Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 24: The Union Surface Transport Ministry has agreed to enhance the Central Road Fund (CRF) limit for Jammu and Kashmir from Rs 85 crore to Rs 120 crore after the issue, among others, was discussed by the Minister for R&B and Mechanical Engineering, Abdul Majid Wani during his recent meeting with the Union Surface Transport Minister, Oscar Fernandes.
During his meeting with the Union Minister, Mr Wani discussed in detail a number of issues related to the road connectivity in the State.
The R&B Minister gave a detailed resume about teething problems being faced by the department in the state including insufficient funding under the CRF scheme, need for transfer of few roads from BRO/ Beacon for maintenance to the state R&B department, urgent need for taking up few new roads in the state as new national highway projects under National Highway Development projects and need for creating road infrastructure for people living in far flung areas.
Mr Wani apprised the Union Surface Transport Minister about the fact that for an effective/ efficient maintenance management mechanism a proposal stands submitted to GoI for the transfer of few important roads and National Highways viz., Batote Kishtwar Sinthan Top NH-1B, Dhar Udhampur Road, Bani Machhedi Road, Reasi -Pouni Road, Pouni-Sair Kalakote Rajouri road, BudhalMahore -Gulabgarh road, Jammu-Akhnoor Road, Rajouri Thanamandi- Surankot road, Janglat Mandi Anantnag Sinthan top road, Sangrama Sopore Kulamgam road, BandiporaTragbal road Srinagar and Sumbal Bandipura Road to the state R&B department on the analogy of what is being done in the neighbouring state of Punjab & Himachal Pradesh.
The Union Minster of Transport, who listened carefully all the issues raised by the J&K Minster, gave an assurance that that a team of officers of Ministry of Surface Transport will study all the proposals submitted by the State Govt for further course of action at MOST level.
Regarding enhancement in the limit of funding for CRF to help expand the road connectivity & up-gradation of existing road network in the state, the Union Minister agreed to enhance the limit from Rs 85 crores to Rs 120 crore.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 24: Principal Sessions Judge Kathua, AK Koul has acquitted one  Mohd Shafi, son of Babu Din of Ward No.3 Kathua, who was arrested in July 2009 along with intoxicant capsules, as prosecution failed to prove the offence.
According to the police case, on July 13, 2009, Kathua Police intercepted Mohd Shafi near Degree College Kathua and recovered 490 intoxicant capsules from his possession. After completion of investigation, challan was presented.
After going through the charge-sheet filed by the police and statements of the witnesses, Principal Sessions Judge observed, “there are number of contradictions in the version of the witnesses. Even if the oral evidence has some merit, still the conviction of accused is not possible because of the vital infirmities/lapses”.
With these observations, court acquitted the accused of the charges leveled against him.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 24: A religious function was organized at holy shrine of Purmandal by Geeta Satsang Ashram Muthi today under the chairmanship of Swami Kumar Ji.
A large number of devotees from various parts of Jammu including migrant camps attended the function in which Swami Ji gave religious discourses on Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta. He highlighted the significance of Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta and said it contains the highest philosophy leading to enlightenment of human beings.
Swami Ji while highlighting the significance of Devika and Purmandal shrines said these two holy shrines of Jammu have equal religious significance like Hardwar and Gaya.
Besides, Swami Ji also highlighted the importance of Maag Mass the sacred month of the year as per Hindu mythology.
Bhajan Kirtan was also held by the devotees on the occasion who were later served with prashad.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 24: Arun Chaudhary, Director General of SSB was here on two-day official visit of Jammu for reviewing operation deployment of the Force at various sensitive locations across the State.
He met Dy Inspector General, Staff officers, SHQ Srinagar and Comdt 42nd Bn and discussed the operational deployment of the 5 Battalions of SSB under the administrative and operational control of the latter for carrying out Counter Insurgency Operations and Law & Order duties.
Two of the five battalions are deployed in Jammu region i.e. 42nd Bn at Batote covering the sensitive areas of district Doda whereas 48th Bn is deployed in the district Ramban for Railway Project Security duties. Similarly, three battalions are deployed in Srinagar one each at Gulshan Nagar (43rd Bn) with its deployment stretching across sensitive locations of district Baramulla, 46th Bn at Tatoo Ground, Srinagar and 47th Bn at Soura, Srinagar for C I (Ops) and Law and Order duties.
Recently, SSB has also been entrusted with the additional responsibility of Railway Project Security duties between Dharam-Qazigund sections of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project (USBRL) in district Ramban.
Arun Chaudhary, also called on Governor N N Vohra and apprised him of the nature of duties, the SSB is carrying out in Kashmir valley and in the districts of Doda and Ramban.
The Director General also presided over a Sainik Sammelan at ‘F’ Coy of 42nd Bn, Channi Himmat, Jammu and interacted with the Jawans. He gave a patient hearing to the points raised by the Jawans and suggested several remedial measures besides asking the Commandant to immediately resolve welfare issues of the jawans.
The DG expressed satisfaction over the performance of the SSB units and commended all ranks for their utmost dedication, hard work and devotion to duties. However, at the same time, he cautioned officers and Jawans to remain committed to their mandated duties and not to develop complacency at any point of time. He emphasized to follow Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and adhere security precautions while on duty or even during time off from duty.
Arun Choudhary also had a meeting with Director General (Police) J&K at Police Hqrs Jammu where he impressed upon to evolve strategy to improve operational preparedness of SSB in tandem with Jammu and Kashmir Police. Both of them put emphasis on the need for concerted efforts and greater synergy between SSB and J&K Police in the given multifaceted scenario.
Before his departure to Delhi today, the DG SSB had a meeting with Chief Secretary, Government of J&K in Civil Secretariat at Jammu and put forth the issues relating to allocation of land to the SSB for establishment of Sector Hqrs and Reserve Battalion at Sringar and Jammu respectively.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 24: 65th Republic Day was celebrated with immense zeal, enthusiasm and patriotic fervour.
Model Academy celebrated 65th Republic Day at both its branches at BC Road and Residency Road School with immense zeal, enthusiasm and patriotic fervour. Rupa Gupta was the chief guest, while Dr Chitra Mishra, Principal Model Academy, Ruchika Gupta, Project Director Humming Buds, Usha Gadoo, Vice Principal and Usha Chuni Convener Sports were also present. All the classes from 1st to 12th class participated in bulletin boards competition in which they had to decorate their boards on ‘patriotic’ theme. The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr Adit Gupta Joint Director MIER. The display was judged by Komal Dutt, Lecturer MIER College of Education and Chetna, Arts teacher. A cultural programme added grace to the programme. The students of the Residency Road branch also visited Balidan Stambh. The whole programme was coordinated by ManjuVali Convener of co-curricular activities and Amarjot Kour, cultural co-ordinator along with Shreya, Vice-Head Girl of the school.
JK Montessorie Senior Secondary School, Talab Tillo celebrated Republic Day, in which students from JK Montessorie School and JK Little Millennium participated. The programme started with the unfurling of National Flag followed by March past by contingents of various houses. Various cultural items were presented on the occasion. Managing Director Sanjeev Gupta, Academic Director Rajni Gupta and Vice Principal Geeta Dixit were present on the occasion.
Alexander Memorial School, Residency Road conducted three day meditation-cum-prayer programme in connection with the 65th Republic Day celebrations. The programme created awareness about the struggle of national leaders through patriotic songs. Some teachers threw light on the importance of freedom, democracy and republic.
Special Children of Asha School, Jammu Cantonment celebrated Republic Day with great pomp and show. On the occasion, Principal Suman Mathur hoisted the Tri-colour followed by National Anthem. She also enlightened the students about the importance of Republic Day. Students sang patriotic songs and danced to the tune of martial music. A traditional march past was conducted in which a hearing impaired child Rohit played the drum and another child Akshrshak, carried the Tricolor.
65th Republic Day was celebrated with patriotic fervour at Euro Care Pre-School. On the occasion, a colouring and flag making competitions were organised, in which students participated enthusiastically. Various patriotic songs were sung by the toddlers, which left the audience spell bound. Principal Ritu Beri in her speech threw light on the importance of the day.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 24: The work on much awaited Rs 40 crore prestigious Ropeway Project between Mubarak Mandi- Bagh-e-Bahu to Mahamaya hill top will commence very soon.
This was announced by Minister for Tourism, Ghulam Ahmad Mir at a high-level meeting convened to review the progress made in completing the paper work for initiating the project.
Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, Raman Bhalla, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, District Development Commissioner, Jammu, Director Tourism Jammu, Managing Director, Cable Car Corporation and other concerned officers were present in the meeting.
Mr. Mir said the Mubarak Mandi ropeway on completion would add another tourist attraction to the City of Temples. He instructed the concerned authorities to complete the spade work so that the foundation of the rope way would be laid next month.
The meeting discussed in detail several issues related to the project. It was informed that all hurdles like environment, wildlife and forest clearances have been obtained and construction work on the project would be taken up soon. The Tourism Minister directed the concerned authorities to ensure early disposal of land acquisition by providing compensation to private land owners. He said for the purpose the Government had placed Rs 1.86 crore at the disposal of the Collector, Land Acquisition, Jammu, for speedy clearance of land compensation to the concerned land owners.
Giving details about the proposed project, the Minister said the ropeway would have 37 cabin lines from historic Mubarak Mandi Royal palace to Mahamaya Park and onward to Shahbad Bagh-e-Bahu. The ropeway would have two sections across the river Tawi, one from Mubarak Mandi, Peerkho to Mahmaya Park and another from Mahmaya Park to Shahbad. Each cabin would have a capacity of six seats with modern ventilation facilities, he said.
Minister for Horticulture and Culture, Raman Bhalla underscored the need for promoting heritage and border tourism in Jammu, adding that the region has vast varied tourism potential which needs to be tapped. This, he said will give further economic boost in the region. Mr Bhalla instructed the concerned authorities to speed up the process of ropeway projects at Shiv Khori and Patnitop which have already been proposed to give impetus to tourist activities in the region. He said the ropeway at Mubarak Mandi- Bahu Fort would divert the attention of more tourists towards the City of Temples.