DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016 (PAGE 7)

Zulfkar for streamlining ration procurement, distribution mechanism

* Kathua tops in achieving target under NFSAExcelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 7: Minister forFood, Civil Supplies and ConsumerAffairs (FCS&CA), ChowdharyZulfkar Ali today called for ensuringcent percent procurement, lifting anddistribution of food grains bystreamlining the existing mecha-nism.

Speaking during a review meet-ing convened with the officers of theFCS&CA department here today,the Minister said the departmentshould ensure that the release orders(ROs) for desired food grains areprocured ahead of time. He said itwould ensure timely procurementand distribution of food grainsamong consumers. He said toensure smooth procurement and dis-tribution, it is imperative that propermechanism is formulated to achieve100 percent efficiency.

The Minister was informed thatunder National Food Security Act(NFSA) from February toDecember 3, 2016, district Kathuais leading in Jammu province with

96 percent of distribution of allocat-ed food grains. The meeting wasinformed that against the allocationof 3, 06,676 quintals of food grains,so far 2, 92,174 quintals have beendistributed among the consumers inthe district.

District Ramban is at number 2,with 95 percent of distribution onallocation. A total of 1,51,352 quin-tals of food grains were distributedagainst the allocation of 1,60,018quintals, while district Udhampurfollows with 94 percent achieve-ment at number third in terms of per-centage of distribution on allocationin the province. District Doda with72 percent comes at the bottom ofthe chart, where out of allotted 2,24,556 quintals, 1, 60,904 quintalswere distributed.

Speaking on the occasion, theMinister said that it is the responsi-bility of the department to distributerations to the consumers in time sothat the allocated food grains areprovided to them for consumption.He asked the officials to adopt thepositive approach in achieving the

desired results. He added that thedepartment has to find ways andmeans to carry out tasks in a betterand scientific manner.

The Minister said people aredirectly dependent on FCS&CA,therefore, the efficiency in thedepartment's work has to be at parwith the aspirations of its consumers.He added if the department deliverswell it would receive appreciationfrom people themselves, as it hap-pened in recent months in Valley,while the departmental functionar-ies' worked with tremendous dedica-tion during the turmoil period. Hesaid change is must, and unless abetter work attitude is adapted,achieving desired results in servingpeople would not be possible.

Secretary, FCS&CA ShafiqRaina, Director, FCS&CA Jammu,G S Chib, General Manager, FoodCorporation of India, KishoreKumar, Special Secretary,FCS&CA Nissar Ahmad, AssistantDirectors FCS&CA of JammuDivision and other concerned offi-cers attended the meeting.

Govt working on improvingroad connectivity: Veeri

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 7: Minister forPublic Works and ParliamentaryAffairs, Abdul Rehman Veeritoday said it is important to deliv-er basic amenities at the doorstepof the people and Government hastaken various steps in this regard.He said the Government is layingstress on upgrading the road infra-

structure to provide better roadconnectivity to the people of theState.

The Minister said this whileinteracting with various deputa-tions from Jammu region whocalled on him and apprised himabout the various issues pertainingto road connectivity in theirrespective areas.

Among others, Chief EngineerR&B Jammu, Alok Mengi, ChiefEngineer PMGSY Jammu,Superintendent Engineer R&B,Jammu besides senior officers ofthe concerned departments werepresent.

The Minister gave a patienthearing to all the deputations and

passed on spot directions to theconcerned officers to redress theirgrievances on priority. TheMinister said roads are vital fordevelopment of any area andstressed that a well-knit plan hasbeen envisaged to improve theroad connectivity in the state.

Veeri asked the officers to per-sonally monitor the works so thatthese are completed within the

stipulated time. He enjoined uponthem to work efficiently so thatdeserving people benefit from thewelfare schemes of theGovernment.

He also directed the officers toformulate DPRs for new projectsand submit the same to the con-cerned agencies at the earliest.

The Minister reiterated thecommitment of Government togive a corruption free, efficientand accessible administration tothe people of Jammu andKashmir. He also asked the offi-cers to make periodical reviews ofthe progress of various ongoingdevelopmental works in their con-cerned areas.

Minister for Public Works Abdul Rehman Veeri interactingwith a deputation in Jammu on Wednesday.

Provincial President National Conference Devender Singh Rana addressing a gathering atRanjan on Wednesday.

Women empowerment key to harmonious growth of society: Rana

Excelsior Correspondent

RANJAN (NAGROTA), Dec7: Describing women empower-ment as key to harmoniousgrowth of society, ProvincialPresident National ConferenceDevender Singh Rana today saidthat adequate conditions areneeded to be created for theireconomic emancipation and par-ticipation in decision making.

"To achieve gender equalityin decision-making, politicalawakening among womenassumes immense significance",Rana said at a workers rallywhile nominating Rekha Langehas Block President, NC WomenWing for Mathwar Block, inpresence of Provincial PresidentWomen Wing Satwant KourDogra, former MLA BimlaLuthra and Dilshad Malik,among others.

He exhorted women to comeforward in a big way and playtheir role as equals in politics andother fields. "This will greatlyhelp in carving out a rightfulplace for women in society, end-ing domestic violence, incen-tivising their economic emanci-pation and ensuring optimumfemale literacy", he said anddwelt upon the opportunities cre-ated by National Conference overdecades in eliciting women par-ticipation in politics and socialservice. He said endeavours havebeen made to encourage girls'involvement in various activitiesso that they grow as useful citi-zens of the society.

The Provincial Presidenturged women to take lead infighting discriminatory and anti-people policies of the PDP-BJPGovernment, saying governancedeficit has hit the masses at grass-roots level, especially thewomen, the most in terms ofscarce drinking water, unsched-uled power cuts, rise in the prices

of essentials etc. "The recent hike in the prices

of rations distributed to con-sumers through CAPD outletshas been a harsh blow to poorpeople", he said while describingthis as the Ache Din version ofthe BJP. He said he has been pur-suing developmental depart-ments to ensure minimum basicsto the people and maintain regu-lated supply of drinking waterand power in the constituency.

The MLA Nagrota camedown heavily on the BJP for let-ting down people by deviatingfrom the basic responsibility of

governance. "The Governmenthas failed on all fronts and thepromises made during 2014 elec-tions have turned out as hollowslogans", he said, adding that thepresent dispensation has lost itswill to govern, which is dis-cernible by chaos like situation inall the three regions of Jammu,Kashmir and Ladakh.

Provincial President WomenWing Dogra and formerLegislator Bimla Luthra alsospoke on the occasion.

Earlier, Rana inaugurated theparty office at Agore in UpperJandal Block Mathwar.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 7: SmileTrain, an international NGO, inpartnership with AmandeepHospital, Amritsar has providedover 5800 free cleft lip andpalate surgeries to the underpriv-ileged children born with thisbirth defect.

To celebrate this achieve-ment and to create more aware-ness about cleft lip and palate, aCleft Week is being organizedbetween December 5 and 11across Jammu and Punjab. Inthis regard, a special camp wasorganized today at AmandeepMulti-specialty OPD Clinic,Jammu.

During this special event,Kavinder Gupta, Speaker, J&KLegislative Assembly was chiefguest while Deepak Gupta,prominent Industrialist, AnkushGupta, president, BJP GandhiNagar Mandal and KulbirCharak, general secretary,Jammu BJP, also attended thefunction.

Identified patients weremobilized towards AmandeepMulti-Specialty OPD ClinicJammu for free consultation andcorrective surgery as well as themedical treatment of anemicchildren to facilitate surgery ontime. Though these surgeries areavailable throughout the year,

the cleft week is being organizedto create renewed awarenessabout the problem. Total 57 suchpatients were checked duringthis special camp.

While speaking on the occa-sion, Kavinder Gupta empha-sized on the need of such moreinitiatives by private hospitalsfor upliftment of the downtrod-den and destitute. Dr RaviMahajan, Director, Smile Trainand Chief Plastic Surgeon,Amandeep Hospital said that bytreating such patients, TeamAmandeep is feeling privileged.

Speaking about the partner-ship with Smile Train, DrMahajan said, "Smile Train hasempowered us to apply ourskills to help children and give

back to the society. Correctionof clefts is one of the most sat-isfying surgical experiences fora plastic surgeon. WithoutSmile Train's support we could-n't have helped 5800 childrenget a second chance at life, injust 12 years! A simple surgerystands in the way of them livinga normal life, and I am privi-leged to be part of the SmileTrain program."

Other NGOs like BaptistFellowship, The Ministry ofGod, Aid IT Action, CatholicSocial Service Society, SewaSangh, Sainik Association, MRAssociation, and All IndiaAssociation of Chemist &Druggist also attended thecamp.

Smile Train, Amandeep Hospital provide over 5800 free cleft lip to poor children

Speaker Legislative Assembly, Kavinder Gupta and otherguests posing with beneficiaries of free cleft lip provided by SmileTrain and Amandeep Hospital, Amritsar.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 7: The Jammu,Kashmir, Ladakh AllDepartments Clerical StaffAssociation (ADCSA) hasdeclared that pen down strikeannounced by a faction of theclerical body on December 8, 9and 10 is unjustified.

An emergency meeting ofJammu, Kashmir and Ladakh AllDepartments Clerical StaffAssociation, was held here todayunder the presidium of RaviSingh Bhau (president), MohdSultan (President Kashmirprovince), Sukhbir Singh ( gener-al secretary Jeelani Naik ( seniorvice president, Kashmir) andRavi Kumar (senior vice presi-dent), in which several leadersof Clerical cadre participated.

While speaking on the occa-sion, the presidium informed inthe meeting that they had alreadyin touch with the Governmentand held two meetings with theGovernment on September 21,2016 at Srinagar and onDecember 2, 2016 at Jammu withregard to the removal of payanomalies /disparity in pay

grades of clerical cadre. TheGovernment has agreed on theview putforth by the Association.Therefore, at this juncture, thepen down strike call is unjustifiedand just to sabotage the cause ofclerical cadre when the govern-ment is keenly interested inresolving the issue.

Ravi Singh appealed to all theclerical cadre not to support anystrike call of on December 8, 9and Secretariat `Gherao' pro-gramme on December 10. Thereis Saturday on this day and theSecretariat will be closed. Healso appealed to the cadre to beremain vigilant against thedesigns of some vested interests.

Sukhbir Singh urged upon theChief Minister to provide justiceto the clerical cadre employees asthey are struggling since long.

Prominent among otherspresent on the occasion includedRavi Kumar, Brijesh Mehta, Jaideep Singh, Yashpal, KuldeepKotwal, Gurcharan Singh,Ashish Bhandari, SaritaWadhera, Anita Sharma, SurinderKour, Raman Ganjoo and RajanSingh.

Clerks’ pen down strike unjustified: ADCSA

Expedite work on Jammu tourism projects: AJHLA

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 7: Expressinggrave concern over the steep declinein the tourist influx in Jammu, AllJammu Hotels & Lodges Association(AJHLA) has called upon the StateGovt to awake from deep slumberand give due attention for the timelycompletion of the stalled ongoingmega tourism projects.

Addressing the meetingInderjeet Khajuria, president gavea pointed reference to the projectsof Artificial Lake Project on Tawiriver, Beautification of Tawi bankson the Sabarmati pattern andMubarak Mandi Heritage Project.These projects have either beenstalled or lying at the stage of DPRpreparation.

He said that attracting tourists isa distant dream as the half heartedefforts and lack of will in comple-tion of ongoing projects will fur-

ther deteriorate the tourism poten-tial, causing a great set back to theJammu economy which standsalready shattered. Hotel industry isalready under financial crisis andhas been on ventilator due to vari-ous reasons besides the continuousturmoil in the Kashmir valley sincelast 5 months causing steep declinein the tourist influx.

Members also discussed theelection process for the elections ofthe Association being held onDecember 17 at 11 am at KingswayHall, on Maharaja Gulab SinghMarg where the elections for theposts of president, senior vice pres-ident, Vice President, general sec-retary, joint secretary, treasurer andpublicity secretary are being held.

Prominent among those presentin the meeting included, PawanGupta, HS Manhas, Baldev Raj,Sunil Suri, Pritam Sharma and MLSharma.