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Harrowing time for commuters
Teachers welcome govt’s decision
Hotels’ body suggests steps to minimise casualties
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Auto-rickshaw drivers fleecing passengers
Cost factor derails project to install GPS in vehicles
Raksha Bandhan celebrated with fervour in city
Rajouri school exposes govt’s claims
Distance Education Directorate to start online admissions
Engineering courses most preferred at BGSBU
ICCR felicitates international scholar from Namibia
Sports Dept gears up for upcoming events
SCC, Madina Club register wins
Surjeet Club, Khalsa Blues end in a draw
Sportspersons appointed under SRO 349/58
City School thrash BHS Sonwar
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Harrowing time for commuters
Jammu, August 2 Bumper-to-bumper traffic coupled with haphazard parking alongside congested roads in the old city areas made the situation more chaotic, with jams extending for hours. And if this was not enough, ‘unplanned’ digging at several places for laying sewer lines and the absence of traffic policemen from ‘vital points’ compounded the problems of the commuters. “There was absolutely no parking space in most market places, especially in the old city areas. We remained stuck in a long traffic jam for an hour at Jain Bazar because the vehicles were parked haphazardly on both sides of the road,” complained Shilpa Khajuria of the Pacci Dhaki area. She said there was no civil or traffic policeman to regulate vehicles caught in traffic jams. “It has become a routine problem in the old city, particularly during festivals as policemen remain conspicuous by their absence and don’t bother about hardships of the people,” Khajuria said. Ankush Sharma, a resident of New Plot said, “It took me one and half hours to reach Janipur because of huge traffic jam due to poor condition of road and mismanagement on the part of regulatory authorities. The authorities should have kept in mind that many people would be out in view of Raksha Bandhan and made necessary arrangements accordingly. But traffic policemen were absent from the vital points, which led to frequent traffic snarls on the stretch.” He regretted that the condition of New Plot-Janipur road had worsen as it had not been repaired and blacktopped after the digging work. The policemen were also not present on checkpoints in the old city areas, leaving commuters to wade through frequent traffic snarls. The commuters were found violating traffic norms with impunity and that too near checkposts by parking their vehicles illegally in ‘no parking zones’. The Traffic Department’s drive to tow away vehicles and issue challans to the violators also remained cosmetic and they were found ignoring “visible violations” on |
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Teachers welcome govt’s decision
Jammu, August 2 Approval for these posts was accorded by the state Cabinet yesterday. It is unprecedented in the history of Higher Education Department as such a large number of posts were neither created nor approved in one go. The association said this move would not only address the problems of student community but also provide an employment opportunity to eligible and highly educated youth of the state, who, otherwise were employed as contractual lecturers on modest salaries. The association had been time and again emphasising for removal of ad hoc system in the teaching department. It expects that a reduced dependence on contractual employment will result in availability of more funds for infrastructural development in the colleges. |
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Hotels’ body suggests steps to minimise casualties
Jammu, August 2 The association has congratulated the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, the state government and all private stakeholders for managing such a heavy rush of pilgrims with 30,000 to 40,000 people undertaking journey on the narrow slippery tracks daily.
The association described uneven rush of pilgrims at different times of the yatra being one of the reasons for some of the casualties. To avoid such cases in future, it has been suggested that a mechanism should be evolved so the number of pilgrims undertaking the yatra remains almost even during the entire period.The association demanded that the time duration of the yatra should be increased so that the cases of accidents could be minimised. The association demanded that since the natural formation of snowlingam of Lord Shiva is the main attraction and inspiration for the pilgrims, it has suggested keeping the snowlingam intact for a longer period through scientific methods by availing services of the DRDO. The AJHLA has also suggested to set up more health camps on way to the yatra and making available oxygen cylinders after every 2 km distance as well as mobile healthcare services. To check the pilgrims with health-related problems, particularly with heart diseases, the AJHLA has suggested that health fitness certificates should be issued by the SASB through its medical officers at the registration counters across the country. The association has also hailed the decision to extend the duration of Kailash yatra in Bhaderwah from 3 to 15 days this year. It has, however, demanded that fares of helicopter services for Kailash yatra should be reduced. It has also demanded reduction in the helicopter fares for Machail yatra in Kishtwar.
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Auto-rickshaw drivers fleecing passengers
Jammu, August 2 This was the first-hand experience of Anamika Sharma, a 25-year-old girl who boarded an auto-rickshaw for Shakuntla from Shastri Nagar. She had to shell out Rs 25 per km and that too after bargaining with driver. However, as per rates fixed by the government, for the first one km, the charges are Rs 14 and for subsequent kilometres Rs 11. The auto unions have demanded that these rates should be revised keeping in view the increase in fuel charges. “Since I have my own conveyance, I never faced this kind of harassment. But, yesterday, I had to board an auto rickshaw for some reason and it was my worst experience. Firstly, there are no rules for the auto-rickshaw drivers to follow. Secondly, there are no meters installed in their vehicles. If they can overcharge a local person, I wonder how they will treat a tourist,” she said. “After this experience, I believe that in future an auto-rickshaw will not be affordable for me in any case. It is better to travel via minibuses in case of an emergency rather than boarding a three-wheeler,” she added. In some instances, many commuters alleged that whenever one asks for turning the meter on, most drivers have a simple reply that it is not working. However, the auto-rickshaw operators hold the Transport Department responsible for the non-installation and non-functioning of electronic meters in their three-wheelers. “The meter costs more than Rs 3,000 and it is out of our reach. The petrol prices have increased number of times. How can we survive on the fares fixed by the government,” asked Kulvinder Singh, an auto-rickshaw driver. |
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Cost factor derails project to install GPS in vehicles
Jammu, August 2 Officials said since a GPS instrument costs Rs 6,000, vehicle owners are not showing interest in the project. Further, the project of High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) is also moving at a snail’s pace in view of increasing number of vehicles plying on the roads of Jammu. The number of vehicles in Jammu has reached nearly 5 lakh. “Despite tall claims by the government to streamline traffic in Jammu and Kashmir, many of the projects initiated by the government have failed because of lack of effective planning,” said an official. The government had constituted a committee to examine the mechanism of the project but due to cost factor and huge exercise involved, officials received cold feet. “It can help in tracking the vehicle if it gets stolen. The system will notify the owner of the vehicle by phone or e-mail when its alarm gets activated and indicate its location,” an official said. Insurance companies in the state were also approached by the government for giving insurance cover to all old and new vehicles only after they are fitted with GPS, but they are also not complying with it. As per the plan, GPS equipment was to be installed in State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) buses and trucks also. However, Minister for Transport Qamar Ali Akhoon said it involved lot of technical details. “We are implementing the project and people from the department are studying the ways to coordinate it. It will be implemented by the end of this year,” the minister said. GPS can provide useful information about the vehicle’s position and can prove to be a powerful navigation tool for drivers. Further, it would also provide some respite to the traffic police, which is facing shortage of manpower. “The Traffic Department has been resenting shortage of staff for the past many years. Use of technology can help the department in dealing with such problems,” said Krishan Chand Bhagat, a senior citizen and a local resident. At present, he said, the department was facing 50 per cent shortage of manpower, as it had a strength of only 280 policemen in the city. Benefits of GPS
It can help in tracking the vehicle if it gets stolen. The Global Positioning System (GPS) will notify the owner of the vehicle by phone or e-mail when its alarm gets activated and indicate its location |
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Raksha Bandhan celebrated with fervour in city
Jammu, August 2 Since early morning, women and girls wearing new clothes were seen travelling on two-wheelers, cars and public transport to reach at their brothers’ residences in different parts of the city. Before tying the thread, a ‘tilak’ is applied on the forehead of brothers and prayers are offered for their long life and happiness. In return, sisters are showered with gifts. The festival falls on the Shravan Purnima, which generally comes in the month of August. Though main markets remained closed in the city due to festival, the shops selling ‘rakhis’, kites and strings, besides sweet shops were open and did a Heavy rush was witnessed on the roads in the city and everyone was in a hurry to buy gifts and reach at his/her destination. Since the festival has a special significance of kite flying in Jammu and adjoining towns, people, especially men, enjoyed kite flying throughout the day. The sky remained dotted with colourful kites. In many localities, people had erected temporary sheds using bed covers or tents as shields against the sun and played loud music amid kite flying. "We may argue over silly things, but when need arises, we always stand for each other. My sister is a year younger to me, but I sometimes feel like an over-protective father to her," said Rahul Sharma, a government employee. For those who could not be with their siblings on this day, mails and phone calls started pouring since early in the day. Nisha Pandita, a local resident, said, “My brother works in Mumbai, so I posted him a ‘rakhi’. He called me early in the morning to say that my gift is on its way”. Meanwhile, prayers were held at all the major temples of the city which were specially decorated for the occasion. |
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Rajouri school exposes govt’s claims
Rajouri, August 2 “As many as 38 children of five classes are studying in a single room,” said a local resident. “A majority of the students belongs to farmers’ family who are unable to make their ends meet. For this reason, they cannot afford to admit their children in private schools and thus enrol them in this primary educational institution,” said another local resident. According to the locals, the school was established around 10-12 years ago when Soba Ram, a resident of the village donated his land to the school authorities on contract to provide government service to one of his family members as a cook in the school. He locked the school two years ago after his daughter-in-law Jogindra Devi, who was appointed as a cook in the school, was fired from her services without any salary after working for one year in school. This forced Soba Ram to take the extreme step to close the school. He also alleged that she was terminated from services under conspiracy to adjust some close relative of a teacher. The Chief Education Officer, Makhan Lal Sharma, said: “We are aware about the problem and an FIR against him has been lodged”. On queries about the appointment of a new cook, he said, “We cannot terminate anyone who has been appointed under the SSA. We are trying to sought out the matter”. Makhan Lal said over 200 schools set up by the government under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in the district had been closed owing to dispute of land cases. This further forced the school authorities to run schools at rented accommodations. “We are taking this problem to the higher authorities,” he said. “Despite the claims made by the government about the massive infrastructure upgradation in the education sector, our school has been ignored and they are forced to study under a single roof,” said a parent of a student. “We have apprised the senior functionaries in the Directorate of School Education and the district administration about the problems faced by the students due to insufficient space. We have also sought construction of a new building, but the officials have turned deaf ears to our repeated pleas,” the locals said. |
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Distance Education Directorate to start online admissions
Jammu, August 2 This decision will help students get admission form online which they can submit at seven centres i.e. Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Bhaderwah, Kistwar, Kathua and Udhampur. These forms along with requisite documents can also be submitted at the main office of the directorate, where admissions will be made to all courses on the basis of qualification and merit except for B.Ed and M.Ed. The online procedure will make it simpler for the students to apply for the distance education courses as they will not be required to travel all the way to Jammu just to fill the admission form. An official of the Distance Education Directorate said, “The aim is to take higher education to every part of the state. Last year we saw 15,000 applicants and this year we are aiming at doubling this number”. With the number of applicants increasing every year, the online admission process could indeed double the number of applicants this year. Though officials are yet to decide on how study material would be dispatched to students applying online, the move has been welcomed by the students.
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Engineering courses most preferred at BGSBU
Jammu, August 2 Around 3,400 candidates applied for admission to different courses, out of which 2,000 candidates applied only for engineering courses. The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof IA Hamal, said: “The institution has become a hub of higher learning in the state and the university is making new strides in academics”. The university has also finalised admissions to Masters Degree courses. These include Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Computer Applications (MCA), Master of Applied Mathematics Financial Management (MBA-FM), Master of Science in Information Technology (MSc IT), Master in Arabic (MAR). The admission process for Masters programme in Bio-resources and Biotechnology is through national level test conducted by the Jawharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, is in progress. BGSBU has also admitted students to Bachelors Degree courses in Computer Applications (BCA), Business Administration (BBA) and professional Diploma Engineering programme in Electronics and Communication, Electrical, Civil and Mechanical Engineering. The University has earned recognition under 12B from the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 2011. It has also received 11th Plan Grants from the state government and UGC for infrastructure development.
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ICCR felicitates international scholar from Namibia
Jammu, August 2 The Regional Director of ICCR, Balwant Thakur, felicitated the first scholar coming to Jammu, Tshivolo Tshandyemwene Renatte from Namibia, Africa, who is going to pursue her Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences (BVSc & AH) course at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu. Renatte has won the ICCR Scholarship under the Africa Scholarship Scheme through the High Commission of India in Namibia. Thakur said, “With the opening of ICCR’s regional centre in Jammu, the inflow of the foreign students and scholars has started. I hoped that more foreign students will be awarded scholarships to study in the state”. “One of the major activities of the ICCR is its scholarship programme. The ICCR annually offers about 2,325 scholarships under 21 scholarship schemes. Of these scholarships, 675 are exclusively for Afghanistan and 500 for African countries. There are students in India under these schemes from about 80 countries. Most of the scholarship holders come from developing countries in Asia, Africa, South and Central America,” said Thakur.
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Sports Dept gears up for upcoming events
Jammu, August 2 Chaotic scenes were witnessed during the previous edition of inter-school competitions at JU, wherein the participants got confused due to competitions in four disciplines being held at same venue. It included taek won do, wushu, badminton and judo. The parents of these sportspersons who came in large number to watch their ward’s performance strongly objected the move of the DYSS to organise events in an unorganised manner. According to sources, in order to organise the upcoming sports activities in a smooth manner, DYSS has already issued instructions to all sports officers of different districts regarding forthcoming calendar of the activities. “After a bitter experience in the previous inter-school competitions, we definitely do not want to repeat the same mistake this time and for that we have already started the process of finalising the venues for the competitions in advance so that the officials do not panic”, a senior official of DYSS said . Sources said the DYSS had good terms with the J&K State Sports Council because of which they usually allow the department to utilise its infrastructure for conducting competitions (especially indoor). But after the alleged misunderstanding, the Sports Council had decided to deny DYSS its infrastructure that eventually forced the officials to look for other options. The DYSS then approached the University of Jammu and succeeded in getting their consent for utilising the venue to conduct competitions. Sources said that the DYSS on numerous occasions had sent a proposal to the authorities for creation of infrastructure but nothing significant has been done so far except from repeated assurances. When contacted, Jai Pal Singh, director, Youth Services and Sports admitted that lack of infrastructure was the main hurdle for the department to become self-reliant. “We are trying our level best to apprise the authorities about the shortcomings of the department, including lack of infrastructure, and hope that the matter will be sorted out soon”, DYSS director said.
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SCC, Madina Club register wins
Jammu, August 2 In the first match, SCC defeated Shining Star by 41 runs. Batting first, SCC scored 145 runs for the loss of nine wickets in the allotted overs. Muzaffar with 60 runs was the highest scorer and Bilal contributed 35 runs. Shahid Bhat took five wickets for Shining Star. In reply, Shining Star was bowled out for 104 runs. Mehraj was the only batsman who showed some resistance with a defiant knock of 20 runs. Muzaffar took three and Parvez took two wickets for SCC. In the second match, Madina Cricket Club thrashed Sahil XI by four wickets. Batting first, Sahil XI scored 128 runs for the loss of seven wickets. Amir with 28 and Imran with 26 runs were highest scorers. Vilayat took two wickets for Madina Cricket Club. In reply, Madina Cricket Club did the needful for the loss of six wickets. Arshad Ahmad with 39 runs and Hilal with 23 runs were main scorers. Shuja took five wickets for Sahil XI.
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Surjeet Club, Khalsa Blues end in a draw
Jammu, August 2 Khalsa Club got off to a flying start by taking an early lead of 2-0 but Surjeet Club managed their way back in the contest in the second half to make the contest interesting. For Khalsa Club, Jagjit Singh scored both the goals in the 11th and 26th minutes, respectively. In the second half, Manjit Singh struck the goal for Surjeet Club in the 42nd minute. Later, Parvinder Singh scored an equaliser in the 54th minute. — TNS |
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Sportspersons appointed under SRO 349/58
Jammu, August 2 These sportspersons include Rupsi Bali, Bhanu Partap Singh, Sandeep Sharma, and Richa Sabarwal. They have been appointed as laboratory assistant in the education department. The salaries of the appointees will not be drawn and disbursed unless a satisfactory report about the verification of their character antecedents is received from IGP, CID to whom a reference will be made by the respective administration departments/HODs. |
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City School thrash BHS Sonwar
Jammu, August 2 Batting first, Boys High School team scored 141 runs in 28 overs. Zahid was the top scorer with 32 runs. Sahil and Zahid took three and two wickets, respectively for City School. In reply, City School overhauled the required target for the loss of six wickets. Majid scored 29 runs. Azam took two wickets for Boys High School team. |
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Hundreds of commuters had a harrowing time on the city roads today as they waded through long traffic jams due to heavy rush.
If you are planning to commute by an auto-rickshaw in Jammu city, then it is surely going to be a pathetic experience as the auto-rickshaw drivers have no rules and regulations to follow. In addition to this, the non-installation and non-functioning of electronic meters in three-wheelers make it unaffordable for the common man.
Raksha Bandhan was celebrated with traditional pomp and gaiety in the city. Girls and women tied colourful ‘rakhis’ on the wrists of their brothers as a mark of trust whereas young and old men enjoyed kite flying during the day.
The first international scholar coming to the state was felicitated today at the Regional Headquarters of Indian Council for Cultural Relations
(ICCR).
The Jammu Hoteliers’ Association has, however, expressed grief over the demise of over 100 pilgrims during the course of yatra due to health problems and about 40 deaths in road accidents at different places.