Jammu, June 1
The fourth four-lane bridge downstream of the existing bridge over river Tawi seems to have been inaugurated in a hurry. And it is quite clear from the fact that the roads leading to bridges from the side of the warehouse are fraught with dangers.

The lanes of roads connecting bridge are not only narrow but also lack roadside parapets. Besides, a broken cemented pillar in the middle of the road poses threat to lives of motorists, especially during the night.

On the other side of the bridge (Bhagwati Nagar side), an under-constructed overhead tank on a sharp curve has reduced the width of the road connecting to the bridge by half.

Completed at an estimated cost of Rs 89.05 crore, the bridge was inaugurated by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah along with his ministerial colleagues on May 26.

The bridge has been providing relief to traffic plying from Talab Tillo, Bakshi Nagar and other areas along Akhnoor Road on one side and Gandhi Nagar, Satwari, Jewel Chowk, Dogra Chowk, Canal Road and most of the adjacent areas on the other.

According to the Roads and Building (R&B) department, the formation width of the bridge is 21.06 metres, its carriage way is 2x7.50 metres, centre verge 1.20 metres, footpath 2x2 metres, crash barrier between carriage way and footpath 2x0.50 metres and RCC railing 2x0.20 metres.

“The broken cemented pillar in the middle of the road connecting warehouse area with the bridge has become a death trap for speeding motorists, especially during the night hours. It should have been removed from the road, but the authorities concerned seem to be waiting for a tragedy,” Rakesh Kumar, a two-wheeler rider who was on way to Talab Tillo from Gandhi Nagar, said.

He mocked at the authorities for inaugurating the bridge without completing the necessary ground work on the roads connecting to the bridge.

“The roads and buildings department seemed intent on taking the credit for completing the bridge in record time, but it might have forgotten to construct roadside safety parapets and remove broken cemented pillar from middle of the road. Both could lead to fatal road accidents,” he said.

Another motorist Ritu Khajuria, a government employee, said, “No doubt, the bridge has eased the traffic movement, but necessary safety measures need to be put in place on roads connecting to the bridge so that mishaps are avoided. At some places, there is no proper lighting arrangement on the road.”

Abdul Majid Wani, Minister for Roads and Buildings, was not available for comment.

The second phase of the project envisaged construction of road from Bhagwati Nagar to TV Tower Akhnoor Road of a length of 12 kilometres at an estimated cost of Rs 102 crore.

Jammu, June 1
Maintaining that those at the helm of affairs had failed on all fronts to monitor the functioning of Elementary Teachers Training (ETT) course, B Ed and other professional colleges of the state, the Jammu Private Schools and ETT Institutes Association (Progressive) has appealed to the Chief Minister to make necessary corrections in priority sectors for checking alleged large-scale corruption.

Deep Singh, president of the association, claimed that a majority of the colleges are being run by active political faces. He added that the move of the state government to open degree colleges without adequate academic and other required infrastructure was a futile and expensive exercise.

“On school education front, despite allocation of central funds, schemes have failed to deliver the required results due to being treated in a casual manner by political faces within or outside the government. In violation of norms, unlimited NOCs were granted to ETT institutes in the state by political bosses in deference to vested interests. Things were left at the mercy of corrupt monitoring of J&K Board of School Education (JKBOSE) that failed to maintain required standards of these institutes owing to policy of appeasement towards political bosses,” he alleged.

Commenting on the fresh declaration of war against corruption by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deep Singh said it was delayed, but at the same time, welcomed this initiative.

“If we analyse the developments honestly, one can easily conclude that coalition compulsions of the Chief Minister could be held responsible for his failure on the political front but the same should not have happened at the administrative level. Recent disclosures related to the huge illegal business of sub-standard drugs and almost total mismanagement in the medical education department in the state has shaken the faith of the common man,” Deep Singh opined.

“Unlimited permissions for paramedical institutes were granted against norms by the corrupt political bosses, causing sub-standard functioning and unrest among admitted students agitating on roads for timely exams,” Deep Singh claimed.

Jammu, June 1
The state traffic department in Jammu is applying double standards when it comes to allowing buses in the city. Buses of the State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) are being allowed in the city, whereas private buses are being sent to the newly constructed inter-state bus terminal (ISBT) at Narwal.

Nothing has changed at the BC Road bus stand even after a month of partial shifting of the ISBT to Narwal - If anything, there’s additional harassment for passengers of private sleeper/Volvo buses.

The traffic cops at the Kunjwani Chowk are diverting all private inter-state buses towards ISBT Narwal during no-entry in the city (8 am to 8 pm), but the buses of the SRTC are still allowed in the old bus stand.

Ravi Sharma, president, All India Sleeper Coach Owner Association, said, “The administration is playing a biased role. If it is shifting ISBT to Narwal, it should shift it completely.”

“Why are only private buses being diverted to Narwal? Why not SRTC?” he asked.

The passengers who are coming in private sleeper buses have to go to ISBT Narwal, which is situated outside the city and many facilities are amiss there; not even the ticket counters are functional.

Drivers of inter-state private buses alleged they were being harassed by the authorities these days, which also led to harassment of passengers visiting the state.

Earlier, more than 25 private sleeper and Volvo buses used to ply in Jammu during the day; these have been shifted to Narwal. More than 50 buses are still plying from the BC Road bus stand, during the ‘no entry’ period.

SS Jamwal, General Manager, ISBT, said, “ISBT has not been shifted. There are many issues which have to be addressed before shifting it to Narwal.”

“The High Court has ordered decongestion of the BC Road, not shifting of the ISBT to Narwal. The buses which used to be parked at BC Road have been shifted to ISBT Narwal,” he added.

The SSP (traffic), Manmohan Singh, while refuting the allegations of private bus owners, said, “No vehicle is being allowed at BC Road bus stand during the day. I will check personally if SRTC buses are being allowed.”

Jammu, June 1
Reiterating the importance of a separate homeland for 7 lakh exiled Kashmiri Hindus in the Valley with Union Territory status, Panun Kashmir (PK) today opposed the twin city concept plan recommended by interlocutors for rehabilitation of Pandits, who left Kashmir after eruption of separatist insurgency.

Addressing a press conference, PK convener Agnishekhar alleged that the announcement is aimed at diluting the political demand of the community after their forced migration.

The PK convener ridiculed the claim by the promoters of this concept that accepting the twin city proposal was not inconsistent with the demand for a separate homeland.

Terming this move as a misleading propaganda, the PK leader said, “The twin city concept is fundamentally contradictory to the ‘Margdarshan Resolution’ of Panun Kashmir which demands a separate homeland.”

He said the government is silent on the core issue of exodus of Pandits and has linked rehabilitation with economic problems.

Margdarshan resolution was adopted by Pandits on December 28, 1991 during a convention held at Jammu and became a dream project for political space in the Valley in any future negotiations.

Though successive central governments and various organisations have raised questions on its repercussions, for the last two decades, it has become a subject of intense debate.

Jammu, June 1
The Power Development Department (PDD) is doing major grid violation at Gladni receiving station in Jammu. It has repeatedly failed to keep grid voltage at 200 KV, a requirement as per norms set by J&K Electricity Grid Code, becoming a major factor in Transmission and Distribution (T&D) losses.

The minimum voltage has been recorded at Gladni at 175 KV, far below the recommended voltage level of 200 KV.

Audit has revealed that out of 10 grid sub-stations in the state, the minimum bus voltage was recorded at Gladni.

Audit conducted has revealed that 28 grid stations out of 44 had the minimum bus voltage below the required minimum level. “As per the Grid Code, the transmission utilities are required to maintain grid discipline for efficient functioning of the grid. All the constituent members of the grid are expected to maintain a system frequency between 49 and 50.5 Hertz (Hz),” the audit has concluded.

Further Remote Terminal Units (RTU)s/Sub-station Management Systems (SMSs) are essential for monitoring the efficiency of the transmission system and the power loads during emergency in load dispatch centres as per the grid norms for all sub-stations.

Audit has observed that only 11 sub-stations out of 54 sub-stations were provided with RTUs for recording real-time data for efficient energy management.

Despite investing crores of rupees on revamping the power sector in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in capital cities, the government has failed to prepare any Disaster Management (DM) plan in case of major breakdown in the electricity supply.

Officials said due to poor frequency management, Jammu and Kashmir had to pay higher Unscheduled Interchange (UI) charges, which puts additional burden on the exchequer.

“UI charges of Rs 947 crore have been paid between 2002-03 and 2011-12 and there was further an undercharged liability of Rs 458 crore payable to the Northern grid,” the audit has revealed.

Katra, June 1
Taking a serious note of the rampant unorganised constructions in Katra town, mostly in violation of the master plan and civic laws, Reasi District Magistrate Shahid Iqbal Choudhary has banned all type of construction activities and has issued directions for survey and mapping of all the state land, forest land and land earmarked for various civic amenities under the master plan.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Katra Development Authority, Executive Officer of the Municipal Committee and tehsildar have been directed to survey the encroachments and come up with a factual report for further action under law. The Building Operations and Controls Authority have been asked to give permissions in cases that do not involve any violation of the master plan under the J&K Development Act, 1970, or the J&K Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976.

The Deputy Commissioner has also directed the Divisional Forest Officer to map all forest land in and around Katra and along the highway, remove all encroachments and take further protective measures. He further directed the officials to display boards along the forest land, giving contact details of the forest officials for reporting encroachment by the general public. The Reasi tehsildar has also been directed for similar action in case of state land.

The Chief Executive Officer, Superintendent of Police, Executive Officer of the Municipal Committee and tehsildar will file affidavits every month, certifying that no encroachment or violation has taken place, or if any such incident has been reported in the said period. This arrangement, however, is temporary. Keeping in view the urgency of the matter, an easier long-term strategy is being devised. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has been asked to strengthen the Katra Development Authority by posting sufficient staff, the absence of which is leading to dismal enforcement. The CEO of the Katra Development Authority has been asked to initiate acquisition proceedings for the land earmarked for civic amenities and public utilities.

The order issued by the District Magistrate was also necessitated after the directions issued by the High Court for ensuring that no encroachment or illegal construction takes place in Katra.

The DM has called for strict enforcement of laws for the protection of government land. All the district officials have been directed to get the demarcation of departmental land done and get the same entered in the revenue records. The order issued by the Deputy Commissioner makes it a personal responsibility of the district officer concerned in case of encroachment of land. A team of officials is also being constituted to keep a vigil on unauthorised constructions.

Jammu, June 1
National Mazdoor Conference (NMC) president Subash Shastri today urged the Centre to appoint chairperson and other members of the 7th Pay Commission and hold discussion with the representatives of both Centre and state government employees.

Addressing a meeting of NMC workers, Shastri said the constitution of the 7th Pay Commission was bound to have bearing on about one crore employees and pensioners both in Centre as well as state governments.

Recalling that it was under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the last pay panel was setup in 2005, after the previous government had failed to do so in 2003, Shastri requested that the decision be taken on priority for the constitution of the commission.

Shastri concluded by emphasising that setting up of the new pay commission was in the larger interest of the government employees as well as the Centre, he said 50 per cent of the DA should be forthwith merged with the basic pay and pension.

He said enhancing medical allowance from Rs 300 to Rs 1,000 per month, release of salary of motivators working in the IWDP Phase II, besides their immediate regularisation and removal of all pay anomalies in SRO 93 were other demands highlighted in the rally.

Udhampur, June 1
The Ladakh Scouts Regiment celebrated its golden jubilee with traditional zest and fervour here today.

The regiment was raised on this day in 1963 and has a unique distinction of participating in all post Independence wars.

The regiment has been bestowed with the Battle Honours ‘Turtuk- 1971’, ‘Batalik- 1999’, Theatre Honour ‘Kargil - 1999’, Chief of Army Staff Banner and Unit Citation in addition to 520 honours and awards for exceptional valour and acts of gallantry in various operations.

A wreath laying ceremony was held at the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre (LSRC) War Memorial, where wreaths were laid by Lt Gen Sandeep Singh, Colonel of JAK Rifles & Ladakh Scouts, Ex-Colonels of the regiment, Col SS Patil, Commandant LSRC, veterans and serving soldiers.

A special sainik sammelan was organised on the occasion, which was attended by senior serving and retired officers, junior commissioned officers and other ranks.

Speaking on the occasion, the Colonel of the Regiment extolled the bravery, courage and sacrifices of all ranks of the regiment and commended Col SS Patil for achieving outstanding standards in training of recruits. All ranks observed a two-minute silence in memory of the martyrs.

On the occasion, a special first-day cover was released and the Golden Jubilee Mountaineering Expedition to a virgin peak situated at an altitude of 7,769 m was also flagged off.

The Colonel of the Regiment Banner for performing outstandingly in various inter-battalion professional and sports competitions was presented to Col SK Sharma, Commanding Officer, 5 Ladakh Scouts.

Later, a ‘barakhana’ was organised for all ranks, veterans, ‘veer naris’ and civil dignitaries, where the Colonel of the regiment honoured personnel of the regiment with certificate of honour. A monetary assistance was also provided to 34 veterans and ‘veer naris’. — TNS

Jammu, June 1
Pooja Kala Sangam today organised ‘ABCD Free Style’ dance final at Polytechnic College, Vikram Chowk, here. Thirty students from the junior, 16 from the senior and 12 from the dance group category participated in the contest.

Former general secretary of the Indian Youth Congress Vikram Malhotra was the chief guest on the occasion. The winners of the competition in each category would be awarded trophies, mementos, medals and certificates, while the overall performances in three categories-solo, group dance and duet dance category, will be rewarded a cash reward of Rs 10,000.

The judges of the competition were Ajay Raina, Shashi Gupta and Rohit. The organisers of the show were Raju Gill, Aditya Khajuria and Rupali.

Jammu, June 1
Royal Cricket Club (RCC) notched up a resounding 117-run win over BCC Assessi today in the ongoing All-India 9th Gufran Memorial T20 Cricket Championship being organised by Young Star Cricket Club (YSCC), Doda, at Sports Stadium.

Earlier, batting first after winning the toss, the RCC posted a challenging total of 208 runs for the loss of five wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.

Nadeem was the top scorer with 71 runs. He struck five delectable hits to the fence and two hits for the maximum. Javed also contributed 60 runs in quick succession with the help of four boundaries. For the BCC, Mudassir and Younis snared two and one wickets, respectively.

In reply, the BCC could not chase the target and managed to garner just 91 runs in 20 overs by losing all wickets. Imran was the top scorer for the BCC with 32 runs, followed by Mudassir who contributed 16 runs.

For the RCC, Sushil, Javed and Nadeem shared a wicket apiece. Nadeem of the RCC was declared the man of the match. The match was officiated by Subhash Mathur and Dharmesh Bhardwaj, while Rinku Badoria and Shahid Pampori were the scorers.