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| Jammu to have unique Vedic Institution, Research Centre Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 19: For revising the eroding moral values enshrined in ancient Hindu scriptures, Jammu will be the first place in entire Northern India to have a unique Vedic Institution and Research Centre in near future.....more Ex-serviceman
Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 19: An ex-serviceman last night gunned down his two brothers at village Noti in Sunderbani tehsil of Rajouri district. Accused has been arrested......more Traders to
volunteer Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Apr 19: Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) has decided to volunteer themselves for arrests against State.....more Minister orders probe into issuance of fake PRCs Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Apr 19 : Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen has directed Deputy Commissioner Poonch to probe.....more Chamber of
Commerce Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 19: Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry has appealed the Commercial Tax authorities to clarify on certain.....more |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 19: Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party and Member Legislative Council (MLC), Prof Bhim Singh today put a question mark on the constitutional validity of referring of J&K Panchayati.............more Over 6
month long Maha Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Apr 19: Minister of State for Tourism, Jugal Kishore Sharma offered Puran Ahuti at the Ardh Varshik Shri Chandi Maha Yagyana which concluded........more SMVDU
signs MoU Excelsior Correspondent JUELICH (GERMANY) Apr 19: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) and Aachen University of Applied Sciences, Germany today signed a Memorandum.....more GOC Delta
Force, DIG Doda Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Apr 19: General Officer in Commanding (GOC) Delta Force and Deputy Inspector General of Police Udhampur-Doda Range Satvir Gupta today.....more |
Jammu to have unique Vedic Institution, Research Centre Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 19: For revising the eroding moral values enshrined in ancient Hindu scriptures, Jammu will be the first place in entire Northern India to have a unique Vedic Institution and Research Centre in near future. This grand and magnificent institution will be constructed at Ved Mandir complex Ambphalla and for this purpose the funds will be generated through a eight day long Ram Katha that will be held in the Mandir complex from April 24 to May 1 from 4 to 7 pm daily. This was disclosed at a press conference here today by the Ram Katha Samiti president R C Gupta, its general secretary Capt (retd) Parshotam Sharma and president J&K Sewa Bharti Amarchand Gupta. They said this religious programme is being organised by the Shri Ved Mandir, Ram Katha Samiti and the Ram Katha will be recited by famous saint of Virandavan Shri Vijay Koushal Ji Maharaj. The main aim of holding the Ram Katha in Ved Mandir premises is to construct a grand and magnificent complex in which the Vedas will be placed and recited for bringing spiritual and moral values in the society, said Capt. (retd) Parshotam Sharma. He said the four storey building of the complex will have a one storey each for Veda starting from Rig Veda, Yujar Veda, Sam Veda and Athar Veda. The complex will have an auditorium for philosophical interaction and discussion, a Vedic library and a research centre, he added. Capt. (Retd) Sharma said that objective of setting up such a grand Vedic research centre is to integrate the ancient and modern education and develop India so that its ancient glory is retained. This will be a unique institution which will transform society and provide the moral education to the students so that the future generation will come with the spiritual knowledge and ideas. All the research done in the Ved Mandir should not touch India but the entire world through Internet, he said,adding we aspire to attain Ram Rajya for which we have to work hard. He said the Samiti appeals the people to make liberal and generous donations for this noble cause and cooperate fully with the Samiti for making the programme a success. He said Swami Vijay Kohsal Ji who has been reciting the Ram Katha for last over 20 years has assured that he will not take a single peny from the amount collected during the Ram Katha recitation and provide all help for this noble cause. He said the arrangements are in full swing and a Shoba Yatra will be taken out from Parade on April 23 evening in support of the Ram Katha. Giving more details he said the Ram Katha Committee consists of patrons, Welcome Body, Female Wing and Organising Committee. The patrons of the Committee are Dr. Om Parkash Mengi, Dewan Chand Bansal, Prof. C L Gupta, Babu Parmanand and Dr Ramakant Dubey. The Welcome Committee is headed by T R Gupta and Female Wing Consists of Prof. Archana Kesar, Raj Dulari, Rama Shastri, Mamta Singh and others. He said the preparations at the Ved Mandir Ambphalla are in full swing and work on installation of water proof tent has been taken up in hand by a Party from Amritsar. The entry gates are being given the face lift to welcome the devotees. The other arrangements like providing of drinking water facilities, lavatory and parking facilities are being given the final shape, he said. The Ram Katha Sewa Dal volunteers have been also pressed into service for smooth conducting of the function. These volunteers consist of the functionaries of Sewa Bharti, he added. He said the foundation of Ved Mandir was laid by Maharaja Partap Singh on December 20, 1916 on 84 kanals of land donated by the Maharaja to his Guru Swami Champanath Ji for religious activities and propagation of Vedas, protection of cows and other social activities. He said presently various institutions are functioning in the complex which besides the Ved Mandir include , Bal Niketan, Goshala, Old age Home, Swami Vivekanand Medical Mission, School for blind girls, Institution of natural hygiene, Bharatiya Shiksa Samiti, Bhartiya Vidya Mandir,Sewa Bharti and Purav Sainik Sewa Parishad. |
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Ex-serviceman kills 2 brothers Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 19: An ex-serviceman last night gunned down his two brothers at village Noti in Sunderbani tehsil of Rajouri district. Accused has been arrested by the police. Police said 60 year old Hoshnakh Singh, a retired Havildar fired upon his two elder brothers Chanchal Singh and Shankar Singh in his house at Nati last night, leading to killing of both of them on spot. The brothers had an old family feud. A Sunderbani police station team led by SHO Inspector Jamrodh Singh and ASI Om Raj Sharma rushed to the spot under the supervision of SDPO Nowshera Mubassar Lateefi and arrested the accused, who had fled to a field. He was brought to Sunderbani police station where a murder case has been registered against him. Bodies of the victims were handed over to the family after post-mortem. |
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Traders to volunteer arrests against VAT Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Apr 19: Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) has decided to volunteer themselves for arrests against State Government’s implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT). Addressing a news conference here today, a spokesman of the KTMF, Noor Mohammed, told reporters that the leadership of the Federation had decided to present themselves for voluntary arrests on Wednesday against the VAT. He said that the prominent Federation members would start giving voluntary arrests from 1430 hrs. Terming the VAT as POTA for traders, manufacturers and other business sections, the KTMF spokesman said that the Federation would intensify its protests across the length and breadth of Kashmir. He asserted that the State Government was trying to create an impression that VAT was people friendly. "VAT is not customer friendly at all. Just an example that day today commodities like spices and salt have come under a hike of four percent tax after it was implemented in Jammu and Kashmir," he said. Earlier also, near total shutdown was observed in Kashmir valley in the first week of this month in response to the 3-day bandh call given by the KTMF. The KTMF spokesman warned State Government to take immediate measurers and withdraw the VAT or otherwise face them on streets. He also announced that apart from voluntary arrests, a comprehensive protest plan was being charted out to press for the withdrawal of VAT. |
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Minister orders probe into issuance of fake PRCs Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Apr 19 : Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen has directed Deputy Commissioner Poonch to probe into the matter regarding issuance of fake Permanent Resident Certificates (PRCs) in favour of six persons who have managed to reside in village Salwah of tehsil Mendher district Poonch, after entering in the state on valid passport some years back. The Minister has asked the Deputy Commissioner Poonch to look into the facts on which PRCs to these persons have been issued by the then Tehsildar and Sub-Divisional Magistrate Mendher. Who do not qualify to be permanent domiciles of Jammu and Kashmir or elsewhere in the country. The PRCs so issued in favour of Faker Din S/o Phelwan Khan, Fatima Bi W/o Faker Din, Mohd Shafiq S/o Faker Din, Nasyeen Akthar D/o Faker Din, Akseer Akthar D/o Faker Din, Nashreen Akthar D/o Faker Din, Shazia Tabsum, Khalida Tabsum, Iftikar Ali, Zulfkar Ali and Mohd Shakoor S/o Faker Din. Presently residing at village Salwah tehsil Mendhar district Poonch have been cancelled by the State Government and the immovable property or any other benefit acquired by the defendants on the basis of these PRCs stand forfeited and the property shall vest to the State. |
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Chamber of Commerce seeks clarification on some items Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 19: Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry has appealed the Commercial Tax authorities to clarify on certain items which have not been explicitly mentioned in the VAT schedule. Since Textiles and Tobacco fall under 0 per cent category, some of the items, such as blankets, bedsheets, towels, cigarettes, beedies are not liable to be taxed under VAT but the authorities need to clarify it explicitly so that no confusion remains there, said CCI in a press statement. The Chamber alleged that due to confusion over certain items, traders were being harassed at Lakhanpur check post. Further, added the CCI statement, rate of VAT on items like dry fruits, shawals, handicrafts, washing soap cakes, coconut in shell, Besan Maida, should be reviewed. The Chamber also stressed upon the State Government to plead with the empowered committee to raise the threshold limit to Rs 10 lacs and turn over tax limit to Rs 50 lacs with .25 per cent Turnover Tax rate. Hailing the joint statement, issued by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf, for movement of trucks across the LoC to boost trade from the State, the CCI said that more routes should be opened with necessary safeguards so that security and integrity of the country is not put to any risk. |
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Constitute JPC for
consensus on Kashmir issue Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 19: Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party and Member Legislative Council (MLC), Prof Bhim Singh today put a question mark on the constitutional validity of referring of J&K Panchayati Raj Rule (Amendment) Bill to the Select Committee in the Legislative Council. What a fraud on the law that a Presiding Officer referred the Bill to the Select Committee by acting as vice-Chairman, the post being non-existent? Prof Singh asked while interacting with the media persons here this morning. Neither the Presiding Officer has any power to refer any Bill to Select Committee nor there is any post of vice-Chairman as mentioned in the official notification, he said and termed all this as illegal and violation of conduct of the business of the House. "As per Constitution, Presiding Officer cannot act in place of the Chairman in absence of later. Moreover, it is only Deputy Chairman, who can act in that manner but place of Dy Chairman has not been filled so far by two major coalition partners—Congress and PDP", Prof Singh, who is also a partner in the Coalition Government said. The intensity of violation of constitution can be gauged from the fact that Rural Development Minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed has been appointed Chairman of the Select Committee despite the fact that rules say that Chairman of the Select Committee should either be appointed by the Chairman or should be amongst the Council members, the JKNPP supremo pointed out. Prof Singh, while pointing towards the postponement of the Council meeting to April 21, said "both Congress and PDP are dancing on the graveyard of the Constitution and taking Constitution bodies for granted for their vested interests". Instead of strengthening the grass root democratic institutions, the major coalition partners are hell bent to dissolve them just for their petty interests, he alleged. Welcoming the outcome of the dialogue between Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and President Pervez Musharraf, the JKNPP supremo wanted to know what sort of final settlement heads of both the countries are talking about and warned from treating people of J&K as "sheep and goats any more". He suggested that political representatives of both sides of Kashmir be allowed to meet to bring them more closer to each other and to evolve a consensus for resolution of Kashmir issue. "A Joint Parliamentary Committee be constituted for reaching any consensus with Pakistan regarding Jammu and Kashmir", he demanded. |
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Over 6 month long Maha Yagyana concludes Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Apr 19: Minister of State for Tourism, Jugal Kishore Sharma offered Puran Ahuti at the Ardh Varshik Shri Chandi Maha Yagyana which concluded at Katra today. Additional Chief Executive Officer, SMVDS Board, Rohit Kansal, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Reasi, Sanjeev Verma, civil and police officers and large number of devotees also participated in the Puran Ahuti. The Yagyana began in the holy town of Katra on October 14, last year during last Navratras by Shri Sant Swami Chander Chaitna Brahmchari Ji Maharaj with the active cooperation of people of Katra to seek the blessings of Goddess for peace and prosperity in the country. Twenty-five learned Pandits from Kashi performed daily havan Puja and Path and Rudhra Abhiseikh in which about 195 couple, hailing from the Northern states participated. After Kanya Poojan a community langar was also arranged on the occasion in which about 25,000 people from all walks of life participated. |
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SMVDU signs MoU with Aachen University in Germany Excelsior Correspondent JUELICH (GERMANY) Apr 19: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) and Aachen University of Applied Sciences, Germany today signed a Memorandum of Understanding for initiating and intensifying cooperation in teaching, research and development and to support the industrial cooperation between the home countries of the two partners, through activities in both the institutions. The MoU was signed by Professor N.K.Bansal, Vice Chancellor SMVDU and Professor H. Buchkremer, Vice Chancellor of Aachen University in the presence of various section Heads and senior colleagues at Gerling Pavilion of the University at Juelich, where the second campus of University is located. The cooperation takes place in the frame of individual projects by exchange of students and scientists as well as by transfer of technology. Other institutions with similar competence have the possibility to take part in the projects. On condition of financial support, both partners are going to form special teams for the research projects. To apply for financial support a centralized control would be defined in agreement with each other. Internally the partners have the same rights. This agreement comes into force with the date of the last signature for an unlimited period. In case of a notice of the agreement, projects, which already have been started, have to be continued corresponding to the individual agreement or have to be finished effectively. A joint project proposal is being prepared for submission to the European Union for funding. The two institutions will also work on the Use of Vegetable oil from Jetropa for use in Automobiles and diesel generators. Jetropa grows in large quantities in Jammu and surrounding regions. Faculty student exchange will take place in Computer Science and Engineering, Electronics and Communication, Biotechnology, MBA, Energy and other subjects. |
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GOC Delta Force, DIG Doda review security scenario Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Apr 19: General Officer in Commanding (GOC) Delta Force and Deputy Inspector General of Police Udhampur-Doda Range Satvir Gupta today reviewed the security scenario in a high-level meeting held in Doda district today. In the meeting, main stress was laid towards the fool-proof security arrangements for the Darbar Move. It was decided in the meeting that extra security personnel would be deployed at vulnerable points besides on road-side to thwart any attempt by the militants to target the convoy. The meeting also reviewed the anti-militancy operations going on in the district and GOC and DIG expressed satisfaction over the efforts being made by the security personnel in eliminating the terrorists. Both the officers also laid stress on more civil-security forces liaison. Others who attended the meeting included SSP Sunil Kumar, SSP Ramban Garib Dass, Deputy Commissioner Doda Gulzar Ahmed Qureshi and other senior officers of civil, Army and para-military forces. |
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Training programme on
packaging of food Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 19: The Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Abdul Aziz Zargar has called for switching over to modern packaging technologies to increase longitivity of shelf-life and quality of fresh fruit and vegetables. He said in the modern era of health consciousness, improved packaging plays important role in protecting the quality as well as the quantity of perishable commodities, thereby extending the marketability potentials of fresh fruits and vegetables to the best advantage of growers, traders and consumers. Speaking at the two-day Training Programme on "Packaging of Food Products for Exports" organized by Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute(EDI) in collaboration with Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), Mumbai here this forenoon, the Minister said that scientific packaging of food and fruit products has assumed much more significance in the post WTO scenario and need of the hour was to catch-up with the changing situation to compete at national and International level. The training programme has been sponsored by NABARD. Besides, a large number of prospective entrepreneurs, the Chief General Manager, NABARD, Mr. S.Mohpatra, Joint Director Indian Institute of Packaging, North Regional Centre, Delhi, Mr. Deepak Khedkar, Asstt. Director IIP, New Delhi, M. Chakraborty Director, Horticulture Planning and Marketting Jammu and Kashmir, Irfan Yaseen, Director, Horticulture Jammu, M.S. Qasba and Director, EDI, M.I. Parray were also present on the occasion. The Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir produces about 13 lakh tonnes of fresh fruit which offers vast potential for packaging industry adding that Government would provide liberal financial and technical support to the prospective entrepreneurs to venture in the field. The Minister also referred to tremendous potential in poultry and dairy in the State and said need of the hour was to go for its value addition and scientific processing as has been done by the Gujrat Cooperative Milk Marketting Cooperatives (Amul). He said the tetra packaging technology has increase longitivity of the Amul Milk Products upto about six months. He said cold chain transportation technology for transport of fruit and vegetable products from production centres to the urban markets, is estimated to conserve about Rs. 100 to 200 crores. Dr. Parray in his welcome addressed briefed about the objective of the training programme and said Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) has conducted a series of training workshops to acquaint the farmers about the modern farm practices. These include workshop on prospects of commercial floriculture in Jammu and Kashmir and now the Training Programme on Food packaging. He said the efforts have paid rich dividends as we have about 22 young entrepreneurs registered with the EDI for venturing in the field of commercial floriculture. During the training programme the participants are being acquainted in principles of packaging techniques, ECO-friendly packaging, packaging of Horticulture and Food products, Development and Flexible packing by eminent experts from across the country. |
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Subash Shastri delivers discourses at Khour Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 19: Sant Subash Shastri, who is presently delivering religious discourses in Bhagwat Katha at village Padli of block Khour in Akhnoor tehsil of Jammu district stated that Sanatan Dharam is the oldest religious like the oldest Veda. He said it is better to die for the religion than to live under other’s religion, which he said, is more dangerous. He said if one attains acquittance with the truth, this achievement can be described more than obtaining heaven. Sant Subash Shastri said all materialistic virtues of life are illusions and one can attain real pleasure in Satsang, because one moment of participating in a Satsang holds more weight than heaven. He said Muni Shukdev had said that whosoever strives hard gets the fruit accordingly. He added that one who does not pray God and bow before the saints is not worth to be called a human being. Sant Subash Shastri also recited the Kathas of Kardam Rishi and Bhagwan Kapil Muni Ji while concluding his discourses today. |
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Paddar delegation meets different ministers Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 19: A delegation of Palmar and Paddar area of tehsil Kishtwar of Doda district led by MLA Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo, met Education Minister Harshdev Singh, Minister of Sports and Technical Education and Minister of State for Home as also Commissioner Secretary PWD and discussed various problems of their area. Their demands pertained to upgradation of High School Palmar to Higher Secondary level, upgradation of Higher Secondary School Paddar to College level, upgradation of Middle Schools Patimal, Palmar, Palmar, Machail, Sohal, Ishetire to High School level and opening of new primary schools at Bathio (Plali), Shagangorai (Garh), Dadi Charas and Kajai. The demands projected before Minister for Home included problems of members of Dhok Development Committee in Paddar and VDCs in Palmar who are without pay for the last four years. They urged the Minister of Sports and Technical Education for opening of Crush Mobile Centre ITI Palmar and reservation of admission in ITI at Kishtwar for candidates of Palmar area. the delegation also demanded a play ground for children of Palmar area. Delegation also met Commissioner Secretary PWD and discussed the problem of Link Road Rakna Ziyarat Sharief Palmar and Paddar to Machail Road. All the authorities listened to the delegation with patience and assured and early consideration. Deputationists included Kartar Singh Rathore, Manoj Parihar, M L Rathore, Mool Raj, Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh etc. |
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Work on Shitlee filtration
plant going in full swing Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 19: The work on filtration plant Shitlee being constructed under greater Jammu Plan to augment supply of safe drinking water in the winter capital is in full swing. The filtration plant is being constructed at a cost of Rs 5.28 crore. This was stated by Minister of State for Works, G.A. Mir while inspecting various development works during his one-day tour of Jammu city and its peripheries here today. The Minister said that after its completion the availability of drinking water would be increased manifold enabling the department to cater the increasing need of potable water in the city. The Minister also inspected pace of work on Sardan nallah bridge in Suriansar being constructed at a cost of Rs 3.88 crore. The upcoming bridge is nearing completion and would connect the famous tourists spot Mansar and Suriansar and facilitate increased tourist inflow, he added. Mr Mir also inspected the progress of work on aquarium complex at Bahu-Fort being constructed at a cost of Rs 4.36 crore, besides construction works on Forest Protection Complex at Narwal. The complex at Narwal is being constructed at a cost of Rs 3.88 crore. Managing Director, General Manager and a team of engineers of JKPCC who is the executing agency accompanied by the Minister during the inspection of the works. The Minister urged upon the executive agencies to expedite the pace of work so that the projects are completed in the stipulated time. |
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Horticulture Deptt organises awareness camp at Maralia Excelsior Correspondent R.S.PURA, Apr 19: The Department of Horticulture organised an awareness camp for the farmers at Maralia, about 29 km from here. Thirty farmers hailing from Bishnah, Satwari and other adjoining areas of R. S. Pura participated. Minister of State for Rural Development, Ch Gharu Ram, while addressing the farmers, said that with the advanced training to them they can increase their production from the fields and even can take two crops in a year. He said that Government has made available quality seeds to them and modern harvesting machines have been made available and stressed they should take full benefit of these opportunities for the upliftment of their socio-economic conditions. The Horticulture Development Officer, Ajit Choudhary informed that the farmers were taken to various farms, nurseries of Jammu district where they were imparted lectures by the experts of the department for increasing their fruit and agriculture production. Earlier, the Minister distributed kits of gardening implements among the farmers. Prominent among those attended included Nambardar Suchetgarh Ch. Sarwan Singh, senior officers of horticulture department and panchs and Sarpanchs of the area. |
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KC Public School organises painting competition Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 19: K C Public School in collaboration with Pidilite Industries Chandigarh took up an initiative to organise a mega "Inter School on-the-spot painting contest, in which students of different schools numbering about 800 including host school participated. Basic purpose of holding the contest was to give an opportunity to a student to compete with students from different schools, with an attitude. This competition was one of the activities which K C Public School is organizing to celebrate Earth Day on April 22. Pidilite industries has taken initiative to organize bonanza of colours as it provided colours and drawing sheets to all the participants. Principal K C Public School, Jorawar Singh appreciated the keen interest shown by students and thanked the Principals of various schools which participated in the contest for allowing the students to make use of the opportunity to show their talent. He said that through these competitions the students learn to express themselves in a better way and become more confident to face challenges of life. |
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73-yr-old Pak woman wants
Indian NEW DELHI, Apr 19: Indo-Pak bonhomie did not help a 73-year-old woman, who was born in Andhra Pradesh but migrated alongwith her husband to Pakistan soon after partition, get an Indian citizenship. The Centre rejected Mariam-un-Nisa’s plea for grant of Indian citizenship and instead advised her to apply for it only after residing in the country for seven years as required under Indian Citizenship Act, 1955. As her visa is due to expire on April 22, she has now moved the Delhi High Court seeking direction to the Government to grant her resident permit to enable her to spend the twilight of her life with her brother’s family in Hyderabad. In her petition filed through counsel M Mohsin Israily, Mariam-un-Nisha said that her husband has already died and she was issueless. She expressed her desire to be buried alongside the graves of her parents, brothers and sisters at her place of birth. Centre’s counsel Sanjeev Kumar Dubey told the court that the petitioner could not be given Indian citizenship as she did not fulfil the mandatory legal requirements for the same. As the Centre denied having received her application for grant of resident permit, Justice Gita Mittal asked her counsel to file a copy of the application in the court by tomorrrow and fixed April 21 for further hearing. Marium-un-Nisha, born in Hyderabad in 1932, was married to Ilahi Bux of Jodhpur in Rajasthan in 1940 and the family migrated to Sindh in Pakistan in December 1948 when she was only 16. She also claimed that she did not have any property in Pakistan and that she has become a destitute after her husband’s death in November 2002. (PTI) Pharma Associates meeting held Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 19: A meeting of Jammu and Kashmir Pharma Associates was held under the chairmanship of Rakesh Gupta wherein several decisions were taken. The meeting rejected another call for ‘Chemist bandh’ and opined that the bandh would only invite trouble for the chemists as the trade comes under Essential Commodities Act and a proper notice has to be given to the Government before resorting to such actions. The Association condemned the false allegations by JKCDA regarding shortage of medicines and overcharging by the wholesale and retail chemists as per Drug Price Control Order and VAT. There is neither any shortage of drugs nor overcharging by the agencies, claimed the members. Taking a serious view regarding the notice giving pattern of invoicing by JKCDA on April 15 which allegedly violates the CST laws as well as VAT ordinance, the Association appealed the Finance Minister to take strict action against JKCDA for creating confusion and chaos among the traders. Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Apr 19: Hashim Qureshi led Jammu Kashmir Democratic Liberation Party (JKDLP) today hailed India and Pakistan leadership for joint declaration. In a statement issued here today, a spokesman of the party said that a meeting of the JKDLP was convened which was chaired by the party chief Hashim Qureshi. Speaking at the meeting, Qureshi hailed Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and President Pervez Musharraf for their joint declaration. He said that the Delhi declaration was good beginning for peace in South Asia. He termed the pledge of the leadership to continue dialogue over the Kashmir issue as a first relief for the people of Kashmir. However, the JKDLP chairman said that inclusion of the people of Kashmir in the dialogue process over Kashmir was important and demanded the leadership on the both sides of Kashmir should be taken into confidence. 2 drug smugglers held, 750 grams of heroine seized Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Apr 19: Police today arrested two drug smugglers and recovered 750 grams of heroine from their possession. Police spokesman said that SSP Udhampur Vijay Singh Sambyal on a specific information from a reliable source ordered SHO Udhampur Police Station Jagdev Singh to conduct a raid in one of the hotels in the town to arrest the drug smugglers. Both the drug smugglers were present in one of the rooms of the hotel and were immediately arrested. From their possession police team recovered 750 grams of heroine, having value of lakhs of ruppes in international market. The drug smugglers have been identified as Mohd Shafi, son of Kutab Din and Mohd Ashraf, son of Lass Butt, both the residents of Gandoh. They have been booked under Narcotics Drugs Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPSA) and their interrogation was going on. The preliminary investigations revealed that both were in the business of smuggling contraband for the past quite long time and a police team under the direct supervision of SSP Udhampur was keeping watch on their activities. Militant killed, explosives haul in Rajouri Excelsior Special Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 19: A militant was today gunned down by Army at village Gumed in Ramban police district while a large quantity of explosive material was recovered by the troops in Darhal area of Rajouri district. Official sources said an unidentified militant of Hizbul Mujahideen was eliminated by the troops of Rashtriya Rifles at village Dedu in Gumed area of Ramban at 11 am today. One AK rifle and some ammunition was recovered from him. The militant was killed in an hour long encounter. Security forces didn’t suffer any casualties in the operation. The slain militant was suspected to be a local activist of Hizbul Mujahideen. Troops detected an IED planted by the militants near Kud on Jammu-Srinagar national highway at 8.10 am today. The IED, wrapped in a cloth, has been planted to blast a security forces or a passenger vehicles. It was defused by a Bomb Disposal Squad of 4 Rashtriya Rifles at 11 am. Traffic on the highway remained closed till the IED was defused safely. Troops of 31 Gorkha Rifles recovered a large quantity of explosive material from village Dhurimal in Darhal area of Rajouri district. Recoveries included one sniper rifle, one magazine, 10 rounds, 1437 AK rounds, 34 UBGL grenades, 22 hand grenades, 98 electronic detonators, five IED remote controls and some material used in making the IEDs. Recoveries were made from a hideout along a nullah in Dhurimal, the sources said, adding the consignment was meant for Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) cadre. Recovery of such a large consignment was a big setback to the LeT outfit, the sources said. One I Com radio set, one Improvised Explosive Device (IED), three hand grenades, one Chinese grenade and two UBGL grenades were recovered by the security forces during a search operation at Waithana in Mughal Maidan area today. Three militants, who were killed in an encounter in Niali forests in Sheen Dhara area of Mendhar tehsil in Poonch district yesterday, were today identified as Jabran alias JI, a ‘reception commander’, Abu Umar alias D-2, an ‘area commander’ and Abu Kittal alias R-2. The militants were operating in Poonch district for last more than two years and were involved in a series of subversive activities. Another militant, killed yesterday in an encounter with Army at Deedha, Gool in Ramban police district, has been identified as Abu Kari Sahab, a ‘district commander’ of Al Badr outfit. He was eliminated by the troops of 9 Para. One AK rifle, three magazines, four hand grenades and five UBGL grenades were recovered from him. Khan lays foundation of DSW Office Complex Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 19: Minister of State for Social Welfare, Ghulam Hassan Khan who was on 2-day tour of Poonch district has impressed upon the officers of Social Welfare Department to work with utmost zeal and dedication by acquainting the common masses of their areas with various social welfare schemes to bring socio-economic transformation of the society. The Minister was addressing a large public gathering at Surankot. The Minister distributed Rs. 7.54 lakh as pension to old aged,widows and physically handicapped militancy affected families in the forms of cheques among 143 beneficiaries of Surankote tehsil. At Poonch Mr. Khan provided tailoring kits to the widows and distributed Rs. 1.65 lakhs under National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) to 17 beneficiaries in the form of cheques in a function organized at Bal Ashram Poonch. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister urged upon the destitute and suffering womenfolk to fight for their right to live a dignified and peaceful life. He asked them to come forward and take benefit on the welfare schemes launched by the State and Central Government. Earlier, the Minister also laid a foundation stone of district social welfare office complex Poonch at Bal Ashram Poonch. |
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