Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Apr 8: Trip Advisor, the world’s largest travel website, selected Country Inn and Suites By Carlson, as number 1 hotel of J&K in its 2012 Travellers’ Choice awards. The said hotel was rated number third in India and fifth in Asia.
Sanjeev Pahwa, vice president, Country Development and Management Service, India congratulated entire team at the Unit for this milestone. He has further said that it will help us in positioning of the brand in India.
The annual TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards honour the world’s best hotels, earning their distinction from those who know them best real travellers. Unlike any other hotel honours, TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice winners are based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from travellers around the world.
“With the help of millions of travellers around the globe, TripAdvisor is thrilled to recognise the World’s most outstanding hotels with the Travellers’ Choice Awards,” said Christine Petersen, president, TripAdvisor for Business.
Country Inn rated No 1 Hotel of J&K in Travellers’ Choice Awards
Jora inspects tourism services at Patnitop, Sanasar
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora had an extensive tour of Patnitop and Sanasar tourist resorts today.
While inspecting various facilities being extended to the tourists at Patnitop, Padora, the Minister gave on the spot instructions to Chief Executive Officer, Patnitop Development Authority for further improving the services in view of upcoming tourist season. He directed the concerned officers for providing all facilities to the tourists in the JKTDC hutments, besides, upgrading some huts.
The Minister also inspected the new restaurant constructed by JKTDC at a cost of Rs 38 lakh and Alpine Hotel of the Corporation.
The Minister also toured Sanasar resort and inspected the services being extended to the tourists by JKTDC and PDA. He inspected newly constructed restaurant at Sanasar besides taking stock of facilities at tourist bungalow Sanasar. He directed the CEO, PDA for expediting beautification works of Sanasar Lake. The budget accommodation being constructed by PDA was also inspected.
The Minister also interacted with the tourists and enquired them about the facilities being provided to them.
Farmers to get bank credit upto Rs 1 lakh without mortgage: Rather
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: Underscoring the significance of agriculture in socio-economic emancification of the society, the Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather today said that agriculture in the state has been made almost tax free sector.
Speaking at a function organized by the Jammu and Kashmir State Advisory Board for Development of Kissans at Vikas Bhawan, Jammu to extend gratitude to Mr. Rather for presenting a farmer-friendly budget for the 2nd consecutive year, the Minister said that soups worth Rs. 20 crore in the form of VAT and Service Tax exemption on various agriculture inputs and implements have been extended to the farm sector to make agriculture a viable, lucrative and profitable commercial activity.
Vice Chairman, JK State Advisory Board for Development of Kissan, Th. Rashpal Singh, Legislator, Mohammad Sharief Niaz, Economic Advisor to the Government, J. A. Khan, Principal Secretary, Finance, M. I. Khandy, DG Accounts and Treasuries, Wali Mohammad Bhat, Commercial Sales Taxes, Gazanfar Hussain, Excise Commissioner, Director Finance, Resham Kashap, Progressive farmers, D. P. Khajuria, Dev Raj Choudhary, Tejander Singh Wazir were present on the occasion.
Mr. Rather said that the government has taken a conscious decision to make agriculture sector tax free in a bid to increase its contribution in the overall GSDP, which at present is comparatively not upto the mark. He said after exemption of toll tax on agriculture inputs and implements, now VAT has also been exempted in current year’s budget.
“Banks have been directed to improve credit deposit ratio viz agriculture and allied sectors”, Mr. Rather said adding that small and marginal farmers having Kissan Credit Cards (KCC) can now avail loan facility upto Rs. One lakh without any mortgagee. He said there was urgent need to ensure huge investments in agriculture, which is core sector of rural economy, adding that new marketing channels in the shape of modern mandies in the potential areas of the State as well as outside the State are being established so that farmers get better remuneration of their produce without exploitation of middlemen.
Mr. Rather said ensuring availability of quality fertilizers and seeds in time to the farmers is top priority, adding that an ambitious Seed Replacement Programme has been launched to meet the 25% national bench mark as against about 12% in the state, which, he said, would ensure increase in the agriculture production and productivity.
Speaking on the occasion, the progressive farmers demanded incentives and subsidies for popularizing green house technology including shade net houses, market support for Basmati Rice, desilitation of kanals mechanically, availability of imported semen for dairy development, establishment of Span Development Laboratory Mushroom cultivation.
Jewellers suspend 22 day long strike
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: Jewellers of the State today suspended their 22 days long strike on the assurance of Sonia Gandhi and Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
This was disclosed by Raj Kumar Babber, President, Swarankar Sangh Jammu Province (SSJP) during a press conference this morning.
He said that all Swarankars and Sarafa business establishments, will be opened from tomorrow on the assurance given by Sonia Gandhi and Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
Babber said that they will wait for May 11 to get the imposed taxes withdrawn and if the same will not be done till then, they will be constrained to revive their agitation.
He expressed gratitude to all those organizations and political parties, which extended their support during the strike.
Babber added that the imposition of excise duty on unbranded jewellery may lead to heavy paper work for small traders and will also leave lakhs of men engaged in this profession jobless.
It is to mention here that the jewellers were protesting for the past 22 days against the Central Government’s decision to impose excise duty of 1 per cent on unbranded jewellery and 4 per cent import duty on gold.
Among others present were Kulbhushan Anand, president, Jammu city, SSJP, Parjan Anand, president, Sarafa Association, Ved Prakash Sethi, Chairman, SSJP, Ram Kapoor, general secretary, Rajinder Sehdev, cashier and Vijay Verma, vice president, etc.
Ashwani calls for recruitment drive
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: Jammu State Morcha (JSM) leader and MLA from Bishnah, Ashwani Sharma today organized a massive rally at Government School grounds in Bishnah in which he highlighted achievements of his present term of three years as MLA and set the road map for remaining two and a half years.
Addressing mammoth gathering of thousands of people, Mr Sharma said a large number of development projects have been completed while many others were under execution in Bishnah Assembly segments, which have been helping the people a lot in rural towns and rural areas of Bishnah, Arnia and other parts of Assembly constituency.
He said Power Grid Station worth Rs 70 crore has been commissioned at Partap Singh Pura, Bishnah, which has resulted into overcoming shortage of electricity in many areas of the constituency. He said the Sub District Hospital at a cost of Rs 13 crore was under construction at Bishnah. Work on the hospital has been expedited. The people will get better health facilities with commissioning of the hospital.
Mr Sharma said a vast network of roads has been created in entire constituency. Not only the main roads but even connecting roads, lanes and drains in small areas have been constructed while many other roads were under construction . A number of bridges linking villages have been constructed while many other culverts and bridges were under construction, he said, adding that Irrigation facilities have also improved a lot with water of canal mostly reaching the tail end. A number of irrigation tube wells have also been constructed.
He appealed to the Government to launch a special recruitment drive in police and other departments for the youth of Bishnah segment.
He said the upgradation of PHC Arnia, vented cause way at Lushwara-Karail, bridge on Tamala Nullah, a park at Arnia and a degree college for Arnia have been taken up with the State Government and were being pursued vigorously. An ITI demand for Bishnah has also been raised.
He said the State Morcha stands for trifurcation of Jammu with statehood to Jammu and Kashmir regions and UT status to Ladakh and till then equal distribution of funds for Jammu, delimitation of Assembly segments. Immediately holding of ULB elections, powers to Panchayats and increase in honorarium of Sarpanches and Panches should be given. A number of Sarpanches and Panches also addressed the meeting.
J&K Bank organizes Jashne Aamad-e-Bahaar
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 8: All the roads in the old Srinagar today led to historical Badamvaer where Jashne Aamad-e-Bahaar, organised by J&K Bank, appeared to herald publicly the arrival of spring in Kashmir.
Hundreds of families relished the precious moments of leisure under the shifting shades of almond trees across the park. Thousands thronged the park, young celebrated, kids had fun and elders turned nostalgic while ruminating over the past.
Festooned with the purple and white blossom across its panoramic landscape, the buzz of gleeful kids breathed verve into the sleepy soul of the park.
The hustle of the event radiated across the Srinagar and later in the afternoon people began to turn up from almost all its corners and beyond. Scores of tourists from outside the state could be spotted striking poses before the fountains, flower beds and almond trees in the afternoon.
Notably, J&K Bank has revived and restored the glory of Badamvaer under its Heritage Preservation Programme.
In the morning, Chairman and CEO J&K Bank Mushtaq Ahmad inaugurated the event by unveiling the black-stone, titled ‘Badamvaer in History’, upon which a brief historical overview of the park in English as well as Urdu has been inscribed. Present on the occasion were Executive Presidents,Tafazal Hussain, Ghulam Mohiuddin and Parvez Ahmad, Presidents, Meera Jamwal, Shafat Banday, Vagish Chander, Abdul Rashid, Nayeemullah, Mohammad Syed Wani, R. K. and S K BhatVice-Presidents and other officials of the Bank.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman said, “Places like Badamvaer rejuvenate our cultural and spiritual collective and this initiative is one of the expressions of our commitment towards the cultural and emotional health of the people of this state. We have tried our best to restore its traditional and cultural essence using quite modern means in the process as well.
“People have their deeper emotional equity invested in J&K Bank and we will leave no stone unturned to come up to their expectations, always”, he added.
The Chairman also unveiled a poem-in-stone titled Badamvaer that noted poet and humorist, Zareef and Zareef, has dedicated to the place evoking the cultural past of people vividly besides hailing the role of J&K Bank in its rejuvenation. Zareef recited the poem and talked in detail about the popular history of the place. The attraction of the event was the amphi-theater that resounded with the musical performances followed by thunderous applauses by the renowned Kashmiri singers like Abdul Rashid Hafiz, Mohammad Abdullah Shaksaaz and Gulzar Ahmad Ganie. Chinar Boys Orchestra, a musical band performed some popular Kashmiri songs to the delight of jam-packed audience of men, women and children that ran into hundreds.
Besides the music, boys and girls from Greenland Educational Institute (Hawal), Tibetian Public School (Hawal) and Sane Kids Secondary School (Gojwara) presented few cultural programmes on the stage.
Shortly after the cultural programmes, Chairman J&K Bank announced a donation of 5 computer systems each for the three participating schools.
ADGP Hqrs holds Darbar
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: Additional Director General of Police, Headquarters, J&K, DR SP Vaid (IPS) today paid a visit to District Ramban and held a Darbar of officers and jawans of all the three districts of DKR range in DPL Ramban and inspected infrastructural projects.
During the Darbar, ADGP Headquarters, addressed the Police personnel and appreciated the contribution made by the police of DKR range in fighting militancy.
While briefing the jawans, ADGP emphasised the need for people friendly approach. He also laid stress on the officers for taking welfare measures for Jawans.
ADGP accompanied by Aftab Ahmed Kakroo, AIG Provision and PHQ and authorities of PHC and PCD along with district officers took stock of the progress of infrastructural projects.
He also took a meeting of officers of all the three districts.
The officers which attended the meeting were DIG DKR range, MK Sinha, SP Kisthwar, BS Tuti, SP Ramban, Anil Magotra and SP Doda, Mohd Arif Rishu.
DIG DKR Range apprised the ADGP headquarters about the ongoing development works in Doda-Kisthwar-Ramban range. District SPs of Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar also shared the various problems being faced by them.
ADGP headquarters impressed upon the officers that all the under construction works should be completed in fixed time frame.
Govt committed to upliftment of SC, ST, OBCs: Bhalla
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla today said that focused attention was being paid by the Government to uplift the socio-economic condition of the schedule caste, schedule tribe and other backward sections of the society in every corner of the State by providing all basic amenities to them in their respective colonies.
This was stated by the Minister while addressing a large gathering at Bathindi town.
Regarding upgradation of Bathindi main road including entire links, Mr. Bhalla said that Government has earmarked Rs. 1.60 crore for this purpose, adding that the blacktopping and other allied works including renovation of surface and deep drains would be started soon after completing the tendering formalities. He said Government has approved Rs. 1.6 crore for construction of Doogian-Jagti road, Rs. 2.37 crore for Sunjwan-Bermeeni Road, adding that the projects are under progress on war-footing and would be completed within prescribed time frame. He said Government is committed to connect end corners of the Bathindi and Sunjwan areas with nearest headquarter by providing better road connectivity.
The Minister asked the PDD to prepare estimates for installation of street lights in the main chowks of Bathindi and submit the same for funding.
For regularization of land under Roshni Act, the Minister said that instructions have been issued to Revenue officers to make survey and submit status of the land so that the demand of inhabitants could be redressed at the earliest.
Mr. Bhalla said Government has approved a plan to construct a modern line playfield on the 35 kanals available land at Government Higher Secondary School Sunjwan, adding that the play ground would be developed for promotion of sports activities in the area with the facilities of pavilion, toilet block, gymnasium and changing room facilities. He said that instructions have been issued to the concerned department to prepare the detailed project report and submit the same for funding .
To deal with drinking water scarcity in Batala and Jallalabad, Mr. Bhalla informed that two overhead tanks with storage capacity of 1.5 lakh gallons are under progress, adding that after inauguration, the adequate drinking water facilities would be provided to the Bathnidi and Sunjwan.
Earlier, the Minister also laid foundation for modernization of Main Market Trikuta Nagar, for which he announced Rs. 18 lakh for fixation of paver tiles, blacktopping and installation of water cooler including ornamental lights.
Opposition hoodwinking people on frivolous issues: Slathia
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: Saying that National Conference (NC) is the real representative of the people of the State, the State Minister for Industries and Commerce, Surjit Singh Slathia today said NC has always espoused the cause of weaker and downtrodden sections of the society and decentralization of power with focus on women empowerment is mission of the NC leadership.
Addressing a public gathering at Gurah Morh in Vijaypur, Mr. Slathia called upon the NC cadres for joint efforts to further strengthen the party base for transforming the cherished dream about a welfare and prosperous state into a reality.
“Massive welfare and developmental initiatives launched by the Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in every nook and corner of the state have started paying dividends”, Mr. Slathia said while seeking whole-hearted support of the people to strengthen the hands of Coalition Government. He said the development graph witnessed during last 3-years of the present dispensation has surpassed all the previous records, adding that what could not be done in last 6-decades after independence was achieved in just last three years. He asked the people to compare performance of the present Government with other regimes and judge by themselves, who is their real well wisher. He cautioned the people about the vicious propaganda of the opposition, adding that opposition is hoodwinking public opinion on frivolous issues to cover up mis-deeds committed during it’s regime.
The Minister also addressed a public gathering at Dhamore More and favourably responded to the demands made by the people of the village. He on the spot issued instructions to the concerned officers and engineers for solving the problems of the people of the village in respect of improving drinking water facility, upgradation of lanes and drains, black toping of approach road, construction of multipurpose community hall and sanctioning of new IAY cases. He also announced cash assistance and pension for some handicapped, widow and old-aged persons of village Dhamore.
‘Radical steps taken by Omar Govt to check corruption’ PDP saboteurs of peace: Rana
Excelsior Correspondent
Surinsar, Apr 8: The Political Advisor to the Chief Minister Devender Singh Rana said that PDP and its leadership are the saboteurs of peace for petty political gains unmindful of the ramification of their deeds.
He said it is sad that in a state like Jammu and Kashmir where political parties must rise above politics and work together for the peace and stability PDP has always indulged in political gimmickry for personal political ends sacrificing the interest of the state and its people.
Rana who was addressing a public meeting at Surinsar in Nagrota assembly constituency , said that 1984-the murder of democracy, 1989-the sending of Jagmohan as Governor, the bloodshed and destruction between 1990 to 1996 and 2008 the Amarnath row are stigmas on the political scape of Jammu and Kashmir which have all been orchestrated by the PDP leadership in one way or the other leading to destabilization of peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said corruption is a menace which has to be fought and Omar Abdullah led Coalition Government has taken radical steps to create functional autonomous institutional mechanism to check that menace rather than mere sloganeering.
“PDP leadership is in a habit of leveling unsubstantiated, unfounded, vague charges of corruption in the last four years against the present Government which is a sad commentary on their mind set. If it (PDP) has any substantial proof they must approach the autonomous institutions setup by the present Government and prove their charges rather than just giving vent to their frustration by mere hollow sloganeering and leveling motivated charges, he said.
The Political Advisor said that the Omar Abdullah led Coalition Government has unleashed an era of unparallel and unprecedented development and has taken some important steps to tackle the issue of unemployment as also to address the issue of unauthorized, fake, adhoc and daily wagers appointments done by the PDP led Government between 2002 to 2005.
Rana said the young men and women who are on the streets clamouring for justice today are the outcrop of plethora of fake/ unlawful appointments done between 2002 to 2005 by the PDP Government to hoodwink the gullible youth of the state. He said, the present Government has taken upon itself the challenge to resolve their issues and not let them suffer because of the wrong doings of the PDP Government and so despite financial constraints is trying to find via-media to dispense justice to them.
Speaking on the occasion, National Conference Provincial President, Rattan Lal Gupta asked the party rank and file and the National Conference delegates to strengthen the party at grass roots and play active role in development process.
He said during the last three year of the Coalition Government under the leadership of Omar Abdullah has kick started many developmental projects and laid out many developmental plans to be carried out in the next coming years. He called upon the people to come forward and join hands together in the State Government’s endeavor under the leadership of Omar Abdullah.
Among others who were present on the occasion included Rameshwar Dutt, Block President National Conference Block Dansal, Haji Mohammad Hussain,ex-MLC, Sarpanches Subash Singh, Girdhari Lal, Balwant Singh, Din Mohammad, Kirpal Singh, Bharat Singh, Joginder Lal, Mohan Lal and Gian Chand, Ch. Haroon Rashid, Som Nath Khajuria, Ch. Zaqir, Krishan Chand, Balwan Singh, Kuldeep Raj, Babu Khan, Girdhari Lal, Fareed Chowdhary, Ch. Sadiq, Hand Raj and others.