3 exfiltrators among 4 ultras, civilian killed
*Suspect held with Rs one lakh cash

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 28: Four militants including three exfiltrators and a civilian were killed in two separate encounters overnight while the militants shot at and injured two civilians in Gool. A suspected overground worker of the militants was arrested by the army alongwith Rs one lakh cash in Mahore today.

Defence sources said the troops of Poonch Brigade came into action after observing movement of a group of militants trying to exfiltrate to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) from Betar nullah on Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch sector at 10.45 PM last night. Troops challenged the militants leading to an encounter but the militants managed to hide themselves in a surrounding forest area.

Troops maintained a cordon in the area and gunned down all three exfiltrators without suffering any casualties in wee hours of this morning. Slain militants have been identified as Panchsher Khaksar, a ‘district commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen Pir Panjal Regiment and his deputy Saifullah, both Pakistanis and Nazir Hussain son of Mir Hussain R/o Painch, Poonch, a local guide of the militants.

Two AK-47 rifles, six AK magazines, four hand grenades and one damaged wireless set of Kenwood were recovered from the slain militants. Poonch Brigade Commander Brig P G Kamath supervised the operation.

Sources said Panchsher Khaksar and his deputy were exfiltrating to PoK after completing their tenure. They were being shown the exfiltration route by their guide, who was also killed in the gun-battle.

The BSF jawans and police personnel today gunned down another militant at village Narmala under the jurisdiction of Gool police station in Ramban police district. He was fifth militant to be killed by the jawans of BSF’s 172 battalion and police personnel in Gool during last two days.

The militant, killed today, has been identified as Nissar Khan, a resident of Thatharka and an activist of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit. One AK-56 rifle, two magazines, 30 rounds, two pencil cells, one belt, one pouch, Rs 105 Indian currency and Rs 10 Pakistan currency were recovered from the slain militant.

Meanwhile, unidentified militants gunned down a civilian in his house at village Shaashi in Chatru area of Kishtwar tehsil in Doda district late last night. He has been identified as Abdul Hussain, 20, son of Ghulam Haider.

Reasons behind his killing couldn’t be ascertained immediately. A police party visited the spot for investigations this morning. Sources said two militants, who shot dead Abdul Hussain from point blank range, were locals.

In another incident the militants shot at a civilian Gian Chand and her niece Shandlu Devi wife of Sher Singh at village Goi in Gool area last night. The injured have been shifted to hospital, the sources said.

Army personnel have arrested a suspected overground worker of the militants from village Chasana in Mahore tehsil in Udhampur district. Identified as Basharat Hussain of Chasana, he was arrested alongwith Rs one lakh cash, the sources said.

Basharat was running a shop at Koteranka, Rajouri for last one year. He had gone to his house and was returning to Koteranka when the army intercepted him and recovered the cash from his possession. He was being questioned to ascertain the source of cash, the sources said, adding the troops were making investigations as to whether he was carrying the cash for the militants.

Jawans of ITBP and police, in a joint operation this morning, destroyed a hideout of the militants at Jand nallah in Gandoh area of Doda district. Recoveries made from the hideout included one radio set, one AK magazine, one UBGL shell, two hand grenades, 28 AK rounds, 11 rounds of 6.62 mm, one pouch and two quintals ration.

Security personnel continued a search operation in the area for the militants. However, no arrest has been made so far.

Dramatic shootout near Pampore
Cop killed as SHO lets 3 militants escape

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 28: One Constable of Awantipore Police was killed today and another left wounded in a daytime shootout by three militants, who escaped in full view of SHO Pampore and his guards, near Sambora bridge, on Pampore-Shopian road.

Informed sources in south Kashmir told EXCELSIOR that a 6-member Police party, headed by SHO Pampore Inspector Fayaz Ahmed, set out for Sambora after they received information that some gunmen were checking vehicles and forcing closure of shops, at 1415 hours today. About 150 metres short of Sambora bridge, the Police party intercepted a Swaraj Mazda of Pampore-Pulwama passenger service and directed the commuters to come down for frisking. Suddenly, a Pheran-clad militant took out his AK-56 rifle and fired upon the two constables in the front. Constable Rajinder Singh (205/Awantipore) and Constable Ghulam Rasool (299/Awantipore) sustained gunshot wounds.

Four others of the Police party, including the SHO, ran backwards and took cover behind their bullet-proof Gypsy until all the passengers and the three armed militants alighted and escaped in different directions. Eyewitnesses said that the SHO and his guards did not open even a single fire. Their argument in defence was that such an action would have triggered off a direct gunbattle in which there would have been every apprehension of the civilian casualties.

When all the three Pheran-clad militants, brandishing AK-56 rifles, escaped in full view of the Police party and the ROP personnel of ITBP 13 Bn, the SHO went to the rescue of his injured colleagues. The critically wounded Constable Rajinder Singh, a resident of Baramulla town who was also driving the Police Gypsy, was rushed to SKIMS, Soura, with grievous injuries to his head. He succumbed to injuries under treatment. Constable Ghulam Rasool was also rushed to Srinagar and admitted at Bone & Joint Hospital, Barzulla. Doctors declared him out of danger.

Later, Police seized the bus, bearing registration number JK01-636, and recovered a pouch and two hand grenades from it. Its driver, Ashfaq Ahmed Mir S/o Ghulam Mohammad Mir R/o Frastbal, Pampore, was also detained for sustained interrogation.

S P Awantipore, Vijay Kumar, said that he was looking into the complaints of "cowardice", allegedly shown by the SHO and his guards. He said that the eye-witness civilian account and that of the SHO were different as, according to the SHO, the three militants were challenged when the bus was moving slowly towards Pampore and they were trying to board the same. He said that a departmental inquiry would reveal the truth in a couple of days. According to his information, local cadres of Hizbul Mujahideen had reached the spot and caused casualties to the Police party.

Reports from Budgam said that five personnel of CRPF 128 Bn, including an Inspector, sustained injuries when their Tata-407 skidded off the road and turned turtle at a spot between Gondipora and Nasrullahpore, on Budgam-Beerwah road, yesterday. The CRPF party was on way to Budgam after conducting a cordon-and-search operation at the twin villages of Sail and Kandoora, on Beerwah-Arizal road. It was fired upon by militants near Gondipore. Bullets hit the targeted vehicle but failed to cause any damage. When the same vehicle reached near Nasrullahpore, it met with an accident. Official sources insisted that all the five CRPF personnel sustained injuries in the road accident, 10 Kms away from the spot of the militant attack.

Two personnel of BSF 140 Bn sustained injuries when militants ambushed a paramilitary party near Madar in Bandipore, during last night. They were rushed to hospital. BSF retaliated but all the militants managed to escape.

A shopkeeper and the former militant, Shamas Ahmed Khan, was fired upon and left wounded by suspected militants near his house in Baigpora locality of Bagh-e-Mehtab, in Srinagar outskirts, last evening.

Four persons, including a Constable of District Police Budgam and a BSF official, sustained injuries when an explosion took place beside their house at Kandi (Karnah), close to LoC, in Kupwara district. They were reportedly lifting some timber when the explosive device went off. The injured, rushed to hospital for treatment, have been identified as Constable Bilal Ahmed of Budgam Police, Zaheer Ahmed Khan S/o Raja Bashir Khan of BSF, Samandri Begum W/o Raja Hassan and Zaheer’s son Raja Anees. They were rescued and rushed to a Srinagar hospital.

Reports from Kangan said that troops of 5 RR killed a Pakistani militant of Al-Badr Mujahideen in a brief shootout at Relgund. He was identified as Abu Bakar.

On Wednesday, militants had fired upon a disengaged PSO, namely Shamas Ahmed Khan, near his house at Bogund, on Anantnag-Kulgam road. Official sources described him as "double-cross", suggesting that he had been simultaneously working for militants as well as for security forces.

BJP to aim at 2/3rd majority in LS: PM

JAIPUR, Nov 28: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today said if BJP emerges victorious in the December 1 Assembly polls in four States, it would start preparing for next Lok Sabha elections in order to get two-thirds majority.

"Rajyon Main Vijay Paakar Hum Lok Sabha Ki Tayarri Karenge. Usme Hame Do Tihayee Bahumat Chhiyae (after victory in Assembly elections, we will be bracing ourselves for Lok Sabha polls and we want two-thirds majority)," Vajpayee told a public meeting here.

Explaining the need for two-thirds majority, he said "we want to amend the electoral system to make it free from the menace of black money. We want to change the electoral process."

Taking strong exception to charges levelled by Congress against his Government on various fronts, Vajpayee said "these weaken stability of the country and lower its prestige."

Talking about probity in public life, the Prime Minister said Dilip Singh Judeo resigned as Union Minister after allegations were levelled against him but Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi was still in office despite the CBI probing a forgery case against him.

Instead of asking its Chief Minister to resign, Congress was levelling allegations against the CBI.

Exhorting people to throw away Congress in the Assembly polls, Vajpayee accused the party, in particular its chief Sonia Gandhi, of resorting to falsehood and baseless charges instead of giving an account of his Government’s performance.

Referring to the use of black money in elections, he said he wanted to prevent conversion of democracy into money power and this was possible only by bringing in electoral reforms for which two-thirds majority was needed.

"Elections should not be fought on the strength of black money. There should be a limit to electoral expenditure. Democracy should be saved," Vajpayee said regertting the level of campaigning had come down with political parties resorting to charges and counter-charges.

"Does this increase national prestige? BJP always believes in politics based on principles, a very difficult task in the given situation."

Accusing the Congress of double speak, Vajpayee said "whenever there are allegations of corruption, we ask our leaders to resign. George Fernandes did so. Judeo also said he will not join the ministry till proved innocent."

"But why Ajit Jogi had not resigned," he wondered and regretted the Congress was now questioning the credibility of the intelligence agency probing the "forgery case" against the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister.

He said Congress was not playing the role of a responsible opposition at the Centre, adding despite his answering all queries of Sonia Gandhi on the Central assistance to Rajasthan for drought relief, she was spreading "falsehoods".

Vajpayee said Gandhi had alleged that "our Government had not fulfilled its promise of providing one crore jobs every year. I presented her the data and, thereafter, she did not say anything.

"But while on election tours, she repeated her charges. What is the meaning of repeating wrong things? by repeating false things, a lie cannot become the truth."

Stoutly defending his Government’s economic policies, Vajpayee said "though in some sectors jobs are decreasing, in others, these are coming up tremendously."

"The allegation that his Government’s economic policies are creating unemployment is wrong," he said.

Vajpayee said the Centre had provided unprecedented support of over Rs 7000 crore to Rajasthan for drought relief but the Congress had not even acknowledged this.

"We were also in the opposition for 50 years and we always appreciated the good work done by Government. Congress is also not contributing in Parliament."

Vajpayee said problems of roads, power and water were there in the States going to the polls and the common factor there was Congress Governments.

He said there should be no compromise on development and it was a pity that even after 50 years of independence, "we are not able to provide people basic amenities like power and water".

Taking a dig at Digvijay Singh Government in Madhya Pradesh, Vajpayee said the Congress was divided whether to apologise or not over the condition of roads in the State.

"People will neither accept apology nor any regret. They want ouster of Congress," he said. (PTI)

EU hopes infiltration from Pak to India will cease

NEW DELHI, Nov 28: Hailing Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s peace initiative with Pakistan, the European Union today hoped infiltration into India from across the border would also cease now that guns have fallen silent on the border between the two countries.

We are pleased with the Prime Minister’s Confidence Building Measures... They have led to a ceasefire which should be successful and we hope infiltration from across the Line of Control (LoC) dries up, EU Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten told a select group of journalists.

Mr Patten, who is here for the fourth India-EU summit, said he would discuss the situation in the sub-continent with Indian leaders during talks over the next two days.

Asked what more steps EU desired India and Pakistan to take to normalise the situation in the sub-continent, he said we are not here to deliver homilies to the two countries...We are happy with the sense of history that the Prime Minister has shown in trying to deal with the (Indo-Pak) issue. We hope it will be productive.

Mr Patten also appreciated the healing touch policy being pursued by India in Jammu and Kashmir. If the Indian Government wishes us to assist it in any way, we have no hesitation, he added, recalling his own role in the Ireland peace process.

Mr Patten lauded the role being played by India in the global fight against terrorism. "We are working with India to get a convention on terrorism which India has done so much to pioneer," he added.

Noting that the combination of technology and terrorism posed the biggest threat to the international community, the EU official stressed the need for "multilateral cooperation at an unprecedented level" to counter terrorism.

On the India-EU cooperation, Mr Patten said the two sides were committed to giving an impetus to their political and economic ties. The two sides would sign a customs agreement to facilitate more trade between them. India would also become a party to the much talked about Galileo satellite and Maritime project at the fourth India-EU summit. The two sides were also negotiating a Maritime agreement which would help Indian Maritime exporters in a big way.

He said he would also discuss with External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha and Finance Minister Jaswant Singh the possibility of initialling a trade and development assistance programme to improve sanitary standards in this country.

He noted that there had been a three-fold increase in trade between the two countries after India embarked on an economic reforms programme. "We are also looking at taking up some projects in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh in the next few years," he added.

Mr Patten was happy that India had unquestionably agreed to go ahead with the fourth summit, despite the cancellation of his visit by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who is the president of the European Council, due to health reasons at the last minute. (UNI)

Ceasefire may help in improving situation: Bopanna

Excelsior Special Correspondent

NAGROTA, Nov 28: Lt Gen B K Bopanna has said that ceasefire was a positive development at this juncture and it may play vital role in improving situation prevailing in the Jammu and Kashmir state.

Lt Gen Bopanna, who is Director General of National Cadet Corps told media-persons after addressing cadets at National Integration Camp here today that situation which was volatile once in Mizoram and Nagaland has improved a lot. The militancy in several areas of north east has been contained.

An improvement in the situation will also be witnessed in this part of the country and ceasefire agreement between the India and Pakistan is the major development. The beginning has been made and situation in the interior areas will also improve, because people seems to be fed up with the bloodshed and turmoil and want peace.

He said a declining trend in the NCC activities was witnessed in Kashmir valley in the past apparently due to situation prevailing there.The youth were scared of wearing NCC uniforms may be due to fear of terrorism. But now the things are improving and the strength of the cadets in the region is increasing for the past several months now. It‘s a healthy trend and now a large number of youth are coming forward to join NCC. Their parents too, are motivating and sending their wards for joining this largest youth organisation which offer high quality opportunities to them.

Referring to the activities of the NCC, Gen Bopanna said that efforts are done to increase the participation of the youth in the NCC activities in the State. He said response in Leh- Ladakh and Jammu is encouraging but in Valley it is not satisfactory. But now, some increase has been witnessed for the last few months and it is a healthy sign. He said efforts are afoot to induct air wing in the J&K NCC and it will be done shortly.

Keeping in view this trend, special thrust is being given to NCC activities in J&K and last time the National Integration Camp was organised in Leh. This time in Jammu and perhaps the next year in Srinagar. He said till last year the state had only 15130 cadets. An additional 5000 vacancies were allotted to the State at the behest of RRM. These vacancies were given to the schools and colleges in the far-flung areas of the state and will be funded by the Centre. But the State Governments should also support the NCC activities. He said at present all the fourteen districts of the State have been covered.

He said today several youth organisations like NCC, NSS, NUK etc. are doing a lot for the nation building and also involved in the activities like—blood donation, tree plantation, cleanliness drives, vigilance rallies and adoption of orphanages.

Earlier, addressing the cadets the DG said that such camps provide better opportunity to the youth including cultural exchanges and better understanding besides belongingness and national integration. Different states have different culture and languages and the youth learn a lot from each other. He said it helps in developing sense of discipline, oneness, belongingness and commitment to serve the nation.

He regretted the non-availability of NCC staff in the educational institutions and said that today most of the teachers prefer private tuitions or other part time jobs. The organisation is not getting good, committed and dedicated stuff these days for the NCC activities. He appealed the people in the education field to come forward and work on this mission in the better interest of the nation.

Earlier, the Deputy Director General NCC J&K Brig J R Sharma highlighted the activities of the NCC in the State and welcomed the chief guest, Lt Gen Bopanna and Mrs Usha Bopanna besides Central Advisory Committee Member of National Cadet Corps, India Mr R S Chib.

The boys and girl cadets presented a variety cultural programme on this occasion which was highly appreciated. Later, prizes were distributed among the winners by Mrs Usha Bopanna. Cadets from all the states including girls are participating in this national level camp which is second so far in the State.

HC directs B R Singh to vacate Delhi
accommodation by Jan 2004

Excelsior Legal Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 28: Justifying the Government action, the State High Court has directed former Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and presently Chairman Special Tribunal, BR Singh to vacate the Government accommodation, he has been holding since long at 5-Prithvi Raj Road, New Delhi, by January 31, 2004 and in event of failure, face eviction and also contempt proceedings.

While dismissing the writ petition filed by Mr B R Singh, "as having no merit", Justice Permod Kohli of the State High Court, in a significant order, held that the petitioner has no right to continue to occupy a guest house in New Delhi, which is not meant to be to occupied on permanent basis.

Mr Singh in his petition had stated that this accommodation was allotted to him on account of threat perception, including his family and the accommodation was provided to him on security considerations.

The Government, in its reply had mentioned that the accommodation was allotted to Mr B R Singh in 1987 when there was no security threat. It was further stated that the premises is a guest house and is required by the Government for accommodating guests visiting the Capital city. The Government had further maintained that the petitioner was holding three Government accommodations simultaneously, which was impermissible under rule. Further, there was an amount of rupees three lakh as outstanding and payable by the petitioner on account of arrears of rent.

While dismissing the petition, Justice Kohli observed that how and under what circumstances the accommodation was allotted to the petitioner, the fact remains that Mr Singh has no right to continue in occupation of such premises. "Even if he has any security threat and requires to keep his family at Delhi, he is at liberty to approach the Government for allotment of alternative accommodation and to make security arrangements. It is a matter for which the Government has to take the decision", the order said.

Justice Kohli stated that after serving the order number 640-GAD of 2003 to vacate the premises, the petitioner had sought time to vacate the premises by ending September 2003. "Petitioner having agreed to vacate the premises, should not have filed the present petition", the Court observed.

Justice Kohli, however, directed that since the petitioner has to make alternate arrangement, he is allowed to remain in occupation of the premises till January 2004. " The petitioner shall also file undertaking before this court within two weeks in accordance with the undertaking given by his counsel that the premises will be vacated by then, failing which respondents shall be at liberty to evict petitioner from the premises in question", the Court held.

It made clear that if the petitioner fails to vacate the premises by January 31, 2004, respondents shall be at liberty to get the premises vacated and in addition, petitioner shall be liable for contempt of court in the event of the violation of the undertaking given herein.

On the question of payment of rent, the Court held that petitioner is liable to pay arrears of rent and future rent as determined or may be determined by the respondents till the period he remains in occupation of the same. " On failure to do so, respondents are at liberty to initiate appropriate proceedings against him under rules/law", it was directed.

Vij in J&K to assess ceasefire

SRINAGAR, Nov 28: Three days after India and Pakistan declared ceasefire along the Indo-Pak borders in Jammu and Kashmir, Army Chief General N C Vij today visited the forward posts in Uri sector to review the situation.

Gen Vij visited the forward posts in Uri sector and was briefed by General Officer Commanding of the 19 Infantry Division on the operational situation in the area, an Army Spokesman said.

He said the Army Chief was in Srinagar to hold similar meeting at the Army Headquarters here where he would be briefed by General Officer in Commanding of the 15 corps Lt Gen Nirbhay Sharma and other formation commanders.

The spokesman said the visit of Gen Vij was to assess the situation in the State and the discussions mainly focused on operations.

Gen Vij is also scheduled to visit Jammu region where he will chair a meeting of the Northern Command of the Army. (PTI)

NDA broke corruption records: Sonia

AJMER, Nov 28: Mounting a scathing attack on BJP, Congress president Sonia Gandhi today accused the Central Government headed by the saffron party of "breaking all records of corruption" and said it has no right to seek votes from the people after "betraying them".

"It seems that BJP leaders are vying with one another to find a place in a book of records for indulging in bribery and corruption," she told an elections rally here.

Alleging that "corruption is rampant under the NDA rule which has broken all records of corruption," Gandhi asked "on what basis the BJP is seeking votes in Assembly elections?"

"The BJP has no right to seek votes from the people after betraying them," the Congress president said.

Without naming any one, Gandhi asked "what kind of justice it is where people are not arrested even after being cought on video accepting bribe?" Charging BJP with "eroding diversity, the unique feature and the real beauty of Indian culture, by its divisive agenda," she said Congress would never tolerate communal forces.

Indirectly refering to the arrest of VHP leader Praveen Bhai Togadia here a few months back, Gandhi said communal forces were kept in control during the five-year rule of Congress in Rajasthan.

"Congress wants social unity and amity and works for uplift of Dalits, backward people and women," she said.

"BJP is unmatched in forgetting poll promises despite its tall claims of being a party with a difference. It promised to eradicate poverty and herald in good governance but acted exactly opposite ridiculing claims of BJP leaders that the people were benefiting from its rule, she said "they are making castles in air which have no foundation."

"On the other hand, Congress sincerely acted on its election manifesto to fulfil its poll promises," Gandhi said.

She also hit out at the Centre accusing it of "discriminating against the Congress Government in Rajasthan".

The Congress president praised the Ashok Gehlot Government for "doing a good job" in providing drought relief.

Taking a dig at BJP leaders’ claim of "Parivartan" (change), Gandhi asked as to why the party could not bring any change during its eight-years rule in Rajasthan prior to 1998

"Our Government in the desert State inherited empty coffers from BJP rule but despite that it did a tremendous job by tackling basic needs of the people, helping agriculture and small industries, promoting education and improving water and power situation," she claimed.

Gandhi addressed election meetings in Bundi and Sikar also during her day-long tour.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot accompanied her. (PTI)

Shed old image of India: Sinha

NEW DELHI, Nov 28: After forecast of over 7 per cent growth this year, India today did hard selling as a major destination for trade and investment but the European Union dubbed the country as "hard to do business with" because of excessive red-tape, poor infrastructure and rigid labour laws.

"Things have changed. Things have to change further," External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha said at the fourth India-EU business summit, stressing "if you are smart", advantage could be taken of the immense opportunities that exist.

"Please shed the old image of India," Sinha told the captains of European industry at the summit which got off despite the last minute cancellation of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s visit due to gastro enteritis.

The minister’s remarks came after the European Commissioner for external relations Chris Patten observed that India "retains the reputation of a hard country in which to do business" with "excessive red-tape, poor infrastructure and rigid labour laws.’

Patten, however, said Indian economy was going through exciting times and EU was determined to boost trade and investment with two-way trade growing three times to 27 billion.

After subdued performance of 4.3 per cent growth in the last financial year, Patten said Indian economy is forecast to grow by over seven per cent this year with 17 per cent expansion in middle class in the last three year.

Elaborating on the growing India-EU relationship, Patten said the two have enjoyed a good and important business partnership for many years.

"This has grown out of a deep-rooted cultural relationship built on a bedrock of shared values. We have the same views on terrorism, trans-national crime, the drugs trade, the environment, democracy, fundamental rights and many other issues", he said.

"And we both recognise the important role the UN and multilateral institutions have to play in addressing them, he said adding "we need to build on those common interests and those common values, harnessing our relationship to strengthen each of us."

He, however, made candid the constraints faced by not only EU but other foreign companies as well.

These constraints hamper Indian business too, he said observing "let us therefore build on the opportunities and the incenstives to improve invstment conditions and thereby, encourage further investments".

The reforms that are being pursued by India are a "step in the right direction" but the chronic discrepancy between revenue and expenditure crowds out private sector investments and dries up interest rates, discouraging FDI, Patten said.

"I believe that a steady pace of reforms guided by the principals of democracy and good governance is the best recipe for success. This is what India is trying hard to do," he said.

Meanwhile, setting at rest doubts over the holding of a political summit tomorrow in the absence of Berlusconi, the EU in a statement said "the summit will go ahead at the highest political level and the delegation will be led by European Commission President Romano Prodi". (PTI)

Govt to sue NHPC Director

NEW DELHI, Nov 28: Government today said it was examining the possibility of filing a defamation case against the Director (Personnel) of NHPC Vinay Kumar for his reported allegations that he was "pressurised" to pay bribe for getting extension.

"The ministry is examining defamation case against him (Vinay Kumar) in consultation with the Ministry of Law for making false charges. I deny all allegations made by him", Power Secretary R V Shahi told reporters.

Shahi’s remarks came in the wake of Kumar alleging that he was kept under "compulsory wait" and was being pressurised to pay bribe for getting an extension after lifting the "compulsory wait" on him.

Kumar told Aaj Tak that he had got indications that for cases such as removing of "compulsory wait" or getting extension a sum of Rs one crore is generally demanded.

"I was told by the Power Secretary that I am not able to manage the ministers. I must learn from others how to get extension. If this is not pressure and importantly, if they do not want anything, why should a person like me be put on compulsory wait? the Government is only incurring expenditure.", he said.

Clarifying the position, Shahi said selections are made by Public Selection Board (PSB) and based on the recommendations, appointments committee of Cabinet takes a decision. PSB did not recommend his case.

Shahi said Kumar was appointed in the Power Grid Corporation for five years but was suspended on various charges. Subsequently, he was appointed in the present capacity in the NHPC for five years after which he was not given an extension.

Shahi said when Kumar came to know about the PSB not recommending his case for extension, he had started making false allegations against ministry and its officials.

Asked why Kumar was not given an extension despite his "good" career record, Chairman and Managing Director of NHPC Yogendra Prasad said even persons with "outstanding rating" are not given extensions and that a normal level officer does not get elevated on career records of "satisfactory or good".

Power Minister Anant Geete said he was not aware of this incident and anyway the ministry did not intefere in the working of a PSU which enjoys autonomy in this regard. (PTI)

Salem, Monica awarded jail terms

NEW DELHI, Nov 28: Mumbai underworld don Abu Salem and his girl friend Monica Bedi have been awarded jail terms by a Portuguese court after they were found guilty of entering the country on forged documents, a verdict that could give a boost to CBI’s efforts to secure his extradition.

The Portuguese High Court is understood to have cleared the extradition of Bedi, wanted by India for allegedly using fake passport to flee the country, along with Salem.

An accused in 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts, Salem, who was arrested along with Bedi and two others on September 21, 2001 in Lisbon, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years imprisonment on three counts — entering Portugal on forged documents, causing injury to a police man who was performing his duty and perjury, CBI sources here said.

The sentences were handed to the duo by a Sessions Court in Lisbon.

The Court sentenced salem to three years for entering Portugal on forged documents, two years for causing injury to a cop and resisting his arrest and one year for perjury, the sources said. However, the judge later consolidated the jail term to four-and-a-half years as he had been in jail since his arrest.

Bedi was jailed for two years for entering the country on forged documents and continuing to use the same for her stay in Portugal. Salem, during his trial, had said that he had entered Portugal on fake documents while he was running away from his Indian mafia adversaries, who had been chasing him ever since he parted ways with them.

He was part of the gang of recently declared international terrorist by the US, Dawood Ibrahim, till mid 90s’ and part of the team that conspired and executed the gruesome Bombay blasts in which 257 people were killed and property worth Rs 30 crore was damaged.

Salem had denied causing any harm to a Portuguese police man on duty. However, Saleem Haider, who was arrested along with him, had told the Court that Salem had assaulted the cop. This led to another charge of perjury against Salem.

The Portuguese Government has dropped one of the three charges against Salem and Bedi — of marrying a local girl and a man respectively to get a resident permit.

The case was being fought by the Prosecutor General of Portugal.

Meanwhile, Salem’s extradition trial was also on and the CBI recently provided the Portugal Government with clarifications which included court rulings to show that minorities were not discriminated in the country as alleged by him.

The CBI had hired a local legal consultant firm "Moraos Leitao and J Galvio Tales" in Lisbon to assist the Prosecutor General’s Office of Portugal in preparing the case as according to the law, no separate counsel could represent the agency in that country. (PTI)

Dialogue to start at official level

NEW DELHI, Nov 28: Observing that too much should not be read into Indian and Pakistani leaders coming face to face at the SAARC summit in Islamabad in January, Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal today made it clear that there was no major change in New Delhi’s stand that composite dialogue will start at the official level and "not top down".

"If Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee goes there, he will be received. There are certain basic protocol requirements. So, to imagine that he will go there and they will not meet is not physically possible," he told NDTV.

Sibal’s remarks comes a day after the Prime Minister’s remarks in Lucknow that his itenerary for Pakistan was being prepared that he would be "meeting everyone there".

To persistent questions from reporters whether he would meet his Pakistani counterpart Zafarullah Khan Jamali in Islamabad on the sidelines of the SAARC meet, Vajpayee had said yesterday at Lucknow that "there is no difference between one-to-one meeting or meeting collectively. I am going there. If he meets, then I will be very glad."

Sibal said the issue is not the meeting. "The issue is what are you going to talk about. Is a bilateral dialogue per se on the cards where you will sit together and discuss the core issues in our relationship."

Nobody is saying that this will be done, he said adding "our position has been all along that the composite dialogue, when it starts, will be at the official level, whether Joint Secretary or Foreign Secretary, that remains to be seen. And then we will move on to the summit.

"So, we are not going this time

to the top bottom. It will be from the bottom up," he said maintaining "I don’t think one should read too much into what has been said because no one in Government has said that the resumed dialogue with Pakistan would be at the summit level". (PTI)
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

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