Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: Degrees, Gold Medals and Certificates of Merit were awarded to 727 students in Agriculture, Veterinary and allied sciences as fourth Convocation of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology (SKUAST) Jammu was held here today.
Governor N N Vohra, who is also Chancellor of the university, awarded Ph D Degrees and Gold Medals in the presence of chief guest Dr S Ayyappan, Director General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi and Dr Pradeep K Sharma, SKUAST-J Vice-Chancellor.
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was also present on the occasion while the incumbent Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed, who is also Pro-Chancellor of the University, and the Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura were conspicuously absent during the convocation.
Ph D degrees were conferred to 52 candidates, M Sc degrees in Agriculture and Biotechnology to 136 candidates, M Sc Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry to 181 candidates, B Sc Agriculture and B Sc Biotechnology to 145 candidates, Bachelor degrees in Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry to 213 candidates.
Nine candidates were presented gold medals and 173 were given Certificates of Merit in recognition of their extraordinary academic achievements.
Those who were awarded Gold Medals included Kanchan Bala, Umbreena Mushtaq, Vikrant Dubey and Karan Deep Singh Sasan in B Sc (Hons) Agriculture; Chainika Gupta in B Sc (Hons.) Biotechnology; Murtaza Rashid, Kritima Kapoor, Mohsin Firdous and Ajaz Qadir in B V Sc and A H.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Vohra highlighted the vital importance of Agriculture and its allied sectors in the economy of the State. He said that any stagnation or adverse effects in this sector would have serious consequences for achieving targets of food security and the economic well being of farmers.
Quoting statistics from the State Government Economic Survey Report (2014-15), the Governor showed his concern about the net fall in the annual food grain production in the State. Exhorting the agriculture scientists to identify the factors leading to slow growth and fall in production, he stressed the need of new initiatives being taken for significantly improving the production and productivity, particularly of the small and marginal land holdings.
“To make Jammu and Kashmir self-reliant and a net exporter in this sector in the coming years, there is need for efficient utilization of limited land resources, modernizing agricultural practices, large scale and sustained seed replacement programme, introduction of high yielding varieties, ensuring adequate irrigation facilities, adoption of multi-cropping patterns and other interventions for increasing agriculture productivity,” he said.
The Governor also suggested promotion of niche products like the traditional rice and Basmati varieties, Rajmash, saffron, Anardana etc. “Promotion of organic farming, livestock rearing and dairy farming, proliferation of poultry and fish farming, establishment of marketing and post harvest facilities etc on an extensive scale, and continuing research and extension interventions are need of the hour,” he added.
Dr Ayyappan, in his address, emphasized undertaking need based research by addressing region and area specific problems of farmers and by effectively transferring relevant technologies to enhance income and livelihood status of the farming community. He described climate change as a real challenge in the agriculture sector and noted that its adverse effect is already being felt in J&K.
He suggested introduction of crops with low water requirements, soil and water management; conservation agriculture and energy use efficiency to reduce the impact of climate change on productivity.
Earlier, Dr P K Sharma presented the Vice Chancellor’s Report. He highlighted the achievements of the University and its future plan of action. He thanked the Governor for taking keen interest in the growth and development of the University.
The proceedings of the Convocation commenced with Prof B B Gupta, Registrar, of the University, seeking permission of the Chancellor and declaring the Convocation Open.
SKUAST-J Convocation held, degrees awarded
Govt to evolve recruitment policy: CM
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that Government will evolve a policy for the contractual recruitments in the State. While replying to the queries of MLAs on filling up of vacancies by the Jammu and Kashmir State Public Service Commission, Mufti Sayeed said, “Commission will be at full strength shortly and all vacancies referred to it will be filled in a time-bound manner”. He, however, said that Government will evolve a policy (on contractual recruitments). “We have taken a decision. Those who will be appointed under contractual policy, will not be removed in future. We will find modus operandi, (as to) how we will do it transparently”, he added. “Those who will be appointed, will continue to serve under a policy and will not be removed. Once he is appointed, he is appointed for all the times”, he said.
Bharti Public School honours Wushu players
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: The Wushu players of Bharti Public School, who excelled in the 14th Sub-Junior National Wushu Championship 2014-15 held at Rohtak in Haryana were felicitated by the School Management today.
Out of the four players of the School, Rupali Gandhi won the bronze medal, while as other three players including Shivani Soni, Banu Partap Singh and Raghav Soni lost in the quarterfinal round.
All the players were felicitated in a function in the presence of K S Jamwal, Principal; Pooja Jamwal, Vice Principal; S. Rajinder Singh, Vishal Singh and Anil Kumar.
BHSS Manjakote wins Volleyball Tournament
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
RAJOURI, Apr 8: District Police Rajouri organized a Volleyball Tournament under Civic Action Programme at Manjakote in which 6 teams from Manjakote and adjoining areas participated.
The final match was played between Boys Hr Secondary School Manjakote and Hayatpora Volleyball Club which was won by former by 3-1 sets.
On this occasion, Sr Superintendent of Police Rajouri, Dr Mohd Haseeb Mughal was the chief guest, while Arnesh Sharma, Principal Boys Hr Secondary School Manjakote was the guest of honour.
SSP Rajouri distributed trophies among the winners and runners-up teams.
Speaking on the occasion, SSP Rajouri said that J&K Police will leave no stone unturned to provide a platform to the youth of this District in sports and cultural activities to harness their talent by organizing different sports and cultural events and assured the people that more such programmes would be organized in near future.
Deadwood in J&K State Sports Council to be removed: Ansari
Employees to seek permission to be part of Sports Associations: Sports Minister
Rajesh Dhar
JAMMU, Apr 8: To promote sports in nooks and corners of the State and help Jammu and Kashmir in crafting a space on the Country’s Sports Map, the priority of the State Government is to remove the deadwood from the elitist Sports Organization, the Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council. The need of the hour is to replace the existing deadwood in the Sports Council by the people with outstanding sports background.
This was revealed by the Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Imran Raza Ansari in a freewheeling chat with Excelsior Correspondent in Jammu on Wednesday.
Mr Ansari said it has been observed that apart from the people with sports background, the Council possesses good number of members, who are there just like frill or ornaments to fit the bill, adding that their omission from the Council is the demand of the situation.
“To give better results, one needs to run Organizations or Associations with the concerned people and running them by involving people having hardly any background in the subject is simply absurd, rather like flogging a dead-horse. ‘Mind your own business’ is the ‘mantra’ to achieve success. For that matter, experts in a particular trade should be assigned the job of that specific subject,” expressed Mr Ansari.
He said, young, energetic and the people from sports fraternity will be inducted in the Council.
On a question as to why the Government Order restricting Government employees from being part of the Sports Associations without seeking permission from their respective Departments/Organizations, has not been implemented in letter and spirit, the Sports Minister said that no Government employee will be part of any Sports Association, unless he or she seeks permission from the Department.
The Minister said, though the Govt is not against the participation of the employees in the Sports Associations, yet they would have to fill the necessary criteria to be part of them, adding that there is no harm in serving the public interest after their Government assignments, no-doubt the permission is mandatory.
Expressing satisfaction over the performance of the State players in the recently held 35th National Games and allied National Tournaments, the Minister said that they (Sportspersons) have done a wonderful job by keeping the State Flag high at the National scene, despite lack of infrastructure and adverse conditions created by floods in the State.
He said the existing sports infrastructure has been badly damaged by heavy rains and floods in the State, so the State Government and his Ministry has already taken an initiative to develop world class sports facilities, adding that in this connection, the State Government has demanded special package from the Union Sports Ministry to raise adequate sports infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir.
On utilization of services of the employees appointed under SRO 349/98, Mr Ansari said that the services of these outstanding sportspersons will be purely and properly utilized for promoting sports in the State, no matter in which Department or at what post the official is serving. “The need is to produce international stuff by making proper use of the quality sportspersons,” he added.
“Every effort will be made to provide opportunity and platform to the budding sportspersons in order to help them hone their skill and talent. Our aim will be to host a galaxy of National Level events in the State to help the sportspersons match the best in the Country,” Mr Ansari expressed.
While assuring to streamline both the sports agencies namely J&K State Sports Council and the Department of Youth Services and Sports, the Minister said that these agencies need to be overhauled, adding that one needs to go into the philosophy of the things, before implementing any decision.
The Sports Minister further said, it has been learnt that after reorganization of the Department of Youth Services and Sports, the Physical Education Lecturers and Zonal Physical Education Officers have been deprived of their own grade to leave them in the lurch, adding that their long pending problem needs to be solved at an earliest.
Mr Ansari concluded by saying that to expect good results without streamlining the system is simply to red rag a bull rather like crying for the moon.
Army conducts drawing, painting competition
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: Inter-School painting and drawing competition was conducted at Government Middle School Keri by Rashtriya Rifles Battalion under Romeo Force.
Forty school children of nearby villages participated in the competition and displayed their artistic talent with ardent enthusiasm.
Children showcased their talent by transforming the plain sheet of paper into myriad images and pictures.
The competition was conducted under the theme of Swachh Bharat and was witnessed by eminent citizens and school staff of the nearby villages.
Students were given drawing sheets, sketch pens and water colors for painting.
The joy and excitement of the children was evident on their faces and their eyes filled with anticipation.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by School Head Master, Shiva Nagesh Sharma and Raj Kumar, Sarpanch of Keri.
UGC grants special scholarship to BGSBU sportsman
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: In an outstanding achievement, University Grants Commission (UGC) has sanctioned a scholarship of Rs 1.76 lakh to a student of Civil Engineering of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) for his exceptional achievement in the field of sports.
UGC has sanctioned the amount in favour of a University student namely Ashutosh Khajuria of 8th Semester Civil Engineering in College of Engineering & Technology of BGSBU.
A total amount of Rs 1,76, 600 has been sanctioned under Free Education of Sports Medal/ Participant of National/ International events.
Ashutosh Khajuria is a Judo player of the University who has participated in various sports events in State and at national levels.
Congratulating Ashutosh, Vice Chancellor Prof. Irshad A Hamal said that this is untiring efforts of University in the field of sports that the student was adjudged for this scholarship from UGC. He said that University is not only excelling in academics, students are showing best performances in sports, cultural and other activities and University will continue to strive for taking part in State and national events.
Registrar Mohammad Rashid Chowdhary who happens to be Dean of Students also expressed pleasure over the release of grant-in-aid in favour of the student.
JKPL T20 Tourney restarts from Apr 16
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: Jammu and Kashmir Premier League T20 Cricket Tournament, which was being played at GGM Science College Hostel ground earlier, will be restarted from April 16, 2015, here.
According to a handout issued here, the Tournament was stopped due to heavy rains and selection trials, so the remaining 12 matches will be played for the successful conclusion of the Tournament.
New Initiative Policy in CA&PD on hold due to court orders: Khan
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Abdul Haq Khan while replying to a Calling Attention Notice by Ghulam Mohammad Saroori in Legislative Assembly today said that in order to bring optimum transparency into the functioning of CA&PD Department and to minimize the chances
of complaints against the private ration dealers, a New Initiative Policy was framed by department to convert the existing Private Fair Price shops and Sale Centres working on internal adjustment basis into Government Controlled Depots and opening of 3234 numbers of additional outlets in the State.
The Minister said the State Cabinet vide decision No 127/11/2014 dated 16-07-2014, authorized the CA&PD Department to convert these Sale Outlets into Government Controlled Depots by engaging 7697 salesmen and same number of helpers on casual basis. In pursuance to this Cabinet decision, a tentative proposal was mooted by the Assistant Director, CA&PD Department, Kishtwar wherein Chandali, Pora, Segdi Bhata, Naidgam, Singhpura, Bonda and Bhatpura areas have been identified for opening of new ration Sale Depots. During the course of implementation of the said New Initiative Policy for opening of such type of depots in uncovered areas of the State, the operation of Cabinet decision has been stayed by the High Court.
The Minister said that a separate ration depot is opened only on the basis of demand of 200 to 250 families if they are drawing the ration items from the depot which is having more than 3 Km distance. But at present, the said practice has been kept on hold, he added.
The Minister further informed the House that pending liabilities on account of foodgrains in District Kishtwar and Doda, are mainly due to road blockage and these will be cleared at the earliest.
BJP Unit Paddar meets DyCM
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: A deputation of BJP Unit Paddar led by its president Janki Manhas met Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh and highlighted the problems being faced by the people.
The deputation demanded to take up micro hydel electric project of Hanswar, Chattoo and Shandher on IPP mode, make 33 KV grid station of Gulabgarh Paddar functional, wave off electricity prices for the month of February and March and restoration of electric supply in Paddar.
Dr Nirmal Singh assured the delegation that their demands will be considered and fulfilled.
Among others present were Bharat Singh, Sarpanch, Bal Raj, Manohar Lal, Arpan Rana, Trith Lal, Hari Ram, Hakum Singh, etc.