|
|
Six students injured
in lathicharge
Need for viable road network: Vohra
Better roads, regulating traffic need of hour: CM
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Delay in convening House flayed
PSA case against Dinesh Bharti
Misappropriation of Ration
Land scam unearthed
Track fracture disrupts train service
4 injured in Budgam lathicharge
ANC releases Shah’s report on autonomy
Postings, transfers
Age-determination test conducted on maid
SRTC staff hold demonstration
City residents rue long power cuts
Veterinary, medical camps organised
|
|
Six students injured
in lathicharge
Jammu, January 21 While the students pelted the police with stones, the police fired tear gas canisters at them, besides using water canons and resorting to lathi charge. “At least six students were injured in the brutal lathi charge,” said state secretary of ABVP Suresh Mangotra, who was leading the protest. “The police entered classrooms and even the hostel of the college and thrashed boys ruthlessly. It also fired tear gas shells inside the classrooms,” Suresh alleged. He termed the attitude of the college authorities as “condemnable”. Meanwhile, softening its posture, the Jammu University authorities held a discussion with the agitated students led by Mangotra and president of the Jammu Joint Students Federation Pushpinder Singh. Though the varsity offered some “concessions”, the talks did not succeed, as a point of consensus could not be reached between the two parties. “We softened our stand and agreed to 40 per cent concession instead of the earlier demand of 60 per cent, but the university is adamant on 30 per cent,” said Mangotra. He added that the students would continue protesting till their demands were fulfilled. Following continuous boycott of classes and protests by students, there has been a heavy deployment of police force around all colleges, including SPMR College for Commerce and GGM Science College, for the past some days. Protesting students said their syllabus had not be completed in due time. They said they wanted the examination to be held as scheduled. Dean academic affairs, BPS Sehgal, controller, examination, PS Pathania, dean student welfare, DS Bhau, and director, colleges development council, Dr Meenakshi Kilam, besides some college principals were also present in the meeting. Sehgal said, “Taking several things into consideration, we offered some concessions, but an agreement could not be reached. We hope that a consensus would be evolved in the next meeting.” |
|
Need for viable road network: Vohra
Udhampur, January 21 Inaugurating the Udhampur bypass, a project undertaken by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), here this morning, the Governor referred to the frequent closure of the Srinagar-Jammu highway and said this needed to be kept open throughout the winter. Vohra appreciated the crucial role being played by the BRO in developing and maintaining the roads in the difficult hilly terrain of the state, and hoped that all ongoing projects would be completed in a time-bound manner. He also hoped that concerned agencies of the state government would enforce available laws for checking the menace of encroachments on the highways. He also stressed the crucial need of identifying dedicated parking areas along the highways to ensure smooth flow of traffic, without causing avoidable jams. The Governor was briefed on the bypass project by the chief engineer, BRO, Brig Ashok Bhutani. He said the National Highway (NH 1A) was the only lifeline to the valley which passes through important townships like Jammu, Udhampur, Banihal, Khannabal etc. Over the period of time, the traffic density on this road has increased manifold. It was felt essential and inescapable to construct a bypass out-skirting the cantonment and Udhampur town to avoid congestion. Brig Bhutani apprised the Governor that the alignment of the project took off from 54.50 km and met at 67 km on NH-1A.He said the work on this project progressed at a good pace despite various hurdles during the construction. These included land acquisition, shifting of utilities, various court cases, forest clearance etc. The highlights of the project are the construction of three major bridges and a flyover at the Dhar road. The 8.30 metre wide road has high counter fort retaining walls and smooth gradients all along to permit easy movement of. The bypass will provide an alternate means for movement of traffic to the valley and the picturesque Mansar Lake in the Kathua district. Earlier, during his first visit to the Headquarters of Northern Command at Udhampur, the Governor was given a briefing on the overall security situation in the state. He interacted with various ranks at the Headquarters.
|
|
Better roads, regulating traffic need of hour: CM
Jammu, January 21 Besides traffic chaos, deaths on roads in the winter capital every year exceed far more than deaths in militancy-related incidents. Though Omar’s predecessors, too, had promised to revamp the grim traffic scenario, Jammu city till date had no traffic light system. However, reviewing various projects being executed by the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) here today, Omar asked ERA to have a “futuristic” approach and deliver “time-bound quality projects”. “Flyovers and subways should be rightly positioned at vantage points so that they serve the purpose and help in traffic management,” he said. The Chief Minister also felt that there should be better coordination between the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, the UEED and ERA for delivering optimum results and ordered the setting up of a committee under chief secretary SS Kapur for policy coordination. Calling upon ERA to take up viable projects, Omar said money raised from Asian Development Bank (ADB) had to be repaid. He said money being spent on the ERA projects did not generate revenue and instructed the agency to fix realistic targets for the completion of ongoing projects in a time-bound manner and also to take up new projects that benefit maximum number of people. Omar said since funds were available for the projects under the ADB funding, there should be no reason for not completing the projects on time. The Chief Minister issued instructions for taking up upgrading work of Srinagar city roads, including the Dalgate-Hazratbal Road, on priority. Similarly, he called for focusing on augmenting water supply schemes for greater Jammu city. The Chief Minister said the respective divisional commissioners would have weekly meetings to remove impediments, if any, and ensure better coordination between various agencies while as the chief secretary would hold quarterly
meetings to review the implementation of the ERA projects. A senior Traffic Police officer said Jammu city had witnessed a huge population explosion in the last 10 years in stark contrast to road length, which remains the same. If the government really wanted to improve traffic scenario then it had to increase road lengths, widen roads, remove encroachments, construct arterial expressways and subways, besides overhaul the Traffic Police Department, he added. |
|
Delay in convening House flayed
Jammu, January 21 Former Education Minister and senior Panthers Party leader Harsh Dev Singh said after the Budget session in January last year the Assembly sat for a single day and that too for the vote of confidence of the Ghulam Nabi Azad government. “Even the last Budget session lasted for 16-17 days before being adjourned prematurely. A lot of issues of public interest have accumulated over the last one year and they all need to be discussed in the Assembly,” he said while alleging that the state administration was maintaining a silence on the issue. “This government is clearly shying away from the problems of the people. They don’t want the issues to be discussed and are resorting to the policy of delay and deny,” he claimed. According to him, going by the precedent the Budget session should be held in January. He said if the government could not hold the session now, it should at least take a decision and announce a date for it. Harsh Dev said unemployed engineers, agriculture graduates, ITI-trained electricians and home guards had been staging dharna for the past many months, but their pleas had fallen on deaf ears. He said apart from unemployment there were a host of other issues that needed to be discussed in the House. He said as per national consensus a state Assembly should sit at least for 100 days in a year, but last year the state Assembly sat for only 17 days. Leader of the BJP legislature party Prof Chaman Lal Gupta said neither the government had announced any date for the Assembly session nor it had initiated any measures to solve the problems. “There are several issues that need early attention of the government like implementation of the 6th Pay Commission, erratic power and drinking water supply, paucity of ration at depots etc.
|
|
PSA case against Dinesh Bharti
Jammu, January 21 Several people of the walled city, besides BJP activists led by Jammu Mahanagar president Rajesh Gupta took out a rally from Kachi Chawni, which after passing through main markets culminated at City Chowk. Carrying placards agitating activists demanded immediate revocation of the case against Dinesh Bharti. Addressing party activists at City Chowk, Gupta said: "The NC-Congress coalition has withdrawn the cases under the PSA against 15 anti-national elements belonging to a particular faith but is adopting different yardsticks for Dinesh Bharti, who took active part in the Jammu agitation." |
|
Misappropriation of Ration
Jammu, January 21 A case has been registered against these officials under the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act following verification into alleged fraudulent distribution of government ration, issued to ineligible beneficiaries, under the Antyodaya Ann Yojna (AAY) and BPL schemes by them during 2004-05. As per a statement issued by the SVO, the investigation revealed that Narinder Singh, Assistant Director; Baldev Singh, Area Inspector CAPD, Jammu; and Sumit Behal, depot holder No. 297, conspired and manipulated the records for facilitating the withdrawal of government ration of families of the BPL/AAY category who actually belonged to the APL category. It was found that the accused abused their official position and suo motu identified 380 ineligible families under the BPL and AAY category. They issued ration cards under the BPL/AAY category to these beneficiaries with effect from February, 2004, to September, 2006, to confer undue benefits upon beneficiaries and themselves. The issue of subsidised government ration to these ineligible families from depot No. 297 on the basis of manipulations and distortions had resulted an approximate loss of Rs 12 lakh to the state exchequer. |
|
|
Land scam unearthed
Srinagar, January 21 An official spokesman said land measuring 19 marlas situated at Laripura, Pahalgam, was recorded in the revenue records of the resort which was identified for acquisition for a golf ground. It was found that the measurement entry of land in revenue records was dishonestly manipulated and changed from 19 marlas to 10 kanals and 19 marlas by revenue officials. The spokesman said the acquisition proceedings for this identified land on the basis of manipulated revenue record was subsequently started and a compensation of Rs 56,66,625 for 10 kanals and 19 marlas instead of the actual 19 marlas was drawn and shown paid to the
beneficiaries. It was revealed that a compensation of Rs 4,91,625 for 19 marlas of land should have been drawn and reimbursed to the beneficiaries but the accused officials dishonestly and fraudulently were found to have drawn an amount of Rs 51,75,000 (excess payment of 10 kanals) from the state exchequer, the spokesman said. The accused officials of the Revenue department, Pahalgam, in league with officials of the Anantnag DC’s office drew an excess compensation of Rs 51,75,000 to confer undue benefits upon the beneficiaries and themselves, the spokesman said. — UNI |
|
|
Track fracture disrupts train service
Srinagar, January 21 The train was stopped near a bridge by Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel on the reports that there was some problem with the line ahead near Rawalpora. The railway officials were informed and a team of railway engineers reached the spot. The fracture might have occurred due to severe cold conditions. The officials said the damage was caused due to freezing of accumulated water on the line under sever cold conditions. This was for the first time since the train services between Anantang in south Kashmir and Rajwansher in central Kashmir district of Budgam began on October 11 last that a train was stopped due to a problem on the track. The train service, which awaits connectivity to the network across the country beyond the Banihal range, has created keen interest among people in Kashmir. Hundreds of people have been travelling by the train daily, which, however, awaits extension to Qazigund in south Kahmir and Baramulla in north Kashmir. The services between these two destinations is expected to be started soon after the completion of work on the line. |
|
|
4 injured in Budgam lathicharge
Srinagar, January 21 Locals said a large number of people from Soibugh blocked the road in protest against the worsening power supply in their area. As they refused to lift the jam, the police resorted to a lathicharge. Policemen said they were pelted with stones. Locals said unscheduled power cuts were the order of the day, making life more difficult in winter months. Meanwhile, many candidates seeking jobs in the police continued with their protests in Ganderbal district. However, things remained under control unlike yesterday when the police had to fire tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Candidates had turned violent after they were told at a police recruitment drive in Manigam that those without a matriculate degree and not hailing from Ganderbal were not qualified to take the test. |
|
|
ANC releases Shah’s report on autonomy
Srinagar, January 21 Party workers were informed at a meeting here today that the report compiled by its founder leader late Ghulam Mohammad Shah and Ghulam Nabi Kochak in 1981 had been released. It is being provided for reference and debate to all political parties, intellectuals and the High Court Bar Association, an ANC spokesman said. “This report is clear, without any ambiguity and is purely a legal document”, said Muzaffar Ahmad Shah, senior leader of the ANC and son of a former Chief Minister, late GM Shah. Elaborating further, Muzaffar Shah told the Tribune that this copy had not been made public so far after it was compiled in 1981 during the tenure of the then Chief Minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. However, another report compiled by DD Thakur had been presented. The grant of greater autonomy had been the main demand of the NC for over the past several years. The ANC has been advocating an intra-Kashmir dialogue involving political leaders and those from different shades of opinion in India and Pakistan for finding a solution to the Kashmir issue. The ANC meeting also 0discussed the recent poll debacle and resolved to fight back and raise peoples’ issues and problems, the party spokesman added. |
|
|
Postings, transfers
Jammu, January 21 AR Kuchai, director, Estates, has been transferred as special secretary, Higher and Technical Education Department. The charge of director, Social Welfare Department, Kashmir, shall be held by Hilal Ahmad Parrey, special secretary, Winter Secretariat, Srinagar, in addition to his own duties till further orders. Mohammad Hanief Malik, collector, Land Acquisition, Ravi Tawi Irrigation Complex, Kathua, has been transferred as SDM, Mahore, relieving additional district development commissioner, Reasi, of the additional charge of the post. |
|
|
Age-determination test conducted on maid
Jammu, January 21 Now, a controversy has surfaced over the age of Meera, who has accused a Jammu University hostel warden, Amisha Gupta, of subjecting her to “inhuman treatment” for two years. According to police sources, the warden has produced a copy of contract given by the agency that provided her with Meera as domestic help. The contract describes Meera’s age as 18 two years back, but Meera maintained before the media yesterday that she is 16 years old. “To ascertain the age of the girl, we along with the police took Meera to the GMC for a radiological bone age determination test,” said state coordinator of Child Rights and You (CRY) Deepika Thusso, demanding strict action against Amisha once Meera is proved minor. Students staged a sit-in on the varsity campus for four hours disrupting vehicular traffic last evening. During the demonstration a protesting girl student fainted and was shifted to hospital. Later, the students proceeded toward the administration block. “It’s a potential criminal case having internal and external dimensions. Law is taking its own course and we have been fully cooperating with the police investigation,” said the vice-chancellor, Prof Varun Sahni, while pacifying the agitated students. Prof Sahni said the varsity had taken the matter very seriously and initiated requisite measures. “The police has been coordinating with its counterparts in Delhi and Chhattisgarh and Meera will be restored to her parents,” Prof Sahni reassured the students. “We are waiting for the medical report of Meera and the action will be taken accordingly,” said SSP Manohar Singh. Meanwhile, protesting against the varsity’s decision to give the charge of women’s hostels to dean social sciences Prof Kulwant Kaur, the students demanded Prof BL Sharma should be allowed to remain as the provost of both girls and boys hostels. A delegation of hostellers also called on the vice-chancellor this afternoon. The hostellers said, “We have told the VC that we won’t hand over Meera to the police or send her to any welfare home.” Maintaining that Meera faced a threat to her life, they said they would look after Meera till her parents take over her custody. |
|
|
SRTC staff hold demonstration
Jammu, January 21 The employee leaders alleged that the government was not serious about the genuine demands of the employees. "The state government is treating employees like bonded labour by not releasing our salaries," the leaders alleged. They said they were ready to hold parleys with the government, but it was the latter’s duty to ensure that their interests were taken care of. With the start of today's protest, SRTC vehicles remained off the road. |
|
|
City residents rue long power cuts
Jammu, January 21 Chief engineers of systems operations and M&RE wings of the Power Development Department were also present in the meeting. Khajuria said though the department had officially imposed a nine-hour power cut in the old city, the cut actually went beyond 13 hours a day. “Long power cuts have affected shopkeepers, industrialists, businessmen and students,” he said. Khajuria further said in view of Republic Day long cuts during evenings also posed a security threat. He also took up with the authorities the issue of the replacement of electronic meters damaged during the Amarnath land agitation. “During the agitation, when business establishments were shut, some miscreants damaged meters and so the department should replace them immediately and the government should bear the expenses,” he added. The divisional commissioner directed the department officials to convene a meeting with traders associations and elected representatives of the old city so as to resolve their problems. |
|
|
Veterinary, medical camps organised
Udhampur, January 21 The camp was an effort by the Army to assist the locals, especially Gujjars and Bakkarwals, to address their problems by treating their livestock. The aim of the camp was to create awareness about the potential of cattle, which could be tapped using scientific methods for production and health. The doctors also gave useful tips on maximising weight gain and wool production. A lecture on value addition in livestock production was also delivered. Meanwhile, a free medical camp was also organised. A large number of people turned up for medical examination and treatment. Medicines were distributed free of cost among the needy and poor people. |
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Jammu, January 21
Srinagar, January 21
