Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 17: The ITI employees have decided to stage protest and observe mass casual leave on July 19 as a part of their agitation.
In a joint meeting of the coordination committee of J&K ITI Employees United Front and ITI Association held under the chairmanship of Nazir Ahmed Moulvi, the members discussed the pending issues of the ITI employees. They also discussed the situation created due to illegal and unjustified orders regarding seniority list of various categories of employees causing resentment among them in the State.
It was also pointed out in the meeting that Front has brought matter to the notice of Director Technical Education time and again but no cognizance has been taken by the authorities. The coordination committee has decided to observe mass casual leave on July 19 and also stage protest against the casual approach of the Government. They demanded that DPC be conducted without any delay, vacant posts of be filled up and adhoc and contractual workers be regularized. It was pointed out that since 2007 no DPC was conducted and the employees were facing stagnation.
ITI employees to observe mass casual leave tomorrow
Lokpal appointment only after rules are amended: Govt
NEW DELHI, July 17:
The Government will go ahead with the appointment of chairperson and members in Lokpal once search committee rules are amended, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said today.
Giving details on the status of Lokpal in Rajya Sabha, he said a writ petition has been filed by NGO Common Cause before the Supreme Court challenging the validity of search committee rules.
During the course of hearing of the case on May 5, the court has been informed that the Government will re-examine the issue and make formal amendments in the rules and only thereafter proceed further in the matter, said Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
“Accordingly, Government has examined the matter and it has been found that a number of provisions in the said rules require to be amended. The matter can be processed further only after the amendments are carried out in the rules as per the undertaking given before the Supreme Court,” he said in a written reply.
The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act provides for the establishment of a Lokpal for the Union and Lokayuktas for the states to inquire into corruption charges against public functionaries.
President Pranab Mukherjee had given his assent to Lokpal Act on January 1, this year.
The previous Government could not go ahead with the much-touted appointment of the Lokpal due to objections raised by BJP about the selection procedure of the anti-corruption body.
As per existing rules, an eight-member search committee will draw up a panel for consideration by the selection committee led by the Prime Minister for appointment of chairperson and members of the Lokpal. (PTI)
LPEF discusses demands, elects body
Excelsior Correspondent
HANDWARA, July 17: In a largely attended rally of employees and daily wage workers of PWD division, Handwara a strong plea was made to the Government to regularize all those daily wage workers who have put in more than seven years service including those engaged after 1994 and elected new body.
All J&K Low Paid Employees Federation (LPEF) has strongly urged upon the Government to immediately release 10% DA installment from January 2014 in favour of State employees and pensioners in order to relieve them from undue miseries they have been facing due to unprecedented increase in prices of essential commodities.
Ghulam Mohd Bhat was elected chairman of Employees and Workers Union Handwara division whileas Ghulam Ahmed Sheikh, Feroz Ahmed Dar, Abdul Samad Wani and Ghulam Mohd Peer were unanimously elected president, secretary, vice president and organizer respectively. Fayaz Mir, Ghulam Ahmed Hajam, Ghulam Mohd Sheikh, Khurshid Ahmed Bhat and Farooq Ahmed Peer were elected presidents of Sub Divisions Handwara, Ramhal, Rajwar, Marwar and Langete.
Demands including enhancement of medical allowance to Rs 1000, minimum daily wage to Rs 300 was raised.
Migrant employees entitled to 75 pc withdrawals
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 17: The State Government has enhanced the ceiling of withdrawals in case of migrant employees from existing 50 percent to 75 percent in their GP Fund etc.
An order to this effect was issued by General Administrative Department (GAD). As per the order a migrant employee is entitled to withdrawal (Non refundable advance) up 75 percent of the net credit verified.
The order will be effective from July 10 this year and pending cases if any will also be dealt accordingly.
Release 50% DA of SRTC workers: INTUC
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 17: Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) J&K unit has demanded release of 50% pending DA and regularization of all the contractual employees of the State Road Transport Corporation.
In a meeting of the workers held under the chairmanship of Amrik Singh Sasan, State vice president and members strongly condemned the decision of the SRTC Board for releasing only 15% of the DA in favour of SRTC workers. They pointed out that employees of the other Government Departments are getting 90% DA while SRTC workers are being provided just 40% DA, which is great injustice. It is matter of grave concern that every body has been affected with price index but SRTC workers are being deprived of the benefit.
They urged upon the Transport Minister to address the issues of the SRTC workers. They demanded release of 50% pending DA in favour of SRTC workers, regularization of all contractual employees in SRTC, holding of DPC, enhancement of gratuity up to Rs 10 lakh, release of COLA arrears and DA with effect from 1999, extension of pensionary benefits to SRTC employees and restructuring of the infrastructure of the workshop.
Dr Kudyar, Dr Malhotra awarded prestigious British Medical honour
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 17: Eminent Endocrinologist and Director Principal, Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Sidhra Dr RP Kudyar and Pharmacologist of International repute and presently working as Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacology, ASCOMS, Sidhra Dr Pavan Malhotra have been awarded the highest British Medical Honour from Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow, UK.
Both the Jammu based doctors have been conferred the honour of Fellowship (FRCP) and Membership (MRCP) respectively of Royal College in a meeting held at Royal College in Glasgow, UK.
In an official communiqué released by Dr David J Galloway, Chair, Fellowship Committee, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow, UK stated that the certificate of award shall be presented to both the doctors during ceremonies of admission/convocation of the college to be held on November 12 at Glasgow, UK.
Bhim for release of political, PSA prisoners before Eid
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 17: Chief patron of National Panthers Party and Member of National Integration Council, Prof Bhim Singh has urged Governor for his urgent intervention for unconditional release of all political and PSA prisoners languishing in different jails of the State on the eve of Eid as a token of goodwill message to hundreds of families of the prisoners.
Singh said that there are several youngsters, students or juveniles who were imprisoned and continue to be in jails in J&K under minor offences, some of them relating to so-called stone-pelting incidents in 2010. The continued detention under PSA or otherwise of the youth and students in J&K is highly undesirable and violation of the human rights of the people.
He pleaded for the release of all prisoners in J&K who are not involved in heinous crimes like murder, so that they may start their career again.
In the rejoinder to the Chief Minister, he said that if these prisoners detained under PSA or otherwise are not released before Eid or on the Eid day, he would knock the doors of the Supreme Court of India to ensure them delivery of justice.
Improve power supply or face public: Dimple
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 17: Jammu West Assembly Movement leader Sunil Dimple has warned the State Power Development Department (PDD) to improve power supply position in parts of Jammu or get ready to face the wrath of victimized public.
Addressing protest rally of the people in New Plot area today, the Movement leader alleged that PDD has broken all the records of harassing Jammu people during these summer months. He said long unscheduled power cuts have made life of the people miserable. The power remains off without any reason for hours together and there is no one accountable in the department. Right from Line man to JE or from JE to Chief Engineer nobody picks up phone at time of need or power failure and if power goes off mid night it is not restored for even next 7-8 hours, This has become the routine practice. Worst is the condition of this department under Chief Minister and he has miserably failed to deliver.
He pointed out that worst is the condition of power supply in Old New Plot, Lakad Mandi Janipur, Durga Nagar, Subash Nagar, Shiv Nagar, Shakti Nagar, parts of Rehari and Sarwal. He alleged that department has failed to improve its old and rotten infrastructure and install high capacity transformers. Under such circumstances, the PDD has no right to collect revenue from the public. He warned the PDD to improve its supply position or get ready to face public wrath in coming days.
Civil Services 2013: 67 candidates fail to clear medical test
NEW DELHI, July 17:
As many as 67 candidates, who was announced qualified in the civil services examination 2013, have been declared unfit to join some services including Indian Police Service (IPS).
A list containing names of the candidates declared unfit by medical board of various hospitals, along with the reasons, has been put up on the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) website — www.Persmin.Nic.In, officials said.
An appeal can be made by these candidates to challenge medical board’s findings by following certain procedure, they said.
“The appeal should be preferred within 21 days from the date of this notice failing which it will be presumed that the candidate (s) is not interested in filing an appeal. Appeal received after 21 days of issue of this notice will not be considered,” said a circular issued yesterday by the DoPT.
However, the candidates are advised to file the appeal, if they so desire, as early as possible so that their re-medical examination could be held at an early date and service allocation could be completed prior to the commencement of foundation course from September 1, it said.
The appeal should be accompanied by a fee of Rs 100, the circular said.
“It is made clear that the Appellate Medical Board would conduct the medical examination only if your appeal has been received in the office within the stipulated time,” it said.
The medical examination by the Appellate Medical Board will be at the cost of candidates only. “There is to say if any amount is to be paid to the hospital in connection with your medical examination, the same shall be paid by you direct to the hospital,” the DoPT told the students.
As many as 1,122 candidates were recommended for appointment in Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and other central services on the basis of the civil services examination, 2013, results of which were declared on June 12.
The civil services examination is conducted in three stages — preliminary, mains and interview — by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). (PTI)
NSF seeks CBI probe into Jammu Central University recruitments
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 17: Stepping up attack against the administration of Central University of Jammu (CUJ) for its alleged failure to start construction work on the campus, National Secular Forum (NSF) today also demanded a CBI probe into all the recruitments made in the university.
Talking to media persons, NSF chairman for Jammu unit Ajaz Shah also criticized the working of Central University Vice-Chancellor and accused the CUJ administration of throwing all rules to the wind while absorbing their kith and kin in the university.
“The varsity has become a rehabilitation center for retired and corrupt officials who are being recruited in violation of norms, according to which the serving officials should not be above 65 years,” he said and alleged that the CUJ administration was ignoring the Jammu youth in jobs, which were being awarded to non-Jammuties thus playing with the emotions and sentiments of locals.
“The student community had presumed that CUJ would benefit them on account of providing jobs, but maximum of outsiders and retired officials are being rehabilitated by VC”, he said and appealed the people of the State to come forward and expose the corrupt persons in CUJ.
The NSF leader also appealed the HRD Minister to intervene into the matter and initiate a CBI probe, to unearth the illegal recruitment racket in CUJ.
Among those who were present in the press-conference included, Qayoom Malik, Vikram Madhyal, Narinder Singh, Rishikesh Rana, Altaf Mir, and Amit Sanotra.