PKM
rejects return package, terms
announcement of jobs positive step
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: Panun Kashmir
Movement (PKM) today joined the other KP
organizations in rejecting the Prime
Minister’s package regarding return
of Kashmiri Pandits to Valley.
The
so-called return package announced by
Prime Minister for displaced Kashmiri
Pandits recently does not promise
anything substantial for ending their
abject miseries that have snowballed over
the years with disastrous ramifications,
said PKM chief, Ashwani Chrungo while
talking to reporters here, today.
Expressing
his displeasure and anguish over the
linkage of unemployment issue with the
return to the Valley, he said linking the
two issues means trading the miseries of
the hapless refugees.
He also
demanded that the employment package be
given to 10,000 unemployed youth of the
community and due age relaxation in
recruitment process.
He said
the dialogue process over Kashmir is
inconclusive as yet and the position of
Kashmir is unclear and ambiguous so
asking KPs to return is not only immature
but also impractical in view of the
ground realities in Valley.
He said,
moreover the return package which is for
the individuals and not for the community
as a whole is silent about the issues of
grave concern when the National Human
Rights Commission (NHRC) has already
admitted that the acts akin to genocide
have been committed against the community
and a genocide design may exist against
them.
Mr
Chrungo, who reiterated the homeland
demand as only solution to Pandits
problems disapproved the Prime
Minister’s treatment with Jammu and
PoK refugees and announced that PKM will
also fight for their cause.
Seminar
organized on ‘Conservation of Water
Bodies’
Recharge waning water
bodies for improving
irrigation potential:Div Com
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: Divisional
Commissioner, Jammu, Sudhanshu Pandey
today expressed concern over the
depleting water bodies due to shift from
community based tank system to individual
beneficiary oriented ground water
dependent system encroachments, silting
and population pressure. He called for
recharging the traditional water bodies
for making the water fit for drinking,
agriculture, horticulture and tourism
purposes.
Speaking
in a seminar on "Conservation of
Water Bodies" here today, Mr Pandey
expressed the need of training the field
officers about framing of Detailed
Project Reports (DPRs) on pilot scheme of
"Repair, Renovation and
Restoration" of water bodies. He
said that the main thrust of the project
should be upon augmenting storage
capacity of water bodies for recovering
the lost irrigation potential giving due
consideration to arid/draught prone
areas, backward/weaker sections,
socio-economic factor.
District
Development Commissioner and Assistant
Commissioner (Dev) of all the districts,
Consultant to Ministry of Water Resources
R S K Sharma, Director Ministry of Water
Resources Joginder Singh, Chief Engineer,
irrigation, officers of Agriculture,
Horticulture and Tourism Departments,
CEO's of Tourism Development authorities
environmentalists and Major General
Goverdhan Singh Jamwal were present on
the occasion.
Mr Pandey
called upon all the DDCs present to
evolve a plan whereby no agricultural
land is used for commercial purpose, use
of irrigation water through gravitation
and extensive horticulture plantation
needs to adopted for better future. He
said that emphasis should be laid on
preventing the depletion of perennial
sources of water for the last 22 years.
He said that PHE Department should
besides taking care of water supply
resources should also identify and
explore potential water shed schemes.
There are excellent water bodies in
forest areas which need to be protected
for tourism purpose, he added.
Divisional
Commissioner informed that RRR scheme for
repair, renovation and restoration of
water bodies have been implemented in the
23 districts and 15 states of the country
most of which are from Southern India on
the pattern of 75:25 funding. He said
that for Jammu and Kashmir and North
Eastern states the central funding is 90
percent and state share is 10 percent
only . This he emphasized needs to be
utilized and the DDCs should prepare the
DPRs expeditiously for sending to the
Ministry of Water Resources for approval
so that the central share for the current
financial year can be availed for saving
water bodies. Earlier, 22 water bodies of
Kupwara district have been recharged
under the scheme, he informed.
Mr S K
Sharma Consultant, Ministry of Water
Resources GOI informed the meeting of his
observations during tour to Samba, Gurha
Salthia and Mansar that the old ponds are
fast shrinking due to mass construction
alongside by blocking the passage of
water from catchment area. He also
expressed grave concern over the lack of
provision of de-silting and asked for
taking care of construction of de-silt
tank, inlet and outlet of water bodies.
Bringing
Paddar on Agri-Tourism map demanded
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: Former Minister and
State president of Nationalist Congress
Party, Th Randhir Singh, has demanded a
special package for all round development
of Paddar area of Kishtwar district and
stressed for construction of road from
Kishtwar to Zanskar to open up entire
belt for economic development.
Mr Singh
Paddar is known for its precious sapphire
mines, rarest of rare aromatic and
medicinal plants, pilgrim places and
tourists spots, has remained backward for
decades together with no road
connectivity, telecommunication
facilities or developmental
infrastructure. He demanded setting up of
a degree college and sub-centre of
Srinagar Central Institute of Temperate
Horticulture (CITH) in Paddar.
Mr Singh
assured to take up these demands before
Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar
during his next visit to the Union
capital. Mr Singh, who is also national
president of Aromatic and Medicinal Plant
Growers Association of India (AMPGAI) and
member of 14 member Task Force on High
Altitude Medicinal Plants, formed by
National Medicinal Plant Board, Ministry
of Health, Government of India pleaded
for cultivation of famous ‘Kala
Jeera’.
He said if
proper and modernized infrastructure is
created, Paddar could become a heaven for
mountaineers from across the globe.
Appreciating creation of Kishtwar
district, he also suggested for setting
up of Aromatic and Herbal parks to give
fillip to Agri-Tourism in the country.
Rallies,
public meetings mark observance of May
Day
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: Medical
Representatives Association: The May Day
was observed as Labour Day by Jammu
Medical Representatives Association
(JMRA), which represents the Pharma
selling front lines and comes under the
labour class.
The
Association took out a scooter rally from
SMGS Hospital, Shalamar to Labour
Commissioner Office where a memorandum
was submitted to Assistant Labour
Commissioner in which grave concern was
expressed over the exploitation of the
working class by the employers.
National
Mazdoor Conference A May Day rally was
also held by National Mazdoor Conference
(NMC) here, today. Addressing the rally
the NMC president, Subash Shastri
demanded immediate implementation of 6th
Pay Commission report in view of steep
hike in prices of the essential
commodities , rising inflation and
removal of anomalies pointed out by
various sections of salaried class.
J&K
People's Democratic Trade Union Front:
May Day was observed here, today by
People's Democratic Party Trade Union
Front (PDPTUF) under the chairmanship of
its general secretary, Darshan Mangotra.
Ved Mahajan MLC and vice president of PDP
was the chief guest on the occasion. Mr
Mangotra highlighted the sacrifices of
May Day martyrs and appealed the working
class to be united.
State
Central Labour Union: In connection with
observance of May Day a rally was
organised by State Central Labour Union
(SCLU) at Baribrahmana today. Addressing
the rally Mr Surjit Singh Salathia former
Minister and senior NC leader urged the
State Government to look into the
problems of the working class who are
passing a miserable life due to price
hike.
Labour and
Pithoo Union: Rich tributes were paid to
martyrs of Chicago by the senior Congress
leader and MP Ch. Lal Sing at a May Day
Rally organised by Labour and Pithoo
Union at Katra today. An impressive
procession was also taken out in which
large number of labourers participated.
The Labor
and Pithoo Union leaders also highlighted
their problems. The rally was also
addresed by president of the Union, Mr
Bhupinder Singh.
All India
Trade Union Congress Rich tributes were
paid to May Day martyrs by the leaders of
All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) at
a rally held in Kishtwar today. A
procession was taken out in the Kishtwar
town which started from Dak Banglow and
after passing through market culminated
at D C Office.
Building
Construction Workers Union: In connection
with observance of May Day a meeting was
organised by Building Construction
Workers Union today in which the martyrs
of Chicago were remembered. The meeting
was addresed by R R Bangroo, president of
the Union and S Harbachan Singh its
chairman.
Hotel
Employees Union: The Union also observed
the May Day today. It also highlighted
the problems of unorganized sector and
took a pledge to work for the rights of
working class.
Labour
Union Poonch On the occasion of May Day a
meeting was organised by Labour Union
Poonch under the chairmanship of its
president Ghulam Mohammed Jafri in which
the problems of working class were
highlighted. It also paid homage to
matyrs of Chicago.
J&K
Committee of CPI (M) The State Secretary
of the CPI (M) and state president, CITU,
Mr M Y Tarigami has extended
revolutionary greetings to the working
class of the State on May Day. In a
statement issued here today he paid rich
tributes to workers who laid down their
lives fighting repression.
PRM
rejects sops for Kashmiri migrants
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: The People’s
Revolutionary Movement (PRM) today
rejected the couple of sops for Kashmiri
migrants announced by Prime Minister
during his visit to Jammu terming it as
an insult to the Jammuites.
Talking to
media, PRM leader Rajinder Jamwal blamed
the Congress Government both at Centre
and State for remaining Kashmir centric.
He further said the announcement of
monstrous schemes for Kashmiri migrants
by the Prime Minister speaks of the
prejudicial, partial and biased approach
of the Centre towards Jammu.
Mr Jamwal
said the present coalition
Government’s policy to appease
Kashmiris at the cost of Jammu region
would be disastrous as discontentment is
brewing among the Jammuites.
He also
appealed the Jammuities to get united for
raising the demand of
"Re-organisation of J&K with
Jammu State ranging between Ravi and Peer
Panjal", saying that it is the only
alternative to come out of the present
crisis.
YWAIKS
holds meet
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: Youth Wing All
India Kashmiri Samaj (YWAIKS) in its
meeting here, today held under the
chairmanship of R K Bhat its president
has expressed the hope that the rest of
orders regarding bifurcation of ration
cards will be issued by May 10.
Mr Bhat
said a delegation of the organization
also called on Relief Commissioner, Vinod
Koul in this regard and discussed the
issue with him. The meeting complimented
him for taking keen interest in settling
the issue.
Mr Bhat
also appealed the Government that Sharda
Peeth University be established in the
Valley of Vitasta in Anantnag district of
South Kashmir as the area is seat of
learning from times immemorial.
Mr Bhat
appealed the KP youth to be ready for the
protracted struggle for their demands
especially the employment package. In
this regard the YWAIKS has launched an
enrollment drive for the displaced youth,
he added.
The
meeting among others was addressed by J L
Pandita, Samir Kumar, Sunil Fotedar,
Sanjay Shashoo, Sanjay Kumar, Ramesh
Bhat, Beneth, Kuldeep Kumar and Naresh
Bhat.
Retiring
officials given affectionate send off
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: Several Government
employees in different Government
departments on attaining age of
superannuation on April 30, 2008, were
accorded warm send off by their
respective department employees.
A K
Toshkhani, Research Officer, Material
Testing Laboratory and Hydraulic Research
Station, was accorded warm, emotional and
touching farewell on his superannuation.
Chief Engineer Ashok Kumar Gupta and
other executive engineers and staff
members wished a happy and healthy post
retirement life to Toshkhani.
Bansi Lal
Gupta, Field Publicity Officer, Udhampur,
was given warn and affectionate send off
on his retirement by the colleagues and
officers of his department. The speakers
on behalf of Mrs Bharti Vaid, Deputy
Director General (M&C) wished him a
happy and healthy post-retirement life.
Incharge
Principal, Government Higher Secondary
School, Jakh Zone (Vijaypur), Khajur
Singh, was given a warm and affectionate
send off on retirement after rendering 42
years service to education department
including two years as boy service. A
large number of senior officers and
senior leaders of the area participated.
Harbans
Lal, Head Computer, Inspection Agency,
PDD, was given a warm send off on his
attaining age of superannuation at Jammu
Sports Club today. He was also accorded
warm send off by Draftsmen Association.
M P Gupta,
Joint Secretary (Exams/Admn), who
attained superannuation on April 30,
2008, was given a warm and affectionate
send off. A large number of employees and
officials present on the occasion spoke
high of the retiring official.
LPEF
holds May Day rally, blames Govt
wrong policies for price hike
Excelsior
Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 1: Rich
tributes were paid to Chicago Martyrs by
the leaders of Low Paid Employees
Federation (LPEF) at the May Day rally
held here, in PDD Complex, Bemina today.
A large
number of employees drawn from different
parts of Kashmir Valley representing
various Government departments and
corporations joined the rally.
The
employees with pla-cards and banners in
their hands were raising slogans in
support of their demands and against the
anti working class policies of both
Central and State Governments.
They
demanded immediate halt on rising prices
and implementation of 6th Pay Commission
report. The other demands highlighted by
them included grant of Rs 500 as Medical
Allowance, increase of retirement age to
60 years, regularisation of daily wagers
, workcharge and anganwari workers,
reducing disparities in HRA and House
Rent Allowance, helpers be designated as
per the work discharged by them,
regularisation of ReTs, transfer of G P
Fund to new districts, release of wages
in favour of need based daily wagers,
Deputation allowance to PDC employees and
counting of entire workcharge and daily
wage service for retirement benefits.
The
employees from different parts of the
Valley assembled at Kamarwari and Bemina
Chowk wherefrom a procession was taken to
PDD Complex Bemina.
Addressing
the rally, president LPEF, Abdul Majid
Khan held the anti people and anti
working class policies of the Union and
state Government responsible for present
unrest.
He opposed
the interference of WTO and World Bank in
the affairs of country. He warned that in
case Government does not adopt honest
approach to contain the rising prices it
will have serious consequences on the
common man.
He said
the rising unemployment is also the
result of wrong policies of the
Government.
The rally
was presided over by provincial president
of LPEF, Mir Ghulam Rasool while the
welcome address was made by LPEF general
secretary, Ghulam Rasool Mir Butwani.
Others who addressed the rally included
Mushtaq Shopiani, president, KEEWA, Abdul
Rashid Bhat, A K Kakroo, Javed Ahmed Shah
and Nazir Ahmed Magray.
Tributes
paid to Ganai on death anniversary
Excelsior
Correspondent
POONCH, May 1: Rich tributes were
paid to former minister from Poonch G A
Ganai on his 13th death anniversary at
Mandi in district Poonch today.
A function
in this connection was organised by G A
Ganai Memorial Society. Late Ganai was
leader of the masses and a close
companion of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohd
Abdullah and Dr Farooq Abdullah. He had
served the State as Minister and
represented the Poonch constituency in
the State Assembly for two decades.
The
Society has been established after the
name of Late leader by the respectable
people of district Poonch and his family
members to carry forward the the mission
of the late leader. All the people
attending the function paid him rich
tributes and recalled his services for
the people of the area. On this occasion
books were distributed among the poor
children.
Organising
secretary of the Society, Aftab Ganai
while speaking on the occasion assured
that society will provide full support to
the people, especially the youth. A large
number of local women also attended the
function. President of the Society,
Hanifa Begum expressed his gratitude to
the people for attending the function.
Prominent
among others present on the occasion
included Ch Bashir Naz, Dr Shehnaz Ganai,
K Maini, Ch Ayub, Pir Saifudin, Parshotam
Singh, Pir Nissar, Haji Mohidin, Ahad
Bhat and Prof Shah Abbas.
KVIB
organizes beekeeping training camp
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1 : A month long
beekeeping training-cum-demonstration
camp organized by J&K Khadi &
Village Industries Board at Maralia in
Jammu district concluded today.
Secretary,
KVIB R C Sharma distributed the
certificates of one month beekeeping
training course alongwith a stipend of Rs
300 to each trainee.
Among
others Deputy CEO Jammu, District Officer
KVIB Jammu and other prominent citizens
were also present on the occasion.
The
Secretary informed that KVIB organizes
such camps to acquaint the local farmers,
beekeepers and unemployed youth in
respective remote areas with modern
scientific techniques of beekeeping and
to enable them to take up this venture as
a profession for earning their
livelihood.
Beekeeping
could earn huge dividend if practiced on
modern scientific lines. For this,
secretary informed that a common facility
centre is also being established with a
laboratory for quality control to provide
testing facilities, processing and
packaging of honey for sound marketing of
honey. Nevertheless honey of J&K has
no problem of marketing because of it
quality, taste and aroma.
Later, a
cutting and tailoring centre for three
months was inaugurated under craft
training scheme of KVIB at village
Suchaini in district Samba.
Forum
for adjustment of newly appointed
lecturers
Excelsior
Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: All J&K Plus 2
Lecturers Forum has strongly advocated
for immediate adjustment of newly
appointed lecturers in different
disciplines in the State.
The
Forum’s Central Executive which met
here, today under the chairmanship of H D
Qureshi, its State president has strongly
noticed the delay in the adjustment of
newly elevated appointed lecturers who
are awaiting their final postings since
months together in the Directorates at
Jammu and Srinagar.
The House
also expressed its grave concern over the
acute shortage of lecturers in different
disciplines. Mr Qureshi appreciated the
efforts of Director School Education for
his initiative to equip the instructions
on priority basis to meet the acute
deficiency of teachers.
He
expressed satisfaction that the State
Chief Minister has initiated the process
of fast-track recruitment boards to give
employment to the eligible youth instead
of keeping them in a state of uncertainty
for years together.
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