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Distribution of subsidised ration
Dr Agnishekhar rejects state academy award
Jammu Municipal corporation elections |
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World’s shortest woman wants to serve poor
Sewerage system in Jammu, Srinagar
Dalai Lama’s visit brings Ambaran on international map
The Buddhist site of Ambaran in Akhnoor. A Tribune photograph
Jamia Masjid Corridor
Trainee police constable commits suicide
Suspected honour killing in Samba
39th Peace Conference
President’s medals in Civil Defence
Newborn’s body found in garbage bag
Governor inaugurates SaMaPa Aalap festival
Soz meets party workers
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Distribution of subsidised ration
Jammu, January 28 The newly elected sarpanches and senior teachers of government schools in these villages will be part of the committees which are being entrusted with the task to monitor and streamline the distribution system. Sources said the decision had been taken following several complaints regarding irregularities in the Public Distribution System (PDS) and pilferage of government ration. “There are nearly 7,000 sales depots of the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department (CA&PD) functioning in the state, benefiting 65 lakh people. Though the government dispatches required quantity of ration to sales depots on a monthly basis, there are complaints regarding the shortage of foodgrain and other essential commodities,” the sources added. A local sarpanch, senior teacher from the government school in the area, lambardar, anganwari workers and Village Level Workers (VLWs) will be the members of these committees. “In case of irregularities and pilferage, the committees will be authorised to recommend action against the dealers and the department will initiate action against them if they are found guilty,” the sources said. Minister for CA&PD, Qamar Ali Akhoon while confirming the constitution of these committees, told The Tribune, “We have started the process for the constitution of the VVCs, involving local representatives, to check the pilferage and streamline the PDS at the village level. The VVCs are being entrusted with the task of ensuing transparency and accountability vis-ŕ-vis distribution of government ration and kerosene oil.” The minister also disclosed that the department had also constituted Multi-Disciplinary Committees (MDCs), comprising officials of the CA&PD, Excise and Finance departments to keep a check on the pilferage of government ration during its transportation from one place to another. |
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Dr Agnishekhar rejects state academy award
Jammu, January 28 Agnishekhra told The Tribune that it would have been a self-centered approach to accept any such award from the regimes, who forced his community to live in exile for over two decades. He said, “I have rejected the award carrying a cash reward of Rs 51,000, a memento and a shawl to be conferred on my fourth poetry collection “Jawahar Tunnel” by the State Academy of Art, Culture and Languages as a mark of protest against the “exodus” and “ethnic cleansing” of my peace-loving community.” “I belong to a community, which has been facing a forced exile. Everyone, whosoever is part of the establishment, is responsible for our plight, so how can anyone expect me to accept any sort of allurement from them,” he rued. “In the capacity of a conscientious writer, it will be unethical for me to receive this literary award from the hands of Omar Abdullah, president of the JKAACL,” he said.
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Jammu Municipal corporation elections
Jammu, January 28 The JKDF has decided not to capture the prestigious JMC but to ensure defeat of the BJP candidates in the coming elections, which are likely to be held in April. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has already directed the authorities concerned to complete the process of conducting elections in all the local bodies, including the JMC, by the end of May. “We want to show our strength to the BJP leadership and the coming civic bodies’ election, especially the JMC polls, is the real battleground for us”, said Anil Gupta, chairman of the JKDF. He said majority of the BJP leaders having mass base had already joined the JKDF. “We will field our candidates in the all the 71 wards of the JMC to give a tough fight to the BJP”, he said. Anil Gupta is the son of veteran BJP leader and former Union Minister Chaman Lal Gupta, who was expelled from the party in May, 2011, following a cross-voting controversy. Gupta, along with six other BJP MLAs, have been expelled from the party on this issue and all these MLAs have been giving support to the JKDF in the JMC elections. The BJP leadership has reasons to be worried over the “sincere” efforts being made by the JKDF to settle score with the party in the JMC elections. Besides encouraging defection in the BJP, the JKDF has hijacked some issues of saffron party to strength its base in old city which is considered as bastion of the BJP. During the past two months, rebels have successfully lured a large number of the BJP leaders in their fold. As family of Chaman Lal Gupta has been associated with the RSS for the past six decades, a majority of the leaders as well as workers of the Sangh Parivar also have soft corner towards this family. Some hardcore Sangh Parivar workers have joined the JKDF which has added worries of the BJP leadership in the state. As Sangh Parivar in the state was not happy with the performance of the state unit of the BJP, various organisations associated with the RSS have given green signal to its workers to remain neutral in the ongoing fight between the BJP and the expelled leaders. aMeanwhile, the JKDF has started ward-wise activities in the city so as to kickstart campaign for the JMC elections. The JKDF has been raking up those issues which are dearer to the Sangh Parivar.
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World’s shortest woman wants to serve poor
Jammu, January 28 Jyoti, 18, who has a form of dwarfism, also called achondroplasia, is just 62.8 cm tall (2 ft 6 inches) and had held the world’s shortest woman title on her last birthday on December 16, 2011. She belongs to Nagpur in Maharashtra and is shorter than 22-year-old Bridgette Jordan, an American, who stands at 69cm. On her 18th birthday, the Guinness Book of World Records team travelled to her hometown Nagpur and verified her measurement before making an official announcement. Jyoti won’t grow any further than her present height. “I want to serve the orphans. We have formed a Trust, named as Jyoti Amge Trust, where all donations are being utilised for poor and orphan children. Serving these children is my sole aim. As far as marriage is concerned, I have never planned for that,” a smiling Jyoti told The Tribune. She said she would campaign against female foeticide and spread the message “Beti Baachegi To Sharshti Rachegi” (Save Girl for Universe). The world’s shortest woman, who along with her parents and two elder sisters had come to Jammu said she also dreams of becoming a Bollywood film star. “I have just passed Class X from Jingle Bell High School Nagpur and shooting is my passion. I want to be a Bollywood film star. I have no regrets about my height, as I became popular only due to my small size,” said Jyoti. Clad in a black coat, she disclosed that her sisters customise her clothes, make-up and jewellery to match her size. “I have visited Japan five times and Italy two times. In future, I will visit other countries. During these visits, I did anchoring for various TV channels and I will continue with it in future,” she maintained. Meanwhile, hundreds of people today thronged Shastri Nagar where the owner of a jewellery shop presented Jyoti a gift. |
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Sewerage system in Jammu, Srinagar
Jammu, January 28 In this pursuit, the Committee directed the Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department authorities for its adoption and consideration. The Committee, which met here under the chairmanship of MLA GM Saroori, discussed and reviewed the functioning of the H&UDD. The Committee also discussed in detail the conservation of the Dal project. The Committee members Dr Mustafa Kamal, AR Veeri, Ashok Khujaria, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali, Indu Pawar and Murtaza Ahmed Khan also stressed upon the officers concerned for proper maintenance of street lights. Discussing the status of community toilets, the Committee directed the authorities concerned to frame a departmental Committee and present a report about the present status of Community toilets for the scrutiny of the Committee in its next meeting. While discussing the activities of Jammu Urban Development Agencies (JUDA), the LA Penal directed the authorities concerned to implement the guidelines of JUDA in letter and spirit so that the benefits percolated to the deserving. Discussing the developmental works of the JMC, the Committee directed them to furnish a detailed expenditure incurred for the development of Sidhara area to the Committee in its next meeting. Highlighting the achievements registered under the Dal Project, it was informed in the meeting that out of five Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), three STPs at Lam, Hazratbal and Habak were completed and two STPs at Barinambal and Nallah AmbirKhan were nearing completion and would be commissioned soon. It was stated that these STPs would help plug the contaminated water into the
Dal. |
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Dalai Lama’s visit brings Ambaran on international map
Ambaran (Akhnoor),
January 28 “As Kaal Chakra Pooja has come to an end in Bodh Gaya in Bihar and since the place has assumed significance following the visit of the Dalai Lama in November last year, thousands of Buddhist pilgrims from across the globe are expected to visit the site next month,” said a senior official of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). It has already been declared an international site, which shot into limelight following the Dalai Lama’s visit, he added. The official informed that ever since the Dalai Lama visited the place, tourists from Ladakh, Kangra, Dharamsala, Maharashtra, Karnataka and even from Nepal, have started thronging the site. Sources said following scientific excavation by the ASI from 1999 to 2001, the actual excavation work had been started in 2004 by Dr BR Mani, Joint DG, ASI. Though the excavation work is still on, it has been confined to nearly four kanals of land. “We feel the site runs up to Old Akhnoor Bridge that connects Jammu with Akhnoor,” they added. The ancient Buddhist monastery, which has already attracted the attention of Tibetan spiritual leader, is all set to bring Akhnoor on the map of international tourism. “The preservation work of the existing site will also be initiated next month,” said another official, who divulged that during village-to-village search, the ASI team had also found remnants of the ancient Buddhist monastery on the land adjacent to the existing site. The official also divulged that the bricks used in the construction of this site had a size of 17”x23”, bigger and different from bricks used in construction works these days. Considering the historic significance of this site, the ASI has already banned the construction activity within 200- metre radius of the site, claimed the official in stark contrast to an existing guest house at a stone’s throw away right in front of the site. It has been learnt that the guest house belongs to an influential political figure from Akhnoor constituency. A three-layered casket set of copper, silver and gold containing bone relics and ornaments is another major highlight of the findings. The site is known for its teracotta figures that include Buddha heads of various sizes and ornately dressed male and female statues, with clearly seen influences of the Graeco-Buddhist and Gandhara schools of art. Bare facts
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Jamia Masjid Corridor
Srinagar, January 28 This was announced by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Samoon, at a meeting here yesterday. He said by executing this project, it would not only restore the past glory of the historical Jamia Masjid but would also promote pilgrimage tourism, including commercial activities in the area, and would strengthen the economy of the locals. He said Srinagar had a tremendous potential of pilgrimage tourism and the government was making all efforts to promote it. Samoon said the Jamia Masjid is our identity, century’s old heritage and it is the responsibility of all sections of society to support the implementation of this project. The District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Baseer Ahmad Khan, said there were some other areas which needed to be focused and required immediate attention, like setting up a fire brigade station, a Primary Health Centre equipped with latest medical equipment, ATM facilities from Jammu and Kashmir Bank and good drainage system. The meeting also discussed the rehabilitation of Muslim Park shopkeepers, so that the park could be developed for the common people. Besides, the meeting was also informed about the Nagar Nagger project, coming at a cost of Rs 38.14 crore. The Director, Tourism, informed that the work on the Rampart wall had already been started from Kathidarwaza. He said the construction of a restaurant at Nager Nagers, cable car line, tourist accommodation, public conveniences, interpretation centre and water park was in pipeline. The meeting was attended among others by the Director, Tourism, Farooq Ahmed Shah, Director, SKICC, GN Qasba, Chief Engineer of R&B, Mustaq Ahmed Lone, Chief Engineer, PDD, Muzafar Ahmed Matoo, Director Floriculture, HP Singh, officers of the Forest, ASI, and representatives of the Jamia Masjid Traders
Federation. |
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Trainee police constable commits suicide
Srinagar, January 28 DIG, north Kashmir range, Muneer Khan said Kumar had slept in his room with his colleagues on Thursday night, but was found missing from the room in the morning. He was later found hanging in a room of the Law Department of the school, he added. Sources said the trainee police constable had taken the extreme step after he was denied leave by the officers’ in-charge of the training school. However, the police said a case had been registered and inquest proceedings had been started to find out the circumstances and the cause of death. Family shocked Jammu:
A pall of gloom descended on the family of Puneet, who allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself at the Law Department of Police Training School (PTS) Sheeri in Baramulla district yesterday morning. Kumar, 24, was a resident of ward number 6 in the Bari Brahmana area, 10 km from here. The trainee constable’s sudden death, who had joined PTS Sheeri on January 13 came as a shock to his family. “On Thursday evening he talked to his mother and was fine. There was no element of any kind of frustration. Earlier, he served in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for three years and had left the job after his selection in the state police in July last year,” a relative of Kumar told The Tribune. The victim was the youngest among his siblings. “We came to know about the incident after my father got a phone call from PTS Sheeri, informing him about the incident. We still don’t know the exact reason behind his death,” Kumar’s elder brother said.
— OC |
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Suspected honour killing in Samba
Nayalki (Samba), January 28 The police claimed the youth, a jilted lover, had stabbed himself to death before inflicting serious injuries on his girlfriend, as the girl had refused to marry him. The youth was identified as Rajkumar, 22, and the girl as Sonia Devi, 17, both residents of Nayalki village. The two belonged to the Bhagat community and the girl’s family members were reportedly unhappy with their relationship. The youth died while he was being shifted to a hospital. The girl was taken to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu, where her condition was stated to be critical. The incident took place around 6.30 am yesterday when the youth and the girl were spotted by some villagers in a pool of blood near the girl’s residence. SSP, Samba, Israr Khan said, “The girl, who received at least 15 cuts on her body, told the police that the youth attacked her before stabbing himself to death. The SSP said, “We are working on all aspects of the incident and a case of honour killing cannot be ruled out. The girl has said her family was unhappy with their relationship and she had told the boy that she couldn’t marry him. The boy, in a fit of anger, injured the girl with a sharp weapon.” Khan said the boy had told his girlfriend that “if you cannot be mine, I will not let you be of anybody else…” “The girl says she tried to save herself and ran away, but stumbled. There could be a possibility that the girl is saving her family members,” the SSP said. Family sources said both the boy and the girl knew each other for the past two years, but the girl’s family was against this relationship, as the boy, Rajkumar, was a labourer. “We rushed to the spot after our brother screamed near the girl’s residence. When I reached the spot, blood was also oozing out from the girl’s body. One of the girl’s relatives tried to manhandle me, but some local residents prevented the scuffle. My brother died while he was being shifted to a hospital. He was murdered by members of the girl’s family and her relatives,” Surinder Kumar, the elder brother of Rajkumar said. He said the girl’s family had refused their marriage offer about four months back. The police, however, recovered the weapon of offence from the spot and started investigations. |
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39th Peace Conference
Jammu, January 28 He said the youth of the state were highly talented and given an enabling environment they could achieve excellence in all the spheres of human endeavour. Referring to the situation in the past years, he said it had caused irreparable loss to careers of youth. He said they had now come up in a big way and many of them were competing successfully for the All India Services and securing admissions in reputed technical and professional institutions across the country on merit. He said the situation in the state in the past years had adversely affected development and there was a need to redouble the efforts to make good this loss. Referring to his interactions with the functionaries of the J&K Peace Foundation during the past three years, he complimented Fayaz Ahmed Bhat, chairman of the foundation, members of his team and all the associated activists for taking the initiative of promoting communal harmony, peace and amity and wished them high success in their endeavours. The Governor presented awards to a number of peace activists, students and
others. |
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President’s medals in Civil Defence
Srinagar, January 28 According to an official spokesman, the Director-General, Civil Defence, Government of India has approved the DGCD Disc medal in favour of Aamir Ali, Dy Chief Warden, CD, Srinagar; Anayatulla Ahmed Mir, Dy Chief Warden, CD, Baramulla; Ms Roop Kour, Chief Warden, CD, Kathua; Dharamvir Singh, Chief Warden, CD, Samba and Shabir Ahmed Khan, ASI (M) RCDC, Srinagar. Additional Director General Civil Defence, Home Guards and Auxiliary Police, Jammu and Kashmir, Ms DR Doley has congratulated the awardees for getting the prestigious medals and bringing laurels for the Civil Defence Organisation. She stressed upon all the Civil Defence wardens and volunteers to work with same zeal to contribute to the service of the nation in a well planned manner. |
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Newborn’s body found in garbage bag
Katra, January 28 While emptying garbage bags from a garbage van, a helper found the infant in a bag near the garbage dump. Additional Superintendent of Police, Katra, Mohan Lal said: “We questioned the helper to know from where he had collected the bag, in which the infant had been abandoned. The infant was one-day old and had no clothes on her. We also questioned local residents of the adjoining areas in this connection.” The police said an outsider dumped the body in the common garbage bin. The body was brought to Katra Hospital for a DNA analysis and blood group sampling. A case has been registered. — OC
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Governor inaugurates SaMaPa Aalap festival
Jammu, January 28 The Governor, who was the chief guest lauded the efforts of the Sopori Academy to bring music to the masses by organising the annual SaMaPa music
festivals. He said such initiatives go a long way in sensitising the youth and society about various art forms and glorious cultural heritage. He wished the festival a grand success. On his arrival, the Governor was received by Suhail Kazmi, secretary-general of the Press Club, Sant Kumar Sharma and other members of the club. Pandit Bhajan Sopori, chairman of the SaMaPa, in his welcome address said a large number of musicians from various parts of the country would participate in the 17-day festival. Abhay Rustam Sopori, secretary, SaMaPa, presented a santoor recital on the occasion.
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Soz meets party workers
Jammu, January 28 Although Congress has not made any official statement to conduct civic bodies’ elections on its own, sources said the party has decided to contest elections without entering into an alliance with coalition partner National Conference. In the meeting, the sources said, party leaders drew attention of Soz towards repeated complaints of party cadre that they were ignored by the coalition partner. The party leaders alleged that the government was not taking serious efforts to actively involve Congress workers in various government schemes.
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Jammu, January 28
Ambaran (Akhnoor),
January 28
