Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 11: The 69th meeting of Board of Directors (BoD) of Jammu & Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) was held here today under the chairmanship of Minister for Transport, Qamar Ali Akhoon who is also Chairman of the Board.
The meeting deliberated at length on the steps required to be taken for revival of the Corporation for making it operate on commercial lines and at the same time provide efficient public transport system to the people.
The meeting was informed that the performance of the Corporation remained satisfactory during last two years as compared to previous years.
It was also disclosed that the Corporation has reduced its statutory liability by an amount of Rs.9.10 crore during year 2010-11 and by Rs.18.88 crore during 2011-12 making a total payment of about Rs.28.00 crore to the in-service employees and retirees during last two years largely addressing a long pending grievance of the employees and retirees.
The Board also approved a Scheme for award of Gold medal and Silver medal to Drivers and Conductors of the Corporation rendering meritorious service.
Regarding fresh initiatives, the meeting was informed that the Corporation has established Drivers Training School at Rail Head, Jammu. Another such School at Bemina Srinagar was approved by the Board to be set up for imparting Driving Training to the interested candidates both for light and medium commercial vehicles. The setting up of these schools will go a long way in providing well trained drivers specially for operating Public Service Vehicles. Grant of Driving license to drivers trained by the SRTC will be facilitated by the Licensing Authority.
The Board of Directors also decided to extend the benefit of pay scales recommended by the 6th Pay Commission to the employees of Corporation prospectively from April, 2012.
The Board also gave nod to constitution of Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for managing and operating the Urban City Public Transport System including JnNURM Buses in Jammu and Srinagar city.
Minister of State for Transport, Shabir Ahmad Khan, Economic Advisor, Jalil Ahmad Khan, Commr/Secretary, Transport Pradeep Gupta, Transport Commissioner, Mehraj Ahmad Kakroo, Director General Budget, R.Magotra, Managing Director, JKSRTC, J S Tandon, Chief Engineer, R&B, Jammu Tehseen Mustafa, Chairman, J&K SRTC Workers Union, Shakeel Ahmad Kuchay, Secretary, Planning & Dev. Department , Special Secretary Housing & Urban Dev. Department and Senior Officers of Transport and SRTC attended the meeting.
SRTC employees to get benefit of 6th Pay Commission scales: Akhoon
Sagar visits shrine of Mir Syed Ali Hamdani
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 11: Minister for Rural Development, Panchayat Raj, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Mohammad Sagar alongwith a team of divisional level officers and engineers today visited historic mosque of Khankhai Moula at Srinagar and took stock of its prestigious glory, conservation and historic heritage. He also inspected the pace of renovation works which will be conducted by Srinagar Municipal Corporation.
The Minister inspected 3-storey shrine of Khanqah Hazrat Amir Kabir Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (RA).
Mr. Sagar also convened a meeting of officers of SMC, Director Tourism, Chief Engineer R&B, Kashmir, Chief Town Planner, Vice Chairman, Auqaf, expert of archives and discussed various issues of the shrine. He directed them to formulate a report for pristine glory of shrine and submitt the same within 15 days.
The Minister said that the shrine of Khanqah would be developed for the pilgrim tourism on the pattern of Dargah. On this occasion, the Minister also took stock of renovation and development works of Jamia Masjid with the concerned officers on which Rs. 6 crores are being incurred for the beautification of Jamia Masjid, Srinagar.
Extend financial assistance to deserving construction workers: Malik
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 11: Minister for Higher Education, Labour and Employment, Abdul Gani Malik today asked the officers of Labour Department to extend financial assistance to those construction workers on priority whose agencies deposit their cess regularly and without any delay with Jammu and Kashmir Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (JKBOCWWB).
The Minister was addressing a meeting of the Board of Directors of JKBOCWWB here today, convened to review the pace of progress of cess collection and its judicious expenditure for the welfare of construction workers..
The meeting was attended by Commissioner/ Secretary Yedullah, Labour Commissioner, Shahid Anayatullah, CEO/Secretary, JKBOCWWB, Syed Muried Hussain Director Codes, M. Ishaq, Special Secretary, Irshad Ahmed , MD, JK cements , R.K. Razdan, , Administrative officer, Farooq A. Shah , and other members of the Board.
Stressing for enforcement of labour laws strictly, Mr. Malik desired to have maximum realization of revenue under various Acts. However, he said that the State Govt. is forcefully projecting before the Central Government the need to take effective steps for rationalization of various labor laws by reducing the number of legislations so that the burden of filing statutory returns and conduct of frequent inspections is considerably reduced , adding that this will not only avoid exploitation by vested interests but will also simplify enforcement and enhance its stringent application for the benefit of the labour class leading to faster development and industrial growth.
The meeting was informed that the ambit of coverage of non -factory establishments under Employees State Insurance Scheme has been increased by reducing the minimum threshold limit of employees from 20 to 10, satisfying pending demand of the working class of the state.
Coverage of laborers in unorganized sector has also increased under the Building and Other Construction Workers Act. The Cess collection has gone up to Rs. 10107.79 lacs including the interest. An amount of Rs. 2,55,75,100 has been disbursed among 3600 beneficiaries under different welfare schemes by the respective Acts of the state.
The board accorded approval to the sanction of ex-gratia in favour of the dependent of late Saif-ud- Din of Doda who died on October 20, 2011.
Besides, Board decided to refer matter of creation of staff, housing loan scheme for construction workers to Standing Committee for approval.
The Board passed budget provision for 2012-13 and approved getting the stationery printed from private Printing Press on competitive rates by floating the tender.
Ist Maharaja Partap Singh Award to Lehar
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 11: Tehrik-e-Bakaya Urdu, J&K, has decided to give first Maharaja Partap Singh Award to renowned Urdu writer and senior advocate S S Anand Lehar in recognition of his services in the field of Urdu literature.
Mr Lehar a leading advocate of the State has written 11 books in Urdu and number of TV serials. He has been awarded by number of Government and non Government organizations. Four students of Jammu University did M Phil on his work and one each student of Guru Nanak Dev University, Magadha University and Meerut University are doing PhD on his work.
The other award is being given to Dr Zubair Farooq, an Arab citizen who has written 31 Urdu poetry books. He has also been awarded by many organizations. He is a Urdu singer, composer and short story writer also.
Meanwhile first Mulak Raj Saraf Award is being conferred to secretary general of Press Club of Jammu, Sohail Qazmi in recognition of his services in the field of journalism.
Sharma demands uninterrupted power supply
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 11: Senior National Conference leader and MLA Nowshera, Radhay Sham Sharma, has stressed on Power Development Department to ensure early installation of 50 MVA transformer at grid station, Kalakote, so that general people could heave a sigh of relief.
Mr Sharma also urged the Minister of Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Department Raman Bhalla, for issuing directions to district administration, Rajouri, for immediate disbursement of compensations/ financial assistance to all the affected farmers of his constituency whose last year crop got failed or damaged, but till date the district administration Rajouri has not disbursed the same to the affected farmers, which is a matter of serious concern.
He demanded for deputing of the officers/officials for properly conducting survey/assessment of the present crop damages being reported from his constituency due to delay of rains to help all the effected farmers and save them from starvation.
Siddharth elected Secy of Amar Singh Club
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 11: In the Executive Committee meeting held under the chairmanship of Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr Pawan Kotwal, Siddharth Sharma was today elected as Secretary of Amar Singh Club for the term 2012-14.
There was two cornered contest between Executive Committee members Siddharth Sharma and Arvind Mahajan, which was won by the former with nine votes.
Mr Sharma has earlier been the Secretary of the Club for two terms between 2001-2006. During his tenure, the Club witnessed all round development and progress including the health club and swimming pool complex.
Expressing his satisfaction over the successful completion of the election process, Dr Kotwal, who is the Vice-President of the Club, hoped that the new Secretary and the Executive Committee will work together to take the Club to further progress.
Employees to observe ‘Kam Chhor Hartal’ on Apr 17
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 11: Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) has appealed the State Government employees to observe complete ‘Kam Chhor Hartal’ on April 17, in support of the demands.
In a joint press conference held here today, senior trade union leaders and members JCC/ EJAC Ram Kumar Sharma, Rafiq Ahmed Khaniyari and Balwan Singh alleged that Government has been forcing the State employees to adopt path of confrontation. They said the Government has backed out from agreement of September 15, 2011 and earlier also. The delaying attitude of the Government in releasing Pay Commission arrears, enhancement of retirement age from 58 to 60 years, removal of pay anomalies etc has created strong resentment among the working class.
They pointed out that despite repeated representations and memoranda submitted to the Government, no progress from the Government side has been witnessed. It shows the anti-worker stance of the Government. The employees are now left with only option to go on agitational path. They appealed the employees of the Government departments and PSUs to observe complete strike and hold protest demonstrations and dharnas at district and tehsil headquarters. In Jammu and Srinagar, large rallies will be taken out by the employees lodging protest against the Government.
In Jammu the employees will assemble near Press Club/ Exhibition Ground at 11 am for the rally. They said the operational staff of the hospitals, PHE, PDD and JMC/ MCs etc has been exempted from the purview of strike.
Fast track Zojilaa tunnel, open Skardu route: Mehbooba
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 11: Calling for bold and visible measures to unshackle Kargil district from physical and economic constraints, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti today called for fast tracking of the construction of tunnel across Zojilla.
During an interaction with the delegation of citizens of Kargil, she urged the Union Government to get work on that the proposed tunnel at Zojilla started from Kargil side as well so that the facility is made available in minimum possible time.
Mehbooba said Kargil was one of those areas which had tremendous potential for growth but had remained backward as a result of the political apathy of those who had been elected on their vote. The only time the district voted for the party other than the NC in many decades was in 2002. It was then that the Hill Development Council was created and empowered for carrying on the developmental tasks.
She said it was unfortunate that the present Govt. has reversed the process of empowerment of this backward district with the result the development process has come to a standstill.
She said construction of tunnel was pursued by the PDP as part of its connectivity plan for better inter-regional transport between the three regions of Ladakh, Kashmir and Jammu. She said it was necessary that the construction of tunnel that has received approval is taken up from the both ends.
Mehbooba said in order to exploit potential of the region it was also necessary that Kargil-Skardu road is thrown open. She said the Governments of India and Pakistan had in principal agreed to do so. Once implemented this would revive not only the cultural contacts of Kargil with Gilgit and other northern areas but would also open up a whole world of trading opportunities to entire state.
Referring to the neglect that the Kargil district had suffered at the hands of the present dispensation, the delegation pointed out that a small 24 ft bridge Goma – Kargil that had been washed away in 2010 was still awaiting reconstruction. This, they said, only reflected the general attitude of apathy the administration has adopted towards Kargil. They also pointed out that in 2010 floods most of the Hagnis had been washed away but none of the residents had received any relief till now nor had any rehabilitation effort been under taken.
Discrimination with OBCs goes on unchecked: BSP
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 11: State Coordinator of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Parkash Bharti has alleged that discrimination with the Other Backward Classes and SCs was un-abated in the J&K State.
Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Bharti alleged that OBCs and SCs in the State have been continuously facing discrimination in the J&K state. Despite presenting hundreds of representations to the respective Governments in last over fifty years, nothing has been done to mitigate their sufferings. He said the Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah should intervene into the matter.
Mr Bharti strongly demanded enhancement of reservation from 2 % to 27 % in favour of OBC candidates as their population was about 40 percent in the State. He pointed out that Mandal Commission report has been implemented in many states but unfortunately J&K has not provided its benefit to the OBCs of the State. He demanded that Mandal Commission report be implemented without any further delay J&K.
He pointed out that a procedure was set up to examine and fix the limit of income after three years. The Central Government raised limit of creamy layer from Rs 2.50 lakh to Rs 4.50 lakh in July 2008 and proposed to enhance it to Rs 9 lakh in 2011. It was fixed for Rs 3 lakh in 2003 for J&K but the J&K rulers have not enhanced this creamy layer’s limit from Rs 3 lakh since 2003 till date. There was strong need to enhance it in view of price index and pay hike, he maintained.
Tulsi Dass Langeh state president of the party, who was accompanying Mr Bharti pointed out that J&K Government issues OSC certificate on the name of Other Social Castes which is meant for J&K state only and not acceptable in Central services. They need OBC certificate. Due to this nomenclature, the member of this community face lot of hardships as they have to obtain two types of certificates. One is issued by Tehsildar and other by DC. He demanded that OBC certificate be accepted in J&K too, and the concept of OSC certificate be stooped forthwith. Mr Langeh said that patience of the OBCs should nit tested anymore, their genuine and justified demands be accepted.
Joint Committee identifies 35 new progs for JU, KU campuses
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 11: The Joint Committee meeting of University of Jammu and University of Kashmir was held under the chairmanship of Prof. Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu.
Several items common to both the Universities were discussed in detail and a common line of action was evolved. The major items of agenda included the introduction of new Grading System of Evaluation in the Universities, formulation of Transfer Policy for the employees of the Offsite Campuses, establishment of School of Visual and performing Arts, Introduction of combined single paper examination system in the Undergraduate courses of the University, identification of new job and skill oriented short term courses.
Around 35 such new programmes were identified to be launched by the two Universities through their main campuses, Satellite Campuses and Colleges through formal and non formal medium.
The members also discussed several other far reaching policy issues relating to the functioning of the two Universities and the possibility of greater coordination and collaboration between the two Universities and the State Government for promoting the cause of higher education in the State.
The recommendations of the Joint Committee will be placed before the two University Councils for final approval, being the highest decision making bodies of the Universities
Prof. Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu thanked Prof Talat Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor Univerity of Kashmir, Mohd. Iqbal Khandey Principal Secretary to Government, Department of Finance and Financial Advisor Universities and Tanveer Jehan Commissioner Secretary Higher Education and Advisor Educational Universities, for their valuable suggestions and sought their continual support for taking the Universities to newer heights and excellence.
Among others Prof. Naresh Padha, Registrar, University of Jammu, Prof Syed Fayaz Ahmed, Registrar, University of Kashmir, Dr. Jatinder Khajuria, Joint Registrar( CDC) and Dr. Nissar Ahmed Mir, Deputy Registrar were also present.