Jammu, January 17
The semblance of unity shown by the opposition in cornering the government on various issues in the state legislature on the inaugural day proved as shortlived as it was expected to be, when the leader of the opposition in the state legislative assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather sided with the government when the members of the Panthers Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party raised the issue of setting up of the Delimitation Commission in the state to remove disparity in number of assembly seats for the Jammu region.

This is for the obvious reasons that the interests of the National Conference, the Panthers Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party can seldom converge. And when it comes to the bottomline, the NC remains the party that mainly concerns itself with the interests of the people of Kashmir region, its main constituency, while Panthers Party and the BJP have always voiced the interests of the Jammu region.

The Panthers' Party and the BJP have consistently been raising the demand for equitable political power between Jammu and Kashmir regions. The two parties have a valid point as well. While the Jammu region has an area of about 26,000 sq km, the Kashmir region has an area of about 15,000 sq km only.

Besides, the number of voters in Jammu region is about 30 lakhs and that in Kashmir about 28 lakhs. Despite that, the number of legislators from Jammu region is 37 and that from Kashmir region is 46.

Instead of setting up the Delimitation Commission the government had proposed to increase the number of seats to the legislature by 25 per cent. This would lead to proportionate increase in the number of seats in the two regions. The Panthers Party and the BJP argue that this would further take the difference of seats from the existing nine to 12, leading to more dominance by Kashmir region.

The NC and the ruling Congress and the PDP do not see eye to eye. They have turned to be bitter rivals, both in and outside the state legislature. However, Rather himself a staunch critic of the government, came to its rescue, obviously not for any love (for the government) but to ensure that the party was not seen wanting, when it came to defending the interests of Kashmir region.

Meanwhile, finding itself on the backfoot, senior Congress leader and Health Minister Mangat Ram Sharma had announced on January 10 in the state assembly that the party was in consultation with its coalition partner the People's Democratic Party to reach a consensus for bringing in a bill in the state legislature to amend the state constitution which was mandatory for setting up the Delimitation Commission in the state.

It is the Congress which has too many stakes in the Jammu region and it cannot afford that an impression gets conveyed across that it failed to watch the interests of the Jammu region, its main strength and that too in an election year. However, Sharma had to cut a sorry figure when his leader and Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad announced in the House that it cannot be done as he did not have the two third majority. Even if he had, he could never have done that as his coalition partner, the PDP, would never let him do anything that could placce Jammu region on equal footing with the Kashmir region.

Udhampur, January 17
Notwithstanding claims of the state government to provide immediate relief to the inhabitants of Doda region, the scarcity of essential commodities has further compounded the miseries of people, who are confronted with the worst ever drought of the century.

Inhabitants of the drought-affected Kishtwar district have been facing scarcity of flour and rice as ration depots set up by the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department (CAPD) are not getting supply from the headquarters. What to say of getting free ration for three months, as promised by the government, people have no other option than to purchase flour and rice from markets at higher prices.

“Our requirement of flour is 6,000 quintals but so far we have received only 2,000 quintals of it”, Khazan Singh, tehsil supply officer (TSO) of CAPD department told The Tribune.

He further said a quota of 4,500 quintals rice had been fixed for Kishtwar but only 1,000 quintals had reached so far.

According to official record, 33,000 ration card holders comprising 1.10 lakh persons get ration from outlets established by the CAPD department in different parts of Kishtwar district.

Ironically most of the ration depots in the town are empty as for the past 15 days, the CAPD department has not received any supply from the headquarters. Only after the people lodged a protest against the shortage of flour yesterday, that 6 trucks loaded with flour were dispatched for Kishtwar today.

The woes of people can be gauged from the fact that people in the district were already confronting with the shortage of LPG, kerosene and power shortage.

“If situation is so bad in Kishtwar that inhabitants of far-flung areas are on the verge of starvation”, feared Shakir Saddiqui, president of the Kishtwar Welfare Association, who has been leading the agitation to restore ration supply in the town. He pointed out that for the past some days, roads connected to far-flung areas had been closed.

It is worthwhile to mention that the government had admitted on the floor of the Legislative Assembly that the three districts of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban, besides parts of Udhampur and Kathua districts, were facing the worst drought of the century. Even Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had promised that the government would provide free ration for three months to the people.

Jammu, January 17
After Congress veteran Parduman Singh brought to fore miserable plight of displaced families from Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) during 1965 Indo-Pak war, minister of state for revenue Aijaz Ahmad Khan dished out the coalition government’s keenness to make rehabilitation process more comprehensive.

Responding to Singh’s supplementaries during Question Hour in upper house today, Khan said, “Wadhwa Commission recommendations regarding rehabilitation of migrant families of 1965 war from PoK are being implemented in letter and spirit.”

“However, the government is keen to make the rehabilitation process more comprehensive by including in it the affected people of all the three regions,” he added.

He said, “About 15,000 families migrated to this side of the state during 1965 war but no proper survey has yet been conducted to ascertain total strength of such families.”

He said, “They were uprooted from Chhamb area and settled in camps set up by the government at Krishanpur Manwal and Shallen in Udhampur.”

“Majority of them went back to their respective places after the war was over. However, those who opted to stay in J&K have been allotted agricultural land,” he added.

Trying to paint a rosy picture, he said, “Now they are permanent residents of the state. They are eligible to get permanent resident certificates and are well settled in Jammu and Kashmir.”

“However, proprietary rights on allotted state land are yet to be extended to these families at par with the other displaced families who had come from PoK in 1947 and 1971,” he said, adding “their issue is under examination of the government.”

Jammu, January 17
After remaining silent for sometime on the issue of troop reduction from the state and revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the coalition partner today raised the issue again and said that to bring peace back in the trouble-torn valley these measures were necessary.

PDP president and member, Parliament, Mehbooba Mufti while addressing a daylong convention of party workers in Akhnoor, Mehabooba said, “keeping in view the larger interest of the people of the state, the government of India has to move ahead and show some political courage on the measures of troops reduction and revocation of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA)”

She said, “We strongly believe that an amicable solution of the Kashmir problem lies in democratic and political means and the use of force is no substitute for a policy of engagement, dialogue and reconciliation.”

She said that her party would pursue its agenda of encouraging the course of dialogue and reconciliation and translate its philosophy of healing touch into concrete measures for the general relief and betterment of the people in all the regions of the state.

She said that the most effective security system in the state would only be provided if the people of the state were given a chance to do so.

“It is a pity that even after 60 years of independence, democratic institutions in the state have to seek shelter under the law enforcing agencies for their survival.” she said.

Jammu, January 17
Former education minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed today claimed that a conspiracy has been hatched to defame him, his party and the coalition government, of which he was a minister.

Making a statement in the lower house, Peerzada described the sitting legislator Shoaib Lone’s allegations against him as an attempt to defame him and the Congress, which had been heading the coalition government.

Peerzada said, “His (Lone’s) action deserved privilege motion because it amounts to breach of privilege. However, to ensure impartial probe I not only refrained from bringing the privilege motion, but I have also resigned from the government and the party.”

Giving details of Lone’s file, which had come to him, Peerzada said, “After finding the papers up to the mark, I disposed it off within two hours the day (June 22, 2007) it came to me.” “Where comes the question of accepting the bribe,” he added.

“I also fail to understand what prompted the member to come up with these allegations after seven months despite the fact that he didn’t come up with anything like this in the last Assembly session held in Srinagar,” he said.

Jammu, January 17
After creating ripples in the state politics by allegedly accusing minister for education and PCC chief Peerzada Mohammed Sayeed of corruption, Shoaib Lone today said he would not have named Peerzada, had his wife not called his (Shoiab’s) mother and threatened her.

Addressing a press conference Shoaib said, “I would not have given the name of the minister (Peerzada) had his wife not called my mother and threatened her of dire consequences.”

Adding he said, “She said her husband was a powerful politician and could do anything.”

He said it was only after the phone call that he decided to disclose the name to the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. “I did not make the name public I wrote it on a piece of paper and handed it over to the Chief Minister.” he added. Shoaib said he was ready to face any consequences but was not ready to give up to what, he said, was an attempt to “eradicate political corruption” from the state.

Terming the state civil secretariat as a “shopping mall” he said, “The civil secretariat has become a shopping mall as even elected representatives are not spared as bribe is demanded and taken as well.”

He said Altaf (driver) deputed with Peerzada’s wife had demanded money from him for passing the file on the behest of his (Peerzada’s) wife.

“As the driver was known to me because of his past affiliation with my father, I called him after I was told by Peerzada’s special secretary that my file stands rejected. Then I asked Altaf to request the minister to pass my case,” he added.

Shoaib alleged that since the day he had exposed Peerzada’s name, he had been facing numerous problems.

“They have been creating problems for me, after I exposed the name of Peerzada,” he said.

Adding he said, “The Chief Minister is also annoyed with him and I fear they would remove me from the associate membership of their party.” He said he never wanted Peerzada to resign from his post, but his resignation proved that he was guilty.”

“I never wanted his resignation. I should also be punished and I will also resign but only after he himself resigns from the house,” he said.

Replying to a question for the reason behind not raising the issue in the last Assembly session held in Srinagar he said, “I could not raise the issue because I had submitted a question in the house regarding the killing of my father who was a minister of state. I was told by the Speaker that the government was not ready with an answer, but now the government has ordered a CBI enquiry into the killing. Let the truth come out,” he added.

Jammu, January 17
Minister of state for power Babu Singh has assured to adopt available options to improve power scenario in the Kashmir valley.

Responding to the concern expressed by opposition legislators during Zero Hour in lower house here today, Babu Singh said efforts were underway to restore and ensure scheduled power supply in the valley.

He admitted that power supplies got affected due to recent heavy rains and snowfall. “I have already issued strong directions to the officials to restore supplies and after examining status report I would personally visit the affected areas,” he said.

Earlier, legislators Qaiser Jamsheed Lone, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Zahoor Ahmad and Abdul Rehman Veeri had drawn the attention of the government towards acute power crisis in valley where sub-zero temperature and missing power have been causing immense hardships to the people.

Responding to another issue, minister for health and medical education Mangat Ram Sharma said the government would consider strengthening district hospital Anantnag and upgrade Primary Health Center at Hazratbal as early as possible.

To the demand of creating more administrative units, Sharma said, “The government also intends to create more units in the state but after receiving recommendations of the Bloeria Commission.”

Jammu, January 17
State BJP president Ashok Khajuria today asked Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to drop all tainted ministers, including those indicted by the Jammu and Kashmir State Accountability Commission (JKSAC) and the Kundal Committee.

Addressing mediapersons Khajuria said, “If Azad wants to cleanse the system he should drop all tainted ministers from the state Cabinet.”

“Not only this, criminal proceedings against each of them should be initiated so as to send a right signal to the people,” he added.

Referring to the rot prevailing in bureaucracy, Khajuria said, “The Chief Minister should tighten the noose around corrupt bureaucrats, who continue to plunder the state coffers,” adding, “It is a well-known fact that certain ministers, bureaucrats, builders and police officers are working in unison to loot the public money.”

Switching over to the Delimitation Commission, he said, “It is really unfortunate that the Congress despite its commitment, including the issue in the common minimum programme (CMP) has backtracked.”

“It is disgusting that health minister Mangat Ram Sharma who had assured the lower  house that the government would introduce a Bill in the current  session, still clings on to the ministerial post despite the fact that the Chief Minister had  virtually snubbed him on the floor of the house for making such a  commitment,” Khajuria said.

“Such an attack on the state legislature can  happen only in the state where opportunists and selfish elements have joined hands to  pursue their interests at the cost of people,” he added.

He said people had seen the real face of the Congress-led coalition government in the state. “They (people) know that they have no place in the coalition government’s scheme of things.”

He said people would oust the Congress and its allies besides, the National Conference in the next Assembly elections.

Udhampur, January 17
As the drop out cases among females have been on the rise in the district, artistes have come forward to educate the people about the importance of female education.

Director, Natrang Theatre Group, Balwant Thakur presented a Dogri drama titled “Suno Aeh Kahani” based on the theme of educating the girl child at Government High School, Thalora, a remote village in Majalata tehsil of Udhampur district.

Through the play, artistes educated the people about the importance of imparting education to girls. The staff and students of the adjoining government and private schools, including Government Higher Secondary School, Kathar; Higher Secondary, Manwal; KMP School, Manwal; Braham Rishi, Bhanwra and a large number of people were also present on the occasion.

The drama with a perfect combination of humour, innocence, literacy and girl child marriage mesmerised the audience. People demanded that such educative dramas should be held in the district.

Balwant Thakur said his artistes had presented the drama at the National Open Air Theatre Festival in Kolkata and since then over 200 plays had been organised in the state and at the national and international-level.

Director, Vardan Theatre Group, Bodh Raj appreciated the efforts of Balwant Thakur in organising the drama at Thalora.

Jammu, January 17
Presenting his budget proposals in the state assembly here yesterday, finance minister Tariq Hameed Karra gave fringe relief to Basmati rice exporters and to dealers in soaps and optical goods.

While accepting a long pending demand of rice growers in R.S. Pora sector, considered to be Jammu's Basmati bowl, the finance minister has proposed to exempt export of Basmati from the levy of additional toll tax. This would benefit not only the growers but also the exporters, who have been competing with the producers of Basmati rice in Karnal of Haryana.

Another fringe benefit has been given to those who deal in sale of optical goods, including spectacles and handmade and machine made soaps. These products have been included in four per cent rate schedule under VAT.

The finance minister has proposed to levy one-way toll tax at Lakhanpur on such vehicles, which cross the toll post and return on the same day within 24 hours.

Karra has also proposed to earmark Rs five lakh for the purchase of one ambulance for the civil secretariat and another sum of Rs five lakh for the purchase of medicines in the secretariat dispensary. He has also proposed to allot Rs five crore for purchasing 20 fire tenders as the number of such tenders had depleted in 
the state. 

Udhampur, January 17
Congress workers in Ramnagar have expressed their anguish over an on-going development work in the area. They demanded fresh survey of the road from Basinta village to Pingal village.

They alleged that instead of taking problems of villagers into consideration, the authorities are taking sides with the contractors, who want the road to pass through the forest. They pointed out that wrong survey was conducted only to benefit the contractors.