The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Blast at court complex, cop hurt Srinagar, February 22 Normal work in the Srinagar lower courts was disrupted, after a blast in heavily guarded court complex near here, left a Jammu and Kashmir police official wounded this afternoon. The Jammu and Kashmir Bar Association (JKBA) has demanded immediate shifting of all lower courts, housing in the buildings, majority of which have been declared unsafe some decades ago. The blast took place in “Mohala Khana,” a room on the ground floor, where police kept all seized goods, including arms and ammunition, gold and charas and brown sugar, when a number of courts in the first and second storey of the same building were holding normal work. The JKBA president Nazir Ahmad Ronga demanding immediate shifting of Mohala Khana from the building which is made of wood. Had the fire not been controlled in time, it would have caused much damage to the entire complex, which also houses a number of courts. Ronga said a large number of people, besides judges and lawyers were present in the court when the blast took place. He said despite repeated pleas by Bar and the prosecuting officers, the authorities had failed to shift the Mohala Khana. Ronga said a number of buildings, also housing courts in the complex were declared unsafe several decades ago by the experts. He alleged that government was not taking any interest to built courts at Bemina where 200 kanals of land had been acquired in 1996. It took only a year or so to identify, acquire land and construct courts in Jammu, he said. Though the Bar is not against development across the Banihal, but at the same we expect government to give people of Kashmir their share. He reiterated that Bar will continue to support the freedom struggle launched by the people in the state, but at the same time it will highlight the step motherly treatment of the government towards the people of Kashmir. He said the people attending lower and high courts are facing lot of problems. They had to park their vehicles outside the court complex while in Jammu everyone can take his vehicle inside the complex. We do not have proper seating facility or urinals in the court here, he said adding women too had to face problems because of lack of such facilities. He said the Bar will soon launch an agitation against the state government step motherly treatment towards the people of valley who are paying Rs one crore as stamp duty and other taxes daily in the Kashmir courts. — UNI
	Can Soz balance equation between Azad, PDP? Vimal Sumbly Tribune News Service Jammu, February 22 When Saif-ud-din Soz was appointed the president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee it was understandable that he would have a cordial relationship with the People's Democratic Party (PDP). Immediately after taking over as the PCC chief, Soz hardly left anybody in doubt about his agenda of forging a close cordial relationship with the PDP. An interesting situation has already emerged in the state. The Congress and the PDP are running a coalition government in the state, which is led by Ghulam Nabi Azad. However, from the day one Azad did not enjoy very good relationship with the PDP for various reasons. Because it was Azad, who insisted that the Congress should take over the reins of the state under the power sharing agreement. Otherwise a section within the Congress had favoured continuing the alliance under PDP leadership and Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. The PDP never forgave Azad and always tried to keep him on the tenterhooks. Meanwhile Azad strengthened his already good relationship with the opposition National Conference. And the NC stood by Azad at all times, practically cornering the PDP on each and every issue. However, with Soz in the party saddle now, the situation seems to have reversed now. Soz is an NC rebel having been expelled from the party in 1999 when he defied the party whip in vote of confidence motion in the Parliament and voted against the NDA government, which eventually led to the defeat of the government. His aversion for the NC is quite natural. And here he finds common cause with the PDP, which has understandably hailed his appointment as the PCC chief. The PDP has been strongly demanding the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the state. Soz seconded the suggestion saying he has always felt that the local police was better placed than the Army to tackle such situations. Contrary to this, Azad has strongly been resisting any move to withdraw Army from the civilian areas. Besides, he has always held that the militancy has to be tackled firmly and that too without any concessions. It was Soz, who managed to bring the Hurriyat Conference to talk to the Prime Minister. There are other things, particularly Soz’s stand on greater autonomy to the state that goes contrary to the Congress policy. Soz, when he was in NC, had written a book making a strong case for greater autonomy to state. Yesterday he said he still held the same views as this was within the provisions of the Constitution of India. Soz is known to be a soft-spoken person, who likes to evolve consensus. However, under the current circumstances he may find it difficult to draw a balance between the PDP and Azad. This may also reflect in overall functioning of the government and the party in the crucial election year and that too in the backdrop of the reports that his appointment as the PCC president and his proximity to the party president, might lead to another power centre within the state Congress.
	Disabled soldier wins pension battle Legal Correspondent Jammu, February 22 Dismissing the appeal of Union of India, against the judgment of single judge, a Division Bench today held rifleman Ravinder Kumar entitled to disability pension. Kumar was enrolled in the Army on March 14, 1998 and after basic military training was posted as rifleman (sepoy) in 18 JAK Rifles. After some time he was invalided out of service on being placed in low medical category by a Release Medical Board. The plea of Kumar for grant of disability pension was rejected on the grounds that disease was neither attributable to nor aggravated by military service. Appeal before the ministry of defence also met the fate of rejection. However, Writ Court allowed the petition holding Kumar entitled to disability pension. V.K. Magoo, advocate, appearing for Union of India argued that appellant was not entitled to disability pension as per opinion of Medical Board. B. S. Slathia, advocate appearing for Kumar contended that since no disease was detected at the time of induction of respondent into service, as such, he is presumed to be physically fit. The Bench, comprising Justice Virender Singh and Justice Y.P. Nargotra, dismissing the appeal observed that “ordinarily if disease led to discharge of individual it shall be deemed to have arisen in service if no note on it was made at the time of individual’s acceptance for military service.” “An exception is carved out if medical opinion holds that disease could not have been detected by Medical Examination Board prior to acceptance for service, the disease would not be deemed to have arisen during service,” it added.
	Scheme to rehabilitate kin of slain ultras draws flak Tribune News Service Jammu, February 22 The coalition government’s proposed rehabilitation package for the kin of slain militants’ has drawn flak from unemployed youth, officials of security forces and political outfits, who have described it as a well-conceived game plan of the present dispensation in the backdrop of the coming Assembly elections. Under the Centre’s surrender policy, militants in the state had been enjoying a fixed deposit of Rs 1.50 lakh and a monthly remuneration of Rs 2,000 each. Talking to The Tribune, an unemployed youth, Abhimanyu Sharma said, “After wasting my time on studies I have no job to support my family. Being the eldest of five siblings, I curse myself for not being able to support my old father, who retired as a clerk from the Public Works Department, a couple of years back.” A young widow of a CRPF jawan, on the condition of anonymity said, “My husband sacrificed his life fighting militants in Kupwara. Why soldiers are being taken for granted if the government had to entertain militants and their families.” A senior Army officer said, “It is nothing but a political stunt. If New Delhi concedes the demand of the coalition government, then 32 insurgent groups in the north-east may also force the government to announce a similar package for their families. It is not the government’s job to look after the kith and kin of slain militants,” he said. Panthers Party leader Harsh Dev Singh said, “The state government should accord priority to issues haunting nationalist people than appeasing the perpetrators of violence.”
	Mineral wealth lies untapped M.L. Kak Jammu, February 22 Due to lack of technology-based strategy, state government agencies have not been able to exploit a large number of mineral resources available in the state. It is learnt that the government had encouraged cooperation between the public and the private sector for enhancing the level of extraction of mineral wealth, but so far, not much progress has been made. Official reports revealed that the state had over 18 different minerals which, when extracted, could be used by various industries. The report also indicated that the state had over 5,000 million tonnes of limestone present in all districts except Jammu, Doda and Poonch. This limestone is used in cement factories and those manufacturing calcium carbide and iron. Similarly there were over 162 million tonnes of gypsum used for manufacturing cement, paint, fertiliser etc. Kupwara was the only district in the state where 405 million tonnes of marble could be extracted. There were several thousand million tonnes of granite, coal, sapphire, bauxite and other mineral resources in the state. During the past five years, state agencies along with some private entrepreneurs have improved their extraction programme. As such the mineral revenue collected by the Directorate of Geology and Mining in the form of royalty has risen from Rs 822.62 lakh in 2005-2006 to Rs 1003.54 lakh in 2007. Official sources said state agencies extracted minerals to the value of Rs 47.92 crore during 2006-2007, which was higher by over Rs 12 crore during the past two years. They said much more was needed for increasing the level of extraction of major minerals which could strengthen the industrial base in the state. At present, a large number of industries had to bank on imported raw materials which pushed up the cost of production.
	Pak ‘Elephant’ to cement ties with India Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, February 22 Though the trans-border trade with Pakistan is yet to begin, Pakistan’s “Elephant” - export quality cement - has already trudged into the state, hoping to convert a long cherished dream into a reality. Manufactured in Pakistan, Elephant cement has India’s quality control authority “ISI” marking. It would soon be available in the state as Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has embarked upon an infrastructure raising spree in all sectors. It may be mentioned that Pakistan had a surplus of over six million tonnes of cement, while India’s fast booming infrastructure faced a shortage of 12 million tonnes. Talking to The Tribune, the franchisee for Jammu and Kashmir, Mohammed Ahmed Kamli said, “The export quality cement is being manufactured by D.G. Khan, a reputed name in the cement sector in Pakistan and is also being exported to Gulf countries.” “Being imported via Wagah border, it is an OBC 53 grade cement, which is cheaper than other Indian brands by Rs 35,” he added. The proprietor of United Builtech-AB, Kamli informed that around 50,000 bags had already been sold in the state.
	BPL families to get kerosene Tribune News Service Jammu, February 22 In a bid to ensure a viable long-term pricing policy for kerosene in the state, minister for consumer affairs and public distribution Taj Mohi-ud-Din today chaired a high-level meeting of officials and representatives of different oil companies. Discussions were held on various aspects so as to ensure availability of kerosene in the market on genuine rates. It was also decided that kerosene would be provided to the below poverty line (BPL) families on the basis of smart cards. Taj Mohi-ud-Din also discussed the procedures for raising requisite infrastructure and development of required dealership network for storage and sale of kerosene in the open market. He said a system should be put in place which met the requirements of consumer card holders located in villages, rural and far-flung areas. He added this would ensure that non-Public Distribution System beneficiaries could conveniently procure kerosene oil as per their requirement.
	Govt to set up more ITIs Srinagar, February 22 Minister for technical education and sports Haji Nissar Ali today said the government planned to set up new Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in the state. During an inspection at the Government Women Polytechnic College at Bemina, Ali said the Central Government had provided Rs 37 crore to be utilised for basic infrastructure and necessary machinery in these institutions. He said there were 25 ITIs in the valley, including six institutions exclusively for women where vocational training was imparted in motor mechanic, automobile, radio, TV mechanic, cutting and tailoring, plumber, electrician, stenography, typing, leather, textile industries and carpentry. As many as 2,780 seats were being made available for admission in these institutes annually in various trades, he added. — PTI
	Infiltration bid foiled Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 22 The Army has foiled an infiltration bid, the first of its kind this year making use of heavy snowfall, when it killed two armed infiltrators in Keran sector of LoC in Kupwara district of North Kashmir early this morning. A defence spokesman said here that this was the first attempt by militants to infiltrate this year making use of heavy snowfall. He added that troops of 12 Mahar spotted two militants trying to infiltrate through Rattapar Nar in Keran sector of Kupwara district in the wee hours today.
	Kashmiri Pandits seek probe Tribune News Service Jammu, February 22 Displaced Kashmiri Pandits in Kupwara district have alleged that there was a subtle move to grab the temple property located in the heart of the town. In a representation to the deputy commissioner, Kupwara, Kashmiri pandits alleged that the temple property was deliberately set on fire which also damaged a hall and some shops. Chand Kumar Kaw, a Kupwara resident and living in Jammu, alleged that the authorities were trying to hush up the matter.