Discrimination with Jammu

Discrimination with Jammu

PDD employee’s welfare fun not implemented in Jammu region

Yash Khajuria            8/24/2011 7:03:13 PM

JAMMU, Aug 24: The much hyped Employees Welfare Fund scheme launched by Power Development Department (PDD) has not been implemented in Jammu region, despite the fact that employees are contributing money to the scheme for last one year.

Official sources said that while some compensation claims have been cleared in Kashmir valley, but in Jammu region none of the person injured during duty hours have received any help from the scheme since it was launched in February this year.

The fund is aimed to cover 32,000 permanent employees of the department.

The scheme was launched under order No-77 of PDD in both the regions of the state to provide insurance cover to the permanent employees of the department, particularly who work in field.

“It was to cover the employees from Class IV to the Engineers and above who in case of death or injury are supposed to get assistance of Rs 3 lakh as immediate assistance”, said a PDD employee. The scheme also intends to provide free education and health benefits to the family members of the employee.

A senior PDD official said, “We have taken up the issue with the concerned division and we will ensure that it gets implemented properly”. He said that department is making efforts to create effective mechanism so that employees get the benefits of the fund.

Sources said that seriousness of the officials could be gauged from the fact that even District Welfare Committees, Provincial Welfare Committees and Central Welfare Committee required to generate data of the workers working in respective zones have not been completed thus pushing back the basic objective of the scheme. Each employee at present is contributing money ranging from Rs 200-to Rs 50 per month to the fund and State Government was also supposed to contribute to this scheme.

It is pertinent to mention here that it is not only the permanent employees who are facing the problems due to non-implementation of various schemes in the Department, but even the daily wagers who are backbone of the maintenance and distribution system have been denied their rights.

Nearly 5000 daily wagers working in PDD have so far not provided cover of Janata Insurance scheme, aimed at providing insurance to the daily rate workers who mostly work in the field.

“Though the state government has assured that it will be implemented but so far nothing has been done in this regard. In absence of any insurance cover most of the injured workers have not received any financial help from the department”, said Tarun Gupta, state president of Daily wagers Association.

Flyover dream a reality, but red tapism may delay its completion

Flyover dream a reality, but red tapism may delay its completion

 

Yash Khajuria                      8/22/2011 9:29:34 PM

JAMMU, Aug 22: After facing many delays and bureaucratic hurdles, the process of constructing the flyover in Jammu to end the long traffic jams has finally begun. 

Officials said that with government giving green signal to start work on them, administration has started the groundwork. 

The state government is constructing flyovers in different areas to reduce the problem of heavy Traffic Jam during peak hour, which has become a major menace in the city due to rapid urbanization. 

It is pertinent to mention here that the flyovers are to be constructed from Kanjuwani to Marbal market, Satwari to Bikram Chowk and BC road to Amphalla and road widening is also been approved for other roads in the city. 

However, sources said that slow planning may mar these projects as officials have failed to provide detailed report to the administration. 

It is pertinent to mention here that the government has also planned in the mega project aimed at decongesting and providing better road connectivity of the city. 

With the launching of the project, people are expected that the prestigious 4-lane Bye-Pass Project would be pushed ahead with full force to minimize traffic jams. 

Divisional Commissioner, Pawan Kotwal said that the road widening work will start soon on Bikram Chowk and as far as flyover is considered administration is starting the groundwork. 

He further added that Kanjuwani and BC road files under processed after road widening we will start as soon as possible. 

In what could add more blues to the nightmares of traffic police and other traffic regulating agencies in the state, Jammu and Kashmir Transport Department has registered 36,238 fresh vehicles till ending September last year. 

This apart, the department has also issued nearly 45,318 driving licenses which include 2,452 commercial and 42,866 non commercial across the state. 

Adding another huge fleet to the already over burdened roads, the official records suggest that out of the total vehicles registered this year 23,935 were for Jammu division and 12,203 for Kashmir valley. 

“Addition of these vehicles is like another frightening experience for us, though we cannot stop people buying cars, but there are no new roads to accommodate these in the state”, said a top official from the Transport Department. 

Sources said that though the government has realized revenue of Rs 63.36 crore through Transport Department during the current financial year in the shape of taxes and fee from transporters, but the affect on the roads with addition of these vehicles will be devastating in coming months. 

“The way private cars are added to Jammu, people should prepare themselves for long trafficjams in coming years”, said a traffic inspector deployed in the city.

Apprehensions over handing of Guru, but decision lies with president: Omar

Apprehensions over handing of Guru, but decision lies with president: Omar

 

Yash Khajuria                                                            8/18/2011 8:07:56 PM

JAMMU, Aug 18: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday said that he has ‘apprehensions’ if parliament attack convicts Afzal Guru is hanged and he has conveyed these to the central government. 

‘Having seen the situation as chief minister for the past three years I have certain apprehensions if Afzal Guru is hanged,’ he said at a press conference here. ‘But the decision lies with the president,’ he added. 

Saying he has been against the hanging of Afzal Guru from the very beginning, Abdullah said the execution could disturb peace in Kashmir. ‘My interest is in peace in Kashmir,’ he stressed. 

Union Government has shown seriousness in resolving political issues of Jammu and Kashmir. “Union Home Minister is on record as saying that the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India has been in unique circumstances and political issues of the State require a unique approach to address these”, he said adding that he has conveyed his apprehensions and views about the death sentence to Afzal Guru to the Union Government. 

However, he added that the decision in this regard is with the President of India. 

Underlining corruption as huge concern for the people in the country, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Thursday said that while framing a strategy to eradicate this menace, the role of Parliament and its constitutional position cannot be subverted. 

In reply to a question, Omar Abdullah expressed confidence that the Government of India would give due weightage to the recommendations of Interlocutors elaborating that the “Laws are enacted in the Parliament and Draft Lok Pal Bill prepared after elaborated discussion and deliberations by the Government and civil society members is before the Parliament now”, he said asserting that Parliament should be allowed to do its job. He said Parliament Members enjoy the support and trust of more than ½ billion of people of the country. 

He said it is amazing when we hear people saying that they respect the Parliament and not the Parliament Members. 

In reply to another question about the attitude of this party regarding Kulgam rape allegation, Omar Abdullah said that PDP is always in search of occasions to create law and order problems and disturb the peace in the State. “It is in this pursuit they staged dharna at Kulgam, exploited public emotions and created law and order problem before the allegation was enquired upon”, he said now truth has been digged out and it is up to this party to change this kind of approach. 

He said that Vigilance Commission Bill is being amendment in the State as various civil society members are gave new suggestions and in the light of those suggestions the amendment procedure are being farmed. He said that a list of corrupt officials is being prepared and the Chief Secretary has been entrusted the task in this regard. 

In reply to another question, Omar Abdullah said that an enquiry is being established to ascertain the causes for sinking of recently constructed bridges near Purmandal and another area.

Anna continue to get support in J&K, protesters block national highway

Anna continue to get support in J&K, protesters block national highway

Yash Khajuria                                                           8/17/2011 7:37:12 PM

JAMMU, Aug 17: Anti-corruption crusade launched by Anna Hazare continue to get support in Jammu and Kashmir as large number of people today held protest demonstration against the UPA government. 

Large number of people in different parts of Jammu division organised rallies in support of Anna and demanded that the Lokpal Bill drafted by him should be adopted by the government. 

Raising slogans against the government, people blocked vehicular traffic at various places on the 100 kms long Jammu-Pathankot highway. The road blocks caused inconvenience to commuters and hundreds of Vaishnodevi pilgrims. 

Students boycotted classes and came out in support of Anna in Jammu. 

National Forum for Peace and Human Rights, a social organization in Rajouri also protested against the attitude of the UPA government towards Hazare. 

Bhartiya Chaitanya Party (BCP) along with some social organizations performed protest demonstration at Press club Jammu and demanded hast release of Anna Hazare from the custody of Delhi police. 
Shamsher Singh Manhas State president, Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) said “This incident has reminded the nation of emergency days”. He said that it has become customary with the Congress leaders to adopt every undemocratic mean to curb the voice of nationalist people as well as those adopting non violent and non-provocative path for the redressal of their grievances. 

Announcing this incident as ‘murder of democracy’ Manhas said that the way Anna Hazare was arrested by Delhi Police cannot be justified by any yard-stick. It is even against the spirit of constitution, which allows every individual to protest or observe hunger strike in a peaceful manner. 

Prof. Bhim Singh Chief, National Panthers Party (NPP) said that Anna’s arrest is an outrageous act of Home Ministry. Singh said that there are millions in this country who may not share Anna’s views to include the Apex Court and the PM in his Lokpal agenda yet there is not a single peace and freedom loving citizen who would support the outrageous act of Delhi Police under the patronage of the Union Home Minister.

Rs 3 cr to boost saffron produce in Jammu

Rs 3 cr to boost saffron produce in Jammu
Yash Khajuria	8/9/2011 8:56:16 PM

JAMMU, Aug 9: An amount of Rs 3.22 crore will be utilized for boosting saffron cultivation in district Kishtwar during the current financial year, Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir said while inaugurating 2-day training programme on production of quality Saffron under National Mission on Saffron- 
Economical Revival under Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Yojna in the Directorate of Agriculture, Jammu. 

As many as, 80 progressive farmers hailing from Kishtwar and other temperate areas of Jammu Division besides officers of the Agriculture Department from all the districts are participating in the programme. 

The Minister said that the state government is taking measures to improve the quality and productivity of Saffron cultivation. 

He said that service provider are proposed to be appointed to assist the farmers in adopting organic cultivation, practices and in marketing the saffron produce of the area so that the farmers are able to get a better price for the Saffron produced by them. 

The cultivation of saffron is a traditional art. In India, 5,707 hectares of land comes under its cultivation. Its annual production is around sixteen thousand kilograms. The state of Jammu and Kashmir tops the list of the saffron growing states in India. it can be gauged from the fact that out of the total 5,707 hectares of land under its 
cultivation 4,496 hectares lie exclusively in Jammu and Kashmir. 

In Kashmir, Pampore, which is situated at a distance of 15 kilometers from Srinagar, is famous the world over for its high grade saffron. Saffron is also grown, though in a limited scale, in Kishtwar of Jammu. Pampore and its neighboring areas produce an average of 2,128 kilograms of saffron every year. 

Sir Water Lawrence, in his book "The Valley of Kashmir" has written about saffron. He undertook a detailed study of the cultivation of saffron and its utilities. He writes people from different parts of Kashmir used to thromg Pampore for the cultivation of Saffron. Now, this is the exclusive preserve of the local population. Increasingly, saffron then used to be sold at a price of one rupee a tola. He adds 
that till 1923, the maximum production of saffron was recorded in the Naga area of Pampore. 

Now the average earning from its cultivation is from 30 to 40 crore rupees. Hence, after the production of fruits, the cultivation of saffron is the second largest activity in the state. So, it is necessary that new techniques are used to promote the cultivation of saffron. Modern and scientific techniques must be used.

Appointment of Bloria widely hailed in Jammu

Appointment of Bloria widely hailed in Jammu

Yash Khajuria                                                                                8/9/2011 10:12:48 PM

JAMMU, Aug 9: With central government appointing S.S Bloria as first Vice-Chancellor of the Central University Jammu, various political and social organisation has hailed his appointment. 

After this phase of extended protest demonstrations of nearly 45 days on the delay of the vice chancellor of Central University Jammu have come to an end. 

Central University in the state has remained controversial from day one; First Jammu opposed the grant of central university to Kashmir valley, forcing union government to amend its laws to allow two central universities in one state. 

Right after the sanctioning of separate central university for Jammu in march 2009, uncertainty remained over the appointment of vice chancellor, In December last year, the union HRD ministry decided to appoint former Jammu university VC Amitabh Mattoo as first VC of CUJ but student as well as political organizations protested against this move of government in Jammu, as various organizations were in the favour of giving this responsibility to a Jammuitie, and now HRD ministry has learnt its lessons and has decided to appoint the former CS of J&K on this post. 

Partap Singh Jamwal , president National Panthers Student Union (NPSU) on Bloeria’s appointment has said that our issue was to make functioning Central University as soon as possible and NPSU has never demanded for a local VC and it is not the issue for them but we welcome this move by the higher authorities and demanding immediate actions from the administration to take a building on rent as it was taken in the valley and publish the notifications for the admission process so that the university can start session at the earliest. 

Dr. Jetinder Singh Rana Spokesperson, Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) on Bloeria’s appointment said that despite of the demands of a local for the position of a vice chancellor of CU Jammu, BJP has always demanded that only a person who is well qualified, deserving and appropriate for the post should be appointed there. Now the government has appointed him on the post which is welcomed by the party but since the last two sessions of CUJ already had been wasted thus the government has to start this session instantly. 

Ashwani Chrungoo president, Pannun Kashmir has said that “without wasting any more time administration should have to provide the necessary infrastructure and don’t force the protestors for one more protest because it will destroy this session of CUJ too. 

This issue was disturbing the Jammu from the very beginning of it but now it has been resolved and we welcome Bloeria as the first VC of the CUJ, he said. 

He said that the people of Jammu have to celebrate this step of the government, since now soon they will have a functioning central university which will be the fruit of their protest and sacrifices. 

Y V Sharma president Chamber Of Commerce on this issue has said that this step has belatedly been taken by government. If administration would took this decision in time then the loss of the student would never happened, Now the authorities should have to start CUJ functional without wasting a single day. 

He said that delay of this kind hurts the people since they have to protest and fast to acquire their primary outstandings. Bloeria is a 1968 batch IAS officer who rose to become chief secretary in 2003 and retired in 2005. He is a native of Jammu. Union Human Resources minister Kapil Sibal has informed chief minister Omar Abdullah about it. 

According to the official source HRD ministry had forwarded five names for the important post but the name of Bloeria was on the top and he has been appointed as the first VC of CUJ.

Employees serves one month ultimatum to Govt

Day 2 of strike

           Employees serves one month ultimatum to Govt

Yash Khajuria                                                                                                    8/6/2011 9:52:31 PM

JAMMU, Aug 6: Employees of the Jammu and Kashmir have served one month’s ultimatum to government to solve their issue or they will start new agitation. 

“For the second day today, almost all government offices, PSUs and Corporations remained closed thereby paralysing the state administration," senior leader of Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) of J&K Government employees, Ram Kumar said. 

It is a token strike to protest against the State government's delay tactics over agreed demands of grant of sixth pay commission arrears, increase in retirement age from 58 to 60 years besides others. 

JCC is a conglomeration of over 50 different associations, federations, unions and organisations of various departments and PSUs in the state. 

"We want the State government to concede the much delayed demands of grant of sixth pay commission arrears, enhancement of retirement age from 58 to 60 years, regularisation of various contractual and daily wage employees," Kumar said. 
There are over 4.5 lakh government employees apart from employees of various corporations, PSUs and autonomous bodies in Jammu and Kashmir. 

Reiterating their demand for the initiating the process to regularize the daily rated workers who have completed seven years of service after 1994, another leader Babu Hussain Malik said, “In February 2009 government had announced on the floor of the house about their regularization and on May 14 2010 cabinet sub-committee had declared that orders will be issued within 15 days, but nothing has been done so far”. 

Lambasting the arrogant attitude of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Amrik Singh condemned the silence maintained by Omar which had totally failed to address their issues 

“It seems present regime is totally apathetic towards the problems of the workers who were promised all their issues will be solved. But in turn employees are being provoked by the workers”, Ram Kumar Sharma said. 

Sharma said that JCC has already rejected the roadmap of the state government for the release of 6th Pay Commission arrears. “We want that they should release the arrears in two equal installments as per the central government pattern in favour of employees and pensioners”, he said

Don’t cross your limits in JU, Sahni warns students

Don’t cross your limits in JU, Sahni warns students

Yash Khajuria                                                                       8/3/2011 9:17:37 PM  

JAMMU, Aug 3: Sending tough message to the student leaders holding daily protests in the Jammu University, Vice-Chancellor Varun Sahini, today said that tough action would be taken against them, if they don’t stop their protests.

He also condemned the student associations of creating disturbance by burning effigies of Chancellor and Pro-chancellor in the University campus in a press conference,here today.

In a media briefing, Sahini said that university has a democratic system, each and every student have the liberty to express, but the things happening in the campus for last couple of days are just the ‘extent of stupidity’.

He said that if these so called leaders of their respective association by this kind of attitude of everyday protest demonstration and by lighting effigies can force somebody to take actions in their favour that too from the controller of the university so that is the extent of stupidity.

“This is a fresh session and students here in the university had competed in a tough entrance test to attain seats, and our priority is to provide best infrastructure and faculty and we won’t allow anybody to pretend their selves as a leader and create disturbance in the campus”, he said.

He said that JU is among the best 29 universities in the country, having more than 1 lakh students including distance department. “We have good infrastructure and are approaching for the best but unfortunately the disturbing elements having a group of 15-20 individuals in a corner of university raise slogans and burn effigies every day”, he said.

He said that everything has a limit they burnt effigies of VC, I kept quite but now they crossed their limits by burning effigies of Chancellor and Pro-chancellor of the University and alleging them of interfering in the proceedings of University, they are the member of powering authorities of JU, I would like to make it clear that nothing is there beyond these protest. And if anybody wants to be politician then he can join a political party.

He also alleged that such element are the outsiders and are not even the student of JU.

Central University row

Controversy mars academic session of CU Jammu 

Yash Khajuria                                                                     01/08/2011

JAMMU, Aug 1: Where the Central University in Kashmir is conducting its second session in a row; its counterpart in Jammu is looking totally distracted, with a controversy on the start point as well as the appointment of Vice Chancellor itself. 

Central University in the state has remained controversial from day one. First Jammu opposed the grant of central university to Kashmir valley, forcing union government to amend its laws to allow two central universities in one state. 

After getting a central university, a lobby in Jammu demanded a Dogra vice chancellor soon after the news about appointment of Prof Amitabh Mattoo surfaced. 

Mattoo, has served as the vice chancellor of Jammu University. 

A strong lobby in Jammu has opposed to Mattoo’s appointment. They accused Mattoo of bungling in fund allocations, appointments, promotions during his stint as the VC of Jammu University. 

The organizations opposing his candidature include Jammu Joint Students Federation (JJSF), People’s Revolutionary Movement (PRM), Joint Action Committee of Students and Scholars (JACSS), Jammu Central University Morcha (JCUM) and Shri Ram Sena (SRS). 

They allege that all the universities of Kashmir have local VC’s and all the universities in Jammu have outsider as head except Baba Ghulam Shah University. 
Dr. Jetinder Singh Rana, spokesperson Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) said that the BJP has always taken a stand against regional discrimination and the party is concerned over the intentional delay in the starting of first session of Central University when the similar University in Kashmir is about to start its 3rd session. 

When asked regarding the appointment of VC for CUJ he said that only a person who is well qualified, deserving and appropriate for the post should be appointed there. But it doesn’t means that we don’t want a VC from Jammu, there are so many qualified people here, why can’t they be selected. 

While president National Panthers Students Union, Partap Singh Jamwal said that the delay in the central university is being done intentionally by the state government as it being done previously on various issues, but the worst thing is that our representative from Jammu province here in the assembly are not doing their job substantially . “As far as the concerns over the demand of local VC students just need a VC to run the university, let it be from any part of the state, be he a Hindu or Muslim, but he has to be there which must is” he added. 

Everyday protest by these political parties and Student Organisations attaining zilch due to the lack of coordination and by having different issues somebody just want central university functional and some demands local VC for the University, but the fact is clear that the students who have the actual concern over the matter have had lost one more session during this period.