The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Overnight rain exposes civic body claims
Newly laid roads bear the brunt across city; residential areas in Old City inundated
Varun Suthra & Malvika Sharma
Tribune Reporters

Jammu, July 26
While recurrent rain has brought some relief to the residents from the sultry weather in the city, it has also exposed the ill-preparedness of the municipal corporation in handling the aftermath of rain.

Two spells of overnight rain have left the city roads scarred, resulting in traffic jams and waterlogging in various areas. The threat of accidents is real as the top layer of most roads has been washed away, exposing the gravelly surface.

Every year, people have to face the aftermath of monsoon and unplanned development being carried out by government agencies in the city.

People in the residential areas of the old city have been forced to clear waterlogging by removing excess water using buckets.

The areas badly affected by inundation included Gujjar Nagar, Gangyal, Old City and city outskirts.

Schoolchildren were the worst hit as they had to wade through puddled roads strewn with garbage in the morning.

Residents of Mubarak Mandi and other old city areas complained that the municipal corporation had failed to come up with a cohesive plan to prevent such problems from cropping up year after year.

Motorists had to negotiate waterlogged stretches dotted with potholes in most parts of the city. The damage was stark on roads that had been blacktopped recently.

The residents questioned the credibility of contractors engaged in the repair of roads, as most of the roads damaged were repaired six months ago.

Sheetal, a resident of Janipur, said shoddy work on part of the contractors and lack of quality check by government agencies were to blame for the mess.

“I have lived all my life in the city and have never seen the city roads and lanes in good condition during the rainy season. Lack of proper drainage system and dilapidated condition of roads add to the misery of residents. Why can’t the authorities come up with a plan to minimise the damage?”

Atul Kumar, an engineering student, said lack of coordination between various government agencies was responsible for the miserable state of city roads.

“Roads constructed recently have suffered extensive damage in some areas. This puts a big question mark on the quality of material being used during the construction of roads,” he added.

Besides, poor shape of lanes has also caused inconvenience to the residents, as rainwater has entered several houses in many areas.

Hakim Chand, a resident of Gangyal, said they had been facing the problem of inundation for many years.

“The rainy season has just begun. We are worried about the rest of the season, as our houses get flooded each time it rains. Incessant rain can result in a lot of damage to the houses.”

A government official said residents were responsible for the problem. “Most houses have not been built according to the building plan. Some residents have encroached on the lanes, which act as outlets for rainwater,” he said.

Spate of protests against power, water shortage
Tribune News Service

Residents of Talab Khatikaan protest against the power department over unscheduled power cuts in Jammu on Thursday
Residents of Talab Khatikaan protest against the power department over unscheduled power cuts in Jammu on Thursday. A Tribune photograph

Jammu, July 26
The city continued to witness demonstrations against the state government for its failure to ensure regular supply of electricity and water amid hot and humid conditions today.

The protesters accused the ruling National Conference-led coalition government of becoming “insensitive” towards the problems being faced by the people since the onset of summer.

Scores of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) activists assembled outside the Exhibition Ground and raised slogans against the Power Development Department (PDD) and Public Health Engineering (PHE) departments for the prevailing power and water crisis across the region.

Led by Vikram Singh, senior PDP youth leader, the protesters alleged that the people had been made to suffer following unscheduled power cuts and acute shortage of water.

“The government has failed miserably in providing the basic amenities to the people. The PDD authorities should not test the patience of the people. We will gherao ministers and ruling party leaders if effective measures are not put in place to restore uninterrupted power supply soon,” Singh said.

Another youth leader, Girish Sharma, said it was the duty of the government to provide the basic amenities to the people on a priority basis, but the present NC-Congress coalition government had “failed” on fronts.

A group of Talab Khatikan residents, supported by PDP activists, also staged a protest against the electricity department.

“The Muslim community members living in the area have been subjected to hardships in the holy month of Ramadan. The department has resorted to power cuts at a time of sehri and iftaar. We have been facing problems in performing religious activities due to darkness,” said Mubariz Khan.

The regional council of Communist Party of India also held a demonstration and accused the government of failing to provide electricity and water to the people.

“The public in general and students, farmers and industries in particular are the major sufferers. The government is deliberately putting people in such conditions so that the hidden agenda of privatisation in the power sector can be achieved,” said GS Charak, secretary, Jammu regional council, while addressing a gathering of activists.

National Secular Forum (NSF) state president Vikas Sharma took on the Jammu-based legislators for maintaining a “cryptic silence” on the miseries of the people following unscheduled power cuts.

“All legislators, including those of the BJP have turned a blind eye to the miseries of the people. They have failed to take up the issue with the government and it raised a serious question mark on their role. They owe an explanation to the people over their dubious role,” he said.

Embarrassment for NC as Cong activists take to the streets
Dinesh Manhotra
Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 26
Congress workers joined by farmers and traders took to the streets against the anti-people policies of the state government headed by Omar Abdullah, leaving the ruling National Conference red-faced, today.

Congress leaders, including activists of the Youth Congress, staged a demonstration at Vijaypur town to oppose the policies of the state government and the deteriorating situation in Samba district due to the non-availability of water and electricity.

On the call given by the Beopar Mandal, Vijaypur, and the Kissan Union, Vijaypur, a large number of people staged a demonstration and raised slogans against the coalition government.

Senior Congress leader and former minister Manjit Singh led the protesters. He later submitted a memorandum to the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Bikram Singh Jamwal.

Although, the Congress has equal partnership in the NC-Cong government, the protesters riased slogans against the present government and alleged that the it was adopting anti-people policies. The Congress leaders also threatened to launch an agitation if problems were not solved.

“The shopkeepers and farmers have been facing problems due to the non-availability of the power supply in the town and adjoining areas. Unscheduled power cuts continue to haunt the inhabitants. Farmers have been facing starvation-like situation because they have failed to cultivate paddy on time,” said Manjeet Singh and demanded that Samba district should be declared a drought-affected area.

He said the inhabitants were suffering due to the unscheduled power cuts and farmers were also unable to run their water pumps for irrigation purpose due to non-availability water in the canals.

The fields in the border villages were not receiving irrigation water from the Chenab and the Tawi.

“Due to scanty rainfall and non-availability of the irrigation water, the fields have dried up. If the demands of the people are not fulfilled within a 10 days, they will be forced to start an agitation,” he said

Senior Congress leader Satpaul, block president Amar Nath Bhatti, district vice-president Babbal Gupta, Nikki Mahajan, Bharat Bhushan, Satish Chander, Youth Congress leader Rajan Sharma and others also addressed the protesters.

In response to the call, shopkeepers of Vijaypur observed a shutdown.

Colleges to go all out to check ragging from this session
Malvika Sharma

Jammu, July 26
Eighteen-year-old Arvind Dogra is both excited and anxious about joining the college, as he is uncertain if his seniors will initiate freshers by ragging them. Colleges, on the other hand, are doing their bit to allay these fears by setting up anti-ragging cells and helpline numbers.

Colleges across the country are taking no chances ever since the declaration of ragging a criminal offence by the Supreme Court, the Human Resource Ministry and the University Grants Commission.

City-based colleges are not far behind as they have set up mobile anti-ragging cells, putting members on constant vigil to keep a check on the practice.

Besides these cells, colleges have inserted helpline numbers in information brochures for the convenience of students.

These numbers will assist students in reporting any anti-student activity on the campus and file a complaint immediately.

Apart from taking precautions at the college level, Jammu University has taken the lead by asking the teaching and non-teaching staff to sign a bond, making it obligatory for them to report any activity related to ragging on the campus.

They are being encouraged not to hide such acts and point these out to the authorities concerned.

Also, senior students in the university and other colleges have been asked to submit an affidavit acknowledging that they will be liable for punishment and may be rusticated if the nature of complaint is found to be serious.

Satvindar Singh, nodal officer in-charge (colleges), said contrary to the popular belief that co-education colleges were more prone to ragging, the reality was quite different.

“Students studying in co-education colleges are more disciplined than their contemporaries in all-girls or all-boys colleges. They are sensitised to their environment and are more aware of their activities. We have not had any major incident for a long time and we want to keep it that way.”

JU initiative

Jammu University has taken the lead by asking the teaching and non-teaching staff to sign a bond, making it obligatory for them to report any activity related to ragging on the campus

Pandits cry foul over flat allotment
549 given two-room tenements in Jagti
Sonika Raina
Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 26
The issuance of an allotment list of 549 two-room tenements to the Kashmiri Pandit families at the Jagti Township by the Relief Commissioner’s office triggered protests at various places in the city today.

The office had issued a list of 549 successful families from 1,5000 applications under various categories, including those living in police colonies in Channi Himmat and Gandhi Nagar, migrants suffering from life threatening diseases, migrants living in rented accommodations and migrant widows.

As soon as the list was released in the morning, people started gathering at the office and later staged a demonstration, alleging favouritism and demanding the issuance of a fresh list.

Shobawati, resident of Anantnag, who had come along with her son-in-law to the office, said: “I have four daughters and everybody is married. I come under the widow’s category and I stay in a rented accommodation. They should have given consideration to my age, income and condition. I am entirely dependent on the relief money, but they have ignored me and considered cases of government employees living in government accommodation.”

“They have allotted the tenements to government employees living in the police quarters at Channi and Gandhi Nagar whereas those living in rented accommodations have been ignored. I do not understand the procedure followed while making such categories,” said Moti Lal Bhat, a retired government employee.

Around 200 residents of Jagti township also expressed their anger against the allotment of over 500 tenements by raising slogans against the government.

A protester said: “This list is unfair, as top few names on the list own their own houses. The families who deserve the accommodation have been left out. We demand the inclusion of genuine cases in a new list.”

The Relief Commissioner was unavailable for comments.

Firm selling spurious cement busted

Jammu, July 26
The local Crime Branch has booked the owners of a private business establishment for allegedly selling substandard cement under different brands. Sources said some persons under the banner of Lakshmi Traders, located on the Purmandal Road, Birpur, Bari Brahmana, had been indulging in cheating and fraudulent practices by procuring substandard cement of different brands from certain factories in Kathua and Jammu and thereafter packing the same in bags of Ambuja and ACC cement.

They used to sell the cement in open market as branded cement through different outlets.

Acting on a tip-off, the Crime Branch intercepted a truck (JK 02 V 9297) carrying substandard cement filled in branded bags, as the truck was about to leave for Poonch district. A raid was later conducted by the sleuths of the Crime Branch. One of the proprietors of the company, Khem Raj, has arrested. Besides, two workers have been detained. — TNS

2 held with banned capsules
Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 26
The Kathua police has seized around 4,000 intoxicating capsules and arrested two persons in this regard. The accused have been identified as Balbir Singh of Saili Kullian Hall, Nathu Nagar, Pathankot; and Tarsem Lal of Ferozepur tehsil in Pathankot district.

Acting on a tip-off, the police had set up a roadblock near Berrian Pattan and arrested two persons on foot, as they tried to cross over to the state from Punjab.

During search, the police recovered 2,000 “Parvan Spas” capsules each from their possession. A case under Sections 8, 21 and 22 of the NDPS Act has been registered at the Kathua police station against the two.

The police also arrested Rakesh Kumar, a resident of Delhi, for his involvement in a case under the NDPS Act. He was facing charges under Sections 8, 21, 22, 27A and 29, NDPS Act, and 6 and 13, DCO, registered at the Lakhanpur police station.

Police sources said he was the third accused arrested in the case and was arrested from Delhi by the Kathua police for smuggling of banned drugs into the state.

Students question JU’s re-evaluation system
Malvika Sharma

Jammu, July 26
Students who recently gave their answer sheets for re-evaluation were shocked when majority of them reported a sudden hike of 10 to 15 marks in their respective subjects, once the result was out.

It was a rejoicing moment for all of them but at the same time, a more critical side to the system became visible - the faulty line within the evaluation department.

“I had scored low marks in two of my subject’s answer sheets but when the results came back after re-evaluation, there was a hike of more than 15 marks in both the answer sheets. Though it was encouraging to see my marks increased. But it’s a disappointment that I had to shell out extra money to get my own marks that I deserved” said a student from the Government Girls College, Parade ground.

While the increase in marks is of concern for the students, other matters pertaining to the streamlining of the procedure have also cropped up.

According to the source from the University, the new system of considering the aggregate marks of the student in a certain paper before and after the re-evaluation will mean that the student stands to loose marks is meant to discourage students from giving answer sheets in bulk for re-evaluation. The University officials though denied such allegations as a mere disgruntled comment by the students.

Manoj Dhar, Controller Examination said, “It is a myth that marks gets increased in all the cases of re-evaluation. Most subjects where there is scope of increased marks are subjective answer sheets wherein one examiner may consider it fit to give more marks than the previous one, but there are plenty other cases wherein the marks have either not increased or stayed the same”.

He said, “The system is streamlined in a manner where students can now submit their answer sheets within 7 to 10 working days from the day of the result’s declaration. There are also guidelines from the University Council which directs the teachers to check a stipulated number of answer sheets every day so that the staff does not feel over burdened with work”.

While students continue to argue that personal prejudice is being played against their interest, the University officials take the help of the RTI act to dispel such notions.

Animal husbandry in doldrums
Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar worst hit due to wrong policies of government
RK Kichlu

Batote, July 26
Paucity of funds and wrong government policies have left animal husbandry in Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar districts in doldrums. A meagre Rs 3.57, Rs 5.2 and Rs 5.4 per animal (livestock or poultry) was spent on an average last year in Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar districts, respectively, on medicines, treatment facilities, artificial insemination, mass vaccination, sterilisation and awareness camps.

“This year, the state budget (district and state non-plan) for the Animal Husbandry Department, Ramban, has not gone up by even 10 per cent against the 15 per cent average increase in the livestock population. This will further make it difficult to run 32 veterinary institutions and five first aid centres, including 19 artificial insemination centres”, said Dr Mohd Salim Wani, chief animal husbandry officer (CAHO), Ramban.

Very few farmers have been able to establish income generating units due to increase in the number of bank defaulters and the failure of sponsoring agencies like the Rural Development and the Animal Husbandry Department in identifying deserving beneficiaries for the purpose.

Sources said one of the main constraints in establishing quality units was lack of subsidy or insufficient financing, which forced the beneficiary to buy poor quality animals.

Under the Dairy Entrepreneur Development Scheme of NABARD, only 43, 53 and zero dairy units have been sanctioned in Ramban, Banihal and Gool blocks, respectively, out of the 114, 145 and 103 cases sponsored by the department so far.

The fact that out of 2.69 lakh animals, only 20 per cent were cross-bred, spoke volumes about the failure of the government in bringing about white revolution in the country.

“Going by the figures of the last ‘inflated’ cattle census, there should have been no dearth of milk in the state. On the contrary, people here are dependent on packaged milk imported from other states,” said Abdul Rashid Choudhry, sarpanch, Rakh Jadokh, Batote.

The failure of organisation of regular livestock mandis, where sponsoring, financing, insurance and passing agencies can jointly meet, is also responsible for the poor viability of income generating units.

The other factors include absence of norms for the sale-purchase of animals, thus encouraging local and intra and inter-family trade.

The Batote dispensary lacks the post of a veterinarian (VAS) to cater to the thousands of animals of 12 panchayats.

JKFA to press AIFF for Federation Cup in state
Vikas Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 26
Hosting the country’s most prestigious tourney, the Football Tournament Federation Cup, after a long gap of 28 years and other important issues will make it to the top priority in the agenda list of the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA), when its office bearers will go to Delhi to attend the special general body meeting of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on August 22.

J&K had earlier hosted Federation Cup way back in 1984.

Zamir Ahmad Thakur, president JKFA said, “The association has decided to put forth its case before the AIFF to host the Federation Cup. With the kind of infrastructure we have, the association is pretty confident of conducting the championship.”

“Besides hosting the championship, matters related to the finance will also get the priority at the meeting with the AIFF president, Praful Patel, during the special general body meeting,” he said.

“If not the Federation Cup, the JKFA will request the AIFF to allot any other important tournament to J&K,” Thakur said..

“In 2008, before hosting the Santosh Trophy, the AIFF observers visited the venues and expressed satisfaction over the facilities which really boosted our morale to host the tournament with grand success,” he said.

“Conduct of any national championship in the State will not only help in improving the image of sports but will help the budding footballers to get an excellent opportunity to interact with the star players representing various prestigious football clubs of the country,” Thakur said.

JKFA president said, “There is no dearth of talented footballers in the state but it needs to be channelised in a constructive manner”.

IGP reviews security arrangements for I-Day

Jammu, July 26
A joint meeting of senior officers of Police and civil administration discussed the security arrangements for the smooth conduct of ensuing Independence Day celebrations in and around the venue of the main function in Jammu, today.

The meeting chaired by the Inspector General Police, Jammu Zone, Dilbag Singh, was attended by representatives from intelligence agencies, CRPF, BSF, traffic and armed police besides officers from various civil departments led by the Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Sanjeev Verma.

The concerned head of the police and other security agencies gave a detailed account of the security arrangements put in place for the run up of the national day celebrations in Jammu including the Border areas.

The meeting also discussed the traffic arrangements proposed to be made for the Independence Day celebrations in the city and its peripheries.

DC Jammu said that all the concerned departments have been assigned specific duties tasks which are being reviewed and monitored closely.

Archery tourney
Ladakh team clinch trophy
Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 26
Ladakh team clinched the 5th Himalayan Traditional Archery Championship, organised by the Himalayan Archery Society of Himachal Pradesh in collaboration with the HP Government, at Spiti Archery Field, Keylong.

The members of the winning team included Rinchen Beshu, Lobzang Thogthok, Tundup Changthang and Rigzin Kurja. Ladakh-B team secured the third spot. The team comprised of Rinchen Sabi, Wangail Thiksay and Tashi Skara.

A total of 12 traditional archery teams across the Himalayan region participated in the four-day sporting event.

In the individual event, first three positions were bagged by archers from Ladakh namely Lobzang Thokthok, Wangail Thiksay and Tundup Changthang.

Deputy Commissioner of Kelong was the chief guest in the valedictory function and the SSP was the guest of honour.

Back home, the winners of the traditional archery team from Leh were given a warm reception by the district administration.

JK Public School beat BHS
Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 26
JK Public School defeated Boys High School (BHS), Sonwar, in the ongoing U-16 Presidents Cup Cricket tournament, organised by the All-J&K Cricket Players Association at the BHS ground, today.

Batting first, JK Public School scored 169 runs for the loss of eight wickets in the allotted overs. Junaid Javed with 45 runs was the highest scorer. Suhail Bashir took two wickets for Sonwar.

In reply, Boys High School, Sonwar, could manage only 159 runs for the loss of six wickets. Faizan with 45 runs and Suhail Bashir with 39 runs were the main contributors. Shahid Javed took two wickets for JK Public School.

Junaid Javed was adjudged the man of the match.

In another match, Woodland School thrashed Minto Circle by six wickets.

Candle-lit march to remember Kargil heroes
Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 26
A candle-lit march was organised from Jammu University Gate to Balidan Stambh on the occasion of Vijay Diwas. The march was organised by Sukreet Gupta, Vijay Verma and Nipun Sharma.

“This is the 13th anniversary of our victory. The main aim of the march was to pay homage to our martyrs’, who have sacrificed their lives for the copuntry,” said Nipun.

Sukreet said, “This is a small initiative to motivate the youths of the city, especially the student community to join the Indian Defence Services and also to apprise them about the supreme sacrifice of our soldiers.”

Army organises volleyball tourney

Jammu, July 26
An intra-district volleyball tournament was organised by 10 Rashtriya Rifles, Doda, at Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS), Bhagwah, today. The final was played between Bhagwah village team and Jammu and Kasmir Police team, wherein the latter emerged winners in a keen contest.

The Commanding Officer, 10 RR, was the chief guest while Principal, GHSS, Bhagwah, Agyia Pal Sharma, was the guest of honour. Later, both officers gave away prizes to the winners and the runners-up. — TNS

YBCC, SFD Red script wins
Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 26
Young Boys Cricket Club (YBCC) and SFD Red registered wins in the inaugural matches of the Fazil Kanth Memorial T20 invitational cricket tournament organised by J&K Cricket Association at Islamia College Ground.

In the first match, YBCC defeated Chanapora Super Kings by five wickets.

In the second match, SFD Red thrashed NHCC Pattan by 23 runs.

City gets taste of Thai cuisine
Malvika Sharma

Jammu, July 26
Thai food has four distinct tastes in almost every dish which includes sweet, sour, bitter and salty taste. Keeping the four fundamental tastes in mind the Jammu chefs would now cater to the vegetarian dishes as well.

The crispy Thai corn cake is the signature vegetarian dish along with the spring parcel and Green Thai curry that will be the vegetarian dishes that one can look forward to. Amongst the main dishes, the Pad Thai noodles are another dish that people can relish. This dish is for all those food lovers who like salty taste enhanced by sprouts and coconut milk.

Alongside the Thai cuisine, Wazwan cuisine has also been introduced at a private restaurant.