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Advisory boards a drain on state exchequer
J-K fails to meet SC deadline
Omar silent on magisterial probe report
Centre stops Rs 600 cr for urban projects
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Measures in place to check intrusion bids during summer
Victims’ kin hope to get justice some day
Amarnath yatra: Met working on more accurate forecast
Efforts on to save Dal and Nigeen lakes
Panchayat members observe hunger strike, threaten stir
Fulfil promises made to working class: CPM
Former ‘spy’ again on road to seek justice
US hotel chain sets foot
in Kashmir
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Advisory boards a drain on state exchequer
Jammu, May 1 Expect for holding meetings after repeated intervals nothing concrete has been done by these advisory boards for the uplift of the weaker sections of society. The Opposition has reason to call these advisory boards “rehabilitation centres” for politicians of the ruling coalition because only activists of the ruling parties have been nominated as members to these boards. The heads of these boards are members of either the ruling National Conference or coalition partner Congress. Official documents say Rs 186.91 lakh has been incurred on the appointment of various vice-chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of these boards during the last two years. While the maximum amount of Rs 29.97 lakh has been spent on the vice-chairperson of the J&K State Advisory Board for the Development of Scheduled Castes, Rs 7.32 lakh has been spent on the chairperson of the J&K State Social Welfare Board. Although the status of Minister of State has been given to vice-chairpersons of these boards, decisions taken in the meetings of advisory boards are rarely implemented. In two consecutive meetings of the State Advisory Board for Welfare and Development of Other Backward Classes, a number of recommendations were made for the uplift of the OBCs in the state but these recommendations still remain on paper. Similarly, some recommendations were made in the Advisory Board for Scheduled Castes but nothing has been done so far. Panthers Party leader Harsh Dev Singh demanded that posts of vice-chairman in various boards should be done away with to reduce burden on the state exchequer. “The state’s financial health does not afford expenditure on these matters.” Oppn dubs them rehab centres n
The Opposition has reason to call these advisory boards “rehabilitation centres” for politicians of the ruling coalition because only activists of the ruling parties have been nominated as members to these boards n
The heads of these boards are members of either the ruling National Conference or coalition partner Congress n
Official documents say `186.91 lakh has been incurred on the appointment of various vice-chairpersons and vice-chairpersons Expenditure on vice-chairpersons/ *chairpersons Name of Board Expenditure in 2 yrs Board for Development of Pahari-Speaking People `22.73 lakh Board for Development of Gujjar and Bakerwals `27.40 lakh Board for Development of Scheduled Castes `29.97 lakh Advisory Board for Kissan `28.95 lakh Advisory Board for Welfare & Development of OBCs `25.76 lakh *J&K Social Welfare Board `7.32 lakh *J&K State Commission for Women `17.6 lakh *J&K Commission for Backward Classes `20.68 lakh |
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Tamper-proof number plates
Jammu, May 1 The Supreme Court had directed various states and Union Territories to start the tamper-proof number plate system by April 30 for new vehicles and for old vehicles by June 15. Official sources said the government may get second contempt notice from the Supreme Court as the firm that was given the task of affixing the tamper-proof number plates failed to meet the deadline fixed by the apex court. The sources claimed that the state government in an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court had assured for compliance vis-à-vis implementation of the scheme from May 1. The Hyderabad-based, Promuk Horffmann International Limited (PHIL), was given the tender for fastening the HSRNPs on all the vehicles in November 2011. The Transport Department has recently served two show cause notices to PHIL, seeking explanation from it on the delay over the setting up of embossing stations and an affixation centre, a pre-requisite for fastening of tamper-proof number plates on vehicles. “The PHIL authorities failed to respond in a satisfactory manner, putting the department in a tight spot as it (department) failed to meet the deadline,” the sources added. Transport Commissioner, State Transport Authority, Mehraj Ahmed Kakroo, however, said the PHIL authorities had informed his subordinates that all equipment required for the implementation of the scheme had reached the winter capital and the process would be started within a week. “We will cancel the contract with PHIL, if it fails to implement the scheme by next week,” Kakroo said. A senior official of the Transport Department, who wished anonymity, claimed that the company would not be able to start the process within the specified time. “Going by the tardy pace, vehicles owners will have to wait indefinitely, as the department may cancel the contract with PHIL,” the official said. He said this would delay the process of issuing the number plates for several more weeks. The fixing of the high security number plates is of great significance in the militancy-hit Jammu and Kashmir, where vehicles with ‘fake number’ are being used by militants for executing their designs. The state has over 9 lakh vehicles, including private and commercial. Nearly 70,000 fresh vehicles hit the roads annually. Earlier, the Supreme Court had issued contempt notices to the Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh and Haryana governments for their failure to implement the tamper-proof number plates on August 30, 2011. Under the new process, the tamper-proof plates, which are non-replaceable, make tracking down of stolen vehicles easier. If somebody makes an attempt to remove or replace the number plate, it will break the snap lock, making it impossible to install any other number plate in the vehicle. |
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Omar silent on magisterial probe report
Srinagar, May 1 Reacting to a query on the micro-blogging website Twitter, Omar said: “I refuse to react to this (magisterial) report till Justice Bedi concludes his inquiry.” While Yousuf had died on September 30 last year in police custody a day after meeting the Chief Minister, a magisterial probe into the case has exonerated Omar and his close aides. The Justice HS Bedi Commission had been appointed to probe the case on November 18 last year and its report is awaited. After one of Omar’s followers on Twitter suggested that the state government should recall Justice Bedi as the Chief Minister had been given a clean chit, he (Omar) said: “(Bedi Commission) is an inquiry independent of this one. He is well within his rights to differ if he so finds.”
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Centre stops Rs 600 cr for urban projects
Jammu, May 1 Sources said the money was part of the second instalment to complete the works under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) and Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), meant to improve the basic conditions of urban centres in the state. The Centrally-sponsored JNNURM and UIDSSMT were extended to the state in 2007-08 for upgradation and improvement of twin cities of Jammu and Srinagar and 22 towns of the state. While extending these schemes, the Central government had directed the state to carry out some urban reforms as mandated under the schemes and increase the resources of urban local bodies to make them self-sustainable. Official sources in the Urban Development Ministry said funds had been stopped by the Union Housing Ministry as the state had failed to bring reforms, which include taking an initiative on rent control reforms, rationalisation of stamp duty to less than 5 per cent, property title certification and computerised processing of registration of land and property. “There were nearly 23 reforms which had to be brought in the urban local bodies here as per the Central guidelines. But the state is slow in implementing them, mainly because of lack of coordination within the officials and departments,” said a senior officer on condition of anonymity. Admitting that funds had been blocked, Director, Urban Local Bodies, Faqir Chand Bhagat said it had affected the projects taken up by different agencies. The Centre had released 50 per cent of the funds initially with directions that the other half would be released after the reforms. But there were some administrative problems, which delayed the process,” Bhagat said. However, he claimed the government had set in motion the process to implement the points raised by the Centre. The state has already approached the Planning Commission to allow it to surrender a few projects taken under JNNURM so that the funds could be diverted for completion of old projects which have been delayed much beyond their stipulated time. “Despite crores of rupees released by the Centre, agencies have not taken up many projects because the old ones are still far from completion and the money has remained unutilised,” said an official. |
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Measures in place to check intrusion bids during summer
Jammu, May 1 Following intelligence inputs of a possible spurt in infiltration bids by armed militants in the summer ahead, the Army has put in place all requisite measures. The BSF in tandem with the Army guards the 293-km-long international border south of Jammu, while the Army mans the LoC and the AGPL in the border state. Defence Minister A K Antony had recently told top military commanders that the summer months would provide an “even more realistic assessment” of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. “Over a period of time, the Army has also learnt its lessons and that is why the infiltration level is going down every year. Last year, we maintained zero infiltration in the area under the command of 16 Corps and it became possible because of refinement of drill on our part and understanding their (militants’) tactics,” said a senior officer of the Army, who wished anonymity. “Ever since we put up the anti-infiltration obstacle system along the LoC, our patrolling has become more coordinated and at the same time we have been able to effectively plug porous openings along the LoC,” he added. However, the officer made it clear that the Army could not afford to lower its guard on the border. “It is our alertness 24x7x365 and continuous refinement that we were able to ensure zero infiltration last year in the Jammu sector,” he said. The LoC in the Jammu region runs for 224.5 km. “Following the Kargil conflict in 1999, we made it a point to guard the AGPL in Jammu and Kashmir throughout the year,” he said, adding that before the Kargil conflict, the AGPL was guarded during summers only. The officer disclosed that ahead of every summer, intelligence inputs begin coming to them on a daily basis about militants’ presence in various launch pads and terror camps on the other side of the LoC. “We are monitoring their presence in various launch pads and camps on the other side. Our inputs suggest that there are around 300 to 325 militants in various launch pads on the other side of the LoC opposite the Jammu sector,” he said. The officer also disclosed that 42 terror camps were still intact in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. “Since the snow has melted in mountain passes, they (militants) will certainly attempt to intrude into the state to disturb peace and step up violence,” he added. “Before attempting intrusion, militants conduct a recce of the area selected by them. Based upon our intelligence network, we accordingly chalk out our strategy,” said the officer. Besides using sniffer dogs, the Army has put up sophisticated surveillance devices along the LoC fence, he added. These devices give troopers enough indications about possible trouble on the border, said the officer. |
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Victims’ kin hope to get justice some day
Srinagar, May 1 “We are poor people who have suffered immensely and we hope that we will get justice one day,” said Abdul Rashid, son of Juma Khan, who was one of the five civilians killed in the alleged fake encounter in Pathribal village of Anatnag district on March 25, 2000. “The CBI did a truthful investigation into the case and now the Supreme Court has given time to the Army to decide on the trial and we are hopeful that justice would be done one day,” he added. Shakoor Ahmed, relative of another victim, said the case should be tried in a criminal court. “We can keep a watch on the trial in a civilian court only,” Shakoor said. Five Pakistani militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba were allegedly killed in a joint operation in 2000 by the Army and police, which claimed that the militants were responsible for the killing of 35 Sikhs in Kashmir’s Chattisinghpora village. The state government transferred the case to the CBI, which indicted the five Army officers. The Army, however, contested the basis of the jurisdiction and approached the High Court, which dismissed the case. The HC order was later stayed by the Supreme Court. And today, the apex court said the Army would decide in eight weeks whether the accused in the case would face court martial or criminal trial. |
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Amarnath yatra: Met working on more accurate forecast
Srinagar, May 1 This was disclosed in a meeting held at Raj Bhawan here today under the chairmanship of Navin K Choudhary, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB). Sonam Lotus, Head of the Meteorological Department, also attended the meeting. The meeting was informed that the Meteorological Department was in the process of establishing three Advanced Warning Systems (AWS) at the base camps at Baltal and Pahalgam and at the holy cave. The AWS would predict weather more accurately on a given date. The department has also decided to install weather display board at the Nunwan base camp near Pahalgam and at the Baltal base camp for the benefit of the yatris. It was also decided that the department would provide instant warning regarding weather related disturbances to all the authorities concerned through an SMS service. Lotus said the department was in the process of establishing a Doppler Radar at Srinagar for which the procurement process was at an advanced stage. Once established, it would predict weather conditions in the Valley more accurately. This would not only benefit the yatra but also the people of Kashmir. For the real picture n
The Met Department is in the process of establishing three advanced warning Systems (AWS) at the base camps at Baltal and Pahalgam and at the holy cave. The AWS will predict weather more accurately n
The department will install weather display boards at the Nunwan base camp near Pahalgam and at the Baltal base camp for the benefit of the yatris n Instant warnings by MeT will be given regarding weather-related disturbances to all authorities concerned through an SMS service
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Efforts on to save Dal and Nigeen lakes
Srinagar, May 1 To save the lakes from ecological deterioration and to maintain high tourism potential, the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) has undertaken a Centrally-sponsored Rs 298.76 crore project since 2005, which is to be completed by the end of 2013. “There has been a lot of human interference over the years, which includes coming up of hotels along the Boulevard road,” said Irfan Yaseen, Vice-Chairman of the LAWDA. The population in and around the lake has increased to 3.5 lakh, which adds to the enrichment of nutrients, resulting in excessive growth of weeds. “The weeds are regularly being removed, relieving the lake of nutrients trapped in weeds,” adds the LAWDA chief. During the past seven years, about 1,500 kanals have been converted into water and added to the lake, Irfan Yaseen disclosed. As part of the conservation and management project, the LAWDA has also rehabilitated 1,500 families in nine colonies set up away from the lake area, he revealed. The menace of illegal constructions in and around the lake is unabated even as various measures have been taken to check it. “We have intensified the demolition drive against illegal constructions in and around the Dal Lake during the last six months,” Yaseen said. Around 101 illegal structures have been removed while 21 trucks and tippers transporting illegal construction material have been seized so far. “The people have been asked to restrain from carrying out any sort of construction, encroachment and transportation of construction material in the area under the LAWDA,” Yaseen said. Yaseen pointed out that there has been no decline in the lake area and satellite imagery had put its area at 25.76 sqkm against 25.86 sqkm as recorded in 1895. Similarly, the lake’s water surface stands at 20.21 sqkm against 18.21 sqkm in 1895, while the land mass and fixed cultivation stands at 5.55 sqkm against 7.65 sqkm in 1895. The LAWDA has been working on reducing the pressure on the lake by establishing a settling basin having a capacity of 80,000 tonnes of silt. The Dal Lake is unique because it is probably the only lake in which people live in hamlets and houseboats inside the lake and cultivation is carried out on floating gardens. |
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Panchayat members observe hunger strike, threaten stir
Srinagar, May 1 Under the banner of the J&K Panchayati Raj Movement (JKPRM), village heads belonging to various districts of the Valley observed a hunger strike at the Press Enclave. The protesters alleged that the government had failed to transfer powers to the elected panchayat members and threatened to launch a “massive” agitation from June 1 in case their demands were not fulfilled. JKPRM convener Shahnawaz Sultan demanded extension of the 73rd Amendment to the Indian Constitution regarding Panchayati Raj to the state. “The government is not being clear on the issues related to the 73rd Amendment, powers to panchayat members and monthly honorarium for sarpanches and panches. Our leaders are telling people that it is not possible to introduce the 73rd Amendment in the state in view of the Article 370. But when our government extended draconian laws like the AFSPA and POTA, what is the problem with the 73rd Amendment?” he asked. |
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Fulfil promises made to working class: CPM
Srinagar, May 1 Members of various workers’ unions gathered at Sher-e-Kashmir Park under the banner of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and tried to take out a procession towards Lal Chowk. The procession, which was led by CITU state president and CPM state secretary Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, was stopped by the police at Regal Chowk. Tarigami urged the government to fulfil the promises made to the working class. He called for unity among the working class for “reversing the disastrous neo-liberal economic policies”. “Only united struggles of toilers can force the government and employers to concede to the genuine demands of the working people,” the CPM leader said. The CITU members and supporters also demanded the amendment of the Minimum Wages Act and fixation of statutory minimum wages of Rs 10,000 per month and assured pension for the working class. The ruling National Conference (NC) also organised various functions today, in which party leaders assured labourers that their demands would be highlighted at all levels. The main NC function was organised at Nawa-i-Subh party headquarters here, which was chaired by provincial president Ali Mohammad Dar. Dar said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was committed to fulfil the promises made to the working class. The NC also organised a series of public meetings at various district and tehsil headquarters on May Day. Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Coordination Committee of Trade Unions (JKCCTU) held its May Day rally in the Press Enclave area. JKCCTU president Mohammad Maqbool highlighted the problems being faced by the working class. Maqbool demanded the regularisation of services of casual workers in various government departments. |
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Former ‘spy’ again on road to seek justice
Jammu, May 1 Sawhney had been put on IV fluids at the hospital since April 21. He didn’t take any solid food despite being forced by Jammu Deputy Commissioner Sanjeev Verma, Additional Deputy Commissioner Ravi Shankar Sharma and Joint Commissioner of the Jammu Municipal Corporation. “Today around 9 am, the Additional Deputy Commissioner visited me again. He asked me to end my fast and assured me that he will look into my case. I told him that unless they give me something in writing I will not relent,” Sawhney told The Tribune. He expressed regrets that for 11 days Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s “responsive” government had remained in a state of inertia for a man who gave his prime for the country. Fettered in chains and a Tricolour by his side, Sawhney said his vital organs had started malfunctioning. “Doctors at the hospital told me that my kidneys and heart have developed some complications. The symptoms of jaundice are quite visible. The government has been buying time for the past 11 days,” he said. The 59-year-old former ‘spy’ said the state government had so far handed him a raw deal. “If there is a policy for rehabilitating surrendered militants than why cannot the government rehabilitate me with dignity,” he asked. Sawhney was caught during an espionage mission in Pakistan. He was put in various prisons in Pakistan for 11 years before being set free in 1988. Sawhney, who has constituted the Jammu Ex-Sleuths Association for people like him, was today joined by another former ‘spy’ Ram Raj and his wife, who had come from Budhi village of Kathua district. |
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US hotel chain sets foot
in Kashmir
Srinagar, May 1 Two decades of turmoil in Kashmir has kept prominent hotel chains away for security and commercial reasons. “The venture is likely to give a boost to the tourism sector in Kashmir and bring more national and international hotels to the Valley,” said a tourism official. The 85-room Khyber Mountain Resort and Spa at Gulmarg will be the seventh hotel managed by the Interstate Hotels and Resorts in India. “We are delighted to be selected as the operator of this world-class resort for a new owner,” Chief Executive Officer of the Interstate Hotels Jim Abrahamson said in a statement. “The Khyber Mountain Resort and Spa will be a high-quality resort that will take the full advantage of its prime location throughout the year.” The five-star hotel is spread over seven acres and located near the Gondola project that connects Gulmarg to Affarwat. “This will be the first major high-end address in Gulmarg and will require a great deal of attention,” Chief Executive Officer, Khyber Group of Hotels, Umar Tramboo said. Last year, the Taj Group had entered into an alliance with the Saifco Hotels to set-up Vivanta by Taj in Srinagar.
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Jammu, May 1
Srinagar, May 1
Srinagar, May 1
Srinagar, May 1
