Tawi Lake to be completed by July 2013

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Dec 18: There is some good news for the people of Jammu, 95 per cent work on the artificial lake in river tawi has been completed and officials said that lake is likely to be completed by July 2013.

This was disclosed by the Executive Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Attaf-ullah Naz while talking to TNI adding that some remaining work has to be completed and hopefully the construction work of lake would be completed by next year.

Naz further said that there would be total of 31 gates which are to be installed including 11 in upper portion and 20 in lower portion adding that in case of flood, the gates of the lake would be opened.

The first deadline for the completion of the artificial lake project expired on October 2012, which was extended to March 30, 2013, but it has been further extended to July 2013 as the department failed completes the remaining work on time.

According to official the total of 69.70 crore rupees was approved by the state government on the said project by nearly 50 percent of the total fund has been sanctioned so far.

It is pertinent to mention here that the design of the artificial lake's project over Tawi River was approved by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. A team of experts from Pakistan inspected the project of artificial lake.

To make the Jammu city more attractive for the visitors, while using the barrage water to augment the irrigation facilities in the paddy grown areas of the district.

The reservoir would enable to lift 700 cusecs of water from Tawi to recharge the Ranbir Canal to irrigate 8000 kanals of agriculture land at the tail end villages, still dependent on the rainfalls.

The lake project which was approved by the then Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Jagmohan in 1986, witnessed much delay and it was about three years back that the government initiated the process for its construction. The design approval also took months before it was approved by the Central Water Commission.

Controversial past of GMC Principal, Dr Aniece Choudhary

His negligence in death of child

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Dec 15: Despite allegedly being involved in several cases of Dr Aniece Choudhary still enjoys the position of Principal Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu besides doing his private practice openly.

According to sources there are many complaints against the principal incharge Dr Aniece who allegedly frequently misusing his official position for personal benefits besides openly running his private clinic even after the high court order on doctor private practices.

Sources disclosed that the then HoD Dr Jyoti Prakash Gupta has filed a complained under letter no INT/94/117 dated 06-06-1994, Dr Kulbushan Lal that time was Principal GMC submitted complain under GMC/PA/94-95/219-20 dated 14-02-1995, the then Dr Jagan Singh also submitted the report against Dr Choudhary under letter no. BINT/174/97 dated 07-08-97 and Dr P K Hak filed complaint on 12-03-97 besides the principal GMC, Jammu of that time Dr H L Goswami filed complain GMC/ISTT/GD/PAF/1857 dated 03-03-2005 against Dr Aniece Choudhary, but the administration didn’t take any action against him.

A social activists K K Rao said that instead of holding a responsible position in GMCH Dr Aniece Choudhary is doing private practice and earning money by all means whether right or wrong.

“Adding to this due to the negligence approach of Dr Choudhary a girl child died recently whereas he has been found indulged in un-lawful activities before also but still he had been recommended for this prestigious post by the government” Rao said.

He added that the wrong political system is at the root of all these affairs that has brought such unscrupulous person in front in spite of the fact that he had become notorious for his misdeeds.

Rao further said that there are so many efficient, honest and dedicated doctors who could have been given chance to serve the people rightly and properly and to save the medical college from running in to shambles where there is mis-management everywhere and the common man is a great sufferer.

Despite repeating attempts Minister for Medical Education R S Chib could not be contacted for his version.

SAC toothless against corruption

Corrupt Ministers, bureaucrats continue to loot state

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Dec 05: The Ministers and bureaucrats against whom cases of corruption have been filed are still roaming free in Jammu and Kashmir as they have brought stay against the process initiated against them by anti-corruption body, State Accountability Commission (SAC).

This has totally exposed the claims of the government that state has a vibrant anti-corruption body to take action against high and mighty, involved in galloping crores of rupees.

There is question raised by everybody about has SAC is failed to rein in on corruption in the state?

Showing his helplessness, Chairman SAC, Yash Pal Nargotra told TNI that as in some cases high court has stayed the proceedings, SAC cannot take any action till the stay is revoked. “We cannot do anything till stay order is there”, he said.

Sources said that 15 cases of corruption or misuse of official position has been registered in the State Accountability Commission (SAC) is still pending from the past long time.

According to officials the cases included state politicians in which four sitting ministers in the Omar Abdullah led government besides the name of some former minister of the state are also include in this.

Officials further said that the minister whose case are pending before the ani-corruption commission are Minister for Finance & Ladakh Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister for Public Health Engineering, Irrigation and Flood Control, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Minister for  Public Enterprises, Peerzada Mohd. Sayeed and Minister of State Cooperatives, Printing & Stationery and Elections, Manohar Lal Sharma.

Besides this some former state ministers legislators who are also facing charges of corruption included Abdul Gaffar Sofi from Peoples Democratic Party, Hakim Mohammad Yasin from Peoples Democratic Forum and Mangat Ram Sharma, Suman Lata Bhagat, Gulchain Singh Charak and Khem Lata Wakhloo from Congress.

The SAC still failed to take any strict action against the said ministers due to the reason 

best known to them.

The state was ranked as the number 2 corrupt state in India during the Congress-PDP coalition government.

“Making a mockery of tall claims by state government to bring transparency in the functioning of the administration while on one side government claims that every possible efforts is being made to eradicate corrupt elements but inside the administration there are many corrupt ministers and officials working in the state government department” said a source.

Absent from duty

Govt. plans to terminate 46 more doctors in Jammu

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Dec 4: In yet another move against the doctors who are absent from their duty for last many years, Heath Department has sent a new list of 46 doctors for the termination of their services from the department in Jammu province.

Sources said that these doctors have shifted to other states or out of country and are working in private hospitals without informing the department.

It is pertinent to mention here that in last three years about 150 specialist doctors serving in the state hospitals have left their jobs or have been terminated by the government after they joined private health sector within and outside the country.

The massive brain drain was prompted by the greener pastures with high end lifestyle available for the medical professionals outside the state and country.

A highly placed source said that most of the doctors have been terminated   after they remained absent from their services for several years without giving any reason to the department.

Director Health Services, Jammu Dr Madhu Khullar while talking to TNI said that department also sent the list of vacant seats to Public Service Commission (PSC) for recruitment in different hospitals across the Jammu region.

“The department has periodically notified the list of unauthorized absent doctors posted in different health institutions across Jammu province and new list has been submitted to the government” Dr Khullar said.

However a doctor on the condition of anonymity said that the main reason of shifting the doctors to other state or even aboard is lack of infrastructure and salary.

“A new doctor who joins Health Services department gets around Rs. 22,000 per month but same doctors gets more than Rs. 50,000 in a private hospital in other states and this is one temptation for the medical fraternity”, he said.

He added that if a highly qualified doctor posted in state health department he didn’t get require infrastructure in the hospitals as per his qualification, so spoiling his future he opted to go outside in private institutions.

Generally the more salary, allowances, perks, facilities of given by private hospitals, professional atmosphere, research work encourages doctors of J&K to other states and countries.

AIDS threat

CCC centers project a failure in J&K

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Nov 30: As the Jammu and Kashmir is celebrating World AIDS Day, the much hyped centrally sponsored project to establish Community Care Centres (CCC) have died a slow death in absence of long term policy and apathetic attitude of the planners.

The project launched by National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) was to establish small care centers to provide help to the people affected with HIV.

The NACO established on such centre in the winter capital of the state with the collaboration of a private trust but after about one year of the functioning the CCC closed due to the reason best known to the concern authorities.

According to the sources, this Government of India sponsored schemes was meant to avail the benefit to people suffering from AIDS, included counselling for ARV drug adherence, nutrition and prevention, treatment of opportunistic infection, referral and outreach services for follow up and social support services.

 Officials said that currently, there are 96 such centres working in the country and the GOI has targeted to set up 350 CCC.

“It become just a show and was closed down. The project is failure in the state. They would have played a crucial role in enabling PLHA to access ART, as well as provide monitoring, follow- up counselling support to pre ART and ART patients, positive prevention, drug adherence, nutritional counselling”, said a official. 

In the context Director AIDS Control Society, Dr Rakesh Khajuria said that it is disheartening that the only Rehabilitation Centre in Jammu which was established to deal with the affected patients in Jammu in collaboration Bee Enn Charitable Trust has closed down.

“Reason is best known to the NACO. I have nothing to say about its closure. However we are pursuing the case so that new centers are established”, Dr. Khajuria said. 

Preferring anonymity a official said that as compared to the last year data there is a rapid increase in the HIV positive patients this year adding that the reason is some misused to funds provided by centre government due to which that centre is closed.

“The people sitting at the helm of affairs utilized the funds for their own benefit and didn’t bother about the functioning of the schemes which benefited the needy people” he said.

It is pertinent to mention here that in Jammu and Kashmir there were about 271 deaths of AIDS patients besides 3,500 HIV patients which include 253 new cases detected from April to October this year.

The data further said that 1,410 cases of HIV positive detected in 2007 while  1,594 in 2008, 1,811 in 2009, 2,300 in 2010, 3,213 in 2011 whereas the figure increased upto 3,492 till October 31 this year.

Rainfall made city wet, snow lashes mountains

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Nov 29: Season first rain finally arrived in the winter capital of the state yesterday night breaks the dry cold of winter.

According to the Chief Scientist, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences (SKUAST) Dr M K Khushu said that Jammu received a total of 3.2 mm rainfall yeaterday night whereas in Poonch there was 16 mm, in Udhampur 1 mm and Ramban 6 mm while from Kathua and Samba we received no rainfall.

Khushu further said that there might be possibilities of rainfall on today night and on Sunday.

Officials said that with the rainfall farmers also get some relief farmers, though the rainfall was not sufficient for the cultivation but it could help in certain extent.

They said that for the past few days, the weather remained extremely cold, which was causing a number of seasonal diseases. Majority of the people, especially working men and women, could be found complaining of headaches and exhaustion.

Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital, Dr Sanjeev Digra said that the after the first rainfall there is some relief to the people specially children but as the winter season is on it comes with various cold related diseases.

Dr Digra further said that we have received many cases of dry cough, colds and chest-related disorders for the past one-and-a-half month adding that number of patients suffering from such ailments had shot up and most of them included children”.

He maintained that immune system can be kept healthy by eating good, healthy food. A balanced meal can help a person keep fit. Taking plenty of rest and exposing the body to adequate sunlight can also improve immunity.

“Plenty of nutrition can help take care of both your health and your skin. Vitamins like vitamin C help boost immunity. Vitamin C can also help prevent common cold and seasonal flu” he added.

Govt. fails to remove encroachment from forest land in Jammu

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Nov 28: Though number of colonies has been constructed in Jammu by grabbing the forest land, it seems Jammu Development Authority (JDA) and Forest Department has turned blind eye towards the violations.

This despite the fact that Omar Abdullah led government has been claiming that it is taking strict measure against the land grabbers in the state.

According to sources one of the prime location of the city Bhatandi, Sidra, Kot Bhalwal and Bajalta which is nowadays becoming a posh colony with the dwelling of ministers and bureaucrats of the state besides people from the summer capital of the state is mostly established on the forest land.

 Sources further said that most of the land is under forest department which was grabbed by the ‘Gujjar’ communities who were settled there from the past long time.

“These people sold the grabbed land in some low cost without proper documentation proof of the ownership to the people coming from outside the city” said a source.

Besides this there is a rapid increase of construction of new buildings in the said area without proper verification and permission.

Sources maintained that most of the buildings belong to the peoples with high level politicians approach, due to which the concerned authority have not taken any action against them.

Talking to TNI, District Forest Officer, Jammu, Sameer Bharti said that the department jointly with revenue department is taking this issue seriously to sought out is soon.

Bharti maintained that whereas at some places the forest land is close to the rehabilitated land the department has to take the measurement of this adding that recently the forest department had a meeting with revenue department in this connection.

“Chief Conservation of Forest, Jammu has also constituted a committee for the identification of forest land in the city” he added.

He disclosed that the department in collaboration with district administration will do a jointly verification of these areas of Bhatandi and Sunjwa to find out the exact figure of forest land.

For the encroached land Bharti said the state government has to decide whether the forest land will take from them or not, besides this the department is keeping a check for further encroachment on the forest land he said.

Whereas, Vice Chairman JDA, Sarita Chauhan said that the department haven’t received any such application from Bhatandi area for the permission of building construction.

Asking about why JDA has not taken any action against the illegal construction Chauhan prefer not to give any answer.

PDD, consumers fighting now in Bijli Adalats

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Nov 26: With number of disputes arising between consumers and Power Development Department (PDD) after the installation of  e-meters, people are dragging the cases in the Bijli Adalats, constituted by the government.

Officials said that number of disputes particularly related to power bills and service has arisen in recent past, many of the complaints have been received by these special Adalats.

Talking to TNI Superintendent Engineer, Jammu Gurbachan Singh said the department has organises Adalat every two months and 4 such special courts has been conducted from last eight months wherein 25 cases has been entertained.

He said that the department has cleared 7 cases whereas the remaining cases were wave off for interest. “Most of the cases come from city area as much of the people are not aware about this” said Singh.

He further said that the department is planning conduct in rural areas as we haven’t got any response due to the unawareness of this facility.

Singh disclosed that before the due date of the adalat the department issued a notification in the local dailies regarding the venue and date of the conducting of adalat adding that the consumer have to file the application before the date as department have to clear all the requirements and formalities earlier to that.

“The consumers who have not been able to cleat their liabilities because of pending disputes, meter reading or the calculation of surcharge would file an application in these adalats, he maintained.

Official sources said till the people are not aware about the scheme there is no benefit to launch it.

Sources further said that the department should organized awareness camps or conducting these adalats in the rural and other far flung areas so that more people get benefited for this scheme.

Demand for electricity is increasing each passing year, while the revenue realisation is not showing much improvement, putting much of the burden on government to buy power from Northern Grid. It affects other sectors, as funds are diverted to meet the requirements.

A cursory look at the past figures reveals that the power import has drastically increased during recent years. It was around Rs 1500 crore for 2006-07, Rs 2000 crore for 2008-09, Rs 2,560 crore for 2009-10, and the purchases had shot up to Rs 2,767.04 for 2010-11. By the end of this fiscal it is expected to cross Rs 3300 crore mark.

GMC, SMGS becoming breeding grounds for disease in absence of sanitation policy

Tahir Mushtaq

  

JAMMU, Nov 22: Despite one of the biggest hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir, Government Medical College (GMC) has failed to formulate committee to look after the sanitation of hospital and associated institutions.

Two main hospitals of the city GMCH and Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) hospital daily cater to thousands of patients from across the state, but when it comes to the sanitation, there is lot to be desired. Even the issue of poor sanitation was raised in Legislative Assembly also last year by the members cutting across the party lines.

Sources said that the administration is doing only paper work to solve the problem but nothing on the ground has been done.

The hospitals in the city also suffer due to poor sanitation since the drainage system has not been upgraded for the last two decades.

“The drainage system is as old in most of the hospitals; nothing has been upgraded since past few years, despite increase in the influx of the patients. So many structures have come up in the hospital premises besides the huge rush of patients,” sources said.

Source disclosed that higher authorities has constitute a committee under the chairmanship of principal GMCH but now tendering for the sanction of the work has yet to take place.

The health institutes in Jammu suffers due to proper sanitation facilities besides this the drainage system has not been upgraded for the last two decades.

Moreover a team has also constituted to check the sanitation condition of the hospital, the report submitted by the team also shows the helplessness of the hospital administration as the reports says “The unhygienic conditions of the sanitation in the emergency has become the talk of the town which is spoiling the reputation of the hospital”.

“OPD and Emergency wings of both the hospitals are facing huge pressure but we are making every effort to streamline the functioning of the hospitals. New equipments are being procured for the same”, said a doctor.

Medical Superintendent SMGS Dr A K Sharma said that the hospital has not hire any private agency for the sanitation work as we have our own community health officer and sanitary inspector to look after all matter regarding this.

Whereas Principal GMCH, Dr Aniece Choudhary, could not be contacted even after repeating attempts.

Revenue deptt delays transfer of land for Gharana wetland

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Nov 21: Delay by Revenue department to demarcate the Gharana wetland has slowed down the proposal of Wildlife Department to convert it into major tourist attraction and safeguard the habitat for the migratory birds.

Contrary to the 1500-kanal notified land, it is 115 kanals which have been demarcated in revenue records, despite wetland reserve already been updated as Conservation Reserve through a notification issued in 1986.

The wetland known as bird watcher paradise supports a population of 20000to 25000birds of different species during every winter with the most of the species being migratory, endangered or covered under different schedules of the Act. The bird which visit the reserve include Siberian hans, Keel, Grey Heron and Little Grebe from New Zealand, Australia and America.

Located close to Indo-Pak border in Jammu district Gharana Wetland facing treats of losing its existence as the concern department failed to take initiatives for the maintenance of the said wetland.

Wildlife expert and environmentalists has expressed their concern over the decline in the number of birds turning up at the wetland and officials blamed it partly on encroachment by locals. As the encroachment in the wetland has reduced the size of the wetland to less than half its official size.

Besides this due to poor maintenance of the wetland the water in the pond get full of mud in the water and water plants growing in it which reduced its size besides level of water get decreased.

Official source said that there is lack of coordination between the higher authorities and low rank employees of the department due to which the wetland has been suffered.

When contacted to Wildlife Warden Jammu, Tahir Shawl the department jointly with Revenue Department is doing efforts to save and protect the Gharana Wetland.

Shawl further said that there is total notified land under this wetland is 1600 kanals, but we have asked the revenue department to give the possession of the land and if any person of the locality having his own land in the area of wetland he will be compensated by the department.

He maintained that the department also engaged World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for the management plan of the said wetland and hopefully they will take 5 to 6 months more to complete their work.

Whereas Sub District Magistrate (SDM), RS Pura S P Rukwal also refused to comment on this issue.

Transport fare hike pending before state cabinet

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Nov 19: After the one day call off by the transporters in the city the transport department has send the recommendation to the government for the approval of the revised passenger fail in the cabinet meeting.

This was disclosed by Transport Commissioner Mehraj Ahmed Kakroo while talking to TNI adding that a high power committee has been constituted to resolve the issue.

Kakroo further said that the committee had a detailed meeting with the representatives of transport union and keeping in view on their demands on revised price rate send the recommendation to the government which will be taken in the cabinet meeting for the final decision.
“Till the cabinet decision has been out we will unable to say how much in the passenger fair will be increase” added Kakroo.

General Secretary, Transport Union, Vijay Kumar Sharma said that many times we have meeting with the transport department on this issue but no final decision has been taken by the government till now resulting the today transporters strike.

Sharma said that on October 8 in Srinagar we had a meeting in which it was decided that before secretariat move to winter capital the passenger fare will be revised in the cabinet meeting, but till date nothing has been done so far.

He maintained that after that the state government had four cabinet meetings, even the standing committee on transport has also approved revised passenger rates and sent it forward for the approval in the cabinet.

“We submitted a representation to the state government and had asked them to put pressure on central government to roll back the diesel prices hike or increase the passenger fares but now the central government has increased the diesel rate by Rs 6 in September this year” he said.

He added that from the last one and half year there had been considerable increase in petroleum products like Mobile oil, grease, lubricants, compelled with taxes and passenger insurance premium from Rs 32,000 to Rs 48,000 per annum besides 20 percent increase in labour costs.

“If the government will not take any decision and revised the passenger fair within a period of one week the transport union will go for indefinite strike” Sharma said.

No headway in Jammu Airport expansion project

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Nov 16: The much-delayed project to upgrade Jammu Airport into international airport is still pending even after the completion of two years from the approval of the proposal by the government as Army has still not shifted to Sunjawah.

Though the issue of land at Sunjawah which was turned out to be a Game Reserve from the time of Maharaja was solved, but army is taking time to shift to new place, keeping in view the huge logistic efforts needed.

Sources disclosed that the expansion project will cover around 144 kanals of army land and the concern department has identified the same area at Sunjwan for the army.

Penitently, the total estimated cost to the project is Rs 61.30 crore, the first installment of Rs. 20 Crores have been released by Union government  some months back. When completed it will increase the length of the runway from present 6700 feet to

8000 feet allowing bigger aircrafts like Airbus to land at the airport, which is not possible at present as the runway length is small for the operation of the bigger aircrafts.

Talking to TNI Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Pardeep Gupta said that the department is still holding discussion with the army on the issue of land.

“Gupta further said that the land has been identified in Sunjwan but the department is resolving the issue with the army to transfer from Satwari to Sunjwan adding that only after that other work will be started for the expansion of the airport.

 “Out of total Rs 20 crores of first installment, Rs 2.10 crore have been released in favour of  wildlife department as part of  land compensation, Rs 2.60 crore in favour of Army authorities, Rs 7 crore to Public Works Department for diversion of road, 5 crores to irrigation department to shift D-9A channel, 1crore to Electricity Maintanance and Rural Electrification (EMRE) wing to shift 132 KV transmission line and  other utilities” sources said, adding that the shifting of these utilities was in initial stage.

Diabetic threat showing market increase in J&K

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Nov 14: The rate of diabetic patients is on increase more in urban than in rural areas of the Jammu province.

Experts said that the main reason behind the rapid increase in diabetes is changing life style adding that children are more effect by this disease.

Experts further said that there are two types of diabetes the type one diabetes in common in children whereas type two seen in the adult above 30 age group but now it is observing below 30. Besides this some cases of diabetic has also seen during pregnancy.

That are certain steps which has been taken time to time to reduce the growth of diabetes in the state but still there is no results.

Every year on the World Diabetes Day various district and sub district hospitals organize camps and awareness programmes to examine and aware the people related to this disease.

Moreover the health department of the state government also conducting Non Communicable Disease (NCD) programmes in some of the districts of Jammu province.

Taking to TNI Medical Superintendent Government Hospital, Sarwal, Dr Arun Sharma said that World Diabetes Day raises global awareness of diabetes and its escalating rates around the world and how to prevent the illness in most cases, some estimates suggest that as many as one out of every six person in Jammu might be diabetic.

Dr Sharma further said that in recent years diabetes has emerged as one of the biggest healthcare problems faced by India as a nation adding that increased urbanisation, a more westernised lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits, general unawareness, increased cases of smoking and drinking and a sedentary lifestyle has made people of the city extremely vulnerable to diabetes.

It is pertinent to mention here that World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 346 million people worldwide have diabetes. This number is likely to more than double by 2030 without intervention. Almost 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.

World Diabetes Day was first conceived in 1991 to increase awareness about this metabolic disorder. An estimated 346 million people around the world suffer from diabetes and India has more patients than any other. Once exclusive to the urban areas, even rural India is being affected by the disease and there’s a shocking lack of awareness about it. An estimated 85% people in urban areas never get their blood levels checked. Ignorance is very dangerous because it can lead to various complications.

Nine dengue cases detected in Jammu

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Nov 09: Nine cases of dengue has been detected by the health department of the state government in Jammu sending alarm bells ringing among the officials.

Talking to TNI Director Health, Jammu Dr Madhu Khullar said the dengue effected patients has been examine and after the required treatment they have discharged.

Dr Khullar maintained that the health department is keeping on open eye on any such case and taking initiatives to make the city dengue free.

“The department is constantly creating awareness among the masses by publishing important information to prevent dengue in the local dailies” she said.

The director said that the health department is doing intensive fogging in the more dengue prone areas of the city adding that we have deputed intensive teams at every entry point of the city included Lakhanpur, railway station, bus stand, airport to check every tourist.

It is pertinent to mention here that the climatic condition of Jammu is much suitable for all types of mosquitoes but for 'Ades Egypti', the mosquito carrying the Dengue virus, the most striking period is from August to mid November", said an expert, observing that since the state witnesses heavy influx of tourists, pilgrims, labourers and paramilitary personnel, the risk of the transmission of the virus cannot be ruled out.

This diseases also known as break bone fever, is an infectious tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. The symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash that is similar to measles.

In a small proportion of cases the disease develops into the life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever, resulting in bleeding, low levels of blood platelets and blood plasma leakage, or into dengue shock syndrome, where dangerously low blood pressure occurs.

A day of protests in Jammu, as Omar takes guard of honour

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Nov 05: The first working day of the secretariat in the winter capital witnessed several protest demonstrations by different political and non- political organizations aimed to stage their anguish against the government.

The organization included Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), State Government Employees Joint Action Committee (SGEJAC), All J&K SRTC Volunteer Retirement Employees Association staged protest demonstration besides organized rallies in different part of the city.

BJP activists took out a car rally through main bazars of Jammu city to remind the state government of the problems being faced by the people and discrimination against Jammu region at all levels.

State President BJP Shamsher Singh Manhas said that the people of the state are suffering on account of inadequate supply of ration, shortage and black marketing of LPG and delay in holding the Urban Local Bodies elections despite repeated assurances by the state government.

He said that the people are already finding it difficult to survive in view of the sky-rocketing prices of essential commodities and are now made to cry for their survival as the monthly ration released to a family through government depots is too less.

“The decision of the Congress-led UPA government to bring down the number of subsidized LPG cylinders to six and open black marketing of these cylinders are a matter of concern but there is no one in the union and state governments to think of an aam aadmi” Manhas added.

Whereas SGEJAC joined PDP organized a rally from Press Club towards secretariat but the police officials stopped them at Dogra Chowk.

Presenting their demands PDP Trade Union president Suresh Sharma said that the government should release of Sixth Pay Commission balance arrears with regularisation of daily wagers, adhoc, contractual , RETs , EVs, framing of regularisation policy for Anganwari and Asha workers, removal of pay anomalies of clerical cadres and others.

Similarly, All J&K SRTC Volunteer Retirement Employees Association president Dev Raj Bali said that the association organized a rally from Press Club to secretariat however the police official does not allowed them to move further and stop them near Gummat.

Bali further demanded that the government should releasing their due drawn bills including leave salary, gratuity ex-gratia grant of 35 - 40% and 126 slabs of Cost Of Living Allowances (COLA) for which the bills have been prepared with effect from June 1, 2006 and were sent to Civil Secretariat for government approval.

D&FCO raided 22 illegal run drug stores

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Nov 04: In a significant act in enforcement of the court’s order issued to the government agencies the Drug and Food Control Organization (D&FCO) sealed 22 drug stores in Jammu division.

Talking to TNI Controller Drugs Jammu Satish Gupta disclosed that the department on the direction of court the department has launched a inspection to check on the drugs retail outlets and sealed 22 such stores which are not registered.

“The drugs stores located in Samba, Kathua and Jammu in which many of them have been run by the people serving in the government health institutions whereas no such case has been found in other areas of the Jammu division” he said.

Gupta maintained most of them are paramedical staff who run their chemist shop after their duty timing in the health institutions in remote areas of Jammu division.

He further said that the high court will have take action against the accused persons adding that the department is regular checking for any such illegal activities in future.

It is pertinent to mention here that the high court has issued an ordered to the government agencies of the state government included health department, Deputy Commission besides Senior Superintendent of Police of every district to keep on regular check on any such exercise which is being run by unfair means.

The trade member have been given strict instructions to desist from sale of medicines to such unauthorized shop failing which legal action will be initiated against such firm by the regulatory authority.

Students ride bikes, cars without licenses

Daily chaos prevalent outside schools

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Oct 19: Proving a threat to people and themselves school going students ride bikes and cars without driving license has become a common scene in the city.

It not only puts the life of people in danger but at times have led to tragic accidents leaving many families grieved. Whereas the traffic department observing these riders silently taking no action against them.

The fault is not only the students but also from their parents’ side who allowed them with bikes neglecting the norms created by traffic department.

These underage students not only violating the rules by riding motorcycles without license but also driving without a helmet, driving under the influence, and other documents jumping traffic signals, using mobile phones while driving.

Many times their rash driving resulted dangerous accidents besides these underage students do stunts on roads, risk their own and other people’s lives.

Balder Sharma a local said the authorities should take some acting against such erring riders.

“The traffic police needs to deal sternly with underage riders. Increased penalties, seizing vehicles of violators, traffic awareness workshops for school students are some of the ways by which this menace can be controlled” Sharma said.

He maintained that the parents should also need to understand how dangers it is to drive without proper documents.

In absence of required parking space, private vehicles continue to create traffic mess outside the Government Women College (GWC) and Presentation Convent School, Gandhi Nagar. Daily there is huge jam outside educational institutions during the morning and afternoon.

Traffic can be a nightmare during the morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up, with drivers mounting pavements and narrowly missing themselves or their children as they travel along the Satwari-Bikram Chowk road.

When contacted Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO), Jammu Saleem Ahmed said that the traffic police continuously doing challans of any such underage student who ride bike without license.

“Expect this department is unable to control them to ride the bikes as this is also the responsibility of their parents not to purchase the vehicles for them” he added.

QRTs without equipment, projects fails to create mechanism

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Oct 12: While the road accidents continue to kill people across the state, the Quick Rescue Teams (QRTs) seems to be functioning on the papers and official files only.

Source said that yet these teams have not been provided with necessary equipment, required at the time of rescue operations, virtually making them handicapped. The fully equipped Quick Rescue Teams (QRTs), to be deployed with ambulances for immediate rescue operations in times of road accidents on highways in the state, has been stuck with the finance department from last some years.

Sources further said that though some teams were constituted under the chairmanship of deputy commissioners and deployed on accident prone areas along the highways in the mountainous Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts, yet these teams have not been provided with necessary equipments, required at the time of rescue operations, virtually making them handicapped.”

On February 2009, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had also suggested creation of a corpus to provide insurance cover to passengers travelling in commercial vehicles in the state so that in eventualities the families of the victims were paid relief from the corpus fund” he added.

“Which ambulances deployed the ambulances need longer ropes and other equipments to retrieve injured persons and vehicles from deep gorges and the mighty Chenab flowing through these districts but we were not provided the same. It creates several problems in rescue operations and we fail sometimes to save precious human lives”, said a officer.

When contacted Director Health Services, Jammu Dr Madhu Khullar said in QRT project no such equipment and team were required as the department has deputed some of the ambulances in service on the concern district hospitals and peripheral areas.

Dr Khullar further said that the person has to dial 102 to call for the ambulance service.

Malaria alarm: 654 cases detected in past nine months in J&K

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Oct 8: In past nine months Health Department has detected 654 malaria cases in the state which has sent alarm bells ringing among the officials.

Now the department has started a fresh campaign to identify the people mostly from outside the state who act as carriers of pathogen.

As per the figures in Jammu most of the cases are reported from Mendhar, Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, Samba. In Kashmir region it is the urban centers from where most of the malaria cases are reported.

Talking to TNI, State Malariologist, Dr Kuldeep Kesar said that from January upto September this year department has registered 654 cases of malaria whereas 352 samples have been sent to laboratories for detection of Dengue fever. However no dengue positive case has been detected so far.

Dr Kesar further said that department has launched a awareness campaign to make people aware about the threat.

“If anybody found suffering from these diseases the department starts early treatment besides doing focal spray in the said areas where is spread” he added.

He maintained as per the previous year record the cases of malaria is going in parallel.

It is pertinent to mention here that some cases of Dengue has been found in Punjab area due to which the treat of this disease may occur in the state.

However department has actively launched the drive in collaboration with Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) supervised by Anti-Malaria Officer to prevent spread of water borne diseases in the area falling within the municipal limits.

Though the department has been claiming that its campaign has been able to curb the breeding grounds, but in most parts of the city, mosquito menace is still prevented.

They appealed the people, especially children and those allergic to smoke to remain in door during fogging and have urged the people to keep their surrounding clean so that mosquitoes don’t get places to breed.

Pertinently the under-construction sites, potholed roads and lanes, pits in and around the localities provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other disease causing germs, which when passed into the human body through mosquitoes are life threatening.