JAMMU: Mrs. Usha Vohra, First Lady, inaugurated “Remembering R.K. Laxman” an International Exhibition here at the Kala Kendra today. This exhibition has been organized by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India, with the aim to pay tribute to the renowned cartoonist Mr. R.K. Laxman who passed away some time back.
Mrs. Vohra went round all the exhibited cartoons and lauded the caricatures for their suitable satire and artistic ingenuity. Cartoons of and about the work of Mr. Laxman by various artists from several countries, including Pakistan, USA, Egypt and India, have also been exhibited. Mr. Balwant Thakur, Regional Director, ICCR; Ms. Rani Bilowria, MLC; Mrs. Roma Wani, Honorary General Secretary, State Red Cross Society; Mr. Soujanya Sharma, Secretary Kala Kendra were present on the occasion among a large number of people.
JAMMU: Arrangements for observing National Drinking Water and Sanitation awareness week from March 16 to 22 were discussed in a meeting of Water Sanitation and Support Organization (WSSO) convened under the chairmanship of Commissioner Secretary PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Dr. Pawan Kotwal here today. Chief Engineer PHE Jammu Sushil Aima, Director Finance PHE/I&FC Mahesh Sharma besides senior officers of CCDU, IT and PHE were present on the occasion.
Interacting with the officers, Dr. Kotwal was apprised of the week long awareness programme scheduled to be organized at state, district, block and Gram Panchayat level alongwith the activities planned to make the event a success. It was informed that besides generating mass awareness through electronic and print media different departments would also be involved in the campaign for greater participation. He also stressed to involve Anganwadi and Asha workers besides members of Village Water Sanitation Committee for door to door campaign for awareness of the programme.
Commissioner Secretary PHE also reviewed the Expression of Interest (EOI) for the selection of project implementing agencies for the remaining zone which included Ramban-Kishtwar-Doda and Leh-Kargil. Regarding the renewal of Memorandum of Undertaking (MoU) with already working project implementating agencies or re-advertisement of EOI’s for the year 2015-16, it was decided that the issue would be taken up later in March.
KATHUA: Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Shantmanu, who is also the chairman of Shri Sukrala Mata Shrine Board; accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, members of Shrine board and senior officers of district administration visited Shri Sukrala Mata and inspected the various developmental works .
Earlier, the Divisional Commissioner convened a meeting of board members and district officers at Billawar to review the developmental requirements for upgradation of facilities for pilgrims at shrine. Zorawar Singh, member SSMSB presented a resume of status of various activities and requirements for upgradation of facilities . SDM BillawarRajeshwar Singh Charak presented details of developmental works under taken in and around the shrine. The Chairman directed for installation of high power generator for uninterrupted power supply at the shrine, installation of high mast lights, donation boxes, suggestion-cum-complaint boxes, signboards and improvement in office infrastructure.
Deputy Commissioner Kathua directed departments of PHE, Power and PWD for time bound completion of developmental works around shrine and also instructed the CEO Lakhanpur Sarthal Development Authority for early completion of tourist building at Sukrala. Issues related to enhancement in security of shrine and provision of proper water and power supply were also discussed in the meeting. CEO LSDA presented details of various wayside amenities being developed for pilgrims.
Divisional Commissioner also inaugurated a double storey toilet complex near Bus Stand Sukrala Mata constructed by the board at a cost of Rs 19 lakh. A bore-well is also being installed near the toilet complex by the executing agency. SDM Billawar, Tehsildar Billawar, BDO Billawar, Deputy CEO, and officers of PHE, PWD, PDD, PMGSY, Health and other departments presented details of various departmental works near the shrine and activities being undertaken for improving facilities for the pilgrims .
KATHUA: District Development Commissioner, Kathua, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary today visited various areas of tehsil Ramkote and Billawar to assess the losses suffered to crops, houses and essential services due to heavy rainfall and hailstorm earlier this week. Large stretches of crop field and supply lines have been reportedly damaged and restoration works under way.
DDC visited sites of various Government and Private buildings damaged in Billawar and directed the concerned departments for taking up immediate repair of buildings. Revenue officials have been deputed for assessment of losses to crops and private property especially residential houses so that composite case is submitted to Government for providing relief. He also assured the public of prompt response to their demand for relief in cases of damaged property and crops in the area.
He also visited the sites of various developmental works where reports were received about construction work abandoned by PWD of buildings of Education Department and Health Department in Sukrala. Directing action against officials for delay in construction of two important buildings and called for completion of work within a period of six months.
Deputations of local inhabitants of Sukrala also met the Deputy Commissioner and apprised him about water scarcity in the areas and demanded revival of water supply scheme line from Machhedi to Sukrala. PHE department has been asked to immediately prepare a plan of action for restoration of WSS Machedi to Sukrala for benefit of local people and visiting pilgrims.
Later DDC also visited various places in Ramkote Tehsil to assess the damages and pace of developmental works. Executive Engineer PWD was directed for taking up repair works along the road from Chadwal to Billawar where OFC cable is being laid by BSNL. Revenue department officials briefed the DDC about losses to crops and houses and pace of assessment work in progress. SDM Billawar R S Charak, Executive Engineer PWD, PMGSY, Tehsildars, BDOs and officers of line departments accompanied the DDC during visit to Billawar and Ramkote Tehsils.