Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 24: Doctors today performed a rare surgery in Government Gandhi Nagar Hospital by removing a huge ovarian cyst measuring 20x22x18 cm on CT scan. The patient was a 22 years old female, who was having swelling in abdomen for last six months.
The surgery was performed by Dr Rakesh Sharma, who has vast experience of working in USA, Trinidad and Tobogo, South Africa, TATA Hospital Mumbai and RR Hospital Delhi.
The anesthetist team in the operation comprised Dr Anuradha and Dr Ratnakar etc.
The surgery was possible due to support extended by Director Health Services Dr B S Pathania, who arranged all Laparoscopic instruments to the hospital.
Rare surgery performed
MGNREGA: Govt asks states to strengthen social audits
NEW DELHI, July 24: Acknowleding that there have been instances of corruption in MGNREGA implementation, the Government today said states have been asked to strengthen social audits of the scheme.
There are certain complaints regarding implementation of the Mahatman Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Responding to a query about corruption in the scheme’s implementation, Minister of State for Rural Development Upendra Kushwaha said almost all members know about it and added that steps are being taken for improving the scheme.
The Government is aware about it (corruption issues) but the Government has limitations since actions are to be taken by the states.
During Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, he said as on June 30 this year, “out of 3,641 complaints received by the Ministry, 1,769 complaints have been disposed of by the states/union territories”.
On steps for improvement, Kushwaha said “the state and district level Vigilance and Monitoring Committees monitor the scheme. These are now being reconstituted”.
He also said that states and union territories have been asked to strengthen social audits of works under MGNREGA scheme.
With regard to delay in payment of wages under MGNREGA scheme, the Minister cited various reasons including “lack of adequate administrative and technical staff, inadequate spread of banks/post offices and lack of connectivity for the delay.
The Ministry has categorised the complaints pertaining to MGNREGA into three sections. They are grievances on procedural violation of guidelines, complaints on violating the Act’s provisions and those related to financial irregularities. (PTI)
2 KAS officers among 5 shifted
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 24: The Government today issued orders of transfer and postings of two KAS officers.
Pardeep Kumar Additional District development Commissioner, Ramban has been transferred to General Administration Department. He will await further posting.
Parveen Kumar, Project Officer, Self Employment Poonch has been transferred and posted as Deputy Secretary in the J&K State Information Commission, against an available vacancy.
Meanwhile, Javed Ahmed Mir, Private Secretary in Youth Services & Sports and Technical Education Department is transferred and posted as private secretary with Secretary to Government, Science and Technology Department. Triloki Nath, private secretary in Science and Technology and Information Technology Department has been shifted and posted as private secretary with Secretary to Government, Labour and Employment while Nusrat Shaheen, private secretary in Labour and Employment Department has been transferred to GAD and she shall await her further adjustment.
Actors singing in films is reflection of versatility: Akshay
MUMBAI, July 24: Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar has supported the growing trend of actors taking to singing in films, saying it shows their versatility.
“What is wrong in actors singing a song? In Hollywood people act and sing at the same time… It is a hard thing to do. Earlier only comedians used to do comedy. But today an actor does everything from doing comedy or playing a villain or singing or doing TV,” Akshay said.
He was speaking to reporters here at a promotional event of his upcoming film ‘Entertainment’.
“It is good to explore other areas also,” Akshay said.
The makers of ‘Entertainment’ came up with a unique promotional idea for the film, wherein the ‘Khiladi’ star recorded a song live yesterday.
The song is devoted to the concept of entertainment and is not directly related to the film.
“This song has nothing to do with the film. It just has the word entertainment (in it). We were just jamming one day and this song came up and we thought of making it.
“Everyone wants entertainment in life. In India there are two forms of entertainment for people — cricket and entertainment,” Akshay said.
Akshay said that entertainment keeps everyone happy in life.
“So we came up with this song, dedicating it to the word entertainment. To sing a song in front of the mike is not easy especially when you are going live. I am not a singer but I tried to sing well. Everyone can sing the song. It’s that kind of a song,” he said.
The song, titled ‘Entertainment’ was live-streamed via YouTube.
Akshay had earlier crooned ‘Mujh mein tu’ for his movie ‘Special 26’.
Akshay said that initially he was apprehensive about singing.
“First time when I came in the industry and faced the camera to perform there was hesitation (on my part) as none of my forefathers are from the industry. There was hesitation and fear to perform in front of hundreds of people but later on you become normal,” Akshay said.
‘Entertainment’, directed by the debutante duo Sajid-Farhad, is scheduled for August 8 release. (PTI)
Two injured in road accident
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 24: Two persons were injured, when the Maruti car they were traveling in collided with a police vehicle near Moori area of Tehsil Katra, district Reasi.
As per police sources, two persons received injured, when the Maruti car they were traveling in collided with a police vehicle bearing registration number JKO2L-4074 near Moori area of Tehsil Katra.
The injured identified as Anil Sharma, son of Mool Raj and Narinder Sharma, son of Diwan Chand, both residents of Jib Thaathi, district Udhampur were rushed to Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Katra, where they were undergoing treatment, when reports last came in.
A case under relevant Sections has been registered at Katra police station and investigation started.
Pandits have historical claim over Kashmir: PK
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 24: The Political Affairs Committee of Panun Kashmir met here today to take stock of the political developments. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Prof. M.L.Raina, Chairman-PAC. Those who attended the meeting included, Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, President-Panun Kashmir. Virender Raina, National spokesperson, J.L.Kaul, vice president, Upinder Kaul, general secretary, Kamal Bagati, organising secretary, Vijay Qazi, Ramesh Kaul, P.N.Pandita, Ravinder Punjabi and Sameer Bhat.
Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, president, P K while addressing the meeting said that attempts are being made to challenge the more than 5000 year old ancestry of the Kashmiri Pandits by usurping and destroying the temples and shrines in the Kashmir Valley under a sinister design. These attempts are being encouraged by the fundamentalist and communal forces who are hand in glove with the criminal forces pursuing the agenda of complete ethnic cleansing in the Valley. The recent move of the administration to reintroduce the so-called expression of interest forms is yet another exercise to mislead the community. Such exercises have been conducted in the past and the sagacious KP community has not fallen into such entrapments.
He said the community has a historical claim on the territory of Kashmir which no force on the earth can deny to it. The mode of settlement in Kashmir will be decided by the displaced KP community and in this context, no prescriptions would be accepted from any quarter.
Prof. M.L.Raina, said that there is an immediate need to check the radicalization of the Kashmiri Muslim populace in the Valley. It is ironic that the Amarnath Yatris have to undergo stone pelting at various places in the Kashmir Valley while the secessionist elements are inciting people to protest against the Gaza incidents. Baltal happenings are yet another example of sectarian and communal mindset of the socio-political setup in the valley.
Virender Raina, said that it is matter of satisfaction that more and more KP groups are gravitating towards the core political demand of a separate homeland in the Valley. Separate homeland in Kashmir besides meeting the security imperatives of the nation would also serve as an ideological bulwark against the forces of separatism and fundamentalism, he added.
He said there is a need for a paradigm shift on the “policy paralysis on Kashmir” keeping in view the overall interests of the nation.
NDA ministers not to appoint PS from previous regime: Govt
NEW DELHI, July 24: The Government has issued guidelines for NDA ministers not to appoint any officer who has worked in the last regime as their personal staff, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.
“Due to administrative requirements, Government has issued guidelines that any officer, official or private person, who has worked earlier as the personal staff of a minister, may not be appointed as the personal staff of ministers in the present Government,” Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh said in a written reply.
Subsequently, certain relaxations have been given according to which the said guidelines shall apply only in respect of Private Secretary, Officer on Special Duty, Additional Private Secretary, Assistant Private Secretary and First PA who have worked in the personal staff of any minister for any duration during the last 10 years which is to be reckoned from June 19, 2014, he said. (PTI)
Remove pay anomalies of clerical cadre: ADCSA
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 24: Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh All Departments’ Clerical Staff Association (ADCSA) has demanded the Government to remove pay anomalies of the clerical cadre without any further delay.
In a meeting of the Association held here today under the chairmanship of its State president, Babu Hussain Malik, all the representatives in one voice condemned the State Government for deliberately betraying the employees by not fulfilling their pending demands including removal of pay anomalies, after making commitment with them various times.
The meeting described the Pay Anomalies Committee made by the Government as an eye wash just to befool the clerical cadre employees.
After 5th Pay Commission the pay scales of patwaries, teachers, medical assistants, stock assistants, junior wool shephards, etc (whose basic qualification is 10th or 12th) were upgraded from existing 3050-4910 grade to 4000-6000 grade but clerical cadre employees were deprived at all levels, the speakers said.
They said though the Government has changed the basic qualification and service rules of Clerical cadre from time to time but the grade of Junior Assistant is still at 3050-4910 despite the fact that they posess higher education, technical qualifications and facing hard working conditions and responsibilities.
The speakers appealed the Chief Minister and Finance Minister to intervene personally to remove pay anomalies of clerical cadre besides fulfilling other demands like release of pending 10% DA installment in cash and enhancement of medical allowance from Rs 300 to Rs 1000.
The Association also decided to support the Srinagar Chalo Programme on August 20, 2014, the call of which is given by State Government Employees Joint Action Committee.
Kunan-Poshpora rape victims stage protests, demand justice
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 24: Scores of families of Kunan-Poshpora rape victims today staged protests against the State Government for its failure to rehabilitate rape victim families of 1991 committed by Army even after the State High Court recognized the State’s responsibility to explore the possibilities of payment of compensation.
The protesters said that Government was playing with their sentiments by deliberately delaying to provide justice to the victim families.
Shouting slogans against the Government, the protesters said that the successive Government was shielding culprits.
Abdul Ahad Dar, 60, an elderly man form the village said that last month their local MLA and State Law Minister, Mir Saifullah sent his own lawyer to fight the case against those responsible for the crime, but within a month the lawyer proved the Government agent to shield culprits.
“Mir Saifullah’s lawyer ditched us as he was unnecessarily diverting the case from last one month,” Dar said.
The dozens of other protesters said India too has been shielding the culprits involved into the heinous crime.
The villagers threatened the state to face severe consequences in future if Government didn’t take the issue seriously and compensate the victim families on priority basis.
The Division Bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar issued notice to the Government to file a report as to why decision adverse to petitioners has been taken and why compensation was denied to them.
KNIT organizes seminar-cum-refresher course
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 24: A 3-day seminar-cum-refresher course was organized by the Management of Kotwal National Institute of Teaching (KNIT) at KNIT Green Model Academy, Sangrampur, here today.
Over 70 teachers of both the sister institutes participated in the deliberations.
Specialized training was imparted to the teaching staff with latest techniques to be adopted for fruitful curricular and co-curricular activities.
Earlier, on the first day, the inaugural address was delivered by Prof JL Kotwal, Director KNIT. He outlined the necessity of holding such programmes to update the knowledge of newly appointed teachers.
The introductory remarks were made by Prof H L Misri, while Prof Hempal Singh delivered an inspiring lecture on bio-diversity and environment and Sardari Lal spoke on the teaching techniques of Urdu Language.
I D Soni, a renowned educationist focused on moral education, while Analyzing problems and prospects of teaching of English with special emphasis on the latest methodology.
Prof J L Kotwal threw light on responsibilities of a teacher in an emerging society, while Jagdish Sharma spoke on the importance of humanities as an integral part of the School Syllabi.
A lively discussion on the problems faced by the teachers in class room was initiated by PL Thakur, Mrs Mengi and Sardari Lal.
The seminar concluded with a discourse delivered by Bimla Bloria, Principal KNIT, followed by vote of thanks by Komal Kotwal, Principal KNIT Green Model Academy.