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Cong struggles to name Deputy CM
No decision yet on pulling out of UPA
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BJP introspects defeat in Udhampur
Spadework begins for 5 more IRP battalions
MC lacks adequate garbage-lifting machinery
Kashmiri hawkers unaffected by Amarnath land row
PPP chief War’s detention quashed
Erratic power aggravates winter blues
Snow cuts off Ladakh
Resentment over police inaction
2 terrorists shot in Sopore
Protest against Israeli attacks
Geelani put under house arrest
School timings changed
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Cong struggles to name Deputy CM
Jammu, January 2 Now that a decision has been reached between the two parties that there would be no rotation of chief ministership and the Congress would have its Deputy CM, the issue gains all the more significance for the party. Among the front-runners are former Speaker Tara Chand, who retained his Chhamb Assembly seat, and Chodhary Aslam, former state Congress chief and Gujjar leader who got elected from Surankote in Poonch district of Jammu province. Though a senior Congress leader from Jammu, Mangat Ram Sharma, who was the Deputy CM during the first three years of the previous Congress-PDP regime, has lost the election, his name is also doing the rounds. Sharma suffered a humiliating defeat and was pushed to the third spot by Independent candidate Surinder Singh Shingari, from the Jammu West seat, which was won by senior BJP leader Chaman Lal Gupta. Many senior Congress leaders, including Sharma, sitting MP Lal Singh, and former ministers Gulchain Singh Charak, Gharu Ram, Mula Ram and Suman Lata Bhagat, had lost the elections, putting the Congress in a dilemma regarding the choice of candidate for the Deputy CM’s post. Political observers feel that the Congress would be looking for a Hindu candidate from the Jammu region for the key post so as to recover ground it lost to the BJP in the aftermath of the Amarnath land agitation. In such a scenario among the MLAs Tara Chand is certainly the front-runner. However, his alleged involvement in the sex scandal may pose a hindrance in his appointment. The other two MLAs from the Congress’ traditional base in Hindu-dominated areas in Jammu are Sham Lal Sharma, brother of sitting Congress MP Madan Lal Sharma, from Akhnoor and Raman Bhalla, who won the Gandhi Nagar Assembly seat. Meanwhile, in an interesting development, speculations are rife that former chief secretary B.R. Kundal, who took premature retirement to join the previous Congress-PDP regime as Revenue Minister, is also in the race. Kundal remained a minister only for a few days, as the Azad government fell on July 7 last year following the withdrawal of support by the PDP in view of the Amarnath land row. |
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No decision yet on pulling out of UPA
Srinagar, January 2 Talking to mediapersons after the day-long legislature party meeting here today, the PDP patron said the new coalition arrangement was the discretion of the Congress. “We have to choose our path. Our political agenda is clear… I do not think it has any compatibility with that of the UPA”, he said. He said his party had to struggle with the Congress on the agenda even within the UPA over the years. Referring to the PDP’s agenda for self-rule, reduction of troops and revocation of AFSPA, the Mufti said his party had to carry forward its agenda. The agenda, he said, was an open book a copy of which had been submitted to the Prime Minister. Mufti Sayeed pointed out that the PDP provided a credible regional alternative in the state which got an increased number of seats and vote percentage during the recent elections. He held his party emerged victorious with two seats in the Jammu region this time, while six other seats in Kashmir were lost by a “very thin margin”. The former Chief Minister held that the Amarnath land row that created a wedge between the two coalition partners had also damaged the party in the recent elections. Earlier, addressing the newly elected legislators Mufti Sayeed said the people had given mandate to the PDP agenda that reflected their true aspirations. “The PDP has laid a clear roadmap for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue in its self-rule document that has been substantively endorsed by the people”, he told the meeting. Having rejected violence, people of Jammu and Kashmir have reposed their faith in peaceful and democratic means for the resolution of their problems and this momentous transformation had to be respected and responded with substantive measures by New Delhi. Delhi should re-initiate an inclusive dialogue process. |
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BJP introspects defeat in Udhampur
Udhampur, January 2 Following dismal performance of the BJP in this district, party leaders have decided to convene a meeting to deliberate over the issue to find out why the party has lost key constituencies like Udhampur and Chenani. “It was all due to the wrong selection of candidates that the party lost all three seats of Udhampur district,” said a senior BJP leader, adding that, “Leaders sitting at New Delhi are not aware of the ground realities so they gave party mandate to weak candidates who miserably failed to consolidate even the traditional vote bank of the party. Sources in the BJP disclosed that after defeat of the party, senior leaders have admitted that wrong distribution of the party mandate was one and only reason for this defeat. “Victory of party was almost on Udhampur and Chenani seats, but fielding of weak candidates spoilt all efforts of the party workers who had created a wave in the favour of the BJP,” another senior leader said and added that it was high time for the decision makers of the party to accept the ground situation in this belt. BJP candidate Pawan Gupta got more than 22,000 votes from Udhampur seat but he failed to snatch this seat from sitting Panthers Party MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia who secured more than 24,000 votes-braving anti-incumbency factor. At the Ramban Assembly segment BJP candidate Rakesh Kumar got only 828 votes despite being the fact that this area witnessed massive protest during Amarnath land agitation. “Genuine and deserving candidates were ignored and weak candidates were imposed on the workers,” a party functionary said and shifted all blames on the party leadership for debacle of the BJP in Udhampur district. Insiders in the party told The Tribune that the RSS leaders had cautioned the party against fielding weak candidates, but the BJP leadership had ignored suggestions of the Sangh Parivar. “Udhampur which was considered as bastion of erstwhile the Jan Sangh and the BJP has now turned into a stronghold of the Panthers Party,” admitted a senior RSS leader, who shifted all blames on some, what he called, “arrogant” the BJP leaders who have grown bigger than the organisation. |
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Bill for Delimitation of Constituencies
Jammu, January 2 "Our party will support the NC-Congress government if it brings a bill for delimitation of the assembly constituencies in the state," senior BJP leader and MLA from Jammu West Chaman Lal Gupta told reporters in Jammu. He said during NC rule the Assembly had passed a law under which the delimitation of assembly constituencies could not be held till 2026. "It was a conspiracy against the people of Jammu in which no delimitation could be held till 2026, but it could stretch up to 2036,"he said. The BJP leader said: "This has led to injustice with Jammu province which has more population and area but only 37 assembly seats as compared to the Kashmir valley which has 46 assembly seats with less population and area". "This is evident from the fact that 21 lakh persons voted to elect 37 MLAs and only 17 lakh to elect 46, Gupta said. Gupta said the decision on the leader of the BJP group would be taken by the party high command on January 4. Gupta also cautioned the National Conference about the Congress, saying that in the past the latter had always ditched the NC when they formed an alliance in the state. |
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Spadework begins for 5 more IRP battalions
Jammu, January 2 Official sources told The Tribune that the recruitment process would begin after the new NC-Congress coalition government assumes office. They said the new battalions would serve the dual purpose of providing employment to the unemployed youth of border areas, besides tackling militancy. With militancy already ebbing, the five IRP battalions too would be utilised in counter-insurgency operations, the sources added. A senior officer of the counter-insurgency wing said the minimum educational qualification for the posts of constable would be lowered to Class VIII from matric so as to absorb an optimum number of semi-literate youths from border areas. “Maximum number of absorbed youths would be deployed to combat insurgency,” he said. It may be stated here that Chief Minister-designate Omar Abdullah and NC patron Farooq Abdullah during their election campaigns had promised to people that their government would lower the qualification bar to Class VIII. He said DGP Kuldeep Khoda and the two IGs of Kashmir and Jammu regions would supervise the entire recruitment process. He added that 5,035 posts would be created for these battalions, including 20 of SPs, 35 DSP, 40 inspectors, 135 SIs, 115 ASIs, 820 head constables, 3,505 constables and 335 followers. After former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had taken up the matter with former Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, the proposal had been stuck with the UPA government for quite some time because of financial implications, he said. He added that some funds had to come from New Delhi, but the salary component had to be borne by the state and hence the delay. Buoyed over job avenues eventually coming his way, Pawan Singh, a matriculate from Ala village, near border in Bishnah tehsil, said he had no land to cultivate and had been doing petty jobs to support his family. “I am waiting eagerly for the recruitment drive so as to earn two square meals for my family,” he added. It may be mentioned here that the border villages in Jammu have a large number of unemployed youths, who in the absence of proper jobs take up petty jobs. Meanwhile, militancy activities in the state witnessed a declining trend in 2008. An official report said compared to 2007, militancy had come down by 39 per cent, killings of civilians by 41 per cent and of security forces by 31 per cent in 2008. |
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MC lacks adequate garbage-lifting machinery
Jammu, January 2 There are only 70 garbage-lifting vehicles and some garbage-handling equipment available with the corporation. According to sources, the immediate requirement of vehicle machinery includes 10 tippers, one front-end loader, two dumper placer vehicles, one loader excavator, five Tata ACE and 100 dumper placer bins. Besides, there is also a requirement for one recovery vehicle, one cattle lifting vehicle, one electric platform with sky lifting system and two cab/crew vehicles. “We are facing shortage of machinery for lifting and dumping of garbage. We have been sending applications to the commissioner of the corporation from time to time but he has not bothered about it,” a JMC official on condition of anonymity said, adding that “we have to collect about 300 metric tones of garbage every day. For that we have only 70 garbage-lifting vehicles.” Expressing disappointment over the lack of proper dumping place, he said along with these vehicles, there was also immediate requirement for a proper dumping place. The authorities concerned should look into the matter. “In the absence of a proper dumping place, we dump the garbage into the Tawi bed,” he said, adding that “The JMC is also facing an acute shortage of manpower. Along with 70 operational staff, we have only 85 labourers. They are day labourers who are being paid Rs 70 per day for their work.” Appealing to the masses, he said: “Those who have municipal garbage bins in their areas should utilise them instead of dumping garbage into open plots. People should not through domestic waste into the nallahs as it obstructs free flow of water.” |
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Kashmiri hawkers unaffected by Amarnath land row
Jammu, January 2 Though initially a very few hawkers from Kashmir were seen during the month of November and December, with the increasing cold wave in north India the business of Kashmiri ‘gabbas’ and ‘namdas’ has picked up in Jammu. Kashmiri hawkers are seen dotting every street of the city now with the woollens. Mohammad Ashraf, a hawker and resident of Anantnag said, “I came a month late to Jammu this year for two reasons. Firstly, there was disturbance in the state and secondly elections were held during November and December and I had to cast my vote in the
valley.” “The sale of ‘gabbas’ has picked up during the last one week. Because of the cold wave people have started purchasing woollens quickly,” he added. Mohammad Ameen, another hawker of the same district said, “People purchase ‘namdas’ and ‘gabbas’ as these are cheaper than carpets and are affordable by every household. We have regular customers to whom we sell shawls, ‘gabbas’, Kashmiri dresses
and warm flooring every year.” |
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PPP chief War’s detention quashed
Srinagar, January 2 Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir directed the authorities to release War if he was not wanted in any other case. The order came after Justice Mir heard arguments from both sides. War, who is suffering from eye and kidney problems, was detained under the PSA for his alleged role in the bomb blast at Batmaloo bus stand in which four labourers from Bihar were killed in July last year. The PPP chairman had asked people from other states, allegedly involved in criminal activities, to leave the valley a week before the blast. However, he had said outsiders, particularly students and professionals, were welcome in the valley.
— UNI |
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Erratic power aggravates winter blues
Srinagar, January 2 There is no relief to common masses more so during the wintry days and chilly nights. The Power Development Department had agreed to provide round the clock power supply to fully metered areas, but that is not happening. Unscheduled cuts are going on in such areas and in non-metered areas the average daily cut reaches to about 12 hours a day. “Unscheduled power cuts create immense problems as we are caught unaware and have to look for alternative arrangements. It turns everything topsy-turvy and it gets very difficult to move around in dark,” says Mohammad Faizan, a resident of Sadrabal-Hazratbal, a metered area. Shabnam Bano, a resident of Padshahi Bagh, a non-metered area says that apart from load shedding they face irregular power cuts almost every alternate day. Syed Aftab Ahmad, chief engineer, Maintenance and Rural Electrification (M&RE) Power Development Department, says that the department is able to meet the energy requirements. |
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Snow cuts off Ladakh
Leh, January 2 The entire reaches of the region were clad with snow. However, the upper reaches received heavy snowfall. Various regions of Ladakh also remained cut off with district headquarters Leh due to the closure of Khardong-la and Chang-la passes. With winter progressing in Ladakh, the minimum temperature dipped to 16°C below the freezing point today. To get potable water, people are heating tapes and the prices of fuel and wood, which are the only options for beating the cold, are surging. However, people here have welcomed the first major snowfall of the season, as it is the only source of water in summer. |
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Resentment over police inaction
Udhampur, January 2 A deputation of the Kishtwar residents today called on senior officers and asked them to expedite the process to recover the stolen idol to revive the confidence of the minority community in this belt. A black-stone idol of Goddess Kali worth over Rs 1 crore was stolen from a temple in Chatroo tehsil of Kishtwar district last week. Though the police has registered a case in this regard, no arrest has been made
so far. According to the police, some unidentified persons broke open the lock of the unguarded temple and stole the idol. The temple, from where the idol was stolen, was a most revered shrine in Kishtwar and adjoining localities. This was the second time when the same idol has been stolen from the temple. |
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2 terrorists shot in Sopore
Srinagar, January 2 Acting on a specific information about the presence of militants, the police, CRPF and 22 RR of the Army cordoned off Bhat Mohalla, Botengoo, in the Watlab area. An encounter ensued while searches were being launched in the area, resulting in the death of two militants of the HuM, the police here said. One of the slain militants has been identified as Bilal Ahmad Malla of the same area while other’s identity was being established. Two AK rifles, six magazines and 105 rounds of ammunition were seized from the site of the encounter. A defence spokesman said one of those killed in the encounter belonged to the Hizbul Mujahideen. |
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Protest against Israeli attacks
Srinagar, January 2 In his Friday congregation address at Jamia Masjid here, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said despite the UN resolutions over “long pending Palestine and Kashmir issues”, no serious efforts were being taken. He lamented that the UN, the USA and other powerful countries were silent spectators to the ongoing rocket and missile attacks on Palestinians. Mirwaiz sought an autonomous Palestine for restoration of peace in the West Asia and also resolution of Kashmir issue in accordance with the aspirations of its people, for peace in South Asia. The PDP has also condemned the Israeli aggression. |
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Geelani put under house arrest
Srinagar, January 2 A spokesman of the HC said Geelani was scheduled to offer Friday prayers at Sopore, his hometown. He said a large number of CRPF and state police personnel had been deployed outside his Hyderpora house on Airport road since last evening. Geelani was informed that he had been put under house arrest. This was for the second time in this week that Geelani was put under house arrest.
— UNI |
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School timings changed
Jammu, January 2 The order further says that action under rules would be initiated against those educational institutions, which are found violating the order. |
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