Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9 : Minister for Higher Education, Abdul Gani Malik today said that Government is committed to strengthen higher education institutions including technical and professional colleges of the State by way of providing infrastructure, faculty and equipment.
Mr. Malik was addressing a function at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium here today, organized by Government College of Engineering and Technology (GCET) Jammu in connection with Annual Day and Prize Distribution Function.
He said that the professionalizing in education is the priority sector on global level and it is need of hour to inculcate scientific temperament among student community and develop research attitude among enthusiastic youth.
Referring to functioning of GCET Jammu, Malik expressed his satisfaction over the role being played by college management under the guidance of its Principal Prof. Bhupinder Singh for the betterment of the students enrolled in the college.
Responding to the demands of running PG courses in the college, Mr. Malik said that Government will leave no stone unturned in making this dream a reality by providing funds, guidance and above all supervision to start PG courses in the college.
Vice Chairman Jammu University Prof. Mohan Pal Singh Ishar, while addressing the function, called GCET a proud component of Jammu University. He said college is performing well and students are showing satisfactory results because of hard work put in by faculty members of the college.
For running PG courses, Vice Chancellor said that necessary infrastructure and other facilities should be available with the college, then Government will be pleased to open PG classes, adding that Government is keen to upgrade the standard of the college for the purpose.
Prof. Ishar announced opening up of a placement cell in Jammu University for providing a window to the youth of the State for outside world.
Earlier, Principal of the college Prof. Bupinder Singh appealed the Minister to fulfill long pending issues of GCET, teaching faculty regarding implementation of 6th Pay Commission and formation of recruitment rules for promotion to the next higher scale.
He said that the GCET is making all out efforts to provide job opportunities to engineering students through various reputed agencies of the country.
The Minister released KSHITIJ News Letter of GCET on the occasion. He awarded the students with trophies and certificates who had excelled in academic and other co-curricular activities.
The Minister also distributed 145 job letters among youth who have been offered job by various private agencies. Anjali Thussu, Head Training and Placement introduced the youth to the Minister.
The function was among others attended by Special Secretary Higher Education Hemant Sharma, Director Colleges, Prof. Muqbil Chisti, Principal GWC, Paloura, Prof. Hemla Aggarwal, faculty members of GCET, Jammu and various HoDs of Jammu University.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: The dharna launched by relief holders at Jagti for enhancement of cash relief entered 14th day today. The protestors are demanding enhancement of relief from Rs 41 to Rs 120 per soul per day in view of sky rocketing of prices.
In an appeal to Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Raman Bhalla, the protestors urged them to make an immediate announcement regarding enhancement of cash relief for displaced people. They warned that the dharna will not be lifted till the demand is solved.
The protestors also urged the Apex Committee members who are going to hold a meeting with Chief Minister to take up this issue as well and in case the Government did not accept the demand all the Apex Committee members should resign enmass.
The protestors were addressed by Hari Krishan Pandit and Ajay Kumar Bhat.
Meanwhile, the chain hunger strike launched by the relief holders in the premises of Relief organization entered 10th day today.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: Senior Panthers Party leader and MLA Ramnagar has expressed serious concern over the growing unrest amongst the SPOs and the Home Guards of the State working in Police department and the protest demonstrations being held by them at various places in support of their demands.
While urging upon the Government to fulfill their legitimate demands, Mr Singh insisted for formulation of a definite policy for regularization of their services in conformity with the policy framed for regularization of other categories of ad hoc, temporary and contractual employees in various other government departments. He said that SPOs are performing a very significant role in security operations and maintaining law and order in the State but are being disregarded and ignored by the respective Governments. Mr Singh said a stipulated time frame is required for conversion of SPOs as Police Constables. He demanded fixation of specific number of seats in police recruitment for SPOs and enhancement in their honorarium besides extension of the benefits of SRO 43 to them.
Ther NPP leader further expressed concern over the plight of agitating Home Guards and the Government apathy towards their issues. He urged upon the Government to address their genuine issues and take immediate measures for fulfilling their long pending demands as assured repeatedly by it. He demanded due remuneration to Home Guards on the analogy of their counterparts in Punjab, Harayana, Andhra Pradesh and other states. He said Home Guards of AP are getting Rs 4500 per month plus allowances, in Punjab Rs 11,500 pm whereas, in J&K they are given just Rs 545 per month which is most glaring example of Hume Rights violation.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: The former Union Minister and MLA Jammu West Assembly Segment, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, has impressed upon the Election Commission of India and all other concerned to have an extensive study of the electoral rolls in J&K to ensure fair delimitation of the constituencies and that of corporation wards.
In a statement issued here today, Prof Gupta said it was a sad history that certain elements had been playing foul with the electoral process making a mockery of the democracy. This approach had led to many problems in this part of the country. But it was unfortunate that even after the extension of the jurisdiction of the Election Commission of India, such elements did not relent, he added.
Prof Gupta said it was intriguing that prior to 2008 Assembly elections, Jammu region was having more electorates than those of Kashmir Valley. In 2002 Assembly elections the Jammu region was having more electorate than Kashmir Valley and in the history of electoral process these elections were recognized everywhere as “most fair’’.
In the wake of these elections, Prof Gupta said it was for the first time that the Government of the State was changed through elections. He further said that during the past 4/5 years large number of electorate of Jammu region have been mysteriously deleted to change the regional balances. Not only this, even in the preparation of electoral rolls for civic elections, a foul play is evident itself, he added.
He said in certain wards large number of voters have not been registered and on the contrary in many wards especially in the city of Srinagar the number of electorate have almost been doubled whereas in some other wards there have been no change. In this regard, he pointed out that in Srinagar city an increase of over 1.55 lakh voters has been registered in 68 wards where as in Jammu city this increase in 71 wards is just about 17,000, he added.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: All J&K Plus 2 Lecturers’ Forum organized “Annual Lecturers’ Day” with fervor and enthusiasm at Auditorium of IIIM (Regional Research Laboratory), Canal Road, where hundreds of delegates participated from all the three region of the State along with galaxy of Intellectuals, educationists and scholars.
The speakers from different parts of the State expressed their views on the importance of the Day and discussed at length the functioning of the Department in School Education with special focus on the role of Plus 2 Cadre in the development of Education in the State.
The House also passed a number of resolutions which included Academic areas, Re-organisation of the department, functioning of Board of School Education, Infrastructural Facilities, residential accommodation, revival of 40 percent inservice quota in the colleges, rational transfer policy, benefit of incentives for Higher Qualifications and many others.
NS Jamwal, State president of the Forum said that the Day provides an opportunity to exhibit a show of strength, unity, determination, self introspection, accountability and above all to review the overall scenario in the field of education.
Dr Manzoor Ahmed, president Kashmir province while speaking elaborated the efforts of Forum for maintaining an exemplary coordination throughout the State which has forced the authorities to listen to the voice of community and also act on the suggestive proposals for the betterment in the field of Education.
The dignitaries who spoke were Sham Lal Sharma , Madan Lal MP, Mangat Ram Sharma , Ex-Dy Chief Minister, Balwant Singh Mankotia MLA, Mushtaq Bukari Vice Chairman, Phari Development Board, Harsh Dev Singh, RA Inquallabi Additional Secretary School Education Department, GA Qureshi, Director School Education, HD Qureshi, Former President, Gurcharan Singh, former general secretary besides large number of officers of the Department.
The proceedings of the function were conducted by Tarsem Singh, general secretary and Dr Gopi Puri, whereas Charan Dass, vice president presented the vote of thanks.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: All J&K Prisons Staff today said that though they are performing their duties 24 hours round the clock, yet they have been deprived of the benefits of ‘Hardship Allowance’ as per the Government order NO: Home-1162(P) of 2010 dated 16-9-2010.
They pointed out that the Government had sanctioned ‘Hardship Allowance’ in favour of All J&K Police Personnel vide Government order No: Home- 1162(P) of 2010 dated 16-9-2010, which was immediately implemented and all the J&K Police Personnel were availing the benefits of the same with effect from January 1, 2010, but the benefit of the said allowance was not given to Jail Staff.
They have stated that they approached the then IG Prisons and he had assured that the needful would be done forthwith. He then communicated with the Government Home Department vide letter No: Esst/210/4650 dated September 24, 2010, with the request for the extending of said allowance in their (Jail Staff) favour and Government was informed about the grievances of the prisons staff.
The Deputy IG Prisons requested the Government for the grant of ‘Hardship Allowance’ in favour of the J&K Prisons Staff at an earliest, but till date nothing has been done so far.
Besides during ‘J&K Prisons Meet’, held at Central Jail, Kot Bhalwal in January 2012, the issue was again raised up by the DG of Police (Prisons) before the Deputy Chief Minister and the Principal Secretary to Government Home Department and they had also assured us that the benefits under the said order will be given to them at an earliest.
“CPI-M leader and MLA, M Y Tarigami, also put up the question in this regard in the Legislative Assembly and requested the Government to provide the benefit of the Order to Jail Staff, but all in vain”, said a representative of Jail Staff.
They have requested the concerned authorities once again to give necessary sanction in their favour as they are also a part of the Police Department.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: With a view to improve administrative efficiency and to assess the problems being faced by the field officers, Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal held an interactive session with the J&KAS officers here today.
Secretary, GAD, Mushtaq Ahmed, Special Secretary GAD, G S Chib and other officers from GAD were present.
Nearly 30 KAS officers drawn from various departments from district Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua, Ramban, Kishtwar, Doda, Rajouri, Reasi, Poonch participated.
Speaking on the occasion, Madhav Lal emphasized the need for concentrating on the developmental issues and bring out innovative ideas to improve the delivery system with optimum utilization of available human as well as material resources. He emphasized for maximising the administrative efficiency for realising the desired goals.
He further suggested the officers to feel free to deliberate upon important issues with superiors to change the perception of the administration among the common masses.
The Chief Secretary encouraged the officers for their achievements in their respective fields. He also exhorted them to keep themselves well abreast of latest administrative innovations outside the state and the country through information technology.

Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Apr 9: The Director General of Police (DGP), Kuldeep Khoda has stressed upon the cops to chalk out an effective mechanism to deal with the challenge of crime firmly. He said that the investigation process should be stepped up to bring the culprits to justice.
Mr. Khoda was addressing the police officers meeting at Police Control Room (PCR) here today. The meeting was convened to review the crime scenario in Jammu Division and was attended by Inspector General of Police Jammu Zone, besides range Deputy Inspectors General of Police and District Superintendents of Police of the Zone.
He lauded the role of Jammu police for its achievements on various fronts during 2011 and said that efforts should continue to make improvements, keeping in mind the experiences of the bygone year.
Executive police plays a vital role in maintaining law and order and control crime , and the important pillar of the organisation should be further strengthened at all levels, said the DGP. Coordination among different agencies and public cooperation could lead to more successes, he added.
The DGP said that every evil should be nabbed before it raises its head and poses challenge to the law enforcing agencies. Counselling for the youth involved in drug addiction and crimes, in collaboration with other departments like health, can prove fruitful in eradicating the menace, he asserted.
Alarming situation in suicidal deaths due to mental depression and domestic violence also needs to be addressed, he said, adding that public cooperation achieved through community policing can help in controlling the situation.
He stressed upon the officers present in the meeting to focus on various situations which attract the youth towards the evils and for this purpose community policing should be improved further.
He directed that crime data and records at the police station level should be updated and the supervisory officers should conduct random inspections to ensure that the grievances of the public are addressed promptly.
The meeting also discussed traffic management, functioning of CCTV cameras and measures for smooth conduct of forthcoming Shri Amarnath Yatra. The DGP asked the officers to take effective steps and ensure a better management especially on National Highways. He said that violators should be booked under law to check road accidents, traffic jams and overloading. “CCTVs installed at various locations should be utilized to identify the culprits which could help to book them under criminal law”, he said.
Earlier, the Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Dilbag Singh gave a detailed resume of the achievements of Jammu Police on different fronts during the year 2011.

Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Apr 9: A deputation of Jammu of Kashmir Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JKJCCI) today called on Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and presented him a memorandum of demands relating to the development of industries, trade and commerce in the State with special reference to the matters pertaining to current cross LoC trade.
Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister for Industries, S. S. Slathia were present in the meeting.
While appreciating the keenness of Omar Abdullah in the development of industrial sector in the State, President of the Joint Chamber of Commerce, Mubeen Ahmad Shah explained the issues mentioned in the memorandum and sought the help of the Chief Minister in addressing and redressing issues relating to cross LoC trade fraternity.
The meeting discussed issues pertaining to creation of TFC infrastructure and facilities like full body truck X-ray scanners, storage, security and insurance of goods, additional warehouse, cold storage, medical facilities and accommodation for smooth cross LoC trade.
The deputation highlighted the need for including more items in trade list, conversion of LoC trade into an actual trade, allowing transit trade across the new markets emerging in Central Asia and Middle East. The deputation also talked about creation of communication and banking facilities, promotion of tourism trade, collaboration in the field of education and health care sectors and exploitation of water resources for power generation.
The Chief Minister gave patient hearing and said that State Government has initiated the issue of conversion of cross LoC trade from present barter status to the normal trading pattern with the Union Government and the State Legislative Assembly has unanimously supported the move.

Gear up for coming Urban Local Bodies polls

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: Despite providing solid evidences against Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist outfit and 26/11 Mumbai carnage master -mind, Hafiz Saeed by India, it is not sure Pakistan would act against him and take some action.
Talking to media-persons at the sidelines of a party function here today, the PCC chief Prof Saifuddin Soz said, “I am not so sure of Pakistan taking action against Hafiz Saeed. But Prime Minister and his colleagues have given solid evidence against Lashker-e-Toiba, which was responsible for Mumbai attacks.”
PCC chief further said “the Pakistan civil society wants to have good relations with India. They have given a big list of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) demanding cross country mobile service, flights, exchanges of film personalities and writers and want Visa system to be eased.”
Earlier launching Congress campaign ahead of civic bodies polls here today Prof Soz said Pakistani people want strengthening of relations with India. They have realized that terrorism was posing great threat to that country. The strengthening of CBMs would further normalize the relations between the two neighbours, he added.
Referring to forthcoming Urban Local Bodies polls, Soz asked the party workers to gear up their activities in their respective areas. He said that Congress believes in fully strengthening of the basic democratic institutions of Panchayats and urban bodies in the spirit of 73rd and 74th amendment of the constitution. He said party favours reasonable honorarium to Panches and Sarpanches. He also referred to the demands of the daily wagers raised by INTUC in the rally.
Madan Lal Sharma (MP), Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla, ministers Peerzada, Sham Lal, senior PCC leader Dharam Pal. MLA Indu Pawar, MLC Ravinder Sharma, B A Magray- MLC, Kuldip Verma, Mula Ram, Kanta Bhan, Gurmukh Singh. Hari Singh, Prem Sagar, Manjit Singh, BA Naz, Shiv Kumar, A G Kohli, Ashwani Puri, Shivdev Singh, C L Bhat, Rashid Choudhary, Manmohan Singh and Parnav Sagotra were also present.