Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 29: PCC (I) president GA Mir today spoke to all senior leaders of the party in the Kashmir Valley from Jammu and directed them to mobilize their entire cadre and resources to help the people during flood like situation in many areas.
“As I was in Jammu, I spoke to all senior party leaders and called upon them to mobilize their resources and cadre to help the flood victims in Srinagar and all other parts of the Kashmir Valley,’’ Mir said.
He added that the Congress leaders and workers were at the disposal of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and would make all possible efforts to mitigate their sufferings in the floods.
The PCC (I) president called upon the administration to take all possible measures to ensure that flood waters didn’t enter localities and that the people were protected from rain waters at any cost in the State.
“All steps should be taken by the Government to protect the people from the floods,’’ Mir said.
PCC chief directs party leaders to help flood victims
Jodhamal School presents Nukkad Natak on Women Empowerment
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 29: Jodhamal Public School has dedicated 2015-2016 to Women Empowerment and to begin this initiative the School chose the Nukkad Natak as a medium to spread awareness among the common folk towards Women Empowerment.
The Nukkad Natak which was prepared by the faculty members Reema Mahajan, Sonia Mahajan and Rimjhim, was so beautifully staged by the students right from the birth of a baby girl to her School, professional life and to her married life at each stage how discrimination is being faced by girls and how the girls refuse to take this discrimination touched the onlookers and everyone appreciated the effort put in by the students of Jodhamal.
The Street Play prepared will be performed at each nook and corner of Jammu in the next 30 days. It will also be staged near Jammu University Canteen to make it reach the students community who needs to understand the importance of Equality of Gender. School also plans to take this in a rigorous way to the adopted village Ismailpur Kothe which had been a Karm Bhoomi for Jodhamal Kids for the last three years for the Community Service.
The students who are performing this Nukkad Natak are Manaswini Oswal, Gunjan Koul, Kshitij Sethi, Ravtej Singh,Ullas Mahajan, Cheerayu Surana, Vaishnavi Mahajan, Ishwin Kaur, Arnav Malhotra, Prerak Bist, Viraj Sharma, Jatin Kaul, Anushka and Sarthal Malhotra under the able guidance of their teachers. The Programme culminated with the blessings of Dr. C.M. Seth the chairman WWF, who appreciated not only the Earth Hour Celebration by Jodhamal but also appreciated the staff & students for taking up Women Empowerment as the main agenda by Jodhamal students during 2015-2016. Principal Trilok Singh Bist and Vice Principal Monika Sethi also accompanied the students for the Street Play and played their role as motivators to the staff & students.
Woman missing
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 29: A mentally disturbed lady aged around 46 years hailing from Janipur Colony near Handicraft Office went missing from her residence this morning.
As per police sources, a 46-year-old woman identified as Veena Talla, wife of Vinay Talla, a resident of House Number 242, near Handicraft Office, Janipur Colony went missing from her residence this morning.
The woman is having fair complexion.
Any body having any clue about the missing lady can inform family members on mobile number 94191-35300 or can also inform police station Janipur, where a missing report in this regard stands registered.
12th class question paper full of errors: Harsh
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 29: Urging upon the Education Minister to address the much publicized and highly obscene notoriety of the JKBOSE in promoting unfair means and mass copying in various exams, Harshdev Singh, JKNPP Chairman and Former Education Minister has pointed out a glaring instance of the said Board’s malfeasance in academic field which has had a highly damaging effect on the careers of students.
Referring to the question paper of class 12th of Physical Education Set B conducted by JKBOSE last week he said that the same is full of dozens of conceptual and grammatical errors besides ambiguity which has generated great unrest and resentment amongst the students who have taken the said exams.
He said that with question paper full of abstruse and enigmatic errors, the careers of the students have been put in jeopardy who have sought fixation of responsibility besides compensation for the loss suffered due to omissions and commissions of JKBOSE.
He added that a deputation of several students who took Physical Education exam of 12th class disclosed numerous errors and anomalies in question paper which have been duly verified and reveal culpably negligent and utterly irresponsible on the part of JKBOSE authorities.
He said that the students have greatly resented the highly apathetic, criminal and reprehensible approach of the JKBOSE which concerns their careers and sought the intervention of the higher authorities besides due compensation to the students prejudicially affected by the criminal apathy and negligence on the part of concerned authorities.
Harshdev Singh said that errors are frequently made in question papers of various Board Exams and the recent episode is only a tip of the ice-berg. Emphasizing the need for introducing reforms in JKBOSE Singh urged upon the Education Minister to revamp the JKBOSE administrative setup, ensure early positioning of Chairman and Secretary JKBOSE besides checking the menace of mass copying being executed with much gusto and brazenness in connivance with field staff.
7th Sr J&K State Indian Style Wrestling C’ship on Mar 31
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 29: A meeting of J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association was held under the chairmanship of president of the Association, Shiv Kumar Sharma at Hotel India Pride, here today.
The meeting decided to hold 7th J&K State Indian Style Wrestling Championship for men 2014-15 at Dewan Mandir Akhara Jammu on March 31, 2015, under the supervision of chairman of the Association, Prem Choudhary in which the teams of the Districts Kathua, Samba, Udhampur, Jammu, Reasi, Rajouri, Doda, Anantnag, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Srinagar, Baramulla and J&K Police will be participating.
It was unanimously decided that the wrestlers who will not participate in the State Wrestling Championship will not be considered for participation in the forthcoming International Wrestling Championship, being organized by State Wrestling Association from October 15, 2015 to October 20, 2015.
Director of the Competition and NIS Wrestling coach, Mulkh Raj Sharma said the weighing of the wrestlers will start from 9 am to 10 am on March 31, 2015 at Dewan Mandir Akhara Jammu and the competition will start from 11 am to onwards under the overall supervision of president J&K Indian Style Wrestlers by the Association.
Mr. Sharma said the weight categories are 55 Kgs, 61 Kgs, 67 Kgs, 75 Kgs, 85Kgs, and 97 Kgs, adding that the Championship will be conducted according to the new guidelines issued by Indian Style Wrestling Association of India (National Federation).
The wrestlers have been advised to participate in red and blue ‘Jangias’.
The championship will be conducted on knock-out basis and for semi final, cross league will be conducted in each weight. The rules and regulations of ISWAI will be strictly followed. The organizing Committee will have full powers to make any change in the programme, if deemed necessary.
“The medals (gold, silver and bronze), merit certificates and participating certificates will be given to the wrestlers of all weight categories. The team Championship trophy will be given to the District/Units which will secure maximum points.
The members who attended the meeting were Inderjeet Khajuria (Senior Vice President), Prithvi Raj Sharma, (Treasurer), Bansi Lal Tidyal (General Secretary), Mulkh Raj Sharma (Chairman Technical Committee), Rakesh Khajuria (Vice-Chairman), Shatrughan Jamwal (Vice-President), Prem Kumar (Executive Member) and Om Parkash Kapoor (Executive Member).
SOS International submits open letter to Governor
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 29: SOS International, an organization for displaced persons from PoK presented an open letter to Governor NN Vohra regarding nomination of eight members to the Legislative Council of the State under Section 50 of the constitution of J&K.
According to the letter, Chairman, SOS International Rajiv Chuni apprised Governor that the Constitutional Provisions engrafted under Section 50 of the Constitution of J&K by the founding fathers of the Constitution, wherein, under sub-Section (6) of Section 50, it has been categorically and unequivocally provided that eight members shall be nominated to the Legislative Council of the State Legislature by the Governor and not more than three of whom shall be persons belonging to any of the socially or economically backward classes in the State, and the remaining five shall be persons, having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of matters such as Literature, Science, Art, Cooperative Movement and Social Service.
“In the past all the political parties irrespective of their name and ideology have in sheer violation of the aforesaid Constitutional Provisions, by and large recommended the names of those persons for nomination to the Legislative Council, who are actively associated in politics and preferably the candidates/political workers of the ruling party”, he added.
He further stated that the Constitutional Provisions, engrafted by the founding fathers in Section 50 of the Constitution of J&K, with particular reference to sub-Section (6) were incorporated with a clear object of nominating persons with eminence having, special knowledge or practical experience in matters, such as, Literature, Science, Art, Cooperative Moment and Social Service, so that such persons could contribute their practical experience and knowledge in the proceedings of the Council.
Chuni added that there is no dearth of the persons in the State of J&K, having special knowledge in the field stated hereinabove, and if only those persons are nominated to the Legislative Council, not only the constitutional provisions would be observed – instead of being breached, but on the contrary the Society as a whole shall be benefits with their vast experience in their respective fields.
He hoped that Governor will not allow the violation of the Constitutional Provisions by any of the political parties, while recommending the names for nomination to the Legislative Council.
JKAACL organizes Punjabi Mushiara
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 29: J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages organised Punjabi Mushiara at Miran Saheb, here today.
The mushiara was organized in a felicitation function organized by J&K Punjabi Sahitik Sabha, RS Pura.
Kanwal Kashmiri presided over the function, while Dr Arvinder Singh Amn, Additional Secretary, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages was the chief guest.
Pritpal Singh Betab, S Bhagat Singh Zandik and S Parmatam Singh Inqalabi were also present in the presidium.
While speaking on the occasion, Kanwal Kashmiri congratulated all the participating poets for their best poetry recitation and for making the mushiara a success. He also applauded the efforts of J&K Punjabi Sahitik Sabha, RS Pura for felicitating the senior most poets and writers namely S Manohar Singh Chakar and S Parmatam Singh Inqalabi for their life time achievements and contribution in the field of Punjabi poetry and literature of Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr Arvinder singh Amn while delivering his address said that the literary NGOs working for the betterment and development of the Punjabi literature in particular should document the works and contribution of the senior writers and poets through the print media and journals publishing their literature and contributions.
Yaadan Di Mehak, a collection of Punjabi articles penned by Late S Ujjagar Singh Mehak, and edited by his son S A P Singh was also released in the inaugural session. S Devinder Singh Vishvanagrik presented review paper on the book released today.
Sh Pritpal Singh Betab and S Bhagat singh Zandiq also spoke on the occasion.
Dr Baljit Raina conducted the proceedings of the programme while S Bhupinder Singh Bhargwa, President, J&K Punjabi Sahitik Sabha, RS Pura presented welcome address.
The Poets who recited their poems included V N Dil, Bachan Bharti, Sewa Singh Sheetal, Nirmal Singh Gobindpuri, Bhupinder Bhargwa, Hardeep Kaur Deepak, Manohar Singh Chakar, Balwinder Singh, KK Shakir, Rajpal Singh Mastana, Amar Singh Kooka, Bhagat Singh Zandik, Saran Star, Suraj Singh Suraj, Devinder Singh Vishvanagrik, Suraj Prakash Rattan.
NSF demands 24-hr Health Center in JU
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 29: National Secular Forum has flayed University authorities for not paying any attention towards Health Centre in the University campus alleging that it has become defunct.
Addressing a press-conference here today NSF general secretary Narinder Singh said that Health Center should be functional 24 hours as the students in the hostel have to suffer a lot due to non availability of doctors.
He said that the Health Centre of varsity campus opens only few hours in each day and closes when campus is off. He also said it needs an early up gradation, proper regulation and well management for smooth running of Health Center in the campus.
Singh further disclosed that the Health Centre has X-Ray Machine but without Machine operator as for last three years machine is gathering dust in Health Centre. Six months back a contractual technician was appointed by the Varsity authorities but to of no avail.
He said that the Health Centre has Auto Analyser Machine but due to lack of operator for last two years, the machine is gathering dust in health centre.
Singh added that every year University authorities collect crores of revenue by charging fee from students for health facility but the amount is not utilized properly. “Authorities of Jammu University charge fee under this category but do not provide the facilities which mean the students are being duped. Even, the first aid boxes have not been provided to the university departments” he said.
He said that Health Centre doesn’t provide requisite facilities. Besides, there are no Resident Male doctor, no Physician and male doctor in the Centre. He further said that posts of staff meant for Health Center should be filled as early as possible and doctors should be made available round the clock.
They appealed Chancellor NN Vohra to direct Vice Chancellor Jammu University in this regard, otherwise NSF would adopt path of agitation.
Others were present in the press-conference included Amit Sanotra, Rishikesh Rana, and Bhupinder Singh.
MCG shows love to Tendulkar, cheers him for just being there
Melbourne, Mar 29:
He doesn’t enthrall with his willow anymore but Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar got one of the loudest cheers at the presentation ceremony of the ICC World Cup final as he shared the stage with administrative bigwigs.
Tendulkar was the biggest name on dais during the presentations after Australia beat New Zealand by seven wickets to lift their fifth World Cup trophy, this time under the retiring Michael Clarke.
As the name of the on-stage dignitaries, including ICC Chairman N Srinivasan, were read out by presenter Mark Nicholas, MCG let out a thunderous cheer for Tendulkar as he waved at the capacity crowd with a smile on his face.
The 41-year-old former batsman, who was the brand ambassador of the event, handed out trophies to the Man of the Match James Faulkner and Man of the Tournament Mitchell Starc. (PTI)
Govt targets 1 cr consumers to give up LPG subsidy
NEW DELHI, Mar 29:
Government expects that about one crore well off consumers will surrender the subsidy on cooking gas after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to people not to take subsidy if they can afford to buy LPG at market price.
“The target is one crore. Let us see how many more people decide to surrender LPG subsidy,” a top Government functionary said.
There are about 15.3 crore LPG consumers in the country.
Modi in his address to a global energy conference last week said that as many as 2.8 lakh people have surrendered LPG subsidy which has led to savings of Rs 100 crore.
“As many as 2.8 lakh people have responded positively… and this will lead to a saving of at least Rs 100 crore. This Rs 100 crore can be utilised for the welfare of poor,” Modi had said.
Since the Government started the new scheme of direct benefit transfer (DBT) for cooking gas, several persons opted out of the subsidy scheme.
Under the DBT, the subsidy amount is directly credited into the bank accounts of consumers even as they pay full amount for LPG cylinder at the time of purchase. Consumers are currently entitled to 12 14.2-kg cylinders or 34 five-kg bottles in a year at subsidised rates.
Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has already urged ministers, MPs, MLAs, senior government officials and executives of public sector companies to give up their subsidies.
Public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) have given an option to existing LPG consumers to convert their existing domestic LPG connection into a non-subsidised domestic connection. This can be done by submitting a written request to the distributor or electronically via www.MyLPG.In.
Giving up subsidised LPG will help cut the Government’s subsidy bill.
In 2015-16 Budget estimates, petroleum subsidy has been halved to Rs 30,000 crore, from estimated Rs 60,270 crore in the current fiscal. Of Rs 30,000 crore for next fiscal, Rs 22,000 crore has been earmarked for LPG subsidy and the rest is for kerosene. (PTI)