DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU MONDAY, MARCH 25, 2019 (PAGE 7) Former Deputy CM, Kavinder Gupta addressing a meeting in Bahu Fort area on Sunday. Former Minister, Surjeet Singh Slathia addressing a public meeting at Vijaypur on Sunday. Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 24: Taking a dig at the Congress leaders of Kathua for making vague state- ments in absence of anything concrete to claim, BJP State Spokesperson & Media incharge for Udhampur Lok Sabha Constituency, Balbir Ram Rattan today said that during the five years tenure of sitting Member of Parliament (MP), Dr Jitendra Singh, this district has witnessed unprecedented development. Balbir said that it has become a daily routine of Congress lead- ers hailing from district Kathua to make statements just for polit- ical survival but in practical none of them has something which may go into their credit. He said that the people cannot be befooled any more in this era of communication boom but Congress men are still having same misconception of getting favour of the voters, which would now remain a dream. "While Congress was in power for more than five decades, its leaders even don't have five achievements to claim during all these years but the sit- ting MP has brought revolution in entire Parliamentary Constituency with Kathua wit- nessing massive development", Balbir said and added that there is a long list of works done by the sitting MP and Congress leaders must go through them before going public with baseless and false statements. Elaborating on the five years' achievements of the sitting MP, Dr Jitendra Singh, Balbir Ram Rattan said that Shahpur Kandi Project was taken into hand after long delay of 40 years, North India's first Bio-Tech Park was established in Kathua, Keediyan Gandyal Inter-State Bridge con- structed on war footing and dedi- cated to public, Medical College in Kathua is under construction, opened passport offices, work is in progress for Seed Processing Plant, Sulabh Shouchalaya toilets have been constructed near Hiranagar-Kathua International Border, Kathua got distinction of being declared best district in implementation of Beti Bachao Beti Padao Scheme, Kathua Railway Platform upgraded with more facilities for commuters and development of Dreamland Park for public recreation are just tip of the iceberg and numerous mega projects were initiated and many of them are near comple- tion in Udhampur, Reasi and erst- while Doda districts. Balbir Ram Rattan said that it is infact will and concern for the people which makes the elected representative to work. The sit- ting MP of BJP displayed his concern from the day first to last, even on the last working day before imposition of Model Code of Conduct, Dr Singh got sanc- tioned setting up of mobile tow- ers along International Border in Jammu. Dignitaries releasing catalogue of KPBB at Jammu on Sunday. Seminar-cum-awareness camp for blood donation held Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 24: A semi- nar-cum-awareness camp for blood donation was organized by KP Blood Bank. On the occasion, awareness was given to the hundreds of people who thronged the venue from different nooks and cor- ners of the city. The programme started with the citation of lamp by chief guests Sameer Mattoo, Director Health Services Jammu and IGP CRPF VK Singh. Founder of KPBB Ashwani Sadhu apprised the gathering about the latest information and unknown facts relating to blood requirements to the needy people. A nukad show was present- ed by Vomedh Rangmanch under the direction of its Founder Rohit Bhat. Sensational Voice of India Stazin Edzes (Barbie) enthralled the audience by singing a patriotic song. Catalogue of KP Blood bank was released by the dig- nitaries, which was later dis- tributed among the gathering. On the occasion Star per- formers Award were presented to Sandeep Tickoo, Deepak Bhat, Akshay Koul, Mohit Sumbly, Sunil Bhat, Veena Bhat Pandita, Satish dhar, Rita Dhar, Sunny Thusoo, Meenakshi Kaul, Vikram Koul, Dr Pankaj Koul, Vikas Pandita, Dimple koul, Ravinder Tickoo, Gitika Bajaj, Sanjay Raina, Ramesh Koul, Sunny Mohan Sadhu and Jotika Koul Sadhu for their exemplary service to mankind apart from blood donations. Blood donors awards were presented to Naveen Kachroo, Ashish Koul, Sandeep Tickoo, Rakesh Pandita, Aneel Ji, Jagdish Chander, Vikas Adgotra, Akshay Koul, Surinder Kak, Arvin Koul, Sandeep Safaya, Sanjay Zutshi, Ajay Takoo, Aditya Parimoo, Ravinder Tickoo, Ramesh Koul, Rajinder Kumar Ganjoo, Arun Bhat for blood donations in emergency. KPBB also gave Award of Gratitude to Ashram Swami Nand Bab Sahib, Shree Akakh Sahiba Trust, Ajay Takoo, Owner Asha Bhawan Banquet, Vomedh Rangmanch, Stenzin Edzes (Barbie), Bindia Raina Tickoo, renowned anchor, Shriya Sadhu, Lavi Sadhu, Falak Koul and Kashvi Tickoo for their performances. Among others present were Dr Meena Sidhu, HOD Blood Bank, Government Medical Colleges Jammu and Dr Pawan Malhotra Director-cum- Principal ASCOMS Hospital, who were the guests of honour. The programme was anchored by Bindiya Raina, a noted oreator of the State and vote of thanks was presented by Ashwani Sadhu Founder KPBB. A scene from Dogri play ‘Saas Puran’ staged at Abhinav Theater on Sunday. -Excelsior/Rakesh Dogri play deconstructs negative social perception about mother-in-laws Lalit Gupta JAMMU, Mar 24: The myth that all mother-laws are villainous was effectively deconstructed by the Dogri play 'Saas Puran', which was staged as the penultimate per- formance of the ongoing Dogri Theater Festival, at the Abhinav Theater, here today. Written and directed by Shashi Bhushan and per- formed under the banner of Society for Environment, Education and Modern Art, the drama, a welcome addition in Dogri comedy plays, revolved around one gullible housewife Madhu, who is convinced by her crook servant Kalu that her mother-in-law is planning to remarry her husband as she has failed to become mother after seven years of marriage. The negative feedback from her friends, neighbors, milk- man, TV crew etc., makes Madhu paranoid who thinks that her mother-on-law wants to kill her. The play ends with the mother-law giving her lots of presents and saying that she loved Madhu as her own daughter. The well-paced comedy with a few fade-outs, came out to be an entertaining affair for the audience who enjoyed the turns and twists of the plot which was enlivened by back- ground music and light design. Besides the noticeable per- formances by Usha Slathia as Madhu, Shashi Bhushan as Madhu's husband and Deepak Singh, the other members of the cast including the two child actors also supported the production very well. These included as Seema Devi, Tatvagya Bhargav, Anuj Khajuria, Daksh Sagoch, Ishika Bali, Harshvardhan, Rajat Dogra, Rakesh Dogra, Shishupal Khajuria, Satvir Kour and Ajay Baba, who also assisted in direction. Tomorrow, Dr Gian Singh's play Bawa Jitmal by Hill Thespian will conclude the Dogri Theater Festival, organized by North zone Cultural Center, Patiala in association with J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages. DCC Jammu (U) president, Vikram Malhotra addressing a public meeting in Jammu on Sunday. Vikram seeks public support for Bhalla Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 24: District Congress Committee (DCC) Jammu Urban president, Vikram Malhotra today sought public support for Congress can- didate from Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha constituency, Raman Bhalla. While addressing meeting of District Congress Committee Jammu Urban, comprising of functionaries of blocks and wards and others here today, Malhotra asked party cadre to gear up their activities. He sought public support for Congress candidate. Malhotra at the same time asked the field functionaries to strengthen booth committees in their respective areas. He also asked them to maintain close rapport with the masses of grass root level and make them aware of the policies and programmes of the Congress party in order to garner maximum support of the people for party candidate, Raman Bhalla. The DCC leader lashed out at BJP for its U-turn on all important commitments made during elections and said false- hood of Modi Government has exposed during his five year rule. He referred to various announcements like to bring back black money and control of prices of essential commodities. Malhotra said the BJP Govt has failed on all fronts and worked for the benefit of rich and corpo- rate sector only. Prominent among those attended the meeting included Dr Rama Kant Khajuria, Madan Lal Malagar, BB Guptam, Pawan Dev Singh, PS Chouhan, Thomas Khokhar, Jyoti Vaid, Nazir Ahmed, Padmani Langeh, Prabha Salathia, Chanchal Popli, Ritu Chowdhary, Deepak Mehra, J L Koul, Vijay Sharma and others. RTO Jammu addressing awareness camp at Ramban on Sunday. RTO inaugurates orientation cum awareness programme at Ramban Excelsior Correspondent RAMBAN, Mar 24: Regional Transport Officer Jammu, Dhanatar Singh today inaugurated one day orientation cum awareness programme in the premises of Government Higher Secondary School Ramban. The programme was organized by the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD), Ramban. During the special aware- ness programme hundreds of drivers, conductors, transporters and students were made aware of traffic rules, basic principles for driving on roads. They were educated on the various Traffic and Motor Vehicle Rules and impressed upon them to abide by the rules to face less stringent action. Addressing the gathering, the RTO said that the drivers and conductors are the part and parcel of our society. He sought cooperation for spreading the message of road safety and asked all SHOs and First Class Magistrates to check the viola- tion of traffic rules and motor vehicles Act in their respective areas to control road accidents. ARTO Ramban, Mohammad Saleem and other speakers advised the drivers and conduc- tor to avoid rash driving, over loading, over taking and wrong parking on the road. On the occasion many prominent citizens also put forth their grievances and suggestions to check the accidental deaths. BJP launches WhatsApp number for Jammu West Assembly Constituency Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 24: State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), today launched WhatsApp num- ber for Jammu West Assembly Constituency to further strength- en the strong bond in between the party and the people. The WhatsApp number 6006800051 was launched by the Social Media & IT Unit of BJP district Jammu West for Jammu West Assembly Constituency in the presence of former BJP State president and former Minister, Sat Sharma and Mayor Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Chander Mohan Gupta. Sat Sharma, while address- ing the BJP activists on the occa- sion, said that ``today we are liv- ing in the age of high-technolo- gy, having source of information at our fingertips., The technolo- gy also serves the very impor- tant purpose to keep the people informed and well versed with our surroundings''. He asked the party leaders to inform people about the number, so that it serves its intended purpose. He also appealed the party workers to make good but judicious use of these modern means of com- munication to gain support for the emphatic victory of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in this Parliamentary elections. Sharma said that BJP under the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has always remained on the forefront to pro- mote public participation through the use of most modern means of communication. In this stream, the BJP Jammu West, Assembly Constituency is today initiating an exercise to directly connect with the masses. He said through the launch of this WhatspApp number, BJP has once again shown its commit- ment towards the common masses. State secretary & district Prabhari, Praduman Singh, State incharge, All Morchas, Munish Sharma, State incharge, Social Media & IT Department, Jaidev Rajwal, State additional treasur- er, Prem Gupta, district presi- dent, Ayodhya Gupta, Parneesh Mahajan and other senior BJP leaders also spoke on the occa- sion. Mandal president, Vijay Sharma, Sahil Koul in charge Jammu West Social Media and IT Department, Sanjeev Sharma, district general secretary, Vistarak Pankaj Sharma, Keshav Chopra, Munish Gupta, Vinod Singh Wazir, Sumit Malhotra, Sahil Mujoo and all councillors from Jammu West were also present on the occasion. Oppn alliance conspiracy against Dogras: Kavinder Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 24: Former Deputy Chief Minister, Kavinder Gupta campaigned for Jugal Kishore Sharma and addressed many gatherings in Bahu area, Satwari and Rajiv Nagar of Gandhi Nagar Assembly constituency today. At Satwari many social workers joined BJP. While addressing the gathering, Kavinder Gupta welcomed all the new entrants into the BJP family and termed them as assets to the Party. He further said doors of the party are open for all those who want to join it. "BJP is not a place for fulfilling personal ambitions. For us, poli- tics is a medium of social serv- ice. Apart from Government, every individual should make contribution for social cause. A political worker can do this in a better way," Gupta added. He highlighted various developmental works executed during his tenure as MLA from Gandhi Nagar and also high- lighted various developmental works executed by MP Jugal Kishore Sharma in Jammu- Poonch Lok Sabha Constituency. The workers in BJP are backbone to the party and every worker has to play an important role, Gupta Said. He cautioned the people about the false propaganda of the rival parties during electioneering. Every citizen of the area is aware of the dubious role of Congress, NC and PDP. He said general public is fed up with these parties who had gone to such a low level of politics that they are repeatedly questioning the recent airstrike of Indian Air Force on training centers of mil- itants in Pakistan. He termed the so called strategic alliance of Congress, PDP and NC on the two seats of Jammu division as a step taken out of frustration due to Modi Phobia and said that they have no issue to face the public. He asked Jammuites to give a befit- ting reply to such anti Dogra conspiracy of these parties. He said when these parties fought elections separately in Valley why they made alliance in Jammu. This is a conspiracy against this region, he added. He said at every front BJP has proved itself as a party of masses and development. The infrastructure and road projects along with Central education and health institutes sanctioned for Jammu and Kashmir is the outcome of our representatives in Parliament. Gupta appealed the voters of the area to vote and support Jugal Kishore Sharma from Jammu. Poonch Lok Sabha Constituency and ensure his vic- tory by huge margin to strength- en the Party at Centre, so that BJP returns to power with thumping majority. Baldev Billawria, district president BJP also addressed the meetings. Slathia calls for isolating communal, divisive forces Excelsior Correspondent SAMBA, Mar 24: National Conference (NC), State secretary and former Minister, Surjeet Singh Slathia today called for united front against divisive forces, saying unity in diversity has been strong characteristic of the country and the State, which is to be nurtured by foiling the machinations of elements inimi- cal to brotherhood and peace. "We have to put in our best to steer the State out of morass and lead it to peace, progress and development", Slathia said while addressing Sarpanches, Panches, Corporators and N C delegates from the Vijaypur Assembly Constituency here, this after- noon. Slathia said Jammu and Kashmir has passed through a turbulent phase during the past few years with the insensitive PDP-BJP coalition working at cross purposes and in the process ignoring the legitimate aspira- tions of the people. He said the State suffered on all fronts and now all eyes were upon N C to correct the wrongs committed by the insensitive Government dur- ing the past three and half years. While recalling the role of N C in political empowerment of the people and socio-economic transformation of Jammu and Kashmir, Slathia dwelt at length the initiatives taken in strength- ening democracy and forging the bonds of amity between various sections of the people. He said Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah had envisioned a strong, prosper- ous and secular State which is enshrined in his famous charter of Naya Jammu and Kashmir. "This concept continues to be guiding force for the party", he said and referred to revolution- ary steps taken under the stew- ardship of Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah in realizing this vision by empowering the people politically, economically and educationally. He said N C reflects the genuine urges and aspirations of the people of the State, which is blend of different faiths and cultures. "It is a unique State representing the ethos of unity in diversity", he main- tained. Referring to upcoming elec- tions, Slathia exuded confidence that the people will ensure victo- ry of Raman Bhalla and Vikramaditya Singh with a huge margin from Jammu-Poonch and Udhampur-Kathua Parliamentary constituencies respectively. Those who addressed the workers included NC district president Mohinder Gupta, its vice president, Vijay Singh and others. They highlighted the problems of the people. Unemployment all time high under BJP Govt: Manohar Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Mar 24: Former minister and president DCC Kathua, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma today alleged that unemployment has reached all time high under BJP Government in the country. While addressing series of public meetings at Dramni, Harnota, Barota, Nabri, Thantu, Gurha Dandiya, Martiyan, Kalyal, Sarni, Bhaiyaa and Ballal, Sharma urged the voters to vote for Congress candidate Vikramaditya Singh in the elec- tions. Lambasting BJP leadership Dr Sharma said that during last 5 years unemployment has been all time high in the State and the country. He said BJP Govt has failed to provide 2 crores jobs annually that they had promised in their election manifesto and now they are telling youths to sell `Pakodas' to hide their fail- ures and promises. He further said that it is duty of the Government to provide employment opportunities to the youth but the present Govt is dividing the country and youth on communal lines. Dr Sharma also asked the reason why there has been no job advertisement for teachers post in Kathua dis- trict during last 4 years. He said closure of RET scheme has fur- ther added to woes. Dr Sharma mentioned that during 2014 election PM Modi while addressing an election rally at Billawar had assured people that if BJP comes to power their area will be given special attention and many new industries will be set up in the area so that local youth can get job opportunities but since BJP came to power, not even a single poll promise has been fulfilled by BJP. He said that people have understood the nefarious designs of BJP and requested them to raise the questions to BJP lead- ership when they come for votes that though after giving 5 MLA and 1 MP from Kathua district why their district has been neg- lected on all fronts. Anirudh Khajuira (NSUI Distt president Kathua), Sarpanches Karan Singh, Neelam Kumari, Ramesh Sapolia, Joginder Kumar, Puran Chand and Ramesh Kumar also spoke on the occasion. BJP leaders launching WhatsApp number at Jammu on Sunday. Peoples Conference chairman Sajjad Gani Lone addressing workers’ meeting in Srinagar. People want alternative of NC, PDP in J&K: Sajjad Lone * Over 100 NC, PDP workers join Peoples Conference Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Mar 24: Chairman, Peoples Conference Sajjad Gani Lone today said that people of the State are looking for an alternative of National Conference and PDP and Peoples Conference has emerged as better option for them. In a major boost to Peoples Conference in Srinagar, more than 100 prominent NC and PDP workers from Sonwar joined Peoples Conference (PC) in presence of party chair- man and other leaders today. While welcoming the new entrants into the party fold Lone said that PC is emerging as a strong and valiant pro- Kashmir and pro-people politi- cal alternative to the traditional family parties asserting there is widespread realization that PC is the only party which can mit- igate the problems of people and take the State on a path towards prosperity. "The people of Srinagar have been pushed against the wall and are facing a reign of economic persecution. The governance deficit in the previ- ous regimes is responsible for economic dissatisfaction and political alienation in Kashmir. There are growing rumblings of discontent with the two parties. Now people of the State are yearning for change, they want an alternative to NC and PDP to take the State towards peace and prosperity”, he added. Those who joined the party include NC Block vice presi- dent Basharat Nazir Bhat, PDP Youth leader Umar Mushtaq Mir, Halqa president PDP Shalimar Gazanfer Hussain, NC Halqa president Balham Yaqoob Abbas, PDP’s Mohd Sarwar among others. Urging upon the workers to work with commitment and zeal, Sajjad asked them to serve the people selflessly to usher in an era of prosperity. Kathua witnessed unprecedented development in 5 years: Balbir Ravinder seeks support for Cong candidate Excelsior Correspondent NOWSHERA, Mar 24: Intensifying election campaign, Ravinder Sharma (Ex-MLC), PCC chief spokesperson addressed series of meetings in Nowshera Assembly segment and sought support for Congress candidate, Raman Bhalla today. Addressing party workers at Bagnoti, Baja Bain and Nowshera, Sharma said that Narendra Modi has failed on all fronts and the time has come when the people should think about the value of their vote at this critical juncture of Indian history. He appealed to the peo- ple to vote for coalition candi- date Raman Bhalla, to ensure an unbeatable lead in votes. Sharma appealed to the party workers to join in large numbers to attend the public meeting to be held at Nowshera on March 26, 2019 which will be addressed by Congress can- didate for Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seat Raman Bhalla and other senior leaders of the party. CSD alleges unfair recruitment in new Medical Colleges Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 24: Civil Society for Development of Jammu and Kashmir (CSD J&K) president Puneet Singh Jamwal today alleged that the recruiting agencies were prefer- ring lower educated over higher qualified candidates in selection for newly established five Government Medical Colleges in J&K. While addressing a press conference, here today, he explained that the new rules have made Degree holders ineli- gible for over 1200 Technical and Paramedical posts in new Medical Colleges. "While those into recruitment have invited Diploma holders in different streams, Degree holders are run- ning from pillar to post," he added. "This needs to be probed as to why JK Service Selection Board (SSRB) is ignoring quali- fications and merit while recruit- ing Nursing, Paramedic and Technical staff for these five upcoming Medical Colleges in the State," he said. Seeking to know the reason behind giving more weightage to 12th pass over those with degrees and PG in specialised sub- jects, Puneet Singh Jamwal said that such unfair recruitment will jeopardise many medical treat- ments and diagno- sis. U rg i n g Governor Satya Pal Malik to inter- vene into the mat- ter, he said posts of Technician and Technical Assistant in vari- ous departments such as Medicine, Paediatrics, Anatomy, Biochemistry, Forensics and others should be filled purely on merit basis. Experts into the field should get their due and there should be no favouritism or relaxation in age or qualifica- tion in such sensitive and responsible posts, he added. Stating that SSRB was going by conventional methods of recruitment and using age old criteria, he said that need of the hour is to better qualified people who have done advance courses or possess better qualifications. Puneet Singh Jamwal said that SSRB must change criteria before starting actual recruit- ment so that deserving candi- dates are not ignored and fair recruitment is done. Puneet Singh Jamwal addressing a press conference at Jammu on Sunday.