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Party ideologue not happy
with performance Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 14: Taking serious note of party’s eroding base in Jammu region and dilution of ideology by the senior leaders, highcommand of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) deputed senior ideologue of the Sangh Parivar.....more KPs reject return formula, constitute 20 member Sub Committee Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 14: Kashmiri Pandits once again rejected the return formula of the state Government and constituted a 20 member Sub Committee headed by journalist Sham Koul to frame the charter of demands which among others will stress on permanent rehabilitation ........more Task force to check misuse of drinking water Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 14: The Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Qazi Mohammed Afzal today ordered constitution of a task force jointly by the PHE and Police Department to check misuse of.........more Two
trains cancelled, other diverted Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 14: Only one train passenger from Jammu was injured in the. .....more Sharma lays foundation stone of Community Hall Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 14: The Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma today laid the ...more |
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By Gopal Sharma JAMMU, Dec 14: Even as the liability of State Road and Buildings department towards National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has touched Rs 90 crore mark, the Asian Development Bank will be funding Rs 1135 cr for the roads and bridges and other infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir.........more Insurance
employees Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 14: The employees of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) throughout the State held launch-hour demonstration in front of their respective. .................more HC upholds JAKFED Dy GM’s compulsory retirement Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 14: Justice VK Jhanji of the State High Court, while deciding two writ petitions and connected CMPs filed by Ashok..........more Investigate Anara at home, not in Police Station: HC Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 14: Justice SK Gupta of the State High Court, in a petition filed by former Miss Jammu Anara Gupta and others, seeking compensation of rupees one crore from Police Department, today restrained investigating agency from calling her in Police Office/Station, in Police Chamber or Police Officer’s Chamber. The Court ordered that the investigations in the .. ....more |
Party ideologue not happy with
performance Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 14: Taking serious note of party’s eroding base in Jammu region and dilution of ideology by the senior leaders, highcommand of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) deputed senior ideologue of the Sangh Parivar and vice-president of the party Bal Apte to give some lessons to the local leaders. Mr Apte, in his day long stay in the Winter Capital, took ‘class’ of the senior leaders of the party and advised them to work unitedly to face the challenges. Senior leaders of party, sources said, were taken to task by the senior party leader in the ‘Chintan Baithak’. Although the party leadership kept Bal Apte’s day long visit secret, his meeting with office bearers of the party as well as other representatives of various organisations of Sangh Parivar has been considered a very significant due to his stature in the party as well as in the Parivar. Sources said that senior ideologue of the Sangh Parivar was not happy with the performance of party in the Assembly as well as Lok Sabha elections. He was reportedly not convinced with the excuses given by the party leaders for the worst ever debacle of the party in the recently held elections in the State. He sought reasons from the representatives of all organisations for eroding mass base of the party in Jammu which was once considered as its stronghold. Mr Apte, sources said, advised the leaders to mend their ways to revitalize the party and to face the challenges which have been confronting the organisation. The meeting convened by Mr Apte was attended all organisations of the Parivar in which representatives of all wings of Sangh Parivar were present. He also advised all organisations of the Parivar to iron out their differences to face the challenges. Pertinent to mention here that during the last Assembly elections, BJP and Jammu State Morcha had fought against each other on many seats resulted into worst of ever debacle of the party. Representatives of other organisations also putforth their view points and some of them expressed their reservation over style of the functioning of some senior leaders of the party who have been ignoring grass root level workers. In presence of Bal Apte, some leaders said that party has been losing ground due to behaviour of some senior leaders. A senior leader also took other leaders to task for ignoring aspirations and wishes of grass root level workers. During the ‘Chintan Baithak’ majority of the leaders were of the view that party should give stress on those issues which were directly related with the day today life of the masses. It is worthwhile to mention here that Bal Apte- one of the members of the Think Tank of BJP, is incharge of the training camps, which usually organise to train workers and newly elected representative. Former national president of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidharthi Parishad (ABVP), Mr Apte has been deputed in the BJP by the Sangh Parivar to infuse fresh blood in the party cadre as well as leaders. |
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KPs reject return formula, constitute 20 member Sub Committee Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 14: Kashmiri Pandits once again rejected the return formula of the state Government and constituted a 20 member Sub Committee headed by journalist Sham Koul to frame the charter of demands which among others will stress on permanent rehabilitation of the Community on the conditions set by it. Disclosing this the ASKPC general secretary Hira Lal Chatta said that a consensus has emerged in today’s meeting of KP organisations which was held at Geeta Bhavan here. The meeting was organised by ASKPC. He said meeting empowered the ASKPC chief A N Vaishnavi to approve the draft before being presented to the visiting team by the individual organisations. Warning some so called and self styled leaders, he said no individual organisation will be allowed to present its own charter of demands to sabotage the community cause. The different KP organisations which attended today’s meeting include Panun Kashmir, Panun Kashmir Movement (PKM), All Camps Coordination Committee, Kashmiri Hindu Youth Front, J&K Vichar Manch, Prohit Sabha Mattan and leaders of various social and religious organisations. The meeting was chaired by ASKPC chief, Amarnath Vaishnavi. He said the Pandits reject the return formula totally and strongly advocated for the carving out a separate state for the community in Kashmir Valley as per the resolution passed by KP Representative Assembly. He, while projecting the problems of the community demanded that an employment package be announced for the community youth. He said the condition of exiled community is horrible and the Government over the years has failed to solve the burning problems being faced by it. Addressing the meeting the PK representative Satish Sher while strongly advocating the Homeland demand for KPs in Valley said that the displaced Pandits have lost their faith and confidence in the State Government which has not shown any sincerity to solve the problems. Roshan Lal Raina, Member Apex Committee, while assuring full support to unity move cautioned the community against the vested elements. His views were echoed by O N Kaw who also stressed among unity on this crucial hour. Making a dig at the Government Sanjay Ganjoo said the community has practically achieved nothing in last 15 years. He said the community youth is frustrate as they have no source of income. A K Sidha, while rejecting the return formula said the situation is not conducive for the same in Kashmir Valley as militants still rule the roost there. Advocate Bhushan Lal who also stressed on unity among the community said that the memorandum to be submitted to the visiting team should stress on the violation of Section 13 of Distress Sales Act. Bansi Lal Koul while projecting the community problems said the Pandits have suffered on slaught of Pak intruders 11 times in frontier districts of Baramulla and Kupwara since partition. Among others the unity move was supported by Vir Ji Belov,Desh Rattan Dr Ramesh and Ramesh Mahnoori. |
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Task force to check misuse of drinking water Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 14: The Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Qazi Mohammed Afzal today ordered constitution of a task force jointly by the PHE and Police Department to check misuse of drinking water for construction purposes and irrigation of vegetables. These orders were issued by the Minister during surprise inspection to the Bhatindi area in Jammu after receiving complaints that people face shortage of drinking water due to its misuse for construction purpose. The Minister ordered suspension of Junior Engineer incharge of the area R K Jandial and four other officials for their failure/laxity to check misuse of drinking water for construction purpose and irrigation of vegetables. Qazi Afzal also confiscated six water boosters and 20 rubber pipes used in misuse of drinking water. |
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trains cancelled, other diverted Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 14: Only one train passenger from Jammu was injured in the collision between Jammu-Ahmedabad Express and DMU near Mukerian in Punjab this afternoon. SP Kathua Raghubir Singh, who was deputed to the spot along with DC Kathua Devinder Nargotra and a medical team, told the Excelsior on telephone that Rohit from Jammu was the only injured among the passengers. He was discharged after first-aid in Mukerian hospital. Driver of Ahmedabad Express and a couple of members of the crew of the train, which left Jammu at about 7 am today, were among the dead. However, they didn’t belong to Jammu. Mr Singh and Mr Nargotra visited the site of accident and Mukerian hospital. They were deputed to the spot by Divisional Commissioner, Jammu B R Sharma. Meanwhile, Haridwar Express from Jammu, scheduled to leave Jammu Tawi station at 11 pm, was cancelled tonight. Similarly, incoming Ahmedabad Express for tomorrow was also cancelled, Railways sources said. Rest all other trained arrived and left Jammu Station on normal time. Their route was, however, diverted via Amritsar. |
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Sharma lays foundation stone of Community Hall Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 14: The Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma today laid the foundation stone of community hall and bathrooms at Shiv Mandir, Old Janipur near JDA Park today. The Minister also sanctioned Rs five lakh out of his Constituency Development fund for the construction of the Community Hall and bathrooms. He donated a water cooler to the Temple . The Deputy Chief Minister also released Rs 20,000 under Swaran Jayanti Rojgar Yojna for the slum dwellers of the area. He assured the people that the work on the drainage nullah in the area will be completed by March, 2005. He announced the upgradation of Central School Janipur to the Middle standard from next accademic session. A large number of people joined the Congress on the occasion in presence of Mr Sharma who was accompanied by Ex MLA Shiv Dev Singh. |
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By Gopal Sharma JAMMU, Dec 14: Even as the liability of State Road and Buildings department towards National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has touched Rs 90 crore mark, the Asian Development Bank will be funding Rs 1135 cr for the roads and bridges and other infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. Out of the total, liability amount worth Rs 50 cr pertains to Kashmir division whereas, Rs 40 cr is yet to be cleared from Jammu division. The new Government is projecting the crunch of funds and holds the previous National Conference Government responsible for creating such huge liabilities. It alleged that most of the works in the past regime were done without proper sanction, approval and project study by the concerned authorities. Minister incharge Roads and Buildings, G A Mir told the Excelsior that Rs nine cr liability was cleared in the recent past while the present liability of his department will be around Rs 90 crores. He said in other words one may call it as the money to be issue to the contractors and other agencies for the works done. He said one may call it as liability yet, department has yet to clear the pending money. He claimed that this liability will be cleared immediately after getting adequate funds. Referring to the Prime Minister’s package of Rs 24,000 cr to J&K, Mir said that several important road projects including Domail— Katra double lane, Batote- Kishtwar (DL), Srinagar—Leh (DL) and Mughal roads are being taken up on priority. The Baramulla—Uri road is also being taken under this project, he informed. Mr Mir further claimed that Asian Development Bank will be funding various road projects and bridges worth Rs 1135 crore apart from PM Package and funds are being provided under Prime Minister’s Gram Sarak Yojana (PMGSY). He said various projects under PMGSY have been submitted to the Government and work has already been initiated on several projects. Large number of roads under rural connectivity programme in various categories have been taken up and many are under execution. He pointed out that Rs 1135 cr are proposed to be spent by the R&B in coming three years. Figures compiled from R&B indicated that under Prime Minister’s Gram Sarak Yojana, phase Ist and IInd have already been completed. After making some amendments 18 roads in Jammu region were taken up under phase II. For Phase IV, 113 road projects have been submitted so far and the process is still going on. The R&B proposed to spend Rs 250 cr in IVth phase under the Yojana. Under Phase III, 49 roads were taken up in Kashmir while only 18 in Jammu division. The amount being spent for Kashmir roads is to the tune of Rs 60.33 cr while Rs 30.93 cr in Jammu region. The road length covered in Jammu is 94 kms while 202 Kms is Kashmir. For five schemes of Udhampur, money to the tune of Rs 10 cr is being spent, for three schemes of Rajouri Rs 3.82 cr, Rs 3.09 cr in Poonch and so on. Under this phase a total of Rs 91.26 cr is being spent in the State. District wise ADB funding break-up indicated that Rs 148 cr will go to Srinagar and Anantnag each, Rs 169 cr to Baramulla while Rs 135 to Jammu district. The share of Budgam will be Rs 70 cr, Pulwama, Rs 77 cr, Kupwara Rs 92 cr, Kathua Rs 44 cr, Doda Rs 87 cr, Udhampur Rs 63 cr, Rajouri Rs 40 cr, Poonch Rs 28 cr, Leh Rs 20 cr and Kargil Rs 14 cr. The figures indicated that Rs 397 cr will be utilised for Jammu roads while Rs 738 cr for the execution of roads and bridges in Kashmir. |
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Insurance employees stage demonstration Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 14: The employees of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) throughout the State held launch-hour demonstration in front of their respective offices today. The employees were protesting against non-settlement of their charter of demands, pending since August 2002. It may be recalled that the top management of the LIC had invited unions for wage negotiations on 10th and 11th of this month but the proposals of the management have been rejected by the employees association for being unsatisfactory. A massive demonstration of employees was held at LIC’s Rail Head Complex, DO cell office, under the banner of the All India Insurance Employees Association (AIIEA), which was addressed by Mohan Lal and Romesh Chand. The leaders exhorted the employees to remain vigilant and be prepared for the struggle ahead. The employees were informed that the AIIEA has called for one day strike on January 4, 2005 by the AIIEA. Brig Bakshi inaugurates water mill run hydel project Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 14: A Water Mill Run Hydel Project (Gharat) was inaugurated by Brigadier A K Bakshi, Commander Poonch Brigade at Shahpur village as part of Operation Sadbhavana. This mill was constructed by Doda Battalion and located on the Bagnuwa Nala. The project will provide electricity to 50 houses of Shahpur village, near the famous holy shrine of Sain Miran Baksh. Addressing the gathering of locals of Shahpur, Islamabad and Pindi villages, Brigadier Bakshi said that many such projects are being undertaken by Army to assist the people of this region in improving the quality of life. People of Shahpur hailed the efforts of the Army in providing them with electricity free of cost. The local said that the electricity will not light up their houses but also enlighten the impressionable minds of the large number of children who will be able to pursue their education. Funded under Operation Sadbhavana Project of the Army, the innovative project taps natural resource like water to produce electricity. The occasion was graced by the presence of Ramzan Thakur, DC Poonch and other police and civil officers. |
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HC upholds JAKFED Dy GM’s compulsory retirement Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 14: Justice VK Jhanji of the State High Court, while deciding two writ petitions and connected CMPs filed by Ashok Kumar Jain, Deputy General Manager, JAKFED, has upheld his compulsory retirement ordered by Chairman JAKFED on December 12 last year. In his 39 page order, Justice Jhanji in major portion of the judgment referred to the findings of KB Pillai Commission probing embezzlement in the JAKFED and involvement of the officers including AK Jain. The Justice observed that it is now a well settled that ‘ public interest’ is guiding factor in considering whether the power of pre-mature retirement should be exercised or not. " It follows that formation of the opinion to prematurely retire an employee must be based on material which has reasonable nexus with ‘public interest’ as understood in the context of the rule relating to premature retirement", it was observed. The Court further said that if on the basis of the material or service record, the authority concerned forms an opinion that an employee has ceased to be useful and shall be retired prematurely, then it cannot be contended that requisite opinion would not interfere with the exercise of power if the opinion had been made bonafide and on the basis of material on the record and Pillai Commission has also indicted Jain as he was one of the Officers responsible for the misappropriation/embezzlement. With these observations, Justice Jhanji dismissed the petitions filed by AK Jain and upheld his compulsory retirement. |
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Investigate Anara at home, not in Police Station: HC Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 14: Justice SK Gupta of the State High Court, in a petition filed by former Miss Jammu Anara Gupta and others, seeking compensation of rupees one crore from Police Department, today restrained investigating agency from calling her in Police Office/Station, in Police Chamber or Police Officer’s Chamber. The Court ordered that the investigations in the case be conducted at her house. After hearing Advocates Rahul Pant and SK Shukla appearing for Anara Gupta,her mother and brothers, the Justice issued notice to the respondent- Police and others returnable within four weeks. In the petition, the petitioner Anara Gupta has denied her role in any of the pornographic CD attributed to her and has claimed that under coercion, the Police got her confession. She has also sought compensation of rupees one crore for breach of fundamental rights and also keeping her in illegal confinement from October 24, 2004 to November 4, 2004. The IGP Jammu Range, SP City, SDPO Bakshi Nagar and SHO Women Cell besides an ASI and Head Constable have been pointed in the petition who have allegedly resorted to ill-treatment to Anara Gupta and her mother, thereby causing severe mental harassment and damaging the reputation of the petitioners. |
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By Mohinder Verma JAMMU, Dec 14: Amidst fear psychosis and security related problems, IRCON—contractor of Northern Railways in Kashmir valley is all set to complete work on first 20 kilometres of strategically important railway track by July 2005. Authoritative sources told the EXCELSIOR that in the first phase of 120 kilometres long Qazigund to Baramulla broad guage railway line project, IRCON has taken up the work on 55 kilometres of track from Qazigund to Kakapura and out of this, 20 kilometre stretch upto village Vanpoh would be completely ready by July 2005. "About 50 to 60 percent work on whole of this 55 kilometre stretch has already been completed by the IRCON. There are no tunnels but this stretch has about 40 bridges and longest of them is of half a kilometre", the sources disclosed and said that the highest bridge on this stretch would be at the height of 40 metres. Admitting that the progress of the work got affected due to the halt of the work after the killing of IRCON Engineer, the sources said that even the deployment of six companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on the 55 kilometre of track taken up by the IRCON, has failed to wipe out the fear from the minds of IRCON officials, who regretted that at some places the deployment was not sufficient and had even taken up the matter with the Director General of State Police and officers of other security-related agencies. A mine explosion in recent past on the stretch between Batpore to Gulzarpur, from where the IRCON Engineer Sudhir Kumar Pundeer, his brother and two others were kidnapped by the militants in broad-day light, has further raised the level of fear among the company officials, who want stepped up security in vulnerable areas. Keeping in mind the law and order problem prevailing in the area which falls in Anantnag and Bugdam districts, and some vulnerable areas in other districts the security for the IRCON officials and Railways property should be stepped up, a senior officer of IRCON said, on the condition of anonymity. About the land acquisition, he said that the land acquisition has not been completed in many areas by the State Government so far and the process of handing over land to Railways was merely on papers. "Out of total 120 kilometre track in Kashmir valley, impediments on 20 kilometres are yet to be removed by the State Government", he said and stressed that the early settlement of land acquisition problems would pave the way for timely completition of project in the Kashmir valley. It is pertinent to mention here that actual work began in 2000 and most of the land acquisition process got completed in the beginning of 2003, when the ground work begun. But the work came to a grinding halt after kidnapping and subsequent killing of IRCON Engineer. |
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Tehsil Social Welfare Officer Doda among 3 suspended Excelsior Correspondent DODA, Dec 14: Minister of State for Urban Development and the Chairman Social Welfare Board (with MoS status) were today encountered with the ‘real’ situation of the functioning of the Government departments when they found not even a single employee in the Tehsil Social Welfare Office Doda. Sources told the EXCELSIOR that MoS Urban Development Abdul Majid Wani alongwith Chairman Social Welfare Board Ghulam Mohd Saroori paid a surprise visit to the Tehsil Social Welfare Office at Doda but much to their chagrin, none was present in the office at that time. "Enraged over the absence of all the staff members the Ministers immediately ordered suspension of Tehsil Social Welfare Officer Bimla Devi, Junior Assistant Iftikar Abid and Craft Teacher attached with this office Shamshad Begum", the sources said. The people, who had gathered outside the Tehsil Social Welfare Office, complained that the office remaines closed most of the days and Junior Assistant Iftikar Abid used to demand bribe for pursuing old age and handicapped pension cases under Integrated Monthly Pension Scheme. They urged the Ministers to appoint dedicated staff at the Tehsil Social Welfare Office, Doda for its proper functioning. The Ministers assured them that strict action would be taken against Junior Assistant if the charges of corruption were proved against him. |
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Nearly 200 Haj pilgrims stranded after flight cancellation SRINAGAR, Dec 14: Nearly 200 haj pilgrims bound for Saudi Arabia got stranded here today as the third Haj flight scheduled for the day was cancelled due to poor visibility, official sources said. The flight, which was to carry 199 pilgrims, failed to land here after hovering in the air for nearly an hour, because of poor visibility, the sources said. They said the pilgrims were lodged at different hotels in the city and would be leaving for haj pilgrimage tomorrow. Earlier, two flights carrying 200 pilgrims including 80 women left for Jeddah at the scheduled time. The exercise to carry the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia began yesterday when the first batch of 587 devotees left Srinagar in three flights to join the annual pilgrimage. Nearly 9000 pilgrims from the state are expected to perform haj this year. (PTI) |
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GCET students protest near Raj Bhawan, Div Comm office Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 14: Agitating students of Government College of Engineering and Technology (GCET), Jammu, today took out a massive protest rally in the city and held demonstration near Governor House as well as in front of the office of Divisional Commissioner Jammu. Raising slogans in favour of their demands, they also torched an effigy of the State Government and submitted a memorandum of demands to the Divisional Commissioner. The Engineering students are on agitational path for the last nine days in favour of their demands which include; adequate infrastructure at the college, hostel facility, extra-curricular activities and autonomy to GCET. This morning, the GCET students, including girls, boycotted their classes and marched towards Divisional Commissioner’s office in old city. Passing through Canal Head, Jewel Chowk, Lower Gummat, Raghunath Bazar and City Chowk, the slogan shouting students who were also carrying placards and banners depicting their demands, reached near the Divisional Commissioner’s office at Mubarak Mandi. Besides holding a protest demonstration and staging a dharna there, they submitted a memorandum to Divisional Commissioner, in which all demands and problems of GCET students were highlighted seeking immediate attention of the Government. The protest demonstration was also addressed by some student leaders who vowed to take the ongoing struggle to a logical conclusion. They threatened to further intensify the stir if their grievances were not addressed by the College administration and the State Government. The rally was addressed by JJSF president Pushvinder Singh Manhas, Neeraj Singh (president of GCET students), Vikram Singh, Rajat Kotwal, Rajat Mahajan, Manpreet Singh, Harvinder Singh, Sanjay Bhat, Sabir Hussain, Arun Sharma and others. Later the agitating students proceeded towards Raj Bhawan where effigy of the State Government was torched. |
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J&K to be partner state for international conference of Pravasi Indians Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Dec 14: Jammu and Kashmir has achieved the distinction of becoming the first Partner State for the 31st International Conference of Pravasi Indians to be held in New Delhi on January 10th and 11th , 2004. Britain is the partner country for this international conference. The State Finance Minister, Muzaffar Hussain Baig would be addressing the Valedictory Session of the Conference as the Guest of Honour on January 11 at India International Centre, New Delhi. The focus of Mr Baig’s address at the Conference would be attracting investment in Jammu and Kashmir from NRIs. The State Government has been provided a stall at the conference venue where it would distribute the promotional material to the delegates attending the conference. Around 300 NRI delegates from all over the world would be participating in the two-day Conference. Organized by NRI Institute of India, the Conference would deliberate upon attracting NRI Investment in India. The theme of the Conference is "India and NRI/PIOs - Current Trends in Education and Employment." Founded in 1989, the NRI Institute aims to keep Indians informed about the achievements and problems of Pravasi Indians through conferences, seminars and exchange of visits of delegations to keep NRIs and PIOs informed about the socio-political, socio-economic and cultural events in India and promote their investment interest in India. The Institute has established chapters in UK, USA, Canada, Angola, UAE, Muscat, Thailand, Seychelles and Australia. The Institute has already organized such conferences at London, New York, Detroit, Singapore, Bangkok and Dubai. The Former Prime Minister I. K. Gujral, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Ms Meira Kumar, Union Minister of State for Overseas Indians Jagdish Tytler, Union Minister of State for Tourism Ms Renuka Chowdhary, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Mr. E. Ahmed and British High Commissioner in India Sir Michael Arthur are among the other dignitaries who will be addressing the Conference at New Delhi on January 10th - 11th, 2004. |
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Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Dec 14: The Minister of State for Agriculture, Aijaz Ahmed Khan during his two-day extensive tour of Sangaldan and Gool areas of Udhampur district took stock of various ongoing development works being executed by different agencies and the problems being faced by the people. Addressing a series of public meetings, Mr Khan said that the State Government is paying special attention towards backward and hilly areas so that they are brought at par with urban areas. He said that a number of schools have been opened and upgraded to provide educational facilities to the people at their doorsteps adding that Gool area would be brought on the map of tourism. Mr Khan in his speech at Sangaldan thanked the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed for according top priority to education sector particularly with respect to providing of infrastructure facilities and upgradation of various schools. He said that the upgradation of Government High School Sangaldan to Higher Secondary level would raise the literacy level in the area as also reduce the drop-out rate particularly amongst females who earlier had to tread to long distance to get higher education. Later the Minister convened a meeting of officers and took stock of the development activities being carried by different agencies to provide benefits to the downtrodden sections of the society. He asked the officers to use quality material in the construction for the durability of the structures saying that bad workmanship would not be tolerated. |
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Sant Swarnjit Singh speaks about science, religion Excelsior Correspondent FARIDKOT, Dec 14: Addressing mammoth gathering of devotees who had come from different areas of Punjab, Sant Swarnjit Singh emphasised on modern principles of Science and Technology vis-a-vis religion. His topic of discourse was "Avval Allah Noor Upaya", a Shabad of Gurbani, authored by Sant Kabir Ji. He explained the intricacies of origin of life on this earth from scientific point of view. He impressed upon youth by explaining `Big Bang Phenomenon’ which took place in our solar system. He then threw light on Sikh concept of genesis. He was of the view that science and religion should not be seen as two poles apart. "We need learned people who should build bridges and let science tempered youth come close to religion. Sant Swarnjit Singh is travelling rural areas of north India continuously for the last three months to provide solution of various of the Sangat. He considers rich and poor people alike and respects and follows tradition of "Sangat and Pangat" invented by great Sikh Gurus to remove disparity amongst classes and castes. Sant Swarnjit Singh is spiritual representative of Brahmyogi Sant Baba Wadbhag Singh Ji Maharaj who performed meditation for 17 years and eight months in Mairi village of Himachal Pradesh, two and a half centuries ago. People suffering from problems caused by tramp spirits find cure at Tapasthan, Gurdwara Manji Sahib, Mairi (HP). Brahmyogi Sant Baba Wadbhag Singh Ji Maharaj was a divine soul whose benefaction is enjoyed by people even today, after his leaving for heavenly abode in 1762. Sant Swarnjit Singh is popular amongst his devotees in India and abroad because of his deep concern for their sufferings. He has been endowed with divine powers by which he is able to remove difficulties of those who seek his blessings. JAKFAS children art exhibition concludes Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 14: Kalaedoscope 2004- art and craft exhibition by children artists, organised by the J&K Fine Art Society (JAKFAS) held at Abhinay Art Gallery was concluded today. This exhibition was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma. The art work done by the children included glass painting, new year greeting card, painting of Ramayan, waste material art work, photo and photo exhibition on Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru. The children from more than 50 reputed schools of J&K took part in the exhibition, which included children from class first to class 12th. More than 3000 children including their parents visited the art exhibition during these days. The Deputy Chief Minister, on this occasion, congratulated for organising such exhibitions and distributed prizes among the children. JAKFAS members included Darshan Singh, Rohit Verma, Ashwani Sharma, Viney Khajuria, Sanjay Kotwal, Suhail Koul, Vishal Baskar, Sanjeev Sharma, Rakesh Sharma, Rajesh and Suresh Sharma. Prize distribution function of ABVP’s Gyan Pratiyogita held Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Dec 14: Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad today held prize distribution function of Sunil Upadhyay Memorial Gyan Pratiyogita at Mahajan Sabha, Kathua. Ex ZEO Devo Sharma, who was chief guest on the occasion, gave away prizes to winners of the Gyan Pratiyogita. Free basic computer course training to four toppers of Kathua, was announced by NIIT Computer Centre, Kathua. Earlier, the programme started with lighting of traditional lamp and Saraswati Vandana. Welcome address was delivered by ABVP City president Vivek Mehra. BTVL ranked 2nd among top 25 employers Excelsior Correspondent NEW DELHI, Dec 14: Bharti Tele-Ventures Limited (BTVL), India’s leading telecom company has been ranked second best employer amongst the top 25 companies in the country. According to a survey conducted by Hewitt Associates, the Compnay with the latest ranking has taken a giant leap from its 14th position in 2003 to second this year. Apart from this ranking, Chairman and Managing Director of the Company, Sunil Bharti Mittal was adjudged the ‘best people CEO of the year’ 2004 by a panel of judges. Rajan Mittal, Joint Managing Director, Bharti Enterprises received both the awards in an impressive function held here the other day. The best employers Survey is a part of Hewitt Associates’ global initiative and goes beyond short-listing top employers. Its purpose is to depict how people practices are aligned to meet employees’ needs, identify linkages to business results and provide insights into the HR practices that differentiate best employers. The best employers in the country were selected on the basis of their performance in three phases mainly, initial screening for minimum acceptable standards, onsite audit for data validation/ deeper understanding of employment practices and thirdly, an evaluation by a panel of 10 independent judges to rank all the companies and identify the 25 best employers. The study also analyses trends in human capital management cost, talent movement and leadership alignment. Hundreds participate in Rasam-e-Charum of Peer Mohammed Yousuf Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 14: The Rasam -e- Charum of late Peer Mohammed Yousuf, father of Minister of Rural Development and President PCC-I, Peerzada Mohammed Sayed was observed at his native village Takiya Damhal today. Hundreds of the disciples of Peer assembled in the village to pay their obeisance to the departed soul. Those who attended the Rasam -e- Charum include Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma, Health Minister, Suman Bhagat, Minister for Social Welfare, Mula Ram, Minister of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Taj Mohi-u-Din, MoS Home, Abdul Rehman Veeri, MoS Science and Technology, Yougesh Sawhney, MoS Social Welfare, Ghulam Hassan Khan, Haji Abdul Rashid, Chairman Handicrafts, Abdul Rashid Dar, Chairman Legislative Council, Ali Mohammed Sofi, MLC, Mohammed Muzaffer, spokesperson PCC, Bashir Ahmed Magrey and Haji Ali Mohammed Bhat vice presidents, H L Pandita, general secretary Migrant Cell, G N Monga, Abdul Khaliq Mir, Gulzar Ahmed Wani, district presidents, Mohammed Amin Bhat president PYC, Surinder Singh Chennai, G N Mir Lasjan, Zahid Hussain Jan, Farooq Indrabi and others. While paying tributes to Peer Mohammed Yousf the speakers recalled his qualities. As a mark of respect Peerzada Mohammed Syed was declared successor in spiritual order and his head was adorned with white turban to substantiate his being successor of departed souls in spiritual and earthly matters. Later these leaders led by Peerzada Mohammed Sayed visited Dooru to pay tributes to former Chief Minister Syed Mir Qasim. Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 14: State BJP has constituted Sehyog Cell under the chairmanship of Mr Ashok Khajuria, general secretary, in which the grievances and problems being faced by common man and party workers will be addressed in organized manner on permanent basis. Cell was inaugurated by State BJP president Dr Nirmal Singh who appealed the workers present there to go to the people, ascertain their problems on account of Government’s incompetence and apathy and bring the same to the notice of party for redressal of the same. Former Haryana Governor Babu Parmanand on the occasion termed the opening of Sehyog Cell as a welcome step which will serve the suffering people and social cause. Mr Ashok Khajuria congratulated the party leadership for this unique and path breaking step to serve the people and held that constitution of this cell is reflective of BJP’s concern for public and its ethos of service and duty. Senior BJP leaders available for listening to the grievances at party headquarters will be Babu Parmanand on Monday, MLA Jugal Kishore Sharma on Tuesday, general secretary Ashok Khajuria on Wednesday, ex-MLA Chodhary Piara Singh on Thursday, Former Union MoS Prof Chaman Lal Gupta on Friday and ex-MLA Bali Bhagat on Saturday. Prominent party leaders present on the occasion were Shamsher Singh Manhas, Ajay Jamwal, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Ch Piara Singh, Rajneesh Jain, K B Mohtra, Mrs Surekha Choudhary, Mrs Raj Rani Jamwal, N D Rajwal, Yudhvir Sethi, Shiv Kumar Gupta, Ved Parkash Bhagat, Munish Sharma, Kuldeep Magotra, Rajesh Gupta, Baldev Singh, Dr Mohan Lal Gupta, Krishan Lal Gupta, Rajinder Gupta, Jaswant, S P Magotra, Subash Gupta and Ashwani Sharma. |
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