Coalition Govt has failed on all fronts: Sadhotra

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 5: Jammu provincial president of National Conference, Ajay Sadhotra addressed district working committee and prominent workers meetings at Hiranagar and Mahanpur in Kathua district and said coalition Government has miserably failed on all fronts in mitigating sufferings of the common people.

Sadhotra said coalition partners were surviving on hollow slogans only, while the ground reality was different. Referring to corruption in State legislature, he informed that NC never tried to disrupt proceedings of Assembly but it was forced upon them by the Government to do so.

He said Government adjourned the House sine die nine days ahead of business schedule to shield corrupt ministers. Regarding statement of Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beig, Sadhotra said Beig should have accepted the reality and suggested adequate action against the corrupt ministers, but resorted to counter false allegations and personal character assassination of the opposition.

He called upon district office bearers and workers to work unitedly to strengthen the hands of party patron Dr Farooq Abdullah and president Omar Abdullah as also identify themselves with the problems of common people in their respective areas.

Others who addressed the meetings included Ratan Lal Gupta, Kashmira Singh, Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Ajit Kumar Sharma, K K Bakshi, Rajinder Zalam, Baghmal Sharma, Shanti Swaroop, Shakeel Tony, J P Singh, Raj Singh, Amrish Sharma, Romy Khajuria, Bansi Lal Gupta, Uttam Chand Ratanpal, Dharam Pal Sharma, Bharti Sharma, Surjit Singh, Prem Rattan Logi, Neelam Devi and Peer Mukhtiar Chand.

Anganwari workers stage demonstration

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 5: Braving inclement weather, the Anganwari workers and helpers drawn from different parts of J&K staged a demonstration in front of Divisional Commissioner’s Office here at Mubarak Mandi today in support of their various demands.

The call for the demonstration was given by J&K Anganwari Workers and Helpers Union and it was led by the State president of J&K National Trade Union Front, Mohammed Gafoor Dar.

The protesting workers raising slogans in support of their demand and criticized the Government for its apathetic attitude towards them. The anganwari workers from various blocks of J&K participated in the demonstration.

They, while criticizing the delaying policies of the State Government in conceding their demands, blamed it for exploiting the Anganwari workers and helpers by paying them a meager honorarium of Rs 1300 and 600 respectively.

Addressing the demonstrators, Mr Gafoor Dar urged the State Government to solve the genuine demands of Anganwari workers and helpers immediately.

Besides the enhancement of wages from Rs 1300 to Rs 3500 in favour of workers and from Rs 600 to Rs 2500 for helpers, Dar demanded implementation of contributory pension scheme for them, provision of 100 percent promotion quota to qualified Anganwari workers and helpers as supervisors, junior assistants and Class IV in ICDS and restoration of the selection list of the Anganwari workers declared two years back in respect of Rajouri and Poonch districts.

Others who addresed the demonstration included Mrs Haneefa Begum, Rachna Devi, Suman Suri, Shahana, Kanchan Parihar, Prakash Devi Razia, Fatima, Neelam Kumari and Champa Devi.

Several cases settled in Lok Adalats

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 5: Lok Adalats were held at Jammu and Samba today in connection with Lok Adalat Week being celebrated by J&K State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) from February 4, 2008.

Two benches of the Lok Adalat commenced proceedings at District Court Complex Jammu. 15 bank cases at pre-litigation stage and 7 pending suits were disposed off today by the Lok Adalat at Jammu whereas 23 criminal and 2 civil cases were disposed off by the Lok Adalat at Sub-Judge Court Samba.

As per directions given by Executive Chairman State Legal Services Authority, a Lok Adalat was held at Katra Court complex under the chairmanship of Sub-Judge, Reasi, Sanjay Parihar which was presided over by Additional District and Sessions Judge, Reasi, Sudesh Warikoo.

Munsiff Reasi, Sudesh Sharma, Sub-Judge, Katra, R.N Wattal and Munsiff Katra, Sandeep Gandotra also assisted the Lok Adalat.

26 cases were taken up by the court of Sub-Judge Katra and compromise was affected in two cases i.e one civil and one criminal case and 16 cases were disposed off and fine of Rs.6850 was realized on spot.

Similarly, 21 cases were taken up by the Munsiff Court Katra, out of which compromise was affected in one criminal case and 13 other cases were disposed off. A fine of Rs. 6650 was realized on spot.The Lok Adalat was also attended and assisted by Senior Prosecuting Officers, Reasi, Rajesh Bakshi, Prosecuting Officer Katra, Ranjeev Gupta, Bar President, K.K Dubey, Secretary, D.K Kapoor and advocates Sandeep Padha, Sunil and Pawan Khajuria.

In Kathua, for the amicable settlement of the cases referred to the Lok Adalat, two benches of Presiding Officers were constituted. The first bench was headed by (Pr District & Sessions Judge) and also Chairman Legal Services Authority Kathua, S.K Jamwal assisted by Additional District & Sessions Judge, Kathua, Vinod Chatterjee Koul.

Seven MACT cases, four bank cases were referred and taken up by this bench which were amicably settled and an amount of Rs. 13,20,000 was awarded in favour of the claimants.

The second bench was comprised of Chief Judicial Magistrate Kathua, V.S Bhau, District Mobile Magistrate (Traffic), S.S Bali and Munsiff (JMIC) Kathua, O.P Thakur. Compoundable cases of different nature and one civil case were referred and taken up by this bench. All the cases were amicably settled and disposed off and an amount of Rs. 9000 was realized on spot as compounding fee.

Out of 21 cases listed for hearing in a Lok Adalat held at Ramnagar under the chairmanship of sub-Judge Ramnagar Kamlash Pandita, 14 cases were disposed off with realization of Rs. 2600 as compounding fee from the defaulters.

Rs 2.55 cr granted as compensation to accident victims
Sex scam contempt among 1200 cases settled at Lok Adalat

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Feb 5: On day two of the major judicial exercise in the State, nearly 4,000 matters of different civil, criminal and combined matters came up for hearing at the old High Court premises inspite of continuous snowfall today. Of these, about 1200 cases---mostly relating to motor accidental claims---were settled by 12 benches comprising a total of 24 judicial officers.

Principal District & Sessions Judge Srinagar, Mr Hasnain Masoodi, who also happens to be the Chairman District Legal Service Authority Srinagar, organized the Lok Adalat while appointing five District and Sessions judges as Presiding Officers of the five 2-member benches exclusively to conduct motor vehicle accident claims of the entire Kashmir valley. Remaining seven benches, headed by judicial officers of the rank of Sub Judges or Chief Judicial Magistrates conducted the hearing of consumer and other miscellaneous matters of Srinagar district.

Mr Justice Nisar Ahmed Kakroo and Mr Justice Virendar Singh of J&K High Court supervised the Lok Adalat and also settled a number of matters after a hearing themselves. Remaining cases of motor accident claims, which could not be taken up for absence of parties due to snowfall and other reasons, have been put on board. Parties to these disputes will be free to appear for hearing and settlement any day till Saturday next.

Today's Lok Adalat settled over 1,000 matters and sanctioned compensation worth Rs 2.55 Crore in favour of the accident victims and next of their kin. Compensation worth Rs 21 lakh was also sanctioned in favour of consumers. Lok Adalats were also held to conduct hearing of consumer and family-dispute matters, excluding motor accident claims, at Budgam, Anantnag, Pulwama, Baramulla, Kupwara, Handwara and some other places in Valley.

Interestingly, a contempt of court matter involving the infamous Srinagar sex scandal (2006) was among the 1,200-odd cases settled by the 12 benches in Srinagar today. Then Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Srinagar, Mr Mohammad Yusuf Akhoon, had initiated contempt of court proceedings against Sabeena and her husband, Abdul Hameed Bhulla, when the prime accused duo in sex scandal had created ruckus in the courtroom and smashed windows on a day of hearing in 2006 while complaining of the "hostile atmosphere".

Even after the main trial was transferred to Chandigarh, CJM had assigned the contempt of court trial to Sub Registrar's court in Srinagar. Both the accused, Sabeena and Bhulla, last month approached Di-strict Legal Services Authority through their counsel Mud-assar Yusuf with the submission that the contempt trial against them be also settled in the Lok Adalat. Their submission was favourably considered by the Chairman as the other party offered no objection.

A 2-member bench, comprising Sub Registrar Mr Om Prakash Bhagat and Forest Magistrate Ms Jeema Bashir, today conducted a hearing in which the accused couple confessed to their crime. After hearing arguments of the defendant duo's counsel, Mudassar Yusuf, the bench imposed fine of Rs 1,000 each on Sabeena and Bhulla. The accused were also liable to imprisonment of upto six months but the Lok Adalat bench commuted this part of the punishment into the 17-month detention already served by the couple before securing a bail last year. Their counsel pleaded that the fine imposed on the defendants be withdrawn but the bench made it clear that there could be no comprise on the contempt of court as it involved dignity of the judiciary. The accused later agreed to deposit the amount of fine imposed on them by the court.

Qasba reviews functioning of UCBs

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 5: Registrar Cooperatives Societies, Dr. G.N Qasba reviewed the functioning of Urban Cooperative Banks in a meeting held here today. Chief Executive Off-icers of Citizens Cooperative bank, Jammu, Urban Cooperative Bank Anantnag and Devika Urban Cooper-ative Bank, Udhampur, Additional Registrar, Coo-perative Societies Jammu, Joint Registrar Cooperative Societies Audit, Jammu and Joint Registrar Administration were also present

It was informed in the meeting that the working of the banks was reviewed with reference to their key financial parameters ending December, 2007 besides deposits of the Citizens Cooperative Bank has increased by Rs. 9 crore raising the total deposits to Rs.187 crore. The management of the bank had initiated the recovery drive resulting in decrease in NPAs.

Urban Cooperative Bank Anantnag had also excelled in deposits mobilization putting a cap on NPAs while the Devika Urban Cooperative Bank Udhampur had no NPAs.

The proposal of merger of all the Urban Cooperative banks into one single identity was also discussed with its implications and the future impact on the working of the banks. The Chief Executives of the banks were asked to place the proposal before the General Body/ Share holders for eliciting their response.

The Chief Executive officers also informed about the progress of computerization of the records while the Devika Bank had already completed the same.

Environment awareness programme
at GGM Science College

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 5: The Directorate of Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing in collaboration with GGM Science College organized an Environment Awareness Programme, in the college here today.

Under the programme, essay writing competition, painting competition and symposium on "Environmental Protection" were held. In essay writing, Roohi Gupta, Sunaina Koul and Aruna Bhat got first, second and third prizes respectively.

In painting competition, Anuradha Pandita, Akhil Gupta and Nidhi Kapoor were adjudged first, second and third respectively. Meanwhile, in symposium, Syed Azhar was declared first while Shikha Bhat and Meena Gupta were declared second and third respectively.

Mrs Mutaharra Deva, scientist of Directorate was the chief guest. J K Kohli, Environmental Soil Conservationist Jammu and Prof. Vijay Kotwal, Principal of the college were also present.

ABVP opposes relief to militants’ families

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Feb 5: Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has strongly opposed the State Government’s recent move to grant relief to the families of deceased militants.

In a meeting of the ABVP’s Udhampur unit held here today, Sunny Mahajan, secretary has said that State Government has posed a threat to security of the nation by adopting such kind of policies.

He criticized the Government for ignoring the just and genuine demands of the army personnels besides neglecting the plight of different section of migrants in the State.

Also speaking, Mann Singh said the so called pro-terrorist policies of the State Government is allegedly legalizing the militant activities. However, he urged the youth community to come on a single platform and launch a mass movement to oppose such moves.

Among others attended the meeting included Digvijay, Ranvir, Kuldeep, Satinder, Milap etc.

Vakil for admission of poor children in elite institutions

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 5: Minister for Social Welfare Abdul Gani Vakil on Tuesday inaugurated ‘Centre for Early Childhood Development’ (CECD) in Post Graduate Department of Home Science, University of Jammu at a colourful function here today.

Vice Chancellor Professor Amitabh Mattoo, Dean Sciences, Controller Exam-ination, Head of the Department of Home Science Professor Rajini Dhingra and faculty members were also present on the occasion.

Appreciating the management for establishing well equipped pre-schooling model centre, Mr. Vakil called for making it accessible to poor and needy children as well. "Imparting quality education to rich children alongside caring for orphans and children belonging to downtrodden in such Centres free of cost would be more meaningful and best service to mankind", he remarked.

The Minister said that development of ‘all’ children should be a collective effort of Government, NGOs, institutions and affluent class. "Every tiny tot needs to be properly nurtured and educated for building strong and powerful India", he said and called upon elite class to fulfill their social obligation in this regard.

Describing child labour as a blot on the modern civil society, Mr. Vakil asked businessmen, industrialists and well off people to stop practice of employing minors in their establishments forthwith. He said elite class should instead arrange for their schooling in the interest of nation and mankind.

Mr. Vakil assured full support of Government in the successful running of this model centre. "Whatever guidance is provided by the Centre to Government with regard to children issues shall be readily adopted while framing children-oriented policies", he said.

Vice Chancellor in his speech said that the Centre aims at carrying out children-centric research activities besides providing education to the tiny tots in homely ambience. The objective was to devise pioneering plans for up bringing of children in stress free atmosphere, enabling them to explore nature in their own perspective, he said. He hoped the Centre will grow to provide research based guidance to all the pre-schooling Centres throughout State.

Earlier, Prof. Rajni Dhingra in her welcome address dwelt in detail on the objectives of CECD.

She informed that the centre would also run diploma course in ‘Early Childhood Develo-pment’ besides organizing awa-reness campaigns.

Deputations call on Baig

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 5: Several deputations called on Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig.

The deputation of PhD holders demanded absorption as lecturers in the higher education department against the in-service (back log) posts, which were lying vacant since last few decades as only few eligible candidates apply for college lecturership. They also brought it to the notice of Deputy Chief Minister that most of them are highly qualified possessing the requisite qualification and some of them have crossed the upper age limit or are at the verge of it.

The combined competitive service officers demanded the removal of pay anomaly, which they claimed had arisen due to the recent revision of grades of Section Officers, AAOs, and Stenographers. They were demanding a suitable revision of the pay scale of the Combined Competitive Service cadre (CCS) to make an appropriate distinction between the CCS cadre and other Gazetted services of the State Government and Non-Gazetted officials.

The All Jamnu and Kashmir Rehbar-e-Taleem Association also met the Deputy Chief Minister and demanded inclusion of initial five years service for promotion and pensionary benefits.

The association of unemployed Sanitary Inspectors of Jammu and Kashmir (diploma holders) were demanding absorption in various government departments like Tourism, Health, Municipality, Local bodies, Town areas on the pattern of Rehbar-e-Taleem.

The planning department employees led by Nazir Ahmad Mir, President Civil Sectt. Non-gazetted Employees Union also met Mr. Baig and presented a charter of demands.

The Deputy Chief Minister gave a patient hearing to the all deputationists and assured them that all their genuine demands would be looked into and redressed properly.

Jugal inaugurates art works of Pearls School

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 5: Pearls Nursery School, Gandhi Nagar Jammu, organized an exhibition of art work by children aged between 4 to 10 years at Kala Kendra Jammu.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Minister for Roads and Buildings Jugal Kishore Sharma. The children along with their work were present in the exhibition to explain about their creative work.

The minister was very much appreciative of the works exhibited by children and congratulated the school for organizing such an event where creative genius of children gets a chance to be expressed.

Soujanya Sharma, Admi-nistrator Kala Kendra was also present on the occasion to encourage the children. S Amar Singh, Incharge Galleries, also graced the occasion, who also had appreciative and encouraging words for children.

The school was asked by all the dignitaries present to keep up the good work and organize such events in future also.

4-day HOPT commences

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 5: A four-day Hands-On Operational Training (HOPT) today commenced at Government College for Women Gandhi Nagar, Jammu in order to train the coordinators in SITs courses.

It was informed that 212 participants from Technical, School and Higher Education are being trained through this training workshop which spread to four days. Sr. Scientist, Documentation Education Communication Unit (DECU) Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Ahmedabad Sandip Ghorai was among the resource persons

Principal of the College Prof. Veena Gupta welcomed the participants and the guest of honour Director Colleges Dr. N.D. Wani who briefed the house about the present status of the EDUSAT Tele Education Network of J&K State wherein he informed that 43 SITs out of allotted 45 SITs of Jammu Province are functional and from the Kashmir region 39 SITs out of 59 have been made functional. This training will help in day-to-day operation and would enable the lecture deliveries to all the remote corners of J&K.

Mr. Sandip Ghorai made a presentation about the ISRO’s role in taking education to remote areas through a dedicated Educational Satellite (EDUSAT). Mr. Sandeep Kaul from HFCI gave a detailed presentation about the infrastructure requirements of the SITs and Hub Live interactions took place and difficulties in operating the system were discussed in the house and solutions given. It was decided that on the 6-8th February all the SITs would be kept on and live telecast of the training will be received at all the SITs so that the problems are solved.

The Coordinators of Drass and Kargil also participated in HOPT.

Electrical employees meet Minister

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 5: J&K Electrical Employees Joint Action Forum met the Minister of State for Power, Babu Singh and Commissioner Secretary, PDD and submitted a memorandum with charter of demands here today.

The main demands projected in the memorandum included, regularisation of daily rated workers, reorganisation of department, technical grades for all employees of executive category on the pattern of Patwaris in Revenue department, Village Level Workers in the RDD, Accounts clerks in Finance department and Guards in Forest department.

The Forum further projected the demand of risk allowance to all Executive Categories especially for SBA’s and Linemen and release of Rs 5000-8000 grade, the basic scale for Technical hand employees like ITI and non-ITI having seven years experience.

The minister and commissioner gave patient hearing and assured the rgularisation of daily wagers and grant of risk allowance.

Prominent among those who accompanied the deputation included P C Sharma convenor of the Forum, Ghulam Nabi Bhat, Parshotam Sharma, Ch Mohd Aslam, Bishan Singh, Karan Singh, Surjeet Singh, Gurmeet Singh and Sanjay Singh.

Meanwhile, a delegation of J&K Non-Gazetted Electrical Employees Asso-ciation led by Mohd Maqbool general secretary met the Minister incharge Power today and apprised him of the problems being faced by the employees.