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PCB
issues closure orders of
5 factories in Samba
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU,
Dec 6: State
Pollution Control Board
has issued closure orders
of five more industrial
units in Samba for
violating norms and
operating illegally
without installation of
pollution control
devices.
The action
was taken today after a
high level team
constituted by GAD on the
instructions of Chief
Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad
and comprising Chairman
PCB R D Tiwari, Principal
Secretary Agriculture S S
Sawhney and Commissioner/
Secretary Industries,
Lokesh Jha conducted on
the spot inspection at
Samba Industrial area and
found five units flouting
norms. Though a few of
them had installed
pollution control devices
but they were not made
functional.
The team,
assisted by the Technical
staff, Member Secretary
PCB and Regional Director
Mahesh Dogra, MD SIDCO
conducted inspection of
various units today and
also held interaction
with the locals of the
adjoining villages which
were affected with the
increasing pollution
level in the area. They
alleged that nearly 1000
acres of agriculture land
of nearby eight villages
was affected and
vegetables have been
destroyed.
The team
issued on the spot orders
of closure of five
pesticide units
including- United
Phosphorous Ltd, Crop
Chemicals, Shiwalik Agro,
Sudhershan Consolidate
and Hindustan Pulveriser
Ltd. The PDD authorities
were directed to snap
their power connections
and they were directed to
procure NOC after
installation of proper
devices and fulfilling
all the norms laid down
by the PCB.
Chairman
PCB, J&K R D Tiwari
when contacted confirmed
the closure orders of
these five units in Samba
industrial area and said
that inspection will
continue for next 2-3
days all such hazardous
units will be taken to
task if they continued to
violate the norms.
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Art
forms voice of silence: Azad
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 6: Describing various
art forms as voice of silence, Chief
Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said on
Wednesday that Jammu and Kashmir has been
abode of artists of par excellence, who
in their art pieces reflected true
aspects of life and culture and made
great impact of these memorabilia to be
reckoned with.
Addressing
after inaugurating installation created
by renowned sculptor Mr. Ravinder Jamwal
titled ‘My Village’ at Birpur,
Mr. Azad said that "our areas have
also produced artists of high calibre
whose modern art works have provided yet
another modem of expressing people’s
mood and events of times".
Chief
Minister said that cultural diversity of
the State has been great source of
producing artists of wide-range
disciplines and added that high rated
painters, sculptors, wood workers and
other skillful artists have brought
laurels to the State and depicted
richness of State’s vast and
homogenous cultural ethos.
"State’s
art and culture have always remained a
source of inspiration to the people in
general and intelligentsia in particular
and have contributed in a big way to
tighten bonds of amity between various
sections of the society", he
maintained.
Chief
Minister said that for being rich in
diverse languages, dialects, traditions,
religions and cultures, Jammu and Kashmir
has always presented unique picture of
co-existence of heterogenic aspects in a
homogenous atmosphere with love and
brotherhood.
Referring
to the demands put forth by people of
Birpur, Chief Minister said that
development of rural areas is one of the
top most priorities of the Government
with focusing attention on upliftment of
hitherto left under-developed areas. He
said road connectivity, construction of
infrastructure for public-utility
departments, opening and upgrading of new
schools and hospitals and launching of
welfare schemes is high on agenda of the
Government.
Lauding
the work of Mr. Ravinder Jamwal, Mr. Azad
said that he was delighted to observe the
creative art and hoped that young artist
would keep up his standard and achieve
new heights.
Mr. Azad
took keen interest in the installation
which depicts the activities of village
life round the pond which used to be the
only source of water and lifeline of the
countryside in yester years. He also went
round the pond known as ‘Kacha
Talab’ and saw installation.
Chief
Minister also went round the studio set
up by Mr. Jamwal in the village and took
keen interest in busts and statues put up
at the display.
Art
historian, Lalit Gupta and Mohinder Singh
also spoke on the occasion and put forth
several demands pertaining to development
of the area.
JK
Bank allowed to raise FII stake to 40%
Excelsior
Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 6: The J&K Bank
has received RBI’s nod for enhancing
cap of Foreign Institutional Investors
(FIIs) investment in the bank from 33% to
40%.
The
decision to increase the cap, had been
taken by the Board of the Bank in July,
2006, in view of the growing interest
from FIIs to increase their stake in
bank’s paid up equity share capital.
The number
of FII holders and their holding in
bank’s stock have consequently gone
up from 28 and 22.53% as on March 31,
2005 to 52 and 32.81% as on December 2,
2006. Some major deals have taken place
on bank’s stock, over the bourses,
ranging buyers from vanilla to hedge
funds. Prominent Funds - Small Cap World
Fund Inc. and FID Funds (Mauritius)
Limited have purchased 5.40% and 4.23%
shares of the Bank’s stock.
Similarly,
CLSA Merchant Bankers Limited A/C CLSA
(Mauritius) and. Vontobel Fund Far East
Equity have purchased 3.72% and 3.67%
shares of the bank respectively. Aberdeen
Asset Managers Limited A/C Aberdeenintern
and Citigroup Global Markets Mauritius
Private Limited have also purchased 3.54%
and 1.38% of the stock, while. Emerging
Markets Growth Fund Inc. and Capital
International Emerging Markets Fund have
purchased 1.11% and 0.62% of the stock,
respectively.
Fund
Managers, largely impressed by the
modified strategy adopted by the bank,
aimed at lending more in J&K state
than outside, have since some time, been
evincing an increased appetite for
bank’s stock. This is largely
attributable to the state’s reviving
economy, which is witnessing heightened
economic activity in road, infrastructure
projects like hydro power, railways etc.
and fuelling major lending avenues for
the bank within the state, besides
earning high yields for the bank, as
compared to outside the state.
To improve
its yield on advances outside J&K,
bank has chalked a strategy to position
itself as a specialist bank focusing on
financing commodities and is accordingly
targeting industries like leather in
Chennai, Kanpur, Kolkatta and Agra areas,
spices sector in southern and western
states of India etc. The realigning of
credit portfolio by focusing on robust
credit growth opportunity within the
state, giving renewed thrust to retail
assets outside J&K state and
positioning as a specialist bank outside
the state, is expected to help the bank
expand its credit portfolio and drive its
core earnings.
SMVD
University starts career building course
Excelsior
Correspondent
KATRA, DEC 6: Shri Mata Vaishno
Devi University has achieved yet another
distinction of being the first varsity in
Jammu and Kashmir by introducing a
Post-Graduate programme, M-Tech Energy
Management, as part time course for
career advancement of employed and
others.
The
university has launched this evening
programme at its Jammu extension centre,
which is attracting a sizable number of
in-service candidates, the acting Vice
Chancellor, Dr Arun Kumar said.
He said
the university is accredited with AIEEE
and has adopted IIT pattern to achieve
academic excellence. The mission of the
University is to conduct world-class
research that addresses critical needs of
society and fosters the technological,
economic and social developments of the
nation, he added.
In its
main campus, the University has started
post graduate courses in Business
Administration, Economics, Energy
Management, Business Economics, Science
in Mathematics besides Bachelor of
Technology Degrees in Computer Science
& Engineering, Electronics &
Communication, Biotechnology, Mechanical
Engineering and Architecture. In
addition, Ph D course are also being
offered by the university.
Mangat
for strict enforcement of labour laws
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 6: Minister for
Health, Medical Education, Labour and
Employment Mangat Ram Sharma has stressed
the need for speedy disposal of labour
disputes, as the labour class is the
backbone of overall development of every
sector.
This was
stated by the Minister while addressing
Officers of labour and employment
department at labour officers meet held
here today.
Mr. Sharma
asked the officers to adopt a pro-labour
attitude, a sense of responsibility to
safeguard workers interests so that they
can get proper remuneration of their work
in both organized and unorganized
sectors. He emphasized upon them to come
up with innovative ideas and be-friendly
towards workers in solving their problems
besides he also stressed strict
implementation of labour laws. He also
asked the officers to conduct frequent
checking and inspections of industries
and other business establishments so that
workers community would not be exploited
by the employers at any cost.
Referring
to various problems in strict enforcement
of labour laws, Minister said that a
comprehensive proposal should be made for
thorough discussions and recommendations
to the Government for certain amendments
in the existing laws so that workers
could get justice and speedy disposal of
disputes. He said to facilitate labour
officers, vehicles would be made
available to all Assistant Labour
Commissioners in phased manner,
re-organizations of the department will
also be done after obtaining requirements
and suggestions from various levels of
the department. He said that outstanding
officers will be rewarded but they have
to perform with extra ordinary zeal and
enthusiasm in making the working
conditions of the working class better.
Commissioner
Secretary Labour and Employment B. L.
Nimesh said that labourers are the key
factors in overall development of each
sector. He said if labour class of
particular State is in miserable
condition then no state can progress and
prosper.
Labour
Commissioner P.S. Betab apprised the
Minister that under workmen compensation
Act 1926 during the last four years, 995
cases have been settled and Rs 1460.92
lakh have been paid as compensation.
Under payment of wages Act, 835 cases
have been settled and Rs 253.99 lakh were
awarded under the Act. 177 cases under
gratuity Act have been settled and Rs
45.83 lakh got realized in their favour.
Rs 1.70 lakh was realized in 506 cases
registered under transport workers Act.
177 Unions have been registered under
Trade Union Act and 130 cases under
Industrial disputes were settled.
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Govt
committed to promote all languages:
Peerzada
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu, Dec 6: Minister for
Education, Haj and Auqaf and PCC
President Peerzada Mohammad Sayed has
said that Government is taking
comprehensive steps for promotion of all
languages spoken in the State.
Minister
who was chief guest at a function
organized to commemorate Prof Jagan Nath
Azad on his 88th birth Anniversary
said this while paying rich tributes to
the literary giant revered across the sub
continent for his works on Iqbaliyaat.
Highlighting
the importance of having a rich literary
legacy, Minister said that like progress
in science and technology,
promotion of languages is equally
important for a society to grow and keep
pace with rest of the world. He said
state of Jammu and Kashmir has produced
versatile literary, political and social
figures who laid the foundation for a
strong secular society.
Paying
tributes to Prof Azad, Peerzada said that
he would make it sure that the literary
works of Prof Azad are made available at
all district libraries.
Earlier,
chief convener of Prof Jagan
Nath Azad memorial Foundation Amin
Banjara presented a paper on the life and
works Prof. Azad.
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Consumer
Commission dismisses
revision petition
with costs
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 6:
State Consumer
Disputes Redressal Commission
Jammu has dismissed the
application of a petitioner, with
costs, who had prayed for the
condonation of delay for filing
the revision petition against the
order of Divisional Forum Jammu,
which had dismissed the complaint
against National Insurance
Company Limited,on October 12,
2004.
"
We hold that the applicant has
failed to show any sufficient
cause to condone delay for filing
the revision petition. Rather, it
is a case where the legal process
of the Commission has been
abused", the Commission
president, Justice G D Sharma
with its member Khalid Hussain
held.
While
dismissing the application with
costs, the Commission directed
the applicant Sudesh Kumar of
Purkhoo to pay rupees 1,000 to
the Lawyers’ Welfare Fund of
Jammu Bar Association within two
months.
The
Commission further directed
Director Medical Health Services
Jammu division for holding the
departmental inquiry as
expeditiously as possible to
establish the fact about the
certificates signed by a doctor
to the applicants regarding their
ill-health on which it was prayed
for condonation of the delay.
" The Director Medical
Health Services shall inform the
Commission about the ultimate
result of the inquiry", the
Commission held.
The
ground for condoning the delay
was the alleged sickness of the
applicant. A certificate of a
doctor under the deal of Medical
Officer Government Sub District
Hospital Marh was submitted, but
its genuineness was suspected on
various grounds.
While
rejecting the application, the
Commission observed that in order
to keep a check on the erosion of
values and to uphold the majesty
of law, it becomes necessary that
every effort should be made to
keep the forums and the
Commission at bay’s length
from the buccaneers who have no
other agenda of their lives
except personal aggrandizements.
" Cooked and fraudulent
causes have no place and
relevancy in the Forums or
Commission and they don’t
attract judicial indulgence to
condone the delay", the
Commission held, adding that such
types of mishciefs require to be
nipped in the bud.
While
ordering for probe against the
doctor for issuing such
certificate, the Commission
observed that equally the role of
that counsel/counsels who advised
the applicants to bring these
tainted claims is reprehensible.
" But on account of paucity
of cogent and convincing evidence
we are unable to initiate
proceedings for professional
misconduct", it was further
held.
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ReT
teacher held for getting job on
‘fake’ certificate
Excelsior
Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Dec 6: A man, who
allegedly secured a job as a
Rehber-e-Taleem (ReT) teacher by using
fake documents was arrested by Chenani
Police.
Police
spokesman said that about a year back a
complaint was lodged with Chief Education
Officer (CEO) Udhampur about one Bittu
Ram of village Marothi managing a ReT job
by using fake marksheet of 12th class.
Subsequently,
a departmental inquiry was initiated and
the teacher was asked to produce 12th
class marksheet which the accused failed
to, thereby forcing the Education
Department to lodge a complaint with the
Chenani Police and place him under
suspension.
During the
course of investigation, SHO Chenani
Inspector Anu Sharma came to know that
the marksheet of 12th class which the
accused had used and on whose basis he
was given the job was actually of his
brother. To dodge the authorities of
Education Department, he had tampered
with the marksheet by way of making some
changes in secured marks and name of the
candidate. On the completion of the
enquiry, the ReT teacher was arrested by
the police.
A case
under Section 420, 468 and 471 RPC has
been registered against him and the
salary which he had drawn for one and
half year would be charged from him.
Vehicle
lifter arrested, 8 stolen motorcycles
recovered
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 6: Police today
arrested a vehicle lifter and recovered
eight stolen motorcycles on his
disclosure.
Police
spokesman said that during routine
checking of the vehicles at Nai Basti
Naka, a police team headed by SHO Gandhi
Nagar Inspector Gian Chand Sharma stopped
a motorcycle bearing registration number
JK02S-1014 and asked the motorcyclist to
produce documents which he failed to
produce.
Subsequently,
he was taken to custody and the
motorcycles seized. During questioning,
the motorcyclist Ashok Kumar, son of
Shambu Ram of village Shama Chak revealed
that the motorcycle which he was riding
was stolen one.
He also
confessed to had stolen seven more
motorcycles from different parts of Jammu
city for the past quite longtime. On his
disclosure, all the seven stolen
motorcycles were recovered from different
areas.
The
registration numbers of six stolen
motorcycles are JK02Q-9053, JK02Q-2331,
JK02-7794, JKU-1979 and JK02C-6862. Two
recovered motorcycles were without
registration numbers.
With the
arrest of vehicle lifter, several vehicle
theft cases of different police stations
of Jammu city have been worked out.
The arrest
of the vehicle lifter was made by Gandhi
Nagar Police under the direct supervision
of SP City South Zahid Manhas and SDPO
Shiv Kumar Singh Chouhan.
EJAC,
GEWF demand CA at par with Doda employees
Excelsior
Correspondent
RAJOURI, Dec 6: Employees Joint
Action Committee, Rajouri, in
collaboration with Government Employees
and Workers Federation organized an
extended meeting in which employees from
Rajouri and Poonch districts
participated.
The
meeting presided over by Vijay Kochar,
convenor EJAC was organized and conducted
by Shahbaz Khan, district president PGTF.
The main agenda of the meeting was grant
of Compensatory Allowance to employees of
Poonch and Rajouri districts at par with
those of Doda district.
Other
demands included enhancement in
retirement age to 60 years, interim
relief of Rs 1000 per month on the
pattern of Central Government,
implementation of 6th Pay commission
recommendations to the J&K employees
simultaneously, enhancement in the
honorarium of ReTs, Technical Grade to
Patwaris, at least two promotions to
ministerial level employees in the
service span, regularisation of all adhoc
employees, and treating Master Grade
equal to lecturer as a teacher is
promoted as Master after 15 to 20 years
of service in addition to his or her
post-graduation, with additional
professional degree of B Ed.
The
members of EJAC who addressed included K
A Janam, Kamal Jeet Sawhney, Sajad Mirza,
F A Mirza, Nazik Shah, J D Rayaz, Aftab
Tantray, Afzal Khan, Sohan Lal, Zaffar
Amin etc.
Meanwhile
a deputation of different trade unions
also called on Finance Minister and DDC
Rajouri and highlighted the problems of
striking workers of Kalakote and Mehtka
coal mines with added demand of CA for
Poonch and Rajouri employees.
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Mega Lok
Adalat on Dec 16
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
6: As per a notice
issued by District and Sessions
Judge and Secretary J&K High
court legal services committee,
B. A. Wani, a mega Lok Adalat is
being organized by the J&K
High Court at Janipur, Jammu on
December 16 2006.
The
cases to be taken up have already
been published in the press. As
per the notice 7900 traffic
challans pending from 1983 up to
2005, 250 cases under Shops and
Commercial Established Act from
2001 up to 2006 and 8600 cases
under Municipal Act from 1982
will be taken up in the Lok
Adalat for settlement besides
hundreds of cases already
notified and published in the
press.
The
parties involved have been asked
to cause their presence for
settlement of their cases before
the said Lok Adalat on 16th
December at 10 a.m.
Further
information in this regard is
available with Secretary J&K
High Court Legal Services
Committee Jammu and can be had
from his office or through
contact on 2530095, 9419180693.
HC directs Div
Comm to hold elections of CCB
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 6: Justice
YP Nargotra of the state High
Court Jammu wing in a writ
petition filed by Share Holder of
the Citizens Cooperative Bank
Limited Jammu seeking direction
for holding election of the Board
of Management of the said Bank,
allowed the petition and directed
the Divisional Commissioner Jammu
Administrator of the Bank to take
immediate steps for holding
elections in accordance with
Cooperative Societies Act and the
election process shall be
completed within three months.
Registrar
Cooperative Societies by his
order dated February 9, 2004
removed the Board of Directors of
Citizens Cooperative Bank Limited
Jammu and appointed Naveen
Choudhary, then VC JDA as the
administrator to manage the
affairs of the bank for a period
of 90 days.
It
was also directed that the
Administrator shall make the
arrangements for the
constitutions of New Board of
Directors under Cooperative
Societies Act.
The
Registrar Cooperative Societies
by his another order June 24,
2004 in partial modification of
order dated February 9, 2004
appointed B R Sharma, then
Divisional Commissioner Jammu as
Administrator in place of Naveen
Coudhary.
Registrar
again by order dated March 4,
2006 in place of B R Sharma ,
said that it shall be read as
Divisional Commissioner Jammu. By
virtue of this order the
Divisional Commissioner Jammu
become the Administrator of
Citizen Cooperative Bank Limited.
Justice
YP Nargotra after hearing
Advocate Abhinav Sharma appearing
for the petitioner, Vinod Bakshi
Deputy Advocate General and
Advocate Vikram Sharma appearing
for the respondents, observed
that respondents in their
objections have admitted that the
Administrator appointed by the
Registrar is continuing beyond
the terms fixed under the Act,
therefore, functus officio, Vinod
Bakshi Deputy Advocate General,
however, submitted that the
Registrar Cooperative Societies
has already requested the
Divisional Commissioner Jammu,
who is the Administrator Citizens
Cooperative Bank Ltd to take
necessary steps towards holding
of elections through his letter
dated June 5, 2006.
Justice
Nargotra further observed that
the state in accordance with
principle enacted J&K
Co-operative Societies Act for
providing the complete procedure
and the manner in which the
cooperative societies are to run.
The continuation of an
Administrator for managing the
affairs of the Society beyond the
period stipulated runs counter to
the scheme of Co-operativism and
therefore, should always be
deprecated.
In
the present case the Registrar
Cooperative by his letter June 5,
2006 requested Administrator to
take steps towards holding
election, but it is unfortunate
that Divisional Commissioner, the
Administrator has not been able
to initiate the election process
till date. In view of this
position, writ petition of the
petitioner is allowed with a
direction to the Divisional
Commissioner Jammu to take
immediate steps for holding
elections in accordance with
co-operative societies act, rules
and bye-laws. The election
process shall be completed within
three months, Court ordered.
Ex-Servicemen
deputation calls on Azad
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 6: A
deputation of J&K Ex-Services
League called on Chief Minister
Ghulam Nabi Azad here this
evening and presented to him
memorandum listing their demands.
The
deputation led by its president
Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Goverdhan Singh
Jamwal projected the demands that
included reservation in
government jobs, establishment of
ex-servicemen department and
exemption of VAT on CSD. Chief
Minister gave patient hearing to
the deputation.
Minister
for R&B Gulchain Singh Charak
was also present.
GGM Science
College students protest
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 6:
Alleging
non-availability of required
infrastructure in the college and
facilities in the hostel,
students of GGM Science College
today boycotted their classes and
organised a protest demonstration
under the banner of Jammu State
Students Morcha.
Shouting
slogans, the protesting students
assembled near the college gate
and held a demonstration there.
They also blocked the road in
front of the college and
disrupted vehicular movement for
a few minutes.
The
students were protesting for safe
drinking water, required
apparatus in the laboratories,
cleanliness and repair of the
hostel building. They also
alleged that some teachers were
not serious in taking regular
classes.
The
protest demonstration was
addressed by Sandeep Manhas,
State general secretary of JSSM,
Vaishav Singh Charak, general
secretary of the College Students
Council and vice-president of
JSSM unit, Sandeep Biloria,
chairman JSSM and others, who
warned an indefinite stir if the
students’ grievances are not
addressed by the college
administration within seven days.
Tributes paid to
Dr Ambedkar on his death
anniversary
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 6: On his 50th
death anniversary, various
organisations today remembered
Bharat Ratan Dr B R Ambedkar and
paid him rich tributes.
State
unit of Bahujan Samaj Party paid
homage to Dr Ambedkar and
recalled his services by
organising a tribute paying
ceremony at the Ambedkar Chowk
near Jammu University.
Leaders
and activists of BSP garlanded
the statute of Dr Ambedkar and
made speeches highlighting role
of the Dalit leader in upliftment
of the downtrodden section of the
society.
Those
who spoke on the occasion,
included BSP state president Dr
Yash Pal Bhagat, Dr Sat Pal,
Tulsi Dass Langeh, Raj Kumar Raja
& others.
Members
of All India Confederation of
SC/ST Organisations, J&K
unit, also assembled at Ambedkar
Chowk and garlanded the statute
of Dr Ambedkar. Speaking on the
occasion, State president of the
Confederation, R K Kalsotra
remembered the valuable
contribution of Baba Saheb made
to the nation as whole in general
and the down trodden people of
the community in particular.
In
connection with the death
anniversary, Hiranagar unit of
All India Confederation of SC/ST
Organisation organised a function
wherein G L Chalotra, Chairman of
SC Board was the chief guest.
The
participants highlighted the role
of Dr Ambedkar in upliftment of
downtrodden and Dalits. They also
condemned the recent incident at
Kanpur and asked the UP
Government to punish the
culprits.
Billawar
tehsil unit of the Confederation
also organised a meeting under
the chairmanship of Ishar Dass,
wherein rich tributes were paid
to Dr Ambedkar and his services
were highlighted.
State
BJP Anusuchit Jaati Morcha paid
tributes to Dr Ambedkar by
organising a meeting which was
attended by senior leaders of the
party.
State
BJP president Ashok Khajuria
described Dr Ambedkar as Messiah
of Dalits who did a lot for the
welfare and upliftment of the
downtrodden of the society.
BJP
Anusuchit Jati Morcha State
president Narsingh Dass Rajwal,
Bansi Lal Bharti and Balbir Ram
also spoke on the occasion and
paid tributes to Dr Ambedkar.
To
pay homage to Dr Ambedkar, Akhil
Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad
organised a function in Jammu
University. Dr P S Pathania, Dean
Students Welfare, led the ABVP
activists in remembering Dr
Ambedkar. Speakers, on the
occasion, he threw light on the
life history and achievements of
the Dr Ambedkar.
Former
MLA and president of J&K
Mahila Congress, Swarn Lata also
paid tributes to Dr Ambedkar and
remembered his services to the
nation. In a statement, she
stressed that true tribute to Dr
Ambedkar would be to follow the
teachings of the great leader.
MLA
Samba Yash Paul Kundal also paid
tributes to the author of Indian
Constitution and leader of poor
masses Baba Sahib Bim Rao
Ambedkar.
Garlanding
the statue of Baba Sahib at
Panama Chowk here, Mr. Kundal
threw light on the life of this
visionary leader. He described
him as "Masiha" of poor
and down trodden people who
fought for the cause of under
privileged sections throughout
his life.
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Retrieval,
cost realisation of encroached
land
DCs ask
Revenue Deptt officials to put in
vigorous efforts
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 6:
Deputy Commissioners
of Kathua, Udhampur and Rajouri
today stressed upon the officers
and field functionaries of the
Revenue Department to put in
their vigorous efforts for
retrieval and cost realisation of
encroached State land as per the
provisions contained in the
latest Roshni Act within a
stipulated time frame.
District
Development Commissioner Kathua
Sarita Chauhan, in a meeting of
SDMs, Tehsildars, Naib
Tehsildars, Girdwars, Patwaries,
explained in detail about the
implementation of Roshni scheme.
She
imparted knowledge to revenue
officers about its implementation
and directed them to work with
dedication and honesty and
implement the scheme as directed
by the Chief Minister.
She
directed that Form-2 under Roshni
scheme should be delivered to the
land occupants between December
15 to December 31 and said that
filled Performa No 2 along with
relevant documents may be
received between December 16 to
January 21, 2007.
At
a meeting, the Deputy
Commissioner Udhampur O P
Kalandria directed the Tehsildars
concerned to initiate the process
of delivering notices through
their field functionaries to the
illegal occupants right from
December 15, 2006 till December
31, 2006.
He
advised the functionaries of the
department to be very impartial
and transparent in accomplishing
this challenging task leaving no
scope of any complaint so that
maximum revenue is generated to
State exchequer.
Those
officials, who would exceed the
target in a stipulated time frame
would be rewarded by the
Government. The officials found
guilty of any irregularity would
face strict punitive action, he
added.
Later,
a series of meetings with
Naib-Tehsildars, Girdawars and
Patwaries at Tehsil headquarters
were held by the Tehsildars
concerned to make the field
functionaries aware about their
job and responsibilities.
Stressing
for gearing up field staff for
effective implementation of
Roshni scheme, District
Development Commissioner Rajouri
Parvez Malik called for
synergizing efforts at Girdawari,
Niabat and Tehsil levels to
ensure cost realization from
State land occupants in a time
bound manner.
In
a meeting of officers and
officials of Revenue Department,
he asked them to educate the
people about the scheme so that
rebate incensitives are properly
availed by them.
Speaker for
modernization of Assembly library
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu, Dec 6:
Speaker Jammu and
Kashmir Assembly Tara Chand has
stressed the need for upgradation
and modernization of Assembly
library at Jammu for the
convenience of Members. The
present library is facing
shortage of space and does not
cater to the needs of members
especially when the session is in
progress.
While
chairing the meeting of Library
Committee here today, the Speaker
discussed measures for upgrading
and proper cataloging of the
library books with the Committee
Members. He apprised the Members
that the Assembly Secretariat has
already forwarded a comprehensive
proposal for construction of new
block for the library with
provision for adequate sitting
arrangements for Members to the
Government, but it is awaited.
The
Committee asked the Secretary
Assembly to follow up the case
with the concerned department and
ascertain the present status of
the proposal so that the matter
could be sorted out at an
appropriate level.
The
Committee was apprised that there
is good number of books on
different subjects available in
both the libraries at Jammu and
Srinagar. However, it was noted
with concern that some Members do
not return books after reading
and Assembly Secretariat keeps on
reminding them.
The
Committee also gave nod for
purchasing some new books on
different subjects mainly
pertaining to parliamentary
procedure in the country.
The
meeting was attended by Leader of
Oppositioin in the House,
A.R.Rather, MLAs Harsh Dev Singh,
Yash Paul Kundal, Nazir Ahmed
Gurezi, Suman Bhagat, Syed Bashir
Ahmed, Dr. Chaman Lal and
Secretary Assembly, Mohammad
Iqbal Ganai.
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Contribution
of VFCs in forests' conservation
vital: Aizaz
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu, Dec 6:
Measures are afoot
to protect and conserve the Green
Gold (Forests) in the State and
for the purpose various Central
and State Government Schemes are
under effective implementation.
This
was stated by Minister of State
for Forests, Technical Education
and Higher Education Aijaz Ahmad
Khan during a day long tour of
the Arnas area of District Doda.
The
Minister took stock of the pace
of progress on development works
under various forest development
schemes being executed in the
area. He said presently 29
Village Forest Committees (VFC)
are functioning in the area which
are contributing in the
conservation of forests.
The
Minister said that over Rs. 31
lakh would be provided to the
VFC’s in the area for
construction of entry roads,
water conservation tanks,
plantation and conducting of
awareness camps and development
of damaged closures in the area.
Mr.
Aijaz said that Government is
striving to protect the forests
as these are the backbone of the
States economy. He said special
drive would be launched to curb
the timber smuggling in the State
and the process of making
available timber to the consumers
has been streamlined.
The
Minister said that a plantation
drive would be launched across
the State during next plantation
season in the State.
Raising Day
celebrations of Homeguards
conclude
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 6: The week
long celebration of Raising Day
of Homeguards and Civil Defence
concluded today with Raising Day
Parade.
Director
General of Police Prison M K
Mohanty was the chief guest on
the occasion and he took the
salute at the march past
presented by the Civil Defence,
Home Guards and Auxilary Police
contingents.
Speaking
on the occasion, Mr Mohanty
lauded the role of Homeguards and
Civil Defence volunteers during
disasters and said that
activities of Homeguards and
Civil Defence were full of
sentiments of public service and
humanitarian feelings.
He
also distributed prizes among the
winners of various events which
were received by Sports Manager
and Sports Incharge of the
concerned teams.
IGP
Navin Aggarwal gave a brief
account of Civil Defence and
Homeguards activities and said
that in the week long
celebrations various events like
seminar, Civil Defence rally,
chief warden conferences and
sports events were organised. He
projected various demands of
voluntary Homeguards relating to
the enhancement in their
honorarium and employment.
Several
senior police officers were
present on the occasion.
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Committee's
directive to strengthen
educational
set-up in J&K
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu, Dec 6: The
Committee on Government
Assurances has directed the
Education Department to take
immediate measures to develop
adequate infrastructure and
strengthen network to provide
education at the doorsteps of
students. The Committee
maintained that before upgrading
new institutions, the department
should ensure proper staffing and
other infrastructural facilities.
The
Assurances Committee which met
here today with M.Y.Tarigami in
chair reviewed the status of
Government assurances pertaining
to the Education Department. The
Committee observed that the
Department has not met most of
the commitments after lapse of
even some years.
The
Sarva Shiksha Abhyan ((SSA) which
is a mega project being
implemented in the State like
other parts of the country, the
Committee said that the scheme
should be implemented in letter
and spirits so that very purpose
of the scheme could be achieved.
The Committee also suggested for
creation of separate Engineering
Wing for SSA to construct school
buildings and other engineering
related works.
The
Committee directed the Secretary
Education to ensure budgetary
provisions for school buildings
where State land is not
available. It needs to be
reflected in the 11th Finance
Commission. It also directed for
arranging timely State share for
SSA scheme to ensure timely
release of Central funds.
On
the issue of rising of
unprecedented fee in the private
schools, the Committee directed
the Department to make some
well-knit mechanism to tackle
this problem and education in
private institutions should not
become commercialized.
"There is a great need to
fix regulations for such
institutions so that a common man
could also take studies
there", the Committee
observed.
Some
members also expressed concern
over the ill health of vehicles
being used by the private
educational institutions risking
the lives of thousands of
students. The Committee
maintained that these vehicles
should fulfill norms fixed by
concerned agencies for plying.
The
Secretary Education, K.M.Wani who
was also present in the meeting
apprised the Committee about the
action plan of the Department
being implemented to upgrade and
improve education sector in the
State.
Those
present in the meeting included
MLAs, M.Y.Shah, Gharu Ram, Abdul
Rehman Veeri and senior officers
of Education Department.
Rules Committee
approves certain
amendments in
Business
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu, Dec 6: Rules
Committee held its meeting under
the chairmanship of Speaker Tara
Chand today and approved certain
amendments in Procedure and
conduct of Business in the House.
The
Committee discussed various
matters relating to certain
amendments in existing Rules of
Business for facilitating smooth
conduct of House proceedings.
The
Committee approved five
amendments in today’s
meeting which include that a
Member shall make himself/herself
responsible for the accuracy of
any statement made in the House.
There will be no discussion on a
paper or document laid on the
table by a private member. It
shall not ordinarily relate to
matters which are under
consideration of Assembly
Committee.
The
Committee has further approved
that it shall not relate to
matter which is not primarily the
concern of the government. And it
shall not relate to a trivial
matter.
The
proposed amendments would be put
up in the next session for
finalization as new Rules which
would be applicable accordingly.
Those
present in the meeting included
MLAs, Messrs Harshdev Singh,
M.Y.Shah, Sham Lal Sharma, Yash
Paul Kundal and Secretary
Legislative Assembly and Mohd
Iqbal Ganai.
Haq Insaf Yatra
given warm welcome in
Bani, Basohli
villages
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
6: ‘Haq Insaf
Yatra (Nyas-Adhikar) launched by
National Panthers Party (NPP)
which touched various villages of
Bani and Basohli today was given
a warm welcome by the people
there.
The
yatra is led by NPP chief and
MLC, Prof. Bhim Singh who was
accompanied by several Party
leaders from Delhi, Punjab and
J&K.
Addressing
the public meetings Prof Singh
regretted that tribal Gaddies and
the backward people in the area
have remained deprived of their
basic civil and economic rights.
He
appealed the militants to leave
violence and join the Insaf Yatra
launched by his Party.
He
urged the Government to take
action against the corrupt
politicians and bureaucrats so
that the money received from
Centre is utilized properly for
the upliftment of farmers and
weaker sections of the society.
He
asked the State Government to
implement the Common Minimum
Programme (CMP) in letter and
spirit so that the poor people of
J&K receive justice.
He
urged the Union Government to
appoint a supervisory Committee
for the J&K for proper
implementation Central schemes.
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