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Public parks or parched land
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Target: Arresting declining water level
Army reaches out to Gujjars, Bakarwals
Tea with The Tribune
Bridge Under Construction
Ladakh keen on technological tieup with Mongolia
Historical spring faces neglect
Srinagar diary
CM, ministers inspect development works
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Public parks or parched land
Jammu, May 21 Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand inaugurated both parks last year. With summer at its peak, when grass and plants need more water for survival, there is no water available in these two parks for the past more than a month. The only tubewell installed in one of the two parks is lying defunct and the alternative source i.e. hand pump has been rendered useless due to fall in the level of groundwater.
“We have reported the matter to officials concerned but so far no action has been taken to repair the tubewell,” say gardeners. There is not even a single bench in these parks, what to talk of other facilities like water cooler, toilets etc. Wrappers, polythene bags and plastic remains can be seen scatted in both parks. Most of the lights installed at the parks are either broken or not working, but nobody seems to care. The condition of another park of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) in the Nai Basti area is no different. In fact, it would not be wrong to call it an open space instead of a park since there are no flowers, plants and even grass. Instead, garbage can be seen scattered everywhere in the park. There is a big fountain located in the middle of the park, which had long become defunct and has now turned into a garbage bin. A couple of swings were also installed for children in the park, but they are also lying defunct, for which residents blame the corporation for neglecting its maintenance. A cemented water tank meant for providing drinking water to visitors has no tap and no wonder the tank is empty. Locals allege that the corporation has almost abandoned the park. Rattan Kumar, a resident, says, “Earlier, there used to be a pond, which was filled up to develop the park. But now, it has taken the shape of a garbage bin. Instead of providing better environment to nearby residents, it has become a health hazard. No one bothers for its bad condition”. He adds, “Polythene bags and waste material can be seen strewn all over the park. The corporation has failed to ensure its maintenance. It is a park only in the name”. There is another park in the same area developed by the Floriculture Department, which is also in pitiable condition. The park is situated a few steps away from a water reservoir of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, but there is no water available for the park. There is no greenery as all flowers and plants have dried up for the want of water. A gardener of the park says he gets water supply for plants once in a week, but that too gets thinned due to pilferage on account of motors installed on water pipes by residents. Some seasonal plants and shady trees were grown in the park but that too have given up due to the lack of required water. Besides, broken benches and defunct fountain speak volumes of utter neglect by the authorities. There is not even a single lamp in the park and thus people can stay in the park till there is daylight. The fountain is filled with garbage and water and has become a breeding place for mosquitoes and flies. Talking to the Tribune, KC Sharma, director, Floriculture Department, said due to the lack of proper workforce, it had become difficult for the department to maintain all parks in the province. “We have around 400 workers who look after almost 100 parks in the entire province. We also engage casual labourers, but that is a temporary arrangement only,” said the director. Sharma said, “Besides our own parks, we also maintain around six parks of the JMC and many parks of the JDA, but we have been facing difficulty in maintaining these parks for the want of funds due to improper transfer of these parks”. He said the department maintained around 70 parks of the housing department, six greenbelt parks and around 30 parks in various residential areas. Some famous parks maintained by the department include Bagh-e-Bahu Park, Mubarak Mandi Park, Rani Park and Zanana Park. The department has also around two parks in the Sanik Colony area, four in Channi Himmat, 12 in Trikuta Nagar, three in Roop Nagar and one in Mishriwala. The government annually gives around Rs 9 crore to the department for the development and maintenance of these parks. Narayan Dass, field in charge of the horticulture wing of the JMC, says presently, the corporation has 14 workers for the maintenance of parks and rotaries. Out of these, two workers were appointed as field assistants, four as head mallis and eight as mallis/gardeners. Madan, a head malli, says, “Due to the lack of staff, we are unable to pay proper attention on every park. I was appointed in 1967 and at that time there were 60 employees who were looking after the parks. But with the retirement of most of the employees, there are only 14 workers now as no new appointments have been made”. When asked about the funds spent on the maintenance of these parks, the joint commissioner, works, JMC, “I don’t know anything about how much funds are sanctioned for the maintenance of municipal parks”. TR Sargotra, superintending engineer of the JDA, says the department has developed around 15 parks so far. While some of them have been given to NGOs, some are being maintained by the Floriculture Department. “We give parks to NGOs and in return they place their hoardings at the parks,” says Sargotra.
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Target: Arresting declining water level
Jammu, May 21 JN Bhagat, senior scientist in charge of the Central Ground Water Board, Jammu, told The Tribune that after conducting a survey of all kandi areas in Jammu and Kathua districts, a comprehensive plan had been prepared and forwarded to the Central Ground Water Board for approval. During the visit of a high-level team from the Central Ground Water Board to ascertain the reasons for the depletion of natural resources in the kandi belt of Jammu province, officers of the board in Jammu had suggested renovating the dry ponds to cope with the problem of the declining water level. It was only after that the visit that a survey was conducted to identify the ponds that have dried up due to the prevailing dry spell in this belt. Bhagat said that over 300 such ponds had been identified and a project to renovate these had been submitted to the Kathua Deputy Commissioner, who had forwarded the same to the Central Ground Water Board for approval. Experts are of the view that the depletion of the ponds is the main reason for the declining water level in the kandi belt. A majority of the population in the kandi belt of Jammu and Kathua districts was earlier dependent upon traditional ponds for water requirements. But during the past decade most of these ponds have either dried up or encroached upon by influential persons. After the alarming drop in the water level the authorities have woken up to need for renovating these ponds. In some places villagers have themselves started reactivating ponds. Residents of Jakh village located on the Jammu-Pathankote national highway have not only protected the pond from encroachment but also filled it with water to reactivate it. Similarly residents of in the border village of Arnia have launched a campaign against those trying to encroach upon the pond to construct a building there.
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Army reaches out to Gujjars, Bakarwals
Udhampur, May 21 Deprived of basic amenities, these communities, which form a discernible part of the demographic profile of the state, have many grievances. During summers a majority of Bakarwals migrates from Rajouri, Udhampur and the valley into Dras and adjacent areas in search of pastures for their livestock. These communities principally thrive on animal products and are also known for trading in traditional herbs and medicinal plants. Under the initiative, approximately 2,000 Bakarwals, comprising of 400 deras, have arrived into the “Forever in Operation” division. Established at Gumri, the Bakarwals Management Cell acts as an interface to monitor their reception, screening, liaison and guidance. Due to the nomadic nature of these people, innovative ways have been explored to educate them, like mobile schools and mid-day meals. As an incentive for continuity in studies and recreational facilities, mobile cinema vehicle, TV set with DVD player and well-stocked library are also provided to them. Medical cover, including dental check ups are organised for them from time to time. Arrangements have also been made to provide basic amenities, like poly sheet and solar lanterns to these people. A Sadbhavana Yatra to Delhi, Agra, Ambala, Karnal and Jammu for their children was also organised as an important part of the endeavour. The Army also organises veterinary camps every month for these communities.
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Tea with The Tribune
Dr Renu Nanda, educationist and social worker, has been working for the welfare of destitute children in the state, for which she was also honoured with the National Human Values Award.
The award was presented to her by Union Minister for Human Resources Development Kapil Sibal last year. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had initiated the award. During an interaction with The Tribune team she talked about her achievements and future planning. Following are the excerpts: Jupinderjit Singh (JJS): You have been working under harsh conditions helping so many people and running several organisations, how difficult it is for a woman to strike a balance between family and social work? Renu Nanda (RN): Where there is a will there is a way. Yes, there have been many difficult times, but being a woman I can well understand the pain of needy children. So multitasking is the way. With the passage of time, I have devised a system of maintaining a balance and as I spend money from my own pocket, I have learnt to make three shares of the available amount from my salary. One each for my two children and one for social work. JJS: What has been the role of the government and the Social Welfare Department in helping you or such children? RN: I won’t say that the government has not done anything. But its contribution can be much more. For instance, at times, there is not much response from government agencies when we seek their assistance and help. These children, be they orphans or homeless due to militancy, destitute, differently-abled, spastic or autistic, need care or society would have to suffer in one way or the other by ignoring them. The government needs to at least get a survey done of such children, including school dropouts, to enable all to know the number of population we have to cater to. Only then, concerted plans and schemes can be made. Sunaina Kaul (SK): You have been saying that people should come forward and help in this cause. How do you want the people to contribute? RN: People can contribute in the shape of donations. They can also help by sparing some time and joining these neglected children to raise their morale and to make them feel one among the equals. SK: Since you have been working in this field for a long time, what do you feel is your biggest achievement so far? RN: The inner contentment that I feel at the work cannot be replaced by anything. JJS: The award must have been a satisfactory moment for you? RN: No. For me, the greatest satisfaction is when any of the thousands of children studying, living in our homes or schools perform well and establish in life. I felt proud when a girl, who learnt tailoring from Shanti Niketan, was not only earning a livelihood out of it but also opened such vocational centres in the area where she settled after her marriage. Dinesh Manhotra (DM): You have been actively involved with a number of social organisations. How do you justify you work in all organisations? RN: I am actively involved in a number of social organizations, but it does not mean that I am solely
handling all these organizations. I have a number of volunteers who are capable enough to handle their centres on their own. My role is of advisory and I only give suggestions to our volunteers how to handle the centre. DM: Do you think that NGOs can play an effective role in the upliftment of the neglected and marginalised lot? RN: No doubt about that. NGOs have been playing an important role in the betterment of that section of society, which is neglected. In my opinion, every person should contribute for the development and upliftment of such people. If we all contribute, there would a positive change in our society. SK: Does your centre impart training of creative work distinctly for boys also? RN: For male members, we impart training in manufacturing articles from bamboo and also collage work and creative support frames of wood, besides knitting shawls, mufflers, glass paintings and decoration articles of mud. Archit Watts (AW): Do you have any plan to join politics? RN: No, I am satisfied with my work. I have no plans to join politics. My field is altogether different from the political world. I am doing my job and concerned with my work only. I think I am not fit for politics. Being a straightforward person, it is not possible for me to join any political party. |
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Bridge Under Construction
Wathura-Chadoora, May 21 Residents, especially commuters, are facing grave problems owing to the closure of the route. The diversions are either time-consuming or risky as one of the alternative routes is not fit for vehicular traffic and is mishap prone. Usually, commercial vehicle drivers follow one of the diversions through interior villages at Wathura and the road is too narrow for two vehicles to cross each other. Besides, a wooden bridge on the way is out of order. “Crossing over this bridge is too risky. It can lead to certain casualties if traffic isn’t stopped at this route. The bridge is fit for pedestrians only and these Tata Sumo drivers are least bothered about the safety of commuters. The government must take immediate action,” says Shahid Khan, a commuter. Tata Sumo drivers complain that they have to take diversions due to which they face problems. “It is very cumbersome to pass through these villages due to the lack of proper road,” says Abdul Majid, a sumo driver, adding, “The wooden bridge that comes on the way is in bad shape, but there is no alternative”. Most of the commuters on board buses at Wathura cross the bridge by foot and then get other vehicle. “It has become an arduous journey, especially for inter-district movement and for students. Things seem to be a bit messy,” says Abdul Raheem, a local. Feroz Ahmad, a bus driver, says the bridge would take more than a year to complete. “The government should have planned it well. They should have first constructed a portion of the bridge and let the traffic from its other side, as happens elsewhere”, suggested Ahmad, adding, “But it seems that the government isn’t bothered about worries and concerns of the common people”. He adds that the government is first going to construct a foot bridge before actually start working on the bridge. “I must say it is a simply waste of time and energy. It is ill planning and we will suffer. Driving is our sole income source, but imagine a situation where there are no roads and bridges, what do we do?” Shabnam Ara, a collegiate, points, “Now, buses ply on the alternative route but that takes almost two hours to reach our destinations and the service is also not good. So that isn’t a feasible option”.
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Ladakh keen on technological tieup with Mongolia
Leh, May 21 Chief executive councillor of LAHDC Tsering Dorjey said, “In a meeting of our council with an eight-member delegation of the Citizen Council of Uvs Province of Mongolia, headed by governor Tsaschikher Erdenesuren, the delegation conveyed their keenness to work with the council for exchanging knowledge and cooperation and we will soon seek permission for it from the External Affairs Ministry”. The eight-member Mongolian delegation recently visited Leh and Kargil to discuss the matter with the council. Dorjey said they had also conveyed their interest to exchange knowledge regarding Pashmina, as both Uvs province of Mongolia and Ladakh were typographically identical. “They were also looking for cultural exchange, particularly in polo and traditional archery. Soon, a polo exhibition match will be played in Leh between the Mongolian and Ladakhi team,” executive councillor for Agriculture Tsewang Tundup said.
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Historical spring faces neglect
Veerinag, May 21 History has it that Jehangir once visited this place and fell so much in love with it that he asked his men to build the spring is such a way that one could not see the flow of water. He also asked them to make the water appear blue. “It was a big task for his men, so they divided the spring into three stages of 18 ft each and at the 54 ft from where the water oozes, they placed a plate with holes to control its flow, thus the water in the spring seems calm and blue whereas its flow is very fast,” says Mustaq Ahmed, a local guide. He says the Mughal emperor was so much fascinated with the beauty of this place that he not only developed a garden here but also made a wish that on his death he should be buried here and for which a place adjacent to the spring was also selected. “However, when the emperor fell ill, his wife decided to take him to Delhi for treatment, but he died on the way in Rajouri. Fearing that the news about the death would fuel rebellion, the queen decided not to disclose it and to preserve the body she removed his intestines and buried them in Chingus in Rajouri,” Mushtaq says. He says the last wish of the Mughal emperor was not fulfilled, but his son Shah Jahan fulfilled one of his wishes in which he wanted to show the visitors how the water oozes out of the spring. “Shah Jahan got made an artificial spring adjacent to the original one so as to show the visitors how the water oozes out of the main spring. It is a minor replica of the original spring,” Mustaq says. But now this famous place has been neglected by the state tourism department. Though a large number of tourists visit the place, it lacks any tourist infrastructure. The monument surrounding the spring speaks volumes of its neglect, as the walls have started crumbling and the government pays no heed to it. “This is a beautiful place, but I am pained to see its bad condition,” said a visitor.
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Srinagar diary The tlot tlot sounds of the highwayman may be a thing of the past now. But, it still resonates in the city centre despite the growing number of automobiles. The summer capital and most of the major towns across the Kashmir valley have replaced the horse-pulled tongas or carts by the automobile vehicles to ferry passengers and goods. These tongas were once upon a time were the only and most favourite means of transport here. However, with the growth of automobiles these have been replaced by different varieties of personal cars and passenger vehicles. Eventually the movement of horse-pulled carts or tongas had been restricted around the City Centre and the main roads where the movement of VIPs is frequent. The rules seem to have been thrown to the winds as horse-pulled carts are frequently seen moving (See Picture) even amid heavy rush of vehicles despite restrictions in place for smooth flow of VIP traffic to and from the Civil Secretariat. Know your customer
Under the new guidelines issued by the RBI it has become mandatory for all banks to know their customers for which various banks had issued notices in newspapers asking their customers to submit some documents to complete the formality for 'know your customers'. But a majority of the staff members in most banks across the valley show unawareness about the norms and were not ready to collect any documents. Recently the chairman of a prominent bank in the state said that under the RBI regulations it had become mandatory for the bank to know its customers the failure of which would force the bank to close that account. But when this reporter went to a branch of the bank where his account is being operated, officers at the bank denied having any knowledge about the 'know your customer' programme. Before giving any sermons to their customers, it is advisable for banks to first educate their own staff about any new scheme and policy. Batamaloo bus yard
Passenger buses plying on various routes within and outside the city mostly operate from Batamaloo bus yard. In fact, buses plying on various inter-district routes also operate from this place. The condition of the yard, one of the oldest yards here, is deteriorating. Not only there is huge rush of traffic but roads also are in bad condition. During peak hours, smooth traffic flow is a problem with traffic jams often meeting the eye. Traffic cops too have a tough time regulating the traffic. To add to this, the condition of roads during bad weather is pathetic. It becomes very hard for pedestrians to make it to the respective buses as rainwater gets collected in ditches, making it cumbersome for people to walk through. (Contributed by
Ehsan Fazili, Tejinder Singh Sodhi and Afsana Rashid)
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CM, ministers inspect development works
Srinagar, May 21 During a tour of the Zadibal constituency accompanied by MLA Peer Afaq Ahmad, the Chief Minister said he would review the entire gambit of works in the city at a high-level meeting soon. Omar said the completion of works within the prescribed time frame should be adhered to and men and machinery geared up at all levels to ensure this. Presenting a list of development demands of his constituency, MLA Peer Afaq Ahmad requested the Chief Minister for further upgradation of the power transmission and distribution system in the Zadibal constituency. A team of engineers and district officers present during the tour briefed the Chief Minister about the status of different projects. The Chief Minister urged the officers to make public service the benchmark of their functioning and stick to the completion of development works according to the scheduled and targeted time frame, utilising funds judiciously and maintaining quality. The government has already put in place three-tier monitoring of works in the state to ascertain the status of schemes and performance of the agencies concerned regularly. Meanwhile, Minister for Rural Development Ali Mohammad Sagar accompanied by Minister for R&B G.M. Saroori also visited several parts of Shehri Khas (old city) and took stock of the development works coming up in the area. Commissioner Secretary, R&B, Chief Engineer, R&B, Kashmir, MD, JKPCC and other senior officers of various departments accompanied the ministers. Interacting with people at Zainakadal, the misters announced that the damaged Zainakadal bridge would be reconstructed at the same place and Rs. 5.50 crore had been earmarked for the purpose. Saroori released Rs 10 lakh on the spot for the project and asked the authorities concerned to start work at the earliest. The minister also visited Challpan Kocha, Nowhatta and DastGir Sahab Khanyar and inspected the community hall recently constructed in the area. He ordered the widening of Challpan Kocha up to the Community Hall to ease the problem of people living in the area. Mr Saroori said a circular road would also be constructed at Zainakadal to overcome traffic pressure in this old business centre. He also ordered the widening of Qaziyar Chowk, besides removing the bottlenecks and asked the engineers concerned to start groundwork for the project soon. While visiting the Barbershah area, the ministers instructed engineers to come up with a proposal for construction of a two-lane bridge at Barbershah. He said the existing bridge would remain there till the new bridge was completed to avoid public inconvenience. Saroori released Rs. 10 lakh for the purpose and asked engineers to start work on the project immediately.
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Jammu, May 21
Dr Renu Nanda, educationist and social worker, has been working for the welfare of destitute children in the state, for which she was also honoured with the National Human Values Award.
The tlot tlot sounds of the highwayman may be a thing of the past now. But, it still resonates in the city centre despite the growing number of automobiles. The summer capital and most of the major towns across the Kashmir valley have replaced the horse-pulled tongas or carts by the automobile vehicles to ferry passengers and goods. These tongas were once upon a time were the only and most favourite means of transport here.
