‘Let India, Pak put past behind & move forward’
PM’s slew of sops for Kashmiri migrants
WG recommendations to be implemented soon
India to propose trade from cross-LoC routes
Rs 5 lakh for militancy victims, help for orphans

By Sanjeev Pargal

AMBARAN (AKHNOOR), Apr 25: In an effort to ensure early return of Kashmiri migrants displaced due to militancy in 1989-90 in the Valley, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today announced a slew of sops worth Rs 1600 crore for them including housing, job facilities and waiver of interest on loans.

Addressing a public meeting at Army Ground in this village, located close to Akhnoor town this afternoon after dedicating newly constructed Chenab Bridge to the people, Dr Singh said the benefits of the package will apply to all Kashmiri migrant families who had left the Valley with "bag and baggage after 1989 and have not been able to return".

In his 25 minutes written address in Hindi, the copies of which were circulated to the media later, the Prime Minister noted that more than 55,000 Kashmiri families had been "forced to leave their homes in the wake of unfortunate events".

They (the migrants) 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’’, he added.

Under the package announced by Dr Singh, 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.

"The Government has also 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 abandonment", the Prime Minister said in the rally which among others was attended by Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha, Union Minister for Water Resources and PCC (I) chief Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz, Union Minister of State for Defence Pallam Raju, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Chief Minister and PDP patron Mufti Mohd Sayeed, Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Speaker Tara Chand, Jammu-Poonch MP Madan Lal Sharma and MLA Akhnoor Sham Sharma.

"It is proposed to assist (the migrants) suitably with transit accommodation and start-up expenses," Dr Singh 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 their smooth transition, he said.

He said the State Government has proposed to provide 6,000 jobs for the educated migrant youths and the Centre will bear the cost towards salary for about 3,000 youths till they were absorbed against regular posts within the specified time-frame.

The Government is also considering a financial package for other unemployed youth from among the migrant community to help them engage in self-employment through vocational training.

Lump sum grants would also be provided for restoration of agricultural holdings and orchards which might have been lying abandoned, he said.

"We are examining the feasibility of waiving the interest on unpaid loans taken by Kashmiri migrants before their migration as part of a one-time settlement package," Manmohan Singh said.

He added that the Centre was also looking at the possibility of providing assistance to the children of migrant families through the National Foundation for Communal Harmony and J&K Rehabilitation Council.

A similar package for the Kashmiri migrants was announced by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil in both Houses of Parliament this morning. According to sources, this was done as the Parliament, being in session, had to be taken into confidence before such an important package was made public by the Prime Minister.

According to sources, the total package announced for the Kashmiri migrants by the Prime Minister amounted to Rs 1600 crore. This will apply to all migrant families whether Kashmiri Pandit, Muslim or Sikh, who migranted from the Valley after 1989.

The Prime Minister said a decision has also been taken to work out a package for refugees from West Pakistan, who were facing hardships as they are not considered to be permanent residents of J&K.

Under the package, a dispensation is proposed to enable their children and grand children to seek admission in technical educational institutions in various parts of the country.

"It has been proposed to facilitate bank loans without security of land, for which a nodal cell will be set up by the Finance Ministry. Besides, vocational training opportunities will be provided to them", he said.

On the problems faced by families who migrated from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) to the State in 1947, the Centre has agreed to meet an expenditure of about Rs 50 crore to resolve cases of land deficiency where it has not been possible to allot plots to them in urban areas, Dr Singh said. "With these measures we hope that the problem of PoK refugees of 1947 will end," he added.

Regarding the land of farmers and villagers taken for fencing in forward areas, he assured that time bound steps would be taken for payment of compensation for land used for construction of border works, including fencing.

The Prime Minister said the Centre planned to liberalise entry permit system and favoured increase in frequency of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakot bus services. He also favoured early launch of bus services between Kargil-Askardu in northern areas under Pakistani control and Suchetgarh-Sialkot in Jammu.

He 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 travel by 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 announced that applications for entry permit can be submitted at each district passport collection centre.

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

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

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

"When we had launched the bus service from Srinagar to Muzaffarabad, those who did not favour peace and prosperity in the State, tried to sabotage it. Despite te terrorist attack, the brave people of Srinagar came out in large number to welcome the initiative, Since then, we have taken other steps to improve cross-LoC connectivity", he added.

He said the Centre recognised the need to improve the management of the bus service to make it more people friendly. In fact, he added, "we need to liberalise travel arrangements for Pakistani businessmen, tourists, scholars and others wishing to visit India".

Pinning expectations on the new Government in Pakistan, Dr Singh hoped the two neighbours would be able to put the "past behind" and move forward with a "sense of urgency" without "false fears or narrow agendas".

Underlining that borders do not needs change, he said India and Pakistan should work together in facing the common economic and social challenges of "enormous" magnitude.

"I have been heartened by the very positive statements made by the new leaders (of Pakistan)," Dr Singh said.

Noting that India and Pakistan have had friendly dialogue on all issues, he expressed the hope that New Delhi will continue to "deepen its dialogue with the democratically-elected Government" in Islamabad.

"I hope that we (India and Pakistan) will be able to put the past behind us and that we can move forward with a sense of urgency, not inhibited by false fears or narrow agendas," he said.

Pointing out that number of visas issued to Pakistani nationals have almost doubled during last three years from 62,541 in 2004, he said the potential is much more and this achievement is a modest one. However, he added, none of these steps will be effective unless a climate of peace is sustained. "We are pleased that there has been some improvement in the situation but full normalcy has not returned to the State", he asserted.

He added: "we have had a friendly dialogue with Pakistan on all issues that affect the lives of the people of J&K. We recognise their aspirations to live a life of dignity with commensurate economic and political opportunities.

"We face common economic and social challenges of enormous magnitude. It makes so much sense to work together to face them. After all, for all democratic Governments, the highest responsibility is to meet the needs and aspirations of their people, which are the same all over the world—roti, kapda aur makaan, at the least. Borders do not change either the needs or the challanges".

Dr Singh complimented Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and all his colleagues for good work they are doing in J&K. "They are making the dream of a Naya Jammu and Kashmir come alive. I call upon the people of the State to come together to realise this shared dream of Naya Jammu and Kashmir. Let us build new bridges across rivers and between communities, between regions and between nations. And let us cross these bridges, holding hands", he said.

In another significant announcement, the Prime Minister said the Centre was now ready to implement some of the recommendations of four Working Groups out of five Groups set up in the Round Table Conference chaired by him in Srinagar.

These recommendations, he observed, will go a long way in bringing normalcy back to the State.

"There is a backlog of approved cases for compassionate appointment of next of kin of persons killed in militancy related violence. It is a fact that not so many jobs are immediately available. There are also a large number of families where despite relaxation, there are no members eligible for employment. Too much relaxation in eligibility criteria will lead to a non-productive work force", the Prime Minister pointed out and said the Government has accordingly decided as an exceptional measures to offer one time compensation of Rs 5 lakh in lieu of the agreed compassionate appointment.

The Centre, he said, has also decided to increase the quantum of monthly pension payable to widows under the scheme of Rehabilitation Council of J&K to Rs 750 per month. Assistance to orphans will now cover all such children without discrimination. This indicates that orphans of militants killed by security forces will also be entitled to assistance.

Complimenting Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and others associated with the construction of Chenab bridge, he noted that the bridge was completed within two years, which was a symbol of development and efficiency. He said another bridge being built over river Ravi will further improve intra-State and inter-State connectivity for Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for providing liberal financial assistance to J&K during the past five years. He said be it launching of infrastructure development or dealing with natural calamities like earthquake, floods, drought or unprecedented snowfall, the Central assistance was always forthcoming. He said liberal assistance was also made available for infrastructure development, making it easy for the coalition Government in the State to change the development scenario.

Mr Azad said that for the first time in 60 years, Round Table Conferences were held and Working Groups constituted to address the political and economic situation in the State and efforts made to ameliorate problems of widows, militancy affected children and border population. He thanked the Prime Minister for the sympathetic attitude towards the problems of the people of the State. He said completion of Akhnoor bridge had met the long pending demand of the people. He said it would largely facilitate people of border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.

Voicing concern over price rise, Dr Singh said India and Pakistan were both facing this problem. He hoped that the problem will be resolved soon.

Centre giving highest priority to higher education
Universities shouldn't be mere teaching shops: PM

Excelsior Correspondent

KATRA, Apr 25: Expressing concern over many Universities in the country turning into "teaching shops", Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today sought reversal of this trend and more focus on research-cum-teaching in the University system.

"It is a matter of some concern that over the years many universities have become teaching shops and degree-giving authorities. We must reverse this trend and revive the tradition of teaching and research in our university system," he said at the First Convocation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University here.

Emphasising the need to revive the tradition of doing good research along with good teaching in universities, Singh said he was saying this as someone who has been a teacher.

"I have often said that I have strayed into politics by accident but my preferred career was teaching," he said recalling that in the days he used to be a student and teacher, universities placed great emphasis on doing research along with teaching.

It was on this solid foundation of research-oriented teaching in universities that the country created the edifice of higher education in post-Independent India, he said.

Noting that the Government has given the highest priority to a quantum leap in higher education, he said there has been an unprecedented expansion in higher education in the UPA Government’s tenure.

Singh said the 11th Five Year Plan offered the framework of a new phase of development of higher education in the country and there would be 30 new Central universities, of which half would be conceived as world class institutions.

Noting that the strategy was to place special emphasis on the growth of Science and Technology Education, he said for almost 100 years, the country had only one world class National Institute of Science at Bangalore.

In the last three years, the Government has sanctioned establishment of five more National Institutes of Sciences and more IITs and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), the Prime Minister said.

"Promoting excellence and providing greater access to all sections of society in higher education have been the guiding principles of our new initiatives," he said adding that to ensure equality of opportunity, the Government has increased the number of scholarships to students especially for SCs, STs and minorities.

He said a more liberal funding of merit-cum-means scholarships was required both in publicly-funded institutions and, more importantly, in privately-funded institutions.

"Our Government has given the highest priority to a quantum leap in higher education. There has been an unprecedented expansion in higher education in our term in office. More importantly, we are at the threshold of a new era for higher education in India. The Eleventh Five Year Plan offers the framework for this new phase of development of higher education in India. We are establishing 30 new Central Universities, of which half will be conceived as world-class institutions. We have promised that there will be a Central University in every State of the Union, including the State of Jammu & Kashmir," Dr Singh said.

He said promoting excellence and providing greater access to all sections of society in higher education have been the guiding principles of our new initiatives. To ensure equality of opportunity we have increased the number of scholarships available to students, especially, for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Minorities. I do believe that a more liberal funding of merit-cum-means scholarships is required both in publicly funded institutions and, more importantly, in privately funded institutions and I learnt with great interest and appreciation the efforts that your University is making to fulfill this vision.

"I am heartened to see a greater willingness on the part of the private sector to invest in the State. As we improve road, rail and air connectivity and as the power situation improves, this State will become even more attractive to private investors. We can see from the experience of some of the developed States in other parts of the country that peace, security and stability do contribute to the overall economic advancement of the State. I would like to see lasting peace, tangible security and palpable stability in the State so that the young people of Jammu, of Kashmir and of Ladakh can look to their future with greater hope and great self-confidence," the Prime Minister said.

He added that it has been in the Government's endeavour to, in fact, promote peace, progress and people's participation in the processes of governance in the State. The strengthening of local government, the increased participation in the democratic process have improved the overall climate in the State, both for business and for the resolution of the problems of Jammu & Kashmir.

Envisioning a prosperous Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister said that peace, security and stability can contribute to the overall economic advancement of the State and yearned for a lasting peace, tangible security and palpable stability so that the people of the three regions of the State could look to their future with greater hope and confidence.

Making a mention of unity in diversity Vasudaiva Kutumbakam, Dr Singh said India symbolizes the confluence of civilizations, as it has been conceived as a free nation on this principle. "Every religion, every language, every caste and community, every culture has the space and the opportunity to find its full expression in this blessed land of ours", he said, adding that in this framework of open society and open economy, the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as indeed all the people of independent India, seek to find their true and lasting salvation and liberation from want and from fear. He described terrorism as a grave threat to peace, stability and progress of the entire region and said a democratic, free and open society can never be terrorized and made to fear the liberal mind.

He dwelt on various steps taken for expanding the higher education in the country with special emphasis on quality education and said that promoting excellence and providing greater access to all the sections of society in higher education have been the guiding principles of the Government’s new initiatives. To ensure equality of opportunity, the number of scholarships to students, especially SC/ST and minorities have been increased. He hoped that more liberal funding of merit-cum- means scholarship is required both in publicly and more importantly privately funded institutions.

Dr Singh said the Government has substantially increased the central gross budgetary support for the Plan outlay on education from 7.68 percent of the central GBS in the 10th plan to over 19 per cent in the 11th Plan, which is the biggest increase in public spending on education in recent years. These funds should not only be spent on buildings or salaries alone but utilized for research and scholarships also. He said financial constraints on education can be eased through innovative policies.

The Prime Minister said that the Government places special emphasis on the growth of science and technology education. It is in this regard that three Institutes of Sciences have been sanctioned though the Independent India had only one such institution for a century. Similarly more Indian Institutes of Technology and Indian Institutes of Information Technology have been sanctioned.

On setting up of Central Universities in each State, the Prime Minister said 30 such never universities have been conceived as world class institutions. Jammu and Kashmir will also get such a university, he added.

Lauding the efforts of the State Government in taking several imaginative initiatives to siden access to higher education, Dr Singh said that a large number of new degree colleges have been set up and the universities opened off-site campuses in various parts of the State. He described Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University as a shinning example of Public Private Partnership in the field of education and hoped that it will inspire more such effort in the State. He said investment in education is most important way to build a new Jammu and Kashmir and added that it was his dream to build a Naya Jammu and Kashmir symbolized by peace, prosperity and people’s power. He urged all sections of society to come forward and participate in this adventure of building a Naya Jammu and Kashmir. To be effective participants in such a process, he said the people should be empowered by education, good health care and employment. He stressed the need for empowering the people of the State to be empowered educationally, socially and economically so that they can contribute to the future of the State and the country.

The Prime Minister had all the praise for the vision statement and mission document of SMVDU and said that it has established a strong reputation for excellence and for a focus on science, technology, management and other modern fields of education. He said he was impressed that the university is striving to nurture the skills and talents of youth and promoting service to society, to humanity and the world at large. He said the Government should support the efforts of SMVDU by providing necessary infrastructure particularly in terms of road and bridge connectivity.

In his address, Governor Lt. Gen (Retd) S K Sinha said that after successfully launching Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, efforts are underway to have a super specialty institute of medical excellence in its close periphery, which will eventually become a medical college affiliated to the university.

The Governor said that the 250 bedded cancer institutes will start functioning soon, which will be upgraded to 500 bedded multi-specialty hospital in the second phase. The hospital is likely to cost Rs 100 crores. He described the university and the hospital as flagship of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, which reflects its commitment of service to society.

General Sinha termed the emergence of world class SMVDU in a short span of four years as most satisfying experiences of his long life and said that though established by a religious body the university syllabus and functional environment is totally secular. He said it was a great moment for the university to have been inaugurated by the then President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, who also took the first class of the management students. ‘It is again a privilege to have the scholar Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh amid us to deliver the first Convocation Address", he added.

"SMVDU receives no funds from the Government and is being fully supported by SMVDS Board", he said and expressed satisfaction over 100 per cent placements in reputed national and multi-national companies for its first two batches in management and engineering disciplines. He complimented Vice Chancellor, Prof N K Bansal for steering the university to new heights.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the State is treading the path of growth and development, through increasing the accessibility of education on one side and improving the quality of education on the other. He said emphasis is being laid on creating new institutions of higher education and revitalizing the existing ones.

Mr Azad said that during the past five years, three new Universities the Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University at Rajouri, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University at Katra and Islamic University of Science and Technology at Avantipora (Kashmir) have come up while the Universities of Kashmir and Jammu have established offsite campuses in Anantnag, Baramulla, Bhaderwah, Kathua, Udhampur and Poonch. He said the satellites of some of these campuses have already been established in Reasi and Ramnagar and new ones are being set up at Doda, Surankote, Kishtawar and Bilawar. Two more campuses of the University of Kashmir at Leh and Kupwara are also in the offing, he added.

The Chief Minister said that efforts are also on to establish two more Universities in Kashmir- an Islamic University funded by various trusts and foundations and Sharda Peeth University under the aegis of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board.

Mr Azad said that the State has over 250 colleges in the government and private sector. More new colleges have been opened in the last five years, which are far higher in number than those opened in the last 50 years. "It could not have been possible without the whole heartedly financial support by the Prime Minister.

The Chief Minister called for introducing an element of synergy in the institutions of higher learning, the State government and the University Grants Commission. In this regard, he said the Government is contemplating setting up of a State Commission for Knowledge and Higher Education in the State headed by an eminent and visionary educationist of International standing.

In his address, Vice Chancellor Prof N K Bansal gave an overview of the University and said it is currently engaged in imparting advanced education and research programmes in Energy, Manufacturing & Automation, Electronics & Instrumentation, Computer Sciences, and Executive M.B.A. and has become a center for educational excellence, attracting students from all over the country. He added that the secular outlook of the university is reflected through the fact that there are students from 16 states of the country representing almost all the cultures, faiths and languages etc who are admitted through All Indian competitive examinations and on merit only. The University has 14 Schools involved in quality education and research in engineering, management, sciences, philosophy, culture and languages, he maintained.

"SMVDU has four Colleges, representing faculties of Engineering, Science, Management and Philosophy Culture & Languages. Each college has several constituent schools (equivalent to departments) in specialized area within the college. This set-up facilitates inter-disciplinary inputs, co-operation and activities. The University is offering Under-Graduate, Post-Graduate and Ph. D. courses’, the Vice Chancellor elaborated.

The Prime Minister gave away gold medals to three scholars while Vice Chancellor, Prof Bansal conferred degrees to 101 scholars.

11 officers transferred
Seli given addl charge of DC Power

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 25: Chief Engineer, Systems and Operations Wing of Power Development Department, R K Seli has been given the additional charge of the post of Development Commissioner (Power) in addition to his own duties.

Mr Seli was given the additional charge upon the retirement of Shoqkat Rashid Wani as Power Development Commissioner on April 30, 2008.

The Government also ordered transfers and postings of 11 officers with immediate effect.

Jatinder Kumar Gupta, Deputy Director Tourism has been transferred and posted as Deputy Secretary to Government, Social Welfare Department against available vacancy.

Amit Sharma, Deputy Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Tourism Jammu vice Jatinder Kumar Gupta.

Shubra Sharma, Deputy Registrar, Agriculture, Cooperatives Jammu has been transferred and posted as Collector, Land Acquisition, PWD Jammu against available vacancy.

Mathoora Masoom, Deputy Registrar, Cooperative (Hqrs) in the office of Additional Registrar, Cooperatives, Kashmir has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, ICDS Projects in the Directorate of Social Welfare, Kashmir against available vacancy.

Shiv Kumar Gupta, General Manager, ICDP, Kathua has been transferred and posted as General Manager J&K Tourism Development Corporation, Jammu on deputation basis against available vacancy.

Mohammad Hanief Malik, Deputy Registrar, Cooperative (CAD) Jammu has been transferred and posted as Collector, Land Acquisition, Ravi Tawi Irrigation Complex, Kathua against available vacancy.

Narupa Rai, Deputy Registrar, Cooperative (Hqrs) in the office of Additional Registrar, Cooperative, Jammu has been transferred and posted as Personnel Officer in the Directorate of School Education, Jammu against available vacancy.

Anu Radha Rani, Child Development Project Officer, Ghagwal has been transferred and posted as Deputy Registrar, J&K Special Tribunal Jammu against available vacancy.

Ravinder Nath Sadhu, District Social Welfare Officer, Samba has been transferred and posted as Collector, Land Acquisition, Irrigation and Flood Control, Jammu.

Khalid Jehangir, District Social Welfare Officer, Jammu has been transferred and posted as Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Development Authority, Kishtwar relieving Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar of the additional charge of the post.

Mukhtar A Malik, District Social Welfare Officer, Poonch has been transferred and posted as Collector, Land Acquisition, Defence, Rajouri against available vacancy.

Govt unveils policy for power projects' development

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 25: The State Cabinet has given its nod to the power policy for development of Hydro Electric Projects.

The implementation framework for development of power generation projects has been divided into five parts—execution of projects as purely State projects with 100 per cent ownership by State Power Development Corporation (PDC), execution of large projects through Joint Venture of PDC with Central Public Sector Undertakings under Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), execution of projects through Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode in the form of Joint Venture of PDC with private sector for large projects and selection of JV partner through transparent process, execution of large projects through Independent Power Producers (IPP) on Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis through international competitive bidding and execution of small projects through IPP on BOOT basis through competitive bidding.

As per the policy, the PDC and Power Development Department will entered into tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Hydro Electric Power Corporation (NHPC) for the execution of 1000 MW Pakal Dul, 600 MW Kiru and 520 MQ Kawar projects through a Joint Venture Company namely Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited.

However, 690 MW Ratle Hydro Electric Project will be executed through IPP on BOOT basis selected through International Competitive Bidding with guidelines by the Board of Power Development Corporation.

The Joint Venture Company (JVC) between PDC and NHPC will be set-up after obtaining approval from Central and State Governments. The NHPC will have the share of not less than 51 per cent and PDC’s share will not be more than 49 per cent of the total share holding in the JVC.

The State Government would have the option to securitize its share of free power in part or full towards equity contribution of PDC in JVC, if it decides to do so within one year from the date of signing of MoU at its own cost. It will also have the option to contribute towards the share of equity of PDC in the JVC by way of cost of land required for the projects and development of infrastructure upto the project sites.

The PDC and NHPC would have the right to purchase share holding of other partner in the joint venture in accordance with mutually agreed terms and conditions. The JVC will be under an obligation to provide 12 per cent of power generated from the projects, free of cost to State Government besides one per cent free power for local area development. Similarly, the State Government will also provide one per cent power from their share of 12 per cent free of cost for local area development.

Out of the balance 87 per cent, the State Government would have the right to purchase power from the JVC in proportion to the share of PDC in the equity. After this, the Central Government in accordance with its policy will allocate the balance power to entitled States and organisations including Jammu and Kashmir.

The Joint Venture Company will sell power including the share of PDC at the rate decided and approved by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).

The revenue receipts on account of sale of timber, royalty on river bed materials besides rights in fisheries, navigation and exploitation of tourism potential in respect of ponds created by the projects will vest with the State Government.

As per the policy, the staff for rehabilitation and resettlement activities will be deputed by State Government to JVC. Eighty per cent of Group C&D staff in JVC will be permanent residents of State subject to suitability, availability and eligibility. One third of Group A&B staff requirement will be met from NHPC, PDC and State Government departments on deputation basis in proportion to their shareholding in the JVC.

The balance requirement of staff under this category will be met in such a manner that permanent residents of State constitute minimum 49 per cent of the balance requirement.

The JVC will endeavour to complete the projects within the time schedule approved by the Government of India and the time schedule will commence from the date of accord of approval subject to acquisition of land and obtaining all statutory clearance.

The costs of projects will be met by way of debt equity norms as approved by Government of India while according the approval for the projects. Union Ministry of Power, NHPC, State Government and PDC will facilitate the financial closure of the projects. The JVC will also pursue with Government of India for mega status of the projects.

The Jammu and Kashmir Bank will be the preferred banker of the JVC provided its terms and conditions including rates of interest and tenure of loans are competitive with other financial institutions and acceptable to the JVC.

The implementation of the MoU will be monitored by a committee comprising of a representative each from Union Ministry of Power, State Government, NHPC and PDC. The committee will meet atleast once in three months till the formation of JVC.

Sinha, Azad brief Manmohan

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 25: Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha and Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had separate meetings with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at Raj Bhawan tonight.

Authoritative sources said Lt Gen Sinha and Mr Azad were reported to have briefed Dr Singh about the prevailing situation in the State with special reference to security scenario.

Both the Governor and the Chief Minister met the Prime Minister for 20 to 25 minutes separately.

Dr Singh had a quiet dinner at the Raj Bhawan.

Sidelights—PM’s visit

*A Congress leader, while addressing the gathering before arrival of the Prime Minister, strongly appreciated the working of BJP Chief Minister in Gujarat Narendera Modi saying he has stormed back to power on the name of development. Later, Congress MLA from Akhnoor, Sham Sharma clarified that the leader has recently joined the Congress from BJP and perhaps he has not opened his ‘nikar’ (an indication towards RSS uniform) so far.

* While PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig shared dais with the Prime Minister, PDP chief whip Abdul Gaffar Sofi was also present in the Congress rally.

* Dr Manmohan Singh inaugurated Chenab bridge in Akhnoor at about 2.40 pm and reached the rally venue at 3.04 pm. He started addressing the rally at 3.19 pm and continued speech for exactly 25 minutes. Besides Dr Singh, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad was the only speaker to address the rally. However, prior to the arrival of Dr Singh, MLA Sham Sharma and other local leaders addressed the gathering.

* Some persons were seen leaving the rally much before it ended mainly due to scorching heat.

* Chenab bridge, which was inaugurated today, has been constructed at a cost of Rs 23 crore by the Border Roads Organisation. The Prime Minister and the Chief Minister lauded the BRO for speedy completion of the bridge.

*Total mismanagement prevailed on the part of Information Department, which had to take mediapersons to the rally venue. The mediamen first had to wait for more than one hour at PCR before the Department could decided which bus will leave for Akhnoor. Again, they were stopped at Akhnoor bridge for more than 15 minutes till a police official took them to the rally venue. During all this process, an officer of the Department kept sitting in his car along with a sycophant reporter to whom he had brought in his luxurious vehicle from Jammu.

*The Prime Minister was received at Technical Airport at 2.10 pm and after meeting the senior State leaders straightway flew to Akhnoor. The PM and other leaders were carried in two choppers. From Akhnoor, they flew to Katra where Dr Singh addressed first convocation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine University. He flew-in to Technical Airport from where the PM’s cavalcade proceeded to Raj Bhawan by road.

* Dr Singh will meet few deputations at Raj Bhawan from 9 am to 10 am on Saturday before travelling to Technical Airport from where he will fly to Dul Hasti and inaugurate the project. He will address a public meeting at Kishtwar and will fly back to Technical Airport from where he will return to New Delhi in the afternoon.

* On way back from Akhnoor to Jammu, a vehicle in security convoy of a VVIP cavalcade collided near Kanachak with a Swaraj Mazda causing minor injuries to a couple of security personnel.

Driver of Swarj Mazda Bodh Raj of Talab Tillo has been arrested for breaching the VVIP convoy and causing accident. A case has been registered against him.

Mufti welcomes PM's CBMs

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Apr 25: Welcoming Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s assertion of making Jammu & Kashmir a bridge of friendship and cooperation between India and Pakistan, People's Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has said peace and progress in the South Asian region have probably been never as critically linked as they are today.

In a statement issued here this evening, he said at one end, the South Asian region is striving to catch up in the global race for economic prosperity and at the other it is beset with the hazards of regional problems. "Obviously, the region’s future lies in how its leadership copes with this challenge," he said and added that as has been the shared vision of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and the PDP, Jammu & Kashmir could not only emerge as a vital link to Indo-Pak cooperation, but an epicenter of the resurgent, peaceful, stable and prosperous South Asia.

Mr Sayeed said the inter and intra-State confidence and reconciliation measures announced by Dr Singh for various sections of the society and also for easing cross-LoC movement of people and goods through existing and new routes, is another milestone towards the implementation of the vision that had developed over the past few years for the peaceful and amicable settlement of the Kashmir issue and securing peace, progress and dignity for its people.

People of Jammu & Kashmir, he said, are the greatest stakeholders in the success of the peace venture initiated by then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and fortified and provided substance by Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, as they have lived through and survived the ordeal of the darkest era of the State’s history. "After over six decades of instability we see a ray of hope and promise ahead," he said.

Mr Sayeed said the proposed significant confidence building measures, announced by Dr Singh, including facilitating easier and more frequent travel and trade through Srinagar-Muzafarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote roads, opening of Kargil-Skardu and Suchetgarh-Sialkote roads, rehabilitation package for Kashmiri Pandits and the victims of violence-irrespective of their affiliation and relief measures for border migrants and refugees are going to add much-needed substance to the peace and reconciliation process.

The present initiative, he added, is markedly different from the ill-fated ones launched from time to time over the past few decades. "Its contours match the imperatives of the emerging global scenario unlike in the past when rigidity and inflexibility refused to yield place to pragmatism and feasibility," he said and added a ceasefire along the line of control and the international border has been successfully working, with a number of other confidence building measures already in place. He said the positive impact of these measures is distinctively visible on the ground in Jammu & Kashmir and the constituency of peace and reconciliation is becoming larger day by day.

Mirwaiz gets first detention

From Ahmed Ali Fayyaz

SRINAGAR, Apr 25: Days before completing 18 years of his separatist political career, Chairman of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today witnessed his maiden detention when he was whisked away to Kothibagh Police Station while leading a procession on occasion of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's visit to Jammu.

After addressing a Friday prayers congregation at the religious seat of Jamia Masjid in the capital city interior, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was leading a 2,000-strong procession to Srinagar headquarters of UNMOGIP when a thick Police bandobust intercepted him at Munnawarabad Chowk and whisked him away to Police Station Kothibagh. On this occasion, and later for several hours, Mirwaiz Umar's followers shouted pro-Azadi slogans and engaged Police in ding-dong clashes. Sources said that more than 30 of his followers were also detained for two to three hours. Hurriyat leaders alleged that more than 50 people sustained injuries when Police used force, including baton charge and tearsmoke, to disperse the procession.

Police officials said that Mirwaiz and over a dozen of his followers were detained at two Police stations and later let off. An official release said that Mirwaiz was "removed to safety and escorted safely to his home" when some people in his 1100-strong procession resorted to stone pelting and refused to disperse peacefully. It said that the procession was directed to disperse as it had no permission of passage from the competent authority. It asserted that Mirwaiz was removed to safety as he was a protected person of 'Z-plus' security cover.

Reports said that even as Mirwaiz got 'VIP treatment' at the Police station, scores of his religious followers gathered at different spots in downtown area and clashed with Police for over two hours until he was let off and reached his home safely. Khanyar, Nowhatta, Gojwara, Rajouri Kadal and adjoining localities wore a deserted look as a sudden shutdown and complete suspension of the vehicular traffic threw life out of gear.

As per an already announced programme, Mirwaiz and his supporters were going to the uptown locality of Sonwar to deliver a memorandum on the UNMOGIP authorities, seeking an investigation into the current controversy of "unnamed graves of 946 Kashmiris" in Uri sector, close to LoC, in north Kashmir. Hurriyat had coincided today's demonstration with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's daylong visit to Jammu.

With the apprehension of law and order problem, authorities deployed Police parties to confine most of the separatist leaders to their homes in Srinagar. Sources said that Hurriyat's Police-protected leaders, Bilal Gani Lone, Maulvi Abbas Ansari, Shabir Ahmed Shah and Zaffar Akbar Bhat, as also the non-protected Nayeem Khan and Javed Mir, were not allowed to move out. Their "house arrest" lasted for several hours. Another separatist leader, Sheikh Abdul Aziz, was also taken into detention when he and his supporters took out a demonstration from the Hurriyat headquarters in Rajbagh.

Sources said that head of the hardliner faction of the Hurriyat, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, was also placed under "house arrest" for three hours in the forenoon at his Hyderpora residence. He was later allowed to proceed to Chakora village of Pulwama where he addressed a gathering. He told his audiences that participation of the Kashmiri people in Lok Sabha and Assembly elections was being projected by New Delhi as a public negation of the secessionist movement in order to score a diplomatic victory all over the world. He asked the Kashmiri's to completely boycott the forthcoming Assembly elections. While continuing his India-bashing, Geelani claimed that India had done little for socio-economic development in Jammu and Kashmir. On the other hand, he said, Pakistan had done tremendous development in "Azad Kashmir"---territories under her control since 1947.

Two functionaries of Geelani's Hurriyat, Mohammad Ashraf Laya and 'Gen' Moosa, were taken into custody by Police at Mirgund on Srinagar-Baramulla Road when they were going to pay tributes to two militants of Hizbul Mujahideen who had died in an encounter with Police and Army in Baramulla earlier this year.

Late evening reports said that all the separatist detainees were released from Police Stations and allowed to return to their homes.

Earlier, in his Friday prayers speech at Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz Umar held the Government of India responsible for the stalemate in Delhi-Hurriyat talks. He complained that New Delhi had roped in his amalgam for holding a dialogue process but it had, according to him, never regarded its promises made to the separatist leaders. He said that Hurriyat would respond with steps forward if New Delhi initiated only one step in the meaningful, positive direction.

Two militants killed in Ramban

Excelsior Correspondent

RAMBAN, Apr 25: Two top militants of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit were today gunned down by police and security forces in an encounter at village Banj in Bhimdassa area of Gool in this district.

SP Ramban Basant Rath said due to mounting pressure on militants in upper reaches of Reasi district, two militants had escaped to Bhimdassa area where, on a specific information, they were trapped by a police party led by DySP Operations Mosim Ahmed and SHO Gool Wasim Raja last evening.

A contact with the militants was established this morning. Police and security forces gunned down both militants in a brief two hour operation this morning. They have been identified as Mushtaq Ahmed (code name Babar) son of Abdul Aziz, a resident of Arnas, Reasi and Abu Hazla, a Pakistani national.

Two AK rifles, six magazines, five kg RDX and three hand grenades besides a mobile telephone having No. 9419506223 were recovered from the slain militants.

Meanwhile, in Rajouri, security forces recovered six UBGL grenades, 42 AK rounds and 52 Pika rounds from Dera Gali forest land.

926 Class-IV posts for militancy victims

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 25: The Government has decided to provide 926 Class-IV posts to the family members of the civilians killed in the militancy related incidents in the Jammu and Kashmir.

In a fresh order issued on Thursday (585-GAD of 2008), the Government issued directions to the Deputy Commissioners to utilise the Class-IV posts available in various districts for the settlement of equal number of pending SRO-43 cases (civilians killed in militancy related violence) at their own level subject to the condition that no such benefit under said rule was availed of by any other member of the affected family.

Out of the total, 98 Class- IV posts have been allotted to Srinagar district, 41 to Ganderbal, 59 to Budgam, 55 to Pulwama, 21 to Shopian, 96 to Anantnag, 40 to Kulgam, 32 posts to Bondipora, 109 to Baramulla, 154 to Kupwara, 06 (six) posts to district Jammu, one to Samba, 3 to Kathua, 07 to Udhampur, 30 to Kishtwar, 22 to Ramban, 76 to Doda, 61 to Rajouri while 24 posts to district Poonch.

Four posts are available in Social Welfare deptt, one in RDD, five in PHE, 85 in I&FC, 78 in R&B, four in the office of CE Stores Kashmir, 135 in Sheep Husbandry, 249 in School Education, 73 in Animal Husbandry, five in Technical Education, four in Agriculture deptt, one in Youth Services and Sports, 75 in Sericulture, 59 in Horticulture, 51 in Health Services, 60 in Revenue deptt, 16 in Health Services Jammu, five in Directorate of Planning, 3 in Transport, one each in Labour and Employment, three in Co-operatives while two in Funds Organisation.

Adulterated cement racket busted

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 25: Police today arrested three persons including an owner of a cement store for adulteration of local made cement with a reputed brand and selling it in private market at Nanak Nagar.

Police have seized 1070 bags of cement from the godown. A number of ACC bags cement filled with local brand ‘Himalayan’ were seized from the godown of Jagjit Singh cement store at Nanak Nagar during a raid conducted by a Gandhi Nagar police station party headed by SHO Inspector Mohd Rafiq this morning.

Cement store owner Avtar Singh, a resident of Sector 11, Nanak Nagar and his two employees Billal and Anil of Bihar were arrested along with adulterated cement, police said.

A case against the accused has been registered at Gandhi Nagar police station for further investigations.

PM dedicates 390 mw Dul-Hasti power project to nation

KISHTWAR : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today dedicated to the nation the 390 mw Dul-Hasti Hydro Electric Power Project constructed on the Chenab river in this mountainous district, about 230 km from Jammu.

On the second leg of his two-day visit to the Jammu region, Dr Singh landed here this morning along with Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for the formal inauguration of the Dul-Hasti project.

Using a state-of-the-art technology, water of the Chenab river is collected between the mountains at Dul village and channelised down to village Hasti via a 2.5 km tunnel where it falls on the turbines and electricity is generated.

The project, the foundation for which was laid by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1983, had started full operations last year.

"The three-turbines of 130 mw each are functional since March 2007 generating electricity more than its capacity," official sources here said.

The work on Dul-Hasti Power Project, which was sanctioned at the initial cost of Rs 183 crore, was undertaken in 1985 by five french partners.

Struck by delays due to terrorist threats, work on the project remained halted for about five years after the abduction of a French engineer in 1991, who was later released.

The Government, however, pumped in more funds and the work on Dul-Hasti Power Project again commenced in 1996. Till now Rs 5,228 crore have been spent on this mega project, sources said.

Jammu and Kashmir gets 12 per cent royalty on the total power generation, which is supplied to the neighbouring states of Punjab, Uttarkhand, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana.

Besides the Dul-Hasti project, work on 600 mw Sawalakot and 450 mw Baglihar power projects are also underway on the river Chenab in Ramban district.

Three more projects — Pakal Dul (100 mw), Kiru (600 mw) and Kawar (520 mw) on Chenab in Kishtwar — are also under consideration, the sources said.

A 360 mw Salal power project on the Chenab in Reasi district is already producing electricity to its full capacity.

Around 2,000 mw electricity is being generated by various power projects in Jammu and Kashmir, which has an estimated hydro-power potential of 20,000 mw, sources added. (UNI)

Summer specials between Jammu Tawi-Hardwar

NEW DELHI : In a bid to tackle additional passenger rush during summers, the Northern Railway will run two summer special trains between Jammu Tawi and Hardwar and Hazrat Nizamuddin and Yaswantpur from next month.

The 2630A/2629A Hazrat Nizamuddin-Yashwantpur superfast special train will leave Hazrat Nizamuddin at 0855 hrs on May 1 to reach Yashwantpur at 0650 hrs the third day. The 2629A special train will leave Yashwantpur at 1110 hrs on May 4 to reach Hazrat Nizamuddin at 1930 hrs the third day. The special train will have AC 2 tier-cum-AC 3 tier, 2^{nd class sleeper and general accommodation.}

It will stop at Jhansi, Bhopal, Pune , Miraj, Belgaum, Hubli and Tumkar stations.

The 4610A/4609A Jammu Tawi-Haridwar Express special will leave Jammu Tawi at 1645 hrs on May 4 to reach Hardwar at 0350 hrs the next day. The 4609A special train will leave Haridwar at 2230 hrs on May 5 to arrive in Jammu Tawi at 1040 hrs the next day. The special train will have AC 2 tier-cum- AC 3 tier, 2nd class sleeper and general accommodation.

It will stop at Chakki Bank, Jalandhar Cantt, Ludhiana, Ambala Cantt, Saharanpur, Roorkee and Jwalapur stations. (UNI)