Tough measures against hoarders
Govt allays fears of food riots, announces subsidy
*Control prices, else quit: Advani

NEW DELHI, Apr 16: Under attack for rising prices, Government today announced a slew of measures, including Rs 15 a litre subsidy on edible oil, while vowing to take tough measures against hoarders and cartels of steel and cement manufacturers.

The Prime Minister is also contemplating calling a meeting of Chief Ministers to discuss the steps needed to tackle the rising prices.

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar announced the subsidy on edible oil, which would now be sold through PDS, besides import of one million tons of cooking medium to improve the supply situation as parts of efforts to fight inflation.

At the same time, Finance Minister P Chidambaram warned of a crackdown against hoarders and said Government would do every thing in its powers to tackle cartelisation by steel and cement manufacturers.

The Government response came in the Lok Sabha during a discussion on rising prices during which Opposition and Left allies launched a scathing attack on its failure to tackle soaring inflation before staging a walkout.

Chidambaram said the States should take stern action and Prime Minister has already written to Chief Ministers to invoke provisions under Essential Services and Maintenance Act.

During the discussion in Rajya Sabha, Chidambaram said, "I hope Governor (RBI) is listening to this debate and take appropriate measures".

Allaying apprehensions of food riots expressed in certain quarters, the Government categorically assured that the nation has an adequate buffer stock of foodgrains to meet any contingency and all necessary steps were being taken to check the prices of all essential commodities.

Winding up a day-long debate on price rise in the Lok Sabha, Pawar, however, declined to make any commitment on banning future trading in essential commodities as demanded by the Left parties. Dissatisfied with the Minister’s statement that the Government would wait for ten days for the Abhijit Sen Committee report on forward trading, the Left parties walked out of the House just before Mr Pawar concluded his reply to the debate held under Rule 193.

Mr Pawar said if the Sen Panel did not submit its report in ten days he would consult Forward Market Commission (FMC) on whether to ban future trading in essential commodities to protect the interests of the common man. However, he said the earlier ban on future trading in wheat, rice and urad had practically no effect on prices of these commodities which had risen in spite of the ban.

He said there are multiple views on forward trading, including one which said it amounts to "shooting the messenger".

On sufficiency of the buffer stock, the Minister informed that the country has 58 lakh tonnes of wheat, which is 18 lakh tonnes more than the target of 40 lakh tonnes. He said the country is likely to produce 150 lakh tonnes of wheat and 270 lakh tonnes of rice this year in view of encouraging initial reports about the coming Monsoon.

Reiterating the UPA Government’s position that the rise in food prices was not confined to India only, he said it was much less in the country than elsewhere in the world where it has shot up manifold.

Prices of rice and wheat have shot up even in exporting countries like Australia, Vietnam and Thailand.

Earlier, turning the heat on the Government on the issue of price rise, the BJP today asked the UPA to resign if it cannot rein in soaring inflation which has "tormented" the common man.

The main Opposition party also announced plans to intensify its agitation on the issue on a day the Government came under all-round attack in Parliament over its "failure" to check the price spiral.

Noting that "the common man is today tormented the most by the rising prices," BJP’s Prime Ministerial face L K Advani said, "we wish to tell the UPA loudly and clearly — control prices, else quit."

Quoting media reports which said the wholesale price index figures does not show the true extent of situation, he said, "I would like to know from the Prime Minister if this is true." "If this is even partially true, it raises serious questions about the honesty and integrity of the UPA Government.....A Government that is not truthful with the citizens is not fit to govern," he told BJP’s Parliamentary party meeting here.

Accusing the Government of showing insensitivity, he said "instead of confronting the problem with a proper plan and a united effort that can instill confidence among the people, they are busy passing the buck and blaming the Opposition."

Advani accused the Government of "failure" in boosting indigenous production of pulses and edible oils and taking measures to ensure energy conservation and charged it with systematically abandoning the path of self-reliant food security.

The party’s office bearers will meet here in the next two days to chalk out plans for a country-wide agitation against the Government on the issue of price rise, BJP deputy leader in Lok Sabha V K Malhotra said.

Asked why the BJP has so far not brought a no-confidence motion against the Government on the issue of price rise, he said, "the party will consider your suggestion".

Advani said the issue of price and the Government’s response to it has also highlighted lack of cohesion in the Council of Ministers, especially the conflict between Finance and Commerce Ministers.

"Hence, what one hears from the Government is a cacophony of discordant voices and not a clear enunciation of a confidence-building strategy," he said.

The meeting condemned PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s suggestion for using both Indian and Pakistani currency in Jammu and Kashmir and asked the Government to make its stand clear on the matter. "The Government has not reacted strongly. It sends out a wrong message," Malhotra told reporters here. It also denounced Government’s attempts to prevent what it called "peaceful protests" by Tibetan groups. (PTI)

Dual use of currency will be a necessity soon: Mufti

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Apr 16: Former Chief Minister and PDP leader Mufti Mohd Sayeed today said he was in favour of "dual use" of Indian and Pakistani currency in both parts of the State—Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). He said the use of currency of both countries in divided parts of the State will become a necessity in the coming days with peace process moving forward.

Addressing a press conference at his official residence here, Mr Sayeed defended his statement on use of Pakistan currency in the State nothwithstanding strong adverse reactions countrywide including from his own coalition partner, the Congress.

He also called for implementation of the recommendations of four Working Groups including "safe passage" to Kashmiri militants held up in PoK and rehabilitation of the kin of militants.

"But, we are in no hurry. This is a suggestion and our vision for future. We don’t say that this proposal be implemented immediately. However, this is something which has to happen in future", the PDP leader said favouring use of Pakistani currency in the State.

Asserting that he has been misquoted that he has asked for use of Pakistani currency only in J&K, he added that he stood for use of Indian currency as well in PoK. "We stand for dual use of currency", he clarified.

To justify his statement, the Mufti quoted a statement of Union Minister of State for Trade and Commerce Jairam Ramesh (now Union Minister of State for Power) made in Kashmir few days back that free trade will start from Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route within 90 days and that the trade will be free from customs duty. He also quoted a statement of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh during his address to Jammu University’s convocation last year that Line of Control (LoC) be converted into Line of Peace.

To start the trade, need of Pakistani currency will automatically be felt, he said.

Moreover, he pointed out, already several concessions have been extended to the State including movement of citizens between two parts of divided State on permit system, without visa or passport.

In support of his new suggestion, which has been described by the BJP as ‘anti-national’, the PDP patron observed that European Union (EU) has already mooted single currency among its member nations by 2012. SAARC nations were also in favour of use of currency of all countries among the member States. India and Nepal already have the agreement on use of each other country’s currency, he said.

"A decision has to be taken on Kashmir. Something has to happen. We can’t wait for 60 years", he remarked but, at the same time, added that he was not asking for implementation of his proposal in a stroke. According to him, people on this part of the State will be more benefited by the use of Pakistani currency as Indian economy is strong.

Replying to a question on opposition to his statement by Union Minister for Water Resources and PCC (I) president Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz, the former Chief Minister was of the view that it was his own statement and there can be differences on it in the coalition Government.

"Policies of the coalition Government are different. It goes to our credit that we have been running the coalition successfully for last five and a half years", he remarked.

In response to another question, he said he could take up the issue of Pakistani currency’s use in the State during forthcoming two days visit of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to Jammu from April 25.

Asserting that there was nothing wrong in his suggestion which appeared to have been misinterpreted by some quarters, Mr Sayeed recalled launch of mobile telephone service and Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus had also evoked opposition of some parties that they will be misused by militants.

"‘We have to change the mindset. Nothing wrong has happened. The BSNL is getting highest revenue from J&K. The bus service is plying smoothly", he said, adding "today is the need of globalisation".

"Vajpayee (former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee)had started peace process which was followed by Dr Manmohan Singh. Similarly, in Pakistan, Delhi-Lahore bus service was started by Nawaz Sharif and the process was followed by Pervez Musharraf. Peace process is historic necessity for both countries. Differences have to be resolved", he said.

Calling upon the Prime Minister to implement recommendations of four Working Groups, which had submitted their reports a year ago, the Mufti stressed for giving free passage to Kashmiri militants and youths, who have been held up in PoK and want to surrender. This, he noted, has also been recommended by Rasgotra headed Working Group.

The PDP leader said he would also like the Prime Minister to implement another recommendation of Hamid Ansari led Working Group in which he had favour rehabilitation of dependents of killed militants just as relief is paid to civilians killed by militants or in the cross firing.

Stressing for increasing frequency of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawlakote bus services from fortnightly to weekly, Mufti Sayeed observed that a large number of people on both sides want to travel on the cross-LoC bus but were held up due to cumbersome process of obtaining permit.

The permit system should be made liberal and stay of the visitors extended, which has been a major demand of the people, he said and demanded that cross-LoC buses should not be restricted to divided families alone as had been the case at present but other people including tourists be also allowed to board the bus.

He said he would also request the Prime Minister to hand over Dul Hasti project to the State to compensate for the losses suffered by it due to Indus Water Treaty.

He added that he would also urge the Prime Minister to ensure early finalisation of the report of fifth Working Group on Centre-State relations.

He reiterated that Hizbul supremo Syed Salahuddin did join militancy after 1987 elections. ‘‘Salahuddin and Yasin Malik joined militancy only after 1987. Salahuddin went to Pakistan only after 1987,’’ he remarked.

To a question that he had taken the oath of Constitution of India but still called PoK as ‘Azad Kashmir’, Mr Sayeed said that there was no difference but he had called it Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PAK).

Referring to his week long tour in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, the Mufti said the decline in militancy was very very apparent and there was no fear among the people, who were feeling relaxed and living in good atmosphere of development. He made a special mention of successful running of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) headed by Vice Chancellor Choudhary Masud and opening of four degree colleges.

Latest survey pegs BPL population at 22 pc

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Apr 16: Unfolding huge variation in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) population projected by the National Sample Survey (NSS), the latest and detailed survey conducted in the State has pegged the population at 22 per cent, much more than the previously projected one.

The latest list of the BPL people in the State has been drafted by the Economics and Statistics Department, as assured on the floor of Assembly by the Finance Minister during the previous budget session, and will be released within next couple of days.

This list will have wide acceptance by the Planning Commission of India as it has the complete data about the BPL population in both urban and rural areas besides other important indicators.

Authoritative sources told the EXCELSIOR that National Sample Survey has projected overall BPL population of the State at 4 per cent but the latest survey conducted by Economics and Statistics Department has projected the same at 22 per cent.

"The NSS has projected the rural BPL population at 3 per cent but in the latest report it has been worked out at 27 per cent. However, there is no variation in the urban BPL population and the same has been projected at 8 per cent both by NSS and latest survey", the sources disclosed.

In some districts of the State, the incidence of poverty have been worked at 7 to 12 per cent, the sources said, adding even in the areas closed to some district headquarters the incidence of poverty are ranging between 17 to 20 percent.

"In Reasi, Kishtwar, Ramban and Poonch districts, the incidence of poverty are ranging between 38 per cent to 40 percent", the sources said, adding "in far of areas like Mahore, Gool, Gulabgarh, Paddar, Marwah, Dachhan, Gurez and Teetwal, the incidence of poverty has been worked out at 60 per cent".

When contacted, Director, Economics and Statistics G A Qureshi, confirmed that the provisional list of BPL population has been drafted and will be released shortly.

"The final report will have several important indicators like health status of the areas, education facilities, poverty incidence of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe population and unemployment", he disclosed and said that by and large the final report will have the figures of provisional list vis-a-vis BPL population.

He informed that earlier Rural Development Department (RDD) of the State was conducting survey of BPL population after every five years but the same was confined to rural areas thus it had not much acceptance by the Planning Commission of India.

"It is for the first time in the State that the Economics and Statistics Department has been entrusted the job to conduct detailed survey of BPL population with other important indicators so that Government would be able to prepare proper plans to reduce the poverty and project the actual figures before the Planning Commission of India", he said.

To a question, he said that while submitting BPL list to the Planning and Finance Department, the Department of Economics and Statistics will recommend certain measures to control the incidence of poverty.

Bus plunges into Narmada canal
41 students killed before final exam

BODELI (GUJARAT), Apr 16: At least 44 people, 41 of them children between the age of 13 and 14 going to school for their final examination, were killed today when a bus carrying them plunged into the Narmada canal here.

"Forty-four bodies have so far been fished out from the 60-foot canal" in this Taluka town, DSP Vadodara (Rural) Amit Vishwkarama said.

Out of the 44 killed, 41 are students—32 girls and nine boys—while three adults include the driver and conductor.

Wailing parents of the children thronged the accident site as rescuers struggled to find bodies and a giant crane was deployed to pull the smashed vehicle out of the canal.

The accident took place at around 6.30 am when the driver of Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation bus lost control and the vehicle veered off the road breaking through concrete railings of the bridge on the canal and fell into it.

The canal was filled upto 4.6 meters due to which the bus got submerged in the water and the rescue team took a while to locate it, eye-witnesses said.

People from the nearby villages started the rescue work after the accident. Jakir Hussain of the town said he along with his friends fished out bodies of 25 students.

The students, many of them children of farmers, mainly belong to nearby villages and were going to appear for their last examination paper in Bodeli, the Taluka headquarters.

Nineteen students of Bamroli village died in the accident while eight students of Patan Pittha also lost their lives.

Distraught parents of the students from Bamroli carried their children’s bodies in a funeral procession from a Shiva temple to a site for a mass funeral amidst heart-rending scenes of people crying inconsolably.

As the funeral procession made its way slowly to the cremation ground, normal life in the entire Taluka down came to a standstill as shops and schools closed, examinations cancelled and people observed a 12-hour fast to mourn the loss.

"This is the worst accident at Bodeli", said Jayesh Patel who lost his niece Sejal studying in Class VII said. "Bodies of so many students have shocked me", he added.

Out of the students from Bodeli who were killed, five are the only children of their parents.

Sardar Sarovar Project authorities decided to immediately stop the supply of water to the Narmada main canal and brought the level of the water from 4.6 meters to 2.6 meters to help rescue operations, Chief Engineer of Project S Srinivas said.

Three cranes were pressed into services to pull the bus out after the water level was reduced, district administration sources said.

Four students were rescued alive from the canal and admitted to a hospital in Bodeli, official added.

The entire Bamroli village could not come to terms with what had happened when the news first came in that 15 of their girls, had lost their lives in the unfortunate incident.

The bodies, all lined up, were kept for about half an hour outside Shiva temple for the people to pay homage before their cremation.

When the leaders came to meet the villagers, they said "we don’t need your money, give our girls back".

The villagers have decided to boycot education if the Government does not ply good buses in their area.

The Gujarat Government announced Rs one lakh as ex-grartia to the next of the kin of the dead and ordered an inquiry into the cause of the accident.(PTI)

NC's massive rally in Budgam calls for end to 'politics of deceit'
Omar dismisses Mufti's Pak currency as a cheap gimmick

From Ahmed Ali Fayyaz

BUDGAM, Apr 16: After organising two massive rallies in the erstwhile fortresses of insurgency in Dangarpora (Sopore) and Kandi (Kupwara), National Conference (NC) president Omar Abdullah today addressed a mammoth public meeting in the Valley's first militancy-free district. Thousands of the party's supporters yelled for an end to the "politics of deceit" even as their leader dismissed Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's suggestion of permitting the Pakistani currency in Jammu & Kashmir as a "cheap gimmick aimed at hoodwinking the Kashmiris".

Like in Sopore and Kupwara earlier this week, overwhelming enthusiasm was witnessed today at NC's Budgam rally which was attended by more than 15,000 people. In sharp contrast to the past 20 years, youth in their 20s and 30s accounted for more than 60 percent of the congregation. Yet again, Omar Abdullah focused sharply on the coalition Government's policies vis-à-vis youth and employment.

While claiming that the five-and-a-half-year-old Mufti-Azad Government had begun to launch a "backdoor recruitment process" only to get dividends in the forthcoming Assembly elections, Omar declared in his speech that a new dispensation, to be headed by Farooq Abdullah, would introduce "an imaginative and realistic policy" for the youth. He asserted that the new NC Government would ensure at least one job for each of the families which had no member in the government service. He desired to know why the coalition government had slept over 70,000 vacancies which it was, according to him, going to fill up through "back door" on the eve of the Assembly elections.

Omar said that the PDP-Congress coalition Government had failed to keep its promises---including getting two jobs to each family and associating the people of Jammu & Kashmir with the peace process between India and Pakistan---for the last over five years. "It's because of this failure that Mufti Sahab and others are now desperately looking for the political issues which could hoodwink the people on occasion of the next Assembly elections", Omar said and dismissed the PDP Patron's recent suggestion of permitting the Pakistani currency in J&K as a "cheap gimmick".

"Has anybody in this 15,000-strong rally got a job?" Omar asked and attracted a desired 'NO' from his audiences. The answer was a loud 'NO' again when Omar desired to know if anybody in the crowd had boarded Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus in the last three years. He said that after the bogeys of Srinagar-Rawalpindi bus service, healing touch and the Finance Minister Tariq Hameed Qarra's suggestion of a different currency for J&K, Mufti Sayeed had now catapulted the gimmick of the Pakistani currency which had instantaneously evoked negative reaction from all quarters.

Omar said that NC's 1996-2002 regime had facilitated ceasefire and dialogue with Kashmiri militants, which proved to be short-lived for "different reasons". "On the other hand, PDP and her allies have been merely talking of a ceasefire and dialogue process but they have held none in the last over five years", he added.

The NC chief admitted that some of his party's leaders had indulged in corruption and failed to maintain rapport with the masses. But, he claimed, most of them had been either sacked or had themselves moved to other parties. He alleged that corruption had become order of the day in the last five years and the menace had grown to the extent that a Cabinet Minister was found to have demanded and accepted bribe of Rs 40,000 from a sitting MLA.

In his brief speech on the occasion, MLA Budgam, Aga Ruhullah, alleged that the PDF Chairman and Minister of Transport, Hakeem Mohammad Yasin, had been attempting to create a sectarian divide so as to get vote from the majority community. He asked his audiences-which included almost equal multitudes of Sunni and Shia Muslims, besides a number of Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs---to remain vigilant against "divisive tactics of some politicians" and give a massive mandate to his party in the forthcoming elections. He said Ghulam Nabi Azad's Ministers had themselves shown public contempt to rules and laws by encouraging their own family members to continue in Government service as well as political activity. He said that the Minister's brother, who was in Government service, had attacked NC's announcement vehicles in Khansahib area on Tuesday.

Senior NC leaders, including Ali Mohammad Sagar, Dr Mehboob Beig, Mohammad Akbar Lone, besides Ali Mohammad Dar and Nasir Sogami also addressed the gathering. At the end of the public meeting, Omar violated all security guidelines as he perched himself on an open carriage and kept waiving to his followers from venue of the rally to Dak Bungalow where he shared snacks with his senior party colleagues and local activists.

Srinagar-Leh NH closed again

SRINAGAR, Apr 16: Heavy snowfall and threat of avalanches forced the authorities today to close the 434-km long Srinagar-Leh National Highway, which was declared open by Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad yesterday.

The highway was closed again because of heavy snowfall during the past 24 hours, the Beacon Project Chief Engineer A K Bhotany said.

He said the entire area from Baltal onwards, including Zojila to zero point experienced one and half feet to two feet of fresh snowfall since yesterday.

Mr Bhotany said there was also a report of snow avalanche at some places.

"We cannot compromise with the lives of passengers," he said adding it would take 48 hours to clear the accumulated snow on the highway.

The Chief Engineer said traffic on the highway would be allowed only after getting green signal from Beacon officials working at different points that there was no threat of avalanches.

He said he was confident that traffic on the highway would be resumed after three to four days, provided if there was no further snowfall. (UNI)

PDP refuses comment on alliance

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 16: Few days after Congress president Sonia Gandhi asked people of the State to vote Congress back to power in the Assembly elections due later this year making no mention of any alliance with the PDP, former Chief Minister and PDP patron Mufti Mohd Sayeed today refused to comment on an alliance with the Congress.

"No comments" was his only response to a question on alliance with Congress at his press conference.

It may be mentioned that Mrs Gandhi while addressing a women convention at Parade Ground last week had called upon the people to bring Congress back to power for development and bright future of the people of the State and didn’t name the PDP.

Pak erects 9 mobile towers on border

NEW DELHI, Apr 16: Pakistan has erected nine mobile towers in its territory along the Indo-Pak border which have security-related implications for India, the Government said today.

A survey conducted in February along the Indian side of the border has found that Pakistani mobile signals were reaching 39 locations inside Indian territory, Minister of State for Home Affairs Radhika M Selvi informed Rajya Sabha.

"Government is aware that Pakistan has erected nine mobile towers in its territory along the border areas. The mobile signals are reaching in Indian territory," Selvi said.

The survey was conducted at 44 locations on the Indian side of the border by the Vigilance and Telecom Monitoring Cell of Department of Telecommunication to ascertain the extent of reach of mobile signals in Indian territory, she said.

"It has been found that at 39 locations, Pakistani mobile signals reach Indian territory," she said.

Acknowledging that the reach of Pakistani signals in the Indian territory have "security related implications", she said that necessary remedial steps were taken from time to time to deal with the situation.

Borders: A total of 1912.31 kilometre of Indo-Pak border has been fenced till February this year whereas a total of 2,572.10 Km border between India and Bangladesh was fenced till the same period.

The proposed length for fencing for Indo-Pak border is 2007.63 Km while the same for Indo-Bangla border is 3,406.87 Km, Selvi said.

The total length of Indo-Pak is 2,308 km and that of Indo-Bangla border is 4,096.70 Km. (PTI)

Narcotics smuggling on increase

JALANDHAR, Apr 16: Admitting that there was spurt in the narcotic smuggling through Indo-Pak borders in the recent years, Inspector General (IG), Punjab Frontier, Himmat Singh, today said that instructions have been issued to the BSF officials to be vigilant to thwart any attempt of narcotic smuggling.

"Last year 116 kilogram of heroin was seized from Indo-Pak border in Frontier region as compared to 67 kilogram in the year of 2006 and in the current year, during first three months only, 27 kilogram of contraband was seized by the border force", Singh said claiming that use of thermal images was quite helpful in spotting and nabbing the smugglers.

Regarding the modus operandi of the narcotic smugglers, IG revealed that during the recent seizure it has come to light that "Pipe method" was being used to smuggle the narcotics to India.

Explaining the method, he revealed that Pakistani smugglers use big pipes and tilt it towards Indian side to supply packets of drugs.

"To strengthen the patrolling on the border areas, I have instructed certain senior officials to identify the weak area and accordingly extra forces would be deployed to such identified areas", IG added.

Regarding modernization of the force, Singh termed it a continuous process and revealed that recently the BSF received some ultra modern equipments and in the days to come it would be supplied to surveillance at Indo-Pak border.

He admitted that the population of villages adjoining to the

Indo-Pak borders were facing some problems due to deployment of force but revealed that he himself has visited such villages to take first hand knowledge of their problems and even their timings for going to the field has been increased. "I have instructed Company Commanders to have regular visit of such villages to identify and tackle problem of the villagers.

Due to lack of women staff in BSF was creating hurdles in the Security drill as villagers used to object on frisking of women villagers by men staff, but now the force has already initiated process of recruiting women staff and within two months new women staff would be deployed in the border areas.

"We have received as many as 6500 application from women candidates for recruitment, out of which more than 600 candidates will be recruited for their deployment in border areas", He said claiming that it was the first time when border force would deploy women staff on border area and even infrastructure including special barracks for women staff would be constructed in the border area.

On a query that whether change of uniform of the jawans at Retreat ceremony to make more decorative was under consideration, IG ruled out the same and said that an experiment was done in this regard but no final decision was taken. Regarding the development of border areas, Singh said that he has written a letter to the State Government for accelerating the development work in the border areas and even listed the priority for certain development projects in the border areas. (PTI)

Punjabi music can be common
ground for India, Pak: Afshan

PATIALA, Apr 16: Punjabi music can be a common ground of meeting for Indian film industry and Pakistani artists, feels Begum Afshan Abbas, noted Pakistani singer, who was once married to ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali.

"Since Indian films are increasingly being dominated by Punjabi music and Pakistan is producing more and more Punjabi singers, it is natural that the demand would be met from across the border," she said to reporters at Fun Villa near here last night. The singer is in India for stage shows.

Since her debut with "tannga wale nain..." on Pakistan radio 35 years back, Afshan has rendered songs, including "gudi waang aaj mainu sajna udaia jaa", "nimi nimmi vah wagdi rukh dolde", which were great hits on both sides of the border.

Though she has not received any offer for playback singing, Afshan would render Gurbani for a Chandigarh-based music company.

Hailing from Kassor area of Pakistan, the birthplace of renowned Sufi saint Baba Bule Shah, Afshan has been singing Kafis along with Punjabi songs.

"We need to promote cultural exchanges between India and Pakistan. I would love to work as a playback singer for Indian films, which is increasingly using Punjabi music," she said.

Refusing to talk about her strained relations with Ghulam Ali, she said they chose different paths 25 years ago.(PTI)

641 Indians in Pakistani jails

NEW DELHI : A total of 641 Indians, including 436 fishermen, are languishing in different Pakistani jails, the government said today.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told Rajya Sabha while replying a written question that the Government has consistently taken up with Islamabad, including at the highest level, the issue of Indians in custody in Pakistan.

In reply to another question, he said 74 missing defence personnel, including 54 since 1971, are believed to be in Pakistani jails.

He said lists of prisoners have been exchanged by the two Governments on March 31 and are under study.

"India expects the Government of Pakistan to implement the recommendations of the Judicial Committee (comprising Judges from India and Pakistan) to release and provide consular access to all detained fishermen and prisoners," Mukherjee said.

"The prolonged incarceration of our nationals in jails in Pakistan is a matter of grave concern to the Government of India," he said.

Mukherjee said in the absence of consular access to many fishermen and other prisoners, it was not possible to determine the details of sentences awarded.

Meanwhile, replying to another question, Mukherjee said there were 13 Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan custody for allegedly smuggling narcotics or for transporting Sri Lankan refugees.

He said there have been incidents of firing or apprehension of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy in their waters.

"While it is important for our fishermen to respect the International Maritime Boundary Line, especially keeping in mind the ongoing operations in Sri Lanka, we have impressed on the Sri Lankan Navy to act with restraint and for our fishermen to be treated in a humane manner," he said. (PTI)

Former Union Minister Mohammad Maqbool Dar dead

SRINAGAR : Former Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Mohammad Maqbool Dar passed away in a local hospital here last night. He was 65.

He is survived by two wives and five children. One of his daughter was set to be married today, family sources said.

Dar, who had suffered head injuries after he slipped in the bathroom on April 13, passed away in Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences at Soura late last night, doctors said.

Dar was inducted as MoS Home in Union Council of Ministers in H D Devegowda’s JD(S)-led Government in 1996.

The former minister was also suffering from various ailments including diabetes.

Born on November 10, 1943 in an agriculturist family in Shangus area of Anantnag district, Dar joined politics in 1971 after obtaining a Law degree from Aligarh Muslim University.

He joined Congress in 1975 and unsuccessfully contested Assembly elections in 1977 but later won in 1983. However, he lost in 1987 after he contested as an independent.

Dar contested Parliamentary elections in 1996 on Janata Dal ticket and was appointed MoS home. (PTI)