Jammu, January 3
The country may have erupted in protest against the Delhi gang rape case, but the sentiment did not have any response from local shopkeepers.

The Bharat Bandh call given by various organisations evoked no response as shops remained open today. There was no disruption in public transport throughout the day today. The Jammu University had postponed all the examinations scheduled for today keeping in view the call for a shutdown.

School students and members of various social organisations took to the streets and held demonstrations across the region to demand death penalty for the accused in the rape case besides an amendment in the existing laws on safety of women.

Holding placards and banners, hundreds of schoolchildren from Bhour Camp and Chatta areas demonstrated against the Delhi gang-rape case. They raised slogans against the Centre and Delhi governments, holding them responsible for the growing incidents of rape and domestic violence across the country.

Demanding enactment of stricter laws to ensure safety of women and young girls, they said the Delhi gang-rape case accused should be awarded death penalty.

Students protest against Delhi gang rape case in Reasi on Thursday. A tribune photograph

In Akhnoor, 28-km away from here, hundreds of students of Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Akhnoor, boycotted their classes and held demonstration under the banner of National Panthers Students Union.

Led by Gulchain Singh, president of School, the students staged a sit-in protest at the main chowk and disrupted traffic in the town for an hour. The students also raised slogans against the Centre and demanded punishment for the rapists.

Avinash Bassan, president, NPSU, demanded establishment of fast-rack courts for offenders of rape, molestation, eve teasing besides capital punishment for rape so that such incidents may not occur again.

A similar protest was also reported at Government High School, Kotli Tanda in Akhnoor.

The activists of Shiv Sena and Dogra Front also protested and raised slogan against the Centre.

Led by Shiv Sena president Ashok Gupta, the protestors said the death of the rape victim had sent a shockwave throughout the country as it proved that women were unsafe in the country in the 21st Century. "Legislation on The provision of death penalty should be incorporated in our legislation so that nobody dares to commit such crimes," Gupta said.

Katra, January 3
In response to the call for a Bharat Bandh given by students in protest against the Delhi gang rape case all shops and private business establishments remain closed in Reasi today. Students from various schools and colleges continued to protest against the Delhi gang-rape case, here today.

Agitated students from various schools and colleges of Reasi, including Degree College and the two Senior Secondary Schools took out rallies to demand strict punishment for the accused in the heinous gang rape case. They also raised slogans seeking justice for such victims. The district administration and the police were put on a high alert to maintain law and order in wake of the widespread protests over the issue.

Earlier this morning, hundreds of school students from the city boycotted classes and came out on the roads to protest against such crimes against women.

The main demonstration was staged at Chowk Chbutra, from where the students marched towards Main Bazaar-Ashoka Chowk.

Sonali, one of the protesters said, “The state government should announce a slew of measures, including setting up of a round-the-clock control room for women in distress and propose a stringent law to check crime against women in Jammu also. We are students but need security; every college/ school going student faces problems like eve teasing everywhere in the city either in buses or on the roads but no action is taken against such culprits. I read reports of rapes everyday all over the country. Rape should be treated at par with an attempt to murder.”

Jammu, January 3
Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Mushtaq Ahmad presented two cheques worth more than Rs 85.34 crore to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today. The amount is the dividends to the state government, which holds 53 per cent of shares in the Jammu and Kashmir Bank.

Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather, Economic Advisor to Government, Jaleel Ahmad Khan, Financial Commissioner Finance, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, BB Vyas, and senior officers of Jammu and Kashmir Bank were present on the occasion.

Mushtaq Ahmad said the bank was poised to attain Rs 1,000-crore profit by the end of the current fiscal year and its business is likely to touch Rs 100,000 crore in the same period. He said the bank had exhibited growth of 41.98 per cent since September 30, 2010 to September, 2012, in deposits while the growth in advances has been 75.7 per cent during the same period. He said growth in the CD ratio was expected to be 109.40 per cent by the end of the current financial year when it stood at 63.96 per cent in 2010.

Mushtaq Ahmad said the number of bank branches has gone up from 529 in September 2010 to 662 by the end of the last fiscal year. He said the bank had financed 1,148 units established under the SKEWPY besides providing finances to 5,767 artisans. He said the bank had opened 133 branches and set up 269 ATMs since September 2010 and planned to open 100 more branches and set up 150 ATMs by the end of the current financial year.

Jammu, January 3
Sports associations hosted national-level championships last year without a single paisa in the form of sponsorships to buy trophies and other necessary items.

“Financial crunch in the J&K Sports Council is well-known and we have decided to meet some renowned businessmen of the state to get sponsorship for the Senior National Badminton Championship held in Srinagar last year. But it proved to be futile because the businessmen were more interested in showcasing their banners during the championship rather than helping us financially," an office-bearer of the J&K Badminton Association said.

“To conduct a national championship, you need a big budget because top shuttlers of the country are taking part in it and it was obvious that the prize money is also big. The Sports Council had promised us to release the grant after the championship but we are yet to receive the same," he claimed.

“Even if a sponsor agrees to sponsor the championship, the amount he offered us is not sufficient to buy prizes and trophies," office-bearer said.

"The Veteran National Table Tennis Championship organised by the J&K Table Tennis Association few years back was a nightmare for us," another office-bearer of the association said.

"We know that it was difficult for the Sports Council to provide the grant before the championship. The association had decided to find a sponsor for the championship but in the end, we have to arrange from our own pocket to host the championship," he said.

“As far as cricket is concerned, everybody is ready to provide sponsorship for the event because of the popularity of the game across the country. Big corporate houses do not hesitate to donate in lakhs but when it comes to other disciplines, they are not very keen to come forward," he said.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Afzal Malik, Administrative Officer, J&K State Sports Council, said, “As far as getting sponsorship to host any championship in the state is concerned, there is a draught-like situation.”

“Unlike Punjab, corporate houses are not eager to sponsor any national championship. The Sports Council gets a limited budget to give it to the associations to conduct championships and that is why associations are looking for elusive sponsors," Afzal said.

Jammu, January 3
Even as residents stay indoors because of the icy cold wave conditions, local authorities seem unmindful of the children braving the chill to go to schools. Even government offices are registering very thin attendance. Even in the rural areas the schools start at 10 am but in urban areas the school timings is between 9 am and 3 pm.

The Education Department had announced winter break in schools from December 24 to 31 while many private schools did not follow this calendar forcing children to attend schools in bone-chilling winters.

“The maximum temperature hovered several notches below normal since the first week of December. Children have been facing a tough time getting ready early in the morning. The commute to the schools is very difficult in the fog and chill,” Shilpa Khajuria, 29, of Pacci Dhaki said.

Ajay Sharma of New Plot who had been facing a difficult time to commute his children on his two-wheeler and was worried about their health. “Yesterday, the temperature was 10 degree below normal and my hands froze and my children were shivering. I am worried about their health if the school timings are not changed,” he said.

I would assess the situation and seek the report from the field staff. We will send our recommendations to the state government which will decide whether to reduce the school timings or declare holidays in view of the cold wave conditions
— dev lata sharma, director school education, jammu

Jammu, January 3
Even as the state government is yet to announce schedule for the urban local bodies (ULBs) elections, the Congress today kick-started the process for these elections.

In the first meeting of the District Congress Committee (DCC) of Jammu urban in 2013, the Congress leaders exhorted the workers to strengthen the party at the ward-level to face the urban local bodies elections.

The District Congress Committee members stressed that efforts should be made to strengthen the party right from the ward-level.

District Congress Committee president Om Chopra called up on the block presidents to convene meetings to ascertain the day-to-day difficulties faced by the people and bring them in to the notice of the DCC for their redressal.

He said the District Congress Committee would project the demands and problems of the people of Jammu urban to the government for immediate remedial action.

Prominent among those present in the meeting were Krishan Lal Gupta, S Kirtan Singh, Inder Sehgal, Sukhdev Choudhary, Mansa Ram, Hira Lal Abrol, PS Chouhan, S Gurdarshan Singh, BS Mastana, Narinder Gupta, VK Sethi, Sunil Kumar, Hussian Bakash, Pawan Sharma, Prabha Salathia, Suresh Bargotra, Raj Kumar, Kulbushan Sharma, Vijay Magotra, Didar Singh and others.

Jammu, January 3
Inspite of winning medals in the national competitions, clouds of uncertainty prevails over the participation of state gymnasts in the upcoming National Games as the ongoing fighting within the J&K Gymnastics Association has been proving fatal for the them to prepare for the prestigious sporting event slated to be held in Kerala this year.

Sources said the recent decision of Union Sports Ministry to de-recognise the Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) for non-compliance of government guidelines had further compounded the miseries.

Sources said even before the affiliation with the J&K Olympic Council, there were two parallel associations already established under the name of the J&K Gymnastics Association and the Amateur Gymnastics Association of J&K.

Sources said before serving of notice regarding their de-recognition from the Union Sports Ministry, the associations were blaming each other for creating a mess.

“When the Union Sports Ministry had shown its displeasure over functioning of the federation, its de-affiliation was on the cards because things were not properly sorted out in the federation,” sources said.

Sources said the official notification regarding the conduct of upcoming National Games was yet to be announced but it was mandatory for the sports associations to kick-start their preparations by selecting the probables. “The recent outstanding performance of J&K gymnasts in the national championship is a ample proof of their potential but unfortunately nobody is interested in their achievements rather the office bearers are more concerned about playing their own games to safeguard their vested interests,” sources added.

Sources said, the office bearers of both parallel associations had unanimously agreed to run a single association under the name of J&K Gymnastics Association. Rafiq Sadiq was then elected as its president while DD Mehta as general secretary. Sources said after the demise of DD Mehta, things changed and sports council too did not intervene into it to solve the impasse.

When contacted, a senior official of J&K State Sports Council said, “Despite the complexities within both parallel associations, the gymnasts will not suffer at any cost. Nobody will be allowed by the sports council to dictate his terms no matter from what association he is representing.” 

Batote, January 3
In the first-ever initiative exclusively for the J&K youth to provide employment opportunities to the youth of Ramban district at their doorstep under the Union government’s project ‘UDAAN’, the placement unit of Government Degree College (GDC), Ramban, in collaboration with the Future Group organised a placement drive today.

Principal of the college Prof SS Bhalwal after inaugurating the programme highlighted the significance of UDAAN and resolved to benefit the local youth in getting them jobs in national or international retail sector.

A power-point presentation was presented by Ashok Vashisht, National Head Compliance and Quality Control and Anil Kalia, Zonal Manager Operations North from Future Group.

After the screening test and group discussion of 100 students drawn from the host college and other areas, 21 candidates were shortlisted and interviewed for the final selection list, which would be out in a month. 

Jammu, January 3
The All Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association (AJHLA) today rued inordinate delay in completion of all tourism related projects in and around the Jammu city and sought the personal intervention of the tourism minister.

The association, however, appreciated the measures taken by the tourism minister, Nawang Rig Jin Zora, in augmenting tourism infrastructure in Jammu. It appealed the minister to use his offices with various agencies executing tourism-related projects in Jammu to expedite and complete all the projects at the earliest.

A meeting of Jammu hoteliers was held here today under the chairmanship of AJHLA president Inderjeet Khajuria wherein participants regretted that agencies responsible for the execution of tourism-related projects were moving at a snail’s pace.

“The most boasted project of having artificial lake in the downstream of the Tawi has been going on at a very slow pace and is running much behind its scheduled commissioning. Similar is the fate of up gradation and beautification of the Tawi banks as well as of Maharaja Hari Singh Park along the Tawi bank,” the meeting observed.

As far the prestige project of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex was concerned, it would take at least more than a decade for the complex to be thrown open to the tourists due to tardy pace of work, it said, adding that the project of laying of cable car from Mubarak Mandi to Bahu Fort and Mahamaya hill resort had not yet taken off even eight years after it was conceived.

The AJHLA urged the tourism minister to ensure early conversion of Border Check Post at Suchetgarh into a border tourism destination, on the pattern of Wagah border post near Amritsar.

It also demanded early development of tourism projects around Akhnoor, including ancient Buddhist site of Ambaran and historical site of Jio Potta, besides the Akhnoor Fort, Akleshwar Temple and historic Gurudwara.

Prominent among those who attended the meeting were senior vice-president Ajay Gupta, vice-president HS Manhas, general secretary Pawan Gupta, treasurer Baldev, and secretaries Bikram Singh and Sunil Suri. 

Jammu, January 3
Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand has stressed upon officers of Housing and Urban Development Department to gear up for ensuring timely completion of prestigious urban development projects launched for all round urban infrastructure development of the state.

He said ambitious initiatives had been taken in the field and need is to prioritise the works for their completion.

Tara Chand chaired a high-level meeting of officers to review the progress of various works and timely completion of various projects.

Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, PHE, and Tourism Nasir Aslam Wani was present in the meeting.

The meeting held discussions with regard to the implementation of various housing and urban development works, besides sanitation and other civic amenities being provided to the people. He took up a detailed review of all performance and achievements of Housing and Urban Development Department under various Central and state-funded schemes and projects.

Reviewing progress on rehabilitation of the Dal dwellers, Tara said Rs 356 crore had been approved by the Government of India for the upgradation of Dal Lake.

He exhorted upon the officers for early rehabilitation of the Dal dwellers so that the upgradation and beautification work of the Dal Lake would be completed in a time-bound manner. He also reviewed progress on proposal of multi-tier parking at bus stand. Other parking slots to be made at Panjtirthi, Sawaz Mandi, Parade and various other locations were also discussed in the meeting.

Tara Chand said maximum benefit could be only be reaped when undertaken works were completed within the stipulated time frame and calendar for the works was strictly adhered too. He cautioned the officers that no laxity would be tolerated.

The Deputy Chief Minister took a detailed review of the ongoing drainage projects by NBCC, ERA, UEED and other agencies and exhorted the need to gear up the men and machinery for timely completion of these works.

Tara Chand said that action plans should be chalked out in advance and shared with the line departments for carrying out work as per the timeline. The Deputy Chief Minister directed the executing agencies to speed up pace of various works so that benefits percolate to the poorest of the poor.

Jammu, January 3
Minister of State for Power, CA&PD and Transport, Shabir Ahmed Khan, has said up-grade of power infrastructure in Jammu and Samba districts was apace at a cost of Rs 35.05 crore under the Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidhutikaran Yojna (RGGVY).

He said the Centre had sanctioned Rs 31.05 crore to upgrade power infrastructure in Jammu and Samba districts under its flagship programme, out of which Rs 21.97 crore have been used. He said the remaining works under the project would be completed by the end of the fiscal year.

Khan said this during a meeting with the vice-chairperson, Jammu and Kashmir State Advisory Board for Welfare and Development of Scheduled Castes (JKSABWDSC), Sawran Lata, here yesterday. The meeting was convened to review the power scenario in Samba and Purmandal blocks.

Prominent citizens and sarpanches of Samba and Purmandal blocks also attended the meeting.

The Vice Chairperson raised several issues related to the up-grade and improvement of the power infrastructure in these blocks, especially in the remote and border villages of the area.

Hailing the efforts of the government for improving the overall power scenario in Samba, she demanded installation of more electric polls, replacement of worn-out wires, creation of sub-stations and concession in the power tariff to the BPL families in these blocks.

He also issued instructions to the authorities concerned for action to be taken immediately on the genuine demands of the people of the two blocks. He issued directions that 25 new electric polls be installed in various villages.

He also instructed that project reports be formulated to set up more sub-stations in these blocks.

He said concession in the power tariff for the BPL families would be also considered.

He said the PDD authorities have been instructed to formulate Detailed Project Report (DPR) on the damages caused to power infrastructure across the state for approval of funds from the government to start the repair work at the earliest.

He said the up-grade of the power infrastructure in Samba and other towns of the district was being also being carried out. He said the power infrastructure in the state having a population of more than 4,000, was being upgraded in a phased manner under this flagship programme.

Jammu, January 3
Former minister and senior leader of the Congress, Abdul Gani Vakil, today stressed upon the coalition government to fulfill the commitments made with the people of the state and strengthen all democratic institutions through decentralisation of powers.

Addressing a meeting of party workers here today, Vakil said after the completion of the elections to the four seats of the Legislative Council, it was high time that the government empowered the panchayats by incorporating the 73rd Amendment.

“The state had very recently sought special funds from the Centre to give an honorarium to panchayat members but in the absence of democratic institutions like BDCs, all such efforts proved redundant and meaningless.

The government loses its accountability if such measures are not taken despite assurances,” he said.

He also expressed concern over the postponement of the urban local bodies’ elections several times which speaks of the lack of will on the part of the government. Vakil also expressed concern over the rampant corruption at higher level as most of the ministers were facing trials in either courts or the State Accountability Commission (SAC).

“If the trend goes on, people will loose faith in the system,” he said.

Vakil also appealed to the Hurriyat leaders that the way they talked to Pakistan, they must also come forward and enter into a dialogue with the Centre to defeat evil designs of those trying to deprive the people of development for their vested interests.

The gap created thus enables such forces to mislead people as well as the Centre for their own benefit. Such elements loot the state exchequer and the money meant for the people and development of the state goes into their own coffers with such uncertainty prevailing in the state, he said. Senior Congress leaders Haji Ali Mohammad Bhat, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Vipin Nischal, Farooq Ahmad Wangnoo and others also spoke on the occasion.

Katra, January 3
As part of the ongoing efforts to provide a healing touch and bring normalcy in the militancy-affected areas of Mahore tehsil of Reasi district, the Rashtriya Rifles garrison located at Sarh and Mahore organised a medical camp for the people of Mahore, Sarh, Sajruand and Budhan areas today.

The camp aimed at providing medical aid to the people of Mahore tehsil and adjacent remote villages where medical help from the civil administration hardly reaches due to the inhospitable terrain.

The medical camp was conducted by medical officials. A large number of patients, a majority being women and children, turned up at the camp.

Cases, which require immediate medical attention, were identified and given priority in treatment. The inauguration ceremony was attended by a number of civil dignitaries, including Mushim Ahmed, SDPO (Sub-Divisional Police Office), Mahore.

More than 1,000 local residents turned up for medical assistance. Free medicines of over Rs 1 lakh were distributed to the people. Cases that needed further follow up were referred to the government hospital at Mahore.

Patients were advised by the medical team to maintain hygienic conditions and improve eating habits. The medical camp was highly appreciated by local population and the civil administration .

The Army officials said more camps would be organised at Gul, Lancha, Dharmari, Angrala, Bagga and various other remote locations, including Gulabgarh, Dandiala and Sumbar, in the near future.