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Rights
violations still on:
Saifullah
Harshdev
flays appointment of
Political Advisors
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU,
Jan 11: National
Panthers Party (NPP) MLA
and former Minister
Harshdev Singh today said
that appointment of
Political Advisors by the
Government amounted to
"political
corruption" as they
have no mandate of the
people and were a burden
on State exchequer.
"Institution
of MLA has been rendered
non functional. Entire
administration was seen
following a Political
Advisor who not only
chaired an official
meeting at Muralian but
also issued directions on
works and other matters a
day before", Mr
Singh said while
participating in debate
on Governor’s
Address in the Assembly.
"What
extra Constitutional
authority this Political
Advisor has? Who has
given him the right to
issue directions to the
Government"? he
asked.
He
criticised the Government
for forming a jumbo
Cabinet of 25 Ministers.
In Parliament and all
Assemblies, maximum limit
of Ministry was 15 per
cent of the total
strength of Lower House
while J&K was the
lone State, which has
misused its special
status, and kept the
Ministry strength at 20
per cent of total
strength of both Houses,
he regretted.
Harshdev
Singh pointed out that Rs
2 crore expenditure was
incurred every month on
one Minister and the
jumbo Ministry has become
a burden on people of the
State. He charged the
Ministers with opening
schools and dispensaries
on the instructions of
political workers while
ignoring the decisions
taken in District
Development Boards
(DDBs).
Describing
the Governor’s
Address as "sad and
unhappy tale of a hapless
and dejected
Government" and
"distressing recital
of misperformance of
collision (coalition)
Government", the
Panthers Party MLA
observed that working of
the Government could be
well gauged from the
Chief Minister’s
statement that out of Rs
5000 crore brought by him
from the Centre, only Rs
100 crore were spent by
the authorities.
Mr Singh
said the Wazir Commission
had recommended nine
tehsils for Jammu and
three for Valley but the
Government implemented
the recommendations just
reverse. "It took
the Government 5 years to
set up Finance
Commission", he
pointed out.
He alleged
that one Minister visited
his constituency in
Ramnagar in a carvan of
50 vehicles and three
trucks of police.
He said
besides territorial
adjustment and rotation
of SC seats, the proposed
Delimitation Commission
should also be asked to
increase existing number
of Assembly seats. He
reiterated that Jammu
deserves more seats than
Kashmir as it has 30 lakh
voters as compared to 28
lakh in Kashmir and
30,000 and 30,000 sq km
area as compared to
15,000 sq km of Kashmir.
He supported
the demand of refugees
saying they should be
given all rights being
demanded by them.
National
Conference leader
Saifullah Mir charged the
Government with having
misled the people with
slogans like healing
touch and peace with
dignity.
Working
Groups were set up only
to mislead the people as
nothing concrete has come
out of them, he said.
Mr Mir said
human rights violations
were still going on and
the Government’s
commitment of zero
tolerance to rights
violations has failed. He
cited the killings of
Abdul Rashid Mir, a teach
and Hamida, a girl. The
STF is still there and
was torturing people, he
alleged.
Raman
Mattoo, Independent MLA
said though some
Kashmiris have become
rich taking advantage of
militancy but majority of
Kashmiri were poor. White
color of Kashmiris
can’t hide their
poverty, he pointed out.
NC MLA
Kafeel-ur-Rehman said 150
primary schools destroyed
in earthquake have not
been made functional even
after more than two
years. Relocation of
families, affected by
earthquake as promised by
the Government, has also
not been done, he added.
Another NC
MLA Qaiser Jamsheed Lone
described Governor’s
Address as a script of
Jaspal Bhatti’s
famous "flop
show". A number of
scandals have taken place
in the present
Government, he said.
Ghulam Nabi
Bhat (NC) said
unemployment was
increasing and people in
rural areas were facing
severe hardships.
Yashpal
Kundal (Panthers Party)
said prices of essential
commodities were on rise
and farmers were facing
acute problems.
He
criticised the Government
for opening 300 new bar
and wine shops, most of
which, he alleged, have
gone to relatives of
ruling party MLAs. He
added that same SHOs have
been posted from one
police station to another
while new police officers
were not given a chance
to head police stations.
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‘13
Army personnel booked in Ladakh ration
scam’
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 11: Thirteen
Army personnel including three officers,
have been booked in connection with
alleged special ration scam in Ladakh
region.
Clarifying
news reports published in a section of
press, a defence spokesman said that Army
authorities were fully cooperating with
the Police and the negative allegations
raised against Army were not correct. He
claimed that Army had ordered two Courts
of Inquiry into the matter.
One Court
of Inquiry has been completed and
disciplinary action directed against ten
soldiers while administrative action is
being taken against three officers.
The
spokesman further said that second Court
of Inquiry was under progress and will be
finalised shortly. Based on the FIRs
lodged in Leh, the police had named five
officers for their alleged involvement in
the case.
It has
been repeatedly intimated to the police
that out of these five officers, two were
never posted in Leh. Two officers have
been posted out and one was still there.
He further
claimed that police has been informed
about the availability of one officer
posted at Leh to facilitate the police
investigations. He regretted any
communication from police authorities,
Leh regarding this matter or the
summoning of other two officers to the
place.
JRB
employees observe strike
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 11: All the officers
and employees of Jammu Rural Bank
observed two-day strike on January 10 and
11 in support of their demands.
The strike
programme was held in the region on the
call given by Joint Forum of Trade Unions
representing all the officers and
employees working in 96 Regional Rural
Banks in the country.
All the
branches and clearing houses of the JRB
remained closed and the normal work
paralysed in the region.
Members of
Joint Forum and employees gathered at JRB
Head Office and held demonstration and
staged dharna on Thursday and Friday.
Several leaders of the Association,
including Ranbir Singh, Karan Singh, V K
Soni and Vijay Sharma addressed the
gathering.
The RRB
employees are demanding parity of pension
as available to Public Sector Banks
staff, parity in allowances and other
benefits as per bipartite settlements in
the Banking industry as per the
directions of Supreme Court of India,
business linked manpower planning,
recruitment and promotions and
continuation of compassionate appointment
Scheme as per 1982 scheme.
Politics
sans morality cause for
erosion in public life: Governor
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 11: "Inspite
of degeneration in politics, India is
fast emerging as a global power of the 21
st century on the strength of its
talented human resource material and
enterprising entrepreneurs".
'How much
more we as a Nation can achieve with a
better quality of political leadership
combined with moral value"? Governor
Lt. General (Retd) S K Sinha asked while
delivering annual benchmark lecture on
Morality and Politics at University of
Jammu this morning.
Pained
over rampant corruption and dwindling
values in politics, the Governor, who is
known for his plain speaking, while
recounting the Gandhian era lamented that
politics without morality has brought
about great degeneration in public life.
'The ideal of both right end and right
means has given way to dubious ends
through dubious means', he said, adding
that the politics of sufferings and
sacrifice of yesteryears has now become a
profession of profit not only for oneself
but also for generations of one's family.
Without
criticizing anyone, the Governor while
referring to degradation that has come
about in the country hurriedly added that
'even today we have some individual
leaders in politics who uphold high moral
values but they are the exception'. He
stressed the need for considering
positive measures that can eradicate the
widespread infirmities in the public life
by radically improving educational and
electoral systems. He observed that
corruption is rampant in every sphere of
activity and elections have become the
fountainhead of not only corruption but
also crime, communalism and casteism.
'This malady has to be cured', he said
and strongly favoured electoral reforms
to ensure purity in elections. He said
that Election Commission of India from
Seshan to Gopalaswamy has established its
credibility in trying to ensure purity in
elections but it is hamstrung in its
efforts due to our not carrying out
electoral reforms.
General
Sinha also sought improvement in
educational system and advocated that the
temples of learning should remain
apolitical and not become the battlefield
of party politics. 'Politics should be
studied at our Universities but there
should be no participation in party
politics', he said, mentioning that
varsities in developed countries keep
away from party politics. 'While focusing
on job-oriented education, we must
promote moral values too', he said.
In an hour
long lucid lecture, heard in rapt
attention by the jam packed Zorawar
Auditorium of Jammu University, the
Governor discussed in detail the
pre-independence era in India, describing
it as a blend of politics and morality.
He referred to the episodes from the
lives of Mahatma Gandhi, Abdul Gaffar
Khan Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, Sardar
Patel, Dr Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Abul
Kalam Azad, Jayprakash Narayan. He said
that despite their towering political
stature, they always practiced high moral
values. These leaders, he said, made
great sacrifice and accepted great
suffering for the cause to which they
were dedicated. He said they showed no
consideration for any gain for
themselves, adding that 'they should be
the role models for the political leaders
of the present era'. In a special
reference to Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, he
said that the Frontier Gandhi got fully
converted to the Mahatma's creed of
non-violence and achieved a miracle for
converting turbulent tribesmen to
non-violence.
Earlier,
Vice Chancellor, Professor Amitabh Mattoo
introduced the Governor to the audience.
Governor also released a book 'The last
colony'
–Muzaffarabad-Gilgit-Baltistan
published by India Research Press in
collaboration with Centre for Strategic
and Regional Studies, University of
Jammu.
Govt
failed to implement even 10 points of
CMP: Sagar
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 11: Accusing the
Government of raising hollow slogans to
mislead the people, National Conference
Member Ali Mohammad Sagar today said that
during the past five years the Coalition
partners have failed to implement even 10
points of the Common Minimum Programme
(CMP).
Participating
in the discussion on Governor’s
address in the Legislative Assembly, Mr
Sagar said "instead of implementing
the commitments made in the CMP, the
coalition partners remained busy in
raising lofty slogans like healing touch,
demilitarisation, two jobs to each
family, peace with dignity and Khushal
Kashmir during the past five years".
The
criticism of National Conference
leadership was just an exercise by the
Coalition Government to cover up its
misdeeds, he said and added that present
Government has failed to restore rule of
law in the State, release all the
detenues, investigate custodial killings,
strengthen State Human Rights Commission,
compensate victims of violence, increase
ex-gratia relief, rehabilitate victims of
militancy and ensure return of Kashmiri
Pandits which were the top commitments
made in the CMP.
About the
much hyped holy war against corruption,
Mr Sagar said that during the very first
year of the Government three Ministers
landed themselves in the dock over
corruption and at the fag end of its
rule, 20 scams were detected in one
department.
"Even
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, in her
statement, asked the Chief Minister
Ghulam Nabi Azad to come clean on the
backdoor appointments", he pointed
out.
Mr Sagar
termed the Governor’s address, in
which Government made tall claims about
the implementation of CMP as imaginary
and far from reality.
CPM Member
Mohd Yousaf Tarigami said that the
Coalition Government has failed on
optimal utilisation of funds meant for
the development purpose to ensure
benefits to the people.
Referring
to the opening up of routes across LoC
and starting bus service, he said that
the procedure of travel should be made
easier and general public should also be
allowed to visit across the Line of
Control without difficulties.
About the
Round Table Conference and Working
Groups, he said "though it was a
welcome step yet their recommendations
have not been implemented so far and
everytime it is said that a committee has
been constituted to look into the
same". He stressed the need to
implement recommendations of Working
Groups so that entire exercise towards
the resolution of Kashmir issue could not
go waste.
The
colleges were sanctioned without
consulting the representatives of the
people and giving due weightage to the
District Development Board
recommendations, he regretted and said
that in future Government should not
initiate steps in such a hapazard manner.
He called
for bringing Panchayati Raj Act at par
with the National Act and formulation of
a scheme to tackle unemployment.
Ashwani
Sharma highlighted the problems of
refugees of 1947. He also invited the
attention of the Government towards the
problems of skilled unemployed youth
including engineers and ITI trained. He
also emphasized for early construction of
Yatri Nivas for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi
pilgrims.
PDP’s
Ghulam Hassan Mir said that though the
Chief Minister’s intervention at the
central level has ensured highest flow of
funds for development in the State yet it
requires proper utilization on ground.
He said
the expenditure incurred on works should
be reflected by the actual construction
of public service infrastructure.
He invited
the attention of the Government towards
the burning unemployment problem and
called for comprehensive policy to tackle
it at all levels. He also welcomed the
decisions of the Government to open new
colleges but stressed on consolidation,
infrastructure development and imparting
quality education.
Sex
scam figures in Assembly
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 11: Independent MLA and
former Minister Raman Mattoo today
threatened to expose the name of National
Conference leaders in sex scandal.
Interrupting
NC MLA Qaiser Jamsheed Lone who sought
that CBI report on sex scam be tabled in
the Assembly, Mr Mattoo charged the NC
with deliberately repeating the matter
which was subjudice.
"I’ll
name the persons involved in the scam. I
will speak", Mr Mattoo, an accused
in the scam said.
Another
accused and former Minister Ghulam Hassan
Khan, who was suspended by PDP after his
name figured in sex scandal, also stood
up and said some persons have been
shielded in the scam.
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Rs 250 crore
being spent on tourism industry :
Azad
SRINAGAR,
Jan 11: Chief
Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today
said Rs 250 crore were being
spent to promote tourism industry
in the State, which had suffered
a severe set back during the
turmoil years.
"We
consider tourism a biggest
employment generating industry,
so we will leave no stone
unturned to promote it," Mr
Azad said in an interview with
Doordarshan news unit here.
He
said the Government was spending
Rs 250 crore to construct
infrastructure through
development authorities at 22
different tourist destinations in
Kashmir valley, Ladakh and Jammu
region.
He
said the money would be spend to
construct tourist huts, Tourist
Reception Centres (TRCs) and
other infrastructure at these
places.
When
any new place was identified as
tourist destination, businessmen
hesitate to invest there, he said
adding so initial investment from
the Government was necessary to
attract others.
Mr
Azad said in the past only few
resorts were available for the
tourists—domestic, foreign
and locals. "But now we are
in the process of developing
other places too which are more
attractive," he added.
The
Chief Minister said the
Government had identified 50
villages which would be declared
as "tourist villages"
in the State.
Most
of the domestic and foreign
tourists wanted to know about the
rich culture, food and other
things of the people of Jammu and
Kashmir, he said adding the
tourist village will provide them
(tourists) a chance to see all
this.
He
said tourism was being considered
biggest employment generating
industry world over.
"As
Union Tourism Minister I have
visited more than 50 countries
where the local Governments
consider tourism as biggest
industry for employment," Mr
Azad informed.
He
said tourism suffered a big jolt
during the turmoil years and now
it is again back on track.
"We
have unemployment in the State
and Tourism Industry would help
us to overcome this problem as it
will provide jobs to different
sections of the society," he
added.
Mr
Azad said he had directed the
organisors of Winter National
Games being held at Gulmarg in
the first week of next month, to
start preparations for this grand
event.
"I
was a bit worried after there was
no snowfall in December in the
Valley as we have invited people
from all over the country for the
event," he said and thanked
to God for the heavy snowfall
now.
Mr
Azad said the Gulmarg slopes now
had more than five feet snow and
by February it will be more than
eight feet, sufficient for
holding such a grand event.
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BJP pays
tributes to martyrs
Excelsior
Correspondent
HIRANAGAR,
Jan 11: To
commemorate the Shaheedi Divas of
martyrs who laid down their lives
during the "Ek- Vidhan- Ek
Nishan and Ek Pradhan"
agitation of 1953, the Hiranagar
Mandal of BJP organised a
function here today to pay
tributes to two martyrs of the
area Bhikham Singh and Behari
Lal.
The
function was held under the
supervision of state vice
president, BJP, Th. Ranjit Singh
and Mandal president, Ashwani
Sharma.
BJP
state president, Ashok Khajuria
was the chief guest on the
occasion. While remembering the
sacrifices of Bhikham Singh and
Behari Lal, he said that there is
a great need of patriotic people
like them even today as the
nation and the state is passing
through turmoil.
He
said , there is a sense of
insecurity among the masses as
J&K is facing the menace of
terrorism and some people even in
Government were supporting the
anti -national elements. In order
to defeat the designs of all such
elements we need more Bhikham
Singhs and Behari Lals, he added.
Paying
tributes to martyrs, former Union
Minister of State, Prof. Chaman
Lal Gupta said the Article 370
was the main cause of all the
problems being faced by the
people of the state in general
and Jammu region in particular.
He
said, the Kashmiri leadership has
been misusing the special status
for the benefit of some people
while the majority population of
the state has suffered during the
last 60 years. The abrogation of
Article 370 is the only solution
to end the present discrimination
being faced by Jammu region, he
added.
The
function was also addressed by
state BJP vice president, Satish
Sharma, district president, Prof.
Sain Dass, Hiranagar Municipal
Committee president, Rajiv
Jasrotia, Ch. Piara Singh and
Prem Lal Ex MLAs.
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Governor
honours artists
Scintillating
performance by Mauritius troupe
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan
11: Jammu and
Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture
and Languages in collaboration
with Indian Council for Cultural
Relations, Government of India
organized Dance performance
programme by artists of Art
Academy, Mauritius. Governor Lt.
Gen. (Retd) S. K. Sinha was the
chief guest. The First Lady Mrs.
Premini Sinha was also present.
Speaking
on the occasion, the Governor
said that Mauritius has a special
connection with India with
predominant group of Bhojpuris
contributing in its development.
He said he had not visited to
that country but spending the
evening with artist, he felt like
being amid them.
Gen
Sinha said that India is changing
and in this era of global village
countries and continents are
coming closer. He highlighted the
close association between
Mauritius and India.
The
Governor also congratulated
Secretary J&K Academy of Art,
Culture and Languages Dr. Rafeeq
Masoodi for giving fillip to
cultural activities. He also
congratulated him for bagging
Bharat Gourav Award.
The
Governor honouored the Artists.
Dr.
Masoodi while welcoming the
audience and the artist said that
as a part of Golden Jubilee
Celebrations, Academy is
organizing national and
international level programmes in
Art, Culture and Literature
besides series of local programme
is already initiated to the
remote and border areas so that
the talent hidden in the villages
and under developed areas can be
hunted.
Created
in 1996, by Anna Patten and
Sandehip Bhimjee, this company
has become a distinguished emblem
of quality due to the originality
of its creations, the innovation
of its imaginative choreography
and settings and the talents and
techniques of its interpreters.
The
artists who performed include
Anna Patten, Sanedhip Bhimjee,
Eva Dallais, Nazimah
Sadally-Cerdor, Loverly
Mathuvirin, Asha Sookun, Shaila
Nurjandoa, Anushkha
Virahsawmy-Cow, Sheetul Seetaram,
Roumina Maree, Haseena Motala,
Sharmila Chakowa and Stephan
Bongarcon.
Sanedhip
Bhimjee is the troupe leader
while Jai Pal Singh is Programme
Officer from ICCR, Government of
India, New Delhi.
Anil
Tickoo, Jr. Staff Artist,
Cultural Academy conducted the
proceedings while vote of thanks
was presented by T. R. Sharma,
Special Secretary, J&K
Cultural Academy, Jammu.
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Incident
sparks strong protest in Rajouri
FIR
registered against four Army
jawans
for molestation, rape bid
* VDC men open fire on soldiers,
snatch gun
Excelsior
Correspondent
RAJOURI, Jan
11: Four Army jawans
were booked by police for alleged
rape attempt and molestation of
two women at a village in Rajouri
district of Jammu region today.
Reports
reaching here said that four
jawans of 20 Rashtriya Rifles
based at Argi, during an ambush
at village Saranoo, about 15 km
from Rajouri town, forcibly
barged into the house of Tej Ram
during early hours on Friday,
when the family members were fast
asleep.
Taking
them for militants initially, the
family members did not open the
door but after long wait and
constant knocking and
acknowledging that they were Army
jawans, the family members opened
the doors. The two male members
in the house, Satpal and his
brother Balbir Kumar inquired
about the purpose. The jawans
told that they had come to
conduct search of the house and
asked them to bring out all the
male and female members. After
formal checking in the house, the
jawans sat down on a cot and
asked for tea.
It
was around mid night ( 1.30 PM).
The poor villagers succumbing to
their directive, prepared tea and
offered to the soldiers. The
jawans then started misbehaving
with Satpal’s wife Bimla and
another young girl, Shalu- a
guest in their house. The male
members objected to the advances
of Armymen and had verbal duel,
followed by scuffle. The jawans
severely beat up both Satpal and
Balbir, sons of Tej Ram.
Hearing
loud noise and screams in the
house, the other villager and the
members of Village Defence
Committee, sensing
militants’ attack rushed and
opened fire. About a dozen rounds
were fired by the VDC men but the
jawans escaped taking advantage
of darkness. One of them was
chased and nabbed and given good
thrashing. The villagers snatched
his AK-47 gun but later, he too,
managed to slip away.
During
morning, the villagers came out
on the road and held protest
demonstration, demanding arrest
of armymen. Then an officer (2IC)
of the concerned Unit arrived
with some heavily armed men. The
soldiers exerted pressure on
villagers to handover the gun.
But they refused to buzz and
continued their protest. Later,
Satpal and Balbir lodged an FIR
No. 20/2008 ( U/S 458, 376/511,
323 RPC) with the Rajouri police
station against four army men for
alleged rape bid, molestation and
beating them without any reason
after entering their house during
mid night.
DySP
Rajouri P S Jasrotia and SHO
Rajouri rushed to the village.
The villagers handed over AK-47
rifle (No. 26761996/TB) of the
jawan to the police. The police
party recorded the statement of
the women and other family
members and villagers as well. An
investigation has been started.
One of the women was allegedly
raped by one of the jawans but
police was still investigating
into the allegations. A senior
police official alleged that Army
was not cooperating and
disclosing the identity of the
jawans.
The
sources however, identified two
jawans as Jagdish and Vasudev
from 20 RR. They have been
detained by the Commanding
Officer of the Unit. The people
have threatened to observe bandh
and hold strong protest in
Rajouri tomorrow if all the
accused were not handed over to
police.
Defence
spokesman Lt Col S D Goswami when
contacted claimed that Army
authorities have taken cognizance
of the matter. The jawans have
been put under arrest by Army
authorities. A court of inquiry
has been ordered in this
connection. He claimed that Army
has assured to render all
possible cooperation to police.
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5th
State level Bank Chopal held at
Sohal
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan
11: The fifth State
level Bank Chopal was organised
by State level Bankers Committee
at village Sohal in Akhnoor
tehsil, today under the
supervision of RBI with Punjab
National Bank (PNB) acted as
facilitating Bank.
As
per a handout, the target groups
for this intensive mass awareness
were rural women, farmers, girl
students and ex-servicemen. PNB
has proposed to facilitate
holding of four more such bank
chopals in two districts of
Kathua and Samba during current
financial year.
The
function was attended by 400
people including women. The Bank
Chopal was inaugurated by
Charanjit Singh, Additional
District Development
Commissioner, Jammu who was the
chief guest on the occasion,
while Mrs Vinod Bala, Director
Agriculture was the guest of
honour.
Speaking
on the occasion, Vivek Arya,
Zonal Manager, PNB conveyed the
broad outline and purpose of
holding bank chopals in the
state. He asked the banks
operating in the area to
implement financial inclusion for
poor, needy and underprivileged
segments of the society.
Additional
DDC, Jammu, Charanjit Singh
appreciated the initiative taken
by the PNB for facilitating Bank
Chopals in three districts of
Jammu. He also outlined the
financial inclusion concept and
advised the bankers to implement
the same in their area of
operation.
Director
Agriculture, Mrs Vinod Bala asked
the banks to speed up
disbursement under KCC.
Among
others who spoke included, R K
Marwah, DGM NABARD, Suresh Kumar
Sharma, CEO Jammu, S N Magotra,
Principal GHSS, Sohal, M A Mir,
chief Agriculture Officer,
Akhnoor, Ravinder Koul, RPCD, RBI
Jammu, R K Koul Chief LBO.
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Shaha,
Bimyal, Panjgran people hold meet
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan
11: People from three
panchayats Shaha, Bimyal and
Panjgran in a meeting at Shiba
Nalla Peer Baha which was
presided over by Sarpanch Liaqat
Ali alleged that the area has
been neglected in the sphere of
development.
Addressing
the meeting, Mr Abdul Gani Kohli
urged the Government to redress
the grievances of the people
immediately who are facing acute
shortage of water, erratic power
supply and san proper road links.
He said that there are some EGS
centres in Shaha Nalla, Chapra,
Gambir and Thara which can’t
cater to the demands of the
people. He stressed on opening of
Government primary schools there.
Mr
Kohli said the majority of the
population in these areas belong
to ST and SC communities so
Government should pay proper
attention to the development as
the people were living in
miserable condition.
The
meeting among others was attended
by Ch. Bashir Ahmed, Sarpanch,
Bamyal, Mohammed Sadiq and
Mohammed Shafi members of
Panchgran Panchayat.
|
AJSP
criticizes politicians for using
SC/ST/OBCs as vote bank
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan
11: The leaders of
Awami Jan Shakti Party (AJSP),
J&K have criticized the
politicians of both Central and
State levels for using the people
of SC, ST and OBC categories only
at the time of elections and
absolutely neglecting them
thereafter.
Addressing
a press conference this morning,
AJSP leaders Dr A K Kharu, senior
vice president and Om Raj Bhall,
state general secretary levelled
allegations of opportunism on
leaders of various political
leaders, as they only exploit the
sentiments of SC, ST and OBCs
during the electioneering and
neglecting them later.
Bhall
said the people from these
communities forms a major chunk
of votes and all the politicians
have made their entry in both
Assembly and Parliament with
their support but in turn have
failed to get the things
redressed as promised. He alleged
that ReTs and Contractuals from
these communities were not being
regularized and dropped the
instance of some politicians.
Meanwhile,
Bhall exuded confidence in the
leadership of Chief Minister
Ghulam Nabi Azad and appealed him
to rescue the people from these
down trodden sections. Both the
leaders, however expressed
satisfaction over the way TTDF
has come up in Tehsil Thathri
with the joint efforts of people.
On
the occasion, Asad Khan, Kaka Ram
and Sarfaraz Ahmed Qureshi joined
the AJSP.
|
IGCs
aimed at facilitating industrial
inputs: Babu
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan
11: Stating that
Government led by Chief Minister
Ghulam Nabi Azad was committed to
ensure rapid industrialization,
Minister of State for Power Babu
Singh said that Industrial growth
centres (IGC) were being set up
in various regions of the State
for better interdependence
between different industries.
This would ensure exchange of
utilitarian and ancillary
services between industries, he
added.
The
Minister was speaking at a
meeting to review the development
of Industrial Growth Centre-II
Samba, the other day.
The
meeting was attended by District
Development Commissioner Samba
Mr. B.S.Jamwal, Chief Engineer
(M&RE) D. S. Pawar, Chief
Engineer System Operation R. K.
Selly, GM, SIDCO, A. K. Koul, SC
Power Sonam Gyalsom, Ex. Engineer
Samba Vinod Bharti and other
senior engineers and
industrialists.
Mr.
Singh informed that the IGC will
provide land for setting up of
industrial units at a cheaper
rate apart from additional
benefits like round the clock
power and water supply. He said
that the entrepreneurs should
also devise a mechanism for
synergizing industrialization
with eco-conservation which he
said was imperative for
sustainable development.
Highlighting
the measures to augment the power
supply to the IGC-II, the
Minister said that 2 transformers
have been procured at estimated
cost of Rs. 100 lakh. Besides, he
asked the entrepreneurs to
deposit security money of Rs.
1.86 crore with SIDCO at the
earliest so that work can be
started for setting up a
sub-station at the IGC.
The
Minister said that Government was
providing several incentives in
the form of subsidies to create
an investor friendly environment
in the State. He said that
efforts are afoot to steer the
State on the path of industrially
developed states by roping in
investment from both the local
and outside industrialists. He
called upon the industrialists to
cooperate with the Government in
tackling the problem of
unemployment by generating more
and more employment
opportunities.
Mangat
reviews arrangements for
Republic Day Celebrations
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu Jan 11
: Minister for Health
and Medical Education, Mangat Ram
Sharma, today presided over a
meeting of the committee
constituted for making
arrangements for Republic Day
2008 Celebrations at Jammu.
Among
others, Commissisoner Secretaries
of various department, Divisional
Commissioner, Jammu, Sudhanshu
Panday, IG Jammu, Deputy
Commissioner, Jammu, various
heads of department, besides
officers from Police, army and
Air Force were present on the
occasion.
The
meeting reviewed the arrangements
made by various departments in
connection with celebrations of
Republic Day -2008. The meeting
was informed that the main
function would be held at MA
Stadium, Jammu and the
contingents of JK Police, BSF,
Army, JK Forest Protection Force,
Ex Servicemen, Fire and Emergency
Service, NCC, besides children of
various schools will participate
in the march-past. Rehearsal will
start in MA Stadium from January
15 and Deputy Commissioner was
asked to ensure that refreshment
is provided to the school
children participating in the
rehearsal.
It
was given out in the meeting that
the Jammu city would be
illuminated and Chief Engineer,
PDD was asked to ensue
uninterrupted power supply to the
city and made necessary
arrangements for illumination as
per the practice. Tourism
department will illuminate the
heritage place Mubarak Mandi and
Floriculture Department Bahu Fort
and park.
JMC
was asked to take steps for
cleanliness of the area in and
outside the stadium premises.
The
Director School Education was
asked to ensure the participation
of school children in the
function.
Adequate
arrangements for regulating the
traffic moment on the day have
been made and this year 4500
vehicles would be accommodated in
and around the MA Stadium, the
meeting was informed. Elaborate
security arrangements have been
made to celebrate the function
smoothly.
Sheikh Aziz joins
Mirwaiz Hurriyat
Excelsior
Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 11: In
days of his release from a jail,
senior separatist leader and
People's League chairman Sheikh
Abdul Aziz today formally joined
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq-led faction
of the separatist Hurriyat
Conference.
Addressing
a news conference here this
afternoon, Sheikh Aziz said that
the fractured separatist struggle
needed to combine on a united
platform in ordere to reach a
desired logical conclusion.
"I have been talking to
Mirwaiz Umar since November last.
Taking into consideration the
prevalent situation and the
movement, we decided to join
hands with the Hurriyat
Conference", he said.
Urging
all the separatists to follow his
example, he advised the
separatist leadership to shun its
ego, unite on a common platform
and move ahead jointly without
getting embroiled into petty
differences. People's league, he
said, was a staunch supporter of
unification of all the
"pro-freedom leaders and
parties". "I have been
striving for the purpose over the
years and by joining the
Hurriyat, I have yet again shown
my fervent belief in a joint
freedom struggle".
Aziz
complained that the Government
authorities always put him behind
the bars in order to prevent him
from unifying the divergent
"pro-freedom"
leadership. "Although
political prisoners are being
released, I am detained off and
on just to break my resolve and
keep myself away from continuing
the political struggle," he
complained.
The
"tribulations" , he
vowed, would not stop him from
continuing his political struggle
by democratic and peaceful means.
Aziz also pledged not to take any
step that infringed the interests
of the separatist movement. He
ruled out that any pressure had
forced him to join the Mirwaiz
led Hurriyat. However he steered
clear of the queries regarding
his decision not to join the
Hurriyat faction led by Syed Ali
Shah Geelani and said: "I
will inform the public about my
stand at the opportune
time".
Welcoming
the four point formula by
president of Pakistan for the
resolution of Kashmir issue, he
said the proposal can pave way
for a permanent and durable
resolution of Kashmir issue.
These suggestions of the
president are worth to be given a
thought. However he was quick to
add that his party believed that
a permanent solution of Kashmir
issue lay in implementation of
the UN resolutions.
The
People's League chairman
expressed his support for the
dialogue process between India
and Pakistan and maintained that
the dialogue between the two
countries could help in resolving
the Kashmir issue. He criticized
the Government of India for
failing to take the dialogue
process with Hurriyat leaders to
any purposeful conclusion.
"Hurriyat has talked to New
Delhi and have found them casual
about solving the issue. A
focused and purposeful tripartite
dialogue could prove fruitful, he
said.
The
People's League chairman
expressed his anguish over the
prevailing situation in Pakistan
and said that he was grieved at
the death of its former Prime
Minister Benazir Bhutto. He also
expressed his sympathies with the
people affected during the past
19 years of militancy in the
State.
After
the united Hurriyat's split into
different factions, Sheikh Aziz
spent over two years in jail. In
days of his release, he has
decided to join Mirwaiz faction
of the separatist amalgam. He is
facing charges of Hawala
transactions after he was
arrested by Delhi Police
allegedly carrying a cash
consignment received from
Pakistan High Commission three
years ago. However, charges
against him have not been proved
in the last over two years.
A
staunch pro-Pakistan activist
since 1970s, Sheikh Aziz had
hogged headlines when Government
of India permitted him to attend
the marriage ceremony of his
militant brother in Pakistan and
immediately after landing at
Lahore Airport, he bowed and
kissed the Pakistani soil. His
People's League has over the
years split into a number of
groups but most of those faction
heads have already joined Mirwaiz
faction of the Hurriyat. They
include veterans of the 1980s,
like Shabir Shah and Nayeem Khan
who now represent Democratic
Freedom Party and National Front
respectively in the Mirwaiz
Hurriyat. Shah has joined the
Hurriyat the other day only.
|
Rashtriya
Sanskrit Sansthan to revive
classical language of Vedas,
Shashtras: Charak
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu, Jan 11 : Minister
for Higher Education Gulchain
Singh Charak today said that
establishment of Rashtriya
Sanskrit Sansthan (Deemed
University) Shri Ranbir Singh
Campus Kot Bhalwal has set in a
new atmosphere for revival of
classical language of Vedas and
Shastras in Jammu and Kashmir.
Minister,
who was speaking at the annual
day function of the campus,
welcomed the decision of naming
the university after the name of
Maharaja Ranbir Singh one of the
greatest Sanskrit scholars of
J&K.
Describing
Sanskrit as one of the oldest and
richest languages in the world,
Mr. Charak said unfortunately
Sanskrit which is counted among
the classical languages of the
country is fast vanishing from
our institutions. He said it
would be a matter of great pride
for him if he could do some thing
to promote Sanskrit in the state.
Mr
Charak said that language could
get its position back if it would
be taught in all schools right
from primary. He assured them
that Government would take every
step for the promotion of
Sanskrit in J&K.
In
his welcome address, Principal of
the campus highlighted the
achievements of the campus during
academic calendar and said that
the institution was established
in 1971 as Shri Ranbir Kendriya
Sanskrit Vadhyapeeth under
Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New
Delhi and was declared Deemed
University in 2002.
He
said that the campus gives the
admission to the students 10+2,
graduation in different subjects,
for Masters Degree and P.hD in
Sanskrit only.
Earlier,
the students presented cultural
songs in the classical language
of Sanskrit which wa s greatly
applauded by the audience.
Prizes
and certificates were distributed
among meritorious students of
various streams. Besides,
mementos were also given to the
students taking part in different
co-curricular activities.
|
GHSS
Paloura celebrates Annual Day
Education,
health sectors prioritized by
Govt : Mula Ram
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 11: Minister
for Rural Development Mula Ram
has said that Government is
determined to speed up pace of
progress in all the sectors,
especially education and health.
He said that education and
physical well-being of children
are being prioritized because
these two sectors assure
prosperity and progress of every
nation.
Minister
was addressing an Annual Day
function at Government Higher
Secondary School Paloura here
today.
Giving
resume of the steps taken by the
Government in education sector,
Mr Mula Ram said that large
number of schools were opened in
every nook and corner of the
State to facilitate children with
education at their door step.
He
lauded the efforts of Chief
Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for
bringing revolution in education
sector by setting up of 40 degree
colleges and opening of three
universities for providing higher
and professional education to the
students of the State.
Similarly,
he reminded of the opening of
health institutions and upgrading
existing ones to provide best
possible medicare to the
suffering and ailing masses.
Appealing
for cooperation of people to
strengthen hands of Government,
Mula Ram said that Government can
only succeed when there is strong
coordination among various cadres
and people live in peace and
amity.
Mr.
Mula Ram said Government has
earmarked Rs. 2.44 lakh for
repairs and renovation of the
said school.
Principal
Vashoo Gupta while giving the
resume of the activities under
taken by the institution during
the year, thanked parents and
teachers for lending their
cooperation in providing the
educational facilities and
inculcating the spirit of
oneness, patriotism and
brotherhood among the children,
The
students organized a variety
cultural programme to highlight
the importance of education
sector.
Among
others the Minister was
accompanied Director School
Education A. K.Raina, Ex.
Engineer R&B, K. D. Salalia,
Secretary PCC Rameshwar Singh,
Corporators Madam Rajni Bala and
Ajay Singh Jamwal during their
visit.
SMC team visits
Shia dominated areas
Excelsior
Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 11: To make
special arrangement and take
stock of the food and other
essential commodities on the eve
of Muharam-ul-Haram, a special
team of Srinagar Muncipal
Corporation (SMC) today visited
different Shia dominated areas in
the city.
Headed
by the Health Officer of the SMC,
Dr Riyaz Ahmad, the team visited
Zadibal, Hassanabad,
Bagwanpora,Hawal and Guru Bazar
and took immediate action against
those found violating the market
norms. "A number of challans
have been prosecuted against the
defaulters", said Dr Ahmad.
"We have also directed
additional scavenging staff where
from Muharram processions are
expected to be carried and field
staff were directed to keep upto
mark sanitation in these
areas."
Dr
Ahmad said all the Food
Inspectors of SMC have been
directed to keep keen vigil over
the market. "We also warn
the food unit holder to provide
quality food to the general
public otherwise they have to
face severe consequences",
he added.
SMC
has also kept Dr Rafiq Ahmad,
Veterinary Officer of the
Muncipility at Livestock post
Panthachowk to check the
livestock till late hours and
ensure that no carcass should be
entered into the valley.
|
More KP
bodies extend support to
displaced youths’ demand
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 11: The
displaced Pandit youth who are on
chain hunger strike here, for
over one month have decided to
accelerate the agitation in view
of Government’s rigid
attitude towards their demand.
In
a statement, Youth Wing All India
Kashmiri Samaj (YWAIKS) which is
spearheading the agitation, has
said that various KP
organizations in a meeting here,
today have decided to accelerate
the agitation.
The
president of the organization, R
K Bhat alleged that the
Government was playing with the
sentiments of displaced youth as
there has been no concrete
response from it till date. He
warned the community will hold
another protest rally in support
of the demands of KP youth.
Addressing
the hunger strikers, KHC leader,
P L Badgami social activist, Raj
Nath Raina and president,
Displaced Hindu Youth Forum, Ajay
Bharti have urged the Government
to solve burning problems of KPs
especially the single pointed
demand of release of relief
benefits.
Besides
senior NC leader and MLC M Y Teng
and MLA, Habbakadal, Raman Mattoo
also visited the venue of hunger
strike and expressed their total
solidarity with the displaced
youth. They assured them that
they will raise the issue in the
state legislature.
Meanwhile
some more KP organizations today
openly came in the support of the
displaced Pandit youth and warned
Government of serious
consequences in case the demand
was not solved. The Kashmiri
Hindu Conference (KHC) in a
meeting under the chairmanship of
M L Thusoo said releasing of
relief benefits to the bifurcated
ration card holders is
constitutional, moral, legal and
ethical duty as well as a binding
on the Government as these
educated youth have been deprived
of employment opportunities over
last 18 years.
The
meeting among others was
addressed by P L Badgami, its
convenor, Jaikrishan Raina
Maktoom, A K Sadhu, S N Raina and
M L Daftri.
Prabhandak
Committee, Teerath Raj Lok-Bhawan
in a meeting here, today under
the chairmanship of its
president, M K Raina has also
extended full support to the
striking KP youth and appealed
the entire community to suppo | | |
