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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 11: Maintaining that the ultimate goal of development projects is to ensure benefits to the people on ground, Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal today said that monitoring mechanism should necessarily incorporate the outcome and results associated with the works.
“Government wants to percolate benefits to people at grass root level, as such Administrative Secretaries should sensitize the officials at all levels to focus on the outcome of the schemes”, he added.
Chairing the periodic meeting of Committee of Secretaries here today, the Chief Secretary called for fixing parameters to measure the desired outcomes. He told the Administrative Secretaries to pinpoint major projects for this purpose and monitor these in all respects. He said that this would also serve as a message to the functionaries to pursue the goal as per the expected outcomes.
Madhav Lal directed for taking proactive measures to disseminate information regarding development scenario. He underlined the importance of launching and updating departmental websites and e-portals, adding that the information should also be made available to the public in vernacular languages as well.
On the human resource front, while noting that there has been some improvement, he added a lot of work remains to be done. He called for regular updating of seniority lists, submitting APRs, convening of DPCs, filling up vacancies, effecting promotions and attending to other administrative matters relating to the welfare of the employees and strengthening of the departments. He asked the Administrative Secretaries to personally oversee and guide the sub-ordinate departmental units in this regard.
The Chief Secretary reviewed the progress of Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA) and said that the Government is contemplating to bring more public services under its ambit.
Meanwhile, Madhav Lal asked the Revenue Department to come up to the mark in conferring statutory powers to officials posted as Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Additional Deputy Commissioners, etc.
The Chief Secretary chairing a meeting on this subject said that conferring of statutory powers to concerned officers is necessary to make the new administrative units function promptly and effectively and address the people’s problems. He gave directions to the Revenue Secretary for issuing orders for conferring the requisite statutory power on the officials on the basis of designated posts rather than on individual capacity.
In another meeting, Madhav Lal emphasized the need for roping in non-governmental expert agencies in the capacity building of Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the State.
Chief Secretary was informed that the Rural Development Department has so far undertaken capacity building through IMPA and SIRDs located in five different States.
It was decided in the meeting that Society for Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA) will be contacted and asked to organize workshops on capacity building of PRIs in the State. The expected outcomes of the workshops would help to bring in greater professionalism in capacity building efforts. It will also help to gain from experience of other States, prepare training material and address the institutional and procedural issues of establishing better interface between the Government machinery and elected representatives.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Planning and Development, B. B. Vyas, Director General IMPA, Pramod Jain, Commissioner Secretary Rural development, Farooq Ahmad Peer and other officers.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 11: Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah today sanctioned Rs 25 lakh for purchase of two ventilators for Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital.
In a statement issued here, Dr. Abdullah said that poor patients are facing serious problems in the hospitals due to shortage of the ventilators, adding that the ventilators would plug the gap. He said since poor and needy people visit the SMHS hospital it was more than important to provide all important equipment like the ventilators.
He stressed upon the Associated Hospitals of Government Medical College, Srinagar to perform their job upto the satisfaction of people. He said people have high expectations from the medical professionals, adding that they should serve them with dedication and devotion.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 11: As many as 1800 Panchayat Ghars would be completed to facilitate the day to day working of the Panchayats all across the state
The information was given at a high level review meeting of the Rural Development chaired by the Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Mohammad Sagar.
The Commissioner/Secretary Rural Development, Farooq Ahmad Peer, Directors Rural Development Jammu and Kashmir, Shafeeq Raina, Jahangir Mir, Director Rural Sanitation, Tufail Mattu, Member Secretary MGNREGA Dr. Hanif Balkhi and other senior officers of the department were present.
Asking the officers to ensure that these Ghars are completed at an earliest, the Minister said by putting in place the requisite infrastructure we would be ensuring that the spirit of Panchayati Raj Institution is pushed to a successful conclusion. He said that these Ghars would serve as important places where the requisite meetings for the development of the areas would be held besides serving other purposes as well.
“Local representatives of the area should be taken into confidence while taking up the construction of the new Panchyat ghars and necessary renovation work should also be carried out on the existing ones”, the minister added.
The Minister while reiterating the resolve to decentralize the powers to the Grass root level maintained that Panchayti Raj Institutions put in place has demonstrated resolve of government in this regard. He said that these PRIs have already been empowered with the powers of 14 vital departments which would go a long way in accelerating the development of the far flung and remote areas of the state.
Mr. Sagar also directed the officers to speed up the implementation of other flagship programs of the department as well maintaining a periodical status of implementation.