Jammu, January 28
The National Conference-led coalition is working on Master Plan-2021 for the winter capital. The plan will be implemented over the next 10 years envisaging city's expansion from Purmandal to Akhnoor, which is more than twice its present area.

The plan having been framed by the CEPT University, Ahmedabad, was discussed here today at a high-level meeting chaired by Minister for Urban Development Nawang Rigzin Jora.

Discussions were held on a wide ranging issues related to the prospective requirements of Jammu city and its development on scientific lines with focus on modern sanitation system, green area and clearly divided residential and commercial areas, besides adequate roads to meet the increasing rush of traffic.

It was informed at the meeting that Jammu city, with a population of 9,32,500, is spread over 175 square km area, whereas the projected population of the city in 2021 is estimated to be near double with 17,62,425 souls requiring an area of 404 sq km.

Experts from CEPT University, Ahmedabad, presented a model of the city as proposed in the master plan. The new plan proposes development of modern sanitation with Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs), channelizing water bodies, construction of new and widening of existing roads, flyovers, separate areas for hospitals, educational institutions, gardens, parks, industrial areas, commercial areas besides by-passes on the National Highway starting from Kathua to ease traffic rush.

Jora also stressed on the need to protect forest and agriculture land in the implementation of the new plan. He also called for adding an aesthetic look to the city. Jammu was the nerve centre of pilgrim tourism and there was need to add to its tourist attraction, he said. He said provision must also be made for the conservation of heritage sites and monuments in the Master Plan.

Suggestions were also made to make some changes in the plan to make it more sustainable and environment-friendly.

Among others, Commissioner Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Jeet Lal Gupta, District Development Commissioner (DDC), Jammu, Sanjeev Verma, DDC, Samba Mubarak Singh, Vice-Chairperson, Jammu, Development Authority, Sarita Chauhan, Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Kuldeep Khajuria, Chief Engineer, PWD, Jammu, Tahseen Mustafa, chief engineers of various wings and senior officers attended the meeting.

expanding in figures
Jammu city, with a population of 9,32,500, is spread over 175 square km, whereas the projected population of the city in 2021 is 17,62,425 persons which will need an 404 sq km to accomodate it

Jammu, January 28
Owing to failure of the authorities to regulate traffic, commuters have come to dread the Monday morning rush hour in Jammu.

Commuters have to face hours of traffic jam to reach their workplace and schools. The situation is worse at New-Plot-Janipur, Paloura-Patoli-Subash Nagar-Rehari, Talab Tillo-Jewel and Parade-Bikram Chowk areas, used by majority residents to reach their offices situated in commercial areas of Gandhi Nagar, Rail head, Gangyal etc.

Despite claims of having initiated measures to streamline the traffic in Jammu city, the situation is worsening with each passing day.

“For more than two hours today chaos prevailed on the Janipur to Gandhi Nagar route, as hundreds of vehicles moved at a snails pace in the jam,” said Sushil Sharma, a school teacher.

At many places traffic policemen can be seen failing to control traffic and some even losing temper in the chaos.

“This menace has assumed alarming proportions. We cannot always blame the traffic police, but city needs new roads and flyovers,” said Sanjeev Kumar, a resident.

There is no respite from traffic jams all day long. “It took me one hour to reach Shastri Nagar from New Plot despite using the flyover as it was also blocked due to heavy traffic jam,” said Sardar Singh, a student.

Travelling on public transport from Talab Tillo, Kachi Chawani, Bantalab, Burnai has become a nightmare for daily commuters.

“Except construction of flyover two decades ago, there has been no expansion of roads in the city. Plans to construct flyovers is still a distant dream,” said Sunil Dimple, president, Jammu West Assembly Movement (JWAM).

Link Road, Jain Bazar, Purani Mandi, Kanak Mandi and Moti Bazar areas of the old city are synonymous with traffic jams, but now every area of the city faces the same problem.

Jammu, January 28
No schools in the state have risen up to the challenge of upgrading learning skills by upgrading to the new CBSE-i, an international programme of the CBSE adopted by 26 school abroad in the country.

While 50 schools in the country will implement the programme but no schools from the state have applied for the same. The global curriculum of the CBSE is enquiry and skill based programme and under the same students will get rid of their school bags.

Chairman, Jammu Sahodya Schools, Vijay Puri, said under the CBSE-i programme, education is imparted on the pattern of the Geneva-based International Baccalaureate (IB), which is becoming popular in the country. The IB certificate helps students get into top international universities.

She said there were some special infrastructural needs to run i-programme besides specially-trained faculty was also required. There were few schools in the state with good infrastructure but none have applied, she added.

“Some students want to go outside the state to study after Class XII. They take IB course. We should also provide some alternatives for them here. We are increasing choices for children and these are the choices with respect to those children who want to take up IB course,” she said. She added it will be available on a pilot basis. The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) has already given recognition to the CBSE-i and the feedback from the existing schools which adopted the curriculum has been encouraging.

Puri said, “It is less expensive and quality- oriented course and it is an alternative to some international courses. The programme is available through the Internet and is open to both teachers and students. While the existing CBSE programme has three streams, CBSE-i has performing arts, music, visual arts, drama, dance etc.

Mathematics, for example, will be available in core and elective levels,” he said.

According to the CBSE, the international curriculum of CBSE-i caters to individual learning styles in terms of pedagogy and assessment power.

going global CBSE-i, an international education programme of the CBSE which is enquiry and skill based programme The programme has no role of school bags Students are taught based on the Geneva-based International Baccalaureate The programme requires special infrastructure and specailly trained faculty

Jammu, January 28
Retired employees of the State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) today protested against the failure of the government to fulfil the promises made to them at the time of their voluntary retirement. They alleged that the government had not released their pension dues over past four years.

Under the banner of the All J&K SRTC Volunteer Retirement Employees Association (VREA), former employees of the corporation alleged that they were ‘duped’ by the management with false promise that the employees who take voluntary retirement will have their dues, including 126 slabs of the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) cleared.

The employees raised slogans against the Managing Director of the Corporation and the Finance Department for delay to fulfil in releasing their dues.

Association president Dev Raj Bali alleged that the management had not fulfilled their demands including the release of COLA, pending arrears since 1999 and the 6th Pay Commission from 2006 as was assured.

He said the SRTC management had misrepresented their case before the Finance Department with which it has been pending for last two years.

“We want to probe were the money had gone, which the Finance Department had released,” he said. He said most employees who had opted for the VRS scheme were still waiting for clearance of dues.

“They say the corporation has no money but then why did they promise us that if we took VRS our dues will be cleared,” said Ashok Singh. The Association has demanded a vigilance probe into the alleged misuse of the crores of rupees released to clear the COLA slabs of the employees.

“They trapped us and assured that the money will be cleared on time but only few people have got their dues cleared,” another employee, DN Sharma said.

Jammu, January 27
The government has launched development projects worth Rs 40 lakh in various parts of the city. Minister for Housing, Raman Bhalla, launched the projects at Udham Singh Nagar, Preet Nagar, Qasmi Nagar and Bori Basti in Bahu Fort area.

He asked the executing agency Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) to complete the projects in the stipulated time.

He asked the PHE engineers to depute a technical team to stop leakages in water supply pipes in the area. He also directed them to replace worn out water supply pipes in areas from Rani Talab till Preet Nagar to ensure regular supply up to the end of the localities.

He announced Rs 8.43 lakh for renovation of multipurpose community hall at Boria Basti in Qasim Nagar. He asked the JMC to complete the project within prescribed timeframe so that the local residents could use the place for social as well as religious celebrations.

He also directed officers to prepare estimates for various projects of urgent nature.

He said the focus of the government was to develop all under-developed colonies by providing them safe drinking water, electricity, hospitals, schools, better lanes and drains besides improving road connectivity.

new projects
Minister for Housing, Raman Bhalla, launched the projects at Udham Singh Nagar, Preet Nagar, Qasmi Nagar and Bori Basti in Bahu Fort area. The projects are worth Rs 40 lakh

Jammu, January 28
India Post today introduced Instant Money Order (IMO) service in the state for transfer of money within the country. The service was launched by John Samuel, Chief Postmaster General (CPMG), J&K, today.

Earlier people sent money through the Money Order Service. The IMO service will help people transfer money within minutes.

Addressing mediapersons after launching the IMO service, Samuel said the service was an instant web-based money transfer through post offices within India. People can now transfer money between Rs 1,000 and Rs 50,000 from designated IMO Post Offices. He described it as the simplest way to send and receive money.

“Customers will be provided with a 16- digit code in a sealed cover and they will have to convey the code to the payee with a copy of his identity proof,” he said. The receiver will have the choice to receive the payment in cash or through his post office saving bank account, he added.

Samuel said the department would charge the commission on IMO as the lowest in the market. “For remittance of money amounting between Rs 1,000 and Rs 10,000, it is only Rs 100, for Rs 10,001 to Rs 30,000 it will be just Rs 110 and from Rs 30,001-Rs 50,000, only Rs 120 will be charged,” he said.

He said the maximum limit for each IMO would be Rs 50,000. He said the service would be available at 76 designated post offices, including the head post offices and other important post offices of the state. He also said the J&K Postal Circle revenue had grown by 54 per cent over the previous year.

instant money order service With the Instant Money Order Service, money can be transferred anywhere in the country within minutes Any amount upto Rs 50,000 can be transferred from designated IMO post offices Commission charged on the IMO will be low Customers will be provided with a 16- digit code in a sealed cover and they will have to convey the code to the payee with a copy of his or her identity proof

Jammu, January 28
Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal released the Secretariat Induction Manual today.

Lal said after six months of detailed reviewing of the entire organisational structure of the administrative departments, several key areas requiring urgent and sustained attention were identified and addressed in the Secretariat Induction Manual.

He said, “The Services and Establishment Division of GAD is required to regularly update the website version of the manual as a part of its success indicator under the Results Framework Document,” he added. —TNS

JAMMU, January 28
When it comes to tourism promotion, the state government always boasts about Jammu’s ‘famous’ garden Bagh-e-Bahu. But of late it has become a lovers’ park and is certainly not a place for family or school children’s picnics.

Indulgence in obscenity, much to the chagrin of families and school children, has become a common sight in this park.

“Perhaps smitten by cupid some ‘lovebirds’ forget about other visitors and even school children,” said a female teacher of an elite school, who had taken her students of primary classes to the park for a picnic.

It was so embarrassing for me, my colleagues and our school children when we came across such lovers, she added. Bagh-e-Bahu police station is just a stone’s throw away from this park.

Bagh-e-Bahu SHO, Noor Mohammed, who admitted that some people indulge in obscenity in the park, said he visited the place at least thrice a day to keep a check on such activities. “I also send my cops daily to the park to catch hold of people indulging in obscenity. We will initiate some more stringent measures to check this unhealthy practice. We are not going to spare couples found indulging in obscenity,” he added.

Jammu, January 28
India’s first woman IPS officer Kiran Bedi today said the youth of Jammu and Kashmir had great potential to crack the civil services exam and more youth should qualify the exam for betterment of the state.

Bedi, who was in Jammu to take part in a function organised by Aryans Group of Colleges, Chandigarh, said she would like to see more youth from the state qualify the exams so that they contributed to the betterment of the society.

“There is a need to channelise the energy of the youth in the right direction as they have great potential,” she said.

On a query regarding possibility of introduction of Jan Lokpal Bill in the Parliament in the upcoming budget session, Bedi, a member of Team Anna said if the bill drafted by the committee of Lok Sabha was introduced, it would bring revolution in the country.

Earlier, Bedi addressed the students and suggested revolutionary models for the youth. She added that the J&K Bank in collaboration with Aryans Group had been working to educate the youth.

She further added that the deserving and needy candidates should pay one part of the fee while another part should be financed by J&K bank in the shape of education loan and rest should be paid by Aryans Group as scholarship.

The event was presided over by Anshu Kataria, chairman, Aryans Group of Colleges. Bedi also awarded scholarships to the meritorious students selected by the college. 

Jammu, January 28
With a hope to mobilise women against the ‘wrong policies’ of the Congress led UPA government in the coming Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has decided to rake up the price rise issue in the days to come. The party has assigned this task to its Mahila Morcha activists.

Newly appointed morcha president Priya Sethi, who assumed her charge today, said women were the ones worst affected by the wrong policies of the UPA regime. “Sky rocketing prices of the daily needs have direct impact on women and they are the real sufferers of the pro-rich policies of the UPA regime”, she said and added that the Mahila Morcha would mobilise women against the Congress in the coming Lok Sabha elections so as to ‘teach the party a lesson’.

“We have decided to constitute committees at ward level to involve maximum women in our campaign against price rise. A large number of women have already enrolled themselves”, she added.

BJP had appointed Sethi, former commissioner of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) as new Mahila Morcha president with an aim to strengthen its base among women.

Meanwhile, Sethi formally took over her new responsibility in a function held at party headquarters. BJP state president Jugal Kishore Sharma, general secretary (Org) Ashok Koul, general secretary Kavinder Gupta and Jammu-Poonch parliamentary constituency in charge Yudhvir Sethi were also present on the occasion.

Congratulating Sethi, Jugal Kishore Sharma said Mahila Morcha was an important organ of the party and the same was clear from the party high command’s decision to grant 33 per cent reservation to women in its organisational setup. 

Jammu, January 28
To make quality products of J&K Agro Industries Corporation Ltd (J&KAIC) available to the government employees, the Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir, inaugurated J&K Agro Industries Corporation Ltd outlet in the secretariat premises today.

The corporation also announced 10% rebate on all the products for secretariat employees up to February 3, 2013.

Managing Director, J&KAIC Ltd, Abdul Majid Ahmad Bhat and other senior officers of the corporation were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Mir said the step had been taken with the objective to provide a variety of quality agro products to employees at their doorstep. He said agro industries were now working round-the-clock to introduce quality products for the consumers.

Jammu, January 28
The tribal economy which is crumbling due to poverty, illiteracy and globalisation needs a sustainable approach to boost development.

Members of the Gujjar-Bakerwal, a major tribal community of the state have demanded special budget allocation to rehabilitate tribal communities.

At a programme organised by the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation-a frontal organisation of Gujjars, held to discuss ‘Tribal Economy of nomad Gujjar-Bakerwals’, the speakers pleaded for immediate steps to the nomadic financial system as it has facing tremendous pressures from all sides.

Dr Javaid Rahi, Secretary Tribal Foundation chaired the programme which was attended by prominent dignitaries of community.

Speakers pointed out that a substantial chunk of nomadic population of Gujjars, Bakerwals and other tribes were homeless for centuries.

Due to growing poverty among nomads the Tribal Economy of Dodhi Gujjars and Bakerwals were facing acute food-insecurity in some areas of the state and need immediate help.

They said a rehabilitation programme along with a scheme to eliminate poverty, illiteracy among nomads can help boost economy of Dodhi Gujjars and Bakerwal Gujjar communities. They said a sustainable food security programme was also required for nomads.

The speakers said the ‘Economic Survey of Jammu and Kashmir 2010 onwards’-a government document tabled in the state Assembly every year states 42 to 50 per cent population of the Scheduled Tribe, a majority of whim belong to the Gujjars and Bakerwals live Below Poverty Line.

Katra, January 28
To acquaint farmers about the latest techniques in farming, an awareness camp was organised at Kund Khanadyi village, a remote area of the Reasi district on Monday.

During the camp, farmers of Reasi as well as the adjoining areas participated. RK Safaya, Chief Agriculture Officer, Reasi, made aware about the latest techniques of farming and other schemes initiated by the Central and state government. He advised them to come forward and avail benefits of these schemes.

Scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendar, Tanda, also educated the farmers about vegetable farming by using hybrid seeds besides farming of mushroom, apiculture and cut flower. The farmers were also made aware of vermi compost, KCC, crop insurance, accidental insurance and monetary support for purchase of quality inputs.

Among others, local sarpanches and panches also participated in the programme.

Jammu, January 28
Government College for Women (GCW), Gandhi Nagar, overcame the challenge of Post Graduate (PG) Department of University of Jammu (JU) by 3-2 sets in a thrilling final to clinch the Inter-Collegiate Volleyball Tournament here today.

The winners started off in a brilliant fashion by winning the first two sets by 25-27 and 25-21 before the PG Department managed to pull one back by a thin margin of 25-23.

The department looked all set to clinch the fourth but just could not able to keep the momentum going.

GCW Gandhi Nagar clinched the fourth set by 25-17 and sealed their tournament with a 17-15 win. Bharti Devi and Bindu Verma were the outstanding spikers from the victorious team. From PG Department, Suman Lata, Manisha and Sangeeta also played well. The match was officiated by Shashi Sharma, Imtayaz and Sanjeev Jamwal. Prof Dhian Singh Bhau, Director, Directorate of Sports and Physical Education, JU was the chief guest on the occasion.

Jammu, January 28
151 Battalion of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) today organised a volleyball tournament at Bhalesa, Gandoh in Doda district. The competition was played under the supervision of Commandant Nikhil Rastogi, under the aegis of Core Psychological War Group (CPWG) Programme.

A total of 10 teams participated in the tournament. The top teams were given volleyball, volleyball nets, track suits, sports shoes, stockings and knee cap pads in the presence of SDPO, Tehsilder, SHO and other local leaders.

In addition, two computers with accessories were also distributed among the unemployed poor and backward educated youth. Speaking on the occasion, Commandant Rastogi said the efforts made by the unit would lead to a bright future of the residents of the area and would also uplift their morale. The function was followed by refreshment.

Jammu, January 28
PG Department registered a four-wicket win over Government MAM College by four wickets today in the ongoing Inter-College Cricket (men) Tournament, being played at University of Jammu (JU) Grounds here.

Batting first, MAM College garnered 154 runs for the loss of nine wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Paras Sharma scored 92 runs. Tushar Chib also contributed 12 runs to the total. For PG Department, Dilawar Singh, Sukhwinder Singh and Chander Kiran shared two wickets apiece whereas Shajad Ali took one wicket. In reply, PG Department cruised to victory 19.2 overs, losing six wickets in the process. Taqdir Singh played a match winning knock of 45 runs, supported by Sunil Sharma (31) and Sajid Malik (29). For MAM College, Abhimanyu and Sajjad took two wickets while Sahil scalped one wicket.

Jammu, January 28
The J&K Sports Power Lifting Association today selected both men and women state team for participation in the sub-junior, junior, senior and master National Bench-Press Championship 2013, slated to be held at Milanee Stadium in Jamshedpur.

The teams were selected by the association on the basis of merit in the presence of Rajan Jain, general secretary, Ashok Mahajan, senior vice-president, Irfan qadri, vice-president, Ajay Sharma, vice-president, Rahul Sawhney, Narinder Singh and Rajesh Dutta. Rajan Jain would accompany the team as the general manager.

The teams:

Men: Sahil Chib, Shubam Manhas, Daljeet Singh, Satyajeet Singh, Inderjeet Singh, Avinash Koul, Ankush Kotwal, Vikrant Sharma, Arun Dev, Manoj Singh, Anshuman Sharma, Sidharth Bhalwal, Shashi Pal, Rajan Jain, Sushil Kumar, Pawan Kumar, Sajad Hussain, Ankush Sharma, Viney Sharma, Sandeep Banmotra, Raman Sharma, Waris Gill, Faisal Paul and Ajay Sharma.

Women: Parminder Kaur, Jyoti Kalotra, Manjeet Kaur, Rachna Salathia, Monika Sharma, Sunita Verma, Nidhi Sharma, Sahira Bano and Monika Mehra. — TNS

Jammu, January 28
The Dangal Committee of Kahpota village organised a wrestling (dangal) competition at Kahpota in block Dansal here today.

In all, 50 wrestlers participated in the competition. Anil Sharma, General Secretary, All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference and Sarpanch, Jandrah Panchayat Halqa was the chief guest on the occasion who distributed cash prizes to the winners. 

Jammu, January 28
The Crime Branch today produced challans against two persons, including a former Assistant Engineer of a local relief organisation for cheating and obtaining relief meant for migrants.

The accused have been identified as Nanaji Koul alias Rahul Koul, a resident of Masjid Morh, South Extension part-I, New Delhi, and Rajnath Koul, the then Assistant Engineer Relief Organisation, Jammu. — TNS

Jammu, January 28
The All India Punjab National Bank Officers Association (AIPNBOA), J&K circle, held its general body meeting today. Ashok Gupta, Deputy General Manager, circle head, J&K, was the chief guest on the occasion. Ajay Jaitley, working president of AIPNBOA was also present.

CL Bhat, president, J&K circle, while welcoming the general members and all other guests emphasised on the need of standing united.

Satish Khajuria, All India vice-president and circle secretary, J&K, presented his report and informed about the latest developments at the international, national, industry and the bank level. — TNS