Efforts
on to evolve Jammu as tourism
hub: Chouhan
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 3: Directorate
of Tourism and Tourism Development Authorities
would come out with an integrated plan envisaging
promotion of prominent tourists destinations for
evolving Jammu as a tourism hub on national and
international tourism map.
This was disclosed
by Director Tourism Jammu Sarita Chouhan at a
meeting convened to review the development works
of Tourism Development Authorities (TDAs) of
Jammu Division with the objective of synergizing
the efforts of Directorate of Tourism and TDAs.
Mrs. Chouhan
stressed on the need of developing the virgin
locales of Jammu province through coordinated
efforts of various TDAs focusing on the
development of infrastructure in the prime
identified areas in the province having tourism
potential. She said that efforts of Tourism
Department and TDAs needs to be supplemented with
the private parties in the trade, adding that for
the purpose Hotel Associations and Travel
Agencies would be roped in.
She said that the
goal of converting the province into a round the
year Tourism centre cannot be realized unless
awareness and promotion of the destinations is
not done on a large scale. She informed that TDAs
should use the promotion/advertising avenues of
the department for showcasing their important
destinations.
Various
suggestions to exploit the potential of Rajouri,
Poonch, Kishtwar, Mansar-Surinsar, Patnitop,
Bhaderwah, Lakhanpur-Sarthal and Jammu were put
forth. It was apprised that development should be
in sync with the ecology of the area so that the
tourists can enjoy nature in its pristine glory.
Newly discovered places of religious importance,
unexplored natural gifts like meadows Sarota
valley, Shaker Marg, Girjan Marg, Farambar,
Patnitop etc, heritage sites uncared for were
brought into spotlight and it was deliberated to
prepare master plans for turning them into major
tourists attractions. Besides, Bhaderwah being
developed as valley of flowers boasts of exotic
varieties like Lilium, Lavender etc and
development of skiing resort at Jai was given
prominence. It was informed that hot water
springs, religious places Machail and Sarthal,
Sapphire valley of Padder and saffron safari in
Pochhal are fast turning Kishtwar as an reckoning
tourists destination. Stretch of Chenab river
from Gulabgarh to Pul Doda has been cleared for
developing water sports.
Deliberating on
works by Mansar-Surinsar Development Authority
Director Tourism informed that proposal to
highlight the flora and fauna of wetlands like
Surinsar is in the pipeline. She also called for
proper documentation and conservation of
historical monuments like Poonch Fort, Bhaderwah
Fort, Chingus etc.
Vital issues like
creation of information centres, outsourcing of
assets created, capacity building of local youth
and entrepreneurs, accommodation, sanitation,
decongestion of places, inclusion of operation
maintenance cost in plan proposal etc were
discussed.
Among others Joint
Director, Tourism, Chief Executive Officers of
various Tourism Development Authorities and
representatives of various organizations related
to travel and tourism were present.
DGP
reviews security arrangements for polls
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 3: Ahead
of the Assembly elections, a high-level meeting
of Police officers was held here today in Zonal
Police Headquarters Jammu to review the poll
related arrangements in Jammu Zone.
The meeting,
chaired by Director General of Police Kuldeep
Khoda , asserted that all possible security
arrangements would be ensured for the smooth
conduct of Assembly elections in Jammu &
Kashmir State.
Reviewing the
security arrangements with the senior police
officers of Jammu region, DGP said the security
of the political leaders and contesting
candidates in particular is of paramount
importance.
In the meeting all
security related matters were discussed
particularly the security of candidates
contesting elections, providing of accommodation
to the Central Police Forces being deployed in
J&K within the next week . Requirement of all
the normal, sensitive and hyper sensitive polling
stations were discussed in detail. All the
arrangements for the peaceful culmination of six
phased elections were also discussed in the
meeting.
The meeting dwelt
at length about the transport plan, deployment of
polling parties to different polling stations,
security arrangements and accommodation.
Inspector General of Police K.Rajendra Kumar
discussed the arrangements with DGP Kuldeep Khoda
in detail and briefed the officers present about
the security scenario.
The meeting among
others, was attended by IG BSF A.K.Sarollia, DIG
CRPF Daljeet Kumar , DIG CRPF Doda Range
Brig.(retd) Prahlad Singh, all range DIGs/SSPs ,
SSP PCR Shakeel A.Beig and S.O to IGP A.K.Atri.
Governor
reviews poll arrangements in Baramulla
Excelsior Correspondent
BARAMULLA,
Nov 3: Governor,
N.N. Vohra, today reviewed the overall security
situation and the arrangements being made for the
ensuing elections to seven Assembly segments in
the Baramulla district..
The Governor
impressed upon the Returning Officers and the
other staff designated for the conduct of
elections to strictly adhere to the model code of
conduct and other guidelines of the Election
Commission of India. He said that every possible
effort shall be made to ensure that the Elections
are held in a free, fair and transparent manner.
The District
Election Officer, Baseer Khan, gave a Power Point
presentation regarding the poll related
arrangements made in the district. He said that
seven Assembly constituencies of Baramulla,
Pattan, Uri, Sopore, Gulmarg, Sangrama and
Rafiabad have a total electorate of 5,18,964. The
number of migrant voters is 7,689. As many as 743
Polling Stations are being set up in the
district, scheduled to go for polls on December
7, 2008. Of these, 445 Polling Stations are
sensitive and 298 are hyper-sensitive. He also
briefed the Governor about the preparation of
EPICs, EVM training to the poll staff, transport,
security, contingency and other required
arrangements.
The Governor also
chaired a meeting of senior Civil, Police and the
Army officers and reviewed the overall security
situation in the district.
The Advisor to
Governor, Dr. Sudhir S. Bloeria, Principal
Secretary to Governor, B.B Vyas; DIG
Baramulla-Kupwara Range, A.G. Mir, District
Election Officer Baramulla, Baseer Khan, and the
Returning Officers of the seven Assembly
constituencies of the district attended the
meeting.
DC
apprises political parties about model
code of conduct
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 3: To
apprise the political parties about the
instructions issued by the Election Commission of
India (ECI) concurrent to the provisions of model
code of conduct which has already come into force
for candidates, political parties, State and
Union Governments with the announcement of
elections to Jammu and Kashmir State Legislative
Assembly, the District Development Commissioner,
Jammu, Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari convened a
preliminary meeting in his office chamber here
today.
Apprising the
representatives of various political parties
about the instructions issued by ECI which ought
to be adhered to strictly by all concerned in the
State, the DC discussed in depth the guidelines
regarding model code of conduct. He impressed
upon the need to ensure cordial environment for
elections so that fair and peaceful election
process can be carried out.
Guidelines
pertaining to model code of conduct with respect
to filing of nomination papers, election
expenditure by the candidates, setting up of
temporary campaigning offices, holding election
rallies, use and movement of vehicles for
campaigning, appointment of polling and counting
agents and use of loud speakers and publicity
material in the form of banners/posters/leaflets
etc. were discussed in the meeting. Later copies
of guidelines of model code of conduct issued by
Election Commission of India were handed over to
the representatives of political parties.
The DEO also
discussed various related issues with the
representatives of political parties regarding
security of candidates and party leaders,
electoral rolls and issuance of Electoral Photo
Identity Cards (EPICs).
Dr. Bhandari
advised the political parties to strictly adhere
to the guidelines of model code of conduct in its
true sense so that the process of electioneering
could be conducted.
The meeting was
attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner and
Nodal Officer for Model Code of Conduct (Jammu),
representatives of various political parties and
officials of district administration who are part
of electioneering process.
PNB
observing Vigilance Awareness Week
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 3: Vigilance
Awareness Week is being observed by Punjab
National Bank Jammu Circle. The week was
commenced by B L Jain, Assistant General Manager,
Punjab National Bank, Jammu Circle by
administration of pledge to all the managers,
officers & staff members present on the
occasion at Circle office Jammu.
B L Jain said that
as per the directions of Central Vigilance
Commission, Vigilance Awareness Week is being
observed in all the offices in the J&K Circle
from November 3 to November 7, 2008 with the aim
to emphasize the need for efficiency &
transparency in public spending, to raise
awareness amongst the customers of the bank
regarding the initiatives & avenues available
to the customers for redressal of grievances
including lodging of the complaints under Public
Interest Disclosure.
During Vigilance
Awareness Week, customer oriented Programmes for
the clients & customers of the bank is being
organized in all the branches of the bank which
will help in creating awareness about the
services being provided by the bank, Mr. Jain
added.
HC
quashes detention of HM activist under PSA
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 3: Justice
J P Singh of State High Court today quashed the
detention of alleged Hizbul Mujahideen (HM)
outfit—Mohd Javid Naik, who was detained
under Public Safety Act vide order passed by
District Magistrate Ramban dated November 7, 2007
In the petition
filed by father of the detenue, it was submitted
that detenue was a regular student of 10th Class
in Government High School Dharm-Gool when while
on his way to the school in the month of November
2007, he was summoned to Police Post Sangaldan
and then to Police Station Gool where he was
arrested. Later, the detenue was shifted to Jammu
where he was detained pursuant to the orders of
District Magistrate, Ramban.
While issuing
orders for detention of Mohd Javid Naik under
PSA, the District Magistrate Ramban said that he
(accused) had been indulging in anti-national and
terrorists activities which were pre-judicial to
the security of the State.
In the approved
for reporting judgment, Justice JP Singh observed
that none had appeared for the petitioner when
this petition called on for hearing. AAG S C
Gupta frankly conceded that all the material
which had been relied upon by the District
Magistrate which include dossier of
Superintendent of Police Ramban and FIR had not
been supplied to the detenue who according to the
records had been supplied on the grounds of
detention. AAG also produced the records of the
District Magistrate for perusal.
After perusal of
detention records produced by AAG, Justice J P
Singh observed that the respondents had omitted
to supply the police dossier and the copy of FIR
and in this way the petitioner has been deprived
of his fundamental right, guaranteed under
Article 22 (5) of the Constitution of India.
With these
observations, the High Court quashed the
detention order and directed respondents to set
at liberty the detenue forth if not required in
any other case.
Promotions,
transfers in Subordinate Judiciary
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 3: Principal
Secretary to the Chief Justice, M K Hanjura has
issued promotions and transfers order of the
staff of Subordinate Judiciary.
According the
order, Abdul Latif Bhat, Nazir in the Court of
Additional District and Sessions Judge Doda has
been temporarily promoted as Section Officer and
posted in the Court of Principal District and
Sessions Judge Poonch.
Abdul Munir Mir,
Nazir in the Court of Munsiff Basohli has been
temporarily promoted as Section Officer and
posted in the court of Principal District and
Sessions Judge Poonch. Abdul Gani Manhas, Nazir
in the Court of Munsiff Banihal has been promoted
as Section Officer and posted in the court of
Principal District and Sessions Judge Bhaderwah.
Mustaq Ahmed, Head
Assistant attached in the Jammu Wing of High
Court, has been temporarily promoted as Section
Officer and subsequently attached with the
Protocol Section of the High Court, Jammu Wing.
In another order
issued by Chief Justice’s Secretariat, Nazir
Ahmed Mirza, Section Officer in the Court of
Principal District and Sessions Judge Kupwara has
been promoted as Administrative officer. On his
promotion, he has been posted in the Court of
Principal District and Sessions Judge Jammu.
Mangat Singh,
Section Officer in the Court of Principal
District and Sessions Judge Jammu has been
promoted as Accounts Officer and subsequently
posted in the Court of Principal District and
Sessions Judge Anantnag. Mohd Iqbal, Accounts
Officer in the Court of Principal District and
Sessions Judge Anantnag has been transferred and
posted in the Court of Principal District and
Sessions Judge Udhampur.
Beli Ram, Accounts
Officer in the Court of Principal District and
Sessions Judge Udhampur has been posted in the
Court of Principal District and Sessions Judge
Srinagar.
.
BJYM
stages demonstration against blackouts
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 3: Bharatiya
Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) East Mandal led by its
president Sanjeev Gupta today staged a
demonstration against the Power Development
Department (PDD) here at PDD office Parade today
and torched the effigy of Chief Engineer,
M&RE in protest against over 13 hour power
curtailment in Jammu region.
The demonstrators
shouting slogans against the PDD authorities
alleged that load shedding and blackouts were
causing grave hardships to the public and it has
jeopardized the educational career of the youth.
Moreover the business community is also worried
due to increasing power cuts and the production
in industrial units has come to a grinding halt.
Sanjeev Gupta
warned that party would intensify its agitation
against the PDD if the power cuts were not
reduced.
The demonstration
was also joined by Link Road Bazar Association
president, Surinder Saran, Paharian Mohalla
Association president Anil Gupta, Raj Tilak Road
Association president R C Gupta and its vice
president Shashi Kapoor.
BSP can
provide good governance: Kashyap
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 3: Senior
Bahujan Samaj Party leader and national general
secretary of the party, Narender Kashyap has said
that BSP has the capacity to provide good
governance and ensure better development in the
Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing public
meetings at Marh, Bishnah and Jammu Cantonment
here today, Mr Kashyap said that party does not
believe in hollow promises. He said party would
be able to grab good number of seats this time
and has the capacity and capability to provide
good and responsive governance in the State.
Referring to the
role of NC and PDP and BJP, the BSP leader
alleged that they stand exposed and the people
have realised themselves. The voters would
certainly ignore these parties and even Congress
will also face the brunt of the public wrath. He
said BSP has received good response from various
areas in the region and particularly in the hilly
areas, its many candidates are in winning
position.
The party was
committed for the upliftment of poor and down
trodden, welfare of unemployed youth, women
empowerment, reservation for upper caste,
development of industry, tourism and
infrastructure.
Others who spoke
in the meetings included, Jagjit Singh Jagga
party candidate from Marh, Rajesh Gupta gen secy,
K L Thappa Distt president Jammu-Band Shamsher
Singh candidate from Jammu cantonment (Gandhi
Nagar).
Congress
committed to development: Mula Ram
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 3: Former
Minister and senior Congress leader Mula Ram has
said that Congress party is committed for
development and maintaining secular character in
the country.
Addressing public
meetings at Nardani and Domana in Raipur-Domana
constituency today, Mula Ram said that Congress
party has ensured better development and is
always committed for the overall development,
peace and progress in the State. He said under
the able and dynamic leadership of former Chief
Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Congress ensured
extensive development in the State in just two
and half years.
He said that Azad
Government opened colleges, schools, raised huge
infrastructure and ensured development in Health,
PHE, R&B, RDD and PDD sectors. Such a
progress was never witnessed in last over fifty
years in the State. He said the Congress will
complete its unfinished agenda after coming to
power in next term. He appealed the people to
support Congress for better development and
progress in the State. The Congress leader
further asked the people to provide good
education to their children and send them
regularly to schools.
On this occasion,
a large number of people from NC, BSP and BJP
joined Congress party.
BJP’s
Mahila wing demands 33% reservation
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 3: Geeta
Thakur, spokesperson of BJP Mahila Wing and State
Executive Member of party today demanded 33%
reservation in the Assembly seats for Mahila
Wing.
Addressing the
media persons here, Geeta Thakur demanded 33%
reservation of seats in Assembly polls for women
workers in the party. She alleged that senior
leaders and even national leaders had announced
that Mahila Wing of party would get 33%
reservation in Assembly polls. The candidature
list announced by the party has not given mandate
to Mahila Wing except at two or three places.
Ms Thakur appealed
the senior leaders to re-think about the decision
taken by them. She said that senior leaders have
ditched and discriminated with women leaders who
were fighting neck to neck during the prolonged
Jammu agitation. The Mahila wing wanted atleast
15 seats in the Assembly polls, she asserted
adding "otherwise the mahila workers will
launch a protest against them and not support the
party candidates in polling".
Several
PDP leaders join Tariq camp
Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI,
Nov 3: A
large number of PDP leaders from district Rajouri
resigned from the party and joined the group of
Mohd Sharief Tariq who is contesting as an
independent candidate from Rajouri constituency.
In a rally organised by supporters of Tariq in
the town here today, large number of PDP leaders
and activists joined Tariq camp. This move
started after PDP leadership led by Muftis denied
party ticket to M S Tariq from Rajouri
constituency. Thereafter, scores of party leaders
resigned from the PDP and joined hands with
Tariq, who will now be contesting as an
independent candidate.
Prominent among
those who resigned from party were Fazal Hussain,
District vice president, Nirman Singh District
secretary, Sajjad Tariq, Zonal president, Pritam
Lal, joint secretary, Tariq Shawl vice president,
Badri Nath vice president Muslim Council Rajouri
and senior party leaders, Shamima Akhtar, Mirza
Anjum, Ch Jalal Din, Babu Ram, Moulvi Abdul
Rehman, Devinder Kumar Sarpanch, Amar Singh
Sarpanch and others.
The large rally
started from Tariq’s residence and
accompanied him to the office of Returning
Officer at Rajouri covering a distance of three
kilometers on foot. Before reaching the office of
Returning officer, Tariq addressed large
gathering. He expressed his resolve to serve the
people of the area, ensure development of Rajouri
and project the problems of the people of this
area.
AIDS
awareness, prevention campaign
Red Ribbon Express to reach Jammu
Rly Station on Nov 9
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 3: Red
Ribbon Express Project, the largest rural
campaign on train to mobilize public opinion to
fight against HIV/ AIDS, particularly the rural
population and enhance the level of accurate
knowledge of people about the dreaded disease is
reaching Jammu on November 9 morning.
Apprising the
media persons about the project and the scheduled
two-day programme of Red Ribbon Express (RRE) at
Jammu Railway Station, Project Director, J&K
AIDS Control Society M. A. Wani and District
Youth Coordinator, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan
(NYKS), Nisar Ahmed Bhat the coordinating
agencies, informed that the broad objectives of
the RRE are to provide communication and service
package to rural population and reach the
un-reached areas.
Divulging the
details, it was apprised that the train will
reach Jammu Railway Station on November 9. The
NYK Jammu has identified 48 programme villages
and 192 adjoining villages in six blocks of
district Jammu and Samba viz Purmandal, Bishnah,
R. S. Pura, Satwari, Marh and Khour. Each
cultural team will visit four programme village
on November 9 and cover 16 adjoining villages
through awareness programme and on November 10,
each team will cover the four programme villages.
The State level
programme on AIDS shall be organized at Jammu
University Auditorium on November 10 wherein over
2000 youths shall participate.
The project
intends to cover about 180 railway stations/
halting points across the country in four phases
with the special train of 7 bogies in a Bharat
Parikrama pattern. The RRE train will stay for
two or three days in a halting station. The
project will cover about 43000 villages directly
and expected to reach 10 million of people
through media in India. The RRE has successfully
completed its journey of three phases in 16
states and entered in the fourth one. During its
journey, the programme received resounding
response from various sections of society such as
media, administration and general population.
All
contesting candidates must get NOC of
PDD: PPEU
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 3: Provincial
Power Employees Union (PPEU), Vijaypur (Samba)
has demanded Electricity payment’s No
Objection Certificate from all the candidates who
are going to contest Assembly polls.
PPEU divisional
president Ashok Charak has urged all the Deputy
Commissioners of the State to make it mandatory
for all contesting candidates to produce NOC from
PDD for having paid their electricity dues before
contesting elections.
Mr Charak said
when it has been made mandatory for all State
Government employees to obtain NOC from PDD for
getting salary of March and July months,
including for all documents as voter list, ration
card, PRC and licenses including drawal of any
payment from treasury, but the same stands
ignored in the matter of contesting candidates.
The PPEU has
strongly advocated for implementation of
Government Order of 2003 in this respect for the
contesting candidates also. It may be recalled
that the PPEU has already demanded implementation
of the said order for banks, Cooperatives and
corporations also because by that way the
Government could get revenue because of the said
NOC.
J&K
Bank loan defaulter gets imprisonment
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 3: Vowing
to fight tooth and nail against the defaulting
borrowers and tightening its noose around them,
the J & K Bank has been successful in getting
the issuance of orders by the court for detaining
the judgement debtors in a civil prison.
The Additional
District Judge, Bank Cases, Shakti Gupta, gave
his verdict of committing to civil prison the
judgment debtor namely, Kamal Kishore s/o late
Chaman Lal, who showed his inability to pay the
decretal amount, a release of the bank said.
The
Superintendent, District Jail, Jammu has been
directed to take and receive the said judgement
debtor into the civil prison till the whole
amount is liquidated by him or at the first
instance for a period of one month, which is
earlier.
At the same time,
the warrants of attachment of properties
judgement number 2 (Guarantor) have also been
issued which have to be executed through Police
Post, Residency Road, Jammu.
It may be
mentioned that the judgement debtor availed the
loan from the Residency Road branch of the
J&K Bank and on his failure to re-pay the
same, the bank, after filing the recovery suit,
got the decree against the respondents from the
court.
The bank has
strongly conveyed its resolve to initiate
recovery proceedings against the defaulting
borrowers through all the legitimate courses of
action, the bank sources added.
Minority
Forum opposes poll boycott call
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 3: Jammu
and Kashmir Minority Forum (JKMF) in a meeting
here today held under the chairmanship of S K
Koul, discussed the prevailing political scenario
in the state.
The meeting
criticised those KP organizations which have
given the poll boycott call saying this way they
were trying to deprive the community of political
empowerment. The meeting alleged that these
organizations were directly or indirectly toeing
the line of Hurriyat Conference.
The Forum warned
all such organizations not to create hindrances
for community candidates in participating the
elections.
The Forum, while
supporting the participation of community in
electoral process said it is the only way to
create a political space for the community as the
KPs are aborigines of Kashmir and have a birth
right to take part in democratic process.
Governor
pays floral tribute to Maj Som Nath Sharma
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR,
Nov 3: Governor,
N N Vohra, today paid floral tributes to the
first Param Vir Chakra (PVC) awardee of the
Indian Army Maj Som Nath Sharma, at the Srinagar
Airport.
As the buglers
sounded the Last Post, the Governor and the
senior officers, including the Chief of Staff, 15
Corps, Maj General D S Thakur, laid wreaths at
the memorial. An Army contingent presented salute
and lowered their arms, as a mark of respect to
the great martyr, known as the Saviour of
Srinagar Airport.
Principal
Secretary to Governor, B B Vyas, was also present
on the occasion.
On this day, Major
Som Nath Sharma of 4 Kumaon Regiment, who was
martyred while fighting the Pakistan-supported
tribals from North Waziristan, became the first
soldier of Independent India to receive the PVC,
the highest gallantry award, for his supreme
sacrifice and outstanding gallantry in action.
To commemorate the
supreme sacrifice made by Major Sharma, a
memorial was made at new Air Field Srinagar on
November 3, 2004. Every year, Major Sharma is
being remembered on this day for his bravery and
supreme sacrifice to the nation.
Meanwhile, the
Advisor to the Governor H. H. Tyubji laid a
wreath at War Memorial Budgam on the occasion of
Budgam day. Celebrations organized by 12 sectors
RR in honour of the martyr while fighting the
raiders in the battle of Budgam on November 03,
1947.
Later at a
function organized by 12 sector RR in
collaboration with the District Administration
Budgam, Mr. Tyubji distributed TV. sets and DTH
sets among various schools, four gas heaters to a
local orphanage, kerosene heater and blankets to
Darul Uloom Hyderpora, and a computer to Banat
Institute of Education, Gopalpora. Cultural
programme was also presented on the occasion.
Besides, the
District Development Commissioner Budgam,
commandant 12 sector RR, Sectoral heads of all
the line departments, police, paramilitary and
Army attended the function.
Arnia
Shiv Sena unit joins BJP
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 3: Led
by Rajiv Gupta, the Arnia block unit of Shiv Sena
(Bala Saheb Thackeray) today joined the BJP in
presence of its state president, Ashok Khajuria ,
National Executive member, Dr Nirmal Singh, State
Executive member, Rajesh Gupta , Kuldeep Luthra
and Ranjit Singh.
While welcoming
the joining of these members in the Party, Ashok
Khajuria said the BJP is receiving the
overwhelming support in all the parts of the
state and joining of people in hundreds during
the last few days is a clear indication that the
people have realised that the Congress, NC and
PDP have only misled them for vote bank politics.
He said the Party
is in touch with the top leadership of Shiv Sena
(Bal Thackrey) and was hopeful that its outcome
will be positive.
Mr Khajuria also
released a letter written by Akhil Bharatiya
Hindu Mahasabha, national general secretary, Dr
Indira Tiwari extending full support to BJP in
the ensuing Assembly elections in J&K.
Dr Nirmal Singh
expressed grave concern over the attitude of the
administration towards the BJP candidates who he
alleged have been denied security. He said that
even block level activits of Congress and PDP
have been provided full security while the BJP
candidates have been ignored. He demanded
immediate security for BJP candidates in the
state. He also demanded withdrawal of Government
vehicles from former ministers and that they as
well as ex MLAs should be evicted from Government
bungalows as it is costing dearly to the state
exchequer.
Zorawar
Singh Auditorium close to attaining economic
self-reliance
JU receives prestigious
‘European Quality Award’
By Devender Padha
JAMMU,
Nov 3: The
Europe Business Assembly (EBA) Oxford, United
Kingdom, has conferred prestigious European
Quality Award upon the University of Jammu (JU)
for its excellence and achievements in various
spheres of activities.
Highly impressed
with the work of the University, the nomination
committee of EBA recommended JU for the award,
which is aimed at giving recognition to the
institutions, both at national and international
levels, striving for perfection in all the fields
of its activities and orient invariably to
entrants’ interests.
It needs mention
that EBA is an international project development
and management corporation in economic and social
development of the European, Middle East, Middle
Asian and African countries and the main mission
of this organization is to foster and support the
process of establishing economic, educational,
cultural and scientific ties between the
countries.
*****************
The General
Zorawar Singh Auditorium Complex, one of the
first of its own kind in North India, which has
turned JU into a vibrant hub of artistic and
cultural activities within a short period of one
and a half year is now on the brink of attaining
economic self-reliance.
Talking to
EXCELSIOR, Auditorium Administrator Dr DL
Choudhary told that the auditorium is generating
handsome revenue at the moment, as several Govt,
semi-Govt and non-Govt besides, constituents of
the University are regularly organizing their
programmes here. "Annual revenue has been
targeted at around 50-60 lakh rupees and with
such a kind of response the target seems quite
achievable after which we will attain economic
self-reliance", he added.
He further told
that besides generating handsome revenue, the
auditorium is also bringing civil society close
to the University with the organization of wide
range of cultural, artistic and other kind of
functions by the different institutions here.
It is pertinent to
mention here that within one and a half year of
its establishment, the auditorium has already got
the honour to host functions with President
Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh and other internationally acclaimed
personalities as its guests.
*****************
The Department of
Students Welfare has constituted a 17-member
‘Students Grievances Cell’ with Dean
Students Welfare as its convenor to redress the
problems being faced by the students in the
campus.
The members of the
cell included Provost Hostels, Director Physical
Education, Prof Naresh Padha, Prof JPS Joorel,
Prof Jasbir Singh, Dr Renu Nanda, Dr Arvind
Jasrotia, Dr Daud Iqbal Baba (Coordinator All
Campuses), Joint Director DDE, Additional
Controller Examinations, Associate Dean (Students
Welfare), Assistant Dean (Student Welfare),
Executive Engineer University Works Department,
Chief Medical Officer, Assistant Dean (Cultural
Affairs) and Security Officer.
Giving details,
Dean Students Welfare Prof Dhian Singh Bhau
apprised that it was being felt since long to
have such a cell for the redressal of
students’ problems. "Now, the students
can report their grievances, if any, to him
through the HoD concerned or even directly and
the cell will strive in getting the problems of
the students redressed at the earliest
possible," he added.
******************
The schedule for
election to the Students Cultural Council 2008-09
has been announced by the Election Commissioner,
Students Cultural Council.
According to
schedule, nominations can be filed with Dr
Shailendra Singh, Returning Officer by the
candidate in person on or before November 7.
Meanwhile, November 10 has been fixed as the last
date for withdrawal of the candidature.
The polling will
be held on November 14 in Department of Students
Welfare.
****************
KPs
asked not to pay heed to poll boycott call
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 3: Migrant
Welfare Committee in a meeting today held under
the chairmanship of Rajinder Kilam has appealed
the displaced Pandit community to cast their vote
in the forthcoming elections and not to pay any
heed to poll boycott call given by some
organizations.
The meeting also
decided to launch a door to door campaign in
support of community’s participation in the
elections. While commenting on the poll manifesto
of National Conference, T K Koul president of the
Committee, its general secretary, S K Koul and
vice president, Jigan Ji Goja expressed their
full faith and confidence in the party and said
that in its manifesto the agenda of displaced
Pandits has been given top priority by NC.
The meeting said
the party besides promising employment to
educated youth has also assured compensation to
damaged properties, release of balance or
exgratia relief, payment of loans and health
insurance for the community.
JSS to
strengthen Jammu statehood cause
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 3: The
working group of Jammu Sangarsh Samiti (JSS)
today met under the chairmanship of Amarnath
Gupta, president, and took decision to evolve
consensus among all the organizations and groups
advocating separate State of Jammu to come on a
single platform and field joint candidates in the
coming Assembly elections.
It is to mention
that Samiti had decided not to fight the
forthcoming Assembly elections. The meeting said
that the decision has been taken to avoid
infighting among the candidates who are
advocating statehood to Jammu and also division
of the common vote bank of the supporters of
Jammu statehood.
Meanwhile, the
Samiti will be holding a conference of its
workers of Jammu city on November 9 to launch
campaign for all the groups fighting for separate
Jammu State. It was also made clear that Samiti
will not field any of its candidate but, will
intensify the struggle for separate Jammu State.
Those who attended
the meeting included Jagmohan Khanna, RK Anand,
Vimal Gupta, Rishikesh Prashar, Ratan Ahuja, Mrs
Tara Wazir, Mrs Dheeraj Kour, S Avtar Singh and
Abhimanyu Mahajan.
Azad
succumbed to secessionists: Gupta
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 3: Bharatiya
Janata Party senior leader and former Union MoS,
Prof Chaman Lal Gupta today said that had the
element of nationalism been strong in the Ghulam
Nabi Azad led Government it would not have
yielded before the pressure of secessionists on
the issue of land allotment to Shri Amarnath
Shrine Board and the nationalists of Jammu had
not to launch a long struggle of over 60 days and
to make tremendous sacrifices to undo the wrong.
Addressing the
meeting of Party activists of West Mandal of
Jammu City, he also recalled that during 1996
elections the National Conference had got a
thumping majority in the Assembly with the result
it amended the State Constitution putting an
embargo on delimitation of Assembly
constituencies upto 2026. This way under the
communal and ill designed act, the Party deprived
the Jammu of their due and suffer political
subjugation and discrimination for two decades
more which was being perpetrated for the past 60
years.
The BJP leader
also maintained that elections also provided an
opportunity to punish those who have been
responsible for injustice to them and not keeping
up the promises made in the earlier polls.
Prof Gupta said
the root cause of secessionism and terrorism was
the grant of special status to J&K under
Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.
He also regretted
that Congress leaders made many promises in the
last elections but failed to keep them. Even in
last six years of Congress led coalition rule the
Medical College of Jammu could not attain the
status of AIIMS, he added.
NC youth
wing declares GDC Kathua unit
Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA,
Nov 3: The
youth wing of National Conference (NC) Kathua
today declared its unit for Government Degree
College (GDC) Kathua after holding a meeting with
the students of the college.
The unit included
Pankaj Sharma as president, Ashwani Kumar as
senior vice president, Jaspreet Singh and Anup
Sharma as vice presidents, Varun Rajput as joint
secretary, Gaurav as secretary and Khalid Hussain
as cashier.
The meeting was
held under the chairmanship of district president
Harpreet Singh Sethi and also attended by city
president Romesh Chander, Abhinandan Gupta,
Shivdev Singh Happy, district secretary Teg Ali,
Himanshu Sharma and Rohit Khajuria.
Army
arranges education tour of 28 poor students
Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI,
Nov 3: Col
K V K Prakash of 60 RR today flagged off 28
children for nine- day long All India Education
tour at Sumote Budhal. The tour has been
organised under the guidance of 163 Infantry
Brigade, Budhal.
These children
belonging to far flung areas of Chasana, Ram
Nagar, Khwas, Kalakote, Budhal, Sumote and
Targian of Reasi and Rajouri districts will visit
different parts of country including Rani Khet,
tourist spot of Nanital and education
institutions of the country. During the flag off
function prominent people of the area, Sarpanches
and panches were present.
They, while
praising the efforts of the Army said, they have
taken the children to such places which otherwise
they were not in a position to see.
Addressing the
function Col. Prakash said the main objective of
this education tour is that these children should
be in a position to see outside world and how
India is leading towards progress. He urged the
people to impart education to their children.
Speaking on the
occasion Moulvi Farid said the Army had already
has already done a lot of social service in the
area but more needs to be done for the betterment
of the people.
Migrants
of Dooru to field community candidate
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 3: A
meeting of migrant voters of Dooru Shahabad
Assembly Segment was held here today under the
presidentship of Moti Lal Koul . All the
participants in the meeting were of the opinion
that participation in elections was the sacred
duty.
Addressing the
meeting R K Bhat said that Pandit voters of the
Constituency are part and parcel of the Dooru
Shahabad and the day will come when they will
return to their homes and hearths . The welfare
of the constituency is our top most priority and
one must participate in the elections to fulfill
this objective, he added.
He said the
community will decide to select a candidate
amongst the Biradri to provide an honest ,
capable, dedicated and committed representative
to the Constituency and the candidate will be
selected on November 8 in the core group meeting.
The segments which
were represented by the community included
Verinag , Bonagund, Lokbhawan, Chingound, Polia,
Bragam, Poonzoo and Gosanigund.
P N Raina said
that the national and regional political parties
have not taken the Biradri members into
confidence while making selection of candidates
which led the biradri to this decision.
NPP
flays State election authorities
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 3: National
Panthers Party leaders in their meeting held here
today criticised the elections authorities as the
voter lists in Hindi and English languages were
not available in the offices of Returning
Officers and the CEO.
The NPP leaders
alleged that when the process for second phase of
the elections has been set in motion, the
concerned authorities have failed to prepare and
provide voters’ lists. Even the names of
thousands of voters in Jammu province have been
deleted arbitarily without intimating them. They
demanded that lists in Hindi and English be made
available with the names of all the eligible
voters.
Criticising
Administration to prevent attacks on NPP
candidates, the senior party leaders urged the
Governor to ensure security cover to their party
candidates.
Prominent among
those present included, advocate Bansi Lal
Sharma, state president, P K Ganju vice
president, H C Jalmeria, Anita Thakur, Ghulam
Ali, Daljeet Singh.
Congregations
of various Biradaris on
Nov 5, 12, 13
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 3: Various
Biradaris are going to celebrate their annual and
bi-annual congregations on November 5, 12 and 13
at their respective Devsthans with fervour and
gaiety.
Sukhe Brahman
Biradari is celebrating annual congregation of
their Kul Dev Shri Baba Galav Ji on November 12
at Jhiri Mandir and appealed the community to
participate along with family members to obtain
blessings of the deity and partake Prasad.
Annual
congregation of Mahajan Idder Biradari is being
held at Sahar-Logate, Kathua with great pomp and
show. All Biradari members have been requested to
attend the function and seek blessings of Maa
Satyoti.
Annual
congregation of All India Thathar (Mahajan)
Biradari is being held at Datti Maa Temple, Baba
Jitto Talab on November 13, where Bhandara would
be served after Pooja and Archana. All Biradari
members have been extended open invitation to
participate along with family members and get
invoked blessings of Datti Maa.
Bi-annual
congregation of Kaith Biradari is being held on
November 13 at Dehra of Bua Uttami Devi in Kothe
Chohala in R S Pura. Biradari president has
requested all the members to participate and seek
blessings of Bua Datti. Havan will be performed
at 9 am and community kitchen from 12.30 pm
onwards.
The congregation
of Abrol Biradari is being held on November 5 at
Jia Potha, Akhnoor.
All the members of
Abrol Biradari have been requested to participate
in congregation to seek blessings of Sajawati
Mata.
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