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Committee to monitor school buses’ health
1,721 kanal land recovered from encroachers, says JDA
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Roads’ construction sought in Banihal
1,000 ration cards cancelled in Rajouri
PHE stores’ engineers pulled up for laxity
‘Don’t politicise Afzal’s hanging’
SRS demands stern action against Yasin Malik
Jammu an oasis of calm and hope in trouble-torn state
NSF seeks jobs for youth from border areas
Doda, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar women fast for husbands on Kann Chauth
Committee calls for implementation of SSA, RMSA
Rajouri residents protest against incomplete road
‘ISM treatment for CHCs, new-type PHCs soon’
Jora visits Fruit Mandi, Transport Nagar
Nomad hurt in mine blast
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Committee to monitor school buses’ health
Jammu, February 13 The Regional Transport Office (RTO) has now constituted a committee to inspect vehicles used by educational institutions. Though this has not yet absolved the administration of its culpability in allowing educational institutions to put lives of children at risk despite clear Supreme Court directions, the step could force schools to discard
old vehicles. The committee, constituted by RTO Jammu, Arvind Kotwal, is headed by Chief Inspector, Board of Inspection, Jammu, comprising Deputy SP traffic (south) and two Motor Vehicle inspectors of Motor Vehicles department as members to inspect buses of schools in and around Jammu. “The committee will inspect the buses for any kinds of deficiencies in keeping with the Motor Vehicle Act and the Supreme Court guidelines and recommend action against such defaulting vehicles. The committee would submit weekly reports of the inspections carried out by it,” says
the statement. It is pertinent to mention here that despite directions of Supreme Court of India (SC) for ferrying school children, one still finds children almost stacked in auto-rickshaws and small vans, beyond the vehicles’ capacity. The court has issued a set of directives making compliance with standards for safety of children mandatory. But the school managements, Director School Education (DSE) and the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) are not implementing the laws strictly, putting lives of children at risk. |
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1,721 kanal land recovered from encroachers, says JDA
Jammu, February 13 Sources said though the authority has failed to act against high-profile politicians and land mafia and hundreds of kanals of land is still under illegal occupation, mostly encroached by Gujjars and people from other districts of the state, who are slowly migrating to city for economic reasons, the land eviction campaign has boosted morale of the officials. Yesterday, Minister for Urban Development, Nawang Rigzin Jora, had organised a meeting with the JDA officials to discuss Jammu Master Plan 2021, which is in its final stage of completion. Vice Chairman, JDA, Sarita Chouhan, said, “More special drives will be started to evict the people who are illegally grabbing the land belonging to the JDA and raising structures over it.” Last month, in a major joint operation by officials, nearly 1,000 kanal land encroached upon by many landgrabbers from Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and some areas of Kashmir valley, was cleared by demolishing nearly 150-odd structures and compound walls while at least three persons were injured during clashes between protesting encroachers, police and JDA men. Encroachment has taken place in a planned manner under the very nose of Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department and officials of the Jammu Development Authority, two major bodies that have significant land at their disposal. “Though so-called special drives are launched by the state, they have no effect as many people have strong political backing. The landgrabbers had also shown strong resistance during operations,” said a senior officer of Revenue department. A Revenue officer said this problem had come to notice about a year back and officials concerned were directed to get the land vacated. He, however, claimed that a major portion of that land also belonged to JDA. |
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Roads’ construction sought in Banihal
Jammu, February 13 The deputation projected demands of construction of different roads of uncovered areas of Banihal constituency, including Nadikhah, Halla, Sarachi, Manjosh, Odkah, Gugthal, Doligam, Chamalwas Gangna, Bankote Gujarnar, Krawah Chachahl and other adjoining areas. Wani assured the deputationists that necessary instructions would be passed to those concerned at the earliest for initiating the process to construct roads to unconnected areas of Banihal constituency. He said it was the priority of the government to ensure connectivity to people living in far-flung and rural areas of the state, which would, in turn, result in socio-economic development of these areas. |
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1,000 ration cards cancelled in Rajouri
Rajouri, February 13 Talking to the Tribune, Additional Director (AD), Rajouri, Abdul Queem, said, “We have cancelled 1,000 ration cards of people who are underage, unmarried and have more than one card, after verifying the entire documentation of the 2001 Census in these areas.” “People often complain of shortage of ration in some areas. When I personally verified the documents in the light of the 2001 Census, I found that at least 1,000 ration cards were bogus in two areas - in village Muradpur and in main Rajouri city,” he added. He stated, “Involvement of departmental officials was also found.” Meanwhile, over 60 families earlier this morning lodged a massive protest demonstration against CAPD department in the wake of cancellation of their ration cards, outside the department. Additional Director (AD), Rajouri, Abdul Queem, met these families and assured them, “If ration cards are found genuine, proper ration would be given according to quota.” Director, CAPD, Parveez Malik, came up with the assurance that strict action would be taken against officials found involved in the nexus of bogus ration cards. Action would also be taken against the ration card holders concerned, he added. |
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PHE stores’ engineers pulled up for laxity
Jammu, February 13 During his surprise visit to PHE’s Provincial Procurement Stores and Stores of City Division-II, the minister did not find things in order and stores were not properly maintained. The minister ordered attachment of one AEE and JE of City Division-II, one JE of Provincial Procurement Stores and also called for an explanation from the Superintending Engineer, PHE Urban Circle for the laxity. The minister issued a stern warning to the engineers concerned and directed them to take immediate steps for proper upkeep of machinery, equipment and other articles. He issued instructions for construction of sheds for proper storing of articles and display of supply position for each lot of stores. |
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abhinav
theatre modernisation put off
Jammu, February 13 Sources said the team was to visit Jammu and
Srinagar to review modernisation of Abhinav Theatre and Tagore Hall, for
which, the Union government has committed provision of financial
assistance, but they have cancelled their visit and it will further
delay release of funds. Abhinav Theatre is already behind schedule due
to shortage of funds and failure of execution agency, Public Works
Department (PWD) and J&K Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC),
to achieve their target of completing the civil works on
time. Secretary Cultural Academy, Khalid Bashir, while confirming that
team has cancelled its visit, said, “They have rescheduled the visit
due to the situation in the state, particularly in Kashmir valley.
Central funds will be released only when the team makes an on-the-spot
review.” The state had announced Rs 4 crore for modernisation of
theatre. It had later approached the Union Cultural Academy for
financial assistance towards modernisation of two iconic symbols of
providing platform to artists, Abhinav Theatre and Tagore Hall. Due to
the work, Abhinav Theatre is shut down for any activity; the Jammu and
Kashmir Academy of Art and Culture and Languages (JKAAL) is forced to
pay a hefty amount as rent for organising cultural programmes in
different auditoriums of Jammu. Artists alleged that in seven months,
wooden work, including construction of stage, have been completed, while
the plugging of the seepage through the roof, the major problem, is yet
to be taken up. Abhinav Theatre is supposedly the only platform for
artists located on the premises of the cultural academy but it is in a
shambles. The auditorium, having a capacity of 700 seats, was
inaugurated in 1978. At that time, it was among the top-ranking
auditoriums with state-of-the-art light and sound systems. But today,
it is a victim of government apathy. For the past few years, artists
have been let down by the shoddy arrangements in the auditorium, which
was once a hub of cultural activism in the state. culture matters
Due to planned modernisation work, Abhinav Theatre
is shut down for any activity; the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art and
Culture and Languages (JKAAL) is forced to pay a hefty amount as rent
for organising cultural programmes in different auditoriums of Jammu. |
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‘Don’t politicise Afzal’s hanging’
Jammu, February 13 Chrungoo said the organisation would take
serious exception to the unnecessary and unwarranted discourse on the
issue of the execution of Parliament attack accused Afzal Guru. “It
is clear that the execution was effected as a consequence of the court
verdict. Still, attempts are being made to politicise the whole issue.
The rule of law must prevail in all situations irrespective of the
political and vote bank considerations,” he added. The organisation
said in matters relating to terror that affect national peace and
security, all political parties and shades of opinion must close their
ranks and reflect a sense of national unity. The Kashmiri Pandit
organisation said expressing opinion in matters and such an unnecessary
public debate had the potential to create law and order situation. At a
time when inimical forces across the border were looking for an
opportunity to ferment trouble in Kashmir, the government must deal with
the situation in a firm manner and desist from expressions that could
incite, instigate people and create confusion, it added. Virender Raina,
spokesperson of the Panun Kashmir, said they had expressed serious
reservations over the Centre’s policy in facilitating the sojourns of
secessionist leaders in Kashmir to Pakistan in the past several years. Expressing concern
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SRS demands stern action against Yasin Malik
SRS state president Rajiv Mahajan demanded that Malik's passport be forfeited as punishment for having been part of an anti-India platform and a case of treason be registered against him and he should be put behind the bars. “Hafiz Saeed and Yasin Malik sharing a dais in Islamabad indicates they are trying to wage war against India. Therefore, the government needs to come up with an action plan, forfeit his passport and take action against him,” Mahajan said. Mahajan termed Malik as a “greater criminal” than Afzal Guru who was involved in killing of four air force officials and many others. Mahajan said Yasin Malik deserved what Afzal Guru met. The JKLF leader is currently on a private visit to Pakistan. He and Saeed came together to mourn the execution of Afzal and shared the dais. |
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Jammu an oasis of calm and hope in trouble-torn state
Jammu, February 13 Even as protests erupted in the entire Valley after the hanging of Afzal Guru, Jammu has responded with greater maturity and remained peaceful, except minor protests in Kishtwar and Banihal. In the Muslim-majority districts such as Poonch and Rajouri in the region, the hanging has not evoked much reaction. However, many complain here that Kashmir overshadows their aspirations in the national media which has been ignoring Jammu. The culture of tolerance, which has allowed people from every faith to live in harmony here, despite provocation from fundamentalist elements has not got due media coverage, they feel. Jammu has more displaced people than any other city in Asia. Whether they came in 1947, 1965 and 1971 or after militancy erupted in the Valley in 1989 onwards, the displaced persons have made Jammu their home. There are nearly 20,000 West Pakistani refugees here. They are also called “people from nowhere” since J&K has not granted them permanent resident certificate. Then there are thousands of refugees from Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) who fled their homes in areas occupied by the Pakistan tribal hordes in 1947. Exodus of nearly 3 lakh Kashmiri Hindus in 1990 driven out by terrorists added new dimension to the cultural identity of the city. Besides, thousands of people, including Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs, from Poonch, Rajouri, erstwhile Doda district and Ladhakh are living peacefully here. Former Director General of Police (DGP) MM Khajuria said the people here got tolerance in inheritance. “Those cultures which are martial in character have greater tolerance level. In the past two decades of violence, people in this region have not only provided shelter but also allowed others to live without fear and discrimination.” Dr Javed Rahi, a Gujjar scholar, said the people of Jammu had acceptability, tolerance which have allowed thousands of people to live in harmony with the Dogra community. “Everyone who escaped from the militancy-hit areas preferred Jammu. Despite provocations and attacks on the symbols of Dogra culture, people have shown greater maturity,” he added. A melting pot
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NSF seeks jobs for youth from border areas
RS Pura, February 13 He added that seeing the response of the youth, more expansion was expected in future. The problems, he said, that were being faced by the youth in the area should be taken on top priority basis and those from the border areas should be given preference in government jobs and other services. Vikas said the youths who were putting up near the international line of control should also be given quota. Surjit Choudhary, state senior vice-president of the forum, laid stress on the issues relating to students’ problems which were being faced by the border youth. He also stressed on the demand for reservation policy for the residents near the international border in the government jobs and higher education. |
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Doda, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar women fast for husbands on Kann Chauth
Batote, February 13 “According to the Hindu almanac, the Kann Chauth coincides with the Gauri Tritiya ie two days before the Basant Panchami festival, which marks the mythological wedding anniversary of Shankar and Parvati. And unlike Karva Chauth, it is celebrated only by married women,” said Nirja Kotwal, a native of Bhaderwah. On Kann Chauth, the women begin their day by filling an urn (Ghada) with water, walnuts, citrus fruit and three fruit tree twigs, representing Shankar, Parvati and Ganesh and put a ring of sacred red thread (mauli) around the urn. The women adorned in the bridal attire take sweet or salty Khamire (chapatis of fermented dough), little rice and Zeetayi flowers (Principia utilis) in a thali, wear a ring of mauli around their neck and left wrist, worship Shankar and pray for their husbands collectively in a nearby temple and break their fast after offering water towards the sun in the evening and drinking water offered by their husbands. They touch the feet of all young and elders to seek their blessings before taking meals. They continue to seek blessings similarly for a week. They then exchange prasaad (Khamire and sweets) with their neighbours and relatives. They send cooked dishes to their parents if residing nearby and are gifted eatables of their choice, gifts and sweets by their parents-in-law.The newly married are gifted a coconut, Misri cake and money. The day ends with a joint cultural programme. Next day, before immersing the urn in a river or stream, some walnuts are sown in the soil and the rest are distributed as prasaad. The Kashmiri Pandits celebrate the day as Chandan Sheshti to pray for the new bride or the newborn baby by offering Dakshina to their Guru. They had celebrated the mythological wedding of Shankar-Parvati on February 7, 8 and 9 as Shiv Chaturdashi wherein both men and women ate once a day on the seventh and ninth and did not even have water for the entire day on the second day. |
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Committee calls for implementation of SSA, RMSA
Jammu, February 13 Taking a detailed review, the committee suggested several measures for making further improvements in the working of these vital departments. It directed the respective authorities to upgrade the infrastructure and introduce job potential streams to enable the passouts to compete in the job market. The committee asked for strict adherence to the norms for opening of new educational institutions like colleges, technical colleges and university campuses. A detailed discussion was held on education policy being drafted by the government besides norms for upgradation and opening of new institutions. It asked the authorities concerned to implement the Centrally-sponsored schemes in letter and spirit regarding the upgradation and opening of new schools so that reach of education facilities could be expanded to every nook and corner of the state, particularly the hilly and remote areas. The committee also discussed the status of Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) programmes in the state and stressed for their effective implementation for upgradation of education infrastructure. |
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Rajouri residents protest against incomplete road
Rajouri, February 13 A deputation of local residents alleged that owing to the government’s negligence, the said 5-km stretch between Palma to Darshala on the outskirts of Rajouri was hanging fire for the past 10 years. Rakesh Kumar, chairman of the deputation, alleged that the people of the area were facing acute hardships. He added that they were suffering as the children had to walk for miles to reach their schools. Ailing people were forced to walk on foot for several kilometres together to reach hospital to get avail basic medical care. The situation turns more miserable during the rain and snowfall, he added. Kumar said the authorities concerned should construct the road soon or they would be forced to choose the path of agitation. The deputation also submitted a memorandum to the District Development Commissioner Sougat Biswas. |
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‘ISM treatment for CHCs, new-type PHCs soon’
Rajouri, February 13 He said a proposal for creation of 1,050 posts, including ISM medicos and para-medicos is under consideration of the state government. He added that another proposal had been moved to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for funding under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) for engaging ISM staff in new-type primary health centres in the state. Addressing a public meeting after inaugurating the newly constructed ISM Hospital building at the border village
of Doongi, Shabir said ISM treatment had already been introduced in all district hospitals and PHCs to provide alternate choice of treatment
to people. He said the construction work on the ISM Hospital building had been completed at a cost of Rs 72.22 lakh. The work on such hospital buildings in border villages of Pollulian and Dokeare was also afoot at a cost of Rs 1.45 crore, he added. He said these buildings would also be completed within next two months. |
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Jora visits Fruit Mandi, Transport Nagar
Jammu, February 13 The minister while inspecting the facilities at Fruit Mandi, Narwal, was apprised by the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) chairperson that about 500 shops constructed by the agency had already been handed over to the J&K Horticulture Marketing and Planning while some more shops would be handed over after completing certain formalities. He also interacted with the president of the Fruit Mandi, officials of JDA/Horticulture. He instructed the JDA to take necessary steps for developing a green area (buffer zone) on the available land near the mandi to prevent encroachment.
— TNS |
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Nomad hurt in mine blast
Rajouri, February 13 He was taken to Civil Hospital Nowshera by the local Army unit and his condition was stable while reports last came in. |
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Jammu, February 13