Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 16: The 109th birth anniversary of Shaivachariya Ishwar Swaroop Swami Lakshman Joo Maharaj was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety today.
In this connection a grand function was organised at Ishwar Ashram Bhawan, Mohinder Nagar, Canal road here.
A large number of devotees thronged the Ashram from early in the morning to pay their obeisance to Swami Ji and seek divine blessings. The function started with the flag hoisting in the morning atop the Ashram building which was followed by recitation of Guru Astuti and presentation of Shradha Suman by the devotees of Swami Ji.
The devotees were served with prashad later.
The function was also organized at other Kendras of Ishwar Ashram Trust including Ishwar Ashram Nishat Srinagar, Kashmir, Sarita Vihar New Delhi, Navi Mumbai Kendra and KMR Shaiva Fellowship Centre, California USA.
Another function was held at Pushpati Mandir Sarwal here in which also a large number of devotees participated.
The celebration commenced with the reverential recitation of Shree Guru Stuti followed by the recitation of a few Shiv Sutras. Devotional hymns were also sung in praise of the Shiva incarnate, Swami Ji Maharaj with a view to invoking his grace. The offerings were made amid the chanting of sacred mantras. During the celebrations the devotees experienced the overpowering influence of Swami Ji’s divinity.
The Prashad was also distributed among the devotees. The celebration culminated late in the evening with Sandhya Puja and Aarti.
Birth anniversary of Swami Lakshman Joo celebrated with religious fervour
Power shut down
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 16: Due to damage suffered by a 10MVA, 33/11 KV power transformer at Receiving Station Channi Himmat, the power supply will remain affected on April 17 and 18.
According to Ajay Gupta, Chief Engineer, EM&RE Jammu, PDD, due to lightning, a 10MVA, 33/11 KV power transformer at Receiving Station Channi Himmat suffered damages. Replacement of the transformer will take two days.
He informed that the power supply will remain affected in Channi Himmat, Channi Rama and Trikuta Nagar Extension on April 17 and 18.
JK a unique tourist destination: Naeem
Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Apr 16: Reiterating the commitment of the Government to make J&K a premier tourist destination, Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar today said the State offers an amalgam of heritage, pilgrimage and adventure tourism.
Inviting tourists to visit J&K and explore its natural beauty, he said tourism is the backbone of the State’s economy and Government will make all efforts to promote and package its tourism potential.
Speaking at the Make My Trip initiative to ‘Rediscover Kashmir’ here today in which tourism players including representatives of hotel and travel fraternity, Bollywood and media-persons were present, Akhtar said there are lot of positives in Kashmir for all tourist players and the Government will act as an enabler to provide better facilities and infrastructure to attract new and high-end tourists.
The Minister said JK’s Tourism Department wants to send out a positive message regarding tourism atmosphere in the State and the tourism players should help JK in this endeavour. He said effective marketing is the need of the hour at the national and international levels to promote J&K as an ideal tourist destination.
The Minister said alongwith famous tourist destinations of the State, the Government is working on a comprehensive plan to bring newer and virgin tourist destinations like Bhaderwah, Gurez, Kokernag, Daksum etc on the tourist map and for this State would provide greater accessibility to these new destinations and create high-end infrastructure at existing ones so that a new class of visitors is attracted to JK.
The Managing Director of Make My Trip on the occasion launched a 6- day package to Kashmir for Rs 25000 per person that includes airfare.
Speaking on the occasion, MD Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation/ Director Tourism, Kashmir, Farooq Shah said media fraternity is like an ambassador of the State to promote its tourism potential at the national and international arena, urging them to play their positive role in dispelling any negativity regarding the tourism atmosphere in the State.
Deputy Director, Tourism Kashmir Peerzada Zahoor was also present on the occasion.
Govt to ensure uninterrupted telecom network during Amarnath yatra
NEW DELHI, Apr 16:
To ensure uninterrupted telecom network during the Amarnath yatra, the Home Ministry has taken a series of steps that include augmentation of mobile connectivity and making available satellite phones in designated places.
At a high-level meeting, the Home Ministry reviewed mobile and telecom connectivity for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra 2015 and ordered ensuring better connectivity during the two month-long pilgrimage beginning July 2 as connectivity was crucial for the conduct and regulation of the pilgrimage.
“BSNL is also working on augmentation of VSAT capacity and increase in bandwidth. BSNL will also enhance number of base transceiver stations and their configuration to take care of congestion where pilgrims will be halting for night stay or en-route.
“Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board has identified camps located at the holy cave, Panjtarni, Sheshnag and Sangam as the camps where satellite phones and VASAT connectivity is crucial for the conduct and regulation of the Yatra,” an official release said.
Meanwhile, the process of registration of pilgrims for this year’s Shri Amarnathji Yatra, through both Baltal and Pahalgram routes, has started.
The Amarnathji Shrine Board, chaired by Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra, has notified procedure for registration of pilgrims through bank as without the permit none will be allowed to undertake the pilgrimage.
A pilgrim can secure his or her pilgrimage permit through 87 selected branches of the J&K Bank, 305 branches of Punjab National Bank and 38 branches of YES Bank located across the country, an official release said.
The addresses of the selected bank branches for providing registration are available at Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board’s website: www.shriamarnathjishrine.com
The registration for the 2015 pilgrimage has commenced from March 1.
For registration or obtaining a pilgrimage permit through a designated bank, an intending Pilgrim will have to submit filled-in prescribed application form and compulsory health certificate issued by the authorised doctor or reputed private medical institution.
The state-wise list of Doctors and reputed private medical institutions authorised to issue the prescribed certificate are available at Shrine Board’s website.
Compulsory health certificate issued only after February 10 would be valid for the registration purposes.
A pilgrim who travels by helicopter will not be required to separately register for the pilgrimage but have to submit the prescribed compulsory health certificate at the time of boarding the chopper.
A pilgrim should embark on his/ her pilgrimage only on the day and from the route for which he / she is registered.
A group of five or more pilgrims can also register themselves through the group registration facility. (PTI)
Minor girl dies of poison
Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Apr 16: A 15-year-old girl died after she allegedly consumed some poisonous substance at village Chaudhary Nad in district Rajouri last night.
The family members rushed the minor Azma Kouser, daughter of Abdul Rehman to District Hospital after her condition deteriorated. She was declared brought dead by the doctors at hospital at around 1 AM. After postmortem, the body was handed over to the family for last rites. The police has taken cognizance of the matter.
HC directs CS, others to file objections
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 16: In a petition filed by Mukerjeet Sharma, Wali Mohd Batt, Dr Tejit Singh and Baldev Raj Lachotra challenging State Cabinet decision dated March 15, 2015 whereby previous Government’s decision regarding appointment of Chairman and Members of J&K Public Service Commission was ignored, Justice Janak Raj Kotwal today directed Chief Secretary and others to file objections.
After hearing Senior Advocate UK Jalali with Advocate Anuj Sawhney appearing for the petitioners whereas Advocate General R A Jan with Government Advocate Monish Chopra appearing for the State, Justice Kotwal issued notices to Chief Secretary, Commissioners Secretaries of GAD and Law Department and Principal Secretary Governor.
The High Court directed Registry to list this petition on April 22, 2015 and in the meantime objections be filed.
Through the petition, the petitioners are seeking direction for restraining the respondents from acting upon the Cabinet decision dated 15-03-2015 by virtue of which the State Cabinet after ignoring the earlier decision dated 10-10-2014 made fresh recommendations for appointment to the post of Chairman/Members of J&K PSC.
They are also seeking direction to the respondents to produce the entire records/correspondence entered between the respondents and the office of Governor with regard to the processing of the cases of the petitioners on the basis of the Cabinet Decision dated 10-10-2014.
Jammu witnesses protests over waving of Pak flags during procession
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 16: Protest broke out in several areas in Jammu today against raising of anti-India slogans and waving of Pakistani flags by separatist leaders Masrat Alam and Syed Ali Shah Geelani during a procession in Srinagar yesterday.
Demanding the arrest of separatists, particularly Masarat Alam, protesters burnt effigies of separatist leaders and raised slogans against them, the State Government and the Centre.
Over a hundred archivists under the banner of Kranti Dal raised slogans against Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Pakistan and held protest demonstrations at Indira Chowk in the city.
Lashing out at the BJP-PDP Government at the State and the Central Government for “encouraging separatists” by releasing Masrat Alam, general secretary of Kranti Dal Pritam Sharma alleged that Mufti Sayeed was carrying forward the agenda of separatists in the State and BJP was supporting them.
Accusing BJP of giving a free hand to separatists to organise anti-India rallies, Congress today said the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister must explain as to what was the BJP’s policy on Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement, Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Nawang Rigzin Jora said “No less than Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh must explain to the nation what is going on in Jammu and Kashmir”. Jora warned that “otherwise in mollycoddling its coalition partner, the BJP will be sacrificing core national interest and demoralising the security forces”. “It is time BJP comes clean on its Jammu and Kashmir policy and let the nation know where it stands. Mere repeat of platitude – don’t need lessons from anybody – will no longer work”, he added. Jora blamed BJP for giving a free hand to Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
“Geelani the octogenarian separatist leader with a heavy tilt towards Pakistan knows exactly how to remain in news. Time and again, it has been proved that his political ideology is based on heavy dose of communalism. Over the years, he has mastered the art of exploiting religious beliefs of the common Kashmiri Muslims”, said BJP State General Secretary and MLA from Kathua constituency, Rajiv Jasrotia in a reaction against separatist leader Masarat Alam for waving Pakistani flag and raising anti-India slogans at a rally in Srinagar. He demanded action against separatist leader Masarat Alam.
In a meeting held by the J&K High Court Bar Association (JKHCBA) Jammu, a serious view was taken for hoisting of Pakistani flag and the anti-national statements made by the separatist leader Masarat Alam and his supporters in a rally in Srinagar and decided to abstain from work in all the Courts including the High Court and Subordinate Courts, Jammu tomorrow as a mark of solidarity and nationalist approach. JKHCBA urged State Government to initiate appropriate action against these anti-national elements. The meeting was attended by President Abhinav Sharma, Vice President Pranav Kohli, General Secretary AP Singh, Joint Secretary Depesh Singh Pawar, Cashier Rahul Sharma, YLA President Daljeet Singh Manhas and Vice President YLA Pardeep Majotra.
Lambasting Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Masrat Alam and other separatist leaders of Kashmir, scores of Panthers Party activists led by Balwant Singh Mankotia State President NPP and Yashpal Kundal State President Young Panthers staged a protest demonstration outside Press Club and burnt the effigy of Masrat Alam for raising anti-India and pro-PaK rants in the Valley.
The workers of Dogra Front and Shiv Sena under the leadership of its President Ashok Gupta took out a procession and burnt the Pakistan Flag along with the effigies of the Masrat Alam, Syeed Ali Shah Gellani and other Hurriyat Leaders. The protestors demanded arrest of these leaders.
Strong resentment was shown today by the students of Jammu University under the banner of NSUI led by its State president, Neeraj Kundan. Amid slogans against BJP-PDP Government, students boycott their classes and gathered outside the main gate of Varsity and burnt the effigies of Masrat Alam. The protestors demanded re-arrest of Masrat Alam failing which the NSUI will launch nation wide protest.
The activists of Jammu West Assembly Movement burnt effigies of Pakistan, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and separatists. “Separatists should be arrested and Government led by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed should be sacked. Sayeed is carrying forward the agenda of separatists and we will not tolerate them”, JWAM State president Sunil Dimple said.
The activists of Hindu Shiv Sena held a meeting under the chairmanship of its president Krishan Manhas. The speakers demanded stern action against Masrat Alam and others for chanting pro-Pakistan slogans.
Senior chairperson of VHP, Bajran Dal and other associated organizations assembled on Panja chowk of Rajouri town and staged protest against Separatist leaders for their anti national rally in valley yesterday. During protest, VHP chairperson said that Separatist leaders like Masrat Alam and Sayeed Ali Shah Geelani are big threats to the nation as they are provoking the people against country and can create tension in the upcoming days.
Senior political leader Yogesh Sharma during a press conference expressed concern towards the yesterday’s rally held in Kashmir. He asked CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to clear his stand as he was the one who released Masrat Alam and now he is spitting venom against India.
Congress workers in Vijaypur assembly constituency today burnt effigy of BJP-PDP coalition Government of Jammu and Kashmir for its alleged anti-national politics due to which hardliner separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Masrat Alam led people waved Pakistani flag on Indian State. Expressing their resentment, the Congress workers led by Manjit Singh, former Minister and JKPCC General Secretary held a strong demonstration against the Government demanding re-arrest of Alam and Geelani for their anti-India propaganda and speeches.
A meeting of Congress activists held under the leadership of senior Congress leader Brij Mohan Sharma in which speakers’ condemned Masrat Alam hardliner and supporter of Syed Ali Shah Geelani for raising pro Pakistan slogans and waving Pakistani flags. During the meeting, Congress leaders threatened State Government that if appropriate action against law breakers shall not initiated then Congress will start agitation against State and Central Governments.
NSUI, Shiv Sena and Congress leaders held protest in district Kathua at various places against yesterday’s pro-pak rally in Srinagar in which Pakistan flags were waved. The protestors demanded immediate arrest of separatist leaders including Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Masrat Alam.
VHP, Bajrang Dal and Poonch Youth Forum led by Sourabh Sudan, Nishu Gupta and Sarvjeet Kranti staged a protest at Main City Chowk in district Poonch where effigies of Separatist leaders were set on fire. The protestors blocked the vehicular movement and demanded to act against the separatist leaders.
The activists of Hindustan Shiv Sena held a protest against the separatist leaders Sayeed Ali Shah Geelani and Masrat Alam for raising anti India and pro Pakistan slogans and waiving Pakistan flags in their rally. The protest was led by National President Dimpy Kohli, State President Vikrant Kapoor, general secretary GI Singh and State Youth President Vinay Gupta. The protestors demanded Governor Rule in the State.
Governor for generous support to Red Cross
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 16: Governor, N. N. Vohra, President of the Indian Red Cross Society, J&K, observed that organizations like Red Cross Society, which carry the important responsibility of alleviating human sufferings and protecting lives, should be provided strong support.
He stressed the need to organize continuing programmes and participative events for resource mobilization as well as for disseminating the objectives of Red Cross.
The Governor was chairing the 171st State Managing Committee Meeting of the Indian Red Cross Society, J&K State Branch held here at the Raj Bhavan, today.
The Governor stressed the need to enlarge and strengthen the corpus of trained Red Cross volunteers with a focus on both quality and quantity. He advised Roma Wani, Honorary General Secretary, IRCS, J&K State Branch, to devise a well thought out annual calendar of training programmes for organizing sustained activities at the District, Regional and the State levels and to impart varied kinds of training to the volunteers.
Choudhary Lal Singh, Minister for Health, assured full support to the State Red Cross Society and suggested that integrated camps should be organized collectively by the National Rural Health Mission and the Red Cross Society. The Health Minister also assured help to the Red Cross Society for securing larger quantities of quality medicines for distribution and sale under the Jan Aushadi Programme.
The Committee reviewed the construction progress of the Red Cross Complex in Srinagar, issue of licenses for establishing Jan Aushadhi Drug Stores, establishment of Blood Banks etc. The Committee was informed by Ms. Wani that since December 2014, three new Jan Aushadhi Stores had been opened at GMC, Jammu, SMGS Jammu; and District Hospital, Ramban.
Among those present were Mohammad Iqbal Khanday, Chief Secretary; P.K Tripathi, Principal Secretary to the Governor; Dr. S.P Vaid, ADGP, Hqrs; Maj. Gen. N. Srinath; Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Rohit Kansal, Commissioner PW (R&B) Department; Shantmanu, Commissioner Health & Medical Education; Sanjeev Verma, Secretary, Social Welfare Department; Dr. Nusrat Andrabi, Seema Khajuria, Y.V Sharma, A.M. Mir, Prof. Mohd. Abdullah Charoo, Prem Gupta, Members of the State Managing Committee and Deputy Commissioners of Jammu, Samba, Kishtwar, Leh, Kathua, Reasi; Kargil, Pulwama, Kupwara, Rajouri, Doda, Poonch, Ganderbal.
Bhagat inaugurates workshop on National Digital Literacy Mission
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 16: Secretary, Information Technology Department, Saurabh Bhagat inaugurated one day workshop on National Digital Literacy Mission here today.
The workshop was organised by CSC e-Governance Services India Limited in association with Jammu and Kashmir e-Governance Agency (JakeGa) under the vision of ‘A collaborative approach to extend Digital Literacy to Rural Masses.’
Speaking on the occasion, Bhagat said the Government of India has approved ‘Digital India’ programme to transform the country into digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
“Digital India envisages that Government services are available to citizens electronically,” he said and added it would also bring in accountability through mandated delivery of Government services electronically such as Unique ID and e-Pramaan that is based on authentic and standard interoperable and integrated Government applications and databases.
Bhagat said the objective of the ‘National Policy on Information Technology 2012’ is to make one person in every household e-literate, a scheme for IT Mass Literacy (now renamed as National Digital Literacy Mission (NDLM) was approved in March last year. He said the scheme aims to train 1.10 lakh persons at two levels of literacy within next four years. He said out of these 55,000 persons have to be trained in selected Districts/Blocks identified by the State’s Information Technology Department. These include Anantnag, Baramulla, Pulwama, Doda and Shopian.
He said as part of digital literacy programme Aanganwadi workers and Supervisors of Social Welfare Department, ASHA and ANM workers of Health Department and Fair Price Shops owners/dealers of Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution (CAPD) Department would be imparted IT training.
Among others, Nodal Officer, NDLM and a large number of VLEs participated in a workshop.
Govt empowered to order premature transfer even under transfer policy: HC
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 16: In a landmark judgment, Justice Tashi Rabstan today held that Government is empowered to order a premature transfer even under the transfer policy depending upon the exigency of service.
“The Government being employer is the master to transfer its employees as per the administrative exigency and depending upon the need of service of efficient employees required at a particular place”, he said, adding “such discretion of the Government cannot be interfered without any proper and substantial reasons”.
This judgment has been delivered in a petition filed by Narinder Singh challenging Government Order No.295-RD&PR of 2014 dated October 21, 2014 issued by the Commissioner Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department whereby he was transferred as Assistant Engineer Stores from Jammu to Miran Sahib. The grievance of the petitioner was that he was transferred within a span of about one and a half month only.
While dismissing the petition, Justice Tashi Rabstan said, “before parting this court comes to other aspect of the matter”, adding “I would like to show concern of the court regarding transfers and postings in the Rural Development Department”.
“On going through the documents annexed with the writ record and the pleadings of the parties, what transpired is that Javed Ahmed on his transfer to Rural Engineering Wing, Poonch did not join there. Thereafter, he was transferred as Assistant Engineer, Miran Sahib, Jammu”, Justice Rabstan said, adding “even then he did not join there, that too when he himself has been residing at Miran Sahib”.
“The plea that he was not being relieved by the department to join in Rural Engineering Wing, Poonch is nothing but an attempt to befool the court. Then why he was transferred to Miran Sahib and thereafter to Jammu. The objections filed by the official respondents are also evasive and out of context. It seems Javed Ahmed was intending for some prize posting and that is why he managed his transfer at the place of petitioner at Jammu away from his home town”.
“What impression the court gathers is that everything is not well in the Rural Development Department and that transfers and postings are not being made in the interest of administration but the same are being managed for obvious reasons. It is a matter of great concern. What is required is indomitable will at the helm of affairs of the State to regulate smooth working in the Rural Development Department”, Justice Rabstan observed.
He directed that a copy of this judgment be served to the Chief Secretary, who shall place the same before the Chief Minister so that some concrete steps could be taken for transfers and postings in the Government departments.