Jammu, November 14
Due to change of policy and rules by the Jammu and Kashmir Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department (CAPD) with respect to selling of the LPG cylinders, the Durbar Move employees in Jammu are not getting cylinders on the subsidised rates.

They have to pay Rs 1,300 per cylinder to various LPG distributors. But if a distributor declines to sell cylinders from the counter, employees turn to people selling cylinders in the black market.

The CAPD had banned selling of cylinders from counters and various LPG distributors were told to go for home delivery. The consumers who have official connection can call the gas agencies for booking and get cylinders at home, but those who do not have proper connection have to rely on the distributors.

“I am facing lot of inconvenience in getting LPG cylinders. A distributor sold me a cylinder at a higher price from the counter, but he refused to accede to any kind of request in future,” said Mushtaq Ahmad, a civil secretariat employee living on rent in the Bathindi area of Jammu.

He said the LPG distributor cited the risk of selling the cylinders from the counter as the government has starting acting strict on this ground.

An LPG distributor told The Tribune that they had got directions from the government not to sell the LPG cylinders from counter. “If caught, the authorities will go for higher penalty,” he said.

He said with the direct money transfer system coming in place, selling of the LPG cylinders on subsidised rates would put to an end to the practice and then people would have to pay full price for the cylinder.

“The CAPD has opened a counter at the civil secretariat, where an oil company officer has also been put on duty to address the issue,” said Amar Singh, joint controller, legal metrology, Jammu.

But employees in the civil secretariat are not aware of any such counter.

“I have brought my cylinder from my home in Kashmir. I don’t know about any such counter in the civil secretariat,” said a peon at the department.

Jammu, November 14
Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Prasad has said that the welfare of police wards is one of the top priorities of the organisation to infuse spirit of competition among them and boost their morale.

He said various welfare schemes had been introduced to inspire police wards towards quality education, enabling them to do well in competitive examinations and sports events.

Prasad awarded scholarships of Rs 4.52 lakh out of the Central Police Fund to 64 wards of deceased police personnel, who sacrificed their lives to protect people and public property in militancy-related incidents.

Reviewing the scholarship schemes for police wards at a meeting held at the Police Headquarters (PHQ) today, Prasad said realising its responsibility to help the wards of martyrs, the organisation had been providing scholarships to their school-going children, which would enable them to continue their education.

Giving further details, Prasad said various other schemes had been launched by the organisation to provide quality education to police wards. “Police Public Schools have been established at all range headquarters, besides twin capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar.

The schools in capital cities are fully equipped, including computer labs and sufficient infrastructure. The schools in the two capital cities have performed excellent in the recent years and students have secured distinctions in different professional examinations,” he said.

The beneficiaries students include Kamal Singh, Fareed Ahmed, Safoora Morifat, Tarzeela Morifat, Waseem Akram, Tahira Khatoon, Mohit Choudhary, Arzoo Shrama, Raheena Choudhary, Rifat Naz, Mehnaz Zahoor, Shabnam Naz, Azra Khatoon, Sakshi Pandita, Rayees Ahmed, Rafia Jan, Junaid Ahmed, Nargista Bano, Azhar Naseem, Javaid Ahmed, Yasmeena Bano, Suleman Khan, Imran Khan, Arfana Kosar, M. Rumankia, Rukhsana Majeed, Saima Majeed, Waheed Khan, Mohammad Rafiq, Afia Parvween, Sobia Parveen, Faiza Naseem, Nadish Farooq, Raisabba Farooq, Syed Ishrtat Nazir, Syed Auqib Nazir, Syed Imrat Nazir, Shagufta Khaliq, Najma, Saida Kouser, Adil Ahmed Dar, Ishfaq Ahnmed Dar, Shabina Akhter, Zahid Iqbal, Javaid Iqbal, Assia Iqbal, Sumaira Akhtar, Subreena Bano, Amir Maqbook, Vikas Maqbook, Daljinder Singh, Shafqat Muzamil, Ishftiyaq Muzamil, Ishfaq Ahmed, Shahid Iqbal Zahid Rasool Jan, Shahid Farooq, Muskan Bashir, Suraya Jan, Rabia Amin, Naveeda Anjum, Rashid Roohul Amin, Quratul Aien and Rubeena Farooq.

The DGP said the organisation was aware of the hardships faced by the police personnel in view of their nature of duty.

Jammu, November 14
Even as people across the country celebrate Children’s Day today, poor children are still engaged in different kinds of labour in the state.

Unaware of the ‘Children’s Day’ and their rights, thousands of children are indulged in different kind of labour activities in Jammu, but the authorities concerned seems to be taking the issue for granted.

Eleven-year-old Raju Kumar has been working at a motor garage in Jammu for one year. He earns Rs 1,500 per month. “My father is an alcoholic. He spends whatever he earns by doing labour work. So my mother and I are earning our own livelihood by working as labourers.”

Ragpickers at work; and (right) a girl sells toys in Jammu on Thursday. Tribune Photos: Inderjeet Singh

Destiny's child

• Official data reveals that in 2012-13, the state labour department has detected 3,423 cases of child labour, but legal action was initiated on only 22 cases.
• Since April, the department has detected more than 1,200 such cases and only one or two cases were brought in the court of law.

Jammu, November 14
The Samba police today arrested five gamblers and recovered Rs 2.02 lakh from their possession.

A police party headed by PSI Varuneshwar Singh and PSI Naseer Naik of the Bari Brahmna police station, under the supervision of SHO Arun Jamwal, conducted a raid near Dogra Law College, Bari Brahmna, last night and nabbed five gamblers from the spot, a police spokesperson said.

The accused have been identified as Neetu, Jeet Raj, Billu Ram, Subhash Chander, and Jagbir Singh, all residents of Bari Brahmna.

They were booked under the 13 Gambling Act and produced before court.

Udhampur, November 14
Thanks to the “highly unprofessional approach” of the Udhampur municipal authorities, the city remains cluttered with filth and waste.

Heaps of garbage remains lying unattended at busy markets causing inconvenience to the people. The office of the Chief Medical Officer located in the heart of the city and the office of the District Development Commissioner at Slathia Chowk are one of the spots where heaps of garbage can be seen.

Even the district hospital is not spared from the dumping of garbage and one can easily find a huge heap of garbage behind the hospital.

“What more can we expect from the authorities when a huge heap of garbage can be seen lying in front of the Chief Medical Officer’s office, who gives lectures on keeping the surroundings neat and clean in order to avoid dengue, malaria and other communicable diseases?” said Arun Gupta, president. Booksellers’ Association.

Various business, social and political organisations and residents across the city have been protesting against the apathetic attitude of the municipal committee, management and district authorities.

“We have been forced to stage protests as all our repeated pleas to keep the main bus stand neat and clean have fallen on deaf ears,” said Jitender Vermani, president, Bus Stand Shopkeepers’ Association.

Demanding collection of garbage on daily basis, residents of the Dhar road area staged a protest and burnt an effigy of the district authorities outside the head post office yesterday.

“We have been asking the municipal authorities to take steps to curb the problem, but to no avail. There’s a mini dumping station in front of my office and I feel helpless when I have to answer the doctors coming to my office,” said Dr Arun, Chief Medical Officer, Udhampur.

“We are trying our best to solve the problem, but acute shortage of sweepers and garbage lifting machinery is our main constrains. The city has expanded nearly four times in the past 20 years, but the strength of sweepers has only come down,” said Rattan Lal, executive officer, municipal committee.

Katra, November 14
The first and three-day Adventure Sports and National Rafting Championship will begin from November 29 in Reasi town.

Minister for Tourism Ghulam Ahmed Mir and other dignitaries are expected to attend the event. Arrangements for the championship were today finalised at a meeting chaired by District Development Commissioner (DDC) Shahid Iqbal Choudhary.

Of late, Reasi has emerged a river rafting destination among tourists and pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi and Shiv Khori. The Tourism Department and the district administration have been making efforts to tap the adventure sports potential of the town.

The arrangements for the stay of visiting sportspersons, teams, and supporting agencies, medical facilities, drinking water facility, rescue plan, security plan, and promotion plans have been finalised for the event.

Volunteers of the Red Cross Society and mobile medical teams will be deployed at the marathon and rafting routes along the Chenab.

The DDC said the land had been identified for an adventure sports club and a society of district officers was being constituted for promoting rafting in the region.

A tourist hut and a cafe will be constructed on the banks of the Chenab to strengthen the sports club. The Director Tourism said the funds for infrastructure proposed by the DDC would be released soon by the department.

Discussions to organise an annual event to promote tourism in the area were made at the meeting.

The DDC said such national-level events would boost the local economy and develop tourism infrastructure.

Director Tourism Saujanya Sharma, Additional Deputy Commissioner Rajinder Singh Tara, Superintendent of Police (ACD) Joginder Rai, ACR Tilak Raj Shastri, ExEn PWD Kabir Shah, ExEn PHE Nissar Khan, ExEn PDD Sanjeev Rathore, CMO Younis, Colonel Antony CIF U Force, District Sports Officer SS Chib, AD Tourism Veenakshi Kaul, Tehsildar RK Anand, Municipality EO Thakur Das and other officers were present at the meeting. 

Jammu, November 14
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today emphasised on balancing development with natural requirements to preserve the serenity and scenic splendour of health resorts of the state.

He said infrastructural development should not interfere with the natural settings and the beauty of these places.

“A judicious balance needs to be maintained between conservation and development. We should assume collective responsibility to ensure the preservation and protection of tourist attractions,” the CM said.

Reviewing the works and initiatives undertaken by the Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) and the Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA), the CM stressed that no violation of building permissions granted by the BOCA should be allowed and wherever unauthorised constructions and land grabbing had taken place, the same should be challenged and public notices should be issued to all such violators.

He stressed on improving the aesthetics of the markets at Sonamarg and Gulmarg. He also called on the SDA and the GDA to ensure strict adherence to sewage and sanitation disposal norms by the hoteliers.

Chief executive officers of the SDA and the GDA briefed the CM about the initiatives taken by the authorities to develop infrastructure for convenience of the tourists and sought approval for initiatives required to be undertaken.

The CM asked the GDA to make preparations for the upcoming winter sports activities at Gulmarg Ski resort.

Jammu, November 14
The state unit of the Rashtriya Krantikari Samajwadi Party (RKSP) has assailed the move of some political elements to exclude the NOTA option in the state Assembly elections.

The arguments, based on the J&K’s special status, given for excluding Jammu and Kashmir from this reformatory provision are flimsy, said RKSP president Tanveer Hussain Babzada.

Addressing a press conference here today, Babzada said the J&K’s special status should not be used for anti-people and anti-democratic purpose.

“Rather this provision should be used for pro people, pro democracy and more revolutionary measures. Under the state’s own constitution and the Peoples Representation Act, the government should bring an amendment to grant 33 per cent reservations to women in the state assembly,” he said, adding the state should be a pioneer in this regard.

He also demanded proportionate reservations to the cross gender. Similar reservations in assembly seats be provided to Dalit Christians, Dalits among Muslims and in all other communities, so that ever segment of society is represented in the state legislature.

The others who were present at the conference included Rajesh Manchanda, Pawan Singh, Kamal Magotra, Rimpy Jamwal, Manga Ram, Willam Gill, Mudassar Hussain, Surjeet Singh Sitra and Veena Dogra. 

Jammu, November 14
Dogra Higher Secondary School (HSS), Shastri Nagar, today organised annual sports meet at Dogra Ground, Gandhi Nagar.

Navin Aggarwal, Director General Youth Services and Sports, was the chief guest and Surekha Charak, president of the school managing committee and Uma Katal, manager of Rich Harvest Scholls were the guests of honour.

The meet began with dignitaries releasing of balloons in the air followed by a mass drill and demonstration of speedball.

The chief guest in his address said the games must be an integral part and parcel of the education and co-curricular activities as they boost the physical standard and mental ability of the students.

The students who brought laurels for their school in different events at national, state and district levels were honoured by the dignitaries. They included Harsh Vaid, Siddharth Maini and Ranvijay.

Srinagar, November 14
With experts believing that Kashmiris are highly prone to diabetes, doctors say clashes, protests and strikes have been an important factor in increasing the number of diabetic patients across the Valley.

According to endocrinologists, there has been an increase in the number of diabetic cases among young people in the last two decades. “The age graph of diabetic patients has increased in the past two decades. What we used to see in 80’s is not the case now,” said endocrinologist Dr Abdul Hameed Zargar.

He said clashes, protests and strikes were also one of the main contributors of diabetes in Kashmir. “Confinement to homes leads to stress and depression among people, which ultimately leads to increased sugar level. Due to this situation, we are unable to perform outdoor activities and remained confined indoors,” he said.

The other factor doctors say is the change in lifestyle and food habits. “In recent times, wazwan is easily available to us and eating it has become a norm. Usually, people would eat it only at functions but now they eat non-vegetarian food everyday, this is also one of the causes,” he said.

Experts also said diabetes had become a huge healthcare issue in Kashmir. They say most of the people are unaware of the disease as it doesn't have any visible symptoms. “Earlier, people would get this disease after the age of 45. But now, it can be seen among young children, who remain unaware about it as they don’t go for regular tests and it doesn't have any visible symptoms,” said another endocrinologist.

The doctor said, “When a person is affected by diabetes, it has an impact on his whole body which leads to heart and kidney diseases as well. In Kashmir, 8 per cent adults suffer from diabetes and 27 per cent from pre-diabetes and it has an impact on the whole body,” the doctor added.

There has also been an increase in diabetic cases among pregnant women. The doctor said currently 5 per cent of the pregnant women suffered from diabetes. “Even if it is 5 per cent only, it will get worst in coming times. Among pregnant women, the reason seen is late marriages,” Zargar added.

Experts suggest that people should frequently check their weight and get sugar tested once in a while. Recently, noted endocrinologist Dr Shariq Masoodi from Sheri Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, conducted a study and revealed that Kashmir has more than two lakh diabetic patients and the disease is increasing every day.

Jammu, November 14
Minister of State for Cooperative, Manohar Lal Sharma today asked the functionaries of Jammu Central Cooperative Bank (JCCB) to intensify the recovery mechanism for improving the financial health of the institution.

The minister said all branches of the bank would be computerised in a phased manner by introducing a core banking solution in the organisation.

Sharma was speaking at a function, 60th Week Cooperative Celebrations-2013, organised by the bank here today. After inaugurating the week, the minister said despite limited resources, the government had been helping the bank in improving its financial status.

He said efforts were on to make other cooperative societies more profitable. The minister asked authorities concerned to take necessary steps to reduce the liabilities and maintain a close look on liability clearance and review it quarterly.

JCCB chairman Mohinder Singh said the business of the bank had touched to Rs 1,295.14 crore with 3.8 lakh account holders. He said the bank had disbursed Rs 63.7 crore among 33,281 kissan card holders of the Jammu division. — TNS

Students perform during the function on Children’s Day at Kalamkari Centre Society College of Education (Women) in Jammu on Thursday. A Tribune photo

Students participated in various events such as debate, dance, mono acting, group song, Dogri folk, solo dance, Kashmiri dance and Punjabi dance.

Children’s Week

Rich Harvest School today celebrated children’s week ‘Spardha 2013’ under the guidance of Ruchi Charak (Trustee) on account of Children’s Day.

Principal Shivani Singh welcomed the special guest Ram Singh Salathia and told students that Pt Jawaharlal Nehru’s birthday is celebrated as Children’s Day.

Various games and events were organised for the students during the week.

On the concluding day of the children’s week, Ram Singh Salathia shared his experience of climbing the Mount Everest with the students.

Later, prizes were distributed among the winners of the events.

Cricket match

BSF School today organised a cricket match between teachers and students on the school campus to celebrate Children’s Day.

The students won the match.

School principal SS Khokhar and staff members paid floral tributes to Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru in the morning assembly.

The celebration began with a group song followed by a lecture by a senior teacher. A cultural programme was presented by the students. Later, sweets were distributed among the students.

Celebrations at Udhampur

Asha School and Drona Hostel today celebrated Children's Day with a magic show and other entertainment programmes at Udhampur.

The event was organised with the support of Anshul Chachra, president of the Family Welfare Organisation (FWO), Northern Command.

Fun games, joy ride and dance programmes were also organised for children. The FWO president complimented the staff of school and hostel for their dedication, personal care and attention given to each child.

The event culminated with the distribution of sweets and books among the children by Anshul Chachra.

Jammu, November 14
Youth Cricket Club (YCC), Amjad Club and Purani Poonch registered win in the ongoing Poonch Link-up Day Tennis Ball Cricket Tournament being organised by the 93 Brigade in collaboration with the Department of Youth Services and Sports, Poonch.

In the first match, Amjad Club defeated Shankar Nagar Club by 6 wickets. Shankar Nagar scored 61 runs in 10.1 overs. In reply, Amjad Club overhauled the target in 9.2 overs at the loss of 3 wickets. Arif scalped 4 wickets while Nawaz Rather contributed 24 runs for Amjad Club.

In another match, YCC overcame the challenge of Power House Club (PHC) by a margin of 56 runs. Bating first, YCC accumulated 92 runs with Amandep a top scorer with 42 runs. In reply, PHC was bundled out for 37 runs in 8.3 overs. Shahnawaz and Rupinder claimed 2 wickets each for YCC.

In the third match, Purani Poonch drubbed Star XI by 54 runs in a one-sided contest.

The matches were officiated by RS Toofan, Narinder Singh, Puran, Sachin, Vijay Kumar and Suhail.