FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2017 (PAGE 14) DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU

Harsh opposes guest control, others welcome decision

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 23: There hasbeen mixed response toGovernment’s decision on guestcontrol. While some organiza-tions supported the decisionsome have questioned the samesaying the order violates thefundamental rights of the peo-ple.

Criticizing the StateGovernment for grossly failingto live up to the expectations ofthe people, Harsh Dev SinghChairman, JKNPP and formerMinister condemned the rulingalliance for issuing absurdorders to divert the attention ofthe public from its mal- gover-nance, and misrule. He wasreferring to the recent ‘GuestControl Order’ issued by theFood Civil Supplies andConsumer Affairs Department,(FCS&CAD) which he saiddefied all logic and rationalebesides being violative of fun-damental rights of citizens.

Addressing the media, HarshDev ridiculed the issuance ofOrder No 39-FCS &CA of 2017to be implemented with effectfrom April, 1 this year asabsurd, whimsical and freakish.He said that the order had put acapping on the number of gueststo be invited in the weddings, onthe number of vegetarian andnon –vegetarian dishes cookedat marriage functions besidescomplete ban on sending dryfruits, sweets with invitationcards by any person to relatives,friends and guests. He furthersaid that the deviant order alsobanned the use of amplifiers,loud speakers, profuse lightingand fire crackers in all suchsocial and private functions.

Terming the recently issued

Guest Control Order as farcicaland ludicrous, Singh said thatthe State Government seemed tohave lost its political acumenand the maverick regime hadnow started poking its nose intoprivate life of the citizens. Hesaid that the coalition of diamet-rically opposite poles had goneberserk by outlandishly interfer-ing in the rituals and customs ofthe varied communities whichonly showcased that the presentgovernment had lost its trackand become mentally bankrupt.

Criticizing the Governmentdecision senior VHP leader, DrRama Kant Dubey said that theorder was issued in haste as theGovernment was supposed toconsult the socio-political lead-ers heads of various religiousand social bodies and ascertaintheir views about the same.

He said the order was issuedin haste and it will meet thesame fate which earlier orderissued by the Government met.He said though religious andsocial organizations areopposed to lavish spending insocial functions like marriagesbut at the same time theGovernment has no right to curbthe fundamental rights of thepeople.

He said the socio-religiousorganisations working for thewelfare of society are fullyaware of social evils prevalentin society and had they beentaken on bard before issuing theorder they could have guidedthe Government in a better way.

However All Biradri/ SabhaCoordination Committeetermed the decision of theGovernment as a result of theirprotracted struggle in thisregard. However the Committeein a handout issued here today

said before taking the decisionthe Biradaris should have alsobeen taken into confidence.

Committee organizer VinodGupta said no doubt the orderwill prove a milestone in endingthe lavish spending in the mar-riage but he stressed that thedecision should become a partof Legislation in the State.

All India Backward ClassesUnion (AIBCU) while welcom-ing the decision said theGovernment should implementthe same in letter and spirit sothat the poor people can heave asigh of relief. Besides the Unionin its meeting held under thechairmanship of Abdul MajidMalik demanded that a com-plete check be maintained onbanquet halls whose manage-ment is charging very high faresfrom the people.

The meeting was attendedby Prof Kali Dass and M RBangotra also.

Haq for making constituencies nodal points of development

Excelsior Correspondent

KULGAM, Feb 23: Ministerfor Rural Development andPanchayati Raj, Abdul Haq, todaypitched for making constituenciesas nodal points of developmentand plan execution. He also urgedpublic representatives to serve asprime movers of development byproperly monitoring the develop-mental activities.

The Minister stated this whilechairing District DevelopmentBoard meeting of Kulgam districtto discuss and approve the annualdistrict plan today.

MP Nazir Ahmad Laway,MLAs Muhammad YousufTarigami, Abdul Majid Bhat,Mohammad Amin Bhat, AbdulMajid Padder, DDC Kulgam,heads of concerned departments,district and sectoral officers,besides other concerned attendedthe meeting.

On the occasion, DDC

Showkat Aijaz Bhat briefed theMinister about progress made inthe implementation of previousDDB decisions. It was given outthat against availability of Rs68.29 crore, an expenditure of Rs45.13 crore has been made bymid-February 2017.

Abdul Haq impressed the offi-cials of Horticulture Departmentto develop high density orchardsin the district by providing theroot-stock to the orchardists.Besides, he enjoined them to pro-vide grafted walnut plants forupper Devsar and DH Pora belts.

The Minister said that theGovernment is committed to pro-vide funds to only those projectswhich have been technicallyapproved and vetted by the

Departments. He directed the officers to pri-

oritise those schemes and projectswhich are near completion butlinger on due to meagre fundingso that they can be physically andfinancially completed.

The Chairman exhorted theofficers to take the developmenton mission mode basis so that itsfruition is cherished by the gener-al public.

On the occasion legislatorssought the realignment in 33 KVYaripora receiving station withKulgam grid station. They alsohighlighted the need of augment-ing strength of doctors and para-medics, besides completion ofpending work of different PHCsin the district.

Sham inaugurates ‘Vision-J&K’Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 23: Ministerfor PHE, Irrigation & FloodControl Sham Lal Choudharytoday inaugurated three-dayworkshop 'Vision J&K' at TalabTillo.

Member ParliamentShamsher Singh Manhas, MLAKhour Dr Krishan Lal Bhagatand other officers of variousdepartments were present on theoccasion.

The objective of organizingthe workshop is to create aware-ness among the youth aboutemployment opportunities inGovernment and private enter-prises.

While addressing the gather-ing, the Minister said the StateGovernment has launched manyschemes for providing employ-ment opportunities to the youthin and outside the State. Eventslike these help educate and cre-ate awareness among massesespecially youth about variousavenues open for them toexplore and exceed in, he added.

As many as 30 Governmentorganizations and many privatecompanies displayed their stallsat the exhibition includingIndian Space ResearchOrganization (ISRO), SteelAuthority of India, IndianRailways, CSIR, DBT, MOES,TDB, NATMO, RuralElectrification Corporation,National Skill DevelopmentCorporation, NTPC, SpicesBoard, Coffee Board, NRDC,JAKEDA, PowerGrid, KVICand Cashew Board.

The main attraction of theexhibition was the pavilion byISRO where various models ofsatellites were displayed forpublic viewing.

The event highlighted vari-ous schemes and policies in thefields of Research andDevelopment, Science andTechnology by CSIR, NRDC,TDB and DBT and displayedseveral of their activities,achievements, programmes andcontribution in the fields of thescience and technology.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 23: In a muchpublicized Udhampur terror attackcase, Division Bench of State HighCourt comprising JusticeMohammad Yaqoob Mir andJustice Janak Raj Kotwal todaydirected trial court to strictly followthe provisions of Section 17 of theNIA Act and Section 44 of theUnlawful Activities (Prevention)Act.

The direction was passed in anappeal filed against the order datedDecember 9, 2016 whereby trialcourt had opined that the state-ments of the protected witnessesare to be recorded in the absence ofthe court but in the presence ofrespective counsels.

After hearing Advocate RahulBharti with Advocate SatinderGupta, who filed revision againstthe order of trial court, DivisionBench observed, “special court ifso desires for reasons to be record-ed in writing may hold the pro-ceedings in-camera. Sub-Section(2) provides that on an applicationof a witness or by the PublicProsecutor or court on its ownmotion if satisfied that the life ofsuch witness is in danger then forreasons to be recorded in writingshall take such measures as it maydeems fit for keeping the identityand address of such witnesssecret”.

“The proceedings so far asrecorded by the trial court fromtime to time do not indicate any-where that it has recorded any rea-son as was required to be done interms of Section 17 of the NIAActor under Section 44 of theUnlawful Activities (Prevention)Act”, the DB said, adding “SpecialJudge has not recorded any reason

for holding the proceedings in-camera nor it is anywhere men-tioned that any application wasmade by any witness or by PP orthe court on its own motion wassatisfied that life of such witnesses(protected witnesses) is in danger”.

The DB further observed,“order dated 09.12.2016 passed bythe Special Judge rejecting theapplication of the accused is aninterlocutory order, therefore underSection 21 of the NIA Act, appealor revision cannot lie and counselfor the appellants while confrontedwith the legal position would con-tend that the order in effect is final,appeal can be maintained but weare not persuaded to accept thesubmission”.

“But at the same time, whilenoticing that Special Judge hasnot followed the procedure asenvisaged under Section 17 of theNIAAct or under Section 44 of theUnlawful Activities (Prevention)Act regarding holding of trial in-camera or taking measures forkeeping the identity and address ofprotected witnesses secret and foravoiding miscarriage of justice andfor fair trial to the accused, we areinclined to invoke powers underSection 561-A CrPC and to set-aside the order impugned whichwe do”, the DB said.

“To avoid any protraction inthe trial proceedings, the file shallbe sent back to the trial court forth-with along with copy of this orderso as to enable the Special Judge tofix the schedule for production andexamination of the witnesses”, theDB said, adding “the trial courtshall strictly follow the provisionsof Section 17 of the NIA Act andSection 44 of the UnlawfulActivities (Prevention) Act”.

J&K representatives during Shaam-e-Kargil in Mumbai.

JK Tourism organizesShaam-e-Kargil in Mumbai

Excelsior Correspondent

MUMBAI, Feb 23: J&KTourism Department today organ-ized an evening of interaction withvarious Maharashtra tourism asso-ciations and media. The eveningtitled as Shaam-e-Kargil focusedon promoting unexplored destina-tions in J&K particularly Kargil.

Chairman Legislative CouncilHaji Anayat Ali inaugurated theevening show in presence of CEC,LAHDC Kargil Haji KachuAhmed Ali Khan, Vice Chairman,JKTDC Rafi Ahmad Mir,Secretary Tourism & FloricultureFarooq Ahmad Shah, DirectorTourism Kashmir Mahmood AShah and MD Cable Car ShamimWani.

Speaking on the occasion, HajiAnayat Ali appreciated the effortsof Chief Minister MehboobaMufti to promote Kargil as anindependent tourist destination.He said the present dispensation isutilizing funds for the infrastruc-ture development of Kargilbesides upgrading tourist facilitiesthere.

Vice Chairman JKTDC RafiAhmad Mir said the TourismDepartment is also upgrading the

huts for comfortable stay of thetourists in the State.

CEC LAHDC Kargil HajiKachu Mohammad Khan alsothrew light on the tourism poten-tial of Kargil.

Secretary Tourism andFloriculture Farooq AShah termedMaharashtra travel fraternity as"Dost-e-Kashmir" and said thepeople affiliated with Maharashtratourism trade have always acted asgreat friends by promoting JammuKashmir as their priority destina-tion.

The Maharashtra TourOperator Association along withthe Managing Director of HeenaTours, Kesri Tours, Heena TravelsGM Leisure Travel, Cox andKings and Thomas Cook assuredthat Jammu Kashmir is and will bealways the priority destination intheir itineraries.

Earlier, the J&K TourismDepartment participated in India'sbiggest travel show OTM inMumbai, where the J&K pavilionsreceived overwhelming responsefrom the visitors and participants.The travel show witnesses interna-tional participation from about 50countries, besides tourism boardsfrom all over the country.

ADKUF expresses concern over ration problem

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 23: AllDisplaced Kashmiri UnitedForum (ADKUF) in a meetingtoday held under the chairman-ship of DN Kissu expressed graveconcern over the ration problemdeliberately cropped up by theFood Civil Supplies & ConsumerAffairs Department (FCS&CAD).

Addressing the meeting Kissusaid that the Department hasfailed to address the problem forthe past six months period.Following strike of ration deal-ers, a number of APL ration cardsmost of them of senior citizens,in the list issued by theDepartment , have gone missingand are denied ration. The dis-placed community has to runfrom one office to another insearch of some relief. He lam-basted the concerned for beinginsensitive and unconcernedabout the problem. Surprisinglynon migrants are being taken careof promptly particularly inValley, he added.

P L Sudeshi president of theForum while welcoming CentralGovernment's proposal for reha-bilitating Pandits in Valley said,that aspirations of Pandits will bemet only after rehabilitating atsingle place, entire community isunited on this issue.

Professor GL Koul appealedCentral and the State

Government that the Pandits bedeclared internally displacedminority community accordingto the set national and interna-tional parameters on the issue.

P N Raina general secretarysaid that the Forum vehementlyopposes settling of Rohingyasrefuges and demanded a thor-ough probe to investigate, exposeand punish those supporting theirillegal settlement in the State. Hefurther said that it is embarrass-ing that Aadhar and ration cardshave been arranged for themwhereas ration is denied to thegenuine State subjects. He addedthat the resolution passed by theState Assembly with hidden rideris nothing more than hoodwink-ing Central Government. Freshmigrant registration is a biggerconspiracy to change demo-graphic status of Jammu nowafter Kashmir.

Among others CL Koul Vicepresident, ML Koul, BN Bhat,CL Zutshi, Balji and NN Koulalso addressed in the meeting.

Meanwhile presidentSamajwadi Party (SP) MigrantCell Inder Ji Labroo accused theGovernment of its failure inmaking arrangements onMahashivratri at Jagti camp andalleged neither walnuts nor otheressential items were made avail-able to camp inmates and allclaims in this regard were hol-low.

HC directive to DSEKExcelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Feb 23: The StateHigh Court today directed theDirector School EducationKashmir (DSEK) to comply withthe directions of Court and provideall facilities to the educational insti-tutions in the Valley.

The direction to DSEK fol-lowed after the Court came acrosswith various insufficiencies indicat-ed in the report filed by the DSEK.Court during the perusal of statusreport observed that in variousschools electricity, fire extinguish-ers and LED bulbs have not beenprovided.

Besides these shortfalls, Courtalso came across other deficienciesin the status report. As such courtasked the Amicus who has beenprovided the copy of status report toverify whatever has been stated inthe report.

"In the meantime, DirectorSchool Education is required tocomply with the directions of thiscourt and make up the shortfallswithin a period of four weeks",directed the Division Bench ofJustice Ramalingam Sudhakar andJustice Ali Mohammad Magreywhile hearing a suo moto cog-nizance taken by the Chief Justiceof the State about burning down ofeducational institutions in the

Valley in last year uprising. Courtordered the matter be listed for fur-ther hearing on March 20.

Court in its directions, besidesprotection of educational institu-tions from further damage had alsodirected the authorities to takeimmediate measures for rebuildingthose schools which have beenburnt down or damaged by theoffenders during last year unrest.

It may be mentioned here thatabout 39 schools were burnt downand torched during the unrest andabout 47 persons were apprehend-ed by the police involving in theoffence.

Court also emphasized on thepeople of the State to ensure at theirlevel that the educational institu-tions in their areas are protectedwith the observation that like waterand air, education is also an essen-tial component of human life andfor moral, spiritual and materialdevelopment of a human being,education is of utmost importance

Court has reiterated that it(court) in these proceedings hasshown its deep concern about theburning down of the educationalinstitutions in various parts of theKashmir valley and in order toensure that educational institutionsare protected from being vandal-ized or damaged or burnt down,issued directions from time to time.

DB directives to trial court in Udhampur terror attack case

PK discusses socio-political scenario in J&K

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 23: PanunKashmir (PK) in its office bear-ers meeting here today discussedthe socio-political scenario pre-vailing in the State. The meetingwas held under the chairmanshipof Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo,president, P K. It besides otherswas attended by Prof.M.L.Raina, chairman, PoliticalAffairs Committee (PAC),Virender Raina, nationalspokesperson, Upinder Kaul,Kamal Bagati, Vijay Qazi andSameer Bhat.

Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo,president, PK in his address saidthat the struggle in exile of theKashmiri Pandit community hasreached a very crucial stagebecause of the fact that the gen-erational transition is takingplace. The new generation of thecommunity and the diaspora areeffectively linked due to themodern technology and hasevolved a better outlook to meetthe challenges of the presenttimes. The ideological thrust that

the struggle in exile has createdover the last three decades hasstarted bearing its fruits. In thiscontext, it is important that theissues pertaining to our geo-political concerns in the Valleyof Kashmir, the day to day sub-sistence and economic rehabili-tation issues and the existentialand civilizational identity con-cerns are addressed comprehen-sively.

Chrungoo said that is whythe "Comprehensive PoliticalAgenda" has been launched withthe active involvement of theenergetic and meaningful youthactivists of the community.While Margdarshan 1991 phi-losophy remains the main guid-ing principal, the declarationand the demand made in theHomeland Resolution alsoassumes more significance thanever before, he added.

He said P K is committed totake the struggle in exile to thenew level with effective strategyand speed.

Virender Raina, nationalspokesperson-PK criticized theseparatist-fundamentalist ele-ments in Kashmir for continuingto act as the surrogates ofPakistan and at the same timeenjoying the largesse of theIndian State. Their several state-ments and actions further exposetheir intolerant life patterntowards the minorities of theKashmir Valley. After genocide,ethnic cleansing and the massexodus of the community in theValley, these anti-Indian forceshave left no stone unturned todisallow any space for theminorities in Kashmir.

He said in all cases they havebeen refusing any kind ofKashmiri Pandit resettlement inKashmir Valley. It needs to besaid emphatically that theKashmiri Pandits have a rightfulclaim on the territory ofKashmir as the indigenous peo-ple of the Valley and they areparty to all negotiations onKashmir.

One killed inroad mishap

Excelsior CorrespondentSAMBA, Feb 23: One

pedestrian was killed on spotwhen he was trying to cross theroad near 17 Miles on Jammu-Pathankot National Highwayand hit by super fast bus bearingregistration number JK02BD-6177 which was on its wayfrom Kathua to Jammu thisevening.

Vijaypur Police reached thespot and sent the dead body toGovernment CommunityHealth Centre Ramgarh forlegal formalities. The deceasedwas identified as SurinderYadav, 32, son of Ram RajYadav of Bilria districtAzamgarh U.P.

Vijaypur police has regis-tered the case in this connectionfor further investigation.