Bhandari
reviews Jhiri Mela arrangements
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6 : To
make the historic Jhiri Mela more impressive and
alluring this year, the district administration
has geared up its preparations at varied levels
for the success of the Mela.
Discussing the
arrangements being made by the concerning
departments and agencies, the District
Development Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Mandeep K
Bhandari exhorted on co-ordination for the smooth
conduct of the prestigious Mela beginning from
November 13, 2008.
Regarding repair
and renovation of leading roads of Baba Jittoo
temple, the DDC asked the R&B authorities to
immediately start the maintenance work of the
routes and complete their work well before the
start of Mela for the benefit of devotees.
Block Development
Officer directed to make functional existing
sanitation units and also construct another 100
temporary units. He asked the non-government
organization Udhampur Development Society to
engage safaikaramcharis for maintaining
cleanliness in the Jhiri Mela. Instructions were
issued to the Power Development Department for
ensuring regular supply of electricity during
Mela days. He asked the PDD authorities to also
install the flood lights around the temple.
The DDC asked the
PHE authorities to ensure regular supply of
drinking water during Mela days in and around the
temple so that the visiting devotees do not face
any inconvenience. To facilitate the Yatris, he
directed the Irrigation Department authorities to
divert Sua No. 2 water into the Bawa Talab for
having bath in the sacred Talab. The Transport
Department authorities were asked to ply
sufficient busses from MAM stadium to Jhiri
temple via Sua No. 1.
Instructions were
issued to CAPD for setting up of fair price shops
at Jhiri from November 8 onwards to supply atta,
sugar, and kerosene oil to the yatries on cash
payment. The Forest Department was directed to
set up a firewood depot with sufficient stock of
dry firewood. He asked the Health Department
authorities for setting up of two health centres
alongwith ambulances with sufficient stock of
medicines one at Jhiri and another at Baba Talab.
Regarding security
arrangements, the DDC asked the Police Department
to make adequate arrangements for conducting
incident free Jhiri Mela.
Mr. Bhandari asked
the NATRANG authorities to organize play on the
life of Baba Jittoo from November 12-13 for the
awareness of devotees. He asked the officers of
various department for setting up stalls of their
respective institutions in the Jhiri Mela on
November 13 and 14, 2008.
Later, the
District Development Commissioner, Jammu also
convened a high level meeting of officers of PHE,
R&B, PDD, Irrigation & Flood Control to
review the physical and financial achievements of
different development and centrally sponsored
schemes.
HC stays
suspension of DFO Kathua
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6: In
a petition challenging the suspension of Parkash
Singh, Incharge ACF/DFO Kathua, Justice Sunil
Hali of State High Court has issued notice to the
respondents.
The notices were
accepted by the Advocate General D C Raina on
behalf of respondents and Court directed Advocate
General that he shall file objections within this
week.
The Court after
hearing Advocate BS Salathia appearing for the
petitioner ordered that till then order No
408-FST of 2008 dated October 30, 2008 shall
remain stayed.
The petitioner
while seeking quashment of Government order
termed his suspension as illegal, arbitrary and
outcome of malafide exercise of power on the part
of M I Khanday, Principal Secretary to Government
Forest Department and Irshad Khan, Principal
Chief Conservator of Forests.
He also sought
directions to respondents to allow him to
continue at his present place of posting as
Incharge ACF/DFO Kathua till his retirement which
is due within four months.
2 BSP
leaders from Gandhi Nagar unit resign
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6: Two
more leaders of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) from
Gandhi Nagar unit resigned from the primary
membership of the party.
In a written
statement Ashok Kumar Bhagat president Gandhi
Nagar unit of the party and general secretary
Chandan Dakyal resigned alongwith their
supporters from the BSP. In a meeting of the
party workers held at Digiana here today about
two hundered activists declared their decision to
abandon the party due to emerging strong
resentment against the top BSP leaders in the
State.
The speakers in
the meeting strongly criticised Narender Kashyap,
national general secretary and BS Chouhan (state
coordinator) for their alleged wrong policies and
throwing out old loyalists and dedicated workers
and leaders besides changing state heads of the
party repeatedly. They said these leaders
enouraged dictatorship and caused serious damage
to the party while top leadership in UP was
keeping mum and not interfering into the J&K
affairs. Both Kashyap and Chouhan were adopting
the policy of use and throw and installing
candidates without taking into confidence Mandal,
Distt or State committees. Only money power is
being given preference for providing party
ticket, they alleged.
3
killed, 7 injured in road accidents
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6: Three
persons were killed in separate road mishaps at
different places in Jammu division.
A police spokesman
said that a motor cyclist was killed when his
motorcycle skidded off the road and turned turtle
at Magar Khad near Kathua last night.
Police rushed him
to District Hospital Kathua where he was declared
as brought dead. The deceased has been identified
as Rohit Kumar, son of Roshan Lal of Shahpur
Kandi (Punjab).
In another road
mishap, a youth was crushed to death when he was
hit by a load carrier bearing registration number
JK02S/4460 at Ramgarh.
The deceased has
been identified as Gurmeet Singh alias Babb, son
of Daleep Singh of Karyalian.
Meanwhile, one Raj
Kumar, son of Mulkh Raj of Chowala, R S Pura was
hit and injured by a vehicle at Indra Nagar Near
Petrol Pump. The injured was shifted to
Government Medical College and Hospital where he
succumbed to injuries.
The spokesman said
that seven persons sustained injuries in separate
road accidents at different places.
They have been
identified as Sakshi, daughter of Gori Shanker of
Patoli, Anju Bala, daughter of Harbans Lal of
Ramgarh, Faiz Ahmed, son of Gh Mohd of Budgam,
Kalpana Bhat, wife of Sunil Bhat of Amar Colony,
Subash, son of Tej Ram of Kanachak, Neha Devi,
daughter of
Vijay Kumar of
Nekowal and Rattno Devi, wife of Tehal Singh of
Nanak Nagar.
BJP
apprehends misuse of official
machinery by Cong
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6: Apprehending
misuse of official machinery by Congress, the
Bharatiya Janata Party today asked the Governor,
N N Vohra to ensure free and fair elections in
the State.
"There is
every apprehension that the officers who managed
their postings in Congress led coalition
Government at key positions will misuse the
official machinery to support the Congress
candidates at the hustings", said BJP State
president, Ashok Khajuria while addressing a
joint press conference alongwith former MoS
Defence, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta and party National
Executive Member, Dr Nirmal Singh here today.
Mr Khajuria said
that party has also framed the list of those
officials who are supporting a particular
political party and the same will be handed over
to Government soon. He alleged that the model
code of conduct is being violated in many
constituencies and demanded that local officers
be transferred from these constituencies.
Expressing grave
concern over the increasing power cuts, Mr
Khajuria warned that BJP will not tolerate
increasing power shutdown and sufferings of the
people including traders and the party will also
make it a poll issue.
Accusing the
Government of not providing security to BJP
candidates in Kashmir Valley and Poonch district,
he demanded immediate security for the party
candidates failing which it will take up the
issue with Election Commission.
Maintaining that
BJP is contesting this election with an objective
of installing a Government of nationalist forces
in the State, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta said election
of Obama as US President and presentation of self
rule document by PDP patron and former Chief
Minister to Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh
were dangerous signals.
Few days back Mr
Obama through a statement thrusted on resolution
of Kashmir issue while Mufti’s self rule
document does not accept Kashmir as a part of
India and gives suggestions that how the issue
can be settled, he added.
Refuting that BJP
has created hindrances in the way of unity among
the organizations supporting the Sangarsh Samiti
agitation, Dr Nirmal Singh said while Party
supported LUTF in Ladakh, it also talked with
Panthers party, BSP and independent candidate in
Bishnah for seat adjustment but they wanted that
BJP should keep its banner away from poll process
as was done in Sangarsh Samiti agitation which
was not acceptable to us.
Meanwhile BJP
Corporator, Chander Mohan Gupta refuted that he
had resigned from BJP and said that his family
has been associated with the party since Praja
Parishad movement.
NPP
replaces Kishtwar, Basohli, Gool candidates
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6: Parliamentary
Board of the National Panthers Party headed by
Prof Bhim Singh today replaced the party
candidates in Basohli, Kishtwar and Gool-Arnas
assembly constituencies.
A party spokesman
said that Chairman Prof Bhim Singh replaced these
candidates on their personal request. In place of
Darshan Sharma, Jagdev Singh Sarpanch, district
vice president of the party will contest
elections from Basohli. Due to operation and
ill-health, Darshan Sharma is unable to move for
campaign and recommended the name of Jagdev.
Anil Parihar will
contest as NPP candidate in place of Neelam
Mahajan, a journalist. She requested the
Parliamentary Board to award Kishtwar seat to
Parihar, keeping in mind his courageous
initiative to revolt against BJP and joning NPP.
Similarly, Haji
Faqir Mohd of Bodan will be party candidate from
Gool- Arnas constituency. He has replaced Ghulam
Mohd Shan who himself has supported Haji and
preferred to step down in his favour.
Meanwhile, Prof
Bhim Singh launched his party campaign from Marh
and addressed rally in favour of his party
candidate, Ms Anita Thakur. Accompanied by EX-MLA
Faqir Nath, Parmjeet Singh, Ashok Randhawa and
Shanker Singh Chib he addressed people and
appealed them to support NPP for removing age old
discrimination with Jammu region and providing
equal justice to the people of all the regions.
He said that NC and PDP have been totally exposed
for anti-Jammu stance.
He also addressed
rallies at Phallain Mandal, Mukwal, Teko Tera,
Soanjana and other places.
HC
notices to respondents in
selection of Anganwari
workers
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6: In
a writ petition challenging the selection of
daughter in law of one of the members of the
Interview Committee as Anganwari worker, Justice
Y P Nargotra of State High Court today issued
notice to State through Chief Secretary,
Commissioner/Secretary Social Welfare Department,
Director Social Welfare Jammu and others. In the
meanwhile, the Court ordered that selection shall
be subject to the outcome of the petition.
The counsel for
the petitioner Advocate Surinder Kour submitted
that the Interview Committee comprising District
Social Welfare Officer Rajouri, Pankaj Sharma, Dr
Yaseen, Medical Officer Sub-District Hospital
Manjakote and Bashir Khan, BDO Rajouri, has
selected private respondent Nasreen Kouser,
daughter-in-law of Bashir Khan and more qualified
and meritorious persons were ignored.
The petitioner
prayed before the Court to quash the selection
list of Anganwari workers ICDS Project,
Manjakote, Rajouri.
After hearing
Advocate Surinder Kour, the Court issued notice
to State through Chief Secretary,
Commissioner/Secretary Social Welfare Department,
Director Social Welfare Jammu and others. In the
meanwhile, the Court ordered that selection shall
be subject to the outcome of the petition.
LPEF
lambasts delay in pay panel
report implementation
Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA,
Nov 6: The
All J&K Low Paid Government Employees
Federation (LPEF) has lambasted the State
Government for unnecessary delay in the
implementation of sixth pay commission report.
Addressing a rally
of low paid employees at Hiranagar, Abdul Majid
Khan, president of the Federation, strongly urged
the State Government to revise pay, pension and
perks of State employees and pensioners in
accordance with Sixth pay commission report.
Further speaking,
Khan sought revision of minimum daily wage to Rs
150 and also demanded enhancement of honorarium
to village guards, numberdars, anganwari workers,
helpers, ReT teachers and education volunteers.
Others who also
addressed the gathering included Kabla Singh,
Hans Raj Sharma, Bhagwan Dass Sharma, Dewan
Chand, Kaka Ram, Balak Ram and Bhikham Chand.
NC
leadership incompetent to solve
people’s problems:
Mehbooba
Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH,
Nov 6: Charging
National Conference leadership with adopting
casual approach towards miseries of the people,
People's Democratic Party (PDP) president
Mehbooba Mufti today said that her party is
seeking mandate to carrying forward the visionary
agenda pioneered by the coalition regime headed
by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
Accompanied by
popular leader of Poonch, Yashpal Sharma and
former Minister Moulvi Iftikar Hussain Ansari, Ms
Mufti addressed series of public meetings in the
border areas of Poonch-Haveli Assembly in support
of party candidate Imtiyaz Bandey. Yashpal Sharma
accompanied PDP president in every nook and
corner of Poonch constituency and asked the
people to ensure victory of party candidate.
While addressing
these meeting, Ms Mufti reminded that the people
of Jammu and Kashmir had given two third majority
to the National Conference with a hope that the
democratic elected government would solve their
problems. "What to say of heeding woes of
the masses, immature and incredible NC leadership
used that brute majority to further compound woes
of the people", she regretted and asked the
people not to repose their faith in that careless
and non serious leadership.
"The coming
elections are not just to elect some individuals.
You have to elect a leader who would lead you in
the coming six years", she said and, adding
" Mufti Mohammad Sayed as Chief Minister of
Jammu and Kashmir has set an example of good
governance".
"We want your
support to carry forward the unaccomplished
political and economic agenda of Mufti Mohammad
Sayeed which is aimed at changing fate of the
inhabitants of this State", Ms Mufti said,
adding, "the visionary measures of enormous
political and economic significance taken by the
Mufti Mohammad Sayeed led regime has yielded
encouraging results as prevailing peace on the
border is result of that policies".
Public
Sector JAC holds meet
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6: Public
Sector Employees Joint Action Committee in its
meeting here today held under the chairmanship of
Suresh Sharma discussed the various problems of
the PSU employees.
As per a release,
the meeting has demanded regularisation of daily
wagers and stopping of discriminatory attitude of
management with trade union leaders.
Addressing the
meeting Mrs C K Sudan its president demanded that
SRO 14 be rectified by bringing it at par with
Government employees.
The meeting, while
welcoming the Governor, N N Vohra for issuing
orders regarding payment of DA instead of COLA in
favour of PSU employees and considering
pensionary benefits for PSU employees on pattern
of Central PSUs said the working class in PSUs
will always remember this historical decision. It
said this is for the first time in the history of
PSU employees when any Government in principle
has accepted to end discrimination with PSU
employees.
The meeting among
others was addresed by Anchal Bakshi, Ashok
Samyal, Divinder Sharma, Manjit Singh, Ravtez
Singh, Mohammed Yousf and Bashir Haji.
The meeting was
also addresed by R K Koul, T N Dhar, S N Pandita,
T N Bhat, A K Bhat, C L Pandita and Moti Lal.
Rousing
reception to new NSUI state president
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6: The
activists of National Students Union of India
(NSUI) accorded a rousing reception to their
newly appointed state president Rashid Choudhary
who returned from Delhi this morning after his
nomination there last week.
A large number of
NSUI activists received Choudhary at Jammu
Railway Station by garlanding him profusely.
Later, he was brought to the University of Jammu
(JU) in a shape of procession.
At JU, the
activists danced to the tunes of drum beats and
celebrated the appointment of Choudhary. Sweets
were also distributed on the occasion.
Addressing the
activists, Choudhary expressed gratitude towards
AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi and NSUI
national president Nadeem Javed for giving him
opportunity to serve the youth. He apprised that
State NSUI will soon declare a comprehensive
policy and work plan besides, declaration of
election committee for ensuing Assembly
elections.
Prominent among
the NSUI activists who were part of the rally
included state general secretary Shahnawaz
Choudhary, Varun Magotra, Vinay Sharma, Anuj
Malhotra, Talib, Naseeb Ali and others.
Law
School students excel in poster-making
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6: The
students of The Law School, University of Jammu
(JU) have excelled in the inter-college poster
making competition on United Nations Millennium
Development by claiming three prizes.
The competition
was organized by JU in collaboration with Rinchen
Bzangpo Art Gallery and National Service Scheme
(NSS). Nearly 100 students from various
departments of the University and colleges had
participated in the competition.
The Law School
students who claimed prizes included Sachin Kumar
Bhagat (1st prize on theme Combating HIV/AIDS),
Rahul Gupta (1st prize on theme Development of
Global Partnership for Development) and Suhani
Kotwal (2nd prize on theme Maternal Health).
Meanwhile,
Director Prof Lalita Parihar has complimented the
students on their success.
Jammu
born artist exhibits her paintings
Excelsior Correspondent
NEW
DELHI, Nov 6: If an image can jolt ones
sense of right and wrong and prick the
conscience, then Nisha Singh's canvas is a
damning reflection of society's indifference to
the girl child. No amount of justication can
condone the attitude towards the girl child when
her conception is confirmed in the womb. Don't
Kill Me is a canvas that is raw in emotion.
A girl with
plaited hair and red ribbons, has her arms raised
to the heavens, beseeching the Gods for an answer
with all the innocence, hopes and inspiration
that a new life brings with it. The canvas has
shades of green signifying life, but is shadowed
by the clouds of red colour that are hovering
overhead to extinguish it. The image of an
indifferent mother in red adds to the sinister
feel.
Such paintings
have been displayed at a week long exhibition
held at Mystiq Art Gallery in New Delhi.
Nisha Singh is a
self taught artist, and a talented one as well.
Her husband encouraged her, and his transferable
job exposed her to different places and people
which has widened her sense of what life is all
about. She does breath life into her canvas in
one go, an indication of how vivid her
imagination and creativity is. Her ability to use
colors to express her ideas is impressive. The
apathy towards the girl child has awakened her
desire to sensitize the people about the problem.
The canvas of the
three women is sensuous . The colours used are
pleasing and the images of the women is
mysterious, just as women are. The exhibition is
to close on November 8.
Kashir
goes on-line, viewership up
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6: Kashir
Channel has become the first channel of Jammu and
Kashmir to go on-line with the launch of its
website ddksrinagar@yahoo.com and
ddksrinagar@gmail.com.
The website have
started attracting very encouraging response from
South Asian, Europe and other countries
especially Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Canada,
United States, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan etc,
DDK Srinagar Director Rafiq Masoodi said.
Scores of e-mails
are being received daily by the Kashir Channel
after it went on-line with people from different
countries writing in appreciation of the
programmes telecast by the channel depicting
culture of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh region
besides inter-active programmes and other shows
introduced recently.
"The people
of Jammu and Kashmir residing in several South
Asian, European and other countries across the
world were also having easy access to Kashmir
Channel after it went on satellite", Mr
Masoodi said, adding that people across 145
countries were presently having access to the
Channel.
He added that the
complaints of Jammu based Producers about earlier
neglect have been addressed to. Kashir was best
Indian channel as far as Diwali programmes were
concerned. During last six months, the Channel
topped in presentation of Live programmes as
compared to other channels.
The word
‘Channel’ has been removed from the
Logo to give it a better look.
Several other
measures to make the Channel a top most
international channel are in the offing.
Non Camp
migrants flay political
parties for ignoring
Pandits
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6: All
Displaced Kashmiri Pandit (Non Camp) Welfare
Organization Janipur in a meeting here today held
under the chairmanship of P L Saraf discussed
various problems being faced by the displaced
Pandits.
As per a release,
A K Koul, president Kashmiri Welfare Society
Vaishali, was the guest of honour. While putting
forth the agenda of the meeting Karan Choudhary,
general secretary of the organization said that
Kashmiri Pandits have been deprived of the
political rights.
He alleged that
the names of large number of Kashmiri Pandits are
missing from the respective voters lists.
Moreover the erstwhile visionaries had reserved
three seats for Kashmiri Pandits in State
Assembly but by passage of time these seats were
reduced to nil.
The meeting while
accusing the political parties of ignoring the
Kashmiri Pandits said they should bear in mind
that Kashmir belongs to Pandits as to them.
The meeting
decided that the political party which assures
the honorable return with a rehabilitation
package acceptable to all besides restoration of
civil, political and religious rights as
guaranteed by the constitution will be supported
by the organization in the ensuing elections.
JKNPP
reconstitutes body for Udhampur
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6: Chairman
Jammu Kashmir National Panthers Party, Prof Bhim
Singh has reconstituted Udhampur district
committee of the party with Mool Raj as its
president and Sub Jagan Singh Sarpanch as
advisor.
The vice
presidents nominated were Kulbir Gupta, Hari
Saran, Hem Raj Sharma and Madan Lal Pujala. The
general secretaries included Ramesh Kapoor, Amar
Nath Mehra and Ajaz Ahmed, while secretaries
being Paras Ram, Shamima Akhtar, Jagdish Chand
Anthal, Padam Dev Singh, Meena Kumari, Kuldeep
Singh Jamwal, Vinod Lata and Kamlu Mahasha.
Roop Kaur was
appointed Mahila wing president of the district
of NPP, while Anuradha Gupta was appointed
president women wing of NPP for Ramnagar. All the
district and block office bearers would be
ex-officio members of the NPP including youth,
students and ex-servicemen wing. It was resolved
that all the local presidents and ex-legislators
would be ex-officio members of DPC.
Sudesh Sharma was
appointed as vice president and Sukhdev Singh as
secretary of provincial body of JKNPP while Capt
Bana Singh (PVC) was nominated as chairman,
Panthers Ex-servicemen Committee and Zaman Ahmed
as vice chairman of the said committee.
Land
acquisition for major projects discussed
Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA,
Nov 6: In
order to expedite the construction of major road
and building projects and acquisition of land
required for the projects, District Development
Commissioner, Kathua, Mandeep Kaur convened a
meeting of Revenue and other concerned district
officers at Kathua today.
As many as 28
cases under PMGSY, 9 under GREF`s Project Sampark
and 7 other land acquisition cases were discussed
and their status were reviewed in the meeting.
The cases that came under discussion include RTO
office at Lakhanpur, New Kenderiya Vidhalaya at
Mahanpur and Forelane, Integrated Tourist
Circuit, Lakhanpur- Basohli- Bani, Road from
Dramni to Sanochar, Kishanpur to Lornu, Tehr to
Ghat and Ghat to Machhaddi, Police post at
village Malhar, Tilla, Sadrota, Thal, Kindli in
tehsil Billawar, Income tax Office at Kathua,
Industrial Unit at Logate, Office complex of
Rural Development Agency, Tube Well at Traf Bala
and Red Cross Bhawan at Kathua, District Fire
Complex at Kathua, Establishment of SOG camp at
Sarthal Bani, Court Complex at Mahanpur, Seed
Multifuncational farm at Mahanpur, Solid Waste
Management Plant at Chak Drabkhan, Kathua, Land
acquisition for roads under GREF in tehsil
Basohli and Bani and GREF camp and residential
quarters at Bhoond, tehsil Bani
While reviewing
the status of the cases, Ms. Kaur issued
directions to the Sub. Divisional Magistrates of
Billawar, Basohli and Bani and Assistant
Commissioner Revenue to expedite the cases of
land acquisition so that construction work on
these major projects can start at the earliest.
DIET
organizes seminar on ‘Global Warming’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6: The
District Institute of Education and Trainings
(DIET) Jammu today organized a district level
seminar on the topic ‘Global Warming’
in Government Girls Higher Secondary School
(GGHSS), Shastri Nagar.
A total of ten
students from different schools who stood first
at tehsil level seminar held on November 1
participated in the event. Parwinder Kour of GHSS
RS Pura was adjudged as first while Neha Rakhwal
of GHSS Dablehar and Sahil Salgotra of GHSS
(Boys) Gandhi Nagar secured second and third
positions respectively in the event.
The seminar was
held under the overall supervision of Principal
DIET Virender Kumar Sharma.
BPCA
organizes prize giving ceremony
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6: The
Bahu Plaza Complex Association (BPCA) today
organized prize giving ceremony of the lucky draw
contest of Bahu Plaza Mega Diwali Festival at
Bahu Plaza.
President, Chamber
of Commerce and Industry Jammu, Ram Sahai
presided over the occasion. Members of the
Association that included Gurpreet Singh
(president), Naresh Gupta (vice-president),
Satish Singh (general secretary) and Bhanu Pratap
(convener) were also present.
Those who won mega
prizes were Rakesh Kumar (motorcycle), Kapil
(air-conditioner) and Rajeev (washing machine).
Samprati
Samman for Haleem
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6: Kashmir
Bhasha Evam Samprati an organization of Kashmiri
writers in exile in its meeting here today held
under the chairmanship of its president Dr R L
Bhat has accepted the recommendations of a three
member Committee headed by Prof Amar Malmohi for
conferring the Samprati Samman of 2007 to Shamboo
Nath Bhat Haleem a noted Kashmiri poet and
broadcaster.
The other two
members of the Committee were Prof B L Fotedar
and Makhan Lal Kanwal.
The award is being
conferred to Mr Haleem for his life long
contributions to Kashmiri literature and his
collection of poems Vethi-Handi-Alav published in
2004. The Samman consists of a citation, a shawl
and a cash award.
In the meeting it
was also decided that the elections for the next
Executive of Samprati will be held on November 9.
BJP’s
claim of 33 pc quota to
women is baseless:
Thakur
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6: Bharatiya
Janata Party, Mahila Morcha spokesperson, Geeta
Thakur today said that she will continue to press
for the 33 percent reservations to women in
organization as well as the legislative bodies.
Criticizing the
Party leadership she termed its claims of
granting 33 percent reservations to women
baseless saying that out of 55 to 60 office
bearers in state body only one lady has been
given the post.
She said though at
national level the Party has given 33 percent
reservations to women in organization but the
same principle has not been applied in this
state.
Geeta Thakur
warned that the national leaders visiting Jammu
in future will have to face wrath of women and
the Party will face a severe jolt as in protest
against its wrong policies many dedicated workers
and leaders were quitting it.
She reiterated
that rebel Morcha activists will not sit till
they force the Party to enforce 33 percent
reservations for women in organizational matters
as well as in giving mandate for legislative
bodies.
Ms Thakur said
that it was during elections of Jammu Municipal
Corporation that she raised the issue regarding
grant of 33 percent reservations to women and now
again she has raised this issue during Assembly
elections so that women get their due share which
is essential for their empowerment.
BSP
launches party campaign in Billawar
Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA,
Nov 6: Launching
party’s campaign at Billawar in favour of
its candidate from Assembly constituency Kartar
Singh Makhnu, State president of the BSP, Tulsi
Dass Langeh, said that party led by Kumari
Mayawati would provide alternate to the people of
Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing public
meeting at Billawar today Mr Langeh said that
people will reject PDP, NC and even Congress, as
these parties stand exposed in view of recent
agitation. The people are even not happy due to
the role played by BJP as its leaders tried to
exploit people on religion lines. He said BSP
never believes in communalism, regionalism or
dividing society on the name of religion.
Rakesh Wazir,
general secretary asked the people to support
Kartar Singh Makhnu and ensured his victory for
the better development of the area. He said that
BSP was committed for the over all development of
all the regions and areas of the State and equal
distibution of funds.
Party candidates
Kartar Singh, Master Des Raj, Sunit Pandit, Hans
Raj and Babu Ram also spoke on the ocassion.
Shingari
contesting Assembly
election as independent
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6: Giving
a boost to its election campaign S Surinder Singh
Shingari, Corporator JMC and Member Health and
Sanitation Committee, said that he has decided to
contest State Assembly election as an Independent
candidate for the cause of Jammu people.
He announced this
decision to media-persons at a press conference
held here today.
Elaborating told
the press that he would carry on the struggle for
issues related to the discrimination with Jammu
region at the hands of Kashmiri leadership and
Jammu leaders having their ties with the national
parties. He asserted that during the two months
long agitation he was inspired by the unique
leadership of its own kind during the two month
long agitation in entire Jammu region which
compelled to concede its demands.
Citing the example
of discrimination and injustice with POK refugees
he said they were suffering for last 60 years at
the hands of regional and national politicians.
He said now the time has come for the Jammu
people to come forward and plead their own cause.
Mr Shingari said
that he was supported by a number of colleagues
and at present they are all of the opinion that
the struggle must go on to have a judicious share
for the people of the Jammu region.
He however
favoured cordial relations between the peopole of
Jammu and Kashmir provinces.
NC holds
key to address people's problems: Omar
SRINAGAR,
Nov 6: Asserting
that a popular Government holds the key to
address problems of the people, National
Conference (NC) president Omar Abdullah today
said his party alone was capable of safeguarding
the unity and integrity of Jammu and Kashmir.
"NC is the
only party which can safeguard the unity and
integrity of Jammu and Kashmir, restore its
special position and is capable of providing
relief to the helpless people from the exploitive
elements," Omar said addressing a convention
of party workers from Charar-e-Sharief Assembly
constituency.
Attacking the
previous PDP-Congress coalition Government, Omar
said "instead of healing touch (much
publicised slogan of PDP), PDP soaked the blood
of people, sold out land to the Amarnath Shrine
Board and sowed the seeds of largescale
corruption and allowed unemployment to grow
during its six year rule."
Referring to his
party’s regime (1996-2002), he said his
father Farooq Abdullah formed the Government when
the clouds of war were hovering between India and
Pakistan and the killing of innocents was the
order of the day.
"But despite
these drawbacks, the NC Government motivated the
Centre to announce a ceasefire in 2000. Five top
Hizbul commanders then came forward and the
process of talks was set in motion," he
said.
"The State
was in deep economic distress, but our Government
provided adequate power to the people and charged
merely Rs 50 from them," he said.
"Today, the
electricity system has virtually collapsed and
the people are forced to stay under darkness for
as long as 15 hours despite paying heavy
electricity bills", he added.
On the development
front, he said the NC Government constructed road
from Srinagar to the Shrine of Sufi Saint Sheikh
Noor-ud-Din Noorani at Chrar-e-Sharief but during
the coalition rule only stone laying functions
were organised.
"A stone
laying function was organised for the
construction of a bridge at Chadoora on
Srinagar-Chrar-e-Sharief road in 2002 but so far
the bridge has not come up," he said.
Party candidate
from Chrar-e-Sharief Abdul Rahim Rather, in his
address, said restoration of autonomy was the
single agenda of the party.
"With your
support, our party will came to power and ensure
that the autonomy is restored to the State,"
he said.
He said that NC
will provide immediate allowance to the educated
unemployeds in the State if his party is voted to
power.
He also assured
the people that his party will eradicate
corruption, improve the education system and
restore the position of the State in health and
tourism sectors.(PTI)
SSH
blames PDD for damage of electronic metres
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Nov 6: A
delegation of Shiv Sena Hindustan (SSH) led by
its president Dimpy Kohli today visited the
office of Chief Engineer M&RE to know about
the reasons for the power curtailments.
The SSH in a
handout issued here today said that Chief
Engineer was not present in the office and after
meeting the other concerned officers they
informed the delegation that power curtailment
was due to damage to the electronic metres in the
City which surprised the SSH leaders.
The Sena leaders,
while holding the PDD authorities responsible for
the damages said that they installed the metres
outside the shops so people should not be held
responsible for the same.
Moreover the PDD
authorities were charging the tariff as per the
highest previous bill so they should ensure round
the clock power supply also, they demanded.
The Sena leaders
again warned that in case of any eventuality in
the city during the power cuts PDD will be held
responsible.
Coldest
night in Kashmir, Ladakh
SRINAGAR,
Nov 6: The
Kashmir valley and Ladakh region experienced the
coldest night of this season so far, as Western
Disturbances (WD) from Pakistan entered the
region.
It was the coldest
night of this winter sofar in the Valley after
the minimum temperature dipped to 1.5 degrees
Celcius, two degrees below normal this morning.
The major part of
the day also remained partially cloudy, resulting
in cold.
Leh, in Ladakh
region, going to polls along with nine other
Assembly segments in the State on November 17,
was also the coldest, after the minimum
temperature dipped to minus seven.
This was the
coldest night sofar in Leh, where temperature
goes down to minus 20 to 25 degrees at some
places during winter.
Kargil also
recorded minus 1.6 degrees this morning, while
temperature of the nearby Drass, the second
coldest place in the world after Siberia, was not
available.
Meanwhile, the WD
from Arabian sea have entered the region through
Afghanistan and Pakistan.(UNI)
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