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Heaps of garbage near government quarters in Gandhinagar irk residents
Residents, pilgrims suffer as drinking water shortage hits Katra
JKDF submits memorandum to chief engineer against power cuts
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Power blues: Residents block New Plot-Janipur road for 2 hrs
Tussle between sports bodies likely to affect new projects of Union Sports Ministry
Day 33: Deadlock persists at JU as fresh talks remain inconclusive
Govt fails to prepare regularisation policy for REZs: Assn
KCC script emphatic win in opening tie
Coach buses pose
threat to passers-by
Air Force swimming camp concludes
Two more modernised post offices inaugurated
Awareness programme on child labour
Village Defence Committee member shoots himself
CM condoles demise of Rachpal’s mother
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Heaps of garbage near government quarters in Gandhinagar irk residents
Jammu, June 13 One such example is that of a lane behind the Institute of Engineers Gandhinagar, which has remained filled with building material and waste for months together. Neither the JMC nor the estates department has cleaned the area. Near this lane, a government quarter was allotted to the Jammu Deputy Commissioner Ajit Kumar Sahu. A sitting member of the Legislative Assembly and many other high-profile dignitaries also reside in the lane. “I informed the estates department authorities many a time but no action was taken. Sometimes, they say it is the job of the municipal committee to clean the area and the estates department is not responsible for it,” said a person working in a government quarter. Neither of the two departments has been doing anything to clean the area and garbage lies for months together. “It is primarily the job of the estates department that manages all affairs in these quarters. But still, I will look into it as to why it has not been cleaned,” said Vinod Sharma, health officer,
JMC. Despite the fact that every day, JMC vehicles move around to collect garbage, this area has been neglected. During the upcoming monsoon, this garbage could become a breeding point for mosquitoes and could become a health issue for residents of the area. The estates department is responsible for regularly making rounds of the area to check whether everything is in order,
but since the Darbar moved to Srinagar in the first week of May, hardly any official from the estates department has visited the area. “I am not aware about it. I will surely take the necessary action,” replied Arun Manhas, deputy director, estates. Now, who will blink first and clean the area is
the biggest query of people living around as due to no coordination between the JMC and the estates department, people are suffering. |
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Residents, pilgrims suffer as drinking water shortage hits Katra
MLA Reasi Baldev Raj Sharma told The Tribune that the supply of water to Katra was only 10 lakh gallons, against the daily requirement of 20 lakh gallons. “I had raised the issue in the Assembly, but nothing has happened. Illegal sale of water is thriving due to the nexus between water sellers and officials of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department,” alleged Sharma. Local residents and hoteliers also alleged they had to buy water from private water tankers, costing them between Rs 600 and Rs 700 to meet their daily requirements. Rakesh
Wazir, vice-president of the Hotel and Restaurants Association, Katra, said they had appealed to the state government to take steps to solve the problem of water scarcity, as on an average, a hotel owner spent more than Rs 40,000 a month to purchase water from tankers, which was a huge, add-on cost. Ranjeet Singh, a devotee from New Delhi, said it was hard to find a public utility water facility in the absence of proper signboards to guide people. “Due to this, I believe pilgrims like me have to buy packaged water even to wash hands,” she said. An official of the Municipal Committee, Katra, said the public facility was available only at four places in the town, which catered to around 30,000 to 35,000 pilgrims reaching here every day. “The supply to these water points is maintained by the water transported from the nearby villages in absence of a regular supply by the PHE Department,” he said. Nisar Ahmed Khan, Executive Engineer of the PHE, Reasi, admitted that the department was able to maintain less that 50 per cent of the total requirement. “We hope to improve the situation by next year if we manage temporary supply from the Jhajjar well,” said Khan. Interestingly, a government order restricts the illegal sale of water. “We are helpless in taking action against those involved in the illegal sale of water. We don’t have the cooperation of the Revenue Department concerned,” he added. |
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JKDF submits memorandum to chief engineer against power cuts
Jammu, June 13 The memorandum was received by superintending engineer (SE) Gurbachan Singh on the behalf of chief engineer. Discussions were held threadbare wherein the JKDF activists apprised the SE about the problems being faced by the people due to the alleged shortage of electricity and unscheduled power cuts, especially the water supply. Activists claimed that the laying out of the electronic metering system in Jammu for the continuous and uninterrupted electricity supply, Jammuities were facing harsh summer with erratic, unscheduled power cuts, thereby making things difficult for the general masses. They said the PDD conducted a revision of load estimation in Jammu last year with an assurance that the load revision would lead to actual quantification of power requirement and accordingly higher wattage, suitable load bearing electric transformers could be installed. “All the VVIPs, politicians, bureaucrats and higher-ups in the PDD enjoy uninterrupted power supply without paying genuine metering. If these people represent public, then they also ought to feel what the people are experiencing and how they cope with it,” the activists said. PDD SE Gurbachan Singh assured the activists that every possible effort would be made to solve people grievances. He said several steps had been taken by the department to eradicate corrupt practices and to improve services to the consumers. The officer claimed that frequent transfers of employees were done to prevent corruption and facilitate the quick service to consumers in case of technical snags and other infrastructure problems.
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Power blues: Residents block New Plot-Janipur road for 2 hrs
Jammu, June 13 The protesters staged a dharna in the middle of the road at Tali Morh and disrupted vehicular movement, leading to traffic jam in the area. The irate residents raised slogans against the electricity department and alleged that they had been spending sleepless nights for the last five days due to non-availability of electricity in their area. “We have been reeling under hot and humid conditions, that too without power for the past five days, as an electricity transformer got damaged in the area. The department concerned didn’t bother to repair and replace the transformer which forced the people to spend their days without electricity. The authorities are mute spectators to our miseries,” a protesting woman alleged. She, along with other protesters, warned that they would intensify their agitation if the transformer was not repaired and replaced immediately. Senior police officers reached the spot and pacified the agitating residents. They assured them they would convey their grievances to the authorities concerned. On assurances of police officers, the protesters lifted the blockade. Later, the Power Development Department replaced the damaged transformer in the area and restored the power supply. Meanwhile, activists of Dogra Front and Shiv Sena also took out a protest march in the old city to register their resentment against alleged discrimination in distribution of electricity in Jammu and Srinagar. Led by Ashok Gupta, state president of Dogra Front, the protesters who were holding earthen pots and electric fans, took out a procession from Raj Tilak Road, which, after passing through various markets, culminated at the Press Club. Lambasting the government for its “highly parochial and biased approach”, Gupta pointed towards the “most obnoxious” aspects of power distribution within the state. Citing figures, he said that the power consumption between Jammu and Kashmir regions was in the ration of 40:60 respectively, but when it came to revenue realisation, Jammu contributed more than 66 per cent of power tariff while Kashmir contributed barely 33 per cent. He said the Dogra Front and Shiv Sena had vowed to fight such “discriminatory tactics” and warned that the people of Jammu would strongly oppose the “obnoxious” treatment doled out to Jammu region in yet another sector. |
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Tussle between sports bodies likely to affect new projects of Union Sports Ministry
Jammu, June 13 Sources said the Union Sports Ministry, under its ambitious National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) scheme, had already sanctioned a special financial package to the tune of Rs 6 crore for the construction of a brand new state of art multi-purpose sports complex at MA Stadium in Jammu. Sources added that though the construction work had already been allotted to a Kashmir-based firm to complete the project, there were apprehensions about allotting of upcoming new projects which were yet to be announced by the Union Sports Ministry. Sources said the Union Sports Ministry was planning to strengthen the sports infrastructure in the country by introducing a new scheme-Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS)-in some states. Under this scheme, synthetic turfs for football, hockey and athletics and multipurpose indoor halls across the country under this scheme would be prepared. “There may be a possibility that under this scheme, the Union Sports Ministry might announce a major project for J&K, but for that there was an urgent need to streamline the overall functioning of sports,” an official said on the condition of anonymity. Sources said the Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) was also likely to become the victim of this owing to its poor implementation of the centrally-Sponsored Scheme (CSS)-Panchayat Yuva Khel Aur Krida Abhiyan (PYKKA)-in the state. Sources in the Sports Department had claimed that the sports officials had recently approached the Union Sports Ministry to get information about the upcoming sports schemes to be introduced across the country, including J&K. “Before the introduction of new schemes, the authorities wanted to know about the actual status that whether the targets set under the PYKKA scheme, to strengthen the sports at grass-root level, were achieved or not. Looking at the present situation, it will be better for the department not to take a single new scheme because already we are unable to run the PYKKA scheme well and the Union Sports Ministry is rightly thinking to shelve its plan, thereby not putting additional burden on the department,” a sports official claimed. |
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Day 33: Deadlock persists at JU as fresh talks
Jammu, June 13 “The meeting remained inconclusive as the authorities once again had nothing to offer anything positive to us. We have decided to continue our agitation till the varsity administration accepts our demands,” Krishan Chand, president of Non-Gazetted Employees Union (NGEU), said. He said the indefinite hunger strike launched by the striking employees entered its thirty third consecutive day and it would continue. Official sources said senior officers of the Jammu University had a meeting with the Financial Adviser of the state, BB Vyas, and discussed in detail the situation arising out of the ongoing strike of non-gazetted employees of the university. Sources said the government would meet the Vice-Chancellors and the Registrars of both Jammu and Kashmir Universities on June 21 to formulate a
policy vis-ŕ-vis regularisation of casual workers in these varsities. Meanwhile, the striking employees continued their strike and staged a noisy demonstration outside old administration block on the campus. They raised slogans against the authorities and blamed them for the prevailing situation. Sanitation remained in a shambles on the campus as sweepers abstained from their duties, while hostel canteens were closed following strike by cooks and mess boys in support of ongoing agitation of non-gazetted employees. Over 700 non-gazetted employees of Jammu University have been demanding regularisation of casual workers, removal of pay anomalies and reduction in the period of conducting test for promotion of Class-IV employees from five to three years. |
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Govt fails to prepare regularisation policy for REZs: Assn
Jammu, June 13 Addressing the technocrats, Dr Surinder Radotra, president,
JKATA, lambasted the state government for not fulfilling the promise made
by the Chief Minister for the concrete regularisation policy. “The Chief Minister had committed that the technocrats would be regularised in a batchwise manner. Now, we appeal to the state government to stick to its promise,” Radotra said. “The taleem pattern is considered for five years,
contractual/Adhoc is considered for seven years, then why will REZ’s be regularised in nine years. Even the need based employees and casual labours in various departments are regularised in period of seven years than why highly professional degree holders
(REZ) are given a step-motherly treatment for their regularisation in nine years,” he added. The
JKATA, however, appreciated the role of Director, Agriculture, J&K, Chief Agriculture Officer and other officers concerned for their cooperation while defining their work. Those who attended the meeting included Randir Singh, Sakeel
Kazee, Esharat Ahamd Rahtore, Joginder Singh, Jai, Abhimanyn Mahajan, Maneet Singh, Rajiv Singh
Chib, Jatinder Verma, Anirud Bhat, Rajinder Singh Jasrotia, Anil Kumar Gupta, Vinod Kumar, Sohal Annis Mir, Satvinder Singh and Ravinder Singh. |
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KCC script emphatic win in opening tie
Jammu, June 13 After both sides managed to score 65 runs in their allotted quota of 10 overs, the match was then decided through a super over to declare the winner. KCC held their nerves and toppled GCC by two runs. In that over, KCC accumulated 13 runs which in reply, GCC managed to score 11 runs. Earlier, batting first, KCC posted 65 runs in the allotted of 10 overs by losing nine wickets. Punit, Rajan and Amar contributed 21, 17 and 10 runs, respectively. For GCC, Victor was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets while Abi and Kala bagged two wickets each. In reply, GCC also scored 65 runs in the stipulated quota of 10 overs, with Kala being the top scorer with 21 runs. Victor and Abi contributed 17 runs each to the total. Navjeet, Bunty and Mani snared two wickets apiece for KCC. The match was officiated by Talvinder Singh and Gagandeep Singh as umpires while Gini was the scorer.
— TNS |
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Coach buses pose
threat to passers-by
Jammu, June 13 However, a police party from the Gandhi Nagar police station immediately rushed to the spot and took possession of both the tipper (JK21 2269) and the coach bus. A police spokesman said the identity of the injured was yet to be ascertained. “The investigations are still going on and we are trying to find out the exact reasons for the accident,” the police said. Meanwhile, representatives of the coach buses are taking full advantage of it and continue to operate irresponsibly or at their own whims and fancies. Further, they were not ready to admit their fault. When contacted an operators of the coach bus services, he said, “We are fully responsible for the safety of our passengers and it is our duty to ensure a safe journey for our valuable customers.” |
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Air Force swimming camp concludes
Jammu, June 13 Speaking on the occasion, the AOC was overwhelmed with the response of the trainees towards the summer camp and watched the children demonstrate their talent through colourful activities in the water which continued for an hour. Trainees demonstrated skill and techniques of swimming they learnt during the summer camp. He also thanked the parents and all swimming pool staff for their continuous support. Later, all participants were given swimming apparel as a compliment, and certificates. |
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Two more modernised post offices inaugurated
Jammu, June 13 With the provision of latest infrastructure and post shops, the offices have been modernised to revamp the ambiance of post offices and set their core operations right. Samuel said India Post had a vision of being a technology-enabled self-reliant market leader and was looking to move from a government service provider to a customer-enabled service provider where the customer would be the focus of multifarious service delivery platforms. He said the post office had been taking many steps to provide new services across the state. The CPMG said services like same day delivery of speed post mails and night post offices facilities at Gandhi Nagar and Srinagar GPO have been widely appreciated by the public.
— TNS |
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Awareness programme on child labour
Jammu, June 13 The programme was organised in collaboration with Childline Jammu at GRP lines, railway station, Jammu. Director childline Jammu Danish Gupta, centre coordinator Manjuri Singh and nodal coordinator Rohit Khajuria apprised them about their efforts to check child labour and in their rehabilitation. They urged participants not to engage children in labour and asked them to work for their education. They said they should inform childline Jammu on helpline number 1098 if they find any child labour around. DySP GRP lines, PK Mengi, SDPO railways Vijaypur, Atul Sharma and representatives of CRPF and BSF posted at the railway station were present.
— TNS |
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Village Defence Committee member shoots himself
Rajouri, June 13 The incident took palace nearly 40 kilometres away from district Rajouri where a member of the Village Defence Committee identified as Bansi Lal, son of Sadhu Ram, resident of Gundha Khawas in Budhal tehsil, shot himself dead with his rifle mysteriously. Station House Officer Sajjad Sheikh said they had taken the body of the deceased to the local hospital for postmortem and the body will be handed over to Bansi Lal’s family for last rites.
— OC
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CM condoles demise of Rachpal’s mother
Jammu, June 13 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed grief over the sad demise of Rachpal’s mother. He attended the last rites of the deceased at Kalakote, stayed with the bereaved family, consoled the members of the family and conveyed his sympathy and solidarity with them. The Chief Minister also prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul. |
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Katra, June 13