J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Ten given ministerial status: Azad
Jammu, December 23
Ten persons who were not in the Council of Ministers of Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad have been given ministerial status. Four of them have been given the status of Cabinet minister, while six others were enjoying the status of minister of state.

Azad gets NC pat
Jammu, December 23
A pat came for Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in the Assembly today from the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Abdul Rahim Rather, who appreciated the improvement of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir eversince the former took over the reins in the state.

Civil servants told to be fair
Jammu, December 23
Governor S.K. Sinha on Thursday called for better understanding between various services for implementing policies evolved at political level in the larger interest of the country.

Ten given ministerial status: Azad
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 23
Ten persons who were not in the Council of Ministers of Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad have been given ministerial status.

Four of them have been given the status of Cabinet minister, while six others were enjoying the status of minister of state.

This information was given by Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in the legislative council today in reply to a question of Mr Bilal Ahmad Khan.

Mr Azad said among those enjoying the status of Cabinet minister were Mohammad Shaffi Bhat, Chairman, Agro-Industries Development Corporation, Mohammad Shareef Tariq, Chairman, Jammu Central Cooperative Bank, Mr Asgar Karbalai, Chairman, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil, and Mr Chering Dorjey, Chairman Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh.

Those having the status of minister of state are Mr G.M. Saroori, Chairman J&K Social Welfare Board, Haji Abdul Rashid Chairman, J&K Handicrafts Corporation, Mr Girdhari Lal, Vice-Chairman, J&K Scheduled Caste Advisory Board, Haji Buland Khan, Vice-Chairman, J&K Advisory Board for Development of Gujjars and Bakarwals Mr Shabir Khan, Vice- Chairman, J&K Advisory Board for Development of Pahari-speaking people, and Mr Haseeb Drabu, Economic Adviser to J&K Government and chairman of J&K Bank.

Mr Bhim Singh asked the Chief Minister what criteria was being followed to grant ministerial status to members of the Congress and PDP. By bestowing such status on these persons the number of ministers had increased.

Mr Ved Mahajan (PDP) pointed out that certain such persons having ministerial status had fixed the National Flag on their cars.

Mr Azad while replying said there was no rule for granting ministerial status to those who were not in the Council of Ministers.

Azad gets NC pat
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 23
A pat came for Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in the Assembly today from the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Abdul Rahim Rather, who appreciated the improvement of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir eversince the former took over the reins in the state.

Mr Rather, who belongs to the National Conference, while speaking on the devastation caused by the October 8 earthquake, said Mr Azad had streamlined the official functioning to a great extent and also the relief work.

He took a dig at the regime of the Mufti when, he said, there was no coordination between various agencies for providing relief to victims of the quake.

This is for the first time in three years that the present Assembly witnessed appreciation of the coalition government by the NC.

Mr Rather said Mr Azad’s long experience at the Centre would help the state get maximum benefits from the Centre not only for the earthquake relief, but also for other development activities.

Earlier, moving the motion on the situation arising out of the earthquake, Mr Azad said shelters had been provided to almost all victims.

He announced that a massive reconstruction programme would be launched in the affected areas in April when the snow melted.

The Chief Minister said all 1187 schools destroyed by the earthquake had been made functional.

Civil servants told to be fair

Jammu, December 23
Governor S.K. Sinha on Thursday called for better understanding between various services for implementing policies evolved at political level in the larger interest of the country.

In an interaction with a group of IAS probationers currently on a visit to J&K, the Governor emphasised the need for carrying out lawful command of the political executive by civil services single-mindedly with a sense of loyalty and devotion. He said civil services had to maintain apolitical character & give fair & independent advice to political executive in formulating policies and programmes for welfare of people & development of the country. — TNS