'SWC in functioning'

Sir,

The write up of the Daily Excelsior correspondents "SWC in a Sorry State" in the Magazine section of the Daily Excelsior dated: April 10, 2005 is based on the observations of two University teachers, a student, two NGOs and two former members of the State Commission for Women. The correspondents in their introductory remarks have highlighted Constitution of the Commission and its jurisdiction. The correspondents have rightly stated that the Commission has resolved 47 cases pertaining to dowry, harassment, divorce and domestic violence against women in spite of the fact that "no powers were given to the Commission and it remained a teeth less body which has no authority to take action against the guilty."

There appears to be contradiction in the observations made by the members of the Commission and the NGOs contacted by the correspondents. Whereas the NGO talked of the Commission being "non-functional, non-vibrant", members stated that "how members of the State Women Commission had visited far-flung areas of the State including Drass, Kargil of Ladakh. This was substantiated by another former member who stated that "Commission Members toured far flung and backward areas of the State."

Further, the Commission, during the year 2004-05 organized various awareness camps with the help of NGOs, conducted two seminars/workshops (one at Jammu University on Media Sensitization and other at Jammu Club on Empowered Women), registered number of cases of crime and domestic violence against women and similar like activities in Kashmir.

All these facts do not objectively prove that the Commission is "non-functional" and "non vibrant". However, there is always the scope of improvement in every constitutional body of institution.

In addition, "Hello Sakhi", the brain Child of J&K State Commission for Women broadcast on Radio Kashmir (November to April in Jammu and May to October in Srinagar), is very popular. It is an educational programme, which seeks to address problems faced women folk, it provides incalculable service and also highlighting women related issues and problems and suggesting suitable solutions which may be stated as a powerful steps towards empowerment of women.

The observations made by some of the NGOs and other individuals are based on their subjective considerations and lack of knowledge about the functioning of the State Women Commission. Our information is that the Commission has always been very patient while hearing to all those women who have come with complaints of their harassment, family violence.

All these facts clearly indicate that the Commission has, in spite of the constraints, done its level best of scrutiny.

Yes Women Commission has constrains, as all other State Commissions for Women of other States are also facing.

Yours etc...
Sunita Devi
President Art and General Awareness
Satya Jamwal
President Nari Pragati Kendra and others.

Traffic indiscipline in Jammu

Sir,

There is no traffic discipline in J&K, particularly in Jammu city. There appears confusion everywhere. No speed limit, stoppage (bus stops) for buses, matadors etc have been fixed/specified by the traffic authorities, who are at the helm of affairs. Every day there are vehicles accidents, for which matadors, two wheelers are mostly responsible. Lot of precious lives are lost in these accidents. The Supdt of Police, Traffic, Jammu city, has perhaps not given a serious thought to these aspects. Shopkeepers, rediwallas, have occupied all pavements in city and no path-way has been left for pedestrians, who have to perforce walk on roads meant for vehicular traffic. This again is one of the reasons for accidents.

No auto or taxi driver is using the meter and when asked to use meter, he simply says that his meter is out of order. Jammu is perhaps the only place/area where auto/taxi drivers charges fares according to their whims and choice. The traffic authorities have always put a blind eye to this aspect. Most of these drivers do not have valid commercial driving licenses and the traffic authorities are least bothered to check all these documents or acts of traffic indiscipline.

School/college going boys and girls, below the age of 18 years, are driving two wheelers, cars, thus causing accidents. Some of these youngsters have also lost their lives in these accidents, causing agonies & tragedies to their relatives.

Army vehicles driven rashly by their drivers, giving no proper sideways to passing vehicles is also one for the major causes of road accidents, and loss/death of precious human lives. These army vehicles when causing accidents with civil vehs/common men, their CMP man simply comes, marks the road with a chalk, takes some sort of sketch and thereafter leaves the place, while the local police also makes sketch etc and that is the end of drama.

In Jammu city, there is hardly any traffic constable on road junctions, and if at all there is one odd to two such constables, they are seen generally gossiping/testing in nearby barbers shop or tea stall, keeping their caps under their shoulder straps.

I pray to the authorities/the Government machinery at the helm of affairs to kindly pay immediate attention to these aspects and to take all remedial measures to set the traffic discipline in order.

Yours etc......
(K. D Dhar)
R/o Barnai,
Jammu.