Jammu, January 14
Set up 40 years ago to maintain urban infrastructure, the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) has so far created parking space for only 1,700 vehicles in the city. Other ambitious projects, including multi-parking buildings have been delayed as the agency has failed to identify land for the same.

As per data, there are nine parking lots under the agency with the capacity to park 1,200 cars and 500 two-wheelers. Sources said other plans to create multi parking structures at the bus stand and Shalimar and other projects have not gone farther than the survey level for past five years.

Sources say internal politics in the agency has led to developmental works taking the backstage if official figures are anything to go by.

“Most of the projects are stuck at the planning level. Nearly 5 lakh vehicles are on the roads but the government has not created enough parking spaces. The government body, which earns a huge amount from commercial ventures, has failed to take effective steps. Now it will be more complex, as the agency has little land within the city, as it utilised land for commercial buildings,” sources said.

“When the night falls, one can easily see residents park their vehicles on both sides of the lanes and by-lanes in the absence of parking slots. In case of emergency, ambulances don’t find space to cross through these streets and roads cluttered with parking,” said Kuldeep Raj, a resident of Kachi Chawni.

The Jammu Development Authority (JDA) was created under the J&K Development Act in 1971. It was transferred as a resource at the vacant Nazool land located within the 13-km radius of Jammu city. Over recent years, its focus has been on commercial and office complexes, residential colonies, parks and green belts.

The ever-increasing number of vehicles coupled with limited road infrastructure and paucity of parking space has been playing havoc with the traffic management in Jammu city.

SE, JDA, Ashwani Gabotra, said, “Surveys are going on as planned and work to create more parking spaces for commercial and private vehicles will start soon.”

Vice-Chairman of the agency, Sarita Chauhan, was not available for comments. “It’s an arduous task even for pedestrians to walk through heavy traffic areas where honking and screeching vehicles are the order of the day. Accidents and head-on collisions are common occurances,” said a resident, Anil Sharma.

Jammu, January 14
Indicating elections of the Block Development Council for panchayats will be conducted over the next few weeks and reaffirming his government’s sincere commitment for empowered three-tier Panchayat Raj institutions in the state, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said some elements were bent upon derailing the process.

Omar said panchayat members in some areas have security concerns. Recently two panchayat members were attacked, one of whom was killed and the other is undergoing treatment for her injuries at the SKIMS.

“Despite threats, panchayat members are firm to serve the people and fulfil their aim to mitigate difficulties of the people,” he said. “The government is with you at all levels and our commitment for an empowered Panchayat Raj system is firm,” he said. Expressing solidarity with panches and sarpanches, he assured them all support in performing their duty smoothly.

Addressing district-level government functionaries from the Jammu division, representing 14 departments from where functions and powers have been transferred to panchayat institutions, Omar Abdullah said the establishment of Panchayat Block Development Councils would further strengthen the process of utilisation of powers transferred to these institutions. “We expect elections of the Panchayat Block Development Councils within few weeks,” he said.

Jammu, January 14
Terming the new recruitment policy introduced by Omar Abdullah led government unconstitutional and anti-youth; students of degree colleges today boycotted classes, demanding revocation of the policy. The National Panthers Students Union (NPSU) had given a call for protest and other student organisations, who want the government to revoke the new policy aimed at recruiting people in government jobs on contractual basis for the first five years.

As per new rules, any person appointed under the policy for Class-III and Class-IV posts would be paid a fixed monthly salary equivalent to 50 per cent of the basic pay for the first two years.

For the next three years or during the remaining period out of five years, if the period of probation has been extended, such employees would be entitled to receive fixed salary of 75 per cent of the basic pay at minimum of the pay band, officials said.

Classes at GGM Science College, GDC Paloura, SPMR College of Commerce, MAM College, GDC Kathua, GDC Billawar, GDC Ramnagar, GDC Udhampur, GDC Akhnoor, GDC Rajouri, ITI Jammu and Government Polytechnic College, Bikram Chowk, were suspended after the students protested outside their college premises.

Students of GGM Science College boycotted classes and marched towards Shaheedi Sthal at the main gate of the college in the shape of a rally where they held a massive demonstration against the state government for implementing new recruitment policy. Students of SPMR College of Commerce boycotted classes under the leadership of Raghav Talwar, general secretary, Student Council, SPMR College.

Similar protests were held in all degree colleges in the region. Addressing protesters, Pushvinder Manhas, vice-president, Young Panthers lambasted the government for implementing the new recruitment policy, terming it unconstitutional, anti-youth and illegal.

Jammu, January 14
The Union Sports Ministry has issued letters to the National Sports Federations asking them to amend their constitution in accordance with the sports code by January 31. Failure to do so may lead to de-recognition by the government. The J&K State Sports Council has also made up its mind to tighten the noose around sports associations which are yet to conduct elections even after expiry of many terms.

It may be mentioned here that the Union Government had issued a letter to all the National Sports Federations today asking them to adopt the provisions of age and tenure same as the sports code. The National Sports Federations have also been requested to expedite the process and introduce proposals for amendment.

The sports bodies have also been advised that continuation of their recognition by government may be affected if the amendments are not carried out.

Sources said, all 48 sports associations affiliated with the J&K Olympic Association and the J&K State Sports Council were informed by the Council that they must follow the instructions issued by the Union Sports Ministry regarding age and tenure provisions. Sources said most of the affiliated associations are yet to adhere to these guidelines. “It is strange that the affiliated associations are taking the department for granted because some of the members of the Sports Councils are also office-bearers of sports associations. In fact, the law makers are the real law breakers,” sources said.

Jammu, January 14
Stanzin Dorjey Gya, a filmmaker from Ladakh has received ‘Special Jury Award’ for his film ‘JUNGWA-The Broken Balance of Elements of Nature’ during the 29th, International Mountain Film Festival at Autrans, France.

Councillor Igoo, members of the Ladakh Media and Cultural Society led by its vice- president Zangpo, villagers of Gya led by Nambardar Gya, members of Ama Tsogspa Gya Rumtse, members of SEWA Shara took part in a function to felicitate him. His documentary film Jungwa and other seven films have been selected out of 300 international films. More than 700 film makers from all over the world took part in the France Film Festival. This international award carries a trophy and a citation.

Jungwa depicts the imbalance caused by human interference with the interdependence of the elements of nature causing major destruction and imbalance in the ecosystem and other phenomena of nature on earth.

Stanzin Dorjey belongs to the remote village of Gya in Ladakh and belongs to a simple farmer’s family. After attaining his basic education from Government School at his village, he worked with SECMOL, an NGO working to improve the standard of education in Ladakh. During his stint with SECMOL, he learnt filming, got into electronic media and produced many local films in Ladakhi language.

Councillor Egu Tashi Nurbu said getting this prestigious international award makes us proud and has put Ladakh and filming in Ladakh at the international level. Nambardar Gya Namgyal Tsering said Stanzin had brought laurels to his village.

Jammu, January 14
Claiming that officials at the helm of affairs of the J&K State Board of School Education (JKBOSE) had never taken any initiative to make necessary amendments for smooth functioning, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Elementary Teachers Training (ETT) Colleges has said that BOSE is being governed by the old Board Act of 1975.

The committee also demanded immediate amendments to streamline the overall functioning of the school education board.

Sources said after the BOSE had cleared the decks for resumption of the papers of 2008-10 special batch, the management of various ETT colleges held a meeting to discuss the future course of action.

Sources said the members also expressed concern over the migration of majority of the ETT aspirants to other states for pursuing the course and decided to approach the authorities concerned.

Sources said the poor response of students for pursuing the ETT course under 2012-14 session dominated the meeting and all the members took a unanimous decision to intensify their efforts to ensure that the BOSE authorities would make necessary amendments in the Board Act of 1975 on priority basis in order to avoid further damage.

“A delegation of the ETT Colleges has recently submitted a memorandum to the authorities wherein it was mentioned that the school education board is being governed by the old act and it is high time now to make necessary amendments,” said Deep Singh, an ETT College owner.

“It is a matter of great satisfaction that the BOSE has finally succeeded in conducting the examination of the 2008-10 batch but still there are many other issues which needs to be addressed. Poor outcome of students for seeking admissions in 2012-14 session is a real cause of concern for all the institutions,” he added.

“Unlimited No Objection Certificates (NOCs) were granted by the ministry concerned for opening the new ETT institutes and the top officials of the BOSE has adopted an appeasement policy, thereby, granting affiliations without verifying the necessary facts,” another ETT College owner claimed.

Jammu, January 14
The Street Warriors will take on the Singh Cricket Club (SCC), Akhnoor, in the final of the ongoing Christmas Cup T20 Cricket Tournament being organised by Singh Cricket Club at the Government Higher Secondary School grounds, Akhnoor, here.

In the second semifinal played today, the SCC thrashed Friends Cricket Club, Akhnoor, by eight wickets with consummate ease. Batting first, the FCC piled up a modest total of 114 runs in 19.3 overs. Mohit was the top scorer with 33 runs while Rohit Sharma and Binny Kesar contributed 20 and 19 runs, respectively.

Atul Gupta was the wrecker-in-chief for the SCC, who scalped four important wickets in his four overs by conceding 14 runs, while Sham Singh Langeh took two wickets by giving away 17 runs in four overs. Sushil Gupta, Chandan and Sonu Manhotra also chipped in with one wicket apiece.

In reply, the SCC did the needful in 10.5 overs by losing two wickets. Rahul Mani played a brilliant knock of 43 runs off just 16 balls with the help of five fours and three sixes while Sushil Sharma and Sunny Kumar scored 38 and 34 runs, respectively.

For the FCC, Arun Singh bagged two wickets. Atul Gupta was adjudged man of the match for his brilliant bowling display. The match was officiated by Vikas Bali and Rajiv Sharma as umpires while Shravan Sharma maintained the scorebook. 

Udhampur, January 14
Minister for Forests, Mian Altaf Ahmad, today urged the Gujjar and Bakarwal communities to struggle for their rights. He asked members of the communities to effectively project their problems and developmental needs in right perspective at proper forums.

Addressing a largely attended Gujjar and Bakarwal Conference here today, Altaf said events such as the conference provided the communities the opportunity to project their problems and seek resolution to the same.

He said the government was abreast with the problems of the Gujjar and Bakerwal communities and have taken various measures to improve their economic condition, particularly of those living in inaccessible areas, including nomads.

He said provision of basic amenities for all, particularly those living in the far-flung and hilly areas, was a priority with the government. To this end a massive development plan had been formulated to improve and create facilities across the state, he added.

Reasi, January 14
Sagar of Sat Paul Akhara, Delhi, won the 113th Annual Panthal Kesari 2013 title by defeating wrestler Ranjeet of Ludhiana, Punjab, in a neck-to-neck contest that lasted for 13 minutes at Panthal here.

Sagar was adjudged the best wrestler of Vishal Dangal.

Shri Swami Nitya Nand Dangal Committee organised the event under the aegis of the J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association. The winner of the first Malli bout, Sagar was given a cash prize of Rs 8,000 in addition to the traditional silver Gurj (gada) and Patta by SP, Katra, Mohan Lal who is also president of the J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association.

Member of the J&K State Sports Council and Treasurer, Indian Style Wrestling Association of India, Shiv Kumar Sharma, presided over the function.

A total of 56 bouts were conducted. The second bout was between Jodha of Attri Amritsar beat Sat Paul of Sonepat in Haryana in 12 minutes.

In the third main bout, Parveen of Sonepat beat Murad Ali of Domana in Jammu in 27 minutes.

Jammu, January 14
Government Degree College, Rajouri, toppled Acharaya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences (ASCOMS) by a huge margin of 104 runs today in the ongoing Inter-Collegiate (men) Cricket tournament being played at the University of Jammu grounds here.

Batting first after winning the toss, GDC, Rajouri, scored 158 runs for the loss of four wickets in their allotted quota of overs.

Tahir Mahmood played a fine knock of 48 runs containing four delectable hits to the fence and a six. Rukhsar also chipped in with 31 runs.

Imran and Nadeem also contributed 16 and 14 runs, respectively. For ASCOMS, Gayas-ud-Din was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets while Ashish and Tahir took one wicket each. In reply, ASCOMS was perished for paltry 54 runs in 13.5 overs.

For GDC Rajouri, Rukhsar Ahmad was the wrecker-in-chief with four wickets, followed by Wasee with a three-wicket haul. Guftar and Imran scalped a wicket each.

The match was officiated by Raj Kumar Bakshi, Vijau Dogra and Manu Khajuria.