Jammu, March 6
The drive against adulteration seems to have lost its sheen, as the government has failed to provide adequate technical staff for the laboratory of the Drug and Food Control Organisation (DFCO). Under Food Safety Act 2011, the government has said new posts will be created to strengthen testing facilities.

While a new modern laboratory is nearing completion at Patoli, it does not have the required staff to deal with the samples lifted during the inspections.

Till date, hundreds of samples are being handled by the overburdened Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) laboratory, as the lab of Drug and Food Control Organisation (DFCO) does not have a full-time scientist or other staff.

"Though the organisation’s new modern laboratory is nearing completion at Patoli, it does not have the required staff to deal with the samples lifted during the inspections. Due to the delay, most of the cases remain pending for months together and traders engaging in adulteration escape the clutches of law by paying a fine," said an official.

Accepting that manpower shortage is an issue, Drug Controller Satish Gupta said steps have been taken to fill posts. “The government has created 36 new posts in various categories to supplement food regulations and the process has been initiated. We hope the process will be completed on a fast-track basis,” he stated.

Gupta said an awareness campaign has been started to make officials aware of the new laws and get them to know how to deal with challenges, keeping in view the emergence of fast food culture in the city.

“There is an Act, but no consideration is given to creation of manpower and filling of sanctioned posts. The fight against adulteration cannot be won only with laws; there is need for evidence to take legal action against the culprits. We have been approaching the government for filling of the posts, but as of now, nothing much has come out,” said a senior officer of DFCO.

Though the number of adulteration cases has shot up in recent years, Jammu Municipal Corporation is still dependent on one Public Analyser (food tester) to deal with the samples lifted by the field teams during routine checks.

When it comes to adulteration, prohibited substances are either added or partly or wholly substituted in eatables. During the festival period, there is always the threat of poor quality material being used in manufacture of sweets and other eatables for profit.

As per Food Safety Act, all food business operators were directed to get their existing licences renewed and registration was granted under the repealed Food Act/Order under the Food Safety & Standards Act 2006 and Food Safety and Standards (Licensing & Regulation of Food Business) Regulations 2011.

Jammu, March 6
Militancy-affected families from erstwhile Doda district continue their protest demanding relief assistance on the pattern of that for displaced Kashmiri Hindus. They took out a rally on Wednesday. They were demanding relief assistance as most of the families have no other source of income.

Shouting slogans against the government and its apathetic attitude, protesters alleged that successive Chief Ministers in the past two decades have only given assurances but nothing has been done to address their problems.

Rakesh Kumar Sharma, president of Erstwhile Doda Migrant Committee, alleged that despite repeated pleas, nothing has been done to mitigate travails of militancy-affected families from the region.

He said Jammu migrants are reeling under serious hardships due to political victimisation and hundreds of people from Reasi, Udhampur, Samba, Kathua and Jammu districts are suffering as they have no employment or relief assistance.

“Hundreds of people have had to leave their homes due to militancy and are living in Jammu. They had to leave their homes, fields and villages to save themselves and it is duty of the government to provide them relief assistance,” he said.

The committee has claimed nearly 10,000 migrant families belonging to erstwhile Doda district, Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch districts have left their homes due to fear of terrorists in the past two decades.

Batote, March 6
The Pentavalent Vaccine (PV) was launched in Ramban district under the Universal Vaccination Programme on Wednesday.

The Deputy Director (Headquarter), Jammu, Dr Baldev Raj Sharma, kickstarted the drive at the SKME Hospital, Batote, in the presence of Dr Mir Mohammad Ashraf, District (for Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban) Monitor, National Rural Health Mission, Block Medical Officer, Ramban (camp Batote) Dr Anirudh Slathia, Dr OP Singh and prominent locals on Wednesday.

“To begin with, it has been launched at the district and block headquarters and by the end of March, it will be launched at all the public health centres, sub-centres and medical aid centres of the district to immunise every infant below six weeks of age against five diseases, namely DPT (diphtheria, pertusis, tetanus), meningitis, influenza, pneumonia and infectious arthritis, lifelong as prophylaxis,” said Dr BR Sharma, Deputy Director (Headquarter), Jammu.

Chief Medical Officer, Ramban, Dr Mohd Anwar Bhat, besides Medical Superintendent, Ramban, Dr Saifuddin Khan, Block Medical Officer, Ukhrall, Dr Kulbhushan, Block Medical Officer, Gool, Dr Bashir Ahmed and Block Medical Officer, Banihal Dr M Iqbal presided over the launch in their hospitals respectively.

As many as 47 infants below six weeks of age had been injected the vaccine in all these hospitals free of cost today when reports last came in, sources said.

Jammu, March 6
As many as 49,597 candidates will appear in the class X annual examinations (summer zone) of Jammu division at 510 centres which are set to commence tomorrow. Arrangements have been made by the conducting authority J&K State Board of School Education (JKBOSE).

VR Sharma, Joint Secretary (Examination), JKBOSE, said, “Jammu district is leading the list, with a total of 177 centres followed by Kathua with 85. A total of 72 examination centres have been established at Rajouri while 59 and 55 centres will conduct the annual board exams in Udhampur and Samba districts respectively. In district Poonch, 39 centres have been established for this purpose while there are 23 centres in Reasi,” Sharma added.

“The possibility of an increase in number of examination centres across Jammu division was never be ruled out by the board and the motive behind the establishment of so many examination centres is to ensure smooth run of affairs across the Jammu division”, Joint Secretary said.

Sources said adequate staff has been deployed at all examination centres, particularly in remote areas, to ensure that candidates strictly adhere to the authorities’ guidelines. Sources added that after the recent incident of leakage of paper of annual examination of class VIII in Poonch district, all the incharges of their respective examination centres have been advised to remain extra-vigilant to avoid any such incident.

Rajouri, March 6
Police has booked a class XII student for allegedly raping a teenaged girl of village Daroni in tehsil Nowshera of the forward area of border district Rajouri.

A rape case was registered yesterday following a complaint filed by the girl's parents, sources said.

Sources said parents of the girl reached the local police station yesterday and alleged in the compliant that a class XII student identified as Mohammed Farooq, son of Gulam Hussain, resident of Patrai, Lam, allegedly raped the girl in the house when she was alone at home and her parents were attending some functions at their relatives’ place in the village.

When her parents returned home, the girl told them about the incident, reports said.

Sources said the police has lodged a case under sections 376, 458 and 342 in the police station concerned and has started investigation. Police claims it has also launched a manhunt against the accused Mohammed Farooq.

Batote, March 6
Electronic goods worth more than Rs 6 lakh were recovered from two burglars identified as Zakir Hussain and Raj Kiran of Sangrambhatta in Kishtwar last evening.

Zakir was detained and questioned by the police after a tip-off.

Following confessions by both the accused, the stolen items were recovered from a house. The recovered goods include 106 cellphones, two laptops, a video recording camera, six cameras, two tables with keyboards, 92 blank DVDs, four pen-drives, 10 card-readers, 100 cellphone batteries, 50 cellphone-chargers, two emergency lights, 36 headphones, 20 unserviceable cellphones and three filled purses.

The burglars had set the shop on fire after stealing items worth about Rs 6 lakh from Tanveer Electronics on January 31 and on the intervening night of February 20 and 21, they had allegedly burgled another shop, AD Agencies.

Jammu, March 6
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology (SKUAST), Jammu, today conducted a day-long farmers’ awareness programme on climate change, in Barnoti block of district Kathua.

The main objective of the programme was to identify ways for strengthening the capacity of the rural communities to adapt and deal with the impacts of climate change and variability.

The camp was organised by All-India Coordinated Research Project on Agrometeorology. In the programme, as many as 101 farmers and 58 farmwomen from nearby villages participated.

Dr MK Khushu, chief scientist and head, Agrometeorology, SKUAST Jammu, explained the objectives of the awareness programme and stressed upon the farmers to adapt various agricultural practices which could help to mitigate climate change as temperature rise and shifting of rainfall pattern in the region is concern of the days.

Rajouri, March 6
The Rashtriya Rifles Battalion organised a free medical camp, in collaboration with the District Medical Authorities and Red Cross Society, under the aegis of Headquarters Counter Insurgency Force (Uniform), for the local populace of village Jhangar of Naushera Teshil and adjoining area on Monday.

The camp was inaugurated by the GOC, Uniform Force.

The patients were examined by the civil medical officer, regimental medical officer, nursing assistants and supporting staff. The much-needed specialised medical cover was given to the women, children and elderly people. Approximately 1,548 persons, including 548 females, 373 males and 627 children, were treated during the medical camp.

On this occasion, two wheel chairs were presented to disabled girls. Free medicines were also distributed to the villagers.

The Rashtriya Rifles Battalion had carried out wide publicity for this camp before organising the camp so that maximum people could avail the medical facilities and get benefit from the camp.

Jammu, March 6
The J&K State Bharat Scouts and Guides Association, Jammu, today organised a function to accord a warm farewell to Ashok Kumar, Ex-Deputy Director, Youth Services & Sports, Jammu Division, Jammu, on his superannuation at its state headquarter.

ID Soni, State Commissioner (S) Jammu, in his address, appreciated the outgoing officer for his dedication, devotion, uprightness, commitment and diligence towards his work.

Sohail Kazmi, General Secretary Press Club, Jammu, Raj Bharati, MM Joshi, Raj Kumari, Sureshta Khajuria, Nasreen Khan, Prabha Jain and all other office-bearers of Bharat Scouts and Guides were also present.

Poonch, March 6
Though the district police claimed to have made Poonch district a militancy-free zone with no information of any militant active in any part, increase in abduction or kidnapping and murder cases have raised many eyebrows. In an exclusive interview with the writer, Shamsheer Hussain, Superintendent of Police (SP) Poonch, gave the details of the crime situation in the district.

Q. What do you have to say on the crime situation in Poonch district?

A. If we look at the overall crime situation in the district, it is not on an alarming stage. We succeeded in making Poonch a militancy-free zone. We have no authentic report of any terrorist active in any part of the district. In 2011, 14 militancy related cases were registered here, where as in 2012 only 10 cases were registered. We have also succeeded in controlling rape cases. In 2011, 18 rape cases were registered in the entire district, where as in 2012 we registered 50% decrease in rape cases. But, this is not enough we have to give public a crime-free society and for the purpose we are on the job.

Q. False rumours always create a sense of insecurity among masses and cause lawlessness in the district. How do you deal with it?

A. False rumours always come from the masses and it happens only when they take them lightly. It is the moral responsibility of the masses to act wisely so that their action could not worsen the situation. Whereas the duty of the law enforcing agencies is concerned, we are doing our job and have succeeded in making masses aware regarding false rumours. I will not hesitate to say it happens only due to lack of communication between the public and police. Now I have directed all police stations and check posts to inform immediately, in case of any rumours which may result in lawlessness in the area, so that timely action is taken. People should also come forward to inform police in case any rumours come up in the area.

Q. Mendher Tehsil always remains in news for the wrong reasons. Comment.

A. No doubt, in Mendher we have seen many heinous crimes in the recent past, but now the situation has been changing. People are aware of the fruits of a crime-free society and are coming forward to make the society prosperous. There are some other factors which need attention and we are on the job. It is a saying that militancy-free zone gives criminals a chance to raise their heads. No doubt, during militancy criminals did not dare to go to the villages or in the towns at odd times, but now they are trying to raise their heads. When we have succeeded in eliminating the dreaded militants, the criminals will not be tolerated. We have planned a strategy to bring public closer to the police under ‘civic action programme’. We have been organising various programmes to utilise the youths’ energy in a positive manner. We have organised cricket tournaments where thousands of youths took part and proved their mettle. We had also provided platform to the artists in the programme ‘Choona hai Aasmaan’, which received a good response from the public. Besides, we have started a youth club at Krishan Chander Park, Poonch, where different games and library facilities are available.

Q. Overloading in passenger vehicles always causes accidents, what initiatives are being taken by you to check this menace?

A. I have constituted different squads in the district to check this menace. The squads have fined various troublemakers and they lay surprise nakas on various entry and exit points of Poonch, Surankote and Mendher and to some extent we have made the masses aware about the traffic rules and regulations. I think only commuters can stop this menace by avoiding overloaded vehicle. Its my humble appeal to the masses to avoid overloaded vehicle to save their precious lives.

Jammu, March 6
The government has ordered promotions of the following Public Law Officers (PLOs) and Legal Assistants as Senior Law Officers (SLOs) and Public Law Officers respectively.

The PLOs promoted as SLOs are Abdul Rashid Dar, Molvi Mushtaq, Sudesh Kumari, Shakeel Kachroo, PL Sharma, Rohani Kiran, Queshi Tariq Mehmood, Mohammad Arif Khan, Manoj Kumar Pandita, Ayaz Ahmed Khan and Yasmen Chodhary (ST).

The Legal Assistants promoted as PLOs are Riyaz Ahmad Riyza, Mahjabeen, Hamidullah Bhat, Pardeep Singh Thakur and Vibhati Sharma.

Jammu, March 6
The NSS Unit of Trikuta College of Education today organised an awareness programme in Bajwan Nardani village. All the NSS volunteers went door-to-door to make the masses aware about the repercussions of female foeticide. They also educated them about the benefits of pulse polio immunisation. The students stressed upon the local populace to contribute their bit in conservation and preservation of environment, besides laying stress on water and electricity saving.

Later, Suman Sharma, Chairperson of the college, addressed the students and appreciated the programme which was organised by BEd students of the college under the guidance of NSS programme officer of the college, Manjeet Singh. — TNS

Jammu, March 6
The line-up to the semifinals has been drawn with the entry of Stadium (Senior) XI and Police Training School (PTS)-B, in the ongoing Kathua Premier League Twenty20 Tournament being played at Sports Stadium, Kathua.

In the first semifinal, PTS-B would take on Wizard Cricket Club on March 8 while Stadium XI would face Tawla Cricket Club on March 9.

Earlier, in the quarterfinals, Stadium XI got the better of Khan Cricket Club (KCC) by 31 runs. Batting first, Stadium XI set a target of 152 runs for the loss of five wickets. Tarsem and Parshant were the top scorers with 41 and 40 (not out) runs respectively while Shiv Dutta also chipped in with a handy 38 runs. For KCC, Kunal bagged two wickets while Peter took one.

In reply, KCC could not chase the target and the whole side was skittled out for 120 runs in 18.4 overs.

Peter played a gutsy knock of 54 runs off just 47 balls but in vain as the wickets kept tumbling at the other end.

Shiv Dutta took three wickets by conceding just 14 runs for Stadium XI. Jatinder Kaka also fetched three wickets. Shiv was later declared the man of the match.

In another quarterfinal, PTS-B overcame the challenge of PTS-A by three wickets. Batting first after PTS-B won the toss and opted to field, PTS-A accumulated 127 runs losing eight wickets in the process. Rompy scored 53 off 42 balls while Rakesh contributed 23 runs to the tally.

From PTS-B, Binny Raina and Majid shared three wickets apiece.

In reply, PTS-B overhauled the target in 19.5 overs for the loss of seven wickets. Binny Raina and Lokesh remained top scorers with 29 and 24 runs respectively. From PTS-A, Ramesh Kumar Bhat and Aamir shared two wickets each.

Binny Raina was adjudged the man of the match. The quarterfinals were officiated by Dheeraj Andotra, Anoop Sharma, Himanshu Sharma and Rakesh Gupta as umpires while Pushkar and Nishant were the score keepers.

Jammu, March 6
PDC (B) and NGR Club today registered wins over their respective rivals to go to the next round of the ongoing 3rd Rajiv Gandhi Gold Cup Football Tournament, being organised by the All J&K Indira Gandhi People’s Association at Government Gandhi Memorial (GGM) Science College Football Ground here. In the opening match of the day, PDC (B) toppled Jammu United by 3-0 goals via tie-breaker.

The first half witnessed a number of chances missed by both the teams. Success continued to elude both the teams who made desperate attempts to open the account. The winner was then decided through penalty kicks and PDC-B had the last laugh.

Davian, Sahil and Manjot Singh of PDC (B) scored the winning goals whereas Jammu United wasted the chances.

Two yellow cards were also shown to Vijay Kumar and Salim Gul of PDC (B) in the 45th and 56th minute respectively while Sohan Kumar of Jammu United was shown the same card in the 40th minute.

In the second match, NGR scripted a 3-0 win over Jammu Sports. The goal scorers for the winner team were Aman, Kamal and Heera.

During the match, the yellow card was shown to Aman of NGR in the 29th minute of the first half.

The matches were officiated by Hilal Ahmed, Moon Madan, Vijay Kumar, Kushey Kumar, Rohit Gupta, Suresh Kumar, Gagan Kumar and Romesh Kumar.

Jammu, March 6
The Sports Week concluded at Kalamkari Centre Society (KCS) College of Education (Women) on the college premises today. Principal of the college, Prof OP Sharma was the chief guest on the occasion who inaugurated the event.

Rajan Suri, Convener of Sports Committee, along with other members namely Sneh Khanna, Rohani Sharma and Ruchika Chib apprised about the week-long activities held in the college grounds.

Final Results:

Badminton: Pooja (1st), Deepika (2nd) and Azra (3rd).

Volleyball: Team-A (1st) and Team-B (2nd).

Kho-Kho: Team-E (1st), Team-B (2nd) and Team-G (3rd).

Chess: Priya Kotwal and Surbhi (1st), Versha and Sunandini (2nd) and Pooja and Priya Khajuria (3rd).

Table Tennis: Priyanka (1st), Samita (2nd) and Deepika (3rd).

Tug-of-War: Team-D (1st), Team-B (2nd) and Team-C (3rd).

Carrom: Manu and Sangeeta (1st), Rita and Babita (2nd) and Pushpa and Manika (3rd).

Spoon Race: Priya Khajuria (1st), Shilpa (2nd) and Damini (3rd).

Musical Chair: Priya Kotwal (1st).