Jammu, December 12
A one-and-half-year-old girl allegedly died today due to inadequate treatment and negligence of doctors at the Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital in Jammu.

The victim’s family has demanded immediate removal of the head of Otolaryngology and ENT Department.

The district administration has constituted a three-member board of doctors to conduct an autopsy while the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Jammu, has been asked to conduct an inquiry into the incident.

The deceased identified as Baby, daughter of Amar Chand, a resident of Dessa Doda, was facing serious breathing complication after a corn seed choked her windpipe.

The family members of the deceased staged a protest inside the hospital and held head, ENT Department Dr Aniece Choudhary, responsible for the girl’s death. Demanding an immediate removal of Choudhary, who also happens to be the principal of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Jammu, the family accused him of charging Rs 250 as consultation fee.

“The girl was facing breathing problem after a corn seed choked her wind pipe. She was referred to the SMGS Hospital, Jammu, from District Hospital, Doda, on December 8. We covered a distance of nearly 150 km and reached there at around midnight. The hospital staff denied treatment on one pretext or the other,” a protesting kin alleged.

The protesters alleged that the hospital told them to go to a private clinic run by Dr Choudhary and they did the same. A medical checkup of the child was done there and they returned to the hospital.

“The head ENT Department (Dr Choudhary) charged Rs 250 as consultation fee and asked us to get more medical tests done on Monday. The girl was writhing under pain. She cried the whole day but no treatment was provided to her,” they said.

On Monday, Choudhary did not come to the hospital and the staff present there did not attend the girl, they said.

“No medical treatment was given to the girl. She died at around 2.30 am today. Dr Chodhary did not bother about her deteriorating condition. He is responsible for her death and should be sacked and punished forthwith,” the family members demanded.

The authorities, however, remained tightlipped over the issue avoided making any comment on the issue.

Principal GMCH, Jammu, (Dr Chodhary) did not respond to repeated phone calls. Dr Dara Singh, Deputy Superintendent, SMGS Hospital, said he was not authorised to speak on the issue.

“We have been asked not to speak on the issue. You should contact principal, GMCH, Jammu, in this regard,” Singh said.

The family of the deceased girl also called on the Jammu Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sanjeev Verma and demanded a high-level inquiry into the incident.

On November 14, a newborn was stolen from his mother’s arms, within hours of his birth in a maternity ward of the hospital. In a similar incident, a burqa-clad woman had allegedly stolen a three-day-old girl from the hospital on November 10.

There have been over 2,500 infant deaths at the hospital in the last three years.

Jammu, December 12
The much-talked about Chenab water diversion project may finally see the light of day as Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) is likely to approach Asian Development Bank (ADB) for funding in January next month.

If the bank approves the project, the work to lift 100 cusecs of water from the Chenab river near Akhnoor to Roop Nagar area will be started under the 2040 vision to meet the drinking water needs of the winter capital.

The scheme will cost Rs 895 crore benefiting two million people in Jammu city. The first phase will cost about Rs 500 crore. It envisages construction of an intake structure near Akhnoor Bridge on the Chenab, a 225 million litre daily (MLD) capacity water treatment plant at Gurapattan, and laying of 20.5-km-long 1,800 mm pipes besides other distribution pipelines and a pumping station.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), ERA, Saurav Bhagat said they had prepared documents in this regard. The details sought by the bank will be submitted in January, he added.

“Keeping in view the future needs, the project will be completed on fast track basis. Sixty five per cent of the funds will be provided by ADB, while the rest 35 per cent will be given by the Central government,” Bhagat said.

Earlier, the experts had raised fears over the feasibility to lift water from the Chenab at Akhnoor. A new study had given go-ahead to the project to lift 100 cusecs of water from the river to meet the future needs of the city.

The government had admitted that the first scheme would not be operational till 2025. A new feasibility report was prepared for the project.

“The consultant had conducted a geo-technical feasibility of the project. After the survey, they expressed concern over the landscape of the area through which the water pipes were to be laid to lift water from Ranjan lift station near the Chenab bank at Akhnoor,” said an official.

As per the project, water was to be carried by the gravity method from the Chenab which would then be filtered at a suitable spot through open channel or pipes at Roop Nagar or somewhere else on outskirts of the city.

A prolonged dry spell and increasing population in Jammu has created a permanent water crisis in the region catering to the population of 13 lakh and floating population.

What the project entails 100 cusecs of water will be lifted from the Chenab river near Akhnoor to Roop Nagar area to meet the drinking water needs of Jammu city The scheme will cost Rs 895 crore benefiting two million people in the winter capital An intake structure will be constructed near Akhnoor Bridge on the Chenab In the first phase, a 225 million litre daily (MLD) capacity water treatment plant at Gurapattan will be built Over 20-km-long pipes of 1,800 mm size will be laid in the first phase

Jammu, December 12
The partner institutions of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in J&K have decided to appeal Union Human Resource Development Minister Pallam Raju to rethink resuming the admission process for BEd and MEd programmes under the varsity’s Convergence Scheme.

There was an alleged inordinate delay by the Board of Management of IGNOU to take a final decision on admission lists.

Sources said the institutions were presently busy finalising the modalities ahead of their meeting with the Union HRD Minister in Delhi.

An official communique has recently been received by the partner institutions from the ministry in response to a letter written seeking an appointment, they said.

Sources claimed that the HRD Ministry in its reply had assured that in spite of being busy in the ongoing Parliament Session, the meeting between the partner institutions and the minister concerned would be finalised soon as “the issue is of urgent nature”.

When the Convergence Scheme was launched in 2009 by IGNOU in J&K to run various undergraduate and postgraduate courses in different streams in 25 partner institutions in J&K, it had also decided to enroll students to run BEd and MEd courses, sources added.

Surprisingly enough, the Board of Management of IGNOU suddenly decided to stop the courses in 2012 across the country which had left many students in the lurch.

Thousands of students had protested against the closure of these programmes by the IGNOU authorities without giving any specific reason.

Ashok Khajuria, member of the All Partner Institutions of IGNOU (AAPI), J&K, said, “We are planning to take up the issue with Union HRD Minister Pallam Raju. Our first priority is to apprise the minister about the submission of admission lists to the IGNOU authorities to achieve a breakthrough as we have no answer to the questions being asked by the students.”

“When the Board of Management of IGNOU decided to stop BEd and MEd programmes, it came as a huge setback to students, especially those from far-flung areas who had taken admission to pursue higher education through distance learning,” he claimed.

The issue During the launch of Convergence Scheme of IGNOU in J&K, various undergraduate and postgraduate courses were started in different streams at 25 partner institutions Alongside this, IGNOU also decided to enroll students for BEd and MEd courses under the scheme This year, the Board of Management of IGNOU decided to stop the courses across the country leaving many students in the lurch Thousands of students have been protesting against the closure of these programmes by the IGNOU authorities

Jammu, December 12
Work was crippled for half a day at the Civil Secretariat here in the winter capital today after thousands of employees abstained from their official duty in protest against the government’s alleged dilly-dallying over their long-pending issues.

The half-day protest call was given by the Civil Secretariat Employees Coordination Committee— an amalgam of non-gazetted employees’ union, Civil Secretariat Lower Grade Employees Union and employees of the State Motor Garages, Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council.

The employees under the banner of Coordination Committee assembled at the lawn of the Civil Secretariat and raised slogans in support of their demands.

Rauf Ahmed Bhat, the chairman of Coordination Committee, said the state government on July 8 had reached an agreement with them assuring them of taking concrete steps to resolve their issues by September 30.

“Even after the lapse of more than two months, nothing has been done to fulfill our demands. The delaying tactics of the government forced us to adopt the path of agitation. In spite of getting ample time, the government remained unmoved and compelled the employees to hold protest,” Bhat said.

He said the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, BB Vyas, had invited the Coordination Committee members for a meeting in which the government had sought two days time to look into the internal issues of employees.

“We will wait for the government’s response for next two days. It depends on it and the Coordination Committee will decide its future course of action thereafter,” he said.

He also made an appeal to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to personally intervene in the matter and resolve the issues of employees.

The employees had been demanding enhancement of retirement age from 58 to 60 years, removal of pay anomalies, regularisation of daily wagers, revocation of the government order 168-PDD-2012 dated 1-6-2012 and reorganisation of services.

Their demands Enhancement of employees’ retirement age from 58 to 60 years Removal of pay anomalies and regularisation of daily wagers Revocation of the government order 168-PDD-2012 dated 1-6-2012 and reorganisation of services

Poonch, December 12
While the District Administration, Poonch, created much hype over a sanitation drive launched three days ago, it is yet to take note of the clogged and overflowing drains on the bus stand road, much to the inconvenience of commuters.

Residents have a tough time going from the bus stand and other nearby areas towards the main market in Purani Poonch as these drains, choked with waste dumped by local shopkeepers and ‘dhaba’ owners, emanate a lot of stink.

“The water, overflowing from these drains, covers entire roads causing inconvenience to passersby. These drains are not cleaned regularly due to which they start overflowing, often causing water logging in the area,” said a local resident.

“It is pitiable that district officers pass through the road but do nothing about the problem,” another local rued.

Residents are specially miffed with the lackadaisical attitude of the Poonch Municipal Council.

Mohammed Parvaiz, executive officer, Poonch Municipality, said, “The population of Poonch has increased manifold but the number of posts of safaiwalas is as it was 20 years ago, we need 80 safaiwalas for Poonch town but we have only 12 sweepers to clean all the 17 wards.”

“Despite all the odds, we have launched a drive to clean all the drains and nullas ahead of the rainy season so that the problem of clogging does not erupt,” he said.

Poonch Deputy Commissioner Ajeet Kumar Sahu, on the other hand, said, “We had launched a drive but due to some technical problems, we stopped it for sometime but it will restart and the clogged drains will be cleared within no time.”

Kathua, December 12
Chief Minister’s political advisor Devender Singh Rana said the Legislative Council elections had “exploded the political myth called the PDP” and had proved that the party was an aberration in the political space of the state. He said people of the state had decided to reject the divisive forces whose foundation was based on petty political machinations, intrigues and lies.

Addressing party workers at Kathua on Tuesday, Rana said, “After a humiliating defeat in the polls in south Kashmir, particularly in Mufti’s constituency Anantnag and Mehbooba’s constituency Wachi, one is aghast to hear the PDP say that it has emerged as a political alternative when they know that they have been rejected by the electorate.”

Rana said it was surprising that those who could not hold on to their citadel of south Kashmir and had been defeated miserably across the state claim a decent pan Jammu and Kashmir performance. He said the tall claims of the PDP about increasing inroads in Jammu province had been dented as they had even lost in their two Assembly segments in Poonch and Rajouri, namely Mendhar and Darhal.

Rana said the coalition’s win in the elections was victory of a principled politics, the huge committed cadre base under the leadership of Omar Abdullah, an unparalleled era of development, a new chapter in transparency, accountability in governance, a steadfast approach on all political issues pertaining to the state and its people and politics of secularism and communal harmony.

He said after having failed to divide the people on the basis of caste, religion, region and sect, the Muftis were making a desperate attempt to create fissures among the bureaucracy and were making baseless statements.

Katra, December 12
Youth from Reasi and Ramban districts, who were on an educational tour, returned to Mahore after a fun-filled fortnight. The flagging-in ceremony was conducted by the Officiating Commander of the Rashtriya Rifles, Garrison. Minister for Higher Education Abdul Gani Malik welcomed the 24 youth back and listened to their experiences during their ten-day tour.

He asked the students to also share their experiences about the progressive India with their friends and relatives.

Malik complimented the Army for their continued efforts to change the perception of the local populace, which he said was one of reasons behind peace and tranquility in the region.

The tour was special for students as for most of them, it was the first visit outside Jammu and Kashmir. A student, while expressing his excitement, said, “While for the rest of India, Jammu and Kashmir is heaven on earth, for us the rest of India seems like heaven on earth.”

The Officer in-charge of the tour said trips like these transform the lives of people. “These trips are an integral part of Operation Sadhbhavna. Various groups have been taken on such trips to different parts of the country to show various cultures, the traditions and lifestyles across India,” he said.

Mohan Singh, a teacher from Mahore, said the tour was an eye-opener for the students. “The mindset changes after such educative tours. Students want to move out for better prospects. Even while living in the village, one can notice the changes in lifestyle of the touring people. The impact is very high and positive. Most of them have grown up in an environment of terrorism and still have fears about it. This exposure boosts their morale. The Indian Army has played a major role in not just eliminating terrorists here but also in educating youth about life skills,” he said.

The Counter Insurgency Force at Reasi had organised the tour to Dehradun, Mussorie, Nainital and Bareilly. Apart from local sightseeing, some of the highlights of the tour were meeting Chief Minister of Uttaranchal Vijay Bahuguna, witnessing the passing out parade at the elite Indian Military Academy, visiting the Lal Bahadur Shastri of Administration, where IAS officers are trained, and the Jat Regimental Centre at Bareilly.

Jammu, December 12
The Jagti Tenement Committee has demanded introduction of the Temple and Shrines Bill for safeguarding the religious places of Hindus in Kashmir valley.

The committee has also sought settlement of Pandits at one particular place in the Valley.

Shadi Lal Pandita, a member of the committee, expressed concern over the neglect of religious places belonging to Hindus in the Valley many of which, he said, were being encroached upon by the land mafia.

Pandita urged the government to bring the bill in the upcoming session of the Legislative Assembly.

Committee members also expressed concern over the non-payment of monthly cash relief for the month of November for which Kashmiri Pandits were awaiting for.

He said the government had been averse to migrants from Kashmir all these years.

“The state has failed to enhance the cash relief for migrants. The residents of Jagti tenements live in darkness when as there remains 18 hours power shutdown,” Pandita said.

He said though they had approached the government time and again to provide adequate electricity to the residents but to no avail.

The ex-gratia relief granted to the migrants for their gutted properties has not been paid as a whole, he said.

Jammu, December 12
The J&K girls’ team beat the Central Board of School Education (CBSE) Board by a huge margin of 97 runs today in the National Tennis Ball Cricket Championship under the 58th National School Games at Parade Ground here.

The J&K won the toss and opted to bat first. It made 120 runs in their allotted quota of eight overs. Rubia was the top scorer with 46 runs, including five fours. Mehnaz contributed 36 runs, including three fours.

For the CBSE Board, Parul, Divya, Akanksha and Palakh shared a wicket each.

In reply, the CBSE Board managed just 23 runs for the loss of six wickets. For the J&K, Mehnaz was the pick of the bowlers with a five-wicket haul while Rubia contributed with one wicket.

Youth Services and Sports director Jai Pal Singh, deputy director Ashok Kumar and other senior officers of the department witnessed the contest.

Jammu, December 12
The J&K Police (JKP) scripted a 6-5 win over the CISF to cruise into the semifinals of the 61st All India Police Hockey Championship at KK Hakhu Stadium here today.

The JKP will now lock horns with the SSB in the semifinals to be played tomorrow at the same venue. The The match between the JKP and the CISF went right down to the wire with both the teams playing outstandingly in front of a capacity crowd at the venue.

Both teams scored two goals each in the stipulated time and the winner was decided through penalty shootouts, wherein the JKP had the last laugh. For the JKP, Gurjeet Singh scored both the goals while for the CISF, Major Singh struck one goal while another goal came through Manoj.

In penalty shootout, Sikanderpal Singh, Vijay Kumar, Surinder Singh and Manjit Singh scored goals. For the CISF, Mangla Munda, Harish and Kumpal Lakra were the goal scorers.

In another match, the Punjab Police defeated the Uttar Pradesh Police by 7-2 goals to seal a semifinal berth.

Out of seven goals scored, four were scored by Jugraj Singh. Gaganjeet Singh, Rajpal Singh and Baljit Singh Dhillon contributed a goal each. The SSB edged out the Tamil Nadu by a solitary goal scored by Joy Chander Singh.

Jammu, December 12
Darshan Kumar of MAM College secured the first position in the 90-kg weight category in the Inter-collegiate Judo (men) championship at Gymnasium Hall, University of Jammu here yesterday. Vishal Singh of GDC Kathua and Midhual Ghai of GGM Science College bagged the second and third spots, respectively.

In the 100-kg weight category, Ishtiaq Ahmad of MAM College and Aman Sharma of GGM Science College bagged the first two positions, respectively.

Daler Singh and Midual Ghai of MAM College and GGM Science College bagged the first and second positions, respectively.

In the 56-kg weight category, Aman Gupta of MAM College secured the first position while Devinder Singh and Vivek Sethi of GDC Kathua and GGM Science College stood second and third, respectively.

Vivek Sharma of MAM College clinched the top spot in the 60-kg category whereas Jugal Kishore and Sanjeet Singh of GGM Science College and GDC Kathua finished at the second and third spots, respectively.

In the 66-kg weight category, Sahil Sharma of PG department and Pushap Thakur from GDC Kathua bagged the first and second positions, respectively. Zahid Hussain of GGM Science College and Suraj Prakash finished a joint third.

In the 73-kg weight category, Ashwani Choudhary of MAM College bagged the top honours while Arun Sharma and Yogeshwar Singh of GGM Science College and GDC Kathua fetched the second and third positions, respectively.

Ranjodh Singh of MAM College secured top slot in the 81-kg weight category whereas Ankish Paul of GDC Kathua and Satinder Singh of PG Department settled for the second and third positions, respectively. — TNS