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500 kanals of mandi land encroached upon
Frequent violence at Lal Chowk hits traders
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Operation Sadbhavana
Repeal of Article 370 main agenda: State BJP chief
JAMMU diary
Women’s panel gets complaints against NRI husbands
Children study in verandah under cold
School board to continue helpline service
Health dept vehicles gathering dust
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500 kanals of mandi land encroached upon
Jammu, January 12 The market at Narwal has now been transferred from the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) to the Horticulture Planning and Marketing Department. "All documents are yet to be handed over but we have got the possession of only 300 kanals," said MS Qasba, Director, Horticulture and Planning, maintaining that the space is a major constraint as the mandi is the nerve-centre for fruits and vegetables business. Sources allege that most of the area has been encroached upon by the land mafia as well as some government departments. The market sans basic amenities like drinking water and toilets has been a victim of continuous official apathy. Fruit growers and those associated with the business have been demanding upgradation of the market for long. Asked to comment on the missing land, Minister of Horticulture Sham Lal said he would look into the matter. "The place needs to be decongested as during the peak business season that from October to December, trailers have to keep waiting for hours to enter the market. It poses many problems to the commuters besides resulting into a chaos," the horticulture director said. About the plan for developing the place as a hi-tech terminal mandi, Qasba said the state government had allocated Rs 3.78 crore for the purpose. "Besides, a cold store having a capacity of 2,000 metric tonnes would also be established this year. The Rs 2-crore project would be funded by the central government under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna," he said. The department planned to ensure all amenities for the farmers in the market. "We have already set up a Kisan Bhavan in the mandi which can accommodate 40 persons," he added. During the first phase of development, an auction platform would be constructed in the mandi, besides macadamizing the entire space around the 417 shop sites. |
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Frequent violence at Lal Chowk hits traders
Srinagar, January 12 It has been the first such incident around Lal Chowk within the first week of the New Year throwing normal life and business activities out of gear in the business hub. Though several encounters have taken place around the area during the past two decades of militancy, there have been other reasons also which have affected business activities in the area. In view of all incidents, including those due to militant strikes or proposed marches to Lal Chowk by separatists from time to time, business activities have been adversely affected over the years. Traders have been more concerned about the loss due to various reasons, mainly the presence of security forces camps in and around the business hub. They feel that security camps in the vicinity of these business hubs become the target of militants’ activities leading to disruption in normal life. It was with this view that the trader community in the area has sought the government’s intervention to shift CRPF camp from the area. The CRPF camp is located around the debris of Palladium cinema, which had been gutted in an encounter between militants and security forces in April 1993. All eight cinema halls in the city and some others in major towns of the Valley were closed down with the eruption of militancy two decades ago. Another camp in the vicinity of Palladium cinema is that of Akhara building adjacent to Budshah Chowk. The traders from the area led by Kashmir Traders’ and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) president Mohammad Yasin met Minister of State for H&UDD, Tourism, PHE and Revenue & Relief Nasir Aslam Wani and other senior officers on Sunday. The Minister assured the delegation that the issue of shifting of the CRPF camp at Lal Chowk would be taken up in security meetings and he would request Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for its relocation. Urging the trading community to resume business, the Minister sought cooperation from the traders for improving the facade of the historic Lal Chowk describing it as the hub of tourism and business activities of the summer capital. Expressing concern over the frequent incidents, Mushtaq Ahmad Bazaz, president of the Traders Association, Lal Chowk, said the trouble was being witnessed within every couple of months disrupting normal business. This was mainly because of the presence of security forces camps, which become the target of militant activities which in turn lead to trouble for traders and common man. Customers hesitate to visit the area for such incidents which also led to huge losses in crores to over 1,000 members of business establishments in Lal Chowk, he opines. During the recent years, apart from grenade attacks, Lal Chowk has been witness to several suicide attacks like the recent one which include that of Gujarat Bombay Hotel and the last one at Standard Hotel in the adjacent Budshah Chowk in 2006. Other such attacks in its vicinity included those at Hotel Greenway (MA Road) and Estates Building housing PIB and other offices on the Residency Road. The traders want an end to such incidents and have also taken up the issue of refurbishing the damaged structures with the government to make this hub of business activities tension free to attract more customers, including tourists visiting the Valley. |
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Army steps in to empower girl child
Raju William Tribune News Service
Udhampur, January 12 The Army managed to convince Nasreen’s father to send the young girl to Pune to pursue her education. Nasreen was admitted to Sarhad English Medium School, Pune, as part of Army’s “Operation Sadbhavana”. The girl left the village despite opposition, mainly by elderly clerics. She is one of the first girls from Kargil district to have moved to Pune with the help of the Army for the sake of education. When asked about the difficulties he faced while sending his daughter to Pune, Mohd Ali said, “It is difficult for us to give proper education to our sons, leave alone daughters who are not a priority. We don’t even have money to fulfill basic needs of our children”. He further adds, “This is all because of the Army that our daughter is getting good education. We are very grateful to the Army people”. The Army not only funds her education but also manages her travelling arrangements, day-to-day requirements, school uniform, books etc. Today, Nasreen is a class VI student, who visits her village once a year. She is the only girl in the village who can read, write and speak English and Hindi fluently. Nasreen is well-informed and has her own opinion. She knows that being educated means abiding by certain standards of social behaviour. She is well mannered, sensitive and smart in dress and deportment. She has set an example for girls of her age, including her best friend Zareena, who says, “Woh bahut tahzeeb se baat karti hai aur hame nayi nayi chizon ki zankari deti hai”.
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Repeal of Article 370 main agenda: State BJP chief
Jammu, January 12
“For me, the RSS is priority and the BJP is secondary,” Manhas told the Tribune. “First, I am an RSS man and would continue be a sewamsevak till death. As far as the BJP is concerned, I would shoulder all responsibilities to be given to me”. He, however, denied that the RSS was not happy with his appointment. “I remained parcharak for six long years so there was no reason for the RSS to oppose my appointment,” he said. Manhas said representation would be given to all parts of the state in general and Jammu region in particular. He announced that 33 per cent of posts in the state BJP would be reserved for women as his party was committed to their empowerment and involvement in the decision making process. Listing his priorities, Manhas said the abrogation of Article 370 was his main agenda. “Since its formation, the BJP has been demanding the abrogation of Article 370 as it is the main cause of all problems in the state,” he observed and asserted that he would adopt aggressive means to get this article removed. He further pointed out that the constitution of the delimitation commission was also on his agenda. The ruling Congress, he said, had promised in its election manifesto that the commission would be constituted to carve out new assembly seats in Jammu region on a par with the Kashmir valley. “Except promises, nothing concrete has been done by the ruling party. The BJP has decided to take the fight to its logical end”, he said and asserted that the BJP, under his leadership, would launch a mass movement on this issue. The BJP president sounded confidence that his party would muster support of the people to Jammu region to oppose, what he called, pro-secessionist polices of the ruling National Conference. He was of the opinion that recommendations of the Justice Saghir Ahmed report was a clear indication that the NC can go to any extent to get its nefarious designs fulfilled. |
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VIPs care a damn for rules
Looking at the picture, it seems that rules are for the common man only with the influential enjoying special immunity. Even as the notice on the wall reads “No Parking”(See Picture) on a wall of the Police post at Government Medical College (GMC), a vehicle is seen parked in front of the same. This car (JK-02-AH-1001) belongs to the Mayor of Jammu. It’s strange that the Mayor has failed to realise that parking at a wrong place can obstruct the entry of a vehicle carrying an emergency patient. Such acts send out a clear message that VIPs adopt a “devil-may-care” attitude towards rules and regulations. playing an umpire
Veteran Congress leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma seems to be playing the role of an “umpire” while watching activities of both warring factions of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC). Interestingly, Mangat Ram Sharma has been appointed political adviser to PCC chief Saif-ud-Din Soz but dissidents too are giving him importance in their every function. Soz’s detractors recently organised a rally at R S Pura in which Mangat Ram Sharma found a special mention. All detractors of Saif-ud-Din Soz repeatedly mentioned his name in the rally to give the impression that Mangat Ram Sharma was with them. Similarly, Mangat Ram Sharma was given much importance at a function organised by Soz loyalists. Ram, who has been attending rallies of both PCC factions, is also trying to give the impression that he is neutral and is not associated with any faction or group. As an “umpire” both detractors and loyalists of Soz have been complaining about one another to Mangat Ram Sharma. Move on police post
agitates students
The issue of establishing a police post on the Jammu University campus has prompted students to hold demonstrations against the varsity authorities and the government. It has indirectly affected studies as the students boycott classes and remain engaged in holding protests. Keeping in view the loss of studies, the authorities concerned should take quick action in this regard instead of remaining a mute spectator. The university authorities should sternly deal with criminal elements and disallow any political interference instead of establishing a police post inside the campus. Weather bringing
people closer
The foggy weather is bringing people closer. During daytime, people feel quite comfortable travelling in packed buses. They sit around bonfires and heating appliances warming themselves and laughing their heart out doing hearty chats. Even in offices, employees religiously do the same while nibbling nuts and other seasonal eatables. After sunset, the wintry night presents a similar picture. Under dim streetlights, beggars, homeless vagabonds and stray animals try to catch some warmth standing around smouldering bonfires along roads and streets. Their camaraderie does not end here. They sleep comfortably huddled together near fire. (Contributed by Dinesh Manhotra, Archit Watts, Sunaina Kaul and Ashutosh Sharma)
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Women’s panel gets complaints against NRI husbands
Srinagar, January 12
However, no action has been taken till date. The cases range from complaints about torture, harassment, remarriage, divorce, maintenance, transfer of property to children, child support money enhancement, desertion and cheating. The commission had received a complaint in January last year wherein complainant Dr Saphya Mukhtar had accused Ishtiaq Hussain, who is working as an electrical engineer in Riyadh, of cheating her. Hussain had already married Dr Ratooba two years ago and he again married Dr Saphya. As per the complaint by Dr Saphya on July 25, 2007, she married Hussain on September 11, 2005. She was ill-treated and thrown out by her in-laws. In Sakeena Bano versus Mushtaq Ahmad Suda, no maintenance charges have been paid to Sakeena. As per her complaint lodged on January 1, 2009, she married Suda (settled in Germany) in July 2007. The complaint added that on approaching the German Embassy for visa to visit her husband, Sakeena was told that Mushtaq was already married to a German woman. Another complainant, Mutaharra Abida Waheed Deva married Mohammad Amin Beigh in September 1994. The couple has two children out of the marriage. After deserting his wife for sometime, Beigh pronounced divorce three times to her on January 16, 2007. The commission after hearing the case asked Beigh to pay deferred dower and maintenance for children to the complainant. Deva now demands enhancement in child support money. After marriage in July 2003, Dr Sameena Gul was tortured and physically assaulted by her husband Dr Mohammad Afzal-u-Din and in-laws. She filed a complaint on November 16, 2006, and sought the intervention of the commission. Dr Afzal-u-Din left for Riyadh in Saudi Arabia without informing his wife. Later, he verbally divorced Dr Sameena. Dr Sameena, however, says that she has not yet received divorce papers and is in a fix whether she is married or divorced. In a similar case from Jammu, Moninder Kour versus Gurnam Singh, the latter though being repeatedly summoned by the commission never made himself available. Complaining of torture, harassment and remarriage, Moninder Kour in her application of June 5, 2007, has said she has come to know that her husband is already married in Australia. |
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Children study in verandah under cold
Jammu, January 12 “We have to sit on the cold verandah and even on the ground,” complained a student. “It is very difficult to sit on ground during winters. We could not concentrate on our studies properly due to the cold. The mats are inadequate,” rued another student. “In the absence of classrooms we are forced to take their classes on ground, where they sit on mats,” said BS Jaral, principal of the school. The principal said: “Though our students have big dreams and they are competent enough to compete with the world, they do not have place to sit and pursue studies”. The school was upgraded in 2008, but still it is having inadequate infrastructure. There are 600 students in the school, out of which 225 study on ground and rest of them study in classrooms which are in dilapidated condition. The cemented sheets laid on the roof of the classrooms are having holes from where rain enters the classroom during the rainy season. The windows are not sealed properly due to which the room becomes very cold. Burning wooden fire during lunch break is the only source for the students to keep themselves warm during winters. The students as well as the faculty of the school demanded that government should provide funds for heating arrangements. “We have distributed sweaters, shoes and winter uniform to the poor and needy students, so that they could be able to protect themselves from the winter,” said the principal. The school authorities demanded appointment of lecturers for class XII, construction of eight classrooms, one examination hall, one library and three labs. This is not the case with this school only, there are many other schools were children do not have classroom and study on the ground during the winters and scorching summers. The government does not show any interest to minimise miseries of students and to provide them better facilities for pursuing quality education. |
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School board to continue helpline service
Jammu, January 12 “We received good response last year. We will continue the service in order to solve queries of the students regarding examinations. The board is always ready to help the students,” said Dr Sheikh Bashir Ahmad, secretary, BOSE. Regretting inconvenience caused to students last year due to technical fault in some helpline numbers, the secretary said they would try to improve the system this year. “We will contact BSNL for uninterrupted services to the students,” added Dr Ahmad. “Due to a lack of awareness, the students could not utilise the service fully last year, but this time, principals of different government schools have assured that they would spread awareness about the helpline numbers among the students,” he added. While praising the student friendly approach of BOSE, JK Suden, principal of Ranbir Higher Secondary School, said the service was beneficial for the students. Similar views were expressed by Vishnu Gupta, principal of Government Higher Secondary School, Domana. She said she would spread awareness about the helpline among the students so that they could avail the service. Meanwhile, secretary, BOSE, has appealed to the students to avoid using unfair means during the examinations. Describing copying a big menace, Dr Ahmad said in order to put an end to the menace, BOSE would soon spread awareness among students and parents about it through the medium of electronic and print media. He appealed to the parents to advise their wards that they should not resort to unfair means during the examinations to help the administration in stopping the practice of copying. |
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Health dept vehicles gathering dust
Jammu, January 12 The poor condition of these vehicles speaks volume about the working of the health department and its maintenance wing. The vehicles have virtually turned into a den for stray dogs. At present, when the public is demanding emergency services for remote areas, the situation of these vehicles reflects the lack of preparedness of the authorities. The vehicles have been parked in a corner of the parking lot and are not in a condition to ply on roads. A health official revealed that these vehicles were lying unused here for the past few years. He further told that these vehicles were actually meant to ferry senior officials of the health department. But, after getting the new vehicles, not even a single official used these old vehicles. "It should be the responsibility of the department to maintain the infrastructure. If the situation remains same, the day is not far, when the whole infrastructure will turn into junk," said Ghulam Qadir, a visitor to Ayurvedic hospital. Kanchan Gupta, a patient said, "Good transportation is the basic requirement of the health department without which it is not possible to provide services in the far flung areas. It should be their own responsibility to maintain or repair the vehicles allotted to them". Jasbir Singh, director, health department, said, "I have to check the status of these vehicles and if there is something wrong then action will be taken against the official concerned". |
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The fruit and vegetable market at Narwal has shrunk to 300 kanals from 800 kanals in the last 25 years when the govt gave it on lease to private businessmen.
Jammu, January 12
Looking at the picture, it seems that rules are for the common man only with the influential enjoying special immunity.
Even as the notice on the wall reads “No Parking”(See Picture) on a wall of the Police post at Government Medical College (GMC), a vehicle is seen parked in front of the same.
This car (JK-02-AH-1001) belongs to the Mayor of Jammu. It’s strange that the Mayor has failed to realise that parking at a wrong place can obstruct the entry of a vehicle carrying an emergency patient.
Jammu, January 12
