Governor, N N Vohra along with the Civil Services qualifiers from J&K at Raj Bhavan on Friday.
SRINAGAR, Aug 8: All the candidates from J&K who have succeeded in getting selected to the Civil Services, consequent to the All India Civil Services Examination held in 2013, met N.N. Vohra, Governor, here at the Raj Bhavan today.
These successful candidates included Aabid Sidiq Shah, Bashir Ahmad Bhat, Raja Yaqoob, Shakeel Maqbool Yatoo, Owais Ahmad Rana, Kamar-u-Zaman Choudry, Afaq Ahmad Giri and Vikrant Bhushan.
The Governor interacted with each of these lucky young men and congratulated them on their prestigious entry into the various Central and All India Services. He advised them to acquaint themselves closely with the demands of the jobs they were likely to be assigned on completion of their training courses, and work honestly and devotedly to render efficient services for the promotion of welfare of all our people. He wished them bright career ahead.
Rakesh K. Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Governor, was present on the occasion.
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 8: The much awaited Apple Crop Insurance (ACI) to be launched in Jammu and Kashmir soon. Initially the scheme would be introduced in two districts of Kashmir Valley namely, Baramulla and Shopian on pilot basis and gradually it will be launched in other parts of the State.
This was revealed by the Minister for Horticulture, Raman Bhalla at one-day seminar-cum-training programme on promotion of Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) organized by the Department of Horticulture in coordination with the Small Farmers Agri-business Consortium(SFAC), Department of Agriculture and Cooperative, Government of India held at Nund Reshi Convention Hall, Sheri-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology (SKUAST-K) here today.
Minister of State for Horticulture and Floriculture Feroz Ahmad Khan was also present on the occasion.
Maintaining that prosperous and developed farmer is key to prosperous and developed nation, the Minister said that Government has taken several initiatives for the welfare of farming community in the State and Apple Corp Insurance is one of the initiatives in this direction. The farmers of the State were voicing their concern for the past several years and now their wait is going to be over soon. Mr. Bhalla further maintained that 8 new soil testing laboratories will be set up soon in the State to facilitate the growers and farmers of the State. This initiative will help in improving the quality of produces besides boosting the crops.
Appreciating the efforts of organizers for arranging such an informative event, Mr. Bhalla said that such plate forms provide opportunities to the growers, distributers and technocrats to come closer to give new dimensions in improving the quality and evolving new innovations which can prove very useful in the long run. The events could be utilized a fora for exchange of ideas by all the stakeholders associated with the horticulture industry. He hoped that the participants will utilize their experience on ground.
Mr Bhalla said that Government has prioritized the modernization of horticulture industry to facilitate the farmers and growers especially in remote and far flung areas for easing out their day to day needs and requirements for the development of horticulture sector. In order to control various diseases particularly Apple scab and to maintain quality check on pesticides, enforcement wing of horticulture department will be empowered by delegating powers of Enforcement Inspectors to HoDs. This would enable to keep a check on the sub-standard pesticides, he added.
Terming the Horticulture as backbone of State’s economy, Feroz Ahmad Khan said that this sector is playing a vital role in changing the socio economic conditions of major portion of the population of the State. He said that Horticulture and Handicrafts are two main sectors which make the people surviving during last 25 years of turmoil. He said that about 7 lakh families are associated with the horticulture activities directly or indirectly in the State. The turnover on horticulture is expected to touch Rs 5000 crore during 2014-15.
Secretary Horticulture, Sanjeev Verma, in his welcome address also highlighted the importance and need of launching Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) in the State and said it will prove beneficial for the people associated with the horticulture industry and economy of state.
Among others, Director Horticulture, Kashmir P. K. Sharma, Director Horticulture Planning & Marketing, Showkat Ahmad Zargar, Senior Consultant, SFAC, Department of Agriculture and Cooperative, Government of India, Scientists, Faculty Members of SKUAST-K, large gathering of farmers drawn from various parts of valley attended the seminar.
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 8: A man was crushed to death by a moving train on the railway track in Pattan, Baramulla.
A police spokesman said Mohammad Akbar Mir, 55, son of Habibullah Mir of Nihalpora, Pattan was killed when a train hit him on the railway track at Hanjiwara, Pattan.
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 8: To promote awareness, appreciation and participation in mathematics, Presentation Convent Senior Secondary School Club hosted several math events during the Maths Week, which concluded here today.
The week started with the special assembly organized by the students of 7th class on the topic ‘Mathematics is everywhere’.
Students enacted as famous Mathematicians. Their enthusiastic and confident performance imparted knowledge about the innovative work of mathematicians. A quiz was conducted for the students and a debate was organized on the topic ‘Is Maths a Psychological phobia or lack of interest’ for class 11th students.
Model Display and Power Point Presentation was conducted by the Math Club members.
While congratulating the participants, Sr Rosamma, the Principal expressed appreciation for such motivating programmes.
The coordinator of Math Club, Harvinder and Sujata’s efforts were lauded by the Management.
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 8: The Chief Engineer Public Health Engineering (PHE) this evening resumed his duty after intervention by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and the PHE employees called off their strike after the issue was resolved.
The PHE Chief Engineer, Ahmad Muzaffar Lanker, resigned yesterday after he was allegedly abused by the CAPD Minister, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan at Civil Secretariat during review meeting of the PHE.
The MoS PHE this morning held detailed meeting with Lanker at latter’s residence who agreed to resume duties. The PHE employees who were on three-day strike, this evening called off their strike.
The Government has in the meantime handed over the investigations into Ramhal Water Supply Scheme embezzlement case to IGP Crime who will submit his report to the Government within a fortnight. The issue of Ramhal Water Supply irked the Minister yesterday who allegedly abused the Chief Engineer leading to his resignation.
Muzaffar Lanker said here that Gurezi visited his residence in the morning and sought apologies on behalf of the Chief Minister for Ramzan’s abuses.
PHE employees called off their strike after the issue was resolved. “We have decided to call off the strike and resume work from tomorrow,” PHE Employees Coordination Committee president Sajad Ahmed Parray said here.
In the meantime, Ramzan today said that huge embezzlement of funds has taken place in Marsari-Pachkoot Water Supply Scheme and the officials of PHE are directly involved in it. He said that he will pursue the matter till the guilty are not punished.
The Water Supply Scheme was supposed to benefit 65,000 inhabitants of 35 villages of Ramhal Block of district Kupwara. PHE Department was supposed to spend Rs 5 crore 87 lakh. As per the Minister, the money has been spent but the WSS is defunct.
A group of Ramzan’s supporters today protested against Chief Engineer at Partap Park Srinagar and raised slogans in favour of NC and CAPD Minister.
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 8: The construction work on 11 km long main tunnel at Baltal, on Srinagar-Leh National Highway, would be started shortly while the BEACON, the executing agency of the work, has received forest and environment clearance of the project.
This assurance was given by the Chief Engineer, BEACON at a meeting held under the chairmanship of the Minister for Forests and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmad here today. The meeting was convened to review the status of project and remove the impediment affecting the progress of the project.
Secretary Forests, Chief Wildlife Warden, Chief Conservator of Forests, Kashmir besides other senior officers from forest and BEACON were present on the occasion.
The meeting discussed in detail various aspects of the project and the measures need to be taken to ensure early commencement of work on this prestigious project aimed to provide all weather road connectivity to the people of Kashmir and Ladakh.
Underlining need for expediting the project, the Minister asked the authorities of BEACON and Forest Department to keep close coordination in order to take forward the project work smoothly. He said once this vital link is completed, the people of Ladakh and Kashmir regions would travel on the road throughout the year.
Mian Altaf said that remaining Srinagar-Leh highway closed consecutively for several months during winter badly affects the economy of the people of the area. He said the priority of the Government was to ensure start work on the project early for the benefit of the people of both the sides.
The Minister asked the Chief Engineer to settle all the payment claims pending with them on account of land compensation. Pleading for forest clearance of certain other projects, the Chief Engineer said the payment cases have been taken up with higher authorities of the Organization and will be settled in due course.
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 8: Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) Department of Higher Education, Ashok Thakur today held a video conference with the Vice-Chancellors of the Central Universities, Directors and officers of other educational institutions across the country.
From the Central University of Kashmir (CUK), the conference was attended by the officiating Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mehraj-ud-Din, Registrar, Prof. M Afzal Zargar, Finance Officer, Dr Irshad A Jan, Controller Examination, Dr. Nazir Ahmad Gilkar, and other administrative staff at its academic block located at Zainakote.
Addressing the participants, Ashok Thakur conveyed the message of the Prime Minister and the President of India (Visitor of the Central Universities) to all the heads of the institutions. The salient features of the message included immediate action on filing up of vacant teaching positions, introduction of new programmes in the institutions of higher learning on emerging areas of education and technology and striving for creation of centres of excellence.
Besides strengthening the traditional areas in Yoga and Environmental Sciences, enhancing skills to cater to the supply demand of the country and world, creation of national e-library, proposal of appointing nodal officer by the Universities for providing the data for world ranking systems, and efforts to promote the interests of science and mathematics subjects at the school level were the other key areas reported by the Secretary as having been identified by him during a presentation before the PM and the President earlier.
The Secretary also emphasised upon the heads of the institutions to make the campuses wifi enabled and take the signing of MoUs, particularly with foreign Universities, seriously and make them result oriented. “These MoUs should be taken to its logical end,” he added.
He also emphasised to increase the usage of the NKN-connectivity optimally. Further the process of awarding degrees like honoris causa should be taken seriously and not awarded in ordinary way. He also stressed upon the Universities to fill up the statistics of the institutions on All India Survey of Higher Education) AISHE portal and MHRD website for the information of the students and stake holders.
Winners being felicitated during Painting Competition at Railway Station in Udhampur.
UDHAMPUR, Aug 8: The Udhampur Unit of Directorate of Field Publicity, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India organized a Painting Competition entitled ‘Save Environment-Save Future’ at Platform-1 Railway Station, here today.
This Competition was part of Science Express-Biodiversity Special which was thrown open for general public for three days and concluded today.
On this occasion, about 30 students of Brahmrishi Bawra Shanti Vidya Peeth, Udhampur took part and projected their ideas through paintings regarding preservation of Environment. Km. Maniya, Km. Medhavi and Km. Mehreen were adjudged 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively in order of Merit.
The Judgment was made by a team of experts headed by Arun Sharma, Art Teacher.
While addressing the participants, Gurnam Singh urged upon them to act as messangers of peace and prosperity and spread their ideology among other colleagues too.
Prizes among winners were also given away on this occasion.
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 8: Under party’s State wide series of constituency level programmes, BJP unit of Jammu West Assembly constituency organized booth level Karyakarta sammelan at Eden Garden, here today.
Hem Singh Bhadna, Minister of Food & Civil Supply, Government of Rajasthan, chaired this Sammelan. Those on the dais were State general secretary, Bali Bhagat and Jammu West district president Subash Jandial.
Hem Singh Bhadana, while addressing a large gathering of booth level workers, said that after splendid victory of BJP in Lok Sabha elections, the party is now concentrating on Assembly elections in four states, including Jammu & Kashmir, where elections are scheduled later this year.
He said that the party is taking J&K elections very seriously and has set a target of farming the first ever BJP Government here. He said that it is a challenge but we are sure that our activists at the grass roots level will contribute in converting this challenge into victory. “Ours is a cadre based party, which is our real strength,” said Bhadana and added that BJP has inner democracy where every activist can rise to the highest post in organization whereas most of the other political parties are run and controlled by a family.
Hem Singh Bhadana said that there is lot of enthusiasm among the people as well as party activists across the country and the same is visible in all the three regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
He asked the booth level activists to put more efforts for the next three to four months in mobilizing public opinion in favour of the party besides ensuring enrollment of new voters and strengthening the booth level committees by regular interactions with the party leaders and ground level activists.
He expressed hope that the BJP will form the Government on its own in J&K and provide a people friendly administration.
Earlier, Hem Singh Bhadana had direct interaction with the booth level activists and sought their suggestions for better organizational coordination and smooth conduct of all the election related activities.
The sammelan was organized by Chander Mohan Gupta, Rajni Sethi, Munish Sharma, Lalit Moza (Adv.), Balbir Ram Rattan, Arun Chhibber, N.D. Rajwal, Surinder Bhagat, Bawa Sharma, Mohan Singh Rana, Anil Gupta, Surinder Choudhary, Er. Ashwani Khosla and others.
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 8: Advocate Maheshwar Singh Manhas, general secretary Congress Committee kick started plantation drive in Janipur Colony by planting sapling and distributing plants among participants, today.
On the occasion, Singh stressed the need to plant as many plants as possible to save the ecology which is the need of the need of the hour. He appealed the people to follow the old Indian ancient tradition of saving plants and even worship of some trees.
Singh was accompanied by Jyoti Parkash Gupta (chairman Asha Kiran Welfare Society Janipur Colony Jammu) and its members. They pledged to carry forward this drive in every nook and corner of the area with zest and zeal.
Prominent among those who participated included Pawan Kumar, (Raju Mahajan) Joyti Kohli, Sanjeev Verma, Sham Bali, Pawan Dubey, Abhishek, Rajesh Gupta, Om Prakash Sharma, Pankaj Sharma, Pankaj Chib, Nandu Baba, Rakesh Gupta, Bodh Raj and others.
