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4,000 WORKERS WANT REGULAR
JOB
Speaking out
Burglars decamp with valuables worth
Rs 6 lakh
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Rusty, unkempt water coolers await JU students this summer
Water from this rusty water cooler, installed in the Botony Department, University of Jammu, poses grave risk to the health of students. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma
Sports council officers miffed at delay in DPC meeting
Govt mulls merging JPL, KPL into JKPL
A cadre officer as Jammu & Kashmir police chief
Parties warn against laxity
Upper Pallanwala win volleyball title
SRTC VRS staff hold protest
JU kayaking contingent flagged off
Prof Dhian S. Bhau, Director, Directorate of
Sports and Physical Education, University of Jammu, flags off a kayaking
contingent on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma
Murder accused still at large, police clueless
Basketball trials today
Panel visits Shopian temples
Dept of Posts to hold football meet
Inquiry fallout
Grameen Bank starts account portability
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4,000 WORKERS WANT REGULAR
JOB
Jammu, April 25
Most workers have been engaged by the Power Development Department (PDD), Public Health Engineering (PHE), floriculture and medical education departments. The state Cabinet had approved the mechanism for regularising daily wagers in 2009 and issued directions to various departments to furnish details about the workers so that financial and legal issues could be sorted out. The departments concerned were-advised to furnish full details of these engagements to enable the committee to assess the implications, including financial, legal and administrative, that could arise out of the regularisation of workers. However, most departments failed to furnish the requisite details, while others submitted inadequate information, officials said. “Since the departments furnished insufficient information, they were again requested to furnish the references of officers who were engaging the casual labour. The information is still awaited,” said a senior officer in the General Administration Department. Minister for Finance Abdul Rahim Rather, who is also member of the sub-committee, said the government had directed the departments to speed up the process. “As soon as relevant information is received on the subject, the Cabinet sub-committee will deliberate on the issue and finalise its recommendations.” Under SRO-64 of 1994, only those daily rate workers who are permanent residents of the state and possess prescribed academic and technical qualification for the post can be regularised. Another condition includes completion of seven years of continuous service in respective departments. Besides, as per a government order issued on January 31, 1994, only those daily wagers are eligible for regularisation who stand engaged on or before January 31, 1994 and have completed seven years of continuous service beyond the permissible limit. Rather claimed that so far, 55,604 daily rate workers had been regularised till December, 2011 and the regularisation of remaining workers would be considered when the respective administrative departments send their reports.
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‘Bringing JK Bank under RTI a right move’
A day after the State Information Commission (SIC) declared Jammu and Kashmir Bank Limited a public authority, coming under the ambit of the JK RTI Act,
Varun Suthra talked to Jammu residents to know their views on the issue. — Kapil Gupta — Pawan Gupta — Najmul Hasan Shah — Sanjeev Verma — Sahil |
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Burglars decamp with valuables worth
Rs 6 lakh
Jammu, April 25 “We left for Kurukshetra on April 23 and returned the next day. On arrival, we found the main gate locked and the locks of the house broken,” said Rajesh Sharma, the head of the family. He claimed that burglars decamped with gold ornaments worth Rs 6 lakh and around Rs 25,000 in cash. The police said a case had been registered against unidentified persons and they had started investigations into the case. Man caught for theft
The Kathua police claims to have caught a man red-handed while trying to escape with stolen goods and gold ornaments from a residence at Shiv Puri Colony of the town. The police said the accused broke into Rural Development department employee Raj Singh’s house when the family was away. “Raj Singh and his wife, who is a teacher, were not present in the house when the thief struck. When Raj Singh came back, he found the lock of the main gate broken,” the police said. He raised the alarm and enquired with his neighbours about the matter. On hearing a sound, he rushed inside the house and saw a man trying to flee the scene. He was, however, overpowered.
— TNS |
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Rusty, unkempt water coolers await JU students this summer
Jammu, April 25 Similarly, students of a majority of departments on the campus have been making regular complaints of poorly maintained water coolers, but to no avail. The water coolers in the Geology Department have been lying defunct for the past one month due to lack of water in the department. The students are forced to rely on coolers in the Mathematics Department, which again have not been properly maintained. The authorities, on the other hand, are busy playing the blame game. The Head, Geology Department, blames the works department for not taking timely action, thereby causing inconvenience to the students. The Students’ Welfare Department blames individual departments for not taking care of the equipment, saying “it is not their job to maintain water coolers”. “We send regular notices to the works department to repair water coolers but they do not take any action. It is not in our control to maintain the coolers if water is not available in the department,” says a clerk in the Zoology Department. Water coolers in around 10 departments of the university have not been properly maintained. As a result, visitors are forced to consume unfit drinking water and face the risk of falling sick. Swati Sharma, a student of Botany Department, says: “I used to consume water from coolers earlier, but I started keeping unwell as the water was unfit for drinking. Now, I avoid consuming water from coolers installed on the campus.” Raman from the same department says: “I have never seen the university staff clean the water cooler during the past two years.” The cooler in the department is not connected to electricity and lies unattended. An open drain flows right behind the cooler and vermin excreta covers the entire area of the rusty cooler. Most students prefer to buy bottled water or stay without it on the campus. Every year, around 1,600 students join the university but they continue to get poor facilities on the campus. Barring new departments like Human Resource where water cooler are cleaned every fortnight, other departments like Computer Application or Social Sciences continue to have rusty water coolers due to lack of upkeep.
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Sports council officers miffed at delay in DPC meeting
Jammu, April 25 According to sources, state sports council orders (Nos 307 and 308 issued on April 19, 2000 and 309 issued on April 20, 2012) were released regarding transfer, posting and adjustment of council officials during Sheikh Fazal Ahmed’s tenure as Secretary, J&K State Sports Council. In all, six grade-II coaches in different disciplines were elevated to the post of in charge (I/C) managers. Two of them have already retired. As per the orders, Bishamber Singh, grade-II football coach and I/C manager, Mini Stadium Parade, Jammu, was transferred and adjusted as I/C manager, MA Stadium, Jammu, while MS Baba, grade-II kho-kho/kabaddi coach at District Coaching Centre, Baramulla, was transferred and adjusted as I/C manager, Sher-I-Kashir Indoor Sports Complex, Srinagar. Arun Kumar (retd), grade-II handball coach at Regional Coaching Centre, Jammu, was transferred and adjusted as I/C manager, Udhampur, whereas Abdul Qayoom, grade-II cricket coach in District Coaching Centre, Baramulla, was adjusted as I/C manager, Baramulla Stadium. Also, Rajan Sharma, grade-II boxing coach in Regional Coaching Centre, Jammu, was transferred and adjusted as I/C manager, Kathua Stadium. Similarly, Mushtaq Ahmad, grade-II weightlifting coach in Regional Coaching Centre, Srinagar, was adjusted as I/C manager, Bakshi Stadium. Besides, 21 junior coaches in different disciplines were transferred with the same post and adjusted in different sports centres of the state. Another state sports council order (No 438 issued on July, 10, 2003) was issued regarding transfer, posting and adjustment during Manoj Pant’s stint as Secretary, State Sports Council. But this time, the officers posted as I/C were transferred without being elevated as I/C managers. “We are performing our duties with sincerity but it seems the authorities are not interested in promoting us,” said an official. “We are not against the government order issued in 2000, wherein grade-II coaches were promoted to the post of I/C managers, but we must get our due share,” he claimed. However, Kiran Wattal, Secretary, J&K State Sports Council, said: “We will soon convene a meeting of the DPC, wherein the annual progress report of all officials concerned will be reviewed.” “The issue was also taken up during a recently held standing committee meeting of the sports council,” he added. |
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Govt mulls merging JPL, KPL into JKPL
Jammu, April 25 Briefing mediapersons today after convening a meeting with officials ahead of the JPL final, Chib said the success of both the KPL and the JPL was an encouraging sign for the promotion of the game in the state. “The government is planning to merge the JPL and the KPL to form Jammu Kashmir Premier League (JKPL) and make it a permanent feature in the sports calendar of the state,” he said. The minister said three boys who were selected on the basis of their performance in the previous edition of the KPL had returned after attending a six-month training camp at Delhi and Chennai. “It is a matter of pride that our cricketers have been able to represent the state in the prestigious coaching institutes of the country,” Chib maintained, adding: “We will also send three best performers of the Jammu Premier League to attend a similar six-month coaching camp at MRF Academy in Chennai and National Cricket Academy at Bangalore.” The minister said 149 teams drawn from all districts played 170 matches in the first phase of the JPL. “Our aim is to provide as many opportunities to our youth so that they can prove their worth at the higher levels. The conduct of such tournaments will go a long way in achieving the goal,” the minister opined. The minister added that the government had got a sanction from the Sports Ministry for the construction of an AstroTurf stadium at GGM Science College. He added that the construction of a multi-purpose hall at the Jammu Hockey AstroTurf Stadium at Baramulla was also in the offing. The minister, however, admitted that the state lacked adequate infrastructure. “We lack adequate infrastructural facilities for our sportspersons but we are trying to overcome the hiccups,” Chib said. “It is difficult to create such a huge infrastructure in a short span but the government is committed to bolstering the standard of sports in the state,” Chib added. Meanwhile, the winning team of the JPL final will get a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, while the runners-up will pocket a sum of Rs 3 lakh. The man of the series and man of the match will receive a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh each.
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A cadre officer as Jammu & Kashmir police chief
The approaching date of retirement of the present DGP has fuelled for speculation in the media about a successor. A news item has appeared about Ministry of Home Affairs forwarding for consideration of the state Government a panel of three non-cadre officers for the post of DGP. Normally, MHA would not have taken such a step unless some reservation in the state administration in favour of cadre officers was observed. In the past as well, each time the state looks for a new police chief, non-cadre officers begin using their clout. For them the post is a stepping stone for important constitutional and higher responsibilities in Delhi. It will be advisable for the Government to take a well-considered decision at the earliest and not allow gossip mill to churn out speculation and half-truths. A decision in time by making the chain of command clear will be good for the internal health of the force. It will also set a healthy practice of an “under study” period for the new incumbent and “passing the baton” with dignity. Can we stop, for a change, the practice of waiting till the end, allowing gossips making rounds of the secretariat and the police offices and keeping aspirants speculating, canvassing and on their toes? What should be the qualifications to become the police chief of a state? The incumbent should have a good knowledge about the people and the terrain; knowledge about the professional abilities of the officers and men and women that he will command; infrastructure and training needs of the force; and should be well-versed with the problems in the state. In J&K, which is reeling under a conflict situation, the record of the officer in anti-militancy operations has also to be taken into account. All these come from the experience of working in the state. The two J&K cadre officers of 1984 batch are eminently qualified on each of these counts. In each case, the stresses of professional responsibility in difficult situations, has led to excessive ‘greying’ and that should go in their favour. It would be wrong to claim that they are still young and can wait. There are numerous examples in the country as well as our own state in the past when number of years of service was ignored for selecting a state police chief. They have between them about four years to go which the Government can suitably utilize to accommodate both. These two and other cadre officers, who follow them, have given their best years in the service of the people of the troubled state. Their bravery and sacrifices must not be ignored. Let it be made clear once for all that cadre officers will normally head the police force. One needs to go back in time to analyze the circumstances leading to non-acceptance of RR IPS officers in the state cadre from 1978 to 1983 thereby creating a gap. Ironically this gap is being used to lobby for getting a non-cadre officer at the helm on the pretext that no cadre officer is eligible for promotion as DGP. Jammu and Kashmir Police enjoys the reputation of having one of the finest set of officers in the country. On professional competence alone the cadre officers have the right and must get the honour to head the state police. Argument of number of years of service for eligibility is too weak to come in their way. (Author is a retired Director General of Police and can be reached on bhan.ashok@gmail.com)
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Parties warn against laxity
Jammu, April 25 “Instead of merely revising the voter’s list, there is a need to include new voters in the list,” said former Mayor Kavinder Gupta. “As long as officials of the Jammu municipal corporation are involved in the process, there is little chance of seeing a proper revision of the electoral rolls,” Gupta opined. Instead of rectifying the discrepancies, officials were completing the process as a mere formality, he claimed. The former Mayor further observed that the lists were full of discrepancies. Former Union Minister and MLA Chaman Lal Gupta also stressed the need for an extensive revision of the electoral rolls to ensure fair elections. On reports of summary revision of voter’s lists ahead of the civic elections, Gupta said besides glaring mistakes, names of a large number of voters were missing from the list. In certain wards, a large number of fake votes had been created, he alleged. Also, the number of voters were more than the population shown in the Census 2011 in certain areas, he asserted. The BJP has already objected to the discrepancies and possible manipulations in the voter’s list and voter cards. State BJP chief spokesman Jitendra Singh had produced documentary evidence to show that voter’s lists were not available in certain areas. Also, the font used in the lists was not legible, he added. The information provided under name, age, parentage or residential address was either inadequate or erratic, he added. Singh said in the absence of proper voter’s lists and voter cards, the claim of the National Conference-Congress coalition government to hold fair elections to the local bodies stood defeated. |
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Upper Pallanwala win volleyball title
Jammu, April 25 In girls’ section, Maira Mandrian dispatched Daskar Panchayat by 27-15 points in kabaddi at Khour block. In Kho-Kho, Gandrawan Panchayat spanked Daskal Panchayat by 3-2 points, while in volleyball, Gurah Brahmana Panchayat toppled Anbara Panchayat by
2-0 sets to bag the top honours. At Khour block, Manchak Panchayat won over Upper Narayana Panchayat by 2-0 sets, whereas, in kabaddi, Manchak subdued Upper Narayana Panchayat by 10 points. Earlier, the tournament was declared open by Tirath Ram, District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Jammu, in the presence of various dignitaries. The tournament was organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports under the overall supervision of Tirath Ram. In kabaddi, Panchayat Dori Dager got the better of Panchayat Narayan Lower by 12 points in the first semi-final. Earlier, in the league matches, Panchayat Dori Dager spanked Panchayat Chak Malal by 19 points. Panchayat Dori defeated Panchayat Hamirpur by 3 points while Panchayat Narayan Lower won over Panchayat Narayan Upper by 11 points. In volleyball, Bakore Panchayat won over
Badwal Panchayat by 2-0 sets. In other matches, Hamirpur Sidhra Panchayat prevailed over Chak Malal Panchayat, Upper Pallanwala Panchayat trounced Samua Panchayat, Sarwal Panchayat emerged victorious, Manchak Panchayat subdued Badwal Mullo Panchayat, Lower Pallanwala Panchayat beat Dorian Panchayat, Upper Pallanwala Panchayat thrashed Sarwal Panchayat and Man Chak Panchayat had last laugh against Hamirpur Panchayat. In Wrestling, Parvin Singh secured first position in 42 kg weight category, while Rajat Singh bagged the top honours in 48kg weight category. Raman Singh bagged top slot in 55kg weight category, whereas, Suresh Singh clinched top spot in 62 kg weight category. |
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SRTC VRS staff hold protest
Jammu, April 25 The employees, under the banner of the All-J&K SRTC Volunteer Retirement Employees Association, assembled outside the Exhibition Ground and raised slogans against the management of the corporation and the state government. The employees alleged that they had been facing hardships in their day-to-day life due to the government’s dilly-dallying tactics in releasing their arrears. “Due to the wrong policies of the SRTC management, VRS employees have been deprived of their rights. We have been cheated by the SRTC management. The authorities had assured us that our dues will be cleared in one instalment, but nothing has been done in this regard so far,” Dev Raj Bali, president of the association, said. He added that the retired employees had been facing problems for the past two years but the government still had maintained a silence on their genuine issues.
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JU kayaking contingent flagged off
Jammu, April 25 Prof Dhian S. Bhau, while talking to The Tribune, said: “The UGC has provided us a financial package of Rs 25 lakh exclusively for conducting adventure sports”. “After the completion of the kayaking course by the first batch, the department will send another batch for the same course in future,” he said. Prof Bhau further said the department had taken various initiatives to engage students in various adventure sports like kayaking, river rafting, etc. |
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Murder accused still at large, police clueless
Jammu, April 25 Sources said the accused remained untraceable though the police conducted several raids at suspected places to arrest him. The deceased, identified as Lal Babu (19), who lived in Nanak Nagar, was stoned to death by his elder brother, Krishna Shah, over a small dispute yesterday. The police said both the brothers were working as drivers with a load carrier and had gone to Udhampur. “They stopped the vehicle near Raghura forest. Lal Babu had gone to relieve himself when his brother hit him on the head with a stone, leading to serious injuries,” the police added. As the victim fell unconscious, his elder brother stoned him to death. Later, he threw the victims’ body into the forest area and fled from the spot. Some locals spotted the body and informed the police.
— TNS |
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Basketball trials today
Jammu, April 25 All affiliated units, districts, clubs, institutes and schools of the association are requested to direct their registered players to attend the trials, along with the authority letters duly signed by their authorities concerned. The coaching camps for both sub-junior boys
and girls will be held at the same venue till the departure of the team under the supervision of Rohit Chibber, Basketball coach, J&K Police for
boys, while Surinder Singh for girls. |
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Panel visits Shopian temples
Jammu, April 25 The committee praised the police and the local administration for giving a good response with regard to ex gratia and compensation to the temples that were damaged in the past 20 years.
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Dept of Posts to hold football meet
Jammu, April 25 He said for the first time in the history of Postal Services in Jammu and Kashmir, All-India Postal Football Tournament would be held in Srinagar, wherein football teams across the country will compete. He also said the tournament would be conducted in association with the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association. |
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JU dept Head shifted
Jammu, April 25 The recently held 72nd council meeting of the university had found irregularities in the system under former Vice-Chancellor Amitabh Mattoo and recommended action against those indicted for reasons of favoritism and misappropriation of funds in the university. Kilam, who held the post for around three years, has now be sent back to her earlier posting as Director, Quality Assurance Cell, relieving Prof KK Sharma from the charge. Prof Deshbandhu, Director, College Development Board, is slated to succeed Kilam. — TNS
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Grameen Bank starts account portability
Jammu, April 25 A handout issued here today said the facility would allow the customers to transfer their accounts from one branch to another without any change in their account numbers. “Customers can approach their respective branch and submit an application for the transfer of their accounts,” it added.
— TNS
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Sahil Sharma, a second-year Distance Education student, who frequents the University of Jammu, recently complained to the authorities of shortage of drinking water coolers on the campus. Instead of taking note of the complaint, the authorities of the Students’ Welfare Office lost his complaint.
Prof Dhian S. Bhau, Director, Directorate of Sports and Physical Education, University of Jammu, today flagged off a 20-member kayaking contingent to Reasi for attending a week-long course.
I feel this is a major and positive development in the history of our state. Such moves will surely help in maintaining the accountability of all banks running in the state. Moreover, some more stringent laws needed to be passed to check the mounting corruption in our state.
The SIC has given a historic judgement and this will surely encourage RTI activists and other information seekers who have been making the best use of the RTI. Such decisions help in restoring the faith of the masses in democracy. Particularly, organisations and officials, who have taken the things for granted, will also start considering the seriousness of the issues
I have been keenly observing the developments in this case through media reports. It is really admirable that some activists had been following the case for the past about one year. They have acted as torch bearer of society. At least, some people will come out of the dogma that nothing could be done to change the mindset of society. For a state like ours, such developments should be considered as major positive outcomes
The role and significance of the RTI and other commissions have always remained a topic of debate in the state as it becomes hard to explain the impact of such organisations to the commoners. But with the decision of the SIC, we can at least strengthen our views regarding the powers of the RTI. I think such decisions and their relevance should be detailed to students and youths through seminars and workshops so that they can also exercise their right.
I don’t now why the bank was reluctant to share the information. There may be some good reasons. I think banks are overburdened with the load of daily proceedings, but they can dedicate some persons for the job. To make plans and projects more effective, it is required to strengthen institutions like the SIC. A majority of the residents of the state are dependent on J&K Bank for their banking needs, so they have the right to seek information from the bank.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police has come a long way since the events of the early nineties. Officers and all ranks learnt how to deal with the situation once resources became available. It is not an occasion to recount the developments. Suffice it to say that soon it proved its mettle and was widely acclaimed for its role in fighting terrorist violence in the state side-by-side with Army and thye Central para-military forces. Presidential Colours to the J&K Police in June 2003 was a recognition by a grateful nation of the valour, sacrifices, professional acumen and commitment of the force to the wellbeing of the people of the state.