Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 26: Describingconnectivity as a prerequisite forbolstering economic growth,Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti,today called for more effectivecoordination between differentagencies so that work on variousprestigious road projects in theState is carried forward withgreater urgency.

She said constructing roads onrugged terrain in a hilly State likeJ&K is a daunting task for whichshe sought Centre's active supportin removing hurdles coming in theway of completion of these proj-ects.

The Chief Minister madethese remarks while chairing ahigh-level meeting to review theprogress of work on NationalHighways in the state.

The review comes in the back-drop of her meeting with UnionRoad Transport & HighwaysMinister, Nitin Gadkari, in NewDelhi earlier this month.

Besides Minister for PublicWorks (R&B) & ParliamentaryAffairs, A. R. Veeri, the meetingwas also attended by Minister forI&C, Chander Parkash Ganga,Minister of State for S&T,Transport and R&B, Sunil KumarSharma, Chief Secretary, B. R.Sharma, Financial Commissioner,Planning & Development, B. B.Vyas and Principal Secretary to theChief Minister, Navin K.Chaudhary.

Stressing upon factoring inphysical and topographicalissues while framing road proj-ects, the Chief Minister high-lighted the difficult challengesconfronting Kashmir valley onaccount of hostile climatic con-ditions as well as constraints onthe law-and-order front, whichshe said hamper the already-lim-ited working season. She, how-ever, described as unacceptablethe delay in timely-completionof projects in Jammu region,where working season is muchlonger and the general atmos-phere very positive.

"Even in Chenab valley, wehave a very limited working sea-son, keeping in view the hilly ter-

rain and difficulty in moving menand machinery," she said, whilealso stressing upon assessing thecontractors' capacity to deliverprojects on time.

Mehbooba Mufti urged all con-nected State Government depart-ments to work in unison andresolve pending issues with theMinistry of Road Transport &Highways (MoRTH) so that bothsides are on the same page. Sheobserved that while work on newalignments goes on, the mainte-nance of existing alignments ofnational highways, in particularJammu-Srinagar NationalHighway, should not be ignored.

The Chief Minister placedhigh priority on deployment ofadditional men and machinery onmaintenance of existing align-ment of Srinagar-Qazigund Road,keeping in view the difficultiesfaced by the people, who struggleto reach Srinagar in cases of emer-gencies. She also expressed con-cern over slow progress achievedon Banihal-Qazigund andQazigund-Srinagar road stretcheswhere only 50 per cent work hasbeen completed.

Briefing the Chief Ministerabout the status of ongoing works,PWD Secretary, Rohit Kansal, saidaround 96 per cent of all landacquisition cases have been com-pleted. He added that an amount ofRs.42,668 crore has been sanc-tioned under PM's DevelopmentPackage - TAMIER (TheAggressive Micro Economic andInfrastructure Rebuilding), whichinclude 12 major roads, three megatunnels and Ring Road projects forthe two Capital Cities.

The R&B Secretary, whilebriefing the Chief Minister, saidfour new projects which includeKargil-Zanskar, Srinagar-Shopian-Qazigund, Jammu-Akhnoor-Poonch and Chenani-Sudhmahadev-Goha roads (alongwith 3-km tunnel) will be con-structed at a cost of Rs.13,300crore.

On Ring Roads for Jammu &Srinagar cities, the Chief Ministerwas informed that while MoRTH

will fund the entire construction,the state Government will spentonly 10 per cent of the cost relatedto land acquisition and utility shift-ing. Earlier, MoRTH had proposed75:25 pattern for LAand shifting ofutilities.

The Chief Minister orderedrespective DivisionalCommissioners to follow up landacquisition proceedings onceNHAI (National HighwayAuthority of India) places indentswith respective DCs.

On Batote-Kishtwar-SinthanPass-Khanabal Road, which is tobe upgraded to two lanes, it wasgiven out that the work has beenentrusted to NHICDL (NationalHighway and InfrastructureDevelopment CorporationLimited). A new alignment atChenani-Sudhmahadev-Goha-Khellani has also been proposedand for the construction of a tunnelat Singhpora-Vailoo Road, the mat-ter has been taken up with MoRTHfo external funding.

The R&B Minister observedthat keeping in view the deteriorat-ing condition of the existingBatote-Doda-Kishtwar Road, theChenani-Sudhmahadev-Goha-Khellani Road has assumed vitalsignificance.

The Chief Minister wasinformed that a proposal hasalready been sent to MoRTH fordeclaring Mughal Road as an alter-nate national highway to boost con-nectivity between Jammu andKashmir divisions. She was alsoinformed by MoRTH officers pres-ent in the meeting about freshresurfacing of road stretch fromChenani to Patnitop, which is in apoor condition.

The Chief Minister stressedthat the matter be prioritizedalong with the component ofconstruction of tunnel which willmake Mughal Road an all-weather road.

The status of other NationalHighways reviewed by the ChiefMinister included Kargil-Zanskar,Baramulla-Rafiabad-Kupwara-

Tangdhar, Leh-Debring-Mulden-Manali and Baltal-Panjtarni-Chandanwari-Pahalgam-Batkoot-Martand-Khanabal.

The Chief Minister directed theDivisional Commissioners to lookinto the issue and settle all pendingcases on priority.

On the vital issue of mainte-nance of deteriorated patches onJammu-Srinagar NationalHighway, especially criticalstretches at Patnitop, Nashri,Ramban and Banihal, the ChiefMinister asked the concerned exe-cuting agencies to mobilize menand machinery as sliding and chok-ing of drains breaks down traffic,causing lot of inconvenience to thecommuters.

Regarding projects taken upunder Bharat Mala for boostingconnectivity to tourist destinationsand Inter-State ConnectivityScheme, the Chief Minister wasinformed that bids have been invit-ed and the projects will be allottedshortly.

The Chief Minister asked theChief Secretary to coordinate sothat departmental bottlenecks, inparticular related to setting up oftoll plazas, are removed in a time-bound manner.

Also present in the meetingwere Financial CommissionerRevenue, Pramod Jain, PrincipalSecretary Forests, Rakesh Gupta,Principal Secretary, Home, R. K.Goyal, Principal Secretary, Power,Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner /Secretary, I&C, Shailendra Kumar,Commissioner / Secretary,Revenue, M. Afzal Bhat,Divisional Commissioners, Dr.Pawan Kotwal and Asgar HassanSamoon and Chief Engineers ofR&B, PMGSY and Mughal RoadProject.

The Central government wasrepresented by A.K. Gupta, GM,NHICDL, R. P. Singh, RegionalOfficer, NHAI, V. S. Khera,Member PPP, MHA and seniorfunctionaries of BRO, BRTF,Project Sampark and Project BEA-CON in the meeting.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 26: DeputyChief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singhtoday said that the main objec-tive of the present coalitionGovernment is to promote cul-tural diversity in the State.

Dr Singh, who was the chiefguest at a function heralding theinauguration of ongoing, globalcelebrations of AcharyaAbhinavgupt a world renownedscholar here this evening, saidthe J&K was a mini India inwhich people of all faiths, sincelong have lived in harmony.

Maintaining that it wasimportant to understand the cul-tural essence of AcharyaAbhinavgupt and the monisticShavite philosophy in the pres-ent context, he said it representsthe apex of Indian and worldphilosophical systems. It wasthe matter of great pride that oneof the greatest scholars of theworld like Acharya Abhinavguptwas born in our State andGovernment will at all levelshelp to promote the studies inShiva philosophy and the teach-ings of Abhinavgupt, he added.

He said the teachings andphilosophy of AcharyaAbhinavgupt have relevance inpresent world when humanbeings have become thirsty ofeach others blood. He saidKashmir has been crown ofIndia from times immemorialand we all feel proud that such

great personalities have born onthis soil.

Responding to the demand ofthe Committee regarding settingup of an Acharya AbhinavguptCentre, Dr Singh said that hewould take the matter with theconcerned so that it comes up asa State of Art Centre forResearch and higher studies.

Prof Moti Lal a worldrenowned scholar of KashmirShavism was the main speaker ofthe function. He while describingKashmiri Shavism with referenceto Abhinavgupt said that as perShavism there are three basics toknow truth i. e reason, scriptureand experience.

Maintaining that the person-ality of Abhinavgupt wasuncomprehensive, he regrettedthat he has not been given the

due place which this worldrenowned scholar deserved andwas left in oblivion. He howevercomplimented former J&KPrime Minister, Bakshi GhulamMohammed for constructing theAbhinav Theatre during histenure in memory of this greatAcharya at Jammu.

Justice (retd) G D Sharmawhile proposing the vote ofthanks on behalf of theMillennium CelebrationCommittee demanded thatAbhinav Bairo Gufa at BerauBudgam be declared as nationalheritage. Principal of RashtriyaSanskrit Sansthan, ProfRamanajun Devnunathan whilelauding the efforts of propagat-ing the studies of Abhinavguptand celebrating his one thousandyears said that it was imperativethat a sustained effort was need-ed to promote studies into theShaiva doctrine while ProfMulraj Shastri a renownedscholar from Jammu highlightedthe Abhinavgupt’s and otherKashmiri scholars contributionsto Indian aesthetics.

Two books on Abhinavgupttitled Abhinavgupt the Light ofIndia by Pardeep Kaul andanother titled Abhinavgupt byPadam Shri Jawahar Lal Kaulwere released on the occasion.

President of the State levelCelebration Committee AcharyaShiv Prasad Raina read the wel-come address while PardeepKaul managed the stage.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 26: ChiefSecretary, B R Sharma todayfavored conceptualizing suit-able small size adaptation andmitigation project proposals toexpedite the approval processunder the various domestic &international climate changefunding corridors includingNational Adaptation Fund on

Climate Change (NAFCC),Adaptation Fund Board (AFB)and Green Climate Fund (GCF).

Chairing a meeting toreview the progress of imple-mentation of the J&K StateAction Plan for Climate Change(SAPCC), Chief Secretaryunderscored the need to concep-tualize and develop projectsconsistent with the guidelines toaccess financial resources.

"J&K is amongst the mostsensitive regions to climatechange and represents a highlyfragile & vulnerable ecosystemas such focus should be onadaptive activities and building

climate resilience in the State”,Chief Secretary said andinstructed concernedAdministrative Secretaries toimmediately identify and devel-op suitable projects proposals inthis regard for accessing fundsunder NAFCC, AFB and GCF.

Union Government in2008 launched the NationalAction Plan on ClimateChange (NAPCC) with 8

National Missions. 32 Statesincluding J&K and UTs havedeveloped SAPCC to main-stream the climate change con-cerns as part of their develop-mental planning.

Union Government alsoestablished the NationalAdaptation Fund on ClimateChange (NAFCC) with a budg-et provision of Rs 350 crore forthe year 2015-16 and 2016-17.The objective of the fund is toassist the States and UnionTerritories that are particularlyvulnerable to the adverse effectsof climate change in meetingthe cost of adaptation.

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Apr 26: E-finan-cial inclusion is critical to makethe financial inclusion viable andsustainable for banks in India.Only leveraging technology canhelp the banks to create opportuni-ties out of five key challenges inthis regard i.e. cost, coverage, con-venience, confidence and conver-gence.

Deputy Governor ReserveBank of India (RBI) Harun RashidKhan said this here at SKICC, dur-ing the Banclave on "e-financialinclusion - way forward", whichwas organized by the Bankers'Club, J&K.

J&K Bank Chairman & CEOMushtaq Ahmad, who is alsoChief Patron Bankers' Club, wasalso present on the occasion alongwith Regional Director (J&K) DSethy who is also President of theclub.

CGM-in-Charge DIT RBI SGanesh Kumar, CEO NationalPayments Corporation of India(NCPI) A P Hota, RegionalDirectors (RBI) P K Jena,Nirmal Chand, CGMs SBI K MTrivedi, Anil Kishora, CGM(NABARD) Vijay Kumar, HeadNon-Linear Sales TCS AjayShrivastava, J&K BankExecutive Presidents, Presidentsand Vice-Presidents, HeadFinancial Inclusion (PNB) B MPadha besides senior officersfrom various banks operating inthe State attended the Banclave.

Giving a panoramic view of

the financial inclusion alongwith its problems and possibili-ties in the country's evolvingeconomic scenario, DeputyGovernor said, "Financial inclu-sion must become a springboardfor economic activity to makethe accounts remunerative forbanks, which naturally makes itsqualitative dimensions moreimportant than the mere increasein number of accounts."

He urged the participants tocome out with some action-points at the end of their deliber-ations so that at least contours ofdigital plan for J&K emergesbesides suggesting what role canRBI play in terms of connectivi-ty and co-ordination.

"Communication and commit-ment are very important elementsin this regard and for that the banksneed to equip and train their staffwell to take this mission forward.And I hope that the bankers'forum like this one will play a cat-alytic role in the development ofbanking system within the State ofJ&K", he added.

Speaking in his inauguraladdress earlier, Chief PatronBankers' Club Mushtaq Ahmadpitched for the substance of inclu-sive paradigm rather than its meresymbolism.

He said, "the sections at thegrass-root of society must feelassured of care and inclusion andfor that to happen Make-in-Indiaslogan has to be wedded with theMade-for-India mantra."

He also took the audiencethrough the evolution of financial-inclusion since late 60's before theterm achieved its current meaningand significance.

Earlier, President Bankers'Club J&K D Sethy welcomed the

participants and briefed the audi-ence about the eminent speakerswho have been working on finan-cial inclusion and its alliedprocesses.

On the occasion, CGM SGanesh Kumar gave a power-point presentation on 'Innovationin IT for better governance'.

Differing from the generalview about the use of technologyby people as a challenge he said,"Based on my experience in thefield, I find that people do usetechnology in times of need andour role as bankers is to makethem conscious of their needonly."

A P Hota, who heads NPCI,which is an umbrella organizationfor all retail payments system inIndia, gave a detailed overview ofpayment system dimension of thefinancial inclusion.

He particularly talked aboutthe role of JAM Trinity i.e. JanDhan, Aadhar and Mobile.

There were two technical ses-sion.

First session discussed'Leveraging Technology forFinancial Inclusion - StateExperiences' and was moderatedby DGM (RBI) D K Kashyapwherein J&K Bank ExecutivePresident Vagish Chander partic-ipated along with P K Jena,Nirmal Chand, K M Trivedi,Vijay Kumar and AjayShrivastava.

The second session was on 'e-Financial Inclusion, e-Payments,e- Governance in J&K - WayForward' moderated by GM, RBI,S C Sharma wherein A P Hota,Anil Kishora, B M Padha,Rajkamal Vardhrajan (HDFC) andVikas Bhauwala (ICICI) partici-pated.

DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016 (PAGE 3)

CM reviews progress of National Highways ProjectsGreater urgency required to complete

projects on time, says Mehbooba*Directs effective maintenance of existing alignments on Jammu-Srinagar NH

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti chairing a high-level meeting on Tuesday.

Farooq for sustainedIndo-Pak dialogue to

resolve issuesExcelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Apr 26:National Conference (NC)President Dr Farooq Abdullahsaid that India and Pakistanshould show consistency, politi-cal-will and positivity to engagein a sustained dialogue thataims at resolving all outstand-ing issues including that ofKashmir.

Dr Farooq Abdullah saidalthough formal ForeignSecretary level talks betweenIndia and Pakistan is a positivesign but both countries shouldnot sideline Kashmiri stake-holders and leadership in anystructured engagement as thiswould have adverse politicalimplications in the Valley.

Meanwhile, NationalConference ProvincialPresident Nasir Aslam Wani hasasked PDP to clarify theunprecedented and conspicuousmarginalization of Kashmirileadership and internal stake-holders vis-à-vis the Kashmirissue in the new phase of diplo-matic engagement betweenNew Delhi and Islamabad.

"PDP had promised in itsnow long-buried 'Agenda of theAlliance' that its alliance withthe BJP came at the back of anassurance that New Delhiwould engage in talks withinternal stakeholders includingthe separatist leadership inKashmir. Today it has becomeclear that this was another hugelie as Kashmiri stakeholdershave not only been sidelined butalso completely marginalized intalks that will discuss an issuewhere the people of Kashmirare the rightful primary stake-holders", he added.

Nasir Aslam Wani said NCwill continue to demand theinclusion of all shades of opinionfrom Kashmir in a sustained,structured dialogue that couldresult in the resolution of theKashmir Issue. "Any engage-ment between the two neighborson Kashmir that sidelines stake-holders within Kashmir will notbe fruitful or consequential. Sowe hope both New Delhi andIslamabad involve internalstakeholders in dialogue so thatthe political aspirations and sen-timents of the people could beacknowledged and accountedfor", he added.

Dignitaries during Banclave on “e-financial inclusion-way forward” at SKICC on Tuesday.

E-financial inclusion critical for banks: Dy Governor RBI

WEATHERJAMMU :

Mainly clear sky.TEMPERATURE

Max: 37.7 Degree C Min: 21.5 Degree C

RELATIVE HUMIDITYRH-I (Morning): 25.0 per centRH-II (Evening): 31.0 per centSunset on Wednesday: 07.10 p.m.Sunrise on Thursday: 05.48 a.m.

KASHMIR:Partially cloudy sky.TEMPERATURE

Max: 23.7 Degree C Min: 6.9 Degree C

RELATIVE HUMIDITYRH-I (Morning): 57.0 per centRH-II (Evening): 44.0 per cent

LEH: TEMPERATUREMax: 17.5 Degree C Min: 5.4 Degree C

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CS reviews progress of State ActionPlan on Climate Change

SVC detects nexus in JU, orders enquiry against 2 AEsExcelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 26: On thebasis of the merit of the com-plaint and the secret verificationgot conducted in the matter, theState Vigilance Commission hasasked the VigilanceOrganization to initiate regularpreliminary enquiry into theallegations levelled against twoEngineers of Jammu University.

The Commission hadreceived a complaint about themisusing of official position andUniversity funds by SureshSharma and Akash Bhola, bothAssistant Engineers, working inWorks Department of JammuUniversity, for their personalgains. The complainant has alsoalleged that the concernedEngineers hand in glow with thecontractors Karam Chand, SonuMahajan and Suresh Kumar,have drawn the payments ofworks despite knowing that sub-standard material that too in less

quantity was used in construc-tion works by the contractors. Itfurther alleged that advancepayment was made by theEngineers to the contractors forconstruction of MBA buildingprior to starting of work in vio-lation of prescribed norms.

The secret verification gotconducted by the Commissionin the matter prima facierevealed nexus between the con-cerned Engineers and contrac-tors, who in league with eachother have drawn payments dis-honestly for their personal gains.The report further reveals thatsubstandard material that too inless quantity has been used inconstruction works.

In view of the gravity of alle-gations levelled againstUniversity Engineers, the SVCdirected the VigilanceOrganization to conduct a regularpreliminary enquiry in the matterso that persons involved in thisscam are punished under law.

Transfers, postings of 3

Pvt SecretariesExcelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 26: The StateGovernment has ordered trans-fers and postings of threePrivate Secretaries ofSecretariat Cadre, with immedi-ate effect.

Mohd Arshad Khan, await-ing orders of adjustment, hasbeen posted as Private Secretarywith Secretary Labour &Employment Department whileSajid Rashid Bhat, who wasalso awaiting orders of adjust-ment, has been posted asPrivate Secretary withCommissioner Secretary,Housing & Urban DevelopmentDepartment.

Javaid Ahmad Mir, PrivateSecretary with Secretary PHE,I&FC Department, has beentransferred and posted asPrivate Secretary in thePersonal Section of the Ministerof State for Haj & Auqaf.

Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh and other scholars releasing a book at a function atJammu on Tuesday.

Millennium celebrations of world renowned scholar underway

Abhinavgupt’s philosophy has total relevance in present world: DyCM

Chief Secretary B R Sharma chairing a meeting at Jammu onTuesday.