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| Cath Lab commissioned Govt not to interfere in SKIMS but enforce accountability: Mufti Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Feb 20: Maintaining that the SKIMS would be made an institute of excellence in the country, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that the autonomous character of the institute......more ETO
acquitted of Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu, Mr MK Hanjura has acquitted Raja Masood Ahmad, Excise and Taxation Officer...........more Indo-Pak
talks to fail if Excelsior Correspondent BHALESA, Feb 20: Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Mohd Yasin Malik has asserted that all talks between india and Pakistan..........more Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: By promising to take up on priority the long pending demands of students and the staff .......more Uma Dogra
to give Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: For Uma Dogra, well known Kathak dancer, the invitation.........more |
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Billawar
College Action Excelsior Correspondent Billawar, Feb 20: A regular dharna is being staged here by the people to press their demand for opening a Degree College in Billawar area of Kathua district..............more Exploitation
of unemployed Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Coalition Government has crossed all the limits to exploit the unemployed educated youth of the State and its employment policy has been virtually adding insult to the injury of the youth of the State...........more 14th
annual conference Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: The 14th annual conference of Jammu Mathematical Society and three-days national seminar began in Jammu University, here today.........more Three
Revenue Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Feb 20: The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai has placed three officials of Revenue Department under suspension for issuing fake permanent residence certificate to a lady who got married...............more |
Cath Lab commissioned Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Feb 20: Maintaining that the SKIMS would be made an institute of excellence in the country, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that the autonomous character of the institute has been fully restored and the medicare services being upgraded to serve the ailing humanity. Speaking at a function after inaugurating Rs. 4 crore Cardiac Diagnostic Centre (Cath Lab) at Soura institute here this evening, the Chief Minister said that while autonomy of the institute would always be maintained with no interference from the government, it would, however, ensure full accountability of the doctors and staff. He said that the institute has to play an important role in meeting the requirement of the people of the state including in the rural areas. Since there is shortage of specialist doctors especially in gyne, he advised the Director of the Institute to send mobile teams to rural areas to provide best medicare facility to the patients including women. The Chief Minister said that during his recent visit to Saudi Arabia as head of the Indian Hajj delegation, many Kashmiri doctors met him there and expressed their willingness to return and serve in the state. He said we need their services to meet the shortage of doctors and improve the health services in the state. However, terms and conditions for their return to the government services have to be examined. He said many doctors left the institute and the state due to bad situation in the valley, yet many stayed back and kept the institute going in most difficult situation. For this, he paid compliments to the staff. The Chief Minister said that the institute is among few premier health institutions in the country where cath lab facility is available. He said that by installing the cath lab in the institute the needy patients would no longer have to visit outside the state for diagnosis and specialist treatment. He said that the long-standing dream of the people of the state have been realized by commissioning long delayed centre. Stressing upon the doctor and para medical staff to work with dedication for restoring the glory and achieving excellence of the institute, the Chief Minister said that the government would provide every facility to strengthen the institute. The Chief Minister said that the people of the state especially of the valley have great attachment with the institute and it was the joint responsibility of the faculty members to improve the working in the institute. He said that the present government has ended hegemony of few individual in the larger interest of the institute and the people. We have constituted a governing body under the supervision of the government so that the better health care facilities are to the common man. He advised the Director and other staff to work as a team rather than pulling each others legs that would retard the development of the institute. The Chief Minister said that perceptible improvement has been achieved in health sector. He said the state has been rated third best the country in medicare services by India Today. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister for Health and Medical Education Ch. Lal Singh expressed happiness over the commissioning of CDC in the institute, adding that the present government would strive to further upgrade the services in the institute so that it could be brought at par with the reputed medical institutions of the country like All India Institute of Medical sciences, New Delhi. He said that it has become the fourth institute of the country to have cath lab facility, adding that it would go a long way in providing upgraded modern facilities in the valley. Earlier, Minister of State for Health Mr. Abdul Gaffar Sofi lauded the role of the doctors and para-medical staff that discharged their duties during crucial time and provided much needed treatment facilities to the people. Welcoming the Chief Minister, Director of the Institute Dr. S. Jalal said that the patients of the state would no longer have to go outside for the treatment because of the cath lab facilities in the institute. He said that the by installing this facility Dr. Vipugopal, a renowned cardiologist of the country has assured him to train our doctors and staff in this field. Even The President, when he came here this summer, had promised to provide all possible help once Cath lab is established. He announced that an international conference on cardiac surgery would be held in this summer that would further benefit the institute. He demanded opening of many more super specialties like neurology centre, cancer centre etc. |
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ETO acquitted of corruption charges Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu, Mr MK Hanjura has acquitted Raja Masood Ahmad, Excise and Taxation Officer (ETO) who was charged for amassing huge wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income. While acquitting the accused, Mr Hanjura observed that the prosecution has not produced even an iota of evidence by reference to which it could be said that the initial burden to prove that the accused was the real owner in possession of the house number 104 Mohalla Dalpatian Jammu has been discharged by the prosecution. " The prosecution has examined number of witnesses in the case, but not even a single witness has come forward to state that the funds required for the construction of the house and the purchase of land were provided by the accused and the alleged transaction has entered benami in the name of his mother in law (who is also accused in this case).", the court observed. Further, it was held that the prosecution has not been able to substantiate that the accused committed offence, the commission of which has been imputed to them. " The prosecution has utterly failed to prove that the accused was in possession of assets disproportionate to his known source of income. The accused seem to have been involved in a row under pre-meditated design", the court observed while acquitting both of them. It may be mentioned here that the case was registered by Vigilance Organisation Jammu in 1997 against Raja Masood Ahmad on the grounds that the accused was having assets disproportionate to his known source of income. He was accordingly challaned in the court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu. |
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Indo-Pak talks to fail if J&K people ignored:Malik Excelsior Correspondent BHALESA, Feb 20: Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Mohd Yasin Malik has asserted that all talks between india and Pakistan on Kashmir will fail if the people of the State are not taken into confidence and made a party to this dispute. Addressing public meetings in Bhalesa area today, Yasin Malik said that many a times talks on Kashmir have been initiated between the two nations, but everytime they failed as the people of the State were ignored. " The people of Jammu and Kashmir are the real party to this dispute and the most affected lot and they should be taken into count". the JKLF supremo said, adding that their participation was essential to find any amicable solution. Yasin Malik said that Kashmir is not a border despite between the two nations and India and Pakistan should understand this hard reality. " India and Pakistan should not treat us cows and sheep. We hold say to this dispute", he said, adding that it is the matter of aspirations of over one crore people of the State. Malik called upon the people to stand united in fighting for their cause. He appreciated the people for supporting " freedom " movement. The JKLF leader alleged that people of Bhalesa were subjected to large scale human rights violations at the hands of security forces and Village Defence Committee members of the area. In this context he referred to various instances and alleged that people were being tortured. He impressed upon the Government to stop such violations at the easiest. The Front leader advised people to remain vigilant and maintain communal harmony and universal brother-hood at all costs. Among others who spoke on the occasion included Messrs Shoukat Ahmad Bakshi, Dinesh Arora, Sheikh Maqsood Ahmad and Sheikh Abdul Rashid. |
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IMFA
organises annual art exhibition, classical music evening Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: By promising to take up on priority the long pending demands of students and the staff of the Institute of Music and Fine Arts (IMFA), Harsh Dev Singh, Minister for Education has taken an initiative that will not only give the due status to the institution of the region involved in imparting art education but also augur well for the development of muisc and fine arts in the State. Speaking on the occasion of annual art exhibition and classical music programmed organised by IMFA at the Abhinav Theatre, here today, the Minister said that like the recent initiative of the State Government under which post-graduate courses have been started in different colleges of the state, higher education courses in IMFA will also be started very soon. He said that he does not like waiting for the things to happen but believes in making waiting things happen. He assured to take up repair of Poonch House, the present building of IMFA and also to grant the status and grades to the faculty of IMFA. Today’s programme started with the inauguration of three day art exhibition in which more than 125 exhibits created by students of Fine arts Dept. of IMFA, are on display. The works on show include excercises in color and design, object drawing, clay modeling, applied art, graphics, sculptures and paintings. The classical music programme by the students of Music started with Saraswati Vandana which was followed by ‘Vadya Vrinda’ in which students played many instrument in unison. The item was composed by Kalpana Raina and Sunil Raina. Next item was recital of Raag Gour Malharby students of Vocal dept. It was followed by a composition in Raag Yaman prepared under the guidance of Bahadur singh and Sumeet Madan and played by students of Violin dept. Next was tabla recital by students of Tabla dept. Composed by Pushpinder Talwar and Janak Raj, the item included ‘uthan’, ‘peshkar’, ‘kaida’, ‘rela’, ‘chakardhar’, ‘parn’ and ‘tripalli’. The Kathak’ dance by the students of Dance dept. presented the rigorous training required to master the dance form under the guidance of Guru V.N. Kohli. It was followed by a chorus by students of Vocal dept. and the programme ended with sitar recital by students of Sitar dept. Those who gave accompaniment in programmes included Jagdish Raj, Rajesh Kumar, Sujata Jamwal, Raj Kumar Sharma and Purshottam Raj. Earlier speaking in her welcome address, Savita Bakshi, highlighted the achievements as well as the problems faced by IMFA. She also raised the issue for creating job avenues for alumni of IMFA. Ramesh Mehta, secretary, Cultural Academy, guest of honour of today’s function, appreciating the talent of the students said that already steps have been initiated to ameliorate the problems faced by IMFA. |
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Uma Dogra to give Kathak recital at Abhinav today Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: For Uma Dogra, well known Kathak dancer, the invitation to perform in Jammu is not like any other routine recital but a dream fulfilled. Talking to EXCELSIOR, she said that despite of having the satisfaction of performing at prestigious venues in different countries of the world, I have always longed to perform in Jammu. I am happy that I am here not on the basis of being a daughter of the soil but on artistic merit and expertise in the field of Kathak dance. Settled in Mumbai since few decades, Uma Dogra is the daughter of Pandit Moti Ram Sharma, who was a sitarist and belonged to Reasi. "I was encouraged by my father to take up dance at the age of seven. My systematic training started when I enrolled myself at Kathak Kendra, New Delhi and was initiated into the style of Lukhnow Gharana under guidance of Smt. Reba Vidyarathi and Pandit Birju Maharaj ji", said Uma Dogra. The quest for enriching her art with the technique of Jaipur Gharana led her to Pandit Durga Lal ji. Having imbibed from the Gurus of Jaipur and Lukhnow Gharanas the best of both the traditions, Uma Dogra has been able to create an individual style which is authentic and distinct. Because of her excellence in Kathak dance she has performed in USSR, UK, Marutius, Australia, Japan, Zambia, Kenya, Holland, Korea, Germany and USA. One who longingly remembers her childhood days of playing in the precincts of Raghunath ji Temple, Uma Dogra said that though she has remained outside Jammu for quite a long time, she has never forgotten her roots. Uma takes pride in her surname ‘Dogra’ as it not only announces to the world her ethnic origin but also acts as a constant source of pride for her. "In tomorrow’s recital at Abhinav Theatre I am looking forward to present the Abhinay pieces as well as compositions based on Dogri songs written by her father". She will be accompanied by Shailendra Bharti, Pandit Kali Nath Mishra on tabla and Indrani, her ‘ganda bandh shagird Indrani on ‘padhant’. |
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Billawar College Action Committee's dharna continues Excelsior Correspondent Billawar, Feb 20: A regular dharna is being staged here by the people to press their demand for opening a Degree College in Billawar area of Kathua district. The people of Lahri under the leadership of Chuni Lal Mistri, president, Kisan Sabha tehsil, Billawar, sat on dharna today. Dhian Singh, ex-MLA, Sarpanch Daya Ram Dharal of Dharalta and Jagdev Singh of panchayat Dewal also joined the protest. Mr Hari Chand Jalmeria, Advocate, convenor of the Billawar College Action Committee, while speaking on the occasion asked the Government to announce opening of Government Degree College at Dewal in the ongoing Assembly session and make the college functional before the next academic session. The people of all villages including sarpanches are participating in mass dharna tomorrow, it was announced. Among those who took part in the dharna today included: Messrs Kuldip Basotra, Sher Singh, Amarnath, Chanda Ram, Lekh Raj, Tara Chand, Puran Chand, Munshi Ram, Baldev Raj, Romesh Singh, Guddu Ram, Rattan Chand, Munnu Gujjar, Qasha Gujjar and many others. |
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Exploitation of unemployed
youth by State Govt Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Coalition Government has crossed all the limits to exploit the unemployed educated youth of the State and its employment policy has been virtually adding insult to the injury of the youth of the State. This was stated by vice-president and spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Prof Hari Om while addressing the state executive meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) here today. "The coalition Government has miserably failed to meet the genuine needs of the unemployed youth of Jammu region which is evident from the fact that while the unemployment is over 69 percent in Jammu the same is less than 30 percent in Kashmir valley", he said. The youth of the State in general and Jammu and Ladakh regions in particular, he said, have been passing through critical times and this was the result of irrational and valley centric employment policy as well as the failure of coalition Government to launch employment generating schemes. "We are of the opinion that the existing employment policy has to be scrapped and a rational one to be evolved and implemented. We feel that State has the potential of generating more and more employment opportunities", he said, adding "what is required is to develop water resources, install more hydel projects, optimum use of green gold, modernise corporations like State Forest Corporation and J&K State Road Transport Corporation, revival of cooperative societies and recruitment at tehsil level". Prof Hari Om further said that in the meantime what is required is to abolish contractual employment in the shape of Rehbar-e-Taleem and Rehbar-e-Zarat and instead go in for permanent employment and adoption of a scheme under which the educated unemployed youth could be given stipend. Highlighting the regional imbalance in the matter of Government services, he said that in the recruitment agencies there has been total domination of Kashmiris, who are hell bent to snatch the rights of the Jammu and Ladakh youth. He also highlighted the achievements of the NDA-led Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He asked the party workers particularly BJYM to work with devotion to achieve the objectives of the party and force the Government to end policy of discrimination. BJYM president Anil Parihar, former MLA Ashok Khajuria, Kavinder Gupta and Ajay Jamwal were among others who spoke on the occasion. 14th annual conference of Jammu
Mathematical Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: The 14th annual conference of Jammu Mathematical Society and three-days national seminar began in Jammu University, here today. ‘New Trends in Analysis and Topology’, is topic of the seminar which has been organised by the Department of Mathematics in collaboration with the Jammu Mathematical Society. About fifty delegates from different parts of the country, are participating in the conference and seminar. Prof P K Jain, eminent mathematician and a Professor in University of Delhi was chief guest in the inaugural ceremony while Prof M R Puri, former Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University, presided over the function. In his inaugural address, Prof Jain talked about some mathematical challenges of 21st century and threw light on the efforts to solve these. He spoke in length on mathematics and its relevance to society. Prof M R Puri spoke on quality and trends in mathematics. He stressed for modern techniques in analysis and favoured organising of more such seminars. Earlier, Prof A P Singh, president of the Jammu Mathematical Society and Head of the Department of Mathematics in Jammu University, presented welcome address and threw light on topic of the seminar. Mr B S Jamwal, secretary of the JMS, presented annual report of the society and highlighted its various activities for the promotion of mathematics. Mr M S Balloria, vice-president of the Society, presented vote of thanks. |
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Three Revenue officials suspended Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Feb 20: The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai has placed three officials of Revenue Department under suspension for issuing fake permanent residence certificate to a lady who got married to a foreigner reportedly an Iranian national. The officials suspended with immediate effect after holding an enquiry are Mr. Ghulam Qadir Chalkoo, Naid Tehsildar now posted in Uri, Mr. Abdul Rashid, Junior Assistant and Mr. Fayaz Ahmad orderly posted in Tehsil office, Srinagar. The case for cancellation of Permanent Residence Certificate in favour of above mentioned lady is being sent to the Revenue Minister. |
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Sheetal Rajput selected by USA for training programme Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Principal Correspondent of the Zee News Sheetal Rajput has been selected by the Government of United States of America (USA) for a training programme for South Asian journalists to be held in Boston University, USA. She is one of the three Indian journalist and the only woman journalist selected from South Asia for the training programme. Miss Sheetal Rajput has the distinction of being the only Indian woman TV journalist to cover the war in Iraq. |
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Four NC members stage
walkout as debate generates heat Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Finance Minister, Muzzafar Hussain Baig, while pledging full support to teachers demand for removing the pay anomalies sought more time to examine the whole gamut of the issue saying in principal their plea has been endorsed by the Government. He called for a comprehensive evaluation on the financial implications and the cascading effect the step up in pay scale would have on economic front. Presenting the statistical comparison of the financial implications involved in it, he said, if the pay anomalies of the teachers are settled the state would be burdened with additional Rs 45 crore annually. With Rs 30 crore at our disposal the state can provide jobs to 17,500 youth under Rehbar-e-Taleem scheme at a consolidated pay of Rs 1500 per month. The ball is now in the court of members for decision, he added. Replying to the members’ queries raised during the one and half hour discussion on the issue, the Minister said"If you give higher grades to teachers you can not make new appointments",. The debate generated heated exchanges in the House with four NC MLAS Nazir Gurezi, Mushtaq Bukhari, Mir Saifullah and Javed Rana staging a walk out after the Speaker did not allow them to speak on the issue due to paucity of time. The NC members who were pressing their demand that the House should enhance the time of debate did not budge from their stand. Despite the repeated pleas of the chair they tried to disturb the proceedings by entering into heated exchanges with the Treasury Benches. They also displayed a newspaper towards the Chair. At one time Mushtaq Bukhari countered the Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma when the former said that the opposition had made a Tamasha of the House. Countering him Bukhari said it is not a Tamasha but an important issue. Supporting him his Party colleague, Mir Saifullah said they want to supress our voice. The debate generated a lot of heat with NC MLAs blaming Government for the plight of teachers. Even Mr Baig expressed resentment against the chair saying that I have a grievance with you. Pointing towards the Speaker he said when you can not take decision then you make a discrimination with Opposition. He said Speaker should have discussed the issue with the Leader of Opposition in the morning and sought the list of speakers in the debate. He said the opposition is making allegations and still they say that they were not given the time. It may be recalled that yesterday Education Minister, Harsh Dev Singh had announced in the House that the Government had conceded the long pending demands of the teachers. He appreciated the Education Minister, harsh Dev Singh for vociferously pleading the case of teachers community. Pointing towards the NC leader, Abdul Rahim Rather, the Minister said the case of removing pay anomalies was taken up by the previous Government many times and despite the Cabinet decision in this regard the same could not be implemented due to the constraint of funds. He said a Committee was constituted in this regard and a decision was taken in principle by Dr Farooq Abdullah Government on July 21 1999, but that could not be implemented due to the huge financial implication involved in it. He said the Finance Department at that time had put up a note saying that the Department does not find it possible to implement the decision. The Minister said when the previous Government was about to implement the decision, another category of employees made a representation saying that they were also in the same grade as teachers and hence they too be placed in the higher grade. Mr Baig said history shows that NC had good intentions to remove the pay anomalies but but they too faced the financial problems. The Minister said though the Government was ready to discuss the issue with the striking teachers but a delegation which met him used some derogatory remarks about the Government. Warning such employees he said I told them at their face that Government was bound to dismiss you for such a role. Referring to lathicharge on teachers the Minister said they are our children and Director General Police (DGP), will look into the matter and if any thing wrong has been done we will apologize for that. Referring to Supreme Court judgment that no body has the right to strike, he said this does not mean that we will take lathis in hand. Raising the issue NC’s Ali Mohammed Sagar strongly criticized the Government saying the employees working since 1999 are today asked that your services will be considered as contractual and from today you have to work as class fourth employees. Terming it a wrong decision, he said instead of providing jobs the Government was terminating the inservice employees. The career of these employees is at stake as they have become over aged, he added. Castigating the Government, NC’s Dr Mehboob Beg said its clams of providing job to one member in each family has proved totally hollow. Instead of solving the unemployment problem the Government added to it, he alleged. He said that Government was retrenching 25,000 employees who are working for last 15 years. He said the issue needs a human approach. He said when court order on ministers strength has not been applied why in their case. His Party colleague Qaiser Lone, while condemning the lathicharge on striking teachers demanded that 22,000 adhoc employees in the state be regularized. He created a commotion in the House while displaying an appointment order that two youth from Anantnag and Pulwama districts were appointed on consolidated basis in JKPCC Unit in Kupwara district. Raising a Point of Order, Mir Saifullah said 30 employees belonging to Kupwara district were terminated by JKPCC, while back door appointment was made from Anantnag and Pulwama districts. However, Mr Beig said that Government will examine the case. Participating in the discussion, M Y Tarigami of CPI (M) said the preivious Government had admitted in a meeting with Teachers Forum that anomalies exited in their pay and would be removed but till date nothing was done in this regard. He said the Education Minister also admitted yesterday that there were anomalies in teachers pay. He strongly conde,mned the lathicharge on striking teachers. He stressed that the recruitment policy should be institutionalized. He said a provision has been kept for the regularisation of daily wagers after seven years of service and questioned the logic behind referring the consolidated employees with nine years service to Selection Board. Mian Altaf also of NC while turning tables on the Government said that pension of some retired employees has been recovered on the plea that their appointments were illegal. He said there was no transparency in making appointments under SRO 43. Qafil-ul-Rehman of NC while condemning the lathicharge on teachers said instead the Government should listen to their problems. He strongly advocated for regularisation of adhoc employees saying by dismissing the inservice employees the Government was adding in the unemployment problem. Nohammed Shafi Akhoon of NC termed the lathicharge on teachers as undemocratic. He said the claims of the Government proved hollow to provide jobs to the unemployed as they retrenched those who were earning their bread. But the PDP’s Peer Mohammed Hussain hailed the Government decision saying how far we will be regularizing the adhoc employees. There should be a deadline for the same, he added. Ashwani Sharma Independent while lambasting the Government said that the lady teachers were not spared and some of them were even stripped. Lathicharge on teachers was also condemned by Dr Manohar Lal independent. |
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No bias in removing encroachments: Mir Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Minister for Housing and Urban Development Ghulam Hassan Mir today said that the Government is committed to remove encroachments wherever these exist and asserted that there is no question of any bias with any area in this regard. Replying to the supplementaries to a question by Dr. Ghulam Nabi Bhat in the legislative assembly here this morning, Mir said that the encroachers cannot claim any compensation as a matter of right but hard cases could be considered. The Government is constructing commercial complexes at various places including one at Hyderpora in Budgam district to rehabilitate the legitimate shopkeepers affected by the beautification drive. Referring to the encroachments on the national highway at Ramban, the Minister said that these would be removed forthwith. He said he has asked Director Local Bodies to visit Kishtwar immediately and get encroachments removed there as well. He said that no one had taken action against the encroachers in the past, may be due to the connivance of the authorities. As a result, the roads in most of the cities and towns were reduced to narrow lanes. He said the coalition Government came forward and took a bold initiative to remove encroachments under beautification drive. He said this was appreciated widely by the people adding that even opposition members lauded the effort in private but they raise the issue just to play to the gallery. He said due notices and adequate time was given to the encroachers to remove encroachments voluntarily. In most of the cases, the law-abiding citizens cooperated with administration and came forward to remove the encroachments themselves while in other cases Government took action. Regarding providing of compensation to the shopkeepers affected due to 4-laning of Khannabal-Pahalgam road, Mir said that those having proprietary rights over the land of their establishments would get due compensation. He said encroachments on Dal Lake are also being removed constantly to restore its pristine glory. About the construction of shopping complexes on Residency road and near Exhibition Ground in Srinagar city, the Minister said that the lease as well as permission for the purpose was given by the National Conference Government. He said the present Government has allowed the construction of these structures, as it did not find any encroachment resorted to there. He assured that if members can identify any encroachments or illegality, the Government would demolish the buildings. The Minister dispelled apprehension about any bias in launching beautification drive in the State and asserted that it has been carried forward both in Kashmir as well as in Jammu. He said we have dealt firmly with encroachers in Jammu city also. Replying to another question by Abdul Rahim Rather, the Minister assured the House that a team of officers would be sent to Chrar-e-Sharief immediately to prepare a project for tackling the soil erosion in the town. He said the House would be informed about it in next five days. Earlier the NC’s Dr Mehboob Beg alleged that Government was not maintaining the criteria in this regard. He alleged that different yard sticks were applied in Bijbehara the Home town of the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and Anantnag which is Dr Beg’s Constituency. The question also turned into a virtual debate when NC members termed the drive discriminative. Ali Mohammed Sagar and Mohammed Shafi Akhoon alleged that leniency was shown towards the Hotel which is being constructed adjacent to Ahdoos Hotel in Srinagar and two buildings which are being constructed near Exhibition Ground. They alleged that the construction at these places were stopped for two months and it is not known on what grounds it was allowed later. Mir Saifullah of NC said a lot of discrimination has been made between Jammu and Srinagar. While many buildings and constructions were demolished in Kashmir Valley even in the areas where there is no encroachment no such drive was launched in Jammu, he alleged. Jugal Kishore of BJP while countering him demanded that the encroachments be removed but the innocents should not be harassed. Dr Manohar Lal demanded that encroachments in Kathua and Hiranagar be also removed. |
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Wullar degraded due to silt, denudation: Puran Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: The Minister of State for Environment and Forest, Thakur Puran Singh has said that Wullar lake has been degraded due to accumulation of silt, denudation, degradation and deterioration of catchment area. He admitted on the floor of the Upper House that Wullar lake is degrading gradually. In this connection, the survey of Wullar Lake has been undertaken by the Environment department. In addition to this the department of Wildlife also in collaboration Universities is carrying out research to ascertain other reasons of degradation. Responding to another question, the Minister said a pilot project for rehabilitation of Wullar has been submitted to Ministry of Environment and Forests. Government of India for an amount of Rs 179 cr besides some annual plans were also submitted to it from time to time for executing various kinds of works like contour bunding, bench tracing, gully control afforestation, pasteur development, desilting nallahs and selective deweeding, fencing of the catchment and conducting of awareness programmes. He said in case of Hygam Hokersar wetlands the encroachments have been removed during the year 2003-03 and 2004. These water bodies are now being managed on scientific lines. The department gets funds under Central Assistance for the management of Hokera, Saruinsar, Mansar and wetlands of Ladakh. The other wetlands like Hygam, Mirgund, Shalbugh etc. are being managed on meager funds provided by the state. |
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Employees express anguish
over non-inclusion of DA Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Opposition parties and employee associations have flayed the coalition Government for presenting, what they called, anti-people and anti-employees budget. Former Finance Minister and National Conference leader Abdul Rahim Rather has termed the budget presented by Finance Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig as ‘misleading’ and charged the Finance Minister with fabricating the figures to befool the people. Reacting to the budget, Mr Rather said that he was shocked over the proposals as agriculture sector, employees and unemployed youth of the State have been neglected. "In his budget address the Finance Minister has not disclosed physical achievements of the different sectors ", he remarked, adding, "Finance Minister should inform the House where, funds allotted in the last year’s budget, were utilised" "I do not know why our Finance Minister is hiding the things despite being the fact this is people’s money and being representatives of masses members should inform where this money has been utilised", he asked, adding, "even in this budget the Finance Minister has not disclosed how much funds have been allotted to different sectors". Pointing towards budget proposals, Mr Rather said that dependence on Centre has been increased and for every petty thing State Government has to depend upon Centre. He chided coalition regime for its claim of attaining fiscal autonomy. "Not even a single word has been mentioned about financial autonomy in the budget", he said. Former Finance Minister was of the view that the Government was itself contradicting its claim. "On one hand Finance Minister has been claiming that they will not take any loan while on the other he stated that consultations have been going with Asian Development Bank", he observed and added that coalition regime has taken more loans as compared to previous regime. Mr Rather also flayed Finance Minister for neglecting employees in budget proposals. "Budget was the opportunity to make some financial proposals to fulfill demands of the agitating teachers but nothing has been mentioned in the budget in this regard", he regretted and expressed anguish that no provision has been proposed for the unemployed youth of the State. He also termed the budget as anti-employees. Reacting on the budget, CPI(M) M Y Tarigami, though appreciated some proposals, expressed his anguish over neglecting unemployed youth of the State. "There is no provision for generating jobs for the unemployed youth", he lamented. "Unemployment is one of the worst problems being faced by the State and solution of this problem is must to remove unrest among youth", he said. He also expressed his anguish over neglecting employees. JSM MLA Ashwani termed the budget as anti-farmers and regretted that agriculture sector has been totally neglected in the budget. "No proposal has been made for the upliftment of the agriculture sector", he observed and further added that Government has not made any proposal for generating jobs. Nazir Ahmed Mir, president of the Civil Secretariat Employees Union strongly condemned the budget proposal and dubbed it as ‘anti-employees’. "We are expecting that like other parts of the country our Government will also announce 50% DA for the employees but nothing has been mentioned in the budget", Mr Mir regretted. "For providing luxuries to 40 Ministers this Government has adequate funds but employees there is financial crunch", he said and flayed the Government for not mentioning even a single word for employees. |
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1017 teachers deputed
for computer training Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Government has yet to recover an amount of about Rs 24 crore as outstanding from ex-forest lessees. Responding to a question of Ms Farida Mir in the legislative council here today Minister of State for Forests and Environment, Puran Singh said an amount of Rs 19.73 cr and Rs 4.43 cr on account of royalty and interest respectively are outstanding against the ex-forests lessees. All these amounts are sub-judice in various courts of the state and outside the state. Therefore, recoveries are not possible untill and unless the courts decide these cases. Different natures of disputes are involved in these cases. Responding top another question, the Minister said in order to strengthen protection of forests, the Government has created Forest Protection Force with a sizeable force of 2257 personnel in the year 1997. An Act to provide for constitution of Forest Protection Force for better protection and security of the Forest property and matters connected therewith has been issued by the state of J&K known as "the J&K Forest (Protection) Force, Act 2001. A ban has already been imposed by the Supreme Court on felling of green trees. Only dry and fallen trees are being extracted. Anti encroachment drive on forests land has been started and the process eviction is going on and the legal proceedings against the encroachers for vacating the encroached land are being pursued vigorously. In response to another question of Amrit Malhotra Minister for education Harshdev Singh said that 1017 Government teachers have been deputed for computer training so far. In the year 2003-04, 606 teachers were deputed. The training programme is an integrated courses ( A-Level) of ten papers and two practical exams to be completed within ten attempts as per the norms of DOEAC Society. The Government is spending Rs 29,750 per candidate for training. The criteria adopted for selection is Science graduate/ Graduate in Maths/ Economics/ Statistics/ Commerce. These teachers will be posted in the phased manner in respective Higher Secondary Schools. |
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| Govt to consider KVIC scheme for
Srinagar artisans: DyCM Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma today said that matter would be taken up with Khadi and Village Industries Commission to cover the artisans of down town in Srinagar under its schemes. Replying to the supplementaries to a question by G.M. Jan, Sharma said that already much has been done by the coalition Government to bring greater efficiency in the overall functioning of the Khadi and Village Industries Board by quick clearance of loan cases. He said the schemes available with the Board would be widely publicized so that larger number of deserving persons avail the benefit of the schemes. Earlier, in reply to the main question, Minister of State for Industries and Commerce Raman Mattoo said that Rs. 29.51 lakh have been provided as margin money to the beneficiaries of Poonch district during the past four years. This includes Rs. 7.70 lakh provided to the beneficiaries of Haveliy constituency. He said Rs. 31.38 lakh including interest is recoverable from the beneficiaries of Poonch district under Khadi and Village Industries Commission funding and Consortium Bank Credit till March 1998. He said the Board is regularly conducting recovery drives and has recovered Rs. 1.24 lakh till December last. He also gave names and particulars of the artisans who had been given financial assistance by the Khadi and Village Industries Board from 1999 to December 2003 in the district. Minister of State for PHE and Irrigation Jugal Kishore informed the House that six irrigation schemes in Wachi constituency have been cleared by the Centre and work on these would start soon. He said the funds for these schemes have also been provided. The Minister was replying to the supplementaries to a question by Mohammad Khalil Naik. Earlier, in reply to main question, Jugal Kishore said that project reports for lift irrigation schemes of Alamganja, Tajipora, Awneera, Wachi, Rakh-i-Momin and Agler have been prepared and cleared by the technical advisory committee. The work on these would be taken up on the receipt of funds under AIBP Central Loan Assistance, he added. He said the project report for Naidgam lift irrigation scheme is under formulation. |
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House adjourned as Ministers stay away Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: The Upper House was adjourned during zero hour as not even single minister from Government side was present in the House. Bashir Ahmed Naz stood up and pointed out since no minister was present, there was no fun to conduct the proceedings and raise issues. It was resented by the other members as well and demanded adjournment of the House. Mr A R Trakroo, who was in the ‘chair’ adjourned the House for half an hour. Earlier, NC member Ms Shamima during zero hour raised the issue that a woman legislator in the Assembly did immitation of Dr Farooq Abdullah’s actions on Thursday in the House which is highly objectionable. She, without naming PDP legislator from Valley pointed out that Dr Abdullah is not in the House now and moreover, he is former Chief Minister and a leader of international repute. It is very unfortunate that a responsible member of the Legislature behaves like this. The matter is highly objectionable and condemnable by all. Other NC legislators too, supported the concern of the Member by raising voice. |
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Question Hour in
Legislative Council Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Minister for Health and Medical Education Choudhary Lal Singh has said that Medical Officer posted in Keran area if not attending his duty for the last more than one year and drawing his CA and other benefits against this post fraudulently, will be terminated from service if charges found correct. Responding to a question of Nassir Khan in the Legislative Council here today, the Minister said two posts of doctors and 14 posts of Para-Medical staff are sanctioned in seven different Health Institutions of Keran area. One doctor and 9 para-medical are performing their duties in these Institutions. He claimed that vacant posts of doctors/ para-medical staff have been referred to PSC/ SSRB for making appointment against these posts. The vacant posts shall be filled up as soon as selection panels are received from PSC/ SSRB. The legislator further alleged that no doctor was there in the PHC of the area for the last one and half year and only four medical employees are running the dispensary. The Minister maintained that as per the information provided by the concerned CMO and directorate concerned one doctor is working there. "I will just hold an inquiry into the matter, and if the information found incorrect, immediate action will be taken against the officials concerned. The doctor concerned if not attending duty for so longer period and drawing CA, other emoluments etc. will be terminated, " he claimed. Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: When Finance Minister Muzaffer Hussain Baig was presenting budget in the Assembly some National Conference members were discussing some issues in the House. "Even before completion of my address NC members started quarreling with each other", remarked Finance Minister while referring towards NC members who were still indulging in gossip. As soon as the Finance Minister passed the remark, NC member Saifullah, while pointing towards Minister of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Taj Mohi-ud-Din who was taking a nap in the House, said "Budget present Ho Raha Hai Our Hakumat So Rahe Hai". Meanwhile JSM member Ashwani Sharma, BJP member Jugal Kishore and Panthers Party member Faqir Nath pointed towards Minister of Haj and Auquaf, Sarfaraz Khan, who too was napping in the House during presentation of budget. Ansari thanks Baig for giving good-deed certificate Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: During presentation of budget, Finance Minister appreciated Ansari Motors- a company of former Minister and NC member Moulvi Iftakhar Hussain Ansari, for clearing its Sales Tax arrears. "Ansari Motors has been giving its Sales Tax", stated Finance Minister while pointing towards Mr Ansari who stood up at once. "Allah Ka Shukar Hai Aap Nay Hamey Nakey Ka Certificate Deya", said Mr Ansari while thanking Finance Minister for appreciating his company for good deeds. "I respect and salute good deeds of even our opponents but I also oppose bad things of others as advocate", said Mr Baig. Budget displayed on screen also Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: For the first time in the history of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly that budget was also presented on screen also. When Finance Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig was delivering his budget address, some important aspects of the budget were screened in the House. Two screens-one of the left side and other on the right side of the Speaker’s chair were installed in the Assembly. Former Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather and NC member Ali Mohammed Sagar were seen glued to the screen. Instead of listening to the Finance Minister, NC members were taking note from the screen installed on left side of Speaker’s chair. Mir announces picnic spot at Paloura Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: An amusement park, on the pattern of Bagh-e-Bahu is being laid over 40 kanal stretches at Paloura in close vicinity of Jammu city. The identified spot has a pond, which will be reclaimed and developed with thrust on its peripheral land scapping. This was announced by the Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Tourism, Ghulam Hassan Mir at a public meeting at Paloura last evening. Minister for Social Welfare Mr Mula Ram who represents the area was also present on the occasion. Mr Mir in his address said that the newly developed picnic spot would cater to the entertainment requirements of the people dwelling in adjoining areas including Paloura Talab, Janipur and Roopnagar. The Minister directed the Town Planning Organisation authorities to complete the formulation of project report speedily so that work on this vital spot could be taken up. He lauded the role of local people in preserving the stretch from encroachment menace. The Minister for Social Welfare, Mula Ram in his address enumerated the steps taken by the coalition Government for the development of sub urban areas. He said the Government is committed to provide better civic amenities. Mr Mula Ram said that sub urban areas around Greater Jammu have been brought under the Jammu Municipal Corporation Limits with a view to improve civic amenities. The Director General Tourism, Director Tourism Jammu and prominent citizens besides Sarpanch of the area were present on the occasion. Earlier, the two Ministers inspected the site for the development of the picnic spot and interacted with the local people. Govt committed to provide basic amenities: Bhalla Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Feb 20: Maintaining that the Government is committed to provide basic amenities to the people, the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution and Transport, Raman Bhalla said that every possible effort is being made to come up to the expectations of masses who have pinned high hopes on the new regime. Interacting with the inhabitants during his visit to Satwari area of Gandhinagar constituency today, Mr Bhalla said that a number of development projects have been taken up by the Government for speedy execution besides starting the new ones, maximum of which are nearing completion. He said that people themselves are witnessing tremendous change and achievements registered in every sector. Mr Bhalla inspected the ongoing development works in the area, which included renovation, construction of lanes and drains and covering of manholes. He exhorted the officers of UEED to cover all such ditches or gaps for the convenience of the people. Responding to the demands and problems putforth by various deputations who met him, Mr Bhalla said that everything should not be expected overnight and in due course of time all the pending demands would be conceded. He said the Government is giving priority to every area and sector in a phased manner but that does not mean these are being neglected or ignored. Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Prof Bhim Singh, chairman, JKNPP, has appointed on adhoc basis some office-bearers for some blocks, tehsil and district level and youth wing of the party on the recommendations of state president Mushtaq Khan and Youth wing president Balwant Singh Mankotia, MLA. Mr Sajjad Ahmed Malik is vice president and Sushil Kumar as general secretary of Bani block; Mahesh Raj as president, Durgan block; while Ram Parkash is president, Sadiq Hussein will be general secretary while Bashir Ahmed will be vice president of Bhoond block. Mr Kartar Singh will be zonal president of Basohli, Raghunandan Baloria will be president of block Basohli, Sanjay Goswami is president, Bhaddhu, Hans Raj as president of panchayat Drung and Sukhdev Singh is joint secretary of district Kathua. In the Youth wing, Ashwani Kumar Padha and Anil Khajuria are president and general secretary respectively of Bani block. Haroon Malik is vice-president of this block, While Mr Darvinder Singh will head block Basohli and look after Mahanpur also. Riaz Ahmad becomes vice-president of Basohli block, Raban Ram Krishan and Harbajan Singh are general secretary and secretary respectively of Kathua district. Satinder Singh is joint secretary and Ajay Bali secretary of Kathua district. Plus 2 Lecturers organise
MLAs’ meet, seek Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20; To garner support of the elected representatives for getting their demands highlighted effectively, All J&K Plus 2 Lecturers Forum today organised a ‘Legislatures Meet’. Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari, MLA Surankot, Dr Chaman Lal, MLA Ramban and Balwant Singh Mankotia, MLA Udhampur, attended the meet and expressed their support to Plus 2 Lecturers’ demand for immediate implementation of Pay Anomalies Committee’s report. Speaking on the occasion, Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari assured that he would leave no stone unturned to highlight Plus 2 Lecturers’ demands both in and outside the Legislative House. Describing the Lecturers’ demand for removal of pay anomalies as just and most genuine, he urged the Government not to further delay implementation of Pay Anomalies Committee’s report. At the same time, he also asked the Forum members to continue their struggle till their demands are conceded. MLA Dr Chaman Lal, while addressing the gathering, expressed his deep shock over the brutal lathicharge on teachers and termed the police action as unfortunate. He opined that a society where teacher community is meted out such inhuman treatment, can not produce doctors engineers or intellectuals. He criticised the State Government for not implementing the report of its own committee’s recommendation. "What was the fun of constituting Pay Anomalies Committee if the Government had no intention to implement its recommendations," he asked. MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia also expressed his sympathy and support to Plus 2 Lecturers’ demands and reminded that the Education Minister has already given his nod to the recommendations of Pay Anomalies Committee report. Earlier, president of the Lecturers’ Forum, Mr H D Qureshi, apprised the Legislatures about Plus 2 Lecturers’ demands which included implementation of Pay Anomalies Committee report and time bound promotions. He informed that the State Government recently removed pay anomalies of Veterinary Doctors, judicial and Public Sector employees which involved Rs 50 crores but the Plus 2 Lecturers were ignored even as only Rs 31 lacs are involved in their case. Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCI) Jammu has hailed the State budget as presented in the Legislative Assembly today by the Finance Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig. While appreciating the spirit with which the budget has been presented for the next financial year Ram Sahai president of the CCI thanked the Finance Minister for incorporating the suggestions for the development of Trade and Industry. Some of the measures, which need special mention are one time renewal of registration certificates for Industry, extension of SRO 246 to make the units able to avail the benefits of this scheme, to review the functioning of PSUs and taking steps to minimise their losses, extension of Amnesty scheme for electric dues, rationalisation of Sales Tax to bring at par with neighbouring states on certain items, reducing tax rate on liquor from 30 to 20 per cent, regulating the country liquor business through license system, reducing the stamp duty charges, extension of sales tax exemption on eatables for one more year, implementation of single window system, and to provide mediclaim on government expenses to 8 lakh families living under / below poverty line. Mr Sahai high appreciated Government’s deterioration to reduce non-plan expenditure and establishing an authority for monitoring the performance of developmental works. The Chamber also hails Govt’s decision to resort to better tax compliance and management that increasing the tax rate or tariff. Hundreds of teachers court arrest Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Hundreds of teachers were today court arrested when they once again attempted to move towards Civil Secretariat this afternoon to lodge their protest over the continuous neglect of their demands. As usual the teachers gathered at Hari Singh Higher Secondary School after the Friday prayers and started moving towards Civil Secretariat. Covering their mouths with black cloth, the protesting teachers silently passed through different areas to Shalamar Chowk where they shouted slogans against the coalition Government for taking their demands in casual manner. Though heavy deployment of police personnel was already made to prevent the teachers from moving forward yet teachers didn’t make any forceful attempt to cross over the barricades raised by the police personnel. The agitating teachers sat on dharna on the Chowk and disrupted the vehicular traffic for about one and half hour. Later, about hundreds of teachers offered court arrest and were packed in several police buses. The prominent among those who were court arrested included G M Hamdard, G M Bhat, G R Bhat, Aftab Andrabi, Naseema Khan, Nirmla Khanna, Bhupinder Shastri, Vinod Sharma, Najar Ali Mohd, Ghulam Nabi Malik, Peerzada Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din, Mohd Ishaq, Mohd Amin Khan, G A Mir and Mohd Amin. Earlier, while addressing the agitating teachers, the leaders of Jammu and Kashmir Teachers Forum appealed them to continue their protest till their demands were not conceded. "If the Government feels that by resorting to lathicharge and arrest it can stop us from raising voice against discrimination being meted out to us then it is mistaken as we have decided to take our struggle to its logical conclusion", they said. "Enough is enough. We are not going to tolerate anti-teacher policy of the coalition Government anymore and would force the Government to face the public court", they further said and asked the teaching community to get ready for the intensified agitation. PHE employees stage dharna in support of their demands Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Large number of employees of Public Health Engineering Department under the banner of J&K PHE Employees Union today staged a day long dharna in front of the office of Chief Engineer. Amidst shouting of slogans against the State Government for not paying proper attention towards their genuine demands, the PHE employees said that they staged dharna only after the State Government ignored the warning given to it about 10 days back. Addressing the gathering, provincial president of the Union Darshan Magotra said that the State Government and PHE authorities by way of ignoring the 10 day ultimatum have made it clear that they would not provide justice to the employees till they launched massive agitation. He appealed the Minister for PHE and Irrigation Mohammad Afzal Qazi and MoS PHE Jugal Kishore Sharma to specially intervene in the matter and give due healing touch to the PHE employees at the earliest. Speaking on the occasion, Mohd Gafoor Dar and Darshan Magotra, state president and general secretary of the J&K National Trade Union Front warned the PHE authorities to settle all the demands of the PHE employees without any further delay. They endorsed the programme of one day countrywide token strike on February 24. The call has already been given by J&K Employees and Workers Joint Action Committee against Supreme Court’s verdict on strike. The demands which were highlighted during the dharna included regularisation of all daily wagers as per SRO-64, implementation of order of 544 daily wagers out of 980 which has already been approved by Finance Department, release of wages of daily rate workers of different category which was pending for the last 10 months and rate should be uniform, benefit to non-ITI employees as per SRO-380 and 149, release of pending arrear of those employees, who are regularised as per plan, two and half day salary in the favour of PHE employees and merger of 50 percent DA with basic pay of State employees to bring them at par with Central Government. Others who addressed the dharna included Vinod Gupta, Rajinder Singh, Manohar Kumar Verma, Balbir Singh, Swaran Singh, Satpaul Sharma, Tulsi Singh, Bishan Lal, Charan Singh, Shabir Ahmed, Razak Ali, Tilak Raj, Garu Ram, Mohd Altaf Hussain, Mohd Sharief and Balbir Singh. Inquiry officer appointed to probe Bandipore killings Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Jammu and Kashmir Government today appointed Mr Dheeraj Gupta, District Magistrate, Baramulla as the inquiry officer to inquire into the causes and circumstances leading to killing of five innocent civilians at Chitti-Bandi village of Bandipore tehsil of Baramulla district. The appointment of the inquiry officer follows Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s announcement in the legislative assembly here last evening to hold a magisterial probe into the killing of the civilians. The inquiry officer will also identify the persons involved in the incident, fix responsibility on the persons involved and recommend action as is deemed necessary against those involved in it. He will also recommend further action to be taken by the Government and suggest remedial measures, if any, to avoid recurrence of such incidents. According to an order issued here today, the inquiry officer shall submit report to the Government within a period of two months. Priyanka interacts with militancy affected children Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Amidst a tight security cover, Priyanka Gandhi Wadhera today met some militancy affected children and had an interaction with them at Jammu University. She distributed books among the children and remained with them for about two hours. She also met Vice-Chancellor, Prof Amitabh Mattoo who called on her at the interaction venue. The interaction programme was organised by the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). An unprecedented security blanket was thrown over the campus, particularly around Gymnasium hall where the function was organised. Except organisors, no one was allowed entry at the venue which had been virtually seized by the NSG commandos. Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: The three month free Sanskrit language course organised by Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan (Deemed University) was inaugurated today at Shri Ranbir Campus by Dr Jitender Udhampuri, Director Radio Kashmir Jammu. Many distinguished Sanskrit lovers and enthusiasts and participants, besides the Principal, staff and students of the campus, were present on the occasion. In his inaugural address, Dr Jitendra Udhampuri said that Sanskrit is a very important for developing a thorough knowledge of our grand culture. "It enjoys the unique status of being the mother of the majority of Indian languages. So, every Indian has a natural craving to learn this language", he said but regretted that our modern social and educational system has failed to make study of this language financially satisfying. He congratulated the Sansthan for having understood the longing of the people and made arrangements for satisfying a long-felt need. In his presidential address, Dr G Ganganna, Principal, Shri Ranbir Campus said that the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan had devoted itself to preserving and promoting this great treasure-trove of India heritage. Dr Nirmal Vinod, Dr Vishwa Murti Shastri, Dr Bachcha Bharti, Dr Bodh Kumar Jha and others addressed the function. National Student Federation
to open office Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 20: Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir National Student Federation (JKNSF) Hashim Qureshi today announced that Federation will soon open its office in Jammu. Talking to media-persons here today, Mr Qureshi also announced the office bearers of the Federation for Jammu with Amit Koul as its president, Deepak Sharma, vice-president, Anjali, vice-president, R Koul, joint secretary and Mool Chand Sharma, organisor. Criticising the education system of the State, Mr Qureshi said that the system was not upto the mark and need more attention and added that the Federation would highlight the shortcoming and suggest some measures for bringing radical change in the education system. "Scholarships should be provided to the poor students so that they would be able to go in for higher studies in the absence of any financial support from their respective families", he stressed. Launching scathing attack on those luring the innocent youth for Jihad, he said "they are befooling the youth. If jihad is a good thing then why don’t they teach the same lesson to their own children. Such persons’ children are doctors and engineers in foreign countries which shows that they are just spoiling the future of others children". |
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