The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Power consumers told to disclose extra load
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 27
The Power Development Department (PDD) has asked the consumers in Jammu to voluntarily disclose their extra load. An official said thousands of consumers were drawing electricity beyond their sanctioned load, which was the main reason for revenue loss, particularly in the urban areas.

Sources said with people drawing electricity more than the sanctioned load, the service life of transformers had shortened, leading to frequent tripping.

As per the notification issued by the Chief Engineer (Electric Maintenance), if consumers feel that the load agreed is more than the actual load, the executive engineers or the sub-divisional officer concerned should be approached for verification or re-assessment.

“If people, who are illegally drawing the electricity from the power lines, declare their actual load, they can avoid fines, disconnection and imprisonment as per the clause in Electricity Act-2010,” the official said.

Last year, the much publicised Voluntarily Load Disclosure Scheme (VLDC) to identify “ghost consumers” was not successful, as people did not show much interest in revealing their actual load. As per the government data, the illegal load is a major killer of nearly 40,000 transformers installed across the state as around 15,000 get damaged annually.

Though some of the consumers have submitted their new details, but in general, not much has been achieved by this exercise and there is now a need for some strict measures against the power thieves.

At the moment, installed capacity of every transformer is about six times the total agreed load of consumers fed from it with the rate of damage of distribution transformers increasing every passing month.

Illegal consumption

* Drawing electricity more than the agreed load often leads to tripping.

* Illegal load causes major damage to nearly 40,000 transformers across the state annually.

* At present, the capacity of every transformer is about six times the total sanctioned load of the consumers fed from it.

Kashmiri Pandits extend support to Lalkar rally
Want Modi to address issues concerning refugees
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 27
Kashmiri Pandits (KP) today urged the community members to participate in the Lalkar rally of the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, on December 1 in a large number.

The Joint Forum of KP Organisations and All-Party Migrant Coordination Committee (APMCC) today said Modi was the only hope of militancy-affected people living in Jammu and Kashmir.

Joint Forum member Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo said, “We are hopeful that Modi will address the issues concerning a vast population of refugees and displaced people living in miserable conditions in the state.”

"Modi has the potential to boost the morale of the nationalists. It is expected that he would give a befitting and statesmanlike response to the anti-India forces in the state,” said HL Chatta, president, All-State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC).

The Joint Forum would apprise Modi about the mass exodus and subsequent hardship of lakhs of displaced people of Kashmir for the last more than two decades.

Meanwhile, activists of the APMCC today took out a rally in support of Modi. Committee chairman Vinod Pandita said, “Separatist elements are openly following the pro-Pakistan agenda in the state and the government is silently watching their them.”

SMHS Hospital doctors go on strike
Accuse relatives of a patient of thrashing five doctors
Our Correspondent

Srinagar, November 27
Doctors at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital, Srinagar, yesterday went on an indefinite strike after five of their colleagues were allegedly thrashed by relatives of a patient.

Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital in Srinagar. Tribune Photo: Yawar Kabli

The incident took place when the patient complaining of stomach ache was asked to undergo medical tests. The call for tests infuriated his attendants who started beating up the doctors.

The doctors demanded security in the hospital for doctors and paramedics.

“This has become a serious problem in local hospitals. We demand action against the culprits and security for doctors and paramedics,” said Dr Adil Ashraf, president of the Resident Doctors Association.

The doctors said they met Medical Education Minister Taj Mohiudin who assured them that their demands would be fulfilled.

“We will continue our strike till the issue of security arrangements for doctors and paramedics is permanently taken care of,” Dr Adil said.

The Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) has threatened to extend the strike to other associated hospitals if action is not taken immediately.

“It’s unfortunate. We are left with no option but to stop our work. Our lives are at risk. We will extend the strike to other hospitals associated with the Government Medical College if our demands are not met,” said DAK president Dr Nissar-Ul-Hassan.

However, emergency services at the hospital continued to function normally.

Varsity girl hostels celebrate annual day
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 27
All three girl hostels of the University of Kashmir jointly celebrated grand annual day at the Convocation Complex here today. This is for the first time that the hostels — Habba Khatoon Girls Hostel, Rabia Basria Girls Hostel and Qurat-ul-Ain Girls Hostel — celebrated the annual event together.

Vice-Chancellor Talat Ahmad presided over the event. Registrar Zaffar A Reshi, Provost, wardens and others staff members were also present at the event.

Cultural programmes, including mimicry, song sequences, folk items etc., marked the event.

The Vice-Chancellor termed the hostel life as “one full of refreshing memories and unforgettable moments”.

“The life in a hostel turns an individual into a disciplined one and provides a perfect setting and launching pad to face the harsh realities and difficulties of life ahead. Mutual cooperation, sympathy, and love are characteristics of hostel life. It will not be an exaggeration to say that only a hostel is the place where an all-round development of personality is possible,” the VC said.

The Registrar in his address said the hostel is a home away from home.

NC unnerved by structured opposition: Mehbooba
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 27
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti today said the National Conference (NC) was first time facing a structured opposition within the system and it could not handle the situation.

She stated this while addressing a series of meetings at Aloosa, Bandipore town and Sumlar in the north Kashmir’s Bandipore constituency. She also addressed a youth convention in Bandipore town.

The PDP president said the NC had taken power for granted and perceived itself as the successor to the Maharaja and believed in the emotional exploitation and personal friendships in Delhi as a licence to the power.

“It (NC) always preferred to push dissent beyond the constitutional space, so that it could seek an unchallenged mandate for its political and personal ends. That is why the state was disempowered; its economy shattered; its resources sold-out but the personal properties and fortunes of the NC leadership kept swelling,” she said.

“The NC, for the first time in its history, is facing the prospect of rout in the elections because of its inefficiency, lack of sincerity and political bankruptcy, which have virtually landed the state into anarchy,” she said.

“The state government lacks central authority and all its ministers run their kingdoms in various departments. Previously, it would not have mattered because the NC would continue to win elections in the absence of a viable and structured opposition. Now, the PDP is giving nightmare to the ruling coalition,” said Mehbooba.

Resolve K-issue through dialogue: Moderate Hurriyat

Srinagar, November 27
The executive council of the Hurriyat Conference’s moderate faction today said serious efforts were needed to create an atmosphere where “meaningful dialogue” could be held to solve the Kashmir-issue.

Moderate faction’s chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today convened the council’s meeting. Executive members Abdul Gani Bhat, Bilal Gani Lone, Musadiq Adil, Moulana Abbas Ansari and Mukhtar Ahmad Waza attended the meeting.

“The participants said the disputed status of the Kashmir issue cannot be changed by the state-sponsored elections and serious efforts needed to work towards creating a conducive environment for initiating a meaningful dialogue to solve the Kashmir issue,” the party said in a statement.

“The time has come to get rid of stubbornness and undertake the policy based on reality and solve the Kashmir issue according to the wishes and aspirations of the people, either by implementing the pending UN resolution or by meaningful result-oriented tripartite dialogue between the stakeholders of the dispute,” the statement said.

The separatist faction is planning a series of seminars across Kashmir from December 5 to observe Human Rights Week.

The first seminar will be held in Kupwara, followed by a seminar at Anantnag on December 6, and in Srinagar on December 8. — TNS

2-day Hindi conference begins
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 27
As part of a series of language conferences started by the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL), a two-day “Hindi Sammelan” has started here today where writers and scholars presented their views on the status of Hindi language and literature. The conference was inaugurated by prominent scholar Dr Ved Kumari Ghai.

The conference is the sixth in the series initiated in October-November 2012. So far, Kashmiri, Dogri, Pahari, Gojri and Punjabi language conferences had been held where writers and intellectuals debated challenges and opportunities available for these languages.

In the coming months, conferences on Urdu and Bodhi will be held.

2 Dogri books released
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 27
The Dogri Sanstha, Jammu, today released two Dogri books, novel “Bhagali” by Pitamber Nath Sharma and a collection of poems “Choori” by Khajur Singh Thakur.

Khalid Bashir, Secretary of the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, was the chief guest on the occasion while Dr Bansi Lal Sharma read a paper on the novel, whereas Professor Veena Gupta, general secretary, Dogri Sanstha, spoke on the literary merits of the book of poetry.

The special attraction of the function was a musical composition by renowned master composer Brij Mohan based on the poems of Khajur Singh. Veteran singers Kumari Krishna, Nirbhay Slathia and Rakesh Slathia and young singers Sonali Dogra, Bharat Kumar and Rakesh Deol lent their voices to the compositions.

unhygienic conditions
MC imposes Rs 6,500 fine on eatery owners
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 27
Food Safety officials of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) today imposed a fine of Rs 6,500 on eateries that were found preparing food in unhygienic conditions in different areas of the city. Three samples were also taken to check their quality.

A team led by Health Officer Dr Vinod Sharma inspected various food establishments including bakery and fruit shops and ice cream units in Narwal and Channi Himmat areas and found some units using poor quality material.

Also, citizens were advised not to smoke at public places. Five persons were booked and fined Rs 700 for smoking in public place.

Dr Sharma said the drive would continue and people were requested to co-operate with the Municipal Corporation and pay their user charges regularly to make the ongoing drive a success and to make the city neat and clean.

national school games
State players continue to perform poorly
Vikas Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 27
Despite the fact that a majority of the members of the state contingent comprised students of both government and private educational institutions of Jammu city for participation in various disciplines in the National School Games, but their performance in the event has not been up to the mark.

Sources said in order to overcome it, the Department of Youth Services and Sports had recently recruited a large number of Physical Education Teachers with some of them had done specialisation in different disciplines from the prestigious Netaji Subash Institute of Sports, Patiala.

Sources said the motive behind selecting such candidates was to depute them in various institutions in the city to impart training in important disciplines like judo, table tennis, badminton, gymnastics to the students so that they could compete with their rivals in the competition with better preparation.

Sources said even this move did not work as the department is still struggling to prepare a strong contingent in important disciplines in the 59th National School Games.

Interestingly, the state contingent bagged a decent haul of medals in the 58th edition of National School Games in 2012 but most of them were bagged in less important disciplines. In major disciplines, state teams suffered humiliation as they failed to reach final stages of any event.

“As far as performance of students of private schools in the games is concerned, it has been badly affected with the inclusion of unrecognised martial arts by the school management wherein the students are not very keen to compete in important disciplines,” a sports official said.

“In government schools, the department has deputed qualified staff but they (schools) lack the required infrastructural facilities. Though, the institutions are far better than those established in remote areas of Jammu district but still there is a need to strengthen the existing infrastructure,” he said.

Ashok Kumar, vice-president of the SGFI said: “lack of infrastructure has been the biggest stumbling block for the department to concentrate well on important games. But still we are working on various modalities to provide all necessary facilities to our sports persons”.

Next year, travel by train to Katra
Trial runs on the 25-km Udhampur-Katra link set to start next month
Devinder Thakur & Deepanker Gupta

Katra/Udhampur, November 27
Trains to Katra, the base camp of the cave shrine of Vaishno Devi, will soon be a reality as the Northern Railway is working round the clock to throw open the 25-km-long Udhampur-Katra rail line by next month.

The under-construction Katra railway station.

“From next year, the Udhampur-Katra rail line will become operational and it will enable pilgrims of the Vaishno Devi shrine to travel directly to the base camp at Katra,” said Chief Public Relations Officer, Northern Railway, Neeraj Sharma.

“While the Katra railway station is almost ready, work on the Udhampur-Katra line is underway and is expected to be commissioned by December,” Sharma said.

The 53-km-long Jammu-Udhampur rail line is already operational and once the Udhampur-Katra line, which is a part of the Kashmir rail link project, is made operational, the trains will be able to come to Katra directly.

The rail line, established at an estimated cost of Rs 990 crore to Rs 1,000 crore, has seven tunnels and over 30 small and big bridges, including a bridge which is taller than the Qutab Minar.

The seven tunnels cover 12 km, Sharma said.

“The link is part of the Jammu-Udhampur-Katra-Reasi-Quazigund-Baramulla rail line, and once complete, Katra town will come up on the rail map of India,” he added.

It will also provide an alternative route to various parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Sharma said.

The project was scheduled to complete by 2008. However, due to some technical reasons it got delayed.

“A portion of the 3-km-long T1 tunnel collapsed due to seepage. The construction of the T3 tunnel also faced problems due to the constant flow of the trapped water in the construction area,” the official said.

He, however, said the tunnelling work was now going on smoothly. “The construction work is on at a war footing to ensure that a trial engine reaches Katra before the track is thrown open," said another rail official.

“Senior most officers of the Railways Construction division are camping at Udhampur and are supervising the construction work at different sites. We are trying hard to ensure that the track is ready at the earliest and the trial engine reaches Katra by the first week of December,” he said.

The official, however, said the Commissioner, Railway Safety, along with his team would inspect the entire track before it would be thrown open.

Elaborating on the construction of the railway station at Katra, the official said: “We have designed the Katra station eyeing the tourist potential of the place…with lifts, hotels and cloakrooms.”

“It can accommodate trains with 26 compartments, has three passenger platforms and can also handle a freight train. The entire first floor of the station has been allotted to the Railways’ tourism arm, the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), which will pay 40 per cent of its revenue to the Railways,” he added.

Meanwhile, with the opening of the Katra station, the authorities are going to extend Jammu Mail and Uttar Sampark Kranti up to Katra.

Some new trains, including Katra-Kalka (Chandigarh) Express (bi-weekly), Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Udhampur Express (fully air-conditioned) and Ahmedabad-Udhampur Express, will also be introduced on the route.

A set of local trains from Jammu to Katra and from Pathankot to Katra are also likely to be introduced to cater to the rush of pilgrims, railway officials said.

Boon for pilgrims

* The rail link between Udhampur and Katra will enable Vaishno Devi pilgrims to travel directly to the base camp at Katra. An estimated 10 million devotees visit the cave shrine every year.

* Jammu Mail, Uttar Sampark Kranti to be extended up to Katra, besides new trains, including Katra-Kalka (Chandigarh), Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Udhampur Express to be introduced on the route

Gujarat cops arrive in Jammu for Lalkar rally
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 27
A team of police officers from Gujarat reached Jammu today to review the security arrangements for BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s rally on December 1 even as the state government has put in place a multi-tier security grid for the event.

Although local police officers are tightlipped about the matter, sources said a team of the Gujarat Police, headed by a senior officer, reached Jammu today and straightway went to the MA Stadium, the venue of the “Lalkar rally”. The visiting team discussed various aspects related to the security of the rally with their counterparts in J&K.

Sources said the Gujarat Police gave some suggestions to J&K to strengthen the security apparatus at the venue and in the adjoining localities. “Another team comprising senior officers of the Gujarat Police is also expected to reach Jammu tonight to coordinate with the local police,” an official source said, adding that the Gujarat police team would stay here till December 1.

The J&K Police have created a separate police district comprising three DIGs for Modi’s rally. The police district has been created for four days.

The sources said the security agencies had given directions to the state unit of the BJP that only selective persons would be allowed to go near Modi.

Security tightened

* A team of the Gujarat Police, headed by a senior officer, reached Jammu on Wednesday and straightway went to the MA Stadium, the venue of the “Lalkar rally”

* The visiting team discussed various aspects related to the security of the rally with their counterparts in J&K

* Security agencies have given directions to the state unit of the BJP that only selective persons will be allowed to go near Modi

Day after Modi’s rally, Cong to hold high-level meet
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 27
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Saifuddin Soz has decided to convene a meeting of party ministers, legislators and senior leaders on December 2 to discuss the prevailing political situation in the state.

Although Congress leaders have termed the schedule meeting as “routine” to review functioning of different departments, sources said party leaders will gauge the impact of BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on the political scenario of the state.

Modi is going to address the “Lalkar rally” here on December and the Congress has decided to convene the “review meeting” the very next day.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) vice-president Rahul Gandhi had addressed a panchayat conference at the M A Stadium on November 6. The BJP has deliberately decided to hold Modi’s rally at the same venue and has dared the Congress to gauge the popularity of both leaders.

Sources said the Congress wants senior leaders of the party to keep a close watch on Modi’s rally. “Issues to be raised by Narendra Modi would be thoroughly discussed in the December 2 meeting,” a source said, adding that the Congress felt that Modi would try to launch a blistering attack on the party.

Sources said Congress leaders had admitted that Modi’s rally would boost the sagging morale of the BJP cadre and the rally would have an impact on political scenario of the Jammu region. “The meeting has been convened to devise a strategy to negate Modi’s impact on Jammu’s political scenario,” a source said.

The Congress has reasons to analyse the impact of Modi on Jammu’s voters because the party has to consolidate its position in the region to emerge as the single largest
party in the next Assembly elections.

The Jammu region, which comprises 37 Assembly segments out of the total 87, is considered as the Congress citadel but Modi’s impact is visible in the region.

Meanwhile, Soz is going to start an extensive three-day tour of the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri.

A spokesman of the party said Soz would also interact with prominent workers and party leaders at different places during his tour and take stock of the problems of people, besides reviewing the organisational affairs of the party at the grass-roots level.

5 Mumbaikars detained for clicking convoy
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 27
Five residents of Mumbai were detained in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district yesterday while taking photographs of an Army convoy. The J&K Police were in touch with the Mumbai Police, which have been asked to check the antecedents of the five youths who hail from Amravati in Mumbai.

“We are waiting for the response of the Maharashtra Police. They have been asked to check the antecedents of the five detained youths. Unless they give a clean chit (to the detained youths), we will not release them,” said a senior police officer in Baramulla.

The Army said it noticed a group of eight youths moving in a vehicle yesterday who were clicking photographs of an Army convoy near the Pattan area on the Srinagar-Baramulla national highway.

Congress leader rules out pre-poll alliance with NC
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 27
Senior Congress leader and former minister Ghulam Mohammad Saroori today opposed any pre-poll alliance with the ruling National Conference for the 2014 elections and said the party would contest the elections on its own.

“The Congress will not form any alliance for the 2014 elections (Assembly elections). We will contest the elections on our own and try to emerge a strong force within the state politics,” Saroori said while addressing a public rally at the Patnazi area of Kishtwar district.

The Congress leader told the people to stay vigilant as various political parties were all out to flare up communal tension to polarise various sections of society for votes.

“With the elections round the corner, such communal forces are sure to get aggressive, therefore, I suggest to the people to stay alert and patient,” Saroori said, adding, “The political rivals of the Congress are trying to create confusion among the party supporters by saying that it is preparing to form an alliance with other parties ahead of the general elections. It’s a political conspiracy to damage the prospects of the Congress in the Assembly elections.”

Saroori claimed there was no lobbyism in the state Congress. “Yes, differences of opinion can be there, but it is for the first time our party is moving in a unified manner in one direction,” he said.

Earlier, he laid the foundation stone of the Patnazi-Kishtwar watershed scheme covering four panchayats of the Patnazi area. He said the project was being executed at an estimated cost of Rs 7.16 crore.

The Congress leader also highlighted the need for transparency and accountability so that the benefit of the watershed schemes reached the common man.

Spot redressal of people's problems by NC ministers from Dec 2
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 27
With the opening of the Durbar move offices in the winter capital early this month, the National Conference is restarting the public-hearing mechanism at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan here from December 2.

The mechanism had worked well in February-March this year, with people registering their problems with ministers for seeking on-the-spot redressal.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the working president of the National Conference, has asked his ministerial colleagues of the National Conference and provincial president Devender Singh Rana to hold public hearings between 10 am and 1 pm on specified dates at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan, as per the roaster approved by him.

According to the roaster, Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs Abdul Rahim Rather will meet people on December 2, Minister for Planning and Development, Labour and Employment Ajay Kumar Sadhotra on December 9, Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Itoo on January 6, Minister of State for Science and Technology and Information Technology Feroz Ahmed Khan on January 13, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Ali Mohammed Sagar on January 20, Minister for Higher Education Mohammad Akbar Lone on January 27, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution and Transport Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan on February 3, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Mir Saifullah on February 10, Minister of State for Animal and Sheep Husbandry Nazir Ahmed Khan (Gurezi) on February 17 and Minister for Forests, Environment and Ecology Main Altaf Ahmad on February 24.

Adviser to the Chief Minister Qamar Ali Akhoon shall be meeting people on every Thursday between 10 am to 1 pm, the roaster adds.

Public meetings

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the working president of the National Conference, has asked his ministerial colleagues of the NC and provincial president Devender Singh Rana to hold public hearings between 10 am and 1 pm on specified dates at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan

Vice-Chancellors T20 Cup: JU beat Gorakhpur varsity
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 27
University of Jammu (JU) got the better of Gorakhpur University by a huge margin of 102 runs in the opening match of All-India Vice-Chancellors T20 Cup being played at Patiala.

After winning the toss, Captain Daud Iqbal Baba elected to bat first. JU accumulated 230 runs for the loss of three wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Rajkumar and Ameet were the top scorers with 126 and 57 runs, respectively.

Gorakhpur University in reply was all out for 128 runs. Manish and Ravi scored 31 and 24 runs, respectively. For JU, Rajkumar scalped five wickets.

JU will now face Jalgoan University, Maharashtra, in the next match. Prof Dhian Singh Bhau, Director, Sports and Physical Education, has congratulated the team.

With no long-term plan, JKTDC infrastructure suffers
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 27
The absence of a long-term plan of the Tourism Department in the past 20 years has affected the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) infrastructure in the Jammu region.

The tourists who have once visited Patnitop are not keen to revisit the place due to deteriorating tourism infrastructure there.

“The arms insurgency has taken toll on the tourism sector in the state. We have initiated efforts to bring the tourist inflow back on track. New complexes equipped with required facilities will soon replace four cottages in Patnitop,” said Shamim Ahmad Wani, managing director JKTDC. The JKTDC has not improved its infrastructure in Jammu.

“Durbar move employees have occupied one of the buildings of the JKTDC at Dak Banglow. The corporation has only a few rooms, which are available for tourists at high rates. Tourists visiting Jammu have been facing problems in getting accommodation at hotels under the JKTDC, sources said.

The Durbar move employees were given accommodation in Dak Bungalows in Jammu and Srinagar after militancy broke out in the state in 1990s. Some employees are still living at the Dak Bungalow in Jammu as the JKTDC officials have not made any efforts to relocate them, the sources said

“Yes, the building is with the Estates Department and the Durbar move employees are residing there. When the department will come up with new complexes, then the building will be vacated.”

Over 50 lakh J&K children to be screened for diseases
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 27
Jammu and Kashmir is all set to begin screening of over 50 lakh children for nearly three dozen diseases, including birth defects, under the Centrally sponsored Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) scheme.

The RBSK scheme is likely to be implemented in December in all districts of the state. Jammu and Kashmir will become the third state in the country to implement the scheme after Maharashtra and Haryana.

The Jammu and Kashmir Government has received funds over Rs 17 crore from the Centre and nine intervention centres have been approved in the Valley. One is already functional at Leh in the Ladakh region.

“We will screen over 50 lakh children between 0-18 years for 4 Ds — defects at birth, diseases, deficiencies and development delays, including disabilities in a phased manner,” Associate Programme Manager of the scheme Dr Younis Mushtaq told The Tribune, “If children are diagnosed with illnesses, they will receive follow up, including free of cost surgeries at the tertiary level, under the National Rural Health Mission.”

The objective of the initiative is to improve the overall quality of life of children through early detection of diseases.

A senior health official said child screening under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram would be done at the ‘community and facility level’.

“While facility-based newborn screening will be done at public health facilities such as primary health centres, community health centres and district hospitals by medical officers, staff nurses and auxiliary nurse midwife, the community-level screening will be conducted by mobile health teams at anganwadis and schools,” the official said.

“All school children below six years would be screened by mobile block health teams for deficiencies, diseases, developmental delays, including disability, at anganwadi centres at least twice a year,” he said.

The screening at schools will be done at government and government-aided schools at least once a year.

Mammoth task

* Major diseases for which the children will be screened are birth neural tube defect, Down’s syndrome, cleft lip and palate, talipes (club foot), developmental dysplasia of the hip, congenital cataract, congenital deafness, congenital heart diseases and retinopathy of prematurity

* Children will also be screened for deficiency diseases, especially severe anaemia, vitamin A deficiency (bitot spot), vitamin D deficiency (rickets), severe acute malnutrition and goitre (iodine deficiency)

Bar report claims HC panel never visited Kishtwar jail
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 27
The Kashmir Bar Association, which released a report based on its recent visit to the District Jail, Kishtwar, has alleged that the District Committee appointed by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court to see facilities in jails has never visited the jail since it was constituted.

The Bar has said it plans to place the report before the J&K High Court, which is hearing a public interest litigation, seeking better facilities in jails across the state.

“From the aforesaid facts and circumstances, it is evident that the undertrials lodged in the District Jail, Kishtwar, have been subjected to tyranny of the legal process which is going on endlessly without any fault of theirs,” the Bar alleged in its 16-page report released to the media here yesterday. Several accounts of undertrials lodged in the Kishtwar jail have been reproduced in the report.

The report is based on the visit of a four-member team of lawyers, headed by Bar president Mian Qayoom, which met the Kishtwar jail inmates on November 16.

“In some cases, judges have heard arguments but have not passed judgment for years together. In other cases, witnesses have been called but they are not turning up and the court is not taking any action against the jail authorities for not producing the accused regularly before the courts on the dates of hearing on one reason or the other,” the report said, adding that as a result of this “the trial drags on”.

A total of 126 prisoners are currently lodged in the jail, out of which, as per the jail records, 85 are ordinary undertrials and 41 were detained for militancy related activities, the report said.

Judgment awaited

* The Kashmir Bar Association on Monday released a report based on its recent visit to the District Jail, Kishtwar, has alleged that the District Committee appointed by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court to see facilities in jails has never visited the jail since it was constituted

* The Bar has said it plans to place the report before the J&K High Court, which is hearing a public interest litigation, seeking better facilities in jails across the state

35 hurt as gas cylinder explodes at Kishtwar
Our Correspondent

Doda, November 27
Nearly 35 people, who had gathered to attend a marriage function, received burn injuries after a gas cylinder exploded at a house at the Sarthal area of Drabsala in Kishtwar district today afternoon. There was no report of any casualty, the police said.

Station House Officer (SHO), Kishtwar, Sameer Jeelani said a gas cylinder (used for lighting) exploded in a small room where people had gathered to attend a marriage function.

“We have shifted all injured to a local hospital in Kishtwar. Most of them were discharged after receiving first aid. Those who received critical injuries are being treated at the hospital,” the Kishtwar Station House Officer said.

Secretariat employees paying just Rs 250 for electricity
Amit Khajuria
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 27
With the civil secretariat reopening in the winter capital in Jammu earlier this month, the Power Development Department (PDD) has issued over 3,000 new connections to 'Durbar move' employees at a flat rate of just Rs 250 per month.

No meters have been installed at the quarters where these employees have been accommodated and there is no limit on the electricity consumed by them.

In a power deficit state like Jammu and Kashmir, where the PDD often resorts to load shedding to maintain the resources, the move to provide limitless electricity to the secretariat employees at nominal charges has raised a few question marks.

“No meter has been installed at the quarters where the secretariat employees are putting up and just Rs 250 is being charged from them for limitless consumption of electricity,” a PDD official said on the condition of anonymity. “The department is putting burden on Jammu only. They don’t even check the power theft in Srinagar. If the government actually wants to stop the leakage of power they should check the consumption of electricity by ministers, bureaucrats and other officials,” the official said while emphasising the “biased attitude” of the government towards Jammu.

However, the PDD contested the claims.

There are around 3,000 government quarters, which are being used by the Durbar move secretariat employees. While the occupants of one-room set are charged Rs 250 per month for electricity, people living in the two-room set are charged Rs 400 per month, the PDD officials said.

Those living in the three-room set need to pay Rs 700 per month for electricity.

“It is true that we charge nominal rates from moving secretariat employees. But if someone exceeds the limit, we charge those additional units to his department,” Gurbachan Singh, Superintending Engineer, PDD said.

While the meter readers have been told to register more than 300 units per KW per consumer in Jammu, even if the reading is below the 300 mark, sources said the secretariat employees have been given the privilege to consume electricity worth thousands of rupees at nominal charges. Normally a consumer has to pay Rs 900 for 300 units of power, but the moving secretariat employees have to just pay a sum of Rs 250 and that too for unlimited electricity, sources said.

“We have not asked them (meter readers) to go beyond the actual reading. But as per the calculation of our engineers, there should be at least 300 units per KW on one connection that is using air conditioners and other electric appliances. If the reading is below 300 units it means there is some foul play,” Gurbachan Singh said. “We have instructed meter readers to check the connections of those who are consuming less than 300 units per KW,” he added.

Flat rate

* The Power Development Department has issued over 3,000 new connections to Durbar move employees at a flat rate of just Rs 250 per month

* No meters installed at the quarters where the Durbar move secretariat employees have been accommodated

Panel to look into abuse of girl students in JNVs formed
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 27
The Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of School Education and Literacy, has constituted an expert committee to recommend the necessary measures for prevention of sexual abuse of girl students in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) across the country, including Jammu and Kashmir.

In this context, the Ministry has written to all the principals of Navodaya Vidyalayas and advised them to strictly adhere to the guidelines to prevent such incidents in future.

Sources said the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, the governing body of Navodaya Vidyalayas across the country, has laid special emphasis on the schools established in border districts of the states to ensure safety and security of girl students.

They added that Sources the initiative was taken by the HRD Ministry after an incident in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in South Tripura, where the Principal was involved in raping a minor girl student.

Though no such cases have been reported from Jammu and Kashmir, authorities here are keen to ensure all necessary arrangements are in place.

“Yes, an official communiqué has been received by the Vidyalaya in connection with the implementation of guidelines for prevention of sexual abuses of girl students,” Sukhraj Kaur, Principal, Navodaya Vidyalaya, Nud, in Samba district told The Tribune.

“In fact, these guidelines were also issued by the HRD Ministry to Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan for further forwarding it to all the Kendriya Vidyalayas,” Kaur said.

There are 17 Navodaya Vidyalayas in the state, nine in the Kashmir division and eight in Jammu.

Samiti has been issuing various instructions and circulars from time to time for safety and security of students in the Navodaya Vidyalayas, despite that it had to face embarrassing situations due to incidents of sexual abuse at its institutions.

“Such unfortunate incidents are not only tarnishing the image and reputation of the organisation, but it is also creating suspicion and adverse impression on the minds of parents,” the letter from the Ministry said.

8 years on, Krishi Bhawan in Poonch still incomplete
Our Correspondent

Poonch, November 27
Notwithstanding the claims of the government that all possible efforts were being made to promote agricultural activities in the state, the authorities here are yet to complete the construction of the Krishi Bhawan.

The work on the project had started eight years ago, but it still remains far from being complete. The failure to complete the building within the stipulated time is affecting the working of the agricultural department, as all its sections are operating from one room.

“The foundation of the project was laid in December 2010 by Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir, four years after the initial estimation of the project was made. Initially the project was estimated to be completed in Rs 190 lakh, however, the costs have now escalated to Rs 330.90 lakh,” an official source said.

The Krishi Bhawan collapsed during the 2005 earthquake and the offices related to the agricultural department were shifted to a private accommodation.

“The construction work of the building has been stopped due to non-availability of funds,” Younas Choudhary, Chief Agriculture Officer, Poonch, said.

“Only Rs 80 lakh have been released so far, Rs 50 lakh in 2009-10 and Rs 30 lakh in 2010-11,” he said.

The official further said due to non availability of proper facilities at the present setup, they were forced to run the office in shifts, which was badly affecting the functioning of the department.

“Office of District Agriculture Officer (Inputs), District Agriculture Officer (Extension), Assistant soil conservation officer, Apiculture development officer, Assistant soil chemist, soil testing lab, etc…are operating from a single room,” Younas said.

“We are unable to arrange training programmes, soil testing and regular meetings. In addition to all this we have a total strength of 120 employees here,” he said.

The official added that the new building will have a conference hall, a soil testing laboratory, besides seven other important offices.

Farmers, meanwhile, rued the indifferent attitude of the district authorities and alleged that they were subjected to lot of hardships in the absence of proper agriculture office in the area.

“In the current setup we have to face lot of problems in availing necessary facilities,” a farmer said.

Younas, however, said the department will be able to provide better services to the farmers once the new building is complete. “After the completion of the project, the department could be able to provide better facilities to the farmers,” he said.

“We have written to higher authorities for release of required Rs 250.90 lakh for its completion, hopefully we will get some funds this year,” he added.

14 injured in road mishaps
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 27
Fourteen people have been injured in road accidents across the Kashmir valley, the police said today. A passenger bus collided with another vehicle near Siligam in Anantnag district, a police spokesman said. Seven passengers were injured in the collision.

In another incident in Anantnag district, a passenger cab overturned at Chowgam, resulting in injuries to five passengers, the spokesman said.

A passenger cab hit a motorcycle at Kerikadal in Anantnag district, resulting in injuries to the motorcyclist, Rayees Ahmad Thoker, a resident of Kanialwan. The injured was shifted to hospital. In Kupwara district, a motorcycle hit and injured a person identified as Wali Rehman, 65, a resident of Challagund, he said.

PHE workers hold protest in Doda
Our Correspondent

Doda, November 27
Hundreds of casual, daily wagers and need-based workers of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department today lodged a protest against the government in support of their long-pending demands.

The agitating workers, under the banner of PHE Workers Welfare Association, District Doda, assembled in front of the PHE district office here and raised slogans against the government.

District president of the association, Abdul Rashid Jaral, slammed the government for its “sluggish approach” and alleged that it had failed to full-fill their demands. For the past 18 months, no salary has been provided to the need-based workers,” he alleged.

The workers, meanwhile, demanded that the salary of unskilled workers be raised to 225 per day and those of semi-skilled and skilled workers be increased to Rs 260 per day and Rs 270 per day respectively as agreed by the government. They also demanded release of pending wages of the last 20 months, regularisation of daily wagers and ITI workers, on the pattern of the power department.

The association, meanwhile, warned the government of escalating the agitation if their demands were not met at the earliest.

“If they (government) fail to fulfil our long-pending demands, we will be left with no option, but to come out on the streets,” Jaral said.

Programme on folk art concludes
Our correspondent

Rajouri, November 27
Series of programmes on traditional folk art, being organised by the National Development Foundation in association with the Union Ministry of Culture concluded at Poonch yesterday.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Armed, SM Sahai was the chief guest on the occasion.

During the two-day long event, held at Himalayan Education Mission, Rajouri, and Government PG College, Poonch, budding artists were trained in folk art and culture.

Over 100 youth participated in the workshops at both the districts, while 250 people attended the concluding ceremony at Poonch, chief functionary, NDF, Rajiv Khajuria said.

“Every artist should come forward to promote traditional folk art of Pir Panjal range of Himalayas to keep it alive and vibrant,” Khajuria said.

Meanwhile, Sahai said the attempt will help in reviving the rich heritage of Rajouri and Poonch.

“The way training in traditional folk art and promotional programmes was organised will revive the rich traditional folk art of Rajouri and Poonch. It will also develop and preserve it for the coming generations,” Sahai said.

Jhony William, DIG, Armed, Jammu, Danish Rana DIG, Rajouri-Poonch range and Choudhary Talib Hussain, former MP among others were present on the occasion.