Jammu, May 22
The School Education Department has recommended that summer vacations in schools be advanced by a week in view of the intense heat wave prevailing in the region.

The department is also contemplating to shorten the school hours till the summer vacation starts in government as well as private schools.

“We have recommended that summer vacations be advanced by a week. In all government and private schools in the region, summer vacation will start from June 3 subject to the approval of the state government,” Director, School Education (in-charge), Jammu, GA Qureshi.

He said the department was also thinking to change the school timings because of the intense heat.

“The school hours may be changed and we are planning to shorten the working hours of all schools by one hour. The decision in this regard has not been taken yet,” Qureshi said.

Meanwhile, heat wave continued in Jammu today, with the temperature crossing 44 degrees. The heat wave has thrown life out of gear in the city.

People stayed indoors due to the hot winds. Temperature in the region has been rising steadily since the last week of April affecting normal life. In certain areas of the city, residents are facing scarcity of water and electricity.

Rajouri, May 22
The rising temperature has increased incidents of forest fires across Rajouri.

Yesterday, fire erupted in the forest in Palolian area near the Line of Control (LoC) causing widespread damage to the forest area.

Mohammed Rashid, Naib Sarpanch of Palolian village said, “Nearly 5,000 residents of Sanyan and Namla villages live near the spot where the fire broke out yesterday afternoon. The fire raged for 15 hours but was brought under control by the department and villagers."

“Several fire tenders failed to control the fire till this morning. Now it is under control," said Rashid.

Though only minor fires have been reported so far, the department claims that it has made necessary arrangements and is working to raise awareness especially among the rural population to control the fires sparked by humans.

District Forest Officer (DFO), Rajouri, Anand said, "The fire has damaged four to five kanal of land, but loss of life has been reported."

“Fire incidents are very common in the forest areas and are mostly reported in the summer season, but we are completely prepared,” the DFO added.

“In daily meetings, we are trying to spread awareness among the residents of areas near the forests to be careful not to spark fire,” he said.

Jammu, May 22
Mercury soared to 45.1 degree Celsius here on Wednesday, making it the hottest day of this season from 44.5 degree Celsius recorded on Tuesday.

The Met department officials say the heat wave will continue till next week and the temperature is expected to oscillate between 44 and 46 degree Celsius. The maximum temperature may even cross 45.2 degrees on Friday and no respite is likely any time soon.

The Met department of the state has forecast, “Overall the weather will remain mainly dry in the state and the heat wave will continue in some pockets of the Jammu region.”

The Met officer said it is the maximum temperature in last two years. The maximum temperature in 2010 was recorded 45 degree Celsius on May 25, while the maximum temperature recorded in 2011 was 42.4 degree Celcius on May 17 and in 2012 the temperature touched 45.2 on June 21.

Jammu, May 22
The widening and construction of new roads for better connectivity has taken its toll on the environment in the state. The state government has diverted 2,200 hectares of forest land and axed over 1.31 lakh trees for improved road network from 2009 to 2012.

For the four-laning of the Jammu-Pathankot national highway alone, 44,697 trees were axed by the Department of Social Forestry and the Department of Forest.

“In 2009-10, the Department of Forest diverted 1,251 hectares of the forest land and axed 43,222 trees while clearing various road projects. Similarly, a total of 696.11 hectares forest land diverted for construction of various roads in rural areas and 38,009 trees were felled in 2010-11,” sources in forest department said.

During 2011-12, the forest department had diverted 253 hectares of forest land and axed 6,051 trees for the construction of new roads in the state. “The forest department has planted 79.84 lakh saplings, including plants distributed under the farm forestry scheme from March 2010 to February 2013 at a cost of Rs 24.90 crore. The survival percentage of the saplings was around 60 per cent,” sources said. Sources also said 13,360 hectares of the forest land was under illegal occupation of encroachers who were “criminally” exploiting forest treasure by resorting to various activities.

A senior official of the Department of Forest said there was a provision to plant four saplings against one tree cut down due to their “non-survival risk”.

“Encroachment coupled with development activities in the ‘green zone areas’ has caused massive damage to the forests. There is need to plant more trees alongside the roads constructed in the forest areas. It was also the responsibility of the state government to ensure that maximum trees were planted in place of the trees axed for development activities,” the official said.

The official rued that government apathy could be gauged from the fact that 44,697 trees were axed along the Jammu Pathankot Highway including 31,782 trees from Lakhanpur to Kunjwani, 769 from Kunjwani to Satwari, 263 from the Government College for Women to Bikram Chowk and 11,883 from Kunjwani to Sidhra Bye Pass widening over the last two years. “Only 14,162 saplings were planted along central median of the national highway in the current year till February by the Social Forestry division at Kathua. Ironically, no plantation was done along the national highway by the social forestry division, Jammu, over the last two years,” the official added.

Jammu, May 22
Daily wagers working as sweepers in the Department of Floriculture have demanded regularisation of service as they have completed more than seven years of service. They have warned of an agitation if the regularisation process was delayed.

Under the banner of the Akhil Bhartiya Safai Mazdoor Sangh, they have alleged that for the past 18 years, they have been working in the 
department, but nothing has been done to to regularise them.

“Our families live in penury. As per the rules, those who have completed seven years of service as causal wagers are to be regularised in their respective departments. Our demand is that we should be absorbed in the department under SRO 64,” said Parshotam Lal, Sangh president.

He said chairperson of the Nation Commission for Safai Karamcharies, New Delhi, Kamla Gurjar, has also taken up the issue in a letter to the Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Floriculture.

The regularisation process of thousands of daily rate workers (DRW) and causal labourers in the state is getting delayed as the respective departments have failed to submit details to the Sub-Committee constituted by the government for the purpose.

The state Cabinet had approved the mechanism to regularise daily wagers in 2009, with directions passed to the department to furnish details about the workers, so that financial and legal issues could be sorted out.

Jammu, May 22
Aggrieved by the recent court order regarding the conduct of annual examination of Elementary Teachers Training (ETT) students, who were admitted after the completion of counselling process, the J&K State Board of School Education (JKBOSE), has filed a review petition challenging the single-judge order.

Renu Goswami, secretary, BOSE, while confirming the development, told The Tribune “Yes, we have filed a review petition in the court today. It is not possible to conduct the examination of the late admitted candidates along with the regular ones because there are so many formalities yet to be completed”.

“The board had preserved all the details of those candidates who were admitted through proper channel but those who have been admitted late, their documentation is yet to be completed”, she added.

In reply to a question whether this development could affect the schedule for conducting annual examinations, Goswami said “it is very difficult to predict the outcome at this moment because the court can give any judgement”.

However, the Jammu Private Schools and ETT Institutes Association (Progressive) said this move of JKBOSE would not yield any result. “The decision of BOSE to file a review petition will definitely prove a futile exercise”, said Deep Singh, president of the association.

“After the regular counselling, more than 7,500 seats were left vacant due to poor outcome. The institutes had no other option left but to request the BOSE chairman to extend the date. After submission of all the necessary formalities, the ETT institutes started admitting students for pursuing the course, after the assurance that the list of candidates will be accommodated while preparing the final list of students who will appear in the annual examination”, Deep Singh alleged.

“Had JKBOSE taken concrete measures to streamline the course in the state, this situation would not have arisen. In fact, the school education board has been a mute spectator while dealing with the sub-standard working, particularly within the ETT course, during the last six years,” said another office-bearer of the association, on the condition of anonymity.

“As far as the lapses on the part of ETT institutions or BOSE administration are concerned, they also need to be dealt with in a strict and justified manner to set the things right for the future”, he said.

Sources said the new tussle between the management of ETT institutes and school education board was likely to further delay the conduct of annual examination of even the regular candidates, commencing June 14. 

Jammu, May 22
The relief commissioner (migrant) office in Jammu is not adhering to the directions issued by the Revenue and Relief Minister for transfers and attachment in the department.

The relief commissioner (migrant) RK Pandita allegedly did not pay heed to the directions of the minister and ordered allotment of additional zones to his close associates in the department.

Sources in the Revenue and Relief Department told The Tribune that Pandita was giving undue preference to his zonal officers Raj Kumar Bhat, Imtiaz Ahmed and AK Bhat and allotted them additional zones at the end of financial year on March 30.

“After assuming charge of Revenue and Relief Ministry in January this year, Aijaz Ahmed Khan, during his visit to the office, had directed the relief commissioner not to order any transfer or additional allotment without his consent,” source said.

The zonal officer, Jagti zone, Raj Kumar Bhat was given additional charge of Bari Brahmna zone, despite the fact that another zonal officer, Gulsher Khan, was already working as zonal officer there. During his stay at Bari Brahmna, Bhat was only signing ration slips and not cheques, which were to be given to migrant families.

“Bhat was given additional charge because there were some complaints against Gulsher Khan,” Pandita said.

But he failed to reply as to why Bhat was only signing ration slips and not cheques.

Bhat was recently suspended by commissioner secretary, Revenue and Relief Department, for dereliction of duty when he stopped the relief of a 35-year old Kamal Ji at Jagti Satellite Township without any reason. Kamal Ji later died, allegedly due to starvation.

Another close associate of relief commissioner, sanitary inspector AK Bhat, incharge of special zone Srinagar was given additional charge of Sarwal zone in Jammu.

Similarly, Imtiaz Ahmed, zonal officer Channi Himmat, was working as headquarter assistant till last Monday, without any order, as the headquarters assistant Ravinder Bakshi was on leave. The relief commissioner failed to give any satisfactory answer as why these zonal officers were given additional charge despite the fact that many zonal officers were without any zone.

Jammu, May 22
Two-day national seminar on “Higher Education: Realities, Challenges, Trends & Priorities” concluded at Government College for Women (GCW), Parade, here today.

The seminar was sponsored by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and eight sessions were conducted by the faculty members from institutions of higher learning within and outside the state during the seminar.

The seminar proposed various recommendations, including constant self-appraisal of NAAC criterion, creation of IT centres in rural areas supported by trained and dedicated staff at secondary and higher education level, minor research activities for students at undergraduate level, need to evolve mechanism for adopting new career-oriented approach in higher education, need to pay special attention to the acquisition and imparting of English language and communication skills to the students and regular up-gradate of teaching methodology and subject knowledge focusing towards learner-centred education.

The valedictory function was chaired by Ved Ghai, a social worker and academician, who appreciated the efforts of the college in arranging the seminar. She stressed on the need for taking higher education to the poor sections of the society.

Ponmudiraj, regional coordinator of NAAC Bangalore, in his valediction address, stressed upon the need of vital circulation of the recommendation arriving from the seminar.

Jammu, May 22
Representatives of various trade organisations and stake holders in tourism and pilgrimage in Jammu have appealed to the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other concerned authorities to shelve the shifting of bus stand for inter-state buses from the general bus stand to Narwal.

In a joint statement issued here today, the stake holders said the shift would ruin the entire business of the Jammu city, at the same time causing great hardships to the commuters, particularly Vaishno Devi pilgrims, coming to Jammu from outside the state.

The signatories to the statement have observed that the Special Task Force (STF) appointed for Jammu division in the year 2010, had recommended several projects with financial allocations earmarked for undertaking development projects in Jammu division.

The STF had also recommended upgrade and modernisation of the general bus stand, Jammu, with allocation of Rs 77 crore for the same. Out of this, Rs 35 crore were released to be spent during the year 2011-12, while the rest of the amount was to be released in the subsequent years.

Those who were present in the meeting included Indeerjeet Khajuria, convenor, Action Committee, General Bus Stand, Ravi Mahajan, chairman, Jammu Pratayan Vikas Mandal, Kuldeep Wahi, president, Jammu Hotels Restaurants and Bars Association and Davinder Chadhary, president, Jammu Province Tourist Taxi Operators Union.

Jammu, May 22
To boost commercial floriculture in district Reasi, a daylong awareness programme on cultivation of commercial flowers was organised by the Department of Floriculture, Reasi, at Kanjli village.

The programme was organised on the directions of KK Sharma, Director Floriculture, Jammu, under the supervision of RS Bali, Nodal Officer.

RK Sharma, Assistant Floriculture Officer, Katra, briefed the gathering about the scope of floriculture in the district. He also gave detailed information on various centrally-sponsored schemes and urged the farmers to adopt floriculture on commercial scale.

Sarpanch Sham Lal complimented the Floriculture Department for organising such programmes for the awareness of farmers and hoped that the farmers will be encouraged for commercial floriculture activities.

Later, a field visit was also undertaken to the field of Shail Singh, Sukhdev Singh and Faqir Singh where hybrid marigold was in flowering.

Jammu, May 22
St Peter School got the better of Heritage School by 7-2 goals in the final to clinch the under-14 boys’ handball title today in the Inter-School District Level Tournament, being organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports.

Ashish scored three goals while Dhanjay and Piyush struck two goals apiece for the winner team. In under-17 final, Border Security Force (BSF) School, Paloura, had the last laugh against Army Public School, Miran Sahib, by 4-1 goals. The goal scorers for the victorious team were Abhishek, Ravijeet and Rizwan.

In the under-14 semifinal of basketball, KC Public School beat JK Public School in the first semifinal while St Peter School trounced MHAC School, Nagbani, in the next semifinal.

In under-17 basketball semifinal, MHAC School, Nagbani, won the first semifinal against St Peter School whereas Army Public School, Domana, emerged victorious against KC Public School.

Jammu, May 22
A knock of 82 runs, followed by a two-wicket haul by Vimarsh Kaw, helped Youth Combine Club (YCC), Bhaderwah, secure a berth in the semifinal of the ongoing All-India 9th Gufran Memorial T20 Championship 2013, being played at Sports Stadium, Doda.

In the first quarterfinal match of Group-A, YCC drubbed Madhya Pradesh Cricket Club (MPCC) by four wickets. Batting first after winning the toss, MPCC scored 118 runs for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs.

Achal Aggarwal was the top scorer with 49 runs while Kuldeep Pal contributed 27 runs. From YCC, Vimarsh Kaw and Touqeer Malik took two wickets apiece.

In reply, YCC romped home in the 15th over for the loss of six wickets. Vimarsh Kaw played a match-winning knock of 82 runs with the help of seven delectable hits to the fence. He was supported by Tahir Shapoo who contributed 18 runs in quick succession. From MPCC, Rupinder and Hitesh snared five and one wicket respectively. Later, Vimarsh Kaw was declared the man of the match for his excellent all-round performance.

The match was officiated by BCCI Ranji Trophy umpires Sanjay Singh and Dharmesh Bhardwaj while Rinku Badoria was the scorer. The tournament is being organised by Young Star Cricket Club (YSCC), Doda and sponsored by the Jammu and Kashmir Bank Ltd and Rashtriya Rifles Battalion, Doda.

Jammu, May 22
Krishan Singh (34), a resident of Garhi, Udhampur, was found in an unconscious state with multiple injuries on his body near the office of Military Intelligence today. He was admitted to the District Hospital where in a critical condition.

In another incident, Prakash Chand (38), was injured after he suffered electric shock at Panchari in Udhampur. He was taken to the primary health centre, Panchari, where his condition is stated to be stable.