Jammu, September 19
Spiraling onion prices are making residents cry. The sharp increase in the prices of onions here has forced homemakers and eateries to stop using them. Prices have been going up steadily for the past month due to the shortage of the produce.

The middle class, already reeling under the burden of increased fuel prices, is finding it tough to buy onions priced at Rs 75 per kg with distributors saying that prices are not expected to go down over the next few weeks. Prices of other vegetables are also on the rise with the middle class restricting intake of many green items in their daily menu.

“Onions have become a luxury item. Earlier, no curry was prepared without it, but now we have restricted its use. It is upsetting our monthly budget,” said Rekha Jandyal, a housewife.

Even owners of eateries and restaurants have also told their staff to cut down on the wastage as well as avoid excessive use of onions. In salads, cabbage and capsicum have replaced onions.

The sharp increase in the prices of onions has stoked inflation with prices of almost all the vegetables increasing manifold putting extra burden on the pockets of the common people.

“It has even become a joke on the social networking site. One such is onion riding on back of common man, with government enjoying the show. It seems this item will soon vanish from the market, if the prices continue to rise,” said Menu Sangral, a university student.

A wholesaler Raju Cheer said, “There is a shortage because onion-producing states are not exporting them. The prices have gone up due to rains in the southern part of the country, which has affected its production. It will remain for a few more days.”

“The government has no controlover the prices of vegetables and it is the mafia which controls the distribution in Jammu. We want action against all those people," said Ashok Gupta, state president Shiv Sena.

Jammu, September 19
The government has sanctioned two more ambulances, one each for the District Hospital, Poonch, and Primary Health Centre, Balakot, to cater to the needs of the patients.

An announcement in this regard was made today by Minister of State for Health, Shabir Ahmad Khan, during his visit to various areas of the district. He took stock of the health care facilities.

He said Balakot was the border area and always remained under the risk of shelling from across the border so it needs much more emergency treatment facilities for the injured. He said new ambulances will facilitate critically injured to get emergency treatment in major hospitals of Jammu.

He assured that adequate stock of essential drugs will be made available in the hospital.

During inspection of the District Hospital, Shabir sanctioned one more ambulance for it and assured that CT scan diagnostic machine has been bought for the hospital, which would be installed soon after the completion of the hospital complex. He called for the implementation of the components of the flagship programme under the NRHM in letter and spirit for best healthcare facilities in the district. He cautioned that any lapses in this regard would be viewed seriously.

Later, the minister inspected the Community Health Centre, Mehndar, and took stock of construction work on causality and staff quarter blocks of the hospital which are under construction at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore.

Jammu, September 19
Though the state government has announced the construction of a multi-parking facility at Gole Market, Gandhi Nagar, the commercial hub in the south of the Jammu city, but it may take years before the administration is able to restore the glory of the place.

In the absence of any marked parking space, chaos-like situation prevails in the area, including the Apsara Road, Gole Market and Shastri Nagar.

The place was once considered the posh area of the city, but the authorities have failed to develop and beautify it to make it attractive for the people and tourists.

Parallel parking of private vehicles on both sides of the road near Apsara and shops near Gole Market, especially in front of the shops, showrooms, shopping complexes, Rehris with eatables and other food points are getting out of control of the traffic police.

“The construction of a parking space was a long-pending demand with the government. Let us see when the project is completed, because such statements have come in several times,” said Devinder Sharma, a local resident.

No one follows the traffic rules and regulations. Truck drivers, youths are flouting norms. Youth drive at high beam lights in the night and at times, without licence.

The ever-increasing number of vehicles coupled with limited road infrastructure and paucity of parking space has been playing havoc with the traffic management in the city. Traffic congestion in the city is emerging as the biggest problem in the city and in the absence of proper management, it is becoming a nightmare experience for the people.

A few days ago, Minister for Housing Raman Bhalla said the state government would construct a mechanised multi-level fully automatic parking facility at Gole market.

The project estimated to cost Rs 75.43 crore is being constructed under the Jammu and Kashmir Urban Sector Development Investment Programme (JKUSDIP).

Jammu, September 19
Major General Ashwani Kumar, the General Officer Commanding, Tiger Division, visited the headquarters of the Project Sampark yesterday.

He was briefed by the Chief Engineer about the general organisation and working of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), various ongoing works in the Northern and Western Command and the Tiger Division in particular.

He was also informed about the damage caused to the roads and other infrastructure due to heavy rain this year and various measures taken for their restoration.

The GOC commended the excellent work being done by them in building roads and bridges for smooth movement of the Army formations in border areas.

Batote, September 19
The Municipal Committee, Batote, has been stinking with the nepotism and red tapism compounded by the alleged flagrant violation of the rules first in engaging the employees and then regularising them. Due to this the discontentment among employees of all rungs has been brewing since long here.

The indiscriminate appointments and regularisations in the MCB has led to the legal and financial problems for the successive officers thereby making the victim employees a disgruntled lot.

Some of these employees who have been ignored and discriminated against for the past many years reveal a long pathetic tale of corruption ruling the roost in the Department of Urban and Local Bodies (DULB) for the past many years.

Substantiating the injustices galore in the department the sources said Qumar Hussain Bhatti and Kartar Singh were engaged as driver and cleaner, respectively, vide government order No.NAC/B/2001/173 on 18-09-2001 but Kartar allegedly managed to get himself regularised vide order No.DULBJ/2007/1189 on 19-02-2007.

Insiders said two siblings Ravi and Kamal Saini besides Ashok Kumar, who were appointed as secretary, work supervisor and tax collector, respectively, in the MC, Katra in 2002 were allegedly regularised in the same year soon after getting transferred here with Ravi allegedly getting three pay grades in as many months.

“The J&K High Court’s order issued last year to regularise me within eight weeks has not been followed yet for the past more than a year. Now on my appeal the DULB may face the charge of contempt of court soon,” said Quamar.

Head Assistant Mohd Shafi appointed in 1978 is still awaiting his promotion while Jodhraj appointed simultaneously as Receptionist in the Directorate of Urban and Local Bodies (DU and LB), Jammu is now an Executive Officer (EO) MC, Hiranagar, Samba.

“I am not responsible for the (mis)deeds of my predecessors done prior to three months ago since when I was transferred here. Yes there has been reports of such allegations of nepotism and red tapism. Having all the sympathies with the victim employees, I shall be favourably recommending their cases to the Secretariat soon,” said Arun Kumar, Director, DU and LB, Jammu.

Jammu, September 18
Sepoy Pravesh Kumar of the Meerut Division bagged top honours in the Western Command Cross Country Championship held under the aegis of the Tiger Division.

Pravesh Kumar completed the 12-km distance from Kotle Takliyan to Arnia in a record time of 37 minutes to secure the first position. Rifleman Ghulam Mohammed and Sepoy Kapil finished second and third position.

Jammu, September 19
To improve the power situation in the state, 30 towns will be taken up in the first phase of the Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) of the Centre. The scheme focuses on the establishment of base line data, fixation of accountability, strengthening and up-gradation of sub transmission and distribution network and adoption of information technology.

Minister of State for Technical Education, Power and Information, Vikar Rasool Wani, said this after inaugurating the receiving station at Sainik Colony here yesterday. He said the 6.3-MVA transformer would provide relief to the people of the area from un-scheduled power cuts.

He said it was a long pending demand of the people of Sainik Colony and with the augmentation of receiving station by doubling its capacity, the demand of the people had been fulfilled.

He also inspected the construction work of the Convention Centre at Hospitality and Protocol, Guest House Canal Road to be built at a cost of Rs 24.61 crore. It will have an auditorium with the capacity of 450, besides a seminar hall with the seating capacity of 200.

Jammu, September 19
As many as 24 unemployed youth from remote villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri interacted with Rajasthan Governor Margaret Alva.

The youth were on an educational tour organised by the Rashtriya Rifles Battalion under the aegis of the Counter Insurgency Force (Romeo).

Alva said the youth had to ensure the strength and prosperity of the country as they were the future of the nation.

Zahid Hamid, who was part of the delegation, said the tour had given him experience of a lifetime.

The aim of the tour was to reach out to the youth of the border district and encourage self-employment in the region.

Jammu, September 19
The Solar Power Policy of the state has taken note of the growing recognition of impact of global change at the local, national and global levels and stressed taking urgent steps to tackle challenges that arise on account of these impacts through integrated policy prescriptions and programmes aimed at mitigation of impacts and adaptation to reduce vulnerability of systems.

“Solar energy is environment friendly as it has zero emissions while generating electricity or heat. The exhaustible reserves of fossil fuels and their volatile market prices further contribute towards energy insecurity. The state government recognises the crucial role of energy and the need to have a policy to promote efficient use of conventional energy together with proactive establishment and promotion of sustained use of new and non-conventional energy sources,” the policy claims.

Sources said, based on this climate efficient initiative, the state had decided to promote energy efficiency measures, adopt preventive management techniques and build capacities for all the stakeholders concerned to contribute and sustain successful transitions to a more energy efficient future duly emphasising the local relevance of alternatives.

The policy claimed the state was already facing crippling electricity shortages. The main objectives of launching solar power policy in the state were promoting the generation of green and clean power in the state using solar energy, to put in place an appropriate investment climate to leverage the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), productive use of the wastelands and employment generation and skill enhancement of local youth.

"Where ever required, the state will acquire land for the project under the provisions of the J&K Land Acquisition Act and lease out the same to the entity for 25 years at a premium of Rs 1 per kanal per annum plus an amount equal to the compensation for the land. Wherever forest land is involved, the state will facilitate permission for use of forest land for non forest purposes under the provisions of the J&K Forest Conservation Act. However, the compensation required to be paid for the purpose, including the amount required for net present value, compensatory afforestation etc will be paid by the entity”, the policy states.

It may be mentioned that the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) under the brand ‘Solar India’ with the aim to establish India as a global leader in solar energy, by creating the policy conditions for its diffusion across the country as quickly as possible.

The Mission has set a target of 20,000 MW and stipulates the implementation and achievement of the target in three phases (first phase up to 2012-13, second phase from 2013 to 2017 and the third phase from 2017 to 2022) for various components, including grid connected solar power.

Jammu, September 19
The Duggar Vikas Manch (DVM) has decided to celebrate the 118th birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh, the last monarch of the state on September 22 in a big way. The Maharaja had signed the Instrument of Accession with the Union of India in 1947. The function will be held at the site where his statue was installed last year.

“Presidents of all prominent sabhas and social organisations of the state have been invited to attend the function to mark the day of the person who had done a lot for the welfare of Kashmir, Jammu and Ladhak region,” said Dineshwar Singh Jamwal, president of the manch. A hawan will also be performed to pay homage to the Maharaja on the occasion.

Jamwal said an invitation had been sent to Minister for PHE & Flood Control Sham Lal Sharma, who is also a senior Congress leader, former Union MoS, Defence, Chaman Lal Gupta, BJP MLA Ashok Khajuria, Panthers Party MLA Harsh Dev Singh and Jammu State Morcha (JSM) MLA Ashwani Sharma. The administration has assured full co-operation, especially regarding the parking of vehicles, said a spokesman of the morcha.

Jammu, September 19
The high-level Canadian High Commission delegation, currently on a visit to the state, held a meeting with scholar and columnist Dr Jitendra Singh today to discuss a wide range of diverse subjects of national and regional importance.

The delegation comprised of Head of Political and Economic Affairs, Canadian High Commission in New Delhi, Johanne Forest, senior Ottawa-based south Asia analyst, Jawad Qureshi and senior analyst, Political and Economic Affairs, at the Canadian High Commission, New Delhi, Madhursi Das.

Referring to the new emerging political scenario in the wake of Narendra Modi's appointment by the BJP, Dr Jitendra Singh said it should be a matter of research why the Congress was hesitant to declare its prime ministerial candidate officially.

He added this was so because there was a growing realisation inside the Congress as well as outside that people of India were getting wary of feudal politics and the family charisma might not work anymore.

Singh said youth of the Kashmir valley need to be educated that they had been taken for a ride in the name of romantic slogans like 'Azaadi', 'Autonomy’. — TNS

Jammu, September 19
Minister of State for Power, Vikar Rasool Wani, today flagged off a group of 285 youth to Punjab and Haryana. They will undergo training in different employable modules under the Skill Development Initiative for the youth of the state.

Drawn from various districts of the Jammu division, the youth will be trained in different modules at Sumit Dhariwal Memorial, ITC, Hissar, Haryana, Mehtab Computer Society, Barnala, Punjab, Skill Development Academy, Morni, Haryana, D R Memorial, Sirsa, Haryana, C Tech, Ropar, Punjab and G&G ITC, Raipur Rani, Panchkula, Haryana.A total of 10,600 youth have completed training outside the state under the initiative till date.

Jammu, September 19
The BJP today demanded an immediate registration of an FIR against the separatist leader and National Front chairman, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, for alleged seditious activities.

Talking to mediapersons here, BJP national executive member and former state president Shamsher Singh Manhas referred to the release of a book having compilation of collection of letters from Afzal Guru, who was executed in February 2013 for his role in the 2001 Parliament attack.

"The 94-page book prepared by the separatist leader had the potential of inducing separatist and anti-national thinking among the people in Kashmir. Nayeem Khan has made this attempt as the Congress-led UPA and the state's NC-Congress coalition has adopted soft approach towards the anti-national elements and the separatists in Kashmir have started taking both the government for granted," alleged the BJP leader, who was accompanied by the BJP Cells in charge Sat Sharma.

He also questioned the alleged silence of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the Union Home Minister and the state government on this issue and said that the Prime Minister should himself intervene to ensure that guilty was brought to book.

Manhas said that attempt had been made to project Afzal Guru as martyr while the fact was that he was a terrorist involved in attack on highest temple of the Democracy of India and was held guilty for the same. — TNS

Jammu, September 19
The Border Security Force Wives’ Welfare Association (BWWA) Raising Day was celebrated last evening at the BSF Jammu Frontier headquarters at Paloura.

Sweety Raina, officiating president, BWWA BSF, Jammu Frontier, inaugurated the programme by lighting the traditional lamp, which was followed by cultural programs and other activities like quiz and knitting competition.

Dr Suman Sarma, a doctor of the city, delivered the lecture on hygiene and sanitation and suggested the measures.

Later, Raina distributed cash reward to the wards of BSF personnel who had secured 75 per cent and above marks in class XII board examinations and also distributed prizes amongst the participants of cultural programme, besides felicitating veer naris of the BSF Jammu Frontier.

Rajouri, September 19
Intrusion of a bear into heavily populated areas of Budhal in Rajouri district has created scare among villagers. The threat perceptions are so grave that villagers stopped sending their children to schools in many areas.

They are scared and worried over the safety of their children. Sheraz Ahmed (12), a class V student

was brutally attacked by the bear when he was returning from school in Gulel area of Rajnagar village on Tuesday.

“With negligible staff of the wild life department in the area school going children are falling prey to the wild animals,” Sarpanch of Rajnagar, Badar-ul-Din Malik told this Correspondent on phone.

“Seven people have been mauled for the past one month. The bear has also damaged maize crops of the area”, the sarpanch added.

Bathan, Gulel, Gabban and Rajnagar villages of Budhal are the worst affected of Rajouri.

Speaking to The Tribune, Wild Life Warder, Rajouri, Rajiv Sharma said, “This year population of bear is over 50 which is very high and they came from the Loran Mandi area of Poonch to this part of district, but we are aware of this and using crackers and other techniques to keep them out of the populated areas.”

Sarpanch of Rajnagar also demanded compensation for the poor father whose son was injured.

Jammu, September 19
The Dogra Degree College (DDC), Bari Brahmana, Samba today organised an industrial visit to Chenab Textile Mills, Kathua for students of Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) courses.

In order to make the theoretical study more contractual, all students of the BBA and BCA courses along with teaching faculty visited the Mills today as a part of curriculum of the course.

The students were given in depth knowledge about the working of the plants through presentations and were also escorted to the different processing units by the unit managers. It was collective effort by the industry and institution to facilitate the knowledge of the students.