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Buses, vans rule the roads
Ad hocism mars arts institute’s functioning
Energy accounting a vision confined to paper |
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Centralise system for selection to MPhil, PhD: JURSEA
DDC Rajouri reviews implementation of laws to prevent female foeticide
Ministry seeks details of youth dept’s activities
NSF for remedial measures to curb Naxalism
Emphatic win for JKP, Ishar XI in Twenty20 cricket
Panun Kashmir holds one-day convention
Hizbul Mujahideen chief a puppet of Pak Army: Gujjar mahasabha
‘Develop Jammu as commercial capital of state’
J&K lose Ranji Trophy match
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Buses, vans rule the roads
Jammu, November 4 There is indeed a big question mark over tall claims of the traffic department that strict action is being taken against those violating traffic rules. Illegal parking of vehicles and overtaking by rashly driven vans and buses is the norm of the day, while steps by personnel deployed on the roads to deal with the menace are few and far between. “Traffic lights are almost redundant. Drivers of
buses and vans don’t follow the traffic lights, particularly at Bikram Chowk, Janipur, Kachi Chawni and Indira Chowk,” said Amrita Gupta, a college student. At present, there are nearly 5 lakh vehicles on Jammu’s roads, besides thousands others entering the city from other states, adding to the chaos every day. “At times, policemen could been seen taking money from violators and even from van drivers, allowing them to indulge in overloading and violation of rules,” said local resident Sandeep Sharma. Jammu SSP (traffic) Manmohan Singh said, “Manpower shortage in the ranks of traffic police is a problem, but the huge influx of vehicles on the road is a major challenge. With thousands of vehicles hitting the road every month, it is not humanly possible to deal with every vehicle.” |
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Ad hocism mars arts institute’s functioning
Jammu, November 4 All the students attend their classes in one building whereas one department, that is dance department, has shifted back
to the old building, where the students are attending their classes without any supervision. “Instead of renovation of the old building or we being shifted to the university campus, the varsity authorities have shifted us to a rented building, where the students are not being able to adjust
properly. First, the space is not enough for students and there is persistent echoing in the building’s rooms, that does not
allow us to practise properly,” said a student of the institute. “We have no idea when the old building will be renovated or the institute will be shifted to the university. They treat us like second class students,”
he added. The old building of the institute is a 100-year-old structure that once used to enjoy the king’s patronage. Regular collapses in the building had recently started leading
to accidents for students and staff of the institute, who were shifted from the premises a fortnight ago to a far-off
Tawishi College. Sources said the institute received Rs 4 crore every year in the form of funding from the government; the amount includes the salary of its employees and other expenditures. Three years ago, the state government had sanctioned Rs 69 lakh for the building’s renovation, but the work could not be started as it was decided to hand the institute over to the University of Jammu two years ago. “We wanted the institute to come under Jammu University to get the University Grants Commission recognition. But that never happened. We were rather forced to teach in a building where no one could feel secure. Now, we have been shifted to a rented building but one department is still in
the old building. Also, there are no rules and regulations to follow and no heads of departments. The institution
is running at God’s mercy,” said an instructor of the institute on condition of anonymity. |
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Energy accounting a vision confined to paper Jammu, November 4 A new set of reforms was announced by the Omar Abdullah-led government in the Legislative Assembly to curb transmission and distribution losses. It was also announced that a proper inventory would be made as to how electricity is being used after it leaves grid and power stations. Sources claimed most of the high-tech meters installed in stations are unreliable and no regular reliability tests are conducted, at times, for years together, which negates Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather’s tall claims of making officials accountable. A Power Development Department (PDD) spokesman said, “Meters need regular testing and at the moment, most of them are unreliable. The new set of reforms exists only on paper; it is yet to be implemented on the ground.” The aim of annual testing supposedly is collection of data on incoming and outgoing electricity in a particular area. Under the plan, officers responsible for distribution of electricity were to be made accountable for the units supplied from a particular feeder so far in order to keep a check on the units consumed in a locality and later tally the figure with the revenue collected by the field staff. The Union Power Ministry has been regularly asking the state to increase revenue from electricity, bring down power purchase bill and transmission and distribution (T&D) losses, pegged at around 60 to 65 per cent and initiate other reforms. “In case of the state, the reform process is a fantasy far removed from reality. Now, privatisation could be the only ray of hope. However, it will take time to fully implement privatisation,” an official said. Power purchase bill of the state has crossed the Rs 3,200 crore mark, proving to be a major drain on resources and affecting the overall developmental planning of the government in the past few years. State Power Minister Shabir Khan maintained that with privatisation of Power Development Department, things would get sorted out. “There have been some problems in the power sector, but remedial steps have been taken. Their results would be visible soon,” he said. Demand for electricity is increasing with each passing year, while the revenue realisation is not showing much improvement, putting much of the burden on the government for it to buy power from Northern Grid. It affects other sectors, as funds are diverted to meet requirements. A cursory look at the past figures reveals that power import has drastically increased in recent years. It was around Rs 1,500 crore for 2006-07, Rs 2,000 crore for 2008-09, Rs 2,560 crore for 2009-10, and the figure for the purchases had shot up to Rs 2,767.04 crore for 2010-11. By the end of this fiscal, the figure is expected to cross the Rs 3,300 crore mark. A wide gap in the power bill and revenue generation is being attributed to Power Development Department’s failure to collect tariffs from different categories of consumers including domestic, commercial and government offices.
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Centralise system for selection to MPhil, PhD: JURSEA Jammu, November 4 The association also demanded that all the scholars of the varsity - irrespective of merit list - should be given scholarship. Besides, the Vice-Chancellor of the university Prof Mohan Paul Singh Ishar should fulfil his promise of increasing scholarship to MPhil and PhD scholars, the body stated. “The varsity system has been following pick-and-choose policy while selecting candidates for MPhil and PhD degrees. There should be a check because the scholars, especially females, are subjected to harassment at the hands of their guides. In Jammu University, there is no uniformity in research courses; research should be time-bound. If the varsity is sincere in ensuring transparency in the selection system, it should adopt and implement a common entrance test for MPhil and PhD,” JURSEA president Rakesh Chib told reporters. He said scholarship should be enhanced and given to every scholar, irrespective of the merit, because it was difficult for researchers to pursue research work; enhancement of scholarship helps scholars get into successful research in their respective fields. The JURSEA chief further demanded that the university authorities should give preference to scholars in recruitment and create maximum posts in Jammu University and off-site campuses besides giving preference to scholars and students of the varsity for these posts.
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DDC Rajouri reviews implementation of laws to prevent female foeticide
Rajouri, November 4 Provisions of the Act were discussed in the meeting and directions were given to the Chief Medical Officer, Rajouri, member secretary of the committee and the Block Medical Officers. The Chief Medical Officer said publicity was being given in the media to monetary incentives for those who inform the authorities about operation of ultrasound clinics carrying on illegal practice of pre-natal sex determination. he press and the local media, it has been stated, will be further activated on this front. The DDC further asked the CMO to involve the Panchayati Raj institutions, BDOs and tehsildars in identifying illegal abortion clinics functioning across the district. The District Development Commissioner observed that whereas all the Block Medical Officers were instructed in the last meeting to ensure analysis of the Mother and Child Tracking System through Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and investigate all such cases wherever pregnancy is terminated after the 16th week, the performance of the Block Medical Officers was found deficient. Biswas directed the Chief Medical Officer to ensure strict compliance by the BMOs and warned that the officers not complying with the directions will face strict action. The DDC said that as decided in the last meeting, a Media Campaign Advisory Committee had been constituted to devise a media strategy for creating awareness against female foeticide. He further said the committee has had a few meetings, and will propose a campaign in a week. “We intend to have a multi-pronged media campaign with film shows, panel discussions, seminars and poster-making competitions at block and tehsil-level schools, colleges and panchayats to create awareness and sensitivity on the issue of female foeticide,” he said. The meeting was attended by Dr Zahoor Ahmed Shawl, CMO Rajouri, all members of the District Advisory Committee, Naseer Ahmed Khan and Jamola Nehru Yuva Club, Rajouri.
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Ministry seeks details of youth dept’s activities
Jammu, November 4 The ministry has expressed concern over the poor utilisation of Centrally-Sponsored Scheme PYKKA by the DYSS even after the recent appointment of the gymnastics coach, Krupali Singh, as the PYKKA observer. Sources said the DYSS had recently submitted a report mentioning the list of activities being conducted at the district and state-level to the newly appointed PYKKA observer. Sources said the motive was to know whether the targets set by the Union Sports Ministry to strengthen the sports at the grass-root level had been achieved or not. Sources said it was mandatory for the DYSS to make optimum utilisation of the scheme before its expiry in 2017. Sources claimed that more than 4,000 panchayats in J&K were to be covered under the PYKKA but only 700 were covered till now. The Union Sports Ministry has launched the PYKKA scheme across the country, including the state after reports were poured in regarding the lack of infrastructural facilities and fewer opportunities, especially for the rural youth to compete at the higher-levels. Sources added the PYKKA observer in J&K had sought details from the DYSS, regarding the funds spent for conducting activities in different districts of the state and the upliftment of sports infrastructure. Ashok Kumar, deputy director, Youth Services and Sports told The Tribune, “The department had submitted a detailed report to the PYKKA observer.” The PYKKA scheme is based on 90:10 per cent share basis between the Central and state government to be completed in 10 years. There is a special concession for the border and the hilly states, including J&K, where the scheme can be completed in only five years.
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NSF for remedial measures to curb Naxalism
Jammu, November 4 The protestors burnt effigy of Naxalism and blocked the University road to express their resentment against the failure of security agencies to check anti-social and anti-national activities of naxal cells. Later, they also took out a protest rally on Jammu University campus. The NSF activists, led by state president Vikas Sharma, assembled outside Jammu University and raised slogans against the Naxalism and its sympathisers. They requested Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take an overall review of the growing Naxalism in the state and directed all security agencies to identify its sympathisers. The NSF state president said the Maoists and their sympathisers were working under a clear cut strategy to penetrate the educational institutions, in towns and cities, unorganised labour, youth, educated unemployed, intelligentsia and the middle class. “They are specifically targeting the unemployed youth, and people from the marginalised section of the society. There is a surge in naxal activists in all educational institutions, particularly the colleges and universities, which is a cause of concern for any healthy society,” the NSF leader said. He also expressed concern over involvement of some teachers in encouraging such activities on various educational institutions.
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Emphatic win for JKP, Ishar XI in Twenty20 cricket
Jammu, November 4 Earlier, in the first match, JKP XI defeated Doordarshan XI by 7 wickets. Winning the toss and batting first, Doordarshan XI scored 123 runs in the stipulated 20 overs losing 7 wickets in the process. Riaz was the top scorer with 31 runs, including 2 sixes and a boundary. Bunty and Rajinder contributed 30 and 12 runs, respectively. Rajesh Gill and Sunil Sharma shared 2 wickets each for the J&K Police while Shamsher and Vishal took a wicket each. In reply, the JKP XI overhauled the target in 11.3 overs for the loss of 7 wickets. Skipper Rajesh Gill and Amit Sharma laid the solid foundation for a successful chase. Amit Sharma remained unbeaten on 54 runs with the help of 9 fours and one six while Rajesh Gill made 39 runs with 7 fours and a six. For Doordarshan XI, Rajesh Singh took 2 wickets whereas Riaz claimed one wicket. Amit Sharma of the JKP XI was adjudged the man of the match. Meanwhile, in another match played today, Ishar XI defeated HPCC XI by 6 wickets in a keen contest. Batting first, HPCC XI scored 122 runs in the stipulated 20 overs for the loss of 7 wickets. Waseem was the top scorer with 29 runs while Nadeem and Sajad contributed 19 and 13 runs, respectively. For Ishar XI, Pavit, Sourav and Vishwajeet Singh took 2 wickets each. In reply, Ishar XI did the needful in 19.3 overs by losing 6 wickets. Shubam Khajuria scored 38 runs with 4 boundaries and 1 six while Puri and Amrit scored 31 and 16 runs, respectively. Habib took 2 wickets for the HPCC while Sahil and Sajad shared a wicket each. Shabum of Ishar XI was declared the man of the match.
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Panun Kashmir holds one-day convention
Jammu, November 4 The convention had participants from Jagti, Nagrota, Purkhoo, Muthi, Udhampur and various places of Jammu. Agnishekhar dwelt over the hidden agenda of the state government, separatist leaders and their apologists to sideline the geo-political aspirations and demands of improvement of living conditions, besides overdue enhancement of the cash relief to the relief holders. He expressed anguish over Omar Abdullah’s
policy of referring the issues of Kashmiri Pandits to the Central government, thus giving an impression to the Kashmiri Pandits that they are alien in the own state. MK Raina cautioned the community against the vested interests and saboteurs, who were apparently working at the behest of agencies, to make bridges with the perpetrators of genocide and exodus. |
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Hizbul Mujahideen chief a puppet of Pak Army: Gujjar mahasabha
Jammu, November 4 Reacting to the statement of Salahuddin on panchayat representatives, the mahasabha has said people like Salahuddin and his mentors in Pakistan are surviving because of unrest and instability in Kashmir. “Whenever people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the Valley, have reiterated their faith in Indian democracy, the Pakistani cohorts have done everything possible to derail the process,” said Eshfaq-ur-Rehman Poswal, leader of the mahasabha, while addressing a press conference here today. Poswal said, “Courageous people with will, determination and conviction do not take refuge in the tents of the Pakistani Army which has already mortgaged its conscience in part to the US and in part to its own economic ambitions. People like Salahuddin who make tall statements are not leaders of Kashmir but are small-time pawns of the Pakistani Army and its intelligence agency ISI.” Poswal challenged Salahuddin to come to Jammu and Kashmir and participate in the political process to prove his leadership which he claims from across the border while sitting under patronage of the Pakistani Army. Poswal said if Salahuddin is a true Kashmiri, he should come and meet the sarpanches and panches across the Valley and know from them why people voted in large numbers in the panchayat elections. Poswal said while Salahuddin’s threats are as hollow as his ideals, the real regret is that the National Conference-Congress coalition government allows people like him to be discussed seriously in political circles.
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‘Develop Jammu as commercial capital of state’
Jammu, November 4 The CCI, however, expressed concern over delay in completion of all mega projects in the region, saying that the delayed delivery on the part of the state government was hampering economic growth as well as the quality of the life of the people. “In the absence of the government at Jammu, the developmental activities remained dormant, in hibernation and paralysed. The roads, lanes and by-lanes remained unattended for quite a long time and the authorities woke up only when the secretariat was to open at Jammu. We feel that trade and industry can flourish only if the government is helpful, sympathetic and forward looking to provide a business and industry-friendly atmosphere in the state,” said YV Sharma, CCI Jammu. He said the state government’s assurances that developmental activities and various projects for the beautification of the cities were in the pipeline but it seems that the pipeline was choked and the assurances remained only on papers. “There is a need for pro-active approach to get the mega projects completed in time,” Sharma said. The CCI Jammu chief requested the government to provide hassle-free and industrial-friendly environment and setting up of more business centres and warehouses in the region. He also demanded that the security arrangements put up at Raghunath Temple after militant attacks still exists, which was hindering the entry of pilgrims and tourists into the temple. “We request to remove completely the police posts built inside and outside the temple,” he said.
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J&K lose Ranji Trophy match
Jammu, November 4 Trailing by 182 runs in their first innings, the J&K team scored 151 runs in 49 overs. The batsmen failed to learn from their mistakes, they committed in the first innings, and kept on playing the shots without getting into the line of delivery. The home team made 195 runs in their first innings. PG Zargar was the top scorer with 31 runs followed by Hardeep Singh, who made 29. Dhruv Mahajan (21), Bandeep Singh (21) and AA Sofi (14) were the other notable contributors. For Jharkhand, Shiv Shanker Rao and MP Vardhan were the chief destroyers with three wickets each. SJ Nadeem and RJ Shukla took two and one wicket, respectively. Earlier, resuming at their overnight total of 354/8, the visitors were all out for 377 runs in 120.5 overs. Kashmir division script win
Jammu, November 4 Earlier, winning the toss and batting first, Kashmir division scored 110 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Muzammil was the top scorer with 30 runs while Dawar and Rashid contributed 25 and 27 runs, respectively. Ankush was the wrecker-in-chief for Jammu division with a scalp of 4 important wickets by conceding 12 runs. In reply, Jammu division could manage to 77 runs in their allotted quota of overs. Syed Payember (18) and Hanan (13) were the notable contributors. Sabzar was the pick of the bowlers for Kashmir division who took three wickets by giving away just three runs in his four overs. Shahid and Barkat shared two wickets each. |
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While the crumbling traffic infrastructure due to increasing number of vehicles on roads is leading to chaos every day, it seems the traffic police is in deep slumber.
Jammu University Research Scholars Executive Association (JURSEA) today demanded that the university authorities should adopt a centralised system of entrance test to select candidates aspiring for MPhil and PhD degrees.
Jammu, November 4
