SP delegation meets Div Comm, highlights demands

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 13: A delegation of State unit of Samajwadi Party led by its president Sheikh Abdul Rehman, ex-MP, met the Divisional Commissioner Jammu Sudhanshu Panday and demanded relief for those whose dwellings were damaged in torrential rains and floods during 2006 in Jammu region.

The deputation made special mention of Niabat Nagrota, the complete papers regarding which were lying in the office of the Deputy Commissioner Jammu for want of necessary action. The deputation urged the Divisional Commissioner to ensure that necessary action will be taken and payment of relief provided to the sufferers.

Deputation also expressed concern over Government decision to provide free ration for three months to drought hit farmers of Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and Kathua whose both Rabi and Kharif crops have been adversely affected upto 95 percent as a result free ration for three month would be a joke for them and demanded that Government should provide them free ration for atleast 10 months.

Referring to Roshani Act, the deputation said instead of common people the major beneficiaries were the land-grabbers and anti-social elements. The party demanded implementation of the said act in its letter and spirit and a thorough probe ordered to scrutize the merits of each and every case so that no un-deserving person could get benefit of the Act.

Samajwadi Party expressed solidarity with agitating Doda and Kashmiri migrants, Mr Rehman expressed concern that despite Apex Court’s directive, the demands of Doda migrants have not been accepted like that. He requested the Divisional Commissioner to take appropriate steps so that ends of justice could meet.

PYC holds meet at Dansal block

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 13: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress organized a rally at Dansal (Nagrota) in which former MLA Shiv Dev Singh was the chief guest.

All the leaders of Youth Congress participated along with other workers who demanded a Degree College and establishment of ITI in Dansal block besides regularization of EGS Centres.

Pradesh president of Youth Congress Amin Bhat endorsed the demand of a degree college at Dansal block.

A large number of people joined Youth Congress who were welcomed in the party fold by Shivdev Singh.

Swami Paul performs 40th Havan at Hiranagar village

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 13: Carrying forward the serial Havan programme under Shyama Sammoha Havan Samaroh consisting of 101 Havan performances at different places in Jammu by Swami Paul Ji Maharaj, the 40th Havan was performed at village Mela in Hiranagar today.

A large number of disciples of Swami Paul and devotees participated with ritualistic fervour in the Havan with chanting of Gayatri Mantra, while a group of disciples played musical notes on Jal Tarang, facilitating Gayatri meditation. After Puranahuti of Havan, the devotees sand devotional songs.

In his address Swami Paul said that all the moments, thought and actions are devoted to the services of God. One should devote life to the service of God Almighty, as He resides in every where, the Swami said.

Swamiji said, "your life is merely a stage in your long journey. Your posessions are meant only to sustain you in the journey. You get entangled only when you forge vital ties with them and entertain a feeling of mine-ness with regard to them."

Swamiji further said that, "gratification of one’s dearest object of love is the principle cause as well as the supreme end of all these waves.

Nurses deputation meets Health Minister

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 13: A deputation of All J&K Nurses Association led by its Abdul Majeed Yadro and Usha Sharma provincial presidents for Kashmir and Jammu respectively met the Minister for Health and Medical Education Mangat Ram Sharma and apprised him of their burning demands.

The demands of the deputation pertained to pay disparity, enhancement in Uniform allowance, risk allowance, creation of additional posts, promotional avenues for them etc.

The Minister assured the deputation that their problems would be resolved at an earliest.

Service to poor is service to God: Vakil

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 13: Minister for Social Welfare Abdul Gani Vakil today distributed Rs.1.95 lakh among 85 beneficiaries of Jammu district under various welfare schemes at a function at Gujjar and Bakerwal Hostel for Girls here today. He also distributed 70 sewing machines among deserving beneficiaries on the occasion.

The function was among others attended by MLA Yogesh Sawhney, Mayor Jammu Municipal Corporation Narinder Singh, Director Social Welfare Jammu Satish Nehru and District Social Welfare Officer Jammu Khalid Jehangir.

Addressing the function, Mr. Vakil said that transparency and smooth functioning in social Welfare Department would be assured at all levels and officials made accountable for success of every scheme.

Responding to the demands in the Girls hostel, Mr. Vakil gave orders for installing geysers and computers for the students in the Girls hostel.

The service in Social Welfare Department is like a worship and officials rendering help to poor, orphans, widows, destitutes and needy earn God's blessings apart from salaries, Mr. Vakil Said.

Mr. Vakil referred his recent surprise visit to several Social Welfare Offices and expressed his determination to put the department on right track.

Later, addressing a public meeting at Ustad Mohalla, he said "the Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has taken historical decisions for the speedy development". He said that Central Government was liberally providing assistance to the State for execution of development works. Hundreds of schools, hospitals, college, bridges and buildings have been constructed in last two years on fast track, he added.

Cong failed to sack Qarra for his anti-
national outbursts: Khajuria

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 13: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reiterated its demand on dismissal of coalition Government in the State in view of what it alleged the anti-national statements given by the Finance Minister and other senior People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leaders recently.

At a press conference, here, today, along with Party treasurer, Sat Sharma (CA) and district BJP, president, Jammu, Kavinder Gupta, the State Party chief, Ashok Khajuria has expressed the hope that Governor, Lt. Gen. (Retd) S K Sinha will take action against the Government to protect the Constitution.

Describing the situation in J&K very ugly, the BJP chief said the Congress was equally responsible for the omissions and commissions of PDP leadership as the Party was sharing power with it. The PDP is not only demanding the withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) but also the ouster of non State subjects from J&K, separate currency and self rule, he added.

He said, Congress has failed to sack the Finance Minister for his recent outbursts and BJP has taken the strong exception of whatever the PDP leaders have said and done in and outside the State Assembly. Moreover, in view of the overt and covert support extended by Congress to PDP by not breaking the ties with the later, BJP has decided to make it an issue and educate the people about the dangerous ramifications of unholy alliance of undesirable parties.

Strongly supporting the demand of according proper share to Jammu region in Assembly seats, Mr Khajuria lambasted the PDP and NC for opposing the demand by raising undesirable issues. He blamed both the parties for opposing the setting up of Delimitation Commission to deprive Jammu of its due share in Assembly.

He said BJP is determined to seek 43 seats for Jammu in the 87 member Assembly and Party will not budge even an inch from this demand.

Pooh-Poohing the claim of Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, that he has established a corruption free administration, Mr Khajuria said the startling disclosures made by an independent MLA, Shoiab Lone on the floor of the Assembly has left no one in doubt about the actual situation in the State. Moreover, in view of the allegations levelled by Mr Lone it has been established beyond any shadow of doubt that J&K under Congress regime has become the most corrupt state of India, he added.

Sack tainted Minister, start investigation: CPI(M)

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 13: Concerned over the MLA’s corruption charges against a Minister in State Legislature, the CPI (M) today sought the immediate dismissal of the tainted Minister and probe into the allegations, to maintain the credibility of the State Government.

Addressing a press conference here, CPI (M) State Secretary M Y Tarigami said the "unprecedented event" in the Legislative Assembly, wherein an independent MLA Shoaib Lone had accused a Minister of demanding Rs 40,000 bribe to get a file cleared, had put a question mark on the credibility of the State Government.

"Now it is a question mark on the credibility of the Government. We appeal to the honorable MLA to disclose in the House the name of the Minister whom he had to bribe," Mr Tarigami said.

Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, the CPI (M) leader said, should not be hesitant on the issue and come up to his "fight against corruption" in the State.

"Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad should swiftly take action in this regard and sack the accused Minister immediately and order investigation," Mr Tarigami said.

He further asked the Government to order a CBI inquiry into the killing of MLA’s father Ghulam Nabi Lone, who was a PDP MLA and Minister in the State Government.

Mr Tarigami enquired what made the State Government reluctant in investigating the matter under an independent agency like CBI, which the victim was demanding.

On supporting National Conference’s (NC) decision of bringing adjournment motion in the house regarding CBI probe tomorrow, Mr Tarigami said that the decision would be taken only after going through it and added that his party would adhere to its own view point which can even be closer to NC’s view.

On Right to Information Act: he said, "CPI (M) is of the view to amend RTI Act for making it more viable, vibrant and people oriented and demanded that the returned bill be reintroduced in the State Legislature".

MLA Wachi Mohammad Khalil Naik was also present during the press confernce.

RIK protests against Amnesty International

Excelsior Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Jan 13: "Roots In Kashmir" a worldwide initiative of the Kashmiri Pandit youth today protested against the international human rights group Amnesty International; on the occasion of 60 th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The group accused Amnesty of being biased in their Human Rights reports in the last two decades on the issue of Kashmir and its aboriginal people – Kashmiri Pandits.

"It has failed to come to our rescue; Amnesty has failed to rise to the occasion wherein it could have played a greater role in raising the issues connected with the Kashmiri Pandit exodus." said a group member.

To escape persecution, more than 500,000 Kashmiri Pandits had to leave their home and hearths back in the valley of which more than 50,000 refugees are still languishing in uninhabitable refugee camps in Jammu and Delhi.

"A blind attitude towards the ethnic cleansing and genocide of the Pandit community speaks volumes of the discrimination against the Kashmiris", the group further said.

On the 60th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights; we protest against Amnesty International and other Human Rights groups for their biased reporting on the Kashmir issue and the plight of Kashmiri Pandit Community; and ask them to pressure the Government of India; that an enquiry commission be set up to come out with a report on reasons and exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, Immediate arrest and trial on terrorists Bitta Karate and Yasin Malik of JKLF, Kashmiri Pandits be declared as Internally Displaced People (IDP'S) and thus be given benefits of being refugee's in their own land, Reconstruction and renovation of desecrated and destroyed shrines and Better rehabilitation for more than 50,000 people who are languishing in camps.

The group further asks the Amnesty International to send its representatives to the Kashmiri Pandit camps in Jammu and conduct an on ground survey and a report on the present situation. The Amnesty should also extend the same privileges to Kashmiri Pandits; as they do to other Internally Displaced People across the globe.

Pandits important segment of Kashmiriyat: Dilawar

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 13: The Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Horticulture, Mohammad Dilawar Mir has said that honourable and dignified return of Kashmir Pandit migrants was essential to maintain decades old heritage and culture of Kashmir.

Speaking at a function organized by the Rafiabad Migrant's Forum at JDA public park, Bantalab Jammu today, the Minister expressed hope that the miseries befallen on Kashmiri Pandit community during turmoil would end soon, the Minister said Government would pool all its resources to provide relief and succour to the Kashmir migrants who are passing a tough and miserable life away from their home places. He said time has proved that conspiracy and desperate attempts of vested elements have failed to create a wedge and hatred between Pandit and Muslim communities but infact, the temporary migration of Pandits has strengthened the bonds of love and harmony between the two communities.

Kashmiri Migrant Pandits who had come from various migrant camps of Udhampur, Nagrota, Muthi, Bantalab accorded a warm welcome and reception to the Minister, who represents Rafiabad constituency their home place. They presented charter of demands for redress of grievances and difficulties. Their main demand was special employment package for migrant Kahmiri youth, interest free lending facility by financial institutions, reconstruction and conservation of sacred Temples and Asthapans.

The Minister enjoined upon the Pandit leadership to fight unitedly under one banner for the cause of community adding that issues of Kashmir Migrants are genuine.

He directed the Chief Engineer PHE Jammu V. K. Goswami to take immediate measure to provide drinking water facility to the residents of Rajinder Nagar adding that money will not be any constraint for this purpose. He said he will sponsor a trip of migrants to visit Rafiabad on good will tour adding that Temple at Harduchamum will be reconstructed out of his CDF funds. He directed the engineers to construct a pathway for walkers in Rajinder Nagar.

The function was organized by the Pandits of Rafiabad Constituency to express their faith in Mr. Dilawar Mir returning to Legislative Assembly from Rafiabad Constituency continuously since 1977. The memorandum was presented by the Forum representatives by Mr Pintoo Ji.

Departmental drivers, cleaners demand
removal of pay anomaly

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 13: The departmental drivers, operators and cleaners have demanded the removal of anomaly in their pay scale and asked for the grant of initial pay scale of 4000-6000.

Addressing a press conference, Anoop Singh Jamwal, president All J&K Departmental Drivers, Operators and Cleaners Federation Jammu province highlighted several of the problems being faced by the cadre. His Kashmir counterpart Riaz Ahmed was also present there.

Jamwal said the anomaly caused due to the implementation of SRO-75 and SRO-28 under which drivers were provided lower scale of pay i.e. 3050-4910 instead of 4000-6000. The similar anomalies of accounts personnel, section officers, pharmacists, patwaris and stenographers have been removed but the driver category has been ignored, he added.

Criticizing the authorities, he informed that they approached to State authorities on number of occasions through deputations and memorandums to concede our demand but nothing has been done so far.

He further demanded that after 10 years of service drivers should be declared as chauffeur in the pay scale of 5600-9100 and subsequently as foreman/ inspector in the pay scale of 6500-10500 after the completion of 15 years of service.

Meanwhile, the others demands also highlighted included grant of two and a half day pay, provision of vehicles in place of the grounded vehicles, uniform for the cadre, traveling allowance and regularization of adhoc cadre.

The executing body members of the cadre from both the province were also present during the press conference.

VKMI holds general body meeting

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 13: A general body meeting of Vichar Kranti Manch International (VKMI) was held here, today under the chairmanship of Dr H L Goswami. The meeting was attended by the prominent people including engineers, doctors, professors, businessmen and social activists.

The meeting elected Mr Romesh Koul as the president of the society.

Addressing the meeting, Dr R R Khajuria, the founder of the Society threw light on the goal of the society which he said is social reconstruction. He urged the members to adopt the motivation approach through social engineering. The VKMI looks with serious concern at the all round degradation of moral, social and national values, he added.

The meeting decided that movement for social reconstruction would be carried by seeking the assistance of the student community and women folk.

The society and its members will devote the efforts towards mother and child segment of the society and involve the school teachers. The statement of a member of Assembly on the floor of the House on January 11 regarding payment of bribe and killing has enough to demonstrate the fragmented infrastructure and hence the task taken up by the society requires the members to work very hard.

Hakeem asks youth to make political
process viable, vibrant

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 13: President People's Democratic Front (PDF) and Minister for Transport, Grievances, Stationery and Printing Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen has called upon the youth to come forward in a big way to contribute towards political and economic development of the State.

Addressing a PDF youth rally at Jammu today, Hakeem Yaseen asked the youth for associating with development efforts to make Jammu and Kashmir a prosperous State. He said youth must join politics actively and participate in the democratic process adding that the objective could be achieved only when youth involve themselves for highlighting the public concerns through democratic means to make the political process viable and vibrant.

Saying that lasting solution to the Kashmir issue could be arrived at tripartite talks, Yaseen urged to involve all political leaders in the dialogue process to resolve the vexed Kashmir issue. He said the people of the State have been yearning for peace and the Government was committed to realize the peaceful and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir.

He said dialogue is the only way to address all the issues and strive for peace in the sub-continent. He underlined the need for strengthening confidence building measures to facilitate the people living across the LoC.

Referring to the development scenario of the State, Hakeem said that speedy and equitable development of all the regions of the State tops the agenda of the government. He said various projects and welfare schemes launched in the State have been completed during past two years. He hoped that the fruits of prosperity will reach to even the remotest areas of the State.

He also nominated Rimple Singh, district president PDF Youth Wing, district Jammu as incharge Youth Wing Jammu region.