Ministerial staff on 2-day mass casual leave

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 22: The Ministerial staff of all the Government departments in the Jammu and Kashmir observed mass casual leave and held protest demonstrations at Divisional and district headquarters across the State today.

A large number of clerical staff members under the banner of All Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh All Departments Clerical Staff Association held massive protest rally outside the office of Divisional Commissioner at Mubarik Mandi here today to attract the attention of the Government towards the employees’ plight. Protest dharna continued throughout the day.

Several top leaders of the Association including Ram Kumar Sharma ( coordinator), Rehmat Ullah Malik (convenor), Ravi Singh Bhau (Secy), R P Sharma (chief organiser), Lalita Bali, Anil Mehta and Ajay Khajuria addressed the gathering. They raised the demand of removing pay anomalies in the pay scales of junior assistants, senior assistants and head assistants besides stenographers. They pointed out that in case of teachers, accountants and others the grades were revised but clerical staff was deprived of it. They demanded pay scale of Rs 4500-7000 for junior assistants, Rs 5000-8000 for senior assistants and Rs 5500-9000 for head assistants.

Ram Kumar demanded that secretariat training bar for the promotion as head assistant should be lifted and the qualifying service for the promotion of senior assistant, head assistant and section officers for the next post be kept three years.

Another large rally was held at Rail Head complex, Panama Chowk here under the leadership of Mohd Gafoor Dar and Abdul Majid Bichoo, president All J&K Ministerial Staff Association.

The speakers strongly criticised the government for ignoring the long pending demands of clerical staff. It was resolved to continue protest and mass casual leave on Saturday as well.

Similar rallies were held at Divisional Commissioner’s office at Srinagar under the leadership of Mohd Hussain Haji and Qazi Fiaz. At Leh the demonstration was held outside the office of Deputy Commissioner and various leaders addressed the gathering.Reports of protest rallies also came from Udhampur, Doda, Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua, Kishtwar, Baramulla, Anantnag and other parts of the State.

K. Oil to BPL consumers on Smart Card

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 22: In order to keep adequate availability of K.Oil in open market and to implement the recommendations of Dr. C.Rangarajan about a long term pricing policy of petroleum products in the State, a high level meeting of State officers and representatives of IOC, HPC and BPCL was held here today.

The meeting was chaired by Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Taj Mohi-ud-Din. Secretary CAPD Khalid Habib, State level coordinator IOC R. K. Gupta, Chief Regional Manager HPC Aurngar and Depot Incharge BPCL, H.S. Negi attend the meeting. Threadbare discussion were held on various points to keep the K.Oil available in market rate, besides providing K.Oil on Smart Card to the BPL consumers.

The meeting discussed the procedures for building of infrastructure and development of the required dealership net work for storage and free sale of kerosene in the open market. It was decided that such a system should be developed which would meet the requirements of consumers card holders located in villages, rural and far-flung areas so that the non PDS beneficiaries could procure free sale kerosene conveniently as per their requirement.

The meeting also discussed the issues for providing K. Oil to BPL consumers on subsidized rates through smart card.

The meeting was informed that BPL families who get smart cards would be identified by the district authorities and this scheme is expected to ensure that the benefits of the subsidy reach the targeted consumers in an efficient and cost effective manner which would help to contain the black marketing of subsidized kerosene and its diversion for adulteration.

Meanwhile, Taj Mohi-ud-Din chaired a meeting to take stock of the supply position of food-grains in the post scenario of drought and recent snowfall in Doda. The Minister issued directions to the concerned to ensure the availability of rations in the snow bound areas.

Assistant Director Kishtwar informed that during last month no free ration was supplied in Kishtwar. He projected some demands for supply of more 12,000 quintals of rice and 3000 quintals of atta.

Secretary CAPD issued telephonic directions to the Director CAPD Jammu for dispatch of 1333 quintals of atta. He also directed for dispatch of 3000 quintals of atta to the district with regard the requirement of rice. He also directed AD CAPD Ramban and TSO Banihal to sort out the issue with AD CAPD (T&S) Jammu.

ANC may contest Assembly polls
‘Coalition’ proved to be worst ever in J&K: Shah

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 22: Jammu and Kashmir Awami National Conference (ANC) headed by former Chief Minister, G M Shah described the present PDP-Congress dispensation as the worst ever in the State and alleged that there was no end to the Human Rights violations in Kashmir.

Addressing a press conference here today, convenor of the Party Muzaffar Shah (GM Shah’s son) said that Party has filed a petition before the State Human Rights Commission raising several fresh cases, demanding an end to the violation of the very basic rights of the people at large including innocent killings, burning down of properties, illegal detention and other rights abuses in the name of fighting militancy.

While in a civilized society there can be no room for terror, the fact remains that the state apparatus has been grossly misusing its authority in dealing with the situation. Mr Shah said the unabated killings of innocent people in custody, in the fake encounters has exposed the hollow statements of the rulers who loudly talked about zero tolerance. He referred to the instance of Magam where a youth was gunned down while demanding college, a Rehbar-e-Taleem teacher shot dead and firing on public by two SOG men in Baramulla.

Responding to a question, Mr Shah said Working Committee of the Party has given its mind to contest coming assembly elections and the party supremo, G M Shah will formally announce the ANC’s decision on polls in April. He, however admitted that Party has made up its mind to contest vigorously. The ANC leader did not give any hint about the trucks with any party or group.

He alleged that PDP has damaged the social fabrics and created doubts and wedge among the people of different regions and NC has failed to play the role of a vibrant and meaningful opposition.

He alleged that war against corruption was just a drama. Accountability Commission was headless and moreover, nepotism, misgovernance and misappropriation of developmental funds was the order of the day. Government failed to utilise funds to the tune of over Rs 4900 crore and it totally exposes its ‘so called’ work culture.

General secretary of the Party Mir Mohammed and advocate Mohiuddin Uri another stalwart from Baramulla district of the Party were also present in the conference besides S. Gian Singh and Kewel Sharma.

PUC directs PCB to check menace of pollution in Kathua

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 22: In order to take stock of the facilities being provided to industrial units in the State, the Committee on Public Undertakings (PUC) headed by MLA Yogesh Sawhney today visited Kathua Industrial Estates. During the visit, the Committee inspected various industrial units and interacted with the unit holders.

Legislators Faqir Nath, M.S.Akhoon, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Raman Mattoo, R.S.Chib, Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce Lokesh Jha, Managing Director SIDCO Irfan Yasin, Managing Director SICOP B.S.Dua, Deputy Commissioner Kathua Sarita Chohan, Additional Deputy Commissioner Laj Ram, Chief Medical Officer, Kathua Dr. Ashok Sharma, Deputy Secretary Assembly M. R. Singh and officers of State Pollution Control Board and Industries & Commerce accompanied the Committee.

The PUC directed the Industries and Commerce Department to provide necessary infrastructure to the industrial estates established in Kathua district. It further stressed on the department to interact with the unit holders periodically to resolve their genuine issues instantly and to maintain close coordination for better results. The Committee directed the department to simplify the procedure of paper work for the new aspirants and insisted for single window system so that more and more people could establish their industries in the State. To ensure proper disposal of industrial waste, the Committee asked the department to initiate steps for construction of exclusive treatment plant.

The Committee issued specific instructions to the Pollution Control Authorities to strictly ensure pollution control norms by all the industrial units to check the menace of pollution. The PCB authorities should make periodical inspections of all industrial units in the State and initiate steps against the violators, the Committee maintained.

The Committee also directed the authorities to evolve a foolproof mechanism that no habitation was established around the industrial estates to avoid lateral problems.

On the complaint of some locals that pollution is causing some health problems to the children, the Committee asked the Chief Medical Officer, Kathua to enquire into the matter and submit a report to the Committee within a fortnight.

Commissioner/Secretary Industries & Commerce Lokesh Jha briefed the Committee about the steps taken for the promotion of industries in the State.

CB unearths scam in PDD

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 22: Crime Branch has unearthed a scam in the Power Development Department and registered a case for detailed investigation.

An official spokesman said that a deputation from Batapore-Rafiabad area of Baramulla district lodged a complaint with the Crime Branch Kashmir alleging therein that a large scale theft of electricity was going on in the area with the connivance of the field officers of the Power Development Department.

On this, a discrete enquiry was carried out by an officer of the Crime Branch and a prima facie case was made out against the employees of the Department.

The local staff was found to be hand in glove with some of the users, who were consuming electricity without being charged. The connections of such users were not reflected in the records of the Department.

In some cases, it was found that the electricity was being consumed on genuine connections but in records their connections were shown to have been disconnected.

The electricity bill being charged from such consumers were being misappropriated by the employees of the Department.

The Crime Branch has registered a case for further investigation into the scam in the Power Development Department.

Two vehicle lifters arrested

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 22: Police today arrested two vehicle lifters and recovered six stolen two-wheelers on their disclosure.

Police spokesman said that SHO Police Station Arnia, Inspector Surinder Rao picked up two suspects—Ramesh Kumar, son of Bhajan Lal of Chak Bala and Tota Singh alias Kaka, son of Kartar Singh of Rathana and put them to interrogation.

During questioning, the duo confessed their involvement in several vehicle lifting cases of Jammu. They disclosed that they have stolen 6 motorcycles and scooters from various parts of Jammu particularly Gandhi Nagar and Bagh-e-Bahu areas.

The modus operandi of the vehicle lifters was to lift the two-wheelers from different parts of Jammu city and then sell out the same to people in Ramgarh, R S Pura and Arnia on cheap rates.

On their disclosure, all the six stolen scooters and motorcycles were recovered from different persons. Police didn’t rule out the recovery of more stolen vehicles.

Natrang stages its new play ‘ Pinki Aur Bunty’

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 22: Natrang launched its new production "Pinki Aur Bunty", based on a German play " Max and Milli" and staged its first show at Auditorium of the Government Women College Gandhi Nagar, here today.

The Minister for Higher Education, Gulchain Singh Charak was the chief guest on the occasion who appreciated the performance. Balwant Thakur, director, Natrang, in his welcome address, stated that this play is particularly for young audience. With this presentation, Natrang has also launched it new project " Theatre- in-Education" in Jammu.

He also said that theatre has the vast potential to transform the society.

Pinki aur Bunty is the story of brother Bunty aged 8 years and a sister Pinki, 6 years, and their friend Gangu of 8 years. The three are temperamentally different but their interaction is curiously interesting. The play shows how to see the world through the eyes of the children.

In the play, Mohit Sahrma acted as Bunty, Rohit Verma as Gungu and Kamakashi Pattyal as Pinki.

Prof N D Wani, Director, Colleges; Prof Veena Gupta, Principal, Women College, Gandhi Nagar; Dr M S Bloria, Principal, SP Commerce College; Prof Usha Jai, Principal, Women Prade College, Prof Vijay Kotwal, Principal, GGM Science College and Prof Mukbil Chisti, Principal, MAM College, Jammu were present.

Polio immunization compaign from tomorrow

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 22: The rescheduled Pulse Polio immunization compaign will commence on Sunday, February 24 without any change in the location of earlier centres. However, 13 new centres have been established in the Municipality limits of the city.

According to an official press handout, the new centres included TCP Nagrota, SP School Exchange Road, main gate RN Mandir, Greater Kailash 'A', Greater Kailash 'B', Marble Market, Greater Jammu, Parveen Colony, Lower Shiv Nagar, Janipur Petrol Pump Basant Nagar, Baby Caterers, Rehari Colony Panchi Nagar and Poonch House-B, near Sain Baba Shrine.

Meanwhile, The National Rural Health Mission J&K appealed to all the citizens of J&K to provide additional Polio drops to their children upto the age of five years.

Arrangements for Shiv Khori Mela reviewed

Excelsior Correspondent

REASI, Feb 22: Arrangements for the ensuing Shiv Khori mela commencing from March 5 to March 7, 2008 on the occasion of Shivratri were reviewed at a district level officers meeting held under the chairmanship of District Development Commissioner Reasi, Sanjeev Verma here, today.

Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Bikram Singh Jamwal who is also (Member Secretary), Tehsildar (T) Reasi, Tehsildar Settlement Reasi, Manager Shiv Khori Shrine Board and other officers attended the meeting.

During the meeting, arrangements like security, law and order, barricading, drinking water, repair of road from Kanda onward, un-interrupted power supply, fire services, deployment of staff duties, installation of stalls by various departments which include Horticulture, Agri-culture, Handloom, Handi-craft, Rural Development Department by displaying their products and pamphlets regarding various schemes for awareness of general public were reviewed. Mr Verma directed all the departments to make necessary arrangements for successful conduct of Shiv Khori Mela.

The Tourism Department shall arrange a cultural programme during the mela days for the entertainment of the pilgrims visiting Shiv Khori Cave.

State to import new varieties of plants : Dilawar

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 22: Urging for adoption of modern horticulture technologies to compete with the stiff market competition at global level, the Minister for Horticulture, PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Mohammad Dilawar Mir today called for importing improved and best quality plant material suited to local climatic conditions. He said a team of horticulture scientists and senior officers will be constituted to submit a comprehensive project to the Central Government for this purpose.

Speaking at a high level joint meeting of the senior officers of the Government of India and local divisional horticulture and agriculture officers held here this afternoon to review implementation of on-going Rs. 100 Crore Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, the Minister said switching over to import of newer varieties of plant material was need of the hour as the State has to compete not only with the neighboring States but global markets as well in the wake of WTO regime.

Additional Secretary Agriculture, Government of India, S L Bhat, Horticulture Commissioner, Government of India, who is also advisor on import, M L Choudhary, Financial Commissioner Agriculture, S S Sahni, Secretary Agriculture, Tanveer Jehan, Director Command Area, Jammu Manzoor Ahmed Shah, Director Agriculture Kashmir, Ghulam Hyder Bhat, Director Horticulture (P&M), Showkat Ahmed Zargar, Director Agriculture, Jammu, Vinod Bala, Director Command Area, Kashmir, G H Shah, Director Floriculture, Jammu, Kulbhushan Sharma and concerned officers were present in the meeting.

The Minister also urged for a massive drive for rejuvenation of senile and old orchards with focus on preserving indigenous fruit varieties like Ambri and Saffron.

While expressing his dismay over low percentage of utilizing liberal Central funds, the Minister asked the officers to re-activate men and machinery to enhance absorption capacity. He urged for utilizing Central funds available under Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture for creating post harvest infrastructure to enhance shelf life and quality of the fruit.

Responding positively to the suggestions of the Horticulture Minister, Mr. S L Bhat asked the officers to submit proposal for importing newer varieties of fruit plants within fortnight, adding that adequate financial support and import permission would be provided by the Union Ministry of Agriculture without any delay. He urged for setting up of seed testing laboratories, atleast one each in Jammu and Kashmir divisions, adding that adequate funds for this purpose are available under the Technology Mission Programme.

Financial Commissioner, Agriculture stressed the need for widening of marketing channels, raising of cold chains and storage infrastructure in the State to boost horticulture which provide livelihood to about 25 lakh populace besides serving as back bone of the State’s economy.

Deptt of Law felicitates Justice Anand, VC

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 22: Former Chief Justice of India Justice A S Anand and Vice Chancellor University of Jammu (JU), Prof. Amitabh Mattoo were felicitated on being nominated for prestigious National awards, in a function organized by the Department of Law JU, here today.

Justice Anand and Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, sons of soil, were among the persons who got nominated this year for Padam Vibhushan and Padam Shri awards respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, Justice Anand heaped praises on Prof. Mattoo for turning JU a global entity. He said university has made tremendous progress in the past few years under the visionary approach of Prof. Mattoo.

Also speaking, Prof. Mattoo termed Justice Anand as a distinguished legal luminary who brought about several transformations in the system during his different stints.

Earlier, Prof. S K Sharma, HoD and Dean Faculty of Law presented the welcome address and described about the achievements of both Justice Anand and Prof. Mattoo.

Prof. B P S Sehgal and Prof V P Mangotra also read out the academic vitae of Justice Anand and Prof. Mattoo respectively.

The felicitation ceremony was attended by several legal luminaries of the State including Justice Hakim Imtiyaz Hussain, B S Salathia, president BAJ, teachers and other officials of the university.

Janata Dal (U) for third front in State's politics

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 22: The State unit of Janata Dal (United) party today proposed a Third Front in the view of forthcoming assembly elections. The party maintained that several political parties have joined hands with them as pre-poll alliance recently.

Addressing a press conference here today, president of the party, S Inder Mohinder Tar Singh appealed the people of state to join proposed third front saying for only viable alternative to the present, what he termed as, corrupt State Government.

However, Mr Singh paused to name the parties which have already joined or are likely to join the proposed front yet he expected positive outcome within a week's time.

Meanwhile, he alleged that SKUAST, Jammu has made 347 backdoor appointments during the past two years and smelled a scam in the whole process of recruitment. He also demanded a high level probe into it.

Commenting over the results of recent Pakistan polls, Mr Singh said, "Its victory of democartic forces and we hope that it will soon bring an era of peace and stability in the conflict ridden state besides strenthening relations between two countries."

Among others who expressed their views included senior vice president SP Magotra, vice president, Rajinder Sharma, general secretary, Avinash Sharma and chairman parliamentary board, VK Prashar.

Jammu West Assembly Movement
activists stage demonstration

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 22: The activists of Jammu West Assembly Movement led by Sunil Dimple held a massive demonstration here, today to turn the attention of Government towards the problems of the people residing in the constituency.

The demonstrators who were led by Sunil Dimple, president of the Movement with black flags in their hands were shouting slogans against the Government for its failure in constituting the Delimitation Commission, bifurcation of Jammu West Assembly constituency into two segments and development of the constituency.

Addressing the demonstrators, Mr Dimple in an appeal to UPA chairperson, Mrs Sonia Gandhi sought her intervention towards the matter. He demanded constitution of Delimitation Commission which was in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the coalition Government.

He urged Mrs Gandhi to issue directives to Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad in this regard so that the Delimitation of Assembly segments is done before the ensuing Assembly elections.

He demanded that Jammu Assembly segment should be divided into two segments with district status. He criticized the Congress and blamed it for backstabbing the people for its failure in setting the process of delimitation of constituencies in motion as promised by it.

Govt contemplating to accord core
sector status to agriculture: Zargar

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Feb 22 : "Out of Rs. 1931 crore, credit plan 2008-2009, projected by NABARD for the State, Rs. 471 crore would be available for agriculture and Rs. 538 crore for Non Agriculture Sectors" said Minister for Co-operatives and Agriculture, Abdul Aziz Zargar after releasing "The State Focus Paper 2008-2009" at "State Credit Seminar-2008-2009, organized by NABARD here today.

Among others, Chairman, SCB, Abdul Huq Khan, Registrar Co-operatives, Dr. G.N.Qasba, Chief General Manager, NABARD, A.K.Mathur, Director Indian System of Medicines, Dr. Abdul Kabir, senior managers of NABARD and other banks were present on the occasion.

Mr. Zargar said that Government was contemplating to accord core sector status to agriculture. He said NABARD has played a vital role in reconstruction programme of the State, adding that efforts to increase agriculture production in the State were being supplemented by the bank through credit facility. He said apart from agriculture and horticulture sectors our State has vast potential in floriculture and power sectors, which if exploited in full could not only improve the economy of the State, but generate ample employment avenues for unemployed youth. He said agriculture production depends on the timely credit facilities to the farmers to enable them to fetch fertilizers, seeds and other agriculture inputs at the time of need. He said financial institutions, particularly, co-operative banks should be liberal in lending loans to the farmers, which can pave the way for increasing their production.

The Minister emphasized upon the management of NABARD to give priority to farming sector rather to non farming sector. He said co-operatives must have a strong institutional capacity, adding that the bottlenecks causing the slow growth need to be removed to ensure perceptible increase in economic growth.

While releasing the book, the Minister said that book containing valuable information covering core sectors of agriculture and rural development of the State. He hoped the book would prove beneficial for development of cooperative sector.

NABARD, Chief General Manager, Mr Mathur highlighted the achievements of the Bank.

Dr. Qasba said that several measures have been initiated to improve the Co-operative sector, adding that implementation of Vaidaynathan Committee Report in the State would change the economy of the farmers.

National seminar on Statistics begins at JU

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 22: Minister for Higher Education, Gulchain Singh Charak inaugurated a two-day national conference on "Emerging Trends in Statistical Methods and Optimization Techniques" being organized by Department of Statistics University of Jammu (JU), here this morning.

In his inaugural address, the Minister emphasized the importance of Statistics for planning and administration. He said, this conference would not only provide platform for meaningful deliberations on the relevance of science of Statistics to the society but also disseminate the emerging concepts of Statistics and give their applications to users for welfare of the nation.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, who presided over the function, lauded the role of Statistics by citing Prof. Mahalanobis, architect of India’s second Five Year Plan and advisor to first Prime Minister of India Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru.

Prof. A K Nigam, Director Institute of Applied Statistics and Development Studies, Lucknow delivered the keynote address. In his address, he emphasized on the effective usage of Statistical techniques.

The conference is being attended by galaxy of Statisticians from premier institutes like IITs, ICAR, ICMR, RBI, Indian Statistical Institutes and various universities of the country. Prof. JPS Joorel, HoD Statistics JU is the convener of this conference.

On the inaugural day of the conference, eminent researchers in the field of Statistics including Prof. Ashish Sengupta, Prof. P K Kapoor, Prof. Rattan Dasgupta, Prof. D Kundu, Prof. H J Vaman, Prof. S K Pandey spoke on the issue, while Ambuj Pandey gave a presentation on practical aspects of SYSTAT.

Grant OBC status to Jat community: Federation

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 22: J&K Jat Welfare Federation has given a two months ultimatum to Government in conceding its demand regarding grant of Other Backward Class (OBC) status to Jat community in the state.

The community will come to streets and launch a statewide agitation in case Government continues its rigid stand on the demand, warned Ch. Walidad, president of the Federation while addressing a press conference here, this afternoon.

He said despite the repeated pleas to the Government from the Jat Community which constitutes three lakh of the state’s total population, the Government is maintaining a stoic silence on the issue.

Justifying the demand, he said the Jat community which mostly is dependent on agriculture is economically backward community in the state as it has till date been deprived of all the benefits by the Government.

He said the Jat Community mostly resides on border and Line of Actual Control (LoC) from Kathua in Jammu region to Uri in Kashmir Valley and the community has worstly suffered due to unnatural division of Sub Continent in 1947.

The Jat community has been uprooted from time to time due to Indo- Pak wars and border firings, he said,adding the community which is the backbone of the state’s agriculture needs special attention of the Government and deserves grant of OBC status.

The Jat leader said, the NC has also supported the demand and former Chief Minister and MP, Dr Farooq Abdullah has raised the issue in Rajya Sabha also but the State Government has till date shown its rigidness on the issue. Others present in the press conference included Khursheed Ahmed, Ch. Mohammed Aslam and Zia Ullah Shah.

Trade Union Congress backs SRTC employees

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 22: Jammu and Kashmir Trade Union Congress in a meeting held here today extended full support to agitating SRTC (State Roads Transport Corporation) employees and appealed State Government for early redressal of their demands. The meeting was chaired by president of the union, Subash Chander Sharma.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Sharma exhorted that union can not tolerate anti-working class policies. He also pleaded with State Government to disburse off with held salaries and COLA of protesting employees as soon as possible.

Those who attended the meeting were Deedar Singh, Madan Sharma, Camres David, MK Koul, Vijender Kumar, Kalyan Singh and Tilak Raj.

Meanwhile, he warned of joining the agitation of SRTC employees in case Government fails to mitigate their problems.

Homeguards stage demonstration

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 22: The jawans of Homeguards who are on continuous dharna in front of Divisional Commissioner’s Office for over last two months today staged a demonstration in support of their demands.

The protesting Homeguards jawans raising slogans in support of their demands criticized the Government for adopting delaying tactics in accepting the demands.

They warned to accelerate the struggle in case the Government continues its rigid stand on their demands.

The present agitation is being spearheaded by All J&K Homeguards Welfare Association (AJKHWA). The Association leaders alleged that despite the several assurances the problems of the Homeguards jawans were not solved till date.

The Association is demanding regular monthly salary besides all benefits as are enjoyed by the jawans of other belt forces and regularisation of services or permanent adjustment in other departments.

The leaders of the Association said that Chief Minister’s Secretariat had given an assurance to them that the demands will be solved but till date nothing was done in this direction. They warned to intensify agitation in case the demands were further delayed.

JKSTA supports strike call of clerks

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 22: Jammu Kashmir State Teachers Association (JKSTA) today held a meeting under its president S. Kulwant Singh wherein issues being confronted by the teaching community were discussed and support was extended to the strike call given by clerical association.

In the meeting, cadre members criticized the State Government for adopting divide and rule policy among the different cadre of the employees by extending benefits only to a selected section.

The association also supported the strike call given by All Jammu Kashmir Ladakh Clerical Association on February 22 and 23 and urged the Government to concede the demands of the clerks at an earliest.

It was also decided in the meeting to to mobilize the teachers to participate in proposed protest dharna in front of Divisional Commissioner’s office at Mubarak Mandi on March 3. Teachers Joint Action Committee has given the said call.

They have been demanding benefits of earned leave, implementation of transfer norms, regularization of ReT teachers etc. Those who attended the meeting included Bharat Kumar, Mulkh Raj Bhamagi, Jai Kumar, Tilak Raj Sharma, Ranjit Singh, Kuldip Saini, Suresh Kumar etc.

Hundreds participate in Kalash yatra

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 22: Hundreds of devotees participated in the Kalash yatra which was taken out from Shiv Parvati Ghat, Ram Mandir at Bikram Chowk this morning.

The Kalsh yatra was taken out in connection with week long Bhagwat Katha which concluded today. The religious discourses on Bhagwat were given by Sri Kundan Mahraj Ji of Bindrawan (UP).

The Kalash Yatra after passing through Bikram Chowk, Green Belt Park Ware House later culminated at Ram Mandir.

The Kalash Yatra was led by president Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Mr Ashok Khajuria and president of the organizing committee Sunil Sharma.

The women devotees who outnumbered the men carrying (Kalash) earthen pitchers filled with water on their heads were reciting hymns and bhajans enroute.

Later the Mahant of the Temple, Sia Ram Ji Mahraj handed over the Ghadi (seat) to his disciple Ganesh Ji Mahraj. The function, which was performed in a traditional manner was attended by over 500 Sadhus drawn from different parts of Jammu.

During the week long Bhagwat Puran Katha plays on the life of Lord Krishna were staged from his birth to his marriage.

During the concluding function a yagya was also performed and the devotees were served prashad after Puranahuti.

Avail benefits of self employment schemes: Mangat

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 22: Government has filled up 82000 vacancies through J&K Service Selection Board, Public Service Commission and other recruiting agencies during last three years and also extended loan facilities to interested entrepreneurs to set up their income generating units in the State.

This was stated by Minister for Health and Medical Education Mangat Ram Sharma while addressing a public meeting organized by Mohalla Welfare Association, Subash Nagar.

Referring to setting up of hi-tech hospital on the pattern of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi at Bakshi Nagar, Mr. Sharma said that on completion of work on this mega project, not only the people in urban areas would be benefited with ultramodern medicare but people belonging to valley, Ladakh and remote areas of Jammu region would also be facilitated.

Speaking about revolutionary steps taken by Azad Government in tourism sector, Mr. Sharma said that Government has setup Tourism Development Authorities in all the districts of the State, adding that launching of Gondola in Jammu is also in offing.

Reacting to the demands raised by local leaders on the occasion, Mr. Sharma reaffirmed Government’s resolve to provide all basic amenities to the people of the State, living in urban, rural and remote areas in a phased manner.

3-day Masters Training workshop concludes

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 22: The 3-day Masters Trainers Training organized by the State Pollution Control Board under National Green Corps Scheme at State Institute of Education concluded here today. About 55 participants including lectures, masters and teachers attended the workshop.

The Chairman, State Pollution Control Board Dr. C. Seth was the chief guest on the occasion and Director School Education, Jammu A. K. Raina and Assistant Commissioner Kendriya Vidyala Jammu Mr. Khajuria was the guest of honour on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman, J&K Pollution Control Board said that the potential threats to the life on this planet on account of environmental degradation and climatic disturbances underscoring a need for world nations to chalk out a holistic strategy to save the world from this sort of catastrophe should be the prime concern of one and all.

Saying that teachers can play a pivotal role in this dissemination information to the masses on account of nature of their jobs, he said "this way we would successfully deluge awareness to people regarding environment." He stressed on them to make people aware about the threats of environmental degradation and to educate the people and students to do their day-to-day engagements in a manner that would not create pollution.

In his address, Director School Education, Jammu said that this training workshop shall be of great help to the teaching community to further carry forward the National Green Corps (NGC) programme in schools.

Assistant Commissioner, K. V Jammu Mr Khajuria also spoke on the occasion.

Programme Coordinator Ashok Sharma presented vote of thanks.