Jammu, October 18
Despite strict guidelines of the state government on the vehicles carrying schoolchildren, private schools are giving a go-by to safety aspects with old and rickety buses and auto-rickshaws ferrying children to schools.

A day after 40 students of Delhi Public School (DPS) Jammu had a narrow escape after the brakes of the school bus failed, The Tribune found that most of the buses - either owned or hired by reputed schools of the city - were old and didn’t meet the specified guidelines of the Supreme Court.

Some buses were even plying without physical fitness certification which is a pre-requisite for ensuring that the buses comply with all safety norms. As various schools have stopped increasing their fleet of buses, a good number of students were also seen travelling in overloaded auto-rickshaws and cabs.

“The Supreme Court as well as the state government has set strict guidelines for school buses that all educational institutions need to follow in letter and in spirit but the school buses - owned or hired by private schools - don’t follow these guidelines. The school authorities should look into this issue as it is directly related to the safety of students,” said Ram Kumar, a worried father whose daughter studies in a reputed school of the city.

Yesterday’s incident was an eye-opener for the school authorities as well as the parents who send their children in the school bus because they consider it to be safe, Kumar said.

Rashmi Sharma, an engineer, said the school buses seem to get fitness certificates without “mechanical checking”. “The transport officials often give fitness certificate to school buses just by seeing a fresh coat of paint, thereby putting the lives of students and road-users at a risk. Corrupt officials call the shots at the transport office that issues these certificates to school buses and vehicle owners manage to renew permits by greasing their palms,” Rashmi, a mother of two, said. Sources said the vehicles, especially school buses, need to be checked thoroughly before being given fitness certification. “There are strict guidelines for vehicles to be used for ferrying schoolchildren, which include minimum 10 years’ experience of driving for drivers, yellow paint to become easily distinguishable and buses should have working speed governors,” sources said, adding, “School authorities don’t adhere to these rules and they send the vehicle for a review only when a tragedy strikes.”

Mehraj Kakroo, Transport Commissioner, J&K, said: “There is no question of awarding fitness certificate to school buses without proper checking. Yesterday’s incident was a mechanical failure and it has nothing to do with fitness of vehicles.”

Jammu, October 18
With the detection of polypropylene in non-woven bags, which have emerged as an alternative to polythene carry bags in Jammu and Kashmir, the government has banned its use and asked the manufacturers and distributors to surrender their stock by October 31.

The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) have served notices on the manufacturers and importers of non-woven bags after laboratory tests revealed that bags used in the city and other parts of the state contained polypropylene, a plastic fibre which is a non-biodegradable material.

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court had banned the use of polythene in the state in 2008 and now these bags can’t be used in showrooms and shopping complexes from next month.

Officials said the regional director had written a letter in August this year to the corporation that non-woven bags had failed the tests and many of the companies blacklisted in Delhi and other places were dumping their material in J&K.

“Some industrial units and shopkeepers are manufacturing and selling non-woven bags as an alternative of polythene with the plea that the material used in these bags is bio-degradable but it is not the case”, said Dr Vinod Sharma, Health Officer, JMC.

Tests have indicated that the non-woven bags contained polypropylene to the tune of 98.3 per cent, which is a non-biodegradable material.

The State Pollution Control Board had decided to send samples of the bio-plastic bags to the Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology for checking their quality before granting approval and banning their use. Non-woven fabric is a fabric-like material made from long fibres, bonded together by chemical, mechanical, heat or solvent treatment. “Except for the manufacturers, no one, including the government, knew which material the non-woven bags were made of until now. Through laboratory tests, it was found that the non-woven bags are actually made of plastic mixed with a bit of additives (fabric) to give it a look and feel of cloth”, said Lal Chand, chairman, SPCB.

Jammu, October 18
Notwithstanding claims of the Power Development Department (PDD) to supply uninterrupted power during festivals, many areas of the city are facing unscheduled power cuts during the Navratras.

Many of the residential colonies are facing abrupt power cuts during the morning and evening hours, when people are engaged in religious rituals. The problem is more in Gandhi Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Rampura, Satwari, Channi Himmat, Trikuta Nagar and in the outskirts of the city. Even the metered areas are facing the power cuts. Reports said many residential localities, including Parade, Kachi Chawni, Janipur, Roop nagar, Paloura and Bari-Brahman, were also reeling under regular power cuts.

Batote, October 18
Panic gripped Batote and its surrounding villages today when a bear killed a calf and mauled a woman and a man in Bandhera village.

The bear pounced upon Kaushlaya Devi, wife of Ramchand Bhagat, when she tried to save her grazing calf from the bear. Her relative, Yograj, too, was mauled by the bear when he tried to save her. Both were referred to the Government Medical College, Jammu, from the SKME Hospital, Batote.

Yograj, who was bitten on his face and head, was reportedly critical and Kaushlaya is stated to be out of danger. — OC

Jammu, October 18
Police Martyrs' Memorial was supposed to keep the memory of those who lost their lives while fighting for terrorism in past two decades but the memorial has lost its identity due to neglect of the officers.

Stagnant water and improper maintenance has totally made a mess of the things at the memorial, to remember 1,529 police officers and men, including Special Police Officers (SPOs) and Village Defense Committee (VDC) members, who died in the line of duty.

The memorial has become a symbol of official apathy, only remembered on October 21, when the state observes Police Martyrs' Day.

"Memorial outside Jammu Railway Station glorifies supreme sacrifices of our brave officers. It should be kept in a good condition," said a local shopkeeper.

"Outside the wall of the memorial, stagnant water could be seen whenever there is rainfall and open area around the place is filled with wild grass. No annual maintenance work is carried out," he said. Then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and then Director General of Police (DGP) Kuldeep Khoda inaugurated the memorial on January 30, 2008 after Jammu Development Authority (JDA) gave the land to the police department. The memorial was constructed by the J&K Police Housing Corporation.

The memorial was constructed without the eternal flame negating the purpose of the place, which was widely criticised. Though it now has Amar Jawan Jyoti, but people seldom visit the place.

"Location of the place is not people friendly as there is no proper parking area. It should have being constructed somewhere else, may be at a place where everyone could visit it easily," said a senior police officer. When contacted SP South Rajeshwar Singh said preparations are going on for martyrs' day, which falls on October 21.

"For past few days the place is being spurned up for the event. As far as its maintenance is concerned it is duty of the Battalion Commander entrusted with duty to guard the place," said Singh.

"Before embarking upon the project, tenders were floated at the national level and three companies were short-listed to finalise a design befitting to the supreme sacrifice of our officers and men," said a senior police officer.

Katra, October 18
As a part of the 'Navratra festival' being organised by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Katra, and state tourism department in collaboration with the district administration, Reasi, and local organisations at Katra, a colorful procession, comprising of holy palanquin of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, attractive tableaux depicting varied shades of rich cultural heritage and the folk troupes attired in their traditional dresses marked the beginning of the 3rd day of festival on last evening.

Minister of State for Cooperative, Finance, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, who was the special guests on the occasion, lit the lamp at Asia Crossing, Katra; the venue from where the procession was supposed to start. The procession after passing through main bazaars of the town finally culminated at Government Higher Secondary School, Katra. Enroute, devotees of the town and other parts of the country were seen showering petals on the procession and raising slogans in praise of Mata Vaishno Devi.

A cultural performance presented by the artists of song and drama division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (GOI), spell bounded the large crowdduring the ongoing Navratra festival- 2012 at Government Higher Secondary School, Katrat evening.

Jammu, October 18
Activists of Congress party today staged a protest against Om Parkash Chautala, former Chief Minister, Haryana, for labeling false allegation against Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi.

Congress activists took out a demonstration in front of the party office at Shaheedi Chowk and burnt effigy of Chautala, who had accused Rahul Gandhi of tax evasion in land purchase in a village in Palwal district of Haryana.

Before burning effigy of Chautala, Congress activists rejected the allegation as entirely false, utterly baseless and defamatory. They said that Chautala has labeled the charges just to defame Rahul Gandhi. They warned that Congress would not tolerate such dirty things of opposition parties. They said that following their failure to compete with Rahul Gandhi, leaders of opposition parties have been indulged in such cheap things only to get popularity.

Jammu, October 18
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu, Dilbagh Singh, today reviewed the crime, security, law and order situation of the region at zonal police headquarters here.

Chairing the third review meeting of the year which was attended by the DIG and the IGP, he was apprised of the overall crime, security, law and order situation of the zone. The steps taken on counter insurgency front for a better security and law and order scenario were discussed.

Katra, October 18
All India Devotional Song Competition entered second day late evening as a part of the Navratra Festival 2012.

On second day, All India Devotional Song Competition started with lighting a lamp by chief guest Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, Minister of State for Finance, Co-operatives, Science & Technology, along with former minister, Yogesh Sawhney.

Robin Singh, Director Tourism; former Mayor Manmohan Choudhary; Joint Director Tourism Ajay Sharma; Additional Superintendent Of Police Katra Mohan Lal; besides members of the Navratra Festival Committee, Sardhari Lal Dubey, Shiv Kumar Sharma, were present on the occasion.

In the preliminary round of the competition, Reema Devi of Kanyala, Jammu, was adjudged 1st, Archana Balwal from Udhampur was adjudged 2nd and 3rd position was bagged by Juhi Singh from Jammu.

The devotional song competition was adjudged by the panel of experts in musicians, including Parduman Singh, former programme executive, Radio Kashmir, Jammu, and Dr Usha Bhagati, former HOD Music.

The proceedings of the programme were conducted by Rakesh Wazir chairman of the competition.

Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, chief guest, while speaking on the occasion extended greetings to the organisers of the Navratra Festival in general and All India Devotional Song Competition in particular said the event provided platform to the singers and increased the potential of tourism in the area as the event was being aired through satellite channels.

Jammu, October 18
Udhampur district clinched both U-19 and U-19 titles in boys’ and girls’ section, respectively today in the divisional level inter-district handball tournament, which concluded at handball ground, Police Lines, Gandhi Nagar.

In U-19 boys’ final match, Udhampur defeated Kathua by 14-12. At half time, the score card was in favour of Kathua with 7-6. Amit Choudhary was the star performer for Udhampur. He scored as many as six goals. Naman and Akhil Sharma slammed three goals apiece. For Kathua, Francis scored seven goals.

In U-14 boys’ final match, Jammu defeated Doda by a margin of 2 goals (10-8) to claim the title trophy. Rajan Kalra and Rahat Malhotra scored three goals each for Jammu while Mehran scored three goals for Doda.

In girls’ final match, Jammu thrashed Poonch by 6-1. Reea Sagar scored four goals and Manvi Singh scored two goals. For Poonch, Rukhsana Kousar scored the lone goal.

Udhampur subdued Jammu by a margin of nine goals to claim U-17 boys’ title. Ayush scored six goals for the winning team while Rahul scored four goals. For Jammu, Honey Gupta and Akshit scored five and two goals, respectively.

The U-17 girls’ title went to Doda district, who defated Jammu by 10-0 with utmost ease. Kajal Devi was the star performer for Doda with five goals.

DIG Jonny Williams was the chief guest in the valedictory function.

Speaking on the occasion, Jonny Williams, who himself was an outstanding sportsperson, said winning and losing is a part of the game. He lauded the efforts of the department in organsing the championship with great success.

Ashok Kumar, Deputy Director, Youth Services and Sports, while addressing the gathering said lot of hard work was needed to groom the players to the highest level. Over 300 boys’ and girls’ drawn from various districts of Jammu division participated in this tournament which was organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports under the overall supervision of Ashok Kumar, Deputy Director Youth Services and Sports, Jammu.

jammu, October 18
MAM College thrashed Government Degree College (GDC), Poonch, by 4-2 goals in the final match to clinch the Inter-Collegiate Hockey (Men) Tournament being played at University of Jammu Ground today.

The goal scorers for the winning team included Jaspreet Singh, Rajveer Singh, Shoket and Gurveer Singh. For GDC Poonch, Navjot and Mohammad scored goals. Professor Deep Shikha Kotwal, Director Law School, University of Jammu, was the chief guest in the final match. She was introduced with the players and officials of the team by Professor Dhian Singh Bhau, Director, Sports and Physical Education, University of Jammu. Later, she also awarded winners trophy to MAM College team. The Tournament was organised by the Directorate of Sports and Physical Education, University of Jammu. — TNS

Jammu, October 18
Vijay Club defeated Young Rovers by 2-1 goals in the inaugural match of the Senior Division Football League Tournament organised by the Jammu wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) at GGM Science College, football ground.

Vishal Dogra scored first goal for the Vijay Club in the 31st minute while Dhananjay scored second goal in the 49th minute to make it 2-0.

For Young Rovers, Sourav Jamwal was the goal scorer.

The match was officiated by Ramesh Chander, former International footballer; Harmanjeet Singh, Elija Sotra and Amandeep Singh.

Tomorrow, Churchill Brothers will lock horns with Mussa Club while Jammu Sports will face Young Star tomorrow.

Earlier, DIG Jammu JP Singh inaugurated the tournament in the presence of Dr Nirmolak Singh, vice-president, JKFA, Jammu wing; Surinder Singh Bunty, resident secretary, JKFA, Jammu wing; and the organising secretary of the tournament, Kuldeep Singh, Mohan Lal, Harbhans Lal and Yousuf Don.

Jammu, October 18
Army Public School (APS), Udhampur, lifted the Northern Command Inter-Army Public School Quiz Competition.

Army Public School, Akhnoor, and Army Public School, Nagrota, had to be contended with second and third positions, respectively.

In all, six schools namely Army Public School, Dhar Road; Army Public School, Srinagar; Army Public School, Nagrota; Army Public School, Akhnoor; Army Public School, Rakhmuthi; and Army Public School, Udhampur; participated in the competition sponsored by the Oxford University Press.

The event was conducted by Aditiya Nath Mubayi from Oxford University.

Earlier, the contest was inaugurated by the officiating chairman of the school, Brig G M Sankar by lighting of the lamp.

Vinod Joseph, principal of the school, congratulated the winning team, comprising Arun Sharma, Apporva Sharma, Amritansh Gupta and Shalini Satyaprakash.

He also congratulated the team in-charges namely Sandeep Singh, Rakesh Verma and Suraj Rakwal.

Batote, October 18
A one-day free medical camp was organised by the army at Sankhoja village in Bhadarwah on Wednesday.

The medical team, comprising of regimental medical officer assisted by nursing assistants examined as many as 113 patients, including 33 females and 39 children.

Jammu, October 18
Ramban Police today organised a Marathon 'Run for Fun' under the Civic Action Programme at Ramban today.

The marathon was held in four categories, namely open category civilians (above 35 years), open category civilian (below 35 years), school boys' and girls'.