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Cong, PDP members put govt on mat
Jammu, April 1
Contrary to the smooth sailing of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly during the winter session when the Opposition virtually played a positive role with regard to the Ghulam Nabi Azad-led coalition government, the month-long budget session that concluded here yesterday witnessed the government being embarrassed by its own members.

CM reiterates resolve to root out corruption
Jammu, April 1
Underlining the need for large-scale reforms to make the administration responsive and alert, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said in the legislative council that the government was considering doing away with the multi-tier approach to attending the public grievances.

BSF, Pak Rangers to discuss border dispute
Jammu, April 1
India and Pakistan are to make yet another bid for settling conflict over border demarcation at various places on the international border in the western sector when senior officers of the BSF and the Rangers hold a meeting somewhere between April 11 and 15.

YOUR TOWN

Jammu

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Cong, PDP members put govt on mat
S.P. Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 1
Contrary to the smooth sailing of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly during the winter session when the Opposition virtually played a positive role with regard to the Ghulam Nabi Azad-led coalition government, the month-long budget session that concluded here yesterday witnessed the government being embarrassed by its own members.

The Chief Minister was visibly upset when Congress and PDP members blocked the proceedings by making noisy protests on various issues.

The confrontation by the NC was understandable, but the Panthers Party which is supporting Mr Azad from outside, spared no opportunity to put the government on the mat.

The NC, which supported Mr Azad on almost every issue during the winter session, this time disrupted question hour almost every day on one issue or the other. It left the floor for the Congress and PDP members to grill their own government towards the close of the session. The tone of the NC was set on the opening of the session when the party legislators boycotted the Governor’s address to mark their protest against the killing of four boys at Handwara. They greeted the governor with anti-government slogans when he came to deliver his address. Pandemonium prevailed in the house for a few days until the CM ordered a judicial probe.

CM reiterates resolve to root out corruption
Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 1
Underlining the need for large-scale reforms to make the administration responsive and alert, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said in the legislative council that the government was considering doing away with the multi-tier approach to attending the public grievances.

Replying to the discussion on role of legislators in good governance, Mr Azad said accountability at the top level should be the vanguard to introducing reforms.

He gave examples of twisting of rules and explained how tenders were manipulated, double drawls made and works allotted without observing codal formalities. This was due to lack of accountability.

Reiterating his government’s determination to root out such activities and attack corruption at its roots, he said that legislators and political persons have to come forward to create mass awareness against corruption.

Mr Azad said that he would ensure justice to the people at their doorsteps.

Earlier, while replying to a question of Mr Ashok Sharma (Cong), the Chief Minister said the government would place a Chief Vigilance Officer of the rank of Secretary in each department with powers to look into specific complaints and also take suo-motu action.

He said the vigilance organization received as many as 15,447 complaints in the past five years between 2001-05. Out of these, 1981 complaints were enquired and the remaining complaints were either filed as unspecific or vague or were referred to the departmental vigilance officers for enquiry.

BSF, Pak Rangers to discuss border dispute
Our Correspondent

Jammu, April 1
India and Pakistan are to make yet another bid for settling conflict over border demarcation at various places on the international border in the western sector when senior officers of the BSF and the Rangers hold a meeting somewhere between April 11 and 15.

The meeting,according to the Inspector-General BSF, Jammu range, Mr S.C.Vaid, is to be held either in Lahore or Karachi. He said the last meeting had been held in Karachi in October 2005.

The meeting will discuss the dispute the two sides had raised over the construction of border pillars at various points on the international border between Akhnoor and Kathua in the Jammu belt.

Senior BSF officers from Rajasthan and Punjab will also attend the meeting.

During the meeting, an attempt would be made for ending the dispute over the border pillars. It has been seen over the years that Pakistan recognises the border from Kathua and Akhnoor as a working and not international Border.