Benches, mikes, chairs overturned; paper missiles thrown by Opposition
Unprecedented pandemonium in Assembly,
Speaker adjourns House till Monday
Start Forest drive from Bhatindi: Qarra
Azad's credibility at stake: Rather
Govt has lost right to govern: Harshdev

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Jan 24: A near replica of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar Legislatures was witnessed in Legislative Assembly today with Opposition members, seeking resignation of two Ministers indicted in Kundal Committee report, turning down desks, mikes and chair and rushing towards the treasury benches amidst a free for all situation for a couple of minutes till Speaker Tara Chand adjourned the House till Monday.

As the House met at 11.40 am after one and a half hour adjournment in the morning in view of protests and sloganeering by all Opposition members and the Speaker asked Finance Minister Tariq Hamid Qarra to start his reply, all NC MLAs trooped into Well of the House shouting "Gali Gali Mein Shor Hai, Qazi Qarra Chor Hai". They tried to march towards the Speaker’s podium but were surrounded by a large number of Marshals from all sides.

Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who was in New Delhi for last two days, also joined the Assembly on his return from the Union capital but only to see the House plunged into pandemonium.

Simultaneously, all four MLAs of National Panthers Party (NPP) besides BJP and JSM members also stood up from their seats and started shouting "Assembly Ko Bhang Karo" and "Governor Rule Lagoo Karo".

Amidst loud sloganeering, Mr Qarra read few words from his speech and then charged National Conference with making a "mockery of Legislature" and "destroying sanctity" of House. As NC legislators tore papers in Well of the House and paper missiles flung in air, the Marshals were seen pushing NC MLAs back to the Well as the latter made repeated attempt to march towards the podium waving reports of Kundal Committee and throwing papers in air.

In a virtual free for all situation, NPP Legislature Party leader Harshdev Singh and Balwant Singh Mankotia besides NC leader Ali Mohd Sagar stood up on Assembly benches and started shouting anti-Government slogans with full force.

At one time, Mr Sagar even headed towards treasury benches, aiming Mr Qarra, but was immediately whisked away by the Marshals towards Well of the House.

As there was no let up in sloganeering and Mr Qarra’s speech was lost in the din, the Finance Minister finally handed over his reply to the Speaker through the Assembly Secretary saying it be treated as read.

This led to fresh trouble in the House with several NC members overturning desks and mikes and a chair of Assembly Reporters. Paper missiles flew in air and one of them even landed at the Speaker’s chair. At this stage, even Marshals found it difficult to control the agitated members who included nearly 20 NC MLAs, 4 NPP legislators and lone MLA of BJP, Jugal Kishore. JSM MLA Ashwani Sharma only protested from his seat.

"Ek Naheen Do Naheen, Sare Mantri Chor Hain", "Assembly Ko Bhang Karo", "Governor Rule Lagoo Karo", shouted the NPP and BJP MLAs while all NC legislators indulged in massive sloganeering "Har Taraf Shor Hai, Qazi Qarra Chor Hai" and "Corrupt Mantriyon Ko Dafa Karo".

In the melee, Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Incharge Law and Parliamentary Affairs proposed adjournment of the House till Monday. Accordingly, the Speaker adjourned the House till January 28. Though January 26 and 27 were already holidays in Assembly calendar, January 25 was listed for grants of Chief Minister’s departments.

Even after adjournment, NC, NPP and BJP members continued shouting of slogans while Watch and Ward staff was seen carrying out immediate repair restoring the pre-trouble status of benches, mikes and chairs.

This was probably for the first time in current Assembly, which is going through its final year, that an unprecedented situation was witnessed in the House with members uprooting benches and mikes and throwing paper missiles. A number of members were seen standing on top of the benches shouting anti-Government slogans with full blooded blow.

Mr Azad left the House soon after the Speaker announced adjournment. He was seen watching entire drama with curiosity.

Earlier in the morning, as soon as the House met for the day at 10 am, all NC members marched towards the front row and started chanting "Choron Ko Nikaal Do, Tainted Ministron Ko Nikal Do, Daagi Mantriyon Ko House Se Bahar Karo".

As the Speaker tried to go ahead with scheduled business of Question Hour and Minister of State for Forest, Ghulam Mohd Saroori started replying to a question of NC MLA Dr Ghulam Nabi Bhat, the NC members intensified their sloganeering and the Minister’s voice was lost in the din.

"Listen to us. We are ready for a debate (on Kundal Committee report). But let the two tainted Ministers first resign", NC MLA Dr Mehboob Beg remarked.

Immediately thereafter, NPP leader and former Minister Harshdev Singh too joined the chorus saying the system has totally collapsed both inside and outside the House. "No work is taking place in and out the Assembly", he said demanding dissolution of the House and imposition of Governor’s rule in the State. BJP MLA Jugal Kishore was also heard demanding dissolution of the Assembly. All three NPP MLAs, Balwant Singh Mankotia, Yashpal Kundal and Faqir Nath besides JSM MLA Ashwani Kumar also joined the slogan shouting members.

"Is Defunct Assembly Ko Bhang Karo", "Sare Mantriyon Ko Barkhast Karo", Harshdev Singh shouted and said "Yahaan Sabko Barkhast Kiya Jaye, Sare Mantri Ek Jaise Hain (all Ministers are one and same and they should be dismissed)". The Government has lost its right to be in the office, he added.

"Junglon Ko Loota Hai, Kaumi Sarmaye Ko Loota Hai", NC members Saifullah Mir, Ajay Sadhotra and Dr Beg shouted.

Finding no let up in furore, the Speaker adjourned the House within 9 minutes into Question Hour till 11 am but the House eventually met again at 11.40 am only to be adjourned after few minutes till Monday.

Talking to reporters outside, Finance Minister Tariq Hamid Qarra, flanked by PDP MLAs Abdul Rehman Veeri, Sartaj Madni, Syed Bashir and Shanti Devi, launched a counter attack on the National Conference saying if the Opposition was so much interested in cleaning the mess in Forest Department "let us make a beginning from Bhatindi, where forests have been badly ruined". Mr Qarra made an indirect reference to a senior NC functionary in this regard.

Charging the NC with "political bankruptcy", Mr Qarra said the party had been left with no political issue and was simply trying to hijack the issue coming during proceedings of the House. Referring to NC’s slogans of "Ganderbal, Batmaloo Mein Shor Hai....", he challenged the Opposition to face the PDP on ground instead of merely raising the slogans.

"NC’s ground has further squeezed. The party is just trying to show its presence by resorting to rowdiness and taking out processions outside the Assembly while refusing to take part in debate on Kundal report", the Finance Minister said, adding the Opposition’s behaviour in the House during past few days was "unheard of" in a civilised democracy.

Declaring that there was no threat to Government, the PDP leader said: "the PDP and the coalition Government were on firm footing while the NC was trying to make mountain out of a mole and was even resorting to ‘gali glouch’ (abuses)".

"The NC MLAs have destroyed sanctity of the House where once Sher-i-Kashmir used to sit. His soul will be disturbed today on seeing the behaviour of NC MLAs", Mr Qarra remarked.

Talking to reporters, Leader of Opposition Abdul Rahim Rather flanked by senior party leaders including Ajay Sadhotra, Dr Mehboob Beg, Ali Mohd Sagar, Sharief-ud-Din Shariq, Sajjad Kitchloo and Dr Chaman Lal among others, observed that allegations of corruption against two Ministers have put a question mark on credibility of Mr Azad.

"The Chief Minister is in dock. His credibility is at stake. If he wants to prove that his slogan of ‘corruption free Government’ is not a hollow, he must act and act immediately against the two Ministers (Tariq Hamid Qarra, Finance Minister and Qazi Mohd Afzal, Forest Minister) for their indictment in Kundal Committee report", Mr Rather said.

"Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig has become a party to the issue by not only shielding the two Ministers but also claiming that they had not been indicted in Kundal Committee report", Mr Sagar observed.

Asserting that the Government had no intentions to table Kundal report on floor of the House, Mr Rather said the Government was forced to table it after the Excelsior published it in full, which became an eye opener for all that the two Ministers had been indicted in the report.

Referring to Mr Baig’s assertion made yesterday in a press conference that Ministers have not been indicted in the report, he asked: "there was not even a single page (in Kundal report) where the Ministers have not been indicted.

"Allotments have been made against the Board decisions, works were allotted on Amani basis, no tenders were held for two years, adhocism was promoted in Forest Department and works were allotted for blacklisted and unregistered contractors. All this, according to Kundal report, was done with approval of the Minister", Mr Rather pointed out.

"Isn’t it an irregularity that officers were transferred within six months who didn’t appease the Minister"? he asked quoting Kundal report.

Mr Sagar read a paragraph from Kundal report to point out the Minister’s involvement. "In nut shell, gross mismanagement in SFC led to shortage of timber in ‘C’ zone. Scarcity created was exploited by Ajaz Ahmed Bhat and G H Marazi to push the agenda of timber import with ulterior motives. The Minister Incharge has all along remained associated in such decisions", he quoted the paragraph and said: "this should be an eye opener for the PDP and Mr Baig".

On many pages of the report, Mr Rather said, it has been written that decisions were taken with approval of the Minister which formed the basis of a prima facie case against the Minister. "What else evidence is required for their removal"? he asked. He wanted to know how the Vigilance Organisation, Crime Branch and Commissioner/Secretary Forests can hold probe against the Ministers. For fair and impartial investigations, the Ministers must quit, he reiterated.

To a question that NC is being held responsible for disrupting proceedings of the House, Mr Rather replied that the NC wants House to run smoothly but, at the same time, it can’t compromise with corruption, which was root cause of all problems. If the Ministers turned out to be innocent later, they can come back, he said. To another question on a former NC Minister’s indictment in the report, he added that the Government was free to take action against him as well.

Mr Sagar charged Mr Baig with undermining Kundal Committee report by describing its recommendations as "tentative". "Now, when the Ministers have been indicted, they have started undermining the report itself", he said.

On Mr Baig’s remark that NC was blood thirsty as they have tasted the blood of one Minister (who had to resign recently following corruption charges), Mr Rather countered the remark saying "it was the PDP which has sucked the blood of Kashmiris. We will stop them. They must know that here is an effective Opposition".

Dr Mehboob Beg said just as School Education Minister (Peerzada Sayeed) has resigned for a fair and transparent inquiry into corruption allegations, these two Ministers should also resign. He recalled that the Chief Minister has himself snatched the portfolio of Forest from Qazi Afzal and kept it with him for 100 days before returning it back (to Mr Qazi) under "political pressure".

Mr Rather noted that this was for the first time probably in the history of Indian Parliament and Legislature that a Minister was urging the Speaker to treat his reply on the budget as read.

NC leader and former Minister Ajay Sadhotra said Qazi Afzal has himself admitted mess in Forest Department. "He is a party to the mess as he was heading the Department and must resign", he added.

Talking to mediapersons after adjournment during which all 4 NPP MLAs and lone BJP Legislator took out a procession outside Legislature and Civil Secretariat complex and later sat on dharna in Secretariat premises, NPP leader and former Minister Harshdev Singh said the Government has totally failed on all fronts and there was a breakdown of Constitutional machinery.

"No business is being carried out inside and outside the Assembly which necessitated the Governor’s intervention under Section 92 of J&K’s Constitution to dissolve the Assembly, impose Governor’s rule in the State and ensure fresh elections in free and fair manner", Mr Singh said.

He added that the Government was facing a crisis of confidence with its credibility touching an all time low. The Government has lost moral authority to continue in office. Congress, PDP and NC are all responsible for it. In such a situation, the Chief Minister should himself dissolve the House and recommend fresh elections, he asserted.

"No body is listening to the Government even in the Assembly. The Finance Minister is pleading before the Speaker to take his reply as read. All these indications were enough to believe that circumstances were not conducive for continuation of the Government", Harshdev Singh said.

BJP MLA Jugal Kishore also demanded dismissal of the Government, dissolution of the Assembly and holding fresh elections in the State.

HM militant held in City

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 24: A Hizbul Mujahideen militant was today arrested by Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu Police from a rented house at Dogra Hall in the City. He was working as a Supervisor with a Chandigarh based English newspaper to hide his credentials.

The militant has been identified as Riyaz Ahmed Shah alias Raja son of Mohd Shaffi Shah, a resident of Shangran, Dooru in Anantnag district.

Official sources said the militant had earlier surrendered before Kulgam police but after his release had again joined Harkat-ul-Jehad Islami (HUJI) outfit. He had joined the newspaper to avoid his arrest.

Sources said his arrest was made by the SOG Jammu on a specific Intelligence input.

Preliminary investigations revealed that he was involved in the killing of a civilian Jabbar Khanday in 2005 under the jurisdiction of Dooru police station. He was wanted in another case at Kulgam police station under FIR No. 305/2006 under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

He was a ‘B’ category militant.

However, according to sources, he was neither involved in any subversive activity in Jammu nor was he planning to indulge in such activities here. As such, police have decided to hand him over to Dooru police station where he was wanted in a murder case.

Meanwhile, Army today recovered five kg RDX, one IED, two detonators and one 12 bore rifle from a Nullah in Doda. In Banihal, troops recovered one Chinese pistol with one magazine, 28 rounds and one hand grenade.

PDP hails PM's initiative
Its revival of healing touch policy: Mehbooba

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 24: Welcoming the Prime Minister’s latest initiative of beginning implementation of the recommendations of the Working Groups, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti today said as has been the consistent view of her party, the move would positively impact the intra-state confidence building measures paving the way for peaceful resolution of the State’s problems.

"It is a revival of the PDP’s healing touch philosophy" , she said while addressing a public meeting in the border town of R S Pura.

While the issues like easing restrictions on cross-LoC movement of people and goods, rehabilitation of the dependents of all the victims of violence, facilitating safe return of the boys who had gone across for the arms training and want to return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants have been short-listed, there must be similar action on the PDP’s other demands including revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and reduction of troops.

She said that such measures have now become really unavoidable to ensure a substantive turn-around in the fast changing ground situation.

Ms Mufti said that although the PDP had become a target of wrath from various quarters for demanding rehabilitation of the dependents of the militants and other victims of violence, the Prime Minister’s latest decision was not only demonstrative of its sincerity of purpose but has also made clear that there is no alternative to the path of reconciliation.

"It was our party’s consistent view that we cannot leave the families of those killed during violence, irrespective of their affiliation, in lurch", she said, adding that the Government led by the PDP had even formulated a rehabilitation package for such families which was opposed by one and all at that time.

The PDP president said that her party has time and again made it clear that the State and the Central Government has to take certain concrete reconciliatory measures to help the people of Jammu and Kashmir to come out of the vicious circle of violence, with their honour and dignity intact.

"Men, women and children irrespective of age, status or political affiliation have been traumatized over the last decade and a half", she said, adding the much maligned ‘healing touch’ policy of the PDP-led Government was precisely designed to reach out to those who had suffered and needed extra care and nurturing.

"It is a matter of satisfaction for our party that our pro-people agenda and our position on various crucial issues stands vindicated", she further said.

The PDP president said that her party strongly subscribes to the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s prescription of confronting the Kashmir issue with open mind and in good faith. "The slew of measures taken up for implementation by the Prime Minister recently indicate that we are on the right track", she said and added that much more, however, needs to be done to realize the dream of inclusive peace, dignity and prosperity for all the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Ms Mufti said that an economic dimension to the ongoing peace and reconciliation process would complete the triangle together with relief in security measures and self-rule. "This would ultimately lead to the no-borders plus solution as envisioned by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh", she said.

PDP leaders T S Bajwa, Dhaman Bhasin, Renu Azad, Surjit Kour, Sukhvinder Singh, B D Gorkha, Santokh Singh, Nirmal Singh, Ravinder Singh and Sartaj Singh also addressed the meeting.

Three MLCs suspended, marshaled out
NC legislators rock LC, disrupt proceedings

By Gopal Sharma

JAMMU, Jan 24: Opposition National Conference members stormed the Upper House of the J&K Legislature on the second consecutive day today after resorting to massive sloganeering, protests and dharna in the ‘Well’ of the House, forcing the chairman to adjourn the House.

Unruly scenes, a situation of total chaos and confusion amidst high-pitched drama was witnessed for about an hour in the House of elders. The repeated efforts of the chairman Ghulam Nabi Lone to restore order in the House failed as the NC members continued their slogans and protests in the Well demanding ouster of two PDP Minister, Tariq Hamid Qarra and Qazi Mohd Afzal. They were also demanding that House be adjourned.

After the Minister for Higher Education Gulchain Singh Charak from Congress moved a resolution demanding suspension of these members who were disrupting proceedings, the chairman after getting enough support to the resolution from PDP and some Congress members, suspended three NC members-Devinder Singh Rana, T S Wazir and M R Qureshi for one day from the House. Later, they were marshalled out by the watch and ward staff. The remaining three NC members, Ms Sakina Itoo, Bashir Naz and M Y Taing walked out shouting anti-government slogans to lodge their protest over the chairman’s action.

The furore in the Upper House commenced immediately after it started today’s proceedings with the arrival of chairman Ghulam Nabi Lone. All the six National Conference Legislators, Sakina Itoo, Mohd Yousuf Taing, Bashir Naz, Devinder Singh Rana, T S Wazir and Mohd Rashid Qureshi stood up from the seats and moved to the front row demanding that two tainted PDP Ministers Tariq Hamid Qarra ( Minister for Finance) and Qazi Afzal (Minister for Forests) be sacked. They pointed out that names of both the ministers have figured in the Kundal Committee Report and they should resign immediately or be sacked by the Chief Minister. They said Peerzada Mohd Sayeed was forced to resign after corruption charges then why these two are being protected. There should be fair trial/ probe by a High Court Judge into the case pertaining to ministers’ alleged involvement. No fair probe can be expected when they will be holding these influential constitutional positions.

The chairman intervened and asked them to move a notice for holding discussion on the subject in the House but the NC legislators outrightly rejected it stating that since committee headed by a man not less than the rank of Chief Secretary conducted probe there was no question of holding discussion. It is mere wastage of time. They demanded that House be adjourned otherwise, they will not allow the smooth conduct of business in the Council. The chairman, however, rejected their plea and preferred to carry on with the Question House in the melee.

Then the NC members started shouting slogans, " Azad Sarkar Hai Hai, Dagi Mantriyon ko Baher Karo...., Gali Gali Mein Shor Hai, Azad Sarkar........ Hai, Qarra-Qazi......Hein" and so on. At around 11.33 am they trooped into the Well. Nothing clear was audible in the din and a situation of total chaos and confusion prevailed in the Elders’ House. The members from the Coalition and the ministers witnessed hurriedly going through the Legislative business for the sake of just completion of a formality. And the Question Hour was over within just 38 minutes. The NC members then sat on dharna in the well as their plea was repeatedly rejected by the ‘Chair’.

When the Calling Attention and discussions were going on for about 20 minutes, the Opposition members continued their dharna and shouting of slogans. Some PDP members Ved Parkash, Nizamuddin Bhat and Murtaza Khan repeatedly demanded suspension of these members and came to the support of their ministers. They levelled allegations and process of counter allegations continued for some time. There was verbal clash between them several times. The chairman then adjourned the House for 15 minutes at around 12.03 pm.

After the House started next business related to discussion on budget today, PDP member Murtaza Khan started discussion. The NC members again trooped into the Well demanding that chairman should issue directions for the ouster of Ministers. The chairman stated that it was not his domain to direct Government for sacking of ministers. It was upto Government to take a decision on this count. Sakina Itoo then alleged that chairman should act above party and should treat all the members fairly. She claimed that Opposition was being suppressed and they are unheard in this House which is against the ethics of Parliamentary democracy. She said they have high regards for the Chair but at the same time we expect fair treatment from the Chair.

Devinder Singh Rana then alleged that when PDP members stand up to raise a point or use unparliamentary words they are allowed and when Opposition members try to convey their concern they are suppressed. He said no body can snatch our right to express or gag the Opposition’s voice. Mr Rana said that chairman is the Custodian of this House and is above any party. He should maintain the dignity and sanctity of the Chair by doing justice to all the members. In the din, PDP member supported by Murtaza Khan and Nizamuddin Bhat stood up and shouted at the NC members. They started levelling allegations on each other.

Heated exchanges and high-pitched drama continued for some time between the members from both the sides. The PDP members demanded that all the NC members be suspended for the entire session and be taken to task for using unparliamentary language. The chairman then suspended M R Qureshi, Devinder Singh Rana and T S Wazir for today’s session while rest of the three members staged walk out. The suspended members were then forcibly moved out of the House at 12.50 pm. The House then resumed the discussion on budget after the order was restored.

Rising imports a healthy trend: Qarra

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Jan 24: Replying the budget discussion in the Legislative Council today Minister for Finance Tariq Hamid Qarra said that in next year’s budget 86 percent allocations have been kept under capital component as compared to 77.9 percent and 64.9 percent in the budget proposals of the year 2007-08 and 2006-07 respectively. He said that with a view to making the non-plan sector more capital incentive diversion of funds from plan to non-plan sector has been initiated.

Referring to the increase in imports Mr. Qarra termed it a healthy trend adding that it has not been increasing under GDP. He said that VAT being the main source of revenue has been made uniformly applicable and added that the liquor has been placed under GSDP at uniform flow rate of 20 percent, which is otherwise 31 percent. He said that collection of revenue through toll tax and other sources has been streamlined and for the purpose necessary infrastructure has been created at all toll posts and in circles across the State. He said that for development of infrastructure at Apshi Toll Post in Ladakh Rs. 40 lakh have been spent.

Speaking on pendency of bills in treasuries, Mr Qarra said that by January 14, 2008 bills worth Rs. 551.66 crore were pending in the treasuries including salary, wages and pension. These were cleared upto January 19, 2008. He, however, said that funds under various schemes were awaited from the Central Government and expected that the liabilities would be cleared by the end of current financial year after their release. He said that in the next year’s budget Rs. 40 crores have been kept for Voluntarily Retirement Scheme (VRS) for public sector units and corporations as per the recommendations of the committees constituted for the purpose.

Mr. Qarra further said that bills of power purchase have no doubt increased but at the same time, the supply has also been increased accordingly. He said the State is receiving separate Power Reform Grants (PRG) worth Rs. 1300 crores annually since 2006-07 and added that a sum of Rs. 1600 crores is balance with Central Government under PRG. He also said all 33 K.V and 11 K.V feeders have been metered and so far 4.77 lakh electronic metres have been installed in the State.

The Minister said that action taken for the announcements made in the budget for the year 2007-08 have been reflected in the Action Taken Report, which has been appreciated widely across the State. He said that practice of compiling Economic Survey Reports have been instrumental in assessing the growth rate, physical and financial achievements and exploring scope for efficient financial management in the State.

The minister described the budget as pro-people and said that with a view to provide succour to the common people no new taxes have been proposed in the next year’s budget. He said that the matter regarding exemption of packed mineral water from tax would be considered. He also said that the views put forth by various members during the discussion would be taken care of and thanked them for their valuable suggestions.

Earlier, participating in budget discussion, Murtaza Khan elaborated the measures taken by the Government for the over all development of the State. He said Government has strengthened the infrastructure of the education sector by opening of university campuses, colleges and upgradation of hundreds of educational institutions. He said Government has also taken numerous steps to improve the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) and allowed people to visit across the LoC.

R. S. Chib while highlighting the achievements of the present Government said that during the coalition rule all sections and regions got equal shares of funds and witnessed harmonious development. He said during the period tourism sector got boost and demanded special recruitment policy to provide employment to the skilled and unskilled educated youth.

Nizam-ud-Din Bhat describing the budget people-friendly said that Government has initiated measures to improve the peace process in the State and controlled Human Rights Violation to a greater extent. He stressed for the need to boost the agriculture and Horticulture sectors in the State. He demanded to provide better road connectivity facilities to the people living in the far-flung areas of the State.

Mohammad Sharief Niaz said that the budget has taken care of the people's aspirations and added that the budget proposals are prize worthy. He said that the water resources of the State if fully exploited could make Jammu and Kashmir a power export State and help generate ample jobs. He suggested for imposing tax on tobacco and biddies.

Farida Mir welcoming the budget proposals said that employment generation needs more attention. She said that the edibles be exempted from taxes.

Ashok Sharma appreciating the budget proposals said that more than 80 percent allocations under capital component speak volumes about the Government’s concern for people welfare schemes. He, however, suggested for a well-evolved rehabilitation policy for refugees, Kashmiri Pandit and boarder migrants.

No decision on proposal to amend Forest Act
Govt admits timber smugglers still active

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Jan 24: At a time when Forest Department’s 20 major scams and involvement of two People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Ministers, as figured in the Kundal Committee report, have already given a point to the Opposition National Conference to grill the ruling alliance, the Government has admitted that timber smugglers continue to be active in the State and indulging in loot and plunder of green gold.

This admission despite initiating several steps like intelligence gathering, patrolling, surveillance by check posts and on spot nakas by the Forest field staff and Forest Protection Force, as claimed by the Government itself in written reply to the question of Mohammad Khalil Naik in the Upper House, was a clear indication that the Government has failed to check the activities of the timber smugglers upto the desired level.

The seriousness of the Government in tightening noose around the timber smugglers can also be well-gauged from the another admission of the Government that the areas which are prone to forest damages and where timber smugglers continue to be active, have already been identified and constant vigil being kept by the field staff of the Forest Department and Forest Protection Force.

If such admissions by the Government are seen in comparison to the quantity of the timber seized while foiling smuggling attempts during the past two years it can be easily presumed that smuggling of the huge quantity of timber was going unchecked across the State.

According to the Government, a total of 82,500 cfts of timber worth Rs 76.57 lakh was seized during 2006-07 during smuggling attempts and about 50,300 cft of timber worth Rs 54.20 lakh was confiscated in 2007-08 till ending December, 2007.

Though the Government claimed that a number of dossiers against notorious timber smugglers have been sent to the concerned District Magistrates for their detention under Public Safety Act yet it also admitted that there was a dire need to amend Jammu and Kashmir Forest Act, 1930 amended upto 1997 to make its implementation more effective and to increase the punishments, both imprisonment and fine.

However, astonishingly a proposal for amending the Act continue to be under the consideration of the Government for years together with no tangible outcome so far.

Meanwhile, as per the figures of the Government, a total of 2025 posts have been lying vacant in the Forest and Allied Departments.

In the Forest (T), a total of 664 posts have been lying vacant while in the Forest Protection Force (FPF) 1048 posts continued to be vacant. Similarly, 161 posts were lying vacant in Pollution Control Board (PCB) and 18 in the Social Forestry.

In the Wildlife Department, 49 posts have been lying vacant, 31 in Soil Conservation Department, 17 in EE&RS and 36 in the Fisheries.

However, the Government has not taken any decision to fill them up at the earliest.

On the representation of J&K Unemployed Forestry Graduates Association to the Chief Minister, the Government had framed a committee of the officers on April 18 2007 to examine and work out a viable scheme on the pattern of Rehbar-e-Taleem and Rehbar-e-Sehat for considering the engagement of unemployed forestry graduates and DDP trained unemployed youth so that their academic qualification, training and skills could be better utilized for management and protection of forests.

Though the committee submitted its report which contains a proposal for engagement of a certain number of Forestry Graduates and DDR trained unemployed youth as Rehbar-e-Janglat to act as Facilitators and Community Mobilizers for National Afforestation Programme on the basis of a stipend for a limited period yet the scheme continued to be under the consideration of the Government with no final outcome.

Soz appointed PCC (I) chief

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 24: Union Minister for Water Resources Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz was today appointed as new president of Pradesh Congress (I) Committee in place of Peerzada Mohd Sayeed, who had resigned both as PCC (I) chief and School Education Minister in the wake of corruption charges against him.

Appointment of Mr Soz has been cleared by AICC (I) president Sonia Gandhi, authoritative sources said.

Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who was in New Delhi for last two days, was briefed about the appointment of Mr Soz in place of Mr Sayeed.

His appointment as PCC (I) chief comes at a time when the State is scheduled to go to Assembly election in next eight to nine months.

A six time MP, four terms in Lok Sabha and two in Rajya Sabha, Mr Soz had been a prominent National Conference leader till April 17, 1999 when he had defied the party whip and cast his vote against 13 month old Vajpayee Government during no confidence motion leading to collapse of the Government by just one vote.

Mr Soz had been a member of 7th, 8th, 9th and 12th Lok Sabha besides he was elected to Rajya Sabha in 1996 and 2002.

After the fall of Vajpayee Government, he was expelled from the NC and had later joined the Congress. He was Union Minister for Environment and Forests in 1997-98. He was made Union Minister for Water Resources in present UPA Government on January 29, 2006.

Mr Soz has written several books include ‘Kashmir Crisis’ and ‘Why Autonomy to Kashmir’.

Kashmir talks on track: Musharraf

DAVOS, Jan 24: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf today said that talks with India on resolving the Kashmir issue are "now on track".

"In the last few months we got sidetracked on Kashmir. But it is now on track," he said at the World Economic Forum here.

He said he was confident that bilateral talks would gain momentum after the February 18 general elections in Pakistan.

On the issue of terrorism, Musharraf said Pakistan Government was following a multi-pronged strategy to fight the menace.

"We are fighting extremism in a holistic manner- which includes militarily with Al-Qaeda and politically with its supporters in the country," he said.

"We have understood terrorism and extremism and are fighting with Al-Qaeda and Taliban," the Pakistan President said, adding it may take time to tame the terrorists in the country.

Musharraf spoke alongside Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the discussion was moderated by former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

He tried to convince over 2,500 business and political leaders gathered here that his Government should be assessed based on the country’s economic performance and the well-being of Pakistanis.

Allaying fears about the country’s nuclear weapons falling in the hands of terrorists, Musharraf said Pakistan’s atomic assets were secure.

Musharraf also assured the international community that the general elections would be held in a "free, fair and transparent manner on February 18 under the Pakistani Constitution".

"I invite everybody to submit any suggestion to conduct elections in a more free and fair manner, and assure that I will forward the suggestion to Election Commission for implementation," he said adding he was ready to work with any party, elected by the people with an objective of democratic Islamic country.

He also said that Pakistan economy had maintained a growth of close to 7 per cent over the past five years. This year also, it is likely to grow by 6.5 per cent, he said.(PTI)

‘Chicken story’ goes on....

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 24: Finance Minister Tariq Hamid Qarra today said he wanted to complete the unfinished ‘chicken story’ narrated by Leader of Opposition Abdul Rahim Rather while participating in debate on the budget.

Mr Qarra, amidst uproar by Opposition members, while replying to budget debate, said that the father, referred to by Mr Rather in his story had told the son that he was the Headmaster of the school for several years from where he had learnt mathematics.

The father, he added, told him that if he had proved that 1+1 was equal to 3, he, as Headmaster of the school, had himself established that 2+2 was equal to 5.

"By narrating the ‘chicken story’ if Mr Rather was trying to prove that he (Mr Qarra) had fudged figures then the part ‘B’ of the story proved that the accuser was himself a ‘master fabricator’ of figures", Mr Qarra said.

In his story, Mr Rather had said that a boy sent abroad for study by the parents, returned with a degree in Mathematics. On dining table, the son seeing two chickens claimed that there were not two but three and that he would Mathematically prove that they were three.

Surprised parents insisted that there were only two chickens.

While proving his point, the son place his hand on one chicken saying "this was one and putting hand on second said this was two". He added that 1+2 were 3.

The smart father countered the son saying "we will eat first two chickens and you can eat the third one which you have proved mathematically". With his story, Mr Rather wanted to prove that the figures had been fudged in the budget by the Finance Minister.

Delhiites to pay for pets

NEW DELHI, Jan 24: If you are a pet owner living in the national capital, get ready to pay tax.

Delhi Government has finalised amendments to two municipal acts which would enable the authorities to levy a tax of Rs 500 a year on dog and cat owners, a senior official said.

The Amendment Bill also provides taxation for keeping buffaloes and cows for milking.

While a Rs 2,500 tax would have to be paid for a buffalo, a tax to the tune of Rs 2,000 would be levied for a cow.

Taxes are also proposed to be levied on draught animals like horses, mules, donkeys, camels etc.

A tax of Rs 2,000 annually is proposed on four-wheeled vehicles drawn by animals, while Rs 1,000 is the proposed tax amount for two-wheeled vehicles.

The amendments, that were cleared by Delhi Cabinet recently, will be taken up for passage in the upcoming budget session of the State Assembly.

If the amendments in the Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill 2008 and New Delhi Municipal Council (Amendment) Bill 2008 are cleared by the Assembly, then they will be sent to the Central Government for clearance. (PTI)

EPF rate stays at 8.5 pc

NEW DELHI, Jan 24: The EPF Board today decided to retain the interest rate to the Employee’s Provident Fund for the fiscal year 2007-08 at 8.5 per cent.

After a three-hour meeting of the Central Board of Trustees of the EPF, CITU general secretary Tapan Sen told reporters that the meeting decided to continue with 8.5 per cent for 2007-08, ignoring the demands by trade unions to hike the interest rate to 9.5 per cent.

Prominent trade unions, including CPM-backed CITU, CPI-affiliated AITUC and Hind Mazdoor Sangh (HMS), had strongly demanded 9.5 per cent for the current year.

But after several rounds of hectic consultations, the EPF Board decided to retain the rate at last year’s 8.5 per cent saying it could not raise the rate in view of inadequate funds in its corpus.

"Though the Government was insisting on bringing the interest rate below eight per cent, we succeeded in maintaining 8.5 per cent for the current year," Sen, who is a Rajya Sabha member, said. (PTI)

Girl detained for LeT links

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 24: A young girl has been taken into custody by Doda police for her alleged links with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit.

She has been identified as Sabeena, a resident of Doda town.

Police said she was undergoing Nursing training and was reportedly in touch with a Lashkar ‘divisional commander’.

She was being quizzed at an undisclosed place, they added.

Mastermind of UP serial blasts shot dead

Jammu, : In a major success, security forces today gunned down top Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islamia militant Bashir Ahmed, who is believed to be the mastermind of the UP serial blasts, in a fierce gunbattle in a snow-bound area in Kishtawar district.

An AK rifle, magazines, ammunition rounds, satellite phones, radio sets, explosive material and important papers were recovered from the slain militant after the encounter in Doligam area of the district.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban range, Farooq Khan told PTI that police assisted by 11 Rashtriya Rifle troops set up ambush points in the area last night on a tip off about the presence of self-styled HuJI Supreme Commander Ahmed alias Sabba Hajia in snow-bound Doligam area of the district.

As the militant shifted from one hideout to another, the joint operation party challenged him to surrender but he fired on them, he said adding a fierce gunbattle took place in the area in which the militant was killed this morning.

He termed it as a major success of the police as the militant was the mastermind of the serial blasts in Varanasi, Faizabad and Lucknow in November last year.

Ahmed's role was also being probed in the twin blasts at Hyderabad.

Sabba had joined Harkat-ul-Ansar in 1992 and crossed into PoK where he received training in arms.From 1995 to 1998, he trained hundreds of new recruits in two major militant HuJI training camps in Jungle Mangal (PoK) and Manshira (Pakistan).

Sabba became master trainer and was an expert in making and handling of IEDs besides being trained in jungle warfare and handling of sophisticated weapons, he said adding in 1998 he crossed into Jammu and Kashmir from PoK and was actively involved in militant activities.

(PTI)