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| Ceasefire provides border villagers a time to venture out from dark confines JAMMU, Dec 28 : As the vehicle struggled its way through the muddy tracks towards the India-Pakistan border, one comes across children trying to wield the willow in a bid to emulate Sachin Tendulkar....more HC quashes
termination Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 28: In a landmark judgement, the State High Court has quashed the termination orders of Senior Telecom Operating Assistants whose services were terminated on September..........more Youth
hangs himself Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 28: A youth committed suicide by hanging himself with the ceiling fan while as two brothers were severely stabbed by a group of miscreants...............more Full court
reference Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 28: Today, a full court reference was held in the High Court Complex here under the chairmanship of Acting Chief Justice VK Jhanji to mourn the death of Advocate Daljit Singh Rehmat.....more Mattoo
assures solution Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 28: Jammu University Vice-Chancellor Prof Amitabh Mattoo today assured the agitating non-State students of JU affiliated private B Ed Colleges to evolve.........more |
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Special
audit of Waqaf accounts: CM Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 28: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has asked the Waqaf Board to organize special audit of its accounts through Director Audit and Inspections so as to ensure accountability..............more Niaz
rebuts Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 28: The Power Minister, Mr Mohammad Sharief Niaz today rejected the allegations made by the Youth National Conference about the alleged hike in power tariff saying that these are totally baseless........more Excelsior Correspondent NEW DELHI, Nov 28: Idea Cellular Limited—India’s leading cellular operator today celebrated its first anniversary amidst colourful expression. The children of Prayas—a Delhi-based NGO, participated in a painting competition titled "colourful ideas" organised by IDEA Cellular.........more Party
announces 98 member Executive Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 28: Strongly criticizing the State Government for hiking the power tariff, the State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).....more |
Ceasefire provides border villagers a
time to JAMMU, Dec 28 : As the vehicle struggled its way through the muddy tracks towards the India-Pakistan border, one comes across children trying to wield the willow in a bid to emulate Sachin Tendulkar, a sight missing for years, due to murderous fire from Pakistani guns. The ceasefire between the armies of both the nations has finally materialised with the heavy machine guns falling silent. Women were seen going freely towards their agricultural lands while the elders basked under the sun. These villagers were forced to stay indoors for days when Indian and Pakistani troops fired volley after volley from heavy Caliber weapons at each other’s bunkers and formations as well as adjoining villages. As the vehicle screeches to a halt, scantily-clad and malnourished children with protruding bellies come running towards the car. But today, all had smiles on their face. Their huts still bore evidence of being in a conflict zone with gaping holes in the roofs and walls pockmarked from shelling. "I guess we are free to move in and around the villages, but this is something so hard to believe," said Raju, a milkman. "We had almost forgotten about basking under the sun or playing in the open as such acts meant invitation to death. We never knew when shelling would begin and how long would it last," he told this visiting correspondent. Another villager, Prem Dogra painfully recalled the days when their village was bombarded by Pakistani troops during Operation Parakram. "Those days were horrible. The entire village was deserted except for my family. One woman who was pregnant needed to be rushed to a nearby medicare unit, but before we could reach there, she gave birth to a child who subsequently died," Dogra said and wept. Paras summed up saying development had come to a standstill. Schools were empty as none dared to venture out risking Pakistani sniper fire. "Farmers couldn’t go to their fields and on top of it, we lost our livestock." The villagers remain unsure about how long the ceasefire would continue. "It is too early to say that things have brightened for us. Who knows how sincere Pakistan is in its objective?" another villager said. When this correspondent had visited this village previously, it was on those days when both the armies traded heavy fire. The entire village bore evidence of buildings damaged by bullets and mortar shells, forcing exodus of the dwellers. Only Prem Dogra’s family remained behind braving Pakistani fire. With the soldiers looking relaxed, albeit maintaining a watchful eye, the villagers have reason to cheer. For the children and women, it is time to venture out from the dark confines of their huts and enjoy the bright sunshine. (UNI) |
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HC quashes termination of Telecom Operating Assts Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 28: In a landmark judgement, the State High Court has quashed the termination orders of Senior Telecom Operating Assistants whose services were terminated on September 23, 2002 on the ground that they had secured the jobs by producing fake Employment Registration Cards. The judgement was passed in a writ petition filed by Pankaj Sudan and others in which they challenged their termination orders. Senior Advocate D C Raina with Advocate S S Jamwal appeared for the petitioners and said that the petitioners were possessed genuine Employment Registration Cards and referred the certificates issued by the Assistant Director Employment Rajouri. Advocate Raina further submitted that the respondents have neither asked the petitioners to associate with the inquiry nor offered an opportunity by the Inquiry officer to establish their claim with regards to the genuineness of the Employment Registration Cards. On the other hand, Senior Central Government Standing Council S S Nanda in his argument admitted that orders terminating the petitioners’ services have been issued as investigating team of the Department found that no Employment Cards in the names of the petitioners had been issued by the Dy Director Employment, Rajouri. Mr Nanda vehemently argued that petitioners services could be terminated in terms of rules 5 of CCS (CCA) Temporary Service Rule 1965 as their Employment Registration Cards were found fictitious and fabricated. Justice Parmod Kohli, while quashing the termination orders of the petitioners, referred a judgement of the Supreme Court and observed that whether possession of Employment Registration Cards can be considered eligibility criteria of qualification for service of permanent employees. In the opinion of the court that Employment Registration Card can not and should not be a eligible criteria for securing employment, therefore, whether the petitioners were holding valid employment Registration card, is irrelevant. Though using a fake document for securing employment is definitely a serious matter and needs to be inquired into. With these observations, Justice Kohli allowed the petition and quashed the impugned orders. The court directed that petitioners be re-instated in service. However, respondents are at liberty to hold an inquiry whether petitioners have produced fake employment Registrations Cards. |
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Youth
hangs himself to death; 2 brothers Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 28: A youth committed suicide by hanging himself with the ceiling fan while as two brothers were severely stabbed by a group of miscreants. Police spokesman quoting family members said that Darshan Kumar, son of Behari Lal of Shiv Nagar came to the house at around 1600 hours and aftersome went into one of the adjoning rooms. When the victim closed the door of the room the family thought that he might have wanted to sleep for sometime. But when he didn’t come out of the room for quite sometime, one of the family members knocked the door to wake him up. But the repeated attempts failed to do so forcing the family to broke open the door. On opening the door, the family found Darshan Kumar hanging on the ceiling fan. The message was flashed to Sarwal Police and the body was, later, shifted to Government Medical College Hospital. Police has registered a case in this connection and started investigations to ascertain the cause behind the suicide. Two brothers were severally stabbed by a group of miscreants at Basohli last evening. Police spokesman said that both the victims—Mushtaq Ahmed, son of Maqsood Ahmed of Basohli and Mohd Hussain—were on their way to home when the miscreants stopped them and entered into verbal dual over some issue. After inflicting severe stab wounds on both the brothers, all the miscreants fled from the spot leaving behind the victims bleeding profusely. Both were rushed to District Hospital Kathua where doctors referred them to Government Medical College Hospital for specialised treatment. Their condition was stated to be critical when reports last came in. In the morning, a large number of villagers staged dharna in protest against the failure of the Police to arrest the absconding criminals. The villagers continued dharna till the police and civil authorities assured that all the miscreants would be arrested immediately. The miscreants have been identified as Sumit Vaid, Sanjum Gupta, Prince, Rishi Jamwal, Sohan Lal and Vinod. Meanwhile, a couple—Jasbir Singh, son of Balwan Singh of Nanak Nagar and his wife Prakash Kour received severe injuries in accidental fire at their residence. Both have been hospitalised and their condition was stated to be critical when reports last came in. Police has registered a case in this connection and further investigations were on. Seven persons—Bhagwan Kour, wife of Chain Singh of Gole Gujaral, Heemani, daughter of Bhagat Ram of Rohi Morh, Abass, son of Noor of Jain Bazar, Ramesh Gandotra, son of Madan Mohan of Channi, Hagoo, wife of Swar Din of Ladoor, Kamlo Devi, wife of Gharoo Ram of Gumpal and Gharu Ram, son of Kirpa Ram of Gumpal— were injured in separate road accidents reported from various parts of Jammu. All have been hospitalised and their condition was stated to be normal when reports last came in. |
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Full court reference mourns Advocate’s demise Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 28: Today, a full court reference was held in the High Court Complex here under the chairmanship of Acting Chief Justice VK Jhanji to mourn the death of Advocate Daljit Singh Rehmat. In the reference, Additional Advocate General BS Slathia paid rich tributes to the departed soul. He described Mr Rehmat as a great student leader and a revolutionary who played key role for the upliftment of down-trodden and under-privileged sections of the society. He termed his demise as a great loss to the judiciary as well as public at large. Justice Jhanji described Mr Rehmat as an extra-ordinary gentleman and champion of the cause of the down-trodden people of the society. Justice Jhanji prayed to Almighty for giving strength to the family of the deceased to bear this irreparable loss. Justice Jhanji also declared that there will be no judicial work after reference as a mark of respect to the departed soul. Among others present in the full court reference included Justice SK Gupta, Justice Parmod Kohli, Justice YP Nargotra, members of Subordinate Judiciary, member of the presidium of Bar Association, RP Jamwal and large number of Advocates. |
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Mattoo assures solution to B Ed students' problem Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 28: Jammu University Vice-Chancellor Prof Amitabh Mattoo today assured the agitating non-State students of JU affiliated private B Ed Colleges to evolve some solution to their problem within a week time. The Vice-Chancellor came out of his office chamber and personally met the B Ed students who were holding a peaceful demonstration in front of the Administration block in Jammu University seeking NCTE (National Council of Teaching Education) approval to the University B Ed degree. Prof Mattoo informed that a JU team was leaving for Rajasthan to take up the matter with State Government and evolve some solution for safeguarding the future of students admitted to different B Ed colleges here. As reported earlier, non-State Students, particularly of Rajasthan, are demanding that either their B Ed degree is got approved by NCTE or their admission fee is refunded. Earlier, a large number of non-State students from different JU affiliated B Ed colleges, assembled on the University Campus and held a massive demonstration in favour of their demands. They also raised slogans seeking immediate solution to their problem. Meanwhile, several student organisations, including Jammu State Students Morcha, Jammu Unemployed Educated Youth Association, Jammu Dogri Students Front and Students Socialists Front have extended their support to the demand of B Ed students. |
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Special audit of Waqaf
accounts: CM Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 28: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has asked the Waqaf Board to organize special audit of its accounts through Director Audit and Inspections so as to ensure accountability and transparency in the working of the Board. Chairing a joint meeting of Waqaf Board authorities and Medical Superintendents of four major hospitals of Srinagar here today, the Chief Minister who is also the Chairman of the Waqaf Board was informed that the Waqaf Board would take care of sanitation of SMHS, Lal Ded, Children Hospital and Bone and Joint Hospital. It would utilize the services of private agencies, for which the tenders would be floated in a couple of days. However, in the next phase Waqaf Board would cover other District Hospitals of the valley for their sanitation on similar lines. The expenses for the purpose would entirely be borne by the Waqaf Board. It was decided in the meeting that the visitors wearing shoes would not be allowed entry in the hospitals. Instead, the Waqaf Board would provide slippers to the hospitals in Srinagar for keeping these available at the entry points for use by the visitors so as to ensure proper upkeep and cleanliness in wards and corridors. The Chief Minister exhorted the Waqaf Board authorities to prepare a project for fencing and earth filling of Idgah in Srinagar city on which work needs to be taken up at the earliest. He said that the construction of a commercial complex in the close proximity of the Idgah should also be included in the project. The Chief Minister also enquired about proposed beautification and works plans of Hazratbal Shrine and Jenab Sahib Soura premises and asked for their early implementation. The Vice Chairman and Chief Executive, J&K Waqaf Board, Mr. Mohd Shafi Pandit briefed the Chief Minister about activities that are likely to be undertaken by the Waqaf Board particularly under educational and community development sectors so that the Waqaf Board becomes a welfare institution rather than a charitable body. Principal Government Medical College Dr. G. R. Mir and Special Secretary to Chief Minister Nayeem Akhtar were also present in the meeting. |
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Niaz rebuts NC allegation on power tariff Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 28: The Power Minister, Mr Mohammad Sharief Niaz today rejected the allegations made by the Youth National Conference about the alleged hike in power tariff saying that these are totally baseless, false and misconceived. Reacting to the allegations made through print media, the Minister clarified that no increase in power tariff has been effected but the consumers have been asked to pay for the service as per actual load consumption. However, anybody having complaint regarding excess billing or unjust tariff charges can always approach him personally or the senior officers so that disciplinary action could be taken against erring officials, he added. Mr Niaz urged the politicians not make it a political issue for deriving political mileage out of such issues. |
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Koirala shares colourful
ideas with Prayas children Excelsior Correspondent NEW DELHI, Nov 28: Idea Cellular Limited—India’s leading cellular operator today celebrated its first anniversary amidst colourful expression. The children of Prayas—a Delhi-based NGO, participated in a painting competition titled "colourful ideas" organised by IDEA Cellular at the Ansal Plaza. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Vikram Mehmi, CEO-Idea Cellular said "IDEA’s first year has definitely been an exciting one. It is our desire to give back a portion of our success not only to our two million customers and other well-wishers but also steadily share with society some of the success that we have had. Our initiative with Prayas is our first endeavour in this direction". Adding even more colour to the occasion was actress Manisha Koirala, who not only judged the top paintings but also joined the kids in their efforts of expression. Expressing her thought on the Idea, Ms Koirala said "I am amazed by the creativity and talent that children these days, possesses. It is great the underprivileged children are also being given public platforms to present their talent". Prize money and gift certificates were presented to two winners in each category by Manisha Koirala and Mr Rajendra Chourasia—Idea Delhi Circle Head. In addition, Prayas’ children also get a long term advantage in the corporate world. The four prize-winning entries will be used by Idea Cellular as part of the design for its new year cards for year 2004. Mr Rajib K Haldar, Executive Director Prayas said "these children need every motivation and support that they can get in order to bring them at par with society and Prayas is glad that such an opportunity has been presented to the children by Idea Cellular. This is an excellent gesture from Idea towards corporate social responsibility and Prayas feels honoured to be part of it". |
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Party announces 98 member
Executive Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 28: Strongly criticizing the State Government for hiking the power tariff, the State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), today warned to launch agitation against what it called the unconstitutional decision. The Party besides holding the demonstrations will also launch the torch light procession to express its strong resentment against the anti people policies of the coalition partners said BJP spokesman and vice president Prof Hari Om while talking to mediapersons here today. He warned that the people in no case will pay the power bills as per the new tariff rate. Alleging that people of Jammu and Ladakh have been constantly facing the discrimination through the hands of Kashmiri rulers for last 56 years, he said the Kashmiri leaders have always considered the Jammu as their colony and deprived it of its due right. Denying the allegations that the policies of BJP and Hurriyat regarding the Kashmir are same, he said Hurriyat is a separatist organizations while the BJP is for the total integration of Kashmir with rest of India. While criticizing the style of working of Finance Minister, Muzaffar Hussain Baig, he alleged that files are filing up on his table as the Minister is not attending his office regularly. He asked Mr Baig either quit and allow the Chief Minister to appoint a new Finance Minister as the people of the State are facing the problems due to his style of working or attend the office regularly. He also sought the intervention of the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed in the matter and urged him to sort out the problem so that the people will be relieved of their miseries to which they are subjected due to pending of important files in Finance Ministry. Prof Hari Om also announced the newly nominated State Executive by the Party chief, Dr Nirmal Singh. He said five senior functionaries have been inducted as vice presidents of the Party who besides him include Th. Ranjit Singh, Shamsher Singh, Lalit Moza and Baldev Sharma. Prof Hari Om said, besides holding the post of vice president he will continue to function as spokesman of the state BJP. He said Ajay Jamwal, Ashok Khajuria and Bali Bhagat have been appointed as general secretaries while Jyoti Parkash Sharma,Mrs Suresh Jamwal, S Charanjit Singh Khalsa, Vivod Gupta and Sofi Yusuf have been nominated as secretaries. Ram Saroop Gupta has been appointed the treasurer, while Sat Pal Grover will be the publicity secretary, he said adding Mohinder Pal Singh, Narsingh Das Rajwal and J R Gupta will function as press secretary, office secretary and additional office secretary respectively. Besides senior BJP leader and Union MoS for Defence, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, Daya Krishan Kotwal, Lala Shiv Charan Gupta, Om Parkash Gupta, Jugal Kishore Sharma, MLA, Kuldip Raj Gupta, Chander Mohan Sharma, Prithvi Chand, Hans Raj Dogra, Vishvender Sharma, Satish Sasan, Prof. Kameshwar Nath, Ram Saroop Sharma, Shiv Kumar Gupta, Satish Gupta, Virender Magotra, Satish Sharma, Kulbushan Kumar, Dr Ashok Gupta, Master Sohan Lal, Chaman Lal Kanathia, Ravinder Gupta, Sham Singh Katoch, Som Nath, Master Lal Chand, Gopal Das, Inder Pal Gupta, Sat Sharma CA, Col (retd) Bahadur Singh, Capt. (retd) Krishan Lal Kesar, Ashok Singh Chib, Prof Archana Kesar, Mrs Geeta Thakur, Mrs Chander Kanta, Mrs Kausar Sultan, Mohd Akbar Khan, Damodar Singh, Abdul Rashid Bukhari, Roshan Lal Gupta, Jagdish Sapolia and Lal Chand have been nominated as members. In addition to it Anil Parihar has been appointed president of Yuva Morcha, Surekha Choudhary of Mahila Morcha, Ch. Sukhnandan of Kisan Morcha, Bansi Lal Bharti of S C Morcha and Ch. Salamuddin of S T Morcha. Ch Chaggar Singh will be Party president for district Kathua, Chander Parkash Ganga for Samba, Kavinder Gupta for Jammu, Chajju Singh for Akhnoor, Pawan Gupta for Udhampur, Brij Mohan Sharma, Doda, Yougesh Sharma for Rajouri and Sunil Gupta for Poonch. He said Col. (retd) Uttam Singh will head the ex-Servicemen Cell, Ram Parkash Sharma Sharnarthi Cell, Hira Lal Chatta, Kashmiri Migrants Cell, Mohan Singh Chohan Election Cell, Dr Rajiv Sharma, Intellectuals Cell, Romesh Arora Legal Cell, Rajidner Chadda, Ajiwan Sehyog Nidhi, Virenderjit Singh, Local Bodies and Rajinder Jain, Beopar Mandal Cell. He said besides the constitution of Ladakh Unit, three more cells including Doctors, Cultural and Border Migrants Cell will be constituted soon. The Party spokesman said, the Party which was having a single president for Kashmir province previously will constitute the three district chiefs now. With the constitution of all the units the total strength of the Executive will rise to 104 which is 98 at present,he added. He said apart from them 16 members will be special invitees to Party Executive. |
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‘Preventive
measures against diseases in full swing’ Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 28: Jammu and Kashmir has remained polio-free during the current year as no case about the disease has been reported from anywhere in the State. Minister for Health and Medical Education Ch. Lal Singh said this has been possible due to sustained campaign launched for immunization against the disease and active cooperation of the parents and community. Chairing a meeting of senior functionaries of the department here, the Minister said that to improve the routine vaccine preventable disease immunization, Out Reach Service, a programme has been launched by the department of Family Welfare and Reproductive Child Health Care in the twin capitals of Jammu and Kashmir. The programme aims at strengthening the immunization programme by imparting the district level officers expert training at PGI Chandigarh on various facets of immunization, said Mr. Singh. Deliberating on the success of the immunization programme in Jammu and Kashmir for population stabilization, Ch. Lal Singh said that training of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) is being broad based. Initially, the training in TBAs is being started in Rajouri and Udhampur districts of Jammu division where the safe delivery is reportedly less than 30 per cent. He said the coalition Government is extending the programme to cover all districts for educating the already practicing medics regarding antenatal check up, identify high-risk pregnancies, counseling and conduct of safe normal deliveries apart from checking neonatal and maternal mortality. The referral of high-risk pregnant women to the health institutions is also going to increase through these TBAs, he maintained. He said that the Centre has granted sanction for Dai training in 10 districts of the State adding Rajouri and Udhampur has already started this training and trained 481 Dais. Director Family Welfare and RCH Dr. P. K. Jandial informed that under RCH training programme, 238 health care workers have been trained outside the State including 121 district key trainees at State Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Panchkula, Haryana. He said specialized skill development training for Leproscopy, Non Scalpel Vasectomy, MTP to medical officers and IUD insertion training for FMPHWs’ is being regularly conducted at Jammu Medical College and at all district training centres respectively for maternal and child health, management and communication under integrated foundation skill development training. Dr. Jandial said that to educate adolescents regarding their sexual and physical well being, two adolescent health clinics are being set up soon at Government Medical College Srinagar and Jammu. |
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Niaz for multi-pronged strategy
to create Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 28: Minister for Power Mr Mohammad Sharief Niaz today lauded the efforts of various voluntary organisations and opinion leaders for creating awareness about the proper use of power and payment of necessary tariff by the service users. Chairing a meeting of All J&K Coordination Committee of Power Development Department this afternoon, the Minister said that collective efforts are required for checking power pilferage and making judicious use of the scarce energy being procured from Northern Grid on highly exorbitant rates. The meeting decided to hold a seminar on December 22nd next for enlisting the support of NGOs, social organisations and other voluntary bodies besides opinion leaders to create general awareness about the power use. The committee suggested formation of Mohallla Committees for monitoring the power supply and motivating the consumers to register their actual load consumption with electric maintenance staff. This will not only help in reducing the pilferage caused, interalia, by illegal connections but also step up tariff collection. The coordination committee will launch awareness campaign through holding cultural programmes and distributing pamphlets. The Minister also lauded Small Khadi Institute Federation (SKIF) for their campaign in Bishnah which culminated into regularization of 40 illegal connections and recovery of over Rs 10,000 as tariff. Among others, the meeting was attended by Dr. S.K. Sharma Vice-chairman, SKIF, Mr K.K. Mahajan, General Secretary, S. Balwant Singh Manhas and Mr M.M. Gupta, S. Mohan Singh representatives of coordination committee. |
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Confederation of Employees holds protest demonstration Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 28: Confederation of J&K Government Employees Association today condemned political motivated anti-working class policy of both Centre and State Governments. Addressing various functions organised by the Associations, employees leaders said that both State Government and Centre are hell bent upon to curve the trade union culture in India by snatching the right to strike for genuine demands like Dearness Allowance, Disturbed Area allowance. Addressing the employees, Girdhari Lal Chandha condemned silent attitude of State Government, who according to him, has violated the clear direction of Central Government as per the Shanker Committee Report for absorbing the employees of District Rural Development agencies in the line department. He also regretted that Disturbed Area Allowance is not paid to the employees despite being the fact that whole J&K State is disturbed. Meanwhile the Confederation completed the fourth face of its struggle by holding protest rallies/demonstrations at Jammu in Command Area Development. In the demonstration hundreds of employees participated from Rural Development Department, Horticulture Department and Command Area Development representing their departments unions/ associations which was chaired by Girdhari Lal Chandha. Others who addressed the demonstration included Roop Lal, Gitan Singh, Kuldip Raj Sharma, Jaswant Singh, Kamal Bhardwaj, Chaman Lal Sangotra, Prem Singh, Karan Puri, Parveen Kesar, K K Koushal, Sunita Devi, Archana Devi and Gamini Devi. |
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Displaced Employees Forum lists demands Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 28: Executive Body of All Displaced Kashmiri Employees Forum in a meeting here today held under the chairmanship of its president, M K Tickoo urged the Government to solve the long pending demands of the migrant employees from the Valley. The meeting demanded formal sanction be given to release of HRA and CCA, Amendment to Government Order No 362, transfer of the records from the Valley for release of G P Fund and SLI payments and treating of displacement period on duty. In his address general secretary of the Forum V K Kashkari expressed grave concern overt the non implementation of the decisions taken from time to time by the Government regarding the settlement of the demands of the displaced employees. He also criticized the Income Tax Department for unnecessarily adding to the problems of the migrant employees by ignoring the instructions and directives of the Union Ministry. The meeting nominated Mrs Rajni Bhat as the treasurer of the Forum, K K Bhan as vice president, Basant Kumar as organizer, Ambardar as publicity secretary and A K Koul as advisor. Mr Tickoo asked the employees and members of affiliated wings to be ready for long drawn struggle in case the demands were not solved. |
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Parvash course of Scouts and Guides concludes Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 28: The Bharat Scout and Guide, students of National Public High School, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Colony organised a grand function to mark conclusion of their three day’s camp for Parvash course. K K Rao, managing director Modern Secular Trust of Education presided over the function in which Mohammed Khalil Naik was the chief guest. The function was attended by Bharat Scout and Guide State Commission I D Soni, Sehaj Singh, State Training Commission, R P Kotwal, Kiran Slathia and Gurcharan Singh. Mr Soni while addressing the function, highlighted the history, role and contribution of Scout and Guide in detail and complimented the school management, staff and guide captain, Sushma Sharma and Ritu Sharma for the remarkable arrangement and progress of the scout and guide students who presented different items in the function. MLA Mohammed Khalil Naik while addressing the function asked the Scout and Guide students to follow the motto of unity and discipline and pointed out that this organisation is like NCC who are always strive to develop secular outlook, spirit of adventure and ideals of selfless service. Prominent among others of attended the function included Dr Lakhvinder Singh, Buta Ram, Dr O P Bhagat, Prem Bhagat, K C Satya etc. In the end vote of thanks were presented by Kishore Kumar, Principal of the school. |
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15 JK students to attend cultural exchange camp in TN Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 28: Fifteen students of Jammu taken out from Army School Kaluchak, Jagriti Niketan and Jagriti Balwadi Sangam left for Chennai to participate in week-long cultural exchange camp. The programme has been organised and sponsored by Jawahar Bal Bhavan, Channai (Tamil Nadu). The students from various states are attending this programme. The children from J&K will perform and highlight the composite culture of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. They will perform Kud, Kashmiri, Ladakhi and Dogri dance besides performing Dogri folk like Chamka, Jagarna and Surma. The students participating in the camp are- Astha, Aakriti, Priyanka, Geetika, Tanvi, Mehak, Sakshi, Amit, Hema, Sonali, Tisha, Anirudh, Gravita, Harleen and Stenzin. Jagriti, Sunita, Vishal and Rameshwar are the teacher incharge. |
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Ceasefire fallout of Mufti’s efforts for peace: PDP Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 28: Senior vice-president of J&K People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Rangil Singh has welcomed the border ceasefire between India and Pakistan and described the development as a historic step towards restoration of peace in the sub-continent. While addressing a meeting of party executives, here today, Mr Rangil Singh claimed that the step was a fallout of Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed’s efforts for restoration of peace in the State. The ceasefire has vindicated the stand of Mufti Sayeed that gun is no solution to vexed Kashmir problem, he added. The PDP leader also hoped that gun wielding youth would also contribute in this peace process and shun the path of violence and join the mainstream for overall development of the State. The people of Jammu and Kashmir, he added, have realised that violence was not going to bring any relief for them. Rangil Singh suggested that it was high time for both India and Pakistan to seize this opportunity and use their resources in nation building. |
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Considerable increase in sales tax registered Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Nov 28: As against the revenue realization of Rs.236.36 crores ending October, 2002, the Sales Tax Department has realized an amount of Rs.287.60 crores registering an increase of Rs. 51.24 crores. This was revealed in a meeting convened by Deputy Sales Tax Commissioner (Adm), Jammu while reviewing the performance of the Assessing Authorities of Sales Tax for the period ending second quarter of the current financial year. The collection includes an among of Rs.204.98 crores in sales tax, Rs. 79.20 crores in motor spirit tax and Rs.3.42 crores in Passenger Tax as against the collection of the last year Rs.163.87 crores, Rs. 69.94 crores and Rs. 2.54 crores respectively. |
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Two-day workshop on AIDS/HIV organised Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 28: A two-day inter-college workshop of NSS volunteers was organised on HIV/AIDS awareness in the Model Institute of Education and Research (MIER). The programme was sponsored by NSS unit of Jammu University while the programme officers and NSS volunteers of eight private colleges participated in the workshop. Dr Arun Gupta, director of the college was the chief guest on the occasion. Mrs Renu Arun, principal Dr V K Gandotra resource person on HIV/ AIDS and Dr R Bindra were also present. The workshop commenced with lighting of traditional lamp followed by Saraswati Vandana. In her welcome address Dr Renu highlighted some activities of the Institution and also referred to the burning problem of AIDS, which is posing great threat to humanity. The director pointed out that AIDS is a global issue which needs immediate attention of the people, Government and NGOs, social organisations and particularly the educational institutes where in the teachers can play a vital role in creating awareness. There is immediate need to create wide spread awareness among the students about its fatal effects. He also extended thanks to Prof Kapoor and other University Members for selecting MIER college for this workshop. In the Ist session of the workshop Dr Bindra delivered comprehensive lecture on the subject. She said the AIDS treatment is very costly and the people of this country can not afford. Developing countries have already several measures to check it. The situation is grim in South Africa, China and India. In the states like Orissa and MP the rate of HIV/ AIDS patients is more than 2 per cent. The disease is transmitted from men to women and then to children and vice versa. Rs 12.79 cr earmarked for education sector in Leh Excelsior Correspondent Leh, Nov 28: An amount of Rs.12.79 crore has been earmarked for education sector during 2004-05 in Leh district against the an allocation of Rs.8.85 crore during the current year. This was disclosed by the Executive Councillor, Education, Mr.Rigzin Spalbar while addressing people and students on the conclusion of weeklong K.G.Bakula Memorial Education campaign in Nyoma Sub-Division yesterday. The Executive Councillor said that the Hill Council, Leh has initiated an education campaign in the name of K.G.Bakula to promote education in the district. Under this campaign, the masses are being educated to keep constant interaction with school authorities and monitor education system. People were also educated to constitute new Village Education Committees during the campaign. Mr.Rigzin Spalbar said that Hill Council is keen to provide a sound educational infrastructure and Rs.1.92 crore are being spent on construction of school buildings, hostels and additional class rooms in the district. He said that the educational campaign should not be restricted only for a week only but efforts be made to carry it for the whole year. SKUAST holds one day awareness
programme Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 28: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) organised one day awareness programme of the promotion of spices and condiments today. In the awareness programme a seizable number of experts, field functionaries from Agriculture Department, farmers/growers and NGO representatives from different areas including R S Pura, Akhnoor Jourian, Kishtwar and Paddar attended the programme and deliberated. H U Khan, Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST-Jammu was the chief guest while Vinod Bala Sharma, Director Agriculture Department was the guest of honour. In his inaugural address, Vice-Chancellor SKUAST-J stressed upon the need of location and crop specific research vis-a-vis awareness programme. He asserted that there will no paucity of funds for such research involving latest technologies and programmes for the awareness of farmers of the region. He also stressed upon the training of field functionaries of Agriculture and Horticulture departments for the transfer of technology developed by scientists to farmers. On this occasion two pamphlets in Hindi prepared, one each on ginger and turmeric were released by the chief guest. He stressed on the introspection and co-ordinated efforts ranging from the cultivation to quality control, value addition and biotechnology through serious efforts by scientists/experts and field functionaries for the benefit of farmers/growers. J B Singh, Asstt Director National Horticulture Board also spoke about spices and condiments and different schemes. Demonstrations on ginger and turmeric and plant tissue culture multiplied plant were given by Prof R K Gupta and Dr V S Verma. Prof R K Gupta and Dr F A Masoodi from SKUAST-J also spoke on various aspects of cultivation, disease and pest management, biotechnology, quality control and adulterants in different spices and and condiments grown in the region. Prof R K Gupta also presented vote of thanks. The programme was sponsored by NHB/NATB. |
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