Kudara - Jai road going off track to accommodate some influential people

Kudara - Jai road going off track to accommodate some influential people

Yash Khajuria

JAMMU, Apr 21: Despite being highlighted in a news items, the ongoing work on Kudara- Jai road in tehsil Thathri district Doda, is consistently turning towards the wrong alignment as some influential persons are trying to divert it as per their needs, leaving large number of people in shock. 

The work on the 16 km road stretch started at the tenure of Gulam Nabi Azad then Chief Minister under centrally sponsored scheme the Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) is still struggling to benefits the inhabitants of the area concerning. 

The sources have alleged that though the first phase of project is completed but the sanction 16 Km stretch was consumed up to Halaran only, overlooked the original survey which was done for a road stretch from Halaran-Joura kalan and then from Jouran Kalan – Jai, in order to make the houses of many influential peoples connected, which has resulted many unnecessary turns to the road at the behest of then R&B minister. Thus the 4km stretch from Halaran to Joura kalan is been illegally ignored. 

Since the work on the said project has been handed over to the PMGSY from R&B Department, when the locals approached to the concerned official of PMGSY they had a strange comical version that the said department has sanctioned a new 12 kms road from Kahara - Joura Khurd road. If this is being constructed, will necessary pass through village Halaran, where already a parallel road from Kahara to Halaran is been constructed which is ludicrous, he added. 

According to the sources, during survey, the road was planned through area in which less forest area was included but the conspiring officials have changed the alignment of the road by showing a wrong estimate to the forest department that only 400 trees will be deforested in that altered route, whereas the changed alignment has deforested more than 15000 trees, even the MLA concerning Mohd. Sharif Nyaz has passed instructions to the executive engineer and AEE, PMGSY to keep villages Budiya and Joura kalan to be Connected but the concerned Engineer PMGSY is deliberately altering the alignment of the Raod from the forest land to make his own town connected to the said road, which has also increased the deforestation, and also increased the length of original road from 15 km to 22 km. 

On this Issue, Social activist, Kuldeep kumar Rao, president, Teahsil Thathri Development front (TTDF) has appealed to the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Division to form a Special panel of forest department and Survey of PMGSY to inspect the check that whether the violating the norms or not. He alleged that both of the two officials from R&B and PMGSY are misguiding the Locals that there are two roads to be made by the said department. 

He have alleged that, this all misleading task is been done on this behalf that after this road the connecting road to the village Joura Khurd will be considered as central Highway to the adjoining villages, which will deprive a large number inhabitant from those 4 village to be connected with the said road at the cost of only beneficial village Joura Khurd. 

Even though, DC Doda, Farooq Ahmed Khan, is not considering any query and complaint which are being done by the locals at a regular interval, he added.

When contacted DC Doda, Farooq Ahmed Khan, he advocated that the work is been done on the actual survey, and it is not possible to change the alignment of the said Road stretch, stating that after the final survey from the PMGSY nobody have the authority to change the alignment of the Road.

JCC organises statewide protest, demands fulfilling their demands

 JCC organises statewide protest, demands fulfilling their demands

Yash Khajuria

Jammu, April 17: Alleging state government has betrayed employees; Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) today observed a complete strike throughout the state and staged a protest demonstration outside the press club Jammu.

They have also announced to go for two day long strike on May 8-9, in protest against their demands.

They protested against the lop-sided, non serious and dilly-delaying tactics of the state government in fulfilling the agreement made with the employee’s representatives from time to time.

Criticizing the government’s attitude towards their recommended demands Ram kumar Sharma said that government has done nothing to formulate the policy for the regularization of casual, seasonal and daily rated workers who are working over decades, and now the employees are been deliberately compelled to choose the outdone path of contradiction.

“The government has done nothing to formulate the policy for the regularization of casual, seasonal and daily rated workers who are working over decades: he added.
JCC members have alleged that the committee constituted by the government for enhancement of retirement age from 58 to 60 years and or removal of anomalies in different cadre and pay scale has neither done his work and nor provided desired result within the frame work of stipulated time.

“Moreover the public sector employees are being also deprived of sixth pay commission arrears and D.A linking it with profit and loss. Although these losses are being incurred by these PSU undertakings due to the mismanagement and negligence of ruling politician, bureaucrats and team of managing directors and the workers are in no way instrumental in the loss so the budgetary support for the release of 6th pay commission arrears and DA of these employees should be made irrespective of profit or loss of the PSU units” demanded JCC.

Pertinently, the JCC and the striking employees unanimously passed resolutions and urged to the government to implement the agreement held between government and JCC without further delay. Moreover JCC have announced to hold two days state wide token strike on 8th and 9th may 2012 and demanded to reinstate the home guards employees immediately by withdrawing their termination orders.

Those who were present at the occasion included Mohammad Gafoor Dar, Kulwant Singh, Amrik Singh, Balwan Singh Jamwal, Arun Moza, Ganesh Khajuria, Deva Nanad Gill, Rajinder Kumar and Hari Singh besides other.

Developing water sports in Ranjit Sagar dam, still a dream

Developing water sports in Ranjit Sagar dam, still a dream

 Yash Khajuria     

JAMMU, Apr 16: It was supposed to be developed as biggest water sports facility in Jammu and Kashmir, but due to the apathetic attitude of the government, the project has failed. 

Despite a survey of Ranjit Sagar dam conducted through National Institute of Water Sports Goa, due to the lethargic approach of the government, no private company had come to submit their tenders for developing the site.

Nearly seven activities were recommended in the survey report to develop it as a water sports spot, but it has remained a dream. 

Jagdish Raj Sapolia, MLA from the area alleged that government as per its discriminatory attitude towards Jammu is not interested to develop such sports in the province. He said that the companies will only come forward to develop this place if they see some hope of business that is tourist attraction, and the area including 23 kilometer of lake stretch, have enriched amount of environment and potential to attract tourist across the country. 

“But Government is not initiating any step towards this exercise”, he said. Over this concern, when contacted to the Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Zora said that the Government has offered tender notice and nobody has shown interest for the developmental practice at that place. “For second time we issued tenders but nobody came forward”. 

Answering to a question that, what are the reasons that government did not get any positive response over the project, Jora said, “Besides government is always there to promote the tourism and culture in any possible spot, but who wants to make his own loss by investing in an inane manner. If somebody will see any possibility of profitable business and comes to the government side we will definitely move forward to the said project. 

He said that Basholi has been kept at large by the government till day, “isn’t its comical to hear from the tourism minister that a place which has been honored with a special Art gallery at London “Basholi Art Gallery” in which paintings and Pashmina Shawl of the area are being preserved by the foreigners” has no tourism attraction at all.

Bana Singh Stadium still a dream, As Govt. fails to release funds

Practice Evil
Bana Singh Stadium still a dream, 

As Govt. fails to release funds

Yash Khajuria

Jammu, April 11: Despite the tall Claims of the Government to develop the sports infrastructure in the rural areas of the Jammu province, the Bana Singh Memorial Stadium in R S Pura, is perfect example of the official apathy.

The stadium dedicated to the lone Param Vir Chakra awardee of the state, Hon Captain Bana Singh, was being developed under the authority of road and Building Department, for which the funds were provided by the Youth sports services department.

Dinesh Rampaul, Executive engineer R&B, disclosed that the total estimated cost of the stadium is around Rs. 136 lakhs and the amount issued in first phase which was Rs. 40 lakhs for the development has been utilized in constructing the drainage system, filling of the ground and two slaves of the pavilion are also been constructed with the given amount, and they are waiting for the further funds which will be provided by the Youth Sports services.

Since the work progress is been put on halt as the layout of the purposed stadium has been turned as no man’s land and a physical view of the Bana Singh stadium in RS Pura is enough to expose the tall promises of the State government who is keen to promote development of golf courses across the state and on the other side the same government has failed to develop basic facilities at the Bana Singh stadium, said Navdeep Sharma, young cricketer from R.S.Pura.

Playground marked for an ensuing stadium is being used shamelessly as urinal and parking place for the visitors of the Government Degree College nearby the Stadium, said Ex-serviceman, Makhan S. Choudhary, Local from R.S. Pura

For Any outsider visiting to the stadium dedicated to the Gladiator of the state, its difficult to find any mention of the brave soldiers’ heroism. A platform has been raised inside the ground but it is not worth anything as it is in shambles, he added.

It is pertinent to mention that, the state government had promised setting up of Bana Singh Stadium more than 20 years ago but it is yet to come up with a visible one. Government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had sanctioned a sum of Rs 50 lakh for the development of facilities at the stadium in April 2010. But delay caused in releasing the money and starting the work on ground zero has further delayed the project.

Rohit Choudhary, Social activist from R.S. pura has said that the area consist the majority of backward class and OBC category who are already facing many hardships, and every successive Government has only made unfulfilled promises. However, the present government has initiated for developmental work in the stadium for the young sporting talent but it is not sure that how long it will take them to complete the work.

Jammu girls shines in Indian Idol event, makes state proud

Jammu girls shines in Indian Idol event, makes state proud 

Sar pe hai Inke Chunni, Simple hai Inki Salwaar Kameez, 

Mere hisaab Se Inko, Sur Ki hai bahut Tameez,

The poetry uttered by the legendry Singer and Music Composers Anu Malik after her performance at ’Indian Idol’ the national Interface of Singing competitions, hailed as “Mini Lata” at her village Noori Hanga of Badherwah District Doda Indu Bala has proved the Substance of Singing for the Superhot Music Talent Show ‘Indian Idol’ which is been judged by the charismatic personalities of music industry (Bollywood) included Sunidhi Chauhan, Salim Merchant and Anu malik.

Yash Khajuria

Jammu, April 05: It will not be wrong to say that Indu Bala is a ‘versatile artist’ as she is not only the youngest singer of the state to perform on such big platform but also has the distinction of being the winner of the BIG 92.7 F.m. Singing Competition 2010.

Besides, she have attained the glory of being the first female singer from the J&K state to be succeed in the 6 seasons history of Indian Idol. She also has the Distinction for singing in five languages as Hindi, Dogri, Bhaderwahi, Gojri and Kashmiri, It adds large capability for her talent.  

 

Daughter from an ordinary middle class family whose father  was very passionate about writing songs and singing  have established herself as the youngest music sensation in Jammu and Kashmir, she has also been privileged as she has thrown her voice to many serials of Doordarshan in Different languages, and also got approved by the Radio (AIR).

She inherited a profound sense of music from her fabled mentor Suraj Singh, the renowned Singer and music composer of the State.

A final year student of Music fine arts Who in a shorten time while shared his struggle that how tough it has remained for her until this success, Daughter of Retd ZEO Late Prakash Ram and Kamla Devi, Indu adores living legend Lata Mangeshkar as her Idol since her learning in musical sphere has started with the Sweetest Voice  of Lata Ji at the prime Shows of Radio she states that at the far flung area of Bhaderwah, where having a television inside house was remained dream for many in the early childhood  and I am also the part of them. Only radio was my first instructor and mentor too, I have heard Lata ji and imitated her style of singing for thousands of times and it’s my dream to meet her legend and being blessed by her benison if could possible, she adds.

 It is ultimate hurdle for a village girl to remain compassionate for her talent, especially a girl  who doesn’t have anybody to support morally, since after her father’s  demise she have been accommodated in Jammu and having her education on her own, which is a ultimate gesture of being courageous, said her mother Kamla Devi. 

 

 The only gentleman who supported her throughout this journey is Pawan Bhaiya, (Software engineer from Jammu based in New Delhi) only he’s the person who pushed me way through Jammu to Amritsar for initial auditions and after that Amritsar to Delhi for main audition of North zone and for the ensuing schedule he is also travelling with me for Mumbai, I can never say thank to him b’coz it will be very small for his tremendous support, said Indu bala while expressing thanks. 

Delay in stadium construction

Delay in stadium construction
JKCA scam slows downs the work on cricket stadium in Jammu

Yash Khajuria
JAMMU, April 03: The much hyped Jammu Kashmir Cricket Association’s Scam has cost the another delaying stretch in beginning of the most awaited International Cricket Stadium, which have faced another hurdle due to the multi crore scam in the JKCA.

Since, the officials in the cricket association have been found involved in financial irregularities and embezzlement of funds and the President of the association and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr Farooq Abdullah has asked General Secretary, Ehsan Mirza, to resign and after his resignation the JKCA has issued handout stating that the foundation laying ceremony has been postponed due to the ongoing unrest in the Association as reason for another delay in the laying of foundation stone for the cricket stadium.

“This isn’t for the first that the association is finding itself in the centre of storm; infact in past few years it has been more often than once accused of favouritism, financial irregularities, internal bickering, misappropriation and embezzlement. It wouldn’t be wrong to state that the association has miserably failed in achieving the stated motto, which was to introduce the cricket at the grassroots level in the state”, Said Vijay Sharma an Ex Ranji Player.

Besides failing to provide adequate infrastructure for the development of the game, the association has been least effective in promoting the players to play in various national tourneys and tournaments which include IPL. It is interesting to not that the recently held BCCI talent hunt program not a single player has been shortlisted or made to the final list, he added.

Interestingly, JKCA was also came in for severe criticism last year over the alleged embezzlement of Rs 100 crore received from BCCI for the construction of cricket stadiums in the State. The amount, which JKCA denied to have received, is believed to have been meant for construction of international stadium at Bajalta in Jammu and another stadium in Kashmir.

“The expose proved to be the drop scene of the dismal performance of the J&K Cricket team in recent Ranji competitions, Vijay Hazari trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The team failed to register even a single win.

“When the funds meant for nourishing talent are swindled, you can only expect squabbling, leg-pulling, conspiracies, mushrooming of vested interests and even death of talent”, Said a senior cricketer.

However, the when contacted about the further strategy for the work to start on the much awaited International stadium the authorities have said, “The decision is to be taken by the working committee of the central office bearers of association headed by Mohd. Aslam Goni, Chairman”,Ranjit Kalra, Member JKCA working Committee Jammu wing.

It is the much awaited project for the cricket lovers of the state among the cricketers and the committee is also very much concerned about the delay of the same as after the handout came from the central office the committee under the chairmanship of Hardev Singh Jamwal, Joint secretary JKCA, organized an urgent meeting and requested to the central working committee to urgently reschedule the foundation laying ceremony of the jammu international stadium.

However when contacted to the chairman JKCA Mohd. Aslam Goni, who was enjoing the offered luxury of being as team manager with team India for the lone T-20 match in South Africa, in the same hangover has said that he is not very much aware of the matter as he was in South Africa and yet not made proxy in his office.

If the Chairman of the JKCA is so casual about the hopes of cricket lovers then who knows that how long aspiring cricketers of Jammu have to be dependent to eat the dust and toil hard by practicing at the worn-out multi-purpose MA Stadium in the absence of compulsory Cricket stadium.