The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Rift in coalition widens as Cong MP ignored at official function Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, October 2 Enraged over being "ignored" in the official function held to inaugurate a grid station near Akhnoor on Tuesday, Congress Lok Sabha member from the Jammu-Poonch segment today alleged that some forces in the government were trying to undermine the authority of the elected representatives in the state. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday inaugurated the 20 MVA grid station at Jourian, a border area in Jammu district. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Minister for Public Health Engineer (PHE), Flood Control and Irrigation Sham Lal Sharma and Minister of State for Power Viqar Rasool. Interestingly Madan Lal Sharma, who is a native of the place, was not invited to the function. Madan Lal is the elder brother of PHE Minister Sham Lal Sharma, who while addressing a function of lawyers at Jammu on September 28, made a veiled attack on the Chief Minister and accused him of creating political uncertainty in the state by giving “irresponsible” statements. The Congress minister gave the statement with reference to the Chief Minister’s meeting with a European Union delegation, wherein he (Omar) had again raised questions on the merger of Jammu and Kashmir with the Union of India. After Sham Lal’s statement, the NC and Congress leadership has maintained a guarded silence but differences between the parties have widened. “The grid station was constructed from the Centre’s fund. It was all due to my effort that the project was sanctioned by the Union Government but unfortunately I was not invited to the function,” Madan Lal told The Tribune. “It was the first time during the last 10 years that a local Lok Sabha member was ignored in the official function,” he said and pointed out that he was present in Jammu for the past one week but the authorities did not contact him. “I don’t know why I was not invited to the function. As per protocol, I had to be officially informed about the function,” the Congress MP said. While as Madan Lal was ignored in the official function, Sham Lal was invited to the function at the eleventh hour. Sources said it was due to the pressure from locals that the authorities were forced to invite Sham Lal to the function. The sources said the Congress leadership had decided to launch an offensive against the NC leadership in the coming days because the BJP had launched an aggressive campaign to corner the Congress on Omar’s statement.
	Post-terror attacks, security up at Ranjit Sagar Dam Police stops streamers from ferrying people illegally to Punjab Ravi Krishnan Khajuria/TNS Jammu, October 2 Following the twin terror attacks in Kathua and Samba districts on September 26 that left 10 persons dead, the Jammu and Kashmir Police has not only heightened security at the Ranjit Sagar Dam but has also stopped 16 streamers and nearly 50 motor boats from illegally ferrying passengers, sand and gravel to Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. The Ranjit Sagar Dam has 6,086-sq km catchment area and 87-sq km reservoir area with a gross storage capacity of 3280 million cusecs of water in which these streamers and boats used to ply. The dam is 112.8 km from Jammu. Residents of Bani, Basohli, Mahanpur and Satwain in Kathua district preferred these streamers to travel to the neighbouring Punjab and Himachal Pradesh as by road they have to cover 100 km extra. The Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Basohli, Rafiq Manhas, said: “Since there had been no check on the streamers that operate illegally and without any valid licences, we stopped them from operating. They also didn’t have any fixed points. Any subversive element could have easily used them to carry out subversive activity.” “We stopped these streamers and boats as a precautionary measure,” he added. The officer admitted that 16 passenger streamers and nearly 50 motor boats (transporting sand and gravel) were operating without any licences. “While half of the security of the dam is the responsibility of the Punjab Government, we on our side have beefed up the security and have also alerted all our police posts in Mahanpur, Satwain and Basohli,” said Manhas. Meanwhile, following some information the police again launched a search operation today in the Haria Chak area under the jurisdiction of the Rajbagh police station in Kathua district but found nothing.
	Panches raise slogans against govt, demand powers Tribune News Service Jammu, October 2 At an official function at Parade Ground in Jammu today, elected panchayat members today raised slogans against the government demanding empowerment of the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the state. The The Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, which had organised “Maha Gram Sabha” to commemorate Gandhi Jayanti, reportedly forgot to honour the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, forcing a group of sarpanches and panches to arrange garlands on their own. They then got on to the stage to offer tributes to Gandhiji. Interestingly, it all happened in the presence of senior Cabinet ministers, including Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Ali Mohammad Sagar and Minister for Housing and Culture Raman Bhalla. Members of the All J&K Panchayat Conference, including its general secretary, Anil Sharma, who attended the function, raised slogans against the state government and demanded immediate incorporation of the 73rd Amendment in J&K Panchayati Raj Act 1989 to strengthen and empower the grass-roots level institutions of democracy. They also blamed the government for rendering PRIs defunct and termed the ruling government’s announcements on empowerment a “mere eyewash”. “The department, including the ministers, didn’t show any respect to Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait and it was not properly garlanded. Sarpanches and panches arranged some flowers and garlanded Gandhiji’s portrait in the presence of senior ministers,” a woman panch, who attended the function, said. Meanwhile, minister Ali Mohammad Sagar, in his address, reiterated the determination of the government to make panchayats empowered by further strengthening the basic institutions of democracy, increasing their role in planning and execution of development plans. Sagar appreciated the role of the PRIs during the recent floods, besides complimenting them for ensuring effective implementation of various schemes in their respective areas. He also said sarpanches and panches, including women, were elected in a free and fair manner. He impressed upon the panchayat members to discharge their responsibility honestly and effectively, in accordance with the law and try to come up to the expectations of the people who had elected them with hopes and aspirations.
	Vested interests denying more powers to panches: Report Dinesh Manhotra/TNS Jammu, October 2 Concerned over the delay in proper implementation the 73rd Amendment of the Indian Constitution in the state, the IDFC Foundation, an NGO, in its annual report on rural development, pointed out that some vested interests were creating impediments in strengthening democracy at the grass-roots level. Jammu and Kashmir is one of the states where the 73rd Amendment of the Indian Constitution was not properly implemented. The report, which was released on September 25 in New Delhi by Union Miniser for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh, pointed out that the 73rd Amendment was aimed at strengthening the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) as a third level of federal democracy. “Local self government was intended to facilitate greater democratic participation, better articulation of local development priorities, more efficient resource use and reduction of wastage,” the report pointed out, adding, “Elected representatives living within their constituencies were to inspire more robust accountability.” The IDFC Foundation which conducted the survey in all states to assess the functioning of the PRIs pointed out, “Two decades on, when this Amendment was made, the PRIs cannot be deemed to have become the dynamic, empowered, local self government institutions that were envisioned.” Listing reasons for delay in strengthening the local self government at the village level, the report said, “The state governments, line ministries and legacy rural development agencies have been slow to devolve functions, resources and staff to the PRIs, leaving them unsure about their responsibilities and funding and without sufficient technical support. Government officials and local elites have often interfered and deprived villages of the discretion to plan or implement projects.” “The PRIs have often been left out of the planning phase of the flagship Central government schemes and given only the tasks of beneficiary selection, implementation or monitoring. And even when they have played a primary role in planning, the PRIs have been unable to do so effectively, in part due to the burdensome administrative responsibilities that many government schemes impose upon them and in part due to their lack of capability,” the report said. Corruption also has been a serious problem — through ‘political clientelism’ (trading benefits for votes) or ‘elite capture’ (a privileged sub-section usurping benefits) or outright siphoning-off of funds. Village elites control many panchayats, merely perpetuating existing hierarchies, the report pointed out. What the idfc report says The state governments, line ministries and legacy rural development agencies have been slow to devolve functions, resources and staff to the PRIs, leaving them unsure about their responsibilities and funding and without sufficient technical support Government officials and local elite have often interfered and deprived villages of the discretion to plan or implement projects
	Village defence panels sensitised in Samba, Kathua Ravi Krishnan Khajuria/TNS Jammu, October 2 After the twin terror attacks in Kathua and Samba districts, the J&K Police has ‘sensitised’ village defence committees (VDCs) in the twin border districts. “Today we had a high-level meeting attended by officers from the BSF, Intelligence Bureau, Military Intelligence and the CID wherein we reviewed the prevailing security scenario in the backdrop of terror strikes on September 26,” said SSP, Samba, Israr Khan. He disclosed that the meeting focused on aspects like better coordination between various security agencies and sharing real time information as quickly as possible. Khan said the VDCs had been sensitised and they had been working in tandem with 10 border police posts in Samba district. Kathua SSP Mohan Lal said the VDCs in district had also been sensitised. “They were already performing their duties but post-terror attacks they have been sensitised afresh. Their weapons have also been inspected and they are in touch with the police,” said Lal. The VDCs, which played a crucial role when militancy was at its peak, were denounced by separatists following the August 9 riots in Kishtwar.
	Kulgam village combed Suhail A Shah Anantnag, October 2 The Army, J&K Police and the CRPF today cordoned off Gobbal village in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district to carry out a joint search operation. The area was cordoned off after the security forces received inputs about the presence of militants in the area, said a senior police officer. A house-to-house search was carried out in the area. “However, the operation, spanning more than five hours, yielded nothing,” the officer said. Locals said the area was cordoned off in the wee hours of Wednesday and nobody was allowed to leave the area. “The area had been cordoned off when we woke up in the morning today,” a local said. The search operation continued till 1 pm. No vehicular movement was allowed in the area. School children were also not allowed to go to their schools, sources said. The security forces closed the Anantnag-Kulgam road for the duration of the operation. Superintendent of Police, Kulgam, Muhammad Shafi, said the village was cordoned off to nab militants in the area. He, however, did not divulge the details of the search operation. Terror inputs Gobbal village in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district was cordoned off on Wednesday morning after security forces received inputs about the presence of militants in the area The search operation lasted for more than five hours, but yielded nothing
	Hizb militant arrested Tribune News Service Srinagar, October 2 A top Hizbul Mujahideen militant was arrested near Kulangam in north Kashmir today evening. Police sources said Nissar Hussain Shah was arrested while he was on his from Kupwara to Sopore in a Tata Sumo. “Shah’s arrest is a major achievement for the police and security forces. He is being questioned,”a source said.
	Cross-LoC trade may resume today Traders agree to stick to standard operating procedure Ishfaq Tantry Tribune News service Srinagar, October 2 The cross-LoC traders today formally conveyed to the authorities concerned their decision to end the strike and resume the trade activity which has remained suspended for almost a month. The traders also expressed their willingness to stick to the standard operating procedure (SOP). The decision to end the strike and resume trade follows a “successful” high-level meeting at New Delhi on Monday, in which it was agreed to revisit the Customs order and stick to the SOP. The cross-LoC trade through the Salamabad-Chakoti axis was suspended on September 3, in the wake of the Customs Department order disallowing trade of goods produced in Pakistan. While handing over a formal letter to the Trade Facilitation Officer (TFO) at the Salamabad Trade Facilitation Centre in Uri today, the traders said they were ready to resume the activity, urging the authorities to facilitate transportation of goods to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as early as possible. “Today, we had a meeting with the officials at the Salamabad Trade Facilitation Centre, informing them that the traders have decided to end their strike,” president of the Salamabad-Chakoti Cross-LoC Traders Union Tariq Khan told The Tribune, adding that traders had also agreed to stick to the SOP and trade in only 21 items on the list. On the other hand, confirming the meeting with the traders, TFO at Salamabad Ehsan-ul-Haque said they (authorities) were ready to resume the trade any moment this week. “I have asked the traders to line up their goods trucks at the TFC and if everything goes smoothly, the trade activity may resume on Thursday or Friday,” Haque said, adding that he has also informed all other agencies involved in facilitating the trade across the Line of Control (LoC) at the Kaman post in Uri. Asked if the PoK authorities were also willing to resume trade from their side, he said it would be known once goods trucks from this side reach the crossing point. “The problem was with the traders from our side. They (PoK) authorities should have no problem,” he added. During the high-level meeting, the Central and state authorities reiterated that trade should continue without any disruption and for its smooth functioning, the SOP would be followed strictly. It was also resolved that trade of “third country origin goods” like items from China would not be allowed through the LoC. Issues sorted out To end the deadlock over trade, the high-level meeting in the Delhi on Monday reiterated adherence to the SOPs and ban on trade of “third country origin goods” like those from China. Feeling reassured after the meet, traders on Wednesday met the TFO in Uri to formally convey their decision to him to end the strike and resume trade. In a letter to the TFO, traders have agreed to stick to the SOP and trade in only the 21 listed items as agreed by India and Pakistan earlier
	J&K to cover two-thirds of rural households under NRLM Vikas Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, October 2 The Ministry of Rural Development has given its nod to the proposal regarding availability of adequate funds as a special dispensation to J&K to cover almost two-thirds of the rural households under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NMRL). The total requirement of funds for covering two-thirds of the households over a five-year period is estimated to be Rs 755.32 crore. “Considering the socio-economic conditions in J&K and the strong commitment to implementation of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission shown by the state government, it has been considered necessary to implement the scheme more intensively to reach a saturation level within a period of five years to cover all vulnerable rural households, estimated at two-thirds of the rural households in the state,” a statement from the ministry said. Sources said if the proposal would not have been accepted then it would be difficult to achieve the coverage of all vulnerable rural households, in case the annual allocation of funds is made only on the basis of the poverty ratio of J&K (5.4 per cent as per the National Sample Survey Organisation). As per the approved 12th Plan outlay, the estimated allocation available for J&K, as per the poverty ratio, would be approximately Rs 110 crore. Therefore, keeping in view the larger coverage and the change in the funding pattern proposed, the additional allocation that would be provided to J&K for the current five-year period would be approximately Rs 320.80 crore. Sources said the state had identified the lack of strong grassroots institutions of poor women as one of the major constraints in enhancing the livelihoods of the rural poor and in accessing their entitlements under various programmes leading to reduction in poverty. The restructuring of the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana and its renaming as the NRLM, also known as Aajeevika, was approved on June 26, 2010. The framework for implementation of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission was approved by the Union Ministry on December 9, 2010, and the scheme was formally launched on June 3, 2011.
	Minister calls for efforts to check man-animal conflict Tribune News Service Srinagar, October 2 Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Mian Altaf Ahmad has told the authorities of the Wildlife Department to take concrete measures for containing the man-animal conflict. The minister was addressing a function organised by the Wildlife Protection Department to mark the Wildlife Week at the SKICC here today. He underlined the need for making people aware, particularly those living near the jungles, about the precautions needed to be taken whenever a wild animal turns into a man-eater, Senior officials from the State Pollution Control Board, departments of forest, environment and remote sensing, NGOs, environmentalists, teachers and students of several schools were present on the occasion. Terming human lives precious, Mian Altaf told the officials concerned to take the necessary steps so that the lives of both human and animals were saved. He directed the authorities to devise a pre-plan for sensitising the people about the different methodologies of animal attacks, besides suggesting protective measures for saving their lives. He said unless the people were sensitised, it would be difficult to tackle the problem of man-animal conflict. The minister said the compensation to the victims of man-animal conflict had been increased to Rs 3 lakh from Rs 1 lakh, while Rs 25,000 were being paid to those injured in such incidents. He advocated increasing the limit of the compensation given to the injured as the cost of treatment was usually higher than the amount given.
	Scientist honoured by Kashmir varsity Tribune News Service Srinagar, October 2 Goverdhan Mehta, national research professor and Bhartia-Jubilant Chair at the University of Hyderabad, was conferred the degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by the University of Kashmir at its special convocation here this evening. Governor NN Vohra, who is the Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, presented a certificate and citation and conferred the degree upon Mehta, an internationally acclaimed researcher in organic chemistry. The Governor, who was the chief guest at the convocation, in his address, congratulated Mehta and thanked him for agreeing to accept the degree from the varsity, in recognition for his contribution to science. He dwelt on Mehta’s contribution as a planner in the arenas of science and technology, within the country and abroad. He recalled that he and Mehta had worked together in the Round Table which had been set up by the Government of India for fostering understanding and collaborations between India and the countries of the European Union. Highlighting the role of universities and other institutions of higher education, the Governor observed that they were required not only to undertake high standards of teaching and research, but also to induce among the students the spirit of free and critical inquiry and examination of various complex issues. He stated that the youth must be intellectually equipped to understand and appreciate diversity and possess the confidence to resolve all differences of opinion through dialogue and debate. The institutions of higher learning and students must develop the capacity to address all contemporary social, economic and political problems to the benefit of society at large. Describing the convocation as a special occasion for the university, the Governor observed that it was a great moment for the varsity today having honoured an outstanding scientist. He referred to the good work being done by the university in teaching and research and hoped that in the coming times Mehta would help the varsity in guiding academic and research work, which is being undertaken here. Goverdhan Mehta thanked the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and the University of Kashmir for conferring upon him the degree. He said by making him the alumni of the the university, it was his duty to promote its cause. He dwelt on the strides made by the university in teaching and research, adding that the products of the institution are highly talented, many of whom he had mentored for doctoral and post-doctoral research. He threw light on the areas of his research undertaken and those in the pipeline. Earlier, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, Talat Ahmad presented the Vice Chancellor’s report, highlighted the achievements of the university and its future plan of action. The proceedings of the convocation commenced with Zafar Ahmad Reshi, Registrar of the university, seeking permission of the Chancellor and declaring the special convocation open.
	J&K forgets its state awardees No official function in 3 yrs to honour them Arteev Sharma/TNS Jammu, October 2 The government seems to have cold-shouldered its decorated officials. The state has not organised any function in the past three years to honour state awardees. Resentment is also brewing among the recipients of the state awards against the government for its “mere announcement but no honour” to them at a public forum. Official sources said the state government had selected 13 persons for this year’s state awards on Republic Day, in recognition of their contribution in varied fields. In 2012, 27 persons were selected for the state awards, while the number of the winners in 2011 was 11. The state award winners comprised senior bureaucrats, personalities from literature, culture, arts and crafts, health, media, writers and artists. “The announcement of the state awards is made on the eve of Republic Day every year. Although the state government announced the names of the state award winners, they were not honoured as no official function has been organised to admire their services in the past three years,” a source said. One of state award winners said: “It is rather disrespect to the people who played a significant role towards society. I want to ask whether the government is run on announcements. The government should recognise the services of the state award winners and they must be given due respect by organising a formal function.”
	Steps afoot for better surveillance at jail examination centres IGNOU to tie up with Ministry of Information Bismah Malik Tribune News Service Srinagar, October 2 Indira Gandhi National Open University, in order to check malpractices during examinations at 57 jail centres in the country, will tie up with the Union Ministry of Information and Communication Technology for better surveillance. Vice Chancellor, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Muhammad Aslam, today at a press conference in Srinagar, admitted that complaints were received with regard to malpractices in exams, especially at various jails of the country, designated as exam centres. “We did receive a complaint from J&K about one such incident and we are looking into it,” the VC of IGNOU said. He referred to the last year’s incident in Amphalla Jail exam centre at Jammu, in which former jail Superintendent, Kot Bhalwal Jail, Jammu, allegedly made an inmate appear on her behalf at the Amphalla centre. Aslam said the supervision during exams, especially in jails, would be strengthened with the application of latest technology. He said talks were also on with the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs for providing scholarships to the students of the minority communities of the country. “We want to ensure that the distance learning education facilitated by IGNOU reaches the students of all communities and tribes of India. We have been able to rope in at least 200 students from Khandwa village of Madhya Pradesh (a majority of whom are tribal girls) for our course in food nutrition,” he said. IGNOU is also planning to expand its educational services in Africa by setting up an India-Africa Virtual University, for which the Central government has approved Rs 360 crore. “The Ministry of External Affairs has given its nod to the ambitious project with which we will be able to meet the higher education needs of African countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Gambo, Ghana, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal and Seychelles.