Nitesh Sangral

Fake currency racket burst Rs. 65,000 fake currency recovered from local youth Nitesh Sangral JAMMU, Oct 30: In yet another detection of fake currency racket, Jammu police today arrested a youth who was carrying fake currency of Rs. 65,000. Reports said that Nowabadh police arrested the accused identified as Manu Kumar son of Ragunath, resident of Roopnagar, who is alleged to have brought the money from a person in Srinagar. A complaint in this regard has been lodged in the Nowabadh police station. Station House Officier Jai Pal Sharma said that on a tip-off, they detained Manu Kumar and found the money in possession. During checking the money turned to be fake. He further said that the matter is being investigated and the reasons behind transportation of money and its purpose are being ascertained. A case has been registered at Nowabad Police Station here. It is pertinent to mentioned here that October 27, 2012, Poonch Police has arrested three people and seized fake currenc...

Vehicle owners in Jammu: Prepare for rough six months ahead Nitesh Sangral 10/29/2012 6:51:52 PM JAMMU, Oct 29: Traffic scenario in Jammu is likely to go from bad to worse as more than 20,000 vehicles including that of ministers and bureaucrats will arrive in the winter capital. The traffic management which is already in shambles despite introduction of the traffic lights, will bring back the era of long vehicular jams and increased restrictions on the movement of people. After the Darbar Move to the winter capital of the State Jammu, there has been a rapid increase in the number of vehicles plying on the roads resulting in traffic congestion. There is about 25 thousand vehicles are coming just because of Darbar Move in Jammu. It is pertinent to mentioned here that the heavy rush on the roads is common scene coming days and frequent traffic jams has made the situation more worst. Traffic cops are having a tough time on the roads to streamline the ever busy traffic. Source said t...

8000 people visits psychiatric OPDs in six months Nitesh Sangral 10/28/2012 10:15:58 PM JAMMU, Oct 28: In just six month 8000 people have sought psychiatric help from the special OPDs opened by the health department in the district hospitals in Jammu region under a centrally sponsored programme. Sources from the Health Department said that such a large number of patients with range of psychiatric ailments are a worry for the doctors as many of them have history of suicidal tendencies. With depression and anxiety related disorders among the youth emerging as a major concern, health department had started mental health OPD clinics at five district hospitals of region and figures are indeed depressing. For implementing the programme, Banglore based National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) had trained nearly a dozen doctors who were then posted at Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, District Hospitals of Udhampur, Rajouri, Kathua and Samba, Poonch and Ra...

Jammu waiting for arrival of Darbar, security measures tights Nitesh Sangral 10/28/2012 10:13:20 PM JAMMU, Oct 27: Like every winter, the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Secretariat closed in Srinagar on Friday as part of 138-year-old biannual 'Durbar Move' practice and will now open in winter capital Jammu on November 5. In winter capital hectic preparations are being made to deal with the thousands of employees and vehicles which will be in the city for next six months. The secretariat has closed from Srinagar for annual durbar move. The offices will reopen in the state’s winter capital, Jammu. The civil secretariat and other move offices closed in the summer capital and left for the winter capital, Jammu, where work will resume on November 5. Official’s source said that the over hundreds of trucks carrying office files, furniture, computers, and other office records and movable items of dozens of offices including civil secretariat, police headquarter, JK Assembly and Raj B...

Traffic police a failure to control use of illegal Red Beacon lights Nitesh Sangral 10/26/2012 7:16:36 PM JAMMU, Oct 26: Despite starting a drive against illegal use of Red Beacon lights on private vehicles, they can still be seen on the vehicles in the city, in violation of the norms. The Traffic Police had started the drive on October 1 throughout Jammu region, after allegation that some private individuals are violating the rules, set by the government. It is pertinent to mention here that those who have been authorized to use red beacon lights on their vehicles include the Governor, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Speaker, Legislative Assembly, Chairman Legislative Council, Chief Justice of J&K High Court, Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, Leader of Opposition in the House and other “dignitaries and high-level officials. Source said "Strict action will be initiated against the defaulters misusing the red beacon lights under Motor Vehicle Act as law is su...

Torn between JMC, JDA qualms, Bus stand showcases official apathy Nitesh Sangral 10/22/2012 6:57:54 PM JAMMU, Oct 22: Torn between the internal qualms of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and Jammu Development Authority (JDA), it is the perfect showpiece of official neglect. Even as the General Bus Stand caters to thousands of commercial and private vehicles every day, it is among one of the most neglected spots in the city. The unhygienic condition tells the tale of the indifferent attitude of the authorities towards this place which is among one of the busiest bus-stands in the northern India. The bus stand has become a pain for not only passengers, but also for local shopkeepers. The shopkeepers are forced to operate in such unhealthy condition. Apart from being one of the dirtiest spots, lack of proper parking space for the vehicles results in frequent road jams as the buses are forced to park on the roads. One could witness the grim scenario at BC Road daily in the morning ...

Criminal gangs, thieves from outside the state, targets Jammu Nitesh Sangral 10/21/2012 7:09:30 PM JAMMU, Oct 21: While the increasing number of thefts have alarmed the society and police alike, but the police is finding it difficult to crack some of the cases, as gangs and thieves from outside the state have begun targeting the city. Sources said that in recent years the influx of large number of people from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Odissa and some other states for livelihood had also attracted the criminal gangs, mostly targeting the homes and commercial establishments for high value goods and gold. It is pertinent to mentioned here that from last five years (2005 to 2010) crime related incidents have shown constant rise in the state. During 2008, out of 2069 theft cases registered, similarly during the year 2009, out of 2704 registered theft cases in the state. Interestingly, the thefts graphs increased year by year in the state but police have never taken strict action ...

Health Deptt to check complaints against doctors Nitesh Sangral 10/19/2012 7:31:00 PM JAMMU, Oct 19: Concerned over repeated allegation against the Doctors and Para-Medical staff, Health Department has formed a committee to look into complaints and take necessary actions. Sources claimed that committees have been established for associated hospitals and for Health Department in both province of the state, so that complaints could be verified. In case of private hospitals and nursing homes, the committees are required to recommend to the management of the concerned hospital or the nursing homes to take action against the erring or negligent doctor or paramedic. In the committees for associated hospitals of Jammu and Srinagar Medical Colleges, Principal of the concerned Medical Colleges will be the chairman, Head of Department (HOD) of the concerned specialty and administrator associated hospitals as its members. Recently in an affidavit filed before the High Court, Secretary Medi...

250 women commit suicides during 2010-12 in J&K Nitesh Sangral JAMMU, Oct 18: Nearly 250 women have committed suicide in Jammu and Kashmir between 2010-2012, mainly because of physiological pressures and harassment by their relatives and husbands. The Social Welfare Department along with the state police is organizing regular awareness camps to educate people about different schemes of the government to curb the practice. Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Itoo said that a total of 230 suicides by women have been reported between as per the official data. "During 2010-11 to 2011-12, 230 suicide deaths among women have been reported in the state," Itoo said. However officials said that data could be above 250, as many of the cases have not been incorporated in the data of Social Welfare, as they have happened in last few months. “Nearly 406 camps have been organized to generate awareness among women about their rights, and benefits of the schemes of the departme...

Police launch anti-encroachment drive at Railway station Nitesh Sangral  JAMMU, Oct 06: The Railway Authority and Jammu Kashmir Police has removed 25 t0 30 stalls (radian) at Railway Station, with warning to remaining illegal shops to remove their stalls immediately or face action. It is pertinent to mention here that the main reason behind this condition of the railway is the infighting between politicians, who for their pity interests, never raise such issues before the authorities concerned. Official’s source said the last some months the people are complaints against these vendors and the authority of railway and concerned police given many times warning to them. But they have not fallowed the warning. Then Railway Authority, Government Railway Police and Jammu Police held a meeting on this issue. “The panel has decided these stalls removed from the railway premises. After meeting the authority has given notice to all vendors, who established their stalls and sold the pr...

Traffic deptt to issue three month validity certificate to commercial vehicles Nitesh Sangral JAMMU, Oct 03: Keeping in view the scrapping of Traffic Nakas to curb the corruption, Traffic Police department has decided to give three month validity certificate to the commercial vehicles. Sources said that the traffic police has also decided to organise mobile squads to initiate checking after three months and take action against the vehicles which are violating the norms. However officials said that department still has right to conduct surprise checks and take action against the drivers who are plying their vehicles in violation of the rules and without proper documents. Official’s source said that the department has given the order to a company for make these certificates. It will take some time for made the certificates. “Traffic department officials will distribute these certificates to the commercials vehicles so that they can be identified. This a those will also be identifi...

Private truck drivers violate ban, ply on city roads during day Nitesh Sangral 10/1/2012 8:02:25 PM JAMMU, Oct 01: While traffic department abolished all the check points from Pathankote to Banihal, to eradicate the Hafta system, which has become a major source of harassment for the drivers, but it seems that private truckers are taking advantage. The administration had imposed ban on the movement of commercial trucks in the city during the day, but since the Nakas were lifted, drivers are taking advantage of the loophole. It is pertinent to mention here that on September 28 the Traffic department has decided to abolish all static traffic check points on National High Way from Lakhanpur to Jawahar Tunnel. Henceforth, there would be no individual traffic checking at the selected static points on the National High Way. The commercials trucks owners are also taking benefits of these rules from two days. These trucks are running in the city without any scared of traffic police. Off...

Govt. seeks help of NGOs to trace school dropouts in J&K Nitesh Sangral 9/30/2012 8:46:01 PM JAMMU, Sept 30: Concerned over increase in the number of dropout children in Jammu and Kashmir, Education Department is seeking help of NGOs working in field of education to trace these children, to bring them back to schools. Though the state’s literate population has been pegged at more than 68 percent of the total 1.25 crore persons – with a decadal growth of 13 percent - it is far behind other northern states like Himachal Pradesh (83.78 percent), Punjab (76.68 percent) Haryana (76.64 percent), Delhi (86.34 percent) and newly created Uttarakhand (79.63 percent). The ratio of rural to urban literacy rate is 64.97%: 78.19%. The winter capital tops in the literacy rate at 83.98 % followed by Samba at 81.08%, while Ramban and Bandipora districts have the lowest literacy rate in the State. Officials from education department said that Minister for Higher Education, Labour, Abdul Gani...

NBCC asked to submit monthly progress report of works in Jammu Nitesh Sangral 9/28/2012 7:04:15 PM JAMMU, Sept 28: Government has directed the National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) to submit monthly progress report to Urban Development Department. Further Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA), National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) and other agencies have been directed not to take new works before completion of the ongoing works. Sources said that Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand has passed directions after reviewing various ongoing urban development works in the city. They say that officials from PHE and R&B department have submitted that non-adherence to deadlines has slowed down their plan for blacktopping and repairing the water supply infrastructure. “They will have to submit regular reports and till the existing works are completed, no new work will be taken up”, said Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand. As per the data, despite placing it on prio...

Drug mafia-doctors nexus derails opening of fair price shops Nitesh Sangral 9/26/2012 7:00:09 PM JAMMU, Sept 26: Drug mafia-doctors nexus and failure of government to provide space in Government Medical College (GMC) and Government Hospital, Gandhi nagar has derailed the project to open fair price Jan Anushudi Drug Stores (JADS) for benefit of poor under centrally sponsored scheme. These fair price shops were sponsored by the Union Health Ministry and first phase these stores were to be opened at SMHS Hospital, Srinagar, Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar and one each at Leh and Kargil and later the central scheme was be extended to other districts of Jammu and Kashmir. “During last around two years only two shops including one in Leh and one at Srinagar has been opened, while the third at Anantnag was yet to be inaugurated. While no space has been provided in Jammu, due to pressure from drug mafia”, said a source. One benefit of opening these shops would have been to ensure qua...

Traffic cops earn thousands every day Special Inquiry mere eyewash: Hafta System part of Traffic police Nitesh Sangral 9/25/2012 7:57:28 PM JAMMU, Sept 25: Though the traffic police department claims to have constituted a special inquiry against the inspector deployed at Bikram Chowk, who was alleged to have demanded ‘Hafta’ from the bus drivers, the menace continues on city roads. Sources said that ‘Hafta’ system is part of the department and many police personnel and officer deployed in the city is daily extorting hundreds of rupees from the commercial vehicle owners. There is a proper syndicate and entry system for different routes and after paying the money, traffic police personnel overlook the overloading and violation of the norms set by the government. It is pertinent to mention here that two weeks ago, a bus driver has leveled charges against Inspector Zamroodh Singh, alleging that he is demanding money from bus operators. Later the traffic department has init...

Technical snags in traffic lights Commuters confused by the unexpected directions by signals Nitesh Sangral 9/24/2012 7:47:36 PM JAMMU, Sept 24: Installed with much fanfare, the Traffic lights signals in many locations in the city are giving wrong signals at times to the commuters. The crucial signal timers are not working which creates confusion for commuters in the city. A whopping Rs.2.50 crore were invested to install these lights at 30 locations in the Jammu. After a long wait, the city got traffic lights in the last few months this year. But the traffic police and commuters are continuing struggling to see the system working smoothly thereby easing the traffic congestion. Further authorities have still failed to check the back up time of the lights in case of long power cut in the city. Though the officials claims pertinent to mention here that the Traffic department claimed the 8 hour traffic lights “backup” after shutdown power, but interestingly it seems the traffic li...

Action against private builders Govt asks authorities to stop fresh unauthorised colonies Nitesh Sangral 9/21/2012 7:24:49 PM JAMMU, Sept 21: As flash floods have wrecked havoc in several residential colonies during this monsoon in the city, Revenue authorities have decided to come down heavily on unauthorized and illegal colonies coming up on outskirts of the City. Sources said that action is also likely to be taken against the private builders who are using illegal methods to establish colonies, which have not been approved by the government. Sources said that a number of colonies have been constructed unauthorisedly and illegally, some of them even in `khuds’ and nullahs or on their banks, which could endanger the lives of the people. These colonies had suffered extensive damage in the flash floods as the flood water didn’t find any way to pass and entered into houses of the people. While the Government, for the time being, might not go after already raised unauthorized or ...