Jammu, September 1
The Public Distribution Department (PDD) has extended the Voluntary Load Disclosure Scheme for one more month notwithstanding the poor response it received for the scheme.

The approval for this was granted by the Jammu and Kashmir State Electricity Regulatory Corporation (SERC) to allow the consumers to disclose their actual electricity load.

A press release issued by the department said it had declared that it would not stop its routine inspections for purpose of determination of actual connected load and the maximum demand of different installations.

“If load is not disclosed voluntarily under the scheme or earlier at the time of getting a power connection by any consumer, he will invite penalty for the period for which the same has been concealed in accordance with connected load or maximum load determined by the inspection team,” said the release.

The much-publicised VLDC scheme started with a view to identify ‘ghost consumers’ has proved a dud as very few people have come forward to reveal their actual load in the past three months.

Officials said that despite announcement for general amnesty for the illegal users of electricity under the scheme, it has not generated much response from the population.

“People are taking the steps initiated by the government for granted. Though some of the consumers have submitted fresh details, not much has been achieved by this exercise and there is now need for some strict measures against the power thieves,” an official said.

Illegal load has become a major killer of nearly 40,000 transformers installed in the state as around 15,000 of them get damaged annually as they are not able to hold the additional load.

Jammu, September 1
Former minister and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Gulchain Singh Charak today said that he was asked to step down from the post of vice-chairman of the Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society (MMJHS) last year. He said it all happened after some opposition parties had accused him of “embezzling” funds meant for renovation of the complex.

“Three Jammu legislators made some adverse remarks against me on the floor of the House. They levelled serious allegations of embezzlement in the funds meant for renovation works,” Charak said in the presence of prominent citizens, intellectuals, presidents of various social organisations and industrialists here this evening.

He made this startling revelation after some prominent citizens questioned his decision on stepping down from the post of the vice-chairman of the MMJHS.

On April 5 last year, Charak had announced his resignation from the post of MMJHS vice-chairman. He had said that he stepped down on moral grounds because of his new assignment as Congress incharge of three important states. At that time, Charak was the Congress in-charge for Punjab Chandigarh and Bihar states.

Charak had said he frequently moved out of the state and could not discharge his duties as the vice-chairman of the MMJHS effectively.

“When a proposal was mooted to develop a heritage hotel inside the complex, some legislators from Jammu raked up unnecessary issue giving an impression that the society would sell and lease out the historic complex to private parties. Tourism Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora also made a reply in the House in this regard. As they did not relent with their accusations, I called a meeting where all the members of executive and governing bodies supported me. The Bar Association, Jammu, extended full support also,” he said.

Charak said he was asked to resign because he (Chief Minister) categorically said it was Jammu legislators and not Kashmir MLAs who were protesting against him.

Charak added he was dedicated for the restoration of the the complex which once was the identity of the erstwhile Dogra rulers of Jammu and Kashmir.

The MMJHS was formed on December 28, 2006 under the Societies Act.

Jammu, september 1
Sparrows are hardly seen in the Temple City for the past few years. Earlier, it used to be a charm for Jammu residents to hear the sparrows chirp while perched on the rooftops of their houses. To worsen the situation, no organisation has so far shown any interest with a view to revive this vanishing bird.

A few decades ago, every house in the city would have at least one sparrow nest but presently hardly any household is seen maintaining that tradition.

Prof DN Sahi, head of the Zoology Department, Jammu University, said an excessive use of insecticides was among the most prevalent causes behind reduction in the sparrow count.

“Their (sparrows) number has reduced significantly in the city. We are conducting a study to find out the reason behind this. An excessive use of insecticides appears to be a prevalent cause,” Prof Sahi said.

He added that intolerance among people towards sparrows was also another cause behind reducing number.

“Earlier, sparrows used to build their nests in human habitations as people accommodated them. For the past few years, people have been showing intolerance to birds, especially in the urban localities,” he opined.

About the effect of installation of mobile towers, Prof Sahi said that no study was conducted so far to establish the fact.

Bhushan Parimoo, president, Environment Awareness Forum, said the extinction of the bird would have a negative impact on environment and the entire food chain.

“Our ancestors maintained the tradition of feeding and rearing the sparrows. We can a very few sparrows and that too on the city outskirts. Their number has gone really low. More importantly, we have been losing a natural way of saving our crops from insects as sparrows feed on them,” Parimoo said. He said the government, Wildlife Department and non-government organisations (NGOs) should play a constructive role in saving the bird.

Poonch, September 1
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said the prevailing chaos and uncertainty in the state were a result of the failure of the present regime headed by the National Conference to connect itself with the common man. He said the credibility of the government had reached its lowest ebb because it had lost the faith of people.

“From the day this government was formed, there is instability and uncertainty in the state,” said Mufti, while addressing a public gathering organised here to celebrate the foundation day of the party.

“The prevailing anarchy and chaos in the state is a result of the failure of the system,” he said, making a reference to the remark of the Cabinet on Security (CCS) that trust deficit and governance deficit were the main reasons for the alienation of the people. “The situation which was prevailing in the state in 2008 and 2010 still persists because the government has failed to bring transparency and accountability in the system,” he said, terming the present regime as the most corrupt government of Jammu and Kashmir.

“The corruption has seeped into the government from top to bottom and the anti-graft institutions such as the State Accountability Commission (SAC) have been deliberately rendered defunct by the state government,” he said and reiterated the demand of the PDP that the SAC should be equipped with an independent investigating agency to ensure proper investigation of cases against higher ups.

Terming the present government as a directionless coalition, Mufti said just to grab power, the National Conference and the Congress had entered into an alliance without forming the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) and without evolving consensus on vital issues. He said that both the coalition partners spoke in different tones on many important issues.

Emphasising on the need to solve the Kashmir issue for the lasting peace in the region, he said dialogue was the only way to solve all the problems.

Jammu, September 1
Former Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Thakur Randhir Singh has asked the party cadres in Jammu and Kashmir to launch an awareness campaign against corruption in the state.

Singh welcomed the directions issued by a Divisional Bench of the High Court to the state, in a PIL seeking prosecution sanction against IAS, IPS and other officers, to disclose the reasons behind the inordinate delay in according sanction for prosecution.

Regarding the visit of interlocutors, Singh said their report had added to the confusion in the state and had nothing for the people of the Jammu region.

Jammu, September 1
Civil society, traders, intellectuals, lawyers and industrialists today joined hands to pressurise the state government for taking some drastic measures to restore the glory of crumbling Mubarak Mandi complex, the royal residence of erstwhile Dogra rulers.

The complex is spread over 14 acres land in the heart of the old Jammu city.

They voiced their concern over the deteriorating condition of the complex and lashed out at the government for adopting discriminatory approach towards restoration of heritage buildings in Jammu.

They unanimously resolved to constitute a Jammu Heritage Development Committee (JHDC) to fight for the development and renovation of heritage buildings across Jammu.

The participants aired their views in a meeting convened by the former minister and Dogra Sadar Sabha president, Gulchain Singh Charak, here this evening. Around 100 prominent citizens, traders, intellectuals, members of social organisations, industrialists and lawyers from Jammu participated in the meeting that lasted for two-and-half hours.

“If the government can dole out about Rs 2,000 crore for the Dal Lake in Kashmir, why is it hesitant to announce Rs 200 crore for restoration of Mubarak Mandi complex which is the identity of the Dogra culture. We want to convey to the government that Jammu is united and it will not tolerate discrimination,” a member said.

General secretary, Bar Association Jammu (BAJ), Vikram Sharma, threatened to move a public interest litigation (PIL) on behalf of the civil society if the state government did not restrain from its “discriminatory policies”.

The participants also questioned the government’s decision to convene 20th executive body meeting of the Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society (MMJHS) that was held at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar on July 20.

The speakers alleged that successive governments continued with their approach of sabotaging the various projects undertaken for restoration of pristine glory of the heritage complexes in Jammu.

It was disclosed that there were 25 devastating fire incidents took place in the complex. The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has prepared 22 detailed project reports (DPRs) on the complex. The Centre had announced Rs 296 crore, including Rs 52 crore, under the 13th Finance Commission for its renovation.

The members also demanded immediate shifting of electricity transformers and electricity lines from the identified places on the complex, banning commercial vehicles on its premises and creation of parking lots, stabilisation of hill road on the back side of the palace and conservation of basements of the palace.

Recently, the Centre had sanctioned Rs 24.51 crore, including Rs 16 crore, under the Mega Tourist Destination scheme for renovation of the complex.

Prominent among those who attended the meeting were former minister Choudhary Gharu Ram, YV Sharma, president Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Maj Gen GS Jamwal (retd), president Ex-Serviceman League, Prof Zahur-ud-Din, Sham Lal Langer, senior vice president CCI and others.

Jammu, September 1
The Senior Citizen Welfare Council (SCWC), Jammu and Kashmir, today held a meeting under the chairmanship of its president Raj Sharma on the eve of World Elders’ Day. During the meeting, the council members said both the Central as well as the state government had the least respect for the elders. They said the condition said they had no suport from the authorities who claimed social responsibility for senior citizens. They rued that the senior citizens after having given their valuable experience and years of service to the country were deprived of their legitimate rights.

The members reiterated their demand from the Government for a community centre especially for senior citizens where they could sit and share their experiences.

The council appealed to the government to take note of the grievances of senior citizens. The members said the council had been organising a number of programmes from their own pockets but it was not possible to work smoothly without the financial support of the government.

Those who attended the meeting include Prof Balraj Sharma, Sarla Kohli, Dr Bhupinder Singh, OP Verma, Keemti Lal Dubey, DP Khajuria, SN Koul, Man Singh, JS Mangal, Govind Ram Balgotra, Nirmal Chattu and Manjeet Singh. — TNS

Katra, September 1
Minister for Higher Education Abdul Gani Malik today inspected the ongoing construction work of the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya at Karwa village in Reasi district.

The minister was accompanied by Reasi District Development Commissioner Nirmal Sharma and senior officers of various departments.

Being built at a cost of Rs 11 crore, the work of the building is being executed by the Uttar Pardesh Jal Nigam Board’s construction wing. The complex, which is being built on a 600-kanal land, will include academic blocks, hostels for boys and girls and residential quarters for the staff.

Expressing satisfaction over the pace of work, the minister asked the builders to complete the project in the stipulated time and to use quality material for the construction.

Later, a delegation of people living in nearby villages apprised the minister of their problems which include shortage of drinking water supply, unscheduled power cuts and bad road connectivity.

After giving them a patient hearing, the minister said the government was committed to providing basic amenities to people, specially those residing in the remote areas of the state. He assured them that their problems would be taken up with the concerned authorities for their early redressal.

Jammu, September 1
The Government Hospital, Gandhi Nagar, today organised a function to felicitate Minister for Health, Horticulture and Floriculture Sham Lal Sharma for re-designating the nomenclature of various categories of doctors working in the Health Department.

Director Health Services Dr Madhu Khullar, Medical Superintendent of Gandhi Nagar Hospital Dr Romesh Gupta, Chief Medical Officer Dr Javed Chib and Medical Superintendent of Sarwal Hospital Dr Arun Sharma, besides doctors from various institutions of the Health Department, attended the function. They thanked the Health Minister for fulfilling their long-pending demand.

Jammu, September 1
The SRML Higher Secondary School, Parade, overwhelmed the BSF Paloura to lift the title trophy of the Jammu District Inter-School U-19 Boys’ Football Tournament, which was organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports at the SOS Herman Gmeiner Higher Secondary School, Gole Gujral, today.

Players of both the teams played well throughout the match which ended in a goalless draw in the stipulated time. The winning team was then decided through a tie-breaker wherein the SRML School slammed three goals whereas the BSF School failed to score even a single goal.

The Principal, SOS Herman Gmeiner Higher Secondary School, RK Dhar, who was the chief guest, presented awards to the winning team members.

The match was officiated by Bharat Bhushan, Mohinder Singh, Kushey Kumar, Rohit Sharma and Karanjeet Singh.

Earlier, in the semifinals, the BSF School outplayed the JK Public School via a tie-breaker by 4-3 while the SRML trounced the KC Public by one goal.

In other matches, the KC Public defeated the DPS by 4-2, the SRML drubbed the MIER by 3-2 and the JK Public got the better of the Army Public School, Domana, by a goal.

Jammu, September 1
The second day of the ongoing Division Super League Series Youth Development Volleyball Tournament organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Police saw 20 matches being played today at the Polo Ground in Srinagar.

In the first league match, the Pattan Volleyball Club got the better of the VSS Srinagar by 2-0.

In the second match, the Badroo Star Club trounced the Mirgund Government High School team by 2-0.

The VSS Srinagar spanked the Shejar Club Bogund by 2-1 in the third match while the Trehgam Volleyball Club subdued the Sumbal Volleyball Sports by 2-0.

The set score-board read 28-26 and 25-20.

In the fifth match, the Nisar Memorial, Safapora, toppled the Volleyball Club, Ramhall, by 2-0.

In the sixth match, the Volleyball Club Challenger Kanispora overcame the challenge of the Government Middle School, Jawallapur, by 2-0.

In the other matches, the Babapora Volleyball Club defeated the Zewan Cheban Club, the Chitragam Volleyball Club trounced the Balhama Government High School, the Badroo Star Club eased past the Aglar Royal Club and the Chitragam Volleyball Club, the Chinad Volleyball Club outplayed the Ramhall Volleyball Club, the Bogund Shejar Club beat the Babapora Volleyball Club.

Also, the Aglar Royal Club beat the Mirgund Government High School, the Sumbal Volleyball Club beat the Jawallapora Government Middle School and the Pattan Volleyball Club defeated the Zewan Chenab Club.