Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 11: B R Kundal MLC inaugurated newly constructed community hall at in village Drawatian, Panchayat Gagian, RS Pura, and a lane/drain in same village, constructed out of CDF, wherein Rs 10 lakh and 2.50 lakh respectively were formally expended and the same were handed over the community, today.
A newly constructed Multipurpose Hall; in village Drawatian, Panchayat Gagian, RS Pura, and a lane/drain in same village, constructed out of CDF. Land of the Multipurpose Hall was provided by the Mandir Committee adjacent to the existing temple & a committee for further upkeep of the hall was also constituted. The hall besides servicing the temple shall also be used for other religious & marriage functions.
Residents gave rousing welcome and thanked Mr Kundal for completing the said works. Ladies and youth in particular marked their presence and assured their untainted support.
Present on the occasion besides concerned Sarpanch Janak Raj, Sarpanch Bahadur, Sarpanch Om Parkash, Sarpanch Vinod, Rtd Capt Gurdass, Lamberdar & Panches of the Panchayat concerned.
Speaking on the occasion Kundal, assured of his help to all needy and continued support to all such villages, which have been deprived of development for a long period of time.

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, June 11: National Conference Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah today said that National Conference was not just another political party but a historic movement that had protected the dignity and identity of Kashmir by rendering innumerable sacrifices and scripting a story of valor, courage and struggle under the voice and command of Sher-e-Kashmir, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.
Speaking at a function to commemorate the death anniversaries of veteran NC leaders Late Mirza Mohammad Afzal Beg and Late Khwaja Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah at NC Headquarters in Srinagar, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said there was a concerted attempt under process to change the demographic character of the State. He said that vested interests who have nurtured a longstanding desire to break the spine of Kashmiri Identity and Kashmiri Nationalism were coming together to wage a war against National Conference.
“They know that National Conference has given blood in the past to protect the interests of this State and that if there is anything that can foil their evil plans it is the staunch ideological roots of National Conference. We are the only hurdle in their path and that is why they have all come together to oppose NC”, he said.
He said the destiny of this State and that of its brave, resilient people was intertwined with the destiny of National Conference. “We safeguarded the aspirations of our people when those who are shedding crocodile tears today were the biggest collaborators in the erosion of Article 370. Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah spent 24 years in prison when others were falling over each other to earn the spoils of treachery. Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was one among these opportunists when he was Sadiq’s trusted lieutenant at a time when Sadiq sold the special status of J&K to New Delhi”, Farooq added.
He said that the slogan “Jis Kashmir Ko Khoon Se Seencha Woh Kashmir Humara Hai” embodies the history of National Conference and it is this slogan that National Conference will strive for till the last NC worker is standing to safeguard the dignity of our people. “Those who think that one poll debacle will dampen our spirits should take a look at the pages of history. Our spirits were not dampened when they sent Sheikh Abdullah to prison for 24 years. Our spirits were not dampened when they toppled democratically elected Governments in J&K. Our spirits were not dampened when thousands of NC workers and hundreds of our leaders were killed in cold blood to weaken the voice of Kashmiri Nationalism. They would be foolish to think that our spirits are dampened now. We will rise from the ashes and script a comeback befitting our place in history and the role that we envision for our party in the future of this nation”, Dr.  Abdullah said.
He said that recent remarks from quarters no less in power than the Prime Minister’s Office about the abrogation of Article 370 are serious indicators of troubles ahead of us. “We will have to stand up to this challenge by identifying the enemy within our State, an enemy that is actively collaborating with anti-J&K lobbies for a chance at power. We cannot be cowed down by any secret pacts or covert alliances. We represent the resilience of this nation. We are Kashmir and Kashmir is us”, Dr. Farooq said as NC workers raised slogans in favor of National Conference and Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 11: Drugs and Food Control Organization today seized large quantity of intoxicants-cum-tablets being sold by two drug dealers and also issued a closure notice to a medical shop, which was found running without valid drug sale license.
According to Deputy Director, Drugs and Food Control Organization Lotika Khajuria, the enforcement team of Drug Control Organization conducted raid at a chemist shop being run by Sita Ram Sharma alias Vinod Sharma, son of Jai Gopal Sharma of Bhour Camp, Ward No-2, Jammu Cantt in the name and style of M/s Sharma Pharmacy situated at Bhour Camp.
During raid, large quantity of intoxicants worth Rs 10,598.50 was found stocked without any purchase bill, which was seized on the spot and notice under Section 18 (A) of the Drugs and Cosmetic Act was served upon the licensee on spot, she added.
She further stated that the Licensing Authority withdrew the permission of licensee to operate the shop till further orders in order to prevent the misuse of drugs.
She said that the Inspector Gagan Bhardwaj is carrying out further investigations to verify the antecedents of procurement and action contemplated under law is being initiated against the defaulting firm in due course of time.
Khajuria further stated that in another incident, M/s Jandial Agencies, Rehari Colony was found selling Crocin Advanced tablets at an exorbitant rate in contravention to the provisions of DPCO, 1995.
She added that a notice has been served to the manufacturer for explaining reasons as to how the firm was overcharging despite ceiling price fixed by the competent authority i.e. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority. The value of seized consignment is approximately Rs 2,66,040, she said.
Moreover, a closure notice was issued to M/s Sajjad Medicate, Talab Khatikan, Jammu by the Drug Inspector Pankaj Malhotra for operating the said premises without a valid drug sale license.
The firm has been directed to stop the operation of the firm and dispose of the stocks of drugs possessed by the firm under rules.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 11: SKUAST Jammu Teaching Association has appealed to the Governor N N Vohra  for  increasing retirement age of the varsity Scientists from 60 to 65 years.
The appeal was made during a meeting of  SKUAST-Teachers Association Jammu  office bearers,  held under the chairmanship of Dr  Vikas Sharma, president of TAJ.
While addressing the meet, Dr Vikas said that Central University of Kashmir, Central University of Jammu, Maulana Azad Urdu University, Srinagar and  Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Jammu have 65 yrs age of superannuation for their teachers, since their inception and this is in tune with the recommendations of University Grant Commission (UGC). He  further pointed out that the varsity had already accepted all UGC/ICAR requirements that had been brought into force, including qualifications laid down for various posts.
“Now for better research and teaching outputs, it is fair that service conditions of the Teachers/ Scientists, as per UGC and ICAR recommendations,  should now be implemented in toto,” stressed the TAJ president.
Dr  Vivak M  Arya, general secretary of the Association, also  appealed the Governor, who is Chancellor of the university, to consider the genuine demand put forth by the teachers for excellent teaching, research and extension output in the State Agriculture University (SAU) system. “It has now been accepted universally that the Professors / Scientists / Subject Matter Specialists should be given maximum time in their respective fields and it is happening at national and international level,” he explained.
The meeting was attended by Dr  P K  Rai, Dr  Devinder Sharma, Dr  Rajeev Bharat, Dr  Poonam Parihaar, Dr  Vijay Bharti, Dr  S P  Singh, Dr  B K  Sinha, Dr  A P Rai and others.