Jammu, March 29
Parents whose children study in KC International School today blocked the Jammu-Poonch National Highway for about half an hour in protest against an arbitrary increase in academic fee.

Protesters shouted slogans against the school management and the Department of Education. They warned to launch an agitation if no action was taken against private institutions which were ‘robbing’ them in the name of development charges.

Protesters also alleged that the school management had increased the fee without any consideration to the norms set by the government and it was collecting crores of rupees without improving its infrastructure and other facilities.

As the school management refused to meet the parents, they blocked the National Highway disrupting traffic on the strategic road, connecting Jammu with Rajouri and Poonch.

Despite directions issued by the government, most of the private educational institutions were increasing fees in alleged violation of the norms set by the Department of Education.

Under the banner of KC International School Parents Association, they shouted slogans against the Minister for Education for overlooking the harassment people were facing at the hands of private schools. Private institutions were turning education into an industry.

“Fee has been increased by 25 per cent while annual charges have been increased from Rs 9,000 to Rs 11,000. This was totally unjustified, as we have to give admission fee every year,” association president Raj Kumar Gupta said.

Chairman of KC School management Vinay Mahajan was unavailable for comments. He, according to the association members, had told the parents during that the management would discuss their demands with them.

It may be mentioned here that in 2009, the Department of Education had constituted a special cell to monitor the working of the private schools, including the institutions affiliated to the Central Board of School Education (CBSE) in Jammu, but it remained on files only as no action was taken to streamline the system.

“Many private schools have refused to accept the directions of the state government to streamline the fee structure and continue to charge exorbitant fee from parents under the very nose of the Department of Education,” said Gopal Sharma, another parent.

Seven big private schools affiliated to the CBSE are proving a headache for the Department of Education. Managements of these schools have not attended any meeting convened by the government.

Many private schools have refused to accept the directions of the state government to streamline the fee structure and continue to charge exorbitant fee from parents under the very nose of the Department of Education
— Gopal sharma, a parent

Fee has been increased by 25 per cent while annual charges have been increased from Rs 9,000 to Rs 11,000. This was totally unjustified, as we have to give admission fee every year
— Raj kumar gupta, president, KC International School Parents Association

Jammu: A book of Dogri short stories, penned by Tara Daanpuri, was released at a function organised by the Dogri Sanstha here on Thursday. Khalid Bhasir, a noted Urdu litterateur, and secretary, the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, was the chief guest on the occasion, while Om Goswami, a well-known Dogri writer and Shailender Singh, a Dogri novelist, were the guests of honour. Bashir congratulated and extended good wishes to Tara for the new book. He said it was heartening that more books in Dogri were being published.

He said it was time that representative works out of the large number of books being released were translated into Hindi and English so that Dogri literature could reach a larger readership.

In his welcome address, Lalit Magotra, president of Dogri Sanstha, emphasised upon the need of quality prose for raising the standard of Dogri literature. He said most of Dogri books were those of poetry. “Poetry certainly enriches Dogri but for a healthy growth of a language a proportionate increase in the genre of fiction and prose is very desirable”. He complemented Tara for his book.

Dr Om Goswami spoke on the content and qualities of the book, whereas Shailendra Singh touched upon the personal aspects of Tara’s life.

Earlier, Dr Chanchal Bhasin presented a paper on the literary merits of the book. She termed the book as a realistic documentation of the life and travails of the less privileged classes and represented their hopes and aspirations. She appreciated the simple style and the chaste Dogri language used in the book.

A large number of writers, scholars and friends of the author comprised the audience. —OC

Jammu, March 29
Manual cleaning of the wards, corridors and rooms at Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital and Government Medical College (GMC), here became a thing of the past from today. A more sophisticated and mechanised cleaning process was introduced with the induction of machines imported from Italy.

Minister for Medical Education and Sports, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, inaugurated the mechanised cleaning machines run at the speed of 20,000 square feet per hour and is expected to clean the entire hospital within few hours. The machine cleaning would not only enhance the level of sanitation at the institutions but also bring it to the stage of nationally acclaimed hospitals.

It may be recalled that the minister, on his maiden visit to the hospital, had directed that a mechanised system of sanitation be installed at the hospital. With today’s induction of mechanised cleaning, GMC, Jammu, has become the first hospital to have mechanised sanitation in the state.

The minister also inaugurated the renovated ward of the Department of Medicine and an emergency ward at the hospital.

Later, Taj held a meeting of officers and the heads of departments and faculty members in which Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education, MK Dwivedi and Principal GMC, Jammu, Dr Anece Choudhary were present.

In the meeting, the minister reviewed operationlisation of the upcoming Super Speciality Hospital Jammu and the pace of progress on computerisation and other technological upgradation at the GMC, Jammu.

The minister directed that every ward should have its own drug sub-store. He also directed that availability of life saving drugs at the emergency unit be ensured for which he directed the setting up of a chest with the CMO.

Every hospital ward should have its own drug sub-store. Availability of life-saving drugs at the emergency unit must be ensured
— Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Minister for Medical Education and Sports

Jammu, March 29
Activists and representatives of various social, political and trade organisations of Jammu province today staged a demonstration in protest against the alleged partisan role of the ruling coalition in solving the unemployment problem of Jammu youth and the grave discrimination in the allocation of funds for the overall development of the region.

The protestors, under the banner of Jammu Province People Forum (JPPF), assembled at Jambu Lochan Park and raised slogans against the ruling coalition for allegedly resorting to discriminatory policies towards the region.

They alleged that the government had miserably failed to develop water bodies of Jammu region, including Mansar and Surinsar, install ropeway project from Mahamaya to Panjthirthi and had neglected the tourist spots in Reasi, Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar, Doda, Bhaderwah and other infrastructure development in Jammu tourism.

The speakers also stressed upon the government to provide security to panches and sarpanches, solve the problem of refugees from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), provide unemployment allowance to youth under relevant state government schemes and treat all sick industries of Jammu at par with those in Srinagar and allot them equal funds, including development funds for the welfare of Jammu province.

The speakers also appreciated the role of Jammu province legislators for raising their voice in the assembly against the discrimination meted out to Jammu province.

The JPPF and other organisations pledged to fully back their representatives in the house if they raised their voice for the betterment of the people of Jammu.

The forum had organised the protest to attract the attention of the people and give them a call to support and join the struggle to give a befitting fight against the discrimination and disparity meted out by the government towards Jammu people.

The protesting groups resolved to continue the struggle till its logical conclusion and declared that henceforth the movement would percolate in district and tehsil headquarters for mass participation of the people in the struggle.

Jammu, March 29
The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress (JKPYC) today demanded ownership rights to the allottees of custodian property.

Addressing a press conference here Pranav Shagotra, vice-president of JKPYC, expressed serious concerns over the problems being faced by the people living in custodian property.

He said if an allottee undertook any repair work to his house or shop, he had to deposit a fee with the Custodian Department and take permission for the repair work. Shagotra added that if an allottee sold his allotted house or shop, he had to deposit 50% of the value of the residential property and 70% of the value of the commercial property to the Custodian Department.

PYC leaders said the allottees occupying property for the last several years deserved rights on it and the government should grant ownership rights to them without loss of time. —TNS

Jammu, March 29
A one-day awareness camp was organised on Tuesday at Simbal Morh village, RS Pura block, regarding various loan facilities being offered through the J&K WDC in collaboration with the NSS wing of KCS College of Education (Women), Paloura, Jammu, for skilled and semi-skilled persons.

The camp started with a speech of Purnima Chaudhri, patron, Kalamkari Centre Society. She highlighted the importance of technical persons. She said the present employment crises demanded self-employment and that she’ll help in providing a suitable platform for ladies willing to become self dependent.

Abdul Majid Zargar, secretary, JKWDC, laid stress on the various schemes like the NMDFC, the NDCFDC, the NHFDC and loan offered at low interest rate by these agencies through the JKWDC. Zargar said these schemes would help in improving their life style.

Jeyoti Bhat, project officer, KCS, stressed the women gathering to make self-help groups and take loan from the corporation to start micro units. Raj Kumari, field supervisor, made the participants aware of the different schemes for different programmes like cosmetic shop, crockery shop, boutique, dairy farming, agro-based programmes like pickle and murabha making. 

Jammu, March 29
Arrangements for one-day Police-Public Mela were finalised at a joint meeting of senior police officers and members of Police Parivar held here today. The event is set to take-off on March 31 at Police Sports Stadium, Gulshan Ground, Jammu.

Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Prasad met senior officers to discuss the preparations. He sought reports from all the committees constituted for making the arrangements. The DGP was informed about the completion of all the required arrangements and full preparedness to conduct the event on the scheduled date.

The DGP stressed on ensuring sufficient arrangements for the convenience of people and smooth parking of vehicles. He also asked for better Traffic arrangements to make people’s participation easy. Security in and around the venue was also discussed. The DGP emphasised efficient management for the security of visitors.

The meeting was also briefed about the stall holders, who were putting up their stalls at the venue for selling their products in the day-long mela.

The DGP said the mela would be inaugurated at 9.30 am and raffle draw for 5,606 prizes, including cash prizes, would be held at 4 pm. He said tambola, painting competition for children and cultural items were the main attractions of the mela. The prizes would be handed over to the winners on the spot on production of original tickets, he added.

Members of the PWWA also gave some suggestions for making the event a success.

Later, the DGP and chairperson, JKPWWA, Kiran Prasad, along with other senior officers visited the venue and inspected the space provided to the stall holders.

Jammu March 29
With the objective to encourage sports and provide a platform to young talent, the J&K Police organised various competitions in Rajouri district under the Civic Action Programme.

As a part of this endeavour, the police organised a wrestling competition at Koteranka, in which 80 wrestlers from Jammu, Reasi, Udhampur, Samba, Kathua and other parts of Rajouri participated. Danesh Rana, DIG Rajouri-Poonch Range, was the chief guest on the occasion.

The first round remained a tie between Nissar Ahmed and Prahlad Singh while the second match was won by Balwan Singh of Reasi, who defeated Sajjad Hussain of Jammu. The third round was won by Hassan Din of Kathua by defeating Sher Muhammad of Reasi.

Danesh Rana distributed cash prizes of Rs 1,000 to the winner and Rs 500 and clothes each amongst the runner up wrestlers.

The competition was witnessed by more than 10,000 people, including Deputy Commandant CRPF 72 Bn and Tehsildar Koteranka.

Speaking on the occasion, Rana said the state police was organising these tournaments to groom the local talent and emphasised greater co-operation with the public. The J&K Police would leave no stone unturned to harness the local talent in sports and cultural activities by providing a platform to young, he added.

Jammu, March 29
The Government Medical College has been unable to procure Rs 1.7 crore grant from the Centre to replace one of the two Cobalt radioactive machines, which is crucial in fighting cancer. One of the machines has been lying non-functional at the Government Medical College (GMC) for past one year.

Sources said failure of the college management to pursue the case with the Centre has led to the Rs 1.7 crore grant, sanctioned to replace cobalt radioisotope, getting blocked.

The lone machine functioning at the hospital is proving insufficient to deal with the number of patients coming in for treatment.

The two machines were installed in the Department of Oncology of the college. These machines cater to the needs of 2,000 patients who visit the department for radiotherapy. Sources said in some cases even patients in a critical condition were made to wait for their turn at the premier medical institute of the state for several days.

“The approximate cost of the equipment with the necessary spare parts is Rs 1.7 crore. The funds have been sanctioned by the Centre but have not been released yet,” the government stated in reply to the issue raised by Ajat Shatru Singh, National Conference MLC in the Legislative Council few days back.

Cobalt-60 is a radioisotope that is mostly used in the medical field. It is used to kill cancerous cells, which can be implanted directly on or near the mutated cells to help stop the spread of cancer.

Sources said despite crores of rupees being spent on the construction of new hospitals, no consideration was given to strengthen the existing infrastructure in the government hospitals, which could save many lives.

“Still most of the patients with cancer have to travel outside the state, as the government has failed to provide its medical colleges with the requisite equipment,” a senior doctor of the medical college said.

It is pertinent to mention here that despite the awareness schemes and campaigns launched by the state government to make people aware about cancer, the number of patients suffering from different types of cancer has been on the rise in the state, particularly in Jammu.

As per statistics, the number of patients suffering from different types of cancer- which used to range between 400 and 500 per year in the 90s-is now touching the 2,000 per year mark in Jammu region. According to data, there were 1,385 cancer patients in 2008, 1,450 in 2009, 1,500 in 2010 and 1,600 in 2011. In 2012, this number swelled to 1,965.

Jammu, March 29
The police today claimed to have solved two theft cases with the recovery of 420 gram gold jewellery and Rs 3.4 lakh in cash.

“We have been able to work out two separate theft incidents which took place in Gangyal. We have also recovered the stolen items," Senior Superintendent of Police (officiating) Jammu Rajeshwar Singh told reporters here.

He said Ramesh Birpuri of Ekta Vihar in Gangyal had lodged a complaint with the police that jewellery worth Rs 9 lakh weighing 30 tolas and Rs 1.5 lakh in cash was found missing from his house.

"On the basis of the complaint, the police picked up a number of suspects for questioning. Names of Sandeep Kumar of Bishnah figured during questioning. The police conducted a raid at the house of the accused but could not arrest him. Search of his house led to the recovery of gold ornaments weighing 27.3 tolas worth Rs 8 lakh and cash of Rs 1.79 lakh," the SSP said.

The case was investigated by Sub-Inspector Mohammad Maqbool under the supervision of SHO Imtiyaz Ahmed and SDPO City South SS Jamwal.

In another case of theft, the SSP said a woman identified as Poli Devi of Babliana was arrested and ornaments and cash was recovered from her possession.

“On the basis of the complaint of theft at his house filed by Satyapal Singh Manhas of Babliana in Gangyal, the police arrested the woman accused of stealing the gold ornaments and cash," the SSP said.

The jewellery recovered is worth Rs 4.5 lakh and weighs 15 tolas and Rs 1.61 lakh in cash was also recovered from the accused, he said.