Jammu, September 6
A VIP road leading to the office of the Deputy Commissioner from the Chief Minister’s residence is in a bad shape as the executing agency, which dug up the stretch for laying sewer lines several months ago, has left it unrepaired.

Ironically, the official residences of senior Cabinet ministers and bureaucrats are located in the area and they use the road on a regular basis as and when they visit the winter capital during summers. Jammu is the winter capital of the state and the Civil Secretariat-the seat of governance-remains functional here from May to October every year.

Local residents and visitors of the Deputy Commissioner office complained that the executing agency had turned a blind eye to the problems being faced by them.

“This is not for the first time when the executing agencies have left the roads and lanes unrepaired. It is the only road which is frequently used by the VIPs, including ministers, bureaucrats and other prominent people, but the present situation of the road is the reflection of the official apathy,” Vijay Kumar, a resident of Mast Garh said.

He said the pothole-riddled stretch is causing not only health-related problems to regular commuters who endure a torment-filled drive on a daily basis, but its abysmal condition of the road has made it a death trap especially during night hours.

“The irony is that the poor state of the road has failed to draw the attention of lawmakers and administrators who take public-welfare decisions,” Kumar said.

Javed Mir, a local resident of the area, said it was difficult for two-wheeler riders to move on the road during the rainy season. “The stretch was full of slush, making it an accident-prone area. Several two-wheeler riders got injuries due to slippery conditions,” he said.

Now, the sand on road blow dust directly on to the face of two-wheeler riders, who do not wear helmets making them difficult to drive on the stretch, he said.

A senior officer of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), who wished not to be named, said it was the duty of the executing agency to repair the dug up and damaged roads.

“As per the contract, the executing agency will have to repair and restore the dug up lane and road. In my point of view, the executing agency might have been waiting for the end of the rainy season and they will soon start the repair and black-topping of all roads in a few days,” the officer said.

Jammu, September 6
A meeting of the coordination committee constituted for the 101st Indian Science Congress, scheduled to be held in February, was chaired by University of Jammu Vice-Chancellor Prof Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, here today. The meeting was held to review the arrangements for the event.

Professor RC Sobti, general president of the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) and Vice-Chancellor, Baba Sahib Ambedkar University, Lucknow; VM Trehan, Prof IJS Bansal and Prof Ashok Sexana reviewed the arrangements and gave details of objectives of organising the event.

Prof Sobti said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the ISCA president would inaugurate the event. Over 10,000 scientists from across the world were likely to participate and present papers on the occasion.

The meeting was attended by conveners of the various committees organised for the event. The main activities of the event, including inaugural ceremony, women science congress, children science congress, science exhibition, science communicators meet, book exhibition, valedictory function, and decisions regarding setting up of a media centre for daily briefing, issuing of special bulletin and special interview reservation counters for booking of rail, air and bus tickets, cyber café, a temporary mobile network centre, were discussed at the meeting.

Issues related to boarding and lodging of the guests and registration for the event were also discussed and it was decided that around 7,000 delegates would be accommodated in Jammu and 3,000 at Katra.

It was also announced that the next meeting for conducting ISCA council or executive body meeting and interaction with sectional heads of the event would be held on October 4.

Among others present at the meeting were Prof Manoj Dhar, Registrar, University of Jammu; Prof Naresh Padha and Prof Meena Sharma, local secretaries of the event; conveners of various Committees; Jai Kumar Sharma, special secretary to the Vice -Chancellor, and Jitender Khajuria, joint registrar.

It is an attempt to showcase the recent developments in the field of science and technology across the world The university will host the event from February 3 to 7 and the Prime Minister will inaugurate it The theme of the event is ‘Innovations in science and technology for inclusive development’ The five-day Science Congress has 18 parallel sessions in total which includes inaugural ceremony, women science congress, children science congress, science exhibition and valedictory session

Jammu, September 6
It may be the new Inter State Bus Terminal (ISBT) coming up at Narwal, the general bus stand, which is at the centre of city, remains a picture of neglect. A terminus that is used by hundreds of passengers daily requires urgent repair and renovation.

One of the reasons for the chaotic conditions at the bus stand is lack of civic amenities there. Apart from this, the bus stand has of late become a home for beggars and homeless persons.

Putting a question mark on the claims of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) of making the General Bus Stand a garbage-free zone, the area is teeming with stinking solid waste dumps and stagnant water, providing a breeding ground for parasites and mosquitoes.

In the absence of a strong anti-begging law, the administration has turned a blind eye towards the menace. Many complaints are coming in that the passengers are facing inconvenience due to increasing number of commuters and other people, including beggars whose numbers are increasing with the passing of each day.

Heaps of garbage, potholed roads, stagnant water and blocked drains dot the bus stand. Passengers sitting on a platform in most conditions present a common scene. The unhygienic condition tells the tale of the indifferent attitude of the authorities towards this place which is among one of the busiest bus stands in the northern India.

The bus stand, which is used by thousands of passengers travelling on inter-state and inter-district routes, seems to be forgotten by the Corporation, which is responsible for keeping the city clean.

“One can find hundreds of people who have encroached upon space at the bus stand leaving no space for the passengers. Many people have kept their beddings inside the stand and stay for days together in the area,” said Surjit Singh, who has a shop at the bus stand.

The Jammu Bus Stand was inaugurated in 1971 and most of the shopkeepers were allotted shops during that period.

Jammu, September 6
The Power Development Department (PDD) has been reportedly ignoring the directions issued by the Union Power Ministry to provide mandatory safety equipment to its staff engaged in repair and maintenance work.

Workers of the department could be seen repairing power distribution lines in the city without wearing helmets, high quality ropes and special gloves.

Yesterday, Abdul Qayoom, a daily wager of Shandari, Kuntwara, Kishtwar, died when he was repairing a power line with main service line.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Inderwal Ghulam Mohammad Saroori blamed the PDD for the negligence in the death of the daily wager in Kishtwar. He demanded immediate compensation from the department for the family of the deceased.

He said the government claimed that it had released Rs 140 crore for the maintenance of HT/LT network, but in his constituency most of the electric wires were barbed and were connected with tress threatening the lives of common masses.

The department continues to violate safety norms and engage daily wagers in the maintenance of power distribution lines in the city. The maintenance work has been regularly carrying out at several places, but most of the staff is not being provided with the safety equipment.

Repeated pleas of the employees unions to equip the field staff with the safety gadgets have fallen on deaf ears. No efforts have been made to ensure their safety as a matter of policy.

At present, 5,500 daily wagers engaged by the department are working under highly hostile and odd conditions without any safety kits to keep the electricity supply running in the Jammu region.

At many rural areas, rotten wooden poles and trees are used in place of poles causing risk to the lives of people and cattle, but funds are not being released to replace these wires.

As per the data collected by Daily Wagers Union till 2011, 100 daily wagers engaged in the maintenance work have died due to electrocution or by falling from the poles and high tension towers.

“Lives of many daily wagers engaged in the maintenance work have been lost due to lack of safety gears. One can see what type of ropes and safety gadgets workers have, they are primitive,” said Gopal Gupta, a daily wager.

In Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, most of the workers have been provided necessary safety equipment, like helmets, specialised ropes and cranes to be used during the maintenance of distribution lines, but in Jammu and Kashmir no such equipment have ever been provided to the workers.

No safety gear At present, 5,500 daily wagers engaged by the department are working under highly hostile and odd conditions without any safety kits to keep the electricity supply running in the Jammu region The staff has not been provided helmets, high quality ropes and special gloves to protect themselves during repair work

Jammu, September 6
Residents busy in purchasing idols of lord Ganesha, ranging in different sizes and shapes, to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, the birthday of Lord Ganesha, with religious fervour.

In the seasons of festivals, Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the famous festivals celebrated all over the country. The lord Ganesha is known as the god of peace, prosperity, wisdom and happiness.

Most of the temples of the city wore a festive look to celebrate the 11-day festival. After offering prayers to the lord for peace and prosperity, devotees will immerse the idols in water bodies after religious ceremonies on the last day of the festival.

“We used to eagerly wait for this festival and look for most decorative idol of the lord.

It is a famous festival in South, but now people are celebrating it in J&K as well,” said Abha Sharma, a housewife. 

Jammu, September 6
Police-public meetings were today organised in Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Charyai, and Tikri to strengthen relations and bringing people nearer to the police.

As many as 22 meetings were held in Jammu district, six in Samba and eight in Kathua.

Speaking during the meet SDPOs and SHOs concerned said complainants and the law abiding citizens should be treated with highest degree of respect which could have a profound impact on their confidence in the police as the police cannot succeed without the backing of society.

People of Charyai, and Tikri put forth their demands before Udhampur SSP Anil Magotra.

Their issues were with the management of AFCONS company, upgrading Government High School Charyai to Higher Secondary, improving electricity and water supply in Charyai, Tikri and its adjoining areas. The SSP said the AFCONS management had accepted almost all their demands and now it was their duty to facilitate smooth environment to the firm to gear up the pace of work of four laning of the National Highway.

The SDPOs and SHOs concerned heard the problems highlighted by all participants and assured full co-operation and action against the anti-social elements, drug peddlers, eve teasers, traffic violators, bovine smugglers and other organised crimes on priority. — TNS

Jammu, September 6
Bahu Plaza, the posh commercial hub of Jammu, is facing the apathy of officials as the lanes and bi-lanes in and around the complex are in a dilapidated condition. The sanitation of the complex is also not being taken care of. In addition, there is insufficient parking space within the complex, which creates problems for the daily commuters.

The frontline of the plaza has been maintained by the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) but the outer surroundings of the complex present a dismal picture.

The complex is littered with huge heaps of garbage and the sewage holes have been thrown open, becoming a threat to the lives of people and emitting a foul smell.

The authorities have shown a negligent attitude towards the daily problems faced by the people of the complex and the visitors.

Satish Sharma, a shopkeeper at the Bahu Plaza said, “The shopkeepers are the main reason behind the garbage around the complex as they throw it around. Secondly, the authorities do not show any interest in cleaning it. Sweepers clean the area only on Sundays, but on the other days, nothing is done for cleaning the complex.”

In the month of May, the vice-chairman of the JDA, along with a team of senior officers, had visited the Bahu Plaza and enquired about the problems being faced by the shopkeepers. He had assured them of full cooperation towards meeting their genuine demands. But nothing has been done for the poor sanitation conditions and the insufficient parking space.

Outgoing vice-chairman of the JDA Satish Nehru said, “Earlier we were looking after the sanitation condition of Bahu Plaza. But then we had appointed a maintenance team among the shopkeepers association of the plaza to look after it".

“For parking, we have created ample space near the mega mart, but it remains empty as people do not use it. They park their vehicles near the place where they have to go. So, it is not our fault but the people who want to park their respective vehicles should use the parking space properly", he added.

Jammu, September 6
Kailash Sewa Sangh, Bhaderwah, the main stake holder in Kailash Kund Yatra, has hailed the successful conduct of the 12-day Yatra, which commenced on August 25 and concluded today.

Sangh president Hari Kant Khajuria expressed thanks to all the government and non-government agencies for making the annual Yatra a success.

“We thank philanthropists and voluntary organisations who had set up langars for the pilgrims at various points enroute the foot journey from Chhatargalah to Kailash Kund”, Khajuria said.

The Trust lauded the 3 Jat Regiment of the Indian Army, which had set up langar at Chhatargalah and also provided other logistic support and facilities to the pilgrims.

Khajuria also conveyed their thanks and gratitude to the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Shantmanu and district administration of Doda and Kathua for their efforts to make the yatra a success.

Khajuria expressed hope that with the active cooperation and participation of all the stake holders in the pilgrimage tourism, including those from Jammu city, the Yatra would soon be brought on the pilgrim tourism map of the country

Jammu, September 6
The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), instead of direct implementation of National Skill Development Mission (NSDM) for the ongoing 12th Five Year Plan, has decided to further build capacities for implementation of the programme and to help build coordination mechanisms at Central levels to improve the skill delivery process.

For this purpose, all the states have been directed to prepare Annual Action Plans (AAPs) for skill development and placement as a separate component of their overall National Rural Livelihoods Mission annual action plans (NRLM). Further, the AAPs will be prepared within the framework of a perspective plan. Once the AAP is approved by the Ministry of Rural Development, specific project implementation and monitoring would be effected by the states. According to the experts, by the end of 2014-15, the transition to AAP will be completed in all the states, except special areas such as the north-eastern states, Bundelkhand regions and J&K, where transition is likely to take much longer.

Sources said the Ministry will actively partner with all the states to devolve powers and responsibilities according to the capacity built in the states. Sources added that presently, the capacities to implement the programme were not uniform across the states.

The states that are yet to meet readiness conditions for preparation of the AAP for Aajeevika Skill Development Programme (ASDP) will be covered under the single state project stream until they achieve readiness conditions to prepare the AAPs. However, the sanction for these projects will continue to be issued by the MoRD and support for development of capacity to graduate to AAPs will be provided by the National Mission Management Unit of NRLM Skills submission.

Sources claimed that the ongoing multi-state projects will be supported and reviewed by the MoRD till their completion with a specific role to the state governments concerned. The ongoing single state projects will be brought into the framework of the state AAP or state SSP as the case may be, specifying the nature and extent of the state government involvement in monitoring and revamping the project. The guidelines for monitoring and evaluation are applicable for all states where such projects are ongoing, to monitor both project implementation and placement.

Jammu, September 6
The Jammu University Research Scholars’ Executive Association (JURSEA) today launched a plantation drive near girls’ hostel ground on the Jammu University campus here.

The drive started with the plantation of a sapling by Professor Mohan Paul Singh Singh Ishar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, who was also the chief guest on the occasion.

Students and scholars of the university showed great enthusiasm in the drive.

The Vice-Chancellor advised the scholars and the students to adopt plant saplings in various groups to fulfil this responsibility. He appealed to the students to actively work for the forest conservation and to spread the message of environmental protection in the society.

He impressed upon the youth to channelise their energy and act as agents of change in the face of prevailing environmental degradation.

Rakesh Chib, president, JURSEA, said the environmental pollution had become a great health hazard and time had come to plant trees on a large scale.

Prof Naresh Padha, Prof V D Singh, Director, Directorate of Distance Education, Jai Kumar Sharma, Special Secretary to Vice-Chancellor, Professor N K Tripathi, Dean Students Welfare, Prof B Labh, Head Department of Buddhist Studies, Vikas Sharma, and others were also present during the plantation drive.

Jammu, September 6
A delegation of All J&K Plus-2 Lecturer Forum today called on Sourabh Bhagat, Director School Education (DSE), Jammu, in his office chamber and welcomed his joining as Director.

The delegation of the forum was led by president NS Jamwal.

He assured the Director School Education of all the support and co-operation in achieving academic excellence in particular and overall smooth functioning of the Education Department in general.

Sourabh Bhagat gave a patient hearing to the delegation of the forum and said he would be addressing the genuine problems of the members of the forum shortly.

Prominent among others who accompanied the delegation were Charan Dass, vice-president, Ashwani Sharma, chief organiser, Tarsem Singh, general secretary, Deepak Sharma, Balwan Singh, Pritam Singh, Ashok Sharma and Anil Sharma.

Katra, September 6
The annual fresher’s meet of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) was celebrated in the Matrika auditorium on the university campus.

‘Concordance’ in SMVDU symbolises a day of display of talent by the new entrants. The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Sudhir K Jain, all deans, registrar, directors and faculty members also attended the programme, which was organised under the aegis of the Dean of Students’ Office.

Professor Jain welcomed the fresh entrants and highlighted how the achievements of the SMVDU.

Earlier, Dr Yugal Khajura, Dean of Students, gave an orientation lecture to students. The senior semester students displayed the socio-cultural matrix of the campus in a presentation and welcomed their juniors by focusing on the discipline and learning-oriented ambience of the campus. The new entrants exhibited their talent through group dances, songs and skits. 

Katra, September 6
Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Ajaz Ahmed Khan held a public grievance redressal camp at Arnas yesterday and inspected various ongoing restoration works. Deputy Commissioner Shahid Iqbal Choudhary and all district officers accompanied the Minister and participated in the meeting which was attended by people from the remote areas of the district.

Ajaz also laid the foundation stone of the revenue complex at Arnas, to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1.80 crore. He distributed relief cheques to affected families for fully and partially damaged houses, loss of livestock, cattle, cattle sheds and cultivable land.

The minister issued instructions for immediate blacktopping of Thanpal road, construction of new school buildings, bridges, restoration of PMGSY, PWD, RDD roads, irrigation canals and PHE schemes in a time bound manner. He expressed satisfaction about the ongoing restoration works started by various executing agencies and asked for expediting the remaining works. —OC

Jammu, September 6
National Conference (NC) provincial president, Jammu, Devender Singh Rana has said the Omar-led government had laid a strong edifice of infrastructural development across the state during its ongoing term.

He said the momentum would be sustained and carried forward with a renewed vigour in the next spell beginning 2014.

“Restoration of peace, a sense of security, transparency, responsiveness and accountable administration and employability have been the hallmark of the government during the past over four and half years, which is being acknowledged by the people,” Rana said, while addressing a district party workers’ monthly meeting at Maitra, in Ramban.

Rana lauded the stewardship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for restoring peace, which was the biggest challenge. “NC will continue its efforts to ensure a peaceful atmosphere to help people lead a dignified life,” he added.

Jammu, September 6
The Jammu and Kashmir Government Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) has appealed all employees to observe strike for three days from September 9 to 11.

Addressing a press conference here today, EJAC president Kulwant Singh said the government is backtracking from the written agreement signed between the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) leadership and the government on September 15, 2011.

The EJAC expressed anguish over the delaying tactics and anti-employee attitude of the government.

The president, accompanied by other leaders, appealed to employees to hold protest demonstration at all district headquarters on September 9 and go for pen down strike on September 10 and 11.

These leaders appealed to lawyers, traders, media, students and people from all sections of society to support their cause.