Jammu, June 22
Nearly 50 lakh people in the Jammu region are reeling under an acute shortage of electricity for the past 48 hours, as the Power Development Department (PDD) is on a major drive to rectify error in its infrastructure across the state.

The entire region, which is already facing intense heat wave conditions, is witnessing unprecedented shortage of electricity, hitting the daily life, especially in the city.

The situation has arisen after both circuits of the 400-kV Baglihar-Kishernpur transmission line and 220-kV D/C line between Udhampur and Ramban were shut down two days ago for major repairs.

Officials from the PDD said the situation would continue for a few more days as the work was still on.

“Most people across the Jammu region are having sleepless nights as they are not only facing frequent cuts but also long power outages,” said Sailash Kumari, a school principal.

The entire region is facing an acute power shortage despite the claims by the PDD that additional power was being procured to meet the growing demands during the summer.

The Northern Grid has already slashed power supply to Jammu and Kashmir by 152 MW, which has further created crisis in the state.

The Northern Regional Load Dispatch Centre has been warning the state about the excess drawing of electricity for over a month. The state has received 50 warnings in the past one week alone.

Several residential localities like Paloura, Gandhi Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Channi, Parade, Kachi Chawni, Janipur, Roop Nagar and Bari-Brahman have been hit hard by the power crisis.

“Besides power cuts, fluctuation is a major concern as most of our electronic equipment is not working properly. Most people can’t operate their air-conditioners,” said Dr Tahira, a college lecturer.

The power cuts have affected the normal life of city residents. And, sweltering conditions have made things harder for them.

An official from the PDD said repair work was necessitated as most of the infrastructure got damaged during the harsh winter.

“During the period of shutdown, generation from the Baglihar Hydel Electric Project was affected in all areas of Jammu province and rotational curtailment was the only option. However, we are trying to maintain the supply,” said Chief Engineer Shenaz Goni.

Jammu, June 22
Activists of the PDP and the BJP today held demonstrations in various parts of the city in protest against the shortage of electricity and water.

Raising slogans against the government and the Power Development Department (PDD), PDP activists marched towards Dogra Chowk, where they tried to block traffic. They protested against severe power crisis in the city and the silence of government on the issue.

The speakers alleged that the PDD and Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department had failed to solve the issues concerning the common man owing to their wrong policies.

Also, over 150 BJP workers, led by BJP MLA Sham Choudhary, held demonstrations in RS Pura locality against the ongoing power crisis in the border belts.

Jammu, June 22
While not a single family has gone back and settled in the Valley even after the announcement of an economic package for the rehabilitation of the Kashmiri Pandits, the youth of the community is eagerly awaiting the advertising of posts for various jobs under the package.

Sunil Bhat, an IT engineer, said: “I have done my engineering from Maharashtra and am working in Chandigarh. I will apply for the job as soon as posts are advertised. I was reluctant the last time around as I was not sure about the success of the package. Now that people from our community have started serving there, I feel it will not be that difficult for me to work there.”

The state Cabinet had recently recommended the hiring of Kashmiri Pandit youth against remaining posts to implement the employment package fully.

The Prime Minister had announced a Rs 1618.40-crore package during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir on October 1, 2009.

So far, progress has been made only in two areas — employment and transit accommodation.

Under the employment package, 3,000 posts were created and separate rules were notified for Kashmiri Pandit youth under the scheme. After going through the selection process, appointment orders were issued to 2,148 candidates. Of these, only 1,441 joined work.

Most girls and boys who have shifted to the Valley are putting up at transit accommodation, which includes 140 in Veesu, 65 in Hawal and 130 in Baramulla.

The successful attempt to settle over 1,400 youth has bolstered the government initiative to bring back Kashmiri Pandit youth to the Valley.

R.K Bhat, president, All-India Youth Kashmiri Samaj, said: “The package is quite helpful for the youth of the community, especially those who have been directly affected by militancy. We demand relaxation of age for those who are getting overage.”

Jammu, June 22
With no guidelines in place to determine the fares, unscrupulous taxi operators are charging exorbitantly from tourists for hiring taxi services in the city. The problem gets compounded ahead of the Amarnath Yatra, as pilgrims begin to arrive in the city.

To hire a taxi from Jammu to Baltal, one has to pay Rs 6,000, but surprisingly enough the rates are different from Baltal to Jammu. The taxi operators are charging between Rs 8,000 and Rs 10,000 for the route. Devinder Choudhary, president, Taxi Owners Association, Jammu, said, “We have not decided the rates yet but will soon hold a meeting to finalise the rates for the pilgrims.”

A taxi operator on the condition of anonymity said, “The rates are high as it is the peak season for tourists. We charge Rs 6,000 for a cab from Jammu to Baltal, but on return charge more as the pilgrims are ready to pay the amount. We are also offering packages that cost around Rs 15,000 for a round trip.”

“This is the only season when we make money as the rates remain low during rest of the year,” he added.

Not only the local taxi operators, even the airlines almost double the ticket rates ahead of the tourist season in the Valley.

“The airfare for Air India from Jammu to Srinagar is Rs 7,800, whereas it is Rs 8,700 from Delhi to Srinagar. Indigo Airlines is charging around Rs 6,400 from Jammu to Srinagar and Rs 7,600 from Delhi to Srinagar which remains between Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,000 in winter when the rush of tourists is less,” said an official.

Jammu, June 22
In a bid to ensure transparency and keep impersonators at bay, the state government has decided to allow crime branch officials to videograph proceedings at all examination centres set up for the two-day Jammu and Kashmir Common Entrance Test (JKCET)-2012 commencing tomorrow.

As many as 24,264 aspirants will appear in the examination at 40 centres, including 21 in Jammu and 19 in Kashmir.

The test, being conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examination (BOPEE), will be held to select candidates for various medical, veterinary, engineering and other allied professional courses run by the government and private institutes in the state.

On the first day, examination in physics and chemistry will be conducted, while examination in biology and mathematics will be held on June 24.

“In all, 11,602 candidates from Jammu and 12,662 from Kashmir will take JKCET-2012 commencing tomorrow. We have put in place all necessary arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of the examination,” BOPEE chairman Mushtaq Ahmed Peer told The Tribune.

He said the state government had appointed one observer each at the examination centres along with crime branch officials to ensure transparency and fairness during the examination.

“Besides, the board will appoint an observer, two senior officials and senior staff members from various colleges, where centres have been set up, for hassle-free conduct of the examination,” he added.

Peer added that though there was no arrangement of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras at the examination centres, the crime branch officials had been authorised to videograph the proceedings at all examination centres to ensure transparency.

In 2010, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had sacked Minister for Roads and Buildings GM Saroori from his Council of Ministers following his alleged involvement in an impersonation case in a private medical college entrance exam.

The police had arrested two persons, including a girl, who were appearing in a medical examination on behalf of the kin of two senior politicians, including Saroori and a former minister, from Jammu University.

Jammu, June 22
While state Cabinet ministers are under pressure to find solutions to an array of problems, they have surely taken some time out to ensure that those who try to contact them get to know about their personal taste.

A call on their mobile numbers is enough to sense the religious side of many. One is greeted to a variety of religious and devotional numbers while waiting for certain ministers to answer the call.

The ministers seem to have done their homework in searching through the ring tone options and selecting one that touches them the most.

While Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand has selected a bhajan dedicated to Goddess Durga as his hello tune, Minister for Revenue and Relief Raman Bhalla has opted for a gurbani as his waiting tone.

Minister for Rural Development, Parliamentary Affairs and Law Ali Mohammad Sagar, too, is not far behind, as his hello tune is a recital of a verse from Quran.

As varied as the ministers are, so are their choices. While some have gone down the religious route, there are others like Minister of Health Sham Lal Sharma who are happy to show their patriotic side. Sharma has selected Vande Matram as his hello tune.

The upsurge in tourism industry seems to have have rubbed off on Minister for Tourism Nawang Rigzin Zora, as he has chosen a lively folk song from his region to captivate the callers.

The ring tones are a reflection of a certain personality trait of the ministers who tend to live a rather conflicting public and private lives under constant scrutiny.

Jammu, June 22
Though the decision of opening a new offsite campus of Kashmir University (KU) in the Ladakh region is being hailed as a progressive step by many, the Ladakhi Student Union (LSU) is bit sceptical of it which may take couple of years to become fully functional.

Despite the reassuring move of the government, the student body is hoping that the project meets its stipulated deadline and the college should be equipped both in terms of infrastructure and faculty.

The upcoming satellite campus of KU is to open at Tarung Tang which is 70 kilometres from Leh city and is devoid of regular water and electricity supply.

Though the University Grants Commission (UGC) has granted about Rs 30 crore for the project and more than Rs 12.93 crore already been released, the students are cautious in pinning too much hope until it gets functional.

Speaking to The Tribune, Jigmet Rabgyas, president of the Ladakhi Student Union said, “The offsite campus is a good idea but the location is a disadvantage. The site is not only cut off from the main city in terms of transportation but it is a barren land with no supply of water or electricity. The students will have to struggle to get there, especially during winters when the road remains cut off from the rest of the world.”

Despite all the concern, there are those who are looking at the decision of the offsite campus with hope. Some feel that once the campus becomes functional, it will save their money as they have to send their wards outstations for higher studies.

“If all goes well, my siblings will not have to leave Leh when they will pursue their postgraduate course,” said Dolma, a second year post graduation student at Jammu University.

Jammu, June 21
J&K Minister for Health, Horticulture and Floriculture Sham Lal Sharma today said the government was committed to develop backward and far-flung areas of the state. He said the government would keep its promises made to the people during the election time.

Sharma said this while interacting with locals during his visit to the newly-constructed 100-bedded sub-district hospital (SDH) in Bhaderwah. Constructed with modern facilities, the hospital is likely to be inaugurated in next few days.

The three-storey hospital complex constructed by the Jammu and Kashmir Project Construction Corporation (JKPCC) was completed at a cost of Rs 24.65 crore.

The minister said the coalition government had paid attention to health and medical education in the state and a massive development has been achieved in the sector in the first half of their government’s tenure.

He said presently many health institutions were nearing completion in the erstwhile Doda district which include 300-bedded district hospital in Doda, 100-bedded hospital in Kishtwar and Bhaderwah besides a number of primary health centres (PHCs) coming up in other areas.

He said the SDH building in Bhaderwah was almost complete and a 24-hour service with all diagnostic facilities would be provided to the people once it becomes functional.

Banihal, June 22
More traffic and police personnel will be deputed on the highway to regulate traffic during the Amarnath Yatra and to take long-term measures for preventing accidents in the state. This was stated by Minister for Transport and Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department Quamar Ali Akhoon while inaugurating a two-day road safety campaign here today.

He said a traffic council had been set up in the state under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah with commissioners of other departments concerned as its members. A city mobility transport plan for Jammu and Srinagar had also been chalked out to recommend short and long-term measures to prevent accidents.

The minister added that more JKSRTC buses would be added to the existing fleet of 34 buses in the erstwhile Doda district. The minister stressed the need for a better coordination among the Traffic Police, civil administration, Motor Vehicles Department and other departments concerned to prevent road accidents. The campaign is being organised by 12 Rashtriya Rifles in association with the Traffic Police, MVD, civil administration, departments of health and education, besides the NCC.

Awareness stalls were set up by volunteers of the Indian Red Cross Society in association with the quick response team of Ramban, insurance and motor companies. They raised awareness on road safety.

Transport Commissioner Mehraj-ud-Din Kakroo said an accident took place every minute in the country. Those who spoke included Banihal MLA Vakkar Rasool, OC, 12 RR, Col AK Sinha, Degree College principal MI Khan and Banihal BMO Dr MI Bhat. Brig AK Singh, Ramban DC SA Bhat among others.

Poonch, June 22
To ensure implementation of e-governance application in the Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD) at municipal council and committee level, Principal Secretary, H&UDD, Suresh Kumar convened a training-cum-meeting session with district officials of various departments at the DC’s office here today.

District Development Commissioner Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Director Local Bodies, Jammu, Faqir Chand Bhagat, technical staff of the NIC, Additional DDC, ACR, executive engineers of various departments and officials of health and forest departments, municipal councils and committees attended the training programme. He exhorted the officers of municipal councils and committees to train officials in using the system. — TNS

Jammu, June 22
While Jammu University (JU) has adopted an all-out approach against the menace of ragging asking its teaching and non-teaching staff to report ragging incidents on campus, there are many who hold a mild view about the so-called ‘necessary’ evil.

For most seniors on campus, it is a social and friendly interaction with their juniors and an opportunity to get introduced to many of them.

With changing times, their perspective on ragging has changed. While some view it with fear and anxiety, there are others who look forward to ‘ice breaking sessions’ with their seniors.

Though a few incidents of violent and abusive ragging were reported in the past, it is still done secretly on any campus.

“Ragging in its violent and abusive form has to be avoided and reported immediately but normally seniors just want to play prank on their juniors. It should not be looked down upon as a whole,” said Kavita Choudhary, a second-year student at Jammu University.

Meanwhile, there are freshers who express concern over rising cases of violent ragging which could leave them physically and mentally traumatised.

“Hopefully, I do not have to go through this as I am scared of being taunted in public. Since there has been a case of abusive ragging in my family I am against such practice. The seniors at college should act like mentors instead of irrational tormentors,” opined Pranav Sharma who will be starting college soon.

He feels that all incidents of ragging should be reported no matter seniors think it is appropriate or not.

The varsity is not taking any chance this year. It has set up an anti-ragging cell for students who wish to report about ragging cases.

The Department of Student Welfare (DSW) has issued a circular asking all employees, including teachers, canteen owners and contract labourers to submit an undertaking that they would report ragging incidents that come to their knowledge.

“The faculty members and other staff are being asked to submit an undertaking on this. If they don’t comply with the directive, the issue will be taken up with the Vice-Chancellor,” a senior official of the department told The Tribune.

Jammu, June 22
Royal XI and Desi Rock Stars today stormed into the semifinals of the ongoing Summer Premier League Cricket Tournament at Green Field Ground, Gandhi Nagar here.

In the quarterfinals, Royal XI thrashed Super Challengers by two wickets. Batting first after winning the toss, Super Challengers set a target of 83 runs for the loss of eight wickets in the allotted 15 overs.

Altaf was the highest scorer with 22 runs followed by Vishnu and Prince who contributed 17 and 16 runs respectively. From Royal XI, Shivam got three wickets while Shubam took two. Ishant and Arjun shared a wicket each.

In reply, Royal XI did the needful in 14.3 overs losing eight wickets. Adhi and Rattan remained top scorers with 26 runs each. Vishnu was the most successful bowler from Super Challengers with three wickets whereas Vishu and Altaf took two and three wickets respectively.

In another quarterfinal match, Desi Rock Stars trounced AVS Kings by eight wickets. Batting first, AVS Kings made 113 runs in 13 overs with Shaksham (23) and Sajan (22) being top scorers. From Desi Rock Stars, Ankush and Rohit shared three wickets each.

Jammu, June 22
Bhadrore Cricket Club (BCC), Jammu, and Singh Cricket Club (SCC), Akhnoor, had a comfortable win against their opponents in the ongoing 4th Pawan Memorial T20 Cricket Tournament being played at Higher Secondary School Ground here. In the first match, BCC got the better of Baba Club by a huge margin of 152 runs.

Deciding to bat first after winning the toss, BCC posted a challenging total of 206 runs in the stipulated 20 overs losing eight wickets. Karan made 50 runs off 25 balls while Bunty contributed 47 off 29 balls and Kaka chipped in 32 runs from 18 deliveries. For Baba Club, Kundan scalped three wickets while Sunny and Vicky took two wickets each. In reply, Baba Club were bundled out for a paltry 54 runs in 14.1 overs losing the match by a huge margin. Kaka took maximum wickets for BCC with a four-wicket haul while Vishu and Bunty shared two wickets each. Kaka was adjudged the man of the match.

In another match, SCC dispatched Thathi Knight Riders by nine wickets in a low scoring contest. Batting first, Thathi KR were bowled out for 99 runs in 19.4 overs. Veenu (28), Bunty (16) and Ajeet (11) were the main contributors.

For SCC, Vikram Singh took four wickets while Gurdeep Singh snared two wickets. Surinder Singh, Sham Singh and Deepak Singh claimed a wicket each.

Singh Club did the needful in just seven overs by losing one wicket. Sumit Rajput made 50 runs off 18 balls . Vikram Singh was declared the man of the match.

Jammu, June 22
A special team of Samba police today arrested three persons who were evading arrest since the registration of cases against them. The special team was constituted by Israr Khan, SSP Samba and headed by Samba ASP Koushal Kumar.

Those who have been arrested are Ashok Kumar,a resident of Nanak-e-Chak, Janak Raj, a resident of Monanu in Samba district and Mangal Kumar, a resident of Makhanpur Gujrian in RS Pura. — TNS