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Lone’s
issue sparks protest
Uproar,
noisy scenes in LC; NC
members stage walk-out
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU,
Jan 14:
Upper House of the
J&K Legislature
witnessed uproar, noisy
scenes and protests for
about 50 minutes as the
Opposition National
Conference members
vigorously raised the
issue of killing of
former PDP Minister Dr
Ghulam Nabi Lone and
demand of Rs 40,000 from
MLA Sangrama by one of
the Ministers of
coalition Government.
Entire
‘Question Hour’
proceedings were
dominated by the issues
regarding demand of CBI
probe into the killing of
former Minister and
action against the
minister in the Azad
Government who demanded
and accepted graft from
the young MLA-Shoaib
Lone.
As the Upper
House commenced
today’s proceedings,
the NC legislators
including Sakina Itoo,
Devinder Singh Rana, Mohd
Yousuf Taing, Bashir Naz,
M R Qureshi and T S Wazir
stood up and demanded
adjournment of the house.
The Chairman however,
rejected their plea and
said that no rule as such
permits and if they want
discussion on the issue
it can be taken up after
Question Hour.
The
Opposition pressed for
the adjournment of the
House and continued
protest shouting slogans
against Ghulam Nabi Azad
Government. All the six
NC legislators continued
to exert pressure on the
Chairman of the Council
seeking adjournment and
moved to the
‘well’ of the
House, raising slogans,
" Azad Ki Sarkar
Mein Chor Hi Chor
Hein..... Chor Sarkar Hai
Hai......Corrupt Minister
Ko Bahir Nikalo...."
This process of protest
continued for about 34
minutes. The NC members
then staged walk-out. As
the Chairman refused to
succumb to the
Opposition’s demand,
he continued to take on
questions of the non-NC
members amidst uproar and
noisy scenes. However,
nothing clear was
audible. The NC
legislators then again
entered the House at
11.46 am and once again
moved to the
‘well’ and
started slogans demanding
adjournment of the House.
Minister for
Higher Education
intervened and said that
Dy Chief Minister was
going to give statement
on the issue in the
afternoon. He drew the
attention of the Chairman
of the Council towards
the language used by
Opposition members
against all the Ministers
and said that they should
behave like members of
the House of elders. As
they continued their
protest, the Chairman
intervened and assured
the Opposition members
that after they will not
be satisfied with the
statement from the
Government a discussion
could be held on the
issue.
The NC
members then moved to
their seats quietly and
the order could be
restored in the house at
11.50 am.
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PDD
to recover Rs 576 cr arrears from Govt
deptts
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 14: The Power
Development Department (PDD) has yet to
recover arrears worth Rs 576 cr from
various Government departments and
Corporations.
Disclosing
this in the Upper House on the joint
questions of Amrit Malhotra and Devinder
Singh Rana during Question Hour today,
Minister of State for Power, Jatinder
Singh (Babu Singh) said that there was
outstanding of arrears on account of
electricity tariff against the State
Government departments like PHE,
Irrigation, Police, Medical, Estates and
the Public Sector Undertakings to the
tune of over Rs 576.05 cr ending November
2007. The highest amount worth Rs 208 cr
alone was pending against PHE department,
Rs 505.105 lakh against Health, Rs
656.931 lakh against Police, Rs 453.047
lakh against Education, 3129 lakh against
Irrigation, Rs 1890 lakh against Local
Bodies and so on.
Responding
to supplementaries of the members
including Mr Malhotra, Mr Namgyal and
others, the minister replied that a
strategy is being evolved to make
recovery from the Government departments.
Strict measures are needed to be taken in
this regard. He sought the cooperation of
all the ministers in this regard.
In
replying to another question, Babu Singh
said the J&K owes payments to NRLDC
on account of energy availed under
unscheduled intercharge and reactive
energy charges. CERC has asked the state
to clear these outstanding. He disclosed
that total revenue realised by PDD during
current financial year ending December
2007 is Rs 381.24 cr. An amount of Rs
255.90 cr has been realised from Jammu
region and Rs 125.34 cr from Kashmir
region. The total dues of NRLDC were to
the tune of Rs 423 cr (UI) and Rs 59 cr
(RE) as per CERC notice.
He further
claimed that measures are being taken to
identify the quantum of power theft. It
will not be fair to club it with the
T&D losses. He further said that 100
% feeder metering 46.9 % consumer
metering has been achieved in Srinagar
and Jammu cities. It has reduced the
losses, he added.
NC
members’ resolutions defeated in
Council,
Cong members withdraw on Govt’s
assurance
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 14: Two private members
resolutions out of seven which were
listed for day’s business were
defeated in Legislative Council today,
while the resolution of T S Wazir
regarding deficiency of lands allotted to
DPs of 1947 be made upto ensuring their
economic viability was not taken up as
the member was not present in the House
and Congress MLC, R S Chib did not move
his resolution on the suggestion of PDP
member Nizam-u-Din which pertained to
hike in Traveling Allowance of
Legislative Council members.
However
the three resolutions one moved by
Congress MLC, P Namgyal and two by Lal
Mohammed Sabir were withdrawn after the
reply from the Government. While the
resolution of P Namgyal was regarding
conversion of National Park in Ladakh
into a sanctuary, the two resolutions of
Mr Sabir pertained to immediate
completion of bridge over Phangali Nallah
connecting Mendhar and Poonch and
creation of the posts of physiotherapists
in district, sub district hospitals and
primary health centres.
The NC
Member Mohammed Yousf Teng’s
resolution that a special mechanism may
be put in place to salvage River Jhelum
which is the life line of Kashmir from
continued neglect and decline was
defeated by a voice vote after the member
was not satisfied with the reply given by
Minister of Forests, Qazi Mohammed Afzal
and pressed that his resolution be put to
vote.
Earlier,
Mr Teng, while moving the resolution
strongly advocated for framing of a
Jhelum Development Authority on the
pattern of Ganga Development Authority to
restore the pristine glory of this river.
He said
the river is life line for Kashmir as it
is linked to ancient civilizations and as
per Kashmiri Pandit mythology the river
is linked to Goddess Parvati known as
Uma. He said the great kings of Kashmir
like Awantiwarman, Laltaditya and Badshah
had their kingdoms on the bank of this
river which has been presently totally
eroded and facing the pollution threat.
He warned
that in case no proper attention was paid
to restore the glory of this river, the
Jhelum will die and Kashmir will lose its
charm and beauty. He stressed that
Government should pass the resolution.
However,
the Minister said that after the
coalition Government came to power in
2002, it took up a project in hand to
restore the original position of the
river to save it from the pollution
threat.
He said
the deterioration of river is the result
of its constant neglect for hundreds of
years and within four or five years it
can’t be restored.
But the
member still pressed his resolution and
despite the repeated assurances of the
Minister, he did not budge and insisted
on putting it to vote.
Another
resolution by his Party colleague
Devinder Singh Rana pertaining to
increase of 10 percent jobs for women in
all State Government Departments/ public
undertakings/corporations and autonomous
bodies was also defeated in the House by
voice vote after the member refused to
withdraw it on Government’s
insistence.
Asking the
member to withdraw the resolution, the
Minister of State for Health and Social
Welfare, G M Saroori said the State
Government is presently following the
policy of providing equal opportunities
to all in the field of education, health
and employment etc.
He said
Government has taken many steps to
protect women folk in normal day to day
life. These included Domestic Violence
Act, providing equal opportunities to
work enshrined in the Constitution. The
fact, however, remains that in J&K
women are lagging behind men in literacy
and present ratio is 60:40 between men
and women.
He said
the Government is not in favour of any
reservations to the women in Government
services, but it is committed to provide
equal opportunities to both males and
females in all spheres of employment.
Though the
Minister appealed the member to withdraw
the resolution in view of the
Government’s policy towards the
empowerment of women, the MLC insisted
that it be put to vote. He was also
supported by his Party colleague Sakina
Ittoo who alleged that this Government
has failed to give 33 percent reservation
to women in legislature and all claims
made by it on empowerment of women are
hollow.
Rs
18428 cr earmarked for power sector: Babu
Singh
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 14: An amount of Rs
18428 crore has been earmarked for power
sector under PM’s reconstruction
plan in Central and state sector.
This was
stated by Minister of State for Power,
Babu Singh in reply to a question of Mrs
Farida Mir in Upper House today.
He said
out of this Rs 2811 crore have been
earmarked for State Sector while 15617
crore have been earmarked for Central
sector.
The
Minister said ten projects have been
allotted to various agencies which are at
various stages of implementation and an
amount of Rs 48.36 crore have been spent
by the IPPs on these projects so far.
He said
three projects have been sanctioned under
Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Viduytikaran Yojna
and approval has been accorded for seven
projects and four projects are yet to be
approved by Centre. However, the funds
have been released for two projects
pertaining to Kathua and Udhampur, he
added.
He said
detailed project reports of 14 erstwhile
districts have been submitted to GOI out
of which formal sanctions have been
received for three districts only so far.
These schemes will be extended to all the
districts during the 11th plan, the
Minister added.
The
Minister said the execution of schemes is
to be got done through PSUs and
accordingly execution of seven districts
each have been entrusted to NHPC and
J&K SPDC. Out of the four projects
sanctioned, the work on two projects has
started and Rs 19.59 crore have been
released by the GOI. Out of this amount
Rs 17.65 crore has been spent by NHPC, Mr
Babu Singh added.
Zero
Hour in Council
MLCs raise issues of
public importance
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu, Jan 14 : Members raised
various issues of public concern
pertaining to their areas during Zero
Hour in the Legislative Council today.
S.
Arvinder Singh Micky demanded adequate
funds for Municipal Corporations and
filling up of vacant posts of
Safai-karamcharies.
Miss
Sakina Ittoo demanded snow clearance of
roads in his area and provision of
adequate ration to the people in far-off
areas of Noorabad constituency whereas,
Mr. B.A. Naaz demanded clearance of snow
bound roads of Poonch and Rajouri
districts and adequate ration supply in
these areas.
Mrs Farida
Mir raised the issue of land acquisition
by the security forces and demanded
consent of land owners in this regard.
Mr Murtaza
Khan demanded relief to the next or kin
of militancy victims. Mr. Mohammad Amin
Bhat demanded restoration of power in
Devsar area of Qazigund.
Mr. R. S.
Chib referred the early melting of
Shivlingum at Amarnath ji Cave and
demanded curtailment of helicopter
sorties during the yatra.
Mr.
Nizam-ud-Din Bhat drew the attention of
government towards the condition of the
people of villages Ajas-Bazipora,
Ajas-Gujjarpati and Zourmol and demanded
ration and other basic facilities for
them. He also called for providing
medical and para-medical staff besides
medicare facilities in health
institutions of these areas.
Mr.
Mohammad Sharief Niaz demanded adequate
supply of essential commodities to the
people of Balesa and snow clearance of
roads in Doda district.
Prof. Bhim
Singh showed concern over non-presence of
Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister
in the House since the session commenced.
He also demanded regularization of Safai
Karamchari working for ten years in the
Corporations.
Mr. Bilal
Lodhi demanded adequate arrangements on
the eve of Muharrum. He also demanded
improvement and upgradation in power
sector in the area.
Mr. Lal
Mohammad Sabir demanded fair disbursement
of relief to the affected people of
Chhamb-Jourian and Balakote areas
whereas, Mr Mohammad Rashid Qureshi
demanded comp4ensation to the people
whose land come under LoC fencing.
Nassarullah demanded filling up of vacant
posts in Regional Agriculture Sub-station
Kargil.
Governor
visits 'know your army' exhibition
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 14: Governor Lt.
General (Retd) S K Sinha today visited
the Army Cantonment here and went round
an exhibition depicting the military
strength of India, put on display as part
of the Army Day.
The
Governor took keen interest in the
weaponry and special equipment including
tanks and artillery guns and was given
briefing by officers and JCOs. He kept
enquiring about various weapons and
gadgets, which formed addition to what
had been put on display last year. He
appreciated the exhibition and hoped that
this will give an insight to the people
about their Army.
The
exhibition has become a very popular
annual event as the people in large
numbers have been thronging to witness
it. Youngsters are showing a special
interest in it.
General
Sinha was received by Maj General Sanjeev
Loomba, GOC Tiger Division and senior
officers of the Army. He went round all
the stalls and also witnessed free fall
jump from paratroopers and Malkhamb, a
demonstration by wrestlers.
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Clerical cadre
for removal of pay anomalies,
to hold protest tomorrow
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 14: The
clerical cadre of all the
departments of State Government
will hold a day-long protest
demonstration in support of their
demand for removal of pay
anomalies, in front of Divisional
Commissioner’s office at
Mubarak Mandi, Jammu on January
16.
The
announcement in this regard was
made by Ram Kumar Sharma,
coordinator, Organizing Committee
J&K All Departments Clerical
Staff Association during a press
conference held today. He said in
the first phase the cadre will
hold one-day protest
demonstration on January 16 in
support of their demand for
removal of pay anomalies, failing
which the cadre would be forced
to intensify the agitation.
Demanding
pay scale of 4000-6000 to junior
assistants, 4500-7000 to senior
assistants, 5500-9000 to head
assistants and junior scale
stenographers, Sharma said State
Government recently removed the
anomalies of teachers, accounts
cadre, pharmacists, section
officers and many others but
deliberately ignored the clerical
cadre.
Sharma
also levelled charges of adopting
divide and rule policy by the
Government and said it has
created great resentment among
the members of cadre, as due to
wrong and anti-clerical policies
the entire cadre was suffering.
"In
view of the prevailing
circumstances, the clerical staff
of the different departments have
been compelled to form organizing
committee of the association and
decided to observe one-day
protest on January 16 in front of
Divisional Commissioner’s
office", he added.
Therepresentatives
of organizing committee present
on the occasion included Rehmat
Ullah Malik (convener), Ravi
Singh Bhau (secretary), S Sukhbir
Singh (publicity secretary), Anil
Mehta (joint secretary), R P
Sharma (cashier), Ram Dass Thappa
(office secretary), M R Verma
(organizer), Ajay Khajuria
(treasurer) besides organizing
secretaries of different
departments.
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU,
Jan 13: As part of the Army Day
celebrations which falls on
January 15 every year, a two- day
exhibition titled "Know Your
Army" has been organised by
Tiger Division.
The
exhibition started today and it
will conclude tomorrow. It was
inaugurated by Maj. Gen. Sanjeev
Loomba, GOC, Tiger Division. The
aim of this exhibition is to
showcase the army to the general
public, a handout issued here,
today said.
It
said the highlight of the
exhibition was the display of an
astounding array of weaponry and
special military equipment
including tanks and artillery
guns. The real action war video
footage was an added attraction
of the exhibition, which kept the
public spell bound.
Speaking
on the occasion, Maj Gen. Sanjeev
Loomba, GOC Tiger Division
asserted that the army is well
equipped to synergies its action
to ensure resounding success in
war. He further added that the
exhibition is a lifetime
experience for people who
normally do not have access to
see such weapons from close
quarters.
The
people of all ages and walks of
life thronged the venue to have a
glimpse of the arms and equipment
on its first day today.
The
young aspirants, keen to join the
armed forces, made a beeline to
the motivation stalls specially
set up for them and were suitably
englightened and motivated.
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SP hopes a bill
in Assembly on Delimitation
Commission
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 14: The core
committee of Samajwadi Party,
J&K State unit, which met
here under the chairmanship of
State president Sheikh Abdul
Rehman, former MP, to discuss the
issue of Delimitation Commission,
on which the SP hopes that
Government would bring a bill in
the current session of the State
Assembly.
The
SP meeting held that delimitation
of constituencies was more
important in Jammu and Kashmir,
as president of India has already
ordered delimitation process in
25 states of the country. The
meeting held the delimitation of
Parliamentary Constituencies
assume significant importance as
in Jammu division, there are 15
to 20 lakh voters for one
Parliamentary constituency
stretched over three districts,
as against 10 to 12 lakh voters
in two districts of Kashmir
valley.
Sheikh
Abdul Rehman stated further that
terrain in Jammu province is most
inaccessible as compared to
Kashmir plains, while in Ladakh
there are just 2 to 2.5 lakh
voters only for one parliamentary
constituency. The meeting decided
to approach Justice Kuldeep
Singh, Chairman, Delimitation
Commission of India to do justice
with the electorates of Jammu and
Kashmir State.
On
the question of prevailing
rampant corruption, the meeting
observed that Chief Minister G N
Azad has virtually failed in
checking the menace of
corruption, what to speak of
totally eradicating the menace
from the society. Through yet
another resolution the Samajwadi
Party highlighted the plight of
Hajis of Jammu province who are
made to move to Srinagar for
boarding Flight for Hajj. The
meting demanded that the
intending Hajis should have the
boarding facility at Jammu.
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Airtel slashes
prepaid tariff by upto 50%
Excelsior
Correspondent
New Delhi, Jan
14: Airtel has
reduced its local outgoing call
tariffs to Re. 0.99 /- per minute
for all Airtel prepaid mobile
customers whose existing local
call rates are more than Re 1 per
minute. This applies to any local
call made from an Airtel prepaid
mobile to an Airtel mobile or to
any other mobile network in the
same circle & to any local
landline number. For example in
SUK 99 the local Airtel prepaid
to Landline call was charged at
Rs 1.99 per minute while as the
local Airtel prepaid to any other
mobile call was charged at Rs
1.30, which will now be charged
at Re 0.99 per minute.
This
is a significant initiative that
further reinforces Airtel’s
commitment to make mobile
communication more affordable and
provide greater value to its
customers. However, mid validity
products and Handset bundling
offer customers will be charged
at Re 1 per minute. This tariff
change is not applicable on 495
Lifetime prepaid customers and
other customers enjoying special
benefits like Happy Recharge.
However 495 Lifetime prepaid
customers can avail Re1 tariff
benefit on local calls by
migrating to Super Lifetime
Validity (SLTV) by recharging
their mobiles with just Rs 3 on
easy charge.
Sanjay
Kapoor, President, Mobile
Services, Airtel said, "As
an industry leader, Airtel has
always been at the forefront of
driving affordability and
expanding the market. This
initiative marks our strategic
intent to simplify tariffs and
differentiate ourselves in a
market already cluttered with
multiple tariff plans. Going
forward, we will continue to
explore innovative and affordable
tariff options that are aimed to
speed up growth, enhance customer
value and significantly
contribute towards increasing our
market and revenue share in the
future."
Government
deliberately ignoring Sanskrit:
JKSSF
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU,Jan 14:Demanding
proper attention to the
development of Sanskrit language
in the State, the Jammu Kashmir
Sanskrit Students Federation
(JKSSF) has levelled allegation
on State Government that it has
deliberately ignored the
promotion of the language in
Jammu and Kashmir. In a
memorandum submitted to Education
Minister, the front has
highlighted that step-motherly
treatment meted to Sanskrit in
this State for unknown reasons,
as most of teaching posts of the
language were lying vacant in the
higher secondary classes and
colleges.
It
was further submitted that both
students and unemployed scholars
of the subject have become
victims due to the
Government’s negligent
attitude. The question was also
asked about the status of
proposed Sanskrit University by
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine
Board, foundation stone of which
was laid by former Governor
Jagmohan.
Meanwhile,
the front has demanded the
filling of all the vacant posts
before the commencement of next
academic session and also
demanded its introduction from
sixth standard in schools along
with opening of Sanskrit Academy
in the State.
SGEF flays Govt
for maintaining silence
on employees demands
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 14: State
Government Employees Federation
in its meeting under
presidentship of Pardeep Kumar
reviewed the present scenario and
growing resentmemt amongst
employees due to cryptic silence
maintained by Government on
genuine demands of State
employees.
Federation
president Pardeep Kumar while
expressing miserable plight of
employees stated that three
meetings so far have been held
with the Chief Minister G N Azad,
but not a single demand has been
conceded so far, which has
compelled the employee fraternity
to adopt agitational path.
Federation
members Subash Chander and Satish
Sharma and others categorically
stated that Employees Joint
Action Committee was a temporary
phase and held that any struggle
in future would be held by the
Federation.
The
meeting held that call of strike
given by EJAC for January 29 was
politically motivated and
supported by retired employees,
who only want to continue their
name and gather fame, which
otherwise was in no way in favour
of employees community of the
State in general and of Jammu
province in particular.
The
Federation has, however, decided
to extend full support to the
call of strike and rally issued
by Ousted Excise Department
employees for January 16.
31 yrs
imprisonment awarded to Pak
national
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 14:
Presiding Officer
TADA/POTA Court Jammu Sanjay
Gupta awarded 31 years
imprisonment to Pak national
involved in planting bomb at
coffee house. According to the
police case, on March 27, 1995 a
Pakistani national Sonaullah
belonging to ISI of Pakistan,
planted a bomb at coffee house
(presently Press Club Jammu). The
bomb caused damage to the
property but none was injured in
the explosion.
After
hearing both the sides, Presiding
Officer TADA/POTA Court Sanjay
Gupta sentenced Pakistani
national to undergo rigorous
imprisonment for 7 years under
Section 3 of TADA and further 7
years RI under Section 4 of TADA.
The accused again sentenced to 7
years imprisonment under ESA,
five years imprisonment each
under Section 5 of ESA and 14
Forest Act. The Court clarified
that the all the sentences shall
run concurrently.
Technology
training programme at MIER
College
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 14: A
technology training programme on
"Using Information and
Communication Technologies in
Teaching-Learning" for
teachers was organized at MIER
College of Education, here today.
Prof
Lokesh Verma, HoD Education,
University of Jammu inaugurated
the programme. Dr Arun K Gupta,
Director MIER, Dr Renu Gupta,
Principal and Adit Gupta,
Convener computer information and
resource committee were also
present on the occasion.
In
his address, Prof Verma
highlighted the importance of ICT
for the teacher educators. He
said teachers in the information
age need to be equipped with the
modern tools of teaching to
benefit the learner and bring
about an improvement in the
teaching learning process.
He
also emphasized that ICT would
alone help in the professional
development of the teachers.
Later,
vote of thanks was presented by
Mool Raj Sharma, lecturer of the
college.
Govt to setup
Khadi Plazas at Jammu, Srinagar:
Jora
Excelsior
Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Jan 14:
To provide marketing
facilities to rural artisans
associated with J&K Khadi and
Village Industries Board (KVIB)
at a wider platform, the
Government would set up Khadi
Plazas one each at Jammu and
Srinagar to facilitate economic
empowerment of the village level
entrepreneurs to a greater
extent.
This
was stated by the Minister for
Industries and Commerce, Nawang
Rigzin Jora after inaugurating a
week long District Level Khadi
and Village Industries Exhibition
at Mini-Stadium, Udhampur today.
The
Minister of State for Industries
and Commerce, Dr. Romesh Chander
Sharma, District Development
Comm-issioner, O.P. Kalandria,
Sec-retary, KVIB, R. C. Sharma,
Additional Dy. Commissioner, J.
L. Sharma and Councilor, Brij
Mohan Sharma were present on the
occasion.
Mr.
Jora said that for the economic
upliftment of villages, Khadi and
Cottage Industries play a pivotal
role and efforts are being made
to facilitate purchasing of
genuine KVIB products from
different parts of the district
under one umbrella. This would
provide linkage to the artisans,
craftsmen, small unit holders to
showcase their latest designs at
a common platform from other
producers. Complimenting the
functionaries of KVIB, the
Minister said the Board has
registered excellent performance
at National Level by securing
first rank.
Exhorting
upon the artisans and craftsmen
associated with small scale
industries under KVIB to produce
quality products as per the
market needs, he suggested
imparting entrepreneurship
development training. He called
upon the functionaries of the
Board to create awareness among
the people in rural and remote
areas by holding regular
orientation camps even at
panchyat level.
Describing
industries as backbone of economy
for any country, the Minister of
State for Commerce and
Industries, Dr. Romesh Sharma
exhorted upon the unemployed
youth of the State to come
forward and take maximum benefits
of the schemes of Industries
Department available with
incentives.
The
Secretary of KVIB presented brief
resume of different activities of
the Board.
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Police
lathicharge on ABVP activists
Excelsior
Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Jan 14:
The activists of
Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad
(ABVP) were subjected to
lathicharge by police today when
they were holding a protest
demonstration outside the Mini
Stadium, Udhampur against its
alleged misuse for commercial
activities.
Pawan
Sharma, national executive member
of ABVP was leading the protest.
He alleged that stadium was being
misused for commercial purposes
instead of sports activities,
leading to its destruction.
Sharma claimed that peacefully
protesting activists were
lathicharged by the policemen
causing injuries to them.
He
said police also took him away
along with another leader Mann
Singh but later released after
the intervention of some senior
leaders.
Meanwhile,
the ABVP has demanded action
against the policemen who were
involved in the lathicharge and
vowed to continue their stir
against the misuse of the
stadium.
Unemployed ITI
electricians continue stir
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 14: The
unemployed ITI electricians
continued their stir for
absorption in the PDD on Rehbar
pattern, as they again took out
protest rally from Mubarak Mandi
to City Chowk this morning.
The
rally commenced from Mubarak
Mandi, where a group of the
unemployed electricians has been
sitting on protest since 284
days. The rally after covering
bazars of main city reached Civil
Secretariat and tried to break
the security cordon to enter
Secretariat. However, they were
dispersed by the policemen.
Meanwhile,
Rakesh Sharma, chairman All
J&K Unemployed ITI
Electricians Diploma Holders
Association said the condition of
10 of their members sitting on
protest has been deteriorating,
as they were suffering from
several ailments but none from
the authorities have come to see
us.
"Our
delegation also met the newly
inducted Power Minister and
highlighted our demand but he too
has given verbal assurance
only", he added.
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Govt has
failed to solve problems of
displaced Pandits: JKVM
Excelsior
Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Jan 14:
Jammu and Kashmir
Vichar Manch (JKVM) today accused
the State Government of its total
failure in solving the problems
of displaced Pandits.
At
a meeting held in Battal Ballian
Camp near here, today the JKVM
secretary, Dr R K Bhat expressed
grave concern over the plight of
the camp inmates. He said they
were facing the grave problems
and many have fallen a pray to
chronic diseases due to the
industrial pollution.
Dr
Bhat demanded that camp be
immediately shifted to Jammu and
the the camp inmates who have
established their shops and small
business units should be given
due compensation.
He
alleged that the KPs were the
victims of Gove-rnment’s
indifferent attitude as till date
it failed to settle the single
point demand of KP youth who are
on chain hunger strike for last
35 days in front of Relief
Comm-issioner’s Office at
Jammu.
He
also alleged that the people from
this hapless community who are
suffering from various ailments
have been deprived of the medical
benefit by the Government though
Rs five crore are at the disposal
of State Government under medical
fund for displaced people. He
alleged that a confusion has been
created among the camp inmates
due to the duel system of
verification adopted by
Government.
The
meeting among others was addresed
by Mr Lolabi and Puran Ji.
Non camp migrants
discuss demands
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 14: All
Displaced Kashmiri Pandit Non
Camp Welfare Union Jammu in a
meeting held under the
presidentship of D N Kissu grave
concern was expressed over the
delaying tactics adopted by the
Government in settling the
demands of the non camp migrants.
The
meeting alleged that Government
has failed to provide the
employment package to community
youth. It further said neither
any medical aid is being provided
to non camp migrants nor any
relief package is given to those
migrants who were living in
rented accommodations.
The
meeting also decided to support
the unemployed youth who are on
hunger strike demanding
bifurcation of ration cards.
It
also demanded allotment of
quarters to non camp migrants and
release of house rent and CCA to
the displaced employees. The
meeting was also addresed by P L
Saraf, P L Sudeshi president,
Karan Chowdhary, Vijay Kalla and
Mrs Phoola Bhat.
Art of Living
organising Sangam at Bangalore
Excelsior
Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Jan
14: The Art of
Living is organizing a 3-day
Sangam-2008 to host All India
NGOs Summit for environment
sustainability from January 31 to
February 2, 2008 at the Art of
Living International centre,
Bangalore.
The
Summit is being organized by
Internatinal Association for
Human Values (IAHV) in joint
collaboration with United Nations
Millennium Campaign (UNMC) and
Minister of Environment and
Forest, Government of India.
The
am of ‘Sangam’ is to
bring India’s NGOs and
social workers on one common
platform to face the challenges
in different socio service
sectors including education,
healthcare, agriculture, women
empowerment, child protection,
environment and disaster
management.
The
Summit will provide a chance to
NGOs to interact, exchange ideas,
learn from each other, generate
solutions and partnership to
effectively collaborate to meet
social challenges.
Woman found
hanging
Excelsior
Correspondent
KATHUA, Jan 14: The body of
a woman was found hanging from a
tree in forest area of Sananghat
in tehsil Basohli today.
The
victim has been identified as
Subhadra Kumari, wife of Ashok
Kumar, resident of Basohli. The
villagers who spotted the body of
young woman hanging with the help
of a rope from a tree, informed
police today.
A
police party led by SHO rushed to
the spot and shifted the body for
post-mortem to Basohli hospital.
Some marks of violence were
visible on the body. The family
members at Basohli had lodged a
report with police that their
daughter-in-law was missing since
January 8. However, parents of
Subhadra in their counter report
had suspected her murder. The
police has started investigation
under 174 CrPC.
Meanwhile,
another similar case was reported
from Dhabi hamlet near Dinga Amb
in district Kathua today. The
victim is 20-year-old Sonia,
daughter of Rattan Chand of
Dabhi. Her body was found hanging
from a tree under mysterious
circumstances in the nearby
fields. The police has taken
cognizance.
Class 12th
Results tomorrow
Excelsior
Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 14 Class 12
board results of Kashmir division
will be declared on Wednesday,
This time the result will be
available on the official website
of Jammu and Kashmir State Board
of School Education (JKBOSE),
www.jkbose.org.
The
results can also be obtained
through SMSes on Airtel and BSNL
cellular networks There are about
43000 candidates participating in
the class12 examinations this
year. The result of these
candidates will be declared 45
days after the commencement of
examination. Chairman JKBOSE Prof
Nisar Ahmad Ganie said, the
result has got delayed for some
time due to the inclement weather
of last few days. "We have
to defer the results as we were
not sure whether the result
gazettes could be brought from
Jammu if the air communication
delays due to the bad
weather", he said.
Prof
Ganie said delay in the result in
some days as compared to last
year was also due to the
inclusion of fifth subject in the
higher secondary classes.
"Now there are five
compulsory subjects, which has
made some extra burden for the
board and that is why some more
time was needed in preparing the
results", he said.
Prof
Ganie said despite internet and
mobile service, the result will
be available through traditional
mode of gazette for those living
in far flung areas and have not
access to modern technology like
internet.
Organise
counseling camps for students:
Div Com
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 14:
Divisional
Commissioner, Jammu, Sudhanshu
Pandey, who is also the Chairman
of Vidyalaya Management Committee
(VMC) convened a meeting of VMC
KV-I, Jammu today to review the
overall functioning of the
Institution.
Nominee
Chairman, Mohd Saleem, Dr. Chitra
Mishra Principal KV-I, Jammu,
R.S.Pathania and JK Dhelman
representatives of KV-I Dr.
Pandotra,( Eminent Doctor),
Eminent Educationist Raman Gupta,
Eminent person in Art and culture
Mr. Balwant Thakur, Registrar
Examine Jammu University,
J.K.Sharma member, Shruti Sharma
and Rajan Sharma were present in
the meeting.
Threadbare
discussions were held on various
measures related to K.V-I Jammu
which includes academic session
2007, pass % from class 6th to
12th, Games and sports
activities, Boys Scouts and
Guides activities,
inter-vidyalaya competition and
status of various on going works,
purchase of computers and Medical
check up arrangements etc.
While
giving a brief resume of the
activities of K.V-I, Jammu, Dr.
Chitra said that to prepare the
students for the CBSE Exams
Pre-board examinations are
conducted and remedial classes
for weak students are also
organized.
Divisional
Commissioner asked the VMC to
keep provision of special classes
to the students participants in
games. Mr. Pandey also emphasized
the need to give special
attention towards academic side
of classes 10th and 12th. He
stressed the need to organize
counseling camps to give
counseling to students in
choosing subject and career.
Mr.
Pandey instructed JKPCC
authorities for early completion
of the remaining works so that
the K.V.1 not to face any
inconvenience. He also asked the
PDD authorities to submit a
proposal with estimated cost for
installation of separate electric
transformer for the Vidayala so
that necessary step would be
taken at the earliest.
Court awards
compensation more than Rs 2.5 cr
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 14: Presiding
Officer MACT Jammu B L Bhat
awarded Rs 2,52,17000 in claim
petitions filed by the
representatives of Army personnel
killed in road accident at
Chambalwas.
According
to the case, Army personnel were
traveling in a SRTC bus bearing
registration number JK01Y-0381
from Jammu to Srinagar when the
bus rolled down into 300 feet
deep gorge reportedly due to the
negligence of the driver Mohd
Shaban. In the accident, 24 Army
personnel died on spot and four
others including driver and
conductor received injuries.
The
relatives of the deceased filed
claim petitions before the Motor
Accident Claim Tribunal Jammu and
Presiding Officer MACT issued
notice to the respondents
including driver Mohd Shaban and
others.
After
hearing both sides, the Presiding
Officer decided the issues raised
by the respondents in favour of
the petitioners and awarded Rs
2,52,17000 as compensation.
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