Govt extends number of concessions under SRO 356

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Dec 13 : According to Additional Commissioner, Kashmir, the Government has extended a number of concessions/benefits to the occupants of the State/Nazool land under the newly issued SRO pertaining to land retrieving and extending ownership rights up to 10 kanals of land on concessional prices.

The occupants (authorized, over stayed occupants, unauthorized expectant occupants and unauthorized occupants) of the State/Nazool will have to pay only 25% to 50% of the market value of the land under the occupation determined by the committee for residential/commercial State/Nazool lands under their occupation depending on the category, he/they belong.

The occupants will get further rebate of 2% to 25% of the determined amount if they deposit the same in the Government treasury as per the following schedule. For payment made within three months a rebate of 25% will be allowed, for payments made within six months, nine months and within one year a rebate of 15%, 5% and 2% respectively will be provided. For payments made within one year and three months a penalty of 5% will be charged. For payments made within one year and six months, one year and nine months and within two years a penalty of 15%, 25% and 35% will be charged respectively.

In respect of educational, religious, charitable, non-profitable, social institutions, trusts, societies and political parties recognized by Election Commission of India, the occupants shall have to pay 25% to 50% of the value of the land determined by the committee.

The occupant of the State land for agriculture purpose shall have to pay only 15% of the market value of the land.

The Government has issued the following calendar for filing application for vesting of ownership as per revised schedule issued vide SRO 356, dated November 23, 2006. From 15th December to 31st December 2006, notices will be issued by the concerned Tehsildars to occupants of the State/Nazool land through Lumberdars for filing applications under the revised schemes in form 2 by or before 21 January, 2007. The last date for receipt of applications has been set as 21st January, 2007.

All those applicants who have filed applications under pre-revised scheme need not to apply afresh. For seeking any clarification any person can approach the concerned Tehsildar during office hours.

Farooq emphasises on educational
advancement of Gujjars-Bakerwals

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 13: Former Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah emphasised the greater need of educational advancement amongst the Gujjars and Bakerwals of the State, who he said, are suffering from backwardness and poverty.

Addressing the annual day function of K B Public Higher Secondary School, run under the aegis of Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust, here today, Dr Abdullah said that it was only through educational advancement that these marganalized sections of the society can come out of backwardness and poverty morass. Because of educational backwardness, he said, Gujjars and Bakerwals could not take the full benefits available to them under Scheduled Tribe status which was confined to them in early 1990s.

Dr Abdullah said that in 1970s under the Chief Ministership of Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, the State had launched various programmes for the educational advancement of Gujjars and Bakerwals. Begum Akbar Jahan, who had a great urge for the upliftment of these neglected sections of the society, had also made strenuous efforts to make them literate. But the programme have not produced the desired results.

Former Chief Minister highly appreciated the progress achieved by K B Public School and said that the school has been playing important role and it is heartening to see that children from various parts of the State are receiving quality education in the School. He had a word of high praise for Masud Choudhary, who he said, had worked ceaselessly in setting up and flourishing of this educational institution.

He also distributed prizes and certificates among the students who had excelled in various activities. Mohammed Yosuf Teng, former MLC presided over the function.

Earlier, Dr Abdullah visited the fast coming up multi-crore Gurjar Cultural and Research complex being raised by Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust at Jammu. He also announced of granting Rs 30 lakhs out of his Parliamentary Constituency Development Fund for the Gurjar Cultural and Research Complex. He also donated Rs 21,000 for the students of the school.

One killed, 10 injured in road accidents

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 13: One person was killed and 10 others were injured when a mini-bus, they were travelling in, skidded off the road while as three persons allegedly consumed poisonous substances at their respective residences.

Police spokesman said that a truck driver—Moti Singh, son of Nimba Singh of Digiana was killed in road accident in front of JK Oil Mill at Bari Brahamana.

He was immediately rushed to Sub-District Hospital Bishnah where doctors pronounced him as brought dead. The body was, later, handed over to family members after post-mortem.

Meanwhile, 10 persons were injured when a mini-bus bearing registration number JK02J-0984 turned turtle near TCP Nagrota. All were rushed to Government Medical College Hospital and their condition was stated to be out of danger.

They have been identified as Pooja Devi, daughter of Darshan Singh of Bishnah, Pushpa Devi, wife of Om Parkash of Utterbehni, Jyoti, daughter of Krishan Lal, Ravi Kumar, son of Amar Nath, Namita Devi, daughter of Ravi Kumar, Raman Kumar, son of Ravi Kumar, all the residents of Samba, Chanchala Devi, wife of Darshan Singh of Bishnah, Taro Devi, wife of Krishan of Samba, Kanta Devi, wife of Girdhari Lal of Barian Samba and Om Parkash, son of Thoru Ram of Utter Behni.

The spokesman said that three persons allegedly consumed poisonous substances at their respective residences.They were identified as Suram Lal of Kanachak, Shalia Sharma of Talab Tillo and Bimla Devi of R S Pura. They were rushed to hospital when spotted unconscious by family members.

Doctors immediately provided them stomach wash treatment followed by other medicare. Their condition was stated to be out of danger.

Mandir land forcibly acquired
HC directs JDA to deposit compensation

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Dec, 13 : Justice Nirmal Singh of the State High Court Jammu wing in a petition filed by Mohitmum Lakshmi Narayan Mandir known as Mandir Dewan seeking compensation of six Kanal land agreed at the rate of rupees eight lakh per Kanal, has directed respondents (JDA) to deposit the compensation agreed between the parties along with the interest @ 12 % from the date it was due, with the Registrar Judicial of High Court on or before January 30, 2007.

The Court further directed that in case the compensation is not deposited, then the salary of the Vice-Chairman JDA and the employees including accounts of respondent JDA shall stand attached.

This significant order was passed in a writ petition filed by Vijay Kumar Sharma Mohitmum Mandir Lakshmi Narayan Ji, Pacca Danga Jammu (known as Dewan Mandir), Kacchi Chowni Jammu through Advocate RK Jain in which it has been submitted that in the year 1996 JDA forcibly acquired six Kanals of land of Mandir for parking purposes and as per minutes of the meeting dated August 14, 1996, agreed to pay compensation @ Rs 8 lac per Kanal tentatively till final determination, as per market rate and further agreed to maintain the temple and contribute the salaries of Pujari, Chowkidars and other persons.

According to the petition after taking the possession of land forcibly, the respondents have neither paid any compensation to the petitioners nor implemented their decision of August 14, 1996 and have converted the land for commercial use.

Justice Nirmal Singh after hearing Advocate RK Jain appearing for the petitioner and Advocate Adarsh Sharma appearing for JDA, observed that six kanals of land of Mandir Lakshmi Narayan Ji Maharaj was acquired in the year 1996 by way of negotiation. The JDA agreed to pay the compensation at the rate of Rs 8 lac per kanal.

It was also agreed that the compensation for the structure shall be paid as per assessment in terms of PWD schedule. The rate of compensation, however, was subject to the approval of the Deputy Commissioner Jammu. Admittedly, the JDA has not paid the compensation nor the approval from the Deputy Commissioner Jammu has been taken, however, the possession of the land was taken in the year 1996. Therefore, the respondents are directed to deposit compensation along with interest 12 % from the date it was due before January 30, 2007. In case the compensation is not deposited the salary of the Vice-Chairman JDA and employees including accounts of JDA shall stand attached.

Bhim Singh’s Haq Insaf Yatra reaches Rajouri

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Dec 13: Haq Insaf Yatra led by Panthers Party chief Prof Bhim Singh reached Rajouri which it was accorded reception by the people from all walks of life. Reception was accorded to Yatra at Nowshera, Chingas, Rajouri, Kot-Ranka, Budhal, Darhal, Thanamandi and other places in the border and militancy prone Rajouri district.

Addressing the rally, Prof Singh appreciated people of these areas for maintaining communal harmony during the days of militancy. He accused the administration for their failure to implement central schemes for development of people. He also regretted that Rajouri district has been neglected by the Department of Communication and there was no internet system functioning nor STD in operation for days together.

While addressing a meeting at Budhal, Prof Singh demanded restoration of tehsil status for Budhal and regularisation of Rehbar-e-Taleem teachers and SPOs, who have been getting Rs 50 per day in violation of Supreme Court order of ‘Equal Pay for Equal Work’.

Anita Thakur, Ch. Ghulam Ali, Sanjay Sachdev, Nasreen Ahmed, Mohiuddin Malik, Haji Khaliq Hussain, Mushtaq Ahmed, Mushtaq Bhat and others accompanied the Yatra.

Govt employees vow to make today’s strike successful

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 13: Newly constituted Jammu and Kashmir Government Employees Joint Platform for Action today vowed to make December 14 strike call a grand success.

Addressing a joint press conference, leaders of various trade union organisations lambasted those who have been opposing strike call and termed them as agents of the government.

Veteran trade union leader, Ram Kumar Sharma claimed that they have been receiving over-whelming response from the the government employees. He further pointed out that those opposing the strike call will be exposed on December 14.

Mr Sharma said that main aim of observing strike on December 14 was to lodge protest against anti-employees policies of both State and Central governments.

He demanded enhancement of retirement age from 58 to 60 years, constitution of sixth pay commission simultaneously in Jammu and Kashmir also.

Other demands included release of Rs 1000 as interim relief to all employees till implementation of the report of the sixth pay commission, confirmation of all adhoc and daily wagers of all departments, hike in the salaries of Rehbar-e-Talim teachers.

Mr Sharma also demanded that privatisation of various public sectors should be stopped immediately.

Mohammed Gafoor Dar, Balwan Singh Jamwal, Darshan Lal, Jaswant Singh, Balbir Singh and other leaders were present on the occasion.

SaMaPa to provide musical healing touch to J&K youth

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 13: Sopori Academy of Music and Performing Arts (SaMaPa) is starting its first lecture-demonstration series from December 14 to December 21st in Jammu.

Addressing a press conference, Abhay Rustum Sopori said that series will feature highly learned musicians, both of junior and senior age groups, from various field to interact with the students from colleges and schools. In these presentations there will be in the format of a Baithak style, the artists shall endeavour to teach the students the fundamentals of music and dance.

He informed that SaMaPa intends to gears up the talent in the State of Jammu and Kashmir to the extent of initiating them to take up music and other performing arts as a source of inspiration for their personality development and also adopting music as a profession. "With a musical healing touch, SaMaPa believes that the youth of the State needs more encouragement and care. SaMaPa will identify the local talent to get them involved in the mainstream music", he said.

Abhay, who has dedicated this festival to his homeland, said that SaMaPa is a step forward to the aim of academy-Jan Jan Tak Sangeet-the music to the masses. This festival, which is specially youth oriented, has been conceived by Abhay himself.

"There is a high need to understand our own culture and heritage and SaPaMa shall endeavour through this series to identify some of the students, who in due course of time shall come up not only as music connoisseurs but also try to become more involved in the Indian classical system and take music and other performing arts as a profession further propagating our heritage to strengthen our nation", he said.

Chaman rejects recommendations of
working group on CBMs

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 13: Taking strong exception of the statement of chairman of working group on Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) that recommendations of this group has been approved with ‘consensus’, former Union Minister and senior BJP leader, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta pointed that suggestions made by him in the meetings were not given any weight so there was no question of consensus.

Addressing a press conference, Prof Gupta said that Hurriyat Conference and National Conference were not present in the meetings while as Panun Kashmir has already discarded the deliberations so it was ridiculous when chairman was stating about consensus.

"I have gone through the minutes of the third meeting and the so-called consensus made. At the first, too much emphasis have been laid on so-called human rights violations although the issue was not in the main agenda of the group", he said, adding, "in the recommendations no suggestion has been made for strengthening Village Defence Committees, which have been playing an important role in defending not only their people in the rural areas but also extending a big helping hand to the security forces in meeting the challenge of highly trained and motivated ultras".

Prof Gupta, who was BJP’s representative in the meeting, regretted that instead of adopting clear cup approach some vague recommendations were made. He further pointed out that no clear cut recommendations were made for final settlement of the refugees from PoK. "A quite controversial issue about the return and rehabilitation of those youth who have gone for arms training in PoK-Pak has been included in the recommendations without specifying their number and places where they are in PoK-Pak although the issue was rejected in the State Assembly itself.

Circulating copy of letter which he has written to the chairman of the group, M H Ansari, Prof Gupta stated that he had submitted a charter of 24 suggestions but little importance has been given to that issues.