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

JAMMU, Mar 25: The Minister for Higher and Technical Education, Gulchain Singh Charak today suggested a two-pronged strategy for promoting tourism in the State while addressing the valedictory ceremony of two-day UGC-SAP workshop on "Trans-Himalayan Tourism: Issues and Perspectives" organized by the Business School, University of Jammu (JU) in the campus.

He said, "Nation in general and State in particular is an exotic destination with numerous resources and suggested two pronged strategy for promotion of tourism i.e. to revive the tourism plagued by militancy and identification of unvisited and unexplored destinations".

He strongly emphasized the need for will and effort on the part of all the tourism stakeholders for the sustainable development of tourism. He, however, assured on behalf of Government to consider recommendations of the workshop while framing tourism policy.

He informed that over a dozen new tourist development authorities have been set up in various areas of the State with ample funds put at their disposal to develop the areas at par with developed Tourist Destinations, adding, "50 tourist villages is another step taken to expand the benefits of tourism industry out of the suburbs of traditional tourist spots".

Later, he distributed certificates and mementos among those who took part in the deliberations.

Prof BPS Sehgal, Dean Academic Affairs, who presided over the occasion, appreciated the efforts of the Faculty of Management Studies in organizing such a workshop. He said the topic of the workshop was of extreme importance for the State, as its economy largely depended on Tourism Industry. He also complemented ‘The Business School’ for achieving new heights under Vice Chancellor Prof. Amitabh Mattoo.

Earlier, Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, in her welcome address, focussed upon bridging the gap of demand and supply of the competent and professional human resources. She said, "Commitment and passion is the foremost requirement to create human capital in the tourism industry that will deliver value based services representing Indian culture and Tradition".

Prof. Deepak Raj Gupta, Director, Centre for Hospitality and Tourism Management, pointed out that corporate was becoming vibrant and willing to go to the end of the world for efficient human resource with the right tourism attitude.

Also speaking, Prof Keshav Sharma, Director, The Business School, said tourism has immense employment opportunities and such workshops would sensitize the students to contribute towards the growth of the industry. The programme concluded with the vote of thanks by Versha Mehta.

Earlier in the day, third technical session on "Tourism Impacts" was held. Prof Shashi Kant chaired the session, while Dr. C M Seth co-chaired. The key speakers of the session included Anil Mathur, D K Bhalla, Prof Neelu Rohmetra and Dr. Sameer Gupta.

Pandit Chaurasia recreates Vrindawan in JU

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 25: 'For a moment, a feeling of Vrindawan was in the air', an apt comment by Governor Lt. General (Retd) S K Sinha reflected the mood of General Zorawar Singh Auditorium this evening, on the accomplishment of a scintillating performance by Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia.

The flawless rendering on flute took off with Raag Madhuvanti that carried the listeners to celestial heights. Then he went on with his famous chants that are considered as auspicious during evenings. So engrossed was the classical music maestro that he said, time seems to have been stopped while performing in the Duggar land that is the birth place of his elder brother, yet another artist of repute, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma.

The Governor lauded the performance and congratulated Panditji for his classical Hindustani renderings. "This was a blend of honey and fragrance', he observed and said this is a great movement to have the great artist amid Jammu audience.

What could have been appropriate way of celebrating the first anniversary of Zorawar Singh Auditorium Complex, named after the great warrior and Dogra pride, than to have hosted the flute recital by the Living Legend of the Indian Classical Flute.

Lady Governor, Premini Sinha, Advisor to Chief Minister, Janak Raj Gupta, Vice Chancellor, Jammu University, Professor Amitabh Mattoo, his wife and Director General of Police, Kuldeep Khoda were among the galaxy of music lovers present on the occasion. The celebrations would be spread till 28th of this month.

About the Auditorium, the University Communique says, it is one of the first of its kind in North India. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that this four storied auditorium complex includes a high-tech auditorium with a capacity of more than 1500 in two halls, with separate stage for each, of a capacity of 1000 and 500. Art Gallery, photo gallery, exhibition halls, heritage museum, conference halls, TV studio, FM Radio Station, media centre, children's art studio and a cafeteria with a Parisian ambience.

General Sinha honoured the artists on the occasion while the programme started with lighting of lamp by the Governor and the Vice Chancellor among others.

Court awards 4 yrs RI to Railways storeman

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 25: Special Judge Anticorruption Kartar Singh today awarded 4 years rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs 10,000 to accused Tarsem Lal, storeman and vice president of Uttar Railways Mazdoor Union, who was caught red-handed by the CBI team on January 17, 2004 while accepting bribe of Rs 1000.

The trap was laid by CBI team on a complaint lodged by Ram Dayal, helper in the office of Deputy Chief Engineer (Doubling) Railway Construction, Jammu.

In the complaint, it was mentioned that the accused Tarsem Lal demanded an an illegal gratification of Rs 1000 from Ram Dayal for helping the latter in getting posting for field duty. The accused by using his Union status had managed to get the complainant posted thrice from Jammu to Vijaypur and back within a short span of 15 days when the complainant refused to pay the illegal gratification.

On the receipt of complaint, the CBI laid a trap and recovered the amount from the possession of the accused and after completion of the investigation presented the challan in the Court.

After hearing Senior Public Prosecutor S K Bhat appearing for the CBI and Advocate S M Choudhary appearing for the accused, Special Judge Anticorruption said that the prosecution has succeeded in proving that the accused Tarsem Lal being a public servant, demanded and accepted illegal gratification from the complainant in order to arrange his posting at a suitable place where there was monetary benefit and as such he is guilty of offence under Prevention of Corruption Act and 161 Section of RPC.

With these observations, the court acquitted the accused and sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of two years and fine of Rs 5000. The accused was further convicted under Section 161 RPC and sentenced him to undergo RI for a period of two years and fine of Rs 5000.

Both the sentences shall run concurrently, the Court clarified.

Dogri play ‘Kahani Ik Kuttey Di’ staged

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 25: On the third day of Natrang Film festival, Dogri play "Kahani Ik Kuttey Di", was staged here today.

Based on a Russian short story by Chekov, the play proved to be hard-hitting satire on the present socio-political system. The adoption of the play was rooted in the local soil of Jammu and its dramatic structure made it of much interest.

Natrang has been making efforts to showcase quality plays on social and political satires and today’s dramatic performance evoked much interest among the audience present in the Natrang studio.

The play " Kahani Ik Kuttey Di" resolves round a dog and corrupt police officer, who changes colours like chameleon, every time as the situation changes irrespective of right or wrong. The stage action starts with dog (central character) bites a pickpocket who approaches the police officer to help him to roundup the owner of the dog with an objective of obtaining hefty amount. The cop starts the search but in vain.

One passer-by hints that the dog may belong to local minister as a similar animal was seen wandering near minister’s bungalow. On getting this clue, the police officer starts beating the pickpocket for teasing a respectable dog. His plea was a dog of a minister can not bite unless forced to do so. Another man from the crowd opines that the minister cannot keep such a poor dog. On this the dog is thrashed and the search continues for the owner to enable pickpocket to claim compensation.

The beating of dog is carried on till a servant of the minister appears on the scene and observes that this dog is minister’s brother’s pet who is visiting from Delhi. Here the dog is escorted back home with full official protocol.

While it was directed by Balwant Thakur, the acting of Mohit Sharma, Rohit Verma, Gaurav Jamwal as police officers and Rahul Singh as pickpocket was praiseworthy.

Badam Wa’er blooms again
Azad inaugurates Srinagar’s re-created
famous leisure spot

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Mar 25: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today presented a matchless gift to the people of Srinagar when he dedicated to them a redeveloped Badam Wa’er (almond alcove), the principal springtime leisure spot at the foot of the Hari Parbat hillock in the old city.

The re-creation of the Badam Wa’er revived pleasant memories of people, especially of the older generation, who knew the place as an explicit statement about the end of a long, harsh and suffocating winter in Kashmir.

For centuries, the almond blossoms here had been the focal point of recreation for the local people. Families with samovars of boiling salt tea and eatables would flock the place with the onset of the annual bloom while vendors made good earning from a stream of visitors. In the olden days, a visit to Badam Wa’er was the only major recreation available to the city dwellers after the snows had melted and temperature warmed up in the Valley. The tradition passed on to the succeeding generations.

However, as the garden suffered neglect and dilapidation and Badam Wa’er festival started fading out of the people’s memory, the present Government decided to revive its glory and restore to the people their rich cultural heritage.

The J&K Bank was assigned the task to recreate the magnificence of the Badam Wa’er. The Bank, under its heritage preservation initiative, restored the old Bagh-i-Waris Khan and re-established the lost aura of the Badam Wa’er

The guiding force behind the pleasant changeover, the Chief Minister, at a colourful function this evening, unveiled the plaque to announce the inauguration of the fabulous garden. The function was also attended by Shamim Azad, Deputy Chief Minister, Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Chairman, J&K Bank, Dr. Haseeb Drabu and a large number of people from a cross section of the society.

Later, Mr. Azad and other guests walked around the Badam Wa’er to have a feel of the bewitching environs. A cultural programme, comprising musical concert by local artistes and a humorous skit, was also organised.

The restoration work was taken up in December 2006 and completed in a record time of 15 months. The garden is spread over an area of 300 kanals. Elements of traditional Kashmiri landscaping and architecture have been retained with the façade of the garden replicating the historical gate, Kathi Darwaza, of the Nagar wall raised by Mughal ruler, Akbar, around the hillock including the Badam Wa’er. Seven flower enclosures have been developed in the garden to let the Badam Wa’er bloom throughout the year.

As an added attraction, 1 km long joggers’ track has also been built on the peripheries of the garden.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the Badam Wa’er was a strong symbol of rich heritage of Kashmir and stressed on its upkeep and asked people to take advantage of the revived facility.

HC decides controversy over age limit
for appointment of POs

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 25: Deciding 26 writ petitions challenging the age limit for the appointment of Prosecuting Officers prescribed in the advertisement notice issued by the Director General of Police, Justice Y P Nargotra of State High Court today directed that the candidates including the petitioners who are within the age limit prescribed by Article 37 of CSR (35 years for general category) be allowed to participate in the selection process.

If the applications of such candidates have not been entertained, the selection agency shall notify a date within which they may submit their application forms so as to provide them an opportunity to offer their candidature for their selection, the Court further directed.

After hearing battery of lawyers appearing for the petitioners and AAG BS Salathia appearing for the State respondents, Justice Nargotra referred the Article 37 in respect of direct recruits to Government service in all the Subordinate and Gazetted services and said " age eligibility stipulation in the advertisement notice is not in consonance with the age prescribed under Article 37 of CSR, therefore, the same is not legally sustainable".

With these observations, the Court quashed the age stipulation of the impugned advertisement notice and directed the respondents to allow the candidates who are within the age limit prescribed under Article 37 of CSR.

Increase remunerations of SPOs, Home Guards: EC

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Mar 25 : Lauding the role of Jammu and Kashmir Police for tackling militancy and bringing the situation towards normalcy, the Estimates Committee of Legislative Assembly has showered all praises for the State Police and directed the authorities to take all necessary measures for their welfare.

The Estimates Committee that met here today with MLA Ghulam Hassan Khan in chair reviewed the overall functioning of various wings of Home Department and suggested certain measures for further improvement.

While discussing the plight of SPOs and Home Guards, the Committee said that their work has also remained praiseworthy during the period of militancy but they are not paid adequately. The Committee suggested the authorities to increase their remunerations so that they could devote more seriousness in their profession.

The Committee also suggested for a fresh review of allotment of government vehicles to all protected persons and initiate action for withdrawal of facilities from non-deserving persons. Only those people should be provided security vehicles who are facing serious threat perceptions as per changed scenario, the Committee asserted.

Expressing concern over alarming situation of traffic management in the State, the Committee directed the authorities to frame a well-knit policy for traffic regulation in view of the prevailing scenario. The Committee stressed special attention for two capital cities namely Jammu and Srinagar and National Highway which are facing heavy rush of traffic.

The Committee also asked for evolving more transparency in Police Welfare Funds and safeguarding the service interests of cops. To remove the stagnation in some wings of Police, the Committee asked for amending the rules so that all wings grow equally, keeping in view their services conditions.

Financial Commissioner Home, S.S.Kapoor, DGP Kuldeep Khoda and DG Prisons R. Tickoo briefed the Committee about various steps taken for improvement in different wings of Police.

Those present in the meeting included, legislators Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Sofi, Shanti Devi, Ashwani Sharma, Mir Saifullah, Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, Sharif-ud-Din Shariq, DG Fire and Emergency Services Dr. G.A.Bhat, IGP HQs P.L.Gupta, IGP Jammu K.Rajendra, IGP Security Ashok Gupta, Director Sainik Welfare Board Brig. (Retd.) K.S.Kotwal and other officers of Home Department and Assembly Secretariat.

Misappropriation of ration worth Rs 13 lakh
Challan produced against CAPD storekeepers, dealers

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 25: Crime Branch today produced challan against five officials and dealers of the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department (CAPD).

An official spokesman said that on August 2, 2006 it was reliably learnt at Police Station Thathri that dealers of CAPD Department were selling ration of the Department to the private shop keepers of Prem Nagar area in connivance with the local employees of CAPD and causing huge loss to the State exchequer.

Subsequently, a case was registered and investigation started during which Thathri Police alongwith Tehsildar visited Prem Nagar where a truck bearing registration number JK02A-955 loaded with wheat bags of CAPD Department was being unloaded at a private shop illegally.

Moreover, huge quantity of rice and sugar of CAPD store was also found dumped illegally at Thathri which was seized by the police in the presence of Executive Magistrate.

Later, the investigation of the case was transferred to Crime Branch Jammu for detailed probe during which the connected records of store keepers were seized and examined through FSL.

The statements of prosecution witnesses were recorded and the physical verification of concerned store was also conducted.

The investigation conducted by Crime Branch revealed that the CAPD dealers in connivance with storekeepers of the Department were collecting monthly ration quota of various categories from the CAPD stores for distribution to the concerned rationees of the respective areas. However, instead of distributing the same to genuine people, the ration was being sold to the private shopkeepers on exorbitant rates.

By way of this illegal practice, the accused officials and dealers had caused a loss of Rs 13 lakh to the State exchequer and deprived the needy people of the ration.

As the prima facie case was established against five persons, the Crime Branch has produced challan in the court of law for judicial determination.

The accused have been identified as Bharat Bhushan, son of Girdhari Lal Sharma of Prem Nagar, Hari Ram, son of Dina Nath of Thathri, Nayamat Ali, son of Mohamdu Bhat of Mahala, Vinay Kumar, son of Dhuni Chand of Hirarni and Tarseem Lal, son of Sukh Ram of Shiva Nagar, Kathua.

Performing arts in the times of Jehad

By Ravinder Kaul

It was a rude shock. When curiosity took us to sneak into one of the auditoriums in the Alhamra Arts Council Complex in Lahore in the year 2005 to watch a play being performed there, the contents of the play simply flabbergasted us. Not that we in India are not exposed to such performances. Erstwhile Sapru House plays like ‘Charhi Jawani Buddhe Nu’ and Dada Kondke films have conditioned our minds to such performances. Yet, none among us could have ever imagined that plays with such double meaning dialogues and vulgar mannerisms could be staged in the heart of an Islamic Pakistan and that too in the same Complex where a prestigious International Theatre Festival was being organised at the same time.

The reason for the silence of theatre fraternity of Pakistan over this dichotomy was revealed here today by Madeeha Gauhar, who, alongwith her writer, director husband Shahid Nadeem, has kept the flame of serious theatre burning in Pakistan despite adverse circumstances. She was speaking in ‘Meet the Personality’ programme organised by J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages here today. What she said is a defining statement about the dilemmas faced by the practitioners of performing arts in the times of Jehad. "If we object to such performances, we would be seen as identifying with the Mullahs and the Jehadis", she said. "We would rather prefer to have such performances to continue than seek to ban them and make a common cause with the fanatics", she added. They were trying, though, that such performances are not allowed to be held in Alhamra and other such prestigious venues, she said.

With this statement Madeeha Gauhar summed up the situation of performing arts in Pakistan. The fact that her group Ajoka Theatre has consistently waged a struggle with the authorities for retaining their artistic freedom speaks volumes about the courage and perseverance skills of Ajoka Theatre.

She particularly lamented the fact that their group has not been able to perform their play ‘Dukh Dariya’ in J&K State. The play is based on the true life story of a Pakistani woman who was arrested for illegally crossing over the line of control. She was imprisoned in a jail in Poonch, where she was subjected to rape, resulting in the birth of a child who was not allowed by the Pakistani authorities to enter Pakistan once her prison term ended. That such a touching tale of human misery was not allowed to be staged in the State, to which the story is actually related, is what pains her, she said. She expressed the hope that the the civil society and the artiste fraternity of the State will pressurize the authorities to allow the performance of this play in J&K.

Madeeha Gauhar also narrated the troubles faced by her group when it performed the play ‘Burqavaganza’, a satire exposing the religious obscurantism of the Mullahs. The problems faced by the play and the circumstances leading to its rebirth as ‘Hasina Ki Kahani’ were narrated by Madeeha in detail.

She hoped that the policy of ‘enlightened moderation’ followed by General Pervez Musharraf would continue in the changed political scenario of her country and that theatre and all other performing arts would prosper in Pakistan in the times to come.

One hopes that the small artistic house, tucked away in the backlanes of the Cantonment area of Lahore, will continue to remain the hub of bold artistic initiatives in Pakistan. The house from where Shahid Nadeem and Madeeha Gauhar operate and which holds the key to the struggle for artistic expression in Pakistan, a place where we once had one of the most refreshing cups of tea ever.

Qarra expresses displeasure over functioning of LAWDA

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 25: Minister for Finance, Urban and Housing Development Tariq Hamid Qarra has expressed displeasure over the functioning of Lakes and Waterways Development Authority for executing various projects aimed to conserve the world famous Dal Lake at snails pace.

He directed the officers of the authority either to develop motivation power for revamping the system of working or face dire consequences upon non-performance. He also ordered for repatriating the officials deputed to the authority to their parent departments.

The Minister was chairing the 17th Board of Directors meeting of Jammu and Kashmir Lakes and Water Ways Development Authority at a high level meeting here today.

Principal Secretary Planning Iqbal Khanday, Commissioner Secretary Forests Madhov Lal, Commissioner Secrtary Finance B. B. Vyas, Secretary Housing Naseema Lankar, Vice Chairman LAWDA Mir Naseem besides other officers attended the meeting.

The meeting was informed that sewerage treatment plants one each at Brari Nambal and Nalla Amirkhan would be constructed for containing the sewerage falling in catchments areas of the Lake.

It was also discussed that for speeding up the de-weeding process modern machines would be procured very soon to make the water clean. The parliamentary committee which surveyed the lake recently has suggested for using modern technology to contain the excrete coming out from houseboats by using floating disposal system.

The meeting was told that 1000 kanals of land at Rakh-Arth, Budgam was being developed to rehabilitate the Dal dwellers. It was also decided to remove the encroachments made by the certain unscrupulous people.

The meeting also discussed the ways to provide basic amenities to the housing colonies where people have been rehabilitated.

The Minister was dismayed with the research wing of LAWDA which has not so far presented any mechanism to arrest the growth of Azola from the Lake. He asked the authority to avail the assistance of research wings of different universities of the State so that timely research is done to contain the menace.

2 killed, 10 injured in Bandipora accident

Excelsior Correspondent

Bandipora, Mar 25 : Two persons were killed and 10 others injured, one of them critically, when Sopore bound Quilmuqam Bandipora bus met with an accident at Paribal 10 kilometers away from Bandipora this morning.

The two persons Mohammad Maqbool Chopan son of Abdul Khaliq Chopan R/o Malangam Bandipora and Abdul Majeed Palla S/o Haji Ghulam Mohammad Palla R/o Munji Sopore died on spot. The seriously injured Tahira Bano D/o Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din R/o Quilmuqam, Bandipora has been referred to SKIMS for treatment while other injured were hospitalized in Sub-district hospital Bandipora and are reported to be out of danger.

Senior officers of district administration Bandipora led by Deputy Commissioner, soon after receiving the news about the accident, rushed to the spot alongwith a team of medicos and para-medics to supervise the rescue and relief operations and provide immediate first aid to the injured commuters.

Mir seeks people’s support for formation of Third Front

Excelsior Correspondent

ANANTNAG, Mar 25: To give a practical shape to formation of Third Front in the State, the Minister and expelled People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Ghulam Hassan Mir held series of meetings in various places of Kashmir Valley and interacted with cross section of people to elicite their opinion for the same.

Mr Mir held public meetings at Tangmarg and Bureau in Budgam district and Hajan few days back, he addressed a public meeting at Qazigund in Devsar Assembly segment of south Kashmir district of Anantnag today.

The meeting at Qazigund was organised by Fallah Behbood Committee Devsar headed by Manzoor Ahmed Parrey.

Addressing the meeting, Mr Mir said the formation of Third Front in the State was imperative to fight against the policies of present coalition Government as well as Opposition National Conference (NC) which have failed to come upto the expectations of the masses.

He said the Front will launch a crusade against the dynastic rule , corruption and nepotism and it will work for the solution of the problems of unemployed youth who have over the years been exploited by the successive Governments.

He said the new Front will try to become a bridge between the India, Pakistan and separatists so that peace is restored in Kashmir valley as the hostilities between India and Pakistan are not in the interests of the people of the State.

Addressing the meeting Manzoor Ahmed Parrey said that the Fallah Behbood Committee was framed in the constituency to raise the voice against the coalition Government especially the PDP which failed to grant tehsil status to Qazigund as was recommended by Wazir Commission.

He said the Committee will also extend all support to Mr Mir in formation of Third Front which should emerge an alternative to present ruling dispensation in the state. He alleged the coalition Government betrayed the people of the area.

Rally of teachers, VECs taken out in Arnia

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 25: A rally of teachers, VEC members and prominent literary persons under Community Mobilization Programme for enrollment drive was taken out from GHSS Allah, Arnia zone, here this morning.

State Project Director, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), J L Bhagat was the chief guest on the occasion and he along with Chief Education Officer Jammu, S K Sharma flagged off the rally.

Over 450 persons took part in the rally, while SSA Consultant, H R Dubey, principals and Zonal Education Officers of the different zones were also present on the occasion.

Later, an interaction programme was held between SSA authorities and the community members on optimum use of recurring grants, utilization of funds under civil works and quality improvization of teaching-learning process.

While speaking, the CEO Jammu advised the teachers to work hard and bring all the children in the age group of 6-14 in the schools and provide them education of satisfactory quality.

Also speaking, the SSA Director assured the community members of timely assistance under SSA and also announced construction of primary school building to assist GHSS Arnia in delinking elementary classes.

JKVM flays Govt for delaying passage of
Shrines, Religious Places Bill

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 25: Jammu and Kashmir Vichar Manch (JKVM) in its meeting here , today held under the chairmanship of Ashok Kangan its president has expressed concern over the ostrich like posture of the secular dispensation presently ruling the state on the issues concerning the displaced Kashmiri Pandits.

The meeting, while criticizing the Government said the delay in passage of Kashmiri Hindus Religious Places and Temples Bill has hurt the sentiments of the community. It resolved that the Manch will create public opinion for the smooth and immediate passage of the Bill in the Assembly for safeguarding the centuries old religious places and shrines in Kashmir Valley.

Expressing concern over the growing unemployment among the KP youth, the meeting alleged that State Government’s stoic silence on the issue has generated a lot of resentment among the KPs.

It also cautioned the community members against the leaders of various political parties who are day in and day out approaching them for their vote and support in the ensuing elections and said these leaders and their parties remained mute spectators to the plight of the displaced people in last 18 years of their exile.

The meeting among others was addressed by Dr R L Bhat, H L Bhat, K L Dhar, Satish Kaul, Dr R K Bhat, M L Bhat, Chand Ji and R L Wazir.

Laws enacted by LS be enforced in J&K: NPP

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 25: Former Minister and senior National Panthers Party leader Harshdev Singh has said that all the laws enacted by the Union Parliament be directly implemented in the J&K State like other parts of the country and such a move will help further strengthen the relations of the Union Government with the State.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Singh said that Parliament of India should have right to empower legislations in all the parts of the country. But it is irony that for implementation in J&K, approval of the President and the passage by the J&K Assembly is required. That special status to the J&K rather weaken the State’s relationship with the Union Government.

Mr Singh said that Panthers Party was in favour of stronger-relations of the J&K State with the Union of India and stresses for making some amendments so that all the laws enacted by Parliament directly come into force in this part of the country.

Criticising the respective governments in the past in the State, Mr Singh said Jammu region continued to be neglected in all the spheres. Even Congress which made tall claims failed to provide justice to Jammu people. He said this problem can only be resolved with the formation of Provincial assemblies which will closely monitor the distribution of funds and execution of works in the respective regions.

He demanded constitution of Delimitation Commission, political reservation to STs, justice to unemployed educated youth sitting on dharnas/ agitations, empowerment of women, share to SCs in Legislative Council, abolition of SRO-294, equal Assembly seats in both the regions and clearance of all the pending SRO-43 cases. Party MLA from Udhampur, Balwant Singh Mankotia was also present.

Fruit growers’ concern over scarcity
of fertilizers, pesticides

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 25: The Fruit growers of Kashmir valley have expressed grave concern over the scarcity of pesticides and fertilizers in the Valley.

In a statement issued here, today, the president of Baramulla Fruit Growers Association Ghulam Rasool Bhat today alleged that the fruit growers of Valley are facing problems due to the shortage of fertilizers and pesticides.

He said non availability of fertilizers and pesticides will affect the agriculturists and fruit industry in the Valley which is already running on loss and it will also hamper the production of fruit, paddy and vegetables.

Mr Bhat also demanded that the fertilizers and pesticides be stocked in the Valley in January and February months as due to the closure of National Highway its supply is later hampered which results into delay of its distribution.

He also demanded that Value Added Tax be waived off on both fertilizers and pesticides as the farmers and orchardists can’t afford the prices.

He also accused the Government of its failure in solving the problems of the fruit growers of the State.

Lok Adalat held

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 25: A permanent Lok Adalat was held today in the new District Court Complex, Janipur, Jammu under the chairmanship of Chairman District Legal Services Authority, Pr District & Sessions Judge, Jammu, Janak Raj Kotwal. In the Lok Adalat three benches were constituted.

The first bench was headed by Chairman District Legal Services Authority, Pr District & Sessions Judge, Jammu, Janak Raj Kotwal and assisted by Additional District Judge Matrimonial Cases Jammu, Ashok Sharma to deal with MACT cases. A total of 29 MACT cases were taken up, out of which 6 cases were settled and Rs. 5,30,000 compensation awarded.

Second bench was headed by 2nd Additional District Judge Jammu, A.K Koul and assisted by 3rd Additional District & Session Judge Jammu, Sanjay Gupta to deal with bank cases. Ten cases were taken up out of which one was settled.

Third bench was headed by Spl. Electricity Magistrate Jammu, M.K Sharma and assisted by 4th Munsiff Jammu, Sudhir Khajuria to deal with petty criminal matters of City Judge and Excise Magistrate. Three cases were taken up and no case was settled.

Representatives of insurance companies, advocates and litigants were also present in the Lok Adalat.

Commercial Taxes SO, minor boy killed in accidents

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 25: Section Officer of Commercial Taxes Department and a minor boy were killed in two separate road accidents.

Police spokesman said that Sector Officer of Commercial Taxes Department Ghulam Mohd Lone, son of Ghulam Rasool Lone of Bandipora was killed and eight others received injuries in head on collision between a Tempo Traveller number JK14-8845 and a truck number JK02J-7115 at Kandoli Mata Mandir under the jurisdiction of Nagrota Police Station.

The injured have been hospitalised and their condition was stated to be out of danger.

In another accident, a minor child was knocked to death by a speeding truck number JK02C-6521 at Samroli. The deceased has been identified as Janoo, son of Shadi Lal of Prem Nagar, Doda.

Meanwhile, the employees of the Commercial Taxes Department, in a meeting mourned the demise of Section Officer of the Department.

40 PHE pipes seized from driver’s house

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 25: Police today seized 40 pipes of PHE Department from the house of a PHE driver at Nalwa in Doda town. The driver has been arrested by police while the concerned Junior Engineer has been taken into custody for questioning.

Police said a raid was conducted on the house of Ghulam Hussain Sheikh son of Habibullah Sheikh R/o Nalwa, Doda, a SICOP driver presently attached with PHE. During the raid, police recovered 40 pipes of PHE from the house.

The pipes had been smuggled from the PHE store and kept in Sheikh’s house for disposal.

Police have taken concerned PHE JE Aijazullah Haq into custody for questioning to ascertain the source of smuggling of PHE pipes.

Raid was conducted by a Doda police station party led by Inspector Chanchal Singh under the supervision of SSP Doda Manohar Singh.

‘Dana Socho Te Sei’ performed in Drama Festival

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 25: Dogri play ‘Dana Socho Te Sei’ was performed in the ongoing Drama Festival being organised by the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages in connection with the World Theatre Day Celebrations at Abhinav Theatre here today.

The play, presented by Hridya Theatre Group under the direction of Daya Ram Daya, relates the story of a family in changing times. The struggle between the old and the young generation and the need to adapt to modern age while retaining our values is the broad theme of the play.

The play has been written by well known playwright Mohan Singh and was presented by a young cast in an admirable manner. Hans Raj Khadak in the role of the head of the household Subdha Ram, who is always at loggerheads with his wife, was quite competent. Kanta Sharma as his wife also acted well. Prateeksha as the daughter, Sundari as the daughter-in-law, Shashi Bhushan and Kailash Mohan as sons also acted well.

Director of the play Daya Ram Daya has shown great promise with this play that kept the audience in splits throughout the performance.

RSS demands dismissal of Kerala Govt

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 25: Jammu and Kashmir Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has demanded immediate dismissal of CPI (M) led Kerala Government and imposition of President’s rule in the State as it has miserably failed to act against the Marxists involved in murder of RSS activists in the State.

The Central forces should be immediately deployed in the sensitive areas of the State and the culprits involved in the murder of RSS activists be booked under law, said RSS leaders including Brig. (retd) Suchet Singh, Tilak Raj Sharma and R C Gupta while talking to mediapersons here, today.

They alleged that the Marxists have let loose a reign of terror in Kerala especially in Kunnor district of the State.

Condemning the killings strongly, the RSS leaders also appealed all sections of the society to raise their voice against the terror let loose by CPM workers in Kerala. "The Government which fails to provide security to its citizens has no right to remain in the office", they added.

Demanding a CBI probe into the violence and terror acts against the Sangh activists and their families, they said there is an apprehension that under the pressure from State Government the investigative agencies can’t function freely.

Criticizing the Communists, the Sangh leaders said that they came to power through democratic way and then erode the roots of democracy as has been done in West Bengal and Kerala.

They said to register their protest the Sangh will hold demonstrations at different places on March 28 and 29. This will be followed by the district wise demonstrations, they added.

Waiver of electricity dues sought

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 25: A delegation of people from Janipur colony led by president, Jai Jammu Social Welfare Committee, Rakesh Gupta today called upon Commissioner, Power Development Department (PDD) and demanded waiver of all the electricity dues.

While speaking to the Commissioner, Mr Gupta apprised him that the economic condition of most of the people living in the area was very miserable as majority of them belong to the poor class whereas cost of dues runs in thousands of rupees.

Those who were present in the deputation were Rakesh Kapahi, Nahar Singh, Rakesh Kumar, Gurnam Singh, Ramesh Khajuria, Neeraj Arora, Kewal Gupta, Subash Gupta, Mohammad Iqbal and Abdul Rashid.

3 miscreants held with 2 revolvers

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 25: Police today arrested three miscreants and recovered two revolvers from their possession at Ware House this afternoon.

Reports said Mohinder Singh alias Mindi son of Kabla Singh and Raj Kumar alias Thailoo son of Balwant Singh, residents of Nandwal, Satwari clashed at Ware House on the issue of funds collection for the union.

Both pointed their licensed revolvers at each other.

A police party led by SHO Gandhi Nagar Inspector Mohd Rafiq and Incharge Ware House police post Sub Inspector Bandeshwar Manhas rushed to the spot and arrested both the miscreants. Their associate Kishen Singh alias Kima son of Om Prakash R/o Nandwal was also arrested.

A case against all three accused has been registered at Gandhi Nagar police station for further investigations.

People demonstrate at New Plots, demand
distt status to Jammu West

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 25: The inhabitants of various localities, traders and heads of Mohalla Committees held a demonstration at New Plots under the banner of Jammu West Assembly Movement in support of their demand for grant of district status to Jammu West Constituency.

The demonstrators, who were led by president of Jammu, West Assembly Movement, Sunil Dimple also blocked the busy Jammu, Bantalab road and torched the effigy of State Government for its failure in conceding the demand.

Shouting slogans against the Government for its failure in bifurcation of Jammu West Assembly segment, containing the rising prices, to provide basic amenities to the people and take up the development of the area in hand, they alleged that the Government was hoodwinking the people by making hollow claims about its achievements.

Addressing the demonstrators Dimple alleged that State Government has failed to deliver the goods and it was misleading the people with its hollow claims regarding eradication of corruption and taking up of developmental projects in hand.

He alleged that rising prices have broken the back of common man while the condition of roads, lanes, drains, school buildings and Hospitals was worst.