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Harrowing time for commuters in city
Temple City waits for its botanical garden
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Fund crunch hits forest development works
Cable ‘thefts’ mar BSNL service in Ramban
Strengthen existing infrastructure, sportspersons urge authorities
Athletic meet gets underway
Friends Cricket Club log win
Football tourney from September 20
Badminton tourney organised
Cycling team selected for nationals
SCC lift cricket tournament
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Harrowing time for commuters in city
Jammu, September 3 Demanding immediate rollback of the government order, some protesters even parked their cabs in the middle of the road and blocked vehicular traffic at Panama Chowk. Around 1,000 taxi operators along with their vehicles assembled under the banner of the All-J&K Tourist Taxi Operators Welfare Association and installed black flags on their vehicles as a mark
of protest. Raising slogans against the government, particularly the Transport Department, the protesters alleged that the administration was bent on rendering thousands of youth engaged in the trade unemployed. “The government’s order on issuing permits to start the radio taxis in the state will bring more than 21,000 taxi operators on the verge of starvation. Taxi operators have to repay the loan availed for purchasing their vehicles. This order will prove a nail in the coffin for taxi operators,” said Davinder Choudhary, vice-chairman of the association. On August 29, the taxi operators had also taken out a similar protest march in Srinagar and had urged the government to act strictly against the radio taxi operators who were plying and ferrying passengers on all routes of the Valley instead of municipal limits. A delegation of representatives from various taxi unions also met Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla, Divisional Commissioner of Jammu Pardeep Gupta and Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Jammu Dilbagh Singh and submitted memorandums seeking immediate withdrawal of the notification. “We will not allow radio taxis to operate in Jammu and the onus of any untoward incident would be on the government. If the administration makes any attempt to run the radio taxis, we will set them on fire,” he threatened. He alleged that corruption was prevalent in the Transport Department and a particular individual was allotted permits for running radio taxis in the state. “We will meet Deputy Chief Minister tomorrow and apprise him of the prevailing situation,” Choudhary said. Talking to The Tribune, the Transport Commissioner, J&K, Mehraj Ahmed Kakroo, said the department issued an SRO to start radio taxis for the “facilitation of commuters”. “Radio taxis will have global positioning system (GPS) or tracking system, electronic meters and fixed rates. We should encourage these taxis for the betterment of people,” he said. Refuting allegations of the taxi operators, he said these accusations hold no ground as five different firms were roped in for running the radio taxis. “The department has started 100 taxis in Srinagar while 45 more will be added soon. In Jammu, only 50 taxis have been introduced and it will hardly make any difference as thousands of taxis have been plying on roads everyday,” the Commissioner said. Meanwhile, tourists and pilgrims faced a harrowing time at the Jammu railway station as they didn’t get taxis for their onward journey. |
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Temple City waits for its botanical garden
Jammu, September 3 Officials in the Floriculture Department say that various proposals have been mooted for
creating spacious green zones in the city but none of them has got the approval yet. In 2008, when a flower garden was inaugurated by then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, it was supposed to be made on the lines of the Tulip Garden in Srinagar. Despite Rs 32 crore have been spent on the garden that spreads on an 563 canal area, the delay in releasing funds, flowers bloom for only two months in 80 canals area. “Though the garden was meant for tulips and other exotic flowers, the climate of Jammu does not
support the needs of temperate floral variety. We are now just restricting the gardening to a few varieties to prevent it from becoming defunct,” said KK Sharma, floriculture director. The proposal for all-season botanical garden submitted in 2010 shares the same fate as the sanctioned amount has not yet been released by the concerned departments. The garden is proposed to host various floras to be groomed and nurtured under the supervision of botany experts. The Nehru Botany Garden in Srinagar has flourished since its inception in 1999 but the wait for such garden is still on in Jammu where the project has been either shelved off many times or sent for many revisions. A Floriculture Department official said, “Despite repeated efforts, our requests for the
botanical garden in Jammu have been sabotaged by certain politicians. We are unable to maintain green zones which could pull more tourists and also open all-season gardens for people. We are awaiting response from the authorities.” |
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Transport officials violate traffic norms
Jammu, September 3 He simply remains “glued” to driving and riding skills of the aspirants overlooking the compliance of basic norms by
the applicants. “While the transport authorities have made it mandatory for the riders of two-wheelers to wear headgears, the officials who are authorised to conduct driving trial tests overlook certain violations by the applicants. They don’t bother to stop the aspirants from undertaking trial test who don’t wear crash helmets,” sources said. The sources said the transport officials, at times, even allow the two-wheelers and four-wheelers to take part in a trial test with broken or without number plates. “While the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways plans to plug the loopholes that lead to an issuance of a driver’s licence without a trial test of the applicant, there is a common perception at the regional transport office that a driver’s licence can easily be issued to a person through an agent who charges a handsome amount from his or her client (aspirant),” the sources added. The state government had last year announced that it would make videography of driving tests conducted by the RTOs and ARTOs mandatory before granting of a driver’s licences. “The Transport Department has failed to keep its words as it has not yet installed video cameras at driving trial test stations. The video-graphing of driving tests would definitely facilitate issuance of licences to only trained drivers besides putting a tab on irregularities on the entire process,” the sources said. The Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Jammu, Virender Slathia, who personally monitors driving trial tests, claimed that the department wilfully allowed the aspirants to go for trial without crash helmets just to match his identity with the photograph pasted on his form. “We are very particular in ensuring transparency while granting driver’s licence to the people,” he claimed and added that no aspirant - driving four-wheeler or riding a two-wheeler - is allowed to go for trial until and unless he or she fulfils all conditions. |
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Govt medical college caught on the wrong foot
Jammu, September 3 Medical equipment worth lakhs was stolen on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday from the autopsy and physiology department of the hospital. The equipment was stolen in the presence of officers on duty. Dr Aniece Chowdhary, Principal, GMCH, said, “A theft of some vital equipment and other articles was reported to me by the HoD of physiology and anatomy today. We have lodged an FIR and take disciplinary action against the nursing orderlies who were on duty when the theft took place”. There was another case where an accident patient, Balwant Sharma, died four hours after he was admitted to the orthopaedics unit. Relatives of the deceased held a protest against the hospital administration. They alleged that the patient had died because of negligence of doctors. In another case, a patient was allegedly maltreated by the doctors, after which he was found in a semi-naked condition on August 27 near the hospital canteen. Ironically, no one from the hospital took cognisance of the matter. However, the issue came to light only after a TV channel reported it. The principal has constituted two separate committees to inquire into
the matter. |
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Cops lathicharge protesting Kashmiri Pandits
Jammu, September 3 The residents who were on a hunger strike held a demonstration against the Relief Commissioner, Assistant Relief Commissioner, Jammu, and Deputy Commissioner, Jammu and also raised anti-government slogans to express their
resentment. The police lathicharged the protesters to disperse them in order to control the situation. “No shop was opened today as we observed a complete shutdown in the entire township. It seems the construction of the township was a planned move to sideline the Kashmiri Pandits. Since the government has shifted us here, we are living without any electricity. The enhancement of cash relief is also a non-existent issue for the government now,” said Shuban, a
Jagti resident. “The officials were trying to convince us about the reasons for electricity shortage and delay in the enhancement of cash relief. We are fed up of the treatment that the government is giving us,” Shuban added. Jammu Deputy Commissioner tried to convince the protesters to pay for electricity usage which hardly made any
impact. The Relief Commissioner said the proposal for the enhancement of cash relief had been sent to the Prime Minister. Panun Kashmir slams police action
Panun Kashmir today expressed concern over the use of unparliamentary language by an ASI of the J&K police against the Kashmiri Pandits protesting against erratic power supply in Jagti. The said ASI is posted at Nagrota police station. Ajay Chrungoo, chairman, Panun Kashmir, said, “The curtailment of power and water supply to the Kashmiri Pandit residents of the Jagti township and the non-enhancement of cash relief shows apathetic attitude of the administration towards the Kashmiri Pandits.” Reacting to the language used by a police officer, Chrungoo said, “The unconstitutional behaviour displayed by a police official while on duty reveals that radicalisation has crept deep in this institution.” He also appealed to the concerned authorities to investigate the matter. |
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Students take to streets over eve-teasing
Jammu, September 3 A matador driver had harassed a student from a local college recently following which the traumatised victim consumed poison. Though the student had filed an FIR against the driver, the police allegedly took no action in this regard. The students decided to take to the road to express their anger against the police officials as the accused driver is still at large. NSF president Dr Vikas Sharma said, “Even as cases of eve-teasing have been on the rise in Jammu, the police is not taking adequate steps to ensure the safety of women.” The students said that despite the incidences of chain snatching, kidnapping, molestation have been increasing, the police is not keeping up with the rise in crime. |
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Fund crunch hits forest development works
Batote, September 3 Out of the sanctioned project amount of Rs151.30 lakh for the year 2009-10, an amount of Rs15.65 lakh has not yet been released by the Government of India and the State Forest Development Agency. This came to notice in the annual meeting of the executive committee of the Forest Development Agency (FDA) which was presided over by the Conservator, Chenab Circle, MN Gupta in here on Saturday. The advance work for 2011-12 is proposed to be implemented in 13VFCs only because of the scarcity of funds and the rest in the next plan. For 2012-13, out of Rs 46.12 lakh approved outlay, Rs19.31 lakh has been earmarked for fencing, Rs 22.04 lakh for maintenance of previous works done in first three phases and Rs 4.77 lakh for monitoring and evaluation, micro planning and awareness. In the meeting, various projects related to development, afforestation, anti-grazing, anti-fire and anti-encroachment, forest preservation, entry point activities, soil and moisture conservation among others were finalised in consultation with the VFC heads. Besides all the 47 VFC members, the officials from Batote, Gandhri and Marmat forest ranges and other departments were also present. Gupta said some of the works would be completed under the Integrated Forest Management Scheme or Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF). He asked the VFC heads to challan the offenders. He added the VFCs could collect the revenue by imposing fine and invest in various developmental works or engage labourers or watchmen. He also requested villagers to buy timber from depots at lower rates instead of cutting the trees. |
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Cable ‘thefts’ mar BSNL service in Ramban
Batote, September 3 “It is for the fourth time that cables from the same spot was stolen. Since we have used all the cables from our store, we had to wait for its arrival from the BSNL’s circle office Udhampur thus delaying the restoration work,” said a BSNL official on the condition of anonymity. “Though a written complaint was lodged in the police station, Ramban, nothing has come out yet,” he added. DSP headquarters Perbeet Singh denied any such theft of the cables. “Why the BSNL officers had not got the FIR registered? I don’t deny the theft of cable at other places but it appears to be fishy and the frequent theft of cables without any hue and cry by the BSNL is unbelievable. There must be some fault in the Ramban exchange. Why do they keep hanging cable over the ground and not underground,” he said. Meanwhile, the BSNL official, disagreeing with the statement, said, “Had there been any fault in any device in the exchange, then all or most of the phones would have been dead.” BSNL sources said a portion of the cable catering to important offices was stolen twice within a week from under a culvert near the Batote police station Batote in May. After a series of cable thefts four times at Chanderkot last year, when the then DIG MK Sinha had personally intervened, there has
been no recurrence of theft there. Sources said a written complaint was given to the police but no FIR was registered in the matter. |
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Strengthen existing infrastructure, sportspersons urge authorities
Jammu, September 3 Sources said the state government had an ambitious project to construct more than 4,000 sports grounds in as many panchayats and community blocks in the state, under the flagship Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) scheme. Sources said under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CCS), one sports field would be constructed in each of 3,941 panchayat blocks and 143 community blocks. “Whether it is the J&K State Sports Council or the Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS), both have failed to live up to our expectations,” one of the sportspersons told The Tribune on the condition of anonymity. “DYSS has no dearth of manpower but it lacks adequate infrastructure to conduct competitions. The department has to rely on the assistance of state sports council or the University of Jammu to utilise their venues for organising competitions,” said another sportsperson. “As far as the sports council is concerned, it possesses infrastructure at its disposal but lacks sufficient manpower for its smooth functioning,” he said. “The stadiums which had been constructed by the government in various districts are in shambles due to lack of ground staff,” the sportsperson said. “The ministers ensure their visit to the stadiums during the inauguration or conclusion of tournaments but unfortunately, they are least bothered about the depilated condition,” a sportsperson added. The union sports ministry has provided special financial assistance to the state government in shape of PYKKA schemes to promote sports at the grassroots level. “Instead of mobilising huge funds for creation of new infrastructure, it is imperative for the government to concentrate
on what is available at its disposal,” another player said. A senior sports official told The Tribune, “There is a need to plan a decisive strategy if the authorities want to uplift the sports standard so that they can carve a niche for themselves.” The union sports ministry has provided special financial assistance to the state government in shape of PYKKA schemes to promote sports at the grassroots level. |
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Athletic meet gets underway
Jammu, September 3 The principal of the school delivered the welcome address and inspired the students to foster sportsman spirit, strong determination and achievements in the series of events. The athletic meet would consist of various events, including 100 m, 400 m, 800 m, 1000 m, 4x100, 4x400, discus throw, javelin throw, long jump and high jump. Meanwhile, in the 800mts race in the U-19 age group, Tamana Sharma of KV No 1, Chamera and Suman Sharma of KV No 1, Udhampur secured first and second positions
respectively. — TNS |
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Friends Cricket Club log win
Jammu, September 3 Ruksar Ahmed was the top scorer with an unbeaten 30 runs. In reply, teh DCC skittled out for 79 runs in 19 overs. For the FCC, Mehmood Ahmad was the pick of the bowlers with a haul of four wickets. He was adjudged the man of
the match. The tournament was declared open by the Rajouri SP. — TNS |
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Football tourney from September 20
Jammu, September 3 J&K hosted this event in 1997 wherein north-zone became the champions under the leadership of Aslam Parvez of J-K. Those who attended the meeting included JKFA president Zameer Thakur, General Secretary SA Hameed, Resident Secretary Prof Bashir, Treasurer Fayaz Ahmad, Chairman Iqbal Sports BA Malik and Kashmir University football coach Sajid Dar.
— TNS |
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Badminton tourney organised
Jammu, September 3 In the U-14 boys singles, Jatin of Progress house outplayed Kartik of Peace house by 21-15 and in the girls category, Tania of Progress house emerged winner by defeating Niyanta of Peace house by 21-16. In the U-17 age group, Shagun of Liberty house defeated Wasif of Fraternity house by 21-18 whereas Nisha of Fraternity house overwhelmed Kritika of Peace house by 21-11. |
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Cycling team selected for nationals
Jammu, September 3 The cyclists selected in the U-14 age group include Akarshit Pathak, Shubam Singh Manhas, whereas, in the U-16 age group, Ankitesuvar Singh and Sumit Salgotra got selected. In the U-18 age group, Prince Choudhary and Dharminder Singh were selected whereas in the U-23 age group, Ajay Kumar, Akhil Jamwal, Ravinder Singh, Elite, Vikesh Kumar and Amit Sharma were selected for the nationals.
— TNS
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SCC lift cricket tournament
Jammu, September 3 Arshad Fally and Shiraz Ahmad Wani were declared the man of the match and man of the series, respectively. The prizes were distributed by the Deputy Commissioner, Shopian, in the presence of various other dignitaries.
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