CM opens Boys' Hostel at Baba Ghulam Shah university at Rajouri

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday asked the students to concentrate wholeheartedly on their studies and bring laurels to the State by exhibiting their mettle and excellence in the field of science and technology.

The Chief Minister, on the last phase of his three-day extensive tour of the twin border district of Rajouri and Poonch, today visited Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah (BGSB) University of Science and Technology, about 11 kilometres from here.

Mr. Abdullah said, "Your parents want you to be example for others and earn them name by achieving new highs in education", adding, "You should come up to the expectations of your parents and the State".

After addressing the students, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Boys' Hostel and also laid the foundation stone of the School of Biosciences and Biotechnology Park. The boys' hostel has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 2.30 crore and will accommodate nearly 300 students. The hostel comprises 65 rooms, besides dining halls and other facilities.

Later, the Vice Chancellor, Mr. Masud Chowdhary briefed the Chief Minister about the academic and infrastructure development programmes of the University. Mr. Abdullah asked the University Management to look for generating more and more resources for making the university self-sufficient. He said that subjects of high marketability should be made important part of the curricular activities so that after passing out, the students are absorbed without having to wait for long.

The Chief Minister also visited various faculties and blocks of the University and interacted with the teaching staff.

Later, Mr. Abdullah distributed appointment letters among 24 youth under SRO-43 while as 16 persons were given cheques of Rs. 4 lakh each, in lieu of the appointments.

Yesterday, the Chief Minister had distributed similar cheques at Poonch among the persons under SRO-43.

Speaking to the beneficiaries, the Chief Minister said that relief provided by way of financial assistance or in the shape of employment would not compensate the loss of their dear ones, however, it is only to express sympathy of the Government and the concern it has for the welfare of the bereaved families.

Press club Jammu set for elections

The sitting president of the Press Club of Jammu, Manu Shrivatsa accompanied by his ten member team today filed the nomination papers for the post of President of the Club, elections of which scheduled to be held on February 25, 2008.

Mr Shrivatsa, who is sitting President of the Club, is seeking mandate of the journalist fraternity to further accelerate the developmental activities of the Club.

Accompanied by a number of working journalists, Manu Shrivatsa filed his paper for the post president, Sohial Kazmi for the post for secretary general, Raju Kerni for the post of vice president and Zorawar Singh for the post of treasurer.

In the previous team Manu Shrivatsa is the president and Sohail Kazmi is secretary general. Raju Kerni, a veteran journalist, who had won last election as Treasurer, is seeking mandate of the voters for the post of vice president.

For this panel, seven journalists namely Sant Kumar Sharma, Rajnesh Parihan, Channi Anand, Mukesh Gupta, Sanjeev Sharma, Sanjay Pathak and Vinod Kumar filed their papers for the posts of the member executive committee. First time a journalist from Kathua is also contesting election of Press Club. Sanjay Pathak, who is the panel of this team, a prominent journalist of Kathua district.

While addressing the journalist fraternity after filing the nominations, Sohail Kazmi said that during their tenure their team has accelerated developmental activities in the Press Club. He said that their panel has been seeking mandate on developmental plank and said that their team has initiated many welfare schemes for the journalist members.

Reporters and photo journalists from all the prominent news papers and news channels were present on the occasion to express their solidarity with the present team and assured full cooperation in elections. They said that victory of the present team is must in the interest of the working journalists.

J&K annual plan pegged at Rs.6,500 cr

The Minister for Finance, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rahim rather today said that the next year's proposed Annual Plan size of Jammu and Kashmir is slated to be Rs. 6,500 crore, excluding Rs. 2,417 crore proposed plan outlay under the Prime Minister's Reconstruction Programme (PMRP) for 2009-10.

The proposed plan outlay 2009-10 was discussed at a high-level meeting here today, held under the chairmanship of Minister for Finance, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather.

The proposed plan outlay will soon be submitted to the Planning Commission, Government of India, for subsequent approval.

The meeting discussed threadbare proposed plan of PMRP and earmarked Rs. 2,417 core for 2009-10 to complete the various flagship programmes undertaken under this scheme. The important projects taken up under this programme include Baglihar Hydro Electric Project, Mughal Road, Srinagar-Leh Power Transmission & Distribution Line, Khanabal-Pahalgam Road, Narbal-Tangmarg Road, 14 New Colleges, 9 New Women ITIs, Model villages, Two-Room quarters for Kashmiri migrants under Phase I and Ramban-Dhamkund Road, 10 more collages and 5 more ITIs of Phase II.

To minimize the negative impact of global economic meltdown and the recessionary trends it has produced all over the world on the economy and developmental schemes, the meeting discussed a comprehensive stimulus plan of Rs. 1,000 crore for rural infrastructure and social security schemes in the State to be forwarded to the Central Government for approval. The plan was formulated in the backdrop of communication received by the Government from the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, to take appropriate monetary steps to supplement the fiscal measures designed by Centre to stimulate the economy.

The works covered under the flagship programmes include Housing for urban poor, Indira Awas Yojana, Jawahar Lal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and National Social Assistance Programme.

J&K tableau for republic day gets national prize

This year's Republic Day tableau "Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir" prepared by J&K Academy of Art Culture and Language for Republic Day Prade held at New Delhi, got National prize for the State in overall competition of 18 tableaus.

Sh . Zaffar Iqbal Manhas , Secretary JK Cultural Academy today received the prize on behalf of State of Jammu and Kashmir from Union Minister for Defence Sh. A K Antony in a function held at New Delhi today. The Designer of the tableau Sh Chushool Mahaldar was also accompanied the Secretary on the occasion.

After receiving award Mr Zaffar told news persons that the tableau of State adjudged best third in overall competition adding that state's tableau for the Republic Day brought a magnificent picture to Rajpath about the tourism potential available in all the three regions — Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. He said that this prize is a national recognition for State's diversed culture adding this is a matter of pride for the people in Jammu and Kashmir, it has put on the Academy a responsibility for maintaining the honour in years to come.

Designed by a Delhi-based States creative consultant and veteran artist Chushool Mahaldar, the tableau was aimed to project the state as a safe destination for visitors from across the globe, said Zaffar added that "We want to tell the world that Jammu and Kashmir is a safe tourist destination.

The tableau presented the Replica of a Gompa — monastery where Buddhist monks and nuns live, study and practice religion in Ladakh — will pull the houseboat-shaped tableau depicted the diveresed Culture of Ladakh. In the "houseboat" was seated by Kashmiri folk- musicians playing traditional instruments like rabab, sarangi, matka (pitcher) and tumbhaknar. The Kudd dance, was performed at the end of sowing or harvesting represented Jammu in the tabeau.

Behind this proud achievement is versatile artists team who conceived, designed and finally presented it under the aegis of Jammu and Kashmir Academy said Zaffar.

J&K government orders transfers in planning department

Transfers and postings in Planning Deptt.

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 20 - The Government has ordered transfers and postings in the Planning & Development Department with immediate effect.

Mr. R.P.Sazgotra, I/C Director, Manpower Planning, has been transferred and posted as I/C Director, R&B.

Mr. B.R. Lachotra, I/C Director, BADP, has been transferred and posted as I/C Director PHE/I&FC.

Mr. A.K. Gandotra, Joint director, Forest Department, has been transferred and posted as I/C Director, Agriculture Production Department.

It has further ordered re-designation of I/C Directors working in the Planning & Development Department.

Mr. S.A. Qureshi has been re-designated as I/C Director, Perspective & Man Power Planning., Mr. Manohar Khajuria as I/C Director, Project Appraisal & Plan Monitoring and Mr. Ravi Kumar has been re-designated as I/C Director, Central Sector Schemes.

Further, Mr. S. S. Jamwal, Joint Director, Agriculture Production Department and Mr. Pervaiz Sajad Kakroo, I/C Joint Director, PHE/I&FC have been asked to report to Planning & Development Department for further adjustments