Jammu, September 17
Two lakh appeared for first written test for non-gazetted posts in government departments, including that of teachers conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) across the state today. The candidates were required to have Class XII as the basic qualification.

The state administration had announced suspension of class work in majority of government as well as private schools where around 603 examination centres were established.

The selections for the posts were earlier made on the basis of merits of various academic and professional degrees of the candidates.

"For the first-time, the JKSSB had conducted an objective type written test for the non-gazetted and teachers' posts in the government sector. The test went off smoothly," sources said.

Earlier, the test was to be conducted on September 14, but it was postponed for September 17 following a volatile situation in parts of Kashmir.

"The paper was good and I am confident that I will qualify the test. It was the great experience as the new system will ensure transparent and fair selection process for government jobs," Neeru Sharma, a candidate from Akhnoor said.

She claimed the deserving candidates were deprived of government jobs because of 'merit-based system of selection' which was obsolete and outdated. "Such people will now get the chance to appear in the examination and get themselves selected for the government sector," she said.

Renu Sharma, another candidate said, "I was a bit nervous at the time of beginning of paper because I was appearing in the written examination for the first time but it was a great experience. I am keeping my fingers crossed.”

The examination was conducted for around 17,000 non-gazetted and teachers posts across the state.

However, chaos prevailed after the examination as candidates came out on roads in large numbers.

“There was complete chaos after the examination because of the absence of the traffic policemen from busy traffic points. Several busy roads witnessed frequent traffic jams and the motorists had a harrowing time on roads. Traffic signals at various roundabouts went on blinker mode adding to the chaotic situation," said Neha Manhas, a candidate waiting for mini-bus at Bikram Chowk said.

Batote, September 17
The bodies of Harpreet Singh and his sister Amanpreet Kaur, who got washed away in the Chenab on September 8, were found floating in the Chenab at Dhiyangarh in Reasi yesterday.

The tragedy occurred when their Baramulla-bound car skidded off the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) into the Chenab at Mehad, in Ramban on September 8.

Karan Singh, father of the victims, who was driving the car suddenly fell asleep leading to the tragedy. Karan Singh and his wife Satwant Kaur received serious injuries as they were thrown out of the car.

The family was on way back from Jammu after shopping for the wedding of Amanpreet which was fixed for September 25.

Family said the carcass of their pet dog, Seezar, was also found floating along with the body of Harpreet. At the time of the accident, the injured dog was seen searching for the family members.

Karan Singh was admitted to a private hospital in Jammu and is unaware about the death of his children. Satwant Kaur was told about her missing children two days ago.

Jammu, September 17
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), during the recently held 9th meeting of its Central Advisory Committee (CAC) had asked the states and union territories to submit monthly and annual reports to review their progress under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA).

It may be mentioned here that the Food Safety Standards Act, 2006 was implemented in the country in 2011, therefore and it was imperative for every state and UT to review its progress regarding effective implementation of this Act.

Sources said suggestions from representatives of the states and UTs were received during the crucial meeting. The J&K Food Safety Commissioner who represented the state suggested that wide publicity would be given to this act through advertisements in local newspapers and television channels to reap more benefits. The idea was supported by all the representatives were requested to publish and advertise the work they had accomplished which would be used to generate awareness.

Sources said the readiness of the state for the implementation of IT-enabled online licensing and registration system was sought during the last meeting with the states and UTs held in October and December 2012. Thereafter, the work of customisation of software was started by 18 states and UTs which had indicated their willingness to start online licensing and registration.

Sources claimed that the state was not able to initiate the process at that stage. As a result, the state has been directed to send its willingness to start online licence registration.

Those states and UTs which have started online registration and licensing process include Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Chandigarh, Delhi, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Goa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.

Sources said the expected number of Food Business Operator (FBO) to get licences or registered under the FSS Act, 2006 was 5.5 crore, but till date only two per cent target was achieved. The representatives of States/UTs were asked to speed up the process to achieve the desired results.

Jammu, September 17
Displaced Kashmiri Pandits today alleged that vested interests were trying to sabotage the passage of Temples and Shrine Bill in the Assembly would pave way for formation of a management body for Hindu shrines in the Valley. They alleged that some people were trying to sell the land belonging to the shrines illegally.

Spokesman of the Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust (PNBMT), Dr R L Bhat told mediapersons that the Dharmarth Trust had sold prime temple land of Ramchanderji Temple near SP College, Srinagar, and of Gadhaadhar Temple.

Dr Bhat alleged that last year, the president of the Trust had registered sale of 100 kanal of land of Jawalaji, Khrew and 10 kanals of land at Veetal Bairav temple at Rainawari a few years back.

“Due to protests by the community, attempts of the Dharmarth Trust were foiled. Shrines in Kashmir are not the personal property of any family or Trust, but belong to the Hindus and only a single management body should be constituted for the upkeep of the shrines,” Dr Bhat said.

The Trust has alleged that most of the land of the Samadhis of the Maharajas in Srinagar, also under the Dharmarth Trust had been sold. He said last year, there was an attempt to sell land up to 166 kanals in Budgam by Sadhu Mandal. Protests by the community with the help of the then Revenue Minister and Deputy Commissioner, Budgam, stopped it.

He said the documents to set up the Dharmarth Trust had absolutely forbidden any sale of the temple lands. It was a violation of these basic tenets by the Dharmarth Trust and others that has forced the Hindus of Kashmir without distinction to demand that a democratic transparent mechanism be laid down, he said. The Bill seeks to address that concern, he said.

Jammu, September 17
Account holders cannot deposit cash less than Rs 30,000 at the Punjab National Bank (PNB) branch at Gandhi Nagar in Jammu manually.

Even as the employees sit idle and people are made to stand in long queues at the cash deposit machine to deposit cash in their account instead.

The Gandhi Nagar branch has asked account holders to deposit cash less than Rs 30,000 in the cash deposit machine installed outside the branch in a dirty room.

Hem Raj, 48, a labourer, who is uneducated, had to leave as he failed to deposit money into his account. “I had to deposit Rs 7,500 in my account, when I filled pay-in-slip and gave it along with cash at the counter, the cashier refused to deposit the money and asked me to deposit it in the machine.”

“We are not familiar with the machines, as we don’t know anything about computers and after waiting in the long queue, when I asked the bank employee to help me, he again asked me to deposit cash at the cash counter as I have the denomination of Rs 100 and there were 75 currency notes and the machine accepts only 40 currency notes at a time,” he added. Many cannot operate the cash-deposit machine as the cashier refused to accept amount less than Rs 30,000.

An account holder with the PNB, Gandhi Nagar, said, “I deposited Rs 7,000 in my savings account after waiting for 15 minutes in the queue, but finally, when the receipt came out of the machine, the transaction status was unsuccessful. When I contacted the Chief Manager, he said it will be deposited manually in your account in the evening. Why don’t they deposit the cash at the counter during working hours,” he added.

Showkat Ahmed, Chief Manager, PNB, Gandhi Nagar, said, “We have got directions from the higher authorities to make clients familiar with the machine, so asked the cashier to send people to the cash deposit machine and appointed a cashier to help them.”

On the failed transactions he said, “This is India, we cannot expect perfect technology here. Whichever transaction gets unsuccessful, we deposit the amount manually in the same account,” he added.

Jammu, September 17
Minister for Housing, Horticulture Raman Bhalla has said the government had formulated a plan to construct mechanised multi-level fully automatic parking facility at the Gole market in Gandhi Nagar. The project would start by March next.

With floor area of 18,250 sq meters, the proposed parking facility would have five floors with the total parking capacity of 615 cars.

The project estimated to cost Rs 75.43 crore is being constructed under the Jammu and Kashmir Urban Sector Development Investment Programme. Bhalla said this while addressing a high-level meeting of officers here today. The parking will have automated storage and retrieval system, separate drop off and pick-up transfer areas, automated mechanical system.

Jammu, September 17
The state government has informed that three of residents of the state were still missing in Uttarakhand. The information was provided by the police to activist Raman Sharma, in response to his application under the Right to Information Act seeking details from the state Home Department about the number of people from the state killed or missing in the Uttarakhand disaster that claimed lives of thousands in June last.

The Public Information Officer of Zonal Police Headquarters, Jammu has informed that Sham Lal Gupta (62), his wife Neelam Gupta (60) both residents of Sarwal Colony, Jammu, and Ramesh Gupta (62), a resident of Kashmiri Mohalla Akhnoor, Jammu, is missing.

A report in this connection has been lodged at Dehradun police station and the search of all the three missing persons is on.

The reply also mentions the name of Late Bhim Singh of Hiranagar in Kathua, an Inspector in the ITBP who sacrificed his life during the rescue operations on June 25 last.

On the ex-gratia relief, the government has replied that Rs 1 lakh has been given by the Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, to the family of the deceased.

However, the information provided by the police has skipped a reply about the steps being taken by the state government to trace its residents and the detail about the total number of officers from the state that are being sent there to Uttarakhand to find out the missing persons.

Activist Raman Sharma said the government should have had made pro-active disclosure about its initiatives to find out the missing persons from the state. He also urged the state government to establish a coordination cell in Uttarakhand to find further details about the missing persons.

Jammu, September 17
The Panun Kashmir observed the Vitasta Divas today on the banks of Ranbir Canal, a tributary of the Chandrabhaga river.

The day is celebrated to mark the origin of the Vitasta river, now called the Jhelum, in the Kashmir valley.

Members of the Panun Kashmir led by its national spokesman Virender Raina paid floral tributes to the river.

Speaking on the occasion, Raina said the cultural heritage of Kashmiri Hindus was facing a threat as most of the community members were living outside the Valley due to the exodus.

“Temples of Kashmir are being destructed and usurped unabatedly. There is an urgent need for the passage of the Temples and Shrines Bill to safeguard them,” he said.

“There is a need to take massive confidence-building measures towards the displaced community. The outcome of the recent so-called Apex Committee meeting in Kashmir does not inspire much confidence,” he said.

Senior community leader HL Chatta while addressing the gathering said the special employment package of the PM for Pandit youth seems to be taking ages to come into effect and is getting mired in all kinds of administrative and bureaucratic wrangles. 

Jammu, September 17
The Northern Railways Men Union (NRMU) today organised gate meeting in front of SS Jammu Tawi office to finalise the arrangements for participation in 45th annual martyrs’ day at Pathankot.

Union president and branch secretary,Jammu branch, Subhash Dogra and Vijay Singh apprised about the programme to be followed by the delegates of Jammu branch.Around 1,000 members are expected to participate in the celebration at Pathankot.

Martyrs’ Day is celebrated on September 19 every year in memory of those who sacrificed their lives fighting for the cause of railway employees.

Others who participated in the gate meeting included Balbir Singh, KK Sharma, Ashwani Kumar, Ram Pal Sharma, Raj Kumar and Rajeev Sabarwal.

Jammu, September 17
A two-day training programme for the trainers of the Navjaat Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (NSSK) under the National Rural Health Mission began here today at the Department of Paediatrics, Government SMGS Hospital, Shalamar. Participants from all the ten districts of Jammu division are being imparted training on better implementation of the NSSK.

The said training programme is being organised under the supervision of the Mission Directorate, NRHM, J&K, and was inaugurated by Dr Rekha Harish, Head of the Department, Paediatrics, Government SMGS Hospital.

The participants will be trained to further train medical officers and paramedics for providing essential newborn care as part of health services. The programme is meant to further reduce the neo-natal mortality rate and infant mortality rate in the state. Dr SS Slathia and Dr Sanjeev Digra are the master trainers for the programme. Dr Harjeet Rai, District Nodal Officer, NRHM, J&K, and others were also present on the occasion. — TNS

Jammu, September 17
Chief Medical Officer, Jammu, organised a multi-speciality camp at Mathwar village, block Kat Bhalwal in the district yesterday to provide health check-up facility to the villagers at their doorstep. The AYUSH services were also available in the camp.

The camp was inaugurated by Chief Medical Officer, Jammu, Dr Javed Akhtar Chib and Ashok Kumar, Sarpanch of the village in the presence of Dr Pritam Katoch, Assistant Director, Health Education Bureau, Dr Ashok Kumar, Block Medical Officer, Kot Bhalwal.

As many as 348 patients were examined by a team of doctors comprising Dr Manzoor Hussain, Medical Officer, Dr Bhupinder Singh, Paediatrician, Dr Jyoti, Gynaecologist and Dr Nazima, Medical Officer, Indian System of Medicine. Around 42 laboratory tests were also conducted. Free medicines, both allopathic and ayurvedic, were also provided to the patients.

RS Pura, September 17
MLA BR Kundal inaugurated a 100-kv transformer at Meshian Darsopur village here.

The funds for the transformer costing Rs 4.87 lakh was provided by Kundal out of his constituency development fund.

He congratulated the residents for installation of the high-capacity transformer in the area. He said with the installation of the 100-kv transformer, a long-pending demand of the residents to improve power supply in the area had been fulfilled.

Panchayat members, a large number of local residents and officials of the Power Development Department were present.

Jammu, September 17
The Crime Branch, Jammu, has registered a case against a Tamil Nadu-based firm for supplying mud and sand instead of charcoal.

The firm S.Tharagaval Prop New MMS and Sons of Parans Kudi Road, Parthibnur Ramanatha Puram, Tamil Nadu has been booked under Section 420 and 409 RPC.

According to the crime branch, it received a written complaint from Tapan Dubey, Director, Shree Sita Ram Industries Pvt Ltd, SIDCO Industrial Complex, Bari Brahmana, Jammu duly marked by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Samba, under Section 156 (3) CrPC alleging that he had placed an order with S Tharagaval Prop New MMS and Sons for the supply of 1300 metric ton charcoal at the rate of Rs 8,000 per metric ton valuing Rs 1,04,00,000, excluding freight charges.

“In this regard, he had paid half of the amount to the accused. Thereafter, the accused again approached the complainant and demanded hike in the settled rate at Rs 1,400 per metric ton, which was accepted by the complainant and accordingly the complainant paid an amount of Rs 1,45,05,900 to the accused.

The complainant said despite waiting for a long time the accused failed to deliver the material. “After hectic efforts, the accused delivered 859 metric ton material out of the settled 1300 metric ton in August 2012 through goods train for which an amount of Rs 39, 79,673 was paid by the complainant as freight charges.

“However, on unloading the material , the complainant was shocked to see that instead of charcoal, mud, sand and dust had been supplied by the accused who cheated and duped the complainant,” the crime branch said.

On receipt of the complaint, an inquiry was initiated in the Crime Branch, Jammu, and it was found that the material supplied by the accused was mud, sand and dust and not charcoal for which the complainant had paid Rs 1,84,85,573 . 

Batote, September 17
The Doda police and the Forest Department seized 226 timber scants, including 126 of deodar, 64 of kail and two of fir, besides 170 kg of mushroom (guchhi) and 9 kg of a banned herb, naagchatri, alongwith a truck (JK02A-0653) near Domail in Bhaderwah last evening.

Two persons, Jai Singh of Bhata Kishtwar and Mohd Ashraf of Chabba Thathri, were arrested under Sections 6 and 15 of the Forest Act. A forest official, Safir Ahmed, who was part of the gang, fled from the spot.

While raiding the house of Rajesh Padha of Sartingal in Bhaderwah, the police team led by Inspector Gurmeet Singh recovered 170 kg of mushroom (guchhi) and 9 kg of Nagchattri yesterday. The accused, Rajesh Padha, was booked under Section 379 of the RPC and Section 6 of the Forest Act. 

Jammu, September 17
New Age College, Billawar, toppled GDC Bhaderwah by 3-1 in the men’s section in the ongoing Inter-Collegiate Chess Championship being organised by the Directorate of Sports and Physical Education, University of Jammu here today.

In the second match, GDC Hiranangar had last laugh against GDC Paloura while GDC Billawar toppled GDC Ramnagar in another match. GGM Science College beat SPMR College of Commerce by 3-1 whereas PG Department beat GDC Poonch by 4-0. GCET Jammu, GDC Kathua and GDC Udhampur teams got walkover.

In the women’s section, GDC Udhampur prevailed over PG Department by 4-0 while GCET Jammu defeated GCW Gandhi Nagar by 3-1. GDC Kathua and GWC Parade teams got walkovers.

Jammu, September 17
Vijay Kumar bagged the gold medal in 100-m sprint in the U-14 category in Samba district's Inter-School Athletic Meet, which began at Government Higher Secondary School Ground.

The silver and bronze medals went to Sanjeev Singh and Akhil Sarmal, respectively.

In the U-14 boys 200-m sprint, the gold, silver and bronze medals were clinched by Jogesh Kumar, Tarun Sharma and Raghubir, respectively.

Aniket, Paramveer Singh and Ravi Sharma claimed gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively, in the U-14 boys 400-m sprint.

In the U-14 boys 600-m sprint, Sahil, Abhay Singh and Anil Thapa won the gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively, while in shot-put, Shabir Ahmed, Tajinder Singh and Jakir Hussain bagged gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively.

Meanwhile, in the U-14 girls 100-m race, Jasmeen Akhter, Priyanka Devi and Begum clinched the gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively, while in 200-m sprint, Sangita Devi fetched the gold and Priyanka Devi and Manu Sharma clinched the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

In the 400-m race, Javeda Begum, Rohini Sharma and Basundra Bagal claimed the gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively.

In the U-14 girls 600-m race, Huma Bibi bagged the gold medal while silver and bronze medals went to Deepika Kumari and Shama Begum, respectively.

The tournament is being organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports under the supervision of Samba District Youth Services and Sports Officer Jarpal Singh.

Jammu, September 17
The Jammu Division team clinched the U-14 boys and girls and U-17 girls handball title in the State level Inter-Division Handball Tournament at District Police Lines Handball Ground.

The Kashmir Division clinched the U-17 boys title trophy.

Earlier, in the U-14 boys' final match, Jammu got the better of Kashmir in a one-sided affair by 14-3 goals. Sunjanya Vaid and Aparav of the Jammu Division team scored six and four goals, respectively, and in the girls' category, the Jammu team overcame the challenge of the Kashmir team by 9-2 goals with consummate ease.

Komal scored four goals for the Jammu division while Shallu and Nikita scored three and two goals, respectively.

In the U-17 girls' category, the Jammu Division prevailed over the Kashmir division by 12-0 goals. Karuna and Rishika scored five goals each for the Jammu division.

Meanwhile, in the U-17 boys category, the Kashmir Division drubbed the Jammu Division by 19-13 goals. Mohammad Waseem scored 10 goals and Showket netted five goals for the Kashmir Division. For the Jammu division, Vansh and Surinder scored five goals each.

The matches were officiated by Ajay Kumar, Tariq, Sanjay Jamwal and Rajesh Bandral. The tournament is being organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, under the supervision of its Director General Navin Aggarwal.