Jammu, November 5
Influx of thousands of vehicles on roads today highlighted the inefficiency of the traffic lights system in the city. Traffic police personnel had to manually direct the movement of thousands of vehicles.

Even senior administration officials and ministers did not bother to follow the rules at some places. It being Monday, there was the usual rush during the morning hours, but with opening of the Civil Secretariat, there were frequent traffic jams even on the flyover.

In most places, drivers could be seen violating the signals, forcing traffic police personnel to stop them.

Since Sunday, traffic department had deployed its full strength on the roads to deal with the flow of vehicles. Signals remained almost a showpiece, as the department’s functioning was back to an old era — the one without traffic lights.

A senior police officer said due to narrow roads and high concentration of vehicles per square kilometre, traffic lights are proving ineffective. “I don’t think electronic lights will be able to control the vehicles. We have to deploy our personnel on routine basis,” he said.

A whopping Rs 2.50 crore were invested on installation of these lights at 30 locations in Jammu, but rather than being of any substantial help to the police, it has all turned into a wasteful counter-productive exercise.

Though the project was one of the priority areas for better management of vehicular movement in the twin capital cities, experts have said in absence of wide roads, the signals will add to the mess with frequent stopping of the vehicles.

SSP (traffic) Manmohan Singh said traffic police is taking action against those jumping signals.

Rajouri, November 5
Twelve passengers were injured in a tragic road accident today at Adgi, an area on the outskirts of district Rajouri. The vehicle they were travelling in skid off the track and rolled into a deep gorge.

A Tata Magic (JK11-0216), on its way from Dalohri to Rajouri, met with an accident at Adgri, a few kilometres from Rajouri. The vehicle skid off the track about 20 feet down.

Locals rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation for the injured. They also asked the police and administration to send rescue teams. Later, the injured were admitted to district hospital Rajouri for treatment.

Those injured in the accident include Rita Devi, wife of Angreez Singh, Daleep Singh, both from Dalogri, Mohd Sharif, son of Abdul Rafiq, Dayal Singh, son of Rashpal Singh, Neelam Devi, wife of Sunil Kumar, Sunil Sharma, Raj Singh, son of Kamal Singh, Parti Pangyal, daughter of Daleep Singh and Mohammed Afzal, son of Meer Mohammed.

Jammu, November 5
Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Ali Muhammad Sagar today said the construction of 343 panchayat ghars will be completed across Jammu region by the end of the year.

The minister said this during a review meeting of the Rural Development Department (RDD) adding it would incur at a cost of Rs 309 crore.

It was also informed during the meeting that the department spent Rs 309 crore under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) in the region till October this year.

Reviewing various physical and financial achievements registered in the region under rural development sector, Sagar directed the officers to ensure the work on panchayat ghars be completed in the stipulated time.

He said it would provide requisite infrastructural support to the panchayti raj institutions (PRIs).

Director, Rural Development, Jammu, Shafiq Ahmed Raina, director (social audit) AG Sofi, member secretary (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) Pawan Rathore and other officials of Jammu division were present.

The minister said the government was committed to establish a vibrant panchayati raj system (PRS) and the panchayat representatives have already been empowered with supervisory powers of 14 vital departments.

He said making available dependable infrastructure to every panchayat was a priority to ensure smooth functioning of the grassroots-level democratic institutions. The minister said the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme had ensured socio-economic transformation of rural and far-flung areas.

He directed the officials to diversify the activities undertaken under the programme. 

 

Taking stock Reviewing various physical and financial achievements registered in the region under rural development sector, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Ali Muhammad Sagar directed the officers to ensure the work on panchayat ghars be completed in the stipulated time He said it would provide requisite infrastructural support to the panchayti raj institutions (PRIs) The minister said the government was committed to establish a vibrant panchayati raj system (PRS) and the panchayat representatives have already been empowered with supervisory powers of 14 vital departments

Jammu, November 5
While the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) is often accused of its failure to keep the city garbage-free, poor civic sense among the citizens is also contributing in giving the city a dirty look.

In most of the localities, people don’t dump their solid waste in the garbage dumps, but prefer to place it outside the bin. Foul smell and flies greet the visitors who travel through these lanes and roads.

Many people say shopkeepers are major contributors to garbage as some of them lack civic sense, which is giving the city an even uglier look. Jammu generates nearly 400 tonne solid waste every day and it is expected there will be tremendous increase in solid waste generation over the next decade.

Further, despite a ban by the government, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) continues to transport solid waste generated in the city by municipal trucks during the day hours. These are source of germs, and at times, rotten garbage has fallen on motorists.

The corporation has allotted a fleet of about 200 vehicles to 71 wards of the city for visiting different areas every day and collecting solid waste.

Jammu, November 5
The Joint Action Committee of ETT Colleges Association after meeting J&K Board of School Education (BOSE) chairman Sheikh Bashir Ahmad today stressed on decentralisation of powers to run the board affairs smoothly.

The committee expressed concern over the migration of students to other states for pursuing Elementary Teachers Training (ETT) course due to the ongoing chaos in board.

Sources said it was an anxious day for the BOSE chairman who had to face irate members of the association who expressed resentment over having not conducted the remaining papers of the 2008-10 ETT special batch, and the prevailing uncertainty on conducting examination for the 2011-13 session.

The Joint Action Committee of ETT College Association had earlier appealed the BOSE Chairman to define the powers of the officials of the department besides asking him to take initiatives to vacate the stay from the court to resume remaining papers of ETT 2008-10 special batch, the sources added.

Deep Singh, a member of the Joint Action Committee, said, “We have taken up all the important issues pertaining to ETT with the BOSE chairman because it is high time that a decisive action should be taken by the education board to streamline the whole functioning.”

“As far as the special ETT batch of 2008-10 is concerned, the BOSE chairman has assured he would take up the matter with legal experts to vacate the stay from the court,” Deep Singh added.

“On regularisation issue of the ETT aspirants for the 2011-13 session, the chairman has informed us that he is going to meet the BOSE secretary to discuss the matter,” he said.

Sources said over 20,000 applications were received by the BOSE for ETT 2011-13 batch after which it had decided to conduct the counselling session to allot colleges to aspirants.

Sources claimed that due to staff crunch, the BOSE failed to initiate the counselling process on time which eventually resulted in quitting of course by the ETT aspirants.

To break the deadlock, the education board had constituted two five-member committees for both Jammu and Kashmir divisions which had further submitted the list of aspirants of 2011-13 batch to the BOSE chairman for further necessary action. 

Rajouri, November 5
The All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC), Chairman Shafiq Mir has expressed serious concern over threats to the lives of panchayat representatives from militants.

There are about 33,000 panches and sarpanches in the state. The minister responded to the threats issued by Hizb-ul Mujahideen Chief Syed Salahuddin.

In a telephonic conversation with The Tribune, he said in an interview to Tehalka Sayed Salahuddin had issued death warrant to sarpanches.

He said many sarpanches had already sacrificed their lives becoming the targets of militants.

Mir said it was the responsibility of the state and Centre to provide security at the earliest. Mir said the Centre and the state government should make it clear whether they were in a position to provide security the panchayat representatives.

Union minister and former JK chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had recently said in Delhi that it was the state government’s responsibility to provide security to panches. Poonch SSP said there was a severe staff crunch at many police stations and providing security to every one was not possible.

He, however, added there was no threat perception in Poonch district.

Dr Ram Lubhaya, ADGP (security), said the process of giving security would be a government decision. — OC

Katra November 5
Director, School Education, Jammu, Gulzar Ahmed Qurashi yesterday chaired a high-level meeting to review the progress of Centrally-sponsored Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA).

“The meeting discussed issues related to construction of school buildings, uniform for students and creation of teachers’ posts,” said an official spokesperson.

He said the schools being run under the SSA and RMSA in Reasi district and their issues were particularly discussed in the meeting.

Addressing the meeting, Qurashi urged the officers to speed up the construction of school buildings so that the students living in far-flung areas were provided better educational infrastructure facilities, classrooms, libraries and science laboratories.

Qurashi said the adult education centres at the village level played a pivotal role in the enhancement of capabilities of the unemployed youth and hence improving the economic condition of the area.

He also directed the officers concerned for setting up of primary and middle schools in uncovered areas of Reasi district under the schemes launched by the central and the state government.

Joint Director education HR Pakhru and Joint Director education SK Gandotra Chief education officer Reasi Tarsem lal and Education department officers were also present in the meeting,? the spokesperson said.

Jammu, November 5
A group of NCC cadets, comprising some 500 NCC cadre, under the command of Col AS Chandhoke, Group Commander NCC Group Headquarters Jammu, today visited the Jagti township who were welcomed and greeted by the inmates here.

Views were exchanged on the integrity of the country and emphasis was given on Kashmir being an integral part of India and that the Indian Army and paramilitary forces have worked hard to maintain the status of Kashmir giving lot of sacrifices.

Addressing the NCC cadets, Shadi Lal Pandita apprised the people that Kashmiri Pamdits were made to migrate from Kashmir as they were nationalist and adhered to the sovereignty of India.

“We have suffered a lot and are keen to return to the Valley but the state government and the Centre need to consider our rehabilitation at one satellite township in Srinagar district and provide all amenities there,” Pandita added.

Jammu, November 6
The Jammu district maintained its supremacy by winning gold medal in 4x100 m relay in girls section on the second day of the ongoing Divisional Level Inter District Athletics Meet-2012 at the University of Jammu Ground here. District Samba and Udhampur had to settle for silver and bronze medal respectively.

Earlier, the tournament was declared open by physical instructor Pushpa Sharma at the University of Jammu Ground here today. About 125 girls athletes drawn from various districts of Jammu Division like Jammu, Reasi, Udhampur, Kathua, Samba, Ramban, Kishtwar are participating in the sporting event which is being organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports under the overall supervision of Ashok Kumar, Deputy Director.

Today’s Results:

4x100 m (U-14): Sakshi Koul (1st), Mamta Devi (2nd) and Kulvinder Kour (3rd).

4 x 100 m Relay (U-17): Jasvinder Kour, Rajni Devi, Sapna Devi and Ekta Sharma (1st), Pallvi Choudhary, Nazia Choudhary, Madhu Bala and Sapna Devi (2nd) and Poonam Sharma, Priya Sharma, Shifali Sharma and Ashiya Bano (3rd).

4x100 m relay (U-19): Ritika Bhardwaj, Kamini Chib, Vishali Sharma and Jasmin Chib (1st), Jeevan Jyoti, Rekha Rani, Roshni Devi and Sushma Devi (2nd) and Sonam, Anita Devi, Sushma Sharma and Deepshikha Sharma (3rd).

400 m (U-14): Manisha Devi (1st) and Pavneet Kour (2nd).

400 m (U-17): Jyoti Devi (1st), Nazia Choudhary (2nd) and Sunita Devi (3rd).

400 m (U-19): Anju Devi (1st), Kamini Chib (2nd) and Rizia Bano (3rd).

3000 m (U-19): Shivani Sharma (1st), Sushma Devi (2nd) and Sapna Devi (3rd).

100 m (U-14): Sapna Devi (1st), Shashi Koul (2nd) and Poonam Devi (3rd).

100 m (U-17): Fahira Kouser (1st), Poonam Sharma (2nd) and Madhu Bala (3rd).

100 m (U-19): Reetika Bhardwaj (1st), Rekha Rani (2nd) and Mamta Devi (3rd).

600 m (U-14): Huma Bibi (1st), Manisha Devi (2nd) and Anita Devi (3rd).

Shotput (U-14): Suman Kumari (1st), Shallu Choudhary (2nd) and Manjusha Devi (3rd).

Shotput (U-17): Anju Devi (1st), Sparsh (2nd) and Kajal Rani (3rd).

JAMMU, November 5
Christian Sports Organisation XI and HPCC scripted easy wins over their opponents in the ongoing Eid-Diwali Milan T20 Cricket Cup, being organised by the J&K Police Department at MA Stadium here.

In the first match, Young Star XI posted a modest total of 135 runs in the stipulated 20 overs for loss of five wickets.

Jiteshwar was the top scorer with 54 runs that came off 52 balls including five huge hits to the fence while Akash hit a quick 26 runs off just 16 balls with the help of two fours and a six. Ritik also contributed 16 runs off 22 balls.

For Christian Sports Organisation, Ravi Manchanda took two wickets while Ripan and Sonu snared a wicket each. In reply, Christian Sports organiation XI overhauled the target in 19.2 overs. Danny was the top scorer with 82 runs in 59 balls including 10 fours and two sixes.

Amit and Anthony scored well also chipped in with 31 and 18 runs respectively. Danny was adjudged the man of the match for his match winning knock. 

Jammu, November 5
The Kashmir division got the better of Jammu division by 20 runs today in the ongoing Inter-Division U-16 Cricket Tournament being organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports at Government High School Ground, Satwari here.

Batting first after winning the toss, Kashmir division accumulated 131 runs in the stipulated 20 overs. Shabir Ali struck a fine half-century (50) off 49 balls while Rashid contributed 19 runs. Ikhlaq was the pick of the bowlers for Jammu division with a haul of 3 wickets.

In reply, Jammu division managed to score 111 runs in 20 overs losing 7 wickets in the process. Akhlaq (26) and Ankush (15) were the main contributors. For Kashmir division, Shahid and Dawar claimed 2 wickets apiece. The match was officiated by Jagtar Singh, Suresh Singh, Pankaj Sasan, Madan Mohan and Mukesh Sharma.