|
|
Swayamsevaks of Jammu have to play vital role in nation building: Goel Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 24: The Jammu and Kashmir Prant of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has to play a vital role in defending the national cause ........more Only NC can provide stable Govt: Slathia Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 24: A meeting of National Conference delegates of Vijaypur was held under the chairmanship of former Minister and senior NC leader Surjeet Singh Slathia here today............more Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 24: As the Sunday sun mellowed down, with gold seeping into the valleys, stroking gently with russet, orange and red, the magnificent SKICC lawns reverberated with stream of guests, most of them in traditional........more Bhim blames administration for attack on Omar Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 24: Prof Bhim Singh, chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) has strongly condemned attack ..........more Puri’s Exclusive to be inaugurated today Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU,
Oct 24:
Puri’s Exclusive- spread across an area of 8500
square feet will be inaugurated on October 25, 2004. This
unique store can boast of the latest in the concept |
 |
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence visits Jammu Cantt Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 24: Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence visited Jammu Cantt today. Chairman of the Committee was Babasaheb Vikhe Patil. The Standing Committee of Parliamentarians consisted of many senior official from Ministry of Defence as well as Member Parliament from Lok Sabha..............more Bureaucratic hurdles stall implementation of Rs 24 crore Watershed Project in Doda Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 24: Gross violations of guidelines and un-necessary impediments by the concerned Government agency amidst allegations of mis-appropriation of funds, have completely ceased progress of Centre Government’s ambitious..................more MLA Ramban demands hospital at Assar Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 24: MLA Ramban, Chaman Lal has demanded setting up of a hospital at Assar and up-gradation of medicare infrastructure........more BJP
celebrates birth Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 24: 120th birth anniversary of Late Pt Prem Nath Dogra was celebrated today by Bharatiya Janta Party, Samba district, at village Smailpur.......more |
 |
|
Swayamsevaks of Jammu have to play vital role in nation building: Goel Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 24: The Jammu and Kashmir Prant of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has to play a vital role in defending the national cause and fight against the forces which are inimical to the country. This was stated by Prem Ji Goel, Akhil Bharatiya Sewa Parmukh RSS while addressing the Vijay Dashmi function at Gita Bhavan here this morning. Hundreds of the Sangh volunteers drawn from different parts of the Jammu participated in the function that was held in connection with observance of its foundation day. On the occasion the multidimensional weapons were displayed and worshiped. Mr Goel said Jammu has remained a pivotal figure to fight for the national cause and against the fundamentalist forces in late fifties. This region has been an ideal of Hindu forces and the nation used to be feel proud of you, he added. "You have made many sacrifices for the national cause in past and we can not forget the Shama Prashad Mukherjee who also gave a supreme sacrifice here for maintaining unity and integrity of the country." Mr Goel however regretted that the same enthusiasm is missing in the Sangh volunteers here now. He said the Swayamsevaks while joining the politics detract from the real path considering that the politics is perhaps the final goal. Reminding them their duties he said the politics is a small part of nationhood while the goal of Swayamsevaks is much wider who have to work shoulder to shoulder for its realisation to make India the Vishav Guru ( world leader). He said the Swayamsevaks have to lay the strong foundation stone of the nation without caring that who will be on the top and when the foundation will be strong nation will overcome all problems. Stressing on the self reliance , he said the Sangh has taken up various projects for the betterment and upliftment of the people in hand throughout the country. He said a transformation in the society can not be made merely through speeches but by making the people self reliant. In this connection the Sangh has set up the small scale income generating units and in J&K alone 175 such units are presently working. Besides we have started self help groups in 14 villages and the scheme of Jola Pustakalya has also been opened in 12 villages. Through this scheme the books are being distributed among the needy and poor students at their doorsteps, he added. Highlighting the importance of Vijaydashmi he said the foundation of RSS was laid on this day by Dr. Hedgawar in 1936 and on the same day the Rashtriya Sewika Samiti was also founded. He said it was that period when the Hindu was totally feeling suppressed and they were considering inferiority in calling themselves as Hindus. But today the situation has changed and we call ourselves with proud that we are Hindus. Paying rich tributes to founder of RSS, he said Dr Hedgawar was a revolutionary who was also a member of Congress Party and had become a soldier of freedom movement in the country. But he left the Congress and laid foundation of Sangh as he felt that this in now way will unite Hindus. He said Sangh is rapidly making its expansion and on the eve of hundredth birth anniversary of Guru Ji, Madav Rao Sadashiv Rao Golevalkar in 2006 all the villages of the country will be touched with Sangh Patrika and Shakhas. He said let us make a firm resolve today to work for the further strengthening of our society and country. He said the Sangh is not biased towards any religion or community but it works for the betterment of the people of entire nation. Our social service is not confined to a particular community but people from all communities are benefitted by it. He said the Sangh has opened 12 to 13 tailoring kendras for Muslims in Kashmir and it has under taken a project in the Ladakh. There was a feeling among the Bhudhists that they are not the Hindus but we made them to understand that they are Indians and we are all one. He said the Sangh has set up 140 schools in Doda district. Among other Sangh stalwarts who were present in the function include senior leader Dr O P Mengi and Prof. K L Bhatia, seh Prant Sangchalak of RSS. Later an impressive route march was taken out by the volunteers in Jammu City . The route march started from Geeta Bhavan Parade and it passed via Raghunath Bazar, Purani Mandi, Link Road, Jain Bazar, Panj- tirthi, Kachi Chawni, Parade and culminated at Geeta Bhavan. |
|
Only NC can provide stable Govt: Slathia Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 24: A meeting of National Conference delegates of Vijaypur was held under the chairmanship of former Minister and senior NC leader Surjeet Singh Slathia here today. Addressing the delegates, Sarpanches and Panches, Mr Slathia said that National Conference was the only secular party which can provide stable Government in the State. He appealed the workers to strengthen the hands of chief patron of the party Dr Farooq Abdullah and party president Omar Abdullah. Criticising the present regime, Mr Slathia said that Coalition Government was looking forward to dissolve the Panchayats and added that it was National Conference which had started the process of decentralisation of the powers at grass root level by conducting the elections at the Panchayat level. He said that elections of Panchayats should be held at proper time and schedule for the overall development of the rural areas. "The present Government has failed on all fronts particularly in the field of providing employment to the educated unemployed youth", the senior National Conference leader said and added that all the promises which the Coalition Government had made during the elections have not been translated into reality so far. Mr Slathia demanded immediate release of relief to the border migrants, who were virtually on the verge of starvation due to the neglecting attitude of the Coalition Government in the State. Others who spoke on the occasion included Balwant Singh, Noor Hussain, Tirath Ram, Bhagwan Singh, Vijay Singh, O P Atri, Surinder Mahajan, Janak Singh and Rattan Chand. |
|
|
Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 24: As the Sunday sun mellowed down, with gold seeping into the valleys, stroking gently with russet, orange and red, the magnificent SKICC lawns reverberated with stream of guests, most of them in traditional attire, at the Iftaar party hosted by Governor Lt. Gen (Retd) S K Sinha this evening. Clad in black Sherwani, sporting matching Karakuli, General Sinha greeted the guests, who included who’s who of the state politics, bureaucracy, media and public life. The invitees also included lower administrative staff of the civil secretariat and lower ranks of the Army and Police- in tune with the tradition set in motion last year after his taking over the gubernatorial assignment in this Northern State. The setting seemed to be in consonance with the maxim ‘Ek Hi Saf Main Khade Huye Mehmood-o-Ayaz, Na Koi Bandha Raha Na Koi Bandha Nawaz’. The lower staff was introduced to the Governor. Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, his ministerial colleagues, legislators, top ranking officials from the civil administration, police, army and press corps were present in the Iftaar party. After breaking fast with milk added Sharbat and Khajoor, the guests walked to the special enclosure for offering prayers after the azaan called by an officer. The month of Ramdan and the fasts are powerful reminders for Muslims of the centrality of God and of the potency of the message conveyed through Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). The atmosphere was filled with religious fervour, with non-Muslims including Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma, standing by the side as the prayers were being offered. In departure of Raj Bhavan procedure, the Iftaar dinner was served in Kashmiri traditions with guests sharing the feast in Tramis (a large plate shared by four persons). The menu too, of course, was Kashmiri wazwan. The Governor hoped that the holy month would augur a new era of peace and tranquility in the state, restoring our rich Kashmiriyat tradition. |
|
Bhim blames administration for attack on Omar Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 24: Prof Bhim Singh, chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) has strongly condemned attack on National Conference president Omar Abdullah just in front of the house of Safdar Ali Beg. In a statement issued here today, Prof Singh said that attack was result of the failure of the administration to take necessary precautions and appropriate steps to ensure security to the political leadership. He condoled the death of the policemen and others killed this morning. Prof Singh accused the administration for its failure to provide reasonable security to the political workers. He said that the security cover of almost all the Panthers Party workers has been withdrawn inspite of the protests of the party. This said this is being done to keep the political workers away from the people in order to put to an end to the political process in the State. Panthers Party chief demanded judicial probe into the killing of former Minister Safdar Ali Beg and attack on the convey of the National Conference president. On the other hand, Prof Bhim Singh demanded immediate removal of police heads in Ramban and SHO Banihal, who has let loose a reign of terror and anarchy in the area, violating all the rules and law and arrested innocent workers of HCC and turned the village Bankoot as a den of the police. |
|
Puri’s Exclusive to be inaugurated today Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 24: Puri’s Exclusive- spread across an area of 8500 square feet will be inaugurated on October 25, 2004. This unique store can boast of the latest in the concept of design of shop space that is at par with few leading outlets of metros. A team of M/s A P Associates from Panchkula, led by A P has executed the space planning, architecture and interiors of this beautiful showroom with an ethnic and contemporary concept. Puri Cloth House, which is a household name in Jammu, was established by Radhe Sham Puri in the year 1944. The establishment has always catered to the needs of Jammuites in mind the latest trends and choices of its customers. A need was now felt for a multi branded mega store for the discerning customers of this city and to make this happen, sons of Radhe Sham Puri namely Ashok Puri, Vinod Puri, Virender Puri and Sanjeev Puri are ready with a dream store Puri Exclusive at the same location in Raghunath Bazaar. |
|
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence visits Jammu Cantt Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 24: Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence visited Jammu Cantt today. Chairman of the Committee was Babasaheb Vikhe Patil. The Standing Committee of Parliamentarians consisted of many senior official from Ministry of Defence as well as Member Parliament from Lok Sabha. On arrival to Jammu Cantt, the Committee was welcomed by Major General Vinay Sharma, General Officer Commanding (GoC), Tiger Division. The delegation was briefed by the Deputy General Officer Commanding and Sumitra Rath, the Chief Executive Officer of the Cantonment Board on cantonment matters. The Defence Estate officials also participated in the discussions conducted at headquarters of Tiger Division. The Committee proceeded to visit the cantonment area and Satwari Model Boys School. The Committee also visited the GB Pant Memorial Hospital to meet the patients and enquired about their welfare. Next on the agenda was a special visit to Shiksha Sahyog, a hostel established under the aegies of Operation Sadhbavana to provide quality education to the children of families traumatized by terrorism. The MPs were visibly moved on being told of the tragic misfortunes of these young souls. The VIPs concluded their visit of Jammu Cantt with a sense of satisfaction about the security of the region being in able hands and also were eager for the moment when they would be visiting headquarters of the Northern Command and Line of Control. |
|
Bureaucratic hurdles stall implementation of Rs 24 crore Watershed Project in Doda Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 24: Gross violations of guidelines and un-necessary impediments by the concerned Government agency amidst allegations of mis-appropriation of funds, have completely ceased progress of Centre Government’s ambitious Watershed Development Programme in militancy infested Doda district of the State. Even after lapse of more than three- fourth of the period prescribed for completion of the project, only six per cent of Watershed works have sofar been executed- thanks to non release of project funds in time and uncalled-for bureaucratic hurdles by Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP) Agency, Doda, in the working of Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs). And now the position is that works in all the watershed projects, involving Rs 24 crore, are closed while the governing body of DPAP has decided to withdraw all the projects assigned to NGOs and SKUAST Bhaderwah claiming that performance of these Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) is not upto the mark. However, on the contrary, the PIAs and elected representatives of Doda district are holding the Government agency responsible for stalling ambitious watershed works in these disturbed areas and have termed the DPAP decision as a calculated move of the officialdom to forestall the involvement of voluntary organisation in developmental works so that public money in crores of rupees can be looted. MLA Ramban and a member of DPAP governing body, Chaman Lal even alleged that District Development Commissioner (DDC) Doda, who is also Chairman of DPAP, is solely responsible for poor progress of the watershed works because of later’s ‘vested interests’. MLA Kishtwar, Sajjad Kitchloo, who is another member of the DPAP governing body, also alleged that DPAP has made flagrant violation of guidelines by not releasing the funds in time and appointing nodal officers who were only creating impediments in successful implementations of the watershed programme by NGOs. "The NGOs have done excellent works despite so many hurdles created by DPAP and the proposed change of PIAs in the fourth year of the project period creates suspicion regarding misappropriation of funds by the Government departments," he observed in a written reply to the proposal for withdrawal of NGOs from the projects and entrusting the works to DPAP Doda for execution. Sources said despite clear cut instructions that the guidelines should be taken as general principles for implementation of the Watershed Development Programmes and not be used as a tool to make their implementation a complex exercise, un-necessary official impediments were created in smooth working of PIAs. Officers having no concept of WDPs, were appointed as nodal officers with absolute powers of supervision, verification, drawal and disbursement without any accountability. And this was done without any provision for appointment of the same in guidelines notified by the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, sources added. Ironically, at the same time, the District Watershed Development Committee, which is the only decision making body at the district level, does not exist in Doda district at all. Sources pointed out that the era of impediments in PIAs working and gross violation of guidelines ensued with the transfer of then DDC Doda Shalinder Kumar. "Since then, DPAP is leaving no stone unturned to step into the shoes of these voluntary organisations as PIAs of WDP to misappropriate and pocket huge amounts out of the project funds," alleged MLA Ramban while talking to the Excelsior. PIAs were kept on tenterhooks of six monthly extensions even after the expiry of initial phase of 9-12 months of probation period. Ignoring guidelines, the project funds in the first year as the first installment of 15 per cent (9 per cent to the PIAs and 6 per cent to the Watershed Committees) were not released in time. Instead of nine per cent, only 3.33 per cent as the Ist installment was released on July 2001 to the PIAs after keeping them idle for 14 months without any reason. The first installment of six per cent to be released in the Ist year to Watershed Committees, was released in June 2003 i.e. after the lapse of long period of 38 months, the sources said. Even as the works were successfully executed by the PIAs and Watershed Committees well in time after release of funds, no funds as the second installment have been released so far when the 4th year of the project is nearing its fag end, the sources further said. Meanwhile, people of Doda have demanded a high level enquiry to probe into the matters of gross violation of guidelines by DDC Doda and Project Officer DPAP Doda. Till the report of inquiry is received, the accounts of DPAP Doda may be seized to save the public exchequer and these officers be restrained from changing the PIAs in WDP in larger interest of the society, said a memorandum submitted to the Centre Government . |
|
MLA Ramban demands hospital at Assar Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 24: MLA Ramban, Chaman Lal has demanded setting up of a hospital at Assar and up-gradation of medicare infrastructure and manpower at Batote and Ramban hospitals for providing timely and specialised treatment to accident victims. In a press statement, Chaman Lal said that many lives are lost due to road accidents in these areas where roads are accident prone. Therefore Government should improve condition of roads here and strengthen medical facilities at the hospital along the highways, he explained. The MLA also demanded opening of new health sub-centres in interior areas of Ramban constituency and posting of a Gynecologist at Batote hospital. |
|
BJP celebrates birth anniversary of Prem Nath Dogra Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 24: 120th birth anniversary of Late Pt Prem Nath Dogra was celebrated today by Bharatiya Janta Party, Samba district, at village Smailpur. On the occasion, rich tributes were paid to Pt Prem Nath Dogra. Speakers highlighted achievement of the great leader and his role played during the struggle of 1953. State BJP president Dr Nirmal Singh was chief guest on the occasion while Prabhari district Kathua, Satish Sharma was the guest of honour. In his address, Nirmal Singh said that Panditji devoted his entire life for the common cause of Jammu people. Duggars of the State can not forget the services of Panditji who was not only leader of Jammu but a person who got J&K’ s relation with India union further strengthened, he said. Satish Sharma also highlighted the achievements of Panditji and accused the coalition Government of mutilating democracy in the State during recently held by-elections for 4 Assembly seats in J&K. While speaking, Chander Parkash Ganga, BJP district president, alleged that the coalition Government was discriminating with people of Jammu by not implementing Wazir Commission recommendations. On the occasion, retired SP Durga Dass joined BJP. |
|
Cong, administration manipulated election results: Chaman Lal Excelsior Correspondent BASOHLI, Oct 24: Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Prof Chaman Lal Gupta has alleged that Congress rigged the elections for Basohli Assembly constituency in connivance with District Administration (Kathua) to ensure the victory of Ch Lal Singh’s wife, Kanta Andotra in the just concluded by-elections. Addressing a public rally here this afternoon, Prof Gupta said that Basohli by-elections were totally rigged by Congress leader Ch Lal Singh and his musclemen and those in the administration. He regretted that State election authorities also gave clean chit to the Congress people despite several complaints lodged with them by BJP, National Conference and other candidates. Referring to the partial attitude of the election observer, B A Reddy in Basohli, Prof Gupta alleged that he was well entertained by the Congress MP, Lal Singh at Dalhousie and Patni Top and Executive Engineer, PWD Basohli Mr Bhagat had been deputed unofficially with him for entertainment. He alleged that several favourite officers in the Administration had been deputed at the key places for getting favour during polls by Lal Singh. Even the help of hired goons was sought by the Congress candidate for ensuring victory and they indulged in scuffle, attacks on other party agents at several places. The BJP leader alleged that Congress always encouraged family rule. Nehru-Indira Gandhi family at the Centre continued in power and here in Basohli after Lal Singh, he managed seat for wife having no experience in the Party, ignoring other senior party leaders. He said Congress has proved as more dangerous in the State as it was responsible for encouraging terrorism and discrimination with the people of Jammu and Ladakh. So this party is proving as more dangerous than militancy in the State. The coalition regime headed by Mufti Sayeed only encouraged militants by offering jobs and rehabilitation package and ignoring real patriots and the educated unemployed youth. Frustration is emerging among the highly qualified youth with this act of government, he maintained. State BJP president Dr Nirmal Singh in his address extended thanks to the voters of Basohli for rendering good support to Mr Jagdish Sapolia but regretted that their support could not ensure his victory because, unfair acts displayed by some black sheep in the administration sabotaged the democratic process. He said Jagdish as per Party reports had secured more than 20,000 votes but the victory was manipulated in favour of Lal Singh’s wife. He assured the people of Basohli that BJP will definitely win the next elections with the people’s massive support. Jagdish Raj Sapolia strongly condemned the act of Lal Singh and his men who thrashed several workers in Basohli and alleged that he had managed the whole show to rig elections. Mr Sapolia said that he was through to win but the results were manipulated in favour of Kanta Singh. He demanded that Election Commission should initiate an impartial inquiry into the whole episode. The BJP leader alleged that no development work was initiated by Congress in the area and Lal Singh only befooled people on account of tourism promotion, road links, water schemes and education but on ground nothing was done for these people. State vice president of the party Ranjit Singh Vakil and BJP Incharge for Kathua Satish Sharma also spoke on the occasion. |
|
Niaz reviews arrangements for Ramzan, ensuing festivals Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 24: Maintaining that the Government is committed to provide adequate supply of essential commodities besides other civic amenities in every corner of the state especially the remote and far-flung areas, the Minister for Power, Mohd Sharief Niaz today stressed that priority should be given to backward and inaccessible parts where a lot still needs to be done to ease the sufferings of the inhabitants. Speaking at a meeting of District Development Commissioners convened, here this morning, to review the arrangements being made during the holy month of Ramzan and for the ensuing festivals of Diwali and Id, the Minister asked the officers to ensure that sufficient food stock, kerosene, fuel wood is readily available to the common man besides regular supply of water and electricity in their respective districts. He emphasized that the people should not face any inconvenience especially on these auspicious occasions. Interacting with the District Development Commissioners and other district officers, Mr Niaz took stock of the arrangements made by the district administrations in view of the forthcoming festival season. Referring to the recent drought and untimely snowfall in the hilly areas of Jammu division, the Minister asked the officers to assess the loss and accordingly make immediate arrangement. He said sufficient staff should be deployed in far-flung, hilly areas to immediately respond to the complaints of the people regarding breakdown in power and water supply. Mr Niaz asked the District Development Commissioners to generate awareness among the public regarding judicious use of electricity. He said the people must be told about the ways to save electricity and avoid wastage as much as possible. Regarding various ongoing schemes and the projects implemented in the district, the Minister said that regular monitoring of the same is imperative for achieving the target. He said the DDC’s would maintain record of these schemes and also conduct regular supervision to ensure transparency. The Minister asked the District Development Commissioner, Jammu, Dr Pawan Kotwal to ensure that adequate arrangements are made well in time for the forthcoming Maha Yagya being performed on the banks of River Tawi. He sought cooperation of various departments to ensure all basic facilities are available to the devotees. The District Development Commissioners apprised the Minister of the preparations made by the district administration during Ramzan and for other approaching festivals. He was informed about the various problems being faced by them. Mr Niaz assured to discuss these with higher authorities. He asked the officers to work with dedication and added zeal and come up to the expectations of the people. Chief Engineer PHE and senior officers form various departments were present in the meeting. |
|
Association of Industries IGC Samba elects office bearers Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 24: Vijay Aggarwal has been elected as president of Association of Industries, IGC Samba, elections of which were held during first general house meeting of the Association. P Sundarajan and Kuldeep Singh were elected as vice-president and general secretary, respectively while Sachin Verma has been elected as secretary. Ashwani Arora was given the responsibility of treasurer. All the office bearers were elected unanimously for the period of two years. |
|
Vijay elected as president of Pargal Biradari Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 24: Mr Vijay Pargal has been elected as president of All India Pargal Shiromani Biradari in the annual congregation of the Biradari held at village Rattian yesterday. Over 10,000 members of Pargal Biradari hailing from different parts of the country participated in the congregation and invoked blessings of Datti Mata and Bawa Kaliveer Ji Maharaj. Senior Biradari members who have remained senior office bearers of the Biradari were also present including T R Gupta, Sat Pal Pargal, Darbari Lal, Om Parkash, Mulak Raj Pargal, Vidya Bhushan, M M Gupta, Om Parkash Gupta, Dharam Pal Gupta, Naresh Pargal, Rakesh Pargal, Ved Pargal, Jai Chand Pargal, Naresh Pargal etc were given appreciation award by the president. Parul Pargal, Sorav Pargal and Vikas Pargal were given mementos for obtaining BVSc seat, Gulati Ist Prize for International Red Cross debate competition and first runners up in Judo Karate respectively. Biradari election was held under the supervision of Mr Vidya Bhushan Pargal. |
|
|
|
|
|
| home | state | national | business| editorial | advertisement | sports | |
