Dialogue only medium to settle issues: Baig

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 2: Describing the statement of Co-Chairperson of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) regarding Kashmir as a positive step, the Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussian Baig on Sunday said that PDP under the stewardship of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed always highlighted the importance of dialogue in resolving all issues relating to Jammu and Kashmir across the table.

Mufti Mohammad Sayeed soon after taking over as Chief Minister of the State advocated this aspect vehemently and called for a two pronged dialogue process with Pakistan and separatists groups simultaneously to resolve the issue and achieve lasting peace and normalcy in the State", Mr. Baig said. He added that PDP would continue to carry forward this policy for larger interests of the people.

Addressing a public meeting at Delina Baramulla, he said stable Pakistan has always been considered in the interests of peace and progress in the sub-continent. Mr. Baig expressed hope that the new democratic set up in Pakistan would prove as an important medium in resolving all issues between the two countries.

Taking a dig on the detectors of realistic and pragmatic policies of PDP, Mr. Baig said that PDP neither gave the slogan of plebiscite nor made any deal under garb of accord but always highlighted the Kashmir issue in its right perspective.

Saying that present political scenario was the scenario of coalitions, the Deputy Chief Minister said PDP would be favouring coalition with Congress in the ensuing assembly polls to provide a viable and people friendly government to the people in the future too.

Mr. Baig also addressed a public meeting at Sangarhama where he listed the achievements of the coalition Government registered during the last five years describing the period as a golden phase in the history of infrastructure development of the State.

Referring to the unemployment problem, Mr. Baig said though the phenomenon was a global one yet the State Government had taken steps to accommodate educated youth in Government service by accelerating recruitment process and referring of vacancies to the concerned agencies like PSC/SSRB. He said further measures were in pipeline to focus on the issue.

Later, the Deputy Chief Minister also inspected under construction Azad Gunj Bridge coming up at the cost of Rs.7.50 crore. He also inspected ongoing work of another bridge costing Rs. 6.80 crore near Chattipadshahi. The Deputy Chief Minister was informed that 62 meter long another bridge near Jahama would be completed at a cost of over Rs. 3 crore. He also ordered for construction of a Trauma Hospital at Sangarhama.

The Deputy Chief Minister also gave orders to take up the street lighting in the Baramulla town under phase II, Rs 50 lakh were also released for water supply scheme of Khanpora area. He also passed orders to under take the mecademization of lanes and by-lanes of old town Ushkara and Chinarbagh on priority basis.

21 college teachers to receive MKCBT award

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 2: The Karam Vidya Education Trust (KVET) has announced the list of 21 college teachers of the State, who have been identified for conferment of Master Karam Chand Best Teacher (MKCBT) award.

Among those selected are Prof. Ajay Kotwal (GGM Sc College), Prof. A R Ganai (GCW Anantnag), Prof. Babu Ram (GDC Doda), Dr. Gitanjali A Rana (GCW Gandhi Nagar), Prof. G Q Sheikh (B.Ed College Jammu), Prof. Jyoti Mahajan (GCET Jammu) and Prof. Jyoti Parihar (GDC Kishtwar).

Prof. Kailash Mehra (MAM College), Prof. Kaushal Mangotra (GDC Bhaderwah), Prof. Manzoor Ahmad Bhat (GDC (B) Anantnag), Prof. Mohd Ashraf Shah (ASC Srinagar), Prof. Muzafar Ahmed Khan (GCW Srinagar), Prof. Manzoor Ahmad Wazir (B.Ed College Srinagar), Prof. Mohd Bashir Magray (GDC Rajouri), Prof. M S Pathania (GCW Parade), Prof. Raj Shree Dhar (GCW Udhampur), Prof S P Sharma (MAM College), Prof. Shakeel Ahmad Raina (GDC Thannamandi), Prof. T R Sharma (GDC Kathua), Prof. Veena Pandita (GGM Sc College) and Prof. Yudhvir Singh (GDC Ramnagar) were also selected.

The KVET trustee has said that the awards were instituted in the memory of late Master Karam Chand, the first President Awardee teacher of the State and recipient of the J&K Government’s Life Time Achievement Award for his contribution in the filed of education.

The awards would be conferred upon these teachers in a function on March 16 at Brig. Rajinder Singh Auditorium of University of Jammu (JU).

One killed, 13 hurt in accidents

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI/ KATHUA, Mar 2: A youth was killed while thirteen others were injured in two separate road accidents in Kathua and Rajouri today.

A police spokesman said that one Vijay Kumar, son of Sukhdev, resident of Sujjanpur (Pathankot) was killed while another boy- Ashiq Hussain sitting with him was seriously injured when their scooter was hit by an oil tanker at Muradpur about 6 kms from Rajouri town this evening. While Vijay died on the spot, seriously injured youth Ashiq was referred to Jammu after providing first aid in Rajouri hospital.

At least a dozen persons were injured when a Qualis vehicle collided with a mini-bus at Dayala Chak on Jammu-Pathankot National Highway this afternoon. The injured were removed to Hiranagar hospital while seven of them were further shifted to GMC Jammu. The police has taken cognizance.

Engineers Institution holds seminar on
"Check Dams in Jammu"

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 2: The Jammu local centre of The Institution of Engineers (India) organized a seminar cum presentation on "Check Dams in Jammu" at its institutional complex, here today.

During the programme, Er V K Abrol, Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FCD) made the detailed presentation on check dams being built in Kandi areas of the State.

Er. B B Gupta, chairman of the institution presided over the occasion while Er. H B Khajuria, former Chief Engineer chaired the session. A galaxy of State Engineers including serving as well as retired Chief Engineers attended the programme.

While making presentation, Er Abrol apprised his fellow brethren about the construction of check dams in Jammu. He detailed about the technology and methodology being used for the construction of these dams.

He said it’s the first such exercise in Jammu region and has been specially focussed in Kandi areas, which are water starved. Er. Abrol expressed optimism that these dams would help in recharging the ground water table and in extending irrigation facilities to Kandi areas.

The different aspects of the project were also taken up for discussion during the seminar. The members raised several queries about the technical as well as operational feasibilities of the dams, which were answered by the Chief Engineer.

The proceedings of the programme were conducted by Er Anil Verma, Hony Secretary of Institute, who also presented the welcome address and vote of thanks.

SRTC employees go high & dry, strike goes on

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 2: Despite statement from a senior official from Transport Ministry that employees of SRTC will start getting their salary from Saturday, the Corporation employees remained high and dry and continued their protest dharna even on Sunday.

A large number of employees of the SRTC led by Pawan Sharma, Ashok Mehra and Dev Raj Bali held demonstration outside the office of General Manager near Bikram Chowk here and staged dharna for the day even being holiday today. They shouted slogans against the SRTC management for misleading the workers and not releasing even a single penny despite claims that workers will start getting salary from Saturday.

These leaders alleged that such baseless statements are being given just to create confusion and damage the struggle launched by the Corporation employees. They strongly condemned the attitude of the SRTC management and said that Government should take a final decision about the fate of the Corporation. They said if Government feels that it is losing huge money, it was free to take a final decision to wind up the same.

Nearly, 4800 employees of the Corporation are on strike for the last 12 days. They are demanding release of their pending salary for the last five months. Their families are facing starvation and children’s studies have been badly hit. The struggle has also been joined by the families of Corporation employees. They are also demanding release of pending installments of COLA in favour of SRTC workers. The employees have decided to continue their strike till the salary of the workers was released.

Vakil welcomes realistic shift in Pak’s Kashmir policy

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Mar 2: Welcoming the positive and realistic shift in Pakistan Kashmir policy, Senior JKPCC Vice President and Minister for Social Welfare Abdul Gani Vakil has expressed the hope that emerging democratic set up in Pakistan would focus on strengthening Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) and cementing relations between India and Pakistan. "Presently people are worried about economic issues and want peace for progress and prosperity", he added.

Addressing a largely attended Congress Workers Convention at Srinagar today, Mr. Vakil Said that stable and tranquil Pakistan was in the interest of the sub-continent. "Congress has all along nurtured the policy of peace and stability in the world and championed the concept of ‘Panjsheel’ for co-existence, mutual brotherhood and international détente", he maintained.

Mr. Vakil said that early initiation of trade via Uri-Muzaffarabad route would prove an important catalyst in the changing scenario where everyone strived for peace and development. "This will also help strengthen people to people contact across LoC and expand market circuit for the produces of either sides", he said.

Referring the large scale development registered in the State during last about two and a half years of Mr Azad led Government, Vakil said history has been created in the field of fast track infrastructural development, expansion of educational facilities to far flung areas by establishing universities, colleges of engineering and technology, degree colleges, schools, ITIs, etc and opening new economic avenues for the people through upgraded and newly created road communication network.

Mr. Vakil also met a large number of deputations coming from Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Budgam, Beerwah, Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Tral, Kulgam, Ganderbal and Srinagar.

Social Welfare Minister gave patient hearing to all the deputations in a six hour long Public Darbar. He also listened the grievances of scores of individuals.

The Minister asked the government officers to register the development demands of the people and reflect these in the plans. He said wherever necessary he would discuss the demands of people with Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues.

He referred to the recently approved over 6700 Anganwari Centres for Jammu and Kashmir by the Central Government and said that it would not only expand the orbit of coverage of thousands of small children under the prestigious nutrition and pre-schooling programme of Social Welfare Department but enhance employment opportunities to female youth.

Two-day national seminar on Urdu concludes

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 2: The two-day National seminar on "Secular Character of Urdu Language" being organized by Centre for Professional Studies, University of Jammu (JU) concluded after a valedictory function, here today.

Padam Shri Mohd Yousuf Taing, MLC presided over the valedictory function. Rafiq Masoodi, Secretary J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages was also present on the occasion.

While speaking, the MLC lauded the centre for organizing the seminar on a vital issue, as vested interests have tried to malign secular character of the language by linking it with a particular section of people.

However, he described the language a forceful one, which at a time played vital role in the freedom struggle of India. Later in the function, the MLC was honoured on being nominated for the prestigious National award "Padam Shri".

Meanwhile, 35 delegates from different parts of the country presented their papers during the seminar. Prominent among them included Prof. Lutful Rehman from Bihar, Yousuf Gori from Hyderabad, Prof. Atiqullah, Prof. Shehnaz Anjum, Dr. Shahid Parvez from Delhi, Farooq Bakshi from Rajasthan, Aftab Alam from BHU, Anwar Zaheer from Gujarat and Majid Muzmir from Kashmir etc.

Shiv Vivah performed at historic Mantalai

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 2: Amidst chanting of Vedic Mantras and Shalokas, Shiv Parvati Vivah was performed at Mantalai, in which a large number of people from all walks of life participated and witnessed the religious moment.

Entire programme was performed by Shiv Sevaks, a philanthropic organization with support of Jammuites. Vivah was performed with unprecedented enthusiasm of the representatives of various social and religious organizations and prominent citizens as also devotees of Lord Shiva, who joined the programme as Baratis of Bhagwan Shiva.

The said Barat started its journey from Parade Ground Jammu, which took its breakfast at Chenani and thereafter started its journey towards Mantalai, where Vivah was performed.

The road of Chenani was tastefully decorated by the local people. The bride and bride groom were dressed up in such a manner which finds mention in mythological scriptures. The youth attired like Devis and Devtas also accompanied the Barat.

The programme concluded with the Doli ritual of Mata Parvati..

Construct overhead bridge at Rajpura Chungi

I, want to draw the kind attention of the authorities concerned towards the problem often faced by the people of the Talab Tiloo, Shakti Nagar and Shiv Nagar localities in particular and the public in general. The construction of overhead bridge on the ever busy Jammu-Akhnoor road at the Rajpura Chungi has since long become a necessity. The need for this is ardently felt by the people living in the aforesaid localities. This critical spot is prone to accidents, at times proving fatal as has happened in the past. This road being a highway connecting Jammu and Poonch districts remains busy and the rush of speedily plying vehicles including heavy vehicles is acute on peak hours that is morning, afternoon and evening. The chances of the commuters going across the road getting hit by the speedily plying vehicles are more in view of the ever busy nature of the highway. The children are particularly at risk and its certainly an uphill task for them even to cross the ever busy road particularly at peaks hours.

I would therefore like to request the authorities concerned to give thoughtful consideration to the proposal of constructing an overhead bridge at this critical spot and take all the necessary steps to see the said proposal through for the much needed safety of the public at large.

Ravi Sharma
Shakti Nagar
Jammu

Black topping of road in Samba

I wish to draw kind attention of concerned authorities towards the condition of road from Broiler Market to Dushehra ground Samba.

This road is eagerly waiting for black topping from the last four years when construction work of this road was started but stopped after sometime due to reasons best known to concerned department.

Now the condition of this road is becoming bad to worse day by day due to stagnant water overflowing from drains which causes a lot of inconvenience to the passers by.

It is therefore humbly requested to concerned authorities to kindly complete the half done work as soon as possible.

Neeraj Sambyal
Kelhi Mandi
Samba

Undertake recruitment drive for JK Police in Bhalessa

As per the instructions of the CM a recruitment programme was undertaken by J K Police authorities in Bhallessa Gandoh area. About 290 candidates were selected and shortlisted. But after one and a half months almost ninety eight percent of candidates who were shortlisted were rejected. It is a tragedy that the majority of candidates who were shortlisted and then rejected were from backward Gujjar community. These candidates feel sidelined and are morally depressed. Many candidates are on the verge of becoming overaged. The concerned police authorities are requested to see their plight and take measures so that these candidates are recruited.

J K Police recruitment aspirants of Bhallessa and Gandoh

Postpone BSc Part 2nd exams

The examination date of BSc Part 2nd exams have been fixed on 20th April, 2008. It may be noted here that our BSc Part Ist result was declared only in Sept. 2007 and classes started from Ist Oct 2007. In this way we have attended the classes for five months only. Our one third syllabus is not even completed. It will be impossible for the students to appear in exams in April when only they would have completed half the syllabus.

We thus request the Vice Chancellor to kindly extend the date of exams for at least one more month and give us open choice to select questions.

Rahul Gupta on behalf of B.Sc Part II students

Improve Barnai Bantalab road

The road joining Barnai with Bantalab is in worst state of disrepair. This road is crucial as it links the Lower Akhnoor road with Bantalab road which in turn connects with Akhnoor road. The road is full of ditches and pot holes. Authorities are requested to kindly undertake repair of this important link road.

Kamal Sharma

Barnai

Repair Muthi village road

The road connecting Muthi village to Muthi camp road is in worst condition. This road caters to thousands of people. Matadors to Muthi village use this road. But the road is full of pot holes and ditches. The concerned authorities are requested to kindly repair this road at an earliest so that people are relieved from the trouble.

Sunil Tickoo
Baisakhi ColonyMuthi

Charawa to be developed as tourist village

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Mar 2: Saying that about 4000 hectares of additional land in Jammu division is being brought under fruit plantation under technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture during the current financial year raising the total area under horticulture to 97000 hectares. Minister for Horticulture today said about 5 lakh fruit plants are being supplied to the farmers on subsidized rates. These fruit plants varieties include apple, pears, peach, apricot, walnut, citrous, peacun-nut and olive plants.

Addressing a gathering of tribal Bakarwals in Charawa village near historic Mansar lake today, the Minister announced that 50 hectares of land in Majalta block will be brought under next year for which about 1250 plants would be distributed among the farmers. He also announced 5 water storage tanks in block Majalta for providing irrigation facilities to the orchardists. He also sanctioned a water reservoir in Charawa village for storage of drinking water.

The Minister said that the Government has launched an ambitious programme under technology mission to train farmers about latest horticulture technology. He said village women and schoolgirls are being imparted training in fruit and vegetable preservation under technology mission.

The Minister said that village Charawa is proposed to be developed as model tourist village under rural tourism development programme to showcase tribal life style, rural cultures and their village life. He said necessary infrastructure in this connection would be developed in the village to make it attracting for domestic and foreign tourists. He said nomadic life style of Bakarwals in Majalta block provide them with perfect skills to become mountain trekking guides for tourists adding that this manpower potential would be exploited optimally to upgrade living standard of the people in the area.

Earlier, The Minister inspected renovation works in the famous water body of Mansar lake and directed the concerned officers to make this picnic spot more attractive for tourists. He called for keeping the water body neat and pollution free.

Religion pious medium to reform mankind: Mangat

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 2: Describing religion as pious medium to reform the mankind into truthful, tolerant, sincere and soft human beings, the Minister for Health and Medical Education Mangat Ram Sharma has asked the preachers of religious faiths to inculcate spirit of love, brotherhood, tolerance and amity in the devotees and help eradicate evil of hatred from the society along with others social evils.

He was addressing a congregation after laying foundation stone of Old Age Home at Kunthal, Hiranagar today.

The land for Old Age Home and Santosh temple has been donated by the people of the area who are also constructing the project. Mr. Sharma himself donated Rs 51000 for the construction of Old Age Home.

He said the home would prove a good facility to the needy old people and go as a high social service. He said Old, infirm, destitute, orphan, and needy require special attention from the society to live respectfully.

Referring to the problems of border people, he said "you have always withstood the difficulties boldly and protected the borders under all circumstances. Your courage is lauded by one and all and Government is well aware about your needs for development. Steps have already been initiated in this direction".

He said peace was must for all round development, adding that Centre Government under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had taken many initiatives for bringing complete peace and normalcy in the state. He said that state was marching fast towards goal of prosperity.

Responding to the demands of the locals, the Minister said "Azad led government have not only fulfilled the commitments made to the electorates under common minimum programme but gone beyond it. Creation of new administrative units is an important step in this direction", he said.

He said that a tube well would be installed in the premises of temple for devotees and instructed for initiating necessary measures for the purpose.

MLA Hiranagar Girdhari Lal Chalhotra in his address appealed the people to follow to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, communal harmony and amity in the state. He also highlighted the achievements registered by Azad led government in Hiranagar constituency during last three years.

Mr. Girdhari Lal also donated Rs 21,000 for construction work of Old Age Ashram in the area.

Sharma launches election campaign in Bishnah

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 2: Jammu State Morcha MLA Ashwani Sharma today called upon the people of Bishnah to get ready for Assembly elections.

Addressing a ‘Vishal Rally’ in Bishnah town here this morning to launch his election campaign from the constituency which he had won with an impressive margin in 2002, Mr Sharma declared that he will contest the upcoming Assembly elections on the name of development.

"This time development will be a major issue in the elections. Development of last 50 years can be compared with last five and a half years", he said, adding the common man in Bishnah constituency has benefited from the development works.

Mr Sharma charged the Government with discrimination with Jammu region in development, Assembly seats, employment, delay in setup Delimitation Commission and exploitation of tourism. Issues of West Pakistan, PoK and other refugees have not been addressed by the Government, he regretted.

Also the OBCs have also been denied many facilities including reservations under the garb of Article 370, Mr Sharma said and added that if Article 370 is to be used to deny facilities to the common man it is better to abrogate it.

Highlighting development works in the constituency undertaken during last five and a half years, the MLA said work on widening of Bishnah-Bari Barahamana road has been undertaken at a cost of Rs 6.25 crore while Bishnah-Arnia road via Slair is being double laned for Rs 3.46 crore. Treva-Kathar border road has been taken up under CRF at Rs 5.70 crore while a proposal for widening of Bishnah-Kunjwani road has been submitted for approval. Tendering process has started for widening of Sarore-Arnia road. In addition, several link roads have been widening and their condition improved. Bridges have been constructed between Bandrali-Rayal, Saidgarh, Bhumnal and new bridges taken up at Pasgal, Laswara-Krail Manasan, Karyal-Chak Keema and Rial-Mangal.

Speakers in the rally lauded Ashwani Sharma for working with sincerity, dedication and honestly and serving the people of Bishnah constituency with all his might.

Tara Chand conducts extensive tour of border areas

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Mar 2: In order to assess the border situation after the return of migrants to their homes from the make shift camps at various places, Speaker Tara Chand conducted an extensive tour of entire border of Chhamb sector today.

During the tour, Speaker made on spot study of various areas where villagers are facing problems due to certain restrictions imposed by army authorities at some entry points located along the borders. He also interacted with the army officers and urged them to maintain congenial atmosphere with the civilians paving way for the locals to undertake agricultural activities without any fear and unnecessary restriction. He also issued instructions to Deputy Commissioner Jammu to take up the matter with the appropriate authorities for removing such restrictions.

People of villages Somwan and Chaprial which are located just on the zero line and returned to their homes recently have been paid compensation for clearing fields turned barren due to non use for over 8 years. The land, which falls across the ditch, is being cleared by the army authorities, as the said area is under mines and remained under the army. The said area would be handed over to the locals shortly after demining.

A large chunk of land falling across the fencing still under the occupation of army would also be handed over to the owners soon who have returned to their homes. The people have demanded compensation of 16 crops and immediate return of land so that they can undertake the agricultural activities. The people also demanded free rations for another six months, as they could not start the activities in the current crop season.

People also demanded early allotment of plots for construction of alternate shelters at already identified migrant colony at Gurah Jagir and Nailwala. Locals also demanded opening of government reation depots at all affected villages and sought boring of tube wells for irrigational purposes.

While addressing gathering of people at village Gigerial and Garad, Speaker said that issue of free ration for another six months is pending with the central government and efforts are on to get the proposal through. As regards allotment of plots, he said due to some technalities the process got delayed and now the bottlenecks have been cleared and very soon a date would be fixed.

Speaker also directed the Deputy Commissioner to take up the matter for early demining of remaining portion of land with the army authorities and vigorously pursue the issue of compensation with the Government of India. He said that state government has already received central Government’s nod to a proposal of Rs. 20 crore for establishing sizeable number of tube wells alongwith necessary infrastructure in the Khour block. This proposal would be implement in phased manner. He asked the concerned officers to start with from the border villages. He also issued instructions for establishing ration depots in some border villages. Various deputations of the Khour block called on the Speaker during his visit and putforth their demands which included conducting a fresh survey to identify BPL families, early implementation of remaining portion of Prime Minister’s package for migrants etc. Speaker assured early action on their genuine demands.

‘Provide ST status to Dogras’
Young Panthers propose Bhim Singh as CM

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 2: In a State level convention of the Young Panthers Party (YPP) held here today, chairman of the NPP Prof Bhim Singh has been declared as next Chief Minister of the Jammu and Kashmir State.

In a resolution moved by vice president of the Youth wing of the party, Ramesh Khajuria and seconded by Saleem Sheikh, general secretary, a large number of activists in one voice adopted it.

MLA Udhampur Balwant Singh Mankotia chaired the convention while several senior leaders of the Party attended the programme.

Mr Mankotia while supporting the resolution said that Prof Bhim Singh is the only leader in the state who is most acceptable by the people of all the regions. He is the only leader in the State who can help resolve all the problems facing the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly by the youth in Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh.

The resolution also demanded that all the unemployed youth should be provided social security by the Government at the rate of Rs 3000 per month at par with the pension provided to the militants, all technocrats, doctors, engineers, agriculture graduates of all disciplines should be provided regular job by the State, SPOs and RETs should be regularised, all claims of SRO-43 be provided jobs irrespective of delay, minimum age to contest assembly elections be fixed as 21 years instead of 25 years, unemployed youth be provided free medical service, Dogra certificate be provided to all the Dogras, Paharis and Dogras be provided ST status keeping in view their ethnic identity, salaries be released immediately in favour of VDCs, SPOs, EGs, teachers, SRTC employees, all the daily wagers be regularised, Delimitation Commission be constituted and list of Class-IV employees who were interviewed in Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua and other districts be released.

Malik disassociates from PDP

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 2: Senior leader and executive committee member People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mohammad Iqbal Malik today announced his resign from the primary membership of party as well as state executive committee.

Mr Malik, a resident of Darhal, district Rajouri who retired as Special Secretary and joined PDP in the year 2004 while speaking to media persons here today stated that he worked whole heartedly for promoting the interest of the party.

"With the election period coming near, the style of functioning in the party has undergone a sea change as a result of which I was feeling suffocated and ignored in the party" Mr Malik maintained and added that in a meeting with his supporters he along with his supporters decided to disassociate themselves from the party fold.

Movement for KPs’ Empowerment releases
Vision Document

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 2: The Movement for Kashmiri Pandit Empowerment released the vision document during a meet the press Programme here, today.

The vision document which deliberated upon the past and present status of Kashmiri Pandits has articulated the expectations of the community in order to mitigate its sufferings which it has been facing during the years of its exile, said Mr Anil Dhar convenor of the Movement.

He said in order to empower the community politically and provide a political space to it, reservation of at least three seats in the state Legislature and one seat in Parliament be given to community.

He said in the Vision Document special emphasis have been laid on the economic empowerment of the community by creating special economic zones exclusively for its members. This will enable the young KP entrepreneurs to set up their units, he added.

Expressing serious concern over the virtual wipe out of the community from employment in State Government, he said the Movement for KP Empowerment has sought reservation in Government services and establishment of small townships in all districts of Kashmir Valley for the return and rehabilitation of the displaced Pandits.

Mr Dhar said the intellectuals Forum is for immediate enactment of legislation to protect the religious and other properties belonging to Kashmiri Pandits as well as their sociao cultural identity. The setting up of Sharda Peeth University at the earliest is also one of the recommendations of the Vision Document, he added.

Replying to queries raised by media, Dr Sushil Razdhan an eminent Neurologist stressed on people to people contact between majority and minority community.

But Mr Dhar and Sham Koul a well known journalist criticized the State and Central Government for thrusting decisions on displaced Pandits saying that no support has been given to us on people to people contact.

They said we gave many suggestions to Government in this regard but to no avail. "The GOI is thrusting decisions on us because KPs are not vote bank", they added.

Strongly advocating for the grant of Minority status to Kashmiri Pandits, B L Saraf Principal District and Session Judge (retd) said the Government should consider all the genuine demands of the Pandits.

A K Dewani working president, JKNDF said community will fight unitedly for its rights while P N Goja, president Anantnag Nagbal Prabandak Committee alleged that Government is not sincere in passage of Religious Places and Shrines Bill.

Prof. G K Muju Academician and journalist said that the Government is not sincere in solving the problems of KPs. Earlier deliberations were held by the community intellectuals on these issues. Among others who were present include Dr R K Sapru, Ravinder Koul, free-lance journalist, Dr Meenakshi Kilam, Director Colleges Development Council, University of Jammu, P K Josheph Dhar, free launce journalist, Sanjay Dhar social activist, M L Saroop Chartered Accountant, Ashim Khuda, engineer, Ashok Koul engineer, M K Jalali and M K Koul social activists.

National Federation of Blind’s plea to Govt

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 2: Though physically and mentally challenged people constitute a substantial part of our State’s demography yet there is not even a single school for them to cater to their needs

This was stated by a social activist, Roshan Bhan in a press conference held here today aimed at sole objective to highlight overall socio-economic conditions of the four categories of disabled people including deaf and dumb, blind, orthopaedically handicapped and mentally handicapped.

Underlining other demands, president State branch of National Federation of Blind, Mohinder Kumar Badyal said that three percent reservation which is being granted upon them under Handicapped Act of 1998 be equally distributed among the four categories of disabled.

"SRO-294 should be withdrawn right away and vertical reservation be restored to the handicapped" he sought, adding, "the number of handicapped has experienced a steep rise due to militancy related incidents over the years so our community be accorded the status of socially backwards classes."Among others who spoke on the occassion included vice president SP Arora, general secretary Dev Raj Hans and secretary VK Gupta.

Awami Jan Shakti concerned over farmers plight

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 2: Awami Jan Shakti Party has urged Government of India to gear up its steps in ameliorating the problems of farmers including clearance of their debts to private financers.

Addressing a press conference here today party’s State president, Sanjeev Manmotra demanded that seeds and fertilizers be given free of cost to the farmers.He further urged Government to improve the irrigation system for the better crop yeild.

Meanwhile he also expressed concern over rising prices of all essential commodities and unemployment amongst educated youth.

Among others who spoke were AK Kharu, Kamal Suri, Jagttar Singh, OR Bhall and Ravi Rohmetra.