Jammu, June 18
The Ranbir Canal has been catering to the needs of Jammu district for the past over a century but nowadays the residents are not fulfilling their responsibility in maintaining cleanliness in and around the canal.

A walk on the banks of the canal at areas like Shakti Nagar, Ploura, Bhagwati Nagar, Rajinder Nagar is enough to experience the situation. Although the authorities concerned have developed parks and walkways on the banks of the canal in most areas here, heaps of garbage and municipal waste could easily be spotted near the canal.

The Tribune team spotted garbage scattered at many locations on the banks. The trash gives the canal water a filthier look.

Madhur Bharti, a resident who has his house on the Canal Road, said: “This is quite unfortunate that we could not take care of our water bodies and for the same reason we have not left with enough water. I think both the department and the public are responsible for the situation. The practice can be curbed if the department concerned takes stern action in some cases. The canal is being polluted mostly in the newly developed areas of Greater Jammu. Human habitation across the canal has increased manifold in the past one decade only”.

Mohita Gupta, a resident of Shakti Nagar, said a lack of proper sewage and garbage treatment plants in the city was leading to deterioration of the canal.

She said: “For the past four years, I have been daily going for morning walk at the Canal Park on the Akhnoor Road. Countless people visit such parks and it is a fortunate thing that we have such spots in the city. I have seen many times people disposing of filth and garbage into the river. Once I saw somebody throw boxes of some expired medicines into the canal. I think the government can not keep a vigil all along the canal, so people should also cooperate with it.”

Bhushan Parimoo, president, Envrironment Awareness Forum, said imposing penalties on defaulters would help put a check on the malpractice.

“I do agree that our people lack a sense of responsibility and belongingness towards the natural resources and we do not value the abundant natural wealth. The department concerned should deal the issue with sternness. Defaulters must be penalised and strict enforcement of law would surely help to put a check on the discharge of waste into the canal,” he added.

Ashwani Sharma, Chief Engineer, Department of Irrigation and Flood Control, Jammu, said they were doing what is required to maintain cleanliness around the canal but public cooperation was a must.

He said: “We have been using various means to generate awareness among the masses and defaulters are challaned. We always urge the masses to realise their responsibility towards the preservation of water bodies”. 

Jammu, June 18
With the government facing flak from all sides, it has sanctioned 20 lakh additional unit of power per day to the Jammu region to meet the rising demand of electricity during the peak summer months.

This was stated by Minister for Industries and Commerce Surjit Singh Slathia, who is here on a week-long tour to attend the Jammu Summer Secretariat. The minister was chairing a meeting of the divisional-level officers here today to review the delivery of public services, pace of the ongoing developmental and civic works, general law and order situation besides power crisis in the Jammu region.

The Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, apprised the minister about the power and water supply scenario, besides the general law and order situation. He directed the PDD Department to keep a close check on power theft, which results in power breakdowns. He called for minimum curtailment of power so that people may not suffer in the peak summer months.

Slathia directed the JMC authorities to ensure disilting of important nullahs in Jammu city in anticipation of the coming monsoon season. The CA&PD Department was instructed to ensure regular supply of kerosene and LPG at fair price shops.

Chief Engineer PHE informed the meeting that there was no scarcity of water in Jammu city but in rural areas a problem was created due to power failure at pumping stations. The minister directed the PDD to ensure 24-hour power supply to essential feeders of the PHE so that regular water supply would not be affected. He also directed the PHE department for regular service of water tankers in the areas that are facing a shortage of water.

The Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, briefed the minister about the status of ongoing developmental works being executed by the agencies concerned. He said the sewerage work on the BC Road and in the Bakshi Nagar area was in full swing and the BC Road had been opened to light vehicular traffic today while heavy vehicular traffic in single tube would be made operational from tomorrow morning. The minister directed the executing agencies concerned to expedite the work in view of Amarnath Yatra. 

Jammu, June 18
With allegations of pharma companies dumping low-cost and spurious medicines in Jammu and Kashmir, the Health Department is mulling to set up an intelligence-cum-legal cell in the office of the Drug and Food Control Organisation, J&K, to facilitate the busting of spurious drugs rackets and culprits’ prompt prosecution.

Sources said a proposal of providing incentives to the informers, who will give timely information to the agencies engaged in monitoring drug import in the state was also being discussed.

A senior officer from the organisation said spurious drugs were being slowly dumped in the rural markets where checking mechanism was not that strong and only the local people can be depended for the information. Setting incentives for them will help in some way to deal with the menace, he added.

Officials said a detailed policy would be announced soon in this regard to rein in illegal companies which were taking advantage of poor enforcement mechanism.

The sources said after a detailed drug policy was approved by the state Cabinet, the law enforcement agencies would start the process to identify the pharma companies, which were violating the norms and were using the state as a dumping ground for their products.

Last year the government had announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for people who will provide information about the ultrasound clinics involved in pre-natal tests.

Minister for Health Sham Lal Sharma said vigilance centres would be established to monitor and document adverse drug reactions and events.

Monitoring and evaluation is an essential component of the state drug policy, with the provision that checking should take place at regular intervals and complete external evaluation of the drugs supplied will be conducted after every five years.

Jammu, June 18
The provincial president of National Conference (NC), Rattan Lal Gupta, today said their party was committed to uplift the Dalits, poor, backward classes and weaker sections of the society.

Gupta was addressing a public meeting organised by Christian Dalit Association at Purkhoo, Domana. He said that NC was a premier political party of J&K state and it represented all three regions of the state.

He said the coalition government under the leadership of Omar Abdullah had been working for the upliftment of these sections in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is determined to carry forward the agenda and funds are being spent on the schemes launched under the Social Welfare Department,” Gupta said.

While taking a dig at the opposition parties, Gupta said they had no policies for the people.

“The state has already suffered a lot due to militancy and cannot afford more violence. The people of the state demand peace for an overall development. It is for the first time that Kashmir Valley is receiving an influx of tourists,” he added.

A charter of demands was also presented to Gupta by the Christian Dalit Association. He assured them to take up the matter with the concerned authorities. NC Joint Secretary, Pardeep Bali, and Youth President (NC) SS Bunty were also present on the occasion. 

Jammu, June 18
Combine Cricket Club, Bhaderwah (CCCB) got better of Kingfisher Cricket Club (KCC) by eight wickets in the summit clash to clinch All India 8th Gufran Memorial T20 Cricket Championship, 2012, at Sports Stadium, Doda today.

Batting first after winning the toss, KCC piled up 155 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs. Rahul was the top scorer with 47 runs while Manish Dogra and Ajeet Pal contributed 41 and 14 runs respectively. From CCC Bhaderwah, Vimarsh Kaw and Parveez Rasool Zargar shared two wickets each while Ram Dayal and Touqeer Malik took one wicket each.

In reply, CCC Bhaderwah did the needful in 15.1 overs for the loss of just two wickets. Vimarsh Kaw played a match winning knock of 77 runs off just 35 balls with the help of four sixes and six boundaries. Parveez Rasool and Adil Rashid contributed 49 and 22 runs respectively. Vimarsh Kaw was awarded the man of the match award.

The match was officiated by Sanjay Singh and Subhash Mathur as umpires while Shahid Bashir Pampori acted as official scorer. District Development Commissioner (DDC) Doda, Farooq Ahmed Khan was the chief guest while Commanding Officer (CO) 10RR, Col Vikram Singh Guleria was the guest of honour. Yasir Rather of Bhalessa Eleven was adjudged the man of the series while Noushair Batt of DSC, Doda was adjudged the best bowler.

Shahdab Wani of Friends Cricket Club Ghat was declared the best batsman of the tournament. The victorious team was awarded a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh while the runner-up team was given cash prize of Rs 50,000. 

Jammu, June 18
Singh Challenger Cricket Club, Akhnoor, got the better of Mahajan Cricket Club (MCC) by a comfortable margin of 102 runs to advance into the next round of the 4th Pawan Memorial Cricket Tournament, which commenced at Government Higher Secondary School Ground, Akhnoor, today.

Electing to bat first, Singh Challenger Club posted 188 runs in the stipulated 20 overs for the loss of three wickets. Sonu played a quick-fire 83 runs off just 47 balls which included 11 hit to the fence and three sixes. Avinash also made a useful contribution of 60 runs off just 51 balls with the help of eight boundaries and two hits over the boundary. Arush and Rahul shared a wicket apiece for MCC.

In reply, MCC skittled out for a paltry 86 runs in 17 overs. Armaan (16), Kanaya (14) and Shubam (14) were the main contributors. For Singh Challenger, Sonu was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets while Vinod chipped in with two wickets. Sanjay Kumar, Sunil Ray and Lucky scalped one wicket each.

Sonu of Singh Challenger Club, Akhnoor, was adjudged the man of the match. The match was officiated by Sunny Kumar and Pankaj Verma as umpires while Atul Sudan maintained the scorebook.

Earlier, Mahesh Sharma, SHO, Akhnoor was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony. The organisers namely Sham Singh Langeh, Vikas Bali and Rajinder Sharma were also present on the occasion.

Ramban, June 18
A two-day road safety campaign ‘Reach Home Safely’ organised by the Rashtriya Rifles (23RR) in collaboration with Traffic Police, JKPm, departments of education and health concluded at Ramban today. It was a joint effort to make aware the drivers about the traffic rules and nuances of safe driving to prevent frequent road accidents on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and also in the wake of upcoming Amarnath Yatra.

On the first day, the campaign started with a rally by NCC cadets and students of Ramban from Ramban market to Malaad. A skit on safe driving was also performed by Ramban College students. There were stalls by firms such as Maruti Suzuki, TATA Motors, Cheverolet and Garuda Financial Consultancy companies at the venue.

Machines for pre-vehicle, electrical equipment, engine and break testing and light welding were also demonstrated at the stalls by Maruti and the Army.

The function was presided by the Brigadier AK Singh and the chief guest was Ramban DC Shabir Ahmed Bhat.

The members of Indian Red Cross Society had also put up their stall. Lamenting the frequent loss of precious lives on the national highway in Ramban district, Tamban MLA Ashok Kumar underlined the need of following the traffic rules and road etiquettes.

Jammu, June 18
The Government College for Women, Parade, today inaugurated the online application procedure for undergraduate courses for the first time.

As most of the colleges are opting for the internet to boost application numbers in their colleges, the GCW is hoping to make the application process student-friendly.

The application process will be open till June 20 wherein the cut-off for science stream has been fixed at 50% and 45% for arts stream. The online application will be applicable for BA, BSc, B.Com Part 1. Principal Prof Hemla Aggarwal said the online application process will help students choose the best subjects and the stream according to their liking. She cautioned all applicants to be careful while filling up the online form. The subject combinations are available in the admission brochure posted online, she said. The merit lists will be displayed online from June 23.

The students will be given an ID once their forms are filled and submitted in order to make online correspondence easier for them. 

Jammu, June 18
JKCA (Blue) today demolished SG XI by a whopping 188-run margin in the ongoing U-16 Knock-Out Cricket Tournament being played at the GGM Science College Hostel ground here.

Batting first, JKCA (Blue) garnered 261 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted 40 overs. Shubham Singh was the top scorer with a aggressive knock of 74 runs, including 11 delectable hits to the fence. Tribhuvan also struck an unbeaten crafty half-century (55) to help his team post a challenging total. Vikas and Jaidatya contributed 33 and 24 runs respectively.

For SG XI, Shashideep Singh was the main destroyer with three wickets while Ashish and Reshup took two and one wicket respectively.

In reply, SG XI suffered a batting collapse and the whole team was perished for paltry 73 runs in 22.5 overs. Gagandeep Singh played a gutsy unbeaten knock of 30 runs, but in vain. For JKCA (Blue), Aman Sharma created havoc with his fiery spell that helped him fetch four wickets. He was ably supported by Shivam, who took three wickets. Ajay Sharma and Shubam Singh snared two wickets and one wicket.

Bandipora Bisons gore Budgam Badshahs

Bandipora Bisons today scripted a comprehensive win over Budgam Badshahs in the ongoing Kashmir Premier League (KPL) Phase II being played at Bul Bul Shah Sports Stadium, Budgam.

Bisons won the toss and elected to bat first. They accumulated 215 runs for the loss of five wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

In reply, Budgam perished for a meagre 81 runs. Raja Islam, skipper of Bandipora Bisons was adjudged the man of the match for his outstanding performance.