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Srinagar Mufti for setting up of medical trust to help needy Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 13: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today called for setting up a Medical Trust through voluntary initiative to help the needy who can not....more 47 SHGs of unemployed engineers formulated Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Oct 13: The Chief Secretary, Dr. S. S. Bloeria convened a high level officers meeting to review distribution of Self Help Groups.........more CS takes
stock of Darbar Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Oct. 13: The Chief Secretary, Dr. S. S. Bloeria took stock of security/law and order situation and traffic arrangements in view of ensuing........more Unemployed
youth Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 13: To draw attention of the authorities towards problems being faced by them, unemployed......more Over Rs 67
cr annual Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Oct 13: The annual Plan out lay of over Rs. 67.70 crores for district Jammu..........more |
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Pak raising special militant groups to target J&K hills JAMMU, Oct 13: Pakistan is raising ‘special militant groups’ to target mountainous terrains along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir by imparting them training in high altitude mountains............more Mir calls
for upgrading Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 13: Minister for Tourism, Housing and Urban Development, Gh. Hassan Mir has called for upgrading tourist infrastructure expeditiously to cope with tourist inflow in the coming tourist season........more Investigation
reveals true story Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 13: The police found at least little less than half of the alleged 84 disappeared persons claimed by Association of Disappeared...........more 2
mountaineers of ITBP Excelsior Correspondent Leh, Oct 13: Two Ladakhi mountaineers of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) who lost their lives after successful climbing on Punchachuli Peak-II on September 20.....more |
Yet another conference takes
off in Srinagar Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 13: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today called for setting up a Medical Trust through voluntary initiative to help the needy who can not afford high cost treatment for serious ailments. Inaugurating 3-day 4th national annual conference of Indian Leptospirosis Society hosted by the Department of Pathology and Microbiology of SKIMS here today, the Chief Minister said that the proposed Trust should be registered as a society and the Government would also contribute towards its corpus to be raised through donations. He said the treatment cost of several serious ailments is becoming out of reach for many and the renowned medical practitioners should take a lead and become a catalyst for setting up the Trust to help the ailing humanity. He said many of the doctors who have settled abroad and made a name in their profession have offered to come back to the State and help in setting up hospitals to facilitate the people, adding that it is a welcome gesture. He also stressed the need for availing benefit of the mediclaim scheme by the employees and other targeted beneficiaries, as it is a very progressive welfare measure. Referring to the leptospirosis disease, Mufti Sayeed said that many dangerous diseases like smallpox have been eradicated and emphasised for launching a campaign to eliminate any instance of this ailment. Asking doctors to serve in the rural and far-flung areas where their services are required the most, the Chief Minister said despite heavy pressure, his Government detached over 3000 teachers attached at Srinagar and Jammu which was upheld even by the Supreme Court. He said a policy would be formulated so that serving in rural areas is made a pre-condition for the doctors being engaged under contractual appointments. He expressed his concern that even those boys and girls who are selected for MBBS course from the rural areas feel shy to work there once they get the job. The Chief Minister announced that two nursing colleges would be set up at Srinagar and Jammu shortly. He also asked the health department to arrange mobile gynecological units for the far-flung areas through internal adjustment of the staff. He said ambulances and other equipment would be provided for these mobile units on priority. Referring to the need for improving diagnostic and disease management facilities at SKIMS, Mufti Sayeed said that it is imperative to make it a premier health institution of the State. He said the Government is fully equipping the Kashmir Nursing Home here so that services of super specialists are made available to the people to attend to serious diseases and they do not have to go outside the State for treatment. Describing participation of leading specialists from all over the country in the conference as a step towards peace, the Chief Minister said that such visits help further relaxing the situation in the State. He urged them to tell their relations and friends back home about the ground situation in Kashmir to remove their unfounded fear psychosis about visiting the valley. He said it is 131st such high level conference organized in the summer capital this year while many more have been planned for the coming days. The Chief Minister also released the souvenir of the conference. Earlier, he inaugurated the conference by lighting the traditional lamp. Minister for Health and Medical Education Ch. Lal Singh lauded the efforts of the organizers for holding such a well attended conference in the State where the awareness as well as sufficient infrastructure for curing the disease is not available. He said an intensive research is required not only for diagnosing the exact causes of leptospirosis but also its appropriate treatment. Mr. Singh suggested that a State-of-the-art leptospirosis diagnostic centre should be set up in Jammu and Kashmir on the pattern of Port Blair so that the people from the northern States could be benefited. He said the economy of the State is mostly agrarian based with large dependence for agriculture operations on livestock, the possibility of instances of the disease can not be fully ruled out. He said this calls for making the people aware about preventive and curative aspects of the disease and equipping the hospitals for the purpose. Secretary Health Dr. V. P. Gupta, President Indian Leptospirosis Society, Dr. S. C. Sehgal, Director SKIMS, Dr. S. Jalal, Dr. Azra Shah and President International Leptospirosis Society, Dr. Rudy Hartskreel also spoke on the occasion. |
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47 SHGs of unemployed engineers formulated Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Oct 13: The Chief Secretary, Dr. S. S. Bloeria convened a high level officers meeting to review distribution of Self Help Groups of unemployed engineers of Jammu division amongst the departments, corporations and autonomous bodies here today. The Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Mr. Lokesh Jha, Director School Education, Jammu, Chief Engineers of PWD, PHE and PDD, Director Rural Development and Deputy Commissioner, Jammu were also present. The meeting was apprised that as many as 47 Self Help Groups have been constituted of unemployed engineers for work allotment in six district of Jammu division. These include 21 groups in district Jammu, 16 in district Kathua, 3 in district Poonch, 3 in Rajouri and two each in Udhampur and Doda. Each group is represented by a group leader. The works allotment is being made in the departments of education, rural development, JKPCC etc. The Chief Secretary stressed the need for starting the process of distribution of Self Help Groups and execution of works without wastage of any time. He asked the concerned authorities to give a sympathetic lead to the unemployed engineers who have constituted Self Help Groups. Later, the Chief Secretary held a meeting with Director, Rural Development. The meeting discussed the functioning of various Panchayats. The meeting was apprised that the staff appointed in the Government schools functioning in various Panchayats of the division would get its salary only on the recommendation of the village education committees. |
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CS takes stock of Darbar move arrangements Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Oct. 13: The Chief Secretary, Dr. S. S. Bloeria took stock of security/law and order situation and traffic arrangements in view of ensuing Darbar move at a meeting of officers here this morning. The meeting was attended besides Director General of Police, Mr. Gopal Sharma by IGP Jammu Zone, Mr. P. L. Gupta, Director Estates, DIG, CID, Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu and other senior officers. The Chief Secretary had a round of New Secretariat complex and took stock of office accommodation. He issued instructions to the Estates Department to separate the lines of computers and telephones for early restoration and to ensure that move employees were adequately accommodated. Later, Mr. Bloeria alongwith the team of officers inspected the accommodation for Darbar move employees at Janipur, Company Bagh, Poonch House and BC Road, Jammu. |
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Unemployed youth hold demonstration Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 13: To draw attention of the authorities towards problems being faced by them, unemployed youth of Jammu today organised a protest demonstration today. A large number of unemployed youth participated in the rally and demanded that jobs should be given to them. Speakers while addressing the rally said that unemployed youth have been facing lot of hardship due to non-availability of jobs. They criticised the Government for imposing a blanket ban of the recruitment. Speakers were of the view that blanket ban on recruitment was not solution of this problem. They asked the Government to formulate a comprehensive plan to provide employment to the unemployed youth. They further stressed upon the Government to formulate such a policy that every unemployed youth will be given the opportunity to atleast earn their bread and butter. They demanded that some alternative arrangements should be made to provide jobs to unemployed youth. Speakers also demanded that easy procedure should be adopted while giving loans to the unemployed youth in various Self Employment Schemes. Earlier, unemployed youth took out a protest rally. A large number of youth attended the rally which passed through different bazaars and localities of city before reaching at the venue where protest demonstration was held. |
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Over Rs 67 cr annual plan for Jammu district Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Oct 13: The annual Plan out lay of over Rs. 67.70 crores for district Jammu was approved for the current financial year at the District Development Board meeting held here today. The Deputy Chief Minister, Pt. Mangat Ram Sharma who is also the chairman of the board presided. The Minister for R&B and vice chairman of the board Madan Lal Sharma, Minister for Social Welfare, Mula Ram, Minister of state for Rural Development, Ch. Gharu Ram and Minister of state for Sheep and Animal Husbandry, Y. P. Kundal, MP’s S. T. S. Bajwa and Ch. Talib Hussain, MLC’s Mr. Ved Mahajan, Amrit Malhotra, Farida Mir, Praduman Singh, Th. Gulchain Singh Charak, Mr. Lal Mohammad Sabir, and MLAs Mr. Ajay Sadhotra, Mr. Ashwani Kumar, Mr. Raman Bhalla, Mr. Yogesh Sawhney, Suman Bhagat, Haji Buland Khan, vice chairman, Gujjar and Bakerwal Advisory Board took part in the deliberations of the board meeting. Deputy Chief Minister, Pt. Mangat Ram Sharma while addressing the meeting said that to gear up the pace of development adequate funds would be provided. He called upon the officers to work in coordination for the implementation of development schemes to percolate benefits to the people at the earliest. It was revealed in the meeting that Rs. 10 lakhs have been sanctioned for sport stadium Gandhinagar. He said that export zone at an estimated cost of Rs. 200 crore would be set up at Kartholi to give boost to the industrial sector. A project amounting to Rs. 78 crore has been sent to the Centre Government for providing subsidy to the farmers and tracterising their lands in the mines free areas, he added. It was further informed that in the Ist phase 1500 Anganwari workers are being recruited. The project amounting to Rs. 10 crore for providing accommodation to the border migrants at safer places have also been sent to the central government for approval and Rs. 2.40 crore has been kept for improvement of traditional water resources. He said that self-employment schemes would also be implemented properly and community centres at Gandhinagar and Trikuta Nagar would also be constructed. He said that in Government Medical College, Jammu a well equipped cardiac unit and a full-fledged department of Neuro Surgery is coming up at the earliest besides opening a Dental College at Jammu. Mr. Yogesh Sawhney, MLA raised a demand for upgradation of schools, better sewerage system, providing primary health centres at Bikram Chowk, Gujjar Nagar and Shaheedi Chowk. He said that replacement of old water pipes, new tube wells and developing water body at River Tawi, cable car from Bahu Fort to Amar Mahal must be taken up to gear up the pace of development. Mr. Raman Bhalla, MLA, Jammu also demanded for upgradation of schools, improvement in drinking water facility and areas of Greater Kailash and Sainik Colony may be included in the Municipality limit. The Minister for R&B, Madan Lal Sharma said that various roads projects and fly-over in the city would also be taken up to shift the thrust of traffic on the tradition road. The Minister for Social Welfare, Mula Ram said that old age pension under various schemes has provided a help to the senior citizens and system has been streamlined to send them monthly pension. He also raised the demand for upgradation of schools in his constituency besides, improvement in the irrigational facilities. The Minister of State for Rural Development, Ch. Gharu Ram and Minister of State for Sheep and Animal Husbandry, Y. P. Kundal also spoke on the occasion and demanded better road connectivity and setting up of health centres in their constituencies. Various Legislators also spoke on the occasion and raised demands for upgradation of schools and opening of degree colleges, better road connectivity, drinking water facility and improvement in irrigation for boosting agriculture and horticulture in their constituencies. Principal Secretary, Finance and Planning, Vijay Bakaya, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Heads of departments and district officers were also present in the meeting. |
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Pak raising special militant groups to target J&K hills JAMMU, Oct 13: Pakistan is raising ‘special militant groups’ to target mountainous terrains along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir by imparting them training in high altitude mountains and snow bound warfare in federally administered tribal areas bodering Afghanistan, top security force sources said. Militants drawn from Lashker-e-Toiba, Harkat-ul-Jehadi- Islami, Al-Badr and tribals of north west frontier province and Fata were being given practical training in high altitude mountain warfare in Hamw schools at Wazirstan, Khyber, Bajaur and Kurram in Fata, the sources said. Run by Pakistan’s Northern Frontier Light Infantry (NFLI) brigade, these mountain warfare schools are training "militants in guise of soldiers drawn from Gilgat, NWFP and Fata for the last four months to Hoodwink international community," they said. These training schools are being financed by drug barons of golden cresent, popularly known as ‘Maliks of Fata’, who had extended financial help to warring Afghan groups during the war with Russia as well as Talibans, churned by Markaz-e-Dawaza, the sources said. "The aim of training militants in special high altitude, mountain and snow bound warfare is aimed to target the mountainous and snow-bound terrains along the LoC in J&K during the coming winter," they said, adding "they may be used to carry out special operations like Kargil intrusion in J&K hills." The NFLI brigade, which looks after operational area opposite to Siachen-Kargil-Ladakh sector of J&K and was the main brain behind Kargil intrusion, was training militants in these schools in mountain warfare, the sources said. A four-month crash course is being imparted to these militants and the first batch would soon be out to be used for sabotage operation in high altitude areas in J&K borders, they said. Evidence and intelligence reports collected on these activities further said American M-16 assault rifles, 7 MM-automatic sub-machine guns, Chinese rocket launchers, special American air defence guns and even shoulder fired stinger missles were being used in training and some of these would be given to them for use in J&K. Eighty-five terrorist training camps and 129 launching pads have also been revived in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, they added. (PTI) |
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Mir calls for upgrading infrastructure to boost tourism Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 13: Minister for Tourism, Housing and Urban Development, Gh. Hassan Mir has called for upgrading tourist infrastructure expeditiously to cope with tourist inflow in the coming tourist season in the state. He said, besides, provision for tourist incentives to the tourist operators, a vigorous publicity campaign is imperative to attract the foreign and domestic tourists. The Minister was speaking at a high-level review meeting of tourism and allied sectors here today. Secretary Tourism, Najamus Saqib, Director General, Tourism, Mr. M. Saleem Baig, Managing Director, Tourism Development Corporation (TDC) Abdul Aziz Wani and Chief Executive Officers of the Development Authorities attended the meeting. The Minister said that the coalition government has accorded top priority to this sector as tourism is imperative for bringing smiles on the tormented people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said for stabilizing the state’s economy, tourism is the only hope. He said that to project tourism potential in its true perspective Rs.2 crore have been earmarked for publicity campaign. Referring to the infrastructural development and renovations of damaged tourist huts, the Minister said that Rs.1.24 crores are being expended on repair and renovations of 75 huts at Gulmarg, Cheshmashahi and Patnitop, besides, improving facilities at Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) Srinagar and Katra. Mr. Mir said that Rs.8 crore have been earmarked during the current financial year for development of public parks, construction of shopping arcades, shelters, parking places, dormitory and toilet facilities at Gulmarg and Phalgam. The Minister said that a new Dak Bangalow at Tangmarg and a Yatri Niwas at Phalgam is being set up at an estimated cost of Rs.1.13 crore to accommodate heavy rush to tourists to these destinations and to provide them with comfortable lodging facility. About the development of picturesque Sonamarg, the Minister said that the place has vast potential due to its scenic splendour. He said to exploit this the government has recently constituted Sonamarg Development Authority with Chief Executive Officer as its head. The Minister said that a public park spreading over 250 kanals is being developed and the truck terminal there will be shifted to an alternative place for restoring pristine glory of the area. Development of Baba Reshi Shrine complex also figured during two hour long meeting. Mr. Mir also apprised the members that under centrally sponsored schemes for promotion of pilgrim tourism Rs.1.59 crore is being spent for the construction of Batul- Zireen, Parking place, foot paths and toilet facilities. Reviewing achievements of the tourism sector, the Minister said that over Rs.4.50 crore are being spent on the upgradation of tourist facilities in the State. |
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Investigation reveals true
story Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 13: The police found at least little less than half of the alleged 84 disappeared persons claimed by Association of Disappeared Persons at their homes. An official spokesman today said that the police have investigated all the claims of disappearances during Mufti government, made out by the Association. Of these, 37 ‘disappeared’ were found at their respective homes and the charge of their disappearances appears to be highly motivated. The spokesman said that names and addresses of at least 10 persons indicated in the list of ‘disappeared’, do not exist in the villages mentioned in the list. The spokesman said that 16 of the ‘disappeared’ had joined militant ranks, 5 of them were killed in terrorist related incidents. In 7 other cases, the local police have taken cognizance and registered cases for investigation. Fourteen other ‘disappeared’ found to be missing from their homes, investigation of them is in progress. One of them is missing since 1992 and only 4 of them are claimed to have been taken away by the security forces, said spokesman. The spokesman said that those ‘disappeared’ appeared at their homes are Mohd. Shafi Gujjar, Tariq Ahmed Lone, Mohd Maqbool Shah, Mohd. Sultan Wani, Ismail, Qasim, Alif Din, Atta Mohd., Reyaz Ahmed, Zahoor Ahmed Sheikh, Arshad Ahmed Sheikh, Mohd. Ishaq Sheikh, Ghulam Hassan Malla, Mohd. Afzal Malla, Aijaz Ahmed Dar, Afroz Iqbal Shah, Javid Ahmed, Bashir Ahmed Wani, Mohd. Shafi Wani, Zahoor Ahmed Shah, Bilal Ahmed Beigh, Bahaar Din, Imtiaz, Dildar Hussain, Showket Ahmed, Irshad Ahmed Pir, Tariq Ahmed Lone, Nasser Ahmed Dar, Aijaz Ahmed Ganai, Alias Ahmed Mir, Mohd. Muzaffar Iqbal, Wasim Raja, Mohd. Yousuf Broo, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Dar, Sharjeel Ahmed Dar, Javed Ahmed Patloo and Gulzar Ahmed. The spokesman said the ‘disappeared’ who had joined militant ranks are Mohd. Ishaq Lone, Bilal Ahmed, Qasim, Bashir Ahmed Sheikh and Ghulam Mohd. Wani (all killed in different encounters), Abdul Rashid Sheikh, Jehangir Wali Malla, Shaheen Ahmed, Aijaz Ahmed, Shabir Waza, Mohd. Hanief Lone, Mohd. Hussain Sheikh, Tariq Ahmed Sheikh, Abdul Majid Sehe, Ghulam Ahmed Wani and Imam Akhtar. |
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2 mountaineers of ITBP killed in avalanche, cremated Excelsior Correspondent Leh, Oct 13: Two Ladakhi mountaineers of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) who lost their lives after successful climbing on Punchachuli Peak-II on September 20, were cremated at ITBP Headquarter Choglamsar with ceremonial guard of honour and Ladakhi religious rituals. These mountaineers were trapped in a snow avalanche when they were returning to their camp on September 20. The dead bodies were recovered after 15 days. Deputy Inspector General ITBP, Ladakh sector, Daljit Singh and other senior officers presented floral tributes to the departed souls at the cremation ground. Mr Daljit Singh said that the morale of ITBP in scaling the highest peaks in Himalayan range will always remain on top agenda of ITBP. Constable Stanzin Losal of Sakti and Constable Angchuk Dorje of Tangtse of Leh district, who were serving in 17th and 23rd Battalions of ITBP were the members of a team to scale 21,350 ft Punchachuli Peak-II when died in harness. Three other ITBP jawans of Ladakh had also lost their lives five years back while scaling Mount Everest. they were short of 300 steps to scale World’s highest peak. The cremation was attended by Ladakh’s prominent citizens and different religious leaders besides jawans of ITBP. A Ladakhi retired officer Sonam Paljor, who had scaled Mount Everest and got Padamshri, was also present on the occasion. |
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Natrang presents "Mahabhoj" in National Theatre Festival Excelsior Correspondent AMRITSAR, Oct 13: Mr Balwant Thakur, Director of Natrang was honoured last evening at Punjab Natshala, here on the occasion of opening of the first ever National Theatre Festival- 2003. The honour was conferred on Thakur by Dr S P Singh, Vice Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar on behalf of Manch - Ranghmanch, Amritsar. This was followed by the performance of the highly acclaimed Dogri play of Natrang "Mahabhoj" based on Hindi novel by Mannu Bhandari, directed by Balwant Thakur. The other plays which are being featured in this festival include "Dance with Dad" directed Devinder Raj Ankur; Director National School of Drama, New Delhi; "Naachni" directed by Bhanu Bharti, "End Game" by Third Bell, Mumbai; directed by Vivek Mishra and "Ghasiram Kotwal" by Manch- Rangmanch Amritsar, directed by Kewal Dhaliwal. Natrang artists who performed in the play included Suresh Kumar, Anil Tickoo, Neeraj Kant, Sanjeev Gupta, Pankaj Sharma, Vikrant Sharma, Sumeet Sharma, Gopal Singh, Jaldeep Kour, Dimple Sharma, Sat Salarbi, Kamaljeet Kour, Kanhaiya Sharma, Pawan Verma, Rahul Chanda and Deepak Virdhi. The music of the play was scored by Suraj Singh and Suraj Ganjoo designed lights. Mr Vijay Bhat was the troupe manager. |
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ASSI interacts with PDD CE, highlights burning demands Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 13: Association of Small Scale Industries held an interaction meeting with Chief Engineer PDD M&RE, who was accompanied by Superintending Engineer, two XENs and AEE. Large number of entrepreneurs attended the meeting in which Chief Engineer was apprised of the day-to-day problems being faced by Industrial units in Gangyal industrial area. The Chief Engineer listened with patience the views presented by entrepreneurs and gave positive response to problems putforth by Association president Rattan Dogra and general secretary Virendra Jain and other ASSI members. The Chief Engineer assured that he would immediately release funds for improvement of infrastructure vis-a-vis the conductors, cables and poles etc. He told the members that he would also initiate the process to replace the rectofitting in place of breakers so as to minimize the tripping of power in the industrial area. He also assured the member units that he would take into consideration the removal of power curtailments in morning hours from 6 am to 9 am. The Chief Engineer was fully convinced with the views of entrepreneurs that they are facing huge problems on account of poor supply and assured that he would take all initiatives to improve the position of power supply to the industrial sector. |
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Mech Irrigation employees discuss demands Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 13: Central working committee of J&K Mechanical Irrigation Employees Union held a meeting under the chairmanship of Krishan Singh, provincial president. Darshan Magotra, state general secretary of NTUF was chief guest. Meeting was organised by Shiv Nath Kohli in which members criticised the higher authorities of the Department. The speakers including Krishan Singh, Rajinder Singh, Ram Lal, Devi Dass, Sham Singh, Ashok Slathia, Prem Chand and Prethipal Singh highlighted various pending demands. The demands pertained to displaying latest seniority list mentioning date of first appointment, implementation of SRO 149 of 1973, providing benefits to non-ITI employees at par with ITI trained employees as per SRO 149, change of designation of helpers as per nature of their job, holding of DPC meeting and filling of all vacancies in the non-gazetted cadre. They warned that Union will go in for direct action in case their demands were not conceded. Darshan Magotra while addressing stressed on the Government to modify SRO 64. he also called upon the Chief Minister to release DA instalment at the rate of 4 percent to State Government employees and COLA to public sector employees before Diwali festival. |
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Kavinder assumes office of Jammu district president Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 13: The expertise of seniors and power of youth will be properly utilised to revive the party from grass root level in the State in general and Jammu district in particular. "The expertise of seniors will guide us to adopt the right path and power of youth will bring the programme and policies of the party to the people and highlight its achievements", said state president of BJP Dr Nimal Singh, former MLAs Ashok Khajuria and Bali Bhagat, Sat Paul Grover and Kavinder Gupta while addressing the function organised on the assumption of charge of president of Jammu district by Kavinder Gupta. "By way of collective efforts we will revive the party base not only in Jammu district but in the whole state as due to some reasons party has lost its age-old image", they said and added that he will strive hard to restore the image of party. About the Municipal Corporation elections, they said that postponement of elections by the coalition Government was aimed at denying the people of their legitimate right and added that the excuse of the Government that elections were postponed due to the month of Ramzan was totally baseless as the delaying of elections was the outcome of the contradictions amongst coalition partners. "We will apprise the people as to under what circumstances elections to Municipal Corporations and local bodies of Jammu and Srinagar are being delayed", Dr Nirmal Singh said and hoped that people would teach partners of the coalition Government a lesson in the Municipal elections. The BJP leaders said that party would field candidates for Municipal elections keeping in mind all aspects. He also expressed confidence that BJP would get 2/3rd majority in the Municipal elections. About the BJP-led NDA Government’s successful four years, they said under the leadership of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Central Government has so many things to its credit and every project was taken up in such a way that majority of the people could get benefit. |
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IMO to hold conference on Ayurveda in December Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 13: A deputation of the office bearers of Indigenous Medicines Organization (IMO) under the chairmanship of Dr CD Thappa met Health Minister Ch Lal Singh to apprise him of the problems being faced by IMO. The Association stated that it will hold a national level seminar on Ayurveda and Unani System in December this year in which leading Ayurvedic and Unani doctors will take part. A free medical camp will also be organized during the camp. The Minister appreciated the role played by the Organization in promoting Indian System of Medicine. It was impressed upon the Minister to appoint a dynamic and energetic head of the Department and remove the adhocism persisting in the department. |
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Power employees form coordination committee Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 13: J&K Electrical Engineering Graduates’ Association, Provincial Electrical Employees Union, Electrical Linemen Union and Electrical ITI Diploma Holders Association have unanimously decided to come on a common platform and constitute a coordination committee to press the government for their cause. In a meeting of the members of these unions held here today, Mohan Singh of J&K Electrical Engineering Graduates’ Association was nominated as chairman of the new committee who will be assisted by three vice-chairmen namely— Dalip Singh Azad of PEEU, Ghulam Nabi of Linemen and Madan Gopal from ITI Diploma Holders Association. Various demands of the electrical employees were discussed in this crucial meeting. They sought expansion of PDD in order to remove stagnation at every level. Allotment of designation as per one’s assignment, grant of 5 % of basic pay as risk allowance, issuing of separate seniority list in favour of ITI Diploma holders, filling up of all vacant posts from Xen rank to Linemen, release of two and half day salary, to provide LIC cover to the tune of Rs 2 lakhs to PDD employees, free Mediclaim policy and creation of Chief Foreman’s post in every division of PDD. The chairman pointed out that PDD offers no incentives to its employees and every cadre is facing stagnation for the past more than twenty years. The employees be given promotion and it will help in raising more revenue from public. |
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Lal Singh stresses on purchase
policy to Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 13: Health Minister, Ch Lal Singh has stressed on procuring need based equipments and medicines by avoiding unproductive purchases so that maximum benefit accrues to the patients. Addressing a meeting of Head of Department of Surgery, Medicine, Orthopedic, Paediatric, Dentistry and Anesthesia alongwith specialists of various disciplines, the Minister said that procuring need based equipments and implants would help checking the wasteful expenditure. Mr Singh said that under the new purchase policy, joint meeting of Head of the Departments and specialists would be held for prioritization of the required equipments. He said that the earlier practice of submitting requirement lists through proposals has been abandoned to avoid any possible wasteful expenditure and malpractices. He said the purchases hitherto will be made after thorough assessments in a fair and transparent manner. Deliberating on the new purchase policy, the Minister said that this will also help in maintaining the required semblance between budgetary provision and expenditure. Earlier, the Head of the Departments and the specialists projected their requirement during the hour-long meeting for their respective departments. Secretary Health, Dr Ved Gupta also attended the meeting. |
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SPMR College Students Welfare Council elected Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 13: New office bearers of the Students Welfare Council of Government SPMR College of Commerce, Jammu, were elected today. Tanveer Singh, a student of B Com Part III, was elected as chairman while Tarnjeet Singh and Varun Magotra were elected as vice-chairman and general secretary, respectively. Miss Nidhita Thakur was nominated as joint secretary of the Council. The exercise began with election of various Class Representatives who, after their election, voted for election of the college Students Welfare Council office bearers. The elections were conducted under the stewardship of Dr Chanchal Sharma, Principal of the college while Dean Students Welfare Dr Ajeet Angral supervised and organised the entire exercise. |
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Shri Chander College
students organise Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 13: NSS unit of Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Science have organised health education drive in village Mujeen and surrounding areas. Student volunteers from pre-final and 3rd year in MBBS course, are participating in the drive alongwith Dr R N Dubey, NSS Programme Officer. The volunteers have been divided into 7 groups with each group consisting of one female and two male students. These groups move to a cluster consisting of seven to eight house where they interact with young people, house wives and other members of the family. During interaction, the medical students impart knowledge about health education like AIDS, family planning and immunization of children. Inhabitants of the area have also expressed their keen interest in getting knowledge about the health education. They also got many doubts clarified concerning AIDS and immunization of children. Mattoo inaugurates first
mechanized washing Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 13: The Minister of State for Industries and Commerce, Raman Mattoo inaugurated a mechanized washing and clipping centre for handicraft products, the first of its kind in the state at Botakadal, Srinagar. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said, that handicraft being an important sector in the state, its production as well as its maintenance must involve the latest technological innovations to obtain cost effective products through an easy mechanism. The machinery installed at the centre costs approximately Rs.7 lakh and is funded by Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. The State Government has plans to introduce the same technology at various other similar centres, he added. This will give huge impetus to handicraft sector in the State by ensuring qualitative as well as quantitative improvements in the handicraft products, he added. Mr. Mattoo said that engagement of unemployed youth in various similar training programmes is actually the need of the hour. He urged the authorities to spread the awareness among the youngsters so that instead of depending solely on Government jobs they could become self-reliant by setting their small scale industrial units. The limited appointment opportunity in the Government sector had made it essential to spread and maintain the concept of self-employment, he added. The Minister later inspected the centre and also interacted with the people working there. Director Handicrafts, A. K. Handoo, Managing Director J&K Handicrafts (S&F) Corporation, Srinagar, Showkat Ali and Development Commissioner Handicrafts, FAC, Srinagar accompanied the Minister. Sarv Shakti Sewak Sanstha elects new body Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 13: Elections for the Sarv Shakti Sewak Sanstha was held today under the chairmanship of R K Kohli and Behari Lal Sharma. In the meeting, Shamsher Singh Katoch was unanimously elected as president of Sarv Shakti Sewak Sanstha. Dr B S Wadhwa, Hem Raj Gupta, Dr D S Jamwal, R K Kohli, N P Kotwal and Surinder Mohan were elected as advisors while Behari Lal Sharma and Om Parkash Sadhotra were elected as vice-presidents. Rattan Singh Bandral was elected as cashier, Raghu Nath Thakur as general secretary and Jai Dev Singh Bandral as joint secretary. Mr Sanjeev Sharma was elected as publicity secretary and Mohinder Gupta as store keeper. Phulel Chand, Pritam Singh, Suram Singh, Sham Lal Gupta, Sudesh Gupta, Anil Sharma, Rajinder Singh Nariana, Himat Singh Baloria, Avinash Gupta and Kasturi Lal Gupta were elected as executive members. The members also condoled the death of two workers of Sanstha namely Surjeet Singh Jamwal and Thakur Suraj Singh of Toph Jammu. Two minutes silence was observed in the meeting. BJP’s Mantoo announces his team for Ward number 35 Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 13: Bhartiya Janta Party president for Ward number 35 (Old Janipur), Mr Yashpal Mantoo convened a meeting of party workers and announced his team. Y P Gupta has been nominated as vice president and Pardeep Singh Bilowaria as general secretary while Goutam Dev Raina and Ravi Mahajan were appointed as joint secretary and publicity secretary, respectively. Anil Jamwal, Baldev Raj Bula, Bunty and Arun Gupta were also taken in the team of BJP office bearers. After announcing the team, Mr Mantoo asked BJP workers to work hard and strengthen party at grass root level. Mr Mantoo also pledged that he would leave no stone unturned to highlight general problems of common people of Ward number 35 and get them solved. Interview of the week By Dinesh Manhotra He doesn’t wear the goggles, nor sun glasses while looking towards Sun continuously for about 10 hours a day. Call it a passion or anything, he claims that by doing so, he gets special ‘powers’ through Sun-rays and after deciphering them, he can tell about the future of an individual or even cure the ailments, which modern scientists cannot do. Looking towards Sun and that too continuously is not an easy task, but for 38 year old Swami Surya Sidh Ram Amarnath Paramhans, it has become a day-to-day routine to see ‘eye to eye’ with Sun since 1999 when he claimed he attained these powers. This Swami’s real name in school records is Amar Singh Parihar—a B-Tech in Chemical Engineering who renounced this worldly affairs, even Government of India’s Job to take up the new assignment of curing people by his ‘healing powers’ or telling about future after reading Sun-rays. When EXCELSIOR visited this Swami on October 12 late afternoon at Baba Sidh Gouria Temple near Ploura where he is camping for few days, Parihar was busy in telling about the future of a man who wanted to know when he can tie a nupital knot. Facing towards setting Sun, the Swami made certain observations about his future. Now, it was our turn (not to know about our future but to have a chat with this Swami who spoke in fluent English for our INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK Column. Swamiji claimed that he has attained ‘Sidhies’ in Kharchee Rasa, Yoga Nindra Rasa and Teetiksha. By way of Kharchee Rasa Sidhi he can fast many days without food and water while by Teetiksha Sidhi he can survive severe heat without wearing any woollen clothes. For entire year, he wears just saffron Dhoti and maintains a tonsured head. It is power of Yoga Nindra Rasa Sidhi that he can take a sleep of just two hours to get fresh again for the job. Born in Malajani village of Itava district of Uttar Pardesh, Swami Amarnath said that he did his B-Tech in Chemical Engineering from Harcourt Watler Technology Institute, Kanpur in 1986 with 72 percent marks. Presently, he is Director in the Labour Department of Union Government. He is, however, under suspension as since 1999 he had remained absent from Government duty. "Presently, my important duty is to take care of the people who need my help", was his reply when asked reasons to stay away from the Government job. Swami Amarnath says that by looking towards Sun, the rays go down his mind (he calls it a computer) and the answer to any problem is seen with his eye movement. If it opens at a particular degree/angle, he replies to the queries accordingly. The Swami said that he has been visiting different States and regions to provide healing touch to the masses through his power. To a question, Swami said that since childhood, he had strong desire to look towards the Sun. "It was continuous practice through which I got power to watch the Sun uninterrupted for so many hours. It is all due to practice and spiritual power. Initially, I used to see towards for some minutes but after practice and Bhakti now I can stare at the Sun for hours together without any eye blink". He further claimed that after performing 40 lakh Japs of ‘Ram Nam ‘ he got feeling of ‘Divya Chakshu’. Swami Ji says that he has never misused his powers " I don’t believe in Jaadu Tona or putting people to trouble by misusing Shakti", he said. He said that he will be shifting to Panjtirthi Temple within next few days and will stay put in Jammu upto November 14. During these days, he plans to hold some medical camps also, as he has a belief that with his hidden powers derived from the Sun ( The Greatest Source of Energy), he has answers to complex diseases. After a brief chat, when EXCELSIOR Team was about to leave the temple premises, a couple approached the Swami for seeking remedy to their problem. The Swami, however, politely told them to come next day, since it was almost Sun -Set and he had put off his ‘computer’ |
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