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Omar
inaugurates
Children’s Park
Glowing
tributes paid to Sheikh
Abdullah
Excelsior
Correspondent
SRINAGAR,
Dec 5:
Glowing tributes were
paid to former Chief
Minister and founder of
National Conference,
Sheikh Mohd Abdullah on
his 101st birth
anniversary today.
In this
connection, number of
functions were held
across the State, wherein
contributions of Sheikh
Abdullah for the
upliftment of the masses,
besides his slogan of
Hindu-Muslim-Sikh unity
were highlighted.
The main
function was held at
Sheikh Abdullah’s
tomb at Naseem Bagh,
Hazratbal on the banks of
Dal Lake here, where
recitation of Holy Quran
was performed and
‘fateh’ offered
to the departed soul.
Large number
of people, including
National Conference
patron, Dr Farooq
Abdullah, his son and
NC’s president Omar
Abdullah, Party general
secretary Sheikh Nazir
Ahmad and leader of
opposition in the State
Assembly, Abdul Rahim
Rather attended the
" fateh khawni"
of Sheikh Abdullah and
laid wreaths at his
grave.
Provincial
National Conference
president, Dr Mehboob
Beg, Deputy Speaker Akbar
Lone, Legislators—
Ali Mohd Sagar, Dr
Mustafa Kamal, Mubarak
Gull, Mir Saifullah,
Sakeena Ittoo, Kaiser
Kamsheed and Javed Rana,
Mayor Srinagar Municipal
Corporation and its
corporators, Mohd Shaffi
Pandit and former Chief
Secretary Sheikh Ghulam
Rasool also attended the
well attended function.
On this
occasion, speakers paid
rich tributes and lauded
the role of Sheikh
Abdullah in freeing the
people from autocratic
rule. They said that
Sheikh Abdullah
relentlessly fought for
strengthening the secular
and social fabric of
multi-lingual and
multi-cultureal. He took
revolutionary steps for
steering the people of
the State out of poverty
and backwardness towards
political and social
emancipation.
On the
occasion, Department of
Information and Public
relations organized a
photo-exhibition and
screened a documentary on
the life and achievements
of Late Abdullah.
Meanwhile,
Member Parliament and NC
President, Omar Abdullah
inaugurated
Children’s Park at
Hazuri Bagh. The Park,
developed on modern lines
has all amusements
available for the
children. It was named as
Sheikh Abdullah Park.
Deputy Commissioner
Srinagar, Ajaz Iqbal and
senior officers were
present on the occasion.
A function
was also organized at
Shere-Kashmir Institute
of Medical Sciences,
Soura, where tributes
were paid to the son of
the soil.
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Phunsog
visits Industrial & Handicrafts
Exhibition
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu, Dec 5: Chief Secretary C.
Phunsog visited 30th Industrial and
Handicrafts Exhibition at Exhibition
Ground, Jammu Haat today.
During his
visit, the Chief Secretary inspected
different stalls including animal and
sheep husbandry, sericulture,
agriculture, forests, horticulture,
handicrafts, handlooms, industries and
commerce along with a team of officers
from district Industries Centre Jammu.
While
interacting with the staff of these
departments, Mr. Phunsog said that the
aim of organizing such exhibitions is to
facilitate the unit holders, artisans and
traders to display their products and
provide marketing facilities to them. He
asked the organizers of the exhibition to
have proper liaison and coordination with
other departments for better amenities to
visitors especially drinking water and
mobile toilets.
Those who
accompanied the Chief Secretary included
General Manager District Industries
Centre Jammu R. C. Sharma, Project
Manager Rakesh Gupta, Managers Rahul
Sharma and K. D. Sharma.
Governor
lays foundation of 700-bedded
Vaishno Devi Medical Institute
Excelsior
Correspondent
KATRA, Dec 5: Amid chanting of
Vedic Mantras, Governor Lt. Gen (Retd) S
K Sinha laid the foundation stone of
multi-disciplined state-of-art, 700
bedded- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute
of Medical Excellence at Kakrial near the
holy township of Katra this morning.
First of
its kind in Northern India, the Institute
is another flagship of Shri Mata Vaishno
Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), first being
the technical university.
The
Governor, who is also the Chairperson of
SMVDSB, announced that the Institute will
be gradually upgraded into a medical
college in the third phase and will be
affiliated to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi
University.
General
Sinha said that the hospital will cost Rs
250 crore without funding from the
government or any other institution.
‘However, we will welcome
donations’, he said.
The
General set a target of 15 to 18 months
for completing the first phase of the
mega project at a projected cost of Rs 42
crore. He hoped that the first phase of
the Institute would be ready in 15
months.
Dwelling
on broad contours of the Institute,
General Sinha said that initially a
cancer hospital of 200 beds with
facilities for comprehensive
multispeciality care, with special
emphasis on Preventive Oncology and
Hospice care will be built. This facility
will be developed into a high tech
Institute of Medical Excellence of 700
beds and 10 lakh square feet of area in
due course of time offering all other
superspeciality care. Besides the most
modern allopathic treatment being
offered, he added that the hospital will
make efforts to educate the general
public in the catchment area about the
causation of cancer and general health
awareness.
In the
third and final phase of the project,
Medical Education and Research Wing would
be set up which will remain affliated to
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University.
The
Governor said that the upcoming Institute
of Medical Excellence will be a blend of
science, compassion and faith.
‘Endeavours would be made to make
the life of terminally ill more
comfortable’, he added.
On
infrastructural front, General Sinha said
the landscaping of the entire campus
would be taken up simultenously for which
the services of a Dubai based reputed
landscaping consultany is being
requisitioned.
To a
question, he said that some beds in the
institute would be on payment basis while
most of them will be free for the needy
patients.
The
Institute would cater to the needs of the
State of Jammu & Kashmir and
adjoining regions and will provide
services at par with global standards. In
the 2nd phase, various specialties like
Trauma Centre, Gynecology, Internal
medicine, Ophthalmology and ENT shall be
set up. Of the total bed strength, 134
beds would be for regular cancer
patients, 20 beds for non cancer patients
and 30 beds for ambulatory care. The
Institute will have a Community Outreach
Block, which would work for preventive
oncology.
After the
Bhoomi Poojan, a conceptual presentation
was given by the architects, who have
designed the dream project. The
Architects and project consultants
elaborately replied the questions by
media persons and said that due care is
being taken to the environmental aspects
of the area. The project has been
designed in such a way that the track to
the holy Bhavan will be in sight from any
point within the complex. It has been
estimated that with increasing number of
cancer patients in the State and
surrounding states, the facilities
available at present are enough as to
treat less than 15 per cent patients.
To meet
the post treatment requirements of the
patients and lodging of attendants, a
mega motel will also be constructed which
will have 140 rooms in the first phase.
Adequate residential arrangements are
being made for the senior and junior
doctors besides other staff of the
Institute.
Shrine
Board CEO Dr Arun Kumar, Additional CEO
Puneet Kumar and Health Advisor Dr Vijay
Gupta were among those present in the
foundation laying ceremony.
One
killed, 9 injured in road accidents
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 5: One person was
killed and nine others received injuries
in separate road accidents while as an
unidentified body was recovered from
Railway Station Bus Stand.
Police
spokesman said that a woman was killed
and two others received injuries when a
Maruti car, they were travelling in, met
with an accident at Dhiarn.
All were
rushed to Government Medical College
Hospital where one of them was pronounced
as brought dead. The condition of injured
was stated to be critical when the
reports last came in.
The
deceased has been identified as Chander
Kanta, wife of Krishan Sharma of Akhnoor.
The injured are Kaka, son of Krishan
Sharma and Krishna, wife of Dhani Ram.
Meanwhile,
seven persons were injured in separate
road accidents. All were rushed to
hospital and their condition was stated
to be out of danger.
They have
been identified as Babli Devi, wife of
Bishan Lal of Vikas Nagar, Sham Rani,
wife of Rakesh Kumar of Mendhar, Mohd
Shafi, son of Ghulam Ahmad of Doda, Poli
Devi, wife of Rattan Lal of Sarora,
Rajinder Singh, son of Surinder Singh of
Raghunath Bazar, Bobby, son of Ram Singh
of R S Pura and Risha Gupta, wife of
Niraj Gupta of Sarwal.
The
spokesman said that an unidentified body
of a youth was recovered from Railway
Station Bus Stand under mysterious
circumstances.
The body
was spotted by GRP personnel, who shifted
it to mortuary of the GMC Hospital for
identification.
Police has
initiated inquest proceedings in this
regard.
Director
Health Services given temporary
charge of GMC Medical Supdt
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu, Dec. 5: Division Bench of
the State High Court Jammu wing
comprising Justice Nirmal Singh and
Justice Hakim Imtiyaz Hussain today
decided the controversy over the posting
of Medical Superintendent in Government
Medical College Jammu and ordered the
adhoc arrangement of posting of Dr. Vinod
Gupta, shall be deemed to have come an
end with immediate effect and the charge
of the post shall temporarily be given to
the Director Health Services Jammu till a
permanent arrangement is made.
This
significant judgment has been passed by
the Division Bench in LPA filed by Dr.
Manoj Kumar Chalotra versus Dr. Vinod
Gupta and others against the judgment of
single judge passed on June 6, 2005.
Dr. Vinod
Gupta was posted as Medical
Superintendent in GMC Hospital Jammu Vide
Govt order November 14, 2003 in his own
pay and grade. The said respondent was
working as Medical Superintendent in
various hospitals on stop-gap basis since
1995. As he did not possess the basic
qualification to hold the post vide Govt
order August 2, 2004, he was transferred
from GMC hospital Jammu and posted as
Medical Superintendent Govt Hospital
Sarwal Jammu. In his place Dr. Manoj
Kumar Chalotra, Deputy Medical
Superintendent Chopra Nursing Home (GMC
Hospital) was posted as Incharge Medical
Superintendent GMC Jammu in his own pay
and grade.
Dr. Vinod
Gupta aggrieved by the Govt order, filed
petition challenging the order of
transfer on the ground that Dr. Chalotra
did not possess the qualification to hold
the post of Medical Superintendent.
The Single
Bench found that the appellant was not
eligible to hold the post.
While
quashing the Govt order August 2, 2004,
the Court directed the official
respondents to allow Dr. Vinod Gupta to
join back on the post of Incharge Medical
Superintendent GMC Hospital forthwith.
Aggrieved of the judgment and order of
the single judge, the appellant filed
this petition.
In this
significant judgment written by Justice
Hakim Imtiyaz Hussain for the Division
Bench, it was further observed that from
the record as well as from the
submissions made, DB find that no steps
have so far been taken by the State Govt
for filling up the post. The DB further
said that due to the inaction on the part
of Govt, Dr Vinod Gupta who is admittedly
ineligible to hold the post of Medical
Superintendent in utter disregard to the
rules. The Single Judge had given four
months time to the Govt to fill up the
post. The Court further directed that in
case the directions are not complied with
within four months, the adhoc/temporary
arrangement made shall come to an end
after expiry of four months.
These
directions were not challenged by the
State nor have they expressed any cause
for their non-implementation as such the
Govt cannot be allowed to take benefits
their own inaction.
The DB
took serious note of the inaction of the
state regarding the directions issued by
the Court and observed that admittedly
the post of Medical Superintendent and
Deputy Medical Superintendents have been
filled up on stop-gap basis and no effort
has so far been made by the State to fill
up the posts on regular basis.
Surprisingly, the posts have been offered
to persons who otherwise do not possess
the eligibility to hold the posts. Both
Dr. Manoj Kumar Chalotra and Dr. Vinod
Gupta who are ineligible to hold the post
of Medical Superintendent but by
resorting to adhocism it has become
possible for these persons to enjoy the
usufruct of the post and further referred
the observations of the Single Judge.
The DB
justified the Single Judge directions by
asking the Govt to fill up the posts of
Medical Superintendents on regular basis
in accordance with the rules. Not only
that the State has not taken any steps
for the filling up the posts as per the
directions of the Single Judge and the
recruitment rules. The DB finds that
State has even ignored the directions of
the Supreme Court in Suraj Parkash and
others.
The court
felt that a situation has arisen where
coercive steps are required to be taken
to force the state to respond to the
directions of the writ Court and follow
the provisions of the rules.
Accordingly
in the circumstances, DB in the first
instance passed directions in the matter
that since the State has not complied
with the directions of the writ Court
within the period of four months as fixed
by the writ Court, the adhoc arrangement
of posting Dr. Vinod Gupta on the post of
Medical Superintendent GMC Jammu shall be
deemed to have come to an end with
immediate effect. The charge of the
office shall temporarily be given to
Director Health Services Jammu till a
permanent arrangement is made. The state
shall takes steps to fill-up the posts on
regular basis on priority basis and shall
refer the case to the PSC to seek its
recommendation of a person to be posted
as Medical Superintendent under rules.
The DB
further observed that in view of the
urgency of the matter the Court expects
that on receiving the reference from the
State Govt, the PSC shall initiate and
complete the process expeditiously and as
far as practicable send its
recommendation within one month from the
date it initiates the process. DB found
that the PSC is also a necessary party in
the case directed arraying PSC as
respondent and directed it to file its
response to the stand taken by the State
in the affidavit filed by the Principal
Secretary regarding filling up the posts
of Deputy Medical Superintendents so that
necessary orders are passed in this
behalf with the direction to the Registry
to list after four weeks.
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Blind
murder of labourer worked out, 3 arrested
Excelsior
Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Dec 5: Police today
worked out blind murder of a labourer in
Ramnagar tehsil and arrested three
accused.
Senior
Superintendent of Police (SSP) Udhampur
Prithvi Raj Manhas said that on November
15 a labourer Manzoor Hussain, son of
Hasna of village Farole under the
jurisdiction of Ramnagar Police Station
left his house for some work.
But he
didn’t turn up for two days and
later his body was recovered from a
nullah under mysterious circumstances.
Subsequently, police started
investigations under 174 CrPC.
During the
course of investigation, police came to
know that the deceased had some old
enemity with some inhabitants of the same
village. On this, three persons were
taken into custody by SHO Sub-Inspector
Bharat Sharma under the direct
supervision of SDPO Ramnagar Romesh
Kotwal and were put to sustained
questioning during which they confessed
to have committed the murder of Manzoor
Hussain.
They have
been identified as Jan Mohd, Mohd Hanief
and Farman Ali of village Farole.
A murder
case has been registered against them.
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CCI for full
operation of IDBI in Jammu
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
5: Chamber of Commerce
and Industry, Jammu has demanded
that Jammu office of the
Industrial Development Bank of
India (IDBI) be upgraded and
direct lending be started by the
Bank as being done in other parts
of the country.
The
team of Jammu Chambers led by its
president Ram Sahai, during an
interaction with the R C Razdan,
Chief General Manager, North Zone
of IDBI today raised some issues
concerning the Jammu
industrialists. The issues
related the general working of
the IDBI and public dealing were
also taken up with the visiting
CGM. They wanted full banking
activity of the IDBI in the
region.
Mr
Sahai strongly demanded that IDBI
Jammu office be upgraded and
direct lending be started at the
earliest. He also desired that in
view of the privatisation of the
power sector, the mini-hydel
projects in the State should be
taken up on priority and the
competitive terms besides
relaxation in equity norms be
ensured. He suggested that public
in general should be made aware
of the IDBI’s working and
its schemes for the benefit of
all types of borrowers and
customers. The Bank must improve
its CD ratio in the State and
make adequate arrangements for
the speedy clearance of the loan
cases, Sahai maintained.
Mr
Razdan assured the Jammu Chamber
members that a team of IDBI
officers from Zonal headquarters
will be deputed to the state to
ensure speedy disposal of cases.
He assured total transparency and
said that favourable attitude
will be observed in dealing with
the cases of good promoters and
business houses of the State. He
claimed that Zonal office was
competent to deal with the cases
up to the limit of Rs 50 crore,
whereas, the cases pertaining to
bigger amount could also be
disposed off at the earliest. He
sought Chambers help in promoting
business of IDBI in J&K.
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Mangat
inaugurates Lasik Laser Centre
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu, Dec 5: Minister for
Health and Medical Education Mangat Ram
Sharma today inaugurated modern centre
for Lasik JK Laser, at Gandhi Nagar
Jammu.
Congratulating
doctors and management Mr. Sharma said
this centre would provide modern
treatment to eye ailments and patients
who do not afford to go outside for
specialized treatment will get latest
treatment at Jammu at reasonable rates.
Minister
was apprised that with the opening of
this centre in Jammu, patients can avail
this facility in the city and need not to
go outside J&K State for specialized
treatment. Lasik laser will give freedom
from spectacles and contact lenses to the
patients of Mypoia, Hypermetropia and
Astigmatism can be implanted to them at
the centre without any Anesthesia, any
injection or padding of eye and a patient
can go home within half an hour after
treatment. National Conference president
Omar Abdullah was also present on the
occasion.
Deputy
Speaker, Punjab Legislative Assembly
Prof. Darbari Lal was the guest of
honour.
Tributes
paid to Sheikh Abdullah
Indo-Pak
enemity destroying J&K: Omar
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 5: Taking a dig at
Pakistan for its rigid stand on much
publicised Baglihar hydro electric
project, National Conference president
Omar Abdullah today said that those
claiming to be well wishers of Kashmiris
have been destroying future of
inhabitants of this State.
Addressing
a function at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan in
connection with the birth anniversary of
Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah the NC president
regretted that due to differences between
India and Pakistan people of this State
have been suffering.
Taking a
leaf at reports that international
neutral expert has asked India to change
design of Baglhiar power project, Mr
Abdullah observed that it was result of
the differences of the India and
Pakistan, despite being the fact both the
nations have been claiming to be well
wishers of people of Jammu and Kashmir.
NC leader
however, minced no words in attacking
former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed
Sayed for deliberately adopting delay
tactics on this project.
He
reminded that former Chief Minister and
party patron, under whose government this
project was started, has a dream to make
Jammu and Kashmir self reliant in
generation of power and Baglihar project
would be mile stone in this direction.
"When the project started, target of
its completion was 2004", he
recalled and added that after assuming
power, Mufti Mohammed Sayed stopped work
on this project for one and half year
without any reason.
Seeking to
ally reports that NC is hesitating to
attack Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad,
Mr Abdullah made it clear that his party
doesnot want to be in good books of the
Chief Minister. He said that except
promises Mr Azad has done nothing for the
people. He termed Azad campaign against
corruption as hollow slogans to befool
the common masses.
He further
said that the much publicised economic
package of Rs 24000 crore for the
development of the State was not visible
on ground although the present regime
talked about the execution of all works
in double shift.
Paying
tributes to Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, the
NC president said that developments
achieved by Sher-e-Kashmir were an open
book for all and it was need of the hour
to educate common masses about it.
Earlier
large number of NC workers paid tributes
to Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah. Senior party
leaders including legislators,
ex-legislators, ex-Member Parliament and
senior office bearers attended the
function.
Women wing
president of NC and former MLA, Bimla
Luthra took out a rally in the city to
mark this occasion. The rally started
from Vivakanand Chowk and passed through
different areas before reaching at
Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan.
Addressing
the rally, Mrs Luthra claimed that NC was
the only party which was committed to
secularism and socialism.
Veena
Oberia, Satwant Kour, Raj and others
addressed the rally.
J&K
Christian Dalit Association organised a
function at Mother Teresa Centre under
the leadership of S Peter. Large number
of party leaders attended the function.
Udhampur
unit of NC also organised a function to
pay tributes to Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah.
NC
minority cell organised a function under
the leadership of B L Bhat in which
senior leaders were present. Speakers
recalled the services of Sher-e-Kashmir,
who stood against Pakistani invaders in
1947. Ashok Hangloo, Anil Dhar, and O N
Shastri attended the function.
Former
Minister and Congress leader Mohammed
Sharief Naiz has also paid tributes to
Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah and termed him a
revolutionary leader who throughout his
life worked for upliftment of neglected
lot of the society.
BSP's
concern over issuance of SRO 343
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 5: Bahujan Samaj
Party (BSP) in its meeting under State
vice president Tulsi Dass Langeh took
serious note of SRO 343 issued by the
Government vide which for the district
cadre posts the candidates of other
district would be allowed to appear.
The BSP
leaders said with the implementation of
SRO 343, the purpose of district cadre
posts would be defeated and unemployed
educated youth of the concerned districts
will not get their due share.
The party
leaders who attended the meeting included
Sewa Raman, P C Dansalia, Raj Kumar Raja,
K A Kazi, Darshan Thapa, Parshotam Thapa,
Shak Mohd, Bansi Lal, Chaman Lal Bhagat,
Pritam Chand, Banarsi Lal, Parshotam
Khullar, Raja Singh and Dayal Singh.
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International
seminar on Punjabi literature
concludes
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
5: Three-day
International seminar on the
theme ‘Contemporary Punjabi
Literature: Global
Perspective,’ concluded
today at Jammu University.
Dr
Rafiq Masoodi, secretary of
J&K Academy of Art Culture
and Languages, who was chief
guest in the valedictory session,
extended all possible support
from the Academy in the
development and progress of
Punjabi language and literature
in particular and all the
regional languages in general.
In
his presidential remarks, senior
journalist and intellectual
Balraj Puri said that Punjabi has
very rich background and the
literature written in the
language has its relevance and
effect in the contemporary era.
Prof
Devinder Singh, HoD Punjabi,
threw light on deliberations of
three-day international seminar
during which poetry, drama,
J&K literature, criticism,
research, fiction and medieval
literature came under discussion
in the light of gloablisation.
Dr
Sushil Sharma presented vote of
thanks.
On
the occasion, some prominent
literatures and academicians were
honoured for their contribution
in their respective fields.
Earlier,
in the academic sessions, Prof B
S Dhillon, Prof J S Sabar and
Prof Jagbir Singh discussed the
Gurubani in its global
perspective. They stressed that
the model presented in this
authentic medieval literary text,
addresses the problems being
faced by the modern man also. Dr
Jasmeet Kaur and Dr Snobar from
Punjabi Department, JU, also
presented papers.
Cyber System
launches Digital Signature
service in J&K
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
5: M/s Jammu and
Kashmir System Cybernetics Ltd,
has launched its services in the
State pertaining to issuance of
Digital Signature Certificates of
various classes and applications.
Working
under the trade name Cyber
System, the company is an
alliance partner and Local
Registration Authority of (n)
Code Solutions, a Rs 2700 crore
public sector Navratna
undertaking of Government of
Gujarat, for issuance of Digital
Signature certification of
various classes and usage for the
State of J&K, Himachal and
Punjab.
"The
company issues Digital Signature
Certificates of Class I, Class
IIa, Class IIb/IIIb (Corporate ,
Class IIb/IIIb (Government) and
Class IIIc," said M
Sadhashiv Puri, the Non-Executive
Director of the company, while
talking to media persons, here
today.
Describing
e-Governance as the future
destination and Digital Signature
as the key to smart governance,
Mr Puri pointed out that the
revolution in Information
Technology has also given birth
to financial frauds, Credit Card
theft, Identity theft, Cyber
blackmailing, cyber squatting,
trade secret thefts and copyright
related offenses.
"Digital
Signature is the security tool
and latest technology, which is
used as shield against these
challenges," he said and
explained the system which is
based on pairs of keys called
Public Key and Private Key.
Few
of the possible applications of
the digital Signature
Certificates are securing e-Mail
for privacy, mobile banking,
online banking, e-filing by
directors/companies with
Registrar of Companies under MCA
21 programme, e-filing of income
tax return, e-filing of DGFT
return, e-tendering for
contractors, online rail ticket
booking, online share trading,
SSL enabled portals, securing
work flow applications, online
bill payment, online
applications, insurance premium
payment, supply chain management,
insurance of forms and licenses
and securing internet/extranet,
he informed.
CNGEEU team
visits Rajouri
Excelsior
Correspondent
RAJOURI, Dec
5: Fifteen member team
of J&K Central Non-Gazetted
Electrical Employees Union led by
State president R A Khaniari
visited Rajouri to gather mass
base support to their 13 demands,
which stand already submitted to
the Government.
A
grand conference was organized
here in which power employees
from Surankote, Mendhar, Bufliaz,
Sunderbani and other divisions
participated. The central leaders
apprised the conference that
Government was adopting dilly
dallying tactics in solving their
just and genuine demands.
Khaniari
said if their demands were not
conceded within 21 days, the
union would be forced to launch
spontaneous struggle, the
consequences of which would be on
the Government and the
authorities concerned. He stated
that the Government has almost
consumed one year but still no
concrete decision has been taken
so far.
A
17 member committee headed by
Mohd Ayoub Chowan was
constituted, other members being
Charanjeet Lal, Zakir Hussain, Ch
Noor Hussain, Mohd Shabir, Jawaid
Mirza, Joginder Singh, Zaffer
Ahmed, Nisar Hussain, Mohd Rafiq,
Mohd Shabir, Ravinder Kumar, Mohd
Ashraf, Manjeet Singh, Tanveer
Hussain, Zakir Fazi Malik and
Mohd Rashid. Nazir Hussain and
Muzaffer Bharti were elected as
chairperson and advisor of the
committee respectively.
Agnishekhar
seeks PM’s intervention on
working group’s
recommendations
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
5: Panun Kashmir (PK)
convenor, Dr Agnishekhar who
disassociated himself from the
recommendations of Working Group
on Confidence Building Measures
(CBMs) in a letter to Prime
Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh has
termed these recommendations a
"cruel joke with the
community".
"It
was with great reluctance and a
sad heart that I was forced to
announce my disassociation from
the working group deliberations
and recommendations and I
conveyed the same to Prime
Minister in my letter", said
Dr Agnishekhar while talking to
reporters along with Dr. K.L.
Choudhary here today. He said
that whatever hope was generated
after he was inducted in the
Working Group as a representative
of the community has been
woefully dashed and there was
total sidetracking and neglect of
main concern of the Pandits that
were voiced by him and the
proposals submitted by him in RTC
and Working group meetings.
He
said in fact the recommendations
of the Working Group vis a vis
the Kashmiri Pandit community
suffers from gross neglect, utter
dismissiveness and stark
aberrations as the proposals to
address the core issue of the
ethnic cleansing and exodus of
Kashmiri Pandits and constitution
of a Commission of Enquiry for
this purpose was disregarded on
the ground that it (working
group) had no authority to do so.
The
letter to PM made it clear that
unless and until the core issues
are not addressed the return of
Pandits would always remain a
hostage to the caprice and whims
of the same forces that were
responsible for their exodus.
Maintaining
that return of Pandits to Valley
with dignity and honour was
litmus test for the will of the
Indian nation the letter further
alleged that Kashmiri Pandits
demand return and rehabilitation
back in our homeland in the
Valley was not given any
importance and again put on back
burner.
The
letter further said that the
working group recommendations are
pitifully devoid of any special
job creation for the unemployed
Pandit youth.
He
said in fact, the spirit of
retention of the Pandits in the
body -politic and the
socio-cultural mainstream of
Kashmir is totally missing in the
working group exercise as well as
the recommendations.
Airtel
announces ‘best
display’ awards in J&K
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
5: Bharti Airtel
(J&K), announced the winners
of the ‘Display Ka Raja
contest’ at a retailers meet
held here today.
Chief
Operating Officer of the company
in the region RVS Bhullar
presented the prizes to the
winners. Head Sales and Marketing
in region, Punit Mathur, Sunil
Raina Head marketing were also
present besides all the zonal
managers.
Wadhera
Communications from Trikuta
Nagar, Jammu bagged the first
prize of 21 inch colour TV, Dream
Dotcom from talab Tillo received
second prize of LG washing
machine while two winners jointly
secured third prize of LG
Microwave ovens. The winners
are-Raman Provisions Store, Nanak
Nagar and Gulmohar Electronics,
Udhampur. The other prizes
include-Nokia mobile phones,
Phillips Music system, Strolley
bags, dinner sets, Phillips
walkman and Sonata Wrist watches.
The
contest commenced on Aug 10 and
was open till Oct 30 for the
Airtel Retailers of Jammu,
Srinagar and Leh. Under the
contest the retailers could win
various prizes on the achievement
of their targets and for best
display of retail counters.
Around 2000 Airtel retailers from
J&K participated in the
contest.Around 400 prizes were
distributed among the winners.
|
Poonch
war heroes remembered
Excelsior
Correspondent
POONCH, Dec
5: The locals and Army
authorities remembered war heroes
who laid down their lives while
fighting the Pakistani troops
during attack on Poonch in 1971.
In
a wreath lying ceremony at Banwat
organised by Ist Assam unit of 93
Inf Brigade today, the officers
paid respect to the heroes, Lt
Col K L Rattan (Mahavir Chakra),
Major Punjab Singh and four
soldiers ( Vir
Chakra-posthumously). Wreaths
were laid at the memorial near
the town. These heroes had fought
bravely against a Pakistani
brigade attack on Poonch on Dec
4, 1971 and made supreme
sacrifices in Banwat sector. In
this battle which continued till
Dec 10, not only valiant 6 Sikh
repulsed the attack but also
caused heavy loss of life to the
enemy.
Mangat pays
tributes to Sher-e-Kashmir
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
5- Health Minister,
Mangat Ram Sharma today paid
glowing tributes to Sher-e-
Kashmir on his 101 birth
anniversary, saying that he was a
champion of democracy and symbol
of secularism in Jammu and
Kashmir.
In
a message, the Minister said that
Sheikh Abdullah pioneered
democracy during autocratic rule
and worked for the just cause of
the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He took a bold and innovative
Land Reforms measures making the
tillers masters of their
holdings, the Minister added.
Mr.
Sharma recalled his personal
association with the political
stalwart, saying that in 1949,
Sher-e-Kashmir invited him as a
student leader along with
delegation from Jammu to Mujahid
Manzil, Srinagar. ‘I was
provided an opportunity to attend
the mammoth convention in the
summer capital and express my
views’, he recalled and said
that later in1975, after
Indira-Sheikh Accord, he was made
a Minister of State for Transport
from Congress.
Paying
rich tributes to Sheikh Sahib, he
recalled his contribution towards
nation building and giving the
concept of Naya Kashmir, which
meant transformation of Jammu and
Kashmir as a single entity to
peace, prosperity and
development. ‘Prior to
Accord, I had privilege of
touring and arranging public
meetings in the parts of Jammu
including Udhampur and Kathua
districts extensively to have a
feel of the sufferings of the
people along with Sheikh Sahib
and Begum Abdullah’. The
Accord reflected the urges and
aspirations of the people who
believed in the unity and
integrity of the nation.
|
Grand
acquarium at Bahu Fort in March
next
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu, Dec 5
: With latest state
of art and research facilities an
under ground aquarium cum
awareness research centre is
coming up at Bahu Fort Jammu. The
Aquarium spread over 30 kanals of
land costing Rs.10.5 crore would
be completed in March next.
This
was stated by the Minister for
Agriculture, Co-operatives and
Fisheries Abdul Aziz Zargar
during his visit to the aquarium
today to take stock of the pace
of work on this prestigious
project. The Minister inspected
various section of the aquarium
and appreciated the use of
indigenous technology in the
construction of the aquarium and
the acqua caves.
Mr.
Zargar said that the upcoming
aquarium is first of its kind in
the country having all modern
facilities including Multimedia
Hall, Museum, Oceanarium,
Aquarium Caves, Breeding Farms
and Fish Mouth to conduct
research in the field of
Pisciculture and make it an
attractive tourist destination.
He said that the aquarium is
being provided with air
conditioning facility to maintain
the proper environment for
various fish species and
facilitate the visitors.
Mr.
Zargar said that so far breeding
of more than hundred fish species
has successfully being conducted
by the breeding farms of the
aquarium and is presently engaged
with breeding of 30 new species
including 10 local species also.
He said that the breeds produced
in the farm are being provided to
the fishponds of the State. He
said that the aquarium has 24
acqua caves stocked with
ornamental, marring and even
carnivorous fish which captivate
the onlookers. The Museum of the
aquarium is stocked with 350
speciemen depicting various kinds
of fish made available for the
research scholars in the field of
pisciculture, the Minister said.
|
Bhim’s
‘Haq-Insaf Yatra’ team
reaches Basohli
Excelsior
Correspondent
KATHUA, Dec
5: ‘Haq-Insaf
Yatra’ led by chairman
National Panthers Party Prof Bhim
Singh was accorded warm reception
at Basohli town of district
Kathua today.
Mounted
on the decorated ‘Bhim
Rath’, Prof Singh
accompanied by some selective NPP
activists, reached the Basohli
town where the Party workers and
other people of the area gave
warm reception to the NPP leader.
He also addressed public rallies
at Basohli, Mahanpur, Phinter and
Billawar.
While
speaking on the occasion Prof
Singh alleged that Delhi based
leaders were exploiting the
people of Jammu and Kashmir for
their vote bank and the people of
Jammu continued to suffer due to
wrong policies of New Delhi. He
alleged that corrupt, power
hungry and communal leaders were
responsible for the rise in
militancy in the J&K state.
The
NPP leader said that Yatra aims
at seeking justice for the people
of J&K who have remained
deprived of their social,
political and economic rights
since 1947 for the pleasure of
corrupt rulers. He said
discrimination against the people
of J&K can only end once
Parliament assumes its
responsibility to legislate
vis-a-vis J&K at least in
respect of four subjects of
defence, foreign affairs,
communication and currency, which
was included by Maharaja Hari
Singh in the Instrument of
Accession and it has never been
in dispute. He strongly demanded
justice for refugees of 1947 from
Pakistan and POK.
The
NPP team was welcomed by Jagdish
Raj Sapolia, chairman of Basohli
Municipality and other members
who also addressed the gathering
in the town.
|
Sahni
reviews National Agriculture
Insurance Scheme
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu, Dec 5
: Implementation of
National Agricultural Insurance
Scheme (NAIS) in J&K State
was reviewed here today by the
Principal Secretary, Agriculture
Production Department, S. S.
Sahni in a meeting of Agriculture
officers of Jammu division. The
scheme is being implemented by
Agriculture Insurance Company of
India with the aim to provide
relief to farming community in
the event of damage to crop
production due to natural
calamities such as, hailstorms,
floods, land slides, excess
rains, droughts, pest and
diseases, etc.
The
Principal Secretary expressed
concern over low response of
farmers towards this scheme and
emphasized on the need to take
administrative and procedural
measures for popularizing the
scheme. It was felt that
Agriculture Insurance Company
(AlC) should expand its network
and provide information material
to the farmers and other
facilitating agencies such as
Agriculture, Horticulture,
Revenue Departments, Banking
Institutions in ready to use
form. He asked the Agriculture
and Revenue Departments to work
in close coordination for timely
submission of yield data. He also
emphasized the need of
participation in the scheme by
all banks and observed that the
scheme needs to be made more
farmers friendly.
Director
Agriculture Jammu presented a
brief resume of the scheme and
stated that the Department has
organized a number of awareness
programme through out the
division in collaboration with
Agriculture Insurance Company of
India. He also proposed the
Insurance cover for Apiculture,
Saffron, Vegetables, Flowers and
Horticulture crops. Dr.
Mohapatra, Regional Manager of
AIC presented the salient
features of NAIS and stated that
Govt. of India is considering
introduction of modified NAIS on
pilot basis in one hundred
Districts of the country from
January, 2007. Special Secretary
Agriculture, Director
Horticulture M. S. Qasba,
Director Law Enforcement, Vinod
Bala Sharma were present in the
meeting among others.
Jammu based
political parties hold joint meet
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
5: A conglomerate of
different political parties of
Jammu region in a joint meeting
resolved for united regional
political force to fight against
political, economical and
developmental exploitation once
for all.
The
leaders of Duggar Pradesh Party,
Refugees United Front, J&K
Praja Parishad, Shiv Sena (Bal
Thakre), Dogra Liberation Front,
Janata Party, Shakti Dal, Lok Jan
Shakti Party and J&K Akali
Dal in a joint meeting expressed
concern over unending
discriminatory policies of the
State and Central Governments.
The
joint meeting totally denounced
the self rule of PDP, autonomy
slogan of National Conference as
also Khushhali of Congress and
BJP, just playing political
gimmicks and cautioned that no
ill decision of Kashmir and Delhi
would be acceptable to the people
of Jammu at all.
The
parties said rampant corruption
was continuing in full swing in
Government offices, judicial
system running in collapsed
manner, refugees of 1947, both
from west Pakistan and PoK as
also of 1965 and 1971 running
from pillar to post for getting
justice, while militancy affected
areas of Jammu have not been
handled properly.
The
meeting was held at the
headquarters of Duggar Pradesh
Party and was attended among
others by Uday Chand, Chander
Mohan Sharma, Rajiv Chuni,
Kuldeep Sharma, Som Nath
Dabgotra, S Jagdev Singh, Sanjeev
Manmotra, Ram Pal Sharma, V K
Katal and Anand Prakash,
representing different political
parties.
BJP stages
demonstration, burns effigy of
Govt
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
5: Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP) Gandhi Nagar, Satwari
Mandal held a demonstration at
Satyam Resort, Road Menia (Deeli)
and burnt the effigy of Congress
led coalition Government for its
failure to contain the price rise
and constant neglect of different
areas of the Mandal by
Government.
The
demonstration was led by Mandal
president Vinay Gupta. While
Addressing the demonstrators he
criticized the present Government
for adopting different yardsticks
for different areas so far as
their development is concerned.
He
also alleged that the funds are
sanctioned on pick and choose
basis and the wards represented
by non Congress representatives
in Assembly and Jammu Municipal
Corporation are neglected.
He
said the developmental works are
undertaken in various wards of
JMC on the recommendations of
MPs, ministers, MLAs and Congress
leaders.
Mr
Gupta also took the Congress to
task for its anti people policies
and alleged that the prices of
essential commodities are sky
rocketing which has added to the
woes of a common man. Others who
addressed the demonstration
include Jaideep Sharma, Baldev
Singh, Balwant Singh and Devinder
Khajuria.
PCB orders
closure of pesticide unit in
Samba
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
5: State Pollution
Control Board (PCB) has ordered
closure of a pesticides unit,
causing massive pollution in
Samba area of district Jammu.
The
action was taken by the Chairman
of the Pollution Control Board
against M/S Pioneer Pesticides
Pvt Ltd after receiving
complaints that some units in
Samba Industrial area were
causing massive pollution and
untreated effluents were directly
flowing into Basantar river. The
farmers of the area had also held
a demonstration a few days back
at Samba in this connection.
The
PCB chairman, R D Tiwari vide
order No. 55 of 2006, dated
4-12-06 directed the District
Magistrate to immediately close
down the M/S Pioneer Pesticides
(P) Ltd, IGS Samba. The Board
also directed Chief Engineer PDD,
Jammu to snap the electricity
supply to the unit forthwith.
A
senior official of the PCB said
that consent to operate, was
granted to the unit in June this
year by the PCB for a limited
period of three months and it was
now operating illegally. On
verification and re-inspection
the unit, it was found operating
without installation of pollution
control device inspite of strict
directions of the Board. The unit
holder had also failed to submit
self-monitoring reports of the
effluents, emission etc. As the
unit falls in the hazardous
category and also taking into
consideration the Supreme Court
ruling, the Chairman issued
closure orders of this pesticide
unit, he maintained.
Mr
Tiwari when contacted said that a
status report has been sought by
a special team deputed for the
job and action is likely against
more than a dozen units causing
pollution in the area. He also
said that stringent action will
be taken against own PCB field
staff if found connived with the
industrialists for managing such
short-term NOCs for them at the
cost of the health of the general
public.
Disaster
Control Plan fire drill held at
LPG Plant
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
5: Disaster Control
Management Plan fire drill was
conducted by Hindustan Petroleum
Corporation Ltd , Jammu LPG,
Plant, Bari Brahmana in presence
of state administration.
P
S Betab, chief Inspector of
Factories & Labour
Commissioner, Government of
J&K was the chief guest on
the occasion. The function was
also attended by M Y Zargar,
Inspector of Factories,
Government of J&K.
All
the mutual aid members of Jammu
LPG plant were present on the
occasion.
In
his speech Mr Betab said that
employees are well versed with
all safety policies and their
enthusiasm for fire fighting is
commendable. He also appreciated
the efforts made by HPCL, Jammu
Plant in getting all the three
ISO certifications (ISO 9001, ISO
14001, ISO 18001-OHSAS) and
bagging entry in Limca Book of
records for Q&Q.
He
expressed his pleasure that HPCL
Jammu is conducting first aid
camps, medical check up camps and
HIV Awareness Camps at their
plant for the various sections of
the society from time to time.
While
briefing about the Disaster
Control Management plan, Mr M Y
Zargar appreciated the efforts of
entire team led by Arif H Shah
Operations Officer (Safety),
Jammu LPG Plant.
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