Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 10:  Commissioner Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department, Manoj K Dwivedi today took a review of progress under package for relief and revival of industry announced by Lieutenant Governor  on the basis of a report of the Committee constituted for the same.
The Commissioner Secretary dealt with all the points of action pertaining to the Industries & Commerce Department, comprising Directorate of Industries & Commerce, Handicrafts and Handloom Department, J&K SIDCO and J&K SICOP. He underscored the need for creating awareness among the industrial fraternity regarding the benefits announced by the JKUT Government under the said Package.
Dwivedi impressed upon the officers present in the meeting to enable ease of doing business. “The steps taken by the department on this behalf should not merely remain on papers, but the effect should be seen on ground”, he added.
He also underscored the need to address Artisan distress and called for creating market demand for their products. He asked the department to explore the possibility of procuring handicraft goods from artisans through Corporation like JK Industries and SICOP and making these goods available to various Government Departments ensuring their marketability.
He emphasised the need for securing 20 percent procurement of locally manufactured goods along with 20 percent price preference in all procurements on e-tendering and GeM portal.
The Commissioner Secretary urged the Director, I&C-Jammu and Director, I&C-Kashmir to arrange a Buyer-Seller Meet with the Army for enhancing the market reach of local products.
He impressed upon the Committee constituted for suggesting Diagnostic study regarding solving problems related to Industries to submit its report well within the prescribed time frame.
The meeting was attended by Mohammad Harun, MD J&K SIDCO; Anoo Malhotra, Director, Industries & Commerce, Jammu;  RC Kotwal, Director-Finance, Industries and Commerce Department; Vikas Gupta, Director Handicrafts and Handloom  Department, Jammu; Aadil Fareed, Deputy Secretary and  DP Singh, General Manager, SICOP, besides other officers from the allied departments.
Director, Industries & Commerce, Kashmir, Mahmood Ahmed Shah, and  Director, Handicrafts and Handloom Department, Kashmir, Masrat Ul Islam, also attended the meeting through video conferencing
The Comm. Secretary exhorted all the departments to make all out efforts for implementation of the Package with a view to support the industry and be ready to make sure that Industries from J&K are ready for increased market demand in the Post COVID period. He directed the officers to submit all requisite proposals within a week.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 10: The National Conference attacked BJP blaming them for making incremental assaults on Indian democracy and its federal structure starting with the dismemberment of J&K and stripping it of its constitutional rights.
“No longer constrained by anything, the BJP, ever since it has come to power has bulldozed the secular visage of the country by unilaterally and unconstitutionally rescinding J&K’s Special Status,” party general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar said here while presiding over a meeting of Party’s Zone presidents and District presidents here today.
Party’s Provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani, Zone presidents MA Lone, Ali Mohd Dar, Dr Bashir Veeri, Provincial secretary Showkat Mir, District presidents Peer Afaq Ahmed, Altaf Ahmed Kaloo, Abdul Majeed Bhat Larmi, Ghulam Mohiudin Mir, Showkat Ganai, Abdul Ahad Dar, Qaisar Jamsheed Lone, Mir Ghulam Rasool Naz, Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar etc were also present in the meeting.
The challenges and issues concerning the people were discussed in the meeting. The participants discussed the party affairs and also highlighted the day to day issues faced by the people in different parts of Kashmir Division.
While addressing the meet, Sagar said that the unilateral, unconstitutional and undemocratic decisions have been rejected by the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. He said the spiteful decisions taken by the ruling dispensation at New Delhi have not fared well in any region of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The peaceful struggle embarked by the Party president Dr Farooq Abdullah for the restoration of the rights of people of J&K, and Ladakh is reflective of the aspirations of the people living in every nook and corner. The fervour and enthusiasm with which people from all walks of life are meeting Dr Farooq Abdullah led PAGD is reflective of the sentiments of the people of J&K, and Ladakh. The BJP on other hand stands unmasked before people, who have lately perceived its divisive agenda,” he said.
“The unified voice of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh in the shape of PAGD has attested to the fact that the people of J&K have rejected the measures taken on the August 5, 2019 and all the successive black laws which were supplanted subsequently on people through notifications, and executive orders without the democratic consent of the people.”

BJP chief, MP assure to take up issue with LG

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 10 The general public, particularly in rural and semi- urban areas is badly suffering as the strike of the PHE/Jal Shakti Department daily rated/ consolidated workers entered 47th consecutive day today.
The employees/ workers of Jal Shakti (PHE) Department, under the banner of PHE Employees United Front, held strong protest demonstration outside the office of Chief Engineer at BC Road PHE complex here today. The agitating workers criticized the UT Administration for its failure to resolve their pending issue. They said despite such a long agitation, the authorities have failed to release pending wages of the workers and also ensure their regularisation.
The workers condemned the protesting workers in Kashmir and demanded their release. They alleged that BJP has failed to resolve the pending issues of the workers and employees despite long protests and many representations to the higher authorities. Even local BJP leadership was silent over the matter.
The protesting workers were demanding their regularization, release of pending 65 months’ wages of many workers, implement Minimum Wages Act in J&K on Central pattern and revoke 12 vouchers’ rider.
They claimed that the agitation would be continued till their demands are addressed by the Government. The members alleged that J&K Administration itself wants to worsen the situation. They said during COVID, wagers do not want to assemble in large number but the Administration has forced them to do so.
The United Front leaders claimed that during protest outside BJP office at Trikuta Nagar, state BJP chief Ravinder Raina and MP Jugal Kishore assured to take up their issue with Lt Governor Manoj Sinha tomorrow. They said senior members of the United Front will also accompany them during meeting with Lt Governor tomorrow.
Senior members Jyoti Parkash, Rajinder Singh, Navdeep Singh, Hoshiar Singh, Ravi Singh, Bhanu Partap, Mohan Lal, Binkal Manhas and others were also present on the occasion.

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Nov 10: Big jolt to PDP as many top party leaders resigned from the party and joined BJP in presence of party JK UT, president, Ravinder Raina, MP (Lok Sabha) Jugal Kishore Sharma and other party leaders at Nowshera.
PDP zonal president, Ch. Sukhdev Singh, (Retd), veteran soldier, Subedar Gian Chand, senior PDP leader, along with hundreds of their supporters resigned PDP and joined BJP on the occasion.
District president Capt (retd) . Balkrishan Singh, Mandal president Ch. Chottu Ram, Ch. Bahadur Nath, Ashok Choudhary, Sanjeev Dutta, Rajat Singh Chib, Preeti Mahajan, Asha Rani were also present in the function.
Ravinder Raina welcomed the PDP leaders into the BJP and said that PDP is now a sunken ship. With continuous Pakistan favouring rhetoric and anti-national utterances by PDP senior leadership, it has completely lost the faith of public as well as its leaders. He said that these leaders were feeling suffocated in PDP as they wanted to serve the motherland like a patriot and hence joined BJP with a strong faith in working with a free mind.
Jugal Kishore Sharma greeted the new entrants with open arms and expressed faith that their joining will further strengthen the development process in the region. He also asked them to work sincerely along the party line and assured them of full support in public welfare activities. He said that while the time is on for the DDC elections now but alongside they will have to work for the Modi Government funded schemes in masses from right day 1.
Ch. Sukhdev Singh, Gian Chand, Prithvi Raj Khokhar and other new entrants said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Government has gained trust of people with their dedicated working for the development as well as with the strong nationalist stand both within and on the borders of the nation. He said that as BJP activists it will be more comfortable for them to serve the nation and society with pure heart and assured the senior BJP leadership that they will serve Nation and party with dedication.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 10:Exhorting the party workers to expose anti-weaker sections policies being pursued by BJP NDA Government at the Centre, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary incharge J&K, Rajni Patil today regretted that females and marginalized sections are the worst victims of the BJP’s pro-corporate policies.
Addressing a gathering organized by Pradesh Mahila Congress to observe `Dalit-Mahila Utpeedan Diwas’ to highlight atrocities on females and Dalits across the country, Patil pointed out that in the BJP ruled States marginalized sections are facing atrocities as BJP leaders have been found involved in shielding those who are responsible for committing such atrocities.
During the gathering Mahila Congress under the leadership of its chief and former MLA, Indu Pawar also started a signature campaign against atrocities on Dalits and females.
Rajni Patil said that Congress is organizing such programmes across the nation to educate people about BJP’s anti-weaker sections policies. She regretted that with much publicity, the BJP had started `Beti Bachao, Beti Padao’ campaign but in reality BJP leaders are themselves involved in committing atrocities on females. She also made it a point to highlight infamous Hathras incident of UP where BJP leaders were found involved in protecting those who were indulged in committing heinous crime.
Speaking on the occasion, PCC chief appreciated Mahila Congress for organizing this programme to expose BJP. He called upon Mahila Congress activities to organize such programmes at district level to aware the people about BJP’s real face.
Pradesh Mahila Congress president Indu Pawar said that this programme is organized as par national wide campaign against atrocities on females and weaker sections. She assured the party leadership that similar programmes would be organized at district level by mobilizing Dalits and females to take on BJP for committing atrocities on these sections of the society.
Meanwhile, Congress held a ‘Signature Campaign’ in Jammu East Constituency to oppose the new land laws of J&K. The program was organised by former minister J&K Yogesh Sawhney and Ritu Choudhary, Corporator, Ward No. 7.
Rajni Patil, Sudhir Sharma, former minister Himachal Pradesh and secretary AICC In-Charge J&K and Ghulam Ahmad Mir, PCC chief led the campaign and sought public signatures to oppose the new land laws which were rolled out recently by the BJP Government at the Centre concerning sale and buying of land in the Union Territory of J&K.
Prominent PCC leaders Raman Bhalla, Kanta Bhan, Ravinder Sharma, Manmohan Singh, Rajnish Sharma, Arvinder Singh Micky, Vinod Sharma, Gurdarshan Singh, and Gajjan Singh, Tirlok Singh Bajwa, Hussain Ali, Vaid Mahajan were present at the Signature Campaign.
Patil announced that Congress would gather one crore signatures from J&K against the newly passed land laws and farm laws to showcase people’s disapproval of the Government’s policies and seek their repeal. She attacked the BJP for giving the country “black laws” which would dismantle the agricultural sector for the farmers.

Excelsior Correspondent

KARGIL, Nov 10: Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC, Kargil Baseer ul Haq Choudhary directed the concerned departments to ensure proper transportation and supply of essential commodities including ration, medicines, key construction materials and petroleum products to the district in a stipulated time frame keeping in view the ensuing winter season.
The DC gave these instructions while chairing a meeting of the officers of district administration to review the preparedness and arrangements being made for the winter season and position of winter stocking and supply of essential commodities especially in the snow bound areas of the district.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Kargil Tsering Motup besides officers of Mechanical, R&B, PDD, Health, Agriculture, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Cooperatives, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, ICDS and other concerned officers were present in the meeting.
The DC directed the concerned officers to ensure that COVID-19 related healthcare facilities besides adequate stock of food grains, fuel, medicines and other related essentials are stocked well before the onset of the winter season.
Baseer took stock of the supply position and achievements made by the concerned departments so far and stressed officers to ensure the stocking of the remaining quota of essentials at the earliest.
The officers concerned apprised the DC about the requirements and stock and supply position with respect to essential commodities including food grains, petroleum products, LPG, medicines and other materials.
The Deputy Commissioner asked the concerned not to show any negligence in the supply, dumping and carriage of essential to the district for the coming winter season. He also directed officers concerned for putting in place an efficient supply chain to ensure lifting, stocking and dumping of essentials before the closure of the Zojila Pass.
The DC directed the officers of Animal and Sheep Husbandry to ensure the availability of 20 to 30 per cent buffer stock.
The DC also directed the AD FCS&CA to take necessary steps to check the usage of domestic gas cylinders for commercial purposes by way of checking by the Enforcement Wing of the department at regular intervals.

*2 SPOs among 5 injured in mishap at Akhnoor

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 10: A woman was killed and 21 others were injured when a bus carrying members of a marriage party collided with mini bus in Bishnah area of city outskirts while five persons including two SPOs of J&K police were injured in a road mishap at Akhnoor.
According to police sources, a bus (bearing registration number JK02T-7011) carrying members of a marriage party from Jakh to Nandpur, collided with a mini bus (bearing registration number JK02AN-4501) coming from opposite side at about 11:50 last night, near J&K Bank at village Majua Uttami in Bishnah area when the bus driver lost control over the steering.
“In the mishap, a woman passenger identified as Tripta Devi (40) wife of Mohan Lal of Jinder Khurd, Bishnah died on the spot while 21 others got injured suffered injuries,” sources said, adding the local people rushed to the spot and shifted the injured persons as well as the dead body to Sub District Hospital, Bishnah for medical treatment and postmortem, respectively.
They said after providing first-aid, all the injured persons were referred to Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu for further diagnosis or treatment where condition of all of them were stated to be stable. He said today after conducting postmortem, the body of the deceased was handed over to her legal heirs for legal rites.
The injured persons were identified as Rakesh Kumar (19) son of Angrez Chand of Billawar (Kathua) and Monika (16) daughter of Kuldeep Raj, Anil Kumar (30) son of Kuldeep Raj, Jitender Kumar (55) son of Amar Nath, Sona (7) and Rohi (7) daughters of Romesh Kumar, Riya (18) daughter of Gopal Dass, Kamal Kumar (38) son of Kishore Kumar, Akash (19) son of Mohan Lal, Sonali (17) daughter of Ramesh Kumar, Sapna (15) daughter of Mohan Lal, Yogita Devi (35) wife of Gopal Dass, Nitish (9) son of Gopal Dass, Rashpal (45) son of Sat Pal, Soma Kumari (40) wife of Rashpal, Rakesh Kumar (29) son of Dharampal, Gopal Dass (45) son of Sat Pal, Suhana (12) daughter of Kuldeep Raj, Rano Devi (65) wife of Bishan Dass, Asha (40) wife of Kuldeep Raj and Sachin Kumar (22) son of Ram, all residents of Bishnah.
In this connection, a case FIR Number 173/2020 under Sections 279/337/304-A IPC was registered at police station Bishnah and further investigation started.
Meanwhile, in a late night accident occurred yesterday near Steel Bridge on River Chenab at Akhnoor, two special police officers (SPOs) of J&K police manning the check post near the bridge and three others were injured when a speeding Swift car (bearing registration number JK02CD-7570) coming from Jammu side rammed into the check post.
Sources said the other three persons injured in the mishap were passengers of the Swift car. They were identified as Ghar Singh (61) son of Lal Chand of Naiwala (tehsil Akhnoor), his son Rajeev Singh (36) and Ashish Choudhary (17) son of Pawan Kumar of Naiwala. The two SPOs that sustained injuries were Narender Kumar and Sansar Chand.
“All the injured persons were shifted to Sub District Hospital, Akhnoor for treatment while a case in this connection was registered at police station Kanachak and further investigation initiated,” sources added.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 10: Appealing the people to strengthen and support Panthers Party, NPP chairman Harshdev Singh today said that it was high time that Dogras identified and acknowledged the services of those who were actually championing the cause of Jammu.
He said that NPP had vociferously projected the concerns of Jammu region and fought for safeguarding its interests at all possible forums to the entire satisfaction of its people. It was time to support and strengthen the party for the ultimate empowerment of the people of the Dogra land, asserted Singh.
He said that neither the national parties nor the Kashmir based parties were the solution for the ills afflicting Jammu region. “A regional party alone could meet the aspirations of Jammu and address the local issues of the public,” he claimed adding that people were increasingly reposing their faith in Panthers Party and its leadership.
Addressing a press conference in Jammu today along with Balwant Singh Mankotia, State president and Yash Paul Kundal, general secretary while inducting several leaders of NC, BJP and of other youth organizations in the Panthers Party along with their hundreds of supporters, Singh said that only NPP can come up to the aspirations of Jammu people.
Accusing the BJP of having betrayed the collective sentiment of Dogras, Singh said that NPP was all prepared to provide a viable alter-native to the people of Jammu region. Those who failed to honour their promise of holiday September 23, birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh or even rake up the issue in Cabinet meeting while in power, could no longer be trusted by the people, said Singh. They had lost the right to represent the Dogras when they failed to get Rasana case probed through CBI and rather joined the chorus with their Kashmir masters describing the agitating Dogras as ‘rapists supporters’, said Harshdev.
Prominent among those who joined the Panthers Party today included Swaran Singh, vice president–NC, District Udhampur; Rajni Jamwal, president–Contractual Lecturers Association; Vikas Gargotra, President–Khidmat Centres, Jammu Province; Ram Kumar Sharma, Ex-Mandal Pradhan–BJP, Vijaypur; Jeevan Kumar, general secretary–Contractual Lecturers Association; Majid Khan, Secretary–NC, District Udhampur. More than 600 people joined NPP today.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 10: A delegation of all the piece workers, sub contractors and suppliers led by its President Rakesh Jalali met MD JKPCC Limited Vikas Kundal to discuss the issue of old payment liabilities of the piece workers and sub contractors pending since 2009.
During the meeting, other issues pertaining to the barring of piece workers from all the ongoing fresh e-tenders was also discussed on the top priority.
General Secretary of the association Sunil raised the issues with reference to stuck up payments, list-wise and project-wise and laid the stress to resolve the issue at the earliest as all the affected piece workers are suffering badly on account of loans borrowed from the banks and private financiers on the exorbitant rate of interest.
Other issue of deduction of additional GST alias 12 per cent and 18 per cent in addition to already 2 per cent TDS-GST on all the bills payment of contracts and supplies was also discussed.
The issue of restricting piece workers should be taken up very shortly with the higher authorities in the Government, the delegation told MD.
MD of the Corporation gave patient hearing to all the problems including the important issue of old liabilities and further assured the delegation to wait for some reasonable time as he has already taken up the issue of their (JKPCC) long and overdue pending payment claims with their (JKPCC) project authorities for reconciliation.
He asked all the piece workers to submit their fresh list of liabilities again which was earlier submitted to the GM of JKPCC some two months back on the instance of MD during his last visit at Jammu.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 10: To evaluate the status of industrial clusters being established by J&K Khadi Village Industry Board (KVIB) in the UT of J&K, a review meeting was chaired by Vice- Chairperson of the Board Dr. Hina Shafi Bhat.
It was also discussed that out of 10 approved clusters, 6 clusters are being developed in Kashmir division and 4 clusters in Jammu division.
The Vice Chairperson directed all the stakeholders to ensure that all the clusters are established well in time. She asked for working in close coordination to ensure that the benefits of these clusters are provided to the traditional artisans.
The meeting was attended by the Director CDI; Secretary/CEO J&K KVIB; FA&CAO J&K KVIB; Dy.CEO KVIB (KD); I/c Pollination Centre SKUAST-K; General Manager SICOP; Divisional Officer KVIB Jammu Division; COO J&K ITCO and Development Officer Bee-Keeping, J&K KVIB.