Jammu, April 12
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in its fresh report has detected the failure of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu, in establishing a state-of-the-art e-learning system for the dissemination of agriculture-related information to farmers.

“Due to improper planning, the multipurpose e-learning system established by SKUAST-J was not made operational even after three years of its inauguration. As a result, the entire expenditure of Rs 3.65 crore incurred on its creation has remained unfruitful,” stated the audit report of CAG.

The scrutiny of records of SKUAST-J by CAG revealed that a contract was awarded in February 2007 to Indian Telephone Industries Limited, a Government of India undertaking, for setting up of a studio and 20 kiosks at a total cost of Rs 3.37 crore (excluding taxes), which included Rs 11.79 lakh for VSAT bandwidth charges for a year payable to Hughes Communications Limited.

The project was to be completed within six weeks from the date of placement of order failing which a penalty at the rate of 5 per cent per week was to be imposed subject to a maximum of 6 per cent of the value of the purchase order, stated the report.

Another contract was entered into with Bharti Airtel Limited in July 2007, for providing 512 Kbps MPLS bandwidth from Jammu to Gurgaon with one-time charge of Rs 1.25 lakh and annual recurring charges of Rs 1.70 lakh for MPLS.

Till August 2010, a total expenditure of Rs 3.65 crore had been incurred on establishing the facility (Rs 3.26 crore for the supply of equipment and other material by ITI Limited; Rs 11.79 lakh for VSAT bandwidth by Huges; Rs 2.26 lakh for MPLS bandwidth and allied hardware by Airtel; Rs 22.50 lakh on uninterrupted power supply, computers etc for the studio and kiosks; and Rs 1.50 lakh as rent for accommodation till their de-hiring).

“However, proposal for the appointment of technical staff to run the facility, which was sent to the government in March 2008, had not been approved till May 2010,” stated the CAG report, adding that even the connectivity with both Hughes and Airtel for VSAT and MPLS, respectively, obtained for the first year, expired in December 2008 and has not been renewed since.

It further said apart from the prime objective of disseminating scientific information to the farming community, the network envisaged data-sharing between the main campus and research stations and the system involved setting up of a studio on the main campus at Chatha and connecting it with multipurpose e-learning kiosks in various campuses, research stations and Krishi Vigyan Kendras in six districts of Jammu division with interlinking through VSATs manned from main satellite hub in Gurgaon.

The beginning of the facility required a provision for VSAT bandwidth and 512 Kbps multi-protocol label switching bandwidth for linking of studio and the kiosks with the main hub besides trained manpower for content development and to run the system successfully.

In last, the report said even after the lapse of three years of the inauguration, the multipurpose state-of-the art e-learning facility had not been put to use except on a few occasions for the purpose of demonstration to VIPs. It added that the entire expenditure of Rs 3.65 crore incurred on the creation of the facility had remained unfruitful and the envisaged benefits had not accrued to the targeted group.

However, the director, extension education, SKUAST, while accepting the facts, stated to the CAG that the project was at the connectivity stage only and did not reach the actual implementation stage.

He said, “The efforts to make the facility functional were on and once the manpower and funds for meeting the recurring expenses were made available, the envisaged activities would be resumed after the renewal of connectivity from the service providers”.

Jammu, April 12
The Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Urdu Language (CPPUL) has called for immediate and corrective measures to restore the pristine glory of the language in the state where it enjoys the status of being the official language since the times of erstwhile Dogra rulers.

The committee, set up by the state government recently, held its first meeting here yesterday under the chairmanship of Mohd Yusuf Teng, a former director-general of culture, and at present, a member of the Upper House.

Addressing a gathering of scholars, academicians, poets and linguists, Teng dwelled upon the historical perspective whereby Urdu was approved as an official language by Maharaja Pratap Singh, unmindful of a stiff opposition by a section of Kashmiri intelligentsia of that time who had wished Persian to be adopted as the “language of the masses”.

Teng said while Urdu got its due recognition during the times of Dogra rulers, ironically, after the Partition of the subcontinent, it began to lose its glory more in Jammu region and remained confined to a few government departments.

He said, “Some vested interests have been spreading canards against the language, ignoring the fact that Urdu is the only language which can unite three culturally different regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

He said Urdu was not against any regional language like Dogri, Kashmiri, Ladakhi, Kargili, Poonchi or Gojri. “It is a language that binds every state subject from Leh to Lakhanpur,” he said.

Teng, however, hailed the present dispensation for working out some modalities in a bid to promote the language, particularly in certain districts where it has been totally ignored over the years. The setting up of the CPPUL is a right step in that direction,” he said.

Dr Liyaqat Jafri, CPPUL convener, in his speech regretted that for the present generation, Urdu appeared to be an alien language even as Urdu had its origin in India and a number of Hindu writers had contributed to the richness of this language.

Jafri said prior to the Independence and even up to 60s, Urdu was widely read by all sections of society irrespective of their religion or region. “Unfortunately, certain vested elements had tried to divide the people in the name of language,” he regretted.

Prof Shoab Inayat Malik of the Department of Urdu, Jammu University, said even as Urdu played an important role in India’s Independence, it continued to be neglected in most parts of Jammu region. He admitted that even the renowned 
private institutions of Jammu did not have good quality Urdu teachers.

He called upon the authorities to restore its pristine glory in the state by making it compulsory for all up to 10th standard in all regions of the state.

“That will even help in the employment drive, since administrative works are maintained in this language,” he added.

Jammu, April 12
The Panun Kashmir has announced that the third phase of its Kashmir Sankalp Yatra will be launched in the third week of April as part of the awareness campaign on Kashmir.

Addressing mediapersons here recently, Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, president of the body, said Panun Kashmir would organise the third phase of Kashmir Sankalp Yatra in the third week of April and it would also cover Maharashtra, Delhi and Rajasthan.

“In order to make people part of the awareness campaign on Kashmir, the yatra will reach out to them at 10 places in the three states,” said Chrungoo.

He added that the 21-day yatra would focus on the secessionist conspiracy in the state, reduction of the duration of Amarnath yatra and the demand of homeland for Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley.

Expressing concern over the reduction of Amarnath Yatra period to 46 days this year, he said Panun Kashmir had also decided to appeal to the members of the SASB to respect the sensibilities of the Hindus.

Meanwhile, the organisation welcomed the movement launched by social activist Anna Hazare against corruption. “We enjoin upon the people to come forward in this regard and join the struggle against corruption to pave the way for a better and dignified life for the generations to come,” he added.

Jammu, April 12
Minister for Health, Horticulture and Floriculture, Sham Lal Sharma has said that the government has formulated a comprehensive proposal for creating infrastructural facilities for promoting pilgrim tourism in Akhnoor town.

He said the Akhnoor town had significant religious and heritage background and efforts had been intensified to explore its full potential to attract maximum tourists in the area.

The minister was addressing a huge gathering of prominent citizens and sectoral officers at Akhnoor recently.

Seeking the support of prominent citizens of the town, the minister said only government efforts were not sufficient, but also locals would have to contribute to restore the pristine glory of Akhnoor town.

He said the government had taken various steps for the development of the town which include, construction of wayside facilities, development of right bank of the Chenab, floriculture parks, tourist reception centre and development of Jia Potha Ghat.

He maintained that the government had planned to construct a Jhoola bridge at Akhnoor on the pattern of Laxman Jhoola, Haridwar, for the facilities of thousands of pilgrims who throng the town throughout the year, he added.

The minister said efforts had been stepped up to rediscover the lost glory of the town as prominent historians and experts of the country had been engaged with the research work, especially after the discovery of Buddhist monuments at Ambaran village adjoining to Akhnoor.

Preliminary research had revealed that the site was once used to be a hub of religious activities of Buddhism and it was also believed that Mahatma Buddha himself worshiped at the site.

He hoped that after the completion of research work, the town would become a centre of major international tourist attraction.

He revealed that Spiritual Tibetan Guru Dalai Lama had already expressed his desire to visit the site and establish a Buddhist research centre.

Stressing the need for launching a special sanitation drive in the town, the minister asked the locals to contribute for maintaining the town beautiful in view of the ensuing Baisakhi festival.

He said thousands of people would participate in the annual Baisakhi Mela on May 14. He asked the locals to ensure the success of the mela and maintain close coordination with the administration.

He apprised that like previous years, the government would showcase the history of Akhnoor town and ancient religious sites located in its periphery. The other attractions of the mela would be cultural programmes, water sports activities and the event would culminate with the Sandhya Aarti (evening worship) at the Jia Potha Ghat of the Chenab.

He also stressed for reviving the “Sandhya Aarti” on a daily basis which was the old tradition in Akhnoor.

He issued instructions to the officers to finalise all necessary arrangements for the mela. He asked the SDM, Akhnoor, to personally monitor the mela arrangements.

Jammu, April 12
Chief Information Commissioner GR Sofi has underlined the need for the proper implementation of the RTI Act in the state to maintain transparency at different levels of the administration.

Addressing a conference of the public information officers (PIOs) here recently, he said the main aim of the conference was to have an interaction with PIOs of different departments for the successful implementation of the Act.

He said fair implementation would prove helpful in providing transparent and accountable administration to the people. Sofi dwelt at length on the RTI Act and called upon the PIOs to put in their best for its proper implementation and ensure that information sought was provided expeditiously.

He said prompt action on the part of the PIOs would not only ensure early dissemination of the information, but also absolve PIOs of the penalties provided under the provision of the Act. He asked the PIOs to study the Act between the lines, adding thorough familiarity would facilitate their job.

He said defaulting PIOs would be penalised up to the limit of Rs 25,000, which would be deducted from their salary, if they deny, delay or suppress the information covered under the Act. He urged upon the PIOs to change their mindset and provide accurate information to the seekers, without any fear. He said the PIOs, after their appointment in their respective departments, would be held personally responsible for any delay or suppressing information within the stipulated time.

He said for the expeditious disposal of such orders, the number of PIOs could be increased and cautioned that no lame excuses or personal opinion would be entertained for any delay. Sofi said certain safeguards were there for implementing authorities which they could make appropriate use of. He also called for giving proper guidance to information seekers in case the information sought was not available.

Jammu, April 12
Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla said recently that Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions were being developed in all respects to attract tourists from outside the state and abroad. Addressing a series of public meetings at different locations in the Jammu region, Bhalla said the state government was making all efforts to provide wayside facilities to the tourists and pilgrims in the state all round the forthcoming tourist season.

Reiterating the commitment of his government to solve the problems of the people, he said the coalition government was committed to providing civic amenities, including safe drinking water, electricity, education, health, better roads, lanes and drains, across the state.

For this, Bhalla said, the Union government had provided “adequate” funds to the state. On the occasion, the minister exhorted the residents to personally monitor the quality of development works in their respective area and also cooperate with the executing agencies in completing them in a specific time period.

About 2.25 lakh pilgrims visited the Vaishno Devi Shrine during the Navratras. On an average, over 30,000 pilgrims daily arrived Katra, the base camp of the shrine, for their onward journey to the Bhawan. This year, the number of pilgrims reached 17.40 lakh as compared to 16.77 lakh during the corresponding period last year thereby recording an increase of 62,000 pilgrims. — TNS