 Panun
Kashmir again rejects talks offer with
Hurriyat
SRINAGAR, Nov 7: The Panun Kashmir,
a nodal organisation of Kashmiri Pandits,
today once again rejected the moderate
Hurriyat Conference offer to hold talks
with the displaced community, saying it
was just a "gimmick" to project
a "secular image" and garner
international support.
"The Hurriyat is not
interested in the welfare of the
Pandits... All it wants is international
support. The separatists are trying to
get it by staging a gimmick," Panun
Kashmir convenor Agnishekhar told UNI.
The statement comes a day
after the moderate Hurriyat Conference,
led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, announced
that it will hold the second round of
talks with the displaced Kashmiri Pandits
later this month.
Dr Agnishekhar said the
separatists must first apologise to the
Kashmiri Pandits for the attrocities
committed.
"The separatist are
responsible for the killing and mass
exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits.... They
have not even expressed remorse over the
crimes," he added.
Dr Agnishekhar said the
perpetrators of violence could not be
interested in restoring the composite
fabric of the Kashmiri society.
The Hurriyat Conference was
only interested in projecting a
"secular image" for garnering
international support as it is under
pressure to prove its
"representative" character, he
said.
"These people only want
to project to the world their secular
credentials .... They will try to achieve
it by hook or crook," he added.
The separatist amalgam is
not serious about talks with the Pandits
as they have engaged a few individuals
and not any mass-based organisation of
the displaced community, he said.
The Hurriyat must also
explain its stand vis-a-vis the Pandits
and make its "intentions known"
to all, he said.
The Hurriyat yesterday
announced that it will hold the next
round of talks with the Kashmiri Pandits
in the third week of this month. The
Hurriyat had held the first meeting with
the displaced Kashmiri Pandits here on
July 19 this year.
All the major Pandit
organisations, including the Panun
Kashmir and the Kashmiri Samiti,
boycotted the meeting.
The amalgam will also hold
discussions with a cross-section of
people from Jammu and Ladakh regions.
The meeting will take place
only after the return of the Mirwaiz and
other Hurriyat leaders from
Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), where
they are going to distribute relief
supplies among the quake survivors. (UNI)
PDP
to extend full support to CM in weeding
out
corruption: Baig
Excelsior Special
Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 7: Deputy
Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig
today said that People’s Democratic
Party ( PDP) would extend full support to
Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in
weeding -out corruption.
Addressing a public rally
here after his arrival to a rousing
reception this afternoon, Mr Baig said
that Government for the last three years
has taken important steps in
institutionalized fight against
corruption. The Accountability Commission
has been established and Right to
Information Law enacted. These
institutions, Mr Baig said, will help in
our renewed fight against mal-practices,
corruption an acts of omission and
commission.
The Deputy Chief Minister
said that People’s Democratic Party
(PDP) would forcefully continue to pursue
the agenda for the peaceful resolution of
Kashmir issue, as has been reflected in
the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the
Coalition Government.
Mr Baig said that PDP has a
mandate from the people to work for the
resolution of Kashmir problem and
economic development of the State.
The Deputy Chief Minister
said that the unqualified projection of
the sentiments of the people of the State
by their elected representatives
transformed the atmosphere in the entire
sub-continent and both India and Pakistan
took steps of unprecedented nature to
address the problem. This, he said, has
helped in generating a new hope and made
the situation more conducive to
developmental programmes.
Mr Baig said that it
would be his party’s endeavour to
work for strengthening the Coalition with
its partners and he was looking ahead for
such an alliance going beyond the present
term of the Government. He said that
party patron Mufti Mohd Sayeed has given
clear directions to the rank and file of
PDP to work with sincerity for the
implementation of the CMP of the
Coalition Government.
The Deputy Chief Minister
said that every region would get its due
in the development spending and there
would be no discrimination with any
region or group. He said that Jammu
region would get its due share in PDP
Council of Ministers as the Party is
emerging a strong force in the region.
Party leaders Rangil Singh,
Manjit Singh, Shanti Devi, Ved Mahajan,
Tassaduq Hussain, and MS Tariq also
addressed the rally. Agriculture Minister
Abdul Aziz Zargar, PHE Minister Qazi Mohd
Afzal, Housing Minister Tariq Hamid
Qarrah, former Minister AR Veeri and
Ghulam Hassan Khan and PDP leaders from
Jammu region were also present on the
occasion.
Various
Judicial officers join new posting
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 7: After the major
reshuffle in the Subordinate Judiciary,
the first batch joined their new place of
postings included Subash Chander Gupta
Principal District and Sessions Judge
Jammu, Mr. Jang Bhadur Singh Jamwal
Principal Secretary to the Chief Justice
of J&K High Court, Mr. MK Hunjara,
Registrar Judicial High Court Jammu Wing,
Mr. Vinod Chatterjee Koul Deputy
Registrar Judicial High Court Jammu Wing,
Mr. Mohd Akram Choudhary, Special Mobile
Magistrate (traffic) Jammu, Mr. Sanjay
Dhar Chief Judicial Magistrate Jammu, Mr.
Sanjay Parihar, Special Municipal
Magistrate Jammu and Sandeep Kour 3rd
Additional Munsiff Jammu.
Out of more than 160
transfers these eight Judicial Officers
have joined their present posting.
It is worthwhile to mention
here that recently major reshuffle in the
subordinate judiciary of the State was
ordered. A similar major reshuffle of its
own kind in the subordinate judiciary
take place in the year 1982.
Justice
Khan holds Court at Jammu after 8 years
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 7: Justice BA Khan
after his transfer from Delhi High Court
to J&K High Court, today held Court
at Jammu after eight years as Chief
Justice (Acting).
Justice Khan was accorded
warm welcome at High Court Complex
Janipur by the Staff of High Court.
General Secretary of Staff Welfare
Association Joginder Singh presented
bouquet to Chief Justice and other
members honored himby garlanding him.
The others who were present
included Registrar General M Y Mir,
Principal Secretary to CJ Jang Bhadur
Singh Jamwal, Registrar Judicial M K
Hunjara, Deputy Registrar Judicial Vinod
Chatterjee Koul, Deputy Registrar Adm
Nasib Singh and Deputy Registrar Computer
R K Kachroo. The Judges of the High Court
were also present at the time of welcome
of Chief Justice.
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Petrol
Tank owners’ plea to J&K Govt
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 7: The
J&K Petrol Tank Owners Association, in a
memorandum to the Minister for Transport,
submitted a memorandum highlighting their genuine
demands and grievances.
Association
submitted that it is a registered body to supply
petrol, diesel and kerosene oil in entire State
of Jammu and Kashmir through their tank lorries.
They submitted that oil Company depots of Indian
Oil Corporation Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corporation
Limited, HPCL and Indo-Burma Petroleum etc are
located near Railway Station, Jammu from where
their tank lorries are filled.
They said the Oil
depots open up their depots at 9 am in the
morning and close at 5 pm everyday except Sunday
and Gazetted Holidays. They added that Government
of Jammu and Kashmir has imposed restrictions for
the movement of heavy vehicles from 8 am to 8 pm,
which restriction was going to prove counter
productive as Tank lorries can neither be loaded
nor un-loaded to any destination in Jammu and
Kashmir State, which was bound to cause chaos and
confusion.
Association added
that filling of Tank lorries for petrol, diesel,
kerosene oil, LDF/ATF etc is done during day
light not only in India but the world over. Since
petroleum products are highly inflammable as such
their loading/ un-loading is done during day
light as per Explosive Rules of Government of
India.
The association
has pleaded that tank lorries be kept out of the
purview of the traffic restrictions to enable
Tank Lorries to deliver the essential supplies to
the public at large in the State of Jammu and
Kashmir.
Western
Army Commander visits Yol Cantt
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 7: Western
Army Commander Lt Gen Daljeet Singh today paid a
visit to the Rising Star Corps at Yol Cantt near
Dharmshalla in Himachal Pradesh today.
The new GOC-in-C
Western Command, is the son of the soil and hails
from Jammu. The Army Commander on reaching at the
9 Corps headquarters, was introduced to all the
senior staff officers and then briefed by the
General Officer Commanding Lt Gen P K Rampal
about the operational and administrative aspects
of the formation. He complimented the GOC and his
team for successfully raising the formation
within the specified time and converting Yol
Cantt into a pleasant and eminently habitable
military station within a short span of six
months.
This is the first
visit of the Army Commander to the Kangra Valley
after having assumed the appointment of GOC-in-C,
Western Command.
Gen Daljeet who is
an Armoured Corps Officer of the 1967 batch, has
commanded the elite 8th Light Cavalry, after
which he went on to command an Armoured Brigade
in Jammu sector. Besides commanding a Division in
Ranchi, he has been a Corps Commander in the
North East, before moving to his present
appointment. He has done career courses in both
USA as well as in UK and is considered as an
expert in mechanised warfare as well as low
intensity conflict.
Mir
accorded rousing reception at Jammu
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 7: Former
Housing and Urban Development Minister and senior
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader, who
represents Tangmarg Assembly constituency, Ghulam
Hassan Mir was accorded rousing reception by the
party workers, citizens and representatives of
various trade organisations on his arrival at
Jammu airport today.
This is the first
visit of Mr Mir to the city of temples after the
formation of new government. The PDP leader on
his arrival was garlanded profusely by the party
workers and citizens who had assembled at the
Jammu airport in large number. They were chanting
slogans in the honour of the PDP leader.
Mr Mir was taken
in the shape of a large rally through the city to
his Wazarat Road residence in the cavalcade of
vehicles. Councillors of PDP, Zonal president of
Jammu West and other leaders of the parent body
were also present on the occasion.
In his brief
speech, Mr Mir said that he was overwhelmed by
the love and affection shown by the people. He
extended thanks to the Party workers and others
for according grand reception to him on his
arrival in Jammu.
Coalition
Govt committed to development of J&K: Baig
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 7: Reiterating
the coalition Government’s resolve to make,
the Jammu and Kashmir as the number one state of
the country,Deputy Chief Minister, Muzaffar
Hussain Baig said the Congress, PDP alliance is
committed to the development and progress of
J&K State.
Speaking at an
interactive session with Chamber of Commerce and
Industries here this evening, the Deputy Chief
Minister said the Government has created
conditions for that in the interest of people of
the state and all steps in this regard will be
taken.
Terming the
Industry and trade as backbone of the country, he
said the "Governments may come and go but
only a fool will not like to enjoy the
people’s good will", he said.
Regarding holding
of meeting with the professionals of Chamber, he
said, the Ministry is ready for the same. He said
initially there were problems everywhere in the
world when VAT was implemented but with the
passage of time they have ended.
On the Inspector
Raj, the Minister said it has no justification
and he will examine this issue. He also assured
the representatives of Chamber that the
difference in tax between J&K and Punjab if
any will be got examined .
He said for the
face-lift of Lakhanpur, Rs 24 crore were
sanctioned and foundation stone of the complex
was also laid. But due to certain constraints and
reasons the work was stopped.
Pointing towards
the Chamber demand regarding resuming of trade
with Pakistan, the Minister said that this was in
the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of coalition
Government and the Congress has equal role in it.
The former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed
raised the issue of opening of Sucheet Garh,
Sailkote road with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan
Sing twice.
The Minister
assured the Chamber that when the relations fully
normalize between the two countries and the walls
of hatred will fall, the maximum trade with
Pakistan will be conducted via
Suchetgarh-Sailkote road.
He assured that
for promotion of tourism in Jammu , the
developmental authorities constituted by the
Government will not be the toothless but workable
organs and they will take all necessary measures
in this regard.
Regarding
converting of Mubarak Mandi complex into the
heritage centre, he said the Government will
revitalize it and a Gondola Project will also be
taken up in hand from there to Bahu Fort.
Regarding
development of Jammu City as the base camp for
Mata Vaishno Devi, he said the issue should be
taken up with the Urban Development Ministry and
if the area falls outside the town or City then
the issue be taken up with Revenue Ministry.
The Deputy Chief
Minister also complimented the Jammu traders for
their cooperation, generosity and support saying
that "I have never seen people here have any
personnel vendetta."
Among others who
spoke on the occasion included Minister of Power,
Industry and Commerce, Rigzin Zohra, Minister of
Agriculture Abdul Aziz Zargar, Minister of PHE,
Irrigation and FC, Qazi Mohammed Afzal, Minister
of Housing and Urban Development Abdul Hamid
Qarra and Minister of State PWD (with independent
charge) Gulchain Singh Charak. They all assured
full support to Chamber in redressing the
demands.
Addressing the
function Mr Charak announced that he will not
tolerate the corruption in his Ministry. He said
the new coalition Government will try to fulfill
its all promises and work for the development of
all the three regions of the State in close
coordination of its partners.
Earlier, the
Chamber chief Ram Sahai put forth the various
demands before the Deputy Chief Minister and
sought his intervention in redressing the same.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Om Parkash
senior Vice president Chamber of Commerce and
Industry while the stage was managed by Pawan
Ghulatia, another vice president.
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Valley
commuters suffer 9th day
By Sarwar Kashani
Srinagar,
Nov 7: The
commuters in Valley continued to suffer for the
ninth day today in lieu of the continuous strike
by public transport owners and the plight of
commuters got multiplied with the Minibus Owners
Association calling their service off in
solidarity with Kashmir Motors Drivers
Association (KMDA).
According to
details, the commuters in Valley underwent grave
suffering as the strike by private transporters
continued for the ninth day today and to add to
the miseries the Minibus Owners Association too
called off their service today in solidarity with
KMDA.
Though the
solidarity call by Minibus Owners evoked partial
response, however, it was more than enough to
drive the public towards miseries.
The transporters
are protesting against the state ruling to seize
old vehicles in environmental interest and to
shift the bus stands from Batamaloo and Lal
Chowk. The authorities ordered so after the State
High Court recent directions.
Life continued to
be thrown out of gears in entire Valley with the
strike of public transporters entering ninth day
today and the worst sufferers were the students,
not to talk of Government employees and patients
in different Srinagar hospitals. As the Board and
University examinations are in progress many
students couldn’t make it to their
examination centres in lieu of buses suspended,
threatening their academic career or at least the
academic year.
The students from
the rural areas had either to stay home despite
their exams or create holes in their pockets to
fetch the exorbitant fears charged by Sumo
drivers.
"I was
supposed to reach my examination centre at Safa
Kadal Higher Secondary School in Srinagar all the
way from my hometown in Kunzar Tangmarg. Though I
paid excessive fare after travelling in Sumo but
it still didn’t help me as I reached late to
my destination," Mufti Riyaz of 12th
Standard (Commerce) lamented his plight.
Like Riyaz many
other rural students kept waiting at the bus
stops in their respective villages but to no
avail.
Many of them
demanded that Government, if really serious about
the implementation of the high court ruling,
should come up with adequate arrangements from
State run buses of SRTC.
Though SRTC buses
could be seen running, however, no sufficient
arrangements met the plight of the commuters.
Amid all this
chaos the sumo drivers have started taking undue
benefits and are claiming
‘as-they-demand’ fares from the
commuters, who are left with no option but to
avail expensive services.
Many of the
commuters registering protests against the Sumo
drivers alleged that they were charging them with
fifty percent excessive of the routine fare.
Abdul Rashid Ganie
of Sopat Anantnag alleged that Sumo drivers were
pillaging huge sums from the commuters.
In the meantime,
the anguished commuters today assembled at
Western Bus Depot in Batamaloo and protested
against the strike of KMDA. Police had to
intervene to disperse the protestors.
Kashmir Motor
Drivers Association went on strike since last
Monday and suspended the plying of public buses
on Valley routes.
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DDC
conducts bankers' meeting
Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR,
Nov 7: The
District Development Commissioner, Udhampur,
Ashok Parmar has called upon the district
officers, bankers, Block Development officers and
NGOs to chalk out collective and effective
modalities for achieving optimum results in
sponsoring and sanctioning income generating
units with a particular focus on remote areas
inhabited by a large number of Below Poverty
Line(BPL) population families.
He also directed
the Lead Bank Officer to transfer the accounts of
such beneficiaries to other banks where the
response of a particular bank is poor. He also
laid stress on heads of various Banking
institutions to liberally finance the units under
Swarn Jayanti Gramin Swarrozgar Yojna (SGSY) so
that benefits of economic transformation
percolate to deserving poor sections of the
society.
Mr Parmar was
chairing a Governing body meeting of District
Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Udhampur to give
his approval to Rs.1.20 crore Annual Action Plan
2005-06 of DRDA, Udhampur under SGSY with a
target of establishing 840 units for BPL families
during current fiscal.
The Lead Bank
Officer, Mr. Upadhya assured the meeting that the
cases sponsored would be sanctioned by various
banks during the current fiscal besides clearing
the backlog.
Joint Director
Rural Development Department Jammu Anil Gandotra,
, IAS Probationer, Pandurang, Chief Planning
Officer Udhampur Mr. Rakesh Jamwal, SE PWD,
Bankers, DDM NABARD, Lead Bank Officer and NGOs
attended the meeting.
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