MEF organizes one day conference at Akhnoor

Excelsior Correspondent

AKHNOOR, Dec 26: One day conference of J&K Medical Employees Federation was held today under the chairmanship of Tilak Raj Gupta, president MEF block president.

The demands raised in the meeting pertained to immediate regularization of adhoc, consolidated employees, rank promotion to the cadre as highlighted from time to time, DPC of all categories of all medical employees upgradation of FMPHW and MPHWs at par with Basic Health Workers, full implementation of Govt Order HME 48 of 1992, amendment in SRO 20 of 23-2-1992 and over time allowance.

New body of the MEF for Akhnoor block was nominated with Rajesh Singh as president, Ashok Chandan as president for SDH Akhnoor, Kuldeep Singh Arora, Vijay Kumar Sharma, Suram Singh, Ashok Kumar Sharma, Mrs Santosh Bhasin, Ramesh Kumar and Baldev Singh as vice presidents, Ashok Bhagat as general secretary, Mahesh Raina as joint secretary, Tilak Raj Gupta as chief advisor and Ramesh Lal, Mrs Pushpa Devi, Mrs Jasbir Kour, Babu Lal, Chuni Lal, Sujan Singh, Girdhari Lal, Onkar Sharma and Miss Pumi Devi as advisors.

The central committee members of MEF who addressed included Sushil Sudan, K S Chouhan, Mrs Babli Sharma, Deepak Khajuria, Kamal Jet Sawhney and others.

Teacher worked during vacations seeking leave encashment
Petitioner cannot be made to suffer for
unauthorized order of Head Master: HC

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Dec 26: Justice YP Nargotra of the State High Court Jammu wing has decided a law point that if the Head Master violated the provisions of CSR in directing the petitioner to work as office-incharge, the petitioner cannot be made to suffer for the same.

This question was raised in a writ petition filed by Mrs. Chanchal Gupta, teacher who stated that during the Summer Vacations of the years 1975 to 1978 and 1982 and 1987, she was not allowed to avail her summer vacations and was made to work as office Incharge in the School where she remained posted by the order of concerned Head Master.

According to the Advocate H C Jalmeria appearing for the petitioner, in terms of Rule 27 of the Civil Services (leave) rules 1979, the period for which the petitioner worked as Officer Incharge during the summer vacations has to be compensated by treating the period to be her earned leave and thereby making her entitled to the benefit of leave encashment admissible under rule 27 and seeking direction to the respondents to release the leave encashment in favour of the petitioner.

On the other hand, Deputy Advocate General Mrs. Neeru Goswami appearing for the Education Department submitted that as per the service book of the petitioner it is a fact that she had served as Office-Incharge during the summer vacations for these years, but she would not be entitled to the benefit of leave encashment for the reason that Head Master was not the competent Authority to sanction her to work as Office-Incharge during the summer vacations. According to her this could only be done by the Director of Education in terms of Rules 151 of J&K CSR.

Justice YP Nargotra after considering the contentions of both the sides and having referred to the Rule 27, said that in the present case the petitioner was ordered to work during the summer vacations by the concerned Head Master, who is admittedly a higher authority and accordingly, she worked. After the petitioner worked during the summer vacations, she becomes entitled to the benefit of earned leave for the said period. The question whether the Headmaster was competent to depute petitioner for working as office-incharge would not in any manner affect the right of the petitioner, if the Headmaster violated the provisions of CSR in directing the petitioner to work during the summer vacations the petitioner cannot be made to suffer for the same.

With these observations, the Court allowed the petition and directed respondents to calculate the earned leave in favour of the petitioner for the period she worked as Office Incharge during the summer vacations in terms of Rule 27 (b) and thereafter grant her the benefit of leave encashment in terms of Rule 37 as admissible under law within two months.

Agro Industries official convicted for misappropriation

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 26: The Court of Special Judge Anti Corruption Kashmir has convicted Gh Qadir Wani, Head Cashier of State Agro Industries Dev. Corporation Srinagar and sentenced him to three years rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs one lakh. In default of payment of fine he will have to undergo further imprisonment for six months. The accused was held guilty of misappropriation of over Rs 2.34 lakh.

During the course of investigation, evidence came to light indicating that the accused Gh Qadir Wani, with criminal intension, made entries of fictitious remittance in the records, indulged in double drawals and wrong adjustments, committed cuttings, over writings and tampering of records in his custody thereby, misappropriated the corporation money.

Challan of case against Wani was produced in the Court of Law in November 2000. The prosecution was successful in leading the evidence in the trial court which resulted in the conviction of the accused.

Youth found dead on railway track

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 26: Body of a youth was recovered from railway track while as three persons allegedly made attempts to end their lives.

Police spokesman said that body of an unidentified youth was recovered from railway track at village Barmal in Kathua district this evening. The body was, later, shifted to hospital and kept in the mortuary for identification.

Police has initiated inquest proceedings in this regard.

Meanwhile, three persons allegedly consumed poisonous substances at their respective residences.

Identified as P C Hujarkha, son of Khanswar Hujrkha of CRPF Transit Camp at Railway Station, Harbans Lal, son of Girdhari Lal of Agra Chak and Om Parkash, son of Rattan Lal of Trikuta Nagar, they were rushed to Government Medical College Hospital where doctors 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.

Special Fateh Khawani held at CM's residence

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Dc 26: Special Fateh prayers were held at the residence of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad at Wazarat Road here today to seek Almighty’s "magfirat" for late Ghulam Qadir, elder brother of Mr. Azad, who passed away in Mecca while performing Hajj.

Hajj pilgrims had joined Nimaz-e-Jinaza and Fateh Khawani of the deceased at Mecca alongwith Mr Azad who had rushed to Mecca to join last rites of his brother soon hearing the sad news.

Today, thousands of people belonging to all walks of life continued to throng residence of Chief Minister where special prayers were offered for solace of the departed soul.

Among prominent persons who visited Mr. Azad’s residence included former Chief Minister G. M. Shah, Chairman Legislative Council Abdul Rashid Dar, Ministers Mangat Ram Sharma, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Qazi Mohammad Afzal, Gulchain Singh Charak, Jugal Kishore, Manjit Singh, Javid Mustafa Mir, Prem Sagar Aziz and Dr. Romesh Chander Sharma,Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly A.R. Rather, Advisor to Jammu and Kashmir Government Dr. Haseeb A. Drabu, Member Parliament Ch. Mohammad Aslam, Legislators, heads of various political parties Corporators, Presidents and Members of Municipal Committees, senior political and social activists, officers, prominent citizens, media personalities relatives, family friends and a large number of people.

VHP voices concern over shifting of Dogra treasure

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 26: Vishaw Hindu Parishad (VHP) today joined the other organizations of Jammu in voicing its concern against the shifting of Dogra artifacts from Mubarak Mandi to Civil Secretariat.

In a meeting here, today, held under the president of of VHP State chief Dr.Rama Kant Dubey it said the Mubarak Mandi treasure of Dogra rulers is of millions and millions of value which has become a national heritage and the Government should ensure its fool proof security.

Expressing apprehensions that the valuables may be shifted to Srinagar from Civil Secretariat, the VHP said already there is a lot of resentment among the people against the shifting of many valuables and priceless artefacts belonging to Hospitality and Protocol Department of Jammu to Srinagar in early fifties.

It said such treasures belonging to erstwhile kingdoms of Poonch, Ramgarh, Basoli, Akhnoor etc needed to be located, enlisted and maintained in safe custody in total transparency.

It said the J&K Government should take a cue from other States which have maintained the treasures of their erstwhile rulers. The Jammu treasures may not also be shifted from Mubarak Mandi its original place but preserved there.

Assuring fulls support to the Jammu organizations in their struggle for restoration of treasure the VHP demanded speeding up of work on Mubarak Mandi complex.

Tourism in mind, VETA opens English
training centre in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Dec 26: With an eye on huge tourism potential in Kashmir, VETA which claims to be the Asia’s largest spoken English Training Academy, inaugurated its first such Centre here today.

Speaking about VETA’s foray into Kashmir, company executive director K V Rajan said tourism was an ever increasing industry in Jammu and Kashmir which has resulted in a lot of emphasis on English language skills.

He said tourism being one of the largest sources of revenue in Jammu and Kashmir, empowering the citizens to fluently converse in english would facilitate better communication among those employed in the industry.

"Jammu and Kashmir is a very important market for us. A recent survey showed that about 26 per cent of Indians place the Kashmir Valley as their most preferred tourist destination. The State has played host to nearly 50,000 foreign and four lakh domestic visitors this year," Mr Rajan added.

The executive director said the batches would commence from mid-January next year at the centre located near the New Era Public School at Raj Bagh here.

"We hope to set up many more such centres in the state. I am sure VETA will serve as a one-stop-shop in catering to communication needs of the people of Jammu and Kashmir," he added.

Mr Rajan said VETA, an ISO 9001-2000 certified company, was formed in 1981 in Chennai with the intention of empowering every Indian to

speak English fluently.

"Today, the academy has more than 100 centres across India and plans to set up over 500 in the coming years," he added.

VETA, earlier known as Vivekananda Institute, offered courses catering to various levels of learners. The Institute offered two courses - the direct class training and distance education course. (UNI)

‘Stop recruitment of Valley candidates in Jammu region’

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Dec 26: Former minister and MLA Ramnagar, Harshdev Singh has strongly opposed the recruitment of Kashmir valley candidates in the district level selection cadre for the posts of teachers and others in various districts of Jammu region and urged upon the Government to amend/ withdraw the order issued in this regard.

Talking to media-persons here today, Mr Singh alleged that several candidates from Kashmir Valley and also from other districts are appearing in the interviews for the post of teachers in district Udhampur. The right of the candidates from district Udhampur is being jeopardised.

He said that for district level posts, no candidate from outside the district be allowed to participate in the selection process and if any order of such kind is issued, it should be amended immediately as it is injustice to the candidates of a particular district. He said even in Jammu district, many candidates from Valley have appeared for district cadre posts which is wrong. He pointed out that hardly any candidate from Jammu or Udhampur will apply from Srinagar, Anantnag or Baramulla etc. He smelled some conspiracy behind this order. He urged upon the Chief Minister to intervene and make necessary amendment in the order as strong resentment is brewing among the youth of Jammu over this order.

Mr Singh expressed his dismay over the performance of several ministers and maintained that development activities have suffered a set back in many sectors. He alleged that due to this reason J&K was lagging behind in implementation of various Centrally sponsored schemes. Even under NABARD and PMGSY, the state was tail ender and petty payments of contracts and labourers were still pending, he added.

Giving scenario of different departments like Health, Education, RDD, PWD, PDD and PHE and Haryali scheme, Mr Singh said the implementation of various State and Centrally sponsored schemes meant for welfare of the people have been freezed. He suggested that the ministers who can not handle their portfolios efficiently have no right to stick to the chairs and must tender resignation forthwith.

He also demanded hike in the wages of RETs and alleged that providing Rs 1500 per month to a highly qualified teacher was a cruel joke.

XIXth National Conference of Geomorphologists begin at JU

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 26: The XIXth National Conference of Indian Institute of Geomorphologists (IGI) on ‘Himalaya to Indian Ocean-Geomorphic Processes and Landscape Change’, began today at Jammu University.

The two-day conference is being organised by the Regional Centre for Field Operations and Research on Himalayan Glaciology, JU, in collaboration with the department of Science and Technology, Government of India. Around 60 scientists and researchers from all over India, are participating in the conference.

The conference was inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Prof Amitabh Mattoo who hoped that the interactive scientific sessions during the conference would help in developing models and plan the high mountain disaster management well in time.

V K Raina, a renowned expert on glacier studies, delivered key note address and unraveled the fact that glaciers in India have not shown much retreat as hyped by some scientists. He opined that it was more a scientific fiction than fact. He also gave examples from glaciers in J&K to Sikkim and presented record of more than a hundred years to strengthen his view that glaciers are more or less static in Indian Himalaya.

In his president address, Prof N Chandersekar, Dean Research Centre of Geotechnology, MS University, Tirunelveli and president of Indian Institute of Geomorpholists, emphasized on the role of Geomorphologists on the understanding of major and minor changes in the landscape and its impact on humankind. He also signified the setting up of research centres all over India that carry out research exclusively on the natural processes that have direct impact on human society.

Prof Savindra Singh, secretary IGI, emphasized on having close association between Geology and Geography in the conduct of research on such problems.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Prof R K Ganjoo, the Director of Regional Centre for Field Operations and Research on Himalayan Glaciology, JU, highlighted the achievements of the Centre during the last one year.

Vote of thanks was presented by Prof M N Koul.

Protest for de-affiliation of erring Pvt
colleges of management studies

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 26: Seeking action against two private colleges of Management Studies, activists of Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Jammu State Students Morcha (JSSM) today held a protest demonstration at Jammu University campus.

They were demanding de-affiliation of the College of Management Sciences, Muthi, and Priyadarshini Institute of Management Sciences, which had allegedly violated the norms while giving admission to some students.

It may be recalled that Jammu University had last week cancelled the admission of 15 students of the College of Management Sciences and 6 of Priyadarshini College of Management Sciences, who were allegedly admitted without appearance in Management Aptitude Test (MAT).

Besides de-affiliation, the protesters were also demanding reimbursement of the admission fee of those whose admission has been cancelled and shifting of other students of these two colleges to JU Business School for completition of their MBA course.

Shouting slogans in support of their demands, the protesters forced their entry into the office of Director Colleges Development and staged a sit-in there for about an hour.

Later, they moved towards the office of Dean Academic Affairs who was also convener of the JU committee for inspection of both these colleges. As the Dean Academic Affairs was not in the office, the protesters dispersed off after serving an ultimatum to JU to either take action against the erring colleges within three days or face agitation.

The protesters comprised of Vikas Sharma, Sunil Sharma, Ranjeet Sharma, Rakesh Chib, K D Singh, Parshotam Sharma and others.

J&K to figure in literate states soon: Mangat

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Dec 26: Appreciating private educational institutions for supplementing government endeavours in extending and strengthening network of schools, Minister for Health and Medical Education Pandit Mangat Ram Sharma today said that state is all set to achieve 100 percent literacy soon and catch up with developed states like Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

This was stated by the Minister who was the chief guest at an Annual Day function of Heaven Kingdom School Janki Vihar Janipur organized at Abhinav theatre here today.

Mr. Sharma exhorted upon the management and staff of private institutions to strictly adhere to the prescribed norms for imparting better education to students.

Elaborating a number of revolutionary steps taken up by government to raise educational standards at all levels, the Minister said that it has made education accessible to every nook and corner of the state and has encouraged parents in far flung areas to send their wards in schools.

The Tiny Tots of the school presented a colourful bonanza depicting age old traditional of the state.

The Minister gave awards and prizes to the students who participated in various activities on the occasion besides honouring best teachers of the school. The Minister also lauded the management of the school for organizing such a magnificent function.

Among others ex-MLA Shiv Dev Singh, Deputy Director Health Principal and Staff of the school besides parents of the students were present on the occasion.

Accused booked under NDPS Act denied bail

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Dec 26: Third Additional Sessions Judge/TADA/POTA Court, Wani ND today rejected bail application of Tilak Raj who was arrested by Bahu-Fort Police on September 1, last on the information that accused indulged in illegal business of intoxicant injections and sold them to Drug addicted persons.

While rejecting the bail application, the Presiding Officer after hearing Additional Public Prosecutor Gulzar Singh Charak appearing for the State observed that the grant of bail in these cases depend upon quantity of the Narcotics seized from the accused and in the present case 89 injections containing narcotics, analgesic and anhistamine have been seized from the accused, which are sufficient to spoil the career of hundreds of youth and make them addict to these drugs.

This diabolic Act of the accused is enough to spoil the youth of particular vicinity where the accused is indulged in selling these drugs to the young ones. The act of the accused is not only detrimental to the youth of vicinity but also harmful to the society as a whole.

The Judge further observed that Court is aware that liberty of a person must be zealously safe-guarded by the Court but when the allegations against the accused is of serious in nature like NDPS Act, it does not warrant liberation of accused on bail. With these observations, the Court rejected bail application of the accused.

One killed in car-truck collision

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 26: One person was killed in collision between a car and a truck near Utsav Palace under the jurisdiction of Sainik Colony Police Post late this evening.

Police spokesman said that a truck bearing registration number JK02AC-9817 hit a Maruti car number JK02P-4904 after its front tyre burst all of a sudden. In the collision, Maruti driver—Daler Singh, son of Ravi Singh of Sainik Colony died on the spot.

The intensity of the collision can be gauged from the fact that Greater Kailash Police had to call the recovery van of the Traffic Police to remove the truck to pave the way for removal of dead body of Maruti driver from the badly damaged car.

Soon after the accident, the truck driver managed to flee from the spot.

Police has registered a case in this connection and launched hunt to nab the absconding driver of the truck.

Soldier killed, 10 injured in mishaps

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Dec 26: A soldier was killed and seven others wounded when an Army vehicle skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge in Leh district today.

An Army vehicle of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JKLI) skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge while negotiating a sharp curve at Durbak Morh in Leh district, said police spokesman.

While Hawaldar Jeevan Pal was killed on the spot, seven Army personnel sustained serious wounds. They have been admitted in the Army hospital at Tangtse in the district.

In another accident, a Maruti van collided with a motorcycle at Anantnag. The van was on its way to Bijbehara from Anantnag.

Motorcycle driver Nihal Misgar and his pillion Tawqeer Ahmad and Shabir Ahmad were wounded in the accident. They were rushed to the District Hospital, Anantnag and then referred to the Bones and Joints Hospital here.

Meanwhile, a Maruti van accidentally caught fire at Ishber near Nishat Mughal Gardens on the city's outskirts due to which the vehicle got damaged. No casualty was reported in the incident.