Estates Deptt officers conduct inspection of Govt properties

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 16: All J&K Estates Employees Association, Jammu province, conducted a tour of various properties of the Department alongwith Executive Engineer R S Sudan and Deputy Director J P Singh. The tour programme was conducted for assessing the prevailing condition of the Estates quarters vis-a-vis genuine demands of the employees and workers. The tour programme was conducted under the leadership of Prem Singh Bawa, Association president.

The Association and officers visited Estates quarters at Poonch House, Ahata Amar Singh, Ved Mandir Sarwal, Tope Sher-khanian, Janipur, Company Bagh, Talab Tillo, Gandhi Nagar and Wazarat Road Jammu.

The Executive Engineer ordered on the spot to concerned officials to complete the pending repair works in the quarters where the employees have been residing. In addition, the Executive Engineer prepared a proposal for Guest House and staff quarters for Association, which was duly recommended and forwarded to the Director Estates for final sanction.

The Deputy Director J P Singh found that Clinic work in the Government buildings was not up to the mark and required immediate renovation as per the approved contract.

Prem Singh Bawa apprised the Deputy Director Estate Department that the pending payment of labourers for the year 2005 be released forthwith and the payment of contractor eng-aged for construction of Clinic be stopped till the works were not checked and finalized and till then the wages of labourers be rel-eased. Various other genuine demands of Estates Department employees including acute stagnation were highlighted by the Association.

Others in the tour programme included Yuv Raj Bhatti, Puran Chand, Tilak Raj, Kuldeep Raj, Sagar Masih, Bilu Ram, Ashok Kumar, Mohinder Lal, Kewal Krishan, Dharam Paul and Mrs Raju.

Govt committed to upliftment of weaker section: Mangat

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 16: Minister for Labour and Employment, Mangat Ram Sharma has said that Government is committed to work for the up-liftment of the weaker section particularly labour class of the society.

The Minister was interacting with the members of the Building Construction Workers Welfare Board (BCWWB ) constituted by the Government to safe guard the interests of the labourer class of the State.

Among others, Comm-issioner Finance, Commissioner Secretary Law, Secretary, La-bour and Employment, Labour Commissioner, President, Bui-lding Construction Workers Un-ion, State President, All India Labour Union Congress, Pre-sident, JK Vishva Karma La-bour Union, Jammu were present on the occasion.

Mr Mangat Ram said that service to people is service to God and asked the members to put in all out efforts together and work for the welfare of the most neglected section of society. He said the labourers always work in hazardous and risky environment and it is the duty of the Government to safeguard their interests and lives. He said the labourers will definitely get the benefit of the board with the implementation of its Act. He said a massive plan has been devised for the welfare of the labour class and a colossal amount has been earmarked for the purpose.

It was decided that five member committee, already co-nstituted, headed by Comm-issioner Finance, will appoint the staff for the Board, besides creating Building Workers Welfare Fund (BWWF) to be utilized for the welfare of the labourers.

Mankotia walks-out over discrimination

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 16: National Panthers Party (NPP) Member Balwant Singh Mankotia today staged walk out in the Lower House over the alleged discrimination with him in raising supplementaries.

"Neither our questions are listed nor we are allowed to raise the supplementaries", he regretted and said "I wanted to raise supplementaries on the important questions of liquor shops and PHE schemes but I was not allowed".

He further said: "Yesterday I raised the issue of double murder in my constituency but there is no response from the Government over the issue". Later, he walked out of the House.

Ousted Excise employees take out protest rally

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 16: Ousted Class IV employees of Excise and Commercial Taxes Depart-ment held a protest rally from Press Club today which marched upto Shalamar via Vinayak Bazar, Below Gumat, Vivek-anand Chowk, Raghunath Bazar and City Chowk to highlight, during budget session, their long pending demands.

State president of the Association Adil Rashid Khan stated that they were retrenched by the Department after rendering nine to 12 years of regular services and despite all assurances by Government, including the Chief Minister, their fate has remained sealed for obvious reasons.

The leaders of the Ousted Employees of Excise and Com-mercial Taxes department stated further that they have been agitating for more than a year but no positive response from the Government side has been received, despite repeated assurances.

Expressing their resolve to continue their struggle the association leaders along with their supporters including Nazir Ahmed Mir, Ghulam Mehndi, Khursheed Alam, Pradeep Kumar, Subash Chander, Girdh-ari Lal Chanda, Satish Sharma, Kartar Chand, S B Bakshi, Markes Gill, Prem Singh Bawa, Sardar Suram Singh, Ajay Singh, Ram Lubhaya, Kulwant Singh Jamwal, Haneef Chowdh-ary, expressed their resolve not to end the stir till justice was done to all ousted Class IV employees of Excise and Commercial Taxes Department.

National Sikh Front delegation calls on Governor

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 16: A seven member delegation of National Sikh Front (NSF) Jammu and Kashmir called on State Governor, Lt. Gen. (Retd) S K Sinha and submitted a memorandum to him demanding 10 percent reservations for Sikh community.

The delegation was led by its chairman S. Varinderjeet Singh and its other members included president of the Front Kulwant Singh Bhatti, its general secretary, Harbinder Singh, S. Daljit Singh, S. Gurcharan Singh Sudan, Harjeet Singh and Harvinder Singh.

The memorandum , while highlighting the sacrifices made by the Sikh community in J&K especially after the Pakistani tribes invaded Valley in 1947.

It said the Sikhs were the main victims of tribal attackers as a large number of community members were killed. And after the spurt of militancy in Kashmir, the Sikh community members did not migrate from Valley and faced the militancy bravely.

It said as the Sikhs are poor and backward they deserve 10 percent reservations in respect of all the sectors in J&K State.

It said that recently the Government of India provided scholarships to the students in the Education sector on the basis of minority community where as Muslims were in majority but they were provided with maximum share and benefits but the Sikh community who are actually in minority were denied their due share.

The memorandum also demanded that Minority Commission of India should have its jurisdiction over J&K also.

Dogri Drama "Suno Aeh Kahani" staged

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Jan 16 : Director, Natrang Theatre Group, Balwant Thakur presented a Dogri drama titled " Suno Aeh Kahani" on the theme of educating the girl child at Government High School, Thalora in tehsil Majalta of district Udhampur today.

The staff and students of adjoining Government and private schools including Government Higher Secondary School, Kathar, Dream India Public Higher Secondary, Manwal, KMP School, Manwal, Braham Rishi Bhanwra and public of the locality in large number were also present on the occasion.

The presentation of the artists of Natrang Theatre Group with a perfect combination of humour, innocence, literacy and girl child marriage was so forceful and mesmerizing that whole of the audience present on the occasion could not resist in giving loud cheers and burst into laughter. The people demanded for holding such educative dramas in every nook and corner of the district.

On this occasion, Balwant Thakur said artists presented this drama for the first time at National Open Air Theatre Festival, Kolkata.

Director of Vardan Theatre Group, Bodh Raj appreciated the efforts of Balwant Thakur in organizing drama at Thalora on social evils.

DDC reviews 4-laning of National Highway

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Jan 16 : District Development Commissioner, Samba, B. S. Jamwal had a meeting with National Highway authorities and officers of district administration to take stock of progress on 4-laning work of National Highway in the Samba.

Mr. Jamwal asked the PWD engineers and district administration to remove all illegal encroachments hampering the construction of junctions at various link roads in Samba within next 15 days.

The meeting was informed that the 4-laning of Jammu-Pathankot National Highway will be completed by end of June 2008. Besides, hurdles in the smooth construction of 4-laning Bari Brahmana were also discussed and it was ensured that this will also be completed within the same targeted period.

Detailed discussions were also held on issues pertaining to construction of junctions of link roads on NH and providing of hyperlinks at Nandani Samba.

The District Development Commissioner emphasized upon the need of complete coordination between NHAI officers, PWD,PDD, PHE and district administration for time bound completion of this prestigious project of 4-laning of National Highway.

Deputation of Kashmir Kissan calls on CM

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, January 16 : A deputation of All Kashmir Kissan Association jointly led by Minister of State for R&B Mohammad Khalil Band and legislator Abdul Gaffar Sofi met the Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad here today and requested for his intervention in seeking employment in the Railways for one member each of the families whose land was acquired by the Government for laying track and construction of railway stations between Qazigund and Baramulla.

The deputation demanded that the criterion fixed for recruitment should be changed to de-link it from the percentage of the land acquired. They also demanded construction of approach roads at railway stations and restoration of irrigation kuhls blocked by the track and railway stations along the agricultural land.

The Chief Minister assured the deputation that their demands would be taken up at the appropriate level for sympathetic consideration.

Scholars hold protest in Central Library

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 16: A group of Jammu University (JU) scholars today held a protest demonstration in Central Library against the non-availability of on-line journals.

The agitated scholars led by Pavinder Sharma, general secretary JURSEA also confined the Deputy Librarian Vijay Kumar in his office for an hour. The scholars were demanding the facility of on-line journals in the library, which was presently unavailable.

However, the officials of library informed the scholars that due to non-payment of dues, the facility has been temporarily suspended but the free of cost journals were still available.

Expressing anger over the attitude of university authorities, Pavinder criticized them for not paying the dues on time and making scholars to suffer. He said university was lavishly spending huge money on other unimportant activities neglecting this important requirement of scholars.

Meanwhile, the scholars have threatened to intensify the agitation if the facility wouldn’t be restored within 10 days.

Alumni Meet at SMVDU

Excelsior correspondent

KATRA Jan 16: In its second Alumni Meet 'Sanklap', the students of College of Management, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University demonstrated enthusiasm and a great spirit of camaraderie at a function held in the campus. Alumni from all parts of the country turned back the pages of time and came back to their Alma mater.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor N.K. Bansal heartily congratulated the alumni on their success at workplaces and appreciated their gratitude to their alma mater. He called for active participation on regular basis from all alumni to create an atmosphere of kinship between alumni members. He wished all the alumni to achieve greater heights of success in their career and life.

The alumni presented a colorful dance performances, skits and songs followed by the post-Lohri celebration with bonfire and dance party adding glitter to the event.

‘Need to take bold initiatives to bring state out of debt trap’

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Jan 16: There has been a mixed reaction to the pre budget economic survey report presented by the State Finance Minister in the Assembly on Tuesday. The economists as well as the trading community impressed upon the need for taking bold initiatives to take out the state from the debt trap and focus on the sectors as can improve the economy of the state.

Leading economist and coordinator of the previous year's economic survey report, Dr Nissar Ali told the EXCELSIOR that current report presented some positive as well as depressing aspects of the state economy. The fiscal deficit has escalated to more than 2000 crores as against the previous two budget reports. He also expressed his anguish over the incompatibility of the Gross State Domestic Product and the per capita income with the rest of the country.

Stressing the need for broadening the outer tax net for raising additional resources he revealed that nearly rupees 500 crores could be generated by taxing the services sector including even the educational and cell phone services.

However, he expressed skepticism over this fresh taxing with impending state assembly elections.

He also suggested levying taxes on the rural and urban housing to augment the state resources and said the scheme could create nearly rupees 300 crores for the state exchequer.

Since business has witnessed voluminous increase in the state, widening the commercial tax base can prove a boon to our scanty resources, he said.

He expressed his satisfaction over the sustained economic growth over the past two to three years although the growth does not match the national average.

The economist suggested attracting public investment in infrastructure development and capacity building in economy. Budgetary facilities need to be provided for employment generation and state intervention programmes are required for this purpose, he said.

He forecasted better employment prospects for the youth in the state due to focus on tourism by the present government.

Research and development on a massive scale is needed in the potential sectors like horticulture sector and there is ample opportunity if new markets like South Asia are explored Prof Nisar said.

He called for branding of Kashmir items in handicrafts and horticulture products and by products by launching standard institutions.

To avoid import in agriculture products he stressed for immediate legislation in minimal land holdings and restraining of residential complexes on agricultural lands.

The Federation Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kashmir (FCCIK) expressed its serious concern over imbalance in regional growth and called for budgetary allocation for equitable growth in all the three regions of the state.

The government has failed to open the trans Kashmir border trade which could have given a boost to economy and helped reduce the unemployment which has touched new heights, said the FCCIK vice president Fayyaz Ahmed.

The industrial community while expressing sorrow over the picture of the State on major fronts of economy and the state social sector stated that the economic survey report carried dire warning for the people of Jammu and Kashmir to fall by the wayside while all other states are marching ahead at high rates of annual growth.

The president of the Kashmir Chamber of Industries, Shakil Qalander stressed upon the need for human development index pushing up of the gross domestic product, he said

The main reason for economic backwardness of the state could be attributed to huge infrastructural deficit adding that the much talked about re-construction programmes had not contributed anything to the state except being in the process of making central power grids richer.

The FCIK president, however, expressed satisfaction that the industry contributed one-fifth to the state's GSDP despite adversaries.

He further stated that entrepreneurship was the only answer to many of our problems including unemployment, as such, all possible steps including revival of sick industrial units needed to be prioritized.

Budget evokes mixed response

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 16: The Budget for the year 2008-09 has evoked a mixed response from various trade, business and other organisations.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Jammu while appreciating the efforts of Finance Minister Tariq Hamid Qarra has said that no new taxes have been imposed as such the trade community was feeling relaxed. It said that in budget nationalisation of plan, non-plan expenditure, better emphasis on capital investment and development of infrastructure has been laid.

CCI has also appreciated the applicability of 3 % interest subsidy to existing units and providing extension of zero percent VAT on peddy, rice, wheat, pulses, besan, flour, maida and suji and placement of rakhi, raw tobacco and Bidies in zero per cent VAT.

The Chamber has further extended thanks to Mr Qarra for accommodating its suggestion during pre-budget meet and giving practical shape to the Toll Plzaza at Lakhanpur to make it operational round the clock and add good number of dealers in the list of Green Channel clearance.

Federation of Industries, Jammu expressed that today’s budget proposal was silent on several problems confronting the industrial sector in J&K state. T S Reen general secretary Said despite some shortcomings, the industrial fraternity hails the budget proposal for the year 2008-09 announced by Mr Qarra. He said the implementation would go a long way in helping the industry to function smoothly and lead to the well cherished dream of industrialisation in J&K.

He described payment of 3 % interest subsidy on working capital to the old units for two years as welcome step. Efforts of Finance Minister to take up issue with Centre to grant industrial package to J&K on the pattern of North East were in right direction. Mr Reen also hailed decision of Provident Fund Act enforcement for workers and exclusion of certain items like cattle feed, ingredients, empty bottles, marble extracted from the State from negative list.

Terming the budget of the State as jugglery of figures, former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Prof Chaman Lal Gupta said that even cursory glance reveal the claim of progress and prosperity are contradictory and highly confusing. He stated that galloping expenditure of the State indicates total dependence of the State on Centre. The figures show that over 85 % expenditure during the next fiscal year is to be met from the transactions from the Centre. Out of the total spendings proposed for the next year to the tune of Rs 18,443 cr, the Revenue receipts from the own resources of the State have been estimated just Rs 3806 cr.

The most disturbing features of the State economy are the mounting liabilities which as per official figures have already crossed over Rs 18700 cr. The Government was not even in a position to pay salaries of the employees from its own resources.

Vakil for settlement of loan cases at district level

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 16 : All the self-employment loan cases sponsored by State SC/ST and OBC Corporation would be finalized at district level. The subsidy component under the schemes would also be released from the offices of district managers of the Corporation to accelerate development of weaker sections.

This was stated by Minister for Social Welfare Abdul Gani Vakil while reviewing the functioning of the Corporation at a high level meeting here today.

Mr. Vakil said necessary modalities in this regard would be worked out in consultation with Board of Directors shortly. The step, he said was necessary as beneficiaries belonging to remote areas were facing difficulties in pursuing their cases at Corporation headquarters.

The Minister called upon the officers to speed up the disposal of loan cases and leave no stone unturned in meeting the targets fixed under each scheme. He said, "unreasonable delay in finalization of loan applications would be construed as dereliction of duty", and cautioned that employees found indulging in such practice would be taken to task.

The Minister said that the Corporation was working for most wretched classes and people in distress, as such he said clean and honest working in this organization would earn them divine favours unlike other departments. He said liberal funds constantly pouring in from centre shall have greater impact if their transparent and timely utilization was ensured at all levels.

Vakil also desired to re-verify the promotion case of ten orderlies of the Corporation following complaints of irregularity. He asked Managing Director to submit the file mentioning criterion adopted in promoting these officials as Junior Assis-tant within two days.

Earlier, Managing Director V. C. Sharma gave a detailed resume of the activities of the Corporation on Power Point.

Among others, Secretary Social Welfare N.K. Verma, Special Secretary Muzaffar Iqbal, Managing Director V. C. Sharma were present on the occasion.

PTU organizing traffic awareness campaign

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 16: The Punjab Technical University (PTU) is organizing a mega traffic awareness campaign in the entire State from January 18.

This was stated by Davinder Grewal, PTU regional coordinator while addressing a press conference here today. He informed that the campaign would be launched simultaneously in the states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Orrisa.

"We being an educational sector organization feel it is as our moral and social responsibility to educate the students regarding various traffic rules so as to imbibe these traits in them and help them to emerge as responsible and well awared citizens", Grewal mentioned.

He further added that this campaign would involve participation of over 1500 schools and colleges and address about 50,000 students. During the campaign, the students of learning centres will visit schools and colleges in their vicinity and make them aware about traffic rules using documentary and information brochures, he informed.

Also speaking, Harbans Sin-gh from Softlab Computers said the major emphasis will be on educating students regarding the prominent violations in traffic rules including over-speeding, honking, avoiding helmets, drunken driving and driving without license and other documents.

Meanwhile, Minister for Transport Hakim Mohammed Yaseen, in his message has appreciated PTU for its proposed venture and stressed on the need to integrate road safety and civic sense with the education system.

Those who also present during the press conference were Gourav Gupta from Softlab Computer, Munish Pathania from Care College and Sunil Arora from Global Institution.

Fida Ali bereaved

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 16 : Mother-in-Law of Fida Ali, Deputy Director Information, Press and Public Relations died at Nawab Bagh Bagwanpora Lalbazar Srinagar on Wednesday morning after brief illness. She was 70 years of age.

A condolence meeting was held in the Directorate of Information at Jammu to condole the death in which grief and condolences were expressed by the officers and the staff.

The meeting was chaired by Director Information Zaffar Ahmad and attended by all officers and functionaries of the department of all wings.

Two minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to the departed soul. The meeting prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed sympathies to the bereaved family.

Police claims arrest of 9 Abu Qittal associates

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Jan 16: Even as Police today claimed to have arrested nine "overground associates" of the slain "District Commander of Lashkar-e-Toiba Abu Qittal in Sumbal-Bandipore belt, the militant outfit claimed that innocent civilians were being picked up and labeled as militants by Police and security forces.

A Zonal Police headquarters press release claimed that in a series of raids and operations, Police have arrested nine over-ground workers and associates of the slain "District Commander" of Lashkar-e-Toiba Abu Qittal. It alleged that all the detainees were involved in transportation of the militants' arms and ammunition besides providing them food, shelter and hideouts. Most wanted militant commander Abu Qittal had been killed by troops of RR 13 Bn in a gunbattle at Ajas in Bandipore area the other day.

The press release identified the detainees as Bashir Ahmed Dar, Mehraj-ud-Din and Parvez Ahmed of Bazipora, Farooq Sheikh and Gulzar Ahmed Dar of Gund-e-Jehangir Hajan, Bashir Ahmed and Hafizullah of Shahgund Hajan, Ghulam Hassan Bhat of Katpora Hajan and Rashid Hurra of Baharabad Hajan.

A Defence spokesman said that troops of RR 13 Bn apprehended an OWG of militants alongwith one AK-56 rifle, three magazines, 130 rounds of AK ammunition and a wireless set at Shah Gund in Ganderbal district.

In reaction to yesterday's and today's Police claims regarding Abu Qittal and his alleged associates, spokesman of Lashkar-e-Toiba, Dr Abdullah Gaznavi, said in a statement that "innocent and un-involed civilians" were being arrested and labeled as militants and their OGWs by Police and security forces. He strongly denied the Police allegation that Abu Qittal was involved in a number of civilian killings.

Dr Gaznavi asserted that Lashkar had been always averse and critical of all civilian killings and its guerrilla fight was strictly restricted to armed forces. He alleged that Police and armed forces were actually involved in burning of the civilian properties and killing civilians in Sopore and other localities in the Valley. He paid tributes to the slain "District Commander" Abu Qittal, who was killed by Army in Ajas, Al-Badar commander Bilal, who got killed in a gunbattle with Army in Kulgam, and five militants of Hizbul Mujahideen killed by Police and security forces in Doda. He said that all these militants had given a tough fight to the forces till they got killed and did not respond to calls of surrender. He said that militants in J&K would continue their armed fighting with forces till the time of self-determination.

KPs asked to observe Holocaust day

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 16: Youth Wing All India Kashmiri Samaj (YWAIKS) which is spearheading the agitation of displaced youth demanding relief for bifurcated ration card holders held a meeting with various community leaders here, today to chalk out the future course of action.

The meeting was chaired by president of YWAIKS chief, R K Bhat. It appealed all the community leaders to observe the Holocaust Day on January 19 at the present venue of hunger strike in front of Relief Commissioner’s Office.

Mr Bhat also appealed all community members including men, women and children to take part in the observance of Holocaust Day in large numbers and protest against the Government’s apathy towards the hapless community.

The meeting among others was attended by P L Badgami convenor, KHC, Ashok Kangan president, JKVM, S N Dhar of Displaced Welfare Committee, Muthi, Kashi Nath Bhat of Non Camp, Janipur, Raj Nath Raina, a trade unionist, A K Sadhu, M K Daftri, K L Dhar S P Bhat, P L Dhar, Jai Krishen and D N Raina.

They urged the community to be united at this hour of crisis and show solidarity on the day of Holocaust Day by participating in the rally at venue of hunger strike which the Youth Forum is determined to continue till its logical conclusion.

The meeting in an appeal to Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad sought his intervention in the matter and urged him to settle the demand of the displaced youth who are on chain hunger strike for last 37 days.

IBM selects 13 students from KAWA

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 16: IBM a company of international repute conducted campus recruitment drive in Kawa Institute of Management & Technology today and selected 13 students as Executive operations in different departments.

M S Katoch, the chairman of the Institute said that campus recruitment of IBM, a globally known company was organised by the Institute through its sister concern Kawa Consultants which is looking after placement related activities of Kawa Group of Institutions.

The IBM team comprised of Vikram Sharma, Assistant Manager, Ms Anubha, Trainer, S Arvind Singh and Mr Sachin.

Mr Katoch also revealed that the recruitment drive was free of cost and Kawa Consultants had organised it without any charges from either of the parties. He also added that Kawa, since its inception is working for the overall development of the youth of J&K state and would like to contribute by organizing such events in other towns too.

Regarding other candidates who were not selected, he said that Kawa Consultant in collaboration with Kawa Institute is chalking out strategies to train the students so that more and more number of students could be given this opportunity to work with companies like IBM.

Jain Taruni Mandal holds dance competition

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 16: Jain Taruni Mandal,a ladies wing of the SS Jain Sabha Jammu organised a dance competition for its members under the guidance of its president Sangeeta Jain and secretary Archa Jain at Abhinav Theatre here, today.

The members who are primarily house wives gave a scintillating performance and proved that they are not just house wives but definitely have more to themselves.

Mrs Premini Sinha was the chief guest on the occasion. Mrs Shakuntala Kundal presided over the function and among others were Sunanda S