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Farooq’s moratorium proposal a sinister plan: PDP Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 7: Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed disgust at the suggestion of former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah pleading for a 20 year moratorium on Kashmir problem.......more Zorawar Singh’s equestrian statue - sculptor’s dream comes true By Lalit Gupta JAMMU, Nov 7: In a befitting homage to General Zorawar Singh, the Jammu Development Authority and State Government have decided to install statues of the great Dogra warrior at Jammu and Reasi.......more Lions Club celebrates silver jubilee Excelsior Correspondent LEH, Nov 7: Lions Club International, Leh celebrated its silver jubilee at an impressive function held here on Saturday......more Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: Two persons were killed and two others received injuries in separate road accidents while as two persons died after consuming poisonous substances. .......more Nation deeply indebted to forces Patil lauds valour of BSF jawans Excelsior Correspondent OCTORIA POST (INTERNATIONAL BORDER), Nov 7: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patel could not control his emotions while addressing jawans of the Border Security Force (BSF).......more |
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Transporters’ one day token strike on Nov 9 Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: In protest against the hike after hike in the prices of the petroleum products and limited hike in the fares, all the passenger vehicle operators of Jammu province would observe one day token strike on November 9..............more Govt orders probe into Handwara rape incident Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 7: According to Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, the Government has taken immediate action on allegation against some armed personnel with regard to rape ............more Vishwakarma Sabha takes out Shobha Yatra in Jammu Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: On Vishwakarma Diwas today, an impressive Shobha Yatra was taken out in Jammu city by Pradesh Vishwakarma Sabha with enthusiasm. Special prayers were performed at Vishwakarma Temple New Plots where in large number of people, members and office bearers of the Sabha participated. A hawan was performed in the morning followed by distribution of prasaad. ........more Army hands over Poonch stadium to people after renovation Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, Nov 7: Brig S K Sharma, SM, Commander 33 Mountain Brigade formally handed over the Poonch stadium to its management committee .....more |
Farooq’s moratorium proposal a sinister plan: PDP Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 7: Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed disgust at the suggestion of former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah pleading for a 20 year moratorium on Kashmir problem. A spokesman of the Party in a statement issued here said it is regrettable that NC leader came out with such a statement, having some definite sinister designs. He should have rather put a spanner in the efforts made by India and Pakistan to resolve the issue. " It sounds sinister that Dr Abdullah would suddenly appear on the scene after almost abandoning the state and propose that the efforts to find a permanent solution to Kashmir problem be put into cold storage," he said adding that such shocking comments would come only from the worst enemies of Kashmir. It is again surprising that the bogey is being raised at the time when India and Pakistan at their highest level have decided to put Kashmir on the table for a final resolution and serious negotiations are already going on, such comments from Farooq Abdullah could prove counter-productive, he added. Sensing that a resolution to the problem might be round the corner, the NC leader sees it as a threat to the politics of his party. It appears NC is interested in keeping the pot boiling in Kashmir, no matter what miseries and difficulties it would mean to the common man. The spokesman further said that Party is committed to a lasting solution to Kashmir through dialogue and understanding. This agenda of the party is receiving appreciation from all quarters and barriers of hatred are fast coming down across the sub-continent. He said the NC only exploited the sentiments of people and is feeling uncomfortable with new situation. |
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Zorawar Singh’s equestrian statue - sculptor’s dream comes true By Lalit Gupta JAMMU, Nov 7: In a befitting homage to General Zorawar Singh, the Jammu Development Authority and State Government have decided to install statues of the great Dogra warrior at Jammu and Reasi. Sculpted by well-known sculptor Ravinder Singh Jamwal, the statue of the great General has been conceived as riding on a horse and in attacking pose with the sword in his right hand raised to cut through the enemy. Speaking about the sculpture, which stands approved by the Governor, Lt. Gen (Retd) S.K. Sinha, Ravinder Singh Jamwal said that "though I have made many statues but General Zorawar Singh’s equestrian sculpture is like a dream come true for me as I always wanted to portray the Zorawar Singh in a manner which captures his matchless valor and courage." Infact it was due to his sheer will power and charismatic leadership that Dogra soldiers were able to mount almost impossible military campaigns into trans-Himalayan territories upto Baltistan and Tibet. Fighting at great heights in more than minus 30 degree celsius, Zorawar Singh and his men played a key role in enlarging the frontiers of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is no wonder that today he is considered as one of the finest military Generals ever produced by the country. Jamwal said , "I wanted to capture the spirit of the bravery of the great Dogra General. And since most of his military forays by personally led by him while riding a horse, it was but natural to show him riding a stallion and in an attacking pose." For a sculptor who has already earned fame for stone and metal portraits and statues of eminent personalities including Gen Vikram Singh, Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Prem Nath Dogra, Krishan Chander, Brig Rajinder Singh, Lala Hans Raj Mahajan and which stand installed at chowks and rotaries in various parts of the State, the making of General Zorawar Singh statue has been a matter of great satisfaction. The more than 13 feet high statue, presently awaiting final casting in metal at the studio in sculptor’s native village Birpur, likely to weigh more than four tons, is going to be the first such large statue to be executed by a local artist. With this Ravinder Jamwal has joined the select group of portrait and statue makers of the country which include names like D.P. Roy Choudhary, Rajeev Nain Pande, Mukul Pawar, Shounku Choudhary, Lattika Katt. Jamwal gratefully acknowledges the continuous encouragement which he has received from P.G. Dhar Chakervarti and patronage from Maj Gen (Retd) Govardhan Singh Jamwal, the State Government, Army and large number of civil organisations who have taken his services in making of portraits of martyrs and other eminent personalities. |
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Lions Club celebrates silver jubilee Excelsior Correspondent LEH, Nov 7: Lions Club International, Leh celebrated its silver jubilee at an impressive function held here on Saturday. Member Parliament Thupstan Chewang was the chief guest on the occasion. The president Lion’s Club International, Leh Dr Narboo Chhaskhan while giving the over all resume of the club said that nearly an amount of Rs 35 lakhs have so far been disbursed among the needy beneficiaries for higher studies and poor families of very remote areas. He said that the Lions Club is the first NGO of Ladakh and this Club had been financially assisted by the Children Fund UK to implement prestigious sponsorship programme in Ladakh. He disclosed that Club organised a medical camps in the remote areas of Ladakh. The Club started prevention and cure of Rheumatic heart disease among the Ladakhis and has provided huge financial assistance to the needy heart patients for operation outside the districts or state. This Club also helped SNM hospital by constructing its Labour room. Mr Thupstan while speaking on the occasion said that the Lion’s Club International has also plated a great role in contributing towards the victims of natural clamity. He congratulated all the members for their contribution and humanitarian services rendered by them Physician, Dr Tsering Narboo also spoke on the occasion. Secretary of the Club Mr Noney disclosed that at present 45 active members are rendering their valuable services towards the welfare of the society. He, on behalf of the Club, paid homage to the departed members of the Club and informed that three brilliant students are holding post graduate degree and are teaching in various educational institutions. Narboo Galson MLA, Pintoo Narboo, P Namgyal , DC Satish Nehru , SSP and several other guests attended the programme. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: Two persons were killed and two others received injuries in separate road accidents while as two persons died after consuming poisonous substances. Police spokesman said that one Sunil Kumar, son of Kasturi Lal of Rajouri was killed in collision between a Tata Qualis bearing registration number JK02B-8974 and truck number JK02B-9425 at Barnoti. The deceased was driving Tata Qualis. In another accident, one person was killed and two others received grievous injuries after a tractor bearing registration number HP-36-3108 skidded off the road and rolled down at Mashka under the jurisdiction of Basohli Police Station. The deceased has been identified as Kishore, son of Hashyaroo Ram of Pepri. The condition of injured was stated to be critical when reports last came in. Meanwhile, one Parveen Kumar, son of Sansar Chand of Dityal, who was admitted in Government Medical College Hospital Jammu after he consumed poisonous substances on November 6, died today. It could not be ascertained as to what prompted him to take this extreme step. A woman—Rani Devi, wife of Ram Lal of Hiranagar died after she consumed poisonous substance at her residence. She was rushed to hospital when spotted unconscious by family members and doctors immediately provided her stomach wash treatment. But she could not fight for her life and died. Police has registered a case in this connection. |
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Nation deeply indebted to forces Patil lauds valour of BSF jawans Excelsior Correspondent OCTORIA POST (INTERNATIONAL BORDER), Nov 7: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patel could not control his emotions while addressing jawans of the Border Security Force (BSF) at this border post during a Sammelan organised for soldiers, who interacted with the Minister. "Your battalion is like a temple for me and I am having ‘darshan’ of my God while sitting before you", Shivraj Patil stated, adding that the entire nation is indebted to the soldiers for their sacrifices. "I donot have words to describe my happiness after visiting border areas and to inspect works being done by you", he told the soldiers and patted the BSF jawans for accelerating fencing work all along with International Border (IB). "I have been informed that the fencing along the border will be completed by March 2005, a year ahead of the schedule", he said and appreciated the soldiers for completing work before the schedule time. Paying tributes to six BSF personnel, who lost their lives during fencing work, Mr Patil said that nation will not forget their sacrifices as they had laid down their lives for our future. "With the completion of fencing, infiltration will be stopped and will help in restoring peace in the region", he said and assured that jawans that their demand of installing thermal censor will be seriously considered so as to effectively utilise fencing. Lauding efforts of the BSF jawans for guarding border, Mr Patil said, " we are proud of our forces". He, however, expressed his anguish over attempts of some elements to criticse forces for minor faults. "We should avoid launching these types of vicious campaign against security personnel who have been protecting our lives by sacrificing their lives", he said, adding, "we have to give due respect and honour to the forces". Terming posts of forces as temples, the Union Home Minister told the jawans that they were like gods for him. "I salute you for your work", he told the jawans. During interaction with the Union Home Minister, the BSF jawans highlighted their problems and difficulties. The Minister gave patient hearing to their problems and assured to solve these problems. The Home Minister was accompanied by Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ministers of State for Home S Jaiswal and S Ragupathy, Home Secretary Dhirendra Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma. Earlier, giving details to the Union Home Minister, BSF officers said that six security personnels have lost their lives while erecting fencing along the border and 32 others seriously injured. It was informed that fencing work, which was taken over by the BSF from the CPWD in the year 2000, will be completed by March 2005-a year ahead of schedule time. Out of 196.66 kilometers long border, fencing was to be done on 185.58 kilometers as the rest of the area was water bodies, the officers informed. Fencing on only 28 kilometers out of 185.58 kilometers have to be done and this would be completed in March 2005. |
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Transporters’ one day token strike on Nov 9 Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: In protest against the hike after hike in the prices of the petroleum products and limited hike in the fares, all the passenger vehicle operators of Jammu province would observe one day token strike on November 9. This was stated by chairman of Jammu Province Bus Operators Union Tarlochan Singh Wazir while talking to media-persons here today. "All the passenger vehicle operators of Jammu province has decided to keep the vehicles off the road on November 9 in protest against the continuous hike in the prices of petroleum products", he said and added that the future course of action like indefinite strike would be decided in a meeting to be held on the evening of November 9. "The transporters have been suffering a great loss due to rise in petroleum products and this is being repeatedly brought to the notice of State Government a number of times but no step has been initiated so far to increase the fare", Mr Wazir said and added that the prices of diesel have been increased by Rs seven per litre since June, 2003 when the last increase in fares was made by the Government. In September, 2004 the transporters had a meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma and MoS Transport Raman Bhalla, who assured that after bi-elections the fares would be increased to prevent transporters from suffering due to continuous hike in the prices of petroleum products, Mr Wazir said and added that even when the elections are over no decision has been taken with regard to increase in fares. Moreover, he said the prices of diesel again increased by Rs 2.12 per litre and all this has forced the transporters to stop plying their vehicles. "It is astonishing that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed during two years of his being in office of Chief Minister has failed to convene any meeting of transporters to listen their grievances and redress them", he said. Asking the State as well as Central Government to apprise the transporters as to what step they have initiated so far to provide succour to the transporters, he urged the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to announce a package for the transporters, because they too have suffered a lot due to the militancy. Meanwhile, All Kashmir Passenger Minibus Transport Federation threatened to unilaterally hike the fares if the State Government failed to revise the rates immediately in view of the steep increase in the prices of petroleum and allied products. |
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Govt orders probe into Handwara rape incident Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 7: According to Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, the Government has taken immediate action on allegation against some armed personnel with regard to rape incident at village Badrapaie Police Station Kralgund Handwara. The Government has appointed Sharafat Ali Khan Additional Deputy Commissioner as enquiry officer who has been advised to conduct magisterial probe into these allegations and ordered him to report the facts of the case to government through Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara within 10 days. |
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Vishwakarma Sabha takes out Shobha Yatra in Jammu Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: On Vishwakarma Diwas today, an impressive Shobha Yatra was taken out in Jammu city by Pradesh Vishwakarma Sabha with enthusiasm. Special prayers were performed at Vishwakarma Temple New Plots where in large number of people, members and office bearers of the Sabha participated. A hawan was performed in the morning followed by distribution of prasaad. Later, an impressive Shobha Yatra was taken out from the temple amidst raising of slogans like Bhagwan Vishwakarma Ki Jai and Pradesh Vishwakarma Sabha Zindabad. The Shobha Yatra culminated at Vishwakarma Temple Gurha Morh Shakti Nagar after passing through Ambphalla, Kachi Chawani, Parade and K C Chowk. At Vishwakarma Temple Shakti Nagar, president of the Sabha K C Raina, general secretary R L Chargotra, chief organisor Puran Chargotra and Youth Wing president of Sabha Ramesh Billa addressed the gathering and discussed issues pertaining to Vishwakarma Biradari. Later, community lunch was organised in Shakti Nagar temple. |
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Army hands over Poonch stadium to people after renovation Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, Nov 7: Brig S K Sharma, SM, Commander 33 Mountain Brigade formally handed over the Poonch stadium to its management committee after fully renovating the same under Operation Sadbhawana. The Army is planning to undertake such more projects in Poonch town and the surrounding areas. To commemorate this event the Kamsar Garrison also organized a goodwill hockey match between Commander XI and SP XI today. A large number of civil officials, dignitaries and sports loving people of Poonch attended the meticulously organized match. Poonch stadium has been in shambles since partial construction was undertaken in it way back in 1992 but since then it had remained in a state of neglect due to non-maintenance by the Sports Authorities and lack of funds. Management Committee of Stadium approached Army to carry out major renovation of the stadium for the benefit of the local people. The Army accepted the proposal and renovated the stadium involving a cost of over Rs 1 lakh, which included creation of a new hockey ground, two basketball boards, a new score board, a new gate, major repair of spectator stands, white washing and painting of the building and boundary walls. This wonderful gesture by the Army would surely help in spreading goodwill and peace and go a long way in winning the hearts and minds of the people. |
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Niaz demands handing over of Salal Project to J&K Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 7: The State Power Minister Mohd Sharief Niaz has urged the Central Government to hand over Salal Project to the State Government as a part of compensation towards losses suffered by the State as a result of Indus Water Treaty signed by Government of India with Pakistan. Mr Niaz said the State Government has been passing through turmoil for the last over 15 years and whatever little infrastructure the State managed to create during the last 50 years was devastated and destructed as a result of militancy related violence. He said only viable source of energy for J&K was its unlimited power generation because as per an estimate J&K State has a potential of 20,000 MW power which has not been harnessed due to poor economy. He added that if the State was only generating 300 MW power at its own, it was importing 1200 MW from different organizations outside the State as a result of which major part of State budget was being utilized for purchase of power, which has adversely affected the economy of the State. Mr Niaz said that 680 MW Salal Hydro Electric Project was commissioned by NHPC some 17 years ago and by now NHPC has not only recovered its investment on the project but also earned a lot out of this project. He held that it was right time that NHPC hand power the Salal project to J&K State. |
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Delegations of various political parties, organisations meet Patil Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: Delegations of various political and other organisations called on Union Home Minister Shiv Raj Patil, here today, on his visit to Jammu and apprised him of situation in Jammu and Kashmir vis-a-vis their demands and suggestions. A delegation of Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party met Shiv Raj Patil and reminded him of the promises made by Congress president Sonia Gandhi regarding implementation of Wazir Commission recommendations, constitution of separate finance commission for Jammu and delimitation committee. In a memorandum, submitted to Mr Patil, the BJP also demanded permanent settlement of border migrants, safe and dignified return of Kashmir Pandits to the Valley and strengthening of Village Defence Committees in the State. The delegation comprised of State BJP president Dr Nirmal Singh, former Union Minister Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, Prof Hari Om, Ashok Khajuria, Bali Bhagat, Shamsher Singh, Lalit Moza and Sofi Mohd Yusuf. A delegation of senior leaders of Pradesh Congress, also met Shivraj Patil and Union Minister for Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs, Ghulam Nabi Azad, who was accompanying the Home Minister, and demanded lifting of ban imposed on job recruitments in J&K State. The delegation also raised various issues which included the problems and demands of PoK refugees, grievances of border migrants, grant of ST status to Pahari speaking people and package for rehabilitation and return of Kashmiri migrants in the Valley. The delegation comprised of Ayub Khan, Parduman Singh, Yash Paul Khajuria, Amrit Malhotra, Yogesh Sawhney, Dr Romesh Sharma, Gharu Ram, Gulchain Singh Charak, Sham Lal, Janak Raj Gupta, R S Chib, Thakur Hari Singh, Shiv Dev Singh, Swarn Lata, Vinod Mishra, Ashok Sharma, Ravinder Sharma, Arvinder Singh Micky, Moti Lal Koul, Balbinder Sambyal and Gurdeep Singh. A five member delegation of Duggar Pradesh Party, led by its president Uday Chand, met Shiv Raj Patil at Technical Airport and submitted him a memorandum urging the Central Government to grant full fledged Statehood to Jammu division in view of the region’s independent cultural and lingual identity. In the memorandum, Duggar Pradesh Party also demanded liberation of PoK, return of Kashmir Pandits to the Valley, Central Committee to monitor package projects and permanent settlement of border migrants. Uday Chand also lodged his protest with the Union Home Minister for allegedly ignoring Jammu by staying here for only one hour to meet the various deputations whereas full three days were given to Kashmir region. A delegation of Panun Kashmir, led by Dr Ajay Chrungoo, met Shiv Raj Patil and urged that the Union of India while engaging with Pakistan and its sponsor organisations in Kashmir for talks, should not ignore the concerns of Hindus and other minority groups in Jammu and Kashmir. In a memorandum to Mr Patil, the Panun Kashmir also demanded adequate measures to upgrade the facilities in the camps of the displaced KPs in Jammu, Delhi, Udhampur and other places. A delegation of All Migrant Camps Coordination Committee Jammu, also met the Union Home Minister and apprised him of the grievances of Kashmiri migrants putting up in camps in Jammu. Alleging misuse of funds meant for the migrants, the Committee demanded a CBI probe into distribution of relief. According to a memorandum submitted to Mr Patil, the Committee rejected rehabilitation policy of J&K Government for which Government of India has released funds for construction of two room sets in Mattan and Badgam. The proposed two room sets in Anantnag and Badgam would be virtual house arrest for KPs and hence the Government of India should purchase separate land in Valley for the KPs were we can live with peace and dignity, added the memorandum. A delegation of Pahari speaking people met Shiv Raj Patil and discussed the demand of grant of ST status to the Pahari speaking people of the State. The delegation urged the Union Home Minister to take early steps in this direction as the State Government has already given its recommendation for the same. The delegation, comprised of Vice-Chairman of State Pahari Advisory Board Shabir Ahmad Khan, Mos Forest Thakur Puran Singh, Raja Manjoor and other, also raised various other issues which included more job opportunities for the border residents of Poonch, Rajouri, Kupwara and Baramulla. A delegation of regional committee of CPI(M) Jammu, led by Comrade Bishan Dass, met Shiv Raj Patil and submitted a memorandum in which the party informed Union Home Minister about the happening in Banihal following police action on IRCON workers on September 10. The deputation apprised the Minister of the sufferings of the workers and demanded immediate stoppage of the atrocities on them, adequate compensation to the family of the deceased and injured workers, judicial inquiry and tripartite negotiations for the redressal of genuine grievances of the workers. A delegation of Jammu Kashmir Sharnarthi Action Committee, headed by Hardit Singh Panchhi, met the Union Home Minister and submitted a detailed charter of demands regarding problems of displaced persons of 1947 from PoK. The delegation also demanded inclusion of the PoK refugees in any dialogue on the State. |
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Gulf Oil organises retailers meet Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: The annual retailers meet was organised by the Gulf Oil Corporation Ltd here at Gandhi Nagar today in which the retailers from various parts of Jammu participated. Addressing the meet Manoj Kandpal, territory incharge informed about the wide range of Gulf products and development of Gulf Oil in India. He said the Gulf Oil has a full range of car care products that comprises of nine fully imported variants. These products help in beautifying and improving the operational efficiency of the vehicles, he added . He said the Gulf has fully synthetic engine oil under the name of Gulf Formula, Semi Synthetic Oil and Gulf Tech. These products offer added benefits such as higher drain period and increased engine protection . Mr Kandpal briefed the dealers about the application of the lubes and made recommendation regarding improvement of existing product. He also informed about the wide range of oil fuel filters. Throwing light on the origin of the company G D Singh Area Manager of the company said Gulf Oil Corporation is an associate of Gulf Oil International which is one of the leading companies in the business oil and lubricants. He said the Company has a full range of lubricants, greases, 2T and 4 T . He said the Gulf Oil which is 104 year old company has its products of available in 113 countries world wide. The company which has 10th rank all over world has 36,000 service stations world wide, he added. He said the company has launched Gulf Tech a semi synthetic oil five months back but it came to Jammu market over a month back. The peculiarity of this oil is that it increases the life of engine. Besides our company has also introduced the CNG Engine Oil which can also be used in vehicles running on LPG. Others who spoke on the occasion include Raghu Vaid partner Lube House, Sanjay Mahajan, partner Lube House and Mr Kapil of M/S Swastic Auto Ways. Later awards were given away to the dealers by Messrs Kandpal and Singh. |
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Deputations call on CM, project demands Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Nov 7: Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has said that the matter of according schedule tribe (ST) status to Pahari speaking people is being pursued with the Centre and the state cabinet has already recommended the case. Mufti Sayeed was talking to a deputation led by Minister of State for Forests Th Puran Singh, Rafiq Hussain Khan and Shabir Mirza, who met him here this morning . Several other deputations also met the Chief Minister and projected various demands. A deputation of State Central Labour Union, SRTC Employees Coordination Committee, UEED Employees Association and Handloom Employees Association led by Ishtiyaq Qadri pleaded for merger of 50% DA with the basic pay and release of DA installments and COLA to public sector employees. A deputation of Medical Faculty Association urged for filling up of vacancies and proper maintenance of seniority. A deputation of contractual engineers demanded continuance of their services. A group presently engaged in maintaining sanitation in SKIMS and Lal Ded Hospital also met the Chief Minister and demanded settlement of their pending claims. A deputation of transporters also met the Chief Minister and demanded increase in fares due to the rise in oil prices. The deputations from Kokernag , Takibal and Marhama urged for up-gradation of roads and health centres and installation of new transformer. Mufti Sayeed assured that the coalition government is alive to the problems of people and several measures have been already initiated to mitigate these. |
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Niaz inaugurates Bemina Grid Station Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar Nov 7: Minister for Power Mohammad Sharief Niaz today inaugurated second 50 MVA,132/33 KV transformer at Grid Station Bemina. Srinagar, augmenting its capacity to 153.46 MVA. Among others, Chief Engineer (M&RE), Moulvi Khurshid Ahmad, Chief Engineer (System & Operations) Moulvi Manzoor Ahmad, Chief Engineer (Generation) Mr. Showkat Rasheed and several Superintending and Executive Engineers were present on the occasion. The Minister was informed that to accommodate ever increasing load demand, a scheme was formulated and got sanctioned from REC Ltd. With the increase in the capacity of this grid station, some load from Rawalpora and Pattan grid stations, which are presently over loaded, can be shifted to Bemina grid station thereby improving the power supply fed from these stations. Addressing the senior engineers of the Power Development Department, the Minister said PDD is trying hard to improve the power supply, particularly, during current Ramadan. He said the unfortunate incident of Shariafabad has created problems for general public in the trouble. The Minister said to ensure uninterrupted power supply in the Valley during Ramadan 200 MV were brought from other states, besides commissioning of Gas Turbine. He said the culprits, who damaged the Sharieifabad Grid Stations would be severely penalized. He said a major plan is being framed to replace the old poles, which have been erected long back in the Bakshi regime. Later, the Minister visited the 300 MVA Sharief a bad grid station and inspected the on-going reconstruction work of the station, He was informed that progress of the work is ahead of the schedule and 50% power supply would be restored by Eid. He was informed that engineers of the department are working day and night to restore the full power supply, but will take some time. Engineers and equipment for this grid station have been brought from Banglore and work is in full swing to complete the job before its schedule so that people get some relief. |
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Horticulture Advisory Board being set-up Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Nov 7: Jammu and Kashmir Government would shortly constitute an empowered Horticulture Advisory Board for the overall promotion of fruit industry in the State. The Board would address burning problems of the fruit growers and dealers besides regulating freight structure of fruit and Agriculture Produce Marketing Act (APMG).The board shall have representatives from various fruit association also. This was announced by the Minister for Agriculture and cooperatives, Abdul Aziz Zargar at the Buyer-seller meet organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Horticulture Planning and Marketing Department here. About 100 fruit buyers from various terminal markets including Kolkatta, Kathmando Nepal, Delhi and Mumbai had a direct exchange of views with a large number of local fruit growers and put forth their suggestions for improving fruit business. The Director, J&K Horticulture, Planning and Marketing Department, Irfan Yaseen and concerned officers were also present. Zargar impressed upon the officers to explore further marketing avenues in nook and corner of the country and abroad to that fruit growers get better remuneration of their produce. He assured the fruit dealers that government would take concrete steps for regulating freight structure to protect fruit traders from exploitation by the transporters. However, the growers should also improve quality and grading of fruit to withstand stiff market competition and should regulate their dispatches to avoid glut in the market particularly on the eve of national festivals like Dewali, Pongal, Dussehra etc, Zargar added. He called upon the rich fruit traders to invest for development of fruit processing industry and C.A. stores/cold storages adding that government would provide soft loans and heavy subsidy to them for this purpose. He said fruit growers would be provided subsidy on purchasing carton boxes. Responding to various demands of the fruit growers and buyers, the Minister said that the matter regarding laying of chungi on fruit consignments of the valley in Punjab and Himachal would be taken up with the respective governments. He said progressive fruit growers and local buyers of the state would be sent to other terminal markets of the country to study latest business trends and to explore marketing avenues for their produce. The Minister also assured setting up of drug testing laboratories at district level to ensure availability of quality pesticides, fungicides and fertilizers to the farmers. Irfan Yaseen, while listing various initiatives taken for diversification of fruit industry said, for the first time, cherry from the valley was marketed in other terminal markets of the country including Mumbai, Lukhnow, Chandigarh this year and the main effort is to explore new market to minimize dependence on fruit Mandi, Azadpur Delhi. |
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Swaraj Enterprises launches AVL TVs Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: Swaraj Enterprises launched new range of colour TV on the name and style of AVL brand. Managing Director of the Company, Rishi Kumar in a press conference here today announced the launch of the product with very attractive customer gift scheme on the eve of Diwali festival. He elaborated about the brief history of the company and some new products. Mr Kumar referred to the terms and conditions of the scheme and appealed the customers to take maximum advantage of it. He disclosed that the company is originally the manufacturer of Beltek/ Prime CTV , B./W TV, VCD and DVDs. Mr Kumar disclosed that the company has introduced 14 inch, 20 inch and 21 inch colour televisions in different attractive models with fine sound system. An encouraging response is expected in the Jammu market, he maintained. |
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Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, Nov 7: DIG Poonch, Rajouri Range S M Sahai today hosted an Iftar party in favour of prominent citizens, advocates, doctors, and people from all walks of life. Those who were present in the Iftar party include DDC Poonch, Ramzan Thakur , SSP Mukesh Singh, senior Congress leaders, G M Mir Poonchi, M D Bandey, Mohammed Zaman advocate, Gurdev Singh, JKPCC secretary, Sunil Gupta, president Chamber of Commerce and Satish Sasan BJP leader. BJP Migrant Cell urges Patil to visit camps Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Migrant Cell has urged the Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil who is on three days visit to J&K state to visit the migrant camps to personally assess the condition of exiled people there. The Cell which held a meeting here today under the chairmanship of its president H L Chatta to discuss the present political scenario in the state urged the Government of India to mitigate the sufferings of the hapless people. The meeting urged the Home Minister to meet the genuine leaders of the community and discuss the problems with them. The meeting demanded that employment opportunities be generated for Kashmiri Pandit youth who have been neglected by the state and Central Government in the employment field. It also demanded that the age relaxation be given to the community youth for recruitment in Government services. The meeting stressed on reconstruction of camps with provision of basic facilities of life to them. Besides the migrant camp of Battal Ballian be shifted to Jammu as these camp inmates face many difficulties including the pollution threat. It demanded that scholarships be paid to the migrant students studying in various professional and non professional colleges. The meeting while expressing concern over the denial of the promotion to migrant employees demanded that the matter be looked into immediately and deserving employees be provided justice. It also stressed that the monthly cash assistance of migrants be increased to Rs 5000. Estates employees greet move employees Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: A delegation of Estates Employees Association visited various residential quarters located in the winter capital city to welcome the move employees today. A team headed by its president Prem Singh during visit to Poonch, House, Gandhinagar, Panama Chowk, Top Sherkhania, Janipur, Sarwal, and Company Bagh inquired about the problems of the inmates and assured full cooperation in resolving. The team also extended them warm welcome on Darbar move. Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: A noted educationist and former Principal of Mallinson School for Girls Srinagar, Ms Premi Gergan passed away at Bangalore. Popularly known as Sister Premi, she belonged to the great house of Gergans of Leh Ladakh. She died after a brief illness and her body was laid to rest at Bangalore on Nov 4. She remained Principal of Mallinson school for about three decades for having high administrative qualities. She was a post-graduate in English Literature from London and was highly devoted to the social work besides her literary activities. |
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