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Assembly session hits a new low
Afzal should pay for misdeeds: Farooq
Police to facilitate rehabilitation of released militants
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Heavy damage to LOC fencing, says Army Commander
IAF airlifts 225
stranded passengers to Leh
HC programme on rights of children
Farooq stresses use of renewable energy
Rail link to Katra to be operational by 2013
One killed, 2 hurt in road mishap
2.22 cr tourists visited J-K in last 2 years: Minister
PDP targets coalition
PDP trying to create rift: Omar
Disappearance of Sikhs worries panel
Militant hideout busted
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Assembly session hits a new low
Jammu, February 25 As soon as Beigh referred to the smart card scam, which figures the name of Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather’s son, the Speaker intervened and directed the PDP member not to name anyone without having an authenticate proof. Infuriated at the intervention, Beigh left his seat and moved towards the main entrance to the Assembly to stage a walkout, accusing the Speaker of preventing him from speaking on the issue. The Speaker and Beigh entered into a verbal duel and some unparliamentary remarks were passed during the heated exchanges. Speaker’s language against Beigh infuriated the PDP members, who later staged a walkout from the House. The evening session of the Assembly was convened to discuss corruption, after the PDP sought a detailed debate on the issue. Earlier, the corruption issue rocked the Assembly on the second consecutive day today, as members of the PDP created uproar after the Speaker rejected their demand for suspending the normal business to hold a debate on the issue. The House witnessed din and commotion for over 40 minutes in the morning session, as the PDP members resorted to sloganeering against the National Conference-Congress government for shying away from debating corruption. Amidst sloganeering, PDP members trooped into the well of the House, demanding the suspension of the normal business. They were, however, pacified when the Speaker allowed a discussion on the issue during the second sitting of the Assembly, while rejecting the adjournment motion moved by the party. As soon as the House assembled this morning, PDP members demanded a discussion on the corruption issue, as the party had served a notice on the Speaker for the adjournment of the Question Hour to discuss the issue. When the Speaker disallowed the adjournment motion, the PDP members resorted to sloganeering and moved towards the front row, where senior party leaders, including former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, were seated. Although the Speaker repeatedly asked the PDP members to return to their benches, the latter insisted on debating the corruption issue by suspending the normal business. “The issue is more important because the masses have been facing hardships due to rampant corruption in the state,” said PDP member Abdul Rehman Veeri, who was joined by other party colleagues. In spite of the pandemonium, the Speaker asked the other members to raise their questions listed in the business. The ministers tried to reply to the members’ queries but nothing was audible in the House due to the uproar. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while trying to intervene, said his government was not afraid of holding a discussion on the issue of corruption, but they had to follow a certain procedure. He said corruption was an important issue but the Question Hour should not be disrupted. “He (Omar) has been facing inquiries in similar cases, so he does not have the moral authority to allow a discussion or participate in it,” PDP legislature party leader Mehbooba Mufti reacted. Amidst the commotion, the Speaker asked all PDP members to return to their benches and so that he could give his verdict on the adjournment motion moved by the party. The PDP members then returned to their benches and the Speaker allowed a discussion on the issue while rejecting the adjournment motion. An similar adjournment motion by the PDP was earlier rejected on Friday.
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Afzal should pay for misdeeds: Farooq
Jammu, February 25 Farooq Abdullah said this while interacting with mediapersons outside the Legislative Assembly. When reacting to a resolution in the Assembly over mercy for Afzal Guru, Farooq said: “As an Indian, I believe whosoever has worked against India must pay the price.” “The mercy petition is pending with the President of India. It is now for the President to give her consent. Wait till the consent comes,” he said. He also lambasted moderate Hurriyat Conference leader Mirwaiz Omar Farooq for adopting double standard. “On the one hand, he (Mirwaiz) has been holding an Indian passport, while on the other, he speaks against the country,” he said. On Mirwaiz’s alleged provocative speech at Jamia Masjid in Delhi on Friday, he said: “India is a free country. Everybody has a freedom of speech in this country.” He, however, said it was not applicable if one spoke against the territorial integrity of the country. “I will not tolerate this because I am an Indian. Whether it is Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq or Farooq Abdullah — we all are Indians. We have some issues with the Centre that we want to resolve,” he said. Farooq also took his outspoken brother Mustafa Kamal to task for making “irresponsible” statements. “I have already removed him from the post of spokesperson for the NC but he has this tendency to speak on controversial issues. So what can I do?” he said. Taking a dig at the PDP chief, Mehbooba Mufti, for raking up the corruption issue, he said before levelling such charges against the government, she should look into the misdeeds of the previous government run by her party.
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Police to facilitate rehabilitation of released militants
Srinagar, February 25 Speaking on the occasion at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), the IGP reiterated the commitment of the state government for the rehabilitation of released militants, who have returned to the mainstream so that they can live a dignified life. The IGP impressed upon the participants to form NGO’s in every district that could provide a platform to the released militants to coordinate with the state government and the police for their rehabilitation. Sahai assured full support to the released militants for their rehabilitation in the mainstream. About 1,500 released militants from Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal districts attended the interactive session wherein they apprised the IGP, Kashmir, of their grievances and problems that they have been facing. The speakers told the IGP that they were facing stigma in the society. They said their relatives were not being given the police clearance for passports and faced mental agony for being regularly summoned to police stations. During the interaction, the IGP stated that the government had relaxed the passport verification provisions for the relatives of the released militants and now the relatives of the released militants would be cleared by the police. However, keeping in view the high number of such cases that have come up after the relaxation, passport verifications would be completed in due course of time. The IGP also assured them that their attendance to the police stations would be curtailed. The interactive session was also attended by Deputy Inspector General of the police, central Kashmir Range, AG Mir; SSP, Srinagar, Ashiq Bukhari; SSP, Budgam, Uttam Chand and other senior police officers.
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Heavy damage to LOC fencing, says Army Commander
Srinagar, February 25 Stating this during his visit here today, Lt Gen KT Parnaik, GOC-in-C, Northern Command, assured that efforts to repair and rebuild these facilities would commence once the snow receded. He was talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of a wreath laying ceremony for 13 soldiers killed in the avalanche in the Gurez area. Lt Gen Parnaik, who arrived here this morning, could not visit the avalanche-hit areas and meet the troops stationed there due to bad weather conditions in the region. On his arrival, the Army Commander was received by Lt Gen SA Hasnain, GOC, Chinar Corps, who briefed him about the damages and loss of life in the recent avalanches as well as the rescue effort undertaken. The Army Commander attended the wreath laying ceremony for the 13 soldiers who lost their lives in the avalanche at Dawar (Gurez). Interacting with mediapersons, he expressed his condolences to the soldiers’ families and assured them of extending full assistance in their hour of grief. He appreciated the rescue efforts initiated by the Army and thanked the Chief Minister and the civil administration for the assistance provided by them. At least 16 Army men were killed in two avalanches in the Gurez area of Bandipore district in north Kashmir and the Sonmarg area of Ganderbal district in central Kashmir on Wednesday. Wreaths were laid on the bodies of 13 soldiers who died at Dawar. They have been identified as: subedar Desh Raj, naib subedar RS Poonia, naib subedar SN Yadav, naib subedar UB Hirve, havildar Om Prakash Baitha, sepoy Vinay Kumar Bharati, craftsman Ankit Kumar, craftsman S Muni Samy, sepoy Dinesh Kumar, sepoy Sagar Biswas, sepoy Probir Sarkar, craftsman Shyju JP and craftsman Nawle Manoj. The deceased were from the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering. In the avalanche at Sonmarg, three Army men were killed, while several others were rescued. Those killed in the avalanche were: naib subedar Mahadev Gain, sepoy Puvaneswaran M (both of Army Service Corps), and rifleman Amit Sharma of the Territorial Army. |
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Rehab policy for youths who shun gun: Omar
Jammu, February 25 Replying to a question by the PDP Councilor, Murtaza Ahmad Khan, Omar replied, “We are very serious, but the truth is always bitter. Only those youths will be rehabilitated, who want to return and live a peaceful life. Pakistan wants to sabotage the process, but the state government has tabled the issue on every podium, including the Union Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home.” “We have shortlisted over 65 applications and the families concerned have been informed, but we cannot disclose the details, including the routes through which they will be brought back. Any of our disclosures may affect the proceedings,” he added. “Though this initiative was opposed by the PDP dispensation during its tenure for which records of the legislature bear testimony,” he said. Murtaza’s question read, “The details of the decisions taken for the rehabilitation of youth, who have crossed over to Pakistan during the last 20 years with number of persons rehabilitated or to be rehabilitated.” The reply from the minister concerned read, “Acting on the recommendations of the working group-I “Confidence Building Measures Across the Segment of People in the State”, the government had notified the policy and procedures for the return of ex-militants. So far, 1,034 applications have been received on behalf of the persons presently residing in the PoK, who intend to return to Kashmir and of these 67 cases have been recommended, the decision on which is awaited. The rest of the applications are being scrutinised and verified.” Earlier, RS Chib started replying to the question and said a detailed answer had been tabled in the House. Not content with the reply, Murtaza alleged that the government was exploiting the issue to gain appreciation and nothing was being done on the ground. Murtaza asked, “What is the criteria of the government? How is the policy working when no final authority has been declared? Tell us precisely when will their return be made possible under the policy.” Meanwhile, Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani also entered into the House and joined the impromptu debate. “Only those youths would be benefited under the rehabilitation policy, who are not involved in any heinous crimes,” said Minister of State for Home. Not satisfied with the replies of the minister concerned, the PDP member walked out of the House in protest. “Not even a single case has been sorted out under the policy and the government is exploiting the policy for self appreciation,” he said while leaving the House.
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IAF airlifts 225
stranded passengers to Leh
Jammu, February 25 The state government had earlier announced that special IAF sorties would be arranged for stranded passengers of Kargil town, which remains cut off due to heavy snowfall on the Zojilla pass, said SN Acharya, Defence spokesperson. Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pawan Kotwal and Air Officer Commanding of the Air Force Station, Jammu, Air Commodore Nitin Sathe supervised the entire operation. Due to continuous
blockade of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway due to heavy snowfall last month, the authorities had arranged special IAF sorties between Jammu and Srinagar for stranded passengers in Jammu and Srinagar.
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HC programme on rights of children
Jammu, February 25 The two-day programme on the rights of children is being organised by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court and the Jammu and Kashmir State Legal Services Authority. Patron-in-Chief of the Jammu and Kashmir State Legal Services Authority Justice Virender Singh and Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Sagar also participated in the programme. Others who attended the programme included various High Court judges; judges from subordinate courts; senior advocates; members of the Bar Association, Jammu and Kashmir; representatives of various NGOs; children drawn from the lower strata of society and many physically challenged persons. Justice Altamas Kabir appreciated the efforts of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court and the Jammu and Kashmir State Legal Services Authority, in making an endeavour to aware the children about their rights. Later, Justice Kabir also inaugurated legal aid clinics in the state High Court Complex and in the District Court Complex. |
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Farooq stresses use of renewable energy
Katra, February 25 Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the three-day Scouts and Guides’ Camp here, he said most of the energy required by industry, transport and agriculture was generated from fossil fuels like coal, petroleum and natural gas. Farooq said his ministry had chalked out a detailed plan to promote solar cooking. As many as 200 Scouts and Guides and 40 instructors from the state participated in the camp. During the camp, the Scouts and Guides were encouraged to imbibe leadership qualities and become responsible citizens. Various Scouts and Guides of Bharat Scouts presented a guard of honour to the minister. |
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Rail link to Katra to be operational by 2013
Katra, February 25 Rajasekhar said work on the project was going on, but owing to some adverse climatic conditions, the commissioning of the rail project has been extended till 2013. Reviewing the progress of the ongoing construction work of the proposed rail link to Katra and Katra-Qazigund, here yesterday, the General Manager told reporters that all the ongoing projects in Jammu and Kashmir would be completed by 2018 and the much-awaited railway link to Katra would be thrown open to the railway traffic by early 2013. He also inspected the premises and chaired a meeting of senior officials. “Once it becomes operational, it would enable the pilgrims of the Vaishno Devi Shrine to travel directly to the Katra base camp from anywhere. The 53-km-long Jammu-Udhampur rail line is already operational, the General Manager added. The Udhampur-Katra rail route, estimated to cost Rs 960 crore, passes through difficult terrains making it an extremely challenging engineering project. The 25-km-long route consists of seven tunnels and about 30 small and big bridges. The total length of the seven tunnels is 12 km on the Udhampur-Katra rail route. While the construction of five tunnels has been completed, work is going on the two tunnels-T1 and T3. The project also got delayed due to problems in the T1 and T3 tunnels. A portion of the 3-km-long T1 tunnel collapsed due to seepage. The construction of the T3 tunnel also faced problem due to the constant flow of trapped water in the construction area, the GM said. |
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One killed, 2 hurt in road mishap
Jammu, February 25 The truck, which was on its way from Star Hotel to Sher-e-Kashmir Bridge hit the pedestrians, as the driver of the truck lost control over the vehicle. The student who was killed on the spot has been identified as Manzoor Hussain , 22, a resident of Seri Khawaja. The injured have been identified as Gulam Nabi, a resident of Kanoyian, and Mohammad Maroof, a resident of Seri Khawaja. The police has seized the truck and filed a case against its driver.
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2.22 cr tourists visited J-K in last 2 years: Minister
Jammu, February 25 Replying to supplementaries raised by Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, Naresh Kumar Gupta and Ajat Shatru Singh, the minister said the Gondola Cable Car project from Mubarak Mandi to Bahu Fort and Makhdoom Sahib were awaiting clearance from the Forest Department and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), respectively. He said both the departments had agreed to provide the clearance to these twin projects and the work would be started soon. In reply to another question by Dr Bashir Ahmad Veeri, Nasir informed the House that the objective of the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages was to organise seminars, interactions, conferences and other cultural activities in the state. While replying to another question by Master Noor Hussain, the minister said the total number of bovine smuggling cases registered during the last two years in Samba and Jammu districts was 218. He added that a total of six persons had been booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) for the illegal transportation of bovines. Murtaza Ahmad Khan raised a supplementary to this question. |
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PDP targets coalition
Jammu, February 25 While initiating a debate on corruption in the Legislative Assembly today, veteran PDP member and former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beigh charged the NC with adopting double standard while dealing with corruption cases against ministers. He said two Congress ministers — GM Saroori and Peerzada Mohamamd Sayeed — were divested of their portfolios after their kin’s names figured in some cases. “There was no direct involvement of these two ministers in any illegal actions but Saroori was sacked from Cabinet and Peerzada was divested of his Education portfolio”, he pointed out and regretted that same yardstick was not adopted while dealing with NC ministers. Quoting media reports, Beigh said similar complaints had been lodged against senior NC ministers Abdul Rahim Rather and Ali Mohammad Sagar but no action had been taken against them so far. “I am not of the opinion that ministers should be sacked from the government without the formal registration of FIRs against them, but same yardstick should be adopted for all ministers. Why should there be a pick and choose policy?” he said. Taking a cue from reported statements of Congress ministers, Beigh said some forces had been hatching conspiracies against them and it was the need of the hour to expose these forces. While the CBI had been asked to probe a case involving Congress minister Saroori’s daughter, nothing had been done in a similar case involving Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather’s son, he said. In his 75-minute speech, Beigh seized all opportunities to corner the NC for adopting double standard on corruption cases. He said the NC stalwart and Finance Minister, Abdul Rahim Rather, should resign on moral grounds. Beigh also highlighted the prevalence of corruption in the Rural Development Department and alleged that national flagship programmes like MNREGA had failed in the state due to rampant corruption. He quoted reports of the CAG to authenticate his allegations and alleged that despite directions of the Union Government, the state government was shying away from conducting social auditing of the MNREGA scheme. |
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PDP trying to create rift: Omar
Jammu, February 25 Winding up the debate on corruption in the Legislative Assembly, Omar regretted that instead of giving valuable suggestions to curb the menace of corruption in the state, PDP leaders tried to create differences between the coalition partners. Pointing to the 75-minute speech by PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Beigh, he said Beigh had tried to provoke Congress leaders by raking up the controversy of resignations by Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed and former minister GM Saroori. He said instead of playing the role of a constructive Opposition, the PDP had been unnecessarily creating uproar in the Assembly. He observed that the PDP was finding it had to sit on the Opposition benches, so the party had been raking up such issues out of frustration. Countering the allegations levelled by Beigh against some ministers of the government, Omar said preliminary inquiries into these allegations had already been conducted and nothing substantial had been found against the ministers. The Chief Minister said even in the Crime Branch inquiry into the allegations of use of unfair means by Peerzada’s son, nothing had been found against the minister. |
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Disappearance of Sikhs worries panel
Srinagar, February 25 In a statement here today, the committee chairman, Jagmohan Singh Raina, said the state and Central governments were not serious about tracing the missing persons. The affected families were still awaiting the return of their loved ones. He added that a number of Sikhs, including Jagjeet Singh from Anantnag, Gurcharan Singh from Hotomorah, Ichpal Singh from Budgam and Bilbeer Singh, had been missing for a long time and no effort had been made to help their families find them.
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Katra, February 25 “A militant hideout was busted in Reasi district by troops of the 54 Rashtriya Rifles and the police,” a senior Army official said. The arms and ammunition recovered included two pistols, four magazines, one pouch and other miscellaneous items. — OC
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Srinagar, February 25
Justice Altamas Kabir of the Supreme Court, who is also the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority, inaugurated the ‘Legal Literacy Programme on the Rights of Children’, in the presence of Justice TS Thakur, Justice KS Panicker Radhakrishanan and Justice Sudhansu Jyoti Mukhopadahya, at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu, today.
Katra, February 25
The pandemonium broke out when Beigh initiated a debate on corruption in the House during the second sitting this evening.