Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 6: A meeting of Bhagat Maha Sabha (BMS) was held at Sant Kabir temple here at Simbliwala under the chairman-ship of Pawan Bhagat, chairman, Bhagat Maha Sabha, wherein it was decided that Nirwan Diwas of Kabir ji Maharaj would be celebrated at all block headquarters of the Sabha.
It was decided that Nirwan Diwas would be celebrated at Dhatrial on February 16 and Simbliwala (Bhalwal) on March 9, 2014.
Bodh Raj, National vice-president of the Maha Sabha, appealed all the members of Bhagat Biradari for attending the religious functions in large numbers.
BMS to celebrate Nirwan Diwas of Kabir Ji Maharaj
Nadan’s Kashmiri translation of Sanskar Chandrika hits stands
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 6: Kashmiri translation of Sanskar Chandrika, a revised edition of Sanskar Vidi of Maha Rishi Swami Dayanand Saraswati translated by Santosh Shah Nadan a Bhakti poetess and singer hit the stands today.
The book was released at a simple but impressive function here, today organized by Adbi Kunj in collaboration with Academy of Art Culture and Languages at K L Saigal Hall.
A galaxy of poetess, writers and intellectuals attended the function which was presided over by Wali Mohammed Aseer Kishtwari an eminent historian, writer and critic. The programme was inaugurated by Sham Talib, president, Adbi Kunj.
Dr Janki Nath Jigyasoo (Varisht Muni) and a veteran Arya Samaji of the State was the chief guest on the occasion while B L Saraf retired Session Judge was the guest of honour.
The papers on the book were read by well known scholars Prof P N Trisal and Dr R L Bhat. They appreciated the work of Mrs Nadan who brought such a valuable book before the people. They said the basic theme of Sanskars is self purification and by translating the book Mrs Nadan has done a great service to the community.
On the occasion Mr Talib gave an account of literary works of Adbi Kunj in the State. He said it is a matter of pride that his organization is organizing such a function.
Dr Jigyasoo, while speaking on the occasion said that it was he who pursued Mrs Nadan to translate the book which is a great treasure in Kashmiri verses for the benefit of the community. He expressed his pleasure that Mrs Nadan accomplished the task and made him feel proud.
Aseer Kishtwari, while speaking on the occasion said the book is worth for a big award and he being the member of Sahitya Academy will recommend it for the Award.
He said all human beings are equal and the spiritual books add to the purification of souls.
B L Saraf also spoke on the occasion. The stage was managed by Piyarey Hatash a well known poet and writer while vote of thanks was proposed by Ved Uppal organizer Adbi Kunj.
One arrested, 5 pouches of liquor seized
Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Jan 6: Samba Police today arrested one person and recovered 50 pouches of country made liquor from his possession.
According to police, one person identified as Preetam Singh, son of Giyan Singh of Sumb Samba was going to his village in a matador today when police arrested him one kilometer ahead of the town during the routine checking of the vehicles.
After frisking the person police recovered pouches of country made liquor from his possession. He was taken into custody and the liquor seized. The Samba Police has registered a case in this regard.
Municipal employees meet Nehru, Sharma
Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Jan 6: A delegation of the Municipal Committee Employees Association today called on visiting Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department Arun Nehru and Director Local Bodies Arun Sharma and demanded release of their salaries which they have not been paid for last seven months.
The delegation informed the two officers that the employees are facing many hardships due to non payment of salaries for last seven months and some families are at the verge of starvation also.
They demanded immediate release of salaries. The two officers assured them that the steps will be taken to release their salaries as early as possible.
Charak leading 40-member delegation to meet HM
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 6: Former Minister and senior Congress leader Gulchain Singh Charak is leading a 40-member delegation from Jammu to meet Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, Union Defence Minister A K Antony and I &B Minister Munish Tiwari to strongly take up the issue regarding launch of full fledged Duggar channel from Jammu besides problems of border people of the region.
Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Charak, who is also president of Dogra Sadder Sabha (DSS) said that a strong delegation from Jammu including members from Dogra Saddar Sabha and several representatives of Doordarshan artists/ producers besides prominent border villagers is meeting the Union Home Minister, Defence Minister, Culture Minister and the Minister for Information and Broadcasting Munish Tiwari in New Delhi on January 7 and 8. Mr Charak disclosed that he will be leading this delegation to Delhi with the purpose to take up the issue of Dugar Channel from Jammu to counter Pakistani propaganda along the entire border belt in the region on the pattern of Kashir Channel.
He further disclosed that tomorrow at 11 am the delegation will meet the Rajya Sabha MP and former Sadr-e-Riasat Dr Karan Singh in the morning at his residence and seek his support for the Jammu cause. He said that meeting with Home Minister has been fixed for January 8 at 1 pm. He said that Defence Minister and I&B minister’s help is being sought for this purpose besides mitigating the problems of border migrants and other people facing hardships due to border situation. The issue regarding special recruitment drive in Military and Para-Military forces will also be taken up for border youth of the region with the Union Ministers, he added.
Mr Charak said that during BCC meeting at Bishnah, the members have taken serious note of the discrimination being meted out to many Jammu villages which have been ignored while according backward area status. He pointed out that in the recent list prepared by State Government out of total 42 villages, only 17 villages from Jammu region have been included while 28 from Kashmir, thus granting 20 % reservation in Govt jobs and 10% in promotions. Unfortunately, the decision was taken in the Cabinet meeting where Jammu Minister were also sitting. The BCC members alleged during meet that Jammu Ministers have failed to watch the interests of Jammu people. They should have walked out or opposed the discriminatory decision.
The Congress leader demanded inquiry into the funds worth crores spent by RDD at Allah village of Bishnah on the name of Model village. He alleged that except raising a large Model village board no development work is seen at the village and the people of the area have alleged mass scale scandal on the name of Allah Model village. The RDD Minister Ali Mohd Sagar should issue probe into the matter, he demanded.
NC, PDP exploited Gujjars for vote bank politics: BGM
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 6: Bhartiya Gujjar Mahasabha (BGM) has strongly criticized the NC led Coalition Government and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for exploiting Gujjar and Bakerwal communities for the sake of vote bank politics.
Addressing a press conference here today, State president, BGM Eshfaq-Ur-Rehman Poswal, said that Coalition Government has miserably failed to mitigate the sufferings of Gujjars and Bakerwals and instead using them for petty vote bank politics.
“NC has ruled the State for most of the time either on its own or in coalition with one party or the other. But except promises, it has done nothing for the welfare of these communities”, he said adding, NC banned inter-district recruitment and deprived these communities of its due share”.
He said funds under SCA to TSP and Article 275 for upliftment of the communities have been stalled”.
Poswal said that he called on AICC vice-president, Rahul Gandhi and apprised him about the problems of these communities like poor implementation of schemes and mis-utilization of funds.
Slamming the PDP, Poswal said that this party, when in power, made recruitment for 10th pass, which was earlier, middle pass. He said that the decision of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, affected the Gujjar and Bakerwal youth the most.
Poswal added that PDP brought SRO 294, due to which youth of these communities were deprived of promotions in Government jobs.
These parties have for their own interest created wedge between Paharis, Gujjars and Bakerwals, he said.
Poswal appealed Paharis to support Gujjars and Bakerwals for their genuine demands.
He said the movement launched by BMS on the eve of New Year will continue and in this regard, 48 hour hunger strike will be held at Mendhar from January 15.
1 killed, 9 injured in accidents
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 6: A woman was killed while nine others were injured in different road accidents across the Valley.
A police spokesman said a truck, JK03C/6615, hit a pedestrian Jameela wife of Abdul Hamid Mir of Khargund, Qazigund near Court Road in district Kulgam, resulting in her on spot death.
Six passengers, including the driver of Tavera, JK05C/2654, were injured when it skidded off the road at Veerwan near Pandith Colony, Baramulla. All the injured have been shifted to hospital for treatment, the spokesman said.
Three persons were injured when a Maruti car, JK05B/2095, and Wagon-R JK05C/8354, collided on the highway at Choor, Sopore. All the injured were shifted to Sub District Hospital, Pattan for treatment.
The spokesman said police has registered cases in these accidents.
HC grants interim bail to foster son of Peerzada
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 6: Vacation Judge of High Court Justice BL Bhat today granted relief to foster son of Cabinet Minister Peerzada Mohd Syed, who was allegedly involved in copying scam.
After hearing Senior Advocate UK Jalali with Advocate Anuj Sawhney for the petitioner Imam Souban Bhat (foster son of Cabinet Minister Peerzada Mohd Syed), Justice Bhat observed, “without commenting upon the allegations leveled against the petitioner and without looking into the materials that may have been assembled in support of such allegations, the court is of the considered opinion that in view of the fact that the occurrence is four years old and the petitioner is a student who has to appear in examination brief respite can be granted till the petitioner files a proper bail application before the competent court”.
“In the event of being arrested he shall be released on furnishing of surety and personal bonds in sum of Rs 20,000 each and the direction will remain in force till January 31, 2014 and the petitioner may approach competent court before January 31, 2014”, Justice Bhat said.
SMC starts consumer helpline
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 6: After major food manufacturing companies were found selling hazardous items, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation has created a helpline for the consumers to address complaints or queries regarding food and food items sold in the city .
The Food Wing has created a helpline number 0194-2488469 and fax email: healthofficersmc@gmail.com for the citizens of the city, a statement of SMC said.
“All kinds of queries and complaints shall be addressed by a team of experts in Food Safety and Standards. In case any manufacturer wants information about the rules and regulations of Food safety and allied information like distribution, storage and other such information can also contact the above address and email,” a statement of the corporation said.
The statement asked all the citizens to contact SMC on the above given numbers or email us in case of any query or complaint which shall be answered within 24 hours.
Power not restored to Balakot villages
Excelsior Correspondent
MENDHAR, Jan 6: The electricity supply could not be restored in several villages of Balakote zone in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch after recent snowfall.
Reports said that due to heavy snowfall last week in Balakote area, many electric polls fell down and power lines broken. Even after the lapse of about one week, the power supply to Baruti, Darati, Langiot, Sandote, Dabbi and Balakote forward could not be restored by the PDD staff of the area. The public is facing lot of hardships during these harsh winter days in the absence of power supply.