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Water meters for shops, hotels
Fast-track courts set up for rape cases
Violators continue to flash beacons
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Chenani-Nashri highway tunnel project
Govt employees’ strike ends
No ties with Pakistan: BJP
BGM condemns ceasefire violation incident
State team selected for football nationals
Dogri workshop concludes at JU
Jammu Sports (A) log win in football tournament
Commerce College script win in cricket
SCC, LDCA in T20 final
250 persons get livestock examined at Army’s veterinary camp
LA panel seeks report on agricultural land
Youths join PDP
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Water meters for shops, hotels
Jammu, January 10 The department, which had procured the order of one-lakh meters, has got 8,000 water meters which are being installed in the first phase. The ambitious plan is being carried out in a phased manner under which water meters will be installed at commercial hubs before households. The project could not take off so far due to stiff opposition from the residents. Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Minister for PHE and Irrigation said 8,000 water meters had been procured under the first phase under which all commercial hubs, including hotels and restaurants in the twin capital cities of the state would be covered. “All commercial hubs, including hotels, restaurants and educational institutions will now have to pay according to their usage of water. The project is being implemented in Jammu and Srinagar simultaneously from the next week. We have identified 1,500 hotels and restaurants in Jammu while the number of such establishments in Srinagar city is 1,200," the minister said. About the stiff opposition from residents and traders, the minister said the project would be strictly implemented and nobody would be spared. Sources said after commercial establishments, the department would install meters in the residential colonies under the centrally-sponsored Urban Infrastructure Development in Small and Medium Towns and Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. Inderjeet Khajuria, president, Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association, said the move would have a direct impact on the hotel business. "We are already overburdened due to heavy taxes and it is another attempt to ruin our business. We oppose the move and appeal to the government to reconsider its decision," Khajuria said. The hoteliers were already paying a huge amount as water usage charges and this move to install meters would affect business adversely, he said. There are 1, 21,814 water connections in the city, out of which 78,970 are in the City Division I and 42,844 in the City division II. There are 13,549 commercial connections with 12,092 in City-I and 1,457 in City-II, which have been identified for the meters to be installed in the first phase. The department is supplying 42 Million Gallon Litre (MGL) water per day to more than 13 lakh population of the city against the required 45 MGL of water per day. metered supply
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Fast-track courts set up for rape cases
Jammu, January 10 The other four courts earmarked as the fast track courts by the High Court to deal with such cases, include the court of second Additional District and Sessions Judge, Srinagar, Court of the first Additional District and Sessions Judge, Baramulla, the court of the Additional District and Sessions Judge, Anantnag, and the court of the Additional District and Sessions Judge, Pulwama. The High Court took the remarkable initiative in view of the urgency for expeditious trial of rape cases. The Chief Justice inaugurated the four courts earmarked as fast track courts in the Kashmir Division through video conferencing. Since, it would take time to create new fast track courts, it was resolved to earmark five existing courts to exclusively try rape cases. The High Court has also sought the creation of 10 fast track courts to try the cases pertaining to the offences against women at Magistrate level. |
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Violators continue to flash beacons
Jammu, January 10 Half hearted action on part of the Traffic Police has resulted in unauthorised use of beacon lights atop private and unauthorised vehicles. “It is not only the misuse of beacon lights, but tinted films on car windows used by government officials and politicians have proved a great menace as the police does not stop these vehicles. Often it is not clear as to who the vehicle belongs to. There is need for a sustained campaign to stop the menace,” said an official. “Such vehicles continue to blow sirens to get the roads cleared at peak hours giving the impression that some VIP is travelling in them. Instead of initiating action against the defaulters, the traffic police should impose heavy fines,” said a local resident, Pawan Sharma. The government had issued an order under
which only the specified dignitaries and officers were authorised to use beacon lights atop their vehicles. The Governor, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Chairman of the Legislative Council, Chief Justice of the J&K High Court, Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, Leader of Opposition in the House, Judge of High Court, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council, Mayor of Jammu and Srinagar can use beacon lights. Others who can use these lights include senior civil, police and district officials, with the condition that they will use the vehicles and special privilege attached with it only for official work. “Throwing all norms to the wind some senior bureaucrats, politicians and police official use beacon fitted vehicles to drop their children off to schools and coaching centres,” said Manik Sharma, a University student. DIG (Traffic), Shakeel Ahmed Beig, said they had formed special squads and seized many unauthorised vehicles and whenever they find any violation, action is taken. “It is a continuous process. Though many are following the norms but whenever illegal use is detected, action is taken,” said
Beig. |
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Travel agents protest against Punjab govt
Jammu, January 10 Narinder Gupta, association chairman alleged that the buses with a valid permit were not being allowed to go on the national highway from the entry point of Punjab though the owners were ready to pay the toll tax. “Instead the buses from Jammu and Kashmir are forced to pay illegal penalties more than Rs 50, 000," he said. He said Jammu and Kashmir is a tourist state and buses were an important part of the tourism industry. The transport authorities of Punjab Government, he alleged, were acting on vested interests to force the buses belonging to Jammu and Kashmir to stop plying on this route. “We will protest till the illegal practice is stopped,” he said. |
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Blankets distributed at Bal Bhawan
Jammu, January 10 The Chief Postmaster General said as part of the Sahayata initiative, more than 1,000 blankets will be distributed in the state. He encouraged the staff members and others to share their resources among the people who need them. Johh Samuel reiterated the commitment of the Postal Department towards the social responsibilities. “From time to time the employees of the India Post have come forward to render a helping hand to the needy. Whether it is earthquake, flash floods or any other natural calamity, the staff and officers of the Postal Department have never hesitated in contributing in every possible way. He adding that the Department had contributed generously for the 2010 Ladakh Flash Flood victims,” CPMG said. He also announced that the Head Post Offices in the state have been authorised to accept donations in kind like warm clothes, blankets etc which will be passed on to the state government agencies concerned to be distributed among the poor. |
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Harsh winter brings kangri to Jammu
Jammu, January 10 “Markets are flooded with kangris, which have become very popular in this winter season. These traditional pots, which earlier cost Rs 10 per piece, have risen to Rs 50 due to the excessive use by the people of Jammu,” said Mohinder Gupta, a shopkeeper of Janipur. With the Darbar move, thousands of Kashmiris shift to Jammu from Kashmir to avoid the Chila-i-kalan (harshest winter period). In Jammu, kangris also remain in high demand because of its popular use among Kashmiris. The Dogra community of the Jammu region also finds it very useful during the winter season not just because of its availability but due to lack of power supply. Devinder Paul Sharma, a retired government employee said, “Kangris were not in vogue in Jammu before the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley and were considered to be associated with them. Now they have become a habit with the Dogras here to keep warm in winters.” Market places in Jammu are flooded with these earthen fire pots, which are selling like hot cakes. Kangris may be easy to carry and available at cheaper price but the coal prices have soared. |
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Chenani-Nashri highway tunnel project
Batote, January 10 The tunnel would bypass Batote, Kud and Patnitop. Owners of hotel, restaurant, tea/ coffee and other businesses dependent on the movement of the tourists are setting up businesses elsewhere. “Since Batote would be the worst-hit by this development, so I thought it wise to wind up my business from the Batote bazaar bus-stand before it is too late and settle at Jammu. So, as soon as I got a shop at a place of my choice in Narwal, Jammu, two years ago I started a business there. I shifted my family and sold the shop at Batote only after having settled well there. I got my only daughter married and my grown-up son is helping me in my business,” said Balkrishen Gupta. Similarly, many residents whose children are now settled, have either sold off their houses and business establishments or are looking for buyers to migrate to Jammu or Udhampur, he said. Dipak Kapoor, a chemist, is among those who believe that they would be better off if they settled in Jammu he would like to live near his relatives living in Jammu. Most businessmen are migrating for the sake of their children who are in their formative years as well as for the sake of better business opportunities. “My daughter is studying law at Jammu and my only son is in primary school besides I failed in my business here after migrating here from Jammu because of domestic compulsions,” said Sanjay Vij who too sold his house and shops here. Others have been compelled to take this decision are those who have joint properties and either one of the brothers or sons want to migrate after selling their joint properties and have a good amount in hand to start a business and buy a house in Jammu. “My son and brother fear loss in business thus we want to start another business in Jammu and settle there,” said PremNath Gupta. Hoteliers Ram Kumar Gupta, Jyotiprakash Gupta, Vishvanath Gupta and many more have shifted to Jammu recently. |
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2 killed, one injured in accident
Batote, January 10 The vehicle skidded off 70 feet into the Goila nullah from a link road resulting in the death of Yasir Khan, 22, of Goila on the spot. The injured Mohd Shafi, 52, of Chiralla, Doda, and the driver Tariq Hussain of Goila were airlifted
to the Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, from the District Hospital, Doda. Shafi succumbed to his injuries at the GMC, Jammu. |
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IAF airlifts 2 accident victims to Jammu
Jammu, January 10 The Udhampur-based helicopter unit of the Indian Air Force received a SOS call at 10:30 am for evacuating two persons who were critically- injured in a road accident from Thathri village in Doda district. One helicopter was launched at 11 am and landed at Thathri helipad at 11:35 am. The pilot displayed great degree of control in an unfamiliar clime by guiding the villagers to put the injured in the helicopter. Thereafter the crew evacuated them to the Jammu airport where they handed over the injured to the medical team. |
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Govt employees’ strike ends
Jammu, January 10 Normal functioning in all the government and the Public Sector Units (PSU) offices remained affected on the third day as unions blamed the state government for backtracking from its promises. Employees were shouting anti-government slogans for not fulfilling their agreed demands. The demands highlighted by the protestors included policy for regularisation of casual, seasonal and daily-rated workers, who have completed seven years of services after 1994, enhancement of retirement age from 58 to 60 years, removal of pay anomalies of different cadre and disparity of clerical cadre and pay scale of 6,500 to 10,500, and DA in favour of the PSU employees. Several employees unions, including the Jammu and Kashmir Project Construction Corporation (JKPCC) employees union, Employees Union of Directorate of Sheep Husbandry under the leadership of senior leader of the JCC, Abdul Gafoor Dar, Safai Karamchari Union of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), town hall, under the leadership of its president Rinku Gill, Jammu and Kashmir Sports Employees Union under the presidentship of Bikram Jeet reached at Udyog Bhawan to participate in protest rally. Senior leaders of the JCC and others employees’ unions addressed the protesters. Later, the rally proceeded towards the divisional commissioner office where employees held huge demonstration. Later, the leaders of the JCC submitted a memorandum of demand to Jammu Divisional Commissioner Pradeep Gupta. JCC senior leader Abdul Gafoor Dar said, “The state government has betrayed the employees by not implementing the agreement signed between the government and the JCC leadership on September 15, 2011, and due to non-serious approach of the government, the employees have been forced to go on strike again.” |
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No ties with Pakistan: BJP
Rajouri, January 10 The BJP demanded no relation with Pakistan at any level. Party workers, in large numbers, gathered at the main bus stand, Rajouri, where they shouted slogans against the Pakistan Army for their barbaric action on two Indian soldiers, who were killed and mutilated inhumanly. Protesters demanded end of relations with Pakistan, including trade, visa to Pakistan citizen in India, cricket and all international relations. After taking the international community into confidence, India should launch military action against Pakistan, the protesters demanded. Senior BJP leader Kuldeep Raj Gupta said, “Despite several steps taken by India, Pakistan have always disappointed.” The BJP lambasted the Congress government over its attitude on the Poonch incident. Another leader Vibod Gupta said, “The ruling Congress Government is soft on Pakistan, which is unfortunate.” Protesters said on one side, Pakistan was continuously violating ceasefire treaty on the LOC, but on the other side, we were playing cricket and trade with them. “We need to stop all kinds of relations,” they added. After protesting for over half-an-hour, they had ended their protest march outside the Army gate near the bus stand. |
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Functioning of PRIs discussed
Jammu, January 10 Being a post-graduate in the field of medicine, the Governor urged her to take special interest in the functioning of healthcare institutions in her area, besides, the education of the girl child. |
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BGM condemns ceasefire violation incident
Jammu, January 10 Bhartiya Gujjar Mahasabha president Eshfaq-ur-Rehman Poswal has condemned the killing of two Indian soldiers during the Line of Control violation in Mendhar, Mankote area of Poonch district. “Our organisation strongly condemns this incident and it is highly inhumane that the soldiers were beheaded and mutilated,” he said adding that we had lodged our protest with both state as well as Central Government, who should take this incident seriously. Eshfaq-ur-Rehman expressed sympathy to the families of both the
martyred soldiers in Mendhar incident. |
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State team selected for football nationals
Jammu, January 10 The probables included Vikram Jeet Singh, Riyaz Ahmad, Wasim Feroz, Yasin Ahmad, Aman Thapa, Gautam, Ajay Kumar, Nazir Ahmad, Shahnawaz, Mukesh, Rohit Kumar, Khalid Qayoom, Jamsheed, Rizwan Sheikh, Urfan, Shahnaz, Sandeep, Gulzar Ahmad, Asif Majeed, Amir, Umar, Zubair, Aiman and Altaf. The team along with the officials would leave for Varanasi on January 28. J&K would play its matches against Assam (February 2), Rajasthan (February 4) and Andaman and Nicobar Islands (February 6). |
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Dogri workshop concludes at JU
Jammu, January 10 The valedictory function was held at Prof Gian Chand Jain seminar hall, Department of Urdu, University of Jammu, Prof Archana Kesar, director, Academic Staff College, University of Jammu was the chief guest on the occasion. In her presidential address, Prof Kesar said it was matter of happiness that PG Department of Dogri organised a workshop for the benefit of students and scholars. He also lauded the efforts of the Dogri Department for working tirelessly for the promotion of this regional language. Earlier, while welcoming the chief guest, Prof Shiv Dev Singh Manhas, HOD, Dogri Department said that in this globalisation era, these workshops were the need of the hour as it was very useful for the promotion and development of a language. He also highlighted the importance and relevance of the workshop. He hoped that the participants would definitely get benefit of this workshop as it was job-oriented. He said the department would organise more workshops in order to develop overall personality of scholars. |
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Jammu Sports (A) log win in football tournament
Jammu, January 10 Harpreet opened the account for his team in the 8th minute which was
followed by another goal by Harminder Singh in the 15th minute to make it 2-0 in favour of Jammu Sports (A). Amardeep then struck in the 22nd minute to stretch the lead further. Atleen Malik of Young Star managed to pull one back with a goal in the 24th minute but by then it was too late. With 10 minute remaining for completion of first half, Sushil Michael slammed another goal for Jammu Sports (A) in the 25th minute to make it 4-1. Earlier, in the first match, NGR got walkover
Young Heroes to sail into the next round. The matches were officiated by Kaushal Kumar, Vijay Kumar, Saudaghar Mattoo, Harmanjeet Singh and Mohinder Kalsi. Tomorrow, Hero Club would face Akhnoor Tigers while Jammu United will take on Young Rovers. |
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Commerce College script win in cricket
Jammu, January 10 Batting first after winning the toss, GDC, Akhnoor, managed to post 132 runs for the loss of eight wickets. Surinder Singh was the top scorer with 41 runs. Vishal Buvra (23), Pankaj Kumar (14) and Arman Chandan (11) were the other notable contributors. For Commerce College, Summary Jain was the chief destroyer with four wickets while Vikral and Ravi took two and one wicket, respectively. In reply, Commerce College did the needful for the loss of just five wickets in 19.2 overs. Amit Rathi played a fine knock of 32 runs followed by Summary Jain (26) and Suban Gupta (22). For GDC, Akhnoor, Sunny Kumar grabbed two wickets while Vishal and Surinder chipped in with one wicket. The match was officiated by Sukesh Singh, Vijay Dogra and Manu
Khajuria. |
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SCC, LDCA in T20 final
Jammu, January 10 In the first semifinal, the LDCA was declared winner over the Shinning Star, Kathua, as the latter was disqualified from the tournament on disciplinary grounds. In the second semifinal, the SCC, Ludhiana, got the better of the Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP) XI with utmost ease. Batting first, the JKAP posted a modest total of 103 runs in 19.5 overs. Ladda was the top scorer In reply, the SCC overhauled the target in 18.1 overs. Vishwas Bhalla played a match-winning knock of 51 runs. Gurinder Singh was adjuded man of the match for his brilliant spell. He was presented a cash prize of Rs 2,500 and a trophy by Sant Ram Gupta. The final match would be played on January 12 at the same venue. |
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250 persons get livestock examined at Army’s veterinary camp
Rajouri, January 10 Dr Malik Athar (vet specialist) from LDC, Kalakote, along with the Army vet specialists attended the camp and provided veterinary medical assistance to the deprived livestock of poor villagers. The aim of the camp was to help the local populace by providing treatment to their livestock at their doorstep under the Operation Sadbhavana. The camp was inaugurated by Songri Company Commanding Officer in the presence of sarpanches, panches and other civil dignitaries. Specialist diagnostic and treatment facilities, including medicines were provided free of cost to the sick animals of the villagers. Treatment to chronic cases of infertility, repeated breeding and cases requiring surgical intervention were carried out on the spot by the specialist vet team. According to an official statement, more than 250 local people turned up for medical assistance for their livestock. Professional advice was also given by the Army and civil veterinary doctors on prevention of animals diseases. |
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LA panel seeks report on agricultural land
Jammu, January 10 The sub-committee, which met here today, held a detailed discussion on the production loss in agriculture. The MLA directed the CA&PD authorities to seek verification from the Tehsildar concerned that the mud stock was available with the brick unit holder before the renewal of licence to the brick-kilns. The panel suggested that the permission may be granted only for non-productive belts and less fertile lands in rainfed areas. Later, the sub-committee convened a meeting with the Association of Brick-Kilns and apprised their problems. Discussion was held threadbare on the impact of brick-kilns on agriculture and human lives. The sub-committee heard patiently the problems of the Brick-Kiln Association and assured that the committee was not against the brick industry but would not compromise on the environmental impact. |
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Youths join PDP
Jammu, January 10 He urged the supporters to accept the polices of the PDP whole heartedly as it was the only party which could provide justice to the people of all the three regions of the state.
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The traffic Police has failed to take action against the families of politicians and bureaucrats using beacon lights with impunity.
On October 1, the Traffic Police had launched a drive against the illegal use of beacon lights.
