Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 18: Shareholders agreement for the functioning of Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC), a joint venture company of Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) and IRCON International Limited (IRCON), was signed by YP Singh, Vice Chairman RLDA and Mohan Tiwari, CMD IRCON at the IRCON’s corporate office today.
In the afternoon at a small function held at RLDA’s office the development agreement was signed by Anil Kumar Gupta, General Manager Railway Infrastructure, on behalf of RLDA, and SP Mahi, Chief Executive Officer IRSDC for development/re-development of railway stations on Indian Railways.
At present, with the approval of Ministry of Railways, five railway stations at–Chandigarh, Anand Vihar, Bijwasan (both at Delhi), Habibganj (Bhopal) and Shivaji Nagar (Pune) have been entrusted by RLDA to IRSDC for redevelopment that will involve modernization and up gradation of passenger amenities at these stations by raising finances through commercial development of railway land and air space at these stations.
IRSDC has already finalized master plans for all the five stations and is in the process of obtaining various approvals and clearances from railway and state authorities which will be followed by invitation of bids for appointment of developers.

Excelsior Correspondent
MENDHAR, July 18: The people from Deri Dabsi area, near the Line of Control have been deprived of the medical facilities.
Sarpanch of the area Nazir Hussain told the Excelsior that the area falls on the other side of the fencing near the Line of Control. The only Health Sub Centre opened by the Government there always remains closed. No official from Health Department visits there. The issue was brought to the notice of BMO Mendhar and even the CMO Poonch besides Tehsildar Mendhar but no body cares about the public plight, he added.
The Sarpanch further said that the people of the area are left to suffer while with the political interference, the officers do not dare to take action against the employees who do not perform their duty and only get hefty salaries while sitting at their homes or doing other business. Sarpanch alleged that they have to pass through Army gate to reach village and many times the villagers get struck as the gate is opened only between 8 am and 4 pm. At times of emergency, the locals face lot of problems and the administration also feels helpless.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 18: Acting on specific inputs about the availability of certain vaccines without following cold chain required to maintain the potency of such formulations, the inspectorate staff of Drugs & Food Control Organisation, Jammu conducted surprise checks of various wholesale establishments in Jammu district.
Meanwhile, the State Controller-cum-Licensing Authority of Andhra Pradesh was informed about the non adherence of good distribution practices by the manufacture located in their jurisdiction namely M/s Bharat Biotech Limited & was further requested to ensure voluntary product recall of the manufacturer & subsequent disposal of recalled stocks as per legal procedure.
Moreover, vaccines worth Rs 5600 were also seized during the drive for the reason that there was an apprehension that the dealers might infringe with the consignments.
Show cause notice was issued to three firms and following unsatisfactory reply from two firms, the operation of their establishments was suspended till such time the firms report satisfactory compliance with respect to storage provisions.
In another incident, significant quantities of habit forming drugs namely Tramadol was found procured/distributed through unregulated channels. The dealers indulged in such unethical trade practices have been served upon show cause notices & action as envisaged under rules will follow in due course of time.
The Licensing Authority (Wholesale) Jammu Division appointed by the State Government under Rule 59 of Drugs & Cosmetics Act,1940 has impressed upon the dealers dealing with drugs to accord priority to storage conditions for preserving the properties of drugs which can otherwise effect their quality & render these products ineffective.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 18: The protest Purohit Sabha Martand Improvement Charitable Trust, (PSMICT) Mattan Kashmir entered sixth day at Martand Tirath and Surya Bhawan, Jammu today.
The protesters were demanding the protection of Tirathraj, the only ancient Surya Temple in the North India.
M K Yogi, president, Purohit Sabha Martand Improvement Charitable Trust lambasted State Government for non serious and discrimination in the land encroachment in the Tirath. They demanded the action against those involved in the disturbance of peace at Mattan.
Pandits expressed deep concern and anguish that instead of providing security to the Hindus at the Tirath, they harassed and cane charged the innocents ladies, children and elderly people.
In another protest at Surya Bhawan, Jammu, general secretary of the Trust Veerji Pandita warned the administration for violation of SC verdict.
In New Delhi, Trust Chairman R N Koul also appealed the community to stand united to defeat the elements creating trouble at the Tirath, who intentionally disturb the smooth functioning during the exile of the community. He revoked the earlier order and restored the president and general secretary of the Trust.
Sham Lal Tickoo of the Trust appeal all community members to wait and watch for any sacrifice for the protection of the Tirathraj Mattan.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 18: VHP while strongly condemning today’s violence at Baltal held both State Government and Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) responsible for the same.
Talking to reporters here today VHP patron Dr Rama Kant Dubey, its State president Leela Karan Sharma held the Government and SASB responsible for attack on yatris and torching of Langars at Baltal today.
They said had the Board and administration taken preemptive measures after the late last night clash the situation could have not deteriorated to this extent.
The mob violence was the result of irresponsibility on part of Government and SASB, they said, adding the State administration was a mute spectator to the happenings.
The VHP leaders while criticizing the functioning of the Board said both Government and Board was answerable to the people as why the untoward incidents took place at Baltal Base camp.
They said the Governor being the Chairman of the Board should have himself visited the spot along with other members of the Board to enquire about the welfare of yatris and Langar people.
The VHP leaders said that 25 langars were destroyed and three completely and there is a panic among the yatris. They said every time the yatra is being attacked under a conspiracy to sabotage the annual pilgrimage to holy cave.
The VHP leaders questioned that why every time the yatra is being attacked as this wills end a wrong signal across the country. They also criticized the Board and Government for stopping yatra and said this will have serious repercussions.
They demanded adequate compensation be paid to langar wallas whose langars were torched and the guilty be arrested and punished under law.
They said the 800 kanals of land at Baltal is under control of SASB as per the agreement and no one can indulge in any affair there without the permission of SASB so how the yatris were attacked at this place.
Meanwhile BJP vice president Ramesh Arora and senior party leader Chander Mohan Sharma have also blamed the Board and administration for today’s violence at Baltal base camp.
In their separate statements the duo said that had the authorities taken preemptive measures the situation would have not gone out of control.
The tow leaders said the incident is an eye opener for the Government which is claiming to provide fool proof security to yatris.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 18: Expressing grave concern over the failure of Government in providing proper supply of drinking water and power in Gandhi Nagar constituency, PDP said that Government is least bothered to resolve the crisis as it has other priorities.
Addressing a meeting of the workers, organized by Sunil Saini at Nanak Nagar Sector 14 today, PDP candidate Amreek Singh Reen said that the streak protests against the unscheduled and long power cuts as well as water scarcity in the Jammu city have been gaining momentum but the Government is least bothered about the people’s suffering. “It is a routine problem and every year during peak summers the problem grips entire city and its adjoining areas,” he said.
Warning the Government, Reen said that people would not remain a mute spectator instead they will come on roads to get basic amenities of life.
Others present in the meeting, included R S Billoria, Daljeet Singh Dicky, Gautam Gupta, Bupinder Singh, Amrpal Singh and Parvinder Singh.