Azad being ill-advised by ‘own people’
We are ready to face elections: Qarra

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 19: Defending his stance of verbal duel with Congress colleagues in the Cabinet meet on Monday, Minister for Finance, Planning and Law, Tariq Hamid Qarra has said that Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad was being ill-advised by his ‘own people’ and PDP was ready to face the elections if imposed.

Addressing Meet the Press programme organised at Press Club of Jammu today, the Finance Minister said," The Chief Minister is being ill-advised by a section of bureaucracy and some persons from his own Party." He however, maintained that Chief Minister does not have any ill-intensions about running the coalition.

When asked to elaborate about his allegations on Chief Minister of being ill-advised, Mr Qarra said, " On certain matters, Chief Minister seems to have been advised by some persons close to him whether in bureaucracy or from political set up. His advisors seem to be not matured enough on important issues."

Responding to a question that PDP ministers were not taken seriously by the Chief Minister, the Finance Minister denied the allegations and maintained that there were some priorities which have to be adhered to by all the cabinet colleagues including the Chief Minister himself.

"May it be Congress, PDP or anyone else in the Coalition, these proprieties have to be maintained by the Government and it is the responsibility of the Cabinet to ensure that these proprieties are maintained," Mr Qarra asserted.

On being asked about his comments on the emerging differences between PDP and Congress, the Finance Minister said, " Differences of opinion is the essence of democracy. There may be differences over opinions on certain issues and it is my democratic right to present my point of view but it does not mean that Coalition is facing any threat. There is no threat as such and I personally feel coalition will go along."

In response to yet another question, Qarra quipped, " Though dissolution of Assembly was not the sole prerogative of the Chief Minister, yet PDP was ready to face the same if imposed. I think any such decision in the coalition is taken only after taking the entire Cabinet into confidence."

Commenting on the stand of J&K Government regarding Baglihar hydro-electric power project over river Chenab near Ramban, the Finance Minister said the project has been delayed due to objections raised by Pakistan in view of Indus Water Treaty. " We are just waiting for the final outcome of the arbitration from the neutral experts over the issue. The project is very crucial for the State and some changes have already been made as per the suggestions by the mediators. We have spent a lot of money over it and completed 80 % of the civil and 96 % of the mechanical/ electrical works over it. So there is no question of abandoning the project at this stage," Mr Qarra maintained.

Criticising the Central Government over Indus Water Treaty, the PDP minister alleged that this Treaty was signed at the cost of interests of the people of this State. The water of the main rivers of this State including Chenab Jhelum and Indus is not being allowed to be utilised for power generation and irrigation. The State has suffered losses running into billions and trillions of rupees. He demanded that State be compensated adequately for this major loss.

Referring to the fiscal health of the State, the Finance Minister said that economy of the State has improved a lot as compared to last four years. The State income was growing at a faster face than ever before. The tax collection after introduction of VAT has shown substantial improvement. "On the fiscal side, we have reduced our revenue expenditure as well as our debt burden. Today, the State Government is in a better position to than we were four years ago."

" This is the first year of the 11th plan and I am planning to work out a complete different framework for it", he said and added "besides shifting the emphasis from income growth to employment, I am also changing the instrumentalities through which this objective will be achieved and a new element of this plan will be Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model. This model will be used innovatively for the maintenance of capital assets".

When his attention was drawn towards financial conditions of some Public Sector Units (PSUs) the Finance Minister candidly admitted these units have been eating vital part of Government’s resources. He disclosed that a two members committee comprised chairman of the J&K Bank Dr Hasib Drabu and Commissioner/Secretary, B R Kundal has been constituted to review functionings of PSUs. "We have been categorising PSUs in two categories. First of all we will identify those PSUs which can be revived with one time budgetary support", he said and informed that Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) will be offered to the employees of those sick units which cann’t be revived.

The Finance Minister strongly supported self-rule proposal of his Party and observed that after recent visit of former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to United Nations General Assembly this proposal has crossed the boundaries. "We donot want to impose this proposal on any. We demands discussions on this proposal to evolve consensus on certain issues", he said.

Mr Qarra observed that politics of Jammu and Kashmir as well as politics in Jammu and Kashmir are evolving in a positive manner and seemed to be entering a phase of mature and substantive developments.

Cabinet approves CM’s Vigilance Medal Scheme

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Dec. 19: The State Cabinet which met here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad approved Chief Minister’s Vigilance Medal Scheme.

The scheme provides for awarding the medals to any Government servant, a public spirited citizen or a non-governmental organization for displaying conspicuous and exemplary courage in exposing corruption and creating awareness against corrupt practices. Out of the total medals not to be more than four in number announced on the Independence Day every year, two medals each year shall be reserved for award to Government servants.

The names of the awardee shall be notified in Government Gazette and in this regard a register shall be maintained by the General Administration Department.

Applications for nominations shall be invited through public notification for individual citizens and NGOs while nominations for Government servants shall be made by the respective administrative departments.

General Administration Department shall issue notification on Ist of June every year and last date for receipt of nominations shall be 30th June.

A committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary and comprising Commissioner/Secretary GAD, Additional DG (CID), Commissioner of Vigilance, one public spirited person nominated by Chief Minister from areas such as academics, philanthropy, mass-media, entrepreneurship and social service shall scrutinize the nominations.

Recommendation of the committee shall be submitted by the Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister for consideration.

No nomination shall be considered by the committee unless accompanied by a certificate in the prescribed format regarding integrity and track record of working.

Chief Minister’s Vigilance Medal shall carry one time reward of Rs.11000 irrespective of the rank for each recipient of the award alongwith a certificate in the prescribed proforma.

Chief Minister’s medal shall be circular in shape (8 cm in diameter), thickness at the rim/edge 4 mm, thickness in general 2 mm and made of cupronickel metal.

This medal shall be conferred by the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile the Cabinet also approved the issuance of notification of Jammu and Kashmir Non-Biodegradable Material (Management, Handling and Disposal) Bill, 2006 through print and electronic media for inviting suggestions from experts within a prescribed time frame of one month for consideration of any worthwhile suggestions.

3 LeT ultras held in Delhi

NEW DELHI, Dec 19: City police today arrested three Lashkar-e-Toiba militants from near the historic Red Fort and claimed to have averted a ploy to carry out explosions in busy markets of the area in the run up to Christmas and New Year.

The three — Salman Khurshid Kori (23), Abdur Rehman alias Mohd Hasan (24) and Mohd Akbar Hussain alias Habib (20), all from Manipur, — were apprehended by a team of Delhi Police’s special cell, when they disembarked from a private bus coming from Kashmir early this morning.

Two kg RDX, two detonators and one hand grenade was recovered from them.

It was the first time that persons hailing from the country’s North East had been caught operating for the LeT.

Police believed that the three were to team up with two Bangladeshis, Abdur Razzaq Jiwon and Mohd Alamgir Hussain, who were arrested by the Delhi police on October 16, to cause explosions during the festive season.

Kori, a school dropout from Imphal, had gone to Aligarh in 2001 were he came in contact with Salim Salar alias Doctor, who persuaded him to join ‘terrorism’ to help spread their tentacles in the North East. He was sent to Kashmir, then to PoK for arms training.

Upon his return he ‘recruited’ three people — Abdur Rehman alias Mohd Hasan, Mohd Akbar Hussain alias Habib and Zaid alias Saifullah — and send them to Kashmir for ‘training’. Zaid was killed in an encounter in the Valley.

While Abdur Rehman alias Mohd Hasan had met Kori in Manipur in November 2004, Mohd Akbar Hussain alias Habib was Kori’s cousin.

The three were later produced before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sanjeev Jain, who remanded them to 14-day police custody, till January 2.

The Judge told the police to get the militants medically examined every 48 hours, whereever they were, and also asked that the ‘live’ grenade should be defused before it was sealed and deposited with the Court as case property (evidence).

The police wanted their custody to take them to Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur to carry out further investigation and affect recoveries. (UNI)

Massive reshuffle in Finance Department

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 19: In a major administrative reshuffle, the State Government today ordered transfers and postings in the Finance Department.

According to Government Order number 372-F of 2006 dated 19-12-2006, 29 members of J&K Accounts (Gaz) Services have been transferred.

Rajnesh Kumar, FA&CAO, Education Department, has been transferred as FA&CAO, General Administrative Department reliving R P Sharma of additional charge, Ravinder Kumar, DFA&CAO, Ravi Tawi Irrigation Complex has been transferred as Director Finance, JKI Ltd, Gh. Nabi Bhat, CAO, Police Headquarters, J&K as Deputy Director Accounts and Treasuries Kashmir, Sheikh Abdul Hafiz, Treasury Officer Saddar Treasury,Srinagar as FA&CAO, Health and Medical Education.

Mohammed Aslam Malik, District Treasury Officer Doda has been transferred as FA&CAO, Education Department, Mohammed Ashraf Malik, Treasury Officer, Lal Mandi, Srinagar as CAO in the office of the Chief Engineer, Elect and Maint &RE Kashmir, Rakesh Gupta, Treasury Officer, Addl Treasury Talab Tillo Jammu as FA&CAO, J&K Housing Board Jammu, Mohammed Yousuf Pandit has been transferred as CAO Police Headquarters, J&K.

Jamit Ram Bhagat, Treasury Officer, Sadar Treasury has been transferred as DFA&CAO, Ravi Tawi Irrigation complex Jammu, Suresh Kumar Koul, Chief Controller of Finance, LAHDC, Leh as CAO in the office of the Chief Engineer, System and Operations Jammu, Usha Kiran, Chief Pay and AO Sewa Hydel Project Basohli as CAO in the office of the Chief Engineer, Elect. Procurement and Material Management, Kuldeep Raj Gupta as Chief Pay and AO J&K PDC Jammu, Parveez Sajad Sofi as Deputy Registrar Accounts University of Kashmir in place of Fayaz Ahmed Lone who has been transferred as FA&CAO in Social Welfare Department, M Y Thakur, Deputy Director (Central) Funds as District Treasury Officer Budgam, G A Wani, District Treasury Officer Anantnag as Treasury Officer, Lal Mandi Srinagar, Rajesh Chander Kotwal as FA&CAO, Law Department vice Abdul Majid who has been transferred as District Treasury Office Doda.

Jagjit Singh has been transferred as Treasury Officer, Sadar Treasury Srinagar, H L Khajuria as CAO District Fund Office Kathua, S L Badyal as CAO, District Fund Office Jammu in place of Kuldeep Singh Jamwal who has been transferred as District Treasury Officer, Rajouri in place of Santosh Kumar who has been transferred as District Treasury Officer, Kathua.

Bashir Ahmed Haji has been transferred as Chief Pay and AO, J&K PDC, Baramulla against available vacancy, Mohammed Yaqoob Ittoo as District Treasury Officer Anantnag, Gh Mohi-ud-Din as Chief Pay and AO J&K PDC Srinagar, Ashok Kumar Mishri as FA&CAO, J&K Sheep and Sheep Products Dev Board vice Ghulam Qadir Mir who has been transferred as CAO, GP Fund Police cell Srinagar and Jawahar Lal as FA&CAO, Labour and Employment Department.

Mrs Neelam Sharma, SAO J&K Tourism Development Corporation has been transferred and posted as Director Finance, J&K TDC relieving Abdul Haq Chesti.

However the substitute in place of Mrs Neelam Sharma SAO J&K TDC will be provided separately.

Mr Chesti has been posted as FA&CAO J&K State Road Transport Corporation, vice Opinder Singh. S R Majorta, CAO in the office of Chief Engineer Systems and Operations Jammu has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director Accounts and Treasuries Jammu, vice Wali Mohammed Bhat. Mr Bhat will however continue to function as per the arrangement already made vide Government Order No 74-F of 2006 dated 28-02-2006 till further orders.

Pritam Singh Jamwal, FA&CAO, Housing and UD Department has been transferred and posted as FA&CAO J&K Handloom Development Corporation Jammu vice Mrs Hardeep Kour Sudan.

A M M Jehangir CAO Directorate of Industries and Commerce has been transferred and posted as FA&CAO Science & Technology Department relieving Shoqat Mehmood AO.

Shabir Ahmed Khan, CAO SKIMS Medical College, Srinagar has been shifted and posted as CAO in the Office of Chief Engineer PHE Kashmir, vice Mr Altaf Hussain Mirza. Mr Mirza has been posted as FA&CAO Power Projects & Flood Control Kashmir vice Mr Mushtaq Ahmed Bhat.

Mr Bhat has been posted as Principal Accountancy Training School Srinagar vice Mr Ghulam Ali Malla. M R Dogra, FA & CAO who was awaiting orders of posting has been adjusted as FA & CAO Power Development Department (PDD) vice S K Sadhotra.

Ghulam Ali Malla, Principal Accountancy Training School, Srinagar has been posted as FA &CAO J&K Board of Professional Entrance Examinations against available vacancy.

Mrs Shagufta Qazi, Financial Controller JKPCC Ltd has been transferred and posted as FA &CAO Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science, Soura Srinagar vice Mr Mohammed Shafi Khan.

Mrs Tehseen Mufti, FA&CAO Forest Department has been transferred and posted as FA&CAO Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Department vice Mr H R Deol. Mr Deol has been posted as FA&CAO, Tourism Department relieving Mrs Shagufta Qazi of the additional charge.

Mohammed Shafi Khan, FA&CAO SKIMS Soura, Srinagar has been transferred and posted as CAO in the Office of Chief Engineer PWD (R&B) Kashmir vice Mohammed Rafi Andrabi.

Mrs Hardeep Kour Sudan, FA&CAO J&K Handloom Development Corporation, Jammu, Chief Pay&AO J&K Power Development Corporation Jammu vice Mr Chand Bhandari. Mr Bhandari has been posted as CAO Directorate of Industries and Commerce vice Mr AMM Jehangir.

Amarjit Singh, FA&CAO, J&K Police Housing Corporation Jammu has been transferred and posted as FA&CAO Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution Department relieving Mr Ashok Kumar of the additional charge.

S K Sadhotra, FA&CAO Power Development Department has been transferred and posted as Treasury Officer, Saddar Treasury Jammu vice Mr Jamit Ram Bhagat. Opinder Singh FA&CAO J&K SRTC has been transferred and posted as Financial Controller JKPCC Ltd vice Mrs Shagufta Qazi.

Mohammed Rafi Andrabi CAO in the office of Chief Engineer PWD (R&B) Kashmir has been transferred and posted as FA &CAO Rural Development Department relieving Rajnesh Kumar of additional charge.

Azad Ahmed Wani CAO District Fund Office Baramulla has been transferred and posted as District Treasury Officer Baramulla vice Mr Ali Mohammed Ganai. Mr Ganai has been posted as CAO SKIMS Medical College , Srinagar vice Mr Shabir Ahmed Khan.

Paras Ram CAO in the office of Chief Engineer PHE Jammu has been shifted and posted as CAO in the office of Chief Engineer PWD (R&B) Jammu relieving Mrs Kulbir Kour Gujral of the additional charge.

Mahesh Dass CAO J&K High Court has been transferred and posted as CAO Directorate of Stores and Procurement Jammu vice Mrs Kulbir Kour Gujral. Mrs Gujral has been posted as FA&CAO J&K Police Housing Corporation vice Mr Amarjit Singh.

Sat Pal Gupta, CAO, G P Fund Migrant Cell Jammu, has been transferred and posted as Treasury officer Additional Treasury Gandhi Nagar Jammu, vice Mr Vikram Dewan. Mr Dewan has been posted as FA&CAO Housing and Urban Development Department vice Mr Pritam Singh Jamwal.

As per the Government Order No 371-F of 2006 dated 19-12-2006, the officers posted on deputation will be governed under the standard terms and conditions of deputation as contained in J&K CSR and their term of deputation will be two years in the first instance.

Meanwhile the Department vide Order No 373 of Feb 2006 dated 19-12-2006 has made the adjustments of the accounts officers (Probationers) who completed their training and posted them as Incharge Accounts Officers.

Mr Umar Khan under training in NZAT Institute Jammu has been posted as Incharge Treasury Officer, New Delhi vice P K Kaul. Shahid Majid Kakroo under training in Accountancy Training School, Srinagar has been posted as A O Srinagar Development Authority vice Manzoor Ahmed Wani.

Syed Shabir Ahmed under training in Accountancy Training School Srinagar has been posted as A O J&K Handicrafts (S&E) Corporation vice Mr Manzoor Ahmed.

Ms Naila Zahoor under training in Accountancy Training School Jammu has been posted as A O J&K Public Service Commission vice Mr Neeraj Gupta. Harjeet Kour under training in NZAT Institute Jammu has been posted as AO PDD Migrant Cell Jammu vice Satish Kumar Gupta.

Manav Gupta under training in NZAT Institute Jammu has been posted as AO Directorate of Technical Education vice Mr Raman Kumar. Amit Mahajan under training in NZAT Institute Jammu has been posted as AO in the Office of Registrar Cooperative Societies J&K against available vacancy.

Prem Lata Patil under training in NZAT Institute Jammu has been posted as AO State Life Insurance Fund, Jammu vice Chaman Lal. Ms Rashim Deepak under training in NZAT Jammu has been posted as AO Directorate of Funds Organization against available vacancy.

Ms Chander Kala under training in NZAT Jammu has been posted as AO Directorate of Audit & Inspections against available vacancy. Intikhab Ahmed Sheikh under training in NZAT Institute Jammu has been posted as Additional Treasury Officer Poonch vice Mr Barkat Hussian.

Monika Hans under training in NZAT Jammu has been posted as A O Vigilance Organization Jammu vice Ashok Kumar and Amit Kumar under training in NZAT Institute Jammu has been posted as T O Ramban vice Mr Jugal Kishore.

As per the order the officers sent on deputation will be governed under the standard terms and conditions of deputation as contained in J&K CSR.

WB expert yet to deliver verdict on Baglihar

NEW DELHI, Dec 19: A neutral expert appointed by the World Bank on the Baglihar hydroelectric plant on river Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir has not delivered its final decision, Rajya Sabha was informed today.

India has, however, placed its views effectively before the expert by deputing eminent legal and technical experts in the matter, Minister of State for Water Resources Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav said in a written reply.

He said the project is going ahead, keeping appropriately in view the process before the World Bank-appointed Expert so far and his delivering a final decision in the coming months.

On whether some convergence of views have emerged between India and Pakistan Water Resources Secretaries, Yadav said on Tulbul Navigation Project, talks were held at Islamabad as part of Composite Dialogue and the two sides exchanged views and had better understanding on each other’s views.

Both sides had reaffirmed commitment to the Indus Water Treaty 1960 and agreed to continue discussions during the next round of Composite Dialogue with a view to resolve the issue in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty, he said.

Yadav also informed the Upper House that Guptha, Alisagar and Godawar Lift Irrigation Schemes (LIS) are under various stages of approval and water is to be made available for Alisagar and Guptha schemes.

Observations on irrigation planning for Alisagar and Guptha LIS were sent to Andhra Pradesh Government on November 11 and observations on water availability on December 7. (PTI)

Killing, burning of bear
4 officials attached, 3 held

SRINAGAR, Dec 19: The Government has ordered attachment of four Wildlife officials even as police arrested three people so far in connection with the burning and killing of a wild bear by a mob in Tral area of Pulwama district on November 18.

Regional Wildlife Warden Kashmir Syed Farooq Ahmed Geelani said four senior officials have been attached in view of the incident. These are a range officer, two foresters and a field operator, he added.

Mr Geelani said police have so far arrested three people from Tral area in connection with the incident.

He said the Wildlife Department had named four people in its First Information Report (FIR) lodged with the Tral police station.

Mr Geelani said the department has already ordered a probe and investigations have been launched into the "unfortunate and shameful" incident.

Principal Chief Conservator Forests (PCCF) Irshad Khan will conduct the inquiry and ascertain the facts regarding the incident, he added.

Mr Geelani once again stressed that this was an isolated incident and had never happened in Kashmir ever.

"We strongly condemn and feel ashamed and sorry over the incident....It is a serious crime and has hurt the sentiments of millions of animal lovers across the world. We will take all possible measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents."

Mr Geelani said the incident, though an isolated one, was an eye-opener for the Wildlife Department as more corrective measures would be taken to prevent man-animal conflict in future.

He said the department would soon launch several programmes in the Kashmir valley to create awareness among the people about the wildlife and initiate measures for its protection.

Mr Geelani said police observed restraint on opening fire on the mob that day as it would have resulted in several casualties.

"It was a mob fury. Any police action would have resulted in a number of human casualties. Besides the mob was enraged as the wild animals had killed many people during the past few weeks," he said.

Mr Geelani said six deaths by wild animals had been reported from different parts of Kashmir over the past several weeks. While hundreds have been wounded, about 50-60 badly mauled people were undergoing treatment, including plastic surgeries, in various hospitals across the Valley, he added.

During this year, Mr Geelani said there have been 60-70 incidents of man-animal conflicts. However, in most of these cases the animals were driven to the jungles by the wildlife officials, he added.

Mr Geelani said there was an increase in the incidence of man-animal conflict over a period of time due to population explosion, disturbance of their natural habitation and the people moving to forest areas. (UNI)

Jail doors shut for families for 6 days
‘Aamir’ Altaf, two associates shifted

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Dec 19: Giving a clear signal that it means business as far as restoration of peace in sensitive and high security Kot Bhalwal jail is concerned, Prison authorities today shifted ‘Aamir’ (Mukhia) of the militants, Altaf Choudhary, a former police constable, from the jail along with his two lieutenants.

Authorities also shut the door for relatives of jail inmates for next six days but assured them that each and every detenue was perfectly alright inside the jail and that not even a single militant was on fast-unto-death or hunger strike as reported by a section of media today.

"All detenue are alright in the jail. There is no fast-unto-death or hunger strike. All prisoners are taking their food regularly", SSP Jammu Mukesh Singh said after visiting the jail this afternoon along with Additional SP Jammu Shakti Pathak.

"There was a total peace in the jail after Sunday’s crack-down", he added.

The SSP Jammu said Kot Bhalwal Jail Superintendent Mirza Salim Beig has also written to the Government that a section of media was spreading canards aimed at instigating the militant detainees in the jail.

Sources said Altaf Choudhary, a ‘commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen who had been designated by the militants as their ‘Aamir’ (Mukhia), was shifted out of Kot Bhalwal jail this morning and driven to an unknown jail along with his two close associates Showkat Ahmed of Doda and Imtiyaz Ahmed.

Altaf Choudhary, who had earlier served as PSO of a retired Additional Director General of Police, was among the main trouble makers in the jail. He was also among the militants, who had been using special rooms inside the jail barracks with all luxurious facilities including wall to wall carpets.

A SIM card had also been recovered from Altaf in the month of October.

Sources said an under-trial in transporter Pardeep Gupta’s murder case, Gandharab Singh, who had also contested 1996 Assembly election from Reasi, has also been driven out of Kot Bhalwal jail following threat to his life by Pakistani militants.

Gandharab had been opposing activities of Pakistani militants in the jail and there were reports that he might be harmed.

Only on Sunday morning, jail authorities had shifted Nek Mohd, an Afghani and three Pakistani militants—Aijaz Ahmed Khokhar, Asmatullah and Asgar Ali from the jail and sent them to Rajasthan and Punjab jails.

Sources, however, declined to disclose as to where three militants and a murder case under-trial including Altaf Choudhary were shifted today citing security reasons.

Sources said Jail authorities have decided not to allow any visitor inside Kot Bhalwal jail till December 24.

A decision to this effect was taken in view of construction and repair work in the jail and other administrative reasons following Sunday’s clash between police and detenues in which 36 persons were injured.

Authorities, however, assured family members and relatives of the detenues lodged in Kot Bhalwal jail that all of them were alright. Even the detenues, who had sustained minor injuries on Sunday’s clash, were stable, they said, adding the families of detenues can meet them after December 24 as per jail manual.

Sources said shifting of seven trouble maker militants from Kot Bhalwal jail will also help in restoration of peace in the jail, which had been in limelight since middle of October this year when two SIM cards and mobile handsets were recovered from Altaf Choudhary and Gurmeet Singh. A total of six SIM cards have so far been recovered from the jail while militants have admitted burning three other SIM cards along with mobile handsets.

Regarding the visit of International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) delegation, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday in Kot Bhalwal jail, sources said the delegation was told that they were free to visit the jail to see the damage caused inside by the prisoners including broken walls and gates.

However, according to sources, the delegation was interested only in meeting the detenues, which was not possible either yesterday or today following Sunday’s clashes. Therefore, they said, the delegation has been urged to plan their visit after some days.

Cabinet again meets today

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 19: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has convened a Cabinet meeting at 10 am tomorrow.

Message of the meeting was hurriedly conveyed to Cabinet Ministers late this evening.

Official sources said agenda of the Cabinet meeting was to discuss recent fire incident at Tosha Khana in historic Mubarak Mandi complex.

Only yesterday, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had visited Mubarak Mandi complex to assess the damage caused due to the fire incident.

Deputy Commissioner, Jammu Hirdesh Kumar has been appointed as Inquiry Officer to probe fire incident within 15 days.

This will be second Cabinet meeting in three days. The Cabinet met on Monday morning in which transfers and postings of 26 officers were ordered.

Another jawan commits suicide

SRINAGAR, Dec 19 : Army today seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition, including 21 kg of deadly explosives and hand grenades, in the Central Kashmir district of Badgam.

A defence spokesman said troops, on a specific information, launched a search operation at Parhas village in Badgam district early this morning.

During the search, he said one of the Army columns struck upon war-like stores hidden in a gunny bag.

The spokesman said the bag contained 20 kg black colour explosive powder, 700 gm red and 300 gm white colour explosive powder besides two AK magazines, eight AK ammunition rounds, seven pistol ammunition rounds and five hand grenades.

With the recovery of such a huge war-like stores, he claimed that the militants have received a setback in carrying out their anti-national activities.

Meanwhile, an Army jawan committed suicide by shooting himself with his service rifle in Baramulla district, sources said today.

Naik S K Singh of Rashtriya Rifles shot himself inside a camp at Watlab village and died instantly, the sources said, adding he was on guard duty at the time of the incident.

The reason behind this extreme step could not be ascertained, they said.

Meanwhile, Saddar Police today arrested 15 gamblers and recovered an amount of rupees 1.30 lakh from them. (AGENCIES)

WG on strengthening relations meet

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Dec 19: Working group on strengthening relations across LoC met here today under the chairmanship of M. K. Rasgotra and deliberated upon issues pertaining to the subject threadbare.

The participants explained their viewpoints and putforth suggestions with regard to strengthening the relations across LoC and creating palatable and conducive atmosphere for people to people contacts, visits of people across LoC and facilitating other allied aspects intending to strengthen the relations and create peace.

The members who participated in today’s deliberations included Finance Minister Tariq Hameed Qarra, Social Welfare Minister Haji Nissar Ali, Ashok Khajuria, Ghulam Nabi Malik, Abdul Gani Vakil, Mohammad Yousus Bhat and Qazi Mehboob Ilahi.

The chairman, Mr. Rasgotra giving brief about the deliberations said that the group has concluded its meetings and with unanimity framed recommendations with regard to strengthening relations between the people living across LoC. He said these recommendations will be presented to the Prime Minister soon.

Describing the deliberations a success, Mr. Rasgotra said that no difference or dissent has been expressed by any member and recommendations evolved are unanimous. He said besides recommending opening of eight or more crossing points at various places of LoC suggestions for softening of procedures for travelling across LoC have also been finalized. He said recommendations with regard to interaction between students, teachers at college and university levels and exchange of students and teachers also form part of recommendations. The group has also come up with the recommendation of upgrading Uri-Muzaffarabad and other traditional road links across LoC, he added.

Super time scale to 10 officers

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Dec 19: Government has sanctioned promotion of three Special Scale Officers on the basis of their merit, suitability and reputation to the Super Time Scale of Rs. 18,400-22,400 of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS) with immediate effect.

The officers include Nazir Ahmad Bhat, on proforma basis Managing Director, Cable Car Corporation, Farooq Ahmad, Special Secretary to Government, Revenue Department and Syed Haq Nawaz, Special Secretary to Government, Transport Department.

These promotions shall be subject to the outcome of writ petition(s), if any, pending consideration before any competent Court (s).

Meanwhile, Government has sanctioned officiating promotion of five selection grade officers to the special scale of Rs 14300-18300 on the basis of their merit and suitability.

They include Joint Settlement Commissioner Laj Ram, Additional Registrar Cooperative Manzoor Ahmad Malik, Nodal Officer Kulgam Abdul Latief Deva, Deputy Sales Tax Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar Koul, Settlement Officer Jammu Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Malik.

These promotions shall, however be subject to outcome of SWP No. 1091/98 titled Basharat Saleem v/s State.

Special Secretary Animal and Sheep Husbandry Mohammad Sultan Koka and Managing Director State Financial Corporation Mohammad Aslam Laigroo were also granted special scale promotion. These promotions shall also be subject to outcome of cases, if any pending before any court(s).

Mehbooba harps on self-rule

SRINAGAR, Dec 19: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti today said the most tangible results of self-rule would be evident in the creation of a particular network in governance, economic issues and more gradually in the polity.

Addressing party workers at Handwara in Kupwara district, she said self-rule has separate components such as autonomy, control, legitimacy and identity.

"While autonomy refers to independence a State has in making policy, control means actual ability of the State to produce the outcome it desires, legitimacy a process through which the people in power have reached that position and the identity refers to the capacity of the State to empower its people with an overriding sense of what they are as a collective group," Ms Mufti added.

She said the main agenda to start with would be economic affirmation - the power to set up economic and financial institutions as required.

"It makes sense for the two parts of Jammu and Kashmir to coordinate their economic policies as it will generate benefits across different segments of economy," Ms Mufti said.

The PDP president said time has come to work out some form of institutional arrangements and move forward for the ultimate resolution of the Kashmir issue.

She appealed to all peace loving parties, groups and people to coordinate in taking forward the peace mission to its logical conclusion. The start has to be made somewhere and there could be no better opportunity then now, Ms Mufti added. (UNI)

PM says it is time India, Pak work together for new future

AMRITSAR, : Without directly reacting to the latest Kashmir solution formula proposed by Pakistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said he welcomed "all new ideas with an open mind" and that it was time both countries work together for a new future.

"In the last few days, many suggestions have come and I welcome all of them with an open mind. We can create an atmosphere of peace and tranquility through mutual consultations and co-exist peacefully", he told a public meeting here.

Addressing the meeting after laying the foundation stone for five projects ahead of the Assembly elections in Punjab, he said "both the countries should forget the past and think of a new future and work together for that".

Singh’s remarks were an apparent reference to the four point formula proposed by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to resolve Kashmir issue which includes demilitarisation and joint control of the troubled State.

The Prime Minister said that he has a dream that the relations between the two countries should improve to such an extent that there could be an agreement possible on peace, friendship and security.

"It is my firm belief that such an agreement is possible by keeping aside small obstacles", Singh said adding that for the development of border areas such a pact is necessary.

Expressing concern that the border districts have lagged behind in terms of infrastructure and development, Singh said the key to the turnaround in their lives lay in promoting the trade between two communities across the border.

"Given the hard working and industrious nature of the people of Punjab, I am sure cities such as Amritsar, Batala, Jalandhar and Ludhiana will be on the industrial map of the country," he said after laying the foundation stone of five projects including 600 mw power project at Govindwal Sahib and four-laning of Amritsar-Wagah road.

Handing over the keys of historic Gobindgarh Fort to the Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Singh said, "I know people have a special place for this historic fort in their hearts and it gives me pleasure to hand it over to the people who, I am sure, will cherish it for its cultural and historical importance."

On Gurdwaras in Pakistan, the Prime Minister said "the Government is aware of the desire of Sikhs to pay obeisance there and in the last two-and-a-half years, we have been working towards it."

"The relations between India and Pakistan have improved and bus services between Amritsar-Lahore and Amritsar-Nankana Sahib are continuing. Because of this, the trade has also increased and the people of Amristar have benefited from this," he said.

Singh, who shares an emotional bond with Amritsar, as it was this place that his family came and settled after partition, said "Amritsar will again become a prominent centre of trade... It is not just a dream but my firm belief."

Singh said Punjab has always been the grain bowl of India, but of late the state is lagging behind in the agriculture and industry sectors with other states taking a lead.

"They (Punjabis) need to brace up again, to compete with the other states and retain its status of grain-bowl of the country," he said.

Concerned over the problems faced by the farmers, the Prime Minister said the committee was looking into it and will give its report soon. "Presently, our Government has started giving them loans on lower interest rates."

The Prime Minister said, farmers have been allowed more time to work in their fields near the border. Also, the centre had allocated Rs 137 crore for upgradation of infrastructure in border areas.

Outlining the potential of the state, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said the International Airport at Amritsar is quite small vis-a-vis demand of the International Airlines and tour operators.

"I am sure the centre will do something about it. Punjab has a lot of potential for investment in infrastructure and we want to make it number one destination in terms of infrastructure investment," he said, adding Mohali city will be developed as the knowledge centre of the state.

Singh arrived in the holy city of Amritsar last night by an Indian Air Force plane on the first leg of two-day tour of Punjab.

Earlier Singh visited Jallianwala Bagh to pay homage to those killed in the Independence struggle. He also visited the Golden Temple and Durgiana Temple in the city. (PTI)