The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

GPS in police patrol vehicles out of order
Arteev Sharma/TNS

Jammu, March 9
At a time when the crime graph has witnessed a significant increase over the years in the winter capital, the police surveillance seems to have lost punch. The Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, which were installed in all patrol or squad vehicles of the Police Department, have been out of order for the past one and a half years.

Official sources said the GPS equipment in all the 29 flying squad or patrol vehicles in Jammu city had gone out of order following a lightning incident in 2010.

“These equipment were installed to keep a track of the location of the squad vehicles and ensure swift reaction by the police in the event of distress calls. Around 29 flying squad vehicles (Tata Sumos) were provided to the Police Department in 2010, replacing the old patrol-driven gypsies,” the sources added.

The sources said four flying squads were deputed in the rural areas, while 25 patrol vehicles with GPS equipment were deployed in different parts of the city.

“The purpose of the drive was to ensure timely reaction to distress calls and reaching the spot within the shortest possible time. These equipment have been lying in disuse,” the sources said.

A senior police official said with the installation of GPS, all squad vehicles were connected with the control room and their locations were being effectively monitored from time to time. “Earlier, it was easy to locate a nearest squad vehicle and depute it for attending to a distress call. It was also possible for us to send these vehicles on the scene of crime without wasting time,” the police officer said.

He said the police personnel on duty were not able to deceive their seniors by giving a wrong location over the wireless while remaining at the police station or home as the location of their vehicles was known at the control room.

He csaid “effective policing” in the city had been facing many problems following defunct GPS equipment.

“Sometime, it becomes difficult to locate and depute the flying squad vehicles in the event of distress calls. It is also difficult to locate the presence of police personnel at the scene of crime,” he said.

He said the department had initiated the process for the installation of a new model of GPS equipment in all the squad vehicles for an effective policing.

Ban on Polythene Bags
‘MCs not doing job seriously’
Varun Suthra
Tribune News Service

The impact of the ban is increasing gradually and the use of polythene has diminished marginally in the state.
— Tara Chand, minister in charge, Housing and Urban Development

Jammu, March 9
Despite the government imposing a ban on the use of polythene bags in the state, use of the product has been going on unchecked in most of the regions. The issue rocked the Upper House today when many members joined Congress MLC Ravinder Sharma, who had raised the matter.

On the scope and impact of the ban on the polythene use, the minister in charge, Housing and Urban Development, Tara Chand, said, “A ban has been imposed on polythene carry bags under the J&K Non-Biodegradable Material, (Management Handling and Disposal) Act, 2007. However, hospitals and healthcare facilities are exempted from the ban to the extent of use of polythene carry bags for collection and disposal of bio-medical waste in accordance with the Management and Handling Rules, 1998.”

“The impact of the ban is increasing gradually and the use of polythene has diminished marginally in the state,” he added.

Sharma asked about action taken against the manufacturing units producing polythene bags on large scale and also sought the details and functioning of other stakeholders.

Tara Chand replied that the question was concerned to the Pollution Control Board, which did not fall under his portfolio.

“There are many stakeholders, including officials from the department of forest, wildlife, pollution control and district development commissioners concerned. The municipal corporations alone cannot bear the onus,” he added.

Sharma alleged that the municipal councillors were not doing their job seriously and were concerned about making media news.

National Conference (NC) MLC Sheikh Ghulam Rasool suggested the constitution of district and sub district level committees.

NC MLC Vijay Bakaya said before implementing the complete ban, the government should first propose the alternative.

PDP MLC Murtaza Ahmad Khan asked for the number of defaulting agencies prosecuted or punished so far.

Panthers Party MLC Rafiq Shah said the government should consider providing employment avenues for those who are associated with the polythene trade.

NC MLC Ajat Shatru Singh said the government should include school and college students in various awareness programmes concerning the harmful effects of using polythene bags.

Tara Chand replied, “The enforcement agencies have so far seized considerable amount of polythene bags and the hunt is on. We have also asked the officials concerned at the Lakhanpur post to check smuggling of the product from other states.

People, who were involved in the trade, have also applied for alternatives, including production of jute bags, and their applications are under scrutiny with the Pollution Control Board. Gradually, we will be able to check the practice.”

326 take part in ski cup, derby
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 9
The three-day Gondola Ski Cup and Gulmarg Global Derby 2012 culminated in a magnificent function. Apart from the Gondola Skier, the snowboarding championship was held for the first time in the Valley. RK Khuja, Secretary, Tourism, Government of India, said God had bestowed on Kashmir abundant natural splendour and efforts should be made to tap them by developing new destinations.

He said the state had tremendous potential for adventure tourism. He said these events would provide adventure activities on the new Kongdoori chairlift.

He asked the agencies concerned to work in cohesion to promote the sports culture in the state.

Addressing the gathering, Farooq Ahmad Shah, Director, Tourism, J&K, said apart from locals, skiers from 10 foreign countries, including the US, the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Norway, participated in various events.

He said over 20,000 tourists visited the Valley last year.

Over two lakh visitors, including thousands of foreigners, visited Ladakh. He said the slopes of Gulmarg were the best for ski lovers all over the world.

He said the state government was making efforts to build world-class infrastructure in all tourist places and to provide good facilities. He said tourism-related activity would yield good results by providing employment to youth.

As many as 326 skiers, including 288 men and 38 women, participated in the 3-day Gondola Ski Cup and Gulmarg Global Derby 2012.

The prizes were given away by Secretary, Tourism Department, Government of India, RK Khuja along with Director, Tourism, Government of J&K, Farooq Ahmad Shah. Managing Director, Cable Car Corporation, Talat Pervaz, Chief Executive Officer, Gulmarg Development Authority, Ameet Vanchoo, Col Dillown and others were also present.

Bharat Nirman information campaign concludes
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 9
A three-day Bharat Nirman Public Information Campaign organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) concluded at Baramulla recently. The chief guest on the concluding function was Minister of Social Welfare Sakina Itoo, while the Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Bashir Ahmad Bhat, was also present on the occasion.

The Minister of Social Welfare exhorted the officers of the PIB to organise such programmes in future also so that people could be benefited from the flagship programmes launched by the Central as well as the state governments for the welfare of the people.

The minister, along with the Baramulla Deputy Commissioner and other dignitaries, gave away trophies and certificates to the performers during the campaign.

The chief guest also released a PIB publication titled - ‘District Development Profile of Baramulla’ - on the occasion.

Bashir Ahmad Bhat complimented the PIB for organising public information campaigns (PIC) which helped the administration in evaluating the performance of various departments. He hailed the role and hard work of all the participating departments in making the campaign a success.

The Song and Drama Division and student groups from Government Middle School, Khwaja Bagh, Baramulla, and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Shahkoot, Baramulla, presented theme-based cultural programmes.

Earlier, Ghulam Abbas, Assistant Director, PIB, Srinagar, in his welcome address highlighted the aims and objectives of the PIC.

The campaign covers flagship programmes of the UPA Government, which includes MGNREGA, NRHM, SSA, mid-day meal scheme, ICDS Scheme, JNNURM, PM’s New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities, the RTI Act and other Centrally-sponsored schemes. The campaign would also cover programmes highlighting development activities of PSUs, NGOs and voluntary organisations working under various flagship programmes and the Bharat Nirman package of the Centre. Rajya Sabha MP Saifuddin Soz, who had inaugurated the programme, called for using the RTI Act as a tool to become opinion leaders for development of society.

Kashmir varsity to have five-day week
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 9
Talat Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, has asked Deans of the faculties and heads of departments to gear up for the new academic year and sought their cooperation for creating result-oriented academic atmosphere.

Ahmad assessed the admission process going on for university’s post graduate and other courses; and preparedness for the new academic session. “Let’s pledge to make this academic year more fruitful and use all our available resources and time to help students succeed in life and face the competitive world,” he said. He also reiterated his commitment for making KU a hub of research activity.

He announced the introduction of five-day week for the university; new courses for the upcoming academic year, updating of existing courses; preparing new mechanisms for supporting faculty; skill-development programmes for students; and student and faculty exchange programmes. Some changes in the admission policy of the university this year were unanimously accepted by heads and deans, including allowing the candidates to take the question booklet, student copy of OMR sheets and admit card along with them after the completion of the examination.

The meeting was organised by the office of the Dean, Academic Affairs, AM Shah. Registrar Syed Fayaz; Controller of Examinations Abdul Salam Bhat; Dean, Research, Khursheed A Indrabi; and all the Dean of faculties, heads of departments and other senior officials were present in the meeting.

Other Changes

New courses to be introduced
Skill-development programmes for students
After exams, a candidate can take question booklet, copy of OMR sheet and admit card with him

Srinagar DIARY
‘Fish market’ on the bridge

In the absence of a fish market in Srinagar, the noise of a fish market is audible only on the Amira Kadal bridge in the commercial hub of the capital city. For years together, fisherwomen have been selling fish alongside the footpath on one side of the bridge creating much noise (see photo), particularly at peak hours.

The cacophony increases when office-goers and other commuters start returning to their homes after the day’s work. Only few things have given a unique essence to this “fish market”. These include little cans of water tied with long ropes that hang down through the railing of the bridge into the flowing waters of the Jhelum. This helps the fisherwomen to pull the water cans to wash the fish product for customers, though with least concern for the purity of the water used.

Secondly, the old carriage basket made of twigs has been replaced by tin round tubs. These things apart, the sale of fish has started shifting from the roadside vends to the smaller shops at some places in the city. The customers may no longer be prompted by the roadside vends set up by the noise-making fisherwomen.

Traffic snarls back

After the Darbar offices shift to Jammu and the educational institutions go on a long break, commuters in the city are not usually subjected to heavy traffic jams during the winter months.

However, soon after the colleges and schools reopened last week, traffic snarls have returned. The problem would worsen when all the classes of the city-based schools reopen on March 12. And finally, the problem would turn into a menace once the Darbar moves to Srinagar.

Unfortunately, the authorities continue to pay little attention towards the traffic menace while the residents continue to wait for the proper completion of road-widening programmes and construction of the promised flyovers.

Moreover, the failure of the government to rein in private bus drivers, who stop to board passengers at will, besides failing to keep a check on roadside vendors, only adds to the problem.

(Contributed by Ehsan Fazili and M Aamir Khan)