CEO reviews preparations for Poonch bypoll
* 17 CRPF, 6 JKAP coys deployed

By Gopal Sharma

JAMMU, Dec 1: Twenty-three companies, including 17 from CRPF and six from J&K Armed Police and India Reserve Police (IRP) battalions are being deployed at 135 polling stations for the December 12 Poonch-Haveli by-elections.

Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, B R Sharma who alongwith Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Sudhanshu Pandey and IGP, Dr S P Vaid reviewed the preparations for the by-elections at Poonch in a meeting today, told the Excelsior that elaborate security and election staff and material deployment arrangements are being taken for the smooth conduct of elections in the Poonch-Haveli Assembly constituency.

In the first ever meeting held for the purpose at district headquarters today, most of the senior officials connected with the Poonch bypoll participated in it and were issued fresh instructions regarding their job. Special training programme for handling Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) was started today for nearly 1250 Presiding Officers and Polling Officials at Poonch today. Two engineers from Bharat Electronics Engineering have been deployed for checking and monitoring the function of EVMs at Poonch. They will ensure the error free functioning of the machines, he said.

Responding to a question, the CEO disclosed that Election Commission has resolved to go in for 100 % use of EVMs for this bypoll in J&K. He disclosed that total 17 CRPF companies will be deployed at various polling stations for maintaining law and order besides, the six companies of JKAP and IRP. Total 135 polling stations have been set up for the 96,465 electorates. Out of the total, 28 polling stations have been declared as hyper-sensitive while 42 sensitive. There are 49551 male while 46910 female voters in this Assembly constituency.

Referring to the monitoring of the entire poll-process, Mr Sharma disclosed that two Central observers namely-Manish Bhardwaj from Gujarat and Wilson Hangshine from Mumbai (Maharashtra) have reached here. They will be staying here to monitor the whole process. While one of them has already landed at Poonch, the other reached Jammu today. Mr Wilson will monitor the expenditure part of the poll and will be available at Guest House from 10 am onwards at Poonch to any candidate or others willing to meet him.

When asked about airlifting of poll-material or men, the CEO said "there is no snow fall at the polling stations situated at the higher reaches of Mandi and Loran as of now. At some stations material will be carried there on horses and if snow fall occurs or some road link is closed, in that case we may take that help. But the agencies connected with the road repairs/ construction like- GREF or R&B, have been directed to deploy machines and dozers for immediate clearance of the roads if weather condition worsens," he maintained.

Mr Sharma further disclosed that new Deputy Commissioner, B D Sharma who is also District Election Officer joined Poonch headquarters today. "The new DC also attended that meeting after reaching at Poonch with us in a helicopter. The election material will be started reaching at respective polling stations from December 9 onwards. The security force men have started reaching there and SSP Poonch was monitoring this exercise and the IGP has taken a separate review meet regarding law and order, " Mr Sharma added.

Shahbaz Sharif's nomination rejected

LAHORE, Dec 1: The nomination papers of former premier Nawaz Sharif’s brother Shahbaz Sharif for Pakistan’s January 8 elections were rejected by authorities here today citing pending criminal charges.

A question mark also hung over Sharif’s plans to contest the Parliamentary polls, with the district judge, who is the returning officer, set to decide on objections to his candidacy on December 3.

Shahbaz’s lawyer Imtiaz Kaifi said his nomination papers for elections to the National and Provincial Assemblies were rejected in connection with the extra-judicial killings of five students in 1998 when he was Punjab’s Chief Minister.

Kaifi, however, said there were no legal grounds for the rejection of the papers as Shahbaz had not been convicted and was not a proclaimed absconder.

Three objections were filed against Shahbaz’s nominations for alleged involvement in the killings, defaulting on loans, and a contempt of court case in the Supreme Court.

A case was registered against Shahbaz in January 2001 by the father of one of the five students who were allegedly killed in a staged gunbattle with police in the Sabza Zar area.

Shahbaz was accused of ordering the killing of the students. The case is now being heard by a special anti-terrorism court in Lahore.

Khwaja Tahir Zia, who has filed nominations from the same constituency as Nawaz Sharif, has filed an objection to his candidature on the grounds that he was convicted and given a life imprisonment term in a hijacking case in 2000.

The case related to Sharif’s efforts in 1999 to turn back a plane that was bringing President Pervez Musharraf, then the army chief, from a foreign trip. Musharraf got in touch with army commanders on the ground and organised a coup to depose Sharif.

Zia also pointed out that an Accountability Court had sentenced Nawaz Sharif to 14 years in jail and barred him from holding public office for 21 years.

During the last hearing of the matter yesterday, the returning officer said the issue of whether Nawaz Sharif could contest the polls would be decided on December 3.

Attorney General Malik Qayyum had earlier said that the former Prime Minister was likely to be barred from contesting the election under existing laws. (PTI)

Judicial panel visits lake
LAWDA razes structures in Dal

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Dec 1: Seven structures were today razed by demolition squad of Lakes and Waterways Development Authority inside the Dal lake near Nehru Park.

The LAWDA authorities accompanied by a full company of police demolished seven wooden structures near Nehru Park area in the early morning hours in continuation of its drive against illegal constructions in and around Dal lake. Owners of the hutments resented the LAWDA action and scuffled with the demolition squad. Heavy police posse, however, overwhelmed the affected people and dispersed them.

LAWDA Enforcement Officer, Manzoor Qadir termed today's operation as successful and said there was a reaction from the encroachers. "However, this is a routine feature during our operations. We did our job successfully without use of force and nobody was injured in the operation," he asserted.

Owners of the structures alleged that the LAWDA authorities had a different yardstick for the underprivileged people. "Our dwelling units are being razed instantly without even serving any notice. While as the hotels and residential houses constructed in brazen violation of law by influential and well to do people were not being touched," said Majid Ahmed, a Dal dweller.

"The Government is asking us to settle in Rakhi Arth in Bemina, the city outskirts. It is an underdeveloped and water logged area. We are unable to make two ends meet. How can we reclaim the marshy land and then construct a house," asked Qasim Hussain, another Dal resident. Depriving the people of a lesser god of their humble abodes in chilly winters and sparing the elites is ruthlessness, he alleged.

Meanwhile, a court committee set up in 2002 by the State High Court to look into the causes of the fast dwindling symbol of the city had a day long physical survey of the lake today. The committee comprised Registrar Judicial, Abdul Wahid, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Sheikh Ijaz Iqbal and a retired District and Sessions Judge G N Mir. The team is slated to present its report to the High Court on Tuesday.

According to a top rank source in LAWDA, the team returned with a mixed feeling over activities of the Authority at conserving the lake. The group was disgusted over half hearted demolition drive and ever increasing floating gardens. However, they were, to some extent contented over the steps being taken to decrease flow of effluents into the lake.

Vice Chairman LAWDA, Mir Nasim told the Excelsior that none of the encroachers, whosoever they may be, shall not be spared. "We are helpless to give any reprieve in the harsh season to people even living in shacks, because the court is very much after us to complete the demolitions within a specified time frame," he clarified.

Nearly 60,000 souls living within the lake will be rehabilitated in Rakhi Arth, and the Authority shall develop the land out of its own expenses besides raising the basic infrastructure. For people living below poverty line, "we have a Central Government funded scheme to help them build up residential quarters."

The court team was also accompanied the LAWDA officials.

SKIMS pays Rs 47,000 a unit, PDD over Rs 1.06 lakh
PDD officials at work inspite of Vigilance probe in street-light scam

From Ahmed Ali Fayyaz

SRINAGAR, Dec 1: Executive Engineer Electric Division Budgam, A R Khan, has no hesitation to confirm that 17 out of 18 'high mass street lights' installed in Moharram last year in Budgam district have not been operational in the last one year. His predecessor, Mohammad Sultan Sheikh, reveals more: "Our department has installed 66 Halide units in Srinagar and Budgam in 2005 and 2006. Only half of them are in working condition". According to Sheikh, the contract had been allotted to an influential agency at a higher level. The agency got not only exorbitant rates but also used substandard material in everything from so-called steel tubular pole to battery to the lamps. Under "tremendous pressure from many quarters", Sheikh made payment for six of such units in Budgam district at Rs 83,800 per unit but immediately after his transfer, PDD high-ups hiked the rate to Rs 1,06,500.

Sheikh, who made payment at Rs 83,800 per unit in Budgam, admitted that at his next place of posting at SKIMS, he paid only Rs 47,000 as per an allotment and the bills paid to the agency by his predecessors at the hospital. "In a cost analysis, we found that total expenditure on such a unit was not more than Rs 43,000 in case the contractor would use standard steel tubular poles and batteries besides four top-end luminaries manufactured by a reputed company like Havell's, Bajaj or Phillips India as the agency was supposed to do according to the allotment". Even as Sheikh puts the number at 66, informed sources in Power Development Department (PDD) insist that more than 200 units of 'Metal Halide Lights' have been installed in the twin Central Kashmir districts in last three years. These include those raised at SKIMS and SKICC.

Though almost all the Halide units at SKIMS, Kashmir University and SKICC are reportedly functional, more than 80 percent of such lamp-posts have either failed to work from day one or have gone out of order in days of installation. By this calculation, an amount of over Rs 1.00 cr has been clearly swindled, if the two PDD engineers and other sources in the Government are to be believed. This is duly confirmed by SSP Vigilance, Bashir Ahmed Malla.

"We were basically investigating embezzlement of more than Rs 70 lakh by engineers of Electric Division Budgam which had been erroneously provided by Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) for shifting of a transmission line in Narbal-Magam-Tangmarg belt. In this connection, we arrested then Executive Engineer Electric Division Budgam, Mohammad Sultan Sheikh. During the course of investigation, we learned that another embezzlement had taken place in the installation of street lights. We quizzed Sheikh and others. From a detailed cost analysis, we came to know that total expenditure on such a unit was just around Rs 45,000 but officials have allotted and paid double and more than that", Malla said. He, however, made it clear that this particular part of the investigation had lately been assigned to a different SSP, namely N D Wani, in State Vigilance Organisation (SVO).

On the other hand, Sheikh lamented that the SVO officials were "selectively" picking up the individuals. "I have made it clear to Mr Malla that the allotment has been made by Chief Engineer Maintenance & Rural Electrification, Kashmir. I have revealed the names of higher officials who have made the allotment on exorbitant rates and those of lower rung officials who have made similar and much higher payments. In Budgam, payment for 12 similar units was made by my predecessors and successors and only 6 by me. In Srinagar similar payments have been made by a number of other Executive Engineers and AEEs. Nobody, except me, has been touched", said Sheikh, who has been released on bail granted by a court.

According to Sheikh, total expenditure on the units installed by the well-connected agency has not been more than Rs 30,000 as the contractor has used 4-inch and 3-inch diameter GI pipes instead of steel tubular poles. As against the allotted 9 meter, height of the installed units varies from 7 to 8 meters. While a standard top-end luminary of Havell's or Bajaj costs Rs 5,000, its locally manufactured lamps, which have been used by by the agency, are available for anything between Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000. Normally, four of such lamps are required for each unit. It has been observed that 100 percent of payment has been released to the contractor even as more than 80 percent of the units have failed to work. Same agency is criminally booked by SVO in the GDA transmission line scandal. But, insiders said that its proprietor, who has been running three firms and has taken scores of similar high-profit works from PDD, was enjoying a field day by virtue of his clout in top echelons of the department.

PDD insiders revealed that all the Executive Engineers, AEEs, AEs and JEs, involved in the Rs 2 cr embezzlement have been enjoying plum postings even after SVO had begun an "investigation" earlier this year. They said that the proprietor of the agency, involved in most of the scandals, was not even summoned for a sustained questioning. "He has been frequently shuttling between Srinagar, New Delhi and Germany. Neither PDD nor SVO have put up any resistance to his operations", revealed an official. He pointed out that 59-year-old Sultan Sheikh was picked up like a chicken, publicly humiliated and put behind bars for only 10 percent of his involvement. Sheikh's subordinate AEEs, who have verified the inflated claims and recorded fraudulent test checks, have recently been gifted with prize postings in the PDD. None of them has been even called for questioning by the Vigilance authorities.

With another Moharram approaching fast, DCs in Srinagar and Budgam are desperately trying to get the high mass street lights repaired but PDD engineers have been expressing their helplessness with the argument that the contractor responsible for free maintenance for three years after installation was not cooperating with them. "He has taken the payment in full and is now enjoying in Germany. How can we get him around? If we spend money on such repairs from other accounts, it can become another scandal", said an Executive Engineer. And the poor residents, who are literally in the dark over the street light scandal, have been hopelessly shuttling between one office and another! Disappointed with administration of justice and no culture of the Government taking notice of such scandals carried by newspapers in J&K, they have all reasons to add gloom to their mourning in the next month of Moharram.

Cong expels Yashpal Sharma

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 1: Pradesh Congress today expelled party’s rebel candidate, Yashpal Sharma, contesting by-election from Poonch Assembly seat, scheduled for December 12.

Mr Sharma’s expulsion was ordered by PCC (I) president Peerzada Mohd Sayeed.

"Mr Sharma has been expelled from the party as he didn’t follow directions of the party high command to withdraw from the contest", a PCC (I) release said.

Mr Sharma, it may be mentioned, is involved in a triangular contest for the bypoll along with NC’s Ajaz Jan and Congress candidate Jehangir Mir.

'It will expose Geelani & coterie'
Set up Commission to probe 17 yrs militancy: Mustafa

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Dec 1: The National Conference has demanded constitution of a Commission to probe 17 years long militancy in the State saying this would expose the forces pointing accusing finger at the party and will give an answer to persons like hard-liner Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

"We are answerable till 1989. But what happened later is an issue which can be inquired into by a Commission. Let the Government set up a Commission. We are ready to face the probe. An impartial inquiry will definitely expose the separatists like Geelani", veteran NC leader and former Minister Sheikh Mustafa Kamal said today in a conversation with the Excelsior.

Mr Kamal, who had entered the Assembly last year after defeating political heavyweight and PDP leader Moulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari from Pattan Assembly segment, said the NC has all reasons to fear rigging in next year’s Assembly elections as the PDP-Congress want to stick to the chair.

"Mufti (Sayeed) is power hungry. He won’t give up the chair easily. He is a known master of election rigging and he will go all out to repeat the practice in next elections", he alleged.

Asserting that the NC was a strong contender for power in next year’s Assembly polls, Mustafa Kamal, who had held several important portfolios like Health and Medical Education and Works in Farooq Government in 1987 and 1996, claimed that the people of the State were repenting for having voted Congress-PDP to power.

"The coalition Government has done nothing constructive in the State barring making it a No. 2 in corruption. Corruption is rampant, development has come to a halt, schools and colleges are running without buildings, staff and other infrastructure, hospitals are without doctors and there are no job opportunities", Mr Kamal observed and said the Chief Minister and Ministers were busy only in laying foundation stones and issuing statements.

"People of the State wouldn’t like to repeat the mistake they had committed in 2002", he averred.

Mustafa Kamal favoured Assembly elections in April next year. In support of his demand, he said there is a harvesting season in August and September. In these two months, the migratory population also stay in upper reaches. From May to July, there will be tourist season. "If the Government wants maximum participation of people in the elections, it should go for the polls in April", he added.

The NC leader said the Central funds released during six year rule of the NC Government from 1996-2002 were given to the coalition Government in just two years. Still, he added, the present Government has totally failed in completing any worth mentioning development project.

"With just Rs 35 crore a year funds for health sector, the NC had given the State SKIMS, Medical Colleges, Lal Ded, Bone and Joints and Children hospitals besides several District Hospitals. The present Government has only laid foundations of Medical Colleges’ expansion in 5 years and even construction work has not been started so far despite receiving funds worth several crores from the Centre.

Mr Kamal said the price rise, unemployment, corruption, development, boost to Indo-Pak ties vis-a-vis Kashmir solution and autonomy will be main election planks of the NC. The PDP-Congress have failed to fulfill the promises made to the people in 2002 elections, he alleged.

More terror attacks in NDA rule: Sonia

NAVSARI, Dec 1: Launching her election campaign, Congress president Sonia Gandhi today attacked BJP’s claims on tackling terrorism saying major terror attacks took placing during its rule, capping them with the Foreign Minister himself taking a dreaded terrorist to Afghanistan.

Describing Gujarat’s BJP Government as "merchants of fear and death", she said the State had really seen any actual development as being claimed by the ruling party.

Addressing a public meeting at village Jamanpada in Chikli (ST Reserved) Assembly constituency in this district, Gandhi said BJP talked big on the issue of fighting terrorism.

"But is it not true that terrorist attacks on Jammu’s Raghunath Temple, Akshardham Temple (near Gandhinagar) and on Parliament happened when they were in power," she asked. Gandhi said "not only this, is it not true that during their rule, the Foreign Minister himself released the terrorist from our jails and sent them to Afghanistan. The reality is that the people ruling Gujarat are perpetrators of falsehood, treachery, fear and death."

She had a dig at Chief Minister Narendra Modi when she said that a State does not progress through printing of advertisements and display of coins.

"People of Gujarat want a Government that does not break hearts but works to join them. I know that the people in Gujarat are impatient for a change. A sensitive Government is needed in Gujarat that can take care of all sections of people, including adivasis. I have come to seek your mandate (Janadesh) so that Gujarat is once again a peaceful and progressive State", Gandhi said.

"The crime against women are increasing and anti-social elements feel secure as they are getting State protection. Today the rulers of Gujarat are merchants of fear and death," she said.

Stating that the people of Valsad, Dang, Navsari and Surat in south Gujarat region have always blessed (supported) the Congress, Sonia Gandhi said before voting, they should keep in mind the work her party has done for the progress of the country.

If the Congress is voted to power, it will work to benefit the weaker and poorer sections of the society, particularly the farmers and dalits, she said, adding that favourable Congress policies have helped farmers in Gujarat and other parts of the country to progress.

On the other hand, the Gujarat Government had been following a different approach towards the farmers like disconnecting their electricity connections, Sonia said.

The farmers are being made criminals and cases of (power theft) are being filed against them, the Congress leader said.

The Congress leader also attacked the BJP Government’s much hyped Sujalam Suflam (irrigation) Project. Not only was the project hit by a scam, its work was allotted to a select few, kicking off a controversy over the whole thing, Sonia Gandhi charged.

With regard to the BJP Government’s promise to give certain rights to tribals in forest land, she said the saffron party’s concern for them was superficial.

"If BJP was much worried about their welfare, then what had held it back to bring forth the bill for the Scheduled Tribes when the NDA Government was at the helm of affairs at the Centre," she said adding it is the Congress which has brought the bill in Parliament for the welfare of the tribals.

The Congress-led UPA Government has helped the Gujarat Government in all ways and had also sanctioned crores of rupees to it for rural development. But it needs to be known whether the funds were being properly spent for the purpose it were sanctioned and the benefits reached the targeted segments of the populace, Sonia Gandhi said.

On the problem of salinity ingress in coastal areas of Valsad district, she alleged that instead of taking some concrete steps to check the problem, the Gujarat Government was busy passing on the affected land to select few. (PTI)

Modern equipments for Army: Antony

GANGTOK, Dec 1: Defence Minister A K Antony today said that the 600 million US dollar deal to procure 197 light helicopters for the Army was not scrapped yet as he assured the defence forces that they will have the "most modern" arms and equipment soon.

"Negotiations on the helicopter deal from eurocopter is still on," Antony told reporters here. His remarks come in the wake of recent reports that Government might open new international tenders for the deal.

"There are delays in some projects, but we are trying to speed up the whole process of modernisation of armed forces," he said.

"I can assure you that the Army, Navy and Air Force will get most modern equipment in a few years from now," the Minister said.

Asked about alleged passport scam, which rocked the Army, Antony said a thorough probe was going on and whoever was found guilty would not be spared.

Earlier, the Defence Minister interacted with the jawans posted here. He would visit some forward areas, including Nathu La, tomorrow.

He also held meetings with Sikkim Chief Minister P K Chamling and State Government officials during the day. (PTI)

2 jawans killed, 3 hurt in mishap

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 1: Two Army jawans were killed and three others received injuries in an accident at Billawar.

Police spokesman said that two Army jawans were killed and three others received injuries when a vehicle, they were travelling in, rolled down near Ludera Suter Khad under the jurisdiction of Billawar Police Station.

On the receipt of information about the accident, a police party rushed to the spot and started rescue operation. All the critically injured occupants of the vehicle were brought out of the nullah and rushed to Sub-District Hospital Billawar.

Two of the injured were pronounced as brought dead while the condition of remaining three was stated to be critical when reports last came in.

The deceased have been identified as Lance Naik Gaginder Thappa and Naik Mekh Bahadur. The injured are Naib Subedar Rim Bahadur, Sepoy Balbir Singh and Rifleman Dil Bahadur.

Meanwhile, one Bishan Dass, son of Lakshmi Chand of Udhampur was knocked to death by a vehicle at Main Bagh near Dhar Road Udhampur. He was immediately rushed to District Hospital where doctors pronounced him as brought dead.

Police has taken cognizance of the incident.

Deccan grounded over troubling passengers

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec 1: In a veritable eye-opener for the aviation companies currently indulging in high-handedness to thousands of passengers in Srinagar-Jammu-Delhi sector, Divisional Consumer Protection Forum (DCPF), Kashmir, has directed Air Deccan to pay compensation of Rs one lakh to two Srinagar-based passengers who had been subjected to considerable agony at Jammu Airport in March this year. Company had denied everything from refund of low-cost tickets to making substitute arrangement of travel, as also from boarding to lodging, to the two of its booked passengers after it failed to operate a Jammu-Srinagar flight for no fault of the passengers.

In a judgment delivered today, DCPF Kashmir, which has District & Sessions Judge Rasheed Ahmed Lone as its President and Mohammad Ismail Kirmani and Amina Farooqui as members, said that an aviation company had no legal competence to exclude low-cost, uninsured tickets from those entitled to refund and compensation. Petitioners, Meraj-ud-din Sofi and Khursheed-ul-Islam, had complained that the Air Deccan authorities at Jammu Airport denied them facility of travelling to Srinagar, as also refund and compensation, with the argument that its Jammu-Srinagar flight was not in a condition to operate. As the two-some were supposed to attend a judicial officers conference in Jammu, they had booked seats on an Air Deccan flight from Srinagar to Jammu on March 9th and Jammu-Srinagar return on March 12th.

According to the petition, when both the passengers reached Jammu airport on time to board their flight to Srinagar on March 12th, Air Deccan staff told them that the scheduled flight could not operate. Thereupon, the passengers requested the staff to either make an alternate arrangement for their return to Srinagar by a different flight or send them back next day with a boarding and lodging facility in Jammu. Their third option was that the company should refund the amount in full on the tickets acquired by them through Skyland Travels Sopore. However, Air Deccan staff denied them relief and dismissed all the three options with an argument that passengers holding uninsured, low-cost tickets were not entitled to anything. Both were directed to leave the airport and fend for themselves.

After the two passengers returned to Srinagar through a different flight next day, they approached DCPF with the prayer that Air Deccan be directed to pay them not only the amount of refund in full but also a particular amount for the physical and mental agony they had been subjected to in a high-handed manner.

After hearing arguments of both sides, through respective counsels, for about six months, DCPF today upheld the petitioners' claim and directed Air Deccan to pay full amount of refund to the two passengers with compound interest of 9 percent from the scheduled date of travel (March 12, 2007). It also slapped litigation charges of Rs 2,000 on the respondent Air Deccan in favour of each of the two passengers. DCPF also directed Air Deccan to pay Rs 50,000 each to the two passengers on account of physical and mental agony they had been subjected to for no fault of theirs. It ruled that in absence of terms and conditions on the two e-tickets issued to the passengers, Air Deccan had no right to deny refund and relief to the petitioners.

Reached over telephone for an elaboration, DCPF member, M I Kirmani, later told EXCELSIOR that aviation companies had been violating Consumer Protection Act by reportedly dropping Srinagar-bound passengers at Jammu while coming in from Mumbai, New Delhi and other stations. He said that all the aviation companies were bound by law to ensure that the passengers reached their ultimate destinations without facing any kind of trouble on account of airliner's technical problems, bad weather and other reasons. He made it clear that DCPF was a court which would act only on a specific complaint lodged with it and it had no competence to take suo moto cognizance and issue directions like regular courts of law. He said that DCPF would grant relief to all the aggrieved passengers subjected to such unwarranted trouble if they chose to appear with a formal complaint.

Asked how the two passengers would take their compensation and refund, Mr Kirmani elaborated that DCPF would act on the petitioners' execution petition if the respondent failed to implement the direction. A notice would be served on the respondent company and in the event of perpetual default, DCPF would order Air Deccan's bankers to deposit the stipulated amount by debit to the defaulter. He said that the bank authorities would be invoking punishment, including detention upto three months, if they failed to implement the DCPF direction.

Govt will vigorously champion the cause of armed forces:Antony

NATHU LA, SINO-INDIAN BORDER, Dec Concerned over difficulties being faced by soldiers protecting the country’s borders, Defence Minister A K Antony today said he would "vigorously champion" the cause of improving the conditions of those guarding the frontiers.

On a visit to the key border post of Nathu La along the Sino-Indian border in Sikkim, he also said the Government is contemplating expanding the list of goods to be traded through this mountainous pass.

Talking to reporters, Antony expressed his dismay over the poor infrastructure on the Indian side of the border.

"It is an eye opener. There is no comparison between the two sides. Infrastructure on the Chinese side is far far superior. They have gone far in developing their infrastructure," he said.

Assuring the forces that he would vigorously champion their cause, Antony said, "I (as Defence Minister) understand the responsibility of aggressively developing infrastructure. I could see personally the difficulties and the conditions in which the soldiers are protecting the border."

At the same time, Antony made it clear that one should not grumble over the lack of connectivity on the Indian side as urgent steps would be taken to improve the conditions.

On the issue of widening the list of items to be traded with China at the border post, Antony said, "it is a good beginning. Our idea is to increase the trade gradually. I hope in the years to come, more and more items would be included for trade."

Currently Indian traders can buy 15 items from Chinese traders and sell 29 items to them at Nathu La trading post.

"It is a gradual process. People of both sides will be benefitted out of it. But before that we need to develop our infrastructure," the minister said.

"We need to develop the infrastructure not only for army but for civilian population. We have to take it up seriously," Antony said.

Antony later interacted with soldiers posted in the forward areas and senior Army officials briefed him about the situation along the border in Sikkim sector.

Antony said that the opening of trade on either side of the Sino-Indian border would further strengthen the strong bilateral ties between the two neighbouring countries.

The Defence Minister later exchanged pleasantries with Chinese Army officials and soldiers at the border post. (PTI)

CM bereaved, father-in-law passes away

SRINAGAR: Mohammad Abdullah Dev Nadeem, a prominent poet, renowned educationist and father-in-law of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, passed away here early today after prolonged illness.

He was 77 and is survived by six sons and two daughters, including Shamima Dev, a noted singer and wife of Mr Azad.

Nadeem was suffering from multiple diseases for a long time now and breathed his last at 0145 hrs at his Hyderpora residence here.

Known for mystic poetry, Nadeem published his poetic collection ''Soz-e-Dil'' in two volumes, which earned him acclaim in literary circles. He served the state education department and retired as district education officer in 1986.

Nadeem was known for his honesty, integrity, dedication and upright character.

He was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard in Magarmal Bagh here. A large number of people attended his Nimaz-e-Jinazah (funeral prayers) and the last rites.

As the news of the demise of Nadeem came in, people from all walks of life visited the family of the deceased to condole the death and share the grief.

Prominent among those who visited the bereaved family were former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Legislative Council Chairman Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjoora, Legislative Assembly Speaker Tara Chand, Transport Minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, Education Minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Agriculture Minister Abdul Aziz Zargar, Finance and Planning Minister Tariq Hameed Karra and former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig.

Later, a condolence meting was held at late Nadeem's residence where the speakers highlighted his qualities as a person, a poet and an officer of the state education department.

They said he was a multi-faceted personality who left a lasting imprint on the minds of his students, colleagues and readers.

Several social, political and religious organisations besides literary circles, educationists and employees unions also condoled his death and expressed sympathies with the bereaved family.

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha, the entire Council of Ministers, CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami and others also have condoled Nadeem's demise, praying for the eternal peace of the departed soul and courage for the family members to bear this irreparable loss. (UNI)