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28
tourism development
projects,
50 tourist villages taken
up in J&K
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu,
Jan 28 : Minister
of State for Tourism G.
M. Saroori has said that
the Department of Tourism
is making all out efforts
for promoting tourism in
the State and a number of
innovative steps have
been taken for its
revival.
He said
"15 new tourism
development authorities
besides 4 old authorities
have been created and
made functional to cover
more areas with tourist
potential. Eight of the
new development
authorities are being
funded under PM’s
Reconstruction Plan with
financial assistance of
Rs 20 crore each over a
period of five years and
the remaining seven under
state plan. Four old
development authorities
are also being funded
under MPRP. The Ministry
of Tourism has sanctioned
in the last two years 28
tourism development
projects and released Rs
51.81 crores".
Replying to
a question of Bilal Ahmed
Lodhi, Mr Saroori said
"50 villages have
been identified for their
development as tourist
villages under PMRP. As
per rural tourism
guidelines, each village
will get Rs 70 lakh from
Ministry of Tourism,
Government of
India". He said
"three tourist
circuits have been
identified and sanctioned
by the government of
India to develop many
areas along the
identified axis under
circuit development
programme of Government
of India at a total cost
of Rs 21.79 crore",
"The
upgradation of existing
infrastructure of various
tourist places and
creating of more
infrastructures at new
identified places will be
taken up with an amount
of Rs 90 crore sanctioned
under 12th Finance
Commission Award
(2005-2010)", he
said and added "the
allocation for 2006-07
& 2007-08 is Rs 45.30
crore".
Mr. Saroori
said "more pilgrim
spots are also being
developed to create
necessary infrastructure
for the yatries. The
project plan for Shiv
Khori has been sanctioned
by Centre for an amount
of Rs 411.51 lakh,
similarly Khankah Faiz
Panah Tral has been
reconstructed with an
investment of Rs 377 lakh
and Idd-gah Srinagar at a
cost of Rs 172 lakh
whileas Jia Potha Mandir
Akhnoor has been
developed at a cost of Rs
34.48 lakh and Ministry
of Tourism has sanctioned
a new development plan
for it during 2007-08.
Further an amount of Rs
300 lakh is utilized on
other shrines and temples
in the annual plan of
tourism development. A
whooping sum of Rs 1250
lakh has been utilized on
Khir Bhawani temple for
creation of pilgrim
facilities".
Regarding
the promotion of
adventure tourism in the
state, Mr. Saroori
informed "the state
has some best adventure
opportunities at many
places and the department
has taken many steps to
revive adventure tourism
in a big way. The special
emphasis has been laid on
Aquatic sports such as
White Water Rafting
Kayaking, Water Skiing
Canoeing, Skiing, Ice
Skating, Ice Hockey,
Revival of trekking and
Mountaineering expedition
and organization of
events like Car rallies
paragliding and other
related sports
activities.
About the
promotion of tourism
especially in Pahari
areas, he said "most
of the tourism
destinations in the state
fall in pahari areas like
Bhadarwah, Doda,
Kishtwar, Poonch and
Rajouri who have got
independent development
authorities. In Kupwara a
TRC is under construction
at a cost of Rs 1 crore.
Bungus valley is being
developed under
government of
India’s destination
development scheme.
Tourist villages have
been proposed at
Didikoot, Woderwioder
Bala, Nowgam-Mawar,
Changa,
Marwari-Karool,Kalhota
(Marmat), Tatapni,Mata
Mangla Devi and Mandi
Loran".
Murtaza
Ahmad Khan, Mohammad
Sharief Niaz, R. S. Chib,
P. Namgyal, Ashok Sharma,
Ved Prakash, Nizam-ud-Din
Bhat, Nizam-ud-Din
Khatana and Mohammad Amin
Bhat raised
supplementaries to the
question.
In reply to
another question of
Mohammad Amin Bhat, Mr
Saroori said
‘Vasaknag Qund’
has been identified as
tourist village for
development under PMRP.
The Ministry of Tourism
has approved the village
and sanctioned an amount
of Rs 50 lakh for
Hardware Component during
2007-08.The total cost
will be Rs 70 lakh.
A spring at
Panzathang, Qazigund has
been taken up for
development at a cost of
Rs 6.21 lakh and an
amount of Rs 1.42 lakh
has been utilized on it
upto ending December
2007".
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SRTC
employees again hold demonstration
Excelsior
Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 28: Hundreds
of State Road Transport Corporation
Employees (SRTC) today again took a
protest demonstration asking the
Government or take direct control of the
Corporation or provide a package enough
to sustain it on its own.
The
employees who had gathered under the
aegis of SRTC Employees Coordination
Union took out the procession from the
Tourist Reception Centre up to the
Corporation headquarters near the Deputy
Chief Minister's residence. Chanting
slogans against the top management, the
employees demanded release of salaries
withheld to them for the past five
months.
The
Government had promised payment of
outstanding salaries on the eve of Idul
Duha but only a one month salary was paid
and the rest continues to be pending with
the Government, said a protesting
employee. ‘My sick children are
dying for want of medicine and the
authorities are least concerned about our
condition,’ he said.
The
protestors demanding regular payment of
their salaries asked the Government to
take the control of the Corporation in
its hands to save the condition of the
families of the dependent employees
turning in to a humanitarian disaster.
The swampy situation of our Corporation
existed once in Delhi Transport
Corporation but the will on part of the
political executive saved the Corporation
by coming out with a major package, said
Noor Mohammed, the president of the SRTC
Union. "If our Government has a will
to rescue thousands of employees of the
SRTC, it should come out with a Rs 200
crore package on similar lines to
energize the Corporation," he added.
Mr Noor
impressed upon the Government to change
the top management of the Corporation and
bring in fresh IAS cadre officers to set
right the "mess" existing in
the SRTC. Blue eyed persons have been
appointed over the years and even
promoted to higher positions but the
genuine continue to stagnate on their
initial postings, he rued and asked for a
fair probe in to the "scandals"
in the Corporation.
He said
120 vehicles of the SRTC were completely
damaged during peak militancy years but
the Government did not come out with the
compensation.
The
agitating employees complained that GP
Funds and CP Funds were deducted from
their salaries over the years but had not
been deposited in the concerned
departments. 'This way life savings of
the employees nearing Rs 30 crore seem to
have been embezzled,' they alleged.
Governor
visits Jagati township, SMVDU
Rs 100 cr Cancer Hospital
at Katra to be ready in May: Sinha
Excelsior
Correspondent
KATRA Jan 28: Governor
Lt. General (Retd) S K Sinha today took
stock of the work on mega
multi-disciplined state-of-art, 700
bedded- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute
of Medical Excellence at Kakrial near the
holy township of Katra and discussed its
status with the project engineers and
senior executives.
The first
phase of Rs 100 crore mega Cancer
Hospital, sponsored by Shri Mata Vaishno
Devi Shrine Board, is likely to be
completed in May this year, the Governor,
who is also the Chairman of the Board,
said during his visit to different
segments of the upcoming hospital
building.
The
Project Director, Lt. General (Retd) L V
Sadhotra briefed the Governor about the
progress on construction and procurement
of equipment and other material for the
hospital. Vice Chancellor, Shri Mata
Vaishno Devi University, Professor N K
Bansal was also present on the occasion.
The
overall hospital project will cost Rs 250
crore without funding from the Government
or any other institution. Its first phase
will have 200 beds and function as Cancer
Institute. In the second phase, 500 beds
would be added in order to have
multi-disciplinary faculties and school
for nursing and paramedics. Initially a
cancer hospital of 200 beds with
facilities for comprehensive
multispeciality care, with special
emphasis on preventive oncology and
hospice care will be built. This facility
will be developed into a high tech
Institute of Medical Excellence of 700
beds and 10 lakh square feet of area in
due course of time offering all other
superspeciality care. Besides the most
modern allopathic treatment being
offered, he added that the hospital will
make efforts to educate the general
public in the catchment area about the
causation of cancer and general health
awareness.
The
Governor also inaugurated Vaishnavi
Hostel for girls in the University
campus. Professor Bansal said that the
hostel, having capacity to accommodate
200 girl students, has been constructed
at a cost of Rs 5 crore.
General
Sinha also reviewed the progress of the
University Auditorium and set 20 February
as target for its completion. The
Auditorium will be yet another addition
to the mega auditoriums already
inaugurated in the campus of Kashmir and
Jammu Universities.
Earlier,
the Governor visited Jagati where a
township is coming up under the Prime
Minister's Reconstruction Programme. The
township comprises 4218 sets consisting
of 176 blocks and will cost Rs.253
crores. Spread over an area of about 700
kanals of land the project is likely to
be completed in September, 2009. Each
block would have a separate park. The
township would have a hospital, 3
schools, 3 community halls and 40 parks.
The facilities of sewerage, drainage,
drinking water and electricity are part
of the integrated project.
Relief
Commissioner, Vinod Kaul informed the
Governor that Rs 27.57 crore would be
spent on roads, community centres,
educations institutors, sanitation,
drainage while Rs 19. 39 crore have been
earmarked for power supply. Another Rs
12.40 crore would be spent on water
supply, Mr Kaul added.
The Relief
Commissioner said that 384 sets have been
constructed at Muthi and another 256 at
Purkhoo.
'The
lost childhood' selected for screening
in
Intl Film Festival
Excelsior
Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 28: A Kashmiri
language film: "The Lost
Childhood" - has been selected for
screening in the 10th Mumbai
International Film Festival for special
screening of national section. The
documentary film is about the menace of
prevailing child labour in the Kashmir
valley.
"This
is the first time that any documentary
film in Kashmiri language has been
selected for special screening in Indian
National category", said the
director of the film Bilal A Jan.
"The film may be real representation
from the State in terms of highlighting
the problem of children of Valley: child
labour- which is more an economic than
social problem", he added.
"The
Lost Childhood" analyses the illegal
employment and "ruthless"
exploitation of the children who work as
child labour in Kashmir valley.
The
documentary which has been shot in the
different parts of Valley, depicts how
the employers of various trades exploit
these helpless and hopeless children by
making them work for excessive hours and
paying them very low wages or no wages,
said Bilal A Jan. Despite having various
Laws and Labour Acts for banning the
child labour, the practice still
continues which is the question of
dilemma, he added.
The noted
educationist of Valley, AG Madhosh- who
is also research consultant of the film,
said, this film has tried to highlight
the issue of child labour which needs
wide spread coverage for exposing the
issue. "More than three lakh
children in valley are working in the
labour market which must be a serious
concern for us", said Madhosh. He
said there are many reasons for
exploitation of the children but the
poverty and meager earnings of family is
the main reason.
The film
though titled in English language
"The Lost Childhood" is a
Kashmiri language film. It has been also
subtitled in English for the wider
audience. "The film has no
voice-over or commentary, every shot and
scene of film is self explanatory and
depicts the problem of the children who
work as child labour in different sectors
of occupation", said Bilal.
The 32
minute documentary has been ranked 7th by
the jury in the section of
Non-Competitive Films for Special
Screening among the 1600 entries.
Baglihar
project compensation Minister assures
probe
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 28: Minister
of State for Revenue Aijaz Ahmad Khan in
reply to a calling attention notice by
Mohammad Sharief Niaz stated, that
"the present Collector Land
Acquisition Baglihar Hydroelectric
Project has paid an amount of Rs.
3,42,99,652 only to the land owners and
structure holders till date as
compensation of land and structures
acquired for the Baglihar Hydroelectric
Project Chanderkote.
In
addition the payments have also been made
to the tune of Rs. 7,91,96,216 by the
then Assistant Commissioners (Revenue)
Doda who was having the additional charge
of the post of Collector Land Acquisition
BHEP, Chanderkote.
As
reported, all payments have been made
through payee’ account cheques by
the present Collector and no cash payment
has been made by him. The compensation
has been paid to the genuine claimants
after following necessary codal
formalities required under rules. The
payments have been made in groups and
camps held in respective villages in
presence of general public and officials.
The
compensation of land and structures is
withheld in cases where the title of the
land is not clear or where the cases are
sub-judice in various courts. No payment
has been made to persons of Pul Doda,
whose structures raised illegally over
State, Forest and Shamlat land are coming
under submergence due the construction of
the project.
The
minister said, "the BHEP authorities
are willing to pay the compensation in
respect of structure holders,
irrespective of their recognized legal
title. Payment of compensation for such
structures is not covered Land
Acquisition Rules. However, the matter is
under consideration of the government for
making an exception in the matter by
making a departure from the norms.
He said,
"in order to avoid any malpractice
in the disbursement of compensation, the
Deputy Commissioner Doda has already
constituted a team of senior officers
vide his No. 1310-21/Acq dated
26.12.2007, comprising Additional Deputy
Commissioner Doda, Assistant
Commissioner, Revenue Doda, Collector
BHEP, Chanderkote and Tehsildar Doda, in
whose presence the payments would be made
to the affected persons. Although, no
complaint has yet been received in this
department as all the payments are being
made through payees’ account
cheques, in case any complaint on account
of malpractice is reported, same shall be
thoroughly looked into". He also
assured inquiry into the corruption
charges.
In another
calling attention notice by Ashok Kumar
Sharma and Rajinder Singh Chib, Minister
for Higher Education Gulchain Singh
Charak stated, "the distribution of
drinking water is being done by the PHE
Department directly. However, Estates
Department has sufficient water storage
tanks on the roof top of the government
quarters at Toph Sherkhania. Besides,
additional capacity of water reservoir
has also been provided in the said
quarters".
The
Minister said, "in Toph Sherkhania
quarters, the sanitation work is being
done by the Sweepers regularly despite
shortage of sanitation staff. Special
sanitation drive was also undertaken in
the said colony which is still in
progress".
New
Super Speciality Hospital for
Jammu
in 18 months: Mangat
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 28: Reiterating that
Government was determined to provide
quality health care facilities to the
people of the State, the Minister for
Health and Medical Education, Mangat Ram
Sharma has said that revolutionary steps
have been taken up for expansion and
upgradation of health institutions.
The
installation of modern health care
gadgets in Government medical
institutions across the State has not
only strengthened the health centres but
provided larger canvas for diseases
investigation and treatment, he said. He
said Jammu and Kashmir is the first state
in the country, which started upgradation
of health institutions under National
Rural Health Mission.
Addressing
the gathering after launching
construction work of Rs. 120 crore Super
Specialty Hospital Jammu here on Monday,
the Minister said that the execution of
this Super Specialty hospital would be
completed within 18 months. He said the
hospital having Cardiology,
Cardio-therapic surgery, Neurology,
Neru-Surgery, Urology and nephrology
departments. He said the execution of Rs.
120 crore Srinagar Super Specialty
Hospital would also be started soon and
added that the land for the purpose has
been acquired in the vicinity of the
city.
Saying
that due to the pro-people policies of
Azad-led Government the construction work
of 22 district hospitals and sub-district
hospitals across the State was apace and
would be completed by the mid of next
fiscal at a total cost of Rs. 391 crore.
The
Minister said work on establishment of
about 200 health institutions started in
the State during last two years of which
35 centres were likely to be completed by
March 2008. He said six Trauma Hospitals
on National Highways have been approved
at a cost of Rs. 8.3 crore while as the
construction work of Rs. 12 crore
Qazigund Trauma Hospital completed.
Mr. Sharma
also called upon people to monitor the
construction work of hospital buildings
being executed in their areas with the
intension that was their own property and
added that if people found any
hanky-panky they should inform concerned
Additional District Development
Commissioner who has been assigned the
job of supervision of all the
developmental works. He also instructed
the higher authorities of health
department that they should also visit
frequently the developmental sites for
ensuring completion of these projects so
that early benefits of these would reach
to the people.
Bhoomi
Pujan was also performed on the occasion.
Minister
of State for Health and Medical Education
Peer Mohammad Hussain, Secretary Health
and Medial Education K. B. Jandial,
Principal GMC Jammu, Superintendent SMGS,
senior officers and engineers were also
present on the occasion.
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JK Bank calenders
issue raised in Council
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu, Jan 28: Various
members raised the issues of
public importance during Zero
Hour in the Legislative Council
here today.
Deputy
Chairman S. Arvinder Singh drew
the attention of Government
towards calendar issued by
J&K Bank and sought the
inclusion of artistic activities
of all the regions into it. He
alleged discrimination with two
regions.
Mohammad
Sharief Niaz and Niazam-ud-Din
Bhat drew the attention of
Government towards inadequate
medicos and para-medicos staff in
the health institutions of
Ramban, Kishtwar and Doda
districts and hospitals of valley
especially of Bandipora district.
Mr Nizam-ud-Din Bhat also sought
explanation from the health
administration for misusing of
funds and ambulances allotted to
the health institutions in the
area.
Mr
Ashok Sharma demanded early start
of construction work on projects
under Economic Reconstruction
Agency (ERA) sanctioned in
Rajouri district. He also
demanded more projects under the
agency in the district, whereas
Lal Mohammad Sabir demanded early
completion of roads under NABARD
in his area.
Mr.
Nassurullah demanded lifting of
stranded passengers from Jammu to
Kargil.
Farida
Mir drew the attention of
Government towards commercial
construction in residential
areas. R S Chib raised issue of
water crisis in Roop Nagar Colony
and sought immediate attention of
Government. He also demanded
public transport facility in this
colony.
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Lodhi, Murtaza stage
walk-out
Colleges
issue generates heat in LC
Excelsior
Correspondent
Jammu, Jan 28: Minister
for Higher Education Gulchain
Singh Charak said that before
2002, there were no colleges in
far-flung areas of the State and
students of these areas had to
travel very long distances for
higher studies.
The
Government examined this issue
and considering the aspects like
terrain, isolated pockets of
socio economically backward
population, connectivity,
distance between stations where
colleges are located, constraints
of road transport and allied
factors. A proposal for setting
up of new colleges was formulated
on this basis, he said.
The
Minister was replying to the
discussion by Bilal Ahmad Lodhi
in the legislative Council today
to deliberate upon work of new
colleges in the State.
He
said a sub-committee on Higher
Education in J&K formulated
by Ministry of Human Resource
Development recommended setting
up of new colleges in every
tehsil where at least 500
students seek admission in
colleges located at a distance of
20 km or more. The minimum
distance could be less if the
number of such students in a
tehsil exceeded one thousand.
Accordingly, 14 Degree Colleges
were established in the state
under Prime Minister’s
Reconstruction Plan at Samba, R.
S. Pura, Akhnoor, WC Kathua,
Hiranagar, Basohli, Mendhar,
Thanamandi, Dooru, Beerwah,
Budgam, Pattan, WC Sopore and GDC
Bandipora.
On
the demands of concerned MLAs,
four Government Degree Colleges
at Ramnagar, Reasi, Kulgam and
Ganderbal were established under
State plan. The Union Minister
for Human Resource Development on
its visit to the state announced
4 Degree Colleges under MHRD/UGC
at Billawar, Ramban, Bijbehara
and Uri.
Another
10 new Degree Colleges were
included in the Reconstruction
Plan and a memorandum in this
regard was submitted by Higher
Education Department to the
cabinet.
The
State cabinet took a decision on
December 14, 2007 for setting up
of 18 new government Degree
Colleges in the state (10 under
the Prime Minister reconstruction
Plan and 8 under the state plan).
The concerned Deputy
Commissioners have been requested
for identification of state land
measuring 100 kanals (and minimum
60 kanals of state land in
phase), which should be free from
all encumbrances at the locations
where the colleges are to be set
up. Besides, the department is
moving a proposal to the Planning
& Finance Departments for
creation of staff for these
colleges as well as for the
release of funds for construction
work.
The
decision to establish these
colleges at various locations was
based on the demands of various
MLAs, decision taken in the
District Development Board
meetings and other factors like
number of college going students
of the area as well as
topography. The process has not
stopped. Some more may be
considered
The
colleges located in the vicinity
of Khan Sahib in Budgam district
are GDC Beerwah and GDC Bemina.
There are 7 Higher Secondary
School in the Khan Sahib
constituency at Khan Sahib,
Hardupanzoo, Arigam, Wathrail,
Drang and Parinwa.
Keeping
in view, the number of 7 feeding
Higher Secondary Schools in Khan
Sahib constituency, a college has
been sanctioned there, he said.
There
is only one college located in
the vicinity of Dharmari in Reasi
district i.e. GDC Reasi located
at a distance of 50 kms. There
are 7 Higher Secondary Schools
namely HSS Gool, Sangaldan,Judda,
Thatharka,Dharmari and HSS
Panassa, he added.
He
said there are already two Degree
Colleges established in Doda
district. There was no demand to
establish a degree college at
Thatri which is situated at a
distance of about 30 kms from
district headquarters Doda. A
college has been sanctioned at
Kilhotran in Doda district which
is situated at a distance of 67
kms from GDC Doda and 96 kms from
GDC Bhaderwah. The students
belonging to Bhalessa area are
being admitted in Degree Colleges
at Bhadarwah Doda and
Kishtwar.The number of students
belonging to Gandoh tehsil
enrolled in these Degree College
is Bhadarwah, 229, GDC Doda 51
and GDC Kishtwar 36 respectively.
As such a there was more need of
a degree college at Kilhotran
than at Thatri, he added.
Mohammad
Sharief Niaz and Murtaza Ahmad
Khan also took part in the
discussion.
Bilal
Ahmad Lodhi and Murtaza Ahmad
Khan staged walk out, as they
were not satisfied with the
ministers response.
NC activists join
PDP
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 28: Thirty
active National Conference
workers from Handwara area of
Kashmir joined People’s
Democratic Party (PDP) alongwith
their leader Ghulam Nabi Kabu, in
presence of former Chief Minister
and Party supremo, Mufti Mohd
Sayeed here today.
In
a simple function held at the PDP
headquarters, Gandhinagar here
today, Mr Kabbu, an advocate by
profession and National
Conference district secretary for
Handwara, formally joined the
Party alongwith his supporters.
Mufti
Sayeed, in presence of Minister
for PHE, Irrigation Dillawar Mir,
MLCs Nizamuddin Bhat, Murtaza
Khan and several other
legislators of the party and
senior leaders garlanded the new
entrants and welcomed into the
party fold. He hoped that these
new people will strengthened the
Party and gear up PDP activities
in Handwara area more vigorously
under the leadership of advocate
Kabu and other seniors in the
party cadre in the district.
Referring
to the brief history of the Party
Mufti said PDP was founded on
July 28, 1999 and now it has
emerged as a major party because
people of the state liked its
programmes and policies. It is
gaining strength day by day and
many more will follow the suit.
Senior
PDP leader from Handwara,
Nizamuddin Bhat (MLC) also spoke
on the occasion besides Mr Kabu.
Meanwhile,
senior National Conference leader
and former minister
Ch
Ramzan in a statement issued here
said that advocate Kabu was now
associated with G M Sofi (PDF).
He had left the party some time.
His claimed that with this
development NC will no way be
affected in Handwara area, he
maintained.
Reports about
celebration of R-Day continue to
pour in
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 28: Reports
about celebration of
country’s 59th Republic Day
by several organizations continue
to pour in at the office of the
Daily Excelsior even today.
A
large number of schools
celebrated the Republic Day with
fervour and enthusiasm.
Jagriti
Niketan Senior Secondary School
Kachi Chawni Jammu, organized
various activities to mark the
celebrations in which president
of the school management B B
Raina was the chief guest who
unfurled the National Tricolour.
School Administrator M K Sharma
and others also spoke.
The
Day was celebrated with great
enthusiasm at New Gandhi Memorial
Higher Secondary School, Miran
Sahib, where the flag was hoisted
by Sushil Mahajan, chairman, NGM
Education Society. Neelam Gupta,
Principal, highlighted the
achievements of the school and
resolves of the institution to be
undertaken in future.
Government
Girls High School, Bhour Camp
celebrated the Day by organizing
various cultural items. Sarpanch
Om Parkash hoisted the National
Flag and sweets were distributed
amongst the students.
Republic
Day was celebrated in the
premises of Government Higher
Secondary School Kathar (Manwal)
in which School Principal S
Balbir Singh hoisted the
Tricolour. The students presented
colourful cultural items.
Government
High School, Kawa (Udhampur)
celebrated the Day with zeal and
zest. Pritam Singh Katoch, Naib
Tehsildar was the chief guest.
Four staffers of the school were
awarded for their excellence in
duty. They included Teacher
Sanjay Sharma, PET Deepika
Manhas, Peon Jagdish Kumar and
Cook (Mid-day Meals) Chanchala
Devi.
Government
Higher Secondary School Jhiri
(Marh Block) celebrated the Day
with great national zeal and
fervour. Principal S Harbans
Singh hoisted the Tri-colour. A
colourful function was presented
by the students. Sweets were
distributed and outstanding
students awarded suitably.
Government
Middle School Kharorian (Zone
Udhampur) celebrated the Day with
enthusiasm wherein the national
flag was hoisted by Ex-Panch,
Sham Lal. Various cultural items
were presented by the students.
Headmistress Kamlesh Kumari
presented vote of thanks to all.
Shopkeepers
Association, General Bus Stand,
Jammu distributed blankets among
the lepers at Kusht Ashram,
Bhagwati Nagar, wherein all the
56 inmates were distributed
woolen blankets. The shopkeepers
were accompanied by Administrator
JDA, Incharge Bus Stand and SHO
Bishnesh Kumar. The shopkeepers
who donated blankets included
Rakesh Abrol, Ashwani Sharma,
Surinder Gupta, Narinder Kumar,
Madhu Sharma, Rajesh Gandhotra, V
J Chadha, Munish Bhatia, Varinder
Gupta, Rakesh Gupta, Vijay Uppal
and Inderjeet Sharma.
Adhoc employees
of Health Deptt flay Govt for
apathy
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 28: All
J&K Govt Adhoc Employee Forum
Health and Medical Education
Deptt held an urgent meeting
under the chairmanship of Jasbir
Rana president.
The
employees criticized the State
Government for not fulfilling the
demands for which assurance was
given by Chief Minister to
regularize them. The adhoc
employees have been working for
the last 18 years in different
Departments. The participants
also criticized their own leaders
for raising this issue for their
personal benefits.
Some
of the employees leaders were
going to stage a dharna in
support of contractual,
consolidated workers thus
sabotaging demands of adhoc
employees on 30th Jan 2008. The
adhoc employees were totally
separate with the others
employees and would not
participate in their dharna. The
forum is taking the issue
separately with the Government.
The
members who participated in the
meeting included S Manmohan
Singh, Mohd Afzal Wani, Sikandar
Lal, Kulraj, Parveen Kumar, Madan
Lal, Waryam Singh, Parvinder
Singh, Neena Sudan, Bharat
Bhushan and others.
PDSF reorganizes
Jammu province unit
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 28: People’s
Democratic Students Front (PDSF),
students wing of PDP, today
organized a student function at
its Central office and formally
declared the re-organization of
its Jammu province unit.
Minister
for PHE, Irrigation and
Horticulture Dilawar Hussain Mir,
PDP general secretary Daman
Bhasin and Renu Azad, press and
publicity secretary were also
present on the occasion.
PDSF
provincial president Ahsan Mirza
introduced the new office
bearers. They were Jyoti Jogi as
vice-president, Irfan Ahmed as
secretary and Natwar Singh as
organizing secretary.
Speaking
on the occasion, Daman Bhasin
urged the student leaders to
strengthen the party at grass
root level on ideological basis.
Bashir Assad, PDP youth wing
general secretary was also there.
Inquiry time
period for Doodhipora firing
episode extended
Excelsior
Correspondent
KATRA, Jan 28: Government
has provided extension in the
time period of the inquiry into
the Doodhipora firing episode.
An
order issued in this connection
reads as, "in partial
modification of the Government
Order No. 3100-LD (A) of 2007
dated 04 -12 -2007, "two
months for submission of the
report by the Inquiry Officer,
from the date of its expiry i.e.
22.07.2007" be read
"six months for submission
of the report by the Inquiry
Officer, from the date of its
expiry i.e. 22.09.2007".
|
Central
team visits Baramulla, Uri
Excelsior
Correspondent
BARAMULLA, Jan 28: A
Central team headed by Director,
Department of Administrative
Reforms Satish Kumar today
visited Uri and Baramulla and
took stock of the reconstruction
and rehabilitation work of the
2005 earthquake affectees of
Baramulla district.
The
Deputy Commissioner and concerned
district officers accompanied the
team.
The
Deputy Commissioner informed the
team that an amount of Rs. 274
crore have so far been provided
to the affectees of the district
while out of 12,500 completely
damaged houses, 9700 houses have
been constructed besides
partially damaged 5118 houses. In
addition, 437 pre-fabricated
sheds were also constructed.
Similarly, 51 irrigation schemes
were reconstructed at a cost of
Rs. 323 lakh and out of 59
damaged drinking water supply
schemes, 15 have been completed
and rest schemes are likely to be
completed by March 2008.
The
Deputy Commissioner further said
that 137 school buildings are
nearing completion while 112 km
long roads were reconstructed at
a cost of Rs. 1150 lakh. As many
as 43 hospital buildings were
also constructed at a cost of Rs.
11678 lakh and the district
administration has constituted a
management cell to monitor all
these ongoing works, the Deputy
Commi-ssioner said.
Rustum Sopori asks
Govt to support budding artists
"SaMaPa
Aalap Festival" beginning on
January 29
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 28: Santoor
maestro, Abhay Rustum Sopori has
asked the State Government to
come forward and extend its
support to the budding artists
for the development of music and
other performing arts in the
State.
Sopori
is here in connection with the
second edition of "SaMaPa
Aalap Festival", which is
being organized by Sopori Academy
of Music and Performing Arts
(SaMaPa) beginning from January
29.
Speaking
in a press conference here today,
he briefed about the highlights
of this forthcoming festival. He
said SaMaPa Aalap intends to gear
up the talent here to an extent
of initiating them to take up
music and other performing arts
as a profession.
He
informed that festival will be
held from January 29 to February
10 at various educational
institutions with a vision to
target children especially, so as
to encourage them to learn music
and performing arts at this stage
itself.
"The
series will feature highly
learned musicians, both junior
and senior groups, from various
fields to interact with students
from schools and colleges. The
presentation will be in
"baithak" style wherein
artists would teach students
fundamentals of music and
dance", he added.
Sopori,
son of Padamshree Pt Bhajan
Sopori, expressed his vision to
make the State as a hub of Indian
Art and Culture and said SaMaPa
Aalap is a step forward in this
direction. This youth oriented
festival is conceived by him with
a motive to encourage youth of
State towards the music and
performing arts.
However,
Sopori, who is organizing this
event without Government’s
support, regretted the attitude
of State Government towards the
development of music and other
performing arts and asked it to
do the needful to encourage
budding artists.
Languages of
Centre Asian Countries to
be introduced at
KU
Excelsior
Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 28: Kashmir
University Vice Chancellor Prof
Riyaz Punjabi has said that he
finds himself amidst most
dedicated and capable faculty and
students but the only thing they
lack is 'exposure and
interaction'.
In
a live phone in programme with
Door Dardshan Kendra Srinagar,
Prof Punjabi pledged that he will
connect KU teachers and students
with the institutions of higher
learning at national and
international level. He stressed
for applied research and applied
education saying this will help
create more job opportunities.
Instead of creating employment
opportunities we are making them
"Unemployable ".
‘‘This phenomenon has
to end’’, stressed VC.
Centre
for Centre Asian Studies (CCAS)
will be one my areas of priority,
said VC and added that languages
from central Asian countries will
be introduced at Kashmir
university .
Answering
a query from a caller , the VC
promised to look into creating
research avenues for distance
learners . " At a time when
job opportunities are expanding
we cannot limit
opportunities", stressed VC
. " I will broaden the
sphere of distance learning after
examining it afresh "
promised VC
However,
VC ruled out chances of part time
Phd through distance mode or
abolishing M Phil as a
pre-requisite for P.hd . Agreeing
with a caller that distance mode
of learning has to be made more
flexibleand accommodative for
students, the VC promised to look
into the matter but said
"lack of physical facilities
" could be one of the
reasons for low intake. He
stressed for a revision of
present syllabus being taught at
Kashmir university departments
and looked forward to the
introduction of new professional
courses. "Acad-emic and
scholastic excellence would be
welcome", said VC.
Haji Nissar
assesses requirement for stranded
passengers
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 28: Minister
for Technical Education, Youth
Services and Sports, Haji Nissar
Ali visited Kargil House here to
assess the requirements for the
stranded passengers waiting there
for the last one month for Kargil
Courier Service from Jammu.
The
stranded passengers and students
demanded exemption from rent
charges.
The
Minister immediately sanctioned
Rs.1.00 lakh out of his
Constituency Development Fund for
providing furnishing items in the
House and assured that every
possible help will be provided to
the stranded passengers.
Meanwhile,
a delegation of students and
passengers, who are stranded at
Srinagar called upon the Minister
and apprised him of their
problems.
The
Minister assured for arranging
adequate sorties of flights as
soon as weather improves.
Accused gets 2
years RI in cheating case
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 28: Court
of Special Judge, Anti Corruption
Kashmir today awarded rigorous
imprisonment of two years and
fine of Rs 30,000 to accused Mohd
Rustum Khan, son of Afzal Khan of
Batpora, Kupwara.
In
case of default of payment of
fine the convict will have to
undergo further imprisonment for
a period of six months. The other
three accused-Nazir Ahmad Lone,
District Manager State Financial
Corporation (SFC), Kupwara, Abdul
Rashid Mir, Supervisor SFC
Kupwara and Ali Mohd Khan, Deputy
General Manager, SFC were
acquitted from the charges
levelled against them giving them
benefit of doubt.
During
1990-92, a scheme was formulated
by SFC to sanction loan in favour
of local artisans to start
production of hand made
embroidery items in the first
instance and 44 beneficiaries
were identified and loan to the
tune of Rs 25,000 and Rs 50,000
respectively was sanctioned in
their favour.
A
local resident Rustam Ali Khan
alias Kanawaloo, son of Afzal
Khan of Batpora, Kupwara posed
himself as supplier and cheated
the beneficiaries taking
gratification of Rs 3000 from
each for sanction of loan.
The
beneficiaries neither received
loan from SFC nor were able to
get the money back. The
sanctioned loan was received by
the accused in league with
employees of SFC Kupwara through
fraudulent means.
CM releases CNS
telephone directory
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 28: The
Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad
released here today a handbook
size Telephone Directory-2008
brought out by the Current News
Service (CNS), a prominent news
agency of Jammu and Kashmir.
The
telephone directory lists numbers
of Government, semi-government
and autonomous institutions,
media organizations, political
leaders and parties, eminent
personalities and professionals.
The
directory also presents
development scenario in Jammu and
Kashmir.
The
Chief Minister welcomed the
initiative by the CNS.
The
Secretary to Chief Minister, Dr.
Pawan Kotwal was also present.
|
Lecturers
Forum to intensify efforts for
regularization
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 28: All J&K
Plus Two Lecturers’ Forum
has expressed concern over the
delay being made into the
regularization of incharge
principals and lecturers in the
School Education Department.
In
a meeting of the forum held today
here under the chairmanship of H
D Qureshi, State president, it
was decided to intensify the
efforts for the immediate
regularization of principals and
lecturers, which has not been
accorded despite completion of
all the records and assurances
from the authorities.
Addressing
the cadre, Qureshi said 1200
principals and 3000 lecturers
have been working in incharge
capacity since a decade without
getting regularized.
He
also took dig at the work culture
in School Education Department
owing to which the regularization
process is still pending.
He
described the approach of
authorities non-serious, as most
of the schools are running
without adequate number of
lecturers.
Meanwhile,
Qureshi expressed determination
to intensify the efforts for goal
of removal of pay anomalies and
benefits of running pattern.
Others who also spoke included D
P Dutta, Manmeet Bali, S.
Gurcharan Singh, Charan Dass, N S
Jamwal and Khaliq Poswal.
JU VC, Charak
honoured
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 28: The
Jammu University Teachers
Association (JUTA) honoured Vice
Chancellor Prof. Amitabh Mattoo
and Minister for Higher Education
Gulchain Singh Charak in a
function organized by it in
Zorawar Singh Auditorium Complex
here today.
Prof
Mattoo was honoured on being
awarded Padamshree while the
minister for assuming the charge
of Higher Education. A memento
and a shawl each was presented to
both the personalities on the
occasion. The entire teaching
fraternity of the university
attended the programme.
Prof
N R Sharma, JUTA president
presented the welcome address and
highlighted the achievements made
by university under the
leadership of Prof Mattoo. Later,
Prof J S Tara, vice president
presented the vote of thanks.
Meanwhile,
Rasa Javedani Memorial Society
also organized a function in JU
to felicitate Vice Chancellor.
Chairman PSC Mohd Shafi Pandit,
Prof Attiqulah Khan, Delhi
president of society were special
guests on the occasion. Prof
Shohab Inayat Malik, president of
the society besides other
university functionaries also
attended the programme.
Republic Day
celebrated at Budhal, other
places
Excelsior
Correspondent
RAJOURI, Jan 28: In
connection with celebration of
59th Republic Day different
functions were organised in
Budhal and its surrounding areas.
At
Budhal the function was organised
in which Niab Tehsildar Ali
Mohammed unfurled the National
Flag.
The
Brig. Budhal Brigade, Brig.
Anantharaman was the chief guest
on the occasion. In his address
he hailed the role of army and
said it has undertaken many
projects for the upliftment of
the people in the area.
Speaking
on the occasion, Niab Tehsildar
highlighted the importance of
Republic Day. He said the
Government has taken many
projects in hand for the
upliftment of the people living
in far flung and backward areas.
A
large number of people attended
the function. Later sweets were
distributed among them.
Another
function was held at Sangdi in
which P Bhatia Commanding officer
51 RR was the chief guest who
hoisted the Tricolor.
He
asked the people to be vigilant
against the detractors of country
who are hell bent to disturb the
peace. A cultural programme was
also organised on the occasion
and School children participated
in March Past despite the heavy
rain and snow fall.
At
Chasana and Samote functions were
also organised by 51 R R in which
a large number of people
participated.
Symposium, essay,
slogan competitions at RM College
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 28: Indian
Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) today
organized symposium, essay
writing and slogan competition on
the theme "Save Oil and Gas,
Save Children" at R M
College of Education, Sainik
Colony.
Students
from different B.Ed colleges
participated in the events.
Dileep Kumar, deputy manager IOCL
and Amarjeet Singh, assistant
manager were the special invitees
on the occasion.
In
intra-college college symposium
of R M College, Umesh Dutt
Katara, Nand Kishor and Pappu
Yadav were adjudged first, second
and third respectively while
Rakesh Kumar got consolation
prize.
In
essay-writing, Goga Devi of
Galaxy College, Kalpana Dwivedi
of BN College and Shankar Singh
of R M College got first, second
and third prizes respectively
while Gopal Singh Rathor of RM
College received consolation
prize.
In
slogan competition, Tirth Ram of
Handa College, Kaushal Kumar of B
N College and Champa Lal of R M
College were adjudged first,
second and third respectively.
Nanji Ra of Galaxy College got
the consolation prize.
Students return
from Bharat Darshan tour
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 28: A group
of students today returned from
Bharat Darshan tour which was
sponsored by the Border Security
Force (BSF).
They
were welcomed by DIG BSF R L
Sharma. The students shared their
experience with the BSF officer.
The
students visited sea shore at
Koteshwar and night halted with
the floating border outpost of
BSF in Arabian sea.
They
also had interaction with the
Governor of Gujarat and visited
Sabarmati Ashram, Akshar Dham
Temple and ONGC at Ahmedabad.
The
students also visited the places
of historical interests at
Delhi--Qutab Minar, Lotus Temple,
Red Fort, Jama Mashid, India Gate
and Parliament House.
The
idea for the concept of Bharat
Darshan Tour for the Children
from Jammu and Kashmir was
conceived basically to give
exposure to the poor and young
children who hail from remote and
far flung border areas.
This
Bharat Darshan Tour is conducted
by BSF under CPG programme of
Ministry of Home Affairs. Since
2000, BSF Jammu Frontier has been
organising such tours for
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