Zero tolerance to HR violations
being strictly observed: Sinha

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 26: Governor Lt. Gen (Retd) S K Sinha today said the Government and the Army are showing immense zero tolerance to human rights violations in the State, which is grappling with terrorism.

Addressing a State level parade on the auspicious occasion of 59th Republic Day at M A M Stadium here this morning, he said that zero tolerance against human rights violations mean every effort being made to eliminate any such incident and anyone found guilty of this violation being promptly and severely punished.

He, however, elaborated that as in civil society murders cannot be totally eliminated, so in insurgency it is difficult to totally eliminate human rights violations.

Mrs Premini Sinha, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mrs Shamima Dev Azad, Judges of the High Court, senior leaders and legislators, top ranking civil, police and military officers including Chief Secretary B R Kundal and Director General of Police Kuldip Khoda and a large number of people were present on the occasion.

The Governor lauded the people, Army, police and security forces for their valour to fight terrorism and said this has brought about a qualitative change in the situation. Notwithstanding all good work being done by the Army, he said, there are odd black sheeps, who at times tarnish its image by committing excesses and atrocities. Persons found guilty are being promptly and suitably punished. However, vast majority of allegations have been found false. They reflect the constant vicious propaganda by terrorists and separatists, to demonize the Army.

Of 1489 allegations in 18 years, only 34 were found to be true. Disciplinary action was taken against 91 Army personnel who were dismissed and given sentences of rigorous punishment, up to 12 years. In 2007 alongwith marked decrease in incidents of violence there was also marked decrease in the number of such allegations. Only 3 out of 9 allegations made were found true after inquiry. The guilty are being court-martialed. Disciplinary action is also being taken against their immediate superiors, for lack of adequate supervision. Similarly, in the case of policemen, those found guilty are being severely dealt with. In a bad case of excesses committed by some policemen, a senior SP, a DSP and 12 Policemen are in custody and are being prosecuted in a court of law, he said.

Dwelling on developmental scenario and other measures in the fields of education, health and road sectors, Lt. Gen Sinha said on an average 1 kilometer of road was added and 2 kilometers black topped every day in 2007. During that year, 1000 kilometers of road were black topped in the State and work on numerous road projects including the Mughal Road is proceeding apace. There has been improvement in power supply position in the State from the previous years. By the middle of this year, the much delayed Baglihar Project of 450 MW, will be completed making a very substantial improvement in the power situation. Work on a major hydro-electric project at Nimmo-Bazgo in Ladakh is being carried out with speed.

On Health front, 200 bedded hospitals in each of 22 district headquarters, and smaller hospitals at tehsil and block levels, are being constructed. Besides Government, efforts to improve in developing medical facilities, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board is putting up a State of art 200 bedded cancer hospital, with an outlay of Rs 100 crores. This hospital is likely to become functional this year. In education sector, 2000 primary and middle school buildings are being constructed and 18 new degree colleges are being established. The State Government and the Army have been making commendable effort to improve living conditions in Gujjar hostels.

The Governor said that an impressive progress has been registered in the University education, with seven Universities in the State- four Government and three private, doing well. Placements of students graduating in technical subjects have been 100 per cent. Infrastructure development in our Universities has also been impressive. Three new modern auditoriums have come up in Jammu University, Kashmir University and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University. Besides, the state of the art Zorawar Auditorium, the Jammu University has put up a very modern School of Biotechnology. Bhaderwah campus of the University is functioning well. New buildings for this campus will soon be completed. Extensive construction work has been completed in the newly established Agricultural University at Jammu. The Agriculture University at Srinagar has established Krishi Vigyan Kendras in remote areas. The three recently established private Universities, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University at Katra, Baba Ghulam Shah University at Rajouri and Islamic University in Anantnag district, have been making good progress. One more private University, Shardapeeth University is likely to come up with the assistance of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board in cooperation with some NGOs.

Lt Gen Sinha said that tourism is the main industry of Kashmir. 2007 saw an improvement in tourist arrivals in the Valley of both, domestic and foreign tourists, over 2006 figures. Approximately 4.5 lakh tourists came to the Valley besides little over 3 lakh pilgrims had 'Darshan' at the Amarnath Holy Cave. Last year we had a beautiful tulip garden in Srinagar which was a fest for the eyes. This year it is being greatly expanded and it will become the largest tulip garden in Asia. The aquarium at Bahu Fort in Jammu has become a major tourist attraction. There has been steady increase every year of pilgrims going to Mata Vaishno Devi with 72.62 lakh pilgrims paying their obeisance to the Mata, in 2007. This has been an all time high and the increasing curve is likely to continue. The Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has now been working on providing infrastructure to cater for 1 crore pilgrims a year. We are also making efforts to get the road from Leh to Mansarovar opened for pilgrim traffic. This will have a great impact on the economy of Ladakh.

He said the most satisfying achievements in 2007 has been the completion of the Haj House in Srinagar, well ahead of schedule, providing all facilities for Haj pilgrims in one modern building complex. This is the only such building for Hajis, anywhere in the country. Improvement and beautification of the area around Hazratbal has been another very commendable achievement. A modern Yatri Niwas for Amarnath pilgrims with all facilities is under construction at Jammu. It is likely to be completed before the end of year's Amarnath Yatra.

Earlier, the Governor unfurled the tricolour and inspected the parade. Contingents of 20 JAK Rifles, IRP 3rd Bn, one contingent each of the Army, BSF, CRPF, J&K Armed Police, Men and Women, J&K Police, J&K Fire & Emergency Service, J&K Forest Protection Force, Ex-Servicemen from J&K, NCC, J&K Sports Council, Civil Defence and boys and girls students of various schools participated in the march past. Flower petals were showered by the helicopters on the parade as the tricolour fluttered.

IT Deptt strives to collect amount before March
Rs 195 cr income taxevasion detected in J&K

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Jan 26: For the first time in the State, Income Tax Department has detected Rs 195 crore tax evasion and has asked all the Assessing Officers to collect the amount from the tax evadors by March 31, 2008.

Disclosing this to the EXCELSIOR, Income Tax Commissioner, J&K Circle Virendra Singh said that during the current financial year (till December 31, 2007), the Department scrutinized 953 returns of the tax payers resulting into short payment/tax evasion to the tune of Rs 195 crore including Rs 93 crore in one case only.

"The additional demand of Rs 195 crore Income Tax is required to be paid by the tax payers within 30 days from the date of service of notice on them", he said while disclosing that in all these cases notices were served either before December 31, 2007 or in a day or two thereafter.

After the expiry of this period, the Department will start recovery process under which the accounts and properties of the defaulters can be attached in case the assesses don’t come forward to pay the tax voluntarily or request for suitable installment as per the provisions of Income Tax laws, Mr Singh said, adding under IT laws the Department can also sell out the attached property to realize the evaded tax amount.

The tax evasion detected during current financial year (till December 31, 2007) is much more than the evasion detected during previous financial year—2006-07, the IT Commissioner said and disclosed that in 2006-07, 459 cases were scrutinized and income tax evasion to the tune of Rs 75 crore was detected.

To further prevent evasion of tax, the Department again for the first time has started comparing data-base of the traders available with the Commercial Taxes Department in a structured manner.

Under the process, the IT Department is gathering details of all those traders whose annual turnover is over Rs 40 lakh and paying Sales Tax but preferred not to file IT returns, Mr Singh further disclosed.

The Department has already collected information in respect of Anantnag district where around 200 such cases have been detected. "We are covering all the districts of the State under this process and for the purpose even two task force—one for Kashmir division and another for Jammu division have also been constituted", he said, adding "entire exercise of comparing data-base of Commercial Taxes Department with IT Department will be completed by February 15, 2008".

Meanwhile, the Department has collected net tax to the tune of Rs 328 crore till December 31, 2007 as against Rs 223 crore during the corresponding period of previous year thereby registering a net growth of 46 per cent. "This growth in Jammu and Kashmir is better than all India average which is around 42 per cent", the IT Commissioner said.

Last year, the Department’s total tax collection was at Rs 383 crore while for the current financial year the Department has fixed a target of Rs 525 crore of which Rs 328 crore has already been realized upto December 31, 2007.

"We have reviewed the situation after the collection upto 3rd quarter of the current financial year and monitoring of assesses irrespective of class has begun", Mr Singh said.

He, however, expressed concern over less number of IT returns filed so far. "Last year, a total of 87675 IT returns were filed but during the current year 84807 returns including 6000 new ones have been received so far", he said, adding "the figure of current year is a clear indication that 9000 assesses have not filed returns so far".

If such assesses fail to file returns by February 15, the IT Department will resort to severest possible action, the IT Commissioner said.

Pak ultra gunned down, another held

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 26: A Pakistani militant was gunned down in continued operation along Munawar Tawi on Line of Control (LoC) at Sunderbani-Akhnoor border this morning taking total number of militants killed in the operation during last four days to two. Two Army soldiers have also lost their lives in the operation while four others including a Major were injured.

Ramban police today also arrested a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant and recovered two hand grenades from his possession.

Official sources said in continued searches along Munawar Tawi where security forces and police had gunned down one militant but in the process two Army jawans sacrificed their lives while four others including a Major were injured in the operation four days back.

Sources said since security forces had reports that more militants were holed up in the area, they continued with searches and finally another militant was today trapped at Bindu Gall when he was heading towards Keri in Rajouri district from upper reaches of Sunderbani.

In the gunbattle that followed for next two hours, the militant was killed. Security forces didn’t suffer any casualties in today’s operation.

Slain militant has been identified as Abu Mussa of Pakistan, an activist of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit. One AK rifle, two magazines, 11 rounds, one telephone, one binocular, one rucksack and some eatables were recovered from him, sources said.

Initially, it was believed that militants struck up at Munawar Tawi were trying to exfiltrate to Pakistan. However, according to sources, subsequent reports revealed that they had infiltrated into Indian territory from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Two militants were still believed to be hiding in the area. Security forces continued searches to apprehend them.

Sources said a group of four infiltrators was reported to have sneaked into this side by cutting fencing on Line of Control (LoC). All of them were believed to be Pakistani cadre of LeT outfit.

Security forces and police today arrested a LeT militant from Banihal and recovered two hand grenades from his possession.

Arrested militant has been identified as Asadullah son of Gani Naik R/o Thathi, Banihal.

He was arrested by a joint team of security forces and police when he was heading towards Banihal on Jammu-Srinagar national highway to lob the grenades at security forces vehicles.

BJP chalks out  strategy for elections

NEW DELHI, Jan 26: With NDA putting its stamp of approval on L K Advani’s candidacy as Prime Minister, the BJP is expected to decide the nitty-gritty of the strategy ahead at its three-day national executive and council meet beginning here tomorrow.

Buoyed by the victories in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, the saffron party does not want to leave anything to chance in the Assembly elections in Karnataka where the Congress is readying for a determined battle.

The meet assumes significance as it is likely to spell out the programme of a possible cross-country tour by Advani to highlight the failures of the Congress-led Government on issues like internal security, agriculture and price rise as part of a major campaign.

Incidentally, it will be the first meet of the party when top leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee is expected to take a backseat and there is speculation about the return of former Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat to active politics.

The meeting of the executive and the council is expected to give an opportunity to the leadership to deliberate in detail for the battle of the ballot in Bangalore as also taking stock of the situation in party-ruled States where polls are scheduled this year.

Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh are the BJP-ruled States where Assembly polls are scheduled by the year end. The main opposition is also banking heavily on Congress-ruled Delhi, where elections are due simultaneously.

The BJP is upbeat about Delhi against the backdrop of Municipal elections last year in which it wrested the civic body from Congress.

In an effort to keep its favourite Hindutva issues alive, the saffron party is also likely to target the Manmohan Singh Government over the Ram Setu issue, which it claims is an attack on "faith" and "belief".

At the day-long national executive and two-day national council meet, the party is expected to come down heavily on the Congress-led Government in the form of resolutions.

The council, to be attended by around 4,000 delegates from across the country, will brainstorm on BJP’s standing in various States with Chief Ministers of six party-ruled States giving reports on developmental activities in their respective States.

The council will also ratify the decision taken at the BJP’s Bhopal national executive last year to reserve 33 per cent posts in the organisation for women.

With the NDA endorsing Advani’s Prime Ministership, sources said the party may coin the slogan "NDA, Advani Raaj, Suraksha, Samrudhi aur Suraj (NDA Advani Rule, Security, Prosperity and Good Governance) for the next Lok Sabha polls.

Having made its intention clear to harp on internal security issue, BJP will also seek to puncture the UPA Government’s track record in counter-terrorism and draw up plans to raise the issue in a big way in the coming days.

The party has already decided to organise a series of ‘Suraksha Sankalp’ rallies to raise the issue of spread of terrorism in Uttar Pradesh, the first of which will be addressed by Advani and BJP chief Rajnath Singh in Rampur on February 10.(PTI)

FM document proposes ban on COLA
Half of PSUs staff surplus; losses Rs 1763 cr

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Jan 26: Over 11,000 Government officers and officials working in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are surplus while accumulated losses of the Corporations have aggregated to Rs 1736 crores, according to a Finance Ministry’s document.The PSUs employ manpower force around 22,500, half of which are surplus, the document says.It adds that against a total paid-up capital of Rs 206 crore, the accumulated losses of the Corporation have aggregated to Rs 1736 crore. The liabilities on account of statutory dues alone stand at Rs 318 crore.During the current financial year, an amount of Rs 40 crore only is available with the Government to provide residuary support to ailing PSUs in their endeavor of offering GHS/VRS to their employees, which is both voluntary and compulsive in nature."In fact, PSUs, in their revival attempt, will not only have to implement GHS/VRS but also taken some other stringent measures simultaneously", the report said.The document has identified four major initiatives for the PSUs.Firstly, the PSUs will be asked to identify assets free from encumbrances and make them fungible to meet the cost of GHS/VRS to pay off statutory liabilities and arrears of salary/wages and also generate surplus for working capital requirements.Secondly, the PSUs could be asked not to release any further installments of Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) until statutory liabilities and loans are fully discharged.Thirdly, the PSUs should conceive future business outlook for a long term sustainability on their own and chalk out business revival plan for coming five years which will include replacement of obsolete machinery.Fourth, the Government proposed to close down units/activities which are beyond any scope of revival and restructure, both professionally and technically, the potentially viable units."Budgetary subventions could come only as a last resort for such PSUs which do not possess disposable assets, or, to fill the gap between cost of implementing GHS/VRS and the funds realised from sale/exchange of assets in the case of other", says the document.It points out that a high level Government committee had identified 2225 workers of five ailing PSUs who could be considered for exit in the first phase. Likewise, an indicative list of disposable assets of ailing PSUs has also been given which holds a promise of potential of generating about Rs 200 crore. The Committee had identified 253 units of various PSUs which are required to be closed down."Since implementation of VRS/GHS is a sensitive issue, it may take some time for implementation. Some Corporations have already initiated action in this direction and proposals are under examination at various stages", the document notes.It says that position of PSUs is proposed to be reviewed by the Chief Secretary by the end of January 2008.

Situation improving: IG CRPF

SRINAGAR, Jan 26: The overall security situation in the Kashmir valley has improved considerably, Inspector General of CRPF Sunil Kumar Jain said.

He said the incidents of militancy related violence has come down and there has been considerable improvement in the overall situation.

In an informal chat with the reporters after unfurling the national flag at historic Lal Chowk, near here, Mr Jain said the improvement in the situation was achieved mainly because of full cooperation from the common people and the supreme sacrifices made by the security personnel.

He said that situation will further improve.

A large number of security personnel were also present at Lal Chowk, which was sealed from all sides with sharp shooters keeping a close watch from the high rise buildings.

The function passed off peacefully. (UNI)

Fresh snowfall in Valley

SRINAGAR, Jan 26: Srinagar and its adjoining areas experienced light snowfall today resulting in considerable cold.

After experiencing minus 1.8 degree celsius during the night, tree tops, roofs and electric polls were covered under a blanket of snow as Srinagar and its adjoining areas received snowfall.

However, the snow melted after the sun came up.

The weather in world famous ski resort Gulmarg and other upper reaches in north Kashmir remained almost dry.

There was also no snowfall in south Kashmir.

A report from Kargil said Drass, the second coldest place after Siberia remained cold with temperature dipping to minus 20 degree during the night.

The weather remained cloudy but there was no snow or rainfall.

A traffic police official said 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was open for both ways.

However, 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh National Highway remained closed because of heavy snowfall at Zojila and Zero Point. The highway was closed on November 15, 2007 for six winter months. (UNI)

Plot to target security forces foiled

SRINAGAR, Jan 26: Security forces foiled a militant plan to plant and trigger a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) when they arrested two militants in north Kashmir last evening, official sources said today.

During a routine naka checking, troops of 52 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and police arrested two militants along with an IED, the sources said.

The militants during interrogation admitted that they were going to plant IED to target security forces.

Meanwhile, three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, including an officer and six Beacon officials were injured in two different road accidents in South Kashmir.

Official sources said that a truck hit a CRPF vehicle at Ukanhall village in Anantnag district of south Kashmir resulting in injuries to three personnel, including an officer.

Six Beacon officials were injured when their vehicle skidded off the road and fell in the nearby fields at Lalpura Anantnag last evening. The injured were hospitalised. (UNI)

CB challans transport company

SRINAGAR, Jan 26: Crime Branch has challaned a transport company for misusing CST/GST numbers.

A spokesman of the Crime Branch said a case had been registered in the Crime Branch, Kashmir in connection with a complaint regarding misuse of CST/GST numbers by a transport company Bilal Goods Carrier, Magarmal Bagh Srinagar for exporting carpets worth crores of rupees in order to evade tax causing loss to State exchequer.

He said another case had been registered in connection with securing of Government job by one Shabir Ahmed Khan of Rajpora Handwara by forging his date of birth.

The chargesheets in these cases were presented before the Court of Third Additional Munsif, Srinagar. (UNI)

AF targets sea Tiger meet, 26 killed

COLOMBO, Jan 26: A secret LTTE Naval wing meeting was today targeted by Sri Lankan fighter jets in the rebel dominated Mullativu area even as 23 militants and three soldiers were killed in a series of ground clashes in the northern part of the island country, the Army said.

"Air Force fighter jets today hit one of the nerve centers of Sea Tiger wing at Kaivelikulam in north west of Puthukkudiyiruppu in rebel dominated Mullativu district," the Defence Ministry said.

According to Air Force sources, fighter jets carried out air sorties in the afternoon targeting a covert meeting of Sea Tiger leaders and the attack has been carried out on real time ground intelligence.

Fighter pilots have confirmed that the target was accurately hit, the ministry said in a statement. In ground clashes yesterday as many as six militants, including four women LTTE cadres, were killed during a clash at Periyapachchankerni in Vavuniya yesterday, the Army said.

One soldier lost his life in the clash, it said. In Madhu road in Vavuniya, at least five militants were gunned down during a confrontation yesterday, it said , adding two rebels were shot dead in the same area last evening.

At Welioya in northern Jaffna, one militant was killed and a soldier injured in a clash with the LTTE, the Lankan Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said.

In another confrontation in the same area yesterday, two more militants were killed in clashes, the MCNS said. At North-Western Mannar, two rebels were killed in Adampan area while another was gunned down in Andankulam in clashes with security forces yesterday, it said.

One soldier was killed during clashes in Adampan, it said. In another incident at Andankulam, two militants were killed in clashes, the Defence Ministry said.

One soldier was killed while another was injured in Adampan last evening during attacks by LTTE, it said. While one militant was gunned down in Nagarkovil, one was killed at Kilaly in Jaffna. (PTI)