Mailbag

Plea to CM

Sir,

It is to submit that during the month of February 2004, the State Government issued notification vide No: A/44 (85) IV-152 dated: 17-02-2004 for release of 10 installments of COLA in favour of Public Sector Employees with effect from 1.1.2003. As per the terms of the notification, State Forest Corporation management refer the case to the Board of Directors for approval. The Board of Directors approved the payment of 10 installments of COLA with effect from 1.6.2004 in its 57th meeting held on 25-8-2004, from its own resources. Subsequently, the Financial Commissioner (Finance) vide his office letter No: PD/PSU/Forest/2002-03 dated: 3-9-2004 asked the Managing Director, State Forest Corporation not to issue any order in this behalf without seeking the prior approval from the Finance Department. This has seriously hurt the sentiments of the 4500 workers, who have been deprived of the basic wages for the last three years. The Board of Directors decision taken under the Chairmanship of the Forest Minister has been over ruled by the Financial Commissioner (Finance). It is requested to personally intervene in the matter and salvage the PSU workers for such man-made miseries and also ensure the payment of all pending installments of COLA at the earliest as notified by the Government during the month of August 2004 i.e 34 installments.

Yours etc...
Abdul Lateef Sheikh
Kishtwari

Welldone, JU

Sir,

It is indeed a matter of jubiliation that the Jammu University has become India's first ISO 9001:2000 University. This would certainly help the University touch new heights in academic excellence. The Vice-Chancellor and his staff deserve kudos for this success. It indicates that the University is progressing well in educating the students. Now it is upto the students and faculty members to keep this momentum going on. However, it is mentioned here that students, particularly correspondence students feel disappointed when their examinations and results are not declared on time. A two year degree course often prolongs to three years. This wastes a lot of time of the students and causes resentment among them. The printed material also does not reach in time to the students living in far-flung areas.

It is hoped that if such loopholes are removed, and things/events managed well, there is no doubt that Jammu University will become one of the prestigious universities of the world.

Yours etc...
Atul Sharma
Gandhi Nagar, Jammu.

Celebrating Heritage week

Sir,

This has reference to the news item "World heritage week celebrations...." published in the Daily Excelsior on Nov. 11.

There is no doubt that Jammu & Kashmir is known for its cultural heritage, forts, and historical buildings. It is also true that we have failed to preserve this heritage for our posterity, as we have remained callous and negligent towards their upkeep. These monuments, historical buildings are the symbols of our civilisation, struggle to survive and sacrifice.

Not only that some of these historical buildings are known for their architecture, style and design. Even today, when we see any monument or temple, we get overowed, and wonder: how and who built these places at a time when there were no heavy machines and technological impact.

The buildings and forts are now crumbling down, as no attention is being paid to them.

It is also quite hurting that the State Government too does not seem interested in preserving this heritage. All eyes are on Archaeological Survey of India.

Therefore the Government should provide more men and money to this organisation, so that it may not face any difficulty in executing their programmes concerned with preserving the cultural heritage.

Yours etc...
Vimal Pandita,
Barnai