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.

B.C Road flyover project causality of political pressure

Rs 95 crore project was to be funded by ADB

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, July 24: Owing the political pressure on the construction of flyover from BC Road to Amphalla the state government is still failed to initiate the project even after the passage of about five years.

According to the sources to cope up the traffic congestion in Jammu the project was approved at the cost of Rs 18.4 crore in year 2007-08 and the road-widening process will be started from Shakuntla Chowk Balwinder Chowk and Amphalla connecting Jail Road and New Plots Janipur Road.

They further said that Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) was asked to prepare project but it was stressed to go for road widening on both-sides in first phase.

Sources added that the said project was to be funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) at the present estimate of Rs 95 crore.

Sources maintained among the two flyovers recommended by the state government included Bikram Chowk to Satwari and BC road to Amphalla, the BC road flyover was on the priority but due to the disruption of few political and influential persons as they are having some residential and commercial properties the work is still pending.

It is pertinent to mention here that the then Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, had shown keen interest to construct two flyovers in Jammu and an alternative road to High Court at Janipur, to smoothen the traffic problem in Jammu but after he moved to the Centre, the work on these projects was put on halt despite the fact that traffic congestion went on increasing in the winter capital.

The alternative road up to the High Court complex at Janipur from Manda was also conceived to ease traffic congestion on the New Plot, Janipur Road five years back but the project had also been placed in the cold storage while the problem of traffic congestion had aggravated manifold over past few years especially during the Darbar move.

Deputy Commissioner, Jammu Ajit Kumar Sahu could not be contacted even after repeating attempts for his version.

Traffic cops brutally thrash auto driver for refusal to pay ‘Hafta’

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, July 23: In yet another cases of exposing the corruption and brutal world of traffic police department in Jammu, a traffic officer today assaulted a tempo driver for not paying him Hafta.

He was not only humiliated but assaulted by police personnel when the poor driver who was bringing vegetables from the Mandi was intercepted at Rajinder chowk in the morning hours. 

Sources said that when a load carrier with vegetables auto passing from Rajinder Singh Chowk, the on duty Sub Inspector Traffic Police, Mohan Lal stopped the auto and asking him for the entry fee.

 “Auto driver expressed his unwillingness to pay entry fee after which the SI with his two more cops start beating him miserably. It has become a norm in the city for the drivers of commercial vehicles to pay the weekly Hafta’, said a transporter.

 Talking to TNI, Senior Superintendent of Police Traffic, Jammu Manmohan Singh said after getting information SI was suspended alongwith two cops who had assaulted the driver.

“SI has been asked to report Srinagar division of Kashmir police and action will be taken against the cops for violating the rules. The issue has not been taken lightly by the force”, Singh said.

He maintained that a committee has been constituted for the said incident and inquiry has been initiated. “The department asked the auto driver to file the complaint against the accused” he added.

He disclosed that as per the traffic norms there is no such rule to take entry fee from the load carrier, if he is not violating the traffic norms.

This is not the first time that such an incident has shamed the traffic police, often in controversy over charges of corruption.

In December last year, two cops deployed at Bikram chowk got involved in a scuffle over some minor incident. Eyewitness account has claimed that traffic policeman stopped another traffic official who was violating the traffic rules and began arguing with each other over the way vehicle movement was being streamlined.

The verbal argument soon turned unto physical scuffle as the traffic official got short tempered and slapped the other one. "Officer misbehaved with other personnel and later he slapped him", said an eyewitness.

J&K claims IMR rate has fallen in the state

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, July 19: While basic health parameters in Jammu and Kashmir is still poor when compared to other parts of the country, government is claiming that death rate of newborn in state is on decrease due to the better child healthcare system.

As per the officials, in the year 2010 the figure of infant death was 48 per 1000 children whereas it was fallen to 41 per 1000 children in 2011. At national level, Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is 28.

Talking to TNI Sample Registration System (SRS), Jammu and Kashmir Investigator Hari Singh said, These figures show that death rate is on decrease from past years owing the improvement in the health care system of the state. The figure of IMR for the year 2012 is yet to come” he said.

Official said that a high level monitoring committee on IMR granted Rs 15.36 crore to reduce the death rate of infant across the state.

As per the data, state has 20, 27,907 of total child population of 20, 08, 642 from the age group of 0-6 years, for the census of 2011 which include 1,230,133 from all districts Srinagar comprised of Leh and 797774 from all districts Jammu region.

Official added that different strategies adopted for child health to reduce IMR in the state.

Sources said that eight Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) have been established till date while seven new are to be open during in which the government approved a SNCU for Government Hospital Sarwal which was later transfer to District Hospital Ramban.

The government has established 8 SNCU’s included Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar, District Hospital Udhampur, Kathua, Anantnag Leh, Kargil, Baramulla and Poonch.

While studying the IMR level of 2010 with the previous year, it comes to fore that at the country level, it fell 3 points, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab recorded a fall of IMR by 5 and 4 points respectively between 2009-10 while the Jammu and Kashmir recorded a decrease of only 2 points during the reference period.

Surprisingly J&K has so far not conducted Material Mortality Ratio survey, an important indicator of the pregnant women. Though the government has said that a survey is being conducted by Directorate of Economics and Statistics, but so far it has not been submitted to the government.

Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in J&K has come down from 2.3 in 2006 to 2.2 in 2009, a decline of 0.1 per cent in two years, but it is still much higher than the targets set by government which is 2.1 per cent.

In its response, health department has said that it is introducing Maternal Death Audit and Infant Death Audit to help the planners to chalk out the future strategies for reducing the level of MMR and IMR of the state.

4 dead, 42 injured as protesters-BSF clash in Gool area of district Ramban

Situation tense across J&K as protesters erupts against the death

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, July 18: About four people were killed after Border Security Force (BSF) camp in Gool area of Ramban opened firing as hundreds of protesters attacked their camp in wee hours of Thursday morning. Though the locals allege that security forces patrol party did not allow them to perform their religious rituals, BSF claims that some people spread false rumours from the mosque leading to clash between the two sides.

Reports said that nearly 42 protesters were injured in Sangladan area on the wee hours of Thursday after which the authorities imposed curfew in the area. After the killing of civilians, rampaging mobs ransacked and burnt the vehicles in the district.

Entire Ramban district including Doda is tense and administration is making every effort to pacify the people. Meanwhile traffic on Jammu-Srinagar highway remained suspended after people blocked the highway, which also affected the movement of Amarnath bound pilgrims.

Mobile internet services have been suspended in Kashmir; authorities say it was done in order to prevent rumour-mongering on social networking sites.

Reliable sources said that protesters blocked all roads going towards the BSF Post Dharam resultantly force personnel remain confined to the Post. It is learnt that efforts were made by section of protesters tried to attack on the post and to inflict injuries to the BSF and Police persons compelling them to open fire in self defence.

Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Shyam Vinod Meena said that the administration is trying to maintain law and order in the district.

“Four people were killed and 42 got injured in the firing by the security forces. We are trying to talk with the religious heads and prominent people in the area so as to bring peace back”, said Meena.

In Jammu, Border Security Force (BSF) spokesperson said that an ambush cum patrolling party of COB Dharam of 76 Bn BSF was on the job when they intercepted a person, Muhammad Latif S/o Mustafa R/O Dalwah and enquired about his identity (as it was part of their duty).

In return above-mentioned person started arguing and didn’t take the queries in the right spirit. In the mean time 15 to 20 people assembled at this place and BSF party came back to their post.

“Around 400-500 persons started stone pelting on the BSF Post Dharam. BSF however restrained from firing and informed local police of likelihood of deterioration of situation due to the violent actions by the locals. Immediately Police party arrived at COB Dharam and took stock of the situation.

BSF said that mob started to build up in big numbers and tried forcefully to enter into COB Dharam campus while pelting stones. Due to deteriorating law and order situation the police tried to disperse the mob and fired 3-4 rounds.

Oil companies delaying permission to new LPG outlets in J&K

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, July 15: To overcome the shortage of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) the government has decided to set up 172 new gas agencies at different districts of the state to provide smooth supply of LPG to the people at their doorstep.

According to the sources keeping in view the acute deficiency of the refilling station of the LPG these agencies has been set up through private gas distributors across the state.

Sources further said that the proposal for opening new gas agencies was pending with the department from the past more than two years due to the continuous delay from the side of oil companies.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Centre already fixed the number of gas cylinder upto 6 cylinder which was later increased to 9 cylinder so it is difficult for the people to cope up this deficiency if they didn’t get this much on time.

Many of the consumer complaint that due to the shortage of gas distributors they were unable to get the refilled cylinder on time, even at many times it took more than a month to get it.

Sources added that out of 172 new gas agencies 55 would be issued under regular dealership whereas 117 under the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen LPG Vitral Scheme (RGGLV).

There are three oil companies in the state included Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Bharat Petroleum Limited (BPL), and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) which distribute LPG refills.

“As per norms there should have been 1700 distributors to cope up with 10 lakh consumers” said a insider.

When contacted Minister for Consumer Affair Public Distribution (CAPD), Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan said that out of 172 the concern has advertised for 98 agencies for which the process in going on for rural areas.

It will take around six month to complete the whole procedure only after these gas agencies will start functioning” said Choudhary. He further said that work for remaining will be takeout in second and third phase.

Surgeon’s negligence claims life of BJP leader at JK Medicity

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, July 12: The negligent and casual attitude of doctors and healthcare institutions has continued to claim valuable human lives. In one such incident, a BJP leader hailing from Kharah Madana village of Purmandal lost his life after been operated for Gall Bladder Stone at JK Medicity.

Ironically, the deceased Pitamber Nath (64), Purmandal block president of BJP, had gone to Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu for treatment but landed at JK Medicity on the insistence of Dr. Satish Parihar, Consultant at GMC.

The said doctor had advised the deceased patient to undergo laproscopic surgery at the private healthcare institution at the rate of Rs 17,000.

The son of deceased, Narinder Sharma narrated that his father was quite healthy and his entire body parameters were alright except the problem of Gall Bladder Stone. “The doctor (Dr. Satish Parihar) advised my father to undergo laproscopic sugery at JK Medicity instead of GMC and we followed the advice. After the surgery, the health of my father continued to deteriorate and ultimately he succumbed,” he said.  

According to sources, the surgeon (Dr. Parihar) failed to perform laproscopic surgery successfully and thereafter he performed open surgery. After surgery, the patient complained of severe pain in the abdominal part. On examination, it was found that internal bleeding had happened due to mistake on the end of surgeon at the time of surgery. Thereafter, Pitamber Nath was again subjected to surgery for more than four hours. But, the condition of patient continued to deteriorate. In the meantime, he was given five to six units of blood.

After two days, doctor informed the attendants that patient’s kidney had developed some problem and suggested to take him to Pathankot Hospital. At Pathankot, the doctors termed the condition of patient as critical. Failed to recuperate, Pitamber Nath breathed his last.    

When contacted, Dr. Satish Parihar claimed that patient had some complications owing to which laproscopic surgery could not be performed and he tried his level best to save the patient. He, however, failed to explain the rationale behind advising the patient to undergo surgery at JK Medicity.

The owner of the private hospital, Dr Gagan Singh also claimed innocence on his part and shifted the blame on surgeon who brought the patient from GMC to his hospital.     

Though, the innocent family members of the deceased neither held any demonstration against the irresponsible surgeon nor they blocked the road keeping dead body in the middle demanding action against the people whose negligence took the life of Pitamber Nath but, the basic question remained as it is that for how long the irresponsible medicos will continue to take toll of human lives.

People toiling hard to get refund of PF claims

Several cases pending in office for months together

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, July 11: Notwithstanding tall claims of State Government of providing prompt service to the people, the services being rendered by Employees Provident Fund Office (EPFO) have not been included under the ambit of Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA) resulting in hardships to the employee class.

The employees are finding it difficult to get the refund of their hard earned saving in the form of PF in the hour of need.

According to sources, there were several cases of PF refund, advances and transfer were lying pending with the office of EPFO causing harassment to the people. Sources added that there were many instances where the refund cases were pending for several months and there was no one to take grievances of aggrieved people.

“Few months back, a board was put in on the office wall wherein it the maximum period for different services was mentioned. But after some time the same was brought down as it was adversely hitting the interests of officials,” disclosed sources.

One of the aggrieved person told on the condition of anonymity, “I had applied for the refund of PF in the month of March. Since then I have been to the Employee Provident Fund Office for seven or eight time but the concerned clerk asked me to wait for few more days on successive occasions, which is causing inconvenience to me. I even approached Chief Accounts Officer Tripta Baru to sort out the matter but she also asked me to wait for some time.”

Several other people have also narrated their tale of woes at EPF Office, but due to the absence of Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA) they found it difficult to put the officials on task for timely disposal of their claims.

When contacted, Additional Provident Fund Commissioner (APFC) Kamal Mahendru denied inconvenience or hardships to the employee class vis-à-vis PF refund, transfer and advances.

“None of the person has come forward with any sort of complaint to his office,” he added.

He informed that said draft proposal for taking services of the office under the ambit of PSGA was under process and will be introduced soon. He, however, informed that the department at its own have fixed the maximum duration of duration 60 days for refund cases whereas for advance and transfer time limit was 15 to 30 days.

CAPD fails to ensure adequate supply of commodities

Ration shortage irks people as Ramadan begins today

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, July 10: With sugar supply already been snapped due to non availability of stock and the official apathy of the Consumer Affair and Public Distribution (CAPD) department vis-à-vis supply of other ration items in sufficient amount, the people have been high and dry in the holy month of Ramadan beginning tomorrow.

According to sources, there was an acute shortage of ration in many areas of Jammu division, mostly in the rural belts. Despite several requests and reminders, the CAPD failed to respond to the demand owing to which there is anguish among the people, sources added.

Due to unavailability of sugar at government ration depots people are already forced to buy it from the market at much higher price but with the shortage of other commodities people are facing uphill task to manage their needs, a consumer expressed.

“As Ramadan starting we don’t have require quantity of ration and as sugar is more required in this month but still no arrangement has been made to overcome the shortage,” said Rashid Ahmed, a resident of Gujjar Nagar. “It is not the fault of depot owners but the CAPD department which is not supplying sufficient quantity of ration,” he maintained.

“Shortage of sugar creates inconvenience to the people, especially during the holy month of Ramzan. During this holy month but, the concerned department has failed to provide the same in this month,” said Shahnaz Ahmed, a resident of Bathindi.

When contacted, Director CAPD G S Chib admitted that there was up and down in the supply of ration for the last few months as the Centre was providing ration only on payment but now the supply was normal.

He further said that for procurement of sugar, the department had invited tenders and the supply of same would be made after completion of process which may take some time.

Govt. bans four drugs in J&K for their risk to human life

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, July 09: The Drug Controller General of India in the notification by the Union Health Ministry has banned four drugs owing to heavy risk for the human life in their consumption.

Officials said that department of Drug Controller has banned these drugs through the order of Government of India in exercise of powers conferred under Section 26A of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 issued notification to suspend manufacture, sale and distribution these drugs.

The four drugs included Dextropropoxyphene and formulations containing Dextropropoxyphene, fixed dose combination of Flupenthixol + Melitracen, Analgin and all formulations containing Analgin, Pioglitazone and all formulations containing Pioglitazone.

In the order the chemists and druggists have been directed to stop the sale of these formulations with immediate effect and return the unused stocks to their original manufacturers.

“There are many such drugs which were banned by the concerned authorities but still these are manufactured and being supplied at a low cost” said a source.

Sources informed that many times the department with the help of police in special drives has spotted the drug peddler supplying banned drugs from one part of the state to others.

Talking to TNI, Controller Drug J&K Satish Gupta said that the order is issued by Government of India some days back keeping in view health hazard to the people due to the consumption of these drugs.

“There are other safer alternatives available in the market so the department decided to ban these drugs” Gupta said.

It is pertinent here that in the month of March a drug scam was detected when after the lab tests it was found that an antibiotic tablet named Maximizen-625 which was supposed to contain 500 mg of Amoxicillin had zero percent of it. This drug is manufactured by Affy Parenterals, Himachal Pradesh and marketed by Medley Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Mumbai. These antibiotics used to cure bacterial infection, were supplied to different hospitals across Kashmir region.

Few months back government had ordered check on the use of abortion drugs, Misoprostol and Mifepristone in Jammu and Kashmir, with directions to Pharmacies that prescription of only gynecologists should be accepted while selling these drugs.

Fear of Child lifting gangs in Purmendal block

Police say no such report; locals allege one child was snatched from house

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, July 08: Rumours of child lifting gang operating rural area has created a fear psychosis among people leaving in villages across region particularly Purmandal block of Jammu.

According to sources for last few months there have been reports that children are being lifted by some people which has created fear among the people in several villages. Though no cases have been reported to the police, but law enforcement agencies have also increased their patrolling in the areas, were people have complained of seeing some unidentified persons.

Though Jammu and Kashmir does not fall in the route of women and child traffickers but due to influx of thousands of labourers from states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Harayana, there have been reports of some criminal gangs using children for begging purposes in urban centres of Jammu and Srinagar.

“Local people in several villages around Jammu are living under terror fearing that their children may fall prey to child lifters. Local of Purmandal area say that past few weeks thieves have targets several localities. But so far no child lifting case has been reported”, said a official.

Talking to TNI, Purmandal Sarpanch Raman Sharma said that few weeks back an incident of child lifting was reported in the area after which the rumour has spread. “There is constant fear among the people of the area and they keep watch during night hours to check over any such incident” he said.

Deepika Singh Rajawat a child right activists said that the police department should take some strict action against these Child Lifting Gang. “However there is no role of any Non Government Organization (NGO) as we only provide awareness among people about this. We work for rehabilitation of children” Deepika said.

When contacted Station House Officer (SHO) Purmandal, Satish Kumar said that the police department have not register any such case so far, but there is fear of thieves which have struck several houses in Purmendal an surrounding villages.

He further said that according to local there are some people who does not belongs to this area involved in the robberies in the Purmandal area.

PHE blames PDD for the present mess

Water crisis hits Jammu, pumping stations, filtration plants working below their capacity

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, July 05: Summer for Jammu brings unwanted woes of water shortage. And when the power cuts become routine, a large paraphernalia and manpower wielded by the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department fails to meet the demands of citizens.

The power crisis which has hit the city has affected the functioning of PHE to run its heavy motors which lift the water from various sources leading to virtual drinking water shortage in the city and its outskirts.

Much of the PHE infrastructure remain shut for hours together in view of long duration and frequent power cuts. Senior officers from the PHE said that though most of the tubewells and lifting station at Sittle and Boria filtration plant was working below their normal capacity at the moment.

The city areas like Jeevan Nagar, Roop Nagar, Janipur, Indira Colony, Buta Nagar, Naseeb Nagar, Ploura, Durga Nagar, Muthi, Ban Talab, New Plots, Sainik Colony, Bathindi, Sunjwan, Narwal and Greater Kailash are reeling under water shortage. Many areas get water supply just once a day and that too not for sufficient prescribed time period.

As per the data, department was presently providing nearly 43.5 MGD of water per day to the population of over 13 lakhs in Jammu city. The net requirement of potable water against this population is 45.5 MGD of water per day. So, 2 MGDs of water shortage was still there.

Sham Sharma a resident of old city said we are not getting sufficient water supply on time, as the utilization of water is more in summer then in winters.

Sunita Gupta a resident of Shastri Nagar said every year during summer, people of Jammu suffer from the problem of shortage of water and power, but the state government is not doing anything to redress this issue”.

“We are facing water and electricity crises for the past one week. Life without water in this hot summer is slow death for us” said another local.

When contacted Chief Engineer PHE K K Gupta said that the total consumption on daily basis is 45.5 MGD out of which the department is providing 43.5 MGD water when there is smooth power supply across the city.

Gupta further said that due to the power cuts and low voltage the department is unable to provide the water on time but our team is on work to supply the water as soon as the electricity get connected.

Whereas, Chief Engineer PDD, Shahnaz Goni could not be contacted for her version even after repeating attempts.

Private schools defy govt. ruling, conduct classes during holidays

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, June 04: Despite announcement of summer vacation by the State Education Department from May 29, many private educational institutions continue to defy the norms and are conducting the classes regularly.

Some of the reputed private schools did not close down according to the announced date but no action is being taken against them for ignoring the rules set by the government this endangering the life of children.

It is pertinent to mentioned here that many private schools chiefly high and higher secondary in the city are still functioning even after announcement of summer vacation by the Director School Education.

A student said that, the school authorities have not declared any holiday. "We come in morning to attend daily classes, after that during afternoon we go to home. Authorities have stopped the plying of school bus due to which we have to suffer", student said.

Source said that there are about 25,000 governments as well as private schools in Jammu region and many of the private institutions do not follow the directions of Director School Education. Many students said that the schools have become the money chargers.

"Majority of private schools are holding their usual classes and one of the private higher secondary school even hold classes during entire summer vacation for 8th, 10th, 11th and 12th classes. It has become a routine for some private schools to hold classes on holidays. This puts a lot of pressure on children", alleged local residents.

"It seems the managements of private schools have a parallel directorate, which decides their academic calendar. Despite strict warnings from the government, they keep their premises open," they added.

When contacted Chief Education Officer, Jammu Natha Ram Digra said that the department has deputed 14 inspection team in different part of the Jammu to check regularly if the private school is open during summer vacations.

Digra further said that if the department found any such private school we will take strict action against it.

J&K has no money to construct multi-storey parking

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Apr 24: The dream of multi-storey parking for Jammu city could never become a reality as Jammu and Kashmir government does not have funds to construct the same to end the shortage of parking in the city.

According to the officials, for constructing three parking lots in different parts of the state, it has been estimated that it will cost Rs 131 crore, which is beyond the budget of state government and Jammu Development Authority (JDA).

When contacted Minister for Minister for Urban Development, Nawang Rigzin Jora said, “We don’t have money and we are looking for the private participation for the construction of these parking lots”.

The minister further said that no construction company of Jammu and Kashmir has come forward to spend such huge amount of money and Private Public Partnership (PPP) mode is the only option left to pursue the project.

Every year around 40,000 new vehicles were added to the existing fleet in Jammu district, which further compounded the traffic problems of city, but the casual approach of the state government towards the establishment of multi-storey besides parking slots in the city make it difficult to manage this heavy traffic rush.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Urban Development Department with coordination of Jammu Development Authority (JDA) and Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has planned to construct three multi storey parking to reduce the parking conjunction and smoothen the traffic chose in the city, but after the passage of more than two year the project is still incomplete due to one reason best known to the people sitting at the helm of the affairs.

As per the project, total proposed built-up area of bus stand is 46418 square meters in which around 80 buses and 1450 cars will parked at one time, in Panjthirthi the proposed multi storey parking area is 16545 square meters and it will have the capacity of 666 car parking whereas in City Chowk the area covered under the building is 10889 square meter and it will have the capacity to park 455 cars.

Vacant KAS posts affects functioning of administration

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Mar 18: There are number of posts of Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS) and district officers which are lying vacant from the last long time whereas the concern department is doing nothing and appointed officers holding the additional charges.

According to the sources, at number of places officers already appointed have to take addition charges which is affecting the delivery of services on ground, thereby hitting the common man.

In department of Animal and Sheep Husbandry the post of District Sheep Husbandry Officer is lying vacant in different districts of the state whereas in Cooperative department of the post Joint Registrar Special, Principal in Cooperative Training Centre, Deputy Registrar, District Audit Officer are empty.

Similarly, the Consumer Affair and Public Distribution Department the posts of Assistant Director and Assistant Control Legal Metrology Department are vacant, the post of Chief Librarian, Assistant Director are vacant in the Department of Culture of different districts, in the Department of School Education Chief Education Officer in Ganderbal and Rajouri, while in Finance Department Additional Commissioner Taxes, Deputy Commissioner Commercial Taxes and CAO District Fund Office are empty.

Moreover, Forest Department the post of Deputy Director Forest Protection Force is vacant and in Home Department District Sp, Senior Superintendent Jails, Assistant Director Fire and Emergency Service, Superintendent Jail while Industries and Commence Department there are 58 posts are vacant in different districts across the state.

Handicraft Department the total of six posts is vacant in different positions, in Handloom Development Department 11 posts of assistant Director Handloom, Information Department 35 different position are still empty whereas in Labour and Employment Department of the state government 34 posts, in PHE and I&FC Department 13 posts, Planning and Development Department 15 posts, Public Works (R&B) Department 20, Rural Development Department 24 posts, Science and technology Department 4 posts, Tourism Department 4 posts, and besides Transport Department there are 7 posts are vacant.

Negligence of Govt doctor continue to take toll on lives

Patient operated for gallbladder stone dies within days

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Feb 27: In yet another incident of negligent death in Government hospital, a 35 year old man Jai Krishan allegedly lost his life after being operated for gall bladder stone in Government Hospital Sarwal. The deceased is survived by his wife, one year old girl, parents and younger brother. He was the lone bread earner of the poor family.

According to family members Jai Krishan, a driver by profession, was suffering from gallbladder stone and got operated in Sarwal Hospital on January 10 by Surgeon Dr Sham Gupta. They alleged that during the operation, the said surgeon cut the CBD code of the deceased, owing to which his condition deteriorated with passage of time.

They disclosed that hospital administration didn’t informed them about the damage to CBD code and after about nine day, on January 19, Jai Krishan was referred to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu for treatment saying that there was some complicacy in the case.

“The GMCH doctor further referred him to PGI Chandhigarh, but due to financial problem we were unable to take him there” they added.

Thereafter they shifted the patient to GH Gandhi Nagar for treatment as the surgeon appointed in the hospital was known to them.

Kasturi Lal, relative of the deceased said that health department should take action against the accused surgeon besides the hospital administration owing the negligence approach due to which their son died on February 14. He demanded compensation to the family and employment for the wife of the deceased.

When contacted, Medical Superintendent GH Sarwal, Dr Arun Sharma said that after the death of Jai Kumar the matter came to his notice and as per the direction of Director Health Services, Jammu Dr Madhu Khullar, the concerned surgeon Dr Sham Gupta was attached.

Talking to TNI, Dr Khullar said that a inquiry committee headed by Medical Superintendent GH Gandhi Nagar, Dr Romesh Gupta had been constituted to look into the matter and after their report the department will take further step in this regard.

Dr Khullar added that she personally told the wife of the deceased, who is trained Multi Purpose Health Worker, to get her appointed on the available vacancy.

Director Health disclosed that the family members Jai Kumar of the didn’t go for any postmortem for enquiry the actual reason behind his death.

Traffic resumes on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU: Jammu-Srinagar National Highway reopened for vehicular traffic on Sunday after remaining closed for two days due to continuous snowfall which also brought in a fresh spell of cold wave conditions across Kashmir valley.

"The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway reopened for vehicular traffic today and vehicles were allowed to come from Jammu towards Srinagar," a spokesman of the traffic department said.

The only road-link connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country was closed for traffic for two days due to continuous snowfall on either side of Jawahar tunnel in south Kashmir.

The snowfall, which began in the hilly areas of the valley on Friday, brought down the mercury by several degrees and also resulted in a decrease in day temperatures.

According to a Met department official, Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 1.7 degrees Celsius and received snowfall and rains equivalent to 1.7 mm rainfall.

He said the gateway town of Qazigund recorded a minimum temperature of 0.2 degree Celsius, while the night temperature in Kokernag settled at a minimum of minus 0.3 degree Celsius.

Qazigund and Kokernag received snowfall and rains equivalent to 14.6 mm and 16.8 mm of rainfall respectively, he added.

The famous ski-resort of Gulmarg, which shivered at minus 5.6 degrees Celsius the previous night, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 6.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday night, the official said, adding that the tourist destination received snowfall and rains equivalent to 5.6 mm of rainfall.

The mercury in Pahalgam, in south Kashmir, settled at a low of minus 2.4 degrees Celsius, and the resort received snowfall and rains equivalent to 18.6 mm of rainfall, he said.

Police fails to trace missing baby despite lapse of 5 days

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Feb 06: Even after the passage of five days, police have failed to trace the new born baby, which went missing from the maternity ward of Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital on February 1. The Hospital administration had claimed that it had the CCTV footage but, that has also failed to yield any result.

Shareefa, wife of Mohammad Mushtaq of village Nariyan in Nowshera, gave birth to baby on 31 January and was admitted in ward number four of the hospital. Next morning, at around 3:30 a.m when her husband had gone somewhere away, the

baby went missing.

Meanwhile, the father of missing baby has refused to leave the hospital till the baby is restored to them. The couple also threatened to end their lives in the hospital if the hospital administration failed to trace their baby.

However, the hospital authorities and police have maintained silence over the matter and refused to make any comment on the progress so far.

Ironically, a female baby also went missing on November 10 last year which later recovered from Nai Basti. Similarly second and third such incidents happened on November 14 and December 30 last year respectively.

Ban on private practice of HoDs of GMCs

Can it improve the health sector, as state proper health infrastructure?

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Jan 17: In its first meeting after taking charge as Health Minister, Taj-Mohi-Ud-Din today ordered ban on the private practice by Head of Departments (HoD), Government Medical College (GMC) and associated hospitals.

An order to this effect was issued by Commissioner-Secretary, Health & Medical Education, M. K. Dwivedi today.

While the government has banned the private practice of the doctors in Jammu and Kashmir, but it has put question mark on the need for such a decision at a time when government run institutions have failed to deliver.

The situation is dismal in rural areas as even the health centres running under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), there is no availability of equipments and other required infrastructure, besides this the staff appointed is also not adequate.

Coupled with the manpower shortage and lack of facilities, for most of the people, private clinics was the last destination for them to seek medical advise. Most of the hospitals are overcrowded in the state and people prefer to visit the private clinics, but the order by the government has put people in problems.

Wishing anonymity a doctor posted in a Primary Health Centre (PHC) said that the government has provided us limited infrastructure and staff is also less; we have to manage all patients within this condition. Showing helplessness she said many times we have sent demands for medicine and staff but nothing has been done so far.

“This decision is just a showcase, but actually the condition of hospitals in the state is very grave. I don’t think banning the private practice of the doctors will help masses in anyway”, said a senior doctor.

Visiting any of the hospitals in the state, it can been seen that wards are overcrowded and when the doctors refuse admission to patients, they have no choice but to get admitted in private hospitals.

Talking about the SMGS hospital, a senior government official said that government had a proposal to convert the hospital into the exclusive mother and child care hospital, by shifting both the dermatology and ENT departments from here to the Government Medical College (GMC), but they have no resources to implement it.

“On an average 500 patients attend the different Out Patient Departments (OPDs). As per official records, the hospital also receives 80-100 indoor patients on daily basis”, said a source.