YASH KHAJURIA: Tawi lake project to miss the 2012 deadline, work...

YASH KHAJURIA:
Tawi lake project to miss the 2012 deadline, work...: Tawi lake project to miss the 2012 deadline, work remained suspended for 20 days during monsoon Yash Khajuria 10/19/2011 10:06:52 PM ...

Tawi lake project to miss the 2012 deadline, work remained suspended for 20 days during monsoon
Yash Khajuria	10/19/2011 10:06:52 PM
JAMMU, Oct 19: The much hyped Tawi lake project is likely to miss the deadline of 2012 as work remained stopped for more than a month following damages to the already constructed portion due to flash floods. Sources said that due to the floods during the monsoon, executing agencies had stopped the work as rushing water had damaged machinery and carried away other material from the spot. They said that there was every possibility that the project would miss the 2012 deadline to give city its first artificial lake. It is pertinent to mention here that the design of the artificial lake’s project over Tawi River was approved by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. A team of experts from Pakistan inspected the project of artificial lake. Prestigious Rs 140 crore Tawi lake project is one of the important initiatives of the state government to make the Jammu city attractive for the visitors, while using the barrage water to augment the irrigation facilities in the paddy grown areas of the district. The reservoir would enable to lift 700 cusecs of water from Tawi to recharge the Ranbir Canal to irrigate 8000 kanals of agriculture land at the tail end villages, still dependent on the rainfalls. Officials said that Irrigation and Flood Control department was digging a new channel to divert the water of the river to avoid further damage in the eventuality of heavy rainfall during the upcoming winter season. When contacted Irrigation Department, AEE, Attaluhah Naaz, who is associated with the project said that heavy rainfall and flash floods created problems during the monsoon, disrupting the work. However sources said that executing agencies are facing certain problems due to the unpredictable nature of the river Tawi. “It is different river; its flow depends upon the volume of rainfall at higher reaches. At times, it is totally dry and within minutes it gets filled up”, said an official. The lake project which was approved by the then Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Jagmohan in 1986, witnessed much delay and it was about three years back that the government initiated the process for its construction. The design approval also took months before it was approved by the Central Water Commission.

Just concluded B.ed examination exposes deep rooted education mafia in J&K

Just concluded B.ed examination exposes deep rooted education mafia in J&K

Yash Khajuria             10/18/2011 9:15:26 PM
JAMMU, Oct 18: New System launched to wipe-out the copying menace during B.ed exams failed, while officials enjoying luxury of designation in Jammu University.

Despite of the regular complaints against and arrest of the copycats in the examination administration had taken no step to reduce the copying incidents by either way, which is increasing the moral of such elements.

It is pertinent to mention that the flying squad in Jammu University has appended couple of students found either using mobile phones for copying or appearing in place of the original candidates in the enduring B.ed examinations.

Pertinently, a female impersonator Alka who was appearing in place of original candidate Karuna, along with two agents identified as resident of Sonepat, Haryana, was arrested by the police from the examination centre of B.ed in JU campus, against whom a Fir was filed in the Police post Nehru market, yesterday.

During initial investigation she disclosed that the alleged agents has approached to her with offering an handsome amount and also arranged her admission in the examination center, said Rajesh Jasrotia, IO, police post Nehru Market.

If sources are to be believed, identity of hundreds of candidates during the just concluded B.ed examination is in doubt and JU has decided to launch a major investigation in coming days.

Sources said that as per the Modus operandi most of the candidates who seek admission in Jammu and Kashmir never attend classes nor fill their forms, but instead it is being done by middle man appointed by the respective institutions who do all the formalities.

But when contacted to the controller examination office JU regarding the matter and for the further strategies to restrict such incidents, interestingly admitted that such incidents had occurred in the JU but she said that they have no inputs of the matter and refused to comment.

Nearly 25,000 students today appeared for the B.ed examination, management of which is always a headache for the JU administration, who had to face criticism from every quarter for mismanagement of the examination. This year Jammu University had introduced new system, under which students were allotted examination centers at random, to negate the possibility of the copying.

24x7 call centres to be set by PDD for consumers

24x7 call centres to be set by PDD for consumers

Yash Khajuria         

JAMMU, Oct 17: To make complaint cell of Power Development Department (PDD) more people friendly, government has directed the department to establish call centers in Jammu and at Srinagar divisions.

According to the sources, the 24-hour cells will have all the latest equipment like dedicated phone lines, computers, faxes and separate staff so that they can register and take necessary steps to solve the problems of the consumers, who have to face tough time to get their problems resolved.

PDD already had complaint cells, but lack of coordination and accountability within the department make it impossible for the common man to get solution, as far as any electricity related problem is concerned.

According to the sources, although funds have not been allocated for the project by the state government so far, but the officials have been asked to identity necessary space for the upcoming centre to make it functional for the general public in coming weeks. Officials said that the authorities have asked the respective Chief Engineers to give it a priority. PDD is one of the departments in the state which is very poor in dealing with the consumers and sometimes people have to waits for days or even months to get rid of their problems.

When contacted, a senior officer said, “We have been asked to set up the call centre cum grievance cell and process has been started for the same”.
He further said that although no time frame has been set up for the purpose, to make it functional, but necessary ground work is being conducted for the purpose.  “We can’t make it functional in one day but it will take some time but till then we have kept some employees especially for the grievance registration”, he said.

After the government started the process of e-metering and the computerised billing for the consumers in Jammu and Kashmir, the people are facing lot of problems, but in absence of proper channel at the department, they are confused by the red-tapism at the respective PDD offices.

“I have received a tariff bill about three months back, but the amount shown is more than what I have consumed, but nobody taken interest to correct it”, said a consumer, Vicky Sharma from Janipur area.

The basic problem faced by the consumers in the state is mainly related to electricity supply, fault in respective supply lines and billing complaints. The problem gets more complicated in rural and far- flung areas of the state, were damages to transforms or any other fault, people have to wait for months together, as most of them don’t know whom to approach to resolve their issues.

Chief Engineer further said, “It is aimed at streamlining the system so that we can reduce the time as far as fault repairing or any other complaint is concerned”. 

It is pertinent to mention here that in recent years PDD is on major revenue realization drive, after the tough stand taken by the central government against J&K. This year government has set a target of collecting Rs 408 crore from Jammu region and Rs 623 crore from Kashmir region.

GCET sans infrastructure, govt sleeping

GCET sans infrastructure, govt sleeping

Yash Khajuria       10/16/2011

JAMMU, Oct 16: It was supposed to be one of the best engineering colleges in the north India, but due to the apathetic attitude of the government it is fast becoming defunct institute.
This is the story of the Government College for Engineering and Technology (GCET) at Marjali (Chak Bhalwal), which sans facilities and students are suffering to get quality education.

The Government College for Engineering and Technology (GCET) was established in 1994 in the old campus of University of Jammu but later the concerned authorities had decided to construct the complete college on the role model of Regional College of Education (REC) at Marjali in 1996.

After one decade since the construction work, which was started in 1998, the condition of the college is completely in shambles. According to source, the students of the College were suffering due to lack of basic facilities including hostel facility, workshop, practical equipments even there is no manpower to maintain the new campus.

Interestingly, 10 years have been passed after the construction of hostel building at new campus, it has no use for students. There is boundary wall, water tank, warden room, play ground, dispensary and other basic infrastructure to run a hostel for those who are away from their homes.

The concerned college authority or Government has not done anything for them to place in hostel. Sources said that about 60 percent students are from Srinagar while 20 percent from flung areas who needs hostel facility. He also added that about 12 faculty members of the college have left the job.

It is pertinent to mention here that State Government had decided to complete the college in 3 phases and proposed to construct 20 buildings in about 80 crores. The first phase has been complete including 4 buildings having hostel, Civil Engineering Block, Computer Engineering Block and common Lecture Hall.

Sources said that employees’ recruitment process was started about 15 year back and till now they have been able to fill the vacancies as few people of showing interest. They still are working on same post and haven’t got any benefits of promotions besides recommendations of 6th Pay Commission.

Recently during a workshop organised at college, Minister for Higher Education Abdul Gani Malik has assured that he will ensure that posts are filled. “We will try to do our best. We are trying our best to provide quality staff so that student doesn’t have to suffer”. He, however, said that rules have been framed and sent to ARI Department for approval which is likely very soon.

NREGA: A flop show in Jammu and Kashmir

NREGA: A flop show in Jammu and Kashmir

People don’t prefer to work in govt sponsored projects which provide employment

Yash Khajuria        10/15/2011

JAMMU, Oct 15: The much hyped National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGA) has turned out to be a flop show in J&K as people have shown little interest in the scheme due to cumbersome official’s formalities.

According to government data, the funds utilization profile of NREGA during the year 2007-08 was very low. Data says that in Kashmir division, utilization was just 9.64 per cent of the available funds and in Jammu, it was 44.25 per cent.

However in Jammu division, the implementation of the scheme was little better from the year 2008-10 as 70 percent of the funds available have been utilized. State level 59 per cent of the funds available have been utiolized ending last year.

The report say that the main reason is that the workers are not willing to work on the wages offered under NREGA and even those workers who have got registered fail to respond when they offered. Most of the workers prefer to work in the open market and feel it easy. High enumerative and formality less then wandering after government department officials for registration, opening of bank accounts and
writing for job opportunities.

"In the open market a laborer is getting average Rs 160 for working 9 hours a day whereas under NREGS he is getting Rs 70 only per day for working 8 hours", says the report.

During the field study it was found by the survey team that by almost 55 per cent of the workers that wages were provided to them belatedly. Regarding the procedure of payment, only 17 per cent of the enquired beneficiaries expressed satisfaction. They were mostly seen discontented with the cumbersome official formalities.

The survey report says that the scheme was shaped to add the empowerment of women by providing them employment opportunities and make them independent. "These provisions of the act scheme again are influenced by the social fabric prevailing in the state. In Kashmir division, though the women do a lot of manual work within the household, but totally hesitate to work outside".

The monitoring mechanism has been seen taking no cognizance of the under utilization of resources. In fact it should take note of such happenings during implementation of the schemes, ascertain causes and suggest administrative financial and procedural measures.

Gun shops running without mandatory Sale & Keep licenses, administration sleeping

Gun shops running without mandatory Sale & Keep licenses, administration sleeping

Yash Khajuria                                                           


JAMMU, Oct 14: At a time when government agencies have launched probe in alleged involvement of some gun dealers in issuing fake licences, number of such shops in Jammu and Kashmir are running without mandatory Sale and Keep licenses. 

Sources have disclosed that the most of the ammunition dealers in the state have the licenses overdue as per the validation of the said licenses but are still running without any fear of the administration.  

It is pertinent to mention that a large amount of the arms possession licenses were recovered by the state police in past few months which were illegally issued at district levels.  At the moment as per the experts more than 20,000 skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers are associated with the trade, but because of few black sheep’s, they are casting their shadow on others. 

Pertinently in Jammu and Kashmir almost 32 arms manufacturing units and 400 retail traders had been providing employment to the unemployed. Also the trade has been contributing Rs 100 crore annually to the state exchequer by way of various taxes.  Since the people running such gun houses on the rent basis or any other liaison might not be sincere about the legal activities regarding the gun house licences as they should and they may perform such illegal deed may be unwillingly.  

Sources also told that it is a trade of networking that why some small dealer have put their licenses on rent to the big sharks of the trade.  But on the other side many A&A dealers has put their sale and keep licenses to the others agents on rent or on commission base in order to accelerate their income, since the said licences are the non transferable , convertible and saleable as mentioned in the chapter 5 of the Indian Arms Act 1959. But the illegal business is increasing under the nose of the mute administration.  

On the issue when contacted District Magistrate, Sanjeev Verma, said that due to various formalities there is certain delay, some times in the renewal process of the said licences, anybody who have applied for the same and whose licence for renewal is under process could perform the business for a while.  But if any offensive complaint were found against any of the dealer we must take the necessary action and may cancel the respective licence.

Use of tinted films on vehicles continues in city, police mute spectator

Use of tinted films on vehicles continues in city, police mute spectator

Yash Khajuria	10/13/2011
JAMMU, Oct 13: Black-tinted films, in violation of traffic norms, are being used on vehicles here.

Caring two hoots for the established rules, the violators also seem to be indifferent towards the fact that the state was grappling with menace of cross-border terrorism. As per the rule book use of dark, black or reflective glasses in vehicles is not permitted. As provided in Rule 100 of Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989, the glass of windscreen and rear window of motor vehicles should have a visibility of at least 70 per cent and that of side windows a minimum visibility of 50 per cent. It important to mentioned that the most of the Ministers and bureaucrats have their vehicles black mirrored in the state. Interestingly, the politicians’ kith and kins are mostly the big violators. Strangely the concerned authorities have many times removed black films on the common vehicles and get charged them. All the bureaucrat’s vehicles have black mirror other than some vehicles also have without registration numbers and the department aware such things but they cannot take any step for stopped them. A person, driving a car with black tinted glasses, when asked, replied that nobody ever objected to its use. “Otherwise, I would have definitely taken it off,” he added. Recently the traffic department has announced not to give permission to anyone for black film mirror and pressure horns. But the politician’s kin-pin and low rank officials are violating the rules with impunity. Pardeep Singh residential of Talab Tillo said that the rules and regulations only meant for the local people while the rich go scot free. The department who maintain law and orders they also break the laws and regulation by stopped those people who hike their voice against such things. Everybody aware of such things the concerned authorities not taking any step against the politicians for implement this order, he added. However when contacted, Inspector General of Police (IG) Traffic, HK Lohia said that the traffic police continued to remove the black films on vehicles mirror and the department also discussion on them so implement ban on those people, who sell the pressure horns and black films as soon. He further said that if the security forces getting permission to anyone than the department is no objection against them otherwise the officials not spare to anyone for making black mirror and pressure horns of his vehicles if anyone ignored this rules the department also take legal step.

Outsiders managing fake PRC, administration sleeping
Yash Khajuria	10/10/2011 9:05:22 PM
JAMMU, Oct 10: The detection of fake Permanent Resident Certificates (PRC), which were issued to some outsiders illegally by the officials at Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s office R.S Pura has again brought to focus the attempts by non-state subjects to get state subjects in illegal way to claim that they are inhabitants of the state. Yesterday Police have booked four members of a family for allegedly possessing fake permanent resident certificates issued by SDM office on May 22, 2007, but closer scrutiny would reveal that it could just be a tip of the ice-berg. Sources said that with the active involvement of politicians and officials, hundreds of outsiders have managed to get PRC in Jammu and Kashmir during past 20 years, making it impossible for the law enforcement agencies to detect all of them. Irony is that most of them have also managed fake ration cards and voter identity cards, making it impossible for the administration to nail them. Sources said that if a survey is conducted of Gandhi nagar constituency only, hundreds of people who have emerged as vote bank for a Minister who happens to be retaining an important portfolio. “There is very deep rooted nexus between the officials from the revenue department and other agencies who in return for monetary benefits help the outsiders to get PRCs. This is clear violation of the law as J&K enjoys a special status”, said a official. They also alleged that the MLA of the constituency by using the influence of powers in respect to accelerate his vote bank has issued such fake documents to the non-deserving ones, even the outsiders of Jammu And Kashmir State. These people have the majority of the laborers from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Punjab. Sources have also alleged that since the people who have such fake Ration / Voter cards are in the well wisher list of the minister that’s why the administration do not take any action against them. Rameshwar Singh a resident of Talab Tillo has said that if a common man without the recommendation of a leader or senior officer approaches for the ration card or state subject to the concerned office, he has to face number of problems, but how these outsiders are able to get them so easily. However when contacted Sanjaav Verma, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu on this matter has not responded even after repeated attempts.

Govt. to develop border tourism in Jammu, on pattern of Wagah
Yash Khajuria	10/9/2011 9:03:46 PM
JAMMU, Oct 9: Travel enthusiasts will now get a chance to soak in the wholesome beauty of nature with Tourism Department J&K and J&K State Government is upto develop border areas in Jammu district on the pattern of other states like “Wagah Border of Punjab”, for tourists at the first time at the Octroi Post in Suchetgarh along the India-Pakistan international border. Director tourism Jammu, Robin Singh Mehta has informed that the project for the development of border areas of Jammu for tourism attraction has been sanctioned and now the authorities are analyzing the components of the project and the work on the said project will begin soon. He stated that at the initial stage we will work on the said project from Octroi border outpost (BOP) here along Indo-Pak border which will cost Rs. 6 crore. Jammu and Kashmir government is focusing on promoting border tourism to attract more visitors to the state. Since, Jammu has come up as a major tourist destination in the recent years and in order to give a boost to it, infrastructure worth Rs 6 crore would be set up in Suchetgarh, the official said. As per the project projected for sanctioning, the projects include the development of a park spread over 150 kanals, entry gate, a tourist facilitation centre, the landscaping and development of a terrace garden with fountains, the development of a walkway to oversee the international border, a watch tower, a war memorial with a photo gallery of war heroes of the area, the construction of an amphitheatre and other tourism-related infrastructure. Besides the Suchetgarh model village and the octroi border outpost, the state government will also conduct circuital border trips to prominent sites like shrines and temples close to the Zero Line and picnic spots. It is pertinent to mention that at the present time a number of more than 200 tourists visits the border area daily, the number observe an impressive increase in the weekends. As the authorities initiated to develop these locations for tourist there are apprehensions that the figure of visitors will be change positively. If everything goes as planned, the work on the said project will start within a period of month, Mehta said

Wasim arrest takes new turn, family claims he is innocent

Wasim arrest takes new turn, family claims he is innocent
Yash Khajuria	10/8/2011 9:15:53 PM
JAMMU, Oct 8: While National Investigation Agency (NIA) claims that it has arrested alleged mastermind of the Delhi High Court blast case, Wasim Ahmed, who is pursuing Unani course in Bangladesh, his parents have claimed that he is innocent and himself volunteered to appear before the investigating agencies. Though there was no official word from where Wasim, was arrested, parents have claimed that they themselves handed over Wasim to the security agency. Ahmed’s sister had claimed that Azhar Ali Padari, a member of Pakistan-based militant outfit, who is in jail for kidnapping her younger brother Junaid Malik, has implicated her elder brother in order to take revenge. “We got them arrested because Junaid was kidnapped due to them. He took my brother’s name to take revenge. He (alleged kidnapper) wants that since his family has been ruined so our family should also be ruined,” added Shaziya Malik. Azhar Ali was quizzed by NIA regarding the bomb blasts in Kashmiri jail, he allegedly named Ahmed as involved in the blasts. The nitrate-based explosives that blew up at a busy entrance of the Delhi High Court on September 07 had killed 14 people and wounded dozens. Malik son of Reyaz-ul-Hassan Malik, Private Secretary to Chief Engineer of National Hydro-electric Power Corporation (NHPC), originally a resident of Bani but presently settled at Giri Nagar, Dugga in Kishtwar, was arrested following clues gathered during investigations by the NIA that he was a key conspirator in the blast along with his brother, Junaid Akram Malik, a commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, who was absconding. Sources said Junaid Akram Malik was also in touch with Hizbul Mujahideen militants based in Pakistan from Kishtwar after he was given the rank of commander by the outfit. Malik was reported to have transported explosives and other infrastructure to New Delhi from Kishtwar for fabricating and planting the IED with the help of his brother, Wasim and some other associates. Junaid was the major link in the blast, who was missing. While Intelligence agencies believed that Junaid could be hiding in inaccessible heights of Kishtwar after executing the blast, some agencies indicated that he might have left Kishtwar and proceeded to the Kashmir valley in some safe hideouts. Junaid was reported to have executed the blast outside Delhi High Court at the behest of his outfit’s commanders based in Pakistan and PoK. For the purpose, he had taken the services of his brother Wasim Akram, who was taken on 14 days remand by the NIA today from Special NIA Judge HS Sharma in New Delhi. Sources said that Wasim had fallen into trap of the militants in Dhaka, the headquarters of HuJI and frequented by Hizbul Mujahideen cadre from Pakistan. Dhaka-West Bengal-New Delhi route is also being used by the militants quite often to travel to this side or smuggle weapons and fake currency.

AIDS spreading its tentacles in rural areas has alarmed Govt.
Yash Khajuria	10/7/2011 9:06:47 PM
JAMMU, Oct 7: With the detection of increasing number of HIV/AIDS cases from rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir, the government has decided to involve cultural organizations and theater groups to reach out to ruralities and create awareness among them about the preventive measures against the virus. State AIDS Control Society has invited youth clubs and NGOs to start awareness campaigns about the deadly disease and provide consultancy services to the rural population, who are mostly unaware about the threat. Sources said that the step has been taken after the health officials conveyed the alarming situation after the detection of some cases in far-flung areas from where the people work as labourers or drivers in different parts of the country. “Although we have been listed among the topper states in launching a successful campaign against the AIDS, but so far it has remained concentrated to cities and a few towns with the rural areas receiving less attention”, said an official. As per the records, there are 1800 full blown AIDS cases registered with the society, but their number could be in thousands as many affected persons are unaware about the infection. Each event will be of three hours duration comprising of folk songs on AIDS awareness followed by a drama, skit and a lecture- interaction by a doctor or a counscellor attached with each group. The selected groups will be paid Rs 3000 on account of performance for each programme at village, block and tehsil levels. Director, AIDS Control Society, Dr. Wasim Qureshi said that though the state falls in low prevalence zone but many full blown cases have been detected in the state. “Our main worry is the people who don’t come forward and they have to be identified so that medical help could be provided to them”. As per the Government figures, the state had 1811 full blown AIDS cases during 2009-2010, against 1600 cases in 2007, a worrisome situation for the state health officials who fear that there may be thousands of more hidden patients. There are 22 HIV/AIDS detection centres in the state where nearly 70,000 people have voluntarily come forward for the tests leading to the detection of the cases presently on the official records. Officials claim that 1200 Anganwari workers, 1800 panches and sarpanches have been trained to create awareness about the preventive measures about the AIDS across the State.

Doctors enjoying holiday, refused police to record statement of brutal stabbing case
Yash Khajuria	10/6/2011 9:02:33 PM
JAMMU, Oct 6: The irresponsible doctors deprived police for five days to have an initial statement of victim, who was brutally injured in an incident of attempt to murder. Despite pleas by the police to get access to the victim, so that action could be taken against the criminals accused in the brutal stabbing, case, doctors, refused to budge, giving enough time to the criminals to escape the law. Pertinent to mention here that the incident had occurred on the evening of October 1, when 40 year old Paramjeet Singh s/o Amrik Singh resident of Sector -12 Nanak Nagar stopped at Shah filling station located at Nanak Nagar to fill petrol, and suddenly he was intercepted by some persons, with whom he had some old enmity. The two sides exchanged heated arguments before the victim was attacked with a sharp edged weapon. Soon after stabbing him, the assailants fled from the spot leaving the victim in pool of blood. Later some passerby rushed him to Government Medical College (GMC) for treatment. Since the victim was not in a condition to make a statement, the police actively launched a manhunt to arrest the culprits, but after two days when the victim after treatment was shifted to the general ward, police had approached doctors to allow them to record the statement of victim.. The doctor present on duty denied them access advocating that it is a holiday despite that fact that it would have helped to solve the case. Even, today when the police officials Darshan Singh, Sub Inspector, Police station Gandhi Nagar along with IO Abdul Qyoom went to the hospital for the statement the on duty officer refused again advocating that there is no Doctor present in the hospital and he cannot allow them to conduct victim’s statement. After more than 3 hours of argument and after the intervention of Senior Police officer the registrar of the hospital permitted them for their prior job. In the belated statement the victim (Paramjeet singh @ Shampoo) stated that three persons namely Pawandeep singh @ Tawan son of Varinder Singh resident of Nanak Nagar, Jagmeet Singh @Golu son of Gurdeep Singh and Preetpal Singh @ Bobby son of Harpal Singh both resident of sec-11 Nanak Nagar attacked on him on Oct. 1st evening where Golu and Bobby hold him from both side and the main accused Pawandeep Singh @Tawan stabbed him with a sharp edged weapon (krich). Darshan Singh, Sub Inspector, Police station Gandhi Nagar said that the case against the accused has been registered wide Fir no. 241/2011 under section 307/341/ 34 Rpc , 4/25 arms act at police station Gandhi Nagar Jammu.

Police Goonda Raj, sub-inspector harassing innocent citizen
Yash Khajuria	10/5/2011 8:48:31 PM
JAMMU, Oct 5: Call it a police ‘Goonda Gardi’ or abuse of power; an innocent resident is being harassed by the cops, because he tried to raise voice against the alleged highhandedness of the Sub-Inspector deployed in Police Lines. Pawan Choudhary, resident of Nanak Nagar, is being harassed because he approached the SHO Gandhi nagar to register complaint against the police officer, who refused to lodge the FIR against the accused and asked him to remain silent. As per Choudhary, he along with his friend Ajay Pangotra, was travelling on a motorcycle and at Nagrota just crossing the Naka near bye-pass road, the Police Sub-Inspector, Ajay Singh, who was driving his car rashly suddenly tried to overtake the motorcycle and unable to control the vehicle, smashed it with the two wheeler. Though Ajay Singh was at fault, but instead of that he started abusing and used filthy language against the victim and even snatched the driving license and registration certificate of the motor cycle. According to the victim, on Tuesday morning at about 9 am when Pawan was just going to take her mother on his motor cycle, he was intercepted by two youth who poising themselves to be the new recruits of the police department told the victim that they have been sent by the Sub-Inspector. “They forcibly entered into the house of the applicant and forcibly took possession of the motor cycle bearing No. JK02AC-5012 from the house”, he alleged. When the applicant requested and wanted to know, why he is being harassed, the police constables told him that they have been sent by the Sub Inspector. As per the rules, no police official can take the vehicle under his personal possession as done in this case. Further, no action has been taken against the sub-inspector’s car, which was involved in the accident. Later when the applicant went to the SHO, police station Gandhi Nagar, and narrated the matter about the incident, who refused to take any action on the ground that the accused belongs to his department. “It is total offence as they forcibly tried to take possession of motor cycle as well as illegally retaining the driving license and registration certificate of sister of the applicant and also forcibly entering into the house of the applicant”, said the victim. When contacted SP (Headquarter) Shalinder Singh refused to comment and said that he is in meeting. The victim later approached the court which has directed the police to register case against the police sub-inspector in the case. Court has taken serious view of the matter. When contacted, SSP Anand Jain said that he has directed the concerned officials to investigate the matter so that suitable action could be taken. “I have directed the concerned officials to investigate the issue and take action. Till then nothing can be said”, he said.

Rs 85 crore SPA fund for college development in J&K
Yash Khajuria	10/4/2011 8:53:43 PM
JAMMU, Oct 4: With many of the schools and degree colleges lacking the basic infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, government has released Rs. 85 crores under Special Plan Assistance (SPA) to upgrade the existing infrastructure. The amount will be used for the upgradation of class-rooms, library and laboratory facilities, lavatory blocks and upgrading the basic requirements particularly in rural and far flung areas. Under the project Rs 40 crore has been released for to the education department while Rs 45 crore have been released to the Higher education department to upgrade newly opened Degree colleges in J&K. Officials said that Central Government has approved Rs 100 crore plan submitted by the state to upgrade the Degree colleges and primary and secondary schools in the J&K. Under the action plan money would be used to comply with the norms set by National Accredited Assessment Committee (NAAC), which has shown its displeasure with the infrastructure of higher education in the state. “Many schools in the state are in worst conditions and there is a need to upgrade them. So far money was the main reason for the delay in implementing the upgradation plan”, said a official. “Though dozens of degree colleges were opened in different districts, but most of them are without basic infrastructure. No heed was so far given to them. Colleges become just a showcase”, official said on the condition of anonymity. Sources said that to keep tab of the projects and implementation a monitoring team comprised of Minister In-charge and the Administrative Secretary will look after the project. Under the Action Plan infrastructure development will be carried on in as many as 74 Government Degree Colleges in Jammu and Kashmir focusing on various requirements in the each educational institution. It is pertinent to mention here that while Government colleges established in 2005 have their own buildings, those announced in 2008 land has still not been identified and most of them function from higher secondary schools. Though the city colleges are overburdened by the students forcing Higher Education department to start evening classes to accommodate the rush, the newly opened degree colleges across the state have become ‘showpieces’, as lack of infrastructure and subject combination has led to very few admission this session. While the five colleges in Jammu city, GGM Science College, SPMR Commerce college, MAM college, Government College for Women (GCW) Gandhi nagar and GCW, Parade are crammed, the institutions opened with much funfair by the state government since 2005 have again not received much attention from admission seekers.

Man-Animal conflict in J&K reaches alarming level
Yash Khajuria	10/2/2011 8:33:48 PM
JAMMU, Oct 2: While deaths in militancy related incidents have declined in Kashmir valley in recent years, now it the wild animals who have taken toll on the people in past three years. According to the data about 90 persons have been killed by the wild animals during 2006-09 period with 789 injured in the conflict in the state. Even the State Government today admitted in Legislative Council that increasing encroachments by humans of forest areas has led to greater attacks by bears and leopards. Government data says that Omar Abdullah led administration has submitted a project to the Ministry of Environment and Forests to give suitable funds under Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat to deal with the menace, which has reached alarming situation. Data says that during past three years (2006-09), most of the 789 injured have received grievous injuries particularly in Kashmir valley were large portion of forest land has been encroached by the land mafia and expanding population. Other areas include the heavily militarized areas close to Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). Showing his concern in the report, Minister for Forests Mian Altaf said that the department has brought latest equipment and trained manpower to deal with the situation, but till people themselves take initiative, it cannot be controlled. “We have brought necessary equipment to handle the conflict which includes, rescue vans, long range tranquilizing guns, long range tranquilizing pistols, automatic trap cages, search flush lights, nets, rescue helmets and special ladders”. Altaf said that a comprehensive management plan for handling man animal conflict for infrastructure strengthening on modern lines has already been submitted to the Government of India. “On the basis of advice of the ministry, provision for the purpose has been kept in annual plan 2010-11 under the centrally sponsored scheme titled Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat. The matter is being seriously pursued with the central government”, said Altaf. It is pertinent to mention here that at present the state government gives the ex-gratia of Rs one lakh to those killed by the wild animals while the inured are given assistance according to level of injuries they receive. YEAR WISE DATA Year's Casualties Injured 2006 20 154 2007 26 184 2008 21 206 2009 23 246 Total 90 749.

Increasing snatching cases, people living in fear, police clueless

Increasing snatching cases, people living in fear, police clueless
Yash Khajuria	9/30/2011 8:56:31 PM
JAMMU, Sept 30: A series of unresolved incidents of chain snatching in the city since last month has exposed the tall claims of Jammu police about intensive patrolling in different localities of the Jammu city. It is pertinent to note that in the past month a total number of 5 FIR’s concerning with the chain snatching incidents has been registered in the Gandhi Nagar Police Station Jammu. But only the two cases of chain snatching are been resolved by the police till yet and there is no inputs to the police regarding the rest cases. According to the information withdrawn by the Official sources Fir no’s 193, 197, 204, 205, 211 under section 383 RPC on dated 12, 15, 23, 23 and August 30 respectively were registered in by the different complainants alleged for chain snatching incidents, whereas the police had resolved two cases wide Fir no’s 193 and 197 during this period but the other three cases are still under investigation. Though Jammu Senior SP (SSP) Anand Jain has issued directives from time to time to check such incidents and also directed the cops to keep close eye on the outsiders, but there is still fear among the people, particularly womenfolk. This increase in chain snatching incidents has created a fear psychosis among women. They are afraid of coming out of their houses even during day time. Jammu police have failed to check chain snatching, “Cops always targets the busy lanes of the city and never patrol deserted lanes and by-lanes during afternoon’. Taking advantage of the situation, the criminals target women, who come out of their houses either for some work or for bringing their children from schools," a resident of the Gandhi Nagar said. SHO Gandhi Nagar on the issue said that the police has shown the concern over these incident and made special teams after which the police had arrested four groups indulged in the chain snatching activities, last month. As a result of which not a single has been registered since last month in the police station Gandhi Nagar. For the further investigation he said that the police teams are investigating for the rest cases and hope soon we get the positive results.