SRINAGAR, Apr 13:
Protests broke out in the G B Pant Children Hospital here in Sonwar area of Srinagar today as the authorities started charging for the routine investigations being carried out in the hospital for the patients.
The directive to charge the attendants for medical examination was greeted with resentment by the attendants and they raised hue and cry over this directive. The attendants raised slogans against the administration and demanded immediate roll back of the order.
Some of the attendants while sharing their views with Excelsior said that the order is totally uncalled for. They said the patients admitted in the Government hospitals are entitled to free investigations and routine tests. They said this directive is equivalent to grabbing their basic right that is right to life.
“My child is admitted here for the last 15 days. Up to today were not charged a single penny by the hospital authorities for various investigations, but today they changed the rules. I was asked to pay Rs 25 for a routine test like blood grouping. Charges have also been levied on all the other routine tests and investigations,” said Fayaz Ahmad, an attendant.
As the attendants were asked to pay for the investigations by the authorities they were surprised as most of the patients are admitted there for past several days.
The attendants of the patients assembled in the hospital compound and lodged protests. They said since G. B Pant hospital is the lone hospital for the children in the Valley, the Government should immediately roll back the order.
“Children from different areas are admitted and as most of the attendants are poor the order to impose charges on tests is bound to create hardships for them. As such the hospital authorities more so the Government should cancel this order and give relief to the people,” said the attendants.
There are reports that other hospitals have also started charging for various investigations of the patients that has led to resentment from the common people.
Meanwhile, Police today found unknown newborn baby near SMHS hospital here and shifted the baby to G B Pant Children Hospital.
A police spokesman said that one newborn male baby was found near the Blood Bank, SMHS hospital Srinagar. He said the baby was shifted to G. B Pant hospital for safe care and treatment.
Protests in GB Pant hospital
Hideout busted in Kupwara
Srinagar, Apr 13:
Security forces today busted a militant hideout in Lolab area of the frontier district of Kupwara near the Line of Control (LoC) and recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition.
The recoveries comes after the security forces tightened vigil along the LoC following reports that the militants across in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) are desperate to infiltrate following the killing of their top commanders and their depleting numbers in Kashmir valley.
A Police spokesman said here that acting on a tip-off, a joint party of 28 Rashtriya Rifles of the Army and police busted the hideout at Chirdoori village in Lolab area.
The spokesman said that one AK rifle, four AK magazines, one pistol with magazine, one hand grenade and one Improvised Explosive Device (IED) switch were also recovered from hideout.
The other recoveries include two anti-personnel mines, two fuse mines, 12 detonators, two IEDs, 1.5 kg of explosives, 23 kg of urea and 1 m of cordex wire, said the spokesman.
It may be mentioned here that security forces achieved major success against Lashkar-e-Toiba militants in North Kashmir district of Kupwara during past two weeks.
Ten militants of the LeT were killed by the security forces in two major operations that were launched by the security forces in North Kashmir’s Rajawar forests. Ten AK rifles and huge quantity of arms and ammunition was recovered from the dead militants.
The security forces have apprehensions of infiltration from across the LoC after the successful operations eliminated top militant commanders over the past several months in Kashmir valley.
The vigil along the LoC has resulted in the killing of militants and recovery of the arms and ammunition during past two weeks.
Omar calls for strengthening, nurturing of communal harmony
Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Apr 13: Describing communal harmony ‘warp and woof’ of Jammu and Kashmir’s pluralistic culture, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah on Friday called for it’s strengthening and nurturing.
He said the State symbolizes traditional amity, brotherhood and love between various sections of the society.
Addressing the Baisakhi Mela at Nangali Sahib here , the Chief Minister said that celebration of festivals and holy occasions in unity and amity has been the characteristics of people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said extending greetings to each other on different festivals adds colour to the celebrations and strengthen the bonds of love.
The Chief Minister said that universalization of development and economic welfare equitably in the State is benchmark of the functioning of his Government. “We are determined to reach out every area and every section of the society equally in the process of development”, he said, adding that comprehensive upliftment of weaker sections and people living in backward pockets of the State is on high focus.
Omar Abdullah said that improvement and upgradation of education and health sectors in far-off areas is receiving priority attention. “While various new health institutions and schools have been opened in these areas, the Government has also sanctioned new degree colleges, polytechnics and ITIs for the students living in these areas”, he said, adding that accessibility of students in backward and remote areas to higher and technical education is being enhanced by providing adequate educational facilities to them.
“Similarly, health sector is receiving impetus to expand healthcare facilities across the State”, he said elaborating on the infrastructure development programme, placing of manpower and consolidating the health institutions in all the districts and rural areas of the State. He said health institutions are being upgraded and modernized as per the present day requirements. He said many more steps are afoot to further strengthen the health and education sectors in the State besides other sectors relating to the public service delivery.
Minister of State for Home, Nasir Aslam Wani, Legislators, Ajaz Ahmad Jan and Jahangir Mir also spoke on the occasion.
Sagar inspects development works
Excelsior Correspondent
BUDGAM, Apr 13: Minister for Rural Development, Panchayat Raj, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Mohammad Sagar today reviewed the ongoing development works in the Narbal-Kanihama and adjacent areas of the Narbal block.
The Minister was informed that under PHE Sector Rs. 292 lakh are being spent on the execution of Kawoosa-Narbal Water Supply Scheme out of which Rs. 69 lakh stands expended. The 60,000 gallon capacity scheme is being commissioned within next 3 months while work on the over head tank is in full swing.
It was further given out that under MG NREGA Rs. 1.69 crore have been spent and 216 works stand completed, while Rs. 47 lakh has been spent under Indira Awas Yojana and 5700 Job Cards were issued while 98 works were completed and 87,084 mandays of works generated in the block Narbal.
During an interactive session with Sarpanchs, Panchs and district officers, the Minister said that Government is committed to strengthen the Panchayat institutions in the State, adding that implementation of Public Services Guarantee Act and subordinating services of 14 line departments to Panchayats is proof of Omar led Government’s seriousness in this regard.
He informed that Rs. One lakh has been released for the Narbal Panchayat under untitled grant by the Chief Minister while Rs. 20 lakh would be provided for the construction of Panchayat Ghars and other Rs. 2 lakh for renovation works.
Governor, CM pay tributes to Dr Ambedkar
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 13: Governor N. N. Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today paid tributes to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar on his 121st birth anniversary.
In a message, the Governor recalled that Dr. Ambedkar, a most outstanding legal luminary, had made a signal contribution to the framing of the Indian Constitution. He also recalled Dr. Ambedkar’s invaluable contributions towards nation building, particularly in regard to the uplift of the weaker sections of society.
Highlighting his role as a social reformer of highest order and a statesman of par-excellence, the Chief Minister said that the best way of paying tributes to Dr. Ambedkar is to strengthen the communal harmony in the country and contributing to create classless society with equitable development.
Comprehensive strategy formulated to take Govt prog to people: Pr DG PIB
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 13: Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has formulated a comprehensive strategy to further improve the functioning of its various wings during the 12th Five Year Plan and several initiatives would be taken during the current financial year itself.
Disclosing this to media-persons here this evening, Neelam Kapur, Principal Director General, Press Information Bureau (PIB), said that during the 12th Five Year Plan thrust will be laid on converging the efforts of all the units of the Ministry to take the programmes of the Government to the people, collect the feed-back and provide the same to the Government.
“The feed-back of the official media vis-à-vis Government’s programmes and policies is very important to understand how the initiatives of the Government are bringing changes at the ground level”, she said.
She disclosed that there will be thrust on modernization of the Public Information Bureau (PIB) for more effective and timely dissemination of information regarding the activities of the Government of India. “Video-conferencing facility would be put to use for regular interaction with Headquarters and the Regional Offices as well as regional media”, she added.
Stating that use of Information Technology would be enhanced for further improving functioning of the PIB, the Principal Director General said, “the Ministry has also decided to make use of social-networking sites like Twitter and You Tube”, adding “latest information would be uploaded on the Twitter and the URL there will take those surfing the website to the official website of the Public Information Bureau”.
Ms Kapur informed that Ministry has also planned exclusive PIB channel on You Tube to provide video footage about the Central Government functions. “This facility would be in place very shortly”, she added.
About the activities planned for the PIB J&K, she said, “we have decided to organize Editors’ Conference at Srinagar sometime in the month of June”, adding “three Public Information Campaigns would be organized in Jammu and Kashmir during the current year in order to take the flagship schemes of the Union Government mostly in health and education sectors to the marginalized sections of the society”.
In response to a question, she said, “there is excellent feedback of the Public Information Campaigns from across the country and each and every Member Parliament is demanding such campaigns in their respective constituencies”, adding “we are also involving State Governments in these campaigns for better results”.
Keeping in view the complaints and suggestions from different quarters, the PIB has decided to organize tours of media-persons from Jammu region this year, Ms Kapur said.
She said that during the last three years, PIB Jammu circulated 6000 press releases in English and 1000 in Hindi and Urdu. Moreover, 400 features in English and 100 in Urdu were released during this period.
SPO kidnaps girl, absconding
Excelsior Correspondent
MENDHAR, Apr 13: The Special Police Officer (SPO) allegedly kidnapped a young girl from Galuta village in Mendhar on Wednesday and was untraced for the last two days.
Mohd Aslam, father of the girl Fozia, in an FIR lodged with the Gursai police has alleged that SPO Mohd Shakoor, son of Altaf Hussain of Galuta has kidnapped his daughter.
He alleged further that his young daughter and the SPO could not be traced by his relatives for the last two days. The police registered a case and started investigation.
Abhilash’s Sandiji Pholai CD released
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 13: Sandiji Pholai-a collection of devotional songs (CD) of Mr Abhilash was released in a simple but impressive function at Krishna Satsang Bhawan (Gareeb Dham) Wazir Bagh Bohri.
Sandiji Pholai-a collection of seven devotional songs composed by Badri Nath Abhilash was released by Anand Swami Pran Nath Bhat (Gareeb) and other dignatries present on the occasion. The function started amid singing of devotional songs and hymns.
While speaking on the occasion Swami Ji highlighted the importance of spirituality and religion in a man’s life. He also threw light on the significance of Guru-Shishya relationship in the spiritual development of a man.
Those who spoke on the occasion included Prof S N Pandita, Prof C L Raina, Prof G L Koul, Chunni Razdan, Tosha Raina, B L Pandita, M L Pandita
M K Tiku from Bhagwan Gopi Nath Ashram Bohri was guest of honour. Ex corporator Sheela Handoo also graced the occasion.
Sh. P K Raina compered the function.
Suchetgarh developing as border tourism destination: Jora
Baisakhi festival organized at border town
Lalit Gupta
SUCHETGARH, Apr 13:
The border town of Suchetgarh reverberated with beats of drums and rhythmic steps of dancers to mark the Baisakhi festival celebrations and also the laying of foundation of the Tourist Facility Center, which is being seen by the locals as a boost towards developing the border town as a tourist destination.
Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister for Tourism and culture, has said that Suchetgarh would be developed a mega Border tourist destination for pilgrim tourists visiting Mata Vaishno Devi and other holy shrines of Jammu division, adding that in this regard a project of Rs. 6.39 crore is under implementation for creation of tourist related infrastructure in the area.
Laying foundation of restoration and conservation work of historical Ragunath temple at Suchetgarh in presence of R S Chib, Minister for Medical Education and Youth Services and Sports and Ch Sham Lall, MLA Suchetgarh, Jora said that conservation work of this temple would be completed at a cost of Rs 1.25 crore. He said an amphitheatre would be also constructed in Suchetgarh and instructed concerned authorities to evict the encroached land at the temple site at the earliest for the purpose and celebration of Baisakhi festival would be now made an annual feature in Suchetgarh.
R S Chib said that opening border tourism in Suchetgarh is a remarkable step of the State Government, adding that this would not only boost local economy but also a source of inspiration for coming generation.
He said for promotion of border tourism in Suchetgarh and R S Pura a prestigious project of Rs 6.39 crore is being implemented for creation of different tourist infrastructure facilities. He said under the project several works are being executed which included construction of road to BSF, dormitory, pick and chose restaurant, watch towers, tourist facilitation centre, installation of fountains, landscaping, pathways, shelter places at temple and Peer Baba, development of children parks at R S Pura, improvement of track up to Gharana bird sanctuary, toilet block of old Railway Station R S Pura and Suchetgarh.
Former Minister, Gharu Ram, R S Mehta, Director Tourism Jammu, Arvinder Singh Aman, additional secretary, Cultural Academy, were among others present on the occasion.
Later, the Ministers inaugurated celebration of Baisakhi festival at Suchetgarh. The festival organized by Tourism Department in collaboration with J&K Cultural Academy, was participated by hundreds of people of the area who witnessed cultural programs, which were presented by local artists of the division.
The cultural program ably anchored by Jag Mohan, started with Kud dance by Krishan Singh and Party from Reasi. It was followed by Bhangra dance item by artistes of Navrang Dance Academy, Udhampur. The all female dancers’ item was a mix of modern and traditional dance steps. The next presentation was Dogri folk Geetru, which was performed by Ram Prakash and party from Ramnagar. After Manvir Singh Lali and group sang and danced on Punjabi song ‘Jamla Jat’, Dogri Bhaakh was presented by Bishan Singh and party. The other items, which were highly appreciated by the audience, included Geetru, Bhangra performances by Navrang Dance Academy and Manvir Singh Lali and group.
Baisakhi celebrated with traditional fervour, gaiety
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.