Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 19 :A meeting of J&K 10 plus 2 Education Officers Forum was held for discussing the issues of Chief Education Officers/ Principals DIET and Joint Directors of School Education and their equivalents.
The meeting was convened today under the chairmanship of Ram Parkash Gupta, who demanded regularization of the officers since 2006. Despite assurances and the submission of required documents to the concerned authorities, nothing has been done so far, he lamented and hoped that now with the change of guards, their issues would be solved.
The meet stressed upon the concerned authorities to do justice with the incharge officers by regularizing them retrospectively without undue delay.
Those who addressed the meeting included, Malik Ram, V R Sharma, Surjit Singh, Gurcharan Singh, R P Gandotra, Balbir Singh, R K Maini and others.
Education Officers Forum demands regularization
VHP opposes Hurriyat leaders participation in Pak Day function
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 19: VHP patron Dr Rama Kant Dubey has opposed the participation of Hurriyat leaders in Pakistan day function at New Delhi on March 23.
Taking strong exception to the invitation given by Pak High Commission to separatist Hurriyat leaders, Dr Dubey questioned the role of Government of India in this regard. He said why the Kashmiri separatists are invited by Pak High Commission. He said India has a population of 20 crore Muslims and why Muslims from Kashmir are treated in a special way. Do they have any special identity, he asked?
The VHP leader asked the Union Government to clarify its policy over the issue. He demanded that the separatist leaders should not be allowed to visit Pak embassy as this is against the national interests.
Dr Dubey said that Government should clear its stand on Kashmir issue which is the integral part of India and immediate steps be taken in implementation of Parliament resolution of 1994 in this regard, he added.
He said meeting between separatists and Pak High Commission are highly objectionable and this can create unnecessary confusion.
Work on ropeway project soon
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 19: Inviting yet another fresh controversy, the Government today categorically said that the work on Mubarak Mandi-Shahbad (Bahu Fort) Ropeway project in Jammu would be started shortly while Tawi Artificial lake project which has already jumped three-four deadlines will be completed by June 2015.
Minister for Agriculture Production, Ghulam Nabi Lone while responding on behalf of Minister Incharge Tourism to a question of BJP Member, S Charanjit Singh said that indigenous Ropeway Project from Mubarak Mandi to Shahbad is budgeted at Rs 40 crore for both the sections which include ‘land acquisition cost and realignment’ of utilities such as power, water lines etc. Interestingly, instead of mentioning the actual, Mubarak Mandi- Bahu Fort Ropeway project, the Government named it as Mubarak Mandi- Shahbad project in its reply, inviting fresh controversy. Not even a single member from the BJP or any other party in the opposition objected to the reply with regard to the change of name of this prestigious projected of Jammu city. The minister further claimed that all the required formalities for this project have been completed and the work is expected to start shortly.
In the starred question 327, the BJP member asked the detailed status and progress achieved on the projects related to Jammu beautification and tourism promotion. Mr Lone claimed that development of tourist spots in the State including Jammu is being given focused attention by way of creating Tourism infrastructure.
Referring to the progress on Tawi artificial lake project, the PDP Minister said that work on this Tawi Lake Project was taken up by the Department of Irrigation and Flood Control during 2010-11 with an estimated cost of Rs 69.70 crore. He said an amount of Rs 57 crore has been released and spent till date, against which 85 % civil and 80 % mechanical works stand completed. M/s GVR Infrastructure Project Ltd has been allotted the work. The works of installation and erection of gates was still pending. During 2013-14, the work also remained suspended due to paucity of funds.
Mr Lone said the September 2014 floods also caused some damage to one of the piers at Nikki Tawi side and the work could not be initiated for about 3-4 months. The work has now been started and it will be completed in given time ( June ending) provided pending funds under 13th FC are released. The other part of this project is UEED and Tourism. A DPR of Rs 36.77 crore has been approved but release of funds is yet awaited. The work on left and right embankments could not be taken up due to non-releasing of funds, he added.
Besdies this, the work on Mubarak Mandi Heritage Project is also going on. Union Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned Rs 16.92 crore under Mega destination Scheme and an amount of Rs 3.38 crore as first installment has been released and spent so far. Under 13th FC this Heritage project costing Rs 50 crores has been envisaged for conservation/ preservation of Raja Amar Singh Palace, Dogra Art Museusm, Badi Deodi, Royal Court and Gadvai and Mahal of Raja Ram Singh’s Queens. Archaelogical Survey of India has been entrusted with the execution of the project.
He also mentioned about Surinsar, Mansar and Suchetgarh border post development on the pattern of Wagha in Punjab to attract tourists besides Holy shrine of Baba Chamliyal in Ramgarh.
SKIMS Doctor gets Gandhi Scholarship Award
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 19: Dr Tufail Muzaffar, Senior Resident in Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR), SKIMS, has been awarded Gandhi Scholarship Award.
The award, comprising of Rs 10,000 and merit certificate, was conferred to Dr Tufail Muzaffar, during the conference held by Indian Federation of Neuro-Rehabilitation (IFNR) in Mumbai.
Dr Tufail was permitted by Director SKIMS to travel to Kessler Research Foundation NJ, USA to learn Neurocognitive rehabilitation for post stroke patients with hemineglect.
IFNR is an organization that promulgates Neurorehabilitation in India and works in association with World Federation of Neuro-Rehabilitation (WFNR).
Sikh bodies ask Govt to review ban on Casual Labourers, re-employment
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 19: Some Sikh organizations have expressed their anguish against the Government decision of imposing complete ban on engagement of Casual / Seasonal Labourers (CSLWs) in Government Department / State Owned PSUs besides termination of re-employed.
The concern was expressed during a meeting of various Sikh organizations, including Sikh United Front J&K, All India Students Federation, Sikh Naujawan Sabha, Sikh Welfare Society, etc was held under the chairmanship of S Mohinder Singh, chief organizer, Bhai Kanahiya Jee Nishkam Sewa Society J&K and ex-member DGPC Jammu.
The meet appealed the Chief Minister Mufti Mohd. Sayeed to re-look into this matter as the decision has affected a number of families. Manifesto of both BJP and PDP had advocated for employment to all whereas immediately on coming to power this Government has done the reverse not thinking as to what would happen to such employees and their families, the meet added.
“The shunted out employees are married and have children with their old aged parents who are mostly dependent upon them. Moreover they have now become over age and you have made them to starve along with their families during these hard and critical times,” Mohinder Singh said.
Urging the NC and Congress MLA to force the Government to review its decision, the Sikh bodies warned that people would take to streets if their demand is not considered.
Those who attended the meeting, included Avtar Singh Khalsa, Ramnik Singh Bijral, Paramjit Singh, Kulwant Singh, Gajjan Singh, Kapoor Singh Dutta, Manmohan Singh, Surjit Singh Kuku, Harpal Singh Prince, Gurdev Singh, Harbans Singh, Parveen Singh, Tej Pal Singh, Rajinder Singh, Davinder Singh, Raja Singh Sarpanch, Kultar Singh, Charanveer Singh and others.
Governor hosts Legislators
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 19: N.N. Vohra, Governor, hosted a dinner for the members of the newly constituted Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council here at the Raj Bhavan lawns today evening.
Besides the Legislators and Members of the Cabinet the dinner was attended by Mufti Mohd. Sayeed, Chief Minister; Dr. Nirmal Kumar Singh, Dy. Chief Minister; Kavinder Gupta, Speaker Legislative Assembly; Omar Abdullah, Former Chief Minister, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Leader of the Congress Legislature Party; senior Civil and Police officers.
Business disrupted in LC on road blockade issue
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 19: The members of Upper House today disrupted proceedings for about 6 minutes on the issue of road blockade due to landslides and snowfall across the State.
Several members including Jugal Kishore, Ghulam Nabi Monga, Sajjad Kichloo, Dr Bashir Ahmed Veeri, Naresh Gupta, Ravinder Sharma, Ajay Sadhotra, Jehangir Mir, Dr Shehnaz Ganai, Sham Lal Bhagat, Ali Mohd Dar, Ghulam Qadir Pardesi, DS Oberai and master Noor Hussain stood up immediately after the House commenced its business. The members alleged that Government has failed to restore traffic as many roads were still closed and a large number of passengers have been stranded.
The opposition members demanded that house be adjourned and discussion be held because the issue was of great public concern. They said for the last 4-5 days, people have been suffering due to shortage of food items because of closure of roads. Many families have been affected with the landslides and that those stranded in Jammu and other areas be airlifted. They also sought reply from the Government and raised issue loudly and forcefully in the House. The Chairman rejected their plea to adjourn the House and asked to raise the issue as per rules. He suggested that members can also take up their issue during Zero Hour.
The members continued to press for the same and noisy scene continued for about 5-6 minutes. Then with the repeated intervention of the Chairman, Amrit Malhotra, the order was restored in the House. Mr Malhotra also asked the Government to take cognizance of the issue as matter was or urgent nature.
Debate on Environmental Pollution held
Excelsior Correspondent
RAMNAGAR, Mar 19: Tehsil Information Center (TIC), Ramnagar organized a debate contest on the Topic “Environmental Pollution” in the premises of National Public High School, Ramnagar today.
As many as 12 students who participated in the contest depicted their serious concern over the increasing environmental pollution and stressed for the conservation of environment.
School Principal, Sunita Choudhry was the chief guest on the occasion.
Shurti was adjudged first, while Kasak and Sparsh stood 2nd and 3rd respectively in the debate contest. Jyoti and Simran bagged consolation prizes.
The chief guest appreciated efforts of Information Department for holding the contest.
She said that such type of contest would provide a platform to budding students to channelize their energy and talent in right direction.
Meenakshi, Usha Rani and Aditi Gupta acted as judges besides Ritu Gupta conducted the proceedings of the programme.
Prizes were distributed among the participants on the occasion.
Man dies in house collapse
Excelsior Correspondent
RAMBAN, Mar 19: A man died in house collapse at village Mansari, falling under the jurisdiction of Rajgarh police post.
As per police sources, a landslide hit the house of Shanker Dass at village Mansari late last night, resulting into the death of his son Shambhu Dass.
On getting information, police and locals rushed to the spot, retrieved the dead body of the deceased buried under the debris and also rescued other members of the family.
The body of the deceased was handed over to family members after completing legal formalities.
Youth consumes poison
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 19: A youth today made an abortive attempt on his life by consuming some poisonous substance at his residence at Bantalab.
According to a police spokesperson, the youth identified as Nureen Khan (18) son of Muneer Hussain, a resident of Bantalab in city outskirts, allegedly consumed some poisonous substance at his residence. In unconscious condition, his family members shifted him to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where his condition is stated to be stable.
However, it was not known why he took this extreme step. The concerned police has taken cognizance of the matter.