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| Cong achieved spectacular success in J&K Civic polls: Peerzada Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 17: Encouraged by overwhelming response to the party in the just concluded civic bodies elections in the State, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Peerzada Mohammed Sayed today claimed that his party has achieved a "spectacular....more Two
Vaishnodevi Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 17: Two Mata Vaishnodevi pilgrims and a police constable died under suspicious circumstances while as two persons were injured in road accidents.......more Advance
increment Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 17: Vigorous efforts are on to restore 220-kv line Pampore-Kishanpur power transmission line that has been damaged due.....more Relay
hunger strike begins Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 17: The Bar Association Jammu has decided to go in for Jammu bandh in protest against...........more J&K
branch of Institute Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 17: J&K branch of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has been awarded the best branch award alongwith.......more |
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Mufti
for self-sustaining Cultural Academy Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Feb 17: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has called for making the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages a self-sustaining institution even as he suggested ticketing of cultural programmes organised by the Academy to generate resources..................more Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 17: To carry out urgent work at Grid Station, Janipur, the power supply will remain affected on Feb 19 from 8 a. m to 1 p. m.........more Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Feb 17: Fitness of vehicles and proper driving licences are pre-requisite to control road accidents and save precious lives..........more Significant
achievements Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Feb 17: Describing the decision for opening of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road a significant achievement of PDP head coalition Government, the PDD patron and Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed..........more |
Cong achieved spectacular success in Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 17: Encouraged by overwhelming response to the party in the just concluded civic bodies elections in the State, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Peerzada Mohammed Sayed today claimed that his party has achieved a "spectacular success" in this exercise. "As far as Kashmir valley is concerned, Congress has won 35 percent of the total seats", PCC chief claimed while addressing a press conference here today. "Congress’s performance in Jammu was also excellent", he said and appreciated the efforts of the workers and party leaders for this success. He said that it was Congress which has emerged as single largest party in these polls. "We have make inroads in the those areas where Congress was virtually non-existent", he said while pointing towards the excellent performance of party in Charar-e-Sharief, which was considered as bastion of National Conference. The PCC chief, who is also holding charge of the Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in the coalition regime, hailed the decision of India and Pakistani Governments to commence Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service from April 7, 2005. He termed this step as a historical one and appreciated the statemanship of Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and Pakistani President General Parveez Musharraf in this direction. Peerzada Sayed, however, reminded that the then Prime Minister late Mrs Indira Gandhi and the then Pakistani Prime Minister, late Zulifikar Ali Bhutto while signing Shimla Agreement after 1971 war had decided to open this road. He gave all credit to the Congress leadership for this historical decision. "United Progressive Alliance Government under the leadership of Dr Manmohan Singh and guidance of Mrs Sonia Gandhi is committed to restore peace in the sub-continent", he said, adding that the opening of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road was in the manifesto of the Congress Party. The PCC hoped that with the opening of this road, relations between both the countries will further be improved. "Since its formation, the Congress led UPA Government has taken many radical steps for restoring peace in the sub-continent",he said and claimed that it was all due to the sincere efforts of Union Government that there has been a sea-change in the situation. To a question, the Peerzada said that decision of nominating Mayor for Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) will be taken very soon. "A committee has already been formed in this regard", he said. The PCC-I chief made it clear that Minister of State for CAPD and Transport, Raman Bhalla has taken some Independent Corporators to Delhi with his consent. "There is no question of sidelining local leadership", he said and claimed that some more independents have offered support to the Congress. |
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Two
Vaishnodevi pilgrims, cop die under Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 17: Two Mata Vaishnodevi pilgrims and a police constable died under suspicious circumstances while as two persons were injured in road accidents. This apart, three persons allegedly consumed poisonous substances at their respective residences. Police spokesman said that two Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims—Sat Paul, son of Bhala Singh of Delhi and Jai Deep Sharma, son of Dheer Jee Bhai Parma of Gujarat found dead at Sanji Chat under suspicious circumstances. They were spotted by some pilgrims, who immediately informed the police about the incident. The bodies were, later, shifted to hospital. Police has registered a case in this connection and started investigations. A police constable—Parvez Ahmad posted at Degree College Udhampur was found dead in the guard room under suspicious circumstances. Police has initiated inquest proceedings under Section 174 CrPC. Meanwhile, three persons—Ravinder Kour, wife of Palla Singh of Akhnoor, Anita Devi, wife of Balbir Ram of Gho Manhasa and Dolly, wife of Om Parkash of Sarwal allegedly consumed poisonous substances at their respective residences. They were rushed to hospital when spotted unconscious by family members. Doctors immediately provided them stomach wash treatment followed by other medicare. Their condition was stated to be out of danger when reports last came in. It could not be ascertained as to whether they intentionally consumed poison or swallowed the same mistakenly. Two persons—Suresh Parshad, son of Ramdev of Kunjwani and Veena Devi, wife of Raj Kumar of Sanjay Nagar received injuries in separate road accidents. Both have been hospitalised and their condition was stated to be out of danger when reports last came in. |
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Advance
increment to PDD staff for early
JAMMU, Feb 17: Vigorous efforts are on to restore 220-kv line Pampore-Kishanpur power transmission line that has been damaged due to heavy snow and avalanches. Stating this the Minister for Power Mohammad Sharief Niaz has directed the agencies and personnel engaged in restoration job to redouble their efforts in making the line active with in shortest possible time so that the routine power supply to the valley is restored. Appreciating the efforts put in by the PDD Staff for early restoration of 132-kv line which was also hit at Banihal by the snow avalanches, despite hostile weather the Minister said that concerned staff would be given one advance increment in recognition of their stupendous task. The Minister also appreciated the efforts of Doda administration for providing adequate food and shelter to the stranded passengers on National Highway following blockade of road for days together. |
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Relay
hunger strike begins Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 17: The Bar Association Jammu has decided to go in for Jammu bandh in protest against the callous attitude of the State Government towards the demand of the lawyers and started efforts to involve other bodies of the lawyers in the State for intensification of the strike which entered 12th day today. Disclosing this to media-persons, president of Bar Association Jammu Sunil Sethi said "it is unfortunate that Deputy Chief Minister has accepted demand of construction of lawyers chambers as genuine but he has not taken any initiative to fulfill the demand". He said that in the absence of chambers the lawyers cannot perform their duties effectively and pointed out that chambers are already existing in the master plan of the High Court complex. "Six years have passed when place of chambers was identified and inauguration stone laid by the then Chief Justice of India in the presence of the then Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah but neither previous Government nor present regime seems ready to translate promise into reality", Mr Sethi said. The Bar president said that the general house meeting of the lawyers has decided to involve general public and parties for further intensification of strike. "We have even decided to go in for Jammu bandh and other steps which will be announced in phased manner", he added. Before intensification of the strike, he said, the members of the Bar Association would contact other bodies of the lawyers in the State, adding though the agitating lawyers were fully aware of the problems being faced by the litigants yet they (lawyers) cannot function properly in the absence of chambers. Meanwhile, the functioning of the High Court and Subordinate Courts remained paralysed for the 12th consecutive day today with all the lawyers abstaining work as a part of their indefinite strike. The relay hunger strike of the Bar Association Jammu has also begun today. Those who sat on hunger strike included Sunil Sethi, Ramesh Arora, J P Nanda, Rajesh Thappa, Mohinder Paul Singh and Shashi Bhushan Thappa. The Stamp Vendors and Petition Writers Association have also extended support to the indefinite strike of lawyers and demanded construction of sheds for them also. |
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J&K branch of Institute of CAs gets ‘best branch award’ Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 17: J&K branch of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India has been awarded the best branch award alongwith the Chandigarh branch. The award was presented by S.Subramanium, Chairman Company Law Board at a glittering function in FICCI auditorium in New Delhi recently. Rajat Mengi, chairman of the J&K branch alongwith Vikram Garg, secretary of the branch received the award in the presence of the senior members of the CA profession in India, highest officers of the Income Tax department and of the Company Law Board. As the contest was tough and close among the various branches, finally a high powered committee of the Institute decided to confer the award to J&K branch jointly with Chandigarh branch. The efforts of Rajat Mengi and Vikram Garg were appreciated by one and all with warm applause by all the audience. Mr Mengi when contacted expressed that that it was a joint team effort of the executive members of the branch and guidance of senior CAs in profession. Mr Garg was delighted to tell that it was all because of the blessings one and all especially the seniors that the branch could achieve the honour. |
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Mufti for self-sustaining
Cultural Academy
Jammu, Feb 17: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has called for making the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages a self-sustaining institution even as he suggested ticketing of cultural programmes organised by the Academy to generate resources. Addressing the meeting of the Academy’s Central Committee here today, the Chief Minister said the cultural programmes presented by the state’s premier cultural institution are of high quality and liked by the people both within and outside the State. Today’s meeting was attended, among others, by the Financial Commissioner and Principal secretary to Chief Minister, Vijay Bakaya, Principal Secretary, Finance, B. R. Kundal, prominent journalist, Ved Bhasin and Secretary, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Ramesh Mehta. The Chief Minister, who is also the President of the Academy, highlighted its role in promoting the culture of Jammu and Kashmir and said its artistes were the ambassadors of the state’s rich cultural heritage. He instructed the concerned officers of the Academy to draw a schedule of cultural events to be organised by the institution and involve prominent artistes to perform in these. He also issued instructions for early renovation of the Tagore Hall in Srinagar. In the backdrop of the historic decision taken by India and Pakistan yesterday about the opening of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, the Chief Minister asked Mehta to work on an excellent cultural programme as part of the welcome function for the first bus passengers arriving from Muzaffarbad. He also told him to arrange a cultural evening at New Delhi on the occasion of the ensuing Shivratri. The Chief Minister was told that the Kashmiri fraternity in London has requested for a cultural troupe to perform there. He asked for exploring this event in collaboration with the Air India. Meanwhile, the Central Committee of the Academy nominated members for General Council and co-opted four members for the Central Committee. Those nominated for the General Council include Dr. Mohammad Zaman Azurda, Dr. Nirmal Vinod, Ghulam Nabi Gowhar, Prof. Lalit Magotra, Mrs. Renu Azad, Jamyang Gyaltson, Dr. Rafiq Anjum, Rashida Bano, Tarloki Koul, Mrs. Hawa Bahir Khan, Ustad Ghulam Mohammad Saaznawaz, Narayan Datt, Rashid Haafiz, Pradyuman Singh Jindrahia, Marup Namgyal, Deepak Kumar, Prof Mohammad Shafi Lone, Dr. Majrooh Rashid, Prof. Veena Gupta, Dr. Shashi Pathania, Prof Nazir Ahmad Malik, Dr. Nusrat Ara Chowdhary, Prof. Zohra Afzal, Prof. Raj Kumar, Prof. S. D. Wadan, B. S. Bali, Shuja Sultan. From the special constituency, Pran Kishore and Shiv Kumar Sharma were also nominated for the General Council while the four members co-opted for the Central Committee include Prof. Lalit Magotra, Prof. Rehman Rahi, Mrs. Renu Azad and Mrs. Hawa Bashir Khan. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 17: To carry out urgent work at Grid Station, Janipur, the power supply will remain affected on Feb 19 from 8 a. m to 1 p. m. According to Superintending Engineer Electric Maintenance & RE Circle-I Jammu areas would remain affected Janipur, Muthi, Bhalwal, Mishriwala, Domana, Purkhoo, Nagrota, Subash Nagar, Bantalab, Part of High Court Complex, New Plot Rehari, Roop Nagar, PHE Muthi, Marh, Gajansoo, Press Daily Excelsior, Door Darshan, MES Muthi, Vikas Nagar, Paloura, Thather, Bhalwal Jail and Radio Station Bantalab etc. The power supply would also remain affected on the same day in the areas of Civil Sectt., PHE Parade, Telephone Exchange, Dogra Hall, Rasham Ghar Colony, Bus Stand, Rehari, Raghunath Pura, Kalith Mohalla, Kanak Mandi, Malhotra Gali, Mohalla Parharian, Shallamar Road and BC road between 8 a. m to 5 p. m. The shut down shall be subject to fair weather conditions. |
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Fitness of vehicles,
driving licences must to control accidents Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Feb 17: Fitness of vehicles and proper driving licences are pre-requisite to control road accidents and save precious lives. This was stated by Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Mangat Ram Sharma while addressing an impressive function at the inauguration of new complex for Regional Transport Office at Kathua today. He said the menace of overloading and use of music systems in vehicles is another cause of accidents and discomfort to commuters. This, he said should be curbed with heavy hand to make the journeys safe and noise free and comfortable. Highlighting the importance of RTOs complex at Kathua, , Mr. Sharma said that the cases for registration, permit and licences issuance and checking etc are presently being referred to Jammu for final sanction causing inconvenience to owners and over work load in provincial offices, coming up of new complex at Kathua would remove all the difficulties on this count. The Dy. Chief Minister impressed upon of the organisation to eradicate the menace of corruption and bring transparency in the functioning of all its units. This would also help to give considerable flip to revenue collection and reputation of the organization. Corrupt elements would not be tolerated at any cost and time has come that we collectively fight to eradicate this menace from all walks of life. When his attention was drawn towards congestion of traffic at Lakhanpur, he said that Excise and Salex Tax counters shall work round the clock to remove this problem. Similar complex with all such facilities is under construction for ARTO at Udhampur which is expected to be functional soon, the Deputy Chief Minister said. . Earlier, a group of students of National Academy, a local school presented a cultural programme on the occasion. Managing Director, Police Housing Colony, A.. C. Chaturvedi, Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Nargotra, Transport Commissioner, Rajan Bakshi, Joint Commissioner, Transport, Hemant Kumar, RTO, Jammu province, Gurdharshan Singh, RTO, Kathua, Harcharan Singh and senior officers of traffic, excise and police attended the function. |
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Significant achievements made during 27 months: Mufti Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Feb 17: Describing the decision for opening of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road a significant achievement of PDP head coalition Government, the PDD patron and Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said that last 27 months have been very eventful in the history of the state as the period witnessed the transition from turmoil to peace, stability, prevailing sense of security and legitimacy and among the people who have suffered a lot. Addressing party works rally organized as a part of jubilation for the dream emerging into reality, Mufti Sayeed appreciated the role of the people in general including those who laid their precious lives and said that the turn around in the situation could not have been possible without the active support of the people in general and the party workers in particular made their desire for peace, development and above all re-opening of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road heard very loudly. Referring to the just concluded civic polls in the state, the PDP patron said the large turnout in the local body elections transform the people’s faith in the democratic process which he said would go a long way to re-establish leading role to a face atmosphere where people feel a greater sense of security and their responsibility in building sound society. The Chief Minister said all out efforts would be made to held panchayat elections adding that once this process is completed in concept of local self governance would successfully take off in urban and rural areas. Mufti Sayeed asked the party workers to work hard for achieving the goal of the party to which it is committed. He said, the aspirations of the people are high from the party and we need to adopt responsive attitude to it. Among others present on the occasion including Minister of State Manjit Singh, Rajya Sabha Member, T. S. Bajawa, Legislator, Daman Basin, party leader, Raman Mottan and other senior functionaries of the party. |
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Kashmir cultural
festival takes off at Ahmedabad Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 17 : As a result of concerted efforts of the coalition Government and general scenario becoming quite conducive for tourism revival, the people of Jammu and Kashmir expect better days to come for picking up state’s economy as the tendency among the nature lovers, holiday makers, pilgrim tourists and winter sports lovers is gaining momentum across the country to attract good number of domestic tourists for visiting Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Destinations, this year. Stating this at the inaugural function of 3-day Kashmir Cultural Festival (KCF) at Ahmedabad in Gujarat this morning, Minister for Tourism and Urban Development, Ghulam Hassan Mir lauded the role of tour and travel operators operating in the country especially Gujarat and Maharashtra adding that the maximum number of domestic tourists among 8 lakhs who visited Jammu and Kashmir last year was from the Gujarat and Maharashtra based Gujaraties. Amidst cheers, Mr. Mir offered free training courses in Gulmarg for Gujarati winter sports lovers during next two years and said that the State Government will be pleased to host good number of domestic tourists visiting Jammu and Kashmir tourist destinations during this year, adding that tour and travel operators have indicated about tremendous response from Gujarat, Maharashtra and other western states about the desire expressed by domestic tourists to visit the state this year. The KCF has been organized by J&K Tourism department in collaboration Sara Bai Trust, Dharpana Academy, Academy of Art, Culture and Languages J&K. Among others present on the inaugural function include Director General J&K Tourism, Saleem Baig and senior functionaries of Tourism and other concern departments. Later, the Minister and the dignitaries on the occasion including Gujarat Tourism Minister, Anil Patel and jam packed audience witnessed the cultural bonanza presented by the artistes of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. |
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Road
opening harbinger of peace: CM Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Feb 17: Hoping the opening of road would be a harbinger of peace and prosperity for the people of the state, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today hailed the statesmanship exhibited by the Indo-Pak leadership for agreeing to the opening of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road this spring. He described the decision as a bold one in the last six decades and said it would give a greater impetus to the peace process in the state. The Chief Minister while addressing the golden jubilee celebrations of Government M A M P G College, Jammu here this afternoon said his government stood for all round development of the state and in terms of resource allocations aspirations of every region of the state were duly taken care of. He praised the people of Jammu for the resilience and tolerance they showed all these years despite provocative situations from various quarters. Referring to the educational scenario, the Chief Minister said that education in the state suffered heavily due to the turmoil and the present government accorded top priority to the rebuilding of educational infrastructure and diversification of curriculum at various levels of study besides reviving the academic calendar. He said under the Prime Minister’s reconstruction package 15 new colleges are being opened in the state which he said would fulfill the long pending demand of these distant areas. He said it has been the endeavour of his government to diversify the course-curriculum to make it job-oriented and market demanding. Minister for Education Harsh Dev Singh and a galaxy of academicians, educationists and alumni of the college were also present on the occasion. Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Multi Media Lab of the Physics department of the college. He also released the college publications Trikuta Golden Jubilee Special, Trikuta News Views, Trikuta NAAC Newletter and Science Bulletin. The college Principal Ms. Indira S Rathore presented the college annual report. She said the college has received permission to start six add-on courses from the ensuing academic session for which a seed money of Rs. 12 lakhs has already been provided by the UGC. |
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EP Department ventures into
commercial Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 17 :Some prestigious commercial complexes are presently being raised on the Evacuee land in the State, which are of remunerative value and are also expected to create employment opportunities besides housing facilities in a big way. This was stated by Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen while addressing a review meeting of custodian department here today. The Minister said some of the important projects under Custodian include a mega shopping complex at Hyderpora at a cost of Rs. 3.36crore with 72 shops in Ground floor and office cum Commercial space on Ist and 2nd floors, a marriage cum Community activity centre at Sanant Nagar Srinagar at a cost of Rs. 1.34 crore with all modern facilities and a Rs. O.23 crore Commercial cum residential complex at Baba Jeewan Shah Jammu. In addition, construction of residential Flats at Rawalpora, Sanat Nagar, Batmaloo, Bhagat-e-Barzulla, Wazarat Road Jammu, Samba B.C Road Jammu Canal road Jammu and Talab Tiloo Jammu at a commulative cost of Rs. 11.65 crore are also coming up. The Minister said that most of these projects are expected to be completed by June this year. He said that the residential flats being constructed would be handed over to the estates department on rent basis, which would generate a huge income to the Evacuee Department. The income generated by renting out the residential flats and commercial complexes would be invested for taking more such projects in hand on the available Evacuee land besides meeting out the financial requirements of the Evacuee Department. The meeting was informed that all the ongoing projects have been taken up without any Government aid and even some of them on self finance basis. Mr.Yaseen asked the authorities of E.P. department to encourage the self financing of the Commercial Complexes and prepare more projects keeping in view the economic viability of the projects. He also called for collecting the rent arrears from the tenants occupying the E.P.land and houses utilized for commercial and residential purposes, and also to renovate such property. |
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Niaz visits GMC, enquires about welfare of injured Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Feb 17: Minister for Power, Mohammad Sharief Niaz today visited the GMC hospital Jammu and enquired the welfare of injured persons admitted there for treatment after being airlifted from Kishtwar where a grenade attack occurred yesterday. The Minister went round the different wards of the hospital where the injured are being given medical treatment. He interacted with almost every injured patient and acquitted himself with the facilities being provide by the hospital. The patients are being given specialized medical treatment for early recovery, the Minister was informed. He appreciated the role doctors as well as para medical staff for attending there patients with proper attention and providing special treatment. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 17: Peerzada Mohd Sayeed, president Pradesh Congress Committee has appointed district wise observers for smooth conduct of Mayor/ Chairman for Municipal Corporation/ Council/committees falling in the districts. Ex-MP Janak Raj Gupta and S Amolak Singh, secretary PCC have been appointed observers for Kathua district, Ch Mohd Aslam and Ravinder Sharma, senior vice president and spokesman respectively will be observers for Jammu Urban while Yashpaul Khajuria vice president and Mrs Kanta Bhan general secretary PCC will be observers for Jammu rural. Ex-PCC president Mohd Ayub Khan and PCC general secretary Vinod Sharma are observers for Udhampur district, Th Hari Singh and Ashok Sharma, both PCC general secretaries are observers for Doda district and R S Chib, vice president and Vinod Mishra general secretary of PCC have been nominated observers for Poonch district. Senior vice president of PCC Dharam Pal Sharma and PCC general secretary Rattan Chand are observers for Rajouri district while for district Anantnag the observers are Ali Mohd Bhat vice president and Peer Nazir Ahmed, secretary of PCC. PCC general secretary Ali Mohd Dar and DCC Baramulla president G N Monga are observers for Pulwama district while Mohd Amin Bhat, president J&K Pradesh Youth Congress and working president of DCC Budgam are observers for Srinagar Urban. Ghulam Nabi Mir and Mrs Amreen Badder, general secretary PCC are observer for Srinagar Rural and Ali Mohd Sofi, MLC, DCC president Srinagar and one another have been made observer for Budgam district. |
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Migrant teachers’ delegation meets Hakim Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 17: A delegation of Migrant Teachers Welfare Association led by its president A K Sadhu called on Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister, Hakim Mohammed Yasin here, today and discussed the various problems of the displaced teachers with him. The delegation, while expressing concern over the denial of HRA, CCA and promotion benefits to the displaced teachers, sought his intervention in solving the problem. The condition of camp schools was also discussed with the Minister. The delegation while presenting their case before the Minister informed him that the other State Government employees were paid the HRA and CCA and denial of same to migrant employees was an injustice and discrimination with them. They also informed the Minister that the matter was also taken up with the Central Inter Ministerial team that visited the Jammu recently. The Minister assured the delegation that the demand will be considered soon by the Government. |
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BJP accuses UPA Govt of dancing to US, Pak tunes Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 17: State BJP president Dr Nirmal Singh accused the UPA Government at the Centre for dancing to the tunes of United States and helping Pakistani cause in Jammu and Kashmir by taking a decision to allow the Pakistanis to visit J&K State with a simple entry permit. He said this decision of the Central Government shows that votaries of porous borders in India and outside have succeeded in their game plan. He said agreement between India and Pakistan on the issue, if implemented, would enable Pakistan to transport to this part of the State any number of infiltrators and subversives, thus damaging the Indian sovereign interests in Jammu and Kashmir. He said there were reasons to believe that the militant-friendly coalition Government in the State would exploit the new development, including prescribed procedure of verification of credentials of the would be visitors to the hilt and allow free movement of Pakistani subversives in the State. The BJP president asked who would differentiate between genuine visitors from PoK and Islamabad-sponsored terrorists? he said he has also the reasons to believe that Pakistan, United States and State’s ruling coalition are working in tandem to hard the Indian interests and that the Union Government should review the whole situation arising out of the highly dangerous decision and take necessary step to not only defend but also promote Indian sovereignty over Jammu and Kashmir. PNB organises seminar on customer services Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 17: Punjab National Bank organised a seminar on the topic "Customer service, complaints and Know your Customer" in which P S Bedi, Assistant General Manager was the chief guest and C R Khajuria, SRM, J&K Region, presided over. Speaking on the occasion Mr P S Bedi said that the Bank has always laid emphasis on providing qualitative services to its customers since its inception and the fact can be enumerated from the figures of growth that the bank has been able to achieve over the years. He added that it has been the endeavour of the bank to make possible all efforts to make customers feel easy while having its dealings with the Bank and in future also the bank shall be fulfilling its commitments towards the customers. Earlier Mr C R Khajuria while welcoming the participants said that the bank has adapted itself to the changing scenario and in the process made it possible to deliver its best to the esteemed customers by upgrading itself to the latest technological advancements. P N Wali, Chief Manager, presented vote of thanks. 58th SFC Board of
Directors meeting Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Feb 17: The employees of State Forest Corporation (SFC) would get 19 instalments of cost of living allowance (COLA) from Ist January this year, where as, the pending instalments and outstanding arrears on account of COLA would be released in next financial year. In addition, 2 instalment of bonus would also be given to the employees for the year 1998-2000 @ 8.33 per cent. This was announced at 58th Board of Directors Meeting of SFC chaired by Minister for Forests and Environment, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Sofi here today. In an another significant decision the Board decides to modify the earlier rules under which any contractor was illegible to take of extraction work from SFC irrespective of his residence or area of past working, now the contracts live out side the local jurisdiction cannot get contract for smaller works. The new rules have set different categories of works falling in a forest range, forest division, forest circle or at state level, defining quantum of works according to the eligibility of contractor. It was decided that the work for extracting 20,000 cft. would be set for a forest range, from 20001 to 50000 cft. for a forest division, from 50001 to one lakh cft. for a forest circle and above one lakh cft. within a region. The other decisions taken by the Board includes to appointment of a nodal officer for perusing the case in the Apex court in the light of the recommendations of qualitative and quantitative committee, to establish the service stations in Srinagar and Jammu, repatriation of all GLU employees alongwith post to forest department and regularization of the 11 daily wagers. To improve the overall working , the corporation has adopted various measures which include allotment of works strictly on tender basis, maintaining inventory of SFC stocks, appropriate classification of timbers in TDS in the valley, quick lifting of stocks from forest and transit depots, constitution of auction committee and total ban of lifting of rotten timber from the forest sales depot as these stocks shall now be converted into fire wood. Govt to safeguard interests of walnut growers Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Feb 17 : Government would explore all possible measures to safeguard interests of small and marginal walnut growers and traders in the wake of Value Added Tax (VAT) regime coming into force from April this year. An interactive meeting of the representatives of various walnut growers and traders would be organized shortly with the State Finance Minister to address the apprehensions of the walnut growers of the state in this regard. This was stated by the Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Abdul Aziz Zargar while presiding a meeting convened here today to take stock of the implication of VAT regime on walnut trade. The President Dry Fruit Traders Association, Jammu, Krishan Lal Anand, President Fruit Associations Kupwara, Haji Bhadur Khan, president Dry Fruit Association, Anantnag, Mohammad Sadiq Kannu, General Secretary Fruit Association, Jammu, Ravinder Malhotra, representatives of fruit associations of Srinagar and Shopian, Director Horticulture Jammu, M.S. Qasba, and senior officer of the J&K Horticulture Planning and Marketing Department attended the meeting. It was informed in the meeting that with the enforcement of VAT all commodities traded within the state shall be taxed as per VAT. The fruit growers while lauding efforts of the Government for promotion of fruit Industry in the state demand exemption of VAT on walnuts as was done by exempting toll tax on fresh fruits, a landmark decision of the present Government. Exemption of toll tax has given a yearly benefit of about Rs 50 crore to fresh fruit growers whereas exemption of VAT on walnuts would involve only Rs 2 crore annually, the growers pleaded. During deliberations, the fruit growers made a strong plea for exemption of tax on walnut and walnut kernel under VAT as it would make the product costlier and the burden of taxation will ultimately fall on the small farmers, thereby reducing their income. It was unanimously felt in the meeting that taxation of walnuts and its karnel under VAT regime may not bring any substantial revenue to the State but will only reduce the income of the growers and shall have negative impact on walnut production, which is produced mainly in J&K all over the India. The Minister after threadbare discussion, assured the fruit growers that the Finance Department would be approached to review implication of VAT regime on walnut trade. Recruitment system for
J&K administrative
JAMMU, Feb 17: In a significant decision to streamline the recruitment system to various departmental services which are feeding services to Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service, the Government has decided that vacancies shall be referred only once in a calendar year upto January 15th. It has also been decided that for the Combined Service Competitive Examination 2005, the upper age limit for the open category candidates shall be 35 years and for the reserved category and in-service candidates, it shall be 40 years. Notification to this effect were issued by the Government. Government have already referred 131 vacancies available in different services, to the J&K Public Service Commission for direct recruitment through the Combined Competitive Examination. JKRF wants first tickets
in bus Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, Feb 17: Formidable militant organisation Hizbul Mujahideen and a separatist political outfit, Peoples League (Yusuf Mir faction), have dismissed Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service as an eyewash and an attempt to fail the armed struggle in Jammu and Kashmir. In a statement, faxed from Muzaffarabad, Hizbul Mujahideen’s "Supreme Commander" Syed Salahuddin has dismissed the joint India-Pakistan declaration as an act in futility. The Hizb supremo has asserted that the bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad would in no way alter the position of the militants or Kashmiri people vis-a-vis complete freedom from India. According to him, the announcement would even fail to mislead the world opinion on Kashmir. Salahuddin has asked New Delhi and Islamabad to recognise the Kashmiri peoples’ right of self-determination. Chairman of a faction of the Peoples League, Mohammad Yusuf Mir, has said in a statement that the thousands of sacrifices could not be bartered for the bus diplomacy. Mir has called for a total shutdown in the Valley on April 7th when the bus service would be launched between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad. He has asked the separatist activists to unite and register themselves for the anti-bus demonstration at the PL office in Srinagar from today. Mir has told the members of the divided families that they were better placed than those families whose members lay buried in hundreds of the martyrs graveyards in Kashmir. He has asked them to avoid "filling colours in an Indian vacuum". Muslim League General Secretary Hakim Abdur Rasheed has also rejected the announcement of the bus service. He has expressed apprehension that India would grant permission of travel only to its favourites in the valley. "If New Delhi is really sincere in the process, it must make it mandatory for all non-J&K residents to enter the state with a permit", Hakim said in a statement. Meanwhile, Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Realistic Front (JKRF), Hilal Ahmed War, announced at a news conference here today that he and others of his organisation would approach the authorities for getting tickets for the first bus between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad. He claimed that it was he who first demanded launching of this bus service in 1996. War warned that in case the authorities did not acquiesce to his request, members of his organisation would break the law and cross the LoC on foot on April 7th. Hilal Ahmed War complained that the vested interests were desperately trying to fail the first Kashmir-centric CBM between New Delhi and Islamabad. Without mentioning any name, War lamented that the turmoil in Kashmir had become a goldmine for so-called leaders who, according to him, had been getting huge money from the Indian, American and Israeli intelligence agencies. |
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