Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 18: Jammu and Kashmir Bank Officers Association, Jammu unit, held a meeting today at Press Club, Jammu, which was attended by office bearers of Jammu unit and members of executive body, advisory body and all district bodies of Jammu Province.
The meeting was presided over by president of Jammu Unit, Iqbal Singh.
The agenda of the meeting was to deliberate over the organizational matters, day to day developments of the bank and interalia approach to forthcoming negotiations on the charter of demands already submitted to the management of the Bank.
During the meeting, general secretary of the Association, Ravi Gupta, apprised the house details of talks with the management about the issues pertaining to the officers class during the course of past one year.
He also described the demands as set out in the charter of demands and sought suggestions from the house to consolidate the views and provide a roadmap to the negotiating team for achieving the maximum.
In the end, Gupta stressed upon the officers of the Bank to remain in a state of preparedness as the negotiations with the management over the charter of demands are on the cards.
JK Bank officers hold meet
No fire services in towns of Kathua
Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, June 18: The hilly towns of the District Kathua including Basohli, Billawar, Bani, Ramkot, Nagrota, Mahanpur, Guru Kalyal and Sheetal Nagar are facing non-availability of fire-services though the most of the houses and shops in these towns are made up of wood, which is prone to fire.
In a joint statement, the head of Business Association Basohli, Ved Prakash Fandaa, Jia Lal Vaid, president, Billawar, Business Association and Beopar Mandal president, Gujroo Nagrota, Kuldeep Abrol, said that there is an immediate need of the Fire Services in several towns of the hilly tehsils and its sub-towns but despite projecting our demands many times on administrative and legislative levels, no favourable action was taken by the authorities.
Alleging that in case of fire, their properties are not safe, they appealed the State Government again to provide the fire services centres at various towns of the district to prevent any loss due to fire.
When connected to SDMs of Bani, Basohli and Billawar said that they have written to the higher authorities from time to time to provide the fire services in their respective places.
UKF’s plea to CM
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 18: United Kashmiriyat Forum (UKF) in a meeting here today held under the chairmanship of its general secretary, Manoj Kaul while discussing various steps taken by the Central and state governments for ameliorating the lot of displaced Pandits expressed the hope that this will lead to a confidence building among the displaced Pandits.
Mr Kaul in an appeal to Chief Minister urged him to issue the directives to recruiting agency to fill up the remaining 1500 posts under Central sponsorship from the list pending with them as these youths are pinning high hopes in the Government and they have left their private sector jobs to serve in Kashmir Valley.
He also demanded advertisement of remaining 3000 posts as this kind of healing touch along with enhancement of cash assistance could revive the faith of the displaced people in the Government.
Number plates makers’ plea to Govt
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 18: The people associated with the trade making of number plates for the vehicles have demanded deferment of the introduction of high security number plate system saying that this would deprive them of their livelihood.
delegation of Jammu and Kashmir Number Plates Makers Association (JKNPMA) told Excelsior that around one lakh people would be affected if the State Government goes ahead with its plan of introducing the new system. The delegation said that they would be forced to shut their shops, adding that there seems to be no solution in sight for them.
“There are 1500 number plate making shops in the Kashmir valley. Once these are closed then thousands of families would be affected and their bread earners would be forced to come on streets. The Government should look into this and order for the immediate deferment of the order asking for introduction of new plate system,” said the members of delegation.
NHPC workers, others meet GM
Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR, June 18: NHPC Workers Union, Dulhasti Power Station, Pakal Dul Workers Union, Bursar Project Workers Union, Drivers and Cleaners Association held an introductory meeting with the General Manager, DPS, Kishtwar here and apprised him about the present scenario of these projects.
During the talks, the representatives of the unions laid stress to initiate construction on new projects immediately. They said that the projects that have come under joint venture need the kind attention of the Management to absorb the staff of Pakal Dul and Kiru Kwar, as it has been noted by the unions that pick and choose policy is in practice presently.
The unions also raised the issue of rotational transfers in Power House besides provision of drinking water facility.
The General Manager assured them that needful be done in due course.
KUDC, JTC express concern over water scarcity in Jagti
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 18: Kashmiri Displaced United Council (KDUC) and Jagti Tenement Committee (JTC) has expressed grave concern over the water scarcity in the camp and urged the authorities to take immediate steps in restoring the water supply failing which the inmates of the township will resort to agitation.
In their statements KUDC convener Vinod Tickoo and JTC president, S L Pandita said that for last four days the water supply has been snapped to the township putting the inhabitants to many hardships. They said long duration power cuts coupled with snapping of water supply has added to miseries of the inmates of Jagti.
The other demands included implementation of employment package in toto with absorption of waiting list candidates on remaining 1500 posts, announcement of more 500 class four posts, advertisement of second component of employment package of 3000 posts under state sponsorship, on spot recruitment drive for Pandit youth in Police and settlement of KPs at single place in Valley.
Bovine smuggling bids foiled, 3 held
Excelsior Correspondent
RAMBAN, June 18: Police today arrested three smugglers and rescued 15 bovine animals, which were being smuggled to Kashmir valley.
Police spokesman said that on the basis of information about transportation of bovine animals towards Kashmir valley, Police laid a naka near Kunfer Nallah, Chanderkote and intercepted a truck bearing Registration No. JK02AF/9327.
From the truck, police recovered 12 bovine animals, which were illegally being smuggled towards Kashmir valley. Police seized the truck along with bovines and arrested one person namely Arif Hussain, son of Mohd Sharief of Arnas, Reasi.
In another incident, police intercepted a Tata Mobile bearing Registration No. 0962/JK19 loaded with three bovine animals at Shan Palace. The animals were immediately rescued and vehicle driver namely Hassan Din, son of Abdullah Malik of Dharam, Gool and one Abdul Aziz, son of Ibrahim Bohru of Bolligam arrested.
Governor, CM for introduction of courses having present, future relevance
Foundation stone of KU campus laid at Leh
Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, June 18: Stressing the importance of accessibility to higher education, N. N. Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today, said that the establishment of a Kashmir University Campus in Leh district would enable students living in difficult areas to pursue courses of higher education and learning.
Addressing after laying the foundation stone of Leh Campus of the Kashmir University at Taruthang near here, the Governor and the Chief Minister said that introduction of courses which have current and future relevance and ready marketability should receive priority so that students passing out from the higher educational institutions are gainfully engaged within the State.
The Governor, who is Chancellor of the University, while laying the foundation stone of the campus, in a thought provoking speech dwelt in detail about various aspects relating to the development of higher education institutions and production of qualified human resource which can fruitfully serve the Ladakh region, the State and the country. He underlined the high potential of knowledge being transmitted through faculty exchanges, tele-conferencing and use of internet facility.
The Governor asked the University to consider a scheme for providing full scholarship to the meritorious students who commit to work as teachers for specified periods after gaining qualifications at the University. He also suggested a survey being conducted to assess the needs and aspirations of students of this region so that the campus could consider how best to made their expectations. He observed that the emergence of University Campus in Leh district would relieve parents from incurring huge costs in sending their wards to distant towns to pursue higher education.
On the development of Ladakh, the Governor observed that the State has an ambitious development strategy for the Ladakh region and, presently, the development process is in full swing and the development of a University Campus in Leh district, at this juncture, would also go along way in satisfying geographical diversity needs of the area.
In his speech, the Chief Minister said that the idea of establishing Kashmir University Campuses in Leh and Kargil was conceived in 2009 at a meeting of the Kashmir University Council chaired by the Governor. “We could have announced this important decision three years ago but did not do so as we wanted to first ensure the availability of land and the required funds to build the infrastructure.” he added.
Mr. Omar Abdullah referred to the State Government’s continuing efforts to provide equal opportunities to the students of all regions of the State to receive quality education at their doorsteps. He said that besides a chain of degree colleges established all across the State, the strengthening of the existing University Campuses and setting up new ones are important measures taken by the Government to ensure univesalisation of higher education.
The Chief Minister, who is Pro-Chancellor of Kashmir University, expressed the hope that the Leh Campus would provide an opportunity to the students of the area to pursue higher education and prove their excellence.
He underlined the need for constructing the University infrastructure keeping in view the climatic and geographical conditions of the area. He also emphasized on factoring in the heritage and local architecture in the construction design. He also asked for effective utilization of the solar and wind energy resources for meeting the energy requirements of the Campus.
A. R. Rather, Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, speaking on the occasion said that the campus would provide ample opportunity to the students to do post-graduation without moving to different parts of the country. He said that the challenge before the University is to build the infrastructure and provide faculties within the targeted time frame.
Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister for Tourism and Culture, said that the cherished desire of the people of the area has been fulfilled.
Qamar Ali Akhoon, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, in his speech, gave a resume of the development measures the Coalition Government has taken for the development of Leh and Kargil districts.
Rigzin Spalbar, Chief Executive Councillor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Prof. Talat Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, gave details of the various initiatives being taken for the development of the satellite Campuses of the University and the infrastructure to be built at the Leh Campus to begin with.
Meanwhile Lt. Gen. R. Dastane, Corps Commander, 14 Corps, briefed Governor and Chief Minister, about the security situation in the very large area of his responsibility when they visited his Hqrs today.
AJKPCC nominates office bearers
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 18: All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Co-ordination Committee (AJKPCC) today held a meeting here to nominate its president and general secretary.
During the meeting, Kulbhushan Khajuria and Anil Kumar were nominated as president and general secretary of the Committee respectively.
In the meeting it was decided that the president, general secretary and the core committee will be authorized to go ahead for the nomination of State wide bodies for the smooth functioning of AJKPCC.
The members of the core committee included Vijay Saini, Bimla Devi, Mohd Sadiq, Milkhi Ram Bhagat, Madan Lal Sharma, S Paramjit Singh, Ch Alamdin, Reghunandan, Ashwani Sharma, Bashir Malik, Jagdish Raj Bhagat, Balbir Singh, Madan Mohan Dubey, Asgar Ali, Sham Lal, Mohan Lal Mengi and Pritam Singh.
Mehraj-ul-Alam celebrated with religious fervour, gaiety
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 18: Mehraj-ul-Alam was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety across the Kashmir Valley and the Ladakh region. Thousands of devotees thronged the shrines and masjids during the day and offered prayers five times in the day.
The biggest congregation of the Mehraj-ul-Alam function was held at Hazratbal shrine located on the banks of the Dal Lake here. Devotees thronged the shrine during the course and offered the prayers at the shrine. The holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was displayed to the devotees after the five times prayers during the day at the shrine.
Some of the people turned emotional and could not control the tears while having a look at the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Others could be seen engrossed in thoughtful prayers while seeking refuge in Almighty Allah’s greatness.
Similar religious congregations were held across the length and breadth of the Kashmir Valley. Reports of Mehraj-ul-Alam functions have come from Asar Sharief Lal Bazar, Jenab Saheb Soura, Kalashpora, Syed Sahib-Sonwar, Shopian, Makhama-Beerwah and other places located across the Kashmir Valley.
The Government had kept in place an adequate number of State Road Transport Corporation buses for the to and fro movement of the devotees to Hazratbal as the areas around the shrine wore a festive look with many roadside vendors selling a whole lot of eatables and other items.
The Health Department and some other departments as well as Non-Governmental Organizations had made arrangements so that the devotees don’t face any problem while discharging their religious obligations. Some of the organizations had erected stalls where juices and beverages were offered to the devotees during the course of the day.
Our Jammu Correspondent adds: Mehraj-ul-Alam was also celebrated across the region with devotees offering prayers in the mosques.