DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU SUNDAY, MAY 21, 2017 (PAGE 7)

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 20: Thepresident of J&K DharmarthTrust, BR Kundal, todayreviewed the arrangements for thecelebration of Kheer BhawaniMela, which begins on June 1.

Speaking at a review meet-ing, Kundal asked the officebearers and employees of theTrust to put in place the neces-sary mechanism and synergizetheir efforts for smooth conductof Kheer Bhawani Mela atTulmul this year.

Kundal asked them to gear upthemselves for ensuring that thenecessary and proper arrange-ments are put in place for thedevotees coming from differentparts of the State so that they donot face any inconvenience.

He said that coordinatedefforts and cooperation is requiredfor providing all the required facil-ities to the devotees during theMela. “We should all coordinateour efforts to ensure successfulcompletion of the event, as it holdsa great place in our socio religious

ethos”, he added. He informed that through a

separate communication he hadurged upon the Ganderbal districtadministration to ensure that un-interrupted supply of power, waterand essential items are provided tothe devotees besides ensuring thesafety and security of the devotees.

He said adequate number ofblankets should also be kept in theplace for those staying overnightand the requisite sanitation meas-ures should also be undertaken. Itwas given out in the meeting thatalternative arrangements ofaccommodation would also bekept available to the devotees, incase of the inclement weather.

The meeting also discussed allother arrangements including dec-oration, langar and sanitation facil-ities and it was assured that everyeffort would be made to make thisMela smooth, successful and safe.For arranging and putting in placethe facilities for the devotees, req-uisite advance money was provid-ed to the trust employees lookingafter the shrine.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 20: HighCourt has stayed the orderswhereby respondents havechanged the working time inGovernment offices in Jammuprovince.

The order was passed in apetition filed by Jammu KashmirLadakh All Departments ClericalStaff Association.

During the course of hearingSenior Advocate BS Salathiaalong with Advocates AnchitSharma, Rakesh Manhas andBhanu Singh Salathia submittedthat Government vide Order No.10-GAD of 1985 dated 1.1.1985prescribed the working hours ofGovernment offices in the State.For Jammu Division, the timingsfixed for the period commencingfrom 1st of May to 30th ofSeptember was 8 am to 1.30 pmand from 1st of October to 30thof April was fixed at 10 am to 4pm.

This was followed by theDivisional Commissioner,Jammu, who, by virtue of hisorder dated 17.4.2017 confirmedthe same except to the extent thatinstead of 8 am to 1.30 pm, thetiming was fixed till 2 pm during

the summer days. However,Chief Engineer, ElectricMaintenance and RE Wing,Jammu vide his circular dated4.5.2017 fixed working hoursfrom 10 am to 4 pm.

Similarly, Chief Conservatorof Forests vide his communica-tion dated 3.5.2017, Director,Social Welfare Department,Jammu vide his order dated9.5.2017 and DeputyCommissioner, Jammu vide hisorder dated 2.5.2017 followed aschedule of Chief EngineerEM&RE.

"They don't have any author-ity to tinker with the time sched-ule, which was fixed by theGovernment in the year 1985and reiterated and followed bythe Divisional Commissioner",Advocate Salathia said.

After hearing counsels forthe petitioners and Senior AAGSeema Shekhar for theGovernment, Justice DhirajSingh Thakur issued notice toState and others and granted oneweeks' time to file objections. Inthe meantime, subject to objec-tions and till next date of hear-ing, the orders impugned werestayed.

Lal Singh directs for removal of encroachments on forest land

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 20: Ministerfor Forests, Environment andEcology, Choudhary Lal Singhtoday inspected the anti-encroachment drives atSunjawan, Sidhra and Tootian DeKhoi Bajalta areas of Jammu.

During the inspection, theMinister issued on-spot instruc-tions to the Forest and PoliceDepartments to immediatelyremove encroachments from var-ious areas under forest land. Healso directed for immediatedemarcation and proper fencingof forest land to prevent subse-quent encroachments.

Speaking on the occasion, LalSingh said that the Governmenthas set up a demarcation commit-tee for checking the activities ofhabitual encroachers, adding thatthe committee would deal withencroachments and evictions onforest land in Sunjwan, Bathinidi,Raika, Sidhra and Tootian DeKhoi (Bajalta) areas in Jammu.

Warning those involved in theencroachment, the Minister reit-

erated the directions of the HighCourt and Government's plans toget the encroached land vacatedforcefully with the help of PoliceDepartment if required.

While highlighting variousworks initiated to increase carbonsequestration for maintainingecological balance, Lal Singhsaid that ambitious GreenCorridor project along theNational Highway (fromLakhanpur to Baramulla) willsignificantly help in curbing pol-lution emanating from vehiculartraffic.

On the occasion, the Ministeralso directed for ensuring meas-ures for preventing forest fires inthe area. The concerned officerswere also directed to hold aware-ness camps, especially in vulnera-ble areas, to seek cooperation ofpeople in preventing the forestfires.

The Minister was accompa-nied by Conservators, DivisionalForest Officers, besides other sen-ior officers of Forests and PoliceDepartments.

Kavinder inaugurates developmental works Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 20: SpeakerLegislative Assembly, KavinderGupta, in presence of MemberParliament Jugal Kishore andMLC Vikram Randhawa, todayinaugurated the newly construct-ed lanes and drains at Ward 56of Gandhi Nagar.

The Speaker said that otherongoing developmental projectsin the area will ensure betteramenities to the people oncecompleted and appealed foractive public partaking instrengthening the initiatives ofthe Government.

He said that concerned exe-cuting agencies have beendirected to work in tandem andensure that projects are complet-ed within the stipulated time-frames with strict adherence toquality norms.

On the occasion, MP JugalKishore sanctioned Rs 5 lakhfrom the CDF for constructionof a cultural stage at Ram LeelaGround.

Later, Speaker visitedSatwari, Nai Basti, Digana,Gangyal, Channi Himmat,Deeli, Uttam Nagar, Dashmesh

Nagar, Saink Colony, SanjayNagar, Nanak Nagar, TrikutaNagar and adjoining localities toreview the plan and progress inblacktopping works beingundertaken by PWD (R&B)Department.

The Speaker was informedthat blacktopping andmacadamization in first phaseamounting to Rs. 25 crore wouldstart soon and that the depart-ment has already started thepreparatory works in this regard.

While addressing the gather-ing, the Speaker said thatGovernment has initiated sever-al measures to upgrade existingroad infrastructure with specialfocus on rural and far-off pock-ets. He asked the executingagencies to speed up the pace ofworks so that the same are com-pleted in a time bound manner.He cautioned the officers thatany laxity in this regard wouldnot be tolerated and stern actionwould be initiated against nonperformers.

Executive Engineer PWD,Junior Engineers besides otherconcerned officers also accom-panied the Speaker.

Creation of assets of publicimportance Govt’s priority: Veeri

Excelsior Correspondent

ANANTNAG, May 20:Minister for Revenue, Relief &Rehabilitation, Abdul RehmanVeeri, today said thatGovernment is committed forcreation of assets of publicimportance on priority basis.

He was speaking to peopleand officials during a day-longtour of Anantnag district toreview the pace of work on var-ious developmental projects.

Veeri inspected the ongoingwork at Trauma HospitalBijbehara and reviewed theprogress achieved so far. Hefixed November as the deadlinefor the completion of this vitalproject aimed to minimisingdeaths occurring due to roadmishaps.

The Minister also reviewedthe status of Shopping Arcadebeing constructed in Bijbeharaat a cost of Rs 4.76 crore. Theofficers informed the Ministerthat the project will be complet-ed by August.

To augment the road networkin Anantnag district, the

Minister directed the engineersto speed up the process ofmacadamization in the districtparticularly in Marhama andSrigufwara area.

The Minister also visitedANM Nursing College Akoorawhich is coming up at a cost ofRs 2.30 crores and under con-struction building of PHCAkoora. The Minister directedthe officials to complete theNursing College by August 20,2017.

Veeri also sought details onthe status of work on PHC Veer,PHC Khiram, PHC Marhamaand other works of publicimportance in the area.

The Minister also visitedMattan Hospital and enquiredabout the various healthcarefacilities available in the hospi-tal. He directed the engineers tostart macadamization of roads inhospital premises at the earliest.The Minister also visited theproposed site of Tehsil OfficeMattan and asked the officers tofix up the modalities for itsspeedy construction.

Lalit re-elected BBIA presidentExcelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 20: Notedindustrialist, Lalit Mahajan hasbeen re-elected as president ofBari Brahmana IndustriesAssociation (BBIA) for the term2017-2019.

After conducting the generalbody meeting of the Associationat BBIA Bhawan today, the

election process commenced at11 AM. The popping processwas completed by 3 pm. Thethree Election Commissionersappointed by the ElectionCommittee, namely- TaranjitSingh Sahni, Atul Modi andRam Langar supervised the pollprocess and declared theresults this evening. Total 236votes were polled out of total241.

Lalit Mahajan, the sittingBBIA president was re-elected

as the president of theAssociation for the next term.He secured 168 votes anddefeated Annil Suri , whosecured only 67 votes. SureshMahajan was elected as seniorvice president unopposed.

Varun Singla was elected asvice president. He secured 172votes and defeated PankajSharma, who bagged 62 votes

(two invalid). Ajay Langar wasdeclared elected as general sec-retary. He bagged 148 votes anddefeated Rakesh Bhat, whosecured 87 votes (3 invalid).

Vivek Singhal was electedas secretary who secured 163votes by defeating KunalMahajan (70 votes), whileViraaj Malhotra was elected astreasurer. He bagged 189 votesand defeated Parvinder SinghJaggi who got only 44 votes.

Kundal reviews arrangements for Kheer Bhawani Mela

A view of holy shrine of Kheer Bhawani.

KC Hyundai summer car care camp to conclude tomorrow

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 20: In its con-tinuous effort to delight its cus-tomers, a summer car care campbegan at KC Hyundai on May16 and will conclude on May 22.

The camp was inauguratedby Jatinder Gupta, chairman,KC Hyundai, at its workshopalong Bypass Road, oppositeGurudwara, Channi Rama,Jammu.

Speaking on the occasion,

Sanjay Mahajan, ManagingDirector, KC Hyundai, said thatthis is a novel initiative by KCHyundai for the benefit of itscustomers in Jammu.

He said that the camp is spe-cially designed to delightHyundai customers by givingtheir cars special care for ACcheckup with free 18 pointcheck-up and free Top washkeeping in tune with the themeof camp 'Relationship get betterover time with customers'.

Chairman, KC Hyundai, Jatinder Gupta, inaugurating sum-mer car care camp at KC Hyundai’s workshop by cutting cake.

Priya inaugurates exhibition tomark International Museum Day

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 20: As part ofcelebrations to mark InternationalMuseum Day, Minister of Culture,School Education and TourismPriya Sethi inaugurated a specialexhibition at Dogra Art Museum.

Speaking on the occasion, theMinister expressed the importanceof International Museum Day as amovement as well as a platform tomake the citizens aware of theirrich past and inculcate in them asense to preserve it for posterity.She also assured of every possibleassistance from the Government toprotect the heritage of the Stateexisting in any form whether tan-gible or intangible.

The Minister also released abook titled J&K Museums speak:History, Culture and Ethos,authored and edited byMohammad Shafi Zahid, Directorof the department.

The mega event was attendedby number of intellectuals, cultur-al activists, scholars and thousandsof school children. The speakerson the event expressing their con-cern over the status of heritagesites gave suggestions with regardto its preservation.

The Secretary gave a detailedaccount of the steps theGovernment is taking towards thepreservation of the heritage of theState, which include declaration ofArchaeological Monuments and

Sites as State Protected, heritagesites and documentation of manu-scripts as well as old records.

The Director gave a briefaccount of the departmental activ-ities which include exhibitions,publications, seminars, workshopsetc. to make the general publicaware of their rich heritage.

He also appealed to thePrincipals of all schools bothGovernment and Private and headof other educational institutions, tomake museum tour part of theirsyllabus, so that every student ofthe State visits the museums andget education through museumtours.

Meanwhile, Priya Sethi visitedNowshera and took stock ofarrangements put in place by thedistrict administration for crossborder firing affected families.

Accompanied by MLANowshera, Ravinder Raina andsenior officers of Police and civiladministration, the Minister visit-ed rehabilitation camps and inter-acted with affected people.

Speaking on the occasion, theMinister said that Government iswell abreast of the problems andmiseries of the border people.

She directed district adminis-tration to strictly follow StandardOperating Procedure (SOP) notonly in making necessary arrange-ments in relief camps but also inrescuing people in case of exces-sive cease fire violations.

Minister for Culture, Priya Sethi releasing a book ‘J&KMuseums Speak’ at Dogra Art Museum in Jammu on Saturday.

Speaker Legislative Assembly, Kavinder Gupta inspectingdevelopmental work on Saturday.

BMD camp organizedExcelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 20: A BoneMineral Density (BMD) campwas organised at Miran Sahibarea, an outskirts of Jammu city.

During the camp, More than150 patients were screened byDr Amit Vaid, general practi-tioner and laser and cosmeticsurgeon.

“This is a simple and reliablemethod for early detection ofOsteoporosis and Osteopenia, sothat patients can understand riskfactors for the disorder and shallalso be guided for multifacetedregimen of diet, lifestyle habits,and osteoporosis medications inorder to prevent further boneloss and fractures,” said Dr AmitVaid while observing patientsduring the camp.

Dr Vaid said poor intake ofcalcium in diet leads to fragileand weaker bones and particular-ly women are more prone todevelopment of osteoporosis, dueto insufficient calcium content.He advised people to increaseconsumption of milk, curd apartfrom cereals for more calciumintake to ensure better health ofbones.

Dr Amit Vaid said that it wasa health awareness camp whichhas served the purpose very suc-cessfully. He assured the peopleof the area that such camps wouldregularly be organised to servethe community.

The people of Miran Sahibarea appreciated the efforts of DrAmit Vaid and hoped that thisendeavour will continue in nearfuture also.

BMD camp underway at Miran Sahib.

HC stays orders changing working time

Online registration for admissionunder PMSSS from May 22

*Big relief for diploma holders in engineering Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 20: In asignificant decision, the All IndiaCouncil for Technical Education(AICTE) has announced registra-tion of diploma holders in engi-neering from J&K for admissionthrough lateral entry under thePrime Minister's SpecialScholarship Scheme (PMSSS).

"Online registration of eligiblestudents from J&K who havepassed diploma in engineeringprogrammes during the year 2015-16 from the polytechnics locatedwithin the State of Jammu andKashmir will start from May 22for Lateral Entry Admission inEngineering Stream (2nd Year)during the academic year 2017-18," said a notification issued byAICTE.

"After registration on AICTEPortal, the students may visit near-est Facilitation Centers in J&K toget their documents verified by orbefore June 15 till 5:00 PM," thenotification said, adding that onlyafter the verification of all originaldocuments by Facilitation Centres,application of candidate will be

considered for PMSSS 2017-18. In Kashmir division the

Facilitation Centre for PMSSShave been established at Sri PratapCollege, Srinagar, GovernmentDegree College, (Women) M.A.Road, Srinagar, GovernmentDegree College for Boys,Anantnag, Government DegreeCollege Bijbehara, GovernmentDegree College (Boys) Baramulla,Government Degree College(Boys) Sopore, GovernmentDegree College Pattan,Government Degree College(Boys) Kupwara, GovernmentDegree College (SAM) Budgam,Government Degree CollegeKulgam, Government DegreeCollege Boys Pulwama,Government Degree College Tral,Government Degree CollegeShopian, Government DegreeCollege Leh, Government DegreeCollege Kargil, GovernmentDegree College Bandipora,Government Degree CollegeGanderbal, Government DegreeCollege Dooru and GovernmentDegree College Chrar-e-Sharief.

In Jammu Division theFacilitation Centres have been setup at Govt GM Science CollegeCanal Road Jammu, Govt Collegefor Women Gandhi Nagar Jammu,Government Degree College BoysKathua, Government DegreeCollege Bani, Government DegreeCollege Boys Udhampur,Government Degree CollegeRajouri, Government DegreeCollege Poonch Poonch,Government Degree CollegeReasi, Government DegreeCollege Doda, GovernmentDegree College Ramban,Government Degree CollegeBanihal, Government DegreeCollege Bhaderwah, GovernmentDegree College Kishtwar,Government Degree CollegeMarwah, Government DegreeCollege Samba, GovernmentDegree College R S Pura andGovernment Degree CollegeMendhar.

FMPHWs continue protest dharnas Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 20: The dis-trict wise protest dharnas ofFemale Multipurpose HealthWorkers (FMPHWs) for releaseof their pending salaries,entered into 6th day, today, witha delegation of the workers metState BJP president, Sat Sharmaand acquainted him of theirplight.

The main protest dharnaheld here at Madam Shashi BalaMemorial Park under the super-vision of Sushil Sudan, presi-dent, Jammu Kashmir MedicalEmployees Federation(JKMEF), where the day startedwith roaring of slogans in sup-port of their demands.

Vinod Sharma, secretarygeneral, JKMEF, who was theprincipal speaker of the day,added soul to the protest dharnaand shared a number of pastexperiences and encouraged theFemale Multipurpose HealthWorkers for their struggle.Besides, he strongly condemnedthe State Government's irre-sponsible behavior towardsstruggling FMPHW's.

"It is a sheer mockery that aton one hand schemes and pro-grams are launched for womenempowerment and at the sametime the women who are work-ing round the clock for render-ing better health facilities to thesociety are left without salariesfor more than a year", he added.

Later, a delegation ofFMPHWs met Sat Sharma,

MLA and State BJP president,and apprised him of their woes.Sat Sharma gave a patient hear-ing to the delegation andassured to take up the matterwith the concerned for speedyredressal.

Meanwhile, in Udhampurdistrict, FMPHWs organized aprotest rally, which began fromDistrict Hospital and culminat-ed at the office of DeputyCommisioner, after passingthrough various bazaars.

Simultaneously, the protestdharnas were held at all districtheadquarters of Jammuprovince under the leadership ofJKMEF/FMPHWs' WelfareAssociation leaders.

FMPHWs sitting on protest dharna at Madam Shashi BalaMemorial Park in Jammu. —Excelsior/Rakesh

Newly elected BBIA team led by Lalit Mahajan posing forphotograph on Saturday.

Mehbooba pays tributesto Moulvi Farooq, Lone

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 20: ChiefMinister, Mehbooba Mufti haspaid rich tributes to late MirwaizMoulvi Muhammad Farooq andlate Abdul Gani Lone whosedeath anniversaries are beingobserved on May 21.

The Chief Minister said thecontribution made by the twoleaders in the socio-politicalawakening of people would longbe remembered in Jammu &Kashmir.

Mehbooba Mufti said thebest tribute to these two leaderswould be that the people of theState commit themselves topeaceful means for resolution ofissues.

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