Jammu, October 19
Despite heavy influx of labourers from various parts of the country, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has failed to register them.

About four years ago, the state government had announced to register the labour force working in the state, but the procedure was never initiated and at the present moment, the state administration has no specific data about the number of people from different states working in Jammu and Kashmir.

The trend of migrant workers in the state picked up about three decades back when Jammu witnessed a boom in the construction sector. Labourers from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have played an important role in the development of the city.

They are also in demand in Kashmir. However, the state government has failed to ensure proper working conditions for them and safeguard their rights, as they don’t have exact data about them. The officials, though, said there was a well-knit contractor system through which these men and women come into the state and get absorbed in different sectors.

“Registering people to work in the unorganised sector on an individual basis became cumbersome and the process has been stopped,” said an official from the Labour Department.

There was a proposal to register the non-local labourers at Lakhanpur, the gateway to J&K, but nothing has been done so far in this regard, he added.

The trend of migrant workers in the agriculture sector was in past limited to the neighbouring state of Punjab, but it is now fast picking up in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the southern parts of Jammu and fruit producing areas of the Valley.

The southern part of the state, starting from Hiranagar in Kathua district to RS Pura in Jammu, is considered to be the rice bowl of the state, besides thousands of hectors of land is also under the paddy cultivation.

Everyday, thousands of workers could be seen waiting around the market places and the bus stops across the city for the clients. The situation is no different in the Valley, as these labourers are in demand during the cultivation period there.

Jammu, October 19
In yet another tragic road accident in erstwhile Doda district, three persons were killed and seven others were injured today when a Tavera car skidded off the road at Chatroo on the Kishtwar-Sinthan road.

According to the police, the car (JK03C- 0744) was on its way from Srinagar to Kishtwar via Sinthan when it met with an accident near Godanpari in Chatroo tehsil and fell into a deep gorge.

Police and locals rushed to the accident site and rescued injured persons to a nearby hospital from where they were shifted to the District Hospital, Kishtwar.

The police said three persons had lost their lives in the incident. The deceased have been identified as Ghulam Hussain Dar of Seel Doda, Nusrat Begum of Arhal, Kokernag, Anantnag and Jumma Khan of Kakerwagan Chatroo.

Those who received injured were identified as Sanjay Kumar, Anand Kumar and Gita Ram, all from Chhattisgarh, Mushtaq Ahmed of Arhal Kokernag, Asma Banoo of Seel Doda, Zeina Begum of Kokernag and Muhammad Shafi of Kulgam Srinagar.

Two critically injured passengers, Anand Kumar and Sanjay Kumar of Chhattisgarh were airlifted to GMC Jammu from Kishtwar.

Meanwhile, former Congress Minister and MLA Inderwal GM Saroori has expressed shock and grief over this tragic accident.

Saroori expressed sympathy and solidarity with the bereaved families and prayed for eternal peace of departed souls.

A case in this regard has been registered at the Kishtwar police station.

Jammu, October 19
The exhibition ground road has become out of bounds for public as the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) has dug up the patch for laying sewerage pipes. There is an utter chaos as the road is vital for the movement of passenger vehicles and people towards the old city.

Lack of coordination between the government departments has already extended the deadline of the sewerage pipes laying project in the city, which is likely to be completed by the end of 2014.

You will not find a place where the work of digging is not going on. This results in traffic jams, besides causing a lot of problems for pedestrians who walk through the area. Problem is more during the evening hours,” said Arvind Chaudhary, a local resident.

People allege that the construction agencies leave the dug up roads for several months, putting the locals to a great inconvenience. The dug up roads also become a cause of accidents.

“An entire portion of road has been dug up which has resulted in frequent traffic congestions. Same is the condition in other parts of Jammu,” said Vimlesh Raina, a resident of Rehari.

The National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) and the Economic Reconstruction Agency had undertaken the digging work for laying the sewer lines under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

With the digging was mainly carried out in uncharted roads and lanes, the agency is facing hurdles and takes days to shift water pipes and telecommunication lines. A new deadline of December 2014 has been set by the officials concerned.

The ERA was created as a multi purpose body in 2004 to work on the urban development projects. In Jammu, the work has been divided into three phases and allotted to companies, Thermax Limited Pune, Trans-Tech Turnkey Private Limited, Pune and Shah Technical Consultants, Mumbai. The project entrusted to the ERA is being executed under Tranche-I of the Asian Development Bank (ADB)

As per the data, while 86 per cent of the trunk sewers have been completed in the city, only 50 per cent of the lateral sewers connecting different localities with main line have been completed.

Even though the executing agencies failed to repair the dug-up roads and narrow lanes in several localities of the winter city, fresh digging for laying the sewer lines has added to the woes of the citizens with slush and mud hitting pedestrians as well as the vehicular movement severely.

However, even after a gap of four years, the project is far from completion, resulting not only in the cost escalation but a huge problem for the city residents in both the capital cities.

Jammu, October 19
Stating that the participation of rural youth of the state has increased tremendously as a result of the efforts of the Union Sports Ministry, the representatives of the state government, in the recently concluded conference of ministers of states/UTs, urged the authorities for enhancement of funds for better infrastructure for sportspersons representing the state at higher levels.

Sources said the representatives from other states, who attended the meeting, had urged the Centre to develop allied sciences like sports medicine, nutrition and psychology to cater to the needs of sportspersons and development of sports.

There was a general view that coordinated efforts be made to persuade the private sector to earmark funds for the development of sports and welfare of sportspersons as a part of the corporate social responsibility in a state like J&K where promising sportspersons lacks sponsorship to pursue advance training or participation in international championships.

Union Minister of State (independent charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports Jitendra Singh, under whose chairmanship the crucial meeting was convened, informed that the Sports Authority of India (SAI) would set up 25 Centres of Excellence (COX) across the country with specialisation in three to four sports disciplines.

Sources claimed that during the conference, a new initiative called “Identification and Nurturing Sports Talent (INSTAL)” was also discussed. Under the proposed scheme, each district will have a special school meant for young sportspersons in the age group of 6-10 years who have shown talent in sports.

“As many as 100 talented young boys and girls in this age group will be selected through the PYKKA rural competitions. Such selected students will be admitted to the district level sports schools with facilities of boarding, lodging, special diet, sports kit, school fees and other expenses being met by the state government through a stipend,” sources added.

“The major concern for every budding player is to get a suitable job in any government department to earn his livelihood and there will be a guaranteed job under the sports quota to such selected students in the state government which would definitely secure their future,” a sports official said.

Katra October 19
As many as four officials of the Commercial Tax Department were today placed under suspension after they were caught taking bribe from drivers of the commercial vehicles near Domail on Jammu-Katra highway.

While sub-inspector Abdul Rehman and guards Mohit Sharma and Mohammad Rustam were suspended for corrupt practises, inspector Amandeep Singh has been placed under suspension for negligence of duty.

The accused had laid a naka near Domail and were reportedly demanding money from the drivers, when they were caught red handed by Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary.

Eyewitnesses confirmed to the Deputy Commissioner about the receipt of money following which the officer intimated Excise Commissioner Kifayat Hussain Rizivi, who placed the accused under suspension and ordered further enquiry.

The Additional Commissioner, Commercial Tax, has been appointed as the enquiry officer.

“I found a number of vehicles haphazardly parked on the highway and guards were taking money from the drivers near Domail,” the DC said.

“As the traffic was disrupted it caused inconvenience to the commuters. Upon enquiry the drivers informed that money was being demanded by men in uniform.

A certain amount was recovered from the pocket of one of the officials, which the driver had confirmed,” he said, adding that the bribe amount along with the identity cards of the officials were seized and information was conveyed to the Excise Commissioner, who placed all the officials under suspension with immediate effect.

A number of complaints have been received from transporters about such nakas, where money is being charged by uniformed men, following which, the district administration has initiated a process to curb such practise in the area, especially on the Katra-Shiv Khori road, he said.

Meanwhile, taking serious note of the corrupt practises adopted in the transport management, the DC has issued directions for surprise check at such nakas.

Jammu, October 19
The Jammu Private Schools and ETT Institutes Association (Progressive) has strongly opposed the decision of the state government to include Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, former chairman of the J&K Board of School Education (JKBOSE) as the new chairman/secretary in the recently constituted search committee.

In a meeting held under the chairmanship of its president Deep Singh, the association said the state government was non-seriousness towards the institutions related to school education.

It said the Vice-Chancellor of a state university used to be an expert member of such search committees in the past, but this time the authorities had ignored it.

The association opposed the induction of the said tainted official and termed it as unfortunate rather than a silly decision of the state government that too was never found serious towards the interests of over 7 lakh schoolchildren of the state.

The association has appealed to the state government to review its decision. The meeting was attended by Pankaj Sangral, Dr GS Charak, Guataj Singh, JS Chib and Kuldeep K Rao.

Jammu, October 19
Continuing its drive against adulteration of milk in view of the forthcoming festival season, the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) today inspected about 2,000 litres of milk.

A team of food safety officers under the supervision of Dr Vinod Sharma, health officer, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), inspected prominent sweet and milk shops in Sanjay Nagar, Digiana, Nanak Nagar, Talab Tillo, Canal Road, Mast Garh, Pacca Danga, Kachi Chowni and Kucha Sabzi Mandi area.

The Municipal Corporation has asked all food establishment owners to ensure proper food supply to the general public and maintain standard of hygienic conditions on their premises, failing which strict action would be taken against them under law.

The general public is requested to cooperate with the Jammu Municipal Corporation and share information regarding poor quality of food products, if any. On October 5, a team of the JMC was attacked by milk suppliers who were in possession of the adulterated milk.

A finding by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has found that 83 per cent of milk sold in districts of the state is not safe for consumption. — TNS

Jammu, October 19
Deputy Commissioner, Ajeet Kumar Sahu, has stressed the need for close coordination between different departments for ensuring fool-proof arrangements for the smooth conduct of the Jhiri Mela, which will commence on November 16.

Sahu was addressing a meeting of the district officers of different departments and the Mela Committee members at Jhiri.

It was decided in the meeting that Block Development Officer, Marh, will be the Mela Officer, who will supervise the arrangements of the fair besides ensuring construction of mobile toilets and individual sanitation complex.

A control room has also been set up under the supervision of Naib Tehsildar, which will be made functional round the clock for the convenience of the devotees.

The Deputy Commissioner directed the functionaries of R&B to immediately start the repair of damaged roads. He also asked the PHE department to ensure uninterrupted water supply with provision for additional water tanks, hand pumps and sprinklers for cleaning of the venue.

Sahu also instructed the Power Department to ensure proper lighting arrangements in addition to un-interrupted power supply at the venue throughout the Mela days.

The Irrigation Department was directed to construct bathing ghats and erection of barricading.

Transport authorities, meanwhile, were told to arrange sufficient number of buses for transportation of devotees and to fix special time table for hassle-free movement of vehicles.

Fire Services would ensure fire tenders at the venue and other vital points to meet any eventuality. — TNS

Jammu, October 19
Commissioner, Jammu, Shantmanu today reviewed the physical and financial status of projects under the Special Task Force.

The Divisional Commissioner was apprised that under the Roads and Buildings sector, work is afoot on the up-gradation and widening of Ramangar, Dudu Basantgarh-Latti road, Patnitop, Sanasar road, while the sub structure of alternate bridge near Abdullah Bridge, Rajouri, stands completed and other remaining works are under progress.

He was also informed that under the PHE sector, the filtration plant for Rajouri town has been completed, while the alternate water supply scheme to save Surinsar and Mansar lakes will be completed in the current financial year.

Threadbare discussions were held on the status of various projects under the Housing and Urban sector. It was informed that land for solid waste management projects has been identified in Rajouri and Udhampur and the case has been referred to the concerned departments for necessary clearance.

Regarding the Civil Aviation sector, Shantmanu directed for expediting land acquisition cases. He also reviewed component wise details of the Jammu Airport Extension Project.

Later, Shantmanu convened a meeting of senior officers to discuss the issues related to exchange of forest land situated at Sunjwan in favour of the Army, in lieu of its land situated at Satwari coming under the extension of Jammu Airport.

Jammu, October 19
The ‘Passport Adalat’ held at the office premises of the Passport Office, Jammu, concluded amid great enthusiasm and appreciation.

A large number of aspirants were witnessed at the office during the event. And all the eligible candidates were granted the passports.

The event, organised under the supervision of the Regional Passport Officer Rajinder Gupta, particularly aimed at clearing the backlog.

“The main aim of holding such an event was to clear old pending files (for the year 2011 and 2012), whose police verification reports have been received recently. The passport of such applicants shall get delivered within next 72-hours,” the Passport office said in a statement here.

The participants, meanwhile, appreciated the concept of holding such events. Senior citizens in particular were all praise for the initiative as their long wait for the passport finally got over.

It may be added that the occasion was a golden chance for the applicants, whose passports files for the year 2011 shall stand henceforth closed.

Jammu, October 19
A national integration camp was held at Nagrota today. The camp was organised by the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Directorate, J&K, and would concluded on October 30. A total of 500 cadets, including 170 from Jammu, 74 from Kashmir and 256 from other states of the country, are participating in the event.

The camp is an annual feature organised by the NCC Directorate where the stress is on imbibing national integration by exposing the cadets from various regions and states of our country to the cultural heritage of other regions.

Rajouri, October 19
As many as 25 candidates from the border area of Kalakote in Rajouri were trained during the plumbing and sanitary fitting workshop organised by the Army.

A visit to the pump house was also organised on the occasion. The trainees also visited local houses, where they were briefed about faults due to untrained plumbing and the need of improvements in the existing infrastructure.

Periodical tests were carried during the training, to monitor the progress of students and pay special attention towards the weak students.

The student after completing the training were awarded certificates. — OC

Jammu, October 19
Singh XI and Attacker Club scripted wins in the ongoing Shaheed Manjeet Singh T20 Cricket Tournament at Government Degree College Ground, Poonch.

In the first match, Attacker Club trounced Rider Club by eight wickets in an easy contest.

Batting first, Rider scored 102 runs in the stipulated 20 overs with Rustam and Riaz being the main contributors with 35 and 18 runs, respectively.

For Attacker Club, Majid Bhatti and Asaf bagged two wickets each. In reply, Attacker Club overhauled the target by losing two wickets. Asaf played a match-winning knock of 64 runs which included five hits for the maximum.

Arun contributed 13 runs to the total. For Rider, Rustam bagged one wicket.

In another match, Singh XI outplayed Shanker Nagar Cricket Club by a narrow margin of nine runs.

Batting first, Singh XI scored 119 runs in the allotted overs. Inder Pal was the top scorer with 76 runs while Pinku contributed 15 runs to the total.

For Shanker Nagar Club, Sajan and Sajad captured three wickets each. In reply, Shanker Nagar Club could manage 110 runs and lost the match by nine runs. For Singh XI, Basid and Nasar snared two wickets each.

The matches were officiated by Harbans Singh, Tariq Khan, Kaval Krishan, Sanjay Misri and Javid Iqbal.

Jammu, October 19
Yasmeen Akhter, a student of class VI of Humanity Public School (HMS), Bassi Kalan (Bari Brahmana) bagged the gold medal in 100m sprint in the U-14 girls event in the recently concluded divisional-level inter-district athletic meet organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports at the University of Jammu.

Other students of the school who participated in this athletic meet were complimented by principal Gaurav Charak, vice-principal Anku Charak and other staff members.

The principal said the school management would left no stone unturned to promote physical education in the school. He said sports infrastructure was being upgraded for providing platform to the students to take part in different sports activities at the district, state and national level.

The principal declared special cash prizes for the winners of the competitions who had participated in the inter-school as well as inter-district athletics meet 2013-14.

Jammu, October 19
Stadium XI and Col RN Chopra Academy Yellow notched up convincing victories over their rivals in the U-14 and U-12 boys matches, respectively, in the ongoing Col RN Chopra Challenge Cup Cricket Tournament, being played here.

In the U-12 age group, Academy Yellow got the better of Eleven Star Cricket Club in an exiting contest by a narrow margin of eight runs to secure a berth in the semifinals.

Batting first, Academy Yellow accumulated a modest total of 88 runs in the stipulated 16 overs losing six wickets in the process. Adish Goel (10) and Manveek (7) were the main contributors.

For Eleven Star Club, Aryan was the pick of the bowlers with a three-wicket haul while Asharya chipped in with one wicket.

In reply, Eleven Star Club did not capitalise on a decent start and lost wickets at regular junctures. The team managed to score 80 runs in their allotted quota of 16 overs.

Kastav Sharma was the top scorer with 15 runs while Pranav Raina and Navdeep Singh contributed nine runs each. For Academy Yellow, off-spinner Praful Dhar was the wrecker-in-chief who grabbed three scalps. Ayush bagged two wickets, while Manveek and Shavak shared a wicket apiece.

Earlier, in the U-14 boys, Stadium XI overcame the challenge of Academy Reds by seven wickets in a one-sided affair.

Academy Reds, after batting first, scored 121 runs in 30 overs. Vidhant Handa was the top scorer with 28 runs studded with five boundaries while Deepak contributed 17 runs.

For Stadium XI, Vivrant, Aniket and Saiyam claimed two wickets each.

Stadium XI, in reply, did the needful with utmost an ease in 17.1 overs by losing just three wickets. Ritham was the top scorer with 30 runs with the help of seven hits to the fence.

For Academy Reds, Akshun and Vidhant claimed one wicket each. Vivrant was declared the man of the match.

The tournament is being held under the supervision of Rakesh Basin, Zabeer Ahmad, coach Sukomal Ganguly and assistant coach Deepak Dogra.