Jammu, May 23
With the Union Government increasing the petrol prices by Rs 7.50 a litre from midnight, people across the city thronged petrol stations to tank up their vehicles before the revised prices come into effect from midnight.

Long queues were witnessed near petrol stations throughout the city after TV channels flashed the news about the hike in petrol prices.

Pardeep Singh, a resident of Gandhi Nagar, said people were already reeling under the burden of inflation and the latest hike was bound to add to their misery.

“Once the petrol prices go up, everything else gets expensive. It will have a roll-on effect on the economy,” he added.

People said the way the fuel prices were spiralling under the present UPA government, petrol would soon cost Rs 100 per litre.

Anil Gupta, an private-sector employee, said even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a well-known economist, had not spoken a word on the recent hike in petrol prices, reflecting the lop-sided approach of the UPA government on the economic front.

Social networking sites were abuzz with reactions to the sudden announcement by the government to hike the prices of petrol.

“Life not going to be same again, with petrol costlier by Rs 7.5/ltr, and more to come,” commented a Facebook user.

“Haye O Rabba................. Jaan Kad Lai Petrol Ne ........... 7.50 paisa per litre............. Hun Ki Banuga,” wrote another Net user on Twitter.

Jammu, May 23
After the Student-Parent Association took strong objection to a hike in school bus fares, the Transport Department has finally responded to their demand by convening a joint meeting with school management and parents to discuss the future course of action.

The parents are demanding a reduction in bus fares and justification from schools for the increase in fares despite an order by the Transport Department last year, fixing the monthly fares at Rs 180.

They feel the hike in fares is unfair as the government has already notified a standard fee structure for schools.

School managements have been claiming that they cannot meet the costs incurred on fuel, salaries of bus driver and general maintenance of vehicles by charging a measly bus fare of Rs 180 per head, as fixed by the government.

The parents, on the other hand, are not compelled by the school economics, as RD Sharma, member of the Student-Parent Association for Child Education (SPACE), maintains: “The buses are bought with school funds and students get charged for the same at the time of admission. There is no logic behind counting profit on school buses.”

The same argument was made in a recently held meeting, wherein it was decided that bus fares would soon be revised and parents would not be fleeced further.

With around 40,000 students being ferried by around 850 privately run buses, parents feel it is a matter of concern that most buses are over 15 years old and barring 180 buses, the rest of the buses are being used without proper documentation.

A principal of a leading school suggested that every school must submit a detailed account of maintaining every bus so that the rational behind increasing the fee could be understood better.

Kamal Gupta, president, Private School Association, said: “All private schools have unanimously acquiesced to the suggestion of the state government of providing them with SRTC buses in order for the schools to do away with private buses. But in the meantime, parents must understand the cost of running school transport, as petrol prices have 
sky-rocketed in the recent times.”

MK Raina, Deputy Transport Commissioner, said: “It is a matter of concern for all that schools are flouting a direct order passed by the Transport Department last year. We will look into the matter with immediate effect. But parents need to be assertive and should boycott such demands made by schools from time to time.”

“The security and grievance of the students are our prime concern and every school will soon be submitting their reasons for charging exaggerated fares from parents,” he added.

Jammu, May 23
With no let-up in fatal road mishaps on the Jammu University road, resentment is brewing among commuters, students and faculty members. They have decried lack of speed-breakers on the main gates of the university and Government MAM Postgraduate College after the killer stretch again claimed the life of a couple.

Yesterday, a couple, identified as Dheeraj Singh (58) and Manmohan Kaur (48), was crushed to death near MAM College after a cement-loaded truck hit their scooter.

Last month, a Jammu University scholar was knocked to death by a speeding vehicle outside the main gate of the university while he was crossing the road.

“The authorities have become insensitive and numb towards the recurring fatal road mishaps on the stretch, putting the lives of students, teachers and others on a risk. With the number of deaths in these accidents increasing with each passing day, there is an urgent need to put in place some corrective measures to deal with the situation,” said Rakesh Chib, president, Jammu University Research Scholar Executive Association (JURSEA).

Rajesh Sharma, a MAM college student, lamented that the administration had failed to take a lesson from frequent casualties on the stretch. “The movement of heavy vehicles, including loaded trucks to the Central department’s store near MAM college, make the situation more chaotic. The district authorities should shift the store somewhere else to decongest the road,” he suggested.

Prof NK Tripathi, Dean Students Welfare (DSW), said the university had written to the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department for construction of speed-breakers on both sides of the road as a viable solution to stop the recurring fatal road mishaps on the stretch.

“In a verbal assurance, the R&B authorities have told that they would construct the speed-breakers at the time of black-topping the road. The black-topping will take place by the end of this year when the darbar offices (Civil Secretariat and other government offices) will reopen here and the people will have to face the existing problem till then,” the DSW added.

He also made a fervent appeal to the traffic police department for deploying some cops outside the main gate of the university and the MAM PG College to streamline the traffic on the stretch. “So far, we have deployed two security guards outside the main gate for the smooth flow of traffic,” Prof Tripathi said.

The Principal, Government MAM PG College, Dr Ajeet Angral, also favoured deployment of traffic cops on the stretch. “Only construction of speed-breakers will not solve the problem. The traffic police department should deploy some policemen along the road, particularly outside the main gates of Jammu University and MAM College to prevent future road mishaps,” he said.

A senior officer of the Roads & Buildings (R&B) department, on the condition of anonymity, said they had not received any request from Jammu University for the construction of speed-breakers outside the main gate of the campus.

“We have not received any communication from Jammu University. They are telling a lie that they have approached the R&B department. In fact, the department couldn’t construct speed-breakers on the main road as it would create more problems for the people, particularly two-wheelers,” the officer said.

He said the chances of fatal accidents would increase if the department constructed speed-breakers on the main road as the youth riding on speeding bikes would become victims to these barriers (speed-breakers).

Toshin Mustafa, Chief Engineer, Roads & Buildings (R&B), Jammu, also discouraged the idea of having speed-breakers on the main road outside these premier educational institutions. He, however, assured that he would explore the possibility of rumble strips on the road to cut down the speed limit of vehicles.

Jammu, May 23
Taking exception to the government’s delaying tactics in the implementation of the remaining components of the Prime Minister’s employment package for displaced Pandits, the Youth All-India Kashmiri Samaj (YAIKS) today warned to launch a hunger strike in Srinagar from June 5.

Addressing a press conference here, RK Bhat, convener of the YAIKS, alleged that the government had failed to fulfil its promise made to the Pandit youth after they suspended their 22-day-old agitation in April.

“Whenever we demand implementation of the package, they give us some excuse. But this time we want a proper time frame mentioning the progress in the implementation of the package,” Bhat said.

He alleged that the government recruitment agency already had details about the unemployed youth in the community, but the Chief Minister was not serious about the package and that was the reason things were getting delayed.

He said the previous hunger strike was suspended after assurances by Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla and Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani, who had visited the dharna site and promised that employment package would be implemented fully in few days.

“The assurances were also given by the Chief Minister in the Apex Committee meeting held on April 18 with two more demands i.e. enhancement of cash assistance in favour of relief holders and issuance of ordinance for protection of shrine and temples Bill in State legislature.

“But to our dismay, more than a month has elapsed and nothing has been done till date in this regard, putting a question mark on the intentions of the government,” he said.

The YAIKS has also demanded immediate implementation of the Cabinet decision about filling up of 800 de-reserved posts and 700 other posts which remained unfulfilled in the last list and advertisement of the remaining 3,000 posts under state sponsorship with five years age relaxation.

Jammu, May 23
The police today claimed to have arrested an accused in a triple murder case in Doda, who had been reported absconding for the past many years.

As per reports, Manjeet Singh, hailing from Drone, Prem Nagar, Doda, was absconding in a case FIR No.143/2004 under Sections 302, 436, 460 RPC, 4/27 AA.

The Doda police arrested him from Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. The absconder was an accused in the case, in which three members of a family of Chakrabati village, including Ghulam Nabi, his wife Sakeena Begum and servant Mohammad Azim, were killed during the intervening night of November 13, 2004.

The motive behind the incident was to loot cash and jewellery from the house and burn the bodies along with house to give it a shape of militancy-related incident and destruction of evidence. The case was investigated by the then SDPO Bhaderwah and the accused, including Bashir Ahmed of Daraspura Chakrabati, Irshad Ahmed of Barreru and Mukhtyar Ahmed of Malai Behla, were arrested and accused Manjeet Singh was absconding.

Manjeet Singh was arrested on the inputs provided by Doda district police with the assistance of Solan police. The arrest was made by a police party of Bhaderwah police station headed by PSI Gurpal Singh under the overall supervision of Mohammad Arif Rishu, SP, Doda.

Jammu, May 23
Following the protest call by the National State Government’s Employees Federation in favour of their demands, the employees of Jammu also observed a one-day sit-in here today.

The employees were demanding the release of Sixth Pay Commission arrears in two instalments, regularisation of contractual employees and daily wagers, removal of pay anomalies, restoration of HRA, etc.

Subhash Verma, general secretary of the federation, said the government was crushing the rights of the employees and was ignoring their genuine issues.

Prominent among others who were present on the occasion included Suman Sharma, Maheshwar Sharma, Dev Prakash, Jagdish Raj, Ganesh Raj, Tilak Raj, Vijay Singh, Chuni Lal, Mohan Singh and Kamal Singh.

Katra, May 23
An environment awareness campaign, “Forest for Sustainable Livelihood”, was organised by students of Government Girls’ Middle School, Panasa, in Reasi zone today.

Events like slogan writing, painting and debate competitions, besides a plantation drive and a rally, were organised by the students as part of the campaign.

Dara Singh, senior lecturer, Government Higher Secondary School, Reasi, was the chief guest, while Om Parkash, school headmaster, presided over the function. The chief guest highlighted the importance of environment for healthy living and said the students could play a vital role in conserving the environment.

Sarpanch Bittu Ram, naib sarpanch Sabhan Din, numberdar Ragunath Singh, students, teachers and local residents took part in the rally. In painting competition, Rabia Bibi stood first, while the second and third positions went to Rubia Kosar and Arun Kumar, respectively.

In slogan writing, Anju Devi, Sonali Devi and Mohd Tariq were adjudged first, second and third, respectively, while Zamat Ali secured first position in debate competition.

Jammu, May 23
The preparations for Jammu University Entrance Tests (JUET) for the 2012-14 session were reviewed by the Vice Chancellor today. He reiterated that the entrance tests would be conducted successfully and a fool-proof system would be in place soon by the university officials.

The entrance examinations beginning May 31 will be conducted in three stages of pre-conduct, conduct and post-conduct phases till June 14. Nine centres have been allocated with the task of conducting the examinations. These include Jammu, Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri, Srinagar, Udhampur, Reasi, Bhadarwah and Leh where a total of 16,000 students will appear for examinations of various streams and subjects. — TNS

Jammu, May 23
The Bhaderwah Tourism Development Authority has decided to promote tourism in Bhaderwah, Doda and Kishtwar and develop these into popular destinations on the tourism map of J&K.

A meeting of private stakeholders in tourism and pilgrimage at Bhaderwah was chaired by Ravi Mahajan, chairman, Jammu Paryatan Vikas Mandal, to formulate a coordinated plan for the promotion of various activities to draw tourists.

The meeting also decided to promote the Kailash Kund yatra in the region along with setting up of a fish pond and a children’s park around the Jai valley. It was also decided to host festivals in June to showcase local culture, art and heritage to tourists.

Poonch, May 23
To exchange the ideas on the impact of Mughal road on Poonch and Rajouri districts, the Rashtriya Rifles organised a seminar at the Headquarters 6 Sector RR at Surankote on Sunday. Maj-Gen GS Shergil, GOC of the Romeo Force, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Maj-Gen Shergill expressed gratitude to all the participants in accomplishing the aim of the seminar and also appreciated the role being played by the civil administration, police and other government agencies in bringing about rapid changes in the area and maintaining social harmony.

Prof Rekha Chaudhary and Prof Jigar Mohd from Jammu University deliberated upon the cultural similarities and diversity between the people living on either side of the Pir Panjal range and brought out the social and economic changes the road could bring about in Poonch and Rajouri districts.

Security implications of the road were deliberated upon by Deputy Commander of the Headquarters 6 Sector RR Col GAV Reddy, who brought out the short-term and long-term impact of the road on the security situation of the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri.

Anwar Hussain Shah, Additional District Development Commissioner, Poonch, and PK Mohanty, deputy project manager, Mughal road, also spoke on the occasion.

Jammu, May 23
JP World School proved their supremacy by winning both U-14 and U-17 boys basketball titles on the second day of the ongoing Inter-School Competitions of Jammu district at different venues here today. In U-14 final, JP World School got the better of St Peter’s School by 16-8 points while in U-17 final, JP World School spanked the same opponent by 27-10 points. Delhi Public School emerged victorious in U-17 Handball final by defeating KC Public School by 4-3 goals while in U-14 final, Heritage School had last laugh against Rainbow School by 13-12 points. Guru Harikrishan Memorial High School, Simbal Camp, clinched both U-14 and U-17 hockey titles by defeating Government Higher Secondary School, Gole Gujral and St Peter’s Higher Secondary School, Karan Bagh, respectively.

Katra, May 23
A week-long adventure course in association with the Jammu and Kashmir Police and Eco Adventures began at Reasi today. The Department of Tourism had introduced adventure sports on the Chenab to attract tourists earlier this year.

Gurjit Singh, director, Eco Adventure, said they had started a week-long free rafting course on the Chenab at Baradari in Reasi district. In the first batch, 20 youths from Reasi and adjoining areas are taking part in the course.

The youngsters were briefed about the week-long adventure activity. The participants have been insured for the duration of the course.

The activity is being organised to promote adventure tourism in the area.

Reasi SSP Raghubir Singh said: “The socio-economic growth in the region had seen a decline due to years of terrorism. Tourism was the only way to give it a boost. During the years of violence, the people of the region had only heard the sound of guns. However, attempts are now being made to explore the other side of the region and bring some respite to its people.”

Jammu, May 23
Jammu Premier League (JPL) Tigers notched up a narrow one-wicket win over JPL Lions here today. JPL Lions won the toss and elected to bat first. They accumulated 133 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 25 overs. Paras Sharma played a fine knock of 54 runs off 41 balls with the help of four hits to the fence and a six. Nihal Khajuria contributed 32 runs while Satish Kumar chipped in with 15 runs. For JPL Tigers, Salman and Adnan scalped two wickets each while Abid Mushtaq, Ankush and Imtiyaz shared a wicket apiece.

In reply, JPL Tigers lost wickets at regular junctures but Abid Mushtaq kept his cool to help his team script a thrilling win. Abid Mushtaq struck a fine half century (50) off 52 balls with the help of four boundaries while Jaspreet and Kanishk contributed 19 and 14 runs, respectively. Shivam Gupta and Satish Kumar snared three wickets apiece for JPL Lions while Siddant took one wicket. The match was officiated by Mukesh Sharma, Madan and Arvind. The matches are being held under the supervision of the Deputy Director (Central) Youth Services and Sports, Ashok Kumar, and SS Bali, Deputy Director Youth Services and Sports, Jammu. Earlier, he visited the venue and interacted with the players.

Jammu, May 23
Prince Cricket Club Bhalessa (PCCB) got the better of Delhi Riders by five wickets in the ongoing All-India 8th Gufran Memorial T20 Cricket Championship 2012 being played at Sports Stadium, Doda, here today. Delhi Riders won the crucial toss and chose to bat first. They garnered 103 runs in the allotted 20 overs. Devinder Kohli and Mohit Garg contributed 23 and 21 runs, respectively. From PCCB, Ahsan and Vinod shared two wickets apiece.

In reply, PCCB did the needful for the loss of five wickets in 18.3 overs. Irfan was the top scorer with 51 runs while Jag Mohan also made a contribution of 20 runs. From Delhi Riders, Devinder Kohli and Mohit scalped two wickets each. He was awarded a cash prize along with trophy by Chitra Agarwal, daughter of former BCCI international umpire SK Bansal. The match was officiated by BCCI level-II umpires, namely Dharmesh Bhardwaj and Sanjay Singh. Dherendra Singh was the scorer. The tournament is being organised by Young Star Cricket Club, Doda, and sponsored by J&K Bank and Bajaj Allianz.

Jammu, May 23
Anchal Gupta and Gazal Gupta of St Xavier Convent Senior Secondary School, Barnai, bagged gold and bronze medal, respectively, in U-17 age group in the recently concluded 11th Jammu District Fencing Championship held at Indoor Sports Complex, MA Stadium.

Anchal Gupta is a student of Class IX while Gazal Gupta is studying in Class XII.

Jammu, May 23
Pallavi Sharma and Sahil Singh of the state fetched gold and silver medals, respectively, in the recently concluded 24th Cadet and Junior National Karate Championship held at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi.

The medallists have also qualified for the Asian Karate Championship slated to be held in Kazakhstan. Anil Gupta, chairman of the Amateur Karate Do Association, J&K, had given cash awards of Rs 3,100 and 2,100, respectively, to both the winners.

Other participants were also awarded cash prizes of Rs 1,000 each. The state team was led by Ambedkar Gupta.

Jammu, May 23
Gool zone dispatched Ramban zone to clinch the U-14 boys volleyball title in the Inter-Zonal Tournament of Ramban district, which concluded here today. In the U-17 volleyball (boys), Ukhral zone spanked Gool in the final to bag the top honours. The U-17 boys kabaddi title also went to Ukhral zone by beating Banihal zone. U-14 boys kabaddi title was bagged by Ramban zone by defeating Ukhral zone in the summit clash. The U-14 and U-17 boys kho-kho titles were won by Ramban and Batote zones by defeating Banihal and Ramban zones, respectively.

In girls section, U-14 and U-17 kabaddi titles went to Ramban zone by trouncing Batote in both the title clashes while U-14 and U-17 kho-kho titles were also won by Ramban Zone.

The matches were officiated by Vijay Kumar, Jageer Singh, Haroon Bhat, Ripan Bhalwal, Madhu Kusam, Mujahid Hussain, Abdul Majid, Masrat Ahmed, Zarifa Begum and Tariq Hussain, while the tournament was held under the overall supervision of DYSSO, Ramban, Dewan Chand Thakur, and ZPEO Ramban Harshi Kesh Koul.