Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 14: Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Ministry of External Affairs Jammu organized the 2nd National Painting Exhibition in Jammu, featuring ten art works from the collections of the ICCR headquarters, New Delhi.
With a motive to promote visual arts, the regional centre ICCR Jammu showcased ten more works in its 2nd National Painting Exhibition at the premises of ICCR, Jammu.
Prior to this the Jammu centre has been focusing more on performing arts with few additions of literary functions.
Giving details of the Painting Exhibition, the Regional Director of ICCR, Balwant Thakur informed that the headquarters had sent ten art works to Jammu for display which Jammu office has kept for public viewing and were received very well by the art lovers.
The painters whose painting were featured in this exhibition included Vijay Joshi (Rajasthan), Krisendu Dey (Gujrat), Manisha Jha (Orrisa), Priyanka Sharma and Naryan (Delhi).
Balwant Thakur further informed that though the prime mandate of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations is to promote global understanding between Nations through cultural initiatives but the Regional Office Jammu with the motive to promote local artists organised 45 (Forty-five) world class programmes since its inception in Jammu in the year 2012.
ICCR Jammu has brought Zambia, Democratic Republic of LAOS and Poland to Jammu through the best of their cultural performances and the Regional Director ICCR Jammu, Balwant Thakur hoped much more such occasions to come.
ICCR organizes 2nd National Painting Exhibition in Jammu
Sri Lanka sweep T20 series in Bangladesh
Chittagong, Feb 14:
Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh for a second straight thrilling win on the last ball to sweep their Twenty20 series 2-0 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium here today.
Thisara Perera was in the middle at the end of both victories which retained for Sri Lanka the No. 1 ranking in T20s.
Perera and Sachitra Senanayeke held their nerve in the last over to score the required nine runs for Sri Lanka to win by three wickets, 123-7 after bowling out Bangladesh for 120 with a ball to spare. (PTI)
No bail to ex-Jail Supdt
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 14: State High Court today refused to grant bail to Saleem Beigh, former Superintendent of Kot Bhalwal Jail.
According to police case, Suresh Kumar alias Tunda and accused Akram Khan and Jatinder Kumar alias Billu were arrested on December 2 & 3, 2010 and during investigation they disclosed that for killing of Sudershan Singh Wazir, Jagar Singh had paid advance of Rs 50,000 to them through Surinder Singh alias Shantu.
The main challan was presented on January 29, 2011 and seeking General Arrest Warrants against Sunny Choudhary under Section 512 CrPC. Later, he was arrested by the Jhajjar Kotli Police under 3/25 Arms Act.
During investigation, Sunny Choudhary disclosed that when he was in Central Jail Kot-Bhalwal he came in contact with Nagar Singh, who was also in the jail at that time and Nagar Singh asked him to kill the Sudershan Singh Wazir, who was active in the Amandeep murder case. He further revealed that he got Rs 15 lakh in the presence of Jail Superintendent Saleem Beigh.
While disposing of the bail application, Justice Janak Raj Kotwal observed, “the order passed by the Trial Court does not indicate that the court has scrutinized the depositions of the witnesses, who were the witnesses to the alleged meeting in which the petitioner had participated”, adding, “the accused is not entitled to bail on the basis of evidence of one witness. Scrutiny of entire evidence for limited purpose of recording reasons to believe that accused is guilty of the offence of conspiracy to liquidate a witness of a case as alleged by the prosecution, is required to be done”.
“If such a belief is not possible from the evidence, accused would be entitled to bail. Such scrutiny though can be done by this Court but it is apt and essential that this job is left to the Trial Court which seized of the entire record and is in position to compare entire evidence and material”, Justice Kotwal said.
“Dismissal of earlier bail application by the Trial Court notwithstanding, petitioner may apply fresh and the trial court shall accord consideration to the application having regard to the evidence recorded/proposed to be recorded and dispose of the application in light of observations made by a speaking order indicating the reasons for granting or refusing the bail”, High Court said.
Tharoor responds to Khanna’s suggestion
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 14: The communication questioning the rationale and background of wearing black gowns and black caps on the occasion of University Convocations in the country and addressed to Shashi Tharoor Union MoS HRD by Avinash Rai Khanna MP and Prabhari of J&K State has been more or less conceded by the concerned Minister.
Mr Khanna had in his communication pointed out that there was no law or rule prescribing a particular mode of dress during the university convocations and distribution of degrees. The practice of wearing black gown and signature black caps was alien to the cultural ethos of the country and smacked of continued colonial subservience to the British Empire.
Shashi Tharoor in his reply to the communication has conceded that there was no law or rule in the UGC prescribing any dress during the convocations. Agreeing that the practice ought to be changed and instead dresses which were in consonance with the local dress code and culture may be prescribed during the university convocations and which would make the entire event more inspiring not only for the students but for the entire society.
ACTF’s reaction on budget
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 14: A meeting of Associated Chamber of Traders Federation was held today under the chairmanship of its president Yash Paul Gupta to discuss annual budget presented by the Finance Minister, A R Rather.
The president appreciated Finance Minister for not imposing any new tax and again keeping essential commodities in 0%, raising the audit limit from Rs 60 lakh to Re 1 crore as demanded by the ACTF in the Pre-Budget meeting.
The members present in the meeting were of the view that since it was an election year a lot more was expected from the Finance Minister vis-à-vis demands raised by Federation.
The Fedreration had demanded for raising the exemption limit was from Rs 7.5 lakh to Rs15 lakh but Government agreed to only upto Rs 10 lakh. Similarly the annual turnover was demanded from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 50 lakh and rate of tax .5% but agreed upto Rs 25 lakh only.
Similarly demands were raised regarding Dry Fruits such as Choara, kishmish, kaju, pista, anjeer, khumani, alu bhakhara, chalgojay etc. from 13.5% to 5% ; Electrical Items: PVC copper wires and PVC pipes from13.5% to 5%; Plywood and plyboards from13.5% to 5%; Whole milk powder (Baby milk powder) and Desi Ghee. From 13.5% to 5%; Lamination film used in offset printing press from13.5% to 5%; Suraksha Hose (Used in LPG chula’s with gas cyclinders) from13.5% to 5%; File covers, chalk. from13.5% to 5%, and Sweet meats (Mithai) from13.5% to 5%.
Members also showed their serious concern that no provision has been kept in the budget for creating new parking slots, shopping complexes, commercial centers, residential colonies etc. which needed immediate attention from the Government to decongest Jammu city, and members also hoped that genuine issues will be addressed by the Finance Minister to fulfill the aspirations of the trading community in particular and common man of J&K State.
Youth’s body recovered
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 14: Police has recovered a body in Bomie area of North Kashmir’s Sopore town on Thursday evening.
A police spokesman said police was informed by some locals that a male body was lying on a road side in village Panipora-Sagipora in Sopore.
The body was identified as of Irshad Ahmad Bhat, aged 25, son of Abdul Rashid Bhat of Ishtengoo, Bandipora.
Police has started inquest proceeding under Section 174 Cr P C to ascertain the cause of the death.
JHRBA holds meet, highlights demands
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 14: Jammu Hotel Restaurants and Bar Association (JHRBA) held a meeting under the chairmanship of its president Kuldep Wahi.
While speaking, Wahi urged the Finance Minister for extending industrial benefits like power tariff, revival of existing units by providing soft loans to the industry and creation of task force for planned development of tourism industry sector in J&K, which is the backbone of the State’s economy.
Rationalization of taxes on liquor and fees on bars in tourism sector should also be given some benefits to attract tourists in the State, he added.
He further stated that tourist circuits both in Jammu and Kashmir should be made so that the tourists and pilgrims visiting the State will prolong their stay.
5 promoted as Asstt Professors in GMC Jammu
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 14: On the recommendations of DPC/PAC, five Lecturers in Government Medical College Jammu have been placed as Incharge Assistant Professors in the different disciplines with immediate effect.
The promoted Lecturers are; Dr Sindhu Sharma (Pathology), Dr Rupali Bargotra (Pathology), Dr Harleen Kour (Microbiology), Dr Rajesh Sharma (Radio Diagnosis) and Dr Ajay Anand (Surgery).
Health Services Employees Federation holds protest, highlights demands
Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Feb 14: Health Services Employees Federation held a protest outside CMO Office demanding redressal to their long pending issues.
Large number of employees assembled outside CMO Office under the leadership of Rashpaul Singh, president of the federation and raised slogans in favour of their demands.
Addressing the gathering, Rashpaul Singh said that the Director Health Services (DHS) has miserably failed to redress the grievances of the employees.
He said that the two clerks of block Kalakote, who stand attached in Reasi and Jammu respectively be detached and made to resume their duty back in Kalakote.
He also demanded change in transfer policy, conduct of DPC meeting without further delay, filling up of vacant posts in CHC Kalakote, District Hospital Rajouri and other health institutions in the district, new building of CHC Kalakote, separate electricity line and funds for CHC Kalakote, enhancement in the monthly wages of NRHM para medical employees from Rs 11,000 to Rs 20,000 per month, Rs 5,000 monthly pay for ASHA workers, streamlining the working in DH Rajouri, increase in annual supply quota of medicine for health institutions at health centres, creation of LHV posts at each PHC and 10 per cent funds for NPS health employees in regular basis.
“If their demands were not redressed, then the federation will start hunger strike from March 4 and for any untoward incident, the Government will be responsible”, Singh warned.
Journalists Association condemns murderous attack on Photo Journalist
Excelsior Correspondent
ANANTNAG, Feb 14: Anantnag Working Journalists Association today condemned the attack on Photo Journalist Sajad Ahmad Dar, yesterday by some policemen in Pinjora Shopian when he was covering the gunfight between security forces and militants in the area.
Association said that a group of policemen caught the Photo Journalist and thrashed him during which he sustained serious injuries in lift arm. Policemen also damaged cameras of Photo Journalist Sajad Ahmad who is sole bread and butter earner for his family.
Association while condemning this action of police has demanded a through probe into the incident.