Azad visits Captain Sunil’s family, conveys sympathies

Excelsior Correspondent

Kathua, Jan 31: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today visited the residence of late Captain Sunil Chaudhary at Govindsar near here and expressed condolences with the bereaved family on the death of the brave Army officer.

Captain Sunil Chaudhary had attained martyrdom while fighting militants in Assam on January 27.

The Chief Minister expressed sympathies with Lt. Colonel P. L. Chaudhary, father of late Captain Sunil Chaudhary, his mother and other members of the bereaved family.

Azad lauded the bravery of Captain Sunil Chaudhary, who was decorated with Sena Medal on the Republic Day only a day before his martyrdom. He said "the gallant Captain had made all of us proud by his gallantry".

The Chief Minister prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.

Minister for Health and Medical Education, Mangat Ram Sharma, Minister for Power, Babu Singh and senior officers present on the occasion also expressed their sympathies with the bereaved family and paid glowing tributes to late Captain Sunil Chaudhary.

4 yrs RI awarded to FCI Lab Analyst

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 31: Special Judge Anticorruption Jammu Kartar Singh today awarded four years Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) to Vijay Nath Tripathi, Analyst of Food Corporation of India’s Quality Control Laboratory, who was caught red-handed by CBI/ACB team.

According to the CBI case, on April 28, 2006 accused demanded Rs 20,000 from a mill-owner of Kathua for analyzing the sample of the rice which complainant had supplied to FCI on levy basis.

It was further alleged that accused Vijay Nath Tripathi asked the complainant to pay Rs 20,000 but the complainant informed him that it was not possible for him to arrange such a big amount of that time. The accused then insisted him to pay Rs 5000 in advance and the remaining amount to be paid after passing the samples of his rice mill.

The complainant made a written complaint with the CBI/ACB and subsequently a team led by CBI Additional SP KL Raina laid a trap and caught the accused red-handed. After completion of the investigation, the challan was presented in the Court of Special Judge Anticorruption Jammu.

After hearing Senior PP S K Bhat appearing for the CBI and Advocate R P Sharma appearing for the accused, Special Judge Anticorruption Jammu Kartar Singh observed that the counsel for the accused has vehemently argued that this trap was stage-managed and the accused has been falsely implicated in this case.

The court failed to understand as to how this false case has been made out against the accused when it was proved that the accused demanded and accepted the bribe amount which was subsequently recovered from him in the presence of independent witnesses.

With these observations, the Court said that the prosecution has succeeded in proving that the accused Vijay Nath Tripathi being a public servant demanded and accepted illegal gratification from the complainant in order to pass the samples of rice supplied by complainant to FCI Kathua.

The Court held the accused guilty of offence under under Section 5(1) (D) read with 5(2) PC Act 2006 and 161 RPC and sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of two years and fine of Rs 5000.

In default of payment of fine, he shall further undergo RI for a period of two months. The accused was further convicted under Section 161 RPC and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of two years. Both the sentences will run concurrently.

Ousted Class IV employees of Excise,
Commercial Taxes stage demonstration

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 31: The ousted Class IV employees of Excise and Commercial Taxes Department held a demonstration in front of Excise and Taxation Complex Panama Chowk near here,today.

The employees with banners in their hands were shouting slogans in support of their demand. They warned to continue dharna till the demand is settled.

In order to show solidarity with these retrenched employees, the various employees bodies also joined todays demonstration. They included Civil Secretariat Union, Commercial Taxes and Excise Association and J&K Government Employees Federation.

The representatives of these employees’ bodies, while extending their full support to the ousted Class IV employees of Excise and Commercial Taxes Department have demanded their re-engagement immediately.

They said these employees who served the Department for 9 to 12 years were retrenched for no fault of theirs. The Government ignored their all service record while issuing the retrenchment orders. These employees have already become overaged and can’t apply for the Government service now, they added.

Addressing the demonstration president of ousted J&K Excise and Commercial Taxes Class IV Employees Association, Adil Rashid Khan said one year has passed since these employees were retrenched and from that day they are on peaceful dharna demanding their re-engagement.

He said despite the assurance of Chief Minister, Finance Minister and Health and Medical Education Minister that these employees will be re-engaged nothing was done till date.

He said even the Government has made an announcement on the floors of both houses of State Legislature in this regard, but to no avail. He appealed the Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad to respect his commitment regarding the re-engagement of these hapless employees.

The other employees leaders who addresed the demonstration included, Nazir Ahmed Mir, president Civil Secretariat Non Gazetted Union, Gh. Mehandi its general secretary, Abdul Majid, president Lower Grade Union, Civil Secretariat, Pardeep Kumar, president J&K Government Employees Federation, Jammu, Subash Chander, its vice president, G L Chanda, general secretary, Satish Sharma, S B Bakshi, Kartar Chand and Prem Singh Bawa.

CM assures to sort out differences
between records, refugees' claim

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Jan 31: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that a committee of officers of the Revenue Department and representatives of the refugees of 1947 from PoK would sit together and sort out difference between the official record and claims of the refugees about their compensation. 

Mr. Azad was speaking with a large deputation of these refugees. Deputy Chairman Legislative Council, Arvinder Singh, legislator R. S. Chib and leaders of the PoK refugees were present.

The Chief Minister asked the deputation to select five to six representatives who would sit with the officers of the revenue department to look into the disagreement between the official record and the claims of the refugees with regard to the compensation. He said he would constitute the committee of officers on Monday and told the deputation to come to the committee only with demands that were possible to be fulfilled and not make demands just for the sake of demands. He said after the two sides discuss the issue and come to a conclusion, he would also sit with them and see what action could be taken.

The Chief Minister said that a similar mechanism would be set up to look into the demands of the PoK refugees of 1965 and 1971.

The members of the deputation demanded a comprehensive compensation and permanent settlement as they were state subjects of Jammu & Kashmir. They also demanded parity in terms of incentives provided to Kashmiri migrants including reservation for their children in professional colleges in different states of the country. The leaders of the refugees said that since 1947 their third generation was now fighting for comprehensive compensation and removal of the tag of refugees.

Family of Ashok Chakra awardee meets Governor

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Jan 31 : The family members of Ashok Chakra awardee, Naib Subedar Chuni Lal called on the Governor Lt. General (Retd) S. K. Sinha at Raj Bhawan and spent an hour with him.

While sharing their grief over the demise of Subedar Chuni Lal, the Governor said that he brought glory not only to his family members but to the whole nation by scripting a saga of valour and bravery in the Karm Bhumi of a soldier while defending the integrity and sovereignty of the motherland. He said the family members of the hero soldier are not alone but whole nation is with them.

Those who called on the Governor were wife of the martyr besides his son Master Manveer and daughters Arti and Manju.

Commanding Officer of the Unit Lt. Col. R. P. Singh and Director Rajya Sainik Welfare Board Brigadier K. S. Kotwal were also present on the occasion.

The Governor urged them to provide all assistance to the family from the Army as well as the Sainik Board.

BMS opposes amendment from 5 to
10 workers for EPF benefit

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 31: A deputation of Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through his political advisor Janak Raj Gupta, opposing the Government proposal for increasing the minimum requirement of 5 workers to 10 workers for implementation of Employees Contributory Fund scheme.

The BMS memorandum held that the scheme for deduction of ECPF for firms having upto five employees was notified in the year 1983 with a view to give social security benefits to poor workers working in private sector, but the Government instead of lowering this limit to a single worker has doubled the limit from 5 to 10 workers, thus further adding to the woes of private sector workers.

The BMS meeting observed that the Government was helping the private sector instead of taking care of the workers engaged by them to run their business smoothly, but keeping their workers half clad and half fed.

The BMS appealed the Chief Minister to reconsider the Government move and withdraw the anti-worker labour proposal of 10 workers for implementation of PF Scheme so that thousands of workers were saved from this exploitation and anti-labour legislation.

The deputation was led by Harbans Choudhary, general secretary of State BMS and comprised of Karan Singh, Sachin Bali, Som Dass, Omkar Sharma, Major Singh and Shamsher Chand.

GoAir appoints Edgard Badiali as CEO

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 31: GoAir, India’s smart fare airline, has appointed senior aviation professional Edgard Badiali as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Badiali is having over 15 years of senior management experience and 27 years of overall experience in the aviation sector. Before joining GoAir, he was the CEO of Italian low cost airline MyAir.

He is also the co-founder and executive committee member of the European Low Fares Airline Association (ELFAA). He has also held various senior positions in leading airlines including Swiss Air and Jet Airways.

Commenting on his appointment, Jeh Wadia, managing director GoAir said, "We are happy to welcome Edgardo at GoAir, as he brings with him over 15 years of experience. His immense understanding and expertise in the aviation industry will add great value to the day to day operations as well as the growth strategy chartered for GoAir."

Badiali’s appointment at the helm of GoAir comes at a time when the the airline is on a major expansion plan. As part of its next financial year’s operational strategy, GoAir is considering network expansion with addition of new airports.

Dissolution of Assembly demanded
NPP submit memorandum to Governor

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 31: A deputation of Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) led by its chairman Prof Bhim Singh today met Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha and submitted him a memorandum demanding dissolution of Assembly and holding fresh elections in the State under independent observers.

The delegation comprised all 5 legislators of the party including Bhim Singh, MLC, Harshdev Singh, Balwant Singh Mankotia, Yashpal Kundal and Faqir Nath, all MLAs besides other party leaders including Bansi Lal Sharma, State president, Anita Thakur, Daljit Singh and Ghulam Ali.

The memorandum was signed by all 5 legislators of the party.

It urged the Governor to use his powers and invoke Section 92 of the Constitution to impose Governor’s rule in the State followed by fresh Assembly elections.

The party legislators and leaders later also staged a dharna outside the Raj Bhavan in support of their demands.

MLA Billawar inaugurates Community Hall

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 31: Congress leader and MLA Billawar Dr Manohar Lal Sharma today inaugurated a community hall at Hari Prabu Ashray, Nagrota Gujroo in Billawar tehsil of Kathua district.

The hall had been constructed at the cost of Rs 4.36 lakh from MLA Constituency Development Fund.

The inaugural function was presided over by Ram Lal Upadhyaya and Puran Chand Verma, Tehsildar Billawar, Chand Kishore Sharma, BDO Billawar and Jagmohan Gupta, general secretary of the Sanstha were present on the occasion.

Sanstha president S C Gupta and patron I D Soni expressed their gratitude to the MLA Billawar for helping the organisation in noble cause. The MLA and BDO Billawar also distributed cheques to beneficiaries amounting to Rs 2 lakh under PM Reconstruction Plan of model village Komla, Billawar.

Certificates of training issued by NITS Miran Sahib were distributed to 25 girls, who had completed cutting and tailoring courses.

Coalition has lost moral right to continue: Jugal

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 31: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Nagrota Constituency, Jugal Kishore Sharma has criticized the style of functioning of the coalition Government headed by Ghulam Nabi Azad.

"The way this Government passed the grants of 29 departments in four minutes reveals that coalition has lost its faith in democracy as the 26 days long business of the Assembly was reduced by ten days", he added.

This has put a big question mark on the functioning of the Government, he said, adding the coalition has also failed to reply the important questions of legislators in the House.

The BJP MLA, who accused the Government of its total failure on all fronts , said corruption is on peak, unemployment has also increased alarmingly, employees are on strike and there is no check on rising prices which have broken the back of common man.

Maintaining that this Government has no moral right to sit in office, Mr Sharma sought the intervention of Governor and asked him to dissolve the State Assembly by using his Constitutional powers and announce holding of fresh elections to the Assembly. "Holding of Assembly elections is the only solution to bring J&K out of present imbroglio" he added.

Criticizing the Government for its failure in constituting the Delimitation Commission and providing jobs to unemployed youth, he said it has backtracked from all the promises made by it to the people of the state.

Unemployed ITI electricians threatens to intensify struggle

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 31: The unemployed ITI electricians have threatened to intensify their agitation for absorption in PDD as Rehbar-e-Bijli, as State Government has failed to respond to their almost an year long peaceful protest so far.

Addressing media persons at Mubarak Mandi, where the unemployed electricians are sitting on protest for the last 303 days, Rakesh Sharma, chairman All J&K Unemployed ITI Diploma Holders Association said State Government instead of paying heed to their demands have launched offensive against them.

"During the intervening night of January 29-30, police personnel raided our dharna camp at Mubarak Mandi and severely lathicharged over us. Not even this, they ransacked all our belongings and also lifted some of our members", Sharma claimed.

He further said, "On next morning when we took out a rally in protest against the midnight lathicharge, we were again lathicharged brutally and even water cannons were also used."

However, he threatened to take the struggle to the streets in case, their demand for absorption in PDD as Rehbar-e-Bijli would not be conceded at an earliest, as abundant vacancies were available in the department.

Nirmal, other BJP leaders pay tributes to martyrs of 1953

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 31: Shaheed Smarak Samiti, Jourian organised a function at Jourian town near Akhnoor to pay tributes to seven martyrs of 1953 who laid down their lives while hoisting the National Flag on this day in Chhamb and Jourian.

The function was organised under the presidentship of Col (Retd) Shamsher Singh.

BJP National Executive, member and former state president of the Party, Dr Nirmal Singh who was the special guest on the occasion while paying his tributes to the martyrs Baryam Singh, Mela Ram, Sain Sing, Tirlok Singh, Nanak Chand, Basant Ram and Baldev Singh said we should look into the circumstances that led to the 1953 agitation of Ek Vidhan, Ek Nishan and Ek-Pradhan launched by Praja Parishad which opposed the separate flag, separate Constitution and separate Prime Minister.

Terming the accession of J&K with India final, he said like other princely states J&K also joined the Indian Union in 1947 and so there was no need of separate flag, separate constitution and separate Prime Minister.

Dr Singh said 1953 agitation was a massive movement after 1947 which witnessed sacrifices of 18 patriotic people in Hiranagar, Chhamb, Sunderbani and Ramban. These people laid down their lives to resist the polices of the then National Conference and Congress.

Dr Singh said present situation in J&K is no different than that of 1953 as the Finance Minister Tariq Hamid Qarra is openly demanding a separate currency for J&K. This way he is preaching sedition, he added.

He also criticized the Chief Minister for shielding such ministers.

Others who addresed the function included BJP ex-president Daya Krishen Kotwal, former Minister Govind Ram Sharma, ex MLA, Th. Sehdev Singh, district president, Akhnoor, Col (retd) Uttam Singh and SC Morcha leader Chaman Lal Kanathia.

Hindi Play "Nayan Bhair Talaiya" staged

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 31: In connection with the golden jubilee celebrations, the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages in collaboration with North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala presented Hindi Play ‘Nayan Bhair Talaiya,’ here, at Abhivan Theatre Jammu. The play was written by Noor Zaheer and directed by nationally Acclaim Veteran Director, Amitaya Das Gupta under the Theatre group Brechtian Mirror from Delhi.

Speaking on the occasion, Special Secretary, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, T.R Sharma said that theatre activities have been rejuvenated with more vigor and perpetuity during the past one and half year. He informed that in the recent past, 17 plays were staged at Abhinav Theatre Jammu and 6 at Billawar, Kathua district while another series of plays will be organized in the coming days at Udhampur and Reasi.

The artists who performed include Anshuman Chakrovorty, Kehar Singh, Pankhuri Dasgupta, Rajan Kapoor, Noor Zaheer, Hanu Yadav, Pravin Kumar, Jatindra Kumar, Manoj Chaurasia, Apoorva Vemekar, Rajindra Bhatti, Damroo Dasgupta, Suhail Khan, Praveen Arora, Sushila Nikhil, Surdhani Dasgupta, Khairuddin Sheikh, Amitava Dasgupta, Anuj Chauhan, Rahul Chauhan, Inderjeet, Ishfaq, Anil Jamwal and Cherry.

The proceeding of the programme was conducted by Senior Drama Instructor of the Academy, Dr. Sudhir Mahajan.

NC workers hold protest rally,
demand dismissal of ministers

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 31: National Conference, district Jammu urban organised a protest rally under the chairmanship of Chander Mohan Sharma district president to get Kundal Committee report implemented and dismissal of two PDP ministers Qazi Mohd Afzal and Tariq Hamid Qarra.

Provincial president Jammu Ajay Sadhotra while addressing the rally said it was unfortunate that instead of dismissing the tainted ministers the Government was shielding them. He further added that the present Government has been exposed.

Ajay Sadhotra said that the Government preferred to adjourn the Assembly sine die instead of sacking the ministers. He asked the Government to sack the ministers otherwise National Conference would be left with no other option than to take the issue in every nook and corner of the State.

The rally started from Indira Chowk which passed through main streets of the city and culminated before the Civil Secretariat. Police had put strong barricades to stop them from moving further.

Others who participated in the rally included Mushtak Ahmad Bukhari, Rachpal Singh, Abdul Gani Malik, Mohd Aslam Khan, Javeed Rana, Dr Chaman Lal, T S Wazir, Divender Singh Rana, M R Qureshi, Ch Bashir Ahmed Naz, all Legislators, Sheikh Bashir Ahmad vice-president, Adbul Wahid Shan, Bashir Ahmad Wani, Bimla Luthura, provincial president womens wing Jammu, Brij Mohan Sharma, Kashmira Singh, Jugal Mahajan, S Gurdeep Singh Sasan, Rajesh Bakshi and all block Committees of Jammu urban.

Govt approves constitution of Agriculture Marketing Board

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 31: Government has approved the constitution of first of its kind State Agricultural Marketing Board to co-ordinate the activities of various Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) in the State.

Stating this here today while reviewing implementation of ongoing Technology Mission for Integrated development of Horticulture, the Minister for Horticulture, Mohammad Dilawar Mir said that the Board will comprise of a Chairman and sixteen members including concerned officers of the Horticulture Department and representatives of various Fruit Growers Associations of Jammu & Kashmir Divisions.

He said the board will also approve proposals for selection of new sites for establishment of principal and satellite markets, construction of infrastructural facilities in the markets, supervise and guide the market committees in the preparation of plans and estimates of construction programmes undertaken by the market committees, maintain accounts, balance sheets and get them audited, prepare budget for ensuing year and to draw strategy for making available transport for the haulage of fruit to the growers and traders.

The Minister directed the officers and field agencies to further gear up men and machinery to harness optimum benefits of the on-going Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture adding that focused attention is needed to increase area under fruit cultivation with provision of assured irrigation facilities. He said, the main thrust should be to ensure increase in per unit production of fruit crops to achieve fruit potential worth Rs. 3000 crore annually and to increase apple productivity from present 12 Mts to 40 Mts per hectare.

The Minister directed the officers of Horticulture (Planning & Marketing) to expedite construction of proposed Fruit and Vegetable Mandies in Poonch, Rajouri, Akhnoor, Batote and Bishnah areas in Jammu division keeping in view the vast horticulture potential in these areas.

Secretary Agriculture Production Department, Tanveer Jehan, Director Horticulture (Planning & Marketing), Showkat Zargar, Director Horticulture, Kashmir, Nazeer Ahmed Wani, Director Horticulture Jammu, M S Qasba, Managing Director, JKHPMC, B A Banday and concerned officers were present in the meeting.

Govt offices to be shifted from Mubarak Mandi by Feb 15

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 31: As part of the ongoing programme to conserve the pristine glory of Mubarak Mandi heritage complex, the Government offices located within the complex premises will be shifted to other locations shortly.

This was stated at a high level meeting of officers convened by Divisional Commissioner Jammu Sudhanshu Pandey.

Mr. Pandey informed that the INTAC has been assigned the task of carrying out repair and renovation of the Mubarak Mandi complex, the symbol of Dogra heritage. Stating that the task would require vacation of the complex building, he emphasized upon all the 16 heads of offices to vacate their respective offices in the shortest possible time, tentatively by 15th of February 2008.

In the meeting, it was apprised that the twin buildings presently located within the complex and constructed by the Estates department shall eventually be amalgamated into the heritage structure after giving them proper face-lift. These buildings would then be used for displaying Dogra period armory and other related historical items, as part of a museum.

The offices of KVIB, Estate department, District Treasury, J&K Bank and Information located in both the buildings were informed to accelerate their respective civil works programme for ultimate shifting of offices.

JK Cements production increases by 10.16 pc

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Jan 31: Jammu and Kashmir Cements Limited has increased its production by 10.16 percent during 2007-08 as compared to the proceeding year 2006-07. The unit has produced 138751 MTs cement worth Rs. 67.47 crore as compared 124651 MTs cement costing Rs. 57.72 crore during 2006-07.

This was stated by the Minister for Industries and Commerce Nawang Rigzin Jora at a senior officers meeting of the J&K Cements Limited here today. He said that the unit is a major contributor to the government and has paid Rs. 13.74 crore exchequer till March 2007, adding that the company is meeting all its expenses from its own resources.

Mr. Jora said, "J&K Cements Limited has embarked on its ambitious expansion programme under which a new project is coming up at an estimated cost of Rs. 87.50 crore with state government equity of Rs. 26.27 crore". The new plant was based on latest Japanese Technology and energy efficient, he added.

The Minister said that the company would set up a 300 TPD clinker grinding cum packing unit at Industrial Growth Centre Samba Jammu for which 20 kanal land have been acquired from the J&K Industrial Department Corporation.

Underlining the need for strengthening the PSUs in the state, the Minister stressed upon the officers and the workers of the company to work with more dedication for the cause of the company and to make it more profitable.

In his welcome address, Managing Director of J&K Cements Limited Arun Sharma highlighted the achievements of the company registered over the recent years. He said the company envisaged to reach a production capacity of 2000 MTs per day in the next five years from the existing 400 MTs per day. He said the company has taken most stringent norms for anti-pollution standards as laid down by the Central and state pollution control boards.

B. B. Gupta, Chairman of the Institute of Engineers (India), Jammu, Honorary Secretary Anil Verma and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Various Govt employees given send off on retirement

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 31: A large number of Government employees, who retired on attaining age of superannuation were today accorded warm and touching send off in different functions.

A warm and touching send off was accorded to Joint Secretary State Board of School Education Dharam Chand Verma on his attaining age of superannuation, who rendered 34 years of unblemished services to ther Education Department in different capacities.

D S Jaswal, Cash Officer, Punjab National Bank, Shalamar Branch was accorded warm and affectionate send off on retirement on attaining age of superannuation. Staff members wished the retiring official a happy and healthy post-retirement life.

Subash Devi Suri, an employee of Handloom, was accorded a warm send off on her retirement after rendering 28 years of meritorious services to the Department. The function was presided over by Director Handloom J&K besides other officers and staff. All wished the retiring employee a happy and healthy post-retirement life.

Assistant Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control Division, Rajouri, who attained age of superannuation after rendering nearly 38 years of meritorious services in different Government Departments, was accorded warm send off on his attaining age of superannuation.

Deputy Director Prosecution, Crime and Railways, Sarfraz Malik, was accorded a warm and affectionate send off on his retirement today. Sarfraz attained superannuation after rendering 33 years of meritorious service in the Department. All senior officers and other staff wished Sarfraz Malik a happy and healthy post-retirement life.

ASKPC flays IMPA

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 31: All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) in a meeting here , today under the chairmanship of A N Vaishnavi has criticized the Institute of Management and Public Administration (IMPA) for its