Jammu, October 2
The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has prepared a list of traders habitual in using sub-standard material in preparation of food items and sweets. Officials said as the festival season had started, several shops, including prominent traders, had been put under watch.

Health Officer Dr Mohammad Saleem Khan said in the wake of festival season, corporation had sounded an alert and had initiated special anti-adulteration drive.

The adulteration is mainly found in milk, sweets, meat products, processed food and eatables served at hotels and restaurants where hygienic conditions are sometimes appalling which directly affect the lives of the common man.

During the past over a week, the health wing of the corporation has taken nearly two dozen samples from the different localities and has sent them to labs to analyze adulteration in food items, which has become a major concern for the civic authorities, despite strict warning to traders. There are 71 wards spread over 112 sq km which make up Jammu city.

Officials said sweet shops, restaurants, roadside eateries, fruit juice sellers, tea stalls, bakeries and confectionary shops had been inspected so far and several defaulters had been fined for supply of poor quality product.

In the absence of stringent laws, cumbersome testing process and required food analysts, there is no check on sweet makers in the city, even big brands. At times, officials overlook adulteration and unhygienic conditions under which they are prepared.

Sources said corporations claims about regular anti-adulteration drive was mere “eyewash” as there was no stoppage in influx of adulterated raw material in the city and samples lifted in the recent past remained unchecked for months together.

Srinagar, October 2
The ruling National Conference today urged the Central government to announce a “liberal and extraordinary” rehabilitation package for the flood-hit state.

National Conference (NC) spokesman Junaid Mattu said: “The ruling party hoped that the Central government would announce a liberal and extraordinary rehabilitation package for the state, one that is in proportion to the sheer magnitude of the natural calamity.”

“As rightly pointed out by the Chief Minister, the high cost of the construction of houses in J&K and other factors need to be taken into account when deciding the final amount of relief to be announced for those who have lost their homes in the floods,” the NC spokesman said.

Several parts of the state, including the summer capital, Srinagar, were hit by the floods, which displaced thousands of residents and destroyed businesses in the first week of September.

“We are also certain that the state government and the High Court will continue to ensure that the insurance companies and their surveyors expedite the process of indemnifying their insured clients for the losses they suffered during the floods. We also stand in solidarity with the business and traders’ community at this time of anguish,” Junaid said. He said the party was committed to scripting their “economic comeback and demands that all possible assistance be extended to our businessmen and traders”.

The party spokesman said the National Conference workers across the length and breadth of the state were involved in relief and rehabilitation efforts, being coordinated by the party’s public representatives, contesting candidates and office-bearers in all flood-affected areas in both provinces of the state.

“The National Conference is committed to carrying forward the massive relief work with all its resources and might without investing efforts in constant public relations exercises,” he said.

Junaid Mattu said the party’s cadre was working day and night at the instructions of the NC working president and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

“Our workers are raising relief material and going door to door in the worst flood-affected areas to help those in need, thereby augmenting the war-footing efforts by the state government and other relief agencies,” he said. “There is an extensive, politically motivated campaign of pessimism, cynicism and negativity that has been launched at a time when we should all have put politics aside,” he said.

The NC spokesman said senior party leaders and Cabinet ministers were supervising relief operations in every nook and corner and were committed to the dignified and timely rehabilitation of the displaced victims.

Rajouri, October 2
Tension mounted in the Jawahar Nagar area of Rajouri town after the district administration refused to allow burning of effigies of ‘Ravana’ and others on the land, reportedly claimed by some influential persons of the city as their property.

Members of the Ram Leela Committee, senior citizens and youth were adamant to burn the effigies reportedly on the “disputed” land as they claimed that they had been burning effigies there for the last many years.

Bharat Bhusan Vaid, BJP district head, said: “In the morning, the matter was brought to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner and the Senior Superintendent of Police. They said they would take a decision by evening.”

As the administration remained indecisive, people blocked the main road at Jawahar Nagar at 5.30 pm and stopped vehicular traffic.

At 5.45 pm, people lifted the blockade and decided to close their shops in protest and organise a demonstration against the district administration. At the time of the filing of this report, members of both communities were holding talks with AK Attri, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Rajouri-Poonch range, in the presence of Jatender K Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri.

Bharat Bhusan and others told the administration that they would not change the venue but would use some of the portion of the land.

The land where the effigies were to be burnt is about 25 kanals. Bharat Bhusan claimed that the land belonged to the government and those who had been claiming the land as their own had no authentic revenue records.

Meanwhile, the administration gave three options to the people to burn the effigies, which included the BSF ground, PHE ground and a corner of the disputed land.

Sources said the Deputy Commissioner (DC) had decided to impose Section 145 of the RPC on the disputed land. The stalemate between the representatives and the administration continued till the filing of this report and no senior official of the district, including the DC and DIG, was available for comment.

Jammu/Poonch, October 2
At least six civilians, including two women, were injured and eight houses suffered damage as Pakistan pounded Indian forward posts and villages in the Sabjian sector along the Line of Control in Poonch district last night. The Indian Army responded in equal measure.

“Around 6.40 pm yesterday, Pakistani troops of the 849 Mujahid Regiment fired five to seven rounds of small arms on two Indian posts — Khalsa 1 and Khalsa 2. Again around 7.30 pm, Pakistani troops fired three or four rounds and there was a lull till 9 pm when they again started heavy fire,” said an Intelligence source today.

From 9 pm till 1.30 am, Pakistani troops rained 81 mm mortars and fired automatic weapons and small arms on Indian posts and villages prompting troops of the 40 Rashtriya Rifles and the 145 Battalion of the BSF to respond in equal measure, he added.

“Since Pakistani troops shelled border villages like Gali Maidan, Danna, Uripora, Barmikunda and Gagrian, six civilians sustained injuries,” he said. The injured civilians have been identified as Zahoor Ahmed, Hajja Begum, Sakina Begum, Ghulam Nabi and Mumtaz Ahmed from Gagrian village and Khwaja Ahad from Uripora village.

“I was on my way to Gagrian from Danna when suddenly a shell exploded behind me. It appeared as if the bomb had exploded right behind my head. Thereafter, I regained consciousness in the hospital today,” said Zahoor Ahmed, who has been admitted in a hospital in Poonch.

Zahoor said eight houses in Gagrian and Uripora villages had been damaged by Pakistani shelling.

“They (Pakistan) targeted Gali Maidan, Danna, Uripora, Barmikunda and Gagrian villages after a long time and it’s an open secret that the Anganpathri area beyond these villages has remained a traditional route of infiltration for Pakistani ultras in the past,” he added.

An Army officer said, “There were no injuries to soldiers in the gun duel but we have definitely given them more than adequate response.” This morning the Army recovered five live 81 mm mortars shells from the area.

The ceasefire violations yesterday in the Poonch sector were witnessed after a gap of one month and four days.

Before flash floods struck J&K and PoJK, Pakistan Rangers had resorted to unprovoked firing on August 26 in the Pragwal area of Akhnoor.

Earlier in July, the Rangers had targeted the RS Pura and Arnia sectors, triggering migration from forward villages. The tension had eased following a Sector Commander-level flag meeting in the R S Pura sector.

Jammu, October 2
A BSF jawan died this afternoon near a forward post along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Mandi area of Poonch district.

“This afternoon around 2 pm, Head Constable Bargveer Singh of the 145 Battalion of the BSF was repairing the border fence at morcha number 13 near the Punana post in the Mandi area along the LoC. He had climbed atop a portable stair to carry out the repair work. However, he accidentally slipped from the stair and fell down on a concertina wire below that ripped into his body and legs,” said an Intelligence source.

The source said the jawan had sustained grievous injuries and died instantly before any medical aid could be provided to him. The deceased hailed from Punjab. 

Srinagar, October 2
The BJP team currently on a visit to the Valley today said the Centre would consider declaring J&K floods as a national calamity only after receiving a detailed report on the extent of damages from the state government.

“Let the state government first submit its report. The Centre will take a call on declaring the floods a national calamity only after the state informs it about the extent of damage,” BJP Election Campaign Committee chairman Nirmal Singh told reporters here.

Nirmal is part of the six-member BJP team led by the party state president and MP Jugal Kishore that has been touring parts of the Valley for the past three days and meeting a cross-section of people. The team will submit a report to the Centre on the relief and rehabilitation works.

It is understandable that the local administration had gone missing for three or four days after the floods, but what is regrettable was that the state government has failed to provide relief even three weeks later, said Nirmal.

Speaking on the occasion, BJP state spokesman Farooq Ahmad Khan said that besides forming a monitoring committee, their report would come up with suggestions for better relief distribution so that the aid coming from the Centre would not be swallowed by “vultures”.

Meanwhile, state convener of the Ex-Servicemen Cell Brig Anil Gupta, who toured south Kashmir along with ex-MP Choudhary Lal Singh yesterday, said people there too were complaining that relief had not reached them.

Srinagar, October 2
The general insurance companies operating in the flood-ravaged Kashmir region have received 13,012 intimations for claims by shopkeepers, businessmen and people affected by the calamity.

Of the intimations received by six general insurance companies in non-life category so far, only 467 claims have been finalised and the amount has not been disbursed in a single case.

This has been revealed by the insurance companies in the documents placed by them before the J&K High Court which is hearing a public insurance litigation, seeking directions to the companies to settle the insurance claims of the people affected by the September 6 floods.

The companies which have revealed the figures related to the insurance claims received and settled include United Insurance Company, National Insurance Company, Oriental Insurance company, New India Insurance Company, ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company and Bajaj Allianz Limited.

The data presented by the companies shows that United Insurance Company has received intimations regarding 2,431 claims but it has finalised only 26 claims so far. The amount has not been disbursed.

Likewise, National Insurance Company has finalised 85 of 2,962 claims. It has also not disbursed the amount.

Oriental Insurance Company has received 483 claims but has so far processed and finalised only eight claims.

New India Insurance Company has received intimations regarding 2,090 claims but has till date finalised only 151 claims. The claims are, however, yet to mature as the amount has not been yet disbursed.

ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company, which also has presence in the region, has received 266 intimations but has not been able to finalise even a single claim so far.

In case of Bajaj Allianz, the situation is no different. The status report, filed by the company, suggests that it has received 4,870 intimations of claims and has been so far able to settle only 197 claims and the payment is yet to be made.

As per the data provided to the court, the four insurance companies, United Insurance Company, National Insurance Company, Oriental Insurance company and New India Insurance Company, have so far received 711 preliminary reports of which 270 claims have been finalised. 

Srinagar, October 2
All waterlogged areas of Srinagar that are submerged under floodwaters for the past more than three weeks here will be dewatered before Eid-ul-Zuha, being celebrated on Monday.

Some of the areas, including Rajbagh and Jawahar Nagar located between the Jhelum river on one side and the flood channel on the other, continued to remain under stagnated water since the floodwaters inundated these posh localities on the night of September 6 and 7. Other areas of the city, including Bemina and Qamarwari, were also submerged in the floodwaters, while many areas in south Kashmir have also faced the brunt of flash floods.

To dewater the inundated areas of Srinagar, at least 200 dewatering pumps have been pressed into service, which have achieved the 95 percent target of cleaning. The remaining areas are expected to be completely dewatered in the coming days, which means the city would be “dry” ahead of the Eid festival, the officials here opine.

“We are trying our best to restore normalcy as quickly as possible,” said Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Rohit Kansal. He told The Tribune that the government had embarked on a massive dewatering and cleaning operations to ensure “normalcy as quickly as possible”. He said all agencies were working round the clock in this direction while all water supply schemes and electric sub-stations had already been made functional.

At least 1,000 trucks of relief material have been distributed in the flood-hit areas, the Divisional Commissioner said. He added that there was no shortage of essential commodities, particularly cooking gas and kerosene. Free-of-cost ration was being given to the flood-hit people following damage caused to life and property across the Valley.

Under the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) clearance operation, at least 4,000 truckloads of garbage have been removed since the floods hit the city. The major challenge was to remove the animal carcasses, which perished due to the floodwaters, the officials said. The SMC has removed and disposed off scientifically at least 1,500 animal carcasses so far. 

Srinagar, October 2
The Jammu and Kashmir Police Headquarters has today sanctioned soft welfare loan of Rs 3.5 crore in favour of 715 police personnel who were affected by the recent floods in the state.

The soft loan has been sanctioned out of the Central Police Welfare Fund, which is completely a contributory fund of the department, a police spokesman said.

“The decision was taken at a welfare meeting held at PHQ today, presided over by Director General of Police K Rajendra Kumar,” the spokesman said. The decision has been taken in relaxation of standing rules to provide immediate assistance to the affected police families so that they could meet the requirements.

Rajendra disclosed that the loan has been sanctioned in the first phase and more personnel would be provided such assistance after obtaining applications from the affected personnel. The DGP assured that the department would provide all possible assistance to rebuild the damaged property of the affected families.

Srinagar, October 2
The Indo-Global Social Service Society (IGSSS) today said it would launch rehabilitation works in 70 flood-affected areas of Kashmir.

IGSSS Regional Programme Manager Yasir Qureshi said relief and rehabilitation programme would be launched in 70 flood-affected areas of Sumbal Sonawari in Bandipora, Pattan and Singhpora in Baramulla and in some pockets of Srinagar.

He said 16,000 families were being targeted for relief and 10,000 families for rehabilitation in three districts of Kashmir.

“The IGSSS is mobilising its 350 community volunteers and 100 community leaders to facilitate the relief operations. The relief will include wash kits, blankets, solar lamps, dignity kits, cash for rations, school kits for children and kitchen utensils. IGSSS is being supported financially by Misereor, Islamic Relief India, Wethungerhilfe and Shabana and Faizal Foundation for relief and rehabilitation of flood-affected families,” he added. He said senior management of the IGSSS was already camping in Srinagar to assess the situation and facilitate the relief and rehabilitation programme. — TNS

Srinagar, October 2
While the government has sanctioned 39 cases of ex gratia to the kith and kin of those killed, it is yet to complete the assessment of the damages caused to the property due to the floods that threw normal life out of gear here early last month.

Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Farooq Ahmad Shah said the cases of 39 persons killed due to the floods in the district had been completed. The kith and kin to these persons would be getting an ex gratia of Rs 3.5 lakh each, which include Rs 2 lakh from the Central government and Rs 1.5 lakh from the state. The cases of other deaths due to the floods in the district were being processed, while the exact number of deaths in the district was awaited.

The Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, said 24 teams each headed by a district officer had been constituted to make the assessment of damages in all areas of the district on door-to-door basis. The teams have been getting the details from every household by going door to door on the damage caused to the property due to the floods.

There is no detail available about the exact number of houses damaged in the densely populated areas of the city such as Rajbagh, Jawahar Nagar, Bemina and Qamarwar so far. Most of these areas continue to be under water even after a lapse of more than three weeks after the devastating floods. Some of the residents rendered homeless are either living in temporary tents or have shifted to their relatives’ places.

The Deputy Commissioner said 36 schools and community halls in the city have been turned into voluntary relief camps.

The administration is also planning to set up tented colonies for the displaced and homeless people, the Deputy Commissioner said. He added that all measures were being taken towards relief and rehabilitation of those affected, while ration and other essential supplies were available for the people of the district. The ration supply was being streamlined with the deployment of two additional staff on the depots to avoid any delay in the supplies, he said.

The PHE & Irrigation Secretary was personally monitoring the dewatering process from different areas of the city, he added. He said other agencies, including the SMC and the Power Development Department, were working round the clock to maintain the cleanliness and power supplies. 

Srinagar, October 2
The Doctors’ Association Kashmir (DAK) has alleged that there is health care crisis in flood-hit Kashmir as all premier and government-run referral hospitals in Srinagar have not been made functional yet.

In a statement issued here today, the DAK said most of the flood-hit hospitals in the Valley, particularly in Srinagar, have been reopened without properly disinfecting them and without replacing/repairing the machinery and other diagnostic equipment, which is criminal.

The doctors’ body has threatened to move the High Court with a PIL in this regard.

“There is health care crisis in the Valley due to defunct premier hospitals. Shri Maharaja Hari Singh hospital, Lal Ded Hospital, GB Pant and SKIMS, Bemina, hospitals that have been ravaged by the devastating floods have not been made operational as yet,” said President of the Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan.

These referral hospitals have not been properly disinfected so far thus putting patients and doctors at the risk of infections, he added.

The damaged machinery has not been restored or replaced without which a tertiary care hospital is like a boat without oar, the DAK said in the statement, adding that the damaged oxygen plants, the lifeline of hospitals, have not been made functional and there are no blood bank facilities.

“The government’s claim that hospitals are working normally is a hoax, but on the ground hospitals have not started functioning,” it said, adding that patients in the Valley are left to the mercy of the Almighty as the referral hospitals are out of service and they have nowhere to go.

“The authorities concerned are in deep slumber, shying away from their responsibility as if they have nothing to do with the difficulties of people,” the DAK said, adding that the restoration of hospitals should be the highest priority of the government.

Srinagar, October 2
It will take at least two more weeks to restore the normal telephone connectivity in the Valley, even as the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) awaits the state government’s nod on digging of roads and relaying the damaged underground cable network in the summer capital.

The telecommunication network across the Valley suffered heavily due to devastating floods last month. Apart from the fixed line customers, the BSNL caters to the 4.50 lakh mobile phone users in the Valley.

The service provider suffered a loss to the tune of over Rs 400 crore due to the recent floods in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley. It included Rs 250 crore loss to the sophisticated equipment and Rs 150 crore to the infrastructure, said DK Agarwal, General Manager, BSNL, Kashmir.

Agarwal told The Tribune that the main exchange at the central telegraph office in Srinagar “totally collapsed” as most of the ground floor was inundated by 10 to 12 foot of floodwater.

“We need permission from the (state) government for digging the roads at places for relaying the damaged cables,” the officer said, adding that the issue has been already discussed with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

The Chief Minister assured the BSNL authorities that the permission in this regard would be granted soon, but so far there has been no communication from his office in this regard, Agarwal said.

He, however, said the BSNL has initiated alternative mechanism to restore its services.

The sophisticated equipment required to restore the mobile, landline and broadband services is being transported from states like Odisha, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh in the south and the northern states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, he said.

“The measures are being taken gradually and some of the important equipment are awaited for installation…some of it are in the transit,” Agarwal said.

The officer though reiterated that the main problem was that of relaying the underground cables, for which the permission has not come as yet.

Agarwal, meanwhile, said at least 59,000 landline connections were disrupted due to the floods, out of which over 50,000 have been restored.

For the restoration of remaining connections, mostly concentrated in the central Lal Chowk area which has suffered a colossal loss, we need to relay the cables, he said. 

Srinagar, October 2
At this time of the year, the Valley’s famed Dal Lake would usually be abuzz with tourists taking shikara rides or spending lazy afternoons gazing at the serene waters from the balconies of the houseboats. The houseboat owners, who would usually be counting money amid a booming tourism season, are however counting their losses now.

While the recent floods left a trail of destruction on the Dal Lake by destroying quite a few houseboats and shikaras, the owners are also faced with a grim future as they wonder when the tourism sector will revive again.

“There are around 750 houseboats in the Dal and Nigeen lakes. Around 10 houseboats have been completely damaged while almost every houseboat has suffered some sort of minor or partial damage. For example, the passages of almost all houseboats that connect them to the land were washed away,” said Domestic Tour Operators Kashmir (DTOK) president Abdul Hamid Wangnoo, who also owns houseboats on the Dal Lake.

For long now, the owners have been expressing their apprehension that the houseboats, counted among Kashmir’s heritage treasures, may soon become extinct in view of the “tough laws” that involves “lot of hassle” to get permission for repair work due to ecological concerns.

“Now, the revival process is going to be very tough. Besides damage caused to the houseboats, nearby offices and houses too have been destroyed,” said Wangnoo.

Houseboat owners usually live in houses constructed on land close to the lake and that too had remained submerged during the floods. Besides being worried about the revival of the tourism sector, the houseboat and shikarawalas are also concerned about their rehabilitation.

“While many shikaras got damaged, we were hit harder when floods damaged our houses. Our first concern is to rebuild our houses for our families before resuming business,” said Abdul Rashid, a shikarawala. Wangnoo said houseboat owners would soon submit a proposal for their rehabilitation. 

Jammu, October 2
Under the “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, various educational institutions and government offices started cleanliness drive.

On the Occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, girls cadets of the 2nd J&K Girls Battalion, National Cadet Corps (NCC), Jammu, participated in the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’.

Approximately 100 NCC Cadets from Government College for Women (GCW), Parade, and Gandhi Nagar carried out a rally to drive home the message of “Clean India, Healthy India”.

The Cadets cleaned the roads and area around Kachi Chawni and Parade Ground. The message was spread among the locals and shopkeepers inducing enthusiasm. Later, the locals and shopkeepers also joined the participating Cadets along with the teachers and NCC officials.

Dr Hemla aggrawal, Principal of GCW, Parade, and CO of NCC Girls Col Rajesh Kumar addressed the students and exhorted them to keep their premises clean.

Army Public School (APS), Bari Brahmana, launched the campaign in the serene campus of the school as well as in the BD Bari Cantt.

BD Bari, chairman, APS, stressed the need to make cleanliness an integral part of one’s life and said it was an institutional responsibility to sensitise the community in the vicinity, being part of the mission.

A rally and cleanliness campaign was conducted by the students along with principal and administration staff near the Industrial Area, BD Bari. Later, an oath-taking ceremony was carried out along with the cleanliness drive in various parks of the station.

Army Public School (APS), Ratnuchak, launched “Swachh Bharat, Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyan” on the school premises on the birth anniversary of Mahatama Gandhi. The programme commenced with hoisting of the National Flag by Brig Vikram Kumar, chairman, APS, Ratnuchak.

He was accompanied by Principal of the school Sonal Sharma. The students and staff took the “swachhta shapath” under the guidance of the school captain. The “Swachhta Awareness Rally” was flagged off by the chairman and principal of APS, Ratnuchak.

Humanity Public School (HPS), Bari Brahmana launched Swachh Bharat-Swastha Bharat Abhiyan (clean India for healthy India drive). School management along along with teachers and students participated in the event.

On the occasion, principal of the school, Gaurav Charak said it was the time to repay the debt owed to Mahatma Gandhi by gifting him with a Bharat, which was clean and lives up to the high standards of cleanliness.

Vice-principal of the institution Anku Charak briefed about the importance of clean surroundings and environment for a better and healthy life.

In keeping up with the Prime Minister’s call for a ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan”, a cleanliness drive was conducted in the office of Accountant General, J&K, Jammu, Manish Kumar. The Accountant General (A&E), Jammu & Kashmir, inspired the staff of his office for cleanliness by wielding the broom.

He was accompanied by Ritika Bhatia, principal director, Regional Training Institute (RTI), Jammu, Pushpa Jarangal, senior deputy accountant general (Economic & Revenue), and other senior officers of the department.

Former councillor of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) Balwant Singh along with ward president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha Pavitar Singh Chiba lunched a cleanliness drive on the Kunjwani bypass road. They wielded brooms on the road and encouraged people to observe hygiene in their respective localities. Prominent people of the Kunjwani, who were part of the drive, were Narinder Singh, Som Dass and Joginder Singh.

The Income Tax Department, Jammu, celebrated birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi by taking “swacchta shapath” at Aayakar Bhawan. AK Thatai, Commissioner of Income Tax, J&K, administered the “swacchta shapath” to all officials who were present in the office.

In his address to the department, Thatai emphasised the need of maintaining cleanliness.

Government Super Specialty Hospital, Jammu, launched the abhiyaan in the institute today. Medical Superintendent Dr Romesh Gupta along with senior administrative officials, RMO Dr Saleem Bhatti and Dr DP Singh, CMO and senior doctors accompanied by various staff members performed sanitation activities in various areas of the hospital. Dr Romesh said, “Today, we have started following the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ launched by the Prime Minister with full dedication and enthusiasm”. Employees of the Dulhasti Power Station of the NHPC undertook cleanliness drive at various sites of Dulhasti like dam, power house, Shalimar area, administration block and colonies.

Today, the ‘swachhta shapath’ was administered to the employees of the Dulhasti, CISF personnel and wards of employees by Arvind Bhat, general manager, Dulhasti.

On the eve of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a drive was conducted by Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Kiran Wattal along with other officials. The cleanliness drive started from Satwari, Gandhi Chowk, and finally culminated at Mubarak Mandi.

A grand ceremony was held at Mubarak Mandi, which was attended by Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Vice Chancellor, Jammu University, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Commissioner, JMC, Director Health Services, a global family of Gandhism, teachers and students of various schools.

To promote awareness on waste management and sanitation, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) initiated a cleanliness drive under “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” from Shahzadpur village in Gho Brhamana panchayat of Samba. 

Srinagar, October 2
Sanitation drives were held in several parts of the city in view of “Mission Swachh Bharat” that was launched by the BJP nationally on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti here today.

BJP leader Nirmal Singh started the mission from BB Cant Children Hospital along with other party leaders, including Ramesh Arora, Farooq Ahmad Khan, Anil Gupta, Khalid Jehangir, Altaf Thakur and Malik Mushtaq Noorabadi.

In this connection, the officials of the Srinagar Airport Authority also held a cleanliness drive at the Srinagar International Airport.

An oath ceremony was also held on the occasion after which officials were seen undertaking the sanitation drive under the supervision of Director Airport DO Raturi and SSP, Airport, Manzoor Ahmad Dalal.

Meanwhile, Director, Rural Sanitation, Saleem Mohammad emphasised the need for creating environs that were free from pollution of any sort. Launching the drive, he also asked the officers of the department to ensure that the exercise was undertaken in different parts of the state.

Jammu, October 2
Close on the heels of the launch of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, the Tiger Division of the Army today organised a “Swachhta Shapath Grahan Samaroh” here.

A total of 9,000 Army personnel, including civilian Defence employees, took the oath of cleanliness in various garrisons of Jammu, a Defence spokesperson said here today.

General Officer Commanding of the Tiger Division, Maj Gen Dushyant Singh, addressed the personnel on the occasion and emphasised the need to fulfill the dream of Mahatma Gandhi.

He exhorted all to come forward and contribute meaningfully in their own small ways to make India a clean country by 2019.

After undertaking the oath, all personnel carried out ‘shram daan’ in their respective garrisons with a pledge to bring Mahatma Gandhi’s dream into realisation, the spokesperson said.

Jammu, October 2
Gandhi Memorial College of Education, (GMCE), Raipur, Bantalab, organised a debate on the theme “Impact of Gandhian philosophy on present day generation” to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The programme started with traditional lighting of the lamp by Prof Sunil Tiku, Member, Finance, Hindu Education Society Kashmir (HESK), who was also the chief guest on the occasion. Virender Raina and Prof GL Koul, principal, GMCEJ, were also present on the occasion. While paying floral tributes to the Father of the Nation, Prof Sunil Tiku said everyone should get inspired by the courage of Mahatma Gandhi and his resonant legacy of non-violence and stressed on strengthening the bonds of communal harmony. Virender Raina deliberated upon Gandhiji’s struggle against social injustice and racism. Earlier, in his welcome address, Prof GL Koul, Principal, laid stress on speaking truth which was the most powerful weapon of Mahatma Gandhi.

The inter-school debate programme was also marked by patriotic songs, dances and poems by the students of the institution. The students also participated in a cleanliness drive. The programme concluded with a prize distribution function. Arstu Sharma from Project Model School was adjudged first, whereas second and third positions were bagged by Shramika Raina and Taniya Jamwal. Parth Raina, Riya Raina, Ayushi Sharma and Surbi Mehra bagged consolation prizes. 

Jammu, October 2
The National Students Union of India (NSUI) today paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and formerPrime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birthday anniversaries.

The programme was organised by NSUI Jammu University committee president Nitin Bakshi. State committee members who were present on the occasion incl uded Avyjot Singh, Kaamal Mangotra, state general secretaries, Ajay Kumar, Naseeb Ali, national delegate, Nishant Gupta. — TNS

Jammu, October 2
The Shanti Path Trust (SPT),Trikuta Nagar, Jammu, in association with Director Health Services, Department of Ophthalmology, Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC), Indira Gandhi Government Dental College (IGGDC), Director Indian System of Medicines (ISM) and Shri Narsing Goshala, Mandli organised a free medical and dental camp at Mandli village in Billawar block.

A team of specialists and staff attended the patients who came in large numbers. The team included Dr Priyanka Sodani, Bharti Sarangal, Sazia, Satinder and Abhishek from the GMC, Dr Rakesh Raina, Mohammad Tabassum, Priya Thapa, Anna Thakur and hygienist Khalil Mirza from the IGGDC, Dr Mohinder Lal, Poonam Padotra and Som Nath from Kathua, Dr Neetu Handoo and Shiv Kumar from the ISM.

A total of 147 patients took advantage of ISM facility and this was managed by ISM expert Dr Neetu. 

Srinagar, October 2
Governor NN Vohra today felicitated people on the eve of Mahanavami and Dasehra and hoped the auspicious occasion would be the harbinger of peace, progress and prosperity in the state.

In his message, the Governor said these festivals symbolise the triumph of virtue and righteousness over the evil and darkness.

He observed that these festivals, which are a glorious heritage of our pluralistic traditions, revive and strengthen the bonds of communal harmony, brotherhood and amity.

The Governor also prayed for the well-being of the people of the state. — TNS

Jammu, October 2
The Navratras culminated today on Durga Ashtami and Ramnavmi, with “kanya pujan” and immersion of ‘saakh’, (barley sprouts) in the Tawi. Thousands of people descended on the banks of the Tawi for performing various rituals on the last day of the Navratras, marking the end of the festivities.

The city of temples celebrated the festival with religious fervour, fasting for eight days and worshipping Goddess Durga in her nine forms. All the temples in the city were illuminated with colourful lights. After immersing “saakh” in the Tawi, people moved towards the Bawe Wala Mandir, Mahamaya Mandir, Shree Ranvireshwar Mandir, Shree Raghunath Mandir and Chichi Mata Mandir.

“We started our day with kanya pujan, in which little girls were invited for a special puja,” said Baldev Raj, a resident of Purani Mandi. “We were fasting for all eight days of the Navratras and today with the kanya pujan and immersion of saakh, the Navratras concluded,” he added.

Srinagar, October 2
The annual Urs of the revered Sufi saint Mir Syed Ali Hamdani, popularly known as Shah-e-Hamdan by devotees, was observed with religious fervour here today.

Devotees from all over the Valley thronged “Khanqah-e-Moala” - the shrine of the Sufi saint located in the old city on the banks of the Jhelum river throughout the day for prayers and supplications.

Even as the area outside the shrine wore a festive look with roadside vendors selling eatables and other items, locals said comparatively lesser number of devotees was seen as compared to before due to the recent floods.

However, a large congregation of devotees offered “Dhuhr” prayers that were performed at 2.30 pm instead of usual 1.30 pm. On the occasion, religious heads also threw light on the teachings of Shah-e-Hamdan, who is credited with having spread Islam in the Valley.

A caretaker of the shrine said the unique feature of the Urs Shah-e-Hamdan in the summer capital was reciting of Persian and Kashmiri eulogies in chorus during the religious functions. He said devotees also recite “Aurad-e-Fatiha” on the occasion.

Shah-e-Hamdan had arrived here in 1384 AD. Besides preaching Islam, the saint also introduced Persian handicrafts in the Valley. His followers popularised shawl and carpet weaving thereby boosting the economy of Kashmir. 

Srinagar, October 2
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Rohit Kansal today directed the officers of different departments to work in close coordination to ensure that upcoming Eid-ul-Zuha was celebrated with fervour across the Valley.

The Divisional Commissioner passed the directions during a meeting convened here to discuss the arrangements being put in place for the festival being celebrated on October 6 and 7.

He asked the officers to ensure that the people get adequate supply of essentials such as foodgrains, sugar, kerosene and petrol. He said special market checking squads should be constituted so that hoarding and black-marketing could be curbed and consumers get the required items without facing any inconvenience.

Jammu, October 2
An eight-year-old girl drowned in the Ravi Tawi canal in Kathua today after she along with her mother went to the water body to immerse ‘saankh (barely sprouts)’ on the occasion of ‘Durga Ashtami’.

The victim has been identified as Palak Choudhary, daughter of Vijay Choudhary, resident of Jakhbad village of Kathua.

“Around 7 am, the minor along with her mother and younger brother went to the Ravi Tawi canal for immersion of ‘saankh’. The girl slipped into the water body and was washed away by the strong current. The mother raised the alarm, but to no avail,” the police said.

The police personnel assisted by locals launched a search operation, but failed to trace the body.

Later, the discharge to the canal was stopped from the Ujh barrage and the body was recovered around 3 pm. — TNS

Jammu, October 2
The police today arrested an absconder and recovered one mobile phone and a stolen motorcycle from him.

The accused was identified as Sahil Kumar, a resident of Garhi, Domana.

The police said a police team from Kullian headed by ASI Gurmeet Singh while on routine checking arrested the absconder and recovered the stolen motorcycle and one mobile phone from him.

During inquiry, he disclosed that he had stolen the cellphone and motorcycle from Gandhi Nagar yesterday. 

Samba, October 2
Some unidentified miscreants barged into a house in Supwal area of Samba district last night and attacked a woman, her son and mother-in-law with sharp-edged weapons.

The woman identified as Anita Devi succumbed to her injuries here today.

The police said Anita’s son and mother-in-law sustained injuries and were shifted to hospital.

A case has been registered in this connection. — TNS