Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 2: To commemorate “World Wetlands Day”, Department of Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing organized symposium, paining and slogan writing competitions on the topic “Wetlands take care of Water” at Surinsar.
On the occasion rally was also organized, which was flagged off by Suresh Chugh, Additional PCCF Director, Department of Environment and Remote Sensing, who was the chief guest in presence of LA Dar, Regional Director, DERS, Bashir Ahmad Bashir, Principals, Headmasters and Masters.
Carrying banners and pla cards, hundreds of students from different schools participated in the rally and other competitions.
In the symposium senior category, Rashi Kesar of class 10th, Shafqat Hussain of class 11th and Samriti Sharma of class 9th bagged first, second and third positions respectively. In junior category, Usha Devi Sonali and Poornima, all from class 8th emerged winners.
In painting competition senior category, Gulshan Kumar, Aman Manhas and Mohd Younis, all from class 10th claimed first, second and third positions respectively. In junior category, Suman Devi of class 7th, Sonia Devi of class 5th and Priyanka of class 6th secured first, second and third positions respectively.
In slogan writing competition senior category, Seema Devi of class 9th, Mansi Jamwal of class 9th and Arti Verma of class 10th emerged winners. In junior category, Abhay Jamwal of class 7th, Ankush Singh of class 6th and Pritasha Badyal of class 6th claimed first, second and third positions respectively.
While speaking, Suresh Chugh stressed on the need to keep water bodies neat and clean and also take measures to conserve them for the future generations.
Later prizes were distributed among the winners of the competitions.
The programme was compared by Dhian Singh, Lecturer, Government Higher Secondary School, Surinsar and organized by Sushil Sharma, ESC, DERS.
Department of Environment & Remote Sensing celebrates ‘World Wetlands Day’
ISBT, Khanpur stand ready; Govt lacks will to shift
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Feb 2: Even after spending crores of rupees on Inter State Bus Terminal (ISBT) at Transport Nagar (Narwal) and Bus Stand for Banihal and Katra Vaishno Devi route buses at Khanpur near Nagrota By-Pass, the Administration has failed to shift the existing BC Road Bus Stand to the new identified locations despite the fact that all the desired infrastructure is in place there for the last several years.
While these two bus stands are ready for the last nearly three years, the concerned agencies lacked will to shift the present Bus Stand at the new identified places. They just passed the buck to the other agencies washing their hands off the basic responsibility. General public in the winter capital city is the worst sufferer and continued to face the growing ‘traffic mess’ on the busy BC Road, KC Crossing and Jewel Chowk area. The District Administration claimed that Jammu Development Authority caused delay in construction of Bus Stand at Khanpur and Narwal besides raising required infrastructure there while the top JDA officials claimed that all the required infrastructure has been raised there and it was now the job of State Transport and the Divisional and the District Administration to execute the orders and ensure operation of these two newly raised Bus Stands.
The idle parking of buses and other vehicles at General Bus Stand, B C Road and K C crossing area has become the worst ever traffic problem and it has been further aggravated with the unauthorized operation of Tata Sumos, Taxis, Tempo Travelers and mini-buses from B C Road near Bus Stand. The administration did not bother to shift these ‘self-identified’ stands by operators to some appropriate locations so as to ensure smooth flow of traffic. These agencies apparently have turned a blind eye towards this basic issue, which is needed to be addressed urgently to ensure better flow of traffic.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Pardeep Gupta said JDA was busy in raising infrastructure like shops, workshops, night shelter/ hall for drivers and conductors besides toilets at Khanpur. They are now in process of allotment of sites and shops there. Some of them have been allotted and others are in process. As this activity is completed, the process of removing idle parking from B C Road to Khanpur Bus Stand will be started.
Responding to another question, the Divisional Commissioner said the Transport Department has already notified and the process of shifting will be started soon. He said ISBT at Transport Nagar will also be shifted as some additional infrastructure is needed to be raised there. Mr Gupta said Khanpur site will only be used for idle parking. Buses will operate and terminate at General Bus Stand. Moreover, a proposal was also there to raise multi-storey parking facility at existing General Bus Stand. He said the Administration was keen to remove congestion/ unwanted operation of vehicles to different routes on B C Road, K C Crossing and near Jewel Chowk. Now, the Transport and Traffic Police authorities will have to implement the orders to make the Bus Stands functional.
Vice Chairperson of Jammu Development Authority (JDA), Sarita Chouhan when contacted said that Khanpur Bus Stand for idle parking of buses of Banihal, Doda and Katra-Reasi routes was constructed by JDA several years ago. The required facilities including night-shelter for drivers/ conductors, toilet facilities, workshops and other shops were raised and they are ready for the last one year now. Even more than 25 shops have been allotted to the people to run their business there but they too, have not started their activity. They must be waiting and watching for the operation of this Bus Stand.
Replying to a question, the VC JDA said there is capacity of parking more than 300 buses there. Even lights were fixed at the poles and towers besides main hall for operators. Good number of toilets and bathrooms were raised there. Three JDA guards have been deployed to look after the property as some of them were even stolen by the unknown people as this complex is not put to use till today. Many people have paid money for the hired/ allotted shops and many of them are in the process of making payments. The workshops will also become operational only when the stand is shifted there. Now, there is time to implement the orders as Transport Department has also issued notification in this regard.
She further disclosed that ISBT at Transport Nagar has also been created by the JDA and there is huge space for the operation of inter-state buses. All the facilities are in place there but it was also not shifted from B C Road Bus Stand till today. The JDA should not be held responsible for it. In fact, it was collective responsibility of the allied agencies. If these Bus Stands are shifted from B C Road area, the traffic load will certainly be reduced around General Bus Stand area besides other adjoining busy crossings. She said the process of acquiring nearly 200 kanal land near Paloura on Akhnoor Road for Chhamb and Poonch route buses is also in process. “It will again ease the traffic load on B C Road, Canal Road and Maheshpura Chowk,” she added.
Transport Commissioner, M A Kakroo disclosed that much needed notification regarding shifting of Bus Stand to Khanpur near Nagrota Bypass has been issued by his department. He said the JDA has almost completed it task and now this Bus Stand will be made functions shortly. Commissioner said the assistance of Traffic Police authorities is also needed and now the Banihal/ Doda and Katra- Reasi route buses are to be shifted there. He admitted that this step will help in reducing traffic load on BC Road and General Bus Stand area. Kakroo said drivers demanded that workshops and `Dhabas’ be made functional there before shifting. They also pointed out that fuel consumption during up and down journey to Khanpur from B C Road was additional burden on them. This issue is also being examined. He however, assured that this Bus Stand is going to be made functional very soon.
Mr Kakroo also expressed his desire to shift ISBT at Transport Nagar without any much delay now for ensuring better flow of traffic in B C Road area. Commenting on traffic mess on B C Road and K C Chowk, he said it was responsibility of Traffic Police to regulate traffic and remove congestion and idle parking.
Hospital Bachao Front to intensify ongoing struggle
Excelsior Correspondent
BHADERWAH, Feb 2: Bhaderwah Hospital Bachao Front has announced to further intensify the ongoing struggle for restoration of Sub-District Hospital at the old complex.
Decision in this regard was taken during a meeting of the Front on 142nd day of the ongoing dharna. The meeting was convened under the chairmanship of Ranbir Manhas and attended by the core committee members and a large number of socio- politico-religious personalities.
After threadbare discussion, it was unanimously decided to intensify the struggle by reaching out to people of villages across the Bhadarwah Medical Block. The meeting also decided to give a call for a complete bandh and chakka jam in the coming days.
The Front also decided to support the agitation at Doda where people are demanding adequate number of Doctors in the District Hospital claiming that the District Hospital at Doda is as important for people of Doda as it is for people of Bhadarwah. The Front also decided to depute some of its activists to Doda to participate in the proposed agitation to express solidarity with the agitating people in Doda.
Those who attended the meeting include: Bhagat Singh Manhas, Ab. Haq Zargar, Shabir Khan, Master Krishan Lal, Raj Singh Kotwal, Satish Kumar Kotwal, Raj Singh Charak, Nazir Khan, Qayoom Kagazgar, Iqbal Malik, Suresh Pandit, Bashir Najar, Munish Kotwal, Ejaz Sheikh, Neeraj Manhas, Rishi Kotwal, Mohamad Yasin (Sarpanch), Des Raj Kotwal, Aslam Butt and others.
Did riots not take place during Cong rule? Rajnath to Muslims
NEW DELHI, Feb 2:
With the BJP being constantly targeted over Gujarat riots, party president Rajnath Singh today alleged it was being defamed and maligned continuously under a “planned conspiracy”.
He said BJP did not believe in politics of divide and creating differences among people, and appealed the Muslim community to help removing the “widespread confusion”.
“BJP is defamed and maligned continuously under a planned conspiracy. You all have seen our government in the Centre when Atal Behari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister. Who can say that we did politics by creating differences between humans?,” he told a group of Muslim leaders who met him at the party office here.
“Our opposition parties allege that BJP is the party which creates enmity (nafrat) between Hindus and Muslims…I want to make an appeal to you people. If anyone can remove this widespread confusion, only you people can do this and this beginning should be made from Delhi,” he said.
Stressing that BJP’s ideology did not believe in dividing people, he said, “Our ideology and our political thought wants to give only this message that we don’t want to create enmity between humans and we don’t want to make our government by creating divide.”
“If we want to make a government, then we want to base it on the politics of humanity and justice,” Singh said.
He also alleged that many more riots have taken place in the country during the Congress regimes.
“Did riots not take place during Congress rule? I can say with confidence that during Congress rule, many more riots took place…We have our government in several of the states…If a riot takes place anywhere, then it should not be assumed that BJP instigated the riot,” Singh said.
“If we want to develop this, it will not be possible till people from all sections and society come together,” the BJP President said.
Rajnath also addressed a gathering of farmers at the party office, highlighting the issues regarding agriculture loan and reducing profit margin.
“I am aware how farmers are being neglected. In last eight years, the central government has given Rs 22-24 lakh crore to business and industries. But when it comes to giving a subsidy of Rs 50,000 crore or Rs one lakh crore to farmers, then this government backtracks. Why this should happen?,” he said.
Rajnath said that the country will not be able to join the list of developed nations untill farmers are prosperous and empowered here.
“The so-called intellectuals and progressive people claim that India is making rapid advances in becoming intellectual capital of the world. I welcome if India becomes intellectual capital of world. There cannot be any opposition to that. But attempts should be made so that India becomes the agricultural capital of the world,” he said.
The BJP leader recalled that as a Minister in Vajpayee government he lowered the interest on agriculture loan and had set up a farmers commission for such tasks.
“I had told its members that rate of interest on farmer’s loan should not be more than four per cent…. You will be happy to know that in several BJP ruled states farmers are provided loans at one per cent and zero per cent rate of interest,” he said.
Rajnath also suggested that no interest should be charged for one year after giving agri-loans.
He suggested organising a detailed meeting to discuss the issues and said it will be part of BJP’s election manifesto.
Suggesting that MNREGA should be linked to agriculture, he said, “There is an issue of MNREGA also, because of MNREGA we don’t get agriculture labourers.” (PTI)
Exhibition cum sale of Khadi & village industries products commence
Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Feb 2: Three days district level exhibition cum sale of khadi and village industries products organized by J&K Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB) commenced today at Block Development Office, Vijaypur.
The exhibition cum sale was inaugurated by MLA Vijaypur and Former Cabinet Minister Surjit Singh Slathia and District Development Commissioner Mubarak Singh.
Fifteen stalls were set up by the department to display the products manufactured by the KVIB unit holders. The main attractions were desert coolers, sewing machines, shoes, soft toys, sanitary fitting, masala items, etc.
Experts from different fields were also available to disseminate the information and to guide the youth for setting up their own enterprises/ income generating units.
Addressing the gathering, Slathia called for a change in the mind set of the unemployed youth towards entrepreneurship to become job provides instead of job seekers.
He added that such exhibitions besides encouraging the youth for setting up their income generating units help in cordial relationship between the department and the local people.
Slathia directed the concerned officers to create awareness about different State and centrally sponsored schemes and stressed upon the Panchs and Sarpanchs to render their services with zeal and dedication.
Mubarak Singh impressed upon the officers present to ensure that benefits of various development and welfare schemes reach to the real beneficiaries.
Earlier, Secretary/ CEO, KVIB presented a resume of activities of the board and informed that such exhibitions are organized every year.
Among others present were Dy CEO KVIB Jammu Division, District Officer, KVIC, officers from civil administration, Sarpanchs and Panchs.
IAF receives basic trainer Aircraft from Switzerland
HYDERABAD, Feb 2:
Indian Air Force has received the first batch of the new basic trainer aircraft ‘PC-7 Mk-II’ produced by the Pilatus aircraft company of Switzerland, which arrived at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal near Hyderabad today.
The first lot of aircraft were flown in by the Swiss pilots and received at Air Force Academy by Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, Air Marshal Rajinder Singh PVSM AVSM VM and Commandant AFA, Air Marshal RG Burli VM.
The aircraft ‘PC-7 Mk-II’ is a modern trainer aircraft, equipped with the latest navigation system and training aids, and is being used by many Air Forces around the world.
The IAF is to get 75 such aircrafts in the coming months. With the induction of the ‘PC-7 Mk-II’ aircraft, the IAF will be able to meet the long standing need of having a basic trainer aircraft post grounding of HPT-32 in July 2009. (UNI)
Office bearers elected
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 2: A meeting of All J&K Sleeper Coach Buses’ Owners’ Union was held here today under the chairmanship of MLC Davinder Singh Rana wherein they elected new office bearers of the union.
During the meeting , Sudershan Sharma was elected as chairman, Ravi Sharma as president, Chanchal Singh as senior vice-president, Narinder Gupta as vice-president, Mangat Ram as general secretary, Sukhdev Singh as joint secretary, Ashwani Bali as secretary and Ravinder Singh as cashier.
While speaking on the occasion, Rana congratulated the newly elected members and expressed hope that they will provide the best service to tourists.
SSA teachers protest, demand release of wages
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 2: Expressing concern over the non-disbursal of salaries for the last five months, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) teachers today appealed the State Government to release their salaries immediately.
Sharing their views with Excelsior, a group of protesting teachers said that their salaries are pending for the last five months and they are facing worst financial crisis. They alleged that the concerned higher officials have not submitted the details of SSA teachers to the Government.
“The SSA teachers have continuously presented their work before the higher officials from time to time but they are being asked to present their work again and again. This depicts height of negligence and incompetence of the concerned authorities and Government should take a serious note of these glaring discrepancies,” said Showkat Ahmad Bhat, Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Teachers Forum.
Bhat said that the teachers don’t want to make the students suffer by going on strike but the Government and the higher authorities are compelling them to protest. He demanded action against the officers who have failed to release the salaries of the SSA teachers.
‘Induction Training Prog’ concludes at IECS
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 2: Five days “Induction Training Programme using ICT” organized by NITTTR, Chandigarh concluded today at IECS Polytechnic College.
During the programme, lecturers were delivered by the eminent educationists using Information Communication Technology.
Dr ML Parwana, Principal, National College of Education and Annil Suri, President, Bari-Brahmana Industries Association also delivered useful lectures.
Faculty members from different technical institutions also participated in the programme.
Prof Rama Chhabra from NITTTR, Chandigarh delivered the concluding lecture.
At the end, Prof KG Gupta, Principal, IECS presented vote of thanks.
GM Mall’s to open world class retail outlet in Jammu
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 2: The city of temples is all set to emerge as the world class retail destination generating over 2000 direct and indirect employment opportunities besides over Rs 100 crore worth taxes through over 100 retail outlets planned by G S Mall Pvt. Ltd which has invested around Rs 120 crore to build a world class mall in the city.
GS Mall Pvt Ltd, one of the leading retail developers of the country through this massive investment intends to develop a world class retail destination in Jammu which would help Jammu to soon break away from its image of a small town and a pilgrimage destination to a global city of exceptional infrastructure and development.
Most of the construction of the mall is on the final leg of the completion and this mutual and long term relation is likely to benefit the local people, corporate sector and the Government, says a handout issued by the company.
Some of the key features listed by the company include; new direct employment opportunities for over 1000 locals with excellent working conditions & remuneration packages at par with the metros, new indirect employment for over 1000 locals with local businesses, more than 100 retail showrooms, family entertainment at cinemas with 3 screens & 1043 seats multiplex, business epicenter of sales of lifestyle products under one roof.
Other features include lifestyle enhancement of the People, exposing them to the modern world, family entertainment centers for a healthy society, bringing the city on the map of India in terms of modernity and development and excellent platform for building strong and modern relationship with the people.