JMC to act tough against violators of anti-polythene ban

PS Bali

Jammu

Intensifying its drive against the use of polythene carry bags to make the city polythene free, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has decided to take strict action against the violators.

The drive against polythene in the city was going on from past one year and the JMC claims to achieve 30 percent success in thwarting the usage of polythene bags.

JMC officials say that the regular visits of inspection teams are proving very productive for keeping control over use of polythene bags.

"We are working continuously on anti polythene drive and to make it successful the inspection team of JMC frequently raid shops, street vendors and outlets.

The defaulters were charged with fine of Rs. 300-500," said Chief Enforcement Officer JMC, Satish Khajuria.

He further added that "JMC is just helping Pollution control department in controlling this menace." JMC senior officials considered it as the duty of all citizens to make this polythene ban successful.

"Our job is to motivate general masses about the harmful effects of polythene as it is non-biodegradable product and is hazardous for the environment. It is the job of every citizen to stop using polythene bags at their individual part," said JMC commissioner, Mubarak Singh.

Talking to Himalayan Mail, Singh opined that "this drive is a continuous process and will take time for complete removal of polythene. We had achieved some success in curbing this nuisance but remaining is still to eradicate."

He said the population is getting aware about the threats of polythene bags, they are acting over it and we are hopeful that in coming years our state would be polythene free, as the public switch to eco-friendly bags.

To monitor the city market JMC Enforcement Field Staff led by Satish Khajuria, along with police recently inspected the shops and other outlets in the different areas of New Plots, Janipur, Paloura, Lower Roop Nagar, etc.

"During the inspection we seized about 20 Kgs of polythene carry bags from the shopkeepers, vendors and other outlets in these areas", revealed JMC official.

He also stated that an amount of Rs. 4,500 was charged as fine from 30 violators on the spot who were using polythene carry bags.

After seizing the polythene, JMC hand over it to pollution control centre for its removal.

"We handover all the seized polythene to the pollution control department: said Satish Khajuria.

GMC to have advanced Brachytherapy cancer treatment apparatus

PS Bali

Jammu, June 8

Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu is looking forward to have more Brachytherapy cancer treatment apparatus in the hospital to fight against the increasing number of patients from Jammu and its adjoining areas. With the cost of over two crore, the treatment facility is specially designed for the treatment of cancer diseases.

"Brachytherapy is an advanced cancer treatment. Radioactive seeds or sources are placed in or near the tumor itself, giving a high radiation dose to the tumor while reducing the radiation exposure in the surrounding healthy tissues," said the Head of the Department at the Regional Cancer Centre in GMC Jammu, Dr. Ashutosh Gupta. He said that GMC registers around 1,400-1,500 cancer patients every year. "But this year the number is expected to increase." Gupta added that in 2004, the number of new cancer cases in Jammu and Kashmir was reported to be at 1,164 and, which touched 1,400 in 2009. "Around 650 cancer patients are registered in the GMC Jammu so far, and as per the growth and rise in toll each year the number is expected to increase," he said. GMC is the only health care of the state to have this facility and with the help of this treatment GMC has treated more than 300 patients so far.

Dr Gupta said lung, throat, stomach and cervical cancer were the most common in terms of occurrence. "20 percent of total cases of cancer are of Lung cancer, chased by ladies cervical and throat cancer by 15-20 percent. In Jammu, we analyzed that the lung cancer is at number one, followed by throat cancer, then stomach in male population, and then again in female population we found cancer of cervix," added Gupta.

Whereas pollution and smoking were responsible for cancer in males, less breast feeding among female was the cause of breast cancer, said the doctor. "Out of lakh population around 150 persons are afflicted by cancer," Dr Gupta added. According to the GMC senior officials the demand of the Brachytherapy is increasing.

"Besides, the patients from adjoining areas of Jammu, number of patients from Kashmir are also being referred to GMC for this treatment," said Dr. Gupta.

Suicides, a tale of mystery

PS BALI

Jammu July 16: With an average of two suicides in a month, Jammu District is witnessing swift plunge in the suicide cases from past five years.

On one side when the crime rate is plummeting swiftly in the Jammu and its peripheries, the suicide cases are reciprocating the rate.

Although a change is also visible in the official statistics, but still 35-36 cases of suicide are registered every year.

With most of the cases related to unemployment and students, besides cases of dowry. The suicide is more active in rural areas with some inconsequential in urban.

Experts and psychologists alleged speedy competition, unemployment, wish imposition and changing life style as the reason for suicides.

“The much reason for the suicides among youngsters is the over expectations of parents, hard competition and lack of exposure. Beside all these factors the unemployment and changing life style are the vital aspects of the cause,” said Superintendent of GMC hospital Jammu, Romesh Gupta.

Condemning parents for the unusual cause of suicides, Psychologist Dr. Manu Arora said, “suicide is not an impetus attempt adopted by person, it is executed after timely preparation. The reason for suicide cases among students is that they get less time with parents. They feel isolated and as it is said that ‘idle mind is the house of dwell’,” said he.

From past five years the rate of suicides in Jammu is quite improved and this year only 11 suicides have been commited so far in Seven months.

According to official data in 2006 the number of suicides were100, in which unemployed faction holds the highest ratio with over 61 cases. In which 78 were male and rest were females. In 2007 the ratio witnesses a slight decline and the suicide rate droops from 100 to 94, in which unemployed faction ratios over 45 cases with 66 males and 28 females.

In 2008, again a trivial descend was witnessed with over 90 suicide cases including 63 male and 27 females.

2009 observed a great collapse in the suicide cases, as the graph poured down to 49 cases including 35 males and 14 females with large portion including students.

According to SSP Jammu city, Basant Rath, males are easy recipients of the crime as they found them selves bounded in many obligations.

“The prime reason for suicides is domestic bickering and poor coordination between family members. It is mostly visible in unsettled marriages which are carried out without the consensus of couples,” he said.

He further said that the decrease in suicide cases is the result of proper awareness among masses.

For the complete pin down of the suicides in the Jammu city, parents have to come forward and have to counsel their children’s at par.

“To lessen the case of suicide, parents have to read the mind of the children and have to free them for wishful options in the studies. In short parents have to allow children for choosing engrossed option for career,” said Dr. Romesh Gupta.

Marking it as the obligation of parents for controlling rate of suicides Dr. Manu Arora said, “By lessening the education stress and giving proper time to children, we can stop this menace, as this is premature practice and it shows its signs much before, the only thing is that parents have to rectify those signs and need to talk to children,” said he.

Despite of huge fall in the number of suicides, still Jammu is witnessing two- three cases every month on an average.

Experts believe that proper counseling and awareness can make difference and may keep people away from such crimes.

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