Jammu, June 16
With the Northern Regional Load Dispatch Centre (NRLDC) warning Jammu and Kashmir about the excess withdrawal of electricity, the Power Development Department (PDD) has decided to enforce more power cuts in Jammu and other districts of the region from Monday.

Citing the problems of low frequency and heavy load on grid stations, the new schedule of rotational curtailment has been issued by the Chief Engineer System and Operational Wing. Areas have been divided into three groups - A, B and C - and will be put to curtailment during anytime of the day in rotational manner.

Despite the assurance of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that more power will be pumped into the Jammu region keeping in view the increased demand, electricity cuts in most of the areas are random for long hours.

As per officials, power requirement of the entire Jammu region is 800 MW to 900 MW. The Kashmir Valley on the other hand requires over 600 MW during the summer.

“Since Friday evening, we are facing regular power cuts and have to remain dependent on inverters,” said Surinder Kumar, a resident of Roop Nagar. The local PDD officials said there were faults at various places, making the department to snap electricity. Even the metered areas were facing the cuts.

Reports say several residential localities, which include Parade, Kachi Chawni, Janipur, Roop Nagar, Paloura, parts of Gandhi Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Channi and Bari-Brahman, are facing regular cuts. 

Jammu, June 16
The BJP reaffirmed its rejection of the recently released Interlocutors report on Jammu and Kashmir at the conclusion of a one-day workshop organised by the party for its workers to educate them about various aspects of the controversial report.

An eminent columnist Daya Sagar was invited at the workshop to educate the workers about the flaws in the Interlocutors report. The presentation on the subject was made by Daya Sagar, while the introductory address was delivered by Jitendra Singh.

State president of the party Shamsher Singh Manhas, in his inaugural address, said the BJP had already rejected the report in its national executive meet at Mumbai. Whatever has been written through the Interlocutors in the report indicates that Jammu and Kashmir was not a part of India, which was indeed a serious matter and every nationalist citizen had raised his voice against it, he said.

“Right from 1947, we have made supreme sacrifices with a motive to bring the state more closer to Indian Union and it was the result of the continuous struggle that many laws were extended to J&K, besides bringing the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, Election Commission of India and other organisations,” he said.

Daya Sagar said the Union Home Ministry should have rejected the report outrightly without making it public. He questioned the Home Ministry as to why it did not read it when it was in their custody for seven months. He alleged that the report was based on pre-conceived belief. He said nothing would come out of the report. He also referred to certain technical errors like terming the displaced PoK refugees as PoK migrants.

Jitendra Singh said it was a sacrilege for the BJP to accept a report which goes against the party’s principle stand of “Ek Nishan, Ek Vidhan, Ek Pradhan” for which the party’s founding father Dr Shyama Prasad Mookerji had laid down his life.

He said the Union Government owed an explanation on how the government-appointed Interlocutors on state payroll could be allowed to go even after using unofficial and extra-constitutional expressions like Pakistan administered Jammu & Kashmir (PAJK) in place of PoK.

Rajouri, June 16
Mother and daughter died in a tragic road accident at border Karuliya village of Rajouri district, when a vehicle they travelling skidded off the track and rolled down into 100-ft deep gorge today. Six other persons also sustained serious injuries in the mishap.

According to reports, a Tata Magic bearing registration number JK11-7501, on its way from Karuliya village to Kalakote, met with an accident near Karuliya village this afternoon after the driver lost the control over the vehicle.

The locals immediately rushed to the spot and informed the police about the incident. Administration teams rushed to the spot and rescued the injured.

The deceased were identified as Kanchan Bala, wife of Satpal, and her daughter Sobiya of Karuliya village. Two of the injured persons were referred to Jammu Medical College Hospital for treatment after their condition deteriorated and the others are under treatment at the local Kalakote Hospital.

Jammu, June 16
Justice Varinder Singh today directed the Sher-e-Kashmir College of Education to fulfill the requirement of conducting 180 teaching day classes, including the practical exams, in order to regularise the admissions of 142 students which was pending till now.

The University of Jammu has taken a stand through its counsel Wasim Sadiq Nargal in rejecting the two petitions filed by the college and the students. The council said the students were not regular in college and the college authorities had prepared a false attendance and when the monitoring committee inspected the college following the court orders, it was observed that the attendance in the classes was minimal.

Following such observation, the court has not only rejected the college petition, but has also ordered that the dates of the classes to be held in the college should be specified in advance so that the same could be monitored by the university personals who would be present during the course of the classes.

Besides, it was the categorical stand of the University of Jammu that the students had to fulfill all other conditions such as registration return, depositing of examination fees and filling the examination form to earn eligibility for appearing in the examination.

The university in order to ascertain the factual position of the classes has constituted a committee to monitor the class works of B.Ed students of Sher-e-Kashmir College so that they are able to complete 180 teaching days.

Jammu, June 16
The Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) has still not been able to create its own infrastructure. This resulted in utter chaos during the Inter-School Competition.

The recently concluded Inter-School Competition at Gymnasium Hall, University of Jammu, was an eyeopener for the audience. Parents of the participating students alleged a complete mismanagement on behalf of the DYSS authorities in conducting the events. Chaotic scenes were witnessed during the indoor competitions as four disciplines were being conducted simultaneously under one roof.

“What is the logic behind conducting four competitions at the same time and that too without any rules and regulations?, said one of the parents.

“The department has made a mockery of important games like tae kwon do, wushu, badminton and judo, which are a major contributor in the medal tally of the state in the National School Games,” he said.

According to sources, the department on numerous occasions had sent a proposal to the authorities for the creation of infrastructure, but nothing significant has been done so far.

The sources further claimed that earlier the DYSS had good terms with the J&K State Sports Council, which usually allowed the department to utilise its own infrastructure for conducting competitions (especially indoor). After the misunderstanding recently, the Sports Council decided to deny DYSS its infrastructure which eventually forced the officials to look for other options.

The sources said the DYSS then approached the University of Jammu authorities to put up their case and finally succeeded in getting their consent for using the venue to conduct competitions. In spite of utilising JU infrastructure, the senior officials of the DYSS were allegedly not happy with the present scenario.

“Due to the lack of infrastructure, we have no other option left but to appeal different authorities for providing their venue to conduct competitions, which is no less than a humiliation for us,” said a senior official of the DYSS.

“We had to re-schedule our activities depending upon the dates available for organising the competitions and that too on a short notice,” he said.

Jai Pal Singh, Director, Youth Services and Sports, admitted that the lack of infrastructure was the main hurdle for the department to become self-reliant. “We are trying our best to apprise the authorities about the shortcomings of the department, including the lack of infrastructure,” the DYSS director added.

Jammu, June 16
The National Secular Forum today urged the Chief Minister to take note of the lackadaisical attitude of the Health Ministry in letting various unregistered nursing homes operate from the region without any check.

Addressing a press conference, NSF state vice-president Sukdev Singh said: “Private nursing homes are operating in the region without registration. They don’t have the requisite infrastructure and the doctors here are mostly busy fleecing the patients instead of providing them adequate medical attention”.

The NSF leader said with 37 private nursing homes operating from the region without any registration, it was an open example of the Health Ministry minting money out of the practice by promoting such nursing homes instead of closing down on them immediately.

While the Kashmir division of the Department of Health has conducted close to 200 raids in the past 10 months and 20 such units have been banned from conducting business, no such large scale raid has taken place in Jammu. Sukhdev demanded that the Chief Minister should order an inquiry in the matter and immediately put an end to such illegal medical practices.

Jammu, June 16
The Ramban police today arrested two bovine smugglers in two different incidents at Digdol Ramban and rescued 20 bovine animals.

Reports said acting on a tip-off, the police laid a naka on the National Highway (Digdol). During checking, the naka party intercepted two bovine smugglers who were illegally smuggling 20 bovine animals towards the Kashmir Valley. They were identified as Refiq, a resident of Tanda, Reasi, and Mohd Refiq, a resident of Usar Chowka Nalla, Chenani.

A case FIR number 85/2012 under Sections 188 RPC, 3 PCA and a case FIR number 86/2012 under Sections 188 RPC, 3 PCA had been registered at Ramban Police Station in this connection. Further investigation into the case was on. — TNS

Jammu, June 16
Madan Lal Sharma, MP, Jammu-Poonch Constituency, today inaugurated the newly constructed shelter shed at Yatri Niwas, Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu, base camp for the Amarnath Yatra.

He also inspected the arrangements made by the local administration for the comfortable stay of yatris during the upcoming pilgrimage to the cave shrine in South Kashmir.

He instructed all the allied departments involved with the yatra arrangements to ensure the best possible facilities to make the pilgrimage a pleasant experience for the devotees.

Interacting with officers and representatives of various social organisations after inaugurating the shelter shed constructed at a cost of Rs 25 lakh under the MPLAD Scheme, he said in view of the ensuing yatra from 25 June, all the departments concerned should gear up their men and machinery to make all arrangements well in time.

Emphasising the need for tapping the tourism potential of the unexplored areas, he said the state was blessed with abundant natural splendor which needed to be tapped fully for the economic prosperity of the people.

He said the government was committed to developing tourist potential areas in the Jammu region by creating necessary tourism-related infrastructure facilities so that tourists visiting the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Shrine could be diverted to these natural spots to boost the tourism industry in the region. For the purpose, he said various pilgrim destinations of the Jammu division would be developed and projected as heritage religious sites to promote pilgrim tourism.

Jammu, June 16
The Kathua police recovered one unidentified dead body this morning near Mah. Following the information, a team from the Lakhanpur police station recovered the dead body of an unidentified person near Kashmir Kanal at Mah village, who has been murdered by some unknown persons.

A case FIR No-48/2012 under Section 302 has been registered at Lakhanpur police station and investigation was on. The dead body is lying in the mortuary of District Hospital, Kathua, for identification.

Jammu, June 16
The Jammu and Kashmir Jatt Youth Federation felicitated the newly elected Pradesh Youth Congress (PYC) leaders of the Jatt community here today.

Ravinder Choudhary, General Secretary of the federation, welcomed and congratulated the newly elected Youth Congress leaders, who have been elected at the Assembly level, Lok Sabha level and the state level.

He said it was a great opportunity for their community to get the political representation in the 
state politics.

Sunil Choudhary, vice-president of the organisation, said the goal of their organisation was to produce leadership in the community and the youth of their community would get inspiration from this election to come forward in the 
active politics.

Prominent among those present on the occasion included Manjeet Singh, state General Secretary of the PYC, Kamaljeet Singh, General Secretary of the Jammu-Poonch Lok Shaba, Parveen Singh, General Secretary of the Rai Pur Domana Constituency, Ranjeet Singh, General Secretary of the Akhnoor Constituency, Manjeet Singh Sarkaria, General Secretary of the Jammu East Constituency.

Jammu, June 16
Thirteen-member cultural troupe from the state headed by Balwant Thakur, Regional Director, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, has returned here today after putting up performances in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

Giving details of the tour, Thakur said the variegated variety of different colors, rhythms, costumes, designs patterns and artistic expressions of multiple festivities of Jammu and Kashmir were expressed through “Roof”, “Jagarna”, “Pahari”, “Gojri” and “Ladakhi” dances.

“The opening item presented in the shape of a fusion of santoor and flute by Ravi Sharma and Rakesh Anand accompanied by Rakesh Kona mesmerised the audience. This was followed by Kashmiri and Dogri singing by Zulekha Bano and Pallvi Rajput. The dances of the state received a standing ovation for the diverse patterns of rhythms, movements, costumes and colorful imagery,” he added.

The young dancers, who excelled in their performances included Romilla Besnet, Shilpa Chandan, Divya jamwal, Aarti Verma, Monika Sharma, Rupali Rai and Bindiya.

Jammu, June 16
A meeting of the Kabir Kalyan Kendra was held under the chairmanship of its president Pardeep Kumar Bhagat. Arrangements for the 614th birth anniversary of Saint Kabir were finalised in the meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, Bhagat said the main function of the 614h birth anniversary of Sant Kabir would be celebrated at Kabir Kalyan Kendra, Sama Chak, Jhiri, Jammu, on June 17.

He said the “satsang” would commence at 12 noon and would culminate at 1 pm followed by “Guru Ka langar”.

He appealed all the “biradari” members, Kabir-panthies and the followers to participate in the function and receive the blessings of the great spiritual master.

Among others present on the occasion included Tara Chand, Ram Dutta, Madan Lal, Dr Rattan Lal, Surya Parkash and others.

Jammu, June 16
Blossom Club dispatched Tiger Sports by a solitary goal today in the ongoing B-Division Football League being played at separate venues. In 
another match, Polo View spanked Muslim Friends by 4-1.

At TRC Ground, Shalimar United subdued Bohlichpora FC by 4-0, while FC Peerbagh cruised past Sulaiman-A by 3-1.

At Islamia College, Young Citizen FC emerged triumphant over Alfurqan FC by 1-0, while Chinar Valley FC edged out Khaniyar FC by 1-0.

Jammu, June 16
Government Boys Higher Secondary School (GBHSS), Kargil, had the last laugh against Jaffaria Academy of Modern Education in the summit showdown to clinch the U-19 Inter-Zone Volleyball 
title at Indoor Stadium, Kargil, today.

The U-17 Volleyball title went to Shargole Zone defeating Kargil Zone in the summit clash. In U-17 handball final, Kargil Zone emerged victorious against Shargole Zone.

In basketball final, Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Kargil, overcame the challenge of Jaffaria Academy of Modern Education to bag the top honours.

The prize distribution ceremony was held at Basketball Ring Indoor Stadium, Kargil.

Kacho Ahmad Ali Khan, Chief Executive Councilor, LAHDC, Kargil, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Kacho Ahmad Ali Khan appreciated the talent of the students and directed the physical teachers to focus on games.

Later, the Chief Executive Councilor distributed prizes among the teams and players.

Councilor Tai Suru Syed Abass Razvi, Zonal Physical Education Officer, Kargil, Mohammad Hussain Rehnuma and the Zonal Physical Education Officer were also present on the occasion.

Jammu, June 16
The trio of Khalid, Ram Dayal and Parvez Rasool helped Combined Cricket Club, Bhaderwah, to topple Bhalessa Cricket Club by three wickets and secure a berth in the final of the ongoing All-India 8th Gufran Memorial T20 Cricket Tournament, being organised by Young Star Cricket Club, Doda, at Sports Stadium today.

Chasing a meager total of 120 runs, Combined Club, Bhaderwah, got off to a shaky start by losing three wickets in quick succession, but a splendid 70-run partnership between Ram Dayal Puniya and Parvez Rasool not only did the rescue work but also saw their team through to the summit clash.

Ram Dayal contributed unbeaten 41 runs off 30 balls, which included five hits to the fence and a six. Parvez scored an unbeaten 38 off 40 balls with the help of five boundaries. Arshid and Shafqat Baba claimed one wicket each for Bhalessa Club.

Earlier, electing to bat first after winning the toss, Bhalessa Cricket Club accumulated 119 runs in 17.1 overs. Shahbaz was the top scorer with 25 runs, including three fours, while Muddasir contributed 18 runs with the help of two boundaries. Khalid was the pick of the bowlers for Combined Cricket Club, Bhaderwah, who scalped three wickets by conceding 17 runs in his quota of three overs.

Touqeer and Parvez Rasool snared two and one wicket, respectively. Khalid of Combined Club, Bhaderwah, was adjudged the man of the match.

Meanwhile, in the quarterfinal match, Kingfisher Cricket Club, Jammu, got the better of Doda Sports Club by 36 runs in a high-scoring contest. Batting first, Kingfisher Club sailing on a crafty half-century by Manish Dogra and a handy knock by Ashu Kumar piled up a competitive total of 177 runs in the stipulated 20 overs, losing nine wickets in the process.

Manish scored a quick-fire 56 runs off just 30 balls. Ashu contributed 39 runs with the help of four boundaries and a six. Noushair Bhat was the wrecker-in-chief for Doda Sports Club, grabbing five important wickets, while Fazal Tak and Nasir Dev claimed one wicket apiece.

Doda Sports Club, in reply, bundled out for 141 runs in 18.4 overs. Kartik was the top scorer with 25-ball 33 runs, which included two fours and three sixes. For Kingfisher Jammu, Rohit and Parveen Singh shared three wickets each, while Manish chipped in with one wicket. Manish Dogra was adjudged the man of the match. The matches were officiated by Sanjay Singh and Subhash Mathur as umpires, while Shahid Bashir Pampoori was the scorer.