Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 31: Minister for Social Welfare, Tribal Affairs and Public Grievances Sakina Itoo today said that the socio-economic development of the weaker sections of State is priority of the Government, adding that for this purpose innovative schemes have been launched to cater the special needs of the under privileged communities like Gujjar and Bakerwal, Pahari Speaking people, SC, ST and Other Backward Classes.
The Minister was speaking in a meeting attended by various District Development Commissioners of Kashmir Division and concerned officers of Social Welfare Department, convened today to discuss the Action Plan for Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) for the current fiscal. The Action Plan will be submitted to the Union Government for appraisal.
The centre provides special grants for development and upliftment of tribal population areas under Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) and Article 275.
It was disclosed in the meeting that Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has conveyed provisional allocation of Rs 37 crore under Tribal Sub Plan and Article 275 to the Jammu and Kashmir for the year 2012-13.
The meeting was informed that during last financial year, an amount of Rs 40 crore was allocated under these schemes for the State, but most of the funds remained unspent due to late approval at the fag end of last fiscal which need to be revalidated after the respective DDCs submit the details of unspent amount.
The Minister took a review of the works taken up by various District Development Commissioners in their respective districts. She stressed upon the DDCs to prepare the requisite Action Plan in consultation with the concerned public representatives and Gujjar and Bakerwal Board members as per the guidelines of Union Government with main focus on cluster approach and directed them to submit action plans as early as possible so that the funds are released accordingly. She also enjoined upon the concerned DDCs to furnish Utilization Certificates (UCs) at the earliest.
She expressed her displeasure over the absence of some Deputy Commissioners in the meeting, adding that non attending of meetings becomes cause of late execution of plans. She asked the DCs and concerned officers to be punctual in future.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 31:Working Chairman, National Panthers Party (NPP) and MLA Ramnagar Harsh Dev Singh, today lambasted the State Government for unprecedented power cuts in Jammu region during the ongoing summer causing acute hardships and inconvenience to the common masses.
Flaying the callous and insensitive attitude of the Power Development Department, he said that the people of Jammu region are made to suffer the worst nightmares in scorching heat and soaring temperatures with no respite from scheduled and unscheduled power cuts.
Singh said that the students are the worst sufferers particularly those preparing for the entrance examinations. He regretted that despite persistent appeals to the Government to adhere to scheduled calendar on power supply and the repeated assurances of the Government, no action has been taken thus adding to the woes and miseries of common masses.
The NPP MLA maintained that the Jammu region is the major sufferer with the Government and its ministers being mute spectators in the face of a critical and crisis like situation.
Condemning the Government for its highly parochial and biased approach, Singh pointed towards the most obnoxious aspects of power distribution within the State.
Citing figures, he said that the power consumption of Jammu and Kashmir regions is in the ratio of 40:60 but when it comes to revenue realization, Jammu contributes more than 66% of power tariff with barely 33% coming from Kashmir region.
The MLA vowed to fight such discriminatory tactics tooth and nail and said that the people of Jammu would strongly oppose the highly obnoxious treatment doled out to Jammu region in yet another field of power.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 31: “Anti Tobacco Day” was observed across the State. Various educational institutions organised painting competition, symposium competition, rallies to mark the day.
Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Sham Lal Sharma has sought the support of cross-sections of society to deal with the menace of tobacco and drug abuse, which is causing destruction for the younger generation.
Speaking at “World No Tobacco Day” function, organized by the Department of Students Welfare and National Service Scheme, Kashmir University today at Gandhi Bhawan, Sharma said that making of deterrent laws is not sufficient but there should be an attitudinal change in the mindset of people.
He asked the students to become the ambassadors for this social cause and spread this message in their homes, in their areas and friend circle to keep away from the Tobacco and other social evils, which are eating the vitals of the society.
Vice Chancellor KU, Prof Talat Ahmed, Dean Students Welfare, Prof Nilofer Khan, Coordinator, NSS, Dr Farooq Ahmed Khan, Head, Department of Medicines, SKIMS, Prof Parvez Koul, faculty members, students were present on the occasion.
On the occasion, various competitions like, painting, poster making and debate were held on the subject, which were appreciated by the audience.
Earlier, Health Minister flagged off an Anti-Tobacco Rally, being organized by the Drugs and Food Control Organization in association with the Department of Health, Kashmir University, and Voluntary Health Organization at Nehru Park. The rally started from the Nehru Park and culminated at SKICC. Hundreds of school/college students with placards in their hands raised slogans like ‘No to Tobacco and its allied products and ban on Gutkas’.
Several volunteers of Civil Defense, Indian Red Cross Society, Voluntary Health Organization, citizens, doctors, academicians, para-medics and people participated in the rally.
Minister for Medical Education RS Chib said that effective and concrete measures are needed to eradicate the menace of smoking, which is the biggest cause of the dreaded cancer disease throughout the world.
Chib was speaking at function jointly organized by Divisional Administration, Health and Medical Education, Education, Youth Services and Sports departments and Drug and Food Safety Organization in collaboration with Voluntarily Health Association of India, J&K Voluntarily Health and Development Association and J&K Bharat Scouts and Guides to celebrate “No Tobacco Day”.
Referring to indices, Chib said that over six lakh people annually die due to smoking in the country. He said that about four thousands chemicals are used in preparation of tobacco products, of which 250 are more hazardous not only to the health of smokers but on the health of second and passive smokers.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Post Master General, J&K circle, John Samuel highlighted the ill effects of smoking and chewing of tobacco products. He declared the vicinity of entire General Post Offices (GPO) as smoke free zone.
Earlier, Chib released special cover of post office on the topic “Quit Smoking” which will be available in all post offices of the country for general public. Later, Chib flagged-off the rally of students holding placards depicting messages and pictures regarding ill effects of smoking.
Chairman, Voluntarily Health Association of India, Prof G Q Allqaband and Executive Director J&K Voluntarily Health and Development Association, Srinagar Qazi Mohammad Amin also spoke on the occasion and threw light on the menace of smoking.
The artists presented skits on the subject, which was highly applauded by the audience.
“Anti Tobacco Day” was observed at District Court Complex, Ramban under the supervision of Kusoom Pandita, incharge Chairman, District Legal Services Committee.
The speakers impressed upon the gathering to create awareness among the illiterate and marginalized sections of the society regarding the preventive measures of smoking, which is spreading in the country at alarming rate and taking heavy toll of lives.
Department of Environment and Remote Sensing organised Symposium and Painting competition on the eve of World Tobacco Day at Government Higher Secondary School, Channi, in which students participated enthusiastically.
On the occasion, VK Raina, Regional Director, Department of Environment and Remote Sensing was the chief guest, while Ravinder Singh Risam, Principal of the school, presided over the function.
In Painting competition, Vikas Kumar, Ravi Panday and Mukesh Kumar were adjudged as first, second and third positions respectively while Prem Lata Kumar secured consolation prize. In Symposium competition, Zakir Hussain, Uttam Chand, Monika were declared first, second and third respectively while Suman won the consolation prize.
on the eve of “No Tobacco Day”, Food Safety Officer, block Akhnoor, Parvez Ahmed Choudhary inspected various areas including Main bazaar, Akhnoor hospital, Jhourian, Khour, Palanwala Hospital, Government Degree College and other public places and declared block Akhnoor tobacco free.