Jammu, October 22
With the number of dengue cases reported in the district reaching six, the district health department has put city hospitals on a high alert. As many as three cases were reported this month only while earlier cases were reported in August.

The hospital authorities have been directed to keep a check on the rising number of dengue cases and create awareness among the people to prevent such cases.

“Three cases were reported this month which is a high number and we have issued an alert in all the district hospitals as well. Dengue mosquitoes are active till the middle of December so we must be alert till then,” said Dr Kuldeep Kesar, State Malariologist.

“The easiest way for protection against the disease is awareness as hygiene is the best method to keep the mosquitoes away and to avoid fever,” he said.

The three patients reported positive for dengue here were from the paramilitary forces. Jammu is a transit point for visitors from across the country, there is greater possibility of people getting infected with dengue in the region.

Dengue is an acute fever caused by a virus. It occurs in two forms: dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever which is more severe with bleeding and sometimes due to shock, which may even lead to death.

Symptoms of severe and continuous pain in abdomen, bleeding from the nose, bruising in the mouth and gums or skin, frequent vomiting with or without blood, excessive thirst, pale cold skin, restlessness, sleepiness and black stool like coal tar are the main symptoms. The fever leads to bleeding three to four days later. It is more dangerous in the case of children.

The state malariologist said unlike malaria, dengue mosquitoes bite during the day and propagate in clean water that gets collected in tyres, water coolers etc.

Jammu, October 22
The 94 Battalion of the BSF observed the Police Commemoration Day in a noble manner. The Batallion launched the second plantation drive on its premises at Indreshwar Nagar in RS Pura near here to pay tribute to the martyrs on the Police Commemoration Day yesterday. The BSF personnel along with their families took part in the plantation drive and planted 500 saplings to mark the occasion.

To mark the occasion, the 94 Battallion launched the second plantation drive at Battalion HQ Campus, Indreswar Nagar, Jammu, and at all border out posts of the Battalion.

Gurjant Singh Dhaliwal, Commandant 94 Bn said, “The 94 Bn is conducting a plantation drive for the second time as a tribute to the martyrs. The first plantation drive was initiated by the Battalion on October 21 last year at Achhad Poonch.”

“This is an ongoing drive launched by the Battalion and in future also we would continue with the plantation drive in our area to achieve the target of planting 5,000 saplings during the year,” he added. The concept behind the plantation drive is to remember the supreme sacrifice of all our colleagues, who laid down their lives in the service of the nation and to protect the environment, he said.

The drive started with Dhaliwal’s wife Chavvi Dhaliwal planting a sapling.

Jammu, October 22
With a considerable decline in infant mortality rate from 43 in 2010 to 41 in 2011 against the national target of 44, the state government has succeeded in saving the lives of over 3,500 newborns by providing better healthcare facilities under the National Rural Health Mission.

These are the findings of the recent report of the Sample Registration Survey (SRS) Bulletin on infant mortality rate for 2011. “It is the outcome of better execution of flagship programme of the NRHM in the state,” said a senior NRHM officer.

The official records reveal that infant mortality rate, which was 51 in 2007 declined to 43 in 2010, which has now been reduced further to 41 per 1,000 live births.

Strengthening of the healthcare infrastructure and on the ground implementation of various schemes had brought the infant mortality rate down by two points, experts said.

An official spokesperson said various measures that have been taken in this regard include strengthening of the existing Facility Based Newborn Care Centres that have been setup under the NRHM during previous years, rolling out of Home Based Newborn Care (HBNC) programme under which neonates are provided care at home by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) trained in HBNC. It is also learnt that eight Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) have been established till date and seven more are to be established during this year to improve child care. During the current year operational cost for five functional SNCU’s, Rs 10 lakh each for one year and Rs 5 lakh each for six months for other three SNCU have been provided. 

Jammu, October 22
Former Union Minister and MLA Jammu West, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, laid the foundation stone of a stadium at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Bakshi Nagar in Ward No 27 here today.

The stadium will be constructed from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) of Prof Gupta. An initial grant of Rs 10 lakh will be spent on the phase-1 of the project.

MLA Jammu West said the construction of a stadium was a very old demand of the residents of the area.

He said sports had always played an important role in building a healthy society. He said the initial amount is not sufficient for the stadium and he would speak to the Sports Minister for his intervention for more funds to complete the project in time.

Prof Gupta also handed over Rs 20,000 from the CM fund, Rs 25,000 from the CDF and also gave Rs 1 lakh from the Education Department to Sonika Sharma who is suffering from kidney failure.

He also appealed to the people to come forward to help Sonika.

Jammu, October 22
Jammu and Kashmir Sikh Societies Amalgamate today held a meeting under the chairmanship of Gurdeep Singh Sasan chief patron of the amalgamate, and discussed the socio-economic and political problems being faced by the community.

Addressing the meeting, Sasan appealed to the Chief Minister to immediately issue a notification for the formation of a Minority Commission in the state. He said Sikhs in J&K are deprived of their fundamental rights of availing benefits under various schemes which are being enjoyed by Sikhs in the rest of India.

The Ministry of Minority Affairs runs three merit scholarship schemes whereas our state is not covered under the NCM Act 1992, the Section 1(2) of which states that the Act extends to the entire country except Jammu and Kashmir.

Sasan also demanded an amendment in the NCM Act 1992 to make it applicable to the state and by considering enactment of a law for the promulgation of the J&K Minorities Act along the lines of the model Act developed by NCM.

He also appealed to the government to make the recent amendment to the Anand Marriage Act applicable in the state also. He said the state government must approve the said central amendment thereby giving the opportunity to the Sikhs to get register their marriages under the Anand Marriage Act.

Jammu, October 21
Just two months after Jammu got its traffic lights system, Traffic police personnel are skeptical about the success rate of these signals as a long term alternative to the vehicular mess, keeping in view the narrow roads and high concentration of vehicles on roads.

A whopping amount of Rs 2.50 crore was invested to install the traffic lights at 30 locations in Jammu.

The project was one of the priorities to manage the vehicular movement in a better way. According to the experts, due to the absence of wide roads, signals will further create mess with frequent stopping of the vehicles.

Sources said the problem with the traffic signal is that roads are not wide enough and per km concentration of the vehicles is much higher than Chandigarh, New Delhi and other metropolitans. If traffic is stopped for just 60 seconds every few minutes, there is a frequent jam.

Sources said administration is looking for other options, rather than using the technical tools to deal with the chaotic traffic movement.

“Traffic signals are not the only solution to the problem of frequent jams in the city. The project is there, but it is not the ultimate solution”, said a senior traffic police officer.

The project has seen much delay since it was announced by the state government in Legislative Assembly. Initially J&K Traffic Police was asked to conduct a survey to choose the areas where these signals could be installed, but later it was rejected by the government. Later, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) invited tenders from the companies, but it also remained a very sow process.

Nadeem Qadri, who runs a NGO, said: “Signals installed at Janipur, Roop Nagar, Satwari, Gandhi nagar, Kachi Chawni and Bikram Chowk become almost useless during rush hours.”

“The long lines of matadors don’t follow the rules and coupled with technical snags, traffic lights give confusing signals,” he said.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Traffic Manmohan Singh said police is also taking action against the people who jump the signals.

The plan was initiated in 2005, when traffic department had submitted a proposal to the government. Later, administration constituted a task force, which had sent a report to the Home department, and it was decided to implement the project on the basis of Built, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) mode.

Jammu, October 22
Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) of the Ministry of Petroleum, in collaboration with WWF-India, CEE, Paryavaran Mitra and Directorate of School Education Jammu organised PCRA painting competition.

The competition was organised at Government Higher Secondary School (Boys’), Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, today. In the painting competition as many as 400 students and teachers from 35 participated in two categories.

Anupama Rai, KAS, PO Directorate of School Education Jammu, was Chief Guest and SK Raina, Field Advisor SIE Jammu, was guest of honour on the occasion. Lalit Gupta, Art Historian and Sanjay Sharma of Department of Environment Sciences, Jammu University, and Mubasir Zargar of CEE were the judges.

In group A (class 3th to 5th) Sahil Bahadur of class 3rd of SDK High School stood First, Rakesh of class 5th of Government Middle School, Railway Colony, stood second and Insiya Verma of Heritage school stood third. In group B (class 6th to 8th) Sarthak Turki of class 6th of Banyan International School stood first. Samridhi of Jodhamal Public school stood second and Aninya Bilawria of Jodhamal Public school stood third. 

Katra, October 22
Surinder Angural was adjudged as best comedian in ‘Hassaya Vayang Pratiyogita’ which concluded at Durga Bhawan last evening.

A cash prize of Rs 25,000 was awarded to him for his extra ordinary performance in stage show organised as part of festival by the Hassaya Vayang Manch, Katra with active support of Shree Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and State Tourism Department. Dilshad and Kewal Krishan Kewal were adjudged 2nd and 3rd in the contest and awarded cash prizes of Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000, respectively.Deputy Commissioner Reasi Nirmal Sharma was the chief guest on the occasion.

After passing through preliminary round only 16 participants were short listed to perform in the semifinals of which only seven were selected to exhibit their talent in the mega final. Complementing the organisers of the ‘Hassaya Vayang Manch’ for the successful conduct of the event, the Deputy Commissioner Reasi hoped that the show would gain new heights of excellence in near future. She said that best efforts would be put in place to encourage the show so that maximum talented people from across the country would participate in the contest.

Among others, President of the Manch Gopal Padha; former President Municipality Ambrish Mangotra; Assistant Director Tourism Veenakashi Koul; Executive Officer MC Katra Ravi Sharma; General Secretary and executive members of the manch were also present on the occasion. 

Jammu, October 19
Jammu University Teachers’ Association (JUTA) today thanked the university’s Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor for taking up the long-pending demands of the teachers of the university and presenting these in the university council meeting held in Srinagar yesterday.

Dalip Singh Jamwal, President, JUTA, who is also the member of JU University Council, said: “The council in its decision agreed to grant retrospective effect to the increments due to PhD and M Phil wef 01.09.2008.”

In another decision, the council also agreed to grant additional increments as per sixth pay commission recommendations to the teachers for their placement at different stages of placement.The JUTA president regarding the enhancement of the age of the teachers, said JU Vice-Chancellor Professor MPS Isher informed him that in today’s KU Council meeting, the Chancellor and Pro-chancellor discussed the issue and the Pro-Chancellor assured that he will soon take a decision on it.— TNS

Katra, October 22
Wrestler Yudhvir Singh from Haryana won the seventh Mission Dosti wrestling title at Vivekanand Sports Stadium, Katra, by defeating his England rival wrestler Leon in a thirteen-minute long interesting final bout on Sunday.

The wrestling championship was organised as a part of the Navratra Festival by the J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association with an active support of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), J&K Tourism Department, Navratra Festival Committee, Katra Municipal committee, district administration and the locals of Katra.

Youth Services and Sports minister RS Chib, who was the chief guest on the occasion, complemented the J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association, SMVDSB, District Administration and all the other agencies for holding the Indo-Pak wrestling event at Katra, the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine to promote goodwill between the two countries.

Chib said India had always favoured pleasant relationship with Pakistan, adding that some vested interest do not want that peace should prevail in the sub-continent. He said wrestling being the most popular game, especially in the rural areas of both the countries, would defiantly act as a bridge to spread peace and brotherhood in the region.

The minister said adequate sports infrastructure was being created at the block and panchyat-level so that young players were encouraged. He also complemented the SMVDSB authorities for taking extra initiative to develop the Vivekanand Sports Stadium, Katra, on modern pattern for which a comprehensive project had already been prepared. He said the provision of Akhara (wrestling court) would also be kept in the stadium to boost the game.

Yudhvir Singh was awarded the silver gurj, patta and a cash prize of Rs 55,000 while the runner-up got a cash of Rs 45,000 jointly by the chief guest.

The district administration had made elaborate arrangements of security, traffic regulations, drinking water, power supply and sanitation. Among the others present on the occasion were Olympics bronze medal winner Yogeshwar Dutt, J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association president, members of the Navratra festival committee, prominent citizens, large number of yatris and the local people.

Jammu, October 22
Vijay Club registered a win over Sainik Colony Club by a solitary goal today in the ongoing Senior Division League football Tournament being organised by J&K Football Association (JKFA) at GGM Science College Ground.

In the match, first half remained goalless despite concerte efforts from both teams. It was Tanpreet Singh, who scored the all important goal for Vijay Club in the 68th minute in the second half. The match played between Jammu United and Young Rovers ended in a goalless draw.

The matches were officiated by Saudagar Mattoo, Kamal Kumar, Harmanjeet Singh and Sanjay. The tournament is being organised by Surinder Singh Bunty, resident secretary of Jammu Wing of JKFA and organising secretary of the tournament. — TNS

Jammu, October 22
The girls’ of Samba district beat Udhampur district in straight sets to clinch the U-14 volleyball title today in the divisional level inter-district girls’ volleyball championship which began at Youth Hostel, Nagrota Ground.

The final set score read 25-20, 25-20.

Meanwhile, in the earlier matches played, Udhampur beat Kathua by 25-10, 25-15 while Samba thrashed Jammu in two straight sets by 25-20, 25-21.

In U-17, Poonch beat Kathua by 20-25, 25-21, 25-18 whereas Samba defeated Jammu by 25-18, 25-15.

The tournament is being held under the overall supervision of Ashok Kumar, Deputy Director Youth Services and Sports, Jammu.

Over 100 girls’ drawn from all 10 districts of Jammu division are taking part in the event, which is being held as part of the annual calendar of activities. Prominent among others present on the occasion included Sarita Pandha, Pushpa Sharma, Jaswant Singh and Rakesh Kakkar.