J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Pak may not send Amanullah
Awami League conference
Jammu, March 1
The Awami National Conference headed by Mr G.M. Shah, a former Chief Minister, has pooled all its resources for organising a two-day conference on Kashmir in Jammu. The conference is scheduled to begin from March 17.

Walkout over meagre funds
Jammu, March 1
The issue of meagre constituency development fund released to legislators evoked a sharp reaction from the Opposition in the Assembly here today. More than 20 ruling National Conference members were supporting the Opposition charge that the government had allotted meagre constituency development fund.

Water resources mission for J&K districts
Jammu, March 1
The Jammu and Kashmir Government has decided to formulate a water resource technology mission for all districts of the state for augmenting water resources to meet the requirements of the people. The involvement of panchayats will be ensured in the formulation and execution of plans based on area specific approach for quick results under the scheme.

Army Chief urges commanders to back ceasefire
Srinagar, March 1
The Chief of the Army Staff, Gen S. Padamanabhan, has emphasised the need for all commanders at all levels to fully support non-initiation of combat operations and give peace a chance in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pak may not send Amanullah
Awami League conference
M.L. Kak
Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 1
The Awami National Conference headed by Mr G.M. Shah, a former Chief Minister, has pooled all its resources for organising a two-day conference on Kashmir in Jammu. The conference is scheduled to begin from March 17.

According to Mr G.M. Shah, the theme of the conference is “In search of peace and solution”. As many as 674 prominent personalities from within the state, Pakistan, occupied Kashmir, Baltistan, the USA and Europe have been invited. Leading journalists, intellectuals and political leaders from Delhi, too, are on the list of invitees.

The conference is aimed at enabling the “power of dialogue” to assert itself in Jammu and Kashmir. In this contest an opportunity is being provided to political leaders, protagonists of the armed struggle, social activists, intellectuals, technocrats and eminent citizens from both sides of the Line of Control to meet and interact.

It would enable the supporters of diverse political thought to sit face to face and exchange views on the political, ethnic and social dimensions with people of all regions of the state so that a serious attempt is made at evolving a “practically workable and politically feasible recommendation for the amicable resolution of the intricate Kashmir problem”.

Mr Shah has not invited ruling political leaders from India and Pakistan. Rather, 44 political leaders, eminent citizens, including Mr Sultan Mohammed. Chowdhary, Prime Minister, Occupied Kashmir, have been invited.

The conference was earlier scheduled to be held in Jammu in the second week of February but was postponed on the advice of the JKLF Supremo, Mr Amanullah Khan, who wanted more time for getting proper travel documents.

However, Mr Khan’s visit to Jammu is still in doubt. Informed sources said Islamabad is not keen on sending Mr Khan to attend the conference because of his views of Kashmir which favour independent status for the state. In addition to this, Mr Khan may himself avoid visiting Jammu as he may be arrested by the state police.

The JKLF supremo is charged with hatching a criminal conspiracy against Kashmir and six cases stand registered against him.

A senior government functionary said Mr Khan would venture to attend the conference only if Delhi assured him that he would not be arrested.

Mr Shah has, in his invitation letter, appealed to all prominent citizens to rise above party affiliation to find a viable solution to the Kashmir problem. He has said that if “we fail in this mission, posterity will not forgive us.”

No doubt the Awami National Conference has invited a cross-section of people who matter from occupied Kashmir. It is to be seen weather all of them will be permitted to attend the conference. In case they participate in the conference, the debate is likely to be lively one though its recommendations, if any, may not be binding on Delhi and Islamabad.

Walkout over meagre funds
Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 1
The issue of meagre constituency development fund released to legislators evoked a sharp reaction from the Opposition in the Assembly here today. More than 20 ruling National Conference members were supporting the Opposition charge that the government had allotted meagre constituency development fund.

The issue was raised through a question tabled by the Panthers Party member, Mr Harsh Dev Singh, during question hour. The acting Chief Minister, Mr Ghulam Mohiuddin Shah, informed the House that the matter relating to the increase in fund would be taken up only when the Central Government enhanced the Annual Plan outlay. He said during the past four years, the annual Plan allocations had remained static at Rs 1,750 crore.

He made it clear that without the Central Government assistance, the development fund, at present Rs 25 lakh, could not be increased due to the fiscal crunch in the state. Mr Harsh Dev Singh protested against the government for going back on its commitment. He referred to the statements made by the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, in the House that the funds would be increased to Rs 50 lakh. When Mr Shah denied that Dr Abdullah had said so without making a reference to the budgetary support from the Centre, Mr Harsh Dev Singh was joined by members from the BJP, the Congress, the BSP and the Janata Dal, who shouted slogans.

Most of them demanded the closure of the Legislative Council, calling it a rehabilitation centre. They said the grant of development fund should be sanctioned in favour of the MLAs. They wanted to know where did members of Legislative Council (MLC) spend the funds when they had no constituency.

An NC member, Mohammad Syed Akhoon, said more than two MLCs belonged to the same area and it was

not right that they would get money to spend in the same area which was much higher than the elected representatives got to develop their constituencies.

The Speaker, Mr Abdul Abad Vakil, told the members that their attitude would create a bad impression among people. When Mr Shah refused to give an assurance about raising the fund from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, the members walked out of the House.

During zero hour, six Opposition members a staged a walkout regarding a BSP member’s plea that the government should reply to the matter he had raised in the House. Mr Sheikh Abdul Rehman of the BSP had referred to police action against labourers who had been retrenched by the authorities at Dhulhasti power project in Kishtwar. He said in yesterday’s police firing and lathicharge, more than four labourers had been wounded. He demanded a reply from the government.

When there was no response, Mr Abdul Rehman Veeri (PDP), Mr Balbir Singh, Mr Lal Singh (Cong) and Mr Sheikh Abdul Rehman (BSP) walked out of the House. They were followed by Mr Tara Chand and Mr Sat Paul Lakhotra.

Mr Abdul Gani Naseem (NC) expressed concern over the increase in militancy-related violence in the valley during the past few months. He said 20 persons had been killed and most of them had been National Conference leaders and workers. He asked the government to take measures to check this trend. 

Water resources mission for J&K districts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 1
The Jammu and Kashmir Government has decided to formulate a water resource technology mission for all districts of the state for augmenting water resources to meet the requirements of the people. The involvement of panchayats will be ensured in the formulation and execution of plans based on area specific approach for quick results under the scheme.

This was decided at a meeting of the state-level empowered committee chaired by the Chief Secretary, Mr Ashok Jaitly, here yesterday.

Under the mission, realistic targets will be fixed for the next five years for each district, indicating the requirement of funds. Only such projects will be taken up under the scheme which could be completed within one working season by pooling in efforts and resources.

The Deputy Commissioners will draw up the plans under the new scheme in consultation with Superintending Engineers and Rural Development authorities.

An amount Rs 39.66 crore has been allocated under the 11th Finance Commission for the augmentation of traditional water resources in the state for the next five years. Of this, Rs 15.92 crore have been allocated for the current financial year.

The Chief Secretary directed that stress should be laid on kandi areas while utilising funds under the augmentation of the scheme. He said micro-level planning was required keeping in view the requirements of the people.

He stressed for evolving proper strategies and adapting adequate techniques for harvesting rainwater, besides repairing and constructing ponds, recharging ground water resources and renovation of bowlis and springs. More funds could be arranged from NABARD, UNICEF and other funding agencies to implement the programme, he said.

Army Chief urges commanders to back ceasefire
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 1
The Chief of the Army Staff, Gen S. Padamanabhan, has emphasised the need for all commanders at all levels to fully support non-initiation of combat operations and give peace a chance in Jammu and Kashmir.

General Padmanabhan, who concluded his two-day visit to the Kashmir valley yesterday, addressed officers at Srinagar, Baramula and Kupwara garrisons. He was briefed by Commanders of the Army, CPOs and the police on the current situation prevailing in the valley, particularly after the extension of the ceasefire for the third term in the state. This was his first visit to the border state after the extension of the unilateral ceasefire late in February.

The Director, General of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Mr A.K. Suri, also met the visiting Chief of the Army Staff and Interacted on the current situation prevailing in the State.