The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Governor talks development, security with Union Cabinet Secy, PM’s Advisor Tribune News Service Jammu, April 13 Union Cabinet Secretary Ajit Kumar Seth today called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today. During an hour-long meeting, the Governor and the Cabinet Secretary discussed various issues relating to the implementation of the ongoing major development programmes and welfare schemes. They also discussed internal and external security matters. Issues relating to the implementation of the Prime Minister’s reconstruction plan, rehabilitation package for the Kashmiri migrants, Central ly sponsored schemes and other major infrastructure development projects were also discussed. Other issues discussed included the status of various hydel power projects in the state, four-laning of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, construction of the Udhampur-Katra-Qazigund section of the Jammu-Baramulla rail link project, upgrade of airports at Jammu and Srinagar, quality of school education and delay in elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions and urban local bodies and promotion of good governance. The Governor also emphasised the need for constant monitoring of all the important development projects to ensure their time-bound completion so that benefits of various schemes reach the people. At a separate meeting S Ramadorai, Advisor to the Prime Minister, National Council on Skill Development, held discussions with the Governor on the initiatives being taken to provide a major boost to the skill development of the youth of the state to enhance their employability in the job market. The status of implementation of Udaan, Himayat and other initiatives taken by the Union and state governments to secure these objectives were also discussed.
	Rural job scheme fails to attract state women Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, April 13 The much publicized Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) scheme has failed to attract women in the state. The overall representation of women in the national flagship scheme is very poor. Under the provisions of the Act, the priority is that unskilled manual work be given to women in such a way that at least one-third of the beneficiaries are women, who have been registered and requested for work. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India report reveals the overall representation of women was very poor being in the range of zero to 19 per cent in five test-checked districts of the state. “Representation of women ranges between two and four per cent in Udhampur, zero to four per cent in Rajouri, zero to 11 per cent in Poonch, zero to four per cent in Baramulla and one to 19 per cent in Pulwama between 2008 and 2012,” the CAG report points out. The officers concerned, however, claim that women were reluctant to come forward to seek jobs under the scheme. The CAG has also slammed the state government for violating norms and guidelines under this national flagship programme. Although this programme guidelines provide that the funds allocated for this scheme should not be used for any other purpose under any circumstances, the CAG report points out that funds to the extent of Rs 1.06 crore had been diverted by the authorities on the activities not related to the scheme. The audit report has pinpointed that funds provided to generate employment were diverted to buy diesel generators, hiring vehicles, buying stationery, on traveling bills of the officers etc. The CAG report pointed out that 680 unapproved works had been executed at a cost of Rs 5.24 crore. “Audit has noticed that 2,950 works which were approved for execution had not been taken up while 680 works, which were not approved were taken up for execution by the Block Development Officers (BDOs) concerned,” the report points out. “The reasons for not taking up the approved works by the BDOs were attributed to non allotment of funds. The contention of BDOs is not acceptable as significant funds were available with them,” report points out. It was also found during the audit that 484 works estimated at a cost of Rs 7.4 crore were taken up for execution during 2007-12 but were incomplete. These works had been abandoned midway after spending Rs 2.92 crore on them.
	Withdrawal of AFSPA from state to get delayed Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, April 13 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s wish to see withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state and inclusion of the Indo-Nepal border as one of the official routes under the rehabilitation policy for Kashmiri militants may take some more time. At a high-level security review meeting, the Army and other security agencies put forth their views on the AFSPA and Nepal route before a team of union secretaries led by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Kumar Seth at the closed-door meeting that took place at Canal Road guest house here today. A team of union secretaries led by Seth today reviewed the security scenario in the militancy plagued state and discussed the operational preparedness of security forces to maintain internal and external security besides taking stock of the summer strategy vis-à-vis spurt in terror attacks in Kashmir last month that resulted in the killings of five CRPF personnel, a border guard and two IRP jawans, he said. The meeting chaired by Seth was attended by Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma, Secretary Coordination, Cabinet Secretariat, Alok Rawat, Secretary, Planning Commission Sindhushree Khullar, Additional Secretary, Home K. Skandan and Joint Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat Subash Chandra Garg. “The Army and other security agencies expressed concern over illegal entry of Kashmiri ultras via Nepal and felt that a proper mechanism be evolved at the earliest. Issues like de-briefing of Kashmiri ultras at the border the moment they enter India from Nepal and deployment of spotters from the state police also figured in the meeting,” he added. The UP government is known to have opposed the deployment of Jammu and Kashmir Police on its borders with Nepal. Sources said the security forces, including the Army, also apprised the central team about the possible ramifications if the AFSPA was tampered with in the backdrop of impending pull out of the US-led NATO forces from Afghanistan next year and number of militants on other side of the LoC. According to a latest US military report, a staggering 94 per cent of fresh recruits of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) see Jammu and Kashmir as a “fighting front” and hail mostly from Pakistan's Punjab province.
	Governor inaugurates community hall Tribune News Service Jammu, April 13 Governor NN Vohra today inaugurated a community hall at Bawa Kailakh Dev Temple Complex at Thathar, Bantalab, near here today. The hall has been constructed by the devotees of Bawa Kailakh Devji through contributions from the public. The Governor also released ‘Raghvinder Panchang’ at a function organised by the Prabandhak Committee, Bawa Kailakh Dev Temple. The Governor lauded the initiative of the people to raise contributions to build a spacious hall in the complex. He said they had set a very good example by joining hands to promote the welfare of the society at large. Referring to the ‘Raghvinder Panchang’, the Governor said it was a very important document for the society, culture and day-to-day lives. The Governor said he would take up various development-oriented demands of the people of the area put forth by MLA Bharat Bhushan with the authorities concerned. The Prabandhak Committee of the Bawa Kailakh Dev Temple honoured presented the Governor with a memento.
	NIA team quizzes two Pak-trained militants, sarpanch of Liyaqat’s native village Ishfaq Tantry Tribune News Service Srinagar, April 13 A team of the National Investigation Agency, NIA, probing the case of Hizbul militant Syed Liyaqat Ali Shah, today visited his native village in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district. The team met and recorded the statements of the village sarpanch and also questioned two former Pak-trained militants, who had returned from the PoK via Nepal border in 2012. The six-member team, headed by a DIG- ranked official, arrived in Kashmir on Thursday. Liyaqat, an alleged Hizbul militant, was arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police from the Indo-Nepal border on March 22. With his arrest, the Special Cell of Delhi Police had claimed to have foiled a 'fidayeen’ attack in Delhi on the Holi eve. This claim was, however, rejected by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, which said Liyaqat was coming to Kashmir via Nepal from PoK to surrender under the special rehabilitation policy for PoK militants. “The team today visited Dardpora village of the Lolab area in Kupwara, where they met village Sarpanch Abdul Gafoor, Liyaqat’s maternal uncle Mohammad Qasim, his brother, Inayat, and Liyaqat’s wife Ameena,” a source said. “The NIA team was told by the family and the sarpanch that Liyaqat had crossed over to PoK in 1997 and wanted to come back. During these years he was in contact with his family,” the NIA team was told, the source added. “After the rehabilitation policy was launched by Omar Abdullah government, the family had formally applied for his return and submitted an application to the DSP, Counter Intelligence Kashmir in 2012,” the Liyaqat’s family and the sarpanch told the NIA team, sources add. Liyaqat’s relatives also told the NIA team that even before his arrival at the Indo-Nepal border, he had contacted his family in Kupwara and had told them that he is coming with his Pakistani wife Akhter. Sources said Liyaqat has three wives; Ameena in Dardpora, Akhtara who accompanied him when he was arrested in March and third Naseema, who lives in PoK. After questioning and recording the statements of Liyaqat’s relatives and village sarpanch, the NIA team later today called in two former Pak-trained militants belonging to the same area for questioning. The two had crossed over to India via Nepal in 2012 under the Rehabilitation policy. “The team questioned Khazir Mohammad Sheikh of Lolpora Kupwara and Abdul Hameed Rather, in a local tourist hut. Both are former Pak-trained militants and had came back via Nepal border in 2012 under the state government’s Rehabilitation policy for PoK militants,” sources add.
	Devotees pay obeisance at gurdwaras on Baisakhi Ehsan Fazili Tribune News Service Srinagar, April 13 Baisakhi festival, marking the foundation day of the Khalsa Panth, was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety by members of the Sikh community. Devotees paid obeisance at the three main and local gurdwaras across Kashmir Valley today. A large number of local residents, mainly belonging to the Sikh community, as well as tourists thronged Mughal Gardens and Tulip Garden overlooking the Dal Lake today. The celebrations were held with traditional fervour at the main Gurdwara Chhatti Padshahi at Rainawari in Srinagar while the situation in Baramulla town of north Kashmir and Mattan in Anantnag district of south Kashmir dampened the spirits to some extent. A large number of members of the Sikh community, including men, women and children, paid obeisance at Chhatti Padshahi Gurdwara at Rainawari in the foothills of Hari Parbhat Fort. The location symbolises the rich social, cultural and religious affinity of the Valley, as the shrine of Sufi saint, Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom is also located in its vicinity. Chhatti Padshahi in Baramulla in north Kashmir and at Mattan at Anantnag in south Kashmir are among the three main gurdwaras in the valley. Shops and business establishments re-opened in Baramulla town today after three days of shutdown. “This led to a number of problems for the people as they could not make purchases for the festival,” APSCC chairman, Jagmohan Singh Raina said. He said senior separatist leaders and prominent citizens were approached to end the shutdown so as to facilitate members of the Sikh community to celebrate the festival. Raina said there were differences with the Pandit leaders in Mattan (Anannag) over the hoisting of Nishant Sahib (flag) at the Gurdawara, which is close to a temple. However, the issue was sorted out after consultations with senior Kashmiri Pandit leaders. The state Department of Tourism organised a cultural programme at Zabarwan Park overlooking Dallake near Nehru Park. A similar three-day cultural programme was also organised by the Tourism Department at the Tulip Garden.
	Implementation of Central schemes discussed Tribune News Service Jammu, April 13 Wrapping up the day-long sectoral discussions on development-related issues and implementation of Centrally sponsored schemes in the state, Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth said the real progress could only be achieved when the beneficiaries of development projects felt satisfied. The Cabinet Secretary termed the discussions as highly useful and complemented the state team led by Chief Secretary Mohammad Iqbal Khanday, stated an official release issued here this evening. Khanday said significant progress was achieved in settling many development issues from the state’s point of view, adding that this will go a long way in putting Jammu and Kashmir on the right development trajectory. He said the state government would further pursue the pending issues with the Union Government in the coming days. During the wrap-up meeting, the state secretaries heading various sectoral groups, constituted for the purpose, apprised the meeting about the results and progress achieved during the reviews held with the Union secretaries concerned throughout the day. The sectors that came up for discussion included civil aviation, water resources, power, social welfare, tourism and culture, higher education, technical education, school education, wetland management, urban development, health and family welfare, handicrafts, agriculture and allied activities, skill development, railways and road projects, claimed the release. The Central team comprised Adviser to the Prime Minister S Ramadorai; Secretary, Planning Commission, Sindhushree Khullar; Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma; Secretary, Coordination, Cabinet Secretariat, Alok Rawat; Secretary, Power, P Uma Shanka; Secretary, Rural Development, S Vijay Kumar; Secretary, Higher Education, Ashok Thakur; Secretary, Road Transport and Highways, Vijay Chhiber; Secretary, Civil Aviation, KN Shrivastava; Secretary, Agriculture and Cooperation, Ashish Bahugana; Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Keshav Desiraju; Secretary, School Education, R Bhatacharia; Secretary, Textiles, Zohra Chatterji and Secretary, Water Resources, SK Sarkar. The state team comprised Principal Secretary, Planning and Development, BR Sharma; Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister BB Vyas; Principal Secretary, Home, Suresh Kumar; Principal Secretary, PDD, AK Mehta and other administrative Secretaries and senior officers. The Central delegation also held a separate meeting with the state secretaries to review various skill development programmes and welfare schemes launched for enhancing the employability of youth of the state.
	Powergrid, JKSPDC ink pact to cut losses Tribune News Service Jammu, April 13 The Power Grid Corporation of India and the J&K State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) today signed an agreement for re-routing of the Baglihar-Kishenpur transmission line to bring down transmission and distribution losses. The agreement was signed by KR Suri, General Manager (O&M), on behalf of the Powergrid and PR Angurala, Chief Engineer, Baglihar HEP-I, on behalf of the JKSPDC. As per the agreement the scope of work of Powergrid would include design, engineering, procurement, project management, testing and commissioning required for re-routing of the 400 KV D/C Baglihar-Kishenpur transmission line near Peraj village in Ramban. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 7 crore.
	Lt Gen Arora visits White Knight Corps Dental Unit Tribune News Service Jammu, April 13 Lt Gen Vimal Arora, Director General, Dental Services (Armed Forces) and Colonel Commandant, visited White Knight Corps Dental Unit and 166 Military Hospital at Satwari today. He was accompanied by Brig Pawan Kapoor, Brig, Medical, White Knight Corps. Lt Gen Vimal Arora was received by Brig MM Harjai, Commandant, 166 Military Hospital, and Col Harihara Naik, Commanding Officer, White Knight Corps, Dental Unit. Lt Gen Arora was briefed by Col Naik about the new set up of the dental hospital. Lt Gen Arora commended the efforts of the dental unit for leaving no stone unturned in providing the latest specialised and super-specialised services to its clientele. The White Knight Corps Dental Unit provides specialised and super-specialised treatment facilities to soldiers, their families, armed forces veterans and their dependents. The super-specialised facilities include maxilo-facial surgery, orthodontics and mobile dental unit. It also works as a blood supply unit during operations. He visited the entire dental unit complex and interacted with patients. He asked for suggestions from patients for improving the existing facilities. Gen Arora expressed satisfaction at the state-of-the-art facilities made available in various departments. The General appreciated the standards of the new hospital complex of 166 Military Hospital, especially the technical building, which houses the accident and emergency services. He commended the able stewardship of Col Naik and the entire hospital staff, both medical and paramedical, for working with vigour, zeal, dedication and commitment to provide high-quality healthcare and succour to patients.
	State has failed to reduce fiscal deficit: CAG report Sumit Hakhoo Jammu, April 13 Contradicting the claims of Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather that fiscal deficit had shown satisfactory reduction, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report says the state has not met the fiscal deficit reduction targets. The report reveals that the achievements are poor as per the customised fiscal correction path recommended by the 13th Finance Commission specifically for Jammu and Kashmir till 2012. As per the 13th Finance Commission and amended Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act 2006, the state had to maintain the fiscal deficit at 4.7 per cent of gross state domestic products (GSDP), which was not achieved during 2011-12 as the fiscal deficit was 5.9 per cent even after deferring payment of Rs 3,368 crore on account of revision of pay and pension after adoption of the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission report. “All the past projections made by the state government in the statements made before the state legislature under the FRBM Act have proved to be unachievable. Hence, special efforts are required to lend credibility to the FRBM targets now reset for the future years,” the report claims.
	Homage paid to 1948 martyrs on Rajouri Day Ranjit Thakur Rajouri, April 13 To pay homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the liberation of Rajouri in 1948, the Ace of Spades Division and the civil administration celebrated Rajouri Day at Gujjar Chowk War Memorial in Rajouri today. Deputy General Officer Commanding of 25 Infantry Division Brig JK Tiwari, who was the chief guest, paid homage to the martyrs during a wreath-laying ceremony held at Gujjar Chowk in presence of senior Army and civil administration officers, schoolchildren and senior citizens. On 12 April, 1948, troops of 1 Kumaon Regiment along with tanks of Central India Horse and 5 (Bombay) Field Artillery Battery advanced from Chingus for liberation of Rajouri, which was under the seize of intruders. On 13 April, 1948, Rajouri was liberated from the intruders. Every year, Rajouri Day is celebrated to pay homage to the martyrs, who laid down their lives for the liberation of Rajouri. The ceremony included wreath laying in honour of the martyrs, prayers, peace march by students of various schools and addresses by Kuldeep Raj Gupta, senior BJP leader, and Gulzar Ahmed Chaudhary, social worker. They highlighted the contributions of the Army during 1947-48 and talked about the contributions of people in fighting the Pakistani raiders and safeguarding Rajouri during 1947-48. The Deputy General Officer Commanding of 25 Infantry Division highlighted the importance of the day and exhorted all to display same patriotism towards the nation. He stressed the Army’s commitment towards creating long-lasting peace in the state. About the situation on the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, Brig Tiwari said, “We have not seen any militants. May be there were some, but the situation is normal here. Everyone is moving around comfortably and that gives you the sense that we are living in a safe place. As far as the forward border areas are concerned, tussles happen sometimes.” Meanwhile, children from various schools across the district presented patriotic songs and programmes, which were appreciated by those present on the occasion. The chief guest distributed prizes to the winners of the essay writing and painting competition held on April 10 at Valley View Army Public School, Rajouri, and presented gift hampers and appreciated all participants of the cultural programme.
	RSS raised funds for creation of PDP, alleges ruling NC Azhar Qadri Tribune News Service Srinagar, April 13 The National Conference, the main ruling party of Jammu and Kashmir, on Saturday alleged that the right-wing Hindu groups, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bajrang Dal had raised funds for the creation of its main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The National Conference( NC) has alleged that it was the RSS along with the Shiv Sena, the BJP and the Bajrang Dal which had raised the funds for the creation of the PDP, which was formed in 1999. The allegations against the main opposition party were leveled by the NC’s mercurial senior leader, the Additional General Secretary Mustafa Kamal who has a history of issuing highly controversial statements. “Even today Mufti Sayeed and the PDP are serving Kashmir’s enemies and it was in return of these services that the Shiv Sena, the Bajrang Dal, the RSS and the BJP had jointly constituted a fund to create the PDP,” Kamal alleged. Aiming guns against former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who is also the founder and patron of the PDP, the NC leader said Sayeed brought down four governments in the state for “his personal interests” during his 40-year stint with the Congress party. “For his personal interests, he paved the way for sale of the state’s special status,” Kamal said. Kamal also accused the PDP of being a party of “Kashmir’s enemies, murderers of Kashmiris, corrupt and scandalous persons”. Over recent days, the two main regional parties have traded a series of allegations against each other. The virtual war of words has begun between the NC and the PDP in the aftermath of Afzal Guru’s execution. While the PDP has been confronting the NC on various issues related to the law and order situation, arrests of youths, peace process and governance, the NC has been raking up the “black” legislations brought up by Sayeed when he was the Union Home Minister in 1990. “Mufti Sayeed served the enemies of Kashmir to such an extent that he was gifted the Home Ministry in 1990. But Mufti proved himself to be more loyal than the king and the first thing he did when he assumed powers as the Home Minister was to declare the state a disturbed area and he did everything to turn this place into a hell,” Kamal alleged.