Budget session begins today
Women's reservation bill unlikely: Govt

NEW DELHI, Feb 24: The much-awaited women’s reservation bill and the controversial broadcasting bill is unlikely to come up in the budget session of Parliament commencing tomorrow in the absence of consensus.

Government has also remained non-committal on the bill for granting statehood for Telangana and the legislation to check communal violence.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Dasmunsi said the Government was making "final efforts" to arrive at a consensus on the women’s reservation bill but made it clear that it was not in favour of a proposal to leave the matter to the discretion of political parties.

"We want to ensure that women get their rights and are not robbed of it," he said having a dig at main opposition BJP which has asked the Government to bring the bill in the session and promised support.

He wondered about the "final" stand of the BJP on the contentious issue saying that the main Opposition party had been changing its position frequently.

On the issue of surrogate advertisements of liquor on television and other media, Dasmunsi, who also holds the information and broadcasting portfolio, said he has asked to make necessary changes in the concerned guidelines.

The controversial broadcasting services and regulatory bill, which moots a content code for private broadcasters, is also unlikely to figure in the budget session due to lack of agreement on some of its clauses.

The minister said he had convened a meeting of representatives of the print and the electronic media on evolving a content code on programming a move that has virtually forced the bill on the back-burner.

Meanwhile, with a host of controversial issues including Setusamudram project, Raj Thackeray’s anti-North Indian statements and Indo-US nuclear deal likely to figure, the budget session of Parliament is set to be a tumultuous affair.

Issues of price rise, agrarian crisis as also hike in petrol prices on which Left Parties have joined the Opposition in attacking the Government will also see the political temperatures rising, especially with a series of Assembly elections lined up in the coming months.

Buoyed by recent poll victories, main opposition BJP would be seeking to put the Government on the mat on several issues including internal security and increase in terror attacks.

Being a leap year, the budget will be presented on February 29 while the railway budget would be tabled on February 26.

Dasmunsi said the economic survey will be tabled in Parliament a day before the general budget.

As the coming budget will be the last ahead of Lok Sabha polls next year and a series of Assembly elections later this year, the Congress-led coalition is expected to go all out to keep the common man in good humour.

With "Aam Aadmi" becoming the flavour ahead of the poll season, the railway budget is also likely to be on similar lines.

President Pratibha Patil will deliver her first address to the joint sitting of Parliament tomorrow which will outline the Government’s plans.

Parliament would take up on priority the issue of extension of President’s rule in Nagaland where the process of holding Assembly elections is on. This was because the term of Central rule in the Northeastern State was expiring on March 3.

Bills seeking to replace six ordinances including one on the delimitation of constituencies will be taken during the session. Another ordinance is aimed at putting the age limit of Prasar Bharti Chairman at 70 years by which the Government eased out NDA appointee M V Kamath.

Among the bills coming for introduction, consideration and passing are those related to increase in emoluments of the President and Governors and pension for the Vice President.

Prominent draft legislations for introduction are the Judges Inquiry Bill, Prevention of Money Laundering Bill, Right to Education Bill.

With Central rule imposed in Karnataka, budget for the State will also be taken up for discussion.

A draft legislation for providing social security to those working in the unorganised sector is also expected to be taken up for consideration and passing during the session.

The BJP has been harping on internal security and rising terror incidents, and a war of words is currently on between it and the Congress on who better tackled the menace.

The Left has submitted a detailed memorandum to the Government demanding drastic increase in Corporate Tax, hike in Transaction Tax and a new deal for farmers to help mitigate their plight.

The Samajwadi Party is likely to raise controversial statements of MNS leader Raj Thackeray against North Indians. It is also expected to rake up Delhi Lt. Governor Tejender Khanna’s reported remarks on North Indians. (PTI)

'Mufti did what Qasim, Sadiq, Abdullahs couldn't
Farooq frustrated after 5 years opposition: Mehbooba

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Feb 24: As the Assembly elections in the State are approaching, the war of words between arch rivals People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and National Conference is hotting up with latter today accusing the former of becoming frustrated in just five years of opposition in the State’s politics.

The fresh tirade was launched by the PDP’s president and Member Parliament Mehbooba Mufti while addressing a public meeting at Sarwal, in Jammu West constituency this afternoon.

"The former Chief Minister and National Conference patron, who is immune of being in the power, has become frustrated in just five years of being in the Opposition", she alleged and said that his recent outbursts against the successive Union Governments and continuous ‘base-less’ attacks against the PDP leadership was the indication of the same.

It is worthwhile to mention here that National Conference patron in a function here on February 14, held successive Union Governments responsible for the turmoil in the State.

"When Dr Farooq Abdullah remains in the power he showers all praises on the Delhi and speaks critical against Pakistan but starts outbursts against the Union Government when out of the corridors of the power", Ms Mehbooba further alleged and said that this clearly exposes the double standards of the National Conference leadership.

She further said: "We are being criticised because our pro-people political and developmental initiatives have not only transformed the ground scenario in the State but also exposed all the successive Governments in the State".

The development which Mufti Mohammad Sayeed carried out in the State was never brought up by the former Chief Ministers like Mir Qasim, G M Sadiq, Gul Shah, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and Dr Farooq Abdullah, Ms Mehbooba claimed and said that it was for the first time that Asian Development Bank started funding projects in Jammu and Kashmir.

Holding National Conference responsible for turmoil in the State, the firebrand leader of the PDP said that after large-scale rigging in 1987 elections the situation in Jammu and Kashmir underwent such a change that large number of youth lost faith in the electoral process and opted for guns.

"Since there was a dire need to bring change in the political scenario in the State and Congress was not able to effectively take on National Conference, we decided to quit Congress and float PDP", she said, adding "people of the State were so impressed with the towering personality of the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed that in the very first elections of the PDP, they got 16 MLAs elected".

Terming criticism of her party at the hands of Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena as ‘baseless’, she said that the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during his visit to the Kashmir had remarked that Mufti’s healing touch policy has wide acceptance in the State.

Ms Mehbooba claimed that her party succeeded upto large extent in bringing an end to violence in the State and normalise relations with the neighbouring Pakistan and said "continuing of the trans-border bus services without any untoward incident has conveyed to all that the fears expressed by several people at the time of decision about the same was uncalled for".

Admitting that funds sanctioned by the Central Government under different schemes could not be utilised properly due to the shortage of the manpower particularly trained persons in the State, the PDP president said that now her party’s top priority would be to tackle unemployment.

She, however, made it clear that Government jobs were no solution to the growing problem of unemployment. "We will have to tap all the resources available in the State to provide employment to our youth as the successive Governments in the State never paid any attention towards this", she said.

"The previous Governments in Jammu and Kashmir were more concerned about encroaching upon land at Bathindi and Gulmarg than framing a policy to tap the vast resources available in the State", she alleged.

The PDP president made a clarion call to the youth of the State to support her party which has not only carried out massive development in the State but also awakened the people about their rights. "Our future lies in your hand and your future lies in PDP", she said in Punjabi language.

MLA Shanti Devi, MLC Ved Mahajan, party’s Daman Bhasin, Renu Azad, Ashok Jogi and R K Bali were among others who spoke on the occasion.

India, China to have joint military exercise
Stable Pak in India's interest: Antony

LAUNGWALA, RAJASTHAN, Feb 24: Expressing hope that peace will soon dawn upon the troubled neighbouring country, Defence Minister A K Antony today said a stable Pakistan is in the interest of India.

"We have our concerns. We have our problems with Pakistan. A stable Pakistan is in India’s interest. I hope there will be stability and peace in Pakistan at the earliest," he told reporters here.

Antony was speaking to reporters after a visit to Laungwala, the historic site where about hundred Indian soldiers thwarted an attack by Pakistani troops during 1971 Indo-Pak war.

He also said the planned military exercises in Rajasthan later this year should not create panic in Pakistan as they were already informed about it earlier.

"Exercises by armed forces is a pattern all over the world. We have already informed them (Pakistan)," he said.

Though India and China have differing perception on the boundary line in Arunachal Pradesh, the two Armies will go ahead with their second joint military exercise on Indian soil this year.

"For the first time we had an exercise with China in their territory. Next joint exercise will be held in India this year. You can wait for it," Antony said.

Asked about the Chinese incursions in Arunachal Pradesh, the Defence Minister said "there exists an established channel to sort out such matters."

Antony said the India-China border was not demarcated yet. "It is not settled yet. There are always some scope for confusion," he said.

New Delhi and Beijing carried out their first-ever joint military exercise in China’s southwestern province of Yunnan in December last year which was helpful in building mutual trust and promoting cooperation between the Armies of the two countries.

The purpose of the joint military exercise with China was aimed at taking the ties between the armed forces of two countries to a new high.

Antony also expressed hope that the Pay Commission will give armed forces the best.

The Defence Minister strongly argued a case in the favour of the armed forces. "I hope Pay Commission will favour us," he said. (PTI)

J&K Govt to revive South Asia's 2nd oldest
power project in Uri

By Gopal Sharma

JAMMU, Feb 24: With the objective to promote tourism, save old historic monuments and generate power, J&K Government is contemplating to revive South Asia’s second oldest 9 MW Mahura power project of Maharaja Partap Singh’s period in Kashmir.

The first ever power project constructed by European engineers from Germany and Hungary in 1905 at the left bank of river Jhelum at Boniyar, just 7 km short of Uri town in Kashmir, which once lit the entire kingdom of Dogra rulers at Srinagar was extensively damaged by the Pakistani raiders in 1947. After this, a little effort was done by the State Government in 1966 to revive it but after functioning for some time, this project again became defunct due to lack of proper attention by the respective Governments. This oldest and historical project was never upgraded or modernized.

Facts reveal that in the summer of 1905, Kashmir’s first and south Asia’s second Hydro Power Project, after Mysore, started generating electricity and illuminated the Kashmir valley much to the surprise of ignorant local Kashmiris. Water was lifted from river Jhelum by constructing complete 11 km wooden water canal and it was flowed down from a hill top to run the turbines through two large pipes at Mohura village near Boniyar. Thousands of Deodar trees were used to construct this unique water channel which still exists after 100 years. Auction of this wood may also generate huge revenue for the Government.

The building of 4x1000 KVA Mohura Power House in Uri was in fact an achievement at that time for the General Electrics (GE) of America, who provided entire technical support and the required machinery. Shortly afterwards this power station served to light thousands of Kashmiri homes besides a small number industrial units like buskers, flour and oil grinder, band saws, silk reeling, weaving and spinning.

Sources in the Power Development Department said that cable laying over hundreds of kilometers was carried out to transmit electricity to Srinagar, Baramulla and Muzaffarabad. Although in 1905-06 Mohura power house was partially commissioned having capacity of 4 WM, still the supply was enough to meet the demand of the undivided Kashmir. Since then, electricity became one of the most sought after commodities in Kashmir.

After the revival of project in 1966, it was generating 9 MW of power but now almost for the last two decades this power project was lying defunct and its employees are getting idle salary. Its machinery was gaining rust and no efforts were taken up for saving this historic project despite raising voice by many senior citizens and people of the area. If revived, it may provide sufficient power to entire Uri.

In 2004-05, on the initiative of Minister for CAPD Taj Mohiuddin and locals from Uri constituency, the then Minister for Power, Mohd Sharief Niaz constituted a three member committee of top PDD engineers to study the feasibility of revival of this project. A Rs 66 crore proposal was formulated for the revival of this project but the matter was put to cold storage with the change in the portfolio.

Minister Incharge, Power Babu Singh when contacted told Excelsior that Government has finally made up its mind for the revival of this important and historic hydel power project. He said that after taking over the charge of this Ministry he sought the status report from the top PDC engineers. He was personally taking initiative and fresh Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be formulated before launching construction work on this project.

Responding to a question, the Minister said that project was important in tourism point of view. Lakhs of foreign tourists visit Kashmir and this oldest project based on olden European and American technology, would attract a large number of foreigners as well as domestic tourists. It may supplement to the economy of the people of Uri sector, he maintained.

Mr Singh further claimed that not only this, Jammu’s olden 2 MW capacity Power House built on Ranbir Canal in 1912 with the initiative of the then Maharaja, is also being revived. He said Trehan Industries Ltd had started work on it but due to some dispute the work was abandoned. "We have taken up the issue afresh with the firm and work would be resumed shortly. The work on Chenani Power project (Ladden) which is lying closed for the last many years, would also be resumed shortly, he maintained.

CRPF to be equipped with AMRs

NEW DELHI, Feb 24: To give para-military forces a decisive edge in anti-naxal operations, special units of CRPF will soon be equipped with higher fire power, Anti-Material Rifles (AMR).

These sophisticated weapons which are ideal for busting caves and concrete hideouts, have so far only been provided to the Army. The amrs are designed for damage and penetration.

Large calibre AMRs can also be used for remote explosive ordnance disposal. Special disrupter rounds filled with water, aerogel or foam could be developed for this role and these are the requirements the para-military forces are looking at.

"We have submitted these indigenous made rifles to the para-military forces for evaluation," Sadpita Ghosh, Chairman Ordnance Factories Board (OFB), an umbrella grouping of 39 ordnance factories spread across the country, said.

"We are sure of a decision soon."

He indicated that the initial offer could be upto 2,000 of these specialised rifles. Senior CRPF officers said these weapons could also be used by its forces in Jammu and Kashmir. CRPF has taken over as urban anti militancy force from BSF in the State recently.

These weapons could be real handy to forces operating against naxals, as they use caves, rocky shelters and concrete hideouts in the jungles in Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and parts of Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, CRPF officers said.

Army imported about 1,200 of these anti-material guns, but the induction was abruptly stopped halfway after the south African company Denel, which supplied these rifles, was blacklisted, following reports of Commissions having been paid in the deal.

Ghosh said since the demand for the weapon was "considerable", the Government had given its nod to produce an indigenous version of the weapon.

"We have successfully developed the rifles and are offering them to para-military as well as the Army," he said.

The AMRs have recently been used by forces in the Gulf and other areas to strike against helicopter armour and tank and armoured personnel carriers. But the para-military forces would be using ammunition to dent naxal jungle fortresses and hideouts.

These rifles can be broken down into two and moved and rapidly assembled for ‘shoot and scoot" operations.

In tandem with providing the para-military forces with AMRs, OFB has also offered these forces its new advanced all composites 84mm new generation rocket launchers.

These rocket launchers proved quite effective in neutralising Pakistan sanghars in the Kargil conflict. The provision of the rocket launchers and AMRs would considerably increase the fire power of the para-military forces.

Chairman of the OFB also said proposals had been forwarded to Government for rolling out next generation of 5.56mm micro light range of assault rifles to be called "kalantak".

CRPF and BSF have so far been equipped with earlier versions of these indigenous light multi-weapons with a capability of making them fire rockets, grenades and other ammunitions with attachments.

With a turnover of Rs 7,942 crore a year, the State owned factories have almost the 100 per cent share of indigenous weapons supplies to armed forces.

This could be threatened as country’s leading industrial houses like Tata, Mahindra, Hinduja, Larsen and Toubro and Godrej are making forays into defence sector with huge investments and tie ups with global armament majors.

"We are ready to face any competition and we plan to hold on to our market share of armed forces and para-military forces," ghosh said outlining new plans which would make the ofb turnover jump into a whopping Rs 10,000 crores in next three to four years. (PTI)

SC ruling on sick leave

NEW DELHI, Feb 24: The Supreme Court has upheld the termination of an employee who was on a "sick leave" for nearly two years, but failed to produce a valid medical certificate to justify his absence.

A bench of Justices Arijit Pasayat and S H Kapadia said sick leave can be granted only on the production of medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner clearly stating as far as possible the diagnosis and probable duration of treatment.

The bench passed the ruling while upholding the appeal filed by New India Assurance Company challenging an order of the labour tribunal which had ordered reinstatement of V P L Srivastava, a typist who remained absent unauthorisedly from September 25, 1982 to June 5, 1984. The Allahabad High Court upheld the reinstatement order.

The charges against Srivastava included absence without leave or without sufficient grounds and willful insubordination and disobedience of lawful and reasonable orders of his superiors.

The two subordinate courts mainly relied on the fact that the management did not pass any order on the sick leave application purportedly submitted by Srivastava.

Rejecting the findings, the apex court said that it was clear from the management letter on August 3, 1984 that there was no leave due to the credit of Srivastava, including leave without pay and it had asked him to forthwith join duty.

The apex court noted that the erring employee did not produce any medical certificate to prove his claim that he was suffering from ‘tuberculosis’.

It was also the contention of the management that a medical officer was sent from the office to examine Srivastava and it was found that he was not sick as claimed by him.

Recalling an earlier ruling in the Vivekananda Sethi case (2005), the apex court said the mere sending of a leave application after the exhaustion of the leave period cannot be termed as a bona fide act of the workman.

The management was justified in terminating Srivas tava’s services, the apex court said. (PTI)

'Musharraf may step down'
PPP stakes claim to form Govt

ISLAMABAD, Feb 24: As uncertainty over formation of next Government in Pakistan persisted, the PPP, which emerged the largest party in the recent general election, today asked the Musharraf regime to invite it to form new administration amid reports that the beleaguered President was finalising an "exit strategy for himself."

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leaders, who have been discussing possible formation of a coalition Government with other Opposition parties following the February 18 polls, said the administration had not yet invited it to form Government.

The matter was also discussed during PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari’s meeting with newly elected lawmakers from Balochistan province, they said while asking the Government to convene a session of the new National Assembly.

Former premier Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N party and the PPP last week announced plans to form coalition Governments at the centre and in the provinces.

Senior PML-N leader Khwaja Mohammad Asif today called on Zardari to discuss cooperation between the two parties in forming the new Government. Asif told reporters he had no message for Zardari from PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif.

"My meeting is a continuation of the earlier meeting between the PPP and PML-N on forming the Government. We had agreed to have further consultations and to discuss the emerging political situation," Asif said. "We have decided we will work together and respect each other’s mandate."

A close aide of President Pervez Musharraf, meanwhile, told London’s ‘Sunday Telegraph’ that the embattled leader, whose allies were routed in the polls, "is considering stepping down in days" to avoid a showdown with the newly elected Parliament.

However, a Presidential spokesman denied that Musharraf was considering quitting.

One of Musharraf’s close aides told the British daily that the President "has already started discussing the exit strategy for himself."

"I think it is now just a matter of days and not months because he would like to make a graceful exit on a high," the unnamed aide was quoted as as saying.

The PML-Q, the party which backed Musharraf, suffered a crushing defeat in the polls in all provinces except Balochistan, where it emerged the single largest group.

Setting the stage for a possible confrontation with the next Government, Pakistan’s caretaker administration plans to print a new edition of the Constitution containing amendments made by Musharraf during last year’s emergency that have been rejected by the victorious Opposition parties.

The move has made newly elected lawmakers of the PPP and PML-N, who are set to form a coalition, wary as they may have to take oath under the Constitution with amendments that have been validated by the new Supreme Court comprising Musharraf’s handpicked Judges who endorsed the emergency.

The PPP and PML-N have rejected the amendments, which they say are "unconstitutional and invalid", and Sharif has also vowed to get all of Musharraf’s actions during the emergency rolled back. (PTI)

'Introduce Speed Governors in vehicles'
TP identifies 9 main reasons for mishaps

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Feb 24: Traffic Police have identified nine major reasons for increased number of accidents in Jammu region especially in rural and hilly areas. It has suggested to the Government certain important measures required immediately to improve traffic scenario in the region and avert mishaps.

A document prepared by Traffic Police, Jammu for submission to the Government has identified dilapidated condition of roads, plying of old model buses, driving vehicles by minors, sharp curves on rural road and rash & negligent driving as first five reasons for growing number of tragedies on roads.

Four other reasons, which according to Traffic authorities contribute to almost daily accidents on the roads, were over speeding, inadequate bus services in rural areas especially in hilly districts of Rajouri and Poonch, engagement of large number of SRTC buses by Army authorities in rural areas and issuance of fitness certificate by Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) without taking Traffic Police into confidence.

Traffic authorities have suggested to the Government the introduction of ‘Speed Governors’ in passenger vehicles to check reckless driving which has been contributing to most of the fatal accidents on major urban and rural roads. Due to absence of ‘Speed Governor’ in passenger vehicles, drivers normally ply their vehicles more than the permissible speed, they said.

Traffic Police have called for a provision of weighing bridges on rural roads which could contribute a lot in maintaining a check on the load being carried by heavy commercial vehicles. This will save the roads from extensive damage besides the accidents, the document said.

"The provision of Traffic Patrol Vehicles is required to be put in place on National Highway and rural areas at the earliest so that sudden and surprise checks of the vehicles could be carried out to minimise the accidents or, if they occur, to keep the number of casualties minimum", it said.

Authorities have suggested that all Government offices, banquet halls, private schools, nursing homes, clinics and coaching centres, located on road sides in the City, should be shifted to outskirts to ensure free flow of traffic. They have called for a complete ban on opening of motor workshops in the City.

Pointing out that many fatal accidents occur due to failure of drivers in successfully negotiating sharp curves on many roads, Traffic Police have called for installation of reflectors on the curves which, it observed, would go a long way in helping drivers to successfully negotiate the "death curves". It has suggested deployment of more buses and mini-buses in rural areas to avoid overloading, which was also a major factor for the accidents.

It has also proposed adequate number of stopages for mini buses to check stopages at will, which often lead to traffic jams and sometimes accidents.

Traffic authorities have proposed that all old model buses, which increase the risk of accidents, be taken off the roads. Re-organisation of Traffic Police, for which a detailed proposal was lying with the Government for necessary sanction and a substantial increase in strength of the organisation have also been listed as two important suggestions by Traffic Police for implementation.

Noting that there was an urgent need for rationalisation of route permits, the document has suggested constitution of an expert committee to give their opinion as to which area required more transport facility with nature of vehicles like high capacity, medium capacity or low capacity keeping in view the road conditions and terrain etc.

Asserting that Traffic Signal Lights are very vital to smooth monitoring for regulation of traffic on the roads, the authorities have urged the Government to make Signal Lights a part of traffic in the City which will bring to bare minimum the chances of mishaps due to overtaking and road rage.

In another important suggestion, the authorities have asked for establishment of a Traffic Police Station in every district of the State. So far, there is no such police station in any part of the State. The Traffic Police Stations can deal with traffic related offences, cases of stolen vehicles and accidental cases, they said and added that there was also a need to enhance punishment and fine for offences under Motor Vehicle Act.

Construction of ring roads, fly overs and bridges, multi-storey parking lots, establishment of Traffic Information Park, rationalisation of rotaries, proper leveling of roads and widening and laning of roads in city and rural areas were other proposals mooted by Traffic Police.

Bomb found near Charak's home

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 24: Police today recovered a rusted anti tank mine during cleaning of canal at Greater Kailash locality just near the residence of Higher Education Minister and Congress leader Gulchain Singh Charak.

Reports said the labourers during cleaning of the canal found an explosive looking device and sounded an alert. Police parties and a Bomb Disposal Squad rushed to the spot and seized the anti tank mine.

The anti tank mine was taken away by the Bomb Disposal Squad. The device was neutralised even though it was rusted and there was no chances of its explosion.

Site of the recovery was only few yards away from Mr Charak’s house, reports said.

Few days back, an anti tank bomb was recovered from the same canal during cleaning process.

Official sources said the militants might have thrown the explosive devices in canal after having failed to take them to designated areas.

Darul Uloom to denounce terror

NEW DELHI, Feb 24: Leading Islamic Seminary Darul Uloom and several other Muslim organisations are likely to adopt a declaration tomorrow denouncing terrorism and declaring it "un-Islamic".

The declaration is expected to be finalised and adopted at an anti-terrorism conference in Deoband in Uttar Pradesh which would be attended by clerics, scholars and religious leaders from across the country.

"Representatives from about 6,000 madrasas from across the country, Muslim leaders and clerics from several sects besides foreign delegates will attend the conference," Ashraf Usmani, a member of the media team of the seminary, said.

The conference will ask the Muslim community to stay away from acts of terrorism and organisations that encourage violence in the name of religion, he said, adding: "we condemn terrorism and killing of innocent people."

"Terrorism has no place in a civil society," Maulana Abdul Hameed Nomani, Islamic scholar and spokesman of Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Hind, said.

All acts of terrorism and killing of innocent people of any religion are strictly prohibited, he said.

"We have received invitation and our representatives will participate in the anti-terrorism conference," Maulana Kalbe Jawwad, a prominent Shia cleric and General Secretary of Majlis-e-Ulema-e-Hind, said.

"Islam never allows killing of innocent people," Jawwad said, adding "nobody knows what are the sources of violence and who all are doing it."

Founded in 1866, Darul Uloom at Deoband is the oldest Islamic seminary in India and one of the biggest in the world.

Usmani also objected to the use of word "Islamic terrorism" in the media and said: "there was no such thing as Islamic terrorism."

"Terrorism is only terrorism. It was the media which uses the term ‘Islamic terrorism’. Islam is a peaceful religion. It never taught terrorism nor it will," Usmani added. (PTI)

Links among ultras in TN, Kerala

HYDERABAD, Feb 24: With the arrest of Kerala-based engineer and SIMI activists Yahya Khan and Riazuddin Nasir, suspected bomb planters in one of the August 25 twin blasts in Andhra Pradesh, recently from Karnataka had raised questions on the links between the suspected terrorists in these three States.

According to police sources here, the activists and sympathisers of the terrorist organisation had established a ‘strong network’ to coordinate among themselves in resorting to violent activities, including the recruitment of youth in their organisation.

At present, Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) and Lashkar-e Toiba (LeT) organisations were active in South India, recruiting the activists and procuring explosive materials.

The terror organisations were also taking assistance from engineers and IT professionals to prepare explosive devices, the sources added.

Not ruling out the possibility of terrorist plots to trigger blasts at strategic places like defence organisations, Government head offices and in dense public places, the sources said the intelligence organisations of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka were exchanging the information available on the movements of terrorists. (UNI)

Don't meddle with pay reports: SC

NEW DELHI, Feb 24: If courts start meddling with executive functions like recommendations of pay commissions, it would adversely impact the economy, the Supreme Court has said.

Cautioning courts against interfering with the pay scale fixed by the Pay Commissions, a bench of Justice A K Mathur and Altamas Kabir said fixing of pay scale was a purely executive function and the judiciary should not have any role in it.

The apex court passed the ruling in a judgment while quashing a Patna High court order which had directed the State Government to provide Central pay scale to veterinary surgeons working in Bihar.

"If one class of service is to be picked up and granted higher pay scale as is available in the Central Government then the whole balance will be disturbed and other services are likely to be affected, the apex court observed while allowing the Bihar Government’s appeal.

It would also result in "ruination of the finance" of the State, it said.

The State Government had filed the appeal challenging the High Court order on the ground that direction was given for enhancing the pay scale of the veterinary doctors to Rs 8000-13500 as against the Rs 6500-10,500 fixed by the Fitment/pay revision committee appointed by the State.

The State Government argued that High Court cannot pick one group of service for enhanced pay scale when the committee had evolved a pay scale package for the entire lot of State Government employees.

Agreeing with the Bihar Government’s contention, the apex court said the veterinary doctors in the State cannot get any higher pay scales than those of the other State Government employees.

A parity in a particular class of service depends on various factors as the Pay Commission has to them while fixing the scale, the apex court said.

"It is not possible to have the same pay scale as that of the employees of the Central Government or even for that matter between two States. The pay scale essential depend upon the resource of the Government," the bench said.

According to the bench if court starts disturbing the recommendation of the pay scale in a particular class of service then it is likely to have cascading effect on all related service which may result in "multifarious litigation".

Hence, it quashed the High Court order. (PTI)