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HC
for acquiring
‘Sky-hawk’ to
regulate traffic system
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu,
Dec 19:
Division Bench of the
State High Court at
Srinagar comprising Chief
Justice BA Khan and
Justice Bashir Ahmed
Kirmani in a petition
filed by Kashmir Consumer
welfare Forum and Others
versus Commissioner
Transport and Others had
directed the statement
through Chief Secretary
to take all necessary
steps for acquiring
latest machine, namely
"Skyhawk"
manufactured in
Australia, was being
utilized for testing road
quality and standard
which was within
affordable cost and which
could otherwise save the
state exchequer and the
other alleged leakage in
this sector, which has
been already done by the
Delhi Government at the
cost of Rs 2 crores or
so. After cutting shot
nodal formalities
preferably within four
months from receipt of
this order.
The DB after
considering the status
report of various
departments issued some
additional directions,
according to these
directions it has been
said that it is noticed
that under orders of this
Court, the Govt had
constituted a committee
for preparing road plan
of the city, but
surprisingly no provision
has been made in this
committee for
representation of the
Traffic Enforcement
Agency. No convener or
member secretary has been
nominated who could
convene meetings of this
committee periodically.
The DB directed Principal
Secretary to PWD to
reconstitute this
committee by Co-opting
IGP Traffic in the
committee and also to
appoint its head/convener
who shall be instructed
to convene periodical
meetings of the
committee. The transport
commissioner in its
report submitted that
registration and fitness
certificates of 25 years
and more old commercial
vehicles had been
cancelled and list of
these vehicles published
in the newspapers. It is
also submitted that an
expert committee had also
been constituted to look
into the matter of fixing
age of commercial
vehicles. The
commissioner has also
submitted that all
companies had made
available four testing
vans which were to be
utilized by CAPD for
testing of petrol, diesel
etc at various filling
stations and 105 PSVs had
been issued to School
Buses at Srinagar and 97
at Jammu. The committee
constituted by the GAD to
examine the requirement
of the Traffic Agency had
submitted its report to
the Home Dept.
For lying
CNG, GAIL Authority
wanted the requirement of
ground work to be
satisfied by the Govt for
executing cooperation
agreement which indicates
that the requirement
extends beyond transport
sector which would be
difficult to be satisfied
looking to the
satisfaction of
availability of CNG with
GAIL. The
Commissioner/Secretary
was directed by the
Division Bench to
undertake the exercise of
projecting state’s
requirement limits to the
Transport sector only in
the first instance for
the purpose of executing
any cooperation agreement
with GAIL, which could
facilitate and expedite
its execution, depending
of course, on several
other related and
collateral. He shall take
up the matter with New of
Managing Director of GAIL
and pursue execution of
the agreement within time
frame.
DB further
observed that now the
pollution testing vans
had been acquired under
the order of this Court,
Chairman, Pollution
Control Board is directed
to ensure effective of
these vans by providing
separate wing for these
and to cause regular
checks being conducted
and also to submit copies
of reports to the Court
after initiating action
against violators.
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Forest
Guard, another held for smuggling
snow leopard’s skin
Excelsior
Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Dec 19: Police today
foiled an attempt to smuggle skin of snow
leopard and arrested two persons
including a Forest Guard.
Police
spokesman said that Senior Superintendent
of Police (SSP) Udhampur, Prithvi Raj
Manhas received an information that
smuggling of snow leopard skin from upper
reaches of Udhampur and Doda districts to
Jammu was going on for the past quite
sometime.
Subsequently,
he issued directions to all the SHOs of
the district to step-up checkings. Last
evening, SHO Rehmbal Police Station
Sub-Inspector Rajinder Sharma under the
direct supervision of Additional SP
Udhampur Anil Magotra laid a special naka
and started checking the vehicles.
During the
course of checking, a without number
motorcycle was intercepted and a gunny
bag which the pillion rider was carrying
subjected to checking.
From the
bag, police recovered skin of snow
leopard having value of Rs one lakh in
the international market. Both the
persons were immediately arrested and
leopard skin alongwith motorcycle seized.
The
arrested persons have been identified as
Davinder Singh alias Sonu, son of Omkar
Dev Singh of Sukrala and Forest Guard
Mohd Rafiq, son of Ghulam Qadir of
Mahakund, Gool and presently residing in
Keller area of Udhampur district.
A case
under Section 51 and 43 of Jammu and
Kashmir Wildlife Protection Act has been
registered against them and further
investigations were on.
The
preliminary investigations revealed that
the snow leopard skin was brought to
Udhampur from Billawar through forest
areas and had to be smuggled to Jammu for
further delivery to some persons.
"The
interrogation of arrested persons was
going on and their entire network would
be smashed", the spokesman said.
Modern
township for Kashmiri migrants
coming up at Dhammi
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu, Dec 19: A modern township
to accommodate 4000 Kashmiri migrant
families in as many 2-room tenements is
coming up at Dhammi-Jagti near Jammu over
an area of 671 kanals.
The
township to be completed under Prime
Minister’s Reconstruction Plan at a
cost of Rs. 165 crore would be having all
basic amenities and modern facilities for
the residents.
Chief
Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today paid a
visit to the site being developed for
raising structures. He was accompanied by
Advisor to Chief Minister and Chief
Executive Economic Reconstruction Agency
Vijay Bakaya, Minister for Housing and
Urban Development Qazi Mohammad Afzal,
Minister for Health and Medical Education
Mangat Ram Sharma, Minister for School
Education Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, MLA
Jugal Kishore, Mayor Jammu Municipal
Corporation Ch. Manmohan Singh and
Divisional Commissioner Jammu Pramod
Jain.
Chief
Minister while reviewing the initial
progress of development of site set a
target of 18 months for completion of all
4000 two-room tenements. He said
facilities like roads, adequate water
supply, schooling, electrification and
construction of double-lane bridge over
the nallah leading to the township should
be taken up simultaneously.
He said
ample recreation facilities and carving
out of six parks should be made part of
the prestigious project.
Chief
Minister also directed for formulating
project report for construction of
protection bund on one side of the
colony.
He also
asked for creating beautiful and
palatable surroundings of the township
and make provision for plantation and
green belts in the township.
Chief
Minister said that the new township
should not only give a modern look but
should be model in every aspect in so far
as accommodation and basic amenities are
concerned.
Court
rejects bail plea of Patwari involved in
land scam
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu, Dec 19: Special Judge
Anticorruption Jammu, JR Kotwal today
rejected the application filed by then
Patwari halqa Deeli Farooq Iqbal Qazi for
anticipatory bail.
The record
on the CD file reveals that in the month
of January 2005 the revenue minister had
marked to Deputy Commission, Jammu the
applications of seven displaced persons
for allayment or making up the Deficiency
in the land allotted to them.
In quick
succession, the accused Tehsildar on
these applications sought report of the
Patwari. The accused Patwari reported
that the applicants were in possession of
State land in village Deeli and
recommended its allotment to them. Even
more quickly the Tehsildar allotted
(restored deficiency) the land in favour
of said applicants. Record further
reveals that even before moving the
applications said seven displaced persons
were in league with property dealer,
accused Baldev Singh and had executed
some documents and received advance of
lacs of rupees in lieu of the sale of
State land, if allotted to them.
Immediately after allotment accused
Patwari issued revenue papers in favour
of accused Baldev Singh in his capacity
as attorney of allottees, who sold the
land on their behalf.
The Judge
after hearing Advocate Harbans Lal
appearing for the applicant and Chief
Prosecuting Officer Onkar Singh appearing
for the VOJ observed that contention of
the accused applicant that he reported
factual position and had no role in
allotment of land, is not sustainable.
His act cannot be looked in isolation of
the entire sequence of the events and
their ultimate results. It emerges from
the record that only one of the
applicants namely Meena Banti was
recorded in possession of the land in
question whereas Patwari’s report as
regards possession of other applicants
was based upon nothing. It was his report
that constituted the bases for
unauthorized allotment of 219 Kanals 1
Marla State land by the Tehsildar. The
Court said that contention of Patwari is
like egg saying that it came first and
has nothing to do with the birth of the
chick. It is disturbing to know that even
though the Tehsildar made allotment order
on January 28, 2005, the accused Patwari
has recommended attestation of mutation
in favour of the allottees 8 day earlier
on January 27, 2005. Considering the
role, played by the accused Patwari and
the ultimate result which was a plunder
of big chunk of State land, this cannot
be taken as a case fit for granting
anticipatory bail to him. Not only that,
there is sufficient reasons to accept the
contention of the VOJ that custody of the
accused applicant may be required to
interrogate him for discovering important
aspects of the matter and possibility of
his tempering with the evidence too
cannot be ruled out. Grant of
anticipatory bail at this stage would
fore close the option of the
investigating agency to arrest the
accused even if required for the purpose
of investigation. With these observations
Court rejected anticipatory bail
application of the accused and recalled
the interim anticipatory bail granted him
on December 12, 2006.
Mangat
inaugurates Khadi Gramodyog Exhibition
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 19: As the Khadi and
Cottage industries are playing a vital
role in the economic upliftment of
village population, about 34000 units
were established upto September this year
generating employment for 1,24,474
unemployed youth.
This was
stated by Minister for Health and Medical
Education Mangat Ram Sharma while
interacting with the media-persons after
inaugurating State level Khadi and
Village Gramodyog Exhibition-cum-Sale
here today. Minister of State for
Industries Romesh Chander Sharma was also
present on the occasion.
The
Exhibition was organised by the J&K
Khadi and Village Industry Board in
collaboration with KVIC.
"India
has the history of rural Industries of
over 2000 years and after independence,
the Commission and the State Board
infused new life in rural
industrialization and expanded its
activities to motivate rural artisans to
adopt industries based on locally
available raw material", the Health
Minister said.
Inspecting
various stalls, he asked the artisans to
produce products keeping in view the
market trends and demands in local, state
as well as national level markets.
MoS
Industries said that KVIB has been
organising such exhibitions every year in
capital cities and during last
year’s exhibition Rs 25 lakh sale
was registered.
Secretary
KVIB R C Sharma disclosed that products
of KVIB units have marked their emergence
as a quality products and recently M/s
Madeena Carpet bagged second prize in
national level exhibition while Mohd
Yousaf Khawja of M/s Habbi Leather Goods
got second prize in zonal level
exhibition at Dehradun. Hamid Shah, an
artisan of Khadi bagged National Award
for Excellence in National Convention
held in November this year.
He said
that Board will organise district level
exhibitions at Doda, Poonch and Pahalgam
and unit holders will be provided
facility at zonal level exhibitions at
Chandigarh, Dehradun and other places.
Secretary
KVIB informed that a total of 50
participants from all over the State and
also from Uttaranchal and Himachal
Pradesh, have installed their stalls in
the exhibition. The products on display
include ornamental pottery, Basohli
pashmina, shawls, carpets, chain stitch
rugs, gabbas, namdas, leather products
and ready-made garments besides Khadi
items.
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Yoga
camps to be conducted after short
intervals
128
suicides in Army so far this year
By Mohinder
Verma
JAMMU, Dec 19: As 128 suicides by
the jawans and officers have been
reported from the Army so far this year,
the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has issued
directions for organising yoga camps on
short intervals to help the Army
personnel overcoming stress and strain.
Defence
sources told the EXCELSIOR that during
the current year a total of 128 incidents
of suicides were reported from the Army
so far and majority of them were
committed by lower rank personnel like
Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs),
havildars and jawans.
"Though
suicides by officers like recent one by a
Lieutenant Colonel Pankaj Jha posted in
Mahore area of Udhampur district also
figured in the list of 128 yet their
number is not much disturbing as compared
to those by jawans", they said.
Moreover,
in Jammu and Kashmir and North East, 23
cases of fratricides (shooting co-jawans
and officers in disturbed state of mind)
involving three officers and 16 jawans
were reported during the current year so
far, the sources disclosed and said that
out of these 23 cases, majority were
reported from J&K.
These
sources further disclosed that only 0.3
per cent suicides were committed because
of operational stress while the majority
were due to domestic problems. They added
that the domestic stress was disturbing
Army personnel because they have not
learnt the technique to segregate
operational and domestic stress.
The figure
of fratricides and suicides cases has
perturbed the Ministry of Defence which
has issued directions for organising yoga
camps after short intervals to help Army
personnel in keeping stress and strain at
bay.
Moreover,
the directions have also been issued to
increase formal as well as informal
interactions between the senior officers
and jawans so that their domestic
problems could be listened and steps are
taken to solve them by approaching the
administrations in their home towns, the
defence sources said.
"These
are short-term measures to cope with the
stress level among the jawans. The
permanent steps would be taken only after
a committee headed by Director Defence
Institute of Psychological Research, New
Delhi submits its report about the causes
behind increase in number of suicides and
fratricide incidents within a period of
two months and suggests remedial
measures", the sources disclosed.
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One killed,
11 injured in road accidents
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
19: One person was
killed and eleven others received
injuries in separate road
accidents.
Police
spokesman said that one Girdhari
Lal, son of Bua Ditta of Domana
was killed when he was hit by a
scooter. He was rushed to
Government Medical College
Hospital where he succumbed to
injuries.
A
case has been registered in this
connection.
Meanwhile,
11 persons were injured in
separate road accidents reported
from different parts of Jammu
province. All were rushed to
hospital and their condition was
stated to be out of danger when
reports last came in.
They
have been identified as Anil
Kumar, son of Mohan Lal of R S
Pura, Hardeep Singh, son of Parma
Nand, Tarseem Chand, son of
Milkhi Ram, Anil Kumar, son of
Prakash of Udhampur, Chamail
Singh, son of Dharam Singh of
Doda, Manoj, son of Rajinder
Singh of Rehari, Sanjeev Gupta,
son of Subash Chander Gupta of
Indira Colony Janipur, Sunil
Chopra, son of Hans Raj Chopra of
Channi Himmat and Pardeep Tandon,
son of Brij Lal Tandon of Bakshi
Nagar.
The
spokesman said that one Sham Lal,
son of Jagmeet Raj of Akhnoor,
who was admitted in hospital
after sustaining burn injuries in
accidental fire, succumbed to
injuries today.
Police
has taken cognizance of the
incident.
Three
persons—Arun Kumar, son of
Tarlok Chand of Resham Ghar,
Surinder Kumar, son of Puran
Chand of Tangar Morh, Hiranagar
and Salio Din, son of Rustam of
Doda allegedly consumed poisonous
substances at their respective
residences.
They
were rushed to hospital when
spotted unconscious by family
members. Doctors immediately
provided them stomach wash
treatment followed by other
medicare. Their condition was
stated to be out of danger when
reports last came in.
Police
has taken cognizance of the
incidents.
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Governor
questions Musharraf’s sincerity
Pak trying
to gain foothold in Kashmir
through backdoor: Sinha
Excelsior
Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Dec 19: Commenting on
President Parvez Musharraf’s latest
proposal for joint supervision in
Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt
Gen (Retd) S K Sinha today said that it
is an effort to gain foothold in the
Valley through backdoor.
Talking to
media persons here, he said that the
proposal of joint control or joint
supervision is an effort to seek entry
for gaining foothold in Kashmir when
efforts to do so through wars or
terrorist violence had not succeeded.
In reply
to a question, Gen Sinha said that the
Pak President has also been proposing
self-rule and demilitarization in the
State without doing anything concrete on
dismantling terrorist infrastructure in
his country. He emphasized that
demilitarization or more appropriately
return of troops to barracks, can be
considered only when cross border
terrorism and terrorist violence within
the State ceases.
Earlier,
addressing intellectuals here, the
Governor touched a volley of subjects and
gave his observations, making it clear
that these were his personal views and
not official. On President
Musharraf’s ‘‘Out of Box
solutions’’ and self-rule, he
said that such rhetoric show lack of
sincerity as terrorist camps across the
border are still intact. ‘‘It
was very strange that the neighbour,
which has derailed democracy in its own
country, throttled it in PoK and totally
denied it in Northern Area, is wanting to
give lessons on self-rule to India.
Self-rule and democracy are synonymous.
India is most vibrant democracy in the
Third World", he said adding that
within India; J&K has more self-rule
than any other State in the country.
‘‘A
law enacted by the Parliament
automatically applies to all States in
the country but not to J&K, unless it
is endorsed by the State
Assembly,’’ he pointed out and
said that no legislation passed by PoK
Assembly can become a law till approved
by the Minister in charge Kashmir Affairs
in Pakistan Cabinet. Similarly, no one
who does not accept Kashmir’s
accession to Pakistan is allowed to
participate in politics in PoK, he noted.
‘‘We
have no such stipulation in our
administered Kashmir", he said,
adding that the separatist leaders in
Kashmir openly preach sedition and
indulge in anti-India rhetoric. This
cannot be imagined in any other
democracy. On top of this, these
separatist leaders are provided security
and even medical treatment when required,
at the expense of the Indian taxpayer, he
said.
Associated
with Kashmir from day one, the Governor
cleared misconceptions about the problem,
saying that it is being constantly
propagated that partition took place on
the basis of religion and Kashmir being a
Muslim majority State, should have formed
part of Pakistan. ‘‘It is not
widely known that both Jinnah and the
British wanted that in the case of the
500 odd Princely States, their ruler
should decide the future of their State
and not the people.’’ he
recalled.
‘‘The
propaganda unleashed has been that
India’s intransigence and not
abiding by the UN Resolutions was the
reason for plebiscite not being held.
Pakistan flouted the UN resolution both
in terms of not withdrawing its forces
from Kashmir and also in illegally ceding
27,000 square miles of Kashmir territory
to China. Another false propaganda being
carried out is that because plebiscite
was not held, the people of Kashmir did
not get an opportunity to express their
choice. The people of Kashmir have been
repeatedly participating in the electoral
process despite terrorist threats and
violence as also repeated boycott call of
separatists. In the recent bye-elections
in Kashmir, the voter turn out was 70%,
in defiance of boycotts, threats and
violence. Moreover, both in 1947-48 and
in 1965 wars, the people of Kashmir made
it abundantly clear where their
preference lay," Lt Gen Sinha said.
He asserted that Gen Mohammad Musa, the
Pakistan Commander-in-Chief in the 1965
War, has stated in his book,
‘‘My Version,’’ that
Pakistan failed to achieve its objective
in that war, because of lack of support
from the people of Kashmir. In 2002,
Opinion Poll conducted by Mori, a British
NGO under the patronage of Lord Avebury,
a known Pakistan protagonist revealed
that 61% of the people of Kashmir want to
remain with India, 6% want to join
Pakistan and 33% are
undecided,’’ he added.
Yet
another propaganda constantly unleashed
in the Press is on the score of human
rights violations by the Army. "In
such operations, odd such violations are
inevitable. Whenever these occur,
immediate and severe action is being
taken by the Army. During the ongoing
militancy in the State, the Army has
court martialled and convicted 71
personnel with sentences varying from 2
years to 14 years rigorous imprisonment.
Record of the Army in Kashmir in
respecting human rights is far superior
to that of foreign armies engaged in such
operations anywhere in the world, as we
see today in Waziristan, Baluchistan,
Afghanistan and Iraq", he
maintained.
"One
should also note that the brutality being
committed by terrorists against Kashmiri
civilians like slitting throats, raping
women, hanging people and so on. The
terrorists have killed some 20,000
innocent Kashmiris including women and
children. Over 90 % of civilians killed
by these Jehadis are their
co-religionists. While the vilification
of the Army on the basis of false or
highly exaggerated facts continues
unabated, a Nelson’s eye is turned
towards the constant human rights
violations by terrorists,’’ he
argued.
Giving an
overview of the Kashmir problem by
stating facts, the Governor expressed
optimism about the settlement of this
vexed issue by the process of dialogue at
various levels. He said the common man in
India and Pakistan wants to have cordial
relations between the two countries.
‘‘The people of Jammu and
Kashmir are sick and tired of violence
and are yearning for peace. International
opinion is getting mobilised against
terrorism in any form. There is greater
evidence of international understanding
of the Indian view point as found during
Clinton’s visit to the Sub Continent
in 1998, in international reaction to the
Kargil War and in the report of Countess
Ema Nicholson to the European
Parliament,’’ he said.
Azad
for technological intervention in mineral
exploitation
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu, Dec 19: Stressing for
exploiting mineral resources of the State
by scientific and technological
interventions for economic welfare, Chief
Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Tuesday called
for local value addition to the rich
mineral resources by encouraging ventures
in the areas rich in specific raw
material.
Asking for
taking advantage of symbiotic relations
between investors and the State, Azad
said that in lieu of liberal incentives
from the State, industrialists have to
reciprocate by opening door of greater
employment opportunities for locals both
in skilled and semi-skilled disciplines.
Reviewing
the functioning and modus operandi of
translating people and investor-friendly
policy in force during a presentation
session on industrial sector here, Chief
Minister said that need of the hour is to
take investors to the rural and
industrially backward areas as well.
"This would write a new chapter on
socio-economic and employment generation
slate of the State and help realize the
goal of prosperity set by the Government
to achieve for the people", he
maintained.
Azad said
that there should be constant and
well-knit rapport between industrialists
and Government functionaries at all
levels to understand each others
requirements on various fronts.
"Industrialists require great number
of skilled and semi-skilled personnel
like electricians, plumbers, motor
mechanics, operators and other technical
hands which could easily be provided to
these out of the local youth, however,
the demand with respect to specific
trained personnel, Industries Department
could obtain the list and accordingly
train youth in ITIs so that they are
easily absorbed in different
industries".
Chief
Minister said that handloom and
handicrafts, the highest revenue
generation and employment providing
sectors, require focus of attention for
strengthening. "Measures have to be
taken to expand market orbit of globally
renowned Jammu and Kashmir handicrafts
and handloom products by showcasing the
skillful craftsmanship and specialty of
products both in the national and
international markets and give fillip to
market activities to a greater
extent".
He said
the practice of organizing industries and
handicrafts exhibitions in the State at
Jammu and Srinagar capital cities once in
every year should be planned in such a
manner as would enable to organize such
exhibitions twice every year at each
capital city.
Stressing
the need for having every respect towards
environment and ecological balance while
going for raising mega industries, Chief
Minister underscored the need for
implementing greening policy in industry
in letter and spirit.
Azad said
that every one of us has to think in
terms of joint responsibility towards the
nation and people and put in hard toil to
carry forward the State towards safe
shore of economic prosperity in every
field of life. He asked the officers to
bring excellence in every area of
functioning and render service in a
missionary zeal.
Minister
of State for Industries and Commerce
Romesh Chander Sharma, Chief Secretary C.
Phunsog, Principal Secretary Planning S.
S. Kapoor, Principal Secretary to Chief
Minister Anil Goswami,
Commissioner/Secretary Finance B. B.
Vyas, Commissioner/Secretary Industries
L. D. Jha and other senior officers
attended the meeting.
Forest
Deptt formulates two mega projects
for resource management
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu, Dec 19: With an aim to
save the green gold of State, Jammu and
Kashmir Forest Department has prepared
two mega projects ‘Integrated Forest
Resource Management’ and
‘Natural Resource Management
Capacity Building Project’. In a
meeting, held here today, forest minister
Qazi Muhammad Afzal was briefed about the
projects and its funding.
The
Minister was informed that the
‘Integrated Forest Resource
Management Project’ has an estimated
cost of Rs. 600 crore and it will be
posed through the Central Government to
the Japanese Bank for International
Cooperation (JBIC) for necessary funding.
The Forest
Department of Jammu & Kashmir State,
created in the latter part of nineteenth
century is responsible for protecting and
managing the State's 20,230 square
kilometers of forest area on Sustainable
basis. However, owing to various factors
including poverty, landslides, sliding
hillocks, lower water retention
potential, extreme weather conditions
etc, the forests of the State are
continuously facing the onslaught of
ever-increasing population and
development causing increasing demands
for forest products and forest land.
Minister
was further informed that the project has
been designed to address the growing
problems with regard to the forest areas.
The Project has not only been designed
for ecosystem restoration but also for
providing employment opportunities and
other socio-economic benefits to the
stakeholders constituting the important
constituent of such critical fragile
ecosystems. The processes will lead to
maximum optimal biomass production under
these prevailing situations.
The basic
issues and strategies being identified
through the proposed project are
improving resource management, increasing
forest productivity (Improving land
management of the basins), participatory
Forest management, strengthening of
policy and institutional frame work.
After
holding a detailed discussion on the
subject, the minister said that the task
is huge and will need a budget of 6000
million INR, a resource beyond the
purview of Jammu and Kashmir State. He,
asked the concerned official to prepare
necessary report on the projects so that
it can be submitted to Government of
India for posing it to the Japanese Bank
for International Cooperation (JBIC) for
necessary funding. The project cost is
Rs. 600 crore, which will have 8 years
duration and will cover the entire State
of J&K.
Regarding
the other project, "Natural Resource
Management Capacity Building
Project", the minister was informed
that the Project Objective is to
"develop institutional capacity to
promote sustainable natural resource
management for enhanced forest based
livelihood opportunities for local
communities".
This
project is proposed to be implemented as
a sub-project or component of the
proposed World Bank assisted
Participatory Watershed Management
Project (PWMP), which is at an advance
stage of preparation and is likely to be
pre-appraised in January 2007. The World
Bank's policy is to support reform
programme in various sectors and would
include this as part of the PWMP. The
estimated cost of the project is about
Rs. 82 crore.
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JD(U)
sees ‘selfish rule’ in
slogan of ‘self rule’
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
19: Dubbing the
People’s Democratic
Party’s slogan of ‘self
rule’ as ‘selfish
rule’, Janta Dal (United)
has announced to propagate
‘Rule of Law’ for
return of peace and normalcy in
the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Talking
to media persons, here today,
State president of Janta Dal
(United) Inder Mohinder Tar Singh
strongly condemned the PDP for
trying to take back the State
into past by giving the proposals
such as self rule which is
allegedly aimed to serve only a
handful of people.
"Our
party will oppose the self rule
proposal tooth and nail and
launch a mass campaign for the
rule of law in J&K so that
everyone can get justice and
protect his rights," he
said.
The
JD(U) leader also charged the
coalition Government with failure
on all fronts and drew attention
towards increasing price hike,
corruption, unemployment etc
which have made the life of
common man miserable. "The
Government must come forwards and
take measures to control the
unprecedented price hike of
essential commodities," he
said.
Expressing
serious concern on the Tosha
Khana fire in historic Mubarak
Mandi complex, Mr Singh demanded
a probe to ascertain the reasons
of fire and failures in
protecting the heritage building.
"Top priority should be
given to preserve the heritage
buildings for which adequate
funds are also released by the
Central Government from time to
time," he added.
Demanding
creation of Billawar, Hiranagr
and Bahu districts, the JD(U)
leader alleged that Jammu region
was ignored while constituting
new districts. "In Kashmir
after every 15-20 kilometers a
new district starts whereas in
Jammu, the districts have more
than 30-40 kilometers of
radius," he explained and
suggested creation of small
districts for better
administration.
The
press conference was also
addressed by some other senior
leaders of JD(U), which included
G N Dar, A K Kharu, S P Mangotra
and Kamal Suri.
Blind murder
of youth worked out, close friend
arrested
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
19: Police today worked
out blind murder of a youth of
village Seoda under the
jurisdiction of Satwari Police
Station and arrested
deceased’s close friend.
Police
spokesman said that on December
10, 2006 one Des Raj of village
Seoda lodged a report with
Phalayan Mandal Police Post
stating that his son Surjeet
Kumar was missing since December
5.
Subsequently,
police started efforts to trace
out the youth. But on December
16, body of Surjeet Kumar was
found floating in the river Tawi
near Phalayan Mandal. The body
was shifted to hospital for
post-mortem which revealed that
youth died of severe head
injuries.
On
the directions of Senior
Superintendent of Police (SSP)
Jammu Mukesh Singh. a special
team headed by SHO Satwari Police
Station Inspector Arvind Kotwal
and Incharge Phalayan Mandal
Police Post SI Deepak Sharma was
constituted to work out the blind
murder case.
The
police team under the direct
supervision of SP City South
Zahid Manhas and SDPO South Shiv
Kumar Singh Chouhan rounded up
deceased’s close
friend—Sunil Kumar alias
Kaka, son of Bahadur Singh of
same village as he was seen with
the deceased on December 5.
During
questioning, Sunil Kumar
confessed to have committed the
murder of Surjeet Kumar and
revealed that on December 5 he
hit Sunil with a stone on his
head when they had gone to River
Tawi. After inflicting injuries
on Surjeet, the accused fled from
the spot leaving behind the
deceased bleeding profusely in
waters.
Though
the exact reason behind killing
Surjeet has not been revealed by
the accused yet he also hinted
that Surjeet was having affair
with Sunil’s sister.
The
questioning of the accused was
going on.
Harsh flays
discrimination with PHE workers
of Jammu
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
19: Harsh Dev Singh,
MLA and former Minister has
flayed the discriminatory
treatment being meted out to PHE
workers of Jammu region in the
matter of payment of honorarium.
In
a statement issued here today, Mr
Singh pointed out that PHE
workers of Kashmir region engaged
under community participation and
other schemes were being paid a
minimum of Rs 2100 per month,
while as their counterparts in
Jammu region were made to work on
paltry wages ranging from Rs 200
to Rs 750.
Hailing
the work done by this class of
workers in making the defunct
water supply schemes operational,
Mr Singh urged for immediate
action in the matter and observed
that continued apathy of the
government constituted a
violation of human rights besides
violation of the Minimum Wages
Act. He called for immediate
intervention of the Chief
Minister to ensure justice to
thousands of such workers working
in various PHE schemes.
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Sarpanches,
Panches of Kathua demand
honorarium, sitting fee
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
19: Chairman of the
Action Committee of Sarpanches
and Panches of district Kathua,
Govind Ram Sharma today charged
the coalition regime with
maintaining a criminal silence
over problems of the elected
members of the Panchayats.
Addressing
a press conference along with
other members of the Committee,
Mr Sharma demanded honorarium and
sitting fee for Sarpanches and
Panches as it was mandatory for
the government to pay the same
from August 2001 as it was
clearly mentioned under section
10 of the J&K Panchayat Raj
Act, 1989.
He
blamed the government for
creating a gulf between the rural
and urban elected
representatives. He pointed out
that elected representatives of
civic bodies of urban areas have
been paid honorarium and sitting
fee while as Sarpanches and
Panches were ignored.
Balkar
Singh, general secretary of the
committee expressed his anguish
over the callous attitude of the
government for treating the
Sarpanches and Panches
differently. He criticised the
government for enhancing the
salary of MLAs and Ministers from
Rs 23000 to Rs 40000 whereas
Sarpanches and Panches were
deprived of the benefit of
honorarium and sitting fee.
Raj
Kumar Sharma, Shiv Ram Sharma,
Des Raj Sharma, Nagar Mal
Khajuria, Capt Shiv Rattan, Dev
Raj Sharma, Mohan Lal Sharma,
Jagdish Singh, Brij Lal Sharma,
Vidhya Parkash Sharma, Tarseem
Khajuria, Madan Lal Sharma and
other Sarpanches were present
during the press conference.
Prabhandik
Sammiti Sagam demands
restoration of cremation ground
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
19: Prabhandik Sudhar
Sammiti Sagam Anantnag in a
meeting here, today has expressed
grave concern over the
encroachment of cremation ground
at village Sagam.
The
Samiti in a meeting here, today
held under the chairmanship of Mr
Radhoo alleged that despite the
repeated pleas made to Revenue
and Rehabilitation Minister no
steps were taken by the
Government to restore the
religious property of the Pandits
in the Village.
It
said that claims of Government
regarding the protection of
religious places and left over
properties are totally hollow as
nothing is being done to restore
the encroached places of worship.
It
alleged that the ex-gratia for
the gutted temple and
Dharamshalla which has been
sanctioned in 1993 has not payed
by the authorities till date.
It
alleged that unreasonable,
frivolous and unnecessary hurdles
are being created by authorities
in releasing the ex-gratia
payment.
It
alleged though the tehsildar
Anantnag has transferred the
exgratia amount for the temple to
Relief Commissioner Jammu but
same has not been paid till date.
Gupta terms
priorities of 11th Plan as
mis-placed
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
19: Describing the
priorities of the 11th Plan for
Jammu and Kashmir as misplaced,
former Union MoS and senior BJP
leader Prof Chaman Lal Gupta
stressed for taking people into
confidence and the developmental
schemes framed by taking into
account ground realities.
Commenting
upon the reported priorities for
the next five year plan, Prof
Gupta said that the State was
presently faced with the biggest
problems like that of drinking
water, electricity, unemployment
but as per media reports little
care has been taken about these
areas.
He
said it is right that Health,
Education, Agriculture and road
connectivity should get due place
in the schemes, but basic
amenities like water, power and
job opportunities were no less
important amongst the burning
problems. He added that framing
of developmental schemes needed
great care but it appears that
both, the State and the Centre,
were opting for a casual
approach.
Prof
Gupta pointed out that despite
spending huge funds the problems
regarding basic amenities have
not been addressed so far.
Judging
from the on going increase in the
State spendings, it looks certain
that the dependence at the Centre
would touch new heights which
could lead to about 90 percent
transactions from the Centre from
over 80% as at present and
lamented that there is still talk
for Azadi, autonomy and
self-rule.
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Power
engineers meet Jora
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
19: Executive body of
J&K Electrical Engineering
Graduates Association (EEGA) led
by its president B B Sen had a
meeting with Power Minister
Rigzin Jora and discussed their
burning issues.
The
Minister was impressed upon to
fill all vacant posts as there
was acute shortage of staff
because there has been no
re-organization since 1981
whereas network has grown more
than 10 times for the past 25
years.
It
was suggested that a HRD cell be
created in the PDD to mitigate
pathetic condition of power
engineers and to reorganize the
Department. It was also impressed
upon the Minister that power
supply in Jammu province was
heavily over-loaded and the
capacity of the grid and
distribution network was
deficient by about 700 MW.
The
Power Minister Rigzin Jora gave a
patient hearing and assured the
deputation his keen intervention.
He also wished the power
engineers to help the Government
in providing uninterrupted
quality power to consumers and
also to complete metering on war
footing so that process of energy
auditing and accountability from
Grid Station up to the consumers
door step could be achieved.
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Haq-Insaf
Yatra reaches Chenani
Excelsior
Correspondent
UDHAMPUR,
Dec 19:
Haq-Insaf-Yatra of National
Panthers Party led by Prof Bhim
Singh was accorded warm welcome
by the locals and the Party
activists at Chenani town here
today.
Panthers
Party supremo also addressed
rallies at Kulwanta, Majouri,
Shatrari, Gandtop, Basantgarh,
Dudu and Lati. Prof Singh in his
address urged upon the Prime
Minister and Minister for Defence
to fulfill the promise made to
recruit local boys in
para-military forces and Army.
Prof
Singh regretted that Central
government has not bothered to
fulfill the promise and even the
Chief Minister’s commitment
has not been honoured to recruit
these boys in Police. He said the
Roshni Law has created tensions
and provocation among the farmers
and demanded that the law should
not be made applicable in the
rural areas for agriculture land.
He demanded tourism development
in Dudu-Basantgarh area besides
regularisation of RETs and SPOs.
The
NPP leader also demanded that
powers to issue State Subjects
and OBC certificates be accorded
to the SDM Basantgarh as the
people of the area were suffering
a lot. MLA Udhampur Balwant Singh
Mankotia and MLA Chenani Faqir
Nath also accompanied the NPP
chief.
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Death
toll in Drass accident rises to 5
Excelsior
Correspondent
KARGIL, Dec
19: Bodies of three
passengers of the Tata Sumo which
met with an accident at Latoo
yesterday evening, were recovered
from the Drass River today.
However,
the death toll in the accident
has risen to five as police
confirmed the death of another
missing passenger and also one of
the five injured succumbed to
injuries in District Hospital
Kargil today.
Senior
Superintendent of Police (SSP)
Kargil Garib Dass told the
EXCELSIOR that today morning
Police with the assistance of
Army and labourers brought out
three bodies from the
semi-submerged vehicle in the
Drass River.
However,
one more passenger of ill-fated
vehicle remained missing. But
police confirmed his death
because of freezing of the river
today. While the identity of the
missing passenger could not be
established, those whose bodies
were recovered from
semi-submerged vehicle have been
identified as Mohd Ali, son of
Qazim Ali, Fida Hussain, son of
Haji Isa, both the residents of
Cokstay and Ramu Kamu, son of
Kantu Kamu of Zemakal, Nepal.
Meanwhile,
one of the five injured admitted
in District Hospital Kargil
succumbed to injuries late last
night. He has been identified as
Fayaz Ahmed of Drass. According
to the doctors, he died of
excessive blood loss.
They
said that condition of four
injured—Tariq Ahmed and
Farooq of Drass and Tahir Ahmed
and Mehmood of Kargil was stable
since this morning and they were
responding to the treatment.
VLCC
organises seminar on weight loss
due to diabetes
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
19: VLCC Group today
organised one day seminar on
weight loss issues caused by
diabetes, thyroid and hormonal
disorders.
Renowned
Diabetologist Dr Jitendra Singh
alongwith VLCC’s team of
qualified
professionals—doctors,
nutritionists, dietitians,
psychologists, counsellors and
physiotherapists expressed the
multi disciplinary approach to
help both men and women with
weight related problems.
Ever
since VLCC opened its doors to
the public in 1989 it has
provided a more healthy and
beautiful life for nearly a
million people living in 48
cities. VLCC’s emphasis on
healthy lifestyle is largely
responsible for solving beauty
and fitness related problems.
The
perception of VLCC as a
‘one-step’ solution
provider for all beauty and
weight problems has been
formulated due to the consistent
commitment of offering beauty and
health solutions to as many
people as possible.
VLCC’s
weight management program
provides solutions to
obesity-related ailments and
disorders in both men and women.
What makes VLCC unique in
tackling this problem is its
scientific and holistic approach
coupled with its essential body
firming, toning and detoxifying
therapies, which help to tighten
the skin by providing it the
requisite tone.
Special
Dogri recognition day function
organised
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
19: Dogri Sanstha today
organised a special function with
musical programme and honouring
of singers and musicians as part
of inclusion of Dogri in the
Eighth Schedule of Indian
Constitution, here this evening.
Mr
Ashok Angurana, Principal
Secretary, Higher Education, who
was the chief guest at the
function, said rich literary
heritage of Dogri should be
preserved and promoted further.
The inclusion of Dogri in the
Indian Constitution has certainly
opened new windows of
opportunities for its growth and
development.
Calling
upon the literary and common
citizens, Mr Angurana said all
must make sustained efforts to
popularise and promote Dogri
language.
Dr
Rafeeq Masoodi, Secretary
Cultural Academy in his
presidential remarks stated that
the Cultural Academy is actively
engaged in promotion of Dogri and
other languages. He said after
recognition of Dogri is set to
make rapid progress and assured
of Academy’s endeavours in
it.
Prof
Lalit Magotra, president, Dogri
Sanstha, while presenting vote of
thanks, said that it was after a
long and hard struggle that Dogri
got its due status in the Indian
Constitution three years back. On
this happy occasion, while we
have to work hard for taking this
language to new heights of
literary horizon, we have also to
popularise and promote it.
Renowned
musician, Bhajjan Sopori also
spoke on the occasion and lauded
the rich literary tradition of
Dogri language and literature.
Prof
Veena Gupta, general secretary,
Dogri Sanstha, in her welcome
address highlighted the strides
being made by Dogri after its
inclusion in the Eighth Schedule
of Indian Constitution.
Among
others, who were honoured
included: LK Joshi, Bimla Devi,
Seema Anil Sehgal, Kailash Mehra,
Prudaman Singh Jindrahia, Suraj
Singh, Sham Sajjan, Krihna
Kumari, Girdhari Lal Pant, Pritam
Singh, Prakash Sharma, Jatinder
Kour, Anita Sharma, Kalpana
Kesar, T R Sharma, Anupana
Sharma, Brij Mohan, Rakesh Anand,
Dharmesh Nargotra, Naryan Prasad.
Others
who were felicitated were:
Deepali Wattal, Vishal Gupta,
Chinmai, Rita Rani.
The
programme was attended by leading
artists, galaxy of literary
persons, prominent citizens and
lovers of Dogri language.
PHE
employees hold rally at Mansar
Excelsior
Correspondent
UDHAMPUR,
Dec 19: A mass
rally of PHE Employees
Association was held at Mansar
under the chairmanship of
district president of the
association Som Nath, in which
PHE employees drawn from Manwal,
Majalta, Khoon, Bobay, Garh Samna
Banj, Dhema, Reasi, Thial and
other far flung areas
participated.
The
demands raised in the meeting
pertained to enhancement of
consolidated rate wagers, an
interim relief of Rs 1000 till
coming out of 6th Pay Commission
report, benefit of essential
services to PHE employees by way
of providing them two and a half
days extra salary, appointment of
family members of those employees
who die in harness under SRO 43,
total implementation of SRO 149
and filling up of vacant posts of
clerical cadre, and increase in
HRA as Udhampur City has been
declared as "C" class
city at the rate of 7 percent.
Others
who addressed included Shiv Lal
Pathania, Tilk Raj, Subash
Chander, Vijay Kumar etc.
Fire in VIT
College
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
19: Property estimated
at thousands of rupees was gutted
in a fire that broke out in VIT
College at Rehari this evening.
A
spokesman of Fire and Emergency
Services Department said that
Police Control Room (PCR) flashed
a message that fire broke out in
one of the rooms housing VIT
College in three storey building
on B C Road at Rehari.
Subsequently,
one fire tender from City Fire
Station and another from Gandhi
Nagar Fire Station were
immediately pressed into service
and within short period of time
the fire was doused.
"The
fire was reportedly broke out due
to electric short-circuit in one
of the rooms of VIT College and
property worth thousands of
rupees like computer system,
papers and furniture was
gutted", the spokesman said.
It
was due to the swift action by
the Fire and Emergency Services
Department that property worth
lakhs of rupees was prevented
from being gutted. The building
also houses Punjab National
Bank’s branch in the ground
floor and any delay on the party
of Fire and Emergency Services
Department would have caused
devastation.
The
fire was reportedly detected by
Member Legislative Council (MLC)
Arvinder Singh Micky, who resides
in the nearby house.
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