No bill as we don’t have majority: Azad
Govt backtracks on Delimitation Commission
*Kundal report to be tabled in Assembly

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Jan 15: The Government today backtracked on a major announcement made in Legislative Assembly by Health and Medical Education Minister Mangat Ram Sharma on bringing a bill on Delimitation Commission during current session of the Legislature, a demand raised vociferously by Panthers Party leader Harshdev Singh and his colleagues besides BJP.

Asserting that the Government lacked two-third majority in the House, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said: "I would look stupid. My Law Minister would look stupid if we bring a bill here and can’t get it through".

Mr Azad’s announcement, which contradicted Mr Sharma’s assurance given in the Assembly in consultations with PDP Legislature Party leader and Agriculture Minister Abdul Aziz Zargar that a bill on Delimitation Commission will be introduced in current session, came during his 190 minutes reply to four days debate on Motion of Thanks, moved by Congress chief whip Prem Sagar Aziz, to Governor’s Address. The Motion was later passed by the House.

This is probably for the first time when any Chief Minister or any other leader spoke for 190 minutes in the House. In his exhaustive reply, Mr Azad listed achievements of coalition Government’s during last five years in all Departments.

"Yes, the Constitution of Delimitation Commission is a part of Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of coalition Government. But, without two-third majority in the House, we can’t get a Constitutional amendment bill passed", the Chief Minister said, pointing out that he had called an all party meeting on setting up the Commission but a consensus couldn’t be evolved.

Recalling that through a Constitutional amendment during Farooq Abdullah regime, increase in Assembly seats was frozen till 2026 like Parliament and other Assemblies, he said to set up the Delimitation Commission "we have to first scrap the previous law which needed two-third majority".

As Harshdev Singh strongly objected to Mr Azad’s statement saying Mangat Ram Sharma had on the floor of the House given an assurance for bringing a bill in the House on Delimitation Commission, Mr Azad quipped: "Pandit Ji is a politician and gives assurances without going into details".

"You are an advocate and Pandit Ji is a politician. You get assurances from him. I don’t say Pandit Ji is wrong but I can’t make a commitment which is not possible to fulfill in the House", Mr Azad said addressing Harshdev.

"I appoint you as my Arbitrator. I give you full authority to mobilise two-third MLAs support for the bill and I will bring the bill immediately", he told Mr Singh.

The Panthers leader retorted and asked the Chief Minister to give him powers to run the Government and he will bring the bill. He said if the Government didn’t bring the bill he will himself introduce a private member’s bill on setting up of Delimitation Commission and the Government should support it. Mr Azad, however, didn’t agree saying any such bill has to come from the Government side.

He said the Government will introduce a bill to amend Right to Information (RTI) Act in current session to make it at par with Central Act.

On law and order front, the Chief Minister cited figures in both Houses of Legislature while replying to debate on Governor's address to claim vast improvement in situation in 2007 as compared to 2006 as also during past 10 years. Incidents of violence went down in 2007 as compared to 2006 by 34.5 per cent and 73 per cent during last 10 years. Civilian killings were down by 58 per cent last year as compared to 2006 and 84 per cent in last 10 years.

Political killings were 47 per cent less in 2007 as compared to 2006 and 91 per cent in 10 years. Similarly, custodial killings were down by 33 per cent last year as compared to 2006 and 66 per cent less in 10 years Custodial disappearances which were 17 in 2003 came down to zero in 2007. This was for the first time during last 10 years that custodial killings have come down to zero.

Killings of police personnel have gone down by 62 per cent, SPOs by 60 per cent and VDCs by 66 per cent.

National Conference MLA Dr Mehboob Beg, however, interrupted the Chief Minister saying State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) had contested the Government claim of zero custodial disappearance and alleged 17 custodial disappearance last year.

Denying claims that no action is taken by the Government on SHRC recommendations, the Chief Minister said during 2002-07, the SHRC made 650 recommendations out of which 361 have been accepted and 260 others were under examination. The SHRC recommendation are reviewed after every three months by me, he added.

He said zero tolerance didn’t mean that no rights violation will take place but that no such incident will be tolerated.

During last five year, living standard of people in the State has vastly improved, the Chief Minister claimed citing increase in per capita income from Rs 14848 to Rs 19000.

Denying that Kundal Commission, which went into the mess in Forest Department, had named any Minister being responsible for irregularities, Mr Azad, however, admitted the Opposition’s demand for tabling the Commission’s report in the Assembly.

"The Commission had named some officers, who have been suspended and process was on to remove them from services", he said.

Asserting that talks between India and Pakistan and India and Hurriyat Conference were inter-linked, the Chief Minister said peace process with Pakistan has slowed down due to turmoil in that country and assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. He hoped that situation in Pakistan will return to normal soon and after elections in that country, the dialogue process will resume.

During Chief Minister’s reply, NC MLA from Gool Abdul Gani Malik staged a walk-out in the House to protest denial of degree college to Mahore.

CPM leader M Y Tarigami sought Mr Azad's intervention on ration money for police and release of detenues, a demand Mr Azad agreed to consider.

Mr Azad said the biggest CBM (Confidence Building Measure) would be rehabilitation of 41,000 widows and thousands of orphans rendered by two decades long violence. While 21,000 civilians were killed by militants, 20,000 militants have also been eliminated by security forces which will take number of widows to 41,000 and orphans to more than double, he noted.

Describing their rehabilitation as a "social problem", he said some areas have been identified for the purpose.

On education, the Chief Minister said the coalition Government has opened 40 degree colleges during last 5 years as against only 34 colleges opened during last 100 years. Still, he added, there were more areas including Marwah-Wadwan and Mahore etc which deserved colleges. "We have taken higher education to door steps of people", he maintained.

Admitting that West Pakistan, PoK, 1947 and other refugees have genuine problems, Mr Azad said the Government will have to take measures for employment and education of West Pakistan refugees, who have been denied state subject and voting rights despite the fact that their three generations have been living here. A meeting has already been held on the problems of refugees and another meeting will be called by the end of this month.

He said all eight new districts will have Mini Secretariats on the pattern of Civil Secretariat in Jammu and Srinagar where all Government offices will be located at one place. Designs for Mini Secretariats have been approved.

On Mughal road, the Chief Minister said 62 kms road (31 kms each from both sides—Poonch & Shopian) has been constructed and only 15-20 km stretch was left which will be completed in November-December.

He said a Cabinet sub committee has been set up to look into the issue of unemployment. The Government, he said, had provided 83,000 jobs during last five years (other than daily wagers).

Mr Azad said that development witnessed by Jammu & Kashmir during past five years in economic, political and social spheres had been unprecedented. He said the per capita income had registered an increase of Rs. 5000 and development investment Rs. 4000 during this period. He said the coalition Government had taken progress oriented and people friendly measures, equally benefiting both rural and urban masses.

The Chief Minister said development being the main agenda of his Government, measures to improve security situation and build confidence were also taken that have led to an improved scenario over the past five years. He complimented people and political leaders for bringing about this change. He said the issues taken up by the coalition Government were of far reaching importance for the people and not easy ones to implement for any Government. He said political views of various parties could be different but all were unanimous in bringing about peace and progress and remove uncertainty in the State.

CM speaks for 6½ hours

Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today created a record of sorts by giving nearly six and a half hour speech in the State Legislature on the Governor’s Address to the House.

The Chief Minister’s speech in the Legislative Council lasted three hours and thirteen minutes and this was perceded by his reply in the Assembly which lasted nearly three hours and ten minutes.

During the two replies, there was a break for an hour for the Chief Minister.

This was the longest speech in nearly 60 years of the State Assembly.

Upper House Chairman Ghulam Nabi Lone also told the House that this was largest reply by any Chief Minister in the Council.

Case registered against wife
Peerzada’s resignation accepted,
also quits as Congress president

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 15: School Education Minister Peerzada Mohd Sayeed, who happens to be Pradesh Congress president, today resigned from the Ministership and also sent his resignation to AICC (I) chief Sonia Gandhi from PCC (I) presidentship.

On the other, police today registered a case against Dr Tabassum, wife of Mr Sayeed for threatening Independent MLA Shoaib Lone’s mother on telephone while a conduit Altaf Noorani, driver of Board of School Education (BOSE), was sent to jail by the court. The case pertaining to corruption given by Mr Lone is being handed over to State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) for investigations.

Official sources said, Mr Sayeed handed over his resignation to Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad this morning, which was forward to Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha for acceptance. The resignation has been accepted.

Mr Azad announced in the Assembly that resignation was taken from Mr Sayeed following charges levelled against the Minister and family. Till inquiry is held and facts come out, he has been removed from the Ministry, he said.

"Trust us on inquiry", he told NC MLAs who wanted to know as to who will hold inquiry into the corruption charges.

Mr Sayeed, who represents Kokernag Assembly segment, didn’t turn up in the Assembly today.

Meanwhile, sources said, Mr Sayeed has also sent his resignation to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, which too is likely to be accepted.

Sources said Altaf Noorani, a conduit of the ex-Minister who was driver of the BOSE but had been attached to Peerzada, who had rang up Mr Lone’s mother yesterday from a mobile phone on which Dr Tabassum spoke later, was produced before the court today which sent him to District Jail, Ambphalla in judicial lock-up.

Police have also registered a case against Dr Tabassum under Sections 107 and 117 CrPC and produced ‘istgasa’ against her before Ist Class Magistrate to get a warrant issued against her for her arrest.

According to sources, the police authorities were likely to write to concerned Department for handing over the case of Rs 40,000 corruption against the Minister to Vigilance Organisation.

In his statement to police, Mr Lone has given a written statement narrating details of the money paid by him for approval of ETT courses in a college run by his brother-in-law at Baramulla.

Pre-budget economic survey
J&K in debt trap

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 15: The pre-budget economic survey presented today in both Houses of Legislature by Finance Minister Tariq Hamid Qarra revealed that overall liabilities of the Government had gone as high as Rs 18701 crore forcing the Government to consider engaging a Consultant to manage debt stock of the State in a futuristic perspective.

The survey was tabled by Mr Qarra in both Houses of the Legislature a day before he is scheduled to present budget for next financial year. This will be Mr Qarra’s second budget and last budget of present political dispensation with State scheduled to go to Assembly elections by October this year. Also, this was for the second consecutive time when pre-budget economic survey was presented in the House.

The survey predicted that total borrowings of the Government was likely to touch Rs 15098 crore on March 31, 2008.

Total outstandings of the Government were Rs 12,448 crore on March 31, 2006 During 2006-07, the State raised an amount of Rs 1461 crores as borrowings and during same period, the repayments were to the order of Rs 404 crore, taking total outstanding on March 31, 2007 to Rs 13,505 crore.

During current financial year, Rs 1230 crore were raised by the Government on December 31, 2007. As per revised estimates, the borrowings are targeted at Rs 2280 crore. Out of this, an amount of Rs 687 crore is being raised only to repay past liability of interest. The total borrowings, therefore, on March 31, 2008 are likely to touch Rs 15098 crore. Taking Rs 1979 crore Overdrafts from Jammu and Kashmir Bank, which the Government takes to meet temporary mismatches in liquidity, and Rs 3217 crore drawn from General Provident Fund (GPF) into account, the liabilities on March 2007 were Rs 18701 crores.

This is an extremely high level and the debt needs to be brought down, the survey said, adding a Consultant is being engaged by the State Government to suggest measures for managing debt stock of the State.

According to the survey, the level of fiscal deficit, which has gone upto Rs 2069 crore during 2007-08 as compared to Rs 1509 crore in 2006-07 and Rs 1337 crore in 2005-06, is highly unsustainable and required corrective action over long term. It would require mobilisation of additional resources, greater tax and non-tax collection, cost recovery of user charges, full funding of plan and expenditure compression, particularly establishment related.

"The State has not become free from problems like poverty, unemployment, over population and illiteracy etc. Poor State income and per capita income are another evidence of State’s poverty", the budget survey pointed out.

It said per capita income has never kept pace with increase in State income. Although various anti-poverty, employment generating and basic services programmes have been in operation for the decades, yet very little progress could be achieved due to State’s rapid population growth rate, which has doubled within last 60 years. Measures adopted by the Government in terms of Poverty Alleviation Programmes have shown some positive results but benefits of these programmes have not trickles down to gross root level in real terms, it added.

However, the population shown as living Below Poverty Line (BPL) as per Planning Commission estimates have been questioned by many experts and have become a matter of debate and controversy, the survey said. It showed only 5.4 per cent people in J&K as BPL as against national average of 27.5 per cent.

Survey showed literacy rate in the State at 65.3 per cent as against 64.8 per cent at all India level.

Noting that 10th five year plan of J&K had targeted to achieve a growth rate of 6.1 per cent in Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at constant prices, the survey revealed that actual growth rate was 5.1 per cent in 2002-03, 5.17 per cent in 2003-04, 5.23 per cent in 2004-05, 5.73 per cent in 2005-06 and 6 per cent in 2006-07. The growth rate has thus been looking up during entire period of 10th five year plan but is lagging much behind the growth rate at national level and other States.

The GSDP of the State has continuously increase over the years. GSDP for 2006-07 is estimated at Rs 21556 crore as against Rs 20336 crore, an increase of 6 per cent over the previous year. The GSDP is showing 5.45 per cent average annual growth rate during 10th five year plan. This is the real state of economy suggesting that the State is growing at an average growth rate of 5.45 per cent per annum while inflationary growth is 4.61 percentage points making an aggregate growth of 10.06 per cent at Current Prices during the same period.

The survey, however, voiced concern over the fact that annual average per capita income was not growing as desired and unable to keep pace with national average which results in poor purchasing capacity and welfare of common masses. Contribution of J&K towards Gross Domestic Product has also decreased from .87 per cent in 1999-2000 to .78 per cent in 2005-06, which was a cause of concern. UP’s contribution to GDP was 8.42 per cent and New Delhi’s 3.22 per cent.

Within J&K, Gross District Domestic Product estimated revealed that Jammu districts led all other districts while Kargil lagged behind all others in both current and constant prices. Jammu district had highest GDDP of Rs 3095 crore at current prices and Rs 1958 crore at constant prices in 2004-05. Similarly, Kargil district had lowest GDDP Rs 241 crore at current prices and Rs 112.5 prices at constant prices in 2004-05. District Jammu lies next to Jammu in terms of GDDP both at current and constant prices.

Teledensity (the number of phones per 100 of population) of the State as on June 2001 was 11.0, only marginally short of national average of 13.7. While teledensity in urban areas was 39.86, favourably with national average of 42.65, rural density was .84, significantly below the national average of 1.85.

In mobile segment, there had been a boom in the State. In short span of four years, the subscriber figures crossed 17 lakh. In October 2007, the subscriber base of mobile service providers—BSNL, Airtel and Aircel was 17.06 lakh.

However, only 5092 villages had Village Public Telephones (VPTs) out of a total of 6652 villages in the State, leaving a balance of 1560 villages.

While presenting the survey, Mr Qarra said the coalition Government's economic policy is focused on raising the rate of the State's sustainable growth to achieve rising prosperity and a better quality of life, with economic and employment opportunities for all.

He said the major economic policy challenge in the State over the past five years has been to convert its economy from a fragile one, sustained by Government and private consumption, to an economy driven by investment and private sector productivity.

"This massive task of economic overhauling involved complete and complex restructuring of the State's economic system, a series of well laid out institutional reforms and a massive dose of public and private investment," he said and added that while much has been achieved on this front, still much more remains to be done.

The Finance Minister asserted that the most important change that has been brought about by the coalition Government is the implementation of a policy agenda - both on the fiscal and the economic fronts. "A long-term development strategy has not only been articulated but implemented effectively by this Government to move along a defined development path," he said and added that the positive results have already started appearing with the stabilization of and a steady increase in the State's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He said the per capita income has also grown six times more than what it did between 1996 and 2002, the investment rate at 17 percent is the highest ever, tax/SDP ratio is touching double digits, the share of industry is increasing fast and the intermediation in the financial sector is much better than what it used to be before 2002.

The State economy, Mr Qarra said after going through the critical phase of stabilization would now pave the way for structural adjustments. He said under the structural adjustment, the Government would design and execute specific sectoral policy interventions as a part of a larger macro-economic strategy that has already started taking shape. "The most critical sectors identified for policy interventions include hydro-power, tourism and horticulture," he said.

He added that the coalition Government approach to reform is influenced by three specific parameters including managing policy at the right levels, ensuring clarity of roles and enabling places to reach their potential. He said the reform process is focused on empowering local authorities to promote economic development and regional renewal, better incentives for achieving economic growth and ensuring that the disadvantaged areas benefit from and contribute to the State's economic development.

Mr Qarra emphasized that besides the systemic reforms, there is a pressing and emergent need to address some critical challenges facing the State. The first and the foremost issue, he said is unemployment. He said making a radical departure from the traditional practices, the State Government is focusing on employment generation in the 11th five year plan. "In addition to having schemes that will increase the number of man-days of employment, we are placing a strategic thrust on employment generation during the 11th five year plan period," he said and added that it will be for the first time in the country that any State shall have employment targets rather than output and income targets. He said given the shrinking policy options, especially in the fiscal policy, there is a pressing need to explore the possibility of using the fiscal and monetary policy for employment generation.

He said the State's 10th five year plan had targeted to achieve a growth rate of 6.10 per cent in Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and the State has been growing at an average rate of 5.45 percent during this period.

Step aimed at bringing transparency: Qarra
Govt comes up with ATR on budget for first time

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Jan 15: To bring transparency in the budget announcements made during last year and their implementations on ground, the coalition Government for the first time has come up with the Action Taken Report (ATR) which was tabled in the Legislative Assembly by the Minister for Finance Tariq Hameed Qarra today.

Talking to the EXCELSIOR after tabling the ATR in the House, Mr Qarra said that earlier the action taken with regard to budget announcements was the part of budget speech only and those announcements which the Government could not implement were usually getting unnoticed.

"But for the first time we laid the ATR in the House so that not only Legislators even the people could come to know about the implementation of the budget announcements by the Government", he said, adding "the ATR clearly indicates the Government’s commitment to translate its promises into reality and ensure complete transparency in its working".

To a question, he said "except for employment all other budget announcements made during 2006-07 budget speech have either been completely implemented or being implemented by the Government".

Elaborating reasons behind non-implementation of announcement with regard to employment, he said that a High Power Employment Mission was constituted to monitor and have coordination with different departments. It was considered appropriate to look at the work of the Employment Mission in the overall context of an Employment Policy which essentially has inter-sectoral dimensions.

Accordingly, a Draft Employment Policy was evolved by a group headed by the Economic Advisor to the Government, he said, adding in the meanwhile a Cabinet Sub-Committee was framed to look into the issues of unemployment and recommend suitable measures to deal with these issues.

"The draft employment policy was referred to the sub-committee which has begun deliberations in the matter but it has yet to finalise its recommendations", Mr Qarra disclosed.

He said that out of 24 announcements relating to the Finance Department, 21 have been completely implemented while as for remaining three there was a need to bring amendments in the J&K GST Act, 1962 and J&K VAT Act, 2005 which will be done in the ensuring budget session.

Out of 17 announcements with regard to the Power Development Department (PDD), eight have been completely implemented while remaining are being implemented soon, Mr Qarra said.

The announcements vis-a-vis Finance Department which have been implemented include, grant of last and final amnesty scheme for trade and industry to those dealers who for one reason or other could not pay their tax dues in time and the amnesty led to the realization of Rs 39 crore.

The Government also ensured exemption of VAT on commodities like paddy, rice, wheat, pulses, floor, atta, maida, suji and basin for one more year through SRO-92 while through SRO-112 additional toll of rupee one per loaf of bread coming into the State was ensured for the protection of domestic manufacturers.

The issue relating to construction of new Toll Plaza at Lakhanpur was also resolved and a decision is being taken to allot the work in favour of JKPCC which offered the lowest rates.

The local vehicles crossing Lakhanpur Toll Post from and to Basohli and Bani have been exempted from the payment of basic toll through SRO 116. Similar dispensation has also been given to the residents of the concerned locations at Lower Munda.

The Government has also issued notification bringing in services like courier, marriage and banquet halls, private educational and professional institutions, coaching institutions, cable network, insurance, banking and other financial services under the ambit of Service Tax and the rate of tax on ‘services’ has been enhanced from 4.2 per cent to 8.4 per cent.

The concession of non-levy of Service Tax has been granted to hotels for one more year as was announced during budget speech by the Finance Minister and this has resulted into revival of tourism sector.

In pursuance of the announcement, State Financial Corporation adopted a settlement scheme known as OTS-07 for ensuring hassle free flow of credit to those of migrant industrialists who take up projects in a concrete manner and since April 2007 when the scheme became operational, 54 cases have been settled by allowing a waiver of Rs 41.99 crore on account of interest and the net amount payable under settlement by these parties worked out at Rs 3.15 crore. About 30 more applications were in the pipeline for settlement before the termination of scheme on March 31, 2008.

The Government also apprised the Empowered Committee of the concern of the trading fraternity and requested the Committee to amplify the list of ‘goods of local importance’ by raising the number of commodities to 15 from the present 10.

The bills are being introduced with regard to deletion of the relevant provision (Section 25-D) of the J&K GST Act, 1962, introduction of ‘lucky coupon system’ to encourage consumers to demand invoices for the goods purchased by them and mechanism of awards and incentives for those employees of the Commercial Taxes and Excise Department who are instrumental in seizures associated with tax evasion.

The announcements about Power Development Department which have been implemented by the Government include enhancement in electricity tariff, metering of 11 KV and above feeders, corporatisation of T&D functions, formation of distinct distribution profit centres with responsibilities of energy flow, covering of 40 per cent of consumers by metering, seeking help of members of the Legislature for metering, improvement in the distribution infrastructure like replacement of worn-out poles, electricity cables, transformers and initiating steps to match the receipts and expenditure.

Rather, Tarigami grill Govt; Harsh walks-out

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 15: Leader of the Opposition and former Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather and CPM Member Mohd Yousaf Tarigami today grilled the Government following the revelations by the Deputy Chief Minister that only 32.78 per cent Plan expenditure has been made upto ending November 2007 while National Panthers Party (NPP) MLA Harshdev Singh staged walk-out over the alleged lapses on the part of the Planning Department vis-a-vis granting additionalities to the districts.

"What are the reasons that Districts have made expenditure of Rs 317.50 crore as against the Plan Outlay of Rs 968.67 crores till November 2007", Mr Rather asked and said that this vindicated the National Conference stand that districts were not being released funds timely.

"Had the Government released the funds in time there would not have been such lapses on expenditure by the districts and keeping in view this trend how would the Government expect that the plans will be executed in toto", he further asked.

He questioned how would Government justify its statements about pre-poning the budget when District Development Commissioners were asked to get their plans approved by the District Development Boards in June or July.

Joining Mr Rather in grilling the Government, CPM MLA Mohd Yousaf Tarigami said "though the flow of funds from the Centre has increased yet the Government’s capacity to spend money in time is not increasing", adding "the Government needs to streamline expenditure and planning in order to ensure development in real manner".

Replying to the volley of questions from the Leader of Opposition and CPM Member, Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig, who holds the Planning portfolio, said that the district plan outlays could not be taken as final because of the then ongoing exercise for redrawing of boundaries of the new districts and added that administrative problems which Government faced last year will not take place during 2007-08.

He was immediately countered by Mr Tarigami, who said "allocations were not on the basis of new districts but the previous ones". Mr Tarigami was immediately joined by NPP Member Harshdev Singh, who said that the decisions of District Development Boards (DDBs) with regard to additionalities are not being implemented seriously by the officers of the Planning Department.

"You are not aware of the fact that your officers are blatantly ignoring the recommendations of the DDB", he shouted at Deputy Chief Minister and said "six letters were sent to you by Udhampur DDB but they were not entertained by your officers. This is a serious lapse".

As Deputy Chief Minister maintained silence over the accusations of Harshdev Singh, the latter shouted "Mr Baig should have taken this issue seriously. Moreover, the officers of the Planning Department are smiling in the gallery".

"This is very sad state of affairs", he said and staged walk-out.

PDP, NC members clash in Upper House
Opposition MLCs walk-out

By Gopal Sharma

JAMMU, Jan 15: The Upper House of the J&K Legislature witnessed heated exchanges between the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition National Conference members, disrupting proceedings in the House for some time.

A furore sparked in the House during Question Hour in the morning when the Minister for Agriculture, Cooperatives and Fisheries Abdul Aziz Zargar was responding to the questions of the members and their subsequent supplementaries. The trouble started on the question of Farida Mir, who sought to know about the number of Women Coop Societies registered and functional in the State. It was followed by the subsequent supplementaries from Mrs Mir, Devinder Singh Rana, R S Chib, Nassarullah, Mohd Sharief Niaz, M R Qureshi, Murtaza Khan and others.

Earlier, junior minister, Ch Gharu Ram was directed by Mr Zargar to respond to the questions but as he was found beating about the bush and failed to respond properly, Mr Zargar intervened and started replying to the supplementaries of the members. He disclosed that total number of Cooperatives registered under Self Reliant Cooperative Act of 1999 in 2006-07 were 72 while during current year up to December 31, their number was only 106. Total number of dairy and poultry Coop Societies was 33 registered in last two years.

Zargar further pointed out that there were 60 women Coop Societies in the State and out of which 46 were functional. Replying to another question he maintained that number of Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies involved in the credit business in the State were 228. Out of the total 766 PACS in the State, only 755 were functional. Some of them were connected with fertilizers and essential commodities.

The NC members Devinder Singh Rana and Mr Qureshi were not satisfied with the reply and alleged that minister was beating about the bush and not coming with a proper reply of their question regarding details about conduct of audit of these Societies and action taken against those found defunct and violating standing guidelines. They clashed with the minister over the poor response. All the NC members stood up and exerted pressure demanding proper reply. PDP members including Ved Mahajan, Mohd Sultan Panditpuri, Nizamuddin Bhat, Mr Khatana and Murtaza Khan came out in the support of minister and also stood up shouting at the opposition members. The heated exchanges started and continued for some time. Chairman G N Lone’s efforts failed to restore order in the House. The proceedings were disrupted for about ten minutes.

While responding to yet another joint question of Sakina Itoo and R S Chib on purchase of C grade apples and doing favour to one industrial group, Mr Zargar had heated exchanges with the NC members. The NC members levelled serious allegations of favoritism and nepotism and also alleged that reply was not correct and satisfactory. Sakina Itoo launched scathing attack on the minister and alleged that facts were not being revealed by the minister and he was trying to mislead the House. The remarks irked the members from the PDP camp. Exchanging heated arguments with Minister and the PDP members, the National Conference members including Sakina Itoo, Devinder Singh Rana, M R Qureshi and M Y Taing staged walk-out. The minister however, claimed that no favouritism was done and about half a dozen other industrial groups apart from JKHPMC were provided apples and good rate was given to them for the raw material provided to them.

Azad’s Address-Sidelights

*Kalakot, Safedkot, Lalkot, Peelakot will all get colleges. Mr Azad said this when MLA Kalakot Rashpal Singh interrupted his speech demanding a degree college for his constituency.

* "Hum Allah Talah Se Dua Kartey Hain Pakistan Mein Khoon Kharaba Ho Jaye (we pray to the Almighty for bloodshed in Pakistan)", Mr Azad quipped but soon realising his mistake added the word "Khatam" between Kharaba and Ho.

* "Aap Hamein Sarkar Mein Latey Jayiye Aur Kaam Dekhte Jayiye (you keep on bringing us in the Government and see our works)", the Chief Minister said in response to a point raised by NC MLA from Kupwara, Saifullah Mir.

* "Ab Log Kahte Hain Doda Wale Kha Gaye (now people blame Doda for majority share in funds)", vocal NC MLA Sharief-ud-Din Shariq remarked when Mr Azad referred to constitution of Finance Commission to ensure that no region blames other for discrimination.

* Panthers Party MLA Harshdev Singh asked Mr Azad to give him powers of Government and he will bring Delimitation Commission bill. "If you start behaving, I’ll give you powers", the CM remarked. Mr Singh called for an agreement to this effect on floor of the House. "First have one year agreement to prove yourself", the CM said.

* "Ramban Kay MLA Ko Apne Size Se Dus Guna Badi District Milli (MLA Ramban got 10 times bigger district than his size)", Mr Azad said then Dr Chaman Lal, MLA Ramban raised some demand in between the CM’s reply.

2 Gujjars buried alive in Anantnag

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Jan 15: Two persons were buried alive and two more injured in a snow avalanche in Anantnag district of south Kashmir last evening. Meanwhile, in a joint operation, Police and Army today claimed to have killed a "District Commander" of Lashkar-e-Toiba militant outfit in Bandipore-Ganderbal belt in north Kashmir.

Informed sources told EXCELSIOR that two persons of Gujjar community ventured out from their village of Dardpora Chaklipora in Shangus area to fetch firewood from the snow-covered Pajan area, about 17 Km from Anantnag late last evening. While they were on way to the high altitude area with about 3 Km of snow accumulation, they came under a massive snow avalanche. Two of them were buried alive and their dead bodies were recovered this evening. They have been identified as Fareed Khan S/o Feroz Khan and Mushtaq Khan S/o Gul Khan.

Two of the injured, who had earlier managed to reach back and report to Police in Anantnag, were identified as Guftar Khan and Farooq Khan. They were admitted to a hospital for medical treatment.

Meanwhile, official sources said that over a specific information SOG Ganderbal, CRPF 145 Bn and troops of Rashtriya Rifles 13 Bn launched a cordon-and-search operation at Ajas on Ganderbal-Bandipore Road. According to the source information, a "District Commander" of Lashkar-e-Toiba was hiding at the residence of one Morifatullah Khan S/o Niamatullah Khan.

Sources said that during the operation an encounter took place at the identified hideout in which one-odd militant got killed. He was later identified as Abu Qitaal. Officials said that he was a Pakistani militant. They said that one AK rifle, one magazine and 25 rounds of ammunition were also recovered from the site of encounter.

According to officials, Abu Qittal was involved in scores of innocent civilian killings including killing of Ashiq Latief at Hajan, Hamid Chacha at Bazipora, Bashir Ahmed at Nadihal, Abdul Rashid and his wife at Bazipora and Noor Kawa at Hajan. Besides, he had also murdered one Ghulam Hassan Qureshi , his wife and had also killed their daughter by slitting her throat. He had also killed Head Constable Mushtaq Ahmed at Hajan and SPO Mushtaq Ahmed.

Sources said that troops of RR 29 Bn busted a hideout at Tapper Bala in district Baramulla and recovered seven hand grenades, seven AK magazines, 10 electronic detonators, 200 rounds of AK ammunition and three Kgs explosive.

Meanwhile, a Tata Sumo, bearing registration No: JK01G/0199 hit and injured Mst. Fazi, W/o Ghulam Rasool Khan R/o Rampora Chattabal and her granddaughter Snober Maqbool at Bemina Crossing on National Highway Bypass today. While as Fazi succumbed to her injuries, her young grand daughter was under treatment at a hospital.

Sources said that troops of Rashtriya Rifles 13 Bn and SOG Sumbal apprehended two suspected militants in general area of Chirwan, in Baramulla district, who were identified as Ghulam Hasan Bhatt, S/o Sonaullah Bhatt, R/o Kathpur and Mehrjaeddin Bhatt S/o Gulam Mohd Bhatt, R/o Bazipura. They were later handed over to Police Station Sumbal. One AK-47, one magazine and 25 rounds were claimed recovered from the detainees.

Army NCO succumbs to injury

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 15: A Non-Commissioned Army Officer (NCO) who allegedly attempted to commit suicide after firing at and wounding his junior colleagues in Akhnoor last evening, died at the Command Hospital Udhampur, sources said today.

"Lance Naik Vishesh Kumar of 510 ASC battalion, who was admitted to the Command Hospital, succumbed to his wounds in the night," sources said.

The deceased had reportedly fired and wounded two of his colleagues — Sepoy Mohd D Ali and Sepoy Dhananjay Kumar Yadav, before shooting himself.

The authorities were yet to confirm if it was an accidental discharge or a run amok case.

While the wounded Sepoys were admitted to the military hospital, Akhnoor, the Lance/Nk was shifted to the Army’s Command Hospital in critical condition.

Defence Ministry spokesman Lt Col S D Goswami, when contacted, said, "Army has instituted a Court of Inquiry to probe the matter."

Two militants killed in Poonch

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Jan 15: Troops of Rashtriya Rifles and police today gunned down two unidentified militants at Chak Banola in Mendhar tehsil of this border district.

SSP Poonch Jagjit Kumar said the militants were eliminated after two hour long fierce gun fighting with Army and police. Security forces didn’t suffer any casualties in the operation.

Two AK rifles, five magazines and 80 rounds were recovered from the slain ultras, whose identity hasn’t been established so far.

Search operation was going on in the area, sources said.