R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Jalandhar
MNREGA: NYK volunteers to hold camps: Volunteers of the Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYK) will organise a mass sensitisation programme in villages to make villagers aware of the benefits of the Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). The volunteers will hold camps in villages and persuade the villagers to get their job card issued from the competent MNREGA authorities and avail themselves of the benefits of 100 days of assured employment of the scheme. This was revealed by Additional Deputy Commissioner Sarojini Gautam Sharda at a training camp of NYK volunteers, organised at Virsa Vihar here. Samson Maseeh, district youth coordinator, NYK, was also present.

Don’t take sleep disorders lightly: Expert: One should not take sleep disorders lightly. Chest and sleep disorders specialist Dr H.J. Singh stated this while delivering a lecture on “Wake up to sleep” organised by the local unit of the IMA here. Stress increasing abuse of alcohol and tobacco and nerve-jerking competition have been the factors eating into the sleep of people in the prosperous region of Doaba, he added. President of the local unit of the IMA Dr Sarabjeet Singh presided over the meeting, whereas its secretary Dr Avinash Bhagat conducted the meeting.

Ludhiana
Bodybuilding meet from Feb 25: More than 300 participants from all over the country will take part in the “Muscle Mania Avon Mr India Bodybuilding Championship” scheduled to be held at the multipurpose hall of Guru Nanak Sports Complex here from February 25 to 27. Former Mr World and president of the Punjab State Amateur Bodybuilding Association (PSABA) Prem Chand Degra said this at a press conference.

Phagwara
Workshop on ethics: An UGC-sponsored workshop on ethics and human rights was organised in Ramgarhia College. Dr Jagroop Singh Sakhon, Director, IAS Centre, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, presided over the first session of the programme. Dr J.P.S. Oberoi, a sociologist, Dr Usha Kapur and Dr Dinesh presented their papers. Prominent poet Dr Surjit Pater shared his poems with the audience. — OC

JAMMU & KASHMIR

SRINAGAR
Fresh snow in Valley areas: There was fresh snow in the Gurez and Gulmarg areas of the Kashmir valley on Thursday. The state Meteorological Department had earlier predicted a fresh spell of moderate to heavy snow in the Kashmir valley in the next few days. “A western disturbance persists over Jammu and Kashmir and is followed by another weather pattern. Due to this, there will be light to moderate snow and rain over the plains with isolated heavy snow in the next five days”, said Sonam Lotus, director of the department.

Two IEDs defused in Kupwara: The police recovered and defused two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Kupwara on Thursday. “On specific information, the Kupwara police recovered two IEDs packed in two pressure cookers lying in the open fields, about 300 metres from Marazi Mohalla at Halmatpora,” a police spokesman said. He said the IEDs were defused on the spot by a bomb disposal squad with the assistance of the 41 RR. No loss of life or injury was reported.The police has registered a case in this regard.

89 ASIs promoted: The IGP, Kashmir, SM Sahai, has promoted 89 Assistant Sub-Inspectors (executive) to the rank of Sub-Inspector. The new pay of the promoted officers would be Rs 9,300-34,800 plus Grade Pay Rs 4,200. The departmental promotion committee constituted by the Police Headquarters had earlier approved their inclusion in the promotion list.