Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, July 13: In connection with the 61st death anniversary of Comrade Dhanwantri, a meeting was organized by the Comrade Dhanwantri Manch at Paloura Talab Jammu.
Rich tributes were paid to Comrade Dhanwantri who gave exemplary sacrifices fighting alongwith Shaheed-e-Aazm Bhagat Singh, Chander Shekhar Azad, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Shiv Verma and others for the freedom of India.
Hari Chand Jalmeria, general secretary of the Manch in his introductory note said that Dhanwantri was born on March 7, 1902 at Kali Janni Jammu, in the family of Dr. (Col.) Durga Datt Mahey, after completing his matriculation from Sri Ranbir Higher Secondary School. Com. Dhanwantri joined DAV College Lahore in 1917. While pursuing his studies in Lahore, com. Dhanwantri joined National Liberation movement. After completing his Ayurvedic Course, Com. Dhanwantri had started private Ayurvedic practice at Sutarmandi Lahore, which, in fact, was used by the revolutionaries Bhagat Singh, Chander Shekhar Azad, Shiv Verma, Sukhdev, Rajguru and others as contact place.
Dhanwantri was the ideologue and activist of the Revolutionary Group led by Bhagat Singh and Chander Shekhar Azad who had the vision and programme to liberate India from British Imperialist slavery and make India a Socialist state.
Dhanwantri accompanied Bhagat Singh, when Sounders – the British Police officer responsible for killing of Lala Lajpat Rai, was killed at Lahore in 1928.
A committed communist, Com. Dhanwantri was jailed for ten years in Kala Pani(Port Blair). After his return in early forties, Dhanwantri came to Jammu and founded and guided movements of farmers, youth, students, writers. He also guided the National Conference in making its Naya Kashmir Programme. He was the guide for big landed estates abolition and other revolutionary pro-people measures.
Dhanwantri was the fountain head of guidance for political activists in the sate during the crucial period after 1947. But unfortunately, Com. Dhanwantri died on July 13, 1953 just at the age of 51 years.
The meeting, presided over by JA Kazm, was also addressed by Udey Chand, Ranbir Singh Manhas, Bansi Lal Sharma, Pritam Gupta, Ramankant, Subhash Sharma, Samarjit Singh, Inderjit Khajuria, Dewan Chand, Arvind Singh and Krishan Singh Manhas.
Death anniversary of Comrade Dhanwantri observed
Gool-Arnas yet to witness signs of development
Nishikant Khajuria
For the people of Gool-Arnas Assembly constituency, return of normalcy from more than a decade long militancy in the area has yet to show signs of development, which is apparently moving here at the snail’s pace.
Whether it is the road connectivity, Health services, Educational facilities or other developmental works, the slow pace and poor quality of works in maximum projects tell the state of affairs in this remote constituency, being represented by Congress leader and MoS Revenue (Independent Charge), Aijaz Ahmad Khan for the second consecutive term since 2002.
During the last 10 years, the constituency has no doubt witnessed developmental works, particularly the spread of road networks under Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and some locals give all credit to the sitting MLA for the same, however, on the other hand, critiques of Aijaz Ahmad Khan mince no words in deflating these claims with the allegation that commission culture by the concerned Government officers was eating up all the projects, particularly those under PMGSY and MGNREGA.
Model village Buddhan is classic example of the developmental works done in the area. There are 14 solar lights installed in the hamlet but only two are functional while two big iron poles, meant for erecting a gate on entrance of the village, are still lying on the roadside for the last more than five years. The Government High School Buddhan has more than 650 students but only two teachers and a Headmaster for running this institution, which was established in 1974, informed Mohd Shafi, a roadside shopkeeper.
As far as Health and Medical infrastructure is concerned, the Primary Health Centre in this modal village is being run by a Medical Assistant as there is not even as single doctor for attending the patients. “Not only Buddhan but even from Saldar to Lincha area, which comprises five Panchayats having around 20 thousand population, there is no doctor in the Primary Health Centres here,” said Parvez, another local.
The prevailing condition in this remote area can be gauged from the fact that the main transformer at village Dallu-A got damaged on March 14 thus snapping power supply to the hamlet but there was no action by the concerned authorities to restore the supply for more than three months.
According to the locals, Buddhan was declared a model village during the previous regime of Mufti Mohd Sayeed following which a community hall and shopping complex were constructed there besides installation of some solar lights, construction of lanes, drains and announcements of more developmental works. Rs 1.25 crores were then spent on these construction works and thereafter no one knows right from villagers to administration about the fate of pending projects under model village, said Imtiaz while pointing towards incomplete structures of Panchayat Ghar and CAPD Store.
The roads under Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) are virtually lying defunct owing to no metalling and black topping. “Twelve kilometer long Chaklas to Saldar road under PMGSY has not yet been metalled till date despite completion of cutting and earth work in 2008 while work on 26 km long Thuroo-Buddhan road, which was started in 2010, has been stopped midway since last year for the reasons best known to the concerned authorities and the infamous contractor,” said Keshav Singh, a social activist.
All roads under PMGSY, including Sangaldhan to Ind, Sangaldhan to Katharka, Kantha to Mahaking, Harog to Karara, Dalwa to Tharka, Gambiri to Gujjar Gali etc are still fair weather and have not been macadamized, said Mohd Hanif, Sarpanch of Fambrote and Shamim Akhtar, Sarpanch of Thatharka.
On the other hand, Bashir Ahmad Bhat, Sarpanch of Panchayat Ind and Altaf Hussain, Sarpanch of Dharam-A, claimed that it was all due to the efforts of sitting MLA Aijaz Ahmad Khan that the constituency has witnessed a series of developmental works, particularly road networks in interiors of the area. “If we compare the present state of this constituency with the picture 10 years ago, the contribution of Aijaz Khan can be well judged,” they added.
However, not only roads but the state of medical facilities and education is also in shambles as all schools are under staff despite good strength of students while the maximum health centres are being run by either Medical Assistant or Nursing Orderlies. Government High School Shaswa has only two teachers for more than 400 students there while Primary School Shaswa is being run by a single teacher. Similarly, girls Middle School Ind has only two teachers while Ashmaq Bara Kund High School has four teachers and Government High School Dheeda only three teachers.
Further, despite the blessings of natural beauty, the scenic areas of this hilly constituency are missing on tourist map due to lackluster approach of Government machinery at the helm of affairs and local MLA.
These areas, which include picturesque Dagan Top, Tatta Pani and a number of other attractive spots where the people would love to visit for enjoying the natural beauty, have not been developed for attracting the tourist. Inadequate road connectivity, no accommodation facilities, almost negligible infrastructure and no sincere efforts to develop these spots as tourist destinations are the reasons behind missing of these areas on tourism map.
Dagan Top has a great potential of attracting tourists like Patnitop but the area is still virgin owing to zero facilities there, particularly the extremely poor road connectivity. The scenic meadows around the Dagan Top area offer huge potential to prop up tourism with all attractions but there is no infrastructure development by the Government. Tatta Pani at Sangaldhan is another attraction of tourists visiting this place for taking a bath at this natural spring of hot water (Tatta Pani) due to which all skin ailments and joint pains are believed to be cured. A number of people from Jammu Kashmir and also from other States visit this spring for holy dip but there are zero facilities for stay and other arrangements for the visiting people. The four kilometer link road from Sangaldhan to Tatta Pani has never been repaired for the last 35 years, rued Jagar Singh, a local social activist.
According to MLA Aijaz Ahmad Khan, he left no stone unturned to develop this constituency, which was deprived of the required attention due to eruption of militancy for around two decades. “During my tenure since 2002, two Government degree colleges each at Gool and Dharmari, two ITIs, new Receiving Stations at Sangaldhan, Gool and Arnas, Primary Schools at each Morha (hamlet) and high school in almost all the villages were opened while the number of Higher Secondary Schools has been raised from two to eight,” he said.
Further, Mr Khan added, power and water supply has been provided to more than seventy percent villages while this access was merely 30 percent before 2002. Similarly, more than 60 road projects under PMGSY, District Sector, State Sector and NABARD have been initiated during my tenure for providing connectivity to even remote areas, he said and explained that second phase of PMGSY was not started in hilly areas of J&K due to which all the roads under this scheme had not been metalled.
Admitting shortage of teachers in schools and doctors as well as Para Medical Staff in Health institutions, the MLA explained that maximum staff in his constituency was outsider, who remained least interested to serve the people in remote areas thus creating the trouble.
About Tourism potential of the area, Aijaz Khan said that due to the militancy, no major steps could be taken earlier by the Government for developing the spots like Dagan Top, Tatta Pani etc but he had taken the initiative in this regard also and work on creating accommodation facilities like TRC, view points etc has been started at these spots besides improving road connectivity.
ReT teachers elect zonal bodies
Excelsior Correspondent
DODA, July 13: A meeting of Rehbar-e-Taleem Teacher’s Forum, district unit Doda was held under the chairmanship of district president Sajad Malik in which representatives from zone Ghat and zone Gundna participated and elected office bearers.
In zone Gundna, Shoket Ali Ganie was elected as zonal president Satish Kumar as senior vice president Panchi Ram as general secretary, Javed Iqbal Dar as secretary and Neeraj Kumar as chief spokesperson, Manzoor Ahmed Shiekh as spokesperson, Ramesh Kumar as chief organisor, Ayaz Ahmed as organisor, Dhreej Sharma as chief publicity secretary and Shabir Ahmed as co-ordinator.
In zone Ghat, Gh Ali Naik was elected as zonal president, Ashraf Ali Natnoo as senior vice president, Vinod Kumar as vice president, Ajaz Ahmed Malik as general secretary, Sajad Ahmed Shah as cashier, Raja Azaz Wani as chief co-ordinator, Gh Ali Kashmiri as chief advisor, Sohil Raja as chief publicity secretary and Ashiq Hussain as co-ordinator.
Adopt skill development courses to curb unemployment: Rana to youth
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 13: Provincial President of National Conference, Devender Singh Rana, today advised the youth to adopt skill development courses to curb the curse of unemployment.
“In the global society, the job market is getting shrunk so youths, rather than to keep waiting for the Government jobs only, should pave their own ways by adopting skill development courses to curb the curse of unemployment”, Rana said while speaking at certificate distribution ceremony organized for the batch of GK Institute of Training and Research, Nagrota.
The NC leader distributed certificates and cheques to almost 200 candidates present at the venue and wished them good luck for their bright future. He expressed his hope that J&K youth brigade will have dazzling career in the years to come and invited everyone to work towards this goal.
Senior NC leader, Som Nath Khajuria, who was also present at the ceremony, appealed all the candidates to work with full dedication for betterment of society as it will resolve two issues i.e. unemployment among educated youth and acute shortage of skilled labour in the industry.
Earlier, Director, GKITR, Gourav Khajuria, presented welcome address during which he highlighted the role of the institution in enhancing skills of youth of J&K to meet the growing demands of modern industrialization in India. Since May 2013, when the Institute got affiliation as Vocational Training Provider under SDI scheme of Ministry of Labour and employment, it has trained more than 500 unemployed educated youth of the State in different sectors, he disclosed.
Work on much talked about Rs 275 cr Ravi irrigation canal to begin soon
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 13: As the completion of formalities are in process, the work on much talked about Rs 275 crore, Ravi Irrigation Project, in Basantpur area of Basohli tehsil of Kathua district will start soon.
According to official sources, the State Cabinet has approved a Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the nine kilometer long canal with its Headworks at Thein -the upstream of Ranjit Sagar Dam and tail at Basantpur.
The sources said the tender for 110 meter initial intake structure has been floated and the work on this portion of canal will be taken up in hand soon. The area is free from forest and there is no problem in this portion of project as no environmental clearance is needed in this area, sources added.
Sources said Rs 8 crore will be earmarked on the construction of this portion of canal. For the remaining portion the work will only start after seeking environmental clearance from Ministry of Forest and Environment of both State and Central Governments.
Sources said the work on the portion of project under wild life and forest will be started only after seeking the Environment Impact Report (EIR) from the Forest and Environment ministries of both Central and State Governments. In this regard the Ravi Tawi Irrigation Department- the nodal agency for construction of the project will hire a private agency to seek EIR and this agency will also get environmental clearance.
Sources said the Department has called the tenders for hiring the agency also and it has received three tenders in this regard.
Sources said that the Thein being a forests area and having a wild life sanctuary also, the Department has to seek environmental clearance for construction of the Project as per the Apex Court guidelines.
Sources said that funding for the project will be no problem as 10 percent of usage charges of the Department will go for the funding of the Project.
Sources said that as per the 1955 Government of India decision, Punjab had to release 1150 cusecs of water to J&K from Ravi river as its share. But it failed to do so and the successive State Governments also could not take up the issue with the neighbouring State forcefully with the result the State was deprived of water supply from river Ravi.
Sources said that the two lift irrigation schemes of Mahanpur and Lakhanpur which were lifting water from river Ravi for irrigation purposes in this part of State also suffered a setback with the construction of Ranjit Sagar dam, the Punjab Government was releasing water in the river Ravi on its will with the result the farmers dependent on the irrigation of Ravi canal suffered a lot.
The issue was also raised by MLA Kathua, Charanjit Singh in Legislative Assembly a number of times and farmers of the Kathua also protested against the failure of Government in getting water released from Ravi river to the State.
This forced the State Government to take the decision regarding construction of nine km long canal from upstream of Ranjit Sagar dam.
Sources said the Punjab Government in order to supply J&K its due share of 1150 cusecs of water had agreed to construct Shahpur Kandi dam but later it backtracked from the promise.
Confirming this, the Chief Engineer Ravi Tawi Irrigation, K K Gupta said that the construction work of the project is in process and work on 110 meters initial intake will be started soon.
He said on the remaining portion of canal the work will be started after seeking environmental clearance.
PDP Minority Cell holds meet
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 13: A workers meet of Kashmiri Pandits voters of J&K PDP Minority Cell, Kokernag constituency was today organized by Maharaj Krishan Bhat (Retd DySP), Durga Nath Bhat, senior leaders and executive members of election Campaign Committee at Muthi.
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Ramesh Kumar Koul, chairman, J&K PDP Migrants Cell and attended by A K Sidhu, president, Election Campaign Committee Migrant Cell, J&K along with others.
The participants have made threadbare discussions of the policies and programs of party and have unanimously stressed upon the workers that door to door campaign should be conducted and more much interactions at all levels to include people of all life for strengthening the hands of Mufti Mohd Sayeed in the coming Assembly election of the State.
On this accession, M K Bhat urged the party workers to go amongst the masses with the aim for strengthening the party at grass root level. He said it is the duty of each of us not to rest till the PDP achieves its victory goal in the coming Assembly election of 2014.
Among others who spoke were Dr T N Bhat, A K Pandita, D N Pandita, P N Bhat, O N Bhan, V K Bhan, Veerji, B N Reshi, J L Radhu, D N Khalhar, R K Pandita, R N Pandita, R L Dhar, Shubanji Reshi, and Maksuda Reshi.
Paravets hold meet, discuss demands
Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, July 13: A monthly meeting of Paravets Association of Animals Husbandry Department was held under the presidentship of Suresh Gupta, wherein they discussed their demands.
The meeting urged the Chief Animal Husbandry Officer and Director Animal Husbandry to fulfill their demands.
The demands included release of promotion arrear of Paravets pending for last one year, promotion of all cadres, deputation of in-service eligible paravets for B.VSc (Veterinary Surgeon) training course with pay on seniority basis under SRO 279 dated 30-05-2013, regulization of 1st aid centres and sanction of Assistants Vetenary Officers posts in each such centre and exemption of Paravets from election duty according to order of Election Commissioner of India vide No. 404/inst/2002PLN-1 dated 23-04-2002 and endorsed by Chief Election Officer J&K vide No.1077/119-inst/2001/1696-1710.
Fed up with power crisis people warn agitation
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 13: The people are facing acute power crisis in Jammu city and its outskirts for a pretty long time with authorities at the helm of affairs taking no steps in solving the issue.
The acute power cuts in the area are facing people to take to streets to protest against the PDD. The problem is not confined to a single area but entire city even in the metered localities.
The people allege that the authorities in PDD have failed to settle the problem and respond to their phone calls. The power crisis have put the people to lot of trouble in this hot and humid Summer.
In various areas the power supply remains off for entire night and situation becomes totally awkward for the people.
Fed up with acute power cuts and two days complete black out in their area
A delegation of the inhabitants of Pamposh Colony Sector 4, Saugaat Wali Gali visited Excelsior late tonight and said that there is a complete blackout in the area for last two days. They said the power crisis have led to the problems of the people especially old and infirm in this hot Summer.
They said that they tried hard to contact the Departmental officials but no one responded their repeated phone calls. Protesting against the attitude of the PDD officials the residents warned that they will come to streets and block the road tomorrow in case the problem was not settled once for all.
They said it has been a routine practice in the area that light comes for one hour and then remains off for four hours.
APC holds meet
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 13: A marathon meeting among the general body members of Anantnag Prabandak Committee, (APC) Nagbal was held at Sanjeevani Sharda Kendra, Bohri wherin existing committee was dissolved forth-with.
However general body was advised outgoing president M K Bamboo to act as an acting working president till next election are conducted and empowered him to appoint few members among the community so that development and maintenance work is not hampered at any cost.
Mr Bambroo appointed Bansi Lal Tickoo, Ashok Kumar Koul, R L Goja, G L Kath, Susheel Jad, S L Koul, C J Goja, Sheela Handoo, Shadi Lal Pandit and I J Goja. Tej Krishan Razdan. M K Bamboo will act as working president, APC.
Singh visits various areas of Suchetgarh
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 13: Social worker and former SSP Bhupinder Singh visited Flora, Kheper and Fatehpur Brahmana areas of Suchetgarh Assembly constituency and interacted with the people.
While addressing the villagers at these areas, Mr Singh said, “the greatest wealth and strength of any nation is its educated youth”, adding “education is the most important lever for social, economic and political transformation as a well-educated and skilled population not only drives economic and social development but also ensures personal growth”.
“To strengthen our youth we have to provide them education, which makes them scientific, logical, open-minded, and self respecting, responsible, honest and patriotic”, he said.
The inhabitants of these areas apprised him of various issues, which include unemployment, worst condition of roads and irregular power-supply. Mr Singh gave patient hearing to the people and assured that their grievances would be taken up with the concerned authorities.