Special Ram Lila show presented in Dogri

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 26: The Sarswati Dramatik Club Billu Mandir, Panjtirthi presented special ‘Lila’ show in Dogri in its premises here last evening. Ram

Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, B. R. Sharma was the chief guest while Vice-Chairman, Jammu Development Authority, K. B. Jandial was the Guest of Honour on the occasion.

Among the other dignitaries who witnessed Dogri Ram Lila included senior BJP leaders D. K. Kotwal, Ashok Khajuria, MLA Nagrota Jugal Sharma, SSP, Jammu Kamal Saini and heads of various social and religious organisations.

About 500 of people drawn from all walks of life winessed the Dogri Ram Lila.

Speaking in Dogri, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu threw light on the significance of such shows. He said that this is the first time in my life where I see the Dogri Ram Lila. He said India is the land where Avtars, great saints and scholars have taken birth who gave the message of peace, brotherhood and non-violence. Among them, Lord Rama, Lord Krishna and Bhagwan Budh have played a remarkable role.

Describing Ram Lila as the beacon light for attainment of lasting peace, divine bliss and troubled free life, Mr. Sharma disclosed that ‘Ramayana’ is not only the granth of Hindus but it is the bible of whole humanity. He said that Kaam, Krodh, Lobh are the three doorsteps of hell, one who controls his passions can conquer the whole world. In absence of control over sense organs, one leads a hellish. Untill three components are overcome completely, rebirth in either of the 84 lakh creatures cannot be avoided. Comprised of shilokas and chapters of Ramayana throws light on each aspect of life of an individual. Not to talk of shilokas even a single shilok is enough to take an individual on the righteous path.

Mr. Sharma said that since Dogri has been incorporated in the 8th schedule of the constitution, people belonging to urban areas have started speaking Dogri and besides organizing various programmes in Dogri. He said that younger generation would follow the path shown by Lord Rama in letter and spirit which is the need of the hour.

State Govt employees observe one-day token strike

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 26: On the call of J&K Government Employees Joint Action Committee, State Government employees in Jammu and Kashmir today observed a complete ‘Kaam Chhor Hartal’.

Work in all the Government departments was paralysed since this morning as employees did not attend their duties to lodge their protest against alleged anti-employees’ attitude of the State Government.

The protesting employees were demanding merger of 50 per cent DA in their basic pay, release of 2 per cent and 3 per cent DA which is due from January 2004 and July 2004, enhancement of retirement age from 58 years to 60 years, enhancement of daily wages and revival of LTC.

Employees, working in different Government departments in Jammu city, took out processions and assembled at Exhibition Ground, opposite Tawi bridge, where a massive rally was held. Employees of Horticulture, Irrigation, PHE, DC Office, subordinate courts, Old Secretariat, Divisional Commissioner’s office, Information, Food and Supplies, Colleges, Education Department, Custodian, Hospitals, Medical Departments, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, JDA, Housing, UEED, PWD, PDD, Handicrafts, Geology Mining, Municipal Corporation, Irrigation, GP Fund Office, Government Ranbir Press, State Motor Garages, Sales Tax, Excise, RTO Office, Statistics Department, Treasuries etc observed the strike and participated in the rally.

In the rally, a resolution was unanimously passed by EJAC to serve another notice to the State Government warning a two-days token strike on November 24 and 25 throughout the State if their demands are not conceded by November 23.

While addressing the gathering, employees’ leaders highlighted the demands and accused the State Government of deliberately provoking the employees by not conceding their just and genuine demands.

Those who addressed the gathering, included Pardeep Kumar, Ram Kumar Sharma, Mohd Gafoor Dar, Prem Pal Singh, Subash Chander, Jaswant Singh, Balwan Singh Jamwal, Anwar Beg, Girdhari Lal Chanda, Banarsi Dass, Satish Sharma, Mangat Ram Parihar, Kulbhushan Singh Chouhan, Parshotam Singh Chib, Shashi Bala, Bharat Kumar, Ganesh Khajuria, Rehmat Ullah Malik, Paralahad Singh Chib, Vijay Kumar, Mohan Lal, Darshan Magotra and others.

Members of Non-Gazetted PDD Employees United from Jammu held a demonstration in the premises of Electrical M&RE sub division-I, Canal Jammu under the leadership of Jasbir Singh.

Meanwhile, reports from other parts of the State, including Valley, said that a complete strike was observed today by the State Government employees on EJAC’s call.

Government employees from different departments of Reasi, Pouni, Katra and Arnas organised a massive rally at Reasi which was addressed by central committee members of EJAC, Sohan Lal Sharma, Munshi Ram, Sher Singh, Tirth Ram, Raj Singh and Abdul Hamid.

In Rajouri, all the employees of Health Department participated in ‘Kaam Chhor Hartal’ and observed a protest demonstration in front of District Hospital Rajouri. The protest was also joined by the Government employees of other departments. Later a procession was taken out by the employees under the leadership of Vijay Koucher.

In Kathua, employees of different Government departments observed pen down strike and assembled near the DC office wherein a demonstration was held. The gathering of employees was also addressed by some leaders of EJAC who included Santosh Khajuria, Mohinder Singh, Balkar Singh and Mohinder Paul.

Employees of tehsil Hiranagar observed ‘Kaam Chhor Hartal’ in their respective offfices and assembled at the Tehsil office to express solidarity with EJAC. The employees’ leaders, who addressed the gathering, included B L Kandley, Kali Dass, Moti Lal Katoch, Tara Chand, Master Chaman Lal, Master Immam Din, Randhir Singh and others.

In Bhaderwah, a complete Kaam Chhor Hartal was observed in all the Government offices. The protesting employees assembled in the premises of BDO office Bhaderwah and took out a procession which passed through various bazars of the town. The employees procession was led by Romesh Chander Khajuria and Javed Ahmed Qazi.

The pen-down strike was successfully observed in different Government offices in Bishnah block. Medical employees of the block organised a dharna in the Sub-District Hospital and highlighted the demands. The dharna was addressed by Ved Paul Saini, Surinder Singh and others.

Members of All J&K Colleges Non Teaching (non-gazetted) Employees Association, Kashmir division, also observed the one-day token strike on EJAC call and appealed the Government to act responsibly and concede genuine demands of the employees.

HC stays transfers of Patnitop, Kud Patwaris

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 26: Justice VK Jhanji of the State High Court has stayed the transfers of Patwaris of important Halqas of Kud and Patnitop. While staying the operation of order number 1151-56/SQ, dated October 11, 2004 till further orders, Justice Jhanji held that petitioner if not already relieved shall not be transferred. The Court also issued notices to State of Jammu and Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, Tehsildar Chenani and Mohd Rafiq Patwari of Halqa Patnitop.

The order was passed in a writ petition filed by Kailash Nath, presently Patwari Halqa Kud through Advocate Ashok Parihar, wherein it was stated that the petitioner was transferred pre-maturely from Kud and posted in tehsil office Chenani.

In the petition, it was stated that some high ups had extended their support to ‘VVIP Patwaris’ and on the behest of the high-ups, the petitioner was pre-maturely transferred from the present post and ordered to join in Chenani Tehsil Office.

It was further stated by the petitioner that some Patwaris were using political power for their lucrative postings for Halqa Patnitop and Kud for acquisition proceedings of Patnitop Development Authority (PDA) for holiday hurts over about 1000 kanals and other allied development works in the area.

District Governor visits Rotary Club Jammu Cantt

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 26: District Governor of Rotary District 3070 Dr Beena Misra today paid an official visit to Rotary Club Jammu Cantt.

President of the Club Harmeet Singh Dua highlighted the achievements made by the Club after he took over as president three and half months ago.

District Governor praised the president and his team for the projects completed by the Club for the needy and poor.

She promised district funds for permanent projects to be undertaken in future which include installation of ultrasound machine at Gurunanak Mission Hospital and opening of computer centre at Nagrota with matching grant from Rotary International USA.

On the occasion, social activist Prof Dr Renu Nanda was honoured by the District Governor for her selfless service to the poor and needy in the society.

On the occasion, Club donated one sewing machine to a needy tailor and chairs to the Girls High School For Migrants Shastri Nagar.

Guest Control Order to come into force from Nov 5: Taj

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Oct 26: In a significant move, the Government today invoked the Guest Control Order afresh, fixing limit on the invitation of guests in the marriages and quantity of mutton prepared on different occasions. The order cleared by the cabinet yesterday would come into force from November 5.

This was announced by Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Taj Mohi ud Din at a press conference here today.

Giving details about the number of guests and scale of Mutton fixed by the order, the Minister said the Order became an issue of great controversy when it was first issued in May following which the Government withdrew it and appointed a Cabinet Sub Committee under the Chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister to review the order by inviting suggestions from public. He said the committee received about 3000 intimations from a cross section of society including NGOs, Mohalla Committees, intellectuals press persons etc.

After analyzing the inputs and accommodating all the shades of opinion, the committee submitted its report. He said, the initiative taken by him has ultimately seen the light of the day. He said after he took this initiative in May, he received an immense cooperation from the society and even from the Wazaz (traditional Chefs) who voluntarily decided to observe dish control in marriages. He said, he is also thankful to his Cabinet collogues who held extensive deliberations to clear the decks for coming in force of an order primarily aimed at doing away with the social evil of ‘show off’ in the marriages. . Apart from being a violation of Essential Commodity Act, the ostentatious expenditure in marriages has assumed the form of a great social evil, he said adding that the middle class parents has to under go through a life long pain for making arrangements for the marriage of their daughters.

According the revised order, he said, the number of baraatis has been fixed as 50 with 150 other guests and 100 KG scale of mutton (Including Chicken) in case of a non-vegetarian marriage reception parties. The number of dishes shall not be more than seven. Apart from baraaties, the family of bride can invite 150 guests making the total number as 200. On the Walima, the family of the bridegroom could invite 100 guests and use only 50 Kg of mutton including Chicken. The scale of mutton (including Chicken) per Plate has been fixed as 2 Kg. On the Ring ceremony the number of guests has been fixed as 50 with a scale of 25 Kg of mutton. A particular family could only organize a big party within three months of time. The "Mehndi Raat" and "Phir Saal" shall be a totally family affair with no guests. There is no limit of scale of quantity and limit of dishes in case of vegetarian Marriage parties. There is however, limitation on Barratis and guests at reception at both Bride’s and Bride Groom’s function. In such marriages the limit of baraatis have been fixed as 150.

The Minister said that the order would be strictly implemented by the Directorates of Consumer Affairs and their offices at district and tehsil levels. The marriage family has to give prior information to the Director CA &PD with invitation Card in case of Jammu and Srinagar cities and to the officers of the department in small towns. The Minister said that the department would initiate a sustained campaign in involving NGOs, Mohalla Committees and social organization to create awareness about the orders. He said the marriage families would be requested to adhere to the limitations but in case of violation the offenders would be booked under Essential Commodities Act. He said since extravaganza in marriages is mostly found in big cities, the department has constituted three squads each headed by a Deputy Director which would swung into action soon after receiving any complaint. The Minister sought the Cooperation of the Public for the Successful implementation of the Guest Control Order.

Arrangements reviewed for incident free Darbar move

Excelsior Correspondent

DODA, Oct 26: The security scenario in the Doda district particularly the arrangements for the incident free Darbar move was reviewed in a high-level meeting held at Batore today.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Udhampur-Doda Range Satvir Gupta, GOC Delta 4, SSP Doda Sunil Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Doda Gulzar Ahmad Qureshi and senior officers of Border Security Force, Traffic Police and intelligence agencies attended the meeting.

In the meeting, methods for countering militancy were discussed in detail and necessary instructions were passed to the sector officers of Army as well as para-military forces.

All the security agencies and district administration were asked to ensure peaceful and incident free Darbar Move. The stress was laid on the proper coordination between all the security agencies and district administration to ensure free flow of the Darbar Move vehicles and their security.

The DIG directed the security agencies to prevent unnecessary parking of the vehicles on the National Highway and sensitize the areas around the National Highway. He also passed directions for deployment of Deputy Superintendents of Police (DySPs) to supervise the security measures.

Record Rs 32 cr revenue realised at
Lakhanpur check post

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 26: An unprecedented revenue of Rs 32.6 crore has been released at the Sales Tax Check Post, Lakhanpur during the first two quarters of the current financial year. During the corresponding period from April to September end, amount collected was merely Rs 9.6 crore, thus registering an increase of 243 per cent this year.

This was disclosed by the Deputy Commissioner, Sales Tax Check Post, Lakhanpur, Mr Ajaz A Kakroo.

It was revealed that the revenue realised included: Rs 1.4 crore as passenger tax, Rs 91.88 lakhs as penalty , Rs 4.06 crore security, Rs 20.8 crore entry tax, Rs 45.7 lakhs composite tax on the raw skins and almonds , Rs 4.95 crore as advance tax. He pointed out that the increase has been on collections of taxes.

The imports during the first two quarters has registered a growth of 31 per cent with imports worth Rs 3578.13 crore as against imports of Rs 2724.94 crore made during the corresponding period last year.

It was disclosed that the revenue realisation of Rs 32.6 crore during the first two quarters of this fiscal has exceeded the revenue realisation of Rs 31.87 crore made during the four quarters of the last financial year.

The Deputy Commissioner underscored the role of the Lakhanpur check post staff to regulate the flow of trade into the State at reasonable value thereby checking the efforts of unscrupulous elements to hoodwink the Sale Tax authorities.

Lasjan joins Congress, Peerzada says more to follow

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 26: Senior National Conference (NC) leader, Ghulam Nabi Mir Lasjan, alongwith his dozens of supporters today joined Congress after resigning from the NC.

Mr Lasjan, who was NC’s Provincial Secretary for Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal, announced his decision of joining the Congress in a press conference at Moulana Azad Road Congress headquarters here today.

Speaking on the occasion, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president and Rural Development Minister Peerzada Mohammed Sayeed disclosed that several former ministers and legislators were joining his party in coming days. "Our efforts of strengthening the party have started boring fruits. We welcome Mr Lasjan’s joining our party. In fact, several former ministers and legislators are joining Congress party in coming days," he elaborated.

To a question about Congress party taking charge of coalition Government after three years, Peerzada replied that he would be able to answer only when the Government completes its three years.

Mr Lasjan told reporters that resigning from the Nc and later joining the Congress was "home coming" for him. "I have returned back to my roots and home. I am feeling extremely happy," he said.

Son of the former Congress leader and Minister, late Ghulam Mohammed Mir Lasjan, Mr Lasjan served in the State Government as Superintendent Engineer. He started his political career as Congress member and later played an important role in founding the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Afterwards he joined the NC.

Sources said that a few days back, Mr Lasjan had written a letter to the NC president, Omar Abdullah, complaining ill-treatment from the NC General Secretary, Sheikh Nazir Ahmed. According to these sources, after "no reply" from the NC president, he decided to join his parent organisation of Congress.

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