Bush camp asks Gore to concede defeat
after lead of 327 votes

WASHINGTON, Nov 10: Republican George W Bush’s lead over Democrat Vice President Al Gore has been pegged at 327 votes after a final unofficial recount in Florida, prompting the Bush camp to ask Gore to concede defeat but the suspense over the outcome of the US Presidential election will not be known till next week as several thousand postal ballots are expected from abroad.

Meanwhile, news reports said a court in Palm Beach had ordered a freeze on the recount process in the county pending a hearing next week on alleged irregularities that could hurt Gore.

Three days after the voting, the election to the White House was mired in uncertainty facing legal challenges and the world yet to know as to who is the next incumbent.

The unofficial count by the Associated Press county-by-county slightly boosted Bush’s tally after earlier counts had showed the margin as 225 votes.

The recount showed Bush won Florida, Bush’s Communication Director Karen Hughes claimed in a statement in Austin, Texas, asking Gore to concede.

The Gore camp hit back saying contrary to claims by the rival side this election is not over.

Again we want the true and accurate will of the people to prevail and that means the legal system to run its course. If at the end of that process, George Bush is the victor, we will respect that result, Gore Campaign Chairman William Daley said in a statement.

As the world awaited the outcome of last Tuesday’s election, Florida’s Secretary of State Katherine Harris announced at the end of final recount in 53 of the 67 counties that the margin between the two contenders was 1784 votes with Bush securing 29,09,661 against Gore’s 29,07,877 popular votes. Nearly six million votes were cast in Florida. In the first count on Tuesday, Bush led Gore by 1700 votes.

However, the AP’s tally from all the 67 Florida counties showed Bush securing 29,10,198 votes against Gore’s 29,09,871.

Harris said it could be as late as next Tuesday before the state certified the counting of votes from all counties and it could take up to November 17 to tabulate postal votes cast by Floridans overseas.

In the turbulent election, Gore has secured 260 of the necessary 270 electoral college votes to become President while Bush has picked up 246.

Florida’s 25 electoral votes will decide who will be the next President.

AP adds:

An automatic recount was called because Bush led Gore by less than one-half of one percent. The recount was conducted by all six county election departments. Each county reports its result to Tallahassee, where they are compiled and certified.

In response to the Fore campaign’s request for a manual recount, Palm Beach County agreed to hand-count ballots in three precincts tomorrow.

In addition, the Board in Broward county was to meet to discuss the request for a manual recount there.

Meanwhile, eight lawsuits challenging the results were filed in state or federal court, including six in Palm Beach County and two in Tallahassee, where race discrimination was alleged.

Allegations of voting improprieties surfaced late Tuesday and throughout Wednesday, ranging from missing and confusing ballots to problems with tabulations and voter intimidation.

In Palm Beach and Osceola counties, democratic party lawyers and voters said ballots were confusing because of their configuration. Officials in heavily democratic Palm beach county announced that 19,120 ballots in the presidential race were tossed out before they were counted because more than one candidate was picked.

Democratic party officials and hundreds of voters complained that, in the Palm Beach ballots, voters punched holes in the middle of the ballot, while candidates were alternately listed to the left and then the right.

Some Gore supporters in Palm Beach County said they feared they mistakenly voted for reform party candidate Pat Buchanan. Gore carried the county by more than 110,000 votes, but the 3,407 votes for Buchanan were by far the most of any Florida County, and almost 20 percent of his total vote in the state.

My guess is that I probably got some votes down there that don’t belong to me and I don’t feel good about that, Buchanan told CNN.

Angry supporters of Gore protested outside of an election office in Palm Beach County.

Rabbi Richard Yellin said that when it dawned on several in the Jewish community that they might have voted incorrectly, People started crying. Buchanan’s remarks about World War II and the Middle East have been criticized by many Jews as anti-semitic.

Republicans noted that the ballot was approved by Democrat Theresa Lepore, the county supervisor of elections.

Former US Secretary of State James A Baker III, dispatched by Bush to oversee the Republican monitoring team in Florida, angrily said that Palm Beach County voters’ rights were upheld, even if their ballots were thrown out.

That ballot was posted, as required by Florida law, in newspapers and public places all over the state of Florida. Not one complaint was received about that ballot, which, by the way, was approved by a Democrat who was elected. A democratic election supervisor approved that ballot. And we haven’t heard one grip about that ballot until after the voting took place, Baker said. (AP)

Chinese making incursions across LAC
Vajpayee calls for abundant caution in dealing with China

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, Nov 10: The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, is understood to have endorsed a proposal, which favours sending a special emissary to Beijing to communicate to the Chinese Government the importance India attaches to the early delineation of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

A message, in this regard, assumes significance in the context of the preparations for a visit to India by the Chinese Prime Minister, Mr Zhu Rongji, early next year. Mr Rongji has already expressed his willingness to visit India.

Hence, all the more reason for India’s Foreign Office to be in touch with Beijing on the Chinese Premier’s itinerary. When will Mr Zhu Rongji be in New Delhi? No date has been fixed so far, according to official sources.

Significance is also attached to Mr Vajpayee’s unpublished directive to his Ministerial colleagues and the Ministries of Defence and External Affairs to move skillfully and with abundant caution in dealing with China.

Knowledgeable sources say that Mr Vajpayee does not want the reports about the alleged incursions by the Chinese across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to be highlighted at a time when there is talk for India-China talks on the question of delineating the LAC.

The Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Mukut Mithi, has, in fact, been persuaded to stop talking about Chinese violating the Line of Actual Control. Mr Mithi’s categorical statement about Chinese incursions across the LAC was recently followed by the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes’ visit to Arunachal Pradesh for a briefing by the Army. This was followed by the statement, declaring the Sino-Indian border as "absolutely normal".

A top official of the Arunachal Pradesh Government, however, pointed out that had the conditions on the border been "absolutely normal" the Chief Minister, Mr Mukut Mithi, would not have chosen to be "categoric" in stating that the Chinese have been violating the LAC. According to the official, the Arunachal Chief Minister has, on more than one occasion in the recent past, called for aerial reconnaisance and helicopter surveillance.

At a time when there are several doubts on the alignment of the LAC, the Chinese have been reported to be determined to put into place what is termed as ‘improved border management’ on the Sino-Indian borders. This, in other words, means greater presence on the border through increased frequency of Chinese patrols not only along the border with Arunachal Pradesh but also in the UP-Tibet and Ladakh sectors.

The Chinese call the traditional boundary in Arunachal the "illegal" McMahon Line since they do not recognise its official status. The Chinese continue to be unenthusiastic vis-à-vis the demand for the early delineation of the Line of Actual Control. The LAC remaining un-delineated allows the Chinese to interpret the border as they like it.

The 1994 agreement between New Delhi and Beijing to maintain peace and tranquility on the border is said to have worked well. But all won’t be well in future, China-watchers argue. Their argument, which is endorsed by some defence experts as well, is obviously based on the reality, namely, the absence of delineation of the border. As long as this phenomenon persists, neither side can be sure of a deliberate or accidental incursion across the LAC by the other.

There is no denying that the Sino-Indian border has two faces-one is of the border as claimed differently by the two countries and the other is of the LAC which was imposed on India by China through the 1962 war. China is unwilling to define. The Chinese say that this problem of history can be taken up later. Significantly, there was some movement after the President, Mr KR Narayanan, during his official trip to China, reminded his hosts in Beijing that because the problem is one of history, its settlement should not be delayed.

Indications are by no means uncertain that this problem will come up during the visit to New Delhi by the Chinese Premier early next year. And, significantly, before that, animated discussions have been allowed on the need of the early delineation of the border. In fact, the Chinese are now being told, through the media, that clarity on the LAC will remove the risks of accidental conflicts by removing the reason for anyone to intrude across it.

DB upholds quashing of illegal appointments
in Excise Deptt

Excelsior Legal Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 10: Division Bench of the State High Court, comprising Chief Justice Dr B P Saraf and Justice R C Gandhi has upheld the order of the Single Judge with a single modification, whereby the Single Judge had quashed over 300 appointments made in the Excise and Sales Tax Department.

The judgment written by the Chief Justice, observed that these appeals are directed against the order of the Single Judge, dated July 5, 2000 by which the Judge had quashed the appointments made after 1994 to the posts of Guards and peons in the Excise and Taxation Department without issuing any public notice and without conducting any test or interview.

" On careful consideration of the same, we don’t find any infirmity in the same. We are in agreement with the Single Judge that these appointments were illegal. The Single Judge, in our opinion, was justified to quash them", the Division Bench observed.

Advocate General M A Goni appearing for the State, had submitted that the Government will issue advertisement for filling up these vacancies within one month. He, further submitted that the State Government should be permitted to allow the persons whose appointments have been quashed to continue till the selection is made. The Counsels appearing for the other side opposed the same on the grounds that the employees who have been appointed by orders held illegal, don’t deserve any sympathy.

The Division bench also subscribed to the view that the employees in question whose appointments have been quashed, don’t deserve any sympathetic consideration. However, in order to ensure the smooth functioning of the department, it was ordered that those persons whose appointments have been quashed by the court, may be allowed to work. " If they are in service as on today, not on the basis of the appointments which have been quashed, but on purely adhoc basis, then they may be allowed to continue in the same capacity till proper selection is made. In no event, they shall be allowed to continue to serve even on adhoc basis beyond April 2001. For this period, they may be given emoluments at the rate they were getting prior to the quashing of their appointments", the DB ordered.

It made it clear that their continuation on adhoc basis shall not in any way give any right to such employees to claim any privilege or benefit over others, who apply for the posts." If they want to be considered for the appointment, they shall be at liberty to apply and would also be considered on their own merit without in any way being influenced either by the fact that they had been appointed earlier or by the fact their appointments have been quashed by the High Court", the DB observed.

It also made it clear that if the rules permit the relaxation of the age,the State Government shall specify the same in the advertisement and in that case, the case of the employees whose appointments have been quashed, would be considered for relaxation of any of them is averaged like any other applicant for the posts in accordance with the rule.

The Court ordered that such employees whose appointments have been quashed, but have not been paid salary for the period for which they worked, be paid the same expeditiously.

With these observations, the Court disposed of eight appeals and 11 CMPs. Advocates Z A Shah, K L Pandita, C M Koul, Sunil Sethi, Z A Choudhary and A K Sharma appeared for the private parties, while’s Advocates M K Bhardwaj, Rahul Pant, H A Siddique, I H Bhat and K M Bhatti appeared for the private respondents.

Chhewang distributes portfolios

From Tashi Morup

Leh, Nov 10: After the Chairman Thupstan Chhewang’s pronouncement of three names including Rigzin Jora, Rigzin Spalbar and Tsultim Phunchok as the Executive Councilors of the newly formed Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), the corridors of the Council Complex are abuzz with the talk as to who will be fourth executive councilor, who will be picked up from the four Councilors to be appointed by the Governor of the State.

The four seats are primarily reserved for minority communities and weaker section of the society. While NC is tight-lipped about their choice of persons Indian National Congress and BJP in their respective panel discussions have listed some whose names have been sent to the Governor. INC has proposed former Executive Councilor Ahsraf Ali, Mohd Yakub, Tseeshu Lhamo and Sonam Targyes while as BJP favored retired IAS officer A Azim, Everester Sonam Paljor and two women Yangchan Dolma and Norzin.

Meanwhile a wide range of responsibilities have been vested in the three appointed Executive Councilors by the Chairman according to section 33 (2) of the LAHDC Act, 1995. While there are two new faces in this rank, one of the key luminaries Rigzin Jora has once again made it to the top spot much to the people’s expectation. However this time he has a different arena unlike his previous Education field. Many, especially in the Education department, wonder why Nawang Rigzin Jora has a different portfolio this time. Is he avoiding the headache of problem-ridden Education sector, which is undergoing a major reform under Operation New Hope?

Talking to the EXCELSIOR Rigzin Jora clarified that it is Chairman’s prerogative to assign a specific task to the Executive Councilors selected by him. He said, "for me it does not make any difference whether it is Works department or Education". Moreover, he said, there would not be any change in the attitude towards the ongoing pursuance of education reforms with Rigzin Spalbar taking over the charge.

Nawang Rigzin Jora will now take care of Public Works Department, which includes Roads, Bridges, Public Health Engineering, Minor and Medium Irrigation, Flood Control, Housing, Urban Development, Non Functional Buildings and Power (Non-conventional Energy).

Thupstan Chhewang himself will look after allotment, use and occupation of land vested in the Council, supervision and constitution of Notified Area Committees, development of Leh town including IDSMT, Community Development, Jawahar Rozgar Yajna and Employment Assurance Scheme, Desert Development Programme, Preservation of Environment and ecology and Co-ordination of Centrally sponsored and State Sector Schemes.

He will also take care of Health, Tourism, Hospitality and Protocol, Wildlife, Fisheries, Parks and Gardens, Food and Supplies, Garages and Information Departments, Social Welfare and Minority Affairs. The sets of power vested in other three Executives appointed by him are primarily Agriculture, Public Works Department and Education which further cover a range of charges.

Tsultim Phuntsog has in his custody formulation and periodical review of the progress and achievements of development plans and schemes and issues relating to Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry, Co-operative, Innovative Jawahar Rozgar Yojna (Green Houses), Forest, Command Area Development and Soil Conservation Department.

Rigzin Spalbar, the triumphant from Upper Leh, has formulation and periodical review of the progress and achievements of developmental plans and schemes and issues relating to Education, Promotion of Languages and Culture, Vocational Training, Small Scale and Cottage Industries, Handloom, Handicraft, Employment generation. Besides these alleviation of poverty, including IRDP, TRYSEM, DWCRA, Tool Kits Programme, PMRY, J&K Self-employment Scheme, Youth Services and Sports, Archives Antiques and ICDS Department.

Meanwhile the Councilors meeting on November 13 has been postponed in view of the proposed visit of Thupstan Chhewang and Rigzin Jora to Jammu to call on the Chief Minister and the Governor. Rigzin Jora termed it as a courtesy meeting with Farooq Abdullah in an effort to improve upon the strained relation between the Government and the Leh Council.

Vigilance books former X-En, Co-op Bank Chairman

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 10: The State Vigilance Organization has registered a case in Police Station Vigilance Kashmir against former Executive Engineer Bashir Ahmad Bhat under section 5(1)(d) read with 5(2)(d) of prevention of corruption act 2006, read with section 420, 467, 468 RPC while in another case the then Chairman of Cooperative Bank Anantnag has been charge sheeted by the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Kashmir.

According to a handout issued by the Vigilance Organisation the case FIR No. 50/2000 Police Station Vigilance Kashmir owes its origin to a report alleging therein that Mr Bashir Ahmad Shah, Executive Engineer had forged his date of birth and thus prolonged his entry in Government Service. In the course of preliminary enquiry the allegations were primafacie found established. The enquiry revealed that Mr Bashir Ahmad Bhat had tampered with his original date of birth from 16.9.1937 to 16.9.1943 and had thus overstayed in Government service and obtained undue salary running into lacs of rupees.

In case FIR No. 15/92 Police Station Vigilance Kashmir, the court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Kashmir has formally charge sheeted Munshi Abdul Majid, the then Chairman of Cooperative Bank, Anantnag for commission of offences punishable under section 5(2) Prevention of Corruption Act.

The accused had made appointments in violation of Government Order No. 55-Coop of 1998 dated 6.12.1988 and the directions of court passed in CMP No. 5701/91. He had also not cared for the rules and regulations of the bank while issuing the appointment orders. The court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Kashmir, has formally charge sheeted Munshi Abdul Majid, the then Chairman of Cooperative Bank, Anantnag for commission of offences punishable under section 5(2) Prevention of Corruption Act.

The accused had made appointments in violation of Government Order No. 55-Coop of 1988 dated 6.12.1988 and the directions of court passed in CMP No. 5701/91. He had also not cared for the rules and regulations of the bank while issuing the appointment orders.

The court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Kashmir while agreeing with the conclusion arrived at by the Vigilance Organization has formally framed charges against the accused for commission of offences punishable under prevention of corruption laws.

The Vigilance Oganization in the meanwhile presented challan in case FIR No. 8/97 Police Station Vigilance Jammu against Mr Ghulam Qadir Khan, Clerk in Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe and Other Backward Classes Development Corporation in the court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Jammu.

The case relates to the demand and acceptance of Rs 30,000 illegal gratification from the loanees who had been sanctioned loan for setting up of Dairy Farm units. The accused had demanded bribe for processing their loan cases.

The Vigilance Organization had primafacie established the charges against the accsued and on receipt of prosecution sanction, challan was presented in the court of law for commission of offences punishable under section 5(2) Prevention of Corruption Act, 2006 read with section 420 RPC.

Massive protest near Akhnoor
Police block border people’s march to Civil Secretariat

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 10: Hundreds of border people were today stopped by police at Sua No. 1 near Akhnoor when they were trying to march towards Civil Secretariat to gheroe it in protest against complete failure of the administration to save their lives from Pakistani firing.

Shouting slogans against Pakistan and Farooq Abdullah Government, the people including women and children demonstrated at Sua No. 1 where their further march was blocked by a strong posse of police and para-military personnel led by senior officers.

Agitated people, who were being led by senior BJP leaders Ram Nath Manhas and Ram Swaroop and Congress (I) MLA from Chhamb Tara Chand among others, repeatedly tried to break the police cordon to march ahead but their attempts were foiled by heavy deployment of police and para-military personnel.

Border people continued to stage a sit-in at Sua No. 1 for more than four hours and later returned following assurances given by the visiting officials that a meeting of people’s representatives would be arranged with concerned authorities within a couple of days.

Earlier in the morning, people from Pargwal island and forward village of Garhkhal in Akhnoor tehsil who had been bearing the brunt of Pakistani firing for the last few months, started a march to Civil Secretariat to gheroe the seat of the Government for turning a Nelson eye’s to the pitiable condition of hundreds of people living in the forwards villages.

Shouting ‘Pakistan hai hai’, ‘Farooq Government hai hai’, ‘Border Pay Rehne Wale Logon Ki Mushkilateen Hal Karo’, the people said that civilians and their cattle were getting killed almost daily in unprecedented firing and shelling by enemy troops.

Demanding their rehabilitation in comparatively safer areas, the border people threatened to intensify their agitation if their demand wasn’t conceded by the authorities. They said they had suffered heavy losses in Pakistani firing and it was gradually becoming impossible for them to stay in their houses.

"We are unable to cultivate our land, which is the only source of income of majority of people living in the forward villages, due to fear of Pakistan firing and shelling, which always looms large", one of the protestant said and pointing out that during the past few days, Pak army had blasted two tractors with mortar shells, which were being used by the farmers in their fields.

"While all this has become a routine in the border areas, no Minister of Farooq Government or administration’s representative has bothered to visit the forward villages and see the plight of people", they regretted.

Swamy expands ministry, sets off dissidence
and tames rebels

DEHRADUN, Nov 10: Barely 48 hours after formation of its Government, dissidence gripped ruling BJP in Uttaranchal State as Chief Minister Nityanand Swamy expanded his Ministry while three ministers-designate did not turn up for oath-taking.

But in a significant development late tonight, Swamy, asserting his authority in no uncertain terms, cajoled into rapproachment two minister-designates Bhagat Singh Koshiyari and Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank who said they would be sworn in tomorrow.

Koshiyari and Nishank, the two senior party leaders who had lost out to Swamy in the race for Chief Ministership, as well Narain Ram Das stayed away from oath-taking today.

Those sworn-in today include Kedar Singh Fonia, who was also an aspirant for the top office, Matwar Singh Kandari, Ajay Bhat, Mohan Singh Rawat Gaonwasi and Bansidhar Bhagat, in the Cabinet rank, and four Ministers of State, Narayan Singhrana, Suresh Chand Arya, Tirath Singh Rawat and Nirupama Gaur.

Koshiyari, Pokhriyal and Das apparently boycotted the function and they, along with some other dissident MLAs who failed to find ministerial berths, met soon afterwards and decided to convey their feelings to the high command.

A spokesman of the dissidents told reporters after the three-hour meeting that any matter pertaining to further expansion of the Ministry should be left to the party high command.

Emerging from the meeting, Koshiyari admitted that three to four MLAs were agitated over being left out of the Ministry.

Later in the evening, the Chief Minister called Koshiyari and Nishank for a dinner meeting at his official residence where he had served an ultimatum to the two to put an end to dissidence and warned them of disciplinary action.

After the dinner, Koshiyari told PTI that we are taking oath as Cabinet Ministers tomorrow. He claimed there were no differnces with Swamy on any issue.

He said he was not sure whether Narayan Ramdas, who did not turn up to take oath today, would be inducted tomorrow.(PTI)

GoM finalises recommendations on Kargil Committee

NEW DELHI, Nov 10: A Group of Ministers (GoM), set up to study the recommendations of the Kargil Review Committee, today finalised its recommendations on the reports of the task forces on border management and revamping of intelligence machinery.

The final recommendations were formed during a three-hour-long meeting chaired by Home Minister L K Advani and attended among others by Jammu and Kashmir Governor G C Saxena, Defence Minister George Fernandes and top officials.

Official sources said the recommendations of the GoM on two other reports of the task forces on internal security and defence management were likely to take some more time since External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh has a heavy schedule this month. Earlier the tentative date of November 15 had been fixed by the GoM for submission of its recommendations to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The task forces submitted their reports to Advani last month.

The task force on intelligence set-up presented its crucial 224-page report after studying the functioning of all intelligence agencies in the country. It has chapters dealing with the role of intelligence in the changing security environment, besides functioning of agencies like Intelligence Bureau, Armed Forces Intelligence Wings, Research and Analyses and the Director General of Security.

It has also dealt with counter-intelligence, economic intelligence, psychological warfare and coordination between different agencies. (PTI)

President, PM greet people

NEW DELHI, Nov 10: President K R Narayanan, Vice President Krishan Kant and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee have greeted the people on the occasion of Gurupurab, birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.

May the eternally relevant teachings of the great guru find their application in our daily lives, the President said in his message.

The Vice President said Guru Nanak’s birthday is the moment to rededicate ourselves to the purpose for which he was born and for which he lived among us.

Greeting the people on the occasion, the Prime Minister said he hoped Guru Nakak’s message of compassion, brotherhood and tolerance would continue to guide the people to tread the path of virtuous life. (PTI)

Fernandes has not met PM on Pathak issue: Samata

NEW DELHI, Nov 10: Samata Party today denied that its leader George Fernandes had met Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and told him to drop Minister of State for Defence Harin Pathak who has been chargesheeted in a 1985 anti-reservation riot case in Ahmedabad.

In a press release, party spokesman Shambu Shrivastwa said the party categorically states that Fernandes or any other Samata leader has not made any suggestion to Prime Minister to seek resignation of Pathak. The fact is that Fernandes has not met the Prime Minister for last three days.

He said all such news is pure figment of imagination.

Earlier, Shrivastwa told mediapersons on the condition of anonymity that Fernandes met Vajpayee and conveyed to him the views of allies that Pathak should step down. (PTI)

Cong yet to decide on support to JMM(S)

NEW DELHI, Nov 10: Faced with divergence of views among MLAs, Congress today continued to dilly-dally the issue of supporting a JMM(S)-led Government in Jharkhand, merely saying that a close watch was being kept on the political developments ahead of formation of the new Ministry.

Congress general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters that the party was in touch with non-NDA parties in Jharkhand and talks were on at various levels.

He said the party would take a decision at the right time but declined to elaborate further on the issue.

At Patna JMM-S supremo Sibu Soren said that he was sure of getting Congress support and added that the delay by the party in declaring its stand was creating confusion.

According to Congress sources, its legislators were divided over the issue and hence unanimity eluded the party.

Congress support is crucial for Soren, who has 12 MLAs in Jharkhand. Congress has 11 MLAs, RJD - 9, CPI - 2 and MCC and CPI-ML one each. (PTI)

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