Mass casual leave on April 7
Teachers stage massive demonstration
in support of demands

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3: A massive protest demonstration by Government teachers, under the banner of Teachers Joint Action Committee (TJAC), to highlight their long pending demands was staged in front of Divisional Commissioner office at Mubarak Mandi, here today.

A large number of teachers from all parts of the region assembled at the spot and raised slogans against the discriminatory attitude of State Government towards their community.

Addressing the cadre, Balwan Singh Jamwal, TJAC chairman said that several attempts were made in the past to draw attention of Government towards problems of teaching community through demonstrations, rallies and dharnas but, instead of doing something it only adopted mysterious silence over the matter.

He further said that Government failed to remove the anomalies of teachers from January, 1996, benefit of which had already been extended to accounts cadre and section officers thereby causing depressiveness amongst teaching community.

He emphasized upon the Government to immediately do justice with teachers by removing pay anomaly and also extend the leave encashment, which has caused resentment among the them. Later, TJAC leaders submitted a charter of demands to Divisional Commissioner Sudhanshu Pandey. Mr. Pandey gave a patient hearing to the teachers and assured to communicate their demands to concerned authorities.

The other demands highlighted by TJAC included benefit of earned leaves, 15 percent dislocation allowance, initial higher start to qualified teachers, separate directorate for primary, middle and higher education, enhancement in retirement age etc.

However, teachers have threatened to go on mass casual leave on April 7 if their demands were conceded within a month. Other TJAC leaders who also addressed the gathering were S. Kulwant Singh, Hari Singh, Bharat Kumar and Sukhdev Singh.

Meanwhile, teachers of Ladakh also staged demonstration in front of Deputy Commissioner office at Leh.

VC tours Patnitop to identify site for satellite centre

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3: To carry on with extension of campuses and satellites in far flung areas of Jammu region, Vice Chancellor University of Jammu (JU), Prof. Amitabh Mattoo paid a visit to Patnitop in Udhampur to identify land for JU’s satellite centre.

He was accompanied by a team of university officers including Prof. Ashok Aima, Project Director Udhampur Campus, Prof. V K Kapoor, Director Law School and Dr. Daud Iqbal, Deputy Coordinator Campuses.

Addressing a meeting of officials there, the VC said after establishing campuses at Bhaderwah, Kathua, Udhampur and Poonch, the university was opening its satellite centre at Patnitop. He further said that establishing of centre here would immensely benefit the locals especially nomads.

He informed that the university was also thinking of constructing a conference hall at Patnitop to ease out pressure of national and international conferences at main campus and also as a measure to promote tourism here.

"Experts from Department of Geology and Engineering wing of the university will soon visit the area and a final decision for acquiring land will be taken after their report on various aspects of the land and topography of the area, " said Prof. Mattoo.

Later, he chaired a meeting of university officials in Jammu, which was attended by Prof. G S Sambyal, Registrar, Prof. B P S Sehgal, Dean Academic Affairs, Dr. Meenakshi Kilam, Director CFQA, Prof. I A Hamal, Rector Bhaderwah Campus, Sanjeev Mahajan, Joint Registrar and Neeraj Sharma, Deputy Registrar (Estab.)

SRTC workers reject 4-month salary, strike goes on
* MD asks employees to resume duty

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3: While State Transport authorities started disbursing the four months salary of the State Road Transport workers and employees who are on the agitational path for the last about two weeks, the employees refused to accept the same and continued their strike even today.

The SRTC workers held protest demonstration and continued their dharna outside the office of General Manager near Bikram Chowk throughout the day today. They shouted slogans against the Transport Minister and the Managing Director Mr Lone. They are demanding release of pending 42 slabs of COLA and five months salary.

Leaders of the SRTC employees body, Pawan Sharma, Ashok Mehra and Dev Raj Bali addressed the gathering and alleged that management was trying to gag the voice of the agitating employees and has started using force. They said the strike will go on till the employees are given their dues. In the morning the SRTC management started issuing salary cheques but all the employees refused the 4-month salary. Later, some police force was deployed there.

Later, the agitating employees held an emergency meeting and chalked out new strategy to carry on agitation. A 55-member committee was also formed to create a second line of action for the strike. In Srinagar also the agitation continued and employees did not accept the salary.

Meanwhile, the MD of the SRTC has said that Corporation was losing huge revenue per day with the strike as entire fleet was off the road. He appealed the workers to resume their duties as their salary has already been released and lying with the disbursing officers.

He warned if the striking employees fail to resume their duties by March 4, the management will be constrained to take stern action against them who choose to continue the strike which is totally uncalled for.

Misappropriation of transport subsidy
Industries official, SSI unit holders booked

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3: State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) has registered a case against Block Investigator, District Industries Centre (DIC), Kupwara and Proprietors of two cattle feed units for misappropriating transport subsidy worth lakhs of rupees.

An official spokesman said that an enquiry into the allegations of misappropriation revealed that transport subsidy amounting to lakhs of rupees has been dishonestly and fraudulently drawn and misappropriated by the officials of District Industries Centre (DIC), Kupwara in league with SSI unit holders.

The officials of DIC and proprietors of SSI Units—M/s Kehmil, Manwar and Chinar Cattle Feed Unit under a well knit conspiracy hatched during 1996-97 fraudulently drawn subsidy for transporting wheat brawn in trucks from Rail Head Complex, Jammu to their unit sites in Kupwara. The majority of the trucks claimed to have been used for the purpose didn’t actually reach their units.

The DIC officials were found to have given factually incorrect verification/consumption certificates to facilitate the drawal of transport subsidy amounting to lakhs of rupees in 1999.

The enquiry has further revealed that other ingredients required for manufacture of cattle feed including molasses, fish meal, oil cake etc were shown to have been purchased from local firms which on verification were found to be non-existent thereby giving further credence to the fraudulent drawal of subsidy for transportation of the main ingredients from Rail Head, Jammu.

The enquiry has found that the subsidy amount released in favour of M/s Manwar Cattle Fields was actually received by A Q Lone, son of Abdul Majid Lone of Udhipura, Handwara and not the proprietor of the firm Abdul Karim Lone, son of Haji Mukhtar of Udhipura.

Similarly, the transport subsidy released in favour of M/s Kehmil Feeds was credited into account of Mohd Maqbool, son of Rustum Mir of Panzgam, an illiterate person, shown as the proprietor of the unit though his bank account carried photograph of Mehraj-ud-Din Mir, who received the subsidy.

Mehraj-ud-Don happens to be son of a DIC official (Block Investigator) Ghulam Nabi Mir, who was found involved in giving false verification certificate for drawing the subsidy.

Meanwhile, the Vigilance sleuths caught red-handed Khalil-ul-Rehman Wani, Field Assistant of State Forest Corporation (SFC) while accepting bribe of Rs 4000 for release of 50 cfts of timber already sanctioned in favour of the complainant from PC Depot, Srinagar.

The complainant Abdul Rashid Wani, son of Ghulam Qadir Wani of Nowgam, Srinagar lodged a written report with the Vigilance Organisation Kashmir alleging that his house had collapsed and he applied for sanction of 100 cfts of timber through an application forwarded to the State Forest Corporation (SFC) authorities.

The SFC authorities, however, sanctioned only 50 cfts of timber in his favour the cost of which was deposited by him in the office of Range Officer, City Range-I Srinagar in November, 2007. He approached the Range Officer at PC Depot, Srinagar who demanded illegal gratification for issue of sanctioned timber and asked the complainant to negotiate with his Field Assistant.

The Field Assistant demanded Rs 7500 as illegal gratification (Rs 150 per sft of sanctioned timber).

Acting on the complaint, the SVO laid a trap and caught the Field Assistant red handed while accepting bribe of Rs 4000 from the complainant in the presence of independent witnesses. The tainted money was recovered from his possession and the accused was taken into custody for further investigation.

CGM BSNL inaugurates customer service centre

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3: Chief General Manager, BSNL J&K circle, TR Wadwa today inagurated a new customer service centre with all the latest and modernized facilities in Telephone Exchange Complex Trikuta Nagar today.

According to a press handout, customers can have had facilities from 10 am to 4 pm on all the working days whereas bill payment can be made from 10 am to 3 pm without any break at the newly opened customer centre. Apart from it, this service centre will also provide connections of mobile (both prepaid and post paid), landline and WLL phone services besides several other modernized facilities like call conferencing, video conferencing, broad band connections and internet data cards etc.

In his wecome address, GMTD, RK Koul highlighted latest facilities available with customer service centre. He also gave a brief discription of achievements of BSNL.

In his key note address, CGMT, J&K Circle, TR Wadhwa gave a brief detail of development of new services by BSNL in the state. He also apprised of various ongoing efforts aimed at improving the mobile services in the state with vast expansion of network being undertaken by BSNL.

Vote of thanks was given by Deputy General Manager (O&D) Jammu, Prashant Trivedi.

Besides representatives of BSNL franchisees and distinguished gathering of customers, prominent among others who graced the occassion included President Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Ram Sahai, General Manager Telecom, AK Mittal, General Manager, Kashmir, Ganpat Rao and Chief Engineer, Civil Wing, Jagdish Chandra.

K Rajendra takes over as IGP Jammu

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3: K Rajendera today took over the charge as new Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu zone.

He replaced Dr S P Vaid, who has also taken over the charge as new IGP Crime and Railways from Dilbagh Singh.

Dilbagh Singh has taken over as IGP CID in place of Mr Rajendera.

IGP Lalat Indu Mohanty, who was recently promoted from the post of DIG Jammu range, has taken over as IGP Home Guards and Civil Defence.

Normal work in Govt offices remains paralyzed
* Clerical staff strike goes on

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, March 3: Normal work in State Government offices remained paralysed as the strike of the Clerical cadre employees continued even today in support of their pending demands.

The employees are on pen down strike for the last more than eight days now. The general public is suffering due to the strike of the Ministerial staff. The Government continued to remain silent spectator and no measures were being taken to resolve the crisis. The strike has affected work in the government offices in Kashmir, Ladakh and Jammu region.

In Jammu, The employees held demonstration at their respective offices. A large demonstration was held by the employees including women in the directorate of Health Services here today. These employees under the leadership of C L Koul, Anil Kesar and Darshan Khajuria raised slogans against Chief Minister, Health Minister and Finance Minister for showing rigid stance towards the genuine and justified demand of the clerical cadre for removing pay anomalies.

These agitating employees have been demanding hike in the pay grades of Junior, senior and head assistants. In Jammu Ram Kumar Sharma and Rehmat Ullah were leading agitation while all the unions/ associations of the clerical cadre/ ministerial staff have joined hands for their common cause. The leaders of these bodies have appealed all the agitating employees to remain united and continue their struggle till the demands are met with.

Several district representatives from various area joined agitation in Jammu and addressed gathering. Reports about protest demonstrations and dharnas have received from Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur, Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar besides Kashmir and Ladakh.

3-day Mahashivratri festival at Shiv Khori from tomorrow

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3: Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Sudhanshu Pandey today informed that Tourism Department in collaboration with local civil administration has made elaborate arrangements for holding 3-day Shivratri festival at Shiv Khori in Reasi district commencing from March 5.

Addressing media persons here today, Mr Pandey said that apart from security arrangements, a number of steps have been taken for the convenience of the tourists during the festival period, adding information about the availability of accommodation and other facilities will be made at Tourist Reception Centres in Jammu and Reasi.

Besides the langers setup by various organizations, ethnic food stalls will also be setup at Ransoo village and enroute to Shiv Khori shrine during the festival period.

Departmental stalls and Handicraft/Handloom exhibitions, cattle show and other awareness schemes will also be highlighted in the stalls to be setup during the festival. He said wrestling competitions and rural sports will also be organized during the period.

Mr Pandey said that the Department of Tourism has been promoting the Shiv Khori Circuit over the past few years to divert the yatries visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine to other tourists attraction in the vicinity of Katra before returning to their respective places of origin. In this connection, a multi-pronged approach was adopted for creating allied infrastructure at a number of places between Katra to Shiv Khori and back to Jammu via Akhnoor and generating awareness through various media campaigns, he said.

The festival is being held for the first time after the enactment of J&K Shiv Khori Shrine Act which has been enacted by the State Government for better management, administration and governance of the Shrine, Pandey, who is also Chairperson of Shiv Khori Board, said.

He said major developmental programmes for up-gradation of tourist facilities at the shrine has been taken up. At the first phase schemes worth estimated cost of Rs. 12.50 crore would be taken up. The ultimate implementation of all phases of the project envisages the development of all necessary yatra facilities at Ransoo, the base camp of the holy shrine and along the 3-km track from Ransoo to shrine, he added.

Meanwhile, keeping in view the ensuing historic Shiv Khori Mela commencing from March 5, 2008 and to maintain the sanctity of the Shiv Khori Shrine Cave, the District Magistrate, Reasi, Sanjeev Verma has ordered to observe complete dry days in Pouni Niabat of the Reasi district from 3rd to 7th March, 2008.

During the period sale/consumption of liquor and other intoxicant including bhang will remain prohibited.

Any body found guilty during the period would be dealt under law.

Governor felicitates Gujjar scholar for his academic feat

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3: Keen to see the lot of Gujjars and Bakerwals of Jammu and Kashmir ameliorated particularly in the field of education and women empowerment, Governor Lt. General (Retd) S K Sinha today complimented Abdul Rashid Choudhary for bagging the prestigious Rothschild Internship and Students' Conference on Conservation Science 2008.

"This can inspire the youth of these communities to strive for excellence", the Governor said in an interaction with the young scholar at Raj Bhavan this morning. On noticing his achievement in the print media, General Sinha invited Rashid Choudhry to personally felicitate him. He wished him success and said that it is a great achievement not only for him but a great honour for the Gujjar community in particular, as also for the Nation and the State of Jammu and Kashmir..

The Governor has been holding a view that education is a key to improve the quality of life of Gujjars and Bakerwals, who have been braving numerous odds on mountains and rugged terrains. Impressed by their valour and spirit of patriotism, General Sinha has been missing no opportunity to visit their habitations to have a feel of their problems and ensuring solution of these. In a major step, he has got relaxation of qualification approved by the Centre to have adequate representation of Gujjar youth in Para Military Forces.

General Sinha evinced interest in the presentation by Choudhry on his work covering the important aspects of Biodiversity Conservation in North-Western Himalaya and Climate changes in Indian Himalayas, which are of immense importance to find appropriate scientific answers to alarming cases of the region. Like a teacher, the Governor explained the concerns of global warming and its likely impact on India while stressing the need for scientific exploration of such threats.

As a token of affection, the Governor presented a shawl and a memento to Abdul Rashid Choudhry

ESI employees highlight problems

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3: The J&K Labour ESI Employees Association highlighted the problems being faced by Labour ESI Department employees in a meeting held, here today.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of R K Sharma, chief advisor of JK Medical Employees Federation Original who highlighted the problems faced by the employees. In the meeting, demand for the promotion of the employees on seniority basis was raised.

Those who spoke on the occasion included S. Dharminder Singh Bhargav, Rahim Din, S. Paramjit Singh and Mohd Latif.

Meanwhile, an adhoc body of the association was also constituted under the presidentship of Naresh Kumar. The other members included Devinder Kumar (senior vice president), Yog Raj and Smt. Parveen Kumar as vice presidents, Ved Raj (general secretary), Tara Chand (secretary), Karnail Singh (organizing secretary), Ajeet Kumar (publicity secretary) and Rajinder Kumar (cashier).

Others who also participated in the meeting included Kuldip Kumar, Romesh Kumar, Tilak Raj, Kiran Bala, Daisy Kumari, Roop Chand, Vijay, Rishi Kumar, Dev Raj, Raj Kumar, Sanju Raina and Harish Kumar.

Vakil for attitudinal change in functionaries of SWD

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Mar 3: Stressing on attitudinal change in the mindset of the functionaries, the Minister for Social Welfare, Abdul Gani Vakil highlighted the personal dynamism, managerial capacity, dedication and God fearing characteristics of persons at the helm of affairs in the implementation of poverty alleviation schemes, to achieve the noble goal of providing succour to the needy.

Mr. Vakil said "dishonest approach in the field of Social Welfare is not only punishable under the worldly laws but those indulging in malpractices and management of funds earmarked for destitutes orphans, widows, children and old-aged get also punished by almighty God".

Addressing a review meeting at Gujjar hostel here today, Mr. Vakil underscored importance of implementing social welfare schemes with missionary spirit.

Referring to the schemes being implemented to benefit Gujjars and Bakarwals, Mr. Vakil called for bringing economic change of these sections of the society at grass roots and encouraging the students of these communities to go far higher, technical and scientific education.

He asked the wardens of Gujjar hostels to manage the hostels best of their capacity and put up proposals to the Government wherever they feel upgradation and improvement was required. Mr. Vakil reviewed the functioning of the hostels in details and discussed the schemes aimed at facilitating Gujjar and Bakarwal students.

He said every effort would be made to uplift the needy and deserving sections of the society including Gujjar and Bakarwals. Mr.Vakil said that various schemes were also under implementation in the State to ameliorate the lot of poorer sections. He thanked the Centre Government for providing liberal funds for the same.

Minister for Social Welfare added that by expansion of Anganwari centres a large chunk of poorer child population could be covered under the nutrition and pre-schooling programme.

Bhim: Shift in Pak stance as Kashmiris’ mindset changing

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3: National Panthers Party chairman Prof Bhim Singh (MLC) has said that shift in the stance of Pakistani leadership has been witnessed in view of changing mindset of Kashmiris and especially the youth of this state.

Addressing a press conference here today Prof Singh who just concluded his extensive Kashmir yatra (Awareness campaign) said that he observed a massive change in the mindset of Kashmiri people, especially the youth. They have realised that death and destruction will leave them of nowhere and only economic crisis will grow. Moreover, other States and the countries have gone far ahead in development and progress in last two decades.

Referring to the changing wave in Kashmir, the NPP leader opined that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh should keep momentum on in respect to confidence building measures and further normalisation of relations making some more progress on the on-going ‘peace process’. For ensuring this, there was immediate need to hold free and fair elections in the Jammu and Kashmir by deputing neutral observers. He stated that free and fair assembly polls are only possible under Governor’s rule in the State.

He also said that statements of Nawaz Shrief and Zardari have indicated a sea change in the stance of Pakistani leadership and it is good for both the countries for resolving all the pending issues by dialogue. NPP leader opined that Hurriyat should take part in coming polls otherwise they will miss a golden opportunity as the people of Kashmir have moved far ahead of the old ideology.

Work on hydro-power project in Alchi
to be completed by 2010

Excelsior Correspondent

LEH, Mar 3: Chief Executive Councilor (CEC), LAHDC, Chhering Dorje, inaugurated yesterday a medical camp at Saspol, in Leh district yesterday.

The camp has been organised by the Hindustan Construction Company. A large number of people from Saspol and adjoining areas attended it and availed the medical facilities.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Dorje appreciated the HCC for holding the medical camp for the benefit of workers and others of this area.

The Executive Councilor, Education, Tsering Norboo Lampa; Executive Councilor, Tourism, Tsewang Rigzin and Executive Councilor, Minority Affairs, Mohd Khan accompanied the CEC.

Later, the CEC paid a visit to project site of Nimmo-Basgo hydel power project at Alchi.

The Chief General Manager, HCC and Chief Engineer, NHPC apprised Mr Dorje that the execution work on this project is in full swing. They stated that 600 men and many machines are in action and the tempo of work will be further geared up.

The Chief Engineer further indicated that the project will be completed and commissioned in August, 2010 and would generate 45 MW of power during the summer and 15 MW during winter.

Mr Dorje exhorted for timely completion of this project which will be a boon for the people of Ladakh.

Ram Setu Raksha Manch will hold two hour bandh today

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3: Rameshwar Ram Setu Raksha Manch as a part of its nation wide agitation tomorrow has decided to observe two hour strike from 10 am to 12 noon in Jammu region to protest against the UPA Government decision to file another affidavit in Supreme Court of India.

This was stated by Dharni Dhar Sharma, president Jammu City Vishaw Hindu Parishad (VHP), Dr Balwant Roy, president Sanatan Dharam Sabha and K K Paroch convenor, Ram Setu Raksha Manch at a joint press conference here, today.

The UPA Government has decided to file another affidavit in Supreme Court of India to ignore the historical background about the Ram Setu, said Dharni Dhar Sharma.

He said the Government is again going to negate the existence of Ram Setu which is a matter of faith for crores of Hindus throughout the globe. Terming it a big conspiracy, he said time has come that the people of the country be united to protect their monuments of faith.

He said when there were other six alternatives with the Government for construction of sea corridor why was is it hell bent to dismantle the Ram Setu.

Mr Sharma said that Ram Setu Raksha Manch had appealed the Government of India to declare the Ram Setu a national monument and tender an apology to Hindu Samaj for its recent role. The Manch leaders urged the UPA Government to change its thinking on Ram Setu and stop the move to dismantle this ancient monument.

32 INTUC activists from Doda join JKTUC

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3: Thirty two activists of Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) from Doda district including its senior office bearers today resigned from the organization and joined the Jammu and Kashmir Trade Union Congress (JKTUC) led by Subash Chander Sharma.

These activists were taken into the fold of JKTUC by Mr Sharma and general secretary of the organization, M K Koul at a press conference here ,today. They were led by Mukhtar Ahmed Mir district Doda general secretary of INTUC and Rashida Begum president of its Mahila Wing district, Doda.

Besides, the newly framed Federation of Municipal Employees and Trade Unions of JMC also affiliated its organization with JKTUC. The chairman of the Trade Union Dev Anand Gill made this announcement during the press conference.

Besides the trade unions of joinery mill and silk factory also joined the INTUC and assured full support to Mr Subash Sharma.

Mr Sharma said that his organization is committed to fight for the demands of the working class in a peaceful way. He, while expressing solidarity with the demands of striking SRTC employees, urged the Government to hold negotiations with these employees and solve their genuine demands immediately.

He made an appeal to Chief Minister and Transport Minister in this regard. He urged the Government that JKTUC leadership should be taken into confidence before taking any decision on the employees issues.

Mr Sharma suggested that Government should create a Forum which will have representation from bureaucracy and trade unions to look into the employees problems from time to time.

He demanded that consolidated employees in Health and Medical Education Department of Jammu be regularized on the pattern of Kashmir Valley. He also stressed on release of pending COLA of JKSRTC employees from 1999 onwards and settlement of other claims including those of widows.

CA announces awards of annual drama Festival

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3: The Academy of Art, Culture and Languages has announced various awards in different categories for some groups and individuals who participated in the Annual Drama Festival of Jammu district held at Abhinav Theatre.

The best play production award has been bagged by Kaanch Ke Khilone by Pancham Society for Art, Culture and Social Uplifhtment. The second award is won by "Aadhe Adhure" by Rangshalla Group.

While best director award went to Bhupinder Singh for the play "Kaanch Ke Khilone"; the consolation award in this category is for Umesh Singh for "Aadhe Adhure".

Best Costumes award was won by Gurmeet Kour for the play "Kanch Ke Khilone" and consolation award goes to Dr Jasmeet Kour for "Court Martial".

Kamal Sharma bagged best make-up award for" Ai Ladki " while Manoj Dhamir Shammi had to be content with consolation award for make-up in "Pind Kunne Joudeya".

Best music director award was won by Vijay Sharma for music in "Pindey Jaan Hoon Kithey" and consolation in music goes to Arvind Kumar for play " Ai Ladki" play.

Best actor award was bagged by Himanshu Darshan for his acting in "Aadhe Adhure" while best actor female award went to Kusum Tickoo for the play "Ai Ladki".

The second best actor award went to Dhanesh Dogra while Gurmeet Jamwal got second best actor (female) award.

Fifteen artists have been selected for certificate of merit in acting in various plays during the annual drama festival.

Those selected by the Cultural Academy for certificate of merit for their performances are: Vijay Goswami, Chander Kant Sharma, Harbans Sharma, Ajay Sharma, Jeet Raj Goondhi, Tapeshwar Dutta, Manoj Bhatt, Palvi Suri, Lalita Tapasvi, Sapna Soni, Sonia Kour, Jasmeet Kour, Ifta Mushtaq Kak, Neelam Pathania and Deewankshi Sabikhi.

Annual Conference on Mathematics concludes

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3: The 18th Annual Conference of Jammu Mathematical Society and national seminar on "Emerging Trends in Analysis and Operator Theory" being held at University of Jammu (JU) concluded after a valedictory function, here the other day.

Prof. Ramji Tiwari, Dean Faculty of Sciences was the chief guest during the function. Department of Mathematics in collaboration with Jammu Mathematical Society had organized the programme.

In his concluding address, Prof. B S Komal, HoD Mathematics briefed about the activities undertaken during the conference. He also extended gratitude towards all for making the programme a success.

Prof. A P Singh, Prof. S C Arora from Delhi University and Prof. N Gopal Reddy from Hyderabad University also spoke on the occasion.

TATA-AIG Gen Insurance inks deal with GoAir

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3: TATA-AIG general insurance limited has signed a deal with GoAir to offer unique insurance travel cover to GoAir passengers booking their tickets online at www.GoAir.in.

This insurance cover would be available on all online bookings made from GoAir’s website only. The Indian domestic passengers booking a GoAir ticket will be offered the option of buying the insurance cover for his travel at a nominal premium of Rs 129.

Commenting on the deal, Jeh Wadia, Managing Director GoAir said, "our unique partnership with Tata AIG General Insurance is a part of a strategy to provide value to our passengers. Tata AIG General Insurance will offer their travel insurance product under the Go Surprises portfolio".

According to insurance cover any GoAir passenger choosing to buy the offer will be financially compensated up to Rs 10500 by Tata-AIG General Insurance in case of a flight delay beyond a specific duration. Besides this, the passenger buying the insurance cover will also be entitled to various benefits including baggage loss reimbursement (upto Rs 7500) if baggage is lost while in custody of GoAir on flight for which insurance cover has been purchased.

The trip cancellation and trip interruption benefit will reimburse the original cost of the GoAir ticket if the passenger buying the insurance cover needs to cancel or shorten his trip due to sickness, injury or loss of an immediate family member.

The Emergency Accidental Medical Benefit will reimburse medical bills (up to Rs 1 lakh) if passenger is involved in an accident during a trip and needs medical attention.

Speaker reviews development works

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3: Speaker Legislative Assembly Tara Chand has said that Government was committed to provide basic amenities to the people especially in rural areas to improve their socio-economic status. He maintained that Government would ensure all round development in the far-flung areas, adding that Khour block during the last five years had witnessed massive development.

The Speaker was addressing a largely attended public meeting at a remotely located village Nathal in Khour block today.

He also reviewed the progress of various on-going developmental works in Khour block and directed the officers to achieve the targets within the stipulated time. He asked for maintaining the quality of work by using the prescribed ratio of material. He also urged the people to monitor the quality of works.

Rs 13 cr beautification project for Tawi banks

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3: Work on Rs 13 crore project for protection works and beautification of banks of river Tawi from Sidhra bridge to Tawi bridge would be taken up soon.

This was informed to Minister of State for PHE and Industries Dr. Romesh Sharma on his visit to various places of Jammu west constituency today.

The Minister was accompanied by MLA, Jammu west Yogesh Sawhney, Mayor Jammu Municipal Corporation Narinder Singh Jamwal, Chief Engineer

Irrigation and Flood Control V. K. Abrol and other senior engineers of irrigation and flood control.

Mr. Sharma was told that Rs 6 crore were being spent on left side of river Tawi from Gujjar Nagar bridge to Tawi bridge, Rs 3.50 crore from Sidhra bridge to Peerkho and Rs 3.50 crore from Bhagwati Nagar.

The Minister also inspected on going work on right side of the river bank near Jogi gate. He was told that work on construction of retaining wall involving 54 kanals of land would be completed by ending July this year at a cost of Rs 6 crore.

Interacting with the people, Dr. Romesh said that work on these projects would be started soon. He said that beautification of banks of river Tawi would attract tourists in large numbers. He said that two ghats and protection wall would be constructed at Peerkho temple for immersing of mortal remains. He said for more beautification of the Peerkho temple complex, the another project of Rs 3 crore was in pipeline under the tourism sector.

ABVP burns effigy of Provost Hostel, seeks his dismissal

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3: Continuing tirade against Provost Hostel for lack of facilities in Jammu University (JU) hostels, the hostel boarders led by Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activists burnt his effigy in the university, here this afternoon.

The protesters alleged that JU authorities have maintained criminal silence over the burning issues of hostel boarders. "For the past days we have been protesting in front of Provost Hostel office in support of our demands but, no heed was paid to us", protesters said.

Addressing the protesters, Mukesh Kumar, ABVP JU president said Prof. N R Sharma has been continuing on the position of Provost Hostel despite of his incompetency to handle the duties of position the has miserably failed to redress the problems of hostel boarders.

He also highlighted that it’s not only the Old Campus hostel but, girls hostel too, which is having number of problems.

ABVP also demanded the dismissal of Prof. Sharma from the position. Others also spoke included Ajay, Rahul Vaid, Tanvir, Dorjey etc.

Govt keen to establish 3-tier Panchayati system: Mula Ram

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3 : Minister for Rural Development Mula Ram today said that Government was keen to establish full fledged three-tier Panchayati System in the State to help the decision making from grass roots.

The Minister was addressing a gathering after inaugurating a day long Swaranjyanti Gram Swarozgar Yujna(SGSY) awareness camp at Gharota Village in Bhalwal block.

Describing the establishment of the grass root democratic units as indispensable for the empowerment of common man, he said coalition Government was keen to see all the three levels of the system functional in J&K as in other states of the country.

He said the devolution of powers was basic need for having a vibrant democratic system and this goal could be achieved only by having the three-tier Panchayati system as conceived by the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

He said the three -tier Panchayati system would not only give further flip to the massive development programme initiated over last some years, but also help in greater public participation in decision making and ensuring need based expenditure.

Later, the Resource persons from RDD and other departments briefed the participants of the camp about the benefits of SGSY and the activities which they could take up by organizing themselves in Self Help Groups. They also briefed them about the financial and capacity building assistance being provided by the department to them.

PNB opens on-line branch for farmers at Bishnah

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3: Punjab National Bank (PNB) opens on-line specialized Agriculture Finance Branch at Bishnah near here today.

State Health Minister Mangat Ram Sharma (chief guest) joined by MLA Bishnah (guest of honour) inaugurated the PNB branch at Bishnah.

Welcoming the guests and farmers, Vivek Arya, Zonal Manager PNB, J&K Zone, informed the gathering that new branch at Bishnah was on the national network from the day one and has been designed to accelerate hassle free flow of credit for agriculture activities to farmers of the area.

He made specific mention of loan schemes for Kissan Krishi Cards, Farm machinery equipment, Horticulture development and other allied activities like dairy, poultry, bee keeping, sheep goat rearing and mushroom cultivation etc.

He advised the farmers to go in for diversification in agriculture or switch over to cash crop to augment the returns from Farm activities. He made special mention of flower cultivation. He assured the farmers of all out help in development of their economical development.

Ashwani Sharma, MLA Bishnah, thanked PNB management for fulfilling the commitment of opening an on-line agriculture finance branch mode within six months of the commitment for the people of the area.

The MLA Bishnah Ashwani Sharma promised full support to the newly opened branch of PNB. Others who spoke in the function included Baldev Raj Gupta and Dr Ghanshyam Singh Charak.