Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, May 11: The meeting of Association of Truckers, the Industries and the Transporters was conducted jointly by Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police, Samba, here today to resolve the ongoing dispute over the allotment of trucks owned by local transporters for loading of goods from the industrial units operating in the District.
The representatives of Industrial Units, Truckers Association and Transport Companies also participated in the meeting.
The representatives of Truck Association raised the issue that the industrial units functioning in the Industrial Growth Centre of the District were not providing priority to local transporters and instead of hiring their trucks, they were hiring the vehicles from outside the State or other places, which had led to financial hardship to them.
They further alleged that some of the industrial units were engaging the trucks after offloading the goods at much lower rates than the market rates, which was also adding to their sufferings.
On the other hand, representatives of Industries expressed that the rates being charged by the local Transport Association were much higher than the prevailing market rates at Jammu and Bari Brahmna, which were not feasible to them.
After listening both sides, it was resolved that preference would be accorded by the Industrial Units to the available local vehicles owned by the local transporters subject to the condition that the rates charged would be reasonable and in consonance with the market rates. It was also decided in the meeting that the two representatives from each association would further meet to resolve their minor issues, which might come up from time to time.
It was further decided that all the stakeholders would abide by the rules and the norms so as to ensure that the operation of transportation was carried smoothly in the Industrial area in the District.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 11: Celebrating renowned short story writer, Saadat Hassan Manto’s centenary, the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages organised a seminar here today.
Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora was the chief guest while Deputy Chairman, Legislative Council, Mohammed Yusuf Taing was the guest of honour on the occasion.
Describing Manto a revolutionary author, the Minister said that the late short story writer was one of the finest writers of short stories in the world and as a literary organisation the Cultural Academy would keep on holding events on him. He assured early completion of Tagore Hall and said that he would personally see to it that the hall was thrown open for public in the shortest possible timeframe.
Speaking on the occasion, Taing described the late writer as a high stature short story author and impressed upon the need of organising such events to pay tribute to the great legends.
Earlier, Chief Editor, Urdu, M. Ashraf Tak said that the Academy has many Manto centric events in the pipeline and the organisation would do its best in showcasing Manto’s contribution to Urdu short story writing.
As part of the event, a paper reading session was also held in which
Ghulam Nabi Khayal read an extensive paper on Manto. Captioned as ‘Manto and Kashmir’ the paper introduced the audience to abstracts from Manto’s correspondence with India’s first Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 11: A train engine derailed at the washing line near Bagh-e-Bahu at the Railway Station here this afternoon.
An official spokesman said that the mishap took place at around 1.40 pm when the engine was engaged in shuttling train bogies between Jammu Railway Station and Washing line, about 2 km ahead. The engine driver drove ahead on the sick line by mistake and the engine got derailed. No loss of life or injury was caused to anybody as the engine remained there on the track.
Divisional Traffic Manager, Railways and other senior Railway officials rushed to the spot. As the accident took place on the sick- line, there was no disruption in the normal operation of trains from Jammu station.
The Northern Railway authorities pressed into service the Relief and Maintenance Train staff from Pathankote, which reached here this evening. The train engine was restored on the track late this evening.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 11: A delegation of All Jammu Kashmir Ladakh Teachers Federation headed by its State president, Bhushan S Verma and Maheshwar Prasad, State convener, met Chief Education Officer Ramban Vinod Sony and Zonal Education Officer Batote and discussed various issues of teachers and student community.
The Federation demanded free supply of books in time, release of rice and enhancement of carriage charges of mid day meal, building and staff to be provided to the schools so that the education of the students may not suffer and dislocation allowance equal to 30 per cent of the basic pay to the employees working in the district.
CEO and ZEO gave patient hearing to the demands of the Federation and assured redressal of the same on priority basis.
Among others present were Mohan Singh, Ram Pal Saini, Pawan Kumar, Lekh Raj Sharma, etc.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 11 : The Minority Cell of National Conference (NC) today asked the State Government to set up a Migrant Welfare Board (MWB) in order to facilitate the “safe return and rehabilitation” of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley.
“We have asked the State Government to set up a MWB to be headed by a Minister, as it would help in proper rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley”, working president of National Conference Minority Cell Anil Dhar former MLC, B L Bhat , Ashok Hangloo and Jatin Bhat told reporters here today.
The failure of Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner’s Office to tackle the problems faced by migrant and non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits, has prompted the organisation to raise the voice for a MWB, Dhar said.
He maintained that MWB should be delegated required power to take care of all issues related to the community.
He stressed on the need to earmark portions of revenue land for construction of migrant dwellings in different districts of Kashmir.
Dhar appreciated the State Government move to recommend the Centre to increase cash relief for rehabilitation process.
Simultaneously, he warned the Kashmiri Pandits from being mislead by PDP.
“Efforts are being made by PDP to win the confidence of the community, but Kashmiri Pandits are required to keep their past record in mind before arriving on any conclusion,” he said. The community can’t forget the role of the Party in 1986.
He also cautioned the community of RSS and BJP whom he accused of exploiting the sentiments of KPs and placing hurdles in their return to Valley.
Dhar said the Cell held a delegate session today in which various resolutions were passed.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 11: General Officer Commanding of 15 Corps (Chinar), Lt Gen Syed Ata Husnain inaugurated the newly renovated Kala Pahar Brigade Library and dedicated it to the jawans and the students of Army Goodwill School at Uri the other day.
The newly renovated “Gyandeep” has been developed under the aegis of Kala Pahar brigade. The wi-fi enabled e-library has all the modern facilities like e-books, e-learning, internet, ipads, interactive modules etc.
The GOC complimented the Brigade for the efforts put in and taking a pioneering step towards meaningful welfare of students and soldiers. He also interacted with the large gathering of students and motivated them to make best use of the facility and empower themselves with knowledge and wisdom. He also advised them to develop a habit of reading good books which will help them in both personal and professional growth, thus, making them better citizens.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 11: Provincial president, Women Wing, National Conference, Vijay Laxmi Dutta, today said that the Coalition Government headed by Omar Abdullah was committed to empower the women folk and various measures have been taken in this direction.
She said this while addressing a meeting held in District Samba particularly Village Diani, Chak Manga, Penthi in particular.
The meeting was organised by the provincial joint secretary, Raman Kumari on the demands of women folk of the villages.
The villagers apprised her of the problems faced by them including acute shortage of drinking water, frequent power cuts, black topping of roads etc.
Besides, the women of the villages demanded to set up a tailoring centre so that they could earn their livelihood after getting training from that centre.
Laxmi Dutta gave a patient hearing to the problems and demands of the villagers and assured them that same would be forwarded to the authorities for consideration.