The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Downpour exposes JMC’s claims
Due to clogged drains and nullahs, water enters houses, shops, causing extensive damage
Sonika Raina
Tribune News Service

A long traffic jam due to heavy rain in Jammu on Tuesday. Tribune photos: Anand Sharma

Jammu, September 4
The rainfall, which lashed the city today, exposed the Jammu Municipal Corporation’s (JMC) shoddy work of cleaning drains and nullahs, as residents of the city had to face severe problem of waterlogging.

The rainwater blocked drains and nullahs and entered shops and houses in many areas, which included Krishna Nagar, Canal Road, Gumat and other adjoining areas, causing extensive damage.

Rinku Sharma, who works at a cloth shop opposite the Science College, said, “This situation is not new to us. Every time it rains, the road turns into a pool of water as there is hardly any way out for the running water.”

“All the drains and nullahs are blocked, which resulted in waterlogging in many areas. Polluted water and filth from the drains and nullahs has entered into shops and houses. A downpour for half an hour has exposed the claims of the civic body regarding the cleanliness of storm drains and nullahs,” he added.

Digging of roads and lanes for laying sewer lines also compounded the miseries of city residents as they had to face difficulty in commuting on these roads following waterlogging and accumulation of mud.

Shopkeepers from the Canal Road were seen on the roads clearing the clogged water because of which their goods got damaged. The traffic movement was also affected for almost half an hour.

Babu Ram, Joint Commissioner (Administration), JMC, however, admitted that some localities like Dogra Chowk, Gumat, Gangyal and Canal Road witness the problem of waterlogging during rains. He said the fault lies not only with the JMC, but the Power Development Department and other departments were equally responsible.

“Suction machines have been sent to various locations. Our men are also at work but everything cannot be done by the JMC alone. There are roads which have technical flaws. There is no way out for water there. Even some nullahs have been encroached upon by people because of which the water gushes into homes and shops,” he added.

Fresh controversy simmers on Jammu varsity campus
Woman prof alleges misbehaviour by director; VC avoids media
Arteev Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 4
The University of Jammu has been in the midst of a fresh controversy following alleged misbehaviour with a woman professor of the Law School by its director in the presence of students. The students later boycotted their classes and locked the school, demanding his immediate removal.

The incident took place close on the heels of complaints of “harassment” and “misbehaviour” by a an assistant professor of the Department of Mathematics against the head of department (HoD) last month.

Sources informed The Tribune that Kulwant Singh, director, Law School, entered into a classroom of the Law School on August 31 when the complainant was taking the class.

He raised some objections and allegedly told the complainant that she was teaching wrong.

“The complainant had some arguments with the director saying that she was teaching correct in view of new changes in the subject,” sources said, quoting a teacher as saying.

Upset with the alleged “rude behaviour” of the director, the woman professor met the Vice-Chancellor and lodged a complaint against him, accusing him (director) of misbehaving with the faculty.

Yesterday, the sources said, the director again had allegedly heated arguments with the woman professor and that too in front of the students, who reportedly resented his behaviour against the teacher who has been serving in the department for the past 10 years.

The National Students Union of India (NSUI) unit of the Law School, taking exception to the alleged “harassment” of the teacher by the director, also called on the Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohan Paul Singh Ishar and sought his immediate removal.

The NSUI activists and students of the Law School boycotted their classes this morning and locked the main entrance of the building. They said they would not allow the school to function till the removal of the director, an eyewitness said.

The students also raised a question mark against “cryptic silence” of the Vice-Chancellor over holding of key posts by a handful of faculty members.

Kulwant Singh, however, said he did nothing wrong and the entire controversy was a part of “conspiracy” by some “disgruntled elements” of the department who had been exploiting the students.

“She (the complainant) has been my student and I had gone to the classroom following a complaint by the students. We (myself and the complainant) were called by the Vice-Chancellor in his chamber and the matter has been resolved,” he claimed.

The Vice-Chancellor, however, tried to evade media queries on the controversy, saying he was in a meeting.

Sports council faces paucity of funds
More than 50 associations yet to get affiliation from the autonomous body
Vikas Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 4
Already facing shortage of funds to distribute among 48 affiliated associations, the J&K State Sports Council is now facing an uphill task as more than 50 associations are still waiting for their affiliation with the autonomous sports body.

According to sources, out of these non-affiliated associations, four associations have been recommended for affiliation. These include the J&K Rifle Shooting Association, the J&K Baseball Association, the J&K Rugby Association and the J&K Deaf Association.

“Yes, four associations have been recommended for affiliation with the sports council and they are likely to be confirmed in the upcoming General Council meeting likely to be held soon”, a source in the sports council told The Tribune.

The sources further claimed that the sports council was going through a tough phase owing to limited budget at its disposal for distributing grant-in-aid to the affiliated associations to conduct their activities.

The sources added that all the affiliated associations were not even getting Rs 1 lakh as grant-in-aid for conducting activities because the sports council gets an annual grant of Rs 40 lakh from the government for its further distribution among all these associations.

“We are struggling with the paucity of funds at our disposal to distribute it among the sports associations and if all these associations get affiliated, it will be impossible for us to manage the affairs smoothly,” an official of the sports council told The Tribune on the condition of anonymity.

The sources said even some of the affiliated associations who had conducted domestic activities besides hosting national championships were yet to receive grant-in-aid from the sports council.

A senior official of the J&K State Sports Council told The Tribune, “We had earlier proposed the authorities to increase the grant-in-aid from Rs 40 lakh to 70 lakh but nothing significant has been done so far.” “The associations who are waiting for their affiliation will have to wait more because our main priority at the moment is to provide the grant-in-aid to the already affiliated associations so that their activities do not suffer,” he added.

Gupta Park turns eyesore for residents
In Shastri Nagar, intruders disturb area peace till late at night
Malvika Sharma

Jammu, September 4
A road from Dogra Academy in Shastri Nagar towards the residential block has become a preferred place for gamblers, drug peddlers and miscreants, who find refuge in Gupta Park located in the heart of the residential block.

Though the park has been in place for the past 15 years, recently sanctions worth lakhs were accorded for installing motors for watering the lawn and lights along with landscaping to make it attractive for children and residents of the area.

Instead of becoming a family joint for people, the park has turned into a hub of gamblers and miscreants. According to residents living in surrounding areas of the park, at least 50 to 60 gamblers get together in the park everyday in the afternoon and carry on playing cards till late at night. “The gamblers use profane language, which can be heard even in our homes because they are brash and loud. The situation has got so bad over the years that the residents of the area have stopped going to the park altogether because it is not safe any more”, said Sukesh Sharma, one of the aggrieved residents of the area.

“Post sunset, the park turns into a hub for drug peddlers, drunkards and indiscreet young couples. Since the park is not maintained, the green cover is used by the youngsters to indulge in illegal activities, which makes it impossible for the residents to venture anywhere close to the park during the evening hours. Though we have lodged complaints with the police several times, nothing has been done so far”, said Rakesh Sharma, a local resident.

Local residents have been taking care of the park on their own since officials from the Floriculture Department have failed to provide a gardener or adequate water supply to the park.

GREF engineer arrested
Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 4
The Kathua police today seized 1,000 litres of diesel meant for the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) and arrested two persons, including an engineer of 69 GREF. The police spokesperson said it conducted a raid at Kardhow Bani area following a specific input during the intervening night of September 3 and 4.

“The police party seized one Tipper when its driver, identified as Mohinder Singh of Sandhar Basholi, was caught red-handed while purchasing 1,000 litres of diesel from an engineer of 69 GREF, namely Ramesh Paul Singh of Pathankot,” the spokesperson added. The police arrested the accused persons and the diesel containers were seized.

Regularisation sought
Ranjit Thakur

Rajouri, September 4
The All J&K Rehbar-e-Taleem Teachers’ Forum, Rajouri, has reiterated its demand for regularisation of jobs of teachers who have been working on contract basis for five years. The members said these ReTs needed to get their due as they have helped the government in improving literacy in the rural and remote areas.

Spokesman for the forum Naresh Sharma said, “Rajouri Chief Education Officer Makhan Lal Sharma has no control over his subordinates working in the education office. He is an honest man but the behaviour of some of the other officials, who openly demand bribe, is creating problems.”

He said, “We are the victims of the system. Our files have been rotting in the office for over one-and-a-half years and Sharma has has failed to act.”

Naresh Sharma also condemned Regional Front chairman Shehbaz Khan for having ignored the demands of over 70,000 ReTs of Jammu and Kashmir. He said nobody had the right to interfere in the working of the forum.

District president of the forum Inderjeet Singh stressed expediting the regularisation process.

MLA approves demands of hospitals
RK Kichlu

Batote, September 4
MLA Ashok Kumar has approved several demands pertaining to infrastructural development and equipment in seven hospitals and dispensaries of Ramban district under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). This was done at a meeting of the Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS) at Batote which was chaired by Kumar and attended by members of the RKS and executive members of these health institutions.

The health institutions whose projects and demands were approved in the meeting include CHC, Batote, PHCs of Gandhri and Rajgarh and allopathic dispensaries of Chanderkot, Sanasar, Dharamkund and Halla-Dhandrat.

The demands were diagnostic equipment, beds, almirahs, racks, furniture, gas stoves, heaters, fans, tube lights, computers, generators, renovation works and a laboratory.

Doctors and paramedical staff employed under the NRHM complained of non-payment of their salaries for the last four months and incentives for the last three years. The MLA assured them early redressal of their grievances.

Kumar also sanctioned an ambulance and a water cooler for the CHC, Batote, from his constituency development fund.

Burglars strike J&K Bank’s training institute

Rajouri, September 4
Burglars struck the J&K Bank’s Rural Self-Employment Training Institute (RSETI) on the intervening night of September 3 and 4 and decamped with a few items.

Sources said the burglars, after breaking the gate’s lock, entered the office-cum-residential complex, hired in Mohd Sadiq’s building, near the J&K Banks training institute’s court complex.

The police said the thieves took away a computer along with a UPS unit, a monitor, a commercial gas cylinder and a bedsheet.

The owner of the building reported the matter to the police after he found all the locks broken.

RESTI manager Harjinder Singh was out of station when the burglars struck. A case has been registered against unknown persons. A team of Forensic Science Laboratory visited the complex to collect evidences. — OC

Teachers meet higher education department secy
Seek placement of over 500 selected teachers
Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 4
The J&K College Teachers Association today met higher education department secretary Gazzanfer Hussain and discussed the pending cases of placement of over 500 college teachers.

Gazzanfer said the issue would be sorted out shortly. A meeting for the same has been fixed with the Public Service Commission (PSC) on September 7.

President of the association Dr Avinash Kumar Gupta urged the secretary to take into consideration the placement orders issued between 2005 and 2009.

Among other issues discussed were speedy framing of career advancement rules, coordination between state universities and higher education department for organising refresher and orientation courses, posting of confirmed principals in the colleges, filling up of posts of controller and secretary, BOPEE, which are reserved for principals of degree colleges.

He stressed upon the posting of director libraries, restoration of post of Controller of Examinations, DCD & DSW in the universities for college principals, parity in superannuation age of teachers in colleges and state universities, payment of the Sixth Pay Commission arrears, starting of courses in the newly established colleges after appropriate surveys and feedback.

NSUI holds seminar on employment opportunities
Our Correspondent

Rajouri, September 4
The National Students Union of India (NSUI) organised a one-day block-level convention at the Budhal Government Degree College yesterday. The convention was presided over by the NSUI’s All-India Election Commissioner Iftikhar Ahmed. Local youths elaborated their problems before the senior NSUI leaders from the Central and the state units.

Iftkhar Ahmed said the students feel a secure future in government jobs but lack of professional and technical institutions in the far-flung areas render them incompetent. He urged the government to open few polytechnic and computer institutions in the far-flung areas so that educated unemployed get employment.

He advised the NSUI district and block-level committees to open career guidance cells for the students of the far-flung areas.

He exhorted the NSUI activists to fight for the right of students.

NSUI leader Sahil Raina demanded a 50 per cent concession for the student community in the private as well as the government transport in all the districts of the state.

Girls from remote areas on a 10-day tour to Agra, Mathura
Ranjit Thakur

Rajouri, September 4
An educational-cum-motivational expedition for girl students of remote areas in Sunderbani tehsil, Rajouri district, was flagged off by the General Officer Commanding, Crossed Swords Division, Maj Gen NPS Hira, at Akhnoor. 23 girls are part of the tour, which is the first of its kind in the area.

Organised by the Kalidhar Brigade, under the aegis of the Crossed Swords Division, the tour aims to educate and provide exposure to students of remote areas about the cultural diversity, infrastructural development and technological advancement in the country.

While interacting with the touring students, Maj Gen NPS Hira said, “Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders.” He said out of the various projects undertaken by the Army under Operation Sadbhavana, tours for children to various parts of India have a lasting impression on their minds.

One of the touring student said she was grateful to the Crossed Swords Division for organising the sightseeing as it would give them a wonderful opportunity to broaden their horizons.

The 10-day tour, which began yesterday, will take the students to Agra and Mathura where they will visit places of historical interest and national importance such as the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, ITC Maurya (5 star hotel), Jama Masjid, Krishna Janma Bhumi, Vrindavan, Mathura Oil Refinery and Mathura Museum.

PDP trying to snap people’s bond with NC, says Dr Kamal
Our Correspondent

Rajouri, September 4
Dr Mustafa Kamal, additional general secretary of the J&K National Conference, said today attempts were being made by vested interests, particularly the PDP, to spread canard against the National Conference in a bid to snap the decades-old bond between people and the National Conference. He was speaking at a workers’ meet at Kotranka (Bakori) in Rajouri district.

He said it was the National Conference which gave people the right to choose their government through free, fair and unfettered franchise and introduced the historic and revolutionary land reforms whereby tiller became the master of his land and abolished rural indebtedness. He said the National Conference established a strong public distribution and transport system and consolidated the handicrafts sector, agriculture and horticulture in the state. He informed that earnings of the handicrafts sector rose from Rs 20 crore in 1975 to Rs 70 crore in 1982 and has reached an export figure of Rs 1750 crore and still growing.

The horticulture earnings has crossed the figure of Rs 3,000 crores per annum from the production of over three millions tonnes of fruit per year, which was only 12,000 tonnes in 1952-53. He said it was the National Conference which gave the state its own Constitution, a separate flag and a special status in the federal structure of India. The PDP was not in existence when all these historic steps were taken. The PDP is the creation of evil forces like the BJP and the arch enemy of the people of the J&K. He said Mufti Mohd. Sayeed’s only job had been to bring down the governments in J&K through unconstitutional and illegal means.

Dr Kamal appealed to the government and the administration to take steps of clearing link roads of the area which have been blocked by landslides, construct a community hall at Kotranka, a degree college, set up khidmat centres, sheep centres, provide relief to people for late and heavy rains, which has damaged standing crops and arrange direct police recruitment in the area.

He assured the people that these and other demands would be taken up with the government on priority.

Admn slack in complaint redressal, allege JU students
Our Correspondent

Jammu, September 4
The students of the Law School, Jammu University, who have been protesting for the last two days against the alleged misbehavior of their department’s director towards a faculty member, today got the support of the National Panthers Student Union.

NPSU president Virender Singh asked why the varsity administration had not taken any action yet. While addressing the media, he said, “Strict action should be taken against the director for tarnishing the image of the university.”

The students today expressed their angst towards the university authorities for delaying justice. The agitation comes at the heels of the recent protest, led by another student party, against harassment of girls and cases of eve-teasing outside the colleges in the city.

A girl student said, “Girls are often encouraged to raise their voice if they are harassed but when we do, we become the fodder for gossip. Moreover, the authorities take a lot of time to respond to such complaints. Seeking justice becomes an ordeal for the victim. The need of the hour is to shake up the system so that they become active in redressing the problems.”

Elite Blues win football tournament

Jammu, September 4
Elites Blues got the better of SW Ushkar by 5-3 via a tie-breaker in the summit showdown to win the Summer Cup Football Tournament being organised by the Baramulla police.

A total of 32 teams representing the local clubs of the district competed in the knock-out tournament. Baramulla Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anand Jain was the chief guest. He said the J&K police was committed to provide an opportunity to the budding sportspersons to excel at the state and the national level. — TNS

Ankita, Tamanna excel in athletic meet
Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 4
Ankita and Tamanna of KV No. 1, Chamera, bagged the first position in the U-17 and the U-19 categories, respectively, in the 1500 m event in the ongoing 43rd regional athletic meet being held at KV No. 2, Jammu Cantt.

In the 400 and 200 m event, Shivangi Verma of KV No. 1, Amritsar, secured the first position. In the U-17 age group, the first position went to Ankita of KV No. 1, Chamera, in the 1,500 and 800 m event, while in the 400 m event, the trophy was claimed by Sapna Tiwari of KV No. 1.

In the U-14 category, the first position was secured by Vandana of KV No. 2, Udhampur, in the 600 m and 400 m. In the 200 m event, Nitu of KV No. 1, Amritsar, bagged the first position.

In the U-17 shot-put event, the first position was claimed by Mumtaz Bano of KV No. 1, Akhnoor, whereas in the U-14 age group, the first position was bagged by Deepali of Tibri Cantt.