Equitable distribution of resources assured
No discrimination with any region: Mufti

Excelsior Special Correspondent

Srinagar, Dec 18: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has assured equitable distribution of resources to all areas of the State saying that the coalition Government is committed to remove the causes of discontent.

Speaking at the separate plan review meetings of Anantnag and Pulwama districts here today, the Chief Minister said that the thrust of the government’s development policy is to do justice with all regions and generate economic activity across the State. He said resource allocation is made in a manner so as to ensure that no area feels discriminated.

He underscored the need to have proper planning to assess and meet the development needs of various areas and said in cases of pressing requirement special attention is provided.

Giving a brief account of some important schemes that would have a direct bearing on economy particularly in rural sector, the Chief Minister said each block in the State would have a model village with modern amenities. He said a beginning in this sphere has been made from Warnu in Lolab Velley where the village has been named after the famous religious scholar, Maulana Anwar Shah Lolabi as Anwarabad. He said tourist villages would also be developed.

The Chief Minister stressed on the greater connectivity and utilization of modern facilities like the Internet to access information and issued instructions that the community information centres being set up in every block be networked with the Civil Secretariat and information made available to people at their door steps.

Responding to a point raised by a legislator about the high cost of oats seeds supplied by the Government when it is available in the market at a cheaper rate, the Chief Minister sought clarification from the Director Agriculture who informed him that the seed available in the market is of sub-standard quality while the department supplies certified seeds.

The Chief Minister issued instructions to appoint a committee for examining viability of quarries in different areas of the state. The committee would comprise of Director Geology and Mining and respective District Development Commissioners.

The Chief Minister asked for setting up of district level sports councils involving local sports clubs to prioritize locations for setting up new play fields and stadium as well as ensuring maintenance of the existing facilities. He also asked the legislators to keep in mind the pressure on the availability of power and transmission system while granting electric transformers in their respective areas from the constituency development fund.

The Chief Minister stressed the need to have a brand for the Kashmiri saffron so that inferior quality is not sold in the name of Kashmiri saffron.

Making a specific reference to Anantnag district, the Chief Minister said that Rs. 150 crore would be spent in the district in road sector alone under the Asian Development Bank funding. He said road connectivity is a focused area and important roads like Khanabal-Pahalgam, Khanabal Doru and Wanpoh-Kulgam roads would be taken up.

Responding to a point raised by a legislator about the shrinking of Malkhnag spring, the Chief Minister asked the Tourism department to develop the famous sulphur spring as a tourist spot.

Referring to the point raised by a legislator about the need to rationalize the panchayat halqas in Zainapora block in Pulwama district, the Chief Minister assured that the creation of another block would be considered. He said construction of Zainapora hospital would be taken up on priority.

Present in the meetings were Minister for Planning and Finance, Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Minister for Agriculture, Abdul Aziz Zargar, Minister for Rural Development, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Minister for Tourism and Urban Development, Ghulam Hassan Mir, Minister for Revenue, Hakim Mohammad Yasin, Minister for Forests, Ghulam Mohiuddin Sofi, Minister of State for R&B, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Minister of State for Home, Abdur Rehman Veeri, Minister of State for Planning, Usman Majeed, Minister of State for Health and Medical Education, Sofi Abdul Gaffar, Minister of State for Social Welfare, Ghulam Hassan Khan and legislators, M. Y. Tarigami, Dr, Mehboob Baigh, Sartaj Madni, Peer Mohammad Hussain, Chowdhary Nizamuddin Khatana, Mohammad Khaleel Band, Zahoor Ahmad Mir, Dr. Ghulam Nabi and Mr. Abdur Rehman Tukroo.

Govt to ease restrictions on Hurriyat leaders' travel

NEW DELHI, Dec 18: After endorsing the interface between Kashmiri leaders across the divide in Kathmandu, Government is contemplating several measures including easing restriction on travel abroad of Hurriyat leaders to take the peace process forward.

The signal to Pakistan is that all sections of Kashmiris are being "involved" in the process for resolution of the protracted issue, Government sources said.

Except for hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and J and K Democratic Freedom Party chief Shabir Shah, all other Hurriyat leaders attended the three-day meet in Kathmandu where they discussed the Kashmir problem at length.

There was a consensus that violence should be abjured and a solution to the Kashmir problem should be by means of negotiations. There was no demand for them being "united". Government feels these as interesting approaches.

New Delhi is pursuing a broad and measured approach of rationality and patience without expecting early breakthroughs or quick-fix solutions to complex issues, the sources said.

Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran will be meeting his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Khokhar in Islamabad later this month when they will discuss peace and security, J and K and review the progress on other subjects of the composite dialogue process.

Indications are that National Security Adviser J N Dixit will continue his meetings with Pakistani counterpart Tariq Aziz away from media glare. The sources said their discussions have been held in an extremely frank manner on specifics. The sources said that Government was in touch with all dissident groups in J and K and felt that there should be no restriction on the movement of Hurriyat leaders.

The Hurriyat leaders have been wanting to visit Pakistan. New Delhi has taken the line that while Centre has no objection to talking to them, it saw no reason for the separatist group’s direct participation in what is purely a bilateral Government-to-Government issue.

The assessment in official circles is that militancy in J and K has come down not because of any qualitative change in the political atmosphere but because of a number of factors including stepped up vigil along the borders, fencing, winter months and the erosion of the support base of the militants.

Keen to develop the ‘peace constituency’, Government’s main focus is on enhancing people-to-people contacts between the two countries. Increasing bus and train linkages form part of these measures.

The two sides are also discussing nuclear risk reduction arrangements in the expert-level talks on nuclear confidence building measures.

A marginal movement forward in bilateral trade has been made. This is an area where India seeks a quantum jump.

On the border talks with China, two rounds of which have been held by special representatives, Dixit and Dai Bingguo, the sources said "some progress" has been made but there were "no breaking points".

The sources acknowledged that "serious differences" persisted on the territorial dimension.

The two sides are discussing guiding principles to resolve the vexed boundary issue, the sources said noting that "gradual progress is being made".

The Maoist problem is expected to figure during next week’s visit by Nepal’s King Gyanendra. The two sides hope to have substantive discussions on bilateral issues of mutual concern.

A source of concern has been the linkages between militant outfit Peoples’ War Group (PWG) with Maoists in Nepal, ltte in the south and other such organisations.

On relations with Bangladesh, the sources said while New Delhi’s approach was positive, it could not ignore the difficult aspects of the relationship like illegal migration. It is estimated that there are nine million Bangladeshis in this country.

The sources said that the strategic ties with the US were moving on constructive lines. New Delhi’s concern over US arms package to Pakistan were conveyed during Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s recent visit, the sources said.

New Delhi had told the American side that such moves could trigger an arms race in the sub-continent.

The sources said defence cooperation pact between India and Sri Lanka was likely to come through.

About upcoming elections in Iraq, the sources said India was willing to train Iraqi election officials in this country. (PTI)

Discourage misuse of PILs: Sorabjee

By Nishikant Khajuria

JAMMU, Dec 18: Even as Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is a valuable judicial mechanism to safeguard the constitutional rights granted to common citizens, misuse of the same for personal interests has unfortunately put a question mark on it.

This was stated by Soli J Sorabjee, former Attorney General of India, while delivering a lecture during Fifth Annual Justice Bodh Raj Sawhney Memorial Oration-2004, at Jammu University, here today. Topic of the oration was ‘Public Interest Litigation: Boon or Bane’.

"For the sake of publicity and personal interests, some people give the colour of PIL (Public Interest Litigation) to their private interest litigations or publicity interest litigation which is unfortunate," he said and cited the instances when some people filed PILs to safeguard their personal interests or to get publicity.

Stressing that misuse of PILs must be discouraged, the noted lawyer advised that judges must distinguish between a Public Interest Litigation from private interest litigations, political interest litigations, publicity interest litigations and Paise Incoming Litigations. "For example a PIL for beautification of some railway station is only aimed to gain popularity and such litigations can be discouraged by omitting the name of the litigant," he suggested.

However, at the same time, Mr Sorabjee said that gain from public Interest Litigations is substantial in India and despite its misuse at sometimes, PIL has proved to be a boon.

"Even as PIL is not pill for every ill, judicial activism in Public Interest Litigations has created a transparency and accountability to some extent in the system and kept the administration on toes," he said.

Claiming that with more judicial activism, PIL would be more a boon than bane, Mr Sorabjee stressed that judges must respond to the knock of a grievance of commoners and ensure that duty is performed by the Government and its executive.

Having some more suggestion, the former Attorney General said that judgments should also be monitored as at several times, they remain unimplemented or implemented partially.

"Young lawyers and NGOs have important role to play in ensuring proper use of PILs," he exhorted.

Earlier, former Chief Justice of India and Chairman of National Human Rights Commission, Justice A S Anand, also addressed the gathering and highlighted the activities undertaken by Bodh Raj Sawhney Memorial Trust.

He also threw light on the achievements and services of Late Bodh Raj Sawhney who was an eminent jurist of the State.

Speaking on the occasion, Jammu University Vice-Chancellor Prof Amitabh Mattoo said that the oration would greatly help students of the Law School to understand the utility of PIL and lacunas associated to it. He also informed the dignitaries about the achievements of Jammu University to become a global centre of academic excellence.

Director of the JU Law School Prof K L Bhatia presented vote of thanks while the programme was compered by Dr V K Kapoor.

A galaxy of personalities from judiciary, including Justice V K Jhanji, Justice Permod Kohli, Justice (Retd) K K Gupta and Director General of the State Police Gopal Sharma attended the oration.

Top LeT ultra killed in Surankote
*Two powerful pressure cooker IEDs defused

Excelsior Special Correspondent

POONCH, Dec 18: Another militant of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) was today gunned down by Army and police at Dandidhara in Surankote tehsil while Army averted a major catastrophe by defusing two powerful pressure cooker IEDs at Mirza Morh, Surankote on Jammu-Poonch road late this evening.

Police recovered a consignment of arms and explosives including three kg RDX during a search operation.

Official sources said the troops of 16 Rashtriya Rifles and Special Operations Group (SOG) of police, who had yesterday gunned down a LeT ‘district commander’ Bravo 1, a Pakistani at Dara Sangla in Surankote, resumed their search operation this morning. Security personnel had a specific input that two militants had escaped into a dense forest area after the killing of Bravo 1, who was one of the most wanted militant in Surankote tehsil.

During the searches, security forces established a contact with the militants at Dandi Dhara in Surankote at 10 am and asked them to surrender. The militants, however, opened indiscriminate firing on the troops with their AK rifles and lobbed grenades.

In retaliatory firing, one militant was killed while his associate slipped away. Slain ultra has been identified as Umar Mustafa, also a Pakistani. He was affiliated with the LeT outfit and was operating in Poonch district for last about two years.

One AK rifle, three magazines, one radio set and a large quantity of eatables were recovered from the slain militant.

Security forces didn’t suffer any casualties in the two days operation, which was still on with security personnel chasing the third militant. The SOG team in the operation was led by DySP Operations Sanjay Rana.

Army, on a specific information given by people, suspended traffic on Jammu-Poonch road and sealed Mirza Morh area in Surankote. During searches, troops of 27 Rashtriya Rifles recovered two powerful IEDs, fitted in the pressure cookers, and planted by the militants on main road.

The IEDs were safely defused at 5.50 pm.

Sources said a major catastrophe was averted with timely detection of the IEDs, which had been planted by the militants to blast security forces and civilian vehicles tomorrow morning.

In another search operation in Snehi area of Surankote, police recovered three kg RDX, two battery chargers, one pistol with one magazine and seven rounds, one Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) with five grenades, two anti-tank grenades, two RPG shells and one wireless set.

Recoveries were made from a hideout of the militants, which was destroyed during the operation.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner, Poonch Mohd Ramzan Thakur today distributed Rs 4.38 lakh worth relief among 56 militancy affected families in Surankote.

Our Jammu correspondent adds: Security forces recovered one AK rifle, three magazines, 95 rounds, 20 kg explosives and three detonators during a search operation at Sungli, Bhaderwah today.

Rs 25-cr spent on maintenance of idle Jammu-Udhampur track
Katra rail project delayed by one year

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Dec 18: The 25 kilometres long Udhampur-Katra railway project has got delayed by one year due to ‘not upto the mark’ survey by the authorities of the Northern Railways.

Sources in the Northern Railways told the EXCELSIOR that Rs 530 crore Udhampur-Katra project which was earlier scheduled to be completed by December 2005 would now be ready by December 2006 because the Engineers of the Northern Railways have been facing lots of problems in construction of one tunnel.

"The Engineers of the Northern Railways were working as per the schedule but two months back suddenly a grave problem erupted in their way when while constructing tunnel number three on this line they encountered with a stream flowing inside the rock", the sources disclosed.

Though there has been some decline in the flow of the water yet the situation was not fit for going ahead with the construction work, they said and added that geological strata in the area was so lose that engineers have to bring the work to a grinding halt. "It seems that during survey real position of geological strata was not given due attention by the surveyors", the sources said and added that the existing technology of constructing tunnels would not work on this particular tunnel.

"The engineers have brought the matter to the notice of senior authorities of the Northern Railways and decision about new technology to be adopted for construction of this tunnel would be taken in the near future", the sources said and didn’t rule out the delay of project beyond one year because the change in technology would consume lot of time.

Due to the delay by one year, the cost of the project will also get escalated and total cost of the project would be increased by crores of rupees, the sources said and added that 40 percent of total length of this line lies in tunnels while there are about 9 major and 33 minor bridges on this section.

Meanwhile, the sources disclosed that the Northern Railways has spent Rs 25 crore on the maintenance of the Jammu-Udhampur Railway Track for the last six months that too without running any passenger train on the track so far.

"Ten percent of total cost of the project is always spent on the maintenance but spending Rs 25 crore without generating any sort of revenue is a loss to the exchequer of Northern Railways", the sources said and disclosed that about 150 officials have also been deployed for this track and they are drawing salaries without any sort of work.

DB restrains JMC from further demolition of Hotel Jammu

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 18: In a much publicized demolition of unauthorized construction of Hotel Jammu by Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) as per the directions of the High Court, in a petition filed thorough Attorney, the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice SN Jha and Justice SK Gupta has directed JMC that no further demolition be made on the spot.

In this judgment, written by Chief Justice SN Jha for the Bench, it has been observed that on December 1, 2004, the present petition was mentioned for out of turn hearing by senior Advocate SS Lehar appearing for the appellant and submitted that by the order/directions passed in the connected case, only unauthorized construction was required to be demolished by the authorities of JMC, but acting on the opinion of their standing counsel, they were proposing to demolish the whole building contrary to the law and directions of the Court.

As a matter of the fact, the part of the building said to be unauthorized already stands demolished and removed. The DB summoned the counsel for JMC SS Nanda and asked him to maintain the status quo till hearing on December 3. On that day, the matter was heard in presence of the Commissioner.

Mr Lehar appearing for the petitioner said that he has already removed the unauthorized structure and whatever remains on the land as part of the building is conformity with the sanctioned building plan.

The DB directed the authorities not to further make demolition on spot and while maintaining status-quo, the petitioner may submit another building plan for sanction of concerned authority and after such sanction he may construct residential house strictly in accordance with the approved plan. The building plan must be submitted within four weeks. The construction will be made under the supervision and control of Municipality and other concerned authorities and they will be free to intervene and stop the construction in case of any deviation, the DB observed.

CJI for 10 fold increase in Judges' strength

BHOPAL, Dec 18: Advocating long-term planning for speedy disposal of over three crore cases pending in courts, Chief Justice of India R C Lahoti today favoured ten-fold increase in judges’ strength, grievance redressal mechanism in Government and quick steps to stop moral degradation in public life.

"A whopping number of over three crore cases are pending, including around 30,000 before the Supreme Court, 32 lakh in High Courts and 2.5 crore in lower courts," Justice Lahoti said inaugurating a seminar on the role of the bench and the bar in ensuring speedy justice here.

Regretting that the judiciary is often blamed for the soaring number of pending cases, he said pendency has risen due to reasons like awareness and education among people, their faith in the judiciary, lack of resources and proper infrastructure as also less mumber of judges compared to the volume of work.

Citing Law Commission reports, Justice Lahoti said simple mathematical calculation would suggest ten times increase in the number of judges to ensure speedy justice as their present strength is one tenth the requirement considering the volume of cases pending before the courts and country’s population.

Asking the Government to seriously think in terms of evolving a grievance redressal mechanism within administration before disputes are taken to courts, the Chief Justice said it would ensure 50 per cent reduction in court cases. (PTI)

Vivid change in India’s Kashmir policy: Kasuri

ISLAMABAD, Dec 18: Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri today said that there has been a vivid change in India’s Kashmir policy as New Delhi recognised Islamabad as party to resolution of Kashmir issue.

The fact that Kashmir has been included in the India-Pakistan peace dialogue showed that for the first time in 57 years, New Delhi recognised Islamabad as a party to its resolution, he told Geo TV in an interview. "Unless someone is politically blind, a change can be seen now... They were not ready for talks. Now negotiations are going on. Serious negotiations are going on," he said.

Kasuri said that the joint statement issued after the meeting between President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on September 20 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly Summit in New York clearly stated that talks would include various options in resolving the Kashmir issue.

He went on to say that the Kashmiris were a major party to the resolution of the issue and durable peace could only be established once they were included in the dialogue process.

Kasuri also questioned New Delhi’s stand that the construction of Baglihar dam was not in violation of the Indus Water Treaty. If it could not be resolved bilaterally, Pakistan would take the matter to the World Bank, he said. (PTI)

Court martial against Major ordered

Excelsior Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Dec 18: Army today ordered court martial proceedings against Major Rehman Hussain, a Rashtriya Rifles officer accused of rape and molestation of a woman and her daughter during the cordon-and-search operation in village Badra Payeen in Handwara in Northern Kashmir.

The court martial proceedings will commence in the border town of Uri from December 20, with Brigadier Syed Ata Hasnain appointed as the Presiding Officer, an Army spokesman said here.

In the incident, Major Hussain had allegedly raped a woman and her daughter during the search operations on November six. And the allegations had triggered widespread public protest in the entire Kupwara district.

Following the public protest, Major Hussain had been placed under suspension and confined to his quarters pending an inquiry.

The spokesman said as the inquiry had uncovered some substance in the allegations, the authorities had immediately ordered the court martial proceedings against the errant officer.

He said the action was part of a new process initiated by Army chief Gen N C Vij to bring about transparency in the conduct of operations by the security forces.

Wahid is new KU VC

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 18: Prof Abdul Wahid—Professor of Economics Department, University of Kashmir will be its new Vice-Chancellor. He is currently holding the charge of the top slot following the expiry of term of Prof J A Tareen.

Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha, in his capacity as Chancellor of the University, today issued orders appointing Prof Wahid as Vice-Chancellor for a period of three years from the date he takes over.

Born in Kandi Karnah of Kupwara district on December 10, 1946, Mr Wahid has a vast academic and administrative experience spanning 37 years. He completed his PhD in 1974 and has authored 12 research papers. He started his academic carrer as Lecturer in Humanities in Regional Engineering College, Srinagar in 1967 and in 1968 he moved to Kashmir University and rose to the position of Professor of Economic, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, College, Academics and Chief Coordinator, Post Graduate Centre.

He has also worked as interim Vice-Chancellor for four months in 2001 and is continuing as such since July 1 this year also. Prof Wahid has also remained associated with numerous academic bodies and headed delegations for participation in various universities of the country.

He has visited Pakistan, USA and Saudi Arabia and was also Advisor to Union Public Service Commission in selection of Lecturers.

PDP activist among 2 killed

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec 18: Unidentified gunmen, believed to be militants, have shot dead two persons, including a 70-year-old activist of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kashmir valley since last evening.

Informed sources said that gunmen, believed to be militants, appeared at Shingru village in Kulgam area of south Kashmir this evening and shot dead 70-year-old Abdul Gani Wani S/o Ghulam Mohammad Wani R/o Khori Batpora. He had called on a relative when the gunmen appeared and fired upon him. Sources said that Wani was a prominent activist of the PDP in Noorabad Assembly segment.

Sources said that unidentified gunmen, believed to be militants appeared at Kanir in Chadoura area of Budgam district last night and kidnapped 18-year-old Manzoor Ahmed Wani S/o Ghulam Hassan Wani. He was subjected to severe physical torture and ultimately shot dead. Wani was labeled as an informant of security forces. While as officials said that Wani was working with a bakery and he was not a source for the security forces, residents described him as a student.

Reports from south Kashmir said that a woman, namely Khatiji W/o Ghulam Mohammad Bhat R/o Krangsu, Mattan, died of a cardiac arrest when BSF was conducting a search operation in the village. Residents alleged that the woman died due to fear of the security forces.

Sources said that an IED blast occurred at a cemetery in Harman village of Shopian. However, there was no damage.

Troops claimed to have seized 3 AK-56 rifles, 25 UBGL grenades, 26 hand grenades and 7 Kgs of RDX in Dooraswami forest area of Kupwara in north Kashmir.

Backdoor appointments in Health Deptt
HC for disclosing names of persons

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 18: In a writ petition filed against the alleged backdoor appointments in Health and Medical Education Department at the instance of MLAs and Minister incharge resorting to any process of selection of the candidates and without considering other eligible candidates, Justice Permod Kohli of the State High Court has directed the concerned authorities to disclose the names and particulars of such Class-III and Class-IV employees who have been appointed without adopting any selection process in the Department of Health and Medical Education to the petitioners, provided the petitioners approached for seeking detail within one week.

This direction was passed in a writ petition filed by Sunil Verma and others in which the petitioners alleged that the backdoor appointments in the Department of Health and Medical Education have been secret and those who were eligible have been deprived of the right of consideration.

Musharraf to remain army chief

KARACHI, Dec 18: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has declared he will remain the Army Chief despite his solemn pledge to relinquish the military post by the end of the year, an interview published here today said.

"I will remain in uniform," he told domestic Sindhi language television channel KTN yesterday. The interview was carried today by national dailies including mass circulated daily Jang.

Musharraf said he would "soon" explain his reasons for retaining the powerful military post, which he had promised to quit by December 31 in an address to the nation last year.

"I will tell the nation where we were in the past; Where we stand today and where we are headed in the future," he said without elaborating.

Musharraf said that his decision was in the interests of political stability and national solidarity.

The first categorical statement comes amid ongoing public protest, mainly by opposition Islamists, calling on the President to honour his commitment to step down as head of the military.

Musharraf had made the pledge to shed his military position in return for Islamists’ support in ratifying a series of controversial constitutional changes in the Parliament which granted him powers to dissolve the elected Assembly.

Musharraf, who seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999, has insisted that donning military uniform was crucial in his campaign against the Al-Qaeda network and other Islamic militants. (AFP)

 
 
 
 

 

 

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