Jammu, January 16
Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir, today said the government was considering the introduction of data management technology for the farmers of the state.

The technology would help them get a round-the-clock area-based information related to agriculture, which could prove vital for better agricultural production and growth.

This he said after watching the power-point presentation by M/s Actech Agro here today.

Minister for state for Agriculture, Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurazi) was also present.

Khan said the technology would help the Agriculture Department to have a proper database of the farmers and help it to provide specific information about the latest agricultural techniques to the farmers of the area and to help them enhance production and suggest safety measures for any problem.

In his presentation, Managing Director, M/s Actech Agro, Arvind Puchuri, said the objective of introducing Data Management Technology in the state was to have Information Management System and establishment of the two-way mode of communication for the farmers, besides creation of the infrastructure to collect accurate information and forecast on weather, creation of a system to predict diseases in crops based on the weather forecast, creating facilities and medium to make weather information and forecast available to the public and the government departments and establishment of a data centre to host these applications.

Information Management System based on Data Management Technology to establish a two-way mode of communication for the farmers The technology would help the Agriculture Department to have a database of the farmers in the state Provide information about the latest agricultural techniques to help farmers enhance production Suggest safety measures Create infrastructure to collect accurate information on weather forecast, a system to predict diseases in crops based on the weather forecast, create facilities and medium Make weather information and forecast available to the public and the government departments and establishment of a data centre to host these applications

Jammu, January 16
Work on the first phase to build the flyover from Bikram Chowk till Women College, Gandhi Nagar, began today with the chopping of trees at Bikram Chowk from today. Work is likely to begin in March. Work got delayed because the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is yet to complete the technical evaluation of the project.

The base of the flyover will start near Kala Kendra and will end at Gandhi Nagar. In the second phase of the project, the flyover will be constructed from Gandhi Nagar till Satwari Chowk.

The project consists of two components-eight-laning of the road from Bikram Chowk to Gandhi Nagar College as well as the construction of the flyover.

So far the ERA has shifted the boundary wall of the Kala Kendra and trees have been chopped, while the new boundary wall of the Government College for Women is in the final stages of construction.

Process has also started for rehabilitation of the affected properties (Alson Motors and Paramjeet Filling Station) to rehabilitate them in the SRTC Complex, shifting of utilities of the PHE, BSNL, PDD and the Forest Department and acquisition of 26 Kanal land required to widen the road.

Jammu, January 16
Failure of the Traffic Police to manage traffic during the Gurpurb procession in the city led to more than two-hour long traffic jam in city. There was total chaos on the roads and on the Tawi Bridge.

In the early morning rush, hundreds of cars, two-wheelers and busses got stuck at the flyover, Tawi Bridge, Bikram Chowk, Panama Chowk and Canal Road. Even the traffic police personnel were unable to deal with the jam as there was no mechanism to deal with these vehicles.

Most office-goers got late in reaching their destinations, particularly offices. Most people fumed at the Traffic Police for not devising a route plan, which could have prevented the chaos.

“Religious procession is on, but the administration also needs a strategy to deal with the traffic so that people don’t face problem. They could have diverted the traffic on Gujjar Nagar Bridge or not allowed the traffic to use the flyover or could have let vehicles travel towards Gandhi Nagar in a phased manner,” said Gaurav Sharma, an employee.

Most vehicles used the University Road to reach their destination and many trucks belonging to the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Department led to more problems for drivers as they blocked the way for the vehicles.

“The Traffic Department should have disallowed supply through heavy trucks to ply on the road today. We don’t blame the Traffic Department entirely, but the situation proves the lack of planning at the administrative level,” said Mohit Gupta, a businessman.

Jammu, January 16
Delay on part of the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) to complete the sewerage laying work in New Plot-Janipur-Patoli-Paloura areas has put area residents through great hardship. Due to the delay, roads are in a dilapidated condition, as the R&B Department is unable to start blacktopping work in time.

Officials say the pace of the work is slow because of the agency’s failure to complete the work on time. The completion period of the Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) for the city’s waste has been extended till October 2014. “Most of the work on the Janipur-Patoli-Paloura got delayed due to which the R&B Department was unable to start blacktopping work. Blacktopping cannot be done during the winter season. Inefficiency on part of the contractors has affected health of the people and increased the threat of injuries while traveling on the road,” said Sunil Dimple, a local leader.

As per data, despite placing it on priority, only 32.88 km (36 per cent) work of laying lateral sewers (connecting different localities with the main sewer line) out of 90.74 km has been completed. About 10 per cent of the main sewer line is incomplete. Though the National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) has completed 92 per cent of the work on the 27 MLD Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP), ERA is far behind in achieving its targets.

The ERA was created as a multi-purpose body in 2004 to work on urban development projects. In Jammu, work was divided into three phases and allotted to companies, Thermax Limited Pune, Trans-Tech Turnkey Private Limited, Pune and Shah Technical Consultants, Mumbai.

The project entrusted to the ERA is being executed under Tranche-I of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Managing Director, ERA, Jai Gopal Mengi said, “There has been some technical problems, which slowed down work at several places, but we are trying to adhere to new target deadlines.” City will still have to face the chaos like situation till next year as various agencies have failed to complete the work as per the plan. “No work can be done till March as weather does not permit so”.

official speak
There has been some technical problems, which slowed down work at several places, but we are trying to adhere to new target deadline

— Jai Gopal Mengi, Managing Director, ERA

Jammu January 16
Members of the Sikh community took out a religious procession in the city ahead of gurpurb today. Thousands of devotees took part in the procession.

Devotees took out an impressive shoba yatra with great enthusiasm. Devotees, including women and children assembled near Bibi Chand Kaur Samadhi in the premises of Gurdwara Yadgar Shri Guru Nanak Dev at Gumat and offered prayers.

High priests and noted Raghi Jathas recited ‘Gurbani Path’ since early morning at the gurdwara. Sikhs from various parts of Jammu took part in the religious procession. District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and management of the gurdwara decorated and illuminated the religious place over the past couple of days. Many devotees offered sewa at the gurdwara. After offering prayers, devotees accompanied the nagar kirtan starting from Chand Nagar and culminating at gurdwara Nanak Nagar.

The holy Guru Granth Sahib was placed in a richly decorated ‘palki’.

Jammu, January 16
IGP, Jammu, Dilbag Singh and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pardeep Gupta, PCR Jammu, conducted a joint review of security and other arrangements for the Republic Day celebrations.

The arrangements were discussed with the officers of the police, Army, BSF, CRPF, civil administration and the intelligence agencies.

IGP, Jammu Zone, and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, emphasised upon the need to have effective coordination at ground level for enhanced vigil and security measures. The field officers and agencies were instructed to maintain vigil on anti-national elements.

IGP directed officers to ensure proper security arrangements in and around the MAM Stadium, Jammu for the Republic Day celebrations and insisted upon using people-friendly arrangements so that the general public does not have to face unnecessary difficulties. 

Jammu, January 16
Tehreek Baqaie Urdu (TBU) today expressed displeasure over the newly inducted ministers taking oath in English.

The party has alleged that in allowing so the government was discriminating against Urdu, which is the official language of the state.

TBU general secretary Zakir Malik Bhallesi said the ministers had opted for English which showed the apathetic and step- motherly treatment with Urdu on part of the government. He said the TBU held its meeting on the directions of its Chief Patron, Farooq Shah Bukhari, under the chairmanship of TBU, Pir Panjal chapter head, Khursheed Tantry, to express resentment against the ministers who took oath in English.

The TBU has asked the government to answer why the Urdu language was being ignored. The party has demanded that Urdu must get its due share as it is the official language of the state. It has also demanded that the government should not repeat this practice in future and make Urdu compulsory for oath taking by the ministers.

The party had demanded that an Urdu Ministry be created in the state but there was no response in this regard.

Those who attended the meeting included Farooq Shah Bukhari, Irfan Ali Arif, Dr Jawed Anwar, Mohammad Sageer Mirza, Shahzad Ahmed, Aftab Manhas, Dr Johar Qadoosi, Dr Rashid Khan, Dr Ruhi Jan, Dr Tariq Tamkeen, Dr Shahnawaz Choudhary, Shahzad Shah Bukhari, Nazuk Hussain Shah, Iftikhar Hussain Bazmi, Tazeem Dar, Ahsan Mirza and Shokat Ali.

Poonch, January 16
Owing to the tension between India and Pakistan residents of areas close to the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch have started constructing bunkers.

“Going by our experience we know that Pakistan will target civil population as it did prior to 2003. We are ready to face the situation and are with the Indian Army,” said Jagan Nath Sharma, a resident of Jhullas village.

Residents of villages on the Line of Control in Krishna Ghati sector say there has been firing on the border every night since January 8 killing of Indian soldiers.

Local residents have reported seeing star shells fired by the Indian Army followed by firing from small and medium arms from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) last night.

Continued thunder of cross-border firing has forced residents of villages along the LoC to start getting their bunkers ready.

“Stepped up deployment across the Line of Control in Pakistan occupied Kashmir and regular firing from there has compelled us to renovate or construct bunkers for the safety of our family members,” said Bansi Lal, a resident of Jhullas.

“Most of the villagers have their own bunkers, as prior to 2003 Pakistan targeted civil population regularly and according to our financial condition we made cemented or mud bunkers,” he said.

“We also got training from Army regarding uses and construction of the bunkers prior to 2003, when cross-border firing was a regular phenomenon in the border villages, now we are imparting the same to our kids” a resident said.

Jhullas village is extremely close to the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) from where even noise from loud speakers from PoK can be heard. The area was the worst sufferer of firing by Pakistan in 2002, when most of the villagers migrated to Poonch because of heavy firing on civil population from PoK.

India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir in November 2003. Barring minor aberrations, the ceasefire had been successful, in a major relief to residents of the border areas, especially the formers in the district, who live in constant fear.

However, the recent incidents of firing and shelling along the LoC and transgression of the ceasefire line by Pakistani troops in Mendhar area of Poonch, has increased their worries. Two Indian soldiers were killed in Mendhar incident while Pakistan has claimed that two of its soldiers died in shelling by Indian Army since January 6.

JAMMU, January 16
The University of Jammu (JU) has constituted a Management-cum-Advisory Committee for the upcoming All India Inter-Varsity (Men and Women) Korfball Championship, slated to be held from February 20 to 25, on the varsity campus. Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, the chairman of this committee, would convene a meeting in this regard on January 21.

Prof Dhian S Bhau, Director, Directorate of Sports and Physical Education, (JU) while confirming the development told The Tribune that the committee had been constituted to look after the necessary arrangements for the successful conduct of the championship.

“Prof Ishar has decided to convene a meeting with all the members of the committee on January 21 wherein many decisions are likely to be taken regarding the smooth conduct of the sporting event”, added Prof Bhau, who is the organising secretary of the championship.

The committee comprised K Rajendra Kumar, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Law and Order, JP Singh, Director, Youth Services and Sports, OP Sharma, Zonal Head, J&K Bank, Anil Suri, President, Small Scale Industries, Bari-Brahmana, Manjeet Singh, general secretary, Korfball Federation of India, Prof Deshbandhu Gupta, Director, Colleges Development, Prof Vijay Dev Singh, Director, Distance Education, Prof Meenakshi Kilam, Director, Internal Quality Assurance Cell and Prof JP Joral from Statistics Department, JU.

“The department has received confirmation from 22 teams so far and expects more teams to enrol for the championship in the coming days. Association of Indian Universities (AIU) has provided us the tentative schedule to conduct the championship from February 20 to 25 and after discussing it with the university authorities, we have decided to go ahead with it”, Prof Bhau said.

“There is no dearth of talent and keeping this in mind, JU has taken several initiatives to provide a perfect launch pad for its sportspersons to showcase their skills at a higher level. Hosting of championships of national repute is also one of the major tasks to achieve the desired results in the Inter-Varsity competitions held across the country every year”, he added.

JAMMU, January 16
Post Graduate (PG) Law and Science Department trounced Government Degree College (GDC), Poonch, by six wickets today in the ongoing Inter-Collegiate (Men) Cricket Tournament, being played at University of Jammu (JU) Grounds here.

Batting first after winning the toss, GDC Poonch accumulated 102 runs in 19 overs. Gurginder Singh was the top scorer with 23 runs while Vikas Sharma and Asad-ur-Rehman contributed 12 and 20 runs respectively. For PG Law and Science Department, Gokul Baru was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets whereas Himanshu Sharma and Ajay Kumar grabbed two wickets apiece.

In reply, PG Law and Science Department did the needful in 14.1 overs losing four wickets in the process. Gokul Baru remained unbeaten on 31 runs while Rahul Bandral chipped in with 17 runs. For GDC Poonch, Jasvinder Singh took two wickets whereas Amjad and Yassar shared a wicket apiece. The match was officiated by Raman Kumar, Vijay Dogra and Manu Khajuria.

In another match, GDC Samba got the better of Bhargava Degree College (BDC) by a huge margin of 76 runs in an easy contest. Batting first, GDC posted a decent total of 147 runs by losing nine wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Nitish Sharma (29), Amit Sharma (25), Suresh (20) and Rao Virender (18) were the main contributors. For BDC, Arjun Singh was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets while Nitin and Rahul chipped in with two wickets. Amit took one wicket.

In reply, BDC was skittled out for 71 runs in 13.5 overs. Nitin (17) and Rahil (10) were the notable contributors. Nitish Padha was the wrecker-in-chief for GDC Samba who scalped four important wickets. Amit Sharma and Suresh claimed two wickets each. Amit Singh and Aditya also fetched a wicket each. The match was officiated by Sadiq Hussain Malik and Saleem as umpires while Manu Khajuria maintained the scorebook.

JAMMU, January 16
The formidable side of Jammu and Kashmir Bank demolished Churchill Brothers today by a 10-0 margin, to cruise into the semi-finals of the ongoing Christmas Gold Cup Football Tournament at Mini Stadium, Parade Ground here.

Prem Kumar (15th, 30th, 35th) and Khalid Qayoom (42nd, 50th, 65th) were the outstanding performers from the winning team, who exhibited their sportsman skills in front of a capacity crowd at the venue. Zubair Shah (27th, 44th), Shamshed Ahmed (55th) and Aiman Rasheed (62nd) were the other goal scorers. In the semifinals to be played tomorrow, J&K Bank will take on Food and Supplies.

The first semifinal match between J&K Police and J&K Forest remained incomplete after players appealed for bad light and the officials stopping the contest with 30 minutes of play still remaining.

The match would resume tomorrow. When the match was stopped, J&K Police was leading by 2-1 goals. Bilal took the first lead for J&K Forest scoring a goal in the 11th minute. The lead was equalised by J&K Police through Zahid Zahoor in the 22nd minute. Police stretched their lead further in the 38th minute through Imtiaz Ahmed.

JAMMU, January 16
Panun Kashmir said the initiative taken by the Government of India with Pakistan to restore peace had failed to deliver. Dr Ajay Chrungoo, Chairman of Panun Kashmir, while briefing the media said it had brought humiliation and demoralisation for the citizens of the country. He further said Panun Kashmir had always questioned the very structure of the peace process with Pakistan since the Vajpayee government initiated it.

Dr Chrungoo said the recent developments in the region had once again vindicated the stand of Panun Kashmir and added that it was high time to realise that whatever Pakistan was doing was a logical expression of its security doctrine vis-à-vis India.

Questioning the rationale of the peace process, Dr Chrungoo said “the structure of this peace process gives Pakistan parity in deciding the affairs of the only Muslim majority of India. This has bought the religion-based identity politics to the centrestage once again and undermined the secular nation building in India”.

He said the peace process had attempted to legitimise the concerns of all those millions of citizens living in the state of J&K who oppose Pakistan, detest separatism and have been standing up to the religious Jihad. It is the compulsion of this peace process which has led to the policy structure of denial of genocide of the Kashmir Hindus.

Making the stand of Panun Kashmir clear he said “Panun Kashmir demands from the Government of India to abandon the present form of peace process with Pakistan and instead evolve a new mechanism, which consolidates the national forces in the state against the politics of separatism and build effective deterrence against Pakistan’s destabilising role in the region”.

ON Trisal and Kuldeep Raina from Panun Kashmir were also present on the occasion.

Jammu, January 16
The Committee of Legislative Assembly, constituted to examine the cause of an alarming increase in the number of deaths of patients at the SKIMS, Srinagar, and the SMGS Hospital (Paediatrics), Jammu, directed the Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department to fill the vacant posts of both medical and paramedics in these health institutions of the state, including primary health centres.

The committee that met here today, with Balwant Mankotia in the chair, reviewed the overall functioning of the H&ME department and also discussed the causes of deaths of infants at the SMGS Hospital (paediatrics), Jammu, and the District Hospital, Baramulla.

Committee members Zulfkar Ali, Ashok Kumar, Dr Shafi Ahmed Wani, Charanjeet Singh, Durga Dass and Er Abdul Rashid gave their suggestions to improve the health system.

The panel called for a comprehensive policy for deputation quota and asked the department concerned to amend the rules in this regard. It also asked the H&ME Department to look into the issue of private practice by the doctors working in government hospitals. The committee asked the H&ME authorities to work with dedication. The members claimed that the doctors were doing a commendable job, but there was more scope for improvement.

BATOTE, JANUARY 16
A one-day awareness seminar was organised by a Delhi-based NGO, Centre for Human rights Initiative, Training & Research Association (CHITRA) at Batote today. In the seminar, state convenor, Dr Nisar Ahmed Hakeem and his deputy Dr Kulbhushan educated the locals of Batote about the importance of human rights in society, human rights given by our constitution and the state law for every citizen, types and consequences of their violations on the psyche or body of a victim and their remedies.

The representatives of CHITRA are working in 40 countries and serving the humanity in several fields.

On the occasion Dr OP Singh of SKME Hospital, Batote, police officers, prominent citizens including the youth were present.

Many locals joined the NGO. A general body and a youth wing of the NGO was also constituted. Later the membership letters and identity cards were given to the new members.

The Ramban district general body of CHITRA would be headed by its President Sajid Malik, Vice-President Aftab Bhat, Publicity Secretary Arif Wani, General Secretary Ravinder Kishen and Secretary Mohd Tariq Lone. The District Youth Body would be headed by Sadam Lone and Shiraz Mir.