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Two ropeways to Siraj area grind to a halt
Women’s initiative banks on RBI licence
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Association highlights plight of senior citizens
Autonomy a step towards solving K-issue: NC
Making their 3-month vacations count
5 yrs on, Mass Comm Dept remains a non-starter at JU
Regularisation of daily wagers sought
Wrestling association selects players
High School Rown win kho-kho title
ashok sodhi cricket tourney
NSDC invites corporates to Jammu & Kashmir
KU cricket team seal thrilling win
Swati Mishra adjudged best shooter
Cricket tourney from May 15
HSS Nowabad, St Peter High log wins
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Two ropeways to Siraj area grind to a halt
Batote, May 9 In 2004, a Bailey bridge at Trungal got submerged in the Baghlihar Hydel Project reservoir. Last year, the J&K State Power Development Corporation got the ropeway cable cars constructed at Trungal (350m) and Marsu (630m) over the Chenab from the Public Works Department for Rs 38.90 lakh and Rs 36.75 lakh, respectively, to ferry people across the river. JR Rana, the contractor involved in the construction of the ropeways of Marsu and Trungal, had been operating these on a temporary basis since August 20, 2011 and January 12, 2012, respectively, at the insistence of Doda Deputy Commissioner Farooq A Khan. Boats provided by the power corporation, one each at Trungal and Marsu, to ferry people across the river were withdrawn after the boat at Trungal was damaged and three children drowned at Marsu in May, 2008. After the power corporation and the PWD refused to foot the electricity bill of Rs 26,000 at Marsu, the power department suspended the electricity connection and the PWD discontinued the supply of diesel for generators. An electricity meter was also installed at the Trungal ropeway recently, but neither of the two departments was willing to pay for the electricity or diesel. Rana said PWD engineers and the Deputy Commissioner told him that he would be held responsible for any any mishap that occured at Trungal and Marsu. “So I stopped operating the ropeway a week ago,” said Rana. “We along with three other local youths, including an ITI-trained youngster, engaged at the Marsu and Trungal ropeways by the PWD were never paid salaries,” claimed Anchal Singh and Rajinder Singh, operators of Marsu and Trungal ropeways, respectively. “The PWD had constructed the ropeways on the orders of the power corporation and were supposed to be taken over by the latter. However, they refused to do so. The Deputy Commissioner asked us to operate the ropeways in the interest of the general public till a final decision was taken. Where are we going to pay the bills for electricity and diesel from?” said AK Misri, executive engineer, PWD, Doda. “Since we don’t have the expertise or staff to operate the ropeways, we can’t take over the operations there,” said TK Koul, Chief Engineer of the power corporation. “The file is with the Chief Minister. These may be handed over to either the Mechanical Division or the Cable Car Ropeway Project, who have the expertise, within a week,” he added. “These ropeways were the babies of the power corporation. I have written to the police and the power corporation clarifying that the district administration cannot be held responsible for any mishap. These can’t be left to the contractor to manage. Some experts need to operate these since it involves human lives,” said the Deputy Commissioner. The bone of contention The J&K State Power Development Corporation and the PWD refused to foot the electricity bill of ` 26,000 at Marsu. Subsequently, the power department suspended the electricity connection and the PWD discontinued the supply of diesel for generators Why cable cars came up? In 2004, a Bailey bridge at Trungal got submerged in the Baghlihar Hydel Project reservoir. Last year, the J&K State Power Development Corporation got the ropeway constructed at Trungal (350m) and Marsu (630m) over the Chenab from the PWD to ferry people and goods across the
river
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Women’s initiative banks on RBI licence
Jammu, May 9 Jammu Women Credit Cooperative Limited, started in 2004 and registered in 2006, inaugurated its 32nd branch in Paloura, today. The cooperative, which has over 12,000 members, has now applied for a licence from the Reserve Bank of India. While talking to The Tribune, cooperative chairperson Kailash Verma said: “The corporation is for women and our main aim is to strive for their socio-economic development in the region. We hope to get a licence for a bank soon from the RBI.” “Though we could have got a licence from the RBI last year, we never wanted a grade ‘B’ licence. We worked harder and now our membership has crossed 12,000, making us eligible for a grade ‘A’ licence,” she said. The corporation was registered as an initiative under the Self-Reliant Cooperatives Act of 1999 and had given loans worth Rs 2.20 crore against the business of Rs 4 crore in the past eight years. “Women from families living below the poverty line can open their accounts with us on a minimal deposit of Rs 50. While those from regular families can open their account by depositing Rs 100,” she added. “We have our branches across the Jammu division. There are five branches in Kathua, 20 in Jammu, three in Samba, one in Udhampur and one in Poonch. And a branch is set to open in Rajouri now. The best part is that women can avail of the loan facility at 1 per cent lower rate of interest than banks,” she said. They would soon submit a project report to the Union Ministry of Cooperatives for the provision of interest-free funds to spread their network, said Verma. The cooperative currently has a maximum loan limit of Rs 50,000, which is extended to women for various purposes, including setting up small ventures. “Once our initiative takes the shape of a cooperative bank, the future of women associated with us will be brighter because it will improve their socio-economic condition,” she added. |
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Association highlights plight of senior citizens
Jammu, May 9 Addressing a joint press conference with BS Jamwal, president of the association, prominent trade union leader Sampat Parkash highlighted the woes of the retired persons. “The rights guaranteed to the senior citizens and especially those who are honourable citizens but are unable to move around due to their ailment or age should be provided all facilities on their doorstep,” said Parkash, adding that they had approached the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, to provide all facilities to the senior citizens. They also urged the implementation of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 in Jammu and Kashmir. They said the Act had been implemented all over the country barring the state. They regretted that the matter was brought to the notice of the Social Welfare Minister but nothing had been done so far.
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Autonomy a step towards solving K-issue: NC
Jammu, May 9 “The National Conference has always upheld its commitments not only with its alliance partner but with the people of the state as well,” he said, adding that in the era of coalition governments, the Congress and National Conference workers would have to work together to help the government achieve its goal of all-round development and prosperity. Referring to the demand for autonomy, Kichloo said the road map of the National Conference was key to the resolution of the Kashmir issue, which had been a flash point between the two neighbouring countries and had hampered the development and economic uplift of the subcontinent. “The National Conference believes autonomy is a way forward in resolving the Kashmir issue and I do not think anybody should have serious reservations against it,” he said. |
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Making their 3-month vacations count
Jammu, May 9 The initiative is mostly taken by college students who feel the local residents are suffering because of the deficiencies in infrastructure and lack of exposure of administrative working and political rights. The youth from the region are taking personal interest in setting up various camps related to education, health and environment all over Ladakh to spread awareness on education and provide counselling to those preparing for higher studies. They also disseminate information among young students about financial management in order to afford higher education in cities like Delhi, Jammu or Chandigarh. There are others who hold health camps, spreading information to dispel taboos, which result in high mortality amongst people. “In the rural pockets of the region, people consider tuberculosis a taboo, whereby it is kept a secret from family and friends. The patients, instead of getting treatment for the same, are kept in isolation, resulting in numerous deaths from a disease that is easily curable, provided people shed their fear of the disease,” said Pheun Tshuk a Ladakhi student, running a health-related NGO in Jammu. Tuberculosis is not the only problem in the region. People there are still shy of talking about AIDS, HIV and other serious health issues since medical facts are unknown to most and there is an absolute lack of medical infrastructure in these pockets. The local population depends on traditional ayurvedic medicines for all cures. The women and infants are the worst sufferers of insufficient medical counselling. “In Leh, a pregnant woman can be recognised by the white marks that appear on her face during pregnancy. This results from the deficiency of vitamins or minerals in women, but since people do not know the medical reason behind it, they do not consider it important enough to be cured. Almost every second pregnant female and infant in Ladakh is on the borderline of being under-nourished,” said Dr Angmo, who has dealt with cases
of malnutrition from the region. July and August are thriving months in the region where several religious festivals are celebrated, bringing people from all over the region together. The birthday of the Dalai Lama, celebrated in the first week of July, is one such important occasion for the Ladakhi people. The students involved in the spread of awareness use these festivities as a tool to reach out to maximum people at the same time. Skits, street plays, banners, pamphlets, etc. are the other modes of reaching out to the masses. |
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5 yrs on, Mass Comm Dept remains a non-starter at JU
Jammu, May 9 Despite the growing popularity of the print and electronic media and keenness among the youth for pursuing diploma and degree courses in journalism and mass communication, Jammu University took no initiative in setting up a full-fledged department. If sources are to be believed, former Vice-Chancellors Amitabh Mattoo and Varun Sahni didn’t take up the matter with the Jammu University Council - the supreme executive body of the university vested with all administrative and academic powers. “Mattoo put the proposal in cold storage just to give an undue benefit to a person who happened to run the branch of national institute offering course of journalism and mass communication in the winter capital city,” the sources said. Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had asked the University of Jammu for the establishment of an exclusive department of journalism and mass communication during his tenure as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir on December 10, 2007. He had also assured full support from the state government for the same. “Time and again, various student organisations raised the issue and took up the matter with Amitabh Mattoo and his successor Varun Sahni, but all in vain. Sahni showed no interest in having a full-fledged department of journalism and mass communication at Jammu University, leaving the aspirants at the receiving end,” the sources added. Jasmeet Kour, (23), an aspirant of journalism and mass communication course, said: “The proposal has remained caught in bureaucratic red tape. The varsity authorities have never made sincere efforts to set up a department of journalism and mass communication.” She said nearly six centres, which were opened on political lines to accommodate politicians’ blue-eyed boys, were virtually non-functional despite liberal funding from the UGC. However, the university has never focused on starting new courses like mass communication. Minister for Higher Education Abdul Gani Malik said the proposal was still under consideration of Jammu University. “The proposal didn’t come for discussion in the university council meetings, but it is under consideration of the university administration. I will look into it and push the process forward so that we have an exclusive department of journalism and mass communication in the university,” the minister said. Naresh Padha, Registrar, University of Jammu, said they couldn’t make any progress in this regard following certain administrative hiccups. “We have demanded the setting up of this prestigious department in the 12th Five Year Plan and we are hopeful that we will get sanction for it by September or October this year,” he said.
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Regularisation of daily wagers sought
Jammu, May 9 The union also demanded the release of two-and-a-half day salary to the executive cadre employees of the Power Development Department (PDD) up to the rank of assistant executive engineers. Addressing a press conference, PPEU chairman Shakti Gupta appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to accept the genuine demands of the employees. He also appealed to the government to issue redressal order of pay anomalies of the Sixth Pay Commission in favour of clerical, technical cadre up to the pay scale of Rs 6,700-Rs 10,500 (pre-revised). Meanwhile, the union held its general body meeting and passed a resolution to nominate three members in the apex body among the employees of the PDD, two members from the executive cadre and one member from the clerical cadre. Three members are Deepak Tandon as adviser, Manmohan Singh as secretary and Archana Thakur as joint secretary of the union. Union presidents Yash Pal Gupta and Sanjeev Bali and general secretary Ajaz Kazmi appreciated the efforts of the chairman for inclusion of three members in the apex body. Those who spoke on the occasion included Rajan Babu, Sunil Kochar, Satish Chander, Chander Mohan, Subash Chander Sharma, Kuldeep Sharma, Ashok Gupta, Rajinder Kumar, Pawan Kapoor, Parshotam and Rakesh Gupta.
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Wrestling association selects players
Jammu, May 9 Meanwhile, 15 wrestlers have also been selected for Sub-Junior Girls Wrestling Championship to be held at the same venue. Earlier, a 20-day long coaching camp was conducted by the J&K Wrestling Association before the final selection of the team that was done in the presence of Dushyant Sharma, ex-president, Wrestling Federation of India, and general secretary, J&K Wrestling Association.
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High School Rown win kho-kho title
Jammu, May 9 In U-14 boys kabaddi, the title went to HS Upper Thanoa, while HS Kawa and Prashant Public School claimed U-17 kho-kho and volleyball titles, respectively. Joint Director (Planning) Rakesh Jamwal was the chief guest on the occasion, while DN Runyal, principal, HSS Jaganoo, was
the guest of honour. Sukh Dev Singh, District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Udhampur, JM Tharmatt, principal, HSS Boys, Udhampur, and
Raj Guru, president, Volleyball Association, Udhampur, were also present on the occasion. |
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Cantt Club, KCC enter final
Jammu, May 9 Batting first, JKAP XI garnered 118 runs in the allotted 20 overs by losing 9 wickets in the process. Ashwani played an impressive knock of 46 runs, including six fours and two sixes, while Ishtiaq chipped in with 33 runs with the help of four boundaries and two sixes. Raj Kumar Bakshi, Pankaj Sasan and Chander Kiran shared two wickets apiece for Cantt Club while Khushwant and Umesh snared a wicket apiece. In reply, Cantt Club overhauled the target with utmost ease in 17 overs losing five wickets in the process. Vijay Dogra was the top scorer with 42 runs, including five boundaries. Sunil Govil and Amit contributed 21 and 17 runs, respectively. For JKAP XI, Sanjeet, Rohit, Yasir, Ashwani and Ishtiaq claimed one wicket each. Vijay Dogra was declared the man of the match. — TNS
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NSDC invites corporates to Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu, May 9 The ‘Udaan’ website - www.nsdcindia.org/udaan - is being run by the NSDC in a bid to facilitate jobs prospects of 40,000 youth in the state within five years. On March 26, the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram along with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council Chairman C Rangarajan, who headed the expert group to formulate a job plan in this regard, had launched the website in New Delhi. The Vice-Chancellor said a structure bringing together university and colleges from around the region had been established to reach out to a large number of youth. The NSDC coordinator said the corporation had entered into partnerships with eight corporate groups, including TCS, Wipro and HCL, to provide employment to youngsters. “The website invites corporates from across India to select, train and place deserving candidates from the state either within their own organisations or in another corporate houses. Udaan wishes to expose the corporates to the rich talent in the state,” Priscilla Vincent said. |
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KU cricket team seal thrilling win
Jammu, May 9 Saleem was the top scorer with 39 runs, while for KU, Waseem Raza was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets. In reply, KU got off to a disastrous start by losing wickets at regular junctures. Altaf played a fine knock of with 55 runs, whereas Saleem took three wickets for DC XI. Irfan of KU for his all-round performance was adjudged as the man of the match. The semifinals will be played tomorrow. In the first semi-final, Srinagar Cricket Club will lock horns with Sofi XI while in the second semi-final, KU will clash with Star Cricket Club, Buchpora.
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Swati Mishra adjudged best shooter
Jammu, May 9 Swati, an NCC cadet, II J&K Girls Bn, was also conferred with the Best Cadet Award for the session 2011-12. She was also awarded a scholarship worth Rs 3,500 by Brig Thomas George, DDG NCC, J&K Directorate, Jammu, in recognition of her achievement. |
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Cricket tourney from May 15
Jammu, May 9 All affiliated clubs of the Jammu wing are eligible to compete in this championship. The draws will be held on May 12 at hostel ground, GGM Science College, at 5 pm. The performance in the tournament will be the basis for selection in the President Cup and for other age-group tournaments of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. — TNS |
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Inter-School Tournament Tribune News Service
Jammu, May 9 In under-17 kabaddi, HSS Nowabad got the better of HS City Chowk by 23 points, while HS Gole Panjpeer trounced HSS Bazar Qasaban by 11 points. HSS Nowabad also defeated HSS Mubarak Mandi by 19 points. In under-17 girls kho-kho, St Peter thrashed HSS Rehari, HSS Bazar Qasaban beat HSS Canal Road, HSS Mubarak Mandi trounced Activity Public School, Janipur, SOS prevailed over HS Dogra Hall, HSS Muthi subdued HS Bhagwati Nagar and HS Janipur drubbed HSS Paloura. In under-14 girls kho-kho, SOS Gole Gujral outclassed Delhi Public School by one turn and four points, MS RN Pura trounced MS Gujjar Nagar, HS Kachi Chawni thrashed Activity Public School, MS Sarwal beat HSS Bakshi Nagar, HS Rajpura overcame HS Resham Garh and DBN Public School edged past MS Muthi by 2 points. In Gandhi Nagar zone, HSS Shastri Nagar defeated SD Tarapuri HSS by nine points, while HSS Khanna Chhargal overcame the challenge of Dogra HSS, HS Gandhi Nagar pipped HSS Shastri Nagar and HS Gandhi Nagar notched up a thrilling win over HS Khanna Chhargal. In under-14 kho-kho, HS Gandhi Nagar eased past HS Bathindi, MS Digyana edged out MS Gorkha Nagar, HS Gandhi Nagar beat Dogra HSS and MS Digyana subdued HS Gandhi Nagar. In Marh zone, 150 girls participated in the tournament. In under-14 kho-kho, MS Galwadey Chak downed MRLD Burj. In under-17 age group of the same event, HS Marh Bagh eased past HS Shama Chak, HS Ghou Manasan beat HS Gole Gujral and HS Marh Bagh got the better of HS Sangrampur. In under-14 kabaddi, MS Akalpur beat MRLD Burj, while in under-17 age group, HS Ghou Manasan registered a narrow win over MRLD Burj and HS Gole Gujral outclassed HS Sangrampur to move to the next round. In Chowki Chora zone, competitions were held in kabaddi. Apart from various zones of Jammu district, tournaments are also being conducted in different zones of Rajouri, Samba and Udhampur districts. In Jib zone, the matches were held at Sports Stadium, Udhampur, where HS Kawa bagged the under-14 and under-17 girls kabaddi titles. Around 350 players participated in the Inter-School Tournament of Rajouri zone. In the matches played, MS Fatehpur and MS Rajouri emerged victorious in volleyball and kho- kho, respectively. Meanwhile, the first phase of Inter-School Tournament was organised by the District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Samba, in kabaddi and kho-kho for under-14 and under-17 age groups, respectively. The events were held at Higher Secondary School, Kehli Mandi, while the Ghagwal zone competitions were held at Higher Secondary School, Ghagwal ground. NV Dhalote and MIE Sumb emerged winners in kho-kho and kabaddi in under-14 age group.
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The Municipal and Urban Local Bodies Pensioners’ Association has demanded the issuance of identity cards to senior citizens so that they can avail of the benefits meant for them without any hassles.
Addressing a joint press conference with BS Jamwal, president of the association, prominent trade union leader Sampat Parkash highlighted the woes of the retired persons.
Around 500 Ladakhi students spend three months of their vacations back home, taking care of their families or working in groups to organise awareness camps in the far-flung areas of Leh and
Kargil. The initiative is mostly taken by college students who feel the local residents are suffering because of the deficiencies in infrastructure and lack of exposure of administrative working and political rights.
The much-ambitious proposal for setting up a full-fledged department of journalism and mass communication at the University of Jammu has failed to see the light of the day, even after the lapse of about five years since its announcement.
Despite the growing popularity of the print and electronic media and keenness among the youth for pursuing diploma and degree courses in journalism and mass communication, Jammu University took no initiative in setting up a full-fledged department.
Members of the Provincial Power Employees Union (PPEU) today demanded immediate decision on the regularisation of daily wagers working in the department who have completed seven years of service.
The union also demanded the release of two-and-a-half day salary to the executive cadre employees of the Power Development Department
(PDD) up to the rank of assistant executive engineers.
