MLA demands probe into Rs 200 cr PHE scam

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jun 8: Senior Congress leader and MLA Kalakot Mr Ashok Sharma outrightly rejected the Rs 24 crores drought relief package announced by the Revenue and Relief Minister Abdul Qayoom.

According to a release, Sharma expressed serious concern over the casual approach of the Government towards drought hit farmers of this trouble torn state. He said that government has announced the package which is misleading and incorrect. He criticised the government for referring to percentage of loss of crop in respect of relief, when it was unanimously voiced and announced by the Government that enteries of total loss of Ravi Crops will be recorded in whole of the state.

About five kilogram wheat as one time relief for the toral loss of crop is a joke with the poor farmers which hurts the sentiments of the ruralites. He said that one person needs at least 500 gm of food grains per day and that too, for six months the crop season at least for survival. For survival, each soul needs 90 kg food grains.

The Congress leader who led the five hundred workers’ 24 hour hunger strike as a mark of protest on June 5, 2001 the World Environment Day, in front of DC office at Rajouri said that the whole world celebrated the occasion, but the people here are dying with hunger and thirst. He pointed out that there was severe scarcity of fodder and drinking water and the people were at the verge of starvation. Water tanks have been pressed into service which are insufficient. He further demanded probe into over Rs 200 scam in the water supply schemes, which are, merely on papers. A memorandum in this connection was sent to the Chief Minister and the state Governor to initiate a high level inquiry into the whole episode.

Qureshi’s loyals, dissidents call on Ghulam Nabi Azad

Excelsior Correspondent

JAAMU, June 8: Large number of Congress leaders and workers today called on senior Congress leader and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad who was here on two days visit to the State and discussed with him prevailing political situation in the State.

Some of the Congress leaders who were suspended from the party for their anti-party activities by the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief, Mr Mohammed Shafi Qureshi also called on Mr Azad. Former Congress MLA, Mr Shiv Dev was among the suspended leaders called on CWC member and informed him of the entire episode. Former Minister and senior Congress leader, Mr Yash Pal Sharma, who was among the eight leaders suspended by Mr Qureshi, was conspicuous by his absence.

Since morning large number of Congress workers thronged the Hari Niwas Palace Hotel where Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad was staying since Thursday night.

Former MP and senior Congress leader, who has launched a campaign against PCC chief Mr Mohammed Shafi Qureshi was among those met Mr Azad early in the morning. Another group of dissident leaders led by Mr Ayub Khan also called on CWC member and apprised him of the development took place after Qureshi’s action.

Congress MLA from Billawar Balbir Singh, MLA from Chhamb, Tara Chand and MLA from Basoli, Ch. Lal Singh also called on Mr Azad. Congress MLAs discussed with him prevailing situation in the State.

Former Minister, Mr Madan Lal Sharma, Baldev Sharma, Mrs Swaran Lata, Mrs Suman Bhagat, D P Sharma, Darshan Raina, Romesh Mottan, Balwan Singh and many other leaders called on Mr Azad.

Sources within the Congress party said that some leaders strongly opposed decision of the PCC chief, Mr Mohammed Shafi Qureshi to suspend eight leaders from the primary membership of the party for three years. Terming the decision as unconstitutional, these leaders urged CWC member to force Mr Qureshi to revoke the suspension order which plunged the party into deep crises.

Another group of the Congress leaders hailed Qureshi’s action and argued that it was necessary to maintain discipline in the party.

Beside leaders some grass root workers were also called on Mr Azad and expressed their anguish over in-fighting in the party. They urged Mr Azad to solve the crisis as soon as possible.

Sagar hails Vajpayee's intiative

Excelsior Correspondent

Doda, June 8: Minister for works Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar today hailed the initiative taken by the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee by inviting Pakistan chief Executive Gen. Parvez Musharraf for talks which was reciprocated positively by the Pakistan Government.

Addressing a public meeting in the far-flung Dhaali village of district Doda today, Mr. Sagar expressed the hope that the proposed Vajpayee Musharraf Summit will put an end to the on-going blood-shed in the State which has so far claimed thousands of innocent lives. He said gun was no solution to the problem as it only caused immense miseries for the people.

"Mr. Vajpayee’s announcement not to take the beaten track on Kashmir is a historic decision which has evoked positive response from Pakistan", Mr. Sagar said and added that the proposed talks will go a lo way towards restoration of peace in the trouble-torn State. Mr. Sagar said the National Conference Government has been striving hard for restoration of peace in the State and the party had to pay a heavy price as hundreds of its workers laid down their lives for the sacred cause. Mr. Sagar said that Kashmir has always upheld the secular fabric and despite lot of bloodshed during partition of the sub-continent it was the only peaceful place in the country. He said the need of the hour was to restore the same age-old tradition in the State. Mr. Sagar said Islam is for protection of humanity and not its destruction " Islam never allowed killings of innocents", he added.

Mr. Sagar said when nobody was ready to take the responsibility of reconstruction of the devastated infrastructure on its shoulders, NC came to the forefront to mitigate the sufferings of the people. Thousands of unemployed youth were provided jobs, hundreds of bridges, schools and hospitals gutted during militancy were reconstructed and road connectivity was provided to the inaccessible areas, he said and added that the achievements recorded by the present Government speak for themselves.

The Minister said he was aware of the problems faced by the people of Doda as a grim picture was being projected outside about the district. He said the highest number of schemes under NABARD have been taken up in the Doda district as it has remained under-developed. This would not only help in the development of the district but would provide job opportunities to the locals also. Mr. Sagar said more water supply schemes have been taken up for execution in the district to provide succour to the people.

He said the people who have today become the sympathizers of the public are in fact responsible for their miseries. Mr. Sagar said the same people got thousands of Kashmiries killed who are today shedding crocodile tears over their plight. "But people know who are their friends and who are their foes", he said.

The Minister asked the officers of the district administration to visit the far-flung areas of Doda to assess the development needs there and formulate plans accordingly. The MLA Doda, Mr. Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy also addressed the meeting.

Mr. Sagar along with Mr. Suharwardy visited more than a dozen villages in the hilly terrain of the district.

Union of Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh incidental: JJSF

Excelsior Correspondent

SAMBA, June 8: Jammu Joint Students Federation’s ‘Chetna Yatra’, to muster people’s support for trifurcation of J&K State and separate Statehood to Jammu region, entered into sixth day today.

The Yatra today passed through Samba, Hiranagar, Ghagwal, Jatwal and Sumb where JJSF leaders addressed public meetings and appealed people to join the ongoing struggle for re-organisation of Jammu and Kashmir State.

Addressing the public meetings, JJSF chief Mr Rajinder Jamwal reiterated that trifurcation of J&K State and separate Statehood to Jammu region was the only solution to end the 53 year old dispute.

He stressed that union of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh as a single State, was an unnatural wedlock and incidental as language, culture and political aspiration of these region are completely different from each other.

JJSF vice-chairman Mr Ghulam Ali and vice-president Mr Ajay Singh, in their address, called upon Dogras of Jammu region to be united to get themselves liberated from the clutches of Kashmiri rulers.

Others who addressed the gatherings included Ashwani Singh, Suresh Sharma, Rakinder Sambyal, Varinder Singh and Sudhi Sharma.

According to a press issued here, the ‘Chetna Yatra’ was welcomed by locals and people expressed their support to the initiative taken by JJSF.

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