Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 31: Special Secretary, Law, R. K. Koul who attained superannuation today after completing 29 years of his service, was accorded a warm farewell at Civil Secretariat in Srinagar today.
The function was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Law, G. H Tantray, Secretary, Legislative Council, Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Special Secretaries, Farhat Tasneem, Irshad Ahmed, Additional Secretaries, Sheikh Feroz, Abdul Majid Bhat and staff members.
While speaking on the occasion, Mr. Tantray highlighted the contribution of Koul during his service career and wished him happy post retirement life.
Deputy Director Information, (Admn) Kashmir division, Ghulam Rasool Gilkar attained superannuation after rendering his 36 years of Government service.
Apart from serving Information department, Mr. Gilkar worked as Project Officer, IWDP Budgam and other positions in the secretariat.
A get-together of officials of Information department, Kashmir division was held in Srinagar under the chairmanship of Joint Director of Information, Itrat Hussain Rafiqui in which valuable and dedicated services of the retiree were highlighted.
An affectionate farewell was accorded to Nam Dev, Commentator, Field Publicity Unit, Joint Directorate of Information at a impressive function, here today.
The function was organized to bid adieu to Nam Dev on attaining superannuation. He served the department for over 34 years.
While appreciating professionalism of the official, Joint Director Information, Jammu Soujanya Sharma said the official earned a special place in the department by the dint of his commitment, devotion and sincerity.
The function was attended by Deputy Directors R S Jamwal, Jyoti Rani Slathia, Field Publicity Officer Vivek Phonsa and Photo Officer B D Sharma besides other officers and officials.
A farewell was accorded to Mohd. Sharief Zarger , Exhibition Assistant , District Information Centre, Doda who retired today after rendering 40 years of Government service.
A get-together was organized at District Information Centre, Doda under the chairmanship of District Information Officer Doda, Mamta Bhagat. The speakers lauded services of the retiring official.
Directorate of School Education Jammu organized a function under the chairmanship of Dr Narupa Rai, Personnel Officer to give warm send off to Headmasters Roshan Lal Talashi, Chand Naryan Razdan and senior teacher Maharaj Krishan on attaining their age of superannuation.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Rai lauded the services rendered by the retiring officers/official in the department who served the department for about 38, 33 and 39 years, respectively.
Joint Director (EE) H R Pakhroo also spoke on the occasion who alongwith the staff members wished them healthy and prosperous post retirement life.
Bishan Dass Lakhotra, who had been working in the Jammu Municipal Corporation as Technician for the last 25 years, retired today after attaining the age of superannuation.
In a function held at Krishna Nagar, Jammu, all his JMC staff members, relatives and friends wished Lakhotra a happy and prosperous post retired life.
The principal, staff members and the students of the Government Higher Secondary School, Mubarak Mandi, today gave a heart rendering send off to Akhtar Begum, who attained her superannuation after rendering 32 years of regular service in the institution.
All prayed for the good health and better future life of the retired official.
Govt officials given warm send off
20 lakh saplings of different species to be planted this year
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 31: The Social Forestry Department has set a target to cover two thousand hectare area by planting about twenty lakh saplings of different species in Jammu region, including conifer plants in the districts of Poonch and Doda, during the current year.
The department has produced 26 lakh plants in its 43 nurseries developed at various places of the region which are being distributed among the people, besides taking up plantation on its own on degenerated forest areas. The department has also been taking up plantation along National Highways, irrigation canals, railway lines and in and around educational institutions.
The information was given at a meeting convened to review physical and financial achievements registered across the region under various schemes, including CAMPA, with the Minister for Forests and Environment, Main Altaf Ahmed in the chair.
The meeting was attended by Director Social Forestry Hafizullah Siddique, Regional Director Social Forestry A K Gupta, besides all Divisional Forest Officers of Social Forestry Department of Jammu region.
The meeting was informed that last year the department planted as many as 16 lakh plants in the region through its various divisions, besides involvement of the public. It was said that about 7 lakh plants were provided to the farmers for plating the same in their open spaces. The Department planted a total of 15.45 lakh plants under various schemes, including CAMPA thereby covering 1860 hectare area.
Reviewing the achievements in various divisions of the region, the Minister called for maximum involvement of the public in the plantation drive. He specifically stressed for involving the local Panchayat representatives and said that public involvement was imperative for optimum results on the ground.
People craving for return of NDA rule: Nadda
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 31: BJP Member of Parliament, National General Secretary & National Spokesperson Jagat Prakash Nadda today accused the UPA Government of deliberately delaying the announcement of petrol prices hike till the session of Parliament was over. While addressing a press conference here along with State President Shamsher Singh Manhas, Member of Parliament Avinash Rai Khanna, J&K Seh-Prabhari Dr. Anil Jain, National Executive Members-Ashok Khajuria, Dr. Jitendra Singh and Jugal Kishore and party MLA Sukhnandan Kumar he said the recent petrol price hike by the Congress led UPA Government has broken the back of a common man, who is already reeling under the pressure of price rise.
Nadda said that the then BJP-led NDA under the able Prime Ministership of Atal Behari Vajpayee had succeeded in stabilizing the prices but the UPA Government has been unable to sustain gains made by Vajpayee Government. In contrasted to the honest and corruption free governance given by then Prime Minister Vajpayee which helped in improving the lot of common man with a human approach, the UPA Government has tainted itself with rampant corruption and multiple scams with least concern for the poor.
While the Vajpayee-led NDA Government was successful in providing free ration to over three crore people, during the UPA regime over 58 thousand crore worth of food grains have got rottened because of improper storage facilities, alleged Nadda. He said that in the current year it is being claimed that there is going to be bumper crop and in absence of adequate storage facility, the produce is likely to suffer the same fate.
Nadda claimed that the people of this country are missing the golden period of BJP-led NDA rule and are craving for the return of the same to pull them out of the mess created by the UPA Government under economist Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh who has proved to be a total failure.
He also termed as “political gimmick” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chairing a Cabinet meeting near the Line of Control so as to reach out to the remotest corners of the State.
“This is a political gimmick to attract cheap publicity and put burden on the State exchequer. Omar Abdullah has more serious issues to address,” BJP MP J P Nadda told reporters.
Referring to the demand for formation of a separate Hill Council, he said, “People in the hilly area of J&K want a separate Hill Council because there is no development there.”
JKP bids warm adieu to Khoda
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 31: In order to bid farewell to the Director General of Police, Kuldeep Khoda, Jammu and Kashmir Police organized an impressive farewell parade at Armed Police Complex Zewan today.
A large number of jawans and officers from all the wings of Police Organisation attended the farewell function, besides lady members of PWWA and families of police personnel. On the occasion deliberations were held on the leadership qualities of Mr. Khoda and achievements of the Organisation under his leadership as State Police Chief were highlighted.
Addressing the galaxy of officers and jawans, Mr. Khoda deliberated on his experiences during his 38 years career in Jammu and Kashmir Police. He said that he has always been proud to be a member of JKP and has tried his best to serve the people of the State through the Organization. Also having proud to lead the force as DGP, he tried his utmost to make JKP a leading force in the country.
He disclosed that JKP by the dint of their valour and courage has succeeded to tackle various situations from time to time and the valour of jawans and officers is being discussed at various forums at national level also, which is a great achievement for the Organization. Sacrifices of more than 1500 jawans and officers of the force and the people’s whole hearted cooperation encouraged the force to meet the challenges with fortitude, he said.
He said that rich police public relations at the grass root level encouraged the force to tackle the law and order situations effectively and restore developmental activities including tourist flow and educational activities. During my tenure as Police Chief I am proud for avoiding collateral damages to save the human lives and public property while conducting successful operations. The abilities of the force were further recognized when the State Police was asked to frame Standing Operative Procedure (SOP) which has been adopted by all police forces in the country for controlling violent mobs by using minimum force.
Earlier, the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Armed/Law & Order, K. Rajendra Kumar, while commenting on the contribution made by Mr Khoda said that he has worked on different assignments in the Organization in the State and has always come up to the aspiration of the department. He proved himself a sincere and dedicated officer in the service of the public and the Organization feels proud for working under the leadership of Mr. Khoda, he added.
Mr. Khoda has distinction of leading Jammu and Kashmir Police during the challenging times and under his dynamic leadership Jammu and Kashmir Police successfully tackled various challenges and succeeded in restoring sustained peace in the State, Mr Rajendra said.
The farewell function was also attended by ADGPs Dr. Ram Lubhaya, Dr. S. P. Vaid and D. R. Doley, Dr. Indu Khoda, IGPs, S. M. Sahai, Dilbag Singh, Owais Ahmed, Z. H. Chisti, Dr. B. Srinivas, A. K. Chowdhary, H. K. Lohia, G. S. Salathia, Rauf-ul-Hassan, M. Sulaiman Salaria, Farooq Khan, P. R. Manhas, Yoginder Koul, Alok Puri, Muneer Khan, A. Q. Manhas and other senior police and civil officers , besides large number of police families.
Omar reviews development of Ganderbal
Excelsior Correspondent
GANDERBAL, May 31: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today reviewed the status of power sector in Ganderbal Constituency at a meeting of the concerned officers. The District Development Commissioner, Ganderbal, Showkat Ahmad Mir and Chief Engineer Electric Maintenance and RE Kashmir Division, Muzaffar Ahmad were present in the meeting.
The Chief Minister was told that Ganderbal Constituency is receiving electricity from 120 MVA Habak and 66 MVA Badampora Grid Stations. The capacity at present voltage level of 132/33 KV is adequate. However, the supply position will be further upgraded after the completion of 220/132/33 KV Alusteng Grid Station which is presently under construction.
It was stated that electricity is distributed in the constituency through 571 distribution transformers with installed capacity of 73.5 MVA. The number of registered consumers is 17750 with aggregate agreement load of 11.21 MVA. The distribution network comprises of 84 kilometers of 33 KV lines, about 500 kilometers of 11 KV lines and 1000 kilometers of LT lines.
Taking appraisal of the major projects under implementation, the Chief Minister was informed that work on 100 MVA Alusteng Grid Station is in progress at a revised cost of Rs. 109.83 crores. The project is likely to be completed by March 2013. It was stated that evacuation of power at 33 KV level from Alusteng Grid Station under T&D project is also progressing. This is likely to cost Rs. 72 lakh and the target date for its completion is February 2013.
Another project under R-APDRP for Ganderbal town has also been started at a cost of Rs. 15.96 crore. The power upgradation and improvement schemes for Tulmulla, Yangoora and Waliwar have been submitted to Government of India for approval. These are likely to cost Rs. 9.5 crore.
The electrification of un-electrified and de-electrified villages is being implemented under RGGVY at a cost of Rs. 15.22 crore in Ganderbal district. As many as 132 habitations of Ganderbal Constituency are being covered under this scheme.
The Chief Minister was informed that the schemes for improvement of HT network at a cost of Rs. 56.11 lakh, improvement of LT network at Rs 1 crore, replacement and upgradation of transformers at Rs. 31 lakh, improvement of receiving stations at Dudarhama, Kheer Bhawani and Ganda Singh at Rs. 37 lakh, construction of transformer repair workshop at Rs. 1 crore, dedicated power supply to District Hospital Ganderbal and PHC Kachan and MMC Lar are being taken in hand during the current financial year.
The Chief Minister visited Fag village and inspected works at various places. He met the people and interacted with deputations who apprised him of their demands relating to various development sectors. Omar Abdullah gave them patient hearing and directed the District Development Commissioner for registering their demands for incorporating in the next development plan.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister directed for early finalization of Jablipora Fruit Market in Bejbehara. He asked the Revenue Department to work out compensation package if required for the development of the most sought terminal market by the fruit growers of South Kashmir.
This Fruit Mandi has already been approved by the Chief Minister some time ago. A delegation of fruit growers of Bejbehara and Anantnag, led by MLC Dr. Bashir Ahmad Veeri today called on Chief Minister and brought to his notice the need for early launch of work on this project.
Governor reviews arrangements
Shri Amarnathji Yatra
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 31: Governor N. N. Vohra, Chairman, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, today held a meeting with Navin K. Choudhary, Chief Executive Officer, P. P. Singh, Additional CEO, K. G. Bamba, General Manager (Works) and other concerned Board officers to review the progress of cutting and clearing the Yatra tracks along both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes.
The review meeting expressed serious concern over the pace of progress because of the repeated interruptions due to frequent spells of bad weather, rains and fresh snows in the upper reaches.
Under the Governor’s directions, a system has been set up for daily review of weather conditions in the next 3 days. As of today, as the weather will lift on 2nd June along the Baltal axis, the Governor and CEO will undertake an aerial reconnaissance on this date and also attempt landings at Panjtarni and the Holy Cave.
The Governor is chairing another meeting tomorrow to review the progress of work at the Base camps.
Alert sounded after fire near ammunition depot
Major tragedy averted with joint Ops
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 31: A major tragedy was averted with the joint operation of army and civil administration after fire spread in the bushes in the nearby forest area of an Army ammunition depot in Birpur area of Bari Brahmana this afternoon.
Reports said fire spread in the nearby forest area during the day and it went on advancing in the bushes towards an ammunition depot of a an Army brigade. After this incident, the army got alerted and it placed its own tankers and men to contain the fire. Senior officers rushed to the area. The civil administration was put on alert. At least eight fire tenders from City and Bari Brahamana Stations were rushed to the area.
The joint team of the Army and J&K Firemen launched operation and extinguished the fire. The local population in the area was also alerted by local police. Senior Fire and Emergency Services officers were themselves supervising the operation. Till evening, the operation was going on and army men were keeping eye on the fire as smoke and fire was still visible in the inaccessible forest areas.
Defence PRO Jammu, Col R K Palta when contacted said that fire in the nearby forest area, about 1000 mts away from the outer fence of the depot was noticed by the alert Santary on duty. He further alerted the other officers and men on duty. The men power from the army launched the operation. The civil administration and other agencies involved in the operation contained the fire within few hours. Army was still keeping strict vigil on the fire, Col Palta added.
A senior Fire officer said that area was cleared by the tenders and it took long time to Firemen to fight with the fire. He said it was not possible for the fire tenders to enter inside the forest area but the main vulnerable areas were cleared by the firemen. He said fire was still away from the depot but the locals were asked to remain alert even during the night.
Omar approves site for children, maternity hospitals
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 31: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today gave nod to the proposal of Health and Medical Education Department for construction of 200-bedded maternity and 250-bedded children hospital over an area of about 70 kanals at Bemina. He gave two weeks’ time to the concerned department for finalizing building construction plan alongwith Detailed Project Report (DPR).
Chairing a high level meeting to finalize the site for the proposed children and maternity hospitals, Chief Minister said that the establishment of the two institutions in close proximity with common diagnostic facilities would be a right step to ensure better and up to the mark health care system in place for the women and children at one place.
Asking for involving reputed and experienced architects in hospital construction in the project formulation and design, Omar Abdullah said that the two hospitals should be constructed on modern lines making completion time bound. He said the establishment of the two important hospitals at one place will resolve the distance problem hampering the immediate medicare to the infants requiring under special circumstances and help to dovetail the facilities for greater benefits of the patients.
Omar Abdullah also approved 80-bedded children wards in existing Lal Ded Hospital and said that the construction of children block should be factored in the overall expansion programme of Lal Ded Hospital which envisages adding 100 more beds in this maternity hospital.
The meeting was told that while Government of India has approved Rs. 50 crore for the new 200-bedded maternity hospital for Srinagar, the State Government has to fund establishment of new 250-bedded children hospital from its own resources.
The Chief Minister said that in his upcoming meeting with the Union Health Minister, he will discuss the issue of Central financial support for new children’s hospital with him. He directed the Health and Medical Education Department to fast track the process of launching these projects. “With the decision of site selection, the ground work for construction should start soon”, he added.
The Chief Minister said that upgradation and improvement in the existing hospitals and extension of health care facilities in rural and far-flung areas should be flagged as a mission by all involved with this sector. He said his Government has underlined health care as one of the important concerns and priority attention is being given to earmark required funds for this sector out of the State’s own resources besides utilizing Central schemes available in this regard.
Omar Abdullah said that the pressure on secondary and tertiary care hospitals would decrease when rural health care centres are upgraded and modernized as per the requirements. He said Government is concentrating on this issue positively. He said placement of doctors, para-medical staff along with necessary equipment for rural hospitals is receiving priority attention.
Victims land in hospital after attack by accused
Rape bid on widow, daughter
Excelsior Correspondent
MENDHAR, May 31: A yet another incident of lawlessness and attack by some men on the house of a hapless widow came into light in Mendhar area last night.
The scared mother and daughter after being severely beaten up and tortured by four-five men have been hospitalized by the villagers. The incident took place at around 10.30 pm last night in the house of one Kaneez Fatima (45), widow of Nissar Hussain Shah, resident of Gursai Jabra.
The victim told police that at around 10.30 pm, light was on. One Manzoor Hussai Shah of Dhar Galoon entered their house and asked for water. Kaneez said she brought a glass of water but Manzoor asked to bring a bucket of water as some more people including militants were accompanying him outside the gate and they also needed water.
Kaneez said she frightened after hearing the reply but handed them over a bucket full of water and a jug and came inside. Suddenly, the light went off and 4-5 people entered inside. They tried to commit rape on her young daughter, Nanhi. One of them caught hold of her but entire family raised alarm and the neighbourers got alerted. The attackers then started beating them with blows and legs and then escaped. The matter was then reported to police. Some of them were identified by the family. The neighbours gathered there and the matter was reported to Gursai police.
The police registered a case FIR No. 30/ 2012 in this connection and started investigation. Three accused were identified as Manzoor Hussain Shah of Dhar Galoon, Abid Hussain Shah and Mukhtar Hussain Shah Dhar Galoon. No arrest could be made by police till this evening. The police recorded the statement of victims, Kaneez her one young and three minor daughters. Strong resentment is brewing among the local people against police over the increasing lawlessness, its attitude and poor policing in the area.
4 yrs RI to accused in attempt to rape case
Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, May 31: Additional Sessions Judge, Udhampur, M K Sharma today awarded four years rigorous imprisonment to accused in attempt to rape case.
According to the police case, the prosecutrix was raped in village Sarar of Chenani tehsil on March 27, 2008 when she had gone to the fields. Accordingly, a case was registered at Chenani Police Station and police recorded the statement of prosecutrix under Section 164-A CrPC besides getting her medically examined.
After completion of investigation, challan was presented against the accused Ravinder Kumar alias Ravindu, son of Mani Ram of Sarar village and charges were framed on June 27, 2008.
After hearing APP Tariq Mujahid Mughal appearing for the State whereas Advocate Choudhary Mohd Shafi for the accused person, Additional Sessions Judge observed, “the manner in which she was ravished shows its seriousness. Therefore, in the present circumstances the convict cannot be released on probation of good conduct under Section 562 CrPC nor he can be benefited under Probation of Offenders Act”.
With these observations, the Court awarded four years RI to the accused.