Jammu, April 7
In a perfect example of solution turning into a big problem, the road dividers - both plastic as well as iron - installed in the city to ease traffic movement have become a major source of congestion on the roads.

The traffic police had installed these dividers to streamline chaotic vehicular movement in the city but most of these dividers were either damaged by erring road users or adding to the traffic congestion. Interestingly, these dividers have also disappeared from the busy roads of the city.

“These dividers were procured and installed in the city several times, but traffic scenario didn’t see any change. Lakhs of rupees have already gone down the drain and the department (traffic police) is still on a purchasing spree, without considering the ineffectiveness of these dividers,” a traffic official told The Tribune, requesting anonymity.

The official went on saying that barring one or two points, these dividers added to the congestion on the roads. “These dividers were installed to create a separate lane for minibuses to streamline other vehicular movement. The minibus drivers seldom comply with the traffic guidelines and these dividers have been rendered useless,” he remarked.

Raj Sharma, a shopkeeper in the busy Bikram Chowk area remarked, “During peak hours, this road inevitably witnesses traffic jam. These road dividers were installed to reduce the traffic congestion but the solution turned to be a major source of congestion.”

He castigated the traffic department for poor maintenance of these dividers, saying, “The traffic cops have developed a nexus with erring minibus drivers who seldom comply with the traffic rules. Minibuses hardly take the separate lane created for them by installing these dividers, creating more chaos on the roads.”

The Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Jammu, Manmohan Singh, however, blamed the company that provided the plastic dividers. “The bolts, which were required to fix the plastic dividers on roads, were short in size. For good fixation of these dividers, the size of bolts needs to be 6 inch in length but the bolts provided by the company were of two to two-and-half inch in length. These bolts couldn’t sustain even the minor jerk from the vehicles, leading to the damage of the dividers.”

The SSP said they were contemplating to raise cemented road dividers on the busy roads to streamline the traffic movement. “We will either procure good quality of plastic dividers or go for construction of cemented dividers in the near future,” he maintained. 

Jammu, April 7
Former legislator and leader of ruling National Conference, Tarlochan Singh Wazir, who is languishing in jail in the much-publicised Chopra family murder case, has figured in the list of “prominent citizens of Jammu” that appeared in the telephone directory of J&K Police for the year 2012.

On June 9, 2011, Wazir, along with his brother Ajab Singh, was arrested by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for allegedly hatching a conspiracy to eliminate the Chopra family following business rivalry.

Ironically, the police telephone directory for the year 2012 was released to the mediapersons by the Director-General of Police (DGP).

The name of Wazir has figured at serial number 7 in the list and he has been designated as president of the Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee and leader of the transport association.

At present, the leader was being tried for his alleged involvement in the killing of the members of the Chopra family.

RB Chopra, a business tycoon, his wife Madhu Chopra, daughter Saloni Chopra, their domestic servant and a driver were brutally murdered in Trikuta Nagar of Jammu City on the intervening night of September 17 and 18, 2006.

Jammu, April 7
The Shiv Sena (SS) (Bal Thackrey) and the Dogra Front (DF) organised a rally protesting against the rising prices of vegetables here today.

They alleged that the state and Central governments have failed to control the rising prices of essential commodities, due to which common man is suffering. Under the leadership of Ashok Gupta, Sena president, the rally started from Parade and culminated at the Shalimar Chowk.

Gupta said there is confusion and chaos everywhere in the country and frequent price rise is affecting all the spheres of life. He alleged that people are fed up with false promises made by the successive governments about formulating policies for the poor people.

He said the price rise in country is due to corrupt politicians, ministers and bureaucrats. Rising prices have pushed lakhs of people below poverty line, which is a matter of shame for the UPA-led government, which claims to champion the cause of poor, he added.

The Sena has alleged that the elected representatives have failed people. Gupta warned to launch agitation against the apathetic attitude of the government, if it failed to respond.

"The government cannot befool people as masses have now understood the anti-people policies of the ruling class. We are going to expose them one by one,” he said. 

Jammu, April 7
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has underscored the need for active involvement of civil society in curbing the menace of female foeticide in the state and contributing to the successful implementation of the “Save Girl Child Programme”.

He was addressing a gathering in connection with the World Health Day function at Zorawar Singh Auditorium in Jammu University on Saturday.

Omar said the state had earned a bad name for the higher graph about foeticide which should be a great concern for every member of society.

“To discriminate girl child against boys and considering boys important than girls is a sick mindset, which requires early addressing,” he said.

“While the government has geared up its machinery in the health and other concerned departments to focus on the issue and create public awareness about the far-reaching consequences and dangerous effects of foeticide, civil society has an important role to play in this direction,” he said underlining the role of ASHA workers.

Omar said the revival of the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) Scheme by his government was proving beneficial in facilitating health facilities to pregnant women and children in the rural areas.

He said the government would further strengthen the scheme to enhance its reach and impact on society and create awareness about girl child safety.

On the slogan “good health adds life to years” flagged for this year’s “World Health Day”, the Chief Minister described it more relevant in the present day lifestyle, adding that the changes in the life pattern due to modernisation, mechanisation and industrialisation had put a question mark on the health of a person.

“Nowadays, people, especially children, spend most of the time indoors watching TV. Our food habits are also changing fast,” he said.

“All this has to be looked into to add life to the years, particularly at the old-age period when good health is of tremendous significance,” he added.

Jammu, April 7
Unlike other airports in the country, the Jammu airport has little to offer 
in terms of comfort and facilities to air travellers. This in a state that depends heavily on tourism industry.

For Rajeev Sharma, a passenger from Delhi, who travels frequently by air, the airport is one of the most unwelcoming places for travellers.

In the absence of a taxi stand or a passenger shed at the airport, the passengers have to walk around 200 metres to reach the main road to hire a taxi.

The only airport of the Jammu region, considered the gateway to Jammu and Kashmir, lacks basic facilities needed to facilitate the passengers.

“There is not a single signboard to welcome the passengers to the airport. Also, it lacks facilities that can make the approach of the passengers comfortable,” says Sharma.

The airport authorities say key facilities would be put in place once the work on the expansion of the airport is completed.

M Suresh, Director, Jammu airport, while talking to The Tribune, said: “We are waiting for the expansion project to complete. We do not want to fiddle with the construction activity both inside and outside the airport.”

“We had planned to place some welcome signages outside the airport but local residents objected to it. They said it would create problems for them for the road is the only one connecting them with the city,” he added.

A single board put up on the main road directs the visitors to the main gate of the airport. Shipra Tripathi, who was at the Jammu airport to board a flight for Delhi, says: “It becomes difficult to locate the airport, as there is nothing to welcome the passengers. If we get such a welcome after paying such huge fares, it is not worth it.”

Besides, the airport is quite small and has just three parking bays. Paucity of parking bays causes problems both for the passengers as well as the authorities.

The first phase of the expansion project is likely to be completed by the end of this year.

The only airport of the Jammu region, considered the gateway to Kashmir, lacks basic amenities to facilitate the passengers

Jammu, April 7
The Nami Dogri Sanstha (NDS) organised a ‘kavi sammelan’ and paper reading programme under the patronship of SS Anand Lehar to remember eminent poet and spiritual leader OP Sharma ‘Sarathi’. Those who read papers on the occasion included Ramesh, ML Komal Sham Talib and Rajeshwar.

Those who recited poems included Dogra Harish Kaila, Ramesh Rath, Rajpal Singh, K. K shakin, Randhir Singh, Sat Paul Sharma. Capt Lalit Sharma, Raj Sehgal, Chand Deepika, Jaswant Manhas and Yash Paul Yash. Nidhi Kaila, president of youth wing of NDS, presented the vote of thanks. — TNS

Jammu, April 7
With the municipal corporations of Jammu and Srinagar facing shortage of safai karamcharis, the government is considering relaxation in the qualification bar to fill over 1,000 vacant posts.

At present, the minimum qualification for applying as a safai karamcharis is passing 8th standard). The unions have been demanding lowering of the qualification bar as many of the youth eager to apply for the posts have not studied till 8th standard.

Officials said a committee constituted by the government is studying all the pros and cons of the plan as hundreds of posts are lying vacant, affecting the working of the municipal corporations.

Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development Nasir Aslam Wani said a committee has been constituted for the selection process for the posts falling under direct recruitment quota and all the options are being looked into.

“Demand of the union for relaxation of the qualification bar is under consideration, while demand relating to two and a half days’ additional salary per month is also being examined. A suitable decision will be taken soon,” said Wani.

After the safai karamcharis’ union had gone on a strike, the government had recently said the regularisation process of nearly 400 safai karamcharis would be started in a phased manner.

Apart from regularisation of workers, who are already working on ad hoc, consolidated, contractual or daily wage basis, the unions have been demanding better working conditions, keeping in view the rising workload and contact with highly contaminated garbage and other materials.

The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has engaged over 2,000 safai karamcharis, but they are not able to cope with the rising demands in the city. The corporation has been engaging services of some NGOs for some years to keep the city clean.

“We are selflessly working for the authorities and doing our duty. Hundreds of workers are still working on ad hoc basis as they cannot apply for direct recruitment due to the qualification bar. The government needs to find a way,” said Mark Gill, a union member.

Before the formation of JMC in 2005, there were 23 wards. As the city expanded, the government decided to create 48 new wards covering the newly established colonies during the past two decades. Now there are 71 wards under the municipal limits.

Jammu, April 7
Tournaments of national repute at regular intervals will go a long way not only in promoting the game of chess in the state but also the players will get the much needed exposure to prove their mettle at higher levels, International Master Himanshu Sharma said in an exclusive telephonic interview with The Tribune.

Himanshu, who is from Haryana, is participating in the ongoing Ramit Memorial All-India Open FIDE rating Chess Championship at Patnitop.

“There is ample talent in the state and they should get a launching pad to showcase it,” Himanshu said. Figuring among top 50 chess players of the country and having an international rating of 2,407, Himanshu said the state players need to work hard in order to achieve their goals.

“You cannot become a champion overnight. Dedication, commitment, hard work and patience are pre-requisites for achieving success in any field,” he said.

Himanshu exuded confidence that the initiative taken by the All J&K Chess Association in organising such tournaments at regular junctures will help in promoting the game.

“Soon the state players will be able to prove their worth at the higher levels. As you play more, your self-confidence gets a boost,” Himanshu said.

“Credit must go to the association for successful conduct of the championship,” he said. He said Super Grandmaster Vishwanathan Anand is his role model. “My family supported me throughout my career and that is perhaps my biggest advantage,” he added.

After exhibiting extraordinary talent at national level, Himanshu made his international debut in 2000 when he participated in the World U/18 Chess Championship in Spain and then there was no looking back.

His other international participations include the Open Chess Championship in Moscow (2006), the International Chess Championship in Nepal (2008-09) and the Open Chess Championship in Bangladesh (2006-07).

Himanshu secured fourth position in the Commonwealth Chess Championship in Delhi in 2007-08.

Jammu, April 7
With a couple of weeks left for the shifting of annual darbar from Jammu to Srinagar, the political parties have stepped up their activities here to strengthen their base in the Jammu region.

Today was a day of hectic political activities in the city. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah interacted with the mediapersons at Jammu University to express his views on the eve of the visit of Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari. Union Minister for New and Renewal Energy Farooq Abdullah announced changes in the ruling National Conference (NC). Farooq also availed the opportunity to counter allegations levelled by PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti.

Farooq, while announcing new office bearers of the party, called upon the party cadre to strengthen the NC in all parts of the state. He called upon the cadre to expose those who have launched vicious campaigns against the government.

While Mehbooba Mufti, president of the principle opposition party PDP, addressed a press conference in morning to highlight “public” issues which her party had taken up in the just concluded Budget Session of the Assembly, former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed convened meetings with party workers to devise strategy to continue their ongoing campaign in the Jammu region.

The Congress also convened a meeting at the party headquarters in Jammu and discussed various issues to strengthen base of the party here. Party workers also convened a number of meetings to make the public rally of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Saif ud Din Soz a grand success. Soz is scheduled to address a rally in Jammu tomorrow.

The BJP also organised a series of public meetings in the city. BJP leaders while addressing party workers took the government to task for adopting delay tactics in announcing civic bodies’ elections in the state. They alleged that the state government was not interested in conducting civic bodies’ elections.

Jammu, April 7
A 39-year-old resident of Gujjar Nagar locality yesterday allegedly committed suicide after having lost his job last month.

Sources said Shah Mohammad was working as a daily wager in the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department and was allegedly dismissed from job last month.

The police said he allegedly consumed poison at his residence in the Gujjar area of Old Jammu city last afternoon. Sources said he reportedly took the extreme step after he lost his job.

“He was under depression for some time. He took the extreme step out of utter frustration,” they added.

Jammu, April 7
Ashwani played a cracking knock of 41 runs and followed it up with a 6-wicket haul to help JKP XI notch up a thumping 101-run win over Idea XI today in the ongoing Rajeev Gandhi Twenty20 Cricket Tournament being played at MA Stadium here.

Batting first, JKP XI accumulated 199 runs for the loss of five wickets. Ishaq was the top scorer with a crafty 66-run knock. Ashwani also played a scintillating knock of 41 runs followed by RK Bhat who chipped in with 33 runs.

For Idea XI, Deepak, Vishal, Hartaj and Sahil shared a wicket apiece. Chasing 200 runs to win, Idea XI batsmen succumbed to an impeccable bowling spell by Ashwani who broke their backbone with a 6-wicket haul conceding just 6 runs. RK Bhat snared two wickets.

For Idea XI, Deepak and Sunil played gutsy knocks of 24 and 22 runs, respectively, but that was not enough.

In another match, Kabir Cricket Club (KCC), Talab Tilloo toppled Jehad Cricket Club (JCC) by 11 runs in a keen contest.

Put into bat, KCC managed to score 141 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Pritam (30) and Raju (27) were the notable contributors. Sahil also chipped in with a quick-fire 15 runs.

For JCC, Sajad was the chief destroyer with a 4-wicket haul, while Sandeep and Iqbal grabbed two and one wicket, respectively.

In reply, JCC failed to chase the target and ended up with a score of 130 runs for the loss of nine wickets. Umar (21), Sandeep (16) and Vishal (15) were the main scorers. Sumit bowled a devastating spell of 4 overs to claim a 5-wicket haul, while Kala fetched 3 wickets. Sumit of KCC was adjudged man of the match.

Jammu, April 7
Manjit Singh Club will take on Pintoo Club in the summit showdown of the ongoing 1st Shaheed Mohammad Hafiz Volleyball Tournament being played at Khari Karmana village near LOC, Poonch, here.

Both the semifinals were played today. In the first semifinal, Khari Karmana Club got the better of formidable Manjit Singh Club by 3-1 sets. Manjit Singh Club started off in a brilliant fashion by taking the inaugural set with 25-23 margin but could not get the momentum going in the next.

Khari Karmana Club spikers got their act together and claimed the second set by 25-21 to make the contest evenly poised.

Khari Karmana Club continued to dominate in the next two sets to secure a berth in the final. The set score read 25-19 and 25-19.

Pintoo Club had the last laugh against Kalai Club by 3-1 sets in the second semifinal. Pintoo Club struggled in the first set and eventually lost it by 22-25 but made a strong comeback in the remaining sets.

Kalai Club frittered away early advantage and lost their way in the middle. Pintoo Club took the second set by 25-17 to equalise the lead.

The third set witnessed a fierce tussle between spikers of both the teams but Pintoo Club emerged victorious with a thin margin of 25-23 and then clinched the final set by 28-26.

The semifinals were officiated by Bashir Ahmed, Narinder Singh, Rajinder Singh, Ram Parkash, Gurmeet Singh, Surinder Singh and Rajinder Singh.

The chief guests in today’s matches were Jitender Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Poonch, and Col Bal, Commanding Officer, 21 Bn, Bihar Regiment. Ajit Kumar Sahu, Deputy Commissioner, Poonch, is the chairman of the organising committee of the championship, while Nirdosh Sharma is the organising secretary. The final will be played at 10 am tomorrow at the same venue. The tournament is being organised by the District Poonch Volleyball Association in collaboration with the District Unit of State Sports Council.

Jammu, April 7
International Master Himanshu Sharma of Haryana maintained its stronghold by fetching 5 points after the completion of six rounds today in the ongoing Ramit Memorial All-India Open FIDE rating Chess Tournament being played at Hotel Pine View, Patnitop, here. Atul Gupta of host J&K and Nandan of Assam were also not too far behind Himanshu.

Himanshu Sharma started today’s campaign with a fine victory over DK Chopra of Delhi while Sumit Grover of J&K suffered an upset defeat against Nandan Buragohain of Assam. Harshita Guddanti of Madhya Pradesh lost to Atul Kumar of J&K while Khalid Amin of J&K managed a draw against Nishi Mahalaxmi Iyer.

Biswajit Bharadwaj of Assam got the better of Ramalingam P of Karnataka followed by Ajit Singh of J&K who subdued Rajesh Handa of Delhi. Rather Adil Ashraf of J&K registered a win over Shekhar Verma of Madhya Pradesh while Ravi Sharma of J&K dispatched Ayush Pattanaik to bring cheers in the host team’s camp. Asokan A of Karnataka toppled Agarwal PC of Delhi while Vikhyaat Mehta of J&K had last laugh against Trinabh Chokhani of Assam to improve his points tally.

Jammu, April 7
J&K Police team got the better of J&K Bank team by a solitary goal in a hard fought semi-final to storm into the final today in the ongoing Sainik Cooperative Society Football Tournament being played at Sainik Public School, Sainik Colony, here.

The match proved to be a peach of a contest as both teams displayed excellent football skills throughout the match. The forwards of both teams unleashed flurry of strikes in each other’s camp but did not succeed in converting them into goals. The first half remained goalless.

The second half, too, witnessed an absorbing tussle between the two football giants but the J&K Police had a slight edge. Yasin scored the all-important goal for the J&K Police in the 84th minute to ensure a berth in the final. Vinay Kumar of the J&K Police was shown a yellow card by the referee.

In another quarter-final, Young Heroes toppled Jammu United by 3-0 with utmost ease. Tushar opened the account for Young Heroes in the 37th minute. Jammu United tried desperately to score an equaliser but could not succeed. Sanjeet of Young Heroes struck in the 60th minute to make it 2-0. He followed it up with another strike in the last moments of the game to seal the issue.

A yellow card was also shown to Dipali Surya of Young Heroes in the 20th minute of the match and to Raju of Jammu United in the 50th minute. All matches were officiated by Rakesh Kumar, Sohan Kumar, Vijay Kumar, Kushal Kumar, Harmanjeet Singh, Sudesh Kumar and Anil Gupta. The tournament is being organised under the supervision of football coach, Satpal Singh, organising secretary of the tournament.