Jammu, October 21
Prepare to shell out more for milk now. The administration has accepted 25 per cent hike in price of milk and its products, notification for which will be issued in a next few days. Though officials said the administration wanted to delay the implementation of the new rates list till Divali at several places shopkeepers had been charging new rates.

So far, officials from the Consumers Affairs Public Distribution (CAPD) Department are tight-lipped over the issue and the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) is slow to gear up to deal with adulteration in dairy products sold in the temple city.

Sources said the Prize Fixation Committee of the CAPD had given an approval for the price hike. Rates of cow milk containing 3.5 per cent fat and 8.5 per cent solid non-fat (SNF) were fixed at Rs 30 per litre. Similarly, buffalo milk containing 5.5 per cent fat and 9 per cent SNF was fixed at Rs 37 per litre. Price of curd of standard milk was fixed at Rs 42 per kg and cheese price was fixed at Rs 210 per kg.

Following an attack on the municipal team, which had seized several cans of milk for alleged poor quality on October 5, the Dhoodi Gujjars, which supply 90 per cent of milk, cheese and curd in the city, had gone on a strike demanding revision of prices.

“Though initially, the administration had maintained silence, soon they succumbed to the pressure and accepted the hike. But who will maintain quality and fat content, approved by the authorities. There is a lack of coordination at department level between the CAPD and the municipal corporation,” said an official source in the department.

Dhoodi Gujjars Association president Jameel Choudhary claimed that due to general price rise, cost of cattle rearing had increased, therefore, the rise was justified. However, GS Chib, Director, CAPD, refused to comment on the issue, while Deputy Commissioner’s office staff said the DC was on leave. “People are at the mercy of milk mafia, who control the supply and people are forced to consume poor quality milk, which is sold at higher costs. There is a shortage of staff and equipment,” Sunil Dimple, president, Jammu West Assembly Movement, said.

The failure of the government to release funds for the purchase of mobile-testing labs to check milk adulteration has scuttled the efforts of the JMC to start a major drive against the influx of poor quality products in the city. 

Jammu, October 21
The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) in its recently issued guidelines has instructed the state authorities to retain 5 per cent of Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) allocation at the Central level as reserve fund.

It added that the special projects for utilising the reserve fund could be posed to rehabilitate below poverty line (BPL) families affected by natural calamities, violence and law and order problems.

The guidelines stated that these projects would have to be submitted by the state government with adequate details and justification to the ministry and it would be considered by the Empowered Committee constituted for the purpose of approval.

However, the cost of the scheme except the component for provision of house sites would be shared between the Government of India and the state government in the ratio 75:25. The cost of providing house sites would be shared 50:50 between the Government of India and the state government.

“Further, 15 per cent of the funds would be set apart for beneficiaries from among the minorities. The state should ensure that at least 3 per cent of beneficiaries are from among persons with disabilities.

“The earmarking is only the minimum limit that should be achieved by the state. The targets in these categories should not be reduced. However, targets from SC and ST can be interchanged if there are no eligible beneficiaries from either of the category,” a statement from the Ministry of Rural Development said.

According to the guidelines, if a district has no eligible persons under any category, it should be certified as such by the district collector or CEO zila parishad. A certificate once accepted would be irrevocable. The targets then be reallocated proportionately among other districts to the same category.

At the district level, the implementation should be entrusted to zila parishad or its equivalent in the state where there were no zila parishads, it said.

“At the local level, the village panchayat or its equivalent where the state has no village panchayats, will implement the programme. If village panchayats are too small to implement the scheme, the state may entrust the task to the panchayat at the intermediate level. In such cases, village panchayats should be given clear roles in selection of habitats and beneficiaries and in supervision and monitoring,” the guidelines maintained. 

The earmarking is only the minimum limit that should be achieved by the state. The targets in these categories should not be reduced. However, targets from SC and ST can be interchanged if there are no eligible beneficiaries from either of the category
— A statement from the Ministry of Rural Development

Jammu, October 21
In a bid to provide fillip to agriculture-related activities and research work, the state government has accorded sanction to release grant-in-aid (GIA) to the tune of Rs 1,484.16 lakh as the fourth instalment for the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) Jammu and Kashmir. The amount is released for meeting the expenditure on account of salaries, pension, wages and other charges of the institution for the current financial year.

Sources said the drawing and disbursing officers of both the varsities had been directed to observe all the codal formalities while incurring expenditure in accordance with the instructions issued by the government in this behalf from time to time.

Both the varsities were informed that the austerity measures in vogue in terms of government order of the year 2009 would continue to remain in force for 2013-14.

The universities concerned were told to submit the utilisation certificate of both 3rd and 4th instalment in time under each unit of appropriation/detailed head. Meanwhile, as per data available, the total budget estimates for the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu, for the year 2013-14 was Rs 5,240 lakh.

The grant-in-aid released by the Finance Department was Rs 3,930 lakh whereas amount to the tune of Rs 1,309.98 lakh was already released by the Administration Department.

Further, an amount to the tune of Rs 436.66 lakh has recently been released in favour of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu, under the fourth instalment.

Similarly, the budget estimates for the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir, for the year 2013-14 was Rs 12,570 lakh and the Finance Department had released Rs 9,427.50 lakh. An amount to the tune Rs 3,142.50 lakh was already released by the Administration Department whereas under the fourth instalment, the department has released an amount of Rs 1,047.50 lakh.

The sources said a team of experts from both Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Jammu/Kashmir and Department of Horticulture had been entrusted the responsibility to identify the un-explored fruit crops.

Once identified and evaluated, the process of their multiplication and popularisation for commercial cultivation will be taken up by the Horticulture Department.

The sources added that the state government had recently launched series of measure to bring improvement in agricultural production.

Jammu, October 21
Two budding sport climbers of the state-Bindia Sharma of Udhampur and Shilpa Charak of Jammu-have been selected in the north zone sport climbing team for the upcoming National Sport Climbing Championship slated to be held in Bangalore from October 28 to 31.

The Mountaineering Association of J&K distributed kits to both climbers along with Shawetica Khajuria, an office-bearer of the association, who would accompany them in the sporting event.

Meanwhile, it was a dream come true for both climbers to represent the state at a higher level.

“I had been waiting for this moment for a long time and today, I am very happy that I have made it,” said an elated climber during a telephonic conversation with The Tribune.

“I was in class V when I started participating in the sport climbing competitions and with the passage of time, I have become more passionate to achieve new heights in my career,” Bindia said.

A class XI student of Government Higher Secondary School, Udhampur, Bindia, said her family support was the bigger strength that made her possible to pursue this adventurous game.

“My family is supporting me and that is why I have been able to represent the state at the north-zone level. Though it is a beginning, but I would continue to work hard to bring more laurels for the state,” Bindia said.

Another climber Shilpa Charak, a class VIII student of Shining Star Academy, Muthi (Jammu), said her dedication towards this game had finally yielded dividends.

“This is my first selection in a national competition and I worked very hard for it”, said Shilpa Charak while talking to The Tribune. “Last year in Delhi, I finished runner-up in the Sub-Junior North Zone Sport Climbing Championship, but this time I will try my level best to secure a top slot. This time, J&K has been entrusted the responsibility to host the coveted event,” Shilpa added.

Earlier, I used to compete in tae kwon do discipline, but when I got a chance to witness the competitions, I decided to pursue my career in sport climbing and earn a name for my state”, said the budding sport climber. 

Jammu October 21
Jammu University today launched a postgraduate diploma course in yoga with an aim to bring harmony and peace in society.

Launching the one-year PG Diploma Course in Yoga at the General Zorawar Singh Auditorium Complex in the University of Jammu, Vice-Chancellor Prof Mohan Paul Singh Ishar emphasised the significance of yoga in bringing about harmony and heralding peace in society.

The Vice-Chancellor said yoga contributed to human growth in a valuable manner, as it had answer for so many health-related issues, especially fitness of human beings. The Vice-Chancellor said, “Regular practice of yoga enables us to handle physical as well as mental stress”.

The Vice-Chancellor made it clear that the yoga centre would be strengthened in due course of time and he complimented the students for seeking admission in the PG diploma in yoga.

Earlier, DL Choudhary welcomed the Vice-Chancellor to grace the occasion as the chief guest of the function. Choudhary also welcomed the students.

About 50 students, including PG students and general class candidates, attended the inaugural function. The practical class was conducted by yoga instructors Sanhay Asin and Sanjeev Kumar. The demonstration of the asanas was given by SK Jain of the Bhartia Yog Sansthan.

Among others, the inaugural function was attended by Prof Keshav Sharma, Controller of Examinations, Prof Satnam Kour, Head, Department of English, JK Sharma, special secretary to the Vice-Chancellor, Balwan Singh, a prominent citizen of Jammu, members of the Vichar Kranti Manch International, university students, scholars and teachers.

Jammu, October 21
The Panun Kashmir (PK), a representative organisation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, today reiterated their demand for a separate homeland in the Valley as the only solution to the miseries of the minority community which were forced to leave the Valley by militants.

Addressing a meeting of workers, president of the organisation Ashwani Kumar Chrangoo said the organisation was committed to the establishment of a homeland on the north and east of the Vitasta (Jehlum) river in the Kashmir valley.

“There will be no compromise on this issue at any level. The Homeland resolution of 1991 and the resolutions passed thereafter in support of the Margdarshan resolution represents the core geo-political aspirations of the displaced Hindu community,” Chrangoo said.

He said the Kashmir issue had long ceased to be of any significance to the international community. “The world understands the bogey of Pakistan and is no more interested in its pranks. Kashmir is a settled issue and the only problem that needs to be discussed with the neighbouring country is the vacation of the territory which is under the illegal occupation of Pakistan,” he said.

Another senior member of the organisation Prof ML Raina said Kashmiri Pandits had first and natural claim on the territory of Kashmir. Virender Raina, national spokesperson, Panun Kashmir , said the government had once again failed to bring the Temples and Shrines Bill in the House of the Assembly.

“This depicts the callous and dismissive approach of the government towards the displaced Hindus of Kashmir. There is a little concern regarding the sentiments of the displaced population in this context,” the national spokesperson of the Panun Kashmir said.

Jammu, October 21
The J&K Handball Association has selected the state team for participation in the 18th North Zone Men and Women Handball Championship to be held in Delhi.

Before leaving for the venue, both teams (men and women) had undergone a 15-day coaching camp held at Parade Ground and Dogra Ground, Gandhi Nagar, respectively.

The teams are being accompanied by AK Raina, Sports Authority of India coach Dev Raj and J&K State Sports Council women coach Vinay Sharma.

Poonch, October 21
The Poonch Police today observed ‘Police Commemoration Day’ by paying homage to valiant officers and men of police and paramilitary forces in the country, who laid down their lives. The Commemoration parade was held at the Police Lines, Poonch, in the memory of the martyrs.

The names of 638 police officials and men, who made a supreme sacrifice in the cause of duty, during the year, were read out at the commemoration parade by Shamsheer Hussain, Superintendent of Police, Poonch.

He lauded the sacrifice of the martyrs, who lost their lives while protecting the security and integrity of the country. The day has been observed since 1959, when a small contingent of the Indian Police was attacked by Chinese troops, as a result, 10 of them were killed.

Police officials and relatives laid wreaths as a mark of homage at the Martyrs’ Memorial on the occasion.

“This is the day when we pay homage to our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the integrity and sovereignty of our country, we should salute them and work for strengthening communal harmony, peace in the country,” said Shamsheer Hussain, superintendent, Poonch police.

Katra, October 21
Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, Raman Bhalla, today asked officials of the Horticulture Department to make efforts in educating the fruit and vegetable growers about the benefits expected under the horticulture sector. This was stated by the minister while addressing a large gathering of fruit and vegetable growers after inaugurating the fruit exhibition-cum-awareness camp at Sanyog Palace in Reasi. Reasi MLA Baldev Raj Sharma, District Development Commissioner Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, horticulture director Anil Kumar Sharma, chief horticulture officer Sushil Kumar Chatta and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

About 35 stalls of allied sectors were setup for demonstrating quality of fruits and their species production, fisheries, agricultural crops, animals and sheep husbandry potential, sericulture and promotion of other allied sectors by concerted efforts of the government functionaries in coordination with progressive farmers. About 8,000 growers from all corners of the district participated in the camp. The growers were imparted latest technical knowhow during the day-long technical session.

The minister directed the officials concerned to provide hi-yielding varieties of plants to the farmers and said there would be no compromise on quality of the material being provided to the needy. He said attention was required to be focused both on the production of quality horticulture produce and its proper export to the terminal and satellite markets, ensuring substantial returns to the fruit growers.

Bhalla asked for inquiry into the matter and cancel such allotments and allot the same for fruit and vegetable markets. He asked the officials concerned to increase high mast lights, laboratory blocks, weighing bridge, guest house, DG set, macadamised roads, besides drainage facilities in every fruit and vegetable markets.

Bhalla also distributed cheques to the first, second and third best exhibit of the fruit show of the district. Earlier, the horticulture director said all out efforts would be made to boost the quality production for the economic development of the state. The department is committed to ensure prosperity of the farming community by strict implementation of various horticulture schemes.

Jammu, October 21
The three-day-long District Jammu Judo Championship got underway at Judo Hall, MA Stadium here today.

Jammu Municipal Corporation Commissioner Kiran Wattal was the chief guest on the occasion who declared the championship open. MLA Rachpal Singh and J&K Judo Association president was the guest of honour.

Around 300 judokas drawn from various schools/clubs are participating in the tournament being organised by the J&K Judo Association under the auspices of the J&K State Sports Council.

J&K Judo Association senior vice-president RC Thakur along with other office-bearers namely Ashutosh Sharma, Dr Nirmolak Singh, Ravinder Singh, Dr Sandeep Singh, Shiv Kumar, Ashok Singh, Vijay Gupta, Siddharth Sharma, Suraj Sharma, Kushdev Singh and Rohit Gupta were also present on the occasion.

Rameshwar Singh Jamwal is the organising secretary of the tournament which is being organised under the chairmanship of J&K Judo Association secretary Vikas Gupta.

Results

U-5 boys (20kg): Rudra Partap Singh (1st), Pranjal Sharma (2nd), Gaurav Singh and Akankshit Chawial (3rd).

25kg: Rishav Singh (1st), Krish Kaul (2nd) and Krish Bhat (3rd).

U-8 boys (20kg):

Om Billoria (1st), Naman Sharma (2nd), Aditya Choudhary and Arunaditya Singh (3rd).

30kg: Divyansh Sharma (1st), Harsh Mehra (2nd), Himanshu Raina and Rohit (3rd).

U-12 boys (25kg): Aditya (1st), Shivam Baloria (2nd), Ankit Sharma and Mohammad Shabir (3rd).

U-10 boys (35kg): Kulhan Koul (1st), Soham Gupta (2nd), Anirudh Sharma and Samerjeet Singh (3rd).

Jammu, October 21
Jammu Frontier started their campaign in style by notching up 4-1 win over Guwahati Frontier in the 37th BSF Inter-Frontier Hockey Championship which commenced at KK Hakku Astro Turf Stadium here.

The match between Kashmir Frontier and South Bengal Frontier ended in a goalless draw while North Bengal Frontier toppled Meghalaya Frontier by 3-1. Punjab Frontier overcame the challenge of Tripura Frontier in an interesting tie.

Earlier, the tournament was declared open by IG BSF Jammu Frontier, SS Tomar.

A total of 11 Frontiers from across the country are competing in the five-day long sporting event.

Jammu, October 21
JK Public School (JKPS), Kunjwani today organised its annual aquatic meet on the school premises here today.

Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, was the chief guest on the occasion. The ceremony began with a welcome song followed by march past by the contingents of various houses.

The entire event was divided into three segments wherein students from Classes UKG to XII participated.

Ukshay Sharma and Annanya Thappa were declared the best swimmer while the Roll on Trophy was bagged by Yellow House. The trophy was received by House Mistress Savinder Kaur.

The vote of thanks was presented by Headmistress Sarita Kaul. Later, students of the school presented colourful cultural items to enthral the audience.

Jammu, October 21
Karmanya took four important wickets, including a hat-trick, to help Sidhant Cricket Academy register a four-wicket win over Minerva School in the ongoing Col RN Chopra Challenge Cup Cricket Tournament.

Earlier, batting first, Minerva School accumulated paltry 66 runs in the stipulated quota of 16 overs. Himanshu (17) and Savar (15) were the main contributors. For Sidhant Academy, Karmanya was the wrecker-in-chief, who scalped four wickets, including a hat-trick.

In reply, Sidhant Academy did the needful in 15.2 overs by losing six wickets. Later, Karmanya was declared the man of the match. The tournament is being held under the supervision of Rakesh Basin, Zabeer Ahmad, Sukomal Ganguly and Deepak Dogra. — TNS