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.
SMC starts consumer helpline
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.
KPC opposes AFSPA revocation
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 6: Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC) has outrightly rejected the demand of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) regarding the revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and removal of army from the State.
In a statement KPC chief Kundan Kashmiri said this will prove suicidal in view of the volatile situation in the State. He said the two Fidayeen attacks in Hiranagar and Samba area of Jammu region during mid of last year and increasing attacks on security forces is an indication that no compromise on the security be made as this will expose the people to grave risk.
He said one fails to understand on whose behest AAP was making such statements which can prove inimical to national cause.
He also accused the State Government of its total failure in solving the problems of the displaced Pandits and alleged that the NC leadership was misleading the community in this regard while referring to yesterday’s statement of Chief Minister.
Another KP leader and Apex Committee member Prof A N Sadhu and AIKS president and also the Apex Committee member Moti Kaul asked the Chief Minister that what steps he took in last five years in settling the problems of the community. They said that the employment package is lingering for last six years and the fate of over aged youth and relief holders is uncertain. Mere assurances can’t satisfy the community now and the Government should show sincerity in settling its long pending issues, they added.
They said Omar Abdullah Government even failed to give representation to Pandits in Council of ministers.
Aircel launches ‘Good Morning JK’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 6: In its continuous endeavor to bring best value for money products to its customers, this winter season, Aircel has launched an industry first unique proposition- ‘Good Morning JK’ – for its subscribers in Jammu and Kashmir.
Under this product, Aircel customers can choose from an exciting bouquet of services and enjoy lucrative voice, data and WAP benefits at just Re 1 every day.
The Voice benefits under this bouquet are now available in the market and other benefits will be available in a short span.
Existing customers can avail unlimited free voice benefits between 6 -9 in the morning by dialing a USSD string *121*100# from their mobile phones. New customers can do FRC (First Recharge) priced at Rs 73 to get Good Morning Benefits (Voice) + Extended benefits of STD @ 35 paisa/min for 90 days. New customers do not have to dial the string; it is part of FRC 73 product feature
Informing about the product, Sundeep Talwar, Circle Operations Head – J&K, Aircel, said, “The product will enable our customers to talk to their family and friends during morning hours at just Re 1 every day. This product is especially aimed at the student community and young working professionals who start their day early and like to be in touch with their friends and family before they head for their respective work places or colleges.”
Aircel customers can choose to avail either one, two or all services provided under Good Morning JK.
SDA to promote flat-type housing in Srinagar: Jora
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 6: Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) today made allotment of eight leftover residential flats in Gulposh Apartments Bemina as a part of its initiative to promote flatted housing in Srinagar city.
The allotment was made through draw of lots conducted in the presence of Minister for Urban Development & Urban Local Bodies, Nawang Rigzin Jora.
Vice-Chairman SDA, Shafaat Noor Barlas, Director Urban Local Bodies Kashmir, Hilal Ahmad Parray, Commissioner SMC, Dr G N Qasba, VC LAWDA, Irfan Yasin, Chief Town Planner Kashmir, Hakeem Iftikhar, Chief Engineer UEED, Mohammad Hanief, Director Land Management, SDA, Rubina Kousar and other senior officers of the Housing & Urban Development Department were present on the occasion.
SDA has constructed around 60 residential flats as Gulposh Apartments, near J&K Bank Bemina.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Jora said 500 more residential flats are being constructed by SDA at Bemina under Shehjar Apartments project for which country’s premier financial institution HUDCO has been co-opted as architectural consultant. He said SDA would also be availing financing for the ambitious project from HUDCO.
The Minister said that HUDCO has already submitted to SDA preliminary drawings of Shehjar Apartments and they have been asked to make some modifications in the same so that the vertical colony comes up as per the traditional Kashmiri architecture and in tune with the weather conditions of the Valley.
Giving a resume of Shehjar Apartments project, the Minister said that besides constructing around 500, two bedroom and three bedroom residential flats, the Vertical Housing Colony, spread over around 100 kanals of land, will also be provided with 40 ft wide main road and 30 ft wide internal roads transecting various apartment blocks.
He said as Project Consultants, HUDCO would be responsible for architecture/designing of the buildings, site development, structural design, electrical, sanitation, plumbing, drainage, water supply and sewerage design, energy management/communication system, fire detection, fire protection and security systems for the Shehjar Apartments.
Tributes paid to D R Bargotra
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 6: A function was held here today at Nagrota to pay tributes to late Dhan Raj Bargotra, Ex MLA and MLC of Nagrota constituency, on his first death anniversary.
A large number of people besides political leaders participated in the function to pay floral tributes to late leader.
State President, Janta Dal (Secular), Mast Nath Yogi, followed by MLA Jugal Kishore, PDP leader, Kuldeep Sharma and office bearers of Janta Dal Secular, garlanded the photo of Late Dhan Raj Bargotra and highlighted his achievements.
Speaking on the occasion, Yogi said that he would follow the footsteps of the late leader, who was dedicated and devoted to the cause of people without any discrimination during his political career.
Jiwan Jyoti wins in Vocal; District Poonch bags 1st place in Folk Song
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 6: Jiwan Jyoti of District Jammu bagged first place in Vocal, while District Poonch claimed top slot in Folk Song Competition in the Divisional Level Inter-District Boys and Girls Youth Festival, organized by the Department of Youth Services and Sports at Youth Hostel Nagrota, here today.
Meanwhile, District Doda bagged first position in Folk Dance Competition, while District Udhampur claimed top spot in One Act Play.
Paras Sharma of District Jammu won in Guitar Competition, while Kirtan Choudhary, Sadi, Ravi and Rupali (all from District Jammu) bagged first place in Harmonium, Tabla, Flute and Western Dance respectively. District Ramban and District Jammu bagged second place in Folk Dance and Folk Song respectively.
Earlier, the Competition in which 120 students and 8 Districts of Jammu division participated, was declared open by Ved Parkash, Deputy Director Youth Services and Sports, Jammu.
CII delegation calls on Finance Minister
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 6: Reiterating Government’s commitment about promotion of industries in J&K, the Minister for Finance & Ladakh Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather, today assured Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) full support in its endeavours to modernize and upgrade industries in the State to make them market oriented and competitive in tone with the day to day requirements.
He said industries have to grow in consonance with the newer technologies and innovations to ensure its sustenance in the open market competition, adding that Government would remove every hiccup, coming in the way of Industries & Commerce Sector in its march towards modernization.
Interacting with a delegation of CII in Civil Secretariat, Mr. Rather said incentives and packages rolled out under Central and State industrial policies for the industries would be implemented in letter and spirit and there will in no way be any let up in Government’s support and encouragement to the Trade and Industry. He said industrial promotion was necessary for employment generation and production boon to ensure socio- economic emancipation of the State.
The meeting was attended by Anil Mahajan, Chairman, CII J&K State Council, Sanjay Puri, past Chairman, CII J&K State Council & Managing Director, PBI (India) Ltd., S.K. Malhotra, prominent Chartered Accountant, Vivek Bhardwaj, Head CII J&K State office & Gagandeep Singh, Executive Officer CII J&K.
The main issues raised by the CII included simplification of the VAT refund process through SICOP and procurement of spare parts and lab equipment which are required to be imported by the industrialists and entrepreneurs for modernization and upgradation of industries in the State.
He asked the delegation members to present their other demands and problems in the pre budget discussion which will be held soon in connection with the 2014-2015 budget formulation.
Implementation of the proposed Goods and Services Tax regime in J&K like other States of the country also came up under discussion. The Finance Minister assured the CII delegation that all the stakeholders would be taken on board while implementing this new tax reform.
Woman receives burn injuries
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 6: A woman received serious burn injuries at her residence in Reshamgarh Colony, falling under the jurisdiction of Bakshi Nagar police station.
As per reports, a woman namely Taleema, wife of Feroz of Srinagar, presently residing in Reshamgarh Colony, received serious burn at her residence under mysterious circumstances.
She was rushed to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where her condition was stated to be critical, when last reports poured in.
A case has been registered and investigation started.
Time has come for change of guards: PDP
Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Jan 6: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) senior leader Shahzad Khan said that the time has come for change of guards as the present Coalition Government has completely failed to continue the developmental works.
He said this while interacting with people during his visit to interior villages of district.
Khan said that the flagship programmes, Centrally sponsored schemes and various developmental works have been literally made defunct due to the apathetic attitude of the Government.
Shahzad in his address said that people are deprived of their basic minimum facilities. Unemployment is the biggest challenge faced by the youth here, he added.
He said that work of the historic Mughal road is not yet completed despite the passage of deadlines. There are no sufficient doctors, paramedics, modern diagnostic equipments and trauma ambulances in the district hospital, he added.
Shahzad said that the present Government has failed on all grounds to provide a corruption free, transparent and development oriented Government to the people.
Among others present were Abdul Ghani, Jhangir Khan, Arif Hussain, Adil Hussain, Azhar Hussain, Sameer Ahmed, etc.