Jammu, June 29
With funds shortage hitting fight against influx of spurious drugs, the Jammu and Kashmir government has sought Rs 60 crore from the Planning Commission of India for establishing drug testing labs in Srinagar and Jammu to fight the menace.

According to officials, the demand was put before visiting Planning Commission team led by Dr Sayeeda Hamid, who was here to inspect various centrally sponsored projects.

“The Planning Commission team has given a positive signal and if funds are sanctioned, they will be released in three years period to establish in the state modern drug testing labs, which have become necessary,” said a senior officer from the health department.

J&K, where spurious drugs and adulterated food items have already sneaked into the market, does not have state-of-the-art testing facility. A few years back, the State Drug and Food Organisation had sent a proposal to the government for setting up modern testing laboratories in twin capital cities, but the proposal was grounded for want of funds.

At the moment, most of the testing is done in laboratories outside the state while there are a few small laboratories which are marred by paucity of both staff and modern machinery.

“Spurious drugs are being dumped into rural markets where the checking mechanism is not that strong and only locals can be depended upon for information. Setting up modern labs will help in some way to deal with the menace,” said an official.

In recent years, several measures have been discussed at the government level to curb adulteration, which include introduction of FSS Act 2006, Food Safety Appellate Tribunal, Food Testing Laboratory Lakhanpur and strengthening of drug-testing laboratories, but money-related issues are said to be impediments.

With allegation of pharma companies dumping low-cost and spurious medicines in Jammu and Kashmir, the health department is mulling setting up of an Intelligence-cum-Legal Cell in the office of the Drug and Food Control Organisation, J&K, to facilitate busting of spurious drug rackets and prompt prosecution.

Sources said a proposal was being discussed to provide incentives to informers who give the agencies timely information for monitoring the drug import into the state. 

Spurious drugs are being dumped into rural markets where the checking mechanism is not that strong and only the local people can be depended upon for information. Setting up modern labs will help in some way to deal with the menace.
— an official.

Jammu, June 29
A 22-year-old girl attempted suicide by jumping into river Tawi from main Tawi bridge on Saturday afternoon.

She was rescued by police and was taken to Government Medical College Jammu for treatment, where she was declared out of danger.

According to police, the girl jumped into the river Tawi from main Tawi bridge, but was saved from drowning.

“The girl said she is a depression patient and doesn’t know why she jumped from the bridge. We have tried hard to record her statement,” said a police officer.

Till evening, police hadn’t registered a case and was waiting for her family members to reach Jammu from Samba. It was also waiting for the doctor’s report before registering the case.

Jammu, June 29
Displaced Hindus at Jagti allege the administration is using criminal elements to harass them and sow seeds of discord with local people. They alleged that after denying them electricity and drinking water, the administration is now trying to suppress their voice.

A few days back, after a protest was organised by members of the community living in Jagti township, demanding regular electricity supply, some people had thrashed a few youth of the community.

While the Power Development Department (PDD) staff at the local power station has alleged that people from the township had ransacked equipment, the people allege that some unidentified people had attacked them.

“It seems the government wants to suppress our voice as they don’t want to provide us electricity. We are fighting for our rights,” said Shadi Lal Pandita, president of Jagti Tenement Committee (JTC).

The committee has warned that an agitation would be started against the attitude of the government.

Meanwhile, Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Vijay Bakaya has urged the government to take a compassionate view of the demands of Jagti residents by resolving problems with regard to supply of power amicably and earnestly.

In a statement, Bakaya said, “A humanitarian approach should be adopted and sagacity lies in averting a situation wherein the inhabitants of Jagti township are forced to come out on the roads.”

The township is receiving electricity supply for just six hours, which has made lives miserable in the sweltering summer heat. 

Jammu, June 29
Taking a tough stance against the state basketball team, the Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) has decided not to send the team in the 59th edition of National School Games.

Last year, the DYSS had not allowed the team to participate in the 58th edition owing to its poor track record.

Sources said after the reports poured in about the dismal performance of the state contingent in major disciplines last year, the Sports Department convened a crucial meeting and then decided not to send weak teams to avoid further humiliation.

It may be mentioned here that DYSS former Director Jai Pal Singh during a valedictory function at MA Stadium had expressed concern over the pathetic performance of state teams in medal-winning disciplines and also gave indications of taking strict action, besides selection of teams on merit basis for national-level competitions.

“The present Director General, Youth Services and Sports, has emphasised upon the department not only to conduct events at regular intervals, but to make it sure that only meritorious players will be consider for selection in the national-level competitions in various disciplines,” sources in DYSS said.

“So many new disciplines have been added in the activity list and it is difficult for the department to conduct them due to paucity of funds. No additional funds have been released by the authorities to conduct the activities and it is almost impossible to organise tournaments in multi-disciplines with a limited budget,” one of the officials said, wishing anonymity.

Meanwhile, Ashok Kumar, vice-president, School Games Federation of India (SGFI), while confirming the development told The Tribune, “Yes, the basketball team was not sent for participation in the championship. The time has come to take some concrete steps in a bid to formulate a decisive strategy to find out the shortcomings that have been responsible for the poor performance of state contingent in important disciplines.” “Cancellation of contingents for the games was a part of that strategy. However, efforts are on to bring necessary improvement in the performance of state contingent,” he claimed.

The basketball team will not be sent for participation in the championship. The time has come to take some concrete steps in a bid to formulate a decisive strategy to find out the shortcomings that have been responsible for the poor performance of state contingent in important disciplines
— Ashok kUmar, Vice-president, School games federation of india

Akhnoor, June 29
After having faced a frightening experience in Uttarakhand, many people have decided not to visit the place again. There are a few who say they would visit Uttarakhand again.

Shama Devi, 72, was among a group of 40 pilgrims who came back safely to Akhnoor, 30 km from Jammu.

“She was the only one who gave us the courage to move on foot throughout the tough terrain, without food and water,” said Ganesh Dutt, a pilgrim among the group, who returned from Uttarakhand.

The pilgrims said Shama Devi had motivated them from time to time and had given them the idea to use ‘Ganga Jal’ (which they were carrying with them from Gangotri) to wet their throats.

“We didn’t have anything to eat or drink, our throats were getting dry. She then said we have Ganga Jal with us, but don’t drink it at once, just take two-three drops, because we have a long way to go,” said Ganesh Dutt.

Dr H Bawa, another pilgrim in the group, said, “She was the motivating force behind us. She used to say, ‘If I can move at this age, why don’t you?’ When my wife had lost confidence, Shama Devi encouraged her to move. She was like a goddess with us.”

After reaching the hometown, many in the group have decided not to go there again. Shama Devi said, “These disasters cannot keep us away from our religious places.”

“Floods cannot affect our undaunted faith. I have planned my trip to Haridwar for the next ‘Monday Amavasya’ and will go to Kedarnath and Badrinath next year as well,” she added.

Radhey Sham Sharma, son of Shama Devi, a banker, is happy to reunite with his mother. On the issue of going there again, he said, “If she wants to go again, I will never stop her and the yatra must go on. God has saved her from the disaster, and God will protect her again.”

Many in the group have decided they will never go to Kedarnath and Badrinath again.

Mandir to organise havan on July 10 Gulchain Singh Charak, president, Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, Management Trust, Gandhi Nagar, will organise a ‘havan’ on July 10 at 9am.

It will be organised for the devotees who lost their lives during the pilgrimage of revered and famous shrines of Uttarakhand due to devastating floods and for 20 brave soldiers who laid down their lives while saving thousands of people stranded in those flood-struck areas.

‘Puran Ahuti’ will be offered at 12 noon. The trust appeals to the public to join them in on this pious cause. It has also decided to take all necessary measures to send cash relief to the affected people through the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund on the occasion. 

Jammu, June 29
To promote everlasting peace and prosperity in the region, the Rashtriya Rifles located at Bhadarwah under the aegis of the Counter Insurgency Force (Delta) organised a seminar on communal harmony and national integration at Bhadarwah in Doda district.

The scope of the seminar included analysis of the communal and ethnic milieu existing in the state and the role of various pillars of society in promoting national integration and communal harmony.

As a prelude to seminar, the Army organised a slogan-writing competition, collage-making competition and a peace run in Doda district.

The youth of the area actively participated in the events and spread the message of peace, properity and brotherhood.

On the day of the seminar at TRC, Dandi Bhadarwah, the event was graced by presence of Maj Gen AK Singh, Sena Medal, General Officer Commanding, Delta Force, Naresh Kumar Gupta, MLC Bhadarwah, DIG Ashakoor Wani, Brig AN Jha, Commander 4 Sector Rashtriya Rifles and renowned intellectuals from the state.

A total of 700 persons from Armed Forces, civil administration, police, CRPF, schools, colleges, university and other prominent citizens of Bhadarwah attended the seminar. Cultural programme on the theme was organised during the seminar by theatre group consisting of young and vibrant youths of “Sangam Theatre Group”.

Speaking on the occasion, Major General AK Singh, Sena Medal thanked all leaders and public of Bhaderwah, who actively participated and displayed their resolve to spread the message of peace, harmony and brotherhood. 

A total of 700 persons from Armed Forces, civil administration, police, CRPF, schools, colleges, university and other prominent citizens of Bhadarwah attended the seminar on communal harmony and national integration.

Rajouri, June 29
A 16-member team of young Rajouri trekkers today left for a five-day mountainous tour in twin hilly regions of Rajouri and Poonch to explore the scenic beauty.

Sahil Mahajan, a local trekker, said the Pir Panjal falling under the jurisdiction of Rajouri and Poonch districts was a repository of beautiful lakes situated at an altitude between 13,000 feet and 14,500 feet. The stretch of Pir Panjal is full of lakes and meadows.

He said, “We have a previous experience of such tours, but have taken all safety measures for trekking.”

Other trekkers said, “We are carrying all important equipments, necessary materials and food items. We are taking help from the local Army in the trekking.”

Our main target was to reach the unexplored lakes like Sukh Sar, Akal Dakshni, Nandan Sar, Chandan Sar, Katori Sar and Raviwalli Marg, they said.

All above lakes are situated in the highlands of the Pir Panjal Range which freeze during the winters and become available for rafting or boating only in the summers. 

Rajouri, June 29
In a major step to provide blood, the Rashtriya Rifles Battalion, Kalakote, organised a mega blood donation camp wherein 188 units of blood were donated in a single day.

The blood donation camp was inaugurated by Thakur Rachpal Singh, a local MLA, Kalakote, in the presence of Dr Suresh Gupta, Block Medical Officer, Kalakote, Block Development Officer, Army officers and other prominent dignitaries.

The camp, held as a part of the Raising Day celebrations, underscores the commitment of the Army for the social uplift and betterment of the population of the state. Last year, the same unit donated 228 units of blood in one day, which was the largest ever blood donation camp in the Jammu region.

The blood was collected by the teams from the District Hospital, Rajouri, as well as Government Medical College, Jammu, headed by Dr Varinder Rana and Dr Ashu Dogra, respectively. Dr Suresh Gupta, Block Medical Officer, Kalakote, had made elaborate arrangements for smooth conduct of the camp.

Thakur Rachpal Singh, MLA, Kalakote, said the Army was doing a great work across the country, besides protection of the borders. 

Jammu, June 29
The duo of Vipen/Joginder Singh Langeh of Katra sector got the better of Sunit Kumar/Ved Parakash of Banganga sector by 2-1 in the summit clash to clinch the men’s doubles title in badminton in the inter-sector staff sports meet which concluded at Katra (Nomain) today.

In the singles final, Vipen Sharma of Katra sector had the last laugh against Jagdish Kumar of Adhkwari Sector by 2-0. The set score read 21-12, 21-13. Similarly, in table tennis (singles), Aseem Chadha of Katra sector lost to Dinesh Nanda of Bhawan sector by 2-0 (9-11 and 5-11).

Earlier, in the semifinals played, Dinesh Nanda of Bhawan sector toppled Rahul Khajuria of Katra sector by 2-0. The set scores were 11-9, 11-7. In the second semifinal, Aseem Chadha eased past Dr Amit by 2-0. The set scores were 11-6, 11-8.

In the doubles final event, the pair of Sanjeev Kaushal/Vimal Sharma of Bhawan sector beat Vivek Dubey/Aseem Chadha of Katra sector by 2-1 to bag the top honours. Earlier in the semifinals played, Vivek Dubey/Aseem Chadha defeated Dinesh Nanda/Rajesh by 2-0 and Sanjeev Kaushal/Vimal Sharma edged out Sanjeev Thappa/Ashwani Kohli by 2-0. The matches were officiated by Vikrant Singh, Vikram Jamwal, Dhanraj Slathia and Amit Sharma. 

Jammu, June 29
The Catholic Social Service Society (CSSS) organised a four-day residential summer camp for children, under the banner of ‘Aman Jyothi’, a peace-building initiative.

The camp started on June 26 and was inaugurated by Justin Thiraviam, director, CSSS. The main purpose of the summer camp was to build the capacities of the children and to sensitise them regarding the importance of peace building with a purpose to sow the seeds of peace, unity and harmony.

The four-day camp was rich with meaningful sessions, group activities, games, video shows and various talent shows.

The sessions were felicitated by Niamat Ali, Jobin Joseph, Suman, Vikrant Dogra. During the concluding session, Celia distributed prizes to the winners of various group activities and games.

Rishi from Deode, Akalpur, and Taniya from Sujalpur, Akalpur, were selected as best male and female campers, respectively.