Daily Excelsior.........State

JCCBL’s rate of interests on loans to be at par with JK Bank.............

Next round of Hurriyat, KP talks at Jammu in 3rd week of January......

Kandyali Taar
A Cross Border Tale of Affection.....

Govt heading towards achieving goal of Khushal J&K: Qazi........

DGP takes salute at passing out parade.....

Peerzada, Yaseen, Jora, Charak review restoration of essential service.....

Declamation contest organised by S D Sabha.............

28th Governing Body meeting of CARDA held.........

Inter-state vehicle lifters gang busted; one held..............

Mobile Customer Service Centre inaugurated
BSNL to provide 1 lakh more mobile
connections by March: Jindal

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: Chief General Manager (CGM), J&K Telecom Circle K C Jindal today inaugurated BSNL’s Mobile Customer Service Centre at South Block Railhead Complex.

In this modern mobile customer service centre, complaints related to STD/ISD, tariff, billing, roaming, SMS, network coverage, handset problem, loyalty discount,, PUK related problems will be redressed within the Customer Service Centre.

Public Relation Officer to the level of Divisional Engineer will head this Centre. Facility of cash counter has also been provided for accepting payment related to issue of duplicate pre-paid SIMs. The customer service centre will function on all the working days from 1000 hours to 1600 hours and all the reconciliation and activation work will be done from 1600 hours to 1730 hours.

Interacting with the media-persons after inaugurating the Centre, Mr Jindal said that J&K Telecom Circle has crossed the figure of four lakh mobile connections by adding 2.5 lakh mobile connections in the existing mobile network during the last six months and with this BSNL’s market share in the State has gone to the extent of 65 percent.

"We have introduced new lifetime validity SIM Excel Anant only for Rs 949 under pre-paid cellular service and top up coupon of Rs 50 and Rs 100", he said and disclosed that purchase orders for 1.4 lakh additional lines have been placed on M/s Erricson and M/s Nokia and equipment is expected in this month which will help BSNL to release one lakh mobile connections upto March 31, 2006.

He informed that BSNL has also introduced new re-charge coupon of Rs 5000 with a net call value of Rs 6000 and 25 percent extra talk time on recharge coupon of Rs 2000 and Rs 3000 respectively to be activated till January 26, 2006. Further, full talk time will be applicable on the coupon of Rs 1000 upto January 31, 2006.

General Manager Jammu Circle R K Koul and General Manager Mobile M S Dhillon were among others who attended the inauguration of mobile customer service centre.

Parents allege in-laws killed her
House-wife goes missing under mysterious circumstances

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: A young house-wife has gone missing under mysterious circumstances from the house of her in-laws at village Adhwa under the jurisdiction of Ramban Police Station.

The parents of the woman, however, alleged that their daughter was either killed or forced to commit suicide by her in-laws for want of dowry as her belongings like shawl, jacket and shoes were recovered from the bank of River Chenab.

Police sources said that yesterday Mangat Singh received information that his daughter Nirmla Devi had committed suicide by jumping into River Chenab and body could not be located. On this, he immediately went to the spot from where the belongings of Nirmla Devi were recovered.

Later, Mangat Singh approached Ramban Police and got a complaint lodged against husband, mother-in-law and father-in-law of his daughter alleging that Nirmla Devi was either murdered or forced to commit suicide for want of more dowry.

On his complaint, a police team immediately swung into action and arrested Lekh Raj, husband of Nirmla Devi.

Today, Mangat Singh alongwith several villagers held demonstration outside Police Station and demanded immediate arrest of mother-in-law and father-in-law of his daughter. He alleged that for the past six months Nirmla Devi visited his house a number of times complaining that she was being tortured by her in-laws for want of more dowry.

Later, on the assurances of the police that all the culprits would be arrested, the protesting villagers dispersed.

CM interacts with Ladakhi students
All should strive for revival of peace: Azad

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Jan 7: "We have been bequeathed by our fore-fathers with spiritual values, tranquility, peace, harmony and mutual brotherhood which symbolizes traditional richness of our State", said Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad while interacting with a group of students from Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Choglamsar, Leh here this morning.

Mr. Azad said that "I dream of revival of the same spirit and atmosphere in Kashmir, Ladakh and Jammu when we had zero crime rate and people were not even locking the doors of their houses". He said that the strength of a society and influence of spiritual values of all religions lie in the fact that all citizens feel secure and violence and crime is hated like a contagious disease. Transport Minister Mangat Ram Sharma was also present.

The Chief Minister said that his vision of Kush-hal Jammu and Kashmir encompasses not only corruption-free society but the society where people care for and protect each other. He said that inspite of turmoil in the state, the values of harmony have been maintained and Jammu and Kashmir is known throughout the world for its secular traditions and free from communal violence. He said our strength lies in promoting all traditions of Jammu, Kashmir, Leh and Kargil equally.

Mr. Azad said that the promises made in Congress election manifesto during 2002 Assembly polls have been fulfilled particularly with regard to Ladakh region.

The Chief Minister advised the students to spread the message of peace, love and harmony as goodwill ambassadors of the state during their visit to various parts of the country.

The Chief Minister interacted with all the students and teachers one-by-one and enquired from them about the places they are visiting during their tour. He exuded confidence that their vision would get further broadened with the visit. He said such visits provide an excellent opportunity to the students to interact with their counter-parts in other states of the country and share each others experiences. The group of 37 students comprising 19 girls and 18 boys besides three teachers, who are on way to Delhi, Agra, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Hubli, Pune, Mumbai, Goa and other parts of the country on 45-day educational tour.

Leopard creates panic in Nowshera
area, kills one more person

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Jan 7: Another person fell a prey to a leopard in the Nowshera jungles today, where the youth had gone along with his friend to collect the fire wood.

According to reports, 22 year old, Subash Chander, son of Om Parkash of village Patli Ganiah had gone to the nearby forests along with his friend to collect the fire-wood this morning. Subash went ahead of his friend and yet he could not have reached a distance of 50 yards away from Vijay that the leopard pounced upon him and killed him on spot.

After seeing his friend in the grip of the leopard, Vijay Kumar raised an alarm and fled from the spot. Panic gripped the Patli and surrounding villages after the news spread in the area. Later the people of the Patli and surrounding villages visited the jungle and shifted the dead body to the village.

After getting the information, SHO Nowshera, Karamjit Singh also visited the area.

Expressing serious concern over the role of Wild Life Organization, the people of the area took to streets along with dead body. They refused to cremate it in protest against the failure of Wild Life organization to tame the animal who in last week had killed one person and injured a child in the area prior to that.

The agitated people warned that they will not cremate the dead body till Wild Life Department officers visit the area. However, the dead body was later cremated on the assurance of SDPO, Nowshera, Muzamal Latif.

The people said that on December 28, a 60 year old Sita Ram of Ladoka village was also killed by the same leopard and earlier it had injured a 10 year old boy Neeraj in Kalsian Nowshera.

Besides 20 cattle were also killed by the beast in last over one week, they added.

The frequent attacks by lLeopard has made the people in the adjoining villages of Chowki Handan, Ladoka, Bhawani, Jangarh and Kalasian panicky and they have decided to remain in doors, said Master Manjeet Kumar, Omparkash and Rattan Lal inhabitants of the area.

They demanded that the Wild Life Department should swung into action and take the leopard into their fold to relieve the people of the panic.

Samba Police ends search operations

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: Samba Police today concluded search operation which was launched in the forest areas of Lovly, Chilla Danga and Kathar two days back and found no movement of the militants there.

Police sources said that two days back a Village Defence Committee (VDC) member noticed movement of two persons under suspicious circumstances in the forest areas of Lovly and flashed the message to the Samba police.

Subsequently, 60 jawans of the Police alongwith 78 Village Defence Committee (VDC) members under the direct supervision of Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Samba Abrar Choudhary and SHO Samba Inspector Varinder Singh launched massive search operations in the forest areas of Lovly, Chilla Danga and Kathar. During the search operation, police took into custody three persons Mohd Fareed, son of Chirya of village Kheri, Mohd Jaman, son of Haji Zia of Sanswan and Bashir Bakerwal and put them to sustained questioning.

After interrogation, police came to know that the rummors about the movement of terrorists spreaded as Mohd Jaman and Mohd Fareed visited the house of Bashir Bakerwal in connection with the amount they had to receive from Bashir and at that time they were wearing traditional Gujjar dress which made the VDC member to suspect them as terrorists.

Zargar calls for removing dead wood from JAKFED

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: Expressing satisfaction over buoyancy of JAKFED, the Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Abdul Aziz Zargar today asked the management to come up with a futuristic business plan based on diversified trading activities to lay a strong financial basis for this commercial organization. "Though the current year’s business turnover reflects that the organization is steadily coming out of red, yet, much needs to be done to improve the credibility of this important cooperative institution", he added.

Speaking at a high level review meeting of working of JAKFED here today, the Minister urged for gainful utilization of the assets in the organization with focus on recoveries from willful defaulters.

Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Nayeem Akhtar, Registrar Cooperative Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. G.N.Qasba, Chairman JAKFED, Mohammad Ayub Khan, Managing Director JAKFED, Mirza Muzaffar Iqbal and concerned senior officers were also present in the meeting.

The Minister while suggesting some corrective measures to further fillip the economy of the organization, asked for punitive action against bad performing functionaries who have led down the organization in past adding that process should be initiated to remove deadwood from the institution forthwith. The government would provide logical and moral support to the organization for this purpose, the Minister assured. He said a vigorous recovery drive should be initiated against major defaulting Rice Millers, cooperative societies and employees irrespective of their status who owe crores of rupees to the organizations. He also called for updating balance sheet of JAKFED.

The Minister also called for reactivating various Cooperative Marketting Societies in nook and corner of the State.

Meeting was informed that sales turnover of the JAKFED is expected to touch a high of over Rs 100 crore during the current fiscal year against over Rs 67.24 crore during last financial year marking an increase of about Rs 3.97 crore. The organization has conducting a business to the tune of Rs 51.75 crore during first 9 months of the current fiscal.

CBI given 4 days remand of accused

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: Anti-Corruption Judge, Jammu, today granted four days remand of a Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Inspector and a driver to the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI), who were yesterday arrested red-handed while accepting a gratification of Rs 20,000 from a civilian, whose son was arrested by the NCB along with capsules.

The CBI had sought remand of NCB Inspector Ravi Koul and driver Vinay Kokkar only. Another NCB Inspector Satish Sharma, who was arrested from the spot by the CBI sleuths yesterday morning, was released in the evening as his involvement in the corruption charges was not established.

Additional SP CBI, Jammu, K L Raina produced the two accused before the Anti-Corruption Judge and sought their four days remand for questioning. The Judge granted the remand.

Meanwhile, a CBI team headed by Mr Raina has nearly completed investigations in Channi Himmat land scam. Investigations in the scam were taken up on the directions of the State High Court.

In the case, six kanals of land had been allotted to a gun factory owner at Channi Himmat by the officers of Revenue Department by tempering with the record.

The CBI is expected to make some arrests in the case shortly.

Police cashier’s bail application rejected

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Jan 7: First Additional Munsiff Jammu Mr. M R Chak today rejected the bail application of Abdul Sattar Lone, who was working as cashier in 8th Bn JKAP and involved in misappropriation of Rs 93, 51,563.

According to the Crime Branch, during the month of January, 2005, the accused who was working as cashier, had procured some fake documents and by inserting ‘‘9’’ in the cheque of Rs 3, 51, 563 cashed an amount of Rs 93,51,563 instead of Rs 3,51,563. As per the report filed by Crime Branch, it was alleged that accused made disclosure that he has kept hidden an amount of Rs 40 lakh under a water tank of his house situated at Rampura Chattabal, Srinagar and said amount was accordingly recovered and on the instance of the accused, 4.65 Gram Gold ornaments were also recovered. It further alleged that accused had converted the misappropriated amount into immovable property, which has been purchased by way of Benami transaction. As per the prosecution, an amount of Rs 50 lakh is yet to be recovered. The accused was entrusted with the job of dealing with the cash and it was required of him to have performed his job with honesty and sincerity, since the accused is involved in a case where 90 lakh have been embezzled. The Court was of the considered opinion that accused does not deserve the concession of bail at this stage and bail application being meritless, is accordingly rejected.

Man commits suicide by hanging himself

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: A man allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself with the ceiling fan at his residence while as 10 persons were injured in separate road accidents.

Police spokesman said that a man Raj Kumar, son of Bhagwan Dass of Kaleeth Nagar allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself with the ceiling fan at his residence. He was found hanging by his brother, who immediately informed the City Police about the incident.

The body was, later, shifted to Government Medical College Hospital for post-mortem. According to the family members of the deceased, he had verbal dual with his wife which might be the reason behind his suicide.

Meanwhile, 10 persons were injured in separate road accidents. All have been hospitalised and their condition was stated to be out of danger when reports last came in.

They have been identified as Mohit Razdan, son of Ashok Razdan of Ban Talab, Tarsem Kumar, son of Puran Chand of Galwadian, Zahid Malik, son of Sadiq Hussain of Bari Brahamana, Mohd Sharif, son of Fayaz Ahmed of Rehari Colony, Raj Kumar, son of Tirath Raj Sharma of Billawar, Bhajan Lal, son of Ram Dass of Kathua, Bharat Bhushan, son of Inder Dass of Rehari Colony, Ram Chand, son of Bushan Chand of Parmandal, Hira Anand, son of Badri Anand of Trikuta Nagar and Barkat Ram, son of Kalu Ram of Narwal.

Two persons allegedly consumed poisonous substances at their respective residences. Identified as Ajay Kumar, son of Raj Kumar of Raj Pura Magotrian and Ruby Sharma, son of Ved Parkash of Maheshpura, both 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 the cognizance of the incidents.

JCCBL’s rate of interests on loans to be at par with JK Bank

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: Jammu Central Cooperative Bank Limited (JCCBL) has decided to charge rate of interests on various loans at par with that of Jammu and Kashmir Bank interest rates.

The decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of senior officers of the Bank which was presided over by Chairman of the Bank M S Tariq and added by General Manager (Banking) S K Mehta, General Manager (Advs and I&V) Chatter Singh and General Manager (Administration) Arun Bakshi.

The loans on which the JCCBL will charge rate of interests at par with that of J&K Bank are cash credit, overdraft limits, industries, non-agricultural, MT conveyance, car, housing, MT transport, loans against shares and debentures, loans against Government Securities and personal consumption loan.

In the meeting, Mr Tariq impressed upon the officers to increase the CD ratio of the bank and get the loaning targets achieved as also ensure granting of loans to the needy and rural folk in particular.

Next round of Hurriyat, KP talks at Jammu
in 3rd week of January

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: The next round of talks between the Kashmiri Pandits and Hurriyat leaders will be held here in the third week of this month.

This was disclosed by the spokesman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and president J&K National Peoples Party while addressing a meeting of the Minority Cell of his organization here today.

Mr Geelani who is in Jammu along with his organizational general secretary, Rafiq-ul-Haq, held meetings at different parts of the region including Udhampur, Battal Balian Camp, R S Pura, Jhri, Bishnah, Janipur. He also met the leaders of various political parties including Secular Alliance, NGOs and besides the prevailing situation, he discussed the agenda for the modalities for the forthcoming Hurriyat, KP leaders meet.

He said the Hurriyat chief, Umar Farooq will visit Jammu in the third week of January along with other leaders of the conglomerate to hold talks with displaced Kashmiri Pandits and other people of Jammu region.

Addressing the meeting, Sanjeev Bhan, convenor Migrant Cell made it clear that Pandits will not return to the clusters. He demanded that Hurriyat should also give representation to KPs whenever its delegation visits Pak or PoK in future.

A resolution was also passed through which the Hurriyat was urged to create a conducive atmosphere for safe and honorable return of Pandits to their homes and hearths in Valley. It also urged the Hurriyat to create a conducive atmosphere at village, tehsil and district level and involve its activists for holding talks with camp inmates.

Kandyali Taar
A Cross Border Tale of Affection

By Ravinder Kaul

At a time when there is an unprecedented thaw in India’s relations with Pakistan, the play "Kandyali Taar" reiterates the message of peace and brotherhood that must prevail if the two countries have to progress towards prosperity. The last presentation of the three day Drama Festival organised by the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, "Kandyali Taar" , written and directed by Kirpal Singh Kasali, highlighted the human angle in conflict situations.

Kirpal Singh Kasali is a veteran of Punjabi theatre in Jammu and he has a number of productions to his credit. However, one must admit, that he has excelled himself in this play, which has a potential of becoming a unifying factor between the literatures of the two countries.

The presentation of the play was also upto the mark. The major factor for the play being well received by the audience was the three singers among the artistes who enlivened the play with their mellifluous voice. Yakinder Singh, Chander Kant and Dharamveer Choudhary are the three persons on stage who helped the play to go down well with the audience, mainly because of their vocal chords.

The play narrates the story of two soldiers on the two opposing sides of the border developing a fraternal feeling for each other. The affection between the two friends is without any worldly considerations. However, this relationship is seen with suspicious eyes by their colleagues and ultimately the two friends have to pay the ultimate price for their friendship. They are both killed by their own folks for committing the sin of hobnobbing with the enemy.

The realistic costumes of the play were also a strong factor that helped in the success of today’s performance. The army fatigues used in the play by the artistes helped in creating the true ambience despite the fact that the play was presented on an almost bare stage.

The three female artistes of the play, Sonia, Sonia Singh and Amarjeet Kaur gave a good account of their histrionic capabilities. Deepak Arsi was also very competent in his role as the OC.

This was the last presentation of the three day Drama Festival organised by the J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages. Although the three plays presented in the Festival did have their plus points, in the ultimate analysis it must be said that it was nowhere near the Festivals that one has witnessed in the past or what one expects from the Festivals of Plays in the city of Jammu, that has a rich tradition of theatre. Probably there is a need to change the nomenclature of the Festival from being a competitive festival to a participative festival. Will someone in the Academy listen?

Govt heading towards achieving goal of Khushal J&K: Qazi

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Jan 7: The coalition Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad is speedily heading towards achieving the goal of Khush-hal J&K in which every citizen is being guaranteed basic necessities of life especially in the far-flung and remote pockets of the State.

This was stated by the minister for PHE, Qazi Mohammad Afzal while addressing a public meeting at Kotli in Mian Charka in Vijaypur block of Jammu district today. The farmer minister and MLA, Manjit Singh accompanied

Mr Qazi said that the peace and tranquility has returned in the state and the borders are silent adding that booming of guns has been replaced by the rattling of tractors in the fields for farming.

The Minister while exhorting the imperative need of providing basic amenities of life to the people of border and far-flung areas announced that in village Kotli and Rai Pur more PHE facilities would be provided to the people. He said that 20 water distribution points would be installed in Kotli and water to this area will be supplied through 13000-gallon capacity reservoir presently at Raipur.

The Minister said that for the first time in the history of the state total de-silting has been made in the Ranbir canal which has helped the areas at the tail end to get adequate flow of irrigation water for the Ravi and kharief seasons.

The former Minister and MLA, Manjit Singh also spoke on the occasion.

DGP takes salute at passing out parade

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Jan 7: While seeing off out going contingents from subsidiary police training center Sheeri, Baramulla, Director General Police, Gopal Sharma said that whole police has to face many challenges at various fronts to maintain law and order, protect the life and property of the people and also extended help on humanitarian front.

The DGP said that police is always guided by principals and called upon the contingents to be accessible and transparent. He emphasized upon them to be tough and unwavering while dealing with various crimes, but police has to be equally human and polite while dealing with peaceful and law abiding citizens.

He said that 400 police contingents deputed to earthquake affected areas worked hard during rescue, relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction work for the affected people, which also provides them a chance to learn while serving in field. The DGP said with this commitment to social work, police was in a position to construct 50 temporary school buildings and 150 houses for the affected people.

Earlier, the DGP took salute on a march past presented by the outgoing contingents and also awarded momentos and certificates to adjudged all round best contingents, who performed well in various activities. One constable of 13 Bn was given out of turn promotion by DGP for his excellent and outstanding work performance.

Peerzada, Yaseen, Jora, Charak review
restoration of essential service

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar Jan 7 : During the third leg of their tour, the Minister for Hajj and Auqaf, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Minister for CA&PD Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen Minister for R&B Thakur Gulchain Singh Charak and Minister for Power Nawang Rigzin Jora deputed by Chief Minister to over see the restoration of essential services following heavy snowfall in the Valley today visited Kupwara district and reviewed the situation at district officers meeting.

Taking cognizance of the complaints of people who met the Ministers enroute at Sagipora, Natnusa, Kandi Khas, Drugmulla and Kupwara, the Ministers asked the officers connected with various essential services to attend to the requirements of people urgently saying that any official found guilty of exhibiting laxity in discharging duties would not be spared at any cost. The Ministers called upon them to provide factual position and correct figures to the government to enable steps for providing relief to the people.

The Minister for CA & PD Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen directed the Deputy Commissioner to ensure stocking of rice, atta and sugar for further two months in the godowns of blocks keeping in view the hilly terrain of the district. He said hundreds of trucks are daily reaching Srinagar with essentials.

The Minister for Haj and Auqaf Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed while addressing the meeting underscored the need for mitigating the sufferings of the people adding that all out measures have to be taken with missionary zest to provide to basic facilities to the people. He instructed the officers to gear up their employees also to redress the grievances of people.

The Minister for Power Nawang Rigzin Jora said that Chief Minister has instructed for installing 400 KV transmission alternate line from Jammu to Srinagar to avoid any power shortage in the valley particularly during winter months. He said Chief Minister has also directed to complete the job within six months.

Later, the Ministers also visited district Baramulla to review the arrangements made for people in view of recent snowfall and discussed availability of essential commodities.

Declamation contest organised by S D Sabha

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: "Yosas Karm Su Koushlam" has become the need of the hour in the contest of present day life styles, material achievement, rat race and the abuse of scientific achievements.

The relevance of Gita in today’s life has acquired more importance as the human race is getting suck in the quagmire of greed leading to self-destruction in all spheres of life.

This topic was the subject of declamation contest held in various schools of Jammu city. The final of the contest was held today at S D Sabha Higher Secondary Kanya Vidhyalaya, Jullakha Mohalla. Mayor JMC Kavinder Gupta was the chief guest on the occasion while former Vice-Chancellor Jammu University M R Puri, prominent educationist T R Khajuria and Suresh Gupta were the guests of honour.

Ms Preeti Sharma and Radhika of SD Sabha School bagged first two positions while Shivani of S D Sabha School and Rashi Gupta of Cooperative Public School secured third position. They will be given prizes on January 13, 2006 at Geeta Bhawan.

The contest was organised by S D Sabha, Geeta Bhawan Jammu in connection with Geeta Jayanti celebrations. Dharni Dhar, president of the Sabha presented a memento to the Mayor.

Sat Pal Singh Rathore, Sanjojak Geeta Jayanti Samaroh presented vote of thanks.

28th Governing Body meeting of CARDA held

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: The 28th Governing Body meeting of Command Area Rural Development Agency (CARDA) was held here today under the chairmanship of Director Command Area Development, Jammu.

The meeting discussed in detail the achievements of the Agency in implementing poverty alleviation programmes like SGSY, IRDP, TRYSEM, DWCRA, SITRA and GKY. The meeting was apprised that the schemes have laid emphasis on two entry gates for its implementation through cluster and group approach. The main objective of the schemes is to ensure amelioration of socio-economic conditions of the people living below poverty line in the rural and sub-urban areas.

The Director emphasized upon the field workers and officers to gear up the functioning of the department and ensure that the benefits of the schemes percolate to the grass root level. He said that most of the schemes are centrally sponsored and these should be used for their genuine purpose. He said that different committees have also been constituted under SGSY and NABARD.

The meeting among others was attended by MLAs Yash Paul Kundal, Ashwani Kumar Sharma, Block Development Officers and Project Officers.

Inter-state vehicle lifters gang busted; one held

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: Police today busted an inter-state racket of vehicle lifters and arrested one of its members.

Senior Superintendent of Police Jammu Mukesh Singh said that on a specific information, a police party from Nowabad Police Station led by SHO Inspector Gian Chand Sharma arrested a vehicle lifter and recovered two Santro cars bearing registration number JK10-2958 and PB10AB-1606 on his disclosure.

The arrested vehicle lifter has been identified as Gulzar Ahmed Bhat.

The preliminary investigations carried out by the police revealed that Gulzar Ahmed Bhat was involved in the stealing the vehicles for the past quite sometime and has his network both within and outside the State.

Police has launched hunt to nab his associates.

Meanwhile, police nabbed a mobile thief and recovered four stolen mobiles from his possession.

Bus Stand Police arrested a mobile thief—Ishtaq Ahmed, son of Mohd Younis of Gujjar Nagar when he was selling a stolen mobile set at Bus Stand.

He was immediately put to sustained questioning during which he revealed the names of some persons, who had purchased stolen mobiles from him. Subsequently, police recovered three more mobiles.

A case has been registered in this connection and further investigations were on.