Students vow to continue agitation
Tripartite talks over open choice deadlocked

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 22: Much awaited tripartite talks, amongst agitating students, Principals of degree colleges in city and Jammu University authorities over the issue of open choice, also failed to yield any result and ended in a deadlock, here today.

The college principals, University authorities as well as All College Co-ordination Committee (ACCC) members, spearheading the ongoing agitation, remained adamant on their stand and no viable solution could emerge over the issue.

The talks were held at Police Control Room and JU Registrar Prof Zahur-ud-Din represented the University. Deputy Commissioner Mr R K Goel and SSP Jammu Mr R R Swain also attended the meeting.

Prof Zahur-ud-Din and college Principals asked students to attend their classes and ruled out any possibility of according open choice in the forthcoming annual examinations. They reiterated their plea that UGC may de-recognise the degree from Jammu University if open choice was accorded for the fourth consecutive academic session.

The ACCC members, however, refused to accept the plea and announced to continue the agitation till open choice was granted. They also rejected the Principals’ suggestion of holding additional classes to get their syllabi completed and said that it was impossible for the students to attend extra classes and make preparations for the annual examinations at the same time.

Both sides put forward their arguments in favour and against the open choice but no solution on the issue could be evolved. DC Jammu Mr Goel and SSP Swain also persuaded students to hold back their demand and attend the classes.

The talks continued for one hour and ended in a deadlock. The ACCC members who attended the meeting included Kiran Malhotra, Vinay Sharma, Binder Paul Singh Romy, Harmeek Singh Pinchu (presidents of GCW Parade, GGM Science College, MAM College and SPMR College, respectively), Divya Gupta, Arvind Raina, Narinder Paul Singh Lucky, Ajit Khosla, Maruti Sharma, Jyoti, Satvir Singh, Rashid Choudhary and Guru.

Earlier, in the morning, classes in all degree colleges of the city, remained boycotted and the students took out a massive procession.

The agitators staged dharna before the Campus gate and disrupted vehicular movement on the road for more than one hour. They also raised slogans against Education Minister and Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University.

The students of GCW Parade, led by the college president Kiran Malhotra and vice president Divya Gupta, first boycotted their classes and marched towards Jammu University. En-route, they were joined by their counterparts from SPMR College and GGM Science College.

Disrupting traffic at various places and shouting slogans against the Vice-Chancellor Prof R R Sharma, the agitators reached near JU premises where they held a massive demonstration. On finding the University gates closed, the protesting students staged a dharna in front of the Campus and blocked traffic for more than one hour.

To avoid any untoward incident, heavy deployment of police had been made near the campus. The agitators, however, dispersed peacefully.

Day light shoot-out in Udhampur
Dana shot dead, another injured; two surrender

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Mar 22: A notorious gangster of Billoo group Raj Kumar alias Dana was killed and his associate Vivek Singh was seriously injured in a day light shoot-out at Adarsh Colony in the heart of town this afternoon.

Both the accused later surrendered before police alongwith their weapon of offence, a revolver. Accused were identified as Rajan Singh Slathia, elder brother of Vikram Singh Slathia, who has been facing charges of kidnapping and rape of Meenakshi and Abdul Ghani Chandel, both residents of Udhampur.

Police sources said Raj Kumar alias Dana son of Daya Ram, a resident of Bantalab, Jammu, Vivek Singh son of Parmeshwar Singh of Fattu Chowgan, Jammu and their third unidentified associate had come here to terrorise the witnesses in the murder case of Parveen Singh Slathia, younger brother of Rajan Slathia, who was shot dead at MH Morh more than two years back.

Parveen’s murder case was listed in the Court for hearing today.

Reports said that Rajan Slathia rang up police and informed them that witnesses in his brother’s murder case were being harassed and forced to turn hostile by notorious criminals of Billoo group including Dana, who had specially come here from Jammu.

However, police took no action on Rajan’s complaint. Later, at about 12 noon, Rajan and one Abdul Ghani Chandel themselves chased the gangsters in Adarsh Colony and gunned down one of them. Another criminal was injured while their third associate, whose identity couldn’t be ascertained immediately, managed to escape.

Dana died on the spot while Vivek was seriously injured. He has been admitted in the district hospital in critical condition.

Both the accused—Rajan Slathia and Abdul Ghani Chandel later surrendered before the police and handed over the licensed weapon to cops. Rajan was a Central Government employee posted in Accountant General’s office.

Body of Dana was being sent to his house after post-mortem in the hospital. He had sustained two deep bullet wounds in his chest. Vivek also suffered two gun shots on his thigh and leg and was struggling for life.

Police said Dana was earlier also involved in a number of criminal activities and had been arrested several times by police. Still, he was wanted to police in a couple of cases.

According to police sources, Dana and his associates had reportedly been fired by Parveen Singh murder accused to harass the witnesses. Udhampur police have, meanwhile, registered a case against the murder accused for further investigations. Police continued efforts to track down an associate of Dana, who escaped during the shoot-out and was suspected to be hiding in the town.

Selection list of Forest Guards
Vigilance books SSRB officials for tampering records

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 22: In a rare case of its kind, Vigilance Organisaion has unveiled the functioning of the prime recruitment agency of the State, the Subordinate Services Recruitment Board (SSRB) and booked its convener and member officials for fraudulently changing the selection list of 158 guards in Forest Protection Force in Doda district.

The case was registered after conducting the preliminary enquiry on a complaint filed against the selection of guards.

In the complaint, it was alleged that the Services Selection Board, Jammu had advertised 158 Forest Guard posts in December 1996 and in response to the advertisement, over 9,000 candidates had applied.

The SSRB vide its order dated March 31,1997 had constituted selection Committee for conducting measurement test and interviews. Harbans Singh, member SSRB was put as its convener, while’s Abdul Shakoor Ganai, Additional Deputy Commissioner Doda, Abdul Hafiz Butt, DFO Territorial Doda were the members for the selection committee. Later D S Langeh replaced Harbans Singh as convener in a modified order.

The selection committee had prepared a list of 1704 candidates in November 1998 and the same was forwarded to Chairman SSRB Jammu in February 1999. However, the list remained pending with the Personal section of Chairman SSRB till March 2000 and after that Secretary SSRB further kept it pending for some time till it was finally issued on April 28, 2000.

During the enquiry, it was revealed that the selection list was fraudulently tampered by way of cuttings and over-writings by sheer abuse of official position for undue pecuniary gains, as a result of which the marks originally awarded to the candidates in viva voce were replaced in respect of candidates namely Mohd Sharief Malik, Dharam Chand and Swadesh Kumar, thereby depriving them from their rightful claim for selection for these posts.

Similarly, the marks in respect of candidates figuring at serial numbers 357, 972, 979, 1029, 1034, 1132, 1139, 1196, 3156, 30, 113 and 117 were fraudulently increased, facilitating their selection for these posts illegally.

During the preliminary enquiry, the Vigilance Organisation recorded the statements of few candidates, who had deposed that Jagdish Chander, PA to Chairman SSRB had demanded rupees 50,000 to rupees 60,000 from them for their selection which they couldn’t afford. However, some of the candidates had paid part payment as graft, but didn’t find their names in the selection list.

It was established that the selection list was not prepared in accordance with the rule number 12 and 15 of SRO 126 of 1984.

The omission/commission on part of D S Langeh, convener Selection Committee, Abdul Shakoor Ganai, Abdul Hafiz Butt, members selection committee, Jagdish Chander, PA to Chairman SSRB amounted to sheer abuse of their official position and accordingly they were booked under various corruption laws.

No arrests have been made sofar in this case.

Bill soon to deal with economic offenders: Rather

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 22: Finance Minister Mr A R Rather today said that Sales Tax collections in Jammu and Kashmir this year has surpassed all previous records and shall exceed Rs 365 crores.

Winding up discussion on demand of grants of the departments under his charge, Mr Rather said that during the current year the State is registering an increase of Rs. 115 crores in the taxes and duties administered by the Sales Tax Department which is equivalent to total revenue realized by the Department during 1995-96, 33 years after the Act came into the operation. As compared to 1996-97 when the present Government returned to power with massive mandate, the increase has been estimated at 230 per cent.

Urging the Legislators to appreciate the achievements of the Sales Tax Department this year, Mr Rather said that the quantum jump in the Sales tax has been achieved not by imposing fresh taxes or increasing the existing rates but mainly due to correctional and remedial measures supported by a team of dedicated and determined officers who defying all odds of present situation raised the resources for the State. He made a special mention of Financial Commissioner, Finance, Mr J A Khan and Sales Tax Commissioner.

The Finance Minister said that Government is determined to recover the Sales Tax arrears. He said a strategy has been evolved to recover every single penny from the defaulters as they have already recovered from the consumers and have no moral, ethical or legal right to retain it. He said 32 defaulters were arrested and property of 54 defaulting units attached. In case they do not deposit the collected sales tax the Government will have no option but to auction these assets under the law. He said we had earlier tried to persuade the defaulting traders. There was some response but we had to take action against those who did not behave. In this connection, he said nobody would be spared howsoever big he may be. He said a Bill is being brought in the House during the current session to deal with economic offenders. He complemented the legislators not bringing to him any pressure in effecting recoveries and hoped that he would continue to get the support and cooperation from the House.

Referring to the increase registered by the Excise Department, Mr Rather said department is expected to collect Rs 315 crores as against an amount of Rs 290 crores collected during the year 1999-2000. This is with standing the fact that there has been a substantial fall in the production of fresh fruit which has adversely affected the collection of toll tax.

Replying to various points raised by members for prohibition and excise duty on liquor, Mr Rather said that the excise duty imposed in J&K is among the highest levied in the country. He said the Government is in a way trying to move toward the prohibition by increasing levy on liquor but unfortunately its consumption is increasing.

Referring to the points about outstandings of sales tax he said arrears stood at Rs 526.59 crores ending December 2000. This included Rs 155.62 crore which are being paid under Amnesty scheme in 30 instalments. The entire amount is reflected in the arrears because of the clause in the scheme, which under default of any installment would forefit the benefit of the scheme and the trader will have to pay the entire amount. The amount includes Rs 131 crore which are recoverable from non-existing traders. These are from the periods as early as 1962. The whereabout of these dealers are not known. He had constituted a team to take a deeper view of the matter and come up with the recommendations. Rs 58 crores arrears due from Government departments and PSUs are also reflected in the arrears. In view of the bad financial health of the PSUs this amount could not be recovered. Not only this, the 36 per cent penal interest is added into the outstandings of the traders every year and as such these are reflected in the total outstandings.

Referring to the demand made for levy of tax at the Lakhanpur entry point, the Finance Minister said that some constitutional, administration and economic reason stand in the way of its implementation. He said article 286 of the constitution of India restrains the states from making laws to impose or authorize the imposition of a tax on the sale or purchase of goods if such sale or purchase takes place outside the State or in the course of import of goods into or export of goods out of the country. The states do not enjoy the authority to impose sales tax when the goods are in transit in consequence of movement occasioned under a sale in the course of inter-state trade, outside the State or in the course of import or export. The State has the authority to levy tax on the sales occasioned within the State. Therefore, the levy of sales tax on goods when these are under transport in the course of inter-state trade and commerce irrespective of the fact whether the property in goods has passed from seller to buyer or not, is not permissible. About the administrative implications the Finance Minister said that more than 80 per cent of the trade goods move through Lakhanpur check post. The statistics of the truck movement at the Lakhenpur Check Post on either side reveals that on an average 1091 vehicles enter the State daily and like-wise the number of vehicles crossing the check post on export side touches daily average of 1171 vehicles. The levy of tax at the Check post itself would obviously involve the physical inspection of each vehicle, the classification of goods carried and assessment to tax. Handling of more than 2000 trucks for purpose of levy of tax involves work-load of the magnitude as can be well imagined by the members. This has to be again evaluated in the light of average time consumed for assessment of each vehicle and the consequent standing of the vehicles in que on either side. He also gave the economic implications of levying such taxes.

Mr Som Nath, withdrew his cut motion while the cut motion moved by Mr Prithvi Chand was rejected by the House. Mr Harsh Dev Singh’s motion was also rejected as he was not present in the House.

Later, the house unanimously passed the grants amounting to Rs 2,005,14,48,000 for the Departments under the charge of the Finance Minister for the year 2001-02 and the supplementary grants amounting to Rs 255,65,63,000 for the current financial year.

Earlier, 19 members took part in the discussion who include Malik Ghulam Hyder, Mr Shiv Charan Gupta, Mr Saif Ullah Mir, Mr Ashok Sharma, Mr Sadiq Ali, Mr Mohammad Abbas, Mr Jagjivan Lal, Shiekh Abdul Rehman, Mr G M Jan, Mr Harsh Dev Singh, Mr Ghulam Rasool Naaz, Ch Piara Singh, Mr Mohammad Farooq Mir, Mr Jagdish Raj Dubey, Qazi Jalal-ud-Din, Mr Lal Singh, Mr Prithvi Chand and Mr R C Bhagat.

PM concerned over reports of burning of Quran

NEW DELHI, Mar 22: Expressing serious concern over reports of the burning of Holy Quran in some parts of the country, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today asked the concerned State Governments to take swift and stern action against their perpetrators.

Condemning the incidents, Vajpayee, in a statement here, cautioned that these acts were aimed at weakening national unity and communal amity in India by creating disharmony, disaffection and conflict between Muslims and non-Muslims.

"I am extremely distressed and seriously concerned over the reports," he said, condemning these "heinous acts, even though they are isolated and aberrant in nature."

Urging Muslim and non-Muslim brethren to keep a strong vigil against extremist elements and provocateurs, who deliberately spread rumours and incite violence, Vajpayee said the past few years had witnessed a relatively high level of communal peace.

Citizens and Government should together strive to maintain and further strengthen it, he said, asserting sinister attempts by some organisations to fuel anti-India propaganda among Muslims in other countries should be foiled.

"I urge the Governments of the states in which such incidents are reported, to take swift and stern action against their perpetrators. In Delhi, the Government has already arrested two accused persons and remanded them to judicial custody. Investigation into this incident is under progress," the Prime Minister said.

Pointing out that Holy Quran was sacred not only to Muslims but also to all other communities in India, the Prime Minister said "we believe in equal respect for all faiths and revere their sacred texts and symbols, since all religions profess universal values of peace and brotherhood.

"Those miscreants who are reported to have defiled the Holy Quran as a protest against the destruction of the statues of the Buddha in Afghanistan, are therefore irreligious and anti-national criminals," he said, adding the barbaric desecration of the Bamiyan Buddhas was condemned by Muslims and non-Muslims alike. (PTI)

Govt to hold talks with striking PSU employees

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 22: Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah today assured the members in Legislative Assembly that Government will hold dialogue with striking Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) employees very soon.

Intervening during the debate on annual grants for Industries and Commerce Ministry, Dr Abdullah informed the House that a Committee consisting of Finance Minister, Mr Abdul Rahim Rather and Industries Minister, Dr Mustafa Kamal will be constituted soon after the return of the Finance Minister from Delhi in this regard.

He said this Committee will hold dialogue with the representatives of striking public sector employees to settle the matter amicably.

The workers are like our children and some times a child goes astray but this does not mean that he will be left altogether, the Chief Minister said while assuaging the feelings of members regarding the future of PSU employees.

Earlier, while replying to a Cut Motion of CPI (M) Member, M Y Tarigami, the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Dr Mustafa Kamal said that the Public Sector employees are our limbs and we are ready to redress their grievances.

He, however, regretted that instead of approaching us they have chosen path of confrontation.

He maintained that Government has all sympathy with them but they should also respect the chair and instead of coming to streets and resorting to strikes and agitation their representatives should approach the Government for dialogue. The Minister regretted that not even a single person among them has approached us.

However, Tarigami later withdrew his Cut Motion on the assurance of Chief Minister.

Two more cut motions on the grants of Industries and Commerce Ministry were also withdrawn by Harsh Dev Singh of Panthers Party and Som Nath of BSP on the assurance of CM and Industries Minister respectively.

However, the Cut Motion of BJP Member Prithvi Chand was rejected after he refused to withdraw it.

Later, Chief Minister also informed the House that a booklet giving information regarding various self employment scheme has been framed and Government will make it available in Hindi and Urdu languages too for all the members.

He asked them to apprise the people in their respective constituencies about the benefits of various schemes which have been mentioned in the booklet.

Earlier, CPI (M) Legislator in his speech lambasted the Government for not holding any dialogue with the striking PSUs workers. He said in a democracy it does not convey a good message that you will not hold negotiations with the employees who are on strike for about a week.

He also made a scathing attack on Industry and Commerce Ministry saying the Government has no right to advocate for this Department and it should be wound up.

He said the industrial sector is the main sector of economy and employment but no proper attention has been paid for its revival . He blamed the Congress and BJP Governments at the Centre for having no definite industrial policy.

Tarigami said though globalisation has both positive and negative aspects but our Government pursued the negative side only.

He said we have not made any remarkable progress on industrial front in last 53 years of independence.

To give impetus to industry, he stressed the units should be set up in areas where the infrastructure is available. The Government should first identify these areas for industry, he added.

He said American and Chinese fruit has come in the market under terms of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) but we could not compete with them. He had a dig on the Government for taking no steps to provide loan to youth under Khadi and Village industries scheme.

Expressing his solidarity with the striking Public sector employees, Harsh Dev Singh took the Government to task for taking no initiative in holding dialogue with these employees who are on strike for last nine days now.

He demanded their genuine problems be redressed and COLA be released in their favour which is " meagre and insignificant" as compared to Government employees.

He suggested that instead of closing the public sector undertakings, the Government should freeze the post after an employee of PSU reaches age of superannuation.

He demanded that out of 171 employees of Wool Combers those who are ready for the golden hand shake be given the benefits while the rest be adjusted in other departments. He also stressed that cocoon rearers be given the remunerative prices.

Ch Piara Singh of BJP also stressed that adequate attention be paid towards the industrial sector in the State.

He urged the Government to take a cue from Haryana which has made tremendous progress in industrial sector and suggested that the land of Silk Factory at Jammu be sold and that money be utilized for purchase of machinery for new factories which should be laid in the area where infrastructure is available.

NC member Mohammad Shrief Tariq also expressed his solidarity with striking industrial workers. Terming their demands genuine he demanded that Government should hold negotiations with these employees.

He also demanded that local industrial units be encouraged in the rural areas and pleaded for re-starting Fatehgarh factory, joinery mill and other ventures for generating more avenues of employment in the Rajouri district.

Ceasefire should be followed by practical steps: Hurriyat

NEW DELHI, Mar 22: Hurriyat Conference today said that the ceasefire announced by the Centre was not an end in itself and has to be followed by "practical steps" to consolidate the peace process.

Conveying this to the outgoing Ambassador of the United States Richard Celeste during an hour-long meeting with him, a delegation of Hurriyat Conference led by its chairman Abdul Gani Bhat said the "delaying tactics" of the Centre in issuing passports to the conglomerate’s delegation for visit to Pakistan was also discussed.

"We discussed the entire range of issues including the unilateral ceasefire and our proposed visit to Pakistan," he said.

He said the delegation made it clear that the Centre was not honouring its commitment in observance of peace process, which needs to be consolidated with some follow up actions.

"Ceasefire in itself is not an end to the vexed Kashmir issue but means to find an end, which is yet to be spelt out by the Government," Bhat said.

He said that Celeste assured them that he would convey their feelings to the American establishment.

Besides Bhat, the delegation comprised former chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and senior executive leader Abdul Gani Lone.

Earlier this week, the three-member delegation of the conglomerate met Iranian Ambassador Mohammed Al-Mosuvi, South East representative of the United Kingdom and High Commissioner of Pakistan Ashraf Jehangir Qazi.

Bhat had a long meeting at the Pakistan High Commission alone.

The Hurriyat has also established contacts with missions of other countries like France, Japan and European Union members and is hopeful of meetings with their representatives soon. (PTI)

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