Daily Excelsior.........State

Cong leaders flay NC leader..

Shiv Sena Hindustan burns Farooq's effigy..

Sharma inaugurates OPD block of JLNM hospital.....

Bahai’s to celebrate birth anniversary of Bab with fervour....

3 holed-up PoK residents to return.....

Army dedicates water supply to Devigarh .....

Target of MHPs completed in Kashmir: Governor

Excelsior Correspondent

KUPWARA, Oct 19 : Governor Lt. Gen (Retd) S K Sinha today said that 13000 households in border areas have been electrified under innovative micro hydel projects scheme in Jammu and Kashmir.

Inaugurating 550th Micro Hydel Project at Drugmullah near here this morning, the Governor said with this, the target for the Kashmir Valley has been completed while it is likely to be achieved in Jammu region by this year end. In all 1000 micro hydel projects had been planned for the State, 450 of them in Jammu, he added.

General Sinha, the pioneer of the scheme in the State, said that keeping in view the overwhelming response by the people in Kashmir, the matter will be taken up with concerned for sanctioning additional projects next year. He said the scheme is a humble stride towards improving the quality of life in border belts, as it will generate economic activity along side providing light during the nights.

General Sinha lauded the Army for implementing this novel scheme with commitment and determination and said it will go a long way in fulfilling the dream of the Chief Minister to steer the State to prosperity.

The Governor referred to the role of the Army during the hour of need, like earthquake last year, and said that besides protecting the lives of the people, they always remain in forefront to ensure their welfare.

Talking to media persons, the Governor said that the Army has designed various programmes for the civilian population in Kashmir which include holding of medical camps, running of goodwill schools, computer training centres, conduct of country wide tours etc. He said that so far 3000 students have been taken in various groups on Watten Ki Seir, with whom he had interaction in Raj Bhavan after their return.

On jobs to unemployed, the Governor said that 4000 of the 5000 vacancies in Para Military Forces in Kashmir have been filled. Similarly, the youth is getting opportunities in Territorial Army also.

GOC 28 Inf. Div. Maj Gen S K Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, Abdul Majid Khandey and senior civil and military officers besides prominent citizens were among the large number of the people present on the occasion.

Promotion of Constables, SGCs, HCs in JKP

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 19: On the eve of Diwali, IGP Jammu Zone Dr S P Vaid has made 100 promotions in different ranks in J&K Police.

77 Head Constables (HCs) have been promoted to the rank of ASI while eight Selection Grade Constables (SGCs) and 15 Constables have been promoted to the the rank of Head Constable and SG Constable, respectively.

The Head Constables who have been promoted as ASI, include; Mohd Ashraf, Javed Iqbal, Sagra Singh, Sudesh Kumar, Gurmeet Singh, Rattan Singh, Om Parkash, Parkash Singh, Jagjit Singh, Kewal Krishan, Dhayan Singh, Vijay Singh, Rajinder Singh, Dalip Kumar, Abdul Latif, Mohd Razak, Ravinder Singh, Daya Anand, Niaz Ali, Nazir Ahmed, Ranjeet Singh, Kundan Lal, Bodh Raj, Mohan Lal, Kuldeep Singh, Yograj Singh, Joginder Kumar, Amrik Singh, Sat Paul Singh, Mohan Lal, Mushtaq Ahmed, Mahatama Singh, Javind Singh, Paramjit Singh, Prithvi Raj, Joginder Singh, Jagat Ram, Rashid Ahmed, Pawan Kumar, Tilak Singh, Tarlok Singh, Dwarka Nath, Mohd Suleman, Safder Hussain, Rattan Singh, Ganpat Raj, Tara Chand, Mohd Ashraf, Mohd Yusuf, Lekh Raj, Abdul Rashid, Mohd Wazir, Liaqat Ali, Balwant Chand, Bishan Dass, Mohd Iqbal, Maharaj Krishan, Mohd Hussain, Madan Gopal, Bhogwan Dass, Prem Nath, Sham Lal, Mansa Ram, Abdul Latief, Mastan Singh, Sukhdev Sharma, Nasib-Ullah, Mohd Ayoub, Mohd Mukhtir, Lady HC Prem Lata, Yash Paul Singh, Mohd Kabir, Mohd Azam, Sudesh Raj, Mohan Lal, Syed Mohd and Chajju Ram.

The SG Constables, who have been promoted as Head Constables, include; Tara Chand, Banarsi Dass, Pawan Kumar, Jai Parkash, Maqsood Ahmed, Chaman Lal, Jagdev Singh and Sham Lal.

The Constables, who have been promoted as SG Constable, include; Anil Kumar, Amrik Singh, Kuldeep Singh, Kulbir Singh, Mohd Ishaq, Suresh Kumar, Ashwani Kumar, Romesh Chander, Jasbir Singh, Riaz Ahmed, Gian Nath, Multan Singh, Om Parkash, Bachan Lal and Puran Chand.

CM reviews construction work of Haj House

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Oct. 19 : Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad while reviewing the construction programme of Haj House at Bemina advised the concerned executive agencies to complete the same within targeted period.

The construction work of Haj House at Bemina which was started during July this year would be completed by November next year at a cost of Rs. 10.50 crore. The complex will be having all necessary facilities for Hajis including immigration, custom, reception centers and residential complex.

Minister for Haj and Auquaf, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Minister for R&B Gulchain Singh Charak, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Anil Goswami, Principal Secretary to Planning S. S. Kapoor, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Bsharat Ahmad, Secretary Revenue Masood Samoo, Managing Director, JKPCC, General Managar JKPCC Kashmir, besides other senior officers and engineers attended the meeting.

Speaking on the occasion the Chief Minister exhorted upon the Engineers to ensure the use of standard material in the execution of the complex and make this a model building of the country. He directed the authorities to increase manpower adding that from April next the work would be started round the clock for timely completion of this project. He said that the custom, immigration and reception centre of the Haj House should be ready by next October and the residential complex should be ready by November 2007.

2 killed, 4 injured in road accidents

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 19: Two persons were killed and four others received severe injuries in separate road accidents.

Police spokesman said that one person was killed and two others received severe injuries when a Tata Sumo bearing registration number JK02H-0583 collided with a security forces vehicle at Maroge near Battery Chashma under the jurisdiction of Ramban Police Station.

On the receipt of information, a police party rushed to the spot and started rescue operation. All were rushed to Emergency Hospital Ramban where one of them was pronounced as brought dead. The condition of two injured was stated to be critical when reports last came in.

The deceased has been identified as Imtiaz Ahmed, son of Ghulam Nabi of Safakadal. The injured are Pushkar Charan Pardhan, son of Murli Dhar Pradhan and Daya Ram, son of Gulab Chand of Kishtwar.

In another accident, one Kamrata Manjoo, daughter of Ajay Manjoo of Channi Himmat, who was admitted in Government Medical College Hospital on October 15 for the treatment of injuries she had sustained in a road accident, succumbed to injuries today.

The body was, later, handed over to family members.

Police has taken cognizance of the incident.

Meanwhile, two persons were injured in two separate road accidents reported from different parts of Jammu city. They were rushed to hospital and their condition was stated to be out of danger.

They have been identified as Bodh Raj, son of Nand Lal of Vijaypur, Shamsher Singh, son of Prabhudayal of Rajinder Pura.

Labourer hangs himself to death

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 19: A labourer allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself with the ceiling fan at his rented accommodation at Mazdoor Basti Bakshi Nagar.

Police spokesman said that the deceased Davinder Kumar, son of Donarden Sohan of Orissa and presently residing in Mazdoor Basti of Bakshi Nagar was all alone in his rented room when he committed suicide by hanging himself with the ceiling fan.

He was found hanged by his wife on her return from the market. She immediately raised alarm following which some neighbours rushed to the spot. Bakshi Nagar Police was also informed about the incident.

The body was, later, shifted to Government Medical College Hospital for post-mortem.

Police has initiated inquest proceedings in this regard.

It could not be immediately ascertained as to what prompted the labourer to take extreme step of committing suicide.

Meanwhile, a young girl—Suman, daughter of Kartar Chand of Domana died after consuming poisonous substance at her residence. She was rushed to hospital when spotted unconscious by family members.

Doctors immediately provided her stomach wash treatment but she could not fight for her life and died.

Police has taken cognizance of the incident to ascertain under what circumstances the girl consumed poison.

NGAGA continues fast in support of demands

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 19: The relay hunger strike launched by Non-gazetted Agriculture Graduates Association (NGAGA), working as Junior Agriculture Assistants may lead to chaotic situation by entire Agriculture Department.

NGAGA president Pradeep Sharma warned the Government against causing delay in conceding the genuine demands of the Association. he said while the Association has gathered wide spread support from other fellow organizations as also Agriculture Welfare Association of Kashmir Valley, who after meeting the Agriculture Minister Mr Zargar expressed their resolve to join NGAGA of Jammu if demands were not met with at an earliest.

In the meanwhile a fresh batch of JAAs of Sub Division Udhampur including Sanjeev Mishra, Ajay Saproo and Chander Prakash sat on relay hunger strike.

Former presidents Sanjeev Mishra and Ajay Sharma also addressed the gathering and made it clear that in place of giving assurances the Government must come forward with some concrete solutions with regard to just and genuine demands, which warrant no financial implications.

General Secretary Pradesh Congress Committee Vinod Sharma and ex-director Som Nath Sharma also visited the fasting Agriculture Officers and assured their full support.

Civil Sectt gears up to welcome durbar

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 19: The Civil Secretariat is well geared up with state of art decorative infrastructure to welcome the durbar move employees in the winter capital.

For the first time, advanced modern techniques have been introduced by the Estates department to present grandeur facelift to the entire Civil Secretariat premises including Mini Secretariat, Assembly and Council halls.

Within the planned allocation, the department has introduced contrast colour schemes thereby giving a unique and decorative look to the walls. Reflectasol solar control glasses have been used to place ordinary glasses thereby making the appearance aesthetically pleasing and providing superior functional benefits like solar control and glare reduction. Besides the entire ground floor has been renovated with marble stone flooring. The latest sensor type equipment has been installed in the bathrooms thus giving modern touch to the prestigious building.

The Dispensary situated within the premises of Civil Secretariat has also been renovated in a planned manner for the convenience of employees. The hardboard partitions have been replaced with permanent ones. All the sections have been separated into small cabins besides a Doctors cabin thereby giving a neat, hygienic and systematic look to the dispensary. The entire flooring has been replaced with glazed tiles keeping in view the dire need of maintaining cleanliness in the dispensary. These arrangements have been made after lapse of more than even three decades of regular opening of durbar at Jammu. More so, reflect visible steps towards the efficiency and improvement in the quality of work drive by the present government.

Tarigami for review of State Industrial policy

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 19: Alleging non-adherence of the Labour Laws by the maximum industrial units in Jammu and Kashmir, CPI(M) MLA and president of the J&K committee of CITU, Mohd Yusuf Tarigami has demanded a review of the State Industrial policy.

"The industrialists here are taking all the incentives but not adhering to the Government norms with regard to the deployment and wages of the workers," he said while talking to media persons, here today.

Mr Tarigami cited several cases of exploitation of the workers at the hands of the employers due to non-implementation of Labour Laws in the State and urged the Government to blacklist such units.

The CITU leader also accused the Labour Department of siding with the management of Industries and taking no interest in enforcement of the Labour Laws. Seeking strict action against the erring officers to make them accountable, he demanded deployment of full time industrial cum labour tribunal and speedy disposal of labour disputes pending with the Jammu High Court..

To a query, Mr Tarigami challenged the industrialists’ claim that they were hiring the skilled labour for their unit from outside the State due to non-availability of the same in Jammu and Kashmir. "Let they advertise the jobs for skilled labour and we promise to provide them suitable workers within the State," he said.

Making it clear that CITU was not against non-State subjects, Mr Tarigami claimed that they were advocating preference to locals since workers from outside the State were not in position to resist the exploitation of their employers.

Highlighting several other demands of CITU, Mr Tarigami urged the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to immediately address grievances of workers who will otherwise be forced to resort to agitational path.

"Only slogans of Khushali will not bring cheers on faces of poor workers but concrete steps towards redressal of their grievances," he reminded.

K K Bakshi, general secretary of the State committee of CITU, Om Parkash, Com Sham Kumar and some other trade union leaders were accompanying Mr Tarigami in the press conference.

Cong leaders flay NC leader

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 19: Pradesh Congress general secretary Vinod Sharma and MLC Arvinder Singh Micky have in a joint statement, reacting to the statement of NC provincial president Ajay Sadhotra, stated that State Government has taken various means to ensure equitable development of all the three regions of the State.

They cited the implementation of Wazir Commission report, Finance Commission and Delimitation Commission as the measures having been taken by ruling coalition Government, where the improvement was quite visible.

They said the tourism has been increased and the development put back on the rails with the cooperation of public leading to re-building and creating infrastructure and improvement in facilities like health care, education and restoration of trade and industry friendly atmosphere.

Shiv Sena Hindustan burns Farooq's effigy

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 19: Reacting sharply to the utterances of former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah, activists of Shiv Sena Hindustan (J&K) led by Pritam Sharma held demonstration and burnt effigy of Farooq Abdullah at Indira Chowk today.

The SSH president Dimpy Kohli while speaking strongly criticized the statement of Dr farooq Abdullah, who in his statement apprehended that judges may have to bear the brunt who pronounced death sentence for Afzal Guru.

Sena Chairman Vipin Hindu terming the statement of Dr farooq demanded action against him.

Others present on the occasion included Pankaj Sahni, Shib Kumar Sharma, Gian Sharma, Rakesh Kak, Pankaj Gupta, Rahul Kesar, Ranjan Manhas, Ashish Soni, Vikram Singh and R K Choudhary.

Sharma inaugurates OPD block of JLNM hospital

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Oct 19: Minister for Health and Medical Education Mangat Ram Sharma inaugurated out patient block (OPD) of JLNM hospital here today which came up at a cost of Rs. 45 crore.

Among other, local MLA, Mohammad Syed Akhoon, Director Health Services, Dr. Muzaffar Ahmad, District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Principal Government Medical College and General Manager JKPCC were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Sharma said the Government is committed to provide better health care facilities to the people. Appreciating JKPCC for timely completion of the OPD block, Minister said that the JLNM is among the best hospitals of the State. He said that the Government is planning to enhance the capacity of the hospital from current 72 to 300 beds to lessen burden on other hospitals of the city.

It is pertinent to mention here that specialist services available in the hospital include General Medicine, Surgery, Orthopedics, Gynae, ENT, Ophthalmology, Anesthesiology, Pediatrics, Radiology, Dermatology, Dentistry and Blood Bank.

Interacting with media persons on this occasion, Mr. Sharma said that the arrangements for making sufficient staff available to the hospital are being made and shortly hospital will have adequate staff.

Later, the Minister interacted with a local public deputation who apprised him about the problem of water scarcity in the area. The Minister assured the delegation that their problem will be looked into.

Bahai’s to celebrate birth anniversary of Bab with fervour

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 19: Birth Anniversary of Bab , the founder of Baha'i faith, is being celebrated by Baha'i community in Jammu and Kashmir like other parts of the globe.

Born on October 20, 1819, Bab declared on May 23, 1844, that He was the herald of New World Order.

According to devotees, it was on the very next day that first telegraph was transmitted signalling the beginning of the electronic age.

His teachings focused on the spiritual renewal, social advancement and scientific reasoning. Love, peace and compassion was his eternal message for the humanity. These were revolutionary ideas then and opposition build up. Yet, Bab was able to help prepare the people for coming of the Universal Manifestation of God, Bahauallah (literally, Glory of God), the promised One of all the peoples and ages.

Local Assembly of Baha’i faith, is also organising a prayers meeting on this auspicious occasion at Bahai House, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu. The teachings of equality, justice and in harmony with science and religions were recalled at the gathering.

On the nine holy days of Bahai’ calendar, the faithfuls hold prayers, devotional readings and social gatherings.

3 holed-up PoK residents to return

JAMMU, Oct 19:Three Pakistan-occupied Kashmir residents, who failed to cross over to PoK despite completion of the period of their stay in Jammu and Kashmir according to their permit, would be travelling back on Monday via Chakan-da-Bagh point along the Line of Control in Poonch district, official sources said.

"The trio — Touseef Ahmed, his daughter Nadia and Arshad — will travel back to PoK via Chakan-da-Bagh LoC point after their 15-day-long stay here," they said.

The three failed to cross over despite expiry of their permit term of seven days and urged for extension, which had been granted, the sources said.

Two other persons from PoK — Nawab Din and Alam Din —had refused to go back and moved the Jammu and Kashmir High Court to direct authorities here not to send them to PoK.

While the court has stayed the sending back of Nawab Din, Alam’s petition is pending. They had been staying here for the past over one month.(PTI)

Army dedicates water supply to Devigarh

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 19: As a part of Operation Sadbhavana, Army dedicated the water supply to the border villagers of Devigarh in R S Pura sector today.

General Officer Commanding, Tiger Division, Maj Gen Sanjeev Loomba inaugurated the water supply scheme. Several senior Army officers including Commander, Sunjwan Garrison and prominent persons of the area including Sarpanch and Panchayat members were present on the occasion.

In view of the depleting water level in the area, the problem had been projected by the villagers regarding water crisis before the Sunjwan Brigade Commander, Brig R S Jamwal several months back. The Army took up the project in hand and launched work. A pump house and water tank were constructed with the cost of Rs 3 lakhs. The villagers expressed gratitude to the Army authorities for providing drinking water.