Daily Excelsior.........State

RAJOURI/JAMMU, Mar 18: The students of the Government Degree College, Rajouri today were elated to see Ghulam Nabi Azad amongst them when they were celebrating the annual day.

The Chief Minister, accompanied by the Minister for Higher Education, Gulchain Singh Charak, arrived in the college after addressing a public meeting at a hitherto unconnected village of Peeri. Minister of State for Industries & Commerce, Dr. Ramesh Chander, Member of Parliament, Madan Lal Sharma and Vice-Chairman, Pahari Advisory Board, Shabir Ahmad Khan were also present.

On his return from Rajouri, the Chief Minister also attended the annual day function of Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar.

Addressing colourful functions at the two colleges, the Chief Minister asked the students to prepare themselves for leading the State and the country to a bright future. He said it was very important for them to understand their potential at the young age and channelise it towards the right direction. Nothing, he said, could be a better direction than nation building. He said today’s students were luckier than their predecessors in so far as the world had opened up for them to prove their mettle. He said this luxury was not available in older times when opportunities were fewer. He, however, cautioned them that with increasing opportunities the challenges to compete were also greater.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the importance of character building and the need for strengthening moral values in the society and asked the youth to take upon themselves this onerous responsibility. He said side by side with academic excellence, the youth should also find time to address evils and work towards making the society a clean stream. He also called upon them to devote time for sports and other extra-curricular activities, saying a sound body was necessary for a sound mind.

Mr. Azad also talked about tensions and frictions in the society and the growing intolerance of people towards each other and said that the youth should come forward and convert these negative feelings into a positive force for the development of the State. He said ideals of secularism and communal harmony needed to be strengthened.

The Chief Minister gave away prizes to students of the two colleges for excellence in academics and extra-curricular activities. The principals of the colleges, Prof Abdul Razaq Khan and Prof. Veena Gupta were also present, besides the Director Colleges N D Wani.

Lively cultural programmes were presented by the students of the two colleges.

In his address, the Minister for Higher Education, Gulchain Singh Charak dwelt on the expansion of education sector in the State during the past five years. Besides Gulchain Singh Charak and Madan Lal Sharma, the function at Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar was also attended by MLC, Ashok Sharma, Vice Chancellor, Jammu University, Amitabh Mattoo, Commissioner/Secretary Higher Education, Pramod Jain and principals of various colleges of Jammu.

Slaughter houses to be shifted within month: Mangat

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 18: Minister for Health and Medical Education today said that Government has decided to shift the slaughter houses from Dogra Hall and Gujjar Nagar besides fish market Gumat to outskirts of the city.

Mr Sharma said that this will meet long pending demand of city people especially the residents of Dogra hall, Gujjar Nagar and Gumat.

Health Minister said that he raised this vital issue with the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad during a meeting held to review arrangements of Jammu festival. MLA Jammu East Yogesh Sawhney also advocated this long pending demand of the people during the meeting.

He said Chief Minister issued the instructions to the concerned authorities for initiating necessary steps in this regard in consequence of which these slaughter houses besides fish market would be shifted outside the city within a period of one month.

He said these slaughter houses and fish market had negative impacts on the surrounding environment as well as on tourist inflow from outside of the State.

Mr Sharma said that all necessary steps would be taken to maintain a pollution free and un-hazardous atmosphere in the city.

15 employees resume duty in Srinagar
SRTC workers from Jammu region call off strike

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 18: Workers and employees of State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) from Jammu division have called off their strike.

In a joint press conference, Managing Director of the SRTC Manzoor Ahmed Lone and general secretary of the SRTC Employees Union Pawan Kumar Sharma and Dev Raj Bali announced the decision to call off strike which was going on for the last about four weeks now.

It was disclosed at the conference that Ashok Mehra, who is still in police custody has given his written consent to call off the strike. Three leaders including Mr Mehra, S A Kuchey and Mohd Amin were still in custody. They are likely to be released by tomorrow.

Announcing the decision, Mr Pawan said that all the buses and other vehicles of the SRTC would operate from Jammu destination and other district headquarters in the region from tomorrow onwards. He admitted that there was no justification to continue strike following acceptance of all the genuine demands of the Corporation employees by the Government.

Managing Director, Mr Lone said that after meeting some leaders of the SRTC Workers Union of Jammu region including Pawan Kumar Sharma, Dev Raj Bali, Barkat Singh, Mohan Singh, Surinder Singh, Paras Ram, Darshan Lal and others, a decision was taken to call off strike. He said 200 workers are said to have joined duty by today while 120 resumed on Monday. He said fifteen employees in Srinagar also resumed duty in Srinagar today.

Meanwhile, another group of members from J&K SRTC Workers Union has refuted the claim of calling off strike by the workers. Paramjit Singh and Deedar Singh spokespersons of the Union said that Pawan Kumar self styled president has been expelled from the Union. Moreover, Shakeel Ahmed Kuchey Chairman and president Ashok Mehra were still arrested and they were opposed to the announcement. They said strike will continue. The Union leaders condemned the action of MD for creating a wedge among the employees and a situation of confusion.

Kundal for capacity building to deal calamities

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 18: Multi-pronged strategy has been evolved to tackle disasters effectively in the State at a high level meeting of State Executive Committee of Disaster Management, chaired by the Chief Secretary B. R. Kundal here today.

The meeting constituted two committees to be headed by respective Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu for identifying quake ir-resistant structure. The committee will engage the services of expert engineers trained in structural and architectural designs who would suggest measures to retrofit existing structures and make them quake resistant.

Housing and Urban Development Department was also directed to prepare bylaws in consonance with safety norms to resist the shocks of tremor so as to ensure minimum collateral losses during the disasters.

Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda, who was also present in the meeting was asked to spare the services of two battalions equipped and trained to tackle challenges of disaster.

Chief Secretary stressed on training and capacity building of professionals handling calamities. He said that alongwith those involved for post disaster situations the common people be also imparted necessary training for ensure community participation for tackling.

He called for launching mass awareness campaign involving youths, schools, NGOs and religious leaders regarding preventive measures to be taken during earthquake. He said services of local cable and FM radio be also taken for the purpose.

Mr Kundal asked to encourage and educate people in general to ensure upgrading of the safety of buildings in the public sector by retrofitting techniques to follow safety norms in future constructions.

He also exhorted the people to learn anti-disaster techniques and mechanism to help in reducing loss of life and property.

Among others, Financial Commissioner Home S. S. Kapoor, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mehboob Iqbal, Commissioner/Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department, Nasima Lankar, Secretary R&B Shalindera Kumar, Secretary Health K. B. Jandial, Secretary Revenue Mohammad Samoon and project coordinator, UNDP, Amir Ali attended the meeting.

Kashmiri students have greater role
in repairing social structure: IGP

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Mar 18: Inspector General of Police Kashmir, Shiv Murari Sahai has said that frisking and checking has become unavoidable although it sometimes creates some inconvenience to the general public.

He was speaking at the valedictory function of the programme titled "Youth in Decision making" organised by AICURD, sponsored by Fridrick Ebert Spiftunig in collaboration with DSW Kashmir University at Gandhi Bhawan, today.

He said that the violent attacks caused by hurling of Grenades and blasts are minimised by regular checking and frisking, adding that there has been considerable improvement in the security situation in Kashmir in general and Srinagar city in particular.

Because of frisking and vehicle checking in the business hubs and business centres of city, there has been 75 Percent decrease in the grenade attacks while civilian killings have been brought down by 85 percent in Srinagar, he added.

He stated that there has been one car blast in past six months in Srinagar and such results of high standards have been possible only because of this feature of Police although it has caused some inconvenience to the people.

IGP stated that in past Srinagar city used to witness scores of violent incidents in a day but today we not only have incident free days but months altogether.

He said that such stringent features of frisking and checking will ease with further improvement in the situation.

During his lively interaction with the students, IGP said that Kashmir Police is doing its bid to see that no innocent Kashmiri student or civilian is prosecuted in other states of the country,.

He revealed that whenever any Kashmiri is detained by the Police outside, our officers and department quickly try to contact the Police establishment of that state so as to see that no innocent person is harassed.

In an answer to another question he said that Kashmiri students have a greater responsibility in repairing the damaged social structure in Kashmir.

Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University, Professor Reyaz Punjabi on the occasion said that Police and University students will have regular interactions in future.

He said that Senior Police officers as well as other ranks of the Police department will be regularly invited to Kashmir University to take part in such programmes.

Youth murdered by 3 brothers in Surankot

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Mar 18: Over a land dispute, a youth was murdered by three members of the rival family at village Harhi in Surankot tehsil of Poonch district this morning.

The deceased has been identified as Mohd Sharief (27), son of Mohd Hussain, resident of village Harhi. The incident took place at around 10 a m when the Sharief, belonging to a poor family was working along with some local labourers in his fields and raising the structure of a kutcha room. There was some altercation between Sharief and family members of his neighbourer Allah Din, who objected the construction.

The police said there was an old land dispute between the two families of Mohd Hussain and Allah Din. There was some scuffle between Sharief and members of rival family. Three sons of Allah Din, namely- Jalal Din, Hasan Din and Talib Hussain allegedly attacked Mohd Sharief with sharp edged weapons. The victim received serious head injuries and multiple stab wounds on his body and fell down on the ground. The accused escaped from the spot, sensing that Sharief was dead and they will be in trouble if police arrived.

Injured Sharief was immediately shifted to Surankot hospital where doctors declared him as dead. SHO Surankot, Ch Mohd Aslam after coming to know about the incident reached the village with some police force. Some of the family members were there but the three accused brothers were absconding. It has been learnt from the villagers that Sharief whose father died two years back, was receiving threats from this family and he had in written informed the Surankot police about threat to his life. He had also alleged that this family was trying to grab their land.

A senior police official claimed that raids were being conducted by police at different suspected hideouts to nab accused persons. No arrest could be made till this evening. A case, FIR No. 14/ 2008, under section 302/147/148/109 RPC has been registered against the accused.

JURSEA holds dharna

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 18: The Jammu University Research Scholars Executive Association (JURSEA) today held a dharna in front of Administrative Block of the University in protest against the extensions to retired teachers.

Scholars from different departments lead by Vikas Sharma, JURSEA president were sitting on dharna, which lasted for over one hour. They were demanding blanket ban on the extension policy, as adopted by the University administration.

It was alleged that number of retired teachers were still occupying rooms in different departments and that too without any purpose. The scholars warned all such teachers to vacate their rooms at an earliest otherwise, they would lock their rooms.

AIKS delegation meets Soz

Excelsior Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Mar 18: A delegation of All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS) today called on president Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) and Union Minister of Water Resources, Prof. Saif-ud-din-Soz and discussed various problems of the displaced Kashmiri Pandits with him.

The delegation was led by M K Kaw, president, AIKS. While appreciating the concern over KP leadership on various issues Prof. Soz assured the delegation that he will personally take up each and every issue with the Chief Minister, Prime Minister and the chairperson of UPA.

The delegation demanded creation of special employment opportunities for unemployed KPs living in the Valley, extension of educational concessions to them at par with other displaced KPs, allotment of all flats constructed at Sheikhpora, Mattan and Kheer Bhavani to KPs living within the Valley, providing medical Insurance to all displaced KPs living within the Valley, sanction of financial grants out of CMs special fund for below poverty line KPs living in Valley for reconstruction of their dilapidated houses and meeting other day to day needs.

The meeting also discussed the issues pertaining to non camp displaced Kashmiri Pandits and issues pertaining to Pandits living in camps.

It demanded that special session of both Houses of Parliament and State Assembly be called to discuss the problem of Kashmiri Pandits, declaration of national policy on Kashmir by Government of India, setting up of a commission of inquiry to look into the causes that led to mass exodus of KPs and declaration of Constitutional guaranteed safeguards for KPs in Valley.

The other members of delegation included Vijay Kashkari, vice president ASKPC, Shiban Dudha, general secretary, AIKS, M K Kichloo, president Kashyap Sabha, Gurgaon, Puran Patwari, general secretary KSS, Faridabad and Rajinder Premi, secretary AIKS.

Premini Sinha visits Jagti, distributes uniforms

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 18: The First Lady, Premini Sinha today visited Jagti near Nagrota and distributed free uniforms to the students of the area sponsored by the Jammu and Kashmir Chapter of Association for Social Health in India.

Mrs Sinha lauded the efforts of ASHI and hoped that other non-governmental organisations will also emulate the spirit of helping deserving sections of the society, more particularly the girl children. She said women empowerment is imperative for healthy growth of the society.

The First Lady, who is also the Chairperson of ASHI, said that the organisation has been active in the area for the past two years.

Association for Social Health in India, Jammu and Kashmir Chapter has been working in the Panchayat Jagati for the past two years in partnership mode with the community to tackle variegated incidence of backwardness and for the empowerment of the women in particular. The association focuses on the key enabling factor of social capital development for the prosperity and well being of the society.

To promote enrollment in the area, ASHI has been providing supportive services to the schools in the form of uniforms, sports material, utensils for mid-day meal, durries etc. There has been a discernible improvement in the enrollment which has increased from 230 to 417 in two years. It was the second occasion in the last two years that uniforms were distributed to all the students.

On this occasion, the children of the area presented a cultural programme at Dhammi Middle School where Preeti Bhoj was also organized for the inmates.

The Patron of the ASHI Dr Ved Kumari Ghai, Vice President, Sushma Choudhry, Secretary, Prof Kailash Rajput and Joint Secretary, Seema Khajuria Shekhar were among the prominent members of the association who were accompanying the First Lady during her visit to Jagati.

JKGBC holds polls for Samba & Reasi distts

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 18: A meeting of Jammu & Kashmir Gujjars Bakerwal Conference was held at Samba under the chairmanship of Haji Saif Ali, joint secretary, while at Reasi the meeting was presided over by Haji Mohd Yaqub, acting president JKGBC.

At the meeting at Samba, Mohd Shafi was elected district president and Suleman as general secretary of Samba district. At Reasi meeting, Murad Ali was elected as district president Reasi and Qari Abdul Hameed as the general secretary.

The meetings were attended, among others, by Yousuf Majnoo, general secretary; Ghulam Rasool, organisor; Noor Ahmed Noor, provincial general secretary, Jammu; Qamar Din Parwana, general secretary; Siraj Din, district president, Udhampur and Salam Din Bajad , chief organisor.

Protest held for early release of Sarbjeet

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 18: A protest demonstration with black flags and anti-Pak slogans was held against the death sentence warrant in Pakistan to Sarbjeet Singh, an innocent resident of Punjab in India.

The demonstrationists led by Sunil Dimple, president, Jammu West Assembly Constituency Movement, urged the President of India Pratibha Devi Singh Patel and the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh for immediate intervention to save the life of Sarbjeet Singh and others languishing in various Pakistan jails.

They also appealed all the political parties including Congress, BJP and Left parties and Indian Government to use their good offices to get released Sarbjeet Singh and other Indian prisoners.

Mr Dimple said to ensure good neighbourly relations with India, Pakistan should save the life of Sarbjeet Singh and release all Indian prisoners languishing in Pak jails.

Mr Dimple said that sympathies of all Indians are with Sarbjeet Singh who is facing death sentence in Pakistan.

ST employees for removal of pay anomalies

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 18: A meeting of Sales Tax Employees Welfare Association was held under the chairmanship of Swatantar Bharat Bakshi at Sales Tax Check Post, Lakhanpur today.

The meeting urged the Government to remove pay anomalies of clerical cadre by placing Class IV employees in the grade of 3050-4910, Junior Assistants in the grade of 4000-6000, Senior Assistants in the pay scale of 4500- 7000, Head Assistants in the grade of 5500-9000 and junior scale steno on the similar grade.

Other demands voiced pertained to absorbing ousted employees; Holding of DPC of all categories upto the divisional cadre twice a year; Enhancement in retirement age to 60 years; Induction of Ministerial staff into executive cadre; Full pensionary benefits after 20 years as qualifying service, and Re-introduction of Mediclaim Policy.

The meeting also called for maintenance of G P Fund accounts in respective departments; creation of posts of Head Assistant, Section Officer, AO, Junior and senior Stenographers as also post of Private Secretary. It also called for filling up of vacant posts of orderlies and process servers, junior assistants, senior assistants, head assistants and section officers which have been lying vacant.

Besides SB Bakshi others present in the meeting included Sandesh Sharma, Tkahar Dass, Muklkh Raj, Joginder Singh, Bua Ditta, Gian Singh, Anjum Wazir, Surinder Sharma, Ashok Kumar, Ajay Kesri, Kewal Krishan, Parkash Singh and Saraj Din.

JU non-gazetted employees celebrate Annual Day

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 18: The Non Gazetted Employees Association (NGEA) of University of Jammu (JU) today celebrated its Annual Day function at General Zorawar Auditorium Complex.

Vice Chancellor, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo was the chief guest on the occasion, while Prof. B P S Sehgal, Dean Academic Affairs, teachers and officers of the university were also present.

In his address, the VC appreciated the working of class fourth employees of the university and assured redressal of their long pending demands. He also assured to regularize services of all those daily wagers who have been serving the university for past several years.

Earlier, Prof. Mattoo was felicitated by the association on being nominated for prestigious Padam Shri Award. He was presented with a shawl and a memento.

In his welcome address, Krishan Chand, NGEA president expressed gratitude towards the VC for acceding long pending demands of the class fourth employees, which included central university scale of 3050-4590 in their favour. He hoped that the remainder of their demands will also be addressed very shortly.

On the occasion, several cultural and other entertaining items were presented to mark the function. Later, all those who performed items were presented with a memento each.

PHE employees hold rally at Ramnagar

Excelsior Correspondent

RAMNAGAR, Mar 18: Water Works PHE Employees Association held a massive rally at Ramnagar under the chairmanship of Som Nath, district Udhampur president of PHEEA and INTUC.

Employees from far flung areas like Dudu, Basantgarh, Kulwanta, Majouri, Majalta, Mansar, Ghagote, Chowki Jandrore and other areas participated in the rally.

A procession was taken out from PHE Sub-Divisional Complex Ramnagar through the main streets of Ramnagar which culminated at Main Bazar Ramnagar.

District INTUC and PHEEA district Udhampur president Som Nath while addressing, highlighted various long pending genuine demands of the department employees and workers.

Som Nath alleged that discrimination with Jammu province PHE employees continue to persist as they were being paid at the rate of Rs 500 and above as compared to Rs 2100 being paid to their counterparts in Kashmir province.

Their other demands pertained to release of DA at the rate of 6% from January 2008; Release of full Essential Services benefit at the rate of two and half day extra salary; Change in the designation of workers as per nature of job being performed by them; Release of pending salary of all categories of personnel; Putting a blanket ban on back door appointments, which practice was still continuing; benefit of SRO 64 to concerned workers and holding of DPC meeting to fill up vacant posts at different levels.

Som Nath appealed the Government to concede all the legitimate demands of the PHE workers and employees. Prominent workers who spoke in the rally included Shiv Lal Pathania, Vijay Kumar, Subash Chander, Tilak Raj, Arjun Singh, Krishan Lal, Shiv Lal and Parth Singh.

National Trade Union holds sit-in

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 18: In support of several pending demands of State Government employees, Anganwari workers, education volunteers and daily wagers, J&K National Trade Union Front today held a protest Dharna in front of Divisional Commissioner's office. The Dharna was staged under the leadership of JKNTUF's state president, Commerade Mohammad Gafoor Dar.

The protesters were demanding immediate release of due DA installments from January 2008, enhancement in wages, change of designation of helpers, enhancement in retirement age, uniform wages, amendment in SRO 64 to regularize the services of employees engaged on contractual or adhoc basis and full computerization of GP Fund account of State Government employees to avoid inconvenience to the employees.

While addressing the gathering, Mr Dar criticized and condemned the State Government for lathi-charging the employees demanding their with-held salaries. He accused the Government of pursuing anti-working class policies.

Other senior leaders who spoke on the occassion were Commerade Gafoor Dar, Balbir Singh, Arun Moza, Krishan Singh, Hussain Malik, Muneer Hussain, Sehdev Singh and GR Geelani.

FONL flays Distt Development Commissioner’s comments

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 18: Forum of Lease Holders, Occupants of Nazool and Government Land (FONL) Joint Action Committee has criticized the District Development Commissioner Hardesh Kumar Singh for his reported warning to the lease holders, occupants of nazool and government lands for depositing the amounts failing which they shall face eviction.

In a press conference jointly addressed by FONL chairman Inderjeet Khajuria and president SS Pathania, the leaders attributed the attitude of DDC as highly unauthoritarian and undemocratic. "The case is already under consideration of Chief Minister and Cabinet Ministers" they said, adding that FONL has already filed a writ petition in J&K High Court against alleged arbitrary and illogical land rates fixation under much publicized Roshni Act.

"Therefore the reported statement of DDC Jammu is totally uncalled for and tantamount to overstepping his authority and jurisdiction" they maintained.

They further said that they had already paid the premium fixed at the time of land allotment and are regularly paying the rent as fixed at the time of allotment. They also alleged that the evaluation of lands at different locations has been done arbitrarily and a writ in this regard also lies pending with the High Court.

Work on attendants' sarai to be
completed ahead of scheduled date

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 18: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today formally laid the foundation stone of the multi-storey attendants' sarai adjacent to the Government Medical College Hospital here.

The work on 5-storey sarai, being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 3 crore, was started in November last year and would be completed two months ahead of the scheduled date of November 2008. The sarai would comprise 15 dormitories and facilitate a number of attendants of patients who visit the hospital from far-flung areas and do not have any place to stay in the winter capital.

Pertinent to recall, the Chief Minister has made it a policy to lay the foundation stone of development projects only after the scheme was properly sanctioned, money made available and work actually started on ground. This was being done with a view that once the work commenced on a project it was completed within a fixed time frame without hiccups so that benefits accrued to the people speedily.

An amount of Rs. 1.15 crore had been contributed by the MPs and legislators out of their MPLAD and CD Fund for construction of the sarai. They included MPs, Madan Lal Sharma and T. S. Bajwa who gave Rs. 15 lakh each while Rs. 5 lakh each were given by Tara Chand, Gulchain Singh Charak, Gharu Ram, Manjit Singh, Arvinder Singh, Suman Lata Bhagat, Ajay Sadhotra, Yogesh Sawhney, Jugal Kishore, Ashwani Kumar Sharma, Sham Lal Sharma, Bhim Singh, Praduman Singh, Amrit Malhotra, Lal Mohammad Sabir, Ved Prakash Gupta and Haji Mohammad Hussain.

The Chief Minister expressed concern over the inordinate delay in completion of the guest house building in the Government Medical College complex, the work on which had been started way back in 1997. He announced Rs. one crore for time bound completion of the guest house comprising 12 rooms and a dining hall. He assured that money would not be allowed to come in the way of speedier completion of infrastructure projects.

Prominent among those present on the occasion were Minister for Health and Medical Education, Mangat Ram Sharma, Minister for Higher Education, Gulchain Singh Charak, Deputy Chairman, Legislative Council, Arvinder Singh, MP, Madan Lal Sharma, legislators, Sham Lal Sharma, Lal Mohammad Sabir, Praduman Singh, Ashwani Kumar Sharma, Yogesh Sawhney and Suman Lata Bhagat, Chairman, Police Housing Corporation, Rajan Bakshi, Secretary, Health and Medical Education, K. B. Jandial, Principal, Government Medical College, Jammu, Dr. Rajinder Singh, senior officers, doctors and prominent citizens.

BSNL employees on hunger strike to press demands

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 18: BSNL Employees Union’s district body council members and staff are on hunger strike at the main gate of Telephone Exchange, Kachi Chowni to press for their demands.

On the directive of CHQ, the BSNL staff members are staging the protest in support of their five major demands.

The demands include: grant of five promotions to all non-executive employees, no discrimination between executives and non-executives, promotions with effect from October 1, 2004, ensuring SC/ST reservation and also fixation under FR 22(I)(A)(I)-minimum ten per cent of basic pay.

Hunger strike ended succesfully in a peaceful manner. Since the demands are genuine, BSNL higher administration has been urged to accept the same expeditiously, a release said.

Bhalla inaugurates upgraded Girls HSS Satwari

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 18: Saying that equipping the people of the State with basic amenities and other necessary infrastructure forms the priority of present Government, MLA Gandhinagar Raman Bhalla assured to provide adequate facilities to inhabitants by conceding their long pending demands.

The MLA was speaking at a function soon after inaugurating the upgraded Girls Higher Secondary School Satwari here today.

Apprising about the tremendous development registered in varied sectors during the short span of collation Government, Mr Bhalla said that besides equitable development of all regions working in every department has been smoothened to the utter satisfaction of general masses. He said due to continuous support and liberal finding by UPA Government, speedy execution of development projects has been possible in the State, which have been completed within timeframe.

He said that Girls HSS Satwari was upgraded as high school way back in 1971 and since no attention was given. He said about 10 high schools and 10 higher secondary schools besides 32 middle and primary schools have been upgraded in his constituency.

About 12 km transmission line has been replaced alongside Satwari onwards and strips of green patches have been developed alongside Ranbir Canal starting Satwari onwards, he added.

Mr Bhalla said that worn out, old transformers have been replaced with new ones besides upgrading others and there has been substantial improvement in power scenario.

Khajuria asks partymen to devote
more time towards organization

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 18: The State president, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Ashok Khajuria has urged the Partymen to devote more time towards the organizations.

Addressing a meeting of Partymen at Reasi today, he said BJP is not a political party but a mission working for strengthening the nationalist forces in the country and give a severe blow to those who are posing a threat to the unity and integrity of India.

He said the BJP activists have to reach each and every corner during the next five months to educate the people about the policies and programmes of the Party and expose the real face of coalition Government in the State.

Mr Khajuria said it is the duty of BJP activits to expose the present coalition Government for its anti people and pro militant policies.

He criticized the State Government for making repeated attempts to suppress the voice of the employees who have been agitating in democratic way in support of their genuine demands.

He said the Government is subjecting the nationalists to lathicharge and provide VVIP treatment and fool proof security to those who raise anti India and pro independence slogans.

The meeting was also addressed by BJP vice president, Chander Prakash Ganga, BJP senior leader Baldev Sharma, Reasi Municipal Committee councilors.

Non Camp migrants’ concern over
Govt’s apathy towards them

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 18: All Displaced Non Camp Welfare Union has shown its serious concern over the long and studied silence of Central and State Governments towards the problems of the displaced Kashmiri Pandits especially those living in non camp localities.

The majority of the displaced Kashmiri Pandits were not accommodated in the camps and forced to live in rented accommodations but the authorities at the helm of affairs failed to pay attention towards them over these years, said D N Kissu, chairman of the Union while talking to mediapersons along with Karan Choudhary, spokesman of the organization, G L Koul its chief advisor and Phoola Ji Bhat, president Women’s Wing.

Highlighting the problems, Mr Kissu demanded that non camp migrants living in rented accommodations be paid rent, the distress sale be declared null and void, employment package for community youth, sanctioning of loans for displaced industrialists and traders, compensation to orchardists, declaration of as displaced people and given minority status and restoration of KPs land grabbed by the anti-social elements in the Valley.

Expressing concern over the plight of non camp migrants who according to him constitute 87 percent of the uprooted KPs, Karan Choudhary said though some of them have constructed their two room sets after selling their property in the Valley on throw away prices by resorting to distress sale or have availed loans from the banks for this purpose, the Government has completely neglected them.

Criticizing the Government approach towards the migrant patients suffering from chronic diseases, Prof. G L Koul demanded that the medical embarrassment be paid immediately to deserving cases as many such patients have died for want of proper medical treatment.

He, however said that some steps have been taken by the present Relief Commissioner in this regard but the process should be intensified in view of the gravity of the situation. He demanded advance payments be made in case of serious patients.

Take necessary steps to give succor to
SSI units: PUC to Govt

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 18: The Committee on Public Undertakings (PUC) has directed the Department of Industries and Commerce to initiate necessary steps to provide succor to the local Small Scale Industrial units as has been envisaged in the State’s Industrial Policy.

Asserting that SSI units are badly suffering for the sustenance in absence of proper assistance from the Government, as their produces are not procured by the Government, as per the guidelines for their promotion. The department should ensure necessary assistance to these units, the Committee maintained.

The PUC that met here today under the chairmanship of MLA Yogesh Sawhney reviewed the overall functioning of various wings of Industries & Commerce Department and discussed CAG’s Report for the year 2005-06 pertaining to the department.

While briefing the Committee on the status of directions issued by the Committee in its previous meetings for improving the system, Chairman State Pollution Control Board Dr. C.M. Seth apprised about the steps taken for strict adherence of PCB norms by industrial units. It was informed that PCB authorities are making all out efforts to enforce the existing laws by all industrial units, adding that recently actions have been taken against the defaulters. The units, which were lacking the required parameters, are now in the process of procuring the necessary equipments. The Chairman, PCB assured that regular vigil would be maintained to check the menace of pollution caused by such industrial units.

MLA Sham Lal Sharma and R.S.Chib raised the issue of exorbitant rates of cement being charged by SICOP from the Government departments. They advocated that company should charge competitive rates from the Government departments with marginal commission. Thrust should also be laid on the purchase from local units as per the guidelines of industrial policy.

Those present in the meeting included legislators Raman Mattoo, Zahoor Ahmed Mir, Dr. Chaman Lal, Accountant General J&K Ms. Ghazala Meenai,Commissioner/Secretary Industries & Commerce Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Director Accounts & Treasureis I.A.Khanay, Managing Director SIDCO Irfan Yaseen, Managing Director SICOP B.S.Dua, Director Industries & Commerce Jammu Pradeep Gupta and other senior officers were present on the occasion.

Editorial Board of Shudhavidya constituted

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 18: The Editorial Board of the tri-lingual journal Shudhavidya brought out by Bhagavaan Gopinathji Trust was constituted in its meeting here, today.

Dr Bushan Lal Koul was appointed as the Chief Editor of the Magazine while Prof. Triloki Nath Kaul will be the Editor English and Sohan Krishen Khordi was appointed as Associate Editor English.

Dr Roshan Lal Aima will be Editor Hindi while Prof. C L Koul will be Associate Editor Hindi. P N Koul Sayil was appointed Editor Kashmiri while Pyare Hatash will be Associate Editor Kashmiri.

Besides there will be a Board of Advisors comprising of Prof. A N Dhar, Prof. P N Madhup, Mrs Bimla Raina.

Two workshops conclude at BOSE

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 18: Two-day workshops on "Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation" and "Development of Contents of Textbook on English Literature for Class 12th" being held at Academic Division, JK Board of School Education (BOSE), concluded here today.

Speaking on the conclusion of workshops, Prof Nissar Ahmed Ganai, BOSE chairman, thanked the participants and assured to incorporate their recommendations as well as suggestions while developing CCE document to be reprinted by BOSE.

He also said that recommendations of the experts on English Literature for class 12th will be given due weightage and put in the textbook. He informed participants that the board has made it a point to provide quality textbooks to the students of the State.

Also speaking, Dr. Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Director Academics sought the co-operation of all the experts in future as well to strengthen the academic process.

AMCCC demands employment
package for displaced youth

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 18: All Migrant Camp Coordination Committee (AMCCC) in a meeting today held under the chairmanship of Desh Rattan nominated C L Koul as the patron of the organisation.

It also nominated Anil Koul as vice president Youth Wing and Rajesh Dhar as unit president Mishriwala youth Wing. Kumar Ji was nominated as advisor and Suny Pandita and Sonu Khanna as organisor and coordinator respectively.

Addressing the meeting Vir Ji Belove chairman of the organization stressed on unity among the displaced Pandits. He said AMCCC is ready to render all co-operation to community leaders in case they come on a single platform for launching a united struggle.

Mr Belove, while criticizing the Government, alleged that it has no concrete policy on the rehabilitation of displaced Pandits.

He demanded immediate announcement of employment package for displaced youth, soft loans to those interested in setting up their business establishments and restoration of migrants property and religious places in the Valley.

Newly married girl dies at in-laws’ house

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 18: Mystery shrouds the death of a newly married girl at her in-laws’ house at village Nanan, under Kathua police jurisdiction this morning.

The victim, Savita, hailing from Budhi village in Kathua district, was married to a youth, Dev Raj of Nanan, hardly two months back. This morning, Savita was found dead in the house. The neighbourer came to know about the incident after the members of in-laws’ family started crying suddenly, saying that ‘Bahu’ had committed suicide.

The villagers turned suspicious and informed police about the incident. Kathua police party led by SHO shifted the body to District hospital for post-mortem. While male members of the family were absconding, the other three members have been rounded up for questioning by police. A case under section 174 CrPC has been registered in this connection. Dev Raj was already married and he had a child from first marriage. The family had not disclosed the status to the girl and this was reason behind the quarrel between the husband and wife.

SHRC takes notice of police brutality

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Mar 18: State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has taken suo moto notice of the Police brutality on a young orthopedic surgeon who had been mercilessly thrashed and left injured by SHO Khanyar near Gausiya Hospital in Khanyar area of Srinagar yesterday.

Acting Chairman of SHRC, Habeebullah Bhat, has today issued a notice to IGP Kashmir, S M Sahai, asking for a detailed report with respect to the manhandling of Dr Nazir Ahmed Wani by SHO Khanyar in Khanyar area. Local newspapers had published photographs of the injured doctor who alleged that the Police official deflated tyres of his parked car and thereafter roughed him up in full view of people.

While Medical Superintendent of SMHS Hospital has been directed to conduct Dr Wani's medical examination and submit a detailed report, IGP Kashmir has been asked to sum up all facts and produce the same before SHRC by or before April 2nd. Commission has also asked Dr Wani to file an affidavit with regard to facts involving SHO's attack on him.