The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Cash Crunch
It’s dark Diwali for govt staff as they await September salary
Dinesh Manhotra
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 25
Contrary to the claims of the authorities to clear all the pending bills, a number of government employees have not received their salaries and wages for September. For these employees this year’s Diwali would be “dark” due to the non-availability of salaries in time.

Not only the government employees, a large number of payment bills of contractors and suppliers are also pending due to an acute cash crunch in the state.

“For the last one week, the authorities were assuring us that the salaries would be released on the eve of Diwali, but nothing has been done so far,” said a government employee on the condition of anonymity.

He said there was the “first come-first serve situation” in the state because salaries to employees of some of the departments were released on October 7.

“The departments which had submitted their salary bills before October 7 have got their salaries released, but other departments which had submitted their bills after October 7 are yet to get their salaries,” he said.

Keeping in view the brewing resentment among the employees and the contractors, the authorities concerned today cleared a good number of pending bills, but a large number of employees still remained without salaries on the eve of Diwali.

Director General of Accounts and Treasuries, Wali Mohammad Bhat, while talking to The Tribune claimed that bills, including salaries, worth Rs 15 crore were cleared today. He claimed that all the pending bills were cleared today.

While condemning the authorities for their failure to release the salaries of the employees before Diwali, BJP leader Jugal Kishore Sharma said the state had been facing a worst ever financial crisis.

“The failure of the government to release the salaries of employees in time speaks of the prevailing mess in the state,” he said.

Former Finance Minister and senior PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Beig has said the state had never come across such a crisis.

Delhi HC Blast
NIA issues ‘wanted’ notices for 3 accused
Announces reward of Rs 10 lakh for any info about them

Jammu, October 25
Stepping up efforts to track down three suspects in the Delhi High Court blast case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) today issued public notices about the accused along with their photographs and announced Rs 10-lakh reward to anyone giving information about them.

The agency published “wanted” notices for Amir Ali Kamal, alias Akram; Junaid Akram Malik, alias Juni, alias Umair; and Shakir Hussain Sheikh, alias Chota Hafiz, alias Adil; in various local newspapers in Jammu and Kashmir.

The publication of the notices followed a massive manhunt for Junaid in the Dachhan area of Kishtwar after leads emerged about his presence in that region, NIA sources said.

As per the NIA notice, the three, suspected to be associated with militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, allegedly played a crucial role in the conspiracy which led to the blast at the Delhi High Court on September 7.

They have also been accused of several other cases in the Kishtwar region, it said.

According to the notice, Amir (25), a resident of Kichloo Mohlla, has been active since 2008 and is currently the militant group's ‘divisional commander’ in the Kishtwar-Doda belt.

He is also alleged to have been involved in several terrorist activities in the Chenab valley belt, it said.

Shakir, 25, who belongs to the Palmar area in Kishtwar district, is his deputy and is active in the mountainous belt since 2005, the notice said.

The third, 19-year-old Junaid, belongs to the Dugga area of the district and was allegedly lured to militancy by Amir Ali in 2010, it said.

His brother Waseem, a medical student studying in a college in Bangladesh, was sent to Tihar jail yesterday in connection with the case.

As per reports, the trio are operating in the remote and mountainous belts of Dacchan and Marwah belts of Kishtwar district, the notice said, adding the agency had announced "a reward of Rs 10 lakh for any information" that could lead to their arrest. — PTI

Tracking down trio

The NIA published wanted notices for Amir Ali Kamal, Junaid Akram Malik and Shakir Hussain Sheikh in various local newspapers in Jammu and Kashmir.

The three, suspected to be associated with militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, allegedly played a crucial role in the conspiracy that led to the Delhi HC blast on September 7.

The trio are operating in remote and mountainous belts of Dacchan and Marwah in Kishtwar district, say sources.

Governor, Chief Minister extend Diwali greetings
Ehsan Fazili
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 25
The Governor, Chief Minister and other leaders have felicitated the people of the state on the occasion of Diwali, which will be celebrated with religious fervour across the state tomorrow.

Governor NN Vohra extended warm greetings to the people on Diwali and sincerely hoped that the festival of lights would be a harbinger of sustained peace, progress and prosperity in the state.

In his message, the Governor said Diwali symbolised the triumph of truth and righteousness over falsehood and good over evil, highlighting the high values and ethos of the country’s great civilisation.

The Governor hoped that the festival would strengthen communal harmony, brotherhood, amity and secularism in the state. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in his message said that Jammu and Kashmir possessed the rich tradition of celebrating festivals and holy occasions with a spirit of amity, brotherhood and togetherness. He emphasised the need for maintaining and strengthening this cultural heritage and tradition of the state.

Omar said while celebrating occasions of happiness, everyone should remember the poor and the needy and share the joy with them. “This adds pleasure and happiness to the celebrations of such occasions,” he said and hoped Diwali would be a harbinger of peace, progress and development in the state and the country.

The Kashmiri Pandit Sangarsh Samiti (KPSS), an organisation of Kashmir-based Pandits, in association with Space Communications is organising Diwali Milan on the banks of the Jehlum near the Foot Bridge here tomorrow. “We will be celebrating Diwali together with people from all communities,” said Sanjay Tickoo of the KPSS and Amit Wanchoo of Space Communications.

Former Chief Minister and patron of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti have also greeted people on the auspicious occasion of Diwali.

Jammu University students celebrate Accession Day on campus
Ravi Krishnan Khajuria
Tribune News Service

Floral tributes being paid to Maharaja Hari Singh on the Accession Day function. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma

Jammu, October 25
Accession Day was celebrated by students’ organisation Sangharsh on the campus of University of Jammu, here today. It was for the first time that Accession Day was celebrated on the University of Jammu campus.

The function was attended by a large number of university students, scholars, teachers, and non-teaching staff of the university. The function started by lighting the traditional lamp and paying floral tributes to Maharaja Hari Singh, Brigadier Rajinder Singh and Pt Prem Nath Dogra.

While addressing the gathering, Sangharsh president Mahesh Kaul said: “This day holds immense importance for the nationalist people of Jammu and Kashmir as on October 26, 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh had signed the Instrument of Accession and the state had become part of India in legal and constitutional terms.

“This day gives us an opportunity to reaffirm our resolve to uphold the territorial integrity and sovereignty of India, of which the state of Jammu and Kashmir is the frontline state.”

“Being the frontline state, the enemies of the country are making every move to dismantle the northern frontier by raising the issue of plebiscite as their mentors have failed to wrest the state by using terrorism.”

Maharaja Hari Singh had signed the same standard form of Instrument of Accession which was signed by all other princely states. As per the Independence Act of 1947 due to which India was partitioned and of which the Instrument of Accession was a derivative, there were only two provisions for the princely states -- accession to the dominion of India or Pakistan -- and there was no third option, he said.

Kaul said the solution to problem was in the political reorganisation of the state, which would require carving out a separate homeland for the exiled Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir, giving statehood to Jammu, union territory status to Ladakh and providing one-time settlement to the 1947 PoK refugees.

Walk organised in Jammu

Jammu, October 25
Children and prominent citizens participated in a walk organised here today to commemorate the accession of Jammu and Kashmir with India. The walk, which was organised by the Duggar Vikas Manch, was flagged off by senior Congress leader Gulchain Singh Charak here.

It passed through various market areas in Jammu and concluded at the Mubarak Mandi Palace, the seat of power of the erstwhile Dogra rulers. “The walk has been organised in Jammu to make the younger generation aware about the accession of Jammu and Kashmir with India,” Manch convener Dineshwar Singh Jamwal said. — PTI

Cataract surgery camp concludes

Jammu, October 25
A cataract surgical camp was organised by the Army’s 150 General Hospital under the aegis of the Ace of Spades Division from October 22 to October 24 under Operation Sadhbhavana. Twentysix patients were operated upon for cataract using the phacoemulsification technique and posterior chamber intra-ocular lens were implanted.

Besides, these patients were also given free drugs and goggles. The patients were earlier screened at the screening camps held at Poonch and Rajouri.

Ruksana Bi (13), a resident of Shahpur village in Poonch district, had cataract in both her eyes since birth and was not able to see anything since her childhood. Her right eye was successfully operated upon. After the surgery, her vision was restored, giving her a new lease of life.

Her other eye would also be treated after two months to give her optimal binocular vision. Locals lauded the efforts made by the Army for the successful conduct of the eye camp. — TNS

Atul becomes youngest Indian international taekwondo referee
Tribune News Service

Atul Pangotra

Jammu, October 25
Atul Pangotra of the Department of Youth Services and Sports became the first youngest Indian to officiate in an international event outside the country, as an international referee, when he participated in the 1st Mount Everest International Taekwondo championship in Kathmandu recently.

He performed well and got an appreciation award from the Nepal Taekwondo Association.

The only international referee from the state, Pangotra has also participated in two international events as an official last year, in the India Open International championship and in Nepal.

Pangotra was accompanied by two Taekwondo players, Zaheer abbass from Kargil and Manpreet Singh from Jammu. Both the players performed well in the championship.

After attending the 1st Mount Everest International Taekwondo championship, Pangotra then flew to South Korea to participate in the World Taekwondo Federation and the Kyunghee University Partnership Taekwondo Training programme for Taekwondo coaches from September 26 to October 14.

He had earlier completed the same course successfully in 2008 and on the basis of his previous performance, the World Taekwondo Federation and Kyunghee University gave him another chance.

Death in Custody
NC worker’s son moves court for CBI probe

Srinagar, October 25
Fearing that the alleged custodial death of NC worker Syed Mohammad Yousuf was being “hushed up”, son of the deceased leader has filed a petition in a court here seeking a CBI probe.

Syed Talib, son of the deceased National Conference worker, filed the petition before the court of Special Judge anti-corruption, demanding registration of a murder case and a CBI enquiry into the matter.

“The applicant who is the son of the deceased wants a direction from the court for registration of a case in due course of law by the CBI or any other state agency,” said Mushtaq Ahmad Dar, the lawyer representing Yousuf's family.

The petition said the family of the deceased feared the case had been “hushed up”.

The case, filed on Saturday, has been listed for hearing on October 28.

Army gives computers to Rajouri school
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 25
Under Operation Sadbhavana, the Kalidhar Brigade of the Army provided computers and furniture for the students of Government High School at Thandapani in Rajouri district.

The school had approached the Army authorities at Sunderbani with a request for computers for imparting information technology education to students.

The Army provided computers, their accessories and furniture to the school.

While inaugurating the computer laboratory on behalf of the Crossed Swords Division, Major Jarnail Singh of the Punjab Regiment said the Kalidhar Brigade would continue to strive to provide all possible educational infrastructure to the children in the border districts.

The principal of the school, Kamla Sharma, said, “We are grateful to the Army as our students will now be able to compete with the students in the urban areas”.

Schools in Kishtwar lack staff, infrastructure
Tribune News Service

Udhampur, October 25
Former president of the Kishtwar district unit of the Youth Congress Sheikh

Nasir Hussain has alleged that most of the government schools in far-flung areas of this mountainous and economically backward district were virtually non-functional due to lack of staff and basic infrastructure.

“Some schools in Marwah tehsil of the district are closed as there is nobody to teach the students,” he said.

Sheikh Nasir alleged that due to the non-availability of teaching staff and basic infrastructure like buildings and sitting arrangements, the future of thousands of students had been jeopardised.

The poor condition of schools in Marwah, Warwan, Dachhan, Bonjwah, Chatroo, Padder and in other far-flung areas of Kishtwar required immediate attention, he said.

He appealed to the government to take steps to provide proper teaching staff and infrastructure and save the career of thousands of students.

Govt needs to do more for Kishtwar: BJP

Jammu, October 25
State secretary of the BJP Sunil Sharma today alleged that the National Conference (NC) led coalition regime in the state was discriminating against backward areas of Kishtwar district in general and Marwah, Warwan and Dacchan belts in particular.

Addressing a press conference, after conducting extensive tours of these areas, Sharma regretted that there was no development in these remote areas. “There is no road connectivity and the people have to walk more than 40 km on foot to reach their respective villages,” he said, adding, “even today, these areas are without electricity”. “The students have to walk even 10 km to reach the nearest high school. The people are facing an acute shortage of drinking water,” Sharma said. — TNS

Army installs hand pump near LoC
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 25
Apart from the operational task of maintaining the sanctity of the Line of Control (LoC), Bhimber Gali Brigade has installed a hand pump for the local populace, residing along the LoC in Rajouri sector.

Keri Battalion in Rajouri sector has installed a hand pump at Sasalkote village of Rajouri district under Operation Sadbhavana.

The Commanding Officer of the Keri Battalion inaugurated the hand pump today and urged the people to make optimum use of the facility.

The function was attended by a number of prominent civil dignitaries, sarpanches and elders of Keri town, besides a large number of local residents.

The installation of the hand pump has ensured that water was easily available for the residents of the village.

With such facility in place, the water woes of the residents of Sasalkote village have been solved to a great extent.

Info Commissioner sworn in

Srinagar, October 25
Governor NN Vohra administered the oath of office to Sudesh Kumar Sharma as the State Information Commissioner at a function held at Raj Bhawan here last evening.

The Governor wished Sharma a successful tenure. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Mohammad Akbar Lone, Chief Secretary Madhav Lal were also present on the occasion. — TNS

Traffic restrictions
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 25
SSP Traffic national highway, Ramban, has appealed to the public for cooperation with the traffic police for the smooth passage of darbar move convoy.

An official statement said in view of the annual darbar move, the traffic will be one way on the National Highway IA from Srinagar to Jammu on October 29 and 30. Similarly, on November 5 and 6 there will be no down convoy, except emergencies.