit the religious sentiments of the people which is very wrong. Such dirty politics only creates hate and brings down the reputation of the leaders. He also warned such religious people to keep a distance from politicians. It is the moral duty of the saints to show the right path to the society and give them the message of love, unity, peace and brotherhood among all.

He further suggested top leadership of India and Pakistan to shun their prestige for the sake of humanity and initiate dialogue for the permanent solution of this problem by involving all type of people. If they can invite Bodo secessionists for talks, then there should not be any hesitation in involving those who raised gun in Kashmir. The peace in this part of the world should be the main resolve of the people of both the countries, he maintained.

We should act on teaching of Lord Kabir: Mula Ram

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, June 22: In connection with commemoration of Kabir Jyanti the Minister for Social Welfare, Mr. Mula Ram visited Kabir Mandir Pandorian (Bishnah) and paid his tributes to great saint.

Addressing the gatherings, the Minister emphasized to follow teachings and principles of Lord Kabir. The need of hour is to follow and preach teachings of Lord Kabir to mitigate sufferings of common masses, the Minister said.

The devotees also reiterated demand of holiday on Kabir Jyanti. The Minister gave patient hearing to locals and took stock of issues raised by them. He promised that the issue so raised shall be taken up with the concerned departments for early redressal.

The Minister was accompanied by Messers Joginder Bhagat, President, J&K Kabir Sabha and Madan Lal, Secretary, Kabir Sabha.

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