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Gridlock on roads as traffic signals stop working
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Kerosene shortage, LPG crisis forces Batote residents to steal firewood
Sanitation project launched
3 ultrasound clinics sealed
medical negligence
PDP least bothered about people: Slathia
Update KYC forms within a month, oil companies told
Cross-border convention to start from
December 14
Panun Kashmir to hold meet on December 28
Minister inspects construction of Panchayat Bhawan
Educational tour flagged in
Tributes paid to Ravi Shankar
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Gridlock on roads as traffic signals stop working
Jammu, December 13 Commuters face a harrowing time as vital roundabouts were gridlocked due to non-functioning of traffic lights. Traffic Police said the signals were made non-functional on an ‘experimental basis’ to assess the flow of traffic on these roundabouts. In the run-up to the exercise of relocating traffic signals to busy chowks from ‘redundant places’, traffic lights at Panama Chowk, Ambphalla, Panjthirthi and Paloura rotaries were made non-functional for past two days, resulting in chaos and frequent traffic snarls. Vishal Sharma of Gandhi Nagar said, “Some lights were not working at the busy rotaries. There was complete chaos at Panama Chowk in the afternoon where long traffic jam was witnessed due to non-functioning of the traffic signal. Even traffic policemen were conspicuous by their absence that had made the situation more complicated.” Muneer Ahmad Khan, Inspector General of Police (Traffic), J&K, however, said some traffic signals had been made non-functional on an ‘experimental basis’ to assess and get an update about the flow of traffic on these rotaries. “There are some places where there is no or less use of traffic signals. We are assessing the traffic scenario on these rotaries and will make recommendations to the government to bring some changes in the existing system so that traffic signals are installed on such places where there is an immediate need for them,” the IGP said. He said the department was facing problems in regulating and streamlining the traffic because of the non-installation of traffic signals at some points. “The Roads & Building department and Jammu Municipal Corporation have also started marking of roads, preparing zebra crossing bands and lane arrows at several places to further streamline the system,” Khan said. On April 11, Jammu Tribune had reported that the project to install traffic signals had all the ingredients of ending in a fiasco. It was also highlighted that the ‘planners’ for inexplicable reasons had ignored the city’s some of the busiest locations from their ‘priority points’ where traffic signals and lights were to be installed in the first phase. The 30 city intersections where traffic signals were installed on a priority basis in the first phase include, Satwari Chowk, Main Stop, Gole Market, Green Belt Gandhi Nagar, Chattri Point Gandhi Nagar, Bikram Chowk, Jewel Chowk, KC Crossing, Shakuntla Crossing, Medical College Crossing, Ambphalla Chowk, Canal Head Crossing, Bakshi Nagar Pulli, Talab Tillo Chowk, BSF Paloura Crossing, Library Chowk, Vigilance Rotary, Parade Chowk, Rameshwar Temple, Shalamar Chowk, Indira Chowk, Vivekanand Chowk, Saheedi Chowk, Panama Chowk, Janipur Main Chowk, Janipur-Roop Nagar Crossing, High Court Turning, Kunjwani Chowk, Narwal Chowk and Bathandi By-pass road. On December 11, Minister of State for Home, Nasir Aslam Wani had chaired a high-level meeting and constituted a new committee comprising JMC Commissioner, DIG Traffic, Jammu, Deputy Commissioner and officials from the R&B and the PDD to coordinate and remove impediments in the smooth regulation of traffic. He had also asked the Chief Engineer, R&B, to assess the possibility of widening roads at congested points across the city and along the rotaries as it would help ease pressure of traffic at these junctions. |
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Overloaded auto-rickshaws face action
Jammu, December 13 "There were some complaints that some prestigious schools in the city had hired auto-rickshaws to ferry schoolchildren to and from the schools. The department has decided to rein in the erring drivers who pack children like sardines putting their lives at risk," a traffic policeman said. The policemen, however, said they avoid impounding auto-rickshaws because it would lead to harassment of the children as they would face problem to reach their home. "The parents should avoid hiring auto-rickshaws for their children," the policeman said. He said the drive would continue and no auto-rickshaw driver would be allowed to carry students more than the permissible limit. |
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Kerosene shortage, LPG crisis forces Batote residents to steal firewood
Batote, December 13 While LPG has become scarce and unaffordable but also the ban on the use of domestic cylinders for commercial use has forced many hoteliers, dhaba and tea stall owners to use kerosene oil or steal wood from farms or forests. In Ramban district particularly in Batote almost everyone has the HP Cylinder (HPC) supply but its supply was stopped by the Aparna Gas Agency (AGA), Udhampur/Kud after Indane Agency (IA) got the licence for the entire district. Residents are reluctant to shift their LPG connections from HPC to Indane. Till November 30, only 402 KYC forms were received at TSO, Batote and none had exchanged HP cylinder with Indane in Ramban yet. "Genuine subscribers of HP from Batote may be supplied gas by the AGA from Kud like before. The government is trying its best towards it," said Assistant Director, CAPD, Ramban, TP Singh. "As per the government order, except cremation grounds and mosques the sale of fuel wood in the state except Leh province is banned, so I can't issue any firewood," DFO, Batote, BA Shah said in reply to Farooq Zargar's request. "With no LPG supply available here and only 5 litres of kerosene oil available on the basis of the ration card per month, we are compelled to use forest firewood or heaters stealthily to survive in the winters," said Zargar. |
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Sanitation project launched
Jammu, December 13 Minister for Revenue Raman Bhalla yesterday laid the foundation stone of the complex and said the state government was striving hard to provide basic amenities to people living in both urban and rural pockets. Listing development schemes under various sectors, the minister said the government was
determined to ensure that the benefits of various state and Central schemes percolate down to the grassroots level. The minister said people’s cooperation was vital for the execution of
developmental projects and effective implementation of various schemes. The minister said the construction of Sulabh Suchalaya in the area was to provide better
sanitation facilities to the people. He urged the people to ensure cleanliness at such public places as it was their own property. |
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3 ultrasound clinics sealed
Rajouri, December 13 The team conducted raids and seized two ultrasound machines during raid at M/s Showkat Mehmood Health Care Ultra-sound Centre near the old district hospital, Rajouri, M/S Rifat Ara MCH Ultra-sound Centre, Kheora, Rajouri, and M/S SS Medicos, Kheora, near New District Hospital, Rajouri. The raids followed complaints against the privately-run clinics here. During the raid, the authorities found that the ultrasound machine installed in the clinic did not have any legal registration, which is in violation of the norms of the Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques. The special squad has also sealed two ultrasound machines and an entire building belonging to Dr Mehmood. Health department officials said the District Development Commissioner,
Rajouri, has also been instructed to take action against such illegal clinics. Chief Medical Officer, CMO Zahoor Shawl, Deputy Director, Jammu Baldev Sharma and ACR, Rajouri, were present during the raids. He told mediapersons, “On the basses of confirmed reports that illegal sex determination tests were conducted at these clinics.” District Development Commissioner, Director Health Services, Jammu, has asked the squad to conduct such inspections and raids regularly to curb the menace of female foeticide through sex- determination tests. |
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Rain brings down temperature in city
Jammu, December 13 Across the city, people remained indoors, as the mercury plummeted to 14 degree Celsius. The temperature is likely to dip further over the next few days with forecast of more rain. The weather condition in the upper reaches affects the temperature in the city. On Thursday, people remained indoors and kept themselves warm with woolen clothes and electronic heaters. Over past few years, Jammu has not experienced fog during the winter season. Dry weather conditions have become a major issue for the residents. “Strong Western Disturbance (WD) had arrived over the state and people will have to face the chill for few more days,” said Dr MK Khushu, senior weather scientist at SKUAST,
Jammu. He said more rainfall is likely in the plains as well as snow in the higher reaches over the coming days, which will further decrease the maximum and minimum temperatures in the city. “Conditions have become very cold, but they are good for the people as the dry weather conditions give rise to many diseases, particularly common cold,” said Dr Tanveer Ahmed. The region has been
reeling under a dry spell, with rains eluding city for last many weeks. Weatherman say for last five years the rainfall has been irregular during the winter months affecting the
Rabi season. “It was after many weeks that it has rained. It is good for the general health of the residents,” said Raksha, a college student. |
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medical negligence
Jammu, December 13 The Principal, Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu, Dr Aniece Chowdhary, who was accused of being responsible for the death of the child, directed the heads of the Department of Paediatrics and ENT to enquire into the death of the child undergoing treatment in the paediatrics unit and submit a detailed report in three days. He asked Dr Parmod Kalsotra, head, Unit 3rd, Department of ENT and Dr Sanjeev Dingra, head of Unit-I (b) Department of Paediatrics to enquire into the death of child admitted in the Paediatrics Unit I (b) as a suspected case of foreign body inhalation on December 8. The child died yesterday allegedly after undergoing "inadequate" treatment. The state government, instead of appointing medical experts to conduct an inquiry into the incident, had asked the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, RS Sharma, to conduct a magisterial inquiry into the alleged negligence leading to the death. He said several such probes were ordered in the past without any outcome. Minister for Medical Education, RS Chib, said the inquiry ordered by the Principal holds no meaning as the government had asked the ADC for an impartial probe. "The ADC has been asked to engage medical experts to ascertain the real cause of the death," he said. |
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‘Horticulture bulwark of J&K’s economy’
Rajouri, December 13 After inaugurating a fruit show in Rajouri, the minister said the strengthening of this sector would result in strengthening of the overall economy of the state. He said attention needed to be given to quality horticultural production, proper export to terminal markets and facilitation of substantial returns to fruit growers. He said the fruit markets in the state needed to be upgraded and adequate transport facilities should be provided to growers. The function was organised by the Horticulture Department under the Technology Mission Scheme. As many as 30 stalls related to fisheries, agriculture, animal and sheep husbandry, sericulture and other allied sectors were set up in coordination with farmers. Horticulture Director JN Sharma, Additional District Development Commissioner Mutloob Khan, district officers of various sectors, sarpanches, panches and progressive farmers participated in the function. The minister lauded the efforts of horticulture officers for conducting such camps, which provide requisite information and knowhow to farmers on scientific methodology in their fields. He stressed organising more such camps in other blocks of the district. During the programme, farmers were motivated to use advanced technology to improve their yields. They were told to be in close coordination with horticulture officers for the promotion of the sector. He said efforts were on to construct a cold storage plant and fruit processing units in Poonch with an objective to give a boost to this sector. Sarpanches and progressive farmers also spoke
on the occasion and shared their experiences of growing fruit crops of different species. The minister distributed prizes to farmers with best fruit produce. He called for facilitation of quality pesticides and fertilisers to fruit growers and popularising of modern techniques to enhance
fruit production and scientific marketing. SCOPE FOR MORE
Minister of State for Power, Forest, CA&PD and Transport Shabir Ahmed Khan said the strengthening of the horticulture sector would result in strengthening of the overall economy of the state. He said attention needed to be given to quality horticultural production, proper export of the produce to terminal markets and facilitation of substantial returns to fruit growers. |
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PDP least bothered about people: Slathia
Jammu, December 13 Addressing a public gathering at Barjani and Swankhah in Block Parmandal, Vijaypur, Slathia said the humiliating defeat of the Opposition in the recent MLC elections had exposed that their base was hollow. On the other hand, he said, the thumping win of the ruling coalition in the elections had proved that the people of the state had faith in them and had endorsed the politics and programmes of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Ridiculing the Opposition for its false propaganda against landmark achievements of the government, Slathia said people were wise enough to differentiate between friends and foes and could not be swayed by lies. Launching a scathing attack on the PDP, Slathia said they had ignited the communal frenzy in 2008 which had resulted in large-scale deaths, destruction and mayhem in the state. “Their sole aim is to grab power. They have least sympathy with the state’s people,” he said. He said the PDP was unnerved by the growing popularity of the coalition partners among the masses and were relying on lies and politics of deceit, which could not survive for long. Slathia said many power projects had been taken in hand to harness 20,000 MW worth hydro potential in the state. He said as many as 22 degree and 50 polytechnic colleges had been opened to ensure speedy socio-economic transformation of the people. |
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Update KYC forms within a month, oil companies told
Jammu, December 13 The government also reviewed the status of filling up of necessary documents for regularisation of domestic gas connections initiated by the oil companies in September in the wake of a cap on LPG in the state. He stressed upon the companies to accelerate the process to establish gas agencies at the block-level for which all formalities, including issuing advertisements shall be completed by next month. Expressing dissatisfaction over poor home delivery system of LPG in Jammu, Akhoon instructed the oil companies to streamline the same. He said convenience of the people is a priority for the government. Appreciating the efforts of the authorities of HPCL in improving the home-delivery system in Kashmir Division, the Minister advised the authorities of the oil companies in Jammu to follow the same and ensure that the consumers get home delivery at the earliest. He emphasised on the need for greater coordination between the government departments and oil companies to extend enhanced basic services like cooking gas to the people. He also asked the officers to ensure that the consumers get hassle-free LPG supply besides keeping a strict vigil over the black-marketing of the same. Regularisation move
The government also reviewed the status of filling up of necessary documents for regularisation of domestic gas connections initiated by the oil companies in September in the wake of a cap on LPG in the state |
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Cross-border convention to start from
December 14
Jammu, December 13 Among those who arrived in the city for the event today are Justice (retd) Abdul Majeed Malik, Justice (retd) Manzoor Hussain Gilani, Justice (retd) Sharif Hussein Bukhari, Mirpur Chamber of Commerce president Mian Khalid Rafiq, banker Shabbar Hussain, journalist and peace activist Irshad Mehmood, poet Saghir Khan, human rights activist Farouk Niazi, researcher Maria Iqbal, pakistani journalist Raza Rumi and former Pakistan High Commissioner to India Aziz Ahmed Khan. In a statement issued here today, the CDR said it had initiated the cross-LoC dialogue process by bringing together members of civil society from both sides of the LoC to discuss common concerns and joint initiatives for strengthening peace. |
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Panun Kashmir to hold meet on December 28
Jammu, December 13 “More than a hundred nodal points have been set up for the registration of delegates in Jammu for the convention. The Pandit community should participate in the event,” reads the press note. The community has expressed full support to the convention, which will have different sessions pertaining to nationalist geopolitical aspirations of the community. Kuldeep Raina, general secretary, Panun Kashmir, said the convention would reaffirm the Pandits’ determination towards reclaiming “ancestral homeland” as envisaged in the historic Margdarshan Resolution adopted unanimously about two
decade back. He said," The Panun Kashmir is getting full and firm support of nationalist forces who believe in the implementation of the Indian Constitution in letter and spirit in J&K.” |
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Minister inspects construction of Panchayat Bhawan
Jammu, December 13 The building is being built at an estimated cost of Rs 21 lakh. While interacting with sarpanches and panches, Bhalla said the panchayat members of the area would be able to arrange their meetings, interactive sessions and seminars in the building. He said the complex would have a meeting room, guest room, kitchen, parking lot and a toilet block. The minister said the government was committed to empower sarpanches and panches with more powers to further strengthen the democratic institutions at the grassroots level. He said after a successful panchayat elections in the state, efforts were being made to delegate adequate powers to panchayats to achieve the objective of participatory planning process. Bhalla said coordination among the Panchayati Raj representatives and the concerned departments was very crucial. The minister said the government had released Rs 207 crore for the construction of more Panchayat Bhawans in the state. He asked the concerned agencies to double their efforts for the timely completion of all ambitious projects within a stipulated time frame. The minister said the state authorities were keenly monitoring the development works through various agencies for effective results. He called for the introduction of tested techniques adopted in other states for success of several pro-people
programmes. |
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Educational tour flagged in
Rajouri, December 13 The students visited Rashtrapati Bhawan, India Gate, Parliament House in Delhi, Charminar, Mecca Masjid, Golconda Fort, Qutub Shahi Tomb, Spanish Mosque, Chowmahalla, Birla Mandir, Falaknuma Palace, Paigah Tombs, Asman Garh, Taramati Baradri, Ramoji Film City and Hussain Sagar Lake in Hyderabad. It also gave them an opportunity to interact with locals from these areas and to share their views. Sunita Sharma, a teacher from village Naosher, said she would remember this experience throughout her life. The Commander, Naoshera Brigade, while addressing the girl students, parents and villagers of Naoshera, said such trips would help in broadening the horizon of youth.
— OC |
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Tributes paid to Ravi Shankar
Jammu, December 13 Prof Padmini Tikoo, a prominent sitarist, recalled her association with the Bharat Ratna awardee. She said it was a privilege to accompany him twice on stage in Banaras and described him as an unique personality in the world of music, a ‘guru’ with divine qualities.
— TNS |
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