Jammu, July 28
The rapidly expanding city will occupy 530 sq km by 2031. This projection has been made by a firm engaged in formulating the new master plan for the city after a study conducted in this regard.

Though the new master plan is being prepared to deal with the challenge, but officials said it could mean investment of crores of rupees to provide civic amenities to such an expanding city. The same will need massive investment by the private sector.

Till 2003, the city covered an area of 32 sq km and in 2003 government approved the city limits to 112 sq km. The Old City earlier comprising 23 wards was divided into 48 wards and 23 new wards were added thus raising the total number of wards to 71.

Officials say keeping in view the geographical constraints, the city's expansion has to be done horizontally, which means Northern and Southern expansion, incorporating villages from Nagrota to Vijaypur areas.

"Insurgency which erupted in 1990 led to a large-scale migration of people to the city from the Valley, Doda, Bhaderwah, Rajouri and Poonch. Industrialists also prefer the southern part of Jammu for the setting up of their units, keeping in view its proximity to rail and land transport in North India. This is the main reason for the expansion of Jammu," said Bushan Parimoo, an environmentalist.

There will be a huge need for housing, employment, social infrastructure, organised shopping centres, transport, adequate arrangements and reservations to accommodate different kinds of physical infrastructure and public utility systems. It comprises a set of coordinated policies concerned with all aspects of development in the city, he said.

Minister for Urban Development, Nawang Rigzin Jora said, "The government is making suitable changes in urban planning so that the future expansion and growth of the city is smooth and needs such as water, sewerage disposal and housing can be met. The New Master plan will provide a detailed view," Jora claimed.

Over the past two decades, colonies like Roop Nagar, Anand nagar, Talab Tillo, Rajinder Nagar, EWS Colony, Roopnagar, EWS colony, Paloura, EWS colony, Bahu Fort, Channi Himmat, Sidhra, Kunjwani and Sainik Colony have come up. People displaced from other parts of the state live here.

It may be mentioned here that the first Master Plan was prepared for the period between 1974 and 1994. Thereafter, the Master Plan 2021 was notified in 2004 for planned development for 20 years up to 2021, which is operational. The Jammu Master Plan 2021 is under process of revision for planned development up to 2031.

new ground

* A survey projects that the city will be spread over 530 sq km by 2031

* Over the past two decades, colonies like Roop Nagar, Anand Nagar, Talab Tillo, Rajinder Nagar, EWS Colonies at Roopnagar, Paloura, Bahu Fort; Channi Himmat, Sidhra, Kunjwani and Sainik Colony have come up.

* People displaced from other parts of the state live here.

* Till 2003, the city expanded from 32 sq km to 112 sq km. The city was divided into 48 wards and 23 new wards took the number of wards to 71.

Jammu, July 28
The government has completed a survey of unauthorised housing colonies in urban pockets for their regularisation, Minister for Housing, Raman Bhalla has said. A decision in this regard is likely soon, he said while addressing a gathering at Nai Basti in Gandhi Nagar here today.

He said after the regularisation of colonies in urban pockets, the same areas will be provided improved basic amenities.

He said the government had formulated comprehensive plans under the PHE, PDD, R&B, Education, ERA and health sectors to meet the aspirations of the people of the state. He assured the people that all their genuine demands and development needs will be fulfilled in a phased manner. He urged them to extend their wholehearted cooperation to the government.

Jammu, July 28
A sensitisation workshop on the declining sex ratio was organised by panchayat of Halqa Jandrah of Dansal block in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the National Mission for Empowerment of Women.

The workshop was conducted under the Thematic Pilot Project on Improving Sex Ratio.

Block Development Officer (BDO), Dansal, Shafqat Majeed Bhat, Block Medical Officer (BMO), Dansal, Dr Samir Koul, Child Development Project Officer (CDPO), Dansal, Programme Project Officer, Shienna Ailam, Sarpanch, Jandrah Panchayat, Anil Sharma, Sarpanch, Nagola panchayat, Raghuvir Singh and prominent residents, including Onkar Singh, Ganga Dutt and Chandermolli Sharma were present. Shienna Ailam gave an overview of the project and said there was need to sensitise the society about the "most dangerous evil" of female feoticide.

Sarpanch of Jandrah panchayat, Anil Sharma, called for unified approach of the civil society and the government departments to deal with the problem of female feoticide.

“There is need to organise more awareness programmes on female feoticide. The panchayati raj institutions can play a major role in this regard and the government should seek help of the panchayat representatives in disseminating information about declining sex ratio,” Sharma said.

Jammu, July 28
To improve drinking water facilities in Gazipur Kullian Khails, Kullian, Chak Talib, Mari and adjoining areas, Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma, today dedicated 7,000 gallons per hour discharge capacity deep-drill tube well to the residents here.

The construction work on tube well including laying of water supply pipes in uncovered areas of Gazipur Kullian and other habitations have been completed with a cost of Rs 158 lakh under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP).

The Chief Engineer PHE informed that six schemes including WSSs Chak Mohammad Yar, Nandpur, Brijnagar, Kotli Shah Doulia, Gazipur, Kullian and Langotian Bana Garh were in progress in R S Pura constituency. Out of these six schemes, three WSSs have been completed in the year 2012-13. During 2013-14, three remaining schemes and two new scheme including Kalyana and Murallian (slippage) have been taken up for execution.

A new project at a cost of Rs 471.77 lakh for RS Pura town under LIC has been submitted to the administrative department. He asked the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department to start the works.

Udhampur, July 28
The 137 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) celebrated its 13th Raising Day here on Saturday. Commandant, 137 Battalion of the CRPF, Mukesh Kumar, was the chief guest on the occasion.

A cultural programme was also organised by the Battalion, in collaboration with District Information Centre, Udhampur.

Punjabi folk songs presented by the Punjabi singer of the CRPF, Kamal Jeet Kamal, bhangra by jawans, solo songs presented by Heer, Sheetal, Neelam, Tariq, and Banasree Sarkar were the main attractions of the cultural programme.

Later, a Bara Khana was also organised in which officers, jawans and their family members took.

Jammu, July 28
Gujjar body has filed a petition against two Banks before the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for allegedly ignoring the candidates belonging to the community during the recruitment drive for officers. Around 1,050 candidates had applied for the post of relationship executive in the banks.

The petition was filed by the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation, a frontal organisation of Gujjar and Bakerwals representing the scheduled tribe communities of the state. The body has also alleged that both the banks have failed to implement the reservation laws for the STs especially for Gujjar-Bakerwal candidates in recent recruitments thereby violating the constitutional obligations and thus denied the safeguards available to the tribal communities of the state.

Dr Javaid Rahi, secretary, Tribal Foundation, said their organisation had filed a case against the two banks of the state before the Chairman, National Commission for Schedule Tribes, New Delhi, and the Governor, Reserve Bank of India.

Unlike banks all over the country, these two banks did not provide reservation to the SC/STs in recruitments. Thus the two banks had failed to implement the directions of the RBI regarding reservation and uplift of the weaker sections of the society.

As per petition the Jammu and Kashmir Bank (JKB) and the J&K Gramamein Bank had filled hundreds of posts but no reservation was provided to reserve categories especially the STs.

Jammu, July 28
Fumed over the J&K State Sports Council’s recent initiative to issue show cause notice to six Jammu-based affiliated sports associations, the J&K Olympic Association (JKOA) is now mulling the option of writing a letter to the Prime Minister, Union Sports Ministry and other higher ups at the Centre, alleging complete mismanagement in the autonomous sports body.

JKOA general secretary Dr Ashutosh Sharma while confirming the development told The Tribune, “What is the logic behind issuing such notices to the affiliated sports bodies who are working in a smooth manner.” The sports council should first set its own house in order and then take care of other things,” he added.

It may be mentioned here that the sports council had issued a show cause notice to six affiliated sports bodies wherein they were asked that why any action was not initiated against them for electing office-bearers holding one of the top three positions for more than two terms. The associations who have been served with notice included the J&K Olympic Association, J&K Athletics Association, J&K Archery Association, J&K Badminton Association, J&K Wrestling Association, J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association and J&K Football Association.

“The motive behind writing the letter to the Union Sports Ministry is to apprise them of the present state of affairs in the sports council. It is not wise on the part of state sports council to issue notices to the sports bodies without informing them,” Ashutosh Sharma said.

“What is happening right now is really very unfortunate. The JKOA has objections over the selection criteria of the sports council to induct new members in the re-constituted autonomous sports body. The authorities have adopted the pick and choose policy.

Whosoever is having a close proximity with the authorities at the helm of affairs had managed to secure a berth not to play a constructive role in the promotion of sports, but to attend meetings in and outside the state,” sources in the JKOA claimed.

Pertinently, the JKOA had recently alleged that two full-fledged engineering wings had been created with full powers, the secretary being the head of two construction divisions. But sports associations had to beg for train fare, bus fare, refreshment and DA during the selection trials and coaching camps.

Srinagar, July 28
The much-hyped Common Entrance Test (CET)- 2013 which got cancelled due to the paper-leak issue concluded here today with over 24,000 candidates appearing for Biology and Mathematics papers today across 34 examination centres in the state.

With the BOPEE facing huge public outcry and the government condemnation, the board had arranged for deployment of 34 observers across all examination centres.

“The observers deployed were officials from various public departments who ensured fair conduct of examinations and no goof ups,” a BOPEE official said.

The CET examinations are usually held in the month of June. But this time around, there was at least a month’s delay in the conduct of examinations due to a major goof up by BOPEE officials when they distributed Biology papers instead of Chemistry on June 23.

In the wake of huge public outcry, the state government has ordered an independent inquiry into the case with MA Bukhari as the investigation officer. The report is yet to be made public.

Meanwhile, students after appearing in the CET examinations heaved a sigh of relief. There was scepticism prevailing in the students and teachers fraternities due to delay in examinations.

“We have to explore other alternatives too, besides these examinations. If we don’t get through, we usually apply for admissions in private colleges within and outside the state. However, the admission season is almost drawing to a close and further delay in examinations would have wasted our precious academic year,” Mukhtar Ahmad, a CET aspirant said.

The BOPEE would make the answer keys available on its website soon and the results are expected to be out within 15 days.

Ramban, July 28
The detained Gool SHO, sub-inspector Mohammed Afzal Wani, has been replaced by inspector Mushtaq Ahmed Jeral after Wani was accused of unprovoked firing on July 18.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by DSP (headquarters) Perbeet Singh Parihar, is holding the investigation into the killing of four local villagers against the saboteurs and provocative Maulvies.

Meanwhile, Pradeep Gupta, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, is also conducting an inquiry which includes the role of the then Ramban DC, SV Meena, who was transferred the next day on July 19.

The BSF is also conducting its departmental inquiry under one of its DIGs into the incident and the alleged role of its policemen in the unprovoked firing then.

The new incumbent DC, MH Malik, is still staying at the guest house of Jaiprakash Associates Ltd at Chanderkot, since the damage to his official residence by the hooligans on July 18.

Following the alleged desecration of a holy book at Gool in Ramban on July 17 night, the hooligans had damaged six official vehicles, besides a car of Mohd Khalid, personal assistant to the DC, and had ransacked the national informatics centre, offices of the ADDC, tehsildar, besides destroying the official record in the district administrative complex (DAC) housing several offices then.

The pelting crowd had also damaged the vehicles of the DC and SP, besides the Government Rest House in Gool on July 21 during their meeting with the locals.

Malik has directed the JK Police Housing Corporation to expedite the work on the construction of compound wall and the SP has been directed to beef up the security in the DAC. 

Inquiry against SABOTEURS

* The detained Gool SHO, sub-inspector Mohammed Afzal Wani, has been replaced by inspector Mushtaq Ahmed Jeral after Wani was accused of unprovoked firing on July 18.

* Pradeep Gupta, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, is also conducting an inquiry which includes the role of the then Ramban DC, SV Meena, who was transferred on July 19.

* The BSF is also conducting its departmental inquiry under one of its DIGs into the incident and the alleged role of its policemen in the unprovoked firing.

Jammu, July 28
The annual Machail yatra to the holy shrine of Mata Chandi in the Sapphire valley, Padder, is commencing from Bhaderwah on August 18. The yatra will start from Mata Chandi temple, Chanote, in Bhaderwah on August 18 via Pasri Adda, Seri Bazar, Udrana, Domail towards Doda-Kishtwar pul and reach Kishtwar.

The yatra to the famous shrine of Mata Chandi is a two-day journey from Atholi via Gulabgarh with a night halt at Chashoti. It starts from Bhaderwah, Doda and ends at Machhail where the famous shrine of Mata Chandi is located. The temple is situated at Padder known as the Sapphire valley. The place is surrounded by snow-peaked mountains.

Meanwhile, the district administration has started necessary arrangements to provide basic facilities, including drinking water, electricity, medicare, transport, roads, security and accommodation, enroute the holy cave. In this regard, all departments concerned have been asked to make available all arrangements well in advance.

Jammu, July 28
Ravinder Singh has been elected as the president of the Jammu and Kashmir Cycling Association while Om Parkash has been retained as the secretary. Jammu and Kashmir Olympic Association president Rangil Singh has been elected as the patron of the association while Ashutosh Sharma has been nominated as the senior vice-president.

Ramesh Mahajan and Waseem Raja have been nominated as the vice-presidents for Jammu and Kashmir province, respectively.

PD Singh has been appointed as the joint secretary, Jammu, while Mushtaq Ahmed has been elected as the joint secretary for Srinagar.

Ravi Salgotra will continue as the treasurer of the association. Shafatul Bashir, HS Chib, RC Thakur, MM Sharma, Dr Nirmolak Singh, Ravinder Singh, Bilal Ahmed, Vikas Gupta, Rahul Kumar, Shabir Ahmed, Nirmal Singh and Raj Kumar were elected as the executive members.

Jammu, July 28
‘Jaalidaar Parde’, a play written by Habib Tanveer and directed by Neeraj Kant was presented here today at the Natrang Studio in Natrang Sunday Theatre Series.

The play was well appreciated by the audience for its dramatic presentation and wonderful acting. The play opens in an Army camp where two Army officers Vijay and Ram are doing rehearsal of a play as they do dramatics for recreation.

Ram, who is unmarried has the opinion that the company of women derails the focus as they will force you to live life in their way, but his colleague Vijay, who is married, differs from him as he believes that women brings stability and a new dimension to life. To the surprise of both, Vijay’s wife Rupa arrives there without intimation as she wanted to give surprise to her husband. Vijay is happy to find Rupa there, but Ram is not glad at all as he is afraid that now they have to live according to her. He tries his best to make her go back as early as possible, even frightens her that the circumstances are not favourable and life is very difficult at this barren place, but in vain.

But after observing that the presence of a woman is not that distractive as he was thinking, he changes his mind, he complements Vijay for having such a loving and caring wife 
and also reveals his wish to get married provided he finds a good girl like Rupa or probably her younger sister.

Natrang’s young artists who performed in the play included Mohit Sharma as Vijay, Rahul Singh as Ram and Sajra Qadir as Rupa. Uplaksh Singh Kotwal and Neeraj Kant operated the lights and music, respectively. Sets were designed by Sushil Raina and Mohammed Yaseen. The show was coordinated by Sumeet Sharma. Ashwani Bali did the presentations.

Jammu, July 28
Saifco Lions got the better of Jumboo Gladiators by four wickets to advance into the next round of the ongoing J&K Corporate Premier League (JKCPL) being played at the MA stadium.

Batting first, after winning the toss, Jumboo Gladiators was bowled out for 100 runs in 18.5 overs, which, in reply, Saifco Lions did the needful in 19.2 overs for the loss of six wickets. Parveen Singh was the top scorer with 32 runs, while Sandeep Raj contributed 24 runs. For Saifco Lions, Umar Alam was the most successful bowler with a three-wicket haul. Ijaz Dar took two wickets while Rohit Sharma, Suhail Andaleeb and Mehraj shared a wicket apiece.

Later, Saifco Lions overhauled the target making 101 runs in 19.2 overs with four wickets intact. Majid played a match-winning knock of 35 runs followed by Fayaz Hazari and Ijaz Dar (not out), who made valuable contributions of 14 and 17 runs, respectively.

Raman Datta claimed three wickets for Jumboo Gladiators wheres Kuldeep Kumar, Sandeep Raj and Somay Jain took one wicket each. Umar Alam was adjudged the man of the match by Rajesh Kumar, Inspector General, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Jammu.

Score Card

* Jumboo Gladiators: 100 runs in 18.5 overs (Parveen 58, Alam 3 wickets)
* Saifco Lions : 101/4 in 19.2 overs (Majid 35, Raman 3 wickets)
* Man of the Match : Umar Alam

Jammu, July 28
The Department of Excise and Forest seized a huge quantity of rare medicinal herb, Nag Chhatri, worth Rs 3 crore which was being smuggled from Kashmir Valley, from a truck at Lakhanpur Toll Plaza here today. The driver has been arrested.

The truck was intercepted at the Lakhanpur toll plaza. "The rare medicinal herb, Nag Chhatri, weighing 21.5 quintal was being smuggled from the Valley. The value of the herb in international market is Rs 3 crore," an official said.

Sources said the driver of the truck Madan Lal was arrested and the truck was impounded by the forest officials. “The demand for the rare herb in the international market has led to its smuggling. The minimum rate of this medicinal herb is anything between Rs 1,000 to 2,000 per kg in the areas where it is grown. The rate increases manifold when it reaches the international market,” he added.