Monday August 8, 2016 5DISTRICTS

IN PICTURES: Rain wreaks havoc across Jammu region

STATE TIMES NEWS U D H A M P U R :Unprecedented rain and thun-dering has caused extensiveloss to the link roads leading tovarious villages in far flungareas of the DistrictUdhampur. Due to heavy rain-fall, near dozen houses havebeen partially damaged, whileroad link leading to Panchari,Barmeen, Ghordi, NallahKoda, Basatgarh nearChetreri also suffered exten-sive damage. Power supplyremained affected for two daysin Jakheni and Gujjar hostellocality and residents wereforced to live in darknessallegedly due to negligence ofPDD M&RE DivisionUdhampur which failed to

restore power in urban locality.While due to erosion and land-slide near village Kheri. TheJammu Srinagar NationalHighway was blocked and thevehicular movement on theroad was disrupted.

At many places rains dis-

rupted the power supply due todamages developed to thetransformers. Interestingly,power supply near Gujjarhoste locality, Bharat Nagar,Omala, Jakheni, AmbedkarColony, Rumbalsulla, ShardaMata Shrine and it's adjoining

locality was badly affected fortwo days. People living inurban locality of district HQwere harassed for two daysand have to reel under dark-ness without electricity in theso called urban locality. PDDfailed to restore power for twodays which has put a questionmark on PDD functioning.

Reports said due to damageof roads many remote parts ofdistrict remained cut off fromthe rest of country. While onNHW traffic movement wasalso disrupted and vehicles gotstranded on highway and fullroad remained jam packed.Rains also disrupted the railservices on Jammu-Udhampur track at milestone42km.

Rain damages road links, houses Jakheni residents forced to live in darkness

Crop damaged, 5 huts washed awayR S PURA : The floods in plains due to incessant rain causedheavy loss to the crops and border posts of AMK, Kharkola,Sangral and Mangral are submerged in 3 - 4 ft water whilefive huts of Gujjars were washed away in Nikki Tawi.

Brigadier P.M Bali, SDM Vikas Kundal, TehsildarAbhishek Abrol visited the affected areas and shifted 70members of 12 families of Gujjars alongwith their cattle tosafer place. They were provided food and shelter by theadministration.

The jawans of the security forces were also shifted to saferplaces and they are continuing their surveillance from there.

STATE TIMES NEWS BHADARWAH: Torrentialrains from early morningcreated havoc in the wholeChenab Valley.

Like other parts of theState, Chenab Valley alsoexperienced heavy rainfallwhich has triggered land-slides at several places,due to which the vehicularmovement on Batote-Doda-Kishtwar NationalHighway (NH1B) was dis-rupted for some time.

The 110 Km longBatote -Doda-KishtwarNational Highway(NH1B), which got closeddue to landslides atJangalwar and Drabshallaareas, was reopened for

traffic on Sunday after-noon and stranded vehicleswere cleared by the trafficauthorities.

The National Highway1B (NH1B) got closed at8:00 AM today morningafter heavy landslide hitDrabshalla and Jangalwarareas of Distt Doda due totorrential rains since lastnight.

"Passenger vehicles andload carriers got stuck onboth sides of the highwayin Drabshalla andJangalwar areas, afterlandslides hit at two placeswithin 2 km stretch nearThathri at 8:00 AM todaymorning," said DySPTraffic NH1B Aftab

Bhukhari. "Concerned authorities

started restoration workimmediately after receiv-ing information aboutlandslide,we restored theroad for traffic. strandedpassenger vehicles andsome load carriers carry-ing essential commoditieswere cleared and a teamwith machines will remainat every slide prone areasto clear the road immedi-ately if blocked," DySPTraffic added.

Passengers appreciatedthe prompt action ofTraffic Police and otherconcerned Deptt forrestoring the road immedi-ately.

Torrential rains in Chenab Valley, NH1Bopened within 1 hour, people appreciates

One arrested with 38pouches of liquor STATE TIMES NEWS

JAJJAR KOTLI: Police onSunday arrested a bootleg-ger and recovered 38 DesiFrootis from his posses-sion.

According to a report, apolice party of Police PostManwal under the supervi-sion of SHO Police StationJajjar Kotli interceptedone Motorcycle (JK 02AQ-8449) driven by RanjitKumar son of NiranjanSingh resident of Kha Potaand during search policerecovered 68 Desi Frootiesfrom his possession. Thesaid accused was arrestedand a case vide FIR NO.95/16 under section 48 AExcise Act was registeredand investigation has beenstarted.

STATE TIMES NEWS CHATROO: Member ofLegislative Assembly fromInderwal, GhulamMohammad Saroori inspectedvarious prestigious projectsundertaken for ensuringholistic and sustained devel-opment in Inderwal.

He was accompanied byTehsildar Chatroo IrshadAhmed Butt, BDO ChatrooSubuh Shad, AEE PHESuman Kumar, AEEPMGSY Chatroo, ZEOChatroo Jagan Nath, ZEPOFateh Mohd, ICDS ChatrooMusharaf Hap, SHO AnayatHussain and other officers ofdifferent departments ofPHE, PDD, Irrigation,RDD, PMGSY includingSaqib Qazi, Irshad Ahmed,Altaf Hussain, Fareed Ahmed

Sheikh, Suhail Ahmed Mir,Mudassir Ahmed and others.

The MLA Inderwal inspect-ed included the under con-struction model village beingconstructed at Singpora bythe Department of RuralDevelopment and directed theofficers to fast face the workso that it is constructed with-in the stipulated time frame.

Saroori also inspected thesites selected for constructionof Rs. 4 crore girl hostel, Rs.92 lakh HS Singpora Schoolunder RMSA and asked fortimely completion of thepaper work so that construc-tion on these project couldtake place at the earliest. Healso inspected the pace ofwork on the under construc-tion Dak Bungalow beingconstructed at Singpora and

asked the officers to ensurethat it is completed within thestipulated time besides this healso inspected Singpora tun-nel road which was construct-ed by JKPCC at an cost ofRs. 7 crore.

He directed the officers toensure the completion of vari-ous developmental pro-grammes within the stipulat-ed time frame, so that peopleget benefitted from these wel-fare measures. He said that acomprehensive programmehas been undertaken fordevelopment of the InderwalAssembly Constituency invarious sectors like R&B,PHE, Housing, Health etc.

Saroori impressed upon offi-cers to work in a synergisedmanner, so that the bottlenecks, if any, are removed and

the projects are fast pacedand completed within the stip-ulated time frame. He alsocalled for close monitoring ofthese prestigious projects, sothat an effective feedback canbe obtained about the statusof their implementation andnecessary measures, if need-ed, are done.

Saroori also conducted sur-prise inspection of HSSingpora Government Schoolin Sub-Division Chatroo.During the visit, Saroori tookround of the classrooms andinteracted with students andteaching faculty. He directedthe officials to construct aspan bridge near to the schooland to complete the tyle workin the school at the earliest sothat students don't face anyhardship.

Saroori inspects Singpora Chatroo projectsSTATE TIMES NEWS

POONCH: Terming BudhaAmarnath Yatra as a sym-bol of secularism and com-munal harmony, Ministerfor Food, Civil Supplies andConsumer AffairsChoudary Zulfkasr Ali saidthat Pir Panjal region is aland of Sufis and saintsand people in these twindistrict have always pavedway for peace which isbeing lauded in all quartersof the region.

While taking review ondevelopmental activities inPoonch District andarrangements being madefor annual BudhaAmarnath Yatra , the min-ister said that it was people

peace loving approach andhospitality that many Sufisand saints came to this areaand spread message ofbrotherhood and peace. Hesaid that in this land ofBaba Ghulam ShahBadshah , Nagali Sahiband Budha Amarnath, thepeople have continued thetradition of spreading com-munal harmony and peace.

Appreciating the localinhabitants for their coop-eration in the arrange-ments of Budha AmarnathYatra, the ministerexpressed pleasure andsaid that cooperationbetween all communitiesand administration is high-ly laudable and it acts as a

torch bearer for otherregions. He asked thepeople to continue thispractice of communal har-mony in future also.

In the meeting, the mem-bers of Budha AmarnathSamiti expressed satisfac-tion over the arrangementsmade by the district admin-istration. The member alsoappreciated and congratu-lated the minister for suchhistoric step. "it is for thefirst time in the history ofPoonch that any ministeris taking stock/review ofYatra arrangements" .theyadded.

Meanwhile, the ministeralso appreciated districtadministration for making

proper arrangements forYatra. He also expressedpleasure on the chemistryof administration with peo-ple of Poonch.

The meeting was attend-ed by MLA Haveli ShahMohammad Tantary, MLASurankote Ch. Mohd.Akram, MLC YashpalSharma, DistrictAdministration Poonch,DIG Rajouri/ Poonch,Director Food and CivilSupplies, SSP Poonch,prominent citizens andrepresentatives ofDashnami Akhara Poonchand Budha Amarnath andImam of Jamia MasjidPoonch Moluna FarooqMisbhai.

Budha Amarnath Yatra is symbol ofcommunal harmony: Zulfkar

STATE TIMES NEWS SAMBA: Minister for Industries andCommerce, Chander Prakash Ganga onSunday said that government was com-mitted to provide free of cost qualityeducation to the girl child to secure theirfuture. He said Central and StateGovernment lay utmost thrust onempowerment of women so that theylead in every field and contribute equal-ly in the development of the nation.

Addressing a large gathering of peopleat a function organised here in connec-tion with the Beti Bachao Beti Padhaoprogramme, the minister said that theState Government has launched thisprestigious programme for the develop-ment and promotion of girls. The pro-grammes envisage financial benefits forthe girls born after Ist of April, 2015.The parents of such girls can approachthe Social Welfare Department for avail-ing the benefits of the scheme. With thelaunching of this scheme, the sex ratio

of females in vulnerable districts willalso improve substantially. The schemeis aimed at to provide full social securi-ty to the girl child and poor parents willnot feel the girl child as burden on them.

The minister also called for launchinga massive awareness campaign againstthe female foeticide to promote the girlchild and improving the sex ratio in theState.

On the occasion, the minister alsolaunched a grievance redressal helplinefor females so that they can registercomplaints against anyone indulging indowry any other related complaints. TheHelpline number - 98588-60104 can beused for registering the complaints atany odd hour by the females.

The minister also highlighted thesocial schemes, including Ladli Beti,State Marriage Assistance Scheme andBeti Bachao, Beti Padhao launched bythe government and appealed the mass-es to come forward and avail maximumbenefits of these.

The minister also felicitated the girlswho secured top positions in class 10thand 12th in district Samba and distrib-uted uniforms among the girls whoexcelled in different sports.

Deputy Commissioner, Samba,Sheetal Nanda and district officers ofvarious departments were present onthe occasion.

Ganga calls for promotion of girl child

Industries Minister Chander PrakashGanga during a programme.

STATE TIMES NEWSKATHUA:The strayanimals area great nui-sance in thecity and arealways seenat busyplaces andChowks.

The bullsand cowsstanding in the middle ofroad invite accidents, andcreate traffic jam on theroads. Sometimes theyinjure pedestrians due towhich the children, womenand aged persons get stuck.

At times they indulge inbull-fight and completely

block the road. The matterw a sbrought tothe noticeo fM u n c i p a lCommitteeby the peo-ple but tono purpose.

The men-ace wasbrought to

the notice of DistrictD e v e l o p m e n tCommissioner KathuaRamesh Kumar who appre-ciated the peoples' concernand said that he is alreadyalive to this problem andsoon action will be taken inthis direction.

Stray animals a greatnuisance in city

Teenager among 2 die ofelectric shock

STATE TIMES NEWS KISHTWAR: In shocking incidents at Kishtwar District, twopersons including a 16 years boy died due to electric shock onSunday.

According to reports, 34 years Abid Hussain died due toelectric shock at his residence Layal, Nagseni area ofKishtwar. He was shifted to nearby hospital by the fami-ly members where doctors declared him as brought dead.

In an another incident a teenager Majid Bashir (16) son ofBashir Ahmed resident of Dharbi Nagseni (Kishtwar) diedwhile playing in an open field at Dharbi village of Nagseniarea , when suddenly high tension wire of 33 KV fell on him.

After completing legal formalities bodies were handed overto family members for their last rites. However police hasregistered a case in this regard and started investigation.

STATE TIMES NEWS KATHUA: Sparsh IndiaFoundation, a non-govern-mental organisation,expressed concern over themiserable condition of thesports stadium in KathuaDistrict.

Manuj Kesar, President ofthe Organisation, said the sta-dium was facing official negli-gence since long as a result ofwhich sports activities hadtaken a beating in the area.

Kesar said there was nocoach or instructor available inthe stadium, while playerswere left on their own to learnthe skills of games. "How canour youth achieve excellence insports arena if the governmentdoes not take interest in sportsactivities? Sports infrastruc-ture is in a deplorable condi-

tion which is begging forchange but the SportsDepartment has turned a nel-son's eye to it," he alleged.

"Despite lakhs of rupeesspent by the government forthe construction of the stadi-um in official records, nothingis being done to complete itsconstruction," he said andadded that the upkeep of thestadium was completely negli-gent. "While sports and recre-ational facilities are dismal,there is no lighting arrange-ment in the stadium," healleged and added, "If the gov-ernment failed to look into itand did nothing to improve thecondition of the stadium, theNGO, along with the locals,will stage protest against theadministration", Kesar main-tained.

Kathua stadium in state a of neglect

STATE TIMES NEWS UDHAMPUR: A monthlymeeting of All J and K ReTTeachers' Forum was held onSunday at Udhampur underthe chairmanship of StatePresident Vinod Sharma andDistrict President Lekh RajParihar.

The meeting was attendedby a large number of dele-gates of all the eleven zones ofthe district. While speakingon the occasion Sharmaappealed to the DirectorSchool Education Jammu

Smita Sethi to issue the regu-larisation orders of the ReTswhose objections have beencleared and the files are in thedirectorate for a long time.He also appealed her to regu-larise the ReTs with distancemode degrees of all UGCrecognised universities andthose having less enrolment.

He also raised the issue ofstreamlining of SSA salarywhich is still pending for lastthree to four months and thefamily members of theseteachers are living in miser-

able condition as they areunable to provide proper foodand clothing to their childrenand medicines to their ailingparents. He appealed to thegovernment to release thepending SSA salary andarrears of these teachers atthe earliest. He demandedtransfer policy for regularisedReTs and benefit of SRO 43in favour of ReTs.

While speaking on the occa-sion District President LekhRaj Parihar appealed to theChief Education Officer

Udhampur to release the MidDay Meal dues which arepending for last many monthsand the teachers are manag-ing the same from their ownpockets.

Others who also spoke onthe occasion were-SukhdevSingh Sumbria, ShamSharma, Ravinder Singh,Chain Singh, SandeepSharma , Sushil Singh, VineySharma, Anil Sharma ,Bharat Bhushan Singh, JaiParkash , Suresh Sharmaand Pawan Sharma.

ReT Forum raises burning issues Handloom Deptt felicitates weavers STATE TIMES NEWS

SAMBA: The Department of Handloom today felicitatedthe weavers for their contribution in promotion and devel-opment of handloom in the State during a function heldhere at Samba. As many as 100 weavers were awarded cer-tificates and letter of appreciation by the DirectorHandloom Development Department, Rajesh Sharma onthe occasion.

While addressing, Director Handloom DevelopmentDepartment asked the weaver fraternity to develop newproducts and designs to keep their traditional employmentalive. He said that handloom is our strength and a majorcontributor for rural employment adding that governmentis laying great emphasis on skill development and moderni-sation of looms for the revival of handloom sector in theState.