Excelsior Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Oct 5:Speaking as chief guest at"Jashn e-Usttad" organized bythe Ministry of MinorityAffairs, Dr Jitendra Singh,Union Minister of State(Independent Charge)Development of North-EasternRegion (DoNER), MoS PMO,Personnel, Public Grievances,Pensions, Atomic Energy andSpace, said here today that theNarendra Modi Governmentbelieves in empowerment ofminorities with dignity.

On the occasion,Dr JitendraSingh also released a "CoffeeTable Book" depicting tradi-tional arts and crafts which areintegrally linked to the minoritycommunities of India. UnionMinister of Minority Affairs DrNajma Heptulla presided overthe function while MoSMinority Affairs, MukhtarAbbas Naqvi was guest of hon-our. Union Secretary MinorityAffairs, Arvind Mayaram wasalso present.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said, thebasic Mantra of "Sab Ka Saath,Sab Ka Vikas" put forth byPrime Minister Modi soon afterthe government took over 16months ago is symbolic andindicative of an agenda ofinclusive growth envisaged bythe present government.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said, tra-ditional skills like "PapierMache" of Kashmir,"Chikankari" of Lucknow,embroidery of Varanasi andhandicrafts of Northeast havebeen, over the centuries, carriedforward from one generation toanother through a combinedeffort of all sections of Indiansociety with a notable contribu-tion by the minorities of thiscountry. Therefore, these skillsrichly deserve to be projected

as the identities of the nation asa whole and the present initia-tive under Dr. Najma Heptullahas commendably achieved thispurpose, he added.

The hallmark of the Modigovernment, Dr Jitendra Singhsaid, is that on the one hand, itcould conceive and executepublic welfare schemes like"Jan Dhan Yojana" which targetthe lowest of the lowest strataof society thus living up toDeendayal Upadhyay's conceptof "Antyodaya", while on theother hand, it has made a con-scious effort to promote skilldevelopment in all sections ofsociety including the minoritiesthus making them proud partic-ipants in the "Make in India"mission.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said, thepresent initiative taken by theMinistry of Minority Affairs isan innovative attempt to amal-gamate the present govern-ment's "Make in India" and"Skill Development" pro-grammes into the intrinsicchord of nation's growth andtransform them into means ofproviding self-esteem even tothose sections of society whichmight have, during the earlierregimes, felt neglected orignored.

Earlier, Union Minister Dr.Najma Heptulla, while wel-coming the dignitaries, appreci-ated the enthusiastic responseof public to the two-day exhibi-tion cum fare beginning today.

Najma Heptulla referred tothe various achievements of herMinistry during the first year ofthe government. These, shesaid, included MANAS(Maulana Azad NationalAcademy for Skills), an initia-tive for promoting skill devel-opment by imparting training tothe minority population.

Similarly, on May 14, this year,she referred to the launching ofUSTTAD (Upgrading the Skillsand Training in Traditional Arts/ Crafts for Development) atVaranasi which is one of themain hubs of Arts and Craftsassociated with the minorities.Another promising schemetitled 'Nai Manzil' waslaunched by her Ministry inAugust this year which intendsto target school drop-outs,Madarsa-qualified students,etc. for enhancement of theireducation with skill training,she added.

Also present on the occa-sion were noted master crafts-men from all over the country.

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 5:Minister for Health and MedicalEducation, ARI & Trainings,Ch. Lal Singh today paid sur-prise visit to NTPHC Harwan,Srinagar, ordering immediatereshuffle of some of the staffmembers, whose performancewas found not satisfactory.

The Minister along withDirector Health Services,Kashmir, Dr Sumeer Mattoo,Mission Director FamilyWelfare, Dr Baldev, Director,NHM, Dr Mohan Singh, DrugController, Kashmir, NazirAhmad paid a surprise visit atthe NTPHC, Harwan.

The Minister found that mostof the doctors and paramedicswere without proper hospitaldress code. He said disciplinaryaction would be taken againstthe doctors and paramedics, who

don't follow the guidelines likeobserving proper dress codewhile on duty.

The Minister took a round ofthe hospital and asked theMedical Officer and her team towork for the betterment of thehealthcare institute.

Mr. Singh was informed bythe local people that the hospitalneeds further improvement anddemanded upgradation of thehospital. He directed theDirector, Health Services,Kashmir to inspect the hospitalson regular basis and try to fix-upthe issues on priority.

The Minister directed theofficials that without the opinionof the Consultants, no juniordoctor or medical officer shouldmake referrals.

The Ministers has been con-ducting on-spot inspection ofvarious hospitals across theState.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 5: The dis-placed persons (DPs) from Pakoccupied Jammu and Kashmirtoday took out `Sanghrash' rallyand staged dharna in the park nearthe statue of Maharaja Hari Singh

at Tawi bridge here today.A large number of displaced

persons including womenactivists under the banner ofJammu and Kashmir PoJK DPsFront-1947, 65 & 71 assemblednear Dogra Chowk and then start-ed protest rally towards Tawibridge. They held strong protestat Maharja Hari Singh park insupport of their long pendingdemands. The agitating displacedpersons were carrying bannersand placards in hands depictingtheir demands and shouting slo-gans.

Rachhpal Singh Chib, presi-dent of the Front, was leading theprotest.

The DPs also shouted slogansagainst Government alleging thatit has failed to mitigate the suffer-ings of thousands of displacedfamilies struggling for their rightsfor the last over six decades. Theydemanded one time comprehen-sive settlement of the PoJK dis-placed families and alleged thatState Government was causingdelay in forwarding package tothe Union Government.

Mr Chib in his addressappealed all the bodies of DPs toget united for their commoncause. The refugee leader alsocondemned the role of PROJammu for allegedly scuttling theprocess of implementation of

Financial package. The Front delegation led by

Mr Chib also submitted a memo-randum to Divisional Commi-ssioner Jammu for enhancing therelief package against each com-ponent of the Relief Packagesanctioned by the Government ofIndia from Rs 25,000 to Rs 6lakhs against each sub-compo-nent.

They further alleged thatProvincial Rehabilitation OfficerJammu was causing hurdles in theprocess of implementation ofFinancial package sanctioned byGovt of India vide No. 33/2/47settlement Vol. IV, dated August 9,2000. They also alleged the PROhad initiated the process of provid-ing compensation against defi-ciency of land during October2013 but no notification wasissued in this regard asking DPs tosubmit their claims. The applica-tions were taken through touts andmany deserving people were leftout. He demanded that the left outDP families be registered withoutany delay, ownership rights to theDPs of 1947, 65 and 71 be givento all residing in Kathua, Samba,Jammu and other parts of theregion. He also sought reservationfor the DP youth in professionaland other colleges and institutesbesides universities and in Govtjobs.

DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2015 (PAGE 5)

Div Com reviews status of mega projects

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 5: DivisionalCommissioner, Jammu, Dr.Pawan Kotwal today reviewed thestatus of ongoing mega projects inJammu.

The meeting was attended by

Deputy Commissioner, JammuSimrandeep Singh, DirectorERA, Jammu R K Raina, DirectorAgriculture, Jammu S S Jamwal,Director Tourism, Jammu R KVarma, Director Industries,Jammu Dr A Rashid and otherofficers of the concerned depart-ments.

The Divisional Commi-ssion-er took a detailed review of thestatus of the mega projects includ-ing multi-tier parking at BusStand, Seed Multiplication Centreat Chakrohi, Industrial Estate,New Legislative Complex,Develo-pment of Tawi river front,Sidhra Golf Course, moderniza-tion of Raghunath Bazar, restora-tion of Mubarak Mandi Heritagecomplex, modernization ofRanbir canal, Jammu SewerageProject, Chenab Water Supplyproject, four-laning of Satwari-Kunjwani road, restoration workon fourth Tawi bridge, Jammu

Ropeway project and works takenup under R-APDRP in Jammu.

Taking the review of therestoration process of RoyalMubarak Mandi complex, theDivisional Commissioner direct-ed the officers of JammuDevelopment Authority to identi-

fy land for construction of perma-nent unit of ArchaeologicalSurvey of India (ASI).

"Having a permanent officeof ASI will help to expedite thepace of restoration work in theMubarak Mandi HeritageComplex", he added. He alsodirected the tourism authorities todevelop a thematic 'light & sound'show on the history of Dogras,which would be an important fea-ture of the upcoming heritagecomplex and an added touristattraction.

He asked the TourismDepartment to consult theDepartment of History, Universityof Jammu for developing the themeand content of the show.

Stressing on the need forkeeping the surroundings of his-torical complex clean, theDivisional Commissioner askedJammu Municipal Corporation

(JMC) to carry out a cleanlinessdrive at the Heritage Complex incollaboration with TourismDepartment.

Reviewing the status of SidhraGolf Course, the DivisionalCommissioner was informed thatthe second phase of upgradation

of 18-hole golf course along withclub building and other ancillaryworks are in full swing and will becompleted in the current financialyear.

The meeting also reviewed theprogress of construction of NewLegislative Complex. TheDivisional Commissioner soughtdetailed report on status of differ-ent components of work.

Regarding the construction ofJammu Ropeway project, theDivisional Commissioner direct-ed the concerned officers to devel-op a parking space near the Upperterminal for the convenience ofthe tourists.

The Divisional Commi-ssion-er emphasized on the need foradopting professional approachwhile executing various develop-mental projects and cautioned theconcerned departments againstdelay in meeting the deadline.

PoJK DPs take out ‘Sanghrash’ rally

Divisional Commissioner, Dr Pawan Kotwal reviewing the status of ongoing projects in a meet-ing at Jammu on Monday.

PoJK DPs holding `Sanghrash' rally at Maharaja Hari Singh Park near Tawi bridge in Jammuon Monday. -Excelsior/ Rakesh

Five more cases of Dengue surface

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 5: Five morepeople were today found posi-tive for Dengue virus taking thetotal number of people affectedwith this vector-borne disease inJammu region to 33.

According to BS Pathania,Director Health Jammu, Fivemore people including a 1-year-old child has been found posi-tive for Dengue virus. He saidall the five affected persons areunder the age group of 1-14years.

He said out of these five per-sons, three belong to Jammu dis-trict while one each belongs toUdhampur and Kathua districts.

"With these five fresh cases ofDengue, the total number ofpatients affected with this vec-tor-borne disease has reached33", he added.

He further disclosed that tilltoday blood samples of 274 per-sons having Dengue like symp-toms were tested for Denguevirus out of which 33 werefound to be positive for Denguevirus.

Dr Pathania further said thatout of these 33 Dengue patientsnone was serious. However,majority of the patients returnedtheir home after successful treat-ment at various hospitals inJammu Province and only someof them are under treatment.

PSC declares KCS Judicial,KAS Prelims results

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 5: J&KPublic Service Commissiontoday declared the result ofJammu and Kashmir CivilService (Judicial) (Preliminary)Examination - 2013 and J&KCombined Competitive(Preliminary) Examination -2014.

These examinations wereheld at Srinagar and Jammuwherein 1432 and 12145 candi-dates appeared respectivelyagainst 2029 and 20180 candi-dates who had applied for theseexaminations.

Secretary J&K PublicService Commission, ShakeelulRehman, while elaborating saidthat the Commission had adver-tised 12 posts of Civil Service(Judicial) and 51 posts ofCombined CompetitiveServices. In response 2029 can-didates had applied for JudicialExamination and 20180 forCombined CompetitiveExamination.

Similarly, in respect of CCE-

2014, 12145 appeared as against20180 registered. The ScreeningTest was conducted on August16, 2015 for KCS (Judicial) andon August 30,2015 in respectCCE-14. The Commission firsttime in its history has amendedthe rules to make a provision fornotification of key before thedeclaration of the result.

The cut of merit for CivilService (Judicial) Examination-2013 was fixed at 67.156points while as for CombinedCompetitive (Preliminary)Examination-2014 it was fixedat 318.204 points.

It was further decided thatthe Main Examinations of theservice will be conducted inDecember, 2015 for Judicial and23rd November, 2015 for CCE .

The Commission has recent-ly also approved harmonizationof Combined CompetitiveExamination scheme bringing itin tune with the CSAT of theUPSC with a recommendationto the Government that the samemay be made effective from 1stJanuary, 2016.

World Habitat Day celebratedby Institution of Engineers

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 5: The WorldHabitat Day was celebrated byInstitution of Engineers (India),Local Centre Jammu here today.

On the occasion, a seminar onthe Theme topic “Public Spacesfor All” was organized in which

engineers and other dignitariesfrom different departments andorganizations participated.

Er Vinod Malhotra, FormerDevelopment Commissioner,Town Planning, Jammu was thechief guest and Er HC Jerath, FIEChairman, Jammu Local Centrepresided over the function.

At the outset, Er Jerath high-lighted the importance of the dayto the gathering.

On this occasion six paperswere presented on the theme topicby Er SC Thukral, Er PK Nanda,Er BL Rawal, Er Sewa Ram, ErVijay Kumar Sharma and ErRajesh Kumar Angural.

All the speakers discussed theburning issues in and aroundJammu City like TrafficManagement, Planning ofHousing Schemes, scarcity of landin planning housing schemes anddevelopment and maintenance ofgreen belts. It was also proposed togo in for the Multi StoriedParkings at Shalimar Road &Gandhi Nagar Gole Market wherevacant places are already avail-able. It was also proposed to haveopen spaces in all urban areas in anaround Jammu city where childrenand people of all age groups canfrequent to enjoy the environs ofnature which otherwise they arepresently devoid of due to increas-ing congestion in urban areasresulting into their adopting themenace of technological indoor

addictions like Face book,Whatsapp etc. in order to over-come the scarcity of land the con-cept of land pooling was alsoadvocated by one of the speakers.

The speakers also appealed theagencies regulating the traffic tobe more strict and general public

to park their vehicles at the appro-priate places.

Er Vinod Malhotra in his con-cluding address informed the housethat as per norms 18 per cent of thecity area should be earmarked forroads network where as in the caseof Jammu city it is only 8 per centHe requested all the stakeholders toplan the future growth of Jammucity in such a way that chaotic situ-ation in future is avoided lest publicspaces will be a dream forJammuites. He also advocated forseparate hawking areas in Jammuso that unnecessary encroachmentdone by hawkers everywhere canbe avoided thereby creating publicspaces for all.

Er Mohinder Singh, HonorarySecretary of Jammu Local Centreconducted the proceeding of thefunction and delivered vote ofthanks.

739 kanals forest landretrieved from encroachers

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 5: ForestDepartment retrieved 739 kanalsforest land from the encroachers inDoda, Kishtwar and Batote ForestDivisions.

Continuing its drive to evictencroachments (old and new)from forests in Doda Forest

Division, a joint team of forestofficials of Territorial andProtection force wing of DodaForest Division, led by theDivisional Forest Officer Doda,Abhijeet Joshi and DeputyDirector Forest Protection ForceRavinder Singh under the supervi-sion of MP Dogra, Conservator ofForests Chenab Circle Doda,retrieved 273 kanals of forest landfrom encroachers.

According to reports the evic-tion drive was carried out simulta-neously in two blocks i.e BlockBhart and Block Kulhand ofKuntwara Range. In Bhart Block,28 kanals of encroached forestland was retrieved from clutchesof six encroachers in compartment58 of Kuntwara Range.

The second drive was conduct-ed in Kulhand Block in compart-ments 62, 63, 67 and 68 and dur-ing these operation, 245 kanals ofold encroachments were evicted.

During the operation, kachastructures in the form of kothaswere dismantled on the spot,brushwood fencing and agricultur-al crops were destroyed.

Action warranted under theprovisions of J&K Forest Act was

initiated against the encroachers.Meanwhile, Forest officials

team of Kishtwar Forest Divisionled by Range Officer, Paddarremoved 50 kanals of encroach-ment over Forest land in ForestCompartment 16/Paddar near vil-lage Gandhari-Paddar and 4kanals in Compartment 34/Paddarat village Atholi-Paddar and also

dismantled some old "Kothas" onthe spot.

The entire operation was car-ried under close supervision ofConservator of Forests, ChenabCircle, Doda and Divisional ForestOfficer, Kishtwar.

In another incident, BatoteForest Division from September28 to till today carried out anencroachment eviction drive withfield staff under the supervision ofMP Dogra, Conservator ofForests, Chenab Circle, Doda,Zahid Moghal. A total 412 kanalsof forest land was retrieved fromthe clutches of 50 encroachers.

The 125 kanals was retrievedfrom eleven encroachers in GandriForest Range, Forest Compa-rtment 64/ Gandri, 175 Kanalsfrom nine encroachers in BatoteForest Range, Forest Compar-tment 40/Balout and 122 Kanalsfrom thirty encroachers in MarmatForest Range, Forest Compar-tment 33-35/Behota Marmat.

Three illegal structures werealso demolished by Range OfficerBatote during the eviction process.The brushwood fencing and cropsown in the area reported destr-oyed on spot.

Div Com discusses arrangements for Amarnath Yatra 2016

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 5: Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir,Dr. Asgar Samoon chaired a meeting today to discuss arrange-ments for Amarnath Yatra 2016.

The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir assured theAmarnath Shrine Board officials of proper arrangements andfacilities for the smooth conduct of 2016 Amarnath Yatra. Hesaid that Cooperative Department shops would be establishedat each Yatra stop so that Yatris are provided essentials on rea-sonable rates.

Chief Executive Officer, Amarnath Shrine Board, P.K.Tripathi, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, SSP Anantnag,Registrar Cooperatives and other officers attended the meeting.

CAPD fixesdengue test rates

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 5:Department of Consumers andPublic Distribution has fixeduniforms rates for dengue testsin Samba district.

The residents have beeninformed that the charges havebeen fixed as Rs.600 for EUSA(NSI) Antigus test, Rs.630 forIgM and Rs.630 for IgG tests.

Vikramaditya inspectswork in Dharmarth

Trust templesExcelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 5: Vikra-maditya Singh, MLC and Trustee,J&K Dharmarth Trust, today visit-ed the historical ShankaracharyaTemple in Srinagar along withteam of officers of Trust, per-formed Pooja-Archna and inspect-ed the development works going onthere.

Singh also gave on spot instruc-tions to the staff for speedy worksand ensures quality as per specifi-cations. He also visited J&KDharmarth Trust Regional officeSrinagar and had interaction withthe staff.

He also discussed with newlyappointed additional secretaryKashmir, RL Bhan, various issuesof Trust and Temples and alsourged the staff to work with dedica-tion and zeal for providing betterfacilities to the devotees and pil-grims.

The secretary of J&KDharmarth Trust was also presentduring the visit of Trustee.

Modi Govt believes in empowerment ofminorities with dignity: Dr Jitendra

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh flanked by Union Ministers Dr Najma Heptulla, MukhtarAbbas Naqvi and Union Secretary Arvind Mayaram, releasing coffee table book on traditionalarts and crafts at "Jashn-e-Usttad" organized by Ministry of Minority Affairs at New Delhi onMonday.

Health Minister pays surprise visit,orders reshuffle of erring officials

Forest officials removing encroachments in Doda forest divi-sion. -Excelsior/ Tilak Raj

Wani asks Govt to formulate policyfor regularization of employees

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 5: JCCleader and EJAC president,Abdul Qayoom Wani todayasked the Government to for-mulate a solid policy for regu-larization of the temporaryemployees and also warnedthat any attempt of adoptingoppressive measures againstthese employees, who are sit-

ting on hunger strike, shallhave serious repercussions.

Mr Wani was addressing ina one- day session of executivebody of EJAC, convened heretoday under his chairmanships.

The session lambasted theGovernment for its allegeddelaying tactics with regard tothe regularization of all the60,000 Temporary, Causal andDaily Wagers of all the threeRegions of the State. The ses-sion observed that non serious

attitude of the Government hasforced temporary employees togo for hunger strike and theirhealth condition was gettingdeteriorated day by day.

The session appealed theState Chief Minister, FinanceMinister and Chief Secretaryto resolve this serious andhuman issue by formulating asolid policy for the regulariza-

tion. The session also expressed

deep concern on the continu-ous hunger strike of NYCVolunteers and termed it as aneye opener for theGovernment, which shouldresolve the issue at the earliest.

At the end of the session, adelegation of EJAC, led byQayoom Wani, visited PartapPark and expressed solidaritywith the employees sitting onhunger strike there.

JCC leader Qayoom Wani participating in Daily Wagers’hunger strike at Partap Park.

Er P K Nanda presenting his paper on World Habitat Day cel-ebration function at Jammu on Monday.