Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 20: Reiterating that Government is determined to provide all basic amenities to the people across the state, Minister for Housing, Horticulture, Culture, Youth Services and Sports, Raman Bhalla on Sunday said that numerous developmental and welfare schemes have been launched in every nook and corner of the State to improve the living standard of the people.
This was stated by the Minister while addressing a largely attended public gathering at Upper Gaddigarh after launching various development works in the locality, here today.
Mr. Bhalla said that the Government has already formulated a new massive development plan for upgrading every locality of the state particularly periphery areas of the State with all basic amenities like safe drinking water, road connectivity, education, health, electricity besides better lanes and drains. He said providing road connectivity to all villages is on high agenda of the Government, adding all unconnected areas would be connected with nearest district and tehsil headquarters through road network.
He asked the executing agency to complete all the projects within stipulated time frame so that the benefits reach to people at the earliest. He called upon the people not to extend the access ramps of houses on the lanes and nallahs, adding that such practices create hindrances for the executing agencies in providing all infrastructural facilities to the inhabitants. He appealed them to cooperate with Government in this regard so that their localities could be developed with all basic amenities.
Mr. Bhalla asked the officers to ensure proper monitoring and usage of quality material, adding that there would be no compromise on quality of work. He called upon the people to cooperate with executing agencies in completing the ongoing works started in their respective colonies. He asked the executing agencies to make optimum use of funds and complete the projects taken up under PHE, ERA, Irrigation and Flood Control sectors in a time bound manner.
Later, the Minister also visited Jeevan Nagar W No. 58 and listened development related issues at a public grievances redressal camp.
Responding to the locals demand, the Minister announced Rs. 9 lakh for upgradation of lanes and drains in Ward No. 58 of Jeevan Nagar. He asked the JMC to complete on-going works within stipulated time frame. He also issued directions to JMC to prepare estimates for upgradation of left out lanes and drains in Jeevan Nagar and submit the same for funding.
For improving the drinking water facility in Jeevan Nagar and its adjoining areas, Mr. Bhalla said Government has earmarked Rs. 3.26 crore for digging of 25000 gallon discharge capacity deep drill tube well at Babliana village including laying of water supply pipes in water deficit areas to meet the drinking water demand of the people of Jeevan Nagar, Ajeet Nagar, Jawahar Nagar, Poonchi Mohalla and Narwal Paien.
Numerous schemes launched to improve living standard of people: Bhalla
8 injured in road accidents
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 20: Eight persons were injured in different road accidents across the Valley.
A police spokesman said a Tavera vehicle JK01R/9377 hit a motorcycle JK01N/0127 near Tatoo Ground in Batamaloo resulting in injuries to motorcyclist Mohammad Amin Beigh, son of Ghulam Qadir and his son Irfan Ahmad Beigh. Both the injured were shifted to a hospital for treatment.
An auto load carrier JK15/1047 driven by Imtiyaz Ahmed Khan of Pazalpora hit and injured two pedestrians Mehraj-ud-Din Sheikh son of Aalam Din Shiekh of Aloosa and Farooq Ahmed Chowhan son of Mohammad Hussain Chowhan of Khunusa at Ongam in Bandipora. The driver of the load carrier also got injured in this accident. All the injured were shifted to Sub District Hospital, Bandipora for treatment.
A Tata Indigo car JK01T/7494 hit a passenger Auto JK01S/1024 at Zero Bridge, Srinagar, resulting in injuries to the auto driver Jameel Ahmed Sheikh son of Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh of Malteng Dalgate. He was shifted to a hospital for treatment.
A Sumo JK09/6495 hit and injured a pedestrian Ghulam Mohammad Wani son of Mohammad Yousuf of Saidpora at Saidpora Tragpora in Sopore. The injured was shifted to District Hospital, Baramulla for treatment where from he was shifted to Srinagar for further treatment.
A Maruti car JK05C/4067 and an unknown Tipper collided near Vidhyalia School Mirgund in Mirgund resulting in injuries to Maruti driver Najamul Saqib son of Mohammad Amin of Baramulla. He was shifted to SKIMS Soura, Srinagar for treatment.
The spokesman said police has registered cases in these accidents.
KPs continue protest over Mattan episode
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 20: The protest continued at Martand Tirath, Mattan in Kashmir valley, Suriya Bhawan Paloura and Geeta Satsang Asharam, Muthi against the district administration Anantnag for its partisan role during July 13 episode at Mattan. The protestors held it responsible for the happenings at Shrine.
At Suriya Bhawan Paloura the protest was led by general secretary of Prohit Sabha Martand Improvement Charitable Trust, Veer Ji Pandita. He lambasted State Government for its non seriousness and discriminatory attitude towards Pandit minorities. He questioned the Union Government’s return formula saying that State Government was totally working against the interests of the community.
He said instead of providing security to community the administration and police harassed it. G N Khar in his address warned the administration of violating the Apex Court verdict and said the Government has been exposed by its action.
They warned that in case immediate steps were not taken to provide justice to community the KPs will come to streets.
Meanwhile an emergency meeting was held at Swami Kumar Ji Ashram in which Government was taken to task for maintaining a complete silence over the issue of holy shrine of Mattan where the temples are closed since July 13.
Addressing the gathering Swami Kumar Ji expressed his displeasure over the closure of world famous Sun temple at Mattan due to Government’s apathy.
Ashok Sidha, Dr T K Bhat, Veena Gurtu, T N Raina and others addressed the meeting.
FC I&C reviews implementation of centrally sponsored food processing schemes
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 20: Financial Commissioner Industries & Commerce, Khurshid Ahmed Ganai today reviewed the implementation of GoI schemes of food processing at a meeting of officers of the concerned department.
M. Venkateshwarlu, Joint Secretary Ministry of Food Processing, Industry GOI besides Sanjeev Verma Secretary, Horticulture, Satish Nehru Secretary Housing and Urban Development, Kiran Wattal Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation, G. N. Qasba Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation and A.K. Tikku Member Secretary, Pollution Control Board, Senior officers of Government of India and State participated in the meeting.
This review meeting was held as part of series of meetings taken by Financial Commissioner Industries & Commerce, to review the setting up of abbatoirs, upgradation of meat shops, fruit collection centres and food processing units.
During the meeting, the Secretary H&UD and Commissioner JMC explained the difficulties being faced in setting up of abbatoir at Nagrota, Jammu.
After detailed discussions, an assurance was held out by H&UD and JMC to resolve all the difficulties and report the status within one month. Regarding the abattoir at Srinagar, the status was noted. Secretary Housing & Urban Development and Director Horticulture further informed that they have received several applications for modernization of meat shops in response to the advertisement through print media by Mission Directorate. MD SIDCO, intimated that the meat shops are eligible for financial assistance upto Rs.5 lakh for modernization.
The Financial Commissioner directed that the applications received should be forwarded to the Mission Directorate (J&K SIDCO) so that the same could be examined and placed in the next meeting of SLEC for approval. He further directed the Mission Directorate to utilize all the funds at the earliest so that further funds could be received from GoI. The officers of Govt. of India discussed various schemes under the National Mission on Food Processing with the officers and also listened to the problems faced by the departments in implementation and assured to address the same.
The Financial Commissioner Industries & Commerce directed all officers to interact with each other on monthly basis and also organize half day seminars so that the problems being faced can be addressed.
The meeting was also attended by Directors of Industries & Commerce, Horticulture, Horticulture Planning & Marketing, Sheep Husbandry, Urban Local Bodies and Managing Directors of HPMC, Wool Board, Agro Industries and SIDCO.
NDA exposed for its soft policy on Pak: Manjit Singh
Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, July 20: Former Minister and senior Congress leader Manjit Singh today criticized Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led NDA Government for its failure to deal with the aggressive policy of Pakistan in which their border guards have opened unprovoked firing on BSF posts and even on the civilian areas.
Issuing a statement here, Manjit Singh said during election campaigning Prime Minister Narendra Modi always targeted Congress led Union Government for soft policy against Pakistan.
“Now Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India and his Government has proved with their silence over the issue that they are unable to deal with Pakistan,” Singh said.
From many days, he said, Pak Rangers have been continuously firing on the BSF Posts in which one soldier was killed and seven others including three BSF personnel and four civilian were wounded.
The situation with every passing day has worsened for the people living along the International Border, he said, adding that these people have once again been left on the mercy of God with no help from the Government.
He questioned that the UPA Government had planned for five marla plot for each family living on IB so that they can shift during firing on these safer places but nothing has been said with reference to these plots.
“The border people have to look for safer places during firing from Pakistan. Their animal, property and their own lives have become unsafe for which the Government should take step,” he demanded, while saying that people living along the IB should be given reservation like Line of Control (LoC) people have been enjoying.
He said that under these circumstances, the children of poor parents are unable to pursue their studies and hence, they should be given reservation in the educational institutions.
Woman jumps into Tawi, injured
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 20: A woman allegedly tried to end her life by jumping into river Tawi from fourth bridge, falling under the jurisdiction of Nehru Market police post.
As per police sources, Nirmal Kour, wife of Jasbir Singh of Gadigarh allegedly tried to commit suicide by jumping into river Tawi from fourth bridge here this afternoon.
On getting information, police team from Nehru Market Police Post rushed to the spot and shifted the woman to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where her condition was stated to be out of danger, when reports last came in. Swift action by the police team headed by SI Mohammad Iqbal Chagatta has saved the life of woman.
During preliminary investigation, it came to fore that the woman along with her brother and a kid had gone to Women Cell, Canal Road on motorcycle to lodge complaint against her husband, who allegedly beat her over some family issue. On reaching near fourth Tawi bridge, a fault came in motorcycle and when the woman’s brother was looking at the fault, she jumped into river Tawi.
However, a case under relevant Sections has been registered at Nehru Market police post and investigation started.
Missing man found dead in Tawi
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 20: A man, who was missing for the past over three days from Jhajjar Kotli, was found dead in river Tawi near Kattal Battal area of Nagrota.
As per police sources, a man identified as Shash Mohammad (33), son of Alam Din, a resident of Tarah, district Jammu, was found dead in river Tawi near Kattal Battal area of Nagrota. The man was missing from Jhajjar Kotli for the past over three days.
On getting information, police team from Nagrota police station rushed to the spot and shifted the body to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where after conducting autopsy, the body was handed over to legal heirs for last rites.
Nagrota police has initiated inquest proceedings under Section 174 CrPC in this regard.
NPP holds party workers meet
Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, July 20: J&K National Panthers Party held party workers meeting at Vijaypur, which was chaired by Chairman of the party Harsh Dev Singh.
Harsh Dev Singh while speaking urged and necessitated to each of the workers to reach the every voter to make him understand the agenda of the party of statehood for Jammu.
Singh also impressed upon the workers to preach among the voters the achievements of the party for Dogras and to revive the status of dignity and honour of peoples of Jammu province.
He also asked the workers to tell the voters the failure of the NC-Congress coalition to solve the problems of the people of Jammu region especially during their regime of six years.
Singh added that Coalition Government has also totally failed to solve the issue of daily wagers in all departments, adhoc employees, NRHM, contractual lecturers, industrial workers, labour class, farmers, regular employees and pensioners.
NPP candidate for forthcoming Assembly elections Rajesh Pargotra announced that such workers meetings will also be held at Bari Brahmna and Ramgarh in future.
Among others who spoke were MLA Samba Yash pal Kundal, Rajesh Pargotra, general secretary, Jammu, Khajur Singh, Inder Pal Singh, Purshotam Sharma, Hari Singh, Shiva Charan Singh, Gunwant Singh Bagal, etc.
Home for Aged and Infirm celebrates golden jubilee year
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 20: The management and inmates of Home for the Aged and Infirm at Ambphalla, Jammu, celebrated golden jubilee year as well as 114th birth anniversary of its founder late Ram Nath Prabhakar.
On the occasion, Havan-Poojan was performed besides distribution of clothes and cash incentives among the inmates and workers of the Home. President of the Home, Dr Vidya Nath Gupta and I D Soni, State Commissioner for Scouts and Guides paid rich tributes to late Prabhakar, who retired as Head Master, devoted his life in service of the poor, aged destitute and infirm members of the society.
While paying her tributes, Dr Ved Ghai, a renowned academician and social activist, described late Prabhakar as a great visionary who could forsee necessity of such a Home for aged and infirm persons in ever changing society.
The function was also attended by Jyoti Bhalla, grand daughter of late Prabhakar and representatives of various social organizations like All J&K Senior Citizens Welfare Council, State Retired Officers Forum, Central Pensioners Welfare Association, Association for Welfare of Senior Citizens, Vivekananda Charitable Mission Hospital, J&K Arya Smaj Kalyan Kendra, Bal Balika Niketan Ved Mandir, Dharmarth Trust J&K, Indian Red Cross Society etc.
Er Vijay Bhagotra, honorary secretary of the Home, conducted proceedings of the function.
Pertinent to mention that the Home for Aged & Inform was established on June 8, 1964 with mere one room on a piece of land obtained on lease from Shri Ved Mandir Committee. The Home, registered as a Society on February 20, 1965, now has two full fledged buildings facing each other across the road link from Ambphalla Chowk to Goshala with capacity to accommodate around ninety aged persons comfortably.
Presently, it has 45 inmates, including 17 females. All donations to this Home qualify for exemption under section 80-G of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
KEA against settling of KPs in clusters
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 20: Kashmir Economic Alliance today opposed Bharatiya Janata Party Government’s proposed move to settle Kashmiri Pandits in “clusters” in the Valley.
“Ever since the NDA led by BJP has taken the power at Delhi, it has been trying to fiddle with contentious issues, Article 370, resettlement of Pandits in three satellite towns”, Chairman KEA Mohammad Yasin Shah told media persons here.
Shah said the sinister design of resettlement of Kashmiri Pandits in satellite towns will only create social imbalance.
KEA would like to make clear Pandits are our brethren and are welcome to come back and resettle anywhere in Kashmir with their Muslim brethren as they used to be earlier,” he said.
KEA, he said, has always been raising its concern for indifferent and unjust dispensation and approach by the Government.
“This policy mind of the Government is quite disturbing and alarming and is likely to vitiate the atmosphere of the state and can bring disastrous impact to the economy of the state,” he warned.
He said KEA will always stay steadfast and oppose such move of the Government.