"Why no action against political corruption"?
Rather flays Govt move to appoint
political chairmen to Corporations

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 8: Leader of Opposition Abdul Rahim Rather today took strong exception to Congress-PDP coalition Government’s move to nominate chairmen and vice chairmen to Corporations and Boards to give status of Ministers to political activists of both parties through back-door, thus, rendering irrelevant the restriction on maximum strength of Ministry imposed through a legislation.

Participating in debate on Motion of Thanks to Governor’s Address in Legislative Assembly today, Mr Rather referred to a news report published recently in the Excelsior regarding Government's move to appoint non-legislators as chairmen and vice chairmen of different Corporations and Boards.

"More shocking are the reports that those proposed to head the Corporations and Boards were political activists of Congress and PDP, who were likely to contest next Assembly elections from different constituencies", he said pointing out that this was a clear move to help political workers of the two parties to contest elections on Government expenditure as they will be entitled to official vehicle, perks and accommodation after being appointed as heads of Government bodies.

The Leader of Opposition, whose nearly 55 minutes speech was heard with rapt attention by Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig but not interrupted by any member from treasury benches, recalled that Mr Azad had himself assured that no chairman will be nominated to the Corporations running on losses.

The move, he said, will make irrelevant a legislation passed by the coalition Government itself restricting upper limit of Ministry to 20 per cent of total strength of both Houses (which comes at 25). He wanted to know how the chairman could turn the fate of Corporations in remaining four to six months.

"Majority of Corporations are running in losses. There is no salary and COLA for employees. Still, the Government wants to burden Corporations and Boards with chairman", he regretted.

Coming down heavily on "political corruption" in the State, Mr Rather wondered as to how PDP leader and Forest Minister Qazi Afzal was given his portfolio back even as a high level committee headed by no less a person than Chief Secretary B R Kundal had detected as many as 20 major scams in Forest Department, which have been referred to Vigilance Organisation and Crime Branch for an inquiry by the Government itself.

"Why the Government is afraid of action now when Mr Azad was on record having said that a probe has been ordered to clear mess in Forest Corporation and Department? If the Minister was removed to facilitate probe, why he was re-instated on same portfolio when the charges of mess were established?" the NC leader asked as Qazi Afzal, sitting in the House, didn’t react to charges.

"Was there pressure from the Centre or Mufti Sayeed to re-instate Qazi"? he questioned and charged that the Government’s claim of transparency has been marred by the re-instatement of Qazi.

Saying that corruption was not a matter between Congress and PDP but people vs rulers, Mr Rather asserted that the Congress appeared to have bought peace with the PDP under a strategy. Recalling that the Government had set up State Accountability Commission (SAC) with great hype, he wanted to know as to why the Government was hesitant from implementing SAC recommendations against Ministers and MLAs.

Describing Governor’s Address as an "election poster", the Leader of Opposition said it contained the same issues they had been hearing for last five years like zero tolerance to human rights violations, cross-LoC bus services, unemployment menace, corruption free Government and migrants’ return. However, he regretted, no concrete action has been taken by the Government on any of the issues finding mention in the Address for last 4-5 years.

"Even as an election poster, it was badly drafted. The Government should have given it to an advertisement company to give it a good touch", he remarked.

Mr Rather said Mufti Sayeed had promised an economic boom in Kashmir with the launch of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service. The promise has turned out to be a "mere slogan". Citing figures, he said since the launch of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawlakote bus services, only 2215 people had boarded the two buses from this side to other which comes at 738 a year and just two per day i.e. one each on two routes. Similarly, he pointed out that 3061 people have come to this side which means 1020 per year and three per day i.e. one and a half passenger per day on each route. He quoted some examples wherein the persons on this side wanting to meet their divided families across died waiting for permit. Even Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Mohd Shafi Pandit couldn’t go to Rawalpindi to see his ailing sister, who too has died.

The former Finance Minister also took a dig at Government’s oft-repeated statements on dialogue and peace process which, he said, have once again been repeated in Governor’s Address. The Government statement of pursuing "relentless peace process" with Pakistan has no meaning given the present circumstances in Pakistan.

Internally, the Government has said "some sections don’t agree to talks" which too is an old saying, he noted.

On zero tolerance for human rights violations, the Opposition leader said incidents of Kupwara, Bandipore, Srinagar (Ghulam Nabi Wani, Councilor’s killing) and Damhal Hanjipora etc negate the theory of zero tolerance.

Even the people, who were protesting for power and water are being lathicharged and fired with bullets, he added.

As far as employment was concerned, the menace has reached such an alarming proportions that the volcano on which the State was sitting could exploded any time, Mr Rather said and alleged that even now hundreds of backdoor appointments were taking place. On the name of employment policy, the Government has done nothing except for appointing a Cabinet Sub-Committee to frame a policy (to tackle unemployment) in last 5 years, he said and wanted to know the fate of a Government appointed Committee, set up two years ago, to go into the issue of backdoor appointments.

Taking the Government to task for opening degree colleges in selected areas and that too for the sake of raising sign boards and without any infrastructure, he stressed that the Government should have set an expert panel to decide the area which required opening of degree colleges.

Mr Rather said on the one hand the Government was talking of Kashmiri migrants’ return to the Valley and, on the other, it has been stated in the Governor’s Address that flats for their rehabilitation are being constructed in Jammu. He added that local self Government institutions can’t be empowered just by raising honorarium of Lambardars and Chowkidars.

Earlier,  Congress MLA Prem Sagar Aziz moved a motion in the Legislative Assembly on Governor's address.

Opening the discussion Mr Aziz said that historic measures during last five years have been taken to carry forward peace process and bring all areas under the ambit of all round development. He cited examples of creating new districts, opening roads across LoC, establishing scores of degree colleges, higher secondary schools, ITIs, construction of roads, bridges, hospitals and power stations during the period.

He said implementation of Roshni scheme was a historical decision taken by Mr. Azad-led Government which aims at conferring proprietary rights over 21.50 lakh kanals of land. The State is receiving huge funds from the Central Government for mega and ultra-mega projects in the state. Employment to thousands of youth has been provided through permanent and contractual appointments in various departments.

Cong-PDP MLAs echo Opposition sentiments
*NPP-BJP walk-out on PHE wages

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 8: Several members of ruling Congress-PDP coalition from Jammu region today echoed the sentiments of Opposition members including Panthers Party and BJP seeking increase in wages of PHE workers, engaged under Community Participation programme, from Rs 500 to Rs 2100 at par with the workers engaged in Kashmir valley. The issue generated heat in the Assembly during Zero Hour leading to walk-out by all five MLAs of Panthers Party and BJP.

Responding to the issue raised by Congress MLA from Akhnoor, Sham Sharma who sought an increase in PHE workers’ wages from Rs 500 to Rs 2100, Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig said that PHE workers in entire State were being paid equal wages.

"It was not true that PHE workers in Jammu are paid Rs 500 and in Kashmir Rs 2100", Mr Baig said.

"I have proof of different rates of payment", Sham Sharma countered.

Forest Minister Qazi Afzal, who earlier held the charge of PHE, however, clarified that casual workers in both regions are paid Rs 1800 to Rs 2100 while the workers engaged under Community Participation scheme in Jammu are paid between Rs 200 to Rs 500.

Casual workers in Jammu also are being paid Rs 2100. These are only Community Participation workers who are paid Rs 500 per month, Mr Afzal said.

All National Panthers Party (NPP) MLAs including Harshdev Singh, Yashpal Kundal, Balwant Singh Mankotia and Faqir Nath besides BJP member Jugal Kishore and Independent Ashwani Sharma were on their feet following Qazi Afzal’s statement.

Harshdev Singh pointed out that same workers were being called casual workers in Kashmir and paid Rs 2100 while in Jammu they are called Community Participation workers and paid just Rs 500. "No worker in Kashmir is paid Rs 500 as was the case in Jammu", he said and demanded that all workers engaged by the PHE be paid Rs 2100.

Congress MLAs from Jammu including Sham Sharma, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, Girdhari Lal, Kanta Andotra and PDP member Shanti Devi also supported the cause of PHE workers.

Harshdev Singh said this indicated "very casual approach" of the Government towards Jammu. While same work is being taken from casual labourers and Community Participation workers, separate nomenclature has been given to both to create difference in wages among the workers of two regions.

While Deputy Speaker Mohd Akbar Lone, who was in the chair, tried to persuade the agitating members saying the issue has been sorted out after the reply of Mr Baig and Mr Afzal, the Opposition members continued their protest saying the Ministers have misled the House. They demanded that all workers engaged by the PHE be paid Rs 2100 per month.

As there was no further response from the Government, Panthers Party MLAs—Harshdev Singh, Yashpal Kundal, Balwant Singh Mankotia and Faqir Nath and BJP MLA Jugal Kishore staged a walk-out in the House.

Govt succumbs to Opposition pressure
Budget session extended by 5 more sittings

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Jan 8: Succumbing to Opposition’s pressure, the Government today finally agreed to extend current budget session of the Assembly by five more sittings.

A decision to this effect was taken in Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting of the Assembly held this afternoon under the chairmanship of Speaker Tara Chand.

Government side in the meeting was represented by Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig and Agriculture Minister Abdul Aziz Zargar while Opposition members, present in the meeting, include Leader of Opposition Abdul Rahim Rather, Panthers Party leader Harshdev Singh and BJP MLA Jugal Kishore.

Other members of Business Advisory Committee including Health and Medical Education Minister Mangat Ram Sharma, CPM member Mohd Yusuf Tarigami and Independent MLA Ashwani Sharma couldn’t make it to the meeting.

Official sources said both sides agreed to unanimously increase sittings of the Assembly from present 21 days to 26 days. As per the present calendar, the budget session was scheduled to conclude on February 1 but with five more sittings, it would extend to February 7 or 8.

A revised calendar of the budget session will be tabled in the Assembly tomorrow by Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig. As Opposition members too have given their consent to it, it was expected to be adopted.

It is only after the Assembly adopts revised calendar that Speaker Tara Chand will declare the session as extended.

According to sources, out of five additional sittings, one each has been reserved for private member’s resolutions and bills while three sittings have been added to debate the Grants of Ministries.

It was after the issuance of first Assembly calendar that two new Cabinet Ministers, Mula Ram and Abdul Gani Vakil were inducted into the Council of Ministers. One each day has been added for debate on the grants of the Departments held by two new Ministers.

Earlier, only one day each had been fixed for private member’s resolutions and bills to which the Opposition members had strongly reacted. They were of the view that nearly 27 old bills of private member’s were pending while 22 new bills have been added and it was not possible to debate all of them in a single day. Similarly, there was a long list of private member’s resolutions which too couldn’t have been debated on one day, the Opposition MLAs had asserted.

Sources said the Opposition members wanted the sittings to be increased by at least 10 days but the consensus was finally reached on five. However, the Oppositions MLAs insisted that, if need be, the session should be extended further.

Accordingly, sources said, the calendar of Upper House, could also be revised.

It may be mentioned here that National Conference president, Omar Abdullah, Leader of Opposition, Abdul Rahim Rather, Panthers Party leader Harshdev Singh, CPM MLA Mohd Yusuf Tarigami and other Opposition leaders had taken strong exception to 21 days budget session called by the Government.

They had charged the Government with trying to avoid the Opposition for the fear of being "exposed" by going in for shorter budget session.

Assembly Secretariat had already dropped enough hints that in view of Opposition protests the session could be extended by 3-4 days.

Over 1000 vehicles stranded on highway
*Rain, snowfall snap road link

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 8: Continues rain, snow fall in the region and land slides at Panthal on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has snapped the land link to Kashmir valley with rest of the country while bad weather affected several flights to Srinagar today.

As weather condition deteriorated today, the State Traffic authorities were forced to suspend the flow of traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Shooting-stones and land slides claimed life of one passenger at Panthal who was waiting for road clearance.

The deceased has been identified as Manzoor Ahmed Bhat, son of Abdul Ahad Bhat, resident of Sallapain in Tulsi Bagh area of Srinagar. The victim, an employee in J&K Sericulture department, was reportedly killed on the spot while another passenger sustained injuries who was shifted to Ramban hospital.

SSP Traffic National Highway, Danish Rana said heavy snow fall in Jawahar Tunnel area of Pir Panjal Range and Patnitop and Batote restricted the movement of traffic. He said during mid-day, the road at Panthal was opened for military and para-military force vehicles movement but after accident in which one passenger got killed at Panthal, about 155 kms away from Jammu, the movement of traffic was closed. There were heavy landslides and it was raining continuously.

The road condition was slippery and further deteriorated at Khuni Nallah and Digdole area of Banihal. No movement of vehicles was allowed beyond Banihal towards Jawahar tunnel after 3 pm due to heavy snow on Pir Panjal. About 3 to 3.5 ft snow was reported in Jawahar tunnel area. The Machines of Border Roads Organisation were busy in road clearance but weather was creating hindrance in the operation. About 300 trucks carrying essential supplies to Valley were also stranded enroute.

Mr Rana further disclosed the vehicles have been stopped at Qazigund, Ramban-Chanderkot, Udhampur and Nagrota near Jammu. More than 1000 vehicles including medium and light ones, have been stranded on the highway. He disclosed that majority of the passenger vehicles bound for Srinagar were stopped at Ramban and Udhampur so that those onboard could manage food stuff and stay. The movement of vehicles on Doda-Kishtwar road was however allowed during the day today. In Mandi-Loran and Bufliaz area of Poonch, the road link was snapped due to rain and snow fall.

Director Airport Authority Jammu, G. Chandramouli disclosed that despite bad weather conditions all the Jammu flights operated today. However, two Srinagar bound flights of Jetlite and Jet Airways could not operate. Jetlite Srinagar bound flight from Delhi could not land at Srinagar and was diverted to Jammu. After refueling at Jammu airport, it went back to Delhi. Jet Airways flight which left Jammu could also not land at Srinagar and was diverted back.

Heated exchanges in Council

By Avtar Bhat

JAMMU, Jan 8: Heated exchanges were witnessed in Legislative Council during the Question Hour today with members from both treasury benches and those of Opposition leveling allegations and counter allegations against each other.

The trouble started during the question of NC’s Sakina Itoo regarding Rehbar-e-Zirat which was replied by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Garu Ram. As the Opposition NC members were not satisfied with the reply of junior Minister, they tried to corner him. To rescue Mr Ram, Agriculture Minister, Abdul Aziz Zargar stood up to reply the supplementaries. But his sarcastic remarks against the Opposition generated trouble and all NC Members stood up from their seats to counter the Minister and entered into a verbal dual with him. The Minister said that the candidates appointed as Rehbar-e-Zirat could not be even regularized by the previous NC Government as there was no provision for their regularisation. When they saw that present Government has taken a number of steps for the welfare of people and this became an eyesore for them, the Minister added.

The NC members were joined by NPP supremo, Prof. Bhim Singh who alleged that Government was doing nothing for the unemployed youth and technocrats who are demonstrating on road side.

Heated exchanges were also witnessed in the House when the Minister of PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Dilawar Mir replying to a question of Ali Mohammed Sofi said that unemployment is not from today but from NC regime. This provoked NC members who stood up from their seats and again entered into heated arguments with Minister but they were hooted down by the ruling alliance members who too stood up from their seats in rescue of the Minister.

There was a verbal dual in the House between Minister of Finance, Housing and Urban Development, Tariq Hamid Qarra and Opposition NC members earlier also when the Minister was replying to the supplementaries to the question of Mohammed Amin Bhat regarding demolition of illegal structures in Dal lake. As the Minister tried to give the total background regarding the development of Dal, the Opposition members objected to it saying Minister should not make a lecture but reply to their question.

The Minister had tried to rescue his junior, Garu Ram as the NC members showed total dissatisfaction with the reply given by him to the main question.

The Opposition members entered into heated exchanges with the Minister. The NC , MLC Devinder Rana, while pointing towards Minister made a sarcastic remark on him saying you are a good liar as your reply is not correct.

As the NC members refused to budge and continued arguments with the Minister, Chairman Ghulam Nabi Lone listed another question.

Mr Qarra, while replying to supplementaries said that Dal is our heritage and we are bound to preserve it and its deterioration has not taken place over night but from years together. He said it has social as well as administrative aspects.

He said survey was conducted in 1986 that there were 40,000 illegal families in the Dal. A proposal was mooted to shift them and Centre was approached in this regard. But during last 17 years it could not be done. However the Government has taken up the development of Dal lake in its hands now vigorously.

The House was informed by Mr Garu Ram that total 231 illegal structures have been demolished in the Dal lake from 2004-05 till December 12, last year. He said compensation is being paid for such illegal structures.

The supplementaries to the question were raised by Mohammed Sharif Niaz and Ashok Sharma both of Congress.

Later again NC members clashed with Minister of PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Mohammed Dilawar Mir while the Minister was replying to a question of Nizam-ud-Din regarding water scarcity in Ajas.

As the Minister replied the main question, the Opposition NC put volley of supplementaries and showed their total dis-satisfaction with the Minister’s reply. This resulted into a clash between Minister and Mohammed Yousf Teng of NC as Mr Mir took serious exception to his (Mr Teng’s) remarks and said "Mr Teng you have nothing to say, why do you cry".

Replying to the question the Minister said that two schemes under the name of Water Supply Scheme, New Colony , Bandipora Town and Water Supply Scheme Zelan with an estimated cost of Rs 261.00 lacs and Rs 156.00 lacs respectively have been taken up under ARWSP and they will meet the additional drinking water requirements of Tawheedabad and Muslimabad areas of Bandipora.

Inquiry into electrification by L&T demanded
Entire Oppn walks-out on T&D losses

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Jan 8: Entire Opposition today staged walk out of the Lower House over the failure of the Government to contain transmission and distribution losses despite release of Rs 800 crore by the Central Government for the purpose during the past three years.

The Minister for Power Babu Singh found himself in the dock when he, in reply to the supplementary of National Conference Member Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamaal, revealed that the transmission and distribution losses at national level were about 33 per cent while the same in Jammu and Kashmir at 47 per cent and there would be substantial improvement during the next three years.

What were you doing for the past five years? asked NC Member Mubarak Gul while Dr Kamaal said "this shows the seriousness of the Government in containing transmission and distribution losses". The Government was further exposed when Leader of the Opposition Abdul Rahim Rather gave startling figures about the funds given by the Central Government to bring down the transmission and distribution losses and spent by the State Government.

During 2005-06, Rs 200 crore were given by the Centre but only Rs 82 crore were spent, in 2006-07, the State received Rs 277 crore from the Centre but spent only Rs 36 crore and in 2007-08 the Government received Rs 318 crore but only Rs 58 crore have been spent so far, Mr Rather stated and said "this is the glaring example of non-performance of the Government".

How would you face Planning Commission and how long we will have to wait for improvement in the system to curtail the losses on account of transmission and distribution? he further asked.

Finding his colleague in the trouble, Minister for Industries and Commerce Nawang Rigzin Jora, who was holding the Power portfolio till recently, started explaining reasons behind the delay in curtailing the T&D losses. But he was immediately countered by NC Member Ali Mohammad Sagar, who shouted "let Power Minister give the reply".

Later, Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig explained that a national level company suggested by the Centre to upgrade the power infrastructure in the State was not willing to work in Kashmir valley and local contractors don’t have capacity and experience to carry out the task.

However, Mr Baig’s explanation could not help Minister for Power Babu Singh as NPP Members Harsh Dev Singh and Balwant Singh Mankotia said that Larson and Toubro, which was assigned the task of electrifying, has been withdrawing money from the Government exchequer against already electrified villages or hamlets in Udhampur district.

"We raised this issue at several levels and demanded enquiry but to of no avail", they said, adding "the contractors have been misusing the Government exchequer and it seems that all is being done with the sweet will of the Government".

In the Common Minimum Programme, the Government had committed to provide electricity to every village but not even 10 per cent benefit of several Government schemes have reached to the people, Harsh Dev Singh said, adding "everytime the stereotype reply is being given by the Government".

As the NPP members were not ready to relent, the Power Minister Babu Singh said that he will shortly call a special meeting of the company executing electrification in Udhampur district, PDD officers and MLAs concerned and specific queries of the MLAs will be answered there.

The Minister again found himself on the dock when he made a mention of Sawlakote Project while disclosing project wise expenditure. "Where is Sawlakote? Sawlakote Project is the biggest scandal of your Government", shouted Ali Mohammad Sagar.

National Conference Members Mian Altaf, Saifullah Mir and Kafeel-ur-Rehman too started raising their points but nothing was audible due to noisy disorder and after massive sloganeering entire National Conference, NPP and BJP MLA staged walk out from the House.

Earlier, Minister for Power said that the exercise to check power pilferage should start from Ministers, Legislators and Bureaucrats, who should act as a role model for general public in this regard.

Hurriyat to boycott elections

SRINAGAR, Jan 8: Moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference today said it would not take part in any elections but was not averse to a referendum to prove its representative character.

"Hurriyat Conference is not averse to (take part in) a referendum for proving its representative character which would lead to resolution of Kashmir issue," Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq told reporters here.

He said Hurriyat would not shy away from any proposal or suggestion which would lead to resolution of Kashmir issue as per the wishes and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

However, the amalgam, which was undergoing a phase of restructuring, would not take part in any elections meant for formation of a Government.

"Elections at the moment are an administrative issue and not for resolution of Kashmir issue. In this format, we are not going to take part in the elections," Mirwaiz said.

The Hurriyat chairman said no solution to Kashmir issue "within the framework of Indian or Pakistani constitutions would be acceptable to people of the State".

"Status quo is not acceptable...We have to move beyond it, be it on this side of the Line of Control or on the other side of it," he said.

Mirwaiz said Hurriyat was open to discussions for resolution of Kashmir issue, including the four-point formula of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.

While supporting the dialogue process between India and Pakistan, Mirwaiz said the inclusion of the representatives of people of Jammu and Kashmir in the talks was inevitable for resolution of Kashmir issue.

Welcoming the unity proposal given by democratic freedom party president Shabir Ahmad Shah, the Hurriyat chairman said the initiative was a step in the right direction and the amalgam would give a positive response to it.

"We welcome the suggestions put forward by Shah...Some of these have already been implemented within the Hurriyat Conference by way of restructuring. These suggestions would be deliberated upon by the amalgam," he said.

Mirwaiz said he would call on Shah to invite him to join the Hurriyat from which he was expelled in 1998 for violating the Constitution of the amalgam.

"All efforts are being made to reach out to all like-minded (separatists) leaders and parties to form a united platform. Muslim Khawateen Markaz and Azam Inqilabi have already joined while Sheikh Abdul Aziz has agreed in principle to join the amalgam," he said.

On the hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and JKLF chief Mohammad Yaseen Malik, he said "we have not closed the doors on anyone. There might be difference of opinion but we have to make progress as we all have the same goal".

Mirwaiz said there was no serious contact with Geelani on the unity issue at the moment but "we respect him and wish we could be together".

Giving details of the restructuring within the Hurriyat, he said all the political activities of the constituent parties of the amalgam would now be carried out under one banner.

No political statement would be issued separately by the constituent parties. Gradually, we would like to convert the amalgam into a single party which would have its presence at the grassroots level in the State, he said.

Mirwaiz said offices would be opened at block, tehsil, district and regional levels across the State.

"We will have offices in Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh and on the other side of Line of Control as well. Time has come when Hurriyat needs to go out to the people," he added. (PTI)

NC targets Mufti, Baig, Qazi

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 8: PDP and National Conference MLAs today clashed in the Assembly when NC member, Sharief-ud-Din Shariq charged three PDP leaders including former Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed, Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig and Forest Minister Qazi Mohd Afzal with hoodwinking the people of their Assembly constituencies.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Mr Shariq said it was regrettable that when these three leaders lose their chairs they stopped coming to this House.

"They took salary and other allowances from the Government but didn’t bother to visit this House as well as their constituencies when they are not in power", he lamented.

"All three PDP leaders after losing Ministries had stopped coming to this House. They became angry. Now when Mr Baig and Mr Afzal have regained their Ministries, they have again started visiting the House", Mr Shariq remarked.

At this PDP MLAs including their chief whip Abdul Gaffar Sofi, Sartaj Madni, Shanti Devi and even Minister of State Peer Mohd Hussain were on their feet and shouted at Mr Shariq charging him with raising an irrelevant issue.

Deputy Speaker Mohd Akbar Lone, who was in the chair, told Mr Shariq that people would know about their representatives.

Mr Baig didn’t reply to the charges while Mufti Sayeed was not present.

Govt on backfoot on colleges issue

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 8: The Government was today charged with sanctioning new degree colleges on political considerations.

"A higher secondary school, opened just two years back, has been upgraded to degree college only because the area was represented by a Congress MLA", NC MLA from Kishtwar Sajjad Kitchloo said.

Contrary to this, he alleged, four 25 year old higher secondary schools in his constituency have been denied the status of degree college. Paddar, Dachan and Marwah have a population of 50,000 each but they have been denied college, he said demanding two degree colleges for Paddar and Marwah. The Government should take the demand seriously, he added.

MC MLA from Rajouri, Mohd Aslam demanded a women degree college for Rajouri and a degree college for Manjakote.

Vakil orders probe into dairy scam

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 8: Social Welfare Minister Abdul Gani Vakil today ordered a Vigilance inquiry into Rs 6 crore dairy units scam in SC/ST/BCs Development Corporation.

He announced the Vigilance probe into the scam that took place in 1994-95 during a surprise visit to the Corporation Headquarters.

Mr Vakil directed the Corporation to refer the case to Vigilance Organisation for a thorough probe.

"Those involved in the scam be brought to book", he said expressing shock over the fact that no cognizance was taken of this huge financial irregularity for such a long time.

Mr Vakil was accompanied by Social Welfare Secretary N K Verma and Special Secretary Muzaffar Iqbal. Corporation’s MD V C Sharma was also present.

Mr Vakil said during 2001-02, frauds have been committed in Social Welfare Department at tehsil levels running into lakhs of rupees which too would be inquired into and action taken.

He said he has directed Women Development Corporation to lend educational loans to meritorious students for undergoing training in professional courses. A process to this effect will begin on January 15, he added.

Khursheed Ganai given addl charge

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 8: Principal Secretary, General Administration Department (GAD) Khursheed Ahmad Ganai has been given the additional charge of the post of Administrative Secretary, ARI and Trainings Department.

He will hold this additional charge during the training period of Principal Secretary ARI and Trainings Department Sonali Kumar from January 7, 2008 to February 1, 2008.

Meanwhile, Hilal Ahmad Parray, Director, Economic Reconstruction Agency, Kashmir has been recalled and posted as Special Secretary with Deputy Chief Minister with immediate effect.

Highway reopens partially after two days closure

SRINAGAR, Jan Traffic on the 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu National Highway resumed this afternoon partially after remaining suspended since yesterday due to landslides and heavy snowfall.

About 500 vehicles, carrying passengers and essential commodities which were stranded on the highway since yesterday, were allowed to proceed towards their respective destinations this afternoon, a traffic police official said here.

He said majority of vehicles have crossed the danger zone on the highway, the only road linking the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country.

He said decision to allow traffic tomorrow will be taken only in the morning after receiving information from the officials posted at different places on the highway.

Heavy snowfall between Jawahar Tunnel and Banihal and landslides and shooting of stones at Penthal, the most trouble spot on the highway, forced the authorities to suspend the traffic, a senior traffic police official said over phone from Ramban.

He said Border Roads Organisation (BRO), responsible for the maintenance of the highway, has pressed into service sophisticated machines and men to clear the highway.

The officer said no vehicle was allowed from Jammu or Srinagar this morning. "We will clear all the stranded vehicles before allowing fresh traffic from Jammu and Srinagar," he added.

Official sources said about 500 vehicles, half of them carrying passengers are stranded on this side of the Penthal, where one passenger was killed after he was hit by a stone yesterday.

Shooting of stones, triggered by heavy rains at Penthal near Ramban continued, making the travel very risky, the sources said.

Sources said the highway would be declared safe for travel once the shooting of stones stopped and BRO cleared the landslides from the road.

This is the second time the highway was closed for traffic during this winter due to snowfall and landslides.

In Srinagar, traffic police officials through public address system were announcing that the highway has been closed. (UNI)

Pandemonium in Legislative Council

Jammu : Pandemonium broke in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council today as opposition members and the ruling coalition engaged in verbal duels during the discussion on Rehbar-e-Janglat (REJ) scheme for unemployed forest graduates in the state.

The issue began when a National Conference(NC) legislator reportedly used unparliamentary language against Minister for Forests Qazi Mohammad Afzal, who is said to have retorted in the same tone.

Qazi was answering to a question by PDP legislator Mohammad Amin Bhat on REJ scheme during question hour.

While he was speaking, NC legislators- Devinder Rana and Sakina Ittoo, Panthers Party Bhim Singh and others in opposition alleged that the government had failed to launch this scheme.

This was followed by the verbal duel between the NC legislator and the minister in which their party members and Congress-PDP members started. The commotion continued for a few minutes.

Earlier Afzal said that "The REJ scheme is under the consideration of state government and would be decided soon".

He added that the committee set up to examine this scheme has submitted its report in which it has been proposed that there would be no claim of the appointees under REJ scheme to be given a government job later on. (PTI )

JKNPP, BJP, NC stage walkout from assembly

Jammu : Miffed over the responses given by the Health minister over the setting up of delimitation commission, Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) and BJP today staged a walkout from the assembly.

The walkout followed when Sharma apprised the House that 25 per cent increase in the assembly segments would be done in Kashmir and Jammu regions of the state retrospectively.

The demand raised by the members of JKNPP, BJP and JSM was turned down by the minister, which led to the walkout.

Ajay Sadhotra of National Conference also staged a walkout during the Question hour as he was dissatisfied with the reply of the minister of State for Agriculture Gharu Ram in connection with distribution of fertilizers and seeds.

Ali Mohammad Sagar and Syed Akhoon of National Conference also staged a walkout after a verbal dual with minister for Housing and Urban Development Tariq Hameed Qarra over the removal of structures

and houses set up by the people through encroachments on the Dal lake.

The NC legislators termed the minister's statement as an eyewash, and said that nothing was being done seriously to restore the pristine glory of Dal lake.

Qarra informed the House that 248 structures have been removed from the Dal Lake and the families living there have been rehabilitated in the colonies set up by the government in this direction. (PTI)