Biochemistry lab at SMGS shut
Equipment non-functional due to electrical snag, patients and their attendants left to suffer
Sumit Hakhoo

Jammu, August 8
The only government-run specialised gynaecology and paediatrics hospital in the region, Shri Maharaja Ghulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital, has shut its biochemistry laboratory following an electrical snag for the last several days, rendering important equipment non-functional.

Hundreds of patients are being forced to get tests conducted at private laboratories or are being sent to the overcrowded laboratory at Government Medical College (GMC), which has created a chaotic situation in the only maternity institute in the region.

The 550-bedded hospital is burdened with more than 700 indoor patients. A senior doctor said a private company which had supplied the equipment and other gadgets had not responded to requests of the management, causing inconvenience to hundreds of patients.

“It shows the condition of the heath sector at the premier hospital for which the state government says it has received awards for the best state in healthcare. There is apathy at every level and no one seems interested what happens to patients,” said a senior doctor on the condition of anonymity.

A few days back, a CT scan machine at the GMC had become defunct after rats ate the wiring. This led to a clash between doctors and the public when several road accident victims with head injuries were made to wait before being told that the scan could not be conducted.

“It is so agonising that we have to take patients, including newborns, to the GMC for minor tests. There is so much confusion at the hospital. At times, they do not even accept reports of private laboratories,” said Sham Lal, an attendant.

A senior doctor said despite repeated reminders to the hospital administration, no effort had been made to repair the machines, which could help save several lives. The SMGS also faces shortage of manpower, equipment and infrastructure. Dr Dara Singh, Deputy Superintendent of the SMGS, could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

It is so agonising that we have to take patients, including newborns, to the GMC for minor tests. There is so much confusion at the hospital. At times, they do not even accept reports of private laboratories
— Sham lal, an attendant

Ishita bags 3 golds in skating
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 8
Ishita Singh of Delhi Public School (DPS) proved her mettle by claiming three gold medals in Rink-I, Rink-II and Road Race in U-17 girls in the Inter-School Roller Skating Competition being organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports at M A Stadium.

Manvi Jaggi fetched four gold medals in the U-14 girls in rink-I, rink-II, rink-V and road race while Nikita Thakur of Presentation Convent School bagged three gold medals in U-14 girls in rink-I, rink-II and road race.

In the U-11 girls, Ayushi of Jodhamal, Diya of KV-1 and Akriti of Heritage topped the merit list, respectively, while in the U-14 girls, Nikita, Swardhani of Delhi Public School and Drishti of DPS secured first and second positions, respectively.

Security arrangements for Eid, I-Day reviewed
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 8
Ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr and Independence Day, Additional Director General of Police, (ADGP-Security) VK Singh held a meeting of senior officers of security forces, intelligence agencies and the administration to finalise security arrangements.

Singh emphasised on fool-proof security arrangements during the festival and Independence Day. He stressed that security personnel should remain fully alert to ensure peace.

The police and traffic authorities were directed to ensure security arrangements around mosques on Eid as well as around places where the Tricolour is to be hoisted on August 15. He also stressed on better traffic management to avoid any inconvenience to the people on both the occasions. He also visited the mini stadium here to take stock of the situation.

Youth held with fake currency

Poonch, August 8
The police has arrested Nasir Ahmed of Dera Dibsi village in Mendhar with fake currency worth Rs 1.97 lakh in denominations of Rs 500 and 1,000 from him.

“We arrested a youth and seized fake Indian currency notes of Rs 500 and 1,000 denominations amounting to Rs 1.97 lakh from him," SP, Poonch, Shamsheer Hussain, said. —OC

JMC fails to lift solid waste from city
Akansha Rawal

Jammu, August 8
The failure of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) in maintaining cleanliness of the city has caused inconvenience to people.

Heaps of garbage are found scattered on the city roads, thus causing health hazards to residents.

One can easily experience foul smell while passing through various localities. During rains, the solid waste blocks the drainage system, thus aggravating problem for locals.

Residents alleged that shopkeepers dump solid waste on roadsides. They rued that JMC staff was not coming regularly to lift garbage.

"We have to inhale the foul smell emanating from the nearby dumped waste. It is affecting our health," said BR Sharma, a shopkeeper near Ghumat.

Garbage is found scattered in Gol Market, New Plot, Sarwal, Janipur and Ghumat. The city generates almost 350 tonnes of garbage daily. It is expected that there will be an increase in the solid waste production in the next decade.

The solid waste of the city is dumped near Bhagwati Nagar, but due to lack of space, officials at times do not clear the waste from various parts of the city.

“Lack of effective mechanism by JMC officials and lack of awareness among the people are the major reasons for the garbage menace in various parts of the city," said Sourabh Kapoor, a resident of New Plot.

Jammu is called the city of temples and is projected as the pilgrim town, the solid waste dumped at various places gives an ugly look of the place who visit the city every year.

Talking to The Tribune JMC Health officer Vinod Sharma said, "There is a shortage of drivers who pick up the solid waste from various areas of the city. Residents are not paying service tax which is adding to the woes. Garbage containers are put at various points in the city and we have already placed the order for 100 more containers which will reach to us soon."

The Growing Menace

• Heaps of garbage are found scattered on the city roads, causing health hazards to residents
• One can easily experience foul smell while passing through various localities. During rains, the solid waste blocks the drainage system, aggravating problems for locals
• Garbage is found scattered in Gol Market, New Plot, Sarwal, Janipur and Ghumat
• The solid waste of the city is dumped near Bhagwati Nagar, but due to lack of space, officials at times do not clear the waste from various parts of the city

Shubam stars in India’s win
Tribune News Service

Shubam Khajuria in action. A file photo

Jammu, August 8
After being rested for first two U-19 Youth One-day International (ODI) series, J&K cricketer Shubam Khajuria today made his debut by scoring highest runs to help team India beat Sri Lanka by a thumping margin of seven wickets in a low-scoring contest played at the Rangiri Dambulla International stadium.

After bowling out the hosts for a paltry 137 runs in 39.1 overs, team India achieved the target of 141 runs in 32.5 overs losing just three wickets.

Opener Shubam Khajuria was the top scorer with 34 runs off 65 balls, studded with five hits to the fence.

AA Herwadkar (25), skipper VH Zol (23), SV Samson (31) and Mohammad Saif (22) were the other notable contributors.

Set up more institutes for teacher education, authorities told
Joint Review Mission for upgrading professional qualification of untrained teachers
Vikas Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 8
Stressing the need for upgrading the professional qualifications of untrained teachers in J&K, members of the joint review mission of the Centrally-Sponsored Scheme for Teacher Education (CSSTE) have suggested the authorities to establish more robust institutions like the State Council for Educational Research and Training, Institutes of Advanced Studies in Education (IASEs) and more Colleges of Teacher Education (CTE).

The joint review mission was conducted recently wherein the team visited the state and followed it up with a meeting with the J&K state officials in Delhi.

From J&K, the meeting was attended by the secretary, School Education, Directors of Education, state project director, SSA, principals of two colleges of education, principals of State Institute of Education (SIE), Jammu and SIE Kashmir, principals of several District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) and other functionaries of the Departments of Education.

The members of the mission comprised of Farida Abdulla Khan (Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi), Geeta Menon (UNICEF, New Delhi), Nandini Manjrekar (Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai), Habibullah Shah University of Kashmir, Srinagar), Azra Razzack (Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi), Dipta Bhog (Nirantar, Delhi), Anita Rampal (University of Delhi), Shabda Bedi (Azim Premjee Trust) and Suhail-ul Islam (J&K Government).

Sources said specific issues related to the CSSTE and the education sector were discussed and a consensus was developed to work towards establishing systems that have implications for the teacher education and for school education in long term. The team of joint review mission had maintained that it had affected the state government initiative in establishing and strengthening state institutions for teacher education.

Sources claimed that the issue of funds and delay in releasing and transfer was also discussed. According to reports, funds for 2012-13 were released in February 2013 and received by the end of March. The team made it clear that given the paucity of funds in general within J&K, along with the geographical and political problems, the education system cannot be held hostage to unnecessary bureaucratic constraints or state-Centre disagreements.

It said a thorough analysis was needed to be undertaken by an expert committee and the process should be made transparent and accountable so that this did not hamper the functioning of a system that has more complex challenges to be resolved.

RTO skips test to issue driving licences
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 8
If you are living in Jammu it may be an easy task to get a driving licence as the Regional Transport Office (RTO) here is issuing the certificate without any test.

In other parts of the country one has to pass the test with a minimum of 60 per cent marks to attain the learner licence, but here nothing such is mandatory.

Unlike other states, the RTO here does not organise any test for people seeking learner licence.

Majority of the drivers are unaware of the traffic signals which results into frequent chaos on the city roads.

“Most of the time we have to stop the commuter and show them that this is ‘No Entry’. This is the sign of ‘No Entry’. On the traffic signal, we have to tell them that they should stop before the yellow line,” a traffic police officer said on the condition of anonymity.

“Before issuing the licence, the authorities should ensure that the candidate knows all the traffic signs and signals,” he added.

The traffic department has failed to manage the traffic in the winter capital, even after putting in lots of efforts. The reason given by the official is that the commuters in Jammu do not have the “driving sense”, which can only be ensured by the license issuing authorities.

Sources in RTO said there are some agents in the department who help people get the licence without proper driving test.

However, Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Jammu Arvind Kotwal said that his department issues the licence only after ensuring the physical health and driving skills of the applicant.

“We don’t take verbal or written test for learner license, because of the lack of infrastructure and manpower. But we strictly check the driving skills and the physical fitness of the candidate who has applied for the licence,” Kotwal said. He said they are going to start a verbal test for the applicants within a couple of months. “We are planning to start verbal test for the issuance of learner licence within next two months. A hall is under construction, which will be used for this test,” he said.

Government jobs for 17 outstanding sportspersons
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 8
Ace fencer Ujjwal Gupta and skater Tarun Gandotra are among 17 outstanding sportspersons who have been given government jobs. Ujjwal has been appointed as physical education teacher under the district cadre with the Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS). Tarun has been appointed as Sub-Inspector in the Armed Police, subject to the condition that he will fulfil the pre-requisite physical standards prescribed for the post.

The others appointed teachers under the district cadre of Jammu include Manpreet Kaur, Arjun Gupta, Preet Dutta, Vishal Gupta, Bharti Mahajan, Ragini Rajput and Varun Salathia. Those appointed as PETs under the district cadre, Doda and Jammu, respectively, include Brinder Singh Manhas and Verinder Singh.

Rakesh Kumar has been appointed as Class-IV in the divisional cadre, Jammu, while Muneer Ahmed, Nelofar Nazir Shagoo, Younis Ali Kand, Waheeda Bano and and Rohe Jan have been appointed as class-IV employees in the divisional cadre, Kashmir.

Ujjwal has been appointed as physical education teacher with the Department of Youth Services and Sports. Tarun has been appointed as Sub-Inspector with the Armed Police

Jammu-Udhampur rail link suspended for third day
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 8
The Jammu-Udhampur rail link remained closed for the third day today. The route was shut down after a major landslide caused by heavy rain destroyed the track near Tunnel-16 (T-16) between Manwal-Ramnagar on Tuesday. The Manwal tunnel was damaged. The route takes more than four days to get repaired.

RN Meena, Divisional Traffic Manager, Jammu said, “The work is in progress and the track will be hopefully restored by tomorrow, all the trains for Udhampur from Jammu have been cancelled but rail traffic to the rest of the country is through."

“The engine of the Malwa Express, which was stuck into the debris, has been removed this morning and Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) is inspecting the repair work. It may take another day, but we are trying our best to clear the track by tomorrow," he added.

There are seven trains for Udhampur from Jammu, Malwa Express, Jammu Mail, Uttar Sampark Kranti, Summer Special and three DMU's. All these train have been affected due to the landslide.

This line is an important link for Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (JUSBRL) Project to connect Kashmir with the rest of the country. Construction of the rail line was the biggest project undertaken by the Indian Railways in the mountainous terrain which runs through some of the mountain ranges of Pir Panjal and Himalayas.

The work is in progress and the track will be hopefully restored by tomorrow. All the trains for Udhampur from Jammu have been cancelled but rail traffic to the rest of the country is through. The engine of the Malwa Express, which was stuck into the debris, has been removed this morning and the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) is inspecting the repair work. It may take another day, but we are trying our best to clear the track by tomorrow
— RN Meena, Divisional Traffic Manager, Jammu

200 saplings planted as Vanmahotsava Week gets underway at Nagbani
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 8
Vanmahotsav Week was inaugurated at MHAC School, Nagbani, today. Principal Alok Betab, AK Gupta from the Department of Social Forestry, Jammu, AA Shah, DFO, CL Pawa, Range Officer, Social Forestry Department, planted saplings to inaugurate the event.

More than 200 saplings of cassia, gulmohar, alsotia, arjuna and teak were planted by the students, office-bearers, teachers and students under the banner of Arya Yuva Samaj, J&K. The Social Forestry Department, J&K, was lauded for their support in organising the event.

Saplings of medicinal trees planted
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 8
Government Girdhari Lal Dogra Memorial Degree College, Hiranagar, conducted a plantation drive today. A rally on the theme of ‘biodiversity conservation’ was also taken out. The rally was organised in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature, J&K. Important medicinal plants like chandan, rudraksh, bil-patri, tez patta, timbru, elaichi and ornamental plants like euphorbia sps were planted in the college premises.

College principal Professor KC Badgal briefed the students about the importance of the plants. He described trees as “the lungs of the society”.

Later, a rally was also taken out from the college premises which culminated at the Hiranagar Morh. The aim of the rally was to spread awareness among the masses about the degrading biodiversity and its conservation.

The event was organised under the supervision of Professor Vijay Kumar Chandan, head, Department of Botany and Dr Deepshikha Sharma, Head, Department of Environment Sciences.

Political parties oppose sale of park land to hotelier
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 8
The J&K Pradesh Youth Congress (PYC) has flayed the JDA action in selling 8 kanals of land to earn crore of rupees from the reclaimed land in the Tawi, which was earmarked for developing a park, dedicated to Maharaja Hari Singh.

PYC vice-president Pranav Shagotra said the entire Tawi banks come under the proposed project of face lifting by creating recreational facilities on the same for the locals as well as for attraction of tourists and pilgrims. Converting a portion of the land for constructing business establishments would be detrimental to the cause of developing Jammu city as an independent tourist destination. “This is a malicious act on the part of the JDA to sell-off the portion of Maharajah Hari Singh’s park to hotelier to raise the structure on the land.

Meanwhile, Yash Pal Songh Manhas, State Secretary, Kissan Council Panthers Party, said the Panthers Party would never to construct a five-star hotel on the park land to succeed.

He said the land demarcated for a park in the name of Maharaja Hari Singh for the public recreation was being illegally sold out to the blue-eyed by the JDA which has no authority to sell the land.

“This is a malicious act on the part of the JDA to sell off portion of Maharajah Hari Singh park to some influential person to construct a hotel. This will attract others also to use their influence and acquire the land on meagre amount as has been done by in the present case,” Shagotra added.

This is a malicious act on the part of the JDA to sell off portion of Maharaja Hari Singh park to some influential person to construct a hotel. This will attract others also to use their influence and acquire the land for a meagre amount as has been done by in the present case
— Pranav Shagotra, vice-president, J&K Pradesh Youth Congress

Vikas elected JFI joint secretary
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 8
Former state judoka and J&K Judo Association general secretary Vikas Gupta has been elected the joint secretary of the Judo Federation of India (JFI). Vikas was elected in the annual general body meeting which was held in Imphal (Manipur) and attended by 56 representatives from the member units.

Vikas got highest votes (47 out of 56). The election was conducted under the supervision of Justice YS Sangal (retd) as the chairman, election commission.

J&K Judo Association president Thakur Rachpal Singh has congratulated Vikas Gupta for becoming the joint secretary of the JFI.

Killing of Indian soldiers condemned
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 8
The Dogra Sadar Sabha (DSS) condemns killing of five Indian soldiers by Pakistan, while demanding a tough action against the designs of neighbouring country.

Addressing a press conference, DSS youth wing leader Gulchain Singh Charak said the Central Government had been warned ever since Pakistan passed the Gilgit-Baltistan empowerment and self-governance order on August 30, 2009, about the evil and nefarious designs to increase violence in the state.

"Lack of proper strategy and policy in place on the part of the Government of India to tackle the situation encouraged China and Pakistan to target India, which has led to martyrdom of five Indian soldiers," Charak said.

Sabha alleged that the incident was the result of a weak policy of the Central Government, which had failed to respond to the provocations from Pakistan. He expressed total solidarity and sympathy with the bereaved families of martyrs and urged upon the Central Government to do away with all policies.

Others who were present on the occasion included Jaspal Singh, Vijay Tagotra, Rohit Bali and Sanjay Parihar.

Camp held on importance of breastfeeding
Our Correspondent

Batote, August 8
An awareness camp to educate lactating mothers on the importance of breastfeeding was organised under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) at SKME Hospital, during the ongoing World Breastfeeding Week, at Batote today.

As many as 60 women, including the local ASHA workers, were educated by a team of experts headed by BMO in charge Dr Harsh Parihar, including Dr Rubina and NRHM block coordinator Mohammed Danish, on the importance of mother's milk for a newborn child, especially during the first six months of its birth and the first hour of child's birth.

Protest against encroachment

Jammu, August 8
Activists of the Tawi Bachao Andolan, led by Chander Mohan Sharma, held a protest demonstration, after the 'Arti' at the bank of the Tawi, against large scale encroachments in the basin of the Tawi, adjoining its banks and Mahamaya Forests.

Addressing the activists, Chander Mohan Sharma reminded the district administration to put stringent check on all such encroachment attempts and remove the existing ones forthwith to ease out the polluting pressure on the river which has been fast converting into a nullah. He said if the administration does not wake up to the cause, the Tawi Bachao Andolan would be intensified further with public protests.

Later, the protesters paid rich tributes to martyrs of the Pakistani Army's attack in Poonch and condemned Pakistan for its inimical mindset against India.

He demanded that there should be no talk with Pakistan until and unless it shuns hostilities against India unequivocally. — TNS

College students protest against Young Panthers
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 8
Students of GGM Science College, SPMR College of Commerce and Government Degree College, Paloura, today staged a protest against the Young Panthers, a youth wing of the Panthers Party, for its alleged interference in the college affairs and blackmailing the administration for their personal benefits.

Sunil Kumar, who led the protest, alleged that some leaders of the Young Panthers were using college property for political purposes and GGM Science College principal was giving shelter to them due to unknown reasons.

The students said some leaders of the Young Panthers had made science college as their headquarters.

Ashu Rajput alleged that leaders were forcing the college students to join political parties for their personal benefits.

“A few days ago, some students of the GGM Science College approached the college administration and then police to lodge a complaint against some outsiders who were found on the college campus, but later, the outsiders threatened the victims within the college campus,” Ashu claimed.

“Police also failed to take any step against leaders of the Young Panthers,” the students alleged.

Protesters warned that if the political interference of youth leaders would not be stopped by the college administration then they would intensify the agitation.

Camp held for hearing-impaired at Surankote
Darshan Bharti

Poonch, August 8
In an attempt to extend a helping hand to medically-affected people of far-flung and remote areas of Surankote and Mendhar, the 39 RR under the aegis of 6 Sector RR, Counter Insurgency Force (Romeo), organised a hearing impaired camp at ALG Surankote.

General officer-in-Commanding (GoC), (Romeo) Major General I Naraynan, VSM, was the chief guest on the occasion.

This was the first time in the history of the region where highly sophisticated and state-of-art hearing-aid devices were made available to medically-affected persons by Hq 6 Sector RR in collaboration with "listen Up Electronic India Private limited, Noida".

Major Harmohit, second-in-command I/C 39 RR, said initially 180 patients were screened and their post-detailed medical examination by audiometry tests was conducted by ENT specialists at the Military Hospital, Rajouri. As many as 38 patients were shortlisted for the installation of hearing-aid devices. The GoC, Romeo force, handed over the hearing-aid devices to the patients.

Speaking on the occasion, Pravin Sadashiv Bilgi, regional sales manager, listen Up Electronic India private limited, Noida, said he wanted to convey regards to the CEO of the company and the Indian Army for providing them an opportunity to help the people of far-flung and remote regions of Jammu and Kashmir.

Cattle smuggling bid foiled, two held
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 8
Continuing its drive against bovine smuggling, the Udhampur police today foiled new modus operandi of bovine smuggling in special containers constructed in the upper portion of coal-loaded trucks exclusively for packing bovine animals and bearing a fake number plate.

The accused have been identified as Mohin Hussain Khan, a resident of Qazigund, Anantnag, and Rayees Ahmed Dar, a resident of Anantnag. Reports said a police party of Kud police station laid a naka near main bazaar, Kud, and intercepted a truck (JK03C-453) on its way to Srinagar.

During the search, the police noticed a special container constructed in the upper portion of the truck body above the load of coal which was further subjected to thorough search. During search, police found 12 bovine animals packed in that container, which were immediately rescued and vehicle was seized.

During the verification of the registration of truck, the police found that the number plate was also fake and the actual registration number of the truck was JK03C-7131. Both the smugglers were arrested on the spot.

A case FIR No. 94/2013 under Sections 188, RPC, and 3, PCA, stands registered at Kud police station.