Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 11: A delegation of All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) called on Union Home Minister, P. Chidambaram during the latter’s one day visit to Jammu on April 10 and projected the demands of the Sikh community.
In a press release, the APSCC chairman, Jagmohan Singh Raina said that demands of Sikhs with respect to employment, education and other sectors have not been fulfilled by the State Government. He said Sikhs have been denied reservation in all sectors, adding that this has dented their psyche. He urged the Home Minister to intervene and get these issues solved at the earliest.
He said that time has come when Government should resolve issues like employment package, extension of minority Act to the Jammu and Kashmir, general amnesty to hijackers as done in case of Hashim Qureshi, fresh probe into Chattisinghpora massacre and central authority for providing state subject at par with Kashmiri migrants. He said if the demands are not met the Sikhs would be forced to come on roads and launch agitation.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 11: The ongoing chain hunger strike of PHE Employees, organised under the banner of PHE Workers Welfare Association enters 10th day today.
The PHE employees chain hunger strike, started on April 2, 2012 in support of the long pending demands of the employees, which were already discussed and agreed in to principle by the concerned authorities of the Department.
Addressing the agitating employees, provincial president of the association, Thakur Bakshi Singh, stressed upon the Government to resolve the issues and demands of the employees without any further delay to avoid any type of confrontations, otherwise they would be compelled to start Kaam Choro Hartal from April 20, 2012 throughout the Jammu Province for which State Government would be responsible.
Those who addressed the gathering were Shiv Lal Pathania, Ravi Kumar, Arun Singh, Rajeev Singh and many others.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 11: Other Backward Classes (OBC) Mahasabha has decided to take out peaceful Mashaal Rally (Torchlight procession) on April 17 from Press Club to Parade Jammu in protest against neglect of OBC at the hands of the Government.
This decision was taken in a general meeting of United Forum of OBCs under the banner of OBC Mahasabha, which discussed in detail the problems being faced by the constituents of OBC Mahasabha.
The speakers criticized the Government for framing Reservation Act 2004 and Reservation Rules frames vide SRO 294 of 2005 and described that as a joke with State OBCs as castes and communities among the Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs who have faced discrimination since centuries together were left high and dry with a meager 2 percent reservation instead of 27% as per verdict of Supreme Court of India on Mandal Commission report.
They said OBC advisory board constituted in the State in 2009 has also proven as a lollypop to the State OBCs and nothing till date has been done by State rulers for the development of OBCs. They demanded change of nomenclature from OSC to OBC; review of Income slab from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 9 lakh for identification of Creamy Layer section; Political reservation etc.
The meeting among others was attended by Bansi Lal Choudhary, Ajudhiya Kumar Manawa, Kasturi Lal Basotra, Vaishno Dutt Dogra, Lal Deen Tobey, Mohd Amin, Surech Dogra, Murari Lal Balgotra and Raj Kumar Sodi.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 11: A team of Asian Development Bank team that had come to review the preparedness of tranche-II projects of JKUSDIP (Jammu and Kashmir Urban Sector Development Investment Programme) being executed by Jammu and Kashmir Economic Reconstruction Agency (JKERA) concluded its two day visit to the valley.
In a press release issued here, a spokesman of the ERA said that the team carried out a meeting with Saurabh Bhagat, Chief Executive Officer, ERA. The team was briefed about the preparedness for the major projects which are proposed to be taken up by JKERA under the tranche-II of the Asian Development Bank funded JKUSDIP.
The projects being carried out include construction of Jehangir Chowk-Natipora expressway corridor in Srinagar and construction of Bikram Chowk expressway corridor in Jammu. Besides this construction of multi-level parking facility in Srinagar and some water supply and drainage projects in Jammu and Srinagar was also discussed during the meeting.
The team was told that the projects are estimated to cost around Rs 800 crore. They were told that as part of the rehabilitation measure the displaced shopkeepers have been paid compensation of Rs 12 lakh in lieu of income loss and shifting grant. These people have been rehabilitated in the shopping complex constructed by Srinagar Municipal Corporation.
The visiting ADB team comprising of Atsushi Kaneko, Senior Urban Development specialist (ADB) and Ron Slangen Urban Development Specialist (ADB) expressed overall satisfaction with the progress achieved by J&K ERA on resettlement and other aspects of the project.
The meeting was also attended by Khalid Muzaffar, Director Central, J&K ERA, O.P Dubey, Director Urban, J&K ERA, Shagufta Qazi, Director Finance, J&K ERA and other senior officers of J&KERA and project support unit of Asian Development Bank.

Excelsior Correrspondent
JAMMU, Apr 11: John Players has, once again, hit the street with an exciting range of summer casuals with its wide range, especially the Indigo Trail, which has irresistible range of shirts in colour accents of burgundy, khakis ands sienna thus making the class Indigo look more exciting. The cool wash out effects and spray treatment would surely make the wearer to hit the road this summer.
The new casual wear collection also celebrates the return of the retro era with the RETRO BEAT. Vibrant voiles, asymmetric patterns in stripes and checks, make this range absolutely extrovert. Setting the stage for that perfect sentimental mood, the Retro Spectra in soft pastels consists of casual shirts in multi-coloured pastel stripes along with solid washed voiles and laundered soft fabric.
Be it the casual Friday look, the urban street wear look or the weekend attire, this collection complements one’s style effortlessly, says Atul Chand, Divisional Chief Executive-ITC Lifestyle Retailing Business. “The new casual wear range from John Player is relaxing, vibrant and has a very casual edge to it”, adds Atul Chand.
Another high point of the collection is the new range of casual shorts and ergo style trousers available in light colours. The casual wear collection 2012 is priced at Rsa 499 onwards and is available in stores countrywide.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 11: Demanding inclusion of villages of Mohargarh and Deon Panchayats falling in Samba district in the list of backward areas, the residents of these two Panchayats under the banner of Backward Area Action Committee (BAAC) held a protest rally from Bikram Chowk to Divisional Commissioner’s Office here today.
The procession was led by Sub (retd) Chatter Singh, convener BACC. The protestors raising slogans in support of their demands alleged that the villages falling under the two Panchayats sans all basic facilities including electricity, water and road connectivity and hence Government should include them in Backward areas list for their overall development.
They said the villages Taler, Padal, Rajool , Kummi, Mohargam, Kather, Chill Danga, Gujjarnal, Paadal fall in Panchayat Mahorgarh while villages of Kund, Gurgani, Pacholi, Chai, Khodikhad, Deon, Fadyali, and Dagade fall in Deon Panchayat. The condition of people in these villages is miserable.
Addressing the protestors Sub (retd) Chatter Singh said that the residents of twin panchayts have been struggling for last 10 years that their villages be included in Backward areas as they lack all basic facilities of life but till date the Government has failed to concede the demand.
He said despite submitting various memorandums to Chairman Commission for Backward Classes J&K, it has not taken any action in this regard till date, he added.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 11: Ashok Razdan, a Journalist working for Hindi daily ‘Amar Ujala’ committed suicide by hanging himself at his rented accommodation at Indira Nagar here.
A police spokesman said that during the intervening night of April 10 and 11, Ashok Razdan son of Rattan Lal resident of Subash Nagar, Udhampur at present Indra Nagar, H. No. 31, Sector C, Srinagar committed suicide by hanging himself. Ram Munshi Bagh police station has initiated proceedings under Section 174 CrPC in this regard.
Meanwhile, dead body recovered from river Jhelum near Chattabal-Qamarwari has been established Javaid Ahmad Shah alias Qausar son of Late Mohammad Maqbool resident of Bonpora, Soibugh, Budgam.

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.