Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Feb 2: People from Budhal area today launched indefinite dharna and held strong protest by observing complete shut down in protest against the decision of Omar led Government to deny much deserved tehsil status to Budhal.
The people of the town and adjoining areas led by several Sarpanchs and Panchs besides local political leaders irrespective of party affiliation came out on the road at around 10 am and started protest. They were joined by many students. The shops were closed and the movement of vehicles was also stopped. Some youth also resorted to stone pelting on the vehicles who tried to ply them on the road during protest and bandh.
The people of the area alleged that most injustice has been done with the people of Budhal by the Omar led Government because many areas in the State which never deserved a tehsil or block status were accorded them same while Budhal which is nearly 60 kms away from Rajouri district headquarters and was Niabat since 1947 has been denied Tehsil or even Block status.
They pointed out that in 1965 Budhal was sanctioned Tehsil and functioned there up to 1978 but after some political conspiracy, it was shifted to Kotranka. The then people launched agitation but they were cool down by the political leadership and bureaucrats, with the assurance then Budhal will also be given the status. Even today Treasury documents in Kotranka mention Budhal as tehsil. People of the area had high hopes that Budhal will be accorded justice this time but people have been surprised and shocked as justice has not been done either by NC or Congress with the people. Claims of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and PCC president Saif-ud-Din Soz regarding justice accorded to all the regions and areas is totally wrong, they maintained.
Meanwhile, Additional DC Salim Malik and ASP Rajouri reached Budhal and asked the people to suspend agitation and assured that he would take up the issue at higher level. The people however, claimed that indefinite agitation would be continued till Budhal is accorded Tehsil status.
Protest in Budhal; indefinite bandh, dharna launched
JKB Officers Association holds meet
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 2: Executive meet of the Jammu unit of J&K Bank Officers Association was held here today under the chairmanship of Mohan Singh for discussing the organizational matters, demands and other issues.
In his address, the general secretary Ravi Gupta sought suggestions from the participants for finalization of the charter of demands to submit the same before the bank management.
On the occasion, the Association honoured Atul Gupta and Rajeshwar Singh, two officers of the JKB, for their outstanding achievements in the field of sports (Chess) and literary activities respectively and bringing laurels to the bank as well as State of J&K.
Advocates for political empowerment of Jammu
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 2: Echoing strong voice and total unanimity for “political empowerment of Jammu”, advocates of State High Court, Jammu exhorted the people of Jammu region especially the intelligensia to rise on the occasion cutting across party or religious lines in the larger interest and future existence of the region to make it politically empower and more vibrant.
During an interactive session of advocates for “political empowerment of Jammu”, presided over by senior Advocate D.K Khajuria, and convened by Rajinder Jamwal Advocate, held today in the premises of J&K High Court Jammu, all advocates expressed total unanimity and also their desire to work for achieving the cherished goal, so as to get rid of Kashmiri domination and making Jammu self reliant, vibrant, more effective and dignified.
The advocates lashed at all political parties for their exploitative and emotional politics which has prejudiced the cause of Jammu and rather has been instrumental in fragmenting Jammu further than making any good for the people and this seven decade old exploitative and discriminatory misrule of Government which has resulted into miseries and most pathetic situation for Jammu.
They said the people have lost all hopes from any dispensation under present setup and wanted the setup to be reorganized after empowering Jammu Politically.
S Harbajan Singh, Kuldeep Singh Parihar, Ashok Beotra, Rajesh Thapa, M.P.S Pali, Bansi Lal, H.C Jalmeria, L.K. Sharma,Ghara Kumar, Vilakshan Singh, Naresh Kumar Sharma and Shristi Paul Mengi, advocates while voicing strong concern and lamenting the role of political representatives of Jammu held them more responsible than any Kashmiri leader for their utter failure even to highlight and register basic grievances of Jammu.
The meeting unanimously resolved to form, “Forum of Advocates for Political Empowerment of Jammu”, an apolitical body creating literature for distribution, committees at district level, door to door campaigning, more such interactions at all levels to include people of all walks of life.
Slum free Action Plan for Jammu, Srinagar, major towns in offing: Jora
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 2: Reiterating Government’s resolve to provide best possible civic amenities to the people of the State, the Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies, Nawang Rigzin Jora on Sunday said that an ambitious slum free Action Plan is being launched in capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar besides major towns including Udhampur, Kathua, Anantnag, Baramulla and Leh.
Speaking to a gathering after inaugurating a multipurpose community hall in Ward No 30 of Talab Tillo in Jammu West Assembly Constituency, the Minister said that Rajiv Rinn Yojana for providing subsidized housing loan to houseless urban families has been recently launched aiming at making J&K a slum free state.
The community hall has been constructed at a cost of Rs 25 lakh by the Jammu Municipal Corporation to facilitate people of the congested area to organize both social and religious functions.
Former Union Minister and MLA, Jammu West Constituency, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta, MLC, Naresh Kumar Gupta, Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation, Kiran Wattal, president, Mahajan Sabha, Vinod Gupta and a large number of people and senior citizens were present on the occasion.
Jora said not only improvement of civic amenities and sanitation, but exploitation of full tourism potential of the City of Temples is under the main focus, adding that foundation of prestigious Bahu Fort-Mubarak Mandi Ropeway project will be laid soon as all decks including NOCs from Forest, Environment and respective departments have been cleared for launching it. “This project will also show case and preserve the heritage tourism of Jammu”, Jora said, adding that border tourism in Jammu is also being exploited fully.
Mr Jora while listing some projects underway for improving civic and sanitation, said that whooping grants are being incurred to develop basic infrastructure in the Jammu city. He said comprehensive sewerage treatment project under ADB funding has been constructed through ERA in the city.
Responding to the demands of the people, Jora said that Jammu Municipality will provide the drinking water and toilet facilities in the community hall at Talab Tillo.
Cops fall ill due to food poisoning
Excelsior Correspondent
REASI, Feb 2: More than two dozen police personnel fell ill due to food poisoning in District Police Lines Reasi, here today.
All of them were rushed to District Hospital and their condition was stated to be stable while Police authorities have taken samples of the food for investigations.
Those admitted in the hospital, included two Assistant Sub-Inspectors and some female cops also. Though a few among those admitted in the hospital, were discharged after getting cured, 23 of them were still undergoing treatment till last reports came in.
According to District SP Vivek Gupta, some cops complained of stomachache after they took lunch in the DPL Mess following which they were shifted to District Hospital for the treatment.
Even as there seems no sabotage or major lapse behind the incident, the food samples have been taken for required investigations, he added.
Brother dies, sister injured in road mishap
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 2: One person died while his sister was injured in a road accident in Pattan area of Baramulla district this morning.
A police spokesman said a Maruti car, DL3C-2044, turned turtle near Diver Crossing, resulting in injuries to driver of the car Harjeet Singh and her sister Ranjeet Kour residents of Alachibagh.
Both the injured were shifted to Sub District Hospital, Pattan where Harjeet Singh succumbed to his injuries. The injured Ranjeet Kour was referred to SKIMS, Soura for further treatment.
Dogri play ‘Diary Kuse Lok Naath Di’ staged at Natrang’s Sunday Theatre
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 2: In its weekly ‘Sunday Theatre’ series, Natrang staged ‘Diary Kuse Lok Naath Di’, a play in Dogri based on the story written by Prof Madan Mohan Sharma.
As the title suggests, the play revolves around the diary of one ‘Lok Naath’. The writer’s son finds a diary from a park and takes it to his home. Reading the pages of the diary, he finds very interesting and dramatic life account of one Lok Naath. The life of Lok Naath is portrayed in such an interesting manner that a common-man identifies with each situation and turn of his life. The opening pages finds Lok Naath disillusioned with everyone around him even to the extent that he has lost faith in God. Later he looks for something exciting to happen in his life. Cash starved Lok Naath opts to do tuition by teaching the children of his own boss since this way he will be able to please the hierarchy and make some pocket money as well. Here he happens to have some encounter with the sister-in-law of the boss. Loknaath finds her more attractive, charming and pleasing which prompts him to venture into an affair. Every day he goes with a new plan to approach her but is unable to muster courage to do so. Finally he withdraws his plan for the reason that if his boss will come to know about his intentions he is not only going to lose the girl of his dreams but the tuition and the regular job as well.
Pawan Verma as ‘Lok Naath’ exhibited his versatility as an actor. The director of the play, Dimple Sharma played the role of narrator himself and demonstrated his grip over the acting. The lights were executed by Neeraj Kant.
Shrine Board launches special registration facility for NRI pilgrims
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 2: On the instructions of Governor N.N. Vohra, who is also Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, the CEO, Navin K. Choudhary, has put in place a mechanism to enable NRI / ex-India pilgrims to register themselves for the Yatra 2014. This facility has been specially established in view of the fact that a good number of devotees living abroad undertake this annual Yatra.
The CEO, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, stated that an ex-India pilgrim will need to furnish scanned copies of filled-in Application Form, Compulsory Health Certificate and scanned photograph. He should send these documents to nkanand@pnb.co.in and also arrange to deposit the prescribed Registration Fee of Rs. 500 in the Account Number of the designated Branch of the Punjab National Bank.
CEO informed that an ex-India pilgrim should obtain a Compulsory Health Certificate (CHC), issued after 1st February 2014, from the National Health Services of the country in which he/ she resides or from a reputed Private Hospital. The format of CHC will be the same as for pilgrims from India. On arrival in India for undertaking the Yatra, the intending ex-India pilgrim will have the choice of collecting the Yatra Permit from the designated branch of Punjab National Bank located at Jammu or Srinagar. This choice will be indicated by the ex-India pilgrim when he /she forwards his Application Form to the e-mail address mentioned above.
The CEO stated that the intending ex-India Yatri will be informed through email whether he / she has been registered for the Yatra and the address of the Bank Branch at Jammu / Srinagar from where the pilgrim should collect his/ her Yatra Permit. He said that detailed procedure for registering ex-India pilgrims and the formats of Application Form and Compulsory Health Certificate have been put on the Shrine Board’s internet domain which may be seen at www.shriamarnathjishrine.com.
Reasi CC outplays Chenab Club by 66 runs
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
REASI, Feb 2: Reasi Cricket Club defeated Chenab Cricket Club by 66 runs to advance in the ongoing Sadbhavana Cup T20 Cricket Tournament at Sports Stadium, here today.
Earlier, batting first, Reasi CC scored a good total of 171 runs in the stipulated 20 overs, losing 6 wickets in the progress. Pankaj was the top scorer with 54 runs, while Kamaljeet, Anil Thakur and Shubam contributed 42 and 29 runs to the total respectively. Shubam in particular was harsh on the bowlers, hitting 24 off just 7 balls. For Chenab Cricket Club, Arjun Singh was the pick of the bowlers, scalping 3 wickets, while Sheetal, Munna and Jasbir shared one wicket apiece.
In reply, Chenab Club, bundled-out for a paltry total of 106 runs in 17.5 overs. Varinder Singh and Satbir scored 12 and 18 runs respectively, while extras contributed 24 runs to the total. For Chenab Club, Rashid Akram was the wrecker-in-chief, who took 6 wickets, while Ankush and Shubam claimed 2 wickets each. Rashid Akram was adjudged man of the match.
The match was officiated by Pardeep and Arjun as umpires, while Madan Thakur was the scorer.
Centre to hike DA by 10%
NEW DELHI, Feb 2:
Centre is likely to announce next month a hike in dearness allowance by 10 per cent to 100 per cent, benefiting about 50 lakh employees and 30 lakh pensioners.
It would be the second double digit DA hike in a row. The Government had announced a hike of 10 per cent to 90 per cent in September last year, effective from July 1, 2013.
According to an official source, the preliminary assessment suggests that dearness allowance hike will not be less than 10 per cent and would be effective from January 1 this year.
He said the exact percentage hike in DA could be calculated only when the revised all India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) for December is released on February 28.
According to the provisional data released by Government on January 31, the retail inflation for factory workers for the month of December stood at 9.13 per cent.
As per practice, the Government uses CPI-IW data of the past 12 months to arrive at a quantum for the purpose of any DA hike. Thus, the retail inflation for industrial workers between January 1 to December 31, 2013 would be used to take a final call on the matter.
“It would be 10 per cent this time and would be announced in March,” Confederation of Central Government Employees President K K N Kutty told PTI.
“Besides, raising DA to 100 per cent, the Government should revise the pay and merge DA with basic pay”, he said.
As per practice, the DA is merged with basic pay when it breaches the 50 per cent mark. DA merger helps employees as their other allowances are paid as a proportion of basic pay.
Kutty informed the central Government employees would go on a two-day strike from February 12 and demand pay revision which would be possible through constituting the 7th Pay Commission. The Government has announced setting up of the commission last year.
He said: “This DA hike won’t help much as actual rise in the cost of living is about 300 per cent as on January 1, 2014. But they would pay us 100 per cent as DA.” (PTI)