The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Overloading overlooked
Authorities look on as vehicles remain packed beyond capacity
Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 30
The Jammu region in general and city in particular have been witnessing countless road mishaps for the past two years. Rampant overloading in public transport vehicles conveys the lacklustre approach of the authorities concerned.

The traffic police, which is the law enforcement agency, seems to have become a mute spectator to the violation.

A mini bus driver said they had to indulge in overloading of vehicles, as it was about making profit at the end of the day.

He said even commuters did not have many options.

“Everyone wants to reach their destination early and we also want to earn more by ferrying maximum passengers,” he adds.

On the flouting of norms and penalties imposed by the traffic police, he said: “Almost all commercial vehicles indulge in overloading. I do not want to invite any trouble by saying anything against the traffic police. I cannot afford animosity with the traffic police.”

Mridula Singh, a resident of Bakshi Nagar, said overloading was the main cause of increasing number of road accidents in the city.

She said the onus was on the law enforcement agencies and the administration to check the practice. The authorities could streamline the system if their was a will.

“Shanghai is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, but good governance has minimised chaos on the roads there. We have been adopting the habit of passing the blame onto others. Departments keep blaming one another for irregularities and mismanagement,” she adds.

Sheikh Shakeel Ahmad, a lawyer at the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, said there were prescribed acts and rules for traffic management and regulation.

“The Motor Vehicles Act has been enacted by the Central government and has been extended to our state also.”

“The law enforcement authorities can impose penalties or fines on those who do not adhere to the law. Overloading is not allowed under the Act,” said Shakeel.

JUET results today
Our Correspondent

Jammu, June 30
The results of the JUET-2012 — entrance examination held recently for admission to postgraduate courses — will be declared on Sunday. The results will be declared on the official website of the University of Jammu along with various centres, where hard copies will be put up for the reference of students.

The marks card will be posted online wherein students will be required to fill in their name and roll number.

The admission form will also be available on the university website.

The minimum cut-off (out of 70) for admission to various programs for general category has been fixed at 21, while the cut-off for SC/ST and ST (residents of Leh and Kargil) will be 17.

The admission to PG departments will be made on the basis of the merit acquired in the test in addition to the average marks obtained out of 30 in three years of graduation.

The 30 marks will be calculated by giving the weightage of 10 per cent each to the percentage of marks obtained in all three years separately.

For admission to programmes like MEd, MPEd, MLib, BALLB (5 years), BBA (HM) and other honors courses, the weightage of 30 marks will be accorded to the percentage of marks obtained in the qualifying examination to calculate the academic merit of the candidate.

In order to facilitate the process of admission, the university has appointed various nodal points for students applying for off-campus admissions.

With over 1,000 students taking off-campus admission, university campuses at Bhaderwah, Udhampur, Kishtwar, Kathua, Ramnagar and Reasi will help students with their admission queries.

All other city-based colleges will take applications of students applying for the university campus.

Morcha picks holes in Tawi projects
Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 30
The Jammu State Morcha has submitted a memorandum to the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, asking the government to revisit certain proposals concerning development activities being carried out in and across the Tawi.

The morcha thanked the government agencies for taking up works on the fourth bridge, Tawi lake and other beautification programmes, which had been demanded by the people of the city.

The morcha, however, said adequate attention had not been given to the design and location of the projects.

The morcha leaders said the construction of a protection wall in the middle of the Tawi bed from Sidhra to upstream of Mohmaya temple could choke the river by 50 per cent of its natural waterway.

It threatened the life and property of the people living especially on the right bank.

They further suggested that the construction of the fourth bridge on the river was proposed to be located a few kilometres downstream, from its present location at Bhagwatinagar. The aim was to decongest traffic at Canal Head Chowk and Vikram Chowk.

Its current location might lead to more traffic chaos at canal head, which would disturb the habitants, besides generating high level of pollution, they added.

Underlining other major shortcomings in development projects, the leaders said the gutters and sewers opening into the river just above the site of the barrage had been a major source of pollution. The Divisional Commissioner assured the deputation that he would take up the matter with the authorities concerned.

The shortcomings

Protection wall in the middle of the Tawi bed from Sidhra to upstream of Mohmaya temple may choke the river

Current location of the fourth bridge may lead to traffic chaos at canal head, besides generating pollution

Gutters and sewers opening into the river just above the site of the barrage causing pollution

Abducted minor recovered, youth held
Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 30
The police claims to have recovered a minor girl from Kulgam district of Kashmir after she was kidnapped from the Karol area of Ramban district recently. On June 20, a complaint was filed at the Ramban police station alleging that 17-year-old Guddi (name changed) was kidnapped by Imtyaz Ahmed (20), a resident of Chanderkote, Ramban, on the intervening night of June 19 and 20.

A case under Sections 457 and 363 of the RPC was registered at the Ramban police station and a team was constituted under the supervision of Ramban SP Anil Magotra.

The team carried out searches in and around the jurisdiction of Ramban district.

The call details of the two were scrutinised to establish their location. On June 28, the two were traced to Pulwama in Kashmir.

A police team rushed to Pulwama and recovered the girl while she was being taken to Kulgam district from Pulwama by the accused. Imtyaz Ahmed was also arrested.

The two were brought back to Ramban. The girl was handed over to her parents after completing the legal formalities.

Civic body yields to stray cattle menace?
Plans to close down Gandhi Nagar pound
Sumit Hakhoo

Jammu, June 30
The Jammu Municipal Corporation is planning to close down one of the two city cattle pounds at Gandhi Nagar to start a commercial venture at the site, as it has failed to deal with the stray cattle menace on the city roads.

The corporation has decided to merge the cattle pound at Gandhi Nagar with the facility at Rehari, paving the way for the commercial exploitation of the property.

Two cattle pounds are currently operational in the city. The proposal to establish a major modern facility for the purpose in the Dili area on the outskirts of Jammu had already been shelved.

A source in the corporation said the employees had been asked not to admit new cattle captured during the anti-stray animal drive, being conducted by the corporation every week, at the existing site in Gandhi Nagar.

The pound in the posh Gandhi Nagar locality has been running for the past 40 years.

“The authorities are convinced that roads cannot be cleared of stray cattle. Also, there is no immediate proposal to take up the project in the Dili area, which was to cater to over 1,000 stray animals,” said a source.

On an average, the corporation catches nearly 10 stray animals every day and those impounded are auctioned thrice a month. However, in case the claimants do not come forward to take these animals back, most are handed over to NGOs or released into forest areas of Jajjar Kotli, Samba Rakh, Purmandal and Akhnoor.

GRIM REALITY

The two existing cattle pounds at Rehari and Gandhi Nagar, having a capacity of 15 and 20 cattle, respectively, are often overcrowded, forcing the staff to release the captured animals on roads

Employees have been asked not to admit new cattle captured during the anti-stray animal drive conducted by the MC every week, at the Gandhi Nagar site

The pound in the posh Gandhi Nagar locality has been running for the past 40 years

Mughal rally a headache for commuters
Ranjit Thakur

Rajouri, June 30
The 3rd Mughal Road Motor Rally organised by the Himalayan Motor Sports, has become a source of nuisnace for the people of Rajouri and Poonch districts. They have been suffering for the past 24 hours due to the non-availability of public transport on section used for the rally.

The state government has used their entire manpower and machinery for the successful conduct of the rally.

Normal life has crippled owing to the non-availability of transport facilities, especially to those bound for Srinagar using the Mughal road.

The administration has imposed Section 144, CrPC, along the Mughal road, prohibiting the assembly of more than three persons at one time.

Private and passengers vehicle are not allowed on the road in Rajouri, Thanamandi, Dera Ki Gali and many other places adjoining the road, where the race is being organised.

Adil, a local resident, had to walk over 30 km to reach his home as he could not get any ride back home.

Hundreds of passengers have been waiting for the rally to conclude.

Patients and pregnant women in the area are the worst hit. Pregnant women were being taken to the hospital in police vehicles due to the non-availability of public transport on roads.

Paddy sowing draws farmhand from other states
Sumit Hakhoo

Jammu, June 30
With the paddy sowing season kicking off in the Jammu region, migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha have started making a beeline for villages in the region, as their demand grows in the face of labour shortage.

Until recently, the trend of migrant workers working in the region was limited to neighbouring Punjab. Migrant labourers are in great demand in the state now, especially in the southern parts of Jammu and orchid-producing areas of the Kashmir valley.

Apart from earning good wages, these workers are, at times, provided food and shelter by farmers, which is a major lure for them, as they are able to save money and send it back home.

Officials say there is a well-knit system that brings these men and women to the state and employ them at villages according to need.

Nearly 60,000 hectares of land is currently under rice cultivation in the region. Sources say during the season, labourers earn between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000 each.

“Most of them work as seasonal labourers. When they finish work during the sowing season, they go home and return during the harvest season,” says Balwinder Singh, a farmer from Kathua.

The southern districts of Jammu and Kashmir, starting from RS Pura to Hiranagar, are considered the rice bowl of the state where thousands of hectors of land is under paddy cultivation.

These labourers are also in demand in the Valley during the cultivation period.

Ram Gopal from Patna says: “We don’t get good wages back home and are able to earn some extra bucks here. It’s a good option for us during the summer season.”

There are thousands of labourers like Gopal who visit the state during the sowing season each year to earn money.

“We have been visiting the Jammu region to transplant paddy saplings from nurseries to fields for the past four years. Though there have been cases where labourers have been cheated by locals, we have overall had a good experience working here,” says Radhey Sham, who heads a batch of workers on a farm.

Nod to Rs 114.70-cr annual plan
Our Correspondent

Rajouri, June 30
The District Development Board met under the chairmanship of Minister for Industries and Commerce Surjit Singh Slathia and approved Rs 114.70 crore annual plan for the Rajouri district for 2012-13.

Rajouri District Development Commissioner Saugat Biswas gave a detailed resume of the physical and financial achievements registered up to March 2012 in the district and proposed the approval of the district plan.

Slathia called upon the officers to concentrate on growth of underdeveloped and backward areas of the district.

He said the government was committed to developing the hilly and remote areas of the district with better basic amenities.

Development activities had been launched to provide effective road connectivity, safe drininking water, power, education, health besides better lanes and drains in every corner of the district, he added.

The minister directed the officers to ensure timely completion of various road projects taken up under the PMGSY, besides settlement of all pending land compensation cases acquired under the programme.

He stressed the need for bringing more accountability and transparency in the utilisation of funds and completion of ongoing projects.

He asked the officers to work in close coordination to remove any bottlenecks.

Suggestions from elected local representatives, sarpanches, panches and people would help improve key sectors in the district, he added.

Effective implementation of development schemes was not possible without the active participation of Panchayati Raj institutions, he said.

Minister of State for Power, CA&PDD Shabir Ahmed Khan, vice-chairman, Advisory Board for Development of Kissan, Thakur Rashpal Singh; vice-chairman, Advisory Board for Development of Pahari Speaking People, Sayed Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari; vice-chairman, Advisory Board for Development of OBCs, Kuldeep Verma; Nowshera MLA Radhey Sham Sharma, Darhal MLA Zulfikar Ali and MLC Ravinder Sharma, besides head of various departments and district officers, were present.

BJP Mahila Morcha burns interlocutors’ report
Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 30
The BJP Mahila Morcha activists, under the leadership of state president Sakina Bano, held a protest against interlocutors and burnt copies of the report. Bano, while addressing the activists at Kachi Chawni Chowk, said the UPA had adopted a complete silence over the recommendations of the Dilip Padgoankar’s team of interlocutors, which had invited widespread anger and resentment across the country.

She said nothing could be achieved out of the report as long as the pending issues of the refugees, which include discrimination against Jammu and Ladakh regions, political empowerment of Jammu, problem of umemployment, dignified return of the Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley, abrogation of Article 370 and scraping of separate symbols in Jammu and Kashmir, remained unresolved.

She said the interlocutors seemed to have worked on a preset strategy and the document had created confusion in the minds of the people, who feared that the it had been brought out with the motive of suggesting ways and means to weaken India’s sovereignty over the state. It also provoked those with separatist mindset to pitch anti-India sentiment, she added.

“The report clearly serves the purpose of anti-nationalist forces and separatists and hence, needs to be rejected. We appeal to the public to oppose the report,” she said.

BJP state secretary and Mahila Morcha seh-prahari Purnima Sharma, BJP state spokesperson and Morcha National executive member Nirmal Kamal and activists Sangeeta Gupta, Sudesh Mehra, Raj Rani Jamwal, Swarna Arora, Parveen Arora and Sanjeeta Dogra were present.

Delay in award of scholarships irks sportspersons
State government fails to release sanctioned amount to youth department this year
Vikas Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 30
An alleged inordinate delay by the State Government in the sanctioning of an additional grant in favour of Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) to award scholarships was irking the outstanding sportspersons for a long time. They blame the authorities for complete mismanagement.

The School Games Federation of India (SGFI) is likely to summon a meeting, soon to decide about the venues for conducting the competitions in various disciplines in the forthcoming 58th edition of National School Games (NSG).

The DYSS is struggling to receive the grant from the State Government to award scholarships.

According to sources, after utilising the available funds in conducting activities at district and state levels, the DYSS had approached the State Government to sanction an additional grant; so, that scholarships could be awarded to the outstanding sports persons.

This is for the first time that State Government has not sanctioned an additional amount to DYSS in the stipulated time which otherwise, is releases every year.

Every year, the government allots additional funds to DYSS before the closing of the Financial Year but that was not done this year.

Resentment is brewing up among the sportspersons and their parents for this inordinate delay. “We have performed outstanding in this edition of NSG but the government seems to be least bothered about our achievements”, said one of the medalists of NSG.

“The schedule of our children is so tight that we cannot even find time to have conversation during their preparations for the competition and when they return with a medal haul every parent is proud of their achievement”, said one of the parents.

“The DYSS also seems to be non-serious in their efforts to remind the government to sanction the much needed amount so that scholarships could be awarded”, another parent said.

Jai Pal Singh, Director, Youth Services and Sports, said “The department is very much aware of the shortage of funds but we are hopeful that the matter will be sorted out soon”.

“There is nothing serious about the issue as we are hopeful of getting the funds from the State Government soon”, he said.

The Directorate of Youth Services and Sports is in deep slumber as it has yet to prepare a list of sportspersons who will receive scholarships.

Residents hold protest against closure of Exchange-Rehari road
Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 30
Residents of Rehari Colony, Sarwal, New Plot, New Rehari and Dogra Hall today took to the streets against the decision of the government to permanently close the road connecting the Exchange Road with the Rehari Road, which connects the national highway. BJP MLA Jugal Kishore Sharma also joined the protesters.

“The decades old route connected the road leading from the main city on the exchange side with the densely populated areas of the Jammu West constituency like Rehari Colony, Sarwal Colony and New Plot. Thousands of vehicles used to take this road, but its closure will create problems for the people,” said Jugal Kishore Sharma.

“Instead of closing the road, the government should work on the construction of an already approved flyover from Rehari octroi towards the bus stand for the convenience of commuters,” he added.

The people of the Rehari Colony, Sarwala and New Plot have been facing inconvenience for a long time due to the delay in the start of the work on the flyover.

The situation has been similar on the Amphalla-Shakuntala road for the past month, after the Economic Reconstruction Agency closed down a portion to lay sewerage. Also, the road from Janipur to Jewel Chowk was closed for the laying of sewerage.

The other road via Shakuntla also remained closed for over two months and all vehicles were routed through the Kachi Chawni area.

Now the decision of the government to permanently close the Exchange-Rehari road has created resentment among people.

“We had thought that the road would be opened after the completion of work on the road, but the government has decided to close it altogether. How can they close an old road like this? said Pushpendra Singh, a protester.

Umar Nazir claims tae kwon do title

Jammu, June 30
An Inter-District Martial Art Championship for boys was organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports at Youth Hostel today. Competitions in the disciplines of tae kwon do, sqay, jeet kunendo, wushu, thang ta and kick boxing were held.

Hafeeza Hassan, Assistant Director, DYSS, and BA Hura, Deputy SP (Security), distributed prizes among the winners. Srinagar district claimed the overall championship, while Shopian finished in the second place.

In u-14 category of tae kwon do, Umar Nazir and Momen Shabir bagged the first and second positions, respectively. In 27-kg weight category, Athar Hussain and Babir secured the first and second positions, respectively. In u-17 age group, Umar Bin Rashid fetched the first spot, while Muneeb Ahmed Wani secured the second position. In u-19 age group, Zameer Ahmad Malik and Prince Shah Faizan bagged the top two positions. In u-14 age group of sqay martial art, Waseem Khan, Arshid and Tanveer secured first, second and third positions, respectively. In 41-kg category, Ahmed Hadeed, Muneer and Huzaif Bilal bagged first, second and third positions, respectively.

In open category, Faheem, Barkhaiz and Tufail Bashir bagged the top three positions. In 56-kg weight category of wushu, Marroof Ahmad Parry and Firdous Ahmad bagged the first and second positions, respectively. — TNS

Aamir reaches out to public via FM channel
Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 30
A private FM channel had a special treat for its listeners across the country, as Bollywood star Aamir Khan dropped by at the Mumbai station to celebrate the successful rollout of his show “Satyamev Jayate”. He chatted up with listeners of the radio station across the country.

Engaging in conversations with listeners from across the tier II and III cities of the country resulted in some interesting revelations, as listeners shared their feedback on the show, the difference it has made to their lives and the society at large and also proactive recommendations of subjects that could be taken up on the show.

Aamir Khan said, “I am very happy to have got this opportunity to connect with my audiences. With ‘Satyamev Jayate’ our endeavour has been to address key issues plaguing the nation, the show today has gone a long way in helping us get a firsthand feedback about the show, how it has impacted us and how the show can play a catalyst in bringing about the much required change in our society.”

Delay in completion of works harries residents

Jammu, June 30
Residents of the Jammu west Assembly segment held a protest over delay in completion of works here today. They blocked the road at Amphalla, New Plot, Janipur High Court and Bantalab against ERA, NBCC, PWD and JMC departments, accusing them of making the lives of commuters and local residents miserable due to the pending work on city roads.

Traders and residents of Rehari, Sarwal , Bakshi Nagar, Talab Tillo, Janipur, Subhash Nagar and other localities of the constituency joined the protest and raised slogans against the ERA and NBCC departments.

Addressing the protesters, Sunil Dimple, president, Jammu West Assembly Movement, said businesses in the city had been severely affected due to ongoing sewerage work being carried out by the ERA. Sunil Dimple urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to hold an enquiry the engineers and other staff of the ERA and punish them for delay in completion of works. — TNS

FCC defeat Anu Memorial Club

Jammu, June 30
Friends Cricket Club (FCC), Bhalwal scripted a narrow win by three wickets over Anu Memorial Cricket Club to advance into the next round of the ongoing 4th Pawan Memorial T20 Cricket Tournament. The tournament is being organised by Singh Cricket Club, Akhnoor at Government Higher Secondary School Ground, Akhnoor, today.

Electing to bat first, Anu Memorial Club scored 130 runs in 20 overs for the loss of seven wickets. Vicky contributed 32 runs with the help of four boundaries. Anil Kumar scored 23 runs off 22 balls which included four boundaries. For FCC, Jatinder Singh and Sangram Singh took one wicket each.

In reply, FCC reached the target in 18.2 overs by losing seven wickets in the process. Manjeet was the top scorer with 34 runs off 24 balls which included three sixes. Ashwani and Rohit contributed 27 and 17 runs, respectively.

Binny took two wickets for Anu Memorial Club, while Jatin, Happy and Raghuvir took one wicket each. Manjeet was adjudged the man of the match. — TNS

Saleem Sports drub Royal Eleven
Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 30
Saleem Sports, Wagub, defeated Royal Eleven, Sopore, by 14 runs in the Sopore T20 Cricket Tournament at Khushal Sports Stadium today. Batting first, Saleem Sports Wagub set a target of 126 runs before the rival team for the loss of eight wickets.

In reply, Royal Eleven were bowled out for 111 runs.

Arshad Ahmad of the winning team was declared the man of the match.

In the second match, Riders Cricket Club, Chankhan, defeated Seer Sports Eleven.

Batting first, Seer Sports scored 103 runs for the loss of eight wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

In reply, Chankhan Riders reached the target in 17.3 overs for the loss of three wickets.

Reyaz Ahmad from the winning team was adjudged the man of the match.

Sherdils upset Super Kings
Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 30
Srinagar Sherdils defeated Shopian Super Kings by 45 runs today in the ongoing Kashmir Premier League at Sports Stadium of Delhi Public School, Srinagar. Bating first, Srinagar Sherdils set a target of 176 runs, while Shopian Super Kings scored only 131 runs.

Mohsin Mushtaq of Srinagar Sherdils was declared the man of the match for his 77-run knock.

The match was organised by 126 Inf Bn (TA) JAK RIF under the guidance of HQ 31 Sub Area.

Ashok Kumar, Assistant Director, Youth Services and Sports J&K, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Sangam Blues log win

Jammu, June 30
Sangam Blues defeated RCC Safakadal by 41 runs today in the ongoing SDA Drabu T20 Cricket Tournament. Batting first, Sangam Blues scored 172 runs for the loss of six wickets in the allotted overs.

Zaid with 52 runs was the top-scorer. Adil and Arafat scored 51 and 42 runs, respectively, for Sangam Blues, while Arif took two wickets for RCC.

In reply, RCC Safakadal were bowled out on 131. Zahoor with 34 runs was the top-scorer, while Aqib took an impressive five-wicket haul for Sangam Blues. — TNS

Army plants saplings

Rajouri, June 30
The Army unit at Kalakote initiated a tree plantation drive to mark their Raising Day. They began the drive by planting 100 of Seesham and 50 pine saplings at the tehsil office.

“Once fully grown, these trees will provide relief to people visiting the tehsil office, inspection banglow and CHC, Kalakote, during summer,” said an officer.

The Army initiative elicited an overwhelming response from the locals, especially from youths. They plan to plant 2,000 saplings.

The Army will continue to plant saplings in July and August. — OC

Man held with illicit liquor
Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 30
The Banihal police today arrested one person and recovered 20 pouches of illicit liquor from his possession. The police had received information regarding illegal sale of liquor in the Banihal area.

The Banihal police station SHO arrested Sajad Ahmed, hailing from Panju in Kulgam district and currently living at Nagwal, Banihal.

During search, the police recovered 20 pouches of liquor from his possession.

A case under Section 48 (A), Excise Act, has been registered at the Banihal police station.