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Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 16: Senior PDP leader and Minister incharge Finance, Tariq Hameed Qarra, today landed in a situation of embarrassment as he failed to get the Cabinet sanction to his dramatic decision of releasing 5% of the DA due to the State Government employees since July this year. Informed sources said that Ministers belonging to Congress party raked up the issue of Mr Qarra making such an announcement without taking the Cabinet into confidence. Mr Qarra's announcement had come through official media last evening. Asked for his comments over the subject, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad confirmed to the EXCELSIOR that Cabinet had not accorded sanction to release of DA in today's meeting. "Yes, we have deferred it", Mr Azad said. Cabinet also accorded sanction to appointment of Abdul Aziz Wani once again as MD JKTDC. Over complaints of embezzlement of Rs 30 Lakh by JKTDC officials in collusion with Delhi-based company Roza Travels, Cabinet had on the initiative of then Minister for Tourism Muzaffar Hussain Baig removed Mr Wani on June 24th this year and placed him under attachment pending an audit inquiry and Vigilance Organisation investigation against him. Sources said that in the wake of hectic campaigning by a PDP-loyal bureaucrat, Minister incharge Tourism Mohammad Dilwara Mir pressed hard for reappointment of Mr Wani as MD JKTDC and managed to get the Cabinet sanction. For operating a helicopter service between Srinagar and Amarnath Cave, JKTDC had hired the services of Roza Travels for ticketing on the hefty commission of 25%. However, the company and the officials concerned embezzled 100% of the amount of Rs 30 Lakh received from pilgrims in year 2005. In consequence of the Cabinet sanction in favour of Wani, present incumbent Dr Ghulam Nabi Qasba was sent back as Registrar Co-operative. When EXCELSIOR pointed out to the Chief Minister why his Cabinet had earlier ordered Mr Wani's attachment and how the same incumbent has been rehabilitated as the MD JKTDC, Mr Azad said that according to the information available with him there were no charges pending against Mr Wani. However, JKTDC sources said that an audit inquiry as well as Vigilance Organisation probe had established the charges leveled against Mr Wani. As regards the posting of over 50 officials of J&K Police, who have been since confirmed as SPs, Chief Minister said that it was the exclusive prerogative of the Home Minister and he would order their posting in consultation with Department of Home and DGP within this week. He clarified that it was not in today's Cabinet agenda as the Cabinet sanctions only the transfers and appointments of SSPs and above. Meanwhile, the State Cabinet which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad approved transfers and postings of nine officers. S S Kapur, Principal Secretary,Industries and Commerce Department has been transferred and posted as Principal Secretary, Planning and Development Department. A S Sidhu, Chairman, Bureau of Public Enterprises will hold additional charge of Principal Secretary, Information Technology and Science and Technology Departments, an official handout said. Lokesh Dutt Jha, Commissioner/Secretary to Government, Information Technology and Science and Technology Department was transferred and posted as Commissioner/Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department. Sheikh Nissar Ahmad, Registrar Cooperative Societies has been transferred and posted as Secretary in Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department. He will take over the charge on the retirement of Dr. Mohammad Deen on December 31, 2006. Mrs Tanveer Jehan, Vice Chairperson, J&K Lakes and Waterways Development Authority was transferred and posted as Special Secretary to Government, Power Development Department vice B D Sharma. Charge of the post of Vice Chairman, J&K Lakes and Waterways Development Authority will additionally be held by Basharat Ahmad Dhar, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir till a substitute is posted. B D Sharma, Special Secretary, Power Development Department has been transferred and posted as Director, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Jammu vice Vinod Koul. Mr Koul, has been transferred and posted as OSD in the Relief Organization (Migrants), Jammu. He will take over as Relief Commissioner (Migrants), Jammu on the retirement of Mohinder Singh on December, 31, 2006. G N Qasba, Managing Director, J&K Tourism Development Corporation has been transferred and posted as Registrar, Cooperative Societies, J&K on ex-cadre basis vice Sheikh Nissar Ahmad. Dr Qasba shall retain lien in his parent department/organization. Aziz Wani, awaiting orders of adjustment in Tourism Department has been posted as Managing Director, J&K Tourism Development Corporation vice Dr. Qasba. In another order, the Government earlier today transferred Pandurang K. Pole, SDM Mendhar as SDM Bhaderwah. Rigzin Namgial, General Manager DIC, Leh has been transferred and posted as SDM Khaltsi against an available vacancy. Muzaffar Ahmed Peer, Deputy Registrar Cooperatives has been transferred and posted as SDM Mendhar while Avtar Singh Chib, Project Manager on deputation to Labour and Employment Department has been recalled and posted as General Manager, DIC Leh, the handout said. The Cabinet accorded sanction to the creation of Society by the concerned department called Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society under the J&K’s Societies Act, for coordinating renovation/restoration work of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex and for conversion and utilization of funds received from different sources/agencies for the purpose. The society will have a governing body of officials and non-officials headed by the Chief Minister. The Cabinet accorded sanction to the inclusion of 29 villages in the list of socially and educationally backward areas Akingam, Damhal, Pati-akhran Nowpora, Samnoo, Chikpat (Yousufabad), Wangam and Budasgam in Anantnag district, Nambalhar, Kulbugh, Ratnipora and War-Sangam in Budgam district, Zachaldara and Takipora in Kupwara district, Bankoot and Pethkote in Baramulla district, Pastuna (Sayedabad), Trenz and Mahantpora (Trenz) in Pulwama district, Lohara, Basyara and Pukharni in Jammu district, Saaj, Majhoor, Chowkian, Sagrawet and Bhatteli in Rajouri district, Malwass and Boeli in Doda district and Upper Gursai in Poonch district. The Cabinet sanctioned the grant of one day pay (basic pay) per month as incentive in first phase to the field staff of PHE department in lieu of working on holidays and Sundays from the current financial year. The Cabinet approved auction of land in favour of permanent residents of the State in Leopard Valley in Gulmarg on lease basis through the auction committee, for construction of hotels, restaurants or tourist related facilities. The number of plots for auction under Khasra Numbers comprising measurement in kanals have also been identified, the handout said. The Cabinet accorded sanction to the constitution of auction committee comprising District Development Commissioner Baramulla as Chairman, CEO, Gulmarg Development Authority, Deputy Director Tourism, Superintending Engineer (R&B), Baramulla and Deputy Director Accounts and Treasuries Kashmir as its members. Auction Committee shall put to open auction of the plots identified after giving wider publicity maintaining a minimum reserve price of Rs. 15 lakh per kanal and among other conditions also ensuring that each bidder shall deposit earnest money of Rs. 5 lakh per acre before being allowed to participate in auction. Gulmarg Development Authority shall execute lease deed in favour of successful bidder, being a permanent resident of the State at such auction. The Cabinet also approved grant of permission by the Department of Tourism to any allottee on the basis of the auction as above, to enter into joint ventures with a non-permanent resident including companies, firms and statutory corporations, authorities without creating any interest in the land but restricting it to supper structure on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed in this behalf by the Minister Incharge Law apart from other standard terms and conditions of such agreements. The permanent resident allottees shall retain sufficient interest in such joint venture or establishment and also such joint venture shall engage staff within the State to the extent of at least 50 percent of its staff requirement at each level. Sanction was also given for conferment of powers under Clause (ii) of Rule 2 of Notified Area (Gulmarg and Pahalgam) Land Grant Rules of 1977 to the CEO’s of Gulmarg and Pahalgam Development Authorities. Sanction has also been accorded to the appointment of Administrative Secretary to Government (Tourism) as the prescribed authority for purposes of authenticating the sanction/grant of land by the Government in favour of any person who is not a permanent resident of the State. He shall incorporate among others such conditions as may be prescribed by the Law Minister before seeking approval of the Government to joint ventures between the allottees (permanent resident) and the non-permanent residents including companies, firms and statutory corporations/authorities. The Cabinet also approved conditions for the allotment of land: There shall be a plot area ceiling for hotels of 16 kanals; not more than one plot shall be allotted to any family; allottee should have expertise in hotel/tourist industry; there shall be a condition that 25 percent of the construction should be carried out within two years from the handing over of possession of land, failing which the allotted plot shall be resumed by the department and the final approval authority for allotment of plots shall be vested with the Gulmarg Development Authority. |
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RTCs most viable option to discuss issues: Azad SRINAGAR, Oct 16 : Holding that Jammu and Kashmir has seen economic regress due to militancy, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today asked separatists to join the dialogue process and said even criticism is welcome if it is in a democratic and peaceful manner. "During the past 17 years, the State has witnessed a cycle of bloodshed and economic retrogress. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has provided the viable and pragmatic platform of roundtable conferences to put forth viewpoints which should be taken advantage of in the interests of the people," he told a public meeting at Kunzar on Srinagar-Gulmarg road, about 30 km from here. Even criticism on the performance of the Government was welcome but "it should be in a democratic and peaceful temperament". Instead of raising issues in the wilderness, it would be appropriate to adopt the course of dialogue and interaction, he said. Azad said violence had taken a toll of thousands of lives, rendered women widows and children orphaned besides affecting the State’s economy. The coalition Government had drawn a peace plan and a development-centric policy to create an atmosphere of tranquility and launch massive infrastructure development providing for basic amenities and public service schemes, he said. Mr. Azad said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has provided the most viable and pragmatic platform of round-table conferences (RTCs) to deliberate upon issues and put forth viewpoints for their resolution. Apparently referring to separatist groups, including the Hurriyat Conference, he said the best advantage should be taken of this platform in the interest of the State and the people. He said development was a continuous process and cannot wait till settlement of issues as demands and needs of people grow with time. Due attention has to be given to carry forward development scenario with faster pace and commitment to seek economic well-being of the people and progress of the State, he added. Mr Azad said the enemies of the State were striving hard to create a wedge in the society, divide the people on religion, region and other lines to realise their vested interests. But, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have withstood the onslaught due to their faith in democratic values, secular principles, amity and co-existence. Tourism has received the highest priority in the development policy of his Government, he said, adding creation of Tourism Development Authorities (TDAs), construction of basic infrastructure, improving communication facilities and setting up comfort centres were steps in this direction. Mr Azad said during his meeting with Union Tourism Minister Ambika Soni, he stressed for liberal financing for the sector and early release of funds for newly-created tdas under the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan. In his meeting with Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, the Chief Minister said he sought wholehearted financial support for massive reconstruction of earthquake-ravaged areas. During his interaction with Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, Mr Azad said he raised the issue of strengthening radio and Doordarshan services in the state. He also asked for making Kashir Channel more Jammu and Kashmir centric and give ample opportunities to the local talent to get involved in programmes. Mr Azad said the Union Ministers assured him of all help from the Centre. Mr Dasmusi will soon visit the State to look into the matter of strengthening Radio and Doordarshan services, he added. Speaking on the occasion, Minister for R&B Gulchain Singh Charak said that taking to double shift system of working, the completion of Kunzer bridge has been realized in 15 months only, saying that this innovative working system introduced by Mr. Azad is proving highly beneficial for completion of important projects especially in the areas where there is short working season. He said that drive against the corruption launched by Mr. Azad has started showing its positive impacts and asked the people to provide full support to its further strengthening. Minister of State for R&B Mohammad Khalil Bandh asked the engineering departments to formulate schemes under Bharat Nirman programme as lot of funds are available under the scheme in communication and other sectors. MLA of the area Ghulam Hassan Mir while appreciating the efforts of the coalition Government for creating a development temperament in the State, presented a charter of demands of the people of Tangmarg, Gulmarg and Kunzer areas to Chief Minister to which Mr. Azad assured sympathetic consideration. |
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SC pulls up Govt for reservation policy NEW DELHI, Oct 16: In an order that may raise the hackles of Parliamentarians, the Supreme Court today directed the Government to place before it the report of the standing committee on the bill for OBC reservation in elite educational institutions. "A copy of the report of the standing committee has to be placed before this court in sealed cover," a bench comprising Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice L S Panta said while hearing PIL petitions on the Government’s decision to extend reservation to backward class students in IITS, IIMS and Central varsities. The court took serious note of the proposal for the extension of reservation without any specific data in place. The Centre has preferred not to mention the important issue of "creamy layer" in its affidavit which according to the Indra Sawhney judgment in the mandal case was to be kept away from the scope of reservation, the court said. "As of today you (Government) have no complete data (on reservation)," the bench observed adding that, "you announce the policy without full data. You play the game first without the rule in place." However, Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanian, maintained that the controversial reservation policy would not be enforced unless a law was in place. The ASG said a bill on the subject was introduced in Parliament on August 24 which was referred to the Standing Committee and its report was likely to be placed in the winter session. The ASG said the matter was now in the domain of the Parliament and Standing Committee and no remarkable progress was going to take place. If the matter was listed before November 27, the day of commencement of the winter session, the court could be apprised of the development, he said. Taking this argument into consideration, the court posted the matter for further hearing on December 4. Meanwhile, the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe Medical Association, moved an application complaining that the Apex Court order of July 17 by which the protesting doctors were ensured salary for their period of strike, has encouraged the doctors to resort to such measures. The associations’ counsel Prashant Bhushan said Government should be restrained from paying salaries to the doctors resorting to strike. He said the order was giving an impression that it was protecting the striking medicos. However, the court, which did not pass any order on the application, told the counsel that he has misread the essence of the order. Responding to the allegation by the association that some signal was given to the striking doctors, the bench said its order was based on the assurance given by the Government to the students. (PTI) |
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HC verdict in Mattoo case today NEW DELHI, Oct 16 : The Delhi High Court will deliver its verdict in the sensational Priyadarshni Mattoo murder case tomorrow in which the accused Santosh Kumar Singh, son of a former IPS Officer, was acquitted by a trial court. A Bench comprising Justice R S Sodhi and Justice P K Bhasin will give its verdict on the appeal of the CBI challenging the 1999 judgement of the Trial Court which had acquitted the accused by blaming the prosecution of deliberately tampering with evidence. The court had reserved its verdict for September 27 after a month-long argument on the appeal which was filed by the CBI in 2000. The appeal was taken on priority basis following a public outcry and media pressure. Mattoo, a Delhi University law student was raped and murdered allegedly by Singh, who was a year senior to her, at her Vasant Kunj residence in south Delhi on January 23, 1996. While challenging the acquittal, CBI contended that the trial court did not give prominence to the DNA report and other circumstantial evidence. However, the agency’s contention was refuted by Singh’s counsel R K Nasseem, who had stated that the trial court’s findings on DNA report was correct as the CBI had tampered with the blood samples of the accused and even fabricated the evidence to implicate him in the case. (PTI) |
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Two militants held in
Delhi NEW DELHI, Oct 16: Delhi Police today foiled a major terrorist plot to attack crowded markets in the capital during Diwali by arresting two suspected Lashkar-e-Toiba militants, hailing from Bangladesh, with 1.5 kg of plastic explosives. Mohd Alamgir Hussain alias Roni and Abdur Razzaq Jeewon were arrested from the Old Delhi Railway Station at around 5 am on their arrival from Jammu by Pooja Express. They were carrying 15 sticks of plastic explosives. "The duo were here to hand over explosives to a Lashkar module in the capital which is tasked to carry out blasts in a market during Diwali," Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Karnal Singh told reporters here. During interrogation, they told police that their job was to deliver the explosives to the module and to ferry the members back to Bangladesh immediately after the blasts, but were unaware of the exact plot. "This consignment was certainly for Diwali. The module was to carry out the blasts and we are working to crack it," Singh said. They were arrested on the basis of "specific information" about their movement. "We have been receiving intelligence inputs since September last that Bangladeshi activities in the capital is on the rise," he said. The LeT denied that the arrested persons had any links with the outfit. A person identifying himself as Abdullah Gaznavi and claiming to be the spokesman of the outfit told PTI on phone in Srinagar that "LeT has no links with the arrested persons". The arrest comes at a time when security in the capital is on an all-time high in view of the festive season as security agencies are working overtime to avert the repeat of last year’s blasts. The duo, residents of Rajshahi district of Bangladesh, had sneaked into the country through the Indo-Bangla border at Behrampur some months ago and then went to Kolkata and Patna before reaching Sopore in Jammu and Kashmir from where they procured the explosives from LeT operatives, Singh said. On interrogation, the two told police that they were activists of Harkat-ul-Jihad-i-Islami (HUJI) before joining Lashkar. They revealed that one Kanchan alias Sharif was heading the Lashkar operations in Bangladesh, he added. Alamgir Hussain was also wanted in connection with the attack on Special Task Force (STF) office in Hyderabad last year in which one Bangladeshi militant was killed. The official said Bangladesh is being used as a hub for launching terrorist activities against India as Pakistani Intelligence Agency ISI wants to conceal their activities in view of mounting international pressure. Meanwhile, security has been stepped up at all the major markets in the capital including Lajpat Nagar, Sarojini Nagar, Greater Kailash, Ashok Vihar, Rajouri Garden, Khan Market, Paharganj, Karol Bagh, Connaught Place and Sadar Bazaar ahead of Diwali. Measures have also been taken to maintain a tight vigil at crowded places like cinema halls, railway, bus and metro stations and fairs, Chief Spokesperson of the Delhi Police Additional Commissioner Deependra Pathak said. "Tenders have been finalised for installing Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) at Lajpat Nagar and Sarojini Nagar, where scores of people were killed in a blasts on October 29 last year," a senior official said. Police has also stepped up patrolling, tightened access control meausures, checking and frisking at market places besides directing cyber cafe and PCO booth owners, second-hand car dealers to maintain a tight vigil on all customers.(PTI) |
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5 establishments surveyed in Karan Market, Akhnoor By Mohinder Verma JAMMU, Oct 16: Income Tax Department today conducted surveys in five establishments including those of a leading electrical appliances supplier and Military Engineering Services (MES) approved contractors in Jammu city and Akhnoor town and detected large scale concealment of income. Official sources told the EXCELSIOR that a team of Income Tax officers, headed by Joint Commissioner Range-II Sushil Kumar, surveyed premises of Abrol Electricals, distributors of Khaitan fans, its godown and Pooja Sales Corporation in Karan Market this morning. During the survey, IT sleuths seized all records about the stock position, sale and purchase of electrical appliances. During scrutiny of the records, concealment of income worth lakhs of rupees by not reflecting the actual stock in the stock books was detected. Simultaneous surveys were also conducted in the Gupta Hardware, Kameshwar Builders and Contractors and Vikas Traders, being operated from one premises and Bharti Traders in Akhnoor town. In accounts books of these establishments, IT sleuths detected glaring fraud to evade tax, the sources said and added that in these establishments large quantity of undisclosed stock was also detected, the tax on whose profit runs in several lakhs of rupees. The record of the Kameshwar Builders alone, which is the approved Military Engineering Services (MES) contractors, revealed concealment of tax worth several lakhs of rupees, the sources said and added that all sorts of records of these establishment were seized and will be examined thoroughly by the experts of the Department to calculate the exact amount of concealment. When contacted, Income Tax Commissioner Virendra Singh said that these surveys were conducted after assessing the Advance Tax payments made on September 15, 2005 and analysing market trend in these trades. He added that Income Tax Department had several times conveyed to the traders not to make any attempt to evade tax as the same will be detected for which a fool-proof mechanism has been evolved by the Department. Mr Singh made it clear that tirade against the evadors of the income tax will continue and added that such surveys would be intensified after October 31, 2006 which is the last date for filing income tax returns for all. He further said that honest tax payers need not to worry as IT Department will cooperate with them. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 16: In biggest ever haul of poppy straw, police today recovered 7.5 quintals of narcotics from a truck at Batote late this evening. DIG Udhampur-Doda range Lalat Indu Mohanty said a police party intercepted a truck, which was on way from Srinagar to Jammu at Batote and seized eight large bags of poppy straw. Driver and conductor of the truck were arrested and the truck was seized, Mr Mohanty said. He said the seized poppy straw weighed 7.5 quintals. This is probably for the first time that such a large quantity of poppy straw has been recovered by police in one seizure, he added. Police party in the operation was led by SHO Abib Rafiqi. |
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PM, Bush discuss nuke deal on phone NEW DELHI, Oct 16: Amid uncertainty over the fate of the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, President George W Bush today called up Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and discussed the issue. During the 10-minute conversation this evening, the two leaders also exchanged views on the stalled Doha round of WTO talks and developments relating to Pakistan and Afghanistan, External Affairs Ministry said. The North Korean nuclear tests and the subsequent un sanctions also came up for discussions. With regard to the civil nuclear deal, Bush and Singh are understood to have discussed its future considering that the bill on it could not be taken up for vote by the US Senate during its last session last month, ahead of the November 7 Congressional elections. The legislation could not be considered because of paucity of time and it is hoped that it will now be taken up during the brief ‘lame-duck’ session after the Congressional elections. If the bill is not taken up for vote during the ‘lame-duck’ session, it will spill over to the next Congress which will convene in January next year and the entire process has to begin anew. The legislation on the deal has already been passed by the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister on Saturday said India had been assured by the Bush Administration that it will use its influence to ensure that the bill goes through the Congress. After the North Korean nuclear test, fears have been expressed that the development may have an impact on the Indo-US deal which provides for resumption of nuclear trade with India. However, the US has rejected any comparison between the nuclear programmes of India and North Korea. Singh had also asserted last week that there was no similarity between the two, citing India’s impeccable record on non-proliferation, which is not in the case of North Korea. Bush and Singh also discussed the Doha round of trade negotiations, two days after the Prime Minister made it clear that the talks can make no progress till the US comes up with a "pragmatic offer" on agriculture subsidies issue. New Delhi, while maintaining its commitment to the round, has emphasised that forward movement on these talks could take place only after the US and European Union settle their differences on the farm subsidy issue. Singh said India was ready to play a constructive role once the US and EU resolve their differences.(PTI) |
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Securitymen to get insurance cover MANESAR (HARYANA), Oct 16: With increasing incidence of terrorist acts in the country, the Centre is planning to provide insurance cover to security personnel. "The Government is thinking over a proposal to provide insurance cover to the personnel of the armed forces and the police so that their families can be taken care of in case of any eventuality," Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said here today. Observing that with access to the latest technologies and threat of chemical and biological terrorism in the country, he said "we need to give a sense of security to these men who leave the comforts of their homes to protect us and we will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that". Addressing a function to commemorate the 22nd raising day of the elite National Security Guards, Patil said the Centre was also working towards amendments in the Police Act, 1861 "to strengthen the working of the police administration in the country". Last month, the Supreme Court passed an order directing the Government to bring about reforms in the 145-year old police act to upgrade the exisiting criminal justice system and to bring in greater accountability. Referring to the Apex Court’s order, Patil said "it is time for a change in the existing security set-up in the country and the Government is working on this to strengthen the national security structure". The function was attended among others by BJP leader L K Advani and Minister for State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal. (PTI) |
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Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 16: State Vigilance Organisation today registered a case against former Executive Engineer, Special Sub-Division, Bandipora, his storekeeper and three suppliers for misappropriation of Government funds for water supply schemes in Bandipora division. According to an official handout issued by the Vigilance Organisation, the then Executive Engineer, Special Sub Division Bandipora during the year 2005-06, effected purchase of pipes for Rs 72 lakhs of special quality but actually the pipes were of lower quality. The accused engineer Abdul Aziz Kashmiri, his storekeeper Saif-ud-Din, in league with three suppliers namely M/s Dar Mechanical Engineering Works, M/s Mir Construction Company and M/s G N Tantray Bandipora fabricated the records to show that all the purchase material of special quality. Subsequently the material was shown issued to various Junior Engineers of the division through forged indents and double entries in the stock books. The Executive Engineer, deliberately, with the malafide and dishonest intentions, did not project the requirement of pipes and pipes specials to Chief Engineer, PHE Kashmir Srinagar as per the procedure, so that the same could have been purchased through the Central Procurement Division of PHE. The purchases were made on ‘dasti’ quotation, in a clandestine manner. The purchases were obtained from the suppliers who are neither registered dealers of ‘pipes and pipes specials’ nor having any CST/GST registration. Case FIR No 41/2006 P/S VOK u/s 5 (I) d, r/w 5 (2) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 2006, 120-B, RPC has been registered at P/S VOK and investigation taken up. |
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IGP allots range to Inspectors Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 16: Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu range, Dr S P Vaid today allotted range to Inspectors, who were recently transferred to Jammu zone. Inspectors Swaran Singh Jangi, K D Bhagat, Surjit Dutta, Kamleshwar Shoor and Zahid Wani have been allotted Udhampur-Doda range, official sources said. Inspectors Arvinder Kotwal, Kuljeet Singh and Lal Chand have been allotted Jammu-Kathua range. Inspector Tejinder Singh has been posted in Rajouri-Poonch range. Details of other Inspectors allotted the range couldn’t be ascertained immediately. Allotment of districts and police districts to the Inspectors will be made by concerned DIGs.
Shopian
people capture Hizb militant, Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 16: In an unprecedented incident, people in Shopian area have captured a category "A" militant of Hizbul Mujahideen and handed him over to Police while claiming cash reward of Rs 2 Lakh which they would use for improvement of roads and lanes in their village. Police sources said that residents of Sugoo village in the militant-infested Pulwama-Shopian belt captured a category "A" militant of Hizbul Mujahideen, namely Rayees Ahmed Malik S/o Ghulam Mohammad Malik R/o Pinjora, when he barged into the house of one Ghulam Mohiuddin and demanded money from him. Malik, according to Police, had already spread terror in the village by snatching away seven mobile phone sets from different people and making other extortions. Sources said that Malik was a category "A" militant for whose arrest J&K Police had since announced cash reward of Rs 2 Lakh. They said that Malik had risen to the category of the top wanted militants after he ambushed Congress leader and Councillor, Mohammad Shafi Banday on Shopian-Pulwama Road on October 11th last year. Even as the real target Banday had survived the attack, his Security Wing driver Mohammad Iqbal Pandit had got killed while his PSO, Constable Bashir Ahmed, had been critically wounded in the attack. Later, Police had arrested one Naseer Ahmed and claimed that it was he who had informed Malik and others about Mr Banday's movement on a cellphone. Naseer was working in Banday's LPG agency in Shopian. Police had also recovered an AK-47 rifle from him. Sources said that Malik was involved in many other attacks on Police, security forces and civilians. After a severe interrogation, which the people recorded on a cellphone, Malik made certain confessions. Sources said that he had been captured by the residents at 8 p.m, interrogated for two hours and later handed over to Police. A party of SOG camp Imamsahib rushed to the village and took his possession. Later, Police claimed that one AK-56 rifle and one grenade were recovered from the militant who has since been declared as a proclaimed offender. People demanded cash reward of the militant and went to Shopian to receive it publicly. IGP Kashmir, S M Sahai went all the way to Shopian and gave away the cash reward of Rs 2 Lakh to the people. Residents said that they would spend the whole amount on improvement and construction of their village road and lanes. Meanwhile, a Hizbul Mujahideen spokesman claimed in a statement that Malik had been expelled and disowned by the organisation two months back and the organisation had since issued a death warrant against him for his indulging in criminal activities.
Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, Oct 16: Four civilians including two women were injured in an attack by the militants on their house at village Banola in Mendhar tehsil of this district last night. Police said three militants entered into the house of Fazal Karim son of Umer Din at Banola and started beating up Karim and other family members with sticks and rifle butts. As the family members raised an alarm, some neighbours came out. While fleeing, the militants opened firing and a bullet hit Zabar Bi wife of Fazal Karim causing her a grievous wound. Three other injured include Fazal Karim, Shabnam Bi wife of Niaz Ali and Hakim Dad son of Khan Mohd. Injured have been hospitalised. A police party from Mendhar police station rushed to the spot this morning for investigations. A search operation has also been launched for the militants. |
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IGP's driver, policeman killed, 11 wounded in J&K Srinagar :Two Jammu and Kashmir policemen, including a driver of an Inspector General of Police (IGP), were killed and 11 others wounded, four of them security personnel, in separate incidents across the state today, an official spokesman said. Head constable Vikram Singh, the driver of IGP, Kashmir S M Sahai, was shot at and critically wounded by militants near the Punjab National Bank at Batamaloo here this afternoon. He was immediately rushed to a hospital where he was declared brought dead, the spokesman added. In the second incident near the historic Hazratbal shrine, housing the holy relic of the Prophet Mohammad, he said militants shot at and seriously wounded constable Mohammad Dilawar at the Telbal bus stand on the city outskirts this afternoon. He was rushed to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura here in a critical condition where he later succumbed to wounds, the spokesman said. The Pakistan-based JeM has claimed the responsibility for both the attacks. A person, who claimed to be the spokesman of the outfit, telephoned the local media here and owned the responsibility of the attacks on policemen. During the past few days, militants have targeted policemen in the city. On Sunday, a police constable was killed and another critically wounded in the busy Lal Chowk area here. The spokesman said militants fired upon a party of the Special Operation Group (SOG) near their camp at Town hall, Sopore this afternoon, causing serious injury to a constable, Farooq Ahmad. Three Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were among the ten people wounded in a grenade blast in Baramulla district of north Kashmir this afternoon. Militants hurled a hand grenade towards BSF personnel in the compound of the District hospital which exploded causing injuries havaldar Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, constable Ratnam and Ravinder Singh and seven civilians. The injured were admitted to a hospital where the condition of the BSF personnel was stated to be critical. Security forces apprehended two upper-ground activists of the Al Badr militant outfit at Dangiwacha in border district of Kupwara today and three hand grenades and 23 rounds seized from them. The spokesman said militants snatched away a mobile phone of a civilian, Altaf Ahmed Wani, at Ohangam, Beerwa in central Kashmir district of Badgam today. Militants intercepted a vehicle, bearing registration number JKo1J-6039, at Pinglana in Pulwama district of south Kashmir last evening and forcibly took away Rs 25,000 and two mobile phones from the four occupants, he added. The spokesman said a gunfight erupted between security forces and militants at Bharat in Doda district of Jammu region during the intervening night of October 16-17. However, no one was wounded in the exchange of fire and the militants managed to escape from the scene. One AK rifle, one magazine and 30 rounds left behind by the militants were seized from the spot, the spokesman said. (UNI) |
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Santosh Singh convicted for
Priyadarshini's New Delhi : In a triumph for people's outcry for justice, the Delhi High Court today set aside a "perverse" lower court judgement and convicted a former IPS officer's son for raping and murdering 23-year-old Priyadarshini Mattoo nearly 11 years ago. Declaring that the trial court's acquittal of Santosh Singh, a lawyer now in his 30s, in 1999 had "shocked the conscience of the judiciary", Justices R S Sodhi and P K Bhasin, who conducted rare day-to-day hearings over just 42 days, convicted him under Sections 302 (murder) and 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code. Singh, who was present in the jam-packed courtroom, was taken into custody by the CBI on the court's directive. The sentence -- death or life impisonment -- will be pronounced on October 30. Singh's acquittal by Additional Sessions Judge G P Thareja on December 3, 1999 had shocked the nation because the judge had said that he knew the accused had committed the crime but gave him the benefit of doubt because of lack of evidence. The CBI, which has come in for a great deal of flak from the media and the judiciary for its handling of the case, had appealed against the lower court's verdict on February 29, 2000. Following an intense public and media campaign for justice, the appeal in the sensational case was heard speedily, leading to Singh's conviction which was greeted by Priyadarshini's 71-year-old father Chaman Lal Mattoo with, "Finally justice has been done." Priyadarshini, a law student in Delhi University, was raped and murdered by Singh at her house at Vasant Kunj in south Delhi on January 23, 1996. Quashing Singh's acquittal, the High Court in its 71-page judgement observed, "The trial judge acquitted the accused amazingly taking a perverse approach. It murdered justice and shocked judicial conscience." The lower court had acquitted Singh on the ground that the CBI failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. It had not accepted the DNA report and circumstantial evidence produced by the agency while deciding the case. However, the High Court disagreed with the trial court's findings on the DNA report and said there was no evidence of tampering with blood samples or proof that the procedure adopted for conducting the test at a laboratory in Hyderbad was erroneous. The bench rejected Singh's contention that there was any evidence of rape or sexual intercourse and that blood samples were tampered with, saying, "We find that there is no evidence to show that there was any tampering with the blood samples forwarded to the laboratory nor any reason for tampering with the same." (PTI) |
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Indo-Pak Foreign Secretary level talks from Nov 14 New Delhi : The Indo-Pak composite dialogue will resume on November 14 when the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries meet here to consider a wide range of issues, including giving shape to the joint anti-terror mechanism through which India will offer evidence of Pakistani involvement in the Mumbai blasts. Shivshankar Menon, who took over as Foreign Secretary on October one after serving as High Commissioner in Islamabad, will have discussions with his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Mohammad Khan on November 14 and 15 and review the progress of the peace process covering key bilateral issues. Khan will arrive here on November 13. The dates were simultaneously announced from New Delhi and Islamabad. Khan "will visit New Delhi from November 13 to 15 for talks" with Menon, External Affairs Ministry said in a statement here. The dialogue had been interrupted as the meeting of the Foreign Secretaries, which was to be held in July, was put off following the terror attacks in Mumbai that vitiated the atmosphere. With Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pervez Musharraf having agreed at Havana last month to set up the joint anti-terror mechanism, the Foreign Secretaries are expected to discuss its modalities including how many representatives each side will have on it and at what level. The hope in New Delhi is that this mechanism would be in place soon after these talks. Thereafter, India will submit "credible evidence" of Pakistani involvement in the July 11 blasts in Mumbai that left nearly 200 people dead. |
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Pak-sponsored anti-India Terror Unabated: JJ New Delhi : Even as India and Pakistan today announced resumption of their composite dialogue aimed at restoring peace and tranquility between the two, Army Chief Gen JJ Singh maintained that Pak-sponsored anti-India activities continued unabated with the terror training-infrastructure across the border intact. Briefing mediapersons at the conclusion of the Army Commanders' Conference here, Gen Singh -- while reiterating the charge against Pakistan -- pointed to the continuing anti-India terrorism within the country -- though he admitted to the frequency having gone down as compared to previous years. The Army Chief said infiltration from across the western borders continued -- though through areas other than the traditional Jammu & Kashmir. ''Now terrorists are getting in through Rajasthan and our neighbouring Nepal and Bangladesh....'' New Delhi and Islamabad today announced dates for Foreign Secretary-level talks between the two neighbours -- from November 13 to 15 in New Delhi -- marking the resumption of the composite dialogue between the two countries that was stalled after the July 11 serial blasts in Mumbai that claimed more than 180 lives. Pakistan Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammed Khan will arrive in New Delhi on November 13 for the talks with his Indian counterpart Shiv Shankar Menon -- who assumed office October 1 last. According to Gen JJ Singh, the Army in J&K -- after having won the confidence of the civil population -- had brought down its own attrition rate and -- through a now well-established information network -- carried the battle into the terrorists' traditional strongholds. ''We are winning the proxy war in J & K... And the security duties in the north-eastern parts of the country, too, have benefitted from similar strategies'', said the Army Chief. He said the efforts of the security forces in the north-east -- especially Assam, Nagaland and Manipur -- had borne the desired results assisted by well-meaning civilian population averse to the prolonged insurgency. ''The ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam) in Assam and the NSCN(IM) -- Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland: Muivah Faction -- in Nagaland have shown keenness to start dialoguing with the Government aimed at resolving the prolonged insurgency in these north-eastern areas of the country....'' (UNI) |
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