J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Pakistan development brings hope
Jammu, June 21
The proposed Indo-Pak summit after Gen Pervez Musharraf’s donning the robes of President, has generated hope in political circles of Jammu and Kashmir. The APHC Chairman, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, feels Gen Musharraf would represent the nation and not only the Government when he holds one-to-one meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee.

A teenaged boy looking at the destruction of his house which was damaged during a gunfight between militants and army at Goplapora in Badgam district of central Kashmir on Wednesday night. — PTI photo

Call off acts of hostilities: Mufti
Srinagar, June 21
Former Union Home Minister and chief of the Peoples’ Democratic Party Mufti Mohammad Sayeed here today demanded ceasefire of operations both by the government and militants to give peace yet another chance in Jammu and Kashmir. He said that unilateral ceasefire announced by the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen last year and later the announcement of the cessation of combat operations against militants by the Centre, which continued for six months, had failed.

Pakistan development brings hope
M. L. Kak
Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 21
The proposed Indo-Pak summit after Gen Pervez Musharraf’s donning the robes of President, has generated hope in political circles of Jammu and Kashmir.

The APHC Chairman, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, feels Gen Musharraf would represent the nation and not only the Government when he holds one-to-one meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee.

Professor Bhat said “the change in protocol is not as important as the stature of the person.”

Ghulam Rasool, a houseboat owner, said “We have suffered severe economic depression during the past over 11 years. Against over five lakh tourists visiting Kashmir annually we have had around 50,000 per year during the past 10 years”.

He said if the summit succeeded in restoring peace to Jammu and Kashmir “We will salute both General Musharraf and Mr Vajpayee for changing the history of Kashmir”.

A senior police officer said “we know that the ticklish Kashmir issue cannot be resolved in two-day parleys. But if General Musharraf agrees to seal the LoC and withdraw all militants, it would be a big achievement.”

Will the talks succeed? What will be the agreement for restoring peace in the state? These are the basic questions that keep the state government employees, right from class IV to the gazetted rank, engaged in animated discussions.

A senior government functionary said that in recent days militants have gone on the defensive indicating that Gen Pervez Musharraf wants to create a conducive atmosphere for the summit. He said the President was not inclined to give any opportunity to Delhi to harden its stand. His suggestion that both sides should tone down rhetoric has been accepted by Mr Vajpayee.

The scene in Jammu is slightly different. Whether in the government offices or in political circles there is no euphoria over the ensuing summit meeting. Yes, large groups of people, especially in the troubled belts of Poonch, Rajouri, Doda and those villages which fall close to the International Border, are seen praying for the success of the talks. They pray for the return of peace so that they are spared of booms of the guns of Pakistani troops said militants.

The pro-Pakistan forces in the Kashmir valley have started circulating rumours that even before the start of the summit meeting the two sides have agreed to the division of the valley with major portion being given to Pakistan. Others have been dishing out stories that the two sides have agreed in principle to grant greater autonomy to the state and abolish visa system so as to render the LoC soft for people on both sides to meet one another.

A retired principal of a college, whose favourite subject has been political science, said that “it is futile to expect miracles from the proposed summit meeting”. He said “when General Musharraf travels to India, it would be entire Pakistan visiting Delhi because as President and Chief of the Armed Forces General Pervez Musharraf represents the absolute authority”. But this would not help him to resolve the thorny Kashmir issue in one meeting.

Call off acts of hostilities: Mufti
Tribune news service

Srinagar, June 21
Former Union Home Minister and chief of the Peoples’ Democratic Party Mufti Mohammad Sayeed here today demanded ceasefire of operations both by the government and militants to give peace yet another chance in Jammu and Kashmir. He said that unilateral ceasefire announced by the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen last year and later the announcement of the cessation of combat operations against militants by the Centre, which continued for six months, had failed.

“For creating conducive atmosphere all concerned need to call-off acts of hostilities and aggression”, he stated at a press conference at the end of a two-day convention of the party held at his residence.

He also hailed the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee’s offer to Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf for a “composite dialogue”. He said the new approach validated the principal stand of his party that the only solution of the Kashmir problem would be through “dialogue and reconciliation” He expressed hope that the “summit will be the beginning of thawing of frozen relations between the two countries which would provide them opportunity to come out of the time warp.”

“Peoples’ Democratic Party would like to point out that the dialogue cannot reasonably be expected to make headway and successfully continued without creating a conducive atmosphere and responsive public opinion, whereas initiation of talks through Mr K. C. Pant, with all shades of political parties and personalities of the state, was an essential and welcome step. It is imperative for all concerned to play a positive and meaningful role for the successful dialogue and process of reconciliation”, a resolution said. The convention had yesterday adopted an economic resolution.

Mr Mufti urged both India and Pakistan to “relax the free movement of people with simplified travel documents”. He said the bus service between Delhi and Lahore was a welcome step and more such steps were required taken. In this connection he also demanded the bus service between Srinagar and Rawalpindi and Srinagar to Lahore. He also referred to the recent visits of two Hurriyat Conference leaders, Mr Abdul Ghani Lone and Sheikh Abdul Aziz, who visited Pakistan in connection with the marriage ceremony of their close relatives.

Referring to the plight of migrant Kashmiri Pandits, he urged their “safe and dignified return” to their homes in the valley.

The convention also expressed concern over the lack of accountability among the state administration and the security forces.

Employees’ conduct rules modified
Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 21
The new rules formulated by the Finance Department prescribing stringent action against public servants found indulging in financial misconduct would be submitted to the state cabinet for approval.

After the cabinet approval the rules would form part of the existing Jammu and Kashmir Government employees conduct rules. The need for framing new rules for attesting financial misconduct has risen after reports reached the Chief Secretary that several employees were allowed to stay in their Government departments even after their superannuation and purchases made without the approval of the competent authority.

Reports said that the Chief Secretary, Mr Ashok Jaitley, directed the Finance Department to prepare a set of new rules which would arrest the nature and mode of financial misconduct resulting in misappropriation of government funds, or misuse of these funds.

According to these reports, the Finance Minister, Mr Abdul Rahim Rather, has appreciated the efforts of the Chief Secretary for modifying the employees conduct rules. The Chief Secretary has expressed concern over not initiating administrative and disciplinary action in some departments against officers found to have committed serious financial irregularities detected by the audit parties. Mr Jaitely has ordered that the secretary concerned shall be responsible for the initiation of action against the officers of these subordinate units against whom audit queries were pending.

Under the new service conduct rules those found guilty of financial liability without sufficient budgetary provisions or without proper sanction from the competent authority over drawls from the treasuries, allowing over stay in service beyond the date of retirement, drawing or receipt of salary without LPC from the previous office would be treated as financial misconduct inviting strict administrative and disciplinary action.

Action will be initiated against those found abetting financial misconduct. The Chief Secretary is also keen to formulate model purchase manual and amend the financial powers of the officers to check misuse or misappropriation of government funds.

He has cleared a project of imparting computer training to students in 250 Higher Secondary Schools in the state. The programme is to cost over Rs 18 crore.