The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Anti-graft panel puts Omar, eight others on notice Slams govt for conferring status of Cabinet Minister and Minister of State on two advisers, six chairpersons of advisory boards Ravi Krishnan Khajuria/TNS Jammu, February 17 Ahead of the budget session on February 23, the coalition government has landed itself in serious trouble as the Jammu and Kashmir State Accountability Commission (JKSAC), an autonomous anti-graft panel, today issued notices to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, his two advisers and six chairpersons of various advisory boards to appear in person or through their counsel for filing statements in their defence on March 5. Acting upon a complaint, the Commission found that the present regime, in gross violation of law, had conferred the status of Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State upon two advisers and six chairpersons of various advisory boards at the expense of the public exchequer. Taking cognisance of a complaint filed by Wali Mohammed Rather against the Chairperson of the J&K Social Welfare Board, Khem Lata Wakhloo, the anti-graft panel headed by Justice (retired) YP Nargotra observed that as per the wish of the Chief Minister the state government appointed Mubarak Gul (sitting MLA) as Adviser to the Chief Minister with rank and status of a Cabinet Minister vide government order number 904-GAD of 2009 on July 14, 2009. “Likewise Devinder Singh Rana was also appointed by the government as Political Adviser to the CM with rank and status of a Minister of State vide government order number 32-GAD of 2009 on January 9, 2009,” observed the panel. Similarly, government also appointed Mushtaq Ahmed Shah (Bukhari) as Vice- Chairman of the J&K State Advisory Board for Development of Pahari Speaking People, Choudhary Bashir Ahmed Naz as Vice-Chairman of the J&K State Advisory Board for Development of Gujjars and Bakerwals, Rachpal Singh as Vice-Chairman of the J&K State Advisory Board for Development of Kisans, Kuldeep Raj Verma as Vice-Chairman of the J&K State Advisory Board for the Welfare and Development of Other Backward Classes, Swarn Lata as Vice-Chairperson of the J&K State Advisory Board for Development of Scheduled Castes and Shamima Firdous as Chairperson of the J&K State Commission for Women. Thereafter, the government via another order number 950-GAD of 2010 dated August 19, 2010, ordered that the Adviser and Political Adviser to the Chief Minister and the chairperson and vice-chairmen of various advisory boards should be entitled to amenities which are available to a Cabinet Minister and a Minister of State, respectively. “On the basis of this order, the advisers, chairpersons/ vice-chairpersons of various advisory boards are enjoying the benefits of salary, perks and other amenities, including discretionary grants, admissible to a Cabinet Minister or Minister of State who are duly appointed and sworn in by the Governor in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution,” observed the panel. Though the government claims that these posts (Adviser to the CM, Political Adviser to the CM and vice-chairmen of various advisory boards) were created and filled by the government in exercise of its administrative and executive discretion, under the Constitution the executive power of the state is vested with the Governor to be exercised by him directly or through a person or authority as he may direct. Referring to various provisions of law, the Constitution and the state legislature, the panel stated that the appointments were a brazen instance of political favouritism and bereft of any authority of law.
	Shivkhori Shrine To tackle pilgrim rush, Ransoo to come up as model town Varun Suthra Tribune News Service Jammu, February 17 To avoid traffic chaos at Shivkhori due to the increasing pilgrim rush in the temple town, the government is soon going to execute a master plan to develop Ransoo township, which is the base camp to Shivkhori Shrine in Reasi district, on the lines of a model pilgrim town. The Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pawan Kotwal, disclosed this here today while responding to media queries in connection with Shivkhori Mela, which will begin from February 19. “Under the master plan, we have decided to construct a separate bus stand and a taxi stand at Ransoo. The existing market would be widened to overcome problems related to traffic and parking,” he added. He disclosed that the plan to widen the Kanda-Ransoo road had been submitted to the authorities concerned for approval. “There are two prominent roads in the area. One is from Pauni Paarkh to Tryatha, which is being developed by the Border Roads Organisation, whereas the important Kanda-Ransoo stretch is not wide enough to accommodate the increasing rush. We have submitted a proposal for converting this narrow stretch into a two-lane stretch,” he disclosed. Kotwal said the shrine was a prominent pilgrim spot in the Jammu region and there had been a considerable rise in the pilgrim inflow over the years. “An increase of about 30 per cent every year has been observed in the number of pilgrims. Three years ago, about eight lakh tourists had visited the shrine, the count reached 12.5 lakh in 2010 and last year the number touched 14.5 lakh.” The Divisional Commissioner said already about 20 per cent of the pilgrims heading for Vaishno Devi shrine were going through Shivkhori. When asked about the plans for promoting other tourist spots in the region, he said the government had developed some prominent spots, including Shudhmahadev at Udhampur, where the road had been widened, and Jiapotta at Akhnoor, where ancient Buddhist sites had been sighted. Kotwal said a Rs 10-crore project was also underway to develop the Peerkho shrine in the old Jammu city. Plans were also afoot to develop the Suchetgarh border on the pattern of the Wagah border in Amritsar. Liquor ban for 3 days Katra, February 17 In view of the Shivratri festival at Shiv Khori-Ransoo from February 19, Additional District Magistrate (ADM), Reasi, Rajinder Singh Tara has prohibited the sale and consumption of liquor in Pouni block of Reasi district from February 19 to 21, in exercise of his powers under Section 144 of the CrPC.
	Flash flood alert in Ganderbal M Aamir Khan Srinagar, February 17 Even as the Kashmir valley has witnessed dry weather condition over the past three days after frequent spells of moderate to heavy rain and snowfall, the weatherman has forecast yet another wet spell from February 21. Also, due to the accumulation of snow in the upper reaches of Ganderbal district of the Kashmir region that may trigger an avalanche, the government today issued a flash flood warning in the area. The Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, Showkat Ahmed Mir, said there was the possibility of an avalanche at Thajiwas near Sonamarg that could lead to the accumulation of water in Sindh Nullah. “This accumulation can suddenly get discharged into the Sindh Nullah, resulting in the possibility of flooding in some low-lying areas along the nullah,” he added. People living along Sindh Nullah in Kangan and Ganderbal areas have been advised to remain cautious and restrict their activities near the nalla. However, the people have been cautioned not to unnecessarily panic and only take precautionary measures.
	Sports Council employees stage protest Tribune News Service Jammu, February 17 Employees of the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council Employees’ Union today staged a dharna outside the Council office on the premises of Maulana Azad Stadium, in protest against the government’s failure to fulfil their demands. Led by Mohammad Gafoor Dar, state president of the Jammu and Kashmir National Trade Union Front, the employees raised slogans against the government and alleged that it had failed to resolve their long-pending issues. The protesting employees were demanding the settlement of pension issue of retired employees, regularisation of daily wagers and contractual workers, release of arrears of the Sixth Pay Panel Commission, conduct of Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) meeting and implementation of the transfer policy. They urged the minister concerned to intervene and take immediate measures to resolve their issues.
	CBI arrests two postal employees Arteev Sharma/TNS Jammu, February 17 The CBI today raided the Head Post Office in Rajouri district and caught two mail overseers red-handed while accepting a bribe from a postman. Sources told The Tribune that a team of CBI officials led by DSP Radhey Sham raided the Head Post Office, Rajouri, around 2 pm today, on a complaint received from postman Amar Singh, who is a resident of Phallani in Budhal tehsil. Sources said the two mail overseers, identified as Khadim Hussain, a resident of Darhal, and Rajinder Prasad, a resident of Mendhar, had allegedly demanded Rs 25,000 from the postman after the latter failed to deliver some correspondences. “In his complaint, the postman had alleged that the two mail overseers had inspected some branch post offices in Budhal tehsil about four months ago. As he (postman) was unable to deliver some old correspondences, they threatened him of dire consequences and demanded Rs 25,000 as bribe to cover up the matter,” sources added. The sources disclosed that it was agreed upon that the postman would make the payment in instalments. “Acting on the complaint, a CBI team laid the trap and asked the postman to reach the Head Post Office where the two mail overseers were posted. The CBI officials, in civvies, caught the two mail overseers red-handed when the postman gave them Rs 10,000 as bribe,” sources maintained. The arrested mail overseers were brought to Jammu from Rajouri for further investigation. The team also scrutinised and seized some official documents from the Head Post Office. Senior CBI officials, however, remained tightlipped over the issue.
	Police revokes order on SIM cards Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 17 The police here today rescinded its instructions issued to mobile phone recharge vendors to maintain records of customers after assurances by mobile service providers that such details would be supplied centrally. Earlier, the police had asked recharge providers in the Valley to maintain proper records of the customers who got their SIM cards recharged and supply it to the police every fortnight. This directive had inconvenienced thousands of prepaid subscribers as the vendors had stopped offering the recharge facility here, saying the process would be cumbersome for them to follow.
	Finance Minister, CIC meet Governor Tribune News Service Jammu, February 17 Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today. During their meeting, the Governor and the Finance Minister discussed important issues relating to taxation, revenue and financial management. The issues discussed during the meeting related to the rapid socio-economic development of the state. Various aspects of registration and stamp duty regulations were also discussed. Meanwhile, Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) GR Sufi also called on the Governor at Raj Bhawan here today. During their hour-long meeting, Sufi briefed the Governor about the progress of the implementation of the Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act, 2009, for furthering the interests of good governance.
	Measures afoot to check traffic chaos in Jammu Varun Suthra Tribune News Service Jammu, February 17 The government will soon put into practice a comprehensive mobility plan to deal with the increasing traffic chaos in the winter capital. This was disclosed by the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pawan Kotwal, while addressing mediapersons here today. Kotwal said a survey for both the capital cities of the state, Jammu and Srinagar, was already given to a reputed consultancy firm and they would suggest a one time plan to tackle the traffic needs of the capital cities. “The firm conducts surveys when the traffic is at its peak in the city. The survey for Srinagar was conducted in summers and now the same is underway for the winter capital. We will get the survey reports for Jammu by the end of March,” kotwal added. He said work on other prominent projects was also being carried at a war footing, which included the construction of the fourth bridge on the Tawi, an alternate route to the circular road and a flyover from Bikram Chowk to Government Women College, Gandhi Nagar. “The new Tawi Bridge will be connected to a road, which will open into the Muthi area directly, that will surely reduce the traffic. A project worth Rs 56 Crore for an alternate route to the circular road is also underway and land acquisition and soil testing for the new flyover has been competed,” he added. Asked about the installation of traffic signals, Kotwal said prominent chowks had been spotted for that, adding we will first consider the road-widening projects before the installation of traffic lights. “We will have to take into account the capacity of the roads before installing traffic signals,” said the Divisional Commissioner. On the much-awaited Jammu airport expansion project, Kotwal said most of the technical and legal hurdles had been overcome and work would start in the next few months. “There is no insurmountable difficulty now. The only issue left is a power line, which is running at a distance of about 1.5 km from the proposed edge of new airport. It should ideally be 3 km away.”
	Panel okays industrial proposals Jammu, February 17 The Apex Project Clearance Committee (APCC), which met under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Madhav Lal here yesterday, held detailed deliberations and cleared a number of project proposals to give boost to industrial sector in the state. The committee also approved the allotment of land and other incentives to entrepreneurs for setting up of their manufacturing units at various industrial growth centres across the state. — TNS
	Railway updates for pilgrims Our Correspondent Katra, February 17 The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), Katra, in association with the Railways has decided to install electronic boards en route to the holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, Katra, to keep the pilgrims updated on the railway timings. “For the convenience of the pilgrims coming to Katra from across the country, electronic-cum-digital boards will be installed at different locations on the track,” SMVDSB officials said here this evening, adding that it is an initiative to keep the visitors updated on trains schedules, timings, cancellations and the registration process so that they do not suffer and perform the pilgrimage smoothly. The first electronic-cum-digital board would be installed at Ban Ganga and the tenders have already been invited for it, the officials added.
	‘Jashan-e-Azadi’ screened amid protests Sonika Raina Tribune News Services Jammu, February 17 Sanjay Kak’s controversial film ‘Jashn-e-Azadi’, which was screened at the Delhi School of Economics amid tight security today, evoked sharp criticism from the Kashmiri Pandit Community living in Jammu. The film was screened amid slogans like “Bharat Mata ki Jai”, raised by activists of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. Dr Agnishekhar, convener of the Panun Kashmir, said, “With respect to the freedom of speech we condemn the screening of the film. We have an objection on the content of the film as it ignores one side of the story. The plight of the Kashmiri Pandits has been ignored. It is a game plan that is being played by pseudo-intellectuals and film makers.” “Kak is a Kashmiri Pandit and despite that he has ignored the first victims of militancy in Kashmir. This film is just a very simple way of cheap publicity,” Dr Agnishekhar added. The film has been in controversy since 2007 when the Kashmiri Pandit group “Roots in Kashmir” opposed its screening at New Delhi. The film Jashn-e-Azadi came again into news in January 2012 after the cancellation of its screening at Symbiosis University in Pune. Vir Saraf, convener of the Roots in Kashmir, Jammu, said, “Sanjay Kak has made a purely commercial film that too at the cost of the plight of the Kashmiri Pandits. Everyone has freedom of speech, but telling a half truth is no justice. He has given the name Azadi to his film, but terror can never be termed as Azadi.” “The Kashmiri Pandits were the first victims of militancy in Kashmir, as they were forcibly thrown out of the Valley. Kak has not touched upon the point at all. We will make sure that the film is not screened in Jammu,” he added. Despite threats by right wing forces like the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and the Bhagat Singh Kranti Sena, organisers successfully screened the film in New Delhi.
	Students hold stir against recruitment policy Jammu, February 17 The Progressive Students’ Association (PSA), Jammu, today staged a ‘nukkar natak’ on the University of Jammu campus to mark their protest against the new recruitment policy of the state government. The natak was staged near Dhanvantri Central Library, in which the university committee of the PSA presented two songs, a natak and two speeches. The title of the play was ‘Naye Neeta-Naya Dhoka’ and was staged with an objective to show the ups and downs in the recent upsurge against the state’s new recruitment policy. Manik, president of the university committee of the PSA, said, “The government has witnessed huge resistance from the student community when the policy was introduced. But because of examinations in the university the issue was put on the back foot. This doesn’t mean we are sitting idle. We are waiting for the response of the High Court.” — TNS
	Panthers Party to protest on Feb 23 Jammu, February 17 To lodge a protest against the failure of the state government on all fronts, the Panthers Party has decided to hold a demonstration in front of the Assembly on February 23, when the budget session is going to begin. Addressing a press conference here yesterday, Panthers Party chief Bhim Singh said the coalition regime headed by Omar Abdullah had “failed on all fronts” and the protest would be organised in support of their demand for immediate dismissal of the “tainted, corrupt and non-functional government”. — TNS
	Valley gears up for Mahashivratri Ehsan Fazili/TNS Srinagar, February 17 Kashmiri Pandits, who have a thin presence in the Valley after their migration over two decades ago due to militancy, are all set to celebrate Mahashivratri on February 20. The centuries-old social and cultural bond between the Muslims and the Pandits continues to be the basis of the celebrations in the Valley. Demand for special ingredients like walnut, fish and “nadru” or lotus stem has gone up ahead of the festivities in Kashmir, particularly the capital city, where the presence of the Pandits is substantial as compared to the other areas. Even areas like Habba Kadal in the summer capital, where the presence of the Pandits is limited, are abuzz with festivity. People from both communities celebrate the festival together in the Valley by exchanging pleasantries. In view of the festival, the authorities have made several measures to provide requisite facilities to the Pandits. The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Hassan Samoon, has asked all deputy commissioners and head of departments to make requisite arrangements for Maha Shivratri, an official spokesperson said. Instructions have been issued to the Chief Engineer, EM&RE, and the Chief Engineer, PHE, to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity and potable water, while the Director, CAPD, has been asked to ensure the availability of “nadru” in areas dominated by the Pandits during the festival. Directions have also been issued to the Joint Director, Fisheries, to open special sales counters for the sale of trout, while the Deputy Director, Horticulture, Planning & Marketing, has been asked to open special counters for the sale of walnuts.
	Two killed in road mishap Banihal, February 17 Two persons were killed on the spot and three others were injured when a truck skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge in Ramban district today. The truck, which was loaded with sheep and goat for the Army supply, was on its way to Srinagar from Jammu when the driver of the truck lost control over it and fell into a deep gorge at Panthyal in the Banihal area of the district this afternoon, officials said. — PTI