Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 13: In continuation of the roster issued by NC Working President Omar Abdullah asking Ministers to attend NC Headquarters in Srinagar to meet public and party workers to register and resolve their grievances, Minister for CAPD and Transport Chowdhary Mohammad met dozens of public delegations at the NC Head Office at Nawa-e-Subah Complex in Srinagar today.
Also present during the interaction with party workers and public delegations were NC Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani, Senior Vice Provincial President Mohammad Sayed Akhoon and Provincial Secretary Advocate Showkat Ahmed Mir.
Stating that the response of the public could be gauged by the enthusiasm with which they were thronging the NC office, NC spokesman said that National Conference Ministers had made themselves available to the public with greater frequency per the instructions of the NC Working President Omar Abdullah.
“Instead of the earlier arrangement where Senior Ministers would attend the Party Office once a week by rotation, now as per the roster issued by the Chief Minister NC Ministers would be present at NC Headquarters thrice a week by rotation to interact with the public, register their issues and take on-spot action for redress”, the spokesman said.
He said that the Minister for CAPD and Transport, Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan interacted with dozens of delegations and heard their issues and took on-spot cognizance for immediate action.
Ch Ramzan takes stock of public grievances
SC refuses immediate hearing to Ansal’s plea
NEW DELHI, June 13:
The Supreme Court today refused to give immediate hearing to a plea of real estate baron Gopal Ansal, convicted in the Uphaar fire tragedy convict, seeking its nod to visit London and New York on a business trip.
A bench comprising justices J S Khehar and C Nagappan declined to hear Ansal’s plea and asked him to mention the matter next week before another vacation bench.
A plea has been moved by Ansal in the court seeking its nod to travel to London from June 16-20 and to New York on June 20-27 and back to India on June 28-29.
An application on behalf of Gopal Ansal was mentioned before the bench on the day of the 17th anniversary of the tragedy.
Ansal brothers — Sushil and Gopal — who have been convicted in the June 13, 1997 Uphaar fire tragedy which claimed 59 lives during the screening of the Hindi blockbuster ‘Border’ have been restrained by the apex court on April 22 from leaving the country without its permission.
The plea moved by Ansal said that he needs to travel to London to meet financers, investors, architects and to discuss investment proposals for 45 acres of land belonging to M/s Ansal Buildwell Ltd and associate companies in Kumrakom, Kerala.
For his New York visit from London, Ansal in his plea said that he needs to explore real estate development possibilities in and around the American city.
Ansal said that after his return to India on June 28/29, he will be informing the court forthwith.
On March 26, the apex court had expressed serious displeasure over Sushil Ansal leaving the country without its prior permission.
The Association of Victims of Uphaar Fire Tragedy (AVUT) had approached the Supreme Court against Ansals’ travelling abroad without the court’s permission.
The Association had contended that since Ansals’ have been convicted by the apex court, they cannot leave the country without the permission of the top court.
Further, it had sought imposition of suitable conditions on the bail enjoyed by Ansals’ as no conditions were stipulated, when they were granted bail on January 30, 2009.
“We appeal to the Government of India to bring in a new legislation to deal with man-made disasters pending for past 5 years,” AVUT said.
The apex court had on March 5, held Ansals guilty in the 1997 Uphaar Cinema fire tragedy, saying they were more interested about making money than ensuring safety of the cinegoers.
The court had upheld the conviction of Sushil and Gopal Ansal for the tragedy that claimed the lives of 59 people.
Justices T S Thakur and Gyan Sudha Misra, however, had disagreed over the quantum of punishment to be given to them and the issue has been referred to a three-judge bench to pronounce a final verdict on it.
While Justice Thakur had retained one-year jail term of Sushil and Gopal Ansal as imposed by the Delhi High Court, Justice Misra reduced the jail term to already undergone by Sushil considering his age but enhanced the sentence of Gopal to two years.
Justice Misra had also imposed a fine of Rs 100 crore on the Ansal brothers to be used for construction of a trauma centre and super-speciality hospital.
The bench, however, was concurrent in its finding that there was contemptuous disregard of civic laws on the part of Ansals that led to the tragedy as they were more interested in making money than ensuring safety of people.
The bench had passed the order on cross appeals filed by CBI, AVUT and Ansals’ challenging the Delhi High Court order.
AVUT, which observed the 17th anniversary of the incident, today issued a statement and said members of the Association hope that the larger bench would consider the enormity of the tragedy before deciding on the quantum of sentence.
“It is very evident from the findings of the Supreme Court that 59 invaluable lives were snuffed out due to wanton disregard of the statutes with the intention of making extra money rather than ensuring the safety of patrons.
“We also hope that the decision on the quantum of punishment is such that it would send a strong message to the occupiers and owners of public spaces that they cannot endanger human lives to fill their coffers,” the statement said. (PTI)
Tributes paid to Chuni Lal Sharma
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 13: Rich tributes were paid to veteran Congress leader Chuni Lal Sharma, former Deputy Chairman Legislative Council in a meeting held today at PCC headquarters here, to commemorate his 21st death anniversary.
Senior Congress leaders Thakur Hari Singh, S. R. Sudhir, K. L. Gupta, B. B. Gupta, K. L. Abrol, Ch. Sukh Dev, Mian Nazir Ahmed, Dr. R. K. Khajuria, V. K. Sethi, P. S. Chouhan, Pt. Keshavnand, J. L. Kaul, S. Parveen Singh, Sushil Sharma, Vijay Sharma, Manjit Singh Jatt and family members of the departed leader were the prominent who paid tributes.
The leaders while paying tributes to Late Sharma described him as a symbol of simplicity, honesty, humbleness and dedicated Congress leader who in his whole life worked for strengthening the party. Sharma fought communal forces to upheld the banner of secularism and socialism, the leaders added. They said he (Sharma) was a committed Congressman and worked with devotion to help the poor, downtrodden and neglected sections of the society.
All the speakers stressed for unity in the party and said that the best tributes to Chuni Lal Sharma would be to work dedicatedly for strengthening the party.
SASB organizes Pratham Pooja at Chandanwari
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 13: R. K. Gupta, Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board, performed Pratham Pooja today on the auspicious occasion of Jyesht Purnima at Chandanwari on the traditional Pahalgam-Holy Cave track, amidst chanting of Vedic Mantras.
He invoked the blessings of Shri Amarnathji for the smooth conduct of the ensuing Yatra to the Holy Cave Shrine. Since 2011, the Shrine Board has been conducting Pratham Pooja on the auspicious occasion of Jyesht Purnima every year to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva for the peaceful conduct of the annual Yatra.
The CEO was accompanied by Preet Pal Singh, Additional Chief Executive Officer, R.K. Pandita GM (Works), Shrine Board Yatra Camp Directors, and Members of Baba Amarnath and Budha Amarnath Yatri Niyas Karan Singh Charak, General Secretary, Sudershan Khajuria, Joint General Secretary, Shakti Dutt Sharma and Deepak Sharma.
The CEO also reviewed the status of the on-going works at the Access Control Gate, Chandanwari, and directed the concerned officials of R & B Department to expedite construction of Shelter Sheds and repair of other damaged infrastructure.
Taking into account the significant delay and disruption of work caused by unprecedented snowfall during the preceding winter, the CEO ordered deployment of additional manpower, on double shift basis, for clearance of snow on the tracks and putting in place other Yatra related arrangements at all the Yatra Camps on this route, before 28th June, the date on which the annual Yatra is scheduled to commence.
The CEO has asked the engineers and other staff of the Board, Government Departments and all the concerned agencies to work on war footing basis.
Large accumulation of snow on the tracks and at the various Camp locations and inclement weather up to mid-May has seriously hampered the progress of restoration of tracks, without which it is not possible to make the required Yatra related arrangements at the farther Yatra Camps, i.e., at Panjtarni, Sheshnag and Holy Cave.
With the deployment of additional manpower, it is hoped that the required arrangements will be timely in place, if the weather remains fair.
Summer Camp concludes
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 13: KIDZEE, a pre school chain of Zee Learn Ltd concluded the innovative Summer Camp 2014 at its branches namely Talab Tillo, Gandhi Nagar and Channi Himmat.
The camp was a part of the plan of KIDZEE to augment togetherness and nurture the best in each and every child with indoctrine of conscientious concern.
Little toddlers from other schools also participated in this funfilled and scintillating camp.
Some of the main elements of the camp were Music, Dance, Karate, Aerobics, Art and Craft and Splash Pool activities.
The children experienced great joy and motivation in learning new dance styles, music, karate, creative art work and few aerobics steps to stay fit and healthy.
On the final day of the camp, all the participants were awarded participation certificates by the Managing Director.
He said such camps deveop the kinaesthetic skill like special intelligence, logistic inteligence and intra structural potentialities in the growing kids.
CPPWU expresses anguish over new recruitment procedure
Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR, June 13: Chinar Power Projects Workers’ Union (CPPWU), Kishtwar, has expressed anguish over the new recruitment procedure adopted by the district administration for GVK 850MW Rattle HE Project, Drabshalla.
In a meeting of the Union held here today under the chairmanship of Joginder Bhandari, the office bearers of the Union expressed strong resentment over the decision taken in a meeting held at DC Office Complex Kishtwar in connection with the recruitment procedure, which has been widely condemned by unemployed youths of district.
The meeting demanded revoking of Minutes of Meeting issued by DC Kishtwar vide No DC/ K/LA/97-102/14 dated June 11, 2014 in which it was decided that the employment in the project will be made through a proper procedure including finalizing the demand for recruitment of both skilled/unskilled GVK, followed by furnishing the same to DC/Commissioner RR and then screening for granting employment in the project by a committee of officers of GVK/Deputy Director Employment/ Assistant Labour Commissioner.
Terming the new recruitment procedure an absurd mythology, where apprehension of any malpractice could not be ruled out, the meeting demanded revocation of orders issued by the district administration regarding new recruitment procedure.
Brazil recover from own goal shock, beat Croatia in WC opener
Sao Paulo, June 13: Five-time champions Brazil brushed aside the embarrassment of opening the football World Cup with an own goal to defeat a resolute Croatia 3-1 and set the ball rolling in the biggest sporting spectacle on earth here.
Considered the spiritual home of soccer, Brazil shrugged off anti-tournament protests and doubts of under-prepared infrastructure to start the carnival with a sparkling opening ceremony, which was, however, not without minor glitches.
The nearly 40-minute long routine had pop stars Pit Bull and Jennifer Lopez belting out the official song for the tournament — ‘We are one’. The ceremony sought to celebrate the cultural and natural heritage of Brazil before the beautiful game took centrestage.
As expected, Brazil opened the scoring but much to the horror of the packed stadium, it ended up being a goal for Croatia when Marcelo passed the ball, which had deflected off Nikica Jelavic’s feet, into his own net.
But wonder boy Neymar expectedly emerged as the hero as he rose to the occasion by scoring an equaliser before converting a highly controversial penalty to send the 60,000 plus gathering into an ecstatic frenzy at the Corinthians arena.
The 22-year old, playing his first World Cup game, was under tremendous pressure and scrutiny for his prodigious talent and the star Barcelona striker did exactly what was expected of him.
To put the icing on the cake, Oscar, whose selection was debated, toed the ball from a distance into the goal post in dying moments to complete the win.
Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura though was dubbed as villain for his dubious decision to award penalty, leaving Croatian team and their fans heartbroken. Fred had backed into Croatian defender Dejan Lovren and fell over, an act which Nishimura punished.
“If anybody saw that was a penalty, let them raise their hand. I cannot raise my hand. I didn’t see it,” Croatian coach Niko Kovac fumed.
“If you continue in this vein then there will be 100 penalties during this World Cup.”
But in one of the most exciting opening games in a World Cup, witnessed by 12 heads of states, Brazil made a prefect start in their quest to lift the Cup for a record sixth time.
The victory triggered celebration across Sao Paulo when hours before the opening ceremony, police had to fire tear gas and rubber bullets to defuse a fresh protest near a subway station.
The vibrant opening ceremony encapsulated the colour, culture and nature of Brazil, hosting the big football party first time since 1950.
Thousands of football lovers from across the world thronged the Corinthians Arena and watched the spectacle unfold with invigorating enthusiasm. However, a few stands were still empty when the 30-minute ceremony began.
A giant LED ball, placed at the centre of the stadium, displayed the welcome message in different languages, and hundreds of artists started to trickle in.
Dressed as trees, plants and flowers, the artists represented the nature of the country with background music, which had no drum tunes as yet.
Then on show was the diversity of the Brazilian people, their dance and martial arts, developed by the slaves in the 16th century for self defence.
It was followed by what Brazil is synonymous with, game of football. Several people with football as headgear came in and kids dressed as referees came to the pitch and depicted conduct of a match.
Immediately after this, the Brazilian flag was paraded onto the pitch. The giant ball opened and took the form of a flower. Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte surfaced from it along with Lopez and Pit Bull.(PTI)
NSF seeks CBI probe into appointments in CUJ
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 13: Expressing dissatisfaction over the functioning of the Central University Jammu, the National Secular Forum has demanded a CBI probe into irregularities committed for absorbing some favourites in the varsity.
Talking to media persons, Ajaz Shah, chairman NSF Jammu unit, alleged that there was no accountability in the Central University Jammu where the authorities were busy to absorb their kith and kin by hook or crook.
“The varsity has become a rehabilitation center for retired and corrupt officials while the administration has violated the norms by recruiting the retired teachers and other staff members,” he alleged and explained that as per the Central University statutes, the serving officials should not be above 65 years but the administration has recruited some teachers who are above 65years.
The NSF leader said that the CUJ administration was ignoring the youth of Jammu region in jobs, which were being awarded to non-locals thus playing with the sentiments of Jammuites. He appealed the HRD Minister to intervene in the matter and initiate a CBI probe to unearth the illegal recruitment racket in CUJ.
VKC to launch Prunes in J&K
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 13: VKC, the largest integrated Nuts & Dried Fruits Co in India with processing facilities in J&K and NCR Delhi are launching Prunes in J&K in close association with California Prune Board represented in India by SCS group Gurgaon.
VKC, today is front runner in the Indian nuts & dried fruits trade with widest range of nuts and dried fruits in various innovative extended shelf life consumer packs. All this range is now available to you at your corner store as well as modern retail format outlets like Best Price and Easy day .These Include the healthy exotic fruits like Prunes, Apricots, Cranberries, Blueberries, Kiwi Ginger etc which were earlier available only overseas and not in India .In addition traditional nuts like Walnuts, Almonds, Pistachio, Cashew nuts both raw and roasted and flavored are also available packed with utmost care and hygiene.
VKC, sourcing best of Prunes from Californian farms, has transformed them from a tiny elitist item to the product of masses. California Prunes, sun ripened juicy plums dried to perfection with full retention of nutritional values are a favorite snack the world over because of their awesome and delectable taste. Often recognized as world’s best natural remedy for constipation, Prunes are highly nutritious dried fruit that offer instant energy, help fight osteoporosis and accord several other health benefits.
At a special trade seminar organized here in Jammu, the representative of company made a detailed presentation about Prunes. Its health benefits, its growth trajectory, and the exciting prospects this wonderful energy packed super snack offers for both trade and consumers.
At the seminar, VKC was represented by its directors Gunjan and Gagan Jain and California Prune Board by Monica of California Prune Board.
One -day training programme on mobile fertilizer system organized
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 13: A one day training programme on mobile fertilizer system was organized by the Agriculture Department for the fertilizer dealers of R S Pura Sub Division at K V K Centre R S Pura today.
In the training programme besides, fertilizer dealers fertilizer companies also participated. The programme was inaugurated by A K Malhotra State Nodal Officer MFMS, Joint Director Agriculture Extension Jammu.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers GoI has launched MFS to bring transparency in the fertilizer business. He said the fertilizers being the key input in agriculture sector should be made available to farmers at their door steps.
He said the main objective MFMS is to make available direct subsidy to farmer. After conducting series of meetings and workshops with the whole sale dealers and fertilizer companies, the Department has achieved the phase first of MFMS. In the phase second the retail fertilizer dealers are to be sanitized and trained, he added.
The training programme was organized in collaboration with IFFCO, Jammu in which Online demonstration was given by IFFCO, NFL and experts of Agriculture Department.