Khajuria formally elected BJP state chief

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8: Mr Ashok Khajuria was declared elected unopposed to the post of State president of Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) by Prof. Brij Lal Rinwa, National observer for elections in J&K at a meeting held at Party Headquarters here today.

While declaring Mr Khajuria elected to the post unopposed Prof Rinwa said the Party received two nominations and both of them were of Mr Khajuria. The Party also elected six persons to National Executive. They include ex state president, Dr Nirmal Singh, senior Party leaders Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta, Babu Parmanand and Daya Krishen Kotwal, Lalit Kumar Moza and Sofi Mohammed Yousf.

Later a public meeting was organized by the Party which was attended by a large number of Party activists. They greeted Mr Khajuria on his election to the post. The function was attended by BJP leaders including Prof Chaman Lal, Gupta, Babu Parmanand, Daya Krishan Kotwal, Nirmal Singh, Prof. Hari Om, Ajay Jamwal, Ch. Piara Singh, Govind Ram Sharma, Lalit Moza, Jugal Kishore Sharma, MLA, Kavinder Gupta, Anil Parihar, Swami Raj Sharma, Chander Parkash Ganga, Shiv Charan Gupta, Ch. Sukhnandan, Mohd. Yousf Sofi, Charan Jit Singh Khalsa, Sunil Dimple and Brahm Dutt.

Besides the BJP activists, the function was also attended by a large number of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) workers led by its president Yudhvir Sethi and general secretary Ashok Khajuria.

The jubilant BJP activists profusely garlanded Mr Khajuria and danced to the beating of drums on the occasion. The function was also attended by president Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Ram Sahai along with other members of the Chamber. They also greeted Mr Khajuria.

Later addressing the Party activists, Mr Khajuria resolved to take the mission of his predecessor forward. He, while seeking cooperation of the Party activists complimented them for their cooperation and support. He expressed the hope that Partymen will continue to extend support to him in future too.

Lambasting the National Conference (NC), Congress and People’s Democratic Party (PDP), he said the trio are befooling the people of J&K on the name of autonomy,self rule and demilitarization.

Earlier in their address all the Party leaders assured full support to the new Party chief. The outgoing president, Dr Nirmal Singh while thanking the Partymen for rendering all cooperation during his four year’s tenure as BJP chief said BJP was united on the issue of electing the new president also.

Born in 1951, Mr Khajuria was elected president of Student Union of SPM Rajput College of Commerce in 1972 and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in 1973.

Later he was inducted in BJP and appointed its secretary in 1980 by Th Baldev Singh, the then Party president. He was again appointed State secretary in 1990 by Prof Chaman Lal Gupta. In 1995 he was elected general secretary of the Party by Vaid Vaishno Dutt and later he was elected to State Assembly in 1998 on the BJP ticket from Jammu East in bye elections.

State MPs to meet PM, Union Ministers
Omar flays Govt for shifting J&K’s incentives
to Uttaranchal, Himachal

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8: Efforts of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCI) to bring leaders of all political parties on one platform to protect interests of industry yielded encouraging results as Members of Parliament (MPs) of all major political parties have decided to approach Union Government for the redressal of the problems of traders and industries.

National Conference president, Omar Abdullah, who was present in all the meeting organized by CCI, told the EXCELSIOR that MPs assured the industrialists that they will arrange their meeting with Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, Union Finance Minister, Union Industries Minister, Defence Minister, and Railway Minister.

Expressing concern over deteriorating condition of industry in the State, Omar Abdullah, who was instrumental in getting special industrial package for Jammu and Kashmir during his tenure as Union Minister, regretted that similar incentives were announced for Himchal Pradesh and Uttarnachal.

"What to say of similar incentives even better incentives were announced for those hilly States despite being the fact that this package was exclusively for Jammu and Kashmir’’ Omar observed and blamed Union Government for announcing similar packages for Uttaranchal and Himachal.

"Had Union Government not announced better incentives for Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh, our State would have received an investment between Rs 15000 and Rs 20000 crore’’, he rued and added that State has received only Rs 2500 crore investment’’.

Omar Abdullah disclosed that Dr Farooq Abdullah and he himself have assured the CCI to arrange their meeting with representatives of Union Government. "During winter session of the Parliament, a delegation of CCI will visit New Delhi’’, he disclosed

Worthwhile to mention here that CCI had organized interactive session with Members of Parliament from Jammu and Kashmir for the speedy and smooth development and promotion of industry and trade in the State.

Former Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, NC president Omar Abdullah, Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha member, Ch. Lal Singh and PDP Rajya Sabha member Trilok Singh Bajwa attended the meeting.

Keeping aside their political affiliations, all MPs present in the interaction had assured to take up the matter with Union Government so as to save industry and trade in the State. It was unanimously decided to meet Prime Minister and other Union Ministers during winter session of the Parliament.

In the function president of Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCI) Ram Sahai in his memorandum to the Members of Parliament, highlighted problems being faced by the industry in Jammu and Kashmir. He pointed out that although the package of incentive was given to the State yet many conditions were also imposed. Furthermore better incentives were granted to Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal where there was absolutely no law and order problem and impact of militancy.

2 buses carrying timber unauthorisedly seized

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8: Sleuths of Forest Protection Force (FPF), today seized two vehicles on Bypass Sidhra road near Nagrota and recovered 214 pieces of timber cut in different size here last night.

A senior FPF official said that a team led by Inspector Incharge Maqsood Ahmed intercepted bus No. JK02Q/6908. During physical examination of the vehicle by guards- Parveen Kumar, Shashi Paul and Parveen Singh 81 pieces of Toona species ment for frames of doors and windows were seized.

Another vehicle No. JK02A/ 3957 was seized by FPF staff including Insp Mohd Bashir and guards, Mohd Yunis, Rakesh Bhalla, Deepak Singh and Nazir Singh near Nagrota forest check post last night.

A total 133 timber pieces measuring 73.13 cft were seized by Gamma Unit J-2. The cases were registered against the offenders. No valid document was recovered from the persons transporting timber to Jammu. Overall operation was conducted under the supervision of Dy Director FPF Gamma Unit-Jammu (Sidhra) P N Pandita.

JKTUC apprises MoS Industry of PSU workers’ grievances

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8: A deputation of J&K Trade Union Congress, led by its president Sewa Ram Sharma, called on Minister of State for Industries Dr Romesh Sharma and apprised him of the problems being by the PSU workers.

The JKTUC brought to the notice of the minister that employees of PSUs have not been given the benefit of due COLA for the last six years. Further, he lamented, employees in certain Corporations have not been even paid due salary for the last three months with the result that their families are virtually at the verge of starvation.

The Minister gave a patient hearing to the deputation and assured to address the genuine grievances of the PSU employees.

The deputation comprised of Sham Lal Sharma, Raghubir Sharma, Ashok Gupta, Baldev Raj, Gurcharan Singh, Hari Chand and H S Jasrotia.

Rinpochey Memorial Campaign flagged off

Excelsior Correspondent

LEH, Nov 8: Bakula Rinpochey Memorial Education Campaign was today flagged off by the Chief Executive Councillor Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, Tsering Dorje at an impressive function held here today.

About 20 vehicles aboard by Councillors, representatives of NGOs and VEC members and volunteers went to their respective sectors for campaigning.

The BRMEC came in existence during 2004 to promote the spirit of Bakula Rinpochey which he dedicated in exploring education in Ladakh. Bakula Rinpochey passed away in 2003 at Leh.

Flagging off the campaign the CEC urged on the need to carry the campaign with added spirit so that general masses give more attention on education. He asked the campaigners to help reach the basic objective of the campaign at the grass root level.

Executive Councillors Agriculture Tsering Lampa, Health, Dorje Motup, Education Tsewang Rigzin, Minority Affairs Mohd Khan, Chief Education Officer T K Bhat and other senior officers of education department were present on the occasion.

Hakeem reviews functioning of SRTC

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8: Minister for Transport Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen has underlined the need to minimize the losses of the State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) as it is directly connected with the common people. He said Government intends to formulate a comprehensive policy for the corporation giving it a new shape so that it runs on profitable lines.

Speaking at a high level officers meeting convened here today to review the functioning of the corporation, the Minister said that regulation of traffic would be streamlined in the state especially in the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar, so that better, comfortable and timely transport facilities are provided to the people adding that for the purpose measures of urgent nature are required to be taken at the different levels.

Hakeem Yaseen said that government has decided to launch operation of interstate bus fleet for nine states on contract basis to boost revenue. He announced to constitute a high empowered committee for investigation of the circumstances which led to outstanding of Rs. 8 crore of the corporation with the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

Reviewing the over all functioning of the corporation, the Minister said that it has earned an income of Rs. 39 crore during 1st six months of the current financial year and the interstate bus fleet comprising 105 Super Deluxe Coaches is expected to earn Rs. 24 crore during the current fiscal year the Minister added. He asked to purchase spare parts from the reputed firms after fulfilling the all codal formalities with consultation of Departmental Purchase Committee adding that all major decisions should be got approved by the administrative department. The Minister also proposes to operate SRTC buses on district routes on contract basis on experimental basis.

Hakeem Yaseen directed to operate comfortable buses for Srinagar, Jammu Airports, Railway Station and other tourist spots in the State. He also directed to operate timely passenger services on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. He directed to intensify the checking of the passenger services across the state.

The meeting also took several decisions in the interest of SRTC, which include rehabilitation of surplus staff and shifting of the services of 34 Mechanical Engineers to the Motor Vehicles Department on deputation basis. It also took stock of the availability of trucks to the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department and for transportation of fresh fruits to other parts of the country.

Speaker highlights achievements of Govt

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Nov 8 : Speaker Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Tara Chand has lauded the steps of Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad for taking bold and historical decisions for leading Jammu and Kashmir towards peace and prosperity. He hoped that the slogan ‘Khushal Jammu and Kashmir’ would be realized in letter and spirit with the political and administrative will as all sections of society are equally eager to see the State more prosperous on all fronts.

The Speaker was addressing a largely attended public meeting in his home constituency Khour, last evening.

Highlighting the achievements of the coalition government headed by Ghulam Nabi Azad for the last one year, Mr. Tara Chand said that the decisions like creation of new districts, tehsils and formation of Finance Commission, efficiently handling of earthquake situation, arranging Centre’s financial package for restoration of infrastructure are laudable and would prove milestones in the history of the State. He hoped that the government would be able to settle all pending issues including de-limitation, creating of new tehsils, blocks, eradication of corruption and further improvement of work culture in government offices shortly.

Responding to the demands of border people dislocated from their homes during the Kargil conflict, the Speaker said that the Government is fully aware of their sufferings and various steps have already been taken for their rehabilitation. He said that all affected families of Khour block have been adequately compensated for the losses suffered by way of losing their cattle, households’ damage of houses and other infrastructure. Elaborating further, he said that the Government has also ensured alternate accommodation for the people living at the zero line to meet the emergent situation. Efforts are afoot to de-mine the fields located near the border so that the owners of these fields are able to cultivate the same.

He appealed the people to fully concentrate on their routine activities, forgetting the past and make new beginning of life. He said that border situation has been improved tremendously as both the countries are seriously engaged in restoring the peace in Jammu and Kashmir and hoped that the guns would be silenced in both sides permanently as peace is the yearning of people of both the countries, the Speaker asserted.

Later the Speaker felicitated 37 veteran Congress delegates of Khour block and appreciated the role of such delegates who have contributed for strengthening the party at the grass-root level.

Sun Microsystems starts operations in Jammu

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8:Sun Microsystems India today announced launch of its operations in Jammu.

The Sun will commence operation in the city through its partner Aman Technologies.

According to Arnab Roy, General Manager Marketing, Sun Microsystems India, the company has identified 18 Tier III cities and towns wherein the presence of Sun Microsystem shall be aggressively expanded by the end of current fiscal and Jammu is in the list of these areas.

"Today we have a solid value proposition to offer customers in the SMB space with a superior range of x86 products that we launched in October 2005 and an effective channel distribution system," he added.

This expansion will be driven by Sun’s Strategic Regional Partner model which will help Sun’s expansion into the pre decided list of Tier III cities in towns over the next one year. As per this programme, the Sun will identify partners for each of these regions and will conduct intensive training and enabling session for the partners chosen to represent Sun’s business in these regions.

According to Inderpal Singh, CEO, Aman Technologies, it was indeed a privilege to be chosen to partner with Sun Microsystems.

Microsoft scaling up India operations

NEW DELHI, Nov 8: World’s largest software vendor Microsoft, which employs over 4,000 professionals in India, today said it was scaling up presence in the country but finds hiring just out-of-college IT engineers a problem.

However, the Redmond-based company suggested that imparting practical training could help overcome the dearth in availability of trained manpower.

"There is certainly a worldwide need for IT engineers and there are two issues. The first issue being - is the world able to apply the talent that is graduating from the Indian Universities each year. 25-30 per cent of the worldwide engineers graduate from India," Steve Ballmer, CEO, Microsoft said here.

"The other situation is to ensure that when somebody comes out of the University, (whether) they are immediately employable by the companies seriously doing IT works... (as) sometimes that requires a little bit of training which people don’t get in universities. The fact that I highlighted this (is) because we see that an issue in India", he said.

Ballmer said Microsoft is doing its bit to remove this problem through training that would make engineers employable.

Microsoft which has the largest R&D Centre in India outside Redmond has continuously grown its presence here. But Ballmer did not give any specific headcount figures that is up for increase.

"We are scaling up our team in India. Our R&D, global support, customer service team are growing dramatically in India. India deserves a lot of my attention as I see the growth with economy, vitality, mobility, PC market all are growing", he said.

Earlier the Microsoft CEO called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran.

While Ballmer is believed to have discussed with Singh, the growing importance of India and Indians in Microsoft, he shared with Maran, what he thinks were the broad opportunities and challenges in the IT industry.

"We discussed about the IT industry, IT user community, mobility, PCs and consumers in India as well as top and bottom of the economic pyramid. We discussed on the need for additional innovation which will be helped by PC penetration. The minister gave his perspective on the innovation in software which will have an impact on the PC market," Ballmer said.

He agreed with the various reports indicating that India could face the problem of employable workforce in the IT industry.

Last year, Microsoft, during its chairman Bill Gates’ visit, had announced an investment of 1.7 billion US dollars and doubling the head-count to over 7,000 in the next couple of years.

India’s sunrise software and services industry is mostly export-led and clocked a revenue of 23.6 billion dollar and is slated to reach 29-31 billion dollar this fiscal.(PTI)

Encourage local youth to set up SSI units: Romesh

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Nov 8: Minister of State for Industries and Commerce Dr. Romesh Chander Sharma today visited Joint Directorate office of Geology Mining and checked attendance and other files. He was informed that the geologists of the department have done a commendable role in minerals exploitation in almost all the districts of the Jammu region particularly in Doda, Rajouri and Kathua districts.

The Minister who inspected some samples of the minerals which have been extracted from different parts of the Doda district and directed the geologists to encourage the locals to install small scale industrial units in Doda district.

Dr. Romesh said that rural industry of the state needs special attention so that the local population could be benefited. He said adding that the exploitation of natural minerals would not only increase revenue but the employment will also be generated.

The Minister asked the engineers of the department to conduct fresh survey of all those areas which are rich in natural minerals so that people of the region would come to know about the usage of it for setting up of the SSI units in their areas.

The Minister appreciated the work of the geological engineers for conducting the survey of the mineral rich areas of the Jammu division.

Later, the Minister enquired about the problems of the employees and assured them that their genuine demands would be redressed.

ASKPC demands package for displaced youth

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8: All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) in a meeting here, today held under the chairmanship of A N Vaishnavi has urged the Government that interviews of the displaced youth who have opted for their appointment in Kupwara district be held at Jammu.

Mr Kashi Nath Razdhan demanded special package for displaced youth in state and Central services against the posts available due to retirement of migrant employees. He also demanded ten percent reservation in general appointment in the state and Central Government services.

Kanya Lal Pandita demanded promotions of displaced employees and release of CCA and HRA while R N Bhat demanded enhancement of relief and inquiry by High Court judge regarding enhancement of property and temple lands in Kashmir.

The ASKPC for Suriya Vihar , Tomal and Sarswati Vihar was constituted with Kashi Nath Razdhan as convenor, T N Bhat, Jawahar Lal and Hira Lal as vice convenor.

K L Pandita and K L Kuchroo were elected as secretaries, Shiban Krishen as chief organizer and H N Pandita as organizer. Besides Ram Ji Pandita was selected as chief area coordinator.

The meeting was also addressed by ASKPC general secretary, H L Chatta. He accused the DD Kashmir for launching a misinformation campaign against the Pandits through its programmes.

Notorious thief arrested, stolen cash recovered

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8: With the arrest of a notorious thief, police has worked out a theft case of Jeevan Nagar.

Police spokesman said that some days back, Rs 98,000 cash was stolen from the house of one Sanjeev Sharma, son of Dev Raj Sharma of Jeevan Nagar and subsequently the matter was brought to the notice of Satwari Police.

After hectic investigations, police today arrested the thief identified as Talvinder Singh, son of Mann Singh of Digiana. From his possession, the entire stolen cash alongwith a mobile was recovered.

The questioning of the thief revealed that he was also involved in several attempt to murder cases of Jammu and Kathua district and with his arrest all have been worked out.

The arrest of the thief was made by SHO Satwari Inspector Arvind Kotwal under the direct supervision of SP City South Zahid Manhas and SDPO South Shiv Kumar Singh Chouhan.

Rly teams book 83 in 6 trains

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8: Teams of Commercial wing of Northern Railways led by Special Railway Magistrate today conducted surprise raids in six different passenger trains on Jammu-Pathankot section and booked 83 persons for travelling without tickets, trespass and committing other offences. A Railways spokesman said that its commercial wing officials led by by Divisional Chief Inspector of Tickets and assisted by Railway Protection Force, Post Commander Jammu, D C Arya today launched a major operation at 7 am today.

The team under the over -all supervision of Special Railway Magistrate, Kishore Kumar first raided Jammu-Ahmedabad Express, followed by DMU, Jaipur- Delhi-Jammu bound Pooja Express, Indore bound Malwa Express, Sealdah and Tata Moori.

During raids it was found that 24 passengers were travelling without tickets. The magistrate imposed heavy penalty of Rs 6000 on them while its Commercial wing recovered Rs 2492 from the offenders. Seventeen cases of unbooked luggage were detected and on the spot fine of Rs 1700 was recovered from them.

The teams detected forty two more cases of trespass, smoking, vending and passengers travelling in reserved coaches unauthorisedly.

A heavy penalty of Rs 10,192 was imposed on them and recovered on the spot. A girl in the age group of 14-15 yrs, travelling without ticket to Jammu and hiding her identity was also apprehended and handed over to Railway police for further questioning. Three passengers were let off after issuing warnings.