Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 19: Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla today asked the officers to gear up men and machinery to ensure better public amenities during summer season, particularly safe drinking water, irrigation and regular power supply.
Mr. Bhalla insured there directions to the officers while listening to the demands of people of Shergarh, Channi Himmat, Dharap and Khawaskah village’s at a Public Darbar held at Gandhi Nagar, here today.
Mr. Bhalla said that the Government was committed to provide all basic amenities to the people across the State like safe drinking water, electricity, healthcare, education, road connectivity and irrigation, besides ensuring better sewerage by construction of lanes and drains. He called upon the people to use power judiciously during peak hours and do not resort to illegal hooking .
The Minister assured the inhabitants of Shergarh, Channi Himmat, Dharap, and Khawaskah and its adjoining localities that their genuine demands would be fulfilled on priority basis, adding that instructions have been issued to the allied departments to provide all basic needs to them without any delay.
Mr. Bhalla said that Revenue Officers are on job for preparing the list of BPL entitled families of Shergarh, Dharap and Dharap Kothey areas.
For augmentation of drinking water supply in the areas, he said the Government has earmarked Rs. 1.49 crore for laying of water supply pipes, construction of 10000 gallon discharge capacity per hour deep drill tube well and 30,000 gallon storage capacity Over Head Tank at village Dharap. He said with the commissioning of tube well, the problem of drinking water scarcity in the village would be solved to a large extent.
Regarding relief to drought hit families of Dharap village, the Minister said the Government has already disbursed compensation amounting to Rs. 6.5 lakh among the 223 families under State Disaster Relief Fund. He called upon the left out affected villagers to approach the Revenue Officers for relief so that the payment fixed under norms could be disbursed among them soon. He said the Government has launched number of welfare schemes to upgrade the living standard of the ruralities, which include Indira Awas Yojna, (IAY) NRHM, PMGSY, MGNREGA etc. He asked the people to avail the benefits of such type of schemes.
Mr. Bhalla asked the concerned department to prepare the estimates for construction of two steel foot bridge over canal and compound wall of Govt Primary School and submit the same for funding so that the construction work on the projects could be started. He directed the PDD to ensure installation of poles, including wires in the uncovered areas of Shergarh and Dharp villages for the convenience of the people.
For making kacchi irrigation channel as Pacci channel, the Minister said the Government has earmarked Rs 4 lakh for constructing channel, adding that project was under progress on war-footing and would be completed with stipulated time frame.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 19: Minister for Medical Education, Youth Services and Sports R S Chib said that the state would shortly get Special Basmati Mission (SBM) package for promotion of world famous unique rice variety produced in the state.
He said the proposal submitted by the State Government, seeking a Special Basmati Mission on the pattern of Saffron Mission, was at final stage of approval by the Union Government.
The Minister was addressing a public meeting after inaugurating the Haryali Feed distribution agency at R S Pura today.
The Minister said the paddy growers of the state, particularly of 3- districts of Jammu, Samba and Kathua would be benefitted with the implementation of this mission.
Mr. Chib said that the Government has constituted Kissan Advisory Board to suggest the measures for better facilities to the farming community, including the provision for timely supply of fertilizers, HYV seeds, agricultural equipments and irrigation facilities and at concessional rates. He said these measures would help in increasing agriculture produce and ameliorate the socio-economic conditions of farming community.
The Minister said that it was for the first time that the Government has constituted various Advisory Boards for the development and welfare of various communities and sections of the society. He said that the Government was aware of the problems of the people living in border belt, adding that various welfare schemes have been launched for their betterment. He said the Government has dug 8 new tube wells to meet the the irrigation requirement of the area,, adding that dozens of additional tube wells also stand sanctioned.
Referring to provision of compensation to the farmers whose crops got damaged last year due to hailstorm, the Minister said that Rs. 5.47 crore has been earmarked for the purpose and would be distributed among the beneficiaries soon. He said Suchetgarh area would get separate Development Block (DB) for development purpose, while a PWD guest house would be constructed in R S Pura .
Former Minister, Manjit Singh, also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the problems of farming community.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 19 : Governor N. N. Vohra, today released “Brahm Vani”, a 6-monthly magazine, brought out by the Dogra Brahmin Pratinidhi Sabha, Jammu, at a function held at Raj Bhavan here today.
The Governor congratulated the Dogra Brahmin Pratinidhi Sabha for bringing out this publication and emphasized the high value of the journal containing essays on relevant subjects and issues, written in simple language, so that they are easily understood by the common readers.
He suggested that the focus of the write-ups in “Brahm Vani” could be topics relating to the revival and promotion of ethical and moral values among the youth as such writings, along with those on other relevant subjects, can make a significant contribution in promoting balanced personality development of the coming generation.
This publication in Sanskrit, Hindi and English throws light on the activities undertaken by the Sabha for the promotion of ethical values, eradication of social evils and the dissemination of the glorious socio-cultural heritage of the country for establishing a more healthy society.
Ved Parkash Sharma, President, Dogra Brahmin Pratinidhi Sabha, and other office bearers and members of the organization, thanked the Governor for releasing the journal.
The Governor also released “Duggar Sanskriti”, a book in Dogri language written by Dr. Jitendra Udhampuri.
The Governor observed that with the availability of increased resources with the educational institutions and speedy advancement in technology there had been improvement in the preservation and re-publishing of classical works in various languages and different subjects. He added that the National Book Trust had also made an important contribution in this regard and observed that our libraries should be well stocked with books on every subject to cater to the requirements of readers with different interests.
Dr. Udhampuri, recipient of Padma Shri, Sahitya Akademi and several other awards and honours, has so far authored 25 books. “Duggar Sanskriti” focuses on the preservation of Dogri language, literature, folk art, traditions and customs for the benefit of the coming generations.
Among those present on the occasion were Dr. Satya Pal Srivatas, Dr. Lalit Gupta, Prof. Lalit Magotra, Prof. Veena Gupta, Prof. Ved Kumari Ghai, Dr. Virender Gupta and Shailender Singh.
Meanwhile, Mr Vohra released a book in Urdu language, titled “Insha Allah Azad Hind Ta-abad Rehay”, written by Avtar Krishan Ganjoo Bharti Sehar Ganderbali.
This volume is based on a critical evaluation of the letters written by the late Union Education Minister, Moulana Abul Kalam Azad, and various other writers.
The Governor complimented Mr. Ganjoo for bringing out this well researched book and hoped that the author would continue to contribute towards the enrichment of Urdu literature.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 18: Additional general secretary, National Conference, Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, today said NC is not a party of Muslims only, it is a secular party while some miscreants are labeling the party as a party of Muslims only.
He was speaking in a meeting of party workers organised at Moti Bazar, under the supervision of senior leader of the party, Pankaj Kohli.
The meeting was attended by a large number of senior leaders and workers of NC.
Provincial president, Rattan Lal Gupta was also present in the meeting.
During the meeting, Pankaj Kohli was nominated as district president, NC, Sewadal Jammu.
Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal while addressing the meeting, asserted that NC is a secular party and it has upheld the traditions of secularism and communal harmony in the State in the past and it has sacrificed its number of leaders and workers to uphold this tradition and is committed to fight the communal forces in future also.
He said that some miscreants are labeling the National Conference as a party of Muslims only, which is utterly false.
Lambasting the opposition, Kamal alleged that they have done nothing for the welfare of the State and they are just busy in raising sentimental isssues. He said, “the opposition has no programme for the people of the State. They want to grab the power at any cost, which people have understood. People are aware of their hollow claim that their three years rule was for the people of the State because if it was like that then why the party lost 2008 elections”.
He further said that the people are the best judge and NC believes in ‘Sardari Awam Ka Haq; Taakat Ka Sar-e-Cheshma Awam Hai’.
Rattan Lal Gupta highlighted the achievements of the Coalition Government and said the Chief Minister is very keen to develop the State on equitable development pattern.
Pankaj Kohli also addressed the Party workers.
The meeting was also chaired by MLA Bimla Luthra, Ayub Malik, Jugal Mahajan, Pardeep Bali, Sanjay Gupta and many others.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 19: Representatives of various socio-religious organizations of displaced Pandits have taken serious exception to meeting of representatives of various KP organizations and individuals with leaders of separatist Hurriyat Conference in Valley recently and said that community had not given any mandate to any organization or individual to talk with separatists and Pak agents.
Talking to reporters here today, O N Chrungoo president All Kashmiri Pandit Solidarity Conference (AKPSC), M K Kaul a social activist, Raj Nath Raina, president Magam Bangil Sabha, P L Dhar president T RT Nagrota and Sheela Handoo ex corporator, said the community had not given any one mandate to talk to separatists on its behest.
“It is unfortunate that some community members and representatives of some organizations met hardliner Hurriyat leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and its moderate faction leader Moulvi Omar Farooq seeking their support for return of the community to Valley”, said M K Kaul.
Moreover the leaders of these KP organizations who met Hurriyat did not disclose what they discussed with them inside and we apprehend that a hidden agenda on return of the community was discussed inside, he said, adding this was a game plan of some agencies to tarnish the image of the community.
“We will continue our fight against those forces who played with the cause of the community “said Sheela Handoo. She said that Apex Committee does not have proper representation of the community.”

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 19: A girl ended her life by jumping into the Veshu river in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
A police spokesman said that a girl (name with-held) resident of Manzgam ended her life by jumping into the Veshu river at Aharbal-Damhal Hanjipora, Kulgam. The body was fished out from the river by police. Police has initiated proceedings under section 174 CrPC in this regard.
Meanwhile, Javaid Ahmad aged 26 years son of Mohammad Ramzan Rather resident of Dangerpora, Sopore in a bid to save his horse got drowned in nallah at Haribachi Top, Hajin-Bandipora. The body of the deceased was later fished out.
At the same time police fished out the body of one Abdul Majid Malik age 10 years son of Ghulam Hassan resident of Seriwarpora-Pattan at present Nalbandpora Safakadal, Srinagar from Jhelum near Cement Bridge Qamarwari. Police has initiated proceedings under section 174 CrPC in this regard.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, APR 19: The House Committee comprising of MLA, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, G. A. Mir, Basharat Bukhari and chaired by Mir Saifullah, who is also chairman of the committee, met today and deliberated on the documents provided by Revenue Department.
The committee discussed in details the alleged illegal filling of wet lands in Pattan constituency bordering Srinagar, Baramulla and Bandipora districts.
The Chairman directed the concerned authorities to provide revenue record of the last 20 years of all the areas in question within three days time so that the committee can verify the basic title of the land in question. It was also decided to inspect the site after checking the records. Next meeting of the committee was fixed for April 30, 2012.
Among others, Additional Commissioner, Kashmir, Abdul Majid Mir, Deputy Commissioners of Srinagar, Baramulla and Bandipora, Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control, Director Land Records, Chief Wildlife Warden and Regional Wildlife Warden were present on the occasion.

Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Apr 19: The meeting of the general body of the Rasa Javedani Memorial Literary Society (RJMLS) was today held under the chairmanship of its president, Prof. Shohab Inayat Malik, in which near about 50 members participated.
It was resolved in the meeting that society will go ahead to boost the cultural and literary activities in the State.
On the occasion the RJML society was also reconstituted. Tanveer Ibne Rasa has been unanimously elected as the Chief Patron of the RJML while Ghulam Hassan Mir, Minister for Agriculture, J&K, elected as Patron of the RJML Society. The other office barriers who were unanimously elected in the general body meeting included Prof. Shohab Inayat Malik as President, Irshad Ahmed Ib-ne-Taj, as senior vice president and Financial Advisor of the society.
Mr Aseer Kishtwari a Renowned Historian was again unanimously elected as the General secretary Dr Chaman Lal was elected as secretary , Dr Farat Shamim as new joint secretary of the RJMLS while Dr A R Manhas will act as Treasurer of the society. The tenure of the office barriers has been fixed for the period of three years.
Meanwhile Advisory Board of RJMLS was also reconstituted. The advisory board members included Jammu University Vice Chancellor Prof. M.P. Singh Ishar, Chairman Kashmir Times Group of Publication, Ved Bhasin, Dy Chairman Legislative Council, M Y Taing, Former HOD Urdu Kashmir University, Prof. Qudoose Javed, Ata Mohd Dave, reputed poet of the sub-continent Aresh Sahbahi.
It was also resolved in the meeting that society will organize a literary function in the memory of the legendary Urdu and Kashmiri poet Rasa Javedani on his death Anniversary on May 27, 2012

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, April 18: A deputation of Association of Timber Industries Jammu led by its president Thakur Jai Singh accompanied by office bearers and executive members today met Managing Director, State Forest Corporation, in latter’s office chamber and had a meeting in which the timber traders highlighted their grievances particularly regarding existing trend adopted by the SFC during normal auctions in bidding system.
To protect the interests of traders and smooth running of open auctions conducted by SFC in future, Thakur Jai Singh presented a charter of demands in front of the Managing Director for consideration.
He demanded that supply of Timber to fair price shops be made from one sale depot (Bahu) only, maintaining stocks of timber in good condition and in correct volume and size before being produced for auction to avoid any complaint during the course of open action and selling of those items of timber which do not get offered rates beyond the reserve rates be sold on the spot before the closure of auction proceeding every now and then.
Thakur also demanded to make available the timber items of ace species in sufficient quantity to fulfill the requirement of timber traders while purchasing the timber.
Besides Thakur also demanded repair and reconstruction of inner roads in all the sale depots and construction of a central auction hall for all the sale depots. He also pressed for supply of drinking water in purified manner in auction halls.