'Growth rate shows positive trend'
J&K gets Rs 4500 cr annual plan

NEW DELHI, Jan 12: The Planning Commission today fixed the annual plan for Jammu and Kashmir for 2008-09 at Rs 4,500 crore, a 12.5 per cent increase over the current financial year plan of Rs 4000 crore.

"The annual plan for Jammu and Kashmir will be fully funded by the Centre and would be in addition to the Prime Minister’s reconstruction package for the State," Planning Commission’s Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia told newspersons after finalising the plan with State Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad here.

Complementing the J&K Government for providing a momentum to the growth process, he said the Commission would persuade the Union Government to release funds expeditiously to the State so that development work could be carried out without any interruptions.

Over releasing of money, Azad said "attention of people has been diverted to development and the (Union) Government should release the funds at a speed at which development work is taking place in the State."

Earlier at the meeting, Ahluwalia complemented the J&K Government for improving its economy saying the growth rate of the State was showing a positive trend.

The State’s plan expenditure has grown by 150 per cent as compared to 2001-02. During this period, development expenditure has shown a growth of 276 per cent while plan salaries have come down by 31 per cent, he said.

The Deputy Chairman said the State was progressing satisfactorily in power sector reforms. Revision of tariff after two decades and introduction of metering system were steps in the right direction.

The Commission praised the State for good performance on Prime Minister’s reconstruction plan. He said tourism, which was badly affected due to militancy, is also showing definite signs of revival.

The plan panel asked the State to give more emphasis on agriculture, conservation of Dal lake and catchment area programme, shortage of human resources in health sector and gender gap in literacy. Improvement in processing facilities in Leh and Kargil was also suggested.

Azad in his remarks pointed out that the State needs to carry forward growth performance to meet the target of 8 per cent during 11th plan period. To further accelerate development process, he suggested that the Central Government should adopt a system of proportionate allocation so that there is no liquidity mismatch.

He said that during the 11th plan his Government would give priority to allocating public expenditure to sectors having high employment elasticity, while restructuring of cooperative banks and downsizing of psus would be initiated shortly.

Azad said the State had registered an employment growth of 6.8 per cent in economic enterprises, which was highest in the country. In line with the national priorities, the State would give emphasis on flagship programmes including Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Jawahar Lal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.

Mr. Ahluwalia announced that Prime Minister's Reconstruction Plan for the State would continue as planned and funded by the Union Government separately. He also announced that a high level group of Centre and State officials will be set up to monitor power reform progress. The group will meet on a monthly basis.

Complimenting the Chief Minister for reforms and infrastructure development undertaken in the State, Mr. Ahluwalia and other members of the Planning Commission appreciated the State Government's management of economy. Mr. Ahluwalia said that there is clear improvement in resource management and distinct signs of turnaround in the State economy. He noted with satisfaction the qualitative improvement in State finances and impressive performance of the power sector.

The Commission felt the need for higher public and private investment in agriculture and allied sectors. The members also felt that more public expenditure should be allocated to segments of health sector, agriculture, irrigation and exploring ground water potential.

Mr. Ahluwalia assured the Chief Minister that the funds release mechanism would be rationalized and unnecessary bottlenecks removed. He also appreciated the implementation of Prime Minister's Reconstruction Plan in the State.

Earlier, making a strong case for enhanced allocation for coming fiscal, the Chief Minister said that the last five years have shown that only route to achieve long lasting peace in the State is through economic reconstruction and prosperity. He said the help extended by Planning Commission and Ministry of Finance has been a key factor in making a turnaround in the State.

On reforms undertaken by the Government under his leadership, Mr. Azad said the State economy, backed by credible policy action-fiscal, industrial and trade- has diversified and its SDP is growing at a much faster rate than in the preceding years. With transition to VAT regime, he said, the tax collection has become much more buoyant and the expenditure mechanism is equally improving. Backed with this confidence, he said, the State has set a target of 8% growth in SDP over 11 th Five year Plan.

The Chief Minister said sectors like health, education, connectivity and power are the thrust areas of his development paradigm. He said 33 District and Sub-District hospitals are nearing completion in the State. Similarly, he said, networks of colleges, bridges and roads are being laid to take development to grassroots. He said the State needs a special attention in terms of finances as apart from lagging in development and ruined by militancy, J&K seems to be victim of natural disasters as well. He said just as the State was limping back to normalcy in the last five years, a snow tsunami, a major earthquake, devastating floods, drought and fires and avalanches rocked in quick succession. All these misfortunes, he said, cost the State dearly and strained the resources.

Mr Azad said as if the natural disasters were not enough, the State seems to step on a fiscal landmine every year laid by poor fiscal management of the past, whether in the servicing of power bonds, bullet repayment, Baglihar project's borrowing or honouring a devolved guarantee. The fiscal gains are negated by this, he said, adding that the State's fiscal balance has been literally destroyed by the sudden discovery of unpaid liability of interest on NSSF loans from the year 2001 amounting to Rs. 1000 crore.

Mr Azad asked the Planning Commission to put in place a system of proportionate allocation from SPA and ACA so that there is no liquidity mismatch in the State. He called for release of 75 percent of all special assistance in the first quarter itself. He assured the Commission that he will personally ensure that every rupee that is generated and received from the Centre will be put to the best use and sought its continued support and understanding to achieve this end.

The Economic Advisor to J&K Government, Dr. Haseeb Drabu gave a complete overview of the last five years performance of the State Government in all areas.

Later, speaking to media soon after the meeting, the Chief Minister thanked Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Planning Commission for help and assistance, saying the allocations amount to financing peace in the State, country and the sub-continent. He said 2007 was the best year in the last two decades with least human rights violations and violent incidents. He hoped the funds flow would match the speed with which works have been undertaken in the State. He had a special word of thanks for the Planning Commission for agreeing to pre-pone the plan discussion so that the legislative approval is sought for State budget to be presented on Wednesday. He said the early approvals by the Commission will help maximize the limited working season for implementing plan schemes.

No decision on Panag: Antony

NEW DELHI, Jan 12: The Defence Ministry is yet to take a decision on the fate of Northern Command chief Lt Gen H S Panag, who is being reportedly shunted out from the crucial command.

"We have not taken any decision on the issue," Defence Minister A K Antony told reporters today.

He was replying to a question on whether Panag is being shifted from the sensitive Northern Command.

Amidst suggestions that he was being shunted out from the Northern Army, Lt Gen Panag on January 5 met Antony in a bid to stave off the move but apparently did not succeed.

As moves were initiated to shift him after he ordered inquiries in several Army procurements, Gen Panag is understood to have apprised Antony about the facts of these cases in which he wants inquiries to be completed under him.

Sources said Gen Panag furnished the findings of the Court of Inquiry which went into the tent scam and details of 22 other cases.

The tent scam took place when the Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor was the chief of the Northern Army Command. A Court of Inquiry, headed by Lt Gen T K Sapru, now Western Army Commander, ordered stiff administrative action against a Major General and Colonel in the command for procedural lapses in purchase of tents for troops.

Under the transfer proposal put up to the Ministry of Defence for approval of the Cabinet Committee on Appointments, Panag is to be moved as chief of Central Army Command. Incumbent Lt Gen o p Nadrajog retires on January 31.

It is understood that Panag has been asked to move to Lucknow after taking the salute at Army Day Parade on January 15.(PTI)

NCLP goes tough on CBI probe, corruption
NC to move adjournment motion in Assembly

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Jan 12: The National Conference Legislature Party (NCLP) today decided to bring an adjournment motion in the Assembly on Monday seeking suspension of entire business in the House to discuss serious charges levelled by Independent MLA Shoaib Lone on corruption in Government and killing of his father Dr Ghulam Nabi Lone, a Minister in Mufti led coalition Government, who was assassinated in his bed room at high security Tulsi Bagh, Srinagar in October 2005.

The adjournment motion, according to party sources, will be moved by Leader of Opposition Abdul Rahim Rather along with other senior party leaders on Monday itself.

There was unanimity in today’s NCLP meeting, which was chaired by Mr Rather and lasted about two hours, that House will not be allowed to run on Monday till the Government agrees to their demand for a CBI inquiry into Dr Lone’s killing and identification and removal of Minister from Cabinet who has been charged by Shoaib Lone with taking Rs 40,000 corruption.

The NCLP went in for an unscheduled sitting today to review yesterday’s development in the Assembly after Shoaib Lone’s sensational revelations.

This is for the first time in current budget session when the Opposition is going to move an adjournment motion in the Assembly. Sources said the notices to be served for moving an adjournment motion are being prepared by the party leaders and will be delivered to concerned persons including Speaker Tara Chand, Assembly Secretariat and concerned Minister well in time.

The adjournment motion, it may be mentioned, is moved seeking suspension of entire business in the House to discuss issues of urgent public importance (mentioned in the motion) followed by the Government reply.

The NCLP in which almost all 26 legislators of National Conference were present unanimously decided not to allow working of the House to run till their adjournment motion is admitted and the Government gives an assurance of a CBI inquiry into Dr Lone’s killing and remove the "corrupt Minister" after ascertaining his name from the MLA.

It may be mentioned here that Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad is scheduled to reply to four days long debate on Governor’s Address in the Assembly at 11 am on Monday immediately after the completion of Question Hour. The adjournment motion will, however, seek suspension of even the Question Hour.

Leader of Opposition Abdul Rahim Rather said a "testing time" has come for Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who claimed that he has launched a war against corruption.

"A MLA, who belongs to coalition alliance, has levelled serious corruption charges on floor of the House against a Minister after taking oath that the Minister took Rs 40,000 corruption from him after giving 20 per cent rebate to him for being a MLA and son of his former colleague.

"Surprisingly, the MLA levelled serious corruption charges against the Minister exactly at the time when Mr Azad was making a statement in a function organised by State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) making another pledge to carry on fight against corruption", Mr Rather pointed out.

The NC, which has been handed over a major issue to target the Government especially its arch rival, the PDP by Shoaib Lone, is not in a mood to even spare the Chief Minister this time. "If the Chief Minister makes any attempt to shield the corrupt Minister, we will presume that his so-called war against corruption is a hollow slogan", Mr Rather said.

On demand for a CBI inquiry into Dr Ghulam Nabi Lone’s killing, the NCLP was of the view that the demand was quite genuine. There is nothing wrong in a CBI probe into the killing if genuine doubts have been cost by the MLA that his father was killed under mysterious circumstances, the party felt.

The NCLP voiced concern over silence maintained by all PDP Ministers and legislators in the Assembly yesterday on CBI enquiry into Dr Lone’s killing.

"Dr Lone was an elected MLA of the PDP and was a Minister. Why the PDP MLAs and Ministers maintained silence on Shoaib Lone’s demand"? the NCLP questioned.

The NC will also seek tabling of Kundal Committee report on floor of the House.

12 suspects held in Mahore
3 top LeT militants gunned down in Doda

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 12: Army and police today gunned down three militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit in two separate encounters at Bikhrain and Bhagwah in Doda district and recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition from them.

On a specific information, troops of Rashtriya Rifles and Doda police cordoned the house of Mangta Bhat son of Samad Bhat at village Bikhrain under the jurisdiction of Doda police station this afternoon.

SSP Doda Manohar Singh said they had a definite information that two militants had taken shelter in the house of Mangta Bhat.

Security personnel asked the militants to come out and surrender. However, the militants took positions inside the house and opened firing on Army and police personnel. Security forces exercised restraint and waited till all family members of Mangta Bhat were evacuated.

Thereafter, a heavy exchange of gun fighting ensued between the two sides in which both militants were killed. There was no report of any civilian or security forces casualty in the operation.

Police have detained Mangta Bhat for questioning.

Slain militants have been identified as Altaf Hussain son of Nazir Ahmed, a resident of Manthori and Irshad Ahmed R/o Khunoo, Doda. Both of them were top militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit and were wanted in a series of subversive activities in Doda district.

Recoveries made from the possession of slain militants include two AK rifles, two magazines, 37 rounds, one wireless set, three grenades, eight detonators and explosive material.

Another militant of LeT outfit, identified as Farooq Ahmed Bhat son of Mohd Ramzan R/o Sazan, was killed by troops of 10 Rashtriya Rifles and Doda police in a joint operation at village Bikhrain in Doda this morning.

One AK rifle, three magazines, 30 rounds, one mobile telephone and some incriminating documents were recovered from the slain ultra.

Bhat was a ‘B’ grade militant of LeT outfit and was active in Doda district since 2003.

Security forces arrested 12 suspects in Mahore area of Reasi district.

They have been identified as Salima, 20, wife of Abu Muslim, Ghulam Mohd and Ghulam Ali, both brothers, Mohd Safi, Mansoor Ahmed, Abdul Hamid, Mohd Asraf, Mohd Farooq, Abdullah, Mohd Shafi and Mehandia. They were residents of Pari, Niram, Jhalar, Saldhar, Ari and Hajam Nagar in Mahore.

They were being handed over to police for questioning.

They were reportedly involved in giving shelter to militants, sources said.

"Courtesy political intervention, it's a loot-and-scoot situation"
Forest is a totally ruined department, says Forest Minister

From Ahmed Ali Fayyaz

SRINAGAR, Jan 12: Forest Minister Qazi Mohammad Afzal, who is in the eye of a storm in Legislative Assembly over the Kundal committee report, today said that Forest was a "totally ruined department" in which the loot-and-scoot situation was continuing and the politicians and officials had built too strong a nexus to be broken by ordinary measures. He asserted that he would leave no stone unturned to expose real culprits of the timber mafia whose immunity was intact notwithstanding the Kundal report.

Qazi Afzal revealed to EXCELSIOR that the other day only he had taken a high level meeting of senior officials and called for a detailed report about the massive damage caused to the state's sylvan cover in his 3-month-long absence from Ministry. "I have no hesitation in saying that due to political intervention, Forest has become a totally ruined department. This is what I had revealed to Chief Minister in August last year as I wanted to launch a major drive against the timber mafia", Qazi said.

"When the timber mafia came to know that I was going to get back my portfolio, it managed posting of a DFO in the most sensitive Pir Panjal Division in the dead of night. Order was issued hours before I resumed charge. And, what was the sin of the prematurely removed DFO? He had just ignored a politician's halt orders and dismantled the illegal sawmills of three of his relatives in 'A' zone in Budgam district", Qazi lamented. He said that within two days of his resuming charge, he learned that scores of conifer trees had been felled in compartment No: 66 of Gogaldara Block in Gulmarg Range.

On Qazi's express orders, Forest Protection Force (FPF) conducted a raid and found that 11 Devdar and 3 Kail trees had been felled in just two days and 1450 cft of timber was being smuggled. The FPF team seized 792 cft (636 cft Devdar and 156 cft Kail) and placed the same in the custody of Forester Ghulam Ahmed Sofi, Block Officer Khoipora, against a Supurdnama. On the Minister's orders, PCCF Mr Irshad Khan placed Range Officer Gulmarg, Ishtiaq Ahmed Matoo, Block Officer Gogaldara, Forester Malik Feroz and Forest Guard Ghulam Ahmed Rishi under suspension. "I'm ordering a high level inquiry as I have reasons to believe that higher level officials and some politicians are actually involved", Qazi asserted.

Minister has also learned that a former Range Officer of Gulmarg, who had been similarly placed under suspension last year in identical circumstances, has not only managed his reinstatement but has also been rewarded with a training course. Even as both Vigilance Organisation as well as Forest Department are supposedly conducting an investigation, the official involved is under training in Dehradun.

"This is our State's biggest problem. Our forests are denuded with impunity and there's a lot of political intervention from several quarters. In August itself, I had told honourable Chief Minister that MLAs as well as the people they represent are not satisfied with the system in Forest sector. I had made it candidly clear that media was equally dissatisfied and the timber procured from our forests was not reaching the common man. Now that I am back to the work, I'll mean business", Qazi added. He said that due to the Kundal committee investigation, one-odd Forest official had been axed, that too in an offence of dual citizenship. "It's a veritable big mafia, completely intact even after the Kundal probe. It has become a huge, lucrative business for well-connected people. Until we take a major initiative, it's not going to break", he added.

Qazi revealed that in days of returning to office, he observed that massive damage had been caused to forests in his own Assembly constituency of Ganderbal. "We immediately mobilized Police which seized as many as 57 sleepers and dumped it at DPL Ganderbal", he said.

Last fortnight again, in a day of his resuming the portfolio Qazi learned that massive damage had been lately caused to some compartments in Lidder Division in Anantnag district. On the Minister's orders, a four-member team of FPF conducted a midnight raid and seized 126 cft of illegally felled timber at Vail Nagbal in Mattan Range. In two hours of the raid, a group of 12 officials of Forest Division Lidder cordoned the house of the poor Gujjar who had provided shelter to the FPF team. As the Forest officials were preparing to set the house on fire and burn the FPF officials alive, a reinforcement from FPF and Police rushed to the spot on an SOS and rescued the three guards and a watcher.

Next day, FPF officials lodged a complaint with Police Station Aishmuqam and identified five culprits as Ghulam Nabi Paddar, Abdur Rasheed Trali, Nisar Ahmed Mir, Mohammad Afzal Sheikh and Mohammad Ramzan, all Forest Guards of Lidder Division. Qazi said that he had asked for a detailed report and a "very serious departmental action" was imminent against the five Forest officials and their local helpers.

Asked for his comments, Joint Director FPF Kashmir, Liaquat Ali Dar, said that Police simply filed an FIR but did not take any further action. He added that officials of Lidder Division did not only attempt to burn the FPF team alive but also thrashed Deputy Director Abdul Salam Sofi mercilessly next day when he went to the spot. "My subordinate staff in Anantnag have complained to me that the SHO has taken a sum of Rs 50,000 from the culprits and hushed up the matter. This is a serious allegation which I am taking up with SSP Anantnag and other senior Police officials", he said.

Dar was, however, quick to give credit to Forest Department that earlier this week DFO Kamraj Division extended best possible cooperation to the FPF squads in jointly seizing over 600 cft of illicit timber that has had been felled in compartments 17-Tris and 19-Tris in Kupwara district. He said that the DFO also placed two guards and a watcher immediately under suspension. He said that "heavy damage" was being caused to the forests in Kashmir valley and claimed that FPF had seized as much as 2,000 cft of illicit timber in just three days.

We can't lower guard: Sinha

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar Jan 12: Governor Lt.Gen(Retd) S.K.Sinha today sounded caution in the wake of happenings in Pakistan saying " we cannot lower the guard and have to remain vigilant against the forces inimical to peace".

Talking to media persons at a side lines of a function held to release a postal stamp of 15-Corps here this afternoon, the Governor said "we have to remain vigilant as the threat of terrorism always looms large".

Lt Gen Sinha described terrorism as the monster which ultimately bites the hands of those who feed it and said that "we must draw a lesson from the happenings in Pakistan". He, however, wished Pakistan a bright future, hoping the neighbour will come out of present morass and phase of uncertainty soon. Restoration of peace and revival of democracy is in the best interest of the region, he added.

In reply to a question, he said that root cause for degradation in politics lies to lack of moral values and rampant corruption. He, however, added that these were always honorable exceptions who still held high moral values while practicing politics and serving the nation.

Over staying PoK visitor dies

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Jan 12: An over staying 80-year-old visitor from Pak occupied Kashmir (PoK), died at the house of his nephew at a village near Loran in Mandi block of district Poonch last evening.

Identified as Ghulam Mohammed, son of late Abdul Subhan, resident of Palandhari Muhajir Colony in PoK, had crossed over to this side on July 16, 2007 to meet his nephew and his family members. As his health condition deteriorated he applied for extension in stay and was granted the same by the State Administration up to 27-8-2007.

Then he moved a petition in the State High Court demanding that he was permanent resident of J&K and had moved there after 1950. As there was nobody in PoK to look after him in this old age, he may be allowed to stay here till his death. He had also expressed his wish to be buried here. The High Court had granted him stay here till the disposal of the writ petition.

Last evening, the old Man died at the house of his nephew, Shah Mohd , son of Mohd Ramzan, resident of Loran. He had come here under Permit No. 0726. The District Administration after seeking directions from Ministry of External Affairs allowed his burial here at Loran. His body’s post-mortem was also conducted by a team of doctors and after completion of all the legal formalities under the supervision of SSP Jagjeet Kumar and DC B D Sharma, the body was laid to rest. The authorities on that side were also informed about visitor’s death.

Jawan commits suicide in Rajouri

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 12: An Army jawan today committed suicide, allegedly after altercation with his senior officer, in the border Rajouri district.

The soldier, identified as sepoy Ganesh Chandra, 23, of 52 Engineers Regiment, shot himself in the neck at 1230 hrs in Bhimber Gali area of Rajouri, official sources said.

The sepoy, who was presently attached to the 2 Sikh Light Infantry (Sikh L I) Regiment, belonged to Uttaranchal State.

The altercations with his senior reportedly provoked Ganesh Chandra to take the extreme step, official sources disclosed.

Defence Ministry spokesman Lt Col S D Goswami, when contacted, confirmed the incident, saying "the Court of Inquiry (CoI) has been instituted to look into the matter".

Norwegian skier still missing

SRINAGAR, Jan 12: An Israeli tourist was injured when he slipped during skiing while there was no trace of Norwegian woman skier, who went missing on January 8 afternoon in Gulmarg .

Official sources said Jan James Meacco from Isreal was skiing from Kongdoori to Gulmarg when he slipped and got injured. He was later rescued and admitted to a hospital.

Meanwhile, there was still no trace of a woman skier, Francesca Rongne, who went missing in Gulmarg on January 8 afternoon.

This was for the second time that the Norwegian skier went missing in Gulmarg during the past two years. Last year she had a close encounter with death after she was caught in a snow storm but was rescued after several days.

The sources said rescue teams from Police, Army and Tourism Department rushed to different directions. But so far failed to locate the missing skier.

The skier had checked in a hotel at Gulmarg on January 8 at 1430 hrs but left after 15 minutes for skiing, leaving behind her belongings in the hotel room. The hotel management said she did not disclose anything where she was going, the sources said. A missing report was lodged in Police Station at Gulmarg when she did not return following heavy snowfall on upper reaches.

Last year, Rongne went missing under similar circumstances when the entire belt experienced heavy snowfall followed by snow storm and avalanches.

However, she was rescued from a cave in which she had taken shelter for a few days. (UNI)

Dissident BSP leaders unite

JALANDHAR, Jan 12: Disgruntled leaders of BSP from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir would establish a separate political platform to fight the cause of dalits and expose Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) headed by UP Chief Minister Mayawati.

Mayawati has left the mission initiated by the late Kashi Ram and converted the mission into machinery to print currency, Dr Satpal, former BSP chief of Jammu & Kashmir said adding that in the forthcoming elections in the State, the proposed political outfit would contest on all seats and expose the misdeeds of Mayawati.

Former BSP leaders including former BSP chief of Himachal Pradesh, Baldev Singh and former senior leaders of BSP in Punjab, Pawan Kumar Tinu, Shingara Ram Sahungra and Darbara Singh Kamboz held meeting to discuss the formation of proposed political outfit.

Baldev Singh, while citing the reason of his leaving BSP said that since after noticing that money exchanged hands for the allotment of party tickets in HP, he took up the issue with party’s national president Mayawati, but instead of taking action against former Congress minister and newly incumbent in BSP, Vijay Kumar Mankotia, the party supremo took action against him.

Alleging that Mayawati has deprived the mission for welfare of Dalits initiated by the late Kanshi Ram, he said that a new political platform would be formed to follow and accomplish the mission and talks were going on with the BSP leadership of other States, who were feeling suffocated in the party, to join the proposed political platform.

In an attempt to woo other castes, Mayawati has forgotten the welfare of Dalits, who elevated her to the post of Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, leaders said adding that it was only in Uttar Pradesh that the State Government has abolished the atrocities on SC/ST Act. (PTI)