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Excelsior team JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Dec 9: The UPA Chairperson and AICC president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi on a two day tour of the State, opted to spend her birthday with people of Jammu and Kashmir especially with earthquake affected today. From Jammu Airport, she directly flew to Poonch, visited quake affected areas, interacted with people and reviewed rehabilitation and re-construction programme. She visited Shesh Mehal Higher Secondary School and spent sometime with the earthquake affected children and showered her affection on them. Mrs Sonia Gandhi while speaking to public gathering reiterated the fullest support of the Central Government to quake affected people in the process of their rehabilitation saying that entire country is at their back to see them once again rehabilitated and living a prosperous life. She said that the Central Government and State Government have launched comprehensive drive for the rehabilitation of quake victims and reconstruction of the areas affected. She said that no affected person would be left unattended and each family would get best possible assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged structures. While asking the people to strengthen the hands of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and giving him full cooperation she said, Mr Azad is personally supervising the relief and rehabilitation operations and is determined to see the devastated areas back in life. In his this stupendous task, the Central Government would provide him all assistance, she said. Mrs. Gandhi appreciated the people of border areas for their unprecedented courage, they have exhibited time and again during hours of need and asked them to show same spirit this time while getting out of the present trauma and withstand problem bravely, "you are not alone entire population of the country alongwith Government is with you," she said. From Poonch, Mrs Gandhi directly flew to Uri where from she went to Sultan Daki and Kamalkot. Marking her birthday while sharing pain of the quake victims of Sultan Daki and Kamalkot in Uri, Mrs Sonia Gandhi assured victims of every possible help in starting their lives afresh. An inimitable way of marking the day of birth, Sonia preferred wiping the tears of the quake victims, over merrymaking with VVIPs and bigwigs in the Capital. She instead decided and made sure to spend the day, when she completed 59 year of her life, with sufferers, whose wounds are still afresh after deadly quake devastated everything across LoC. Parking herself among the widows and orphans of Kamalkote and Sultan Daki, the worst hit village on this side of LoC, "UPA Chairperson, could have done nothing more than sharing the pain of the victims. Expressing her solidarity with them, she reached to most of the widows and orphans and had a word with them. As Sonia entered the school compound in Sultan Daki, she was greeted on her birthday with loud, Janam Din Mubarak Ho (happy birthday to you) by the people, who seemingly have lost the meaning of happiness for them. Some of them presented her bouquets of flowers, though their own lives pricked by the cruel thorns of fate. Draped in green Pharen-Shalwar, traditional Kashmiri dress, wrapping over a Kashmiri Pashmina shawl and a muffler, Sonia arrived at Sultan Daki at around 3:30 pm. As soon as she entered the premises, the crowd was all joy – momentarily forgetting their own plight and began singing for Sonia and wishing her many happy returns of the day. Sonia, who seemed too impatient to get close to the victims, overlooked all the security concerns and like a teenaged prodigy bent to cross over the iron shaft, which was aimed at keeping the people, waiting for her, at bay. She crossed over and went closer to victims. Accompanied by Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, AICC general secretary, Ambika Soni, Minister Animal Husbandry, Taj Mohuiddin, Haj, and Auqaf Minister, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Minister for Power, Nuwang Rigzin and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, Sonia met the widows and orphans, listened to them and assured every possible help to them starting their lives afresh. At Sultan Daki, in Uri, Sonia met 14 orphans and 30 widows. At Kamalkote Sonia, while addressing a gathering said that she had kept the promise of visiting the villages hit by devastating earthquakes again. " "I have come to visit you people again, as promised earlier during my first visit on the second day of quake," she told the gathering, who kept applauding Sonia for her every word. Modest in her approach, as she has ever been, Sonia told the victims that the relief measures taken up by the State and the Central Government weren’t enough to heal their wounds. Realizing the depth of their sufferings, Sonia, in her brief address, asked the victims to get back to normal life and look forward towards the future. "I know and understand that the wounds you have suffered are too big than any word of sympathy or help but life has to move on and I appreciate your courage," she said. "…however let me assure you that we will take every possible step to help you in starting your lives as normal," she added. Mukta, 75, said that it was impossible for her family to live in the collapsed house which was razed in the October 8 earthquake. Mukta said that living in tents in minus temperatures and in a difficult terrain either wasn’t possible. "We seek re-location because the huge rocks beneath which we live in these tents can come down crumbling on us anytime," she said and added that she had come to tell the same to Sonia Gandhi. Speaking to a public gathering on the occasion Mrs. Gandhi said that Central and State Governments have taken all measures for rehabilitation and reconstructions of quake affected areas. She said permanent rehabilitation being a time consuming process needs concentrated attention by all concerned agencies so that the areas devastated by the quake are again built on modern lines to withstand such natural calamities in future. She assured all possible help from the Centre to the State Government for accomplishing this gigantic task as early as possible. On her way back from Kamalkote to Uri Mrs. Gandhi visited earthquake families and went to their houses at various places. She spent some three hours from 5 p.m to 8 p.m with these affected people at their houses. Mrs. Sonia Gandhi also met people at Sokidani, Bagrato, dachi, Parampeli while returning from Uri and interacted with them. Opposition stages walk-out in LS NEW DELHI, Dec 9: Government today ruled out a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Volcker findings on pay-offs in Iraqi oil deals saying the Justice R S Pathak Inquiry Authority had already started its work and its scope was "very wide". "I do not see that any purpose will be served by a JPC" at this stage, Leader of the House and Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee responded after BJP Deputy Leader V K Malhotra raised the issue in Lok Sabha. Mukherjee said the Opposition first asked for a CBI probe, then demanded that an FIR be filed and "now, suddenly they want a JPC". Emphasising that all "new factors" relating to the Volcker issue would be sent to the Inquiry Authority, he said "to suggest a completely new mechanism is not acceptable". Dissatisfied over Mukherjee’s response, the Opposition staged a walkout. In Rajya Sabha, the issue was raised by Leader of the Opposition Jaswant Singh who said Government should not fight shy of appointing a JPC to go into the issue and it should not have any apprehension. Responding to Jaswant Singh’s demand, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Pachouri said there was a three-pronged strategy to inquire into the Volcker findings and added there was no justification for JPC at this stage. He said besides Justice R S Pathak Inquiry Authority, Virendra Dayal had been entrusted with the task of collecting material from the UN and Volcker. The Enforcement Directorate was also looking into the violation under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, he said. Pachouri said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had already stated on the floor of the House that Government would go into the root of the matter and not only the report of the Pathak Authority would be placed on the table of Parliament but also the action taken report. He said "Government has an open mind" in probing the Volcker findings but felt the opposition BJP should not change its views according to convenience. Pachouri was joined by members of Congress, Left parties, RJD and NCP who said there was no justification for another probe by the JPC. Amar Singh (SP) said the demand for a JPC was no doubt a good idea but felt the BJP should have asked for it earlier. In the Lok Sabha, Malhotra said India’s former Ambassador to Croatia Aniel Matherani had stated in media interviews that Congress leaders knew about the "entire scam". Soon after the political storm following Matherani’s interview to a leading weekly that former External Afffairs Minister K Natwar Singh was given oil allotment, Congress leaders asked the former envoy not to speak out, Malhotra contended. He demanded that Sonia Gandhi should resign as Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee, triggering vehement protests from Congress members. On the Congress citing an article in a magazine alleging that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s close relative was involved in the Volcker pay-offs, Malhotra said such allegations were being made by Congress "only to save its skin". Rajesh Mishra, Congress, wanted a criminal case to be lodged against Vajpayee’s relative and said he should be sent to jail. He said charges against Vajpayee, L K Advani and the then Petroleum Minister should be probed in the wake of revelations made by former Ambassador to Iraq Romesh Bhandari. (PTI) |
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SRINAGAR, Dec 9: National Conference president Omar Abdullah is flying to Kabul tomorrow to participate in an orientation programme for newly elected Parliamentarians in Afghanistan, a first Kashmiri leader to visit that country after the US-led coalition overthrew Taliban regime. During the week-long programme, organised by the United Nations Development Programme, Omar would be interacting with the newly elected members of the Afghan National Assembly, polls for which were held after three decades. According to a letter sent to Omar, who was also the former Minister of State for External Affairs, by Project Manager of UNDP Thusitha Pilapitiya, the National Conference chief would have to share his experience with the newly elected lawmakers. When approached for his comments, Omar said "it’s a rare honour for me and I will surely give my best." The trip of the 35-year-old leader, a three-time MP from Srinagar Parliamentary seat, has been cleared by Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee while External Affairs Ministry is making other arrangements. National Security Advisor M K Narayanan also spoke to Omar for necessary security measures needed in that country as the visit comes close on the heels of kidnapping and killing of an Indian national in southern Afghanistan. Afghans had voted on September 18 for their first Parliament in more than 30 years, with nearly 12.5 million eligible voters casting their ballots. The results of landmark legislative elections were completed on November 12 with almost all winning candidates being independents thus making it difficult to determine where power will lie in the new legislature. Aware of the prospective hung Assembly, Omar said "after all in our country, we have also started getting fractured mandate and last two Governments at the Centre have been a coalition of several political parties." Omar has been invited by the UNDP’s programme "Support to the Establishment of the Afghan Legislature" (seal). "One of the key activities of our project (seal) is capacity building of members of the Afghan National Assembly. The members are due to arrive in Kabul for the inauguration on December 19. As an introduction to Parliamentary practices, there will be an orientation seminar for Parliamentarians from December 10 to 17. "As the Afghan National Assembly is meeting after a period of over 30 years, we believe it will be useful for them to interact with experienced Parliamentarians during the orientation seminar," the UNDP letter said. (PTI) |
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Majority of pumps go dry in city Excelsior Special Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 9: As the stalemate continued, the indefinite strike of Jammu and Kashmir Petrol Tankers’ Association entered fourth day today. Consumers have been facing acute shortage of the fuel as almost all the petrol pumps in the city are running dry due to the strike. Although the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has made arrangements for supply of fuel as emergency measure, common consumers have been facing hardships. Meanwhile, officers of the all oil companies have given a strict warning to the owners of the petrol tankers to resume their work and start loading of the oil. Not only common consumers are facing hardships but supply to defence forces, security forces and local police has been badly affected due to strike. Over 1100 petrol tankers have been associated with Indian Oil Corporation Limited and 94 percent of this supply is meant for defence forces and security forces. "Supply of the defence forces and Government departments has been badly affected due to strike", said a transporter. Long queues of consumers were witnessed outside few pumps where petrol is available. Consumers had to wait hours together to get the fuel. President of the J&K Petrol Tankers’ Association, Anan Sharma said that due to strike, most of the petrol pumps have been running dry in the city. "All the 31 petrol pumps in the city have been running ‘out of stock’ as there is no unloading from the last four days", he said. Mr Sharma said that after Thursday’s meeting with Chief Minister, the authorities have so far done nothing to solve the problem. He made it clear that tanker owners will not go to Supreme Court in this regard as they were not party to this case. "Let the Government move the Apex Court. It is job of the authorities", he said. Mr Sharma regretted that instead of initiating some effective steps, authorities at the helm of the affairs have been trying to create confusion. Meanwhile, reports said that Indian Oil Corporation has decided to call its own five vehicles to restore supply to the Air Force, State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) and Police Lines. These company owned vehicles are likely to reach Jammu Saturday morning. On the other hand, officers of all the oil companies today called transporters and directed them to resume supply as consumers have been facing hardships due to non-availability of fuel. A senior officer of an oil company told the EXCELSIOR that they have decided to issue warning letters to the transporters.
SC for plugging loopholes in HC Judges' appointment NEW DELHI, Dec 9: Asserting that it wants to attain the benchmark of "zero-vacancy" on appointment of judges for High Courts, the Supreme Court today asked senior advocates and Attorney General Milon K Banerji to suggest measures to plug the loopholes in the guidelines for their appointment. The court expressed its view while hearing the matters relating to delay in the appointment of judges for the High Courts of Madras, Allahabad and Patna. "It would be desirable that the matter is discussed between counsel for petitioners and Attorney General and other Law Officers of the Government," a bench comprising Chief Justice Y K Sabarwal and Justice C K Thakker said. Senior Advocates K K Venugopal, Ranjit Kumar and others, appearing for various Bar Associations, had submitted that it was necessary to make further guidelines to check delay in the appointment of judges for High Courts. Agreeing with them, the CJI said lacunae in the guidelines have to be rectified. The court said before the matter is taken up for hearing in February, it would be appropriate that Venugopal and other senior Advocates come out with suggestions for Attorney General, who can examine them and express his views. "We have to make sincere effort to attain zero-vacancy or close to zero-vacancy in High Courts," the bench said. At the end of the hearing, the AG submitted that it would be appropriate that the Chief Justices of High Courts be asked to send the names of the judges. But the bench declined saying that they (Chief Justices) know the problem. A departure could be made from the prevailing criteria on appointment of judges, the court said when the AG pointed out that currently the criteria is to chose the advocates to be made judges only from the age group of 45 years and above. However, this stand of the AG did not impress the bench which said "there is no bar as such and only thing is that the person should be of real calibre. You can catch them at 41-42 years of age and if not, it will be a loss to the institution." Earlier, the court was informed by the AG that the Centre has issued a notification yesterday on the appointment of 17 judges for the Madras High Court which was recommended by the collegium of the apex court. The names were sent by the Law Ministry to President A P J Abdul Kalam after the Supreme Court had expressed its displeasure on the stand of the Centre that the names will be announced in a piecemeal manner. The court was annoyed that the appointment took more than three months after the names were recommended by its collegium and in between several petitions on delay were filed. When the AG said that for several years the Allahabad High Court had not worked with its sanctioned strength of 95 judges, the bench said "it is matter of shame...".(PTI) |
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Excelsior Special Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 9: The Government today ordered attachment of four officers, who were among six officers whose premises were raided by the Vigilance Organisation on Wednesday. G N Bodha, Director Social Welfare, Kashmir has been attached with General Administration Department (GAD). Hakim Sheikh Mukhtiar, Incharge DFO Kupwara, has been attached with Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir. Bhumesh Sharma, ARTO Kathua, headquartered at Lakhanpur and Purshotam Singh, Girdawar, Qanango Settlement, Udhampur have been attached with Divisional Commissioner, Jammu. Kiran Wattal, former Joint Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, is already attached with the GAD. The Government has ordered that senior most Deputy Director, Social Welfare shall look after the work of the post of Director Social Welfare, Kashmir in addition to his own duties till further orders. |
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Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, Dec 9 : A Pakistan based Lashkar-e-Toiba militant was today arrested and a huge quantity of ammunition seized from him in Pulwama district, a police spokesman said. The ultra was arrested during search operations from Kanipora-Chogam village in Shopian area of Pulwama, the spokesman said without disclosing his identity. He said four under barrel grenade launcher, grenades and 20 AK rounds were recovered from the arrested militant who is being interrogated. |
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NEW DELHI, Dec 9: A Delhi court today sentenced a retired Army official to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment for trying to pass on sensitive information relating to troop deployments and movements to Dubai and Kathmandu-based Pakistani ISI officials. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Reena Singh Naag handed down the punishment to Satyabir Singh after finding him guilty under the Official Secrets Act and of criminal conspiracy. Police had been keeping Singh under close surveillance after receiving information that "he was in constant communication with foreign agents for a purpose prejudicial to the security and sovereignty of the country". Acting on an information, police laid a trap and arrested him outside a Post Office in R K Puram on September 14, 2001 and seized 18 envelopes containing hand-written letters addressed to Dubai and Kathmandu-based Pakistani intelligence officials just when he was about to post them. The letters contained details regarding various cantonments, battalions, their area of deployments and their movements. (PTI) |
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