Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 13: Baisakhi, which marks the beginning of New Bikrami year, birth anniversary of Khalsa Panth and harvesting season was celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety across the Jammu region today.
While religious congregations were held in various Gurudwaras to celebrate the Baisakhi festival, a grand Baisakhi mela was as usual held at Canal in which a large number of people including men, women and children drawn from different parts of the city participated.
The rush in Baisakhi Mela at Canal continued till late in the evening.
The children attired in colorful dresses were busy in purchasing toys and balloons, enjoying fun and fare, eatables, confectionary, fruit chat and other special dishes. There were countless stalls of eatables, toys, sports items, hosiery items, confectionery items etc.
Women were also busy in purchasing cosmetics and hosiery and gift items from hawkers who had established stalls on the either side of link roads at canal on the occasion of Baisakhi festival today.
However there was a resentment among the visitors for not opening the Rajinder Park for general public on the special occasion of Baisakhi mela today.
In connection with celebration of Baisakhi festival a mammoth gathering of Sikh Sangat was held at Gurdwara Chathi Pathshai Talab Tillo near here to celebrate the birth anniversary of Khalsa Panth.
During the function Ragi Jatha of Bhai Balbir Singh Ji Ludhiana Wale recited the Shabad Kirtan. Parcharak Bahi Harjinder Singh Ji also Ludhana Wale threw light on history of Khalsa Panth and sacrifices of 10th Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his four beloved sons for the cause of humanity and religion.
The local Ragi Jathas of District Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee namely Ragi Jatha Bhai Mohinder Singh Ji, Ragi Jatha Bhai Mohidner Singh Ji (Khalsa) also recited Shabad Kirtan during the function.
The Sikh Sangat also adopted a resolution, which was read out by S Dalip Singh president DGPC Jammu highlighting the demands and discrimination meted out to the Sikhs living in the State.
It demanded posting of Punjabi teachers in colleges and schools, due place to be given to Punjabi language in the State, the road leading from Bikram Chowk to Railway Station, Jammu via Jammu University be named as Guru Gobind Singh Ji Marg and a chair be established in JU in honour of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, package be given to displaced Sikhs of 1947 from PoK at par with migrants from Kashmir, implementation of Ansari Commission recommendations, five percent reservation be given to Sikhs in the State and establishment of Minority Commission in the State.
The Baisakhi festival was celebrated in other parts of Jammu region like Udhampur, R S Pura, Samba, Kathua, Hiranagar and Kathua with great pomp and show.
The three- day long celebrations in connection with Basakhi festival came to and end at 158 TA Army today. The function, was organized by Sikh LI and Brig Hari Om Arya was the chief guest on the occasion while the function was also attended by Commandant C V Sharma.
Large number of people attended the Baisakhi mela at Billawar in Kathua district today.
Baisakhi celebrated with traditional fervour, gaiety
Sharda Mata Trust presents memorandum to Governor
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 13 : A deputation of the Sharda Mata Trust, Adarsh Nagar, Bantalab, Jammu, called on Governor N. N. Vohra at Raj Bhavan and presented to him a memorandum of their demands.
The demands presented by the delegation included, reviving the annual Yatra to the Maha Dyaneshwar Cave, located in Arin Daradpora area of Bandipore district, from this year.
While suggesting the 4-day Yatra from 31st July to 3rd August, 2012, the delegation urged for putting in place medicare, tents, security and other required facilities for the visiting pilgrims enroute at Sharda Mata Temple at Kalusa and Narayan Nag, besides at the Maha Dyaneshwar Cave.
The delegation led by Usman Majid, former Minister of State, comprised Shardanandan Bhat, Chairman, Sharda Mata Trust, Adarsh Nagar, Bantalab; Bharat Bhushan Pandita, Vice Chairman; Ashok Kumar Bhat, Secretary and Bansi Lal Bhat; Executive Member of the Trust.
The Governor gave patient hearing to the delegation and, assured timely support to the Sharda Mata Trust. He asked Navin Kumar Choudhary, Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, to urgently examine the demand of the Trust.
92.7 BIG FM facilitates “Khand Mithe Lok Dogre”
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 13: After creating a new chapter in radio listening especially amongst the young generations, 92.7 BIG FM, India’s No. 1 FM Network, as part of its endeavor to develop and nurture a close relationship with its listeners, organized a Meet and Greet of BIG FM’s exclusive Dogri show “Khand Mithe Lok Dogre-season 2”, at Department of Computer Science Seminar Hall, University of Jammu, here today.
In the program held to pay tribute to the legendary Son of Soil and great writer Late Dinu Bhai Pant on the day of his birth anniversary, illustrious achievers of Dogri language, art, culture, literature, science and sports who have been on the BIG FM’s Dogri show were specially invited and honored on the occasion.
“Khand Mithe Lok Dogre-season 2”, the vernacular program has struck an instant chord with the local audience and became an instant hit with the Dogri audience of the State. The various segments of the program have been designed in such a manner that the listeners not only get to listen to the eminent achievers of the region, but also enrich their knowledge and at the same time listen to the old and new Dogri songs.
The host of the show RJ Pallavi welcomed the dignitaries present and thanked the listeners making the Dogri show a grand success.
Vice Chancellor of University of Jammu Prof. Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, was the guest of honor on the occasion and Mrs Dinu Bhai Pant was special guest on the occasion.
Mementoes were presented to dignitaries and Ravnish Gulati, Promoter Master Cab Cables and Conductor, gave away prizes to the winners of the Sandukhri, a segment of the program based on a quiz on Dogri Vocabulary.
The dignitaries who were honored were Prof Vienna Gupta, Master Kartar Chand, Prof Ved Kumari Ghai, Suman Gupta, Dr Manoj Sharma, Mohan Singh, Mitali, Ravinder Jamwal, Jatinder Singh, Jatinder Kour, Chhatrapal, Khalid Hussain, Dr Rajinder Singh and Prof Champa Sharma.
Vote of thanks was presented by Sidarath Arora, Cluster Head J&K, BIG FM. The show sponsored by Mastercab, the hospitality partner being Spice Food Court and Logistics support was provided by Dee Dee Reprographix, was well coordinated by Vikrant Sharma, Programming Head BIG FM Jammu.
JKTUC members extend support to PHE workers
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 13: The Jammu and Kashmir Trade Union Congress (JKTUC), has extended full support to the PHE workers for their ongoing agitation for pending demands.
In a meeting of the JKTUC workers held here today, under the chairmanship of Deedar Singh, the members discussed the scenario of strike by the PHE workers under the banner of PHE Workers Welfare Association, which has already crossed five phases. The members expressed solidarity with the ongoing agitation of the of the PHE workers who are being victimized to satisfy the ego of few people at the helm of affairs in the Government.
The speakers in the meeting were of the opinion that the demand put forth by association, that is payment of daily wagers at the rate of Rs 125 per day to all sorts of PHE daily wagers on regular basis, regularization who have completed five years in service release of pending wages of CP workers etc. were genuine and justified. The members condemned the callous and indifferent attitude of the Government towards the lower class employees of the PHE department. The speakers impressed upon the Government to address the genuine demands of the agitating workers. They also assured full support to the agitating PHE workers.
Prominent among others present in the meeting included, Devanand Gill, Bhupinder Singh, Camras David, Sham Lal, Kirtan Singh, Om Parkash, Deepak Sharma and Mohan Lal.
ACTF delegation meets new IT Commissioner
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 13: A delegation of Associated Chamber of Traders Federation (ACTF) met the new Income Tax Commissioner A K Thatai and felicitated him on his new assignment.
Led by president Yash Paul Gupta of this apex trading body, the delegation called on Mr Thatai and assured him full cooperation of the Federation to the department. Mr Gupta said that since the new Commissioner happens to be Commissioner Income Tax (Appeals) Jammu and Kashmir earlier also, therefore, he will be well versed with the psyche of the people of the region and trading community as well. It will help the trading community a big way, Mr Gupta maintained.
The delegation also highlighted some burning issues of the trading community. IT Commissioner gave patient hearing and assured the delegation that their genuine demands will be favourably considered.
Those who accompanied the delegation included Dinesh Gupta, Neeraj Anand, Chander Gulati, Dinesh Kumar, Ajay Mahajan, Surinder Mahajan, Vijay Saraf, Chandan Gupta and Amarjeet Singh.
2 men stabbed during tiff while drinking
Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Apr 13: Two persons were stabbed during clash over a minor issue at the border township of Ramgah in district Samba last night.
Reports said the incident took place at around 10.30 pm in Ward No. 4 of the town. Three persons namely Surjit Singh, son of Manjit Singh, Hardev Singh, son of Baljit Singh and Ajit Singh, son of late Surjit Singh, all residents of Ramgarh, took liquor together last night and kept sitting at a place in ward No. 4 for long.
During the process, they had a tiff over some minor issue and it was followed by a clash. One of the drunkard, Ajit Singh took out a sharp edged weapon (Kirch) and attacked Surjit and Hardev and inflicted serious injuries to them. Thereafter, he escaped from the spot. The injured raised alarm and the people rushed to the spot. Their family members also reached there after some time.
Both the victims were rushed to Ramgarh hospital where the Medical staff provided treatment. Surjit Singh was referred to GMC hospital, Jammu for deep stab wound in stomach. The matter was reported to police and a party led by SHO started investigation. The police failed to arrest the accused and during early morning, he was traced by victim’s family members and then handed over to cops.
The police also recovered the weapon of offence. A case was registered against the accused.
J&K Taekwondo players posing for photograph after winning medals at 5th National Taekwondo Poomsare Championship at Deshbhakta Tarun Ram Phookan Indoor Stadium, Guwahati, Assam.
J&K Taekwondo players posing for photograph after winning medals at 5th National Taekwondo Poomsare Championship at Deshbhakta Tarun Ram Phookan Indoor Stadium, Guwahati, Assam.
PCI to challenge HC order
NEW DELHI, Apr 12:
In an unusual move, the Press Council of India today decided to challenge in the Supreme Court the Allahabad High Court order prohibiting media reports related to troop movements.
“The Press Council of India will be challenging the order of the Allahabad High Court in the Supreme Court of India very shortly,” Press Council chairman Justice Markandey Katju chief said in a statement here.
The High Court had directed Secretaries in the Home Affairs and I & B ministries along with Principal Secretary (Home) of the UP Government to ensure that there is no reporting or release of any news item by the print as well as the electronic media related to movement of troops.
Katju said the High Court order, which was passed on a writ petition relating to a report published in the Indian Express regarding movement of army troops, was not correct.
The media has a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution to make such publication, as it did not endanger national security, he said.
The Indian Army is not a colonial army, but the army of the Indian people who pay the taxes for the entire defence budget. Hence, the people of India have a right to know about Army affairs, except where they compromise national security, he said.
Katju noted that the media has done an excellent job in exposing the Adarsh and Sukna scams in which senior army officers were involved and they were well within their fundamental right of freedom of the media under Article 19(1)(A) to do so.
He said that reporting troop movement near the Indian border or during war time should be prohibited as that may aid the enemy and cause harm to the armed forces by compromising national security. “However, in my opinion there can be no general prohibition of reporting of all troop movements,” he said.
Referring to Indian Express of April 4, he said,”I am of the opinion that without going into the question whether the news reporting was factually correct or not, there could not have been a valid prohibition of such reporting, because the troop movement was not at the Indian border or during war time,” he said. (PTI)
Explosives seized in Poonch
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 12: Army and Special Operations Group (SOG) today recovered a consignment of explosive material from village Rangawali in Sabjian area of Poonch district.
Official sources said troops of 40 Rashtriya Rifles and SOG carried out a joint search operation at Rangawali and destroyed a hideout of the militants.
Recoveries made from the hideout included six Chinese grenades, six shells of Rocket Projectile Gun (RPG), 12 Pika rounds, 50 AK rounds, four detonators with wire, one medical kit, two bags and two Pakistan made cigarette packets.
Army and police have launched a search operation in the area in anticipation of movement of the militants following recovery of cigarette packets from the hideout of the militants.
Few days back, Army and police had busted a hideout of the militants in Rajouri district.
Govt approves bill to check corruption
NEW DELHI, Apr 12:
Aiming to bring in transparency and deal with the issue of corruption in state purchases, the Government today approved a Bill that seeks to regulate public procurement of above Rs 50 lakh and provide fair treatment to bidders.
“The Bill is exceptionally important as it is part of our commitment to deal with the issue of corruption. Part of our commitment is to ensure that in Government functioning, there is both accountability and transparency,” HRD and Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal said after a Cabinet meeting.
The Public Procurement Bill, 2012, seeks to codify fundamental principles in the Government procurement and maximise competition, he told reporters.
The Bill, likely to be introduced in the ongoing Budget session of Parliament, would not apply to purchases “below Rs 50 lakh”.
“This will result in improving efficiency and quality… hopefully, the Bill will be introduced in this session,” the minister said.
The Bill seeks to regulate Government procurement, including that of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), with the objectives of “ensuring transparency, accountability and probity in the procurement process”.
According to an official release, the Bill also seeks to ensure fair and equitable treatment for bidders, promoting competition, enhancing efficiency and economy, safeguarding integrity in the procurement process and “enhancing public confidence in public procurement”.
Currently, there is no overarching legislation governing public procurement by the Central Government and CPSEs. The General Financial Rules, 2005, govern procurements made by the Centre.
The Procurement Bill, which will be sent to a standing committee after introduction in Parliament, also provides a “strong framework” for transparency and accountability through a public procurement portal and a grievance redressal system.
An independent mechanism, under the chairmanship of a retired High Court Judge, would review grievances, the statement said.
Elaborating on the transparency mechanism in the Bill, Sibal said: “The Central Government will set up and maintain a central public procurement portal accessible to the public for posting matters relating to public procurement.”
Currently, the Government procurement is done in many ways like open\limited competitive bidding, two stage bidding, single source procurement, electronic reverse auction and spot purchases.
“You can imagine the range of procurement processes that are going to be covered by this act and lot of these will be electronically done,” Sibal said.
The Bill provides for adequate flexibility to take into account kinds of procurement needs, types of procuring entities and methods of procurement, the statement said.
The Bill is based on recommendations of a Committee on Public Procurement headed by former bureaucrat Vinod Dhall which were accepted by a Group of Ministers (GoM), to tackle corruption, on February 22.
The GoM headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had sent the bill for approval to the Union Cabinet.
Sources said the Bill proposes a jail term ranging from six months to five years for public servants found guilty of demanding and accepting bribes from bidders of Government contracts. (PTI)