SRINAGAR, July 11: Continuing with its endeavour to reach out to the rural masses and provide them world class banking facilities, J&K Bank installed an ATM at village Bulbul Nowgam in Anantnag today.
The facility was inaugurated by Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, Bank’s Zonal Head for Kashmir South in a well attended function.
Tasaduq Ahmad Dar, Cluster Head, Anantnag and Firdous Ahmad Beigh, Head, Business Unit Bulbul Nowgam were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Zonal Head elaborated the various initiatives taken by the bank for increasing the network of both the business units as well as ATMs in the State and assured that the bank is committed to provide world class banking facility to the people of the State particularly in rural areas.
He urged upon the people to avail the benefits of various schemes to boost their economic fortunes.
Meanwhile a meeting to review the performance of RSETI Bandipora for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 was held in Bandipora. Nazir Ahmad Baba, Additional Deputy Commissioner Bandipora presided over the meet in the capacity of Chairman LAC. M S Kaboo, J&K Bank’s Zonal Head for Kashmir North, who is ex-officio Co-Chairman of the LAC, was also present on the occasion. Besides, 35 former trainees of RSETI Bandipora, who have availed credit Linkage from the Bank to start their ventures, received cheques on the occasion.
Director RSETI Mir Pervaze Ahmad informed the house that the Institute had conducted 6 training programmes benefitting 175 trainees during the quarter under review.
Rajnath Pandita, Joint Director Fisheries Kashmir who was the chief guest on the occasion appreciated RSETI Bandipora for providing demand driven trainings to the unemployed youth.
JAMMU, July 11: HPCL conducted the much hyped and anticipated Mega Prize Draw for MS Promotional Campaign ‘HP Aao, Tel Bharao, Ek Saal Ka Petrol’ with a fanfare in presence of its officials, dealers and general public at its retail outlet M/s Jay Kay Gas Co, Gandhi Nagar, here.
The campaign was running successfully for two months since February 24, 2014 with tremendous public participation and was extended for two more months on public demand till June 30, 2014.
The event was a grand success whereby winners of 33 prizes were declared which included 10 wall clocks, 10 pen drives and 10 mobile phones. The grand prize of free petrol worth Rs 24000 for one year, 2nd prize of free petrol worth Rs 12000 for 6 months and third prize of semi-automatic washing machine was also announced by public draw.
The event was organized by HPCL Jammu Retail RO team under the leadership of Senior Regional Manager, Manish Tandon and managed by Nikhil Saraf with other officials including Zafar Rashid, K L Kichloo, Hamid Bulbul and Mr Gaurav.
As per the scheme, on every refill of petrol for Rs 300 in 2/3-wheelers and Rs 1000 in 4-wheelers, the company offered coupons with a retainer foil. The winners were drawn through lucky draw by the random general public coming to the retail outlet including traffic policeman, vendors, children, ladies and ATM guards where one prize was drawn for every participating outlet and all the coupon draws were video graphed in their presence.
The list of winning coupon numbers are being displayed at the regional office and participating retail outlets and winners are requested to collect their prizes till August 31, 2014 from the regional office of HPCL at Opposite Hotel Asia, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu by presenting the counterfoil of their coupon.
Winners will also be simultaneously communicated over the phone numbers provided by them in the coupons. A similar draw will be conducted in Srinagar for Kashmir province this month.
The grand prize has gone to number 117655, while second and third prize has gone to numbers 3860 and 113632 respectively.
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, July 11: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today expressed his dis-satisfaction over the first Union budget of the NDA Government and said that the State was not given its due especially in health sector and upliftment of youth.
Omar told reporters on the sidelines of a function at Hazratbal that there were one or two things which the State was expecting from the budget relating to up-gradation of hospitals and the youth but it was not provided.
“We have not heard anything on that yet. We hope that when the Finance Minister has talked about AIIMS-pattern hospitals, our two hospitals will also be included,” he said.
Omar said that he had sought package for upgradation of two hospitals in Srinagar and Jammu on the pattern of AIIMS from Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, during his recent visit to Kashmir.
“He had talked about a hospital on the pattern of AIIMS. I had told him that we have Super-Speciality Hospitals at both places, Jammu and Srinagar. I had said that rather than building a new hospital, give us a package to upgrade the two hospitals on AIIMS pattern”, he said.
On the Finance Minister’s announcement for allocation of Rs. 200 crore for upgrading indoor and outdoor stadiums to international standards in Jammu and in Kashmir Valley, Omar said: “When the Finance Minister was here on his first visit and I met him, I had asked him for a package on sports infrastructure and which he has accepted.”
On Rs. 500 crore package for Kashmiri migrants announced by Finance Minister, Omar said he would like to know the fine prints of the package because there already was a package and the State had asked for its upgradation because the amount earmarked earlier was less.
“If these Rs. 500 crores have been earmarked under a new package, then it is a good thing and I hope our migrants take advantage of it. But if it is on the past pattern, then I am sorry, this package would not benefit us,” the Chief Minister said.
Omar said that BJP had promised good days for the country but it has not been reflected in the Union budget presented yesterday.
“We do not see ‘acche din’ yet. And the way monsoon has played, we should not expect acche din sometime soon. They talked about acche din before the elections, but after winning the elections, they said they will have to give us a bitter-pill first to achieve acche din”, said Chief Minister, adding “this budget neither talks about ‘acche din’ nor has it given us a feeling of that bitter-pill. It has not been even two months yet. Let some time pass then we will see.”
Omar during his speech hit out at People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for opposing the decisions of the Government taken for the benefit of general masses and holistic development of the State.
“Why you get irritated and frustrated when we take decisions for public good”, the Chief Minister questioned PDP and said that the Government will continue to take people friendly measures.
“We are committed to the holistic development of the State and well being of people. We will take all required measures in this regard”, Omar said adding that exchequer is of people and “we will make all required spending to fulfill the demands of people.”
The Chief Minister said that the PDP has no reason to worry on this count. “The leadership of PDP actually gets frustrated by the historic people friendly decisions of the Government, as such, raise irrelevant questions and try to astray people”, he said.
Omar, without naming former Jammu and Kashmir Bank chairman, Haseeb Drabu, said some leaders and turncoats in PDP who have changed their ideology for power have assumed themselves to be the Finance and Economic Ministers of the State even before contesting Assembly elections.
“My Government will spend every penny for the welfare of people. We are not like our opponents to utilize public money for self ends”, said the Chief Minister adding “I will do whatever necessary to transform the economic condition of the State and its people.”
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 11: Army chief Gen Bikram Singh is arriving on two days visit of Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow during which he would review security scenarios of the State and also visit Line of Control (LoC) in border district of Rajouri.
This would be last visit of Gen Singh to J&K as he is retiring on July 31 and Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag would take charge from him on August 1 as the new Army chief.
Official sources told the Excelsior that Lt Gen Bikram Singh would reach Srinagar tomorrow morning and visit Badami Bagh Cantonment, the headquarters of 15 Corps where he would inter-act with new GOC of Chinar Corps Lt Gen Subrata Saha and other top Commanders of the Army in 15 Corps and review situation with them.
Apart from security review, Gen Bikram Singh would be accorded warm farewell by the Army officers and jawans.
After few hours stay in 15 Corps tomorrow, the Army chief would fly to Udhampur headquarters of the Northern Command, where he would hold high level meeting with top brass of the Army including General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) Lt Gen DS Hooda, Nagrota based GOC 16 Corps Lt Gen KH Singh and all top Army officers of Northern Command and 16 Corps.
After security review, the Army chief would be accorded warm farewell jointly by the Northern Command and the Nagrota Corps.
The Army chief would have night halt at the Northern Command and address Army jawans on June 13.
The address by Gen Bikram Singh to the Army jawans is being considered as very significant. Sources said the address will boost morale of the Army jawans as the Army chief was likely to inter-act with them and listen to their problems after the address.
After the ‘Sainik Sammelan’, the Army chief would fly to Rajouri, where he would have another meeting with top Army officers of the Div Headquarters. He will be accompanied by Lt Gen DS Hooda and Lt Gen KH Singh during his visit to Rajouri.
The Army chief might undertake a brief visit to Rajouri before reaching Akhnoor, where he would visit the Army headquarters and had similar meeting before being accorded the farewell.
Gen Bikram Singh would have last meeting at Tiger Division in the evening of July 13, where he would meet the senior Army officers and get farewell from them.
Sources said this would be last visit of Army chief to Jammu and Kashmir as his tenure is coming to an end on July 31. Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag will be taking over as new Army chief from Gen Bikram Singh on August 1.
Sources said the Army chief is also scheduled to visit the areas of Western Command later.
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, July 11: The decks have been cleared for the much-awaited transfers and postings of Deputy Commissioners and Additional Deputy Commissioners ahead of crucial Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir as Election Commission of India has clarified that the ban on transfers of officers connected with the Summary Revision of electoral rolls will apply from July 17, 2014 only.
Keeping in view the clarification issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI), the State Cabinet, which is meeting next week, will order transfers and postings of Deputy Commissioners as beyond July 17, Government would not be able to shift any of the Deputy Commissioner, who also happens to be District Election Officers, till October 1, 2014, the date fixed for the final publication of the electoral rolls.
Authoritative sources told EXCELSIOR that following issuance of schedule of Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls by the Election Commission of India vide its letter No. 23/JK/2014/NS-1/62 dated June 13, 2014, the State Government was under the impression that it would not be able to order transfers and postings of Deputy Commissioners ahead of Assembly elections as the Summary Revision would come to an end on October 1, 2014 and by that time Model Code of Conduct would have come into effect.
On June 28, 2014, the Chief Secretary Mohd Iqbal Khandey wrote to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir, Umang Narula seeking clarification vis-à-vis transfer of Deputy Commissioners, sources said, adding on July 3, Chief Electoral Officer wrote to the Election Commission of India and even forwarded the clarification sought by the Chief Secretary.
They informed that on July 7, Kumar Rajeev, Under Secretary in the Election Commission of India vide Communication No.23/JK/ 2014/NS-I written to Chief Electoral Officer, J&K cleared the clarification sought by the State Chief Secretary.
In the communication, the Election Commission of India has mentioned that as per the policy of the Commission, the ban on transfer of District Election Officers and Electoral Registration Officers apply from the date of beginning of Summary Revision.
“Since the Special Summary Revision process in J&K will begin from July 17, 2014, which is the date of publication of draft roll, therefore the ban on transfer of such officers related to electoral roll revision, will apply from July 17, 2014 only till final publication of the electoral rolls”, sources said.
“Now, the decks have been cleared for the transfer of Deputy Commissioners and Additional Deputy Commissioners ahead of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir”, sources said, adding “since the Government has been left with only five days, the State Cabinet, which is meeting next week, will order transfers and postings of Deputy Commissioners”.
In response to a question, sources said, “the Chief Secretary’s Secretariat has started exercise vis-à-vis transfer of Deputy Commissioners in consultation with the Chief Minister”.
As per the Election Commission of India notification, the claims and objections on the electoral rolls will be received from July 17 to August 8 and the same would be disposed of on August 30, 2014.
The updating of database, merging of photographs, updating the control tables and preparation and printing of supplement would be conducted between September 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014 and on October 1, 2014 the electoral rolls would be finally published.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah along with his senior party leaders paying floral tributes to Madr-e-Meharban on her 14th death anniversary at Hazratbal in Srinagar on Friday. -Excelsior/ Amin War
SRINAGAR, July 11: National Conference today observed the 14th death anniversary of Madr-e-Meharban, Begum Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah by organizing a grand function at Qaid Mazaar, Naseem Bagh here.
NC Working President and Chief Minister of State, Omar Abdullah, senior party functionaries, Ministers, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, Ex-MPs, Ex-MLAs and Ex-MLCs paid floral tributes to Madr-e-Meharban.
In a message on the occasion, Dr Farooq Abdullah recollected the spirit of social service and social justice that was upheld by Madr-e-Meharban and descrbed her as an epitome of selfless social service, conviction, piety and courage.
“She was not only a pillar of moral support to Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah but also a compassionate mother of the people who always demonstrated a commitment to lead them in his absence against all odds”, he said, adding “she worked tirelessly for the amelioration of the poor and weak sections of society and took upon herself the role to be the voice of the downtrodden”.
Dr Abdullah said that the credit for galvanizing the Red Cross movement in the State goes to Madr-e-Meharban and it was her cherished dream to see a network of social support groups in the State to give succour and support to the needy. “The establishment of Miskeen Bagh Education and Craft Training Centre for Women was also a historic initiative envisioned by Begum Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah”, he added.
He said that National Conference has a glorious history of enormous sacrifices and public services at its back and will script yet another historic comeback in the forthcoming Assembly elections. “We have suffered with the people rather than making them suffer. We have sacrificed power for decades rather than selling the interests of our State for power. We will continue to be the flag-bearers of Kashmiriyat, Internal Autonomy and Article 370 despite all odds”, Dr Abdullah said.
Addressing a gathering at the Mazaar of Madr-e-Meharban at Hazaratbal, Omar Abdullah asked the NC workers to disseminate the glaring achievements and performance of the Government among the common people as also make them aware of the political, social and development agenda of National Conference for a modern, educated, developed and politically stable Jammu and Kashmir.
“Your history is glorious, your work-done is unprecedented, your sacrifices are conspicuous and notable, your past and present is complementary and supplementary to each other, your future is bright and splendid, your ideology is the ideology of people, your political motive is public service, peace, development and empowerment of people and public support is the fountain head of your strength”, he told NC workers asking them to make new generation aware of the historic role Jammu and Kashmir National Conference has played in the past and is playing at present to safeguard the interests of the State and defeat the designs of conspirators.
Paying rich tributes to Madr-e-Meharban, Omar Abdullah said that the best way of paying tributes to her is that all of us will carry forward her mission of comprehensive development of common people particularly, poor, downtrodden, women, children and weaker sections of the society.
The General Secretary, National Conference, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Additional General Secretary, Dr Mustafa Kamaal, Provincial President, Kashmir, Nasir Aslam Wani, senior Ministers, Abdul Rahim Rather and Mohammad Akbar Lone, District President, Srinagar, Peer Afaq Ahmad also spoke on the occasion and referred to the role and sacrifices of Madr-e-Meharban while paying her rich tributes.
JAMMU, July 11: Rejecting out rightly the budgetary relief proposals of Modi Government for Valley migrants without considering the plights of displaced persons from Pakistan occupied Jammu & Kashmir, several refugees/ DPs’ organizations strongly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitely for ignoring refugees in the budget.
SOS International, An organisation of displaced persons from PoK, has accused the Finance Minister of ignoring the community while presenting the Modi Government’s maiden budgetary relief provisions for Valley migrants. Rajiv Chuni, chairman of the organization along with other volunteers gathered outside the Jammu Press Club to mark their strong protest against the Modi led Government. They alleged that that Finance Minister’s budgetary relief provisions for one set of migrants that too for Kashmir valley have fully exposed the unilateral pro-Kashmiri approach adopted by the Modi Government to deal with the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
Mr Chuni accused Modi of betrayal who during his first election rally at Hiranagar after paying his obeisance at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, had promised to address the PoK refugees’ issue on top priority but backed out on it and forgot very conveniently after becoming the Prime Minister. He deplored the attitude of Central Government for making Rs 500 crores budgetary provisions for Valley migrants’ return and rehabilitation without considering the far-genuine case of displaced persons from PoK who are living under sub-human conditions for the last more than 67 years.
A meeting of J&K Youth Sharnarthi Action Committee held under the leadership of its president, RC Sharma strongly condemned the budget of Union Government presented by Arun Jatiley on the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, completely ignoring the PoK refugees and their plight. Mr Sharma said that PoK refugee were hoping all on this Union Budget as it was being promised by Narendra Modi himself at Hiranagar rally for early redressal of PoK refugees plight but it is sad for the entire PoK refugees community that budget has no mention of PoK refugees. He further said that due to the support of PoK refugees both candidates of BJP have won the election but BJP ignored the PoK refugees.
Addressing gathering, Iqbal Singh said that PoK refugees were hoping a lot from this Union Budget as the BJP leaders had promised with PoK refugees. He said that youth of PoK refugees would come on roads and start protest against this huge discrimination.
Meanwhile, MJR -47 (Movement for Justice for PoK 1947) displaced persons feel highly dejected on being discriminated vis-a-vis Kashmiri migrants when Govt has announced a special package of Rs 500 crores for their settlement in Budget 2014-15.
All categories of displaced families of PoK 1947 from Muzafrabad, Poonch, Mirpur or even from Chammb in 1947,1965, 1971 who were assured of relief and rehabilitation by BJP have been totally ignored.
“This has lead to a strong feeling that BJP which always talks of Justice to all is not in any way different to previous Congress Govts which have played with refugees sentiments for the last more than six decades. No political party has ever tried to feel our pains, suffering and miseries. We have faced in tribal raids of 1947 & therefore till date. Except for false assurances and giving prominent place to refugee issue in election manifesto, none of the political parties has ever made serious efforts to solve this Issue,” they maintained.
Now the time has come that all categories of refugees should come together and show their strength in the ensuing State assembly elections and teach BJP a lesson like Congress Party. “We welcome package for Kashmiri migrants but strongly feel about the discriminatory attitude of the BJP Govt. We should now be very clear about the approach of all political parties who try to create wedge within the categories of refugees and get votes,” they added.
Jammu and Kashmir Sharnarthi Action Committee has also strongly criticized Modi led Government at the Centre for ignoring displaced persons from PoK in the budget. Gurdev Singh, president of the Committee also condemned Pradesh BJP for its failure to take up the issue of DPs from PoK with the Central leadership. He said the refugees/ DPs had pinned hopes on Modi Government but they have been feeing deceived again. He said Congress also never wanted to resolve the issue and pushed the DPs toward economic subjugation and used them as vote bank by making false promises. Moreover, NC also never supported the cause. He demanded one time settlement of the DPs by granting Rs 30 lakh per family and urged the Chief Minister and Revenue Minister to share all the details with the Union Government regarding package.
Meanwhile, Chammb Displaced Persons Association-1971 in a meeting held under the leadership of S R Nagial discussed and decided further course of action in the light of DPs having been left out in the Budget by NDA Government. He mainly led J&K Government responsible which failed to submit package to the Union Government. He pointed out that Revenue Minister and even Sham Lal PHE Minister was also apprised of the issues recently by the Association but nothing happened in this regard. He said State Government is equally responsible for it. He issued appeal to DPs to get united and field own candidates to contest elections. He said since large number of Chhamb DPs are Jats, it was unanimously decided to support Jat candidates in the coming elections.
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, July 11: In contravention of the High Court order and IRDA (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority) directive, the Postal Department is charging 10.5 percent Service Tax on the Postal Life Insurance premium thus fleecing the State Government employees, who are forced to pay more of their hard earned money.
Ironically, the Service Tax is being charged only from the Government employees in Jammu region whereas the policy subscribers in Kashmir have been exempted from such tax for the reasons best known to the Postal Department.
The Excelsior is in possession of receipts of the policy premium, which make it clear that 10.5 percent Service Tax is being charged from only Jammu employees by the Postal Department, which is discrimination with the subscribers from this region.
It may be recalled that the State Government in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 4 and 5 of Jammu Kashmir General Sales Tax Act 1962, imposed a uniform 10.5 percent Service Tax on the Insurance policies with effect from 2007, which was implemented by the Department of Post in November 2013.
The new tax regime affected around two lakh policy holders of Postal Life Insurance (PLI) in the State where only the employees of Central and State Government Departments, nationalized banks, officers and staff of the Defence services are eligible for subscribing the same.
However, the imposition of 10.5 percent Service Tax on the Postal Life Insurances was in contravention of the IRDA directive, according to which the Service Tax is charged only on the Risk Premium, which is 10 percent of gross premium, which means only 1.5 percent tax on total premium amount.
Taking this plea, some policy holders approached the High Court, which provided an interim relief to the petitioners and ordered a stay on charging of Service Tax.
However, despite getting the court direction in this regard, the Department of Post kept on charging the Service Tax from the policy holders of Jammu while the Kashmir office of J&K Circle stopped charging any tax from the policy holders in Valley.
Alleged fleecing of Jammu employees has triggered a strong resentment among the policy holders of this region who also approached the Postal Department authorities in this regard but all in vein.
When contacted, the Chief Postmaster General, J&K Circle, Chandera Prakash said that charging of Service Tax on PLI and RPLI was the decision of State Government and he was not aware of the fact that the same was being charged only in Jammu and not in Kashmir.
Provincial President NC Devender Singh Rana and others paying tributes to Madr-e-Meharban at Jammu on Friday.
JAMMU, July 11: Leading senior leaders and workers in paying tributes to Begum Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah on her 14th death anniversary, Provincial President Devender Singh Rana on Friday said the best homage to Madr-e-Meharban would be to further rejuvenate National Conference for satiating the political urges and developmental aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We value the glorious legacy of Sher-e-Kashmir and make a resolve to meet the expectations of founding fathers of National Conference by foiling the challenges posed by conspirators and anti-people forces”, Mr Rana said at a specially organised function by women workers of the party led by MLA Bimla Luthra and Provincial President Women Wing Vijay Lakshmi Dutta at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here this morning.
The Provincial President said the biggest challenge is round the corner when the state will go to polls for Legislative Assembly. “The self seeking parties, which have already initiated number game, will find themselves at the fence with National Conference registering a massive win at the strength of the mass support and excellent performance of the Government led by Omar Abdullah”, he added.
He said the political pundits too will find their calculations going haywire, as National Conference is a cadre based party having its presence in even the remotest corner of the state. “History stands testimony to the fact that NC has braved all challenges with fortitude and emerged as victorious even most turbulent phases of the history”, he declared.
Recalling the contribution of Madr-e-Meharban in upliftment of people, especially women and weaker sections of the society, Mr Rana said that her role in female literacy, empowerment of women, welfare of Gujjar, Bakerwals, SC/ST communities will be remembered for all times to come. He also referred her role in generating political awakening at a crucial time when Sher-e-Kashmir was in prison. “She kept the movement of massive alive and worked tirelessly for mitigating the sufferings of suppressed people of the State”, he added.
He asked the people to strive for a strong, united, vibrant, peaceful and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir.
While paying tributes to Madr-e-Meharban Senior State Vice President and MLA Surjeet Singh Slathia said she was an embodiment of sacrifice who shared the pain and agony of the masses.
In her homage, MLA Bimla Luthra said “Madr-e-Meharban has contributed immensely for women empowerment and promoting female literacy in Jammu and Kashmir.
Provincial President of National Conference Women Wing Vijaylaxmi Dutta described Madr-e-Meharban a towering figure of Jammu and Kashmir whose services to the people of all the three regions will remain guiding force for the party.
Earlier the senior party leaders paid floral tributes to Madr-e-Mehrban.
At Pouni, former Minister Jagjeevan Lal paid tributes to Madr-e- Meharban at a specially organized function. While National Conference workers met at Banihal to pay homage to Begum Sher-e-Kashmir. At the Block and District Headquarters of Jammu province special memorial functions were held to observe the 14th death anniversary of Madr-e-Meharban.
Minister for PHE, Sham Lal Sharma and Minister of State for Power, Vikar Rasool Wani addressing public gathering at Banihal on Friday.
Excelsior Correspondent
BANIHAL (RAMBAN), July 11: In order to overcome the drinking water problem of Banihal town the Government has sanctioned an exclusive scheme for Rs. 3.71 crore. This was revealed by the Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma while addressing a public meeting at Banihal today.
The Minister of State for Technical Education and Power, Vikar Rasool Wani was also present on the occasion.
The Minister said that Government accords top priority to PHE sector thus has focused on this sector during the past over five years. He said all out efforts have been made to strengthen and improve the PHE infrastructure in the rural and far-flung areas after assessing the ground situation.
Referring to the scarcity of water in Banihal Constituency, the Minister said the Government has sanctioned exclusive scheme to address the problem of Banihal and Rs. 60 lakh stand released to take up the project. The scheme will be completed within a period of two years, he added.
While highlighting the achievements of the Coalition Government, Mr. Sham said that an emphasis has been laid on improving the basic services for the people in all three regions of the State with special thrust on road connectivity, power, education, health and social sectors. He said Government will continue to strive for improving the facilities for which he sought people’s whole hearted support. He asked the people to cooperate with the Government for ensuring the overall development.
Mr. Vikar demanded adequate funding to complete the projects expeditiously. He also demanded upgradation of existing PHE infrastructure to improve the efficacy of schemes. He also called for initiating more PHE schemes in the uncovered areas to provide safe drinking water facilities to the people. Mr. Vikar also demanded for formulating new irrigational schemes to give impetus to agricultural activities in his constituency.
Later, the PHE Minister reviewed the status of on-going schemes in the Constituency at a meeting of engineers. He directed the engineers to speed up the pace and complete them in a time bound manner. He emphasized the need for ensuring quality of works strictly as per the design so that the schemes serve their purpose for the designated populace. He directed the engineers to conceive new schemes keeping in view the futuristic requirements of population. He directed for taping the railway tunnel water for drinking purposes.
Chief Engineer, PHE, Jammu, Sushil Aima, Chief Engineer, Irrigation & Flood Control, Jammu, H.C.Jerath, Superintending Engineer (Hydraulic), Doda-Ramban, Ashok Pradhan, Executive Engineer Ground Water, Ashok Choudhary and concerned executive engineers of PHE, I&FC attended the meeting.
Chief Engineer PHE informed that as many as 30 schemes amounting to Rs.95.89 crore are in progress in the Banihal Constituency and Rs.22.47 crore have been spent on these schemes. He assured to step up efforts to complete the schemes in a time bound manner.
