Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 17: Construction of the prestigious Rs 34.58 crore Excise and Taxation complex at Rambagh Srinagar has been completed and is expected to be commissioned within a month.
The Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affaris, Abdul Rahim Rather today inspected the E&T Complex and gave final touches to the proposed commissioning ceremony. The magnificent five storied complex has been conceived to provide all the business related facilities to the traders fraternity of the State under one roof.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the complex will be fully air conditioned with central heating system having 8 lifts for convenience of the traders and officers. There will an auditorium, central library and meeting hall besides separate office accommodation for various circles of the Excise and Taxation Department. The complex has a parking space for about 100 vehicles.
Later, while reviewing the present status of the complex, at a high level meeting, Mr. Rather ordered for acquisition of additional land for construction of the II phase of the Excise and Taxation complex that will have separate stamps and registration complexes and Sales Tax tribunal also. He also reviewed the security plan for the complex with the IGP Kashmir and engineers of the JKPCC, which is executing agency.
The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary, Finance, Mohammad Iqbal Khanday, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Asgar Samoon, Commissioner Secretary Higher Education, Tanveer Jehan, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, S.M.Sahai, Commissioner Commercial Taxes, Veneeta Gupta, Additional Commissioner Commercial Taxes, Kashmir, Mushtaq Ahmed, Deputy Commissioner HQ CT, Showkat Ajaz, Managing Director JKPCC, Chief Engineer R&B Kashmir Mushtaq Ahmed and other concerned officers.
Later, Mr. Rather visited various sections of the Excise and Taxation complex and interacted with the Staff deployed there. He was informed that the commercial Taxes Department has realized a revenue of over Rs 3538.37 crore upto March 2012.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 17: Minister of State for Cooperative and Elections, Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma today said that Government was determined to strengthen the Cooperative sector by providing all basic infrastructural facilities to it so that the people are benefitted by availing employment opportunities.
The Minister was reviewing the functioning of Cooperative Department and its allied Banks here today.
Dr. Manohar asked the banking functionaries to extend firm support to the farmers, entrepreneurs and other persons enthusiastic to take up self employment ventures in the State. He stressed for achieving the targets under all sectors.
He stressed upon the Commissioner Secretary Cooperative to take up matter related to monitoring of funds with Reserve bank of India at the earliest.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Dr. Fazal-ullah, Additional Registrar Kashmir, Mohammad Saleem, Managing Director State Cooperative Bank Srinagar, Mohammad Ashraf, CEO Jammu Central Cooperative Bank, Jammu, Roshan Lal, Managing Director SCARDB, Mohammad Aslam, Managing Director Anantnag Cooperative Bank and Deputy Registrar Cooperative.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 17: A deputation of Kashmiri Migrants Coordination Committee Non Camp Udhampur today called on Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner, R K Pandita. The deputation was led by Ashok Trali chairman of the Committee and its other members included president of the Committee Hira Lal Bhat, Avtar Krishan Bhat, Chaman Lal Tickoo and Rajesh. The deputation handed over the list of non -camp migrants of Udhampur for allotment of quarters at Jagti.
The delegation demanded providing of stationery and new ration cards at Zonal Office Udhampur. They also demanded that inclusion of newly born babies or deduction of a member from the ration card for Udhampur district be done at concerned Zone Office for the convenience of migrants.
They also demanded issuance of ration of last two months on cash payment to pensioners and employees of Zone Udhampur who were deprived of it. The delegation also demanded that the buses be provided for the holy Kheer Bhawani Mela from Jammu.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 17: Government is contemplating to provide foodgrains to all the welfare institutions of the State being looked after by Social Welfare Department and Hostels for SC/ST students run by various colleges as the centre has allocated additional quota to the State for the purpose.
This was stated by the Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Qamar Ali Akhoon while chairing a joint meeting of the officers of CA&PD, Social Welfare and the representation of various welfare institutions and the senior authorities of petroleum agencies.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that due to strenuous efforts of the present Government, the Centre has agreed to provide additional ration quota for the welfare institutions, migrant Pandits and nomads from this year which will be provided to them on BPL rates.
Mr. Akhoon stressed upon the authorities of Social Welfare Department to submit a complete list of the registered welfare institutions of the State with up to date list of inmates in these institutions being looked after by various NGOs to the concerned Directors of CA&PD of both the divisions at an earliest. He also instructed the Director Colleges to submit the requisite detailed list with regard to students of SC, ST, OBC and other categories being accommodated in Gujar Bakerwal Hostels in the State so that ration is being supplied to them accordingly.
Responding to the demands of various Patrons and Trustees, regarding shortage of LPG, supply of Atta, drinking water supply and electricity, the Minister assured that these issues would also be mitigated on priority in consultation with the concerned departments.
Besides Secretary CA&PD Muhammad Abbas Dar, Special Secretary Social Welfare Muhammad Yasin, Director Colleges Dr. Muqbil Chisti, Director CA&PD Jammu Parvaiz Ahmad Malik, Joint Director Planning Muhammad Ismail Sheikh, Deputy Director (P&S) Zahoor Ali Khan, Deputy Director Social Welfare Rubina Kouser, Chairman, J&K Yateen Trust Zahoor Ahmad Tak, Chairman J&K Yateem Khanna Advocate Ahadullah, Regional Manager LPG/Jakfed Tanveer Ashai and representatives of various Oil Companies attended the meeting.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 17: Two persons including a boy died and five others were injured in different road accidents across the Kashmir Valley.
Reports said a Tata Sumo bearing registration number JK05A/6315 while on way to Srinagar from Baramulla hit and injured a boy Jagdish Baghdia age seven years son of Mohan Baghdia resident of Gangapora, Rajasthan. The injured was shifted to District Hospital, Baramulla, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Tameel Maqbool Parray son of Mohammad Maqbool resident of Dobhiwan-Kunzar, Tangmarg succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS Soura, Srinagar today. He had received injuries in a road accident at Dobhiwan, Baramulla on May 13.
A Tata Sumo hit and injured a pedestrian Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Mir son of Mohammad Maqbool resident of Sheikhzoo, Ganderbal on National Highway near JVC Hospital, Parimpora. The injured was shifted to hospital for treatment.
A scooter bearing registration number JK01Q/8429 met with an accident on Fore Shore road, near Nishat, resulting in injuries to the scooterist Tahir Ahmad Naqashbandhi son of Ghulam Nabi resident of Azad Colony, Soura, Srinagar. The injured has been shifted to SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar for treatment.
A Tata Sumo bearing registration number JK01D/0422 and a Tata Load Carrier bearing registration number JK01K/5661 collided near Waliwar-Lar, Ganderbal, resulting in injuries to three persons Nayeem Ahmad Kuchay aged 19 years son of Ghulam Qadir resident of Manasbal, Masrat aged 16 years daughter of Abdul Majeed resident of Waliwar and driver of the Load carrier Ajaz Ahmad Mathanji son of Ghulam Mohammad resident of Manasbal. All the injured were shifted to SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar for treatment.

Excelsior Correspondent
SURANKOTE, May 17: In its endeavour to provide guidance to youth, the Youth Employment and Guidance Node at Surankote, which is run under the aegis of Romeo Force, conducted one day session on Group Discussion and Personal Interview Techniques aimed at preparing the youth to face their interviewers in group discussion or personal interview, here today.
A large number of youth attended the session. Many of them were those who had already appeared in one or more competitive exams.
Taking the narrated incidents of candidates as tutorial guidance aim of this interactive session, all myths and realities were discussed by experienced staff from civil as well as army.
The participants acknowledged that such awareness programmes should be organised regularly for the youth of remote areas as it help them in shaping their future.

Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, May 17: The Government has approved three girls hostels and one P.G hostel for Gujjar- Bakkerwal students in Jammu, while the proposal for P G Hostel for Srinagar will be submitted for approval soon.
The Vice- Chairman State Advisory Board for the Development of Gujjar Bakkerwal, Bahir Ahmed Naaz, informed today, while addressing the students at a function held at Gujjar Bakkerwal hostel, here at Kathua.
Giving details about the hostel facilities being provided to the Gujjar and Bakrwal students, he said there are 16 hostels in the State accommodating 1425 students.
Responding to the demands, Mr Naaz announced 25 new seats for Kathua hostel after the summer vacation. He also assured additional 25 more seats in near future. He disclosed that now uniforms will be provided twice in a year to the students, besides more funds would be allocated to improve the diet. He appealed the students pursuing studies at different level to work hard and secure good percentage to achieve their goals in the competitive age.
Mr Naaz added that Rs 45 lakh have been spent on the renovation of Gujjar and Bakkerwal hostel in Kathua, whereas a Computer Lab is under construction which will be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 7.50 Lakh.
Earlier, Sardar Khan, Member State Gujjar Bakkerwal Advisory Board demanded more seats in the hostel so that maximum number of students could get the benefit.
The members of the Gujjar and Bakkerwal community also demanded girls hostel at Kathua.
Later, Mr Naaz also inspected Gujjar and Bakkerwal hostel building and passed necessary instructions to the warden and other staff members.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 17: Ahead of Shri Amar Nath ji Yatra, Deputy Director Tourism, designated Authority Jammu( Enforcement agency for implementation of Tourist Trade Act-1978/82/2011 alongwith the Tourist Police conducted on the spot checking of Hotels and Lodges operating around Railway Station here.
The defaulters who did not display the tariff being charged from the costumers and those having un-registered units under Tourist Trade Act were challaned.
Further instructions were given to all the owners of Hotels and Lodges operating around Railway Station to display the tariff and properly register their lodges under Registration of Tourist Trade Act 1978/82/2011 with the concerned authorities.
They were also instructed to keep a complaint box/complaints register so that tourist can record their grievance in writing. They were also instructed to ensure cleanliness and provide proper service to the tourists so that they get satisfactory treatment during their stay in Jammu.
Nine hotel/Lodges were fined under Tourist Trade Act 1978/82/2011 and the fine to the tune of Rs.26000 was collected and remitted in the Govt Treasury.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 17: Chief Executive Officer, Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) Saurabh Bhagat today reviewed the progress of different infrastructure projects being executed by ERA across the State.
During the review meeting, Baghat was briefed about the progress of projects. O.P Dubey, Director Urban/Transport informed that work on 69 sub-projects taken up for execution under MPIR has been completed while as 74-99 percent progress has been achieved on 24 sub-projects.
Dubey said that completed projects include 20 road sub-projects, 13 bridge sub-projects, 20 water supply sub-projects and four drainage sub-projects. Bhagat directed concerned project managers and consultants of ERA to ensure that all physical and financial targets set for the current year are achieved.
Khalid Muzaffar, Director Central ERA informed the meeting that under tranche-I of ongoing JKUSDIP work on seven sub-projects which include projects for solid waste management, water supply and construction of sewerage systems have been taken up and work on one sub-project has already been completed and considerable progress has been achieved on remaining sub-projects.
He informed that work on rehabilitation complex near Jehangir chowk for shopkeepers going to be displaced due to construction of the Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh flyover is being executed by PCC at Jehangir Chowk. Bhagat asked the MD PCC present in the meeting to expedite the pace of work on rehabilitation complex so that rehabilitation of affected shopkeepers is started at earliest.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 17: Agriculture University Jammu Alumni Association (AUJAA) of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-J), held its first meeting today, wherein seventy-five members participated.
Former Dean, Faculty of Agriculture of SKUAST-J, Dr Ajay Koul, who was instrumental in the formation of the alumni association during his tenure, was the guest of honour.
Dr Rajinder Dhar, senior vice president of the alumni presented the welcome address.
Dr Satish Kumar Sudan, Associate Prof, SKUAST-J, explained to the members that the aims and objectives of the Association would be to promote social as well as intellectual interaction of the members with one another and to extend a helping hand to fellow brethren to achieve the desired goals in life, to improve and protect the interests and welfare of members, besides providing an essential link of the alumni with the University to participate in the various cultural, social and scientific activities.
Dr Sudan stressed that the Association would strive to provide a crucial point of contact among alumni through events and functions, communication through printed and electronic media.
Speaking on the occasion, the alumni members Pawan Parihar, Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) in the Rural Development Department and CL Sharma, Agriculture Officer from the Department of Agriculture appreciated action of the adhoc body in bringing together alumni of SKUAST-J.
Prof VS Verma, vice president of AUJAA, presented vote of thanks.