Jammu, April 26
Jammu-based darbar move employees, who shift to Srinagar every summer and put up in hotels and lodges hired by the state government, smell a rat in the functioning of the Estates Department, which allots government quarters and hires private hotels and lodges to accommodate a major chunk of 7,000 employees.

Every six months, around 7,000 employees move to Srinagar with the darbar move offices, and out of these nearly 3,000 belong to Jammu.

Like every year, the darbar move offices will close here on May 1 and the seat of power will shift to Srinagar for the next six months. But with it comes miseries for Jammu-based employees, sources in the Civil Secretariat told The Tribune.

“The darbar move offices will open in Srinagar on May 10. On April 30, around 12 noon, the Estates Department will put up a list of employees, who will get government quarters in Srinagar, and those not figuring in the list will again face hardships to find accommodation because by then the Estates Department officials simply become inaccessible,” they said.

The Estates Department has a total of 4,191 quarters — 3,087 in Jammu and 1,104 in Srinagar. Besides, the department hires nearly 80 hotels and lodges to accommodate the darbar move employees in Srinagar.

Not only nepotism rules the roost in the allotment of houses, but also the Estates Department, in total contravention of norms, paid the rentals of hotels and lodges from security-related expenditure (SRE) funds, they said.

An audit report of the accounts of the Director, Estates, a copy of which is available with The Tribune, clearly mentions that Rs 31.24 lakh was diverted from the SRE funds for providing accommodation to state government employees, who were lodged in various hotels in 2007.

“An expenditure of Rs 31.24 lakh from SRE funds is irregular and is tantamount to diversion of funds,” reads the report. Providing accommodation to various state government employees due to the non-availability of own accommodation cannot be deemed as a security-related expenditure,” it further says.

“Though gazetted officers get well-furnished one room accommodation in hotels, in the non-gazetted category two employees have to share one room for which the government pays Rs 660 per day towards rent and food,” said an employee on the condition of anonymity.

“No privacy, no personal life and not enough space to accommodate your relative or guest from Jammu and improper food is the way of our life in hired lodges in Srinagar,” he said.

However, despite repeated attempts Director, Estates, Khurshid Ahmed could not be reached for comments.

Srinagar, April 26
The PDP held protest demonstrations at all district headquarters across the State impressing upon the central government to resolve the Kashmir issue, resume dialogue with Pakistan, revoke special powers to security forces and release all detainees.

It has also written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take steps in this direction by resuming dialogue with Pakistan, revoke the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), withdraw security forces from civilian areas and release all political prisoners.

PDP President Mehbooba Mufti led a rally from the party headquarters to Lal Chowk. The police tried to prevent it at different points along the Residency Road, but the march continued till Lal Chowk. Rallies were also held in district headquarters of Anantnag and Baramulla.

Addressing the rally, Mehbooba Mufti stressed the need for immediate revocation of AFSPA and said lack of accountability for security forces was taking a heavy toll of civilians. She also called for troop reduction and withdrawing security forces from the civilian areas. The PDP leader said all political prisoners should be released immediately. She reiterated the party’s demand for the restoration of the state’s authority over its water and power resources that had been “bartered away by the NC”. She also demanded steps for making trade and travel across the LoC hassle- free.

“We urge you, with all humility and strength of our mandate, to initiate steps that lead to early resumption of the dialogue process with Pakistan. The dialogue should be focused on the final resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue so that our future generations are spared the burden of an oppressive history and we look forward to leading a decent and dignified life with respect, honour and ease”, the memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister said. It lamented that there was lack of urgency in resolving the issue through peaceful means.

“Successive governments have been promising a solution to the problem. A dialogue with Pakistan has been accepted as the only means to resolve issues with that country. You have been one of the most articulate exponents of this position and promised to walk the extra mile for peace and resolution. On the internal front, you had taken the initiative of appointing working groups as a sequel to two round table conferences. However, for the people of the state nothing has changed in spite of their affirmation in democratic means of struggle”, it concluded.

Jammu, April 26
A 52-year-old ex-serviceman and member of a Sikh jatha from Jammu, visiting Nankana Sahib in Pakistan on Baisakhi has not returned with the jatha. His family is alleging that he was kidnapped by ISI at the behest of militants.

Intelligence sources revealed that the missing man Amar Singh was a resident of Meeran Sahib town, situated about 12 km from Jammu. The family rushed to Amritsar today to take up the matter with Indian security forces at Wagah and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC).

The jatha had 87 members, out of which only 76 went. The jatha reached the Wagah Border on April 20, and the members in separate groups trickled in Jammu on April 22 and 23. Amar Singh reportedly had gone missing from Nankana Sahib.

His house in Meeran Sahib here was locked and his neighbours stated that his wife and children have gone to Amritsar, seeking help from the security forces at Wagah and the SGPC.

Avtar Singh Makkar, SGPC president, told The Tribune over the phone that though the SGPC did not organise jathas from Jammu and Kashmir, he would try to find out what happened to the missing man.

Local police and intelligence sources said the family was suspecting the involvement of Sikh militants based in Pakistan as Amar Singh had old enmity with some of them belonging from Simbal village, near Meeran Sahib.

Srinagar, April 26
The arrest of the president of the Medical Council of India (MCI) on graft charges has badly affected the credibility of the council. A panel of doctors said this during a meet-the-eminent programme organised by Kashmir University to honour a renowned neurologist of the country, Dr Sushil Razdan, here today.

“There have been instances when the MCI sold registration certificates to doctors from other countries, but the recent episode has badly affected the credibility of the MCI,” said Dr GQ Allaqband, a renowned physician of the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Razdan, who hails from Anantnag district and had migrated to Jammu due to militancy, said he always wanted to be back in Kashmir.

Razdan said cases of neurological diseases were increasing in the Kashmir valley and many reasons could be attributed to this increase. “There are various reasons for the spread of these diseases, but prevention is better than cure. Steps need to be taken at the grass-roots level to check these diseases,” he added.

He said there was a dearth of trained doctors in the state and the need of the hour was “not to invest in brining up infrastructure” but “to invest in human resources development”. Riyaz Punjabi, Vice-Chancellor of Kashmir University, who felicitated Razdan, appreciated his contribution to society.

Srinagar, April 26
The opening of central universities would affect the existing universities of the state as these would take away the experienced faculty from these varsities.

In an exclusive interview with The Tribune today, Vice-Chancellor of Kashmir University Riyaz Punjabi said: “It is a matter of concern as with the opening of central universities in the state, the existing universities would become dysfunctional.”

“Steps need to be taken so that there was no brain drain from the existing universities and the experienced faculty did not leave these to join the central varsities that have started functioning in the state,” Punjabi said. He said even though the salary in both universities was “same”, but the retirement age in a central university was higher as compared to the state universities.

He said: “Even though the salary in both universities is the same, but the retirement age will be a big issue as it is 60 in the existing universities, while in the central university it is 65 years,” Punjabi said.

He said he had already taken up the issue with the authorities and requested them to enhance the retirement age of the university faculty.

He said even if ‘half the amount’ spend on the setting up of two central universities in the state would have been given to the state universities, there would have been far more improvement in the standard of the education.

“This year we received more than 35,000 applications out of which 20,000 appeared in the entrance test. As many as 10,000 qualified the exams, but unfortunately we were able to give admission to only 4,000 students in various subjects in 38 departments,” Punjabi said.

He said the quality of education in Kashmir University was one of the best in the country, but the university lacked ‘required infrastructure’ and to upgrade the same proposal had been submitted to the people concerned.

“I am thankful to Governor NN Vohra, who is also the Chancellor of the university, and Chief Minster Omar Abdullah, who is the Pro-Chancellor, for their keen interest in the university as they have assured me to provide required help for upgrading the infrastructure here,” Punjabi said.

Jammu, April 26
A number of patients suffering from heart ailments had to return from the OPD of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) today as the doctor on duty was not present there.

As per the duty-roster, Dr Mohan Lal was supposed to be at the OPD today. Dr Mohan Lal, who also heads the Cardiology Department, however, said in view of an emergency case he had to leave the OPD to operate upon a critical patient.

Nevertheless, what could be termed as a serious administrative lapse, there was no replacement of Dr Mohan Lal in the OPD and the patients kept waiting for a cardiologist till evening.

Those patients whom the doctor had earlier treated privately at SHS Nursing Home in Rehari and had called them for follow-up at the hospital were more disappointed. The aggrieved patients complained that after charging consultation fee from them Dr Mohan Lal was not even available at the private nursing home yesterday. To avoid the rush at the nursing home, the patients alleged that the doctor after having charged consultation fee had asked them to visit him at the GMCH.

“We waited from 1:30 pm to 3 pm in the OPD and then went to the Cardiology Department, but the doctor was not there also,” the patients said. “In the department, we came to know that the doctor, after performing a surgery, left for the day around 1:30 pm,” they said.

The patients further alleged that at the nursing home, besides charging Rs 150 as consultation fee, they had to shell out Rs 100 extra. “Dr Mohan Lal gets the ECG done at the nursing home only, even in the case of patients who have got it done from outside,” they added. When this correspondent visited the hospital around 3.25 pm, Dr Mohan Lal was not present in the OPD or the Cardiology Department.

Asked why there was no doctor of cardiology in the ODP, Medical Superintendent Dr Ramesh Gupta said, “There might be someone (doctor) in the ODP or in the department. Why are you bashing (asking) me? Go and talk to the HoD concerned.” When told that it was Head of the Department Dr Mohan Lal’s duty today, he did not say anything.

When contacted, Dr Mohan Lal said: “Today, I was in the OPD till 1:30 pm. Thereafter, I went to the operating theatre for a surgery. Incidentally, it was an emergency case as the patient had to be operated for implanting a pacemaker.”

Srinagar, April 26
A CRPF jawan was shot dead by militants at a busy market place in Budgam district of central Kashmir this evening, triggering panic among people.

Head constable Mohar Singh of the 176th Battalion of the CRPF was on patrol duty when the ultras shot him from point blank range at Magam market, about 25 km from here on the Srinagar-Gulmarg road, official sources said.

The incident occurred around 6.30 pm when there was heavy rush in the market, they said. Mohar Singh, who received a bullet in the head, died instantly in the attack, which sparked panic among the people, the sources said.

Meanwhile, at least two jawans were injured in an encounter with militants near the LoC in the Tangdhar area near the LoC in Kupwara district of north Kashmir.

The police said the security forces acting on specific information launched a search operation in the Tangdhar area on Saturday evening.

The militants hiding in the forests fired upon the search party prompting the security forces to intensify the operation.One of the jawans who was injured in the exchange of fire was shifted to Srinagar.

Another jawan was injured in a landmine explosion in the Tangdhar area.

Jammu, April 26
Students of B.Sc final year who today appeared in Physics Paper-A, held a protest demonstration against the university authorities as they alleged that the paper was out of syllabus and out of pattern.

The students held the protest under the banner of the Jammu Joint Students’ Federation (JJSF) at Government Gandhi Memorial (GGM) Science College, Jammu.

Similarly, in other examination centres at Government College for Women (GCW), Gandhi Nagar, and GCW, Parade, students expressed resentment against the university authorities.

In GGM Science College, students gathered in front of the principal’s office and burnt the question paper. Later, they submitted an application to Principal MK Malhotra, who is also a nodal officer of the colleges. The students appealed to the principal to forward the application to the university authorities.

While taking to The Tribune, Controller Examination, University of Jammu, GM Bhat said after receiving an application regarding the issue, he had forwarded the matter to the committee comprising subject experts, who would look into the matter.

“If the paper is identified as out of syllabus, the students will be given their due,” the Controller Examination said.

Jammu, April 26
Three literary and poetic compilations of noted writer and poet Wali Mohammad Aseer Kishtwari were released by Minister for Finance Abdul Rahim Rather here yesterday. Kishtwari is at present the Director-General, Accounts and Treasuries.

The publications released are Tareekh-e-Ishayat-e-Islam, Pathwan Sada and Farash-e-Gul. These were released at a function jointly organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Urdu Maikash Forum, Kashmiri Literary Society, Rasa Jvadani Literary Society, Jammu, and the Kashar Markazi Adbi Forum, Jammu.

Rather said Kishtwar, Bhadarwah and Banaihal areas had produced several reputed literary figures like Rasa Javedani, Kamgar Kishtwari, Bashir Bhaderwahi, Mushtaq Faridi, Prof Margool Banihali and Manshoor Banihali.

He said Aseer Kishtwari was a par excellent writer, who had been awarded at the state as well as national levels by various socio-cultural organisations, including the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.

“The collection of select poems and literary works of Aseer is the mirror of society which reflects the richness of our cultural treasure,” the minister said. Minister for Roads and Bridges GM Saroori was also present on the occasion.

Jammu, April 26
The Department of Urdu,University of Jammu, today mourned the death of reputed Urdu writer, Prof Mohd Hassan, who died in Delhi yesterday.

A condolence meeting was held here that was presided over by the HOD, Prof Shohab Inayat Malik, and attended by scholars and students.

Paying tributes, the speakers described Prof Hassan as a towering personality of Urdu literaturein the country.

Prof Hassan worked at Jawahar Lal University, Delhi, and was conferred with the title of Professor Emeritus. His play,” Zakh”, has been highly acclaimed and is part of the curriculum in postgraduation in varsities of the country.

Jammu, April 26
The Kot Bhalwal Jail Superintendent, Mirza Saleem Beg, today got anticipatory bail till May 3 from a local court here.

The superintendent, who “disciplined” militants and hardened criminals in the prison, landed in trouble when his wife, Shabeena Shadab, yesterday lodged a complaint with the women’s cell of the police accusing her husband of harassing, physically abusing and throwing her out of the house, besides “having extramarital affairs”.

She approached Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for action against her husband.Omar directed a senior police officer to look into the matter immediately, sources said. Shabeena, who has not yet got a divorce from her husband, is not allowed to meet her three children, as per the complaint.

A case under Section 498-A RPC has already been registered against the jail superintendent by the women’s cell. Shakti Sharma, in-charge, of the cell said: “We have registered a case against Mirza Saleem Beg on a complaint filed by his wife and are investigating the matter further”.

Though Mirza Saleem Beg could not be contacted, he had in his anticipatory bail application stated that he was innocent and all allegations against him were false and motivated.