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Mercury dips in Valley, so does power supply
Eatery owners told to get licences renewed
Power bills for CM’s Gulmarg retreat not paid for 8 months
Vaishno Devi Board sets up nursery in Katra
Omar calls on Sonia,
promises support to UPA
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Post-Lalkaar rally, BJP eyes 3 LS seats
BJP to hold ‘Run for Unity’ near Dal Lake tomorrow
NC, Congress vitiating atmosphere in Jammu: BJP
Art 370 goes against weaker sections, says civil society
Despite prevalence of child labour, no case registered in Pulwama
Gharana wetland on the brink of extinction
Govt making state bankrupt, says PDP
Makhdoom Sahib’s Urs
from tomorrow
Funeral held for Islamist leader hanged in B’desh
Amit Kumar is new
Srinagar SP
Govt’s initiative on RTE ordinance just a show of promptness: Private schools
Dogra Front protests against long power cuts
Bovine smuggling bid foiled, 2 held
Two killed in road accidents
J&K Police hold talk on departmental inquiries
Contractor charges double the rate
Enforce labour laws: NHPC union leaders
Volunteer comes to aid of injured elderly
Kashmir to finally host film fest
Transport dept to go hi-tech
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Mercury dips in Valley, so does power supply
Srinagar, December 13 Despite several complaints, the situation, particularly during peak morning and evening hours, has seen no major change. In the recent past, the PDD conducted nocturnal raids on various residential colonies of uptown and downtown Srinagar, slapping fines on those indulging in power theft. Official sources in the PDD told The Tribune that due to a widening gap between the demand and load agreement with the domestic consumers, power cuts during winter had become need of the hour. "The domestic power consumption increases manifold during winter (November-March), but the load agreement with the domestic consumers has remained the same. As per the PDD estimates,
as against the evening agreement power load of the department with the domestic consumers of 570 MW in Valley, the actual power load is almost double at 1,050 MW," an official said. However, domestic consumers are crying foul over heavy fines slapped by the PDD, describing it an unfair decision. "Last week, many households in residential colonies of uptown Srinagar, including Baghi Mehtab, Nowgam, Chanapora and Sanat Nagar areas, were fined Rs 5,000-Rs 10,000 for indulging in power thefts. This is unfair, especially when the public department offices, security forces and other agencies owe the state government a heavy power bill," said Salman Ahmad, a resident of Lone Mohalla, Chanapora. The PDD's out-of-schedule power cuts have further invited ire from consumers who say that the state government should have been alert on providing consistent power supply during extreme cold conditions. "Arrival of winter indicates that the demand for power will shoot up. This has been the trend since ages, but the authorities seem to be turning a blind eye to the fact. On the contrary, they seem to be crushing domestic consumers by slapping heavy fines. We seek an answer from the state government on who is the biggest power defaulter in the state. To our knowledge, they are various state government offices and police," Khursheed Ahmad, a civil society member, said. Srinagar records -3.5° C Cold has tightened its grip on Kashmir as minimum temperature across the region dropped several notches below the freezing point and the mercury in region's main city fell to lowest of the season so far - minus 3.5° Celsius. The minimum temperature in Srinagar city, the state's summer capital, was recorded minus 3.5 degrees Celsius overnight, which was a departure of one degree from the normal, an official of the state Meteorological Department said. The mercury in the city on the previous night had dropped to minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, marking the city's coldest spell of the season. Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 7.2 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest place in Kashmir Valley. In north Kashmir's Gulmarg resort, which is a famous skiing destination during winter, mercury overnight fell to a low of minus 5.4 degrees Celsius, the official said. Gulmarg has received fresh snowfall in recent days and its meadows remain covered under a blanket of snow. The minimum temperature in south Kashmir's Qazigund town was recorded at minus 4.3 degrees Celsius, while north Kashmir's Kupwara town recorded a low of minus 5.1 degrees Celsius. Leh town in remote Ladakh region remained the coldest place in Kashmir division, as mercury there fell to a low of minus 13 degrees Celsius, the official said, while the nearby Kargil town recorded a minimum of minus 10.4° Celsius. Arrival of winter indicates that the demand for power will shoot up. This has been the trend since ages, but the authorities seem to be turning a blind eye to the
fact. |
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food safety act
Jammu, December 13 The food business include small retailers, roadside food vendors, hawkers, stall holders, cottage industries relating to food business and meat/mutton/poultry units with slaughtering capacity of two larger animals or 10 small animals or 50 poultry birds per day. An official said, “Keeping in view the health aspects, the municipal corporation has been organising awareness camps at different places to urge people associated with the food business for need to maintain cleanness, but no strict action has been taken against the violators.” All food business operators have been directed to renew their existing licences and registration granted under the repealed Act/order under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and Food Safety and Standards (Licencing and Regulation of Food Business) Regulations, 2011, by February 4 next year. Municipal health officer Dr Vinod Sharma said routine inspections were being carried out in the city and samples were being taken. “About 50 suppliers were today made aware about the need to have fit-for-consumption certificate,” he said. Dr Sharma said an awareness camp was today organised at Rehari and all shopkeepers were asked to keep milk testing machines at their shops for checking of milk as well as display the rate list. |
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Power bills for CM’s Gulmarg retreat not paid for 8 months
Srinagar, December 13 The electricity bills of the Chief Minister’s Hut at Gulmarg have not been paid by the state government’s Hospitality and Protocol Department since April this year, said a high-ranking official of the Power Development Department (PDD). A bill for November, dated December 6 and listed in the name of the Deputy Director of Hospitality and Protocol Department, shows the opening balance of the Chief Minister’s Hut as Rs 1,49,739 and the closing balance as Rs 1,50,039. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah himself holds the portfolios of both ministries — Power Development as well as Housing and Protocol. The Chief Minister’s Hut at Gulmarg resort is a VIP complex which includes several other buildings and the total unpaid bill for the last eight months is “around Rs 3 lakh”, the official said. “There were earlier three separate connections to the hut, which we have merged into one and the total unpaid bill of the last eight months is nearly Rs 3 lakh,” the PDD official said. The state government’s unpaid bills to the PDD have surfaced at a time when the region is struggling with frequent power cuts and many residents are facing freezing climatic conditions with meagre heating resources. Under the winter curtailment schedule of the PDD, the electric supply to metered and un-metered areas is snapped on a daily basis. The government in J&K, which has failed to provide proper electricity supply to the residents during winter months, blames consumers for non-payment of charges and theft of electricity. A senior official of the Hospitality and Protocol Department confirmed that the bills had not yet been paid. He said his department had written letters to the PDD but no reply had been received so far. “I do not have the drawing and disbursing powers. I will have to see what has happened; we had cleared (the bills) till March. After that we had written three letters to them (PDD) regarding the change in plan (about merging three separate connections into one), but we have not got the clarification so far,” said Manzoor Ahmad, Deputy Director, Hospitality and Protocol Department. Power Pangs
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Vaishno Devi Board sets up nursery in Katra
Katra, December 13 Continuing with its efforts to conserve the environment, the Shrine Board has planted over 5.50 lakh saplings, including forest, horticulture, floriculture, medicinal and ornamental species. In addition, 1.50 lakh saplings of different species were planted during the monsoon plantation season this year. Following the directions of Governor NN Vohra, who is also the chairman of the Board, as many as 1.50 lakh plants are being planted during the present winter plantation season, which will raise the number of plants planted to 7 lakh. The prominent species include Emblica officinalis, bamboos, Syzygium cumini, Terminalia arjuna and bougainvillea. Mandeep K Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer of the Board, said in order to generate in-house production of indigenous species of plants, compatible with the local climatic conditions of the Trikuta Hills, a multi-purpose nursery was set up at Kunkuniyallan village by the Board. The nursery is being supervised by B Mohan Dass, head of the Forestry Wing of the Board. Several measures for preventing forest fires have also been undertaken by the Forestry Wing of the Board. These include creation of fire lines, particularly adjoining the Adhkuwari, Hathimatha, Bhawan and Bhairon areas, removal of lantana weed from vulnerable areas and ensuring strict vigil on the ground during the season prone to forest fires. There have been no forest fires in the summer this year as against six incidents last year. Vohra has also approved an eco-restoration plan, formulated keeping in view important aspects such as site condition, water regime and need for protection of the plantation areas. The plan, being executed in the current year, includes greening activities, watershed management and forest fire management. The Geographic Information System-based management plan for the entire Shrine Board area is also being prepared for ensuring concurrent monitoring and evaluation of execution of the plan. The Shrine Board has also taken up the work of landscaping and developing of a public park at Banganga. Under the project, view points and pathways are being constructed, besides a waterfall. The Bathing Ghat near Geeta Mandir at Banganga is also being renovated. The Board has taken up another major initiative to train nullahs in the Trikuta Hills to check soil erosion and ensure stabilisation of the area. The Sai nullah, which originates from the Sameer view point and ends up in Banganga, has been taken up for watershed treatment this year. Green initiative
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Omar calls on Sonia,
promises support to UPA
Jammu, december 13 The All India Congress Committee president and the working president of the NC also reviewed the status of functioning of the NC-Congress coalition government in J&K and expressed satisfaction over the performance of the ruling dispensation, the spokesperson added.
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Post-Lalkaar rally, BJP eyes 3 LS seats
Jammu, December 13 The BJP has reasons to expect unexpected results in the coming Lok Sabha elections as turnout at the rally, which was held on December 1, was unprecedented and people from every corner of the state attended the rally. “Like other parts of the country, there is a strong Modi wave in Jammu and Kashmir. So, it obvious that the BJP would benefit from the popularity of our leader,” said Dr Nirmal Singh, national executive committee member of the party. He said participation of a large number of Muslims in the rally was indication that people of the state were fed up with the divisive politics of regional parties as well as Congress leadership. Riding on Amarnath land row controversy, the BJP had won, all time high, 11 seats in the 2008 Assembly elections. But, the party lost its credibility after the April 13, 2011, cross-voting incident. The “historic” rally of Narendra Modi has galvanised the state unit and revived the shattered confidence of the cadre. As a result of the Modi wave, the seven MLAs, who were expelled from the party after the cross-voting episode, have reportedly approached for their re-entry into the party. “In the coming Lok Sabha elections, the BJP will be number one in the state,” said state BJP president Jugal Kishore Sharma. He said in the next Assembly elections, the party would be a kingmaker. “The BJP has emerged as a strong force in the state with the support of all sections of society,” he said. Riding on the Modi wave, state unit of the BJP has been targeting three out of six Lok Sabha seats of the state. The party had earlier won Jammu-Poonch and Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha segments due to the popularity of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. This time, the party would try to win Ladakh Lok Sabha seat also. “We are eying on three Lok Sabha seats,” a senior BJP leader said. Poonch: In a jolt to the regional parties of the state and the Congress, hundreds of Muslims today joined the BJP and pledged their support to the party in the forthcoming general election. The new recruits also distributed sweets and organised a march in support of the BJP. The programme was organised under the banner of the BJP Muslim Morcha led by its district president Rafiq Bhatti. This is for the first time in Poonch district that many Muslims joined the BJP. “The regional parties have been exploiting Muslim voters for their petty interests and did nothing for the community, where as BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has been making every possible effort for uplifting Muslims in his state,” Bhatti said. The district president also highlighted the contribution of former Prime Minister and BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee in enhancing the Haj quota for Muslims. “The parties that term the BJP a communal force should think about themselves first. What have they done for the Muslims in the last 66 years of independence?” he asked. |
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BJP to hold ‘Run for Unity’ near Dal Lake tomorrow
Srinagar, December 13 Addressing a press conference here today, Iron Collection Coordination Committee (ICCC)'s Kashmir coordinator Sofi Yusuf said around 1,000 BJP workers along with students and members of the civil society would take part in the run from Nehru Park to the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre. Yusuf said the run was being held simultaneously at 565 venues across the country to pay tributes to Patel, who was the country’s first Deputy Prime Minister. ICCC’s coordinator for central Kashmir Mohammad Altaf Thakur said the run was being held at 565 venues across the country as Patel was credited with having united 565 princely states that existed before the country’s independence and giving India its present identity. Thakur, who is also the media in charge of the Kashmir BJP unit, said the event would be made a ‘grand success’ as Patel’s contribution to the country needed to be highlighted, especially in the Valley. Meanwhile, the BJP reacted to the recent public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court that the state must celebrate its Republic Day on November 17. Thakur said the PIL was “futile” as celebrating a separate Republic Day in J&K was not in the interests of the unity and integrity of the country. State vice-president of the Kisan Morcha MM War, BJP central Kashmir president AM Mir and senior party leader MA Azad were present. Remembering Patel
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NC, Congress vitiating atmosphere in Jammu: BJP
Jammu, December 13 The BJP leader said the NC in particular had turned so vindictive against the nationalist forces in the state that it was implicating innocent persons to take revenge of the Amarnath land row agitation in 2008. Addressing a press conference here, Sharma expressed concern over the latest move of the NC-Congress coalition government in the state to implicate two innocent youths after a gap of five years. “Why did the government take such a long time to challan them in the court of law?” he asked. He added that the very fact the state government had acted after such a long time was a clear proof that its intentions were not only ill-designed and ill-motivated but also calculated to create communal tension in the otherwise peaceful Jammu province. He also expressed solidarity with all those who had suffered during the 63-day agitation. Sharma warned the state government that any move on its part to implicate innocent people in criminal or other cases would only lead to a massive agitation in Jammu province, where people, cutting across party and religious lines, were seething with anger due to the anti-Jammu policies of the NC-Congress government. He also asked the government to learn a lesson from the massive defeat the Congress recently suffered in four states because of its anti-people policies, inflation, corruption, scams and other acts of omission and commission. He made it clear that the BJP would not allow the NC-Congress coalition government to play dirty.
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Art 370 goes against weaker sections, says civil society
Jammu, December 13 Addressing an interaction organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on the “Benefits and Harms of Article 370” this evening, members of the civil society stated that those who were shying away from the debate were trying to “hoodwink the gullible masses” by attaching religion to the Article. Although the interaction was organised by the ABVP, people with different opinions participated in the debate. Justice (retired) G D Sharma presided over the interaction in which speakers thoroughly discussed pros and cons of the Article. Justice Sharma in his concluding remarks admitted that the Article had proved harmful for the people of J&K. Eminent historian and former Dean, Jammu University, Hari Om emphasised the need to educate people of the country about the disadvantages of the Article. “The weaker sections of society are the worst victims of the Article 370,” he argued while pointing out that the Article was the main hurdle in granting political reservation to the Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Jammu and Kashmir. He also highlighted the plight of West Pakistani refugees, who had been denied basic fundamental rights due to the Article. Writer and columnist Daya Sagar said it was a good sign that the nation has started a debate on the Article, which “was the main hurdle in the socio-economic growth of the people of Jammu and Kashmir”. To substantiate their arguments that Article 370 was anti weaker sections, some speakers highlighted the plight of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), comprising Hindus and Muslims, who have been deprived of their constitutional rights due the Article. They alleged that it was due to the Article 370 that OBCs of Jammu and Kashmir were not getting reservation benefits like their counterparts in other parts of the country. |
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Despite prevalence of child labour, no case registered in Pulwama
Pulwama, December 13 Umar Gulzar (12), who is working at a garage, said, "Undertaking education is a futile exercise. Many qualified persons in my village are unemployed. Moreover, it does not benefit us any better monetarily. So, I took to learning the art of repairing vehicles instead." His father Ghulam Mohammad said he had encouraged Umar to go to school many a times but to no avail. “He remained stubborn about his decision to work in the garage,” said Ghulam Mohammad. The circumstances are quite different for Adil Rashid (13), who works at a dhaba in Pulwama. After his father died, being the eldest son, he took to working to feed his family of four. “My father was killed in an encounter and I was compelled to work to support my mother in meeting the family expenditures,” said Adil. Officials from the Labour Court said last year, they had raided various motor garages and dhabas, from where they had taken about 20 children into their custody. “However, the exercise was futile as the parents of those children cordoned the Labour Court and compelled them to release the children after the intervention of Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, who heads the Child Welfare Department,” said Abdul Rashid Beig, District Labour Inspector, Pulwama. Officials said the parents had asked them to either feed the children or release them. They also expressed their inability to rehabilitate such children as there was no rehabilitation centre in the district. However, the officials said that they dealt differently with non-locals as they could be exploited and harassed by the employer. “Last year, we took two non-locals into custody and after the intervention of the Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, we asked the dhaba owner, whom they worked with, to pay a remuneration of Rs 4,000 each to the children and drop them in Jammu,” said Beig, adding that the dhaba owner was earlier giving them only shelter in lieu of their
labour. Official Speak Officials said most of the child labourers were working willingly. Moreover, they expressed their inability to rehabilitate such children saying there was no rehabilitation centre in the district |
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Gharana wetland on the brink of extinction
Gharana, December 13 Falling in the RS Pura sub-division in Jammu, close to the international border, the wetland attracts thousands of birds from Central Asia, China, Siberian Tundra, East Europe and New Zealand. But, villagers have become their enemies by encroaching upon the land around the wetland and making efforts to drive away the winged guests. The Wildlife Department is a mute spectator to all these developments, leading to destruction of the wetland. Normally, thousands of birds have flocked here in December and stay here till the end of February before returning to their countries. Contrary to the 1500-kanal notified land the wetland, only 115 kanal have been demarcated in the revenue records. This despite the fact the wetland reserve was declared a Conservation Reserve through a notification issued in 1986. Sources said despite repeated reminders to the Revenue department to give possession of the land to the Wildlife Department, nothing is being done to solve the issues with the help of local people. “Villagers don’t like these birds as they damage their crops. But the failure of the revenue authorities to demarcate the land is the major reason for its slow demise. The number of birds is decreasing every year and if steps are not taken, the site will no longer be feasible for them,” said Bushan Parimoo, an environmentalist. Wildlife Warden Syed Ahmed said the issue would be resolved soon and the government would formulate a comprehensive plan for its protection. “The demarcation process is going on and we are in final stages of transferring the wetland to the Wildlife Department,” said Syed. However, an official source said the demarcation issue had been pending for the last three decades. Since then many villagers had constructed their houses close to the wetland and even using the pond for dumping of sewage and other waste. “The villagers are aggressive in their approach. The department is also not taking any strong measures which is evident from the condition of the wetland,” said a source. Resentment among the local residents has become a major concern for the wildlife officials. They demand that the wetland should be closed down as the birds destroy their crops during the winter months. |
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Govt making state bankrupt, says PDP
Srinagar, December 13 In a statement, PDP chief spokesman Naeem Akhtar said the government had stopped releasing funds to vital infrastructural and social sector programmes, which had created chaos in the system. “It seems the rulers are using their friendships only to survive in power in the face of failures, rather than bringing any relief to the state,” he said. Most of the road networks in the state presents a gloomy picture as the government has not been able to even bring about an improvement in the sector, leave aside taking up new projects, Akhtar said, adding the contractors are not getting regular payments, resulting in a crisis like situation in the state. — TNS
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Makhdoom Sahib’s Urs from tomorrow
Srinagar, December 13 The Urs is observed for 13 days and during the period people from all across the Valley from varied faiths are expected to throng the Sufi saint's shrine located at Koh-e-Maraan (Hari Parbat) here. The Sufi saint, who is popularly known as Makhdoom Sahib and Sultan-ul-Arifeen meaning "King of Gnostics", is the most venerated sage of the summer capital and his followers have been paying obeisance at the shrine for nearly 500 years now. Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Ali Mohammad Sagar had yesterday visited the shrine of Makhdoom Sahib to take stock of the arrangements being made for the Urs. He also presided over an officers' meet convened to review arrangements and directed all officials to extend all facilities to devotees thronging the shrine. — TNS |
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Funeral held for Islamist leader hanged in B’desh
Srinagar, December 13 Members of Hardline separatist group led the in-absentia funeral prayers for Mollah outside mosques in the Valley here. Hardline Hurriyat leader Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai led the funeral at Hyderpora and Mehraj-ud-din Kalwal led at Sarai Bala in the city here. The funeral prayers were also offered at Budgam, Anantnag, Kulgam, Baramulla, Kangan, Pattan, Sopore and Kupwara. Mollah, a senior leader of Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami, was hanged at a prison in capital Dhaka on Thursday. |
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Amit Kumar is new
Srinagar SP
Srinagar, December 13 Immediately after taking over as the SP, Amit Kumar called on Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir AG Mir and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) central Kashmir SA Mujtaba. Amit Kumar had earlier served as the SP, west Srinagar city, and Pulwama. |
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Govt’s initiative on RTE ordinance just a show of promptness: Private schools
Jammu, December 13 “Gravity of the subject certainly needs debates and seminars over the issue but ruling politicians seem just focused on its early finish in view of the coming elections which will be unfair,” president of the association, Deep Singh alleged. “It would have been counted in the performance of the state government if some promptness had been shown in corrections of unlimited wrongs in the field of education before going for Right to Education,” he maintained. The association claimed that the working of government sponsored schools despite qualified and highly paid teachers had failed to perform up to the satisfactory mark and being left unaccountable. Deep Singh said, “All kinds of barriers are being fixed against the players of private sector in spite of their significant contribution.” “The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE), the prestigious institution of the state is headless since last six months and still nobody in the state government is ready for the early appointments of BOSE Secretary and Chairman and that too after constituting the selection panel,” association alleged. “For a meaningful outcome in a particular field, participation of masses including stakeholders is must but the authorities are often found reluctant rather adamant,” it stated. While pleading for the participation of private players in the education sector, association had appealed the government for early corrections on different subjects of sensitive education field before going for ordinance on Right to Education. |
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Dogra Front protests against long power cuts
Jammu, December 13 Led by front chairman Ashok Gupta, the protesters took out a march by carrying electric appliances and raised slogans against the department. The protesters alleged that the electricity department, which is headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, had been announcing that there was a deficit in revenue collection and on the contrary, the office of the ruling National Conference in Srinagar owes Rs 11.49 lakh to the state. “Despite the much-touted measures including purchase of additional units of electricity at a cost of Rs 200 crore, there has been no improvement in electricity supply,” Gupta said while addressing the protesters. He demanded that the residents should be provided uninterrupted power supply and warned that they would intensify their protest if the department failed to take corrective measures in this direction. |
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Bovine smuggling bid foiled, 2 held
Jammu, December 13 “About 49 bovines, which were being illegally transported in three trucks, were rescued by the police last night,” police said, adding that two persons were arrested in this regard. “Kalam Din and Mustafa were detained by the police team headed by SHO, Nawabad, Jaipal Sharma,” it said. Meanwhile, two other persons managed to escape from the spot taking advantage of darkness, the police said. A case has been lodged against the accused and investigations are going on to nab the other culprits, police said. Despite ban, bovine smuggling has emerged as major challenge for law enforcement agencies in Jammu. Bovine animals are mainly transported to Kashmir and the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch. With the increase in cases of smuggling last year, district administration had imposed a ban on transfer of bovines without the written permission from the office the District Magistrate. |
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Two killed in road accidents
Srinagar, December 13 A spokesperson for the police said one Raju Singh Chib, a resident of Muthi, Jammu, was killed on
the spot after a truck hit his Honda Brio at Sesmon, Damjan, Kulgam. A case has been registered in this regard. In another accident, an Eco, that was on its way from Tangdhar to Kupwara, rolled into a gorge at Upper Zarla mode near Sadhna, Kupwara, killing driver Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Lassu of Chanapora, Srinagar, on the spot. The body of the deceased was retrieved from the gorge and was handed over to his relatives for the last rites. A case has been registered in this regard. |
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J&K Police hold talk on departmental inquiries
Srinagar, December 13 The event, which was organised at the All-Party Headquarters in Srinagar, was attended by 30 gazetted officers of Kashmir-based armed police. "The workshop was attended by 30 gazetted officers of Kashmir-based AP and IRP battalions. The main objectives of the workshop are to review the current position of departmental enquiries being conducted in Armed Police and the lacunae therein in the light of laid down procedures and relevant rules," said a police spokesperson. He said experts from the prosecution wing of the department delivered special lecture on the subject which were followed by discussions and interaction among participants. |
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Contractor charges double the rate
Jammu, December 13 The parking contractor is charging the double amount from motorists visiting the Civil Secretariat and nearby famous Ranbireshwar temple. The rates clearly mentioned on the parking slip are Rs 10 for two hours, Rs 30 for three hours and Rs 60 for the full day, but the contractor is charging double by giving the slip of normal rates. Ankush Khajuria, a government employee, said, “A few days ago, I visited the Ranbireshwar temple with my family. When I parked my vehicle at the parking lot, the contractor after giving the slip of Rs 10, asked me to pay Rs 20. When I asked about the rates, he said we charge Rs. 20 for two hours and Rs 100 for the full day.” “I had no option but to pay Rs 20 to him,” he added. Sources said parking contractors charge extra from motorists in connivance with officials of the Jammu Development Corporation (JDA) and if someone complains about their misdeeds, they seldom get punished. JDA Vice-Chairman KL Khajuria was not available for comments. |
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Enforce labour laws: NHPC union leaders
Jammu, December 13 The NHPC Employees Union, regional office, president Rashpal Singh Jamwal, general secretary Puram Singh and vice-president Jiwan Singh accorded warm welcome to Munshi Ram Salalia, general secretary of the federation, and all trade union leaders from different parts of the country. The representatives highlighted problems being faced by the workers and also discussed the issues related to the contractual employees working with the NHPC. It was unanimously decided to ask the management to finalise conveyance, electricity allowances etc of the workers immediately and implement labour laws with punitive measures to those violating the same. Salalia urged the Central and state governments to give all hydroelectric projects to the NHPC for early execution and completion in the interests of the nation and the states.
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Volunteer comes to aid of injured elderly
Jammu, December 13 The incident took place on Akhnoor road near Shakti Nagar, when Kiran was passing through the area and found the elderly citizen sitting by the roadside in great pain. The volunteer attended the injured person in the hospital and facilitated his treatment till his family was informed about the incident. Red Cross Society general secretary Roma Wani appreciated the concern shown by Kiran and standing up true to the motto of the society to service the people in need. “He was recently trained in first aid training and emergencies and his effort shows the commitment of our volunteers towards society. We have taken several steps to reach out to the young generation so that they are imparted training in first aid,” said Wani. The society has so far trained hundreds of youth in disaster management, without any help from the government. Most of them are studying in various colleges of the Jammu region, where the International Committee of Red Cross has established its units. These specific units work under the supervision of the society and are being equipped with first aid kits and necessary training to deal with the various tragedies including road mishaps. |
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Kashmir to finally host film fest
Srinagar, December 13 The organisers of the event, who are mostly young students, say that the idea is to promote young Kashmiri filmmakers. “The idea of the event is to promote young filmmakers of Kashmir. We are all students so our motive is to promote youth-oriented programmes,” said 21-year-old Ahmer Khan who is the chief executive officer of Loudbeetle.in. Having got an overwhelming response from audiences all over the world, the organisers say that they want to make the festival an annual affair. “We received so much appreciation from people all around...we want to make it a platform for young filmmakers,” said chief executive officer of Space Communications, Amit Wanchoo. Cinemas have been shut in this conflict-ridden region for the past two decades following threats by militant outfits like “Allah Tigers” in the 1990s. In 1999, the government tried to re-open theatres by providing them with security. But the cinemas were attacked and this led to their immediate closure. KIFF organisers said that they had received 77 entries from all around the world. From among these, they selected 22 films most of which are short documentaries. “The films include Kashmir’s first feature film Manzi Raat, Habba Khatoon, Sama-Muslim Mystic Music of India and The Last Day, Khair, Dilli,” said Wanchoo. He said that movies from different communities like Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits would also be screened. “When it comes to art, we should forget all the differences. We have films from Muslims as well as Kashmiri Pandits,” he added. Expression gagged
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Transport dept to go hi-tech
Jammu, December 13 The minister also said separate facilitation centres would be opened at Jammu and Srinagar Regional Transport offices to carry out these transactions. Ramzan was chairing a joint review meeting of the Department of Transport, Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation and State Motor Garage here. |
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Jammu, December 13
Jammu, December 13
Gharana, December 13
Srinagar, December 13
Jammu, December 13
