JMC-JDA dispute affects business of cracker sellers

JMC-JDA dispute affects business of cracker sellers Archit Watts/TNS

Workers busy setting up cracker stalls at Prem Nagar in Jammu. Tribune photo

Jammu, October 18
With just a week left for Diwali, the stalls of firecrackers are still not in sight anywhere in the city. The reason is dispute between the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) over the allotment of land to the cracker sellers.
Though the JMC has allotted a ground to the cracker sellers at Prem Nagar after taking Rs 30,000 from each, yet the land, which originally belongs to the JDA, has become a matter of dispute as the JDA claims that the rent should be paid to them. As a result, the cracker sellers have become the victims suffering loss to their business.
“We have paid Rs 30,000 for the use of this land till Diwali. But the dispute between the JMC and the JDA has been causing us lot of inconvenience. No one is ready to provide facilities like electricity, water and sanitation here. In the absence of these basic amenities, we are unable to open the stalls,” said OP Sadhotra, president, Jammu Crackers’ Association.
He added, “Earlier the authorities allowed us to sell crackers at the Parade Ground. But this year, taking some precautionary measures, the site has been changed. The JMC has also increased the rent from Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000. But nothing has been done in the name of publicity.”
During a visit to the ground at Prem Nagar, children were found playing cricket and hardly anything has been done in the name of sanitation, water and electricity. Heaps of garbage were also stinking.
“The administration has only erected the electricity poles, but there is no wiring. Our business has already been affected. How can we even think of good business in such conditions?” asked, Bansi Lal Sodhi, a wholesaler.
He added, “The Deputy Commissioner should visit here to know the ground reality. The cracker-laden trucks cannot even enter this ground. This is totally a misfit place for this purpose.”
Repeated attempts to contact the Commissioner, JMC, SC Sawhney, proved futile. Sanjeev Verma, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, said, “There was some dispute between the two agencies -- JMC and JDA -- but now it has been sorted out. We have allotted the land to the cracker sellers at a very nominal price.”
“Parade Ground is a residential area, so we changed the location this year. All efforts will be made to provide all facilities to these stall owners,” added Verma.

This Diwali, gift of peace and apples from Kashmir---A first: Apple growers from Valley to hold fruit festival in Jammu from October 23 to 25

This Diwali, gift of peace and apples from Kashmir A first: Apple growers from Valley to hold fruit festival in Jammu
from October 23 to 25Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 18
People of the miltancy-hit Kashmir Valley will give the message of peace, harmony and secularism to the entire nation this Diwali.
With the efforts of the state government, for the first time, the apple growers from across the state — including those from Sopore and Shopian —which is known as the apple bowl of the state and has been the hotbed of militancy and stone-throwing incidents — will come under the banner of the department of horticulture to give the message “Happy Diwali from Kashmir Valley”.
“Apple growers in the Valley, a majority of them Muslims, will come to Jammu to sell their produce in gift boxes this Diwali, not only to make money but also to spread the message of communal brotherhood,” said Mohammad Javed Khan, Director, Horticulture, Planning and Marketing.
“The department in association with apple producers will also hold a three-day fruit festival at Kala Kendra in Jammu,” he added.
During the festival, all varieties of apple - Red Delicious, Royal Delicious and Golden Delicious - will be made available to the people. “With this event, people will be able to distribute apple rather than sweets to their near and dear ones on the occasion of Diwali,” maintained Khan.
He said the aim was to provide the apple fruit to customers at a cheaper price as well as spread the message of communal love and brotherhood.
“A majority of the apple growers have confirmed that they will be participating in the festival. The three-day event will be held from October 23 to 25. There will be no middleman between the customer and the producer. As a result, the customers will be able to get the stock at cheaper prices,” Khan said.
Lauding the efforts of Horticulture Minister Sham Lal Sharma, Khan declared: “Diwali is the festival of lights, which is not only confined to Hindus and Sikhs. This year, with the involvement of the department, people from all sections of society will celebrate the festival.”
Horticulture has been the mainstay of the economy of the militancy-plagued state. 

Farmers suffer in absence of paddy procurement centres: State govt, FCI don’t see eye to eye, send separate proposals to Centre

Farmers suffer in absence of paddy
procurement centres State govt, FCI don’t see eye to eye, send
separate proposals to CentreArchit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 17
The paddy growers in the state may have to wait for more time to get procurement centres (mandis), as there is a conflict between the Agriculture Department and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) over the establishment of these centres.
Being a Central government project, the state government through the Agriculture Department has proposed the setting up of 26 procurement centres, while the FCI, which is the nodal agency that procures the farmers’ produce, has sent a proposal for the creation of only 10 centres.
Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir had last year assured the paddy growers that the procurement centres would be created soon to lift their produce at the minimum support prices (MSP).
However, in the absence of these procurement centres, farmers have no other option but to sell their produce to mill owners. As a result, they are getting a lesser price for their produce.
“Though the state government has fixed Rs 1,080 per quintal as the MSP for the procurement of rice yet growers are getting just Rs 800 to 850 per quintal, as mill owners are fleecing the growers,” said Dev Raj, president of the RS Pura Rice Growers Association.
He alleged, “The government is not much concerned about the problems being faced by farmers. The most important project of creating the procurement centres is getting delayed. The authorities concerned should reach a consensus over the procurement centres so that they can be set up in a short period.”
He added that almost three months ago the authorities concerned had identified the land for these centres, but nothing was done after that.
VK Bhakri, Joint Director, Agriculture Department, said: “We have completed the formalities and have submitted the proposal for the creation of 26 procurement centres to the Central government for its approval.”
Bhakri accepted the fact that mill owners and agents were fleecing farmers. “The private mill owners are fleecing farmers and that is why we have planned to create procurement centres so that farmers can get genuine price for their produce,” added Bhakri.
Meanwhile, Rajesh Meena, deputy general manager of the FCI, Jammu, said: “We have sent the proposal to create 10 procurement centres and as soon as the government will approve it, we will be ready to start procurement through mandis. We have enough storage capacity and we are waiting for the approval of the much-awaited project.”

Drop in temperature hits power generation

Drop in temperature hits power generation Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 16
With the onset of winter and fresh snowfall in the upper reaches of the state, the power generation has dipped, forcing the Power Development Department (PDD) to impose extra cuts.
Due to the change in weather conditions, the rivers feeding water to the hydroelectric projects are witnessing a sharp decline in the water level, causing lesser power generation.
All the powerhouses located on the Chenab, Jhelum, Indus and Ravi rivers are facing shortage of water, as the water channels have started freezing.
Talking to The Tribune over phone, PK Kaul, chief engineer, Baglihar Power Project, said: “The water level in the river has decreased, causing rapid decline in the generation. Earlier the generation was around 450 MW, and now it has been reduced to
360 MW.”
He said with the start of winter, the generation would be hit further. “The generation began to decline from October 11 onwards. In the peak of winters, the total generation of this powerhouse goes down to 150 MW, which means 300 MW lesser than its capacity,” Kaul added, terming it the winter effect.
At present, the state requires 1,500 MW power, and the decline in power generation has sent PDD officials into a tizzy. This change in power scenario has also increased the worries of industrialists, who are already fuming over the hike in power tariff.
“The erratic power supply and unscheduled power cuts are proving to be a bane for us. If the situation does not improve in a few days, the industrialists will have no other options but to shut down their units,” said Gautam Singla, an industrialist at the Gangyal area here.
Worried over the decline in power generation, chief engineer, PDD, Shahnaz Goni has appealed to the public to conserve energy and avoid unnecessary usage.

Rain-ravaged roads yet to be repaired

Rain-ravaged roads yet to be repaired Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 15
Though a number of roads in the city were damaged due to landslides triggered by the monsoons nearly two months ago, they were yet to be repaired. Most of the roads, including the Circular road, New Plot, Rajiv Nagar, Gangyal and Kunjwani, were still in a poor shape and posed a risk to the lives of the commuters. A partially damaged road near the Mubarak Mandi complex often witnessed traffic jams. Though the authorities concerned had declared it a landslide-prone area, no efforts had been made to repair the road. The debris was still lying on the roadside.
Mohit Sharma, a local resident, who preferred to go to Nagrota via the Circular road, said, “The condition of this road is bad. Though it sees a heavy rush of vehicles, the authorities concerned are not concerned about repairing it. The debris and the poor condition of the road may result in mishaps. Senior officials of the department concerned should visit the spot immediately to take stock of the situation.”
Another area resident, Kewal Kumar, who runs a shop on the Gangyal-Kunjwani road, said, “During the monsoons the officials carry out repair work on this road. They should better find a permanent solution to the problem.”
PL Bhushan, Superintending Engineer, Jammu, Public Works Department (Roads and Buildings), said, “The process is on and we are working out the cost of repair and reconstruction work. The roads will be repaired soon.” However, he failed to give any time frame for the start of the repair work.
The partially damaged Circular Road in Jammu. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma

Pollution control board ropes in students for a green Diwali

Pollution control board ropes in students for a green Diwali Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 13
With about two weeks left for Diwali, the J&K State Pollution Control Board (JKSPCB) has decided to rope in students and NGOs to make it pollution-free. “All those who will volunteer to spread awareness about a clean and green Diwali will be honoured,” said JKSPCB chairman Lal Chand. The department would appeal to all citizens to celebrate Diwali without bursting crackers, he added.
“The bursting of firecrackers increases noise and air pollution. Diwali is known as the festival of lights and people should celebrate it with lamps (diyas),” maintained Lal Chand, adding that the Central Pollution Control Board had “directed all states to take necessary steps to control pollution on this special day.”
He said the steps initiated by the board last year had proved successful. “Last year, the noise and air pollution remained 10-15 per cent lesser than the previous years,” claimed Lal Chand.
Referring to this year’s strategy to check pollution, he said: “Efforts are being made to sensitise people, particularly youngsters, to be eco-friendly. People should become health-conscious and avoid the use of firecrackers.”
He added that the board was also checking the noise level of the firecrackers. “Only those firecrackers are allowed which do not exceed the noise level of 125 decibel.”
The board would be monitoring the noise and air pollution level at various places across the state. “Educated people should come in support of the board, so that the environment could be saved from harmful gases,” added Lal Chand.

Measures Taken People are being requested to celebrate Diwali with lamps, and not firecrackers Those who help spread awareness about a clean Diwali will be honoured Firecrackers with over 125 decibel level not allowed

Low MBBS fee lures students from state to Bangladesh

Low MBBS fee lures students from state to Bangladesh Jupinderjit Singh/ Archit WattsTribune News Service

Jammu, October 12
A low fee structure and a lower eligibility criteria encourage students from Jammu and Kashmir to opt for an MBBS degree from Bangladesh. Such students are under the scanner following the arrest of Wasim Akhtar Malik in the Delhi High Court blast case. Wasim belongs to Kishtwar district and is a final year MBBS student at Riyaz Rigbo Medical College.
As the Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI) has a strong following in Bangladesh, the Indian security agencies are suspecting that the militant group has used Wasim and some other students to carry out the blast and send a terror email later to select media organisations seeking clemency for Afzal Guru.
Inquiries revealed that nearly 20 doctors, who had done MBBS from Bangladesh, were working in private and public hospitals in the state. Most of them had graduated from Ragib Rabea Medical College, Sylhet in Bangladesh. One of such students is Saima Saroori, elder daughter of former Public Works Department Minister GM Saroori.
The students get admission under a special scheme of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries. Fourteen students from India are sponsored for the course every year. The admission is done on the basis of marks obtained in Class XII. There are paid seats as well.
“We sent Wasim to Bangladesh after a number of youths from Kishtwar got admission there. He appeared in the competitive exams here but could not qualify. However, he was eligible for admission to MBBS in Bangladesh,” said Riaz Malik, Wasim’s father.
Riaz said the cost of MBBS was far less in Bangladesh. “Besides saving about Rs 1 lakh on annual fee and expenses, we save more money due to the higher value of the Indian Rupee.
Records of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu, also showed that the students preferred to pursue medical studies in Bangladesh due to the low cost of education.
At present about 5 per cent of the total number of interns in the hospital have done MBBS from the colleges in Bangladesh. “I was selected under the SAARC scholarship programme. The fee in a government college in Bangladesh was very nominal, as I had to pay Rs 3,000 only. Those who opt for paid/NRI quota seats have to pay Rs 10-12 lakh,” said Dr Syed Yasir Qadri, a resident of Srinagar, who is at present pursuing his postgraduation in Jammu.
He added, “About 14 students from India get selected under the SAARC scholarship programme every year. The admission is done purely on the basis of marks obtained in Class X and XII. There is no requirement of an entrance test for admission to MBBS in Bangladesh.”
Dr Rajinder Singh, Principal of the GMCH, said, “Mostly those students, who do not get admission here, go abroad. The neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bangladesh and China are favourites among the medical students. Back in India, they have to clear an exam to get a licence to practise here.”
Dr Rajinder added, “I believe mostly students from Kashmir go to Bangladesh.” It may be mentioned here that the admission process in these countries starts when it is over in India.

Cost Benefit

• Students get admission to MBBS in Bangladesh under a special scheme of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries. Fourteen students from India are sponsored for the course every year.
• The admission is done on the basis of marks obtained in Class XII. There are paid seats as well. There is no requirement of an entrance test for admission
• Nearly 20 doctors, who have done MBBS from Bangladesh, are working in private and public hospitals in the state.
• Such students are under the scanner following the arrest of Wasim Akhtar Malik in the Delhi High Court blast case.