Jammu, January 15
In a major development, the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president and the Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Information Technology and Haj and Auqaf, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, was today made to resign following the allegations of corruption levelled against him in the legislative assembly by an independent legislator, Shoaib Lone on Friday.

Revealing this in the assembly today while speaking on the vote of thanks to the Governor's address, the Chief Minster said an inquiry had been ordered into the allegations levelled by the member. Till then, the Chief Minister said the minister had been asked to resign.

The resignation has been forwarded to the Governor for acceptance. Shoaib Lone, an independent MLA, had alleged in the house that one of the ministers in the government had charged Rs 40,000 from him for issuing a certificate for an institution run by his brother-in-law. He had not revealed the name in the house, but gave it in writing to the Chief Minister yesterday.

It was a very difficult situation for the Chief Minister to sack the minister, since he happened to be the PCC president also. He is learnt to have taken into confidence the party high command before asking Sayeed to resign. In fact, the Chief Minister was hardly left with any choice given his much claimed drive against corruption.

On the other hand Sayeed alleged that it was a "deep rooted conspiracy" not only aimed at tarnishing his image, but also undermining his position in the party. He said it was the job of the insiders within the party who had engineered this situation. He said he had decided to resign to ensure a "free and fair" inquiry as he wanted to come clean.

The government had already arrested a driver of the education department who is alleged to have acted on behalf of the minister's wife. The allegations reportedly pertained to the minister's wife.

Speaking in the assembly on the issue today and yesterday, the Chief Minister made it clear that the legislators and the ministers have to be responsible for the acts of omission and commission of the members of their family living with them. "Caesar's wife must be above suspicion", he remarked.

However, at the same time he made it clear that the ministers and legislators or the officers can only be held accountable about the acts of those who stay with them and not all the relatives, not even the blood relations, who are not staying with them.

Reeling under the opposition pressure, the state government decided to table the much-talked Kundal Committee report before the house tomorrow.

The Kundal Committee was set up under senior IAS officer BR Kundal, who is now the chief secretary, to probe into the allegations of a massive scam in the state forest department.

The opposition benches demanded the report to be tabled after the Chief Minister announced that education minister Sayeed had been asked to resign following the charges of corruption.

Meanwhile, following the submission of the report, the Chief Minister had withdrawn the charge of the department from minister Qazi Mohammad Afzal concerned. However, Afzal was returned the forest portfolio recently.

However, Azad today told the assembly that the committee had not directly named any minister.

To this the leader of the opposition Abdul Rahim Rather suggested, it would be better if the government tabled the report in the house itself. To this, the Chief Minister agreed.

Sayeed not alone, JKSAC had others in list
Ravi Krishnan Khajuria
Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 15
Though education minister and Pradesh Congress Committee president Peerzada Mohammed Sayeed was made to resign on the charges of corruption, several present and former ministers along with many bureaucrats are sitting pretty despite facing similar charges.

In the last two years, Jammu and Kashmir State Accountability Commission (JKSAC) registered 15 complaints against politicians including ministers, former ministers, sitting and former legislators.

This time round, a sitting legislator from Sangrama assembly constituency Shoaib Lone, son of former minister of state for education Dr Ghulam Nabi Lone, leveled serious charges against Peerzada but if we look back, the JKSAC in 2005 had indicted Peerzada in a multi-crore scam in the rural development department.

But despite JKSAC instructions, Peerzada did not appear before the commission. He was one of over 50 respondents in the Rs 1.41-crore rural electrification scam.

Similarly, the JKSAC in October last year had also ordered an inquiry against health and medical education minister Mangat Ram Sharma and two other bureaucrats for their alleged involvement in backdoor appointments in the Khadi and Village Industrial Development Board (KVIDB). However, Mangat had denied the allegations maintaining legal course was adopted.

Talking to The Tribune, a senior official of JKSAC on the condition of anonymity said, “From 2005 to 2007, the JKSAC registered 15 complaints against politicians including ministers, former ministers, legislators and ex-legislators.”

“Despite prima-facie evidence against politicians including former ministers, ministers, former legislators and sitting legislators, the government sits on JKSAC recommendations buying time for them to avail stay orders from the court of law,” he said.

“Once into the court of law such cases take years,” he said, adding, “the JKSAC has been rendered an ornamental institution defeating its purpose fair and square.”

“Complaints pertained to corruption, abuse of powers and nepotism have come to us,” he added.

He said, “In 15 cases of prima-facie evidence against officials where we recommended strong action, the government waited till they managed stay orders from the court.” “In absence of political will it is a perfect example of pot calling the kettle black,” he added.

It may be mentioned here that a couple of years back Transparency International-a NGO had bracketed Jammu and Kashmir as the second most corrupt state in the country, a state that gets 90 per cent grants and 10 per cent loan from the Centre every year.

Jammu, January 15
Legislative business is not an entertaining job. It is too monotonous with practically no fun involved in it. It is cold business devoid of any fun or charm, particularly when the treasury and opposition benches are divided and polarised apart.

Moreover, there are not many legislators in the House who are known for a good sense of humour.

However, the presence of some members, particularly the National Conference MLA from Langate, Sharif-u-Din Shariq, makes it relatively lively. Shariq keeps on pouring in his wit full of satire and sarcasm, irrespective of who speaks. However, most of it is directed towards the treasury benches only.

Even today during the three and a quarter hour long marathon-speech of the Chief Minister, probably one of the longest made in the history of the Legislative Assembly, his suo motto one liners or one word interventions kept the atmosphere lively offering a bit of laughter to an otherwise calm and quiet House.

During his speech, the Chief Minister mentioned that work on one of the projects had been completed in record time and the engineer assigned with the job belonged to Baderwah, his assembly constituency.

When he mentioned about second such project again completed in record-time, Shariq remarked in his own imitable style, “The engineers must be from Doda (Azad’s native district) only.”

When the Chief Minister was speaking about the allocation of grants for the districts, Shariq was at it again, “Doda walay kha gayay…”.

To this, the CM replied that Doda was one of the seven most backward districts in the country and it still needed a lot of development.

The House burst into fits of laughter over the issue of laying down of the foundation stones. The Chief Minister said, unlike in the last 60 years, he made it a point not to lay a foundation stone till the building had not come up to the plinth level. Otherwise, he pointed out, most of the projects would get stuck there only.

As NC members objected to “last 60 years” comment, Azad shot back, “Why are you taking it upon yourself, we have also been in power during this time.”

Shariq remarked again, “pichhlay teen saal (clearly mentioning the three years of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s tenure as a Chief Minister) bhi kafi pathrav hua hai” (that during the last three years also lot of stones have been laid).

And when Azad said he had instituted the Chief Minister’s gold medal award for whistle blowers, which carried a gold plated medal, and cash reward of Rs 51,000, Shariq and others were at it again, remarking that an independent MLA Shoaib Lone should get it. It was because of Lone’s revelations that education minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed was made to resign from his ministry.

There were lighter moments again when during a brief discussion on the constitution of the Delimitation Commission, the CM told Harsh Dev Singh: “I give you the authority to evolve a consensus on the issue.” To this Singh retorted, “You give me the full authority to run the government and I will show how it would be done.”

To this Azad replied back, “For that you will need to ensure that your behaviour is like that of mine, both inside and outside the House.” Singh said, “Agreed.” To this Azad remarked, “First prove it as it took me 30 years to prove that…first deserve then desire.”

Poonch, January 15
A 65-year-old resident of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir couldn’t meet her ailing Sikh mother in this side of Jammu and Kashmir as she couldn’t get the required travel permit in time.

And when Sayida Begum finally got the permit to travel to India through Poonch-Rawlakote trans-LoC road, her mother Chandra Wati had passed away.

Today, Sayida has just one appeal to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf. “Opening of trans-Line of Control is well appreciated but please make the process of permits easy and less time consuming.”

“I have heard that the two countries are taking confidence building measures for peace in the region and opening of roads is an important step in uniting the divided families. Though the two countries should be praised for uniting the divided families, I feel that the procedure for getting permits is too complex and is too time consuming,” says Sayida.

“Had the permit system been simple and less time consuming, I would have met my dying mother,” rues the tearful woman. “I will have to live with the fact that I couldn’t see my mother after I got separated from her during partition.”

Sayida says she applied for permit in May 2006 and had to wait for about two years for getting the same. “Two years is a long time to unite the divided families. This time took the life of my mother,” she adds.

“I couldn’t meet my mother when she was dying, but I hope that the two governments would think over it and cut down the time for issuing permits”.

Sayida Begum’s parents Chandra Wati and Jarman Dass originally hailed from Pir Kote in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Sayida was just six when her father Jarman Dass was killed by the mob during the riots during Partition.

Her mother Chandra Wati got Sayida married at an age of seven to a Fakir Muhammad. After that, Sayida’s mother crossed over to this side and married Sham Singh, a Sikh.

After she came to know that her mother had crossed over to this side of border, Sayida continued her search and three years back succeeded in tracing out the whereabouts of her mother.

Immediately after she came to know about her mother’s whereabouts that she applied for permit but got it a month back only.

Senior Officer in district administration admitted that it takes much time in getting permits, but he attributes the delay to various investigations.

Jammu, January 15
Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad here today said the Kashmir initiatives taken by the government were moving ahead very well.

However, he regretted that the progress on some issues had slowed down due to the uncertainty prevailing in Pakistan.

In his reply to the Governor’s address, the Chief Minister dwelt on a range of issues from the resolution of the Kashmir problem to “zero tolerance” of the human rights violations.

The Chief Minster said following the initiatives taken by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, which resulted in a series of round table conferences participated by almost all political shades and streams of the state, five working groups had been constituted to recommend measures addressing the problems being faced by the state.

He said while the progress on four working groups had been quite encouraging, about the fifth working group he said, there were certain difficulties.

He pointed out it involved the negotiations between the Centre and the state and the Centre and various political parties, the Centre and other dissident groups (the secessionists, including the Hurriyat Conference) and also the negotiations between India and Pakistan. But for the political uncertainty in Pakistan, the progress might have been better on this front as well.

To a question on the issue by National Conference member Ali Mohammad Sagar on talking to the Hurriyat, Azad remarked, this also depended on the developments in

Pakistan. He hoped that democracy was established in Pakistan as only a stable Pakistan could negotiate better with India.

On the human rights issues he said, his government had stuck to the “zero tolerance” commitment. He pointed out, “zero tolerance” did not mean that no violation took place, but any violation that was found was dealt seriously.” On this matter, he said, strict action had been taken in the genuine cases of rights violation.

The Chief Minister also ruled out the constitution of a Delimitation Commission in the state as it required amendment to the state Constitution.

When Harsh Dev Singh of the Panthers’ Party suggested him to bring in an amendment to the Constitution, the CM remarked, “I would look stupid among my colleagues to bring in an amendment which I know cannot be passed as I do not have the required two-third majority in the House.”

Srinagar, January 15
Complimenting agricultural scientists for green revolution over the years, Governor Lt-Gen S K Sinha(retd) has called for advanced research for achieving optimum production of high yielding crops.

Inaugurating Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST) in Bandipora yesterday, the Governor exhorted scientists to ensure dissemination of their experiments at the ground level for the benefit of farming community. "Extension agencies have a duty to acquaint farmers with latest technology and methods of cultivation", he added.

He recalled the strides made in the field of agriculture and said continuous and sustained research besides hard toil of farmers steered India to a food surplus from a food deficit nation.

He added that the progress registered in agriculture and horticulture in Jammu and Kashmir cannot be overlooked. He also appreciated the role of SUKAST and hoped this odyssey will go on unabated. General Sinha also expressed happiness over the involvement of women in economic activities and said their economic emancipation is imperative for the healthy growth of society. “Women,” he said, “constitute a most vital segment of our society and their empowerment and role in decision making is of immense importance for the healthy growth of our 
social order.”

The Governor stressed the need for multiple specialisations in various disciplines, saying that research holds key to development and prosperity. The knowledge base has to be translated into reality on ground so that research percolates down to grass root level.

In his remarks Prof Anwar Alam, vice-chancellor, SUKAST (K), dwelt on the initiatives and programmes taken up in recent years for giving boost to agriculture and allied sectors.

Jammu, January 15
The Ministry of Defence has taken up the issue of deficiency of officers in the Army seriously and has initiated measures to motivate the youth to join the force.

Already marred by deficiency of more than 11,388 officers, the ministry is also worried about the resentment amongst officers who have left the Armyin search of greener pastures. The main problem is pay and perks being offered to the officers by the private companies which are comparatively much higher than what the Army gives. “As the companies are always in search of well-trained workforce their pay is also very attractive,” said an army office on the condition of anonymity.

He said as Army officers were trained they provided a better workforce to such companies, who in lieu were ready to pay a handsome amount to them. “I have been serving the Army for the past 28 years and an officer junior to me who left the Army after only five years of service was earning four times then what I did,” he added.

Speaking to The Tribune, public relations officer of the Jammu-based 16 Corps Lt-Col S. D. Goswami said “No doubt pay and perks are the major issue in the Army and officers do leave the Army looking for greener pastures.”

He said “Yes, there is deficiency of officers in the Army, as the Army being voluntary in nature cannot force people to join. People do come but still there is a deficiency of talent as the Army has never compromised on the merit of a candidate.”

The higher-ups of the Army accept that the shortage in the officer ranks was a matter of great concern and there was an acute shortage at the level of Captains and Majors who performed most of the ground duties.

He said as half of the Army officers retired when they reached the rank of Colonel, there was stagnation on account of steep pyramidical structure of promotion. Capable youth didn’t come forward to take the Army as a career,” he added.

However, to evolve interest amongst youth, the Army would be holding “Know your Army” exhibition to motivate the youth. He said the Army had understood that a strong perception existed amongst the youth that the compensation package for the nature of work and hardship that the Army expected of them was inadequate.

Srinagar, January 15
A high-level meeting of officers from the police, Army and CRPF was held today to take stock of the security scenario in the valley in the light of the Republic Day function.

All three DIGs, the IG of CRPF and senior Army officers and Kashmir IG Shiv Murari Sahai attended the meeting and expressed satisfaction over the prevailing security situation and decided to step up security efforts while trying to minimise inconvenience to the public.

Routine and frequent lining up of people in civilian areas and their frisking is a common occurrence here in the run to important events like the Independence Day or Republic Day, which often causes resentment among people.

A police official said they felt that people's grievances were justified but they had few options as militants try to target these events in particular.

"We have been more sensitive to public concerns for sometimes and will give them less reasons to complain," he said. The militant activities have been on a decline for some time, and it has resulted in evident reduction of routine cordon and search operations by the police.

Jammu, January 15
Grabbing the opportunity the BJP today held protest demonstrations and burnt an effigy of the coalition government here against rising corruption in public life. Led by Jammu Mahanagar district president Kavinder Gupta, activists shouted slogans against the government for what they claimed encouraging corruption in the state.

Addressing party workers Gupta said, “Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has miserably failed to check corruption.”

“Leave aside common man, even elected representatives are not spared by disgruntled ministers,” he said, while referring to the charge dropped by Sangrama legislator Shoaib Lone on education minister Peerzada Mohammed Sayeed.

“Serious allegations are levelled from time to time against most of the ministers for their indulgence in corrupt practices but the government is not bothered to initiate any action,” he added.

He said, “Catching small fishes would not make any difference unless and until action from the top is initiated.”

He demanded immediate sacking of coalition government and imposition of Governor’s Rule in the backdrop of Peerzada episode.

Jammu, January 15
It turned out to be a coincidence that Governor Lt-Gen S.K. Sinha (retd) and Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad spoke on the same issue of political corruption, at two different places on the same day underlining a similar theme, however in different context.

While Sinha spoke on the issue of “Morality and Politics” at the Jammu University, Azad spoke about “Corruption and Lust for Money” while addressing the seventh conference of the departmental vigilance officers.

While Sinha spoke extensively about morality in politics, he was critical of the politicians who were projecting their own progeny to assume and acquire power.

Besides Gandhi, he mentioned the names of several other leaders like Subash Chander Bose, Dr Rajinder Prasad, Khan Abdul Gafar Khan, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Sardar Patel, Jai Prakash Narain and others, who he said, never got tempted by power and never encouraged their own progeny.

Interestingly, he did not mention the first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, whose moral values were equally exemplary, in many contexts. Probably because his descendants continue to assume central stage in Indian politics.

Less than an hour ago, Azad while addressing the vigilance officers at Abhinav Theatre, glorified the Nehru family for "not being corrupt".

Jammu, January 15
To revive the cooperative societies in the state, the Central government has sanctioned a grant of Rs 262 crore. This was stated by minister for agriculture and cooperatives Abdul Aziz Zargar during the question hour in the state Legislative Council.

He said every cooperative society registered would be revived and made functional very soon.

Replying to a supplementary asked by Farida Mir of the Congress he said “About 211 cooperatives have been registered in the state during the last two years, which include 33 registered societies under the Cooperative Society Act of 1989 for poultry and dairy and 178 cooperatives under Self-reliant Cooperative Act of 1999. Out of 60 cooperative societies, 46 women cooperative societies are functional in the state.”

He said for the empowerment of women in the state, two women cooperative banks would be opened in the state, one each in Srinagar and Jammu.

He further said for providing facilities to the farmer community of the state, the process of reviving of the Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies had been initiated in the year 2003-04 with the setting up of a modest target of one Primary Agriculture Cooperative Society for each block.

He said the initiative received encouraging response and the undertaking credit business also increased. The Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies besides handling the credit business were also engaged in the distribution of agriculture inputs. “Out of 766 Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies, 755 are functioning in the state, which includes 395 in Kashmir and 371 in Jammu province”, he informed the House.

Srinagar, January 15
Only a day after killing three LeT militants, including two of Pakistani origin, the security forces killed a district commander, a Pakistani national, of the same outfit in an encounter in Bandipore district today.

The police joined by 145 Battalion of the CRPF and 13 Rastriya Rifles launched an operation after receiving information about the presence of militants in the house of one Morifat Ullah Khan. The militants retaliated and opened fire indiscriminately. Abu Kital was killed in the gunbattle.

Listing a series of murders, the police said Abu Kital alias Abu Hamza was involved in a host of civilian killings carried out to scare people away from forces.

A family had fallen victim to the dreaded terrorist, who had also murdered one head constable Mushtaq Ahmad.

In another operation, the security forces recovered seven hand grenades, seven AK magazines, 10 electronic detonators, 200 rounds of AK ammunition and three kg explosive in a Baramula, the police said.

Srinagar, January 15
Efforts are on to recover the bodies of at least 15 persons, including Army personnel, who were buried under snow avalanches and gone missing near the LoC in Uri and Machil sectors of north Kashmir early last week.

A defence spokesman here today said due to unstable snow conditions and inclement weather at higher reaches of Chota Kazi Nar Dhar, operations to recover the bodies of missing Army personnel and civilian porters have been hampered for the past five days. Those missing included seven Army personnel, one of them a JCO, and eight civilians in Uri sector of Baramulla district and Machil in Kupwara district of north Kashmir, as reported by the Army last week.

After due consideration of safety, a party of 10 civilian porters, all relatives of missing personnel, were given assistance by the Army to reach the nearest Army post, which was very close to the Line of Control, the defence spokesman said. He added that search operations would continue subject to weather and snow stability conditions. All measures would be taken to prevent any further loss of life, he added.

The Army had carried out aerial reconnaissance of the area and had maintained visual surveillance over the area, where the incident happened, besides attempting to open routes to reach there. Additional rescue teams of the Army were also on standby along with avalanche rescue dogs. However, area being in the vicinity of the LoC with high sensitivity and operations had to be under taken with due precautions, the defence spokesman said.

The spokesman pointed out that some elements had been instigating the people of Maiyan and Braripora with rumours that the Army was not carrying out search nor permitting others to do the same. “There is absolutely no truth in this as the Army is fully aware of the sensitivity involved as also of the actual snow and terrain conditions”, he stated.

Jammu, January 15
Governor Lt-Gen S.K. Sinha (retd) today described Dogras as an asset to country’s defence and Duggar Pradesh as a fertile land abundant with intellectual and artistic works.

Addressing a gathering after unveiling statue of noted artist Master Sansar Chand Baru besides inaugurating a painting exhibition of Anuradha Rishi at Kala Kendra here this morning, the Governor said, “The contribution of Dogras in the country’s defence, art and literature have brought laurels to the Duggarland, otherwise knows as an abode of temples.”

“Jammu intelligentsia has immensely contributed in the national development and left an indelible mark by their splendid works,” he added.

“Intellectual and artistic works have proved that Jammu is not only the land of warriors who have scripted chapters of bravery but it is a fertile land with abundant talent in all the spheres of life,” he maintained.

He complimented Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages for giving a new direction and momentum to various artistic and cultural activities.

Sinha also urged young artists to spread the message of love and peace through their works that will inspire the society to emulate high ideals necessary for harmonious set-up.

BJP leader Chaman Lal Gupta, Minister of State for Power Babu Singh and former secretary Cultural Academy and MLC Mohammed Yousf Taing also spoke on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Governor Sinha visited the residence of former Governor of Haryana Babu Parmanand here this afternoon and enquired about his health. Parmanand has been ailing for some time.

Udhampur, January 15
In a gruesome incident, a middle-aged couple was brutally murdered in a remote village of Panchari block of Udhampur district. It was the first such incident in this area. Inhabitants of this hilly belt came on streets to express their anguish over this crime today.

The deceased have been identified as Ashok Kumar (50), son of Vidhya, and his wife Promila Devi (45), both residents of Udhampur, who were presently putting up at their native place in Kudal, a remotest hamlet, about 80 km away from this town.

According to the police, Kumar was running a shop at his home in Kudal. His family has been settled in Udhampur, while the deceased husband-wife were living at their native village.

In the morning today when the Kumar’s shop remained closed and some villagers entered their house to inquire why he had not opened the shop. The villagers were shocked to find their bodies drenched with blood lying in the room. They immediately informed the police about the incident.

Although real cause of the murder is yet not known, it is believed that the couple was killed by some burglars.

Besides running a shop, Kumar was reportedly also worked as an agent of the Postal Department for encouraging people to invest in small saving schemes.