Pregnant woman commits suicide

Excelsior Correspondent

RAMBAN, Oct 8: A pregnant woman today committed suicide under suspicious circumstances at the residence of her in-laws in village Kanga under the jurisdiction of Ramban Police Station.

Police spokesman said that the deceased Parveen Akhtar of village Parnote was married to Ishtiaq Ahmed of village Kanga about eight months back and she had estranged relations with her husband over the demand of more dowry.

Despite being aware of the fact that she was pregnant, her in-laws, particularly husband continued to harass and even beat her mercilessly a number of times for want of more dowry. The woman also brought the matter to the notice of her parents several times but everytime she was asked to convince her husband that her parents were not in a position to pay more dowry, the police sources disclosed.

Unable to tolerate harassment, the woman with foetus in her womb today consumed poisonous substances at her residence. She was rushed to Emergency Hospital Ramban and was pronounced as brought dead.

The body was handed over to the family members of the deceased after post-mortem and other legal formalities.

Brother of the deceased Javed Ahmed in his complaint to the police alleged that it was due to continuous harassment at the hands of her in-laws for want of more dowry that Parveen Akhtar committed suicide.

Police has registered a case under Section 498-A RPC (death of a married woman under suspicious circumstances) and started further investigations.

Mahajan Sabha organizes Rangoli, painting competition

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 8: As a part of ongoing programme of celebrating the 140th birth anniversary of Lala Hans Raj Mahajan founder president of Mahajan Sabha, the Jammu Central Mahajan Sabha organized a painting and Rangoli competition at Mahajan Bhawan here today.

Ninety students from Class first to sixth participated in the painting competition while 30 girl students in two groups from age group of 10 to 15 years and 16 to 20 years took part in Rangoli competition.

These competitions were supervised by Ms Veer Kanta and Ms Krishna Gupta convenor and chief organiser respectively. They were assisted by Nirmal Mahajan, Neha Mahajan and Radhika Abrol.

The judges were Radhika Gupta, Shetal Mahajan, Asuya Khosa, Sharanjit Kaur and Om Parkash. In Rangoli competition Parveen Gupta was the chief guest and Surinder Mohan as guest of honour. Besides an exhibition of fashion designing , painting, cutting and tailoring products organized by trainees was also held at Mahajan Bhawan Sabzi Mandi by Hans Raj Mahajan Child and Women Welfare Society. The work of trainees was highly appreciated by the visitors.

Romesh Chander Gupta president Jammu Central Mahajan Sabha , Bal Krishen Gupta, its senior vice president, Dr Sudesh C Gupta its general secretary, Prof G K Gupta patron, Dr Mohan Lal Gupta, Rattan Lal Gupta, Vinod Gupta, Nand Lal Gupta and Raghubir Gupta were the organisers of the entire function.

NMC activists organise rally in Jammu

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 8: Activists of National Mazdoor Conference have urged upon the Prime Minister to issue direction to the newly appointed chairman of the 6th Pay Commission to start functioning immediately.

Addressing an employees’ rally at Rani Park here today, president of the organisation Subhash Shastri said that keeping in view the financial hardships being faced by the employees, the Pay Commission should start its work at the earliest. He said despite lapse of more than two months of the decision taken by the Union Government, no progress seems to be achieved by the Commission in this direction.

The Mazdoor leader further urged upon the chairman of the newly constituted Commission to submit report within six months as the whole data of the previous Commission was already lying with the authorities.

He said the data will help in early completion of the proposed task. Several leaders of the organisation also spoke on the occasion.

RDD House Committee inspects works on model villages

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 8 : Member Legislative Council and Chairman Departmental House Committee for Rural Development Department Bilal Ahmad Khan Lodhi today conducted an extensive tour of Ramgarh, Vijaypur and Samba blocks to review the ongoing construction work of model villages of Rangoor and Bari Kamila.

Among others who accompanied the Chairman Departmental House Committee for Rural Development Department included MLCs Ali Mohammad Sofi and Ghulam Nabi Lone, Director Rural Development Guldev Raj Bhagat, District Panchayat Officer-Cum-Assistant Development Commissioner Indu Chib, Block Development Officers Mohammad Yusuf Malik and Bholla Nath Sharma

After inspecting the construction work of model villages, Lodhi and asked the engineers to remain present in their headquarters and work with zeal and dedication for the welfare of general masses. He directed the engineers to complete the ongoing construction work of model villages before March 2007 so that people do not face any inconvenience. He asked the villagers of Samba and Vijaypur to cooperate with the Government agencies for ensuring early completion of projects. He asked the engineers to use quality material in the works.

He said that the present Government is making tireless efforts to provide basic minimum amenities to all sections of society at their doorsteps which include improved road connectivity, opening of new schools, electricity and drinking water facilities.

Interacting with the border belt villagers, Mr. Lodhi said that the economy is shaping to meet the challenges of providing better quality of life for common people and present Government plays a vital role in making education, health care, housing, drinking water and other basic amenities available to the people especially to poor and the underprivileged. He said that emphasis has been laid on greater monitoring of Rural Development programmes and the stress has been laid on construction of Rural Roads for better connectivity, Restructured self employment programmes, Rural Housing and drinking water programmes continued to be implemented and monitored.

He said that other various schemes in Rural Development Programmes can revolutionize the economic conditions of Rural populace for which the officers have to make concerted efforts.

Later, the team also inspected the ongoing development works which included construction of link roads of Ramgarh-Kandral, Bana Check besides CICs at Bari Kamila and Ragoor.

JAL launches products in Jammu markets

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 8: Jupiter Aqua Lines (JAL) Limited, a 17 years old company, manufacturing more than one million bath fittings and accessories, launched its products at ‘Jal Tarang’ at Sunjawa Morh here today.

Chief Business Development Officer Vinod Kumar Sharma while speaking at the launch of Jal Tarang stated that the company besides selling its produce in India is also exporting a good number of unit too.

JAL guides and educates customers and plumbing technicians on various technical features that are available in Bath Fittings and Bath Wares, through workshops, technical seminars and literature.

JAL is one company which attaches much importance to the performance of the products. The quality parameters are very high in JAL. The JAL products are easy to maintain and need very elementary care. Together with JAL, discerning customers would discover the art of making beautiful bathrooms.

Company has also opened a permanent display cum service centre JAL TARANG at Sunjuwa Morh where the specially trained customer care executives will always be at prospective buyers call not only to dismount relevant information but also to meet customers needs.

JAL TARANG at Sunjawa Morh in Jammu is the recent endeavour of the company to come closer to customers in this region..

Coca-Cola announces reconstruction project in Baramulla

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 8: Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Limited today announced reconstruction project in Baramulla district where infrastructure was damaged in last year’s devastating earthquake.

Announcing the project, Area General Manager of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages S Giri Sunder said that company has taken an initiative to reconstruct the building of Government Boys Middle School Kattianwali, Baramulla which was completely ruined in the earthquake.

Even as there were only five class rooms in the school previously, the company will get 12 rooms constructed, the AGM added. The company is bearing cost of Rs 13 lakh in the construction of school building and cheque of same amount was recently handed over to the Chief Education Officer (CEO) of Baramulla.

Meanwhile, the company has taken up a project to augment existing infrastructure at an orphanage being run by People’s Education Trust in Baramulla.

The idea behind this initiative was to increase the capacity of the orphanage to accommodate more inmates in view of a large number of children having lost their parents to the last year’s quake.

The company will provide Rs 12 lakh to the Trust for construction of the extension wing.

Dr Ved Ghai releases book on Sanaskars

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 8: Renowned scholar and authority on Neelmat Puran, Dr Ved Kumari Ghai today said that due to the refusal of State Government to recognize the Sharda and Devnagri scripts, the most of the religious scriptures written in these languages could not reach to people.

Dr Ghai, who was the chief guest at the release of S N Pandita’s book "Kashmir Hindu Sanaskars (Rituals, Rites and Customs)" here this afternoon, said that all languages are linked together because they have one origin.

The function was attended by a galaxy of scholars, writers, poets and intellectuals.

She said had the suggestions of Mahatma Gandhi been adhered to and all Indian languages written in Devnagri script, there would have been no language conflict as existing at present in the country.

Highly acclaiming Pandita’s book on Sanaskars, Dr Ghai said Kashmiri Pandits are the only community having preserved all the 24 Sanaskars and even after their mass exodus they adhered to them.

Earlier Dr B L Kaul and Opindar Ambardar read their papers on the book. Dr Kaul, while terming the Pandita’s book a remarkable contribution, said no body can ignore that this book as is a "master piece". Commenting on Mr Pandita’s Kashmiri Hindu Sanaskars Opinder Ambardar said that the book is unfolding upon every auspect of Kashmir customs , rituals and rites.

Earlier the author was introduced by Prof. B L Fotedar. He also detailed the gathering about the salient features of the book. The programme was compered by Pardeep Kaul Khudbali.

Muthi, Darmal, Patoli localities face complete black out

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 8: The residents of Dream City, Laxmi Nagar, Chandan Vihar, Muthi, Darmal, Anuradha Puram Barnai, Sharda Colony Patoli Brahmana, Saraswati Vihar, Deena Nagar and other adjoining localities have expressed grave concern over the power failure in the area.

Criticizing the PDD authorities the general secretary BJYM and Corporator, Omi Khajuria said that there has been a complete power shut down in these localities since last 2 days.

He alleged that despite the repeated pleas to the PDD authorities have failed to improve the power supply in these localities. Mr Khajuria alleged that power breakdown has also effected the water supply in these localities putting the people to lot of trouble.

Warning the PDD, VHP senior vice president, Prabu Dayal Gupta said that in case the power supply was not improved in the area the people of entire belt will come to streets in protest.

Police-public meeting organised at Udhampur

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 8: A police-public meeting was organised at Chopra Shop to listen the grievances of the people with regard to law and order.

Additional SP Udhampur M Y Kichloo, DySP DAR Rajinder Singh and SHO Rehmbal Police Station SI Rajinder Sharma gave patient hearing to the grievances of the people. They assured the people to redress their law and order related problems at the earliest.

In the meeting, the villagers said that though police has succeeded in curbing the menace of eve-teasing and illicit liquor distillation upto large extent yet more steps are required to be initiated to neutralise the anti-social elements permanently.

They said Army personnel are not allowing the passenger vehicles to stop at Chopra Shop as a result of which business activities in the area suffering a lot. They also demanded direct mini-bus service from Chopra Shop to Railway Station Udhampur and uninterrupted power and water supply.

Police officers assured the villagers to bring their demands to the notice of concerned departments for necessary action.

Two bodies recovered
2 killed, 8 injured in road accidents

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 8: Two persons were killed and eight others received injuries in separate road accidents while as two bodies were recovered.

Police spokesman said that a man was killed and his wife received severe injuries when they were hit by a speeding Tipper bearing registration number JK02W-6686 at Katra.

Both were rushed to hospital where man identified as Madan Lal, son of Tej Ram of Katra was declared as brought dead. The condition of his wife Uma Sudha was stated to be critical when reports last came in.

Police has registered a case of causing death due to rash and negligent driving against the tipper driver.

In another accident, one Kundan Lal, son of Munshi Ram of Peer Mitha was killed. He was reportedly hit by a vehicle at Nai Basti and subsequently rushed to Government Medical College Hospital where he succumbed to injuries.

Police has registered a case in this connection.

Meanwhile, seven persons were injured in separate road accidents reported from different parts of Jammu city and its outskirts.

They have been identified as C Niwas, son of Tad Bano of Satwari, Inderjit Singh, son of Raghubir Singh of Gandhi Nagar, Mohd Tariq, son of Ibrahim of Talab Khatikan, Dev Raj, son of Jagan Nath of Gole Gujral, Naseema Akhter, wife of Raj Ali of Barodi, Amar Nath, son of Gopi Nath of Gole Gujral and Romesh Kumar, son of Durga Dass of Satwari.

The spokesman said that body of Sham Lal Gupta, son of Kunj Lal of Pir Mitha was found near Pahalwan Di Hatti. The body was, later, shifted to Government Medical College Hospital.

Another body was recovered from Railway Station Bari Brahmana. It has been lying in the mortuary of GMC for post-mortem and identification.

In both the cases, police has initiated inquest proceedings.

Maintenance restoration and fixation of Inter-se-Seniority

We seek to draw the generous attention towards the following few submissions for favour of your sympathetic consideration of DSE, Kashmir and CEO, Kargil, and immediate necessary orders their on.

That we stand selected/appointed as teachers by the J&K SSRB vide SSRB No. SSRB/PS/91/160-64 dt. 19-01-92 and DEO/CEO Kargil's order No. ESTT/-10/SSRB/9773-883 dt. 27-02-92.

Thus in complaints to the above said orders we submitted our joining reports at DEO/CEO Office Kargil on 03.-04-1992 but unfortunately our pay was drawn from the date of joining as school instead of DEO office Kargil in the year 1992 and as such our seniority service period has been kept un accounted putting as a great loss of seniority.

Thus the same was the case with the teachers appointed in Distt. Leh, and they have been given the seniority and counted their service period from the date of joining at CEO office Leh, and the inter-se-seniority should here been given counted and with effect from date of selection list issued by the J&K SSRB.

In this context the same was the case with teachers appointed in Distt Anantnag, Baramullah, Pulwama of Kashmir valley appointed as teachers and the director school education Kashmir (DSE) Kashmir maintenance their inter-se-seniority cum promotion as master as per SSRB selection list and J&K CSR rule 1956 vide DSE Kashmir order No. 859 DSEK of 2006 dt. 08.07.06.

Therefore, in view of the above made submissions the concerned authorities are requested to mention and refix our inter-se-seniority and to kindly issue orders for restoration and fixation of inter-se-seniority from the date of our appointment i.e. joining at CEO office selection list issued by J&K SSRB in light of J&K CSR (Service Rule) 1956 our national basis/for promotion purpose in the interests of natural justice.

Syed Kazim Shah
Tr. GMS Akchamal, Kargil.

Damaged roads in Samba

I wish to draw the kind attention of concerned authorities towards the dilapidated condition of road at Samba particularly near State Bank of India. This road is totally damaged. Due to this a number of persons lost their lives in accidents because drivers of vehicles often loose control over their vehicle at this particular place. We the inhabitants of Samba approached many times, the concerned departments and apprised the officers of our genuine problem but they did not pay any heed towards our request. I therefore further request concerned authorities to kindly look into the matter and try to solve our problem as soon as no one in the future becomes the victim of this death trap.

Neeraj Singh Sambyal
Kehli Mandi Samba

Bad condition of roads in Transport Nagar

I would like to draw the kind attention of the concerned authorities towards the bad condition of roads in Transport Nagar area, Narwal, Jammu. The road leading to Police Housing Complex Channi Himmat via Channi Rama is in a very bad state and unsuitable for vehicular traffic. It is full of pot holes and broken surfaces on a very closely spaced manner. It happens to be the only approach to enter Police Lines Complex, Channi Himmat from Jammu city and hence has a heavy flow of vehicle traffic. In addition to this, the road leading to BSF Transit Camp & further towards Toll Post (Rly Godown) via SOS Home, Channi Rama from Sujwan Morh at By Pass (NH1A) is also in a dilapidated condition. The internal road network in various yards of Transport Nagar, too, are in a very bad conditions. Since this area of Transport Nagar is a hub of vehicular traffic as it being a ware House with hundreds of workshops with vehicle repairing facilities as well as huge number of spare parts shops, housed in the area and is always flooded with heavy as well light vehicles. Hence it is obvious that the road net work in this area needs immediate repairs preferably of much good quality. The bad condition of roads is causing lot of inconvenience to road users plying on these roads and may also encourage and make vulnerable to road accidents. The concerned authorities are requested to wake up and take immediate action to take up the repairs at the earliest possible.

Lokinder Singh Ravi
Channi Rama,
Jammu.

Retention of recently upgraded Majalta

We feel like we have no words to thank you for the generosity the people-friendly Government has showered on 70,000 souls of block Majalta. We feel like our decades-long dream has been translated into reality and further that miseries and misfortunes would henceforth cease to haunt us for a long time to come. Nevertheless, a hair-thin bug is also biting us in the ear now a days. That is, there seems a move by some people to annex our semi-hilly tehsil from already truncated district of Udhampur and drag us down to the Kandi heartland. The rumour has taken us by surprise and the common-man looks amazed and antagonized over here. This is what we had never thought of even in the dream; this is what has stolen our mid-night sleep; and this is what would be opposed, rather fought back, tooth and nail with the might we can muster from our people.

We have been an integral part of district Udhampur for over hundred years now and our natural geography, peculair topography, near-green ecology and temperate environment are uniquely reflected in the integrated whole represented by it. And a little more that our socio-cultural bonds, our socio-lingual affinity, our socio-religious harmony, our socio-economic urges and our agricultural ways, educational needs and developmental requirements are but a homogeneous whole represented by Udhampur. In the circumstances, any idea, effort, scheme or design to clip us out of the integral whole and tag us down to plains and people with far different culture, language, habits, needs and goals would not be taken to kindly even by one out of one thousand souls over here.

In the light of above-stated facts, it is earnestly prayed that the official committee constituted for the purpose to very kindly directed not to entertain much less to deliberate on any outside proposal to annex Majalta from district Udhampur. Needless to reiterate once again that already grateful inhabitants of block Majalta would feel addedly obliged to the authorities.

Bhupinder Singh Pathania
All Parties Tehsil Action Committee, Majalata
Distt. Udhampur.

Laxmi Nagar needs development

The residents of Laxmi Nagar, Phase-I, Muthi want to bring to the notice of the concerned authorities about the deplorable condition of drains in the area. The people of this area have countless times met the concerned authorities and appraised them of the situation prevailing in Laxmi Nagar Phase-I. On all occasions we were promised that lanes will be constructed and small culverts will be made on the drains at the gates of the houses. But unfortunately nothing is happening on ground. To us only empty promises are made. The absence of drains it may be noted has made the foundations of our house weak. Water seeps through the walls and even cement and plaster has started falling from the outer and inner walls. The stagnant water creats foul smell which invites mosquitoes etc. Similarly lanes are also in a state of utter disrepair. We are living in a cycle of problems which have not been solved so far. We again hope that the concerned authorities will see our problems from a human view point and take steps to solve them soon.

Sandeep Kaw
Laxmi Nagar
Phase-I, Muthi, Jammu.

Plea to Executive Engineer

We the residents of Dream City Colony Muthi Darmal Jammu want to draw the attention of concerned PDD authorities through our association towards the eratic electric supply in our colony. The wires that run on the electric poles get burnt almost every day. Due to increase in number of consumers, the power consumption has increased in the colony with the result the alluminium wires melt almost every day and fall on the ground. There is every apprehension of loss of life and as such it is requested to replace the existing wires with the wires of larger diameter and shorten the gaps between the electric poles in the colony. It is hoped that action in this behalf will be initiated by the concerned authorities as early as possible.

B N Bhat
General Secretary
Dream City Welfare Association
Muthi, Jammu.

AVL launches Diwali schemes

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 8: M/s Swaraj Enterprises, manufacturer of AVL Coloured Televisions, has announced special schemes for its customers as well as dealers on the festival season.

The schemes were announced during a dealers meet, here this evening.

Announcing the schemes for consumers, Rishi Kumar Managing Director of the Swaraj Enterprises, informed that the company has offered a free gift of one digital camera or a blanket on purchase of one 14" colour TV while one Steam Iron is offered as a free gift on purchase of 20", 21" and 29" flat colour TV.

At the same time, Mr Rishi added, the company has announced special festival schemes for the dealers also. The schemes are valid upto October 31, 2006 and applicable only on Cash-n-carry basis, he further informed.

Later, talking to the Excelsior, Mr Rishi disclosed that the Swaraj Enterprises, was all set to enter the market of colour television in neighbouring Punjab as well as Himachal Pradesh also.

The company has 20 percent market share in Jammu and 40 per cent market share in Kashmir Valley. Last year turn over of the company was Rs 2 crores and it has set a target of the sale of 8000 CTV sets during the year 2006-07.

Swaraj enterprises is also launching double blower cooler and ceiling fans in the market in the forthcoming season, informed Rishi Kumar.

Rahul Bharti, Legal advisor of the Swaraj Enterprises and Ajay Gupta, sole distributor of the company for Jammu region, were also present in the dealers meet.

ActionAid dedicates IIPA award to quake victims

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Oct 8: While maintaining that the relief and rehabilitation work that ActionAid has done in the quake affected areas has been modest and far from addressing all needs of the affected people, the organisation has dedicated the award given to it by the J&K Governor today to the quake affected people.

"While we thank the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) and J&K Government for the award, we believe our work has not been so extra-ordinary to warrant such an honour", a spokesman of the organisation said here today, adding that even after one year since the earthquake, thousands of the affected people were still without permanent shelters and part of compensation money was yet to reach the people.

Living another winter for the affected people, as is the case with the affected people living on the other side of Kashmir, means more vulnerability to disease and suffering for the children, women and the old aged. And this situation constitutes a challenge both to Government and NGOs, which has to be addressed, said the spokesperson.

Bhalla lays foundation stone of
Sewerage Project at Gangyal

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 8: The Congress MLA from Gandhi Nagar, Raman Bhalla today said that the coalition Government is determined to provide basic facilities to all the people and equal development of all the three regions of the State.

While laying the foundation stone of the Sewerage project at Gangyal, he said this was the long pending demand of the people of the area and with its completion problem of insanitation faced by the people of the various localities will be solved.

He said this project will be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 15 lakh.

Earlier MLA also inaugurated the bathing ghat in the locality. He said that similar projects are in the pipeline and the work will commence on them after the clearance is received.

He said the state Government under the dynamic leadership of Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad has taken the initiative for the balanced development of all the three regions of the state and it has received accolades from people of all the three regions.

Mr Bhalla said Rs 30 lakh has been spent for installation of hand pumps in the area while more tube wells and over head tanks would be constructed to augment drinking water system in Gangyal.

He also appealed the youth to channelise their energies in the right direction and foil the designs of unscrupulous elements in order to safeguard the integrity of the nation. Among others the function was attended by Corporators Satish Sharma and Chowdhary Dwarika.