Rajouri, December 29
The advocates of District and Session Court, Rajouri, held a candle light protest today, against unscheduled power curtailment in most parts of this border district .

They also alleged that the state government was responsible for ignoring the area on developmental fronts and called the local MLA and MoS Power, Shabir Ahmed Khan, a failure in bringing reform in the power sector to tackle the growing needs of the public.

As per reports, a large number of advocates of District and Session Court,under the leadership of Rajouri Bar Secretary Advocate Vibodh Gupta, who is also a BJP leader, carried out the protest rally in the main market.

During this rally, advocates raised slogans against state government, power department and Khan. Talking with mediapersons, Gupta said Khan held the portfolio of power ministry as its Minister of State, but condition of power system in his home constituency was grim, which showed his failure in bringing a reform in the power sector.

He also said the people of the area were suffering a lot due to the large scale unscheduled power cuts.

Scheduled power curtailment also exceeded one third of a day, resulting in loss of study for students and financial losses to traders, Gupta added.

Advocate Ahsan Mirza said due to acute darkness in the streets of the town in evening hours, incidents of eve-teasing were increasing and females, especially school and tuition going girl students, were feeling insecure.

He also demanded upgradation of receiving station from 5 MVA to 10 MVA to tackle the growing power needs.

Others who presented the same views and held the state government as well as Khan responsible for the grim power system in Rajouri and surrounding areas included Advocate Khilat Bhat, Ajay Gupta, Qamar-ul-Zaman, Zubair Malik, Vivek Gupta, Dushant Sharma and Shashi Sharma.

Jammu, December 29
The Jammu Crime Branch today produced challan against two officials of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution (CAPD) departments for allegedly forging their date of birth certificates.

The accused have been identified as Abdul Qayoom, and Bashir Ahmed, both residents of Lowang in Bani tehsil of Kathua district. The challan was produced before chief judicial magistrate in Kathua.

The Crime Branch spokesperson said a complaint was received wherein it was alleged that three persons Abdul Qayoom, Bashir Ahmed and Manzoor Ahmed were involved in preparing fake certificates.

Manzoor Ahmed is the younger brother to Bashir Ahmed and Abdul Qayoom. Manzoor is a retired government employee while the two elder brothers are still serving their respective departments.

Following the complaint, a verification process was initiated and a formal case was registered on the basis of the report prepared by the inquiry officer.

All the records related to the case were collected from various offices and were compared through forensic science laboratory (FSL) tests during the probe.

On the basis of these fake certificates, both employees served for an excess period in their departments causing loss to the tune of Rs 10,72,274 to the state exchequer.

The offences were substantiated against both the accused who have been challaned in the court.

The next date of hearing in the case has been fixed on January 3. —TNS

Rajouri, December 29
All major roads in the border town of Rajouri are in a pitiable condition. The residents here feel that the authorities concerned and the elected representatives are equally responsible for the civic mess.

The potholed roads are not only causing huge traffic jams but have also resulted in many fatal accidents of late.

A poor condition of roads in the Danidar area of the border district has also been annoying the residents.

Jammu, December 29
The In-House Advisory (Probe) Committee of the Jammu Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) is yet to begin the second phase of investigations notwithstanding its preliminary report having revealed that over Rs 40 crore were embezzled in the multi-crore scam.

The mystery still continues over getting concrete details of financial bungling.

Sources say the four-member probe panel constituted by JKCA chief and Union Minister Farooq Abdullah had submitted preliminary report to him.

Abdullah had asked the panel to go full throttle to find out the culprits who had embezzled the money.

When the In-House Probe Committee was finalising the modalities for starting the second phase of investigations, some of the JKCA members had challenged the validity of the committee in the High Court claiming that the JKCA president had no authority to constitute it, sources said.

The committee comprising former MLC Arvinder Singh Micky, Shyam Saroop Kalsotra, Ashwinder Koul and Mohammad Ashraf had met JKCA president to discuss the future course of action. Abdullah had advised them to wait for the final decision of the court since “there was no other option available”.

“Five months have gone by and the court is yet to deliver its verdict on the stay. In fact, this delay has upset the rhythm with which the JKCA Probe Panel did a commendable job to find out details of the embezzled money in its preliminary enquiry report but this is just a beginning,” sources in JKCA said.

“If the court decision comes our way, the topmost priority of the JKCA Probe Panel in its second phase of investigation would be to get cashbooks which were found missing (between 2005 to 2007) to know the exact details of how much amount has been embezzled by the JKCA officials,” a JKCA official said.

Arvinder Singh Micky, a member of the Probe Committee while confirming the development said, “Right now, we are waiting for the court verdict. We can proceed further only after that.” 

Jammu, December 29
Prachi Mishra, the winner of Ponds Femina Miss India Earth-2012 today said there was a need to provide a perfect launching pad for “beautiful girls of Jammu and Kashmir” to fulfill their dreams in the world of fashion.

The beauty queen was addressing mediapersons today to make a formal announcement regarding the first-ever auditions for girl contestants from J&K for the forthcoming Ponds Femina Miss India-2013 contest.

“Your life changes overnight. You start getting attention and people admire you for your achievements as you make your family proud of your achievements. I honestly request to all the girl participants from J&K to participate in large numbers in the event,” said Miss India Earth-2012.

In reply to a question, Prachi said, “Be yourself and do not change your personality by blindly following anybody. Just stay true to yourself and you will definitely achieve your goal.”

Katra, December 29
To check overcharging by pony/pithoo walas/palki walas from Katra to Bhawan, District Development Commissioner, Reasi, Nirmal Sharma has imposed ban on such illegal practices within the territorial jurisdiction of district Reasi under section 144 Cr PC.

The rates of pony/pithoos and palki walas have been revised vide order No DDCR/2012-13/14/5396-5406 and have been enhanced to almost double of the existing rates.

The rates of tax charged from yatries by the municipal committee will be 8 per cent as against 12 per cent. Police department shall ensure installation of CCTVs on the track from Katra to Bhawan, to check any malpractice like involvement of middlemen in getting prepaid slips for yatries for hiring the rides. Also, necessary signboards shall be installed at prominent places on the track to display the revised rates. It would be ensured that yatries make the payment at the prepaid counters or check posts, as per notified rates for hiring the rides and do not enter into any sort of bargaining or dealing.

Sharma has asked the Executive Officer, Municipal Committee, Katra, to ensure that prepaid counters near Darshni Deodi, Banganga, Charan Paduka, Adhkuwari and Bhawan remain functional round the clock and are fully computerised to check the middlemen.

A committee comprising of Assistant Director, Tourism, Naib Tehisildar, Katra, and Representatives of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has been constituted to check the irregularities.

The DDC said anybody indulging in overcharging or any sort of malpractices shall be dealt under section 144 RPC.

Jammu, December 29
Army Public School, Rukh Muthi, beat SOS, Gole Gujral, by 4-0 goals, in the Jammu District Women Hockey Tournament. The tournament commenced at KK Hakhu Astroturf Stadium here today.

Priya Rajput drew first blood in the 10th minute to give her team an early lead. Archana Chaudhary then struck twice to stretch the lead further by scoring goals in the 13th and the 15th minute respectively. At half time, APS was placed with a decisive 3-0 lead.

SOS team made valiant attempts to stage a comeback but in vain. In the meantime, Ruby Manhas scored a beauty in the 40th minute to make it 4-0 for APS.

Earlier, in the first match, Government College for Women (GCW), Parade, held APS, Miran Sahib, to 1-1 draw in a tough contest. For GCW, Dechin was the goal scorer in the 36th minute while Simran scored the equaliser for APS in the 45th minute. The matches were officiated by JS Reen, Amarjeet Singh and Jagjit Singh.

Tomorrow, APS, Miran Sahib, will take on Coaching Centre in the first match while APS, Rukh Mutti, will face SAI XI in the second match. The tournament is being organised by Hockey J&K in collaboration with J&K State Sports Council, under the auspices of Hockey India.

Jammu, December 29
Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora inaugurated a three-day painting exhibition at Kala Kendra here today.

The exhibition, organised by Sat Paul Deol, a renowned artist of Jammu, in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL), would be open between 11 am to 5pm. Over 70 paintings of Deol, on several themes, were put on display.

Jora went around the exhibition and complimented the artist for his artistic creations.

He said creativity in any form deserved appreciation.

He said through his art, an artist interpreted different human situations and their relation with nature, thus enabling people to understand the complexities of life.

Describing the art and artists as precious assets, Jora urged organisers to double their efforts to promote art and artists by organising such activities on regular intervals across the state.

Additional Secretary, J&K Cultural Academy, Sarita Bakshi, Joint Director of Information and Executive Director, Kala Kendra, Sojanyia Sharma, Expert Sculpture, Rajander Tickoo were also present on the occasion.

Jammu, December 29
Political advisor to the Chief Minister, Devender Singh Rana, today said the Panthers Party was the B team of PDP.

He said the party conspired along with the PDP to bring down the Ghulam Nabi Azad government in 2008 by orchestrating circumstances which led to the Amarnath Land row. Later, when they felt the heat of public outrage, they jumped into communal bandwagon and worked overtime to flair up communal passions, thereby proving their credentials of “opportunistic power hungry politics”, Rana added.

He was addressing a public meeting at Udhampur. He said the Panthers Party always gave edge to material personal considerations over the welfare of the people of the state.

Welcoming the new entrant, Parlad Singh, former Vice-President, Municipal Council, Udhampur and his hundreds of supporters into the party fold, who joined National Conference after resigning from the Panthers Party, Rana said NC was a cadre-based party based on principled politics.

Rattan Lal Gupta, Ch Mohammad Shafi, Rajesh Gupta, Kair Singh, Subash Kudyar, Vijay Khajuria, Bharat Bhushan, Sunil Verma,Capt Balbir, Om Parkash, Raj Kapoor, Sajjad Shaheen,Govind, Gian Singh, Ch Iqbal and others also spoke on the occasion. — TNS

Jammu, December 29
To generate awareness among the masses on the issue of female foeticide, the Government Hospital, Sarwal, Jammu, observed ‘Save the Girl Child’ week from December 24 to 29. A mass awareness campaign had been launched for the patients and public visiting the hospital with the help of nursing students. Students from various institutes were sensitised about the importance of girl child and the declining sex ratio.

On the last day, the students took pledge live life as medical professionals by protecting the girl child in whatever way the females are discriminated against and harassed. — TNS

Katra, December 29
Minister for Higher Education, Employment and Labour, Abdul Ghani Malik inaugurated a three-day employment fair at Pouni block headquarters of district Reasi today.

Rishalpal Singh, Chairman, Kisan Advisory Broad, DDC Reasi, Nirmal Sharma, SP Reasi, MS Chowan and officers of different departments were present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, the minister said the fair would go a long way in educating the people in general and un-employed youth of the district about the various self employment schemes. He urged the youth of the area to derive maximum benefits out of the fair.

Earlier, the Minister took a round of different stalls put up by the different departments and enquired about the various schemes and facilities being provided to the deserving candidates during the fair. He also distributed Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) among the beneficiaries and a compendium containing various income generating schemes among the sarpanches and panches of the area.

Over 15 stalls of different departments including banks and private institutions have been set up in the fair to aware the youth about various employment generating schemes.

Kupwara, December 29
Emphasising on the correct filtration of the benefits of different schemes being launched for the welfare of people living in remote and far flung areas of the state, Minister for Revenue and Rehabilitation, Raman Bhalla said efforts had already been initiated to ensure progress and prosperity of the people in these areas.

Bhalla made this statement while addressing a public gathering at Warsan Gujran village, in Kupwara yesterday, a government spokesman said. Bhalla said the present government, under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was committed to the development of people and shall ensure the availability of basic amenities in these areas.

He urged the officers to expedite the developmental works, besides the welfare schemes to facilitate the common masses.

Bhalla also visited migrant quarters at Nutnasoo Kupwara, where around 60 quarters have been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 4.63 crore.

Jammu, December 29
A 40-year-old woman was allegedly gang-raped in Mendhar area of Poonch district on Friday evening. One accused has been arrested by the police.

Sources said the said woman lodged a complaint with the police this morning. She said she was on her way to home when she was stopped by three youths who took her into a nearby field and took turs to rape her. The accused have been identified as Mohammad Tazim, Mohammad Tariq and Musharraf Hussain.

The police conducted raids and nabbed one of the accused Mohammad Tariq. —TNS