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HC
directive for
implementation of ban
orders on polythene
Excelsior
Correspondent
SRINAGAR,
Oct 9:
Division bench of the
State High Court,
comprising Justice B. A.
Khan and Justice Bashir
Ahmed Kirmani, in a
petition titled S. R.
Institute v/s State of
Jammu and Kashmir and
others has issued
directions to all
concerned to submit their
status reports indicating
the plan of action and
mechanism adopted or to
be adopted by them one
week advance before the
next date of hearing 31st
October 2006 so as to
effectively enforce the
ban order passed by the
court. They shall give
details of steps
initiated or required to
be taken by them on
permanent basis, which
could ensure the
implementation of the ban
order in its letter and
spirit.
The
Government, through the
Chief Secretary was
directed to expedite the
process of placing the
proposed legislation for
ban on manufacture, sale
and use of polythene in
the state before the
cabinet for its approval
and to ensure that this
legislation is placed
before the State Assembly
in its next session
depending upon the
decision of the cabinet.
We find that
there are already powers
conferred on various
authorities under the
Municipal Act and
Municipal Corporation
Act, which can be
exercised to supplement
the enforcement of ban
order passed by this
Court. The Commissioner,
Srinagar Municipal
Corporation informs us
that the corporation had
already enacted by laws,
which were approved by
the Council and were
awaiting government
sanction under which
convictions and penalties
are provided for offences
like littering of
polythene etc.
Considering the magnitude
of the problem created by
sale, use and littering
of polythene in the
cities of Srinagar and
Jammu, the heads of
Municipal Corporations of
Srinagar and Jammu could
perhaps take requisite
steps in accordance with
these byelaws as approved
by the respective
corporations to enforce
the ban on sale, use and
littering of polythene in
the two cities.
It is
noticed that Vice
Chairperson, LAWDA, Chief
Executive Officer,
Gulmarg Development
Authority, Medical
Superintendents of SMHS
Hospital, Srinagar,
Dental College, Srinagar,
LD Hospital, Srinagar,
Children Hospital,
Srinagar, Jawahar Lal
Nehru Hospital,
Rainawari, Srinagar, Bone
and Joint Hospital,
Barzulla, Srinagar, Chest
Disease Hospital,
Dalgate, Srinagar and
Psychiatry Hospital,
Srinagar have failed to
submit their compliance
reports and to appear
before this court.
Registrar Judicial is
directed to put them all
on notice requiring them
to submit their status
reports and also to
appear before the court
on the next date of
hearing for any
clarifications. Deputy
Commissioners, Srinagar,
Gulmarg, Anantnag,
Baramulla and Jammu Vice
Chairmen, SDA, JDA,
Administrators, Medical
Superintendents, Deputy
Medical Superintendents
of Government Hospitals
in Jammu city and Health
Officers of Municipal
Corporations, Jammu and
Srinagar, heads of the
Municipal bodies of
Pahalgam, Sonamarg and
Gulmarg, Tehsildars of
these areas and all
concerned SHOs are
directed to submit
reports of the action
taken by them in
pursuance of Government
Order No. 452-Fst of 2006
dated 04.09.2006 in their
respective areas of
jurisdiction.
We are also
informed that there are
several private
hospitals, nursing homes
in the cities of Srinagar
and Jammu w herein also
large quantities of
polythene carry bags etc.
are used. The managements
of all these private
hospitals and nursing
homes are directed to
submit their reports
about the mechanism
evolved and adopted by
them for disposal of
polythene in their
respective
establishments. Registrar
Judicial is direct ed to
send copies of this order
to the Directors Health
Services, Kashmir and
Jammu for seeking
compliance from the
managements of these
private establishments on
affidavits to be sworn in
by head of the
establishment. The two
Directors are also
directed to furnish list
of such establishments in
the two cities of
Srinagar and Jammu to
this Court.
The
concerned
functionaries/authorities
who were exempted from
personal appearance by
Court order till further
orders in view of the
flood situation in the
State then prevailing,
are redirected to cause
their appearance before
the court on the next
date to explain their
respective action plans.
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BSP
pays tributes to Kanshi Ram
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 9: State Bahujan Samaj
Party paid tearful tributes to Kanshi Ram
who after prolonged illness, passed away
in Delhi last night.
The party
leaders and workers assembled at party
headquarters and condoled the demise of
the founder of the BSP. Two-minutes
silence was observed with prayers for
peace to the departed soul.
The BSP
leaders described Kanshi Ram as a saintly
figure who lived a simple life and took
up the cause of Bahujan Samaj through the
self-respect movement for nearly four
decades across the country.
His
contribution will be remembered for years
to come, the leaders said adding that
this great son of India should be
conferred Bharat Ratna award.
At an
emergency meeting at Ramnagar, BSP under
leadership of state general secretary K A
Qazi condoled the death of Kanshi Ramji.
Mr Qazi described him as messiah of the
Dalits and down-trodden. Other party
functionaries who spoke at the condolence
meeting highlighted various aspects of
departed leader’s life and
contributions.
The
National Conference also condoled the
death of Kanshi Ram, Party leaders: Ajay
Sadhotra, provincial president; Surjit
Singh Slathia, former Minister, Ghulam
Mohd Jan, MLA and Sheikh Bashir Ahmed
expressed shock and grief over the sad
demise of Kanshi Ram, BSP supremo. They
said he always fought for the poor and
down-trodden throughout his life.
The Jammu
and Kashmir National Panthers Party, at
its working committee meeting held under
the chairmanship of Prof Bhim Singh,
expressed condolences to the family of
late Kanshi Ram.
Prof Bhim
Singh described Kanshi Ram as a noble
human being who raised the voice of
voiceless against exploitation and
injustice.
Qazi
releases Census Report of
Ramnagar,
Jasrota sanctuaries
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 9: State level
valedictory function on the observance of
Wildlife Week-2006 concluded at
Government College for Women Gandhi Nagar
here today.
Minister
for Forests, Housing and Urban
Development Qazi Mohammad Afzal was the
chief guest on the occasion.
Principal
Chief Conservator of Forests Irshad Ahmed
Khan, Advisor to Government Forest
Department S. D. Swatantra, Chief
Wildlife Warden A. K. Srivastava,
Regional Wildlife Warden Nasier Ahmad
Kitchloo, Principal Government College
for Women Gandhi Nagar Prof. Veena Gupta
and other senior officers of Forest
Department, Jammu University, Schools,
Colleges and Professors were also
present.
Addressing
the gathering, the Minister said that the
Wildlife Week is observed in the Ist week
of October coinciding with the birth
anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father
of Nation who gave us the message of
non-violence to all human beings, animals
and plants. It provides us an opportunity
to educate and involve the public and to
motivate the young towards the cause of
wildlife and nature conservation.
The
Minister said that wildlife represents an
important link in the food chain and it
is this chain that guarantees the
survival of life on the earth. He said
that wildlife has its importance for
their aesthetic, recreational, spiritual,
cultural and economic values also. He
said that the great diversities in
floristic, climatic and altitudinal
conditions in J&K state present
excellent environment for rich and varied
fauna. It is the only J&K State in
India where one comes across the oriental
as well as European flora. He said that
in 1978, J&K has only 2 Wildlife
Sanctuaries, 8 Highland Reserves and 4
Wetlands while as now the number of
protected areas has gone up to 4 national
parks, 14 wildlife sanctuaries, 20
conservation reserves and 14 Wetland
Reserves in the State and more areas in
the State are being considered to be
brought under Protected Area Network. He
informed that the State Government has
notified 15,781 sq kms under the
Protected Area Network which is about 15%
of the total geographical area of the
State.
The
Minister asked the concerned authorities,
public in general, school children,
voluntary agencies to join hands together
to protect the fragile eco-system and
hope that department of wildlife would
come to the expectations of all with the
active cooperation of the people.
Earlier,
the Minister released the Census Report
of Ramnagar and Jasrota Sanctuaries
prepared by the Department of Zoology and
environmental sciences Jammu University
under the sponsorship of the Department
of Wildlife Protection, J&K.
Later, the
Minister distributed mementos and
certificates among the students who were
participated in Symposium, Painting and
road show competitions during wildlife
week. He also announced Rs. 1000/- to
each schools whose students were
participated in the competitions.
Political
differences should not hamper
development: Azad
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 9: Seeking support of
all political parties for over-all
development of the State, Chief Minister,
Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that
cooperation of all people was must to
restore peace in this region.
Addressing
a function after inaugurating assembly
hall for the corporators of Jammu
Municipal Corporation, Mr Azad said that
political differences should not hamper
development and upliftment of the State.
Pointing
towards leaders of almost all political
parties,who had gathered in the newly
constructed assembly hall of the JMC, Mr
Azad said that it was heartening to see
people of different ideologies coming
together in this programme.
"Political differences should be
confined only to elections’’,
he advised, adding, "as far as
development and betterment of the State
is concerned, we should keep our
political affiliations aside and work
together ’’.
Mr Azad
disclosed that he had given suggestion to
the then Chief Minister, Dr Farooq
Abdullah to set up Municipal Corporations
for Srinagar and Jammu cities.
"During a discussion after formation
of National Conference Government in the
State in 1996, I had mooted this idea
before Dr Farooq Abdullah, who agreed to
the suggestions’’, he recalled
and added that it was imperative for the
development of civic amenities on modern
lines in both capital cities of the
State.
Pointing
towards problems of Jammu city, Mr Azad
said that this was perhaps the only city
in the world whose population has
increased more than double in a very
short span of time. "There are many
reasons for the rapid growth of
population in Jammu city but with
population explosion civic problems also
increased manifold in the
city’’, he said and called upon
corporators to make concreted efforts in
expanding and upgrading civic amenities
accordingly by generating resources for
the purpose.
The Chief
Minister said that the Government has
formulated a comprehensive policy to
develop Jammu as significant tourist
destination. " A comprehensive
programme has been formulated for the
tourism development in the Jammu region
so that pilgrims of Shri Mata Vaishno
Devi and Shri Amarnath would not miss
Jammu’’, he said.
Minister
for Health and Medical Education, Mangat
Ram Sharma, Minister of R&B, Lok
Sabha member, Madan Lal Sharma, MoS
Sports, Babu Singh were also present on
the occasion.
Besides
corporators, leaders of almost all
political parties were present in the
function. Former Mayor, Kavinder Gupta,
in his welcome address, highlighted
achievements during his tenure. Mayor
Manmohan Singh while speaking on the
occasion, put forth demands of JMC. In
the function, veteran corporator and BJP
leader, Satpal Grover was felicitated by
the Chief Minister as he won election of
JMC in three successive terms.
BJP
urges Cong to reign in PDP on self-rule
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 9: The BJP has urged
the ruling Congress to reign in its
coalition partner PDP, saying its
self-rule propaganda was vitiating the
State’s political atmosphere and
harming both, the nation and the State.
This
demand was made by party vice president
and spokesperson Prof Hari Om while
commenting on no-holds-barred campaign
unleashed by PDP with a view to preparing
ground for the State’s separation
from the constitutional organization of
India. He appreciated Health Minister
Mangat Ram Sharma for his outright
rejection of what the PDP has been
working to achieve, but said it was not
enough.
Prof Hari
Om hoped that Congress would recognize
the gravity of the situation and take the
PDP head on to neutralize its baneful
influence. He warned the Congress that
any failure on its part to rise to the
occasion and counter the views of PDP
would not only harm the country’s
paramount interests in the State, but
would also harm its own interests.
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IDA
resents registration of technicians as
doctors
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 9: A general body
meeting of Indian Dental Association
(IDA), Jammu, was held here in which the
latest developments relating to
registration of Dental Technicians as
Doctors by the Dental Council of J&K,
were discussed.
The
members were of the opinion that the said
order was not in conformation with the
constitution of the State Dental Council
and Article 1948 of Dentists Act of
Parliament of India, which stated that
Register for Part B of the Dentist Act
cannot be opened, once it is closed.
Earlier
the Dental Council used to register only
those persons in part B whose livelihood
would be dependent on the dental
profession. However many Dental
technicians, who are also Government
employees and whose livelihood is not
dependant on the profession have also
been registered in part B whereas the
State Council should have registered them
as either Dental Hygienists, Mechanic or
technicians.
All the
members voiced their displeasure over
this order and demanded that the order
may be rescinded. They also condemned the
barbaric killing of Dr Shah in Sopore.
The members resolved to show their
protest by wearing black badges and
appealed to all the colleagues to do the
same.
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SKUAST VC
administers oath to BVSc, AH
students
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 9: Vice-Chancellor
of SKUAST-Jammu, Prof Nagendra
Sharma today administered oath to
the pass outs of BVSc and AH
Veterinary.
After
administering professional oath
to the passing out 31 students of
BVSc and AH Veterinary Doctors,
Prof Sharma delivered a theme
lecture on ‘Restructuring
and Resurgence of India
Agriculture.
He
emphasized that the innovative
solutions are urgently required
which in turn would create
technological support. He also
stressed the need to re-orient
the teaching and research
programme in the University so as
to enhance the country’s GDP
and to meet the challenge of WTO
agreement.
Prof
Sharma urged upon the students
and the faculty members to
priorities their research on soil
health, water management and work
for improvement of productivity
of livestock and poultry.
Prof
A K Srivastava,
Director-resident-Instructor,
presented a brief background of
the university and threw light on
the scenario of agriculture and
animal husbandry of the State.
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NGAGA
begins relay fast
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 9: Non-Gazetted
Agriculture Graduates Association resumed
its agitation by launching relay hunger
strike today and urged the authorities at
the helm for early fulfillment of their
genuine demands or else they may take
more hard steps.
Their
demanded elimination of long term
stagnation of Junior Agriculture
Assistants, which has caused frustration
among the cadre and consequently affected
the work culture in the Department. They
said by keeping JAAs at one post for 15
to 20 years, the Government was denying
them law of natural justice. They added
that their stagnation could only be
removed by amending present service rules
(recruitment) in the ratio of 80:20.
Other
demands voiced by them included change of
designation of Junior Agriculture
Assistants, which they said appears to be
like Junior Assistant. They demanded JAAs
be re-designated as Junior Agriculture
Officers (AAOs) or like that.
The
Administration may declare the post of
JAA as quasi permanent, said the
association further demanding pay parity
with medicos and veterinary and other
technocrats and that there should be some
distinction between diploma and degree
holders.
They also
called for rational transfer policy and
establishment of a separate input agency
with complete infrastructure, which could
ensure timely stocking of quality seed
and preserve the left overs for the next
season. They also appealed the Chief
Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Agriculture
Minister A A Zargar to personally look
into the matter.
Those who
sat on relay fast included president
Pardeep Sharma, vice president Randhir
Singh, general secretary Sandesh Koul,
chief organizer Arun Jaral and cashier
Ashok Kumar.
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MIET students
tune into Hewlett-Packard webcast
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 9: Model
Institute of Engineering and
Technology (MIET), has continued
with its tradition of introducing
innovative academic initiatives
by participating in the live
webcast of the "Software
Engineering" course by
experts from Hewlett-Packard
(HP), India Software Operations,
Bangalore.
Selected
students from MIET attended a
three hour inaugural session of
the programme launched by HP
using the Webex online meeting
and collaboration software.
MIET
students interacted with experts
from HP using the audio bridge
conferencing facility, with the
course content delivered
electronically through streaming
media.
The
course started under the purview
of MoU signed between MIET and
HP, aims at substantiating the
classroom concepts learnt by the
students, with practical hands-on
experiences.
As
part of this course, students
would work on a live software
project and undertake activities
on the same pattern as followed
in the industry for software
lifecycle management.
Prof
Ankur Gupta, management
representative, MIET, who manages
relationship with HP, has lauded
the role of HP in starting an
innovative programme for the
students and hoped that such
programmes would help MIET in
churning out industry-ready
engineers with a right balance of
theoretical knowledge and
practical experience, so that
they could begin contributing to
employing organization from the
day one.
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Road
march organized by border police
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 9:
In a bid to promote
mental alertness and physical
fitness and relieve the jawans of
their mental strain, Border
Police Jammu organized a road
march from DPL Border Jammu to
Miran Sahib via Simbal Camp and
back in one go.
All
the gazetted officers including
SSP Border, SP Headquarters
Border, SP DAR DPL Border,
Probationer DySPs, SHOs of Sub
Division R S Pura and other
officials participated.
The
road march covered a distance of
10 km in two and a half hours and
participants were carrying their
weaponry and pithu pouches with
ammunition shoes.
After
culmination of road march a
Darbar was also held at DPL
Border, which was presided over
by Dr S P Vaid, IGP Jammu Zone,
who interacted with all the
participants and enquired about
their problems. He laid stress on
mental fitness of the jawans
which could only enable them to
perform their duties in a fool
proof manner.
The
SSP Border Rajinder Gupta stated
that special Yoga classes were
being introduced in DPL Border
for the welfare of jawans and
others in addition to PT, Parade
and games.
After
culmination of Darbar, the IGP
Jammu shared breakfast with the
jawans and others, which was
specially prepared on the
occasion of road march.
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PIL against
BEd colleges
DB
considers status report
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu, Oct 9: In the much
publicized Public Interest
Litigation filed against mushroom
growth of B.Ed colleges, the
Division Bench of the State High
Court Jammu Wing comprising Chief
Justice BA Khan and Justice
Mansoor Ahmed Mir after
considering the status report
filed by A K Angurana Principal
Secretary Higher Education Dept,
observed that no further
directions required to be passed
in the matter in view of the
report. It is however, expected
that the draft policy prepared
for rationalization and
regulation of B.Ed
colleges/educational policy will
be submitted to the cabinet as
early as was practicable, which
would take care of the other
problems being faced in the
educational sector.
The
Principal Secretary Higher
Education Deptt submitted his
status report in which he
mentioned that high level
committee constituted by the Govt
under the orders of High Court,
had examined the whole issue of
Mushroom Growth of B.Ed colleges
circumstances in which "No
Objection
Certificate’s" were
granted for setting-up of these
colleges.
The
committee had categorized these
colleges into two categories,
those suffering from major
deficiencies and minor
deficiencies and had undertaken
the inspections on this basis and
had found that accept Shastri
Memorial College of Education
Reasi; all other colleges had
made up their deficiencies within
the prescribed time of one month.
These colleges, on the
recommendation of the committee,
were accordingly subjected to
second inspection only to ensure
that colleges had removed the
deficiencies and were granted
formal permissions to run for two
sessions up to 2008.
According
to the report submitted by the
Principal Secretary to Higher
Education Department that a draft
policy regarding rationalization
and regulation of private B.Ed
colleges was being submitted to
the cabinet for approval and
thereafter the applications for
setting-up of B.Ed colleges,
which are in pipeline, would be
considered and decided within two
months from the date such policy
was notified by the Govt. DB
after hearing battery of lawyers
and considering the report
directed the registry to list the
PIL in the month of December,
2006.
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Azad for
children, women's park in every
district
Exceslior
Correspondent
Jammu, Oct 9: Underlining
the importance of having
exclusive recreational facilities
for ladies and children, Chief
Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad
announced one women’s and
one children’s park for
every district in the State. He
also announced four ladies parks
and four children’s parks
each for Jammu and Srinagar
cities directing the departments
of floriculture and revenue to
identify the land for these 16
parks within 15 days.
Chief
Minister inaugurated ladies park
here today established and
renovated at a cost of Rs. 62
lakh and completed only in a
record time of eight months. The
park has been established by
reviving ruins of old Jammu
Zanana park renamed as Maharaja
Harisingh Zanana Park.
The
park during the recent past was
turned into parking lot for
security vehicles putting it into
shambles.
Chief
Minister had visited the area in
the month of November last and
Jammu women invited his attention
towards the miserable condition
of the historic park. Chief
Minister had ordered then and
there for reviving the park and
rebuilding it exclusively for
ladies and children.
Inaugurating
the park on the eve of
Karvachauth, Mr. Azad dedicated
it to ladies and young buds. He
directed the concerned
authorities that proper security
of the park be undertaken by the
lady police and the entrance to
the park be restricted to women
and children only. He asked the
ladies to elect a body for ladies
club and deliberate with the
authorities in making the ladies
club housed in the park
comprehensive, active and
befitting to ladies recreational
activities.
The
park has been beautifully carved
out providing for adequate
facility of watering the plants
and flower beds by means of a
tube-well dug in the park.
Arrangements of green lawns,
flower beds, well-laid paths,
night lights and exclusive
parking lot along with amusement
facilities for children have
artistically been fitted in the
park environment.
Chief
Minister asked the ladies to take
every precautionary measure for
up keep and maintenance of the
park and be actively involved in
keeping the park clean.
Among
others Minister for Health and
Medical Education Mangat Ram
Sharma, Minister for R&B
Gulchain Singh Charak,
legislators Ashok Sharma and
Raman Bhalla, Principal Secretary
to Chief Minister Anil Goswami,
Divisional Commissioner Jammu
Pramod Jain, Director
Floriculture R. L. Pandita and
other senior officers were
present.
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One
killed, 7 injured in road
accidents
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 9: One person
was killed and seven others
received injuries in separate
road accidents while as one
person died after consuming
poisonous substance
Police
spokesman said that one Sachan
Sambyal, son of Jagdish Singh of
Samba was killed and Kewal
Krishan, son of Kaku Ram of Mandi
Kotli received severe injuries
when their motorcycle was hit by
a speeding unidentified vehicle
at Samba.
Both
were rushed to Government Medical
College Hospital where Sachan was
declared as brought dead. The
condition of Kewal was stated to
be critical when reports last
came in.
Meanwhile,
seven persons were injured in
separate road accidents. All have
been hospitalised and their
condition was stated to be out of
danger.
They
have been identified as Madan
Lal, son of Pukha Ram of New
Plots, Jyoti Walia, daughter of
Balbir Singh of Sanjay Nagar,
Sonu, son of Sain Dass of
Kishtwar, Balbir Singh, son of
Mohinder Singh, Pardeep Kumar,
son of Manjit Kumar of Yamuna
Nagar, Kanta Devi, wife of Kewal
Krishan of Rehari and Manoj
Kumar, son of Kirti Chopra of
Nagrota.
The
spokesman said that one Surinder
Kumar, son of Prem Chand of
Reasi, who was admitted in
Government Medical College
Hospital after consuming
poisonous substance at his
residence yesterday, died today.
His
body was, later, handed over to
family members for last rites
after post-mortem.
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IT
Commissioner clears doubts of
industrialists
Excelsior
Correspondent
KATHUA, Oct 9: Only
positive profit arising on
account of incentives offered by
the Central Government to the
industries in Jammu and Kashmir
are taxable.
This
was disclosed by Income Tax
Commissioner, J&K Virendra
Singh while addressing traders
and industrialists here today.
"We are not subjecting to
tax the incentives offered by the
Central Government. Only positive
profit is being taxed", he
said while responding to queries.
"This
is being done on the directions
of Supreme Court and various High
Courts", Mr Singh said and
added that representations of the
industrialists in this regard
have been forwarded to the
Central Board of Direct Taxes
(CBDT) for consideration.
Only
Central Government has to take
decision on the representations
of the industrialists, he further
said.
Pointing
towards the industrial growth in
Kathua, the Commissioner stressed
that income tax payment should be
strictly according to the profits
and made it clear that any person
attempting to evade tax will be
sternly dealt with.
He
also apprised the industrialists
and traders about the latest
amendments and changes brought in
the Income Tax Act.
Earlier,
Drawing and Disbursing Officers
(DDOs) of Kathua were made aware
about the latest amendments in
the matters relating to the Tax
Deduction at Source (TDS). The
meeting was attended by the
District Heads of different
departments of the State and
Central Government and officers
of the Banks and Insurance
companies.
Income
Tax Officer (ITO) Rajesh Raina
explained the details of the
provisions, rules and relevant
forms relating to the Tax
Deduction at Source (TDS).
Additional
Commissioner Income Tax, Hemant J
Lal, Deputy Commissioner IT
Kailash V K Singh, Income Tax
Officer (ITO) Kathua, Kanu Bali
and ITO Manjit Singh Dua also
attended both the meetings.
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Mehbooba
for opening more travel points
across LoC
Excelsior
Correspondent
NOWSHERA , Oct 9:
Taking all credit of
the opening of Uri Muzaffarabad
road, People's Democratic Party
(PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti today
stressed on the need of opening
of more points across Line of
Control (LoC) to facilitate
divided families to meet their
relations.
Addressing
a public meeting at Jhanger, Ms
Mufti pointed out that her party
has decided to organize this
rally at this point to highlight
aspirations of people. "From
this border point we demand
opening of Jhanger-Mirpuri and
Jhanger-Kotli roads as it is the
genuine demand of the residents
of this area as well as divided
families’’, she said,
adding, "opening of new
points on LoC should be
considered as human
issue’’.
"Opening
of more points will not only
benefit members of the divided
families but it has a telling
effect in creating congenial
atmosphere for carrying forward
dialogue process to ensure
lasting peace in the
sub-continent’’, she
observed.
PDP
chief further pointed out the
party has decided to hold of this
rally at Jhanger on the same day
when meeting of the working group
to discuss opening of new points
will be held. "This rally
assume more significance keeping
in view today’s meeting of
the working group’’,
she said and reiterated
PDP’s demand of opening
Suchetgarh-Sailkote,
Jhanger-Mirpur, Jhanger-Kotili
and Kargil-Skardu roads. She was
of the opinion that opening of
these roads would go a long way
in promoting trade and commerce
across LoC.
She
further said that traditional
routes, already opened in the
Valley and Poonch district, have
proved tremendous useful for
promoting greater economy of the
State.
PDP
chief appreciated sincerity and
helping attitude of Prime
Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and
Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
She hoped that they would
continue the dialogue and peace
process for betterment of the
people of Jammu and Kashmir. He
appealed to the Prime Minister to
keep opening of these roads on
top of the agenda.
Referring
to the demand of self-rule, PDP
chief challenged BJP for public
debate on this issue. "BJP
has been exploiting people of
Jammu in the name of
discrimination’’, she
alleged and claimed that not
discrimination will be removed
but Jammu will also be empowered
through self-rule. She was of the
opinion that there was feeling
among BJP leadership that PDP has
hijacked their agenda so the
party has launched malicious
campaign on this issue.
She
further said that self-rule would
make people of the State
self-reliant and would remove all
disparities.
Earlier
Mehbooba Mufti visited the
memorial of Brig Usman, who made
supreme sacrifices while
defending the territory of the
State from Pakistani raiders. She
placed wreath on memorial sites.
Trilok
Singh Bajwa, MP, MoS Education,
Manjit Singh, Dhaman Bhasin,
Romesh Mottan, Rangil Singh, Ved
Mahajan, M S Tariq, Rafiq Hussain
Khan Falial Singh, Surinder
Choudhary and others addressed
the meeting which was organized
by Ch. Zulfikar Ali, district
president of PDP.
Lakhanpur Toll
Plaza project to be taken up
shortly: Qarra
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 9: Minister
for Finance, Planning and Law
Tariq Hamid Qarra has said that
prestigious Lakhanpur Toll Plaza
project over 276 kanals of land
at the bank of river Ravi at
Lakhanpur entry point of the
State is being taken up shortly.
Speaking
at a felicitation function
organised by members of
Associated Chamber of Traders
Federation (ACTF) in honour of Mr
Qarra and R&B Minister
Gulchain Singh Charak here this
evening, the Finance Minister
said that the project connected
with the construction of Toll
Plaza at State’s entry
point, could not be taken up
earlier due to some obstacles. He
assured the traders that he will
be taking personal initiative to
get the work started on this
project as early as possible.
He
disclosed that Government was
planning to introduce ‘green
channel’ system at Lakhanpur
and this system will help in big
way to the ethical traders having
good track record of tax payments
to the Government. For this, at
least past five years’ track
record of such firms/companies
will be observed. Such recognised
groups or firms will be put on
the green list and will be
allowed to use this channel at
Lakhanpur. Others will be using
red channel.
Mr
Charak while speaking on the
occasion assured the Jammu
traders that his department has
already started Jammu city
beautification programme with the
cost of Rs 1.28 cr. He said
Jewel-Canal Road flyover project
was approved by the State cabinet
recently and work is going to be
started soon on it. The project
regarding another flyover at
Bikram Chowk is in the final
stage of approval and Government
has released Rs 5 cr for
launching conservation and
restoration work on historic
Mubarik Mandi complex,he
maintained.
Referring
to Jammu trade, Mr Charak said
that nearly 60 to 70 lakh
pilgrims are coming to Mata
Vaishnodevi every year and when
Udhampur-Katra rail link will be
completed, the pilgrims will
directly go there and
Jammu’s trade is likely to
hit.
Earlier,
ACTF president Yash Paul Gupta in
his welcome address thanked Mr
Qara for according tax exemption
on walnut. He submitted a
memorandum to the Minister and
raised problems related to the
tax and exploitation being faced
by traders at Lakhanpur at the
hands of officials posted there.
Neeraj
Anand, general secretary also
spoke on the occasion while a
leading businessman Chander
Gulati presented vote of thanks.
A case of backdoor
appointments
HC
directs trial court for framing
charges
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu, Oct 9: In two
criminal revision petitions filed
by the Vigilance Organisation
against the order passed by
Special Judge Anticorruption on
January 29, 2005 whereby the
accused persons were discharged
at the stage of framing charge
for want of prosecution sanction,
Justice YP Nargotra of the State
High Court Jammu Wing after
hearing Additional Advocate
General BS Salathia appearing for
the VOJ and Advocate HP Sharma
appearing for the accused persons
allowed both revision petitions
and set-aside the order of trial
Court and the case remitted back
to the trial Court for framing
the charges against the accused
namely ON Raina the then Joint
Director Poultry Jammu and B L
Sharma the then Chief Animal
Husbandry Officer for commission
of offences which it has found
prima-facie made out and tried
them in accordance with law.
Justice
YP Nargotra while setting-aside
the order of trial Court,
observed that in these two
revisions the question arises for
consideration is "whether
u/s 6 of Jammu & Kashmir
Prevention of Corruption Act,
sanction is necessary for taking
cognizance against a public
servant, who has retired from
service in respect of offence
committed by him while he was in
service?" The Trial Court by
its order January 29, 2005 though
held that a prima-facie case of
abuse of official position by the
accused causing undue pecuniary
gain and corresponding loss to
state is made out, yet has
discharged the
accused/respondents, solely on
the ground that no sanction has
been accorded by the competent
authority for their prosecution.
In this regard, the Trial Judge
quoted various judgments of the
Supreme Court and High Court
J&K.
The
Court further observed that
contention of B S Salathia
appearing for the VOJ that the
view expressed by the trial Court
is contrary to the law laid down
by the Supreme Court in Kali
Charan Mahapatra Vs State of
Orissa in which "SC observed
that a public servant, who
committed the offence, while he
was a public servant is liable to
be prosecuted whether he
continues in office or not at the
time of Trial or during the
pendency of the
prosecution".
Upon
this Justice YP Nargotra further
observed that the proposition of
law that for taking cognizance
against a person, who has Retd
from service, previous sanction
of the competent authority is not
necessary, stands firmly settled.
In this view of the matter the
discharge of the accused
respondents cannot legally be
sustained and is therefore
set-aside.
According
to the case against accused
persons in 1997 Vigilance
Organization registered a case on
the complaint in which it has
been alleged that accused J L
Raina, the then Director Animal
Husbandry appointed 15 candidates
on adhoc basis after accepting
bribe money between Rs 25000 to
50,000/- from each candidate. It
was further alleged that accused
purchased substandard
micro-scopes exceeding the actual
requirement were not as per the
sample. During the investigation,
it has been revealed that as
Joint Director J L Raina
appointed 36 class IV by sheer
abuse of his official position,
accused O N Raina in his capacity
of Joint Director Poultry Jammu
appointed class IV without having
competence, accused BL Sharma the
then Chief Animal Husbandry
Officer Udhampur is alleged to
have appointed one candidate
illegally.
It
is worthwhile to mention here the
VO presented various challans
against accused persons during
the pendency of the case, the
then Director JL Raina expired.
The then Special Judge
Anticorruption Jammu dismissed
the cases and discharged the
accused at the stage of framing
charge for want of mandatory
sanction for prosecution against
the accused, against this order
VOJ filed review petition.
|
People
block BC Road in protest against
water scarcity
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 9: Inhabitants
of Rehari Colony today blocked BC
Road at Balvinder Chowk in
protest against acute scarcity of
drinking water in the area.
Large
number of residents of Rehari
Colony area gathered at Balvinder
Chowk this morning and staged
dharna to lodge their protest
against the failure of the Public
Health Engineering (PHE)
Department to provide them
adequate drinking water.
Due
to road blockade, several
vehicles were lined up on both
sides of the BC road leading to
traffic jam. Though Traffic
Police and Rehari Police tried to
pacify the agitating people to
lift the blockade yet they were
not ready to allow any vehicle to
ply on the ever busy BC Road till
concerned authorities visited the
spot.
Shouting
slogans against PHE, the
agitating people mostly women
with pitchers in their hands said
that neither through taps nor
through vehicles drinking water
was being supplied to Rehari
Colony area for the past several
days.
"We
can understand that PHE
Department is finding it
difficult to provide adequate
water supply through taps because
of damage to Shitlee Filtration
Plant yet they can press water
tankers into service to provide
relief to us", they said.
When
the protest continued for about
one hour, Traffic Police officers
contacted senior officers of the
PHE Department and asked them to
visit the spot to listen the
grievances of the people.
Senior
officers of PHE Department
immediately rushed to the spot
and assured the agitating people
that more vehicles will be
pressed into service to provide
drinking water in the Rehari
Colony area.
It
was only after their assurances
that people lifted the blockade.
|
DC
Excise Lakhanpur clarifies
charges
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 9:
Deputy Commissioner
Excise, Toll Post, Lakhanpur has
denied that transshipment of
fruit was taking place with the
connivance of Excise staff at
Lakhanpur as reported in the news
item "SVO detects large
scale irregularities at
Lakhanpur".
In
a statement, he clarified that
there is no role whatsoever of
the Excise Department in so far
as transshipment or
‘Palti’ of fruit or
laden vehicles is concerned.
"Since toll is exempt on
export of fruit, no loss on
account of till is being caused
to exchequer as alleged. However,
loss does occur to State
exchequer due to
‘Palti’ but it is under
Motor Vehicles Act which provide
for penalty to the overloaded
vehicles", he said.
He
added that as far as toll is
concerned it is charged after
proper assessment and weighment
of vehicles on electronic
weighbridge which are connected
to computer to rule out any foul
play.
He
said that the Finance Minister
had also visited the Toll Post
recently and took serious view of
the menace of ‘Palti’
and ordered to the concerned
authorities for its immediate
halt. Strict action is taken
against any official found
involved in malpractice, he
added.
Samajwadi Party
activists stage demonstration
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 9: The
J&K unit of Samajwadi Party
(SP) staged a demonstration near
Deputy Commissioner’s Office
here today in protest against
what it alleged the continued
discrimination with Jammu region.
The
demonstration was led by the
Party state chief and former MP,
Sheikh Abdul Rehman. The
demonstrators with pla- cards and
banners in their hands were
shouting slogans in support of
their demands. Later they
submitted a memorandum in Deputy
Commissioner’s Office which
was addressed to Chief Minister.
Terming
the implementation of the Wazir
Commission report an eye wash
Sheikh Abdul Rehman said though
eight districts were created in
the State but Jammu continues to
face the discrimination in
comparison to Kashmir valley.
Substantiating
his point he said in Kashmir
valley every district is at a
distance of 11 kilometers while
in Jammu the distance from one
district to another district is
from 50 to 150 kilometers.
Similarly
the distance between one tehsil
to another tehsil in Jammu is 30
to 40 kilometers while it is much
less in Kashmir valley.
Sheikh
Rehman demanded that Basoli,
Akhnoor, Nowshera or Sunderbani
with headquarters at Soit and
Mohar be also accorded district
status.
He
also demanded granting of tehsil
status to Gool, Ukhral, Batote,
Marh, Kote Bhalwal and Nagrota
with restoration of tehsil status
to Balakote in Poonch district.
Sheikh
Rehman warned that in case
Government failed to end the
discrimination with the region
his Party will come to streets.
Making
a scathing attack on PDP supremo,
Mehbooba Mufti for misleading the
people on the name of self
rule,he said the Government which
could not grant tehsil and
districts is now befooling the
masses on self rule.
The
demonstration among others was
addressed by Ram Prakash Sharma,
secretary general of the Party,
Sham Mahasha, secretary, Col
(retd) Bahadur Singh, Preeto Devi
and Mughal Hussian.
Fast unto death
of unemployed technocrats enters
20th day
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 9: The fast
unto death launched by the
agriculture technocrats in front
of Divisional Commissioner’s
Office, Mubarak Mandi entered the
20th day today.
The
fasting agri technocrats who held
a demonstration also were joined
by a large number of their
colleagues drawn from different
parts of Jammu. The demonstrators
warned to continue their fast to
take it to its logical end.
Meanwhile, the condition of one
more fasting technocrat
deteriorated today and he was
hospitalized for treatment. With
this total six fasting unemployed
technocrats were hospitalized
during last 20 days.
The
Association which is spearheading
the agitation blamed the
Government for its failure in
launching the Rehbar-e-Ziaraat
scheme as announced earlier.
Its
president Surinder Radotra said
that Government has absorbed
41,000 unemployed youth under the
Rehbar-e-Taleem scheme, while
8000 youth were absorbed under
Rehbar-e-Sehat scheme in the
State, but the Rehbar-e-Ziaraat
scheme has not seen the light of
the day.
He
said 60 per cent GDP comes from
agri sector and it needs much
attention but it appears that the
Government was not interested in
the development of agri sector.
Moreover, there are 1500 to 2000
posts vacant in the Agriculture
Department but the Government is
not coming with a concrete
policy.
|
Taxable
imports into J&K mark
considerable increase
Excelsior
Correspondent
LAKHANPUR, Oct 9:
Taxable imports in the State
during the month of September
stood at Rs 1361.27 crore as
against imports worth Rs 1025.17
crore during the corresponding
period of September 2005 thus
registering an increase of 336.10
crore.
Taxable
imports for Jammu division during
the September 2006 were worth Rs
1166.99 crore as against Rs
851.10 crore in September 2005.
The
imports for Kashmir division
during September 2006 were to the
tune of Rs 194.28 crore as
against Rs 174.06 crore in
September 2005.
The
taxable exports during September
2006 have registered an increase
of 61 percent. The exports during
September 2006 were to the tune
of Rs 560.24 crore as against
exports of Rs 346.61 crore in
September 2005.
In
respect of Industries sector
Jammu division has recorded an
increase of 68 percent, while
Kashmir division recorded a
decrease of 4 percent.
During
course of routine checking, 3430
cases were detected under
section67(5) of J&K VAT Act
2005 during September 2006 as
against 2242 cases in September
2005. Of these1179 cases were
transferred to V&I wing Jammu
and 1537 cases to V&I wing
Kashmir and 850 cases retained at
Check Post Lakhanpur for
disposable, of which 726 cases
were disposed off and after
imposing and realizing penalty of
Rs 24.59 lakh.
Revenue
amounting to Rs 258.13 lakh was
realized during September 2006.
|
Massacre
of conifer trees in Budgam forest
Excelsior Special
Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 9: Largescale
loot of conifer trees in Beerwah
area of Budgam district has
assumed alarming proportions as
the timber smugglers, | | |
