Musical events under Display Your Talent contest begin

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 21: Naveen Sharma and Ranjeet S Katoch, both from the Institute of Music and Fine Arts, Jammu, were adjudged first and second respectively in the Classical Vocal (Solo) competition, organised under display Your Talent Contest by the Department of Students welfare, Jammu University, here today.

Awijit Singh Sudan from Mahant Bachiter Singh College of Engineering and Technology secured third position in the contest while the Certificate of Merit was awarded to Mamta Kalotra from GCW Gandhi Nagar.

In Classical Instrument Solo, Neha Talwar from GCW Parade and Naveen Sharma from Institute of Music and fine Arts, bagged first place in Percussion and Non-Percussion events, respectively.

Daniel Sidhu from Institute of Music and Fine Arts and Pallav Kapoor from Mahant Bachiter Singh College of Engineering and Technology, secured second and third position, respectively in Percussion while the Certificate of Merit in this event was given to Rakesh Kumar of Institute of Music and Fine Arts.

In Non-Percussion, second and third place were bagged by Namrata Sharma from GCW Parade and Sonia Sharma from Institute of Music and Fine Arts, respectively, while the Certificate of Merit was awarded to Pooja Sharma of GCW Parade.

Meanwhile, the results of ‘On the Spot Essay Writing contest’ were also declared today. Swati Raina from GCW Gandhi Nagar clinched first position while Neha Sadhotra from GCW Udhampur and Amita Malhotra from PG Department of Chemistry were declared second and third, respectively. Certificates of Merit were awarded to Anirudh Khajuria from PG Department of Psychology and Satinder Kour from PG Department of Environmental Science.

New students outfit floated

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 21: Some students of Jammu University have floated a new outfit with the name and style of National Students Forum.

Amolak Singh and Gurdeep Singh Pandey are the chairman and president, respectively of this organisation which, according to them, is purely non-political with sole agenda of working for the cause of students’ welfare.

"National Students Forum’’ has no direct or indirect affiliation with any political outfit and our main objective of floating this organisation is to create awareness among students about their genuine rights, social issues and prepare them to launch a crusade against menaces like drug abuse, corruption, communalism, militancy etc," said Amolak Singh and Gurdeep Singh while talking to media persons Jammu University campus, here today.

They also announced the names of a few central office bearers of the outfit, who included Farooq Manhas (general secretary), Yasir Khan (secretary), Isha Gupta (spokesperson) and Sachin Bhagat (treasurer).

Names of other office bearers shall be announced very soon, they added and invited students to come to their fold for getting their genuine demands highlighted.

Week long celebrations begin at MIER College of Education

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 21: In connection with National Integration Day, week long celebrations began at MIER College of Education, here today.

A series of activities, including debate, Rangoli competition, symposium, quiz, poster making and visit to Old Age Home, will be held during the week long programme.

The debate and Rangoli competitions marked the inauguration of the celebrations today. Topic of the debate contest was ‘Is Gandhigiri Relevant in 21st Century’. Fourteen students took part in the debate; seven spoke in favour while the equal number of participants expressed their views against the motion.

Jai Ram and Kesri Chand stood first and second respectively while Ajit and Man Singh shared third position in the contest.

In Rangoli, a group of 30 students jointly prepared a colourful Rangoli in the shape of Map of India, showing different states in different colours in different perspectives with an objective to highlight unity in diversity.

The group headed by Simi and Hemlata bagged first position while the second and third place were secured by the group headed by Nirmala- Jyoti and Priya-Monika, respectively

The panel of judges included Dr Surinder Kaur, Dr Ira Bhan and Annie Kaul.

JMC’s General House passes city development
plan under JNNURM

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 21: City development plan under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) was passed by the General House of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) at a special meeting held today.

The plan will be approved by the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad tomorrow before sending the same to Central Government for sanctioning Rs 3500 crore for the development of Jammu city. The city development plan of Srinagar has already been approved by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation.

Though the city development plan was passed by the General House of the Corporation yet much hue and cry was raised by the Corporators over some ‘non-issues’. They alleged that before finalising the plan they were not consulted and wanted to know distribution of funds ward-wise.

When some Corporators continue to disrupt the meeting, Major Ch Manmohan Singh said that the Corporators should be broad minded and should keep in mind that the city development plan if sanctioned by the Central Government would ensure development of all the wards.

"How can you expect that funds for fly-overs, drainage systems and heritage point be equally distributed among the wards", the Mayor asked. Cutting across party lines, former Mayor Kavinder Gupta also intervened and tried to educate the Corporators about the plan.

Finally, amidst hue and cry the plan was passed by the House.

PHE employees assure support to JAC

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 21: The executive members of Public Health Engineering Employees Association in a meeting held here today discussed the long pending demands of the PHE workers.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Balwinder Singh, provincial president of the Association. The speakers raised the burning issues of the non-gazetted employees of the department. During meet all the members resolved unanimously to extend support to the day long agitational programme-cum-convention being organised by the all J&K workers and employees’ Joint Association Committee (JAC) scheduled for Nov 22 at Guru Ravi Dass, near Science College, Jammu.

The members appreciated the role of All J&K Workers and employees Joint Association Committee and its programme and policies and stressed upon the Government to accept the just and genuine demands of the employees without any further delay. They are demanding interim relief of least Rs 1000 per month before the implementation of 6th Pay Commission, uniform rate of Rs 100 per day to all daily wagers and revival of LTC in favour of J&K Government employees. Mr Singh appealed all the workers of the department to attend programme of Nov 22 in large number to make it a grand success.

Prominent among others present on the occasion include, Kamal Singh, Suram Singh, Ravi Kant Sharma, Balbir Rai, B S Pinka, Ravinder Manhas, Charanjeet Singh and Amrik Singh.

Govt committed to improve health infrastructure: Mangat

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 21: Minister for Health and Medical Education Mangat Ram Sharma has reiterated the resolve of the Government to further streamline and upgrade the health care facilities in the State.

Addressing a public meeting at Bomia Sopore today, Mr. Sharma announced setting up of a sub-district hospital to extend adequate health care facilities to the people of the area. He said the hospital would be equipped with diagnostic facilities like USG, x-ray, etc while ambulance would also be made available to the hospital which will have 20 bed capacity.

The Health Minister said that Government is striving for equitable development of all the regions and areas of the state. He said several schemes aimed at improving socio-economic profile of the people are currently under execution and completion of these would provide better road communication, drinking water, power, education, health and other basic facilities to the people.

Mr. Sharma also distributed cheques amounting to Rs. 4.40 lakh under IAY to 20 beneficiaries for construction of their dwelling units.

Minister for Rural Development Jugal Kishore on this occasion announced additional block for Zaingeer to be headquartered at Bomia. He asked the people to extend their full cooperation to the Government in the implementation of various development programmes.

Local MLA and chairman Handicrafts Development Cooperation Haji Abdul Rashid Dar also spoke on the occasion and said that Rs. 1.71 crore have been earmarked for development of road communication network in Bomia area.

Senior Congress leaders including G. N. Monga, Mustaq and M. Amin Khan also spoke on the occasion.

UDA clerk caught red-handed accepting bribe

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 21: State Vigilance organisation caught red-handed a junior assistant of Urban Development Agency (UDA), Srinagar while accepting bribe here today.

The action was taken against the accused clerk, Fayaz Ahmed Bhat after Vigilance department received a complaint from Ghulam Nabi Khan hailing from Al-Farooq Colony, Bemina in Srinagar. Khan alleged that clerk was demanding bribe for the forwarding and processing his case to the bank branch for release of loan under Swarn Jayanti Rozgar Yojna.

The Vigilance department Kashmir registered a case FIR No. 49/2006 under section 5(2) PC Act and a team organised a trap. During the operation the accused official was caught red -handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 500 from the complainant in presence of independent witnesses. The accused was arrested on the spot and sent behind the bars. Further investigation was on.

Airtel Eid-Diwali offer winners announced

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 21: Bharti Airtel today announced the winners of Eid-Diwali offer in Jammu and Kashmir.

Airtel customers Ravinder Kumar from Udhampur, S Senthal from Doda, Raj Sharma from Hiranagar and Devinder Singh from Samba emerged as the lucky winners from Jammu region. All these winners won a Phillips juicer mixer grinder worth Rs 3000.

Under this offer, customers, who bought an Airtel connection between October 20 to November 19, would be eligible for a daily prize. Nineteen more winners will be eligible for the prizes which will be announced later.

All the customers, who bought an Airtel connection under this scheme till November 20 will be eligible to participate in the mega prize of Rs one lakh. The bumper prize winner will be announced in December.

Chief Operating Officer of Bharti Airtel, J&K. RVS Bhullar gave away the prizes to the winners at Airtel’s office at Bahu Plaza.

Manjit inaugurates computer learning
centre at GMS Udhampur

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 21: Minister of State for Education, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, S. Manjeet Singh has said that the coalition Government is committed to upgrade education standard in Government schools by adopting latest trends in imparting quality education to students besides enhancing infrastructural facilities under SSA to ensure cent percent literacy in the state.

The Minister was speaking at the inaugural function of newly established Computer Centre at Government Central Middle School, Udhampur constructed at a cost of Rs.9 lakh under Sarv Siksha Abhiyan (SSA).

MLA Udhampur, Balwant Singh Mankotia, Chief Education Officer, V. M. Raina, Dy. CEO, DEPO, Principals of HSS Boys and Girls, Udhampur, Zonal Education Officers, Head of various schools, teachers and students attended the function.

Addressing on the occasion, Minister said that with the inauguration of this computer learning centre in the school, the poor students whose parents could not afford to provide computer education to their children by incurring huge expenditure would now get free computer training to elevate their educational standards on modern lines. Even drop out students would have the free access to learn here, the Minister added.

MLA, Mankotia demanded filling up of vacant posts of teachers and Masters in the district besides providing adequate engineering staff to accelerate the construction work of Government school buildings under SSA and other plan schemes.

Later, the Minister convened a meeting of officers of Education Department to know about the problems being faced by them in execution of works under SSA and related activities. Most of the ZEOs lamented shortage of staff for which the Minister asked the Chief Education Officer to look into it and take action accordingly. The Minister also asked for giving priority to the construction of those Primary School buildings where students do not have accommodation facility.

On the recommendations of ADDC Udhampur, the Minister also ordered for construction of one room accommodation each for MS Khore, Bangan, Arabas, Shabraz and GPS Khole Laar in Gulabgarh area of Mahore tehsil.

The Minister also chaired a meeting of officers of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department, Udhampur and directed them to ensure that rate lists are displayed and stock registers maintained by ration dealers and BPL ration goes to actual beneficiaries.

Bandh takes stock of various
developmental works in Jammu

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 21: To take stock of the progress on various on-going developmental works, the Minister of State for R&B, Animal and Sheep Husbandry Mohammad Khalil Bandh today inspected renovation of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex, construction of Janipur-Ambgrota road, construction of bridge on Muthi Nallah at Roopnagar and widening of Channi-Himmat Colony bridge to bye-pass via Satyam Resort.

During his visit to Janipur-Ambgrota road, the Minister was informed that an amount of Rs. 7.28 crore has been allocated for the project, out of which about Rs. 1.60 crore has been incurred so far.

The Minister also inspected the construction work of bridge on Muthi Nallah at Roopnagar.

Regarding the project on widening of road from Channi-Hmmat to bye-pass via Satym Resorts, the Minister was informed that it was progressing smoothly and the construction work of the drains, footpath and the widening of the road by two feet on either side is near completion.

Chief Engineer R&B Jammu M. M. Sharma accompanied the Minister during his visit.

RSS leader for elimination of casteism from Hindu society

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 21: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Seh Sar Karivah, Bhaiyan Ji Joshi has stressed for elimination of casteism from the Hindu society.

Mr Joshi, who was the chief guest in Samajik Sadhbhav meet organized by Shri Guru Ji Janam Shatabdhi Samaroh Samiti here today, said that the need of the time is that entire Hindu Samaj should unitedly face the challenges.

Terming the casteism a big social evil, he said there should be no discrimination between one individual and another on the basis of the caste. "All efforts are to be made to eliminate the casteism as it has no place in the society", he asserted.

Maintaining that the solution of all problems lies when Hindu Samaj is united, the RSS leader said Hindus have brought changes in society according to changing circumstances from time to time in past and they should continue to adopt the same strategy at present.

Urging the politicians to work in the national interests, he warned them against creating division in Society on the basis of religion, region and language for their vested interests.

He claimed RSS has been working for unity of Society and nation since 1925 and its cadres will take this message to every nook and corner of the country.

Admitting that the prevalent social evils in Hindu society are because of illiteracy, backwardness and poverty, he said it is the duty of entire society to find a solution to these problems.

He said these are the reasons that other religions succeeded in eroding Hindu Samaj and enforcing conversions in it. "But we have to be vigilant and thwart the designs of all such forces inimical to our cause", he added.

Addressing the meeting, Mahant Gurdeep Giri from Pathankote said the main objective of Guru Ji’s Janam Shatabdhi Samiti is that a nationwide campaign should be launched for eradication of illiteracy, Westernisation of culture and intoxication.

Other speakers include Prof K L Bhatia, Prant Sangchalak RSS, Brig. Sucheet Singh and president Janam Shatabdhi Samiti. Prant Seva Parmukh RSS, Sudesh Paul was the stage secretary while vote of thanks was proposed by Amarchand Gupta.

ASKPC concerned over Govt’s apathy
towards displaced Pandits

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 21: All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) in a meeting at Janipur today expressed grave concern over the apathy of the Government towards the exiled community.

The meeting was chaired by ASKPC president, Amar Nath Vaishnavi. He accused the authorities for not being sincere in implementing their own decisions in favour of hapless community.

In the meeting Zonal ASKPC was constituted and R K Kaul was nominated its president. He was authorized to nominate the other members of the Committee.

Addressing the meeting H L Chatta , general secretary ASKPC criticized the policies of State and Central Governments and held them responsible for miseries of the displaced Pandits.

He alleged that the community has been denied the fundamental rights by those who are at the helm of affairs.

R K Raina, senior vice president ASKPC demanded removal of encroachments from religious places of Pandits and other immovable property of the community with declaration of distress sale as null and void.

A K Kaul general secretary All Displaced Kashmiri Pandits (Non Camp) Welfare Union alleged that the recommendations of Central Inter Ministerial Committee, in respect of release of promotion benefits, HRA and CCA have not been implemented by the State authorities.

KHC reiterates demand of employment
package for displaced youth

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 21: Kashmiri Hindu Conference (KHC) in a meeting of its zonal presidents and other office bearers here, today held under the chairmanship of M L Thusoo reiterated the demand of special employment package for the displaced youth.

The meeting alleged that the denial of employment to the community youth for last 17 years has led to their frustration. It also demanded release of remaining portion of ex-gratia in favour of the Pandits whose houses have been set ablaze by the terrorists and exgratia to those whose houses were damaged due to heavy snow fall and rains all along the years of displacement.

The meeting said this will be a sort of healing touch towards the most affected community.

Mr Thusoo, while criticizing the formation of new committee urged the Government to implement the recommendations of M L Kaul Committee and Inter Ministerial Committee instead.

Mr D K Babu expressed concern over the encroachments of various Devsthans in Kashmir Valley. The meeting was also addressed by J K Raina (Maktoom) S N Raina, Rakesh Pandita, A K Sadhoo, Pran Kaul, Ravinder Raina, P K Sharma and others.

Transporters flay authorities

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 21: The members of All J&K Transport Association have strongly criticised the State Transport authorities for its alleged failure to watch their interests in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a meeting of the Association held here today, under the chairmanship of T S Wazir (MLC) and Anil Chopra, the members alleged that though transporters have received a little relief with the court directive but the Transport Officers were trying to victimise the transporters. Both leaders alleged that concerned authorities had anti-transporter stance.

Mr Wazir expressed gratitude to the High Court on behalf of transporters for granting little relief by granting some time to government for further report with submission for transport policy before the court. He sought the intervention of the Chief Minister and hoped that government will submit a report taking care of the intrerests of the transporters in general while fixing the age limit of the vehicles.

Mr Chopra also thanked the court for granting two and half months time to the transporters with the direction that fitness Board of TRO will issue fitness certificate for that period. He hoped a favourable response from the Stare Transport department.

Prominent among those present in the meeting included-Vijay Kumar Sharma, general secretary Jammu Province Bus Operators Union, Parkash Singh vice chairman, Kuldip Singh, Pritam Singh, Ashok Kumar, Bharat Bhushan Gupta, Shanti Saroop, Anchal Singh, D K Mehra, V S Chib, Ali Mohd and Gyan Singh.

Hunt on to nab Gram Sevak
Attempt to embezzle BPL rice foiled, 3 arrested

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 21: Police today foiled an attempt to embezzle Below Poverty Line (BPL) rice and arrested three persons. A total of 120 bags each containing 50 kilograms of rice were also seized and hunt was on to arrest a Gram Sevak.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Udhampur Prithvi Raj Manhas said that on a specific information, a police party led by SHO Udhampur Police Station Inspector Jagdev Singh under the direct supervision of Additional SP Anil Magotra conducted a raid and seized two vehicles loaded with 120 bags each containing 50 kilograms of rice.

Chandu Ram, son of Kirpa Ram and Shamsher Singh, son of Rattan Singh, both the drivers of the vehicles bearing registration numbers JK14-9442 and JK14-7479 were also arrested.

The entire ration meant for the BPL section of the society under food for work programme was being shifted to a shop at Sailan Talab—Babu Ram, son of Puran Chand of Rathian, Udhampur instead of being given to BPL people working under the scheme of the Rural Development Department.

Subsequently, the raid was conducted in Sailan Talab area and the shopkeeper was arrested.

During questioning, all the three arrested persons revealed that Gram Sevak Krishan Chand had directed them to deliver the rice at a shop at Sailan Talab.

Police has registered a case under Sections 409, 109, 406 and 420 RPC in this connection and launched hunt to nab Gram Sevak, who has gone underground soon after the arrest of a shopkeeper and drivers of two vehicles.

The preliminary investigations revealed that the shopkeeper used to change the packaging of the rice and sell the same in black-market.