Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 22: While appreciating the decision of the party high command to contest Assembly elections without any alliance, former Minister and senior vice president of PCC Abdul Ghani Vakil today said that all the Congress Ministers should withdraw from the coalition in the Jammu and Kashmir.
In a press statement issued here today, Mr Vakil opined that the present situation and the political scenario in the State demands that Congress must come out of the Coalition Government and support it from the outside for the remaining period so that there is no place for conflict of interests. He claimed that the decision would help the party to get back its credibility and honour. Vakil said though it was prerogative of the high command either to accord sanction to the poll alliance or to fight the elections all alone, but it has prioritized and respected the aspirations of the rank and file of the party, which acknowledges the foresightedness and well thinking of the party president Sonia Gandhi, vice president Rahul Gandhi and party incharge for J&K Ambika Soni. He said these leaders have also upheld the desire of the people which deserve not to live in a gloom of uncertainty and are fed up of sentimental slogans.
Mr Vakil said that the decision is completely in the national interest besides it will help the party to secure its political space as well in the State. He said Congress has never fought elections with single motive to grab power but has aimed to strengthen the democratic system of the country and ensure larger participation of people. He said it is evident from the fact that Congress allowed Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, Mufti Mohd Sayeed and Omar Abdullah to become Chief Ministers of the State despite having multiple options. Vakil said people are interested in one party rule and want an end to era of uncertainty and sentimental politics.
Cong ministers should withdraw from ‘coalition’: Vakil
CIC, others meet Governor
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 22: Various dignitaries today called on the Governor N N Vohra at Raj Bhavan and apprised him of their respective concerns.
State Chief Information Commissioner (CIC), G R Sofi, met the Governor and apprised about the initiatives taken by the Commission since its establishment for enabling the implementation of the ‘Right To Information (RTI) Act 2009’ in the State and the continuing efforts being made to enhance awareness of the masses regarding their right to seek relevant information from all public offices under RTI Act.
The Governor discussed with CIC the measures which could be taken to speed up the process of transparency being introduced in the governance system in the State.
Prof Mehraj-ud-Din, officiating Vice Chancellor, Central University of Kashmir (CUK), along with Prof Muhhamad Afzal Zargar, Registrar and others called on the Governor and explained to him the details of Master Plan of the campus of CUK, which is coming up at Ganderbal. The site plan of the campus and details of the traffic flow, landscaping, provision of drinking water, sewerage treatment, creation of Biodiversity Park etc were explained in the presentation.
The Governor urged the VC to ensure that the first phase of the upcoming campus should have suitable provision for basic shopping, medical clinic, kindergarten and primary etc. He also stressed the need to provide adequate girls hostel accommodation, besides for boys and scholars.
The Governor asked the VC to see that the building had eco-friendly designs and the natural scenic beauty was preserved while designing the north-south pedestrian path and the over bridges over the multiple water bodies in the campus. He also stressed the need to install solar panels on the roof tops of all the buildings in the campus for harnessing solar energy to the maximum extent possible.
Meanwhile Dr Darakhshan Andrabi, president, Socialistic Democratic Party, called on the Governor and briefed him about the activities of her party in the past months. The Governor discussed with her certain issues related to enhancing the pace of socio-economic development and poverty alleviation in the State.
India aims top three finish in Glasgow Commonwealth Games
Glasgow, July 22: The unprecedented success achieved in the last edition would be hard to replicate this time after the dropping of a few disciplines but upbeat after getting back in the Olympic fold, a 215-strong Indian contingent would nonetheless seek a top-five finish in the 20th Commonwealth Games which begin here tomorrow.
India finished second behind Australia with a record 101 medal haul in New Delhi in a Games marred by corruption scandals and construction delays but praised for the stunning success in terms of delivery of the event and performance by the athletes.
The Delhi CWG triggered an ascent in sports achievements with another record-breaking show in the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou where India won 65 medals. Two years later, the country won six medals in London, almost half of the individual medals won in the entire Olympic history.
But in Glasgow, the most realistic target for India would be a third-place finish with the top spot expected to go either to Australia or England.
The Games will see 4,500 athletes from 71 nations of the erstwhile British empire compete for the top honours with superstar sprinter Usain Bolt of Jamaica and middle and long distance king Mo Farah of England expected to set the Hampden Park Stadium ablaze.
A total of 261 medal events across 18 sports will be contested across 11 days in the third-biggest multi-sporting event after Olympics and Asian Games. The Games will also include the highest ever number of para-sport events with 22 gold medals up for grabs across five sports.
India, which has sent 215 athletes in 14 sports, its largest ever after 2010 Delhi CWG, will be hit hard by the scrapping of archery and tennis from Glasgow Games and the reduction in the number of medal events in shooting and wrestling.
The country had won a combined 12 medals from archery and tennis in 2010 while bagging 14 medals from the 18 events dropped this time from shooting. Greco-Roman category in wrestling, from which India won eight medals in 2010, has also been done away with in Glasgow. (PTI)
Wani inspects progress on new Legislature complex
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 22: Minister for R&B, Abdul Majid Wani today inspected pace of progress on new Legislature Complex at Jammu being executed by Jammu and Kashmir Project Construction Corporation (JKPCC) at a cost of Rs. 191.66 crore.
While inspecting the construction work, Wani asked the executing agency to redouble their efforts so as to complete the project within fixed time frame besides ensuring quality work.
The Minister was informed by JKPCC authorities that the work on the project is likely to be completed by April 2016 while mechanical, electrical and other related works including structure would be erected by March 2015.
The new Legislative Complex is being constructed over an area of 238556 square feet which would have all modern facilities and parking slot.
The Minister also informed that Ministry of Surface Transport, Government of India has transferred NHAI Roads viz 1B Batote-Kishtwar-Anantnag, Domail-Katra Road, NH Bypass Srinagar to State R&B Department for upgradation and maintenance which were earlier maintained by Border Road Organization. He further informed that Jammu-Poonch, Katra-Pouni, Qazigund-Pulwama-Shopian-Budgam, Kargil-Zanskar roads have been declared as National Highway by Government of India and after NOC by the State Government these roads would also be transferred to R&B (PWD). He said that with internal adjustments within the department, separate divisions would be created for these National Highways for effective monitoring/upgradation of these roads to benefit commuters in the State.
Mr. Wani said that special attention of the Government is being paid to R&B sector and multi-prolonged strategies are being adopted to provide road connectivity to left out hamlets.
21-day workshop concludes at Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 22: The 21-day workshop on “Research Methodology and Manuscriptology” concluded today at Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, Shri Ranbir Campus, Kot Bhalwal, Jammu.
Padamshree Prof Ved Kumari Ghai was the chief guest on the occasion while Prof Ramanuja Devanathan, Principal of the Campus, presided over the valedictory function.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest said science gives us speed but not direction; the direction comes from the wisdom enshrined in the works of the ‘Rishis’ who were the first researchers at the dawn of the civilization. She exhorted the scholars to unlock such pearls of wisdom with the use of modern research methodology.
In his presidential address, Prof Devanathan expressed joy and satisfaction over the successful completion of the workshop. Alleging that a significant expansion of the horizons of the human knowledge is possible if editing of the various matrikas and manuscripts on ‘talapatra’ and ‘bhojapatra’ lying with museums and temples is undertaken, he exhorted the participants to contribute in this mission by editing one such manuscript.
A total of 21 resource persons delivered lectures on various topics of researchers’ interest during the workshop in which 22 research scholars participated.
FIR registered against illegal clinical lab
Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, July 22: The police has registered a case against an illegally operating clinical laboratory in the town.
A police spokesman said that action was taken on the complaint of local resident Advocate Ehsan Mirza and also on the recommendation of CMO Rajouri, seeking action against the illegally operating lab. It was alleged that on the directions of local doctor in District Hospital, the blood sample tests of the patient Israr-ul-Haq were performed in a private, Aftar Diagnostic Centre, Kheora Rajouri and most of the tests were found fake. After same tests performed in Jammu Lab, the patient was found in good condition. His white blood count was also found sufficient.
After this, the worried family lodged complaint with the CMO and SSP Rajouri. The police taking cognizance registered a case against the three promoters of the lab. The CMO in a letter No. CMO/NHCE/R/2014-15/2720-27dated 19-7-2014, written to police has also requested to take action in this regard. He also admitted that some labs were operating illegally.
Meanwhile, Rajouri police has registered a case FIR No. 385/2014 under Sections 420/336 RPC and 3/8 J&K Nursing Homes & Clinical Establishment Act against the accused persons- Mohd Aftar, Mohd Abdullah of Darhal and Parvez Bagum of Ujhan in this connection.
Man held with 60 pouches of illicit liquor
Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, July 22: The police arrested one person along with 60 pouches of illicit liquor in the town here today.
Reports said a police party led by SHO Udhampur Mahesh Sharma, assisted by ASI Madan Lal intercepted one Sham Lal, son of Girdhari Lal of Muttal and during checking recovered 60 pouches of illicit ( J&K Excise) liquor from his possession. He was carrying this consignment for the sale at Muttal village. The consignment was seized and man arrested under J&K Excise Act.
Jobless Physical Education candidates hold protest
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 22: The jobless Physical Education and Sports candidates today held a protest here and urged the Government to adjust them on ReT pattern.
The agitated candidates urged the authorities fulfill the promise made to them by former Sports Minister Haji Nissar Ali in 2008.
“The Government should fulfill our demand or else we will intensify our protests,”they warned.
Plantation drive at Stephens School
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 22: The students of Stephens School Miran Sahib planted saplings at various places in the School premises, here today.
The drive was initiated in an endeavour to make their planet a better place to live in as the School believes in 4 R’s-Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover.
For this initiative, the efforts of the students were lauded by the Director Satvinder Saini, Principal B N Sarkar and Vice-Principal, Rama Jamwal.
Kichloo pays surprise visits to Industrial Estates
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 22: Minister of State for Industries & Commerce, Sajad Ahmad Kichloo today paid surprise visits to various Industrial Estates which include Industrial Estate Sanat Nagar and Bagh-i-Ali Mardan Khan in Srinagar city to have on spot review of functioning of these units. He also took stock of grievances of unit holders.
The Minister was accompanied by Financial Commissioner I&C, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai and senior officers of Industries Department.
The Minister at both the estates inspected different industrial units including textiles, steel fabrication, wooden joinery, spices, steel tubular poles, transformers etc.
On the occasion, the Minister was informed that over 160 industrial units are functional at these estates providing employment opportunities to 1500 youths. He was also informed that 102 kanals of land are available at Industrial Estate Sanat Nagar.
The Minister stressed upon the concerned officers and officials to work with dedication and disseminate information regarding various industrial schemes launched by the Government so that more and more educated youth can take advantage of these industrial schemes and adopt industries as means of their livelihood and employment.
Responding to the demands of the unit holders the Minister said that the Government is aware of the requirements of the industrial unit holders and assured them that all their genuine demands would be resolved very soon.