The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Rain shelters turn beggars’ paradise
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 16
Constructed for the benefit of commuters travelling by public transport, rain shelters in the city have become resting places for beggars. In the absence of any action by the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), most of these are not being used by commuters anymore.

Most shelters have been rendered useless for commuters who use public transport to reach their destinations every day.

These shelters have turned out to be a waste of money as these are not being utilised for the purpose these were constructed for. At some places, fruit sellers are using them for storing their stock.

“These are meant for the benefit of passengers and the authorities need to create awareness regarding this. Beggars should be removed from these places,” says Sunil Sangral, a local resident.

Commuters allege that at some places drug addicts can be seen using rain shelters during evening hours, which poses a threat to people.

The rain shelters at Gole Market, Women College, Gandhi Nagar, Jewel Chowk, Amphalla, the main stop and at Parade have been totally encroached upon by beggars. The begging menace has assumed alarming proportions in Jammu city.

“They have become a nuisance for people, particularly tourists as they follow them in markets. Though they are mostly children, their handlers are always near them keeping a close watch,” said a shopkeeper at Gandhi Nagar.

Being a city of temples, Jammu is a paradise for beggars, who mostly come here from other states such as Odisha, Bihar, Rajasthan and Gujarat along with their families with the hope of getting good alms here.

“Beggars in Jammu are mostly from other parts of the country who are brought here under a well-planned strategy to fleece people and commit petty crimes. The government, however, seems to be sleeping over the issue,” says Rashmi Singh, a housewife. Ramesh Sharma, who runs an NGO, says begging has become a trade. He says there is a syndicate behind the begging menace. Beggars mostly target the affluent class, tourists and foreigners.

Waste of money

* At some places, fruit sellers can be seen using rain shelters for storing their stock
* Drug addicts can be seen using these during evening hours, which poses a threat
to people
* These shelters have turned out to be a waste of money as these are not being utilised for the purpose these were constructed for.

Road connectivity key to development, says Deputy CM
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 16
Underlining the importance of road connectivity in over-all development, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand has said accessibility is a key factor for the socio-economic transformation of rural and border belts of the state.

He said the government was working on a road map to develop better infrastructure in all three regions of the state and a network of all-weather roads was an integral part of the plan of holistic development of the state.

Tara Chand said this while chairing a high-level meeting of officers called to discuss major projects undertaken in the border and far-flung areas of Jammu division. Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pradeep Gupta, District Development Commissioner, Jammu, Sanjeev Verma, Chief Engineer, SAMPARK, UC Mehta and the SDM, Akhnoor, attended the meeting.

Detailed deliberations took place on the status of various projects undertaken in the border belt and a road map was drawn for early completion of these strategically important road links.

The major border road projects discussed at the meeting included the Jammu-Akhnoor road, the Akhnoor-Pallanwala road, the Akhnoor-Jourian road and the Kappa Gala-Balli road.

Lauding the efforts of SAMPARK in providing connectivity to border areas, the Deputy Chief Minister said engineers and staff of the organisation were rendering yeoman’s service to the nation by constructing, improving and maintaining the strategic road network in the border areas of the state.

The meeting was informed that the double-laning of the Akhnoor-Jourian and Akhnoor-Pallanwala road was under way and the Kappa Gala-Balli road was being upgraded.

Directing the authorities to speed up work, Tara Chand said people of the area were facing difficulties as work on both roads was going on simultaneously.

Physical education officers seek financial powers
Vikas Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 16
Irked over the alleged denial of the drawing and disbursing (DD) powers, zonal physical education officers (ZPEOs) of the Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) are an angry lot. They claim that they have not been authorised to spend even a single penny on conducting activities.

According to sources, the reorganisation of the DYSS was specially done to create posts of ZPEO on the lines of zonal education officers (ZEOs) in the Education Department. However, all executive powers vested with the ZEOs were not provided to the newly appointed 199 ZPEOs.

“When there is no provision for vesting DD powers in us, what is the purpose of creating the posts because without these powers, we are handicapped,” a ZPEO told The Tribune on condition of anonymity. “If our duties have been specifically allocated by the department, then why does it hesitate to vest important powers in us,” he added.

“In fact, we have to dance to the tunes of our officials who are not at all interested in delegating financial powers to us,” claimed another ZPEO. “During a recently held meeting at the Youth Hostel, Nagrota, we apprised Director of the DYSS Jai Pal Singh of the problems being faced by us due to non-vesting of DD powers in us. However, nothing concrete has come out so far,” he added.

The sources claimed that the All J&K Youth Services Sports Employees Association had written to Sports Minister RS Chib a few years ago in which it was mentioned that despite the establishment of zonal offices, there was a need for creating adequate infrastructure. Besides, powers vested in ZEOs should also be given to ZPEOs as all rules pertaining to the Education Department were applicable to the DYSS.

A senior DYSS official told The Tribune that the department had already approached the government in this regard and they were hopeful of a decision in favour of ZPEOs soon.

The ZPEOs have been entrusted with the task of ensuring the implementation of the common minimum programme in primary, middle and high schools, implementation of a centrally sponsored scheme, the Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan, and furnishing physical and financial proposals to district officers for their approval.

Colleges justify uniform as students fume
Malvika Sharma

Jammu, August 16
Uniform is not just a tool of discipline in schools nowadays, it is being adopted by colleges as well. Boys’ colleges adopting uniform are less in comparison to girls’ colleges.

One reason for implementing the uniform code in colleges is to ensure that students from all sections of society perform well without succumbing to pressure of socio-economic differences which is common in colleges since students from all strata of society study in the same institution. Another reason in favour of the uniform over civil dress is to keep students away from “objectionable clothing”.

College students, however, feel that the decision should be best left to them. Mehar, a student of the Government College for Women, Parade, said: “While our contemporaries across major colleges in Delhi and Mumbai do not have to follow such norms, we are still being treated like schoolchildren.”

The authorities, however, feel that making the uniform mandatory in colleges “helps students adjust to their new-found college life better”.

According to directors of various colleges, the uniform is important for maintaining discipline in colleges. No one should feel the pressure of coming from different socio-economic backgrounds. It also instills a sense of equality among students.

Their take

The idea is to ensure that students from all sections of society perform well without succumbing to pressure of socio-economic differences

Another reason in favour of the uniform over civil dress is to keep students away from “objectionable clothing”.

Residents oppose troop reduction
Say move may revive militancy in Rajouri, Reasi districts
Ranjit Thakur

Rajouri, August 16
Reports about reduction of the Army troops from some areas of Budhal in Rajouri and Mahore in Reasi have not gone down well with local residents here since they have been the ‘worst’ victims of militancy in the past two decades.

Alarmed by any such move of the government, residents of Budhal have appealed to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs through a letter seeking not to shift the brigade headquarters from the Budhal area.

They feel the presence of the Army has been a great source of moral support to the people.

Expressing concern over the issue, BJP leader Kuldeep Raj Gupta said, “We have got information from some sources about shifting of the Army troops from Budhal, including the brigade headquarters.”

Gupta said that hundreds of residents from Rajnagar, Budhal, Samote Phalni, Draj, Danota, Gota, Chasana, Sungi of the Rajouri district and Mahore area of the Reasi district approached him on the same issue.

He said it was mentioned in the letter to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs that “situation in certain areas was still not congenial” and if the forces were shifted from there, militancy could revive its head.

He added that they have also mentioned that replacing the Army with paramilitary forces or police would not solve the problem either.

It may be recalled that ten persons of minority community were brutally slaughtered by militants in 2005 and few others were also killed in the Prankote area of Budhal.

Budhal town is considered very sensitive from security point of view.

The residents in their letter have also mentioned that it was due to the presence of the brigade headquarters that peace had been restored in the area.

Gupta alleged that some people were trying hard to get the armed forces removed from the area at the behest of their ‘mentors’ across the border. He said those people seeking removal of the Armed forces were pleading that a large portion of agriculture land had been occupied by the Army resulting in huge losses to landowners.

Social activist Molvi Fareed also expressed serious concern over the issue saying that people were still living under the shadows of militancy in the area.

However, the Army sources denied any such development.

Film-makers flock to Jammu region; tourism set to get a boost
Devinder Thakur

Katra, August 16
With more Punjabi filmmakers pouring in for film shoots in the Jammu region, local tourism players are happy over the fact that it would give a boost to the hospitality sector here. Terming it a welcome development, tourism traders said the move would definitely help in bringing more tourists to the region.

Gurjit Singh, a local resident, said, “It is a positive sign that the Punjabi producers have turned to Jammu for film shooting.”

Singh said earlier the Kashmir Valley was an ultimate shooting destination for all the filmmakers but now Jammu was also attracting them.

“When Kashmir Ki Kali was released, people from all parts of the country and abroad visited the Valley. There were many films which were shot here and became instant hits. J&K has long relation with Bollywood as almost every film shot here did well on the box office,” said Bupinder Singh Sidhu, a film producer from Chandigarh. Sidhu said arrival of film crews from Punjab would definitely attract tourists here.

Dheeraj Sharma, a local resident, said, “It is a good sign for the tourism industry as it will definitely increase the inflow of tourists here.”

“Between 1960s to mid 1980s, the state was a favorite shooting destination for film units which promoted tourism here. It is but natural when people watch movies, the scenery of the region attracts them in many ways,” Sharma said.

He said the government also needed to play a proactive role in promoting tourism and also Bollywood crews could utilise the local manpower.

Komal, an actress from Mumbai, said, “It is good that filmmakers are turning to Jammu but it needs to be seen whether it will help the local people or not.”

She added that proper mechanism needed to be put in place so that local people could provide services to film crews.

'There is always a scope for improvement'

Independence Day was celebrated with fervour in the city. On the occasion, The Tribune correspondent Varun Suthra talked to some students of Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, what Independence Day meant to them and how they would like to see India change.

I belong to the Kashmir Valley and have done my schooling from there. I am doing my undergraduate course here. I have full faith in the democratic nature of our country and believe people in the Valley share similar feelings for this great nation. In India, everyone gets equal opportunities. Every system has some flaws but scope of improvement always exists and we have been progressing towards betterment in India~

— Numana Ibrahim, BA- II

For me, Independence Day is result of sacrifice by great freedom fighters. It gives me a special feeling of being part of such a diverse country. I will like to see greater unity among our countrymen. Bickering over trivial issues disheartens me and I also feel hurt by parochialism

— Komal Kotwal, BSc-ii

Like many other Indians, the Independence Day holds a great importance to me. I always read the historic speech delivered by the first Prime Minister “Tryst With Destiny”. The day fills me with pride and confidence as it is really something great to be the part of this great country which is the world’s oldest civilisation. We have been lagging behind when it comes to implementing plans. Over the years, many bills have been introduced but they were not implemented in letter and spirit~

— Padmini, ba-iii

It is a very special day. It gives us a sense of achievement. We need to introspect how far we have come forward and what more is needed to do. The day has different meaning for different people but for me it is a day to revisit one’s commitments to the nation. The best change that I would like to see in my lifetime is the implementation of Right to Education Act in letter and spirit. India will definitely lead the world in all spheres if all its children get proper education

— Kiranjot kaur, bsc-II

It is a day that inculcates a sense of equality among all the citizens. Celebrating the day with zeal depicts the unity of the country amid such diversity. I think some more stringent laws are required to tackle some problems facing the country. Some people have been taking an undue advantage of independence which poses a threat to the fabric of the nation. The government should encourage more private players to generate more employment opportunities for the youths

— Avneet kour, bsc-II

Month on, JU students yet to be allotted hostels
Malvika Sharma

Jammu, August 16
Deepti (name changed) is one of the many students studying at Jammu University for the past one month who are yet to be allotted a hostel. The new academic session started in July.

In the absence of a hostel, hundreds of students coming from far-flung areas have been forced to live either in rented accommodation or with relatives.

“I belong to Rajouri. It has been over a month since I joined college. I was hoping that the hostel will be provided in time so that I could move in without wasting time. However, since the room allotments are still under way, I have been forced to put up with my relatives. Sharing accommodation with relatives is not very comfortable, especially because most of them have nuclear families,” says Ruchi.

Since parents are wary of letting girls stay alone in rented apartments, most of them are spending time with their relatives. Sources in the Jammu University administration looking after hostels said, “Though hostel rooms are open for allotment, the procedure will take some time since rooms are allotted mostly on the basis of merit or reservation.”

On their stand regarding the issue of rooms being occupied by scholars despite having been granted degrees long ago, the sources said, “We do not have any such cases; all scholars who are given their degrees vacate their rooms well in time. In certain cases, they could be staying in someone else’s room as guests but only for a limited time. The hostel administration is very strict regarding room allotment rules and defaulters are asked to vacate their rooms immediately.”

RTI activists’ remarks over fee irk NGO

Jammu, August 16
An NGO, Awake India Movement, has expressed resentment over the demand made by Kashmir-based RTI activists to stop the acceptance of RTI fee in the form of Indian postal orders (IPOs).

Chairman of the NGO Ayaz Mughal said the perception that the fee in the form of IPOs went to the Central Government’s account was false.

He said the fee charged through IPOs had to be redeemed by the authorities concerned from the post office, which went into the state Treasury.

Mughal said IPOs were one of the best modes of payment for the RTI fee in the state and Central RTI Act. “IPOs do not go into the Union Government’s treasury and the rule framed by the state government is very much justifiable,” he said.

He said the RTI workers should not issue such irrational statements against the law. Convener of J&K RTI Movement Raja Muzaffar Bhat recently said, “The fee collected in the form of non-judicial stamp papers, cash against GR, demand draft and treasury receipts goes into the state treasury.”

“Fee charged on account of the IPOs directly goes into the Central Government’s account. We treat this as a gross mistake,” he said. He had appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to personally intervene into the matter and get a circular issued so that the provision could be deleted from the J&K RTI Rules, 2010.

Various Jammu-based RTI activists have already objected to the statement. — TNS

Journalism students visit Zero Line
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 16
Students of the BB Institute of Journalism and Mass Communication (BBIJMC) visited the Suchetgarh Octroi Post on the International Border (IB). Students were accompanied by director of the institute, Sunny Sangral and other staff members.

Welcoming the students on behalf of the Border Security Force , Deputy Commandant, BSF, Deepak Kumar Jha, briefed the students about the duties of the personnel on the border. He told them how BSF personnel remain ever alert to protect the sensitive area.In an interaction with BSF officials, the students put forward their queries regarding the responsibilities of the force on IB. Later, they also went to the Zero Line. The BBIJMC organises a tour for its students to give them first-hand information about the duties of the security personnel on IB every year.

BSF Deputy Commandant lauded the role of media in highlighting the dedication and commitment of the personnel guarding the Suchetgarh Octroi Post.

Sunny Sangral said the motive of conducting the tour was to give them much-needed exposure on a variety of aspects.

“This is the first visit of students to IB and the institute is making an all out effort to arrange more such visits on other important places in J&K in future,” Sangral said.

No traffic snarls in Ramban this I-Day
RK Kichlu

Ramban, August 16
For the first time in the past two decades, various towns across the Ramban district wore a festive look on the occasion of Independence Day as there was no traffic chaos on roads as vehicles plied normally.

This, despite a couple of hours early in the morning when traffic was suspended due to a landslide at Seri in Ramban after a heavy rainfall.

However, the GREF resumed the one-way traffic by 7.30am and two-way way traffic got resumed by 9am. Local minibuses were seen plying normally though not to their full capacity. All the shops remained opened and a hustle was seen in the markets.

Undeterred by the heavy downpour, a thick attendance was witnessed at all the Independence Day function venues in the district.

Since the advent of insurgency in the state, the government used to impose restrictions on vehicular traffic on highways as well as link roads on the eve of the Independence Day fearing strike by militants on vehicles.

“Since the militancy has been contained to a greater extent by the security forces, a change is seen giving some breather to police and security personnel,” said Ramban SP Anil Magotra.

Govt honours Everester Rajeev
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 16
Rajeev Sharma of Udhampur district, who scaled Mount Everest in 1993, was honoured on the occasion of the Independence Day celebrations for his stupendous feats in the field of mountaineering and rock climbing.

On behalf of the state government, the ace Everester was presented an award by Minister for Medical Education, Technical Education and Youth Services and Sports RS Chib.

Retired recently as the Deputy Director, Mountaineering Institute in Himachal Pradesh, Rajeev Sharma has numerous achievements under his belt. Apart from various international expeditions, the ace climber has the distinction of scaling Aconcagua, the longest mountain chain in Argentina and Rockies in the US.

Before Rajeev Sharma, only two mountaineers from the state - Sonam Wangyal and Sonam Yagns - had scaled the Everest in 1965 and 1984, respectively.

Rajeev hails from a small village, Kotla, near Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra.

Power Grid celebrates I-Day
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 16
Power Grid, Northern Region Transmission System-II, celebrated Independence Day at Grid Bhawan near Bahu Plaza in Jammu with enthusiasm. SK Sharma, general manager (projects), NRTS-II, was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Sharma unfurled the flag.

KR Suri, general manager (O&M), Power Grid, Jammu along with senior officials, employees and their families were also present on the occasion.

Sharma congratulated the employees and their families on the occasion. He also gave a brief account of the achievements of the grid.

He asked the children present there to remember the sacrifices made by freedom fighters. He stressed upon the employees to work to achieve the goals and objectives of the corporation.

He further appreciated the role of the employees of the grid in making the corporation as one of the best managed transmission company in the world. He also congratulated them for achieving the milestone of being the only public sector company in power sector to achieve its capital expenditure target of Rs 55,000 crore in the Eleventh plan.

Families of the employees presented various cultural performances on the occasion. Later, the chief guest gave away the prizes to winning participants. Stanley Mathews, chief manager (HR) presented vote of thanks.

SP College win by 7 wickets
Tribune Reporters

Jammu, August 16
Sri Partap (SP) College notched up an impressive seven-wicket win over Amar Singh (AS) College today in the ongoing Parvez Qureshi Memorial Cricket Tournament, being organised by the Kashmir wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) at the University of Kashmir ground.

Earlier, the AS College decision to bat first after winning the toss backfired as the team skittled out for 128 runs in 35.3 overs.

Wasim Ramzan and Asif Malik played fine knocks of 21 and 20 runs, respectively. From SP College, Wazid was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets while Irfan claimed two. In reply, SP College overhauled the target for the loss of just three wickets. Gowhar played a match winning unbeaten knock of 37 runs while Ubaid also chipped in with a handy 26.

State karate team selected

The Amateur Karate Do Association, Jammu and Kashmir, has selected a eight-member team for the National Championship slated to be held shortly. Brijesh Bhau will accompany the team as manager while Naresh Chander and Manoj Mehra as team coaches.

Rajiv Gandhi award for three
Our Correspondent

Ramban, August 16
Three residents of Ramban district were yesterday conferred with the Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Award (RGSA) by the Gandhi Global Family under the Union Government’s Sadbhavana Ke Sipahi programme during the Independence Day function at Ramban.

The awards were given to Purshotam Singh Raju, a teacher at Government Higher Secondary School, Ramban; Bashir Ahmed, magray member of the Indian Red Cross Society, Ramban, and Bilal Ahmed, a social worker, for outstanding social work.

Minister of State for Haj and Auqaf Ejaz Ahmed Khan was the chief guest on the occasion.

Sambyal’s death mourned
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 16
A condolence meeting was held at the Congress Seva Dal office following the death of Sardar Singh Sambyal.

Leaders extended their condolences to his son Balwinder Singh Sambyal on behalf of the Congress.

Balwinder Sambyal is the chairman of the Congress Seva Dal, Jammu and Kashmir. Vinod Sharma, general secretary, Pradesh Congress Committee, highlighted the achievements of Sambyal and described him as a renowned political personality of the state.

Sambyal was born in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir in 1937 and worked for the welfare of the people of the district.

Fencing team bags 4 medals

Jammu, August 16
The state fencing team has bagged four medals - two silver and as many bronze - in the team as well as individual events in the ongoing nationals.

In the U-17 boys’ Sabre team event, the Jammu and Kashmir team finished runners-up to settle for the silver. The team comprised Javed Ahmed, Koushal Sharma, Amit Singh and Adirath Kesar.

Similarly, in the U-17 girls’ individuals, Priya Khajuria clinched the silver medal while in the Epee team event in the similar age group, the team again bagged the silver medal. The members of the team included Diksha Panday, Anchal Dogra, Rupali and Mokshi Sharma. — TNS

2 held with liquor
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 16
The Kathua police has seized illegal liquor and has arrested two persons in this connection.

Reports said the police had set up a naka on the Sarthali road near Bani and apprehended two persons - Darshan Singh of Sitti Morha, Kot Fagolata, Bani, and Mohammad Qasim of Sarthali. During search, the police seized 250 ml of JK excise liquor from their possession.

A case has been registered at the Bani police station against them.