Excelsior Correspondent
KARGIL, June 19 : Equating enhanced access to higher education with ensuring its universalization, Governor N. N. Vohra, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah underlined the importance of satellite campuses, particularly those located in the remote areas, to give a fillip to the attainment of educational goals.
“This will also provide opportunity to young talent to pursue higher educational goals without incurring large expenditures and other difficulties in moving away from their native places”, the Governor and the Chief Minister said, adding that students from less advantaged families face considerable challenges and may not succeed in securing opportunities for higher education.
The Chief Minister said that the decision of the Government to establish Satellite Campuses in the remote areas is aimed at reaching out to the talent all across the State and giving them a break to prove their ability, expressing hope that the efforts of the Government in this direction will prove fruitful.
Addressing a function after laying Foundation Stone of Satellite Campus of Kashmir University at Khumbathang, Saliskote near here, the Governor and the Chief Minister emphasized the need of developing the Campus as unique knowledge centre where the identification of courses and curricula are based on current and future relevance.
The Governor, who is Chancellor of the Kashmir University, spoke about the opening of opportunities for the Kargil district students with the projected functioning of the Satellite Campus. The emerging human resource would competently serve the region, State and the country, he observed.
Underscring the importance of education in the holistic development of the society, the Governor said that expansion of education and creation of avenues for youth to receive higher education in a remote and economically backward area like Kargil is of great importance.
The Chief Minister, while unveiling the foundation stone of the Kargil Campus of Kashmir University, reaffirmed his Government’s keen desire to universalize education and give sustained impetus to make higher education accessible to students in far-flung and remote areas.
Mr. Omar Abdullah said that besides creating a chain of new degree colleges all across the State, he had taken personal interest to see that new Campuses were established at identified places in the State.
The Chief Minister emphasized on making Kargil Campus a unique seat of knowledge where subjects of present day relevance are taught to the students. He said that geography and mountainous grandeur of Ladakh region provide ample study and research material to the education seekers and this aspect needs to be kept in view while introducing subjects of higher studies and research in the University syllabus.
Mr. Omar Abdullah also emphasized on construction of infrastructure in accordance with the heritage and native architecture of Kargil, adding that infrastructure and faculty strength should complement each other in making Kargil Campus an education centre of excellence and attraction.
A. R. Rather, Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Qamar Ali Akhoon, Minister for CAPD, . Kacho Ahmad Ali Khan, Chief Executive Councillor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil and Prof. Talat Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, also spoke on the occasion.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 19: Reiterating resolve of his party to bring people of different regions and sub-regions of the State together by bridging the gap, patron of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today asserted that PDP would remove the trust deficit between people of the Jammu and Kashmir and rest of the country.
“During our tenure we had proved how to treat all regions and sub-regions equally and party would further facilitate the process of bridging the gap to ensure justice and equality to all regions and sub-regions”, Mufti said while addressing public meeting at historic Jhiri town of Marh assembly segment.
“Before formation of PDP led Government in 2002, there were complaints of discrimination with some regions of the State”, he reminded and added that PDP led regime had not only removed the discrimination but also ensured empowerment of different regions and sub-regions. He especially mentioned that Leh and Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Councils were given adequate powers during the regime of PDP.
“Credit goes to the PDP led regime that first time after 1947, all regions were treated equally in developmental and other activities”, he said and added that it was after 2002 that successful efforts were made to empower all regions to remove the sense of inequality and discrimination. “PDP led coalition regime had laid a foundation of mutual trust and confidence among inhabitants of different regions of the State”, he said and challenged his opponent to come out with any evidence of discrimination with any regions or sub-regions during PDP led regime.
Lambasting the present regime for taking confrontation with the Government employees, Mufti regretted that instead of addressing genuine demands of the employees, the Government has been adopting oppressive measures to stifle their voice.
“During our regime, we never took confrontation with the employees. We rather properly utilized their services to provide good governance of the people”, he said, adding, “whatever achievements PDP had made during its short tenure, employees and officers had their role in it”.
Quoting the famous proverb ‘The bad man always quarrels with his tools’, he said that present regime has been taking confronting with the employees to hide its own misdeeds. He asked the Government to avoid confrontation and address all the genuine demands of the employees.
Pointing towards worst ever power crises in the State in general and Jammu region in particular, the PDP patron called upon his workers to come on streets to force the Government to provide power to the people especially during the present summer season.
Coming down heavily on State Government for conducting on spot recruitment in some selective areas, Mufti demanded that on spot recruitment must be done in border areas of Marh, Bishnah, Kathua, Hiranagar, Samba, R S Pura, Suchetgarh, Poonch, Rajouri, Kargil etc. “There should not be pick and choose policy in conducting on spot recruitment”, he warned and said that equal opportunities of recruitment must be provided to the youth all regions and sub-regions of the State.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 15: To provide timely support and training required to perform their tasks and to upgrade the information and skill level of the elected Panchayat representatives, the High Powered Committee headed by the Chief Secretary Madhav Lal, Tuesday directed for crafting out the best learning module and material given the nature and demand of the job.
Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ashok Kumar Angurana, was also present in the meeting.
The Chief Secretary said that a significant number of elected representatives have to work in the public domain for the first time and are expected to face formidable challenges while delivering their functions. Their knowledge and skill level together with building the right mindset to carry them out should be kept in mind while framing the ‘State Action Plan for capacity building and training of Panchayat Raj Functionaries’.
The committee also recommended consulting experts while framing the Action Plan and roping in NGOs to fast track the entire capacity building and training schedule. “In addition to the 400 departmental resource persons already trained for providing training to the elected representatives, additional 1000 trainers can be provided by inviting independent resource persons and NGOs who will select these trainers locally so that a broad based training programme is developed”, the committee emphasised.
Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj with the active assistance of IMPA are mandated for capacity building and training of Panchayat functionaries and to frame the State Action Plan for the purpose.
The trainee has to go through many stages namely, Foundation, Functional, Sectoral and Refresher courses in order to understand local self governance mechanism with their respective roles. It also involves acquainting them with various flag ship programmes and community participation and basic knowledge about preparation of plans, property and finance, social audit, budget formulation, preparation of cashbook, bank reconciliation, maintenance of accounts, preparation of final accounts, auditing etc.
Principal Secretary Planning and Development B.B.Vyas, Principal Secretary Housing and Urban Development, Suresh Kumar, Administrative Secretaries, Deputy Commissioners and other officers were also present in the meeting.

Academic Council gives nod to establish UIT

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 19: Academic Council, University of Jammu, today gave nod for the establishment of University Institute of Engineering Technology (UIT) in the main campus.
This decision was taken during a meeting of the Academic Council, University of Jammu, held under the chairmanship of Vice Chancellor, Prof Mohan Pal Singh Ishar.
The UIT will initially offer B Tech and M Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering and Computer Engineering.
At the outset, Vice Chancellor, Prof MPS Ishar, welcomed the members of Academic Council and apprised them about the developments and achievements of University of Jammu during the past one-year.
He said that the establishment of UIT will not only help the students to choose technical careers, but also the ones, who are willing to go for higher studies in engineering.
During the meeting, it was also resolved to introduce various courses at main and offsite campuses, which comprises of MA programme in Defence and Strategic Studies, MA programme in Rural Development, MSc in Sericulture in Poonch Campus, BSc Honours in Chemistry, MSc Food Science and Technology, MSc in Forestry, MPhil Bio-informatics, MEd Inclusive Education, One year PG Diploma in clinical Psychology, two year PG Diploma in Sports Psychology, three years PG Diploma in Counseling and Physiotherapy, MA Economics (with specialization in Public Policy), M Phil Library Science, MA Public Administration, MBA in International Business Programme approved by AICTE, M Sc in applied Mathematics, PG Diploma in Composite Culture Management (one year) at International Centre for Cross Cultural Research and Human Resource management.
Academic Council also nominated Prof Kuldeep K Sharma, Head, Department of Zoology, as member of Syndicate for the triennial period of 2012-15.
Academic Council, however, did not grant approval to start new courses at the private affiliated college, which are not being run by the University Post-Graduate Departments, Offsite Campuses, Government Colleges and Permanent Affiliated Colleges.
Among others present were, Prof Naresh Padha, Registrar, Deans of various faculties, Head of Departments, Convenors and other officials.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 19: National Panthers Party chairman Prof Bhim Singh has alleged discrimination against the contractual lecturers and M.Phil degree holders of Jammu division by the Higher Education department and warned massive agitation.
Addressing a press conference here today, Prof Singh said there should not be two set of norms in the State for the candidates from Kashmir and Jammu region. He said why should be there screening test for the engagement of lecturers in various colleges of Jammu region and no such test in Kashmir region for the same post of contractual lecturers and regular M.Phil Degree holders. Prof Singh warned not to fix different criteria for the Kashmiris and Dogras from the Jammu region. He said the Government must treat all the candidates of J&K equally.
The NPP leader pointed out that even as per UGC guidelines, M.Phil degree holders who have completed degree before 2009, they are exempted from screening/ NET/SLET. It means that candidate who are serving this department for the last 5 to ten years as contractual lecturers, the Government is showing them the door. These lecturers are being paid a consolidated wages of just Rs 8000 and Rs 12000 and that too, after waiting for months together while their counterparts in regular service are getting even Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000 per month.
Prof Singh said that Government should stop exploitation of the highly educated youth. While supporting their cause the NPP leader said that his party would launch agitation if the Government failed to review its decision. He also questioned the role of Jammu leaders in the Government and said that they are still mute spectators.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 19: Braving scorching heat, irate BJP activists from Jammu East Assembly Segment, took out a protest rally from City Chowk to Parade Ground today against the prevailing power and water crisis in Jammu region in general and city of temples in particular.
Led by senior Party leader and MLA, Ashok Khajuria the Party activists were shouting slogans against the Government and its callousness towards the genuine demand of the people of the region. They said since the Darbar move to Summer Capital, Srinagar Jammu region is facing worst ever power and water crisis.
Addressing the protestors Ashok Khajuria said the party will intensify its agitation in view of the apathetic attitude of the Coalition Government towards this region which has always been given a raw deal by the successive State Governments right from 1947.
Making a dig at the Government Khajuria said that depriving the people of the basic amenities of water and power in this hot Summer is totally inhuman on the part of the Government. He wanted to know why the Government has failed to solve the problem, which the Jammu region is facing almost every Summer. He demanded an everlasting solution to the problem saying while more revenue is collected from Jammu still the people have to face power and water crisis.
He also wanted to know what was the fate of the much talked about Chenab water supply scheme and why this project did not see the light of the day.
He said though BJP has announced the nation-wide ‘Jail Bharo’ agitation on June 22 to protest against the anti people policies of UPA Government, in Jammu the agitation will be held particularly against the power and water crisis.
“We will launch a “Jail Bharo Aandolan” to press for smooth power supply to the Jammu region which is facing major power and water crises since the government shifted its capital city to Srinagar in Kashmir”, BJP MLA and former state President Ashok Khajuria told reporters here.
He said that there are major power cuts and shortage of water supply in the region, but government has paying a deaf ear to the protests and demonstrations by people over the issue.
BJP district president Rajesh Gupta and other senior leaders of the party also addressed the demonstration.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 19 : The power supply would remain affected across Jammu region on June 21 and 22, 2012 from 8 a m to 6 p m as the Chief Engineer, (Elect), Baglihar HE Project, Chanderkote is availing a shutdown of both the circuits of 400 KV Baglihar-Kishernpur transmission line and 220 KV D/C KPTL between Udhampur and Ramban to carry out rectification of damages of Baglihar-Kishenpur Transmission line caused to tower location Nos 5 and 6 due to snowfall in the month of January, 2012.
During the period of shut down generation from Baglihar Hydel Electric Project will remain affected and rotational curtailment will be enforced have the ares of Jammu provinde.
The public is requested to kindly bear with the department and use power judiciously during the period of shutdown of Baglihar Hydel Electric Project.
Similarly, in order to carry out the branch cutting and restoration of D-6 feeder upto PHE and Radio Station, the power supply to the areas Chowgan Salathia, DBN area, Chowk Chabutra, Upper Bazaar, Pacci Dhak, Jhullaka Mohalla, Kachi Chawani, Afghana Mohalla and Naranian Mohalla fed from 11 KV feeders D-1, D-3, D-5 & D-6 emanating from 33/11 KV R/stn Dhounthly shall remain affected on June 20, 2012 from 6 a m to 11 a m.
Meanwhile, in order to carry out work of branch cutting, creation of isolation points, replacement of tilted HT poles, the power supply to the areas New Rehari, Rehari Chungi and Exchange road fed from 11 KV feeder S-4 feeder emanating from Secretariat Receiving Station wil remain affected on June 21 to 25, 2012 from 7 a m to 10 am daily.
Likewise, in order to remove the hot spot of 132 KV D/C Gladni Sidhra transmission line emanating from 220/132/66 KV Grid Station Gladni, the shut down to Sidhra, Janipur, Jhajjar Kotli and adjoining areas will remain affected on June 20, 2012 from 6 a m to 7 a m.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 19: In view of anti-pensioners and anti-employees policies of the State Government, All Jammu and Kashmir State Pensioners Association (AJKSPA) criticized the Government for neglecting the pensioners and employees and on the other hand enhancing the salary of the legislators three times in one go.
Addressing the rallies at Sunderbani, Nowshera, Kalakot, Poonch, Rajouri, Kulgam and Fanagmarg, general secretary, AJKSPA, Madan Lal Abrol, said that the pensioners and employees of the State have been struggling for the last three years with their problems relating to the implementation of sixth Pay Commission but unfortunately the State Government has shown no positive response till now and at the same time the Government enhanced the salary of the legislators with three times hike and perks amounting to rupees ninety thousand per month.
The Association also condemned the Police action against the employees who were protesting at Srinagar for the redressel of their problems.
Abrol warned the Government of an aggressive agitation throughout the length and breadth of the State if it failed to accede the demands of the pensioners and employees.
Among others who addressed were Mukand Lal Sharma, Satish Anand, Ayoub Sheikh, HL Bhardwaj, Sardari Lal, Varinder Gupta and Subhash Chander.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 19: State High Court has directed the Education Department not to insist on compliance of SRO 123 of 2010 by the petitioners’ schools for the current session.
The directions were passed in a petition filed by Private Schools Association, Jammu province through its president Kamal Gupta and 21 others challenging the SRO 123. Terming SRO 123 as unreasonable and unjustified, the petitioners submitted that discriminatory restrictions have been imposed upon the private schools under the SRO, adding the renewal/ grant of permission for running the private schools has been made subject to the compliance of the various provisions under the SRO.
After hearing Senior Advocate D C Raina assisted by Advocate A Verma appearing for the petitioners whereas Deputy AG Shaista Hakim for the Education Department, Justice Hasnain Massodi observed, “despite being given opportunity to file reply to the petition, the respondents have chosen not to oppose the same at least at the admission stage”.
“On May 28, 2012 when respondents were given one more opportunity to file response to the writ petition, it was made clear that in case of failure on their part to file response, the application for grant of stay will be taken-up”, the High Court said.
With these observations, the High Court directed Education Department not to insist on the compliance of impugned SRO 123 of 2010 by the petitioners’ school for the current session.