Jammu, July 7
Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) is faced with the daunting task to stop influx of chemically-treated vegetables and fruits from outside the state in local markets.

Officials claimed constant checking was being conducted to ensure that vegetables and fruits imported from different parts of the country have not been ripened by using chemicals. They said it was difficult to segregate such toxic products because of tonnes of produce brought to the state for consumption everyday.

The Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, prohibit the sale of fruits which have been artificially ripened using acetylene gas commonly known as carbide gas. The gas is produced from calcium carbide. There is no provision for the use of ripening hormones under the act but use of ethylene gas in low concentration is allowed to ripen fruits.

"So far the state has been shielded from a large- scale use of chemicals through regular checks, but we have been monitoring the import of mangoes. There are apprehensions that some people from outside the state may be using banned chemicals," Health officer, JMC, Dr Vinod Sharma, said.

“People should be alert and inform us if they find any information about the use of banned substance to ripen fruits. We will immediately book the accused under the Municipal Act after receiving a complaint,” said Dr Sharma.

Surjeet, a vegetable seller, said, “Rumours have led to people asking us if our stock has been chemically-treated. Mostly they are worried about pumpkin and cucumber.”

The Centre and the state governments have also been advised to educate the public through the print and electronic media against the consumption of such artificially ripened fruits and vegetables.

State governments have taken measures such as ordering the Food Safety Officer (FSOs), designated officers to keep a watch on fruit markets, inspect fruit markets, fruit stalls, godowns, take samples of fruits, vegetables and milk, educating fruit vendors not to use harmful chemicals.

While the use of banned chemicals for ripening of fruits is a major concern for the municipal corporation, but it is becoming difficult for officials to detect them.

“Most of the fruits take few days to reach Jammu markets. It becomes difficult to detect the traces of chemicals. As far as their use in vegetables is concerned, in a city like Jammu, were hundreds of vendors are selling farm produce to people, their detection is a herculean task,” Dr Vinod Sharma, said.

Batote, July 7
One person was killed while another was injured when a coal-laden trolley rammed into two shops here today. An eyewitness, Subhash Sharmam, died of a stroke at the SKMEAH.

The kin of the injured allegedly misbehaved with the surgeon, attacked three employees besides misbehaving with the women staff at the Sher-e-Kashmir Emergency Accident Hospital (SKMEAH). The hospital staff went on an indefinite strike from today after a meeting with the CMO, Ramban, Dr Mohammed Anwar Bhat. A case has been registered against the accused, five of whom have been identified, for attacking hospital staff.

Mohd Hussain, 40, of Chamal Bengara, Pogal in Banihal, a labourer, died on the spot after he was crushed under the truck.

His employer Mohammed Sidiq Malik was injured seriously when the debris of the two shops damaged in the accident fell on him. The Srinagar-bound truck rammed into two shops beside the NH-44 at Batote by-pass road last night. The driver of the trolley lost control as its brakes developed a snag leading to the accident.

President, Beopar Mandal, Batote, Sanjay Gupta and residents have condemned the assault and misbehaviour with the hospital employees by the accused.

Rajouri, July 7
A plan outlay of Rs 116.54 crore has been approved for the district for the current financial year. Out of this, Rs 49.92 crore is the revenue component while Rs 66.62 crore as the capital component.

The capital component includes the state share of Rs 25.73 crore and projected amount of Rs 10.79 crore, besides institutional loans from NABARD and LIC of Rs 17.08 crore and Additional Central Assistance (AIBP) of Rs 13 crore.

The annual plan was approved by the chairman District Development Board (DDB), Rajouri, and Minister for Planning, Development, Labour and Employment, Ajay Sadhotra, while chairing the DDB meeting here yesterday.

Stressing on close monitoring of the development projects, he asked the district administration to ensure timely completion of PMGSY road projects, Water Supply Schemes, Projects to strengthen the power infrastructure and other projects aimed to improve the social infrastructure. He said the government was keen to develop rural districts at par with the urban centres by providing basic amenities to the people.

Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Pahari Advisory Board, Kafil-Ur-Rehman, was absent from the meeting. His presence was important as the district has a large number of members of the Pahari community.

Jammu, July 7
Hospitals in the winter capital city have registered significant increase in number of patients, especially children and women suffering from water-borne diseases after the onset of monsoon season in the region.

According to the pediatricians and the physicians in these hospitals, the cases of dysentery, gastroenteritis, diarrhea, hepatitis, diseases, besides viral and bacterial infections were on the rise and cautioned the residents to take all suitable measures at their own level to keep the city clean and control the outbreak of monsoon-related ailments.

“The high level of humidity during monsoon is conducive for growth of bacteria and related infections. There is a rise in the number of people suffering from various viral infections and prolonged fever in the hospital. Common problems among children, include diarrhoea, hepatitis and gastroenteritis," Dr Rekha Harish, head, Department of Paediatrics, Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital, said.

The senior paediatrician said the people should take measures during the monsoon. “People should not allow drinking water get contaminated and wash hand properly before taking food. They should ensure proper hygiene in their surroundings and stagnant water be removed immediately as it may lead to growth of mosquitoes," Dr Harish said.

Dr Mohammad Yunus, Medical Superintendent, Government Hospital, Sarwal, said they had recorded greater number of children getting infected with water-borne diseases than women. “So far, we have recorded eight cases of gastroenteritis and prolonged fever among children and the rate of number of children getting infected from water borne diseases more or less similar as compared to last year," Dr Younis said.

“Lack of hygiene and stagnant water causes viral and bacterial infections. People must ensure that there are no stagnant pools of water where mosquitoes can breed. The civic authorities as well as people must keep their surroundings clean and avoid eating out, drink boiled water, and going to waterlogged areas," he said.

Youths swim in the Ranbir Canal in Jammu on Sunday. Tribune photo: Inderjeet Singh

Residents’ favourite

The Ranbir canal gets water from Chenab at Akhnoor and provides water for irrigation to farmers till the international border in RS Pura, Suchetgarh and Bishnah areas of Jammu. It has become a lifeline for farmers of Jammu districts and the paddy cultivation in the agriculture rich area of Jammu plains. During summers people enjoy cool breeze at its banks. The 110-year-old canal was built during the regime of Maharaja Partap Singh.

Jammu, July 7
Minister for Horticulture, Housing and Culture, Raman Bhalla, today chaired a meeting of the officials of the Department of Horticulture and Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology, Jammu, here today. He reviewed the horticulture production and potential for different fruit crops in the Jammu division.

The minister directed the setting up of a team of the Horticulture Department and SKUAST officers to formulate prospective plans and detailed project reports for introduction of high- yielding fruit crops in various zones of the Jammu division. He emphasised to work out an action plan as per the agro-climatic conditions of different districts of the division.

Bhalla called upon the Director Research, SKUAST, Jammu, to prepare a detailed plan for the Pecan nut Mission and Olive Production because of its unique and regional identity at the national level and as it is highly remunerative.

Director Horticulture, Anil Kumar Sharma, Director Research, SKUAST, Ajay Koul, Professor and head of the Division of Fruit Sciences, SKUAST-J, VK Wali, Professor of SKUAST-K, Fayaz Ahmed, besides Chief Horticulture Officers, senior officers, progressive orchardists and nursery growers took part in the meeting.

The Director Horticulture said eight departmental nurseries had been inspected by a team of the National Horticulture Board of the Centre for the accreditation in the first phase and in the second phase the departmental and private nurseries would be taken up for accreditation process by NHB.

A deputation of private nursery growers also met the Minister and apprised him about the issues regarding revision in sale rate of fruit plants in the state and other related issues.

Jammu, July 7
Authorities in New Delhi have asked the state governments and union territories to consolidate the existing as well as under construction youth hostels and not to undertake any new proposal. The directions were passed in the recently held conference of ministers of state/union territories, in charge of sports and youth affairs held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

Sources said during the last decade, it has been observed that some of the youth hostels were fully or partly occupied or has been rented out by the state governments and as such, the purpose of creation of such infrastructure meant for the youth gets defeated. Sources said some of these youth hostels were under unauthorised occupation.

Gross budgetary support was allocated to the Department of Youth Affairs during a crucial meeting and Rs 1,364 crore and Rs 2,048 crore were fixed for the XI and XII plan, respectively.

It was also informed in the meeting that 68 youth hostels were with the department and located in various places of the country in areas of historical and cultural value, education centre, tourist places etc where facilities for youth activities were available.

Expressing concern over the alleged non-formation and non-functioning of the hostel management committee (HMC), the authorities claimed that HMC has not been formed in many cases and in some cases, it has been set-up without involving the district authorities. Further, in some cases, though it has been formed, the same is not functional at all. The ministers insisted upon for formation of the HMC and make it functional for the better implementation of the scheme by actively involving the district authorities.

It may be mentioned here that the HMC was intended to oversee the management related issues for an efficient functioning of the hostel. The HMC is headed by a state government functionary (collector/DC at the district or secretary, Youth Affairs/ Sports at the capital). They have also been now delegated powers for tariff fixation. The Central Government has only conveyed some bench mark rates based on local conditions.

It was also observed in the meeting that the annual upkeep, maintenance and repairs of the youth hostel building were the responsibility of the state governments, but they are not releasing regular grants for its maintenance.

Pertinently, youth hostels are constructed on the land given by the state governments. The state governments gives the land on lease to the Central government for a period of 99 years on a nominal rent of Re 1 per month, but in most of the cases, lease deeds have not been executed so far.

Fact file

n About 68 youth hostels are with the Department of Youth Affairs and located in various places of the country in the areas of historical and cultural value, education centre, tourist places etc where facilities for youth activities are available.

n Authorities claim that the Hotel Management Committee has not been formed in many cases and in some cases, it has been set up without involving the district authorities.

n While in some cases, though the committee has been formed, they are not functional at all

Jammu, July 7
The J&K Rehbar-e-Taleem (RET) Teachers Forum staged a protest at its district headquarters in support of their long-pending demands. The main protest was held in front of the Divisional Commissioner office wherein RET teachers, under the chairmanship of its provincial president Rajesh Singh Jamwal and state vice-president Younis Rahi Teli, submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the Divisional Commissioner.

The demands of RET teachers included release of pending salaries of regularised RET teachers under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), seniority benefits, transfer policy for regularising RET teachers, SRO-43 benefits to RETs and absorption of SSA posts under the state plan for a smooth release of salary in the future.

At Udhampur, the protest was organised at the mini stadium and after passing through different markets, the protesters submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the DC, Udhampur.

A large number of RET teachers participated and submitted a memorandum of demands to the state government in Poonch. Similar protests were also held at Doda, Ramban, Rajouri, Kathua and Kishtwar.

The agitating RETs have warned that if their demands were not addressed within 15 days, they would launch a statewide protest and sit on a dharna for which the government would be responsible.

Jammu, July 7
Minister for Housing and Horticulture Raman Bhalla today inaugurated the two-month-long bhandara for Amarnath pilgrims, organised by Sant Sewa Ashram, Pirkho Mandir.

The bhandara is being held at the Jammu railway station. Sarvanad Saraswati, the chief trustee of the ashram, presided over the inaugural function, while adviser of the trust, Baldev Khullar, general secretary RR Handoo and vice-president Bhubneshwar Gandotra were also present on the occasion.

Besides serving free meals, medical aid is also being provided to the needy at the venue, where two doctors give free check up and medical advice to the patients. Also free medicines are given to the needy.

Trust members thanked the Municipal Corporation for pressing in service a water tank at the bhandara site. He also thanked the PHE Department for providing free water supply through out the bhandara period and also the PDD for un-interrupted free power supply.

Jammu, July 7
A joint delegation of the J&K College Teachers Association (JKCTA) led by Dr Avinash Kumar Gupta and Prof Tariq A Ashai, presidents of the Jammu and Kashmir wings of the association, called on Minister for Higher Education Mohammad Akbar Lone and Higher Education Principal Secretary KB Aggarwal.

The delegation discussed burning issues of college teaching fraternity and submitted a detailed representation to the Higher Education Department, besides stressing for early clearing of pending placement and probation cases.

It also demanded placement of teachers in senior/selection scales from their actual due date, taking into consideration the UGC notification and its further clarification by the department for attending orientation/refresher courses up to December 2013, enhancement of superannuation age of college teachers, at par with the state university teachers and as per the UGC guidelines.

The CTA also demanded to get the clearance from the Finance Department for the incorporation of provisions of SRO-222 dated 10/07/2012 in SRO-284 dated 03/09/2009, so that college teachers could also get the benefit of one increment as has been given to all state and Central government employees.

The other issues which were discussed and deliberated upon included early framing of the UGC Career Advancement Scheme rules, creation of professors posts in colleges as per the UGC guidelines, rationalisation of direct teaching workload of college teachers as per the UGC guidelines, confirmation of in charge principals, filling up of vacant teaching posts and creation of additional posts for PG colleges.

Players of the Army team with the winning trophy in Batote on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

The match was officiated by Sanjay Bhatti and Sandeep as umpires while Rakul maintained the scorebook.

Ghori club win in cricket tournament

An all-round performance by Anku helped Ghori Cricket Club (GCC) to register a four-wicket win over Chowk Chabutra XI in the ongoing Friendship Cup Night Cricket Tournament being organised by Swabhiman (NGO) at DBN Ground, Mubarak Mandi. Batting first, Chowk Chabutra XI garnered 42 runs in the allotted quota of 12 overs. Nitin was the top scorer with 21 runs.

In reply, GCC overhauled the target for the loss of six wickets in nine overs. Anku was declared the man of the match.

Army team wins football tourney

Batote: A ten-day football tournament being organised by the Rashtriya Rifles (RR)under the aegis of Counter Insurgency Force (Delta) in collaboration with the Ghulam Rasool Azad Sports Club, concluded at Degree College play ground in Bhaderwah today. The Army team emerged winner after trouncing the Javid Azad Football Club, Bhadarwah by 4-0.

In all 12 teams from local sports clubs and colleges, besides an Army team participated in the knock-out tournament.

Udhampur, July 7
The District Social Welfare Department, Udhampur, organised a free distribution camp for the persons with disabilities in collaboration with the Rehabilitation Council of Jammu and Kashmir, Ministry of Social Justice and Women Empowerment, Government of India at Udhampur.

District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, Yasha Mudgal was the chief guest on the occasion while State Rehabilitation Council executive director Hafiza Muzaffar presided over the programme.

As many as 150 specially-abled persons participated in the camp and availed the benefit of the camp. The Social Welfare Department distributed about seven wheelchairs, 20 crutches, 90 hearing aid, nine tricycles and 10 sticks to the disabled beneficiaries of district. The DDC highlighted the role of the Social Welfare Department and Rehabilitation Council and urged that needy beneficiaries should avail benefits of these schemes, so that they live with dignity and honour. — TNS