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New master plan for city soon
Toll plaza at Lakhanpur soon
Create awareness on road safety
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Partner institutions contest IGNOU move to stop convergence scheme
10 new school buildings for Reasi
Punish officers responsible for illegal conversion of land use
Former SRTC employees blame govt for betrayal
Balbir elected new chairman, federation of industries
Education Trust organises annual awards function
Cultural Academy organises musical programme
98 pieces of Deodar trees seized
Exhibition on cultural heritage inaugurated at GWC Parade
Football: Raman House log win
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New master plan for city soon
Jammu, November 21 Officials said various civic agencies are reviewing the previous master plan to take care of the future needs of the growing population. Most public services like water, power, roads and civic amenities are not enough to fulfil the needs of the residents. Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand who had expressed concern over the way different departments performed their duties at a high-level meeting held recently. Officials said the new draft plan would be put in the public domain and all stakeholders, including civil society and public representatives, would be involved to ensure inclusion of all relevant ideas in the revised plan. “There is need to maintain a balance between expansion and retaining the farm land. We need to find out new sources of water, waste disposal methods and prepare for accommodating expanding population,” Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, KL Khajuria. “Over the years, the city has become a safe haven for the people escaping militancy-affected areas and thousands of families from Kashmir have also constructed homes thus developing new localities. However, civic conditions in the city are worsening day by day,” said MLA Chaman Lal Gupta. In most of the localities, people dump their solid waste on roads which remain unattended for days. The city is grappling with road congestion but the traffic cops deputed at important points in the city have been mere mute spectators. At the moment city requires 42 Million Gallon Litre (MGL) of water per day and the net requirement of potable water against this population is 45 MGL of water per day. So, three MGLs of water shortage remain. More than 50 water tankers have also been deployed in the city to cater to the needs of the people during these summer days.
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Toll plaza at Lakhanpur soon
Jammu, November 21 After inspecting the toll plaza project, Rather said the plaza will go a long way to curtail frequent jams due to massive vehicular movement at the Lakhanpur, the gateway to J&K, besides providing modern facilities to the transporters, commuters and traders. It will also improve working conditions for the field staff of the Excise and Commercial Taxes Departments besides minimising smoke and dust pollution. He said provision of improved facilities and comfort to the people as well as employees in all spheres of life is the prime concern of the government. He asked the officers to ensure judicious use of funds and quality material for various works without any compromise. After the inspection, the minister also chaired a high-level meeting and took a broad review of the status of the works on the toll plaza. Later he gave the final touches to the programme for its inauguration. He also directed the engineers of PHE and the Power Department to restore water and power supply to the entire complex by November 30 so that it can be inaugurated during the first week of the next month. He also directed the Deputy Commissioner, Kathua and DC Excise, Lakhanpur Toll Post to process the case for acquisition of additional 108 Kanal of land from the Northern Railways for expansion of the toll plaza.
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Create awareness on road safety
Jammu, November 21 The directions were issued by the Minister for Transport, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD), Qamar Ali Akhoon, while chairing a meeting convened to review the functioning of the Transport Department and its allied wings. The minister asked the department functionaries to hold series of awareness camps at bus stands, public places, main chowks and educational institutions to educate people and the transport operators about the road safety rules. He asked to involve students, NGOs, civil society members and the mass media, including theatre groups in the awareness campaign. He said that the government has mooted a plan to install cameras to record the driving test and passing of vehicles to check malpractices in the issuances of these crucial permissions. Earlier, transport commissioner Mehraj Ahmad Kakroo informed the meeting that the Transport Department has realized an amount of Rs 81.97 crore till October this year against the target of Rs 135.70 crore set for this year. It was also given out in the meeting that the field functionaries of the Motor Vehicles Department had collected Rs 36.41 crore as fine, penalty during road checking till ending July, 2012. The meeting was informed that Rs 90.25 lakh have been disbursed under the passenger welfare fund among accident victims. Kakroo said as many as 9,82,190 vehicles of different kinds, including Goods and passenger Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMV) and Light Motor Vehicles (LMV), were registered with the department operating in the state. Out of these 5,99,553 vehicles were registered in the Jammu province alone, he said. The meeting was further informed that 41,206 High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) had been fitted on different kind of vehicles since June 2012. Out of these 25,123 HSRP were fitted on the vehicles in Jammu Division, while 16,085 in Kashmir Division. It was given out in the meeting that 22 offices, including three Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) and 19 Assistant Regional Transport Offices (ARTOs) have been computerised with digitalisation of records. Awareness Camps
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Partner institutions contest IGNOU move to stop convergence scheme
Jammu, November 21 The IGNOU had given the letter to the partner institutions to run various programmes under the scheme. The offer letter of acceptance, available with the partner institutions, also mentions that under the Convergence Scheme, IGNOU will provide a one-time grant of Rs 1 lakh out of the non-recurring to the new partner institutions to meet the initial expenditure. The remaining grant will be released after receiving the registration data for the minimum number prescribed (50 students per cycle of admission or a minimum of 10 students per activated programme per cycle, the total of which should not be less than 50) to operationalise the Convergence Scheme at the institution. The Offer Letter of Acceptance also states that the IGNOU will provide a recurring grant of Rs 3 lakh per annum to cover expenditure towards honorarium to the coordinator, faculty members, examinations, contingency and overhead costs for a period of three years, subject to enrolment of students. “Nothing to this effect is mentioned in the Letter of Acceptance which the partner institutions received from the IGNOU, New Delhi,” Ashok Khajuria, one of the members of AAPI said. “In fact, the scheme was stopped by the Board of Management of the IGNOU after reports poured that the grant under the Convergence Scheme was misused by some colleges,” Ashok said. “It was imperative for the IGNOU to take strict action against only the erring institutions but the decision of abeyance of scheme for all partner institutions has not only affected their functioning but it has left the students in the lurch. The IGNOU authorities should have at least apprised us before taking this decision,” he said. “Though the Board of Management of IGNOU is yet to take a decision regarding the submission of the admission list by the partner institutions, we are hopeful of a positive outcome so that the academic session of students does not go waste,” Ashok Khajuria said.
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10 new school buildings for Reasi
Katra, November 21 In these buildings, six science laboratories are being executed under the Prime Minister’s Reconstructions Plan at the cost of Rs 90 lakh and 256 MT of foodgrains have been provided to the 17,823 students of the upper primary classes whereas 353.00 MT of foodgrain has been provided to 31,872 school going children of primary classes in the district. Nearly 85 kitchen sheds have also been started in the district. Chief Planning Officer, Reasi, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Mahore, Chief Education Officer, Reasi, Assistant Commissioner Development and Zonal Educational Officers were present in the meeting. The issues discussed in the meeting include use of funds received under the Prime Minister’s special package on account of school laboratories, RMSA, physical status of buildings, distribution of scholarships, status of mid-day meals, construction of kitchen sheds and school-wise sanction of posts and vacancies. The DDC has issued instructions to the participating officers to improve the quality and accelerate the pace of work so as to complete it within the targeted period.—OC |
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Development Comm reviews implementation of polythene ban
Katra, November 21 She issued fresh directions to the Executive Officers of Municipal Committees asking them to impose a fine under the provisions of the J&K Non-Biodegradable Material Act, 2007. She also asked them to present a challan against shopkeepers found using polythene carry bags in the Civil Court. She asked the Executive Officers to generate awareness among the public not to use polythene bags and instead use jute, cloth or bags made of other bio-degradable material.
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Punish officers responsible for illegal conversion of land use
Jammu, November 21 A high-level meeting of the members of the House Committee was held today under the chairmanship of MLC Ajay Sadhotra. The members discussed the issue regarding the conversion of the residential areas for commercial purposes in violation of the Master Plan of Jammu and Srinagar. Sadhotra asked the officers concerned to fix responsibility on those violating rules and
regulations and point out the places where these violations had taken place. He warned that stern action would be taken against those found guilty of ignoring the rules framed by the government and said nobody was above the law. They also stressed upon the agencies concerned to make efforts to arrest further conversion of
residential area for commercial purposes. The committee was constituted by the Chairman, Legislative Council, Amrit Malhotra, to look into the cases of unauthorised conversion of residential areas into commercial ones in alleged
violation of the master plan and to suggest remedial measures. Blame game
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Former SRTC employees blame govt for betrayal
Jammu, November 21 The association demanded vigilance probe in the alleged misuse of crores of rupees released for clearing the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) slabs of the employees. The former employees, who took the VRS and Golden Handshake from the almost bankrupt corporation, held a demonstration outside the head office of the SRTC and alleged that the state government had failed to release Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) pending since 2006, despite that the Finance Department
has reported to released some Rs 22 crore. Dev Raj Bali, president of All J&K SRTC Volunteer Retirement Employees Association, alleged that government has cheated them and so far they have not received their due rights. “We want probe were the money had gone, which the Finance Department had released,” Bali said. He said most of the employees, who opted for the VRS scheme, were still awaiting their clearance of money as corporation has not fulfilled its promise. “They say corporation has no money but why did they promised us that the dues would be cleared if we take the VRS,” he said. |
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Balbir elected new chairman, federation of industries
Jammu, November 21 He replaced Anil Suri, president, Bari Brahamana Industries Association. The change of guard took place keeping in mind the constitutional provision of federation. The following were also elected as co-chairmen of the federation. Anil Suri, president, Bari Brahamana Industries Association, Romesh Badyal, president, Birpur Industrial Association, Jatinder Aul, president, Digiana Industries Association, Vinod Rishi, president, Association of Industries, Samba, Ajit Bawa, president, Kathua Small Scale Industrial Association and Davinder Verma, president, Industries Association, Kathua. Besides, Lalit Mahajan was elected as secretary general and Verinder Jain as the co-ordinator of the federation for the term. All the executive members of the Association of Industries, Gangyal, and the office bearers of various industrial associations were present on the occasion. |
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Education Trust organises annual awards function
Jammu, November 21 Dr YP Kundal, principal, Government Degree College, Mahanpur was the chief guest on the occasion while LD Gupta, chairman of the Trust presided over the function. The Uttam Vidyarthi Award of Rs 10,000 was shared by Mrigant Magotra of Sprint Dale Higher Secondary School, Kathua, and Bandna Yadav of Cosmic Heart Higher Secondary School, Kathua. Kimmi Sharma and Asha Devi bagged the Laksh Merit and Achri Devi scholarships, respectively. Balwinder Singh received the special cash award for being the topper in class 12th. The students, who excelled in extra curricular activities, were also given mementos and certificates. A colourful cultural programme was also presented by the students to mark the occasion.
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Cultural Academy organises musical programme
Jammu, November 21 Former minister Rangil Singh presided over the function whereas Prithal Singh Betab was the chief guest. Additional Secretary, Cultural Academy, Jammu, Savita Bakshi also spoke on the occasion. Additional Secretary, Jammu, said Guru Nanak Dev enlightened the world and taught the lesson of humanity and brotherhood. Rangil Singh appealed to people to follow the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev and also appreciated the efforts of the cultural activity for organising a programme on his birth anniversary. In the first session of the event, S Gurvinder Singh, Kawal Singh, Manpreet Kour, and S Sukhbeer Singh sang shabad kirtans of the first Sikh master. Poets AS Mastana, Dr Raina, Dr Sham Kashmiri, Dr Monjit, Bachan Bharti Devinder Vishavnagrik, Amarjeet Kour Neer and Dr Satinder Singh recited their poems on the theme of the event.
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98 pieces of Deodar trees seized
Batote, November 21 The four accused were booked under Section 379 of the RPC and
Section 6 of the Forest Act. The connivance of locals and forest officials is being investigated.
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Exhibition on cultural heritage inaugurated at GWC Parade
Jammu, November 21 Malik emphasised on the need to preserve the cultural heritage of the state and exhorted upon the students to learn more about their culture and traditions by conducting research on their own. He said the state had a glorious past and people from distinct cultural and ethnic backgrounds settled in the state giving birth to a composite culture. He also asked the students to study history and historical sites of the state to know more about the way people lived in the past. He also called upon the students to preserve their mother tongue as it was the basic identity of the culture of an area. Coordinator, INTACH, Jammu Chapter, SM Sahni, Director Centre for Studies in Museology, University of Jammu, Dr Poonam Choudhary, Principal, Government Women College Parade, Jammu Dr Hemla Aggarwal, Dean and Faculty members, Professors, staff and students of the college were present. In her welcome address, the Principal of the college, Dr Hemla Aggarwal spoke on tangible and intangible heritage adding both needs to be preserved to maintain identity.
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Kashmir Varsity script convincing win in T20 cricket
Jammu, November 21 Batting first after winning the toss, Kashmir University scored 162 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. Sami Ullah played a fine knock of 50 runs followed by Suhail (45), Parvez Parray (22) and Tariq (10). For Pune University, Sunil and Santosh shared two wickets each while Vinod took one wicket. In reply, Pune University could manage 139 runs losing 6 wickets in the process. Parsad waged a lone battle with a fighting knock of 42 runs but in vain as he ran out of partners at the other end. For Kashmir University, Latif was the pick of the bowlers with a three-wicket haul while Sami Ullah and Parvez took two and one wicket, respectively. In another match, Punjab University, Chandigarh had the last laugh against MD Suni, Ajmer, by eight wickets. Batting first, MD Suni, Ajmer, scored 117 runs in the allotted overs. Mukesh (24) and Surender (23) were the main scorers. For Punjab University, Chandigarh, Inder was the chief destroyer with three wickets while Suresh and Vijay fetched two and one wicket, respectively. Chasing the target, Punjab University, Chandigarh did the needful for the loss of just two wickets in 10.3 overs. Amrinder remained unbeaten on an excellent 91 runs that came off just 36 balls. His whirlwind knock contained as many as 10 fours and 6 sixes.
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Football: Raman House log win
Jammu, November 21 Earlier, in the semi-finals played, Raman House trounced Tagore House by a solitary goal while Gandhi House beat Nehru House with the same margin. Principal of the school was the chief guest who presented trophies to the winning teams. The principal also highlighted the importance of sports in everyday life. He said sports plays a pivotal role for the all- round mental and physical development of the body. |
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The government has asked Gujarat based Centre for Environment Planning and Technology (CEPT) to formulate a new master plan for the city.
