Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec 2: Jammu and Kashmir Bank has become the pioneer by launching first ever mobile Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in North India. The mobile ATM was inaugurated by Minister of Finance , Muzafar Hussain Baig at an impressive function at Cooperative Headquarters of the Bank here, today.......more

Thieves strike in
Udhampur town, break
open shutters of 7 shops

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Dec 2: Thieves struck in the town and decamped with cash worth thousands of rupees by breaking open the shutters of seven shops on the intervening night of December 1 and 2.............more

Massive reshuffle in Medical Deptt
CMOs, BMOs among
61 doctors transferred

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: Accelerating her process to provide medical facilities in far-flung and rural areas, Minister for Health and Medical Education, Suman Lata Bhagat today............more

BSF organises blood
donation camp

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: Border Security Force (BSF) today organised a blood donation camp at its Headquarters...........more

Mir for making people
familiar about 'Ribban Act'

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Dec 2: "Make people familiar about the ‘Ribban Act’ to help to improve road connectivity and ensure safety of the roads."..............more

Three-day seminar inaugurated
JU focus on J&K heritage

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: Organised by Department of History, University of Jammu (JU), the three-day seminar on ‘Heritage of Northern India with Special Reference to Jammu and Kashmir’, was inaugurated, here today...........more

DGP inaugurates
SDPO office at Zadibal

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Dec 2: The Director General of Police , Gopal Sharma has said, the massive infrastructural facilities are being raised to enable J&K Police to meet challenges of anti social elements and forces inimical to peace. He said that the Police Force is equipped with modern weaponry and communication facilities to enable it to meet the challenges being posed by the anti social and anti national elements.................more

Speaker chairs high
level meet on border
migrants’ issue

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Dec 2: Speaker Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Tara Chand today chaired a high level meeting to discuss the issues relating to the border migrants...............more

Priority to education
must for nation-
building: Harsh

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Dec 2: Minister for Education Harsh Dev Singh has said that in an age of technological expansion, higher education has to meet new challenges to catapult scientific and technological development in the State. ...........more

Baig inaugurates first ever mobile ATM in Northern India

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec 2: Jammu and Kashmir Bank has become the pioneer by launching first ever mobile Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in North India. The mobile ATM was inaugurated by Minister of Finance , Muzafar Hussain Baig at an impressive function at Cooperative Headquarters of the Bank here, today.

With its inauguration, the customers will be enjoying mobile banking , which is one of the newest initiatives in the Indian market, as the mobile ATM shall be moving from place to place in the entire Srinagar City. This mobile ATM is a part of the commitment where the Bank , which is on the verge of achieving 100 per cent automation of its operation by March 2005, has underlined its commitment to customers by investing in a fleet of mobile bank vehicles in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

In his address Mr Baig complemented the exemplary leadership of M Y Khan, Chairman of the Bank. "By launching the mobile ATM, the Bank has added a new chapter in its customer convenience programmes" he added.

In his welcome address , Mr Khan said "initially , the mobile vehicle loaded with an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) with connectivity facility rendered by BSNL through GSM/GPRS technology , will be providing all such services as are available on other ATMs of the Bank. In the first phase , the vehicle will be operating within Srinagar city as per pre-announced time schedule."

Mr Khan further said that the mobile ATM is an endorsement to the Bank’s commitment to multi delivery channel and innovative banking services. The mobile ATM connected to ATM switch, is also connected to Global ATM network through Mastercard and would be another convenience service ,which could be used at events where footfalls would be high. In another phase, the Bank would be extending his facility to other parts of the state. "Another such mobile ATM would also hit Jammu City soon," he said.

The Mobile ATM van is also fitted with an audio -visual system which will be displaying general information about various products and services to the public in general and bank’s customers in particular, he said. The vote of thanks was proposed by P Z Latif.

Since the mobile ATM machine will be continuously roaming in the particular area , it will create an urge among the general public to know about the machine its usage and benefits. Thus , this traveling ATM can play a great role in educating the customers about the benefits of its usage in day -to day transactions.

Meanwhile, the Bank has decided to start SMS Banking and Internet Banking in the State.

Thieves strike in Udhampur town, break
open shutters of 7 shops

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Dec 2: Thieves struck in the town and decamped with cash worth thousands of rupees by breaking open the shutters of seven shops on the intervening night of December 1 and 2.

Sources said that the thieves broke open the shutters of seven shops in different bazars and decamped with cash worth thousands of rupees. The owners of the shop came to know about the incident only in the morning and they lodged their protest against the police on the ground that thieves strike despite the patrolling of police personnel throughout the night.

Some inhabitants of the town and other shopkeepers also came to the support of aggrieved shopkeepers and tried to hold demonstration against the police in the town.

On the receipt of information about the people planning to hold demonstration, SSP Udhampur Vijay Singh Sambyal and Deputy Commissioner Ashok Parmar reached the main bazar and assured the aggrieved shopkeepers that thieves would be arrested within two to three days and entire stolen amount got recovered.

The SSP also assured to take strict action against those police personnel, who were on the patrolling on the intervening night of December 1 and 2.

A case has been registered in this connection and hunt on to nab the thieves. A chowkidar, who was on duty in the area when the thefts took place, has also been taken into custody by the police for questioning.

Massive reshuffle in Medical Deptt
CMOs, BMOs among 61 doctors transferred

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: Accelerating her process to provide medical facilities in far-flung and rural areas, Minister for Health and Medical Education, Suman Lata Bhagat today ordered transfers of 61 medicos including some Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) and Block Medical Officers (BMOs).

In today’s massive reshuffle, majority of the doctors were detached and transferred to their real place of postings in rural areas. Apprehending that some of these doctors might try to seek legal recourse, Director Health Service, (DHS), Jammu Dr Kailash Kohli filed a caveat in the Court of law.

According to sources, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr V K Gupta has been posted as incharge Administrative Medical Officer Labour Department while as CMO Jammu, Dr Vijay Gupta has been posted as incharge Deputy Director Headquarters. Earlier DHS, Dr Kohli had additional charge of Dy. Director Headquarters.

Dr R R Hitshi, Superintendent District Hospital Doda has been posted as CMO Doda in place of Dr Shahid Mugal who has been transferred and posted as CMO Poonch. Dr Mohammed Yonus has been posted as Deputy CMO while Dr Sunil Kaila has been posted as District Health Officer (DHO) Rajouri and Dr Som Nath as Zonal Leprosy Officer (ZLO) Jammu.

Dr Jagdish Bhagat, CMO Kathua has been posted as BMO Udhampur while as Dr M H Malik has been shifted and posted as DTO Kathua. Dr Krishan Gogna, who has serving as Physician specialist at Katra for the last nine years, has been posted at Community Health Centre, Bani. Dr Ashok Verma, BMO Samba has been transferred as BMO Ramban while Dr Hyder Malik, BMO Bani has been posted at Primary Health Centre, Banglarh, Samba. Dr Rajinder Thapa and his wife Dr Bholi Thapa have been posted at Arnia.

Two doctors from Government Medical College Jammu, Dr Arjun Singh and Dr Sanjay Parihar have been transferred to Sub District Hospital (SDH), Kishtwar while as Dr Vinod Raina has been transferred from DTC Jammu to SDH, Chenani. Another doctor of GMC Jammu, Dr Uttam Singh has been shifted to PHC Pouni-Parakh.

Dr Jatinder Kour has been transferred to PHC Haryachak-Hiranagar while as Shabia Khanam has been transferred from Jammu to Emergency Hospital, Batote. Dr R C Sharma, B-Grade Gynecologist has been transferred to SDH, Nowshera. Two female doctors— Dr Sunita Puri and Dr Manisha Sahi, who were attached at Jammu, were shifted to SDH Chenani while Dr. Avtar Singh and Dr Anirudh Singh have been transferred to Emergency Hospital Batote.

Dr Sohan Singh and his wife Dr Chanderkanta have been posted at Majalta while as another couple doctor namely Dr R K Gupta and Dr Kiran have been posted at Palanwalla and Khour respectively. BMO Purmandal, Dr Nasib Singh has been transferred to SDH Bhaderwah while as Dr Balbir Singh and Dr Parkash Shastri have been shifted to Chenani. Dr Rita has been transferred to Thatri while as doctor couple Dr Naresh and Dr Anjana have been shifted from Ramgarh to SDH, Gandoh-Doda.

Sources further said that the Health Minister was very particular to implement this order as it was clearly mentioned in the order that "these doctors under transfer are deemed to be relieved from their respective charge after issuance of this order". It was also on the directions of the Minister that DHS Jammu Dr Kailash Kohli filed a caveat.

Minister of Health, Suman Bhagat along with DHS Jammu Dr Kailash Kohli have been working assiduously to streamline functioning of the Medical Department. Over 100 influential doctors, who were working against their sanctioned posts, have already been detached by the Health Department. Not only doctors, para-medical staff was also detached by the Minister.

BSF organises blood donation camp

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: Border Security Force (BSF) today organised a blood donation camp at its Headquarters at Paloura.

The camp was inaugurated by DIG BSF Jammu P K Mishra while DIG M K Razdan, Principal Staff Officer to IG BSF Jammu Frontier was also present on the occasion.

The key facilitators of the camp were Dr A B Dass, Commandant (Medical), Dr Karnail Singh, CMO and Dr Amit Butola, SMO.

A team of doctors and staff members from Government Medical College Hospital Jammu led by Dr Pradeep Khajuria and Dr Sanjeev Narang also participated in the camp.

In all about 50 donors donated their blood. All the donors were given refreshment and gifts as a token of thanks by DIG P K Mishra.

Mir for making people familiar about 'Ribban Act'

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Dec 2: "Make people familiar about the ‘Ribban Act’ to help to improve road connectivity and ensure safety of the roads."

This was said by Minister of State for Roads and Building Ghulam Ahmad Mir while addressing a review meeting here.

The meeting reviewed the progress made under centrally sponsored Pradhan Mantry Gram Sadak Yojana phase-III under execution in the state.

Saying that the issue of relaxing the certain provisions of the yojana would be taken up with Central Government. Mr. Mir said that the issue aims at maximizing the participating the people of the state in the scheme. It also contemplates to relax the conditions in favour of the contractors of the state. The Minister, however, directed the engineers to go ahead with the execution of yojana as per the existing guidelines until the contentions project by the State Government are approved by the Union Ministry.

Impressing upon the engineers to complete the works taken up under the yojana in the given time frame, the Minister said that this would help to contain the price escalation and throwing open of the schemes for convenience of the public well in time.

Mr. Mir also called for a well define and visible nomenclature and hierarchal in R&B department which, he said, would help common people to identify them to approach them for their works. He also suggested for launching a state wide awareness campaign about PMGSY and ‘Ribban Act".

Sharma assesses problems of migrants

Exceslior Correspondent

Jammu, Dec 2: Minister of State for Revenue Dr. Ramesh Chander today paid a visit to various migrant camps at Jammu.

During his visit to Muthi camp, the Minister was informed by the relief authorities that an amount of Rs.25 lakh has been released for laying tiles to the lanes and pathways in various migrant camps. It was also stated that in order to improve the sanitation at various camps install garbage bins with dumper are being placed.

While inspecting the dispensary at Muthi camp, Dr. Sharma checked the medicines available there. He also inspected the attendance register of the said hospital and stressed upon the staff to always remain punctual and ensure timely medicare to the people.

He also visited Government Higher Secondary school camp Roopnagar Muthi (Jammu). The minister was informed that an amount of Rs. 25 lakh have been released for construction of computer room library room and laboratory room at different schools in various migrant camps for the current financial year.

The Principal of the institution putforth the problems of the school especially for additional accommodation and play ground. The Minister assured them that the matter will be looked into sympathetically. The teachers of the said school also presented their demands to the Minister and he assured them that their genuine problems would be got solved.

The Minister impressed upon the teachers to work with zeal and dedication and provide quality education to youth so that they would compete not on state but on national level also.

Deputy Commissioner Relief R. K. Bhaghat and Executive Engineer Relief Anoop Koul accompanied the Minister.

Inter-university Bodh Raj Sawhney Memorial
Debating Contest held at JU

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: Department of Students Welfare, University of Jammu, in collaboration with Justice Bodh Raj Sawhney Memorial Trust, organised Inter-university Bodh Raj Sawhney Memorial Debating contest at JU , here today.

Topic of the debate was ‘In the Opinion of the House An Independent Judiciary Strengthens the Democracy’. Six speakers from different universities of the country spoke in favour and against the motion

Overall Trophy of the contest was clinched by Maharishi Dayanand University Rohtak as Miss Rekha and Miss Rashi of the university bagged first and third prize, respectively.

Second prize was secured by Anurag Dubey of National Law Institute, University of Bhopal. Besides Rashi, third prize was also conferred to Ankush Manhas of KC Law College, University of Jammu.

Eminent educationist Prof Jagdish Chander, Prof Netar Singh and Advocate Anwar Choudhary acted as adjudicators.

Overall trophy and the prizes were distributed among winners by Dean Academic Affairs Prof Devinder Singh and Managing Trustee of Justice Bodh Raj Sawhney Memorial Trust D S Sahni.

On the occasion, Prof Devinder Singh spoke at length about the aims and objectives of organising the debate.

Earlier, at the very outset, Dr Shohab Inayat Malik, Assistant Dean, welcomed the participants while Dr Renu Nanda apprised participants about rules of the debate. Dr Jasbir Singh presented a vote of thanks.

Vijay Atri conducted proceedings of the programme.

Clinical trials of HIV vaccine in January

NEW DELHI, Dec 2: Clinical trials of the first Indian vaccine against the dreaded HIV virus will begin in January, 2005.

"The clinical trials on the first vaccine which is under development and is specific for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) strains prevalent the country will begin in January," Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said here at a `National Consultation on Nutritional Security and Prevention, Management and Treatment of TB and HIV/AIDS’.

The country was also developing another vaccine against HIV, clinical trials of which which were likely to begin in April next year, he said.

The country was getting a lot of support from international agencies such as UNAIDS, Global Fund to fight HIV, TB and Malaria and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in its fight against the disease, the Minister said.

Regretting that awareness about HIV was very low in the country with 24 per cent of the population not having heard of HIV, Ramadoss said he said efforts were on to make the entire country aware of the virus and ways to prevent its transmission in six months’ time.

"We are on track. Entire population should have heard of hiv in the next six months," he said, adding a draft legislation to prevent discrimination against HIV-infected persons had also been prepared.

Ramadoss said that the tuberculosis programme would cover the entire country by April next year. Currently 85 per cent of the population was covered.

The country was also on course to eliminate leprosy and by the end of 2005, the disease would be eradicated, he said. (PTI)

MSCs being set-up to overcome band width constraints
BSNL to start issuing pre-paid SIM cards
by December end: CGM

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Dec 2: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) Jammu and Kashmir Circle today received an official letter of permission from its Headquarters and it would start issuing pre-paid SIM cards to the customers in the State by end of this month.

Disclosing this to the EXCELSIOR, Chief General Manager of BSNL J&K Circle Mr. Jindal said "though we have received permission to start giving pre-paid mobile service to the customers in the State yet it would take sometime and the process of providing pre-paid SIM cards would start only by the end of this month".

"This much time is required because we have to increase the capacity of our equipments, get new SIM cards prepared and print recharge coupons", the CGM said and added that the Nigam has pressed its engineers into service to check the capacity of equipments at different stations to assess as to how much pre-paid SIM cards BSNL would be able to issue. The stations where the equipment have less capacity would get pre-paid mobile service facility with little delay.

About the process of getting pre-paid service, the CGM said that the verification process in this service would be longer than the post-paid service as the guidelines for the service prescribe that SIM cards of pre-paid mobile service should be sent by post and the service to the number could be activated only after the receipt of acknowledgment slip from the customers and after due verification.

"The charges would be same as in the rest of the country. But this service would not have roaming facility beyond the State", Mr Jindal said and added that Nigam will charge Rs 200 as SIM cost and in the recharge coupon of Rs 300 the customers would get talk time of Rs 175.

About the dealership network, he disclosed that at the initial stage two dealers each at Jammu and Srinagar and one each at Udhampur and Kathua would be appointed and they would be authorised to give recharge coupons.

To a question, he said that Nigam has been initiating several steps to reduce band width constraints. "At present all the calls of customers in Srinagar are being routed through Mobile Switching Centre (MSC) at Jammu and this creates network problem", he said and added that to reduce the band width constraints the Nigam has decided to set-up one MSC at Srinagar and one additional at Jammu.

"The MSC at Srinagar will come up by February, when the third phase of providing 2.8 lakh mobile connections in Jammu and Kashmir would begin. But the additional MSC at Jammu would take time of some months", Mr Jindal said and disclosed that an order has already been placed for the purchase of equipment to be used in establishing MSC at Srinagar.

This is being done because issuing 2.8 lakh mobile connections on one MSC would not be feasible. "Nigam is initiating all these steps keeping in view the third phase of issuing connections. Three MSCs in J&K would be sufficient to take care of future needs of the Cellone", the CGM said.

He also disclosed that BSNL has dropped the idea of issuing student mobile connections as the Nigam is planning to wind up the service country-wide and replace it with Plan 225. The Nigam is also expecting some incentives and schemes from the Corporate Office on the new year eve.

Hajj arrangements finalized
First batch to leave on Dec 13

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Dec 2: A high level meeting to finalize the flight schedule and other arrangements for Hajj-2005 pilgrims chaired by Minister of State for Hajj and Auqaf, Sarafraz Khan was held here today

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Khursheed Ahmad Ganai who is also the Convener State Hajj Committee, representatives of Central Hajj Committee Mumbai, officers of Indian Airlines, Airport Authority, Directors of Doordarshan, Srinagar, Radio Kashmir and other concerned agencies also attended the meeting.

Giving details of this year’s Hajj flights, the Divisional Commissioner said that Hajj flights will start from December 13, 2004 and there will be three flights lifting about 600 pilgrims daily. The first flight will take off at 10 am from Srinagar Airport for which the pilgrims have to report at TRC at 7 in the morning. For the second and third flight, the pilgrims are to report at TRC at 10 A.M and 11.30 A.M respectively. He said that the transport facility would be made available for the pilgrims from TRC to Airport by the State Hajj Committee.

Pilgrims have been asked to carry their belongings of whatever sort upto 20 kgs only. Ganai informed the officers that while providing foreign exchange, the Bombay Mercantile Bank will provide a pouch to the pilgrims for carrying travel documents and other belongings.

Divisional Commissioner further disclosed that this year 8750 pilgrims of Jammu and Kashmir State will perform the Hajj, for whom the State Hajj Committee as well as the Central Hajj Committee have made adequate arrangements in advance and all possible efforts are being made to conduct the pilgrimage smoothly.

PHE workers urge Govt to concede pending demands

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: Executive meeting of PHE Workers Welfare Association under the chairmanship of provincial president Bakshi Singh discussed various burning issues confronting the employees and workers of the PHE Department.

Their demands pertained to regularization of daily wagers, disbursement of their pending arrears of employees due from 1996-97, two and a half days extra pay, change of designation of helpers and Khalasies, restoration of services of ousted daily wagers of 1994 and wages to all sorts of daily rated workers at uniform rate of Rs 60 per day instead of consolidated amount of Rs 500 and so on. Provincial general secretary Subash Chander while expressing resolve of the Association to continue struggle for getting the demands conceded by the Government also appealed the PHE employees and workers to join work down strike on December 15 to 18, the call for which has been given by Employees Joint Action Committee. Prominent office bearers present in the meeting included Vijay Singh, Vijant Kumar Dabgotra, Ram Lobhaya, Manzoor Ali, S Amrik Singh, Subash Mangotra, Suram Singh, Surinder Kumar, Tilak Raj, Baldev Singh, Mohan Singh, Amar Singh, Chuni Lal, Raghubir Singh, Sham Lal, S Surjeet Singh, Gopal Bakshi and Purkh Singh.

AIDS awareness camp organised at Nubra

Excelsior Correspondent

LEH, Dec 2: As a part of World AIDS Day celebrations, an awareness camp was organised at Diskit Nubra by the Medical Department today. Chief Executive Councillor Rigzin Spalbar was the chief guest and Deputy Commissioner Leh Satish Nehru the guest of honour.

The Executive Councillors Tsultin Phuntsog and Norboo Gyalson, district and block officers and a large number of men and women also participated in the function.

Mr Spalbar highlighted the importance of celebration of the World AIDS Day and said that Ladakh is lucky enough to be free from this dreaded disease, which was because of awareness generated among the people and youth by the Health Department and the care taken by the people themselves. He however cautioned the people and urged the health workers to spread preventive measures for HIV and AIDS.

Mr Tsultin Phuntsog, Mr Satish Nehru and Dr Sonam Dawa also spoke on the occasion and briefed about preventive methods and asked the people to take care of the dreaded disease.

Earlier a peaceful procession holding banners and chanting slogans passed through the main bazar of Diskit and culminated at Mini Stadium, Diskit.

BSP’s concern over non-functioning of SC
Development Advisory Board

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: Bahujan Samaj Party organised workers meeting of block Marh under the chairmanship of Bansi Lal, district Jammu president in which State vice president Tulsi Dass Langeh was the chief guest and coordinator of Jammu district Charan Dass the guest of honour.

Mr Langeh while addressing expressed serious concern over non-functioning of J&K Scheduled Caste Development Advisory Board, though the period of two and a half year of coalition Government has elapsed.

He said further it was height of discriminatory treatment with the scheduled caste communities by the State Government, which constitutes 25% of population in Jammu region. he said vice-chairman of Advisory Board Girdhari Lal MLA of Congress neither could constitute the Board by involving the representatives of all recognized political parties nor could convene a meeting of the Board during the past two and a half year, that is why the funds of the SC Component Plan were being diverted to other sectors, ignoring the interests of the scheduled caste communities.

The BSP leader urged the Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed who is also chairman of the Board for constituting the Board by involving representatives from all the recognized political parties and convening meetings of the Board regularly so that centrally sponsored schemes for welfare/development of scheduled castes could be implemented.

Others who spoke in the meeting included Charan Dass, Bansi Lal, Jagdish Kumar, Darshan Thappa, Badri Nath and Tilak Raj.

College student killed, 4 injured in accidents

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: A college student was killed and four others received injuries in separate road accidents while as a woman consumed poisonous substance at her residence.

Police spokesman said that a college student was crushed to death by a speeding mini-bus bearing registration number JK02Q-7109 at Kathua today. The deceased—Joginder Singh, son of Krishan Singh of Hatli was on his way towards Degree College Kathua when a speeding mini-bus knocked him down.

The critically injured student was rushed to District Hospital where he was reportedly pronounced as brought dead.

Police has registered a case in this connection and launched hunt to nab the absconding driver.

The aftermath of the accident was that National Students Union of India (NSUI) Degree College Kathua unit held demonstration against the failure of the concerned agency to curb the ever-growing violation of traffic rules and regulations by vehiclists.

Four persons—Bahadur Ali, son of Farman Ali of Bantalab, Mohan Lal, son of Budhu Ram of Narwal, Roop Krishan of Mishriwala and Vikram Mehra, son of M L Mehra of Sarore sustained injuries in separate road accidents at Bantalab, Gole Market Gandhi Nagar, Mishriwala and Kalu Chak area.

All have been hospitalised and their condition was stated to be out of danger when reports last came in.

Meanwhile, a woman—Sheetal Devi, wife of Vijay Kumar of Sultanpur Bishnah allegedly consumed poisonous substance at her residence. She was rushed to Government Medical College Hospital when spotted unconscious by family members.

Doctors immediately provided her stomach wash treatment followed by other medicare. Her condition was stated to be out of danger when reports last came in.

It could not be ascertained as to whether she intentionally consumed poison or swallowed the same mistakenly.

Gallops Horse Riding Club inaugurated

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: Gallops Riding Club, first of its kind in the J&K state for providing training in horse riding was inaugurated by the Minister of State for Tourism, Jugal Kishore Sharma at Sainik Colony Extension (Sector-D) on Chowadi here today.

Promoted and developed by Congress leader Hamid Choudhary and his associates, Devinder Mohan Sharma and Sanam Soni from Mass House Building Cooperative Society, a large piece of land has been acquired for the training purpose. Several prominent persons of Jammu were present on the occasion. Some students from local Public Schools also witnessed the inaugural occasion.

Gallops Club, has been established at Sainik Colony, with all required infrastructure to introduce people to the art of horsemanship , in a formal training environment , where trainees are taught the skills required for horse riding.

With the opening of this Club today, the membership drive for the Club has also been launched. Harinder Paul Singh is the trainer who has participated in several national level events. Mr Paul claimed that Club promoters have brought four horses from outside the state and some more are being brought here.

Mr Choudhary disclosed that Club is providing training to people of all age groups with special arrangements for children. The members/ students are trained under the supervision of professionals from basics to advance level of horse-riding. He said registration fees will be Rs 2000 while fee for the basic course has been fixed as Rs 1500. For intermediate course and the advance course the packages are different. All precautionary measures have been taken care of by the trainers, he maintained.

3 charas smugglers arrested

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: Crime Branch, Jammu today arrested owner of a Fast Food at Suwankha Morh in Vijaypur area for being part of a gang which was engaged in selling charas after smuggling it from the Kashmir Valley.

He has been identified as Bittu Ram son of Bhagat Ram, a resident of Suwankha Morh.

DIG Crime and Railways Gulzar Singh Slathia said investigations by the Crime Branch have revealed that a follower (posted with Special Operations Group, Satwari) Rama Kant son of Krishen Chand R/o Vijaypur was also part of the narcotics smugglers gang. He has also been arrested.

Both of them (Bittu and Rama Kant) used to smuggle charas from Kashmir Valley to Jammu with the help of a conductor of a video coach bus.

Another contact of the smugglers Amjad Ali son of Abdul Qadeer R/o Shopian, Pulwama, presently putting up in Jammu, has also been arrested for having links with the charas smugglers.

Recently, the Crime Branch Jammu had arrested three Chemists and three other drug-peddlers for selling intoxicants and narcotics in different areas of Jammu.

A case in the racket has been registered at Crime Branch police station and some more arrests are likely to be made.

Two-day NAAC sponsored seminar at GGM
Science College concludes

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: Two-day NAAC sponsored seminar on ‘Quality Sustenance and Enhancement in Higher Education’ at GGM Science College, concluded today.

On the concluding day, several suggestions and recommendation were made by the participants for quality enhancement in higher education. The suggestions include; need for evolving a proper in-house mechanism of monitoring, need to ensure increased number of effective working days, creation of research centres in colleges and constitution of Higher Education Council in the Department of Higher Education.

Today Prof Ajeet Angral, Prof Madhu Gupta, Prof Tedzan Joldan also presented their papers. Prof Asha Sharma (Principal of GCW Gandhi Nagar) and Prof Abdul Gani of GCW Anantnag presented their observations on proceedings of the seminar.

In the end, an enthralling musical programme was presented by Prof Kailash Mehra and her group. Proceedings of the programme were conducted by Prof M L Dogra, Staff Secretary of GGM Science College.

Earlier, the forenoon session was chaired by Prof M R Puri, former Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University. He suggested to revive the administrative inspection of the colleges.

The afternoon session was chaired by Prof A N Sadhu.

AIDS Awareness Day observed

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: To bring awareness against deadly HIV, AIDS Awareness Day was observed by different institutions in the State, here yesterday.

A programme on AIDS awareness was organised at Luthra College of Education, Talab Till, Jammu. The students and teachers spoke on the topic and highlighted the menace of AIDS. The speakers stressed that despite AIDS being incurable, the spread of disease can be controlled to a great extent. So there was need of certain devices to be followed, prescribed by Medical Science from time to time, they said.

Those who spoke on the topic, included Nitoo Munshi, Neeraj Sharma, Amardeep, Khokhar, Shanti, Sukriti Sharma and Aman.

An AIDS awareness camp was organised at ICDS Project Marh by Child Development Project Officer Marh. Workers, locals and field supervisory staff actively participated in the programme.

Child Development Project Officer, Marh, Rachna Sharma apprised the participants about importance of the day. Informative talk was made by Assistant Surgeon Dr Anita Raina.

Displaced promotee teachers demand
promotional avenues

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 2: Displaced Promotee Teachers Forum Jammu has stated that senior most teachers promoted as masters have been deprived of their promotional benefits despite of migrant posts of master grade lying vacant in camp schools, adult education/ migrant cells.

Order No 362 of 1992 and order number 161 of 2003 was restricted on only these promotees when justice was done with other cadres. A two member delegation met the Chief Minister in July who assured a sympathetic consideration.

During the perusal of the case Director School Education Kashmir, Director School Education Jammu and secretary Education J&K, but the case stands gathering dust in corridors of Civil Secretariat for the past over 10 years. The forum said during the previous regime the case went twice to the cabinet for resolving the issue but each time it was deferred.

In the last cabinet meeting, the Forum said the members were fully hopeful of getting the issue resolved by adjusting the cadre in camp schools, but that was not done and many promotees have retired and some of them died without availing promotions while remaining were awaiting superannuation.

Vice president of Forum Roshan Lal Raina said the since the matter did not involve any huge financial involvement, the Government should concede the demands of the migrated promotees at an earliest.