Jammu, July 29
Despite tall claims of strict action against illegal banquet halls in the city, the Jammu Municipal Corporation has failed to implement the guidelines of the High Court to impose a fine or order the closure of these halls.

Giving norms the go-by, more than two dozen banquet halls continue to run illegally without the necessary parking space and safety standards.

Though the district administration has warned banquet halls and community hall owners not to organise events and functions for which they do not have the licence and facilities, these warnings are being ignored.

The government norms stipulate that community halls and banquet halls which do not have the capacity, including parking and other facilities, to hold such events should not hold such functions.

There are nearly 114 banquet halls in Jammu, mostly used for marriage and other social functions. Most of them do not have the required infrastructure, particularly parking space and firefighting equipment.

As per the new master plan, for the construction of a new banquet hall a minimum of 16 kanals are required, which should cover 30 per cent of the total area. Under the master plan, there should be parking space for 100 cars and the hall should be well ventilated.

“No one is paying heed to the notices of the corporation and violations are continuing. Worse, even officials don’t seem to be taking the issue seriously any more since many hall owners are politically connected,” said an official.

Sources said 16 halls were under the scanner for being run without the mandatory licence.

As per the norms, every banquet hall is required to create space for 100 vehicles. Interestingly, most of them in the city, even those constructed by the Jammu Municipal Corporation, the Jammu Development Authority and the Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation do not fulfil the norms.

Deputy Commissioner Sanjeev Verma said the new order would be strictly implemented. “We have directed the staff to conduct a survey. If any violation is detected, action will be taken.”

Jammu, July 29
The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) in-house advisory committee, which is investigating the infamous multi-crore scam, in its interim report has raised questions over two resolutions signed by the previous office-bearers.

The report claimed that as per the JKCA constitution, either the chairman or the general secretary was authorised to operate the bank accounts along with the treasurer, whose signature was a must. This arrangement was applicable to all accounts of the association in any bank or those that might be opened in the future.

The interim report added that two resolutions signed by the office-bearers were at variance with each other. While the one signed in 2009 made the signatures of the treasurer mandatory, the resolution of 2011 said that any two of the three office-bearers - chairman, general secretary and treasurer - could operate the bank accounts.

The probe panel claimed that from 2009 to 2011, Ahsan Mirza was the treasurer and from 2011 a new person was elected as the treasurer of the JKCA. The report claimed that some vested interests wanted Ahsan Mirza to continue as a signatory so that even after leaving the office of treasurer, he could still control the financial matters of the association.

The in-house advisory committee (probe panel) said despite repeated requests by the new treasurer of the association, Ahsan Mirza did not hand over all bank-related documents. It added that even the JKCA president was misled on this account and he was also made to sign these resolutions.

The report further said the finance sub-committee, which had intriguily taken over the functions of the working committee since 2009, had been meeting regularly and huge amounts had been drawn by members as TA/DA. The report added that it was not understood how glaring lapses like short deposit of funds received from the BCCI by the treasurer and operation of bogus accounts had escaped the notice of members of the finance committee.

The probe committee had also gone through the report submitted by two working committee members - Shyam Saroop Kalsotra and Manzoor Ahmad Wazir - in 2008. The committee endorsed the suggestions made by the two-member committee and observed that had the suggestions been accepted and executed in the day-to-day functioning of the JKCA by the caretakers of the funds of the association, such a big scam would not have happened.

Jammu, July 29
With the functioning of tube wells getting affected badly due to the unavailability of power in border areas, the state government is considering setting up solar energy panels in rural areas for the purpose.

Farmers of border villages, known as the rice bowl of Jammu, are solely dependent on rain for their crops. This year, the Jammu region has been witnessing an unprecedented power crisis, which has hit the working of tube wells in the border areas.

For the past over two months, farmers of these areas are on the warpath, demanding adequate power in the villages to run tube wells.

As the Union Ministry of New and Renewal Energy has announced various incentives for installation of solar power equipments in Jammu and Kashmir, the state government wants to utilise these incentives. “A survey would be conducted soon to count the number of tube wells and solar energy panels would be set up to provide power during the sowing season, especially during the summer,” sources said, adding that after the survey, a detailed project report would be prepared.

Besides installing solar enegy panels for tube wells, the government has also decided to encourage farmers who have already installed water pumps in their fields to set up such panels.

Katra, July 29
Although the government is trying hard to market its tourist destinations in the state, it has failed to improve the condition of roads, resulting in inconvenience to tourists.

The roads leading to the the Vaishno Devi shrine, the Shiv Khori shrine, the Shiar Bawa temple and Dera Bawa Sahib are in a deplorable condition.

“As a majority of the tourists visiting the state come by road, the bad shape of roads is a dampener for tourism promotion,” says Arjun Singh, a Katra-based hotelier.

Vishal Sharma from Delhi who reached Ransoo, the base camp for the Shiv Khori shrine, said seeing the condition of the road between Kanda and Ransoo, he would think twice before planning his next journey to the hill state by road. “We reached Katra from Vaishno Devi, but as we entered Kanda, the condition of the road was bad. Our vehicle got damaged due to big potholes,” he said.

Rajinder Singh Tara, a resident of Amritsar, reached Reasi by undertaking a 10-hour road journey in his car. He was put off by the poor condition of the road.

As many as 75 lakh tourists visited Reasi till June this year. Even as road transport is the only means of transportation within the district, the state government has failed to keep the roads in a good condition.

“The poor road network is hindering the influx of tourists,” said Director of the Tourism Department Robin Singh Metha. He added that urgent repairs were needed to put an end to the woes of tourists.

“Due to the poor condition of roads, transporters have to bear losses as their vehicles often develop problems and even break down at times,” he added.

District Development Commissioner, Reasi, Nirmal Sharma said, “The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is reconstructing the entire road from Nomani to Katra. The project will be completed by March 2013. Since the road stretch from Talwara to Shiar Bawa falls under the Salal power station area, we have taken up the matter with the authorities and the work will resume shortly. However, the road from Kanda to Ransoo comes under the PWD. Funds have been sought under the Central Road Funds from the Central Government. As soon as we receive the funds, the restoration work will be our priority.”

Jammu, July 29
With blaring loudspeakers, particularly for religious purposes, becoming a major source of noise pollution in the city, the district administration has ordered that the use of the public address system and loudspeakers beyond the ambient noise level will not be allowed between 9 pm and 6 am in the city. The ban will remain in force for two months and will be reviewed by the administration.

The order has been issued by Deputy Commissioner Sanjeev Verma with strict instruction to the authorities that the ban should be enforced strictly.

Despite the noise pollution level showing a constant increase in the city, nothing much is being done to penalise those using pressure horns and other high decibel gadgets, particularly high volume loudspeakers.

Jammu and Kashmir is perhaps the only state which has no declared silent zones normally demarcated around hospitals and educational institutions.

Loudspeakers are a major source of noise pollution in the city and there has been a demand by the people that a specific time should be kept for religious bodies and religious places to use such equipments.

“It is a good step as at times blaring loudspeakers, especially for religious sermons, create a lot of nuisance for the public, particularly students,” said Richa Sharma, a housewife.

In the recent past, noise pollution has reached alarming levels in the city and apart from vehicles, loudspeakers are a major cause of pollution.

Jammu, July 29
Sports Authority of India (SAI) cricket coach Varinder Kumar Sharma is among seven coaches posted in Jammu and Kasmir who have been promoted as grade-I coaches, retrospectively from 2008.

The promoted coaches are Sudesh Kumar (handball), Devraj (handball), Varinder Kumar Sharma (cricket), RK Magotra (basketball), Amarjit Singh (basketball), Veena Sharma (cricket) and Gurmeet Kaur (hockey).

SAI coordinator in the state MK Verma said 411 coaches had been promoted by SAI of which seven were posted in the state.

Jammu, July 29
A meeting of the finance committee of the University of Jammu was held under the chairmanship of Prof MPS Ishar, Vice-Chancellor.

Professor Ishar apprised the members about the financial scenario of the university and requested the state government to provide liberal funds to it.

A special request was made for enhancing the fund allocation for the examination-related process. The meeting took stock of various national funding schemes and emphasised that all projects sanctioned should be completed on time.

A special mention was made of the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan (PMRP) funding of Rs 56.08 crore as the first instalment for the development of various campuses, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Centre’s special package for upgrading the science infrastructure in government degree colleges.

The promotion of the University Research and Scientific Excellence programme for the science departments and the SAP programmes of the UGC extended to 15 departments of the university were also discussed. The committee sought enhancement in its budgetary provisions, particularly for the office of the Dean, Research Studies, the publication cell, the Rinchen Bzangpo Art Gallery, the Institute of Mountaineering and Environment on the Bhaderwah campus and the Kathua campus. It was resolved that due consideration shall given to it at the time of the finalisation of the revised estimates of the university.

The matter regarding increasing the number of seats for PhD and M Phil scholars was also taken up and it was resolved that the matter should be discussed at a joint committee meeting of the University of Jammu and the University of Kashmir to maintain parity.

Those who took part in the meeting included Mohammed Iqbal Khandey, Principal Secretary to the J&K Government, Department of Finance, and Financial Adviser University of Jammu, Hemant Kumar Sharma, Special Secretary, Higher Education Department, Prof Desh Bandhu Gupta, nominee of the Syndicate, Dr Bupinder Singh, nominee of the Syndicate, Prof Naresh Padha, Registrar.

Jammu, July 29
The All-J&K Movement for Peace and Justice staged a daylong peaceful demonstration to express solidarity with social activist and Gandhian Anna Hazare, who started his fast-unto-death at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

The protesters carried placards and raised slogans in favour of Anna Hazare and demanded a strong Lokpal Bill to curb corruption at the political and administrative level, which, they alleged, was responsible for the miseries of the common man.

Addressing the gathering, speakers criticised the UPA government at the Centre for its “non-seriousness” towards the eradication of corruption and its unwillingness to pass a strong Lokpal Bill having jurisdiction over the working of the Prime Minister, the judiciarythe , CBI and employees of C&D grades.

“It is unfortunate that all parties are non-serious towards eradication of corruption. They seem united to sabotage the movement initiated by Anna Hazare and his team members. The existing corrupt system of the country will be disastrous for the coming generations,” they said.

Prominent among those who addressed the gathering included KK Rao, Deep Singh, Gurtaj Singh, GS Charak, BL Pandita and SN Sapru.

Jammu, July 29
Minister of State for Health and R&B Javed Ahmed Dar, inspected the progress of work on the construction of a new legislative complex at Jammu yesterday. The project is coming up at an estimated cost of Rs 104 crore.

He also reviewed the blueprint of the proposed upcoming legislative complex and visited the construction site to enquire about the status of the work.

Reviewing the facilities being provided at the new legislative block, the minister asked for some modifications in the construction to ensure better facilities.

General Manager, JKPCC, Nayeem Ahmed brought to minister’s notice various suggestions to upgrade the facilities at the council secretariat.

He informed the minister that Rs 4 crore had been spent on the construction from the Rs 19 crore released for the purpose.

The minister also examined the blueprint of the legislative complex block which shall accommodate the Speaker’s office, two floors for the council and two floors for the Assembly besides a central hall, library and parking at the basement.

Dar asked the project construction agency to take necessary measures to accommodate the suggestions and proposals for improving the facilities.

He asked the General Manager, JKPCC, to explore the possibility of getting the work expedited so that the prestigious complex could be completed within the stipulated time frame.

The minister also inspected work on the Indira Gandhi Government Dental College and Hospital being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 31.6 crore. He was told that Rs 6.34 crore had been spent on the project.

The minister expressed satisfaction over the pace of work and asked the contractors to use quality material.

Meanwhile, Dar had a first-hand appraisal of the progress of work on the psychiatry centre at the GMC, Jammu.

He was told that being a part of chest diseases hospital, the project was started in 2010 and was expected to be completed by March 2013.

Kishtwar, July 29
To reach and redress the grievances on the doorstep of the people living in far-flung areas, District Development Commissioner, Kishtwar, Saleem Mohammad convened a public darbar at Gulabgarh, Padder.

The local people appreciated the district administration for redressal of their genuine problems.

Addressing the gathering, he said that development of the inaccessible areas of the district was the priority of the government.

He said development was a continuous process and the impact of the upcoming projects would be felt on the ground once these were completed.

For improvement and development of the agriculture and other allied sectors in the area, he directed the officers concerned to organise awareness camps so that people got the benefits of various schemes.

He said that unemployed youth of the area can avail the benefits of various self- employment schemes and establish their own income generating units.

He urged the farmers of the area to use modern and advanced methods of farming. He also inspected various ongoing developmental works in the area.

Various issues and demands were put forth by deputations at the darbar, which included construction, improvement of roads, upgrade of schools, improvement of power supply system, augmentation of the water supply schemes in the area, adequate staff in schools and medical institutions in the area and timely availability of ration.

Katra, July 29
The District Magistrate, Reasi, Nirmal Sharma, under Section 144 of the CrPC, has prohibited the sale, possession and consumption of alcohol and meat on the track to the holy cave of Katra and the villages having aerial distance up to 2 km from the track, Katra town, Arli village, Hansali, Mutail up to railway station and Parthal village and Danna.

The restrictions have been imposed on Tikri road, including Chamba, Serli and Bhagata, Jammu road including villages Kundorian, Kotli Bajalana, Nomian and up to Magaal and Reasi road, including villages Parthal, Serward to Aghar Jitto and Garn to Pangal (Nau Deviana).

The order will remain in force for two months from the date of its issuance.

Udhampur, July 29
Member of Parliament Lal Singh released a book, “Jammu & Kashmir Ka Gaddi Quabila Ek Pehchan”, authored by president of the All-J&K Gaddi Sabha, Thakar Dass, at a function organised by the sabha at Udhampur today.

Senior Superintendent of Police Ashkor Wani, Additional District Development Commissioner Ram Rattan Sharma, officers of different departments, educationists and prominent people of the town were present on the occasion.

Lauding the efforts of Thakur for bringing out a comprehensive account of the life and culture of the Gaddi community in the shape of a book, Singh said the efforts of the author would go a long way in introducing the Gaddi community on the broader social canvas of the state.

He said the book would serve as an eye-opener as well as a reference for those who were really eager to know the real life of Gaddi tribes.

On the occasion, members of the sabha raised their demands, including due share in job reservation, road connectivity, adequate staff in educational institutions and scholarship to the student community.

Jammu, July 29
Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is all set to make its entry into the state soon. With the franchisee licence having been passed, Jammu and Kashmir will be the 12th and 13th cities, respectively, to have a KFC branch.

The KFC is entering the market at a time when other big names of the food industry such as Café Coffee Day, Barista, Dominos and Smoking Joes Pizza are already popular with the masses.

With the demand for fast food chains growing, the KFC is entering Jammu and Kashmir at a good time when the state plays host to a large number of tourists and pilgrims.

The franchisee licence has been given to a former chairman of J&K Bank.

For a long time now, various international food chains were contemplating to invest in the valley. With the situation changing now, not only are big food and beverages brands more willing to come to Jammu and Kashmir, they are now eyeing the region as a potential investing ground, since both the regions (Jammu and the valley) attract thousands of people throughout the year.

Jammu, July 29
PCC Darnambal and Rising Star Cricket Club have secured a berth in the semifinals of the ongoing 1st Sopore T-20 Cricket Tournament being organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Police Department under Civic Action Programme at Khushal Stadium.

In the first match, PCC Darnambal thrashed Ashraf Sports by 59 runs.

Batting first, PCC scored 110 runs in the stipulated overs.

In reply, PCC bowler’s devastating spell triggered a batting collapse of Ashrar Sports. The whole team was bowled out for 50 runs.

Abdul Hamid of PCC Darnambal was adjudged the man of the match.

In another quarterfinal match, Rising Star defeated Seer Sports by nine wickets. Seer Sports scored 109 runs in the stipulated 20 overs by losing six wickets.

In reply, Rising Star did the needful in 12.5 overs by losing one wicket.

Tariq Ahmed contributed 48 runs for his team and was declared the man of the match.

Jammu, July 29
Neeru Manhas, Sapna Jamwal and Meenu Kumari helped Government College for Women (GCW) Parade to defeat Jammu District XI by 33 runs in the second match of the ongoing Triangular Cricket Series being organised by Angel Coaching Centre, Jammu.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, GCW team posted a challenging total of 154 runs in the stipulated 20 overs for the loss of two wickets. Neeru scored 74 runs off 53 balls and Sapna contributed 42 runs off 56 balls. For Jammu District XI, Isha took one wicket.

In reply, Jammu District XI was bowled out for 121 runs. Nadia was the top scorer with 40 runs off 25 balls. For GCW XI, Meenu took four wickets while Neeru claimed two wickets.

Neeru Manhas was adjudged the man of the match.

The tournament is being held under the supervision of Anju Gupta, Sanjay Pardhan and Sadiq Hussain Malik.

Jammu, July 29
Prinkle Singh of J&K thrashed Sarah Dev of Punjab in two straight sets of the singles summit showdown to lift the trophy at the All India Talent Series Tennis Tournament, organised by Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA) under the aegis of All India Tennis Association (AITA).

In the final match, Prinkle subdued Sarah Dev of Harvest Tennis Academy, Punjabto emerge as a champion in the u-12 girl’s category.

Earlier, in the semifinal match, Prinkle defeated Ashpreet Kour of Chandigarh. — TNS

Jammu, July 29
Parkash Utsav of Guru Harkrishan was celebrated by the Parbhandak Committee of Gurudwara Sahib Sri Kalgidhar, today.

On the occasion, Sikh students who qualified KAS and MBBS examination were also honoured. — TNS