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Building collapses as MC drags feet
A car crushed under the debris of a building that collapsed following overnight rain in the Pakka Danga area of Jammu on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma
Traders accuse MC officials of demanding money
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Power Dept turns to CFL to curb losses
Residents stage dharna
Beggars have a free run in city
Traffic signals to start blinking from tomorrow
Revival of monsoon washes away drought fear
Farmers sow paddy saplings after a fresh spell of rain near the international border in Suchetgarh area of RS Pura on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Inderjeet Singh
Limited budget hampers sports activities
SC welfare board hears public grievances in Kathua
budha amarnath
23 Rashtriya Rifles celebrates raising day
GRP alerts passengers against ‘poison gang’
Shams-ul-Haq Club log win
Mudassir, Azhar script win for MCC Red
hockey meet
Two lecturers held for making MMS
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Building collapses as MC drags feet
Jammu, August 1 “The engineering wing officials did nothing to dismantle the building. They were apparently waiting for a tragedy to happen,” a source said, adding that the building belonged to the custodian department and there was a dispute between the leaseholder and the tenants. Sources said the civic body had served a notice on the occupants, directing them to vacate the building. “The corporation had decided to serve another notice before dismantling the structure,” they added. With old and dilapidated buildings continuing to dot the city, there is nobody to keep a tab on their structural integrity. Even the municipal corporation doesn’t have any data on such buildings. Several buildings across the city have developed cracks and can crash anytime, but the civic body has not bothered to carry out a comprehensive survey on such buildings. “A group of former councillors had also raised the issue and demanded the identification of unsafe buildings in the city, but the authorities didn’t take it seriously. Since the officials do not have any data, they cannot even serve notices to the occupants of these buildings, knowing that lives were at risk,” a source said. Former Mayor Narinder Singh said: “Under the Municipal Act, the dismantling of buildings declared unsafe by the civic body is a disciplinary and obligatory function and if the officials concerned don’t discharge their duties effectively, it amounts to criminal negligence.” He alleged that several unsafe buildings, which could crumble anytime, had not been dismantled by the civic body. Babu Ram, Joint Commissioner (Administration), MC, admitted that the engineering wing officials were directed to dismantle the building after it was declared unsafe. “We had asked our engineering wing to dismantle the building, but they couldn’t remove the old structure following a lengthy procedure,” he said. On data pertaining to unsafe and dangerous buildings in the city, the Joint Commissioner said they had not carried out any such survey. “We are contemplating going for a survey of all unsafe and dangerous buildings located within the municipal limits,” he said. The civic body has never carried out a survey on such structures to assess their structural integrity. "The engineering wing officials did nothing to dismantle the building. They were apparently waiting for a tragedy to
happen" — A source "Under the Municipal Act, the dismantling of buildings declared unsafe by the civic body is a disciplinary and obligatory function and if the officials concerned don’t discharge their duties effectively, it amounts to criminal
negligence" — Narinder Singh, former Mayor "We had asked our engineering wing to dismantle the building, but they couldn’t remove the old structure following a lengthy procedure... We are contemplating going for a survey of all unsafe buildings located within the MC
limits" — Babu Ram, Joint Commissioner (Administration), MC |
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Traders accuse MC officials of demanding money
Jammu, August 1 Interacting with The Tribune, they alleged though the government had fixed fee for the renewal and registration of their business concerns, some employees were demanding money from them before accepting their forms. “They are openly demanding money and no one has taken notice of the violation. Most traders relent as they don’t want to be harassed by certain clerks,” said Sunil Kumar, who runs a shop in Roop Nagar. Under the new order issued by the Commissioner Food Safety, all food business operators have been directed to renew their existing licences granted under the repealed Food Act/Order under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Food Safety and Standards (Licensing & Regulation of Food Business) Regulations, 2011. Pritam, who runs a shop at Janipur, said employees had fixed different rates for different people. “They seek anything between Rs 200 and Rs 500 from traders. In some cases, dhaba and restaurant owners have paid Rs 1,000 for the licence,” said another trader. YV Sharma, president, Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), said: “I will take up the issue with the MC Commissioner and if any trader has been asked to pay money, they should approach me.” He said it was a matter of grave concern that such allegations had been levelled against corporation officials. Under the Food Safety and Standard Act, food business manufactures have to keep their premises free from the growth of mould, fungi and infection. “The workers involved in the preparation of food have to wear clean aprons, hand gloves, headgear and keep their nails trimmed. They have to wash their hands and do the dishes with detergent before commencing their work,” the new Act stipulates. MC Commissioner KL Khajuria was not available for comments. Licence renewal Under the new order issued by the Commissioner Food Safety, all food business operators have been directed to renew their existing licences
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Power Dept turns to CFL to curb losses
Jammu, August 1 Officials said awareness programmes in association with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) would be organised in the coming months, targeting educational institutions, industry, corporate sector and NGOs. A seminar was recently organised at the SKICC, Srinagar, to discuss the strategy to effectively implement the project in the state, where transmission and distribution losses had reached 60 per cent. During the seminar, attended by PDD Principal Secretary Sudanshu Pandey and other top officials of department, the need to involve NGOs in the campaign was felt, a source said. A survey suggests that the replacement of 400 million incandescent bulbs with CFLs can save 6,000 MW of energy in the country. Under the scheme, 14 electric companies have agreed to manufacture CFLs in bulk and supply these to the 19 states that have agreed to popularise the use of these lamps. Around 28 million CFLs will be distributed among the consumers in the next few years. Minister of State for Power Shabir Ahmed Khan said they were planning to raise awareness among people about the need to save electricity. “The cooperation of people is necessary if we have to streamline the distribution of power to save energy. We are seeking the help of the Central government for the purpose and will involve consumers in various campaigns,” Khan said. In a bid to bring about major reforms in the power sector, the state has already conceived an energy accounting plan, particularly for Jammu and Srinagar. This envisages tallying of electricity units distributed from a particular feeder during a specified period with revenue collections made thereto. The number of e-metered consumers ending December 2011 has reached 2.75 lakh against 6 lakh consumers in the Jammu division. The department needs Rs 65.05 crore for the purchase of 3.15 lakh electronic meters to ensure 100 per cent e-metering of consumers. Energy-saver A survey indicates that the replacement of 400 million incandescent bulbs with CFLs can save 6,000 MW of energy in the country. Around 28 million CFLs will be distributed among the consumers in the next few years e-metering process The number of e-metered consumers ending December 2011 has reached 2.75 lakh against 6 lakh consumers in the Jammu division. The department needs Rs 65.05 crore for the purchase of 3.15 lakh electronic meters to ensure 100 per cent e-metering of consumers |
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Residents stage dharna
Jammu, August 1 The protesters staged a dharna around 6 am. Poonch Additional SP Yugal Manhas and SDM Ranjit Singh visited the scene and pacified the protesters in the evening. They said two persons had been arrested in this regard. |
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Beggars have a free run in city
Jammu, August 1 “Beggars have become a nuisance especially for those waiting for public transport at marketplaces. These children mob bystanders and leave only after getting what they want. Nobody stops them from doing so,” said Rasmeet Kour, a government employee. “They sometimes try to embarrass people into giving them money. This is not a kind of situation someone wants to be in,” she added. Beggars can be found outside temples and mosques seeking money from visitors. Their other hotspots include the bus stand, Raghunath temple, railway station, taxi stand, Jewel chowk and Kachi Chawani areas, which remain abuzz with tourists. The administration has turned a blind eye to the illegal practice, as it has failed to take steps against the organised “syndicate” active in the city. Most beggars belong to other states and have been forced into the “profession” by a mafia, sources said. Most beggars are brought from other parts of the country under a well-planned strategy not only to fleece people but also to commit petty crimes, they added.
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Traffic signals to start blinking from tomorrow
Jammu, August 1 “We will move in a phased manner. In the phase first, which will start in a couple of days, electric traffic signal lights (ETSL) will be made operational at 10 select locations in the city,” he said while interacting with mediapersons. Khan said the authorities concerned had been considering all possibilities for the execution of the traffic norms in a better way. “The Traffic Police is not the only agency responsible for the smooth regulation of traffic, as agencies like the Jammu municipal corporation, the Jammu Development Authority, the Road and Buildings Department, etc. are also involved and they need to work in coordination for better execution of the plans and proposals.” On the existing condition of roads and load of vehicles, Khan said the issues were taken into account prior to the installation of the ETSL. “We know the condition of roads and their capacity to hold traffic. Even the executing agencies have been studying all possibilities to further improve the situation. There are some major projects in the pipeline but everything does not come under our domain. The traffic police deals with the regulation and enforcement part,” he added. “Traffic chaos can never be minimised until each agency concerned takes the responsibility,” he said on the traffic situation in the city. He said VIPs or protected persons were not immune to the traffic norms. The ADGP (Law and Order), ADGP (Security) and IGPs had issued necessary instructions to escorts vehicles to stop at traffic lights. A private firm, Omax, had installed traffic signals at 30 locations in the city under the supervision of the municipal corporation, but these had not been made operational despite several deadlines since June 18. Traffic police To hire daily wagers * To tackle the shortage of manpower in the Traffic Police, the authorities are mulling engaging daily wagers for the job. “We have started the process in the Valley and it has proved to be of great help for the department. I will take up the matter with the Jammu IGP soon,” said IGP (Traffic) Muneer Khan. Khan said the department was suffering from manpower crisis for a long time and engaging locals on a part-time basis would help the department in executing plans to improve traffic situation in the cities "We will move in a phased manner. In the phase first, which will start in a couple of days, electric traffic signal lights will be made operational at 10 select locations in the city... Traffic chaos can never be minimised until each agency concerned takes the responsibility" — Muneer Khan, J&K IGP (Traffic)
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Revival of monsoon washes away drought fear
Jammu, August 1 The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said monsoon rains were expected to remain active across Jammu for the next few days. The frequent and fresh spells of rain has also reduced the gap between normal and deficient rainfall to just 20 per cent. Till last week, Jammu had recorded 45 per cent deficient rainfall as compared to last year. “At present, monsoon is highly active in Jammu and it has increased the rainfall considerably. Overall, the state has received rains deficient by 20 per cent to date. As far as Jammu is concerned, the rain is deficit by just 8 per cent, which is considered near-normal,” said Sonam Lotus, Director, IMD, J&K. He said the frequent rains had reduced the gap between normal and deficient monsoon considerably. “From June 1 to August 1, Jammu had received 367 mm rainfall, while Srinagar, the summer capital of the state, had recorded just 46 mm rainfall,” he said. The IMD director said the frequent rains were beneficial for irrigation purposes, groundwater table and growth of crops. He, however, said Kashmir had been witnessing hot and humid conditions. “The prevailing hot conditions will continue for next few days. We are expecting light rains in the next couple of days,” he predicted. According to statistics, Jammu received 96 mm rainfall since last night, while it was 136 mm in Katra, 104 mm in Udhampur, 80 mm in Kathua and Samba. Dr MK Khushu, Chief Scientist, Agrometeorology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu, opined that though frequent rains have negated the drought-like situation, the prevailing conditions too were not good for maize crop and pulses. “Except paddy, frequent rains are not good for crops like maize and pulses,” he added. Last year, Jammu had recorded 688.8 mm rainfall, which was 74 per cent more than normal (388.4 mm). Meanwhile, heavy downpours led to chaotic situation in many localities within the limits of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), with rainwater gushing into houses. On the Jammu-Sidhra road, traffic remained disrupted for sometime due to landslides at three to four places. |
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Limited budget hampers sports activities
Jammu, August 1 The J&K State Sports Council get its annual grant under two categories - non-plan and plan. Under non-plan, it gets amount to the tune of Rs 40 lakh, which is further distributed among various sports associations to conduct activities. Similarly, an amount of Rs 50 lakh is received by the Sports Council under plan every year, which is to be kept reserved for hosting tournaments of national repute. Sources said the sports associations had expressed dissatisfaction over the meagre allocation of grant-in-aid and on numerous occasions they had approached the authorities for increase in the grant under both plan and non-plan. With as many as eight national tournaments in multi disciplines to be hosted by J&K this year, the state associations are expressing concern over the grim scenario. “Though with limited budget we shall be able to host the tournaments, but not with great success”, said an official of the State Sports Council. “Upcoming senior national badminton tournament slated to be held in September will feature none other than India’s ace shuttler Saina Nehwal. But at the same time, the council must ensure that adequate grant is provided to the badminton association for a successful event”, he maintained. Meanwhile, available infrastructure at MA Stadium in Jammu is also not sufficient for the sportspersons to prepare themselves for important competitions. The basketball court, which was once among the busiest courts in MA Stadium complex, is in a shambles. Due to unknown reasons, the authorities had closed it for some repair work. As a result, the J&K Basketball Association had instructed the players to attend practice session at Mini Stadium, Parade, as a make-shift arrangement. “What is the fun of constructing more stadiums when the authorities are not able to maintain the existing infrastructure”, said one of the office-bearers of the association. “Both the Sports Council and the state government have failed to gain the confidence of sportspersons because of lack of vision”, he claimed.
The pathetic condition of swimming pool at MA Stadium complex has also exposed the tall claims of authorities to strengthen the sports infrastructure. The office-bearers of the J&K Swimming Association are blaming the authorities for the present mess. “We have requested the authorities a number of times to renovate the pool but they are least bothered to listen our grievances”, said one of the office-bearers of the association. |
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SC welfare board hears public grievances in Kathua
Kathua, August 1 Besides Kathua Deputy Commissioner Zahida Parveen Khan and officers of the district administration, the meeting was attended by members of the Board Suraj Parkash and Dhian Chand. Budhi sarpanch Shiv Kumar, naib sarpanch Budhi Devi Dass, Nagrota sarpanch Kamal Sharma, naib sarpanch Sounthal Varinder Singh, sarpanch Mearth Mohan Lal, Captain (retd) Sagra Singh, and a large number of people were also present on the occasion. The public representatives highlighted the demands of their respective areas, which included construction of roads, regular supply of ration, augmentation of water facilities and installation of high-capacity transformers etc. The locals of Bundhi village demanded the construction of a circular road in the village, augmentation of drinking water and upgradation of power infrastructure to overcome problem of low voltage in the SC Mohalla. They also demanded a tube well and a new transformer for the SC Mohalla. They also demanded early construction of Gujjar Basti road. Sounthal sarpanch demanded passenger sheds and scholarships for the SC students while Mearth sarpanch demanded pension for widows. DDC Zahida Khan listed the development and welfare schemes implemented for the SC community in the area. She said during the last financial year, most of the untied funds were utilised to help the poor and needy people. Responding to the demand of a tube well, she said the same had been projected under centrally sponsored scheme. The DDC passed instructions to the BDOs to utilise funds for the construction of lanes and drains in SC bastis. She also assured the people that Bhudhi-Thanoon road would soon be taken up by the PWD.
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Over 25,000 take part in Chhari yatra
Darshan Bharti
Poonch, August 1 The Chhari poojan began at 7 am in Dashnami Akhara here with the chanting of Vedic mantras. Choudhary Lal Singh, MP and Brigadier MK Mago were among those who performed the Chhari poojan. Later, a function was organised at Dashnami Akhara Hall where Shabir Khan, Minister of State for Power, MLA Haveli Ajaz Jan, Poonch Superintendent of Police P Shamsheer Hussain and Deputy Commissioner Anwar Hussain Shah also participated. Speaking on the occasion, Swami Vishavatma Nand Sarasvati ji maharaj said “The holy mace is a symbolic weapon against evil forces and the people of Poonch have strengthened it by organising such yatra”. Brigadier MK Mago, Commander, Poonch Brigade, congratulated the people of Poonch for maintaining communal harmony in Poonch district. He also praised all other religions who had set up stalls en route to Budha Amarnath yatra. The yatra passed through Nangali Sahib, Chandak and reached Budha Amarnath at 4 pm. After Chhari poojan, it (Chhari) was kept with Chhatani Shivalingam at Budha Amarnath. With this, a total of over 1 lakh pilgrims have already paid obeisance at Budha Amarnath this year. Hundreds of stalls of eatables were set up by various religious and social organisations en route to Budha Amarnath. The Army had also organised langar at various places.
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23 Rashtriya Rifles celebrates raising day
Banihal, August 1 A press release issued by the Army said since 1994 valiant soldiers of 23 RR had eliminated 135 militants, captured 28, got 14 surrendered and recovered 46 caches by busting 79 hideouts of militants. Only last year, 23 RR was decorated with one Shaurya Chakra, five Sena medals, three Chief of Army Staff commendation medals and 2 Northern GoC-in-C commendation cards for eliminating the top HM Commanders, Moosa and Quara, along with their accomplices from Banihal.
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GRP alerts passengers against ‘poison gang’
Jammu, August 1 The GRP has pasted notices around the Jammu railway station to beware passengers of the ‘poision gang’, whose modus operandi is to befriend people before looting them. Shiv Kumar, Superintendent of Police, GRP, said, “The gang was active 4-5 years ago and it has come into action again. Though no such case has been registered at the Jammu railway station, there have been cases at Katra, Jammu bus stand and railway stations in Punjab”. “Since Jammu railway station is one of the busiest railway station in northern India, it can be targeted anytime by these people”, he added. The police says these people travel on trains with proper reservation and after befriending co-passengers, offer them biscuits or other food items laced with a special salt, which makes them unconscious and if not treated, turns poisonous.
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Shams-ul-Haq Club log win
Jammu, August 1 Earlier, batting first, Shams-ul-Haq was bundled out for paltry 79 runs. Muhammad Ashraf with 26 runs was the top scorer. In reply, Rehmat Club made mess of a modest target and the team was all out for 52 runs.
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Mudassir, Azhar script win for MCC Red
Jammu, August 1 Batting first after winning the toss, MCC Red accumulated 185 runs for the loss of nine wickets in the allotted overs. Mudassir played a splendid unbeaten knock of 70 runs while Azhar Dar chipped in with a handy 34 runs in quick succession. For KVCC, Yasir Beig was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets whereas Adnan Nazir took two wickets. In reply, KVCC suffered a dramatic batting collapse as its batsmen gifted their wickets away by playing reckless shots. The whole team was skittled out for 104 runs in 25.4 overs. For MCC Red, Azhar Dar, after his heroics with the bat, produced a lethal spell to grab four important wickets. Ajaz Ahmed snared two wickets. — TNS
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Khalsa Club defeat Deedarpora Club 4-2
Tribune News Service
Jammu, August 1 Deedarpora Club had their chances in the first half but could not manage to deliver the knock-out punch. Khalsa Club, on the other hand, grabbed the scoring opportunities with both hands by scoring as many as two goals in the first half. Ramandeep Singh struck in the 13th minute to drew first blood for the winner club. Gurpreet Singh then slammed another goal in the 22nd minute to make it 2-0. The match was officiated by Ravi Raj Singh, Manjeet Singh, Ranbir Singh and Jatinder Singh.
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Two lecturers held for making MMS
Jammu, August 1 Although police officers are tightlipped over the incident, sources said two lecturers had made an MMS of a minor girl student of their school. The MMS was made some days ago but it came to light on Sunday when the accused reportedly showed the MMS to some of their colleagues. The police has detained both the lecturers for further investigation. — TNS |
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A portion of an unsafe building collapsed following overnight rains at the historic Pacca Danga market this morning. While residents and pedestrians had a narrow escape, a Maruti car suffered extensive damage in the incident. The Jammu municipal corporation had declared the building unsafe a few days ago and it had also ordered its engineering wing to dismantle it.
Jammu, August 1
After a fortnight-long break of rains, the revival of “active monsoon” in Jammu and Kashmir has diminished the fear of drought - which was earlier predicted by the weatherman following delayed and weak monsoon - in the state.
