Theft case worked out; snatcher arrested

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 5: Police today worked out a theft case and recovered gold ornaments weighing five tolas and other stolen articles.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jammu Mukesh Singh said that one Rakesh Kumar Chouhan, son of Brij Lal Chouhan of Bharat Nagar lodged a complaint with Sarwal Police that his tenant has decamped with gold ornaments weighing five tolas, cash and some other articles from his house in his absence.

Subsequently, police started investigations and came to know about one Sonu, who had visited the tenant’s room a number of times. Sonu was traced out and taken into custody.

During interrogation, Sonu revealed the identity of tenant as Subash, son of Thakur Dass of village Nagolta in Chenani tehsil. A police team was immediately deputed to Chenani and the accused arrested.

From his possession, police recovered five tolas of gold and other stolen articles.

Meanwhile, Nowabad Police today arrested a snatcher Vishal alias Frinky, son of Sham Lal of Shaheedi Chowk. From his possession, an I-Pod—a musical data base instrument worth Rs 25,000 was recovered.

The I-Pod was snatched by Vishal from an Israel national Oren Goldshtein at Vivek Hotel, Jewel Chowk.

Cong, BJP playing politics over Afzal Guru issue: BSP

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 5: National general secretary of Bahujan Samaj Party, Narendra Kashyap has alleged that Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and some other regional parties of the J&K State were playing dirty politics over the court verdict regarding death sentence to Afzal Guru in Parliament attack case.

Addressing a press conference here today, the BSP leader strongly condemned the Congress and BJP leaders for their recent statements and said that they were trying to exploit the sentiments of the people of different communities in the country over this court verdict. He pointed out that political parties should not interfere into the legal matters. Let the courts play their independent role. There should not be any politics over the court verdicts and the decisions of the Judiciary should be respected by all the citizens of the country.

Terming the recent statements of a few top Congress, BJP, PDP and other Valley leaders as unfortunate, the BSP leader said that by indulging in such acts they are showing disrespect to the judiciary and shattering the confidence of the people in the Indian judicial system. He hoped that the President of the country would take appropriate decision if mercy petition is filed before him. He said BSP was not against any religion or community but would strongly oppose any politics over this issue for petty interest of vote bank.

Describing pace of development works very slow and uneven in the State, the BSP leader alleged that this Government has failed on all the fronts and was trying to deviate from basic agenda of development and mislead the people on certain controversial issues. He said with the opening of LoC points or roads between India and Pakistan, nothing is going to be gained by the people here. They should try to improve their own roads and raise the living standard of their own people on this side first.

Pvt school teachers seek CM’s
attention towards their plights

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 5: Highlighting their grievances, Private School Teachers Association, Jammu, has urged Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to save them from alleged exploitation by the management of their institutions and ensure them job security.

Talking to media persons, here today, Sushila Jamwal, president of the Association, alleged exploitation of Private school teachers who are paid meager salary by the management. "While as owners of the private schools are becoming multi-millionaires overnight, the condition of teachers working in these institutions is aggravating day by day," she lamented and dubbed private school as commercial educational shops with teachers as bonded labourers.

Highlighting their main demands, such as granting pay scale of private school teachers at par with the Government teachers, framing of proper rules to protect their service conditions, gratuity, implementation of contribution pension scheme, making provident fund subscription mandatory, issuing of permanent holiday calendar to avoid confusion etc, Mrs Jamwal stressed that the State Government should formulate an education policy in which all these demands should be taken care of.

"Release of grant in aid for the salaries of teachers and non-teaching staff should be dully checked by the official agencies which should also ensure that the Government orders issued from time to time be strictly adhere to by the private schools, "she emphasized and appealed Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to look into their demands before his scheduled meeting with the owners of private schools, this month.

"Otherwise, we would be forced to resort to agitational path which is the only alternative if our grievances are not addressed to," she warned.

The press conference was also addressed by the Association general secretary Suresh Verma, Yash Pal Yash, Kanta Nanda, Sunita Sawhney, Vimi Suri, Saroj Chopra and Rama Tandon.

Rajesh Jain elected president of ASSI

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 5: Mr Rajesh Jain was elected as president of the Association of Small Scale Industries (ASSI), Gangyal, Jammu in the elections for the year 2006-2008.

Rajesh Jain secured 278 votes against 161 votes polled by Rakesh Gupta. For the post of senior vice president Anil Gupta was declared elected, who got 266 votes against 176 secured by Satinder Gupta. Bansi Lal Gupta defeated Jugal Kishore for the post of vice president. Bansi Lal Gupta got 257 votes against 178 polled by the latter.

For the post of general secretary Tejwant Singh Reen secured 273 votes against 169 votes polled by Virendra Jain. Pardeep Vaid who polled 260 votes was declared elected as secretary. His rival Pankaj Jain could only manage 182 votes.

For the post of treasurer Sandeep Ohri polled maximum 284 votes. He defeated Vijay Sharma who could manage 161 votes.

It is pertinent to mention that out of six winners, two are already in the existing team of office bearers. They are Bansi Lal Gupta and Tejwant Singh Reen. It is for the fourth time that ASSI members have reposed their faith in Bansi Lal Gupta and Tejwant Singh Reen, who have contributed a lot in the functioning of the Association.

The elections were held in a peaceful and cordial atmosphere and the process was conducted ably by the election committee comprising Ashok Pandoh, Ajit Khajuria, Abhay Pargal, Capt Vijay Duggal, Puran Chand, Rajindra Khanna, Vijay Gupta and Anil Gupta. Mr K K Khosa was the Election Commissioner.

ASCOMS conducts health check up camp

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 5: Department of Community Medicine, Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Sidhra Jammu held one week health check up camp at New Era Public School, Chatha Farm.

About 338 students were examined by Dr. S.K. Gupta alongwith staff of Urban Training Health Centre, Chatha. Medical examination was conducted thoroughly and few investigations like blood for haemoglolim and stool examination was also conducted of all the students. Nearly 30 students suffering from E.N.T problem were examined by Dr. Rakesh Sharma ENT specialist from ASCOMS, 40 students having eye problem were got examined by Dr. Sethi eye specialist. About 53 students having various ailments were referred to ASCOMS for specialized consultation.

On the occasion, Health Education was also imparted on various programmes. The subjects included school health scheme, environmental sanitation, personal hygiene, national immunization schedule, about six killer diseases tuberculosis, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, oral polio drops, measles, diarrhocal disease central programme, malaria, nutritional disorders and their prevention.

Mahajan Sabha to honour
outstanding personalities from community

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 5: Ongoing 140th birth anniversary celebrations of Sher-e-Duggar Lala Hans Raj Mahajan will culminate on October 29 with a grand valedictory function wherein the outstanding personalities from the Mahajan community will be honoured.

This was informed by Romesh Chander Gupta, president of Jammu Central Mahajan Sabha, while addressing a news conference, here today.

"For the ongoing birthday celebrations, which started on October 2 with a Havan Yagya at Lala Hans Raj Park, many programmes such as painting, Rangoli, symposium competitions are being organised for young boys and girls of the community," he said and gave details of the programme schedule for different events.

Besides, he added, a debate competition on the topic ‘ Slogans of Self Rule and Autonomy are simply political exploitation and Stunt’, shall also be organised on October 15 in which Graduate and Post Graduate students of the community will participate.

Exhorting the Mahajan Biradri members to participate in big number in the valedictory programme of the celebrations, Romesh Gupta stressed the need for more unity in the community for its further upliftment and extending help to needy.

The press conference was also attended by other office bearers of the Central Mahajan Sabha, who included Amar Nath Gupta, H R Gupta, Prof Jagdish Gupta, Bal Krishan Gupta and Dr Sudesh Gupta.

JMC organises awareness programme on dengue

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 5: Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) today organised an awareness-cum-training programme on dengue.

Mayor of JMC Ch Manmohan Singh was chief guest on the occasion. Chairman of Health and Sanitation Committee Vijay Malhotra and entire sanitation staff of the Corporation were among others who participated in the programme.

On the occasion, Deputy Director State Malariologist, Health Officer JMC and the District Malaria Officer threw light on the causes which lead to the spread of dengue fever and the preventive measures to be taken in this regard.

They exhorted that people must be made aware about the symptoms of dengue like high fever, nausea, joint and muscular pain, skin rashes etc and the treatment like taking of Paracetamol. They suggested that use of Asprin should be avoided.

The important precautions to combat spread of dengue include keeping water tank and containers fully covered, ensuring emptying and drying of water coolers, disposing and destroying unused tyres, junk material, unused containers and prevent stagnation in and around houses.

Chairman of Health and Sanitation Committee emphasised that the sanitation staff of the Corporation should work collectively to thwart any threat of dengue fever in Jammu.

Speaking on the occasion, the Mayor stressed the need to create wide publicity about the causes of dengue and preventive measures. He said that fogging machines have been pressed into service and entire Jammu will be covered shortly.

A live demonstration of portable fogging machine was also held on the occasion.

IG inaugurates camp on disaster management

Excelsior Correspondent

URI, Oct 5: An awareness camp regarding pre-disaster and post disaster management was organized today at Uri by Civil Defence, which was attended by a large number of people including doctors, students of various schools and intellectuals of the district.

The camp was organized to sensitize the people about the measures to be taken to deal with the circumstance in the event of earthquake.

Inspector General of Police, (Home Guards, Civil Defence) Naveen Aggarwal was the chief guest on the occasion. The Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Baseer Khan, SSP, Baramulla Viplov Kumar , Officiating Commandant Auxiliary Police, G.M.Wadoo and SDPO, Uri were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Aggarwal said that people should come forward to participate in such humanitarian activities and appreciated the role of Civil Defence played during the post earthquake relief and rehabilitation. He said that in future such camps should be organized at district and tehsil levels also. He said this is a social activity and every one should participate for this noble cause.

Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla asked the officers to lend full cooperation to the Civil Defence personnel and volunteers during natural disasters. He said civil defence should build up a strong base and organize more such camps not only in towns but also at village levels, so that precious lives and property of public is saved in the event of natural disaster.

Mr. Wadoo, Commandant, Auxiliary Police presented vote of thanks at the conclusion of the function.

Prem Sagar concludes tour of Bani constituency

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Oct 5: Minister of State for Finance, Planning, Revenue, Law and Parliament Affairs, Prem Sagar Aziz concluded his 5-day extensive tour of far-flung and remote areas of Bani constituency today.

Mr. Aziz visited villages and hamlets including Siara, Kund, Baggan, Makroo, Dhandi, Katri, Bhadhand, Sandroon, Mathan, Lohai, Cowad, Kalnoo, Titwah near Himachal Pradesh border, Bhandari, Panjood, Bhandhar, Kakmil, Seernu, Sandhi, Tapper, Darsha Wali Mata, Makerlera, Fatehpur, Ataloo, Seeti, Panckki, Gatti and other villages. He interacted with the inhabitants and took stock of their socio-economic condition.

The Minister directed execution of various development programmes involving Rs. 10 lakhs. The development works initiated include construction of additional accommodation to various high, middle and primary schools, bridle paths, water tanks and a number of major and minor rural development works.

Addressing a series of public meetings, Mr. Aziz said that Government is committed to raise the socio-economic condition of the people especially living in far-flung and remote areas of the State. He said that a number of poverty alleviation programmes have been launched under various State and centrally sponsored schemes.

The Minister said that road connectivity is key to over all development and for this purpose construction of link road from Bani to Bhandahar via Sitti has been taken in hand and work on first three kms. is in progress on which over Rs. 70 lakhs has so far been spent.

Under Haryali scheme, a project of Rs. 6 crore has been sanctioned for Bani constituency of which Rs. 60 lakh would be spent in each panchayat to development infrastructure in rural, far-flung and inaccessible areas, which will help in raising the socio-economic condition of the people, the Minister added.

Dr Shohab’s book released

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 5: ‘Qurrat-ul-Ain Hyder; Wahesiyat Afsana Nigar,’ a book on critical analysis of the short stories by Qurrat-ul-Ain Hyder, authored by Dr Shohab Inayat Malik of Jammu University, was released today.

JU Vice-Chancellor Prof Amitabh Mattoo and MoS School Education Manjeet Singh, released the book during a simple but impressive function, which was organised by Rasa Javedani Memorial Literary society on the campus. Speaking on the occasion, Manjeet Singh, said that the book will be introduced in various libraries of the State for which he would issue necessary instructions to the Director Libraries.

Complimenting Dr Shohab Malik for his latest book in Urdu, Prof Mattoo hoped that the former would continue his literary odyssey and author more books. He also lauded the contribution of Dr Shohab in organising the literary activities on the campus.

Earlier, Prof Zahoor-ud-Din presented a paper on review of the book and described it very useful for the students since Qurrat-ul-Ain Hyder is taught in classes. Prof Khursheed Hamra Siddique, former HoD Urdu, also spoke on the occasion.

CAPD fixes rates of milk, cheese

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 5: Director CA&PD Jammu has revised and fixed new sale rates of milk, curd and cheese within Municipal limits of Jammu city with immediate effect.

The revised rates of double tanned milk with 1.5% fat and 9% SNF at Rs. 12 per litre, double tanned pasteurized milk with 1.5 per cent fat and 8.5 per cent SNF, packed in pouches at Rs. 14.50 per litre, cow milk containing 3-3 per cent fat and 8.5per cent SNF at Rs. 14.50, cow milk containing 3-3.5 per cent fat and 8.5 per cent SNF at Rs. 15.50 per litre, buffalo milk containing 5-5.6 per cent fat and 9.5 per cent SNF at Rs. 16.50 per litre, curd standard milk loose at Rs. 17 per kg, curd in pouches at Rs. 18 per kg and cheese without water contents (dry) at Rs. 80 per kg.

The Director has asked all the shopkeepers to display the revised rates in bold letters at the conspicuous places of their business establishments. They would also keep the cheese in deep freezers of cabin and not soaked in water. Any reason failing to comply the orders would be liable for action under law.

JK Cultural Academy performs at HP

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 5: Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages presented colourful programme depicting cultural music of the state at International Kullu Dussehra Festival held at Lal Chand Prarthi Kala Kendra at Kullu yesterday.

The captivating performances by the state of Jammu and Kashmir was applauded which included Kashmiri rouf, dances and songs in different languages of the region. Besides Jammu and Kashmir, troupes from M.P, Gujrat, Haryana, West Bengal, Orissa, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Assam etc participated in the festival and presented their regional folk items.

While honouring the artists of J&K, Deputy Commissioner, Kullu who was the chief guest on the occasion, appreciated the qualitative performance of Jammu and Kashmir State.

Artists from Jammu and Kashmir who participated in the Festival included Anita Sharma, Mr Jatinder, Kr. Krishna, Ravi Sharma, Bishan Dass and Rakesh Anand.

The programme was designed by Mr. Randhir Kumar. The other artists included Rakesh Kona, Joginder Pal, Anuradha Kohli, Happy Sharma, Isha Slathia, Rupali Sharma, Poonam Thappa, Atri Langeh, Amandeep Kaur and Lovely Sabherbal. The cultural troupe was lead by Additional Secretary, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Jammu Mr. T. R. Sharma.

Clean Srinagar strategy in offing: Charak

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 5: Clean Srinagar strategy is being launched by the department of R&B, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Traffic Department and Srinagar Development Authority to create palatable environment and make roads, drains and lanes garbage free. Stating this here today, the Minister for R&B Gulchain Singh Charak beseeched the Corporators NGOs, public representatives and common people to contribute their significant part in making the Srinagar beautiful attractive and a clean city.

Mr. Charak after conducting tour of various Srinagar areas to inspect the macadamization work presently going on in full swing chaired a meeting of Municipal Corporation at the corporation head quarters.

It was decided in the meeting that a 15-day drive from 11th October 2006 would be launched in the city to make the people aware of the strategy about making Srinagar a clean city.

Special flying squads, garbage collection vehicles, scavenging operation, formulation of community clubs, distribution of garbage bins and ensuring removal of all sorts of garbage from the roads and lanes before 9 a.m. every day and persuading the people not to indulge in throwing garbage on roads, lanes and drains form significant aspects of the 15-day campaign. The students opinion leaders, heads of the mohalla committees and general public will be involved in the drive to make it a success.

Srinagar Municipality Mayor, Commissioner Secretary R&B, S. S. P Traffic, Managing Director JKPCC, Vice Chairman Srinagar Development Authority, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Deputy Mayor Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Joint Commissioner Municipality, Superintendent Engineers R&B and Executive Engineers R&B Srinagar city were present in the meeting.

Mr. Charak inspected macadamization work at Gupkar, Lal Bazar, Bhagwanpora and other places under his strategy to personally take stock of improvement works and interacted with people to assimilate their development needs. He asked the people to make direct complaints to him if they feel any sort of error or misappropriation in implementation of public works.

He was accompanied by Srinagar Municipal Mayor Ghulam Mustaffa Bhat and Chief Engineer R&B Nazir Ahmad Shah.

Qarra lays foundation stone of
community hall at Bagh-e-Bahu

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 5: Minister for Finance, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Hameed Qarra laid foundation stone of Community Hall at Bahu Fort here this afternoon. The community hall would be constructed by Jammu Municipal Corporation at an estimated cost of Rs. 27 lakh.

MLA Gandhi Nagar constituency Raman Bhalla, Commissioner JMC Vinod Sharma, Joint Director Information S. K. Sharma, Corporators Bansi Lal Gupta, Sanosh Khajuria, Asha Devi, Namrita Sharma, Rita Devi, Pawan Singh, Kulbushan and other senior officers of JMC, Revenue were present on the occasion.

After laying foundation stone, the Minister apprised the people that the coalition government is committed for equitable development of all the three regions of the state with special focus on ameliorating the lot of backward and down trodden sections of the society. He said that for raising the socio-economic conditions of the people especially poor masses living in remote areas, the central and state governments are equally concerned and have launched various development.

To ensure timely execution of developmental works, the Minister announced Rs. 15 lakh for Community Hall, Rs. 15 lakh for repair and renovation of lanes and drains of Gorkha Nagar, Rs. 10 lakh for Guru Rabi Dass Temple surroundings, Rs. 3.5 lakh for Women Sanan Ghat at Mirkhari in Bagh-e-Bahu area, Rs. 2.7 lakh for repair and renovation of Ward No. 55 lanes, by-lanes and drains. He said that no compromise would be made on the quality of works and directed the officers to pay frequent visits to remote areas to have on the spot assessment of developmental activities.

Regarding the face lifting of Bagh-e-Bahu area, the Minister said that the present government has taken many steps for the beautification of parks to attract the local people and lakhs of tourists and pilgrims visiting the State.

MLA Gandhi Nagar, Raman Bhalla who also spoke on the occasion and recalled the supreme sacrifice of 5 young girls who lost their lives while on Railway Track work years back that is why he became particular to construct a community hall and temple in their memory in the vicinity. The construction of community hall at Bagh-e-Bahu area was also a long pending demand of the people of the area. He asked the JMC engineers to complete the construction work within nine months.

Peerzada assures action in Ahlilan Balla killings

Excelsior Correspondent

GANDOLE, Oct 5: Strongly condemning killing of two civilians at Ahlilan Balla, Gadole, Kokernag, JKPCC President and Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Information Technology, Hajj and Auqaf, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed today assured that whosoever found involved in heinous act, be it Army, Para Military Force, or any other individual would be booked under law of the land.

He said that Government has already given clear direction to Army and other security force to deal with militancy with iron hand, but the innocent killing or harassment of peace loving citizens of the State would not be tolerated at any cost.

Peerzada was addressing people after visiting the residence of Mr. Hashim Ali Naikoo whose two sons were killed and other two were injured on the intervening night of 3-4 October. He also handed over two cheques of Rs. 1 lakh each as ex-gratia relief to Hashim Ali and promised to provide a job to his son.

Expressing his sympathy with the bereaved family Peerzada said that orders have already been issued for magisterial inquiry into the incident. He asked the Deputy Commissioner, G.A. Peer to complete the inquiry within stipulated time so that the culprits would be punished. He said that he has talked to Army authority also and who have also assured for separate inquiry into the incident for fixing the responsibility and court martial against the erring officials.

Responding to complaints of people about the harassment by concerned Army unit, Peerzada said 'I had taken the matter with Chief Minister and Army authorities and who have assured that the night patrolling in these areas would be abandoned'. He asked the people not to open door during night hours and if any Army official resort to excesses they should immediately approach police station or him. On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag G. A. Peer gave detailed report to Minister of the incident and said he had talked to Core Commander of Army regarding harassment of people and who assured him that within three days the people of the area will see the change on the ground.

332 cases settled in Lok Adalat

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 5: A Lok Adalat was held in the new District Court Complex Janipur today under the chairmanship of District Legal Services Authority, Pr District and Sessions Judge Jammu Subash Chander Gupta. In the Lok Adalat four benches were constituted.

Bench No I was headed by District Legal Services Authority, Pr District and Sessions Judge Jammu assisted by Additional District Judge Bank Cases Jammu to deal with Matrimonial and MACT Cases. Two matrimonial cases were taken up and settled out, 14 MACT cases, 3 were settled and an amount of Rs.11.45 lakh was awarded as compensation to the claimants.

Bench No 2 was headed by Special Municipal Mobile Magistrate Jammu to deal with CJM Railway Magistrate, Special Traffic and 3rd Additional Munsiff. About 269 cases were taken up, out of which, 189 were settled and Rs.23600 was realized as fine.

Bench No 3 was headed by Excise Magistrate Jammu to deal Municipal Court cases. About 149 cases were taken up out of which 21 were settled and Rs.2850 were realized as fined.

Bench No 4 was headed by 4th Additional Munsiff Jammu to deal with Additional traffic Court cases. About 119 cases were taken up, out of which 119 were settled and Rs.17800 was realized as fine.

Next Lok Adalat is scheduled to be held on October 25.