The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Save Tawi campaign an eyewash
River continues to be a dumping ground as JMC, Pollution Control Board apathetic
Sumit Hakhoo

Jammu, November 30
The so-called campaign by NGOs and government agencies for cleaning the Tawi looks like an eyewash. The pride of Dogras, river Tawi, is still a dumping ground for people. As the winters set in and the water level declines, a large portion of the riverbed is filled with solid and toxic waste.

Having religious significance for people across the region, the river is on the verge of death and the only hope for its revival is the upcoming lake being constructed near Bhagwati Nagar. Even some of the nullahs emanating from the city are finding their way into this tributary of river Chenab. In the solid waste, one can find medical waste and non-biodegradable refuse at several places.

“The campaign by NGOs and some organisations is just a show for getting media hype. They become active only when they want to show their presence for donors and getting aid. Even the government agencies are limiting their efforts only to press notes,” said Veer Saraf, a social activist.

The dumping has reached such an alarming scale that six filtration plants along the course of the river are facing shortage of water, as it gets diverted and filthy.

People dump garbage without any fear of being punished by the authorities. Many of them throw garbage from the bridges.

“Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) or Pollution Control Board (PCB) have not bothered to discourage people against dumping waste. They do not take any action, which is killing the river, a major source of drinking water for 13 lakh inhabitants of the temple city,” said another local, Lalit Khajuria.

JMC Commissioner KL Khajuria said, “We have been able to stop flow of drains. After the garbage disposal site is developed, the problem pertaining to solid waste will be solved.”

Even the beautification project that was initiated in 2004 by then Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed and later reviewed by Ghulam Nabi Azad when he was the Chief Minister of the state has not been completed.

The river has turned into a virtual dump, as untreated liquid waste pours directly into the river and untreated solid waste is dumped into the nearby land. This consistent dumping has increased the biochemical oxygen demand above the permissible limits and led to deterioration of the quality of water.

Norms for ferrying school kids thrown to the winds
Even Supreme Court judgment given the go-by
Sumit Hakhoo

Jammu, November 30
Despite directions of the district administration to implement norms set by Supreme Court of India (SC) for ferrying school children, they continued to be violated. One can still find kids almost stacked in autorickshaws and small vans, beyond their capacity.

This is in open defiance of the ruling regarding the safety of vehicles carrying children by private educational institutions. There are around 40,000 students being ferried by around 850 privately-run buses, cabs and auto-rickshaws.

The court had issued a set of directives making it mandatory to strictly follow standards for safety of children.

The school managements, Director School Education (DSE) and the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) are not implementing the laws strictly, putting lives of children at risk.

According to rules, school buses should be painted yellow, should have a first aid box and a fire extinguisher and there should be space under the seats to keep the school bags safely. The doors of the bus should be fitted with reliable locks. Though most of the vehicles are coloured yellow, other norms are not being complied with.

A recent direction of the traffic police to private cabs to limit the number of students being ferried per vehicle every day has led to cab owners raising the monthly fare.

Director School Education (DSE) Gulzar Qureshi said the administration recently held a meeting with the school management and parents to discuss the issue.

“To some extent, our warnings have paid dividends, but there are some against whom notices have been issued. We cannot tolerate it further,” Qureshi said.

He said parents and the common people should bring to his notice any violation by the institutions.

“People need to come forward so that the administration and the department can take action,” he said.

A few weeks back, the traffic department had directed private transporters not to ferry more than seven children in vans and Sumos and three in autorickshaws. Later, they went on strike, citing rise in the fuel prices, which, according to them, has led to losses.

Contribution of Chenab region to Kashmiri highlighted
Tribune News Service

Kishtwar, November 30
The Department of Kashmiri, Kishtwar campus, of Jammu University today organised a one-day seminar on the topic “The Contribution of Chenab valley to development of Kashmiri language and literature”.

Noted Kashmiri poet Muhammad Amin Doolwaal, Gulab Saifi and Prof Assadullah Wani were the resource persons in the seminar. They talked about the poets and writers from the region.

They said the Chenab region had contributed a lot to the Kashmiri language and literature and historians cannot ignore their contribution. The seminar was presided over by Director of Kishtwar campus Prof Shohab Inayat Malik.

Speaking on the occasion, budding poet Gulab Saifi threw light on the poetry of Rasa Javedani, a legendary poet from the region. He said it was Rasa Javedani who wrote ghazals in Kashmiri language and thus contributed a lot.

Speaking at the seminar, Doolwaal described Rasajavadani as not only a towering poet but also a simple human being. He threw light on the poetry of Janbaaz Kishtwari. He said it was Janbaaz Kishtwari who introduced people to a new style of music called “Challanat”, which was liked across the valley. He added that Kamgaar Kishtwari, Ulfat Kishtwari, Nishat Kishtwari, Ishrat Kishtwari and Aseer Kishtwari too had contributed a lot for development of Kashmiri language and literature. He quoted some verses of Janbaaz Kishtwari’s Kashmiri poetry, which regaled the audience.

Prof Assadullah Wani said Chenab valley had produced poets and writers like Rasajavandi, Bashir Bhaderwahi, Wafa Bhaderwahi, Deewana Bhaderwahi, Margoop Banihali, Manshoor Banihali and others, whose contributions to development of Kashmiri language and literature could not be ignored.

Prof Wani also threw light on the poetry of Nund Rishi (Shaikh-ul-Aalam).

Court awards 7 yrs RI as trial stretches on for nine years
DS Chauhan

Jammu, November 30
Principal Sessions Judge, Samba, Kartar Singh today awarded seven years rigorous imprisonment and also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on accused Parshotam Kumar for raping a 13-year- old school-going girl after nine years’ protracted trial.

On August 16, 2003, persons on patrol duty on the national highway at Gagwal received information from a reliable source that at Chann Matluni, the accused Parshotam Kumar had raped the 13-year-old. An FIR was registered against the accused and a charge-sheet was filed. After the creation of Sessions Court at Samba, the case was transferred for the trial of the accused. The accused was charged for commission of the offence falling under section 376/323 of RPC, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Principal Sessions Judge, Samba observed: “The girl was brutally raped by the accused knowing fully well that she was of tender age. Rape involves severe degree of emotional and psychological trauma. It is an offence which in fact obliterates the personality of the victim. Her happiness has been shattered by the savage act of the accused.”

Since the alleged incident took place about nine years back and thereafter the accused got married and has his own family, as such, these may be extenuating circumstances in his favour which entitles him to minimum sentence as provided under Section 376 of RPC.

The court, therefore, convicted the accused and sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of seven years and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000. “The fine if recovered, shall be paid to the prosecutrix as compensation, failing which the accused shall further undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of six months,” held the court.

‘RTI best piece of legislation in the world’
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 30
Institute of Management, Public Administration (IMPA) and Rural Development in association with the State Information Commission organised an RTI awareness-cum-training programme for members of the civil society.

Course coordinator and faculty member Dr Rachna Goswami inaugurated the event and welcomed the participants and apprised them about the global RTI scenario.

She said over 70 countries around the world are presently operating this transparency law and in more than other 50 countries the similar kind of law is in the pipeline.

While comparing the Indian Right To Information (RTI) Act with other countries, she said we have best piece of legislation across the world.

Raman Sharma, a prominent RTI activist, explained the importance of this transparency law through his powerpoint presentation. He said the RTI Act is not only to unearth scams and corruption in the system but it also helps the administration to develop a habit of management and proper record keeping.

He also highlighted the genuine grievances of the public information officers (PIOs) in dealing with the RTI applications in absence of adequate infrastructure and manpower. He urged the state government to provide adequate facilities and incentives to the PIOs. Later, course coordinator awarded certificates among the participants.

35 farmers to attend Agro Tech 2012
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 30
As a part of the continuous efforts of the department to upgrade their knowledge and provide exposure to the farmers and officers of the Department of Agriculture, a group of 35 farmers and 6 officers representing different districts of the Jammu Division has been deputed for participation in Agro Tech 2012 - India’s premier biotechnology and business fair organised by Confederation of Indian Industry at Chandigarh from December 1-4.

The group which has been deputed under the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) was flagged off by Director Agriculture Jammu Ajay Khajuria, from Krishi Bhawan, Directorate of Agriculture.

He emphasised that the fair would feature display of best products and techniques in agriculture and would provide an opportunity to the farmers to learn about the latest technological achievements and best practices in the field of agriculture. The event is an international business fair which attracts participation from all over the world with the main highlights of the fair being farm services, farm tech, food expo, good earth, implement expo, livestock expo, etc.

Joint Director Agriculture Inputs, Sushil Sani; Deputy Director Trainings, Sudesh Kaul; Veg Agronomist, K K Uppal; Agriculture Chemist, G D Gupta and other officers were also present at the fair.

‘Present education system is theoretical and outdated’
Anshul, Shivani, Harmeet bag top 3 positions in elocution contest
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 30
Anshul Gupta from Government MAM College bagged the first prize in the inter-college or departmental elocution competition organised by the Department of Students Welfare, University of Jammu. Shivani Anand from Government Women College, Parade, and Harmeet Singh from GGM Science College won the second and third positions respectively.

The topic of the contest was ‘reforming Indian education: perspectives, issues and ways forward’.

Expressing their view points, the participants highlighted that the present education system in India, which was inherited from the Britishers, is theoretical and outdated. It requires a series revamping exercise. The government is taking steps for the development of the system.

The steps like recommendations made by Radhakrishan, Mudaliar and Kothari Commissions, education policies of 1968 and 1986 and distance education via IGNOU have brought a revolution in the education sector. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Rashtriya Madhymik Abhiyan have given boost to the education sector. Prof NR Sharma, Jagdish Chander and Dr Kavita Suri, were the experts for the said contest.

Prof Jasbir Singh, provost hostel (Boys), was the chief guest on this occasion while Prof. NK Tripathi, Dean Students Welfare, presided over the contest.

Ansual Gupta shall represent the university in the 39th Kamal Nayan Bajaj Memorial National Inter-University Competition being organsied by the Shiksha Mandal, Wardha on January 11-12.

The programme was compered by Nitin Sharma, a member of the Students Cultural Council.

Workshop to upgrade teachers’ skills
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 30
MHAC School organised an interactive session for its teachers to upgrade their teaching skills with evolving technologies.

Resource persons from Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had conducted the sessions.

Abhishek, a CBSE resource person, explained the rules of the board and solved various queries of the staff members of the school. Following a discussion, a panel of some teachers and the resource person prepared a module fit for the school working in CCE programme.

Teachers also had an interacting session with Atul Kumar, a resource person in Teach Next modules, to facilitate teaching in latest audio visual manner with the help of various useful applications of the system installed in the class rooms.

Principal Alok Betab inaugurated the workshop and extended a vote of thanks to the resource person(s) for their valuable advice.

Red Ribbon Express to arrive in January
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 30
The Red Ribbon Express to create awareness about fatal HIV infection will arrive in Jammu and Kashmir in January next year and will remain here for a week.

Addressing mediapersons here today, the project director of the J&K State AIDS Prevention and Control Society, Dr Rakesh Khajuria, said the Red Ribbon Express will arrive in J&K in January next year.

It will remain in the state for about a week at four stations, Bari-Brahmana (January 2), Udhampur (January 4), Samba (January 6) and Kathua (January 8).

Describing prevention as the buzzword to stay safe, Dr Khajuria said World AIDS Day is being observed on December 1 and the inaugural function is being held at Jia Pota Ghat in Akhnoor.

He further said the issue of HIV/AIDS is a serious one and the message regarding its prevention and control needs to be spread far and wide, for which the role of media is of prime importance.

He also said there are around 3,492 HIV-positive patients in J&K and 1,095 are living on Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART).

He also threw light on the different components of National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) being implemented by the J&K State AIDS Control Society.

These components include Information, Education, Communication (IEC), Integrated Counselling & Testing Centres (ICTC), Anti- Retroviral Treatment (ART), Blood Safety (BS), Main Streaming (MS), Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GIPA) and Targeted Intervention (TI).

207 persons get free medication
Our Correspondent

Rajouri, November 30
The Rashtriya Rifles unit based at Kalakote organised a medical camp under the Operation Sampark on Thursday at old Lambi Bari in Rajouri district.

The absence of proper medical facilities in the area is posing inconveniences to the locals. They have to travel a long way for the treatment as the nearest doctor available is 15 kms away from the village.

On the occasion, about 207 persons, including 51 women and 48 kids, were given free treatment and medication. The Army authorities said they would take more such initiatives in future to provide medicals services in the remote areas. Dr Suresh Gupta, BMO Kalakote, Izarial Sarpanch Dakkikot and teachers of Barkat Primary School expressed their gratitude to the Army for extending the medical facilities to the locals.

Warm sendoff for JU retirees
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 30
Jammu University Non Teaching Employees Union (JUNTEU) today accorded a warm sendoff to Suman Gupta, Assistant Registrar, and Ram Prasad, Technical Officer on their retirement.

A farewell party was held in appreciation of their services rendered to the institution. President of the union Sunil Sahi congratulated them and appreciated the contribution made by Suman Gupta and Ram Prasad who have served the institution in different capacities.

“It is just because of life-long service and commitment of people like them, this institution has achieved success and is excelling ahead with confidence,” he said.

During the function Manoj Chauhan, general secretary, Ravi Gupta, vice-president, Ashwani Bakshi, joint secretary, Pervesh Ratta, organising secretary, Abhinav Sharma, treasurer and executive members of the union were also present.

ASI accorded farewell
Tribune News Service

Udhampur, November 30
The staff of Civil Defence Organisation accorded farewell to Assistant Sub Inspector, Badri Nath serving in the office of Civil Defence, on his superannuation.

He served the department for 40 years in different capacities. Joint Director Planning Udhampur, Rakesh Jamwal was the chief guest on the occasion.

Jamwal wished Badri a happy and prosperous retired life and presented him a gift on behalf of the civil defence organisation. Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Controller Civil Defence, Udhampur, Deputy SP, Bodh Raj lauded the services of Badri.

Among others, Deputy SP CID/SB, Daljeet Singh, DySP, CID/CI, Mohd Aslam, Senior Prosecuting officer, Kamal Sharma, chief warden, Surinder Khajuria, CD wardens, prominent citizens and officials of Civil Defence Udhampur were present.

BSF Raising Day celebrated
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 30
On the eve of BSF’s 47th Raising Day, the force’s Jammu frontier today organised a blood donation camp at its Paloura headquarters near here.

The camp was inaugurated by IG BSF Jammu, Rajeev Krishna. The IG laid emphasis on the importance of blood donation and said it is the best way to serve mankind.

Besides Krishna, hundreds of officers and other ranks of the BSF donated blood voluntarily, which was deposited with Government Medical College Jammu for the needy.

Dr Vijay Sawhney, Professor and HOD Blood Bank, GMCH Jammu, was present on the occasion.

Sports council
Another standing committee meet soon
Final decision on two important issues yet to be taken
Vikas Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 3
J&K State Sports Council is likely to convene another Standing Committee shortly. However, a final decision on two important issues pertaining to regularisation of contractual coaches/instructors and Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) is yet to be taken by the authorities concerned. Sources said the modalities are being finalised to prepare an agenda for the upcoming meeting.

The Tribune had reported that during the previous held Standing Committee meeting under the chairmanship of Sports Minister RS Chib at MA Stadium, a decision was taken to regularise all the contractual coaches.

Sources said the contractual coaches/instructors have now decided to submit a memorandum to the Sports Minister, thereby expressing resentment over an inordinate delay to regularise them. Sources added that when the aggrieved coaches approached the Sports Council to know the present status, they were informed that their file had been sent to the Finance Department for approval.

Sports Council, on the other hand, has made it clear that they do not have adequate finance at their disposal to pay salaries to the coaches/instructors once they are regularised.

MS Baba, Chief Sports Officer, told The Tribune, “Sports Council is running short of funds at the moment and it is not possible for us to manage the salaries of coaches/instructors who will be regularised. It is the Finance Department which has to deal with this matter and I am hopeful the matter will be sorted out soon.”

“Like contractual coaches and instructors, we have made up our mind to take up the issue with the authorities because we are fed up with the stagnation in the department,” one of the Sports Council officials told The Tribune.

“Annual Progress Reports (APRs) of most employees have been completed and there is no reason why the authorities are not taking a decision to hold the DPC meeting,” he claimed.

Meanwhile, Chief Sports Officer MS Baba said everything had been finalised for holding the much awaited meeting in December. “The council is ready to convene the DPC meet in December and info related to the same will be informed to all the officials concerned soon,” Baba said.

Semis line-up drawn in All India Vice-Chancellor’s T20
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 30
The host University of Jammu (JU), Kashmir University (KU), SKUAST Kashmir and MANNU Hyderabad today secured their berths in the semifinal of the ongoing All India Vice-Chancellor’s Twenty20 Cricket Cup being played at JU Grounds here.

In the first quaterfinal, JU got the better of HP Shimla University by 3 wickets. Batting first, HP Shimla University accumulated 130/8 in the allotted 20 overs. Devender played a fine knock of 40 runs while Rajesh and Lalit contributed 32 and 20 runs respectively.

For JU, Daud Iqbal was the chief destroyer with a five-wicket haul while Vishal and Niranjan grabbed two and one wicket respectively. In reply, JU overhauled the target for the loss of 7 wickets in 19 overs. Prakshit was the top scorer with a defiant 40-run knock whereas Vishal (25), Noor Beig (19), Daud Iqbal (17) and Sumit (17) were the other notable contributors. For HP Shimla University, Mukesh was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets while Rajesh chipped in with two wickets.

Dr Daud Iqbal Baba was awarded with the man of the match award.

In the second quaterfinal, SKUAST Kashmir toppled Pune University by 122 runs. Batting first, SKUAST Kashmir accumulated 170 runs in the allotted overs. In reply, Pune University was perished for paltry 48 runs in 12.3 overs.

In other matches played, MANNU Hyderabad beat PAU Ludhiana by 4 wickets and Kashmir University beat Delhi University.

J&K team scripts win in basketball

Jammu, November 30
The u-17 basketball teams (boys and girls) of J&K today notched up wins in their inaugural matches of the ongoing 58th National School Games being played in Chhattisgarh.

The boys’ team had last laugh against Uttarakhand by 32-11 while the girls’ team trounced their opponent from Vidyabharti.

Now, in their next group matches, the boys’ team will take on Manipur while the girls’ team to face against Delhi on Saturday.

The teams are taking part in the competition under the banner of the Department of Youth Services and Sports.— TNS

Easy wins for Kathua XI, GDC Poonch
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 30
Kathua XI and Government Degree College (GDC), Poonch, today scripted wins to advance into the next round of the ongoing 17th Waryam Memorial Hockey Championship at Degree College Ground, Poonch.

In the first match, Kathua XI defeated Waryam Club by 5-4 goals. The goal scorers for the winning team were Amit (10th), Suraj (15th), Abhinav (35th and 60th) and Digvijay (69th).

For the Waryam Club, Matinder Pal Singh (4th), Salil Raina (16th), Gurdev Singh (47th) and Ranveet (67th) scored goals.

In another match of the day, GDC Poonch got the better of Pritam Club by a comfortable margin of 6-0 goals. Jagvinder was the star striker with four goals which were scored in 5th, 44th, 50th, 57th minute respectively.

Aman and Talvinder scored goals in the 9th and 54th minute respectively. The matches were officiated by Narinder Singh, Harmik Singh, Ruchika Sharma, Amarjeet Singh, Ramanjot Singh, Kulwant Singh and Rajesh Sharma.

Prem Parkash Luthra, Mohammad Tariq Khan, Rajinder Singh, Pushkar Raj Sharma and Gurdev Singh were also present on the occasion.

Border guard injured in mine blast
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 30
A BSF border guard sustained serious injuries after he inadvertently stepped on to anti-personnel mine in Krishna Ghati (KG sector) along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district this afternoon.

He has been identified as Constable Harinder Singh of 135 Battalion of the BSF and a native of Punjab.

“The incident occurred around 12 o’ clock this afternoon when the border guard, who was on a patrol duty, mistakenly stepped on an anti-personnel mine,” said a BSF spokesperson.

“After first aid, he was immediately airlifted to Military Hospital in Satwari here. The jawan suffered injuries on his legs but luckily, the extent of damage was not much. He is being kept under observation,” the spokesperson stated.