Oil companies to benefit
Petrol, diesel prices go up

NEW DELHI, Feb 14: After months of dithering, the Government today finally raised petrol price by Rs 2 a litre and diesel by Re one per litre with effect from midnight tonight.

The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, which took up the matter instead of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs because of the political sensitivity of the issue when general elections are not far away, however, decided against lowering duties to cushion the impact of surging international oil prices.

"Petrol and diesel prices will be increased from midnight tonight," Petroleum Minister Murli Deora told reporters here.

The CCPA decided to raise the quantum of oil bonds to be issued to State-run oil retailers to partly compensate them for selling auto and cooking fuel below cost, he said.

Presently, 42.7 per cent of the under-realisation on petrol, diesel, LPG and kerosene is met by the Government through issuance of oil bonds. This percentage has now been raised to 56-57, Petroleum Secretary M S Srinivasan said.

Government, in this financial year, will issue Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum oil bonds worth over Rs 40,212 crore at the enhanced rates.

Upstream firms like ONGC and GAIL would chip in 33 per cent (Rs 23,700 crore), while the remaining of the Rs 71,808 crore under-realisation would be borne by the retailers.

A Rs two per litre increase in petrol price would give Rs 180 crore a month additional revenue to public sector oil companies while Re one a litre hike in diesel would fetch Rs 360 crore a month.

"For the remaining part of the fiscal, we anticipate additional revenue of Rs 840 crore," Srinivasan said.

Officials said Finance Minister P Chidambaram opposed the Petroleum Ministry’s demand for a Re one per litre reduction in excise duty on petrol and diesel.

The State-run firms lose Rs 10.57 per litre on petrol, Rs 11.56 on diesel, Rs 19.89 on kerosene and Rs 331 on each LPG cylinder.

Earlier, a Group of Ministers headed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee had left a decision on fuel prices to the Cabinet after the panel was divided in the middle on the issue. Petroleum Minister Murli Deora insisted on a duty cut rather than price hike, while Finance Minister P Chidambaram was opposed to any pre-Budget duty rejig.

Petrol and diesel prices were last raised in June 2006, when crude oil was at 67 dollars a barrel. It is at 92 dollars a barrel this year. LPG prices were last raised by Rs 20 per cylinder in November 2004 when crude was at 34 dollars a barrel. Kerosene prices have not been changed since 2002 when crude was at 23 dollars per barrel. (PTI)

‘NC wants dignified return of KPs’
Farooq blames Delhi for J&K turmoil

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Feb 14: Hitting hard against the critics of National Conference, party patron and former chief minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today accused successive Union Governments and Islamabad for the present turmoil in the State.

He said that Central Governments always played regional card and tried to divide people of the State on regional and communal basis. "They want us to keep fighting with each other so that they can rule us", he added.

Speaking at a function organised by J&K Forum for Peace and Reconciliation to felicitate Mian Bashir Ahmed, Padma Bushan, Vice-Chancellor Jammu University Prof Amitabh Mattoo and MLC Mohammad Yousuf Taing for getting Padma Shree and Devinder Rana for his elevation as MLC in Upper House of the State, Dr Abdullah said that New Delhi has always bypassed ‘‘suggestions and requests’’ by the successive National Conference Governments in the State.

He alleged that the NC Government was forced to beg for development of the State and its masses by New Delhi, adding, "We tolerated all humiliations heaped on us and never revolted against Delhi for the welfare of the State and the country".

"The successive Governments in Delhi were never sincere to mitigate sufferings of the masses instead, they played regional and communal cards for its own vested interests", he said, adding those raising fingers on NC know how the previous Government was by-passed in all the decisions.

Dr Abdullah further added, ‘‘much has been talked about criticism of the NC in ‘Frozen Turbulence,’ written by former Governor Jagmohan but no body ever cared about the blood we have given to the nation".

The National Conference, he said, has given a lot of sacrifice and "hundreds of our leaders and workers have lost their lives during last more than ten years". "But the party has always been stabbed in its back".

"What else they want and how much blood they want from us so that we can prove ourselves to be Indian", he said while raising fingers over the successive Union Governments for not trusting the party in Kashmir affairs.

Lambasting the policies adopted by the Union Governments, it was not the National Conference which created Pakistan and Bangladesh and "we never projected the cause of bloodshed and division of the State". "Who forced Kashmiri Pandits to migrate from the Valley and who is responsible for their present status", he asked.

"It was Delhi and Islamabad which were responsible for present mess in the State", he said adding, "Islamabad forced gun in Kashmir and Delhi projected the idea of division".

Elections, he said, are approaching and once again the political parties have started championing the cause of this community in exile. "They will again come to you and try to project themselves as the champion for your cause", he said while referring to Kashmiri Pandit community cautioning, "just think sincerely and honestly and you will realize that it is the National Conference only which has tried its best for the dignified return of Kashmir Pandits to Valley".

"We want you back and we have been doing our best", he added.

CM distributes Roshni ownership rights
*Scientists asked to assist farmers

Excelsior Correspondent

Reasi, Feb 14: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has called upon agriculture experts to create greater awareness among farming community for increasing agriculture production. He called for optimal utilization of latest agriculture practices and techniques and transfer of research from lab to land.

Addressing a function after laying foundation stone of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Tanda near here today, Mr Azad said that agri-scientists have to redouble their efforts to enhance production of food grains, fruits and other crops, adding that institutions like Krishi Vigyan Kendras have a pivotal role in achieving this objective.

He said that there is huge pressure on the available land in view of increasing infrastructure development activities which calls for utilizing techniques to go in for double and triple cropping patterns to maximize the farm yield. He said that agriculture sector is being accorded highest priority both in Jammu and Kashmir and across the country.

Referring to horticulture, the Chief Minister said that the State has vast potential for promotion of this sector with availability of plant material of apples and walnuts which yield fruit in 3 and 5 years, respectively. He said this can revolutionise economy of the State and improve economic condition of growers. He hoped that with the setting up of Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Reasi district, agriculture, horticulture and allied sectors would get the much required focus. He asked the scientists to be in touch with the farmers of remote areas so that they can benefit from the facility.

He distributed ownership rights among farmers under the Roshni scheme and described as a happy coincidence his laying foundation of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra on the one hand and distributing ownership rights to the farmers on the other. He said by providing over 21 lakh kanals of land free of cost under the scheme it is hoped that the farmers would produce more food grains and minimize the imports from outside J&K to meet the requirement. He said the purpose behind his personally distributing ownership rights is to ensure hassle-free and speedy transfer of land to eligible farmers which otherwise would take years to complete.

Mr Azad said the coalition Government has launched schemes for upliftment of people belonging to all sections and areas. He made a special mention of welfare schemes for nomadic Gujjars and Bakarwals and said the mobile teachers accompanying them to various pastures will be given a first aid kit to attend to minor emergencies. He said Gujjar and Bakerwal hostels are also being constructed at various places to encourage higher education among youth of the community. He said benefits of the reservation in Government jobs and professional colleges available to them can be obtained only if the youth are educated. He called upon them to focus on their children’s education.       

The Chief Minister said the creation of a new district of Reasi has met a long pending demand of people. He said the district was a unique example of unity in diversity. He said the famous Vaishnodevi shrine commanding reverence of millions of people and attracting as many as 75 lakh pilgrims annually, is located in the district. He said, similarly, Shiv Khori cave shrine, Gurudwara Dera Baba Banda Bahadur and Ziarat of Baji Ismail Sahab are also located here.   

The Mahant of Gurudwara Dera Baba Banda Bahadur presented saropa to the Chief Minister.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Agriculture, Abdul Aziz Zargar said that there is great scope for promotion of agriculture and horticulture in Reasi district and the setting up of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra will help in boosting agriculture production.

Minister for R&B, Jugal Kishore, who represents Reasi Assembly segment, said the Kendra will serve as an interaction point for scientists and farmers. He said by promoting agriculture production the Kendra will help in improving economic profile of the area.

Misappropriation worth lakhs
Ex-DC among 5 challaned

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Feb 14: The then Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara was among five public servants challaned by the State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) for misappropriation of lakhs of rupees.

An official spokesman said that a case was registered in 2004 following a disclosure that former Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Shah Latief had misappropriated Government money fraudulently shown to have been spent on the repairs of the vehicles attached to his office.

During the course of investigation, it was proved that no repairs were actually carried out and an amount of Rs 1,78,702 was drawn from Government treasury and misappropriated. No entry was found in the relevant records and cashbook with regard to repairs of the vehicles.

After completion of the investigation, the Vigilance Organisation produced challan against the then Deputy Commissioner in the court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Kashmir.

Another challan was produced against Abdul Majid Bhat, Works Supervisor in the office of Block Development Office, Tangmarg, who was caught red handed while demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 1500 on June 16, 2007 from the complainant for preparation of site plan of rural development work at village Warpora, Tangmarg.

The spokesman said that challans were also produced against the then Tehsil Social Welfare Officers, Beerwah and Junior Assistant, who together misappropriated an amount of Rs 73,22,910 during the year 2003-04.

The Vigilance Organisation, during the course of investigation into allegations regarding embezzlement of Government funds meant for Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS) and National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS), established that the then Tehsil Social Welfare Officers in connivance with the Junior Assistant have misappropriated an amount of Rs 73,22,910.

The accused have been identified as Tehsil Social Welfare Officers Beerwah, Budgam—Aga Syed Jamal and Imtiyaza Akhter and Junior Assistant in the office of Tehsil Social Welfare Officer Mohd Shafi Teeli.

Meanwhile, Crime Branch presented chargesheet against an employee of Postal Department for duping an innocent person of Rs 55,000.

An official spokesman said that a complaint was lodged with the Crime Branch alleging therein that one Shamas-ud-Din Shah, an employee in the Post Office Yaripora Kulgam grabbed an amount of Rs 55,000 from one Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, son of Ghulam Mohi-id-Din of Kathpora on the pretext of providing Government job to his brother Abdul Rashid Bhat.

During the investigation, it was established that the employee of the Postal Department grabbed Rs 55000 from Ghulam Mohammad Bhat and even provided a fake appointment order.

After completion of the investigation, Crime Branch presented chargesheet against the accused in the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Anantnag.

Leopard captured in south Kashmir
Snow forces wild animals’ migration

SRINAGAR, Feb 14:A leopard was captured in south Kashmir where wild animals had come down from the woods following heaviest snowfall in 20 years, last week.

Official sources said a leopard appeared at village Marhama in Anantnag district early this morning when people were still in their homes due to below freezing temperature.

However, before the leopard could attack villagers they captured him alive and later handed over to Wildlife Department officials at Bijbehara.

People living in upper reaches in the Kashmir valley are now facing a threat from wild animals who had come down from woods in search of food.

The Wildlife Department has directed people living in villages adjacent to forests to remain cautious against the movement of wild animals who have now turned towards plains in the wake of heavy snowfall on the upper reaches.

Reports of attacks on villagers by wild animals during the past fortnight have been received from different areas of north and south Kashmir.

People caught an injured porcupine before he could attack any villager at Poswani, Pattan.

However, a leopard was beaten to death by villagers in the central Kashmir district of Budgam after he attacked and injured seven people on February 7 while a three-month old leopard was caught at Nowshera in north Kashmir. Another leopard was killed by villagers in Kralgund Handwara.

A bear was caught by wildlife officials at Kralgund Handwara on February 7.

More than 30 people were killed and scores other injured after they were attacked by leopards and foxes in the Valley during the past one year.

In retaliation, villagers also killed four wild animals in the Valley during the period. A number of animal loving organisations protested against these killings. However, villagers rejected the protests and said the wild animals killed and injured people, including women and small children. (UNI)

7 Enggs among 16 suspended

Excelsior Correspondent

LEH, Feb 14: Seven Engineers were among 16 public servants placed under suspension for unauthorised absence from their respective duties.

An official spokesman said that to ensure speedy disposal of public cases and redress the grievances of people, the Deputy Commissioner, Leh, M K Bhandari today conducted a surprise checking in the offices of Superintending Engineer, PWD, Executive Engineer, R&B, Executive Engineer, Construction Division, Executive Engineer, PHE and Executive Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control.

During the inspection, the Deputy Commissioner found one Junior Engineer and three Junior Assistants absent in the office of Superintending Engineer while as three Junior Assistants and one Senior Assistant were found absent in the office of Executive Engineer, R&B Division.

Similarly, two Assistant Executive Engineers, one Assistant Engineer and three Junior Engineers besides one Head Draftsman were found absent in the office of PHE Division. One Junior Assistant was found absent in the office of Construction Division.

Expressing concern over the clandestine absence from duties without submitting applications and sanctions from the head of the office, Dr Bhandari ordered suspension of all the absentee public servants with immediate effect. He also appointed Assistant Commissioner, Revenue as Inquiry Officer, who will submit his report within a period of one month.

The Deputy Commissioner, who was accompanied by Additional DC Sonam Gyalson during surprise visits, warned that the employees should maintain work culture in the offices which will not only ensure quick disposal of office works but would also solve the problems of local population.

He said that punctuality and decent work culture would also speed up the development works.

SVO seeks Govt sanction for prosecution
Rs 2.46 cr fraud proved in Hill Kaka relief

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Feb 14: The State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) has established a fraud worth Rs 2.46 crore in Hill Kaka (Surankote) relief distribution and indicted three officials including an Assistant Commissioner in the scam.

The SVO, which has concluded investigations in the case, today wrote to General Administration Department (GAD) seeking Government sanction to prosecute the officers involved in the scam.

Official sources told Excelsior that out of 283 families, who were shown to have been paid money in official records in third phase, only 34 were genuine beneficiaries (families affected by Army operations in Hill Kaka) while all others were either not entitled to relief or were fictitious persons, whose relief was swindled by the officers in connivance with some touts.

To facilitate easy withdrawal of money from the banks, the then Assistant Commissioner, Revenue, Poonch, Choudhary Mohd Hafiz had issued ‘order cheques’ instead of crossed payees account cheques, sources said.

Besides the Assistant Commissioner, Sohan Singh and Maqbool Ahmed, both Junior Assistants were involved in the scam along with some private persons, whose services were utilised (by the officers) to act as touts to prepare fake claims on the name of some persons or inflating claims of genuine persons or preparing cheques on the name of non-existent persons and getting them encashed.

The touts had opened saving accounts on the names of "so called beneficiaries" and credited some cheques of relief money in their personal accounts, which was collectively swindled by them and the officers.

The Vigilance investigations revealed that out of Rs 2.75 crore shown distributed among the affected families during third phase of relief distribution, only Rs 29 lakh were paid to genuine beneficiaries while Rs 2.46 crore were embezzled by the accused, sources said.

It was also established during investigations that the accused officers had sanctioned relief twice in six cases, causing a loss of Rs 6.43 lakh while 26 beneficiaries were paid Rs 18.20 lakh excess relief from their actual entitlement and rest of the amount was subsequently misappropriated. In some other cases, the number of cattle heads, sheep and goats was inflated to increase the amount of relief in case of selected persons, which was also misappropriated.

It may be recalled that Army had launched ‘Operation Sarpvinash’ in Hill Kaka area of Pir Panjal range in Surankot tehsil of Poonch district in 2003 to destroy hide-outs of the militants and eliminate the ultras. A number of militants were killed in the operation.

As seasonal migrant families of twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri were not permitted to go to Hill Kaka area and surrounding pastures on security grounds, the Government of India had sanctioned Rs 7.40 crore as relief and compensation in favour of affected persons. The Deputy Commissioner, Poonch had transferred relief amount to Assistant Commissioner (Revenue), Poonch and directed him to disburse relief among the affected families as per prescribed scale fixed for each cattle head of livestock, sheep and goats owned by the affected families. In addition, Rs 400 per month for each person up to maximum of Rs 1600 per families was ordered to be paid to 90 families residing in Hill Kaka area.

Compensation and relief had to be distributed as per the lists of affected families prepared and submitted by concerned Tehsildars strictly on the basis of seasonal permits issued to migrant families by competent authorities.

Sources said the irregularities mainly took place when third phase of relief was distributed by the officers.

The Vigilance Organisation will present a challan in the case in the court of law after sanction to prosecute the Government officers is received.

PM keeps guessing game on reshuffle

NEW DELHI, Feb 14: The guessing game on a possible reshuffle of the Union Council of Ministers intensified today, a day after three ministers were drafted for organisational work ahead of Lok Sabha elections.

Fuelling the speculation, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh remarked cryptically "when it is done, you will know."

He was responding to queries by mediapersons on the sidelines of a book release function at the Prime Minister’s residence.

Singh’s brief remarks came a day after the talk of a reshuffle gained ground with three ministers being drafted for party work, taking the total number of such ministers to eight.

There is speculation that two senior ministers may be given gubernatorial assignments and their detractors have become active to impress upon the leadership the need for changes ahead of the elections.

Congress leaders have already made it clear that Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna has told the leadership that he was "bored" of the Raj Bhawan and wants to return to active politics ahead of the assembly polls in Karnataka, now under President’s rule.

A Union Minister said that the exercise was possible in the inter-session period in March and it could be a major affair.

The names of Vyalar Ravi for Parliamentary Affairs, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Ambika Soni for Information and Broadcasting are doing the rounds in the event of incumbent P R Dasmunsi giving up charge of one of these ministries after being appointed West Bengal PCC Chief.(PTI)

Life term for Pappu Yadav

PATNA, Feb 14: High-profile RJD Lok Sabha member from Madhepura Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav was today sentenced to life imprisonment for plotting the murder of CPI-M MLA Ajit Sarkar about a decade ago, in a judgement that could well spell doom for his political career.

Special CBI judge B M Srivastava, who had on February 4 reserved his judgement, pronounced Pappu Yadav, former independent MLA Rajan Tiwari and another accused Anil Yadav guilty and awarded them life terms.

The Judge also fined each of the three accused, who were present in the court, Rs 10,000 each.

Pappu Yadav was brought here this morning by train from Delhi’s Tihar jail, and produced in a wheelchair because of a festering wound in his leg.

As soon as the sentence was pronounced, Yadav broke down and pleaded for leniency with folded hands. "I have been through severe mental and physical torture in jail and even had to spend time in a mental asylum. Please show leniency and commute my punishment," he was quoted as having told the court in which the media was barred.

The Judge told the fourth term MP, "You always have the option of moving a superior court for relief."

Sitting in a jail van after the verdict, Yadav, who was elected to Lok Sabha thrice as an independent candidate in 1995, 1996 and 1999 and on an RJD ticket in 2004, said "like God’s verdict I have accepted the court judgement" but maintained that he was "innocent".

Rajan Tiwari, who was elected to the Vidhan Sabha in 2005 and Anil Yadav, a petty criminal, however, showed no emotion, advocates present in the courtroom told reporters.

Sarkar, a firebrand CPI-M MLA, who had a running feud with Pappu Yadav over issue related to farm labourers, along with his driver Harendra Sharma and party worker Ashfaqur Rehman, were gunned down at Subhas Nagar in Purnea town on June 14, 1998.

Public prosecutor Rakesh Kumar Sharma said outside the court that "maximum punishment" (of death) should have been imposed but the court felt that "life imprisonment will suffice in the matter".

Welcoming the verdict, Sarkar’s widow Madhavi said "if he had got death sentence it would have been a minute’s affair but this way he will die every moment. If he has humanity in him, he will realise that what he did was wrong".

Yadav was convicted under sections 302 (murder) and 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy) of IPC for plotting the murder of Sarkar which was executed by Rajan Tiwari and others.

The case was taken up by the CBI after the Bihar Government, under pressure from locals, made a recommendations to that effect.

The CBI chargesheeted Yadav, Tiwari, Anil Yadav, Harish Chaudhary and Amar Yadav on May 10, 1999 on the basis of the statement of Tiwari, who was arrested by Delhi Police on February 12 that year.

Yadav was arrested on May 24, the same year, while three others Anil Yadav, Harish Chaudhary and Amar Yadav were on the run.

The trial in the case began on August 2, 2002 and concluded on February 4, this year.

A total of 61 witnesses were presented by the prosecution 23 of whom later turned hostile. Twentyseven deposed for the defence. (PTI)

MUF leader joins PDP

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Feb 14: Muslim United Front (MUF) leader and chairman of Kashmir Resolution Movement (KRM) Abdul Khaliq Haneef today joined People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at party headquarters here.

Haneef, who unsuccessfully contested 2002 Assembly elections after snapping ties with the separatists, joined the PDP alongwith office bearers of his party in the presence of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, vice-president Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari and political secretary Peerzada Mansoor Hussain.

Terming PDP’s major policy initiatives aimed at the resolution of Kashmir issue as pragmatic, Haneef said that since Kashmir Resolution Movement’s agenda coincided with that of PDP he has decided to work under the able leadership of PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

He added that these initiatives would essentially focus on the exigency of ensuring relief to Kashmiri people particularly in the backdrop of the ongoing unrest.

Haneef said that steps would be taken to end human rights violations, release of all political detainees, repealing of draconian laws including Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), return and rehabilitation of divided families across the border and eradication of social evils and moral waywardness.

Stating that he alongwith his party colleagues were for Confidence Building Measures, cease-fire across LoC, soft borders, people to people contact, self rule and a just and democratic resolution of Kashmir dispute, Haneef said that he found PDP moving ahead with significant success on his envisaged vision which motivated him to join hands with the PDP leadership.

Speaking on the occasion, Mehbooba Mufti said that PDP was open for all like minded people who want to help out people from their sufferings.

13 Inspectors shifted

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 14: Director General of Police (DGP) Kuldeep Khoda today changed wings of eight Inspectors and adjusted five recently promoted Inspectors.

Inspector S S Samyal and Inspector Abdul Aziz have been transferred from Jammu zone to Security wing.

Inspector Rashid Khan, Inspector Yashveer Singh and Inspector Riaz Ahmed have been transferred from Security wing to Armed Police. Inspector Santokh Raj has been transferred from SSG to Armed Police while Inspector Hassan Mohd has been transferred from Kashmir zone to Security wing.

Inspector Gurmeet Singh has been transferred from Jammu zone to SSG.

Among five promoted Inspectors, Varinder Gupta has been adjusted in Jammu zone, Khursheed-ur-Rehman in Kashmir zone, Shakeel Ahmed in Crime and Railways, Raj Kumar Sharma and Rana Sajjad in CID.

No traffic on highway today

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 14: Traffic on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway from twin capital cities to remain suspended tomorrow.

SSP Traffic, National Highway, Danish Rana said that there will not be any fresh movement of vehicles on the highway tomorrow in order to clear the stranded load-carriers.

He disclosed that around 500 trucks carrying essential commodities for Kashmir valley were stranded at Chanderkote, 400 at Udhampur and 150 at Manwal and tomorrow they will be given preference.

Mr Rana, however, said that the passenger vehicles from Doda to Srinagar and Jammu will be allowed to ply on the highway besides convoys of the security forces.

Meanwhile, sources said that the suspension of fresh traffic on the highway will provide opportunity to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) personnel to remove the bottlenecks in the smooth movement of the vehicles.