‘No false promises by our Govt’
Azad cautions people against misleading political parties

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 24: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that he was trying to restore people’s trust in politicians which has suffered a dent during past decades because of their false and un-kept promises. He said leaders and political parties selling imaginary scenarios to people were only making fools of themselves.  

Addressing public meetings at Billawar and Samba today, he said that politics, unfortunately, had now come to be regarded as a "means for corruption and nepotism" and his mission was to change this belief. He cautioned people against political parties and groups misleading them with hollow slogans. He said all this was done to garner votes.

However, Mr Azad said, these gimmicks were sure to backfire as people were now intelligent enough to see through them. He said in the 21st century when people living even in remote areas and up in the mountains were exposed to information revolution, it was no longer possible for political leaders and other groups to take them for a ride. They would be only fooling themselves by trying to befool people, he added.

Mr Azad said that his Government did not believe in false promises and remained single mindedly engaged in welfare of the people. "Leaders of political parties and other groups who wanted masses to believe in imaginary scenarios were actually taking them for a ride. Koyi idhar se udhar nahi jaayega, na koyi udhar se idhar aayega" "(nobody would go from here to there or come from there to here)", he said, adding this was spread only with an eye on the forthcoming Assembly elections. Likewise, he said some leaders would go to people living in mountains and seek their support by telling that they were their relations.

Similarly, religion, region or community was invoked for political gains. He said no religion was in danger in the State as was being projected by some vested interests. He said if anything was in danger it were their own positions. He said he had all along been striving to undo this negative politics and asked people to strengthen his hands.

The Chief Minister said that political parties must be identified by their policies and programmes and by what these had done in the interest of the people. He said a Government was meant for all people and not only for those who belong to the ruling party. "Doing party politics during elections was alright but once the Government was formed it had to do justice with all sections", he said, adding he had been strictly following this principle. He asked people to be united, saying unity in diversity was real strength of the State and the country.

Mr Azad said the two and a half years of his Government had been a period of unprecedented development across the State. "The process of development that had remained sluggish over the decades received fillip and thousands of infrastructure related projects were completed on fast track while many more were in the process of completion. Roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, power, drinking water and other utility services were extended to the village level while infrastructure was upgraded in cities and towns," he said.

He added that the projects that would take years to complete were now completed within shortest possible time. He said he had done away with the unhealthy practice of laying foundation stones of projects without sanction and making funds available for their construction. No project was started now before allocations and land were made available. The non-availability of funds, he recalled, would result in long delays, leading to five times cost escalation in the project cost, and abandoning of the project midway. This was no longer the case now, he said, adding that he had made it a point to lay foundation stone of a project only when the construction work had come above the ground level. He referred to the foundation laying ceremony of the mini Secretariat at district headquarter Samba few months back and said that he refused to do so as the work had not reached the stipulated level. He said he was scheduled to lay the foundation stone today but in the wake of the demise of prominent political leader and former Governor of Haryana, Bau Parmanand the function, as other Government functions, was cancelled.

The Chief Minister said that the present Government addressed the issues that were pending for decades. He said the Wazir Commission report was awaiting implementation for about three decades. He said his Government not only implemented the report but also went a step further and created 8 new districts, 3 sub-divisions and 12 tehsils in the State. He said the creation of new district of Samba was an instance to show how the Government cared for the wishes of the people. He said the creation of new districts was affected in a record time, never heard of in the history of the country. He said within one month of the submission of the report by the Delimitation Committee, the new districts and other administrative units started functioning. He said construction of mini Secretariat complexes for these districts was also done on fast track and by the end of this year these would be ready.

Responding to local demands, the Chief Minister said release of 100% plan allocations along with additionality to all districts at the commencement of the financial year would speed up development activities. He said that alternate land for shifting of the ammunition depot from Samba would be soon provided to the Army, paving way for the early completion of the college building there. He said water supply in the town would be augmented to address shortage of potable water. He said funds for the college building at Billawar had been earmarked and construction would start soon. He said a sports stadium would be constructed at Phinter.

14 officers transferred
*Hamal posted as MD Housing Board

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 24: Government today ordered transfers and postings of 14 officers with immediate effect.

Ishtiaq Ahmad Hamal, Superintending Engineer, PWD (R&B) posted in PMGSY, Batote has been transferred and posted as Incharge Managing Director, J&K Housing Board in his own pay and grade on deputation basis against available vacancy.

Showkat Aijaz, Commercial Taxes Officer (CTO) in the office of Commissioner, Commercial Taxes Jammu has been transferred and posted as Collector, Land Acquisition, Power Development Department (PDD), Srinagar against available vacancy.

Shamim Ahmad, CTO Circle-E, Srinagar has been transferred and posted as Collector, Land Acquisition Circular Road/PHE Srinagar. P K Bhat, CTO Circle-I Jammu has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Information (Central) against available vacancy.

Dr G M Dar, CTO, Circle (I&II), Anantnag has been transferred and posted as Collector, Land Acquisition, Public Works Department, Anantnag relieving Assistant Commissioner (Revenue), Anantnag of the additional charge of the post.

Manmohan Singh, CTO, Toll Post, Lakhanpur has been transferred and posted as Collector, Land Acquisition, Power Development Department (220 KV), Jammu against available vacancy.

Dara Singh Kotwal, CTO Circle Jammu has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Information Jammu against available vacancy. Mohammad Qasim Wani, CTO, Toll Post Lakhanpur has been posted as Collector, Land Acquisition, Defence, Budgam against available vacancy.

Ramesh Chander, TO Circle-A Jammu has been transferred and posted as Sub-Divisional Magistrate, R S Pura against available vacancy. Nisar Ahmed Wani, Additional Private Secretary with Minister of State for Finance, Planning, Revenue and Relief has been transferred and posted as Deputy Secretary to Government, Revenue Department.

Abdul Salam, Under Secretary to Government, Planning and Development Department has been transferred and posted as Personnel Officer, Associated Hospitals, Srinagar against available vacancy.

The services of Angrez Singh, CTO Toll Post, Lower Munda, Anu Malhotra, CTO Circle-I Jammu and Suriya Jabeen, CTO Circle-M Jammu have been placed at the disposal of Finance Department for their posting on KAS and equivalent posts.

Pawan Kumar, Administrative Officer in the office of Drug Controller, Jammu has been transferred and posted as Administrative Officer in the Pollution Control Board vice O N Koul.

O N Koul has been transferred and posted as Administrative Officer in the office of Drug Controller Jammu vice Pawan Kumar.

Upper age limit for recruitment raised

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 24: Government today enhanced upper age for recruitment in favour of socially and educationally backward classes.

According to the General Administration Department, maximum age limit for direct recruitment to Government service in respect of socially and educationally backward classes viz-weak and under privileged classes (Social Castes), resident of areas adjoining Line of Actual Control (ALC) and Resident of Backward Areas (RBA) shall be 40 years.

The Finance Department will make necessary amendments in the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services Regulations.

Cabinet expresses grief, sorrow
Babu Parmanand passes away

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 24: Former Haryana Governor and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Babu Parmanand passed away late last night at his residence after a prolonged illness. His last rites were performed at Shastri Nagar cremation ground this evening.

He was 75.

A large number of people from all walks of life started visiting his residence since early morning to pay tributes to the departed leader.

Governor, Lt Gen (retd), S K Sinha, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and all the leaders of State unit of BJP visited Babu Parmanand’s residence to pay last respects to him and expressed sympathy with the bereaved family.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and senior BJP leader Lal Krishan Advani alongwith BJP national vice-president Shanta Kumar and Seh Prabhari J&K BJP, Sardar R R Singh specially flown here from Union Capital and attended the last rites of Babu Parmanand at Shastri Nagar Cremation Ground.

Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, his Cabinet colleagues, Member Parliaments, legislators, State president of BJP Ashok Khajuria, former Union Minister Dr Chaman Lal Gupta, Nirmal Singh and leaders of several political parties also participated in the last rites of Babu Parmanand and paid floral tributes to him.

As a mark of respect to departed leader, the State Government observed mourning today and ordered holiday in all the offices and educational institutions. The National and State Flags were also flying half-mast.

The Cabinet, which met here this evening also placed on record its profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Babu Parmanand, former Governor of Harayana and former Speaker of J&K State Legislative Assembly. The Cabinet described him as an able administrator and a seasoned Parliamentarian who endeared himself to one and all by his humility, simplicity and easy accessibility.

The Cabinet placed on record its deep gratitude for contribution made by Babu Parmanand to the polity of the State, upliftment of weaker sections and welfare of rural areas and observed that his death has left a void which would be difficult to fill.

The Cabinet resolved to convey the heartfelt condolences of the Government to the bereaved family and also prayed that the almighty grants eternal place to the departed soul.

Bar Association Jammu also suspended the work for the day in the courts to mourn the demise of Babu Parmanand.

Born on August 10, 1932 in Sarore village of Samba district, Babuji, as he was called by his friends and supporters, did MA Economics and LLB from Aligarh University.

Babu Parmanand was first time elected to State Legislative Assembly in 1962 from Ramgarh constituency and thereafter for five times from different constituencies. He was appointed as Minister for Social Welfare and Transport during GM Sadiq’s regime in 1967.

Later, in 1972 during Mir Qasim’s regime, he was Minister for Local Bodies and Housing. He was elected as Speaker of Legislative Assembly in 1980. He was again appointed as Minister for Finance and Power in Dr Farooq Abdullah’s Ministry in 1982.

He remained Member of Legislative Assembly till January 18, 1990 when the house was dissolved. Appointed as Member Advisory Council to Governor, J&K by G C Saxena in 1991 and continued till 1995 during the Governorship of General (retd) K V Krishna Rao.

Babu Parmanand joined BJP in early 90s and continued his association with the party till his last breath. Keeping in view his long experience and social personality, he was appointed as Governor of Haryana by the then BJP-led NDA on June 19, 2000.

Besides political field, he remained president of Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Akademi for a period of two years. He also served as Director of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Jammu Rural Bank, Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes Corporation and Khadi Board to promote the cause of the weaker sections for 12 years.

2 more Hizb militants killed in Handwara gunbattle
Brigadier's killer lifted from Rajbagh

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Apr 24: In their continued crackdown on Hizbul Mujahideen, Police and Army have killed two more militants of the organization in Handwara area and apprehended one of the senior most commanders in Rajbagh area of this capital city today.

Informed sources told EXCELSIOR a party of Special Operations Group (SOG) of Kulgam District Police conducted a raid on an annexe of a mosque at Kursoo, Rajbagh, in the wee hours today and apprehended one of the top wanted commanders of Hizbul Mujahideen. Sources said that Sonaullah Sheikh alias Kafeel R/o Wudar Bala, Rajwarh (Handwara) revealed during the course of his sustained interrogation that he had planned and carried out innumerable attacks on Police and security forces, besides their civilian sources and other soft targets, in the last 12 years. He revealed that he had joined Hizbul Mujahideen in 1994 and returned to Valley in 1996 after taking training at a camp in PoK for two years.

According to his disclosures, Kafeel had been designated as a "District Commander" but his area of operation was entire north Kashmir. He revealed that in the last many years, Hizbul Mujahideen's job in Handwara-Bangus area was restricted to launching of recruits, getting them back, providing all logistic support and facilitating the distribution of militants of all organisations in Kashmir valley and Doda-Bhaderwah area of Jammu division. He revealed that in the last 12 years, he had received more than 100 groups of 6 to 10 militants each from PoK and distributed them in Valley according to directions received from headquarters of his organization.

Sources said that Kafeel revealed how he and two more of his militant associates had blown up an Army vehicle in which Commander of Rashtriya Rifles 7th Sector, Brig B S Shergill and Commanding Officer of RR 21 Bn, Col Rajinder Chauhan, were traveling on the highly dangerous Handwara-Zachaldara Road on August 21, 2000. Both the officers had been blown into pieces even as two more of the soldiers succumbed to injuries and two others recovered after treatment. Three days after his joining at Drugmulla, Brig Shergill was taking an inspection of the Sector 7th formations in Handwara area alongwith Col Chauhan who was under transfer and was supposed to be relieved a day later. After Brig Sreedhar's death in a landmine blast in Uri in 1995, followed by death of a BSF DIG in the Valley's first fidayeen attack in Bandipore in 1999, Shergill was third officer of this senior rank in armed forces to get killed by militants.

According to sources, Kafeel also confessed to his direct involvement in the killing of at least three J&K Police and CRPF personnel besides three civilians who had been killed and labeled as informers of security forces. He disclosed that he had escaped from a gunbattle even after he sustained gunshots at Wudar Bala and his accomplice Sayeed had got killed. He claimed to have escaped from another gunbattle at Tsanjimulla in which one soldier of RR 21 Bn had got killed and a constable of SOG Handwara injured. He revealed that he was also among the militants who had attacked a company headquarters of RR 6th Bn at Dard Haji in Zachaldara area last year.

Sources said that Kafeel had been directly in touch with the Hizb "Supreme Commander" Syed Salah-ud-din and his arrest, based on a specific information from Handwara, was a major setback for the militant organization. His arrest came a day after Baramulla Police and troops of RR 46 Bn killed both of the prominent Hizbul Mujahideen commanders in a fierce gunbattle in Baramulla.

In hours of Kafeel's arrest, SOG Zachaldara unit of Handwara Police and troops of RR 21 Bn swooped on the house of one Habibullah Khan at Khan Mohalla in Shathigam, close to Kafeel's residential village in Zachaldara, Handwara. During the cordon-and-search operation, two holed up militants opened fire and scampered to the house of one Faizullah Khan. Both the militants got killed in the six-hour-long gunbattle. They were identified as Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Bhat alias Sajjad S/o Abdul Jabbar Bhat R/o Tsanjimulla, Handwara, and Mohammad Ramzan Rishi alias Nazir S/o Gul Mohammad Rishi R/o Shathigam, Zachaldara, Handwara.

Sources said that two AK-47 rifles and two damaged mobile phones were recovered from possession of the two militants killed in the gunbattle.

SP Handwara, Dr Haseeb Mughal, said that with the arrest of Sonaullah Sheikh alias Kafeel in Srinagar by Kulgam Police and killing of two militants in the gunbattle at Shathigam, Hizbul Mujahideen was left with no listed militant in Handwara area. He, however, added that about 30 militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad were still active in Handwara-Kandi belt of Kupwara district. He said that Sajjad, a father of three or four children, was a category 'B' militant who had been active in Handwara area in the last eight years. Nazir, he said, had married seven months ago and had figured in the list of wanted militants since last year.

Meanwhile, district headquarters of Baramulla today observed a near-total shutdown over the death of two senior commanders of Hizbul Mujahideen in a gunbattle with Police and Army in Khwajabagh locality on Wednesday. Reports said that groups of demonstrators shouted pro-Azadi and pro-Pakistan slogans and resorted to stone pelting on Police. Six of the demonstrators and four Police personnel reportedly sustained injuries in the ding-dong clashes.

Fake encounter case against jawans stayed

SRINAGAR, Apr 24: The State High Court today stayed proceedings against five armymen allegedly involved in killing a civilian in Ganderbal here in 2006 as a similar fake encounter case was pending in the Supreme Court.

Justice Sunil Hali gave the orders after hearing the arguments of Assistant Solicitor-General of India Anil Bhan in light of the fact that the Chattisingpora case, challenged under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), is pending before the apex court.

Non-Bailable Warrants (NBWs) were issued by a sessions court this month against the five Army officials allegedly involved in the killing of Showkat Ahmad Kataria, a muslim cleric, in October 2006.

The lower court asked the Army to exercise the court martial option and dismissed its plea that the chargesheet be returned as the Centre’s sanction for prosecution as required under AFSPA had not been obtained.

The Army counsel pleaded before the high court to stay the proceedings till the Supreme Court took a decision on the Chattisingpora case, in which five civilians were allegedly killed after being dubbed militants.

The Army has pleaded that the chargesheet be returned to the CBI, which held the five Army officials responsible for the fake encounter killing, as it had not got the prior sanction for prosecution.

The prosecution in both cases pleaded that since the killings were not in the line of duty, the Armed forces personnel were not covered by the provisions of the AFSPA.

Five policemen including then Superintendent of Police H S Parihar and his deputy Bahadur Ram have been arrested in connection with the killing of Kataria while the five Army personnel have not attended any hearing, prompting the court to issue the NBWs.

The chargesheet filed before the sessions court last year said the policemen and Army personnel entered into a "criminal conspiracy" and killed Kataria, an imam of a mosque at Zadibal, and later labelled him a foreign militant for cash rewards and out of way promotions.(PTI)

Steps to prevent fratricidal killings
DM writes to States to set up special cells

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Apr 24: Following increasing number of fratricidal killings among security forces including Army, Border Security Force (BSF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Defence Ministry (DM) is reported to have written to all Chief Ministers of the States to set up special cells at district level to attend to the problems of security personnel on top priority basis.

Official sources said the Defence Ministry was reported to have taken a very serious note of repeated incidents of security personnel killing their seniors or committing suicides during official duty in different States. Most of such killings have, however, been reported in this militancy infested State, the latest one being reported from very sensitive and holy place of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan where a CRPF constable had gunned down his senior colleague, an Inspector and a constable before committing suicide.

According to sources, the Defence Ministry has written to Chief Ministers of all the States to direct Deputy Commissioners/Collectors in all districts to attend to the problems of the families of security personnel including Army, BSF and CRPF jawans on priority basis.

"If required, the Deputy Commissioner/Collectors can set up a special cell within their offices to attend to the families of security forces jawans besides the ex-servicemen", the Defence Ministry’s directive has said.

It said it was being generally observed that problems back home including family, marital and land disputes etc were major reasons besides denial of leave and harassment by seniors for the security personnel taking to extreme provocation of committing suicides or killing their colleagues.

While the problem of leave or harassment is to be tackled by the concerned security forces, the issues of jawans’ families back home can be easily looked into and sorted out by the district administration, sources said, adding that authorities have been asked to look into these issues on emergency basis so that the jawans posted far far away from their home towns didn’t have to worry on the home front.

The issue of increase in security personnel’s leave by 10 days from the present leave per year had recently been recommended by a high level Parliamentary committee.

According to sources, the security forces have observed that many jawans had ended their lives or attempted to commit suicide after receiving phone calls from their houses pertaining to family disputes.

"Had these disputes been sorted out by the administration, the jawans wouldn’t have taken to extreme step of killing themselves or their colleagues in frustration", sources said, adding it was in this context that the States have been alerted to take proper care of the families of the jawans, fighting enemy on the borders and militants in towns and hinterland.

Cabinet approves 6 pc DA

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 24: The State Cabinet today approved six per cent Dearness Allowance in favour of Government employees and pensioners, which was due from January 1 this year.

The DA arrears will be paid in cash, official sources said.

The Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, also approved transfer of 400 kanals of land at Samba to the Army for shifting of ammunition depot from the present site.

The Cabinet discussed construction of power projects in the State. Mr Azad briefed the Cabinet on the power projects, which will be discussed with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh during his two days visit to the State beginning tomorrow.

Meanwhile, president Civil Secretariat Employees Union Nazir Ahmad Mir and general secretary Ghulam Mehdi have hailed the Government decision of sanctioning of 6 per cent Dearness allowance in favour of Government employees and pensioners.

Describing the Cabinet decision to this effect as a employee friendly gesture, they said the main issue of enhancing the upper age limit of State employees bringing it at par with Central Government employees required early announcement to remove speculations from the minds of the employees.

Centre, J&K to share Bima premium

NEW DELHI, Apr 24: The Centre and the North-Eastern States and Jammu and Kashmir would now share the premium of Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana on a 90:10 basis instead of 75:25 as approved by the Cabinet on September 6, 2007.

A proposal for the change in the premium sharing pattern was approved by the Union Cabinet today.

The move would benefit about 16 lakh BPL families (a unit of five) in the unorganised sector during five years beginning from 2008-09, Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told mediapersons after the Cabinet meeting. (UNI)

Tibetans on hunger strike in Leh

LEH, Apr 24: The hunger strike by Tibetan exiles settled in Ladakh and Ladakhi Buddhists entered its 35th day here today.

Though the two had been holding the hunger strike separately, their aim is the same — to protest China’s use of force in Tibet to quell "peaceful protests" which erupted on March 10 in and around Lahsa to mark the 1959 uprising against Beijing.

When the Olympic torch relay reached the national capital on April 17, Buddhist Monks (Lamas) of Ladakh, in a show of solidarity with their Tibetan counterparts, observed complete bandh called by Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) and Ladakh Gonpa Association (LGA). Even Muslim-dominated Kargil district observed a total bandh.

A protest rally was held here in which thousands of Buddhists, school students, women and farmers participated.

The protesters assembled at the Polo Grounds here where children staged a street play on the Chinese atrocities. The LBA also handed over a memorandum to various Presidents, Prime Ministers, the United Nations and Nobel laureates to highlight the plight of Tibetans. The memorandum also demanded an independent international fact finding committee be sent to Tibet to let the world know about the "large scale violations of rights " by the Chinese forces.

They also demanded that China should allow free press to visit the entire Tibet. They also asked Beijing to hold a meaningful negotiation with the Dalai Lama. LBA president Lama Lubzang Anchok thanked the Muslims who showed their unity with the victims and observing Kargil bandh.

India had settled over 10,000 Tibetan refugees in Choouglamsar village of Leh district in 1962 giving them land and financial assistance. They have been demanding freedom of Tibet from China and on every March 10 hold protests against Chinese rule on Tibet.

The biggest district in the country as far as the area is concerned, Leh has a predominantly Buddhist population (81.18 per cent) followed by 15.32 per cent Muslim, 2.99 per cent Hindus, and 0.27 per cent Sikhs. (UNI)

Four doctors transferred

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 24: The Government today ordered transfer and postings of four doctors.

Dr Umesh Gandotra, Gynecologist has been transferred from District Hospital, Rajouri and posted in Bishnah hospital.

Dr Veena Chib, Gynecologist, has been transferred from Bishnah hospital to Katra hospital.

Dr Ram Rattan Gupta, Gynecologist, has been transferred from Katra hospital to District Hospital, Rajouri.

Dr Rajesh Gupta, PG Ortho, Assistant Surgeon, awaiting orders of adjustment, has been posted in GB Pant Hospital, Jammu on deputation basis.

Pak assures support to Kashmiris

ISLAMABAD, Apr 24: Pakistan today said it is committed to extend moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people in "their just struggle for self-determination".

During a meeting here with "Prime Minister" Sardar Atique Ahmad Khan of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, premier Yousuf Raza Gillani said peace, stability and development in the region "could only be achieved through the resolution of all outstanding issues, including the core issue o f Jammu and Kashmir".

The Pakistan Government will continue to support the cause of the Kashmiri people "till the resolution of the dispute", he said.

Reiterating the Government’s "commitment and fullest support to the people of Kashmir for their right to self-determination", Gillani said the Kashmir issue "needs to be resolved in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people as enshrined in the UN resolutions".

Despite its economic constraints, the Government will extend all possible help to PoK for "its infrastructure and other social development projects", Gillani said.(PTI)

India for making Srinagar-Muzaffarabad
bus service weekly

NEW DELHI : Keen to see enhanced cross-LoC travel and trade, India today said it planned to liberalise entry permit system and favoured increase in frequency of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakot bus services by making these weekly.

It also favoured early launch of bus services between Kargil in Ladakh and Skardu in Northern Areas under Pakistani control and Jammu and Sialkot in PoK.

Making a suo motu statement on Jammu and Kashmir in both Houses of Parliament, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said India will shortly discuss these issues with Pakistan.

"With a view to further consolidate the confidence building initiatives already taken, it has been planned to liberalise the entry permit system for cross LoC travelby bringing in features like triple entry permits valid for one year and completion of the verification process within six weeks," he said.

For convenience of travellers, he said applications for entry permit can be made at each District Passport Collection Centre.

"These measures will expand travel across the LoC and also enable wider cultural, academic, students and other exchanges," Patil said.

He said India was also proposing increasing the frequency of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote bus services to weekly from the current fortnightly.

India also favours early operationalisation of Kargil-Skardu and Jammu-Sialkot bus services, he said.

Trade and truck services across the Line of Control (LoC) will also be operationalised, he said. (PTI)

Centre announces Rs 1600 cr package
for Kashmiri migrants

NEW DELHI : In an effort to ensure early return of Kashmiris displaced due to militancy in the Valley, the Centre today announced a slew of sops worth Rs 1,600 crore, including housing, job facilities and waiver of interest on loans.

Making a suo motu statement in both Houses of Parliament, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said the benefits will apply to all the Kashmiri migrant families who left the Valley "bag and baggage after 1989 and have not been able to return".

Noting that more than 55,000 Kashmiri families had been "forced to leave their homes in the wake of unfortunate events", he said they were an "integral part of the composite social fabric" of the Valley and their return would address a "major humanitarian concern that has been crying for attention over the years."

Under the package announced by Patil, each migrant family which opts to return to the Valley will get a lump sum grant of Rs.7.5 lakh to build or buy homes through group housing societies for which the State Government has been requested to identify land.

It has also been decided to give a similar lump sum grant to migrant families whose houses have been fully or partially damaged, as well as assistance to those whose houses may not have been damaged, but may have got into disuse and dilapidation as a result of abandoment.

"It is proposed to assist (the migrants) suitably with transit accommodation and start-up expenses," Patil said.

The monthly relief being given to around 15,000 migrant families in Jammu and Delhi would be continued for those families, which may opt to return to the Valley, for two years to enable smooth transition, he said. (PTI)

PM arrives amid tight security

JAMMU : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today arrived here on a two-day visit amid tight security.

Dr Singh will visit Akhnoor, Katra and Kishtwar besides meeting with several delegations during his stay here.

Immediately after his arrival in the afternoon, the Prime Minister will inaugurate a newly-constructed bridge over river Chenab.

He will then fly to Katra to address a convocation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) at Katra.

Dr Singh will flag off Dul-Hasti Hydro Power Project and address a public meeting at Kishtwar tomorrow. (UNI)