Opposition stays away from Governor Address
Dismiss coalition Govt: NC, NPP

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: Main Opposition, National Conference, today stayed away from Governor’s Address to joint sitting of Legislature but its legislators led by Leader of Opposition, Abdul Rahim Rather staged a massive protest outside the Legislature complex demanding dismissal of Congress-PDP coalition Government. Two other Opposition parties, National Panthers Party and BJP disrupted the Address for about five minutes shouting slogans against the coalition Government and urging the Governor to dismiss it. Six legislators of NPP and BJP later staged a walk-out from the Central Hall of Legislature after NPP supremo Prof Bhim Singh submitted a memorandum to the Governor.

All 31 legislators of NC (26 MLAs and 5 MLCs) barring Deputy Speaker Mohd Akbar Lone boycotted the Governor Address to protest what the party leaders called "complete breakdown" of Government machinery, rampant corruption, sky rocketing prices, politicisation of degree colleges, alarming unemployment, human rights violations and loot by Ministers.

None of the NC legislators entered the Central Hall of Legislature as per a decision taken in its Legislature Party meeting yesterday. They staged a sit-in on stairs at entrance of Legislature Hall and shouted slogans denouncing "failure of the coalition Government on all fronts".

"Awaam Dushman Sarkaar Hai Hai" repeatedly rented the air as NC MLAs continued their protests for more than 15 minutes before arrival of the Governor. All prominent NC legislators including Mr Rather, Mustafa Kamal, Ali Mohd Sagar, Saifullah Mir, Mian Altaf, Abdul Gani Malik, Mohd Sayeed Akhoon, Mushtaq Bukhari, Sajjad Kitchloo, M Y Taing, M S Qureshi and others joined the protest.

The NC members later dispersed peacefully. However, they attended the Assembly when it met briefly after Governor’s Address to lay a copy (of the Address) on table of the House.

As soon as the Governor entered Central Hall of Legislature at 10 am and started reading his Address, all five NPP legislators including Prof Bhim Singh, Harshdev Singh, Yashpal Kundal, Balwant Singh Mankotia and Faqir Nath were on their feet raising anti-Government slogans. They were joined by lone BJP MLA, Jugal Kishore.

Soon all six legislators stood up on their chairs and shouted "Corrupt Sarkar Hai Hai", "Awaam Dushman Sarkar Hai Hai".

Addressing to the Governor, Bhim Singh and Harshdev Singh called upon him to dismiss "criminal, corrupt and anti-people Government" which, they alleged, has failed on all fronts.

Harshdev Singh, Leader of Legislature Party of NPP, said the Government should be dismissed under Section 92 of the Constitution of J&K as it has miserably failed to fulfill the promises held out to the people.

None from the Government sides reacted to the NPP and BJP protests. Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad also heard the protests silently. After about five minutes of protest, Bhim Singh handed over a memorandum to the Governor, which he was waiving in the Hall, after which all NPP and BJP MLAs staged a walk-out.

Speaking to reporters outside, Bhim Singh demanded dismissal of the coalition Government and holding fresh Assembly elections in the State under Governor’s rule. "We have no faith that Congress-PDP coalition will hold free and fair elections to the Assembly", he said.

Harshdev Singh said there was a "total breakdown" of Constitutional machinery, rules and procedures are being bypassed by Ministers, Common Minimum Programme (CMP) has not been implemented, Delimitation Commission was not constituted despite repeated promises, SC/ST/OBCs were being denied their due share, Jammu region was subjected to most hostile discrimination in its share and representation in employment’ allocation of funds and execution of Development schemes, issues of refugees have not been settled, unemployment was touching alarming proportions, mafia and land grabbers were being benefited from Roshni scheme and daily wagers rates have not been revised from Rs 500 to Rs 2100.

The Panthers Party too continued its protests outside Central Hall of Legislature after boycotting the Governors Address.

All groups urged to join dialogue process
High level committee to monitor WG
recommendations: Governor

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: The Central Government has set up a high level Committee headed by Union Home Secretary and comprising senior representatives of the State Government to oversee and monitor implementation of the recommendations made by four out of five Working Groups set up by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, which had submitted their reports (to the Prime Minister) on April 24 this year.

Addressing both House of Legislature in Central Hall of Legislature here this morning, Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha said a process has been set in motion at the levels of both Central and State Governments for implementation of Working Groups’ recommendations.

The Governor’s Address, which is a policy document of the State Government but is read out by the Governor at the start of every budget session as per the practice going on for years, was boycotted by entire Opposition. While the NC legislators didn’t turn up at all, the Panthers Party and BJP legislators staged a walk-out.

Without referring to assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Lt Gen Sinha, in his 56 minutes address, observed: "notwithstanding recent unfortunate events in Pakistan, it is our fond hope that Governments of India and Pakistan will work together to build closer relationship between people of the two countries to usher in an era of stability, peace and prosperity in the sub-continent".

Making a fresh appeal to all groups (albeit without naming the militant outfits) to join future dialogue process, the Governor said: "My Government will be happy to welcome the participation of all shades of public opinion in future dialogue process as dialogue is the only way forward for resolution of all problems.

He said efforts were on to take ahead the process of building up relationships between divided parts of the State, which was set in motion in April 2005 with the launch of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service, by opening Kargil-Skardu road as recommended by one of the Working Group. He pointed out that 2215 persons from this side and 3061 from PoK have travelled across LoC using Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawlakote bus services. He gave credit of the bus services to Dr Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, PDP patron Mufti Mohd Sayeed and Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

"The Government has practically achieved the goal of zero tolerance to human rights violations. The Government’s commitment to protection of human rights remains firm and unshakable", the Governor said, adding "prompt action has been taken by the Government whenever complaints are received".

Asserting that the previous year (2007) has witnessed lowest number of militancy related incidents and civilian killings, he acknowledged the excellent work done by police, paramilitary forces and Army for restoration of peace and remembered sacrifices made by them.

"As again current financial year’s annual plan of Rs 4000 crore, we have project next financial year’s plan at Rs 4500 crore. While last year, Rs 850 crore were given under Prime Minister’s Re-construction Plan, this year they were expected to be Rs 1000 crore. Efforts are being made continuously to increase capital component of plan outlay by way of transfer of revenue expenditure to non-plan as a result of which the capital component during 2008-09 is expected to increase by 23 per cent", Lt Gen Sinha said.

He added that for the 11th Five Year Plan (2007-2012), an outlay of around Rs 25,000 crore has been projected for the State, targeting a net growth rate of around 8 per cent per annum as against total outlay of around Rs 15,500 crore during 10th Five Year Plan.

The Governor disclosed that 4218 flats being constructed for Kashmiri migrants at Jagti, Nagrota, work on which was started in September 2007, were expected to be completed during 2009-10. Another 1024 flats taken up for construction during 2005-06 at Jammu are almost complete.

"However, my Government is committed to facilitate permanent return of Kashmiri migrants to their homes and hearths in Kashmir as expeditiously as is safe and appropriate", he said.

Regarding vacation of Government buildings by troops, the Governor said almost all buildings belonging to Education, Health and PHE Departments have been got vacated. The Ministry of Defence has agreed to increase rent of land hired by the Army, which was a long pending issue, he added.

Disclosing that a new employment policy was on the cards, he said the Government was aware of the issue and was keen to formulate a new employment policy. A Cabinet Sub Committee has already been constituted to examine various issues pertaining to unemployment, he added.

"Overall tax revenue realisation under Value Added System (VAT) has recorded a growth of more than 35 per cent ending October 2007 as compared to corresponding period last year", the Governor said.

Referring to the steps taken by the Government to reform the functioning of administration and make it transparent, corruption free and responsive, the Governor said that Chief Minister visited all the 22 district headquarters and gave new guidelines for redressal of public grievances in a face-to-face interaction sessions. He said that functioning in all the eight new districts in the State had been operationalized in April 2007 and key officers posted. "Funds have also been earmarked for development of infrastructure".

The Governor said, "the coalition Government has given highest priority to infrastructure development and registered notable achievements. Therefore, it will be appropriate to term last five years as an "Era of Infrastructure Development".

Highlighting major achievements of the Government, he said, "under the road communication sector in the State 277 PMGSY road projects constituting a length of 1026.73 kilometers costing Rs. 315.22 crore were under execution as on December, 2006. During 2007, 143 new road projects of 1152.83 kilometers length costing approximately Rs. 531.22 crore were got sanctioned. Out of the above, 107 projects have been completed adding 257 kilometers of new length. In addition, a road length of 335 kilometers under 29 rural road upgradation projects is expected to be sanctioned for blacktopping by the end of March 2008 at an approximate cost of Rs. 198.20 crore".

He said, "new projects costing Rs. 831.82 crore are expected to be sanctioned by NABARD by March, 2008 out of which Rs. 333.63 crore have already been sanctioned up to December, 2007".

"Under the Central Road Fund, projects worth Rs. 180.46 crore were sanctioned in 2007, which is the maximum in any given year till date and for the first time, one project, namely Basohli-Bhaderwah-Chamba road, costing Rs. 79.97 crore, was sanctioned under Inter-State connectivity. In addition, Rs. 600 crore have been approved by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for flyovers and infrastructure development for Jammu and Srinagar cities", Gen Sinha said and added that in the first 10 months of the year 2007 about 1000 kilometers of road length were blacktopped with an expenditure of about Rs. 60 crore.

He sad that the Rs 255 crore Mughal Road project, the National Highway By-Pass project Srinagar, Kokernag-Warwan-Marwah road, the Gandoh-Bhaderwah road and Akhnoor bridge over river Chenab, were likely to be completed by the middle of 2008. The State Government has got two prestigious bridge projects at Meramandrian near Akhnoor on river Chenab and at Nowshera sanctioned under the Central Road Fund, he said and added that the geological survey for the proposed tunnel across Zojila was in full swing. The tunnel would ensure round the year connectivity to the Ladakh region, he further said.

"Some of the important bridges likely to be completed in 2008 are Chhati Padshahi in Baramulla, Bemina and Tengpora in Srinagar, Ganpat over river Chenab in Doda, Chadoora and Lasjan in Budgam, Behni nallah in Kathua and Mughalpora in Kupwara., The Utterbehni bridge near Jammu was completed during the current financial year", he added.

"On an average, one kilometer of road has been added, two kilometers blacktopped, 10 running meters of bridge and 4000 sq. ft. of new buildings constructed every day during 2007 in the R&B sector", Governor disclosed. He said that the work on the Assembly complex project at Srinagar resumed during 2007 was likely to be completed by the middle of 2008 at a cost of Rs. 22 crore.

Gen Sinha said, "Government has been able to get projects worth Rs. 1594 crore sanctioned from the Centre which include projects of Rs. 519 crore for the two mission cities of Srinagar and Jammu and the balance for infrastructure development and provision of services in other towns of the State. The Government has already received Rs. 160 crore as the first installment of the Central share against these sanctioned projects. JNNURM would provide a final opportunity for creation of infrastructure and provision of basic services in the urban areas".

He said, "the implementation of Rs. 298 crore Dal-Nagin lake Conservation Project has indeed become a big challenge. A notable achievement has been the sanction of the Housing Colony Development (Phase-I) at Rakh-i-Arth at a cost of Rs. 95 crore for resettlement of the Dal dwellers. There is an additional requirement of Rs. 323 crore for compensation and dredging which has now been agreed to by the Ministry of Environment on the kind intervention of the Prime Minister".

Sidelights-Governor Address

* For the first time, staff of Legislative Assembly and Council had formed queues on both sides of the passage leading from stairs to Central Hall of Legislature. The queues had been formed less as a security measure and more as a sign of welcome to the Governor.

* Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha entered Central Hall of Legislature accompanied, as per practice by Chairman, Legislative Council, Ghulam Nabi Lone and Speaker Tara Chand, at the stroke of 10 am. Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad entered the Hall 5 minutes earlier. Mr Azad shook hands with Ministers sitting on front row.

* Four women legislators Kanta Andotra, Farida Mir, Khem Lata Wakhloo and Shanti Devi were sitting together in the Central Hall. Two other women legislators—Suman Bhagat of Congress and Sakina Itoo of NC were absent. While the NC had boycotted Governor’s Address, reasons for Mrs Bhagat’s absence were not known.

* Among other notable absentees were former Chief Minister and PDP patron Mufti Mohd Sayeed, Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig and PDP leader Ghulam Hassan Mir.

* Newly inducted Cabinet Ministers—Mula Ram (Rural Development) and Abdul Gani Vakil (Social Welfare) besides Minister of State Ghulam Mohd Saroori were in a cheerful mood.

* Majority of chairs on right side of the Hall, meant for Opposition members, remained vacant during 56 minutes long Governor’s Address as NC had boycotted the Address while Panthers Party and BJP staged a walk-out. Another Opposition MLA, Ashwani Sharma, however, didn’t join the protests today though for the last more than five years of the Government he had been joining the Opposition protests especially the BJP MLA.

* During nearly hour long Address, the octogenarian Governor didn’t pause for a while. A glass of water offered to him by a staffer after about 40 minutes of non stop Address was not taken by Lt Gen Sinha. Even after completing his Address, the Governor didn’t take water.

* Press gallery, as usual, was packed to capacity and a number of scribes were forced to cover Governor’s Address standing.

JKDFP urges separatists to come under Hurriyat

SRINAGAR, Jan 7: The Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party today appealed to all separatist organisations to come under the banner of Hurriyat Conference to find a solution to the Kashmir issue.

"The time has come for all to unite. The people of the State are asking why we cannot unite when all of us have the same goal," party president Shabir Ahmad Shah told reporters here.

He put forward a six-point proposal, which, if accepted by separatist amalgams and other outfits, would form the basis of a united platform for all and their representation in any future dialogue on Kashmir issue.

The new amalgam would be based on the constitution of Hurriyat as it existed in 1993. All the parties will suspend their individual activities and accept the new platform which will strive for achieving the "right to self determination" or meaningful tripartite talks for resolution of Kashmir issue.

No party or individual would be authorised to issue statements on behalf of the amalgam and no separate political activity would be acceptable, he said.

Instead of the previous structure of three-tier decision making bodies, Shah suggested a Central Working Committee which would be elected by the members of the amalgam drawn from all separatist parties.

All the committees of the individual parties would be suspended and a Central Working Committee set up which would take all the decisions related to the political movement, Shah said.

No individual or party from Pakistan occupied Kashmir would be allowed to support or oppose any political party in Pakistan, Shah said adding all the persons working for Kashmir cause in places like the US, the UK and Belgium should be appointed as members of the Central Working Committee.

According to the proposal, Shah said, the office bearers like Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary General, Chief Organiser, Social Welfare Secretary and Legal Aid Secretary should be elected under the purview of the Central Working Committee.

He said no solution to Kashmir issue would be acceptable which shall be within the framework of Indian Constitution. "India should show flexibility in its stand on the Kashmir issue as has been done by Pakistan and the separatist leadership."

Shah said the international community should realise that Kashmiri leadership was ready for talks "but it was New Delhi which did not seem to be serious and sincere towards resolving Kashmir issue".

"The right thinking people in India should also realise that Kashmir issue cannot be put on the back burner". (PTI)

Azad cautions against complacency
Unified Headquarters review situation

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Jan 7: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has expressed satisfaction over the level of violence coming down significantly in the State during last year. However, he has cautioned against complacency, saying there was no scope for lowering the guard.

His comments came at a meeting of the Unified Headquarters held here this evening under his chairmanship. The meeting discussed overall security scenario in the State and officers of security and intelligence agencies briefed the Chief Minister about the situation and the likely scenario. Last meeting of the Unified Headquarters was held in Srinagar on May 21 last year.

Chief Secretary, B. R. Kundal, Army Commander, Northern Command, Lt. Gen. H. S. Panag, Director General of Police, Kuldeep Khoda, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Anil Goswami, GoCs, 9, 15 and 16 Corps, Lt. Gen. B. S. Nagal, Lt. Gen. Mukesh Sabarwal and Lt. Gen. R. K. Karwal, senior officers of various intelligence agencies, BSF, CRPF and State Police and Divisional Commissioners, Kashmir and Jammu were present.

Mr Azad said that level of violence in the State had significantly come down, adding that against 1667 incidents during 2006, the year just gone by saw 1092 incidents of violence throughout the State. He said despite sharp decline in violence the situation did not leave any scope for complacency.

He said the year 2007 also saw increased political activity in terms of holding public meetings and rallies by political parties which was likely to go up further in the current year in view of the upcoming Assembly elections. He said as many as 2480 public meetings and rallies were held in 2007 compared to 1798 during the preceding year. He, however, said that infiltration and cross border terrorism continued during the year.

Referring to coordination between various security and intelligence agencies in the State, the Chief Minister said it was commendable and had shown excellent results. He said the coordination needed to be further strengthened to bring complete peace in the State. He also underscored the need for greater vigil in view of the ensuing Republic Day, saying "our preparations should be foolproof."

He alluded to the post-Benazir assassination situation in Pakistan and its impact on the sub-continent. He said explosive situation in the neighbouring country called for a special attention with regard to intelligence generation and LoC management to foil likely infiltration attempts.

Mr Azad highlighted his priority for upholding human rights and said in keeping with the Prime Minister’s commitment regarding zero tolerance for human rights violations, there was no scope for rights violations.

The Chief Minister praised Army, para–military forces and State police for their excellent role in bringing about improvement in overall security situation in the State. He also complimented them for being in forefront in tackling natural calamities and underlined the need for full preparedness in view of severe winter. He called for a dry run by the concerned Disaster Management Authority set up in the State to test the level of preparedness. He also emphasized on keeping the National Highway through during the winter to ensure uninterrupted flow of essential supplies to the Valley.

86 businessmen, Bank officials booked
CBI unearths Rs 1.13 cr worth scam in PNB

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Jan 7: The Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) today unearthed a major scam worth lakhs of rupees in Punjab National Bank, Srinagar under which a large number of unscrupulous businessmen in connivance with the Bank officials had secured loans on fictitious names, addresses and identity cards.

Nearly 86 persons including 78 suspected traders and eight PNB officers and officials have been booked by the CBI in the scam.

This, according to official sources, was for the first time when a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against such a large number of persons. A Regular Case (RC) 14 A under Section 120-B read with Sections 419, 420, 467, 468 and 471 RPC has been registered against the accused at CBI police station in Srinagar for further investigations.

Sources said the CBI started investigations after getting a tip off that a number of persons have secured loan from Jehangir Chowk branch of PNB in Srinagar on the basis of all fake documents allegedly in league with some officers and officials of the Bank.

A CBI team lead by Additional SP K L Raina and comprising Idrees Malik and Mohd Farooq Bhat, Inspectors under the supervision of SSP CBI O P Gaur carried out a detailed search of the record of PNB branch during last couple of days.

While search of the record was still on, the CBI has so far detected 78 persons who have secured loan from the bank between 2006 to 2007 on the basis of all fake documents. Amount of the loan secured by these persons has been totaled at Rs 1.13 crore.

As this was just start of the investigations, the amount of loan swindled by the fictitious persons could go up during further probe.

Preliminary investigations by the CBI have revealed that residential addresses, photographs, guarantors and business premises etc (i.e. all formalities required for obtaining loan) submitted by the accused to the Bank were fake.

Some of the fake loanees had even managed to produce fictitious identity cards of Power Development Department’s Transmission Division and State Forest Corporation (SFC), Srinagar to secure ‘Personal Loan’ given to salaried class by the bank.

"While, as per preliminary probe, the Bank officials appeared to be a party to the fraud. Even if they hadn’t connived with accused they lacked in verifying credentials of loanees which was evident from the fact that all 78 persons, booked in the FIR, were untraced", sources said.

They added that identity of PNB officers and officials, who were posted at Jehangir Chowk branch when the scam took place is being ascertained. Till their identity is established, the FIR has been lodged against unknown PNB officials. However, identity of the traders has been mentioned on the basis of names shown by them while lending money but they too were fake.

Sources said the CBI was making efforts to identify the accused and apprehend them.

Meanwhile, the CBI today filed fifth chargesheet in Central Bank of India scam, in Talab Tillo branch, running into crores of rupees, before Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Jammu. Four charge-sheets have already been filed in the case while two charge-sheets were yet to be filed.

A number of businessmen, Bank official and others have been named as accused in the charge-sheet

The charge-sheet was filed by CBI Inspector Parshant Sharma, Investigating Officer of the case.

Addl charge to Nargotra, Madhav

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Jan 7 : Commissioner/Secretary Cooperative Department D. K. Nargotra shall hold the charge of the post of Administrative Secretary, Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department in addition to his own duties till further orders.

Besides, Director General Jammu and Kashmir Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development Madhav Lal shall hold the charge of the post of Financial Commissioner, Revenue in addition to his own duties till further orders, as per Government order issued today.

Governor turns 82

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha today turned 82.

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh was the first to call Lt Gen Sinha on telephone from New Delhi to wish him birthday greetings.

Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad wished the Governor at Central Hall of Legislature as Lt Gen Sinha arrived to address joint session of Legislature.

There were several other important greeting calls from country and abroad for the Governor. Staff of Raj Bhawan also jointly greeted Gen Sinha.

Top HM militant surrenders

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: A top Hizbul Mujahideen militant today surrendered before Rashtriya Rifles and police at Gandoh in Doda district. He has been identified as Tariq Hussain alias Umer son of Ali Mohd R/o Malat Chilly, Gandoh.

SSP Doda Manohar Singh said the militant surrendered before troops of 26 Rashtriya Rifles and police. Police party was led by Inspector Chanchal Singh.

The militant handed over one Self Loading Rifle, three rounds and one magazine at the time of surrender.

After surrender, the militant was whisked away for questioning.

Power supply affected for 5 hours

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 7: The electricity availability in the State was affected in the morning upto 12 noon as 21 major lines of Northern Grid tripped due to extreme cold and foggy conditions.

Chief Engineer, Maintenance and RE, D S Pawar said that though the engineers were pressed into service soon after the trippings yet it took several hours for them to restore the electricity supply in the entire Northern region.

Due to reduced flows in the rivers, there has been less availability of the power from Northern region these days, he disclosed and said that keeping in view this factor the one hour relief passed on to Jammu region during summer has been withdrawn and curtailment will now be of two hours in the day time instead of earlier one hour. However, the morning and evening curtailments will remain same.

Mr Pawar has requested the consumers not to use heaters and other heating gadgets to maintain smooth power supply in the region.

JKNPP, BJP stage walkout from JK assembly

Jammu : Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) and BJP today staged a walkout from the state legislative assembly over the discrimination meted out to the daily labourers of Jammu by the government.

Raising the demand of equal package to daily labourers, JKNPP legislator Balwant Singh Mankotia said they are getting half of the package of Rs 2100, much less than what their counterparts from Kashmir region has been getting.

However, Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig refuted the charge, saying, some sections of daily labourers are getting less package in Jammu region due to the nature of job. (PTI)