Tuesday April 24, 2018 8 STATE TIMES NEWS LEH: Over 4,000 saplings of willow, poplar and Umbu trees were planted under 6th phase of 'Go Green Go Organic' proj- ect at Yerath Chilam in Changthang in eastern Ladakh in Leh District on the occasion of Earth Day under the chairmanship of Chief Patron 'Go Green Go Organic' and Mountain Partnership Ambassador, United Nation, Drikung Skyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche in the presence of Moulana Mehmood Madani Ex-MP and General Secretary, Jaiat Ulama-I-Hind New Delhi. The programme initiated by 'Go Green Go Organic' which was supported by eight Nambardar Halqas, Ladakh Environment & Health Organisation (LEHO) and Goldenmile Learning Trust. Skyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche appreciated the con- tribution of locals, monks, stu- dents and the support from local administration to this endeavour. Moulana Mehmood Madani Ex-MP & General Secretary, Jaiat Ulama-I-Hind, New Delhi, while appreciating 'Go green Go Organic' initiative, assured to plant one lakh sapling between Delhi and Dehradun this July. Executive Councillor for Agriculture, Tsering Wangdus said that LAHDC is commit- ted to go for sustainable organ- ic farming in Ladakh region. LEHO Founder Director, Dr. Mohammed Deen; President Anjuman Moin-Ul- Islam Leh, Dr Abdul Qayoom; Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC) Founder President, Bikkhu Sangasena, Goldenmile Learning Co-Founder, Srinivasan, Goldenmile Learning Co-founder, Rajesh Patel and Go Green Go Organic Director, Namgyal Dorjay also spoke on the occa- sion. Changthang plants 4,000 saplings under 'Go Green Go Organic' projects STATE TIMES NEWS JAMMU: District Congress Committee Jammu (Urban) on Monday paid tributes to Anil Chopra, DCC President, at a func- tion held here. The senior leaders remembered his contribu- tion in different capacities to the party and the peo- ple. Former Minister and Vice President PCC, Raman Bhalla while paying rich tributes, described him as a human being having great concern for the poor and downtrodden people irrespective of caste, creed, colour, religion or region and for the ordinary work- ers of the party. He said that party has lost a strong pillar and he has lost a close colleague. PCC General Secretary, Vikram Malhotra described him as a great leader of the party who was liked by one and all because of his hum- bleness and qualities of leadership. Later, two minutes silence was observed in memory of Anil Chopra. Other prominent leaders who paid tributes to Anil Chopra were Gurdarshan Singh, K.L Gupta, Gourav Chopra, B.B Gupta, Dr. R.K Khajuria, M.L Mlager, P.S Chouhan, Naresh Maini, B.S Mastana, Jyoti Vaid, Satish Sharma, Sandeep Risam, Kulbushan Sharma, J.L Koul, Pawandev Singh, Manmohan Sharma, Parshotam Mehra, Satpal Spolia, Camres David, Ashwani Handa, Gourav Kapoor, Chanchal Poopli, Parveen Singh, Prince, Amit Kapoor, Parveen Kour, Ch. Maqbool, Ch. Showkat, Micheal, Wazir, B.R Sharma, Gulshan Kumar, Deepak Rinku, Som Nath, Parkash and Gagan Kumar. DCC pays tributes to Anil Chopra STATE TIMES NEWS JAMMU: Congress led Opposition parties notice for removal of Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra has been out rightly rejected by the Rajya Sabha Chairman, Venkaiah Naidu, citing lack of substantial merit in it. This followed at the heels of the historic judge- ment in Justice Loya Case, where the Supreme Court not only slammed the Congress Party for set- tling political scores and 'maligning' judiciary but also for wasting time of the court by filing 'frivo- lous' petitions. There can- not be a bigger slap on the face of Congress Party than this claimed Brig Anil Gupta, State Spokesperson of BJP. "Bereft of any issues, the Congress in its despera- tion to win the 2019 Parliamentary elections is trying all stunts including engineering communal riots but has failed so far in its evil design of polaris- ing the country," alleged Brig Gupta. "Out of desperation, party did not even spare the third pillar of democ- racy in our nation and in conspiracy with like-mind- ed other political parties tried to subjugate the office of Chief Justice of India, an attempt in which it has not only badly failed but emerged as an anti- democratic political party," claimed Brig Gupta. Even the Prime Minister has welcomed the rejection terming it as a victory of democracy. "Our institu- tions which are an out- come of our Constitution need to be saved from the onslaught of the Congress Party. The Congress Party has spared no institution and is attacking the EC, Supreme Court, Army for petty political gains", said our National President Amit Shah who blasted the Congress party for stoop- ing so low that it has now started attacking our dem- ocratic institutions, asserted the spokesperson. Brig Gupta also slammed Congress President Rahul Gandhi for provoking the people by making state- ments like, "the judiciary has been crushed. The peo- ple have lost faith in judi- ciary, during his 'Save the Constitution' Campaign in Delhi." Rejection of notice for removal of Chief Justice, another big slap on face of Congress: Brig Gupta STATE TIMES NEWS JAMMU: Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, former Minister and senior Congress leader took strong note of the transfers and postings in the Forest Department after tender resig- nations of the concerned minis- ter. "It is surprising that such large scale of transfers of offi- cials within a day after quitting the Cabinet is a matter of great concern and even some senior most officers of the department were transferred setting aside all the procedures and norms particularly some officers whose transfers are the prerog- ative of Cabinet had been trans- ferred singly handedly," he said. Dr Sharma further said that the BJP and its ministers are doing transfers ignoring all the political ethics only to extract money and create bad prece- dence in the eyes of law. Sharma asked Governor to immediately review these orders whether pre dated or post dated and it should be can- celled in capacity as the consti- tutional head of the Jammu and Kashmir State. Manohar questions BJP over transfers, postings in Forest Deptt Senior Congress leaders paying tributes to Anil Chopra. STATE TIMES NEWS JAMMU: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-J) in col- laboration with Society for Integrated Development of Agriculture, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences (SIDAV- ES) observed Earth Day with Thematic area on "End the Plastic pollution" at its Main Campus, Chatha. At the onset Director Education Dr. T.A.S Ganai highlighted significance of Earth Day celebration. Prof Pradeep K Sharma, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST- Jammu inaugurated the function and made a presen- tation on how destruction of natural resources, climate change and increasing food demand have put challenges on biosphere reserve. In his address, he also con- gratulated students of differ- ent faculties for winning first prize in All India Youth Fest (Reverie-2018) at NDRI, Karnal. Director Research and President SIDAVES Dr. J. P. Sharma also spoke on the occasion. The programme followed a quiz competition, cultural programme by the students of the University to aware the gathering about problems of depletion and corrosion of natural resources. Besides, all the Statutory Officers, HoDs, faculty members, students of the varsity, the function was attended by Director Extension Dr. K.S Risam, Registrar Dr. Dileep Kachroo, Dean FoA Dr. D.P Abrol, Dean FBSc Dr. Rizvi, Dean FVSc Dr. Zama and President Teaching Association Dr. Vikas Sharma. The proceedings of the pro- gramme were conducted by Dr Sanjay Guleria while vote of thanks was presented by Dr. Narinder Panotra. SKUAST- Jammu celebrates Earth Day Winner of quiz competition being felicitated during the programme at Jammu. STATE TIMES NEWS SRINAGAR: J&K Bank Chairman and CEO Parvez Ahmed e-inaugurated two business units and three off- site ATMs on Monday amid a huge round of applause at Pulwama in presence of Deputy Commissioner Ghulam Mohammad Dar, Bank's Executive President Vagesh Chander, and a large gathering of valuable cus- tomers, senior citizens, rep- resentatives of various trade bodies and local residents. The bank's Presidents P.K Tickoo, Abdul Rashid Sheigan, Zonal Head Kashmir South-I Tasaduq Hussain, Vice-Presidents besides other bank officials also attended the inaugural ceremony in the lush green lawn of Zonal office Kashmir south-I. The number of busi- ness units increased to 67 with a total of 87 ATMs in the district that falls within the jurisdiction of Zonal Office. The two business units e- inaugurated are at Samboora and Wahibug. And the four ATMs installed are at DC Office Pulwama, Achhen, Karimabad and Pehoo in the district. Speaking on the occasion Parvez Ahmed said, "J&K Bank not only envisages its expanding operations as means of financial empower- ment of the people but fore- sees these as investment in economic prosperity of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Our JK-centric strategy focusses upon the need to energize the sectors of J&K economy with enor- mous growth potential." Meanwhile, the District Commissioner Pulwama Ghulam Mohammad Dar inaugurated the ATM at DC Office Pulwama complex in presence of Chairman Parvez Ahmed amid a large gather- ing of customers. Cluster Head Muzaffar Ahmad Qadiri Kashmir South-I concluded the func- tion by presenting the vote of thanks. J&K Bank Chairman inaugurates business units, four ATMs Chairman J&K Bank, Parvez Ahmed during the e-inauguration of business units. Drikung Skyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche inaugurating tree plantation in Changthang. STATE TIMES NEWS SRINAGAR: Expressing serious concern over the pre- vailing situation in the State, the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) on Monday held discussions over the socio-political scenario obtaining in the State in the backdrop of deteriorating sit- uation and described it as fall out of wrong policies adopted by the PDP BJP Coalition. The Party also cautioned the people about the designs of communal and divisive forces dividing people on reli- gious and regional lines to serves their dirty political ends and urged upon the peo- ple to maintain unity and communal harmony, for the fact, efforts are being made to vitiate the atmosphere of peace and harmony in the State. Addressing the meeting of Senior Party functionaries here, JKPCC President G.A Mir blamed both PDP and BJP for the current prevail- ing situation in the State, saying that the contradiction in the approach of PDP and BJP will remain the cause behind deteriorating situa- tion in the State, as a result, common masses are braving the brunt of utter failure and differences between coalition partners on certain issues. Cautioning the people about the so called Secular Forces in the State, who have earlier joined hands with BJP and RSS for power, G.A. Mir said people are aware who is hobnobbing with BJP to secure their future and for that reason they are making all out efforts to malign the secular image of Congress Party inorder to strengthen BJP at Centre, but the people of Jammu and Kashmir being aware of their nefarious designs will defeat them. Among others who addressed the meeting include former Minister Taj Mohi Ud Din, Vice President Mohd Anwar Bhat, Treasurer Krishan Amla, Spokesperson Farooq Andrabi, MLA Gulzar Ahmad Wani, General Secretaries Hilal Ahmad Shah, Shameema Iqbal, Abdul Gani Khan, Gulam Nabi Mir Lasjan, Shameema Raina, Haji Farooq Mir, Imtiyaz Parray, Zahid Hussain Jan, Gulam Mohd Mir, Nissar Ahmad Mundoo, Mohd Sultan and Jasbir Kaur. STATE TIMES NEWS JAMMU: GCOE in collab- oration with Peaks Auto Ltd celebrated Earth Day by organising a plantation drive in the college prem- ises. Principal, GCOE, Prof Rajshree Dhar empha- sised the students to reduce plastic consump- tion and encouraged them to use more eco friendly material as the theme of this year Earth Day is 'End Plastic Pollution'. Prof M.A Lone, Dean, Faculty of Education, emphasised the impor- tance of clean, green and eco-friendly environment. NSS Coordinator, Prof Sunita Saryara along with NSS volunteers also con- tributed in the plantation drive. Prof R.S Narania, Prof Baljinder Kour, Prof Ramzaan Ali, Prof. Dr Mandeep Singh, Prof. Deep Kumar, Prof Probhjot Kour, Prof Kashab and Prof Shapia were also present. 'Secular forces' trying to weaken Cong to strengthen BJP: Mir STATE TIMES NEWS JAMMU: Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Ramesh Kumar on Monday inaugurated three-day wall painting competition. The competition is being organized, in collaboration with J&K Bank on theme Swachh Bharat Mission, Smart City Jammu, Nature & Environment, Social Message, Art, Culture & Heritage of Jammu. A large number of stu- dents of various schools, colleges and universities viz. GCW Parade, GCW Gandhi Nagar, K.C International School, Army School, K.C Public School, Jammu Sanskriti School, Jodhamal School and IIT Jammu as well as artists are participating in the competition. As many as 90 partici- pants are working on around 40 walls adjoining Hotel Asia at Vikram Chowk, Jammu. All the participants have been pro- vided painting material alongwith other facilities for the successful comple- tion of their paintings. The top three paintings shall be given cash rewards of Rs 15,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 7,000 respectively along- with citation & mementos as per decision of panel of judges, appointed in this regard. During the inauguration, Rishpal Singh, Joint Commissioner (A) JMC, Sunaina Sharma Secretary, JMC and Dr Saleem Khan Health Officer, JMC were also present. JMC organises wall painting competition KC International students painting during the competition. STATE TIMES NEWS JAMMU: Jammu East MLA, Rajesh Gupta on Monday inaugurated work of a toilet complex at Samadhian Road in Ward No.19 with an esti- mated cost of Rs 10.5 lakh. Speaking on the occasion, Rajesh Gupta said that the construction of toilets is part of the larger campaign to make the country open defe- cation free and in this direc- tions the Modi government has made huge progress. He exhorted upon the general public to take up Swachhta programmes in their localities on a regular basis so that it becomes a movement. Rajesh inaugurates development work STATE TIMES NEWS JAMMU: A panel discussion on book 'Karan Singh: Jammu & Kashmir (1949- 1967)' was organised by Maharaja Gulab Singh Research Centre here on Monday at Amar Mahal. On the occasion, Dr Karan Singh was the Chief Guest. Brig. J.S Rajput presented welcome address. The pan- elists of the discussion were Harbans Singh, Author of the Book, O.P Sharma, Editor of Starline Syndicate Service and Prithivi Raj Manhas, IG Police (Retd) J&K. The panel discussion was moderated by Prof. Shyam Narayan Lal. The programme began with introductory remarks by Prof. Suman Jamwal, who introduced the panelists. Harbans Singh stated that in the entire discourse of Jammu and Kashmir, the voice from Jammu remains marginal. He pointed out that how he has worked hard to bring many facts together in order to bring out the per- spective of Jammu on the entire issue of accession and the political turbulence that followed. O.P Sharma, in his address, emphasized that since the book represents the perspective from Jammu, there is need to have more discussion on the book in order to bring it in the larger circulation. P.R Manhas elaborated how works such as these are fruitful intervention in the continuing discussion on the period following accession. While appreciating the work as a welcome addition to existing body of literature on Post 1947, Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Karan Singh expressed his reservation on some of points made about Nehru about his concerns about Jammu. He also point- ed out the necessity to bring Dogra identity and the con- tribution to the main stream of teaching and research. Vikramaditya, Chitrangda, Ranvijay Singh, Sham Lal and faculty members of the university, research scholars, students and members of civil society were also pres- ent. The programme was coordinated by Dr Sushma J Barnawal while Research Consultant of Maharaja Gulab Singh Research Centre, presented vote of thanks. Panel meets to discuss book on Karan Singh Former MP, Dr Karan Singh speaking during the programme at Jammu on Monday. STATE TIMES NEWS JAMMU: During the last over three years, many schemes have been launched by Narendra Modi govern- ment with an objective of the welfare and socio-economic upliftment of the members of weaker sections across the country and the people in J&K State too are getting the bene- fits of such schemes. The ongoing programmes from April 14 to May 5 are also aimed at highlighting these schemes. This was stated by Jammu and Kashmir Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes & Backward Classes Development Corporation Limited, Vice Chairperson, Balbir Ram Rattan, while handing over loan Payment Authority Letters (PALs) to unemployed males and females belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Physically Disabled categories at Reasi. He was accompanied by Corporation General Manager, Gulam Qadir Khatana, ADDC Reasi, Ramesh Chander, District Project Officer, ICDS, Surinder Mohan Sharma. Balbir elaborated that it was on the occasion of celebrating Dr. B.R Ambedkar Jayanti, when Narender Modi govern- ment announced Gram Swaraj Abhiyan which com- menced on April 14 and would continue up to May 5 this year. As a special endeavour dur- ing the Gram Swaraj Abhiyan in 125 identified villages in the State, having large population of SCs, schemes like Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Saubhagya, Ujala Scheme, Jan Dhan Yojana, Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Panchayati Raj Divas and Mission Indradhanush, are being highlighted, he said, while informing that in our own State J&K there are dozens of such schemes in place and the concerned departments are making relentless efforts to cover the most deserving beneficiaries. Corporation District Manager, Sat Paul and Recovery Assistant Mohinder Kumar were also present on the occasion. Modi Govt schemes empowering weaker sections: Balbir VC, SC/ST & BC Development Corporation Balbir Ram Rattan posing with others. STATE TIMES NEWS JAMMU: A fire broke out at the backyards of mini Secretariat today afternoon at 1.50 PM The fire, in which furniture of Estates Department gutted, was controlled in 45 minutes by Fire and Emergency Services Station Secretariat under the supervision of Kanwal Peshin, Incharge. Kanwal, who received minor injuries to his right hand while dousing flames, was assisted by Ravinder Bali, Yoginder Kumar, Sanjay Thusoo, Bhushan Lal and Charanjeet Singh. "Quick and swift action saved life and property worth crores and a little delay could have spread the fire to furniture assembling workshop and main mini Secretariat building," Kanwal said. Two fire tenders were pressed into service one from city station led by T K Raina, DFO city visited the spot and supervised the opera- tion who also appreciated the crew for swift and timely action. According to the Kanwal, CRFP sentinel raised the fire alarm, following which fire ten- ders were rushed to the spot. "So far, it not clear what the cause of the fire was but the investigation is going on," Kanwal said. Fire broke out at backyards of mini Secretariat Furniture damaged in fire. STATE TIMES NEWS JAMMU: Ek Sath Rang Mandal (ESRM) presented its 296th Nukad Natak 'Brashtachar Kahtam Karo' under the ongoing Monday Theatre Series here at Pacca Talab JDA Park Jammu. This Nukad Natak was writ- ten and directed by Vijay Malla. The actors who acted in this Nukad Natak were Kanta Sharma, Ashok Sharma, Raju Mad, Shelly Manhas, Kavita, Vidhi Manhas, Shahid Khan and Vijay Malla. ‘Bhrashtachar Khatam Karo’ staged Earth Day celebrated at GCOE