The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	SPURIOUS DRUGS SCAM Somebody in govt shielding purchase panel members: HC Ishfaq Tantry Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 20 Taking a serious note of the lack of any action taken against the members of the purchase committee-II who had approved the supply of spurious drug, Maximizin-625, the High Court today said it appeared that someone in the government wanted to shield them. The court asked the government to taken “strictest possible action” against the members of the committee and “expose” them. These remarks were passed by a division bench comprising J-K High Court Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey today in a public interest litigation seeking an independent probe into the spurious drugs scam. As the matter came up for hearing today, the bench wanted to know what action has been taken against the health officials who were part of the purchase committee-II, which had approved spurious drug Maximizin-625. To this Advocate General Mohammad Ishaq Qadri, representing the state government, submitted that the government had suspended the members of the said committee. However, the bench asked him to “update his information”, observing that as part of action, only one official has been suspended sop far. On being asked by the bench what “prima facie evidence” has emerged so for against the said purchase committee members in the ongoing investigation by the Crime Branch, Advocate General said it had emerged that the said committee allowed the documents by the accused pharma company which were “forged.” “Then why has there been a delay in examining the members of the said purchase committee. The first available opportunity should have been used to examine them before they are poached. This (non-examination) is likely to prejudice the evidence and the ongoing trial,” the bench headed by Chief Justice M Kumar said while reprimanding the government and the Crime Branch for the slow pace of the investigation into the matter. “It shows that somebody (in the government) wants to shield them (purchase committee members). We are very concerned about it as the conduct so far shows connivance,” the Chief Justice said. “This (conduct of the government) will raise doubts not only in the minds of the judiciary but the reasonable people” too, he added. “Expose those who are responsible. The members of the purchase committee should be examined under Section 164,” Chief Justice said in his remarks, which was seconded by Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey, who observed that on the departmental side, the government was silent. “You are shielding them,” Justice Magrey said. “This is a very serious matter we are dealing with right now. Even you (Advocate General) and might have been affected. I do also consume antibiotic drug amoxicillin. In a PIL of this nature, the government should take strictest possible action against the culprits,” the Chief Justice said. The directed the Advocate General to file a fresh status report on behalf of the government and the IGP Crime about the action taken against the purchase committee-II members and the mode and method of the investigation adopted by the Crime Branch, which is probing the spurious drugs scam. The PIL has been listed for further consideration on May 23.
	Cross-LoC traders urge Governor to increase number of export items Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 20 A seven-member delegation of the Salamabad-Chakoti Traders Union, Srinagar, called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today and presented him a memorandum of demands. The delegation, led by Mohammad Tariq Khan, president of the cross-LoC traders’ union, included undertaking quarterly review of tradeable goods and increasing the number of cross LoC tradeable goods, installation of full-body truck X-ray scanners at the Trade Facilitation Centre, creation of additional storage infrastructure for goods and warehousing and cold storage facilities at Srinagar and Jammu for smooth supply of goods for the cross-LoC trade. Other demands included setting up of accommodation facilities for the traders at the Trade Facilitation Centre, canteen, medicare and office space, insurance cover for goods, telecommunication and banking facilities, creation of the post of DG Trade and periodical meetings of cross-LoC traders. The delegation also felicitated the Governor for being reappointed for the second term and thanked him for taking a keen interest in the promotion of the cross-LoC trade, which had commenced during his tenure. The Governor discussed with the delegation the status of the cross-LoC trade and assured that he would address the Union Home Minister and the authorities concerned in the state government regarding the issues projected by them.
	Land allotment in Gulmarg 33 out of 49 hotel, hut owners occupy more than their share Ishfaq Tantry Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 20 The land at Gulmarg has been up for grabs for years, with many of the existing lease holders, including hotels and hut owners, having occupied more land than allotted to them by the government. Ironically, the lease hold rights granted by Maharaja Hari Singh to first Prime Minister of J&K Ram Chander Kak continue to exist. The preliminary report about the ongoing measurement of the land under the lease holders at Gulmarg has revealed that out of 49 hotel and hut owners surveyed by the revenue officials so far, 33 have occupied the state land in excess than allotted to them by the government. It has also been revealed that many of the existing hotels stand on the land, where the leasehold rights have already expired. A total of 84 persons have been granted land lease rights at Gulmarg by the authorities from time to time. Official documents have revealed striking facts about the land leases and the actual quantum of land in possession of various stake holders in Gulmarg. As revealed in the documents, one lease holder namely Mohammad Afzal Khanday, hailing from Sopore, has occupied 3 kanals and 15 marlas at Gulmarg for hotel ‘Alpine’ as against the allotted 2 kanals and 13 marlas. The lease hold rights of former Chief Justice Shadi Lal, who had been leased 4 kanals at Gulmarg in 1920 by Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh has expired. However, the lease rights continue to be possessed by three persons namely Kishan Amla, Amit Amla and Arjun Amla. The ongoing measurement by the revenue officials has revealed that the possessors have currently occupied 10 kanals as against the allotted 4, the documents reveal. The lease hold rights of the first Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, who had been granted lease rights of 4 kanals and 1 marla at Gulmarg by Maharaja Hari Singh in 1942 continue to be live, with one Asif Burza currently possessing the lease rights. Though the original lease period initially in this case was for 40 years, it was extended for another 40 years vide a government order in 1978. In another case, the original lease holders, Hari Nanda Raina/Bansi Lal Raina, whose lease is currently possessed by one Manzoor Ahmad Burza and two other persons, were granted lease hold rights for 12 kanals, but the current possessors have occupied 17 kanals, reveal the documents. In this case, the lease hold rights have already expired and no extension has been granted. The documents also reveal that Benji Nedous, a close relative of former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, was granted lease hold rights of 60 kanals for 40 years from 1965. However, after the expiry of the lease period, the land in question was ‘regularised in favour of Benji Nedous’ by the government in 1980. In another case, the lease hold rights of Hari Nedous and Begum Salima Nedous over 2 kanals and 13 marlas were extended for 90 years by the government in 1981. Lease holder MS Ali Shah, represented by his partner, Mohammad Sidiq of Nigeen, Srinagar, originally holds the lease rights over 1 kanal and 19 marlas at Gulmarg for their hotel, Vintage, but the latest measurement survey has revealed that they have occupied 2 kanals. Likewise, Haji Ahmad Shahdad having lease hold rights of 1 kanal and 18 marlas has occupied 2 kanals and 2 marlas for hotel ‘Welcome’ at Gulmarg. Those whose lease has expired include Janki Nath, Muzaffar Hussain Beigh and Mohammad Yasin Mir, who had been granted lease for 15 kanals and 18 marlas at Gulmarg, reveal the documents. It is also being claimed by the officials of the Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) that the original record of about 84 lease holders was gutted in a fire incident in 1980s. After nearly 33 years, the GDA has now issued public notices through the media to all lease holders to submit their leases for reconstruction of the records. Why the measurement survey The current measurement survey of land at Gulmarg is being carried out by the revenue officials on the instructions of the J-K High Court, which on a previous hearing had directed the government to submit a report by or before May 15 regarding demarcation of land at the famous tourist resort. The court is hearing a public interest litigation filed by Mohammad Rafiq Zargar, wherein he had sought intervention of the High Court in safeguarding the eco-sensitive areas of Gulmarg and Tangmarg from illegal constructions. The High Court had said the report should indicate whether any of the lease holders was in possession of the land in excess of the land shown to have been leased out to him or her in the lease deed. Observing that “striking facts” have been brought on record regarding leases in Gulmarg, the High Court on May 15 directed the Chief Secretary to take action within two weeks after a sub-committee constituted by the government submits its report about the lease holders and land in their possession at Gulmarg.
	Spurious drugs scam Ex-health minister alleges media trial against him HC says reports reflect emotional outburst, public outcry Ishfaq Tantry Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 20 Former Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma today alleged that a media trial was being held against him in the spurious drugs scam. The submissions were made by Sharma’s counsel Satish Sharma before the Jammu and Kashmir High Court today, which, while terming the reports appearing in the media over the spurious drugs scam a reflection of “emotional outburst and public outcry”, said it (court) cannot “gag” the media. The High Court is hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking an independent probe into the spurious drugs scam. In the PIL filed by president of the Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) Nissar-ul-Hassan, Sham Lal Sharma has also been arrayed as one of the respondents. Sharma was the state Health Minister when the purchase of spurious drug Maximizin-625 was made in 2012. During an earlier hearing, while issuing a notice to Sharma, he was also asked to file his response to the court. Sharma is currently PHE Minister. During the hearing today, while furnishing a status report, Sharma’s counsel alleged that a media trial was going on against his client. He said the media has carried reports of the DAK, in which he had been termed a “killer”, who “should be hanged”. To this, the bench comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey, observed that press reports were a mere reflection of “emotional outburst and public outcry” over the spurious drugs scam. “These are public outbursts, we cannot control the emotion,” Chief Justice MM Kumar said. Sharma’s counsel was also joined in by Advocate General M Ishaq Qadri, who wanted the court to pass orders against the media. However, without appreciating his submissions, the bench observed, “Do you want us to control the media or do you mean the press is doing it at our behest.” However, the Chief Justice told the petitioner counsel, Bhat Fayaz, to ask his client to show restraint while issuing personal statements. “The public outcry over the issue is right, but it should not be to the extent that it becomes a personal vendetta against any person or the minister,” the Chief Justice said while asking the litigant lawyer to convey this to Nissar-ul-Hassan, as the matter is being monitored by the court. Bhat also submitted a recent communication between Anees Choudhary, one of the Purchase Committee members, and Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education, wherein Choudhary had alleged that he was compelled to sign the rate contract of spurious drugs. The bench, however, did not pass any formal orders and has kept the PIL posted for further consideration on May 23. It asked the petitioner counsel to place on record Choudhary’s communication.
	NC chief pays tributes to Mirwaiz Farooq, pins hopes on his son Azhar Qadri Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 20 President of the ruling National Conference Farooq Abdullah today recalled his 1980s “accord” with assassinated separatist leader Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq and expressed an unusual hope with the latter’s son, who heads the moderate Hurriyat Conference. Farooq, while paying tributes to Mirwaiz Farooq, described him as the “martyr of the nation” and an “important religious, social and political personality”. The Union Minister said Mirwaiz Farooq who was assassinated by suspected Islamist militants on May 21, 1990, at his Srinagar residence, had made an effort to “restore peace” and worked for “friendship” between India and Pakistan. Mirwaiz Farooq was assassinated by gunmen suspected to be militants led by commander Abdullah Bangroo. However, the state government says Mirwaiz Farooq was assassinated by Islamist militants while most in the separatist camp blame the killings on unidentified gunmen. Farooq, in an obituary statement, recalled his accord with Mirwaiz Farooq who then headed the Awami Action Committee, a powerful political force in Srinagar’s old city. The accord, famously called the double-Farooq accord, was a historic event when the two arch rivals, who had for decades contested for influence in Srinagar’s old city, had joined hands in 1986, a year before the landmark 1987 elections were held and allegedly rigged, triggering armed militancy in the Valley. “The most important thing is that I and the Shaheed-e-Millat (martyr of the nation) had become one to finish off the rivalry between two parties,” Farooq said in a statement issued by his party. He said, “I hope that Shaheed-e-Millat’s son will follow the path of his father to lead this Muslim nation… and will work for the restoration of peace in the state.” This is for the first time that the top leadership of the ruling National Conference seems to be extending a hand of friendship towards the moderate separatist chief ahead of the next Assembly election.
	Panthers Party protests govt ‘failure’ on quake relief Tribune News Service Jammu, May 20 The National Panthers Party today staged a protest against the alleged failure of the Central and the state governments in providing relief to the earthquake victims of Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban districts. The party urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his immediate intervention by sending a Central team to the earthquake-affected areas to assess the loss of property and take appropriate action to provide adequate relief to the sufferers of the area. “The Central and the state governments have failed to reach out to the earthquake-affected people. No rehabilitation or relief operation has been launched and the state government has failed to take necessary measures to provide appropriate relief to hundreds of families dislodged from their homes,” said Balwant Singh Mankotia, state president of the party. He said he along with former MLA and provincial president of the party Faqir Nath and MLC Syed Mohammad Rafiq Shah had visited the earthquake-affected areas. He alleged that the state government had failed to provide relief to the affected people even after 15 days of the quake. “The Central government announced 10,000 tents for the quake-hit areas, but even after 15 days, only 3,400 tents have been provided to the affected people,” the leader said. He alleged that although several ministers in the Omar Abdullah-led government had been deputed to the quake-hit areas of Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar, they had done nothing except conducting aerial surveys of the affected areas. Mankotia alleged that three to four tents were being distributed per panchayat which was “absurd and disheartening”. “The promises made by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad have turned out to be a mere joke,” he alleged. He said the Prime Minister should immediately rush “adhoc relief” to the homeless and shelterless families of the area. “They (quake-hit people) do need urgent medical care. Educational institutions are to be run on a priority basis to provide protection to people from rain and the sun. Tents should be provided immediately and there is a need for providing ration and clothes so that the suffering families feel secured,” he said.
	Admin fails to arrest rumours in quake-hit areas Amir Karim Tantray/TNS Jammu, May 20 The administration has failed to sooth the nerves of residents of quake-hit areas of Doda and Kishtwar districts by launching awareness campaigns. Making their lives worse are rumour mills working overtime right under the nose of the administration. Rumours such as the administration was making arrangements for shovels, spades and white cloth over the past two days, have created panic among residents. Another rumour has predicted the time and date when more tremors will be felt in the region. “These are baseless rumours. People should not pay heed to such talks,” said Mubarak Singh, Deputy Commissioner Doda. He failed to explain the administration’s failure to put an end to such rumours. “It is the job of the police to catch the accused,” Singh said. The government has not launched any awareness campaign in this regard. “The lack of awareness by the authorities concerned is leading to panic among people. Even the educated lot has started believing these rumours,” said Sajid Hassan (31), a resident of Doda, who is a bank employee.
	Now, Kashmir to attract tourists with its aroma M Aamir Khan/TNS Srinagar, May 20 Kashmir’s scenic beauty has always drawn tourists in hordes. Now a visit to the Valley could also calm your mood through a variety of aromas if the mission of a group of local scientists is successful. As Lavender Park in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam and Herbal Garden in Manasbal in north Kashmir have started to grab the attention of tourists, scientists of the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) say the state has got a huge potential for cultivating herbal medicines and aromatic plants that would add to the beauty of the Valley. “Tulip Garden has become very popular among tourists even though tulips bloom for a month only. This region’s climate is perfect for growing aromatic plants like rosemary and lavender among others. While exotic plants like lavender bloom for three months, at places like Europe ‘Lavender Festivals’ are a big hit and we can do the same to boost tourism,” said an IIIM scientist, Dr Qazi Parvez. He said the IIIM would be holding a series of programmes to create awareness about cultivation of herbal medicines and aromatic plants across the state. Besides giving a boost to tourism, it would also generate employment avenues for youth. Another IIIM scientist, Dr Shakir Sultan, said: “In Europe, one comes across aromatic plants even on the roadside. While Lavender Park at Pahalgam and Herbal Garden in Manasbal are becoming popular among tourists, the aroma from the plants also helps one relax. Once such gardens are set up on a large scale, it will fill the air with a variety of aromas,” he said. He said the scientists had successfully cultivated several varieties at the IIIM farm. While an NGO, National Welfare Forum, is also coordinating with the IIIM to spread awareness about the plants, Joint Director, Tourism, Mohammad Hussain Mir said.
	Governor condoles death of minister’s kin Srinagar, May 20 Governor NN Vohra has condoled the death of the elder sister of Minister for Rural Development Ali Mohammad Sagar, who passed away last evening. The Governor expressed his sympathy with the minister and other members of the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul. Chairman of the Legislative Council Amrit Malhotra and the Assembly Speaker have also expressed grief and sorrow over the death of Sagar’s sister. The Speaker visited the house of the deceased and expressed his sympathies with the bereaved family. Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand also expressed his condolences to Sagar. — TNS
	Administration says no to Hurriyat’s Eidgah rally today Ishfaq Tantry/TNS Srinagar, May 20 The authorities in Kashmir have decided not to allow the Eidgah rally of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference scheduled for tomorrow. This was conveyed to the Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq by the authorities today. Mirwaiz has been placed under house arrest at his Nigeen residence in Srinagar since Saturday. He was not allowed to attend a seminar organised by the Hurriyat Conference at its headquarters in Srinagar yesterday. The moderate Hurriyat faction has called for a march to the martyrs’ graveyard in the Eidgah area on Tuesday to commemorate the death anniversaries of separatist leaders Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone on May 21. Mirwaiz Farooq was assassinated by unknown gunmen at his Nigeen residence on May 21, 1990. Lone was also killed by unknown gunmen during a rally in Srinagar on May 21, 2002. “The Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, accompanied by the Srinagar SSP today visited Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s residence and conveyed to him that the administration won’t allow him to attend the scheduled rally at Eidgah on May 21,” said a senior Hurriyat leader. The authorities today also did not allow Mirwaiz to attend a meeting of party workers at the Rajouri Kadal area in Srinagar. “Though the meeting was held, Mirwaiz was not allowed to come out of his house to attend the meeting at Rajouri Kadal,” Hurriyat leader Shahid-ul-Islam said. The authorities, sources said, are not taking any chances and the proposed rally is not being permitted in view of the law and order situation. Mirwaiz had on Sunday said the state government has lost its credibility and control over the administrative affairs and was resorting to house detention.
	5 years on, cross-LoC trade shrinks from 21 to only three items Ravi Krishnan Khajuria/TNS Jammu, May 20 Despite the visit of Union Home Secretary RK Singh in May last year followed by the visit of Union Home Minister Home Sushilkumar Shinde in October , the “biggest” confidence-building measure (CBM) between India and Pakistan-intra-Kashmir trade via the LoC has failed to pick up. Against expectations, the trade has come down from 21 items in the export list to mere three. Trade between Pak-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) and Jammu and Kashmir had started on October 10, 2008. “When the trade started in 2008, only seven to eight items out of the 21 items on the export list were exported to PoK and now they have come down to only three items, including fruits, dry fruits and herbs,” said Pawan Anand, president of the J&K Chamber of Cross LoC Trade. Anand recalled how the trade via Chakan-da-Bagh trade centre in Poonch had come down to only chilli last year, which had compelled the PoK traders to suspend the trade for over a week. In 2008, New Delhi under the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) had given its consent to the Indian traders to export 21 different items to PoK. “We are exporting fruits (largely banana), dry fruits and some herbs to our counterparts in PoK. Coconut and groundnut, which have a good market in PoK, are still banned,” said Anand. The trade, on barter system, takes place four days a week from Tuesday to Friday via Salamabad in Baramulla district and Chakkan-Da-Bagh in Poonch district. A senior official associated with the trade said most of the items on export list were not viable at all. “There is no demand of most of the items on export list. It should better be re-looked into,” he said. Trade facts When the trade started in 2008, only seven to eight items out of the 21 items on the list were exported to PoK. Now only fruits, dry fruits and herbs are being exported
	HC tells education board to conduct ETT exam Vikas Sharma/TNS Jammu, May 20 The High Court has ordered the J&K State Board of School Education (JKBOSE) to conduct the examination of the students of Elementary Teachers Training (ETT) Course along with other regular candidates from June 14. This has brought relief to 15,000 students pursuing the ETT course in the 2011-13 session at different colleges across the state. The BOSE had refused to conduct the examination the students who were admitted in various colleges after the completion of counselling process leading to a tussle between the managements of ETT institutes and the school education board. Deep Singh, president, Jammu Private Schools and ETT Institutes Association (Progressive), has welcomed the decision. “The career of more than 15,000 ETT students was affected due to the mishandling of the issue by the state school education department. The order is a ray of hope for the students,” Deep Singh said. “Thousands of ETT students from outside the state had enrolled in institutes affiliated to BOSE. If technical irregularities have been committed by such institutes or JKBOSE, those responsible should be probed but without damaging the career of students,” Deep Singh said.
	Court orders release of separatist Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 20 The Jammu and Kashmir High Court today quashed the Public Safety Act (PSA) of senior Hurriyat leader and National Front chairman Nayeem Khan. Khan, who is also a senior executive member of the Hurriyat Conference lead by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was booked under the Public Safety Act on April 5 and has been lodged at the high security Kotebalwal jail in Jammu. He had challenged his detention under the PSA by filing a petition before the High Court through his lawyer M Ashraf Wani. Admitting the PIL, the court had on April 8 issued notices to the government and other official respondents in the PIL and directed them to file objections within a week. “A single bench of Justice Mansoor A Mir today quashed the PSA detention orders passed by the government against my client Nayeem Khan,” counsel Wani said. He said the court had also ordered Khan’s release if not involved in any other case. The petitioner’s counsel had sought quashing of the detention orders passed against Nayeem Khan on several grounds.
	Boy killed in explosion Batote, May 20 A shepherd and his goat died in an explosion in a jungle of Kithar in Bonjwa area of Kishtwar district on Saturday afternoon. The deceased, Mohd Yousuf Bakerwal, 14, a Class VII student of Government Middle School, Badhot, died on the spot when he was fiddling with a suspicious explosive “object” in the jungle while grazing sheep and goats there. One of his goats also died in the explosion.—OC