Panun Kashmir demands Rs 28,000 cr package

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: Panun Kashmir, an organisation of Kashmiri Pandits has demanded a comprehensive rehabilitation package worth Rs 28,000 cr for members of the community in exile till they return to homeland and an enmployment package of 15,000 jobs against posts of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley.

Talking to media-persons here today, convenor of the organisation, Dr Agnishekhar said Panun Kashmir projected the cause of KPs in recently concluded Round Table Conference. He claimed that final recommendations of the working groups were silent on the issues of their community but heavily favoured the perpetrators of terrorist violence.

Projecting the demand of Rs 28,000 cr package for the comprehensive rehabilitation of exiled KP families, Dr Agnishekhar claimed that amount has been worked out by an expert committee of the organisation favouring Rs 50 lakh per family migrated from Kashmir.

He also demanded 15,000 jobs for KP youth, introduction and passage of Temple Bill in J&K Assembly’s next session besides setting up of Minority Commission in the State. He also demanded minority status for the community.

Khajuria asks party leaders to expose Cong-led Govt

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: To take stock of party’s political and organisational activities in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP State president, Ashok Khajuria chaired a meeting of constituency prabharis, district chiefs and Morcha presidents at party headquarters here today.

Mr Khajuria, while addressing the meeting, asked the party leaders to pinpoint the misdeeds and anti-people policies of the Government and expose the Congress-led coalition so that the people see the real face of Congress and PDP parties.

He asked the BJP leaders and workers to spread out among the masses across the J&K State and apprise them about BJP’s policies and plans.

The State BJP chief said the people of the state, Jammu region in particular, are feeling betrayed by the coalition. A wave of change is being witnessed as the people have made up their mind to throw the present coalition out and bring BJP to power as they have realised it is only this party which can provide good governance to the people.

Mr Khajuria appealed the Governor to exercise his constitutional powers and impose Governor’s rule to ensure fair and free elections in the State.

Member National Executive and former state BJP president, Dr Nirmal Singh charged that the Congress is trapped in its pro-separatist agenda and its style of anti-people working with the result it is losing its Jammu-based support as well as . He exhorted the party workers to start working with dedication for the next Assemly elections.

The party leaders, who took part in the meeting included: Chander Parkash Ganga, Ms Suresh Jamwal, Ajay Jamwal, Bali Bhagat, Kuldeep Raj Gupta, Charanjit Singh Khalsa, Yudvir Sethi, Kuldeep Raj, Sat Sharma, Ramesh Arora, Parmod Kapahi, Sofi Yussaf, Jagdish Spolia, Kavinder Gupta, Col Uttam Singh, Sham Choudhary and Ved Parkash Mankotia.

2 held for murder of Nepali youth

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: Gandhi Nagar Police has solved a blind murder which took place at Nanak Nagar on February 5 and arrested two accused alongwith the weapon of offence.

The arrested accused have been identified as Randeep Singh, son of Inderjeet Singh and Parveling Singh alias Biplav, son of Avtar Singh, both the residents of Nanak Nagar.

An official spokesman said that on February 5, 2008, two motorcycle borne youth stabbed Preetam Bahadur, son of Amar Singh of Nepal and his brother Man Bahadur at Nanak Nagar.

The accused after committing the crime fled from the spot leaving the victims in pool of blood. On receiving information, SDPO City South Sukhdev Raj and SHO Police Station Gandhi Nagar, Inspector Rafiq Manhas rushed to the spot and shifted the victims to Government Medical College Hospital for treatment.

Preetam Bahadur, who was serving as chowkidar succumbed to injuries on February 7 where as his brother, who was also working as chowkidar at Forest Corporation, Bahu Fort survived the murderous attack.

Today, on the specific information regarding escape of accused persons to Punjab from Kunjwani, a special naka was laid and a motorcycle was intercepted. The motorcycle borne accused tried to escape but they were chased and apprehended by the police. The motorcycle bearing registration number JK02F-5105 and a sharp edged weapon were also seized.

PCWF organises intellectuals meet to discuss modalities

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: Chairman J&K Pahari Cultural and Welfare Forum (PCWF), Sharafat Ali Khan, organized one day Pahari intellectual meet to discuss the modalities for achievement of Scheduled Tribe status, which was attended by cross sections of Pahari people including representatives of Pahari speaking employees of the region.

The think tank of Pahari people which participated flayed the Government for its willfully delaying conferment of ST status to Pahari people on one pretext or the other to derive political benefits by exploiting Pahari and Gujjar community people.

Forum decided to open its offices at Jammu and Srinagar so as to provide a meeting point for the Paharis at both the State capitals for sharing information of scattered population of Paharis in the State.

Pahari employees representatives present in the meeting assured the chairman to meet out the expenses on accommodation from their monthly emoluments regularly, for which account and audit would be maintained properly.

The meeting also held that the leaders of Pahari speaking people have not been able to convince the Prime Minister of India on the score that when Gujjars were given ST status on the basis of language as a political decision, then why not the Paharis.

At the conclusion the participants jointly appealed the political leadership of all hues to take up the issue of ST status for Paharis very seriously with State as well as Central Government so that it may not become a political agenda as per past policies.

House Committee for transparency in timber distribution

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: The Departmental House Committee of Legislative Council met in Council Lobby here today and discussed the functioning of Forests Department. The meeting was chaired by, MLC Sakina Itoo.

The Committee stressed upon the department to evolve transparency in the distribution of timber to the genuine consumers on prescribed rates, adding that there should be a well knit policy in place for timber supply. The department should open its outlets as per the convenience of consumers, the Committee maintained.

The Committee also stressed for stringent steps for checking the green felling as per the guidelines of Supreme Court. The department should press into service the available men and material to stop smuggling of timber from various forests.

While briefing the Committee, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Mohammad Irshad Khan said that there is no scarcity of timber in the State and all genuine consumers are being provided timber as per the norms envisaging first come first serve. He said that at present 21 Government Timber Sale Depots are catering to the needs of Jammu region.

The department has supplied 34369 Cfts of timber during the current year to the consumers of Jammu, he said adding that presently 26297 Cfts of timber is available at various outlets in the region.

Mr. Khan further revealed that department confiscated a sizeable quantum of timber from the smugglers and realized revenue over Rs. 54 lakh.

Those present in the meeting included Commissioner/Secretary Forests Atal Dulloo, Director Forests Protection Force Vinod Ranjan, Managing Director SFC A.K. Srivastava, Chief Conservator of Forests Jammu Abhai Kumar, Deputy Secretary Legislative Council M.L.Raina and other officers of Forests Department.

Panthers Party to celebrate silver jubilee from March 1

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: In order to mark silver jubilee celebrations, the working committee of Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party in a meeting held here today, constituted a silver jubilee committee with Prof Bhim Sigh as its Chairman and Navin Bakshi as its Vice Chairman.

During the meeting, chaired by Party supremo Bhim Singh, it was decided that the silver jubilee of party would be celebrated throughout the State from March 1 to March 30 while March 23 to be celebrated as Foundation day of the party.

On the occassion different committees for the preparation of party manifesto, in the view of forthcoming State assembly election, were also framed. These committees will look into the problems of different sections of the people, prepare charter of achievements of the party, implementation of SRO-43, welfare of SC\ST, Paharis and development of Industries.

The committee consists of MLA Harsh Dev Singh, MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia, Bansi Lal, Faqir Nath, PK Ganju, Yash Paul Kundal, Anita Thakur, S Daljit Singh, GM Shan, Ghulam Ali, HC Jalmeria and Neelam Mahajan.

Earlier, Young Panthers Group of the party declared to hold a convention in connection with the silver jubilee celebrations of the JKNPP at Parade Ground on March 2.

During the convention, Mankotia said that their agenda would be ‘Justice, equality and opportunities for youth’. He said that leadership of Panthers Party for the forthcoming assembly election will also be decided in the convention.

Stressing that youth in state have remained victims of political discrimination, he said, "Hundredes of youth have been agitating on the roads, holding dharnas for the past several months but the State Government has turned a blind eye towards their grievances."

He added, " Inspite of the fact that Central Government ensures special economic assistance to the youth of the State yet the ground realities are altogether different, unemployed youth are not being provided with easy loans."

Expressing grave concern over corruption he said that the menace is victimizing educated youth at political and bureaucratic front. "Atleast 35,000 vacancies are lying vacant in the public sector but the State Government is doing nothing to address the problem" he said and added that the schools which were either upgraded or newly opened still san staff and infrastructure.

AIKS worried over Hindu shrines in Kashmir

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS) has blamed the successive State Governments for their alleged failure in protecting Hindu temples and shrines form desecration, encroachments, closuers and sales.

Having concluded three days long visit to the valley, general secretary, AIKS, Shiban Dudha expressed grave concern over the existing state of Hindu religious shrines in the Kashmir region. He also ridiculed some trustees and caretakers of religiuos properties who are a party to such sales.

In a press statement here today, Mr Dudha suggested that State Government should put blanket ban on transfer of all properties of shrines and temples belonging to Kashmiri Pandits till the passage of pending Shrines Bill in entriety.

He also demanded that the sold or encroached property of their religious shrines be restored back to the community.

Meanwhile, Mr Dudha appealed to the newly appointed JKPCC chief to personally visit and take stock of various camps of Kashmiri Pandits, before Government invites Kashmiri Pandits living outside valley and the State.

He also demanded that the procedure for issuance of State Subject Certificate for Kashmiri Pandits, living within or outside the State be simplified.

Zargar reviews availability of fertilizer

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: Minister for Agriculture and Co-operatives, Abdul Aziz Zargar presided over an officers meeting here today convened to review the availability and distribution of fertilizers to the farmers during Kharief and Rabi seasons in the State.

Among others, Financial Commissioner, Agriculture Production, S. K. Sahni, Registrar Co-operatives, G. N. Qasba, Director, Agriculture Kashmir, Ghulam Hyder Bhat, Director, Agriculture, Jammu Vinod Bala, and representatives of various fertilizers agencies were present on the occasion.

Mr. Zargar exhorted upon all the Co-operative societies and the fertilizer supplying agencies to coordinate their efforts and ensure that farmers may not suffer on account of non availability of fertilizers in the State. He asked them to regulate the demand and supply properly and keep available the buffer stocks of fertilizers in all parts of the State. Expressing concern over the delay in supply of Urea to Valley, the Minister stressed upon the representatives of IFFCO to ensure supply as early as possible to avoid any crises.

The minister underlined the need for replacement of seeds to increase the agriculture production in the State. He asked Directors Agriculture Jammu and Kashmir to intensify the efforts to develop more and more seed villages to meet the requirements of the farmers. He said Central Government has taken agriculture as a core sector and our State would also take a decision to this effect shortly.

The unlicensed Kohinoor fertilizers available in the markets of Valley also came up for discussion. The minister directed Director Agriculture Kashmir to look into the matter and furnish a report for further action in the matter.

The meeting discussed the construction of irrigation facilities for the farmers getting the water from Joffer Nallah in Udhampur district. It was given out that Rs. 15 lakh had already been allotted for the purpose and Director Agriculture Jammu was asked to start work early.

Court acquits doctor of charges of cheating

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: Third Additional Sessions Judge Jammu, Sanjay Gupta today acquitted Dr Gafoor Ahmed of Akhnoor, who was facing charges for cheating persons by impersonating himself as Block Medical Officer.

According to the challan, on October 30, 2005 a complaint was lodged by one Madan Lal, an employee of UCO Bank that he was suffering from some ailment for which he needed some rest to be made justified by a Government Medical Officer’s certificate.

When the complainant met Dr Gafoor Ahmed to seek his advise, the former was made to believe that Dr Ahmed was posted at Sub-District Hospital, Akhnoor as Medical Officer. The doctor even agreed to furnish the medical certificates by charging Rs 100 for each. Subsequently, Dr Gafoor issued two medical certificates.

In the complaint, Madan Lal submitted that Dr Gafoor Ahmed cheated him as he was not in the service at that time. Acting on the complaint, police registered a case and after completion of the investigation presented challan in the Court of law.

After hearing Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the State and Advocate Choudhary Shah Mohd appearing for the accused doctor, 3rd Additional Sessions Judge observed that the complainant Madan Lal in his statement stated that he has no knowledge with regard to the occurrence and was declared hostile. On cross-examination, he stated that police did not record his statement and the statement recorded on his name was incorrect.

In view of the prosecution witnesses turning hostile no offence has been made out against Dr Gafoor, the Court said, adding "there is no iota of evidence that accused cheated by impersonating himself as Government doctor. It has also not been proved that accused put his signature on fake documents, as expert has also given negative report".

With these observations, the court dismissed the challan presented by the police and acquitted Dr Gafoor Ahmed of the charges leveled against him.

Body of MP’s son laid to rest, CM condoles

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Feb 18: Body of Ch Mohd Aslam’s son, Ch Mohd Afzal who died of heart attack in Surankot hospital last night, was laid to rest this afternoon at his home village Lassana in tehsil Surankot of Poonch district.

A large number of persons from all walks of life and Congress circle attended the burial of Ch Mohd Afzal (36), a contractor and Congress activist. Reports said the MP’s son had gone to village Kallar Kattal about 6-7 kms from Lassana last evening and developed severe chest pain. He was shifted to Surankot hospital and died there of heart attack. His body was taken to home village and buried in the ancestral graveyard near their house at Lassana, about 12 kms from Poonch.

Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has expressed profound shock and grief over the passing away of son of MP Ch Mohd Aslam. In a condolence message, the Chief Minister conveyed his sympathy to the Choudhary Aslam and his family on the sudden and untimely demise of Ch Mohd Afzal.

Union Minister for Water Resources and PCC chief Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz also conveyed his grief and heartfelt condolences to Ch Mohd Aslam MP over the death of his son, Mohd Afzal. In a message Ch Aslam who has been a former Speaker, the PCC chief said the passing away of his son at young age was tragic and he joined him in sharing his grief.

PCC, PYC and DCC Jammu and Poonch members also expressed grief over the death of Ch Aslam’s son and extended sympathy to the bereaved family. The condolence meetings were held at all the district units where members condoled death of MP’s son. Prominent among them included, Dharam Pal Sharma, Pt Mangat Ram, Yash Paul Khajuria, Amrit Malhotra, Ravinder Sharma, Baldev Sharma, Ashok Sharma, Indu Pawar, Om Chopra, Balbir Singh, Anil Chopra, R S Chib, Raman Bhalla, Yogesh Sawhney, S. Arvinder Singh, Mohd Sharief Niaz, Gh Mohd Saroori, Farida Mir, Swarn Lata, Shiv Kumar Sharma and others.

Meanwhile, Gujjar United Front, J&K Gujjar Youth Front, Gujjar Islahi Committee and All J&K Gujjar Conference have condoled the death of Ch Mohd Afzal, son of Ch Mohd Aslam, MP.

Court frames charges against Sr Auditor Defence Accounts

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: Special Judge Anticorruption Jammu Kartar Singh framed corruption Charges against Khem Singh, Senior Auditor (LAO) CDA Satwari, who was caught red-handed by the CBI on March 9, 2007 while accepting bribe amount of Rs 1700 from the complainant.

According to the challan presented by Special PP S K Bhat, accused Khem Singh while working as Senior Auditor in the office of local Audit Office (A) Jammu had demanded Rs 1700 from one Surinder Sharma of Gandhi Nagar Jammu for already passed bills as commission.

The complainant filed a complaint with the CBI and subsequently Khem Singh was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe amount. After completion of the investigation, challan was presented in the court of Special Judge Anticorruption.

While framing the charge, Special Judge Anti-Corruption said that the accused misused the official position and thereby obtained the undue pecuniary advantage of Rs 1700 for himself which amounts to commission of offences under RPC and Prevention of Corruption Act. The Court directed for the trial of the accused.

Jugal inspects under execution roads

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: Minister for Roads and Building Jugal Kishore Sharma today inspected under execution roads in Jammu city including improvement and widening of road from Denis Gate to DC Office Jammu and construction of alternate road from Qasim Nagar to Cremation ground at Jammu. He said that Rs 10.71 crore are being spent for widening of Denis Gate to DC Office Jammu. He said that widening of this road would be expedited with the availability of funds.

He said that the widening of the Denis gate road to DC Office would be done under two phases under which the work would be completed from Denis gate to second bridge at a cost of Rs 5.75 crore whileas beyond second bridge under phase-II the cost would touch Rs 4.97 crore.

Mr.Jugal said that a project of Rs. 3.93 crore has been starting from construction of 400 meter alternate road from Qasim Nagar to cremation ground under State sector. He said that so far Rs 2.84 crore have been spent on the project.

He said that in Jammu and Srinagar cities construction, upgradation, improvement and widening of road is being done under city road development programme under which, he said many projects costing hundreds of crores of rupees have been completed. Mr. Jugal appealed the people to help the R&B department for upkeep and maintenance of roads. He asked the engineers to ensure timely completion of projects under R&B sector to avoid price escalation and see that the targeted are benefited at the earliest.

MLA Yogesh Sawhney, Corporators, Chief Engineer R&B, Chief Engineer JKPCC and senior officers also accompanied the Minister.

JU students enter final of National competition

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: The students of ‘The Business School’(TBS) University of Jammu (JU) have qualified for the final round of Student Research Competition to be held at Pune University from May 7-9.

Two teams comprising of eight students had represented the university in the Zonal level Student Research Convention held at Panjab University, Chandigarh. The team members were Nitasha Malhotra, Harsh Udesh Bhat, Varun Sharma, Kanu Mahajan, Sakshi Gupta, Rahul Slathia, Ramandeep Singh Jamwal and Payal Gandotra.

A total of 25 research teams from North Indian Universities including Panjab University, Delhi University, Aligarh Muslim University, Maharishi Dayanand University took part in the convention and made poster and podium presentations.

JU teams presented research proposals on the themes "Job Satisfaction and Its Impact on Quality of Life" and "Implementation of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan in Jammu Province". Prof. Keshav Sharma, Director TBS had provided the financial support and other support while Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, senior faculty of TBS and specializing in Human Resource Development and Organizational Behaviour, guided both the research projects.

The research groups were accompanied by Prof. B C Sharma, senior faculty and convener for placements at TBS.

Protesting engineers seek extension of work

Excelsior Corespondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: All J&K Konkan Railway Consulting Engineers Association has condemned the advertisement of posts by Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd (KRCL) besides demanding the cancellation of same.

All the 74 engineers who are on indefinite strike with effect from Feb 14 this year maintained that they had informed the concerned authorities regarding their demands well in time but of no avail.

Addressing press conference, the protesting engineers demanded cancellation of posts advertized by KRCL vide advertisement number KR/CO/P/USBRL/ 01/2008 dated 7/02/08 for J&K project besides extension of work for J&K consulting engineers working with KRCL on Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramullah Rail Link. (USBRL)

The association maintained that the term of engineers who are working on USBRL is going to be expired on July 17, this year. "Without consideration of providing any extension of job to 74 engineers working over the project for the last four and half month, KRCL advertized post for recruitment of civil engineers and supervisors from all over India on contract basis," said the protesting engineers and added that there has been no preference specified in the advertisement notification for already working engineers.

BSM for potable water to Zerda

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: Bahujan Samaj Movement (BSM) has expressed serious concern over the non availability of drinking water supply to the border area of Zerda falling under assembly segment of Vijaypur.

In a press statement issued here today, State president BSM Dr Sat Pal, who recently visited the village, said that people have to fetch drinking water from a distance of around two Kms. "Both the hand pumps in the village are lying non-functional. Farmers are also suffering in the absence of provisions for irrigation in the village," Dr Pal said.

He also lashed out at State Government saying that the latter is doing nothing for ameliorating the problems of common masses.

Meanwhile, extending support to the Jat Kalyan Sabha he said that OBC status be granted to the Jatt community. He also sought implementation of reccomendations of Mandal Commission in the State.

Taj reviews supply of food grains

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Taj Mohi-ud-Din today reviewed the supply of food grains to the areas being provided free ration for three months.

Government has decided to provide three months free ration to people of District Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar and parts of Udhampur district considering the damage of Kharief crop in these areas during last season.

The announcement was made by Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to provide free ration to the peoples of these draught hit areas.

Minister directed the officers of CAPD to made the supplies to all areas at the earliest as people are already suffering there due to heavy snow fall. He asked officers to ensure proper distribution and check in any type of pilferage. Secretary CAPD Khalid Habib and Assistant Directors of CAPD of the affected districts were present on the occasion.

SP criticizes Govt for failure in snow hit areas

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: The J&K Samajwadi Party (SP) has alleged that State Government has failed to provide succour to the snow hit people in upper reaches of the State.

Addressing the mediapersons here today, Sheikh Abdul Rehman, SP President strongly criticized the State Government and alleged that Chief Minister and his team has completely failed to provide basic commodities to snow hit people residing in the remote and upper reaches. He said that CM along with his Ministers made the aerial pleasure trips and practically no relief has been provided to the helpless people.

SP supremo further said that most of the remote areas like Gurez, Malhar, Rasli-Gaderan, Basant Garh, Panchari etc. are still at the mercy of God, as these are totally cut off and people residing there can’t move from one place to another.There is shortage of ration and Kerosene oil and corrupt administrative machinery was making hay of the snow Tsunami in usurping the funds meant for the snow clearing, he added.

Meanwhile, he demanded high level inquiry in the Kundal Committee report by a commission headed by sitting or retired justices of the High Court. He blamed that Government was shielding the Ministers involved in various scandals. He also pointed that there was large scale corruption in the recruitments and transfers, which has become the lucrative industry and the tall claims of CM to make corruption free State have totally failed.

Trade Union merges into PDTUF

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: Kashmir Province Centre-State labour union today merged with People's Democratic Trade Union Front (PDTUF) at a function held at the party head office in Jammu today.

A delegation of the union led by president of Kashmir pro-vince labour cell (R&B) Ghulam Rasool Tantry earlier met Minister for Finance Tariq Hameed Qarra and sought the merger of union with trade cell of the party. Qarra, welcomed the trade union leaders in the party fold and assured them of redressing their genuine grievances.

Later, the delegation reached the party headquarters where they were welcomed by the office bearers of the trade cell of People's Democratic Party (PDP). The merger took place at the party headquarters in the presence of Zonal President of Handwara Mohammed Shafi. General Secretary of the newly merged union submitted a memorandum to the PDP Vice-President and MLC Ved Mahajan.

Mr.Mahajan assured the delegation that he would take up their issue of SRO-59 with the State Government and get it settled within shortest possible time. Others who accompanied the delegation included cycle President Mohammed Ramzan Ganai, General Secretary Abdul Hameed Lone and District President Kupwara Khazir Moha-mmed Chopan.

Jora reviews registration of pesticide units

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: To assess the registration process of pesticide, metal and menthol based industrial units in the State, a meeting of high level officers was held here today. The Minister for Industries and Commerce Nawang Rigzin Jora was in the chair.

A threadbare discussion was held on various issues related to the registration of manufacturing units and it was decided that the industrial establishments which have initiated the required formalities for registration purposes for fulfilling registration before January 31, 2007 should be registered properly and allowed to function.

The meeting was informed that 23 pesticides, 56 metal and 34 menthol based units were functioning in Samba, Jammu, Kathua and Udhampur besides over hundred units were registered provisionally in pesticide, metal and menthol category.

The Minister directed the concerned to check the units physically for preparing detailed background report regarding issues including effective steps taken by the unit holders for seeking registration installation of pollution devices use of diesel sets, furnance oil and electricity in the establish units.

Among others, Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce Lokesh Jha, Director Industries and Commerce Jammu Pardeep Gupta, Managing Director SIDCO and SICOP Irfarn Yaseen and B. S. Dua and senior officers attended the meeting.

Protest rally taken out in City
Doda migrants for relief at par with others

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 18: The migrants of Doda district under the banner of Zilla Doda Migrants Committee (ZDMC) took out a protest rally in the city demanding relief at par with other migrants, here today.

The rally commenced from Mubarak Mandi and culminated at City Chowk after passing through Jain Bazar, Purani Mandi and other city bazaars. Addressing the Doda migrants, Panthers MLA from Udhampur, Balwant Singh Mankotia assured full support to the cause of Doda migrants from his party’s side. He further said that State Government should treat Doda migrants at par with other migrants of the State.

Also addressing the rally, Suraj Prakash Rana, chairman of the committee expressed gratitude to Prof Bhim Singh, who fought the case of migrants in Supreme Court and won it. Rana appealed to the Chief Minister to expedite the process for finalizing the issue of relief, which is long pending without any reason.

However, he threatened to intensify the agitation in case no heed was paid to their demands. The Doda migrants have also been sitting on protest demonstration in front of Divisional Commissioner Office at Mubarak Mandi since 54 days.