Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 11: Food Corporation of India Workers Union’s indefinite bandh entered its 16th day today, and functioning in all the godowns of FCI has been paralyzed and no operation was being conducted.
All the godowns in various part of State, including Jammu, Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch, Khelani in Jammu province and in Srinagar, Lathipura and other depots of Kashmir province. The racks of food grains have been standard at Rail Head complex, Jammu and number of trucks in other depots of FCI in the State.
The workers are demanding for the release of arrears on account of MGW from January 1, 2010, revision of ASOR on half-yearly basis, fulfillment of vacancies on DPS pattern to cover the shortage of labourers, restoration of OTA as per MGW Act which has been withheld from June, 2011.
The workers held massive protest at Rail Head, Jammu as well as New Store at Srinagar, where they shouted slogans against the FCI management. The union leaders warned the management not to adopt the delaying tactics to harm the ongoing agitation by one or the other way.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 11: Anganwadi Workers Welfare Association held a protest demonstration in front of Divisional Commissioner’s Office here today against Government’s failure in settling their long pending demands.
The protestors demanded immediate release of arrears since April 2011, release of pending salary along with state share for the last so many months and in future the salary be paid month wise.
The protestors demanded fulfillment of other demands under ICDS scheme as the same has not been implemented in letter and spirit till date. They alleged that the genuine demands under ICDS scheme are being ignored.
The protestors alleged that Social Welfare Department has failed to issue promotion orders as per rules and seniority requirements.
They demanded that orders be issued without further delay. The Association also submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister through Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, highlighting their demands and seeking his immediate intervention in settling the same.
The Anganwadi workers from different districts of Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri and also from number of blocks participated in the agitational programme. The association president, Mrs Swaran Choudhary, Neelam Sharma, general secretary, Lakshman Ravinder Singh, senior leader BMS and Vijay Chandel, president BMS its general secretary, Harbans Choudhary and Subash Verma general secretary National Government Employees Federation were among others who addressed the demonstration.
They demanded that all the benefits be given to Anganwadi workers and helpers under ICDS scheme which included payment of TA and DA admissible for attending monthly meetings, issuance of stationery to centers, constitution of Grievances Committee at district and state level to solve problems of workers at district as well as state level, promotion of helpers as workers after completion of 10 years of service and introduction of pension scheme for Anganwardi workers and helpers.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 11: One person died while as five others were injured in separate accidents in Kashmir valley today.
Reports said that a Tipper bearing registration number JK05C/2955 driven by Mohammad Aslam Khan son of Mohammad Ibrahim resident of Mongra, Muqam hit and critically injured a lady Raja Begum alias Nida aged 54 years wife of Mohammad Maqbool Mir resident of Limber, Baramulla. The injured was shifted to hospital for treatment where she succumbed to her injuries. A case has been registered in this regard.
A Tipper bearing registration number JK01C/5543 hit and injured Abdul Hamid Wani son of Abdul Rashid resident of Barzulla-Dobiwan, Kunzar. The injured was shifted to hospital for treatment.
A Tata Sumo bearing registration number JK01H/4345 on way from Wanigam to Pattan skidded off the road near Tilgam crossing, Kreeri, resulting in injuries to two persons namely Mohammad Yousuf Ganie son of Ghulam Mohammad resident of Tilgam and Ishfaq Ali son of Naiz-u-Din Malik resident of Boorwan, Tilgam. The injured were hospitalized. A case has been registered in this regard.
A Tata Sumo bearing registration number JK05A/8707 skidded off the road at Tilgam, Kreeri, resulting in injuries to two girls namely Rehana aged 14 years daughter of Ghulam Ahmed Mir resident of Mugalpora and Rehan Akhter aged 15 years daughter of Abdul Majeed Sheikh resident of Woegund. Both the injured were hospitalized. A case has been registered in this regard.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 11: The arrangements for conducting the State Level Singing Grand Competition ”Choona Hai Asmaan Season-2′ were today finalized at a high level meeting chaired by Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Dilbag Singh .
The competition will be held here at Police Auditorium Gulshan Ground on April 17 evening.
Discussing the arrangements for the grand event, IGP disclosed that the conduct of the event was aimed to showcase and encourage the talented youth of the State interested in cultural activities.
The meeting was told that renowned artists with national fame in the field of art would be part of the jury to adjudge the performance of artists. Arrangements for lodging and boarding of the participants, coming from different places of the State, would be made besides arrangements for stay of other guests. All arrangements for smooth conduct of the grand finale were finalized in the meeting.
Israr Khan, SSP, who is the Nodal Officer for the event , briefed the meeting about the arrangements made for the event.
Dilbag Singh, stressed upon the management committee members, already constituted to make the arrangements, to work in close coordination to make the event a grand success.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 11: Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Raman Bhalla today laid foundation of 3-km long Chatta-Sandhi link road in Sunjwan. The construction work on the road would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 10 lakh.
Chief Education Officer Natha Ram Dingra, Block Development Officer Sonu Pargal, besides other senior officers of RDD, PHE, R&B, and School Education accompanied the Minister.
Mr. Bhalla said after completion, the road would provide better connectivity to 5600 populace of remote areas. He asked the RDD officers to personally monitor the works on the link road and complete it within stipulated time frame of one month.
The Minister said that all round development of weaker sections is top priority of the Government. He said focused attention was being paid by the Government for socio-economic upliftment of down trodden and backward areas of the State. He said Government’s bold and exemplary initiatives have revolutionised the development process in hilly and backward areas .
Responding to the local demands, the Minister asked the RDD authorities to prepare estimates for construction of 20 concrete water tanks in the area and submit the same for funding. He said Government has earmarked Rs. 2.5 crore for construction of deep drill tube well in Chatta area, the work on which would be started after completion of tendering formalities. He said after commissioning of deep drill tube well, a populace of 10,000 souls of Chatta, Bilal Colony and Harijan Basti and its adjoining areas would be relived from the problem of drinking water scarcity to a large extent.
For construction of lanes and drains at Harijan Basti and Jallalabad villages, the Minister asked the R&B to immediately start the work and complete the same within one week for the convenience of general public. He asked the Chief Education Officer to construct compound wall of Government Primary School, Bilal Colony and toilet block in Government Higher Secondary School, Sunjwan so that the students do not face any inconvenience.
Regarding construction of Primary Health Centre at Chatta, Mr. Bhalla said 10 kanal land has already been identified for the purpose , adding that the construction work would be started soon after getting approval and funding from Health Ministry. He said the Government was committed to provide best healthcare facilities to the people in the area.
Regarding upgradation of Government Primary School Bermeeni and Government Middle School Chatta, Mr. Bhalla said a proposal in this regard is under active consideration of School Education Ministry.

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.

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.

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.