Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 13: On the eve of forthcoming Municipal Corporation and other local body elections, BJP has raised serious questions and objections to discrepancies, errors and possible manipulations in the voter lists and voter cards which, if not rectified, will turn these elections into a big farce.

Addressing a press conference at party headquarters here today, National Executive Member and J&K Chief Spokesperson Dr Jitendra Singh produced documentary evidence with papers and print-outs to show that in certain areas and wards, either the voter lists were not available and if available these were printed in such font or script that these were not legible. In cases where the voter lists were available and also legible, the information provided about name, age, parentage or residential address was either inadequate or erratic, he added.

Dr. Singh said that in the absence of proper voter lists and voter cards, the National Conference-Congress coalition Government is exposed to the charge of being dishonest in its decision to hold fair and free elections to local bodies and that the entire electoral exercise is being carried out with the ulterior motive of securing over 300 crore worth Central grant in the name of local bodies which would later be subject to embezzlements and misappropriations as has been happening in the past.

Referring to voter identification cards, Dr. Singh reminded the administration that it is not mere a voter card but as per the statutes of Indian Constitution, voter card is notified as one of the identity proofs for every citizen of India like other identity proofs such as passport, driving licence etc. Therefore, even partly incorrect information in voter card could land the citizen in trouble while undergoing a security check and could also be challenged in court of law.

Dr. Singh said that the BJP has right from the beginning already taken several other exceptions to the local body elections and demanded implementation of 74th Amendment of Constitution if the Government is sincerely committed to the genuine empowerment of local bodies. Not only this, the party has also pointed out discrimination in increasing the number of Wards of Srinagar Municipal Corporation to 75 but leaving the number of Wards in Jammu Municipal Corporation unchanged, he added.

Flanked by former Mayor Kavinder Gupta and BJP Jammu district president Rajesh Gupta, Dr. Jitendra Singh displayed fallacious voting lists to cameramen and said the people need to be made aware of the fraud being played on them.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 13: The Agri technocrats appointed as Rehbar-e-Zirat today protested and blocked Tawi bridge for over 30 minutes in support of their demand of regularization.

They also jostled with the police and broke the cardon at Press Club in their attempt to block the Tawi bridge in protest against the Government’s callous attitude towards their demand after police foiled their attempt to take a march towards Civil Secretariat.

The irate agri technocrats raising slogans in support of their demands warned to continue agitation till the goal is achieved.

Earlier hundreds of the technocrats assembled at Press Club in their bid to move towards Civil Secretariat but their bid was foiled by the police who were deployed in large numbers near the Press Club to deal with the situation. The police had also erected barricades on the road.

Agitated over police action the irate technocrats jostled with police and raising slogans they rushed towards the Tawi bridge and blocked the traffic for over 30 minutes. Later they dispersed peacefully.

The Socialist Democratic Party president, Dr Darkshan Andrabi along with her supporters also joined the demonstration. She, while extending full support to the technocrats in their ongoing struggle criticized the Government’s callousness towards them.

She accused the Government of its total failure in settling their problem of regularization. She said SDF will fully back the technocrats in their struggle. She urged the Government to take an early decision on their demand and fulfill the commitment made with their leadership.

Besides her former corporator and BJP leader Sheela Handoo also joined the demonstration.

President of J&K Agriculture Technocrats Association Surinder Radhotra said the Rehbar-e-Zirat were demanding justice but the Government is ignoring their demand of regularization and warned that they will continue the agitation till their demand of regularization on the pattern of Rehbar-e-Taleem is met.

He said the Agri technocrats will not budge an inch from their stand and are committed to take the ongoing struggle to it’s logical conclusion.

Khurshid Ahmed president J&K Agriculture Technocrats United Forum while addressing gave an ultimatum to the government that if it failed to settle the demand by March 31, the Agri technocrats will intensify the agitation and the government will be responsible for all consequences.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 13: Governor N. N. Vohra today called upon corporate and business houses, philanthropic organizations and affluent sections of the society to contribute generously for enlarging the resource base to give greater fillip to the Red Cross activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Governor was speaking after felicitating the supporters and sponsors for encouraging support extended by them during the Red Cross Mela and the Raffle Draw organized by the Regional Red Cross Society, Jammu, in October last year, at a felicitation function held at Raj Bhawan here this evening.

Referring to his long association with the Red Cross movement, the Governor observed that this organization has a very rich history of doing valuable missionary work in our country, particularly during natural calamities and other emergent situations, by providing the required support and succour to the needy. He added that there is no dearth of affluent people in Jammu and Kashmir and emphasized upon one and all to come forward in a big way and contribute for this noble cause to expand the orbit of Red Cross activities.

The Governor was presented a painting by Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, who is the Chairman, Regional Red Cross Society, Jammu, as a memento. The painting is the work of Subash Langeh, a known artist from Jammu.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, said that over ` 10.3 lakh were raised by organizing the Red Cross Mela and Raffle Draw in October last year. He said that since 2008, Red Cross Melas are being organized regularly with a view to raise funds for the needy and the sponsors and supporters have been helping the organization in securing this objective. He threw light on the activities to be carried out during the Red Cross Mela to be organized this year.

Anil Padha, Hony Secretary, Regional Red Cross Society, Jammu, presented a vote of thanks.

Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor, was present on the occasion.

The awardees include Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone; Inspector BSF, Jammu; IG CRPF, Jammu; Deputy Commissioners of Kathua, Samba, Rajouri and Udhampur; Chairman, J&K Bank; Director School Education, Jammu; Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B), Jammu; Chief Education Officers of Kathua, Udhampur, Doda and Jammu; Deputy Commissioner, KV Sangathan, Jammu; Principal Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, and Principal Government College Women, Parade Ground, Jammu.

Other awardees were Managing Director, Saraswati Plastotech India Ltd, Bari Brahamana, Jammu; President, J&K Kabaddi Association; Managing Director Jamkash Vehicleades, Jammu; Managing Director, K. C. Motors, Jammu; President, Bari-Brahmana Industries Association; Cluster Head, Big 92.7 FM, Jammu; and Principal, Shangrilla Public School, Sarwal, Jammu.