Panthers walk-out, others protest
Jolt to Cong as CM says Govt will review
Wazir Comm report

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 18: In a major setback to the Congress (I), Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed today refused to give a specific time frame for implementation of the Wazir Commission report saying the Government will first review its report and then take a decision.

Replying to a short duration discussion on the rehabilitation of border migrants in the Assembly raised by Yogesh Sawhney of the Congress today, Mr Sayeed said the Government will review the recommendations of Wazir Commission before taking a decision on its implementation.

"It is not necessary that we will be entirely dependent on the recommendations of the Commission in reorganization of the units", he said much to the embarrassment of the Congress MLAs, who had in the morning, raised the issue of the implementation of Wazir Commission report. He, however, assured the House that every region will get its due share.

Mr Sayeed said the Government would see viability of the new administrative units before taking a decision. He made it clear that the implementation of the report and setting up of a Delimitation Commission is not the exclusive agenda of any particular party but a commitment of the alliance partners.

Not satisfied with the Chief Minister’s reply, National Panthers Party member Balwant Singh Mankotia staged a walk-out from the House. "The Government is saying it will still examine the report while we are demanding its immediate implementation. It’s an injustice with the people of the State", he said while walking out of the House.

Sensing feelings of his party’s legislators, Deputy Chief Minister and Congress (I) leader Mangat Ram Sharma got up and said the Wazir Commission report has been approved by the Co-ordination committee. "We are committed to it", he said.

It may be recalled that PCC (I) president Ghulam Nabi Azad, in his inter-action with the Congress Ministers and legislators last week, directed the party Ministers to get the Wazir Commission report implemented in the next Cabinet meeting.

Earlier in the morning, the House witnessed noisy scenes when it resumed the normal business with NPP members Balwant Singh Mankotia and Faqir Nath, Congress MLAs Raman Bhalla, Girdhari Lal and Yogesh Sawhney, Sajjad Kitchloo of NC, Jugal Kishore of BJP, Manjit Singh of BSP, Babu Singh (PDF) and Ashwani Sharma (JSM) stood up from their seats and demanded that Government should make a statement on Wazir Commission report.

They also protested that their question pertaining to the Wazir Commission had been listed last in the serial to ensure that it didn’t come up for a discussion in the House.

Lodging his protest, Mr Kitchloo trooped into the Well. He demanded that Kishtwar be given the district status as per the recommendations of the Commission.

However the protesting MLAs resumed their seats after the Speaker gave an assurance to them that the Government will give a statement in the House.

On the rehabilitation of border migrants, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed exuded confidence that participation of Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee in SAARC meet in Islamabad and restoration of rail and air links with Pakistan would further strengthen the peace process. This will have a healthy impact on the region, he added.

He said the cease fire on border and LoC has rekindled a new hope for lasting peace in the Sub Continent.

He said with the resumption of rail service at the end of this year and air service on the new year day, the atmosphere is becoming conducive for opening of other roads in the State.

The Chief Minister said the peace is paramount in this State. The shelling has stopped on the borders and the cease-fire has laid a good impact on the people, he added.

He also expressed full sympathy with the border migrants, saying their problems have become a chronic issue for the past 53 years as the people along the borders from Kargil to Kathua had to flee in the darkness of night whenever shelling took place.

He said now the borders have become calm and some people have left for their homes and others are still languishing particularly in Akhnoor sector.

The Chief Minister said the multi-pronged strategy has been adopted for the rehabilitation of these people and the Central package of Rs 60 crore has been since distributed as compensation to the people whose holdings were covered by the mining.

He, however, assured the House that the case regarding the left over people if any would be taken up with Army authorities. A package of Rs 11 crore has been approved out of State plan for the rehabilitation, including renovation of dwellings of those who returned to their homes and hearths while Rs 19 crore stand allocated for raising backyard hamlets in the border areas for use during the exigencies, he added.

Mufti Sayeed shared the concern of the House about the land rendered useless for cultivation due to defence ditches beyond the fencing and said that army has assured that every inch of land belonging to farmers would be cultivated. The army has also assured about the demining of the cultivable land before kharif and the status on it would be reviewed, he added.

Besides Mr Yogesh Sawhney, Minister of R&B Madan Lal Sharma, Nazir Gurezi, Raman Bhalla, Ajay Sadhotra, G M Jan, Ashwani Sharma and Girdhari Lal participated in the discussion.

Two PSOs, ultra killed; 2 injured
DIG Rajouri survives fidayeen attacks

Excelsior Special Correspondent

RAJOURI, Dec 18: Two Personal Security Officers (PSOs) of DIG Rajouri-Poonch range S M Sahai were killed and two others were injured when a fidayeen made an abortive attempt to intrude into the office of Mr Sahai and kill him and other police personnel this morning. The fidayeen was eliminated within 40 minutes of the attack.

Official reports and eye witness account revealed that a fidayeen, wearing an Army uniform, first went to the Public Works Department (PWD) at 10.45 am and inquired about the DIG office, which was adjacent to the PWD building. As he came near gate of the DIG office, two PSOs of Mr Sahai intercepted him but the fidayeen opened indiscriminate firing killing one of them on spot and injuring another. Injured jawan also succumbed to his injuries later in the district hospital.

Other police personnel in the DIG office immediately took positions and retaliated. The DIG Rajouri, the SSP Rajouri and other police officers also came to the scene to supervise the operation.

The fidayeen, who had taken position in a corner, continued firing for next 30 minutes injuring two more cops before he was eliminated by the police personnel.

One AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 60 rounds, three hand grenades, Rs 250 in Indian currency and three slips of Al-Mansoorian outfit, an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit.

Reports said Grewal Singh, PSO of the DIG and a resident of Mishriwalla, Jammu was killed on spot while Showkat Ali of Faisalabad, Surankote succumbed to the injuries in the district hospital here. Two other constables, who were injured in the attack, have been identified as Abdul Majeed and Munawar Hussain, both residents of Darhal. They have been hospitalised and were responding to the treatment.

Identity of the slain fidayeen hasn’t been established but he was believed to be a Pakistani.

Reports said the militant after identifying the office of DIG Rajouri had straightway fired upon window panes of the office, clearly indicating that he had been assigned the task of killing Mr Sahai. The militants wanted to target the DIG as he was instrumental in several successful operations against the militants in the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri in a very short span of time.

Meanwhile, BJP leader—Vibodh Gupta, state secretary and Yogesh Sharma have condemned the attack on the life of Mr Sahai and expressed satisfaction that he survived the attack. They demanded that some civil persons putting up in the Government Colony should be screened.

It may be recalled that last year also, a fidayeen attack had taken place in the Government Colony in which Captain Reddy of the Army was killed.

Our Jammu correspondent adds: A militant Mohd Rafiq was gunned down by the security forces in an encounter in Gool area of Udhampur district this morning.

Meanwhile, out of three civilians in captivity of the militants at Gagarsulla in Gool area of Udhampur, police today recovered dead body of one of them while two others reached their houses safely.

The civilian, who was killed, in the captivity has been identified as Mohd Rafi son of Abdul Rahim Chandyal R/o Gagarsulla. Mohd Yasin and Zahoor Ahmed were, however, released by the militants.

Meanwhile, security forces today recovered one M6 telescopic sniper rifle, 20 AK rounds, one AK rifle grenade, two hand grenades and one binocular from Kuranay Wali village in Surankote area of Poonch.

Clash within NC in Assembly
*Lone, Mir charge each other with fraud

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 18: While a clash between the treasury benches and the opposition is a routine in the Legislative Assembly, this was probably for the first time in the session that two NC legislators openly clashed in the House and levelled serious allegations against each other. Both of them also threatened to resign if the allegations were proved against them.

It happened during the debate on the Co-operative Societies Act amendment bill when National Conference MLA from Kupwara Saifullah Mir alleged that the recruitments were made in Baramulla Central Co-operative Bank charging between Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000. He wanted to know that what action has been taken by the Government.

Deputy Speaker Mohd Akbar Lone, who represents NC from Sumbal constituency said two favourites of Saifullah Mir were also recruited in the Bank. Mr Mir was quick to point out that Mr Lone was chairman of the Bank and it was with his signatures that the youths were recruited.

Mr Mir’s allegation irked Mr Lone who threatened that he will resign if it was established that the recruitments were made with his signatures. "I had no authority to order the appointments. he (Mr Mir) got appointed his two favourites and pressurised me to recruit more persons of his choice in the Bank", Mr Lone said.

The Deputy Speaker called for an inquiry in the issue and said he will expose that how many relative of Saifullah Mir had been recruited. Mr Mir was quickly on his feet and threatened to resign if the charges that his relatives had been recruited in the Society were proved.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig came out in the support of Mr Lone. "I know Mr Lone. If he is corrupt then no body is honest", Mr Baig remarked.

Mr Baig revealed that the involvement of the Agriculture Minister in the National Conference Government has been confirmed in the recruitments. He said the employees of the Co-operative bank in Handwara, who were involved in a fraud, were also close to the then Agriculture Minister. A case was registered against them and they were arrested. They were also dismissed but they managed to get some relief from the judiciary.

Referring to frequent threats by the MLAs to resign if the charges were proved against them, he said if the threats continued, no MLA would be left in the House.

Participating in debate on the bill, Ali Mohd Sagar took serious exception to the Ministers’ allegations against the NC Ministers. "Only allegations are being levelled. None of the allegations have been substantiated", he said.

Quoting a report published in the Excelsior, Mr Sagar said that a fourth Class employee was running the Agriculture Ministry. "Look at your Minister. Through his PRO son, his Ministry is being run by a fourth class employee, who was previously a surrendered militant", he said displaying the news clipping.

Mr Sagar said the Minister tried to hold the Co-operative elections by concealing the notification from the opposition. "When we got the notification, the Minister canceled the election", he alleged.,

Mohd Yusuf Tarigami (CPM) recalled that Jammu and Kashmir had taken a lead in the co-operative movement but said the people are now losing faith in it.

Calling for an end to the bureaucratic interference in the Societies, Mr Tarigami called for restoration of their autonomous character.

Babu Singh (PDF) called for a serious introspection behind the failure of co-operative movement. "Populist politics, bureaucrats and political interference were responsible for deterioration in the co-operative movement", he said.

Manjeet Singh (BSP) alleged that Managing Director of Jammu Central Co-operative Bank (JCCB) was continuing in the services even after 60 years of age while its chairman is a defaulter.

In his reply to the debate on the bill, Agriculture Minister Abdul Aziz Zargar called for an inquiry in the alleged irregularities in the co-operative movement. He charged the National Conference with playing with the JAKFED during their tenure, which was now running into the losses between Rs 200 to Rs 250 crore.

Mr Sagar was quick to remind Mr Zargar that Jammu Kashmir Industries (JKI), of which he was the chairman, was also running into the losses worth Rs 24 crore.

As the Minister assured that the elections to the co-operative societies would be held within the next six months, the amendment to the Co-operative Societies Act was passed by the Assembly. The amendment was aimed at seeking the time of six more months for holding the elections to the co-operative societies.

Pakistan ready to meet India halfway on Kashmir

RAWALPINDI, PAKISTAN, Dec 18: Pakistan is ready to drop long-standing demands for the implementation of UN resolutions over Kashmir and meet India "halfway" in a bid for peace, President Pervez Musharraf said.

But, speaking less than three weeks before an important south Asian summit in Islamabad, Musharraf said he was prepared to be "bold and flexible" in an attempt to resolve the Kashmir issue.

"We are for United Nations Security Council resolutions," Pakistan’s military ruler said in an interview at his home late last night. "However, now we have left that aside."

"If we want to resolve this issue, both sides need to talk to each other with flexibility, coming beyond stated positions, meeting halfway somewhere."

Relations thawed this year and the two armies agreed to a ceasefire last month along the Line of Control.

Musharraf said this represented a "very real opportunity" to make peace, but warned India not to throw away the chance by continuing to spurn offers for talks.

"The basis of everything, the basis of a reduction in militancy...Is moving forward on a process of dialogue," he said.

"If that political dialogue doesn’t come about, who wins and who loses? It is the moderates who lose and the extremists who win, and that is exactly what has been happening."

Musharraf refused to be drawn on how to settle the Kashmir issye, but said any solution had to be acceptable to Kashmiri people as well as to both countries.

In January, Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee is expected to visit Islamabad for a south Asian summit, billed as an important chance to move the peace process forward. Musharraf said Vajpayee should not miss the chance to discuss Kashmir.

"We have come to a stage where there is a thaw in relations, where there is expectation on both sides in the people," he said. "If the leadership doesn’t rise to the occasion, it is a pity and I think we’ll disappoint our public again."

But Musharraf warned that he would not plead for an audience with Vajpayee next month.

"The ball is in his court. If he wants to meet me, I’ll meet him. If he doesn’t want to meet me, I am not that keen."

Musharraf also criticised India for taking advantage of the ceasefire to accelerate construction of a fence along the Line of Control, a move he said showed New Delhi’s "insincerity" about seeking a peaceful solution.

Amid Musharraf’s talk of peace, the general’s anger at India often boiled over. "I do strongly believe that they are intransigent, they suffer from arrogance of power," he said. "I am a proud Pakistani, I will never submit." (AGENCIES)

Cong MLAs, others charge Health Minister with failure
Lal Singh under fire in Assembly

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 18: Health and Medical Education Minister Lal Singh today came under a sharp attack in the Legislative Assembly by the MLAs including those belonging to his own party, the Congress (I) and some other coalition partners.

Cutting across their party affiliations, the MLAs charged him with failure on all fronts. They also blamed him for spending lakhs of Government rupees in projecting his image while the patients continued to suffer due to non-availability of the drugs.

As soon as Manjeet Singh (BSP) raised the issue of deteriorating condition of Health and Medical Education department during the Zero Hour, several MLAs stood up from their seats and charged Mr Lal Singh with "all-round failure".

Even Congress chief whip Prem Sagar Aziz and two City MLAs—Raman Bhalla and Yogesh Sawhney were on their feet denouncing working of the Health Ministry. Lal Singh was, however, not present in the Assembly at the time of MLAs attack on him.

"The patients in the Government hospitals are crying for drugs while our Health Minister has issued colour advertisements worth several lakhs of rupees in all the newspapers on Eid festival", Manjeet Singh lamented. He displayed copy of a newspaper carrying colored photograph of Lal Singh and the advertisement issued on Eid.

Saying that 10 MLAs had given in writing to the Speaker calling for a discussion on the worse condition of Health and Medical Education Ministry, Mr Singh disclosed that a block president of the Congress died in Ramgarh as he couldn’t reach the hospital due to non-availability of ambulance.

"This is a routine. In several villages, the people are dying for the want of drugs and ambulances", he said.

Congress (I) chief whip Prem Sagar Aziz shouted that Lal Singh had erected his own hoardings, banners and posters costing lakhs of rupees in Basohli during a medical camp organised there. "The patients were denied free drugs in the camp while the Minister spent lakhs in projecting his image", Mr Aziz regretted.

Also, he pointed out, three patients, who were operated in the free camp, died later as the doctors had left the camp the same evening. "There was no doctor left there for post-operative care of the patients", he regretted.

PDF MLA from Kathua Babu Singh wanted to know that from which funds the payment has been made for the advertisements issued to the newspapers by Lal Singh. "There are no medicines in the hospitals and no ambulances. And, in the hospitals where there are ambulances, there are no drivers", Mr Singh said.

Raman Bhalla (Congress-I) shouted there was no emergency in Gandhi Nagar hospital. "Mere upgrading the hospital has no meaning. Facilities should be upgraded in the hospital", he said.

Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, PDF MLA from Billawar, Jugal Kishore Sharma, BJP MLA from Nagrota, Ashwani Sharma, MLA Bishnah and two legislators of National Panthers Party (NPP)—Balwant Singh Mankotia and Faqir Nath also kept shouting on failure of the Health Ministry. However, nothing could be heard in the din.

Later, speaking during the Zero Hour, Prem Sagar Aziz charged the Health Minister with resorting to pick and choose policy while sanctioning the ambulances for the Primary Health Centres (PHCs). He said a total of 77 ambulances were sanctioned for the PHCs by the Health Minister but two PHCs of his constituency—Lohai Malhar and Machairi were deliberately ignored.

Mufti exposes misuse of Auqaf by NC leaders

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 18: Amidst opposition of National Conference members, the Legislative Council today passed the Jammu and Kashmir Specified Wakafs And Wakafs Properties (Management and Regulation Bill 2003) and bill to amend the Transfer of Property Act.

Both the bills were passed with majority of just two votes. On Transfer of Property Act, Communist Party of India (CPI-M) member Abdul Rehman Tukroo voted against the Government. Though Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) chief Prof Bhim Singh pin-pointed some loopholes in Jammu and Kashmir Specified Wakafs And Wakafs Properties (Management and Regulation Bill 2003), he voted in favour of the Bill.

Prof Singh supported view points of National Conference members that these Bills should be sent to Select Committee but he voted in favour of Government.

Interestingly, one of the National Conference members— Ikhlaq Khan was present in the Legislative Council during Question Hour but he left the House just before the voting. It was excellent floor management of Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rehman Veeri that ruling party got these bills passed with majority of just two votes.

Speaking in favour of the Wakaf Board Bill, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed said that Muslim Auqaf Trust was not personal property of any individual. "No doubt late Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah supervised the construction of new shrine at Hazratbal ‘but does that confer proprietary rights on him and after him to his son Dr Farooq Abdullah and so on and so forth?", he asked and said that it was nobody’s personal property but the property held as Trust to serve the Muslim community.

Taking a dig at National Conference members, the Chief Minister regretted that instead of serving its purpose, MAT was virtually converted into political organisation or organisation of National Conference members. He said that NC members had used MAT property for personal benefits. Properties of the Auqaf were given away like doles to the people belonging to NC or the relatives of those who were sitting at the helm of its affairs. "Properties meant for religious purposes were commercialised", he said. "This situation could not have been tolerated and this is the duty of the Board to use this institution for the betterment and welfare of the mankind", he said.

The Chief Minister asked that except using this institution for the political interests of a particular party, what contribution MAT has made towards the upliftment of educational or healthcare sector in the State. He said that MAT had only rupees one crore as balance in hand at the time of take over while only a single shrine Shadhara Sharief has a deposit of rupees 21 crore.

Asserting that there would be no political appointees on the Wakaf Board and political interference on its working, the Mufti said that the Government has brought an end to the politicisation and exploitation of religious institutions. He assured the House that the new board to be constituted shortly, would have people of proven integrity and outstanding contribution as its members.

Pointing towards excellent progress being made by the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (MVDSB), the Chief Minister asked, "what were the conditions when Dr Karan Singh was sole trusty of the Trust which was manning affairs of Mata Vaishno Devi ?". "Religious places are not personal property of any one ", he said and added that there was excellent progress in the pilgrimage of Mata Vaishno Devi after then Governor Jagmohan looked after the shrine.

Addressing the opposition benches who tried to relate the new legislation to the dilution of ‘Kashmir’s identity’, the Chief Minister described these as far-fetched ideas to serve the political interests of a particular family or a party.

Earlier NC members Abdul Qayoom, M Y Taing and B A Naaz spoke on the bill and demanded that this Bill should be handed over to Select Committee. They termed this bill as attempt to demolish Kashmir’s identity.

Echoing views of NC members, JKNPP member Prof Bhim Singh demanded that this Bill should be sent to Select Committee as, according to him, there was many loopholes in the Act. CPI member A R Tukroo also spoke on the Bill.

Minister of Tourism, Housing and Urban Development Ghulam Hassan Mir while speaking on Transfer of Property Act, made it clear that there was no need to create doubts that the Bill was part of an agenda to dilute State Subject laws.

Deepinder Kour, M Y Taing demanded that this bill should be sent to Select Committee. Congress member Amrit Malhotra supported the bill while A R Tukroo opposed it.

Two more amendment bills including Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Raj Act 1989 and Jammu and Kashmir Electricity (Supply) Act, 1971 were passed by the House besides returning a Bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Motor Spirit and Diesel Oil Taxation Act to the Legislative Assembly. All these bills have been already passed by the Assembly.

Centre nod to Gujjar Scouts in J&K

NEW DELHI, Dec 18: The Government has given its approval to raise a new force comprising Gujjars and Bakkarwals of Jammu and Kashmir for deployment on the difficult terrains of the State to check infiltration from Pakistan and take on mercenaries and local militants in these areas.

The force to be named as the Gujjar scouts will be formed on the pattern of Ladakh scouts and attached to an Army unit.

Official sources told UNI that the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) will soon meet and approve this decision.

The sources said the Gujjar scouts will be drawn from 1000 youngsters of the Gujjar and Bakkarwal community who are the worst-affected people in the State.

The scouts will be trained in anti-insurgency operations and armed with the state-of-the-art equipment. They will be deployed on the higher reaches and their job will be to seek and destroy the ‘Jehadis’ hiding in these areas, the sources said.

Being the residents of these areas, the Gujjar and Bakkarwal youth are well conversant with the topography and would be put on the grid with the nearest Army or BSF unit, the sources said, adding the move will ensure that those

recruited have a stake in fighting terrorism in the State.

The Army’s top brass had pointed out that by employing locals, the forces would get better intelligence which would translate into better results. The intimate knowledge of the terrain which locals have will also come in handy during operations, the sources said.

The sources said the need for such a force was felt during the May

2003 "operation Sarpvinash" in the HillKaka forests in Surankote area of Jammu division.

They said the militants had set up bases in the area for the past four years and that there were at least 10 such places on the Pir Panjal ranges where the ultras had built well-fortified bunkers.

Media reports then suggested the Government officials were surprised that the security forces conducting counter-insurgency operations in the State had very little idea about such deep penetration by militants, mainly mercenaries, and that it was for the first time that the Army Chief had brought it to the notice of the CCS.

The sources said the strategy of the mercenaries is to lie low, build up their strength to the optimum level and in due course of time confront the security forces all along the Jammu-Srinagar highway and create safe zones in the forests of Surankote, Thana Mandi, Kalakote and other areas.

The next move of the militants would be to carry out mass killing in areas like Doda, starting at the Synthan Pass connecting Verinag to Kishtwar, Bhadarwah and Doda itself, to make it conform to the Chenab formula of Sir Owen Dixon, which envisaged partition of the State with areas north of the Chenab going to Pakistan, they added.

Their another objective, the sources said, has been to keep the infiltration routes in Doda, Rajouri and Poonch free from any Army intervention by terrorising the Muslim Gujjar population.

The sources said locals of remote mountain village of Marrah in Poonch district put up a strong defence against the Lashkar-e-Toiba jehadis operating in the area.

Early this year, the villagers of Marrah revolted against the atrocities comitted by militants and formed a ‘vigilante Army’ which called itself the Pir Panjal scouts.

The Pir Panjal scouts, along with the Army, drove the ultras out of the HillKaka bowl, their base above Marrah. The village now has over 50 armed volunteers to defend it, and no militants have visited it since August.

The Government in 1963 had formed the Ladakh scouts in the wake of 1962 war against China.

The Ladakh scouts or the "snow Tigers", comprising local Buddhists and Tibetan commandos, is one of the Army’s most decorated units with more than 300 gallantry awards to its credit, including one Ashok Chakra, ten Mahavir Chakras and two Kirti Chakras.

It was the first unit of the Indian Army to successfully launch the counter strike against Pakistani incursions in the 1999 Kargil operations in the Batalik sector. (UNI)

Gul suspended, NC disrupts question hour

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 18: The State Legislative Assembly today witnessed high drama for over 15 minutes after the House passed a motion of censure against the National Conference, (NC) chief whip, Mubarak Gul and suspended him for a day on the last day of current session for his indecent behaviour with the Speaker, Tara Chand. However, on the persistent resistance of CPI (M) Member, Mohammed Yousf Tarigami and the NC members the decision was revoked by the Speaker later.

The trouble started soon after the House assembled for the usual business in the morning. The NC members including Ali Mohammed Sagar, Nazir Ahmed Gurezi, Mir Saifullah urged the Speaker that the Breach of Privilege

Motion brought by Mr Sagar be taken up.

Though Speaker pleaded with the agitated members to resume their seats and the issue will be taken up during Zero Hour but they refused to budge. He was also heard saying Mr Sagar that he has received his Motion and he will go through it.

But this had no impact on NC members who continued their arguments. As Speaker’s repeated pleas failed to restore order in the House, he asked Mr Shahjhan Dar to go ahead with his question.

But the members continued protest and Mr Gurezi also rushed towards the Well. In the meantime Mubarak Gul stood up from his chair and started arguing with the Speaker loudly and later rushed to front row. When the Speaker asked the NC member to go back to his seat, the agitated member trooped into the Well and lodged a strong protest with the Speaker for providing him the seat in the third row.

The NC chief whip, said being a senior member of the House he has been allotted a back seat which is against his status. The member even tried to reach the Speaker’s podium and showed fist to him.

Later he sat on dharna in the Well. Taking serious exception of Member’s behaviour, the Minister of Finance, Law and Parliamentary Affairs stood up and moved a motion for the suspension of the member from the current session. The Motion was seconded by Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma and later the House adopted it.

The House also witnessed heated exchanges between Treasury benches and Opposition NC Members as later protest the Government’s move.

Mr Baig, while strongly criticizing Mr Gul said that House will never allow misbehavior by any member who will show fist to Speaker who is the custodian of the members.

He said such a behaviour on the part of Mr Gul was an insult to entire House and we will not tolerate it. Yeh kya tamasha hain, kya bazari bhasha hain, aaj ham yeh chay din say bardash kar rahain hain, (What a show is this, we are tolerating it for six days and won’t tolerate now), said the Minister to NC members..

He said the behaviour of the Member is totally objectionable as he tried to terrorize the Speaker. He should be reprimanded for his censored behavior.

As the chair was yet to pass the decision against the member he walked out of the House in protest and later did not return for the day though the order was revoked afterwards by the Speaker.

Criticizing the Government decision and terming it undemocratic, Mr Sagar, said it was bulldozing the Opposition and the practice laid down will not hold good.

Sagar wanted to know does not the ruling Party members misbehave and quoting the example of a MoS who he alleged left his chair yesterday and came to attack him.

Not succumbing to opposition pressure, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ghulam Hassan Mir stood up and pleaded that the Motion against Mr Gul be passed. He said that no member can take the House to ransom how senior he may be.

But the NC members contained their protest and did not allow the Question Hour to proceed. Later Mr Tarigami went to the chair of Law Minister and discussed the issue with him. On the intervention of CPI (M) Member the Minister agreed to recommend the revocation of the order provided he or any senior member of his Party apologizes for his conduct. On this the NC members said they regret on his behalf and the Speaker revoked the decision.

Corporations poll before Feb 18

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 18: The Legislative Assembly today passed a bill to amend Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation Act enabling the Government to get time for holding the elections to Jammu and Srinagar Municipal Corporations by February 18, 2004.

The legislation was enacted on February 18, 2003 and under the Act, the Government had to hold elections to the two Corporations within next six months i.e. August 18, 2003.

"Since the elections couldn’t be held by August 18 due to revision of electoral rolls and completion of other formalities, the Government went in for an ordinance to get time of six more months for holding the election", Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig said in his reply to the bill.

Mr Baig made it clear that the Government wanted to hold the Corporation elections before February 18 next. "If there is no unforeseen difficulty, we will hold the elections to the two Corporations by that time", he said, adding "presently, all formalities for the elections have been completed".

"Local MLAs and Minister concerned have told me that the elections shouldn’t be delayed. And, the Government too didn’t have any intention of delaying the elections", he said. He announced that full statutory powers will be given to the Corporations.

National Conference MLA Saifullah Mir withdrew his amendment by which he had sought to increase the time of holding the elections upto February 18, 2005.

The bill was unanimously passed.

Speaking on the bill, NC MLA Ali Mohd Sagar alleged acute insanitation in Srinagar City. Insanitation prevailed even around the religious places, he said.

Alleging that the bureaucrats are taking the Government for a ride, he called upon the Minister to tight screws of the bureaucrats.

The House also unanimously passed the Right to Information Bill after it was approved by the Selection Committee. The bill was passed without any debate as NC MLA Abdul Rahim Rather said the bill was in good spirit.

The bill was introduced in the last session when it was referred to the Select Committee. Following clearance by the Select Committee, it was again introduced in the present session.

Tarigami, Rather best legislators

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 18: Veteran Left leader Mohd Yusuf Tarigami, MLA Kulgam and former Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather, NC MLA from Charar-e-Sharief were today jointly selected for the best legislator award in the Legislative Assembly.

The award was sanctioned by a three member committee comprising Mirza Abdul Rashid, ex MP, Choudhary Mohd Aslam, former Minister and M K Bangroo, bureau chief, Press Trust of India (PTI), Jammu.

Recommendations of the committee were announced by Speaker Tara Chand in the Assembly today.

He said the Committee has also recommended special appreciation letters for two MLAs—Babu Singh, PDF MLA from Kathua and Saifullah Mir, NC MLA from Kupwara.

Mr Tarigami and Mr Rather will be given Rs one lakh each as the award money.

This was for the first time that two legislators have jointly shared the best legislator award. Previously, only one MLA used to be selected for the award.

"It was almost a thin line to make such a distinction. In the scenario, Mr Tarigami and Mr Rather ranked equally", a committee member later told the Excelsior.

He said the members were judged with their punctuality, knowledge of rules and procedures, quality of starred and unstarred questions asked by them, raising of the matters of public importance through the cut motions, presentation of the issues, maintaining decorum and use of language.

The committee has suggested that in the next session three to four awards should be given to the legislators with the purpose that they strive for best performance in the House. It has also suggested that the Ministers should also be brought within the ambit of award.

Baramulla woman gunned down

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec 18: Militants have kidnapped and subsequently shot dead a 26-year-old unmarried woman in Wagoora area of Baramulla district during last night.

Informed sources said that Shaheena daughter of Ghulam Mohammad Wani of Chened (Sangrama) Baramulla had gone to a relative’s home at Wagoora in Kreeri belt. During last night, militants kidnapped her and later shot her dead in the same area.

Even as officials were unable to understand as to why the woman had been killed, there are speculations in Baramulla area that she had been labeled as an informer of security forces. Residents believe that militants have held her responsible for the killing of two senior militants of Hizbul Mujahideen, including Ghulam Hassan alias Khalid of Allapora, who had got killed in an encounter with troops of Rashtriya Rifles 22 Bn at Chened about a month ago.

Mehbooba receives Infinity foundation award

NEW DELHI, Dec 18: President of ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti today received the Infinity foundation award for her pivotal role in formulating the healing-touch policy in the militancy-hit state.

She was presented the award by Samdang Rimpoche, Chairman of Tibetan Cabinet in exile at a function held here this evening.

Mehbooba was chosen for the award for "setting new standards of integrity and courage in political life and demonstrating through personal example that morality and politics could be practised together", a release of the foundation said. (PTI)

Amarinder’s another bid to mollify dissidents

CHANDIGARH, Dec 18: In the midst of his battle against dissidents, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today made yet another bid to mollify them by shunting out one of his key aides and giving Cabinet Minister status for life to a camp follower of rebel leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal.

Singh, who had an hour-long meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi last night, shifted his Principal Secretary S K Sinha, one of the three officials whose ouster was initially demanded by the dissidents.

Sinha, official sources said would, however, continue to work as Home Secretary.

A few days back the Chief Minister’s media advisor Bharat Inder Singh Chahal, another Singh advisor targeted by dissidents, was sent on three months leave.

Singh’s political secretary Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi is the third official who is likely to be on his way out.

The Government also ordered grant of Cabinet Minister rank status for life to Jaswant Kaur, widow of former Chief Minister Beant Singh, whose son Tejparkash Singh, Transport Minister and daughter Gurkanwal Kaur, MLA, are supporting Bhattal in her campaign for removal of Amarinder.

However, Bhattal herself has rejected these overtures by the Chief Minister and insisted on settling for nothing less than change of leadership. For the first time since the Amarinder-Bhattal row escalated recently, Gandhi interfered last night meeting the rival leaders after which they agreed to abide by her decision. (PTI)
 
 
 
 

 

 

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