Humane gesture of Madrassa

Gives shelter to a mentally retarded women, infant

Tahir Mushtaq (TNI)

JAMMU, Oct 03: Taking initiative a trust of Bhatandi, ‘Molana Ali Miyan Educational and Charitable Trust’, adopted the mentally retarded woman and her seven months legally who was abandoned from the past many months at Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital.

Sources said that when no government as well as private organization besides Non Government Organisation (NGO) adopted the mentally retarded lady beggar and her baby finally court has ordered to shift them to the Madrasa located at Bhatandi.

Sources said many times the administration approached different NGOs of the city but no one came forward to take care of mother-son duo. Owing to public apathy, the Hospital administration was compelled to look after the both.

Talking to TNI, a Trustee of the trust, Molvi Shakeel-ur-Rehman said that after getting the information about the lady and her child, our trust approached the court to adopt them.

“After completing all the legal formalities of court the trust adopted these two abandoned persons” he said.

He further said that no doubt we are also facing certain problems to tackle the mentally retarded woman, but we are trying our best to provide them every facility.

He informed that we have approached to one migrated family from Burma who is at present taking care of both of them, adding that the trust is planning to construct a small hut for them and arranging funds for the same.

It is pertinent to mention here that the duo was brought to SMGS hospital by people when they found the mentally challenged woman lying with her just born baby on roadside near Kachi Chawni. The baby boy was suffering from acute infection, and owing to his critical condition he was admitted in Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). His mother was also admitted in the hospital.

Pertinently, Court had ordered that if any person who wants to adopt the child should take care of mother as well besides, he has to transfer half of his/her half property in the name of the child as security, owing to which no individual came to forward to adopt them.

Dengue epidemic

Private labs looting people in name of tests

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Oct 03: The private labs of district Samba looting the innocent people by providing them fake medical reports and showing them positive for dengue.

Sources said that people of Samba are living under constant threat of dengue as the private labs operators in the district misguiding them making extra bugs by sending them outside state for treatment.

Talking to TNI Director Health Services, Jammu, Dr B S Pathania these tests of dengue were conducted in some private labs and without getting our help adding that we are concerned over misleading of people by private labs, who claim that they conduct tests for the dengue fever at their labs," Dr Pathania said.

He further said they too had got reports from Samba that some laboratories, for their own interest, were sending patients to Ludhiana by manipulating the medical reports of patients.

“We have taken up the issue with the Deputy Commissioner, Samba, and our team is verifying the facts about this kind of malpractice,” he added.

Official said that more than 70 cases were detected positive after dengue test in Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu adding that the test is only done at the GMC in the Jammu region.

“Some of the private medical laboratories at Samba, on the basis of the Rapid Test, send patients to Ludhiana, saying that Jammu doctors cannot treat the disease properly,” a source said.

“For these tests, laboratories in Samba charge Rs 700 from a patient. But because of the nexus, it makes them earn in lakhs,” the source said.

The health department has also constituted several field teams to create awareness among the people about the disease.

Dengue is an acute fever caused by a virus and has two forms of dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever which is more severe with bleeding and sometimes with shock, which may lead to death too.

Dengue hits Samba: claim 2 lives, 60 positive

Young girl’s death sparks protest

Angry mob ransacks Distt Hospital, manhandles CMO

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Sept 30: As deadly Dengue claimed second live in Samba, the local populace lost its calm and turned irate ransacking the Samba District Hospital and office of Chief Medical Officer (CMO), besides thrashing the CMO and other staff members. Police has registered case against the people who indulged in violence.  

According to reports, after performing the last rites of 24-yr old girl Pooja Sambyal, who lost life due to Dengue, a large number of people from Mandi Thalora gathered outside the District Hospital and held demonstration against the Health Department. They alleged that due to negligence and carelessness of the Health Department, the young girl lost her life.

The deceased girl, daughter of Rameshwar Singh resident of Mandi Thalora, was suffering from Dengue fever and admitted to District Hospital on September 21, where doctors failed to give her adequate treatment, after which she was taken to a hospital in Pathankote on September 25. She was further taken to another hospital in Ludhiana on September 28, where she lost battle for life.

An eye-witness told that protesting people had heated exchange with the hospital staff after which the mob gone berserk and targeted the hospital property. They smashed the glasses, window-panes and turned the tables around besides throwing benches, he added.

Thereafter, the mob turned towards the adjoining office of the CMO and held arguments with CMO Kartar Chand who tried to pacify the angry mob but of no avail as he was also thrashed by the irate group of people. In attempt to save the CMO, a lady official namely Nishu slapped one of the senior citizens Prahlad Singh, which led to further aggravation. In the meantime, Police prevailed upon the protesters and shifted the CMO to Government Medical College, Jammu.  

The agitated people then demanded suspension of lady official Nishu with immediate effect on account of assaulting a prominent senior citizen of the area. Sarpanch of Mandi Phalora, Varinder Singh was leading the group of protesting people.

Singh alleged that Samba District Hospital was lacking healthcare facility and due to it the young girl lost her life. “The Government makes tall claims of improving healthcare infrastructure but here, in Samba, nothing seems visible. Everything is in doldrums as more than sixty cases of Dengue have been reported in the district but the Health Department is yet to make any plan to deal with the epidemic like situation,” he further alleged.   

He further said that behavior of lady official of CMO Office was unwarrantable and she must be suspended. Later, to pacify the people District Commissioner R K Verma visited the hospital premises and assured them of necessary actions to streamline the healthcare system. He also ordered attachment of lady official with BMO Nud and inquiry into the whole episode.     

Earlier, a baby girl namely Mehak of village Kartholi in Samba reportedly died of Dengue at SMGS Hospital. Meanwhile, official report said till date there were 71 cases of dengue across the Jammu region, out of which 60 alone were from Samba.

Officials further maintain that owing to changes in weather, there is a greater probability of increase in malaria patients in the Jammu region. They add that there were certain vulnerable pockets such as Gandhi Nagar, Rajiv Nagar, Talab Tillo, Qasim Nagar and Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu city. These localities are being constantly monitored to detect places which are potential breeding grounds of mosquitoes.

Sigh of great relief for poor patients

CT Scan machine at GMC back to job, courtesy German Engineers

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Sept 28: The CT Scan machine installed at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC) Jammu have start functioning again after a gap of nearly two months after repair by German Engineers hence brought respite to hundreds of patients, who throng the institution on daily basis.

To rectify the fault in CT machines a team of Engineers was specially called from Germany. Even the spare parts were also brought from Germany. But, the hospital administration have miserably failed to search an alternative to German remedy, as it took a long wait of over two months to get the machine repaired, owing to which people were subjected to hardships.

Sources revealed that CT Scan Machines were prone to mechanical defects and possibility of break-out anytime can’t be ruled out, hence it was imperative to an alternative to German Engineers so that machines could be repaired at the earliest.

They said, “Hospital administration should have some alternate way so that they won’t need to call engineers from outside the country, as well as the spare part should also be available nearby.”

Sources revealed that government was spending crores of rupees to provide better health care facilities to the people of the state, but the mismanagement on the part of officers concerned had made the things worst for poor patients who throng government hospital for cheap treatment.

“This was not the first time when patients have to pay for the fault of the hospital but many time earlier patients have to face problem due to one reason or the others” said a insider.

It is pertinent to mention here that during the period there was total chaos and patients were the worst sufferers of inability of the government to repair the machines early. Most of the people are afraid to admit patient in the hospital.

On daily average, around 20 to 30 patients need CT scan who are mostly admitted in emergency ward with head injuries as most of the medical help cannot be provided in such cases with the report of scan. These patients are suffering due to non functional machine in the hospital,

When contacted, principal GMC, Dr Shashi Gupta said they were planning to purchase new CT Scan machines on Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode to meet the need.

“As the last year, funds had been lapsed. Now, the administration has submitted the proposal to sanction the said machine” said Dr Gupta.

She further revealed that department was paying annual maintenance charges to company and the latter was bound to rectify the error. On being asked about the time needed to get the repair done, she said, “We don’t have any option but to wait for the German Engineers as there is no other agency in country to repair these machines.”

Dengue alarm

Figure breaches 8 year mark; reaches 50   

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Sept 24: Around 50 cases of dengue have been detected so far in Jammu region, which is the highest among the last eight years, as claimed by the Health Department.

Director Health Services, Jammu Dr B S Pathania informed that most of the cases were from rural areas of the region including Samba, Kathua, Bari Brahmana and Vijaypur.

“About 15 to 20 patients are approaching their primary health centres on daily basis with symptoms of dengue which are being further referred to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC) Jammu for blood test,” he stated.

He further said, “After 2006, when 42 cases of dengue had been reported, dengue has been reported only this year. Though sporadic cases have been report in between 2006 to 2013.”

Head, Microbiology Department GMC, Dr Bella Mahajan said their department conducted blood tests of the people who reported dengue symptoms and send the reports to the Director Health Services for further procedure.

She further said that treatment of the patients was going on at GMC, SMGS and Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar besides Accidental Hospital Vijaypur.

Health Officer, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Dr Vinod Sharma said corporation provide the assistance to the health department for fogging in the more dengue prone areas of the city adding that they had deputed employees with the intensive teams across the city. 

Pertinent to mention here that the climatic condition of Jammu is much suitable for 'Ades Egypti', the mosquito carrying the Dengue virus, and 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 disease is also known as break bone fever, 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,” expert added.

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, he said.

Onion moving away from common man’s reach

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Sept 19: Soaring prices of onions and vegetables have begun to hit the pocket of common man. A visit to vegetable and fruit mandis shows that the rates of vegetables have witnessed a sharp rise and is likely to increase in coming days.

In absence of any mechanism to keep check on the prices and failure of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) department to effectively deal with rates fixed illegally by retailers, people are at mercy of vendors, who charge at will. Further vegetable and fruit prices vary from one market to another, which is leading to verbal duel

Having a glance over the current prices of the vegetables in the city, the price of onions is reached upto Rs 70 per kilograms whereas potato is Rs 20 to 25 per kg, ladyfinger which is mostly liked by the people has increased from Rs 20 to 30 per kg, lemon that refreshes everyone have got up from Rs 40 to 50 per kg, tomato a regular item in our lunch and dinner has increased to Rs 40 per kg.

Harbhajan Singh a vegetable seller said that my daily sale has tremendously decreased, people prefer buying lesser quantity of vegetables, than they used to buy earlier or shifting to commodities having low rates.

Several times people also staged protest demonstration against the state government at different locations of the city, whereas the administration is not taking any heed to their grievances.

Similar is the condition of other commodities that a common man has to think many times before buying.

Sheela Devi a housewife, said that the price that the vegetable sellers charge from a common man is very expensive, people has to alter the items in their lunch and dinner.

Besides the rising of the rates in the vegetables, they are made artificially healthy by injecting chemicals to gain maximum output at the cost of health of people.

This unhealthy way of life is damaging the immune system of the people. Due to this many cases have been registered as a result of the intake of chemically injected vegetables.

Meenakshi Sharma, who is working in a private company, said that there is very little impact on the budget of the rich but the middle class is affected the most. We have to alter the items in our food thali day by day.

She requested the government to control the price rise adding that even the fruits have vanished from our diet, now the health of our families is only in the hands of the government which only can regulate the price rise.

CAPD have no funds to repair its godowns in J&K

Tonnes of ration being lost to rats, insects

Tahir Mushtaq  

JAMMU, Sept 18: Funds shortage has forced the Consumers Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) department to stop all the plans to repair renovate its godowns and storage facilities, which are in dilapidated conditions and major reason for the loss of food grains and infections.

Official said that the most of the godowns have been constructed about 40 years ago and they need major repair but the adequate funds are not been provided to the department, which is a worrisome situation.

Recently, an animal carcass were found in an old godown of warehouse, which generated public debate over upkeep of space meant for storage facilities and exposed the hollow claims of the CAPD department in keeping its facilities clean.

Sources said that since the beginning of the monsoon season most of the godowns are under threat of leakages from ceiling and it become breeding grounds for rats and other insects, which infest food grains posing health risks for consumers.

Sources said that though the directions have been passed to maintain the hygene and monitor the quality of the food grains being supplied to the people in the wake of repeated complaints about poor quality of ration being supplied in the state, but shortage of funds have crippled these efforts.

Talking to TNI, Minister for CAPD, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan said that the centre only provides Rs 50 to 60 lakh annually for repairing work of the godowns.

He maintained that there are hundreds of storage facilities across the state and it is not possible to renovate all the godowns in one time neither to repair one godown completely adding that if the department repair the godown of warehouse it will cost nearly Rs 70 lakh.

He further said that the department has floats tenders for new godowns and Food Corporation of India (FCI) will take them on lease for 20 years, as the construction of a new godown will take around Rs 8 crore which is very costly.

“As far as maintenance of ration quality is concern, it is the job entitled to the Food Corporation of India, the chief supplier of ration to the state of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.

Sources said, earlier, the FCI had directed the CAPD to improve the quality of the ration being supplied to the consumers in the state, but the department did not undertaken any concern to  the directions of FCI.

Police solves murder of Doctor in 24-hours

Unnatural relationship led to death

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Sept 13: A middle aged doctor whose decomposed body was found in secluded place at Ban Talab area on September 10 was killed by a 23 year old man Sanjeev Kumar alias killer because he was fed up with the unnatural relationship with the victim.

Police informed that the accused told the interrogators that the deceased was mentally harassing him and he was fed with the relationship.

On September 10, his body was recovered from bushes at Rajinder Nagar, Ban Talab. It was shifted by police to the GMCH mortuary for identification. Later his family identified the body in the mortuary last evening.

The Ford Figo car of the victim which was missing has also been recovered while the mobile phone has been destroyed by the accused. A case under RPC 302 has been registered against the accused in Police Station Domana.

“It is clear case of personal enmity which led to the death of the victim. During investigation we got some clues and arrested Sanjeev Kumar, who spelled the beans”, said Vijay Choudhary, Station House Officer (SHO), Domana.

It is pertinent to mention here that the doctor, Dr Anil Arora who was missing from his residence at Gandhi Nagar here since September 8 last, was found lying dead in bushes at a secluded place at Ban Talab on the city outskirts here.

Dr. Arora, a physician, who was posted at primary health centre (PHC) Bhalwal, left his residence at Gandhi Nagar on September 8 last in his Ford Figo car (JK02AP/6141) but did not return home.

His family lodged a missing report in this regard with Gandhi Nagar police station on September 9.

Only 31 pets registered in 2 years

JMC’s pet registration campaign fails miserably

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Sept 11: The two year-long campaign of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) for registration of pets has yielded sorry figure as only 31 pet dogs have been registered so far. Even, the warnings issued by JMC have failed to produce desired result. Now, the civic body has once again initiated the campaign in order to push the campaign further.

JMC has started registration process of all the pet dogs falling under 71 wards in September 2011 but after the passage two year only a merge population has been registered.

Official said that the after the registration, the owners are liable to keep them legally otherwise they will be fined as per the act. For the registration the owners have to fill the application form and deposit two photographs of the pet with its name, sex, breed, age, immunization record, color and identification mark.

Officials added that if anyone found keeping a pet dog without registration he or she will be fined.

When contacted, Municipal Veterinary Officer, Dr Zaffar said that the corporation has registered only 31 pet dogs as the people are not much aware about the registration of their dogs.

He further said that the corporation has notified several advertisements regarding the registration of the pet dogs, and now we are getting the response from the people side as compared to the last years.

“After registering their pets the registered dog gets free medical treatment for year by the corporation,” he added.

He maintained that the registration fee is Rs 500 and the renewal fee every year would be charged as a sum of Rs 300 adding that a metal badges will be issued by JMC for the dog.

“Two years have been passed but not even a single person who keeps a pet dog in the city has been penalized for not registering their canine with the corporation” said a social activist Naveen Kumar.

Shanti Sharma, a local resident said leaving aside the problem of the stray animals, this move is nothing but to force the people to pay for keeping pets. Corporation should give more consideration to other issues.

No home for mentally retarded mother and her child

For four months living at SMGS hospital

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Sept 10: A mentally retarded lady beggar and her newly born baby, who were found abandoned on roadside and subsequently taken to Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital by people four month ago, are still been lying at the Hospital as none of the Non Government Organisations (NGOs) or individual has come forward to take care of mother-son duo. Owing to public apathy, the Hospital administration is compelled to look after the both.

Though, the District Development Commissioner (DDC) Ajit Kumar Sahu is also pursuing the case to find a suitable arrangement for mother-son but nothing has yielded so far. Reliably, a Chandigarh branch of “Mother Teresa Home” has agreed to take both but still the things have not been materialized.

The duo was brought to SMGS Hospital by people when they found the mentally challenged woman lying with her just born baby on roadside near Kachi Chawni.  The baby boy was suffering from acute infection, and owing to his critical condition he was admitted in Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). His mother was also admitted in the hospital.

Talking to TNI, Medical Superintendent SMGS Hospital, Dr Dara Singh said, “The hospital administration provided every possible treatment to the baby and, now his condition is stable. For the last more than four month the child and his mother are in the hospital and no one from any NGO came forward to adopt them.”

He said the administration took up the matter with DDC, who assured that suitable arrangement would be made for mother-son through some NGO, but till date nothing had been done.

“The hospital administration is providing everything to mother-son duo, but we also have some limitations, how long we can take care of them.   People are willing to adopt the baby but they are not ready to take the responsibility of mentally challenged lady. We want someone who could take responsibility of both and that is not happening” he added.

He expressed that while living in hospital the duo was prone to several infections and need special attention. Although, the mother is showing signs of mental stability owing to motherhood and we don’t want to separate them, in case we do this there are chances of her going mentally extreme, he explained.

He informed that administration had approached Mother Teresa Home, but they also show unwillingness to adopt the mother.

Pertinently, Court had ordered that if any person who wants to adopt the child should take care of mother as well besides, he has to transfer half of his/her half property in the name of the child as security.

When contacted, Ajit Kumar Sahu confirmed that none of the NGO was willing to take both of them so the administration approached a Chandigarh branch of Mother Teresa Home which agreed to take the possession of child as well as his mother.

Sahu further said that some legal formalities were pending after which the duo would be shifted.

Sexual exploitation of girls

Govt. appointed committee to look after children home at Channi Rama

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Sept 09: To supervise the existing management committee of the Home for Mentally-Retarded Children at Channi Rama, the district administration has constituted a six member management committee.

Sources inside the administration disclosed that the six members included Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Sushma Chauhan, District Social Welfare Officer, Jammu Kulraj Singh, Red Cross Society District Secretary, Jammu Suresh Sharma, Advocate, Rohit Kapoor, Psychiatric, Dr Manu Arora besides Non Government Organization Child Line Representatives Jammu, Manjari Singh.

Official said that during the first visit of the team to the Home for Mentally-Retarded Children they observed that there is immediate need to improve the sanitation condition, security and nutrient food in the home.

The management committee further observed that there is requirement to replace the existence employee of the home with the new one.

Talking to TNI, Sushma Chauhan said that the existing management committee will work on the supervision of the new management committee constituted by the Jammu district administration.

“The committee has submitted a list to the Deputy Commissioner Jammu, citing the undersigned facilities that were required in the home, which are at present priorities” she added.

Chauhan further said that the committee in the meeting also drafted a roaster for the members who visit the home on daily bases.

It is pertinent to mention here that few days ago the case of sexually abused with five mentally challenged girls of the Home for Mentally-Retarded Children Channi Rama came in limelight after which the police arrested the director and a watchman of the home in connection with the rape and exploitation of five mentally challenged girls. The victims had said they were being exploited for the last one year. The police and the administration were investigating the case and two more persons were arrested in this regard. Whereas, a team of Rotary International from Chicago will visit the state to inquire about the happenings.

4000 daily wagers in Samba fooled by PHE department

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Aug 6: Public Health Engineering (PHE) department has turned its back on 4000 youth of Dabhu area of district Samba who were engaged as daily wagers in the department. Most of them have not been paid salaries for last four years.

This issue came into light recently when a delegation of youth, met PHE Minister Sham Lal Sharma and urged him to release their salaries. But to their shock, Minister told them that department has not received any files or order regarding their engagement in the department as daily wagers.

Sources said that it is a case of fraud and the people sitting at the helm of affairs have played with the career of youth, who are working for the department thinking that they will get salary.

Most of them are working day and night to earn bread for them and their families but due to casual approach of some of the officials future of thousands of youth are on stake.

One of the youth said that about four year back the then Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) asked to submit their documents in the department for their appointment as daily wagers but till date they did not get a penny from the PHE department.

People maintained that whenever they approached the concerned officers they were assured that the documents have been forwarded to the higher authorities for recommendation and verification.

When contacted Chief Engineer, PHE K K Gupta said the department is getting some documents from Samba district for verification purposes but only 700 people would be considered.

“I don’t have any knowledge about engagement of 4000 daily wagers and if these people have been engaged even without being paid any salary till date, still they should have received the appointment letter with them atleast”, Gupta said.

Gupta further said that if anybody appoints them with giving proper appointment letter from the department, then it is a crime and the culprit should be punished.

Till now government has failed to come up with a mechanism to pay the salary of these workers who are backbone of the department for keeping the water supply functional.

Sexually abusing of mentally retarded girls

More arrests on cards as arrested duo reveal names of other accused  

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Sept 06: Following the sustained questioning of arrested director and guard of the Home of Mentally Retarded Children, Chhanni Rama, the arrest of few more persons is on cards for their involvement in sexually abusing the girl inmates, highly placed sources said.

According to sources, both the arrested persons have made startling disclosures about their nexus during their interrogation at Trikuta Nagar Police Station. The interrogation was done in the presence of SP South Rajeshwar Singh. Sources disclosed that both the persons mentioned the name of four people who were involved in sexually abusing the girl inmates.

The people whose name has surfaced in the interrogation believed to be some influential owing to which police is moving ahead cautiously, sources added. Pertinently, the girl inmates were taken outside the home on number of occasions, on behest of some people by the two arrested persons.

However, Police have not revealed the names which have surfaced during the interrogation. SP South said, “Interrogation of both the arrested persons is still on. Though they revealed some names but their statements are being verified and nothing can be shared at this moment.”

Meanwhile, a six-member team of Management Committee paid visit to the Home for assessing the situation in the aftermath of scandal exposure.  One of members disclosed that all the inmates were traumatized and not been able to narrate their horrid experiences.

It is pertinent to mention here that he centre houses 34 mentally-challenged children, out of which 17 are girls of between 14 and 16 years. A medical board comprising an IAS officer, two gynaecologists and a psychiatrist examined the girls and confirmed they had been repeatedly raped.

When contacted, Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu, Atul Goel said soon more people will be arrested in this connection. He further said that administration have already initiated enquiry in this regard, and after the committee submit its report further course of action will be decided.

Govt depts continue to use condemned vehicles

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Aug 27: Government departments continue to violate the norms set by the transports department which has put restriction on use of vehicles more than 25 years of age.

According to the sources most of the departments which includes Public Health Engineering (PHE), Power Development Department (PDD) as well as State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) department are still using vehicles which are more than two decade old, but the transport department is not taking any action against the same.

Sources further said that these vehicles causing problem to the drivers as well as the mechanical department which has the responsibility to repair the vehicles.

“The government has also made in compulsory for passengers and commercial vehicles aged between 15 to 25 of age to undergo fitness test after every six years” they disclosed.

The drivers of the heavy vehicles are also showing their resentment on using these over aged vehicles as they are forced to drive these outdated vehicles leaving under constant threat of life.

Due to these outdated vehicles running on the roads many people lost their precious lives in several road accidents marking a question mark to the working of the concern authorities.

When contacted Minister for Transport, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan said that at several times the department has asked to the other government departments to replace their outdated vehicles.

“Notwithstanding to courts order the government departments has advocated that the order should not be imposed on government departments as the vehicles possessed by them were not used for years due to disturbance in the valley and they appealed for relaxation from the said order” he said.

The minister however, refuting the statement and said that the SRTC department has replaced all their vehicles running on roads from the last more than 25 years.

Kapai, a saga of neglect and Govt apathy

BPL families await benefits of Centrally Sponsored Schemes

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Aug 05: The poor people of the state, especially Below Poverty Line (BPL) and backward class families are the worst victims of Government apathy and neglect. Village Kapai falling under the Panchayat of Sarai and Bharatgarh in Samba Block is live example of this neglect. Many of the mud houses have collapsed in ongoing Monsoon but compensation is yet to be paid.

There are around 300 households in the village out of whom majority are BPL and surviving on meager resources. The poor people are bereft of all the Central Government sponsored welfare schemes likes MNREGA and IAY. Though, some of the poor villagers have been given Job Cards under MNREGA schemes but, neither job was given to them nor any work was allotted to villagers.

Som Nath, a native of Kapai while narrating the woes of poor people said, “It seems that village is not a part of developing state. Most of the inhabitants are living miserable life. Neither there is provision of water supply nor is power supplied properly. None has benefitted from Indira Awas Yojna and MNREGA in the village. We are still living in 50s and been the victim of neglect.

Panch of the village, Bodh Raj blamed the Government for backwardness of the Kapai villagers. He explained that none from the side of authorities visited Kapai to assess the loss caused due to rains while the affected people were forced to live miserable life. He alleged that no work had been allotted to MNREGA Job Card holders. The BDO has never bothered to visit the village to assess the state of centrally sponsored schemes, he said.

When contacted, BDO Samba Charanjit Singh while claiming innocence said it was not his job to allot work to MNREGA Job Card holders and people shall approach their respective Gram Sewaks. He further said that villagers should ask District Commissioner to look into the damages caused due to rains. Refuting the allegations of Panch, the BDO claimed that he visits all the villages on periodic basis.

Inefficient heath department in J&K

GMC CT scan defunct for two weeks, as rats tore the wires

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Aug 02: It may surprise you, but CT scan machine in premier hospital of Jammu and Kashmir, Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu was made defunct by rats, who cut the wires of the machine at several places.

The machine is not in working condition for last over two weeks, creating problems for hundreds of patients, including accident victims. Sources said that recently there was clash between doctors and attendants of a road accident victim, whose scan was not conducted due to the defunct machine.

A senior doctor said that despite repeated reminders to the hospital administration, not effort has been made to repair the machine, which could help save lives of several people.

There are two CT Scan machines installed in the hospital, in which one is in the emergency block whereas the other is in Radiology Department. The machine at emergency block is not working.

 Sources further said that the machine in Radiology Department was being used for the cancer patients only while other patients have been tested on machine in emergency block.

On daily average, around 20 to 30 patients need CT scan who are mostly admitted in emergency ward with head injuries as most of the medical help cannot be provided in such cases with the report of scan. Some brain scan cases are pending for months, mostly patients from rural and poor background.

These patients are suffering due to non functional machine in the hospital, but this was not the first time when patients have to pay for the fault of the hospital but many time earlier patients have to face problem due to one reason or the others.

“In other three hospitals included Super Speciality Hospital, Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh Hospital, (SMGS) Hospital and CD Hospital there is one CT Scan machine each and some patients are asked to CD hospital which has the CT facility” sources added.

When contacted, Principal GMC, Dr Shashi Gupta said that rats cut the cable of CT Scan machine due to which it went out of order.

“The machine will be made operational in next few days and steps are being taken to avoid the situation in future so that patients don’t have to suffer”, Dr. Gupta said.

Red-tapism in PDD delays privatisation of electricity bill distribution

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, July 30: Plan of government to privatise electricity bill distribution and revenue collection in urban centres of Jammu and Kashmir about three years back failed to take off due to red-tapism which mars functioning of Power Development Department (PDD).

Nearly 100 youth were trained to handle the field work such as bill distribution, meter reading and preparing the list of defaulters by the government so that they can provide a helping hand to department in curbing the electricity theft, but project failed because officials never took it seriously.

Officials said that though government is talking about privitisation of revenue collection and has engaged consultant Price Water House Cooper for restructuring of the department, including its unbundling and corporatization but even this small project did not move beyond the planning stage.

Manpower shortage is a major challenge when it comes to deal with the consumers in Jammu and Kashmir. Under the plan, department had decided to give franchise to local youth, to ensure that recovery process is streamlined.

As per the model, the franchisee were not to deal with cash and consumers had to pay their bills in banks, their role was to assist the field staff of PDD to keep an eye on their respective areas and how people use the electricity.

PDD has the staff strength of nearly 30,000 but as there has been no reorganisation in past three decades and expansion of the infrastructure, it is proving insufficient to deal with the consumers. Most of the maintenance work is already dependent on daily wagers to keep the electricity supply running in the state.

Transmission and Distribution (T&D) losses has shown a substantial increase in past decade. The losses have increased from 46.98 per cent in 2005-06 to 64.11 per cent in the financial year 2012-13, with State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) blaming it mostly on the theft by the consumers.

"The reasons for existence of high level of T&D losses is the practice of rampant hooking of LT lines across the State which is not being properly checked by the Department. Even where meters are installed, various means are adopted by a large number of consumers for by-passing and tampering the meters”, said an official.

When contacted, Minister for State (MoS), Power Vikar Rasool Wani said that government had bigger plans to curb losses and improve revenue realization.

He however said “No time limit has been frame for the completion of the project and the project for privatization of electricity bill is yet to be implemented” he added.

Updating websites

Govt. departments fail to comply with GAD order

Tahir Mushtaq (TNI)

JAMMU, Aug 01: Despite directions by government to update government websites immediately, not a single website has been updated even after passage of one week.

The directive was issued by General Administration Department (GAD) keeping in view that fact that despite investing crores of rupees under e-governance project since past over a decade most of the websites does not provide updated information.

About ten years back the government had taken a major initiative to implement E-Governance in all the departments, Public Sector Undertakings (PSU)s and other organisations under the centrally sponsored scheme.

National Informatics Centre (NIC), a premier institution of the Government of India, established in 1976 is main agency which is looking after the e-governance projects in the state. However respective departments had to maintain the infrastructure which includes the software content.

“Lakhs of rupees were invested in introducing Information Technology (IT) and e-Governance in the day to day working of the government but it is not proving useful information, only few departments keep regular updated information”, said Keshav Sharma, who runs a NGO.

Talking to TNI, Secretary GAD, M A Bukhari said it will some take time to implement the order as there no timeframe has been fixed.

Bukhari further said, “I have recently taken over as secretary of the GAD and I am also very keen about this matter. Directions will be given to officials to speed up the process to update the process”.

Sources said that the departments are not giving any heed to the directions of the government and they are not showing any concern to update the websites which could provide information to the masses.

“Whenever I try to get some information about the state from any government website, it is always shows outdated data. How can a student of person preparing for competitive exams rely on these sites”, said Akhil Sharma, a scholar in Jammu University.

101st Science Congress at JU

A nightmare to deal with 12,000 delegates likely to participate in the prestigious event

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, July 29: Though the administration of University of Jammu is busy arranging things for the prestigious 101th All India Science Congress, but it could be a big logistical exercise for the university authorities to handle nearly 12000 VIP delegates from across the country and abroad.

Official sources said that university authorities are making every effort to ensure that the delegates are provided with quality living space for which several hotels within the city could be hired for the purpose.

“Jammu University does not have space to accommodate all the delegates and this point has been highlighted several times during the meetings. The issue has been taken up with the government also”, said a source in University.

He further said that the city like Jammu where there are only few high-status hotels but efforts are being made to make the Science Congress a memorable event, keeping in view that its successful hosting is matter of prestige for the JU.

Talking to TNI, local secretary of the event, Prof Naresh Padha said the event was scheduled from February 3 to 7, 2014, for which the registration process will commence from August 15 to November 15 after the inauguration of the official website for the congress.

“We are trying to arrange accommodations around the diameter of 10 kilometer from the city for the delegates as department issued tenders for the purpose” he said.

He informed that it is expected that around 12,000 science experts from different parts of the country as well as abroad and around 200 VIPs, including Union Ministers, Chief Ministers and Governors are going to participate in this prestigious event.

“Though all the technical support will be provided by Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA), Calcutta as we are arranging local hospitality, transportation, traffic regulation, medical facilities, up gradation and infrastructural facilities and security besides general cleanliness” he added.

The theme of the congress will be Innovations in Science and Technology for Inclusive Development. The Science Congress spread over five days, shall comprise of Inaugural ceremony, Science Collectors', Meet, Women Science Congress, Children Science Congress, Science Exhibition, a Book Exhibition and the Valedictory Session in 14 different sessions. Conferring of Young Scientist Award is another attraction of the event.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Indian Science Congress is usually held every year in the month of January but the forthcoming event has been scheduled in first week of February keeping in view weather conditions of Jammu.

PDD fails to provide electricity for commercials unit

Ware house Jammu without electricity for 4 days

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, July 29: Power Development Department (PDD) has failed to provide regular power supply in the city despite the fact that sweltering heat is making every moment miserable for the common man.

The technical snag in transformer and failure of the PDD to replace it for past few days has added to the woes of the traders in one of the important commercial hub of the city.

Pertinently, one of the major commercial areas of Jammu Ware House was suffering from power failure due to transformer damage from the past four days due to which the commercial activities have come to halt.

The PDD recovers crores of rupees from the people in shape of electricity bill from commercial establishments from the past many years but still unable to provide constant power supply resulting

“This is failure of state coalition government which even unable to provide the basic necessity such as water and electricity smoothly to the masses of the state” said a businessman, Mela Ram.

He added that from the past four days not even a single person from the PDD was come to repair the transformer.

There are around 150 to 200 shops besides government quarters which were affecting due the transformer damage, whereas resentment among the people of Ware House against PDD was growing with each passing day.

Another shopkeeper Nitu said, “We are unable to do our routine work due to unavailability of electricity supply in our area”.

A resident of Ware House, Mohan Singh said that his children and parents are suffering in this hot and humid condition but officials have not been bothered to visit the locality even once.

When contacted Assistant Engineer PDD, Gandhi Nagar, Sanjeev Rometra said that the transformer was taken to the workshop for repairing and will be installed by today evening positively.

Official apathy adds to woes of people; anger mounts

Office named as ZEO Purmandal but stations at Kunjwani

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, July 26: The office of Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Purmandal is been the victim of official apathy as the people sitting at the helm of affairs in Department of Education have not bothered enough to demarcate its jurisdiction hanging between Samba and Jammu districts.

Owing to this official apathy people of Purmandal block facing tremendous hardship in placing their grievances before ZEO Purmandal which is situated at Kunjwani, 25 km away from Purmandal.

Sources divulged that 39 Government Primary Schools and 21 Government Middle Schools besides 50 private schools fall under the office of ZEO Purmandal. The block has the teaching strength of 259 Government teachers, they added.

“It is very difficult for the officials of ZEO office to supervise the functioning of education institutions on routine basis in Purmandal area as their office is located at a fair distance which causes hardship,” sources said further.

The people of Purmandal block held several demonstrations under the banner of Grameen Sangarsh Samiti to highlight discrimination and injustice with them but that too failed to evoke any reaction from the Department of Education. Even memorandum demanding shifting of ZEO office to Purmandal was submitted to DC Samba but nothing materialized.

“There is strong resentment among the people of Purmandal block. They want the office of ZEO Purmandal at its right place i.e. Purmandal so that the educational institutions be monitored properly,” expressed PDP leader Sunny Sangral.

He warned that if the genuine demand of people was not considered they will be left with no option but to launch a strong stir, he added. Sangral asked the authorities to mend their ways and put an end to discrimination with Purmandal block.

When contacted, Chief Education Officer (CEO) Samba Ravi Dubey said, “Some schools of Jammu district comes under the office of ZEO Purmandal owing to which office is yet not shifted to Purmandal. The matter can only be resolved with the intervention of higher authorities only. But for the time being DC Samba has asked to send the team of officials every week to monitor the situation of schools falling under Purmandal block.”

SSRB dishonoring Govt’s call for fast track recruitment

Interview process for thousands of posts yet not started

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, July 25: The tall claims of state government regarding fast track recruitment have not taken well by recruiting agency i.e. State Service Selection Board (SSRB) as its officials have turned deaf ears to the call for fast-track recruitment and merely issued advertisements calling application for thousands of post. Regrettably, the SSRB has even failed to initiate the recruitment process for various posts advertised over the span of last four years.

Sources divulged that Government had directed the SSRB to undertake the recruitment process on fast track basis but the recruiting agency had miserably failed in honoring the commitment of Government to its people thus hampering the future of the many applicants.

According to sources, SSRB have still not cleared the previous advertised 13,788 posts in various departments from the past four years whereas the different departments have referred thousands of more posts in the meantime.

Pertinently, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had announced in budget session of the Legislative Assembly as well as outside that the government would fill up 60,000 to 70,000 vacancies in different departments on fast-track basis to reduce unemployment in the state.

The SSRB advertised 14,036 vacancies during the period January-May this year out of which 5,484 were notified in the month of May alone.

Sources revealed that government had planned to conduct written test for the advertised jobs but again failed to draft the syllabus for various technical and non technical subjects and pattern of the exam.

When contacted, Secretary SSRB Farooq Ahmed Baba said “Board is trying hard to expedite the process of recruitment and within five to seven days notification regarding written test of some posts will be advertised.”

“The board is required to hold a written test for all the eligible candidates who apply for the advertised posts. Accordingly, the Board has framed the syllabi for conducting the objective type written test for the posts where the basic qualification is 10+2 and Matric” he said.

He disclosed that the syllabus for other categories of posts will be published separately adding that the syllabi so published will also be available on the official website of the board.