Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, June 18:  With an aim to create awareness among the youth regarding the evils of drug addiction, District Police Udhampur today organized a massive anti-drug programme at Chopra Shop area under the jurisdiction of Police Station Rehmbal.
Large number of students from various educational institutions and locals participated in the programme.
On the occasion,  Mohd Aslam, DySP DAR DPL Udhampur along with  SHO Rehmbal Inspector OP Chib said that motive of the programme was to create awareness among the youth about harmful effects of drug addiction with the sole objective to eradicate the drug menace from district Udhampur.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 18: Citizens Welfare and Development Council (CWDC) unanimously elected R K Sharma as president and elected other members of the managing committee to run the organization effectively and smoothly to achieve its objective.
The other members are S P Gupta as senior vice president, A K Koul as secretary general, J P Nayar as vice president, J P Raina as general secretary, M K Pandita as secretary administration, Shamsher Singh as secretary, Dr S K Bhagat as organizing secretary, Ravi Dutt Sharma as chief orgainser, Krishan Singh Manhas as organizer and Suresh Sharma as cashier.
In addition thirty-one members were elected in the Central Working Committee.

Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, June 18: A deputation of PHE Employees Association led by its provincial vice president Som Nath met Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Sharma and discussed various problems being faced by them.
During the meeting, the participants highlighted various issues including regularization of daily wagers, release of pending wages, appointment of new workers to overcome shortage of staff and promotion of educated employees.
Minister assured the delegation that their demands will be redressed at the earliest.
Among others present were Vijay Kumar Sharma, Suraj Parkash, Sanjay Kumar Sharma, Dinesh Kesar and Rajinder Kumar etc.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 18: In a petition filed by one Bishambar Dass seeking voluntary retirement, High Court today directed Chief Engineer PDD Jammu to decided the notice of voluntary retirement submitted by petitioner within two weeks or appear in person on July 7, 2014.
“The short controversy projected by the petitioner is that he has already completed more than 20 years of service and due to some domestic problem, he does not want to continue his services. Accordingly, he served a notice to Chief Engineer PDD in May 2010 and despite expiry of prescribed period of three months and lapse of four years respondents have not decided the petitioner’s notice of voluntary retirement”, Justice Tashi Rabstan observed.
“On last date of hearing, High Court had directed respondents to pass appropriate consideration order on the petitioner’s notice of voluntary retirement within a period of one week and file compliance report failing which Executive Engineer Vijaypur Samba shall appear in person”, Justice Rabstan said.
Executive Engineer, who was present in person, submitted that there was no fault on his part because he has already processed the case and the same was pending before the Chief Engineer PDD. At this stage, Government Advocate GS Thakur sought two weeks further time to decide the notice of voluntary retirement submitted by the petitioner.
Upon this, High Court granted two weeks time to the respondents failing which Chief Engineer PDD Jammu will have to appear in person on next date of hearing.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 18: A semi-decomposed body of an unidentified man was found in Ganderbal on Tuesday evening.
A police spokesman said police has recovered the body aged 40 years from Sind stream at Sarch in Ganderbal. The body of the deceased is kept in Sub District Hospital, Ganderbal for identification.
The spokesman said police has started an investigation under Section 174 CrPC to ascertain the cause of the death.

Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, June 18: On the occasion of series of weeklong programmes being organized by District Police Samba to mark Raising Day of J&K Police, a meeting was held by Anil Magotra, Superintendent of Police, with the families of police martyrs.
The meeting was attended by 17 families out of 20 police martyrs of district Samba.
During interaction some of their issues were discussed and steps were taken for their redressal.
Finally, all the participants were assured by SP Samba that proper communication shall be maintained by District Police Samba with them to remain aware about their problems and to provide solutions thereof.
They were also requested to attend meetings to be conducted on monthly basis in future at DPO Samba for which transport facility shall be provided to them.
In another programme to mark the Raising Day of J&K Police, District Police Samba conducted awareness programme on drug addiction at Purmandal with a view to keep youth of the area on right track.

Excelsior Correspondent
KARGIL, June 18: Dr Paul Deuton from British Geological Society today delivered a lecture on seismological education at Government Degree College Kargil.
Following the lecture, a demonstration about the earth quake and its impact on Kargil was discussed between the college students and Dr Paul Deuton along and a team accompanying him.
The team was led by Prof G M Bhat, Rector of Bhaderwah Campus and comprised of    Dr Bindra Thusu (MPRG, London) and Dr Yudhbir Singh (Department of Geology, University of Jammu.
The college Principal Dr Amina Quari presented a welcome address and expressed her pleasure to welcome the distinguished scientist in the college.
The proceedings of the program were conducted by Dr Amjad while the vote of thanks was presented by Saleem.

Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, June 18: In separate incidents, three persons, including a teenaged girl and  a young housewife committed suicide in Udhampur district.
Neelma Devi (15) daughter of Shiv Lal of Karlha Kud area in Udhampur consumed some poisonous substance at her house late last night. Family members took her to Sub District Hospital Chenani where doctors declared her as brought dead. Cause behind the extreme step could not be ascertained.
One Sanjay Kumar (35) son of Tirth Ram of village Nili nallha in Udhampur was found hanging with a ceiling fan hook at his house under mysterious circumstances. Family member spotted him hanging and informed the Police, which shifted the dead body to hospital for postmortem.
Shoba Rani (32) wife of Uttam Chand of village Kathal in Ramnagar area of Udhampur district was found hanging with a tree in the forest area. Police took the dead body to Ramnagar hospital for postmortem and registered a case under  Section 174 RPC for further investigation.

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, June 18: Minister of State for Industries and Commerce, Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo inaugurated a handicrafts exhibition here today.
The exhibition has been organized by the Department of Industries and Commerce.
Financial Commissioner, Industries and Commerce, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai was present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Minister appreciated the role played by the Industries Department in providing marketing facilities to the artisans at grass root level. He stressed that the department should organize as many exhibitions in the current tourist season so as to exploit the market availability and the artisans are able to sell their goods directly to the buyers avoiding middleman ship.
On the occasion, the Minister interacted with the stall holders and asked them to contribute actively to generate employment avenues at the local level.
The stall holders pleaded that more and more exhibitions be held at tourist places so that they can reach out to a vast market.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 18:  Mohammad Yusuf Bhat, ADC Anantnag has been transferred and posted as CEO Tourism Development Authority Pahalgam replacing incumbent Reyaz Ahmad Wani, who is attached in the GAD.
Mr Bhat will also hold the additional charge of SDC Anantnag till further order.