Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 26: All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) in a meeting here today held under the chairmanship of R K Raina has expressed concern over the irresponsible statements about the community by certain leaders of political parties especially on the return issue of the displaced Pandits.
Mr Raina said Pandits are willing to return and need nobody’s advice in this regard. He said they also know under what circumstances they were forced to flee from the Valley and who were the elements responsible for that. He said the community does not need advice from any one in this regard.
Mr Raina said being the worst sufferers of migration, the Pandits history has become the story of a burnt child who dreads the fire, so they have to think 10 times whether the history will not be repeated and study the situation and its pros and cons before taking any decision on return.
He said Narendra Modi has exuded some sort of confidence in the community after taking over as PM of the country but nothing tangible was seen for the last nine months and the suffering of the community has not been mitigated.
He said National Minority Commission had also made recommendations about the community but to no avail.
He said the PM’s employment package has not been implemented till date and accommodation for migrants in Valley is insufficient.
B B Gosani general secretary of the ASKPC expressed concern over non payment of salaries to KP employees appointed under PM package. He demanded immediate release of the salaries to them. T K Jigyasoo, Shiban Pandit, S K Bhat, Subash Chatta, B L Handoo, A K Dhar and S K Jalali attended the meeting.
ASKPC criticizes statements of some political leaders on return
Walmart India launches B2B e-commerce facilities
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 26: Walmart India today launched B2B e-commerce facilities for Best Price Modern Wholesale Store members in Jammu, marking the 10th store to go online since the B2B e-commerce platform was launched on July 1, 2014.
Members of the Best Price Modern Wholesale store in Jammu, along with members from nine other Indian cities, would now be able to shop online at www.BestPrice.in. Members can log in, navigate, choose, book and purchase the products online without the need to physically visit the store.
Krish Iyer, President and CEO, Walmart India, said, “It is with great pleasure that we announce the launch of our B2B e-commerce channel in Jammu, marking the 10th B2B online store. This initiative is aimed at enhancing our members’ shopping experience by integrating physical and digital store presence. We at Walmart are continuously innovating to bring in member satisfaction and our B2B e-Commerce platform is just one of several such initiatives. It represents an additional channel for us to serve our members better and help them save money as it comes with the added convenience of ordering online, door-step delivery within 24 hours and several payment solutions. As per responses we have been receiving, our members, especially reseller (Kirana) members are glad that they are now able to spend more time in their shops with their customers as they can shop online.”
He disclosed “Prior to the launch, various workshops were organized to generate awareness amongst members on this initiative and also to create better understanding about the website navigation, benefits and registration processes. Only registered members of the Best Price Modern Wholesale Stores in Jammu would be eligible to transact online. Eligible establishments (resellers, kirana shop owners, hotels, restaurants, caterers and offices and institutions) in the catchment areas can transact only after registering as members. To register and become a member, one can log on to www.bestprice.in”.
975 houses, 240 cattle sheds damaged: Bukhari
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 26: Minister for R&B, Gardens, Parks and Floriculture, Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari while replying to calling attention of Firdous Ahmad Tak informed the House that National High Way- 244 (Batote-Kishtwar-Synthan) has been severely damaged on at least 20 spots and moderately damaged at hundreds of spots with the result the road remained blocked on March 16 & 17 but was subsequently restored on March 18.
The Minister said 45 roads have been restored out of 87 major roads in Doda district while 50 roads out of 76 have also been restored in Kishtwar district. He said restoration of other link roads is going on and is expected to be completed shortly.
Regarding power restoration, Mr Bukhari said that 33 KV and 11 KV/LT network has been progressively restored and 90% of all the 33 KV lines, 33 KV sub-stations and 11 KV lines are functional in district Doda. He said the power supply at 132 KV level is yet to be restored at various locations which is likely to be restored to Kishtwar district within next few days.
The minister said that 975 houses, 240 cattle sheds and 2 religious structures have been damaged in these twin districts. He said the damages are being assessed and ex-gratia relief under SDRF will be paid to the affected families as and when the assessment is completed .
Regarding the damage caused to the Government property, he said an Inter Disciplinary Committee has been constituted to assess the damages.
KCC&I submits memorandum to CM regarding protection, promotion of tourism
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 26: A delegation of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I) led by its President Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad met Chief Minister and submitted a detailed memorandum regarding protection and promotion of tourism.
While speaking, Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad said that the existing tourist destinations like Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Srinagar, Sonamarg have grown haphazardly in an unplanned manner and further expansion can lead to disasters of un-imaginable magnitude like September 2014 floods. Any further expansion should be undertaken only after Environment Impact Assessment, he added.
“Jammu and Kashmir as a pilgrim and adventure tourism destination needs to be promoted through a consistent High Voltage Promotional Campaign. There is also need for 4 and 5-Star hotel accommodation at some existing and new destinations”, he stated.
Ahmad further disclosed that the tourism has been declared as an industry in the year 1995 but benefits are not available to Industry (MSME). He prayed that the anomaly be kindly removed. National Highway being unreliable, the Mughal Road should be made operational, he added.
He demanded uninterrupted power supply for tourist destinations, hospitality sector viz hotels and houseboats, travel and tour operators, transporters and adventure agents be provided soft loans, State entrepreneurs be provided land at new destinations for developing new hotels, resorts, eco-friendly hotels, theme parks, camping sites for/and adventure activities, amendment in setting up of common sewerage plants by State Pollution Control Board, renewal of legally leased land of hotels, guest houses, restaurants, etc on payment of reasonable amount.
He added that Department of Tourism should be made cadre based with employment to trained and qualified professionals, extension and upgradation of Institute of Hotel Management and Catering, Tourism Department should put all the details relating to tourist destinations, promotional activities, services and rates on its website, tourist destinations should be made tourist-friendly and growing complaints of harassment faced by tourists at Gulmarg, Sonamarg and other destinations need to be tackled at war footing.
Ahmad stated that there is an urgent need to have a long term and short term policy on tourism for the State otherwise this sector faces the imminent danger of collapse.
Akshita, Anil, Aniksha emerge winners in debate
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Mar 26: Tehsil Information Center, Ramnagar organized a debate contest on the Topic “Rural vs Urban Life” in the premises of Government High School, Zone Kalwanta in Ramnagar here today.
Master, Rao Ravinder Singh presided over the function.
As many as 10 students of the host school participated in the contest and put their serious view on the topic and most of them stressed for living in pollution free atmosphere as in rural areas.
Akshita Thakur was adjudged first while Anil Kumar and Aniksha Thakur stood second and third respectively in the debate contest. Bablu Kumar and Vinod Kumar were awarded with consolation prizes.
While speaking, Rao said that such type of contest would definitely provide a platform to budding students to channelize their talent in right direction. He urged the department to organize such more programmes in the near future also.
During the contest, Makhan Singh, Shakti Thakur and Mohinder Kumar acted as judges.
Later, Information Department distributed prizes to the winners and certificates among all the participants.
Cong and NC members protesting in the ‘Well’ of State Legislative Council in Jammu on Wednesday. —Excelsior/ Rakesh
Cong and NC members protesting in the ‘Well’ of State Legislative Council in Jammu on Wednesday. —Excelsior/ Rakesh
DDC, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary at Employment Festival-cum-Placement Drive at Kathua on Thursday.
DDC, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary at Employment Festival-cum-Placement Drive at Kathua on Thursday.
BJP Spokespersons at a press conference at Jammu on Thursday.
BJP Spokespersons at a press conference at Jammu on Thursday.
Shortage of manpower
For some years in the past we are told that there is shortage of officers and ORs in all the three branches of our defence forces especially in the army. The Defence Minister has come out with figures of shortage both officers and ORs in the three services. It is not a happy picture. The Defence Minister has suggested some remedial measures to overcome the shortage but what is more important is to know the reason for shortage. It has to be remembered that our country does not have any rule of conscription and there are no compulsory rules that students at a particular age should render some years of service in the armed forces. Recruitment to armed forces services is free and optional. This should encourage the youth to join the army. Though of course from Cadet Corps provides good scope for young students to join the defence forces but these days there is much craze for technical and skilled jobs which are easily available on account of vast expansion of information technology and other branches of scientific learning. But in our country there are thousands of families that have great reputation of having produced great soldiers and they are proud of their past. These families still maintain the tradition. Nevertheless, the fact is that the Defence Ministry needs to come out with a comprehensive and more attractive package for the youth by way of incentives so that they are attracted to the defence services. Some new features have been added but perhaps there is more need to make the armed forces service more attractive. Some segments of civil service or industries as well as corporate houses should also provide reservations for larger number of retired soldiers and officers. Their emoluments and pensioner benefits etc. also need to be given a hike. In no way should our soldiers feel inferior to other services in terms of service rules and facility.
Netanyahu gets Rivlin’s mandate to form government
JERUSALEM, Mar 26: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been granted the go ahead by President Reuven Rivlin to form a new coalition government, recognizing his surprising victory in the last week’s election.
Rivlin yesterday handed him the task of forming the next government hours after he received the official election results showing Netanyahu’s Likud with 30 Knesset seats to lead all parties.
The Isreali President, however, chided Netanyahu for his controversial remarks about Arab-Israeli voters before tasking him to form the next government.
“The elections are the only referendum in our democracy… shame on us if we view the fulfillment of the democratic duty of voting as a curse or something that must be warned against,” he said.
“Those afraid of ballots will end up getting stones thrown in the streets,” he warned.
“From every direction, things were said that ought not to have been said in a Jewish and democratic state. Fanning the flames serves no one. The fire does not only heat, it threatens to engulf in flames. Today is the time to begin to heal these wounds,” the Israeli President said.
Netanyahu during his election campaign had said he would not allow the establishment of a Palestinian state on his watch and warned them that Arab voters were heading to the polls “in droves.”
His acrimonious electioneering had strained ties with the United States and drew accusations of racism from the country’s Arab minority.
Netanyahu, however, tried to repair the damage by declaring himself the Prime Minister of all Israeli citizens.
“I see myself as the Prime Minister of each and every one of you, those who elected me and those who did not. I will act to mend the rifts which have opened up between different segments of society during the election,” Netanyahu said.
“I must continue on this path in the next government that is formed – a Jewish and democratic country that gives full equal rights to all of its citizens regardless of religious, race or gender. So it has always been and so it always will be,” Netanyahu said.(PTI)