Floriculture Deptt to develop park in Channi Himmat

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 1: Floriculture department would develop a park over 22 kanal land in Channi Himmat at an estimated cost of Rs. 87 lakh. This was stated by MLA Gandhi Nagar Raman Bhalla during his visit to the site earmarked for the proposed park.

Director Floriculture and staff of Jammu Kashmir Housing Board also accompanied him.

Addressing the gathering, the MLA said that the Housing Board had kept the provision of park in the original layout of the colony upon which work will be started shortly. He said that park will have a fountain in the centre, pedestrian pathways for walkers along with flowerbeds of different varieties of aesthetic and seasonal flowers. He asked the executing agencies to complete the work within 9 months. Hailing the initiatives of the government in conducting a beautification drive with in the city and peripheral areas, Mr. Bhalla said that the green patches in the cities act as 'lungs of city' by purifying the polluted air emanating from vehicles. He said that another prestigious amusement park is also being developed at Chatta to give fillip to tourism and commercial activities in the state. He also called upon the people of the locality to maintain a clean and hygienic environment.

Highlighting the development schemes being launched by the coalition government for the benefit of masses, the MLA said that besides up-gradation of Government Higher Secondary School Channi Himmat and construction of Receiving Station to augment power supply, an underway railway bridge linking Trikuta Nagar with Channi Himmat has also been constructed for facilitating the people of the area. He informed that works like double laning of Housing Board road at sector 4 and 2 along with up-gradation work, construction of tube-well and overhead tank were also completed in a time bound manner. Mr Bhalla was accompanied by senior vice-president of PYCC Ajay Tony.

Gupta for dismissal of Govt

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 1: Expressing his disappointment over the abrupt ending of the budget session of the State Legislature after adopting the demand for grants of many departments as also the Appropriation Bill in a hush hush manner within few minutes, the former Union Minister of State and senior BJP leader, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta today urged the State Governor to dismiss this dispensation and create conditions for free and fair elections to have a new Government to serve the people and watch the national interests.

Commenting on the developments within the state legislature and out side, Prof Gupta said that the J&K Assembly has already become 63 months old whereas the life of any Assembly in the rest of the country is only 60 months.

He said hence the rot in present dispensation is obvious. He alleged that the life of the Assembly has been extended by taking undue advantage of the so-called special status guaranteed under the Article 370 of the Constitution.

Prof. Gupta said this coalition is proving a curse to the people and the happenings in the Assembly indicate the mangers of the coalition have failed to guard the democratic procedures and the behavior of the main Opposition National Conference was not also upto the mark.

He said the adjournment of the session sine die in an abrupt manner showed that the ruling leaders have taken refuge under the cover of rewdyism but the real issues like delimitation of Assembly constituencies, unemployment and failure of this government to keep up other promises have remained without getting proper focus.

Altaf accuses Govt of misdeed

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 1: Accusing the coalition Government of misdeed and mischief a senior National Conference (NC) leader Mian Altaf Ahmad today expressed dismay over breach of trust and commitment which the State Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had given to Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Casts (ST/SCs) for brining amendment in SRO 294 in Budget Session 2008 which concluded without fulfillment of pledge.

He said the ST/SC communities feels cheated as the Government has adopted a deliberate attitude to sabotage the constitutional safeguards available to the tribal and marginal groups in the state by issuing of SRO 294 way back in 2005.

"The coalition partners are befooling SC and STs that the SRO 294 has been rolled back," said Mian adding that "keeping in mind difficulties of SC/ST and OBC’s the National Conference Government had issued SRO 126 but the Congress and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)-the coalition partners passed a resolution withdrawing SRO 126 and issuing SRO 294."

He sought Governor's intervention into the demands and immediate scrapping of controversial SRO 294, implementation of Mandal Commission Report reservation in private sector and stopping of alleged atrocities on Gujjars and Dalits in the State..

CM inspects work on legislature, museum complexe

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Feb 1: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today inspected the pace of progress on the two major projects of the State Legislature complex and the new museum building.

Immediately after arriving here from Jammu, the Chief Minister visited the upcoming legislature complex in front of the civil secretariat and went through various floors to see the progress of the construction. The project would cost Rs. 22 crore.

The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over the status of the construction and said that the next session of the legislature in Srinagar would be held in the new complex in May.

The Chief Minister also visited the under-construction Rs. 28 crore museum complex at Lal Mandi and said it would be the first museum to be completed in a record time of one year.

Advisor to Chief Minister, Manzoor Ahmad Ganai, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mehboob Iqbal and Managing Director, JKPCC, Dileep Thusoo accompanied the Chief Minister during his inspection of the development projects.

IHS’ endeavor to provide quality education to children

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 1: Indian Heritage School (IHS) Dalhousie Road has been set up to provide top quality education to the children of the region and beyond.

According to a handout issued by IHS management today, the school envisages global education, which will prepare the children to face confidently the challenging demands of 21st century. The School also places equal importance to the cultural heritage and ethos of India. It said set up on a huge 65 acre green hilly land, on Pathankot- Dalhousie road on the foot hills of Dalhousie in HP, the surroundings of the School are just ideal for a meaningful learning experience and it is probably the best equipped school in the region.

It said today all societies face an unprecedented challenge to produce thinking minds which will successfully meet the challenges of the millennium and the IHS has been set up to do precisely that.

The handout said it will be an endeavor of IHS to provide men and women moulded in excellence who will reach out and make significant contribution in the service of mankind.

The school will set high ethical and educational benchmarks and achieve them by demanding hard work and professionalism. The School will provide education aimed at igniting the creative abilities of the children and critical thinking and reasoning in an atmosphere of self discipline.

SBI registers deposit of over Rs 971 crore

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Feb 1: State Bank of India (SBI), the lead Bank in Jammu and Kashmir state, has registered the total deposits of 961.79 crore as on December 31, 2007 through the 65 branches opertional in Kathua district.

This was stated by the Chief Manager, SBI, Kathua; Tarsem Kumar while addressing the Bharat Nirman Public Information Campaign here.

Mr Kumar disclosed that the total advances of all these branches were Rs 375.90 crore upto December 31, 2007. Thus the credit-deposit ratio comes to 39.09 per cent.

He said a major portion of total advances to priority sector like weaker sections of the society was to the tune of Rs 218.77 crore. These sectors include: agriculture and applied activities and other utility services.

The Chief Manager disclosed that Rs 3.74 crore has been granted to 392 Self Help Groups in the district.

ITA alleges favouritism by Minister in medical purchases

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 1: The Institutional Traders Association (ITA), institutional wing of J&K pharma associates, has alleged that Minister for Health and Medical Education Mangat Ram Sharma was illogically and unnecessarily interfering with the purchase and procurement in the department of Health and Medical Education.

Addressing a press conference here today, members of the association apprised that in July’ 2007, sanction was accorded for the creation of two separate Provincial Purchase Committees both for Jammu and Kashmir by winding up the Central Purchase Committee (existing earlier). The step was taken to effect the purchases and procurement by means of healthy competition through a proper tendering process, which was welcomed by all, they added.

"But certain vested interests, who are against this transparent process, managed to stall the process of tendering, as Pt. Mangat Ram Sharma ordered stay on the process in most urgent manner and that too without any logic," they further added.

However, the members of ITA have allayed apprehension that Government was averse to competition and intended to promote purchases through back door to their blue eyed persons, as purchases are being effected on the old contract rates (exorbitant rates). They also apprehended that Government might scrap Provincial Purchase Committees to benefit a selected bunch.

Meanwhile, the association has cautioned the Health and Medical Education Department to desist from any such move and also threatened to take up the issue in court as well in the due course of time. Members those spoke included Hari Gandotra, Nigam Gupta, S K Khanna and Jugal Khosla etc.

Floral tributes paid to CRPF jawan

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 1: Floral tributes were paid to Head Constable of 72 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at the Unit Headquarters of the Force here today. Head Constable Afzal Ahmed, who was posted in 72 Battalion, lost his life on the mid-night of December 31, 2007 in Group Centre of CRPF at Rampur in Uttar Pradesh while fighting valiantly with terrorists, who had attacked the camp.

In recognition to his martyrdom, the Government has granted Rs 13,45,000 to his family.

Commandant of 72 Battalion CRPF Joginder Singh alongwith officers and jawans of the Unit paid homage to the martyr at Unit Headquarters today.

A two minutes silence was observed on the occasion for the peace to the departed soul.

On the occasion, Mr Singh said that Head Constable Afzal Ahmed lived a significant life for his sense of mission—"guards die but never surrender".

Kundal reviews progress of PMGSY

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 1: Union Ministry of Rural Development, has sanctioned Rs 184.64 crore against the DPR of Rs 198.21 crore for the completion of various roads under PMGSY in the State. With this amount 25 existing roads of 334.55 kms length would be developed. This information was given at a high level meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary B. R. Kundal here today.

The meeting was further informed that R&B department has submitted 187 projects for phase VI under PMGSY costing Rs. 675.04 crore for population above 1000 and 188 projects costing Rs 470.08 crore for population above 500. Detailed progress of all the schemes under execution was discussed in the meeting. Mr. Kundal directed R&B department to submit to the Government of India the audit accounts of all the schemes completed under phase-I and II at the earliest so that balanced funds are realized.

Concerted efforts must for crime control, good will: Khoda

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu Feb 1 : Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda stressed upon police officers that result oriented efforts should be made as sharing of information relating to crime has been prime objective. He pointed out that results were not forthcoming because of some difficulties and deterrent efforts have not been made to remove the bottle necks.

Addressing the day long first District Nodal Officers Conference of Jammu and Kashmir Police, organized by the Crime and Railways Headquarters here, Mr. Khoda said District Superintendent of Police should supervise these efforts at district level and try to get the better results. He said Nodel Officers should work in a methodical manner and clear the back log and can suggest modifications to make the programms eco-friendly. He strongly suggested that this forum will give suggestive measures to clear the back log and to take care of difficulties being faced.

He hoped that the conference first of its kind would help to workout the modalities for achieving better results for which the Nodal Officers have been appointed.

Earlier, the conference was inaugurated by Inspector General of Police (Moderniz-ation) P. L Gupta. In his inaugural address he highlighted the importance of ongoing data related programmes and informed that a host of other projects were being implemented in the State and emphasized ‘we should not close our eyes from dissemination of data collection. The automation and computerization is the order of the day’.

Addressing the conference, Director NIC, J&K gave a comprehensive presentation on role of NIC in Police Modernization. He said like other government departments, police was also going to be a part of e-governance plan. In this initiative one project CIPA-Phase I (common Integrated Police Application) was being implemented from January 1st 2008 in the districts by which Computerized Auto-mation work process would be started in 23 Police Stations of different districts resulting in the computerization of FIRs, Daily and Case Diaries.

On the occasion detailed presentation on Vehicle Tracking Software was delivered by Sant Kumar Sharma, a journalist.

The concluding address was made by Inspector General of Police, Crime and Railways, Dilbag Singh.

The Nodal Officers showed keen interest in the day long deliberations and determined to work as per the guidelines provided in the conference.

Among others, the conference was attended by Vigilance Commissioner, Dr.A.K.Bhan, Inspectors General of Police, K. Rajenda, Navin Agerwal, S.K.Mishra, Dr.S.P.Vaid, Raja Aijaz Ali Khan, and M.A. Shah, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ravinder Kotwal, M.A.Anjum, Niyaz Mahmood, and Muneer Ahmed Khan, AIG (Personnel) Riyaz Ahmed, AIG (T&I) Rajaesh Kumar, senior police offices and Dy SPs, Nodal officers (Hqs) of all Districts.

Omar to lead Parliamentarians’ delegation to Japan

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu Feb 1 : Omar Abdullah, President National Conference and Member of Parliament will lead a delegation of Indian Parliamentarians to Japan.

The delegation will leave for Tokyo on the 3rd of February, for a two week visit to Japan. The CII delegation of Indian Parliamentarians led by Omar Abdullah will interact with the Prime Minister, Commerce Minister, Industries Minister and Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan besides the former Prime Ministers and other prominent political leaders of Japan.

The delegation will meet the Capitans of various Industries and interact with the economists and prominent Multi-National Industrial houses in Japan. The delegation will also visit the State of art modern facilities of different world-renowned Japanese manufacturers. The delegation will also work towards improving Indo-Japanese economic relations.

Court sets aside acquittal in corruption case

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 1: In a significant judgement, Justice B A Kirmani of State High Court allowed criminal acquittal appeal filed by the State Government and quashed acquittal of Mohammad Aslam Laigroo in a case of possessing disproportionate assets.

The Court has directed the trial court to proceed and record evidence of the remaining witnesses from the stage it was left over. The matter has been directed to be listed before the trial court on February 16, 2008.

The State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) during investigation had established that Mohd Aslam Laigroo had acquired assets disproportionate to his known sources of income by Rs 44.98 lakh. The case was produced in the court of law on June 3, 1998 and charges framed in June 2001.

The Learned Judge Anti-Corruption had acquitted the accused of the charges vide judgement dated June 22, 2006 on the ground that prosecution had failed to link acquisition of two flats at Vasant Kunj, New Delhi to the accused.

The State preferred a criminal acquittal appeal before the High Court on the ground that the Learned Judge had acquitted the accused officer without providing reasonable and sufficient opportunity to the prosecution to prove its case. It was pleaded that a number of witnesses were not allowed to be produced which had direct bearing on the outcome of the case.

The High Court agreeing with the contention of the State has quashed the acquittal and allowed continuance of recording of evidence by the trial court. The State was represented by Additional Advocate General A M Magray.

Power employees defer strike

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 1: A deputation of Co-ordination Comm-ittee of Power Employees Union, Jammu and Kashmir led by Shakti Gupta and Mohd Shaffi Dar today called on Minister of for Power Babu Singh and apprised him of their long pending demands and hoped that they would be considered.

The Minister patiently listed to the demands put forth by the Union leaders and assured to take follow up action on them.

The Power employees, who had decided to go on strike in support of their demands, decided to defer the strike in view of the assurance given by the Minister for favourable consideration of the demands.

The demands putforth by the employees include implementation of SRO 149 for leftover ITI and non ITI employees. two and a half days salary for executive cadre, implementation of SRO 59 and SRO 14, risk allowance to employees, release of pending wages of daily wagers and their regularisation, arrears of daily wagers who have been regularised, huts for field staff, safety tools, upgradation of helpers as linemen and setting up of a Welfare Fund for the employees among others.

Babu Singh called upon the employees to work with whole heartedness and give their best to the Department. He called upon them to ensure speedy electronic metering and stop power thefts including the bulk consumers.

He promised the employees that they would get safety equipments.

Mughal road to be opened for traffic in March 2009

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 1 : The historical Mughal Road, providing second alternative highway to Kashmir valley and connecting Jammu region via Rajouri will be thrown opened to traffic in March next year.

Highly placed sources in the R&B department told Excelsior that though work on this project was launched about four years back and resumed again in 2006 after some problems due to presence of Heerpur Wild Life Sanctuary but for all practical purposes, the work in full swing was launched after project’s clearance by the Supreme Court of India on the recommendation and survey report of the National Wild Life Board of India in July 2007.

Though this road will be through by June 2008 as single lane, fair weather status, yet it is expected to be fully thrown opened to traffic in March 2009.

Giving the break up of the work completed on the project, the sources said that the single lane motorable road up to 31st kms from Shopian side has been completed and the widening of double lane was in progress. Again, from Bufliaz side of Poonch district, single lane fair-weather motorable road has been completed up to 32 kms, whereas, the work for the double- laning of the road was in full swing now despite severe cold.

For developing Bus Stands at Shopian and Rajouri and handling of cargo/ passengers etc, funds to the tune of Rs 51 lakhs have been spent at both the places while Rs 45 lakh more are being spent for raising a shoping complex and electrification keeping in view the increasing load of traffic at these two main bus stands at Rajouri and Shopian.

This project is of national importance and has been included in the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan. Initially, the estimated cost of the 89 kms long road project was Rs 159 cr but it escalated to 213 cr in 2007.

This road will remain open during all weathers and a new survey via Peer ki Gali has been conducted. The work from Rajouri and Shopian side was launched in full swing in July last year on this project. The R&B department has sufficient expertise and contracting companies engaged have the best and modern machinery available for the speedy execution of work on this important project.

G D Goenka Public School opened, first session from April

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 1: G D Goenka Public School was opened today on Gajansoo-Marh road in the outskirts of city.

The school governed by Om Prakash Bansal Charitable Trust is a new landmark in the academic environment of the city. The building has been constructed in English style with lush green surroundings and is centrally air conditioned.

As a Goenkan, the child adapts himself to the school environment and is nurtured to adjust with the surroundings and peer group which further propels his learning skills and enables him to develop a spirit of curiosity which is the key to learning.

G D Goenka School is an institution where holistic development takes place and where professionals are developed who are ready to take on the pressure of modern living.

The school will have its first academic session from April 2008. Initially the school would cater to children from Pre Nursery class to Class V but will ultimately go upto Senior Secondary level.

The textbooks are selected as per the NCERT guidelines and specification. The innovative teaching methodology is adopted to fulfill the aims and objectives of the topics. To make the concepts interesting and easy to comprehend, interactive workshops and power point presentation would be held frequently to enhance the learning abilities of the students.

Apart from the curriculum, the school focus on providing the best environs to the students. The experienced faculty are entrusted with the responsibility of caring the children. The school would be having excellent physical infrastructure like air conditioned classrooms, well equipped science, computers, math and language labs, well stocked library, planned medical room, excellent air conditioned transportation facility and special coaching for indoor and outdoor games, art and drama, swimming pools to name a few.

The 4 way learning process is based on experience, observation, interaction and travel. Full safety and security measures are taken with latest technology.

The school campus is Wi-Fi enabled and also under CCTV surveillance. The classrooms are like training workshops with latest learning tools.

EJAC calls off Assembly gheroe on CM’s assurance

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 1: The Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC), which had given a call for four days Assembly gheroe called off it today after getting a counter guarantee on the accepted demands by Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad today.

A delegation of the EJAC led by its president, Abdul Qayoom Wani called on Mr Azad this morning and discussed the demands of State Government and Public Sector employees with him.

The Chief Minister was closeted by Chief Secretary, B R Kundal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Anil Goswami, Finance Commissioner/ Secretary, B B Vyas and Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Sudhanshu Pandey during the meeting.

According to an EJAC handout issued here, today the leaders discussed the conceded demands with the Chief Minister who assured them that these demands will be redressed as early as possible. On this assurance the EJAC called off the four day Assembly ghereo call.

The EJAC has expressed satisfaction on the assurance of Government and hoped that Chief Minister will meet his commitment and formal orders will be issued soon.

It may be recalled that the EJAC delegation had met the Deputy Chief Minister, Muzaffar Hussain Baig yesterday and also discussed the demands with him.

The other members of the delegation included Mohammed Shafi Dar, Haji Bashir, A R Mir, F A Trali, Shakeel Kuchay, Shahnawaz, Khalid Mehmood, G R Bhat, G M Hamdard, Ishtiyaq, Shakti Gupta, Ganesh, Sushil Kumar, Amrik Singh, Qayoom Beigh, Manzoor Pampori, Gh. Mohi-ud-Din Lone, F A Dar, Shabir Hussain, Gh. Hassan Kulgami, Bhupinder Singh, Shabir Ahmed Langoo, Nazir Bhat, Amin Beigh, Sanjay Bali, Deep Kumar, Jagmohan and Ashok Gupta.

Another delegation of J&K SC/ST/OBC Confederation also called on Chief Minister and apprised him about their demands which included clearance of backlog of posts in recruitment and promotions, restoration of promotion quota for SCs from four percent to eight percent and its enhancement for STs from 5 percent to 10 percent , fixing of roster point seniority for reserved classes, issuance of Caste based certificates to OBCs instead of profession and enhancing reservation quota for OBCs. The delegation also apprised the Chief Minister about the demands of Valmiki and Christian communities.

The delegation was led by president of the Confederation, R K Kalsotra, general secretary Gujjar United Front, Ch. Shah Mohammed and president, All J&K Gujjar and Bakerwal Students Federation, Shahnawaz Choudhary.

Dental College students to intensify strike

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 1: The students of Indira Gandhi National Dental College Jammu who have gone on indefinite strike have threatened to intensify their struggle from tomorrow.

Nearly 60 students of batch 2nd, third and final year of Degree Course (BDS), launched their indefinite strike on January 31. Their protest and dharna remained continued on the second consecutive day today in the premises of their College near Rehari Chungi. They are demanding recognition of their Degree by the Dental Council of India.

The students feared that their career will be jeopardised if they were not provided recognition by the DCI. The final year students will be the worst affected who are completing their degree course during the current session.

All the students displaying the banners kept sitting on dharna near the main gate of the college today. They also held demonstration and shouted slogans against the government. They alleged that despite assurance by the Health Minister and the Chief Minister nothing has been done in this regard. The students have resolved to intensify their strike from tomorrow and the OPD functioning will also be affected with the strike.

Warm send off accorded to retiring employees

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 1: Various Government employees who attained superannuation yerterday was given warm send off by their staff members, who all wished them happy and healthy post retirement life.

Radhey Sham, Head Assistant, Sub Transmission Division IV, Kalakote, who retired after 37 years meritorious service was given a warm send off on his retirement. Balwan Singh, president PDD employees Kalakote in the presence of Executive Engineer B R Sharma wished him a happy and healthy life.

Dr Mahinder Singh, senior Scientist, SKUAST Jammu, who retired on superannuation from Dryland Research Sub Division, Rakh Dhiansar, Bari Brahmana, was given warm send off by the staff and the officers concerned.

Tara Chand Bhagat, AO, Oriental Insurance Company, Branch Office Gangyal, was given warm send off on his retirement. Staff members wished him a happy and healthy post-retirement life.

Warm and affectionate send off was accorded to Raghubir Lal Sharma, Assistant Live Stock Officer on his retirement at Pouni. Naib Tehsildar Pouni wished him a happy and healthy life after retirement.

Handloom Department Kathua employees under the banner of Non-gazetted Employees Association at a farewell function accorded warm send off to Asha Puri, an employee of the department. A large number of senior and other staff members were present on the occasion.

SKUAST, bags 3rd place in Agri-Tech-Fest

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 1 : Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture, Sciences and Technology, Jammu which had participated in the Platinum Jubilee Agri-Tech-Fest & Mega Farmers fair held at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi from 28th to 29th January, 2008 has bagged 3rd place in All India Stall competition/model presentation.

The fair was organized by the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Varanasi. This 3rd prestigious award obtained by the SKUAST, Jammu has not only been appreciated by Vice Chancellor of SKUAST, Jammu, Prof. Nagendra Sharma but by the whole agriculture family of J&K. The major activity of the stall which attracted maximum visitors was indigenous Kalahri and Aloebra (Quargandal) pickle by using indigenous technology developed by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Jammu. It was represented by Dr. Rakesh Nanda, Programme Coordinator, KVK, Jammu at Varanasi.

Manjeet launches Jakh water supply scheme

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 1: To provide portable drinking water to the people living in Jakh area of Vijaypur, Rs. 1.96 crore water supply scheme was launched today at Jakh by Minister of State for PHE and CAPD Manjeet Singh.

The Minister said that the scheme envisages drinking water facility for 5000 souls of Chandla, Chenani, Jakh and other adjoining areas. He directed the engineers to complete the project within 6 months so that people of the area get early benefit.

He said work on five more tubewells is apace at Rakh Badorian, Radha, Swankha, Raya and Kotli Matkoliya for augmenting drinking water for the people.

Mr. Manjit said that the religious places of Vijaypur constituency would be given facelift to develop them as tourist spots in an effort to boost pilgrim tourists in the area.

The Minister also visited Water Treatment Plant at Sitlee and inspected the intake unit II of Phase-I which has been completed at a cost of Rs. 6.54 crore. The plant will provide 70 lakh gallons of drinking water per day to Jammuites and will revolutionize drinking water scenario.

Among others Chief Engineer PHE Jammu, Superintending Engineer PHE Jammu and other senior engineers of the department was present.

JURSEA lists several demands before VC

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 1: A delegation of Jammu University Research Scholars Executive Association (JURSEA) today called on Vice Chancellor Prof Amitabh Mattoo and submitted a memorandum of demands to him.

Vikas Sharma, president led the delegation. Through memorandum, JURSEA listed several of its demands that included five year stay of research scholars in hostels and accountability system involving scholar as well guide for the progress in research, declaration of M Phil results within two months period along with the provision for re-evaluation and re-checking.

JURSEA also demanded scholarship benefits to all the scholars instead of four toppers, pre-defined schedule for meeting of board of research studies and streamlining of Ph D examination pattern.

Prof