Excelsior Correspondent
MENDHAR, July 14: Traders of main bazaar, under the banner of Beopar Mandal, Mendhar held strong protest demonstration against the R&B and Panchayats department as rain water flooded into many shops causing damage to their property last night.
Reports said there was heavy rain in the area last night. Due to chocking of drains and poor maintenance of road and lanes, the rain water entered about fifty odd shops. With this the goods of the shopkeepers worth lakhs were destroyed. Today morning, many traders came out on the road at assembled at main chowk, Mendhar and started protest demonstration against the PWD authorities and the local Panchayat officials as they have failed to perform their duty and keep road, lanes and drains clear before the onset of rainy season. They held protest for over two hours and raised slogans against both the departments. They alleged that it happens every year now and the concerned officials do not bother about the plight of the local traders.
Later, they moved to the office of SDM Dr Romesh Kumar. Tehsildar also reached there. The SDM directed R&B and Panchayat officials to clear all the lanes and drains and also ensured necessary maintenance work within couple of days. On the assurance of SDM, the agitating people then suspended their agitation.
Traders stage protest as rain water enters shops
2 die, 7 injured in road accidents
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 14: Two persons have died while seven others were injured in different road traffic accidents across the valley.
A police spokesman said a Tipper 1253/01B hit a scooter at Naraspora bridge in Budgam, resulting in on spot death of the scooterist 22-year-old, Umer Rashid Kumar son of Abdul Rashid of Ompora, Budgam.
A platform truck JK01/8836 turned turtle at Wagabal, Thimbran, in Achabal, Anantnag, resulting in injuries to the driver. He was shifted to PHC Chittergul where he succumbed to his injuries.
In another accident, seven persons were injured when a Tata Sumo JK096/1145, they were travelling in turned turtle near JK Cement Factory Khrew, in Pampore. All the injured were shifted to hospital for treatment.
The spokesman said police has registered cases in these accidents.
JKBWA demands reservation in private educational institutions
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 14: The Jammu and Kashmir Batwal Welfare Association (JKBWA) has demanded reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) in all the aided, unaided and private professional institutions of the State.
At a meeting held here today, citing the Apex Court decision the Association members urged the Government to direct all the aided, unaided and private professional institutions operating in the State to provide reservation to the SCs in MBBS, BDS and Engineering courses of their management quota.
The Association members also sought implementation of reservation policy in Rehbr-e-Taleem, Rehbr-e-Sehat and Rehbr-e-Zerat.
Addressing the meeting, the general secretary of the Association, RL Kaith urged the Government to enhance the reservation quota of SCs according to their population percentage, which is 9% of the total population.
He further urged the Directorate of Social Welfare to collect data from all the Government departments and offices, and ensure that reservation is implemented therein, in toto.
Efforts afoot for restructuring G&M Deptt to enhance revenue resource base: Kichloo
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 14: Minister of State for Industries and Commerce Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo directed for restructuring/reorganizing of Geology and Mining Department to make it a strong revenue resource for the State. He also directed for increasing the target of Rs. 60 crore revenue generations to Rs. 100 crore for current fiscal.
The Minister said this while chairing a high level meeting to review the functioning of Geology and Mining Department here today.
Financial Commissioner Industries and Commerce, Khurshid Ahmed Ganai was also present in the meeting.
Mr. Kichloo directed for immediate reshuffle of the functionaries of the department and stressed for adopting transfer policy of General Administration Department to bring transparency in the department.
The Minister stressed for extraction of more minerals and also directed for exploration of new sites for mineral extraction.
The Minister stressed upon the officers of the department to gear up men and machinery and ensure better royalty realization.
Financial Commissioner, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai enjoined upon the officers to come up with proposals based on ground reality for reorganisation of the department. He also directed for strengthening the Research and Development (R&D) wing of the Department
Earlier, Director Geology and Mining, Farooq Ahmed Khan gave a detailed presentation of the achievements of the department and informed the meeting that during last financial year Rs. 217 lakh have been spent on purchase of drilling material and maintenance of machinery equipment besides survey and research.
The meeting was also informed that as many as 59 leases for different minerals including limestone, gypsum, sapphire and magnetite and China-clay have been granted including 46 in Kashmir and 13 in Jammu division.
Among others Special Secretary I&C, Dilshada Khan, Additional Secretary I&C, Ali Afsar Khan and other senior officers of Geology and Mining department were present on the occasion.
ESRM stages Hindi play ‘Buss Tum Saath Chalo’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 14: ESRM in collaboration with Bhartiya Lok Sangeet Kala Sansthan (BLSKS) today staged Vijay Malla’s Hindi play “Buss Tum Saath Chalo” here at the premises of BLSKS in Janipur.
“Buss Tum Saath Chalo” is a progressive play, which shows that we must proceed on the path of progress with collective goal for ourselves, society and for nation.
Vijay Malla also used some Urdu couplets like ‘Muthmaeen hoo key Gumey Zeeset Ka Charra Kur Lo Chhahey Jiss Dour Sey be Guzaro Guzara Kurlo’ in the play.
The play educates that a disciplined society not an individual can do miracle. Only collective execution of work can do good for the society. So it is clear that whatever reform in the society is needed should be pursued collectively not by one individual. Together only we can dream a decent society without any evils.
Through the medium of play, the actors appealed to all members of society that they should work together crossing the barriers of cast, colour and creed. If they maintain brotherhood, love and affection for each other, only then we can achieve our goals.
KL Verma was the chief guest on the occasion while Rajkumar Dogra, International meditation and spiritual therapy Guru was the guest of honour.
Those who acted in the play were KK Joshi, Hem Raj, Nazuk, Ripu Daman Parihar, Rakesh Katoch, Bhanu Partap Singh, Anuroop Pathania, Laksh Bali, Harsh Vardan Abrol and Vijay Malla.
The play was written and directed by Vijay Malla and assisted by Anuroop Pathania.
Female dental surgeons continue chain hunger strike
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 14: The female dental surgeons continued their chain hunger strike for the second consecutive day under the banner of Dental Surgeons Associations at Ambphalla Chowk. However, the dharna by the association today entered 14th consecutive day.
Raising slogans, the unemployed dental surgeons were demanding their jobs and a separate Directorate for dental health.
The dental surgeons also took out a peaceful march from Amphalla Chowk. They raised slogans and also burnt their aprons to express their anguish.
Addressing the gathering, Chairman of the association Dr Pawan Singh Jasrotia said that Government has failed in proper policy making and implementing the same in stipulated time period as there is no proper provision of dental health care policy in State run schemes and NRHM.
He added that the oral health index of J&K is very poor and no proper attention has been given to address the rising demands of oral health. He further said that Government is responsible for this, as there is no proper vision and road map to solve the issue of oral health.
He further added that this can only be solved by setting up a separate Directorate for Dentistry in J&K.
Dr Jasrotia demanded complete absorption of unemployed dental youth, recruitment of dental surgeons on every year basis and establishment of Directorate for dental health in the State.
He added that chain hunger strike by female dental surgeons’ vis-à-vis agitation initiated by the association will continue till their demands are fulfilled by the Government.
Mir for closer involvement of NABARD to achieve rural economic growth
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 14: Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir today underscored the need for closer involvement of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to emerge as the prime mover of economic growth and development in rural areas.
“It is being increasingly felt that there is urgency for the NABARD to rediscover and intensify its role as the prime mover of economic growth and development for speedy welfare of the farming community at ground level. For this, the NABARD will have to get more closely involved with the Agriculture and allied Departments of the State Government”, the Minister said while speaking at 33rd Foundation Day celebration of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) here today.
Elaborating on the role of NABARD, Mir said the organization has been created for providing undivided attention, forceful direction and pointed focus to the credit problems arising out of integrated rural development and now the Institution will have to get more closely involved in agriculture and allied sectors.
He said that State Agriculture and Allied Departments have been consistently motivating, mobilizing and incentivizing the farmers and farm women for adoption of improved methods and processes of agricultural production, protection, post harvest technology and marketing in diverse fields since long. This has, no doubt resulted in emergence of a new crop of progressive farmers, private entrepreneurs, Farmers’ Interest Groups, Farmers’ Producers Organizations, etc. who are now tending to grow as an extended arm of the R&D institutions of the State as well as work as agriculture extension functionaries at the grass root level amongst the fellow farmers.
The Minister, while elaborating further, said that the incentives available under many of the State and Central Schemes for farmers and Development Departments are not enough to fulfil the requirements in time and for this the NABARD has a role.
Seeing much bigger role of NABARD, the Minister said that the State has great expectations from the Institution for promoting sustainable and equitable agriculture and rural prosperity through effective credit support, related services, institution development and other innovative initiatives.
Shankar A. Pande, Chief General Manager, NABARD, J&K, Regional Office in his welcome address highlighted the various activities undertaken by NABARD in the state. He stated that in addition to providing refinance to banks and supervision of RRBs and Co-operative Banks, NABARD was undertaking other functions such as credit planning, financing and monitoring of rural infrastructure under RIDF, watershed development, microfinance, financial inclusion, implementation of government sponsored schemes, etc.
K. K. Saraf, Regional Director, Reserve Bank of India, in his key note address lauded the role played by NABARD under micro finance, financial inclusion and covering of farmers under Kisan Credit Card scheme. The role played by NABARD for inclusive growth through watershed, financial inclusion, SHG-Bank linkage, village development, credit planning and other related activities was highly appreciable. The function was attended by senior officials from State Government, SBI, PNB, JKGB, EDB, Coop. Banks, other bankers and all the staff members of NABARD, Jammu.
Ranbir Singh, General Manager, NABARD, J&K, Regional Office offered vote of thanks to the participants.
Sharma tours Bani villages
Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, July 14: Rajneesh Sharma (Mian), senior Congress leader under took a hectic tour of Bani Constituency and visited far frlong and backward areas of the Constituency, such as Baljedi of Bari Pyt. Pnatlla, Dhoula, Pyt. Kotti,Pyt. ,Dhaman Pyt., Dalangal Pyt., Dougan Pyt., Sarthal and Bani proper.
During his visit the people of the said areas organised massive public meetings and other programmes. People of the area including Sarpanch Panchs and the Congress workers meet him. At village Dhoula, he also participated in a cricket tournament in which 29 teams of the surrounding areas participated and gave away the trophies to the Winner and runnerup teams. He also awarded Rs 5100/- to the organizers of the tournament.
At village Pnatlla, he also participated in ” chinj and cultural programme” as chief guest, the local inhabitants had organized these events. He awarded Rs 5100/- to cultural committee and Rs 2100/- to Chinj Committee.
Several drugs found inferior
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 14: The enforcement staff of Drug & Food Control Organization has booked manufacturers and dealers manufacturing and supplying several drugs which are found to be of inferior quality by the analysts authorized in this behalf.
These drugs include Pentac -20 capsules (Batch No. PLPT-08125) manufactured by M/s Technica labs & Pharma Pvt. Ltd. Plot No 100 Sec.7, IIE Haridwar U.K and Others, Sifspas tablets(Batch No. 6J-197) manufactured by M/s Mkbro Health Care Pvt. Ltd. 83-Mulanpur Road Ludhiana, and others and Antacid Liquid 170ml(Batch No. 133) manufactured by M/s Adorit Pharma Pvt. Ltd. 48, Garoba Maidan, Nagpur.
The Controller Drugs Dr. Baldev R. Sharma has impressed upon the stake holders viz, Manufacturers/ Distributors/ Retailers/ Regulators/ Consumers to extend their committed support to the department for ensuring availability of standard quality drugs to the masses. He has warned that any person indulging in unethical trade will be dealt sternly as per spirit of law in vogue.
India stun continental giants China in Asian basketball
Mumbai, July 14:
India, ranked 11th in the continent and 61st in the world, stunned favourites China 65-58 in a Group A game of the 5th FIBA Asia Cup basketball championship for a historic first-ever triumph over the world’s 12th-ranked nation at Wuhan.
Pratham Singh and Amjyot Singh yesterday accounted for 13 points apiece, while pivotal player Vishesh Bhriguvanshi notched up 10 points as India led the continental giants by 15 points after the second quarter, according to FIBA Asia website.
In head-to-head record, 15-time winners of the Asian Basketball Championship, China had won all their seven previous meetings in the FIBA ABC between the two rivals, by at least 30 points on each occasion, but this was the first time the two teams met in the FIBA Asia Cup.
It was India’s first win in two games in the five-team group also comprising Asia no. 2 Iran, no. 7 Japan and no. 14 Indonesia.
Coach Scott Fleming said it was a surprise to him why this, a victory over China, had not happened earlier.
“In fact, I’m more surprised that this was the first win for India against China. Because we have a lot of potential and this should have happened much earlier,” Flemming told FIBA Asia website.
“For me personally, this win was another game in this competition. We have lot more games to go. But for these guys (the players) it’s a great result for all the hard work they have put all these years,” the American said. (PTI)