Allegations of fiscal indiscipline in Kashmir
High-level parleys on financial situation soon: Advani

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, Dec 23: The Minister for Home Affairs, Mr LK Advani, has planned to convene yet another high-level meeting on Jammu and Kashmir in the next few days. Main agenda for the proposed meeting is the financial situation and development needs of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Advani has pointed out.

A message has been sent to the J&K Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, in this connection. Mr Advani, who directly handles Jammu and Kashmir affairs, is said to have felt the need for holding fresh round of parleys with the Kashmir Chief Minister after the receipt by him (Mr Advani) of some allegations with regard to fiscal indiscipline in the State.

These allegations, significantly, set the Union Finance Ministry thinking anew. According to sources in Delhi’s North Block, the Finance Ministry, which had begun giving final touches to cash package for Jammu and Kashmir, adopted go-slow tactics and, in fact, got into touch with the Home Ministry on the "seriousness" of the allegations. North Block houses the two vital Ministries of Finance and Home.

These sources told EXCELSIOR that Mr Advani’s decision to hold fresh talks on the financial situation in Jammu and Kashmir was taken after the Finance Minister, Mr Yashwant Sihna’s quiet consultations with him the other day in the wake of the reported resentment by a section of bureaucracy against what was described as "improper and provocative" utilisation of Central funds in the State.

Statistics available with the Home Ministry reveal that the Government of India has, during the current financial year, reimbursed a sum of Rs 179. 49 crores to the J&K Government as additional security related expenditure (SRE) and Rs 43. 31 crores towards debt relief scheme. This is in addition to the assistance extended by other Ministries and Departments administratively concerned with various developmental schemes.

Sources divulged that Mr Advani would want participation of representatives from the Planning Commission, Department of Expenditure and Ministry of Home Affairs at the proposed meeting to make an assessment of the short and medium term requirements of Jammu and Kashmir. According to sources, need for fresh round of consultations has also been occasioned by a section of the officialdom in New Delhi demanding setting up of an agency, under the overall control of the Government of India, to monitor and supervise utilisation of Central funds in Jammu and Kashmir.

This demand, significantly, has been voiced at a time when a document on Kashmir has been circulated among higher-ups in the Ministries of Finance and Home. The document inter alia says that since 1990 there has been no audit of the State’s accounts and the "leakage of funds is monumental". A serious allegation contained in the document: "For a good part of the money ostensibly meant for development finds its way into the hands of the militants. So the State ends up supporting the insurgency it is fighting".

According to the document, "corruption thrives in the State like nowhere else". The document has cited an interesting instance: The cost of repairing a 75-kva generator lying idle in Baramulla was estimated by the concerned department to be Rs 1.5 lakhs. When the Army took up the job, as a part of its civic action programme, it was found that the repairs only cost a mere Rs 86. Likewise, an idle municipal truck’s repair was estimated to be Rs 90,000, where the Army could repair it for Rs 150.

The document has cited another example in support of its allegations of corruption: The cost of building a bridge over the Vishav river in Kulgam was estimated by the State Government to be Rs 64 lakhs and required one year for it. It was constructed by the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) with the help of local people for less than Rs 1 lakh and was done in 59 days.

Stating that the quality of public administration "continues to be appaling", the document has lamented: "Most teachers in Government schools remain absent , just as doctors do in clinics and hospitals. The power situation is miserable. The roads are in a terrible shape. The sewers in Srinagar, never a very clean place in the first instance, are choked and flow on to the streets".

At the same time, however, the document has reckoned the "fact": "But the State Government is not without any achievement. The Jammu and Kashmir police have come alive again. At one time, the State police was thoroughly infiltrated by militants and demoralised. Now it is in the forefront of anti-militancy operations. It has begun attending to normal duties".

‘Kam Chhor Hartal’ extended till Dec 30
Employees strike cripples normal life

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 23: Accusing State Government of giving ‘prevaricating’ statements to provoke common masses against their stir, the J&K Government Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC), today decided to extend their on-going Kam Chhor Hartal upto December 30 in support of their demands.

The decision to extend their on-going agitation was taken in the Central Committee meeting of the EJAC. It was also decided to convene General Council meeting before December 30 to chalk out future course of action, in case their demands were not fulfilled within a week’s time.

Earlier on the last day of their on-going four days Kam Chhor Hartal, EJAC, a conglomeration of 7 federations and 11 independent unions, organised rally at different places in the City and out-skirts to inform the employees about the future programme.

An impressive rally of agitating employees was held this afternoon at Government Medical College. Addre-ssing the rally EJAC Central Commi-ttee member, Mr Pardeep Kumar Sharma criticised the State Government for maintaining a criminal silence over the just and genuine demands of the employees. He regretted that instead of heeding to the woes of the poor employees, State Government has adopted adamant attitude towards their demands.

Addressing another rally at JDA Complex, Rail Head, Mr Mohammed Gaffor Dar criticised the State Government for misleading the public by giving prevaricating statements. He asserted that they would continue their agitation untill their demands would not be fulfilled. JDA Employees Union president, Mr Rajinder Kumar also addressed the employees.

Rallies and demonstration of the striking employees were also held at Geology and Mining Complex, Deputy Commissioner Office Com-plex, High Court Complex, Education Department, Agriculture Complex, Irrigation Complex, Mubarak Mandi Complex and Flood Control Complex.

Mr Lekh Raj Khajuria, Subash Chander, Mohammed Maqbool, G L Chanda, Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, Anwer Beigh, Satish Sharma, V R Baru, Ram Kumar Sharma, Kamal Kishore Bhardwaj, Parshotam Shar-ma, Ghany Shyam, Rakesh Bhan, Arun Moja, Gurmeet Singh, Varinder Gupta, Jasbir Singh, Basant Kumar, Tirath Singh, Prem Singh, Rashpal Singh, Mrs Susheela Manhas, Shiv Nath Sharma, Khem Raj Bali, Chaman Lal Sangotra, Satinder Bakshi, Rajinder Singh, Sunil Rally, Balbir Singh, L N Mishra, Dharamvir Choudhary, Darshan Angurana, Bharat Kumar, Prem Pal Singh, Darshan Mangotra, Rattan Singh, Jasbinder Singh, Pardeep Sharma, Markes Gill, Kamaljeet Singh, Mohammed Yosuf Lone, Parbinder Singh, Ashok Kumar, Mela Ram, Abdul Rehman, Anil Gupta, Jagdish Chand, Swaran Singh, Mohammed Shafi Mattoo, Bupinder Singh, Vijay Kumar Bhardwaj, Prem Pal Singh, Tilak Raj, Farooq Qauser, Susheel Soodan, Dass Ram Kandlay, Kulbhushan Chouhan, Suman Shar-ma, Abdul Rehman, Himmat Singh, Bharat Kumar, Amrik Singh, Jatinder Singh, Kavi Raj, Ghulam Nabi Bhat, Parladh Singh, Abdul Rashid Sheikh, Mohammed Tariq, M A Khan, Ravi Kumar, Shahied Hussian and others addressed the employees.

A spokesman of the EJAC, spearheading the agitation, has taken strong exception of the statement of Chief Minister in which he has expressed his helplessness in accepting employees’ demands due to financial crunch. Dubbing CM statement as ‘mis-leading’, spoke-sman said that Rs 1.75 crores required for two DA installments while 50 to 60 crores for clearing arrears of the second installment of the 5th Pay Commission.

Highlighting woes of the daily wagers, spokesman said that about 15,000 daily wagers have completed seven years of service and are eligible for regularisation under SRO-64.

However, functioning of all Government departments, hospitals, educational institutions, Public Sector Undertaking (PSUs) and Civil Secretariat remained paralysed for the fourth successive day today.

Patients of the rural and far-flung areas have been facing lots of hardships due to strike. Though doctors have been making best efforts to attend the patients but majority of the patients have deserted the hospitals due to the non-availability of the para-medical staff.

The ever busy wards of the Government Medical College wore a deserted look as only 260 patients have been left in the hospital.

"We have been making every possible efforts of provide medical facility to the patients, despite the fact that entire para-medical staff has gone on strike", said Dr H L Goswami, Principal of College. He said that Emergency has been working normally as striking employees have exempted Emergency service from strike. Situation is same in associated hospitals.

Agitating employees held a massive two hours demonstration at the entrance of the Civil Secretariat. Addressing the slogan shouting employees, Mr Nazir Ahmed Mir, president of J&K Civil Secretariat (Non Gazetted) Employees Union and convenor of the JKEJAC warned they would intensify their agitation in case their demands would not fulfilled within a week’s time.

He was distressed over the indifferent attitude of the State Government towards the problems being faced by the employees.

Mr Ghulam Mehdi, Mohammed Shafi Khan, Chand Ji Bhat, M H Reshi, Mushtaq Hussain Khan, Chaman Lal Chaman, Mohammed Shahbaz, Sayeed Altaf Hussain Shah, Surjit Singh, Nazir Ahmed Makhd-oomi, Qaiser Mujeeb Andrabi and others addressed employees.

However, EJAC leaders appealed to all the political parties and social organisations to build pressure and influence to force the Central and State Government to immediately accept their demands.

Women’s Reservation Bill introduced in
LS amidst pandemonium

NEW DELHI, Dec 23 : The controversy-ridden bill seeking to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assemblies was introduced in the Lok Sabha today by Law Minister Ram Jethmalani touching off strong protests by the Samajwadi Party, the RJD and the Bahujan Samaj Party which led to three adjournments.

The Congress and the Left Parties supported the constitution (eighty-fifth amendment) Bill seeking to amend articles 239AA, 331 and 333 and insert new Articles of 330A, 332A and 334A.

As the Bill was introduced amidst pandemonium. Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav (SP) and Mr Raghuvansh Prasad Yadav (RJD) challenged the introduction of the bill saying it was not in acordance with the rules of the House.

The BSP, RJD and SP forced a third adjournment of the House till 1730 hrs over the introduction of women’s bill. Later, after the valedictory reference by the Speaker, the House was adjourned sine die.

As the bill was introduced amidst pandemonium after the first adjournment, Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav (SP) and Mr Rahguvansh Prasad Singh (RJD) challenged its introduction saying it was not done in accordance with the established proceedures and rules. Mr Mulayam Singh castigated the Congress and the Left Parties for supporting the Bill in the present form saying the leaders of these two parties were controlled by high castes. The treasury benches were embarrassed when Mr Prabhunath Singh (JD-U) said women’s bill, one of the programmes of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Goverment, was being given precedence over other programmes, including allieviaton of poverty, unemployment and drinking water. Mr G M Banatwalla (Muslim League) also opposed the Bill without reservation for the minorties. Mr B K Bwismuthiary (Ind) demanded reservation for tribal women. As the agitated members did not go back to their seats despite repeated requests of Mrs Margaret Alva (Congress), who was in the chair, the House was adjourned at 1515 hrs till 1700 hrs.

Earlier, Law Minister Ram Jethmalani introduced the controversial Women’s Reservation Bill amid protests and slogan shouting by a section of the opposition forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House till 1500 hrs.

As soon as the Speaker called Mr Jethmalani to seek the leave of the House to introduce the bill, Mr S P Singh Baghel, a Samjawadi Party Member, snatched the bill’s copy from the Minister and tore it away. Members of SP, RJD and BSP were already in the well of the House when it reassembled at 1315 hours after the first adjournment over the same issue.

Mr Jethmalani sought the leave of the House ignoring the protestors who were surging forward towards him. The Speaker called the names of a few members who were to speak at the stage of the introduction of this Constitution (85th amendment) bill. Some spoke but nothing could be heard in the din. In by now familiar scenes, the Bill was introduced for the third time in the House — first it was in 1996 and the second in last year — as its opponents tried to stall it by trying to grab anything that was available in the Law Minister’s hands.

The Government appeared to have been well prepared with Jethmalani seeking leave of the House for introduction of the Constitution 85th Amendment Bill without help from any paper that befuddled the opponents.

The measure provides for one-third reservation of seats for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies but members belonging to SP, RJD, BSP and Muslim League vociferously opposed to its introduction in its present form as they want sub-quotas for women belonging to backward classes, minorities and SCs and STs.

As Speaker GMC Balayogi called out Jethmalani to move the motion seeking leave of the House for its introduction, a Samajwadi Party member S P Singh Baghel snatched a piece of paper from the Law Minister, who pushed him back.

There was a feeling of excitement among the opponents of the measure who thought they had succeeded in snatching the Bill and tore it.

But as it turned out that Jethmalani did not have a copy of the Bill and had merely moved the motion without reading from any text.

There were two rings of protective cordon around Jethmalani, who seemed to enjoy it all with Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha having a hearty laugh that it was after all a different piece of paper that the opponents had grabbed and torn.

As Muslim league member G M Banatwalla and RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh refused to respond to Speaker’s call to them to come out with their opposition to the bill’s introduction, Balayogi put the Minister’s motion to vote of the House.

He declared that the Bill has been introduced after the ruling coalition members shouted a deafening aye when the motion was put to a voice vote.

While the ruling coalition members and those belonging to Congress and Left Parties thumped the desks and gloated over what was managed successfully, the SP, RJD and BSP members shouted hai, hai.

In the din that followed, the Speaker adjourned the House for an hour for lunch.

Earlier in the day, the House witnessed noisy scenes on the issue immediately after the Question Hour and the Speaker adjourned the House for an hour. (AGENCIES)

Ahmed Patel to look after J&K
Major organisational changes in Cong

NEW DELHI, Dec 23 : Congress president Sonia Gandhi today made major organisational changes and reconstituted the Party’s Working Committee to strengthen the party machinery and make it more effective and vibrant.

The reorganisation follows the recommendations of the A K Antony Committee which had gone into the causes of the party’s debacle in the last Lok Sabha elections.

Senior leaders Pranab Mukherjee, Madhavrao Scindia and R K Dhawan have been divested of their positions as AICC general secretaries. However, they would continue to be members of the Congress Working Committee(CWC).

Mr Motilal Vora,Mr Natwar Singh, Mr N D Tiwari, Ms Motamma and Ms Prabha Rao have been inducted to the CWC. Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker P M Sayeed has been made one of the three special invitees to the CWC, besides Mr Bhajan Lal and Mr Madhavsinh Solanki.

The new general secretaries are Ms Ambika Soni, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ms Mohsina Kidwai, Mr Motilal Vora, Oscar Fernandes, Ms Prabha Rao, and Mr Sushil Kumar Shinde. Mr Ahmed Patel will continue to be the treasurer of the party.

Among those who were dropped from the CWC are Mrs Lakshmi Devi and Mrs Gangadevi Potai.

The CWC members are Mr Ahmed Patel, Mr Arjun Singh, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mr Jitendra Prasad, Mr Madhavrao Scindia, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, Mr R K Dhawan, Mr K Vijayabhaskar Reddy, Mr A K Antony, Mr Manmohan Singh, Mr Motilal Vora, Mr Natwar Singh, Mr N D Tiwari, Mr Oscar Fernandes, Mr Rajesh Pilot, Mr S K Shinde, Ms Ambika Soni, Ms Meira Kumar, Ms Mohsina Kidwai, Ms Mottamma and Ms Prabha Rao besides party president Ms Sonia Gandhi.

Mr Sitaram Kesri, Mr K Karunakaran and Mr S C Jamir will be the permanent invitees.

AICC general secretary Ms Ambika Soni will continue to look after Assam, Arunchal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and the Congress president’s office. Mr Mukul Wasnik AICC secretary will assist her.

Mr Gulam Nabi Azad will be in charge of Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry Kerala, Karnataka and Orissa. Mr Anil Shastri will assist him as AICC secretary.

Ms Kidwai will look after Bihar and will be assisted by Mr Pratap Bhanu Sharma.

Mr Motilal Vora has been given the charge of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Himchal Pradesh, Maharastra and Andhra Pradesh. Mr V Narayanaswamy will be the AICC secretary in charge of these states.

Mr Oscar Fernandes will continue to handle CWC, meetings AICC sessions, organisational election work departments and cells. Ms Selja will be attached to him as AICC secretary.

Ms Prabha Rao will be in charge of Gujarat, Goa, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Delhi. Mr Pawan Bansal will be the secretary.

Uttar Pradesh will be looked after by Mr Sushil Kumar Shinde and Mr Ramesh Chennitala will be the AICC secretary.

Ahmed Patel besides holding the post of party treasurer will look after office administration and the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Ms Santosh Choudhry will assist him in handling frontal organisations.

Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar will be the AICC secretary with independent charge looking after Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu, Dadra Nagar Haveli Andaman and Nicobar,Panchayati Raj and Nagarpalika Departments.

Mr Imran Kidwai will handle minorities department which was earlier under Mr Arjun Singh. Party spokesperson Ajit Jogi has been made AICC secretary in charge of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other backwards department.

The other new secretaries Mr Janardhan Dwivedi will be attached to Congress President’s office and Mr R D Pradhan will be in charge of Congress presidents office and coordinator of AICC committees. Mr Shivlal Valmiki has also been appointed as secretary.

Making the announcement, AICC general secretary Oscar Fernandes said the changes would come into effect from today.(UNI)

Tension grips Tatapani, Kalakote over killing of
2 brothers by Army

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Sept 23: Tension gripped Tatapani and Kalakote tehsil of the district, when Army inadvertently shot down two brothers and injured another civilian in Soma area here today.

According to sources, in a mid-night swoop, militants numbering about a dozen arrived in Soma village of Tatapani area yesterday night and forcefully took alongwith them one Jalil, son of Fakir Deen. The gun totting youth wanted Jalil to help them find their way to Kalakote area, without getting identified.

Despite repeated pleas by villagers, the militants took Jalil alongwith them. To avoid any mishappening, a group of villagers thought it optimum to follow the militants and few of their colleagues reported the matter to the Army post located in Santoor area.

Immediately, columns of Army jawans were dispatched to track the terrorists and eliminate them. While the troops were on their way, they observed some suspicious movement.

Suspecting militants on the other side, the jawans urged the people to surrender or face consequences. Paying little heed to the warning of troops, the group started firing that was effectively retaliated by the armed jawans.

Minutes after the resumption of the gun-battle, people behind the bushes sensed the situation and shouted that they were only innocent villagers and not the militants. They then told the troops that they mistook them as the terrorists and it was for this reason that they started firing in haste.

In the gun-battle, two persons died on the spot while another was injured seriously. The slain civilians were brother of Jalil, who had been whisked away by the gun-totting youth. The slain brothers have been identified as Kale Khan and Ali Mohammad — both son of Fakeer Deen. The third civilian injured in the exchange of ammunition was Mohammad Jamir, son of Lateef.

Lateef was subsequently shifted to from Tatapani area to Rajouri district hospital and his condition was described as stable according to latest reports pouring in.

After entering the Kalakote area, militants also left Jameel. The latter narrated the entire story to Army troops and said that the killing of his two brothers by the soldiers was only accident.

Immediately, after the dead bodies of the brothers arrived in Soma village, people started shouting slogans against the forces. Senior officials of security forces tried to pacify the agitating people, but they refused to listen to them.

Subsequently, the protesters while carrying the dead bodies of brothers moved to Tatapani area. As the news of the incident reached the district administration, Deputy Commissioner, Mr B A Runniyal and SP, Mr Pushpinder Singh rushed to the area.

But, by this time the demonstrators had moved to Kalakote area and disrupted the movement of traffic in the area. Mr Runniyal and Mr Singh also rushed to the venue and tried to pacify the agitated people. They interacted with the people and explained the incident in details to them alongwith the version of Jalil, who was whisked by militants.

Convinced over their opinion, the people disbursed from the venue and the dead bodies were buried by them subsequently.

St Kitts case
HC dismisses CBI plea against Rao, Tewary

NEW DELHI, Dec 23 : Delhi High Court today upheld the trial court verdict discharging former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao and former Minister of State for External Affairs KK Tewary in the St Kitts forgery case.

Mr Justice Anil Dev Singh gave the ruling on a review petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging the judgment of trial court of Additional Sessions Judge Ajit Bharihoke.

Self-styled godman Chandras-wami and his secretary KN Aggarwal alias ‘Mamaji’ are facing trial in the case following framing of charges against them for alleged fabrication of documents to show that former Prime Minister VP Singh and his son Ajeya Aingh held a secret bank account in the St Kitts Island.

The CBI had contended that Mr Rao, who was then External Affairs Minister in the Rajiv Gandhi Cabinet, had helped in getting the documents forged.

"The trial court was right in declining to frame charges against Mr Rao," the judge said. "There is nothing to show that Mr Rao knew the purpose for which passport papers of Mr Ajeya Singh were called for."

He said if there is some material to connect Mr Rao with fabrication of the documents or that he knew that the documents were forged, he could have been charged alongwith Chandraswami and Mr Aggarwal.

"Since such material is lacking, the trial court was right in declining to frame charges against Mr Rao," Mr Justice Singh said. (UNI)

Hizb Bn Comdr among 4 killed in Valley

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec 23: While as security forces today eliminated a 'battalion commander' of Hizbul Mujahideen, unidentified militants shot dead three civlians in different incidents of violence.

Official sources told EXCELSIOR that on the basis of a specific informatsion troops of Rashtriya Rifles 07 Bn, District Police Anantnag and SOG Anantnag conducted a cordon-and-search operation at Deethu village in Achhabal area.One militant got killed who was later identified as Aijaz Ahmed Wani alias Omar Sajjad S/o Ghulam Mohammad Wani, resident of Khul-Chor, Anantnag. Officials claimed that he was a "battalion commander" of Hizbul Mujahideen.

One AK-56 rifle, two hand grenades and a wireless set were claimed to have been recovered from the site of encounter.

Early this morning, a civilian, namely Fayaz Ahmed Khan S/o Ghulam Ahmed Khan resident of Chak-e-Kawoosa, Narbal, in district Budgam was kidnapped by uniden-tified gunmen from his home. This evening at 1930 hours, his dead body was recovered from an orchard in the same locality. Reports described him as a counter-insurgent helper of security forces.

At 1030 hours today, militants fired upon a civilian, namely Zahoor Ahmed of Sazgari Mohalla at New Colony Lal Bazar in the capital city outskirts here. With critical injuries he was rushed to hospital where he breathed his last.

In yet another militancy-related incident, unidentified gunmen appe-ared at Wusan in Ganderbal area and shot dead Habibullah Sofi S/o Abdul Ahad Sofi, late last night. The shootout took place yards away from the Sector Headquarters of Rashtriya Rifles.

Meanwhile, at 1930 hours this evening, militants lobbed a hand grenade on Police Station at Sopore which exploded close to the intended target. One head constable, namely Ghulam Ahmed, sustained injuries.

An Army vehicle met with an accident at Dhobiwan, on Srinagar-Tangmarg road. One soldier got killed while as the driver sustained critical injuries.

12 people including 7 policemen killed in Bihar

PATNA, Dec 24: In stepped up violence suspected extremists killed at least 12 people, including five policemen and six tribals, in Hazaribagh and Chatra districts of South Bihar during the past 24 hours.

At least six people, including five policemen, were killed in explosion of mines planted by suspected extremists on Pratapur-Gonda road in Chatra district today.

Inspector General of Police (Operations) M.K.Sinha told UNI here that the policemen were returning to their camp when the mines exploded. The deceased included a Jamadar, two constables and a Chowkidar of Bihar Military Police. Three people seriously injured in the explosion were admitted to hospital.

Mr Sinha said six tribals were hacked to death by suspected Maoist Communist Centre activists near Jharpohat in the extremist-dominated Hazaribagh district last evening. Mr Sinha said the ultras kidnapped the tribals and later hacked them to death. A police constable,kidnapped by the armed extremists, managed to escape and informed a police picket of the incident.

Massive combing operation had been launched in both the districts to nab the assailants. Senior police officials are camping in the area.

Official sources at Ranchi said activists of the Maoist Communist Centre were involved in both the incidents.

State Home Secretary UN Panjiyar told UNI that the district adminis-tration had sanctioned Rs two lakh each to the families of the dead besides widow pension, free ration and promised them Indira Awas Yogna unit soon.

A Government job would also be provided to one member of the each family, he added. (UNI)

Farooq Eminent Medical Man of the year

NEW DELHI, Dec 23 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah was today selected for the highest award of eminent medical man by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) for year 1999-2000.

Dr Abdullah has been chosen for distinguished services to the society, an IMA release said here.

The award will be conferred to him during the 75th All India Medical Conference to be held in Pune on December 27, the release said.

Dr Abdullah completed his MBBS degree from a Medical College in Jaipur in 1962.(PTI)

Heroin worth Rs 100 cr seized

NEW DELHI, Dec 23: In the biggest seizure of heroin in recent years, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) yesterday recovered 77 kg of the narcotic valued at about Rs 100 crore in the US market.

NCB Director General H P Kumar told reporters today that the heroin, contained in packets of one kg each, was seized from a truck intercepted in the night on National Highway No 8 at Gurgaon, near here.

The packets bore Pakistani markings and following the interrogation of six people arrested in connection with the seizure the Pakistani source of the drug had been identified, Mr Kumar said.

Of the six arrested, one is a Nigerian national, two are Afghans and another had facilitated the crossing of the drug from Pakistan to Rajasthan.

NCB officials said they suspected the role of the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ellam (LTTE) in the smuggling of narcotics seized recently.

Yesterday’s seizure alone accounted for more than 10 per cent of such recoveries made across the country during the entire year, the DG said. So far, 700 kg of heroin has been seized this year, as compared to 655 kg, 1,332 kg and 1,257 kg made in the previous years.

After reaching India, the contraband had been despatched from Barmer in Rajasthan and was to be handed over to two Afghan nationals at Delhi. The person who facilitated the crossing of the drug from Pakistan to Rajasthan was arrested in close cooperation with the Border Security Force. Some Nigerian nationals were to carry the drug out of the country. (UNI)

Former Dy Director of ED arrested

NEW DELHI, Dec 23: Former Deputy Director of Enforcement Directorate Ashok Aggarwal, alleged to be involved with Abhishek Verma and other Hawala operators, was arrested from a hotel in Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh this afternoon.

Senior Public Prosecutor (CBI) T P Sinha gave this information in the court of special judge S S Bal during the hearing of the plea of Mr Aggarwal for anticipatory bail, which now stands cancelled.

The former ED official is most likely to be produced in the special court tomorrow afternoon.

Mr Aggarwal has also been charged with misconduct and amassing assets disproportionate to his income from known sources. (UNI)

 

 

| home | state | national | business| editorial | advertisement | sports |
| international | weather | mailbag | suggestions | search | subscribe | send mail |