The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Over 400 ACs to keep professors ‘cool’
Cash-strapped Jammu University spends Rs 2 crore every
year on electricity bills
Arteev Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, May 2
While scholars and students sweat it out in classrooms and examination halls because of austerity measures adopted by the University of Jammu to cut down extravagant spending, the cash-strapped university, having a meagre budget of about Rs 65 crore a year, doesn’t mind coughing up Rs 2 crore every year as electricity rentals to keep its professors ‘cool’.

In a revelation that came to the fore after a student, Surjit Choudhary, accessed information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, there are more than 400 air conditioners (ACs) installed on the Jammu University campus for its professors and officers.

The RTI document stated that a total of 405 ACs, including 100 ACs of two tonne capacity (window and spilt), had been installed in various buildings of the university comprising 36 departments.

“In the administrative block (new) comprising Vice Chancellor Secretariat and Registrar’s Chamber, there are 25 ACs, including 24 ACs of 2 tonne capacity. A total of 57 ACs, including 33 of 0.75 tonne capacity (window and split) and 24 of 1.5 tonne capacity have been installed at the Business School alone,” the document indicated.

It further stated that there were 34 ACs, including 35 of 1.5 tonne capacity, installed at the Physics Department. Contrastingly, Nerhu Hall Boys Hostel and Vivekananda Boys Hostel had only two ACs’, one each.

“Out of its total annual budget, the varsity gets electricity bills of Rs 1 crore. The yearly electricity rentals of the entire campus has been worked out at Rs 2 crore, which forces the authorities to arrange funds from various resources to pay the power bills,” sources said.

Surjit Choudhary, who is also state senior vice-president of the National Secular Forum (NSF), said the examination halls and hostel rooms for students lack proper infrastructure and cooling arrangements. “There is even no proper facility of a fan or cooler for the students and scholars on the campus, but the varsity professors are enjoying luxuries. This is quite unfortunate for the students,” he said.

He said the Vice-Chancellor should seriously look into the issue. If he was sincere in his approach to curtail the extravagant spending, he should take some necessary steps to bring down the electricity bills.

When contacted, Prof Naresh Padha, Registrar University of Jammu, said the Vice-Chancellor had already directed all departments that there would be no use of ACs for personal purpose. The ACs would be allowed to function in laboratories only.

When his attention was drawn towards the high number of ACs installed on the campus, the Registrar said the university was planning to withdraw ACs from professors and teachers’ rooms. They were, otherwise, managed to get the facility, in a ‘systematic manner’.

AUSTERITY MEASURES

Following widespread criticism, the university withdrew official vehicles from senior officers and professors, deciding to provide them the facility only on the ‘need’ basis. The varsity had spent around Rs 50 lakh on fuel in the past two years.

The varsity also debarred the varsity officers and senior professors from frequent air-travels.

The departments were asked to curtail extravagant spending and warned that there was no scope of wasteful expenditure.

The Vice-Chancellor has already directed all the departments that there would be no use of ACs for personal purpose. The ACs would be allowed to function in laboratories only. The university was planning to withdraw ACs from professors and teachers’ rooms. They were, otherwise, managed to get the facility, in a ‘systematic manner’. — Naresh Padha, Registrar, University of Jammu

Parties, other organisations mourn Sarabjit’s death
Tribune News Service

Floral tribute paid to Sarabjit Singh at the BJP headquarters in Jammu on Thursday. Tribune Photo: Inderjeet Singh

Jammu, May 2
Different organisations and political parties of Jammu have strongly condemned and condoled the death of Sarabjit Singh, who died early this morning at the Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. He was admitted to the hospital on April 26 after being savagely attacked in the ‘Kot Lakhpat Jail’.

To pray for the peace of the departed soul of Sarabjit Singh, state BJP held a condolence meet at the party headquarters today.

BJP state president Jugal Kishore Sharma said Sarabjit Singh was murdered in a jail at Lahore as the Indian Government did not take seriously harassment and torture face by Indian citizens and brave soldiers of the Army.

Workers of the Shiv Sen, J&K unit, also took out a procession in Jammu city against the killing of Sarbajit Singh by wearing black bands. They carried out a candle march to show ‘light’ to the UPA government.

Shiv Sena president Ashok Gupta said, "It is a cold blooded murder. This is not the way civilised nations behave and the Indian government has been a mute spectator to the death of an Indian citizen.”

“Sarabjit's death has angered the country and that it is the time to take strict action against Pakistan,” he added.

Expressing deep shock and sorrow over the demise of Sarabjit Singh, JK Youth Sharnarth Action Committee president RC Sharma scondemned the Pakistan government for a brutal and murderous attack on him in Kot Lakhpat Jail, which led to the his death.

State NCP also condoled the demise of Sarabjit Singh, who was on death row in Pakistan. Sudarshan Choudhary expressed his anguish and deep concern over the Pakistan's attitude in handling the Sarabjit’s case.

Showing its strong resentment, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) Jammu held a demonstration in Jammu and burnt the effigy of Pakistan as well as the UPA government.

Shri Ram Sena state president Rajiv Mahajan said Sarabjit was brutally attacked by fellow prisoners at the Kot Lakhpat jail under a pre-planned criminal conspiracy to eliminate him. He said Pakistan has been meting out inhuman treatment to Indian nationals in Pakistani jails and flouting all Human Rights and International laws.

Ramban Sikhs pay tributes to Sarabjit

Batote: Sikhs of Ramban district paid homage to Sarabjit Singh who succumbed to his injuries in a hospital in Pakistan. Condemning the negligence and inhuman behaviour of the Pakistan government, senior Congress leader S Janak Singh, said it appeared that there was no law for even namesake.

Zonal inter-school tournaments conclude at Rajouri, Doda
Jammu zone tournament, being organised at MA Stadium, to conclude today
Tribune News Service

Jammu, May 2
The Inter-School Tournament of Doda zone concluded at Government Higher Secondary School, Bhalla (Doda), today. Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS), Kastigarh, trounced Government High School (GHS), Zadan, in the final to clinch the under-17 boys’ kabaddi title. In volleyball, Government Middle School, Bhagwah, defeated Middle School, Behena, to clinch the title while in kho kho, Government Middle School, Bhagwah, trounced Government Middle School, Behena.

In kabbadi, Government High School, Sooli, toppled Government Middle School, Machar, whereas in volleyball (girls), Government Middle School, Bhagwah, edged out Government Middle School, Behena. In kho kho, Government Middle School, Malwa, overwhelmed Middle School, Behena, to bag the top honours.

In kho kho (girls), Government High School, Malwa, defeated High School, Sooli. The tournament was organised under the overall supervision of District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Doda, SR Kotwal and Zonal Physical Education Officer, Bhagwah, Davinder Kotwal wherein 180 students participated.

Rajouri

The Inter-School Tournament for under-14 boys and girls at zonal level concluded at Mini Stadium, Rajouri, today. The tournament was organised under the guidance of Directorate of Youth Services and Sports.

The tournament of Rajouri zone was conducted under the supervision of Rakesh Kumar, Zonal Physical Education Officer (ZPEO), Rajouri. Mohammad Ayaz Khan, District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Rajouri, was also present on the occasion.

In the events held today, High School, Thandikassi, beat International Higher Secondary School, Rajouri, by 7 points in the final to clinch kho kho title in boys’ section. In volleyball, Army Goodwill Public School, Rajouri, trounced Middle School, Mubarakpura, by 2-1 sets while in handball Middle School, Mubarakpura, toppled High School, Muradpur, by 6-2 goals. Middle School, Karian, defeated Army Goodwill Public School, Rajouri, by 12 points.

Detailed results of various events:

Thanamandi zone:

Kho-kho: High School, Rajdhani, boys (winner) and Middle School, Phatian, (runner-up).

Volleyball (boys): High School, Rajdhani (winner) and Little High School, Rajdhani, second.

Kabaddi (boys): High School, Rajdhani, stood first and High School, Dodasanbala, came second.

Baljarallan zone:

Kho kho (boys): Middle School, Dhangri, got first spot and High School, Palam, stood second.

Volleyball (boys): High School, Sagote (winner) and High School, Palam, (runner-up).

Kabaddi (boys): High School, Kalal-Kuss, clinched first place and High School, Sankari, got second.

Peeri zone:

Kho-kho (boys): High School, Tarala, (winner) and Middle School, Damote, (runner-up).

Volleyball (boys): High School, Tarala, grab first place and Middle School, Dhanna, (runner-up).

Kabaddi (boys): High School, Sankari, declared winner and Middle School, Dhanna, runner-up.

Khawas zone:

Kho-kho (boys): Middle School, Kundal, got first place and Middle School, Damlar, (runner-up).

Kho-kho (girls): Middle School, Kundal, (winner) and Middle School, Damlar, (runner-up).

Kabaddi (boys): Middle School, Damlar, got first place and Middle School, Ranthal, second.

Manjakote Zone:

Kho-kho (boys): Middle School, Patrara, won first place and High School, Kotli-Kalaban, got second.

Volleyball (boys): High School, Panjgarian, won first place while Middle School, Kalali, got second.

Kabaddi (boys): Middle School, Patrara, grab first place while Middle School, Kalali, got second spot.

Lower Hathal zone:

Kho-kho (boys): High School, Patrara, stood first followed by High School, Masiote.

Volleyball (boys): High School, Barnara, won first place followed by High School, Dharoon.

Kabaddi (boys): High School, Patrara, came first and High School, Balshama (runner-up).

Sunderbani zone:

Kho-kho (boys): Middle School, Lamana, stood first and Middle School, Bakhar, came second.

Kabaddi (boys): Middle School, Laman, stood first while Middle School, Tanda Tala, came second.

Nowshera zone:

Kho-kho (boys): Middle School, Kalsian, clinched first place and Middle School, Nowshera, got second. Volleyball (boys): Middle School, Kalsian, won first place while Middle School, Ghaniya, got second.

Kabaddi (boys): Middle School, Nowshera, declared winner and Middle School, Dhanakka, runner-up.

Dandesar zone:

Kho-kho (boys): Middle School, Lamberi, came first followed by Middle School, Rajal.

Volleyball (boys): High School, Kalal, declared winner and Christ High School, Lamberi, came second.

Kabaddi (boys): Middle School, Dandesar, declared winner and Middle School, Dhandani, got second spot.

Jammu

Government High School, Old Satwari, got the better of Adarsh Niketan in under-14 boys’ carrom event today in the ongoing Inter-School Tournament in multi-disciplines, held at Indoor Sports Complex, MA Stadium, here.

In other matches played, SOS School prevailed over Maha Rishi Vidya Mandir, APS Nagrota trounced KC International School and MHAC Nagbani had the last laugh against St Xavier’s School. In under-17 age group, Oriental School drubbed High School, Old Satwari, Maharishi Vidya Mandir outplayed APS Nagrota, SRML beat Shashtri Memorial and Maharishi Vidya Mandir.

In chess under-14 boys’, Shashwant of KV Sunjuwan toppled Kanav of APS Kaluchak and Azar Qazi of Delhi Public School (DPS) trounced Sohan Gupta of Jodhamal. In under-14 boys, Navdeep of DPS beat Aditya Sharma of MIER and Aditya of APS Nagrota beat Dewang of Jodhamal.

In Pool C, Nikhil of SOS got the better of Sachin Sharma of APS and Ujjwal Sharma of Adarsh Niketan pipped Ranjit of St Xavier’s. Similarly, in Pool D, Varbhav Bhat of SOS beat Harshit Gupta of KC International while Sumit of Maharishi Vidya Mandir beat Harkit Sharma of Adarsh Niketan.

In under-14 table tennis, KC Public School edged out Army Public School (APS), Damana, by 3-0 sets with utmost ease to advance in the next stage. In another match, APS, Damana, beat Model Academy, Jammu.

In under-17 boys, KC Public School defeated SOS Gole Gujral by 3-0 sets.

In under-14 badminton, DPS trounced GD Goenka by 2-0, Maharishi Vidya Mandir beat St Xavier’s by 2-0, APS Nagrota beat Dewan Devi School by 2-0, MIER beat Adarsh Niketan by 2-0 and DMN beat Vidya Peeth by the same margin.

In under-17 age group, APS Miran Sahib beat KC International by 2-0, Dewan Devi beat KC Gurukul by 2-0, Adarsh Niketan beat SRML by 2-0 and Oriental Academy beat SD Tarapuri by the same margin. The matches in various disciplines were officiated by Harcharan Singh, Sanjay Khajuria, Harpreet Bhalla, Vikram Jamwal, Ravish Vaid, Gourav Sharma, Rekha and Vishal Bharti.

Earlier, the tournament was declared open by Director General, Youth Services and Sports, Naveen Agarwal. The tournament is being organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, under the chairmanship of Ved Parkash, Deputy Director, Youth Services and Sports and under the overall supervision of Tirath Ram, District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Jammu.

Sports Policy Draft
Sports Council to invite suggestions from members, sportspersons
Vikas Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, May 2
After incorporating all important acts and regulations in the proposed Sports Policy Draft, the J&K State Sports Council has now decided to invite suggestions from the members and professional sportspersons in a bid to bring out necessary changes in the draft before getting a nod from the Cabinet.

J&K State Sports Council secretary Dilip Thussu said the department had received feedbacks from various experts in the field to make a concrete sports policy for the overall uplift of the sports sector in the state.

“Before we present the policy to the Cabinet for its approval, the department has decided to invite suggestions from the members and sportspersons. We have already received feedback from some of them,” Dilip Thussu said.

The Sports Council secretary refused to comment on the alleged claims of an office bearer of the sports association that Minister for Youth Services and Sports Taj Mohi-ud-Din had assigned a task to re-draft the Sports Policy because there was no mention of youth services and sports in it to the department.

“I don’t know from where these reports are coming,” Thussu said.

“Now, we have receive ample suggestions from the experts and we will look into them and if we find any worth in the point mentioned, the department will definitely include it in the Sports Policy Draft,” he added.

Sources said the proposed Sports Policy draft has stressed upon the need to launch a talent hunt scheme to identify boys and girls in the age group of 12 to 17 years who have a potential to become excellent sportspersons.

“These boys and girls will be selected every year on the basis of well-defined parameters. Further, the selected candidates shall be put through a sports development programme,” the sources added.

The sources further said various key objectives have been outlined in the proposed Sports Policy Draft with special emphasis on strengthening of infrastructure and facilities at the divisional, district, tehsil, block and panchayat level. The divisional level sports include those facilities which required for conducting national level events for 21 disciplines, including athletics, football, hockey, basketball, volleyball, weightlifting, gymnastics, kho kho, kabaddi, swimming, roller skating, judo, boxing, taekwondo, fencing, wushu and sport climbing.

Krishan Chander Park a testimony to govt apathy
Darshan Bharti

The dried-up fountains of the Fountain Park, Poonch, are the proof of the negligence on the part of the administration. A Tribune Photo

Poonch, May 2
Due to the negligence of officials and elected representatives of Poonch, the Fountain Park, Poonch, also known as Krishan Chander Park, is in a state of apathy, far from its actual intended purpose.

The Fountain Park, which was established on the pattern of Shalimar Garden of Kashmir during the Dogra rule, has been losing its identity and is crying for attention. The park here is a standing proof for the negligence on the part of the administration.

The park was renovated first time in 1977 by the then Municipality, which named it Krishan Chander Park after the name of an Urdu and Hindi Afsaana Nigaar or short story writer. According to his wish, a part of his ashes was buried in the park in 1977.

The Poonch brigade on the request of locals renovated the park under the operation sadhbhavana in 2005. They also renovated the dried-up fountains and made the park attractive.

On November 23, 2012, the Poonch police initiated the process of making the park and the club building functional and set up a youth club on the premises.

The indoor hall of the Youth Club has the facilities of billiards, table tennis, internet café and library for the youth.

The present status of the park needs immediate attention.

“It is unfortunate that the government has turned a blind eye towards the parks in our locality. We have been using this park for recreational activities for the past many years but now the park is losing beauty touch,” Parveen Dabur a local said.

“Whenever in the morning we come here for a walk, we used to find used plates, empty bottles, and litter around pavements etc which show poor maintenance of the park,” he said.

“The poor workmanship and improper maintenance has played havoc with the park. It is no fun visiting the park. We see weeds, other unwanted grass and broken tiles everywhere,” said Kamini Koushal.

“It seems that as if nobody is working there. They never remove the weeds and if they do, they dump it inside the park only,” she added.

“We have been using the park for the past many years. But if the situation continues like this, the park will surely turn into a garbage dump,” said Gurdev Singh, General Secretary, JKPCC, J&K.

Despite repeated attempts, no official from the department was found available for the comments.

State NCC to raise units
Tribune News Service

Jammu, May 2
Lt General PS Bhalla, Director General (DG), National Cadet Corps (NCC), has given additional vacancies to Jammu and Kashmir for raising new units like Air Squadron (flying), Naval Squadron and Boys’ company.

Lt Gen Bhalla, who arrived at Jammu today for his two-day visit, said the boys’ company had already been raised with 1,400 cadets at Leh to cover the Ladakh region and raising Air and Naval units would commence in the near future. He further added that more units were being planned to increase the coverage of the NCC in rural and border areas.

He said the NCC Directorate, Jammu and Kashmir, had the strength of 23,880 cadets in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh region.

NCC has approximately 13.4 lakh cadets in its fold with seventeen directorates covering the entire country.

Lt Gen Bhalla also said the training philosophy of the cadets had been refined to accommodate the changing aspirations of the youth and expectations of the society. He said focus of the directorate was to facilitate soft skills and personality development.

To promote the spirit of adventure among the youth, the NCC had launched an expedition to Mt Everest with an 18-member team, he added.

He said Special National Integration Camp would be organised at Leh in August 2013 where cadets from all over the country would participate and learn the culture and heritage of the Ladakh region.

On his arrival, Lt Gen Bhalla was received by Maj Gen NS Jamwal, ADG J&K, NCC Directorate. He visited the NCC Directorate, Jammu and interacted with the staff.

Bakerwals demand probe into ‘wrong enumeration’ of STs
Tribune News Service

Jammu, May 2
The Gujjars and Bakerwals communities, under the banner of the Tribal Research Foundation, have demanded an impartial inquiry to identify perpetrators responsible for allegedly showing ‘wrong enumeration’ of tribal population in Poonch.

Addressing the mediapersons here today, Gujjar leaders said according to provisional results of the Census 2011 displayed on the website of the Registrar General of India, the population of the Gujjars or Bakerwals -— Schedule Tribes— in Poonch district had recorded a decline of four per cent over the previous Census.

“I believe that this is an outcome of a rivalry between Gujjars and non-Gujjars which is going on in the area for the past many years,” said Dr Javaid Rahi, Secretary of the tribal foundation.

“Some local political or social leaders are against ‘correct’ enumeration of the Gujjars or Bakerwals as it can adversely impact on their political career. Our population in Poonch and Rajouri districts is above 55 per cent but due to partiality of the enumerators we are being shown less in numbers”, he claimed.

“We have written a letter to the Union Home Minister, Governor of J&K, Chief Minister, Registrar General of India and Census Commissioner to conduct an impartial inquiry to identify the persons who are responsible for wrong enumeration of the Gujjars-Bakerwals communities, which fall under the Schedule Tribe category. Further, we are also demanding a fresh census of Poonch district so that the real figures come out,” Dr Rahi added.

Air Force School celebrates Annual Day
Tribune News Service

Jammu, May 2
Air Force School, Jammu, today celebrated its Annual Day at Zorawar Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu. Raman Bhalla, Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Air Commodore, PE Patange, Air Force Commanding, Air Force Station, Jammu and Mamta Patange were the guests of honour. The function began with the lighting of traditional lamp followed by reading of the annual report by Vikesh Sandhal, principal of the school.

While highlighting the achievements of the school, the principal said the school was declared the Best Air Force School for the session 2011-12 in terms of infrastructure, academics, co-curricular activities and administration.

The students of the school presented a colourful cultural programme which included group song, Dogri dance, Bhangra, Ramayana (Ram katha), ballet etc to enthral the audience.

The non-scholastic winners of the session were awarded by the guests of honour for their achievements in the field of sports and co-curricular activities.

The meritorious students for the session 2012-13 were awarded by Raman Bhalla. The chairman’s trophy for all-round performance was bagged by Simranpreet Singh and Ria Jamwal respectively.

Pakistani intruder apprehended along LoC at Nowshera
Our Correspondent

Rajouri, May 2
The Army apprehended a Pakistani intruder along the Line of Control (LoC) in forward area of Lam in Nowshera sector in Rajouri district late last night. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Nowshera, confirmed the development.

The Army personnel handed him over to the local police at Lam police post today for legal procedure, but the identity of intruder has not been disclosed yet.

ASP Nowshera said, “We are facing difficulty in tracing out his name because he is speaking some foreign language that could not be understood by the police or the Army. His language is like Arabic, but we have not recovered any arms from his procession.”

Air Force celebrates Information Warfare Awareness Week
Tribune News Service

Air Force officers at the closing ceremony of the Information Warfare Awareness Camp in Jammu on Thuirsday. A Tribune Photograph

Jammu, May 2
Air Force Station, Jammu, organised an Information Warfare Awareness Camp from April 22 to May 2, at the Jammu Air Force Station here.

During the week, activities like poster-making and slogan-writing for schoolchildren and for air warriors, quiz competition for air warriors and lecture on cyber security and computer security were held.

Various stalls of companies like I Ball, Logitech and Indica Computer Care were installed in the lawns to create awareness and make the visitors familiar with IT gadgets of day-to-day use.

During the concluding ceremony of the awareness week, the AOC addressed the gathering and thanked all for making the camp successful.