Jammu, June 22
Reacting to the controversy surrounding the land transfer to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), outgoing Governor Lt-Gen S.K. Sinha (retd) today dubbed it as a false propaganda.

Addressing a farewell function organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) at the Jammu Club, Sinha, who is also the SASB chairman, said, “We have taken a lot of measures to streamline the Amarnath yatra in the previous years. Putting up pre-fabricated shelters with wooden floors for the pilgrims is one of them.”

“However, our efforts have been misunderstood. Rumours about the setting up of Amarnath Nagar are false. And nobody is bringing Hindus to change the demography of the valley,” he said.

Being the chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, the outgoing Governor also cleared the air on the recent ‘paid darshan’ controversy. He said the move was misunderstood. He said paid darshan was meant only for those who were visiting the shrine with priority slips and not for all the pilgrims.

“We were issuing around 1,000-1,500 priority slips daily for VIPs/senior citizens. We were also issuing these slips in bulk to some institutions, a section of which were selling them in black. So we decided to come out with paid darshan, which was done away with soon,” he added.

Sinha said he was bidding adieu to the state with a sense of satisfaction. “When I took over in 2002 the state was grappling with militancy, but today it is progressing towards normalcy. In 2002, on an average there were 10 casualties daily, which has now come down to below 2 per day. Also the tourism has got a major fillip. As against 28,000 visiting the state in 2002, we have already crossed three-lakh mark this year.”

“At 82, it is high time that I hang up my boots. But in my retired life too the attachment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir will remain,” said an emotional Sinha.

Ministers — Mangat Ram Sharma, Gulchain Singh Charak, and Chaudhary Gharu Ram — and CCI president Ram Sahai were also present.

Jammu, June 22
The executive council meeting of the Panun Kashmir Movement (PKM) headed by Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo today condemned the “role played by Kashmir-based political structures to dictate terms to the government” in context of the land transfer to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).

Addressing a press conference after releasing his outfit's policy document for 2008-09, Chrungoo said, “The structures and people who are responsible for genocide and ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits are now planning to establish a full-fledged theocratic rule in which indigenous people of Kashmir - Kashmiri Pandits and other minorities have been shown the door.”

He said they would oppose all such measures through democratic and legal measures. Rejecting the government's plan for the return of Kashmiri migrants to the valley, Chrungoo said they would fully support the initiative to oppose the government’s move to divide the displaced community under the garb of “unauthenticated and frivolous forms”.

The PKM along with the All-State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) would hold a joint demonstration over the issue on July 13, which would be observed as a “Black Day,” he added.

Jammu, June 22
The BJP today warned that the party would observe a total bandh in Jammu and would resort to “economic blockade” in the valley if the PDP and separatists gave a bandh call in Kashmir against the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) or any bid was made to derail the ongoing pilgrimage.

The party would also lodge an FIR against Deputy CM Muzaffar Hussain Baig under Section 153-A of the CrPC for “inciting communal passions.”

Addressing a press conference here, state BJP president Ashok Khajuria said the party would block the supplies of essential commodities to the valley if separatists or any political outfit gave a bandh call in the valley over the issue of land transfer to the shrine board.

Referring to the case lodged by the PDP against the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) CEO, Arun Kumar, he said it had very serious implications. “Instead of initiating disciplinary action against a government servant for his so-called acts of omission or commission, the PDP has made the issue public,” he said.

The BJP also rejected the panel formed for probing into the charges levelled against Arun Kumar.

Khajuria expressed concern over the “orchestrated propaganda” on the diversion of land to the SASB and said an “unwarranted and dangerous euphoria is being created over an imaginary Amarnath Nagar and demographic change in Kashmir on the Israel pattern”.

“If demographic change is a concern, it is for the people of Jammu who have been watching mega colonies of Kashmiri Muslims coming up in the city's periphery in Sidhra and Bathindi.”

This land is a forest land which must be vacated immediately, he said, and warned that if this is not done, the BJP would be forced to sit on dharna on roads leading to these colonies.

Khajuria also sought the immediate dismissal of the Deputy CM from the Cabinet and said “his continuation in the government will cause insecurity among minorities, particularly Hindus”.

Srinagar, June 22
Thousands of devotees visiting the Amarnath Shine have accused the shrine board of having failing to provide them with basic facilities on the way.

Amarnath Sharma, 62, who came all the way from Allahabad to visit the shrine, said he did not have happy memories of the journey. “There was little food, toilet facilities were poor and it seemed that we had been left on our own,” the retired engineer told The Tribune.

If the shrine board's efforts to expand the scope of yatra has been attracting opposition from valley-based organisations, it has not found many admirers among the huge rush of pilgrims this year either. “The board should work to make our yatra as comfortable as possible. This is not happening. I have been coming here for three years and this is the worst experience in terms of facilities,” Janardan Jha, a priest from Bihar, said.

Jha said there was no food at many places and the arrangements were not up to the mark. Devotees like Sharma and Jha support the board's efforts to make the yatra feasible for the better parts of the year but, they say, there must be proper facilities. “Let's not got into the political aspects of religious things. A shrine should be open to a devotee anytime. I understand the security aspect, but we should not expect thousands of soldiers to protect us round the year,” Jha said.

Though the board had made certain arrangements for the pilgrims, the unprecedented rush of pilgrims seems to have made them appear too little. More than 1.25 lakh pilgrims have already paid obeisance in five days ever since the pilgrimage commenced.

A government committee had recommended not more than 5,000 pilgrims on each of the two routes for offering darshan, the limit has apparently been forgotten in the rush of pilgrims. “Officials had stopped pilgrims on Friday from proceeding ahead due to heavy rush but we can't force issues with thousands of tired and zealous devotees,” a CRPF official said.

Jammu, June 22
The anti-Dera Sacha Sauda protests against the killing of a Sikh in Mumbai by the bodyguards of the dera chief, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, continued to rock the city for the second day today.

Various Sikh organisations today held a protest demonstration in Jammu in which various Sikh leaders voiced their opinion.

The protesters blocked the Jammu-Pathankot highway and raised anti-Dera slogans, while demanding the dera chief’s immediate arrest. They also demanded that a case be registered against him under Section 302.

The Sikhs demanded that the government initiate a CBI inquiry against the dera chief.

Kalal-LoC (Nowshera), June 22
Fed up with continuous torture at the hand of their stepmother and to escape marriage, two sisters from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) crossed the Line of Control (LoC) yesterday.

After which, the minor siblings surrendered before the Indian troops at a forward post manned by the Maratha Regiment of Ace of Spade Division.

Seeking refuge in India, Kiran (16) and Sadaf (17) refused to go back after crossing over. However, the Army authorities showing goodwill gesture convinced the sisters to return back as it was not feasible to stay back in India.

The minor girls are daughters of Muhammad Ayub of Pandori village in Samani Tehsil of PoK.

According to sources, the duo told the Army that they were being tortured by their stepmother and were told to marry against their wishes. They also feared they would be treated the same way if returned back.

The troops at the post forwarded the information to their commanding officer who took up the matter with the brigade commander.

The brigade commander along with the commanding officer of the Maratha Regiment met the girls and listened to their sordid tale. The sisters were then taken to the unit headquarter of the Maratha regiment at Kalal, the sources added.

Sources further said the sisters were housed at the unit headquarter for about six hours and were convinced by the Army authorities to return back to their place.

The Army decided to take up the matter with their Pakistani counterparts for the safe deportation of the girls. The Army handed over the sisters to the Pakistani army at around 8.30 pm, the sources averred.

Meanwhile, a press statement issued by Ace of Spade Division, Rajouri read “Two Pak civilian females of Pandori village, who had inadvertently crossed over to our side of the LoC were handed over to the Pakistan authorities at a flag meeting in Nowshera sector.”

Jammu, June 22
Lt-Gen T.K. Sapru, Army Commander of the Chandimandir-based Western Command of the Army, today arrived in Jammu for a three-day official visit to the Tiger Division.

The Tiger Division is the only unit formation in the state which falls under the Western Command, rest all the other formations in the state come under the Udhampur-based, Northern Command. It is Lt-Gen Sapru’s third visit to the Tiger Division after taking charge of the Western Command.

The visit attains significance, following the recent infiltration bid from across the border in Samba sector which fall under the Tiger Division.

Lt-Gen Sapru interacted with the GOC, Tiger Division, and other senior officers. He discussed and conveyed his directions to meet the challenges of the present sensitive scenario.

Lt-Gen Vinay Sharma, GOC, Rising Star Corps, is already in station to review the operational situation.

Udhampur, June 22
Presenting a united face by organising a massive rally in the town, the Congress today hinted to go alone in the forthcoming Assembly elections. Kicking off the election campaign from Udhampur, Congress leaders sought two-thirds majority in the forthcoming elections.

Although Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Union water resource minister and PCC chief Prof Saif-ud-Din avoided direct attack on the coalition partner, the PDP, other senior leaders seized the opportunity to expose, what they alleged, the anti-national agenda of Mehbooba Mufti.

The Chief Minister said the coalition Congress would take steps to fulfil the aspirations and wishes of the people. “We require at least 60 seats to implement our agenda in the state”, Azad said and sought people’s mandate to pursue development policies.

Without naming the PDP and the NC, Azad said some forces were raking up emotional issues to further their political interests. “Give the Congress enough opportunity to frustrate the designs of communal forces”, he said.

PCC chief Prof Saif-ud-Din, who is considered a supporter of the alliance with the PDP, avoided speaking about it in the rally. He stressed on the unity of the Congress to get maximum seats in the Assembly elections. 

Srinagar, June 22
The introduction of VAT has resulted in doubling the annual growth rate from almost 12 to 24 per cent, said Asim K. Dasgupta, chairman of the Empowered Committee of state finance ministers.

Dasgupta, flanked by state finance minister Tariq Hameed Karra and deputy chief minister of Bihar Sushil Modi, was briefing mediapersons about the discussions of sixth meeting of the committee held at SKICC here yesterday.

He said there were 710 commodities on which trade takes place between states in the country. He said only four per cent VAT was charged on certain commodities including food grains. He said petroleum products were charged with 12.5 per cent whereas certain other commodities were exempted.

However, he said there have been deviations over 30 commodities and added that these deviations need to be ended.

Dasgupta while congratulating the state for making the VAT regime a success despite difficult situations said the committee had not found even a single deviation in the state. He said the deliberations were held in an amicable manner and significant decisions were taken to iron out the differences on these deviations.

When asked about the rising inflation and the hike of petroleum products, he said that it was common problems, which would be discussed in the empowered committee meeting so that appropriate suggestions could be obtained from the state finance ministers.

Karra, while replying to a question said J&K strictly adhered to the uniform floor rate (UFR) and there was minimum 20 per cent VAT on petroleum products in the state, which is even higher in other states.

Jammu, June 22
Spewing venom against the Congress-led UPA government for showing leniency towards Mohammed Afzal Guru, convict in the Parliament attack case, international general secretary of the Bajrang Dal, Praveen Togadia, today asked for a stringent law to deal with terrorism in the country.

“Our law should be such that whosoever supports terrorism in the country should be sentenced to death,” Togadia told reporters at a public rally in Jammu.

He added, “To crush the menace of Jihad in the country, the Special Armed Forces Powers Act that has been given to the security forces in the state should be handed over to the police force in all states. Only then our society would be jihad free.”

He said a more stringent anti-terrorism law was needed in the country. “The law must be more strict than POTA,” Togadia said.

Commenting on Afzal Guru, he said, “He attacked the Parliament and despite the verdict of the Supreme Court, the Congress-led UPA government is not hanging him.”

He also lashed on the Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig for filing of case against the CEO of SASB in the land transfer case.

“There is no harm in transferring land for the benefit of lakhs of pilgrims who visit the Amarnath Shrine every year. By filing a case against the CEO and decrying the transfer of land as illegal, Baig is helping the Jihadi forces active in the state,” Togadia said.

Lakhanpur, June 22
Despite tall claims of the government to beautify Lakhanpur, gateway to the state, not only tourists continue to confront potholed roads, water puddles, unwholesome food and fleecing by shopkeepers, but the town presents a picture of utter neglect.

Though a modern toll plaza had been commissioned here with all requisite facilities to ensure expeditious clearance of vehicles, yet dilapidated roads, unhygienic conditions and fleecing by shopkeepers, altogether give a bad experience to visitors.

Albeit the coalition government with the sole motive to exploit and develop tourist destinations in Jammu carved out a separate tourism directorate for Jammu region, but perhaps it has turned a blind eye to a place from where it earns hefty revenue every year, said Ramesh Gupta, a local resident.

Problems like bad roads, beeline of vehicles, pollution and unhygienic conditions at the gateway to the state continue to haunt us and the visitors alike, he added

Situated at a distance of 87 km from Jammu, a majority of visitors enter the state via Lakhanpur but the government for reasons inexplicable did not initiate steps to spruce up the town besides, keeping a check on shopkeepers, who continued to fleece people, he added.

Apart from bad roads and unhygienic conditions, a beeline of different load carriers spewing thick black fumes not only give an ugly look to the town but add to the air pollution, said Parshottam Lal, another resident.

He added, “No doubt the coalition government has modernised the toll plaza having 15 lanes, including five for incoming traffic, four for outgoing goods traffic besides, two lanes each for buses, cars and security forces traffic but apart from earning hefty revenue every year, the government so far has not undertaken any serious exercise to set things in order.”

An official of the excise and commercial taxes department said the state government earned huge revenue from Lakhanpur every year in the form of sales tax, excise and fine imposed by the traffic police, but the town so far had not been accorded due attention.

“Presently the town is not properly planned and developed. There are traffic jams due to crisscrossing of loaded vehicles at the sales tax post,” he said.

It may be mentioned that the state government had approved a plan for the integrated development of Lakhanpur town, for which 275 kanal of additional land was being acquired.

Already in the grip of air and noise pollution, the town has been undergoing environmental degradation as kiosk owners and shopkeepers can be seen selling eatables and soft drinks wrapped up in polythene bags. Similarly, disposable plastic tumblers can be seen littered at several places.

Jammu, June 22
Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said new work culture of carrying out development works in double and triple shifts were yielding excellent results, which can be seen in the remote and neglected pockets.

Azad was addressing a gathering after laying a foundation stone of the Public Service Commission complex here today. Asking the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) to complete the project in the stipulated time, he said the government was pursuing the agenda of development. The government has taken up projects in the field of education, health, roads, bridges and other public utility services, he said.

He said that nearly 400 projects have been put on fast track wherein it was finalised that no project should take more than 24 months to complete. For the first time, he said, from conceptualization of project, transfer of land, allotment of funds, laying of foundation to inauguration of the building, the entire process was being completed within a year.

He expressed satisfaction that within a short span of two and a half years nearly 80 per cent of major projects have been completed. “It has resulted in changing the development profile of the state,” he said.

Azad said his government was committed to instill confidence among the people by transforming promises into reality. He said the long-pending projects not only led to cost-escalation but also lose utility by becoming burden on the state exchequer.

Citing examples of Udyog Bhawan and Dental College at Jammu and Assembly Complex at Srinagar, respectively, which were completed in record time, he said work on the 200-bed children hospital, Rs 120-crore new hospital adjacent to GMC Jammu and Divisional Commissioner's Office has also been accelerated.

Azad said expansion in infrastructure has resulted in greater demand of skilled and trained manpower, adding that hospitals without doctors and schools without teachers would serve no purpose.

He called upon the premier recruiting agencies, PSC and SSRB, to put the recruitment process on fast track. He said that trained engineers and technicians were imperative for speedy execution of development projects.