|
|
8 years on, e-governance still a dream for residents
This topper wants justice for her father
Factionalism in Pradesh Congress
Committee
State board’s results improve by 5 per
cent |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Regular studies key to success, says Class XII topper
Riva Verma celebrates her success with her father and sister at her residence in Jammu on Thursday. Photo: Inderjeet Singh
HC rejects plea for job consideration under quota
Ex-militant held for robbery
Custodial death triggers protests
Two arrested for fraud
Amaranth Yatra
Varsity holds meet on boosting basmati production
Poor result claims life of Class XII girl
Panthers Party leader joins BJP
Amarnath Yatra
Fake Appointments
Work for ‘new Kashmir’, Omar tells party men
Differently abled persons
detained
Army man hit by boulder, dies
Students pledge to save birds
|
|
8 years on, e-governance still a dream for residents
Jammu, May 20 Initially, the state had hired consultants from Wipro Limited for preparing a roadmap and a report for putting e-governance in place, sources said. In 2002, the government approved the implementation of the project in the Civil Secretariat for which it acquired a software solution “Secretariat Knowledge Information and Management System (SKIMS) Triple Plus”, they said. The sources said Tata Consultancy Services had developed the “SKIMS triple plus” after the government executed an agreement in August 2002 at Rs 3 crore. However, the Department of Information Technology
(DIT) accepted the system, they said, adding that it had 430 applications, of which only 274 were found applicable. Of 274, only 18 had been identified for implementation to date, the sources added. The system had been developed for Andhra Pradesh and the IT department accepted it without seeing its results. The project was extended for a year and was completed in May 2004. “Though the government spent Rs 7.69 crore and coughed up Rs 5.67 crore to consultants in the last six years, lack of knowledge among bureaucrats and ministers continue to mar the project,” the sources added. Bringing to the fore sorry state of affairs, the sources said the General Administration Department (GAD) vide order No. 219 of 2001 had created posts of Systems Executive and Assistant Programmer. Though the Deputy SP was roped in against the post of systems executive on ex-cadre basis, no rules have been framed so far. The sources said in absence of a full-fledged directorate of information technology, the IT department engaged 16 employees from various departments. With IT culture still an alien to most bureaucrats and ministers, the absence of a IT directorate has delivered a major setback to the project, dreamt by then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed
Sayeed followed by Azad and now Omar Abdullah. |
|
|
This topper wants justice for her father
Sunder Bani, May 20 A student of Girls Higher Secondary School, Mubarak Mandi, Parul stands apart from other toppers as she braved the odds of belonging to a backward village, Teryath, in Rajouri district as well as living through the trauma of her father, who is a teacher, being “implicated” in a corruption case. On March 10, the State Vigillance Organisation had arrested Parul’s father, Satish Chander Chibber, for allegedly accepting graft from a teacher. However, Chibber has been denying the same charges. Presently, he is under suspension and has been attached with the Chief Education Officer at Rajouri. The case against his father had earlier also hogged limelight as the entire village had objected to the corruption case, saying the teacher was honest and in fact inquiring into the corruption committed by another employee of the Education Department. During the examination, she said her family was going through worst times, “As part of a well-hatched conspiracy my father was victimised. He was booked on false charges levelled by a fellow teacher in his school. It was an act of vengeance as my father was conducting an inquiry against the same teacher for swindling funds meant for procuring ration for the students under the Mid Day Meal Scheme,” she said. “My family, especially my daughter, has suffered a lot. But as they say truth prevails despite all odds. Sooner or later, I will prove all charges wrong,” Satish said. She was motivated to carry forward the family tradition of excellence. Her grandfather had won the President’s Award for Best teacher. “My grandfather and a noted teacher of the area, Daulat Ram Chibber, was recipient of the President Award for Best Teacher. My father is also an honest teacher but for no fault, he is undergoing mental trauma these days. If the government wants to encourage me, like other meritorious students, I urge it to do justice with him by ensuring fair investigation into the case,” she said. Parul had done matriculation from Government High School, Bambliya, in Sunderbani. She had to shift to Jammu as commerce stream was not available in schools there. She lived in a rented accommodation at Jammu along with her brother to pursue higher secondary exam. She studied on her own and did not attend any tuition classes. Speaking about her aim, the girl said: “I have not decided yet. I have been praying my father gets absolved of charges soon only then I would be able to concentrate on my career.” |
|
Factionalism in Pradesh Congress
Committee Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service
Jammu, May 20 Earlier, the high command had decided to serve showcause notices to these leaders this month but the action has been delayed due to the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s visit to Kashmir next month. Insiders in the party said the high command had taken serious notice of the actions of some leaders who had launched a slanderous campaign against rivals within the party. The high command is worried over the way party leaders have been “exposing” Congress ministers in the coalition just to settle their scores without caring about the party. As the leaders of warring factions have been “exposing” their rivals in public, Opposition gets enough ammunition to attack the Congress. Interestingly, senior Congress leaders have levelled charges of corruption on ministers of their own party and demanded a commission to probe how they have amassed huge wealth after becoming part of the cabinet. Sources said leaders of both the factions had been exposed before the high command as their rivals had provided enough documentary proofs to the party leadership to substantiate their allegations. Instead of acting against leaders of a particular group, the high command is planning to punish leaders of both factions to maintain the balance; sources said, adding that the leadership had assigned some neutral leaders the job of preparing report cards of ministers. Meanwhile, PCC chief Saifud Din Soz will visit here tomorrow to address a rally of the National Student Union of India (NSUI). Eying on the post of the state president of the Youth Congress, NSUI leader Rashid Choudhary is organising the rally to muster support in his favour. Although a team deputed by AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi had conducted talent hunt in October last to single out potential candidates for PYC chief, leaders of both factions have been working to get their loyalist appointed on the same post.
|
|
|
State board’s results improve by 5 per
cent
Jammu, May 20 As per records, 45 per cent students passed the examination this year while 40 per cent students could qualify the same last year. During this academic session, out of 43,448 students, 19,610 students cleared the examinations whereas only 17,182 students out of 42,857 students had passed the same in 2009. The number of re-appear has also shown a decline with 17,940 students getting re-appear as compared to 20,263 students last year; a clear 6 per cent decline in this category. Despite the leakage of some papers of Class XII, there has been a 1 per cent decline in the result of those who failed to qualify the examination. 5,898 students could not qualify the examination as compared to 5,412 students in previous year. Though an improvement has been witnessed in the performance of boys, they have still lagged behind the girls this year also. The performance of boys has improved by 5 per cent as 43 per cent of them qualified the examination against 39 per cent last year. But at the same time, the boys could not lead ahead of girls who have scored pass percentage of 48 per cent as compared to 42 per cent the previous year. Though the overall pass percentage of boys has been less than that of the girls, one remarkable thing to their credit is that they have outperformed the girls in the science stream. The boys have also remained ahead of the girls in getting first three divisions in the science Stream. But the girls have led in arts and commerce streams. Chairman of the BOSE Prof Desh Bandhu Gupta attributed the improvement in the performance of students to switching over the pattern of question papers from subjective to objective style this year. He said the difference in the less pass percentage results of BOSE as compared to the CBSE were because of the fact that BOSE earlier followed descriptive type of question papers while as the CBSE followed the objective type of question papers in which the evaluator has to accord 100 per cent marks for a correct answer. The Chairman hoped that besides enhancing the overall pass percentage of the students, this change in the style of question papers would also improve the individual performance of the students in future. |
|
Regular studies key to success, says Class XII topper
Jammu, May 20 She is the first girl in the state to get admission for doing “Kishore Vaigyanik Protshahan Yojna Fellowship” from Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research, Bhopal. While talking to The Tribune, Riva said: “I appeared in the written test in November last that was qualified by 600 students all over India, including me. But, only 260 qualified the interview.” She wants to become a scientist and is all set to pursue Bachelors of Science and MS in Chemistry. She said the best human resources could be directed towards basic sciences through such schemes. She said: “I read three local and two national newspapers and a few magazines daily that helped me stay updated.” She said: “Guidance from teachers, coaching institute and moral support of parents has helped me.” Regular self-study for five to six hours a day besides 3-hour-long coaching in Physics, Chemistry and Maths has helped her securing the top position. Riva also attributed the credit to her tutor Kiran Gadroo, former school principal Jorawar Singh and her cousin Ateet Khana who is an engineer. Her father said parents should inculcate a habit of reading newspapers in children besides watching scientific programmes on television. |
|
HC rejects plea for job consideration under quota
Jammu, May 20 They had sought consideration on the ground that with the issuance of SRO 347 on October 26, 2006, they had become entitled to seek consideration for selection against the posts of teacher meant for those belonging to the reserved category of the residents of the backward area. Pronouncing his decision, Justice JP Singh held that the petitioners had no right to seek consideration for selection under the reserved category of “Residents of Backward Area” against the posts meant for those residing in the notified backward areas on the day when the advertisement notice was issued. The high court while dismissing the writ petition observed: “The SRO 347 is prospective in operation and would not entitle the residents of the areas included there under in Annexure B to SRO 294 dated 21.10.2005 as backward areas, to claim benefit of reservation for selection under the reserved category of the “Residents of the Backward Area”, against the posts, which stood notified before the issuance of SRO 347. The petitioners’ village, admittedly not a backward area declared as such on the day of the notification, would not entitle them to reservation in selection on the day of the notification.” |
|
Ex-militant held for robbery
Jammu, May 20 This came to light when the police today claimed to have arrested three persons and solved the robbery incident, in which Rs 1.5 lakh were robbed at gunpoint by three motorcycle-borne persons from businessman Pankaj Jain, owner of Sudershan Auto Centre,in the Narwal area. SSP, Jammu, Basant Rath said, “Among three persons arrested is one former militant, Jagjit Singh, alias Manga, a resident of Nanak Nagar, who had been arrested by the Punjab Police for a number of times as he was involved in anti-national activities in way back in 1993.” He further said the other two arrested had been identified as Hardev Singha, a former employee of the businessman, and a truck driver, Satnam Singh. Both are the residents of Nanak Nagar. Appreciating the efforts of a team led by DSP Mukesh Kakkar, the SSP added the robbery incident had been solved with the arrest of three persons, from whom the robbed amount had also been recovered. Sunil Sharma, in charge of the Narwal police post, said, “The motorcycle used in committing the crime and one air pistol has also been seized.” A relieved Pankaj Jain said though he could not identify the three accused due to the darkness on that night, the police had managed to arrest the robbers and recovered his money. A case under Sections 382, 341, 34 of the RPC and Section 3/2 (5) of the Arms Act was registered at the Narwal police post in this regard. |
||
|
Custodial death triggers protests
Jammu, May 20 While police sources said Paramjit died of drug overdose as he was a drug addict and supplied intoxicants, his family said he was beaten up and murdered in the lock up. Cops said Paramjit had over 50 intoxicating capsules in his possession and he consumed many of those when nabbed. His wife said if that was the case then he should have been taken to a hospital first not to a police lock up. Heavy police force was rushed to the colony to control the agitated residents.
|
||
|
Two arrested for fraud
Jammu, May 20 Sources said the Peer Meetha police arrested Karan Raj and Khushwinder Singh, residents of Bishnah, for their alleged involvement in this fraud. They said the duo was allegedly withdrawing thousands of rupees for last few days but when the officials came to know, they immediately seized their account and informed the police. When the duo came to withdraw Rs 13, 340, bank officials immediately informed the police. The sources said the accused had withdrawn nearly Rs 80,000 from the account. The police suspects involvement of insiders. A police officer said the matter had been handed over to the Sarwal police station, as the cheques were stolen from the Sarwal area.
|
||
|
Amaranth Yatra
Srinagar, May 20 This was stated by Minister for CA&PD and Transport Qamar Ali Akhoon, while holding a meeting regarding finalisation of the arrangements for the yatra with CA&PD officers and representatives of LPG companies here yesterday. The minister directed the authorities concerned to arrange and stock the essentials at all camp sites before the yatra began so that langarwallas, pilgrims and employees deputed for yatra duty did not face any problem. He cautioned that any lapse from any officer, employees of LPG and oil companies would not be tolerated, adding that providing of hassle-free quality essentials to the pilgrims was the priority of the government. Representatives of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation limited assured the minister that the corporation would ensure sufficient stocking of LPG cylinders at all yatra camps sites and en route to Baltal and Pahalgam, besides the holy cave site for the convenience of pilgrims.
|
||
|
Varsity holds meet on boosting basmati production
Jammu, May 20 The meet was organised in collaboration with Basmati Export Development Foundation (APEDA, Govt of India), where in many rice growers participated. Various lectures were given on modern techniques of basmati cultivation, new high-yielding varieties of basmati for export and safe plant protection measures to control the diseases. Among the prominent issues, smaller kernel size of basmati in Jammu was of great concern for farmers, for which BEDF (APEDA, Govt of India) is taking a serious note, Dr JP Sharma, associate director (Research), said. |
||
|
Poor result claims life of Class XII girl
Jammu, May 20 She was taken to Government Medical College and Hospital here, where she died this morning. Sources said Rashmi, daughter of Ashok Kumar, a resident of Marh, could not bear the trauma of scoring bad in the board examinations and thus, ended her life. They said the girl was good in studies and had never scored this bad ever. A teacher of the deceased, said it was not expected as Rashmi scored over 70 percent marks in Class X. Neighbour of the deceased said as soon as the girl consumed the poisonous substance, she vomited and her family members took her to the hospital, where the actual problem was diagnosed. A senior doctor said Rashmi breathed her last about 5 am today. The police said after taking permission from the Deputy Commissioner for not conducting the autopsy, Rashmi’s family took the body home for performing her last rituals. When asked, psychologist Ajay Khajuria said: “The parents should deal patiently with children and should motivate them instead of taunting them.” |
||
|
Panthers Party leader joins BJP
Jammu, May 20 Langeh had had contested the 2008 assembly election from the Ramban constituency on the Panthers Party ticket.He joined the BJP in the presence of party president Shamsher Singh Manhas and other senior leaders. Manhas, while welcoming the new entrants, said the growing popularity of the BJP was attracting leaders/activists of different parties.The BJP was working for the welfare of the people and taking up their grievances for redressal. Manhas said certain parties had been misleading the people by painting the BJP as a communal party for votebank politics. “ Such parties do not have any approach and their only agenda is to grab votes on false and hollow slogans”, he said. The BJP, on the other hand, did not indulge in politics of appeasement. “Our party works for communal harmony, equitable development of all the areas and regions and for unity and integrity of the nation”,he said. Langeh, while defending his decision to join the BJP, said the party was the only one which had a history of promoting people on the basis of their merit. |
||
|
Essential supplies to be arranged at sites
Srinagar, May 20 This was stated by Minister for CA&PD and Transport Qamar Ali Akhoon, while holding a meeting regarding finalisation of the arrangements for the yatra with CA&PD officers and representatives of LPG companies here yesterday. The minister directed the authorities concerned to arrange and stock the essentials at all camp sites before the yatra began so that langarwallas, pilgrims and employees deputed for yatra duty did not face any problem. — TNS
|
||
|
5-day police remand for accused
Tribune News Service
Jammu, May 20 The police said during a raid conducted at the house of Kamal Dev, a resident of Lehard village in Akhnoor, a large number of fake appointment orders and stamps of the IAF were recovered. Gian Chand Sharma, SHO, Akhnoor police station, said: “The accused was using fake documents and seals of various ranks of officers of the IAF in issuing fake appointment orders to youths, who came in touch with him to get a job.” Sharma added that during preliminary investigations, the accused said he had taken Rs 1 lakh each from 16 persons seeking jobs in the IAF and prepared a fake list mentioning their names to avoid any suspicion and then issued fake appointment orders to them. A senior officer of the IAF said Kamal was dismissed some years ago after they came to know about his involvement in illegal activities. A case was registered in this regard.
|
||
|
Work for ‘new Kashmir’, Omar tells party men
Srinagar, May 20 The Chief Minister was addressing party office-bearers of Kupwara district on the second leg of his interaction with NC activists of all districts and get firsthand appraisal of the politico- development scenario and progress on development works. The Chief Minister reminded them of the glorious past of the party and sacrifices made by the leadership to safeguard people’s rights. He asked them to propagate and disseminate the high principles of public commitment. Omar said detractors of the party had time and again tried their best to shatter people’s faith in the NC by false propaganda. “The people have rejected these elements reposing their firm trust
and conviction in the NC and its leadership”, he said.
|
||
|
Differently abled persons
detained
Srinagar, May 20 They were demanding relief and absorption in government jobs. However they were detained briefly by the police before they could reach near the Civil Secretariat. “Ours was a peaceful protest march to ask the government to fulfil our demands, but we were not only stopped by the police, but were also beaten up by it,” alleged a protester, Khalid Hussain. The agitators said that they were being neglected by successive regimes and no attention was being paid to their problems.
|
||
|
Army man hit by boulder, dies
Srinagar, May 20 Meanwhile, the Srinagar Leh National Highway remained closed for the seventh consecutive day today. According to Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, Iftikhar Husnain Bari, the Sonamarg-Gumri road was closed due to avalanches at 102.8 km known as Aab-Math and 106 km. The Beacon authorities were on job to clear the road. Similarly, 112-km area was also reportedly under avalanche that comes under Himank Project.
|
||
|
Students pledge to save birds
Jammu, May 20 In this programme, students took pledge to protect the birds, said Director of the school Narinder Singh. The event was organised with a sole objective to promote the protection and de-extinction of birds, especially the rare ones. |
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Sunder Bani, May 20
Systematic and regular studies made Riva Verma, a student of KC Public School, able to score 96 per cent in Class XII examinations and top in the state.
Riva, daughter of Prof Rajnikant and Prof Rajni Dhingra, has brought laurels not only to parents, but to her school and the state as well.
Srinagar, May 20
