Jammu, September 10
Work in various government offices and schools was paralysed on the first day of the strike by members of the Joint 
Consultative Committee (JCC) here today.

JCC leader Gafur Dar said, “Today the employees of all state government departments observed a complete shutdown and some protest demonstrations were also held.”

“The future course of action will also be decided in a joint meeting of the JCC in Jammu on Wednesday,” he added. The clerical staff of government schools also struck work.

Residents suffered a great deal due to the strike, as the all the non-gazetted staff abstained from work.

JCC leader said, “The government has failed to fulfil its commitment and assurances given to the employees in September 2011. Despite several reminders, the government has failed to fulfil our demands.”

“Government does not seem to be serious in addressing our demands, they are forcing us to go on strike,” he added.

JCC also held protests in the city as well as other districts of the Jammu region, but no violation or arrest has been made so far.

The employees are demanding regularisation of daily wagers and contractual employees of PSUs, enhancement of the retirement age from 58 to 60 years and anomalies in different cadres of employees.

The 4.5 lakh employees and workers in the state will observe a complete shutdown under the banner of the JCC on July 8, demanding that their demands should be addressed as soon as possible.

Ramban, September 10
Commandant SS Dahiya and five other personnel of the BSF, 161 Battalion, were remembered on their 
12th martyrdom day at Manjal Dharamkund here yesterday.

On the occasion, Commandant Bakshraj Kaushal of the BSF, 76 Battalion, along with four other officers, 8 JCOs and about 150 cops, offered floral tributes to the martyred soldiers on their wayside memorial at Manjal Dharamkund. A two-minute silence was also observed in their memory.

On September 8, 2001, the Commandant, BSF, 161 Bn, radio operator Ishwar Ranga, constables Sanjay Kumar, Manochan, Narayan Sarkar and Naray Tirky were martyred when militants triggered a land mine blast in their way.

Jammu, September 10
Emphasising on the need to ensure good governance, cleansing of sports and bringing about transparency in the working of sports federations and state sports associations, Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, in recent meeting asked all the states to initiate a debate on how to enact laws to stop betting and match fixing etc in sports.

Sources said the minister told the state representatives that the ministry was working with the Ministry of Law and Ministry of Home Affairs on how to stop the menace of betting and fixing in sports. He also stressed on the need to have uniform sports laws in the country.

Sources said though the cases of betting or match fixing in sports are yet to be highlighted in the state but the state representatives had fully endorsed the idea.

Jitendra Singh assured the states that all necessary guidance and support will be provided by the Centre to the states in making such laws, if they so desire. The states had agreed to the suggestion that the Centre could develop a model sports law for adoption by the states.

Jitendra Singh also called for supporting and promoting youth development through sports and that priority be given to youth related programmes and schemes in all states especially in hilly areas.

The minister said for promotion of sports in the country, the ministry was already working towards revamping Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) in a major way. He said fund up to Rs 1.75 crore will be provided to construct sports complexes, which is likely to cost Rs 12,500 crore.

Jitendra Singh said the Sports Authority of India (SAI) will set up 25 Centres of Excellence in the country. Each centre will specialise in three to four sports disciplines.

He requested the state governments to provide free land and build sports infrastructure to set up such centres.

He said the Centre will set up two national institutes - one each for sports medicine and sports coaching.

Rajouri, September 10
Two children were buried alive in a house collapsed at Kotrabka in Rajouri. Reports said the children have been identified as Mohd Sadam and Mohd Sultan, both sons of Mohammed Rafiq, a resident of Swari Tehsil Kotranka.

They were under 10 years of age.

Their mud house was under repair and due to continuous rain over past few days, the house collapsed yesterday morning.

The administration teams rushed to the spot after the incident and the bodies were taken to local hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Jammu, September 10
Unregistered medical practitioners abound in areas near Gumat Chowk, Bus Stand and the outskirts of the city. Several makeshift tents can also be seen bearing claims by street doctors to solve several medical issues from diabetes to liver aliments.

Though their actual numbers are not known but they cater to a huge market comprising poor people who cannot afford costly private health care. In many rural areas, there are a large number of such fake doctors.

Most of them claim to have miracle herbs collected straight from the Himalayas. They also claim to have degrees and recommendations from world-renowned health institutions hanging from the makeshift walls of their clinic-cum-tents. Though the administration has launched several drives to check the growing menace, it dies with the passage of time, resulting in the mushrooming of such illegal practice.

"They not only fool gullible people but also violate the law. The law refrains (quacks) from doing so, but it seems that the shortage of staff has been proving a major hurdle before the authorities," said a senior Health Department officer.

Quacks thrive due to the shortage of doctors across the state. "We have some very regular customers who have been coming to us for the past several years. People will always come to us. This is because big clinics make you wait and give you appointments," said Siraj Hakeem, a road side doctor on city outskirts.

However, Director Health, Dr BS Pathania, said the department has been conducting a campaign against fake doctors and hakeems regularly. “We will soon launch a campaign against them,” he added.

Rajouri, September 10
The Rashtriya Rifles Battalion, Jhangar, under the aegis of the Counter Insurgency Force (Uniform), distributed computers and furniture items to the Government Middle School, Jhangar, Nowshera, as part of the Operation Sadbhavna today.

The aim is to improve the basic infrastructure of the school.

The Army officers handed over computers and furniture to the school principal Suman Sood in the presence of the school authorities and students.

Krishan Lal, teacher at the Government Middle School, Jhangar, thanked the Army for enabling the students to access the new age technology and equipment. It would help students from remote areas to be in consonance with the ongoing trends in education sector.

The students and teachers of the school appreciated the efforts of the Army for providing computers and furniture items to the school.

Bhaderwah, September 10
Three-day Mela Patt started in Bharderwah district with religious fervour today. Mela Patt is celebrated every year to commemorate the historic meeting between Emperor Akbar and king Nagpal of Bhaderwah, held in the 16th century at Delhi.

Thousands of people, drawn from different parts of the state, participate in the mela. It is devoted to Lord Vaskui Naag, the presiding deity of Bhaderwah valley and is celebrated on Nag Panchmi every year.

The mela was first held in the 16th century by king Nagpal, the ruler of the small state called Bhaderkashi then, presently known as Bhaderwah. The mela is organised on the conclusion of Kailash Yatra and people without any difference of caste, colour and creed participate and witness it.

“Every year during the festival, devotees take out a procession of the gifts presented to Nagpal by Emperor Akbar for display to the locals,” said Neeraj Kotwak, a local.

The festival witnesses enthusiasts from across north India, as they believe their wishes will come true if they pray at the mela earnestly.

''Dhaku'', a unique folk dance of the area, is a regular feature of the mela.

Jammu, September 10
A five-day training programme for district resource persons on Induction Module (I-IV) for newly recruited ASHA workers, organised by the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), Jammu and Kashmir, began today at the Regional Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Nagrota.

The said programme was organised under the supervision of Dr Yashpal Sharma, mission director, NRHM, J&K and about 30 resource persons from all the districts of Jammu region were among the participants.

Dr Harjeet Rai, divisional nodal officer, NRHM, Jammu, inaugurated the event in the presence of Dr BB Sharma, NGO coordinator and Sadiq Khan, state ASHA coordinator.

Dr Rai emphasised upon the participants to strengthen the ASHA mentoring groups constituted at the block and district levels.

“ASHAs must be supported and their grievances should be redressed at the earliest as it is the pillar of NRHM programme,” he added.

During the training programme, capacity will be built among the ASHA mentoring groups so that they could further provide the requisite training to ASHA workers in their respective districts.

The participants were briefed about the purpose of training, their role as well as responsibilities of ASHA workers in the field. The other basic components of the training module included communication skills, leadership qualities, identification and treatment of minor ailments, breast feeding, home-based new born care etc.

Prominent among others present on the occasion were Rakesh Sharma, in-charge, trainings, Rubina, Gulzaar, Nitish Sharma, Avinash Sethi, Jugal Smile Sharma and Dalbir Singh Chib.

Jammu, September 10
The District Development Commissioner (DDC), Samba, RK Varma, today chaired a meeting to review the performance of various departments under the district plan.

It was revealed that against the availability of Rs 18.56 crore funds, Rs 10.55 crore had been expended till August end, which was 57 per cent of the available amount.

During the meeting, expenditure under various sectors, vis-à-vis physical achievements, up to August end was reviewed. It was informed that progress under power, rural sanitation, self employment and MGNREGA had been found satisfactory.

Under a special area programme, Gujjars and Bakkerwals component had registered 53 per cent expenditure while welfare of SC and OBC has registered 90 per cent expenditure against the availability.

The DDC directed the officers concerned to achieve the targets and ensure distribution of scholarships among the students timely.

The progress of the construction works under NABARD, health, education, PHE, fisheries and agriculture etc was also reviewed. The executive engineer, PWD (R&B), PO (DRDA) and the officers of Rural Development Department were impressed upon to gear up their staff to accelerate the speed of work so as to complete the schemes or works within the stipulated time.

Jammu, September 10
Janvi Mahajan got the better of Sharuti Sharma by 21-10 and 21-1 with ease in U-13 girls singles match today in the ongoing 28th Jammu District Badminton Championship being organised by Jammu City and District Badminton Association at Indoor Sports Complex, M A Stadium.

In another match, Nabya Kohli beat Andarya 21-14 and 21-16.

In U-10 boys singles, Vidhan Gour beat Zorawar Singh while Manya Mahajan lost to Utkarsh Mahajan by 8-21 and 25-27. In other matches played, Arnav Thakur beat Manan Singh and Jatin Gupta beat Hardik Mahajan.

In girls section, Reeya lost to Khushi 3-21 and 12-21, Uniti lost to Shriya Pandita by 5-21 and 4-21 and Ananya Anand got walkover from Suhani.

Jammu, September 10
Koushal of BSF School, Paloura, emerged as the fastest sprinter in U-19 100m race in the Jammu District Inter-School Athletic Meet, which commenced at Jammu University Ground today.

Partap Singh of St Xavier’s School clinched the silver medal while the bronze went to Rakesh Singh of MHAC School, Nagbani.

Inderjeet Singh of Army Public School (APS), Miran Sahib, bagged the U-17 boys 100m gold while the silver and bronze in this event went to Kajal Singh of MHAC School, Nagbani and Rajinder Kumar of High School, Gajansoo.

In U-14 boys 100m sprint, the gold medal was bagged by Sajjad Hussain of High School, Sagoon, while Sahil Kumar of Middle School, Sohagani and Shubam of APS, Kalu Chak, claimed the silver and the bronze medals, respectively.

In 600m race of U-14 boys, Shubam of APS, Kalu Chak, Ajay Kumar of High School, Sagoon and Keshav Singh of MHAC School, Nagbani, claimed the gold, silver and bronze, respectively.

In U-17 boys 800m, Parvez Ahmed of High School, Barui and Rajat Singh and Wajid Ali of BSF School, Paloura, bagged the gold, silver and the bronze medals, respectively.

In U-19 age group, Yash Pal Singh of MHAC School, Nagbani, fetched the yellow metal while Karan Pal Singh of Higher Secondary School, Sohal and Parveen Kumar of BSF School, Paloura, clinched silver and bronze medals, respectively.

In 5,000m U-19 boys, the gold medal went to Shubam Singh of APS, Domana, while the silver medal went to Rohan Sharma of MHAC Nagbani and bronze to Ankit Raina of BSF School, Paloura.

In shot put U-19 boys, Rehan Ali of Higher Secondary School, Bishnah, bagged the gold medal while the silver and the bronze medal in this event went to Vishal Gandotra of Higher Secondary School, Akhnoor and Sairabalam Bhat of Higher Secondary School, Jodhamal.

In shot put U-17 boys, Ajay of High School, Kalu Chak, claimed the gold medal, Imran Khan of High School, Gajansoo, clinched the silver medal and Sahil Mehra of High School, Kotli Sha Doula, bagged the bronze medal.

In U-14 boys, the gold, silver and bronze medals went to Pulkit, Gurpreet Singh and Javid Ahmed, respectively.

In long jump U-19 boys, the gold medal went to Deepak Yadav of APS, Kalu Chak, while Koushal of BSF, Paloura and Yashpal of MHAC, Nagbani, had to be contended with the silver and bronze, respectively.

In U-17 boys, Rajinder Kumar of High School, Gajansoo, bagged the gold medal while Dheeraj Sharma of High School, Sohal and Sahil Kumar of MHAC School, Nagbani, claimed the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

In U-14 age group, Sahil Kumar of High School, Sohagani, bagged gold medal while silver and bronze medals went to Mohd Akram of Khuda Baksh Public School and Ankit Singh, respectively.

The events were officiated by Nirmal Singh, Chamel Singh, Gurbachan Singh, Ram Murti, Vijay Kumar, Chanderveer Singh, Rohit Gupta, Vishal Bharti, Vaneet Pangotra, Satika and Harpreet Bhalla.

Jammu, September 10
A state-level swimming competition was organised at KC Public School by the Department of Youth Service and Sports.

Students of the host schoolbagged 29 gold, 13 silver and two bronze medals in the swimming meet, which was held from September 5 to 7.

The medal winners included, Garima Sharma, Shreya Sharma, Akshika Mengi, Anika Gandotra, Kunwar Sethi, Abhishek Badyal, Abhinav Gupta, Osheen, Parmiti Digra, Kinshuk Safaya, Rasagya Tandon, Aadhar Koul, Aditya Gupta, Honeesh Rometra, Karan Dhar, Gandhar and Yuvraj. The school management and principal of the school congratulated the students and their coaches Thakur Singh and Babita Rani.—TNS

Jammu, September 10
Prof Dhian S Bhau, Director, Directorate of Sports and Physical Education, University of Jammu (JU), declared the Inter-Collegiate Badminton Tournament open.

After inaugurating the tournament, Prof Bhau interacted with the players and encouraged them to play with true sportsman spirit.

In mens’ section, Bharti College of Educaiton got a walkover from GDC, Ram Nagar, in the opening match while Law School beat Trikuta Degree College by 3-0.

In the first single, Chander Dev trounced Sachin Kumar by 21-13, 21-12.

In the second single, Anurag got the better of Deeraj by 21-4, 21-5 while in doubles, the pair of Chander Dev and Akeel Shaw had the last laugh against Manmohan Sharma and Sachin Kumar by 21-16,21-3.

In another match, GDC, Samba, toppled New Age Degree College by 3-0.

Mukesh Verma eased past Mithlesh Gour by 21-15, 21-15 in the first single whereas Jitesh Kumar proved too good for Ankit Sharma by a margin of 21-7, 24-22.

In doubles event, the duo of Satvir and Sunil Dutt beat Ankit Sharmaan and Mithlesh Gour by 21-15, 21-9.

GDC, Paloura, got a walkover GDC Poonch while GDC, Udhampur (boys), overcame the challenge of Commerce College by 3-2.

In other matches, GGM Science College, Government College of Engineering and Technology, Jammu, GDC Billawar and GDC Hiranagar got walkovers.

The matches were officiated by Vikram Jamwal, Ravish Vaid, Amit Sharma, Ajay Sharma, Kulvinder, Anil Sharma and Pankaj Suresh Kumar.—TNS

Jammu, September 10
The Department of Youth Services and Sports, Rajouri organised Inter-District Tournament for girls in different age groups. The event is being played under the overall supervision of Naveen Aggarwal, Director General, Youth Services and Sports. Mohammad Ayaz Khan, DYSSO Rajouri is the organising secretary of the tournament.

Results: U-19 girls: Samba beat Kishtwar, Jammu beat Reasi, Rajouri beat Samba and Jammu beat Poonch. U-17 girls: Rajouri beat Doda, Reasi beat Kishtwar, Samba beat Jammu, Udhampur beat Ramban and Rajouri beat Reasi. U-14 girls: Jammu beat Kishtwar, Reasi beat Ramban, Udhampur beat Samba, Rajouri beat Reasi and Udhampur beat Jammu.—TNS