Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: Minister for Planning and Development, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra today said that a massive effort is underway to ensure inclusive development of the three regions of Jammu and Kashmir with focused attention on remote and far-flung areas.
Addressing a public meeting at Halka Panchayat in Marh, the Minister said while thrust is being laid on ensuring infrastructural development in key sectors like roads and building, health, education, power and drinking water sectors, special attention is being paid towards prioritizing employment generation schemes.
Mr Sadhotra expected continued support of people in implementing developmental agenda and assured that all necessary measures are being taken to meet basic requirements of the people in the far flung areas.
Referring to the initiatives taken for steering the state to progress and development, Mr Sadhotra said that the performance of Omar Abdullah led Government is self explanatory and visible in good measure. This effort will be taken to logical conclusion with the support and cooperation of the people, he maintained.
He said the initiatives taken in recent years have fructified in the empowerment of the people in decision making with the Panchayati Raj becoming a reality. He also referred to the Right to Information and Public Services Guarantee Acts and said these revolutionary measures are aimed at empowering the people to make Government accountable.
He said a new era of peace has dawned across the state that has given fillip to economic activity and spurt to developmental initiatives. He particularly made a mention of turnaround in the situation and said that peace and normalcy have created a situation conducive for enhanced economic activity and faster development.
Mr Sadhotra cautioned the people against the nefarious designs of elements, who are hell-bent to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in the state. He appealed the people to remain united and frustrate their designs while maintaining age old tradition of mutual brotherhood and communal harmony. He lambasted the opposition for exploiting the sentiments of innocent and peace loving people of the state for their petty political gains.
He said that opposition was trying to deceit the common people by raising false statement against the success of Omar led Government and create 2008 situation to mislead the people on communal basis. He advised these parties not to get frustrated over their imminent defeat in the coming elections and forget day dreaming as the present generation is wise enough to see through their mechanizations. “They will reject the BJP and other political parties in future as well”, he maintained.
Earlier, the Minister distributed the cheques as a financial assistance among the registered 20 labourer beneficiaries under J&K Building and Other Construction Worker Welfare Board for providing education to their wards and under IAY other 9 beneficiaries received financial help of Rs 6.30 lakh.
Responding to local demands, the Minister assured that these will be examined at appropriate level for early redressal.
Efforts underway to ensure inclusive development: Sadhotra
Pensioners hold protest in support of their demands
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: All J&K State Pensioner Association, Jammu staged one day protest under the leadership of Mukand Lal Sharma and Madan Lal Abrol in support of their long pending demands at Press Club, today.
Speaking on the occasion. Mukand Lal Sharma , convenor of the association said that the pensioners and employees of the State has been struggling for the last four years in connection with their problems in relating to implementation of Sixth Pay Commission. But unfortunately the State Government has shown no response.
Madan Lal Abrol, general secretary of the Pensioner Association flayed the Government for not accepting the genuine demands of the State pensioners who are struggling for the so many years. He said that the arrears of the pension are due w.e.f. 1.1.206 to 30.06.2009 to be paid in one installment.
They speakers laid stressed the State Government has failed to accede the demands of the pensioners and employees in near future, the concerned community will launch an aggressive through the length and breath of the State.
Others who addressed the gathering were Pavitar Singh, S M Khtotra, Prof B L Bhardwaj, Som Nath Sharma, Yashpal Sasan, Sardari Lal, Mohinder Singh, Bodh Raj Shram, S K Jain, Ram Dass Bhagat, Dev Raj Gupta, Mulakh Raj, Kapil Dev, Subash Chander Sharma, Sudesh Sploia among others.
CSC to prepare roadmap for scrutiny of 700 representations
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: Even as the political brinkmanship among the coalition partners over the formation of new administrative units touched new heights, the Cabinet Sub Committee (CSC), which has been given the mandate to hold consultations with people and make suitable recommendations is likely to only formulate the roadmap for scruitinizing the inputs obtained from all the stakeholders in 22 districts of the State.
Members of the Cabinet Sub-Committee affiliated to Congress and National Conference (NC) told EXCELSIOR on conditional of anonymity that the exercise to scrutinise the inputs obtained from the district headquarters is likely to continue for atleast three days and tomorrow’s meeting is going to start at 3 pm in the State Guest House.
“In view of the tremendous response obtained from all quarters, the sessions for formulating guidelines to scrutinise the representations is likely to continue for few days and the process is unlikely to be completed soon as there are financial implications worth several crores of such decisions, if taken”, sources said adding, “Jammu and Kashmir, which is already reeling under financial crunch can’t even bear the cost of creating such administrative units”.
Dwelling over the response obtained from across the State, sources shared, “about 700 representations had been received from various people, who deposed before the Cabinet Sub-Committee during its tour to several districts of the State”, adding, “about 50% of the representations had been received from Jammu and Kashmir respectively. Only few delegations had come from Leh and Kargil region to meet the CSC.”
“There has been demand to create nearly 1000 administrative units across the State, which included from Patwar Halqa to tehsil level and even some sub-divisions”, sources said adding, “one common demand among several delegations is to treat all Panchayats coterminous as Patwar Halqas”. Presently, there are 4198 Panchayats in the State including 2145 in Kashmir region and 1900 in Jammu region.
Giving further break-up of the inputs received from various district headquarters, sources said, “maximum representations had come from Udhampur and Doda districts in Jammu province while as in Kashmir region, highest representations had been received from Baramulla and Anantnag “.
“Revenue Department, which is the nodal agency for entire process has received inputs from all the Deputy Commissioners and the details will be put before the Cabinet Sub-Committee members tomorrow at 3 pm”, sources said adding, “while some of the demands for administrative units had been already covered by the Ganai Committee, remaining shall have to be addressed fresh”.
However, some of the District Magistrates on condition of anonymity confessed, “several representation had been forwarded to the Revenue Department under political influence as even some of the Ministers in the present Government wanted to ensure that demand for more administrative units are highlighted before the Sub-Committee”.
“Since it is election year, both Congress and National Conference are jittery over the implications of the decision to constitute administrative units and both the parties feel that the decision can help them in electoral gains”, source said adding, “serious differences have cropped up among the coalition partners over the creation of new administrative units in the State with none in mood to compromise with the other”.
It is pertinent to mention here that Mushtaq Ganaie Committee has recommended creation of a total of 955 new administrative units, which include Sub-Divisions, Tehsils, Niabats, CD Blocks and Patwar Halqas across Jammu and Kashmir. Of these administrative units, Jammu has an edge over Kashmir valley in respect of Tehsils and Niabats while as Valley outnumbers Jammu as far as Sub-Divisions and Patwar Halqas are concerned.
Sources said that for the creation of 955 proposed administrative units, Government would require whopping amount of more than Rs 800 crore, which include recurring and non-recurring expenditure.
“The Revenue Department has worked out the requirement of around Rs 200 crore recurring revenue per annum, which include salaries of the staff, and more than Rs 600 crore for non-recurring expenditure (creation of infrastructure) for the proposed administrative units”, sources informed. In addition to this, an amount of more than Rs 50 crore would be required for acquisition of land for establishment of these administrative units. Moreover, the Government would have to create more than 4600 posts under various categories for these units.
It is pertinent to mention here that the process of ascertaining the demands of people for new administrative units was actually started in 2007 when the Government had constituted a Committee headed by former Chief Secretary of the State, Dr S S Bloeria. However, the report of the Committee was termed as ‘inconclusive’ in 2009 and in January 2010, the Committee was revived with Mushtaq Ahmad Ganaie as its head.
BLCT organizes medical aid camp
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: Bhagya Laxmi Charitable Trust (BLCT) in association with Assistant District Medical Officer (ADMO) Indian System of Medicine (ISM) organized a medical aid camp at Kanji House Ward No. 7 Jammu East.
Pranav Shagotra, vice president Pradesh Youth Congress was the chief guest, who inaugurated the camp in presence of BLCT volunteers.
The team of specialists and staff including Dr KK Sharma, Assistant District Medical Officer (ADMO), Dr Ashok Sharma, Medical Officer and incharge Camp, Dr Ravi Dutt Sharma, Dr Shefali Sharma, Jeet Raj and Kewal Sharma, pharmacists examined the patients.
Free medicines as per the prescription of doctors were also provided to all the patients and this was lauded by the local leaders also.
Highlighting the importance of being health conscious, Shagotra advised people to take care of their ailments in time and not to linger on. It would be appropriate especially for those, suffering from different types of ailments, to avail the benefits of these medical camps, so that diseases could be identified and cured timely, he stressed.
Mahesh Padha, president JKTTF, Ashwani Kumar Sharma, Manmohan Kumar, Sachin Gupta, Shivender Kumar, Varun Gupta, Ashok Kumar, Varinder Gupta, Raj Kumar, Ramesh Kumar, Rattan Singh, Anoop Gupta, Amit Sawhney, Anoop Trikha, Amit Gandotra, Ricky Dalhotra, Farooq Salaria and Sunil Kumar were also present.
JKPUF convention held
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: Jammu Kashmir People’s United Front, the newly formed umbrella organization of several political outfits held its second convention here today.
Explaining the aims and objectives of the Front, convener Mohammd Yousuf Tarigami highlighted the acute problems and miserable conditions being faced by the people of the State. He exhorted the people to come out of slumber and prepare themselves for a relentless, protracted and result oriented struggle.
Tarigami said that instead of taking concrete measures to mitigate the sufferings of the masses and provide good governance, the political parties, which have been ruling the State for decades, are creating mere illusions and selling dreams for electoral gains.
He demanded food security, fool proof health care, right to employment, adequate unemployment allowance and welfare schemes for senior citizens and differently abled persons.
Sheikh Abdul Rehman, former MP and State president of Samajwadi Party highlighted the issues of unemployment, price rise and food security. He criticized the Government for its dismal performance and alleged that the present dispensation has failed to fulfill its promises and has instead taken anti-people measures for the benefit of a privileged few.
I D Khajuria, State chief of Internationalist Democratic Party, attacked the Government for perpetuating corruption and making it a way of life rather than weeding it out.
In the convention, it was resolved to approach all those who want basic changes and alternative policies for improving the lot of the common people. Political outfits, intellectuals and civil society groups were asked to come forward and join the People’s United Front for better future of the State.
Others who addressed the convention, included Sham Prasad Kesar, CPI (M) leader, Ishtiyaq Qadri PDF leader and Santosh Khajuria IDP leader.
Police recovers rifle, accused escapes
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: RS Pura police today recovered one 12 bore rifle while the accused escaped from the spot.
A police spokesman said that, on specific inputs, police party from RS Pura police station laid a naka at Chak Mohammad Yard and intercepted a pedestrian namely Baber Choudhary, son of Sayed Ahmed Gujjar of Chack Mohammad Yard.
During checking, police recovered rifle 12 bore from his possession, which the accused was carrying without license, he said, adding that the accused managed to escape from the spot.
A case under FIR number 15/14 under Section 3/25 Arms Act has been registered at police station RS Pura and manhunt has been launched to nab the accused.
However, the accused was at large when report was compiled.
ReT teachers reiterate demands
Excelsior Correspondent
RAMBAN, Jan 19: ReT teachers have reiterated their demands and expressed grave concern over the casual approach and delaying tactics of the Government in fulfilling the same.
A meeting in this concern was held here today under the chairmanship of District president, ReT Teachers’ Forum, Gulzabir Daing, who while addressing the participants laid stress on the State Government to issue immediate regularization orders in favour of EVs teachers and release salary to regularized ReTs in different districts, who are without salary for months.
He also demanded Government to implement SRO 115 in respect of before 2010 appointees, who were regularized after 2011 and criticized the Government in adopting delaying tactics in fulfilling their demands, which he said, has forced them again to take to agitational path.
Daing appealed all ReTs of district Ramban to participate in the peaceful protest rally to be held on January 23 at District Headquarter to press for their demands.
Govt ushered an era of peace, development: Sagar
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 19: Maintaining that the Government has ushered an era of development and peace in the State, the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats, Ali Mohammad Sagar said that certain parties in a state of frustration are trying their best to negate the achievements registered by the present Coalition Government in every sphere of life.
The Minister was addressing a huge gathering after laying foundation stone of model village being constructed by the Department of Rural Development at Tikipora Lolab in Kupwara district within cost of Rs. 1.12 crore.
MLA Lolab, Abdul Haq Khan, Ex-MLA Qaisar Jamsheed Lone, Director Rural Development Kashmir, Mir Altaf Ahmad, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Itrat Hussain Rafique, Assistant Commissioner Development Kupwara, Mushtaq Ahmad Beig, other senior officers of the Rural Development and District Administration were present on the occasion.
Mr. Sagar said that it was due to the tireless efforts of the present Government that the peace was restored in the State and now the people are reaping the peace dividends. He said innumerable mega projects have been launched throughout the State for the general welfare of the people and in this regard special focus has been kept on health, widening of roads, education, PDD, Irrigation etc.
”Certain parties who have got frustrated by the achievements registered by the present Government are trying their best to mislead the people of the state by spreading lies and false propaganda, but that the masses are aware of the work done by us and would give a befitting reply to them in near future”, the Minister said and maintained that it is recorded history that these forces have always preferred their personal and political gains over the interests of the State.
Referring to the initiatives undertaken by the Government in ensuring the participation of people at grass root level in day to day governance, the Minister said that the vibrant Panchayat Raj system has been put in place which has ensured the democratic decentralization of powers and has also accelerated the development of rural and far flung areas.
“The Government has undertaken the initiative of providing a new model villages to every constituency of the State, which would ensure the sustained and holistic development of these areas by providing the much needed facilities which would put them at par with the urban areas and accelerate their socio-economic advancement”, the Minister maintained.
Mr. Sagar while appealing to the people to come forward to avail the maximum benefit of various schemes said that these have been instrumental in providing the much needed employment to the people of rural and far flung areas besides also ensuring asset creation and holistic development of these.
Bhalla lays foundation stone of Punjabi Lekhak Bhawan
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla today said that Government has accorded first priority to promote the languages spoken in the State.
This was stated by the Minister while addressing a large gathering, after laying foundation stone of Punjabi Lekhak Bhawan at W. No. 46 at Rani Talab in Digiana, here today.
Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation Kiran Wattal, President Dogri Sanstha, Lalit Magotra, President Punjab Lekhak Sabha, Devinder Singh Vishavnagrik besides large number of Dogri and Punjabi writers, poets and prominent citizens were present on the occasion.
Mr. Bhalla informed that the Punjabi Lekhak Bhawan would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 40 lakh with the facilities of toilet block and kitchen. He asked the Jammu Municipal Corporation to complete the bhawan within minimum possible time frame.
He said that Punjabi is the only language which is spoken not only in J&K and North India but in every part of the country and whole world also. He said that Punjabis settled across the globe have preserved their culture, language and literature.
Describing the literature and literary works of a particular age as the reflection of the existing social environment, the Minister said that the writers and poets who are the guardians of the literacy traditions of a society enrich it further by adding new thoughts matching the changing times.
Listing various steps taken by the Government to promote various languages of the State, Mr. Bhalla said the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art , Culture and Languages is doing a yeoman’s job in this direction.
Earlier, Mr. Bhalla inaugurated one-day Bal Mela-cum-Science Exhibition at R M Public School at Chowadhi in Sainik Colony.
Swami Hriday Nand Giriji, Deputy Inspector General of Police Shakeel Ahmed Beig, Padamshree Dr. Jitendra Udhampuri besides students of JK Public School, Shiksha Niketan Senior Secondary School, Alexendra Memorial School, Tarapuri High School, teaching and non-teaching staff members of the R M Public School were present on the occasion.
Students of R M Public School presented a colourful cultural programme which was highly applauded by the present audience.
Mr. Bhalla, later also kick started construction work of slab over nallah at Trikuta Nagar in Sector-5 of Ward No 54, for which Government has earmarked Rs.2.50 lakh.
DDC reviews issues of various roads with BRO officers
Excelsior Correspondent
REASI, Jan 19: A meeting of senior officers from Border Roads Organisation and district administration was convened by District Development Commissioner Reasi Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary for discussing the issues related to various roads and latest developments for redressing the public grievances. Removal of encroachments along the highway was also discussed threadbare.
Commander 13 BRTF Vimal Goswami, Director Planning BRO Nissar Ahmed and other senior officers attended the meeting. They informed that Rs 25 crore has been released by the BRO for land compensation recently and placed at disposal of Addl Deputy Commissioner Rajinder Singh Tara for disbursal among land owners. Water tankers have been pressed into action on Katra-Reasi and Reasi-Arnas road for water sparkling on hourly basis on the road to avoid dust pollution.
The officer informed that all necessary formalities have been completed at DG BRO level for finalisation of contract and blacktopping will be started shortly after the final approval is accorded by the Ministry. A comprehensive list of encroachments along the highway was also submitted to the DDC.
The DDC appreciated the prompt response of BRO in mitigating the public nuisance as well as expediting land compensation and initiating construction. He also called upon the officials of Revenue Department to extend all assistance for encroachment removal for which police assistance will be provided and magistrates will be deployed. BRO was asked to further expedite the construction work on various roads.
Re-construction of last 5 km of Domail-Katra road was also discussed for which the BRO officials assured cooperation to facilitate the construction of dilapidated road in a time bound manner and informed that action has already been initiated against the defaulters.
It was decided that a coordination committee of Revenue and BRO officials will actively settle all pending issues and facilitate the construction of roads, payment of compensation and removal of encroachments, public comfort and updation of revenue records.
The pending proceedings under Section 133 CrPC are also being reviewed after proactive steps being taken by the BRO in mitigation of public nuisance and further construction of roads.