Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 12: Special Municipal Mobile Magistrate Jammu, Kamlesh Pandita today rejected the bail application of Extension Officer of Agriculture Department namely Masood Ahmed Choudhary, son of Bahuddin, a resident of Macca Masjid, Bathindi, who attempted to kill his wife Riffat presently posted as Naib-Tehsildar in Revenue Department by serving poisonous substance laced coffee.
After hearing Advocates OP Thakur and Dheeraj Katoch appearing for the petitioner whereas Senior Prosecuting Officer Rohit Gupta for the State whereas Senior Advocate Sunil Sethi with Advocate Veenu Gupta for the complainant, Special Municipal Mobile Magistrate observed, “accused Masood Ahmed Choudhary appears to be proactive the way he tried to get rid of his wife by administering poisonous (datura) in her coffee”.
“The alleged offence committed by the accused person is very serious even though his attempt failed and the way the offence was committed by the accused shatters confidence of the society at large which is substantially family oriented”, the court said.
With these observations, court rejected the bail application of Masood Ahmed Choudhary and granted bail to father-in-law of the victim with conditions.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 12: Dr Rama Kant Dubey, patron VHP has strongly opposed the observance of July 13 as Martyrs’ Day.
Talking to reporters here today, he said in the year 1939 Abdul Kadir-the cook of a British Intelligence Officer came to the State and started anti India movement along with local Muslims under a hatched conspiracy.
He said the cook gave a provocative speech in a local shrine of Srinagar city of Kashmir Valley to instigate the people of majority community for violence. Though Kadir was immediately arrested by the Government to maintain law and order and he was taken to a local jail, his case was under trail in the court of law. But a crowd of 4000 to 5000 people attacked the jail in order to free Kadir, he added.
Dr Dubey said that police in order to control the situation and maintain law and order in the city opened fire in self defense after serving warnings to unruly crowd. In the firing 21 people were killed and people took the dead bodies in a procession to the main bazars of Srinagar. The frenzied mob looted the shops and properties belonging to minority community and three members of the community were also killed by the hooligans, he added.
He said the Muslims who lost their lives were later treated as martyrs and July 13 is being observed in their memory as Martyrs Day.
Dr Dubey, while questioning the observance of the day as Martyrs’ Day said the deceased have not done any heroic deed like martyrs.
While criticizing the observance of the day as Martyrs Day, Dr Dubey said it sends a wrong signal to other community members who have been forced to leave their homes and hearths 25 years back and the Government was trying for their return to Valley.
He said how can the confidence of these people be restored who have been forced to flee from Valley when Government, political and non political organizations are observing this day as Martyrs’ Day.
He urged the Government to stop observing the day as Martyrs Day and cancel the public holiday on July 13. VHP leaders Karan Singh Charak and Bal Krishan Gupta were also present in the press conference.

Mir Farhat
Srinagar, July 12:  In a glaring apathy of the Government in managing its schools and despite strict guidelines from the Government of India, more than 6,000 schools in the State are without any sanitary and drinking water facilities, an official survey reveals.
The State Government has ignored the strict instructions from the Government of India (GoI) to provide adequate facilities of clean drinking water and toilet facilities to students within school premises.
An internal survey conducted by the Department of Education recently, reveals that as many as 6,622 schools lack toilet facilities for children and 6,099 schools have no drinking water facilities for them.
In Kashmir about 3,520 schools are without toilets and 2,342 have no drinking water facilities. Similarly, in Jammu division, as many as 3,102 and 3757 schools lack toilet and drinking water facilities,” the survey reveals.
Of these schools which have no drinking water facilities within its premises, 1,414 are primary schools, 771 middle, 44 high and 13 higher secondary schools.
The schools include those which operate from Government’s own building and those which run from rented ones.
At least 3,792 schools operating from Government buildings are without toilet facilities, and 4,077 such schools are without any drinking water.

Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, July 12: Shiromani Akalidal (Badal) held a meeting under the chairmanship of its president Sarwan Singh and elected office bearers.
Ujjar Singh has been elected as vice president, whereas Ichpal Singh as general secretary, Gurdev Singh as secretary, Sumer Singh as publicity secretary and Jorawar Singh as cashier.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 12: Bhartiya Lok Sangeet Kala Sansthan in collaboration with Ek Sath Rang Mandal presented its 7th Saturday Musical Play Series ‘Jal Hi Jeevan’ on the theme of ‘Water Sanitation’ at Open Air Theatre, Durga Bhawan Janipur, here today.
The Musical play was written, produced and directed by M L Dogra, former Regional Director, Song and Drama Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
The programme was inaugurated by Dr Tara Singh Charak, former Deputy Director of Department of Health by lighting the traditional lamp in presence of Romesh Chander, Event Director, R P Amla, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India and Vijay Malla, Writer, Producer and Director of IPTA, who were the guests of honour.
The programe commenced with a Song ‘Jal Hi Jeevan Hai, ‘Banjjar Dharti Sona Ugle’, ‘Pani Bachana Ati Jaroori Sabhne Gi Samjhao’ and  ‘Gaanga Tera Pani Amrit’ sung by the renowned  artistes Usha Handoo, Raju Bajgal, Zulekha Farid, Hem Raj and K K Joshi.
Earlier, V K Magotra, Managing Director, Bhartiya Lok Sangeet Kala Sansthan presented welcome address.
The renowned artistes including K L Verma, Bodh Raj, K K Joshi, Raju Bajgal, Neelam Gandotra, Gouri Lal, Kamli Devi, Tilak Raj, Hem Raj, Kuldeep Raj and Avtar Kour enthralled the audience with superb performance.
Prominent among those present on the occasion were Ashok Mattoo, Daleep Singh, Sunil Bhat, Raman Koul, Nanak Chand, J K Bhat, Master Deepak Kumar Dogra, Raju Mad, Shivani Disgotra, Akshay Bhat, Bhoomika Chib, Neelam Chib, Deevam Jandiyal, Rakshit Sharma, Druv Pandit, Zeeshan Malik, Anil Singh, Nazuk, Anuroop Pathania, Rakesh Katoch and Rajni Gupta.
M C Kotwal, general secretary BLSKS conducted the programme.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 12: Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) today launched its sales promotion scheme—“Hogi Gift Ki Barsaat Jab Bharo Ge Diesel Xtra Power Ke Sath” at M/s Friends Service Station, Nagrota.
The scheme was formally launched by PK Das, Executive Director, Incharge of IOC for Punjab, Himachal and J&K in the presence of Girsih Ranjan, SDRSM, Jammu DO and customers.
Under the scheme the drivers will be given on spot gift with every purchase of Diesel of Rs 6000 through Fleet Card at 64 retail outlets of IOC in J&K. Besides, additional incentives will be offered to fleet customers of Xtrapower fleet customers, who will recharge through HDFC/banking channel.
The validity of the scheme is from July to September 2014.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 12: A deputation of All Kashmir ITI PHE Daily Wagers Association headed by its Chairman, Riaz Ahmed Khan and Deputy Chairman, Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, today called on the Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma at his residence and discussed the issue of regularization of all the ITI trained daily wagers, who were engaged by the Government in 2005.
The deputationists maintained that the Government had engaged the ITI trained daily wagers to run the PHE schemes as per the Cabinet decision in 2005 and they have put more than 9 years service and deserve regularization as per the policy of the Government in Education and Agriculture Departments. They requested the Minister to use his good offices and take necessary steps for their regularization at the earliest.
The Minister gave patient hearing to the deputation and assured that Government will take appropriate steps on this sensitive issue. He said Government had engaged 4600 ITI trained as per the Cabinet decision under a defined policy and there is no dispute on this issue.
He said Government was already on job to address the issue of regularization of various categories of daily wagers/CP workers engaged in different departments. He said this is an exhaustive exercise as information is being collected from each department before taking a final decision by the Government.
He maintained that 23711 workers are engaged in PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control Departments and details in this regard have already been made available to the Finance Department. After obtaining the complete details from other departments, the Government will take a policy decision on this issue, said the Minister.

Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, July 12:  One person was killed after he fell down from a tree near Battal Balian while five persons were injured when two buses collided near Chenani Domail today.
A police spokesman said that 38-year-old Om Parkash, son of Krishan Lal, resident of  Battal Ballian fell down from a mango tree. He received head injuries and was rushed to District Hospital Udhampur by the family members. The doctors declared him as brought dead.
Meanwhile, five persons including a CRPF jawan were injured  when a CRPF bus and a civil bus collided near Chenani Domail today.  The CRPF bus was on way to Jammu from Srinagar when the mishap occurred this afternoon.
The injured were removed to Sub District Hospital, Chenani by police. They were identified as CRPF Constables  Shashi Kumar and  Mukesh Kumar,  Shushil Kumar of Challad in Chenani,  Pawan Kumar of Jing and Mohd Shafi of Sira. The police registered a case for investigation.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 12: A team of JMC officials led by Dr Zafar Iqbal (MVO) comprising 30-35 men including a squad of police personnel barged into premises of Barkers Den at Bahu Plaza without issuing any prior notice.
‘Though we appreciate the visit of JMC officials to educate us about the lapses of JMC guidelines, we strongly condemn the unethical manner in which it was conducted”, said Sitara Samnotra, owner at Barkers Den. She further added that there was never any intent of her to violate any JMC guidelines and it was only an unintentional omission, this being the first venture of its kind in the city.
“I am an educated and a law abiding citizen and there is no real need of forceful entry of 30-35 men including the police in absence of lady police officers to explain me the lapses in JMC formalities, especially when I was all alone at the grooming centre”, she said, adding the official and his team misbehaved and used unpleasant language.
JMC officials virtually trespassed, harassed and ransacked the premises like goons,  lifting the products and equipment worth more than Rs 1,00,000 without even issuing a proper receipt or seizure memo, she said. She strongly refuted the official JMC handout about a pet being rescued, instead the pet was virtually ‘abducted’ inspite of her repeated request not to take away the pet untill the pet owner arrives.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 12: With a view to listen to the grievances and demands of the Safai Karamcharies, the members of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharies Gopal Krishan Sohtra and Vijay Kumar today chaired a joint meeting of Safai Karamcharies and administration here.
The meeting was attended by District Development Commissioner, Jammu A. K. Sahu, Municipal Commissioner Jammu, Kiran Wattal, Additional District Development. Commissioner Jammu G. N. Balwan, officers of other line departments; presidents of Safai Karamcharies Union besides various Safai Karamcharies also attended the meeting.
Underlining the need for taking various measures to improve and upgrade the status of Safai Karamcharies in the society, the members said that the Commission has been constituted for promoting and safeguarding the interests and rights of the community and every possible steps will be taken by the Commission to study, evaluate and monitor the implementation of various schemes for the Safai Karamcharies for redressal of their grievances so that they can live life in a dignified manner.
During the meeting threadbare discussion was held regarding various issues and demands put forth by the Safai Karamcharies like increase in minimum wages including washing and sweeping allowance, promotions, more recruitment of Safai Karamcharies, scrapping of NGO system,  separate colonies, insurance cover, fast and hassle free recruitments under SRO 43, providing of modern facilities to Safai Karamcharies besides number of other issues also came up for discussion during the meeting.
Regarding new recruitment of Safai Karamcharies, Commissioner JMC informed the meeting that recruitment process for recruiting 600 Safai Karamcharies is under way and it shall be completed within one month. On the issue of establishing separate colonies, the Commission directed the Municipal Commissioner to take immediate steps so that Safai Karamcharies could get colonies with modern facilities like creches, recreational parks and other related facilities. The members of the Commission while directing the Commissioner JMC to ensure that Safai Karamcharies get rain coats, masks, gumboots and uniforms also said that daily wagers should also get facilities at par with regular Safai Karamcharies. JMC was also directed to organize free medical camps quarterly in the colonies of Safai Karamcharies.
They also stressed upon officers of various Government Departments especially Social Welfare, SC/ST/OBC Corporation to organize awareness camps in these colonies to make them aware regarding various Government sponsored schemes meant for their benefit and welfare.