The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Panel to check pricing of goods
Sumit Hakhoo

Jammu, November 11
Days after the Legal Metrology department detected traders selling underweight and poor quality products, the administration has constituted a special team to check such malpractices. The department has also directed the team to submit daily reports about the quality of goods sold in the city over the next two weeks.

Officials said the directions have been issued by the district administration. The team comprises officials from the Legal Metrology, CAPD and Chief Health Officer, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC). The team will conduct daily raids and check the quality and weight of the products sold to the consumers. The team has been constituted under the Price Control Quality Assurance, Compliances of Food Safety and Standard Act and Consumer Protection Act.

Few days back The Tribune had reported that till September, the Legal Metrology and other departments had detected nearly 1,500 traders for allegedly selling low quantity goods and charging higher rates for them.

As the manufacturers have total control on the prices, the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of packaged commodities at their mercy.

The Municipal Corporation has launched an anti-adulteration drive and has detected large-scale adulteration of milk, sweets and other eatables. “There is need to work in coordination. All the agencies associated with public welfare need to work as a team and take action against such traders, who are violating norms,” said Health Officer Dr Vinod Sharma.

In the absence of a mechanism to control the prices, the state government has constituted a Working Group (WG) to formulate rules to curb hoarding and profiteering in and it is studying the ways to streamline the pricing.

Joint Controller (Jammu Province) Legal Metrology Amar Singh said they are also trying to make manufacturers, particularly local residents to adhere to quality and fair pricing. “We again appeal to the traders that they should not charge extra from consumers,” Singh said.

The Jammu Municipal Corporation has launched an anti-adulteration drive and has conducted over a dozen raids on Saturday and Sunday.

A step in time

The Legal Metrology department recently found 1,500 traders overcharging for consumer goods.

The panel comprises officials from the Legal Metrology, CAPD and Chief Health Officer, JMC

Nikhil, Stuti shine in swimming competition
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 11
The state-level inter-division swimming championship for boys and girls concluded at Heritage School, Sainik Colony, here today. The competition was held under the supervision of Tirath Ram, District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Jammu.

Ashok Kumar, Deputy Director, Youth Services and Sports, was the chief guest on the occasion and who gave away medals to the position holders. Zonal Physical Education Officers (ZPEOs) Sher Singh, Chanchal Kour, PEMs Rajesh Sambyal, Harvinder Kour, Anirudh, Nirmal Singh, Rachpal Singh and Ravinder Singh were also present.

Results:

U-14 Boys (Free Style): Nikhil Sambyal (1st) and Mudasir Hussain Bhat (2nd).

50mts Butterfly: Idrees Hussain Tinda (1st) and Aditya Gupta (2nd).

50mts Free Style: Dilawar Hussain Malik (1st), Prithpal Singh (2nd) and Nikhil Sambyal (3rd).

100mts Breast Stroke: Yawar Abbass (1st) and Jatinjit Singh (2nd).

100mts Back Stroke: Mudasir Hussain Bhat (1st), Rasagya Tondon (2nd) and Prithpal Singh (3rd).

200mts Free Style: Suhail Hussain Akhoon (1st) and Prithpal (2nd).

100mts Back Stroke: Prithpal Singh (1st) and Suhail Hussain (2nd).

100mts Butterfly: Yawar Abbass (1st) and Dhruv Kohli (2nd).

200mts Breast Stroke: Aditya Gupta (1st) and Dhruv Kohli (2nd).

U-17 boys (50mts Free Style): Ahmed Ikram (1st), Razat (2nd) and Murtaza Ali (3rd).

50mts Butterfly: Adhar Kaul (1st), Firdous Ahmed (2nd) and Rahul Kohli (3rd).

100mts Freestyle: Danish Bashir (1st), Ahmed Ikram (2nd) and Sahil (3rd).

100mts Back Stroke: Razat Sharma (1st), Amit Sharma (2nd) and Neerav Gupta (3rd).

200mts Free Style: Razat Sharma (1st) and Ahmed Ikram (2nd).

50mts Back Stroke: Murtaza Ali (1st), Sahil Sharma (2nd) and Firdous Ahmed (3rd).

100ms Breast Stroke: Rahul Kohli (1st), Honnesh Rohmetra (2nd) and Mohammad Ali Agha (3rd).

50mts Breast Stroke: Showkat Ali (1st), Hardik Khajuria (2nd) and Sahil Sharma (3rd).

100mts Butterfly: Kunwar Sethi (1st).

200mts Breast Stroke: Rahul Kohli (1st) and Honnesh Rohmetra (2nd).

200mts Back Stroke: Danish Bashir (1st) and Rohan Mahajan (2nd).

U-14 girls 50mts Freestyle: Stuti Kuthiala (1st).

100mts Breast Stroke: Epsita (1st).

U-19 girls 50mts Freestyle: Sabia Nagpal (1st).

50mts Back Stroke: Arshiya Kalra (1st).

IGNOU students feel cheated by partner institutions
Many failed to fulfil norms under the Convergence Scheme of IGNOU, students allege
Vikas Sharma/TNS

Jammu, November 11
The decision of the Board of Management of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) asking its partner institutions in the state to submit their list of admissions with its head office has left many students in the lurch. Many of these partner institutions had not fulfilled the minimum requirements of the programme as instructed by the IGNOU.

The Tribune had reported that despite the verdict of the High Court in favour of partner institutions of IGNOU to complete the admissions for all programmes for July 2012 cycle under the Convergence Scheme; the Board of Management of IGNOU had directed these institutes to submit their list of admissions at its New Delhi office.

“The Convergence Scheme was launched in the state especially to benefit students from far-flung areas of the state. The scheme aims to help them pursue programmes in different streams but these institutions which have been given the task to support IGNOU have risked future of the students,” said a student Karun Manhas.

“As per minimum requirements of IGNOU, the partner institutions in the state are required to allot up to 50 per cent of the total study hours to each course in case of theory subjects and 100 per cent in the practical subjects. Transaction of curriculum, conduct of continuous internal assessment, project work and viva whenever applicable was also responsibility of the partner institution. Most institutes failed to do so,” he said.

“Had the partner institutions systematically maintained the records pertaining to students admitted besides conducting face- to-face sessions as required, things would have been better,” another student Gagan Bhat said.

RCC script win in T20 tournament
Tribune News Service

A batsman playing a shot during a match in the Eid-Divali Milan Cup tournament at MA Stadium in Jammu. Photo: Inderjeet Singh

Jammu, November 11
Rainawari Cricket Club (RCC) scripted a thrilling win over Vishal Cricket Club (VCC) in the ongoing Eid-Divali Milan Cup T20 Cricket Tournament, being organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Police Department in collaboration with Simula Software, at MA Stadium here yesterday.

Earlier, batting first, VCC accumulated a modest total of 108 runs in the stipulated 20 overs. Avinash was the top scorer with 39 runs, including 6 hits to the fence. Kaka contributed 22 with 2 fours and a six. Ashu and Sahil Bhalwal took 2 wickets each while Manjeet chipped in with one wicket.

For RCC, Kuldip was the pick of the bowlers with a 3-wicket haul while Satish took 2 wickets. Muddasir, Venus and Rohit shared a wicket apiece. The team did the needful on the penultimate ball of the match in an exciting fashion. Ajay Sharma was the top scorer with 23 runs studded with 2 fours while Satish contributed 22 runs with the help of 3 boundaries. Satish of was adjudged the man of the match.

In another match, JKP XI defeated Doordarshan XI by 8 wickets. Batting first, Doordarshan XI skittled out for 88 runs in 16.4 overs with Akash (13), Bunty (15) and Joshi (10) being the notable contributors.

For JKP XI, skipper Rajesh Gill snared 3 wickets while Vishal and Showkat took 2 and 1 wicket respectively.

JKP XI overhauled the target in 11.1 overs by losing just 2 wickets. Rajesh Gill top scored with an unbeaten 51 runs containing 8 boundaries. Farooq and Naresh contributed 16 and 11 runs respectively. Rajesh Gill was declared the man of the match, which was officiated by JD Singh, Suhail, Nitu and Yogesh Sharma.

Gold maintains its hold on Jammuites on Dhanteras
Sonika Raina
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 11
For centuries Indians have had their faith in gold. Gold may be at an all-time high but people are ready to pay the price. This was evident from the huge rush of people in jewellery shops to buy gold and silver on the occasion of Dhanteras.

Thanks to the festive season goldsmiths in Jammu are doing brisk business. Sharp rise in the prices of gold and silver over the last one year has increased trust of the people on gold and silver as an investment.

Shweta Sharma, 26, who is getting married in January said, “Though the prices are quite high still we have not changed the list of jewellery as it is the best gift which the parents can give to their children. We bought all the jewellery we needed today as on the occasion of Dhanteras, which is considered very auspicious to buy gold and silver.”

Increase in the number of customers has also brought cheer to goldsmiths, who were otherwise were left high and dry over the past few months.

Neerav Shah, a jeweller said, “Gold prices have been increasing again since Barak Obama got re-elected. People are still very keen to invest in gold and silver. The rush increases with the start of the festive season and it goes on till Divali.”

“The main focus of people is on gold as it is a good investment and also people in India consider it very auspicious so they give it as wedding gifts and on other occasions as well,” he added.

The steel utensil shop also witnessed a huge rush of buyers today. Buying utensils is considered auspicious on the festival.

PoK refugees court arrest, demand settlement package
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 11
Hundreds of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) refugees, including women courted arrest today in protest against alleged failure of the Central and the state governments in announcing a comprehensive settlement package for them even after 65 years of their displacement.

The refugees, who assembled under the banner of POK Refugee Front 1947, 1965 and 1971 at historic Mubarak Mandi complex, also threatened to intensify their agitation if the government failed to fulfill their demands. They also raised slogans against the state as well as the central governments.

Before courting arrest, Rachpal Singh Chib, general secretary of the Front said these families had lost their loved ones, homes, property for shelter.

“Later, the Government of India gifted away their villages and towns through an agreement with Pakistan,” the refugee leader said.

Lashing out at the ruling National Conference for ignoring their demands, he said, “Recently, Congress MPs from the state, ministers and MLAs took up their case with the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Congress president Sonia Gandhi but bureaucrats care little for the rights of refugees,” Chib said.

He also requested the government to announce Rs 1,700-crore rehabilitation package for permanent settlement of the refugees. He also demanded immediate implementation of the Wadhwa Committee Report for their “final and comprehensive” settlement.

ISTE workshop at Vaishno Devi University
Devinder Thakur

Katra November 11
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University is the first university in J&K to become the remote centre of IIT Bombay project Eklavya, under the National Mission on Information and Communication Technologies. Coinciding with the National Education Day today, a two-day ISTE Workshop ‘Aakash for Education’ had been organised at SMVDU, under research and development project.

The unique feature of the workshop was that the speakers were not personally present, but the lectures were delivered from IIT Bombay using the A-view (Virtual Classroom Software) and the participants interacted with speakers in real time using the software.

Dr Naveen Kumar Gondhi, Aakash Coordinator & Director I/c, Network Centre, SMVDU, inaugurated the workshop on November 10th. The Aakash tablets and applications specially developed for the tablet at IIT Bombay were introduced to the participants.

The topics covered in the workshop included introduction to tablet computers and Aakash, applications available on android platform, special educational applications, licker software for conducting tests, proximity application to develop interactive lessons, programming environment on Aakash (C, C++, Python), engineering application-Robot Control etc.

President of India inaugurated first ‘Aakash-II Tablet’ at a function at Vigyan Bhawan, Delhi, today, which was attended by 290 institutions including SMVDU through the A-view (Virtual Classroom Software).

With a lot of enthusiasm, the workshop was attended by Dean, Directors and faculty members of different schools of engineering, management, sciences and philosophy. The Aakash Coordinator appreciated the staff of Network centre, media cell and audio & projection cell, SMVDU, for their dedicated efforts while conducting the workshop.

Govt sign boards in urdu demanded
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 11
Kishtwar Campus of University of Jammu, in collaboration with National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), Ministry of HRD, Government of India, organised a one-day national seminar on the subject “Urdu in Jammu and Kashmir- Problems and Solutions”, to commemorate World Urdu Day.

The seminar was presided over by District Development Commissioner, Mohd Saleem while Kishtwar MLA, Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo, was the chief guest.

Former Director of the NCPUL, Prof Ali Javed, while addressing the seminar at the time of partition some fundamentalists related Urdu with the particular religion for their self-planted interest, due to which Urdu got a set back. It was the state of J&K which made it the official and constitutional language of the state.

“After partition no state government paid attention towards its official language due to which Urdu started declining from most of the offices and state secretariats. It is the duty of the state government to take immediate steps to promote the official language”, he added.

He laid stress on all sign boards of government offices being in Urdu and it being made a compulsory subject up to class 10th level in the state. He also raised the point of Urdu teachers being appointed in the schools and colleges of the state, so that the language could flourish.

Speaking on the occasion, Kichloo said Urdu had produced poets and writers like Rasajavadani, Ishrat Kashmiri, Gulam Rasool Nazki, Thakur Poonchi, Nishat Kishtwari and others who had contributed a lot to the language.

Science College bag boxing title
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 11
GGM Science College pugilists clinched the overall championship trophy in Inter-College Men’s Boxing Championship, by securing 29 points in the boxing ring, at Gulshan Ground here yesterday.

Government SPMR College of Commerce (25 points) and MAM College (23 points) had to settle for the second and the third spot respectively. The final bouts were held in 11 different weight categories, under the guidance of J&K Police Coach, Inspector Satyakam Sharma.

Final Results:

45-48 kg: Sanjeev, Science College beat Nitish Sharma, MAM College.

48-51 kg: Nitin Plasar, Science College beat Manoj, PG Departments.

51-54 kg: Ashish Yadav, Commerce College beat Ranjit Verma, GDC Udhampur.

54-57 kg: Govind (Science College) beat Dhaneshwar, New Modern College.

57-60 kg: Ashish, Commerce College beat Rohit, Science College.

60-64 kg: Abhimanyu, Science College beat Chanderveer, GDC Akhnoor.

64-69 kg: Anuj Vaid, Commerce College beat Manjit Singh, MAM.

69-75 kg: Nishant Baloria, Bhargwa College beat Deepak Bhan, Science College.

75-81 kg: Amit Pandita, Commerce College beat Rajesh Chander, New Modern College.

81-91 kg: Paramveer, MAM beat Abhinandan, Commerce College.

Above 91 kg: Gourav Pathania, PG Departments beat Abhimanyu, Science College.

Christian Association seconds Omar’s thoughts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 11
J&K Christian Dalit Association, Jammu, has welcomed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s call for opening Jammu- Sialkot road for travel and trade between the two countries.

A meeting of the association held here today, under the chairmanship of S Peter, said the statement showed the visionary and highly imaginative outlook of Abdullah and his party National Conference. He said the NC treated all the three regions of state Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh equally and is working for economic development of all these regions.

“Opening of road for travel and trade will be the biggest confidence building measure between people of the two countries, who through frequent interaction will shed prejudice against each other”, Peter said. It will boost the economy of Jammu region in particular and the state as a whole in general. This will also revive the old ties between the two people, who had close bonds and frequent exchanges before the partition of the country in 1947, they added.

Peter recalled that the Christian Community had their close relatives at Sialkot and surrounding villages. The new generation of the community, at both places, was looking forward for reviving the old relationship after the road opens. The opening of the road will also develop tourism in Jammu. Dalit Association has demanded that the Suchet Garh border post should be developed on the pattern of Wagah border post, with holding of ceremonial parade in the evening and unfurling the national flag as is the routine at Wagah Attari border. This will promote tourism in Jammu and also help Jammu region, the state and even Pakistan side of Punjab economically.

JE’s house raided
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 11
The State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) today raided the house of a Junior Engineer (JE) of Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department allegedly for holding misappropriate assets. The raid was conducted jointly by team of SVO from both the Kashmir and Jammu divisions.

The team from Kashmir reached the engineer’s residence here this morning following a complaint against him about the house he owns near Sidhra petrol pump.

“A case against the engineer was registered in Kashmir. He owns a house in Sidhra area, on the outskirts of the city. A search of the JE’s house continued till afternoon,” a SVO official said. He said the tenants live in the said house.

He said an investigation into the case was on.

The SVO had recently registered a case against six Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD) department employees, including two Assistant Directors, for alleged misappropriation of Rs 66 lakh of carriage charges for ration.

TFI conducts Black Belt Dan Promotion test
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 11
The Taekwondo Federation of India (TFI) today organised Black Belt Dan Promotion test at Indoor Complex, MA Stadium here. PC Sharma, was the chief guest on the occasion while Nissar Hussain, vice-president, J&K Taekwondo Association and DN Pangotra, general secretary, were the guests of honour.

The test was conducted under the supervision of Sundermani Patel, Technical Director, Taekwondo Federation of India, North Zone.

Jyoti Nagpal and Somdutt Bhardwaj from Delhi were TFI examiners in this test wherein 24 international and national level players from J&K, Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana participated.

Players who successfully qualified for Black Belt test included Atul Bandral, Gautam Uppal, Abhinav Sharma, Dheeraj Kumar, Rohit Kumar, Sidhika, Mehul Puri, Anchit Bakshi, Suhail Ahmed Gani, Aquib Gulzar, Heena Bali, Honey Bali, Manoj Khajuria, Taruna Khajuria, Monika Sharma, Rudresh Pillai, Deepanshi Verma, Sanjana, Arvind Kumar Satti, Mukta Gupta, Rajat Thakur, Varinder Sharma, Rakesh Kumar and Arjun Gupta.

Fire safety awareness camp held
Devinder Thakur

Katra, November 11
As a part of fire safety preparedness, to ensure a safe Divali and to create fire safety awareness among the general public, an awareness camp was organised at Hotel Vaishnodevi here on Friday.

Workers and management of different hotels, guesthouses and lodges of Katra took part in the programme and were made aware about the precautionary measures to be adopted in their respective establishments.

The experts of Fire and Emergency Services Department delivered lecture and demonstration on handling of first aid and firefighting equipments and the method to evacuate a building safely, in case of any natural disaster.

Meenakshi Koul, Assistant Director, Tourism, Katra, and Sham Kesar, president, Hotel Association, Katra, extended full cooperation in organising the programme.

The programme was organised under the supervision of RC Raina, Assistant Director, Fire and Emergency Services, Command Udhampur/Reasi, under the guidance of Dr GA Bhat, Director General, Fire and Emergency Services and RS Sodhi, Director, Fire and Emergency Services.

Computer training course by army commences

Rajouri, November 11
A 15-day computer training course for youth is being organised from November 9 to November 23, by the Rashtriya Rifles Battalion at Kalakote. The concept of training the youth was started by the Army to give basic knowledge of computers and internet.

Qualified instructors are training 15 youth in the camp. The urge to imbibe computer education has been on the rise in the Kalakote region. Frequent demands for computer classes, in absence of any coaching centre in the region, were made by school authorities and youth of the region. The local population appreciated the steps being undertaken by the Army to motivate the youth to become achievers in life. — OC

NGR Club win football tourney
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 11
NGR Club beat Vijay Club by 2-1 in the ongoing Senior Division Football League, organised by Jammu wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA), at GGM Science College Grounds here today.

NGR drew first blood in the 15th minute through a goal scored by Heera.

Their lead was well maintained in the first half of the play. After the first half, Vijay Club scored the equaliser in the 58th minute through Dhananjay Sharma.

NGR Club in the 78th minute stretched their lead further, which it maintained till the end. The match was officiated by Harmandeep Singh, Rajesh Kumar and Koushal Sharma.

Tomorrow, Churchill Brothers will take on Param Football Club at the same venue.

Develop Jammu as tourist destination: Hoteliers’ body
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 11
All Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association (AJHLA) has demanded that Jammu and its surrounding areas be developed as tourist destinations.

Addressing mediapersons here today, association president Inderjeet Khajuria said out of more than one crore pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi shrine every year, only 5 per cent stay at Jammu for one day or so when the trains reach Katra.

The association has asked the government to take immediate steps to complete all the tourism-related projects in Jammu and its surrounding areas. The association members rued that there is more talk of commissioning tourism-related projects in Jammu and much less was being done.

Speedball championship begins

Jammu, November 11
A two-day long Thakur Devraj Memorial Open Speedball Championship, organised by J&K Sports Speedball Association, got underway at Guru Harkrishan Public School here today.

The championship was inaugurated by Bhupinder Singh, Chairperson of the school, in presence of Colonel GS Soodan, director-cum-principal of the school, Sunny Nanda, general secretary of the association and Manika Sharma, organising secretary. More than 300 students from various schools are participating in the championship.

Results:

Super solo (U-14): Neel Bhan (1st), Satvik Gupta (2nd) and Mayank Gupta (3rd).

U-16: Ankit Sharma (1st), Gurmehar Singh (2nd) and Sarthak Luthra (3rd). — TNS