Charak visits Srinagar localities

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Oct 11: Minister for Roads and Buildings, Gulchain Singh Charak accompanied by Mayor Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Ghulam Mustafa Bhat today launched 15 days road cleanness drive here today.

Similar drive has been launched in Jammu. The drive would be carried out jointly by Public Works Department and Municipal Corporation of Jammu and Srinagar.

The cleaner drive that was started from Lal Chowk and would cover all localities of summer capital.

The Minister after launching the drive visited Regal Chowk and press enclave.

During an informal chat with locals and media persons. The Minister said that the drive is aimed at cleaning all roads across the Srinagar city upto Idd and Diwali. He said areas surroundings shrines and tourist places would also be covered during the 15 days cleanness drive to make these more attractive for the visiting devotees and tourists.

Giving details about the cleanness activities to be carried out during the period, Charak said that on the concluding day wards.

Charak said that for convenience of people a flying squad is being constituted to ensure prompt lifting of garbage and filth from roads and lanes in various areas. He asked the people to contact Mayor Srinagar Municipal Corporation in case the garbage is not lifted from their areas promptly. He said the residents of such areas can even contact him personally on phone if they face any difficult. He said efforts are also being made to carry out repairs to dilapidated drains.

Charak appealed to the people not to through garbage on roads and lanes and instead deposit in the dustbins installed for the purpose.

Chief Engineer R&B Nazir Ahmed and Executive Engineers among others accompanied the Minister.

CS takes stock of Dal conservation measures

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Oct 11 : To take stock of measures being carried out by Lakes and Water Ways Development Authority (LAWDA) for conservation of world famous Dal lake, Chief Secretary C. Phunsog today conducted an extensive tour of Dal and its adjoining areas.

Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Anil Goswami, Divisional Commissioner, Basharat Ahmed and IGP Kashmir, S.M. Sahai were accompanying the Chief Secretary.

During his tour SC visited areas adjacent to Dal including Nehru Park, Habback, Dargah, Nishat and Rainawari. The team visited silting basin of the fore shore of the lake and also took stock of sewerage treatment plant at Lam, Habak and Hazratbal.

The Chief Secretary went deep inside the lake and witnessed the removal of weeds manually and drudging process being carried out on both north and western fore shore. The Chief Secretary impressed upon Vice Chairperson to complete the re-alignment process of houseboats and on going development works in a stipulated time so that the pristine glory of the Dal lake is restored.

The Vice Chairperson LAWDA Tanveer Jahan gave a detailed account of the measures initiated and steps taken for conservation of Dal lake and also implementing the court directions in this regard. She gave a brief resume of development works under progress and the issues relating to re-alignment of houseboats.

People at various places gave suggestions to the visiting team.

‘Billawar Zila Andolan’ launched

Excelsior Correspondent

BILLAWAR, Oct 11: Prominent persons from Billawar, Bani and Lohai-Malhar blocks laid foundation of the ‘Billawar Zila Andolan’ and announced the struggle today amidst loud slogans for demanding district status for tehsil Billawar.

Many political, social and trade organisations have come under one banner to carry this struggle to the logical conclusion. Former Dy Speaker Ghulam Hyder Malik, Ex-MLC Kashmira Singh, president Kissan Sabha Hari Chand Jalmeria are the prominent leaders who addressed the large gathering in the town today announcing launch of massive struggle.

The speakers strongly criticised the Government for ignoring the tehsils of Billawar, Basohli and Bani of district Kathua in development. They alleged that due to lack of road communication, the people of this hilly areas have remained backward and neglected. They alleged that Tourism potential of the area has been ignored.

They expressed surprise over the act of Government for creating districts at a distance of 15- 20 kms in Kashmir, ignoring the claim of these areas where people have to travel 100 to 150 kms to reach district headquarters at Kathua. They also demanded creation of two new Tehsils of Ramkot and Machhedi.

Excise, Commercial Taxes employees hold protest

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 11: All J&K Excise and Commercial Taxes Class IV employees today held demonstration in front of office of Divisional Commissioner in support of their demands.

After holding demonstration, leaders of the Employees Union submitted a charter of demands to the Divisional Commissioner for sympathetic consideration.

The employees also took out a protest rally which passed through Jain Bazaar, Peer Mitha, Lakhdata Bazar and Rajinder Bazar before culminating at Shaheedi Chowk.

Addressing the demonstration, leaders of the Union stressed upon the Government for early settlement of their long pending demand of retention of their services in their respective departments as a permanent employee having their upto date service books, GP fund deductions record and getting all other dues vis-a-vis other permanent employees of the State Government.

They appealed the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to take a decision in this regard as assured by him on August 12, 2006 when a deputation of employees called on him. They further urged the Chief Minister to ensure that final selection list be not declared till the case of employees is heard in the Supreme Court. Among others who spoke on the occasion include Adil Rashid Khan, Nazir Ahmed Bhat, Surinder Sharma, Anjum Wazir, Charanjeet, Shameen Mintoo, Ajay Kesari, Narinder Dogra, Sudesh Kumar, Ravinder Singh, Riaz Ahmed, Sanjay Dogra, Mohd Ishaq, Yttam Singh, Mohd Shafi Mallah, Ajay Sharma, Abdul Rehman, Mohd Abdullah and Haffizullah.

J&K SFC employees demand COLA
before Diwali, Eid festivals

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 11: A meeting of J&K State Forest Corporation Employees Union under the presidentship of Mrs C K Sudan, appealed the Chief Minister for release of COLA before Diwali and Eid festivals, as promised by him in the May Day rally.

The SFC Employees Union said due to non-release of COLA the Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) employees and their families were at the brink of starvation as COLA has not been provided to them for the past three years.

They also requested the Government to convert COLA into Dearness Allowance so that there was no discrimination between PSU the regular Government employees. They added that it was only in Jammu and Kashmir State where Cost Of Living Allowance (COLA) is being paid to PSU employees.

Tax evasion bid foiled, goods seized

Excelsior Corres‘pondent

JAMMU, Oct 11: A team of Commercial Taxes Department foiled tax evasion attempt of a trader and imposed heavy penalty after seizure of a Maruti car at Lakhanpur check post today.

The team led by Dy Commissioner Commercial Taxes, R K Varma intercepted car No HR 10G/3655 carrying electronic goods. It was being driven by one Rishi Samrat of Sonepat and carrying 1000 audio cassettes and 5500 video CDs. The goods were reported to be delivered at Katra and its value was put at around Rs 1.57 lakh.

A spokesman of the department said that goods were seized and will be released only after recovery of penalty and security equal to 125 per cent of the value assessed.

Ram Sahai releases CD on Bawa Jitto, Bua Kauri

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 11: A video-cassette " Shardanjali Bua Bawe Ge" part two was released by Mr Ram Sahai, an industrialist, who is also chairman, J&K Institute of Public Opinion (IPO), at a function held at Jammu Press Club here today.

Produced and directed by Jagdishwar Lal Sharma under the banner " MBBD Family", the cassette in Dogri is about Bawa Jitto and Bua Kauri, crusader against the social evils and injustice in the society.

The first part was released during April, 2004. He has also produced telefilm on life and message of Baba Sidhgoria Nathji, another spiritual soul.

Speaking after the cassette ceremony, Mr Ram Sahai, said the rich cultural and historical heritage must be projected and preserved for the younger generations. He lauded the efforts by Mr Jagdishwar Sharma for his third production depicting the cultural aspect of the people.

Mr Sahai said such ventures provide opportunities to the local artists to display their talent.

Mr S P Sahni, general secretary, IPO, also spoke on the occasion.

Mr Jagdishwar Sharma, who is engaged in highlighting the culture with the stories of local deities particularly Kul Devtas, is taking up other telefilm productions. " I have produced and directed it " he said and added that he has written lyrics and played role in the telefilm.

He observed that efforts are on to bring the people close to their roots and culture to save our traditions in the modern world.

The function was attended by members of IPO, academicians, literary persons and prominent citizens.

Govt backtracking from earlier commitment,
says Kavinder Gupta

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 11: Former Mayor of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kavinder Gupta has expressed his surprise over the Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad’s statement that civic bodies instead of depending on the Government’s support to overcome their financial needs should generate their own resources.

This shows that the Government was backtracking from its earlier commitment to provide 10 per cent of the tax generated from Lakhanpur Toll Post to JMC for overcoming its financial needs, said Mr Gupta while talking to reporters here, today.

He said that the civic bodies are not demanding charity form the Government but their share.

Blaming the Government for discrimination with Jammu, he said recent statement of the Jammu Mayor Manmohan Singh that Rs one crore was allocated for Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) for repairs to lighting system in comparison to Rs 15 lakh to Jammu shows that discrimination still continues.

He said, while SMC has a total number of 4000 Safai Karamcharis, the strength of Safai Karamcharis in Jammu has remained static to 1,056 since 1986. However 800 Karamcharis were absorbed by him through NGOs during his tenure to meet the immediate needs of the city.

Mr Gupta, alleged that no efforts were made on the part of Government to increase the strength of Safai Karamcharis in Jammu and to better the sanitation conditions in the city the Safai Karamcharis be assured the job security.

He, while making a dig at alliance Government said its policies show that it was not interested in the strengthening of democratic institutions in the state from grass root level. "When you had to do nothing what was the fun of upgrading Jammu Municipality into JMC", he asked?

He also alleged that JMC lacks proper infrastructure to maintain cleanliness in the city and the Corporation has no funds to purchase medicines to tackle the epidemic like Dengue or import machinery.

Border people demand tehsil status for Ramgarh

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 11: Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary, Ashok Sharma (MLC) has urged upon the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to consider the demand of border people for providing tehsil status to Ramgarh.

Addressing a press conference here today, the Congress legislator pointed out that Ramgarh border belt consists of 13 Patwar Halqas, 25 Panchayats and 110 villages with more than one lakh population. The area strongly deserves to be granted as tehsil status, keeping in view its population and area. Since Samba has been provided district status, Ramgarh is the only area under it which deserved tehsil status first.

Referring to creation of eight new districts, Mr Sharma said that the Chief Minister has taken a very bold decision and he also created three sub-divisions and thirteen tehsils. He said that the people connected with this exercise perhaps ignored this block which strongly needed to be provided tehsil status. He expressed hope that Mr Azad will favourably consider this genuine and justified demand of the border people.

Convenor of the Co-ordination Committee, Yash Paul Sharma handed over 45,000 signatures of the people from this border belt for further handing over to the Chief Minister with the demand of tehsil status for Ramgarh. He claimed that Ramgarh was the oldest Niabat in Jammu which needed proper recognition and place. It has already upgraded for the post of Tehsildar (Agrn) since long. He further disclosed that the committee will be meeting Chief Secretary and the chairman Delimitation Committee, S S Bloeria to plead their case.

Sewa Singh, Committee general secretary and Narinder Gupta, Beopar Mandal president were also present.

Aijaz for construction of 3 more fruit mandies in Jammu

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Oct 11 : In order to preserve freshness of fruits and provide better market facilities for the fruit production, 44 Apni Mandi (Mini Fruit Mandies) of fruit are being constructed across the State under Technology Mission. In the first phase proposal of such 8 Mandies have been processed and each Apni Mandi would be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs.15 lakh for which 50 percent funds would be provided by concerned MLA out of Constituency Development Fund.

This was stated by Minister of State for Agriculture, Higher and Technical Education, Aijaz Ahmed Khan while presiding over a high-level officers review meeting of horticulture sector and measures were discussed to provide better marketing facilities to fruit growers.

Besides other officers Principal Secretary Agriculture S.S. Sahni, Secretary Agriculture K. B. Jandial, Director Horticulture Produce and Marketing Showkat Ahmed Zargar also attended the meeting.

The Minister laid stress on the alternate cardboard packing and export of A-Grade fruit only for getting better economic returns. He directed concerned authorities to submit project report of Bishnah, Rajouri and Batote fruit mandies for early execution as committed by Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

A committee was constituted headed by Director Horticulture Produce and Marketing to assess the stock and supply of fruit in various fruit mandies of the country and their marketing position and submit report to the ministry soon for appropriate decision and measures.

Hussain on Kargil tour, visits district hospital

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Oct 11: Minister of State for Health and Power Peer Mohammad Hussain accompanied by MLC, Basharat Bukhari and Director Health Services Kashmir Dr. Muzaffar Ahmed who is on a 4-day tour of Kargil district the other day visited District Hospital, Kargil.

The Minister took round of the hospital, met the patients and enquired about the medicines and other facilities being provided to them. He inspected several laboratories and equipment like Endoscope, Ultrasound, Echo color Dopier, Blood bank etc. He also checked the attendance register, remittance register, stock register etc.

While interacting with the doctors, the Minister was informed that several bathrooms are needed to be constructed for patients who could use these bathrooms in emergency cases. He was also informed that blood bank was almost equipped with latest equipments, but funds for purchase of fuel for diesel generator are not available. The Minister directed the concerned authorities to take immediate action for construction of bathrooms and arranging of funds for fuel. It was further informed that 99 posts of doctors are lying vacant presently in Kargil district including B-grade Doctors and Dental Surgeons.

Unemployed youth must start own ventures: Mangat

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Oct 11: Minister for Health, Medical Education, Labour and Employment, Mangat Ram Sharma has called upon the unemployed youth to come forward and avail loan assistance under various State and Centrally sponsored schemes for setting up their own units.

He was speaking at an inaugural function of awareness camp on self-employment schemes organized by the Employment Department at Town Hall, here today. He also released a book titled " Self- Employment Opportunities in J&K" published by the Directorate of Employment.

District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, O. P. Kalandria, Joint Director, Employment, Virender Magotra, Chief Medical Officer, General Manager, Industries and prominent citizens, Bhupinder Singh Pathania, Councilor, Brij Mohan Sharma were present at the function.

Addressing a largely attended gathering of unemployed youth, Mr Sharma said that entire nation is faced with the problem of unemployment. He said as chances of employment in Government have largely decreased, educated youth are being encouraged to start their own employment generating units under self- employment schemes. The main objective of self –employment schemes is to provide an opportunity to educated unemployed youth to establish their own ventures to make them self- reliant, he added.

Commenting on the problems of unemployed agriculture technocrats, the Minister said the Government was contemplating to engage agriculture graduates on Rehbar-e- Zarait pattern in their localities. Likewise, unemployed qualified doctors would be appointed as Rehbar-e-Sehat who would have to work in rural areas to provide health care facilities to people in remote areas. The Minister exhorted upon the officers of other departments like Industries, Handicraft, Handloom, DRDA and Khadi and Village Industries Board to organize such awareness camps in every nook and corner of the district.

Speaking on the occasion, the DDC gave a detailed resume of various State and Centrally sponsored schemes like JKSES, PMRY, KVIC, SGSRY, SJSRY and Credit Plan Scheme for Handicrafts and Handlooms (CPSHHS). He called upon the unemployed youth to register their names for getting loan assistance for setting up their own ventures under different schemes.

Later, the Minister also visited various wards of District Hospital, Udhampur including Radio Diagnostic Centre, Blood Transfusion Centre, General Laboratory, Operation Theatre and expressed his satisfaction over the functioning of the hospital.

PPEU constitutes new mandate committee

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 11: In a joint meeting of Provincial Power Employees Union and ITI Diploma Holder Union (province) held here today a committee was formed before the election process for finalisation of the Mandated candidates from the PPEU.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Shakti Gupta, chairman of the PPEU here today. The new committee for the purpose ( finalisation of names) of elections and mandate to the suitable candidates was announced by Sumer Khajuria, general secretary.

Abdul Rashid and Santosh Kumar are members from Doda, Yahs Paul Gupta, Goverdhan Singh, Bansi Lal, Anil Kumar Slathua from Udhampur, Romesh Chander, Baldev Singh, Madan Gupta and Ashok Kumar from Kathua, Suresh Sharma, Altaf, Ram Bheja and Sadiq from Rajouri, Pawan Sharma from poonch while members from Jammu district are-Ram Lal, Ashok Charak, Subhash Sharma (Parade), Pawan Kumar (Janipur), Rajinder Pappu, Mangat Ram, Ajaz Kazmi, Sanjeev Bali, Vinod Kumar (Akhnoor), Gurnam Singh, Tejinder Dutta, Rajan Khajuria, Deep Mehra and Satish Kumar.

It was advised by Mr Khajuria that the interested candidates seeking mandate of the PPEU should apply before the chairman of the committee at the Union office, Jammu.

Hyundai launches Chamatkar Pe Chamatkar Diwali offer

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 11: Hyundai Electronics India Ltd, makers of CTV, DVD, Plasma, LCD and Air Conditioners, has presented Diwali scheme for customers "Chamatkar Pe Chamatkar".

Under this scheme customers get one assured gift, 1+4 warranty and a Lucky Draw Coupen. The first draw of Hyundai was held at Delhi in which four customers from Jammu have won gifts and DVDs.

The lucky customers from Jammu were presented gifts by Company’s Sales Incharge Mr Amarjeet Singh and Distributor Akshay Gupta (Asian Electronics) was also present on the occasion held at Messrs Kiran Electronics, Talab Tillo Jammu.

According to Amarjeet Singh, the Chamatkar Pe Chamatkar Diwali scheme has shown a tremendous response in market. This scheme will continue upto October 31, 2006. The other Lucky Draw winners were Rajiv Gupta of Channi Himmat, Rakesh Kumar of Shastri Nagar and Vicky of Residency Road, Jammu.

People should be cautious against PDP designs: JMM

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 11: Prof Virender Gupta, president Jammu Mukti Morcha has asked the people of Jammu division to remain vigilant and cautious against the designs of People’s Democratic Party supremo Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and Ms Mehbooba Mufti who have raised the self-rule issue just to mislead the masses.

In a meeting of the Morcha held here today, Prof Gupta expressed his great concern over the propaganda launced by the PDP leaders in support of so called self-rule. He appealed the people of Jammu not to be misled by the designs of Muftis and said if they are so concerned about the Jammu region then why are they not raising their voice in favour of demands of the people of this region in the legislature.

Mr Gupta alleged that PDP leaders have always opposed the due representation to the people of Jammu region in the State Assembly and in the State Administration. Even they opposed the implementation of Wazir Commission recommendations. These leaders did not allow equal distribution of funds in Kashmir and Jammu regions. They are basically raising the issue which suits to the leadership in Pakistan and other secessionist forces, he maintained.

The JMM leader expressed that PDP has failed to convince the people over self-rule proposal. He said that separate Jammu State is the only viable alternative left to meet the aspirations of the people of Jammu region. Morcha leaders, H B Khajuria, B M Kohli, Vikram Gaur, Chander Udhay, Jagdish Chander, R C Gupta also spoke in the meeting.

Man murdered by labourer

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 11: A 45-year old man was beaten to death by a young labourer in Anand Nagar area under the jurisdiction of Domana Police Station this evening.

Police spokesman said that the accused—Darash Ram, son of Baisakhu Ram of Chhattisgarh and presently residing in a rented shop at Anand Nagar had an old enemity with Gulshan Dass, son of Safeed Dass of same locality and this evening both entered into verbal dual with each other.

After heated exchanges, Darash Ram started hitting on the head of Gulshan Dass with wooden log. He continued to hit Gulshan till the latter died.

Soon after committing the crime, the accused fled from the spot. Some locals informed Pouni Chak Police about the incident and a police team led by Incharge Pouni Chak Police Post Arjun Singh rushed to the spot.

The body was shifted to Government Medical College Hospital and kept in the mortuary for post-mortem to be conducted tomorrow.

The accused, who was planning to leave the State, was arrested within one hour of the incident by a police party led by SI Arjun Singh under the direct supervision of Additional SP Jammu Rajinder Gupta and SDPO Akhnoor Atul Sharma.

A case has been registered in this connection.

Power employees constitute Joint Forum

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 11: Various power employees bodies have constituted an amalgam under the name and title J&K Electric Employees Joint Action Forum and Mir Ghulam Rasool of Kashmir Electrical Employees & Workers Association (KEEWA) has been nominated its chairman.

The other office bearers of the Forum include Mohammed Ramzan Kumar of Non Gazetted Electrical Employees Union as secretary, Aijaz Hussian Mir of Technical Employees Union and Mohammed Ramzan Ghanai of Daily Wagers Union as vice chairmen.

The Forum resolved to fight for the demands of power employees and workers in the state.

It,while highlighting the problems demanded that the work load be settled and posts of employees be created on the basis that, the lower grades be upgraded and SRO 149 be implemented in letter and spirit.

The other demands which were highlighted by the Forum include regularisation of daily wagers, revocation of SRO 64 of 1994 banning appointment of daily wagers, release of wages of daily rate workers, release of two and half days extra pay for drivers in PDD, counting of entire work charge and daily wage period for pensionary benefits, allotment of designation as per the duty on the pattern of PHE and release of five per cent DA for pensioners and Government employees.

Two women held in dowry case

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 11: Police have arrested two women relatives of a housewife for allegedly forcing her to make an attempt on her life at village Dhamdal in Ramnagar tehsil of Udhampur district.

Police said Rukma Devi, mother-in-law and Jyoti Devi, sister-in-law of Swarna Devi wife of Kuldeep Singh were arrested by Ramnagar police today.

Swarna Devi had tried to end her life due to alleged harassment to her by her in-laws due to dowry. A case was registered with Ramnagar police station in which Swarna Devi had named four accused, two of whom were arrested today while two others including her husband and another sister-in-law were absconding.

Arrests were made by a police party led by DySP Ramnagar Romesh Kotwal and SHO Ramnagar Bharat Sharma.