The scheme was introduced for domestic category and non-domestic commercial category to give consumers an opportunity to get their load regularised

Illegal load has damaged 15,000 transformers 

Jammu, January 11
The Minister for Public Health Engineering, Taj Mohi-u-Din today asked the PHE authorities to explore the possibility of augmentation and revival of depleted water supply schemes in Gandhi Nagar constituency.

He reviewed the water supply scenario in the constituency at a high-level meeting, in presence of the Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla. He asked the PHE functionaries to take steps to repair the pumps damaged at some tube wells besides drill further where the water level had gone down.

The proposal to install water pipes in the periphery areas of Gandhi Nagar involving a cost of Rs 5.5 crore, besides replacement of damaged pipes in Ranie Talab was also discussed at the meeting. He also issued directions for replacement of damaged pipes with CD pipes to ensure sufficient drinking water supply in the area. He also asked the engineers to install the transfers according to the capacity of the tube wells.

Earlier, the Revenue Minister, who represents the assembly constituency, drew the attention of the PHE Minister towards the problems being faced by the PHE department to maintain adequate supply to various localities of the constituency. More than 100 tube wells, including 22 pumps built by the ERA, are functional in the area. 

Batote, January 11
In the absence of the office of any general insurance company, banks here are reluctant to provide loans to dairy units and retail units, or for goat, sheep, mules etc under the Swaran Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana. The banks fear losing the loan money as no insurance facilities are available in Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar districts.

BB Manhas, Project Officer, DRDA, Ramban said, "70 to 80 per cent of loan cases are for dairy, retail, goat, sheep, mules."

"We fear giving loans for the dairy and retail units as the banks risk losing money if insurance facilities are not available the same day the loan is sanctioned because of the unavailability of any GIC office here," said Anoop Fotedar, Manager, Elaquai Dehati Bank, Chanderkot.

"The fear always lurks in our minds while giving away loans to applicants from far- flung areas," said GM Wani, manager, State Bank of India, Batote.

"Timely renewal of the insurance of the hypothecated assets is also imperative and its failure involves risk," he added.

"Our bank faces less of the problem since we have a tie-up with Bajaj Allianz Insurance Company whose agent visits here occasionally," said Manager, J&K Bank Ltd, Batote, GR Tak.

The Deputy Commissioners, Doda, and Kishtwar, Farooq Ahmed Khan and Mohd Salim, respectively, said banks were reluctant in giving loans.”

"All efforts to raise the issue at every meeting have been wasted so far," said DC, Ramban, Shabir Ahmed Bhat.

Jammu, January 11
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Legislative Assembly today recommended enhancement in the allocation of funds for development agecnies in the state.

The committee members, under the chairmanship of MLA Rafi Ahmad Mir, discussed and reviewed the overall functioning of the Tourism Department, besides the CAG audit para pertaining to the department.

The members suggested that public conveniences be provided along the National Highway (NH) and tourist destinations of the state to facilitate the passengers as well as tourists. The panel also suggested establishment of view points on the National Highway.

The Committee directed the officers of the tourism department to pursue the environment and forest clearances besides other necessary formalities required to establish proposed Gandola projects in the state.

The panel asked officers to expedite work on the Gandola projects proposed for Patnitop and Ashmuqam.

Jammu, January 11
Governor NN Vohra has greeted people on occasion of Lohri and Makar Sankranti. He said he hoped that such auspicious occasions are harbingers of peace, progress and prosperity in the state.

In his message, the Governor said festivals are integral components of our composite cultural heritage which strengthen communal harmony and promote amity and brotherhood among people. He prayed for the well-being of people.

The pilgrims rued the official apathy to the high spiritual place of Bravi, which is deprived of all basic amenities

Despite the knowledge of a gathering of lakhs during the Urs, no arrangements were made by the district administration

Followers said they would like to pool funds out of personal donations to raise the basic amenities and infrastructure like approach road, water connection and power utility

Jammu, January 11
Jai Jawan Jai Kisan Development Committee (JJJKDC) today organised a function to pay homage to the former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his 47th death anniversary, at an Old Age Home in Ambphalla, Jammu.

Office bearers of the committee, led by its founder and chairman Anil Sharma, garlanded the portrait of Lal Bahadur Shastri while the inmates of the Old Age Home paid him floral tributes and remembered his contribution in nation building. Speaking on the occasion, Sharma said the country needed the leadership of the likes of Shastri to ‘weed out corruption from the society’.

Raman Sharma, another founder member of the committee, while remembering Shastri said he was not only an honest but a brave and bold politician, who did not compromise with the nation’s interest and always led a simple life.

The JJJKDC members distributed eatables among the inmates of the Old Age Home.

Jammu, January 11
The Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Jitender Singh, today chaired a meeting to discuss various issues regarding further streamlining of Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Jammu and Kashmir.

Minister for Medical Education, Technical Education, Youth Services and Sports, RS Chib, was also present at the meeting.

Commissioner Secretary, Sports J&K, Bipal Pathak and Secretary Sports, Daleep Thusu, who were also present in the meeting, briefly explained various issues regarding the release of budget for a multipurpose hall, the completion of Artificial Synthetic Football Turf (ASFT) and various proposals under consideration in the ministry.

Pathak agreed to release an amount of Rs 6 crore for the construction of a multipurpose hall, which shall take about one year for its completion and the work stands allotted to the concerned agency.

Chib assured the meeting that the ASFT would be completed by April 2013. He discussed the issue of expenditure on account of two goodwill matches between J&K- XI and Mohan Bagan and Mohammadan Sporting, Kolkata, which were held at Srinagar, Baramulla & Jammu.

Jammu, January 11
A one-day sensitisation workshop on “Intellectual Property Technology Management and Entrepreneurship” was organised by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a Government of India Enterprise and School of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra.

Prof V Verma, Dean, College of Engineering & Director, School of Biotechnology, inaugurated the workshop and welcomed the experts from BIRAC and delegates from various universities & institutes of the region.

Prof Verma introduced the topic of the workshop and its growing relevance in a technology-oriented country like India.

At the outset, Dr Ravi Dhar, senior consultant, BIRAC, introduced the scheme of programmes initiated by BIRAC for creating awareness about IPR and the available legal rights in India.

The BIRAC team made a video presentation elucidating the role of DBT in funding various entrepreneurship ventures in the areas of agro-biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, environment, infrastructure and diagnostics.

Dr Gatuam Bhattacharya from IP Law Firm, Gurgaon, talked on technology licensing in Drugs & Bio-Pharmaceuticals. Pankaj Kumar, CEO, Director and Co-founder, Leadinvent, spoke about bio-entrepreneurship. Sibi Sagar, Programme Manager-IP, BIRAC, detailed out the different types of patent searches and BIRAC initiatives for innovation and entrepreneurship development.

Jammu, January 11
Dr Vivek Sharma, coordinator, the Department of Lifelong Learning, was today elected unopposed for the post of Treasurer of Jammu University Teachers Association (JUTA). The elections for the prestigious body will be held on January 17.

Earlier, Dr Kavita Suri from Department of Lifelong Learning and Dr Vijay Sehgal from Department of Law were elected unopposed for the post of vice-president 
and joint secretary, respectively.

On the last day of the filing of nomination papers, no other University teacher except Dr Vivek Sharma came forward and was thus declared elected unopposed.

Dean Students Welfare (DSW), Professor NK Tripathi, said the elections would now be held only for two posts of the president and general secretary.

For the posts of president, there will be a straight contest between Professor Vibhakar Mansotra and Professor JP Singh Joorel.

Similarly, Dr Rakesh Vaid and Dr Satinder Kumar will contest for the post of general secretary. Dr Pawnesh Abrol, who had filed the nomination papers for the post of general secretary, withdrew his name today.

Jammu, January 11
The 14th Prof BD Sharma Memorial Inter-collegiate and Inter-departmental Debate was organised by the Office of the Program Coordinator, NSS, University of Jammu (JU) on the topic “Introduction of FDI in retail in India will increase the National income and boost the Indian Economy.”

The event is organised every year in the memory of Prof BD Sharma, a renowned economist of the state. The debate began with the lighting of the lamp and floral tributes to Prof Sharma. In all, 18 teams comprising of 36 participants took part in the competition. Dr Vishav Raksha, Program Coordinator, NSS welcomed the guests and the participants and also introduced the theme of the debate. Prof Jasbir Singh, Provost Hostels (Boys) and Chairman, NSS Campus Units, was the Chief Guest. He highlighted the academic and research achievements of Prof Sharma.

In the debate Richa Abrol from GGM Science College won the first prize, Vinee Mahajan from GCW, Gandhi Nagar, stood second while Sahil Mehta, from Govt MAM College bagged the third prize.

Two encouragement prizes were also given to Sonia Sharma, from GGM Science College and Ekta Mahajan, from Adarsh College of Education. GGM Science College bagged the 14th Prof BD Sharma Memorial Running Trophy. The judges for the debate were Dr Anupama Vohra, Dr Sunita Sharma and Dr Aruna Sharma. Dr Hema Gandotra, program officer, JU, presented the vote of thanks. 

Jammu, January 11
May Fair Higher Secondary School celebrated its 33rd annual day at Zorawar Singh auditorium here today.

Minister for Revenue, Raman Bhalla was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Suhail Kazmi, Editor-in-Chief, Daily Taskeen Newspaper, ID Soni, State Commissioner, Bharat Scouts and Guides, Prof DL Choudhary , Administrator, Jammu University, VK Basur, Chairman, Anita Basur, Secretary, Abhey Basur, Director and Ranjit Kaur, Principal of the school, were also present on the occasion.

Bhalla said such functions not only provided a platform to the students to exhibit their hidden talent, but also educated them about the culture and heritage of the state.

He asked the teaching fraternity to provide quality education to the students so that they would become civilised citizens. He said education was imperative for better tomorrow and asked the students to share their knowledge with everyone.

Katra, January 11
Students of various schools organised a series of programmes to celebrate birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanada in Reasi on Friday.

Students took out a rally, which passed through the main bazaar and streets of the town 
and later culminated at the Central Park, Reasi. Nirmal Sharma, Reasi DC, was the Chief Guest on the occasion and lightened the traditional lamp. Thereafter, students presented a number of socio-religious programmes and recited patriotic songs.

DC Reasi threw light on the character and life of Swami Vivekanand.

She also exhorted the students to follow his noble steps.

Jammu, January 11
Transporters here have alleged harassment by the Punjab Government, as bus drivers from Jammu and Kashmir are allegedly fined for plying their buses on Punjab’s roads, alleging that they are running illegally. They have alleged that the inter-state video coaches and buses were being targeted on selective basis by the transport authorities of Punjab territory.

“Previously, there was no such complaint but recently the transport authorities have initiated arbitrary punishment for vehicles belonging to JK, by imposing penalties amounting to Rs 50,000 the first time, one lakh for the second time and imprisonment of six months to two years the third time, besides ceasing the vehicles, as per the recent notification issued by the Punjab Government”, alleged Narinder Gupta, chairman of transport union.

Gupta said a notification could not be enforced on a National Highway and was only meant for Punjab state’s territory, as the highway did not fall in the jurisdiction of the state government.

He alleged the harassment was aimed at discouraging the vehicles belonging to JK because few influential persons, having political patronage in Punjab, had recently started their own fleet of more than 100 buses on different routes.

“Our union has already filed a writ petition in this connection in the Chandigarh High Court and the case is pending for final judgment”, Gupta said.