Jammu, September 20
The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) today launched its month-long 'Clean up Jammu' campaign in all 71 municipal wards of the city.

During the drive, Municipal Commissioner Kiran Wattal will also hold a public grievance meet to hear the problems of people and take immediate action.

On Friday, the campaign was started from Ward number 30, 31, Talab Tillo, covering more than 18 localities.

Inspections of Kailash Nagar, Dr Mohni Suri lane, Patel Nagar, Lane no 4, 16, Talab Tillo, Suvidha lane, BEE ENN Hospital lane, Hari nagar, Nitco lane, UNO lane, friends colony, Gole Pulli, Vikas nagar, Exchange Mohalla and other areas.

Officials said the initiative was to reach out to the door of residents to address their grievances as at the moment there are no elected representatives of wards since Urban Local Body (ULB) elections are pending since April 2010.

Rampant illegal construction, dilapidated streets and lanes besides overflowing drains are major areas of concern which have turned the situation chaotic in the city. Officials have decided to sort out the problems on the ground, with the help of residents.

“We have to reach out to the masses so that we are able to pinpoint problems being faced by the people. They can approach us directly or take part in the public meeting. They have no need to visit the JMC office now. We will ensure prompt action whatever problems people are facing", said Municipal Commissioner, Kiran Wattal, the brainchild behind the project.

The City of temples is spread over 112 sq km and several colonies came up into existence after 1990.

“Our aim is to restore faith of the residents in the working of the JMC. Every locality will be covered and anybody can approach me directly. We want to build bridges between people and deliver on ground,” claimed Wattal.

With the state government indecisive over holding the Municipal elections, development activities in the city have suffered greatly over past few years. Even day-to-day problems remain unresolved in the absence of elected head of city wards.

“The city witnessed significant development between 2005 and 2008 as a local representative used to hear our problems, but now people were forced to live in miserable conditions as overflowing drains, scattered garbage, damaged and dilapidated lanes are the experiences of the day. We appreciate this step,” said Rajat Sharma, a resident.

Jammu, September 20
After the J&K State Sports Council gave its nod to sanction the grant, the stage is all set for the J&K Badminton Association (JKBA) to host the coveted North Zone Badminton Championship at MA Stadium from October 1 to 3. More than 200 shuttlers from seven North Zone states would vie for the top honours in the three-day long sporting event.

The states include Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and hosts J&K. Dr OD Sharma, JKBA general secretary said the association was busy making all necessary arrangements for the successful conduct of the prestigious championship.

"Yes, after the approval of State Sports Council to sanction the grant, the JKBA is finalising the arrangements for smooth conduct of this important championship. As far as the amount required to conduct the championship is concerned, the association has submitted a proposal of Rs 11 lakh to the Sports Council," Dr OD Sharma said.

Sources said when the JKBA hosted the North Zone Championship in 2006 at the same venue, Rs 5 lakh was spent but with commercialisation and popularity of this game, the budget of the association has been exceeded. Sources said the autonomous sports body had earlier refused to sanction the grant to the JKBA but later it agreed for the same.

"Apart from submission of financial proposal, we are trying to arrange some sponsors at our own so that there will be no financial constraints in organising the prestigious championship. As far as the performance of state shuttlers is concerned, they have to prove their mettle at national level but still there is a lot of scope for further improvement," JKBA general secretary said.

Katra, September 20
Villagers of Mari, Gita Nagar villages near Reasi, staged a “rasta roko” in Konkan Railway office, Gita Nagar, in Reasi on Friday. They were protesting against bad condition of the Reasi-Jyotipuram road, for which they blamed the officials of the Border Road Organisation.

Protesters alleged that the officials were apathetic towards the inconvenience caused to villagers. Although the roadwork was sanctioned and was started three years ago, there had been no improvement in the condition of the road because of the slow pace of the work, he said.

They stopped BRO vehicles and withdrew their agitation only after the officials assured them of taking steps to solve the problem.

Jammu, September 20
The District Red Cross Society plans to open local wings of Junior Red Cross in every educational institution. Hence, a Red Cross coordinator will be appointed from among the teachers/masters of the school. They will nominate two students each from every institution as ‘Red Cross Ambassadors’.

The District Red Cross Society (DRCS), Jammu, organised a three-day workshop to generate awareness among the general public and student community in particular about the Red Cross and its activities. The workshop was organised at Red Cross Bhawan, Kachi Chhawani, Jammu.

Jammu, September 20
The Narwal fruit and vegetable market, established in 1978, which caters to the entire state, has become very congested. More than half of the land belonging to it has been sold by the Jammu Development Authority to various agencies.

The market having a capacity of 3 lakh metric tones, was conceived for 100 years. It is in a dilapidated condition with solid waste, stray animals and filth on roads making it look like a garbage dump.

Congestion in the mandi leads to accidents in the area. The huge vehicular movement leaves no space to move freely and even those who are in the fruit and vegetable business don’t get space to display their products.

A major chunk of land has been given by the JDA to the railways, banks and the Fisheries Department. This has harmed any expansion plans for the market. Even plans of the government to improve the infrastructure at the site have remained mere public announcements.

“In just 35 years, the vegetable market has shrunk by 400 kanals. But the transaction of fruits and vegetables has increased manifolds. We fail to understand why the government is ignoring the basic infrastructure despite the fact that it is a major transit point for import and export of commodities,” said Sagar Sethi, a wholesale shop owner in the area.

The market witnesses business of 20 lakh tones of the load of produce and it is expected that over the next few years it will have to accommodate 50 lakh metric tonnes of load daily.

“How will the area manage in the absence of basic infrastructure? It seems that the administration is totally ignoring the area, while announcing the setting up of new mandis in different parts of the state.

At present, the market is facing a lot of problems. It gets jam packed with vehicles as 250 to 300 vehicles enter the market at the same time.

With the state working on a massive plan to grab national and international horticulture market, the state government will link the upcoming 15 modern fruit and vegetable mandis with the Internet to gather daily updates on the market rates.

Sources said the government was also in the process to amend the Agriculture Production Marketing Regularity Act to make those facilities accessible to farmers which were until now denied to them.

Jammu, September 20
The Bharatiya Janata Party today welcomed the Supreme Court direction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the case of custodial death of a local resident Rajneesh Kumar at Ram Munshi Bagh police station, Srinagar, on October 6, 2009.

Speaking to mediapersons, Chander Mohan Sharma, national co-convener of the Bharatiya Janata Party Kashmir Cell, along with the family members of Rajneesh Kumar, said the order of the Apex court should serve as an “eye opener” to the coalition government in the state which had always been claiming to have zero tolerance towards cases of human rights violations.

“On human rights violations, the leaders of the coalition government have always tried to defame the security forces and the Army but they have turned a blind eye towards the atrocities committed by Kashmir police, particularly on the members of the minority community in the state,” Sharma alleged.

He alleged that the past track of the police had often been found tilting towards one side for in cases of inter-religious marriages.

Rajneesh Kumar Sharma was arrested by the Police on the intervening night of September 29-30, 2009 from Rehari area in Jammu city.

“The case once again highlights extreme violence and high-handedness of the police officials in cases of inter-religious marriages. Had Rajneesh converted to Islam or disowned his love he would have been alive. But he did neither and paid to die for his faith and love,” the Bharatiya Janata Party leader said.

Jammu, September 20
A large number of contractors of Jammu district today staged a day-long dharna outside the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department building to pressurise the department for the release of their work done liabilities.

The protesters raised slogans against the state government for its failure to clear the liabilities of the contractors and alleged that some of the contractors had liabilities amounting to crores of rupees pending for more than four to five years.

They also unanimously decided not to allow any engineer or politician to start work till their old liabilities were cleared.

“The contractors have been subjected to mental harassment and financial loss, as many of them have taken loan from the banks and from the private financial institutions on exorbitant rate, resulting in heavy monetary losses to them. We request the engineers of all the divisions to immediately release the payments already released by the administrative department,” they said.

Balvinder Singh and Vinod Kohli, both general secretaries of the J&K Contractors Co-ordination Committee urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to make arrangements for the release of the work claims of the contractors as he had himself made commitment in the recently-held District Development Board meeting for clearing the work done liabilities of the contractors.

Sham Singh, president, also requested the Chief Minister to initiate an inquiry to find out the officers and politicians responsible for the execution of unapproved works. 

Rajouri, September 20
Expressing concern over the fascist forces establishing their foothold in the national politics, provincial president of the National Conference Devender Singh Rana today exhorted people to maintain vigil, as these forces might try to spread their tentacles in the state and exploit the situation for their advantage in ensuing elections.

“We will not allow communalists and divisive elements to make this land of saints and sages their breeding ground as they did in Kishtwar recently,” asserted Rana, while addressing party conventions at Manjakote and Dungi blocks in Rajouri district today.

He lauded the political sagacity of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in taking timely and effective measures for bringing the situation under control much to the discomfort of the vested interests. He hoped the truth would soon come to the fore and the real actors of the trouble would get exposed.

Accusing the BJP and PDP of undertaking anti-people activities, Rana narrated the sequence of events that led to disturbances in Kishtwar and vitiated the atmosphere elsewhere. He said the two parties made a common cause in aggravating the situation to corner the National Conference, notwithstanding the fact that common people were becoming the target.

He reiterated his caution about the machination of the PDP and BJP and said while the former was now concentrating on polluting peaceful atmosphere in Kashmir, the latter was eyeing on disturbing peace in Jammu. “Both these parties are on the same page to put the state on the boil to derive political mileage,” he maintained.

The provincial president said an onerous responsibility had cast upon the NC to protect the state from negative forces, which, in collusion with elements from within, were scheming to disturb the peace that had dawned after sustained efforts and valuable sacrifices. He urged the party cadre to live up to the expectations of the people and continue to work for their betterment.

He, along with senior party leaders, is currently on a four-day tour of Rajouri district.

Addressing the convention, senior vice-president Peer Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari and former MPs Choudhry Talib Hussain and Mirza Abdul Rasheed dwelt on the crucial role played by the NC in forging unity among the people of the three regions of the state and living up to their genuine political expectation.

Rajouri, September 20
Provincial president of the National Conference (NC) Devinder Singh Rana has demanded a high-level judicial probe into the alleged misuse of secret funds by former Army Chief Gen VK Singh allegedly to topple the democratic elected government of Omar Abdullah in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a press conference here today, Rana described the charges as serious in nature and a blot on the democracy. "If true, the unfortunate disclosures have the potential of alienating the people of Jammu and Kashmir."

"The revelations cannot be just rubbished because the actor having perpetrated the intrigue has been the Chief of the Army Staff," Rana said, while describing the act as first of its kind in the history of the country. He said a judicial inquiry or at least an independent probe by the Central Bureau of Investigations could bring the truth to the fore. He recalled the horrifying incidents of 2010 wherein scores of young people were killed mercilessly in Kashmir and wondered whether these were part of Gen Singh's game plan to destabilise the Omar Abdullah government. "We had forgotten the miseries of 2010 but the revelations have exposed the wounds again," he said.

When asked whether there could be local actors supplementing the Army's hidden agenda, Rana said whosoever and howsoever high they might be, those involved in the wretched game plan would be exposed.

Batote, September 20
The report file of the then ADC,Ramban, Inderjit Singh against principal, two lecturers and other two officials has been gathering dust for the past many months in the office of the Director, School Education, (DSE) Jammu, affecting the studies as well as the discipline in the Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS), Batote.

The delay in the matter has deprived the school of a regular institutional head and also extended the ambiguity in the minds of these tainted officials. “Since the lecturers and the lab assistant were not facing any serious charges on them, so on the recommendation of the then DC, Ramban, SV Meena, the Commissioner had ordered to allow them to resume their duties,” said CEO, Ramban VK Soni.

According to the insiders due to the lack of the rationalisation Urdu and Hindi are being taught by the irregular teachers. Since the English teacher, Usha Kapoor has been on the sick leave, AK Sharma, headmaster, Upper Chilla School has been asked to substitute her for the time being.In the absence of zolology lecturer, Kulzam Begum,who is on maternity leave, the botany lecturer, Dimple Gupta has been teaching the zoology also.

Since there is no post of a clerk-cum-accountant and the Information Principals (IP) Lecturer, the physics teacher, RK Sharma has been performing both the jobs thereby not been able to concentrate on his job.

At the meeting, the transfer of a Sanskrit lecturer to Basholi, along with the post in 1997 and its subsequent conversion into the post of a geography lecturer, was resented and the restoration of the post was urged.

“For solving these matters through the cooperation of parents, I had a long meeting with them wherein several unanimous decisions were taken to tide over the difficult situation in the wake of the annual exams starting next month,” said Satyadev Singh Bhandral, principal, GHSS, Ramban.

Jammu, September 20
A delegation from High Commission of Canada in New Delhi comprising Johanne Forest, Head of the Political and Economic section, Madhusri Das, Senior Analyst, High Commission of Canada, New Delhi, Jawad Qureshi, Senior analyst at the Privy Council Office at Ottawa visited the Chamber House today and interacted with the office-bearers of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

At the outset YV Sharma, president, Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCI) Jammu along with his team of office-bearers, welcomed the visiting dignitaries by presenting the bouquet.

While interacting with delegation it was impressed that Jammu has very good potential of exporting agriculture produce like Basmati rice.

“We are sure that their visit will prove very beneficial in strengthening the mutual business relation and cooperation between J&K and Canada,” said YV Sharma. The delegation said if anybody from the state was desirous of exporting some local items to Canada or importing some items from Canada they could approach the high commission in New Delhi.

Katra, September 20
An education tour comprising 25 youth hailing from remote and far-flung area of Mahore tehsil was flagged in at Mahore by the Commander, Sector Rashtriya Rifles.

The tour was organised by the Rashtriya Rifles, located at Sarh, as part of the ongoing Operation Sadbhavana to Mumbai and Pune under the aegis of Counter Insurgency Force (Uniform). Mahore MLA Abdul Gani Malik was also present on the occasion. The tour was flagged off by the Commanding Officer, Rashtriya Rifles, from Sarh, on September 8.

During the course of the tour, the participants had a good fortune to interact with the famous Dabbawala entrepreneurs and leather industry at Dharavi in Mumbai. There, they were given ideas on how to start small-scale industries with the minimum capital investment. The tour also took them to certain historic monuments such as Gateway of India, Chatrapati Shivaji Museum, Haji Ali Mosque, Mahalaxami Race Course and Elephanta Caves. One of the interesting highlights of Mumbai was their visit to the film city.

In Pune, they were taken to the prestigious National Defence Academy, where they had a privilege of interacting with the Commandant and cadets. In Kudje model village, the students were shown the modern sewage system, water supply and construction.

The Commanding Officer, Rashtriya Rifles, Ashiwani Khujuria, SDM Mahore and Mushim Ahmed, SDPO, Mahore, were also present on the occasion and interacted with the local populace.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA Abdul Gani Malik congratulated the participants and thanked the Rashtriya Rifles for conducting such activities that contribute to the overall development of the students.

Jammu, September 20
Government College for Women (GCW), Gandhi Nagar, today organised Hindi Pakhwada, a fortnight carnival of Hindi literary activities, on the college premises.

Prof Neelam Saraf, Dean Academic Affairs, University of Jammu (JU), was the chief guest on the occasion, while Dr Kiran Bakshi, Principal, GCW, Gandhi Nagar, presided over the function.

During the programme, various Hindi literary activities like ‘kavita path’, ‘laghu katha’, essay writing, elocution and quiz competition were held.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Neelam Saraf, Dean, Academic Affairs, supported the use of Hindi in day-to-day life. She called it a language of our emotions, sentiments and belongingness to the nation.

Dr Kiran Bakshi admired the initiative of the Hindi Department to promote the language.

Meanwhile, a poem recitation competition was held, which was judged by Prof Shabnam Suri, Prof Renu Sehgal and Prof Vandana Sharma. Ayushi bagged the first prize, while Mehnaz and Sonia stood second and third, respectively.

Students also performed a play titled ‘Bhola Ram Ka Jive’, based on the short story of Harishanker Parsai.

Prof AK Raina presented a vote of thanks.

Jammu, September 20
Senior vice-president of the Jammu and Kashmir Panthers Party (JKNPP) Pushvinder Singh Manhas has expressed resentment over the alleged rape of a woman at the Talwara camp for the displaced militancy victims.

He lambasted the police and administration for not initiating a fast track inquiry against the perpetrators of the crime.

He said two accused had been arrested in this connection but one was still absconding. The party demanded immediate action against the accused.

Manhas criticised the functioning of various women rehabilitation homes running in the state and alleged that owners/functionaries of these institution in connivance with the mafia were running the flesh trade in the state.

He demanded constitution of a cooperation society that would include senior citizens, women and members of the civil society with unblemished image. —TNS

Jammu, September 20
Tajasvi clinched gold medal in the U-19 boys pistol (.177) event in the division-level Inter-District Rifle Shooting Championship at Delhi Public School.

Earlier, Sangram Singh and Namandeep claimed silver and bronze medals in the same age group.

In pistol (.177) 10 m U-14 boys, Kalhan Bhat, Jagjyot Singh and Karanveer Singh clinched gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively, while in U-17 boys, Abhay, Harvinder Pal and Harshad Khan bagged gold, silver and bronze medal, respectively.

In the U-17 boys Peep Rifle 10 m, Angad of Udhampur fetched the yellow metal while in U-17 girls section, Nandika of Udhampur claimed gold medal and Sassya of Jammu clinched silver medal.

In the U-17 boys Open Side Rifle 10 m, Aryaman, Pranav and Akash of Udhampur claimed gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively, while in the U-19 girls Open Side Rifle 10 m, Anju and Bano bagged gold and silver medal, respectively.

The championship was organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, under the patronage of Director General, Navin Aggarwal.