Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 12: Underscoring the need for strict observance of the guidelines in the implementation of various components of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), the Minister of State for Health, Shabir Ahmad Khan emphasized upon the health functionaries to put in their best efforts for the improvement of medical facilities in various health institutions.
Reviewing the physical and financial status of several health care schemes implemented in Jammu Division under Centre and State plans at a high level meeting held here today, the Minister said that focus of the present Government has been on consolidation and now expansion part would also receive a considerable fillip.
The Minister said National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) has helped in a big way to reach out people in rural areas in healthcare sector. He said that better perks and salaries being offered to doctors and paramedics under NRHM has enhanced the chances of placing qualified medical staff in the rural areas.
Commissioner Secretary Health and Medical Education, Gazanfar Hussain, Director Health Services, Jammu, Mission Director, NRHM, Director, ISM, Director Family Welfare, Financial Advisor, Joint Director Planning, Deputy Directors of Health Department, Chief Medical Officers , Medical Superintendents were among others attended the meeting
Expressing concern on the decline in female sex ratio in the State, the Health Minister said that this is the area which calls for unified approach by the civil society and Government Departments together. He urged the need to eradicate this evil from the society, adding “we have to gear up at all levels and reverse the unfortunate trend”, he said asserting that the religious leaders, imams of mosques, pujaries in temples, priests in churches, granthies in gurudawaras and heads of other religious places need to sensitize the society about the most dangerous evil of female feticide.
Shabir said that latest medical equipment and machines installed in hospitals should be fully utilized for treatment of patients. He said Government has also taken different measures to provide specialists, doctors, staff nurses and other para-medics in the health institutions to improve health care service to the people.
The Minister received a brief on the progress registered under various state and centrally sponsored health schemes, under construction hospital buildings and the functioning of various disciplines in the health services, Indian Systems of Medicine, National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), Drugs and Food Control Organization and Medical Supplies Corporation.
The Minister instructed for discouraging the unnecessary referrals from rural hospitals to tertiary hospitals to avoid crowds. He called for equipping the district hospitals properly to attend all types of patients except of serious nature which require specialized treatment in the tertiary centers. “The concerned doctors will have to give the reason for referring the particular patient to the higher institutions”, he ordered.
The Minister interacted with each Chief Medical Officers and enquired about the problems which they face at the grass root level. He issued necessary instructions to the higher authorities for plugging the gaps so that patients get best medical facilities in the Government institutions. He also stressed for coordinated approach to achieve better results.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 12: Minister of State for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Aijaz Ahmad Khan today laid foundation stone of Rs. 1.65 crore Lift Water Supply Scheme at Batora Panassu in Thatrakote Gool Arnas constituency. Addressing a public gathering on the occasion, the Minister said that 10 Water Supply Scheme at a cost of Rs. 17.50 crore are under execution in Niabat Thatrakote. He also announced a grant of Rs. 15.60 lakh for improving electricity supply system out of his Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in Niabat ThattarKote . The Minister also distributed cheques worth Rs. 70,000 out of his CDF to each family of the 10 deceased persons who were killed in a road accident in his constituency recently. Responding to the demands of the people, the Minister said that Government is committed to provide all the basic facilities to the people, adding that promises made to the people will be fulfilled in a mission mode. He said Government has launched a massive developmental programme in nook and corner of the State to further improve living standard of the people, adding that construction of road network, expansion of health care facilities, adequate drinking water, power and education facilities at the door steps of the people have been given focused attention in the plan formulation and its implementation process. The people of the area demanded opening of new schools and up-gradation of existing primary and middle schools to the next levels. They also demanded setting up of examination center at Higher Secondary School Thathrokote.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 12: The National Mazdoor Conference (NMC) has appealed to the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to constitute committee on Seventh Pay Commission and release of other pending dues of the employees.
Subash Shastri, president, NMC while addressing the demonstration of workers here today demanded release of 11% DA due from January 1, 2014 in favour of both Central/State Government employees and pensioners before the applicability of code of conduct for next general elections. There remains no justification to delay the appointment of the chairman of the Commission for which Dr Singh has already made the announcement recently, he added.
He further stressed for early merger of 50% DA with the basic pay/pension. Shastri said that as per the recommendation of the 4th Pay Commission, as soon as the DA crosses 50% mark, the Central Government is under obligation to merge 50 percent DA in to basic pay/ pension.
Shastri urged PM to intervene personally and take decisions in this regards in the next Union Cabinet meeting so that uncertainty on these issues comes to an end.
He said the next DA installment to Central, State Government employees and pensioners is becoming due at the rate of 11 percent from January 2014.
The State Government should also release immediately 10% percent DA to its employees and pensioners, he adeded.
Shastri also insisted on amendment in SRO 64 insurance of regularization order of 180 daily wagers of Rural Development Department and release of pending wages of casual laborers of PWD Division. Pleading the cause of daily rated workers, casual and seasonal labour working demands were also highlighted by him.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 12: Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla today called upon the people to obey traffic rules for safe driving which, he said was imperative to minimize road accidents.
He was addressing a large gathering of people after flagging off ‘Walkathon’ from Green Field Sports Stadium at Gandhi Nagar.
The Walkathon is a part of ongoing 25th Road Safety Week being observed in Jammu by MVD.
Transport Commissioner, Sourabh Bhagat, Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Jammu, Arvind Kotwal, SSP Traffic, Pawan Parihar, General Manager, State Road Transport Corporation R.S. Jamwal, Deputy Transport Commissioner, M.L. Raina, besides President Agent Company Association Gajan Singh and senior officers of RTO and Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) were present on the occasion.
Mr. Bhalla said awareness should be brought among masses to avoid overloading, over-speeding, rash and negligent and dangerous driving so that precious lives can be saved from dreaded accidents. He impressed upon the drivers not to use cell phones while driving as it can lead to accidents.
The Minister said such awareness camps should be extended to district and block levels also so that common people can be made aware about the traffic rules and regulations besides making them acquainted with other road safety measures.
Mr. Bhalla urged upon the people to follow the guidelines and roadmap issued by the MVD and Traffic Police to minimize the road accidents. He said that numerous mega road projects have been completed in last five years to expand the road network and efforts are afoot to ensure road connectivity to the left out rural hamlets with urban areas.
The Minister said that apart from MVD and other Government agencies, school children and NGOs have to play a big role to educate the people about the road safety measures. He lauded the efforts of Transport Department for providing best facilities to the general masses which include computerized driving license, high security number plates, strengthening of pollution control centres etc. He further added that modern driving school, weigh bridges and smart cards would also be introduced soon to facilitate the general masses.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 12: The mail (congregation) of Khajuria Biradari is going to be held on January 14, 2014, at Devsthan near Bagh-e-Bahu with full religious fervour and enthusiasm.
The festivities will start with Hawan at 8 pm which would be followed by Priti Bhoj from 10 am onwards.
Biradari president Ajit Khajuria has requested all the Biradari members to attend along with their families and seek blessings of Shri Bawa Ambo Ji.
Meanwhile Jammu and Kashmir Kaith Biradari is also going to hold its bi-annual congregation at the sacred Dehri of Sankri Devta at village Langotian (R S Pura) on January 14. Biradari head Col Manohar Lal Kaith has appealed the community to participate along with families and invoke blessings of the deity.