Kargil, Leh supply position reviewed

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 28: Sufficient stocks of foodgrains to meet the two months ration supply for the people of Kargil and Leh districts are available.

This was stated at a high level meeting of senior officers of the Food and Supplies Department and Food Corporation of India (FCI) held under the chairmanship of the Minister of State for Food and Supplies, Mr Ajay Sadhotra, here today.

Presently, 22261 qtls of rice, 1628 qtls of atta and 2970 qtls of sugar are available in Kargil and 2492 qtls of rice, 2576 qtl of atta and 1320 qtl of sugar are in Leh district. Apart from 40,000 cooking gas cylinders both in the Leh and Kargil, 36 kilo litres petrol, 137 kilo litres diesel and 2175 kilo litres kerosene in Kargil and 300 kilo litres petrol, 875 kilo litres diesel and 400 kilo litres kerosene are available in Leh district. Meanwhile, a team of senior officers of the Food and Suplies Department is being deputed in Kargil and Leh soon to take stock of the ration supply in the region.

The Minister asked the officers of the concerned agencies to prepare a contingency plan to meet any emergency for requirements of the area, which usually remain cut off during winter months. He also asked them to remain in the State of readiness for launching the operation of despatches of foodgrains and other essential commodities for the Ladakh region as soon as Srinagar Leh road open for vehicular traffic.

Among others, the meeting was attended by the Commissioner/Secretary, Food and Supplies, Mr R K Jerath, Director Food and Supplies, Kashmir Division, Sheikh Hussain and representatives of FCI.

Passing out parade of wireless operators

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 28: An attestation cum passing out parade of 438 recruit constable (Wireless operator) of J&K Police was held at Parade Ground, Police Technical Training Institute, Vijaypur today. The Inspector General of Police, (MOD) Mr Rajan Bakshi who was the chief guest inspected the parade and took salute. The Principal of the Institute, Mrs Manju Rashid Administered and conducted the oath taking ceremony.

While addressing the out going police wireless operators, Mr Rajan Bakshi said these well equipped police personnel with the latest technical know-how in the communication system will strengthen the communication net-work in carrying out the quick police action in the militancy prone State. He urged them to dedicate theirselves towards duty and must be ever ready and conscious in safeguarding the life, liberty and property of the people. He exhorted that wireless operators should attain the height of professionalism in the discharge of their duties. With the induction of these wireless operators in the Police Department, will give impetus to the police force and bring efficiency in the department, he added.

The Principal of the Institute, Mrs Maju Rashid said that their is full confidence that the trained wireless operators will observe duty worthiness in the discharge of their work with agile ability and sincerity. No doubt the institute is in its infancy stage, with meagre resources and infrastructure but has been able to impart best training in sophisticated weaponary and communication technology.

The main attraction of the passing out parade was march past of the disciplined recruit, smartly attired in police uniforms, which was followed by PT drill by the recruits who were dressed up in uniforms of various hues, performed exercises on the rythmical tunes of the police band which really enchanted the audiences.

A rescue operation demonstration was also performed by the recruits.

Mr Mohd Yusaf Tantrey was adjudged as alround best cadet and accorded one rank promotion by the chief guest and prizes were also given to other constables who have excelled and attained merit during the training.

Among others, DIG, Jammu, Mr S K Misra, DIG AP, Mr Darshan Kapoor, SSP, Mr R K Kotwal,Mr Sham Lal, Mr Gulzar Singh, Mr Satveer Gupta, S Bhupinder Singh, school children and teachers and civilian people were present.

Hartal disrupts normal life in Kashmir Valley

SRINAGAR, May 28: Five activists of a pro-militant women’s organisation, Dukhtaran-e-Milat, were today arrested when they made an abortive attempt to hoist a Pakistani flag in the heart of the city during a general strike called by Dukhtaran and Hurriyat Conference against the air strikes in Kargil and Drass sectors of Jammu and Kashmir.

The five burqa-clad Dukhtaran activists made their dramatic presence in Partap Park area and tried to hoist the Pakistani flag. However, police personnel foiled their attempt and arrested them.

Normal life was disrupted in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir Valley in response to the strike call. Shops and business establishments remained closed and vehicular traffic went off the roads.

Work in Government and semi-Government offices was badly affected and courts, banks, educational institutions and other establishments also remained closed in view of the strike. (PTI)

Mula Ram criticises State Govt

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 28: Mr Mula Ram former Minister and senior Congress-I leader has criticised the State Government for its failure in mitigating the problems of people in Marh block.

As per a release, Mr Mula Ram who was addressing the Party workers meeting at village Tako Tera in Tawi Island today alleged that no new road has been constructed in the area for last three years.

The Congress -I leader also expressed his dismay over the step mother treatment given to area in the field of developmental works saying that no new school or medical centre was opened by the present Government.

He also took Government to task for not releasing the salary to SPOs.

Mr Mula Ram severely criticised the Central Government for its delayed action in Kargil.

The meeting was also addressed by Mr Hari Singh general secretary, INTUC who also highlighted various problems of the people of the area.

Mr Tallanter Singh, block president and Pt Asha Nand general secretary BCCI while speaking urged Mrs Sonia Gandhi and Ch. Mohammed Aslam to devote much time to Party affairs so that it will clinch success in the ensuing elections.

They also urged the members to return membership books within two days. While highlighting the local problems they demanded compensation for the farmers whose crops were damaged during last year’s hail storm.

Others who addressed the meeting include Messrs Sewa Ram, Mangal Dass, Laxman Dass, Aanchu Ram, Deva Chowdhary, Rattan Lal, Kamal Dass and Jagdish Singh.

DB admits petition challenging selection
of Session Judges

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 28: The Division Bench of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Jammu-Wing comprising Mr Justice T S Doabia and Mr Justice R C Gandhi, has admitted a Writ Petition challenging the selection of District and Sessions Judges and directed the Respondents, who stand served notices, to file their counter within a period of six weeks from today. Un-served Respondents be served for August 6, 1999.

In the notices, which are to be served on un-served Respondents, a mention would be made to the effect that the counter has to be filed within two weeks before August 6, 1999.

The Division Bench observed that the right of the petitioners to raise objections as to whether a Division Bench can hear the Writ Petition would be gone into at the time of hearing of the writ petition.

This writ petition has been referred by a Single Judge with the directios to put for admission before a Division Bench alongwith all conneted matters.

Advocate Kishore Kumar appearing for the petitioner Madan Lal was present. Earlier a Single Bench comprising Mr Justice R C Gandhi on a Writ Petition filed by Madan Lal directed the High Court of J&K and others not to finalise the process of selection and issued the final select list, till next date of hearing. However, it is made clear that this order will not effect the holding of interview.

The petitioner through his counsel Kishore Kumar submitted that selection to the posts of District and Sessions Judges is not being made in terms of the provisions contained in the J&K High Judicial Services Rules, 1983, notified in SRO 126 of 1994. He has pointed out that rules suggest method of recruitment and procedure for selection. Rule 4 envisages the quota for promote and of direct recruits and in case the suitable candidates are not available the posts are to be filled up by promottee.

The petitioner further submitted that according to the rules the selection committee is to be nominated by the Chief Justice for regulating the procedure of selection.

According to the Counsel appearing for the petitioner that no such committee was appointed providing opportunity to the committee for scrutinising the applications and to allot marks for examination and interview.

He further stated that the candidates have been appointed for interview in breach of the rules. The court issued show-cause-notice to the Registrar General, J&K High Court and others as to why this petition be not admitted to hearing.

HC orders promotions, transfer of ministerial staff

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 28: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir has ordered the promotion, transfers and adjustment of the ministerial staff of High Court. According to the orders issued by the Registrar General, J&K High Court, Hakim Imtiyaz Hussain vide order No. 183, Mr Ram Paul, senior Assistant, High Court Jammu has been promoted temporarily as Accountant in the pay grade of Rs 5000-8000 and shall work Incharge Judicial Record, Jammu, Mr Satish Kumar, Head Assistant it posted as Accountant in the High Court, Jammu-wing. Mr Omkar Raina, Head Assistant shall work in SWP Section-1 in place of Mr Satish Kumar. Mr K K Wattal, Head Assistant shall work in SWP Section-II Jammu-wing. Mr Ravi Kumar, Junior Assistant, High Court Main-wing is promoted temporarily as Senior Assistant in the pay grade of Rs 4000-6000 and will continue to work in the Main-Wing Mr Pawan Kumar, Junior Assistant High Court Wing Jammu is promoted temporarily as Accounts Assistant in the grade of Rs 4000-6000 and will continue in the protocol Section of the High Court Jammu-Wing. Mr Pawan Kumar Gupta, Senior Assistant shall work as Accounts Clerk in the High Court Jammu-Wing and shall also hold the charge of stationery articles. Mr Parveen Singh, Senior Assistant Incharge Stationery shall work in place of Pawan Kumar Gupta in SWP Section-III.

These orders have been issued consequent upon reversion of Mesrs Karnail Singh Accountant and Chuni Lal, Accounts Assistant to their parent department of Finance.

Sonamarg deserted, closed for visitors
Kashmir Police creates panic among tourists

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 28: Even as the State Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah has been desperately trying to hold back the massive rush of tourists in the Valley, police today put road barriers at Gund on Srinagar-Leh highway and closed the famous picnic centre of Sonamarg for sight-seeing visitors. Still, there are no signs of panic among the tourists and all other health resorts from Gulmarg to Pahalgam are bustling with an unprecedented concentration of Indian holiday-makers.

Within hours of the Chief Minister’s repeated assurances on the official electronic media, a Jammu and Kashmir Police party today stopped 20-odd vehicles full of tourists at Gund, 80 km from here, and did not allow them to proceed to the famous health resort of Sonamarg. The tourists, mostly from Maharashtra, pleaded their best while quoting Dr Abdullah’s assurances on Doordarshan, but the police personnel on duty asked them curtly to shut up and return home without any argument. They sought to convince the visitors that the situation was "extremely bad" at Sonamarg and there was none present at the town.

Thereafter, the tourists alighted from their buses and Tata Sumo vehicles and took their meals in the premises of the police station. They even offered to proceed on their own responsibility but nobody bothered to satisfy their obsession of sight-seeing at Sonamarg. Policemen on "duty" said that they had "strict instructions" from high ups that none of the tourists be allowed to proceed to Sonamarg.

As Sonamarg fell completely deserted, thanks to the police barriers, the poor hoteliers approached the nearby Army camps at Sonamarg and Gund. The Army officials were astonished to learn that police had stopped the visitors and created among them panic. While saying that the tourists and all other visitors to Gulmarg were most welcome to Sonamarg, the Army officials assured the hoteliers that they would be taking up the matter directly with the Chief Minister latest by next evening.

SSP Police Control Room Rasheed Ahmed Dar confirmed that police had stopped the tourists but argued that it was because of the fact that there was no "Road Opening Party" (ROP) beyond Gund upto Sonamarg. However, a senior Army official said that the entire Srinagar-Leh highway was presently fully protected due to the continuous movement of security forces vehicles from Srinagar to Kargil. He said that there was no need of any more ROP on the highway.

Immediately after learning that a New Delhi newspaper had reported total closure of the Jammu-Srinagar highway, Dr Abdullah took serious notice of what he described "sustained campaign of disinformation to scare away the tourists from Valley". He drove straight to Doordarshan Kendra on Thursday afternoon only to have his interview recorded in which he assured the tourists all over the country and the world that such news stories were baseless and mischievous. He declared the Valley as fully safe and secure for the tourists and assured them that the Kargil operation would have no impact on the situation in Kashmir. He said that all tourist resorts in Kashmir valley and Leh were undisturbed and bustling with the unprecedented flow of the visitors.

Naz warns Pakistan

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, May 28: Prominent BJP leader and former MLA Poonch Ch Bashir Ahmed Naz has sharply criticized Pakistan for its active involvement in the disruptive activities on Indian soil.

Addressing a gathering at Mandi in Poonch Ch Naz said that Indian forces are ready to give a befitting reply to the aggressive and ill designs of Pak forces while refering to the development in Kargil sector he praised the Indian forces that so far they have acted with great restraint but this was taken by Pak as a sign of weakness. He said that our forces will defend every inch of the land and Pakistan will have to pay a heavy price for its misadventure on Indian soil.

Amidst pro-India and pro-BJP and anti-Pakistan slogans Ch Naz assured the Indian forces that the people of J&K are fully with India and will fully co-operate with the security forces as they have done in 1965 and 1971 wars to defeat the ill-designs of the enemy.

He said that those who are raising "Azadi" slogans are betraying the nation and are playing into the hands of enemy. Ch Naz also said that BJP was a secular party and minorities are fully secure under its rule.

Criticizing NC Government for its failure on all fronts he said that corrupt Farooq regime and militancy from across the border are equally responsible for the present state of affairs in the State. He vowed to continue his struggle against the "dynastic rule" of the Farooq Government and said that people were ready for change in the State. Alleging the involvement of local MLA in large scale corruption and bunglings Ch Naz said that funds meant for Panchayats fail to reach the common people and were misused. He also welcomed some youths of the area who joined the BJP.

Those who joined the party at Mandi public meeting are Mohd Khan of Plera, Mohd Shakeel and Abdul Ahad Tantri of Bedar.

PHE employees begin indefinite dharna

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, May 28: The PHE Employees Association under the presidentship of Mr Som Nath, district president, started indefinite dharna at PHE Complex Udhampur against the callous attitude adopted by the Executive Engineer PHE Civil Division Udhampur.

As per a release similar dharnas were also held at Chenani, Katra and Ramnagar sub-divisional offices. These dharnas have been launched under the presidentship of Mr Baldev Raj, Jagdish Raj and Shiv Lal Pathania at Sub Divisional Offices at Katra, Chenani and Ramnagar respectively.

At Udhampur the employees demonstrated against the executive engineer. While addressing Mr Som Nath said that this was for the first time in the history of the Department that such a big demonstrations and dharnas have been started at all the offices in the district against the executive Engineer, Civil PHE Division Udhampur.

While addressing Mr Som Nath said the administration in the office of the executive Engineer was functioning in its own style as the said X-En used to come to the office at 11 am and leaves at 1 pm in winter months due to which employees as well as public was put to enormous difficulties in getting their routine works done. It was stated further that the said executive engineer never gave time to listen to the plight of the employees and workers and that he never showed interest in solving the genuine and pending demands and problems of the PHE employees. Mr Som Nath alleged further that the said executive engineer used to treat the employees as if he was giving their salary from his own pocket.

Mr Som Nath said the employees of the PHE Department Udhampur district were the worst sufferers during the tenure of the present executive Engineer as they have not been provided their basic requirements like gum shoes, umbrellas, uniform and fans etc while all these items used to be issued to them regularly earlier.

Mr Som Nath said despite holding of DPC meeting on April 22, no order has been issued till date because the said X-En has termed the DPC as merely an eye wash, because the DPC of other categories has not been executed till date. The notional promotion order issued by the higher authorities twice on 18-3-1993 and 1-4-1999 despite the fact that the employees have attained the eligibility period.

Mr Som Nath said that JEs quarter at Patnitop has been converted as a restaurant and guest house to entertain the guests of the executive engineer due to which the employees cannot perform their legitimate duties as they have to entertain the guests of the boss.

Tehsildar, others without bail

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 28: Mr Sita Ram, Tehsildar Reasi, Mr Nek Ram, Naib Tehsildar Katra, Mr Dalip Singh, Girdawar Katra and Mohd Aslam, Patwari Halqa Katra, on a news item published in Daily Excelsior applied for grant of anti-cipatory bail in their favour and they were granted bail vide order dated May 8.

The said bail was however extended vide court order dated 20-5-1999 and then vide order dated 22-5-1999.

Fresh application for disposal was pending before the court and has been fixed for hearing and decision either to accept or reject the same for 29-5-1999.

From the court orders it is clear that the aforesaid persons have no bail orders at the moment.

The court had on May 8 ordered that the petitioners shall not try to subborn the prosecution evidence or leave the territorial jurisdiction of the court without prior permission. The order was to remain in force till May 16l, where after the same was extended first upto May 20 and then on May 22 for May 25.

It may be recalled that upon the publication of a detailed story in Excelsior the Vigilance Organisation had registered a case under FIR 128/99.

Apprehending their arrest the Tehsildar and others had moved bail application before the Court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu.

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