MD Pediatrics de-recognised by MCI

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Feb 29: In the recent counseling of MD/MS/PG Diploma, Medical Council of India (MCI) has derecognized Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu for conducting Medical Degree course in Pediatrics from the this session.

Earlier there were only three seats for MD in Paediatrics in GMC Jammu whereas in GMC and SKIMS Srinagar there are total of 9 seats available for doing the same course.

According to the official sources, the Board of Professional Entrance Examination (BOPEE) has mentioned that that there are only three seats for admission to PG Medical Degree in GMC Jammu, whereas during counseling it was informed that there is no MD Paediatrics course here in Jammu, sources said.

“There is already a shortage of specialized doctors in various disciplines in Jammu and if this course is also disaffiliated by MCI then the day is not so far when the patients have to go outside Jammu for minute treatment” preferring anonymity said a doctor.

It is pertinent to mention here that three years back, the MCI had formally directed the GMC Jammu to complete the required minimum faculty and other norms or face a prohibition from running the course in near future.

But, no efforts were made by the government to hire the required faculty from outside or made other alternative arrangements.

Sources disclosed that under Article 370 the government has to do appointment on adhoc bases for six month of contract. In Jammu and Kashmir the lecturer has to go through thirteen year experience after which he is eligible for the post of Professor i.e. three year as Lecturer, five year in Assistant Professor and 5 year in Associate Professor.

It is important to note that according to the official sources, about five faculties are under the target of the MCI which include Neuro-surgery, Forsenic Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry faculty and Cardiology as they don’t have trained manpower including teachers and infrastructure, despite investing crores in upgrading the Healthcare sector in past ten years.

These faculties are functional in two of the premier Medical Colleges of the state, Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu and Government Medical College (Srinagar), which are being upgraded to the level of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) under the ambitious Rs 200 crore project.

It is important to mention here that MCI had been regularly reminding the state Government to put in place proper faculties in various courses including psychiatry and cardiology at GMC Jammu. The psychiatry faculty till date lacked the post of Associate professor.

Minister for Medical Education R S Chib could not be contacted even after repeating attempts.

PDD Employees welfare funds failed to take off in J&K

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Feb 28: The much hyped Employees Welfare Fund scheme launched by Power Development Department (PDD) has not been implemented in Jammu region, despite the fact that employees are contributing money to the scheme for last six months.

Official sources said that while some compensation claims have been cleared in Kashmir valley, but in Jammu region none of the person injured during duty hours have received any help from the scheme since it was launched in February this year. The fund is aimed to cover 32,000 permanent employees of the department.

The scheme was launched under order No-77 of PDD in both the regions of the state to provide insurance cover to the permanent employees of the department, particularly who work in field.

“It was to cover the employees from Class IV to the Engineers and above who in case of death or injury are supposed to get assistance of Rs 3 lakh as immediate assistance”, said a PDD employee. The scheme also intends to provide free education and health benefits to the family members of the employee.

When a senior officer said, “We have taken up the issue with the concerned division and we will ensure that it gets implemented properly”. He said that department is making efforts to create effective mechanism so that employees get the benefits of the fund.

Sources said that seriousness of the officials could be gauged from the fact that even District Welfare Committees, Provincial Welfare Committees and Central Welfare Committee required to generate data of the workers working in respective zones have not been completed thus pushing back the basic objective of the scheme.

Each employee at present is contributing money ranging from Rs 200-to Rs 50 per month to the fund and State Government was also supposed to contribute to this scheme.

It is pertinent to mention here that it is not only the permanent employees who are facing the problems due to non-implementation of various schemes in the Department, but even the daily wagers who are backbone of the maintenance and distribution system have been denied their rights.

Nearly 5000 daily wagers working in PDD have so far not provided cover of Janata Insurance scheme, aimed at providing insurance to the daily rate workers who mostly work in the field.

“Though the state government has assured that it will be implemented but so far nothing has been done in this regard. In absence of any insurance cover most of the injured workers have not received any financial help from the department”, said Tarun Gupta, state president of Daily wagers Association.

Media boycott assembly session over remarks made by Speaker

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Feb 27: National and International media today boycotted the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly after Speaker Muhammad Akbar Lone remarked that media was under his control during the assembly session.

As the House started, Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma pointed out a article published in a local daily which has alleged bungling in the Health Department.

Appealing to the Speaker to seek an explanation from the newspaper, Sharma alleged that a section of media was carrying out a vilification campaign against state ministers.

Sharma was backed by PHE and Irrigation Minister Taj Mohideen, who said that serious allegations have been made against some ministers.

As many more Ministers expressed their reservation on the ‘media trail’ in recent past, the Speaker said “I will give a ruling that media should disclose their sources”.

The Speaker said that he would announce his ruling over the issue and give direction to the media.

Even Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Sagar also expressed his reservations over the "source- based stories" appearing in media.

When PDP MLA Nizam-uddin Bhat pointed that the matter cannot be decided in Assembly and it should be taken up with the Press Council of India, Lone said that "media is under his control and they will have to reveal their sources".

Protesting against this comment the mediamen walked out of the press gallery and boycotted the proceedings. They sat on dharna outside the Assembly complex in protest against the Speaker's comment.

The journalists demanded that Lone's statement be expunged from proceedings.

They said that the freedom of press cannot be undermined by the Speaker.

“They cannot gag the voice of the media by these tactics they cannot gag our voice. We always raise the issues of common and the corruption at various levels in the administration”, said a media person.

NRHM proving a white elephant, failed to achieve set targets due to lack of infrastructure

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Feb 26: While National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) was launched with much funfare in Jammu and Kashmir to cater the needs of rural population, but government is slow on fun utilization.

Sources said that the project has failed to achieve its set targets which and many of the schemes under the project have not reached the rural masses, mainly because health sector is facing acute infrastructural problems. .

According to the official record, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Government of India has released Rs 592.61 crore whereas the state government has sanctioned an amount of Rs 679.73 crore from the launch of NRHM, in which only Rs 573.02 crore has been used by different activities till date.

Sources said that if such huge amount of money is being sanctioned and used by the health department then why it doesn’t use properly so that the suitable results come out.

Reports further says that in the ten districts of Jammu province the total expenditure from the launch of NRHM till January 2012 are Rs 24,035.78 lacs which included District Health Societies (DHS) of Doda is Rs 1,209.05, Ramban Rs 678.15 lacs, Kishtwar Rs 762.70 lacs, Udhampur Rs 1,451.16 lacs, Reasi Rs 827.03 lacs, Jammu Rs 2,810.41 lacs, Samba Rs 884.94 lacs, Kathua Rs 1,692.09 lacs, Rajouri Rs 1,911.02 lacs and Poonch Rs 1,493.23 lacs whereas the other developmental infrastructure of Director Health Services, Jammu costs Rs 10,316.00 lacs.

 “Most of the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Sub Centres of the state are without proper infrastructure and even the number of medical and paramedical staff are not adequate to cope up the rush of patients” said a employee in health department.

 He added that due to the unavailability of the required facilities patients care suffers and spending crores of rupees by the government seems useless.

 It is pertinent to mention here that after being warned by the Government of India over mismanagement in the implementation of NRHM, the State Government has decided to establish field cells in all districts to monitor target achievements of the flagship health scheme.

Union Health Ministry had pulled up J&K for its lack of concern to keep track on utilization of resources under the centrally sponsored scheme, which had led to blockage of funds from time to time in the past.

Special field teams would conduct monthly reviews and submit their reports to respective Deputy Commissioners, who in turn would submit it to the higher authorities for necessary action.

J&K examining cases of 1,524 stone pelters, 100 police posts sanctioned in state

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Feb 24: Jammu and Kashmir is examining under its amnesty scheme the cases of 1,524 people allegedly involved in stone-pelting during the 2010 summer unrest in the Kashmir Valley. The 228 cases are being examined and orders for their withdrawal if falling within the ambit of the scheme are likely to be issued in the near future chief minister Omar Abdullah said on Friday.

In a written reply to a question by PDP MLA Peerzada Mansoor Hussain in the Assembly the CM said the amnesty scheme was launched on August 28 last year for youths and first-time offenders who were not involved in serious cases of crime during the unrest.

However no amnesty will be given to persons involved in heinous offences or in causing arson and damage to the public property he said adding that those found involved in such incidents after August 28 will also be out of the purview of this scheme.

Omar further said the initiative was launched to ensure that bureaucratic hurdles do not hamper their future prospects when it comes to applying for government jobs passport loans for education and self-employment or for pursuing higher education.

The CM also said that as many as 1,524 persons involved in 228 cases of stone-pelting have been prosecuted so far and probe is on in another 174 cases involving 1,180 persons.

Jammu and Kashmir Government today said over 100 police posts in the state have been sanctioned and 20 have been upgraded to police stations during the past two years. Of these, the highest number of 13 police posts were sanctioned in Jammu, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah informed the state Assembly in a written reply.

Reasi district will have 12 police posts, followed by 11 in Kishtwar district, and ten each in Kulgam and Bandipora districts, he said.

PDD seeking help of ADB to curtail power thefts in J&K

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Feb 20: After failure of e-meters installed by Power Development Department (PDD) to curtail the power thefts in the state, PDD in a last ditch effort has now decided to seek help of Asian Development Bank (ADB) to install High Voltage Distribution System to curtail theft of electricity.

According to the officials department has decided to approach the ADB for the financial assistance to take up the project in Jammu and Kashmir and a detailed report is being prepared for the same.

“Project is being formulated and these new distribution systems will be installed in every home and has better security features than e-meters. They will be integrated with meters”, said a officia. He further said that some new measures are being initiated to take strict action against the people involved in power thefts.

“We have already constituted special teams to conduct surprise inspections and take action like imposition of fines and snapping the power lines”, sources said.

Installation of meters was started in 2004, during Congress-PDP government to bring down Accumulated Transmission and Commercial (AT&C) losses to nationally accepted figure of 18 to 20 per cent from a whopping 60 per cent.

During 2004-05 about 24052 households were brought under the e-meters in J&K, similarly in 2005-06, 42129 meters were installed in both the regions of the state, later in 2006-07 it reached upto 149206 meters. However despite efforts the process failed to achieve its intended target and the entire process had not made much impact and power losses have continued to rise.

Further nearly 23,500 electronic meters were damaged by the mob across the Jammu province during the 63 days long agitation over Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) land row causing a loss of Rs 2.46 crore to the State exchequer and they are also being replaced by the department in phased manner.

Officials said that this new plan is being implemented as the department this year again failed to recover its revenue targets.

It had managed to recover Rs 733 crore from across the state while the target was Rs 1031 crore, which has further put strain on the department which had to purchase electricity for nearly Rs 1800 crore during the year.

Meanwhile power situation in Jammu region is getting worse as in many areas erratic power cuts is making people angry with the department which had claimed that metered areas will receive 24-hour power supply.

“Even though meters in our area have been installed about two years back but we still have to face power cuts, what is fun of these instruments”, said Sanjeev Sharma resident of New Plot.

HIV scare: People coming voluntarily for check up in J&K

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Feb 17: With widespread awareness campaign and education programmes launched by the government, about 33,000 people have voluntarily come forward for HIV/AIDS check up in last four years in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the officials, although very few HIV positive cases have been reported among the people who came for the tests, but officials say that it shows about the level of awareness among the people regarding the deadly disease.

The state has so far recorded about 1,410 cases of HIV/AIDS victims but many NGO feel that the number could be higher as in some cases victims don’t come forward or reveal themselves due to stigma attached with the virus.

“Our efforts are bearing fruits and people have themselves visited our health institutions for check up. It allows us to monitor any possible victim and provide him necessary help”, said a official of J&K AIDS control society. “Awareness is the best defense against the disease which claim thousands of lives in the world every year”, he said.

According to the officials associated with the disease control programme, though the number of cases in the state are very few but keeping in view the migratory population coming to the state and the tourists visiting here there always remain a threat that the AIDS may infect people particularly the labourers, truck drivers and sex workers.

In its efforts to reach out to the youngsters, the society has also trained about 4,000 school teachers to impart education to the school children about the deadly disease and religious teachers including Maulvis and Granthis have also using their platform to spread the awareness.

Under the religious advocacy programme 840 Imam's and 500 Granthis have been trained across the state to reach out to the people. According to the official sources the threat of spread of disease is through the active drug users which has shown a upward trend during the militancy years, truck drivers who constantly move outside the state with their vehicle and unprotected sex.

Apart from this about 17000 workers of social welfare department, 2400 village heads have also been trained so far who would work as ambassadors for convening the messages in their respective areas.

Director said that as per the survey conducted by the society AIDS graph has shown reduction of 0.3 percent in high risk groups and 0.02 percent in general population in the state.

The state has eight voluntary counseling and testing centers, four each in Jammu and Srinagar while 22 blood banks across the state have been modernized to ensure safe blood transfusion.

Govt. fails to check inflow of fake pesticide brands

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Feb 17: There is strong resentment brewing among the farmers against the agriculture department for its failure to check the inflow of fake brands of pesticides in the market which have taken a heavy tool on the agriculture production in Jammu and Kashmir.

The latest in the series is the case of widely used batches of Butaveer, a weedicide and KRICEL, an insecticide, which due to their ineffectiveness resulted in huge losses to the farmers.

Sources said that the enforcement wing of the department has advised cultivators not to use Butaveer batch No BuTJK0190 and KRICEL batch No KRE1JK/256 as these have been found substandard in the quality control lab test.

Similarly, the farmers have also been advised not to use Butaveer (Nanda Dawa)  batch No ButJK0190 and Benmain (fungicide) batch No MA00908CB as these have also been found of low quality after lab tests.

Sources said that farmers have been approaching the department with complaints of the ineffectiveness of these brands during the sowing season and following the tests these were found of sub-standard quality.

Though officials do not rule out the pumping of counterfeit make of the twin brands by some fake company, but it were the farmers who remained at the receiving end in the whole misdemeanor. Sources said that the department has desperately failed to check the sale of counterfeit brands in the market despite the fact that it has claimed to have launched a special drive against the menace.

Earlier, it had been reported that a large number of pesticide dealers were looting farmers by selling misbranded items to earn easy money.

“The most common victim is the farmer, who had to rely on these chemicals to save his crop. When they fail, nobody comes to his rescue. Only answer he gets is that steps are being taken against the companies”, said Balwant Singh, a farmer from R.S Pura.

Director Agriculture Ajay Khajuria said that he will have to check about the specific advisory but said that at times, they have found some specific brands below the mark.

He said so far the drive had proved successful and a large quantity of misbranded items had been seized. 

Tainted officials run show at HP&M deptt

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Feb 16: At a time when the government is making tall claims of eradication corruption in the government departments, two tainted officials, with pending cases of corruption in Crime Branch and Vigilance, are running the show at Horticulture, Planning and Marketing(HP&M ) Department.

Both the officials have figured in the tainted officials list submitted in Legislative Assembly by the home department continuously for last three years.  

Sources said that Deputy Director, Kashmir, M.S Teli, has pending vigilance case against him for withdrawal of salary to the tune of Rs 6 lakh at a time against the post of Deputy Director and General Manager, Kashmir Fruit Federation (KFF).

But despite proven case of fraud no action has been taken against him so far.

Sources said that despite involvement of these officials in the embezzlement of crores of rupees, they have been given important assignments owing to their proximity with some ministers, while upright officials have been neglected. The sources alleged that patronized by the ministers, these tainted officials are ruling the roost in the department even beyond their official jurisdiction.

If sources are to be believed, Crime Branch and Vigilance Department is also holding inquiry against Teli in alleged bungling in the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS). “For last six months his promotion for the post of Joint Director is pending as the higher authorities, considering his tainted record, is not issuing the mandatory Integrity Certificate ”, they alleged.

Similarly, Assistant Director, Shakuat Ahmed Khan, who also holds a key position in the department, is under scanner of crime branch and vigilance for his alleged role in misuse of public money.

A senior officer on condition of anonymity said that there are Directions from the Administrative Department not to give any important assignment to Shaukat Ahmed Khan, but he has been given key role in organizing recent Fruit Mela,   in Jammu. 

J&K to prepare 40 year master plan for environment

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Feb 15: With concerns rising over increased environmental destruction to achieve economic development, state government has started work to formulate region wise master plans for next 40 years, to establish harmony between the two.

Under the Master Plan, the areas to be used for establishing residential colonies, educational and health institutions, public utility services will be marked, with no changes for next few years.

Officials said that such Master Plans would be valid for the next 40-50 years keeping into account emerging requirements.

Minister for Forest, Mian Altaf Ahmed said, “We are making a detailed plan so that while taking up developmental projects, fragile environment is kept in safe mode”.

Climate Change and Global Warming has become a major threat for the state, first the insurgency led to destruction of the forests and now in past ten years, big developmental projects have led to massive environmental degradation across the region.

It is pertinent to mention here that recently a study conducted by the weather scientists at SKUAST Jammu has said that in past two decades, there has been one-degree rise in temperature in the state, which had sent alarm bells ringing among the officials.

Altaf said, all concerned governmental authorities have been roped in to make a multi-dimensional approach to protect the fragile ecosystems.

Experts say that the Himalayan region, which is called the roof of the world, is a source of many mighty rivers flowing perennially round the year and if there is two percent increase in the temperature by 2050, as much as 35 percent of these glaciers will disappear, which could pose problem for the state.

Recently during a three day workshop in Jammu, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah had asked the scientists and government departments to meet regularly to create mechanism to ensure that environmental protection becomes part of the agencies engaged in different projects.

Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing warmer winters and severe summers. In recent years the rising population has also put pressure on water bodies, pastures, forests and glaciers giving rise to draught like conditions in the Kandi areas of the Valley and plains of Jammu.

In recent years a tonne of soot and pollutants chimneys of brick kilns and industrial units has also mixed with the air.

“Though government is concerned over environmental degradation, but it cannot stop infrastructure projects. It will be a challange”, said a officials.

14,000 teachers to be imparted skill development in J&K

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Feb 14: Trying to improve the skills of the teachers, Education department will start special “skill development classes”, for nearly 14000 teachers in Jammu and Kashmir in next two months. Most of them will be trained through District Institute of Education and Training (DIETs) across the state.

Officials said that under the plan, special classes will be organised for the Government teachers to improve their subject skills. “It has become necessary as the level of education has fallen in most of the government schools in recent years. This all shows up in the annual result in the board examination”, said an official.

There are nearly 22,000 government teachers in the government sector alone.

“Apart from the training programme for the teachers we intent to provide free uniforms to the children to improve the enrollment in the institutions. The plan is already in place but it will be further expanded”, said a official.

There are nearly 13,000 schools across the state, but many of them are understaffed due to which the performance of children studying in these institutions has dipped in recent years in comparison to the private institutions.

“Though the private educational institutions give far less salary to their teachers, but skill wise they are more improved and know the needs of the present time. In case of government teachers, most of them have very casual approach towards the students”, said a senior official from the department.

Major worry for the government is student-teacher ratio, while the statistic are encouraging as the J&K has student-teacher ratio at 30:1 as against the national average of 43:1, but the major issue is performance of the students studying in government schools.

A official said that while in the urban schools, the ratio is as low as 20:1 in the remote villages of the state the ratio is nearly 60:1 and the government want to reduce this gap and improving the skills of the teachers is very important to compete with the private institutions. “Many of the primary schools are run by two teachers only and even in some cases by single teacher”, said a source.

CAPD TSO house raided, FIR lodged against him

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Feb 13: State Vigilance Organization (SVO) today registered a case against Tehsil Supply Officer of CA&PD Kishtwar, Sujjan Singh for raising assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. 

An FIR No. 06/2011 U/S 5(1) (e) r/w 5(2) P.C-Act. Svt 2006 was lodged against the accused TSO. 

During the course of investigation the property which include newly constructed shopping cum -residential complex over a piece of land measuring 1kanal 5 ½ marlas falling under khasra No. 1634 min at Atholi, Padder standing in the name of accused Sujjan Singh valuing Rs. 30,60,242 including the cost of the land. 

House No. 66-Ext Subash Nagar, Jammu constructed over land measuring 4 marlas 63 Sqft falling in Khasara No.98 situated at Patoli Mangotrian, Jammu having construction cost including the cost of the land as Rs.9,92,530, 

Bank accounts in the name of the accused as well as his spouse were found acquired through the proceeds of corrupt practices by the accused. During the course of the investigation it has surfaced that the value of the assets acquired by the accused is more than the legitimate sources of the income of the accused. 

After seeking necessary approval from the commissioner of Vigilance J&K, Jammu as envisaged U/S 8-B P.C (Amendment Act 2006) r/w Prevention of corruption ( Amendment Act 2007) , the disproportionate properties of the accused Sujjan Singh i.e H.No. 66-Ext Subash Nagar, Jammu, A/C No. SB-2002884 last balance Rs. 1,30,776, A/C No. 2006758 last balance Rs. 41,892, and A/C No. SB-28086 last balance Rs. 4,65,553 in Central Cooperative Bank, Sarwal Jammu and J&K Bank, Town Hall, have been attached today by the State Vigilance Organization (SVO) in the presence of independent witnesses, with the direction that the accused shall not dispose off or cause to alienate the property by any mode what so ever.

Jammu fast becoming city of billboards, JMC sleeping

Tahir Mushtaq
JAMMU, Feb 12: The city of temples is fast becoming huge billboard, thanks to the rampant unauthorised erected hoardings, sign boards, advertisement portals in virtually every nook and corner of the city. Despite the recent drive launched by the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) against these hoarding, walls, fencings, electric poles, buildings even roof tops continue to be used with impunity for putting up hoarding of all types even government ones. Added to this are the small private tutorials that have displayed their hoardings at many places to attract students. Even the roads have not escaped these advertisements sidelining the traffic rules as the visual impediments and distractions created by them could cause accidents on various roads. “Make a round of any part of the city and you will realize that advertisements, hoardings and posters have been fixed on virtually every available space. This has given the city very ugly look”, said Ankush Abrol, a resident of Gandhi nagar. Though JMC launched a special drive against these unauthorised hoardings recently but it did not had any effect on their use and most parts of the city continue to be in grip of these hoarding. Sources said that JMC has become slow in its drive as pressure was built on the officials to be selective keeping in view the business interests of some prominent people in the town. “Given the quantum of the illegal hoardings in Jammu, it seems that it will take months of sustained drive to make Jammu free from such illegal hoardings”, added a college student Megha Gupta. People say that if the officials are sincere about removing these hoarding they can do it within days, but JMC just do a publicity stunt. “There are certain norms regarding the use of the public spaces for advertisements in the city and we are making plans to intensify our drive against such violations”, Singh said. “Jammu is a big city and it will take some time to clear all the hoarding from the town, but we have directed officials to take required action”, he said. Amit Kumar, an Engineering student rued that even the trees on the roadsides have not been spared. “I don’t know under which law they are allowed to put banner and sign boards on the trees, it gives ugly look to the city”.

7 selected KAS officers waiting for appointment letters

Tahir Mushtaq JAMMU, Feb 10: Term it’s a official injustice or discrimination, seven candidates selected in the final list of Kashmir Administrative Services (KAS) of 2010-11 batch, are still waiting for the appointment letters. These hapless candidates are moving from pillar to post for getting joining orders but so far they have not received any reason for the delay on part of the officials. Sources maintained that Jammu Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) had recommended names of 189 candidates to the General Administration Department (GAD). These candidates qualified the KAS 2010-11 vide order number PSC/Ex-11/109 and were called for Medical Examination. Further, out of 189 selected candidates, joining orders of 182 were issued joining orders vide order number 02 of GAD of 2012/434 dated 02-01-2012 against the posts in the Junior Scale of Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services, Jammu and Kashmir Police (Gazzetted) Services, and Jammu and Kashmir Accounts (Gazzetted) Services. Seven selected candidates Mudassar Buddar Mir (S. No. 82 in selection list) of Doda, Pankaj Sasan (Serial No. 119) of Rajouri, Irshad Ahmed Sheikh (S. No. 132) of Doda, Hosiyar Chand (S. No. 144) of Doda, Sham Singh Rai (S. No. 150) of Ramban, Vijay Kuamr (S.No. 189) of Vijaypur, and Sunaina Bharti (S.No. 188) R S Pura were not issued joining orders. These aggrieved selected candidates informed that they were made to understand that their names were withheld because of shortfall of height for the police service. They made representations to Chief Secretary, Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla, Haj and Auqafn Minister Ajaj Ahmed Jan. The ministers even write to the CM for his intervention in the case. But till date nothing has been done so far. One of the candidate Pankaj Sasan said that they worked hard to clear the tough exams but the attitude of the government is very unfortunate. “We fail to understand, why they are delaying issuing appointment letters to us. It is clear discrimination with us”.

J&K recieves 9 crore under RMSA

Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, Feb 08: With most of the centrally sponsored projects to strengthen the education sector in Jammu and Kashmir are running behind schedule, state has received additional Rs. 9 crore under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) for strengthening infrastructure in secondary schools.


Officials said that the money is to be utilized for renovation of laboratories, maintenance and upkeep of electricity and water-channels, teachers’ trainings, purchase of library books and computers.


Official sources said that the in order to smoothly get the funds, Education Department has been asked by the central government to submit the progress report with regard to expenditure incurred during 2009-2010 under RMSA, requirement of textbooks in summer and winter zone, details of engagements of RETs as on date, progress as on date in opening and upgradation of schools under SSA and civil works under SSA.

It is pertinent to mention here that Minister for School Education Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed had recently taken a review meeting of the department to get feed back from the officials regarding the implementation of the central schemes. Government has already declared the education sector as essential services in the state.


Under the central plan each school will get approximately Rs.7.65 lakhs per annum under the scheme. Under the central government funded scheme the state will get the funds on the basis of 90:10 ratio as Jammu and Kashmir falls into special category state. 


Under Rashtriya Madhymik Siksha Abiyan (RMSA),students and schools from 8th to 12th standard are covered.


This programme was launched after the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) which covered the elementary education in the state RMSA will cover children in secondary schools”, said a official.


SSA 72 Computer Aided Learning Centres (CALCs) have been established in upper primary schools. As many as, 1901 primary schools have been opened, 1329 schools upgraded while 1021 Education Guarantee Centres being given primary status under the scheme.


The scheme of continuous, comprehensive evaluation (CEE) is set to be implemented with a renewed vigour and commitment with a view to securing the much-needed make-over of elementary education with emphasis on quality.

Mismanagement galore at SMGS, three patients share single bed

Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, Feb 07: Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh Hospital (SMGS) is at presently facing the problem of mismanagement. The hospital is at the heart of the city and therefore each and every patient prefers to go in this hospital for treatment.


The hospital has many wards for the indoor patience with beds. Each patient has to use one bed for his or her treatment. Sometime due to heavy rush of the patients two to three patient share a single bed.


At presently there is no such rush of the patience in the said hospital, but due to mismanagement the patients are suffering as in some wards two or more patience has shared a single bed and in some wards most of the beds are lying vacant.


Although three to four doctors and helpers are always present in each ward but still there prevails the mismanagement. But it is the duty of the concerned department to maintain proper sequence of the patients to provide them the best of treatment.


A senior Doctor posted in the hospital said that it is the duty of the concerned doctor to maintain proper decorum and the vacant beds are for emergency cases only. But the question arising is that if no emergency case comes to the hospital then why the other patients will suffer although the beds are vacant?


State government claims of spending huge amount of money in planning new establishments to facilitate the health needs of the people but unfortunately the existing facilities are none lying functional.  Even the basic equipment are not functional in the hospital.


The main purpose of the test is to evaluate respiratory diseases and conditions that affect the lings, including emphysema, severe asthma, and chronic bronchitis. It helps determine the effectiveness of oxygen therapy. The acid-base component of the test also gives information about kidney function. And, in the absence of this facility the patients are suffering.

Projects undertaken by ERA, saga of delays and unfinished projects

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Feb 05: While government has given clear direction to Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) to complete their work on prescribed time but the reality is opposite as many of the projects have not been completed so far.

It is patient to mention here that the government has given project of constructing national highway, bridges and setting up water supply schemes to the agency, but they have facing much delay. The ERA department delaying on the road and flyovers ongoing project, they are doing slowly work on this practices.

There are many projects fate of those hangs in balance, the construction work of Syedpora Harwan Bridge taken by ERA and started in January 2009 and as on date 30% of the work has been completed. And other flyover is not work start on them till the time.

According to source said that the schemes for the development and upgradation of various amenities in urban, sub-urban and rural areas of the Jammu and Kashmir. But the entire project is delaying day by day.

“The transport section has 9 roads project for Jammu region but only one has been completed and other 8 are incomplete. It is just a tip of the ice berg and there are number of projects which have been delayed beyond time”.

He further said that the other project is not approval at till time and the state government only given direction for completed the work as soon. He mentioned that funds passed by Assian Development Bank (ADB) the state government no role in which
he disclosed that the people of several areas like Bari Bharmana, saroor, kalu chak, Gangyal, and other areas facing daily routine traffic Jams, water logging on the national highway. The water supplies project is completed several is areas the work start on last many years.

There would have been coordination between various agencies of the government and the pointing to the nexus between the officials.

Officials said that they have 9 projects of road in different areas in which two are in Doda, two are in Udhampur, two are in Kathua, two for Jammu and one for Poonch. The one of road project is completed and other is sent for approvals. He also said that ADB Asian Development Bank provides the funds and there is no role of state government.

65 tubewells installed in R.S Pura, non functional due to lack of maintainance

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Feb 02: Nearly half of the 140 tubewells installed by the government in R.S Pura, Bishnah and Suchetgarh for irrigation purpose in recent years have become non-functional due to lack of maintenance and erratic electricity supply.

According to the sources nearly 65 tubewells are not working which has created worrisome situation for the cultivators who in absence of sufficient monsoon rains this year are battling the dry spell and possible crop failure.

However officials from the Irrigation Department say that they are supplying enough water and Department has created special teams to keep track of the infrastructure created to supply water to the farmers particularly in those areas which does not receive canal water.

At present the tube wells irrigate nearly 8000 kanals of crop land in the Jammu region particularly in rice producing area of R.S. Pura, Suchetgarh, Akhnoor, Bishnah and other areas.

"Basic norms were ignored while setting up of these tubewells and due to poor maintenance they remain non-functional most of the time. Even after repeated pleas to the officials no step is being taken to make them functional", said Taranjeet Singh, a farmer leader from R.S Pura.

He said that thousands of people are dependent on these pump sets and government should take proper steps so that farmers dont suffer. It is pertinent to mention here that each tubewell cost Rs 30 to 40 lakh and most of them have been raised by Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department and Irrigation Department.

However when contacted,a senior official from the PHE denied that there is any problem.

"Sometimes they stop working due to electricity cut but most of the time they are supplying water. Whenever there is any technical fault we ratify it immediately", official said.

"If farmers are facing any problem they should come to us so that we can send our technical teams", he said.

Most of the tail end villages facing the shortage of water include Baspur Bangla, Suchetgarh, Abdal, Grhana, Chakroi, Chandu-Chak, Abdullian, Vidhipur, Samka, Dera, Raipur Saida, Biyaspur and Parlah. Though Ranbir canal provides water for irrigation to majority of the Jammu region, but number of villages in R.S. Pura sector and Arnia in Bisnah sector are not covered by the canal and in absence of proper irrigation facilities are still dependent on rainfall.

"We produce the best quality of basmati rice in the region, but because of lack of proper irrigation facility we have to suffer losses every year", said Balwinder Kumar, a cultivator from Arnia village.
The farmers say that they had to suffer huge losses due to the apathetic attitude of the department as a large portion of their crop had wilted away due the unavailability of proper irrigation facilities. In Jammu region, total area under rice cultivation is around 109.60 thousand hectares and production is around 1828 thousands quintals (2006-07).

Seven district in J&K fall in poor category

Tahir Mushtaq


JAMMU, Feb 01: While the overall Below Poverty Line (BPL) population in Jammu and Kashmir has shown a downward trend in last decade, 7 districts out of 22 still fall in the poor category with 40 per cent of the BPL population in the state living in these areas.


Among the districts which fall in poor category include the three newly created districts of Reasi, Ramban and Kishtwar which were carved out by the previous PDP-Congress coalition government in the state.


On the basis of BPL head count ratio and BPL household count ratio conducted by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, the seven poorest districts in the state are Reasi, Ramban, Kishthwar, Poonch, Kupwara, Kargil and Bandipora which have more than 30 percent (37.93 percent to 31.09 percent) estimated BPL population.


According to the survey these seven districts have 30-40 percent people below poverty line, 9 districts recorded 20-30 percent poverty and 5 districts recorded 10-20 percent poverty while 1 district recorded 0 to 10 percent poverty ratio.


The estimated poor population in the state has been recorded in newly carved out districts Reasi, with the indicator standing 1.04 lakh persons, Ramban, has 89 thousand poor people , Kishthwar has 80 thousand, Poonch has 1.35 lakh, Kupwara has estimated BPL population of 2.30 lakh. Baramulla has total BPL population of 2.23 lakh, Kargil has 71 thousand.


According to the survey of the 24.21 lakh people who fall in below the poverty line, 22 lakh are from rural areas and while 2.21 lakh persons live in urban areas.


“There has been decline but it is too slow and planners need to give more consideration to formulate policies for eradication of poverty ”, said a official.


Sources said that the study has revealed that newly carved out districts have higher BPL population percentage due to the remoteness from their erstwhile district headquarters resulting in slow development and are hence still rural in character.


However the good news for the planners is that there has been a continuous fall in the poor population in past over a decade (1993-2008). Figures say that the BPL percentage in the state in 1993-94 was 30.34 for rural, 9.18 for urban and combined total percentage of 25.17. It has now declined to 26.14 in rural, 7.96 in urban and 21.63 percent in 2007-08.