Jammu, October 22
The Legal Metrology Department (LMD) has fined 1,450 shopkeepers and businessman in Jammu for selling poor quality products and charging inflated prices on commodities from consumers, in violation of the Weights and Measures Act.

A fine of Rs 10.50 lakh has been also been imposed on the defaulters till October 20 this year.

Most of the defaulters have been found selling goods, including gifts, clothes and eatables, below the net weight printed on the product.

Not only this, traders were also found charging extra from consumers, especially for the products manufactured by the local industry.

In absence of any legal way to determine the maximum retail price, officials said manufacturers have been determining the price of the products on their own terms and nobody knows how the MRP is fixed.

“There is an increase in cheating cases and fleecing of consumers by traders, including some prominent brands. Despite our efforts, the trend continues in Jammu. Mainly because of weak laws that are allowing traders to jump any strict legal action,” an official source said.

On October 21, the Legal Metrology Department imposed a fine of Rs 60,000 on many branded retail showrooms for violation of provisions relating to mandatory declarations, like MRP, consumer helpline and address of the manufacturer and the packer.

The team was led by Manoj Prabhakar, Deputy Controller, (Consumer Protection). “Every consumer should get fair quality and quantity for the money spent by him. No trader should feel that he can cheat the common man of his hard earned money,” Joint Controller, Legal Metrology, Amar Singh said. He, however, added that despite repeated warning to the traders, violations continue in different parts of the Jammu.

Under the Essential Commodities Act, the Drug Control order, the Central Excise Act and Hoarding and the Profiteering Ordinance, only the quality of the products sold in the market is dealt with and not the prices of the goods.

Last year administration had constituted a team of officials, comprising of Legal Metrology, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) department and Chief Health Officer, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) to conduct regular raids and to check the quality and weight of the products sold to the consumers.

The team was constituted under the Price Control Quality Assurance, Compliances of Food Safety and the Standard Act and Consumer Protection Act. 

Jammu, October 22
Another high profile visit to the winter capital and Samba brought life to a standstill on the Jammu-Pathankot national highway and Residency area in the Jammu city as people witnessed a nightmare of traffic jams due to security reasons.

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Tuesday visited Samba to know the ground reality after the ceasefire violation by Pakistan, due to which the traffic movement on the Jammu-Pathankot national highway was stopped between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm. This led to a nightmare of traffic jam on the national highway as the vehicular movement was stopped at Kunjwani and no vehicle was allowed to enter Samba town where the Home Minister was holding a meet with the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel.

On the other side of the highway, traffic was stopped before Hiranagar, where Shinde visited the police station which was attacked by terrorists on September 26.

For almost three hours, commuters were not allowed to move and it was only after Shinde reached Jammu to attend the unified headquarters (UHQ) meeting to discuss the prevailing security situation, the traffic movement restarted on the highway. But after that, vehicles moved at a snail’s pace due to heavy rush of vehicles.

Around residency road area of the Jammu city, which leads to the Chief Minister’s residence, the venue for the UHQ meeting, the traffic movement was not allowed beyond the Shaheedi chowk area. On the other side, traffic movement was stopped near the Deputy Commissioner’s office.

The buses of Delhi Public School were also stopped on the Tawi bridge near Gujjar Nagar to avoid any kind of confusion on the Residency road area. The school is situated near Shaheedi Chowk and scores of buses ferry students every day.

Meanwhile, on this high profile visit, the security was enhanced in the entire city and Samba. The police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were on high alert. Police and paramilitary personnel were keeping strong vigil in and around the city.

The Army and BSF were assisting police to maintain security in the Samba area where the Union Home Minister visited.

Jammu, October 22
Residents of Gandhi Nagar have decided to lodge a protest with the visiting Asian Development Bank (ADB) team over the construction of multi-level parking lot at the Gole Market Park.

The ADB team is expected to visit the city in next few weeks for on-spot inspection of the site. However, the dates have not been finalised so far.

The Economic Development Agency (ERA) has sought a loan of Rs 75 crore for the construction of the parking lot, with a capacity of 600 vehicles at the said site.

Residents have also submitted a memorandum to Urban Development Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora to consider an alternate site for the construction of the multi-parking building and decongest the area by stopping illegal conversion of residential colonies into commercial areas.

People have urged the government to consider ‘Dasehra Ground’ for the construction of the parking lot, as it will save the destruction of a green patch with several species of trees.

“Gandhi Nagar is a residential colony and according to its layout plan, the Gole Market is only a sectoral market and not a business centre. The designated business centre of the entire area is Bahu Plaza, which also has an institutional area and is properly designed for it,” Association for Self Help and Awareness president Captain (retd) Anil Gour said.

The representatives in the memorandum to the minister claimed that migration of business establishments from premier market site in the city to Gandhi Nagar and its surrounding areas is due to the absence of adequate parking facility there.

“The fact is that our authorities are unable to enforce even one-way traffic rule on this road (Apsara Road), how can we expect them to do some miracle in the future. If the project is meant for the idle parking of the shopkeepers’ own vehicles, then these could be easily parked in the open space available in front of the Pahalwan shop or the other empty plot in front of the Sai Temple,” said a group of morning walkers, who visit the park for recreation.

Jammu, October 22
The city of temples observed ‘Karva Chauth’, a ritual of fasting observed by married Hindu women seeking long life, well-being and prosperity of their husbands and family. Markets were abuzz with activity as women did brisk shopping on the day and observed religious ritual on the occasion.

Henna artists too had a field day. Setting up their makeshift stalls comprising a few small chairs and a Henna design book outside the bigger shops, artists charge anything between Rs 100 and Rs 500.

“This is the only time of the year when we make good money,” said Ravi Kumar, Heena kiosk owner at Raghunath Bazar.

Rajiv, a shopkeeper at Pakka Danga, said, “This season, the metallic bangles are a rage with women. Silver metal bangles, studded with colourful stones, are also much in demand."

Jammu, October 22
Taking note of the alleged reports of corporal punishment given to students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) in some states, including Jammu and Kashmir, the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD), has issued warning to employees of the institutions that strict action would be taken against any official found guilty of violation of the instructions.

Sources said the ministry had recently written a letter to the Deputy Commissioner of all regional offices of Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) and principals of all Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) expressing displeasure over the matter.

The letter said all cases of corporal punishment should be immediately reported to the regional office/ NVS (Headquarters) concerned.

“All employees working in the Navodaya should give an undertaking to the principal that they would not take any action that would be construed as amounting to physical punishment, mental harassment or discrimination against any child. The guidelines may be brought to the notice of all employees of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas for strict compliance,” the letter said.

The NVS said corporal punishment to the students and insulting them by referring to their parentage, caste by the Vidyalaya staff had been strictly prohibited in all JNVs and the samiti was following a zero tolerance policy in this regard.

“In spite of frequent instructions issued in the past, some cases of corporal punishment to students are still being reported with an attempt to justify these as an immediate response to the students indiscipline.

Any instance of corporal punishment, mental harassment or discrimination should be dealt with seriously in a time-bound manner.

The complaint /grievance of students and parents should be considered on priority and it has to be ensured that no student or parent was harassed for making any compliant,” the letter claimed.

The corporal punishment is closely linked to adverse physical, psychological and educational outcomes, including increased aggressive and disruptive behaviour, poor academic achievements, low self-esteem, anxiety and depression which at times result in retaliation against teachers and in extreme case, suicide.

There are 14 JNVS established in the state, including nine in Kashmir 
division and five in Jammu division. 

Jammu, October 22
Representatives of various cooperative societies have complained of irregular and poor supply of kerosene to the consumers in the rural areas of Udhampur district.

Alleging that major supply of kerosene was being made through private dealers, while cooperative societies were provided only 1,000 litres each per month, the representatives demanded that the kerosene be distributed through cooperative societies.

Members also rued that the ration supplied in most of the rural areas was adulterated and called for an inquiry into the matter.

These issues were raised at an awareness camp organised by the J&K State Cooperative Union at Udhampur.

The camp was organised in coordination with the state cooperative department and representatives of allied departments also participated in it.

Deputy Registrar J&K State Cooperative Union Qamar Chaudhary, on the occasion, gave detailed resume of the activities of the cooperative movement.

The representatives of the CAPD department also gave a detail account of the public distribution system for the supply of kerosene.

Sarpanch Rajesh Kumar Sharma, meanwhile, demanded an increase in the quota of kerosene.

Kewal Sharma and Haji Rano endorsed Sharma’s views. They also asked for supply of seeds and fertilisers to the farmers.

It was also demanded that all the supplies to the rural areas be routed through cooperative societies.

Concluding the programme, general secretary Cooperative Union thanked the participants and assured that the issues raised by the participants will be taken up with the agencies concerned. 

Jammu, October 22
AVLJ Rao, Deputy Commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Jammu Region, inaugurated a workshop on National Adolescence Education Programme (NAEP) at the auditorium of Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) No. 1, Gandhi Nagar, here.

A total of 24 teachers from 20 KVs of the KVS, Jammu Region, are participating in the workshop which was commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and recitation of Sanskrit salokas. Students of the vidyalaya sung welcome song to mark the occasion.

Speaking on this occasion, Usha Shamendra, Assistant Commissioner and Director of the workshop, highlighted the objectives and need of such programmes.

She added there was a need to bring a change in attitude and broaden the vision to understand the needs of the adolescents, particularly boys and girls, who are seeking education in KVs. Rao said few people like doctors and psychologists were not enough to cater to the needs of large number of people.

He added that KVS started these programmes in consultation with the experts in their respective fields, so that this responsibility could be shared by all concerned at a larger scale.

He emphasised on the fact that adolescents were not so educated and trained in handling their problems independently.

The Deputy Commissioner added that the adolescents need to be listened to, to understand their skills and capabilities and to resolve their issues through discussions and with their own support. Dr B C Dwivedy, officiating principal, KV No. 1, Gandhi Nagar, was also present.

Jammu, October 22
J&K Taekwondo team won overall championship in Poomsae event by winning six medals, including one gold, two silver and three bronze medals in the recently concluded 33rd Junior National Taekwondo Kyorugi/Poomsae Championship held at Puducherry. 

This is the second consecutive time that the state team clinched the Champions Trophy in the Junior Nationals. In the previous edition, J&K emerged victorious in Guwahati Nationals. Medal winners included Sanket Sharma, Narmita Katoch, Aman Sharma and Honey Bali. — TNS

Jammu, October 22
An excellent batting display by Aman followed by a lethal bowling spell by Praful Dhar helped Col RN Chopra Academy Yellow to beat Sidhant Cricket Academy in a thrilling contest by 1 wicket in the ongoing Col RN Chopra Challenge Cup being played at Academy Grounds here.

Earlier, winning the toss and batting first, Sidhant Academy posted a modest total of 62 runs in the stipulated 16 overs, losing nine wickets in the process. Abhay was the top scorer with eight runs, while Cherian and Prateek contributed seven runs each.

For Academy Yellow, off-spinner Praful Dhar was the wrecker-in-chief who scalped four wickets by conceding 11 runs in his quota of four overs.

Pranav Raina took two wickets and Ayush Pratap and Mavneek shared one wicket apiece. Academy Yellow, in reply, overhauled the target in 15.3 overs, losing nine wickets in the process. Aman played a crucial knock of 15 runs, including three hits to the fence.

For Sidhant Academy, Karmanya and Prayush bagged two wickets each while Abhay chipped in with one wicket. Aman and Praful were declared the joint winners of the man of the match. The tournament is being held under the supervision of Rakesh Basin, Zabeer Ahmad, Sukomal Ganguly and Deepak Dogra. — TNS

Batote, October 22
The body of a 25-year-old woman was extricated from the Chenab river near Kanga village in Ramban district yesterday.

Sources said the victim, identified as Amanpreet Kaur, was travelling along with her 22-year-old brother Harpreet Singh, father Karan Singh and mother Satwant Kaur in car. Unfortunately, their car skidded off the road and fell into the river on September 8.

The body of her brother was recovered from the river at Dhiyangarh in Reasi district on September 16.

Villagers, who saw the body entangled in stones after water level in the river reduced following closure of gates of the Baglihar dam for the past couple of days, informed the Dharamkund police. The family was returning to Baramulla after doing shopping from Jammu for Amanpreet’s marriage fixed for September 25.

Jammu, October 22
Students of BSF School, Paloura, bagged seven medals in the North Zone CBSE Judo Championship held at Bilaspur (Himachal Pradesh) recently. The judokas won one gold, one silver and five bronze medals, respectively.

Sonalica Koul claimed gold medal in 30kg Idris, Ahmed fetched silver medal in the 75kg category. Bronze medallists included Mehak Bhagat, Bhagya Thakur, Manik Baloria, Mohammad Ibrahim and Yogesh Sarin. Principal SS Khokhar congratulated the medal winners. 

Jammu, October 22
Government Degree College, Paloura, Government MAM College, SPMR College of Commerce and PG Department have reached the semifinals of the ongoing Inter-Collegiate Handball (Men) Tournament, being organised by the Directorate of Sports and Physical Education, at the University Sports Stadium here.

While Government Degree College, Paloura, will lock horns with MAM College in the first semifinal, SPMR College of Commerce will take on the PG Department in the other semifinal encounter.

Government Degree College, Paloura, earlier beat GGM Science College 13-4 in the quarters to reserve a spot in the semifinal line-up, while MAM College prevailed over Government Degree College, Kathua, 17-9.

The PG Department got walkover against the Government College of Engineering and Technology (GCET) Jammu.

All the matches were played under the supervision of Prof Dhian S Bhau, Director, Directorate of Sports and Physical Education.

Meanwhile, in the women’s category, the PG Department toppled Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, 5-3 to set up the summit clash with Government College for Women, Parade.

The matches were officiated by Sudesh Kumar, Karun Magotra, Jyoti Sharma and Gourav Sharma.

Jammu, October 22
The Crime Branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police today booked officials of the Jammu and Kashmir Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Limited (JAKFED) for preparing fake bills of fertiliser freight charges.

In this regard, a case was registered under various sections of the RPC and Prevention of Corruption Act Svt 2006, against the then manager accounts Sanjeev Sachdeva, the then general manager GL Abrol, senior auditors Jog Raj, Zahoor Ahmed, Ajay Gupta, Naveen Chander and other officials of the JAKFED for preparing fake and forged bills.

Giving details, the SSP, Crime Branch, Jammu, said a written complaint was lodged by MI Mir president, JAKFED Employees Welfare Association, Jammu, with the Crime Branch, Jammu, alleging therein that the JAKFED authorities had prepared fake and forged bills in respect of fertiliser freight charges and had swindled an amount of Rs 1.24 crore.

On receipt of the complaint, an inquiry was initiated in the Crime Branch, Jammu, and during the course of inquiry, it was found that JAKFED authorities had deputed various trucks for transportation of fertilisers from Jammu to various destinations.

In a single challan, 234 vehicles were shown to have been used for the transportation of fertilisers out of which about 70 vehicles, at random, were identified through RTO/ARTOs. Out of 70 vehicles, 25 vehicles were identified as cars, motorcycles, scooters, tankers or Mopeds etc. which clearly showed that fake bills were prepared and amount, thereof, was misappropriated.

It has also been found that certain vouchers were passed without the signatures of FA/CAO and the then general manager, Sachdeva, had signed the vouchers. Further, Abrol, Raj, Zahoor Ahmed, in connivance with Ajay Gupta, Naveen Chander and other employees of the JAKFED prepared fake vouchers of Rs.1.24 crore and withdrew the same fraudulently in order to cause wrongful gains to themselves and wrongful loss to the public exchequer.

Based on the outcome of the inquiry, a formal case has been registered at the Crime Branch police station, Jammu, under the relevant sections of law against the above mentioned accused persons and investigation of the case is in progress.