Send offerings to Mata Vaishnodevi on-line

Excelsior Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Mar 17: Pilgrims in any part of the country, who are unable to visit the Vaishnodevi shrine in Jammu, will now be able to send their offerings on-line, a service which was inaugurated by Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha here today.

The on-line acceptance of donations facility for Mata Shree Vaishnodevi shrine’ which was launched at a branch of the Jammu and Kashmir Bank here, promises a quantum jump in offerings to the holy cave shrine and marks a big leap in the efforts to upgrade facilities for the pilgrims. It will help millions of devotees throughout the country who will now be able to send their donations to the shrine through the J & K Bank’s branches all over the country.

After inaugurating the service, the Governor described it as "a major step" and "a very good beginning" for facilitating sending of donations and offerings to the shrine, giving a major boost to upgradation of facilities for the millions of pilgrims and also the state’s economy.

Mr Rohit Kansal, Additional Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board, said more than 5.4 million pilgrims visited the shrine last year, which was an all time record, contributing about Rs 1,000 crore to the state’s economy.

He hoped the figure would exceed this year.

Giving an overview of the work done by the Shrine Board ever since its formation by the then state Governor Jagmohan and comparing these with the arrangements pre-take over stage, Mr Kansal said even ‘pooja’ could be conducted in absentia by sending money on-line. ‘Prasad’ could be had through ‘speed post’ facility.

Financial crunch exposed hollow claims
of State Govt: Rather

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Mar 17: Abdul Rahim Rather, former Finance Minister and senior National Conference leader has said that the hollow claims of the Mufti led coalition Government about the State’s march towards self reliance and better financial management have been fully exposed due to present distressing position of State finance. The State as on today, he said, is at the verge of bankruptcy.

Reacting to the reports regarding the precarious financial position of the State, Mr Rather said that it was painful to know that the overdraft from the J&K Bank has touched all time high of Rs 1450 crore.

"It was just Rs 806 crore on October 10, 2002 when National Conference Government demitted office. Despite this, salaries have not been paid to most of the Government employees so far and bills amounting to hundreds of crores have been pending for payment in the treasuries of Jammu and Kashmir since long", he stated, adding, "the State Government has been claiming day in and day out that it had presented a Zero Deficit budget and the resources matched the expenditure. It, therefore, ownes an explanation to the people of the State as to why the things have come to such a pass".

"We had told the Government at the time of the presentation of the budget that the figures indicated in the budget proposals were fudged. Our apprehensions have come true", he said.

Mr Rather added that the State was heading for a deep financial crisis. "The revenue expenditure in increasing alarmingly. The developmental activities have come to a grinding halt. The employment among the educated youth has increased manifold during the present coalition rule. It appears that the things are getting out of control in the State Government", he said.

Two days seminar at Kashmir University

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Mar 17: Expressing hope in view of changing scenario in Kashmir, traders would once again find market for their products in Central Asian Countries soon.

This was disclosed at a 2-day national seminar organised here today by Centre for Central Asian studies, Kashmir University, on Central Asian Response to New World order and to discuss Central Asian strategic importance and its future relations vis-à-vis India and particularly with Kashmir.

The Vice Chancellor Kashmir University Prof. Abdul Wahid presided over the function and Prof. Abdul Majid Mattoo was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Prof. Shams-ud-din of School of International studies JNU delivered a keynote address. A galaxy of experts on the subject from and outside the Valley will present their papers during the course of seminar and deliberate upon various aspects as also the impediments and suggest measures in the context of topic.

Appreciating the center’s efforts of keeping its tradition of organising seminars alive, the Vice Chancellor said that studying central Asia has become very relevant in the changing scenario as Kashmir, in past had lively and close relations with the central Asian countries. He said that its political stability is important for the whole region besides its economic upliftment. Prof. Wahid opined that democratic aspirations of the people of the central Asia be fulfilled to avoid movements which can disturb the region.

Prof. Shams-ud-din, a national level expert in the field of study of central Asian affairs presented an elaborative account of the region and said that although this region is rich in natural resources but not as rich as Persian gulf region. He emphasised that it is Geo-politically an important region which has made it a nerve centre of activities. Highlighting past relations between Kashmir and Central Asia, former Director Centre for Central Asian Studies Prof. A. M. Mattoo said that our relations are so strong with central Asia that even today the revenue terminology used in Kashmir is derived from central Asia. He said Central Asia has laid greater influence on history and culture of Kashmir and the sub continent as well. He said Kashmiris were enriched by free flow of trade between the two regions in the past and hoped that outer posts in Ladakh would be opened to revive mutual commercial links once again.

Director Centre for Central Asian studies Prof. Gulshan Majeed believes that the seminar will go a long way in chalking out a road map for the political stability, economic prosperity and cultural emancipation in Central Asia. He said that in order to discuss different areas at length scholars from outside Valley are participating in the seminar.

During the course of seminar Prof. Karori Singh Director Central Asian Studies will be discussing ‘smuggling activity in the Thar Desert and its implications for Central Asia. Prof. Azad Lari ex-press attaché, Indian Embassy, Mongolia will be dealing with certain aspects of religion and politics of Chengis Khan and his successors. Prof. Gulshan Dietle, of JNU besides a good number of scholars from Kashmir University will present their papers on the theme of central Asia and changing world order.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 17: The Public Health Engineering (PHE) Employees and Workers Association which has continued its agitation, on the conclusion of three day first phase agitation today served a seven day ultimatum to the PHE authorities to concede their genuine demands.

Hundreds of PHE activists of the Association assembled at PHE Complex B C Road here and held noisy demonstration against anti-employees PHE authorities for their failure in conceding the long pending demands under their competence.

They have been demanding release of order in respect of 544 approved daily wagers for their regularisation, benefit of SRO 149 to the Non-ITI employees, disbursement of wages to daily wagers, disbursement of arrears of employees who were regularised in 1996-97 and release of arrears of the PHE employees of PHE Division Doda relating to time bound promotion etc.

Provincial president of the Association Bakshi Singh while addressing stated that today was the last day of the first phase of agitation of the Association but the PHE authorities did not respond in positive, hence the ultimatum. He urged the PHE Minister Mohd Afzal Qazi to intervene personally and issue necessary instructions to the Chief Engineer PHE Department Jammu to resolve the demands of agitating workers at an earliest.

Provincial general secretary of the Association Subash Chander alleged that PHE authority was not handling the matter properly which has prompted the PHE workers to continue their struggle. He alleged that corruption was at peak and the officials busy in celebrating March month at the cost of poor workers who are without pay for the past 25 months. He added that the approved list of 544 daily wagers for regularisation was gathering dust in PHE Department in the Civil Secretariat and stressed for release of the same.

Regarding ultimatum, he said the Association would resume agitational course with intensity if till March 24, their demands were not conceded.

Others who addressed included Messrs Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Amrik Singh, Ravi Chander, Dev Raj, Puran Chand, Swaran Singh, Kamal Singh, Bansi Lal, Krishan Lal, Ram Lubhaya, Jarnail Singh and Sham Lal.

JCCBL Board comes out in support of MD R K Sharma

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 17: Board of Directors of the Jammu Central Cooperative Bank Limited (JCCBL) today came out openly in support of the Managing Director of the Bank R K Sharma and flatly refused to accept his resignation.

R K Sharma has submitted his resignation as Managing Director of the JCCBL as the Minister of Agriculture Abdul Aziz Zargar had announced in the Legislative Assembly that Government will cancel extension of Mr Sharma.

Addressing a press conference chairman of the JCCBL Baldev Sharma made it clear that Board of Directors has decided not accept resignation submitted by Mr Sharma. "Board of Directors reiterated full confidence in the competence, merit and outstanding performance of the officer who is known for his honesty, integrity and efficiency", he said while defending Mr Sharma, adding, "it was in view of these qualities of Mr Sharma that the Board of Directors had granted him extension for one year with effect from April 1, 2003 to 31st March, 2004 which still holds good".

"It may be brought on record that R K Sharma was not willing to accept the extension. It was only after persuation from the representative bodies of the employees, officers and the Board that he had agreed to accept only one year’s extension, instead of two years, which the Bank’s service rules provide and the Board of Directors was keen to grant", Mr Sharma reminded.

Chairman further alleged that some vested interests have launched malicious campaign against Mr Sharma to defame the Bank. He clarified that there was no case against the persons of the officer in the Vigilance Department. "The then Government, on the behest of the then Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives because of his personal bias against the JCC Bank, had in May 2002 asked the Vigilance Department to inquire into cases of omissions and commissions against the officers/officials of the Bank. The Vigilance Organisation even after scrutiny of the record of the Bank, has not so far established anything incriminating in this behalf", he said.

Baldev Sharma further stated that cases were registered against R K Sharma with malafide intention. The Board of Directors of the Bank, however, expressed full faith and confidence in the impartiality and professional approach of the Vigilance Organisation and expect them to expedite and complete the inquiry as early as possible.

Gupta criticises Govt for non-payment of salaries
to employees, workers

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 17: Union Minister of State for Defence and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta today expressed grave concern over the failure of State Government in paying the wages of its employees and workers in time.

Strongly criticising the State Government he said non payment of wages to employees and workers in time is a heinous crime and the higher ups in Government are responsible for the same.

He said besides the Government employees thousands of daily wagers working in various departments have not been paid their emoluments for the past five months to one year.

He said it is a serious matter and the concerned labour agencies and the organizations must take up this important issue on all the forums for justice to working class.

He said it is astonishing to see that the coalition Government leaders who have failed to pay the emoluments to the poor workers and its employees should have made an unprecedented expansion in their ministry.

He said a Minister in Jammu and Kashmir is proves most costly for security and other reasons, but the coalition Government opted for having all time record jumbo ministry in this poor State. This is the main reason that the Government was not in a position to pay wages to its workers and salaries to employees.

Prof. Gupta questioned the policies of the State Government and pointed out that the Special Police Officers (SPOs), who are fighting the terror and sacrificing their lives for security of the State and that of the people are paid a meager amount of Rs 1500 while the ultras who were trained and attacked the security forces are paid a monthly allowance of Rs 2,000 in addition to handsome fixed deposit.

He said that it was intriguing that the SPOs too, in many cases are not being paid their emoluments regularly although this entire amount is being reimbursed by the Centre.

DC seeks action against Assistant Surgeon
of Chowki Choura Health Centre

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 17: The District Development Commissioner, Jammu, Naveen Choudhary has sought disciplinary action against the Assistant Surgeon of Primary Health Centre, Chowki Choura, Dr Ashok Kumar and other members of para medical staff for not attending their duties.

Mr Choudhary who made a surprise check of the Primary Health Centre today, found entire staff barring one nursing orderly Joginderpal and one junior assistant, Vijay Kumar absent. On the inquiry he was told by the local people that concerned Assistant Surgeon was running a private clinic in Akhnoor town opposite the Sub District Hospital, Akhnoor from 4 pm to 6 pm.

On the information given by the people, the D C raided the clinic to ascertain the facts. To his utter surprise the doctor was attending the patients at that time. As the concerned Assistant Surgeon failed to explain the Deputy Commissioner that how he was running the clinic at 4 pm when he was supposed to be at Chowki Choura by this time, the Assistant Surgeon failed to give satisfy reply.

Taking a serious view the District Development Commissioner has referred the case to Director Health Services, Jammu and other authorities seeking disciplinary action against the erring assistant surgeon.

Earlier Choudhary visited border migrant camps at Devipur, Naiwalla and Bomal in Akhnoor Tehsil and took the stock of the problems of the inmates there. During his visit, he also inspected High School Devipur and High School Sohal where the Board examinations are going on.

Effective Labour Laws provide succour to
working class: Manjit

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Mar 17: For proper implementation of Labour Laws, a review meeting was held here yesterday. The Minister of State for Law, Parliamentary Affairs, Labour and Employment, Manjit Singh presided.

Addressing the officers, the Minister emphasized the urgency for the proper implementation of Labour Laws so that benefits of the laws percolate to the working class. He urged the field officers to remain vigilant in their jurisdictions to redress the grievances of the labour class. He said that working class is the backbone of the State economy and their exploitation would not be tolerated in any form.

The Labour Commissioner informed the meeting that under the Workmen’s Compensation Act, the department has settled 258 cases and an amount of Rs. 358.21 lakhs were disbursed during last year. He further told the meeting that under the Payment of Wages and Gratuity Act, 299 cases were decided and an amount of Rs. 73.13 lakhs was paid to the industrial workers. Besides an amount of Rs. 401.09 lakh was paid as bonus to the workers and also realized Rs. 50 lakhs as revenue under the J&K Shops and Establishment Act.

The Labour Commissioner, Deputy Labour Commissioner (Central), Deputy Labour Commissioner, Jammu, Deputy Provident Fund Commissioner (Central) and Deputy Provident Fund Commissioner, Jammu and Kashmir Divisions were also present.

Hold talks with people first then secessionists:
Shiv Sena to Advani

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 17: Any outcome of the dialogue process between Centre and secessionists in Kashmir without the involvement of the real sufferers would not have wide acceptability and central leadership must hold talks with the people first.

This was stated by State president of Shiv Sena Rajesh Gupta while addressing a media conference here today. "It is astonishing that Union Home Minister L K Advani has announced the date for second round of dialogue with the secessionists but he has not invited the real sufferers so far", he said.

"We are always against holding talks with those responsible for the present situation of the State. But even if the central leadership wants to talk to secessionists in Valley then they must first hold dialogue with the real sufferers without whose participation the issue cannot be resolved", Mr Gupta said urged the Union Home Minister not to ignore the people of the State.

About the party decision on Lok Sabha elections, he said that the list of desirable candidates has already been submitted to the party high command and within next few days the candidates would be finalised. "It is clear that Shiv Sena would contest both Udhampur-Doda and Jammu-Poonch constituency but contesting elections from Kashmir Valley is yet to be decided", he said.

He said that party’s State unit has received a big boost with some prominent political leaders joining the party. With the joining of Shiv Sena by former president of Bishnah block Shashi Pal Singh Slathia, a new unit for Bishnan Mandal has been constituted. Shashi Pal Singh has been appointed Parmukh for Bishnah constituency, Rajinder Singh Sangathan Parmukh, Dwaraka Nath, spokesman, Subash Singh, Swaran Singh, Pawan Kumar and Rakesh Singh, Upp Parmukhs, Amar Lal and Sat Pal, special invitees to the working committee and Kamal Raj Motan as Sampark Parmukh for Bishnah and R S Pura units.

The party has also set up new Shakhas in several villages. Jawala Singh and Girdhari Lal have been appointed Parmukh and Upp Parmukh respectively of Dhabar village, Jagdish Raj and Sharful Singh Parmukh and Upp Parmukh for village Chak Waziru Brahamana, Puran Chand and Shyam Lal for Lalyana, Manohar Lal and Yash Paul for Kothey Chonoli and Tilak Raj and Shamsher Singh for Chumbian Jattan. Pashori Lal Sharma has been appointed head of Sunderbani unit, Sham Lal Mehra, Sanjay Sharma and Raju Gupta Upp Parmukhs.

| home | state | national | business| editorial | advertisement | sports |
| international | weather | mailbag | suggestions | search | subscribe |
send mail |