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Misuse of red beacon vehicles goes on with impunity
Recruitment policy creates division between coalition partners
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Govt committed to empowerment
of panchayats
Several schemes under way to raiseliteracy rate: Peerzada
Band with a difference rocks Srinagar
J&K Bank signs MoU with ONICRA for MSME rating
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Misuse of red beacon vehicles goes on with impunity
Jammu, November 15 Under the State Motor Vehicle (SMV) Act, only 30 categories of the government servants are entitled to such privilege while on official duty, but the ground reality is starkly different. Such lights are readily available at shops dealing in car accessories as a result of which a huge fleet of vehicles sporting red flashers has been plying on the roads. Such vehicles frequently violate the traffic norms but despite enormity of the menace, the administration seems to have turned a Nelson’s eye to it. Almost all the former legislators, acting vice chairman of the state advisory boards, former municipal corporators, senior government officials, former legislators, political leaders, retired judges, acting and retired directors of the state departments and in certain cases media persons have also been using red flashers on their cars without authorisation. In certain cases, misuse of official vehicles allotted to government servants entitled to such privilege has also come into notice. The vehicles of the officials can be seen dropping and picking up their children during school hours or ferrying kiths and kins. The negligence and abuse of official positions could be gauged from the fact that many vehicles can be spotted zooming through busy roads without carrying the number plates. Though the law stipulates that in case the vehicle fitted with a red light on the top front is not carrying the dignitaries, then such red light should not be used and be covered by a black cover. But it is not being followed. As per the rules, the retired officials are not authorised to use red light atop their vehicles. Nevertheless, even police officials, officials of Regional Transport Office and vice chancellors of certain varsities, who are otherwise not entitled to use the privilege, have been the part of the problem. RTI activist Raman Sharma, who received information regarding the issue, said, “The government gave us information regarding the categories of public servants who are entitled to the privilege, but it did not reply to the query regarding “At busy places in the city, one can easily spot such vehicles wrongly parked. Even on the roads, such vehicles never follow traffic norms. Traffic cops never bother to halt such vehicles to find out as to who is travelling in such vehicles,” he said. The traffic police is already short of manpower and occupied with the traffic regulation. Resultantly, such vehicles hardly catch attention of busy traffic cops at the intersections. “It is a menace off course but unfortunately it’s not a criminal offence in our state. Recently, some gypsy cars were challaned as they were unauthorized and fitted with red flashers,” said IG Traffic Hemant Kumar Lohia and added, “If a driver is caught for driving a car arbitrarily fitted with red beacons, he is fined Rs 500.” “Apart from regulating traffic, we impound such vehicles and slap fine under relevant sections of the SMV Act,” he said and while adding that a substantial amount of fine was collected every month. The IG further said any person could send the photographs of such vehicles to the department and an action would be taken accordingly. The IG can be contacted at
igtraffic_jk@ymail.com Entitled few Government SRO No. 33, dated 8.2.2007, recognises only 31 categories of government servants who are authorised to use
red-flasher light on their vehicles. The state Transport Department says the Governor, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Speaker Legislative Assembly, Chairman Legislative Council, Chief Justice of High Court, Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, Leader of Opposition, Mayors of two cities (within their jurisdiction), Chairman of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council/Kargil/Leh (within their jurisdiction), Members of Parliament and State Legislature enjoy the privilege. Also, senior bureaucrats like Chief Secretary, Advocate General, Chairman, Public Service Commission, Financial Commissioners, DGP and equivalent rank officers, Principal Secretaries and Divisional Commissioners fall in the category. Besides, deputy commissioners, SSP and SP headquarters and police patrol vehicles are also entitled to it.
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Recruitment policy creates division between coalition partners
Suriansar, November 15 Although the Congress ministers in the government were very much present in the Cabinet meeting in which the new recruitment policy was announced, party leaders were not convinced with the policy and they publicly termed it as the anti-youth policy. The Congress leaders have started exerting pressure on their ministers to get the policy revoked. Senior vice president of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Dharam Pal Sharma has warned that the policy would create a law and order problem in Jammu province as anger brewing among younger generation of this region. Sharma, a veteran Congress leader, was of the view that the policy would further increase alienation among the youth. He disclosed that two Cabinet Ministers, one from the Congress and another from NC, had opposed this policy during the Cabinet meeting but their reservation was ignored by the majority view. Sharma, known for his critical views on coalition partner, the NC, was of the opinion that the policy was formulated in a haphazard manner and would snowball into a big political controversy in the state. He gave a strong warning to the state government against playing with the emotion of younger generation. In the presence of three Congress ministers, Sharma asked the government to immediately revoke the policy, or it would create law and order problem in Jammu region. “Anger is running high among the youth and if the policy is not revoked the anger would be take ugly turn,” he warned and pointed out that it was a high time to take some effective steps. Another Congress stalwart and Lok Sabha member from Jammu-Poonch constituency Madan Lal Sharma also criticised the state government for the policy. Although PCC chief Saifud Din Soz played safe, Madan Lal said that Centre government has already been giving funds to the state government to give salaries to the employees. “Instead of playing with the future of youth, the state government should consult Congress leaders so as to take the case of getting more financial aid from the Centre jointly,” he said and made it clear that he would not remain a mute spectator to the policy of the coalition regime. The Congress party has been facing pressure from the grass-root level workers to oppose the policy. Congress ministers, who were present in the Cabinet meeting when the policy was approved, had not expected such strong resentment from the youth of the Jammu region. Keeping in view the anger among the youth, the party has decided to convene a meeting of its senior leaders in the next week to chalk out a strategy. Other political groups like the PDP, the BJP and the Panthers Party have already opposed the policy and have started a movement. The PDP has decided to make it an issue in the days to come and the BJP has already started a campaign against it.
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Govt committed to empowerment
of panchayats
Srinagar, November 15 “We will also ensure that the report submitted by the Committee headed by the chief secretary regarding the empowerment and devolution of the powers to the panchs and sarpanches is implemented in letter and in spirit,” he maintained. The minister was addressing a gathering of panchs and sarpanches of
Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipora districts of north Kashmir at one-day interaction programme with them in Baramulla
recently. Sagar said much headway had been made in ensuring that panchs and sarpanches were empowered and they had assigned the job to monitor the functioning of 14 departments, putting at rest the aspiration being spread by different vested interest. Terming Panchayati Raj as an important tool in curbing corruption, the minister said: “By putting in place
panchayats, we will be getting the proper and requisite feedback about the status of implementation of various welfare programmes and schemes which will in turn away with the corrupt practices, if any”. He said credibility and transparency would also be ensured in such a manner. Referring to the government’s endeavour for capacity building of the
panchayats, Sagar said: “We have already released Rs 56 crore for building and renovation of Panchayat Ghars across the state and
panchs, sarpanches will also be imparted training about the implementation of Panchayati Raj System very shortly”. He said the funds earmarked for different schemes would also be given directly to the panchayats for ensuring proper and systematic utilisation of the same. “Various flagship schemes like
MGNREGA, IAY, TSC and NRLM will be monitored and implemented by the
panchs, sarpanches and necessary directions have already been issued in this regard,” he added. The minister said: “The government has also taken up the provision of providing honorarium to the
panchs/sarpanchs, enhancement of wages from 125 to 180 under MGNREGA and also involving various handicraft trades under the scheme with the Centre and hope we will be getting a positive response shortly”. District development commissioner,
Baramulla, BA Bhat, director, Rural Development, Kashmir, Jehangir Mir, additional district development commissioners, Bandipore and
Kupwara, senior officers of the Rural Development and District Administration were present on the occasion.
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National Education Day
Jammu, November 15 “As many as 69 schools will be upgraded under RAMSA across the state,” Peerzada said while addressing a large gathering at a function organised by the Directorate of School Education in connection with the birthday of first Education Minister of India Moulana Abul Kalam Azad as “National Education Day” at Zorawar Singh Auditorium in Jammu University here recently. He said: “As many as Rs 58 lakh would be spent on the construction of additional rooms and 15 lakh for science laboratories in each newly upgraded high and higher secondary school”. He further said the government had earmarked Rs 25,000 each for the renovation of high school infrastructure and Rs 50,000 for higher secondary school infrastructure under RAMSA. He also stressed upon the teaching fraternity to inculcate moral values in students, besides ensuing quality academic education. Peerzada urged the parents to send their wards in schools, colleges and universities so that they become a good citizen of the country. He asked the teaching fraternity to put their sincere efforts in providing quality education to the students. The minister further said the Central government had introduced various schemes for upgrading infrastructural facilities in high and higher secondary schools. Minister for Relief and Revenue Raman Bhalla, who was also present there, said for facilitating the teachers and students the state government had approved Rs 14 crore for the construction of 50-room teacher bhawan and 500-seating capacity On the occasion, a cultural programme was also organised. Apart from it, a quiz contest was held in the auditorium in which six schools of Jammu city participated and Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Talab Tillo, won the contest. Both the ministers distributed mementos among the meritorious students of the Jammu region, who excelled in class X and XII examinations during 2010-11 session. Earlier, Peerzada and Bhalla flagged off a rally of students from Government High School, Gandhi Nagar, which culminated at Zorawar Singh Auditorium in |
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Save Environment Srinagar, November 15 Solar Punch, the New York-based band whose motto is “We are the solution”, began its tour in the state recently and performed their first-ever concert in the Valley at a local college auditorium here. The songs which the Solar Punch sung were all about environment. They sang about water, energy and the ways to utilise the clean power, which has minimum carbon emission. In between the songs, they made a presentation about the solar energy. Their message was simple and environmental - that people themselves are the solution and can undo the damage done to the climate. Alan Bigelow, vocalist and guitarist of the band, said, “The most complex and important challenge in the world is our climate”. “Climate change is interwoven with many aspects. The temperature of earth is going up and it is correlated with the carbon content in the atmosphere. So, we designed a solar energy system for our equipment which has zero carbon emission,” said Bigelow, a PhD in physics and a co-founder of Solar Punch band. The music equipment carried by the Solar Punch members are all powered by the sunlight through a system designed by Bigelow himself, and carried atop a van where ever the group goes. Bigelow said the band was interested in Kashmir because of the abundance of the hydroelectricity and water resources in the state which needed to be preserved. “When we are in Kashmir we are actually inside the Himalayas and here we have abundant water resources and these resources have to be saved,” Bigelow said. “The message to the Kashmiri youth is the same that is to the American youth or the youth of other countries and that is to get involved. If we need to have a better future, we need to act now,” he said. The four-member band on the visit to Kashmir also includes Bass Guitarist Andrew Mattina, drummer Joe Mitch and guitarist James Dean Conklin. In 2009, the band performed 'India Climate Solutions Road Tour' across several cities of the country to push ahead their message to safeguard the environment. “The message is each one of us has a solution,” said Conklin, who is also the vocalist for the band. “When we learn about the solutions, we then write songs about them”. “We are here in Kashmir to learn about the environment here, to learn about its environmental issues and to learn about the solutions to these problems,” Conklin said. One of Solar Punch’s albums titled “Surya” is about the collection of their 2009 visit to India and includes songs like “Water Drops”, “Running Clean”, “Let The Sun Shine On Us” and “Plastic”. “Lot of environmental problem is because of ignorance. People need to learn about simple things,” Conklin said. “We want people to think about other forms of energy,” said Bigelow, his guitar slung across his shoulder. -PTI |
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Stage set for Dalai Lama’s visit to Ambaran
Jammu, November 15 Tourism Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora and Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma said the Dalai Lama would reach Jammu at 9:30 am on Wednesday to inaugurate a photo exhibition showing monuments of Buddhist era at Kala Kendra and later in the afternoon, he would visit the historic site at Ambaran on the right banks of the Chenab. “After visiting these two places, the Dalai Lama will address a gathering at Government Higher Secondary School in Akhnoor,” said Jora. He said Ambaran was the latest finding of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which had opened a new chapter in the history and culture of the Jammu region. Hopeful of an influx in the number of tourist arrivals with the discovery of this site, Jora said: “It is for the first time that in the province of Jammu, such Buddhist remains have been discovered, which will definitely attract tourists from across the world.” The most significant findings for the site include Stupas, a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics, made of high-quality baked bricks and surrounded by stone pathways, meditation cells and rooms. The minister also said there were many things of historic importance in Akhnoor such as “Pandav Gufa” ancient fort, site of Coronation of Maharaja Gulab Singh (founder of Dogra rule), an ancient Temple and Gurdwara, besides scenic beauty along the
Chenab.
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jammu DIARY Life and death are inseparable. And some remarkably put it as a usual business of existence.
A business board (see photo) near a cremation ground in Shastri Nagar has
juxtaposed both for publicising his sales. The board invites people to buy products for parties, religious functions and in bold letters about special arrangement for cremation! No free
lunches After completion of the public meeting of the Congress at Surinsar, lunch for the visiting dignitaries was arranged at a guest house situated on the bank of the famous Suninsar lake. When all the dignitaries, including PCC, sat on the table, the staff was not a position to serve meal to all of them in one go. Instead of assisting the staff, the junior and senior officials accompanying the Cabinet Ministers were also sitting on the table created total chaos. With a hope that they would assist the guest house staff, Health Minister Sham Lal was repeatedly looking towards the officials but to no avail. Ultimately the minister left his table and started serving meal to the dignitaries. Only then the officials stood up and managed the things. Sloganeering from films The impact of Ranbir Kapoor-starrer movie “Rockstar” is clearly visible among the student community, which has been protesting against the state government for its new recruitment policy. During their protests, the agitating students have started raising the slogan, as shown in the movie, “Saada Haqq Eithey Rakh”. They have also started a signature campaign under the same name. This slogan has been rarely used ever before during students’ protests. (Contributed by |
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J&K Bank signs MoU with ONICRA for MSME rating
Jammu, November 15 With a purpose to support the MSME sector, the MoU was signed by OP Sharma, president, and zonal head, Jammu, on behalf of J&K Bank and Rajiv Soni, Business Group Head (SME) on behalf of ONICRA at the bank’s Zonal Headquarters here recently. Nishi Baru, vice-president, J&K Bank, and Anil Suri, president, Bari Brahamna Industries Associations, were also present on the occasion. After putting in his signatures, the zonal head said: “Rating through the credit agency will act as an additional input for the bank in evaluating and swift sanctioning of credit needs of the units.” It can further provide an opportunity to units to enhance their organisational strength in terms of finance, marketing, production, corporate governance and operations by becoming aware about their strengths and weaknesses, he added. Notably, ONICRA Credit Rating Agency is an active player in the credit and performance assessment space. It provides scoring and rating services to individuals, corporates and
MSMEs.
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of importance being flaunted by certain “influential” people travelling in vehicles arbitrarily fitted with red beacons atop has become a public nuisance here.
Under the State Motor Vehicle (SMV) Act, only 30 categories of the government servants are entitled to such privilege while on official duty, but the ground reality is starkly different. 
