The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	IAF copters air-drop supplies Devinder Thakur Reasi, January 13 Indian Air Force helicopters today air-dropped several quintals of ration and fodder for the members of the Gujjar and Bakerwal communities trapped in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir after heavy snowfall last week, officials said. Two helicopters dropped the supplies in the Gulabgarh, Nayoch, Mahore area of Reasi district, Deputy Commissioner Sheetal Nanda said. The food packages, woollen clothing and other essential items were provided by the district administration. “This is a joint operation by the civil administration and the Indian Air Force,” Nanda said, adding that troops and civil administration officials, carrying tents, blankets and other relief materials, would continue efforts to reach the trapped people. Heavy snowfall and rain caught people in the upper reaches off guard. Some of their summer huts had collapsed and many of them had fallen ill.
	Cong may go it alone Move aimed at proving a point to NC leadership Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, January 13 Buoyed by the victory of a large number of party supporters in the recent panchayat elections, the Congress is mulling over contesting the forthcoming civic bodies elections on its own to show teeth to the coalition partner, National Conference (NC), for “underestimating” its strength in the state. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has directed the authorities to conduct the elections before May 31. Sources said the party leadership had directed local leaders to prepare panels of potential candidates for all 1,046 wards of the civic bodies, including the Jammu and Srinagar municipal corporations. “The option of contesting the civic bodies elections without entering into an alliance with the coalition partner (NC) is still open,” Ravinder Sharma, spokesperson for the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), told The Tribune. He said the final decision in this regard would be taken by the party leadership after discussing the same in the coordination committee of the coalition partners. Sharma said the aspirations of party workers at the grass-roots level would be considered while taking the final decision. A senior Congress leader said the party had already decided to contest the civic bodies elections without any alliance. “We want to show our strength to the NC leadership, which has been trying to undermine our position in the state,” he said, adding that during the past three years, especially after the formation of the coalition regime, the Congress had consolidated its position. “Not just in the Jammu and Ladakh regions, the Congress has strengthened its base in the Kashmir valley and the recently-held panchayat elections are a reflection of our expanding mass base in all three regions of the state,” he said. Sources said the district and block committees of the party had already prepared panels for municipal committees and councils of their respective areas. Similarly, the District Congress Committee (DCC), Jammu, had started the process of short-listing candidates for all 72 wards of the Jammu Municipal Corporation. The leaders claimed that the party, under Saifuddin Soz’s leadership, had expanded its mass base in the Kashmir valley during the past three years. In the recent panchayat elections, the party had secured second position in the Valley. “The way the Congress had swept elections of the Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) held last year speaks about the expanding base of the party in different regions,” a senior party leader said, seeking anonymity. He added that party workers were in an aggressive mood, especially to take on their coalition partners, the NC, in the Valley.
	Army comes to the rescue of the snow-hit M Aamir Khan Srinagar, January 13 In view of the hardships faced by local residents and tourists due to the bad weather conditions, the Army has pressed into service mobile recovery teams to clear the roads of snow and stranded vehicles. These teams were deployed after the snowfall last week and continue to work as the highway remained blocked for most of the time last week. “These teams comprise recovery vehicles, snow-clearing machinery and medical detachments, which are untiringly involved in ensuring that all major arteries remain open,” an Army spokesperson said. “The Army has also deployed its resources to provide essential medical assistance, facilitating restoration of electricity and recovery of stranded vehicles on the highways. These teams not only helped in the recovery of vehicles, but also gave timely medical and technical assistance to all those affected. This gesture of the Army has been warmly appreciated by the local residents and tourists,” the spokesperson added.
	Srinagar gets slight respite from severe cold Our Correspondent Srinagar, January 13 After witnessing sub-zero temperatures for four consecutive days, Srinagar city witnessed a slightly warmer day and recorded a temperature of 1.6°C today. For the first time in 16 years, the city had recorded sub-zero temperature for four consecutive days. The night temperatures in the city and other parts of the Valley, however, continued to remain below the freezing point. The minimum temperature in Srinagar was minus 3.6°C while the skiing resort of Gulmarg in Baramulla district witnessed a minimum temperature of minus 16.5°C. The minimum temperature in Qazigund town of Anantnag district was minus 6.2°C while the tourist resort of Pahalgam witnessed a minus of 12.2°C. Kargil in the Ladakh region recorded a minimum temperature of minus 19.6°C becoming the coldest place of the region this season. Leh town also recorded a minimum temperature of minus 18.2°C, a MeT official said. The MeT office has forecast light to moderate snow and rainfall in the upper reaches of the Valley during the next 24 hours. Dry weather has been expected in the plains tomorrow and light to moderate snow or rain on Sunday. The authorities have also issued an advisory to the public not to attempt to walk or skate on frozen surfaces of lakes, ponds or rivers, as the thin ice may break and result in drowning. The advisory was issued after many children were found playing on frozen water bodies. A travel advisory has also been issued to the people intending to travel by the Srinagar-Jammu road on January 15 and 16. “The District Development Commissioners of Anantnag and Kulgam have been asked to issue advisory to passengers for avoiding travel on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway on January 15 and 16, in view of expected snowfall on these dates,” an official said here. Landslide triggers NH closure Jammu, January 13 The 300-km-long Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the only road link connecting the Valley with the rest of the country, was today closed due to landslide in Ramban district. “The highway has been closed due to landslide in the Shaitani Nullah area in Ramban district today,” police officers said. Due to the closure of the highway, over 400 vehicles are stranded at various places. The men and machines of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) were working to clear the landslide, they added. The BRO is expected to restore the traffic between Jammu and Srinagar by today evening. The highway was earlier closed from January 5 to 8 due to heavy snowfall. — PTI
	Former Info officer penalised Rs 20,250 Varun Suthra Tribune News Service Jammu, January 13 State Information Commissioner GR Sufi has imposed a penalty of Rs 20,250 on a former Tehsildar of Ramban for not providing the information sought under the J&K RTI Act within the stipulated period. According to sources, DN Sharma, while exercising his right under the State RTI Act, 2009 had filed an application under Section 6 before the Tehsildar, Ramban, Gandarb Singh, who also held the charge of the public information officer (PIO) on August 23, 2010. Sharma had asked him to provide information on action taken against a guilty officer, who had “fraudulently” issued an RBA certificate in Dhoop Devi’s favour. The incumbent Tehsildar, Ramban, Srinath Suman, who attended the proceedings before the State Information Commission (SIC) on August 11, 2011, confirmed that the information was not provided to the information-seeker till October 11, 2010. Even the first appellate authority did not pass the order adjudicating the first appeal, the sources said. Sharma then filed a complaint on May 9, 2011 with the SIC, following which, the latter initiated penalty proceedings under Section 17 of the State RTI Act on August 18, 2011. A reply was sought from the defaulter. However, no reply, as reported by the registry, was received, read the SIC judgment. Consequently, another show-cause notice was issued to Gandarb Singh on December 19, and a reply was sought within seven days. But he failed to file a reply again. “The PIO, Gandarb Singh, has thus failed to establish that his failure to act reasonably and diligently was because of a reasonable cause. Hence, he is liable for being penalised,” the judgment further read. Finding a delay of 81 days in disbursing the information, the SIC judgment read that the Drawing and Disbursement Officer (DDO) at the office of the Tehsildar, Ramban, would ensure that Rs 20,250 were deducted from Gandarb Singh’s salary/pension, as the case may be, in three equal installments and remit it to the government account with an intimation to the SIC. The judgment also stated that in case of default committed by the DDO in this regard, he (DDO) would be liable for making the payment towards the government account. The order had to be complied with within 15 days from the date of receipt of the order. “However, Gandarb Singh is at liberty to file a review petition before this commission for a review of this order,” the judgment further read.
	Cross-LoC traders want independent custodians Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, January 13 Almost seven months on, the cross-LoC traders in Poonch district still await Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to fulfil his promise of providing independent custodians along with full-fledged staff to ensure a hassle-free trade between India and Pakistan. The cross-LoC trade, touted to be the biggest confidence-building measure between India and Pakistan, takes place four days i.e. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday every week via Chakan-da-Bagh in Poonch and Salamabad in Baramulla. “At a meeting on June 22 last year with the representatives of cross-LoC traders, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had agreed to provide us with independent custodians along with full-fledged staff but nothing has happened so far,” Pawan Anand, president of the Chamber of LoC Trade, Jammu and Kashmir, told The Tribune. The general manager of the District Industries Corporation, Hamid Sheikh, has been given additional charge of the custodian at the trade centre in Poonch. Same is the case with the charge at Baramulla, he added. One person cannot look after two departments simultaneously and that too, when the number of days for trade has gone up, contended Anand. Earlier, around 50 vehicles used to ferry merchandise via Chakan-da-Bagh on two days but now the frequency of trading days as well as number of vehicles have increased, he said, adding that at least 100 to 125 vehicles ferried merchandise via Chakan-da-Bagh alone on a single trading day. He said the customs department and the CID had increased the strength of their staff ever since the two countries agreed to increase the trading days from two to four days a week. The custodian has a sensitive job of releasing the vehicles that ferry the merchandise to Pakistani traders. “Proper facilities can only be made available when the government provides us with independent custodians along with requisite staff,” said Anand. In a bid to give impetus to the trade, the state government, in August last year, had promulgated an ordinance, introducing amendments to the VAT Act, 2005, which had made the cross-LoC trade tax-free for goods manufactured in the state. The ordinance was promulgated by the Governor on August 26 on the recommendations of the Chief Minister.
	Jail inmates celebrate Lohri Tribune News Service Jammu, January 13 Inmates of District Jail Ambphalla celebrated Lohri with great enthusiasm and fervour today. The magic show displayed by noted magician Mangal Tara and Punjabi bangara dance on drum beats by jail inmates filled the air with excitement and exuberance. The jail staff and management also joined the inmates and danced to the drum beats. Schoolchildren also presented cultural items on the occasion, which were appreciated by the audience, including prominent people from the civil society. “Such events are an attempt to change the life of inmates. We should recognise them as humans first,” Jail Superintendent Vinod Kumar said. Later, a bonfire was lit and the inmates along with the jail officials offered prayers and gave ‘argh’ to the holy fire.
	Dogri Bal Manch celebrates Lohri at JU Tribune News Service Jammu, January 13 The Dogri Bal Manch celebrated Lohri at the Department of Dogri, on the University of Jammu (JU) campus today. Students, scholars, professors lit a bonfire and offered prayers, putting peanuts, rewarhi, dry fruit and other eatables into the fire, as per the ritual. Shiv Dev Manhas, Head of the Dogri Department, extended his good wishes to scholars and students while highlighting the importance of festivals. He said, “Our festivals play a vital role to unite the people. Celebrations give us a chance to shun grudges and to reconcile with each other. These festivals also exhibit our rich culture and tradition.” Those who were present on the occasion included Manoj Heer, Sapna Narania, Ritu Gupta, Babita Devi, Satish Kumar and Nitin Sharma.
	MLA Hakeem Yasin calls on Governor Jammu, January 13 MLA Hakeem Mohammad Yasin called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today. Yasin briefed the Governor about the problems being faced by the people, particularly those living in far-flung and cut-off areas. He also raised issues about the need for sound understanding with regard to the role of the security forces. Vijay Dhar, member of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, also called on the Governor at Raj Bhawan here today. The two discussed matters relating to the management of the Amarnath yatra. — TNS
	State govt in a fix over detention of youth under PSA Arteev Sharma/TNS Jammu, January 13 Ever since Governor NN Vohra returned the draft ordinance of the Public Safety Act (PSA) on December 11, the state government is in a fix on a major clause, pertaining to the detention of youth below 18 years. The Governor, who raised questions on a particular clause pertaining to the detention of youth below 18 years under “differentiated categories” (state residents and non-residents of Jammu and Kashmir), had asked the state government whether “it was in contravention to the Constitution, as all citizens were equal before the law.” “The draft ordinance is still under examination,” Principal Secretary, Home, BR Sharma, told The Tribune. Asked whether the government would make some changes in the draft ordinance to get it passed by the Governor, Sharma refused to elaborate, saying it (ordinance) was “under consideration”. Official sources said the state Law Department had stuck to the original draft ordinance that favoured amendments in the PSA, 1978, and it had already forwarded the draft ordinance to the Home Department. “Soon after the Governor raised some questions on the age clause and returned the draft ordinance, we sent it back to the state Home Department. We have conveyed to the department that differentiation in detention of youth below 18 years from J&K and non-state subjects was a reasonable classification,” said a senior official from the state Law department. The official maintained that it would now be the responsibility of the Home department to again forward the draft ordinance to Raj Bhawan. “The inordinate delay on the part of the Home Department is quite inexplicable,” he said. The attempt of the state government to dilute the PSA after bringing an ordinance had suffered a major jolt when the Governor returned it with certain objections for legal opinion from experts. According to the draft ordinance, the youth in Jammu and Kashmir, aged below 18 years, shouldn’t be detained under the PSA. However, youth, who are non-state subjects (non-residents of Jammu and Kashmir), can be detained under the PSA, even if they are below 18 years, thereby violating the basic equality clause of the Constitution. The draft ordinance also talks about shortening of detention period under the PSA, variation of period for detentions and confirmation of the Act. On October 28, 2011, the state Cabinet had approved the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act (Amendment) Ordinance 2011. The amendments in the Act were approved after human rights organisations had criticised the applicability of the law in the trouble-torn state. As the state Assembly was not in session, the government had sent the draft ordinance through the Law Department to the Governor for approval and subsequent promulgation.
	All is not well in Kashmir: Mufti Our Correspondent Srinagar, January 13 Continuing with its tirade against the government over its alleged failure in resolving the problems faced by people due to the recent snowfall, the PDP today urged the government to reach out to the masses in “real sense”. “The pace of restoration of facilities after the recent snowfall in the Valley, especially in south Kashmir, has been very slow. The government should reach out to people in real sense and resolve their problems,” PDP patron Mufti Mohammed Sayeed said here. “It was indeed a matter of shame that patients cannot reach hospitals in time just because roads have not been cleared of snow, even a week after the snowfall. It is unfortunate that patients could not access medical facilities because of blocked roads in Tral. According to reports, many other areas, including my Anantnag constituency, are still awaiting road clearance. Transformers at many places need repairs and replacement,” he added. Stating that it was unfortunate that the government had issued an “all-is-well certificate” on the supply position of essential commodities in the Valley, Mufti claimed that people were facing “immense problems” in finding gas, kerosene and other ration items, while the prices of commodities in the open market had “touched sky” in the past few days. “The administration is apparently finding it beyond itself to intervene on the side of consumers. In certain areas, people have been in queue for days to get cooking gas or kerosene but have to return empty-handed,” he added. The PDP patron claimed that the scarcity of drinking water had “reached alarming proportions”.
	Kashmir issue hurting India, Pak economies: Mirwaiz Srinagar, January 13 Chairman of the moderate Hurriyat faction Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today said the unresolved Kashmir issue was the main reason behind the “economic backwardness” of India and Pakistan. The Mirwaiz said this during his Friday sermon at the historic Jamia Masjid here. “Only because of the unresolved Kashmir issue, both the countries spend billions of rupees on the Defence budget…. also, as a result 45 per cent Indian children are suffering from malnutrition,” he added. Urging the Indian civil society to come forward and play an active role in resolving the Kashmir issue, the Mirwaiz said the Centre should exhibit farsightedness and initiate the dialogue process with Pakistan and the separatist leadership in the Valley. He also urged both countries to open all trade routes between them. He reiterated his demand for the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state, saying it would improve the situation in the Valley. The Mirwaiz flayed the state government for its alleged failure in keeping available the essential commodities in the valley this winter. — OC
	BSF opens fire at infiltrators Jammu, January 13 The BSF troops opened fire after they noticed some suspicious movement along a forward post on the Indo-Pak border in RS Pura sector yesterday. Official sources said the BSF troops on patrol duty noticed some suspicious movement along the Bakarpur Border Outpost (BoP) in RS Pura sector. The incident took place at around 6.35 pm yesterday. “Our troops observed some movement of infiltrators close to the Zero Line along the international border in Bakarpur and as a preventive measure they opened few rounds of fire, forcing the intruders to move back to Pakistan,” sources said. Sources said the BSF jawans opened around 20 rounds to thwart a possible infiltration attempt. The Barakpur post is being manned by troops of the 135 Battalion of the BSF. — TNS
	Anganwari workers’ wages revised from Jan Jammu, January 13 The Jammu and Kashmir government yesterday said anganwari workers and helpers would be paid enhanced honorarium from this month. “The anganwari workers and helpers will be paid enhanced honorarium from this month as approved by the government recently,” Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Itoo said. A sum of Rs 55 crore had been released this fiscal for payment to the anganwari workers and helpers in Jammu division, she said. Of this, Rs 27.58 crore had been paid to them till November-end on previous rates, the minister added. — PTI
	Army gives stationery to needy children Our Correspondent Reasi, January 13 Young children belonging to the poor Gujjar and Bakerwal communities from the remote hamlet of Talwara cover long distances to reach schools. However, these children are unable to meet the stationery requirements. In a bid to encourage the students, the Army, under Operation Sadbhavana, organised a function on the premises of Government Middle School, Talwara, today and distributed stationery, including school bags, notebooks, pens, refills, sharpeners, pencils, erasers and geometry boxes, etc. among the needy schoolchildren. The project was undertaken by a Rashtriya Rifles Battalion of CIF (U). The stationery items were distributed among 150 children. The function was attended by the teaching staff, students and their parents. Gulam Hussain, sarpanch of Talwara village, thanked the Army for understanding and catering to the needs of the under-privileged children. The school staff, students and parents later thanked the Army for the gesture.
	Army Commander to honour soldiers Jammu, January 13 To mark the 63rd Army Day on January 15, the GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Lt Gen KT Parnaik, will decorate the soldiers who have been awarded on Republic Day and Independence Day last year for their acts of gallantry. In all, 63 Sena Medals (Gallantry), four Sena Medals (Distinguished), four Vishist Seva Medals will be awarded. Naik Sanjay Kumar will be awarded with a Sena Medal posthumously. The investiture ceremony will be held at Sangha Auditorium in Akhnoor. General Parnaik will present the awards to 71 serving Army personnel for displaying gallantry and distinguished service while performing their duty. The Army Commander will also present the Unit Appreciation of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, to those units that have excelled in their operational duties. A large number of civil and military dignities are expected to attend the ceremony. — TNS
	Prime accused’s mother brought to Jammu Tribune News Service Jammu, January 13 Peepli Devi, mother of Sangram Singh, prime accused in the sensational Chopra murder case, was yesterday brought to Jammu by the Guna police. She had been evading arrest since 2008 after she produced “fake documents” before the court to get an anticipatory bail for her son. Peepli Devi is a resident of Guna, Madhya Pradesh. Sources said a team of the Guna police brought Sangram Singh’s mother to Jammu, as requested by the J&K Police. “Peepli Devi had been evading arrest ever since the court directed her to appear before it following the submission of fake documents while seeking an anticipatory bail for Sangram Singh. A case under Sections 420, 467 and 468 stands registered at the Janipur police station,” the sources added. On June 13, 2010, the J&K Police had arrested Sangram Singh from his hideout in Guna after over three and half years of the crime. Last year, senior leader of National Conference and former MLC TS Wazir, along with his brother, was also arrested in the case. Cement tycoon Raju Chopra, his wife Madhu Chopra, daughter Saloni Chopra, a servant and a driver were brutally murdered on the intervening night of September 16 and 17, 2006 at their Trikuta Nagar residence.
	Educationist remembered Tribune News Service Jammu, January 13 Minister for Higher Education Abdul Gani Malik today stressed the need for serving humanity, irrespective of caste, creed or colour and work for the uplift of the poor and downtrodden. He was addressing a function organised by Baldev Institute of Management Technology and Sciences (BITMAS), Kaluchak, in connection with the 88th birth anniversary of educationist Baldev Singh Chib. Chairman of the Chenab Education Trust and Minister for Youth Services and Sports RS Chib presented a welcome address, while former Minister Harbans Singh, Chief Post Master John Samuel and former Vice-Chancellor, BGSBU, Chowdhry Masud Ahmed were the guests of honor. Malik underlined Chib’s contribution towards the construction of the Rajput Sabha Bhawan in Jammu. Chib also authored several books, he added. A special cover on the educationist’s 88th birth anniversary was released by the Department of Posts. RS Chib later greeted the gathering on Lohri.