Farooq assures 33 pc reservation to women

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: After luring youth of the State by promising one job to each family, the National Conference today announced to empower the women in the State by providing 33 per cent reservation to them.

The announcement in this regard was made by National Conference patron and former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah while addressing a convention of party’s women wing to celebrate International Women’s Day at party headquarters here this afternoon.

"Like youth, the election manifesto of the party will also take care of the womenfolk of the State as several revolutionary steps are required to be taken to uplift the women", he said, adding "if came to power we will provide 33 per cent reservation to the women in different fields".

The National Conference patron also announced that if NC comes to power the party will provide Rs 1500 to Rs 2000 to those persons who will provide education to womenfolk in the evening hours both in urban and rural areas as education was the only medium for them to become aware about their rights.

He said that besides vocational training to the women his party will also ensure that old age people and widows get free medicare in the Government hospitals as they cannot afford costly medicare these days.

Dr Abdullah also highlighted the steps initiated during National Conference Government and assured to provide all due rights to the women in the State if voted back to the power.

National Conference provincial president and MLA Ajay Sadhotra, in his address, said that the steps taken by the National Conference Government towards the women empowerment were not carried forward by the present Coalition Government.

"This can be gauged from the fact that the State Women Commission which was created by Dr Farooq Abdullah is presently headless", he said and asked the womenfolk to strengthen the hands of Dr Farooq Abdullah by voting back NC to the power.

Women wing president of the party Bimla Luthra, while highlighting the women empowerment initiatives taken during NC regime, said that present Coalition Government has not taken any step to ensure that women get their due rights.

"The womenfolk of the State should come forward and support National Conference which can only provide justice to every section of the society", she said and appealed the women to spread the policies and programmes of the NC to every nook and corner of the State.

Several other leaders of NC women wing also spoke on the occasion.

VHP flays State Government over Mahant’s murder

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: The State unit of Vishaw Hindu Parishad (VHP) today expressed grave concern over the State Government’s failure to make any breakthrough in the Shiv Mandir murder case besides criticizing police inaction against the assailant who attacked one of its leaders in Khour, Akhnoor recently.

Addressing a press conference here today State president VHP, Dr Ramakant Dubey accused the State Government of shielding suspected influential party involved in the blind murder. He also criticized the police department for quitting the accused of making abortive bid on VHP leader and saint Dinesh Bharti this month.

He expressd apprehenshions that a particular section of people is targetting nationalists and Hindu leaders while the police is acting as mute spectator. He threatened that if the Government fails to bring the culprits to justice in both the aforesaid cases, they will have no other option than to resort to mass protests in the city.

He also flayed Chief Minister for suspending lady police official under alleged pressure mounted by a particular community. He maintained that the lady police official was performing her duty honestly while the trucks carrying bovine animals intercepted at Sidhara were moving without any permission from the Deputy Commissioner.

Prominent among other leaders who expressed their views on the occassion included Hem Raj Khajuria, Dharni Dhar, Santosh Nath and Vijay Pahalwan.

ASSI demands clearance of bills

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: Office bearers of Association of Small Scale Industries (ASSI) in a meeting held at its head office Gangyal under the presidentship of Rajesh Jain discussed the consequences arisen out due to blockade of industrial sector in various Government treasuries of J&K for the past several months.

The ASSI meeting said it was a matter of concern that payments to the tune of about 20 crore payable to industrial units have not been cleared by the treasuries, both at Jammu and Srinagar for want of adequate funds, as a result their working capital stands blocked.

It was resolved in the meeting that Government should solve the matter immediately in order to clear all pending bills of industrial sector by placing the requisite funds at the disposal of the various Government treasuries in the State and treat the payments meant for industrial sector at par with the payment of salary to its employees so as to make the industries functional.

The meeting held that on the one hand the Government was making false assurances of dedicated treasuries, but on the other, in absence of adequate funds, these treasuries are more or less non-functional towards industrial sector.

The meeting among others was attended by senior vice president of ASSI Anil Gupta and general secretary Tejwant Singh.

Cooperative officials booked for misappropriation of k oil

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) has registered a case against Sonaullah Malla, then Deputy Registrar Cooperative Societies, Anantnag and others for misappropriation of 39000 litres of kerosene oil meant for public distribution on subsidized rates during 2007.

An official spokesman said that in February 2007, Assistant Commissioner, Anantnag had released 2,85,000 litres of kerosene for distribution through various Cooperative Societies of the district to Deputy Registrar, Cooperative Societies and had also prescribed the mode of distribution.

However, Sonaullah Malla, then Deputy Registrar Cooperative Societies, Anantnag in league with one Mohd Akbar, Dealing Assistant allocated only 2,46,000 litres and misappropriated the balance 39,000 litres.

The subsidized cost of 39,000 litres of kerosene was found deposited by Mohd Akbar, Dealing Assistant, in order to facilitate the misappropriation of the kerosene oil.

This misappropriated quantity of kerosene was later sold in the black market at much higher prices thereby conferring undue benefit upon themselves by misuse of official authority.

The investigation into the case was going on.

HC’s directive to SSRB

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: In a petition filed by a physically handicapped person, Justice Y P Nargotra of State High Court has directed the Selection Board to recommend the name of petitioner for appointment against the post of Patwari from the date private respondents were recommended or from the date of completion of training by the petitioner.

The petition filed by Parvez Ahmed through Advocate Abhinav Sharma submitted that vide the advertisement notice dated September 26, 2000 J&K Service Selection Board invited applications for selection of candidates to undergo Patwar training with the stipulation that the candidates who will successfully complete the training will be eligible for appointment of Patwaries/ consolidation patwaries.

The petitioner joined the training on the direction of the High Court but the Board has not recommended his name for the appointment.

After hearing both the sides, Justice Y P Nargotra observed that the SSRB unjustifiably kept the petitioner out of competition. "Merely because petitioner has not been selected by the Board for training and had got admitted for training on the order of the High Court, the Board cannot refuse the benefit of successful completion of training to the petitioner", Justice Nargotra said.

Justice Nargotra further observed that instead of quashing the selection and consequent appointments, justice can be done to the petitioner by issuing direction to the Selection Board to recommend the name of petitioner for appointment and also issuing direction to the State/competent authority to appoint the petitioner.

With these observations, the Court allowed the petition and discharged the rules framed in a contempt petition.

Maiden meeting of Indo-Afghan Foundation held
VC for series of activities to strengthen
ties with Afghanistan

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: The Vice Chancellor University of Jammu (JU), Prof. Amitabh Mattoo today emphasized upon the need to hold series of activities between the civic societies of India and Afghanistan to promote and strengthen ties between the two nations.

He said this, while speaking during the maiden meeting of the board of directors of Indo-Afghan Foundation (IAF) held at Afghan Ambassador, Dr. Sayeed M Rehman’s residence at New Delhi. Prof. Mattoo is a part of this foundation.

He elaborated that holding of series of activities, involving academicians, researchers, civil societies and women, in major Indian and Afghan cities will help in promoting and strengthening bilateral ties.

During the meeting, many significant decisions were taken to strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations. The decisions included approval of bye-laws of IAF and holding of major seminar on roots of Sufism-Life and works of Khwaja Mahi-ud-Din Chisti (RA). It was also decided that seminars and sufi music concerts will be organized in all the major cities of both the nations.

Deliberations were also held for the publication of bibliography of all Pashtu manuscripts in India besides research on Indo-Afghan relations since ancient period.

Those who participated from Indian side included Ambassador to Afghanistan, Gian Prakash, former Ambassador I P Khosla, JU VC Prof. Amitabh Mattoo and PCA Raghawan from Ministry of External Affairs.

Whereas, Afghanistan was represented by Member Parliament Muhammad Noor Akhbari, Prof. Stnazai from Kabul University, Mrs. Farida Nekzad, editor Pazwak News Agency and Abdul Samad, director Political Deptt. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Afghanistan Govt.

Dispose off land compensation cases expeditiously: PAC

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Mar 10: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Legislative Assembly has directed the revenue authorities to dispose off the pending cases of land compensation expeditiously.

The committee maintained that a large number of complaints from the people are praying that their cases were pending with the authorities for many years due to certain technicalities and these should be settled on priority.

The Committee suggested various measures for improving the functioning of the revenue department at ground level. It also suggested for constitution of a committee of experts for bringing reforms in the department.

The Committee stressed the need for preserving the revenue records and making constant efforts to computerize all records for ultimate safety and easy assess by the department and public.

The Committee directed the authorities to issue licenses for establishing new brick kiln after strict adherence of PCB and other norms so that the people living in adjoining areas may not face any difficulties on this accounts.

Secretary Revenue Masood Samoon briefed the committee about various steps initiated by the department for improving the functioning.

He told that computerized settlement process was in full swing and efforts were on to computerize the revenue records. He said due to paucity of funds and in absence of Urdu software the process of computerization was getting delayed. He apprised that NIC has been approached for expediting the necessary software so that process could take off.

Those present in the meeting included Legislators, Harsh Dev Singh, A.R.Veeri, Mohd. Aslam Khan, Raman Bhalla, Ashok Sharma, Deputy Accountant General J&K K. Mathur, Director Accounts and Treasuries M.I. Khanday, Deputy Commissioner Poonch, B. D. Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Ejaz Iqbal, Deputy Commissioner Jammu H.K. Singh, Deputy Commissioner Anantnag J.P. Singh, Relief Commissioner (Migrants) Vinod Koul, Deputy Commissioner Central Saleem Mohammad, Additional Secretary Revenue G. M. Rather and others.

22 bovine animals seized, 2 arrested

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: Police today seized two trucks and recovered 22 bovine animals which were being smuggled from Jammu to Srinagar at Narsoo under the jurisdiction of Chenani police station in Udhampur district. Two bovine smugglers have been arrested while one of their associate managed to escape.

Police said a Chenani police station party intercepted two trucks at Narsoo on Jammu-Srinagar national highway this morning and recovered 22 bovine animals loaded in the trucks which were being smuggled from Jammu to Srinagar.

The truck Nos. 797 JK02AC and 8975 JK02K have been seized.

Two bovine smugglers were arrested by the police. They have been identified as Nazir Hussain of Poonch and Chaman Lal of Akhnoor. The third bovine smuggler Wali Mohd of Muralian managed to escape and was being searched by police.

Arrests of bovine smugglers were made by a police party headed by SHO Chenani Pardeep Gupta under the supervision of DySP Headquarters Amit Gupta.

Implement assurances on priority: AC

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10 : The Assurance Committee of Legislative Assembly has expressed concern over the delay in implementation of various Government assurances made by it from time to time on the Floor of the House.

The Committee observed that various Government assurances are pending with different departments pertaining to public importance which need to be attended on priority, adding that it is mandatory on the part of the Government to implement all such commitments within a period of six months.

The Assurance Committee which met here today under the chairmanship of MLA M.Y.Tarigami examined the assurances pertaining to Roads and Buildings and Science and Technology Departments.

The Committee also reviewed the situation that has arisen due to heavy snow fall in the Valley and took stock of the arrangements for restoration of road links. The Committee asked for immediate repair of some important roads which have been damaged due to snow fall.

While reviewing the progress of assurances pertaining to Science and Technology, the Committee asked the Commissioner/Secretary Science and Technology Lokesh Dutt Jha to immediately take up the matter with Planning Department for timely release of matching share by the State government to secure central funds for achieving the targets. The department shall take up the installation of solar lights in identified areas in Valley after the improvement of weather conditions, the Committee maintained.

Among others the meeting was attended by MLAs Shahjahan Dar, Mubarak Gul, Balwant Singh Mankotia and senior officers of R&B, Science & Technology Departments and Assembly Secretariat.

Release of DA to employees, pensioners demanded

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: Abdul Majid Khan, president, All J&K Low Paid Employees Federation, while commenting upon the release of six per cent DA installment by the Central Government in favour of its employees and pensioners with effect from January, 2008, has strongly urged the State Government to follow suit and simultaneously sanction DA to State Government staff and pensioners.

Mr Khan stated that to meet the rising cost of almost all essential goods of daily consumption, DA installment must be given to the State Government employees and pensioners at the earliest.

The Federation chief also demanded revision of minimum daily wage as also remuneration and honorarium of village guards, community participation workers of PHE, numbardars, anganwari workers and helpers of ICDS, ReT Teachers and Education Volunteers of Education Department as they are being paid meagrely. The low paid employees and workers are facing severe financial hardships due to rising cost of living.

Krishan Singh, J&K Prisons Retired Employees Welfare Association, has urged the State Government for immediate release of six per cent installment of DA in favour of employees and pensioners from its due date as per the Central Government employees and pensioners.

Mr Singh stressed that the prices in J&K State have gone up so the DA must be sanctioned at the earliest.

Clerical staff suspends agitation till March 26

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: Clerical cadre employees who were on strike for the last more than two weeks have suspended their agitation till March 26 following assurance from the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Sudhanshu Pandey.

A 15-member negotiation committee of the Clerical cadre employees including Ram Kumar Sharma, Rehmat Ullah Malik, Ravi Singh and others held long meeting with the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu in his office chamber today. The members reiterated their demand of removing pay anomalies in the grades of junior, senior and head assistants besides junior grade stenographers.

A spokesman of the Clerical Employees Association said that Divisional Commissioner assured to resolve the issue within two weeks. Following assurance, members of Central Executive and the Negotiation Committee decided to suspend their agitation till March 26. It was further resolved that Clerical cadre staff would resume indefinite strike from March 27, 2008 onwards if the promise was not honoured by Government.

Meanwhile, the normal work in all the J&K Government departments remained paralysed today following the Kam Chod Hartal of the Clerical cadre staff. They staged dharna outside their respective offices and also held demonstration at Jammu, Srinagar and other district and tehsil headquarters. They will now be resuming their work from Tuesday.

JKTF flays deployment policy of Govt

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Mar 10: District unit of Jammu Kashmir Teachers Forum has criticised the State Education authorities for their deployment policy for teachers.

In a meeting of the Udhampur unit of the Forum held today under the chairmanship of its president Rajesh Sharma, the members alleged that students were suffering due to this policy. They said many schools were already suffering due to acute shortage of staff especially in rural areas and now deployment of teachers on pick and chose basis has aggravated the problem.

They demanded that Government should review its decision as it was not in the favour of teachers as well as the students but only promoting corruption in the department.

Jat Sabha holds meet

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: A meeting of All J&K Jat Sabha was held here, today under the chairmanship of B L Choudhary, president of All J&K Jat Sabha.

The meeting said that the Jat community population is over six lakh in the state and it is mostly living on LOC and International Border. The community in the J&K is economically and socially backward as it has been neglected by the State Government since independence.

Moreover, the 90 percent of the population of jats totally depend on cultivation. They have suffered a heavy loss over the years due to firing from across the border, soaring prices of seeds, diesel and fertilizers. The entire community is facing economic hardships in the state and their land has remained uncultivated for years together due to border skirmishes.

Moreover the community which has suffered due to 1947, 1965 and 1971 wars has not been properly compensated by the Government despite the fact that it has acted as a watchdog against the Pak infiltrators and aggressors.

The meeting demanded that keeping these facts in view , the Jat community be included into OBC category and treated at par with jats of Rajasthan, Delhi, UP, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana as well as Gujjars and Bakerwals of J&K.

Youth rally held at Mishriwala Camp

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: A youth rally was organised by Orzu Gym and Health Centre at Mishriwala Camp today in which Pt. Moti Koul a social activist and KP leader was felicitated by the camp inmates.

The Gym and Health Centre in the camp was donated by Mr Koul for the physical development of the camp youth and its adjoining areas.

In his address, Subash Zutshi, organizer of the centre said it is accommodating 150 youth daily and providing all facilities free of cost to them. He said the Health Centre has helped in the rehabilitation of youth who had fallen a prey to drugs and other bad habits.

Appreciating the role of Orzu Gym and Health Centre Moti Koul has appealed the displaced community to organised themselves against the odds of poverty and diseases. He also assured all help to such social groups. He urged the Government to provide accommodation and other help to such social institutions.

Vir Ji Bhat another social activist said that Orzu Gym is an oasis in these crisis. He alleged that politicians are providing lip services to the community and urged the youth not to fall in their trap.

Others who addressed the rally included Pyarai Lal president Mishriwala Camp, Surinder Raina, Roshan Lal Bhat, Raj Nath Dhar, Sudesh Raina and Amrinder Singh.

State RJD to organize dharna infront of Parliament

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: The Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD), J&K unit, has decided to organize the protest dharna in front of Parliament house to highlight the demand of unemployed educated youth of the State.

This was stated by Syed Ghulam Nabi Shah (Forah), RJD State president while addressing the mediapersons here today. He disclosed that State unit of RJD has decided to organize a protest dharna in front of the Parliament House at New Delhi for the demand of special economic and employment package for unemployed educated youth. He said that youth of State suffered a lot due to militancy and there should be reservation for them in educational and professional institutions of the country.

Mr Forah further stressed upon the State Government to hold negotiations with the striking employees of all the departments and public undertakings. He said that Government was blaming the RTC employees for loss but the facts have remained undisclosed. He demanded high level vigilance enquiry in the matter to sort out the truth.

Meanwhile, he also welcomed the nomination of RJD general secretary Zulaf Kar Ali Mumtaz and Mohd Ismail Zargar as the members of Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee (ZRUCC) for Northern Railway by the Railway Minister.

He also appealed the general masses to support the 3rd Front in the coming Assembly elections as previous rulers have ruined the poorer sections of the society.

Among others present on the occasion included Nazir Ahmed Gurkhoo, Gh. Mohmad Mir, Dharam Pal Kataria, Vivek Gupta, Mahesh Padha, Manohar Lal Dogra, Mahinder Singh, Amrik Singh Jamwal, Abdul Rashid Lone and Mohd Maqbool.

Unemployed engineers, technocrats
urge Govt to concede demand

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: All J&K Unemployed Engineers & ITI Diploma Holders Technocrats Association which is on dharna in front of Divisional Commissioner’s Office here at Old Secretariat, Mubarak Mandi for one and a half year have expressed its concern over the callous attitude of the Government towards them.

In a statement issued here, the Association alleged that Government has given assurances to the unemployed engineers and technocrats that their demand will be settled but till date nothing has been done in this regard.

It accused the Government of adopting avoiding tactics in appointment of engineers and technocrats in the department. It alleged when Government is appointing the crash course certificate holders and regularizing the daily wagers in Irrigation and R&B departments why it is not conceding the genuine demand of unemployed engineers and technocrats.

Panthers demand salary for SPOs, VDCs

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: Chairman J&K National Panthers Party, Prof Bhim Singh today demanded release of salaries of Village Defence Committee workers and SPOs who have not been paid for last six months.

Prof Bhim Singh was speaking in a party rally at Kishtwar which was held in connection with the silver jubilee celebrations. While addressing the gathering, Prof Bhim demanded three assembly seats for Kishtwar including each for Paddar, Marwah-Dachhan and Chhatru-Kishtwar.

Meanwhile several delegations called on party chief and submitted the memorandum of demands during the street meetings in Doda, Prem Nagar, Thatri and Kishtwar.

Human Rights Watch reorganized

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: Human Rights Watch-a non governmental organization (NGO) was reorganized here today with Nazeer Ahmed Mir as its chief patron, AK Badyal as its chairman and Sayed GH Jaffri as its president.

Addressing a press conference here today, the executive members of the organization said that their main focus would be on all sort of human rights. They said that the organization will act as a watch dog and keep a vigil on human rights violations in the State.

Underlining agenda of the organization, they said that they will strive for tracing out the missing persons during the last eighteen years of the militancy, women empowerment, protection of women and children rights, check on female foeticide and providing shelter to destitutes.

Executive committee framed

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: J&K Excise and Taxation Ministerial Staff Association today reconstituted its executive committee in a meeting held here today.

During the meeting AR Rishi was elected as chairman whereas BL Khajuria as president, Birbal Sharma as senior vice president, Nazir Ahmed Bhat as vice president, Kuldeep Gupta as general secretary, Vijay Kumar Sharma as secretary, GR Paul as joint secretary, Rakesh Kohli as organizer, Harvinder Singh as cashier and Raj Kumar as publicity secretary.

During the meeting the newly constituted executive committee highlighted several demands including timely DPC meetings, rectification in recruitment rules, immediate creation of post for administrator officer/private secretaries and enactment of 25 percent to 50 percent promotion quota for class IV employees.

Dharna enters 125th day

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: The district Kishtwar unit of PHE Employees and Workers Association continued with its ongoing dharna which entered in 125th consecutive day. The members of association have been staging dharna in Divisional Commissioner's office in favour of their long pending demands.

As per the press handout protesting workers and their president Sajjad Kandoo have been demanding equal salary to employees in both the divisions, change of designation of helpers as per their nature of job, release of one and half day salary and regularization of workers who have completed seven years.

Kavinder Gupta assumes office

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and newly elected Mayor of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Kavinder Gupta today assumed the office.

Mr Gupta was taken in a car and scooter rally from Party Headquarters Kachi Chawni to Town Hall Jammu. The calvacade was also joined by a large number of BJP activists and supporters of Mr Gupta.

Those who accompanied the Mayor in the rally included BJP State president, Ashok Khajuria and Party MLA, Jugal Kishore Sharma. The rally passed through various bazars of Jammu.

Enroute the Mayor and BJP leaders were given a rousing reception by the people in various markets. The Association presidents of Parade, Raj Tilak Raod, Purani Mandi, Old Hospital Road, Raghunath Mandir and Hari Market greeted them.

At JMC complex the outgoing Mayor, Narinder Singh and Commissioner JMC, Vinod Sharma welcomed Kavinder Gupta and took him to his chair.

Addressing the Partymen Ashok Khajuria congratulated Kavinder Gupta for assuming the chair of Mayor for second time.

Ashok Khajuria appealed the people to be united and support the BJP in the ensuing elections as the Party is committed to provide justice to the Jammu and Ladakh regions which are facing constant neglect.

Speaking on the occasion, Kavinder Gupta said he is committed to overall development of Jammu and he will leave no stone unturned in making it a beautiful city. He however sought cooperation of all corporators in this noble task.

He also urged the State Government to be impartial in allocating funds to JMC so that the Corporation is able to take up the developmental works in hand and complete them well in time.

Other BJP leaders who spoke on the occasion included former MoS Defence and senior BJP leader, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta, former State chief and National Executive Member, Dr Nirmal Singh, vice president , Mrs Sureshtra Jamwal, general secretary, Shamsher Singh Manhas, Charan Jit Singh Khalsa, Yudhvir Sethi, Balbir Ram, Pramodh Kapahi, Shiv Kumar Gupta, Rajesh Gupta, Usha Choudhary and Karan Singh.

Free medical check up camp held at Bal Niketan

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: A day-long free dental and medical check-up camp was organized at Bal Niketan, Ved Mandir in Ambphalla, here today.

Anmol Dental Enterprises, Subash Nagar had organized the camp under the aegis of Baba Beerum Shah Charitable Trust, wherein 98 inmates of the niketan besides staff members were examined and treated.

Former Chief Minister and Member Parliament, Dr. Farooq Abdullah formally inaugurated the camp, after reaching here in the afternoon. Several other prominent people including NC legislators Devinder Singh Rana, Ajay Sadhotra and Mushtaq Bukhari were also present on the occasion.

Dr. Abdullah stayed there for quite some time and keenly observed the manner in which the treatment was being given in the camp. Later, he donated a sum of Rs. six lac, out of his constituency development fund, to camp organizers.

The trust is being run by its chairman, S R Datta and have already held five such camps. The trust also intends to organize such camps at Mendhar, Surankote, Nowshera, Nagrota and Manwal also.

PDP members join NC

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Mar 10: Ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) today suffered a blow ahead of elections as three of its top activists joined opposition National Conference.

The trio of Sadiq Ali, Sheikh Abdul Rehman and Ghulam Hussain Bhat, who had deserted National Conference to join PDP just before 2002 elections, rejoined their parent party at NC headquarters here.

While Sadiq Ali is a former Legislator, Sheikh was Srinagar district president Bhat, zonal president of PDP.

Senior National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah welcomed the trio into the party saying their rejoining would strengthen the organisation.

Sheikh Mastan visits Poonch, Rajouri

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: All India Youth Congress general secretary and incharge J&K affairs, Sheikh Mastan Wali has asked the youth cadre of the party to further strengthen the Party in the rural and semi-rural areas of the State.

Addressing Youth Congress workers meetings during visit to border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, Sheikh Mastan asked the block and district level office bearers of the Party to reach out to the people and carry the message of the Congress and highlight its achievement and performance.

AIYCC leader also distributed performance forms among the Party office bearers at the block and district levels and asked them to get the forms filled. He said that all the details of the youth leaders will be computerised and put on the internet so that Incharge Youth affairs of the Party Rahul Gandhi may get full detail of the party activities and performance throughout the country. He also referred to the major relief of Rs 1000 cr given to the farmers during this budget by the UPA Government.

During visit to Rajouri, Poonch and Mendhar, Sheikh Mastan was given warm reception by the Party activists. Shabir Khan vice chairman Pahari Board received Mr Mastan at Rajouri while District Working president DYC at Poonch Jehangir Mir MLA, Zaffar Ullah Dist chief PYC, accorded warm reception at Poonch town.

AISF frames committee at VIT College

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: The VIT College unit of All India Students Federation (AISF) today held its general body meeting in the college premises under the chairmanship of State general secretary, Com Raiz Atish.

On the occasion, a 14-member committee for college was also constituted. Those included in the committee were Naveen Thakur as president, Riaz Ahmed as secretary, Shahnawaz and Eshant as vice presidents, Sajad Khan and Sunil Pandita as joint secretaries and Neeraj Parihar as cashier.

The other members of the committee were Sunil, Naresh, Sahil, Govind, Kasleem and Ishtiaq.

Addressing the meeting, Atish asked committee members to work with dedication for the students’ cause and extended full support on the behalf of State committee.

Shiv Sena criticizes Govt for placing
SHO under suspension

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: Shiv Sena State Unit Office bearers in a meeting here today held under the chairmanship of its president Rajesh Gupta has criticized the State Government for placing SHO Bagh-e-Bahu Police Station, Shakti Sharma under suspension.

The meeting said the SHO had taken a very good initiative to prevent the illegal transportation of bovine animals since her posting there.

The meeting said that during her tenure Ms Sharma has many seizures of bovine animals to her credit.

It also expressed grave concern over increasing smuggling of bovine animals by the criminals inhabiting in outskirts of Jammu.

Mr Gupta termed the suspension of SHO a biased decision on the part of Government. It said it appears that Government wants to appease the criminals instead of promoting honest and committed police officer.

The Sena has demanded immediate revocation of suspension order and ban on transportation of bovine animals from Jammu to Kashmir.

Those who attended the meeting included Rakesh Gupta, Sanjay Mahay, Kuldeep

Luthra, Raj Kumar Grover, Hardev Sharma, Rajinder Gupta, Ashwani Gandotra, Ashwani Gupta and Ajay Khajuria.

3 Army jawans injured in accidental blast

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: Three Army personnel were injured in an accident explosion of a flame thrower at Sunjwan Army camp last night.

Injured Army jawans have been identified as Sepoy Cherry, Lance Naik Ravi Shanker and Havildar P L Lokesh.

Report said the flame thrower went off during cleaning by the Army jawans.

Injured soldiers have been admitted in Military Hospital, Satwari.

2 killed, 19 injured in road accidents

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: Two persons were killed while at least 19 others injured in two separate road accidents near Akhnoor and Billawar area today.

A police spokesman said that a mini-bus No. 8862/JK08 skidded off the road near Thara Kalwal in tehsil Billawar today. While 20 year old Bhushan Kumar, son of Yog Raj was killed while being shifted to hospital fourteen other injured were shifted to Billawar hospital. Out of the total injured, six were further referred to GMC hospital, Jammu.

In yet another road accident at Tarha near Akhnoor last night, a member of the marriage party was killed and five others were injured. The mishap took place at around 12.30 am when the marriage party was returning to Reasi from Akhnoor town.

The deceased identified as Anand Swaroop Pandoh, president Hindu Sabha, Reasi was declared dead in Akhnoor hospital. He had sustained serious head injury. The other injured Baratis were also provided first aid at Sub District hospital Akhnoor. The body of Mr Pandoh, a prominent citizen was shifted to Reasi town today morning and cremated this afternoon.

Municipal employees stage demonstration

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: The employees and workers of Jammu Municipal Corporation today staged a demonstration in the JMC complex in support of their various demands.

The demonstration was organised by Federation of Municipal Employees and Trade Unions an affiliate wing of J&K Trade Union Congress (JKTUC).

It was led by Devanand Giri, chairman of the Federation.

The agitating employees while raising slogans in support of their demands urged the authorities to settle all their genuine demands immediately.

Addressing the demonstrators the leaders of the Federation accused the management for its total failure in settling the genuine demands of the employees which forced them to resort to the agitational path.

They warned to intensify the agitation in case the demands were not settled in a stipulated time frame. They alleged that authorities were adopting the avoiding tactics which will not be acceptable to them now.

The Federation is demanding two and half days extra pay, release of salaries and other benefits and holding of DPC.

Others who addressed the demonstration included Rajiv Kumar,Atar Singh,Stefin Gill and Anoop Sharma.

Hurriyat leader released on bail

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Mar 10: Senior Hurriyat leader and Chairman Jammu Kashmir People’s League Sheikh Abdul Aziz was today released on bail by TADA court. Hurriyat Conference has expressed satisfaction over his immediate release and demanded that all other detainees should also be released.

The APHC has also appealed to Human Rights organisations particularly Asia Watch, ICRC, Red Cross etc to look into the matter and force the Government to ensure early release of all the detainees.

NPM holds meeting

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: National Peace Movement (NPM), ASKPC Youth Wing and Migrant Welfare Association in a joint meeting here , today criticized the Human Rights activist from Pakistan Asma Jahangir for not visiting the camps of displaced Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu who are the main victims of the Pakistan sponsored terrorism.

The meeting, which was chaired by M K Koul, chairman NPM said that the visit as a part of campaign launched by both Union and state governments to suppress the burning demands of the displaced Pandits.

It said mere gaining the goodwill of the majority community by her visit to Valley is nothing except to encourage the anti national elements and demoralize the security forces who are fighting a proxy war and militancy under strict restrictions.

While hailing the role of security forces, the meeting said that thousands of jawans laid down their lives for protecting the Indian territory.Mr Koul also urged the KP organizations to come on a single platform to launch a decisive movement for their rights.

YWAIKS warns to resume agitation

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: Youth Wing All India Kashmiri Samaj (YWAIKS) in a meeting here, today held under the chairmanship of its president, R K Bhat has expressed grave resentment on the stoic silence maintained by the Government on the demands of the displaced Pandits in general and bifurcated ration card holders in particular.

As per a release, the meeting said that till date no decision was taken regarding the assurance given to the hunger strikers. It said despite the assurance given by the Political Advisor to Chief Minister that demand will be fulfilled within one month, nothing was done till date in this regard.

The meeting , while criticizing the Government said it is making the commitments without giving a practicle shape to them. It alleged that the displaced KP youth who have been denied the employment are the worst sufferers as they have no source of livelihood to feed themselves.

The meeting warned that in case the Government failed to issue the orders regarding release of relief in favour of bifurcated ration card holders the YWAIKS will be forced to resume the agitation.