Jammu, May 24
Of the 200 beds provided by the government to the Shri Mahraja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital, Jammu, only 100 have been made available to patients so far, due to the absence of adequate staff needed to take care of the additional patients.

There is an acute shortage of para-medical staff in the hospital, with over 150 posts of staff nurse lying vacant in the hospital, besides others.

“Only 100 beds have been provided to the patients out of the 200 that were planned. For more beds, we need more staff and infrastructure and that is lacking in the hospital,” said a doctor at the hospital.

The hospital caters to over 3 lakh patients in the outpatient departments and over 40,000 patients in the inpatient departments every year. Also at least 40 deliveries are conducted in the hospital every day, but the mortality rate is more than 60 every month.

The hospital has witnessed over 2,400 infant deaths in the past three years, with an average of 65 deaths every month. The hospital has recorded over 170 infant deaths in the first three months of this year.

“The hospital is a tertiary-care facility but some patients reach the hospital in very poor shape. Lives can be saved in 20 per cent cases if we have proper infrastructure and manpower, which is lacking in the hospital,” the doctor added.

Sources said only one ventilator was currently operational in the hospital against the need of at least 10. However, the hospital administration claimed that they needed staff round-the-clock to run these ventilators. Due to the paucity of staff in the hospital, the authorities coult not run the requisite number of ventilators, it added.

Dr Dara Singh, Deputy Medical Superintendent, SMGS Hospital, said: “The hospital has 200 additional beds but only 100 have been made available to the patients due to the shortage of staff. The remaining beds will also be made available to the patients as soon as we get the requisite staff. We are trying to cope with the problem.”

Jammu, May 24
A day after petrol prices were hiked by Rs 7.5 per litre, Jammu’s political leadership came down heavily on the Central Government for going ahead with harsh policies that affected the budget of the common man.

The political spectrum of the city came together to voice their disapproval of the price hike.

Protests were held throughout the city today, with political parties decrying the government for effective steep increase in the prices of fuel on a regular basis.

While the Peoples Democratic Party held a demonstration in front of Press Club in the morning, the National Panthers Party held a protest in the city, where the state president called the incumbent government autocratic and ineffective in controlling the steep inflation.

PDP leader Vikram Singh lashed out at the government for its anti-poor policy and demanded an immediate rollback to pacify the people, who were already reeling under price rise.

Activists of the Shiv Sena’s state unit demanded the removal of VAT from petrol in the state, on the lines of Goa.

Members of the BJP held a demonstration near Premnath Dogra Bhawan, where they rode a symbolic horse-cart to express concern regarding the affordability of petrol in the coming days.

Rajesh Gupta said while the state was already facing a shortage of water and electricity, the rising fuel prices would make the public transport more expensive.

SRS leader Rajiv Mahajan expressed concern over inaction on part of the government on hoarding of goods.

Sunil Dimple, another SRS leader, called for a “Jammu bandh” on May 31.

Jammu, May 24
As the city simmered at 41.5 °C, three notches above normal, today, the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) expressed concern over rampant unscheduled power cuts in the city.

During a meeting with Law Minister Ali Mohammed Sagar, a deputation of the JCCI, led by its president YV Sharma, said after the darbar move, unscheduled power cuts in the city had added to the misery of people during the ongoing summer. Sharma sought minister’s intervention in the matter.

He further protested the diversion of traffic from Nagrota to Narwal bypass.

“May to July is a period when maximum number of tourists and pilgrims visit the ‘City of Temples’ but due to the diversion of traffic from Nagrota to Narwal bypass, there are hardly any pilgrims and tourists in the city. The government should take necessary steps so that traders and businessmen of the city can be saved from huge losses,” he said.

JCCI secretary-general Arun Gupta suggested the flow of traffic from Nagrota-Ambphalla-BC Road to the bus stand.

The JCCI president also protested the action of the State Subject Enquiry Commission, terming the exercise unjustified and malicious.

He pointed out that notices had been issued to prominent citizens, businessmen and industrialists in Jammu, who had been doing their business in the city for years.

It was also stated that all names mentioned in the notice pertained only to the city and no other areas of the state.

Sharma argued that the state subject certificates were issued by the authorities of the state government, therefore the commission should verify the government records.

Harassing people only on the basis of some complaints was unjustified, he said.

Following complaints that some people had managed to obtain state subject certificates fraudulently, the government had constituted a probe panel to look into the issue.

Jammu, May 24
Work remained paralysed in government offices across the Jammu region, as the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) of the state government employees began a three-day pen-down strike here today.

The employees at almost all district headquarters, including Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar, Reasi, Ramban and Samba, staged protests in support of the JCC’s “kam chodo hartal”.

In Jammu, scores of employees assembled at the Exhibition Ground and staged a rally.

The protesters reiterated their demands, including the framing of policy for regularisation of casual, seasonal and daily-rated workers who had completed seven years of service after 1994, issuance of order of contract, ad hoc employees and daily wagers before 1994, enhancement of retirement age from 58 to 60 years, removal of PA anomalies of different cadre and disparity of clerical cadre, settlement of the grievances of public-sector employees, streamlining of withdrawal conditions of GP funds, etc.

The protesting employees alleged that the government had failed to keep its commitments, which had forced them to resort to a three-day strike.

Prominent among those present included Ram Kumar Sharma, Kulwant Singh, Amrik Singh, Balwan Singh, Arun Moza, Ganesh Khajuria, Hussain Malik, Rajinder Kumar, Hari Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Amrik Singh Sasan, Purshotam Sharma, Bharat Bhushan, Raj Singh, Rohit George, Yash Pal, Sat Pal Singh, Rajneet Singh and others.

Jammu, May 24
With mercury soaring over 41 °C today, the city witnessed the hottest day of the season, forcing people to stay indoor. Schoolchildren had to bear the brunt of the heat wave.

The weatherman said the city witnessed the maximum temperature of 41.5 °C, three degrees above normal, and minimum of 24.9 °C, four degrees above normal.

Shashi, a school teacher, said: “It was simmering hot during the afternoon, as even our air-conditioning seemed ineffective. We have been taking special care of the students to prevent them from falling ill.”

Gambhir Singh Charak, principal, Dogra Higher Secondary School, said they had been focussing on teaching students about the summer regime during morning assemblies.

“We have asked the students to drink plenty of water and avoid stale food or going out during the daytime,” he added.

Dr Arun Sharma, Medical Superintendent, Government Hospital, Sarwal, said: “It is the hottest day of the season and we suggest that people should avoid moving out in the daytime. People should cover their head to avoid heatstroke. Microbes also seem to get active during this season, leading to an increase in the number of diarrhoea cases.”

MK Khushu, chief scientist, Department of Agro-metrology, SKUAST-J, said: “We are expecting cloudy weather on Friday, which may give some respite to the people. In 2010, the mercury had soared to 45 °C, whereas in 2009, it had touched 43 °C.”

He suggested that people should drink plenty of water and eat watery fruits and vegetables.

“Vegetable and fruit growers should keep watering their crops to prevent them from dying,” he said. 

Ramban, May 24
A survey conducted by the Education Department under the Saakshar Bharat Mission (SBM) — a national flagship programme — has suggested that there are over 88,660 illiterate people, 37,617 males and 51,048 females, and 10,787 neo-literates, including 2.83 lakh dropouts, in Ramban district, which has the lowest illiteracy rate (57 per cent) in the state.

However, efforts are afoot to eradicate illiteracy from the district through the SBM with the active role of Panchayti Raj institutions.

This came to the fore during an awareness camp, first in the state, organised here for all 124 sarpanches of Ramban under the SBM in association with a construction company engaged in the building of the 8.48-km tunnel at Banihal, yesterday.

While addressing the sarpanches, the chief guest, SA Bhat, District SBM Committee Chairman-cum-Deputy Commissioner, underlined the urgency of the SBM in the district.

He said Ramban was the first district to take steps in implementing the SBM, initiating the selection process of 248 “preraks” (instructors), forwarding the budget proposal of Rs 10.46 lakh and organising awareness camps.

Under the SBM, all illiterate and neo-literate people above 18 years old would be identified and motivated by the sarpanches in their panchayats, registered online and imparted basic education (for illiterates), level-1 (equivalent to class III), level-2 (equivalent to class V) and level-3 (equivalent to class VIII) courses by holding part-time classes (morning or evening) in panchayat ghars, anganwadi centres, village schools or temporary structures.

Besides, “preraks” (a male and a female in each district) who are matriculates will be engaged on an honorarium of Rs 2,000. Also, volunteers who could devote at least 200 to 300 hours a year free of cost would be engaged.

The examinations will be conducted regularly and certificates will be valid throughout the country. The learners will be provided with stationery and books free of cost.

To educate a learner under the basic literacy programme, the Panchayti Raj institutions can chose any of the four modes viz. volunteer mode (through volunteers); resident inspector mode (for high illiteracy areas); resident camp (45-day stay for learner); and resident inspector-cum-resident camp mode depending upon the funds. Four resident camps will be set up in a district through which the learners will be taught living methods and skill development activities also.

Jammu, May 24
The BJP has stepped up its attack on Minister of State for Cooperatives Manohar Lal, who was recently served notice by the State Accountability Commission, and urged Governor NN Vohra to sack the minister for his alleged involvement in corrupt practices.

While the SAC had put the minister on notice in the Cooperative Housing Society scam, the BJP was trying to corner Manohar Lal on alleged backdoor appointments.

Addressing mediapersons, BJP state general secretary Satish Sharma alleged that the minister had violated the rules and made illegal appointments in Jammu Central Cooperative Bank (JCCB).

“The minister is directly involved in backdoor appointments in the bank. These appointments were made in lieu of a large amount of money,” he alleged.

To substantiate his allegations, Sharma said a total of 87 posts - 50 posts of cashier-cum-clerk and 37 posts of clerk - were advertised for the bank.

“After the written test and interview, appointment orders were issued to 106 candidates,” he alleged, adding that over 600 persons were appointed in the bank through the backdoor. Some of the appointment orders were issued on the minister’s directions, he alleged.

“Under SRO-233, the Board of Directors are not authorised to recruit employees of the bank, except for class IV employees,” he said.

The appointment of such a large number of employees was a glaring example of violation of rules, he added.

Jammu, May 24
The Dogri Sanstha, Jammu, released three books in the Dogri language at a function here today.

The books included “Kungali Kalaar”, a collection of poems and songs by PL Parihar; “Shabda-Shabda Sarmattha”, a collection of “Kundalis” by Puran Chand Bargotra; and “Kittar-Kittar Kaalaja”, a collection of songs by Khajur Singh.

The authors shared their experiences with the audience. Susheel Begana, Dr Bansi Lal and Prof Veena Gupta presented three papers on the occasion.

Singer Ram Lal Tuli also sang a couple of songs penned by PL Parihar. Lalit Magotra, president, Dogri Sanstha, expressed satisfaction over the increasing number of Dogri publications.

He urged the state government to fulfil its obligation by introducing teaching in the Dogri language at primary and middle schools, on the lines of the Kashmiri language. SS Bloeria, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Jammu, who was the chief guest, emphasised the need for preserving the Dogra culture and enriching the Dogri language through the creation of quality literature.

Jammu, May 24
State Education Minister Abdul Gani Malik visited Government Degree College, Pilouria, where he inaugurated a digital laboratory today. The laboratory will help provide students with a chance to improve their personality and communication skills.

The fully automated laboratory will help students hone their communication skills, to enable them deliver better in their job interviews in the future.

The minister also released a book, “Psychological Foundations of Education”, written by Davindar Kour, head of the department.

The minister also reviewed the arrangements in the newly renovated canteen of the college.

Katra, May 24
To make arrangements for the smooth conduct of the three-day historic Baba Agar Jitto Mela, commencing from June 3 at Agar Jitto village of Reasi district, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of Sheetal Nanda, District Development Commissioner (DDC), Reasi, here yesterday.

District head of various departments, engineers of the PWD, the PHE, the PDD, sarpanchs, panches and prominent persons from Agar Jitto and Reasi were also present in the meeting.

Discussions were held with regard to making arrangements for the mela, including provision of drinking water and power supply, medicare, sanitation, security, transport, accommodation, repair of road, checking rates of essential items and parking of vehicles etc.

The DDC directed the Executive Engineer, PHE, to erect adequate number of public points at the mela site well in advance, while the Executive Engineer, PDD, was asked to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the mela days.

The Chief Medical Officer was asked to make available a team of doctors with ambulance and required medicines round the clock during the mela days. The Executive Engineer, PWD, was asked to erect separate temporary toilets and bathrooms for men and women at the mela site for the convenience of pilgrims.

Adequate security personnel would be deployed en route and around the mela site to ensure fool-proof security.

The DDC also instructed the departments concerned to keep a check on rates and quality of eatables, besides the identification of parking sites at different locations for the smooth flow of traffic. It was also decided that the Department of Tourism would ensure publicity of the mela well in advance to attract maximum visitors.

Sher Singh Thappa, Naib Tehsildar, Katra, has been appointed Mela Officer to supervise the arrangements.

Jammu, May 24
The National Panthers Party has accused the ruling coalition of suppressing the democratic urges and rights of the people and demanded immediate dissolution of the coalition government. Party chairman Bhim Singh condemned the government for locking up Opposition leaders and using Public Safety Act against political workers.

He also condemned the government for detaining Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who was to pay tributes to his late father Maulana Mohammad Farooq on his death anniversary.

“The government action in putting the Kashmiri leaders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Ali Shah Geelani, under house arrest and imposing curfew in the Valley amounted to an assault on democracy,” he alleged.

He also declared to set up a statue of Thakur Baldev Singh at Sanoora village in Samba district. — TNS

Jammu, May 24
Various Sikh organisations of Jammu and Kashmir today hailed the UPA government and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for passing the Anand Marriage Bill in the Rajya Sabha as well as the Lok Sabha.

The members of various organisations in a joint meeting said passing the long-pending amendment to the Anand Marriage Act - 1909 was a welcome step.

Sudershan Singh Wazir, president, Sikh United Front, J&K, said: “It is the most commendable achievement that all the MPs rose above the party lines to extend their support to the Bill. It was a long-pending demand of the Sikhs and this move will facilitate the registration of Sikh marriages under the Anand Marriage Act”.

The Sikh organisations appealed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to implement the Anand Marriage Act in the state as soon as possible.

Jammu, May 24
Sofi XI defeated formidable Kashmir University by three wickets to clinch the Vice-Chancellor T20 Open Cricket Cup at University Grounds, Srinagar, today.

Batting first, Kashmir University team could only manage a paltry 118 in the allotted 20 overs for the loss of nine wickets. In reply, Sofi XI reached the target in 19.4 overs after losing seven wickets in the process.

In all, 65 teams participated in the tournament, played on a knock-out basis.

Prof Talat Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor, Kashmir University, was the chief guest at the valedictory function and distributed prizes among the winners and runners-up.

He emphasised the importance of physical education in today’s world and assured the Directorate of Physical Education, Kashmir University, of all support.

Earlier, Prof BA Khan, Director Sports, Kashmir University, said the sports department would organise several events as part of its inter-college calendar this year.

Prof AM Shah, Dean (Academic Affairs), Prof Syed Fayaz, Registrar, and Prof Nilofar Khan, Dean (Students Welfare), were present.

Jammu, May 24
Jammu Cricket Club (JCC) demolished Directorate of Youth Services and Sports by whopping 239 runs in the 3rd Prof Pran Nath Memorial Cricket Tournament at GGM Science College hostel ground here today.

Batting first, JCC garnered 316 runs in the stipulated 50 overs. Jaswinder (77), Mithun Manhas (60), Sandeep Singh (49) and Sidharth Magotra (38) were the notable contributors.

For Directorate of Youth Services and Sports, Jagtar Singh and Sameer Malik shared three wickets each, while Gurvinder and Pankaj Sasun snared two wickets apiece.

Chasing a stiff target, Directorate of Youth Services and Sports were skittled out for a paltry 77 runs in 18.2 overs.

For JCC, Rahil Singh and Vishavjeet were the chief destroyers, claiming three wickets each, whereas Manjeet and Deepak grabbed a wicket each.

In yesterday’s match, GGM Science College registered an emphatic six-wicket win over JCC Blue. Batting first, JCC Blues skittled out for 123 runs in 45.3 overs. Hisham Saleem and Sahil contributed 68 and 20 runs, respectively. For GGM Science College, Rohit was the wrecker-in-chief with a five-wicket haul while Mayank Goutam and Varun Choudhary shared two wickets apiece.

In reply, GGM Science College overhauled the target in 24.3 overs losing four wickets in the process.

Avinash played an unbeaten knock of 58 runs whereas Anil also chipped in with a handy 25 not out. For JCC Blues, Ajay and Anshuman shared two wickets apiece.

Jammu, May 24
Pouni zone toppled Reasi by one point in a thrilling final to clinch the under-17 girls’ kho-kho title in the District-Level Inter-Zonal Tournaments in multiple disciplines for under-14 and under-17 age groups here on Tuesday.

In under-14 girls’ kho-kho, Reasi subdued Chassana by four points (12-8). The under-14 kabaddi title was bagged by Pouni by defeating Reasi by five points. In under-17 group, Pouni bagged the top honours by defeating Reasi 37-24.

In the boys’ section, Reasi had the last laugh against Mahore (15-9) to claim the under-14 kho-kho title, while the under-17 title went to Reasi, which defeated Pouni.

Meanwhile, the under-14 boys’ kabaddi title was claimed by Reasi by defeating Pouni zone 30-27. In under-17 boys’ kabaddi event, Pouni beat Reasi 30-21. Reasi zone also claimed the under-17 volleyball title by defeating Mahore zone in the final.

The tournament was organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, under the supervision of Dr Swaran Singh Chib, District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Reasi.

Prominent among others present included JS Sambyal, Prem Kumar Sharma, Rajesh Baru, MM Khajuria, Surinder Singh and Kaka Ram Dogra.

Also, the District-Level Inter-Zonal Tournaments in badminton and table tennis of Udhampur district got underway at Mini Stadium, Udhampur, today.

Ashok Kumar, Deputy Director (Central), Youth Services and Sports, was the chief guest and declared the tournament open. Prominent among others present were Champa Devi, ZPEO Udhampur, Parminder Manhas, Ravi Singh, Sanjay Sharma, Pawan Kumar, Kamlesh Kumari, Ajit Singh, Kishore Kumar, Kanchan Sharma, Som Dev, Jasvinder Singh and Naveen.

In under-14 girls’ badminton, Jib zone beat Udhampur 2-1 in the final to claim the title, while in under-17 group, Udhampur, beat Jib zone 2-0.