Jammu, March 1
Completion of the much-talked about sewage treatment plant for Jammu city— which has missed several deadlines in the recent past— has been extended till next year.

The project, started in February 2008, was scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011. In a written reply to the question of Jammu (West) MLA Chaman Lal Gupta in the Assembly, Minister for Urban Development and Local Bodies Nawang Rigzin Jora said the comprehensive sewerage scheme, costing Rs 129.23 crore, was expected to be completed by March 2014.

About areas left out in the scheme, he said the Union Ministry of Urban Development had sanctioned a comprehensive sewerage scheme for the left out areas in greater Jammu at Rs 2032 lakh under the UIG Sub-Mission 1 of Jawahar Lal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM).

The first installment of ACA of Rs 457.20 lakh has been released by the Central government. The minister said Jammu city had been divided into four sewerage divisions and the Gandhi Nagar area falls under division C.

He said the first Master Plan of Jammu city was prepared for 1974-1994. Thereafter, Jammu Master Plan-2021 was notified in 2004 for planned development for 20 years up to 2021 which was presently operational. The Jammu and Kashmir Master Plan 2021 was under process of revision for planned development up to 2031, he added.

Jammu, March 1
Minister for Urban Development Nawang Rigzin Jora today visited warehouse- Nehru market and took stock of the condition of lanes, drains and other civic facilities in the area.

Describing the place as the nerve centre of the city trade, Jora directed the JDA officers to take immediate steps to improve sanitary conditions, lanes and drains in the area. He also asked the Jammu Municipal Corporation authorities to make arrangements for lifting of garbage and other waste materials on regular basis.

He asked the agencies concerned to take immediate steps in this regard so that the traders and people coming to the area may not face any more inconvenience. He said the area was the biggest business centre of the Jammu city where thousands of trucks were being unloaded daily to transport merchandise to other parts of the state, adding that it needs immediate attention from the agencies concerned.

Interacting with the shopkeepers and representatives of Chamber of Commerce and Industries, the minister assured that their genuine demands, especially better sanitation, repair of lanes and drains would be addressed on priority and added that the government was committed to develop the Jammu City on modern lines. He said the warehouse had to be developed with adequate facilities.

Responding to the demand of ownership rights, Jora asked the trader community members that he would take up the matter with agencies concerned under rules and regulations, however, he assured immediate renovation of lanes, drains and sanitation in and around the area. He also directed the agencies concerned for immediate repair of the approach road to the Nehru market Block-D, which presently was in a dilapidated condition.

The members also demanded early completion and opening of warehouse-Balicharan to Kunjwani Chowk road to facilitate smooth movement of heavy transport goods vehicles leaving and coming to the area. 

Batote, March 1
Frequent landslides on the 55 km-long Batote-Doda national highway has prompted the government to mull the construction of an alternative road between Sudhmahadev and Khileni in Doda.

The road stretch, in the fragile mountainous area of Assar, has been a cause of trouble for passengers, drivers, administration and the GREF during winters and rainy season for the last four years.

“Frequent landslides this month have blocked the road for 10 hours in the pastweek, besides small landslides at Thor (9 km from Batote), Koda Pani, Raggi Nullah and Budi Maadi, during almost every rainy day,” said AG Bhat, sarpanch, upper Munddhar.

According to a report by the Geological Survey of India (GSI), the road stretch in Assar has become vulnerable to landslides due to the formation of a reservoir lake of 900MW Baghlihar Hydel Project on the Chenab.

The 200-m-stretch had sunken and skidded off into the reservoir on February 6, 2009, thus completely disconnecting Doda and Kishtwar districts, including Bhaderwah tehsil.

“The GREF was imprudently compelled to construct this new road by-passing the 200 m damaged portion with a new alignment and several sharp zig-zags just above the sunken portion instead of repairing the stretch. This new road too has become vulnerable to frequent landslides and accidents,” rued Bhat.

“Given the unstability of the area, a proposal of 80 km alternate highway between Sudhmahadev and Khileni (Doda) via Goha Marmat, including a 6 km tunnel, is awaiting the nod of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways,” said Brig TPS Rawat, chief engineer, GREF.

“The dedicated role of the Beacon officials in such circumstances was vindicated on February 24, when they had cleared the ten-hour-long road blockade by removing a big debris in the lights of the switched-on headlights of the stranded vehicles,” he said. 

Batote, March 1
Sixteen houses were damaged due to heavy rain this week in the remote villages of Ramban district.

Reports said tin-roofed houses belonging to Abdul Latif and his brother Mohd Hanif Katoch at Kote, kutcha houses of Gul Mohd and his brother Rehmatullah at Samthi in Kabbi panchayat of Ramban, were badly damaged last night.

Six houses, including three in Bhimdasa, two in Deda and one in Mawalkot, have also developed cracks in the Gool area, reports said.

Other six houses also developed cracks in Banihal tehsil. The house in Chanjlu village got completely collapsed, sources said.

No loss of life has been reported. The district administration said more such reports were pouring in from different parts of Ramban.

Jammu, March 1
Hundreds of refugee families under the banner of PoK Refugee Front 1947, 1965 & 1971 held a demonstration at Mubarak Mandi demanding a comprehensive settlement plan.

The protesters belonging to Mirpur Bhimber Deva, Watala Chamb, Kotli, Poonch, Bagh and Muzafrabad- now under the occupation of Pakistan- today assembled at Mubarak Mandi and raised slogans against the government for not considering their long-pending demands despite repeated reminders.

Addressing the protesters, general secretary of the front Rachhpal Singh Chib said no comprehensive settlement package, including compensation for the lost property and life, economic and political rights, had been provided to these families who survived the massacre unleashed by the Pakistan Army and tribal invaders in 1947.

He said the Central government acted half-heartedly only after receiving directions from the National Human Right Commission (NHRC) and Supreme Court. He said the state government’s “ill intentions” had become very clear as it took little interest in disbursing financial assistance sanctioned by the Central government even after 13 years.

“Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Ajaz Ahmed Khan did a commendable job by holding a meeting of the revenue commissioners, secretaries and refugees, but there is no follow-up action in this regard,” Singh said.

The front has appealed to all the displaced families to support the organisation so that a single platform is constituted to carry on its fight against the “discriminatory policies” of the government. The front also demanded registration of displace d families who even after six decades had not been registered in the government documents.

“Despite so many protests, rallies and hunger strikes, nothing has been done so far to address the genuine demands of the refugees,” he added. 

Jammu, March 1
Hundreds of displaced people from erstwhile Doda district, who left their villages due to threat and attacks by terrorists, today took out a protest rally against the government for its failure to provide them relief assistance.

Protesters today passed through various parts of the city and shouted slogans against the apathetic attitude of the successive state governments. The rally started from Mubarak Mandi complex and tried to move towards the Civil Secretariat.

Addressing the rally, Rakesh Kumar Sharma, president, erstwhile Doda Migrant Committee, said despite repeated pleas, nothing has been done to mitigate problems of militancy-affected families from the region.

Sharma said Jammu migrants were reeling under serious hardships due to political victimisation. He said hundreds of people from Reasi, Udhampur, Samba, Kathua and Jammu districts were suffering, as they had no employment or relief assistance.

He said hundreds of people had to leave their homes due to militancy and were living in Jammu, they had to leave their homes, fields and villages to save themselves and it was the duty of the government to provide relief assistance.

“We have been staging protest here at Mubarak Mandi continuously for the last eight years demanding relief at par with Kashmiri Pandit migrants but nothing has been done so far. The state government has forgotten and left us to face difficulties,” the committee said.

The committee claimed that nearly 10,000 migrant families belonging to erstwhile Doda district, Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch districts had left their homes due to fear of terrorists in past two decades. 

Jammu, February 28
Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies Nawang Rigzin Jora today urged the Centre to increase frequency of Air India Flights to atleast one flight per day on Delhi-Leh sector, besides pushing private aviation companies like Spice Jet or Indigo to operate on this route in the backdrop of closure of Kingfisher Airline.

In a letter written to Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ajit Singh, Jora also requested for fixing a cap to the maximum amount of fare on this sector to the length and duration of the flight.

Jora appealed to the minister for reviewing the decision of reducing the frequency of Air India flights from two flights per day to three flights per week, which not only have a devastating impact on the forthcoming tourist season, but would also create economic burden on the common people, who directly or indirectly earn their livelihood from tourism sector.

The minister apprised the Union Minister of the extraordinary high air fare in Delhi-Leh sector which has risen to more than Rs 20,000 during these days and has become unaffordable for the people of Ladakh region.

Since Ladakh region remains cut off from the rest of the world for six months during winters, air connectivity was the only means of transportation available, he added. 

Jammu, March 1
Panun Kashmir (PK), a frontal organisation of displaced Kashmiri Hindus, have urged the Central Government to suspend all the talks with Pakistan, as the neighbouring country is buying time because of its domestic conditions to review terrorism in J&K.

Addressing a meeting, Panun Kashmir (PK) president Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo said footprints of China in Pak-occupied Kashmir, including the territories of Gilgat-Baltistan, and now the recent handing over the controls of the important Gawadhar port in Baluchistan is a matter of concern.

“The coming together of the two hostile powers in these strategic areas is a serious threat to the security of Kashmir. These well-planned tactics are ostensibly meant to corner India and pressurise it to hold talks on Kashmir,” Chrungoo said.

He said the Government of India should remain guarded to thwart the designs of Pakistan and make its stand clear on its claims over the entire occupied areas of the state. “Instrument of terror, which has been used by Pakistan over the last three decades, to make India submit to the blackmail, is required to be negated at all levels,” he said.

Virender Raina, a PK spokesperson, said the relief and economic rehabilitation of the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community was the primary responsibility of the state and the Central Government.

“The relief holders have been driven to destitution due to the callous attitude of the government and forced to agitate again regarding the enhancement of relief. The decision to increase the relief nominally has given a feeling to the displaced population that the government is non-serious regarding the issues of the community,” Raina said.

He said majority of the community youth had become overage as they had been deprived of any employment so far. The community youth, who have joined duties in Kashmir, have been experiencing a number of exploitation over the last two years. 

Jammu, March 1
A two-day international conference on Environmental Issues and Sustainable Development was inaugurated in Jammu University here today.

The conference was attended by over 80 national and international delegates. In the inaugural function held at Brig Rajinder Singh Auditorium, University of Kashmir Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmed was the chief guest.

He made a presentation on climate change and the Himalayas which was highly appreciated by the audience. It was followed by the release of a book “Systematic Geography of Jammu & Kashmir” jointly authored by Prof VS Manhas and Dr Rakesh Jasrotia. Prof Majid Hussain presented a keynote address in which he highlighted the various environmental issues related with forestry, overgrazing, large scale urban development, impact of nomadic movements and lakes of Jammu and Kashmir.

Prof Majid Hussain was felicitated by a lifetime achievement award. Abha Lakshmi Singh, Professor Emeritus, AMU, who was the special guest of honour made elaborate remarks on the relationship between environment and development. She highlighted certain techniques used by the geographers for a better understanding of man-environment relationship.

Prof Mohan Pal Singh Ishar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, in his presidential remarks highlighted how sustainable development could be maintained and how a balance between environment and development could be achieved. Earlier Prof VS Manhas welcomed the dignitaries and delegates. 

Jammu, March 1
Pooja Jamwal of Jammu Law College bagged first prize in Bodh Raj Sawhney Memorial debating contest 2013 on topic “Social Networking Sites are Sine Quo Non of Information and Social Cohesion”.

Students from 11 Law institutions from northern India participated in the event which was organised by the Law school, University of Jammu.

Prof Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu was the chief guest on the occasion, who distributed prizes to the participants and the winners.

Dr Roop Lal Sharma, chairman, Trikuta Group of Colleges and Dr Sunil Mahajan, principal, Jammu Law College along with staff members congratulated Pooja amwal on this occasion and wished success in her life. 

Jammu, March 1
A parent-teacher meet was organized at National College of Education Purkhoo Camp.

The parents appreciated the initiative of the college management and hoped that such meetings would be organised on regular intervals.

During interactive session, parents gave their valuable inputs for inculcating moral values among students, besides establishing a guidance cell for the students for their skill and personality development and also provide exposure to compete at any level.

Principal of the college, Dr ML Parwana presented vote of thanks. The programme was organised under the able guidance of Neena Sudan, Yashumati Jamwal and Indu. 

Jammu, March 1
Minister for Planning and Development Ajay Kumar Sadhotra today complimented the budding artists for carrying forward the high traditions of art and culture, thus preserving their glorious heritage.

Inaugurating a three-day painting exhibition on theme ‘Native Vibrations’ at Kala Kendra here today, the minister said such events served as an inspirational force for young artists and art lovers.

The minister enumerated various initiatives being taken by the Academy of Art, Culture and Languages to promote art and music in the state.

Sadhotra said the state government would continue to encourage artists by providing them wider canvas to showcase their talent. He urged the artists not to confine themselves to the precincts of Jammu and Kashmir only but exhibit their talent at the national and international level.

He exuded confidence about the rich talent available and said these were required to be identified and polished by the experts in the field. The minister asked the culture academy to provide all necessary support to the artists to organise their exhibitions for larger audience.

A number of paintings have been displayed in the exhibition reflecting various aspects of state’s culture and traditions. 

Batote, March 1
One person was killed and 16 others were injured today when a minibus was hit head-on by a Srinagar-bound truck (JK02U-4185) on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway at Shabanvas near Banihal town.

The deceased, identified as Mohd Rafiq of Khari, Banihal, died on the spot. Six seriously injured were referred to the SMHS Hospital, Srinagar.

The others were undergoing treatment at the Sub-Divisional Hospital, Banihal, reports said.

The minibus was going from Banihal to Khari. The truck driver fled from the spot after the accident, eyewitnessess told this reporter.