Police Hospital, SDPO office inspected
DGP for further improvement in police telecommunication

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Feb 25: Though telecommunication facilities of J&K Police are one of the best in the entire country yet there was need for further improvement.

This was stated by Director General of Police, Kuldeep Khoda in a meeting of police telecommunication officers at Police Telecom Centre, Police Control Room, here.

Threadbare discussions were held for upgradation of the Police telecommunication setup. Mr Khoda was briefed by SSP Telecom Mohammed Yaseen about various aspects of existing communication networks in the zone with focus to do away with the old technologies and introduce new concepts to bring about total integration of inter connectivity.

The concept of VPN (Virtual Private Networking) and use of UHF for Broad Band connectivity were appreciated by the DGP. He approved to draw up plan for implementation and stressed that Police should use the latest technology available in telecom sector and new ideas should be implemented to upgrade departmental telecommunication setup.

He also gave on the spot ‘go ahead’ regarding several proposals put forward for the upgradation of existing facilities. Mr Khoda said "a state of art telecom network is need of the hour for State Police wherein Police should be able to communicate with rest of the country effectively and instantaneously".

Meanwhile, Mr Khoda inspected Police Hospital at PCR complex. He was accompanied by Inspector General of Police Kashmir, Shiv Murari Sahai, DIG Headquarters, Farooq Ahmed, SSP PCR Srinagar, Shoukat Malik, SSP Srinagar, Ahfadul Mujtaba and other senior officers.

Mr Khoda visited all the sections of Police Hospital including Operation Theatre, OPD, Ultra Sonography Centre, X-Ray Centre, Mortuary Cabin and Intensive Care Unit. He also had an hour long interaction with the patients during which he enquired about the quality of facilities being provided to them.

Later, the DGP held detailed discussions with doctors and hospital administration where he was apprised about the further requirements of hospital.

Assuring hospital administration of liberal funding for the betterment of the hospital, the DGP stressed on the modernisation of the hospital. He said that state of art technology should be used by the hospital and best possible treatment be provided to the patients.

Mr Khoda also inspected the office of SDPO Sumbal and held a Darbar. He gave patient hearing to the issues raised in Darbar and gave on spot instructions to address the grievances.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Khoda stressed on professional policing and said that Police should serve the people honestly. He said that police is meant for people and it should be endeavour of every policeman to extend a helping hand towards people.

Camp office established at Khillani
SVO increasing reach to far-flung areas

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 25: To increase its reach to the far-flung areas of the State, the State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) has established a camp office at Khillani, Doda which was formally inaugurated by S K Mishra, IGP (Vigilance).

An official spokesman said that reaching far-flung areas for administration of anti-corruption laws is one of the objectives set for itself by the SVO for the year 2008 during which it intends to establish camp offices at Kupwara, South Kashmir, Doda and Poonch.

A team of SVO officials will be stationed at the camp office. In the first phase, they will receive complaints with regard to demand of bribe against public servants so that traps can be laid to catch them red handed while accepting bribe.

The camp office will cater far-flung areas of Doda and Kishtwar district where people were finding it very difficult to reach Jammu to lodge their complaints about the corrupt practices of the public servants, the spokesman said.

A detailed proposal for allocation of funds under Police Modernization Scheme for construction of office and residential accommodation at the proposed camp offices is already under the active consideration of the Government.

After the inauguration of the camp office, a district level conference of Departmental Vigilance Officers was held at Doda. IGP (Vigilance) was the chief guest while Deputy Commissioner, Doda presided over the conference.

Speaking on the occasion, IGP laid stress on the DVOs to work as the eyes and ears of the Government in ensuring transparency and accountability in Government offices particularly those which are providing services to the general public and are located in far-flung areas where the senior functionaries of the Government seldom visit.

Nissar Ahmad, SSP Vigilance asked the people to maintain close liaison with this branch so that the complaints/enquiries entrusted to the DVOs are completed speedily.

SSP Doda, Manohar Singh, Commandant JKAP 3rd Battalion Tilak Raj and other districts officers attended the meeting.

Red Cross Society distributes relief material

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 25: Indian Red Cross Society, Jammu region, has dispatched relief material to different places for distribution among persons affected by snow avalanches and severe winter in hilly areas of Jammu division.

One consignment of relief material comprising 300 blankets, plastic sheets, woolen clothes, 150 bed sheets and other items of daily use for the affected people was sent today. Such material is sent to other places as well, a release said.

Anil K Padha, Honorary secretary, Red Cross Society, supervised the dispatch of the relief material to Deputy Commissioner, Poonch.

The Red Cross has already held relief camps in Bishnah, Chakroi and Jammu’s New Plots and Christian colony.

Rs 2 cr released under NCRF

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 25: The Chief Secretary today took a comprehensive review of the damage caused to the property and infrastructure due to the unprecedented and heavy snowfall this month in Jammu division where about eight districts were affected.

While expressing satisfaction over the rescue and relief measures undertaken by the administration in respective districts, the Chief Secretary released an additional amount of Rs 2 crore under the Natural Calamity Relief Fund (NCRF) in view of the assessment reports furnished by the Deputy Commissioners.

The Chief Secretary said that out of this fund Rs. 1.50 crore will be placed at the disposal of power development department for installation of damaged electric poles in far-flung areas of affected districts.

He further directed the Finance department to release forthwith the balance 50 percent of the loan component of NABARD in favour of the District Development Commissioners of the State for timely and speedy execution of ongoing road schemes which apart from providing connectivity shall also provide employment in these areas.

Deputations call on Mufti

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 25: Deputations from Shangus, Doda, Kargil, Surankote, Handwara, Pahalgam, Khansahib, Anantnag, Pattan, Sumbal Sonawari and PHE Employees Federation called on People’s Democratic Party (PDP) patron and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to discuss issues and problems of their respective areas.

The deputation from Shangus demanded that work on Thalar Dam be started on priority basis as the whole area of Shangus is facing lot of hardships due to the non-availability of water for the irrigation purposes.

Dr Rehmattullah, who headed delegation from Doda, demanded that districts of Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar be given the status of Hill Province with Doda as the central point for being the second largest district after Ladakh.

Deputation from block Khag Khansahib headed by Molvi Mohammad Maqbool demanded that Tosa Maidan should be developed as tourist spot. Mr Maqbool also informed PDP patron that people of Khag block have been facing lots of problems due to non-availability of electricity and roads which are in very bad condition.

Deputation from Kargil headed by Advocate Ghulam Murtaza demanded regular air services including private from Srinagar to Kargil and Jammu-Kargil as presently only Army decota services are being operated for Kargil. They also demanded that work on tunnel at Zojila be started on priority basis.

All PHE Employees Federation, Kashmir province headed by Ishtiaq Qadiri demanded that their long pending demands be considered on priority basis.

The PDP Patron assured the deputations that their demands would be taken up for redressal at the appropriate level.

Doda migrants take out protest rally

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 25: Migrants from district Doda held a demonstration outside the office of Divisional Commissioner, at Mubarik Mandi and took out a protest march in the old city which concluded at City Chowk here today.

The protest program was held under the banner of Zila Doda Migrant Committee and its chairman, Suraj Parkash was leading. The migrants hailing from far flung areas of district Doda and now languishing in the camp here for the last several years, participated.

Their protest dharna outside the Divisional Commissioner’s office is going on for the last so many weeks but favourable response from the government is still awaited. Several members of the committee addressed the gathering besides some NPP leaders.

Suraj Parkash Rana while speaking on the occasion, alleged that Government has failed to provide relief to Doda migrants at par with Kashmiri migrants despite clear Supreme Court directions. He alleged that Government was playing hide and seek game with them and despite agreeing and even after submitting an affidavit in the court of law they have committed contempt of the apex court.

It is unfortunate that migrants from Doda, Rajouri, Mahore and other parts of Jammu region are being ignored and provided relief with different yardsticks while those from Kashmir were being treated differently.

Meanwhile, NPP leader and MLA Udhampur Balwant Singh Mankotia has urged the state government to provide relief to the migrants from Doda and other parts of Jammu region at par with Kashmiri displaced persons.

He said their demand was genuine and justified and Government should treat all the migrants equally and there should not be two different yardsticks for the same.

RBI to be approached for extension
in special concessions to industry

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 25: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will be requested to continue special concessions to trade and industry in Jammu and Kashmir for further period of one year. The period of concessions and relaxations is due to expire on March 31, 2008.

This was unanimously decided in a meeting of Sub-Committee of State Level Bankers’ Comm-ittee on Relaxation/Concession to trade and industry held at Zonal Office (Central), J&K Bank Limited, here.

The meeting was presided over by Ajit Singh, president (Regulatory and Subsidiary Management), J&K Bank (Convenor Bank) and participated by representatives from State Government’s Finance Depa-rtment, Directorates of Indu-stries, Kashmir and Jammu, the J&K Bank, RBI, SBI and UCO Bank.

The representatives of Government, RBI and the member institutions strongly pleaded for extension in the period of concessions and relaxations by banks to the trade and industry.

They also requested that the banks should give wide publicity to the concessions and relaxations available after the extension in the period is received from the RBI.

Some other important issues which were deliberated included designating a Nodal Officer for intervening in the case of delays and problems at the apex level and resolve the same without any inter institutional barriers.

Union warns to launch ‘Sadak Roko Andolan’
SRTC employees stage massive demonstrations
at Srinagar, Jammu

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 25; Intensifying their agitation the hundreds of State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) employees along with their family members including children took to streets in capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar today in protest against the Government’s failure to concede their demands.

The call for today’s demonstration was given by J&K SRTC Workers Union which is spearheading the present strike. While the workers were carrying the banners and pla- cards in their hands, their children were carrying school bags and books in their hands.

The protesting workers at Jammu also torched their books and school bags of their children to lodge their protest against the indifferent attitude of the Government towards their plight and blocked the Tawi bridge.

The protesting SRTC employees at Jammu assembled at SRTC Headquarters near Bikram Chowk where from a rally was taken to Jewel Chowk. The rallyists shouting slogans against the Government later staged a demonstration at Tawi bridge. The rally was headed by Pawan Sharma, Union president, Jammu region.

In Srinagar hundreds of SRTC employees drawn from different parts of Kashmir Valley along with their family members assembled at RTC City Yard in Summer Capital where from a protest rally was taken to Divisional Commissioner’s Office Kashmir. On its return the rally moved from various parts of Srinagar city including Hari Singh High Street and Press Gali before it culminated at RTC Ground near TRC.

The rally was led by chairman SRTC Workers Union, Shakil Ahmed Kuchey.

Criticizing the Government both Kuchey and Sharma while addressing the demonstrators at Srinagar and Jammu said the Union will intensify the agitation to take it to its logical conclusion.

They said though tomorrow peaceful demonstrations will be held by the Corporation employees at SRTC Headquarters both in Srinagar and Jammu, the Union will launch the Rasta Roko Andolan on National Highway from Lakhapur including on Katra route and protest against the plying of private transport on these routes on Feburary 27.

Maintaining that SRTC Workers are not opposite to private transporters but the Union wants to see on whose permission the private transport is plying on nationalized routes, they said.

Mr Kuchey said despite the assurances given by the Government including the Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad from time to time our demands have not been redressed.

He said the SRTC employees in J&K have been deprived of all facilities being availed by the RTC employees in all other states of the country for last 30 years.

"We have been deprived of overtime, bonus and promotion benefits over these years," alleged Mr Kuchey. "Even for last eight years it has become a precedence in the organization that the employees are given their salaries after a gap of five to six months", he added.

He also alleged that no money of GP Fund and C P Fund deducted from employees salaries has been deposited in their accounts by the Corporation management for last eight years and the arrears have piled up to Rs 42 crore during this period. Not to speak of the Sixth Pay Commission, the SRTC employees have even been deprived of Fifth Pay Commission arrears so far and COLA arrears have not been released since 1999, in their favour, he added.

IAF saves life of patient

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 25: Indian Air Force (IAF) today saved the life of a serious patient by timely airlifting him from Kargil to Srinagar.

A defence spokesman said that Kaji Ashan Ali suffering from serious stomach problem was required to undergo urgent surgery. On the request of the civil administration, Air Force MI-17 helicopter moved from Udhampur air base and lifted the patient from Kargil alongwith his family.

The patient was brought to Srinagar Air Field and evacuated to SKIMS Hospital in Srinagar. The timely evacuation relief provided by Air Force facilitated life saving treatment for the patient.

659 presentations to be delivered
3rd J&K Science Congress to begin at JU today

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 25: The University of Jammu (JU) is hosting the third edition of J&K Science Congress on "Science and Technology for Sustainable Development", beginning tomorrow.

Addressing a press conference on the eve of Science Congress, Prof. V K Anand, Dean Faculty of Life Sciences, JU and organizing secretary informed that the university in collaboration with State Council for Science and Technology, DST, J&K Government is organizing this event, wherein 650 participants, both from within and outside the State, are participating.

He said the congress will provide an opportunity for exchange of scientific ideas through discussions and interaction among the participants.

"A total of 659 presentations will be delivered, including 453 oral and 206 poster, across 15 Science subjects viz., Agriculture, Bio-technology, Home Science, Statistics etc.", he added.

"The deliberations will take in various plenary and technical sessions. In all, eight technical sessions will be be held at six different venues simultaneously", Prof. Anand deliberated.

Prominent among those who will be making their presentations include SMVDU VC, Prof. N K Bansal, SKUAST Jammu VC, Prof. Nagendra Sharma, Medical Superintendent AIIMS New Delhi, Dr. Shakti Gupta and Director IIIM’s Jammu, Dr G N Qazi, he disclosed.

Also speaking, Prof. B P S Sehgal, Dean Academic Affairs, who was presiding the press briefing, said Minister for Higher Education Gulchain Singh Charak will inaugurate the event tomorrow in a function.

Dr. Pritam Singh, Media Advisor to Vice Chancellor and Prof. N Anand from Madras University were also present during the press conference. The briefing concluded with the vote of thanks by Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, Convener, Press and Publicity.

Clerical cadre employees observe pen down strike

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 25: All J&K Clerical cadre staff observed pen down strike and held demonstration at divisional and district headquarters across the State in support of their demands today.

In response to the call of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh All Departments Clerical Staff Association, the employees of this cadre assembled in large number at Bikram Chowk here in the morning and held a massive protest demonstration. They were demanding that anomalies in the pay grades of Junior Assistants, Senior Assistants, Head Assistants and Junior Stenographers be removed.

Ram Kumar Sharma, coordinator and other senior leaders Rehmat Ullah Malik, Anil Mehta and Sukhbir Singh were leading. After staging protest demonstration for some time and addressing employees, the protest rally moved towards Tawi bridge and Dogra Chowk, Jewel Chowk etc shouting slogans against Government for ignoring the demands of the Ministerial cadre. They were carrying banners and placards in their hands to project demands. Due to protest rally at Bikram Chowk and Tawi bridge, the traffic was affected for some time.

The leaders while addressing gathering condemned the Government attitude and alleged that it was deliberately ignoring the employees and provoking them to intensify their agitation. They said that Government should do justice with them by providing Rs 4000-6000 grade to Jr Assistants, Rs 4500-7000 to Senior Assistants. The speakers claimed that Kam Chhor Hartal will continue even on Tuesday. They stressed for employees unity for their common cause.

In Srinagar and Leh also massive protest rallies were organised and the employees raised their voice seeking hike in pay grades. Reports of protest rallies also came from various district headquarters Tehsils.

Criminals providing fake appointments charge-sheeted
Challan produced against cops for duping villagers

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Feb 25: State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) today produced challan against two police constables in the Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption.

An official spokesman said that the accused constable Mushtaq Hussain Shah, son of Alyas Shah of Noona Bandi, Poonch allegedly lured some locals of village Dragger, Budgam during 1998-99 on the false promise of getting their kins recruited in the Police Department and extracted money to the tune of Rs 89000 for the purpose.

The aggrieved villagers approached the then Chief Minister for the redressal of their grievances and the Chief Minister ordered an enquiry through the former Additional Director General of Police (Armed).

On the basis of enquiry, the case was registered in the Vigilance Organisation and another constable Mohd Ashraf, son of Ghulam Hassan Shah of Wooder Gragger was also arrested for abetting the crime.

After completion of the investigation, challan against the accused constables was presented in the Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption. While Mohd Ashraf was present before the Court at the time of production of challan, Mushtaq Hussain Shah preferred to remain absent following which the Court issued arrest warrant against him.

The next date of hearing has been fixed for March 24.

Meanwhile, Crime Branch has presented charge-sheet against six criminals, who were providing fake appointment orders to the innocent unemployed youth, in the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate.

An official spokesman said that the criminals were luring the educated unemployed youth on the pretext of managing Government jobs for them.

After receiving hefty amount from the youth, the criminals were providing them fake and forged appointment orders. A large number of fake orders, stamps of various Government offices and two vehicles were recovered during the raids conducted by the Crime Branch sleuths.

The accused have been identified as Mohd Ahsan Sofi, son of Abdul Rehman Sofi of Wasoora, Manzoor Ahmed Ganie, son of Mohd Subhan Ganie of Sheerpora, Pattan, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Parray, son of Khazir Mohd Parray of Sheikhpora, Mohd Shabir Sheikh, son of Abdul Jabbar Sheikh of Kani Kadal, Srinagar, Mehraj-ud-Din Dar, son of Habib-Ullah Dar of Model Town, Sopora and Noor Majeed Ahanger, son of Habib-ullah Ahanger of Kanlibagh, Baramulla.

Each district to have Water Quality Monitoring Labs

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 25: Government today decided to establish Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance Laboratories in all the districts of the State to ensure provision of safe drinking water to the people. Central Government has agreed to provide 100% funds for this purpose and kept Rs. 2.50 crore at the disposal of the State Government in the first instance.

Decision to this effect was taken at a high level meeting held here today to review physical and financial progress under Bharat Nirman Programme. The Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Mohammad Dilawar Mir presided.

Ministers of State for PHE, Dr. Romesh Chander and Manjeet Singh, Principal Secretary PHE, A K Angurana, Chief Engineers of PHE departments of Jammu & Kashmir Division and concerned Superintending Engineers of Leh and Kargil were present in the meeting.

Mr Dilawar directed the Chief Engineers to organize comprehensive training programmes for imparting training to the lower staff especially at Junior Engineers level in water quality testing and urged for procuring field testing kits for water quality testing without any delay. He said, setting up of water quality monitoring and surveillance laboratories was of primary importance to check water borne diseases.

The meeting also decided to complete computerization of all rural water supply schemes under ARWSP up to sub-divisional level by the end of current year. Software applications for this purpose have already been developed and procurement of hard-ware is in the pipeline. An amount of Rs. 3.50 Crore has been earmarked for this Centrally Sponsored Programme, which will help to keep status of each and every water supply scheme ready available for monitoring and surveillance.

The meeting also reviewed the programme for providing drinking water connections to various Government Schools. It was informed that about 7000 school set-up under Sarv-Shiksha Abhyan (SSA) are proposed to be covered under the programme during the current financial year. It was also informed that about 400 uncovered and partially covered habitations in the State have so far been covered and provided drinking water facility during last 10 months up to January 2008.

Mr Angurama impressed upon the Chief Engineers to further gear up men and machinery for achieving 100 percent targets fixed for various water supply and related scheme.

SBI puts all branches on Core banking

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 25: State Bank of India J&K module claimed to have put all its branches in the J&K State on Core banking solutions.

DGM S P Singh of the Bank at Zonal Office here disclosed that networking of all the branches has now been accomplished. He said now all the 130 branches of the SBI including those in remote areas were put on Core power.

With this entire Chandigarh Circle, comprising branches in Haryana, Punjab, UT Chandigarh, HP and J&K has now migrated to Core. Mr Singh said the implementation of the Core power at all the branches is going to be of great convenience to the people of State and is going to play a vital role in boosting the economy of various areas. He further disclosed that Bank has networked 9000 plus branches out of nearly 10,000 branches in India.

CGPWA honours senior members, elects office bearers

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 25: The Central Government Pensioners Welfare Association (CGPWA) today held its annual general meeting wherein senior members of the association were honoured and also the team of new office bearers was elected.

Minister for Health and Medical Education, Mangat Ram Sharma was the chief guest on the occasion. The Minister presented mementoes to the senior members of the association. M N Sehgal, patron of the association present, was given Lifetime Achievement Award while R N Gupta, D N Gupta, B S Soi were awarded Shreshth Vrishth Nagrik Award.

Similarly, Jeishth Varishth Nagrik Awards were given to D D Sadhotra, G L Malik, Teja Singh, Chander Mani, Maj Gen (Retd) B N Dhar and K R Gupta.

Meanwhile, those elected as office bearers included S S Wazir (president), B K Raina (vice president), J K Vaid (general secretary), S N Bhan (treasurer) and R L Kampasi (secretary).

The meeting concluded with vote of thanks by R K Raina, vice president.

PAC directs PDD to improve functioning

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 25: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Legislative Assembly has directed the Power Development Department (PDD) to evolve a well knit mechanism to improve the functioning so that the benefits percolate down on ground. The Committee stressed the need for upgradation of existing infrastructure so that common man gets improved power supply in the State.

The PAC that met here today under the chairmanship of MLA Mian Altaf Ahmed reviewed the overall power scenario in the State especially in the backdrop of snow hit areas.

The Committee asked for providing 24 hour power to those areas where 100% metering has been completed. It also directed for achieving targets under APDR Programme in stipulated time frame.

The Committee directed the department to provide details of action taken report on the directions issued by the Committee in its previous meetings, besides details regarding old electric meters and other material which have been replaced with new electronic meters and expenditure incurred under APDRP till date.

While briefing the Committee on the steps taken for improving the power scenario in the State, Secretary PDD Basharat Ahmed Dhar said that feeder metering up to 11 KV level has been done in Kashmir and process in Jammu is still in progress. As regard consumer electric meters, 3.29 lakh energy meters have been installed in Jammu province and 1.94 lakh meters have been installed in Kashmir division till January 2008. The efforts are being made to achieve the targets in remaining areas in stipulated time frame, Basharat maintained.

He further said that in order to reduce outages and prevent system failure, works have been taken up for renovation and modernization of receiving stations and sub stations.

Those present in the meeting included legislators Harshdev Singh, Yogesh Sawhney, Sartaj Madni, Mohammad Aslam Khan, Chaman Lal, Bilal Ahmed Lodhi, Ashok Sharma, Accountant General J&K Ghazala Meenai, Development Commissioner Power Showkat Wani, Director Accounts and Treasuries M. I. Khanday, Chief Engineer M&RE Jammu, Kashmir D. S. Pawar, Nissar Hussain, Chief Engineer System and Operations, Jammu, Kashmir R. K. Seli, A. R. Guru, Chief Engineer PMM, A. K. Koul and other officers of PDD and Assembly Secretariat.

UPSC declares CDS (I)-07 results

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 25: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) today declared the results of Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination (I)-2007. In this test as many as 254 candidates including 225 males and 29 females have finally qualified.

According to an official press handout, the result of medical examination of candidates has not been taken into account in preparing the merit list and candidature of all the candidates is provisional.

The examination conducted by UPSC which included Service Selection Board of Ministry of Defence interview, is mandatory for admission to Officer’s Training Academy, Chennai for 87th Short Service Commission Course for men and first Short Service Commission (Women non-technical) course which is going to commence in April this year.

The list of 87th short Service Commission Course for men also includes the names of the candidates who were recommended earlier on the basis of the results of same examination for admission to the Indian Military Academy-Dehradun, Naval Academy Goa and Air Force Station, Begumpet, Hudrabad courses.

The vacancies for 87th Short Service Commission Coures for men is 75 and for first Short Service Commission for women (non-technical) course is 11.

Candidates may obtain any information on working days between 10 am to 5 pm from Facilitation Counter near Examination Hall Building in UPSC campus. Candidates can also have information over telephone numbers: 23385271, 23381125 and 23098543. They can also obtain information by accessing to UPSC’s website: http//www.upsc.gov.in.

Mangat inspects construction works

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 25: Minister for Health & Medical Education Mangat Ram Sharma exhorted upon the executing agencies to redouble efforts for timely completion of construction and renovation work of schools in Jammu west constituency.

Instructing the engineers during his inspection to various ongoing school works including Government Girls High School Dogra Hall Jammu, Girls Higher Secondary School Nowabad, Middle School Panjpeer and Munshi Chak, Kabir Nagar, Bhagwati Nagar and Boys High School Nowabad, the Health Minister said that use of standard material should be ensured while executing the works. He said there would be no compromise on the quality of work and asked the concerned officers to ensure time bound completion of the works so that benefits percolate to grass root level early.

District Development Commissioner Jammu, Hirdesh Kumar Singh, Executive Engineers of R&B division I & II Jammu K. D. Salahia and D.D.Gorkha, senior officers of education department, corporator Manmohan Singh and other political leaders accompanied the Minister.

While inspecting Rs 7.90 lakh additional accommodation work of Government Girls High School Dogra Hall, Sharma said that Rs 5 lakh have been released and rest of the amount would be released in due course of time. He said additional accommodation at Girls Higher Secondary School Nowabad would be provided at a cost of Rs 4.6 lakh and instructed concerned authorities to prepare project report for renovation of the school.

Mr Sharma also inspected the site for construction of additional rooms at Boys High School Nowabad and said that out of Rs 8.98 lakh being spent on it Rs 4.40 lakh have released. He said the execution of additional accommodation of Middle School Bhagwati Nagar would be completed at a cost of Rs 5.6 lakh.

During the tour, the Minister also inspected construction sites of Government Middle School Munshi Chak and Kabir Nagar.

Rapid industrialization effective tool of
socio-economic transformation : Babu

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 25: Minister of State for Power Babu Singh today interacted with the Federation of Industries at Bari Brahmana for reviewing the power scenario of industrial areas of the State.

The function was attended by Development Commissioner Power Showkat Rashid Wani, Director Industries and Commerce Pardeep Gupta, Managing Director SIDCO Irfan Yasin, Chief Enginner M&RE D. S. Pawar, Chief Engineer System and Operations R. K. Seli, Presidents of BBIA, ASSI and SSI Samba, Kathua, Digiana, Birpur, Gangyal and Chairman Federation of Industries and senior engineers.

In his welcome address Chairman of Federation Anil Suri informed the Minister about the problems faced by the Industrialists due to curtailment of power supply which is the life line of every industry. The major issues raised by him regarding uninterrupted 24 hours quality power supply, poor intra-departmental communication, upgradation, repair and maintenance of new and existing infrastructure, billing procedures, dedicated power feeders to industry, no restriction on sanctions, re-imbursement of cost of CP, PT meters, street lighting purchase and Price preference, privatization of distribution of power & implementation of Ranga Rajan report,

The Minister said that the State has been facing a turmoil for nearly two decades leading to industrial backwardness. He said that comprehensive power policy for giving thrust to rapid industrialization in the State will be framed shortly.

Mr Singh said that State was rich in natural and human resources which need to be channelised in right direction. He said that the massive infrastructural development programme initiated by the Government led by Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has resulted in complete transformation of the development scenario of the State. He said that private parties will be involved in power generation, transmission and distribution of power for ensuring 24 hour power supply.

He assured the industrialists that fresh power connections to the industrial units would be sanctioned in a time bound manner keeping in view the potential and energy needs of the units. He also said that SSI units would also be provided power connections as early as possible.

Meanwhile, the Minister stressed on the judicious use of power and said that harnessing the power potential coupled with adoption of energy conservation methods were imperative for steering Jammu and Kashmir from the existing power crunch to a power surplus State.

Speaking at an awareness campaign on ‘How to save Power’ at Vijaypur. Mr Singh apprised that presently the Government was spending Rs.2000 crore on the purchase of power from outside the State, while as only Rs.500 crore were realized by the Power Development Department as revenue. He said that the gap can be bridged by checking power pilferage through regularization of illegal connections and payment of power tariff.

The Minister said that work on installation of meters was in full swing. He said 11.5 lakh more meters have still to be installed. He said that all the grid stations of the State have been metered while meterization of 30,000 installed transformers will also be taken up shortly for monitoring total power consumption.

He also called for organizing such awareness camps at tehsil and block levels for educating the people about the importance of energy conservation.

Course for technical faculty commences at GCET

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 25: A week-long short term course on "Artificial Neural Network and Fuzzy Logic" for technical faculty from different colleges was inaugurated in Government College for Engineering and Technology (GCET) Jammu, here today.

Commissioner/ Secretary Higher and Technical Education, Pramod Jain was chief guest during the inaugural ceremony. Dr. Bhopinder Singh, Principal GCET was also present on the occasion.

GCET is organizing this course in collaboration with National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR) Chandigarh.

Addressing the participants, Jain emphasized upon the need to take full advantage of this opportunity. He also assured to provide all kind of assistance from the Government side for such endeavours.

The course is being attended by 40 faculty members from various technical institutes of the State. It is being held under Prof. S S Pattnaik, HoD Electronics and Communication Engineering and Educational Television Centre, NITTTR and his team members.

During this week-long course, participants will be exposed to the research area of soft computing and also introduced with fuzzy logic and its applications.

VHP warns people against selling
properties of temples, shrines

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 25: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in a meeting here, today discussed various issues pertaining to religious places and shrines in J&K.

The meeting expressed concern over the taking over of some religious places and shrines of Hindus by Government and termed it the part of a hatched conspiracy.

The meeting was chaired by senior VHP leader, Khem Raj Sharma. He in an appeal to the heads of the Mandir committees and religious trusts urged them to maintain a proper account of income and expenditure so that the Government will not get any opportunity to grab the Hindu temples and religious places.

The meeting also warned those self styled religious organizations and heads of temples and trusts who are disposing of the property of religious places to refrain from such activities failing which the people will launch agitation and VHP will take the affairs of Hindu religious places and shrines in its own hands.

Expressing his grave concern over the selling of properties of religious places and temples, Mr Sharma said it is a sin. The meeting among others was attended by Hemraj Khajuria, Parshotam Dadechi, Jagdesh Raj Sharma, Vijay Pahalwan, Jawahar Lal Drabu, Jaswant Roy and Mrs Sushila Abrol.

Tarigami appeals CM to release wages of PSU employees

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 25: CPI(M) State Secretary and MLA Kulgam M. Y. Tarigami has appealed the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to release the pending salaries of the employees of those public sector undertakings who have been awaiting the same for months together.

He said that due to non payment of wages to SRTC employees, they have been subjected to resort to strike which has made the commuters especially tourists visiting the State to face inconvenience and causing further losses to the State Road Transport Corporation. He said that the workers of Kalakote Coal Mines are also without wages for last few months which have added to their miseries and deepend the agonies.

He said that the Government should take a serious view of the problems of PSU employees and come up with a well evolved policy for bringing public sector units out of sickness and safeguarding the interests of the workers as well as the units.

JRB organises awareness camp

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 25: With the objective to educate village masses about various schemes, Jammu Rural Bank organised an awareness camp at village Gajansu in tehsil Jammu today.

Chairman of the Bank, O P Sharma while speaking on the occasion gave detailed briefing about various schemes and the camps organised by the Bank for creating awareness among the rural people. A large number of villagers, farmers and members of Gram Sabha attended the meet.

Mr Sharma educated the villagers about various credit schemes for farmers and others, concept of Kissan Credit Cards, Self Help Groups, Micro Finance and Farmers Club.

Dr S K Gupta, Area Manager also spoke on the occasion and explained in detail about various credit schemes. Jaswant Singh Jamwal, Manager local branch of the JRB presented vote of thanks.

SSSC for CM’s intervention

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 25: Jammu and Kashmir State Samaj Sudhar Committee (SSSC) having sought the Chief Minister’s intervention into the reported incidents of police atrocities on the youth who have shun the path of militancy.

Addressing mediapersons here today, SSSC State president M Y Wani highlighted the atrocities and harassment being committed by police on the citizens of the State who have shun the path of militancy and entered into the mainstream.

Citing one such case of Mohd Sadiq of Thathri in Doda, who is being kept in police lock up with false and fictitious allegations inspite of bail given by the court, Wani said there are hundreds of other such cases and asked the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to interfere into the matter and save them.

However, he alleged that funds for the development of hospitals were being mis-used while Minister for Health is sleeping over the matter. He added that accommodation and staff in the hospitals was not sufficient and poor patients were hunted by the doctors in the private clinics.

Among others also present during the press conference included Yousuf Sultan, Mohan Choudhary, Narinder Pal Choudhary, Haji Aslam Kohli, Rattan Lal Saraf, Shahdat Hussain, Muskan Wani, Amar Nath and Mrs Pervez.

Achieve targets in time frame:
Legislator’s Committee to R&B

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 25: The Departmental Committee of Legislative Council has directed the Department of Roads and Buildings to implement all schemes in letter and spirit and bring more transparency while achieving the targets within the stipulated time frame. The meeting reviewed the overall functioning of the department and discussed various schemes under implementation. MLC Sakina Itoo chaired the meeting.

The Committee stressed upon the officers to maintain quality of work and use prescribed ratio of material, adding that the officers should associate local people while formulating various schemes. Ms Itoo also stressed discouragement of political inference in the development process and Central schemes should be implemented as per the norms.