Bring required amendments in SRO 64: NMC to Govt

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July 1, 2014

Excelsior Correspondent

NMC workers raising slogans during rally at Jammu on Monday. -Excelsior/Rakesh4

JAMMU, June 30: National Mazdoor Conference (NMC) has appealed to the Chief Minister to bring required amendments in SRO 64 and take decision in the next Cabinet meeting regarding regularization of all casual, need base, seasonal, contractual and adhoc employees deployed in various Government departments.
This was stated by president of NMC Subash Shastri while addressing Demands Day rally of NMC workers here today.
The aforesaid employees should be regularized before the enforcement of model code of conduct due to ensuing Assembly election in the State likely to be held in few months, he added.
“These daily rated workers are facing financial hardships due to price hike as their services have not been regularized for the last 18 to 23 years nor they are getting their salary in time”, he said, adding that about 55,000 families are involved with these daily wagers forming parts of State electorate and these voters are likely to play major role in the coming election.
He urged Chief Minister to take required steps to regularize the services of these poor daily rated workers.
Emphasizing on the need for early creations of separate heads in all concerned departments and budgetary allocations made separately so that these workers will be able to get their monthly wages regularly, he added.
Shastri also demanded release of 10 per cent DA due from January last, 4th installment of 6th Pay Commission arrears, release of all pending dues of casual and seasonal labourers working in PWD, Irrigation and PDD, enhance medical allowance to Rs 1,000 per month, enhance wages of daily wager to Rs 10, 000 per month, grant 20 per cent interim relief beside merger of 50 per cent DA into basic pay/pension, enforcement of CP Fund deduction scheme and issuance of regularization orders of 180 daily wagers of RDD.
Among others who spoke were Rajan Babu Khajuria, Sunil Kochhar, Bhupinder Singh, Barkat Ram, Surinder Kumar, Sudesh Kumar, Parmjit, Sukhdev Singh, Subash Sharma, Dalip Bhagat, Vijay Bhagat, etc.

Kichloo for innovative measures to make HDC profitable, sustainable

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Daily Excelsior

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July 1, 2014

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 30: Minister of State for Industries and Commerce, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo today said that various innovative measures have been initiated to revive the handloom industry of the State on modern lines.
The Minister was addressing 61st Board of Directors Meeting of J&K Handloom Development Corporation, here today.
Financial Commissioner, I&C, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Principal Secretary, Planning and Development B.R.Sharma, Principal Secretary Finance, B.B.Vyas were present on the occasion besides various senior officers of various departments.
The Board approved 6th Pay Commission benefits in favour of Corporation employees with effect from July 1, 2014, besides, agreed in principle to the demand of enhancement in retirement age from 58 to 60 years.
The Board took various decisions to make Corporation more lively and profitable and approved Additional Plan Assistance of Rs 1 crore for manufacturing 25000 Kashmiri embroidery Pherans, to be marketed in Delhi during ensuing Winter Season. The Board also approved Rs. 25 lakh for renovation of showroom at Janpath Delhi.
Earlier, Managing Director, Handloom Development Corporation, Anal Kumar Gupta gave a detailed presentation about the achievements of the Corporation.
The Board was informed that the Corporation has made significant improvement during last five years and manufactured 3.22 lakh metre woollen and cotton cloth of different kinds, worth Rs.14.10 crore during 2013-14. While there is a target of producing 4 lakh metre of tweed and other cotton cloth, costing Rs.18 crore during current financial year.
The meeting was also informed that the Corporation has developed liaison with some reputed Multinational Companies to further improve the export sale of the Corporation products to enrich its resource generation. The Corporation has also augmented its production and sale channels to give boost to its achievements.
It was informed in the meeting that the Corporation has been providing employment opportunities to over 1200 weavers and artisans in far flung areas of the state.
While reviewing the Action Taken Report of previous meeting, the Board was informed that the construction/ renovation of Handloom Silk Factory Showroom at Solina Srinagar has been successfully accomplished.
Various other issues were also discussed which include compassionate appointment cases, amendment in payment of gratuity and requirement of need based managerial staff.

Aircel launches ‘Design your own plan’

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Daily Excelsior

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July 1, 2014

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 30: Aircel, one of the leading mobile service providers in India, today pioneered a unique concept of ‘Design your own plan’, Online Service, which gives customers the flexibility to create a plan of their choice.
This service is available for both prepaid and postpaid customers and offers freedom to customize plans basis the requirement thereby leading to customer delight.
To ‘Design your own plan’, customers will need to log on to www.aircel.com, and make choices, as per their need, across calling, texting and surfing in the Plan Designer tool.
Post the choices have been entered across, a relevant plan is shared for the customers to choose and confirm. Customers also have the freedom to re-design the plan or add extra packs basis their need.
Anupam Vasudev, Chief Marketing Officer, Aircel, said, “we introduced an Industry First initiative ‘Design Your Own Plan” which helps customers to now design, tweak and choose their very own prepaid plan. Now there is a plan for everyone, whether it’s a customer who loves to talk, or is a high SMS user, a social networking addict or even a traveler there’s a plan which can be customized to suit the need. It will not only enable them with flexibility but also the freedom and convenience to manage their plans”.
The service is available for both Aircel and Non Aircel customers. New customers can activate these plans, by simply filling and submitting the Aircel Customer Enrollment Form at the nearest Aircel store. Existing customers have the freedom of recharging value packs online or choose any new plan by using the design tool.

ReT Forum for early release of pending salary of SSA teachers

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Daily Excelsior

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July 1, 2014

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 30: ReT Teachers Forum today stressed the Government to release immediately the pending salary of SSA teachers.
Addressing the general body meeting of ReT Teachers Forum president of the Forum for Jammu Zone, Joginder Kumar Digra, demanded early release of pending salary of SSA Teachers.
It is unfortunate that regularized ReT teachers are without salary for last four to five months, he said and appealed Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, who also holds education portfolio, to personally look into the matter so that the ReT teachers may not suffer in future.

A welcome circular

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Daily Excelsior

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July 1, 2014

Sir,
It is appreciated that the State Government has finally amended the order for job identification of persons with disabilities.
The best point in the job identification order is that all posts filled through J&K Combined Services Competitive examination are now open and identified for all types of disabilities including both arm, both leg, blind, deaf and mute, one leg, one arm, and low vision. Earlier, blind persons and both leg disabled were not given jobs of teacher and Assistant Professor but now the circular has made it possible. The partially deaf persons were having engineering degrees but the post of Junior Engineer was not identified for them. Now the posts of JE Civil, Mechanical and Electrical are identified for partially deaf persons. The post of Patwari in Revenue Department was not identified for any kind of disability but now the post is identified for hearing impaired, one arm disabled, low vision and one leg disabled people.
Now we expect implementation of the order in letter and spirit by the recruiting agencies like SSRB, PSC and all district recruitment cells. All persons -with disabilities are required to take full advantage from the new Government Order No.147SW of 2014, dated 17-06-2014 by applying for proper post identified for them, as per their type of disability. The parents of persons with disabilities are requested to go through the job identification order before deciding the career of their disabled children. The youth with disabilities should opt for those degrees only which can fetch the job under the order. Otherwise the degrees acquired for seeking some particular job not identified under this Government order discouraged them. For example persons with hearing and speech should avoid B.Ed degree because post of teacher is not identified for them.
In addition, the circular has provision for creating disabled friendly environment in all Government offices, public places, educational institutions and hospital. Such initiatives and announcements are changes at policy level that were the demands of persons with disabilities for long – long years.
Yours etc……
Javed Ahmad Tak,
Social Activist
Honorary Chairman
Bijbehara

Potato climbs 4 per cent; hits upper circuit in futures trade

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Daily Excelsior

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July 1, 2014

NEW DELHI, June 30: Potato prices climbed 4 per cent to hit an upper circuit at Rs 1,300 per quintal on restricted arrivals from growing regions despite the government slapping a minimum export price (MEP) of USD 450 per tonne on the commodity to increase domestic availability and cool prices.

At the Multi Commodity Exchange, potato for delivery in August gained Rs 50, or 4 per cent to hit an upper circuit at Rs 1,300 per quintal in a business turnover of 5 lots.

Potato for delivery in July also traded up by Rs 25, or 1.98 per cent, to Rs 1,290 per quintal in four lots.

Analysts said the rise in potato prices was mostly supported by positions built-up by speculators following tight supplies despite the government imposing curbs to check persistent rise in the prices and improve availability in the markets.

The government last week slapped a minimum export price (MEP) of USD 450 per tonne on potatoes to increase domestic availability and cool prices.

Also, commodity markets regulator FMC curbed futures trading in potato contracts for July, August and September, disallowing fresh positions and hiking deposit amount on buyers. (PTI)

Lorde worries about longevity of her career

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Daily Excelsior

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July 1, 2014

LONDON, June 30: Singer Lorde worries she may not have a career by the time she reaches 25.

The 17-year-old singer said she isn’t sure people will care about her music when she grows up, reported Contactmusic.

“Since I started making music, a lot was made of how old I was and it made me think about, what happens when I’m 25? Will people still like what I’m doing? Will it still be important if I’m not this hyper-youthful being?

“It’s stupid, I know I’m being silly, but I can’t help it. It’s just one of those things. I’ll get over it,” she said.

The ‘Team’ hitmaker said that she was conscious of the pressures to look perfect in the music industry.

“I am a young person and I know how it feels to have those pressures of not looking a certain way. A lot of people have misconceptions about this industry and how you’re supposed to look. I don’t think I should have to look perfect all the time.

“I definitely think about the imprint I’m leaving on people my age – particularly girls. I’m sensitive to how women are portrayed because sometimes it kind of sucks.” (PTI)

Miley Cyrus takes shower with new dog

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Daily Excelsior

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July 1, 2014

LONDON, June 30: Pop star Miley Cyrus has posted a picture of bathing with her new dog on Instagram.

The 21-year-old singer took to the photo-sharing site to introduce the new addition, Emu, to her fans, reported Daily Mirror.

“Time to start making Emu accounts smilers. Hes here and here to stay I welcomed Emu Coyne Cyrus into the family a couple days ago. Been keeping him a secret cause sometimes I’m weird like that.

Cyrus said no pet can replace her last dog Floyd, who died three months ago

“It’s taken some time to be ready for this next step and loving again. There will never be anyone like Floyd. There was a bond that was so deep it’s irreplaceable but that’s not what I am trying to do.

“Never will I replace Floyd and that’s something I had to take time to understand. We had a very special memorial service for Floyd and I felt my angel Floydy give Emu his blessing. I prayed to Floyd to just give him a touch of his awesomeness and he has,” she added. (PTI)

Lamar Odom jealous of Khloe Kardashian’s new romance

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Daily Excelsior

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July 1, 2014

LONDON, June 30: Basketball player Lamar Odom is reportedly jealous of former wife Khloe Kardashian’s new relationship with the rapper French Montana.

Kardashian, 30, filed for divorce from Odom, 34, in December after four years of marriage, reported Contactmusic.

Kardaishan recently spent her 30th birthday with Montana and her family on a luxury yacht in New York.

“While Odom wants nothing but for Khloe to be happy, he’s jealous he wasn’t there with her. He hates the fact that she’s with another man,” a source said. (PTI)

Pakistani education advocate wins Liberty Medal

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Daily Excelsior

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July 1, 2014

PHILADEPHIA, June 30: A Pakistani girl who survived being shot by the Taliban because she advocated education for girls has won the Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Centre in Philadelphia.

Malala Yousafzai was just 15 when she was shot in the head while returning from school in Mingora, Pakistan, in October 2012. She had angered the fundamentalist Muslim group by writing about life under the Taliban for the BBC, and arguing that girls should be allowed to pursue an education.

“It’s an honour to be awarded the Liberty Medal,” Yousafzai, now 17, said yesterday. “I accept this award on behalf of all the children around the world who are struggling to get an education.”

The medal has been awarded annually since 1989, when Polish Solidarity founder Lech Walesa received it first. Since then, recipients have included Muhammad Ali, former President Jimmy Carter, and, last year, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Yousafzai will receive the award at a ceremony at the centre on October 21.

After surviving the attack, Yousafzai continued to be an outspoken advocate on education, prompting Gordon Brown, the United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education, to petition the agency to recommit to a goal of universal primary education for children around the world.

The petition gained more than 3 million signatures and helped lead Pakistan to pass a Right to Education bill, a first in that country.

“Malala’s courageous fight for equality and liberty from tyranny is evidence that a passionate, committed leader, regardless of age, has the power to ignite a movement for reform,” said Florida Gov Jeb Bush, the chairman of the National Constitution Centre.

“Every day, around the world, individuals like Ms Yousafzai are being threatened for asserting the same fundamental rights of speech and religious conscience that are inherent in all people,” said Jeffrey Rosen, the centre’s president and chief executive officer.

“Yet she is undeterred in her quest. She is an inspiring voice for liberty across the globe.” (AGENCIES)