JAMMU, May 8: Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarathi Parishad (ABVP) today submitted a memorandum of demands pertaining to the worst condition of hostel to Principal, Government Polytechnic College.
A delegation of ABVP activists led by city secretary Arun Prabhat met Principal, Government Polytechnic Jammu and Hostel Warden and apprised them about the worst condition of the hostel.
Highlighting the demands, Arun Prabhat said that there is lack of toilets and bathrooms, mismanagement in mess, lack of sports facility, no reading room in the hostel. He also said that there is requirement of street lights outside hostel and canteen and there is lack of security. He also apprised the principal about the pathetic condition of rooms, electric problems and need of generator facility.
Principal gave a patient hearing to their demands and assured them that there demands will be redressed at the earliest.
Among others present were Neeraj Singh, Rohan Bhandari, Nikhil, Fayaz, Vijay, Hashim, Mushtaq, Rahul, Hoshiar, Shubham and Rajeev.
JAMMU, May 8: World Red Cross Day 2012 today witnessed a colourful function at Red Cross Auditorium, Kachi Chawni, organised by Regional Red Cross Society, Jammu, to commemorate the Birth Anniversary of its founder ‘Sir Henry Dunant’.
The chief guest of the function was Divisional Commissioner, Pardeep Gupta, while the function was presided over by Director, Health Services, Jammu, Dr Madhu Khullar.
The theme of this year was ‘youth on the move’.
The program started with flag hoisting of Red Cross at Red Cross Bhawan, Jammu by the chief guest along with Dr Madhu Khullar, which was followed by lighting of ceremonial lamp to pay homage to Sir Henry Dunant.
The students of Shangrilla Higher Secondary School presented the some patriotic songs while Government Girls Higher Secondary School Satwari presented a skit on the life of Henry Dunant.
Speaking on the occasion, chief guest lauded the humanitarian services being rendered by the Regional Red Cross Society, Jammu and stressed the need to enroll more and more Red Cross Volunteers to ensure timely help to sufferers during any natural calamity. Later awards were presented to the volunteers, sponsors, institutions and NGOs who had extended whole-hearted support to Regional Red Cross during the last year.
Meanwhile, the World Red Cross Day was also celebrated at Government Centre Basic School, Purani Mandi, by the District Red Cross Society and paid floral tributes to Sir Jean Henry Dunant, the founder of Red Cross Movement.
Chairman, District Red Cross Society, Jammu, and DC Jammu, Sanjeev Verma was the chief guest who hoisted the flag of Red Cross.
Besides chief guest, many other dignitaries attended the function.
Speaking on the occasion, chief guest lauded the role of Indian Red Cross Society for its philanthropic services in the country. Later on he presented mementos and certificates to the contingent of 12 students and 2 counselors who had participated in the National Youth Exchange Programme at Amritsar.
Besides, three motorized scooters were distributed among three handicapped persons, books and uniforms were distributed among orphan children and checks worth Rs 50,000 were disbursed among the poor persons.
The function concluded with distribution of light refreshment among the participants.
SRINAGAR, May 8: One person died while as 24 others were injured in different road accidents across the Kashmir valley today.
Reports said that a driver Showkat Ahmad Yatoo age 34 years son of Abdul Rehman resident of Hawaid Chawalgam, came under the Trolley of the Tractor while repairing the tractor near Laiso-Guddar, Damhal Hanjipora, resulting in his on spot death. A case has been registered in this regard.
A Tavera bearing registration number JK02AB/4178 coming from Jammu to Srinagar hit and injured a pedestrian Jawahira aged 30 years wife of Bashir Ahmad Bhat resident of Lethpora at Lethpora-Awantipora. The injured was shifted to SKIMS, Soura for treatment. The driver of the vehicle was arrested and vehicle seized.
An Eco car bearing registration number JK01Q/8204 hit and injured Insha Rasool aged nine years daughter of Ghulam Rasool Wagay at Devsar, Kulgam. The injured was shifted to District Hospital, Kulgam for treatment.
A Tractor driven by Ishaq Ahmad Ganai son of Abdul Salam resident of Chekpora turned turtle at Sheerbata Lamer, Kulgam, resulting in injuries to two persons including the Tractor driver and Irshad Ahmad Ganai son of Ghulam Mohi-ud-din resident of Chekpora, who was traveling on the Tractor. Both the injured were hospitalized.
A bus bearing registration number JK03/2346 turned turtle at Sangam-Bijbehara, resulting in injuries to 20 passengers. All the injured were shifted to Sub District Hospital, Bijbehara for treatment, where from three injured persons were referred to Bone and Joints Hospital, Barzullah, Srinagar for further treatment.
JAMMU: Arun K Gupta of Arun Art Printers has been invited to attend the prestigious India Day Celebration on May 13 at Düesseldorf Drupa, Germany, as a part of the ongoing “Drupa-2012” an International Printing Technology exhibition.
Son of the soil Arun K Gupta is a part of the contingent of Print leaders from India and has made the Jammuites feel pride. It is pertinent to mention here that Arun Gupta has already attended a number of international conferences pertaining to the field of Printing Industry in India and abroad.
The exhibition, which commenced on May 7, 2012 shall conclude on May 16, 2012. Drupa is a mega international event showcasing latest technology in Printing Industry and organised every four years.
LEH, May 8: Chief Executive Councilor (CEC) of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Rigzin Spalbar today visited Shachukul and took stock of arrangements for the visit of Tibetan spiritual guru Dalai Lama to the area in the month of July.
He gave instructions to the concerned engineers vis-à-vis basic requirements and arrangements including road improvement, ground leveling, creation of stage and public conveniences.
Tokdan Rinpochey, the Head Lama of Shachukul Monastery informed that CEC that large public gathering is expected at Shachukul to listen to discourses of Dalai Lama. He sought Council’s liberal support in important major works like improvement and blacktopping of road, development of sermon place, public conveniences etc and assured that all minor and manageable arrangements would be done by the monks and the people of the area on their own. The Councilor Durbuk, Namgyal Dorjey apprised the CEC about ongoing progress of works at the site.
Mr Spalbar assured that there would be no lapse or shortcoming in arrangements at Council’s level. At the same time, he asked the Councilors, SE PWD and officers to keep close monitoring of the progress of works and increase its pace by using more laborers.
Earlier, CEC visited the Higher Secondary School Tharuk and interacted with the students. On the demand of students, CEC directed the Principal for extra classes particularly of Maths subject on priority basis.
On his way back to Leh, the CEC inspected the progress of Community Centre-cum-Shopping Complex at Tangtse. Councilor, Dorjey Namgyal said that this complex is coming up at a cost of over Rs 90 lakh under Tourism Development Scheme.
SRINAGAR, May 8: On the first day of commencement of Registration as many as 16,553 persons utilized the internet based e-registration facility and 174 Bank Branches for registering the dates and routes on which they wish to perform this year’s Yatra to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji, which is scheduled to commence on 25th June, 2012.
The Chief Executive Officer of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, Navin K. Choudhary, disclosed that registration through internet based e-registration facility through J&K Bank’s website (www.jkbank.net) and 174 Bank Branches commenced on 7th May, 2012 while Registration through 100 Post Offices will begin on 15th of May 2012. Of the 16,553 Yatris who have registered so far, 7,972 have opted for the traditional Pahalgam route and 8,581 have secured registration for the Baltal route.
Meanwhile, the CEO has appealed to all the intending Shri Amarnathji Yatris to ensure that they embark on the pilgrimage only after obtaining a valid Yatra Permit. This would ensure against any avoidable inconvenience to them on their arrival at the Base Camps of the Yatra. Such Yatris who seek registration through e-Yatra Permit via internet will have to produce their Compulsory Health Certificate at the Base Camp, Baltal or Pahalgam, and have their e-Yatra Permit stamped by the Shrine Board officials before they are allowed to embark on the Yatra.
Mr. Choudhary said all the registered pilgrims have been provided free accident insurance cover of rupees one lakh. This facility is not available to the un-registered Yatris. The CEO said that the Board has also issued detailed Do’s and Don’ts and Health Advisory for the Yatris visiting the Holy Shrine of Shri Amarnathji, which are available on the Board’s website (www.shriamarnathjishrine.com). He said that the Yatris need to strictly adhere to these Do’s and Don’ts and Health Advisory as they have to undertake arduous trek through high mountains under adverse weather conditions.
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 8: Dr. Aziz Hajni, President, Adbi Markaz Kamraz and Convener, Kashmiri Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, called on Governor N. N. Vohra, at Raj Bhavan here today.
During their meeting, the Governor and Dr. Hajni discussed the literary and cultural scenario of the State.
Dr. Hajni briefed the Governor about the activities of the Adbi Markaz Kamraz and of the Sahitya Akademi aimed at the promotion of Kashmiri language and literature. He informed the Governor that the Sahitya Akademi is organizing an International Kashmiri Conference at Srinagar in August this year.
The functioning of the Shaikh-ul-Aalam Chair, University of Kashmir, also came up for discussion during the meeting.
In his capacity as Chairman of J&K Muslim Waqaf Board, Omar Abdullah passed several important orders and issued far-reaching instructions to the concerned in regard to streamlining the administration and delivery objectives of J&K Muslim Waqaf Board. The Board does not have the only responsibility of maintaining and looking after the health of the Awqaf properties and allied matters but is also functioning as a philanthropic agency catering to social service of the community especially in the areas of education, healthcare, employment and establishment. The Chief Minister has a modernist vision of the Waqaf and some of the directions issued by him vouchsafe his modernity views in religious matters. Raising upwards the emoluments of the Imams, teachers and other employees, actively considering opening of two nursing institutions in the valley, laying out of a farm to produce medicinal plants and herbs near Baba Reshi in Tangmarg area, and above all providing adequate scholarships to poor and needy students for educational and training purposes are all very progressive steps. Muslim community is bound to derive benefit out of revised schemes. The most significant is that he has ordered special audit of the Waqaf Board income and account and constituted a three-member committee to submit the report within six months for the consideration of the Board. It has to be said that at several occasions’ media has hinted at illegal grabbing of waqf land and property by influential and politically connected persons. Waqaf Board should also conduct a probe into this affair and establish its veracity. Illegal seizures have to be vacated and sooner it is done the better.
In his first press conference after the Durbar move, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has made an extensive appraisal of his governments achievements during the past three years of his tenure in general but of the previous year in particular. It is customary on the part of Chief Ministers to give a summation of what the Government has done in recent past in order to keep the people informed of broad features of government’s policy in regard to more important and pressing issues. He has reiterated his Government’s urge for a peaceful settlement of Kashmir problem’s internal and external dimension. Of course as regards the latter, the MEA is the proper forum where things are talked with a foreign country. There is hardly any need to re-assure the people that the State Government, keeping in view its burning desire for speeding up developmental programmes, it wants peace and stability in the State. Since Pakistan-based terrorist organizations have made a pledge of carrying fire and brimstone to the valley, Omar Abdullah is duly perturbed about it. After all it impinges on the plans and projects that lead the state on to the desired goal of development. The two countries are steadily inching forward in their bilateral talks and the stalemate of many decades will take its time to be broken. Omar’s impatience with this aspect, though we understand it, but is rather overstating the things. We have to realize that we are to deal with a country whose mindset knows nothing about us except hatred. We would appreciate Omar reaching out to his constituency on this critical issue rather than bringing all the pressure on central leadership. It is his and his party’s business to mould the opinion of the masses of people. A great public leader should have the capacity of making the mass mentality separate reason from emotion. It is in that area that the Chief Minister and his party have to act vigorously.
Panchayat elections have reassured everybody in the State that Omar Abdullah Government is seriously and honestly intending to give effect to devolution of powers to the grass roots level. This is indeed a painful experience for old diehards to give up power, partly or wholly, and let people decide their fate in most of things. But as we learn, militants are issuing threats to the elected Sar Panches and other members of panchayat because in this process, militancy finds the space shrinking for them. Therefore the constitutional aspect of devolution of powers on Panchayat, financial safeguard to them and personal security to the elected members are crucial issues that must be addressed. Elections to local bodies are in the pipeline and these must be speeded up to give teeth to the concept of devolution of powers.
On the issue of return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants, the Chief Minister has not underscored any exclusive measure of his Government to move a step out of NC’s known parameters of return and rehabilitation of the migrated community. All that he has been doing in this regard is to ritualistically intone the mantra of the PM’s Package of 2008 despite the fact that the migrated community has, at a number of occasions, said that the package addresses only the economic aspect of the issue whereas their case is essentially of political nature. Their contention is that if in the eyes of Omar, Kashmir is a political issue, therefore by same analogy theirs undoubtedly is a political issue and even more. In absence of positive input from the State Government, the issue of return and rehabilitation may not make any significant headway in its present form. The Government needs to think of options that are viable and take care of the interests of all stakeholders. A futuristic vision of composite Kashmirian society has to be adopted. Socialization of two communities needs to be prioritized over other aspects of the question.
Omar is confident that his Government has adopted the right course in bringing home to authorities that AFSPA has to be withdrawn. The good thing is that he is handling this ticklish issue with care and consideration seeking consensus of opinion at various levels in Srinagar and in New Delhi. His address to the NCTC in New Delhi recently reflects his views on security aspects and in his capacity as Chief Minister he has made very responsible and thoughtful comment that AFSPA could be withdrawn from some of the areas identified as peaceful and devoid of militancy. The issue of withdrawal is being discussed at proper quarters and hopefully it will be resolved amicably in near future. Omar’s appraisal of achievements made or still in the pipeline generates the hope that given normal conditions, this summer will see the Government taking bigger strides in the direction of State’s development and progress.
Govt employees taging protest dharna at Exhibition Ground in Jammu on Tuesday. - Excelsior/Rakesh
JAMMU, May 8: Normal work in many Government and Public Sector Undertakings (PSU) offices remained paralysed today with the strike of employees across the region while the Joint Consultative Committee of the employees leadership will announce next course of action tomorrow.
Responding to the two-day strike call given by the JCC on May 8 & 9, a large number of employees under the leadership of Ram Kumar Sharma, Mohd Gafoor Dar, Balwan Singh and others assembled near Exhibition Ground, in front of Press Club here around 10 am and held strong protest demonstration. Many employees were carrying banners and placards in their hands, depicting their demands. They raised loud slogans in support of their demands.
The general public had to suffer as the strike was observed in the entire State today on the call given by JCC leadership including Abdul Qayoom Wani, Khursheed Alam, Ram Kumar, Gafoor Dar, Kulwant Singh, Balwan Singh Jamal, Rafiq Khaniyari, Ganesh Khajuria, Devanand Gill, Parshotam Sharma, Amrik Singh, Babu Hussain Malik, Balwinder Singh, Nazeer Ahmed and others.
All the sections of State Government, Public Sector Undertakings, temporary and permanent employees observed nearly complete strike. The employees held demonstrations, staged dharnas at district and tehsil headquarters to lodge their protest against the Government. In majority of the offices in the region the work was affected due to strike but in some of the offices, the work continued though the attendance was found thin. The emergency units in hospitals and other essential services had been kept out of the purview of strike.
While addressing a large gathering at Exhibition Ground senior JCC leaders strongly condemned the attitude of the Government. They said that due to non-serious approach of the Government, the employees have been forced to go on strike. The Government has failed to honour its commitment. Nothing has been done on ground to address the agreed demands during meeting with employees’ leaders on 19-2-2009, 14-5-2010 and recently on September 15, 2011. They said several representations were given to the Government from time to time but it seemed to be in no mood to respond to the employees’ demands.
JCC leaders further alleged that Government has done nothing to formulate the policy for regularization of casual, seasonal and daily rated workers. The committees constituted by the Government for enhancement of retirement of age from 58 to 60 years and for removal of Govt anomalies in different cadre, have not done their job within the framework of stipulated time. The PSU workers are being deprived of the Sixth Pay Commission benefits, arrears, DA, linking it with profit and loss. They claimed that it is only due to mismanagement and negligence of politicians that some PSUs are running into huge losses.
As decided earlier, the employees would move towards Civil Secretariat for conducting its `Gherao’ tomorrow in Srinagar.
In Kishtwar town also, the employees under the banner of district Masters Teachers Association held demonstration under the leadership of M A Qazi and others. They also took out a protest march. Haji M S Naik, T Masood and Mohd Rafi Kitchloo (PDD) trade union leaders addressed gathering.
In Poonch and Rajouri, the employees protest rallies were also held. The employees from several departments assembled at PHE complex Poonch and held day long dharna and protest rally. In Rajouri town, protest demonstration/ dharna was held at DC office and some other offices today.
Reports from Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Ramban, Kishtwar, Doda and Reasi said that similar protest demonstrations were held by employees and the normal works remained affected. The emergency units of the hospitals, operational staff of urban local bodies, PHE and PDD remained out of the purview of the strike.
