Jammu, April 7
Even as the power purchase bill of Jammu and Kashmir is expected to cross a whopping all time high Rs 4,000 crore in the current financial year, more than 7 lakh out of a total 13.81 lakh registered electricity connections are yet to get electronic meters, courtesy sluggish approach of the Power Development Department (PDD).

“Against a total number of registered 13,81,306 consumers, 6,68,589 consumer connections have been metered ending January 2013, out of which 79,453 energy meters have been installed in the last financial year. Besides illegal connections, there are still more than seven lakh registered connections in the state where the PDD is yet to install electronic meters,” official sources told The Tribune.

Sources said though the department was making tall claims on achieving cent percent metering of all registered electricity connections by 2013-14, it appeared to be an uphill task owing to the slow pace of authorities concerned vis-a-vis installation of electronic meters.

They said the installation of electronic meters was started in 2004-05 in the state. “In the first year of installation, about 24,052 meters were installed and till date about 6.68 lakh meters have been installed. It is a million dollar question whether the department concerned will be able to install over 7 lakh meters in next two years,” sources said.

“Metering of power connections in the state was started from zero level as all the previously installed meters got damaged in the turmoil and disturbances in the state,” the PDD had said in its defence during the just concluded Budget session of the Assembly.

Official sources said, “What to talk of the common man, the high-profile people, including ministers and bureaucrats, are consuming free electricity. The PDD drive to install electronic meters in the state to ensure judicious consumption of electricity is yet to reach the residences of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and some of his Cabinet ministers in Jammu”.

The sources said the residence of the Chief Minister, who holds the portfolio of the Power Department, had not been metered and he had been charged flat rates for the use of “unaccounted electricity”.

Similarly, the residence of Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand has also not been metered and his official residence in the winter capital of the state has the sanctioned load of 10 KWs.

The sources also took a dig at the “double standards” of the PDD vis-a-vis installation of electronic meters and realisation of revenue.

“While the common man is forced to pay through nose for his electricity bills, various government departments of the state still owe Rs 1366.86 crore to the power development department,” the said, adding that 67 government departments of in the Jammu region owed Rs 978.17 crore and 52 departments in Kashmir valley owed Rs 388.69 crore to the PDD till December 2012.

The state government had faced an all-time high deficit in the power sector with a loss of over Rs 2,400 crore during the last financial year. The main reasons of the losses were technical as well as commercial. 

Jammu, April 7
Stepping up its attack on the coalition government for allowing misuse of the Assembly as a platform to preach secessionism, the BJP today chided the Congress for “dedicating” the entire budget session to the Parliament attack convict, Mohammad Afzal Guru, and Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Liyaqat Ali Shah.

Addressing a function, which was organised at Purani Mandi in Jammu city in connection with the BJP’s programme to establish door-to-door contact with the people, leaders of the party alleged that by maintaining silence on anti-national speeches in the Assembly, Congress MLAs and ministers had given their consent to the entire proceeding.

They alleged that there was political one-upmanship between the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to eulogise Guru, but the Congress, which is part of the government, maintained silence to allow misuse of the House to appease separatists and anti-national forces.

Ashok Khajuria, BJP MLA from Jammu (East), said, “The dynastic political parties like the Congress, the NC and the PDP have been exposed for promoting either the cause of their families or encouraging anti-national elements, which is indeed a dangerous development for the state as well as the nation”.

He said such an approach of these parties was exposed during the just concluded session of the state Assembly, where the daily proceedings started with the slogans of anti-national elements like Afzal Guru and the entire day remained focused discussing Liyaqat Ali.

He said while the ruling coalition partners were seen calling Guru as “Saheb”, the PDP was making all efforts to display its loyalty for these anti-national elements.

He said even more unfortunate was the attitude of the government towards the public representatives, who were attending the session with sole motives of raising issues related to the development and discrimination with Jammu and Ladakh.

The people themselves were watching these developments live on their televisions and, therefore, the government could not befool or mislead them for what it did in the Assembly session, the minister said.

He urged the Governor of the state to take cognisance of serious developments in the state and recommend dismissal of the government as its continuation would “prove to be more dangerous in future”.

Those who were present on the occasion included Rajesh Gupta, Chander Mohan Sharma, Mahila Morcha state president Priya Sethi, Kuldeep Kandhari, Amarnath Gupta, Yudhvir Sethi, Shiv Kumar Gupta, Subhash Gupta, Pardeep Sharma, Priya Sethi and Ramesh Sharma.

Jammu, April 7
The Jammu Private Schools and ETT Association (progressive) has said despite competent teachers, the government had failed to deliver in the education sector because of administrative and monitoring flaws.

Deep Singh, president of the association, said after 65 years of Independence, the Union HRD Ministry had failed to implement its proposals of fixing the age of beginners and single school board at the country level. “In the prevailing corrupt system of the state, the Deputy Chief Minister is talking of framing the state education policy and we wish him good luck in his endeavour to achieve success,” he said.

While commenting on the recent scenario of school education in the state, the association expressed concern over the “poor” condition of the sector

“School education related exposures of the state government in the recently concluded Assembly session are sufficient to know the poor conditions of government schools where in spite of deputing qualified and highly paid teachers, the result is rather shocking,” he claimed.

Jammu, April 7
The Jammu Tourist Trades People’s Federation today constituted a wing of private stakeholders at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage at Katra. While briefing the media today, president of the federation Mahesh Padha said a force of around 800 volunteers were recruited, who would act as a guide to the pilgrims and assist them in availing services at Katra and en route Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.

Padha said the guides-cum-volunteers would guide the pilgrims about hotels available in the town as per their budget so that they should not get exploited by any service provider. He said the guides would also apprise them about the rates fixed by the competent authority for taxis, two wheelers etc.

Padha said the members would keep liaison and rapport with the police, Shrine Board, Tourism Department and other agencies at Katra to ensure that no pilgrim was overcharged and harassed by any service provider.

The office-bearers and members who were elected in the committee included Hakim Singh, Rachpal Chand, Parshotam Kumar, Sanjay Sharma, Tara Chand, Vicky Kataria, Surinder Kumar, Surinder Singh, Anku, Sham Singh Choudhary and Ramesh Gupta.

A youth wing was also formed with Balbir Singh elected as its president. Other members of the wing comprised Rakesh Singh, Chamal Lal, Ashu, Baldev Singh, Swarn Singh, Bushan Lal, Kuldeep Singh, Ravi, Mahinder Kumar, Kuldeep Sharma and Makhan.

Jammu, April 7
Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, Raman Bhalla said today that the government had allocated an amount to the tune of Rs 19 crore to the State Cable Car Corporation for the execution of ropeway project from Mubarak Mandi to Bahu Fort and Maha Maya Devi Mandir across the Tawi.

The minister was addressing a gathering at a Baisakhi milan-cum-symposium on conservation of water resources organised by Mandli Mitran Di, an NGO, at Shree Baba Ambo Samarak Desathan at Bagh-e-Bahu, here.

Bhalla said a Kolkata-based firm, Damodar Ropeway Constructions Limited, and a Turkish firm were jointly going to start the construction on the much-delayed Mubarak Mandi-Bagh-e-Bahu Cable Car Project estimated to cost Rs 47 crore from the next month.

He said work on another cable car project at the Shiv Khori shrine in Reasi district would also commence shortly to facilitate pilgrims.

The minister said the government had placed Rs 1.86 crore at the disposal of the Collector, Land Acquisition, Jammu, for speedy clearance of land compensation of the Bagh-e-Bahu cable car project.

He said the proposed cable car project worth Rs 47 crore, which was aimed to connect the heritage sites Mubarak Mandi, Mahamaya Temple, Bagh-e-Bahu, Bawe Wali Mata Temple and Peerkho temple, would attract Vaishno Devi pilgrims.

The minister called upon the people to use water judiciously. He said the government was making an all out effort to meet the need of water supply requirement of the city in the near future, adding that there was a plan to harness the Chenab water for consumptive purpose.

“Similarly, efforts are also being made to take the share of J&K from the Punjab government from Ranjit Sagar Dam through a canal to step up supply of water of the Ravi Tawi canal in order to provide irrigation facility to the kandi belt of Kathua, Hiranagar and Samba, besides improving of the existing canal system and reducing leakage of water supply schemes,” Bhalla said. 

Jammu, April 7
Minister for Road and Buildings Abdul Majid Wani and Minister of State for Technical Education Vikar Rasool today held a high-level joint meeting of officials from the R&B, JKPCC and the Technical Education Departments here.

Detailed discussions were held to ascertain the quantum of work already done, status of funds released and expenditure involved, removal and clearance of bottlenecks and impediments coming in way of the construction work at several places. District-wise physical and financial progress was also reviewed during the meeting.

Wani directed the R&B and the JKPCC to ensure timely completion of these buildings and allied infrastructure so that they could be handed over at the earliest. He said the government tried to promote skill development in the state to enhance employability of the youth.

It was also decided in the meeting that some of the polytechnic college buildings and ITIs would be handed over to the JKPCC by the R&B Department.

Rasool highlighted the need for an early completion of these buildings. He said with the establishment of this infrastructure, a large number of youth would be able to receive training in these institutions in different modern skills and obtain diplomas in several trades having good market demand.

He added that it was an effective step forward under the skill development mission of the government.

Jammu, April 7
The Rotary Club, Jammu, today organised a two-day seminar wherein more than 100 club presidents and secretaries of different districts participated. The seminar was held under the guidance of Dr Pawan Gupta, seminar chairman, Dr Dushyant Chaudhary and Pradeep Jain.

Minister for Housing and Culture Raman Bhalla was the chief guest at the event. The minister lauded the services of rotarians in different social fields. Former district governors of the district and eminent speakers from various parts of the country motivated the incoming team to provide best service to society.

Dr Dushyant Choudhary thanked Dr Pawan Gupta for providing an opportunity to the Rotarians of Jammu by hosting such event. 

Jammu, April 7
Reiterating resolve of the government to address infrastructure requirements of far-flung areas, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand today said fulfilling development needs of rural, border and far-off belts of the state was high on the agenda of the government. Many projects had been launched to equip these areas with all required modern facilities.

Tara Chand was addressing a monthly public meeting at Khour today.

The Deputy Chief Minister said special model village projects at Pargwal and Pallanwala had already been sanctioned at a cost of Rs 11 crore and Rs 16 crore respectively. The work on these projects was going on at a fast pace.

Directing executing agencies to monitor quality and pace of the development works, Tara Chand said a special committee under Additional DDC had been constituted for regular monitoring of the progress of the project.

“The rural development department should hold an internal audit of all cluster model village works so that any lapse found can be corrected well in time and the quality of the project does not get compromised,” he said.

Stressing on availing benefits through schemes like SKEWPY, the Deputy Chief Minister said the need of the hour was to look beyond the government sector for employment and develop skills, which have good market potential.

Underlining various initiatives taken by the education department, Tara Chand said a multi-pronged strategy had been adopted by the department to address the staff shortage. As many as 8,000 posts have been earmarked to PSC and SSRB for the fast track recruitment to meet the shortage of staff and 5,000 promotions had been made in the gazetted and non-gazetted cadres.

On Development }Special model village projects at Pargwal and Pallanwala had already been sanctioned at a cost of Rs 11 crore and Rs 16 crore respectively. The work on these projects was going on at a fast pace.

On Education }A multi-pronged strategy had been adopted by the department to address the staff shortage. As many as 8,000 posts have been earmarked to PSC and SSRB for the fast track recruitment to meet the shortage of staff and 5,000 promotions had been made in the gazetted and non-gazetted cadres.
— Tara Chand, Deputy Chief Minister

Jammu, April 7
Abdul Majid Wani, Minister for Road and Buildings, today released an Urdu novel, ‘Naam Dev’, written by renowned Urdu writer Anand Lehar during a function organised by the Centre for Professional Studies in Urdu, University of Jammu (JU), in collaboration with the Rasa Javedani Memorial Literary Society and Nami Dogri Sanstha.

Prof Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, Vice-Chancellor, JU, presided over the function. The minister in his address spoke at length about Lehar’s contribution towards Urdu language and literature in the state.

He said Lehar had written a number of Urdu novels and short stories and was a well-known fiction writer of the sub-continent. The Vice-Chancellor in his presidential address said Urdu was the official language of the state and it should be given its due share.

He also assured full support to the Urdu organisations working for the promotion of the language. Director of the centre Prof Shohah Inayat Malik in his welcome address threw light on the life of Lehar and described him not only as a secular man but also a noble human being.

Lehar’s 152-page novel ‘Naam Dev’ has been published by Oshan Publications, New Delhi.

Jammu, April 7
Dogra Law College, Bari Brahmana, in collaboration with the NSS unit, organised a legal aid and literacy camp here today.

Chief resource person advocate Sheikh Shakeel delivered a lecture on the Accountability Commission Act and the Right to Information Act. He also gave demonstration by citing the relevance of these two laws.

Sheikh Shakeel further said law students and young lawyers should play a positive role in bringing a social transformation, which is the need of the hour.

Dr Monica Narang, associate professor at The Law School, University of Jammu, delivered an educative lecture on legal aid, legal literacy and the J&K Legal Service Authority Act.

Students took keen interest in the session and asked questions regarding corruption, misuse of authority and role of society as well as law in bringing desired, constructive and positive transformation. The resource person responded to their queries.

AV Gupta, senior advocate, J&K High Court, was the chairperson of the session. He highlighted the aspects of professional ethics and relevance of arbitration, negotiation and reconciliation and plea-bargaining, the process of adjudication in cases and speedy administration of civil and criminal justice.

Prof VK Kapoor, director-cum-principal, Dogra Law College, in his welcome address and concluding remarks appreciated the interest shown by the students in developing proper legal understanding.

Vineet Dubey, senior camp commander and Monika Kohli, camp commander were also present at the event.

Jammu, April 7
Minister of State for Health, Shabir Ahmad Khan has said World Health Day was an occasion to raise public awareness on hypertension disease.

The minister said the theme of World Health Day 2013 “hypertension” lends immediacy to the mission to heart blood pressure. It underlined the fact that everyone could make it his or her responsibility to eliminate the deadly disease from the face of the earth in the future.

Addressing a gathering during a function organised by the health department at Lawrence Public School Sidhra, the minister said every year World Health Day was celebrated on April 7 to commemorate the founding anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The minister said integral efforts should be made to reduce the growing burden of communicable diseases.

Shabir stressed upon the authorities concerned to organise awareness camps, especially in remote and hilly areas, for encouraging self-care to prevent diseases related to high blood pressure.

On the occasion, the Health Minister also inaugurated a free medical camp, organised by the health department, Jammu. 

Katra, April 7
The 6th Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE), sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, will organise Science Internship Camp at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Katra, from May 27 to 31.

Giving the details about the event, SK Wanchoo, organising coordinator, INSPIRE, SMVDU, said it was an innovative programme of the DST to attract students towards science. The basic objective of the camp is to communicate with students the excitement of creative pursuits of science. It also aims at building the required critical human resource pool for strengthening and expanding science and technology system in the R&D base.

He said under the above scheme, the SMVDU is organising the 6th INSPIRE science internship summer camp from May 27. The camp is meant for the top 1 per cent performers in the class X board examination and those who are pursuing science in class XI in the science stream.

The programme will be organised on the university campus. The students will interact with various science academicians, awardees and scientists of national and international repute. They will interact with the students through lectures and interactive sessions.

Earlier, over 80 eminent scientists and academicians from all over the country already worked as mentors for these camps and looked over 1875 students from the state.

Jammu, April 7
The semifinal line up has been drawn today in the ongoing J&K State Volleyball Championship being organised by the Volleyball Association of J&K at Volleyball Court, MA Stadium, here.

Shaheen Manjit Singh Club, Poonch, J&K Police, CRPF and Raman Club had secured berth in the last four. In the first quarterfinal match, Shaheed Manjit Singh Club got the better of BSF Club by 3-0 sets. J&K Police earned a hard-fought win against 112 Territorial Army by 3-2 sets. In the third quarterfinal, CRPF beat IRP 19 Battalion by 3-2 sets. In the last quarterfinal, Raman Club had last laugh against 15 Raj Rifles by 3-0 sets.

Earlier, in the inaugural match, 112 Territorial Army beat Volleyball Club, Pallanwala, by 2-0 sets in the opening match. The set score read 25-21 and 25-14. In another match, Border Security Force Club had last laugh against 4 Madras Club by 2-1 sets. — TNS

Katra, April 7
The third Amit Memorial T-20 Cricket Tournament, where eight teams of the Jammu region are participating, got underway at the Sports Stadium, Reasi, on Sunday. The opening ceremony was attended by Station House Officer (SHO), police station Reasi, Rakesh Akram and members of the Amit Memorial Club, Reasi.

The first match was played between the Reasi Cricket Club and the National Cricket Club. The National Cricket Club won the toss and elected to bat first. They managed to score 168 runs with the contributions of 34 by Sanjay, 38 by Aman and 29 by Dev Singh. For the Reasi Cricket Club, Sajaad took 2 wickets by giving 35 runs.

Chasing a victory target of 168 runs, the Reasi Cricket Club bowled out for 149 in 18 overs. Shubam scored 68, Arjun 19 and Nishu 16. For the National Cricket Club, Dev took 3 wickets.

Dev bagged the man of the match award.

In the tournament, the wining team would be given a cash prize of Rs 11,000, runner up Rs 5,000 and the man of the series would get a mobile phone respectively.

Rakesh Akram said the Reasi police would provide all the required logistics for the successful conduct of the tournament.

Jammu, April 7
The Young Star Cricket Club (YSCC), Doda, will organise the All India 9th Gufran Memorial T20 Cricket Championship 2013 in the first week of May.

Talking to the mediapersons, YSCC Patron Manzoor Ahmed Batt said after successful conduct of eight national level cricket events, the club was all set to host the All India 9th Gufran Memorial T20 Cricket Championship 2013 at the Sports Stadium, Doda.

He said teams from various parts of the country would participate in the sporting extravaganza. “The negotiations are going on to bring cricketers of international repute for the tournament. It has been decided that the matches of the first round would be played on knock-out basis while for the second round, the matches would be played on league basis,” Manzoor Batt said.

He said BCCI Ranji Trophy umpires would officiate at the matches.

The team registration would be held from April 8 to 25. — TNS