NC flays
State Government, holds protest
dharna
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 13: Coming
down heavily on the present State
coalition Government, the
activists of National Conference
(NC) today accused the latter of
shielding the tainted Ministers.
They also held a protest-dharna
at Mahesh Pura Chowk and demanded
sacking of alleged tainted
Ministers.
The
protest dharna was held under the
stewardship of party's district
president Jammu Urban, Chander
Mohan Sharma, block president,
Jammu West Rachpal Singh and
senior vice-president Rattan Lal
Gupta.
Addressing
the party supporters, Gupta
lambasted state government for,
what he said as, hollow
sloaganeering against corruption.
"It's unfortunate that the
coalition Government on one side
claims of weeding out corruption
while on the other side it has
been shielding its Ministers who
have been indicted by Kundal
Committee Report" he said.
He
further said, " Our party
will not let Congress-People's
Democratic Party (PDP) coalition
play duel policy and demanded
that the corrupt Ministers must
be sacked."
Meanwhile
Mr Sharma alleged that the
present Government has failed to
fulfill election-eve commitments
and now it stands exposed to the
people. "National Conference
will continue with its fight
against corruption" he
assured.
Meanwhile,
calling upon the party workers to
stay united, Mr Sharma also
impressed upon them to prepare
for the forthcoming assembly
elections.
Among
other Party leaders who spoke on
the occassion included Surinder
Singh, Sanghari, Sucha Singh
Joginder Manhas, Ashwani Charak,
Vijay Lochan, Vinod Sharma and
Saleem Choudhary.
Kin of 450 SPOs
to be absorbed in police: Khoda
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 13: Director
General of Police Kuldeep Khoda
has reiterated that welfare of
police personnel was on top of
his agenda and said that every
endeavor would be made to
minimize their genuine problems.
Addressing
the Police Darbars at Mehandar
and Nowshera during his day long
tour to the twin districts of
Poonch and Rajouri, the Director
General of Police said that
several initiatives have already
been taken to improve the service
conditions of various ranks of
the force, which have been
showing discernible results.
He
said the police force was a large
family and it was incumbent on
all to ensure each others welfare
in a spirit of camaraderie. He
said the jawans of Jammu and
Kashmir Police have performed in
an exemplary manner in tackling
the militancy and protecting life
and property of the people of the
state. He said objectives can be
better achieved by strict
discipline, devotion to duty and
people friendly behaviour.
Mr.
Khoda reviewed the performance of
police personnel and lauded the
role of jawans over recent
success in carrying out
successful anti-militancy
operations in their jurisdictions
in which 10 militants were
killed.
Director
General of Police also held a
public meetings at both the
places and listened the problems
patiently and issued on spot
instructions to the Incharge
Police Stations and police posts
to look into the grievances of
people and solve their genuine
problems.
Mr.
Khoda also met the family members
of police martyrs who recently
made scarifies during the anti
militancy operations and assured
them that their next of kins
would be absorbed in the
department and their welfare
measures would be ensured on
priority. He said for the welfare
of the jawans, the Chief
Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad has
already announced the enhancement
of ration money during the Police
Commemoration Day Parade in
October 2, 2007 in Srinagar. He
said kins of more than 450 SPOs
who had done commendable job and
gave sacrifices while fighting
militancy would also be absorbed
in the force for which the
proposal is already under active
consideration of the government.
He said that constructions of
various residential quarters and
office buildings in all district
was in full swing.
Director
General of Police also inspected
the huge caches of arms and
ammunition recovered during last
two months in these areas.
Among
others the Director General of
Police was accompanied by the
Inspector General of Police,
Jammu Zone Dr. S.P.Vaid, DIG
Poonch Rajouri Range P.R. Manhas
and other senior police officers.
3-day inter
collegiate music, theatre
festival begins
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 13: Music and
related cultural festivals
transcend all barriers and
penetrate the delicate hearts of
people and provide solace to
their souls, said Minister for
Health and Medical Education
Mangat Ram Sharma while declaring
open the 3-day inter collegiate
music and theatre festival
organized by Big 92.7 FM in
collaboration with Government
Medical College Jammu and
Cultural Academy here today.
The
Minister said that such
programmes would act as a
catalyst to strengthen the bonds
of people with diverse cultures
and depict the values of our rich
cultural heritage. He said
besides this the competitive
activities included in the
festival would imbibe the spirit
of co-curricular activities among
the youth. He said by organizing
such festivals the hidden
potential of the youth gets
polished and emboldens the
artistic activities of the youth.
Speaking
on the occasion, Secretary
J&K Academy of Art, Culture
and Language Dr. Rafiq Masoodi
said that our State has rich
cultural heritage and to keep it
alive the academy plays its
important role by organizing
cultural festivals across the
State. He said by organizing the
festivals, the academy also
exposes the hidden talent present
among the youth and gives it
proper shape.
The
youth of various schools and
colleges presented skillful
activities including Hindi Solo,
Mimicry, Skit, and Western Solo
in the opening ceremony of the
function.
Principals
GMC College Dr. Rajinder Singh,
Director Health Services Jammu
Dr. Jasbir Singh, Principal
Dental College Jammu Dr. Mela
Ram, Heads of various faculty of
GMC, Director Big 92.7 FM S.
Jagbir Singh, Marketing Manager
Airtel Amit Malhotra, prominent
citizens and students of GMC and
other colleges were present on
the occasion.
Clerks urges Govt
to expedite clarification sought
by AG
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 13: Provincial
Clerks Association (PCA)
president, Krishan Singh, has
urged the Government to expedite
the clarification sought by
Accountant General about the
applicability of SRO 259 of 2007
relating to upgradation of SO
post, enabling him to go ahead
with process of revised pension
of those SOs who retired after
1-1-1996.
Krishan
Singh said this anomaly was
created when recommendations of
5th Pay Commission were
implemented from January 1, 1996,
and with concerted efforts of
employees under the banner of Low
Paid Employees Federation led by
Abdul Majid Khan, the Government
conceded the demand, by which
Section Officers retired after
January 1, 1996 were entitled to
earn benefit of upgradation by
way of revision of their pension
notionally from 1-1-1996 and with
monetary benefit from 19-2-2003.
Krishan
Singh and provincial general
secretary Bansi Lal Khajuria have
pointed out further that other
categories of clerical cadre like
Head Assistant, senior and junior
assistants were feeling aggrieved
as these posts have not been
upgraded.
They
have urged the Government to
re-organize clerical cadre in all
the departments uniformly by
creating posts of Administrative
Officers and Private Secretaries
in all the Head of Departments,
of SOs and senior stenographers
in all district level offices and
of Head assistants and junior
stenographers in all subordinate
offices.
They
are also demanding exemption from
Secretariat Assistant training
bar for senior assistants above
the age of 40 years for their
promotion as HA, as also setting
up two training institutes, one
each for Jammu and Kashmir to
cater the growing needs of the
departments.
Jatt youth stage
dharna
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 13: Jatt
Youth Fedreation (JYF) today held
a sit-in in front of Divisioanl
Commissioner's office in favour
of their pending demand for grant
of Other Backward Classes (OBC)
status. The demonstration was
held under the leadership of JYF
president S Manjeet Singh.
Speaking
on the occasion, Mr Singh sought
reservation on the pattern of
states like Uttar Pradesh,
Rajasthan and Gujarat. "Our
community has been neglected
since long as a result of which
'Jaats' in the State are lagging
behind on all fronts,"Singh
rued.
Among
other demands which were stressed
for early redressal included Jatt
Hostel at Jammu for the students
of community hailing from border
areas and Special package for the
agriculturists belonging to
community etc.
Among
others who expressed their views
included General Secretary S
Karnail Singh, Secretary Ravinder
Choudhary, Satnam Singh and Sunil
Singh.
Meanwhile,
a memorandum of demands was
submitted to the State Government
through the Divisional
Commissioner.
Udhampur-Jammu
DMU commuters
demand re-scheduling of time
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 13:
The daily DMU
Railway commuters between Jammu
and Udhampur have expressed
strong resentment against its
staff, which was all out to bring
loss to Indian Railways by way of
its corrupt practices, at
Divisional Level.
The
daily commuters stated that the
timing of departure of DMU
between Udhampur and Jammu during
summer has been fixed at 8.18 am,
but during winter, when the
temperature falls considerably,
the timing has been fixed at 6.45
am.
The
arrival of DMU in majority cases
is between 9.15 am to 9.30 am,
which schedule was clear-cut
indication of harassment to daily
commuters of the State as well as
Central Government employees, as
the daily commuters have been
compelled to prefer private buses
plying on the route, which while
telling upon the exchequer of the
commuters also was bringing loss
to the Indian Railways.
The
DMU commuters between Jammu and
Udhampur have appealed the Indian
Railways to revise the timing
schedule of DMU between Udhampur
and Jammu, so that no loss was
occurred to Indian Railways and
at the same time, the daily
passengers provided some succour
by way of travelling through
Railways.
Work on hospital
buildings apace in Jammu city:
Jugal
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 13: Government
has launched a massive programme
for strengthening of health care
infrastructure in the State. In
this connection various hospital
buildings are under execution
presently in the Jammu.
This
was stated by the Minister for
R&B Jugal Kishore Sharma
while taking stock of the pace of
development of various hospital
buildings under execution in the
city. Mr. Jugal visited SMGS
hospital Jammu where 200 beded
additional ward pediatrics is
nearing completion.
The
Minister also visited emergency
block of GMC Jammu and OPD block
Gandhi Nagar Hospital where
additional blocks are also
nearing completion. The Minister
asked the construction agencies
to speed up the work for
completion within stipulated
period.
The
Minister later visited the site
at Rail Head where office
complexes of Divisional
Commissioner Jammu and Deputy
Commissioner Jammu are being
constructed.
The
Minister on the occasion
underlined the need for
completion of the buildings as
per the prescribed norms and said
that there would be no compromise
on the quality of work.
Managing
Director JKPCC Daleep Thusoo and
other senior officers accompanied
the Minister.
4-days civil
defence programme inaugurated
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 13: A four-days
long awareness cum training
programme in "Disaster
Management" was inaugurated
in Government College for Women
(GCW) Gandhi Nagar, here today.
The
Centre for Disaster Management
(CDM), University of Jammu (JU)
is organizing this programme in
collaboration with National
Service Scheme (NSS) JU and civil
defence wing of Jammu Kashmir
Police.
Dr.
Pawan Kotwal, secretary to Chief
Minister, who was the chief guest
on the occasion, in his address
congratulated CDM for organizing
this programme and assured all
possible support and help from
the Government’s side.
Earlier,
Prof. Ashok Aima, convener CDM
presented the welcome address and
gave a detailed account of the
activities being undertaken by
the centre since its
establishment. He further said
that CDM is going to start
certificate and diploma courses
in disaster management in near
future.
Also
present on the occasion were IGP
civil defence Navin Aggrawal
(special guest), Prof. Jasbir
Singh, NSS coordinator, Prof. B P
S Sehgal, Dean Academic Affair,
Prof. Veena Gupta, Principal of
the college and Deputy Controller
civil defence Manjeet Kour.
Final phase
of "Display Your
Talent"
Vertika
spells magic of "Raga Miyan
Malhar"
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 13: Vertika
Sharma of Government College for
Women (GCW) Parade spelled the
magic with excellent recitation
of "Raga Miyan Malhar"
and grabbed first prize in the
classical vocal solo competition
held under "Display Your
Talent" at University of
Jammu (JU), here today.
The
second and third prizes in the
competition were claimed by
Gursharan Kour and Mamta Kalotra
of GCW Gandhi Nagar. They
presented "Raga Yaman"
and "Raga Rageshwari"
respectively. The judges of the
event were Mr.P N Raina and Prof.
Kailash Mehra.
Prof.
N R Sharma, Dr. P S Pathania,
Prof. Renu Sehgal, Prof. Kalpana
Kesar, Prof. Sunaina Koul, Prof.
Shohab Inayat Malik and Ms.
Chinmei Sharma were also present
on the occasion.
Counselling
session in MAM College
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 13: A
day long counselling session on
"Employability and Career
Avenues" was held in
Government MAM College, here
today.
The
Centre for Adult and Continuing
Education and Extension,
University of Jammu (JU) had
organized the session in
collaboration with the college.
The
resource persons, including Prof.
Keshav Sharma, Director The
Business School, Prof. Deepak Raj
Gupta, Director Centre for
Hospitality and Tourism
Management, Prof. O P Sharma from
Deptt of Zoology, Siddharth
Arora, branch manager HDFC, made
students aware of various
opportunities in the job market.
Speaking
on the occasion, Prof. Muqbil
Chishti, Principal of the
college, stressed upon the need
for recurrence of such
activities. She also appreciated
the role of college teachers
included Prof. Neelu Gupta (HoD
History), Prof. Anjali (HoD
English) and Dr. Manohar Lal for
making the event a success.
Also
present on the occasion were Dr.
Poonam Dhawan, Director CACEE and
Sita Anand.
SDP holds
function
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 13: The
Socialist Democratic Party (SDP)
today held a function on the
banks of river Chenab at Akhnoor
30 kms from here to observe the
February 13 as Indo-Pak peace
day.
On
the occasion three boats carrying
flowers and pla-cards with
messages of love and peace for
Pakistani people were floated in
theriver Chenab.
The
messages read "don’t
send us guns but send us
love". As a message of
peace, pigeons were also released
symbolically on the occasion.
Besides balloons with the
messages that "people of
J&K are happy with India and
allow us to remain happy as we
wish you peace" were also
flown in the air.
The
people from all districts of
J&K irrespective of their
religious affiliations
participated in the function
which was chaired by the
president of the SDP, Dr
Darakshan Andhrabi.
In
her address she said the
bloodshed in J&K has been a
brain child of Pakistan but the
neighboring country is now itself
facing the terrorism so they
might have realized how painful
it is.
Kathak and
Kuchipudi Dancers enthrall
Jammuites
By Ravinder Kaul
The
Classical Music and Dance
Festival being organised by the
J&K Academy of Art, Culture
and Languages continued here on
the third day with Kathak and
Kuchipudi dancers enthralling
Jammuites with their performances
at Abhinav Theatre.
The
programme began with a Sitar
recital by Dr. Padmini Tikoo. She
presented Raga Jhinjhoti in her
recital and displayed her mastery
and virtuosity through a very
fine rendition of the Raga. The
audience thoroughly appreciated
her performance. She was
accompanied ably by Anil Kaul on
Tabla and young Satvik Tikoo on
Tanpura.
The
second performance of the evening
was a Kuchipudi recital by the
disciples of famous daneuse
Swapana Sundari. Babir Datta,
Nandini Nadan, Purvadhanashree,
Yashoda Thakore and Poojitha
Jyothi gave a captivating display
of Kuchipudi and Vilasini Natayam
in their performance.
The
final performance of the evening
was presented by Prajakta Arum
Vedak from Mumbai whose Kathak
recital was highly appreciated by
the audience. She has trained
under Asha Joglekar, Director
Archana Nrithyalaya and has
performed all over the country.
Her today’s performance gave
ample proof of her control over
the bhav and abhinaya ang of her
dancing skills.
The
Festival continues tomorrow with
Jugalbandi of Sitar and violin by
the students of Institute of
Music and Fine Arts, Jammu and
Santoor recital by young students
of Salwan Public School, Gurgaon.
Suriya
Saptami celebrated with religious
fervour, gaiety
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb
13: Suriya
Saptami was celebrated with
religious fervour and gaiety
today. In this connection grand
functions were held at Martand
Suriya Bhawan, Paloura and
annicent Martand temple at
Mattan, Anantnag in Kashmir
Valley.
Hundreds
of devotees thronged the Suriya
Bhawan Martand at paloura where a
Maha Yagya was also solemnized by
Martand Tirath Trust on the
occasion. The Yagya was performed
under the supervision of Pt.
Omkar Nath Shastri.
Minister
of Health and Medical Education,
Mangat Ram Sharma was the chief
guest on the occasion while MLA
Bijebehara and former Minister
Abdul Rehman Veeri and All State
Kashmiri Pandit Conference
(ASKPC), chief A N Vaishnavi were
the guests of honour.
The
function among others was
attended by Congress leader and
Ex MLA Shiv Dev Singh, NC leader
and ex MLC, B L Bhat and
Vaishnath Jyotshi, president ,
Prabandhak Committee, Bijebehara.
The devotees were served prashad
after puranahuti.
Speaking
on the occasion, Mr Mangat Ram
Sharma said Tirath Raj Martand is
an ancient shrine of Hindus and
people form different parts of
country visit there to pay their
obeisance and perform darshan.
He,
while assuring full support to
the displaced Kashmiri Pandits on
behalf of Government said many
steps have already been taken for
the welfare and upliftment of the
community.
Speaking
on the occasion, Mr A R Veeri
said that Kashmir was incomplete
without Pandits who have made a
remarkable contribution in
various fields like education and
health sector. He expressed the
hope that KPs will return to
their homes and hearths with full
honour and dignity.
Mr
Veeri said the Pandits putting up
in different parts of the country
at present remained linked to
their culture and traditions and
kept it alive. They also crave
for their return to their homes
and hearts and inview of the
discernible change in Valley the
days are not far away when the
Kashmir will again lead to its
glorious path.
Mr
A N Vaishnavi highlighted the
problems of the displaced Pandits
and demanded their redressal.
Mr
Bhola Nath Sidha, chairman of the
Trust proposed the vote of
thanks.
In
connection with celebration of
Suriya Saptami a religious
foundation was also held at
Suriya Temple Martand today.
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