Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 22: Sant Nirankari Charitable Foundation (SNCF) organized a voluntary blood donation camp, today at Sant Nirankari Satsang Bhawan, R S Pura.
The blood donation camp was inaugurated by R C Puri, Regional Secretary Indian Red Cross Society, Jammu Region. He described the camp as the noblest act and the biggest donation. He said that serving the needy is the best devotion to God.
Other Dignitaries Present in the camp were Dr Vijay Sahwney HoD Blood Bank, Dr Naveen Akhtar, Sh K L Verma Social Worker and several prominent citizens.
Tara Singh, Sanyojak, Sant Nirankari Mandal branch, R S Pura thanked all for organizing a successful camp.
Rev Ajit Singh, Zonal Incharge, J&K said that Sant Nirankari Mission is a spiritual Mission which provides God-knowledge to all mankind and also contributes to social activities.
The blood camp was held in collaboration with Blood and Transfusion Department of Government Medical College, Jammu, Indian Red Cross Society and JKSACS.
As many as 160 volunteers came forward to donate their blood.
SNCF organizes blood donation camp
Tawi Trekkers holds 32nd Annual Prize Distribution Function
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 22: Tawi Trekkers Jammu and Kashmir held 32nd Annual Prize Distribution Function at KL Saigal Hall, here today.
On this occasion, a number of Sport climbers, mountaineers, institutions which promote adventure activities and prominent members of the club were honoured by the chief guest, Ashwani Sharma, former Legislator, while S Bhattacharjee, Chairman, Indian Mountaineering Foundation North Zone Committee, New Delhi prised over the function. The Souvenir of the club which contains pictorial description of the activities conducted by the club during 2014 was also released on the occasion by the dignitaries.
The main attraction of the Prize Distribution Function was Mritunjay Sharma who brought laurels to the club and the state by winning a Bronze medal in the National Sport Climbing Championship held at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata in December,2014.
13 years old Mrityunjay, a student of Shangrila Public School, Jammu was honoured with a medal, a memento and a cash prize of Rs. 5000.
Shivani Charak, the current North Zone Champion in Sub Junior category and Shilpa Charak who won silver and a bronze medal in the girls category in the North Zone Competition were also honoured along with Pallavi Sharma and Hardev Singh who secured Silver and Bronze medal respectively in the same championship.
Stanzin Youthog, the first Indian girl to scale Shivling peak along with 2 girls from other states in 2010, was also honoured for scaling Menthosa peak (6443m) in 2014 in an 11 member All Women Expedition organised by Indaian Mountaineering Foundation, the apex body for adventure sports in the country.
The Dedication Award for the year 2014 was conferred upon Everster Ram Singh Slathia for his single minded dedication and devotion to promote trekking, mountaineering and allied activities in the state.
Anil Kumar and Sonam Sonam Sidharth,Directors of Moungri and Dharamshala Trekking Programmes respectively and Mrigank Kaushal,Aman Arora and Manik Slathia who successfully conducted various activities of the club were also honoured on the occasion.
15 institutions were also awarded for their participation in club’s various activities along with 20 teachers who escorted various groups of trekkers during Moungri and Dharamshala Trekking Programmes.
Two experts in the field of tourism, Ajay Khajuria, Registrar Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University and ex Director Tourism and Dr. Poonam Sharma of the Department of Travel and Tourism Management, Jammu Central University also expressed their views regarding promotion of Adventure in India.
Earlier, Shawetica Khajuria, General Secretary of the Club, in her Annual report, highlighted the activities organized by the club during 2014-15.
Ram Khajuria, former General Secretary and now Sr. Vice President of the club read the welcome address and hoped that the new team of young and dynamic persons shall take the club to newer heights. The ceremony was anchored by Arti Sharma, Director of Sprawling Buds School and an Executive member of the club. Sonam Sidharth, Joint Secretary of the club presented the vote of thanks.
Dr. Ashutosh Sharma, Chairman, Affiliation Commission, Indian Olympic Association and General Secretary J&K Olympic Association, who was a Guest of Honour on the occasion also distributed prizes and mementoes to the distinguished adventurers.
Verbal duel between Rashid, Raina
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 22: Independent MLA from Langate, Engineer Abdul Rashid and BJP Legislator from Nowshera, Ravinder Raina today entered into verbal duel over settlement of migrant Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir valley.
During the Zero Hour in Legislative Assembly, Engineer Rashid opposed the proposal vis-à-vis settlement of Kashmiri Pandits in a township in Kashmir valley and said, “we will never allow this to happen”. He, however, said that majority community would not have any problem if they (Kashmiri Pandits) are allowed to settle at their original places in the Kashmir valley.
This was objected to by BJP MLA, Ravinder Raina, who remarked, “Kashmir valley is integral part of the country and Kashmiri Pandits have right to stay anywhere in the Valley”, adding “they don’t require your permission as Kashmir valley is nobody’s personal estate”.
The verbal duel between both the legislators came to an end only after Speaker, Kavinder Gupta intervened.
Bakaya inaugurates 25 KV Sub-Station, HT/LT lines at Kalika Nagar
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 22: Vijay Bakaya Senior Kashmiri Pandit leader and NC MLC & former Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir State today inaugurated a 25 KVA power Sub-Station and HT/LT lines at Kalika Nagar installed in the locality through his Constituency Development Fund (CDF) at the cost of 9.38 lakh.
The area was without HT/LT lines and a power transformer making the life of the residents miserable during the summer season.
The residents had approached Vijay Bakaya who instantly released the required amount and got the HT/LT lines and a 25 KVA transformer installed in the locality.
The Kalika Nagar Residents Welfare Association (KNRWA) today organized a grand function to inaugurate the facility as well felicitated Bakaya for his gesture to mitigate the long pending demand of the residents who have been ignored since long.
The residents also felicitated senior journalist and prominent social activist King Bharati, senior NC leader MK Yogi, Abhey Bakaya and Dileep Chirvi X.En on the occasion for their help and support to develop the colony.
Speaking on the occasion Bakaya complimented the residents of Kalika Nagar for having faith in him and pursuing the case adding he was committed to develop all the areas without any political consideration.
Rana exhorts youth to contribute towards societal development
Excelsior Correspondent
NAGROTA, Mar 22: Provincial President National Conference and MLA Devender Singh Rana has acknowledged crucial role being played by the schools run by the Army in supplementing quality education across Jammu and Kashmir and enhancing the overall persona of youngsters.
Interacting with staff and students of the Sainik School Nagrota, during his visit, Mr Rana hoped the reach of such facilities would be enhanced to cover more areas.
The Provincial President recalled how great care and attention is being paid by these schools on academics, sports and extra-curricular activities that helped his generation to face the challenges of modern world confidently.
Urging students to make optimum use of their precious time in pursuing extracurricular activities and sports alongside academics, Mr Rana said the times have changed greatly and the youngsters had to mould themselves as per changing times.
The Principal of the School Col K. D. Koushal, Headmaster Lt Col Deepak Singh Thakur and Registrar Sq. Leader V. K. Sharma and other faculty members apprised the Mr Rana about the excellence achieved by students in various spheres over the years.
Mr Rana announced an ambulance to the school out of his Constituency Development Fund.
In all over 500 students from the regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh besides various parts of the country are pursuing academics in the School.
Later, School Principal presented a memento to Mr Rana.
Enough cereals, but need to import oil, pulses: Centre to SC
NEW DELHI, Mar 22:
The Centre has told the Supreme Court that though the country has become self sufficient in production of cereals, it is dependent on imports to bridge the gap between domestic production and demand of edible oil and pulses.
Responding to a PIL on increasing farmer suicides in the country, the Ministry of Agriculture said in an affidavit, “India has not only ensured self-sufficiency in most of the agricultural crops but has also built sufficient buffer stocks of wheat and rice and is also in a position to export to other countries.”
“We are not self-sufficient in edible oil and pulses,” the Government conceded and added that it has initiated programmes such as National Food Security Mission, Accelerated Pulses Production Programme and National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm to increase production and productivity of pulses and oil seeds to bridge the gap of domestic requirements and minimize the need for their import.
In respect of all food items including processed ones, the country has “sufficient surpluses” and it is in a position to export them to other countries, it said, adding exports are on rise.
The Centre also rubbished the view that agriculture was still dependent on monsoon and said that approximately 48 per cent of the land, used for food grains production in the country, is irrigated.
Further, it said, India accounts for only 2.4 per cent of the world’s geographical area and four per cent of its water resources but has to support 17 per cent of the world’s human population and 15 per cent of world’s livestock.
The affidavit said that a Working Group on Agriculture was constituted in 2010 by the Standing Core Group under the chairmanship of the then Prime Minister, making several recommendations which are at various stages of implementation.
The affidavit said, “In its report, the working group, made wide ranging recommendations, which inter-alia, included, measures to improve yields, expand winter rice cultivation in Eastern India, electric power availability, water control, improved farming system, new varieties and hybrid seeds, highest seeds replacement rate, fertilizer use, agri-business, private sector investment, marketing, insurance and other related areas.”
It also said that government has considered and examined the recommendations of National Commission of Farmers, set up under the chairmanship of Prof M S Swaminathan and finalised the National Policy for Farmers (NPF), 2007.
“The policy provisions include, asset reforms in respect of land, water, livestock, fisheries and bio-resources; supply of good quality seeds and disease-free planting material, issue of soil health passbooks to the farmers and integrated pest management system…
“…Support services for women, timely adequate and easy reach of institutional credit at reasonable interest rates and farmer-friendly insurance instruments, support services and inputs like application of frontier technologies, agricultural bio-security system, use of information and communication technology and setting up of farm schools to revitalise agricultural extension…,” the affidavit said.
Other provisions include enhancing Minimum Support Price (MSP) across the country and establishing community food grain banks, curriculum reforms in agricultural universities, special categories of farming like organic farming and contract farming, it said.
It said that many of the schemes/programmes were being implemented by Central and state governments as per the NPF provisions.
The government’s response came on a PIL filed by Punjab-based NGO, Youth Kamal Organization, through its resident G S Happy Mann, which had highlighted the issue of farmer suicides in the country, saying various problems faced by farmers compel them to take their lives.
It had said farmers are forced to buy seeds every planting season which increases poverty and indebtedness, compelling them to commit suicide.
The NGO had also told the court that so far nothing has been done by the Ministry of Agriculture for the benefit of farmers. (PTI)
Shiv Mandir -Peer Baba Committees perform joint Jagran
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 22: A joint Jagran was performed by the members of Shiv Mandir and Peer Baba Om Nagar Udaiwala during the night of March 21. A large number of devotees drawn from different parts of the area participated in the night long Jagran.
On the occasion some religious scholars and preachers also gave religious discourses.
The Jagran was organized by Vikram Singh, Sonu Kumar, Suresh Kumar, Vikas Dewan and Vikas Sharma. The devotees were also served with prashad.
CM, BJP welcome; Opposition, Chamber dis-satisfied with budget
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 22: Though the ruling alliance shows total satisfaction over the budget 2015-16 presented by Finance Minister, Haseeb Drabu in State Assembly today after terming it people friendly, the Opposition as well as trading community is totally dis-satisfied saying that budget is devoid of any relief to common man.
Reacting to budget, Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed termed it people friendly budget.
In a statement issued here, today he described the budget as all inclusive that takes care of core sectors of development, the Chief Minister hoped that the policies and programmes adopted in the budget 2015-16 shall take care of internal revenue generation and cater to the needs of all stakeholders in the State, particularly farmers and small and tiny traders, who have suffered tremendously in the worst-ever floods that took place in the State in September last year.
However the NC senior leader and MLA, Mohammed Shafi Uri showed his total dis-satisfaction over the budgetary figures saying that there was much media hype one week back that the coalition will take State on the path of progress but the same has not been reflected in the budget.
Talking to reporters outside the Assembly Hall soon after the presentation of budget in Assembly by Mr Drabu, he said the budget was nothing except the reflection of 14th Finance Commission report. The assistance provided by 14th Finance Commission to the State was reflected in this budget, he added.
Terming it a normal budget, he said there is nothing except change of figures and the small tax rebate given in the budget is nothing remarkable. Criticizing the budget he said there is nothing innovative in it and let us wait as it is the first budget of the coalition.
The Congress Legislature Party Leader Rigzin Jora calls the budget a damp squib. Terming it nothing new except for change in idiom and jargons, Jora said where Haseeb Drabu’s so called expertise as an economist has gone? Mere playing words does n’t make the budget great. There is nothing new in this budget, he added.
Budget should have been a holistic exercise for greater good which it is not, he said.
It lacks a general sense of direction. The states economy will continue to depend on the public spending for economic growth whereas the idea should have been to catalyze the private sector and the entrepreneurial spirit of the citizens to ensure economic growth. None of the progressive states in India have seen economic growth on the strength of public spending alone, he added.
He said tourism which has been singled for focussed attention by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed gets next to nothing says Jora . The budget does not mention anything about the scheme of incentives in tourism, he added.
Similarly what this thing about Jammu being eve loped as an independent destination? It has never been an appendage of Kashmir. It has always been an independent destination. “If I can remind Finance Minister Jammu receives one crore tourist, thanks to Mata Vaishno Devi’’, he added. What should have been spelt out instead was how to tap this captive market and disperse them in other areas and regions of Jammu so that dispersal of revenue from tourism takes place.
CPI (M) State Secretary and MLA, M Y Tarigami said the 2015-16 budget presented by Mr Drabu reflects rosy figures and is devoid of any relief for the common man. This budget has nothing significant to offer and instead has furthered desperation and disappointment for different sections of society, be it employed educated youth, people associated with business, agriculture, horticulture, handicrafts, casual laborers, daily wagers, Anganwari workers/ helpers, ASHA workers, contractual employees, SPOs, Old aged persons, handicapped, Namberdars and Chowkidars, Chopans, Gujjar and Bakerwal community.
He said the people are dismayed over the response to the alarming unemployment crisis in the State as the present budget lacks comprehensive plan to address the issue.
Turning tables on Finance Minister, he said there is no concrete respite for the people whose property including residential houses and agriculture lands got damaged due to the devastating floods in September 2014 across the State. The Government has once again shown its in-sensitivity towards the basic issues confronting the common man and consequently the budget does not carry any mention of food security, universalisation of public distribution system, solving unemployment and making social security scheme people friendly.
BJP MLA Ravinder Raina while expressing his satisfaction over the budget however said that a comprehensive road map still needs to be framed to give a proper direction to State economy. The State is at cross roads due to financial mismanagement made by the previous Government and inspite of that the Finance Minister has tried his level best to put the State economy back on rails, he added.
He said for the daily wagers, adhoc employees, SPOs and need based workers a time bound policy needs to be framed. The return and rehabilitation policy for KPs be framed in a specified manner and special funds needed to be allocated for PoJK and West Pak refugees. It was expected that the Government will frame Refugees Development Board which it failed to do, he added.
Senior Congress leader and former Minister, Dr Manohar Lal has termed the budget directionless, anti-poor and anti working class. He said privatization of corporations and outsourcing of Toll Plaza will lead to exploitation of unemployed youth. The people had many expectations from this Government as they had promised sky during elections but now they feel totally betrayed.
Dr Lal said there is no concrete commitment for daily wagers regularization, the employees’ arrears of DA will go the GP Fund and nothing was said to provide succor to the farmers whose crop was damaged by hailstorm recently. Besides, Entry Tax increase will lead to further price rise, he added.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) has also shown its dis-satisfaction over budget. The president of Chamber, Rakesh Gupta while talking to Excelsior termed the budget totally disappointing. He said during pre-budget discussions with Chamber team we found the Government positive as they termed the demands put forth by us genuine. But while going through the budget it seems the same thing has been done as was done by previous regimes, he added.
However differing with the views of CCI chief, Anil Suri president Bari -Brahmana Industrial Association termed it a positive budget. He said though it will be too early to make the comments as every thing will be known after the budget is passed by Assembly, but it seems that the aspirations of industry have been touched and to some extent acknowledged also.
J&K Lower Grade Employees Union has welcomed the budget especially release of DA installments. The release of DA installments have also been hailed by
Jammu West Assembly Movement chief Sunil Dimple also termed it a disappointing budget saying that there is noting to offer to common man. He said nothing was said about the development of Jammu like construction of fly-overs, roads, improving water supply and electricity, taking back power projects and construction of new power projects. Jammu and Kashmir Civil Secretariat Non Gazetted Employees Union has also welcomed release of 17 percent DA.
NC Minority Cell leader M K Yogi also termed the budget disappointing. He said no mention of KPs return, enhancement of cash relief and solving their long pending problems was made in budget.
Bani-Bhaderwah road to be ready by Mar 2017: Bukhari
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 22: Minister for R&B, Syed Altaf Bukhari today said that upgraded double-lane Bani-Bhaderwah road will be commissioned by March 2017 while Batote-Kishtwar road has been taken over by the R&B from the BRO.
While replying to the question by Firdous Tak (PDP) in Legislative Council today Altaf Bukhari said that 184 Km Batote-Kishtwar-Sinthan road has been taken over by the Public Works Department (R&B) Jammu from the project BEACON (BRO) in the month of December 2014 and January 2015. He said the portion of 81 Kms is in the process of being handed over by BRO.
The Minister further said that presently only the works of maintenance nature are being executed to keep the road open. He said the DPR for improvement and upgradation of said road at specified points has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. He said the work shall be taken up in hand through tendering after the sanction from Union Government is received.
Mr Bukhari said that the road is sinking at some places due to various reasons which include activation of existing slides, intense deformation due to close proximity of major tectonic features, fragility of the underground rock mass, charging of material by the surface run off and filling of Baglihar dam reservoir resulting in saturation and capillary action.
The Minister said that no permission for laying the cable on river side by the Telecom Companies has been granted by R&B Department as the road was being maintained by BRO till the end of year 2014. However, project BEACON has reported that Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) work has been completed as per the laid down specifications of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
In a written reply to the question of Naresh Gupta from Congress in the Upper House, the Minister said that the road from Bani to Basohli (88 kms ), which is under Project SAMPARK is being developed to National Highway double lane specifications and the work is under progress. The likely date of completion of double lanning of this road is March 2017. A major bridge of 592 mts span is also under construction at Basohli over Ravi and it is likely to be completed in December 2017. An amount of Rs 249.69 crore has been incurred on the upgradation of said road/ bridge.
Referring to the tunnel on Bani- Basohli road at Seoj Range, the minister said that BRO has forwarded a feasibility study of Basti- Chhatargalla tunnel to Director General BRO for consideration, approval and funding. The R&B has also submitted a proposal for construction of road including tunnel connecting Bhaderwah-Bani-Basohli road at an estimated cost of Rs 1113 crore to Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. But sanction is yet awaited.
Replying to another question, the minister said the road stretches from Doda-Bhaderwah and Bhaderwah- Bani have been upgraded by project BEACON and an expenditure of Rs 151.18 crore has been incurred till date. Road from Basohli to Bani is under Project SAMPARK of BRO.
India, China to hold border talks in Delhi
BEIJING/NEW DELHI, Mar 22:
India and China will hold the 18th round of border talks in Delhi from tomorrow – the first round of negotiations after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power last year – where the two sides are expected to focus on clarification of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Special Representative on the Boundary Question and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval would hold talks with his Chinese counterpart and State Councillor Yang Jiechi amid hopes to clinch a solution to the vexed boundary issue under the strong leadership in both the countries.
Yang will visit India on March 22-24 to hold the 18th Meeting of the Special Representatives at the invitation of Doval, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
The talks are taking place in the backdrop of candid discussions between Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the latter’s visit to Delhi in September last year.
The high-profile visit was overshadowed by the intrusion of Chinese troops at Chumar in Ladakh region. It was resolved after simultaneous withdrawal by both sides after Xi’s visit.
The incident prompted Modi to suggest Xi that “clarification of LAC” would greatly contribute efforts to maintain peace and tranquillity at the border where troops from both sides often assert their claims and counter-claims.
Xi had said there might be incidents like Chumar as the border is yet to be demarcated. Chinese officials say LAC clarification could figure in this round of talks, which are being held in the backdrop expectations on both sides that since Modi and Xi have emerged as strong leaders, the two nations had a unique chance to strike a deal. Significantly, the talks are also being held ahead of Modi’s first visit to China expected to be before May-end.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who visited China last month to make preparations for the Prime Minister’s visit, spoke about the need for an “out of the box” solution on the border issue in order to not leave it for future generations. (PTI)