Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 15: Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD) Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan today chaired a meeting of officers of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD) and National Informatics Centre (NIC) to review the progress on the Centrally sponsored project – End-to-End computerization and digitalisation of CA&PD records in the State.
The Minister directed the concerned for commencing the two pilot projects for computerization of CA&PD records in the twin capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar ensuring its completion by April this year, adding that  other districts would be covered in the phased manner.
Directing for expediting the computerization of CA&PD records and digitalization of ration cards, the Minister asked the concerned to review the progress of the project periodically and complete it in a time frame manner.
The meeting was informed that the digitalization of  ration cards of Anantnag, Pulwama and Bandipora districts has been  completed, while as work on digitalization of  ration cards for Ganderbal, Kulgam and Baramulla districts is in progress.
Secretary, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Mohammad Abbas, Directors CA&PD Kashmir and Jammu Mustaq Ahmad and. G S Chib, besides Director, NIC Dara Singh attended the meeting.

Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Jan 15: A meeting of Ex-Police Personnel Welfare League was held here today, wherein the participants highlight their demands.
The meeting expressed resentment over non-release of 6th Pay Commission arrears due since April, 2013 and stressed the administration for releasing the same in favour of Ex-police personnel.
Besides, it also demanded release of 10% DA installment with effect from July 2013 in favour of Ex-police personnel, enhancement of medical allowance from Rs 300 to Rs 1000 and 15 % reservation in recruitment for their wards.
The participants also expressed that cases of GP Fund of some retired police personnel, which have not been settled, may be got settled by the concerned DDOs of the respective districts.
The meeting also urged the police administration to allow re-imbursement of medical bills of all Ex-police personnel irrespective of any rank.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 15: Minister of State for Industries and Commerce, Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo today said that for the first time in the history of the State that Coalition Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, has framed a well-planned policy to tap the huge Hydle Power Potential in the State.
“Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has conceived a well-planned and realistic power generation strategy and set a target to generate 9000 MWS of electricity in next 5 to 6 years in the State”, Kichloo said, adding that  Chenab Valley in particular is emerging as hub of power generation where about five hydro- electric power projects are coming up on the river Chenab.
Discussing developmental scenario in Chenab Valley with deputations of people from Paddar, Naghbini, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah at Civil Secretariat Jammu this afternoon, Mr. Kichloo said that the Chenab Valley is gifted by God with abounded hydro power potential which is being exploited optimally under the New Power Generation Policy of the Government. He said a separate agency Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited (CVPPP) has been constituted by the Government to explore all the possibilities to tap maximum power potential.  He said tenders for about Rs 8848 crore Pukal Dul Hydro Electricity Project have been floated as the No Objection Certificate/ clearance with regard to environs and ecology, forest and defence has been obtained.
“It has also been cleared by PWT, CWC and Geology and Mining”, he said and added that the project is being executed under Joint Venture mode as Chenab Valley Power Projects has reached at an agreement with three consortiums, the State Power Development Corporation (PDC), National Hydro Electric Power Corporation of India (NHPC) and CVPPPL. He said  the HEP project will be executed on 49:49:2 share basis.
“Other projects which are being executed in Chenab Valley include 39 MW Kirthai II, 48 MW Lower Kalnai, 37.5 MW Parnai HEP, 9MW Dah, 600 MW Kirn HEP” Mr. Kichloo added and said that about 27 Mini Hydle Power Projects  (HEP) with a combined capacity of 373 MW are also being executed in the State involving a whooping investment of about Rs. 2200 crore. He said these projects, on completion, would go a long way in socio- economic transformation of the State.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 15: Speaker Legislative Assembly Mubarak Gul has called upon the youth to contribute their bit in strengthening democracy and democratic institutions in the country.
“We are proud of our great leaders and sincerely commemorate   wholehearted sacrifices made by them for envisaging a democratic and parliamentary system for the future generation countrymen.  We should not forget our freedom movement which has been achieved by our leaders by sacrificing their  lives”, Speaker said while addressing students at 3rd session of the 4th Conclave of the Indian Student Parliamentarians (Bhhartiya Chhatra Sansad) at Poona Maharashtra.
He said that the freedom struggle under the leadership of the Father of the Nation, Mahatama Gandhi, with his inspiring principle of non-violence had to pay a heavy cost to achieve the goal of Independence.
However, he said that during its post-Independence journey it has seen many of ups and downs but the country is indebted to the people who with the passage of time not only succeeded to keep the country united but also curbed the evil designs of the vested interests.
“Ours is a multicultural society with varied linguistic and ethnic origins bestowed with different languages, communities, religions, beliefs, customs and traditions, etc. and we are proud of this kind of unique and colourful Union”, he said.
Mr. Gul said that this kind of formation has indeed not only given a special identity to the nation in the entire world but has strengthened its federal structure as well.
“We have embraced and met tough challenges in the past and we should always be prepared in future, as well, to overcome our problems and ensure that there should not be any discrimination with any section of the society or region”, he added. He advised the youth to follow the path and Principle of ‘live and let live’ with the spirit of tolerance, brotherhood and mutual understanding.
The Speaker said that under the prevailing circumstances the biggest democratic country on the planet is confronted with certain challenges and organizing of such kind of conclaves is inevitable.
He said that it is not only obligatory on the part of every responsible citizen of India but for the institutions as well to contribute fully towards the strengthening of the democratic system. Though our towering leaders in the past have contributed a lot towards strengthening this system we should also realize our responsibilities towards our nation.
The Speaker said the empowerment of youth is necessary for a healthy society to ensure good governance, transparency and accountability which is possible only with innovative education. As such the scholars, educationists, authors, writers and academicians of the country have to play an important role in this direction. The Governments, both at the Central and State levels, are bound to provide a free atmosphere for education in addition to the basic infrastructure which would provide an opportunity to the youth of this country to come up to the expectations of the general masses.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 15: The body of a Jammu resident was found under mysterious circumstances in Leh of Ladakh, official sources said here today.
They said body of one Vijay Kumar, resident of Emli, Samba of Jammu presently residing at Skalzangling in Leh was found at his  residence.
They said the cause of his death was not known, adding Leh police has initiated proceedings.

Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Jan 15: As part of observance of the 25th Road Safety Week an awareness rally was jointly organised by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the Motor Vehicle Department here today.
Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, who was the chief guest on the occasion, flagged off the rally from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Spiritual Growth Centre to Government Higher Secondary School, Katra, in which a large number of students of various educational institutions of Katra and its adjoining areas participated. The theme of this year’s Road Safety Week. The rally is “When on the Road Always Say Pehle Aap”.
The students participating in the rally were having placards in their hands with slogans on road safety week. The rally passed through different locations of the town before culmination at the Government Higher Secondary School.
Addressing the students before flagging off the rally, Dr. Bhandari emphasised the greater need for strict enforcement and observance of traffic norms to make roads safe for road users. He said that a large number of precious lives are lost every year due to road accidents and called upon one and all to contribute to minimize the road accidents by following traffic rules and regulations.
The CEO said that students can play a pivotal role in enlarging awareness about traffic norms and called upon them to be the messengers of road safety so that the aims and objectives behind organising such events are realized.
Kulbir Singh, Additional SP, Katra, threw light on the preventive measures to be adopted by the road users to minimise road accidents.
Dr. Jagdish Mehra, Project Officer, DRDA, Reasi, dwelt on the aims and objects of organising the students rally.
Rakesh Wazir, Chief Warden, Civil Defence, Katra, lauded the Shrine Board and the Motor Vehicle Department for creating awareness about traffic rules.
Rajesh Gupta, ARTO, Reasi, Sham Lal Kesar, President, Hotel and Restaurant Association, Katra, Shiv Kumar Sharma, President, J&K, Indian Style Wrestling Association, officers of the Shrine Board, heads of various educational institutions, prominent citizens, teachers and students in large number were present on the occasion.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 15: ‘Arsh Rang’, the presentation of soulful musical rendition of poetry of Arsh Sehbai, Urdu’s  master poet of Jammu, here today at the K L Saigal Hall, under the auspices of Indian Cultural Forum, was part its continuing mission to take the tradition of Ghazal singing to masses and also resurrect Jammu once again as one of the leading centers of Urdu literature and musical form like gazal.
The NGO has already held such Ghazal sandhyas based on the poetry of well known local Urdu  poets like Vidya Rattan Aasi, Deepak Aarsi, Pritpal Singh Betab and others.
Unleashing the magic of Ghazal and its very special place in contemporary Indian music representing a great poetic tradition from over several centuries, today’s musical concert composed by Sham Sajan, eminent singer and musician of the state, was a treat for the audience who appreciated and applauded the singers.
The memorable musical evening was marked by lilting melodies sung by singers like Aroova Jamwal, Suraj Singh, Indu Bala, Gursharan Kaur and Sham Sajan. The mesmerizing musical poetry with musical compositions based on Indian Classical ragas retained the serenity, serious mood and temperament of the original ghazals that were selected from Arsh Sehbai’s two books of poetry namely ‘Kushboo Tere Badan Ki’ and ‘Sayei Teri Yadoon Ke’.
The highlight of the program was recitation of his gazals and poems by Arsh Sehbai. The couplets like “Mil Sakoon Khud Se Yeh Irada Hai/ Waqt Kam Hai Safar Zayada Hai” and Meri Hyat Mein Sadiyon Ki Pyas Rehne Do/ Nazar Ke Samne Khali Gilaas Rehne Do” , sent the listeners ecstatic. Those who gave accompaniment were Amarjeet on violin, Sanjay Pashi on guitar and Karan Malhotra on tabla.
The program was artistically conducted by Ravinder Kaul, one of the founding members of the NGO dedicated to the cause of promotion of music in J&K. He through his inimitable and knowledgeable interjections about Urdu gazals tradition in the country added a definite  color to the program which was presided by Prof Zahoor-ud-Din.
Prominent among the audience were Khalid Hussain, Aslam Qureshi, IAS (retd) and others.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 15: A prominent leader from Doda district Ishtiaq Wani rejoined BJP at a function today held at party headquarters after quitting PDP.
BJP State President & MLA Jugal Kishore Sharma, along with leader of Legislative Party Ashok Khajuria, State general secretary (Org.) Ashok Koul, MLA Sukhnandan Kumar, Doda district President Dalip Singh Parihar, district Prabhari Shakti Parihar and other senior leaders garlanded him amid distribution of sweets.
Welcoming Wani into the party fold, Jugal Kishore Sharma said that a change has been witnessed in entire length and breadth of the State as the people from all walks of life, from every region and religion are realizing that it is the BJP only which stands for the cause of nation and common masses. After the announcement of Narendra Modi as Party’s Prime Ministerial candidate, a large number of leaders from Muslim community have voluntarily offered to work for BJP as they want Modi as next Prime Minister.
He said that the people have themselves seen that the Congress, PDP and NC have only misled them and taken for granted for seeking votes and doing nothing positive when in power. It is the view of one and all that the nation needs Modi and each one of us has to work towards strengthening BJP, he said and declared that the party will welcome everyone who stands for unity and integrity of the country.
Ishtiaq Wani, on the occasion, said that the BJP is sweeping the minds of people and he too could not escape from the strong wave witnessed in favour of BJP and its Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.
Parmodh Kapahi, Chander Mohan Gupta, Balbir Ram Rattan, Nand Kishore Sharma, Bashir Ahmed Jogal, Ikhlaq Ahmed Wani, Mohinder Singh, Vipan Shastri, Ram Lal Sharma, Omar Wani, Sajjad Ahmed, Mohan Singh Rana and others were present on the occasion.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 15: Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla today said that Government has earmarked Rs. 60 lakh for construction of parking lot near Jammu University auditorium, adding that the place would be dedicated to the students as well as faculty members soon after completing other allied works of the project by Jammu Municipal Corporation.
The Minister said this while inspecting ongoing construction work on the project here today.
The Minister said that   on its completion the problem faced by the students, visitors and organizers of   functions in the Auditorium would be addressed.
Mr. Bhalla further said that the Government has framed a comprehensive plan to facilitate the people with all infrastructural facilities.
Earlier, the Minister visited Udham Singh Nagar in Rani Talab and area opposite Peer Baba in Digiana and kick started construction work of lanes and drains, for which Government has earmarked Rs. 15 lakh.
Mr. Bhalla asked the JMC and UEED to complete the allotted works within stipulated time frame by using quality material. He warned  that there would be no compromise on the quality of work, adding that the Government was committed to create durable infrastructure with a prospective planning.
The Minister said Government has started development of all the periphery localities in the urban areas under a comprehensive plan envisaging creation of adequate infrastructure for improvement of basic amenities.
The Minister said people’s participation is imperative in the development of the State as they are the main stakeholders in this process. He called upon the people to extend their cooperation and keep a watch on the implementation of schemes for better results on the ground.
Mr. Bhalla also directed the PHE functionaries to lay water supply pipes in the water deficit areas of the Preet Nagar and Udham Singh Nagar besides plugging   leakages.
Listing the measures taken by the Government for improving the basic amenities in the Preet Nagar and Udham Singh Nagar, Mr. Bhalla said that   Rs. 4 crore have been earmarked for setting up a receiving station. He said that work on the project is in progress and would be completed within stipulated time frame.

Lalit Gupta
JAMMU, Jan 15: Dr Sahib Punjabi play ‘Hoon Parinde Kithey Jaan’, was presented as fifth production of the ongoing drama festival organized by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, at Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar.
Staged by Manoranjan Kala Kendra, under the direction of T S Premi who also played the lead role of Kehar Singh, the story is about ‘Enaiti’, a Muslim girl who as aftermath of Partition finds herself in hands of a Sikh Kehar Singh, a well known bad character.
Enaiti, slowly succeeds in making Kehar Singh, the Dus Numbria, to shun his old ways and live the life of a gentleman. Kehar Singh marries her after giving her a Sikh name of Harbans Kaur and sires a son out of their wedlock.
After more than a decade, due to mutual agreement between Indian and Pakistan Governments when it is agreed to exchange the so called forcefully kept Hindu and Muslim women from one country to another, the lovers are heartbroken. Their plea to let them live as family fall on deaf ears. Before leaving India for Pakistan, Enaiti aka Harbans Kour promises to Kehru to reunite with him in near future.
The life of two characters Kehar Singh and Enaiti/Harbans Kaur, as a couple which despite having the deep commitment for each other are torn apart due to the politics of Partition was very well brought out on the stage by T S Premi and Mousami.
They were ably supported by Pandit Makhan Shashtri as Taya/Sarpanch, Mukesh Sharma as Malook Singh and Ajay Sharma as Pagal. Other members of the cast were Narayan, Anil Kumar, Davinder Singh, Aparna Sharma, Dalbir Singh, Dr Rajendra Thapa, Pramodh and Sahil Raina. Music was designed by Balwinder Kaur and songs sung by Surinder Hans, make up by Meenakshi, Chandani, set by Amit Sharma, Davinder, lights by Rajinder Narang and Jairam. Tomorrow Parveen Kesar’s Dogri play ‘Khede Khede Ch, directed by Vijay Malla, would be presented by Unison Cultural Club.