Jammu, September 2
Expressing their anger at the rising prices of vegetables, residents of several colonies at Janipur today organised a protest against the government for its failure to curb the price rise.

They alleged that administration was totally apathetic towards the common man and was not taking any action against artificial scarcity created by traders. They urged the state government to address the issue of rising prices of vegetables, which had gone out of the reach of the common man.

Instead of talking about Kashmir and Pakistan, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah should talk about the need to curtail the price rise of essential commodities, particularly vegetables, said J&K Mehnatkash Morcha led by Rakesh Gupta.

The protesters said the government seemed to be apathetic towards basic issues facing the people. They alleged that vegetable vendors and supplies had created a monopoly in the vegetable market and people were being forced to buy green vegetables at high rates.

They maintained that there was no check on the market and essential commodities were being sold at higher rates with quality being the least concern. They said the masses were being taken for a ride by traders. They added thar middle class families had been forced to curb several items in their daily menu as they were unable to afford those.

Several women who took part in the demonstration said vegetables used to get costly earlier due to climatic factors, but now pulses, cooking oil and other items were slowly going out of bounds of the people.

"The UPA government has failed to check price rise due to its faulty economic policy. The common man is unable to bear the burden of inflation and the economy seems to have stagnated," said Anuradha Bandral, a housewife.

Jammu, September 2
Jammu DIG Shakeel Ahmed Beig has been awarded the Police Medal for displaying gallantry, courage and devotion to duty.

The officer is the recipient of the DGP's Commendation Medal, Police Medal for meritorious service and Sher-e-Kashmir Medal for meritorious service. As DIG, he played a pivotal role in peaceful culmination of the 54-day Amarnath yatra.

Beig joined the police in 1984 as DSP. After of training, he was given the responsibility of heading a sensitive subdivision of South City in Srinagar district.

His contribution in unearthing the smuggling and distribution of brown sugar in Srinagar was appreciated by the administration in general and the public in particular.

In October 1989, he was selected to take charge of traffic in Jammu city and was associated with the construction of the flyover. In 1992, he was chosen to work with Vigilance, where he carried out investigations of many corruption cases.

Unearthing of the well-known CST scandal involving misappropriation of a substantial amount went to his credit. Beig caught red-handed a very senior officer of all-India services while accepting bribe.

The officer served in various capacities, including CID SP, New Delhi, where he worked for the expansion of the organisation and for the welfare of officers and jawans under him.

Jammu, September 2
With the exploitation of the Tawi river reaching its peak to meet the drinking water requirements of Jammu, the government's plan to exploit groundwater resources by constructing 19 new heavy lift tube wells has drawn flak from environmentalists.

They fear that it will led to overexploitation and steep fall in the water table which will cast a shadow on water security in the future.

Minister for Housing and Culture Raman Bhalla yesterday announced that the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) would construct 12 lifting stations in Jammu East and seven in Jammu West with the help of the Asian Development Bank.

Sources said the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, under pressure from the people and facing public ire for its failure to ensure regular supply of water in different localities during summer, has chalked out a massive project to exploit groundwater in Jammu district.

"There is reckless planning to exploit groundwater, which is not a good option in the long term as it will deplete the resource and affect every sector. The Chenab diversion should be implemented on a fast track. It is the only option," said Madan Lal Dogra, environmentalist and retired PHE Engineer.

In the last over a decade, more than 200 tube wells had been constructed by the PHE Department with the help of the ERA, but there were fears of the overexploitation of groundwater resources.

"The government is not thinking of the future impact of tube wells. Punjab is a example what unlimited exploitation of water will lead to. There is a need for alternatives and limited use of heavy lift pumps," said Bushan Parimoo, who runs the Environmental Awareness Forum, a non-government organisation.

The Tawi river and groundwater are the only avenues available for the government to meet drinking water requirements of the city, which has become a magnet for thousands of people from every district of the state.

The department is providing nearly 42 million gallon litre (MGL) of water per day at present to the population of over 15 lakhs in the city. The net requirement of potable water against this population is 45 MGL of water per day and so, three MGL water shortage is there.

Jammu, September 2
Farmers living close to the international border continued their protest for the second consecutive day today at Chachwal village in Hiranagar and accused both the Centre and the state government of adopting discriminatory policies towards the residents.

Supported by the BJP activists from Kathua and Samba districts, farmers raised slogans against the Centre and the state government and demanded adequate compensation for the agricultural land which had been occupied by security forces for constructing structures like roads, digging ditches and canals, erecting barbed wire and setting up concrete pill boxes and bunkers.

Senior BJP leader and state working committee member Thakur Ranjit Singh, who led the dharna, alleged that residents of Kandi and border areas were worst suffers of the discriminatory policies of successive governments.

"The state government has declared areas near the Line of Control as RBA in a bid to ameliorate the hardship of the people of these areas. This has been done on account of the extreme hardship faced by the people on account of aggressive conduct of the Pakistani army and response of Indian security forces," he said.

The BJP leader said though the areas near the international border also suffered on account of the aggressive conduct of the Pakistani army, these areas had not been declared RBA, thereby no measures were being taken to lessen the misery of border residents.

"This stepmotherly treatment to the people of border areas violates the principles of equality enshrined in the Constitution. The same benefits need to be extended to the people living on the international border from Paharpur to Akhnoor," he said.

Other demands raised by the protesters included issuance of Dogra certificates to enable them to seek recruitment in the Army on preferential basis, removal of discriminative policy for recruitment of youth hailing from Kathua, Samba and Jammu in the armed forces, provision of drinking water supply to people of Kandi area on the pattern of urban areas, implementation of Roshni Act scheme by attesting mutation of ownership right and solving problems of 1947, 1965 and 1971 refugees. 

Batote, September 2
The Government Higher Secondary School here has been headless since March following the punitive attachment of its Principal to the District Institute of Education and Training at Banihal.

Discipline and management have gone for a toss. Scores of late-coming students can be seen standing outside the school gates at the time of the morning prayer.

Boys ignore uniform norms and sport rings and lockets. Nobody dares to stop them from bringing mobile phones to school. The school wears a deserted look after recess.

"It appears that there is no authority. I wonder how a student can afford hundreds on getting photocopied the pages of their guidebooks for copying in exams. Those are used without restriction," says the father of a student on the condition of anonymity.

The action was taken against Principal Vimal Rai, two lecturers, a laboratory assistant and a physical education teacher after a couple of students who failed in the class XI in-house exam had alleged that they failed as they did not grease the palms of the aforesaid persons.

The lecturers and the laboratory assistant were deputed back and a junior local lecturer with hardly three years of service was made the officiating Principal.

The employees deputed back are reluctant as there has been no final decision on the inquiry report which has been gathering dust for the last many months at the office of the Director, Education, Jammu. No lecturer or teacher agrees to taking an extra class.

"I spoke to the Deputy Chief Minister, who heads the Education Department. He has assured me of early action," said Ramban legislator Ashok Kumar. 

Jammu, September 2
To augment and upgrade the development of playgrounds and sports facilities in village and block panchayats, the recently concluded conference of ministers of states and union territories suggested the construction of sport complexes in village and block panchayats of the state which have not been covered under the Centrally sponsored Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA).

Representatives from other states and union territories who had attended the meeting were directed to follow suit. Sources said sports infrastructure facilities at each sports complex would vary from village to village, block to block, state to state and region to region and would be subject to factors like availability of land from half acre to two acres with village panchayat and from four acres to five acres with block panchayat.

It was informed at the conference that the National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) had prepared cost estimates for the construction of block-level sports complex measuring around five acres for six sports disciplines, athletics, football, kabaddi, kho-kho, volleyball and handball. In addition to this, the NBCC had provided estimates for fencing, toilet, change room and office at the sports complex.

For funding of sports complexes, the existing pattern of grants-in-aid may be followed. The additional funds might be dovetailed from flagship schemes which were being run by the Ministries of Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Home Affairs, Statistics and Programme Implementation and the Planning Commission.

It was stated that 'kridashree' at the block and village level would provide basic training to the students. In addition, at least two coaches, preferably one male and one female, should be engaged for each sports complex.

The increase in financial assistance for various types of competitions, namely rural, women's and North-Eastern Games, was stressed at the conference after state representatives complained that the grants given for the competitions were awfully inadequate.

It was stated that the corporate sector should be encouraged to sponsor an entire competition from the block or district level to the national or any particular level and in exchange, those might be given limited advertisements or naming rights.

Jammu, September 2
The holy mace that left Vasuki Naag Mandir, Upper Barnai, for the Kailash Kund yatra on Sunday morning reached Bhaderwah yoday. It will be taken to the ancient Kailash Kund shrine on foot.

The holy mace will proceed for Kailash Kund tomorrow morning from Haayan, about halfway to the Kailash Kund hilltop at around 14,000 feet height.

The Trishul Chhari Mubarak from Vasuki Naag Mandir was carried by the chief disciple of the mandir, accompanied by about a hundred devotees. It was flagged off jointly by BB Kotwal and Davinder Kotwal, members of organisations that were managing the yatra. 

Batote, September 2
One person was killed and 11 others injured when a Tata Sumo (JK14A-8757) rolled down about 70 feet into a gorge off the Thathri-Gandoh link road near the office of the sheep husbandry office this afternoon.

The police said the deceased, who was was identified as Shehzad Hussain, succumbed to his injuries at the Subdivisional Hospital in Gandoh.

The driver of the vehicle, Ravi Kumar, who was injured, was arrested when he tried to flee the spot. Four of the injured were admitted to the District Hospital in Doda and seven in Gandoh.

Ramban, September 2
Lack of knowledge about the implementation of the education flagship programmes among officials is hampering the progress of the government schemes in the state.

The fact came to the fore during a high-level meeting yesterday to review the progress of the education flagship programmes made in Ramban district. The Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Education, J&K, Hridesh Kumar Singh, bemoaned this in his inaugural address to the Director, School Education, Jammu, Director, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Abhiyan (SSA), Director, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, MH Malik, Chief Education Officer, VK Soni, Chief Planning Officer, Zonal Education Officers and the district officers of the Health, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department (CAPD), Revenue and PWD (R&B).

“Ever since the implementation of the Saakshar Bharat Mission (SSB) three years ago in the state, there has been zero progress because of teachers’ ignorance regarding its implementation. The construction of thousands of new schools under the SSA has been inordinately delayed for no plausible reason. The construction of the upgraded school buildings under the RMSA has also been delayed unnecessarily by the agency concerned,” rued Hridesh Kumar Singh.

To accelerate and effectively implement the biannual health checkup scheme (HCU) of the school students under the SSA, he ordered the Directors of the departments concerned to grant funds from the management fund to the ZEOs through the CEOs to get the HCU cards printed.

He resented the delay in the construction of new school buildings under the SSA and RMSA.

The result of the exams conducted under the SBM in Ramban district in March this year is yet to be declared. 

Jammu, September 2
Nagbani School today organised a solo dance competition for students of class I and II. The event was organised by Pardeep Kour and the judges were Jasdeep and Ravi Sharma, the dance teachers of the school.

In the class I category, Divyansh of 1-B was adjudged best dancer while the second prize was bagged by Abhirath of 1-A. The third prize was shared by Nandika of 1-A and Kritika of 1-C. The consolation prize was given to Sabhya 1-B, Peehu 1-C, Viduth 1-E and Nandini of 1-E.

In the class II group, Aanya of II-A got the first prize and the second prize was shared by Navya of II-A and Gunjan of II-B. The third prize went to Aakriti of II-B and the consolation prize holders were Daksh of II-A, Yashika II-B and Urvashi of II-B. Principal Alok Betab felicitated the participants.

Jammu, September 2
The National Secular Forum (NSF) yesterday announced to launch a month-long state-wide membership campaign under Yuva Sadasya-Abhiyan from September 9.

Talking to mediapersons here, president of the NSF Sukhdev Singh said the drive would be conducted at the tehsil level to register more and more youths.

“The leaders of the forum will reach out to youths in every corner of the state and make them aware of the policies of the Centre and state government that are against the youth,” he said. He said the youth membership drive would be conducted to enrol the youth in the age group of 18 to 35 years.

He alleged the Congress-led UPA had lost its credibility and was the most corrupt government in the history of the country. —TNS

Rajouri, September 2
Minister for Health, Shabir Ahmed Khan today flagged off Mobile Medical Unit in the district hospital, Rajouri with the motive to cater primary preventive, curative and referral health needs of the people in the remote border areas of Rajouri at their doorsteps.

The Minister said a liberal funding from the Central Government and able guidance of Union Health Minister Gulam Nabi Azad had helped to revamp the health services in the state adding that these mobile units were a step ahead towards strengthening the primary health care services.

Rupees 25 lakh mobile unit also called "Moving Hospital" is fully equipped with latest life saving gadgets like ventilators, the ECG, the X-ray, including a small lab system, and fully equipped operation theatre inside.

This ambitious health care initiative envisaged under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) will provide medicare and other diagnostic facilities to the people of the remote areas at their doorsteps.

The Minister further said patients' trust and belief in the profession should be maintained and strengthened by the doctors with their dedicated efforts.

He asked for ensuring punctuality of staff in the offices and health centres. 

Rajouri, September 2
Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) today held a loan fair and entrepreneurship awareness programme to attract youths towards self-employment in the agricultural-rich district of the state.

The programme is part of the JKEDI’s state-wide awareness campaign regarding the term loan scheme the institute implements under the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC).

Nearly 150 participants attended the day-long camp held in the Kalakote area. These included sarpanchs, naib sarpanchs, senior citizens and unemployed youths of the district.

Financial assistance for projects costing up to Rs10 lakh is provided to backward sections among minorities under the NMDFC’s term loan scheme that comes with concession interest rates.

Tehsildar Kalakote Abdul Majid Tantray, who was the chief guest on the occasion, urged the participants to spread the word about the scheme across the district.

“Rajouri has a good potential for agriculture entrepreneurship and can especially benefit from the NMDFC term loan scheme. You must ask unemployed youth to avail the benefit,” Tantray said.

“We cannot wait endlessly for government jobs that are not available anyway. Why not be job creators rather than being job seekers?”

Majid Manzoor Khan, communication officer, JKEDI, reiterated the institute’s commitment towards creating a pro-entrepreneurial environment to foster economic progress and prosperity of the state.

The JKEDI is a government-run organisation fostering entrepreneurship at the grassroots level in the state.

Jammu, September 2
The Srinagar division of Life Insurance Corporation of India celebrated its 57 years of incorporation here today.

Senior Divisional Manager, Srinagar division, DC Thakur, said in the current financial year, the Srinagar division had achieved 57,113 policies and 40.78 crores FPI as on August 15. Similarly, total claims paid as on August 31 is 39,011 SB and maturity with 128.61 crores and total death claims paid is 778 with 10.01 crores.

“Further, our P&GS unit is doing exceedingly well and has excelled in all counts. It is surpassing its target well in time with a good margin for five years. In the current financial year, as against the target of 62 crores, we have already achieved 182 crores with an achievement of 193.54 per cent of budget,” said Thakur.

Similarly, corporation under the guidelines of the Ministry of Finance has opened 13 mini offices under the Srinagar division and a satellite office will be opened at Katra soon. “Further, three more mini offices are likely to be opened this month. We are also expecting four satellite offices to be sanctioned for the Srinagar division in the current financial year,” he said.

He further said, “The Srinagar division has also performed well till March 31. The division completed 2, 01,586 policies with the growth rate of 100 per cent and on FPI of 209 crores. Outstanding ratio is only 0.48 per cent. The total death claims settled during 2013 is 2,408 and outstanding ratio is only 2.39 per cent. The total claim amount paid by the division in 2012-13 is Rs 388.24 crore.

Jammu, September 2
Yoga coach Anil Gupta has been nominated national coach to accompany the Indian Yoga team to participate in the Third Asian Yoga Championship slated to be held at Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, from September 29 to October 1.

The coach would supervise the camp to be held at Panchkula for the selected players. The Indian team would leave for Malaysia on September 28.

Jammu, September 2
Sharma’s valiant 79-run knock went in vain as JKP XI emerged victorious against Rajput Cricket Club (RCC) in the final match to clinch the first J&K Friendship T20 Cricket Cup. The event was being organised by the Young Star Cricket Club (YSCC) at the University of Jammu.

Batting first, JKP XI posted a decent total of 157 runs in the stipulated 20 overs, losing six wickets in the process. Farooq was the top scorer with 67 runs while Naresh contributed 22 runs.

For RCC, Chotu and Jatinder shared 3 wickets each.

In reply, RCC rode on a gutsy knock of 79 runs by Paras Sharma and equally valuable knock of 57 runs by Gagandeep Singh, but still lost the match by a narrow margin of 2 runs. For JKP XI, Amamdeep and Vishal grabbed two wickets each. Later, Paras Sharma was adjudged man of the match while Parveen of Tamil Nadu Club was adjudged the man of the series.

Former Minister of State for Sports Yogesh Sawhney was the chief guest on the occasion. Manzoor Ahmad Batt, patron, YSCC, and Ahtshyam Batt, general secretary, YSCC, were also present on the occasion.

The winner team was presented a trophy along with a cash prize of Rs 25,000, while the runners-up team received a cash prize of 15,000 besides a trophy. A total of 18 teams drawn from all over the country participated in the week-long tournament.