Jammu, September 7
A major part of the Jammu region will remain without electricity on Sunday as the Power Development Department (PDD) will carry out critical checks of equipment and machinery at the Gladni grid station that supplies power to half the population of the state.

Officials said the repair work included replacement of some of the ageing devices of the 220/132/33 KV Gladni Grid Station during morning hours.

Power supply will remain suspended in the areas of Old Jammu city, Gandhi Nagar, Nanak Nagar, Channi Himmat, Narwal and Sainik Colony. Twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri and areas being fed from the grid station, Sidhra, Miransahib, Gangyal, Bari Brahmana, Janipur and Sidhra I & II and Kalakote transmission line will be affected.

During this period, the 132 KV Gladni-Kalakot line will also remain off for tightening of conductor and branch cutting en route the high tension and low tension power line.

Officials said it was one of the biggest repair exercises in the recent past. Due to shortage of funds, critical equipment had remained unchanged for years and it had become the main reason for the increase in the transmission and distribution losses.

It is pertinent to mention here that two single-phase auto power transformers of 133.33 rating installed during 2001 at the Gladni station had failed during June and July 2008, causing outage of the entire installed 400 MVA capacity of the grid station. This resulted in the loss of integrity of the grid station, plunging most of the parts of Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch districts into darkness for over two months.

A team from Central Power Research Institute, Bangalore, later conducted the inspection of the failed transformers and attributed the breakdown to the “progressive accumulation deterioration of bushing insulators of the transformers”.

The Chief Engineer, O&M, Ajay Gupta, termed the exercise as the routine repair and replacement of the critical devises to ensure safety and reliability of the system. “We have been conducting such things at other power stations and it is necessary to keep the supply system in good shape,” Gupta said.

He appealed to the people of the state to cooperate with the department as the shutdown was being enforced to ensure streamlined supply of electricity.

An audit report prepared by the government has also raised question mark on the functioning of the Gladni station and concluded that the PDD was doing a major grid violation at the receiving station in Jammu, as it had repeatedly failed to keep the grid voltage at 200 KV, as per the norms set by J&K Electricity Grid Code.

An audit conducted has revealed that 28 out of 44 grid stations had the 
minimum bus voltage below the required minimum level.

The repair work includes replacement of some of the ageing devices of the 220/132/33 KV Gladni Grid Station during morning hours. Power supply will remain suspended in the areas of Old Jammu city, Gandhi Nagar, Nanak Nagar, Channi Himmat, Narwal and Sainik Colony.

Due to shortage of funds, critical equipment had remained unchanged for years.

Batote, September 7
Even as regular tremors in the Chenab valley region have instilled a sense of fear among the inhabitants, no initiative is being taken by the state administration to take stock of the dilapidated structures in the area, putting the residents of these buildings at a great risk.

With recurring tremors and long spell of rain in the area this monsoon, such buildings pose a great threat to many lives.

“Every passerby watches these badly damaged old buildings, whose angle of inclination has been increasing day-by-day, but nobody is bothered about the threat they pose to their inmates and the general public,” said one of the residents.

“Since none of the inhabitants complain, fearing the wrath of their owners, the concerned officials, the naib tehsildar, tehsildar, etc…, should take suo moto action,” he said.

Alleging that no general surveys were conducted by the administration to take notice of such buildings across the state, former municipal committee chairman, Batote, Ravinder Singh said people have not learnt any lesson from the recent building collapse in Mumbai.

“No lesson seems to have been learnt from the recent building collapse in Mumbai, where many precious lives were lost. I think nobody in J&K has ever thought of conducting any such survey in general,” Singh said.

Following the earthquake in the erstwhile Doda district on May 2, which caused a huge loss to the property in the area, a survey of collapsed and damaged buildings was carried, but the exercise was primarily conducted to make an estimate of the losses and award compensation. Never a general survey of unsafe buildings in the area has been carried out, a source said.

When asked about the state of affairs, Superintending Engineer, PWD(R&B) of the Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban belt, Subhash Gupta, rued the paucity of funds and manpower to carry out such surveys. “Given the acute paucity of staff, resources and money, such exercise in general is practically not possible,” Gupta said.

“The PWD(R&B) department carries such exercises only when there is a request from a local body office, revenue or other offices,” he said.

When education took backseat

n Mahore had been a liberated zone for militants for long. Their laws prevailed in the region and education was a casualty. Teachers feared going to schools and so did parents of children

Jammu, September 7
With the previous central and unit committees of the J&K Christian Dalit Association, Jammu, having been dissolved by chairperson S Peter after the expiry of their terms, the association has elected new committees.

While S Peter was unanimously reelected as chairperson-cum-president of the central committee, the other office bearers elected were Madan Gill, senior vice-president, Warayam Masih Teji, vice-president, Hamid Mattoo, general secretary, Sham Lal Gill, secretary and Vinod Sotra, treasurer.

Beli Ram was elected president for the district Udhampur/Reasi, while William Paul was elected senior vice-president, Bittu Massih vice-president and Rajinder Khonsar secretary.

The Jammu rural district committee also elected new office bearers with Rakesh Mattoo Sotra of Akhnoor as president, Asif Teji, Vicky Gill and Mohd Ashraf as members —TNS

Rajouri, September 7
Government Middle School, Upper Kallar has been imparting education to as many as 75 students of Upper Kallar village and its adjoining areas of Rajouri district.

The school was established in 1998, but was deficient of furniture and other facilities. The Ace of Spade Arty Brigade identified this school to be brought under the ambit of ‘Operation Sadbhavana’ and supplied it with the requisite infrastructural amenities.

In a ceremony, the representatives of the Brigade handed over benches, tables, blackboards, rostrum and other useful items, worth Rs 1.5 lakhs to the principal of the school. Senior Army officials and SP, Rajouri, were present on the occasion.

Jammu, September 7
A symposium was organised on the theme ‘save the girl child’ under the National Rural Health Mission (NHRM), J&K, on the premises of Presentation Convent School.

The programme was organised under the supervision of Yashpal Sharma, mission director, J&K, while Roma Wani, chairperson, Inner Call Forum for Evolution, Development and Awareness, was the chief guest. Harjeet Rai, divisional nodal officer, NRHM, and Ivette were the judges for the event.

The event not only highlighted a socio-cultural evil that was embedded in the South-Asian countries, but also aimed at changing the sensibilities of masses through the concern raised ‘by the girl child for the girl child’.

Roma Wani appreciated students for their efforts and asked them to instill the self belief in themselves that every woman is special in her own sphere and they should make a special effort to thank such people in life.

The first prize was bagged by Bhavneet Kaur while second and third positions were bagged by Mehula and Spandita, respectively. Three consolation prizes were given to Manveen, Sargam, and Anvi. 

Jammu, September 7
The nutrition week, organised by the postgraduate department of home science, Government College for Women, Parade, concluded on the college premises today. An extension lecture on 'food safety and nutritional care in adolescent years' was also organised.

Dr Vasanta Kohli, consultant, dietetics and therapeutics department of medicine, Government Medical College, Jammu, was the resource person who informed the audience about the importance of nutrition and the role of diet in maintenance of health in adolescence.

Dr Shashi Kaul briefly reviewed the activities of the week-long celebrations. Dr Hemla Aggrawal, principal of the college, distributed prizes among the winners for various activities held during the week, which included poster making, symposium and cooking competition.

Prof Nidhi Kotwal, in her vote of thanks, appreciated the participation of the students during the week and encouraged them to participate in such activities for their overall development.—TNS

Jammu, September 7
Dogra Degree College organised an inter-class debate competition and workshop on insurance on the college premises today.

In the debate competition, Pallvi bagged the first prize while Konal finished second. The third prize was jointly bagged by Shagun and Sunil. The judges for the competition were Indu Puri and Vintee from Dogra College of Education.

Meanwhile, the college organised a two-day workshop on insurance, with the help of the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) for students of BBA/BCA courses, regarding the working of an insurance company in order to provide them exposure of various opportunities of placement and growth in the sector.

The team was headed by Vijay Gupta, branch manager, Jagjeet Singh, development officer and Khajuria, assistant branch manager. They briefed the students regarding the working of the LIC.

The officials also extended an opportunity for the budding managers to join the LIC and also promised handsome stipends during the probationary period. —TNS

Jammu, September 7
The Jammu College of Physiotherapy today observed the World Physiotherapy Day. Dr Roop Lal Sharma, chairman, Shri Sain Charitable Trust, was the chief guest while Suman Sharma, chairperson of the trust, was the guest of honour.

The objective of observing the day was to spread awareness about the profession. The day is observed all over the world to recognise the work that physical therapists perform for their patients and community. The day aims to support member organisations in their efforts to promote the profession and advance their expertise.

A cultural programme was presented by the students of the college to mark the occasion. Various cultural items presented on the occasion highlighted the importance of physiotherapists in the society. 

Jammu, September 7
In a major seizure, sleuths of the excise department seized about 90 quintals of polythene bags from Lakhanpur, the gateway of Jammu and Kashmir, when it was being illegally transported to the Kashmir valley from Jalandhar last night.

Sources said excise department officials intercepted a truck at Lakhanpur and subjected it to random a checking late last night.

“On questioning, the driver of the truck said he was carrying a consignment of fresh vegetables to the Kashmir valley from Jalandhar. The documents also revealed that fresh vegetables were loaded in the truck. However, the officials found the truck loaded with polythene bags and there was no consignment of vegetables,” sources said.

The truck was impounded and the seized polythene bags were handed over to the Pollution Control Board (PCB) officials.

“Traders and shopkeepers have been resorting to various means to bring polythene bags illegally from other parts of the country,” an official of the excise department said, adding that it was the biggest seizure of the year.

The seizure was made under the close supervision of Deputy Commissioner, Excise, Lakhanpur, Mushtaq Ahmad.

Last year, the police, with the assistance of excise department officials, had seized 88 quintals polythene. At that time, the polythene bags were being transported under the garb of plastic ropes.

The state government has banned the manufacturing and sale of polythene bags under the Jammu and Kashmir Non Bio-Degradable Material (Management, Handling and Disposal) Act, 2007.

Under the law, the district magistrates or deputy commissioners or any other official nominated by the government would enforce the law, besides acting as a facilitator and guide in the matter of dealing with the non-biodegradable material.

The state had Rs 30-crore polythene industry and there were about 100 units engaged in the manufacture of polythene bags that had to close down their shutters after the ban.

Poonch, September 7
In an extraordinary development in the Education Department, the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Poonch, Ashraf Chouhan, was transferred and appointed as principal of DIET, Poonch and Abdul Hamid Fani, Joint Secretary, BOSE, was transferred and posted as CEO, Poonch.

The government ordered the transfers and postings of the following other CEOs and equivalent with immediate effect: Natha Ram, CEO Jammu, has been transferred and posted as Joint Secretary, Board of School Education (BOSE). Lal Hussain, principal DIET, Poonch, has been posted as CEO Rajouri against an available vacancy.

Tarseem Lal, CEO Reasi has been transferred and posted as CEO Jammu. However, the principal of DIET, Reasi, will hold the additional charge of CEO Reasi in addition to his own duties till further orders.

Surinder Mohan, principal of DIET, Shopian, has been transferred and posted as CEO Samba.

Ravi Dubey, CEO Samba, will report to SIE, Jammu, till further orders.

Sources in the Education Department told The Tribune that because of regular complaints against Chouhan regarding sudden transfers of teachers in violation of transfer norms, that too without the consent of political representatives and the higher authorities, he had been transferred to DIET as punishment.

Sources added that he had transferred over 100 teachers in violation of norms by issuing individual orders.

Departmental sources described Chouhan’s transfer as an “extremely surprising” step in view of the fact that it had come at a time when he was due to reach superannuation on October 31 this year. Normally, officials left with less than two years of service are not shifted from their places of posting, particularly when posted in their home states or districts.

Sources maintained that his transfer was the culmination of a “extensive campaign” against him for his non-seriousness in the departmental affairs.

A political representative, on the condition of anonymity, said Abdul Hamid Fani was “trying to grab the post” and managed to get adjusted at the cost of Chouhan’s transfer.

Jammu, September 7
Claiming that the money meant for sportspersons has been illegally used for the renovation of office chambers in Jammu and Srinagar, respectively, the affiliated sports associations and the J&K Olympic Association (JKOA) have jointly appealed to the Prime Minister and Union Sports Minister to constitute a committee to monitor all constructions being undertaken under the Prime Minister’s Sports Reconstruction Package by the J&K State Sports Council.

The sports bodies claimed that amount to the tune of Rs 35 lakh and Rs 45 lakh was spent on the renovation of the office chamber of the secretary, Sports Council, Jammu and Srinagar, respectively. The members further alleged that the categorisation of sports disciplines was not based on principles and it was done by non-technical persons. “Moreover, it is a domain of the Commissioner, secretary, technical education, youth services and sports to make a draft of the sports policy, not the secretary, State Sports Council. It cannot be implemented in the state unless the Cabinet passes it,” they maintained.

At a meeting held recently, the sports bodies and JKOA also expressed concern over the statements issued by the Chief Minister and Minister for Youth Services and Sports, wherein they claimed that the present state government had upgraded the sports infrastructure. “The fact is that there is no athletic track, no boxing ring, shooting range, yoga area, cycling track etc. The players of these disciplines have no option but to practise under the sky,” the members claimed.

The JKOA had also questioned the very existence of the autonomous sports body. They said no coaching camps, no refreshment, no boarding lodging and DA were provided to sportspersons during pre-national camps. They further said sports was not on the priority list of the state government. “Having strength of only 285 employees, including 150 ground men, the constitution of the sports speaks volumes about its functioning. Recently, the government has converted the sports council into and engineering council with 14 engineers on deputation,” a release claimed. 

Jammu, September 7
Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) number 1, Srinagar, got the better of KV Amritsar to clinch the U-19 boys cricket title in the ongoing 44th Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan Regional Sports Meet at Kendriya Vidyalaya number 2, Jammu Cantt.

In the semifinals played earlier, KV Amritsar overcame the challenge of KV number 2, Jammu Cantt, while KV Srinagar toppled KV Jyotipuram.

A total of 15 schools drawn from Jammu region participated in the event.

M Laxmi Narayana, principal, KV Jammu Cantt, was the chief guest on the occasion while Ajay Paul Singh Andotra presided over the valedictory function.

The chief guest and other dignitaries felicitated the winners on the occasion.

Archana Sharma was the organising secretary of the event while the vote of thanks was presented by Mohit Gupta, vice-principal of the host school.

Meanwhile, KV Miran Sahib claimed the U-14 kho-kho title. In the final, KV Miran Sahib overcame the challenge of KV Nangalbhur, Punjab, by an innings and one point.

Earlier, in the semifinals, KV Miran Sahib drubbed KV Damana by one inning and three points while Nangalbhur defeated KV Akhnoor.

In the hardliner, KV Akhnoor pipped KV Damana by two points to clinch the bronze medal. Officiating principal of KV Miran Sahib Samrita Charak was also present on the occasion.

In all, 12 teams from different Kendriya Vidyalayas of Jammu region participated in the tournament and the matches were played on league-cum-knockout basis, under the supervision of Manjeet Singh. The vote of thanks was presented by Naresh Kumar.

Jammu, September 7
Honnesh Rohmetra of Jammu division bagged the gold medal in U-19 boys 100 and 200 mt breast stroke in the State-Level Inter-Division Swimming Competition, for all age groups, which concluded at KC Public School swimming pool today.

Abhishek Badyal of Jammu clinched the silver medal in the same age group. In U-19 boys 50 mt free style, Ahmed Ikram of Jammu, Kinshuk Safaya of Jammu and Danish Bashir of Kashmir bagged the gold, silver and the bronze medals, respectively. In 50 mt butter fly, Danish Bashir of Kashmir and Kinshuk Safaya of Jammu fetched the gold and silver medal, respectively.

In U-19 boys 100 mt butter fly, Shubam Sharma of Jammu bagged the gold medal while in U-19 boys 200 mt butter fly, Kumwar Sethi of Jammu division clinched the gold medal.

In U-19 boys 1500 mt free style, the gold medal went to Pranshu Kabra of Jammu.

In U-17 boys 50 mt and 100 mt free style, the gold medal was bagged by Sidhant Sharma of Jammu while the silver and the bronze medal in 50 mt event went to Nabhaya Saraf of Jammu and Arif Bashir of Kashmir, respectively.

In 100 mt U-17 boys free style, Ukshay Sharma of Jammu and Sahil Dar of Kashmir claimed the silver and the bronze medals, respectively.

In U-17 boys 50 mt breast stroke, Arif Bashir of Kashmir bagged the gold medal whereas Aditya Gupta and Hardik Khajuria of Jammu claimed the silver and bronze medals, respectively. In U-17 boys 100 mt breast stroke, the gold went to Showket Ali of Kashmir while the silver was claimed by Aditya Gupta of Jammu.

Meanwhile, in U-14 boys 50 mt breast stroke, Yuvraj of Jammu, Imran of Kashmir and Gandhar of Jammu claimed the gold, silver and the bronze, respectively. In U-14 boys 200 mt back stroke, Majeed of Kashmir bagged the gold medal.

In U-14 girls 50 mt breast stroke, Rohani, Ishan and Anika Gandotra (all from Jammu), clinched the gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively while in U-14 girls 50 mt back stroke, Shreya of Jammu and Ashmita of Jammu claimed the gold and the silver medals, respectively. In U-14 girls 50 mt butter fly event, Anika Gandotra of Jammu fetched the gold medal.