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Sunday,
November 24, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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Talks positive:
Jethmalani
‘Bias against Jammu areas’ echoes in House |
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Upper House seats: Cong for Lion’s share Bill on accountability panel introduced Al-Umar calls for
2-day strike BSNL launches
7-digit scheme
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Talks positive:
Jethmalani Srinagar, November 23 After releasing a joint statement issued by the Kashmir Committee and the Democratic Freedom Party today afternoon, Mr Jethmalani said the talks with various leaders were continuing on a positive note. A joint statement issued by the DFP and the Kashmir Committee reiterated their commitment for a lasting solution to the Kashmir issued through peaceful means. They agreed to work together in three specific areas apart from remaining in touch to monitor the activities’ related to to the three specific areas. These were the creation of conducive atmosphere in the state for a negotiated settlement of the Kashmir issue, including the release of political prisoners. Secondly, the two sides agreed to initiate an “intra-Kashmiri dialogue” as well as a dialogue between the Kashmir Committee of India and the Kashmir Committee of Pakistan. Finally, they agreed to help devise a programme for the speedy return and rehabiliation of the Kashmiri migrants. PTI adds: Mr Jethmalani launched a frontal attack on Yaseen Malik, saying that it was for the people of Jammu and Kashmir to decide whether he was their friend or he was destroying them. He said this when asked about Malik’s recent outburst in which the JKLF chairman had accused him of adopting double standards. “Everybody has the right to say anything. The freedom of expression of which I am a votary is not only for thoughts which you like but also for thoughts which you do not like”, said Mr Jethmalani. When asked about his reported statement that his mission in Kashmir was to bring the emotional loyalties towards India, Mr Jethmalani said “it is not a war over the territory but over hearts, which India has to win.” Asked if the Hurriyat conference had authorised the Kashmir Committee to go to Pakistan for talks with the Pakistan’s Kashmir Committee, Mr Jethmalani asserted “I do not need anyone’s ikhtiyar (authorisation)”. Reading out the joint statement at Shah’s Rawalpore residence, Democratic Freedom Party leader Abdullah Tari said, to reach a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue, “it was imperative that all parties concerned rise above traditional positions and abandon the extremists stands”. |
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‘Bias against Jammu areas’ echoes in House Jammu, November 23 Mr Sagar denied the allegation and offered to quit as member of the House in case Mr Saroori proved his charge. This led to heated exchange between the Treasury Benches and the Opposition National Conference. Mr Saroori alleged that the NC government ignored requests for improvement of the shrine which thousands visit every year. There was shortage of drinking water in the shrine area. Earlier, during a debate on the Governor’s Address, Mr Sagar (NC) sought greater autonomy for the state by restoring the pre-1953 position. He said that the situation went out of hand in Kashmir because the Centre had made it a laboratory for carrying out experiments which had not succeeded. Mr Sagar said that the first mistake was committed by Pakistan in 1947 when raiders from there entered Kashmir when Jammu and Kashmir had not even decided whether to remain with India or go with Pakistan. Thereafter, mistake after mistake was made by India which committed a plebiscite in Kashmir to ascertain wishes of the people, whether they wanted to remain with India or with Pakistan. Serious blunder was committed when Sheikh Abdullah, was jailed in 1953 for 15 years. Mr Sagar said that the Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed’s experiment of bringing together 20 militant organisations had failed with the Laskhar-e-Toiba describing them as “traitors”. He accused the Mufti of trying to mislead the people by claiming that the political process had been restored with the PDP-led coalition coming to power. The process actually started after the Assembly elections in 1996 when the NC was voted to power. He urged the Mufti to clarify agenda of his government to solve the Kashmir problem. Mr Sagar said that the NC was made a scapegoat by leaders at the Centre who were interested in the image of the country and their own before in the world community. Moulvi Iftikhar Ansari (NC) said that the ad hoc manner in which the Centre had been handling Kashmir had caused the present turmoil. The Centre never had a clear policy towards Kashmir. Had the successive governments at the Centre allowed democracy to flower in Jammu and Kashmir, the situation would have been different. Mr Ashwani Sharma (Jammu State Morcha) alleged that Jammu had been discriminated against by successive state governments. He alleged that the victims of militancy in the Kashmir division were being given jobs and handsome cash compensation, but residents of the areas bordering Pakistan in Jammu who also suffered due to enemy’s firing were denied such benefits. He said that the Mufti government should not release the terrorists without proper screening. Mr Faqir Nath (Panthers Party) and Raman Bhalla (Cong) accused the NC of trying to mislead the people in the name of autonomy and said that the healing touch of the government should not be confined to Kashmir, but it should be extended to Jammu also. Mr Yogesh Sawhney (Cong) alleged that the land and transport mafias flourished during NC regime. Mr Manjeet Singh (BSP) said that the healing touch should not be meant for the Kashmiris alone but the people living near the border in Jammu require more attention. He said that the migrants of Jammu were also being discriminated against and they were provided ration only for three months. Those disabled in shelling by Pakistan were given compensation of Rs 500 only, whereas the victims of militancy in Kashmir were given Rs 2 lakh. |
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Upper House seats: Cong for Lion’s share Jammu, November 23 Of the seven seats, two have been filled with Governor nominating Mr Ghulam Mohiuddin Sofi, Editor of Srinagar Times and Ms Farida Mir, to the Legislative Council. Both of them have been administered the oath of office. Now five seats are vacant. The Congress recommended the nomination of Ms Farida Mir. Mr Sofi was the PDP’s choice after Mr Aga Ashraf Ali, an educationist, declined to be nominated to the Upper House. Of these five seats the PDP wants at least three. But the Congress is not in mood to oblige Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. Efforts are being made to have unanimity over the candidates to be recommended to the Governor for nomination to the Upper House. If the deadlock continues the Chief Minister may take up the matter with AICC President, Sonia Gandhi, whom he will meet next week in New Delhi. The Congress has made it clear to PDP leadership that it has several prominent people in the field of literature, art and science whom it wanted to rehabilitate by getting them nominated to the Legislative Council. However, PDP leadership has also a long list of party loyalists desirous of getting nominations to the Upper House. The matter it appears may be resolved by Ms Sonia Gandhi. Another the Mufti is expected to discuss with the AICC chief is the Cabinet expansion following the Congress demand that it deserved bigger share in the Council of Ministers as it had more MLAs besides several Independent were supporting it. As far as his scheduled meeting with the Prime Minister is concerned the Chief Minister is likely to concentrate on financial health of the state for which liberal financial assistance from the Centre is needed. The PDP-Congress coalition government inherited an overdraft of Rs 1135 crore from the Jammu and Kashmir Bank. Also the arrears accruing from power drawn from the Northern grid too have risen. The government has identified several short-term schemes to ease drinking water and electricity situations. The Mufti has decided to seek central assistance for the construction of shelter sheds on this side of the international border in Jammu sector for border villagers to stay therein during heavy firing and shelling in Pakistan. They would not to feel compelled to migrate from their villages during Pakistan firing. The coalition Government has prepared a plan for the rehabilitation of surrendered militants which includes the raising of a regiment for those who have given up the gun. These measures need funds from the Centre. In the past six years enormously Excise Duty, Sales Tax and toll tax. As such have been increased the government may not be in a position to raise the taxes in the Budget session of the Assembly in February. It may mobilise additional resources through recovery of tax arrears and power tariff. The state government is supposed to pay July instalment of Dearness Allowance to its employees which has been already paid by the Centre and some states, including Punjab. It also requires central assistance. These matters will be on agenda when the Mufti and Mr Vajpayee have one-to-one meeting. |
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Bill on accountability panel introduced Jammu, November 23 The National Conference circles feel suspicious about the period fixed for filing the complaint to the commission. The Bill provides for cognisance of any such complaint provided “the same is made within a period of seven years from the date on which the action or conduct complained of is alleged to have taken place.” Though a senior National Conference leader and MLA, Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar, said, “We welcome the move”. He, however, declined to give his assessment saying that the matter “will be discussed at a meeting of the legislature party of the organisation.” “We have to discuss the pros and cons of the Bill,” he said. However, several NC leaders expressed misgivings on the period fixed for taking cognisance of the conduct or action. They said since “the NC had been in power for six years the seven-year period fixed for investigating cases is part of a witch-hunt exercise of the Congress and the PDP.” They said “the Bill should have fixed either five or 10 or 20 years so that the six-year NC rule could not be made the target of the attack.” Asked to comment, the Law Minister said, “We had to fix a date. We cannot go back to 20 or 30 years which will not help the commission to decide on cases expeditiously.” The Bill is clear on the powers of the commission in awarding punishment to a complainant who make a false or frivolous complaint and for those who are accused of contempt of the commission.” Intentional insult or interruption to the commission will be liable to a simple imprisonment which may be extended to six months or a fine or both. Though the commission shall be deemed to be the court within the meaning of the Jammu and Kashmir Contempt of Courts Act, 1977, its role has been confine to recommend the nature of punishment to the accused to the competent authority which is the Governor in case of a complaint against the Chief Minister or legislators and the Chief Minister in case of bureaucrats. Any punishment awarded by the commission is open for an appeal before the high court. However, no proceedings or decision of the commission shall be “called in question in any court.” Experts are of the opinion that the commission may ultimately become an instrument of harassment like the commission that was set up to inquire into the issuance of fake state subject certificates. The State Subject Commission received bogus complaints and the commission, without verifying the bona fides of the complaint, started summoning people for furnishing documentary evidence in support of their being genuine state subjects. Though the accountability commission has powers to punish those found guilty of levelling false allegations, the exercise is going to be a prolonged affair. According to the experts, all public functionaries should be asked to furnish details of their assets and these assets be reviewed and reassessed periodically. |
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Akbar Lone is
Dy Speaker Jammu, November 23 |
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Al-Umar calls for
2-day strike Srinagar, November 23 “We appeal to the Kashmiris to observe the two-day strike on November 25 and 26 over the detention of Mushtaq Ahmad
Zargar,” a person identifying himself as the outfit’s operation chief Rafiq Ahmad Dar, told PTI over the phone. He warned the people of dire consequences if they defied the strike call.
PTI |
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BSNL launches
7-digit scheme Jammu, November 23 According to the Chief General Manager, BSNL, J&K circle, Mr Arun Kumar, the existing 6-digit telephone numbers will be prefixed with 2, while the 5-digit numbers will be prefixed with 26. The subscribers parented to CDoT 256 exchanges at Ambgrota, Dansal, Gajansoo, Gomnansa, Jajarkotli, Jindrah, Mandal, Marh, Sangrampur and Sumb have been requested to register the secret code for STD dynamic lock afresh after the numbers are changed. |
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