Sonia asks States to play their role to curb prices

NEW DELHI, Apr 4: Expressing serious concern over the increasing rate of inflation, Congress president Sonia Gandhi today asked the States to exercise their powers to control blackmarketing and hoarding, besides strengthening the public distribution system, to control price rise.

In her first public reaction to price rise, an issue which had put the Congress at the receiving end with both foes and friends joining hands to attack the Government at the Centre, Ms Gandhi attributed the increase in the rate of inflation to international developments in recent weeks. "This continues to cause us great concern."

"I am aware that our Prime Minister is very sensitive to this issue and that he knows very well our party’s thinking," she said in the latest issue of the Party’s mouthpiece "Congress Sandesh."

In this context, Ms Gandhi pointed out that the thinking of the party was that "while higher growth is essential, we must at the same time ensure that the prices of essential commodities remain affordable to all sections of society."

While asserting that the Congres-led UPA Government had been discharging its powers to control speculation, she asked the State Governments to strengthen the Public Distribution System.

"Strengthening of the PDS is something that the State Governments are responsible for and is something that they must make a priority."

In this context, she also reminded the States of the powers vested in them to control blackmarketing and hoarding. "These powers have to be exercised so that the price rise does not affect the aam aadmi."

Referring to the forthcoming elections in eight States this year, the Congress president asked partymen to stand united and disciplined so that the party could emerge successful there.

She wanted the partymen to become fully aware of the achievements of the UPA Government and propagate them among the people.

Highlighting the salient features of the Union Budget for 2008-09, Ms Gandhi accused the previous BJP-led NDA Government of having "deliberately and cruelly" neglected the agriculture sector.

"We have had to take many measures to undo the very adverse impact of this neglect, of which the loan waiver scheme is the latest."

Pointing out that the NDA regime depressed minimum support prices and neglected irrigation, she claimed that the present UPA Government had increased minimum support price very substantially and had enhanced public expenditures for irrigation very significantly.(UNI)

Grand reception to 'Jagriti Yatra'
CM joins thousands for reception at Lakhanpur

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 4: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that Guru Granth Sahib has taught us brotherhood and amity and the grand ‘Guru Manyo Granth Jagriti Yatra’ would promote community harmony in the Jammu and Kashmir.

While according grand reception to the holy ‘Jagriti Yatra’ at the gateway of J&K State at Lakhanpur in district Kathua this afternoon along with thousands of people, Mr Azad said that coming Yatra would promote communal harmony and brotherhood in the State. He said people from different religious faiths, caste and creed have assembled at Lakhanpur and other towns enroute Jammu to accord grand reception to the Yatra carrying holy Guru Granth Sahib and the weapons of great Sikh Guru Gobind Singh ji.

The Chief Minister said he was receiving the yatra on behalf of people of the State.

He said the State has been an abode of communal harmony and the warm reception given to the Yatra here by people from all walks of life has been an expression to this fact. He hoped that ensuing yatra would promote brotherhood and amity in the State.

Mr Azad said the State Government would take care of this historic yatra and try its best to provide smooth and comfortable stay of those accompanying it.

The Sikh spiritual personality, Mahant Manjit Singh of Dera Nangali Sahib had gone to Lakhanpur along with a large number of Sikh Sangat to receive Yatra and accord it rousing reception. The yatra after taking halt for about one and half hour at Lakhanpur started for Kalibari and Rajbagh where people welcomed it in large number.

It crossed Kalibari at around 6.45 pm and was expected to reach Jammu during mid-night. The yatra, organised in connection with 300th anniversary celebrations of Guru Granth Sahib, had started from Nanded in Maharashtra and after covering various States would culminate at the same place.

A huge gathering of people from the State accorded grand reception to the ‘Guru Manyo Granth Jagriti Yatra’ which entered the State at Lakhanpur at around 3.30 pm. The yatra was scheduled to arrive at Lakhanpur at around 10 am but it was late enroute Jammu from Amritsar. The State administration had made elaborate security arrangements. About 20 additional companies of police and para-military forces had been deployed for security cover and to ensure smooth passage of yatra.

On both sides of road, a large number of people had gathered to welcome the yatra.

The traffic was diverted to different routes but long queues of vehicles were observed along the National Highway and Dhar Road and Old Kathua road. Mobile police vans are accompanying the yatra and public opened langars at different places for the devotees accompanying the yatra and Sikh Sangat.

Former Chief Minister and NC leader Dr Farooq Abdullah, Chairman of the Reception Committee, Minister for Higher Education Gulchain Singh Charak and other members including-Dy Chairman State Legislative Council Arvinder Singh, T S Bajwa (MP), Ch Lal Singh (MP), MoS Power Babu Singh, MoS-PHE/CAPD Manjit Singh, State Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president T S Wazir (MLC) and State BJP chief Ashok Khajuria were among thousands of people who received the Yatra and later accompanied the same.

Massive hike in rent for land hired by Army

NEW DELHI, Apr 4:The Centre today announced a massive hike in rentals for the land hired or requisitioned by the Armed forces in Jammu and Kashmir.

The hike is in the range of 2.1 to 5 times for various categories of land.

The revised rate structure would come into effect retrospectively from February 16 this year and remain in force for five years till February 15, 2013.

The measures, taken at Defence Minister A K Antony’s initiative, were aimed at providing succour to the people of the state as they would now get a realistic payment for their land.

The decision comes close on the heels of Mr Antony’s visit to the Kashmir valley last Saturday.

For the Class-1 category of irrigated land, the rate per kanal per annum has been increased from Rs 1125 to Rs 3381 while for the ‘Irrigated-Double Cropped’ category the hike is still higher from the existing Rs 1688 to Rs 4087 per kanal per annum.

For the Class-II category of irrigated land, the rate has been increased from Rs 1125 to Rs 3200 and for the unirrigated category, the new rate is Rs 1390 against the previous figure of Rs 563 per kanal per annum.

For the Class-III ‘Un-cultivable’ category, the increase is from the existing Rs 413 to the new figure of Rs 895.

For fruit bearing orchards, the hike has been substantial from the existing rate of Rs 1575 to Rs 10,000 per kanal per annum.

For the land falling under Jammu Municipal Corporation, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Poonch Municipal Council and Srinagar/Jammu Cantonment areas, the rate has been raised from Rs 6750 to Rs 33,750 per kanal per annum.

Still, the rate for lands falling under Municipal Councils has been increased from Rs 3375 to Rs 16,875 while that of lands falling under Municipal Committees from Rs 2700 to Rs 13,500 per kanal per annum.

An expert panel was constituted by the Government to determine whether there was a need to re-locate and re-configure the existing security forces keeping in mind the security requirements of the State and also to review the application of the Armed Forces (J&K) Special Powers Act, 1990.

The expert panel held several meetings and visited Jammu and Kashmir to have a first hand assessment of the ground level situation in the State.

One of the key recommendations of the expert panel which submitted its report on July 12, 2007 was that the revision of rents and compensation paid for lands should be done in a more realistic manner.

Subsequently, a meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Mr Antony and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on October 27, 2007 at Srinagar to review the security situation in the troubled State.

One of the decisions taken during the meeting was the State Government would submit proposals for revision of rentals for the requisitioned and hired properties to the Defence Ministry.

The rates of rentals for the requisitioned land for armed forces in Jammu and Kashmir were being revised every five years. These were last revised on February 16, 2003. (UNI)

2 injured in PDF-NC clash
Kidnapped cops killed by militants

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Apr 4: Militants have killed both the constables of Police Station Sogam who had been kidnapped in broad daylight at Surigam in Lolab valley of Kupwara district on Thursday.

DIG north Kashmir, Dr B Srinivas, told EXCELSIOR that dead bodies of two constables of Police Station Sogam, namelyTariq Ahmad Bhat S/o Haji Ghulam Mohammad Bhat R/o Harwan and Nazir Ahmad Dar S/o Mohammad Maqbool Dar R/o Mattan, Anantnag, were spotted and recovered today from Gujar Patti, Gagal. He said that both the Police personnel seemed to have been physically tortured and subsequently killed in cold blood. He said that militants have slit the throat of one constable.

Srinivas said that according to the residents of Surigam, a group of four militants, who were all carrying AK-47 rifles, had kidnapped the two constables at 1400 hours on Thursday and whisked them away towards a jungle area. Resistance of two women, who were on the spot, failed to prevent the militants from kidnapping the duo. He said that the Police personnel, who were unarmed but in uniform, were going to execute summons from Police Station Sogam when they were captured and kidnapped. He said that spreading a fresh wave of terror appeared to be motive of the killing but Police had begun investigation in different directions.

DIG Srinivas added that Police today learned from different sources that Imran Group of Al-Badar Mujahideen had kidnapped and later killed the constables but Jaish-e-Mohammad was keen to claim its responsibility. None of the militant organiations had, however, claimed responsibility till late tonight.

Killing of the two constables, which came after a pause of several years in Kashmir valley, has sent shockwaves in the rank and file of Jammu & Kashmir Police. IGP Kashmir, S M Sahai, accompanied by DIG north Kashmir and SSP Kupwara visited Sogam today and interacted with men of Police Station Sogam. He directed the authorities to immediately launch a manhunt, in coordination with Army, for the group of militants responsible for slaying the two Police personnel.

Meanwhile, reports from Budgam said that about a hundred of the activists of Hakeem Mohammad Yasin's PDF today attacked an equally strong rally of the National Conference leader Tariq Mohiuddin at Muqam, Waterhail. When it turned into a no-holds-barred with both the parties trading brickbats, abuses, slogans and counter-slogans, Police fired bursts of gunfire in air and dispersed the warring crowds. Even as civilian sources insisted that at least six persons, including two Policemen, sustained injuries, SSP Budgam, Syed Ashiq Hussain Bukhari maintained that only one civilian and one Police official had got injured.

Some residents and officials of District Hospital Budgam insisted that ASI Ghulam Hassan received a gunshot wound in his leg. He was evacuated and rushed to District Hospital Budgam wherefrom he was referred to Bone & Joint Hospital Barzulla. SSP Budgam, however, maintained that the ASI too had been hit by a stone from the crowds.

Indicating heated electioneering this year, Budgam district has witnessed at least four bitter clashes between the supporters of PDF, NC and PDP at different places in the last three months.

Forest fire control denied ample funds

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Apr 4: Unbelievable it may sound, but it is a stark reality that State Government has not been considering it obligatory on its part to tackle forest fires which have been increasing and destroying green gold in several hundred hectares of forest land with every passing year.

Due to non-seriousness of the Government not only the plunder of the forest wealth has been going on unabated but the ecological balance of the State is also getting disturbed and heading the Jammu and Kashmir towards adverse climatic changes.

Official sources told the EXCELSIOR that during the past several years the incidents of forest fires have been increasing rapidly and about 44 square kilometres of forest area was gutted during the past three years only.

During 2007-08 financial year, around 450 fire incidents took place across the State involving a total forest area of 1900 hectares and this figure was the highest during the past five years, the sources disclosed and said that despite such an alarming situation vis-a-vis incidents of forest fires the Government has not felt it necessary to initiate proper measures to check the same.

Although the situation warranted that the Government should open up its coffers to adequately equip the Forest Department so that the fires are controlled before they spread tentacles and effective fire-control measures are taken, however, the Government preferred to provide peanuts when crores of rupees are required to cope with the situation and bring down the incidents of forest fires.

They disclosed that as against the requirement of Rs one crore per annum to tackle increasing forest fire incidents in 20,600 square kilometres of forests (12643 square kilometres in Jammu region and remaining in Kashmir region), the Government has been providing only peanuts in the shape of Rs 5 lakh per annum to the Forest Department.

"This meagre financial assistance to protect the green gold of the State is not sufficient even for some forest compartments", they regretted, adding "this assistance itself exposes the seriousness of the Government towards protecting the forests from being ruined".

In the absence of adequate financial support, the fire lines which are required to be created and maintained properly to prevent spread of forest fires, are not being created even in the major fire prone areas in Jammu, Doda, Kishtwar, Marwah, Bhaderwah, Poonch and Rajouri. "Moreover, majority of these forest areas lack watch towers, fire fighting equipment and above all adequate manpower", the sources said.

Presently, one forest guard has been looking after 14 square kilometres forest area without any watch tower and other necessary equipments thereby making his presence ‘worthless’ for timely detecting and tackling forest fire incidents and illegal felling of trees and subsequent smuggling, the sources disclosed.

When contacted, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Irshad Khan confirmed that very meagre amount is being earmarked to equip the department suitably to check and timely tackle forest fires. "We are facing acute shortage of fire watchers, guards and other equipment of dire necessity", he added.

"We have taken up the matter with the Finance Department a number of times but nothing concrete has come out so far", he said, adding "in the absence of adequate financial assistance and manpower it is difficult or rather impossible to tackle the increasing forest fires".

Meanwhile, the environment experts said, "The way forests in the State are being ruined either intentionally or accidentally it will badly degrade environment", adding "at a time when global warming is posing severe threat the Jammu and Kashmir Government should fall in line with other states and counties to protect and increase the green gold to prevent populace from the affects of fast changing environmental phenomenon".

‘Who created Salahuddin? Mufti was PCC chief in 1987’
Mehbooba’s dual control proposal aimed
at appeasing Pak: Omar

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Apr 4: National Conference president Omar Abdullah today charged PDP president Mehbooba Mufti with mooting the proposal of dual power sharing arrangement over Jammu and Kashmir at national level during recent Pugwash conference in Islamabad "to appease Pakistan".

Addressing a press conference at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan after two days convention of the party here this afternoon, Mr Abdullah, who also attended the Pugwash meet, quoted from a document circulated by Ms Mufti at Islamabad meet to confirm that she had indeed made such a proposal at the conference though she tried to retract from her statement later through a television interview following adverse reaction back home.

Reading out Mehbooba’s statement from a copy circulated to Pugwash participants, the NC leader wanted to know whether this proposal made by the PDP president was part of party’s self rule.

"It has become a habit with the PDP to float an idea to watch reaction of the people. If the reaction is favourable, they own it but if the idea is not well received, they will contradict it", he said, pointing out that first the party had talked of de-militarisation and then came down to troop deployment, again they favoured separate currency for the State and within days backed down and their self rule concept is not known to anyone.

The Central Government’s silence on Mehbooba’s proposal was intriguing, he remarked. Also, he said, the Congress Party's silence on the subject has also created doubts in the minds of people. He, however, added that the Congress Party's silence was an indication that the party was not in agreement with the PDP proposal.

Mr Abdullah, who was flanked by party MLC Devinder Rana, observed that a Government order issued today hiking the rent paid for occupation of buildings by the Army had "totally exposed" the PDP which had been claiming that all buildings had been evicted of Army.

"Had it been so what was the need for the Government to increase rent of the buildings occupied by the troops"? he asked and said with the Government order another PDP slogan of de-militarisation has completely been rendered "hollow".

The NC president was of the view that de-militarisation was not possible in the State which has its borders with Pakistan and China. "That is why the NC had been demanding re-deployment of troops to 1989 level", he said, adding the areas which had been cleared of militants can be de-militarised as the Government figures did speak of reduction in violence.

Taking another dig at the PDP, this time at party patron and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed, Omar Abdullah questioned his statement that Hizbul Mujahideen supremo Syed Salahuddin was "creation of 1987 elections".

" In 1987 polls, the NC had an alliance with the Congress. If Dr Farooq Abdullah was the NC president at that time, the Pradesh Congress was headed by Mufti Mohd Sayeed. If Farooq was responsible for creation of Salahuddin, the Mufti was also equally responsible. He must admit his mistake and tender an apology", he said.

Taking exception to Mufti Sayeed’s another statement describing 2002 Assembly elections as "fairest", Omar Abdullah quoted a statement of former PDP leader Ghulam Hassan Mir (without naming him) saying a founder members of the PDP and a senior party leader till recently has himself stated that he sent people from Tangmarg to the constituencies of Mufti Sayeed and his daughter to help them win the election.

He virtually refused to comment on Mehbooba Mufti’s stand on setting up of a joint regional council for two parts of the State saying he would like to know whether the PDP stands firm on its statement or retract from it too like they have done on other statements.

"We will go into merits and de-merits of the proposal if it is formally mooted", he said but added that the NC was firm on its proposal for granting autonomy to the State. He recalled that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had in Amritsar called for a joint mechanism of co-operation between Indian and Pakistan.

Voicing deep concern over the Government’s new policy on employment, the NC president alleged that the ruling coalition has set aside all rules and regulations and even bypassed the jurisdiction of SSRB to "fill the vacancies in political parties’ offices".

These vacancies, he feared, would be "sold" and the money would be used to contest ensuing Assembly elections. "All this is being done at the expense of common man, good governance and transparency", he regretted and asked: "if 70,000 vacancies existed in the State why they were not filled during last three years"?

The Government was taking all these "popular measures" as they have no chances of winning the elections, Mr Abdullah said and added that from now onwards to October, all steps by the Government will be aimed at winning the elections.

He hoped that the Prime Minister will take interest in pushing the remaining Working Group forward as it had significant political agenda which would help solve Kashmir problem since roots of Kashmir problem were political and not economical.

On controversy generated by BJP leader L K Advani’s book ‘My country, My life", Mr Abdullah said the Centre had authorised KC Pant and Arun Jaitley for talks on autonomy even after summarily rejecting the proposal. On why he didn’t resign in the aftermath of Gujarat violence, he said he did resign but didn’t press it as it would have been like passing a verdict against Atal Behari Vajpayee while it was Narendera Modi who should have been blamed for the crisis.

On Advani’s claim that he was not aware of his the then Cabinet colleague Jaswant Singh taking militants to Kandahar, he pointed out that it seems quite strange that a Home Minister, who happens to be Incharge IB and Law & Order would have been unaware of such a major happening. "Had I been in his place and I would not have been informed by the Prime Minister, I would have resigned", he asserted.

Mr Abdullah charged the UPA Government with failure to contain rising prices especially that of eatables saying the Government was carried away by the growth rate of 8.5 per cent.

He said during his Pakistan visit he pleaded the case of Sarabjit Singh, a Punjab prisoner sentenced to death in Pakistan. "I said if Sarabjit was hanged, it would raise the demand in India for hanging of Afzal Guru, the Parliament attack convict. The hanging of Guru will create trouble as was witnessed in the aftermath of the hanging of Maqbool Bhat", he added.

Darbar to close on April 25

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 4: The offices observing five days a week shall close at Jammu on April 25, 2008 (Friday) after the office hours and the offices observing six days a week shall close on April 26, 2008 (Saturday) after the office hours and reopen at Srinagar on May 5, 2008.

A Government order issued to this effect directs the departments to send their advance parties on April, 21, 2008 consisting of one gazetted officer and four or five non-gazetted employees to receive the records at Srinagar.

The Government has also ordered that the salary for the month of April 2008 in respect of all the employees working in moving offices shall be drawn on April 21.

On reopening of offices at Srinagar, the move offices located in Civil Secretariat and heads of departments located within the Civil Secretariat premises will observe office hours from 9.30 a.m to 5 p.m while as all the moving heads of departments located outside the Civil Secretariat and observing six days a week working period will observe office time from 10.a.m to 4 p.m.

Dr Khajuria gets addl charge of SMGS
Dr Romesh is new MS GMC

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 4: The Government today ordered posting of Dr Romesh Gupta as Medical Superintendent of Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu.

Dr Gupta was officiating as GMC Medical Superintendent for last three months. He will continue to hold additional charge of MS Psychiatry Hospital.

Dr Rakesh Khajuria, Administrator-cum-Medical Superintendent GMC Jammu has been re-designated as Administrator GMC Jammu and will hold additional charge of MS SMGS Hospital.

The post of MS SMGS had fallen vacant after the deputation of Dr Yash Sharma to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

Dr Satish Sharma has been posted as Deputy Medical Superintendent, SMGS hospital and will also hold the charge of Deputy MS Chopra Nursing Home.

Dr Romesh Gupta had earlier also served as MS GMC for 3 years and MS CD and Psychiatry Hospital besides Deputy MS GMC for 7 years.

Lalu arriving tomorrow

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 4: Union Minister for Railways, Lalu Prasad Yadav is arriving here on April 6 to flag off Garib Rath Express.

The Garib Rath comprising of 12 coaches with 81 seats each will be operated between Jammu Tawi to Kath Godown, Uttar Pradesh. The train is scheduled to leave Jammu at 11.55 pm on every Sunday and reach Kath Godown at 2.35 pm on Monday.

On every Monday it will again leave from Kath Godown at 6.30 pm and reach Jammu Tawi at 9.35 am on Tuesday initially once in a week. The Railway authorities have provided 25 percent discount on passenger fare on the pattern of Rajdani Express.

Mr Yadav would also lay foundation of electrification work on Jammu-Jalandhar double rail track.

Six officers transferred

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 4: Government today ordered transfers and postings of six officers with immediate effect.

Mohammad Aslam Qadiri, who was awaiting orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department, has been posted as Personal Officer in the Directorate of School Education, Kashmir against available vacancy.

Mohammad Haroon, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Khansahib has been transferred and posted as Administrative Officer in the office of Financial Commissioner, Revenue against available vacancy.

Muzaffar Ahmad Peer, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Mendhar has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner, Revenue Bandipore vice Shah Nawaz Bukhari, who has been posted as Sub-Divisional Magistrate Khansahib vice Mohammad Haroon.

Dr Mushtaq Ahmad, Tehsildar, Bishnah has been transferred and posted as Assistant Settlement Officer, Jammu relieving Assistant Settlement Commissioner of the additional charge of the post.

T K Bhat, Tehsildar, Special Tribunal, Jammu has been transferred and posted as Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Mendhar vice Muzaffar Ahmad Peer.

Kashmir highway closed due to shooting stones,
thousands stranded

SRINAGAR : The Kashmir valley was cut off from the rest of the country after the 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was closed due to shooting stones, triggered by heavy rain since early this morning.

Hundreds of vehicles, including those carrying passengers, are stranded on the highway official sources said.

A traffic police official told UNI that the highway has been closed following shooting stones at Penthal, the most troubled spot on the highway.

He said the entire area experienced heavy rain since early this morning, causing shooting stones.

Traffic on the highway will be resumed only when the shooting stones and landslides is cleared, he said.

The Beacon project authorities, has pressed into despatched service men and machines to clear the road.

Official sources said hundreds of vehicles, which left Srinagar and Jammu this morning, including those carrying passengers, are stranded on the highway. Trucks loaded with essential commodities for Kashmir are also stranded at different places on the highway across Penthal. (UNI)