Jammu, April 19
The ruling National Conference-Congress government has been caught on the wrong foot over shortage of kerosene as resentment is brewing among general public following the Centre’s decision to curtail the allocation of kerosene to the state.

“In its recent notification, the central government has curtailed the allocation of kerosene oil to the state. In its compliance, the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD) department of the state has also reduced the supply to general public from a uniform scale of 10 litres kerosene oil per ration card per month to five litres per ration card per month, subjecting consumers to great hardships,” sources said.

The state was allocated 7,000 kilolitres of kerosene oil by the Central Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on a monthly basis.

The kerosene oil supply was being made for the purpose of cooking and illumination only, sources said. The Centre may review the allocation for the state in October, sources said.

The situation arising out of the shortage of kerosene has led to criticism of the government over its policy vis-à-vis supply of essential commodities. “How a family of five to six members can carry out cooking and light their homes on 5 litre kerosene in a month. Earlier, we received only 10 litres against entitlement of 15 litres. The government is least bothered about the problems of the poor and middle class families. It has already limited the number of subsidised LPG cylinders and now this decision will hit hard the poor,” Shashi Paul Sharma, a resident of Mubarak Mandi said.

Sources said the state government was providing ration to 19.71 lakh families as per 2001 Census. “As per Census 2011, the total population of the state is 125.48 lakh which works out to be 22.73 lakh families. There is shortage of ration for approximately 3.02 lakh families in the state. Similarly, kerosene is being supplied as per the Census 2001 despite the fact that the number of families has gone up significantly,” sources said.

GS Chib, Director, CA&PD Department, Jammu, said there was no shortage of kerosene in the Jammu region but the Centre had curtailed the allocation for the region. “At present, we are getting an allocation of 2,772 kilolitres kerosene oil per month for 8.15 lakh families of the region, which is nearly half of the allocation provided to the region during the winter season. The Centre has fixed the uniform scale of five litres of kerosene per family per month,” Chib said.

The director said he would take up the matter with the government. “We are exploring all options to enhance the supply of kerosene oil in Jammu region in view of the hardships being faced by the people. We will try to find out a via media for the problem on humanitarian grounds,” Chib said.

Minister for CAPD department, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan, was unavailable for comments. There are 2,270 kerosene oil depots in the state, while kerosene oil supply was being made through tankers in the urban areas. A total of 41 licences for kerosene oil depots, including 24 in Jammu were issued in the state last year.

Jammu, April 19
Governor NN Vohra today visited Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Spiritual Growth Centre at Katra. He reviewed various facilities made available at the centre by the Shrine Board.

On his way back from Mata Vaishno Devi shrine to Jammu, the Governor visited various sections of the Spiritual Growth Centre and took keen interest in the exhibits at the exhibition halls. He also visited the human resource development centre, conference room, auditorium and amphitheatre at the centre.

During his visit to the library-cum-research centre, Navin K Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor and Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board, briefed him about the initiatives taken by the centre to collect and preserve rare manuscripts.

Jammu, April 19
Ram Navami was celebrated with religious fervour across Jammu today. Devotees thronged temples of Goddess Durga and Lord Ram. Since morning, men, women and children offered special prayers at the shrines.

The morning was dedicated to ‘Kanjak Pujan’ as devotees offered gifts to small girls before visiting Tawi River where they immersed ‘Saankh’ or barley sprouts, thus marking the end of the nine-day long navratra festival, dedicated to Goddess Durga.

In city thousands of people today visited historic Bahu Fort Temple and prayed for the peace and prosperity of the state. Hundreds of pilgrims from other parts of district also visited the shrine on the conclusion of Navratra festival.

“Ram Navami is an important religious festival and every year we pay obeisance at the Bawe Mata temple. We pray for peace and prosperity of the state,” said Ravinder Sharma, a devotee.

At various places, different religious and social organisations offered prayers by performing hawan. Langars were also organised in various places.

“Our organisation performs hawan every year on the day for the welfare of humanity. The day has great religious significance for the Hindus,” said Rajeev Gupta, a resident.

Kashmir Hindus also performed hawans at several temples and ashrams built in Jammu after the exodus of the Kashmiri Pandit community from the Valley. Several temples which are replicas of original temples and shrines in Kashmir have been constructed in Jammu after the migration and religious functions are organised every year.

The Jammu Municipal Corporation lifted waste from Tawi River today. Since morning devotees visited the river banks to immerse ‘Saakh’ which is grown during the nine-day navratra festival and along with it polythene bags, plastic bottles and red cloth is also immersed in the river. JMC employees and volunteers of the Tawi Bachawo Samiti removed the material to keep the river clean.

Jammu, April 19
Minister for Housing, Raman Bhalla, has said the Centre has released Rs 2.63 crore under the Rajiv Awas Yojna (RAY) to upgrade and improve basic amenities in the slum areas of the state. Instructions have also been issued in this regard to the executing agency concerned to take up the necessary developmental works in these areas.

Addressing a attended gathering today at Ram Nagar after inaugurating work on Ram Nagar-Rahim Nagar link road here today, Bhalla said Rs 55 lakh had been earmarked to upgrade the construction work.

Bhalla said the government had earmarked Rs 55 lakh under the Rajiv Nagar-Rahim Nagar via Krayani Talab link road and construction of surface drain on both sides from Rajiv Nagar Narwal to Krayani Talab.

Minister said to protect the property of the inhabitants of the area from flash floods during monsoon, Rs 55 lakh had been allocated to the R&B department to build deep drains and protection walls on both sides of the Nallah in the area.

Bhalla said the government was making efforts to upgrade the living condition of the slum dwellers by providing all basic amenities like road connectivity, safe drinking water, pacca houses, electricity, education, health besides better lanes and drains.

He said the government was very keen to tackle the problems of the slum areas in a definitive manner under the RAY scheme. He said the Centre and the state governments were committed to improve the living conditions of the homeless.

He said the slum areas would soon have all civic facilities for which a survey by IPGE was being conducted under the RAY.

Jammu, April 19
Jammu and Kashmir Sikh Council today demanded adequate compensation to the land owners at village Rakh Raipur whose land had been acquired by the government for extension of Jammu Airport.

“The state government has acquired 200 kanals of land, including 100 kanals belonging to PoK refugees in the village.The government has fixed the rate of 16 lakh per kanal while the present market value of the land is nearly Rs 60 lakh per kanal. The government should revise the rate and the people whose land has been acquired for extension of Jammu airport should be given suitable compensation,” Harmohinder Singh, state president of J&K Sikh Council told reporters here.

He said there were many people who had been deprived of even single marla of land as their land holdings and houses were being acquired by the government in the area.

“It is impossible for them to arrange a single marla of land on the rate fixed by the government. We demand that all the affected inhabitants should be rehabilitated properly,” Singh said.

Jammu, April 19
Care, Nature and Environment-an NGO-has set up six ‘Chabeels’ at Maheshpura Chowk, Bikram Chowk, Jammu University, Kachi Chawni and Ambphalla.

The ‘Chabeels’ were inaugurated by Joint Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) Kapil Sharma here today. Sharma appreciated the efforts of the NGO.

Ruchi Chouhan Khan, general secretary of the organisation said the ‘Chabeels’ would remain functional for public from April to September). 

Rajouri, April 19
A villager, Sajjad Ali, was critically injured by a leopard in Lah village, on the outskirts of Thanamandi town, in Rajouri today. The villagers are scared of the increasing leopard attacks and do not venture out of their houses after dark.

Chowdhary Liyakat Ai, Chairman, panchayat halka, Lah, said in the past six months, people of the area had become the victims of leopard attacks. The victim was shifted to District Hospital, Rajouri. —OC

JAMMU, APRIL 19
Expressing concern over shrinking agricultural land in Jammu and Kashmir, Socialistic Democratic Party (SDP) today lashed out at the state government for encouraging land mafia and ruining the land management of the state.

“The land mafia is ruling the state. Laws for protection of our agricultural land are just on the paper and the topography of Jammu and Kashmir is being changed in the name of development,” Dr Darakhshan Andrabi, president SDP, told mediapersons here.

She alleged that unplanned development of the cities and unchecked status change of land in rural areas has put the life of the people to a great risk.

“The government is quite unconcerned and the let-free attitude of the government towards the land mafia in the state has put the situation out of control. In the name of oral gifts, the treasuries are deprived of levy worth crores of rupees by this mafia and this all happens in connivance with the ruling class,” the SDP chief alleged.

She also slammed the ruling politicians and bureaucrats for declaring cultivable land as “marsh and barren” just to certify its use for construction purposes.

“The defective housing and developmental plans of the state government are responsible for unchecked concretization of the state which is proving hazardous for the ecology of our state,” she said.

SDP general secretary Ajay Kumar and other leaders were also present at the press conference.

Jammu, April 19
Tawi Bachao Samiti, an association of volunteers, including social activists, legal experts, senior citizens, journalists and youth, celebrated Tawi Day today.

Volunteers gathered near the river at Bikram Chowk and apprised the devotees present there to perform submersion of holy ‘Saankh’ on the festival of Ram Navami today.

The volunteers appealed to the devotees and the general public to keep the river clean and not throw polythene, waste and other plastic material in it.

Members of the association and a large number of residents took an oath to upkeep the sanctity of the holy river which has religious history and is also known as Surya Putri.

Chief guest Brigadier Suchet Singh offered support to the volunteers of the Tawi Bachao Samiti and urged the youth to continue the drive to keep natural heritage alive for future generations.

OP Sharma Sharma, Vidharthi, Chief Conservator Eco Tourism, was also present on the occasion.

Ashwani Sharma, coordinator of Tawi Bachao Samiti, lauded the volunteers and credited people who have been working to keep the river alive for many years for the order passed by the district administration to ban mining and excavation from the river.

Rajouri, April 19
The Post-Graduate Department of Information Technology, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri, organised a symposium and a quiz competition on “Impact of Internet on Our Daily Life”, to celebrate the 30th birth anniversary of Internet.

Vice-Chancellor of the University Prof Irshad Ahmed Hamal was the chief guest on the occasion, while Dean, Academic Affairs, Prof AK Koul, Principal, College of Engineering & Technology, Prof Mohammad Asgar, Principal, Polytechnic, Col KK Dogra, Special secretary to Vice-Chancellor, Suneet Gupta, HoD, Management Studies, Prof SK Gupta, HoD, Arabic, Dr Shamas Kamal Anjum, besides a large number of students from various post-graduate and undergraduate departments of the University and other colleges were present on the occasion.

More than a dozen students participated in the symposium and 22 groups competed in the quiz competition.

At the end, Prof Hamal distributed cash prizes, mementos and certificates of merit to the first, second and the third position holders in the quiz and the first position holder in the symposium, along with certificates of participation, among all the participating students. He dwelt upon the need of internet for the modern day society, along with its various applications and advantages for the academic community. He praised the department for conducting such an event where a large number of students participated not only from within the University but also from nearby colleges. He pledged his support for every such activity of the department in the future as well.

Sheifa Liyaqat, Omar Bashir and Mehru Nisa of the Department of Computer Sciences won the first prize in the quiz whereas Waleed Bin Owais of the Department of Information Technology Engineering won the first prize in the symposium.

JAMMU, APRIL 19
A deputation of Destitute and Handicapped Welfare Association (DAHWA), NGO, called on Tourism Minister, GA Mir and apprised him of several issues aiming at development of tourism infrastructure in Khoon and adjoining parts.

Led by association’s chairperson, SS Sumbria, the deputation demanded early sanction and implementation of Rs 5 crore project development and beautification of Khooneshwar Shiv temple at Khoon, Majalta.

This temple occupies 17th place in most revered religious spots in north zone which is being thronged by over 4 lakh visitors every year especially on Maha-Shivratri and Baisakhi.

Mir issued on spot instructions to the concerned to take up the proposed project with him for necessary action.

Sumbria apprised the minister that development of this place has greater relevance as it is located in the midst of Vaishno Devi and Sukrala Mata and pilgrims of both these destinations can also visit the temple thus giving a big boost to rural economy and tourism in the area. The temple is also only 25 to 30 kms from famous Mansar Lake, one of the most visited places in the Jammu region.

JAMMU, APRIL 19
Bahujan Mukti Party (BMP) today constituted its state unit and appointed Ashok Kumar Basotra as new state president of the party.

Talking to the media persons here, R K Ankodia, national president of BMP claimed that the party would represent the 87 percent of ignored population of the country and also in Jammu and Kashmir who had been made to suffer at the hands of upper castes.

He also announced the name of the state president and assigned him the job of nominating the Coordination Committee of BMP in the state.

Accordingly, Basotra nominated seven executive members and eleven other members of the coordination committee of the party. He also declared that the state executive working committee would have 51 members representing all the communities and all the regions of the state as per the constitution of the party. 

Jammu. April 19
While celebrating 22nd year of Scheduled Tribe status granted to Gujjar-Bakerwal tribes of Jammu and Kashmir by the Government of India (on 19th April 1991) the community leaders today,in a programme organised by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation - a premier organisation of tribes -here pleaded that their tribes should be fortified with more special rights and extra constitutional safeguards in the state.

The speakers stated that community should unite under one banner and fight vigorously to get tribal rights . They said Gujjars were being suppressed by some anti- tribal forces in J&K since 1947 and were denied equal opportunity in the society but now we will not allow anybody to exploit our people.

Dr Javaid Rahi , Secretary, Tribal Foundation said that ‘Reservation’ granted to Gujjars-Bakerwals community in Jammu and Kashmir under Scheduled Tribe category 22 years back was not an aid or charity to us but it was the right of our tribes. He impressed upon the youth to chalk out a strategy to fight against poverty and illiteracy among Gujjars and Bakerwals , and work for economic stability. The speakers pushed vigorously for bifurcation of their separate share of 8% out of total 10% reservation available to 12 ST groups with plea that Gujjars and Bakerwals are not as forward as to compete with other tribes especially those eight tribes who lives in different districts including the Ladakh region.

Jammu, April 19
Lieutenant General Vimal Arora, Director General Dental Services and Colonel Commandant, Army Dental Corps visited Command Military Dental Centre (Northern Command) last week in his first ever tour of any dental centres after assuming office.

Brig HS Sandhu, Commandant CMDC (NC) and Command Dental Adviser (NC) welcomed him.

They deliberated on various administrative and professional aspects of the dental establishments of the Command Zone and ways and means to improve dental care delivery system.

The Northern Command, being active in counter insurgency operations, the combat role of the Dental Corps took centre part in the deliberations.

The management and rehabilitation of road traffic, accident and counter insurgency operations or war related trauma cases were discussed with the unit trauma care team.

The General said the Northern Command’s topography was unique with large areas of difficult terrain and it was imperative to provide mobile dental care facility to reach the troops and veterans in those fur-flung areas. Later he visited the dental unit complex and interacted with the patients to comprehend their views and requirements.

Rajouri, April 19
Shabir Ahmad Khan, Minister of State for Health, inaugurated laparoscopic surgery facility at the District Hospital here yesterday.

The surgical facility has been created in the hospital at a cost of Rs 36 lakh and four laparoscopic operations were conducted in the hospital today.

The people of the area hailed the government for providing modern healthcare facility for the first time in the area besides appreciating the efforts of Health Minister for upgrading Medicare across the state especially in the rural and hilly areas.

Addressing a gathering, the Minister said the facility of camera guided knee surgeries would also be started in the hospital in the coming days. He said for the purpose necessary equipments worth Rs 10 lakh had been purchased which would be installed soon.

The minister said laparoscopic surgery, also known as minimally invasive surgery, allows surgery to be performed without the long traditional incision. He said flagship schemes NRHM, MGNREGA and RGGVY were beneficial in improving the development under core sectors in the state. The minister also took stock of the functioning of the District Hospital, Rajouri.

He went round each section of the hospital and enquired about the welfare and medical facilities from the patients. He also instructed the hospital authorities to ensure cleanliness in and around the hospital besides providing all available facilities to the patients.

Jammu, April 19
The Jammu University Teachers Association (JUTA) has denied having demanded the resignation of Controller of Examination Prof Manoj Dhar.

The JUTA president, Prof JPS Joorel clarified that the entire JUTA team and not just two office-bearers had gone to meet the controller. He further said the team never demanded his resignation who is also a member of the JUTA. He said, “We never demanded the resignation of Controller Prof Manoj Dhar. Besides, the JUTA never said that the “officers of the University were trying to dominate the teachers”.