WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2015 (PAGE 14) DAILYEXCELSIOR

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2015 (PAGE 14) DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU

NEW DELHI, Oct 13:

India today lashed out atPakistan for “lecturing” it onpluralism after Islamabadexpressed concern over attemptsto disrupt functions of its promi-nent personalities, and assertedthat non-practice of terrorismwas central to the betterment ofthe Indo-Pak relationship.

“(As if) Pakistan is theembodiment of tolerance, plu-ralism. India does not need totake a lecture from Pakistan. IfIndia has a shortcoming, it iscapable of looking after it,” topofficial sources said.

The Indian reaction cameafter Pakistan Foreign Officesaid it “noted with concernattempts to disrupt functionsorganised in respect of promi-nent Pakistani personalities onvisit to India” while referring tocancellation of a cultural eventby gazal maestro Ghulam Aliand attempts to disrupt a func-tion in Mumbai organised for itsformer Foreign MinisterKhurshid Kasuri.

“There is a need to ensurethat such incidents do not reoc-cur,” the Pakistan ForeignOffice said.

However, the sources saidIndia still remains interested inNSA-level talks as per Ufaunderstanding but made it clearthat terrorism cannot be aninstrument of statecraft.

“A lot of what has not goneas per Ufa is because ofPakistan’s domestic politics....They are also having some dis-turbance. There are non-elected

players in play. The dynamics ofit is both complicated and lesstransparent.

“The issue is that there has tobe a recognition that terrorismcannot be an instrument of state-craft and you cannot say it wasonly Gurdaspur attack, why areyou overreacting or an attack onBSF, why are you overreacting.

“It cannot be a routine way.There has to be recognition thatnon-practice of terrorism is cen-tral to the betterment of the rela-tionship. If they are in denial ofthat (that is an issue). One coun-try cannot resort to terrorism asa way of pressurising the other.It is not asking for too much,”they said.

On Pakistan leaders meetingKashmiri separatist Hurriyatleaders, the sources said Indiahas an issue if the manner ofconsultation or discussions orwhatever way they interact withthe Hurriyat was done in a man-ner where they are projected as athird party.

The official sources alsomaintained that India was“open” to a meeting between itsNSA and his Pakistani counter-part on the sidelines of the UNGeneral Assembly last monthbut Pakistan was not “that openand that is why it did not hap-pen”.

“There still remains interestin NSA-level talks. Eventhough, it (Ufa agreement) saidthe talks would happen in NewDelhi. But India was ready tohave in New York. The problemis that when another party starts

conditioning it, that it will onlytalk if they are allowed to meetHurriyat....

“You cannot take away thecentrality of terrorism in the cur-rent state of the relationship.They did not dispute it. Butobviously their domestic poli-tics took them in a differentdirection from the Ufa. Politicsin some countries are not playedonly by politicians. We werestill open to having NSA-leveltalks and there was no lack ofclarity on that,” the sources said.

It is understood that Pakistanhad pushed India for a meetingbetween their Foreign Ministersas a pre-condition for talksbetween their National SecurityAdvisors which was turneddown by the Indian side.

The sources also assertedthat it was also about whetherPakistan accepts or not thatpractising terrorism is an obsta-cle to better India-Pakistan rela-tionship. “If you do accept it,there is logical flow out of it. Ifyou don’t, it goes elsewhere.And clearly in New York wewere not on Ufa page, so it didnot happen,” they added.

The sources noted that afterthe release of Zakiur RehmanLakhvi, the Mumbai attack mas-termind, the sentiment was thatit was very difficult to have talkswith Pakistan when he is walk-ing around free there.“Therefore, we needed somekind of serious discussion onterrorism and obviously theappropriate people were NSAs,”they added. (PTI)

Don’t need Pak lecture: India

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 13: Inorder to review the security andother arrangements forMuharram, a high level meetingof senior police, civil and para-military officers was convenedat Police Control Room (PCR)here today.

Chaired by Director Generalof Police (DGP), K. RajendraKumar, the meeting was attend-ed by ADGPs, S. M. Sahai, L.Mohanty, DivisionalCommissioner Kashmir, AsgarSamoon and senior officers fromcentral para-military forces.

The meeting reviewed thearrangements put in place forMuharram in the Valley.Security, police bundbust anddeployment of personnel wasdiscussed in the meeting, besides

traffic arrangements and mainte-nance of law & order duringMuharram days.

Officers present in the meet-ing briefed the DGP about thearrangements put in place toensure peaceful Muharram pro-cessions in Srinagar city andother parts of the Valley.

IGP Kashmir Zone, SJMGillani, informed the meetingabout the arrangements made atdifferent places, whereMuharram processions are takenout. He said that all requiredarrangements would be put inplace to make the access of thepeople to the places of proces-sions convenient.

During the meeting, IGPTraffic, J. P. Singh briefed abouttraffic arrangements made forsmooth flow of traffic onMuharram and Ashoora day 8.He said that the vehicular trafficwould be diverted through alter-nate routes to ensure uninter-rupted processions.

DIG, NKR, Garib Dass alsoapprised the meeting about

measures taken with regard toensuring security on the routesof processions and in and aroundthe venues of Majaalis duringMuharram and Ashoora. He alsoinformed the meeting aboutdeployment of man power in hisjurisdiction.

Expressing satisfaction overthe arrangements made, Mr.Rajendra stressed upon the offi-cers to coordinate with eachother, ensuring peacefulMuharram processions in theValley.

DGP said that deployment ofmanpower in the areas duringthese days should be ensured toprovide security to the peopleand maintain law and order. Heasked to mobilize all sources forthe convenience and safety ofthe people so that MuharramMajlis are observed peacefully.

Among others, the meetingwas attended by IGP CID, AG.Mir, SSPs Amit Kumar, S. Patel,F.A. Lone, Javaid Koul,R.K.Jalla and other police andpara-military officers.

DGP reviews Muharram arrangements

Bridgestone India launches‘Ecopia’ in Jammu

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 13:Bridgestone India, a group com-pany of Bridgestone Corporation,the world's leading Rubber andTyre Company, launched its fuel-efficient Ecopia EP150 andEcopia EP850 in Jammu.

Ecopia tyres are engineeredwith a combination of light andstrong materials for greater fuelefficiency and to reduce carbonemissions. Independent testinghas demonstrated that EcopiaEP150 and EP850 provides 7 percent and 10 per cent better fuelefficiency respectively, whencompared to conventional tyres.

Ecopia is a combination ofthe words "Ecology" and"Utopia". It is one ofBridgestone's flagship brandsthat represent the Company'seco-activities.

While speaking on the launchof Ecopia at New Delhi,Kazuhiko Mimura, ManagingDirector, Bridgestone IndiaPrivate Limited, said"Bridgestone's EnvironmentalMission Statement of "To helpensure a healthy environment forcurrent and future generations" isthe driving force behind launchof Ecopia in India. ThroughEcopia's fuel-efficiency,Bridgestone can contribute

towards the reduction of CarbonDiaoxide emissions in India,while enabling Indian drivers toachieve fuel-savings. Apart fromincreased fuel-efficiency andbeing environment-friendly,Ecopia EP150 and EP850 arealso designed to provide durabil-ity and excellent road handlingperformance".

Bridgestone's Ecopia range oftyres utilizes unique compoundsand cutting-edge technology intread design to strike a balancebetween fuel efficiency, lowrolling resistance, safety anddurability. This enables Ecopia tocope with the demands of a widevariety of drivers, he added.

The Ecopia tyres are avail-able in 26 sizes initially, rangingfrom 13" to 18" rim diameters,and is designed to fit many popu-lar compact vehicles. EcopiaEP150 caters to small and mid-size sedans, while Ecopia EP850caters to SUVs.

The fuel savings offered byEcopia contribute toBridgestone's global goal ofimproving tyre rolling resistanceby 25 percent by 2020. TheEcopia tyre line also movesBridgestone closer to its long-term environmental vision ofachieving a 50 percent reductionin CO2 emissions by the year2050 and beyond.

Officials of Bridgestone India launching ‘Ecopia’ at Jammu.

Gupta kick starts macadamizationof Battal Ballian road

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Oct 13:Minister of State for Finance &Information Technology, PawanKumar Gupta, today kick startedthe macadamization work ofBattal Ballian road in Udhampur

here today.The black topping of 5km

Battal Ballian road would becompleted with an amount ofRs. 1.5 crore by the PublicWorks Department.

The Minister reiterated thattenders of construction of manyroads have been floated and theblack topping work of theseroads would be started in thetown soon.

On the occasion, Guptaissued on the spot instructions tothe concerned officers of PWDto ensure durability of roadswithout compromising the qual-ity of material. He said that peo-

ple of the area should personallymonitor the quality of ongoingdevelopmental works in theirrespective areas.

Mr. Gupta said that develop-mental works of theConstituency will be completedin a stipulated time frame so that

all the basic requirements of thepublic could be met in a shorterspan of time and long pendingdemand of basic works is ful-filled.

Responding to the demandsof the locals, the Ministerassured the public of the areathat all their genuine demandswould be fulfilled in a timebound manner.

MoS Finance, Pawan Kumar Gupta kick starting macadamiza-tion work of Battal Ballian road at Udhampur on Tuesday.

DGP, K Rajendra reviewing Muharram arrangements in a meeting at Srinagar on Tuesday.

Govt fails to protectown legislation: Kundal

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 13: Formerchief secretary and legislator BR Kundal today alleged thatGovernment has failed to pro-tect its own legislation withregard to the reservation to theScheduled Castes andScheduled Tribes.

In view of the recent HighCourt judgment, dated October9, 2015, a meeting of the socio-political leaders with varyingbackground was held here todayunder the chairmanship of for-mer Minister, Chief Secretaryand MLC, B R Kundal. It wasnoted with concern that Govthas totally failed to protect itsown legislation enacted in 2005which came after a long strug-gle.

Speaking on the occasion,Mr Kundal alleged that attitudeof the Government has exposedits slogans regarding upliftmentof weaker sections particularlySCs and STs. This also provedthe often repeated allegations of

the weaker sections, that nothingbut only lip service is providedto them whosoever comes topower.

He pointed out that on onehand the Prime Minister is reit-erating his Govt's resolve andcommitment to provide reserva-tion to the SCs and STs whereas,his own political party, which isin coalition with PDP in J&K, isnegative his resolve.

The speakers in the meetingincluding NPP leader Yash PalKundal, Faqir Nath from Congand Jagjeevan Lal from NCappealed the State ChiefMinister and Prime Minister MrModi to intervene into the mat-ter, otherwise members fromthese communities would beforced to chalk out next courseof action.

Prominent among otherspresent in the meeting included,Piran Ditta, R L Bharti, G RBhagat, H R Phonsa, S SSangral, Sat Pal Lakhotra,Madan Lal, Ashok Bhagat and BR Lachotra.

BCC Bani projectslocal issues

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Oct 13: BlockCongress Committee membersand party workers from Baniarea raised the local issues dur-ing the meeting held at Banitown today.

The meeting in this connec-tion was held under the leader-ship of co-treasurer of PCC,Rajneesh Sharma in which thelocal leaders and Sarpanchs/Panchs raised the issues andproblems being faced by thepeople of Bani area. TheCongress activists projected theproblems like road connectivity,poor ration supply and speciallythe price hike of essential andother commodities includingfruits, vegetables, pulses etc.

Speaking on the occasionThakar Das, Congress Block

president for Bani told theworkers that the rates of vegeta-bles, pulses and other eatableitems are touching the sky and itis beyond the reach of poor peo-ple of Bani area.

Rajnesh Sharma (Mian)addressing workers said thatBJP is a party of businessmen.It has happened always in thepast that during this rule theprices of eatable go up to sky asthey have no control over therising prices. They were not ableto control the prices and every-thing is going out of reach of thecommon man.

Mr Sharma further said thatthe main agenda of the BJP is toplay with the religious senti-ments of the people to remain inpower. He assured the people ofthe area every possible supportand service.

PHE daily rated, ITI, CPworkers call off strike

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 13: The PHEdaily rated, ITI trained andCommunity Participation (CP)workers today called off their 33-day long strike and protest dhar-na, out side the office of Chief

Engineer at PHE complex, BCRoad here.

Disclosing this to the media-persons at a conference heretoday, Tanveer Hussain, provin-cial president of All J&K PHEDaily Wage Workers Associationsaid that on the assurance of theMinister for PHE SukhnandanChoudhary and positive

response from the FinanceMinister, Dr Haseeb Drabu theworkers who were on strike forthe last 33 days decided to calloff their agitation.

Mr Tanveer said the ministerhas assured to resolve their issuewithin three months and more-

over, one monthssalary of the workershas also beenreleased. It was alsoassured that their twomonths wages willbe released onDiwali festival. It hasbeen assured thatexpert committeewill frame policy andtwo members fromthe Association willalso be included in it

for preparing road map. While extending gratitude to

the workers from all the divisionsand districts besides media forsupport, the Association presidentsaid that all the workers wouldresume their duties from tomor-row. He also regretted inconven-ience caused to the public in viewof their agitation.

SC/ST & OBC bodies criticizeGovt response in reservation case

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 13: Heads ofvarious organizations of SC/STand OBC communities of J&K,have strongly criticized the StateGovernment's luke warmresponse in defending their posi-tion on the issue of reservation inpromotion.

"Reservation in promotion,as per scores of Supreme Courtjudgements, is a constitutionalright of people belonging toSC/ST and OBCs in both theState and Central services, said ajoint statement, issued by PiranDitta (president of All J&K ShriGuru Ravidass Sabha),Mohinder Kumar Bhagat (Statepresident of All J&K BhagatMahasabha), Ajab Singh Mottan(State president of BatwalSudhar Sabha), Pritam Chand(president of Saryara Sabha),Banarsi Dass (president of AllJ&K Leather Workers Union),Kamla Choudhary of Jat KalyanSabha, Dr Gafoor Ahmed (presi-dent Gujjar Front), Bodh RajBhagat of All India BhagatMahasabha, Bodh Raj Rao ofMahasha Sadar Sabha, Biru Ram

of Barwala Sabha and ShashiVerma of Vishwakarma Sabha.

Lamenting that the StateHigh Court judgement againstreservation in promotions wasgoing to affect 18 percent SC/STemployee, who shall be loosingthe opportunity to rise up to thehigher posts in various depart-ment, they alleged a deep rootedconspiracy to deprive SC/ST andOBC from their constitutionalrights of reservation. The case inthis regard was being pleaded inthe Double Bench of HC for thelast one year or so but theGovernment did give necessarydirection to the AdvocateGeneral to plead justification ofreservation in promotions underSRO-294, they added.

These organizationsappealed the Chief MinisterMufti Mohd Sayeed to interveneinto this very sensitive issue anddirect the Chief Secretary as wellas all Departmental head not toimplement this judgement.Government should also con-vene a special Assembly sessionand adopt 77th, 81st and 85thAmendments of the IndianConstitution, the handout added.

Shiv Sena leaders during a function at Jammu on Tuesday.

Shiv Sena takes CharriYatra to holy cave

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 13: Shiv SenaBal Thackeray J&K Unit todayorganized the Charri Yatra onthe eve of first Navratra inwhich more than 5000 pilgrimsplus members of Shiv Sena par-ticipated.

Charri Yatra was flagged offby MP Krupal Balaji Tumane,Vinay Shukla Parbhari,President Shiv Sena PunjabYograj Sharma and DimpyKohli State President J&K unitat Mahraja Hari Singh Park andlater it proceeded to holy town-ship of Katra. The gathering wasaddressed by Shiv Sena StatePresident, Dimpy Kohli, UPSampark Parmukh, RakeshGupta, general secretary G. ISingh, vice president SandeepBhagat, Sanjeev Kohli andVinay Gupta.

While addressing to audi-ence Vinay Shukla congratulat-ed everyone on the eve ofNavratra and prayed for theprosperity of the country. He

said that Hridya Samrat BalaSahib Thackeray was a greatvisionary and professor ofHindutav. He further highlightedthe failures of BJP-PDPCoalition the State.

Krupal Balaji Tumane alsoaddressed the audience andhighlighted the problems beingfaced by the country due to ris-ing prices of all commoditiesand failure of State Governmentin controlling the militant activ-ities.

Later the Charri Yatra pro-ceeded towards Katra in a pro-cession from Maharaja HariSingh Park. It passed viaPanjtirthi, Vivakanand Chowk,Hari Market, Raghunath Bazar,City Chowk, Purani Mandi, JainBazar, Chowk Chabutra, RadioStation then to Katra.

Other prominent leaders ofShiv Sena were Rahul Shewale,Rajesh Sharma Shiv SenaPunjab, Rajesh Gupta, RakeshSharma, Raj Singh, InderpalGupta, Dinesh Mahajan, GaneshChoudhary, Raju Salaria etc.

President PHE Daily Wagers Association,Tanveer Hussain addressing press confer-ence in Jammu on Tuesday.

-Excelsior/Rakesh

NABARD organizes capacitybuilding workshop on SHGs, JLGs

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Oct 13: TheDistrict Development Manager,National Bank for Agricultureand Rural Development(NABARD), Rajouri/Poonchorganized a capacity buildingworkshop on Self Help Groups(SHGs) and Joint LiabilityGroups (JLGs) at PWD, DakBunglow, Nowshera.

The workshop was chairedby R K Srivastav, DeputyGeneral Manager, NABARD,J&K Regional Office, Jammuand attended by V K Sharma,Senior Manager, J&K GrameenBank, Head Office, Jammu, RS Sumbria, Area Manager,J&K Grameen Bank,Rajouri/Poonch, BranchManagers of J&K GrameenBank from district Rajouri,Business Correspondents(BCs) of J&K Grameen Bank,district Rajouri, Sr Ane joe,Secretary, CMC- SanthomSocial Service Society,Nowshera and Rakesh Kumar,president, Human Organisationfor Patronisation ofEnvironment (HOPE), Rajouri.

Des Raj, DistrictDevelopment Manager,NABARD, Rajouri/Poonch,informed that the objective ofthe workshop was to upscalethe Self Help Groups (SHG) -Bank linkage programme andJoint Liability Groups (JLGs)-credit linkage programme inthe district Rajouri.

R K Srivastav highlightedthe SHGs scenario in the coun-try and in the J&K State. Heinformed that despite the vastexpansion of the formal creditsystem, the dependence of therural poor on money lenderscontinue to meet their emergentneeds. The linking of SHGswith the banks is a flexibleapproach to improve the acces-sibility of credit from the bank-ing system to the unreachedrural poor. He also shared somesuccess stories of SHGs andmotivated the participants toform the SHGs in districtRajouri and link them with thebanks. He also explained theconcept of Joint LiabilityGroups (JLGs) scheme to theparticipants. He motivated theparticipants to form JointLiability Groups in the district.He handled the sessions onSHGs, JLGs, AreaDevelopment Scheme andFarmers’ Club scheme ofNABARD.

V K Sharma explained theprogress made by the J&KGrameen Bank in SHGs-Banklinkage programme, JLG creditlinkage programme and strate-gy for upscaling the SHGs andJLGs programme in districtRajouri.

R S Sumbria sorted out thequeries raised by the branchmanagers of J&K GrameenBank.

V K. Sharma extended voteof thanks.

Thinkers Forum for evolvingconsensus on return of Pandits

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 13: KashmiriPandits today said that commu-nity should evolve a consensuson return and rehabilitation inKashmir Valley.

The suggestion was given bya senior leader of the communi-ty and president All IndiaKashmiri Pandit Conference(AIKPC) at a meeting organizedby J K Thinkers Forum herewhich was presided over by awell known scholar Prof A NSadhu.

Mr Jattu, while addressingthe meeting stressed on unity inthe community and said thatover the years the Pandits havesuffered a lot and the communi-ty should unitedly struggle forits rights. The community mustpreserve its culture, identity andethos at all costs, he added.

In his address Prof Sadhusaid adversity shapes fine fel-lows as such the communitymust utilize this opportunity forlaying sound foundation for bet-terment and upliftment of itsmembers so that the future gen-erations would remember thecontribution for times to come.By having rational thoughts thecommunity will overcome thedifficulties, he added.

In his welcome addressKuldeep Kashmiri presidentThinkers Forum said that hisorganisation provides platformto the people of divergent opin-ions to have discourse, debateand discussion on various shortterm and long term problemsfacing the community andevolve a consensus accordingly.

Shiban Ji Santoshiexpressed the hope that suchdebates and discourses arebound to generate enthusiasmand evolve common opinion onmajor issues facing the commu-nity.

Dr R L Bhat chiefspokesperson Prem Nath BhatMemorial Trust said the com-munity should unitedly strugglefor its rights instead of bankingon others.

B L Saraf (retd) SessionJudge and a well known thinkersaid unless belongingnessamong the community isrestored, the return carries nosignificance.

Among others Prof G KMuju, P N Pandita (retd SP), BL Bhat, ex MLC, Tej KrishanBhat, Nanaji Wattal, RakeshBhat, H L Bhat, M K Yogi andComrade Mohan Lal expressedtheir views. The stage was con-ducted by P K Razdhan.

NMCT to distribute scholarship among 20 students

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 13: NirmalMahajan Charitable Trust(NMCT) held a meeting underthe chairmanship of its trusteepresident Nirmal Mahajan anddecided to distribute the scholar-ship among twenty students ofvarious schools.

The beneficiaries of thescholarship are Monika Devi andMamta Devi of Shree VedMandir Bal Niketan Ambphalla,Ajay Rathore of Mahavir JainSchool Kachi Chowni, VikasKumar of Bal Bharti PublicSchool, Channi Rama, NishaDevi and Yougesh Sawhney ofArya Kanya Vidyalaya PuraniMandi, Varsha Wadera andManiya Prihar of Gurmat KanyaPathshala, Saniya Kumar andPolak of Arya Public SchoolKachi Chawni, Veena Kumari

and Joyti of Government GirlsHigh School City Chowk,Bishnah and Chandni ofGovernment Girl High SchoolGandhi Nagar, Geeta and SurajKumar of Government MiddleSchool Railway Colony, BhartiSharma and Shilpa Sharma ofSchool for HearingHandicapped, Mahak and Sairaof Louis Brail MemorialSightless School Roop Nagar.

In the meeting, it was alsodecided that Rs 5000 will bedonated to Nar Sewa NaryanSewa Sansthan situated atUdaipur, Rajasthan for opera-tion of one person every year.

It was also proposed todonate 10 blankets to SusheelaSadan, Mubarak Mandi, 15 toHome for Handicapped,Udaywala and 15 to needy, poorand deserving living on foot-path.

4 injured in road accidentsExcelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 13: Police today said four persons wereinjured in different road accidents in the Valley.

A police spokesman said a Sumo JK01L/2584 hit a motorcycleJK01W/1039 at Shalteng Chowk in city outskirts here resulting ininjuries to motorcyclist namely Mudasir Ahmad Wani and pillionmate namely Sajad Ahmed Malik. Both the injured were shifted tohospital for treatment.

He said a motorcycle driven by Himayon Imtiyaz hit and injurea pedestrian namely Adfar Majeed near Dooru College in Anantnagdistrict. "The injured was shifted to hospital for treatment. Policehave registered a case in this regard," the spokesman said.

In another incident, the spokesman said, a Sumo JK03/3572 hita tractor bearing registration number JK16/6034 on NationalHighway Byepass in Behihama at Ganderbal, resulting in injuriesto tractor driver namely Nazir Ahmed Waza. "The injured wasshifted to hospital for treatment. Police have registered a case inthis regard," the spokesman said.

BKS demands construction of roadsExcelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 13: Bharatiya Kissan Sangh, J&K unit president,Subash Dasgotra has demanded construction of roads in rural areasat par with the City.

In a statement issued here, Dasgotra said construction of roadsin the City was good but in rural areas, the Works Department wasresorting to only patch work, which was sheer injustice with thepeople living in the rural areas including the border belt.

He regretted that the rural areas were being ignored, where theroads were required the most.

“While construction of roads in the City is a welcome step, therural areas shouldn't be deprived of their due rights,'' he said andurged the Government to immediately order construction of roadsin the rural areas instead of patch work.