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Development
of backward areas be
attended as a mission:
Azad
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu,
Dec 8 :
Chief Minister Ghulam
Nabi Azad on Saturday
assured the inhabitants
of far-off, hilly and
backward areas of the
State that the schemes
launched for upliftment
of hitherto left
unattended areas would
fruit soon to provide
basic amenities to them.
Addressing a
public meeting at Chilli
Bala, a far-off area
bordering Himachal
Pradesh in Doda district,
he said equitable
development of all
regions and areas was on
top of the development
agenda of the Government.
"To achieve this
objective, multi-pronged
development programme has
been put in place where
under area specified
works for all round
progress have been
started across the
State", he added.
Mr. Azad
said that unless people
living in backward and
hilly areas like Huddal,
Manu, Kutta, Chilli, etc.
receive appropriate
attention for upliftment,
progress would be
lopsided. He reiterated
his Government’s
commitment to address all
development related
issues of the backward
and remote areas as a
mission.
He said
connectivity being the
lifeline for economic
development, "the
Government has embarked
upon ambitious programme
of connecting cut-off
areas with roads and
highways. This would in
turn give boost to
economic activities and
help develop other
important sectors of
healthcare, education,
PHE, power, etc in these
areas".
Mr. Azad
said that people in
backward areas should get
equal facilities of basic
amenities and be at par
in development with other
areas, as such, "we
have to work with
devotion and dedication
to realize this
goal", he told
development agencies.
"The
district and divisional
administration has been
sensitized to reach out
to people especially
living in remote areas
and address to their
requirements. Development
agencies have also been
directed to carry forward
works in the backward
areas on large
scale", Chief
Minister maintained.
He thanked
the people for travelling
long distances on foot to
hear him, saying that his
basic purpose of visiting
far-flung areas is to
take stock of problems
himself and evolve
strategy for redressal.
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4
SRTC employees suspended
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 8 : Minister for
Transport, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen today
ordered suspension of four employees of
SRTC including two drivers Mohammad Ayub
and Hayat Khan and two conductors Abdul
Rashid and Abdul Rashid and their
attachment with General Manager
Operations Kashmir.
This
follows the surprise check conducted by
the Transport Minister on Srinagar-Jammu
National Highway on Friday. The SRTC
buses bearing Nos. JK01Y-545 and
JK01Y-509 on way from Jammu to Banihal
and Jammu to Kulgam respectively were
found carrying 13 ticket less passengers
in violation to the Motor Vehicle Act and
traffic rules. The Minister seized the
ticket books as well as passenger
challans of these buses and ordered
immediate action against the erring
officials of SRTC.
Hakeem
Yaseen said that violation of rules and
malpractices in the Transport Department
as well as SRTC are intolerable and those
found resorting to it would face the
brunt. He asked the employees and the
management of the Corporation to perform
their duty as a noble cause and see that
the State exchequer is not looted and
misused. He cautioned them that
irresponsible approach by any body would
not be let to carry on and stressed them
to work with a dedicated and devoted
approach.
VC
assures fool-proof security to
hostel-boarders
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 8: The Vice
Chancellor University of Jammu (JU) Prof
Amitabh Mattoo has assured the scholars
and students of the university that every
possible step would be taken for their
security in the hostels and no one would
be allowed to vitiate the peaceful
atmosphere in the campus.
As per a
statement by JU, the assurance came after
his visit to the Nehru Hostel and Swami
Vivekanand Hostel in the new campus this
afternoon, where he held detailed
deliberations with the scholars and the
students to strengthen the security of
all the hostels to avoid any untoward
incident. He was accompanied by Prof. G S
Sambyal, Registrar, Prof. B P S Sehgal,
Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. N R Sharma,
Provost Hostel, Dr. P S Pathania, Dean
Students Welfare, Prof. Dhian Singh Bhau,
Assistant Dean, Prof. Shohab Inayat
Malik, Assistant Dean and wardens of the
hostels.
Assuring
full security to the those putting up in
the hostels, Prof. Mattoo said action
against those indulging in unlawful
activities will be taken and no one would
be allowed to harass the students in the
hostels. "We have decided to
strengthen the security around all the
students. All the hostels would have fool
proof 24 hours security. The security
system of the university will be further
strengthened with the help of the State
Police till deemed necessary", he
added.
He further
said those indulging in unlawful
activities and harassment of the students
in the hostels will be dealt with iron
hands and action against those would be
initiated as per law.
He
cautioned hostel boarders that nobody
will be allowed to bring any of their
guests in the hostel for overnight stay
and from today onwards there will be a
roll call in all the hostels every
night.. "We are not going to allow
any one to spoil the peaceful atmosphere
of the university campus. Those who have
damaged the campus property will be
punished according to the rules and
regulations of the university", he
maintained.
Meanwhile,
he assured the scholars and students that
action against the culprits would be
initiated immediately after the
submission of the inquiry report by a
three-member committee on Sunday. Prof.
Mattoo also interacted with the students
of the minority community and the others,
who were harassed in the hostels some
days back. The scholars and students put
forward their demands regarding their
security in the university.
However,
earlier in the day, a group of protesting
students continued their protest against
the JU authorities, as they burnt the
effigy of Vice Chancellor in front of MAM
College and also gave a call to boycott
the classes in MAM College and GGM
Science College. Also, some of the
students were observing hunger strike in
the university campus.
Govt
imposes restrictions on non-biodegradable
material
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 8 : Chairman Pollution
Control Board Chander Mohan Seth today
convened a high level meeting of officers
of various departments to implement the
Jammu and Kashmir Non-Biodegradable
Material (Management, Handling and
Disposal) Act, 2007 in the State.
Member
Secretary Pollution Control Board ,S P
Anga, Director Flouriculture, Kulbushan
Sharma, Regional Director Pollution
Control Board, Ashwani Kumar Gupta,
Deputy Director Technical Education, N.
K. Gupta, Deputy Director Tourism, M K
Raina, Chief Executive Officer Patnitop
Development Authority, K K Gupta, Deputy
Secretary Forests, Rehna Batool and other
senior officers education, pollution
control board, and flouriculture were
also present in the meeting.
In the
meeting, Seth asked the officers that the
Government has imposed restrictions on
Non-Biodegradable Material including
Acetyl, Acrylic, Cellulose Acetate,
Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Construction
debris, Electronic waste, HIPS, Nylon,
Plastic strips used for packaging,
Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, Polyethylene
Terepthalate (PET), Polypropylene,
Polystyrene, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and
Thermocol. He asked the officers to
arrange camps in their respective areas
so that the people are fully aware about
the Act. He said that if any person found
guilty shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend
to one month or with fine which may
extend to Rs. 5000/- or with both. He
said that where an offence punishable
under the Act is committed by a company,
any person who at the time of commission
of the offence was incharge and
responsible for the conduct of business
of the company as well as the company
shall be liable for punishment as
prescribed under section 10 of the Act.
He said that nothwithstanding anything
contained in sub-section (1), where an
offence under the Act has been committed
by a company and it is proved that the
offence has been committed with the
consent or connivance of or is attribute
to any gross negligence on the part of
any Director, Manager, Secretary or other
officers shall be deemed to be guilty of
that offence and shall be liable to be
proceeded against and punished under the
Act.
Court
awards 6 yrs RI to SRTC employee
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 8: Special Judge
Anticorruption Jammu Kartar Singh today
awarded 6 years rigorous imprisonment to
Romesh Kumar, then Driver SRTC and 2
years to Bansi Lal, owner of Shamboo
Flour Mills, R S Pura in misappropriation
of 96 bags of wheat, which took place in
1999.
According
to the prosecution case, on September 17,
1999 a reliable information was received
in the Police Station Vigilance
Organisation Jammu that Romesh Kumar,
driver SRTC in connivance with officers
of Food and Supplies Department by abuse
of his official position had sold the
consignment of wheat meant for food and
supply store Banihal, at RS Pura causing
huge loss to the State exchequer.
Subsequently,
investigation was started and it came to
force that Romesh Kumar had left for
Banihal with consignment of wheat on
September 15, 1999, However, the
investigating officer located the house
of the suspect in Resham Ghar Colony and
found the truck empty parked outside his
residence.
The IO
seized the truck and arrested the accused
Romesh Kumar. On the disclosure of Romesh
Kumar, 96 bags of wheat were recovered
from a mill owned by Bansi Lal. After
completion of the investigation challan
was presented in the Court.
After
hearing CPO Parshotam Sharma appearing
for the Vigilance Organisation and
Advocate R P Sharma appearing for the
driver and Advocates D N Gupta and B M
Gupta appearing for the mill owners,
Special Judge Anticorruption Kartar Singh
observed "prosecution has succeeded
in proving that accused Romesh Kumar had
committed the offence of criminal
misconduct by dishonestly
misappropriating the consignment of wheat
entrusted to him and as such he is guilty
of offence under Prevention of Corruption
Act".
With these
observations, the Court convicted driver
Romesh Kumar and awarded him 6 years
Rigorous Imprisonment whereas accused
Bansi Lal was awarded Rigorous
Imprisonment for two years. The accused
persons, who were present in the Court,
were taken into custody and sent to the
district Jail Jammu to serve the sentence
imposed upon them.
Expedite
construction of colony for
border migrants: Speaker
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 8: Speaker
Legislative Assembly Tara Chand called
upon the executing agencies to expedite
the ongoing work of construction of
residential colony for border migrants at
Gurha Jagir.
The
Speaker was speaking at a high level
meeting of officers of Revenue, PDD,
R&B, PHE for reviewing the
availability of civic amenities to the
border migrants.
He was
informed that the residential colony will
be spread over 2278 kanals of land and
will have a capacity to accommodate 6072
families. The plan layout of the
residential colony has been devised by
the engineers keeping in view the
aesthetic look of the vicinity. Work is
also apace on the construction of 40 feet
wide main road and 20 feet wide sector
wise internal roads with the provision of
all types of civic amenities to cater the
day to day needs of the inhabitants.
He
directed the revenue officers to carve
out the plots and hand over their
possession to the displaced families
within 10 days timeframe. He asked the
concerned officers to ensure
tractorisation of the remaining demined
land beyond fencing and initiate the
process of payment of compensation for 16
crops with the Army at the earliest.
Discussing
the entire development scenario, Tara
Chand said that the government has
initiated large scale infrastructural
development programme so as to ensure
that drinking water, quality power, well
kinit road network, lanes and drains are
provided to every nook and corner of the
state.
Among
others, Divisional Commissioner Jammu
Sudhanshu Pandey, District Development
Commissioner Jammu Hirdesh Kumar Singh,
Additional Deputy Commissioner I A
Zargar, Chief Engineers R&B and PDD
and Joint Director Information Jammu S K
Sharma were present.
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People
protest inordinate delay in
construction of bridge
Excelsior
Correspondent
RAJOURI, Dec
8: Residents of
Muradpur and adjoining areas held
protest demonstration and burnt
the effigy of Government today.
The
people hailing from several
hamlets and Muradpur area, just 4
kms from Rajouri town, came out
on the road and held a protest
demonstration. Senior BJP leader,
Vivodh Gupta (State Secy), was
leading the protest while BJP
Mandal president, Vijay Sharma
organised the programme.
Supported
by a large number of BJP
activists, the local residents
shouted slogans against
Government and alleged that
despite laying foundation stone
of a bridge at Muradpur four
years back, the work on the
project was never started. The
innocent people were befooled,
they maintained.
Mr
Gupta alleged that the then
R&B Minister Madan Lal Sharma
had laid foundation stone of
bridge at Muradpur. Later, he was
elected as MP. Despite several
representations to R&B
Minister Gulchain Singh Charak
who is also chairman of District
Development Board Rajouri, the
work on the bridge was not
started. The residents are
demanding construction of bridge
for the last two decades and the
Coalition Government only gave
false assurances, he added.
Mandal
president, BJP Vijay Sharma and
City president BJP for Rajouri, A
V Gupta also addressed the
gathering.
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ACTF
discusses new VAT regime
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
8: Executive members
of Associated Chamber of Traders
Federation (ACTF) in a meeting
under the chairmanship of Yash
Paul Gupta, president, a review
of the efforts made by Federation
regarding implementation of VAT,
and it was felt that the
Government has not so far made
any move to reach out to the
traders demands.
While
addressing YP Gupta stated that
the Government was planning to
hold pre-budget discussions on
various demands of the trading
community and held that it was a
high time that Government
consider the concerns of the
trading community in its
entirety.
The
demands of trading community
pertained to exempting traders
who have a turnover of less than
Rs 10 lakh from registration of
VAT instead of Rs 7.5 lakh and
sales ranging between Rs 10 lakh
to Rs 50 lakh instead of Rs 20
lakh to be brought under the
composite tax scheme of 0.25.
In
the light of relaxations already
given by some neighbouring states
in respect of Uniform Tax rate,
the State Government was advised
to adopt the same pattern.
All
relevant demands pertaining to
VAT system were also highlighted
in the meeting, the Government to
redress the same at an earliest.
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5 gamblers
arrested
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
8: Police today
arrested five persons under
Gambling Act and recovered
thousands of rupees from their
possession.
Police
spokesman said a police party
from Chinore Police Post SI
Rakesh Bamba conducted a raid in
the area and arrested five
gamblers. They have been
identified as Mohd Abbas of
Rehari, Mukesh Kumar and Naresh
Kumar, both the residents of
Gharota, Ram Krishan and Dhani
Ram, both the residents of
Shanker Vihar.
A
case under Gambling Act has been
registered against them.
Azad for
developing Jammu as city of
heritage
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
8: Chief Minister
Ghulam Nabi Azad has highlighted
the need of developing Jammu-the
city of temples-as an important
heritage centre to attract
tourists from all over.
"Jammu is bestowed with
multi-faceted cultural, heritage
and religious places of high
significance and fame. You have
to develop and properly showcase
these", he told the
officers.
He
said that all-out efforts have to
be made to develop Jammu city as
an important stay place for
tourists particularly to a large
chunk of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi
pilgrims. "This will help in
generating economic activities
and employment avenues".
Chief
Minister was presiding over a
meeting of the representatives of
Indian National Trust for Art,
Culture and Heritage (INTACH) and
top level State officers here
today.
Minister
for R&B Gulchain Singh
Charak, who is also chairman of
the executive committee of the
Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society,
Principal Secretary to Chief
Minister Anil Goswami and
Director Tourism Jammu Ajay
Khajuria, who is also the
executive Director of the
society, were among those
present.
Mr.
Azad presented a cheque for Rs.
11.55 lakh to INTACH as the first
installment out of Rs. 33 lakh of
the administrative cost for the
preparation of the measured
documents, detailed project
report and tender documents for
restoration, preservation and
re-use of the historic Mubarak
Mandi complex Jammu on behalf of
the society. He emphasized the
need for taking speedier measures
for restoration and preservation
of the historic complex as a
heritage site.
Later,
a memorandum of understanding was
signed by the Executive Director
of Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage
Society Ajay Khajuria and Advisor
Heritage Tourism, Indian National
Trust for Art, Culture and
Heritage, Delhi, Arun Gupta for
preparation of the measured
documents, detailed project
report and tender documents for
restoration, preservation and
re-use of the historic Mubarak
Mandi Complex Jammu. The report
will be completed by the INTACH
within eight months. Minister for
R&B Gulchain Singh Charak was
present on the occasion.
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Prestigious
flower garden to be ready by
Feb-2008
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
8: Divisional
Commissioner Jammu, Sudhanshu
Pandey today visited Bhour Camp,
Jammu where prestigious flower
garden is being developed by the
Floriculure Department.
The
Director Floricultural Jammu, K.K
Sharma apprised Mr Pandey that
the park is being developed over
a huge chunk of land measuring
563 kanals and 5 marlas. He said
that 50 percent work of laying of
flower beds have been completed
where the seeds have been sown.
Each flower bed will measure 10
meter x 1 meter where 140 rows of
flowers will be sown. Each row of
flowers will contain 4000 plants
of different varieties.
It
was informed that a work force of
100 workers have been deployed
for completion of the flower beds
and growing of plants in a time
bound manner. A tube-well has
also been dug in the vicinity
alongwith 3 hand pumps to deliver
water discharge of 20,000 gallon
per hour for watering the plants.
Sufficient provision of providing
fertilizers like well decomposed
manure, urea, DAP, MOP, Vermi
compost etc have been made so as
to ensure the growth of the
plants. The plants are expected
to bloom during the month of
February-April, 2008.
Divisional
Commissioner stressed upon the
officers to give due
consideration to the principles
of landscaping, colour, harmony
and balance while preparing the
flower beds and at the same time
ensure that the garden is ready
at the stipulated time. He said
that the garden project was
conceived by Chief Minister
Ghulam Nabi Azad as a gift for
jammuites as it will develop the
area into a major tourist
attraction thereby opening up new
economic avenues for the people
of the region. He said that the
mass effect of colourful flowers
will provide recreational
facilities to the visitors and
film industry.
Divisional
Commissioner also inspected the
ongoing work of Ballol nallah
where 300 meter long parapet wall
is being constructed to reclaim
the 31 kanal of land on both
sides of the nallah.
Among
others, District Development
Commissioner Jammu, Hirdesh Kumar
Singh, Joint Director
Information, S.K Sharma also
accompanied the Divisional
Commissioner.
LPEF flays
anti-working class policies of
Govt
Excelsior
Correspondent
KATHUA, Dec
8: State president of
Low Paid Employees Federation,
Abdul Majid Khan while addressing
a largely attended gathering of
employees, presided over by
district president of LPEF, Kabla
Singh, strongly criticized the
anti-working class policies of
the ruling classes.
Mr
Khan said the wages of community
participation workers were fixed
at Rs 500 years back and since
then the cost of living has
escalated enormously because of
which their wages are required to
be enhanced at par with minimum
daily wage in vogue in the State
and release of their wage arrears
for the past eight months at an
earliest.
The
speakers demanded that ITI
trained employees be upgraded
under SRO 149 and non-ITI trained
with seven years service be also
upgraded treating them at par
with ITI-trained ones.
The
speakers also demanded that all
daily wagers should be
regularized and those engaged
after 1994 and performing till
date should be provided with
their wages including arrears,
treating them at par with their
counter parts in other States of
the country. Special reference
was made to daily wage arrears of
Agriculture Department which have
not been paid from September 2002
to February 2003. The speakers
included Bhagwan Dass, Isher Dass
Sangra, Amar Nath, Girdhari Lal,
Pushap Raj, Parshotam Lal and
Narayan Singh.
Majid
Khan also made a strong plea to
the Government to grant Rs 1000
as interim relief to employees
and pensioners pending completion
and implementation of 6th Central
Pay Commission’s
recommendations, enhancement in
retirement age 58 to 60 years,
revision of pension of recently
retired Section Officers and
Accounts cadre employees as per
their revised pay. He called upon
the employees to remain prepared
for struggle against anti-working
class policies of the State
Government.
Micky
interacts with locals at Bagh
Bain
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
8: A special programme
to interact with local residents
from rural areas of Jammu tehsil
was organized at village Bagh
Bain by Bikram Singh, president
Local Committee where S Arvinder
Singh Micky MLC and chairman
Minority Department of Pradesh
Congress Committee was the chief
guest and Balwan Singh, district
Jammu (rural) president as guest
of honour.
A
large number of Sarpanch and
Panches and people from Gole
Gujral, Dhamal and other areas
interacted with Micky and Balwan
Singh. The participants while
appreciating the programmes and
policies of Congress party
highlighted various issues for
upliftment of the masses.
In
his address, Mr Micky exhorted
the people to remain united and
support Congress party to get
mitigated their long pending
demands and grievances. He
assured the people his all out
support to ther cause of the
people in every sphere of life.
He highlighted the achievements
of the State Government under the
Chief Ministership of Ghulam Nabi
Azad.
Micky
expressed special gratitude to
the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan
Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia
Gandhi for providing special
packages to the Jammu and Kashmir
State though the able guidance of
G N Azad.
Other
participants included S Manmohan
Singh, S Paramjeet Singh, S
Kuldeep Singh, Lal Chand Sarpanch
and local residents of the area.
Rashtriya
Parivartan Dal merges with Awami
Jan Shakti
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
8: Rashtriya
Parivartan Dal (RPD) today merged
with the Awami Jan Shakti Party
headed by Sanjeev Manmotra.
Announcing
his decision to merge his
organization with Awami Jan
Shakti at a press conference
here, today, its president, Syed
Mohammed Ayub said that he and
his colleagues were impressed by
the policies and programmes of
the Awami Lok Janshakti Party and
they decided to work shoulder to
shoulder with them for the cause
of people of the state.
Welcoming
the merger Mr Sanjeev Manmotra,
expressed the hope that he will
take the message of the Party to
every nook and corner of the
Valley.
Highlighting
the problems of the people, Mr
Manmotra demanded beautification
of river Tawi to make it a
tourist attraction. He alleged
that the river has been converted
into a drainage nullah.He
expressed concern over delay in
upgradation of National Highway
at Kunjwani where people face
many hardships due to traffic
congestion.
He
further demanded upgradation of
Katra -Dumail road which is in
dilapidated condition and
renovation of Poonch, Rajouri
road.
Taking
a dig at BSNL authorities he
blamed them for their failure in
providing communication
facilities to people of Rajouri
and Poonch.
Expressing
concern over the price hike, he
alleged that Government has
failed to contain the soaring
prices which have broken the back
of commonman. He also termed the
slogans of Khushali and
eradication of corruption totally
hollow.
Others
present include Dr A K Khuru
senior vice president of the
Party, Anand Prakash its
secretary general, Kamal Suri and
Jagatar Singh vice presidents,
Ravi Rohmetra, Yog Raj Razdhan
and Abdul Qayoom Nazqi general
secretaries and Chain Sing
provincial president Jammu.
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State,
Central Govts mute spectators to
KPs problems: JKNDF
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
8: Jammu and Kashmir
National Democratic Front (JKNDF)
has expressed concern that State
and Centre Governments have
remained mute spectators to
sufferings of Kashmiri Hindu
migrants.
In
a statement issued here, today
the Front said it is unfortunate
that rehabilitation of J&K
migrants has been under the
consideration of the
Parliamentary Standing Committee
on Home Affairs for a very long
time now, but instead of coming
up with a policy in this regard,
the Committee has started
collecting views on the subject
after elapse of 18 years.
"The
funds released by Government of
India for medical relief of the
ailing migrants are not used.
Employment package for the youth
of community has not been
announced", it alleged.
The
JKNDF said that the quarters
constructed at Muthi have not
been allotted , the bifurcation
of migrant cards has been delayed
and Hindus living in Kashmir are
the worst sufferers.
Strongly
condemning the attitude of the
Government JKNDF alleged that
Government was aggravating the
sufferings of displaced Pandits
which tantamounts to human rights
violations.
Working
president of the Front, A K
Deewani stressed the need for
solving all these problems
without further delay. He
demanded that the State
Government should convene the
high level meeting to address
these issues.
‘Exhibition
and Exposition’ at Alexander
Memorial School
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
8: An Inter-School
State Exhibition and Exposition
was organized today by Youth
Talent Search, a forum of schools
of Jammu, at Alexander Memorial
School.
The
students from the seven different
schools of the Jammu participated
in the competition. On the
occasion, students displayed the
artifacts depicting cultural,
geographical and historical ethos
of the three regions of the State
along with the impressive
commentaries.
SD
Tara Puri High School, Gandhi
Nagar secured the first position
while New Era Environmental High
School, Circular Road and Bikram
Memorial High School, Bishnah got
second and third prizes
respectively.
State
Commissioner J&K State Bharat
Scout and Guide Association I D
Soni, Moti Lal Kemu former Addl
Secretary JKAACL and Ashwani
Kumar from Aaj Tak News Channel
were among the adjudicators.
Cong
campaign gets boost as Bhalla,
Charak arrive
Excelsior
Correspondent
POONCH, Dec
8: While several
senior Congress leaders are
camping at Poonch for the support
of Party’s official
candidate, Jahangir Mir in
December 12 bypoll but with the
arrival of Minister for R&B
Gulchain Singh Charak and MLA
from Gandhinagar constituency
Raman Bhalla, the Congress
campaign has gained momentum.
Congress
party organised impressive public
meetings at Jhallas, Mandi, Khari
Karmara and Ward No 17, Haveli
Mohalla in Poonch town today.
Besides Mr Charak and Mr Bhalla,
several other Party leaders
including MLC- Ashok Sharma,
Ex-MP Janak Raj Gupta and Mohd
Shabir Khan addressed the
gathering and appealed the public
to support Congress candidate
Jahangir Mir, who is a nephew of
veteran Congress leader and Ex-MP
G M Mir Poonchi.
While
addressing the gathering, Mr
Charak said that Congress was
committed to the over all
development of Poonch and Rajouri
belt. He assured that only
Congress can ensure better
development of the State and
manage huge funds for
development. He asked them to
vote in favour of Mir on December
12 by-elections.
Mr
Bhalla, who basically hails from
Poonch, appealed the local
population to render massive
support to Mr Mir who has mass
base in the area. He assured the
public that massive development
of the area will be witnessed
with the winning of this seat by
a Congress candidate. Mr Gupta,
Shabir Ahmed Khan, Ashok Sharma
and Jahangir Mir also spoke in
the meetings.
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Encourage
khadi industry to boost rural
economy: Azad
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec
8: Highlighting the
need for establishing khadi
industrial units in every village
of the State to boost rural
economy and generate job avenues,
Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad
on Saturday called for making
Khadi and Village Industrial
schemes more rural oriented.
Inauguration
State Level Khadi and Gram Udyog
Exhibition at Parade Ground here,
Mr. Azad asked the Industries
Commission to provide more help
for promoting industrialization
in rural areas of the State in
view of its great potential.
"State is ideal for
promoting Khadi Industries owing
to its resourcefulness".
Chief
Minister called for evolving a
policy programme as would cover
both urban and rural areas to
develop them to their optimal
potential. "For balanced
development of the State, it is
imperative to reorient schemes in
accordance with local resources
and needs", he maintained.
Mr.
Azad also stressed on organizing
such exhibitions at district,
tehsil and sub-division
headquarters on periodic basis in
consonance with the season. This,
he said, would serve the twin
purposes of boosting the sale of
products besides providing
exposure to the rural artisans,
benefiting them directly.
Earlier,
Chief Minister inspected the
stalls and evinced keen interest
in the products put on display by
entrepreneurs and various other
State departments.
Secretary
KVIB R. C. Sharma in his welcome
address gave a detailed resume of
the Board activities. He said 70
stalls have been erected in the
exhibition to display wide range
of products produced by
entrepreneurs sponsored by the
department.
Present
on the occasion among others were
Minister for Health and Medical
Education Mangat Ram Sharma,
Minister of State for Industries
and Commerce Dr. Romesh Chander
Sharma, Chairman North Zone
Committee of KVIC Ram Dass,
Commissioner/Secretary Industries
and Commerce Lokesh Jha.
Dr Masoodi
releases Ratna Dhar’s Sath
Vechaar
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 8: Ratna
Dhar’s book Sath Vechaar a
collection of Bhajans in Kashmiri
was released by Secretary
Cultural Academy, Dr Rafiq
Masoodi at a simple but
impressive function organised by
Nagrai Literary Forum at K L
Sehgal Hall of the Academy this
afternoon.
The
function among others was
attended by a galaxy of poets,
scholars, writers, intellectuals
and prominent citizens. It was
presided over by Dr B L Kaul,
chairman Nagrai Literary Forum,
While Bimla Raina was the guest
of honour.
Dr
Koul read the introductory paper
on the book and threw light on
the merits and writing
capabilities of the poetess.
Bimla
Raina in her speech while
criticizing the male dominance in
literary circles, alleged that
women are deprived of their due
share. She said though J&K
has produced the great women
writers and scholars but in the
male dominated society they have
not been given their due place.
However
Dr Masoodi said that the
portraits of Laleshwari were
neither installed by the
Government nor the academy in the
Valley but by some other
organizations who were not
familiar with the culture of the
Valley.
Appreciating
the efforts of the budding
poetess to promote the literary
activities in the cultural field,
Dr Rafiq Masoodi, however,
stressed on publication of book
in Nastaliq script also.
The
welcome address was read by Prem
Nath Prem, secretary Nagrai
Literary Forum.
The
151 page book in Devnagri script
has 61 Bhajans and devotional
songs. This is the second
publication of Mrs Dhar whose
first book Lol Naad had hit the
stands in 2001.
The
proceedings were conducted by
Pairay Hatash who also proposed
the vote of thanks. Dr Ayaz
Rasool Nazki, Scientist and
reputed Urdu and Kashmiri poet
also attended the function.
Gharu inaugurates
newly contructed laboratories
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 8:
MLA Suchetgarh,
Choudhary Gharu Ram inaugurated
the newly contructed Science
laboratories of the Montessori
Nargis Dutt Senior Secondary
School, R S Pura in a function
here today.
After
the inauguration, the MLA
interacted with the students and
expressed satisfaction over their
confidence level. He promised the
school management to honour the
meritorious students of the
school from the coming session.
The
newly constructed laboratories
would cater to the needs of the
senior secondary students to
conduct practicals for Physics,
Chemistry and Biology subjects.
Meeting on
"Quality Awareness"
held at JU
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 8:
A meeting on
"Awareness of Quality for
Colleges and Facilitating NAAC
accreditation in Jammu
Region" was held today in
University of Jammu (JU).
Director
NAAC V S Prasad, Commissioner
Higher Education Pramod Jain,
Director Colleges Development
(Higher Education Deptt) ND Wani,
Vice Chancellor Prof Amitabh
Mattoo and Director Centre for
Quality Assurance Dr Meenakshi
Kilam were present in the
meeting.
Director
NAAC and Advisor NAAC B S
Ponmudiraj also went around the
campus to assess infrastructure
development in terms of new and
renovated buildings of teaching
departments, hostels,
laboratories, gymnasium and
seminar rooms.
Later,
they also went to Gen Zorawar
Singh Auditorium and appreciated
the state of art auditorium and
rich collections of artifacts in
museum and art gallery.
Prasad
inaugurates post-accreditation
interactive meet
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 8: Director
National Assessment and
Accreditation Council (NAAC),
Banglore Professor V. S. Prasad
today inaugurated two- day
awareness programme and
accreditation and
post-accreditation interactive
meet at Government College for
Women, Gandhi Nagar here this
morning.
Commissioner/Secretary
Higher Education and Technical
Education Pramodh Jain, Director
Colleges Dr. N. D.Wani, Principal
GCW Gandhi Nagar Prof. Veena
Gupta, Principal GCW Parade,
Professor Usha Jayee, Coordinator
IQAC, Professor Hamlay Agarwal
and other Principals, Professors,
Lecturers and staff members of
different colleges of Jammu
district were also present.
Addressing
the gathering, Prasad said that
the need for introducing the New
Methodology of Assessment and
Accreditation, both, as a
continuous process of evolution
of methodologies as well as to
make the A/A process of NAAC more
credible and objective. He
highlighted the salient features
of the new methodology, the
two-step approach to A/A of
Affiliated and Constituent
colleges, advantages of the shift
from the 9- point grading system
to the new Cumulative Grade Point
(CGPA) System and described the
modifications included in the
format of the Peer Team Report.
Later,
Professor V. S. Prasad and Jain
released SLQACC report, Souvenir,
News Letter and IQAC report of
Government College for Women,
Gandhi Nagar, Jammu.
Taawish College
organizes cultural competition
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 8:
Taawish College of
Education, Channi Rama organised
a cultural competition in college
premises, here today.
Over
50 students took part in the
competition and exhibited their
talent through several dance and
music items. The performances
included folk dance of Rajasthan,
Punjab, mono-acting and patriotic
songs. Those adjudged best
included Priya Darshee 1st, Hem
Lata 2nd while Sunita and Nirmal
were jointly adjudged as 3rd. The
lone consolation prize was
awarded to Balwan Singh.
Earlier,
Pooja Malhotra, chairperson of
the college, who was the chief
guest along with Dhruv Malhotra,
trustee of the college
inaugurated the programme by
lighting the traditional lamp. At
the conclusion, vote of thanks
was expressed by D Koul,
Principal of the college.
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