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Stop construction, orders SAC
J&K eyes enhanced plan outlay
Two killed by militants
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Stop construction, orders SAC
Jammu, February 23 Incidentally, the state government recently diverted a sum of Rs 18.20 lakh out of the security related expenditure (SRE) for the construction. The Chairman of the SAC, Mr Justice
R.P. Sethi, ordered the Chief Engineer (PWD) to immediately stop the construction of the compound wall and submit a status report within seven days. He directed the SSP (Security), Jammu, to provide adequate security cover at the residence of the Chief Secretary. The complainant, Mr Ashok Gupta, in his petition to the SAC, had pointed out that the wall was being constructed at the rear of the house towards the Tawi river out of the SRE. He also said that the SRE was provided by the Centre to the J and K Government for the purpose of combating terrorism and restoration of peace. He pleaded that the SRE could not be diverted towards construction of the compound wall. Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed, who appeared before the SAC on behalf of the complainant, pleaded that the public exchequer was being misused for constructing the concertina fencing at the rear of Mr Bakaya's private residence in Tawi Vihar. Meanwhile, it is worth mentioning here that Mr Bakaya is due to retire on March 31 and many eyebrows have been raised due to diversion of Rs.18.20 lakh by the government for constructing the fencing at his private residence at this moment. Moreover, the issue has surfaced when
Mr Azad was himself talking of making J and K a corruption-free state and taking strict action against those indulging in corruption and nepotism. Interestingly, the Home Department which handles the SRE amounting to more than Rs 500 crores every year is under the direct control of the Chief Minister. |
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J&K eyes enhanced plan outlay
Jammu, February 23 The question has assumed added importance because after 30 years the Congress is in the rider’s seat in the state with Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad as the Chief Minister. For the annual plan of 2005-2006, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who belongs to the PDP, had succeeded in securing increased budgetary allocations. During his time, the annual plan allocation had increased from Rs 2,100 crore in 2002-2003 to Rs 3,300 crore in 2004-2005 and Rs 4,200 crore last year. Mr Azad’s performance during his meeting with the Planning Commission this week would be watched with interest. People expect the Congress Chief Minister to get bigger plan outlay for the state from the Congress-led Central Government. The state has been losing a major share from its plan outlay in servicing the Central debt. A year ago, the interest the state paid on the Central loan amounted to Rs 1,600 crore. The state has also been suffering an annual loss of Rs 6,000 crore by way of limitations imposed by the Indus Water Treaty on the utilisation of water of the Jehlum, the Chenab and the Indus for power generation and irrigation. For the past four years, the state government has been demanding compensation from the Centre on account of this loss, but no compensation has been given so far. The Chief Minister reportedly plans to persuade the Planning Commission to earmark sufficient funds for power generation and for power purchase.
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Two killed by militants
Srinagar, February 23 He said militants shot at and wounded Irshad Ahmad Ahanger on Court Road, near here, this afternoon. He was rushed to hospital where he died. However, people took to streets and forced the closure of shops in the area, alleging he was killed by the security forces. Militants shot dead the wife of Ali Mohammad Matta at Sopore in Baramula district last night. He said the security forces busted a hideout at Dhara Kalarian in Poonch district of Jammu region and seized 2 kg of RDX, one universal machine gun with one box of ammunition, eight grenades, five improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 10 metres of fuse fire, three RPG and five plastic sheets. However, no one was arrested.
— UNI |
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