A view of the ‘Light and Sound Show’ organised by Army at Balidan Stambh on Monday evening.
JAMMU, Aug 4: A mesmerizing ‘Light and Sound Show’ conceived by the Army for public viewing was organized at Balidan Stambh this evening.
The show was attended by gallant veterans, serving persons, NCC cadets, media persons and families of Army and Police.
The construction of the monumental war memorial was completed in the year 2009 and is open for public viewing. Balidan Stambh signifies National Integration and the time tested lineage between the people of Jammu & Kashmir and the Indian Armed Forces.
The show has been initiated to highlight martyrdom and the supreme sacrifice of military, police and civilians on the soil of J&K, upholding the sanctity of our borders and sovereignty of the nation.
It encompasses the wars fought by India since its independence for protecting its frontiers in J&K and covers the Indo Pak wars of 1948, 1965, 1971, Kargil War 1999 and the China India War 1962.
The illumination of 60 meter high tower, symbolizing a bayoneted rifle, in the centre of the sanctum sanctorum, along with the live commentary, creates an atmosphere of pride, elan and belongingness.
The show concluded with the National Anthem, which moistened the eyes and touched the soul of the spectators.
The show has been organised by the Army and will be open to the public on every Wednesday and Saturday evenings and is expected to attract spectators from across the Nation including tourists, who visit the historic temple city of Jammu.
Governor N N Vohra and Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Itoo in a function at Zaiba Aapa Institute of Inclusive Education at Anantnag on Monday.
SRINAGAR, Aug 4: Governor, N.N. Vohra, laid the foundation stone of Development Centre for People with Disabilities, Zaiba Aapa Institute of Inclusive Education, at Semthan in Bijbehara, Anantnag.
The Centre is a project being built under the aegis of Humanity Welfare Organization Helpline with the objective of providing educational and rehabilitation services, vocational training, training teachers and professional services to facilitate differently abled people.
The Governor congratulated Javed Ahmad Tak, Social Activist and Honorary Chairman, Humanity Welfare Organization Helpline, for the success of his endeavours to establish an institution for the rehabilitation of differently abled people. The Governor also complemented Sakina Itoo, Minister for Social Welfare, for securing State Cabinet approval for providing 3% reservation in jobs to differently abled people. In this context, he re-iterated the collective responsibility of Government and the entire society for taking all necessary steps for securing the rehabilitation of challenged persons.
The Governor stressed the need for sustained focus for evolving policies and programmes which fully meet the requirements of differently abled persons. In this regard he urged, Minister for Social Welfare, to have undertaken a district-wise census for generating category wise data of differently abled people for such information being used to evolve relevant Government programmes for upgrading the lot of the specially abled persons.
Earlier, the Governor was briefed about the design of the upcoming Institue by its architect, Irshad Majeed, and the facilities which will be provided for the differently abled persons.
Sakina Itoo, Minister for Social Welfare, ARI &Trainings and Public Grievances, resolved to work untiringly for the welfare of the disadvantaged sections of the society.
Abdul Gaffar Sofi, MLA, Homshalibugh assured his continuous support to the Organisation.
Zakia Manzoor and Ifla Jan, students of the Institution presented the welcome address and vote of thanks, respectively on the occasion.
Bashir Ahmad Veeri, MLC; Vijay Kumar, DIG, South Kashmir; Bashir Ahmad Khan, Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag; Sheikh Junaid, SSP, Anantnag were also present on the occasion.
Huge rush of pilgrims at Shri Budha Amarnath Ji temple at Mandi in Poonch. -Excelsior/ Harbhajan
JAMMU/POONCH, Aug 4: Another batch of 1550 pilgrims, mostly from outside the State left for Shri Budha Amarnath ji shrine at Mandi in Poonch from the base camp at Bhagwati Nagar here this morning.
Yatra convoy comprising of 18 buses and nearly 30 medium and light vehicles reached Poonch in the evening. Newly appointed Deputy Commissioner M H Malik who assumed charge today reviewed the arrangements and interacted with the officers connected with the yatra, members of other organizations and pilgrims. He also paid visit to the Mandi town, where shrine of Shri Budha Amarnath ji is located.
The pilgrims at Sunderbani were offered break fast and then reached Rajouri. Today again, pilgrims were not diverted towards Mangla Mata. At Bhimber Gali and Dundak in Surankote area the Army (RR Units) provided tea and eatables to the pilgrims. Commander 6 Sector RR, Brig RP Singh was himself present on the occasion.
Yatra was received by Reception Committee members besides SSP and DC Poonch this evening. ADC and other officers were also present. The pilgrims have been accommodated at Geeta Bhawan, Akhara Mandir Sarai, College, ITI and two Higher Secondary schools. About 3400 pilgrims today performed Darshan at the holy shrine of Shri Budha Amarnath ji at Mandi.
Minister for CAPD Ch Mohd Ramzan chairing a meeting of officers at Srinagar on Monday.
SRINAGAR, Aug 4: Government is contemplating to install Global Positioning System (GPS) in all types of commercial vehicles in the State to check violations like overloading, over-speeding, and plying against route permits etc.
This was disclosed in a review meeting of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution and Transport Departments chaired by Minister for CA&PD and Transport, Ch. Mohammad Ramzan here today.
The Minister said that the initiative aims to ensure security and safety of passengers and is being introduced in the State shortly for which all the commercial vehicles will have to install GPS in their vehicles. He said in this connection control unit is being setup in capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu which would be monitored regularly to get the desired results.
The meeting was informed that Motor Vehicle Department has realized an amount of Rs. 54.72 crore as registration fee, fine, challan, etc during the year 2013-14.
The meeting was informed that High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) have been installed in 04 lakh vehicles in the State since 2012 besides process of fixing of such plates in remaining 07 lakh vehicles is on. The meeting was informed that presently plates are being fixed in 2012, 2013 and 2014 series vehicles. However, no fitness certificate is being issued to those commercial vehicles which have not fitted HSRP so far, the meeting was informed.
The meeting was further informed that 850 different types of vehicles with age of 25 years have been declared condemned. It was also informed in the meeting that 3800 applications for Letter of Authority (LA) have been received by the concerned department out of which 850 have been issued.
The meeting was further informed that Government is contemplating to provide smart cards instead of present paper licence to the drivers. The Smart Card would be fixed with a chip which will contain all necessary records pertaining to both the vehicle and the driver.
The Minister directed the RTOs and ARTOs to ensure that fare meters are installed in every Auto-Rikshaw and remain functional so that the passengers are not being overcharged. He also directed to check the menace of overloading in matadors which has now became a great problem for the general masses.
While taking review of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department, the Minister emphasized the need to further improvement in the system of stock and supply of food grains in the State.
For streamlining the system, Ch. Ramzan said that 2062 new ration sale centres are being setup in the State out of which 1763 locations have been identified. He said the sale centres would be made functional shortly. He said the aim and objective of opening new sale centres is to facilitate the consumers ultimately.
Commissioner Secretary, Transport, Bipul Pathak gave a detailed resume of the functioning of Transport Department while as Secretary CA&PD, Baseer Ahmed Khan apprised the Minister about the functioning of CA&PD Department.
Among others, Commissioner Secretary, Transport, Bipul Pathak, Transport Commissioner, Dilshad Khan, MD, JKSRTC, J. S. Tandon, Director Garages, G.A. Sofi, Director CA&PD, Kashmir, Bilal Ahmad, RTO, Kashmir, Mehmood Shah, Jt. Controller LMD, Ehsan Ali, ADs of CA&PD and ARTOs and senior officers of LMD, Oil companies were present in the meeting.
District Development Commissioner, Jammu, A K Sahu chairing a meeting of officers on Monday.
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 4: District Development Commissioner Jammu, A.K. Sahu today discussed arrangements for ensuing Janmashtami and Independence Day celebrations at an officers meeting.
The meeting was attended by ADC, K.S. Parihar, ACG, Shehnaz Chowdhary, RTO Jammu, Arvind Kotwal, Deputy Director Information (PR) Jammu, Jyoti Salathia, SP City, Jougal Manhas, Chief Education Officer Jammu, Tarseim Lal, XEns of PDD and PHE besides senior officers from School Education, Youth Services and Sports, Fire Services, Health, JMC, R&B, Forest, Traffic, representatives of Sanatam Dharam Sabha and other social and religious organizations.
It was informed in the meeting that Shobha Yatra will be taken out on 16th August from Raghunath Ji Temple which after passing through main bazaars of old Jammu city will culminate at Raghunath Ji temple, Raghunath Bazar.
The DDC gave specific instructions to all the concerned departments to put in place all the necessary arrangements well in time for smooth celebration of Janmashtami festival.
Police authorities were asked to ensure adequate security arrangements during Janmashtami and Independence Day. He asked the Jammu Municipal Corporation to ensure cleanliness in the city especially enroute yatra by using water sprinklers. He also directed JMC authorities to keep available mobile toilets and water tankers for convenience of the devotees.
Chief Medical Officer was asked to ensure availability of 2 ambulances. He was also asked to ensure that one ambulance is stationed at Raghunath Ji temple.
Likewise, PHE and PDD were asked to provide uninterrupted water and power supply during the festival days and Fire Services was directed to station Fire tender one each at Parade Ground and Panjthirthi.
Similar instructions were given to all the concerned departments at a meeting which was convened to review the arrangements for Independence Day, 2014.
Speaking on the occasion, the DDC stressed upon the officers of various departments to celebrate the function with patriotic spirit and make close coordination between different agencies so that all arrangements required for the conduct of National function are ensured well in time.
The main function would be held at Mini Stadium parade where VIP will hoist the tricolor and take salute from the contingents drawn from Police, Army, and Educational Institutions etc.
The meeting was informed that the rehearsals would start from 5th August, 2014 and all the Government buildings would be illuminated and National Day would start with the playing of shehnai vadan by the Information department in wee hours.
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 4: A lane/drain in village Singhpura, Panchayat Maralia, R.S. Pura constructed at a cost of Rs. 2.20 lakh out of CDF was inaugurated & handed over to the community for use and maintenance by B.R. Kundal MLC & senior Congress leader.
Newly opened office of the Youth Congress in the locality was also inaugurated. Large numbers. of youth from R.S. Pura area also joined the Congress Party.
Addressing the gathering Mr Kundal exhorted the workers to work untidily for the success of Congress candidate in the forth coming Assembly elections.
Abid Kashmire, Incharge Jammu-Poonch Parliamentary Constituency Youth Congress, Charanjet Singh Secretary General Youth Jammu-Poonch Parliamentary Constituency, Khushwant Singh Constituency Youth President, Shamsher Lal Constituency Gen. Secretary Youth, besides numbers . of Sarpanchs viz Ravinder Singh, Com. Kishore Sharma, Vinod Sharma, Bahadur Chand also addressed the gathering. All the speakers impressed upon the Congress leadership to field honest with clean image and candidate to revive the Congress in the area.
DGP K Rajendra Kumar addressing a meeting of traffic police officers at Srinagar on Monday.
SRINAGAR, Aug 4: Highlighting the importance of effective monitoring and supervision for better traffic management and road safety in the State, the Director General of Police (DGP), K. Rajendra Kumar today said that in view of the growing population and ever increasing flow of vehicular traffic, responsibilities of the traffic police have doubled and they have to mould themselves as per the demand of the time.
Mr. Rajendra was addressing a meeting of traffic police officers at Traffic Headquarters here today. The meeting was convened to review the traffic management and improvement in traffic regulation in the State. He said that during the recent past, flow of surface traffic has been on alarming rise which has doubled the responsibilities of traffic police to regulate the traffic effectively. Traffic management has become a daunting task all over the country, especially in the cities and improvement with adoption of latest equipments and gadgets has become imperative, said Mr. Rajendra.
The DGP said that awareness among road users about road safety and traffic rules needs to be given utmost importance besides seeking cooperation of people in bringing improvement in traffic management and penalizing the violators. He said that all stakeholders need to be taken into confidence in order to achieve desired results.
Stressing for joint efforts to curb traffic violations Mr. Rajendra said that regular checking of valid documents including fitness of vehicles, route permits and adherence to traffic signals, speed limits etc should be ensured besides patrolling by the traffic personnel along with the other stakeholders would certainly help curb traffic violations and reduce consequent accidents.
The meeting discussed various issues related to the improvement in traffic regulations in the State. The meeting was informed that various efforts have been taken to ensure road safety and traffic regulation effectively. Traffic signal lights have proved effective in traffic management in the cities of Jammu and Srinagar and people have adopted the system very quickly which is encouraging for the department. Traffic inceptor vehicles are also proving successful in checking visible offences and accidents.
Emphasising upon the officers, Mr. Rajendra asked for greater dedication and coordination with other field agencies. He said that in view of the enlarged responsibilities Traffic Wing has limited manpower and resources adding that services of SPOs are being utilized to overcome the deficiency in this regard. He said that SPOs are being imparted basic training in traffic management to cater to the requirements arising day-by-day. He said PHQ would always provide active support to the Traffic Wing in strengthening its resources and manpower.
Earlier, IGP (Traffic), Muneer Ahmed Khan gave a detailed power point presentation about the functioning of traffic police.
He said that coordination among different agencies and departments could help in avoiding road accidents.
Among others, the meeting was attended by IGPs, Jagjit Kumar and Shafakat Ali Watali, SSP Traffic, Hassib-u-Rehman, SSP NHW, Dr. Mohammad Haseeb Mugal, SSP Traffic (Rural), Javid Ahmed Koul, SO to IGP Traffic, Faisal Ahmed Quershi and other police officers.
NEW DELHI, Aug 4:
The Centre today asked States to ensure that all IAS, IPS and IFoS officers working under their jurisdiction file revised annual property returns by September 15, a mandatory obligation under the Lokpal rules notified recently.
At present, it is mandatory for an officer of all India services–Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFoS)–to file their annual property returns under their service rules.
“It is requested that the strict compliance to the provisions of Rule 3(2) of Public Servants (Furnishing of Information and Annual Return of assets and the limits of Exemption of Assets in Filing Returns) Rules, 2014, may be ensured.
“Further, as per the proviso to Rule 3(2) supra instructions may be issued to ensure filing of revised declarations so that annual returns as on the August 1, 2014 are invariably filed by the AIS officers before the competent authority on or before September 15, 2014,” an official memorandum issued by Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) to States and Union Territory administrators said.
DoPT will also carry out changes in the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, which presently have provision for filing property returns once annually. The changes will be made to incorporate the new rules.
“The new Lokpal rules make it mandatory to file a revised return. The circular has been issued to ensure that officers give details in time,” a senior DoPT official said.
IAS, IPS and IFoS officers working under the Central Government departments have also been told to file their revised property returns by September 15.
The Public Servants (Furnishing of Information and Annual Return of Assets and Liabilities and the Limits for Exemption of Assets in Filing Returns) Rules, 2014, were notified by DoPT recently.
As per the rules, notified under Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, every public servant shall file declaration, information and annual returns of his assets and liabilities as on March 31, every year, on or before July 31 of that year. However, for the current year, the last date of filing such returns have been decided as September 15.
According to the Lokpal Act, a public servant shall furnish to the competent authority information relating to the assets of which he, his spouse and his dependent children, jointly or severally, own.
DoPT has also developed an online system named Property Related Information System (PRISM) for IAS officers to file their revised property returns under the Lokpal Act. (PTI)
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 4: Alleging that National Conference (NC) has always exploited Gujjars for its petty political interests, People’s Democratic Party said it has a clear vision about solving their problems. The PDP chief spokesperson, Naeem Akhtar, today, castigated the ruling NC for systematically exploiting the disadvantaged section of the society including Gujjars over the last eight decades, for the petty political interests. Addressing a function, to welcome large number of people from Aragam-B Gujjarpati, Bandipora, into the party fold, at the party headquarters here today, Mr Akhtar said social emancipation and educational advancement of Gujjars forms the important constituent of PDP’s core policy. He alleged the systematic neglect, which the community faced over the years due to the exploitative politics of the NC, has pushed them to the wall and the PDP has a clear vision about solving their problems. He said NC has always used Gujjars as its bank and audience for its public meetings and did nothing concrete in return for their social and educational upliftmnet.
Mr Akhtar said the Gujjars are an important section of the society but, unfortunately, the benefits of development have not reached them till now, as the NC has never allowed it to happen.
The community needs a focussed and composite development plan to ensure progress and respectable life, he added. He said even though the community had traditionally supported and voted for NC, but all key welfare majors, benefiting the community were taken when NC was out of power. He said the tribal status to the community was granted by Janata Dal-led Government in 1991 and the NC and Congress were not in power then.
Similarly, mega projects like the Mughal Road and the Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, which are of special significances for Poonch and Rajouri regions having larger concentration of Gujjars, were initiated by the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led Government.
In contrast to this, he said the present Government has failed to construct the model schools sanctioned by the Centre for tribal students at every district headquarter. Similar is the fate of Gujjar Bakerwal hostels which are in a mess and the special scholarship schemes offered by the Centre to tribal students, Mr Akhtar said. He stressed on the need of improving their educational and health care facilities and said the PDP, once voted to power, will revamp existing schemes formulated for their welfare, so that the community will get empowered enough to lead a decent life.
PDP will ensure that the benefits of even every Centrally sponsored scheme reaches to them which so far, has not been happening, Mr Akhtar said.
First batch of pilgrims leaving for Manimahesh yatra on Monday. -Excelsior/Tilak Raj
BHADERWAH, Aug 4: The first batch of annual Manimahesh Yatra today left Bhaderwah for onward journey to the holy shrine of Manimahesh in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh.
A group of about 2000 devotees departed from Lakshmi Narayan Mandir Bhaderwah to Bheja village where the pilgrims will stay for a night and then proceed further towards the shrine in Himachal Pradesh.
The pilgrims were seen off by the Additional SP Sanjay Sharma, Tehsildar Bhaderwah, president Sanatan Dharm Sabha Ashok Kotwal besides people from all walks of life who prayed for the happy pilgrimage.
Adequate security arrangement, drinking water facility, medicare and other facilities were made in advance by the administration for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the yatra. Free langers have been installed by various devotees en route to holy shrine Manimahesh.
Manimahesh Lake (also known as Dal Lake, Manimahesh), situated in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas, is a high altitude lake. The Manimahesh Kailash peak that stands high close to the lake is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva. This place is believed to be second to the Lake Mansarovar in its religious significance. The route to Manimahesh is via Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, Bharmour and Hadsar. Motor able road goes till Hadsar. The rest of the path is to be covered on foot, about 13 km of steep climb by the banks of Shiv Kalotri, which originates from the Manimahesh Kailash peak. During the annual pilgrimage in August – September, numerous night-shelters and eateries spring up by the trekking route. Night-shelter is also available at village Dhancho, about 6 km from Hadsar on the way to Manimahesh, round the year. Another less frequented trekking route originates from Holi, which is connected to Chamba.
