30th SKIMS Governing Body meet
Top priority accorded to improve health sector: Azad

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Feb 19: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that the Government accords top priority to health sector keeping in view the topography of Jammu and Kashmir. He said National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) envisaging total health care especially for the women folk has been launched in the State with liberal central funding.

Addressing the 30th Governing Body meeting of SKIMS here today, the Chief Minister stressed upon those at the helm of affairs of premier health institutions to consolidate their infrastructure, adding the Government had already initiated several measures for making specialized treatment available to the people at district and block levels. He said the Governing Body of SKIMS has recently approved construction of 100 bedded maternity hospital to bolster the obstetrics and gynaecology department to ease pressure on Lal Ded Hospital Srinagar. He said several measures were afoot for revamping SKIMS particularly modernizing the departments of linear Accelerator, Eco-Cardiography and Neo-natology.

Minister for Health and Medical Education Mangat Ram Sharma, Minister of State for Health Peer Mohammad Hussain, Chief Secretary B.R. Kundal, Principal Secretary Planning and Development S.S. Kapoor, Commissioner-Secretary Finance B.B. Vyas, Secretary Health and Medical Education K.B. Jandial and member Governing Body Dr. G.Q. Allaqaband besides Director SKIMS Dr. A.H. Zargar were present.

Highlighting the importance of improved health care system, the Chief Minister said Government Medical College Hospitals of Srinagar and Jammu were being brought under super-specialty health map. He asked authorities that the latest diagnostic equipments required for these health institutions need to be listed before 2010. He appreciated the plan conceived for establishing Cancer Hospital at Katra with a cost of Rs. 100 crore.

Mr Azad further said creation of manpower for running the health institutions successfully would be taken on priority and asked the Secretary Health and Medical Education to explore possibility for appointing retired doctors, if required. He said 8 Trauma hospitals are presently under construction at various places and some of them nearing completion. He said the concerned doctors would be imparted special training regarding trauma and emergency treatment.

The Governing Body discussed various issues for upgrading the SKIMS besides improving its functioning. The meeting approved Resident All India Medical Council and Director All India Institute of Medical Science (AIMS) as the members of Governing Body of SKIMS.

SKIMS Director, Dr. A.H. Zargar gave resume of the functioning of the Institute.

3-day International Conference to begin today
Conserve oil and gas for future generation: VC

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 19: Vice Chancellor University of Jammu (JU), Prof. Amitabh Mattoo has emphasized on the need to use alternative sources of energy for conserving oil and gas for the future generation.

Prof. Mattoo was addressing a group of school children from the State on the eve of three-day International Conference on "Hunting Old Oil and Gas in Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan" to be held in JU.

He said the striking of Oil and Gas in this region will tremendously boost the economy. "If we succeeded to find out Gas and Oil in this region it will completely transform our State and will lead us to prosperity like Middle East," he added.

He further said that use of alternative sources of energy such as wind energy and solar energy should be taken on priority basis to conserve the depleting source of oil and gas.

Meanwhile, he congratulated the Department of Geology JU and MPRG Department of Earth Science, University College of London for organizing such a conference here. He also welcomed the visiting delegates for the conference.

Also spoke on the occasion were Jonthan Grag (Eni-Milan), S K Paracha (Wadia Institute), Jyotsana and Dr. G M Bhat from JU.

Guru Ravi Dass Sabha takes out grand ‘Shobha Yatra’

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 19: In connection with the Prakash Utsav of Guru Ravi Dass ji Maharaj, members of All J&K Guru Ravi Dass Sabha took out a large procession in the winter capital city here today.

Members from various units of the Sabha, decorating tractor trolleys and open vehicles reached alongwith ‘Satsang Mandlis’ at Krishna Nagar temple of Guru Ravi Dassji here in the morning. Majority of the people from Jammu city localities including Pacca Talab, New Plots and rural areas including R S Pura, Akhnoor, Khour, Bishnah, Kanha Chak, Gajansoo Marh, Ramgarh, and Bari Brahmana participated in the grand religious procession.

Shri Shri 108 Mahant Gurdeep Giri Ji of Pathankot was leading this religious procession. Executive members of the Sabha besides other units’ office bearers were also moving along the Shobha Yatra. Highly decorated open trolleys carrying tableaux of the great Guru and depicting his life were the main attraction.

Shobha Yatra started from Krishna Nagar at around 12.15 pm and after passing through Jewel Chowk, Vinayak Bazar, Gumat, J P Chowk, Sunder Singh Gurdwara Road, Raghunath Bazar, City Chowk, Shalamar, Raj Tilak Road concluded at Parade Ground. The traffic had been diverted to different routes but even then massive traffic jams were witnessed at various city points.

District Administration had made elaborate security arrangements for the smooth conduct of Shoba Yatra. Additional security force personnel had been deployed at various city points and also at Parade Ground where thousands of people from different areas participated. Mahant Gurdeep Giriji addressed the large gathering. He spoke on the life and teachings of Guru Ravi Dassji.

On this occasion, Mahantji also honoured several members of the sabha for their contributions. A langar was also organised on this occasion for the devotees.

This Shobha Yatra has been organised in connection with the 631st birthday celebrations (Prakash Utsav) of Guru Ravi Dassji which falls on Feb 21. Sabha is also organizing a large function at Guru Ravi Dass Temple at Krishna Nagar on Thursday. The Sangat in large number will be participating in this function which will commence at 10 am. A langar will also be organised on this occasion for the devotees.

Paharis reiterate ST status, warn Govt

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 19: One day conference of Pahari Tribals was held at Rajouri, which was largely attended by Pahari employees, Pahari youth and Pahari people belonging to all walks of life, under All J&K Pahari People Movement (PPM).

The speakers condemned the statement of Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beig and held that in case the ST status was not conferred on Pahari people by June this year, well before the forthcoming Assembly elections, they would intensify agitation.

Others who addressed the conference included Vijay Kochhar, Mohd Riaz Mughal, Vinod Sharma, Sajid Bhat, Showkat Javaid, Abid Malik, Nasir Khan, Wasim Mirza, Naseeb Singh etc.

Chief Executive of JKPPM Shahbaz Khan expressed full faith in the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister M H Beig as also all Pahari legislatures, who have been striving hard for getting ST status to Pahari speaking people of Rajouri and Poonch districts.

The meeting urged the Government to grant ST status to Pahari people well before March, 2008, or else face the consequences.

Ex-Services League flays Govt for false assurances

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 19: J&K Ex-Services League held its meeting under the presidentship of Maj Gen G S Jamwal, ex-MLC, which expressed dismay over false assurances given to them by Chief Minister and the Cabinet sub-committee detailed by him.

The League members resolved to give a befitting reply to the falsehood in the next Assembly elections. They however resolved to take a last chance to meet the Chief Minister in a final delegation to the Chief Minister before adopting any stern measures.

The Gallantry Award winners including PVC Capt Bana Singh and VrC Col Virender Kumar resolved to formally return the paltry annuity now being paid to all the awardees being paid as of now.

The meeting held that there were 1.6 lakh ex-servicemen and 60,000 serving soldiers from J&K State, which constituted a vote bank of 22 lakh people. The league held further that this work force will now be aroused and effectively used to shake up political will and tilt the balance of political combinations, which so far have been befooling the masses by emotional black-mail and false manifestations.

A core group was formed to give practical shape to unified activity and work out strategy to further this plan. Vote of thanks was presented by general secretary Lt Col J S Jasrotia, while others who attended the meeting included Col PS Dogra, Col K S Jamwal, Lt Col KS Jamwal, Lt Col DS Salaria, Capt Sagar Singh etc.

SRTC workers protest, demand 5-months wages

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 19: Employees and workers of Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) took out a massive protest rally demanding early release of five months salary.

The employees in large number assembled at the SRTC Yard (Workshop) near Bikram Chowk here in the morning and then held protest demonstration against the State Transport authorities for not releasing the salary of the workers for the last about five months.

They alleged that despite assurance by the Transport Minister Hakim Mohd Yaseen and the Finance Secretary, nothing was done to redress the demand of the SRTC workers. They alleged that Government has failed to honour its commitment.

Raising slogans against the SRTC management, the agitated employees marched towards Bikram Chowk and then to the University Road. Their protest march concluded at General Manager’s office on this road. They pointed out that for the past four and half months SRTC workers have been left high and dry and their families were facing starvation.

They said despite assurance by the advisor to Chief Minister and the Transport Minister himself to SRTC employees leaders, their plight remained unheard. The workers were given only false assurances and their salaries were not released.

With the ongoing strike, the entire SRTC fleet remained off the road and workshops and other offices did not function. Employees leaders Amrik Singh, Ashok Mehra, Pawan Sharma and Mr Bali were leading. They also addressed the gathering.

They expressed that employees were facing starvation as they have nothing to eat as shopkeepers have now refused to give essential commodities. They claimed that strike will be continue till their pending salary is not released. .

PUC directs SRTC to improve functioning

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 19 : The Committee on Public Undertakings (PUC) has directed the State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) to take effective measures to improve it’s functioning and make the Corporation a self-reliant institution. The Committee maintained that hard decisions are required to regain the economy of Corporation on track.

The PUC that met here today with MLA Yogesh Sawhney in chair reviewed the overall functioning of SRTC and suggested various measures for improvement.

While discussing a specific issue relating to locking of Rs. 8.50 crore by Food Corporation of India (FCI) for non-implementation of MoU signed between FCI and SRTC for carriage of food grains to various destinations, the Committee asked for taking up the matter with the Government of India for recovery of money.

The Committee also discussed the matter relating to some illegal appointments made in the SRTC during the last couple of years. The committee expressed concern on such appointment and opined that the Corporation is already running in loss and further appointments in any category should be totally stopped. Meanwhile, the Committee has sought details on the issue.

While replying to the queries raised by the Committee, Managing Director SRTC, M.A. Lone apprised that Corporation is facing severe financial crunch and need Government support to revive its financial health. He said most of its fleet is outlived and major portion of its earning being spent on the maintenance. The Corporation requires new fleet and making arrangements by borrowing loan from financial institutions.

On the issue of appointments made in the Corporation, he revealed that Government has already cancelled all such appointments, which were made recently. He apprised the Committee about the steps taken for bringing the institution on track.

Those present in the meeting included, legislators Sham Lal Sharma, Faqir Nath, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Raman Mattoo, R.S.Chib, Secretary Transport Dilip Singh, Secretary Assembly Mohammad Ramzan, Director Accounts & Treasuries Mohammad Ishaq Khandey, Deputy Secretary Assembly M.R.Singh and other officers of Transport Department and Assembly Secretariat.

HC directs SSP Rajouri to protect newly married couple

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 19: Justice Virender Singh of State High Court directed SSP Rajouri to ensure all required protection to Samiya Jabeen and her husband Yasir Arafat of village Chowkian, Darhal so that they are not harassed by the parents of the girl.

According to the petition, the petitioners (Samiya Jabeen and Yasir Arafat) apprehend any untoward incident at the hands of the parents of the girl for the reason that Samiya Jabeen got married to Yasir Arafat against the wishes of her parents in September, 2007. It was also submitted that a false case of kidnapping has been registered against Yasir Arafat at Darhal Police Station.

The grievances of the petitioners were that they approached SHO Darhal and SHO Rajouri for taking necessary action against the parents and relatives of girl and for providing adequate security cover to them but no action was taken by the police forcing them to knock the doors of the court of law.

Hand over all water bodies to foreign
company: Houseboat owners

SRINAGAR, Feb 19: Hundreds of houseboat owners today took to the streets demanding that all the water bodies in the Kashmir valley should be handed over to any foreign company for their conservation.

Marching through different streets from famous Nehru Park in the Dal Lake to Civil Lines here, the houseboat owners of Dal, Nigeen, Chinar Bagh and river Jehlum alleged that Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) has failed to restore the pristine glory of the water bodies, particularly Dal Lake.

Hand over the water bodies to any foreign company before it is too late, they demanded.

The LAWDA had completely failed to deliver what was expected from it, they said adding it was responsible for the degradation of the Dal and Nigeen lakes since it took over the control of the water bodies.

They also rejected the socio-economic survey conducted by the Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED) in 1986, identifying a number of residential or other structures existing in the Dal basin.

The survey conducted had now become irrelevant as the demographic index with regards to the family units and the size of population of Dal dwellers has gone up since, they said.

Demanding immediate stop of dismantling houses and other structures in the lake by LAWDA and other agencies, they said the entire population living there should be shifted first and rehabilitated elsewhere.

More than 3.5 lakh trees and hundreds of illegal houses and other structures were razed to ground by the authorities in the Dal Lake and Chinar Bagh during the past one year. (UNI)

Charak inspects ongoing work for women college

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 19 : Minister for Higher Education, Gulchain Singh Charak today took stock of construction work on Government Degree College for women Kathua being constructed by National Building Construction Cooperation (NBCC).

Accompanied by Director Higher Education N.D. Wani, Project Director NBCC, M.K. Chawala Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kathua Laj Ram, the Minister went around the building and enquired about the pace of construction work.

The Minister also held interaction session with the students of GDC women and enquired from them about their studies and other curricular activities.

Later, the Minister also visited Government Degree College, Kathua and reviewed the functioning of the college.

The Minister was apprised that more than 4 thousand students are enrolled of the college.

The Minister inspected library of the college also and showed his great displeasure over the management of the college. The Minister said that despite of huge funds lying with the college no renovation or improvement work was being under taken in the college except construction of main gate of the college.

Mr. Charak also convened a meeting of college staff and held detailed discussions about its functioning.

The college staff projected various problems and demands. The minister listened the problems patiently and assured them about their mitigation.

Mr. Charak also inspected girls hostel, Kathua where presently the GDC women is functioning.

'e-governance to do away with corruption ridden system'

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 19: Any further delay in the adoption of e-governance by the State Government may cause 'irrecoverable damage' to the development and welfare activities in the State.

This was stated by Chairman and Managing Director, Zee Ten Cybernetics (ZTC), S Kaul in a press conference here today.

"At a time when monster of corruption has spread its tentacles in almost every government scetor, e-governance is the only remedy for bringing in transparency, accountability and efficiency in the functioning of government sector" said Kaul.

Although J&K conceptualised e-governance in 2002-03 and implemented in some departments also yet, Kaul said, the State is far behind as compared to states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and "e-governance can not be implemented within a year or two as needs integrated efforts for around ten years to make it applicable throughout all State owned departments in J&K.

While interacting with the media persons, Kaul stressed," Computerization of all records will disseminate information many folds faster than the existing pace in Government sector.

He said that in cities like Hydrabad, where e-governance has been fully enacted, people can view and pay bills for water, electricity and telephone besides municipal taxes through e-governance, hence giving hassle-free administration to people.

"Such web based initiatives offer farmers the information regarding products and services they need to enhance productivity and price realization by cutting the transaction costs besides giving them access to the global information on weather and scientific farming practices" Kaul added while seeking rule of e-governance in this State also.

19 years imprisonment awarded to Pak terrorist

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 19: Pres-iding Officer TADA /POTA/3rd Additional Se-ssions Judge Jammu Sanjay Gupta today awarded 19 years imprisonment to a Pakistan terrorist.

According to the allegation, accused Sanaullah, a resident of Daluwali, Pakistan crossed over to India illegally with the help of other accused—Kehar, son of Thoru Ram of Haripur (died during trial) and planted bombs at electric towers which caused extensive damage to the Government property.

A case was registered against the Pakistan national and after completion of the investigation challan was presented in the Court of law.

Presiding Officer, Sanjay Gupta awarded eight years rigorous imprisonment under PSS Act, 6 years imprisonment under RPC and five years imprisonment under Foreign Act. The Court, however, clarified that all the sentences shall run concurrently.

Vakil expects single party mandate in next elections

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Feb 19 : Describing conduct of elections in Pakistan triumph of democracy, Minister for Social Welfare Abdul Gani Vakil has expressed hope that installation of popular government in the neighbouring country would give fresh impetus to the Indo-Pak peace process.

Addressing a public meeting at Baramulla today, Mr. Vakil hoped that democratic government of Pakistan would reciprocate peace initiatives taken by New Delhi for bringing stability in South Asia. He said new dispensation in the neighbouring country would strengthen J&K Centric Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) further to pave way for early start of trade and commerce activities across LoC.

The Minister said that Congress party has a bitter experience of running coalition, admitting that the arrangement comes in the way of smooth execution of its policy programmes. He said that it was unfortunate that some insecure political players were more concerned about securing their future by restricting their visits in their home constituencies only rather than caring for welfare of people of the state as a whole.

Mr. Vakil urged people to give a clear verdict in the next election enabling a single party to form the Government stable enough to deliver on all fronts for all round welfare of ‘all’ people living in different regions and areas of the State. "Congress Party deserves to be voted to power in view of its exemplary performance and pro-people development agenda", he maintained.

He said the party has taken several landmark decisions including conferment of ownership rights over 20 lakh kanals of land, implementation of Wazir Commission, opening of scores of Degree Colleges and University campuses besides upgradation of road, health, education and power infrastructure on a massive scale.

Earlier, the Minister reviewed working of social security schemes of Ganderbal, Srinagar and Budgam districts at a meeting with officers of his department at Srinagar.

Mr. Vakil impressed upon officers to intensify awareness campaign in remote areas so that every genuine beneficiary was covered under the ambit of security schemes. He called upon ground functionaries to identify the targeted groups in their respective areas and guide them for receiving benefits of social welfare schemes.

Final phase of ‘Display Your Talent’
"Toba Tek Singh" declared as best play

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 19: Government College for Women (GCW) Gandhi Nagar has claimed the first prize in One-Act Play competition conducted by Department of Students Welfare (DSW), University of Jammu (JU) under "Display Your Talent" contest, here today.

GCW Gandhi Nagar had presented "Toba Tek Singh", a Hindi adoption of Sadat Hassan Mantoo’s Urdu play. Shiv Ram’s "Janta Pagal Ho Gai Hai" presented by PG integrated team clinched the second position while "Kanjoos", a Hindi version of Molier’s French comedy, presented by GCW Parade got the third position.

In individual Male Acting category, Neeraj Sharma, Abhishek Bharti and Sarang Vaid got first, second and third positions respectively whereas in female category, Bhasha Sumbli, Juhie Mohan and Ifra Mushtaq clinched first, second and third prizes respectively.

Certificates of Merit were awarded to Vikas Sharma, Arjun Sharma, Vishanki Kapoor, Kanwaljit Kour, Rekha, Anjali, Deepika Hans, Bhoomika, Rameshwari Slathia, Tabish Tanveer. Among the adjudicators were Kavi Rattan, M P Sharma and Dr. Sudhir Mahajan.

Later, Dr. P S Pathania, Dean Students Welfare distributed prizes and certificates among the winners. Mono Acting, Mimicry and Mime contest will be conducted on February 20.

Dilawar for removing dead wood from
Horticulture Produce Corporation

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 19 : Minister for Horticulture, Irrigation and Flood Control, Mohammad Dilawar Mir has called for area specific approach to promote low volume high cost varieties of fruits, adding that imported varieties of various plants need to be acquired for propagation and distribution among the farmers. This was imperative to increase the production, he added.

Speaking at a high level meeting held here today to review working of the horticulture department, the Minister said that horticulture is the back bone of State’s economy providing livelihood to about 25 lakh people and needs to be developed on scientific basis.

The Minister enjoined upon the concerned officers to bring more land under orchards, for which liberal assistance from the Central Government is available under ongoing Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture. He said Union Ministry of Agriculture has approved allocation of funds for covering additional 5000 hectares of land under rejuvenation of old and senile orchards programme. Funds for this purpose could be utilized out of current year’s allocation of Rs. 23 crore for execution of various horticulture schemes under Technology Mission Programme.

The Minister expressed dismay over the poor performance of J&K Horticulture Produce and Marketing Corporation and directed the authorities to fix responsibility on the concerned for failure of the much hyped "Kashmir Garden Fresh" scheme introduced by the Government last year to introduce good quality apple in the outside states and overseas markets. He asked the officers to undertake immediate measures for removing dead wood from the Corporation.

Mr. Dilawar asked the Financial Commissioner, Agriculture Production Depa-rtment to prepare comprehensive draft proposal for providing transport subsidy and advance incentives for creating post harvest infrastructure to the entrepreneurs and fruit growers, adding that this matter has been discussed threadbare by him with the Union Minister for Agriculture, Sharad Pawar recently who has in principle agreed to this proposal.

The Financial Commissioner Agriculture, S. S. Sahni, Secretary Agriculture Tanveer Jehan, Director Horticulture Jammu M. S. Qasba, Director Horticulture Kashmir N. A. Wani, Addl. Secretary Agriculture and Financial Advisor Agriculture were also present in the meeting.

Qasba inaugurates court room of Jt Registrar

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 19: Dr G N Qasba, Registrar Co-operative Societies J&K Jammu inaugurated the court room of Joint Registrar (Spl), Co-operative Societies in Gandhinagar here today.

This court has been located in the premises of Citizen’s Cooperative Bank, 117-A/D Gandhinagar, Jammu. Chairman of the Bank, Dinesh Gupta and the members of Board of Directors were also present.

While speaking on the occasion, he expressed that starting of court within the Bank premises shall help in expeditious disposal of the cases of the bank involved in litigation where a huge amount of the bank, nearly Rs 8.75 cr in 200 cases is involved.

With this the long pending demand of the elected management of the bank has been fulfilled with the objective to improve the working of the Bank, he maintained.

Chairman of the Citizen’s Coop Bank expressed his gratitude to the the Registrar for his cooperation. He expressed that steps taken by the Registrar Cooperative Societies will help the bank in reaching new heights.

Bhalla inaugurates up-gradation work of Middle School

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 19 : Asserting that maximum thrust have been laid on education sector so as to provide quality and latest knowledge to young minds, MLA Gandhi Nagar Raman Bhalla said that massive infrastructural development has been witnessed through out the State.

The MLA was speaking soon after inaugurating up-gradation work of Government Middle School Digiana to Higher standard here today.

Among others who participated on the occasion includes Corporator Sanjay Nagar Dwarka Choudhary, Corporator Gangyal Satish Sharma, CEO Jammu Suresh Sharma, Principal Government High School Digiana, Deputy CEO, ZEOs, staff of the school, students and prominent citizens of the area.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA Gandhi Nagar, Raman Bhalla said that with the efforts of the present Government up-gradation of educational institutions and infrastructural development of schools, colleges and universities of the State have become possible. Bhalla said that the present Government has taken keen interest for the complete development of the entire State in every aspect especially in education sector.

The MLA also highlighted the achievements made by the present Government in every aspect which includes construction of Community Hall in Preet Nagar with an estimate cost of 40 lakh, construction of Parks in the area, up-gradation of schools, Dispensary in Digiana, protection walls in Digiana across the nallah, installation of transformer with an estimate cost of 42 lakh to solve electricity problem and maintenance of roads and buildings. Mr. Bhalla also assured for the construction of examination halls, laboratory hall and class room in the school.

SLC sanctions incentives, subsidies under Central package

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 19 : A meeting of the State Level Committee (SLC) on capital investment and transport subsidy by Industries and Commerce Department to sanction various incentives and subsidies under the Central package was held here today under the chairmanship of Commissioner-

/Secretary,Industri-es and Commerce Department Lokesh Jha.

Giving details of the meeting, the Member Secretary of the Committee Pradeep Gupta, Director Industries and Commerce Jammu informed that the committee accorded sanction to the payment of a total amount of Rs.87.08 lakh in favour of 15 units located in Jammu division on account of Capital Investment Subsidy and Rs.64.60 lakh in favour of 5 units on account of Transport Subsidy under the central package.

Mr Gupta informed that 13 units were registered under the Medium and Large sector and 237 units in the SSI sector during the year 2007-08 with an investment of Rs.216.39 crore thereby creating employment for about 5200 persons against 10 units registered under the Medium and Large sector and 269 units in the SSI sector during the year 2006-07 with an investment of Rs.98.71 crore.

He stated that the department will convene the meetings of the State Level Committee regularly so that the incentives and subsidies both under the State and Central package are released to the industrial units without delay.

Among others the Director Accounts and Treasuries, General Manager SIDCO, Dy General Manager, State Financial Corporation and Chairman, Federation of Industries Jammu Annil Suri attended the meeting.

Selection grade accorded to R P Gupta

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 19: Government today accorded selection grade to Private Secretary, Director Soil Conservation, Jammu.

According to the Government order, Rajinder Pershad Gupta, a member of J&K Private Secretaries to Head of Departments (Gazetted) Service and presently posting as Private Secretary to Director, Soil Conservation Department, Jammu has been accorded selection grade with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, as recommended by J&K Service Selection Board, sanction has been accorded to the appointment of Server Ahmad, son of Abdul Gani Sheikh of Wadipora and Javeed Ahmad Dar, son of Ghulam Mohammad Dar of Parray Pora, Budgam as Junior Stenographers under open category.

The appointees shall report to the Special Secretary to Government, General Administration Department (Adm) within a period of 21 days from the date of issue of the order.

JKLTF supports strike call of Clerical Association

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 19: The All Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Teachers Federation (JKLTF) has extended support to the strike call given by the All Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Department Clerical Association on February 22 and 23.

In a meeting of the federation held today under the chairmanship of Balwan Singh Jamwal, the decision in this regard was taken. Members of the cadre also discussed the situation arisen due to the anti-employees policy adopted by the State Government.

The members also criticized the Government for adopting divide and rule policy among the different cadre of the employees by extending benefits of the job only to a selected section and leaving others in despair.

They supported the strike call given by clerical association on February 22 and 23 and asked the Government to concede their genuine demands. Those attended the meeting included Manga Ram Sharma, Hardeep Singh, Jyoti Prakash, Nasib Singh, Balwan Singh Manhas etc.

Death toll in Basohli mishap reaches 11

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Feb 19: With the succumbing to injuries one more passenger in hospital here today, the death toll in bus accident on Basohli-Bani road has reached 11.

A police spokesman told excelsior that seriously injured Roshan Singh, son of Raghunath Singh, resident of Jandrali village, who was referred to Kathua hospital from Basohli late last night died early today. His body was shifted to his home village for last rites.

Meanwhile police has registered a case against bus driver, Bablu, son of Prem Chand resident of Palai village under FIR No. 17/18. He is under arrest.

Deputy Commissioner Kathua Sarita Chouhan today provided Rs 5000 to next of kin of each accident victim and Rs 2000 for each injured person for treatment from Red Cross Fund.

Qazi inaugurates SFRI website

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 19 : Minister for Forests and Environment Qazi Mohammad Afzal has asked the officers of the State Forest Research Institute (SFRI) to double up their efforts towards promotion of the Minor Forest produce specially the Medicinal Plants.

He said that the SFRI should act as catalyst for promotion of MFPS in the State. He added that for the first time high altitude areas like Kargil, Leh and Gurez have been taken up to popularize the medicinal plants in these areas.

The Minister was addressing officers of SFRI in a review meeting after formal inauguration of the web site of SFRI launched here today. The address of the website is www.jksfri.org. Commending the efforts of the SFRI in dissemination of information through the website, he said that the web site will go a long way in providing information to people as per the Right to Information Act, J&K. This is in consonance with the policy objective of transparency and convergence.

He said that the SFRI has so far developed a strong base on nursery techniques, production of quality planting material, introduction of exotics, research on rare and threatened plant and animal species, medicinal plants, seed orchards etc. He added that so far SFRI has made 38 Preservation Plots, 62 Seed Production Areas, 6 Seed Orchards and 16 Herbal Nurseries. He advised that the SFRI should also take awareness campaign in the Schools and Colleges on a large scale so that the technology is brought to the doorsteps of the people.

The Minister was informed that the SFRI has provided about 3.8 lakh plants to different organizations of the Forest Department, Farmers and NGOs in its scheme of Quality Plant Production.

The Director SFRI, R. D. Tiwari gave on overview of the working of the SFRI.

All you who sleep tonight

By Ravinder Kaul

Good news is no news. Every morning when we scan through the newspaper, we come across bad news by the dozen. Murder, rape, accident, dacoity, kidnaping, molestation, theft, loot, corruption, adulteration etc. have become the staple diet of every news addict, without which the morning seems incomplete. Veteran Dogri poet Ved Pal ‘Deep’ has explained this phenomenon very aptly in the following couplet:

Raati meen akhbaar padhde seyi howa mein ghar neyi,

Ik nehri gufaa ch dubkoye da van-maahnu aaan, jungal ai ae

(Yesterday, while reading the newspaper, I had a feeling that I am not a human being living in my home. Instead, I imagined that we are all brutal cavemen living in a jungle).

Even with the highly sanitised mindset of a reader of newspapers, occasionally one does come across a news item when, instead of reading the news in detail, one feels like turning the page just after going through the headline. These news items are related to the sexual abuse of the girl child by a close relative, often the father of the child.

Much as we may like to ignore these occurrences as rarest of the rare cases, the fact remains that such incidents are on the increase. ‘Bitter Chocolate’, a book written by Pinki Virani has recorded various such cases in gruesome detail. She has emphasised the statistics of child abuse in the book by saying that "50 percent of girls under sixteen are sexually abused, half of them by family members and close relatives".

In this backdrop the play ‘Ant Haazir Ho’, presented at Abhinav Theatre here today as the third and last play of the Theatre Workshop conducted by Mushtaq Kak at the invitation of J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages and National School of Drama, represented a painful but essential unraveling of this heinous crime.

Meera Kant is one of our more prolific writers today. A number of her plays, including ‘Kali Barf’,‘Ihamrig’ and ‘Nepathya Raag’, have already been performed in the national capital and elsewhere in the country. She has also published novels and collections of her short stories. In this play she has touched upon a topic that many writers would not dare to take up. And instead of sensationalising the theme, of which there was every possibility, she has dealt with the issue with a great degree of sensitivity and compassion. This is what makes the play a very passionate portrayal of a topic that demands our serious attention.

The play has been conceived in the form of a ‘play within a play’. This scheme is quite popular with many playwrights as it presents endless opportunities of unraveling various aspects of an issue e.g. Khamosh Adalat Jaari Hai, Six Characters in Search of an Author. The play today began at a slow pace but gradually it picked up momentum and culminated in a very powerful manner, presenting a strong indictment of the insensitivity of the entire society towards the victims of child abuse, compelling the victim, in this case, to commit suicide.

The play was presented on a bare stage with a few wooden blocks as the only property. The lighting design and execution was very effective throughout. Among the artistes, Lakshmi Tagotra is the find of this Festival. She is a superb actress who has the capacity to internalise a role and deliver her best. She did extremely well to highlight the tragic tale of a victim of child abuse. However, for her own emotional health, she has to learn to distance herself from the role that she is portraying. An actor need not actually die to realistically portray a death scene on stage.

Other actors who excelled in their respective roles include Manoj Kumar Bhat, Tapeshwar Dutta, Irfan Choudhary and Aparna Kapoor.

Mushtaq Kak, the director of the play, had approached the theme with a great degree of caution to avoid any sensationalism in the performance. It was a very brave attempt and he fully succeeded in highlighting an issue that most would rather brush under the carpet. This play represents a high point of his theatrical career and one wishes that he would repeat it for many more shows in the near future, for an even larger audience.

Medi-tourism to get a boost with a heart
centre in Zabarvan foothills

By Ahmed Ali Fayyaz
Vijay Bhan/ Kiran Kaul

SRINAGAR/ NEW DELHI, Feb 19: Srinagar downtown interior of Saraf Kadal is infamous for having created the militant who tied bombs to the alleged paramilitary agent, Tehseen Billa, and blew him up into pieces in full view of people in 1990. But, it has enviable reasons to be rather famous for also having created a medical magician who has given the virtual second life to thousands of people all over the world. With an ordinary MBBS from Government Medical College, Srinagar, in 1972, Dr Fayaz Shawl today has over 19,000 high-risk angioplasty procedures to his credit. No one in the world is even close to the meteoric figure. His patients and close friends include the World's Who's Who---American Vice President Dick Cheney, Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief, India's richest diamond merchant, Dubai-based Harshad Mehta, former Chief Minister of Goa Pratap Singh Rane, as also a long list of USA's, India's and Pakistan's leading politicians, film stars, businessmen and diplomats.

Dr Shawl is currently the Director of Interventional Cardiology at Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park, Maryland, as well as Professor and Director of Interventional Cardiovascular Medicine at George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., USA. After completing his MBBS at GMC Srinagar in 1973 and later working as Medical Officer, Internal Medicine, at SMHS Hospital Srinagar and Shahdara Sharief Hospital Rajouri, Jammu, for about a year, Dr Shawl completed his residency (post-graduation) in England. On his third visit to hometown Srinagar after a long gap of nearly 30 years, Dr Shawl is, at the moment, in the middle of a philanthropic mission---diagnosing heart ailments and conducting high-risk angioplasty procedures. He has donated imported stents, medicines and equipments worth Rs one Crore to SKIMS where his patients are getting almost everything free for three days this week.

In 1977, Dr Shawl moved to the United States and completed his cardiology fellowship at The Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Dr. (Maj.) Shawl brought the military into the balloon age when he performed the first PTCA in the United States Military at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in 1980. Between 1979 and 2003, he retained clinical appointments at Georgetown University School of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, while developing leadership roles in Interventional Cardiology at both Washington Adventist Hospital and George Washington University Hospital.

In 1999, Dr. Shawl was the first interventional cardiologist to use both, the Eclipse Holmium Laser as well as the AngioTrax mechanical device, for Percutaneous Transluminal Myocardial Revascularization in the investigational treatment of end-stage atherosclerotic heart disease (patients with no options). He did both procedures as part of research first in world at New Delhi, India. He was also first to perform mitral valvuloplasty in the Washington, DC metropolitan area in 1985.

Last year, as a result of former J&K Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's persuation, Dr Shawl returned to Srinagar after 30 years. His elder sister, Fareeda Shawl, who has just retired from government service, is a famous gynaecologist in Kashmir. His "dream of the life" is to raise a 50-bed heart center in Zarbarvan foothills behind the famed Mughal Gardens and Dal Lake in the picturesque Srinagar outskirts. He has revived up his resolve to establish the special medical facility even as his plans of setting up a hospital close to Dal Lake have been outrightly rejected by the present Government.

"Once completed, this hospital will attract my high-profile patients from all over the world and give a major boost to medi-tourism in Jammu and Kashmir", Dr Shawl said. He revealed that he would single-handedly raise funds for the hospital which would charge good amounts of money from the rich patients and treat the poor for free. "It's a totally philanthropic initiative", Dr Shawl said and revealed that Harshad Mehta alone had donated one million US dollars (Rs 4 Crore) for the center when he called him from Srinagar in November last. He is hopeful that the hospital in his hometown would be operational by the end of year 2008.