Akhnoor, January 15
A day after Union Home Secretary GK Pillai’s statement that the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir will be reduced by 25 per cent, the GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Lt-Gen KT Parnaik, said today that it was not the “right time” to think about thinning the troops in the state.

He also made it clear that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was a necessity for the forces to effectively combat Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.

“The relocation of troops is always based on conditions that exist on the ground. It is a dynamic process vis-à-vis the situation, which keeps changing. I don’t think it is the right time for reducing the troops,” Lt-Gen Parnaik said while addressing mediapersons on the sidelines of an investiture ceremony here today.

Lt-Gen Parnaik’s comments came close on the heels of Army Chief Gen VK Singh’s reaction to Pillai’s statement at a seminar in New Delhi.

The Army Chief had yesterday said in New Delhi that the Army, which had been guarding the border and fighting terrorists, could not afford to reduce its troops in the restive state. On the AFSPA, Lt-Gen Parnaik categorically made it clear that the security forces needed a legal cover to effectively fight terrorism. “The stand of the Army is clear. Under demanding situations the AFSPA is necessary, as it gives protection to the security forces,” he said. “Though a committee has been constituted to look into the issue, it will be in the interest of the security forces if the AFSPA is not removed at the moment,” he added.

On the reported Chinese incursions in the Ladakh region, Lt-Gen Parnaik said, “The Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China has not been specifically demarcated and, therefore, there are different perceptions of the LAC. India and China should talk on the issue.”

He described the reported incidents of Chinese incursion as transgression in the absence of a specifically demarcated border. The ITBP and the Army were at the LAC and whenever there was any confusion they held flag meetings with China. It was not an issue of grave concern, Lt-Gen Parnaik said.

On the BJP’s proposed yatra to hoist the National Flag at Lal Chowk on January 26, he said, “It is a state subject and responsibility of the police and the state government. But if the Army is called out, we will take action in the best interest of the state and the country”.

On the Machhil encounter vis-à-vis Army chief VK Singh’s remarks that the legal system in Kashmir was under pressure and the Army’s request of a fair trial, Lt-Gen Parnaik said there was a legal provision and hence the Army could request the courts. “It is not happening for the first time but the final decision rests with the Centre,” he added.

Akhnoor, January 15
On the occasion of Army Day, gallantry and distinguished service awards were given to 62 soldiers of the Northern Command at an investiture ceremony held at the Sangha Auditorium of the Crossed Swords Division here today.

The GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Lt-Gen KT Parnaik, presented 57 Sena Medals (gallantry) and five Vishisht Seva Medals to the soldiers. The Appreciation Cards of GOC-in-Chief, Northern Command, were also presented to 22 units from different arms and services that excelled in their respective operational duties last year.

After presenting the awards, Lt-Gen Parnaik recalled the sacrifices made by his men and also had a word of praise for soldiers and officers injured during various operations. “I have fixed five priorities of guarding the borders, operational readiness, peace in J&K, close coordination with other paramilitary forces and civil administration and the wellbeing of my men and their families,” he added.

“During my tenure, I will ensure the readiness for undertaking operations anytime, anywhere and restore peace in the state wherein law-abiding citizens will be dealt with a soft approach while ultras will be dealt with strictly,” he said.

Lt-Gen Parnaik commended the men in olive for their dedication and devotion towards duty in the highest tradition of the Army and congratulated those who had been awarded for bravery and distinguished services. He urged all ranks, ex-servicemen, civilians and their families to rededicate themselves to the cause of the nation.

Lt-Gen Parnaik complimented soldiers for their service and dedication in the most difficult terrain and weather. The Northern Command Chief added that the Army would work in tandem with the paramilitary forces and the civil administration.

President, Family Welfare Organisation of the Northern Command, Anagha Parnaik, also interacted with the families of the soldiers and encouraged them to support their spouses in performing the duty. Those present on the occasion included Lt-Gen JP Nehra, General Officer Commanding, White Knight Corps, Major Gen Rakesh Sharma, General Officer Commanding, Crossed Swords Division, and senior civil, military and paramilitary dignitaries. 

Srinagar, January 15
The Kashmir valley today remained under a thick blanket of snow after day-long moderate to heavy snowfall yesterday. The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was opened to one-way traffic after remaining closed for a day. “The highway was closed yesterday as a precautionary measure. However, with improvement in the weather one-way traffic was restored on the highway today,” Amir Ali, coordinator of the National Disaster Management Cell, Kashmir, told The Tribune.

He said the weather improved today and barring light snowfall in the morning, there was not much snowfall later in the day. “Though there was light snowfall at certain places in the morning, the weather improved later. There would be no snowfall in the next few days,” he added.

Ali said the air connectivity between the Kashmir valley and the rest of the country was also restored as some of the flights operated from the Srinagar International Airport today. “Most of the flights were cancelled yesterday, but some of these resumed from Srinagar today,” Ali said. However, owing to heavy snowfall yesterday life in the Valley remained out of gear also today, as electricity supply and landline telephone services were snapped in some areas.

An official of the state Meteorological Department said Srinagar city received snowfall equivalent to 49.5 mm of rainfall. Around 75 snow-clearance machines had been pressed into service to clear the snow from the main roads across the Valley.

Udhampur, January 15
Intermittent snowfall since Thursday night in Patnitop and the surrounding areas of the Jammu region is likely to boost the rush of tourists, especially of those who missed the season’s first snowfall in these areas on the eve of New Year.

While Patnitop has so far received eight inches of snow, it is about one foot at Nathatop, 15 km from Patnitop. The owners of hotels, guest houses and lodges at Kud, Patnitop and Batote are looking forward to a great tourist season as compared to the last one marred by violence in the Kashmir valley in the summer as well as the lack of snowfall in the last 3-4 years. The continuing snow has apparently disrupted the traffic on the 300-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. It is estimated that about 500 trucks carrying goods to the Valley have been stranded at Jakhani, Udhampur, Samroli, Kud, Patnitop, Batote and Ramban in the Jammu region.

The tour operators, however, expect the snow-marked weather conditions as financially rewarding. “This is the first time we are expecting a rush of tourists in January. It’s really Godsend for us,” commented Rahul Khokhar, a tour operator at Udhampur.

In the wake of this second round of snowfall, the entire Jammu region has once again come in the grip of a cold wave. The people, especially children and old persons, were seen wearing heavy woollen clothes in Udhampur town. People made fires in market places, roadsides and their homes to keep themselves warm. As per the weather forecast, rain and snowfall are likely to continue for the next 24 hours.

But the enthusiastic tourists, especially the younger lot, are rushing to Patnitop to enjoy the snowfall. The tourist arrival, since the first spell of snowfall on the eve of New Year, has seen an upward trend at Patnitop and other surrounding destinations. Patnitop has received the highest snowfall in six years and probably the best during the peak season after many years. As per the manager of J&KTDC resorts, Patnitop, Suresh Pandit, the occupancy rate in this popular hill resort has increased from roughly 40 per cent to 75-85 per cent.

Jammu, January 15
The state government has created 55 posts in various departments for newly created eight districts in the state, besides granting promotion to seven IAS and four KAS officers.

The Cabinet, which met here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah yesterday, approved the creation of 55 posts in the Public Works (R&B) Department and the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Department for newly created eight districts -- Kishtwar, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kulgam, Shopian, Samba, Reasi and Ramban. It also approved the promotion of three IAS officers to the super-time scale. These include Dr Sayed Mohammad Fazal-ul-Ullah, AK Raina and BA Runiyal.

The Cabinet also approved the selection grade (IAS) in favour of Vinod Koul, Guldev Raj Bhagat, Gazanfer Hussain, Ghulam Hassan Tantray and the senior scale (IAS) in favour of Yasha Mudgal.

In another decision, it approved the promotion of four officers to the special scale of KAS w.e.f January 1. They are Ravinder Kumar Pandita, Zubair Ahmad, Khadim Hussain and Nazir Ahmad Shah.

The Cabinet also approved the appointment of five officers of the Excise and Taxation Gazetted Service to the time scale of KAS with immediate effect.These officers are Mansoor Aslam Chowdhary (ST), Pawan Kumar, Bharat Singh, Shyam Sunder Gupta and Abdul Hafiz Shah (all residents of backward areas) from the Jammu and Kashmir Social Welfare (Gazetted Service) to the time scale of KAS.

It also approved the transfer of the Institute of Music and Fine Arts, Srinagar and Jammu, by the Academy of Art, Culture and Languages to the respective universities in Kashmir and Jammu. — PTI 

Jammu, January 15
Former minister and senior Congress leader Ghulchain Singh Charak today demanded that nambardars and chowkidars, who are the backbone of the civil administration at the village level, should be involved in the grass-roots level developmental process to ensure quality work in the rural areas.

Addressing a press conference here, Charak, who is the patron of the Nambardars and Chowkidars Association, said the previous government had promised to involve them in the development activities but no action had been taken so far. He demanded that nambardars and chowkidars be authorised to issue certificates of developmental works in their respective areas.

Charak said the state-level convention of the Namberdars and Chowkidars Association would be held at the Dogra Sadar Sabha, Jammu, on January 20 to discuss various issues pertaining to them. He said their representatives from different parts of the state would participate in the meeting.

Giving details about the issues to be deliberated in the forthcoming convention, Charak said the issues like identity cards to the nambardars and the chowkidars, powers and duties assigned to them, the enhancement of their remuneration would be highlighted.

Highlighting the contributions of the nambardars and the chowkidars in streamlining the administration at a crucial time, the former minister said. “Since the beginning of terrorism in the state, as many as 270 nambardars and chowkidars had been killed by the militants,” he added. He demanded that a job to one member of the martyrs’ family be given. The previous regime had made a commitment in this regard, he added.

Udhampur, January 15
The District Development Commissioner (DDC), Udhampur, Baseer Ahmed Khan, has asked officers of various departments to accelerate the pace of the ongoing development works in the district to meet the targets set under the annual plan of the district.

The instructions were given during a meeting convened by the DDC here today to review the physical and financial achievements of various departments ending December 2010.

Additional District Development Commissioner RR Sharma, Chief Planning Officer HH Dutta, Superintending Engineer, Hydraulic Circle, NK Rumetra, Superintending Engineer, PWD, DD Gorkha, Superintending Engineer, PMGSY, TR Bhagat and officers of different departments were present.

A detailed sector-wise review included the status of different schemes under execution, reports of the District Development Board meetings held during 2009-10 and 2010-11, excess and surrender statements under the district plan schemes for 2010-11 for revenue and capital components.

Khan asked the officers to put in efforts to accelerate the development activities pertaining to their departments so that the desired targets could be achieved in a time-bound manner.

He instructed the officers to keep a proper record of works at the time of launch till their completion with photographic evidence.

He asked the officers to submit the first excess and surrender statements under the District Plan Scheme for 2010-11 for revenue and capital components to his office so that the savings could be utilised in the execution of other development works being implemented by various departments.

It was disclosed that out of the available funds of Rs 76.87 crore, Rs 57.02 crore was spent on different schemes by various departments in 2010 in the district.

Khan was apprised in the meeting that against a target of 3,619 works under the NREGA, 597 works had been completed, besides 127 houses under the Indra Awas Yojana had been constructed.

The Sericulture Department registered a production of 1.40 lakh kg of cocoon and generated an income of Rs 2.21 crore while under the roads and bridges sector, the department blacktopped 9.38 km of road length, besides constructing 9.25 km of fair weather roads under the district sector.

Jammu, January 15
The cold and foggy weather has affected vegetable crops, causing huge losses to farmers in the Jammu region. Experts opine that a similar spell of cold weather can cause a major loss to farmers. Besides vegetables, fodder crop, coriander, mustard, cauliflower and spinach have also been affected due to it, they add.

An agriculture scientist of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-J) says they have conducted a survey at various areas across the region and found a few vegetables have been discoloured due to the cold spell. “Due to less sunshine, the vegetable crops have started changing colour. Normally, these days vegetable crops need adequate sunshine for a proper growth. The growth has been affected and only the change in climate can now make things better,” he adds.

He says they have also submitted a detailed report of the loss caused due to the long foggy spell to the Indian Meteorological Department, Pune, as the department is collecting such details from all states. He adds this disease is first characterised by faded green patches, which soon turn to brownish-black, affecting the growth of the plant and results into fungus. “During wet and humid conditions, the growth of fungus is visible, causing a huge loss to farmers,” the scientist says, adding that Kathua, Samba and Jammu districts are facing the problem.