Lawns of CM's residence thrown open for disabled children

Excelsior Corresopndent

JAMMU, Mar 4: The lawns of the official residence of Chief Minister at Wazarat Road here have been thrown open for a week from today for physically challenged children.

The lawns were opened on the instructions of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad who received special guests in 21 physically challenged children from Jammu Red Cross Home for Handicapped, Udheywala at his residence here this morning. Mr. Azad had invited them over breakfast and for a visit to the CM Residence lawns where tulips, hybrid pansy, primula, ice-plant, stock, vervena, antirrhinum, phlox, ageratum and other flowers are in full bloom these days. The primula has been introduced in Jammu for the first time by the Chief Minister himself who has a penchant for floriculture and an expert knowledge about flower species.

The lawns would remain open for two hours daily from 8.30 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

The Chief Minister interacted with the visiting children and took them round the lawns and showed them tulips and other flowers.

For Puja, the 5th standard students, Shivani and Daulat Ram, challenged by physical disability, it was a dream come true to meet the Chief Minister and be hosted by him at his residence. They, like their other friends, felt elated as Mr. Azad led them to the rows of flowers and introduced them to each flower specie. The children thanked the Chief Minister for affording them a rare opportunity. They were extremely happy that the Chief Minister was himself conducting them.

Later, the children had breakfast with Mr. Azad in the beautifully laid lawns. He also enquired from them about their studies and wished them bright career and good luck. He also posed for a group photograph with the children.

Before seeing them off, the Chief Minister gave a packet of sweets to each child.

Director Social Welfare, Jammu, Satish Nehru and functionaries of Jammu Red Cross Home for Handicapped were also present on the occasion.

No pay to Kalakot mine workers for 10 months: CITU

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 4: Centre of Indian Trade Unions has alleged that no pay has been released in favour of Kalakote mine workers for the last ten months.

In a press conference held here today leaders of the CITU Javed Ahmed Zargar, Nirdosh Uppal and Sham Parsad Kesar alleged that workers of the Kalakote mines were facing starvation as they remained unpaid for the last more than ten months. They demanded that their wages be released immediately.

They also demanded that locals be involved in the construction of major hydel power, Railways and other projects in the state. They stressed for the re-engagement of all the retrenched workers by the Konkon Railways.

The Trade Union leaders also demanded that all the retrenched workers of the Sewa Hydel power project be re-engaged. Despite assurance by the concerned authorities nothing was done in this regard. Again, due to the faulty industrial policy, the industrial workers were suffering a lot. They urged upon the State government to come out with a clear cut and clean industrial policy.

The CITU leaders demanded the intervention of the Chief Minister in this regard and said that clear directions should go to the Labour department for taking care of the rights of the Labour Class and keep a check on their exploitation.

KPs urge Govt to announce policy about their repartriation

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 4: The leaders of various KP organizations today urged the Government to issue a policy statement about the permanent repartriation of the displaced Pandits.

Addressing a press conference, here, today, Vir Saraf, a social activist and ex convenor of RIK, M K Koul, president J&K Chapter of National Peace Movement and C L Kothari president Vitasta Samaj Seva demanded construction of more quarters near the existing camps at Muthi, Purkhoo, Mishriwala and Nagrota to accommodate the inmates of all camps and to save them from further displacement.

During these years of exile a good chunk of camps and local population have established their small business in and around the camps and they will face a big loss due to shifting of the camps, said Mr Saraf.

The displaced people who are putting on rented accommodations may also be rehabilitated in the Jagti township and such more townships be earmarked for the rest of the community, he added.

Mr Saraf said total transparency be maintained in allotment of quarters by accommodating all the deserving people.

He also warned the Government for dividing the KPs among camp and non camp areas. He said entire community is facing the same problem and needs the same remedy. He also demanded that free ration be given to all displaced people and their electricity and water supply charges be remitted.

Referring to the much talked about Kashmiri Pandits religious places and Shrines Bill, M K Kaul alleged that Government was dancing to the tune of some vested interests and this is the reason that the Bill was not presented in the Budget Session of State Legislature. He demanded that the Bill be presented and passed in the coming session and till that time an ordinance be passed by the Government in this regard.

He also urged the Prime Minister of India to fulfill his promise of providing the jobs to the unemployed youth by announcing a special employment package for them in the State and Central Governments.

Terming the rehabilitation at Jammu as temporary they said that KPs crave to return to their homeland and Government should declare its policy in this regard.

Mr Saraf said the KP organizations will start a campaign against what he termed the nefarious designs of Government.

MLA Nagrota inaugurates school buildings

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 4: The Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) MLA from Nagrota, Jugal Kishore Sharma today inaugurated the buildings of two primary schools at village Palli in Dansal block.

Speaking on the occasion, the MLA urged the parents to send their wards to the schools, as education makes the student learn a lot and become a respectable citizens.

He said during the past five years he worked for getting new schools constructed and upgradation of the existing ones in his constituency. He said both the inaugurated schools was a long pending demand of the locals and now that has been fulfilled.

Also present on the occasion were Prithvi Raj Gupta, Dhani Ram, Krishan Chand, Lochan Singh, Jagat Ram, Jakkari Ram, Munshi Ram, Vinay Kumar, Som Dutt, Ganesh Kumar and the school staff.

People protest against UPA Govt decision on Ramsetu

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 4: To register its protest against the filing of affidavit by UPA Government in Supreme Court, the activists of Ramsetu Raksha Manch held demonstrations and observed two hour bandh at 13 different places in the Jammu today.

In the Jammu City Ram Bhagat took out a funeral procession of the Central Government.

After passing through various markets of the Jammu City the procession culminated at Kachi Chawni Chowk where a demonstration was held. They later burnt the effigies of UPA after performing all the Hindu rituals.

Yudhvir Sethi warned the UPA Government not to test the patience of people and the Ram Bhagats will not allow it to go ahead with its anti Hindu decisions.

The other leaders of the Manch who addressed the demonstration.

Another demonstration was held at New Plots by the Ram Bhagats, traders and people belonging to Hindu community under the banner of Jammu and Kashmir Beopar Mandal. It was led by president of the Beopar Mandal Sunil Dimple.

The demonstrators burnt the effigies of Congress Government, UPA leaders, Shipping Minister and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. They also blocked the road and blamed these leaders for hurting the sentiments of Hindus through their irresponsible statements.

A demonstration at Bakshi Nagar was led by Chander Mohan a leader of the Manch.

Meanwhile Hindu organizations in Reasi including VHP, Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Hindu Sabha and other parties have submitted a memorandum to Government demanding that Ramsetu be declared as national monument and it be preserved in its existing shape.

The memorandum was signed by Vivek Anand, Ramsetu Raksha Manch city president, Dheeraj Gupta general secretary, Sanatan Sabha, Anand Sarup Pandoh, president Hindu Sabha.

Bhalla inaugurates Sulabh Souchalay at
Sanjaynagar, Sunjwan

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 4: MLA Gandhinagar, Raman Bhalla today inaugurated 2 Sulabh Souchalay at Sanjaynagar and Sunjwan constructed by Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA).

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Bhalla said that during the period of coalition Government there is large scale infrastructural development in his constituency which includes construction of 5 storied additional block at Gandhinagar Hospital, manifold with the facilities of Blood Donation Camp, up-gradation of OPD Block, construction of additional eye block, construction of 22 number of tube-wells are being dugged with 17 overhead tanks for providing regular portable water, construction of 12 new receiving stations. Apart from this number of road projects have been taken in hand for early completion besides construction of drains alongside. Presently desilting in the Ravi Tawi Canal passing through Trikuta Nagar is being carried out by the Chief Engineer Ravi Tawi Irrigation facilitating to take the water at tale end.

He expressed satisfaction for having been provided flower garden at Bhour Camp on the pattern of Tulip Garden at Srinagar. He assured the people in the times to come Jammu and Srinagar both cities will merge as mega cities of the country due to sanction of Rs 600 crore grant by the Government of India.

On the occasion, Chief of Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA), Pankaj Jain, Corporators, Bhushan Sharma, Jai Singh, Dwaraka, officers from ERA and Government were present apart from general masses.

Aijaz Jan flays coalition Govt, demands relief

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Mar 4: Hitting out at the present Congress led state coalition Government, provincial president, Youth National Conference, Aijaz Ahmed Jan today said that the latter has failed on all the front as none of the election eve promises have been fulfilled yet.

While addressing a party rally at Mandi today, Mr Aijaz said that victims of earthquake and snow affected areas have not received any relief yet despite repeated assurances from the State Government.

He further said that most of the departments in the area were under-manned. Pointing out at the local hospital he said that inspite of 16 sanctioned posts for doctors, there were only two doctors posted staffed in the hospital.

He also expressed grave concern over the continuous rise in the prices of all essentials and urged for inclusion of deserving names in the BPL list and restoration of electricity as well as water supply in Loran, Sawjian, Arari and other far off pockets of the area.

Prominent among others who were present on the occasion were Abdul Ahad, Haji Ghulam Nabi Lone, Ahad Bhat, Ghulam Abbas, GA Lone, Mohd Shams, Mashooq Khan, Abdul Hamid and Haji Mohd Ashraf.

District committee constituted

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar. 4: Jammu and Kashmir Trade Union Congress (JKTUC) today constituted body for newly created district Kishtwar in a meeting held under the chairmanship of state vice president JKTUC, Raj Kumar Badyal.

As per the press note, the body comprised of Surjeet Singh Parihar as district president, Ghulam Hussain Zargar as general secretary, Balwant Singh, Ranjeet Singh and Bansi Lal as vice president, Saroop Chand, Bansi Lal Sen, Bihari Lal and Altaf Hussain as secretary, Amresh Parihar, Mohinder Sen, Abdul Rashid Lone, Mohammad Saleem Kanth and Shakti Sen as joint secretary and Lekh Raj Rathore as office cum press secretary.

Meanwhile, Joginder Kumar and Vimal Kishore Sharma were appointed as chief organizer and organizing secretary respectively. Similarly, Daleep Badyal, Mohammad Mushtaq and Ajay Singh were appointed as organizers whereas Satish Kumar Sen was appointed as cashier.

Guru fought for rights of weaker
sections 600 years back: Kashyap

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 4: Rich tributes were paid to Guru Ravi Dass by the leaders of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) at a function organised here today by the state unit of the Party in connection with 631st birth anniversary of this great spiritual Guru of India.

A large number of people drawn from different parts of Jammu participated in the function. The Party National general secretary and Prabhari J&K, Narinder Kashyap was the main speaker.

Paying his obeisance to Guru Ravi Dass, he said the upliftment of the Dalit Samaj was only possible by following the teachings of this great Guru.

He said Guru Ravi Dass was in favour of such a society in which every body got food to eat. He regretted that no Government in India during over last 60 years came upto the expectations of this great Guru. This was the reason that lakhs of people are still facing starvation in India and crores of Dalits and backward classes people have become victims of social injustice.

He, while citing the examples of UP where the BSP led by Mayawati was voted to power last year, said many steps were taken for the welfare of weaker sections in that state to fulfill the dream of Guru Ji.

Mr Kashyap, while making a dig at coalition Government in J&K said total lawlessness prevails in the State and the weaker sections of the society have been denied their rights.

Others addressing the meeting included, Bhagwan Singh Chouhan, coordinator J&K, BSP Pradesh president, Yash Paul Bhagat, vice president Tulsi Dass Langeh, general secretary, Madhu Khullar, S Makhan Singh, Ch. Hussian Ali, Raj Kumar Raja, A K Qazi, Najiv-Ullah, Anwar Choudhary, Capt (retd) Dewan Singh, Krishen Thapa, D R Atri, and Chaman Lal Bhagat.

NISSMS inaugurated in JU campus

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 4: The National Institute of Solid State and Materials Science (NISSMS), brought up by the Indian Association of Solid State Chemists and Allied Scientists (ISCAS) in University of Jammu (JU), was inaugurated in a function, here this morning.

Vice Chancellor, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo was the chief guest in the inaugural function while renowned scientist and former VC Banaras Hindu University, Prof. R P Rastogi were the special guest.

In his inaugural address, Prof. Mattoo said the institute was a role model, which showcases the efforts of civil society, academic bodies and intellectuals towards the progress of nation. He lauded ISCAS and its National president, Prof. Indu Bhushan Sharma for raising such an institute within the university.

Prof. Rastogi, in his keynote address said the institute will spearhead training young scientists in the country for development of advanced materials.

Also speaking, Prof. Indu Bhushan apprised that institute has been set up with donations from scientists, academicians, research scholars and students all over the country. He added that the institute would extend advanced research facilities in the areas of nanotechnology, superconductivity, alternative sources of energy and electronic and magnetic materials.

Those who attended the function included Prof N B Singh from Gorakhpur University, Prof. O P Shrivastava from Sagar University, Prof. M S Swaminathan from Annamalai University, Prof. Meenakshisundram from Tamilnadu, Dr. P C Kalsi from BARC Mumbai, Prof. R P Sharma from Punjab University, scholars, students and other prominent citizens.

Govt to register labour force coming from outside

SRINAGAR, Mar 4:Government has decided to register labour force coming here from outside the State for menial and other skilled jobs during summers in a bid to keep people with criminal records at bay.

The exercise is necessary to keep the people with criminal records at bay and accordingly Government has made arrangements for registration of the outsiders both at district as well as block levels, Deputy Commissioner Labour and Employment M Anwar has said.

Mr Anwar said the exercise was conducted last year also with the help of police when some incidents of kidnapping and murder took place in parts of the Valley in which outsiders were found involved and subsequently arrested.

To a query, the official said registering the people coming here to work in unorganized sector on individual basis become a big cumbersome while as registering those coming to work in organized sectors was comparatively easy. He, however, said his department has made arrangements and with the help of police they will be registering all non-local labourers.

Mr Anwar said his department has written to the authorities for registering the non-local labourers at Lakhanpur, the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir, as was the practice earlier.

With the north Indian labourers and artisans forced out of Maharashtra recently, Kashmir is likely to witness an unprecedented increase in their numbers this summer. Usually, three to four lakh labourers from outside visit Kashmir during summer. (PTI)

VLCC celebrates spirit of womanhood

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 4: VLCC has joined hands with Ministry of Women and Child Development in its programme "Survival to success, celebrate her life" as a key contributor in their week long initiative.

This was stated by Mrs Renuka Chowdhary, Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development, at a press conference, along with Vandana Luthra, founder and mentor, VLCC Group.

As a part of initiative, VLCC would offer an array of programmes in courses like beauty culture, hair dressing and make up. The course would be offered to the under-privileged women and that the programme would go on through out the year,encompassing various batches comprising 10 to 20 women per batch.

NHRD Network’s "Meet the Personality series" inaugurated
VC rejects politics of cynicism, says JU on path of growth

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 4: The Vice Chancellor University of Jammu (JU), Padam Shree Prof. Amitabh Mattoo has rejected the politics of cynicism and status quo within the campus, as he said the university was striving for change and moving on the path of unhindered growth.

The VC was speaking during the inaugural session of an interaction programme "Meet the Personality Series" launched by the Jammu chapter of National HRD Network at the university, here this morning.

Prof. Mattoo further said, " Belief in self and initiative to stimulate change are the two qualities required in a leader". He urged everybody to follow this principle and contribute their part towards the progress of the university and society as a whole.

Later, he interacted with the gathering and answered all their queries. This open interaction session was held for first time since he assumed the charge of JU Vice Chancellor. Meanwhile, while making one of the replies, Prof. Mattoo mentioned that his success mantra was to provide space to others, develop a culture of excellence, empower the human resources for creating synergy and solidarity.

Earlier, Prof. J R Dhotra, president NHRD Jammu chapter presented the welcome address and remarked that a luminary like Prof. Mattoo was a source of light and inspiration for the entire society.

Meanwhile, Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, NHRD secretary and coordinator apprised about the various initiatives of the network here, in Jammu. She said, "Network is an association of professionals, committed to promoting the HRD movement in the country. It’s a non-profit organization dedicated to develop human resources through education, training, research and experience sharing".

She further apprised that Jammu chapter of the network was launched in the year 2005 under the patronage of Prof. Amitabh Mattoo. It’s the 36th such chapter nationwide, she added.

On the occasion, Prof. Mattoo was also felicitated on being nominated for prestigious "Padam Shree" award. A memento and a shawl was presented to him as a mark of honour.

The jam packed interactive session was attended by cross section of people including eminent academicians, university officers and teachers, industrialists, research scholars, students from business schools of various universities and eminent citizens of the society.

The programme concluded with the expression of vote of thanks by Prof. Keshav Sharma, Director ‘The Business School’ while Anil Gupta, NHRD joint secretary conducted the proceedings of the event.

Kavi Rattan is in the spotlight again

By Ravinder Kaul

Anyone who has even a cursory knowledge of theatre scene of Jammu will agree that Kavi Rattan is the progenitor of modern theatre in the city. It was he who, after his graduation from National School of Drama in 1969, started a movement that is now being taken note of in the entire country and Jammu is held in high esteem for its vibrant theatrical activity.

Yet, in this entire scenario of growth of theatre in the city, Kavi Rattan and Bahurangi, the theatre group founded by him in 1974 with the active collaboration of some of the finest names of Jammu theatre, gradually faded away from the scene. In the words of the poet Kumar Pashi:

Ek mein hi hoon jo ‘Pashi’ reh gaya manzil se door

Ek mein hi tha jo sabko raasta deta raha.

It has been a tragedy beyond measure that while the theatre of Jammu was making rapid strides, the man who trained in the basics of theatre under the stern but creatively stimulating tutelage of the doyen of Indian theatre, Ebrahim Alkazi, the man who had well known theatre director and author Balraj Pandit as his batchmate and Surekha Sikri, Uttara Baokar and Amal Allana (the current Chairperson of the NSD Society) as his immediate seniors, the man who gave a new direction to the theatre of Jammu, which was till then only known as the city of Ram Lilas, remained away from theatre, his first love, for such a long time.

Kavi Rattan did return to direction with the play ‘Viraasat’ presented by Rangyug in the year 2001, but the performance turned out to be a single swallow that failed the make the summer.

Therefore, the import of performance of the play ‘Khamosh! Adalat Jaari Hai’, by Bahurangi at Abhinav Theatre here today, goes much beyond mere staging of a play. This performance is actually a loud announcement of the return, hopefully for good, of a master theatre director from long years of hibernation.

‘Khamosh Adalat Jaari Hai’ is considered by many as the finest play of Vijay Tendulkar. Written in Marathi in 1963 and first performed in 1967, the play has been translated into sixteen Indian and foreign languages, made into a film by Satya Dev Dubey and a radio play in English by BBC.

The story deals with a group of amateur actors who have come from Mumbai to a small town in order to present a play. The play that they are going to perform is a court room drama and with the purpose of giving training to a local actor, who has been asked to stand in for an actor who could not come on account of ill health, and in order to while away time before the performance, a mock trial is organised by the group. Leela Benare, the lead actress of the group, is made the accused and the mock court room drama begins.

It is a ‘play within a play’ that unfolds, layer after painful layer, the jealousies, the inconsistencies, the atrocities and the violent ways of a male dominated society. A society that treats a woman only as a body and ignores her soul as an unnecessary irritant.

The charge in the mock trial is of illegal abortion and the accused is asked to defend herself. During the course of the trial it is revealed that Leela Benare is actually carrying the child of one of the actors of the group, who has refused to take responsibility of the child. Yet, she does not want to abort the child and wants to give birth to her baby.

The play was mounted on a tastefully designed realistic set and brought back memories of the lyrical and simple style of story telling, that has been the hallmark of Bahurangi plays, in which actor is the king. If one is asked to recall the high point of today’s performance, one would unhesitatingly mention the concluding soliloquy of Gurmeet Kour, enacting the role of Leela Benare. She instilled great sensitivity into the character and was successful in portraying all the shades of the her complex character in an admirable manner.

Shashi Rattan as Mrs Kashikar portrayed a combination of ruthlessness, and even violence when it came to dealing with Benare, and docility when interacting with her husband. Pritam Katoch as the lawyer Sukhatme, Janak Khajuria as Ponkshe, Vijay Goswami as Kashikar, Tapeshwar Dutta as Karnik and Rahul Kumar as Rokde were all very impressive. Raj Kumar Behrupia portrayed the character of Samant, the local person, with great kindness and simplicity typical of a man from a small town.

The pace of the play was slack in the beginning but it picked up as it progressed and towards the end it had the rapt attention of the entire appreciative audience.

This performance conclusively proves that Kavi Rattan has not lost his touch. The very fact that he could come up with an engrossing performance after such a long gap is a definite proof of his strong foundations. One must thank the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages for becoming instrumental in return of Kavi Rattan and Bahurangi to active theatre. One hopes that the other notable theatre directors of Jammu like Deepak Kumar, will take a cue from this performance and come back to the spotlight.

Ae mauj-e-balaa kuchh unko bhi, do chaar thapede halke se

Kuchh log abhi tak saahil se, toofaan ka nazaara karte hain.

Clerical employees strike get massive support

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 4: Clerical staff of all the departments continued their pen down strike and held protest demonstrations at various places throughout the State today.

They are on strike for the last about two weeks. The strike has been launched in support of their demand of removing anomalies in the pay grades. The agitating Ministerial staff members are demanding hike in the grades of junior assistants from Rs 3050-4910 to Rs 4000-6000, senior assistants from Rs 4000-6000 to Rs 4500-7000 and head assistants from Rs 5000-8000 to 5500-9000.

They are demanding that Secretariat training bar for promotion as Head Assistants be removed as over 90 % of the posts were lying vacant and the work in many Government departments was affected with this.

A large protest demonstration and a rally was organised in Jammu. Several leaders including Ram Kumar, Rehmat Ullah, P P Sharma, Bashir Malik, Ravi Razdan, R D Thappa and others addressed the gathering. They condemned the rigid stance of the Government and demanded that Clerical cadre employees genuine and justified demand be redressed. They said in 3rd, 4th and 5th pay commissions, the grades of teachers , accounts clerks and clerical cadre were at par but with the passage of time discrimination was caused by the bureaucracy. This anomaly be removed. The strike also remained in Kashmir and Ladakh regions and protests were held at various district and tehsil headquarters. Health department employees ( Clerical Cadre) also staged protest dharna in the Directorate complex at Jammu.

The leadership proposed to hold 3rd round of talks with the Divisional Commissioner Jammu tomorrow over the issue.

Meanwhile, All J&K Non-Gazetted Forest Officers Association, All J&K Agriculture Employees Association, Irrigation & Flood Control Mech Ministerial Staff Association and All J&K Department Drivers, Operators and Cleaners Federation have supported the strike of clerical cadre and urged the Government to do justice to them.

NSUI appointed office bearers

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 4: With an objective to streamline the functioning of the organization, state president National Students Union of India (NSUI) today appointed several office bearers for different portfolios.

As per the press note, state general secretary, Iftikhar Ahmed has been alloted NGO department whereas state secretary, Nitish Mahajan was appointed as incharge cultural department.

Similarly, state secretary, Malik Bezad, Zakir Ali and provincial president Arjun Singh have been appointed incharge cultural department, programme planning and policy and sports department.

Our Kathua Correspondent add: In order to expand the base of the organization, state secretary National Student Union of India (NSUI), Pankaj Basotra conducted a two days tour of Basholi, Billawar and Kathua wherein he apprised the students of organizational policies besides launching membership drive started by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

During his tour several students joined the organization and Narinder Singh was announced as president of the college body at Basholi. Meanwhile students demanded early completion of Bhasoli college building.

Those who accompanied Basotra during the tour were Mohammad Aslam, Rukhsar Ahmed, Kuldeep Khajuria and Sonu Sharma.

Provincial level NAAC workshop held

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Mar 4: A day long workshop was organized by International Quality Assurance Council (IQAC) in collaboration with State level quality assessment co-ordination committee at Women's College, Moulana Azad road.

The 5th provincial level workshop was attended by all the delegates, principal of various colleges, Registrar University, Syed Fayaz Ahmad, Dean College Development, Professor N.A. Shah, Controller of Examinations and Professor A.M. Shah participated in the workshop.

The workshop was inaugurated by the Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University, Professor Riyaz Punjabi. In his inaugural address Professor Punjabi expressed his satisfaction over acceptance of National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) parameters adopted by the colleges and Academia. He said that teaching fraternity should remain committed to excellence in the higher education.

He impressed upon the managements of private B.Ed colleges to maintain quality standards to come up to the maximum expectations and aspirations which would help them to recognize such institutions as per national standards of the NAAC.

Dean Academics also addressed the workshop and urged for attention to policy, planning and utilization of human resources with accountability and transparency.

Prof. B.S. Ponmu Dhiraj, Assistant Advisor NAAC highlited the scope for NAAC vision.

CM visits fire sufferers of Nali Bonjwa

Excelsior Correspondent

Nali Bonjwa (Kisht-war), Mar 4: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today visited Nali Bonjwa in Inderwal constituency of district Kishtwar to console the ill-fated families visited by a blaze last week that destroyed several houses, shops and the Jama Masjid of the village.

Minister of State for Social Welfare, G. M. Saroori and senior officials of the district administration were also present.

Mr Azad expressed deep sympathy with the affected families and assured them all support in reorganizing their shattered lives. He appreciated the efforts of the village population especially of the minority community in trying to save the Jama Masjid and houses and shops of the majority community people and commended this show of communal harmony. As many as 70 people, mostly women from the minority community, were injured while fighting the blaze.

He said that he was with them in this hour of grief. He told them that he had not come to make a speech but to share their pain. He said the area was one of the most backward places in the State and informed them that the Government was making special efforts to improve the lot of the downtrodden and neglected people. He said an ambitious programme of road connectivity was under implementation and all villages would be connected with roads by 2012. He said backward and underdeveloped areas were in special focus of the Government.

The village has a sizeable population comprising Gujjars and Bakerwals living in upper reaches. He told them that his Government would give first-aid training to the mobile teachers who move with them during their migration to handle small emergencies. They would also be provided a medical kit.

Petitions Committee for immediate disposal of land cases

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 4: The Petitions Committee of Legislative Assembly has directed the Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir to dispose off all pending cases of rent in respect of land/houses under the occupation of army/security forces in the State expeditiously. The Committee stressed the need for maintaining close coordination between army authorities and civil military liaison for better results.

The Petitions Committee that met here today under the chairmanship of MLA Abdul Rehman Veeri, and examined two writ petitions filed before it by Abdul Rashid of Jamaslan Mahore and Farooq Ahmed Mir, a resident of DC Colony Rajouri regarding non-payment of rent/compensation in lieu of their proprietary land/houses occupied by the security forces.

The Committee asked the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu to dispose off these two cases within a period of one month, besides all pending cases should also be disposed off expeditiously, the Committee desired.

Rashpal Singh raised the issue with regard to vacation of Government guest houses/ dak bungalows in Kalakote which are under the occupation of security forces for the last so many years. He demanded immediate vacation of these guest houses so that civil authorities could utilize them. He alleged that lot of damage has been caused to the assets by the security forces during their stay and asked for necessary repairs after vacation.

Ashwani Kumar Sharma apprised the Committee about the difficulties being faced by the people living along the border in Bishnah Tehsil due to certain restrictions of army authorities. He said that a large chunk of agricultural land is under the occupation of army and farmers are not paid any rent/compensation. He demanded early solution of the problems faced by the people.

Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma demanded shifting of army firing range from the Hiranagar area. He said people of more than ten villages of Hiranagar and Billawar areas are facing lot of difficulties due to this army firing range. He said that people of these villages are continuously raising their voice against the shifting of this firing range because lot of damage has been caused to the private and Government assets. He said people feel insecure and threatened as many live shells have been found in the area which otherwise endangered many lives, he maintained.

The Committee took serious note of the situation and decided to have a spot visit of the area. Meanwhile, the Committee has asked the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu to take necessary steps on the issues raised by the Members.

Those present in the meeting included MLAs Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Sofi, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Director General/ Commissioner Civil Military Liaison M.K.Mohanti, Divisional Commissioners, Jammu, Kashmir Sudhanshu Pandey and Mehboob Iqbal.

2 killed in accidents

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 4: Two persons were killed in separate road accidents while as a 40-year old man died under mysterious circumstances.

Police spokesman said that a woman Harnam Kour, wife of Gokul Singh of Bhour Camp was knocked to death by a speeding mini-bus at Gandhi Nagar. She was immediately rushed to Government Medical College Hospital where she succumbed to injuries.

Police has registered a case against mini-bus driver.

In another accident, one Jarnail Singh, son of Naseeb Singh of Panger Mir was killed when she fell from a moving bus bearing registration number JK02H-8083 at Dhobhi Gali under the jurisdiction of Udhampur Police Station.

The body has been kept in the mortuary of the PHC Panchari for legal formalities.

Meanwhile, a 40-year old man—Ghulam Ali, son of Mohd Sharief Sheikh of Dak Mohalla, Doda died under suspicious circumstances at Batote. The body was lying at Kiker Morh, Batote under the jurisdiction of Batote Police Station.

Police has started inquest proceedings in this regard.

IGP asks officers to remain vigilant

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 4: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu K Rajendra Kumar today directed all the Gazetted Officers of Jammu district to remain alert and vigilant to thwart the nefarious designs of anti-social and anti-national elements.

Addressing a meeting of the Gazetted Officers at Police Control Room (PCR) here this morning, Mr Rajendra laid stress on surprise checking and establishing special nakas for checking of vehicles.

He directed the Gazetted Officers to supervise night patrolling and strengthen nakas. He also directed the officers to promptly respond to public complaints so that the people’s confidence in police is enhanced.

Later, he inspected various sections of PCR and issued on the spot directions. He was accompanied by SSP PCR Shakeel Beig, SSP Jammu Parminder Singh and SO to IGP Manmohan Singh.

NPP’s Silver Jubilee Carvan reaches Kathua

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 4: Silver Jubilee Carvan of the National Panthers Party led by Prof Bhim Singh and accompanied by former minister Harshdev Singh and other leaders of the party reached Kathua district today.

The NPP yatra was received by a large number of people at Gujroo Nagrota, Phinter and Billawar today. The Panthers leaders addressed gathering and asked the people to join NPP movement to dislodge the ruling parties of power and save the State.

Prof Bhim Singh said the leadership of Pakistan have realised the ground realities and changed their stand on Kashmir. He hoped that angry leadership in Kashmir will also accept the reality. The NPP leader demanded district status for Billawar and ST status for Pahari ethnic groups in the State.

Harshdev Singh criticised State Government for its alleged failure on all fronts and said that there was no infrastructure and staff in the colleges opened recently and also in the upgraded schools. He said there was no check on corruption and funds being sent by Centre remained unutilised due to Administrative failure and non-performance of ministers.

Other senior NPP leaders H C Jalmeria, Darshan Sharma, Shanti Basotra, Mohan Lal Verma, Chuni Lal Mistri and Pawan Singh also addressed gathering.

JMC corporators call on CM

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 4: A day ahead of the election for the post of Mayor, Congress, allied and independent corporators called on Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad here today.

The corporators assured the Chief Minister that they will ensure the victory of the Congress party candidate, Manmohan Singh Pinka, thereby recording third consecutive win of the party in the Mayoral election.

The Chief Minister asked the corporators to work for the development of the Jammu city and provide amenities to the city dwellers.

Minister for Health and Medical Education, Mangat Ram Sharma, Minister for Rural Development, Mula Ram, Deputy Chairman, Legislative Council, Arvinder Singh, MLAs, Raman Bhalla and Prem Sagar Aziz and Advisor to Chief Minister, Janak Raj Gupta were also present.

KVIB holds 2-day workshop at Mumbai

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 4: The Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB) at a two day workshop held at Mumbai has projected a demand of Rs 94.74 crore in view of massive need under this sector in State. The workshop, which started yesterday culminated today.

According to a KVIB handout issued here, today, it has approached the Finance Ministry Government of India seeking financial support to the tune of Rs 3500 crore and Ministry in term has referred the same to Asian Development Bank (ADB) for its consideration.

It said the secretary, KVIB, J&K R C Sharma informed that under village industries KVIB is generating employment to over 30,000 persons every year but there is need for 12,000 more per annum by revamping entire infrastructure through cluster development, by covering artisans and craftsmen for chain stitching, bat manufacturing, carpenters, beekeepers, kani shawls, embroidery etc.

Mr Sharma informed that under Khadi sector employment is being provided to 25,000 people in the state with unique selling proposition (USP).

He said there is special need for revamping and revival of the Sector by developing cluster under SFURTI with one crore assistance having 75 percent grant in every block.

He said there is need for replacement of absolute outdated charkhas and looms by providing work to spinners, weavers, and new Charkhas for better productivity and renovation as well.

Doda migrants take out protest rally

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 4: Migrants from district Doda languishing in camp here took out a protest rally in the old city areas of winter capital city here today.

The migrants from district Doda, under the banner of Zila Doda Migrants Committee led by Suraj Parkash Rana chairman, earlier held demonstration outside the office of Divisional Commissioner here at Mubarik Mandi. After passing through various city markets like Chowk Chabutra, Jain Bazar and Raj Tilak Road the rally culminated at City Chowk. Several leaders addressed the gathering there.

Mr Rana strongly criticised the government for not providing relief to the Doda migrants despite clear Supreme Court directions. The migrants from Doda and other parts of Jammu region were being discriminated and two different yardsticks were being adopted for it. He demanded that 87 families registered with Relief Commissioner be given quarters, 32 families receiving only ration be given cash assistance and rest of the families left out be verified at an earliest.

These migrants are sitting on dharna since Dec 27, 2007 in support of their demands but Government has yet to find time to listen to their woes. They have decided to sit outside Parliament on dharna as Government of J&K has turned a deaf ear towards their plight.

Protesting employees smell corruption in SPCB

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 4: Protesting against the supposed mismanagement and bunglings in the department, the employees of State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) continued with their state wide indefinite pendown strike for the second consecutive day today.

The protesting employees under the leadership of president SPCB Employees Welfare Association, Rakesh Singh today held a dharna at SPCB office. They were demanding for restoration of dignity of the department.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Singh said that several employees of Forest Department who have been enjoying administrative posts in the SPCB have indulged in malpractises and are therefore bringing bad name to the department.

Underlining several demands, Mr Singh urged immediate posting of SPCB employees at administrative posts and appealed Forest Minister Afzal Qazi to look into the gravity of the situation.

Among others who spoke on the occassion were AB Jandial, Neelu Sharma, AK Gupta, Mohammad Amin, Tanvir Dar, MM Shah and JN Sharma.

PKM Executive Council holds meet