Students canecharged, teargassed

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 16: More than a dozen college students, including girls, were injured as police lathicharged and lobbed teargas shells on their procession in front of Jammu University, here today.

The violent processionists made heavy stone pelting on policemen in which a few cops and some passers-by sustained injuries. They also damaged some vehicles and completely disrupted traffic movement on the road for more than two hours.

The trouble erupted when a massive procession of college students, who were demanding open choice in forthcoming annual examinations, was stopped by police near the University premises. Police did not allow the students from moving towards the Campus and asked the latter to disperse. The demonstrators, however, remained adamant on moving forward which resulted into pushing and jostling between them and cops for several minutes.

Ultimately police resorted to heavy lathicharge and lobbed tear smoke shells on the demonstrators in which more than a dozen students including girls were injured. In the melee, some cops also sustained injuries.

Vinay Sharma, president of GGM Science College received a major wound when a tear-smoke shell hit his right foot. Kiran Malhotra, Divya Gupta, Harmeek Singh Pinchu, Arvind Raina, Rupali Gupta, Narinder Paul Singh Lucky and Satvir Singh were among the injured students.

Police chased the demonstrators and got them dispersed. Some students, however, re-assembled in the MAM College premises and started pelting stones on cops. The ding-dong battle between police an students continued for about half and hour and vehicular movement on the road remained disrupted during the time. The violent students badly damaged a Jeep, parked in the MAM College premises.

Earlier, students of GGM Science College, SPMR Commerce College and MAM College boycotted their classes and proceeded towards Jammu University. En-route, the slogan shouting students were joined by their female counterparts of GCW Gandhi Nagar and GCW Parade and their strength swelled to more than one thousand.

Raising slogans in favour of open choice and against the Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University, the students held a massive demonstration near the campus premises where a heavy deployment of police had already been made in apprehension of the violence.

The agitators kept the road blocked for more than half an hour and attempted to force their entry into the campus which was followed by police lathicharge and teargassing.

To check the protesting students from entering into the campus, both the University gates had also been closed. Dean Students Welfare Dr Pritam Singh alongwith Chief Security Officer Major Harnam Singh remained near the main gate to monitor the situation and avoid any untoward incident.

Later a meeting of All Colleges Co-ordination Committee, which is spearheading the ongoing agitation for open choice, was held at GGM Science College premises wherein it was resolved to further intensify the struggle. The ACCC members pledged to continue the agitation and boycott of classes till open choice was granted in forthcoming annual examinations.

Meanwhile, various students organisations including Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, National Students Union of India, Jammu Joint Students Federation, J&K Students Socialist Federation have condemned police lathicharge on students’ procession.

They justified the students’ demand for open choice and accused the University authorities of forcing the former to resort to agitational path.

Opposition lambasted for opposing budget
Economic offenders being punished: Rather

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 16: Finance Minister, Mr Abdul Rahim Rather today made a strong dig at opposition for criticising the budget, presented by him on March 12 for year 2001-2002 in the State Legislature, without going into its merits.

Replying the three-day long discussions on the budget in the State Assembly here today, the Finance Minister in his hour long speech regretted that the opposition despite fully aware of the difficulties before the Government did not appreciate the measures taken by him to put the State economy back on rails.

Commenting on his budget and reactions generated from the cross sections of the people throughout the country, he said local and national media has openly hailed the budget. He said some papers while commenting on our budget have said the J&K which was considered a parasite on nation’s economy is now coming out of crisis.

He said besides Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), Bari Brahmana Industry Association (BBIA), Small Scale Industries Association, Gangyal, the Government employees and daily wagers have also hailed the budget.

He,while highlighting some salient features of the budget, said the Sales Tax has increased from Rs 130 crore to Rs 360 crore this year and added while comparing it to the other states of the country it is highest.

He said that the tax collection made during current year has exceeded the commitment made by the J&K Government to the Centre in the MOU signed early this year. Against the commitment of Rs 693 crore , the Government has succeeded in raising the tax revenue of Rs 734 crore during 2000-2001.

He said to put the economy back on rails, our Government has taken some unpleasant decisions and added that is it not being appreciated that Rs 2032 cr deficit has been decreased to Rs 205 crore.

Allaying the members’ fears that how the Government will remit the huge loans taken from NABARD, Mr Rather said Rs 283 crore have been so far remitted to NABARD from its principal amount and Rs 161 crore from interest.

Elaborating the steps taken by the Government to put economy back on rails, he said Rs 156 crore on power loans taken before 1996 have been returned this year by making the deductions at source. He said no bills, cheque’s payment is pending with the treasury.

He also ruled out that his Government has issued orders for termination of daily wagers saying that out of 57,000 daily wagers 43,000 have been regularized so far and the cases of the rest are being scrutinised.

He,however, asserted that the daily wagers who have been appointed fraudulently will be shown the door as the Government has come to know that some daily wagers have been appointed after getting fake certificates.

Mr Rather said the Government has ordered inquiry in this regard and action will be taken against the officers who have appointed them.

He said though the J&K has been declared a Special Category State we did not get the treatment which the other such states of the country were given by Centre.

He said these states were given 90 per cent aid and 10 per cent loan as Central assistance while J&K was given 70 per cent loan and 30 per cent aid. However, our contention was agreed to by the Centre in this regard, who promised to pay 90 percent aid and 10 percent loan. With this the situation will improve in the State, he hoped.

Justifying the increase in import duty on liquor, the Minister said this will help the local industry to compete in the market. At the same time he said that no tax has been imposed on export of finished goods to give impetus to the State industries.

Warning the economic offenders, the Finance Minister said they will be dealt with strongly under the new stringent legislation which will be brought in the House during the current session. Besides, action against the economic offenders will be taken under Public Safety Act, he added.

The Minister also denied the opposition charges that he has prepared his budget under pressure saying "I have neither prepared it under any pressure today nor will I do it in future."

On the opposition charges as to why the State Government is always dependent on Centre and does not stand on its own legs, he said ours is a federation system where the Centre and states have well defined financial relationship and are interdependent on each other.

Mr Rather maintained that it has been decided in the Indian Constitution that which powers the State will utilise and which the Centre. It also throws light to which taxes will be imposed by Centre and which by the State.

He said Article 280 of the Indian Constitution has defined that after every five years Centre has to constitute the Finance Commission to see that which states are backward and need financial assistance.

He said the funds coming from Centre are not a charity to us but a share from our taxes and the members who think so are mistaken. He maintained that the money given by Government of India is our right.

The Minister said that last year’s plan was not made in air and maintained that in 1997 Mr Madhu Dandwate ,the then Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission visited J&K and we presented our case to him that our plan for five years be fixed at Rs 10,000 crore. He however, maintained that it will be between Rs 9000 to Rs 10,000 crores but the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah did not agree and said that State will not accept even a pie short than Rs 10,000 crore.

Later, the plan was fixed by Centre at Rs 9500 crore and on that basis we framed our annual plan, the Minister said, adding but in first year we got Rs 1600 crore from Centre and instead of giving outlay of Rs 1800 crore, Rs 2000 crore and 2200 crore for subsequent years the outlay given for subsequent three years remained static at Rs 1750 crore. Taking it at current prices, this allocation means gradual reduction of the State plan due to inflation, which is against the recommendations of the Planning Commission.

He said on the basis of it we prepared the annual plan and fixed it at Rs 2525 crore last year. Rather agreed that there was uncertainty over sanction of plan outlay on this assumption. He said have we not taken the advance steps the funds would have not been utilized for development works as plan was ultimately finalized as late as on January 5 this year.

But he maintained if budget would have not been passed the State economy will collapse and you will get no money.

The Minister said the employment has not been banned by his Government totally but the posts lying vacant in various departments are being identified to fill up. .

He said the Government service is not the only avenue of removing unemployment.

The Minister said that a Task Force has been created to face the situation created by the drought. The two Vice Chancellors of the Agriculture universities are the members of the committee. He said Rs 70 crore have been earmarked for meeting any eventuality created by drought.

Mr Rather said that while the Finance Commission has given the State an increased allocation to bridge the revenue gap but it unfortunately recommended reduction of share to States from the Central taxes and levies. This has been done by re-fixing the criteria followed by the 10th Finance Commission which is detrimental to the interests of 15 States especially those categorized as ‘special category states’ which are mainly backward having restricted tax base. He said, 10th Finance Commission criteria based on poverty, backwardness and State’s effort for tax collection. However, the 11th Finance Commission reversed it putting State’s efforts for tax collection as priority number one in the criteria. This led to reduction of share of taxes from Rs. 1400 crore last year to Rs. 700 crore this year. Thus this decision, he said, has offset the advantage given to us by increasing the allocation for revenue gap grants.

In his 70-minute speech, he also made a mention of the additional terms of reference made by the Centre to the 11th Finance Commission on April 28 last year where under a fiscal reform monitoring was introduced for the first time for release of grants. Describing the reference as un-constitutional, he said, J&K along with other States protested against it. He argued that while prescribing a monitoring/performance mechanism for States there is nothing of the sort for the Centre which by their decision burden the States. He referred to the decision of the Centre to implement 5th Pay Commission report.

Tension in Poonch, people protest
Two Sikhs beheaded by militants in Surankote

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Mar 16: In another round of killings by Pakistan-sponsored militants targeting minority Sikhs, two Sikh youths were beheaded by ultras at village Bachianwali in Lasana area of Surankote tehsil this morning.

Deceased have been identified as Mohan Singh son of Bhagat Singh, a resident of village Malla Khori Nar, Poonch, presently putting up at Gadigarh, Jammu and Lakhbir Singh son of Chanda Singh of Degwar, Poonch, presently a resident of Nanak Nagar.

Giving details of the incident, official sources said the duo had come to Poonch from Jammu to meet their family members, who were still putting up in the villages while the youths were staying in Jammu in rented accommodation.

On March 9, the boys were on way to Poonch but the bus, they had boarded in Jammu, left them at Rajouri. From Rajouri, the youths took lift from a truck which dropped them at Dundak bridge.

Sources said by the time, the duo reached Dundak it had become extremely dark. The youths, however, didn’t reach their houses and went missing. Later, reports indicated that both of them were kidnapped by militants of Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit and remained untraced since then.

Reports said there had been reports in Surankote that bodies of both Sikhs were lying in forest area of Bachianwali for the last three days but neither security forces nor police made any effort to carry out a search operation.

It was only this morning that security personnel left for the forest area when people started protesting. Both the bodies were recovered this afternoon from the forest area and identified as that of two missing persons.

Post-mortem was conducted in the bodies and they were about to be dispatched for Jammu when administration here received a message from Jammu that bodies should be cremated at Poonch itself to avoid tension in Jammu.

The bodies reached Poonch late tonight and now will be cremated tomorrow morning. Sources said both the Sikh youths had been brutally tortured by militants and beheaded in captivity. Their bodies were left in the forest area while militants escaped.

Tension gripped Poonch town when the report of Sikhs’ killings spread. A number of people gathered in Geeta Bhawan and shouted slogans against State Government charging it with failure to protect Sikhs’ carnage.

Police and para-military was deployed in strength in the town this evening anticipating trouble tomorrow. Administration was maintaining a close vigil on the situation, official sources said, adding situation was very tense but well under control.

Shops and business establishments were immediately closed in the town and outskirts as soon as the report of killings spread.

Meanwhile, the Border Security Force (BSF) today recovered a consignment of arms and ammunition from Balhar forest near Achhad Harigala in Mendhar tehsil. The consignment was recovered from a natural cave, which had been camouflaged by the militants.

A total of eight ruck sacks contained 3000 Ak rounds, 1320 sniper rounds, three UMG ammunition belts, 18 RPG rockets, 18 gelatin explosives, 24 hand grenades and 25 kg plastic explosives was recovered from the hideout.

Major blow to Hurriyat
Annan refuses to give audience

NEW DELHI, Mar 16: In a rebuff to Hurriyat Conference, which claims to be a principal party to the Kashmir dispute, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan today declined to give an audience to the conglomerate leader Abdul Gani Lone.

Hurriyat Conference had made request at the United Nations Office and Ministry of External Affairs to meet Annan during his three day stay in the country.

Hurriyat sources said their request had been turned down by the UN office here.

Confirming this, Hurriyat spokesman said "the UN office had said the Secretary General was having a tight schedule and could not accommodate their request."

Annan had ruled out in Pakistan implementation of the UN resolutions on Kashmir or a separate UN Human Rights Commission for Kashmir saying a lasting solution to the problem lay in implementation of the Lahore declaration.

Stung by Annan’s statement, Hurriyat Conference had met earlier this week and decided to send Lone for exploring the possibility to meet Annan, who arrived on a three-day visit here yesterday.

The turning down of the request is likely to go down well with the Jammu and Kashmir Government as Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has been dismissive of the conglomerate’s claim saying "they (Hurriyat) are only building castles in the air."

The conglomerate of 23 separatist groups, whose executive council met on Monday to discuss Annan’s statement ruling out implementation of UN resolutions for resolving the Kashmir issue, had said Lone would try to

seek a meeting with the Secretary General during his stay in New Delhi.

However, even before Lone reached the capital this evening, the request had been turned down.

Perturbed over Annan’s statement, Hurriyat Conference chairman Abdul Gani Bhat had earlier said the Hurriyat executive would go into the depth of the statement and see the "intentions" behind it.

Fire-brand Jamaat-e-Islami leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani had reacted more severely saying it was "the moral obligation of the UN to resolve the longstanding problem and use its influence to force the solution of the problem between the two concerned countries."

Senior executive member Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had said "such statements give a hint that the UN is shirking its commitments made to Kashmiris." (PTI)

Cong members stage walk-out
BJP, BSP MLAs clash over remarks on Jan Sangh

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 16: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs today clashed with BSP Legislature Party leader Sheikh Abdul Rehman when the latter charged BJP with allegedly burning copies of a religious books in New Delhi recently.

Raising the issue after Question Hour, Rehman pointed out that a bandh was being observed today in some parts of Jammu against alleged burning of religious book by some fundamentalists in Delhi recently.

Voicing concern over alleged separatist activities of Sangh Parivar, he said RSS chief K Sudershan has been issuing threats to Muslim and Christian community.

Rehman’s speech was interrupted by BJP legislators including Hans Raj Dogra, Bali Bhagat, Prithvi Chand and Chuni Lal, who were on their feet and charged Rehman with being ‘a worst fundamentalist’. Dogra reminded Rehman that he himself had been the president of erstwhile Jan Sangh in J&K and lived in Sangh office for years together.

"Jan Sangh was all right when you were its president in the State. Now for political mileage, you are speaking against the organisation", Dogra shouted at Rehman. Two National Conference members Ghulam Rasool Naz and Mohd Shaffi Bhat came to the support of Rehman and tried to shout down BJP legislators.

Order was restored in the House after Rehman took his seat.

Meanwhile, uproarious scenes were witnessed in the House for third straight day today against defence deals scam. As soon as Congress (I) member Lal Singh concluded his budget speech, all three party MLAs, present in the House today, staged a walk-out shouting ‘BJP Chor Hai’, ‘Bangaru Laxman Chor Hai’.

Besides Lal Singh, two Congress (I) MLAs Chering Dorjey and Ashok Sharma also walked-out of the House. Sloganeering of ‘Chor, Chor’ by Congress (I) members was effectively countered by BJP legislators with ‘Chor Machaye Shor’.

Skirmishes between BJP and Congress (I) members also invited comments from some other Opposition MLAs. While Sheikh Abdul Rehman described both parties (BJP and Cong-I) as ‘Chor’ (thieves) saying ‘Ek Bada Chor Hai, Ek Chhota Chor Hai’, Panthers Party MLA Harshdev Singh said ‘both were Bada Chors’.

Pak permits militant outfits to "discreetly" collect funds

ISLAMABAD, Mar 16: In a major climbdown from its campaign to crackdown on fund-raising activities of Islamic fundamentalist militant groups, Pakistan Government has reached a tacit understanding with militant outfits permitting them to discreetly collect funds and recruit volunteers to fight Indian forces in Kashmir, media reports here said.

"After prolonged negotiations with the Government agencies, mainstream religious organisations, involved in armed struggle against Indian forces in Kashmir have agreed to discreetly pursue their drive to collect donations and recruit volunteers," the news said today.

"In return, the Government has decided not to pursue, too aggressively, its pledge to force the closure of all such activity," it said.

"The latest development has effectively reversed the dramatic announcement made by Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider, promising elimination of all such activities on February 13 last", it said.

Police and other law enforcing agencies have been told not to raid or use force against any Jihadi outfits following a series of closed door meeting with the leaders of the groups, the report said.

The decision to permit the Jihadi groups was taken after an "influential group" within the Government prevailed on military ruler General Pervez Musharraf that a "rash official action" might provoke an armed reaction from Jihadi groups and may push Pakistan to an internal strife of the scale currently being witnessed in Algiers, Egypt and Tunis, the newspaper said.

The report follows an official announcement yesterday that a new law has been framed to ban any religious organisation found involved in sectarian violence.

But an official clarification that followed made it amply clear that the proposed ban would be confined only to extremist organisations involved in sectarian violence between the majority Sunni and minority Shia sects in Pakistan.

"Though sections of the regime made fine distinction, between the sectarian Sunni and Shia outfits that indulged in violence in Pakistan, it is the Jihad organisations fighting in Kashmir that have registered phenomenal growth in small and big towns in Pakistan," the news said.

Police records in Karachi show that in the last one year alone, Jaish-e-Mohammad, formed by Maulana Masood Azhar, Pakistani militant released from an Indian jail following hijacking of the Indian Airlines plane, has opened 135 contact points since last year to collect funds and recruit militants to fight Indian forces in Kashmir.

Following this unpublicised agreement between the Government and the militant outfits, the Jihadi groups have been permitted to collect funds during the recently concluded eid festival, the report said.

Under the new agreement, the Jihadi organisations would not be collecting funds by making direct appeals, unlike in the past. But would be allowed to maintain contact points, including in mosques to enlist volunteers.

As witnessed in the recent past, no Jihadi organisation would approach schools or colleges to seek volunteers for Jihad, the news report said. (PTI)

All Colleges in Jammu closed

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 16: All the Degree Colleges of Jammu University will remain closed on 17th of March, 2001 in view of 10th Convocation of Jammu University.

Meanwhile, the Minister for External Affairs, Mr Jaswant Singh has arrived here this evening who will be the Chief Guest at the function and deliver the Convocation address.

The Governor, Mr Girish Chander Saxena who is also the Chancellor of the University will preside over the function. The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah who is also the Pro- Chancellor of the University will also participate in the function

Jaswant arrives on 2-day visit

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 16: Minister for External Affairs Mr Jaswant Singh arrived on a 2-day visit here this evening.

Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah received Mr Singh at the Airport.

Mr Jaswant Singh will deliver the convocation address at the tenth convocation of the University of Jammu tomorrow.

Among others present at the Airport to receive the Minister included Minister for Education Mr Mohammad Shafi, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, Prof R R Sharma, Principal Secretary Education, Mr Vijay Bakaya, IGP Jammu R V Raju and Deputy Commissioner Mr R K Goyal.

2 more JEs arrested in Rs 50 cr Dal lake scam

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Mar 16: The State Vigilance organisation arrested two more junior engineers of Lakes and Waterways Development Agency in connection with much publicised Dal Development scam.

A Vigilance spokesman said that the accused persons namely—Abdul Rashid Malik, JE presently incharge Assistant Executive Engineer Sub Division Northern Foreshore Road and Rauf Jan Mir, JE Sub Division II, Lakes Division -II of the agency, were arrested vide FIR No. 37/2000 registered with Police Station Vigilance Jammu.

The Vigilance organisation had already arrested twenty one persons including some senior Government officers of the rank of Executive Engineers and AEEs in connection with this multi-crore scam. The investigation conducted so far had established their involvement in the criminal conspiracy to defraud exchequer for ulterior motives.

It may be recalled that Centre has sanctioned Rs 200 crores for Dal Development project and its conservation work. Over Rs 50 crores claimed to have been spent by the state government over this project.

The Vigilance organisation has registerred seven FIRs No. 31, 32. 33, 34, 35, 36 and 37 of 2000 against the accused.

The allegations of swindling of huge public money by the officials of Lakes and Waterways Development Agency / Dal Development Authority have been proved. After the arrest of these two JEs, they were put in the police lock up at Srinagar. Further investigations are in progress.

Uproar against SKUAST VC

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 16: Speaker Abdul Ahad Vakil today treated as ‘property of the House’ a letter written by some scientists levelling serious allegations against Vice Chancellor SKUAST and said if required a House Committee can be constituted to probe the allegations.

As soon as the House assembled for day’s business today, National Conference MLA from Kupwara Saifullah Mir was on his feet and displayed a five page letter written by Scientists Forum levelling allegations of serious nature against Dr M Y Kamal, SKUAST Vice Chancellor.

Mir said the allegations were very serious and Government should take serious note of it. He demanded that a House Committee should be constituted to probe the allegations.

Speaker said he had already spoken to concerned Minister and asked the Government to make a statement in House on the allegations in a week’s time. If required, he said, a House Committee can also be constituted to go through the allegations and make recommendations.

Vakil also ordered that the letter be treated as ‘property of the House’. Later, another National Conference member Sadiq Ali pointed out that letter was unsigned and said only yesterday Speaker had declined to take notice of a letter written by Balraj Puri on the ground that it was not signed.

Speaker, however, said that copy of the letter received by him was signed.

The letter, written by Scientists Forum SKUAST, Shalimar Kashmir through president of the Forum levelled serious allegations of embezzlement, irregularities and misuse of official position and machinery by Dr Kamal.

The letter alleged that Dr Kamal even didn’t fulfill the requirements for the prestigious post. Letter also described Dr Kamal as ‘anti-Kashmiri’.

Prepare ground for talks: India

NEW DELHI, Mar 16: India today virtually rejected UN Secretary General Kofi Annan’s call for early resumption of stalled dialogue with Pakistan, asserting Islamabad had to first prepare a conducive atmosphere for this.

A day after Annan said this was the "right time" for India and Pakistan to resume the dialogue, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh said he appreciated the "very wise counsel" of the UN Chief.

"We continue to believe and hold that for the dialogue to be successful, a conducive atmosphere for it must be prepared first," Singh said clearly implying Pakistan must stop sponsoring cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir

Singh, who held wide-ranging discussions with Annan, told reporters "India, as initiators of the dialogue, remains committed to it. The timing and venue etc. Of course has to be decided by the dialoguers themselves".

In a clear rejection of Pakistan’s persistent demand for implementation of UN resolutions on Kashmir, Annan said these were not "self-enforcing" and the only way out was negotiations between the two parties.

Annan, who had turned down Islamabad’s persistent plea for a third party mediatory role in settling the Kashmir issue, said "the only way out is dialogue" between India and Pakistan and added he was "encouraged" by the discussions held on this issue in the region.

"There are Security Council resolutions which are important, but they are not self-enforcing," Annan, on the last leg of his four-nation tour of South Asia, said. Annan, who is on a three-day visit, called on Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. During the 45-minute meeting, issues relating to India’s commitment to UN, peacekeeping, question of terrorism and regional situation came up for discussion.

Singh informed Annan India’s decision to earmark an infantry brigade of about 3,000 personnel as standby for un peacekeeping operations.

India has contributed 50,000 troops in 35 peacekeeping operations around the globe so far.

The UN Secretary General called on President K R Narayanan and held meetings with Lok Sabha Speaker GMC Balayogi, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Najma Heptulla and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Annan’s meeting with Defence Minister this morning was cancelled in the wake of George Fernandes’ resignation last night.

His scheduled visit to Lok Sabha to witness the proceedings was also called off. The House has been witnessing turmoil for the last four days over the corruption expose in fictitious defence deals by a portal.

Asked whether he would contest again for the top slot when his term ends later this year, Annan said "this is a question that has been on the table for a long time and I will make up my mind by the end of this month". Several African nations have said they would support Annan for a second term as UN Secretary General. (PTI)

Govt releases pay arrears

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 16: The Government have today ordered release of 3rd and final instalment of arrears of pay/allowances related to pay revision in favour of State Government Employees . The amount of the instalment will be debited to the respective GP Fund Accounts of the employees. However, the condition of crediting the amount of arrears to the GP Fund account shall not apply to the employees who are to retire on superannuation on 31st March 2001.

It has been further ordered that the amount of arrears shall be paid in cash after 31st March, 2001 to employees who do not have GP Fund Account as on date and employees who are not required to contribute to G.P. Fund Account as per rules because of nearing the date of superannuation or otherwise.

In another order, the Government have also released 2nd and final installment of arrears in favour of State Pensioners/Family Pensioners payable from 1.1.1996 to 31.12.1997 as a result of revision/rationalized pension structure.

The disbursement of the installment to pensioners would be made by the concerned Treasury Officers/Branch Managers of J&K Bank after 31st March, 2001.

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