Excelsior Correspondent
NOWSHERA, July 31: A major tragedy was averted after fire, which broke out in the building of State Bank of India located in the busy market of Sunderbani, was controlled with the timely action of Army and civil Fire tenders.
A police spokesman said that immediately after receiving information SHO Kuldip Sharma ( DySP promotee) rushed to the spot. Army help was also sought and both the tenders controlled the fire within 30 minutes. He said fire started after short circuit. The cables caught fire and it spread to some furniture. It was around 4.30 pm and the bank was opened. The staff and some customers ran away to safety. Adjoining busy area was also cleared by police. However, major tragedy was averted with the timely and swift action by Fire tenders. No much loss of property has been reported and the vital record was also intact, a senior SBI manager said.
Fire in SBI building
SIT set up in Medicity case
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 31: Police authorities have constituted a Special Investigating Team (SIT) to investigate entire incident at JK Medicity private hospital, Channi Himmat on Friday when an eight months old pregnant woman was wrongly administered pregnancy termination medicines at the behest of a lady gynecologist.
The SIT would conduct investigations into the entire episode that occurred in JK Medicity on Friday leading to killing of eight month old foetus of a Nowshera woman Stuti Sharma.
The SIT would be headed by SP City (South) Rahul Malik and SDPO East Mohammad Rafiq and comprise SHO Channi Himmat Aijaz Wani, ASI Amar Chand and Head Constable Qamar Sajjad.
Sources said the SIT would record vital statement of Stuti Sharma when she is completely fit. Her statement would nail the doctors and other staff of the hospital, who had prescribed pregnancy termination medicines.
There had been allegations on police that it was shielding influential doctors and owners and naming only lower staff in the hospital.
People protest against NH authorities
Excelsior Correspondent
-Excelsior/ Gautam
SAMBA, July 31: People of the town today protested against National Highway authorities for the dilapidated condition of National Highway near Sabzi Mandi Samba. The protestors also blocked Jammu-Pathankot National Highway around 10 minutes. They were demanding immediate renovation of the road as many accidents have taken place on it due to its bad condition.
They said that many times they approached to the concerning department but to no avail as it failed to pay any attention to the problem. They said that due to this damaged road the transport system is also affected in the area.
KCIS celebrates International Friendship Day
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 31: KC International School celebrated International Friendship Day with enthusiasm and love, here yesterday.
July 30 has been declared as the International Friendship Day by the United Nations.
The day started with a special assembly on the theme of Friendship.
The students of class IIIrd presented a skit and poem on the occasion.
The students of classes IV and V presented a talk and a song, while the students of class XII also performed an English song.
Competitions like slogan writing and card making were also organized.
Speaking on the occasion, Principal, Dr Ravi Bhushan stressed on the importance of a friend in one’s life.
Dr Bhushan said friendships and intimacies should always be an integral part of our life as a friend is like a shadow of evening which increases with the setting sun of life.
Training prog on preparation of ‘Bael Squash’ organized
Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, July 31: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-J), organised one-day training cum demonstration programme on preparation of “Bael Squash” for rural women and unemployed youth here at village Sarail Chua.
The pogramme was conducted by Rainfed Research Sub Station for Sub Tropical Fruits (RRSS), Raya of SKUAST-J under SERB DST, New Delhi. The programme was aimed at profitable utilization of Bael fruit by making Squash on scientific lines to fetch better market price for this value added product.
In this training, about 60 rural farm women and unemployed youth from Sarail Chua village participated.
Dr Neeraj Gupta, principal investigator, SERB DST project gave the participants details regarding the value addition of Bael fruit besides demonstration on the process of making its Squash. The participants were also apprised with the profitable economics of Bael fruit; which is otherwise used in religious purpose.
DPS Jammu excels in swimming competition with 7 golds
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 31: The students of Delhi Public School, Jammu, won seven gold medals in the State level Inter District Swimming Competition held at Jodhamal Public School, Jammu.
The competition was organized by the department of Youth Services and Sports, J&K. To felicitate the winning students, Delhi Public School, Jammu organized a special assembly in its premises.
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kulbir Handa, who attended the function as a Guest of Honour and Additional Director and principal of the school, Dr D Joseph congratulated the winners-Sanand Sharma and Sidhant Sharma who won 3 and 4 gold medals, respectively.
Dr Joseph also appreciated the efforts of the swimming coach, Ravinder Singh Deonia for training the students properly.
Director of the School, SS Sodhi, also congratulated the winners and blessed them for their bright future.
The programme concluded with the distribution of gold medals to the winners.
Amit Shah asks BJP MPs to remain connected with voters
NEW DELHI, July 31:
New BJP President Amit Shah today asked party MPs to strive hard to continue the winning streak in the forthcoming Assembly elections in four states and bypolls in some other states by adhering to “Sampark, Samvaad and Samanvay” (communication, dialogue and coordination) between them and the voters.
As a step in this direction, he said each one of them should set up offices as well as coordination committees for effective utilisation of MPLADS funds in their respective constituencies.
Addressing party MPs for the first time in the Central Hall of Parliament after his elevation as party chief, Shah cautioned them against disconnect with voters and take the upcoming Assembly elections and bypolls seriously and ensure the party’s victory.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who chaired the BJP Parliamentary Party meeting, earlier introduced Shah to the party MPs who accorded a warm welcome to him.
“The new BJP Chief stressed on having “Sampark, Samvaad and Samanvay” between the party MPs and the public and asked all party members to work at the booth-level,” said BJP Vice President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi after the meeting.
He said Shah told the MPs that this was the first time in independent India’s history that a non-Congress government got absolute majority and it will be the duty of the MPs in the respective states to ensure the party’s victory. MPs from those states which are not poll-bound will also be deployed for party work in the poll-bound states. Shah also asked the MPs to utilise their MPLADs fund effectively as the public has enstrusted a responsibility on them. He said the MPs have to ensure that Coordination Committees should be formed with party members in each constituency and MPLADS funds should be utilised in the best interest of voters. (PTI)
Deputations call on Governor
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 31: A deputation of Principals of Colleges in Jammu Province called on N.N. Vohra, Governor, here at the Raj Bhavan today.
The deputation discussed with the Governor several important issues which relate to promoting effective and sustained academic interactions and two way flows between the teachers and Principals of Colleges and the University to which they are affiliated.
In this context the delegation suggested the usefulness of Principals of Colleges being considered for appointment as Controllers of Examinations for undergraduate and post graduate courses, their involvement and representation on the University Council, Syndicate, Academic Council and other Bodies and Committees of the University.
The Governor assured the delegation that their suggestions would be discussed in the coming meetings of the University Councils. He urged the academicians to work collectively for continuously raising the academic standards in all the colleges of the State.
The deputation comprised Dr. Nutan Kumar Resutra, Nodal Principal, G.G.M. Science College, Jammu; Dr. Hemla Aggarwal, Principal, Govt. College for Women, Parade, Jammu; Dr. Satinder Singh, Principal, Govt. SPMR College of Commerce, Jammu, Prof. Z.A. Hashmi, Principal, Govt. Degree College, Doda; and Prof. Javed Ahmed Qazi, Principal, Govt. Degree College, Rajouri.
A deputation of Purohit Sabha, Martand Improvement Charitable Trust, Mattan, Kashmir led by its President, M.K. Yogi, also called on Governor.
The Sabha requested for suitable financial support to enable the maintenance and running of the day-to-day developmental activities at the Martand temple, besides a onetime grant for carrying out major repairs, additions and alterations to the existing structures. They also requested that the left out families of Purohits of Mattan being compensated by Shri Amarnath ji Shrine Board. The Sabha offered land of the Martand temple complex for being used as a Yatra Camp for the annual Shri Amarnathji Yatra.
The Purohit Sabha also highlighted issues relating to delay in appointments under the Prime Minister’s Employment Package, filling up of posts sanctioned by Central and State Governments, reserved exclusively for Kashmiri Pandits, and age relaxation to meet the delay in the completion of the selection process.
The Governor gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured to have their problems examined on an urgent basis.
DAK accuses private hospitals of overcharging
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 31: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today accused private hospitals in the Kashmir valley for charging exorbitant rates that are unaffordable to patients.
President Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan today in a statement said the escalating cost of health care in private sector has severely restricted patients’ access to health which is against their inalienable right.
“The huge rates of private hospitals are in violation to rates fixed by Department of Health. It is shocking to know that private hospitals charge Rs 30,000 for cesarean as against fixed rate of Rs 12,000. For simple surgeries like cataract some private establishments are charging Rs 30,000 as against fixed rate of Rs 9000,” DAK said.
Dr Hassan said that private hospitals have transformed health care into a profit mongering company placing the well being of patients in serious jeopardy and undermining the trust so essential to the Doctor-patient relationship.
“It is unfortunate that private hospitals for economic gains are involved in unethical medical practices of unwanted surgeries and procedures,” he said, adding, private players must understand that the prime object of medical profession is to render service to humanity and financial gain is a subordinate consideration.
He said it was the inadequate legislation and failure to enforce regulations that are responsible for huge rates and unethical practices in private establishments.
Better roads, civic amenities in hilly areas Govt’s priority: Sham
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 31: In an attempt to reach out to the people of hilly and rural areas and address their problems at the doorsteps, Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Sharma today dedicated 3500 gallon discharge capacity per hour deep drill tube well to the people of Garh in Akhnoor Tehsil.
The construction work of tube well including laying of water supply pipes in uncovered areas of the village Garh has been completed at an cost of Rs. 125 lakh under MRDWP.
Addressing a largely attended public meeting after inauguration of the deep drill tubewell, Sham said that with the commissioning of this water supply scheme, a populace of about 5,000 souls of Garh, Talban, Sohal, Tanda and its adjoining areas would get relief from shortage of drinking water. He said that Government was highly concerned about the scarcity of water supply in urban and peripheral areas of the State, adding that number of water supply scheme have been taken up to provide safe drinking water in these areas.
Emphasizing the need to involve sarpanchs, panchs as well as locals in revival and maintenance of traditional water resources, the Minister said that these areas have perennial source of water in kandi areas since centuries. He said that Government has also been working on a comprehensive plan to modernize and revive all the traditional ponds and water bodies in Kandi areas of the State that are highly dependable source of water for the people of these areas.
Regarding development issues, the Minister said that during the last five and half years unprecedented development has been witnessed in the three regions of the State. He said that during this period several projects pertaining to PHE and Irrigation have been completed. He asked the executing agencies to make optimum use of funds and complete the projects within time frame. He urged the people to personally monitor the development works being executed in their respective areas.
Chief Engineer PHE Susheel Aima, SE Hydraulic Rajeev Malhotra, XEn PHE, Ground Water, AEEs and officers of the concerned department were also present on the occasion.