Jammu, June 24
The long exposure to choking fumes and dust, accompanied by standing for long hours in the sweltering summer heat, is playing havoc with the health of traffic police personnel who are falling prey to asthma, skin diseases and dehydration.

A senior officer said the number of personnel with symptoms of respiratory diseases and eye and skin allergy had increased, as most of them were exposed to smoke and dust for 12 to 16 hours daily.

On few occasions, police personnel had been provided with masks, but they had proved ineffective against the pollutants, resulting in personnel not using them.

Cops on traffic duty are making every effort to save themselves from the noxious gases emitted by the vehicles, which are becoming a threat to their health.

When contacted, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) (Traffic) Manmohan Singh said, “Pollution is a problem as the vehicles have increased in recent years, but masks have been distributed among the personnel on traffic management duty. Regular health check ups are also conducted. Whatever is possible, we are trying to do”.

As per the data gathered by State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and Respiratory Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) have witnessed a steep rise in the past two decades, mainly because of the increase in the number of vehicles and dust generated by construction activity.

The SPM, normal limit of which should be 100 micrograms, is between 110-114 micrograms and the RSPM, whose normal limit around 200 micrograms, is around 220 to 230 micrograms, indicating that the air quality is poor at most of the places.

Dr Rajesh Kaul, an officer at the State Health Department, said “Long term exposure to dust and noxious fumes is very unhealthy for human body. Research around the world has concluded that pollutants are a major reason for cancer. It also affects the immune system”. 

Jammu, June 24
The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) is fighting a losing battle against milk adulteration in the city as it does not have the required facility and equipment to test milk and its products.

Though the MC is carrying out checking campaigns on a regular basis, officials have to wait for weeks for test results, leading to a delay in taking action against the culprits.

To meet the requirements of rising population in urban areas, Jammu and Kashmir is importing 6 lakh MT of milk from Punjab, Haryana and Himanchal Pradesh and keeping track on its quality is a herculean task for the civic authorities.

NGOs have expressed concern that in the absence of regular checks, adulterated milk is often dumped in the market, which is emerging as a major health hazard for consumers.

Last year, the JMC had submitted a proposal to the government to open computerised mobile testing labs to check samples on a daily basis. However, the file is yet to be cleared by the Finance Department.

Sources said in the past one week, special squads of the JMC had conducted raids at Trikuta Nagar, Sanjay Nagar, Subash Nagar, Talab Tillo, Barnai and Bhagwati Nagar and detected poor quality of milk and its products.

Health Officer, JMC, Dr Vinod Sharma said: “We have taken measures against the influx of adulterated milk in the city and efforts are on to get modern testing equipment. A proposal in this regard has been sent to the government.”

In 2011, the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) had revealed that 83 per cent of the milk sold in urban areas and the districts of the state was not safe for consumption.

Jammu, June 24
Oil companies and the Legal Metrology Department will start joint inspections of petrol stations in Jammu to check the authenticity of petrol and diesel dispensing machines.

A few days ago, a team had inspected four petrol stations. The owner of one of the stations was also booked for dispensing less fuel to consumers.

Officials said a joint team comprising Legal Metrology officials and sales officials of Indian Oil had conducted raids on petrol stations in the RS Pura, Kunjwani and Narwal area to check the authenticity of sealing and delivery of fuel dispensed to the consumers.

“One dispensing unit was found to be delivering less quantity by 60 ml to the consumers against 5 litre calibrated check measure. The pump was sealed and the owner was booked under the Weights and Measures Act. A fine of Rs 5,000 was also recovered from the defaulter on the spot”, said an official. Keeping in view a large number of complaints being received by different government agencies about traders cheating them, the government had decided to establish three new labs to deal with theincreasing number of cheating cases with the consumers and take effective measures against traders and businessmen found involved in selling less quantity and quality of goods.

Officials said Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD), state-level coordinators of oil companies and joint controller, Legal Metrology, had been asked to collect regular information about the quality of goods and services being provided to consumers in J&K. 

High Court directs PSC to accept application forms
Legal Correspondent

Jammu, June 24
Vacation Judge Justice Bansi Lal Bhat of J&K High Court of Judicature at Jammu, while issuing notices to Chief Secretary, Commissioner/Secretary, Higher and Technical Education Department, Commissioner/ Secretary General, Administration Department and Chairman, Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission, directed them to accept the application forms of the petitioners. He also directed them to allow the petitioners to appear in the selection process for the post of lecturer/assistant professor in the discipline of computer sciences/computer applications in respect whereof advertisement notification No. 09-PSC (DR-P) of 2013, dated May 23, issued by the J&K Public Service Commission, but their result shall not be declared until further orders from the court.

The writ petitioners, working as lecturers on contractual basis in academic arrangement in various Government Degree Colleges of Higher and Technical Education Department, sought quashing of the advertisement notification, which has so not incorporated the exemption from having passed NET/SLET/SET in the eligibility qualifications for master's programme in computer sciences/computer applications despite such exemption being available in terms of the University Grants Commission (minimum qualification for teachers and other academic staff in universities and colleges and other measures for the maintenance of standards in higher education) regulations, 2010 and in clause IV of Schedule II to SRO 423 dated December 23, 2008. The counsel for the petitioners-Jasvinder Singh and Others, submitted that the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, in terms of the J&K (gazetted) College Services Recruitment Rules, 2008 enacted Vide SRO 423 dated December 23, 2008 and had chosen to exempt the candidates in the discipline of computer sciences/computer applications from NET/SLET/SET for a period of five years from the date of commencement of these rules for the reasons that NET/SLET/SET/Ph.D/M.Phil qualified candidates are not available for selection and appointment to the posts of lecturers/assistant professors in the discipline of computer sciences/computer applications. 

Jammu, June 24
Residents of Nai Basti today blocked the Jammu-Srinagar Highway to protest against unscheduled power cuts in their locality.

A large number of residents, including children and women, took to the streets and blocked the highway at Nai Basti for around half an hour. “The life has become miserable. We are facing power cuts for 10 to 15 daily. We are paying bills in time and despite that the department concerned has failed to provide regular power supply,” said Sunil Bali, a protester.

They lifted the blockade only after the police assured them of addressing their grievances.

He warned that if their problem was not solved at the earliest, the residents of the area would launch an agitation.

BJP to gherao PDD, PHE officers

“The people across Jammu are spending sleepless nights and crying for a glass of water while the Chief Minister and his ministers are sleeping under ACs in palatial bungalows in Srinagar and enjoying waters of Chashma Shahi.” This was said by BJP MLA from Jammu East Ashok Khajuria, while addressing mediapersons along with state president and MLA Jugal Kishore Sharma, Sukhnandan Kumar and Sham Choudhary.

Khajuria said it had become an annual routine that with the darbar move shifting to Srinagar, the people of Jammu were subjected to hardships on account of long power cuts and non-availability of drinking water. “In summers, there is no electricity and drinking water in rural as well as urban Jammu”, he said. He added that 19-hour-long power cuts were imposed in most of the areas of Jammu region and the drinking water was also not available for days together.

He warned the government to shed its policy of harassing Jammuites failing which the BJP activists would gherao the senior officials of the PDP and PHE.

Jugal Kishore Sharma said be it rural or urban, every where the people were made to suffer due to long power cuts and irregular supply of drinking water. “The bills of electricity are sent to consumers every month. They are harassed and threatened of disconnection of power supply in case these bills are not deposited. But the electricity is not supplied to them”, he said.

“In many areas, meters have not been installed and there is no electricity at all but still residents get electricity bills”, he added. 

Jammu, June 24
Refugees from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) today held a demonstration outside the office of Deputy Commissioner (DC), Jammu and criticised the state government for not fulfilling the promises made to them.

Scores of refugees, under the banner of PoK Displaced Persons’ Front 1947, 1965, 1971 and non camp, assembled outside the DC’s office and raised slogans against the state government.

Yudhvir Singh Chib, president of the front, alleged that the state government was being run by political parties which did not desire to give anything to displaced refugees of Jammu province.

“Refugees are anxiously waiting for the state government to take some expeditious measures to redress grievances of the refugees. If these demands are not met by August 15, the refugees will vigorously intensify their agitation in the state,” Chib said.

He demanded that the recommendations of Wadhwa Committee report be implemented. 

Batote, June 24
The martyred Naib-Subedar, Chuni Lal, Ashok Chakra (posthumous), Vir Chakra, Sena Medal, was remembered by the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) under the aegis of the Counter Insurgency Force (Delta) on his shahidi diwas at Gatha Park in Bhadarwah yesterday.

Wreaths were laid on the statue of the martyr. About 50 local ex-servicemen, war veterans and NCC cadets, besides three widows of Bhadarwah tehsil invited on the occasion were made aware about various Army sponsored government schemes and welfare measures through pamphlets. Later, the widows were felicitated.

Ex-Naib Subedar, Raj Singh Charak thanked the Army for recognising its martyrs and wished for an everlasting cordial relations.

Jammu, June 24
Royal Yamaha, an authorised dealer for Yamaha Motor India, launched ‘Ray Z’ here today.

DIG (Jammu-Kathua range) Shakeel Ahmed Beig was the chief guest on the occasion. He unveiled the scooter in the presence of various prominent personalities from the city.

Managing Director, Royal Yamaha, Syed Ifaq and Director Syed Zahoor were also present.

Syed Ifaq said “The model is best suited for youths in the age group of 16-22 years.”

He said the new model had the same air-cooled four-stroke 113cc engine with continuous variable transmission (CVT) that delivered smooth start-up acceleration and good pickup along with great fuel economy.

The scooter is available in many attractive colours.

During the launching ceremony, the MD (Royal Yamaha) announced a financing scheme for the scooter starting from Rs 5,000.

Shakeel Beig congratulated Royal Yamaha officials on the launching ceremony.

Poonch, June 24
The first training programme for Haj pilgrims of the district was inaugurated by Sajjad Ahmed Khan, Deputy Commissioner, Poonch, at a community hall on Sunday.

Khan said the main objective of the programme was to provide appropriate knowledge about the arrangements, rituals and other religious aspects to the pilgrims. The programme is being conducted throughout the state.

This year, 196 persons from the district will perform Haj.

Anwar Khan, chief trainer, said pilgrims would be provided first-hand information about the entire visit and would be given training in various rituals and procedures.

He said specially trained guides would escort the pilgrims and would help them perform Haj. Five trainers from Srinagar, Mohd Tahir, Mohd Shabir, Mohd Bashir, Mohd Farooq and Abdul Basit and Mohd Ismail, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, Poonch, also spoke on various aspects of Haj on the occasion. — OC

Katra, June 24
Two successful shows of Natrang’s Dogri play ‘Bawa Jitto’ were staged in the Aghar Jitto Mela-2013.

Written by Prof Ram Nath Shastri and designed and directed by Padmashree Balwant Thakur, the play attracted thousands of devotees and pilgrims of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi to a 600-year-old saga.

On the opening day, Reasi MLA Baldev Raj Sharma was the chief guest and District Development Commissioner Shahid Iqbal Choudhary presided over the function.

Natrang Director Balwant Thakur said such events should become a permanent feature. He thanked Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra, who inspired him.

Natrang has staged over 200 shows of the play all-over India.

The story of Bawa Jitto portrays the age-old saga of exploitation of landless farmers by landlords.

Natrang actors through their powerful acting have left such an impact that the imprint is going to be remain in the mind of the audiences for years to come. 

Jammu, June 24
Shiva Sharma, a fast bowler from the city, instills fear in batsmen when he swings his arm for bowling at the cricket ground.

“From street cricket to U-19 BCCI matches, I lived every second with cricket and one day I will play for Team India,” says Shiva, a 17-year-old bowler from Jammu, with a commitment to be in the team.

Shiva, a student of class XII, has been passionate about cricket for the past five years.

Shiva belongs to Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, but his family is settled in Jammu for the past 20 years.

“I used to play in streets and local playgrounds with my friends. I want to make cricket my career,” said Shiva.

Shiva is also associated with the Delhi Indraprastha Cricket Association, which shortlisted him for the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2012.

“I was shortlisted for the IPL-2012 for the Mumbai Indian team, but didn’t get selected in it. This year I didn’t get chance, but I have made it as my target for 2014 to get selected in the IPL,” he added.

Shiva started playing for the U-14 team at the age of 12 and got selected as the captain for the same in the very first year at the district level.

He has played many national matches in the U-19 category. He is also associated with many prominent sports clubs in the city. This fast bowler, who bowls at a speed of 132 km per hour, said, “Practising daily for four to five hours helps me gaining expertise in bowling, though I never took any kind of formal training for it,” he added.

“I am satisfied with what I have achieved till now. I am trying hard to get admission in the Dharamsala Cricket Stadium as this will help me to get exposure in this field,” he said. 

Batote, June 24
Local Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Mohd Sharief Niaz and Member of 
Legislative (MLC) Naresh Kumar Gupta inaugurated a 10-day football tournament at the Degree College ground here yesterday.

It is being organised by the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) under the aegis of the Counter Insurgency Force (Delta).

The tournament, an initiative of the Army as part of its campaign against drugs, aims at motivating youth towards sports.

Eight teams comprising players from civil sports clubs and colleges are participating in the tournament, which is being played on the basis of league-cum-knockout.

In all, nine matches will be played. The inaugural match between GR Azad Sports Club and Higher Secondary School, Bhadarwah, was won by the former.