Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 24: Police arrested two persons from Baramulla area and recovered 174 bags of ration meant for the common masses through CAPD supply from a private wholesale dealer.
A police spokesman said that acting on complaints regarding misappropriation of CAPD ration supply, Baramulla police raided Yasin General Store at Gulnar Colony, Baramulla and recovered 165 bags of Rice, five bags of atta and four bags of sugar of CAPD department meant for public distribution.
He said that two persons namely Bashir Ahmad Kanroo alias Bashir Shinwari and Mohammad Yaseen Kanroo alias Yaseen Shinwari residents of Khawaja Sahib, Old Town Baramulla sons of Noor-ud-Din Kanroo were arrested from the spot.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the Government Ration (CAPD supply) has been misappropriated by the officials of CADP department and illegally sold to the private traders for earning illegal profits. The CAPD supply was being opened in the godown near Gulnar Park and was being repacked into other bags and labelled as “Double Apple Brand” and then sold in the open market to traders on exorbitant rates to earn illegal profits.
CAPD ration seized, 2 held
Final hearing on selection list of AIOs on Apr 30
Jehangir Rashid
SRINAGAR, Apr 24: Justice Hasnain Masoodi of the State High Court has posted the writ petition challenging the selection list of Assistant Information Officers (AIOs) for final hearing on April 30. The petitioners are demanding quashing of the selection list praying that the list is full of flaws.
As the case came up for hearing before the single bench of Justice Hasnain Masoodi, the counsel for private respondents Riyaz A Jan while expressing his urgency emphasized that the matter be argued at the earliest. Raising technical grounds, Jan urged that the stay should be vacated at the earliest.
Appearing for the petitioners counsels Mohammad Ashraf Wani and Vasundra Masoodi said that the case should be argued at length adding that they too want the case to be disposed off at the earliest. “We also want to argue the matter, which involves certain constitutional questions”, Vasundra submitted.
After hearing both the sides Justice Masoodi observed that the case requires file time for arguments. After this he directed the case to be taken up on April 30 (Monday) for final arguments.
It would be in place to mention here that on April 17, Justice Hasnain Masoodi had directed the State respondents to file their objections to the writ petition, failing which the Commissioner Secretary, Department of Information, was asked to appear in person when the case comes up for hearing once again.
The High Court stayed the selection list of 29 AIOs released by the Services Selection Board (SSB) on January 31 this year. The High Court issued the stay order on February 9, 2012, and also issued notices to both the State respondents and private respondents. The State respondents also included Commissioner Secretary Information and Secretary SSB directing them to file their response.
The petitioners Ashiq Hussain, Ishfaq A Tantray, Amin Masoodi and Irfan Qureshi in their separate petitions had submitted that an arbitrary criteria has been adopted by the SSB by considering viva voce marks while as the academics and other abilities of the candidates were overlooked.
“By adopting an arbitrary criteria, the Services Selection Board (SSB) has considered only the marks obtained in the interview, while as the academic excellence and merit of the candidates was ignored and rendered useless by giving equal points to all the candidates across the board”, the petitioners said.
Defending the selections made by the Services Selection Board (SSB), the private respondents through their counsel called the selection criteria adopted by the recruiting agency as level playing for all the candidates.
The private respondents claimed that academic merit referred to and relied upon by the writ petitioners in the para under reply is only one of the components of the merit required to be evaluated/assessed/determined by the selection body in the course of a selection and is not all and an end of the selection process.
In its objection the SSB has submitted that the petitioners after participating in the selection process cannot turn around and question the selection criteria after facing the failure.
Sham for launching strong anti- tobacco movement
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 24: Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Sham Lal Sharma has called for launching a strong anti-tobacco movement to save the younger generation from health hazards caused due its addition.
He said tobacco and its related products are proving major cause of mouth cancer for the users leading to thousands of deaths every year. He said time has come to deal with the situation and take hard steps to curb the addiction to tobacco, gutkas and alike forms of products.
Addressing a gathering of media persons, experts, Government officials and other stakeholders at a Media Conference on Tobacco Control in J&K, organized by the Voluntary Health Association of India and J&K Voluntary Health Association in Hotel Premier, here today, the Minister sought support of the all sections of the society to address this complex social issue. He said only Government efforts are not sufficient, but all have to contribute to curb the menace of tobacco, gutkas, alcohol, drug addiction and other social evils from the society.
Maintaining that media has great role to play in this direction, the Minister said that media persons must focus on this burning problem and educate the general masses through their regular columns, highlighting the ill effects of these products on the human health and preventive measures.
He also appreciated the efforts of NGOs which are involved in the social awareness and reforms. He appealed all such organizations to make collective efforts to make the society evil free.
Controller Drugs & Food Control Organization, Satish Gupta, A.M. Mir, media persons and experts delivered their lecture on the subject. They renewed the pledge to make the society evil free with the collective efforts.
Director, ISM, Dr. Abdul Kabir, Director Health, Dr. Madhu Khullar, Director Family Welfare, Dr. T. K. Moza, Project Director AIDS Control, Dr. Rakesh Khajuria were prominent among those present on the occasion.
Advisory Board discusses issues of SCs
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 24: Vice Chairperson, State Advisory Board for the Welfare and Development of Scheduled Castes Sawarn Lata today convened a meeting of Board members and various issues with regard to the welfare and development of scheduled castes were discussed.
All the members were unanimous in demanding that funds for development works should be kept at the disposal of Advisory board for the need based development of the areas inhabited by the schedule caste community. The Board members also requested the Vice Chairman for fresh Below Poverty Line (BPL) survey for including poor and deserving SC people besides dropping the condition of minimum percentage for scholarships.
They also demanded a provision for reservation for SCs in the appointment of Anganwari Workers, NRHM and Rehbar-e-Taleem. All the members strongly complained that funds under Central Schemes (SCA to SCSP) are not being released due to which many developmental works are hampered. Problem of shortage of staff in schools was also brought to the notice of the Chair. Further, the members demanded reservation for SCs as per their population in different districts.
Vice Chairperson after listening to the suggestions and grievances of all the members assured that the J&K State Advisory Board for the Welfare and Development of Scheduled Castes will make all efforts to redress the problems of the Scheduled Caste community.
Sakina for effective implementation of welfare schemes
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 24: Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Itoo today chaired 12th Annual Meeting of State Advisory Board for Development of Pahari Speaking People (SABPSP) wherein issues related to effective implementation of welfare schemes for the targeted lot were discussed.
Speaking at the meeting, the Minister asked concerned departments to implement the decisions taken by the Board in its 11th meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister in letter and spirit. She also directed to maintain close coordination among the departments involved in the execution of schemes and welfare programmes for Pahari speaking people. She particularly stressed upon implementation of the decisions on ground so that the benefits percolate to the beneficiaries well in time.
Threadbare discussion was held on various agenda points which include granting of Schedule Tribe Status to Pahari Speaking people of the State, allotment of funds under infrastructural development for filling up of critical gaps in PSP areas, raising of intake capacity of the Boys Pahari hostels at Anantnag, Baramulla and Kupwara, enhancement of capital outlay under annual Plan 2012-13 for completion of ongoing works, enhancement of budgetary grants under Non-Plan for the year 2012-13 and identification of State land for the construction of boys/Girls Pahari Hostels and construction of Sarai Cum Bhawans.
Vice Chairman, State Advisory Board for Development of Pahari Speaking, Sayeed Mushtaq Ahmad Bukhari, Principal Secretary, Finance Mohammad Iqbal Khandy, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister B. B. Viyas, Commissioner/Secretary, Forest Shant Manu, Commissioner/Secretary, Atal Dulloo, Secretary, General Administration Department Sheikh Mushtaq Ahmad, Secretary, Education Farooq Ahmad Faktoo, Secretary, Law Ghulam Hassan Tantray, Director School Education Jammu GA Qureshi, Secretary, SABPSP Farooq Ahmad Baba and other officers from various departments attended the meeting.
Govt committed to uplift socio-economic condition of people: Bhalla
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 24: As a protection measure against the threat of flash floods during rainy season, Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla today laid foundation of deep drain including slab at Azad Colony in Bathindi.
Mr. Bhalla asked the R&B engineers to put their sincere efforts in completing the project well in time adding that inhabitants of Azad Colony have faced lot of hardships during last year’s monsoon due to flood waters that entered into their houses and caused heavy loss to properties.
The Minister said the Government was making all out efforts to provide all basic amenities to the people of Bathindi and Sunjawan like safe drinking water, electricity, road connectivity, health, education besides better lanes and drains.
Listing the measures taken by the Government to uplift the socio-economic condition of the people of Sunjwan and Bathindi, the Minister said Government has earmarked Rs. 1.60 crore for upgradation of link roads and drainage system, adding that the blacktopping including renovation of surface 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 last end corners of the Bathindi and Sunjwan areas with nearest headquarter by providing better road connectivity.
Mr. Bhalla asked the PDD to prepare estimates for installation of street lights in the main chowks of Bathindi and submit the same for funding so that the demand of the inhabitants could be resolved after releasing funds out of his CDF.
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.
Under Education Sector, Mr. Bhalla said Government has opened one Higher Secondary School at Sunjwan, Government High School at Bathindi and Government Middle School at Karayani Talab so that the students could get education at their doorstep institutions. He said Government has been making all out efforts to upgrade Government High School Bathindi, and a proposal is under active consideration at School Education Ministry for approval.
Mr. Bhalla said Government has also 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 for this purpose, the instructions have been issued to the concerned department to prepare the detailed project report and submit the same for funding so that the development of the play ground is taken up.
Later, the Minister visited Gorkha Nagar and installed idols of Shiv Parivar, Ram Parivar, Radha Krishan darbar, Maa Sarswati, Shannidev, Hanuman ji, Vasuki Nag and Laxmi Narayan.
Thousands of devotees thronged the temple and prayed for peace and prosperity of the State and country.
Govt efforts won J&K status of best destination: Jora
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 24: The Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rgzin Jora today said that the concerted efforts of the Government towards showcasing and development of tourism attraction spots in the state has won the Jammu and Kashmir the status of best destination 2012.
While referring to the Lonely Planet magazine readers voting Jammu and Kashmir State as best destination-emerging (India) for 2012, the Minister said that massive tourist infrastructure development for attracting tourists of varied interests and publicity of new and old spots has put the sate prominently on the world tourism map.
He said the varied landscape of tourism attraction places right from Lakhanpur to Ladakh and Poonch to Kishtwar have added to the already famous places of Kashmir Valley and catapulted the scope of Tourism Industry in the State. He said today the state has a variety of tourism for the visitors, including adventure, spiritual, heritage, adventure, sports and eco in addition to the traditional leisure tourism.
Listing the completed and under execution tourism projects, the Minister said that the government has also taken up development of unique Trans Himalayan Culture Centre Leh, Nagarnagar- Watalab Tourist circuit at a total cost of Rs 60 cr. He said the centre has also agreed to fund development of three pilgrim Tourism Projects of Rs 50 crore each, which includes Buddhist Circuit Leh , Sofi Circuit for Kashmir and Spiritual Circuit for Jammu. He said these innovative projects are all set to add new dimensions to the tourism industry in the State.
New Passport Seva Kendra launched in Jammu
`Passport sub-office in Leh shortly’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 24: A new Passport Seva Kendra, equipped with modern technology and world class infrastructure with transparent and quick delivery system, was inaugurated at Gandhinagar here today.
Chief Passport Officer and joint Secretary from Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Muktesh Pardeshi announced the operational launch of this new Seva Kendra at Auqaf Market complex, adjacent to existing Regional Passport office in presence of Passport Officer Rajinder Gupta, Principal Consultant Golak Simli and Head Operations Rajesh Dogra besides other staff.
While announcing the launch, Mr Pardeshi said that for providing better and faster services, Ministry of External Affairs has opened this Passport Seva Kendra in partnership with the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). He said as a part of nation wide implementation of Passport Seva Project under the National e-Governance Program, these Kendras are being set up keeping in view easier accessibility, convenience and to provide services in a comfortable environment using world class infrastructure. This centre has been developed in an area around 4500 sq feet having 14 service counters.
Conceived by the MEA, under this project, the TCS has taken up 77 Kendras. It has been done keeping in view the increasing rush at the Passport offices and contain the crowd. He disclosed that after 1947 to 1950, average 20,000 passports were being issued by the Passport offices across the country but this number went on increasing. During 2011, about 75 lakh passports were issued. He disclosed that MEA plans to open sub-offices at district headquarters to cover several areas and extend its reach. In J&K such sub-centre is going to be opened at Leh to cover applicants of Ladakh region. These Kendras will be integrating with the police verification system and no physical application is required as was being done earlier. The applicant will move himself to Seva Kendra, his photograph will be taken besides finger prints etc. The applicant will seek appointment and move to the office at the given time and date, he added.
Regional Passport Officer, Jammu Rajinder Gupta, disclosed that Jammu Kendra will be providing services to the citizens of various districts falling under the jurisdiction of Regional Passport office Jammu. Various amenities including snacks counter, photo copier facility, air conditioned and modern waiting lounge, baby care facility etc have been provided for the convenience of the citizens. While all front end and citizen facing activities including processing of applications are done by the TCS staff, the sovereign functions such as document verification and granting of passport will be done by the Regional Passport office staff, Mr Gupta maintained.
Mr Gupta disclosed that as per new system, applicant has to log on to the website, www.passportindia.gov.in and create a user ID, By using the user ID he or she can apply for passport or related service by uploading the form on-line. Once the form is uploaded, appointment for Passport Seva Kendra can be taken on line. The applicant will move along with the documents needed on the given date and time to the Kendra. There is no need to carry physical forms or photographs. Bio-metric measurements etc will be taken and under this new system there is no chance of forgery or duplicity. The launch of this service will greatly ease the burden and rush at the passport office Jammu where earlier hardly 150 applications were being processed each day. The district passport cells will continue to accept the passport applications as usual till further orders, he maintained.
Mr Simli and Rajesh Dogra also spoke on the occasion and briefed the gathering about the new system and its benefits.
HDFC Bank, Wells Fargo launch US-India remittance service
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 24: HDFC Bank and US-headquarterd Wells Fargo have joined hands to enable NRIs in the United States to quickly remit money to their beneficiary’s HDFC Bank saving accounts in India.
The new service will significantly enhance remittance opportunities to India as Wells Fargo has one of the largest number of banking locations among US Banks and HDFC Bank has over 2500 branches in India, a country that has a large number of NRIs based in US.
Executive vice-president and head of Wells Fargo’s Global Remittances Services said, “India has one of the highest remittance volumes in the world according to World Bank, which is also evident by high customer demand as well”, adding that they are glad that they can make payout locations even more conveniently now by working with HDFC Bank.
“While we are a major player in the Gulf-India remittance market, this alliance will help us consolidate in the US-India sector which has been growing exponentially. Given our reach and the web-based nature of the service, this will allow people to send money back home in one of the safest and fastest possible ways”, said Harish Chander, Executive Director, HDFC Bank.
Remittances to HDFC Bank are denominated in Indian Rupees. Once a customer sets up his ExpressSend agreement and the beneficiary account information is verified with HDFC Bank, the customer needs to conduct his first transaction at a Wells Fargo branch. Subsequent transactions can be conducted through Wells Fargo.com, or via Wells Fargo Phone Bank.
Funds are sent to HDFC Bank quickly for credit during HDFC Bank’s local processing hours from Monday to Saturday excluding Indian holidays.
Monographs on Dev Das, Shiv Nirmohi, Durga Dass Gupta released
Mamta Joshi’s Rabindra Sangeet recital leaves audience spellbound
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr: 24 Under the special scheme of J&K Cultural Academy, three monographs on well known personalities of Duggar were released by Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister for Tourism and Culture, at the K L Saigal Hall, here today.
The monographs on life and works of Prof Shiv Nirmohi, Dev Dass and late Durga Dass have been penned down by Prakash Premi, late Ashok Jerath and Sita Ram Sapolia.
Critical papers on these monographs were also read by Nirmal Vinod, N D Jamwal and Bishan Singh Dardi on the occasion.
Earlier in her welcome remarks Academy’s additional secretary, Savita
Bakshi threw light on the importance of Academy’s monograph scheme.
The release function was presided over by Prof. Ved Kumari Ghai who welcomed the publications on personalities relating to fields like painting, poetry and History and culture. She also recounted their respective contributions in respective spheres.
Coalescing two programs, Academy’s K.L. Saigal Hall also provided the perfect stage, for the recital of Rabindra Sangeet this evening.
Noted Sufi singers Dr. Mamta Joshi, from Chandigarh, as part of her ten assigned programs of Gurudev’s music in different parts of the north India, gave a gripping recital of Rabindra Sangeet. The local singers who also sang in the program included Tsewang Dorjey, Vishal Gupta, and Aastha Raina.
The artistes giving accompaniment included Sunil Sharma, Joginder Paul, Vikas Nagar, Chetan Joshi, Deepak and Puneet.
The chief guest, minister for tourism and culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora praised the Academy for holding events like Rabindra Sangeet, saying such events helped people appreciate the richness of Indian music.
The audience appreciated all the songs with perfectly timed applause, music for which was besides other dignitaries, commissioner secretary tourism and culture and secretary Academy, Atal Dulloo was also present on the occasion. Additional secretaries of Academy, Shamima Akhter and Dr. Arvinder Singh Amn were also present on the occasion. The program proceedings were conducted by well-known broadcaster Ravi Kant.