Excelsior Correspondent
HIRANAGAR, Feb 21: The power employees owing allegiance to Provincial Electric Employees Union (PEEU) held a demonstration here today in support of their demands.
The demonstration was led by P C Sharma president of the Union. The Union demanded regularization of all daily wagers who have completed the seven years service with retrospective effect.
The Union also demanded change in service rules with creation of 5000 more posts and opening of promotion avenues.
Addressing the protestors Mr Sharma urged the Government to frame a policy on regularization of daily wagers as at present the regularization is made on the basis of vacancy of posts and going by this method a daily wager will not get a chance of regularization after serving the Department for over 20 years. This needs a modification and new posts be created as there is shortage of staff in the Department.
He warned against the privatization of the PDD and said that such a proposal will be fought tooth and nail.
He also demanded opening of another E&MRE Division Kathua with headquarters at Basholi as the present division is not able to cater to the vast areas falling under its jurisdiction.
Mr Sharma made an appeal to the consumers to avoid power theft and payment of fee be paid through a valid receipt. He also appealed the employees to maintain transparency.

Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR, Feb 21: Sighasan Mata Sevek Sanstha (SMSS) today constituted its new general body by holding elections under the supervision of Ram Nath Munwan.
Gurdesh Kumar Sharma was elected as president, Omkar Singh Palsar, Mool Raj Rathore and Sardar Paritipal Singh as State vice-presidents, Ram Nath Munwan as general secretary, Din Lal Bhagat and Baldev Singh Chouhan as office secretaries while Rishi Kumar Parihar was elected as publicity secretary.
Jai Lal Parihar was elected as advisor in chief while Prehlad Singh Rathore, Surjeet Singh Rathore, Kartar Singh Chouhan and Narinder Singh were elected as advisors of the advisory board of the Sanstha.
Thakur Kartar Singh Rathore was elected as chairman of the construction while Kishore Lal, Som Nath, Rajinder Singh and Jodha Mal were elected as members of the construction wing of the Sanstha.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 21: Minister for Social Welfare, Sakina Itoo on Thursday flagged off a group of 200 children, including co-ordinators for an all India tour to different States of the country.
The 15 days tour “Watan Ko Janu” sponsored by the Jammu and Kashmir Rehabilitation Council, Social Welfare Department in association with Department of J&K Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, was flagged off from Moulana Azad Stadium.
The children hailing from different parts of the State left for the tour aboard six buses of State Road Transportation Corporation (SRTC). During the tour, the group of the youth would visit Delhi, Dehradoon, Ajmeer, Jaipur, Agra and other historical places of the country.
Earlier before flagging off the tour, the Minister highlighted the aim and objective of conducting such tours.
She said by getting the opportunity to visit various parts of the country, the participating youth would gain much knowledge and confidence that would ultimately help them in facing the future challenges.
Vice- Chairman, Advisory Board for development of Pahri Speaking People, Kafeel-ul-Rehman, Vice Chairman, Advisory Board for Development of Gujjar and Bakerwal, Bashir Ahmed Naaz, Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Gazenffar Hussain, Director Tribal Affairs Raza, Managing Director, Women’s Development Corporation, Nahid Soz, Executive Director, Rehabilitation Council, Hafiza Muzaffer, Managing Director, Gujjar and Bakerwal Development Corporation, Ghulam Rasool, Secretary, Social Welfare Advisory Board, Gazenffer Ali, Addl Secretary, Social Welfare Board, Bashir Ahmed Wani and other senior officers and officials of Social Welfare Department.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 21: A meeting of displaced Pandits at Jagti township held under the chairmanship of Raj Nath Dhar today urged the authorities to make proper arrangements in the township for the Maha Shiv Ratri festival falling on March 9. The meeting which was held under the banner of Voice of KPs demanded that arrangements for supply of walnuts, vegetables and other essential commodities including release of extra quota of sugar and ration from March first.
The meeting also demanded that the ration and sugar be provided to Government employees under APL category also. The meeting further stressed for un interrupted power and water supply in the township and made an appeal to Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner in this regard.
The meeting was attended by M L Dhar, Nag Raj, Vinod Tickoo, C L Koul , R L Fotedar, Munoo Ji, Dilip Pandita and others.

Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Feb 21: A helper of mining machine died after the machine he was operating got trapped in a 20 feet gorge, here late tonight.
The man identified as Ajay Kumar got trapped in a 20 feet gorge at around 8 pm tonight when he was busy in mining work along river Ravi. Due to rain, he failed to identify the gorge which was filled with water and got trapped with his machine in it.
Due to darkness, the rescue operation could not be launched immediately. Later he was rushed to the nearby hospital, where he was declared as brought dead.
A case in this regard has been registered at Police Station Lakhanpur and investigations have been started.

Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Feb 21: Members of Samba Joint Action Committee (SJAC) have called for bandh in the town on February 28.
The decision regarding bandh was taken in a meeting of the Joint Action Committee held here today to protest against the police highhandedness and arrest/ detention of members of the Truck Unions and drivers of Samba district on the behest of some factory owners and influential persons in the area.
Talking to media-persons here after the meeting, Iqbal Singh, a member of SJAC claimed that several trade organizations, Beopar Mandal, political and social organizations have supported Samba bandh on February 28. He alleged that several Union members and truck drivers have been implicated in false cases by the District Administration Samba and lawlessness has increased during the past some time.
Mr Singh strongly condemned the attitude of SSP and DC Samba and alleged that while hobnobbing with the wealthy industrialists, they are trying to crush Truck Union of Samba. He alleged that during police action many trucks were damaged by cops and losses caused to the private property. He warned to intensify struggle against the Administration.
Meanwhile, SSP Samba Israr Khan claimed that Samba Truck Union was illegal and not registered. He claimed that police took action after High Court and local CJM court’s directives. The DM had imposed Section 144 in the area and many drivers violated the same. It was also found that members of illegal Truck Union were extorting money from truckers and police had to take action in this regard to set the things right.