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Post offices in a shambles
IN RUINS: A view of the dilapidated Shakti Nagar post office in Jammu. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma
Mobile labs to check adulteration of milk
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Pandits’ stir enters 6th day
Lassana school building cries for attention
Income Tax Dept raids six business establishments
Vehicles of the Income Tax Department parked outside a jeweller’s shop in Jammu on Friday. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma
AISF slams privatisation of education
AISF activists protest in support of their demands outside the exhibition ground in Jammu on Friday. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma
‘Complete preparations before civic bodies’ poll’
Saina, other top shuttlers, to vie for top honours
Panun Kashmir hails verdict in Naroda Patia case
Dr Agnishekhar, convener of Panun Kashmir, addresses mediapersons in Jammu on Friday. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma
School lecturers demand early filling of vacant posts
Pledge campaign on biodiversity organised
NGO slams govt for repealing RTI rules in state
Stolen rifle, bullets found in Anantnag
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Post offices in a shambles
Jammu, September 7 While the buildings housing post offices in the winter capital city and its suburbs are in a shambles and need immediate maintenance, most of the post offices in the rural areas are either running in rented accommodations or don’t have buildings. Sources said employees and visitors at post offices had been facing innumerable problems owing to poor infrastructure and lack of facilities. “The higher-ups miss no opportunity to remain in limelight and get publicity by organising press conferences, organising exhibitions and post office festivals but they seem to have forgotten their basic obligations towards common masses and employees. The poor infrastructure and dilapidated buildings, where post offices are being run, is the glaring example of official apathy,” the sources added. Citing some instances, the sources informed that the employees at Shakti Nagar Post Office in the winter capital city were working without electricity for the past two weeks. “The employees have been forced to work in the open, that too, amid humid conditions following technical snag in the power lines of the building. If it rains, it is virtually impossible for them to work inside the office because of darkness and stink,” they said, adding that postal employees were facing the same problems in Hiranagar area of Kathua district. The sources further said the functioning of post offices at University of Jammu, Dayalachak in Kathua and Mendhar in Poonch had remained suspended for some days due to leaking roofs and water seepage in the walls following heavy rains. “Though employees and the public had been confronting with innumerable problems, the authorities seem to be least concerned in addressing infrastructure shortcomings,” complained a postal employee on the condition of anonymity. The Chief Postmaster General (CPMG), J&K Circle, John Samuel, while admitting infrastructural deficiencies in the post offices said they had started the modernisation plan under which old and dilapidated buildings would be renovated. “The modernisation of post offices will take time. At least 12 post offices are being upgraded as model post offices while the department has identified 40 post offices in Jammu and 30 in Kashmir for immediate upgradation under the modernization plan. These offices are being upgraded and given a bank’s look having all facilities for the public,” Samuel claimed. He, however, expressed surprise over the non-availability of electricity in Shakti Nagar post office, saying the officer concerned should have rectified the technical snag, if any, without any delay. Asked about poor or no accommodation for post offices in the rural areas, he said the department couldn’t afford to construct buildings for post offices at the village level. “While five to six new post office buildings are coming up in the rural areas, at least 185 employees will be added to the department during this year,” the CPMG said, adding that a multi-crore building structure was coming up in the Channi area of Jammu city while the department was also contemplating to construct new buildings at the district-level soon. |
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Mobile labs to check adulteration of milk
Jammu, September 7 Officials said the health wing of the Corporation had sent a proposal to the government to buy half a dozen mobile laboratories to test the daily supply of milk within the municipal limits, which at times has been found of poor quality for human consumption. So far, the corporation was dependent on the laboratory, which takes days for testing the samples and giving out results. The new mobile laboratories will give results in few minutes, allowing greater ability of the staff to impose a fine on the dairy owners. A study by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has found that 83 per cent of milk sold in urban areas and districts of the state is not safe for consumption. The FSSAI had taken 18 samples from both urban and rural areas of the state as part of its nationwide study to identify different types of adulteration in the liquid milk and only three samples confirmed to the standards set by the government. The study had found that most common adulteration in the state is glucose and skimmed milk products (SMP), mixed with an intention to earn profit at the expenses of heath of common man. Health Officer of JMC Dr Vinod Sharma said, “We are waiting for the funds to procure half a dozen mobile testing laboratores, which could help us in taking speedy action against defaulting dairy owners”. Dr Sharma said in the absence of modern gadgets, it was becoming difficult to curb the influx of adulterated milk and its products, which is at times very dangerous for the health of the people. The study has revealed that water is the most common adulterant. It not only reduces the nutritional value of milk but contaminated water may also pose a health hazard to the consumers. Unable to cope up with the increasing demand of milk locally, Jammu imports nearly six lakh metric tonnes of milk from other parts of the country annually. Most of it is directly supplied to the distributors, with not much tests done by the authorities.
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Pandits’ stir enters 6th day
Jammu, September 7 Though the protesters are getting support from various parties and MLAs but no one from the government has come forward to end the strike so far. Ajay Bhat, who along with Rajinder Pandita, Kaka Ji Kachroo is on hunger strike, said, “We have not got any assurance from the government yet. No one is bothered if a Kashmiri Pandit dies while struggling for his rights.” “Leaders from various parties come here to extend their support to us but to everyone’s surprise, the strike has made little impact” Bhat said.The Kashmiri Pandits are getting cash relief since they migrated from the Valley two decades back. The state cabinet had sent recommendations to the Home Ministry on June 20 to give approval for the enhancement of cash relief up to Rs 10,000. Since then, many meeting of the apex committee members were held to discuss the matter with the higher authorities but no outcome has come as yet. RK Pandita, Relief Commissioner, Jammu, said, “We have already taken up the matter with the Central government. The only thing we can do now is to take up the matter all over again. But it is only the government that has to take the final decision.” “I met them on the very first day of their hunger strike and tried to convince them but they were adamant on holding the strike. We are still on a constant touch with them,” Pandita said.
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Lassana school building cries for attention
Poonch, September 7
It all happened after the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department failed to complete the construction work on the first floor of the building well in time. GHSS Lassana, with over 550 students, is the only higher secondary school in 12 km radius. Following the demand of residents of the adjoining villages, the district administration had sanctioned Rs 8.72 lakh in 2009. After completion of tender work, the construction work was started in February this year but was stopped in March. “We are already lacking a required school building here. We were happy when the construction work on the first floor started but the work stopped soon after in March. A roofless structure on the top of the building is putting students’ lives at risk,” said Sudarshan Sharma, the school principal. Water-logging on the roof due to incessant rain has been weakening the ceiling of ground floor and a round-the-clock leakage has made it impossible for students to sit inside, Sharma said. The regular seepage coupled with delay in its completion may damage the existing structure further, he said. “We have over 550 students while there are only six rooms to accommodate them. We need at least five more rooms. On the request of parents and students, the R&B Department had assured us to construct two more rooms last year. For this, we had to vacate two existing rooms and will have to wait for months,” the principal said. “Even as six months have passed, the building is yet to be fully completed. Work on the first floor has been left half way. This has affected smooth functioning of the school,” the villagers said. Students say that due to acute shortage of rooms in the school, they have to attend classes in jam-packed rooms and also in the open at times. Mohammed Abdhullah, Executive Engineer, R&B, said, “Rs 8.72 lakh have been sanctioned for the building but due to non-availability of funds we are unable to complete the building.” In deplorable condition *
The school has over 550 students and is the only higher secondary school in 12 km radius
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Income Tax Dept raids six business establishments
Jammu, September 7 AK Thatai, Income Tax Commisioner, J&K Circle, told The Tribune that three teams had been surveying six establishments since this afternoon. He said, “The surveys are being conducted under Section 133-A of the Income Tax Act. Our teams have been going through the records at six premises in the city. They would record statements and verify the stock initially and further proceedings would be carried out on the basis of their findings.” On the reason for carrying out the exercise, Thatai said it was based on prior assessment of the department. “We do entertain complaints but all the complaints are not followed as we have a proper mechanism to verify the facts. But our teams follow the cases to rule out any doubt. The teams are still there in the field and we would be able to come up with detailed information by tomorrow,” he added. Asked about details of the business establishments being involved and other findings, he said it would be premature to comment before the findings were assessed. “We have been urging the corporate assessees to evaluate their income for the current financial year and deposit the advance tax due on or before September 15. But now the time has come to initiate some actions,” he maintained. He further urged the assessees to fulfil their statutory obligation to avoid payment of interest under Section 234 b and 234 C of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
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AISF slams privatisation of education
Jammu, September 7 The organisation said despite the Right to Education bill was in effect, the number of students who can afford private school education was very low. “The RTE is becoming a tool to promote private education. The institutes being given financial assistance by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and other concerned government agencies are now being handed over to private businesses which are going to use the institutes as money-spinning machines,” said an AISF member. The AISF further said those students applying for higher education in colleges and universities throughout India were required to pay hefty fee amount since majority of new colleges were being run by private players. “There are close to 8,000 primary schools where students are being taught all subjects by a single teacher. Many schools do not have adequate infrastructure to support students’ learning requirements. In schools such as the Ranbir Central School at Mubarak Mandi, there are no hygienic washroom facilities or clean drinking water,” rued Suneel Kotwal, AISF president. Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling making it compulsory for all schools to reserve 25 per cent of seats for below poverty line (BPL) children, there are very few schools in Jammu which are adhering to the ruling. The AISF further demanded that students should be provided with educational loans adding it should be free of cost for BPL students in case of primary education. It also sought to make technical and scientific education well within the reach of all deserving students through a system of uniform common school system.
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‘Complete preparations before civic bodies’ poll’
Jammu, September 7 Gupta pointed out that about three years ago, it was assured that the civic elections in the state would be held soon and these basic democracies would be empowered in conformity with the 73rd and 74th amendments of the Indian Constitution but even after over three years this solemn pledge still remains to be completed. Referring to latest promise by the Chief Minister and his colleagues of the Congress that election to the local bodies would be held before the end of this year, Gupta said the announcement should follow action on the ground. But there seems little moving ahead for having free and fair civic polls. “For this, there is a pre-requisite to have neat and clean electoral rolls as the present lists were not only faulty but also full of mistakes and howlers. In certain lists, names of thousands of people are missing and in other localities, the number of electorate is larger than even the Census population,” he said. He also pointed out that it was not yet clear when the delimitation of the wards would be completed and their number also in many cases. Gupta also assailed the inordinate delay in the empowerment of panchayats and completing the exercise of three-tier system although the elections to the panchayats were held about 18 months ago.
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national badminton meet Championship to be held from September 26 to October 3 in Srinagar Vikas Sharma Tribune News Service
Jammu, September 7 The J&K Badminton Association, which has been entrusted the responsibility by the Badminton Association of India (BAI) to host the prestigious championship, has exuded confidence that the participation of top shuttlers would boost the morale of players of the state. “After a long gap, the J&K Badminton Association is hosting the championship of national repute and there could be no better opportunity for the state shuttlers than to watch their favourites stars in action at Sher-e-Kashmir Sports Complex,” Dr OD Sharma, general secretary of the association, told The Tribune. “The confirmation of ace shuttler Saina Nehwal is yet to be received but we are hopeful of her participation in the competition because the BAI has also made it mandatory for the top shuttlers to compete in the national championships”, he informed. However, the selection of state team for the coveted championship is likely to be announced by the J&K Badminton Association in a couple of days. “There is nothing much to cheer about the performance of state shuttlers in the championship. Vipul Saini is the only shuttler who has the distinction of securing a berth in the pre-quarters of the championship few years ago,” Dr Sharma said. “There are not many opportunities for the state to host championships of national repute,” another official of the association maintained. “It is going to be a lifetime opportunity for the shuttlers of the state to watch the likes of Parupalli Kashyap, Saina Nehwal, Jwala Gutta and other shuttlers,” he quipped. However, it is not only the officials but the shuttlers too are enthusiastic about the forthcoming championship. “I am a huge fan of Saina Nehwal and to watch her in action in this championship will be great,” said one of the shuttlers. “Ever since Saina won a bronze medal for India in the recently concluded London Olympic Games, every shuttler wants to achive that milestone but for that you have to work really hard,” he added.
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Panun Kashmir hails verdict in Naroda Patia case
Jammu, September 7 Dr Agnishekhar, convener, Panun Kashmir, said, “The justice done in Gujarat needs to be repeated here also, as only then Kashmiri Pandits will get justice. The Kashmiri Pandits were also massacred in 1989 and 1990 by militants in Kashmir but no justice had been done to them.” He reminded that the Naroda Patia case was ordered to be re-probed by a Supreme Court-appointed special investigation team following petitions by human rights organisations in Gujarat. Ten years after the Naroda Patia incident, the identified victims finally got justice.
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School lecturers demand early filling of vacant posts
Jammu, September 7 “Students have been passing through sensitive and crucial career-making stage. The authorities should fill the vacant posts of lecturers through DPC and PSC as early as possible. Till the posts of lecturers are filled, academic arrangements should be made on contractual basis so as to suffice the education of the students for the ongoing session (2012-13),” Narinder Singh Jamwal, president of the forum, said while chairing a meeting of the organisation here. He said shortage of staff in higher secondary schools was the cause of worry for the students, especially in the far-flung areas, as it affects academic excellence and the board results at the secondary and higher secondary level. “The authorities should deal with the problem of shortage of teaching and non-teaching staff in the schools of far-flung areas as early as possible.
The whole teaching community should join hands for the welfare of students of the state,”
he said. He appealed to the higher authorities that the salary of the contractual lecturers should be enhanced so that they can serve properly in different areas of the state. Jamwal, however, thanked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, members of the Screening Committee and the Department of School Education for the issuance of formal
orders of in-charge lecturers as lecturers in five subjects and hoped that the orders regarding the regularisation of the remaining subjects would be issued at the earliest. |
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Pledge campaign on biodiversity organised
Jammu, September 7 The main objective of the programme was to create awareness among students on the protection and conservation of biodiversity, besides extending support to national and international community on the cause of biodiversity conservation. Ram Krishan, principal of the college stressed on immediate need of conserving the eroding biodiversity for sustainable development. — TNS
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NGO slams govt for repealing RTI rules in state
Jammu, September 7 In a press release issued here, Madan Mohan Sharma, chairman, VKMI’s RTI Cell, said the government was taking retrogressive steps instead of empowering masses with more rights. “It is moving towards an arena where everything is kept away from the reach of citizens and the corrupt enjoy privilege,” Sharma said. — TNS
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Stolen rifle, bullets found in Anantnag
Batote, September 7 Police sources said the rifle was found wrapped in a polythene bag along with 47 bullets by the patrolling troops of the Army at Kokernag of Anantnag district in a forest area on August 8. The rifle was later handed over to the Kokernag police. After receiving a message, a police team along with VDCM Pyar Singh went to Kokernag last week and brought the rifle and its 47 rounds to the Ramban police station on September 1. Pyar Singh’s rifle was stolen along with its 97 rounds, Rs 32,000 and about 30 gram gold ornaments after breaking the locks of the house on the night of July 24 when his family had gone to attend a wedding function. “Some suspects were rounded up and interrogated on Singh’s complaint, yet the mystery still continues as 50 bullets, Rs 32,000 and gold are still missing,” said Ramban SP Anil Magotra.
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Notwithstanding tall claims of the J&K Postal Circle about the modernisation and infrastructure development under its official motto “Go Forward”, the ground reality presents a different story altogether with a majority of the post offices still grappling with lack of facilities and poor infrastructure.
The Income Tax Department today conducted survey of at least six city-based business establishments as the last date to deposit the second instalment of income tax for the current financial year is September 15.
The All India Students Federation (AISF) today condemned the pace with which school education was getting privatised in general, especially the primary education. This, the outfit said, was leading to high cost of education which in turn was causing hardship to people from economically backward strata.
The Panun Kashmir today hailed the decision of the special court of
Ahmedabad, in which a verdict was given in the Naroda Patia massacre of 97 persons. The Kashmiri Pandit organisation has expressed hope to use same yardsticks to give justice to the Kashmiri Pandits as well.
