Both countries will resolve differences: Pranab
India ready to resume peace process with new Pak Govt

NEW DELHI, Mar 3: India "stands ready" to resume the composite dialogue process with Pakistan "as soon as" a duly constituted Government is in place in the neighbouring country, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee informed the Lok Sabha today.

Observing that the recent elections in Pakistan had enabled its people to express their "wishes clearly and in a democratic manner," Mr Mukherjee said India remained hopeful that the two countries would resolve their differences through peaceful negotiations.

"It remains our hope that we would be able to resolve outstanding issues and build a mutually beneficial relationship with Pakistan in an atmosphere free of violence and terrorism," the Minsiter said in a suo moto statement on foreign policy-related developments since the conclusion of the winter session of Parliament in December.

On the assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto at an election rally in a "despicable terrorist" attack, he said India shared the anguish of the people of that country.

Questioning certain statements from the US, Mr Mukherjee made it clear that India's rights and obligations on civil nuclear cooperation came only from the bilateral 123 Agreement and it was not bound by the controversial Hyde Act.

India's reiteration of his position came in the wake of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s recent statement that the Bush Administration would not support changes in the guidelines of the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers’ Group (NSG) sought by India that were in contradiction with the Hyde Act.

"The Hyde Act is an enabling provision that is between the executive and the legislative organs of the US Government," Mukherjee said.

"India’s rights and obligations regarding civil nuclear cooperation with the US arise only from the bilateral 123 Agreement that we have agreed upon with the US," he said.

The Minister referred to some statements by US officials regarding the applicability of the Hyde Act to the nuclear deal but did not elaborate.

New Delhi has held that the Hyde Act contains prescriptive clauses that includes cessation of all civilian nuclear cooperation in case India tests a nuclear weapon and also restricts reprocessing of spent fuel.

Rice had emphasised that changes in the NSG guidelines, required by India to open up international nuclear commerce, will have to be "completely consistent with the obligations of the Hyde Act".

India has to firm up a safeguards agreement with the IAEA and secure the nod of the NSG to end over three decades of nuclear isolation.

"This will open the door to civil nuclear cooperation with various countries, including Russia, USA, France, UK etc with many of whom the necessary enabling bilateral agreements for such trade have been discussed and are in various stages of finalization", Mukherjee said.

This development would signify, finally, an end to unfair technology denial regimes and sanctions that India has been faced with for over three decades.

"We will continue to seek broad political consensus within the country to take forward our engagement on this issue with other countries," he said.

On relations with China, he said India has "clearly" conveyed to Beijing that Arunachal Pradesh is an "integral part" of the country.

Noting that Beijing has expressed "regret" on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh in January, he said the trip was to "assure our citizens that Government is mindful of their developmental needs, and is ready and willing to assist them through concrete projects".

"The fact that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India has been clearly conveyed to the Chinese side by the Government," Mukherjee said.

Mukherjee said he would be visiting Beijing this year and his Chinese counterpart would also visit New Delhi.

Voicing concern over the recent upsurge in violence and conflict in Sri Lanka, he said the way forward lay in a peacefully negotiated political settlement within the framework of a united Sri Lanka acceptable to all communities, including the Tamils.

"The interests of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka are a matter of particular significance to us in our dealings with Sri Lanka," he said.

Noting that Nepal was undergoing a "critical transition", he said India is committed to assist in every possible way in that country becoming a democratic, stable, peaceful and prosperous.

Describing the security situation in Afghanistan as a matter of concern, he, however, said this would not be allowed to affect India’s commitment to the reconstruction of the trouble-torn country.

He said the international community must stand firmly with President Hamid Karzai as they face up to combat twin challenges of terrorism in the form of Taliban. (Agencies)

Azad meets Reddy, Pawar; seeks hike in ration quota

Excelsior Correspondent

New Delhi, Mar 3: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today had meetings with Union Ministers for Urban Development and Agriculture, S. Jaipal Reddy and Sharad Pawar and urged them to increase the ceiling of funds under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission for development of cities and ration to Jammu & Kashmir.

In meeting with the Urban Development Minister, Mr Azad brought into his notice the implementation of various urban development schemes launched in the State and requested him to increase the ceiling of funds to J&K under JNNURM. He stressed for according urgent clearance to the pending projects for small cities of the State as well as quick implementation of the projects taken up for execution by the National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC).

Mr. Reddy favourably reacted to the request of the Chief Minister and said that a special dispensation needed to be provided to Jammu & Kashmir given its geographical constraints. He agreed with the suggestion of Mr. Azad that in view of the vast area and few urban localities, norms need to be relaxed while allocating funds to the State. The Minister assured full support of his ministry to J&K.

During his meeting with Mr. Pawar, Mr Azad sought increase in ration to J&K which was being supplied on the basis of 2001 population figures. He said population of the State had reached to 1.20 crore and a floating population of about 90 lakh tourists also visit the State annually including pilgrim tourists which was not counted. He said districts of Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and areas of Udhampur and Kathua districts in Jammu province were hit by drought last year due to which the existing quota of ration supplied to the State was inadequate.

Mr. Pawar assured the Chief Minister a favourable consideration on the demand for increasing the quota of ration for the State.

Meanwhile, Mr Azad returned to the winter capital this afternoon after a hectic schedule in New Delhi during which he held meetings with Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Minister for Rural Development, Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh and Minister for Surface Transport, T. R. Balu to push for various development schemes for the State.

Loan waiver to be extended to horticulture,
other sectors in J&K

NEW DELHI, Mar 3: Agricultural loan waiver scheme announced in the 2008-09 Union Budget will be extended in election-bound Jammu and Kashmir to horticulture, animal husbandry and other sectors, including the loans disbursed by institutions.

Union Water Resources Minister and JKPC chief Saifuddin Soz was given an assurance to this effect by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar during a meeting today.

Prof Soz also discussed the extension of waiver to small and marginal farmers in the State, an official statement said.

"The same concessions would be extended in respect of waiving of loans in horticulture, animal husbandry and other similar sectors in Jammu and Kashmir, including the loans disbursed by institutions like National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development bank," it said.

Prof Soz will visit Jammu on March 5 to address a joint rally with State Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad of party workers, small and marginal farmers.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram announced Rs 60,000 crore loans waiver for farmers in the Union Budget 2008-09 presented on February 29.

Assembly elections in the State, where the Congress and the PDP have a coalition Government, are scheduled to be held this year. (UNI)

HC directs CBI to produce record in Chopras murder case

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3: In much publicized murder of members of Chopra family at Trikuta Nagar, Justice J P Singh of State High Court today directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to produce the record on the basis of which it had refused to investigate the case.

This order was passed in a petition filed by Puneet Chopra, who has been seeking CBI enquiry into the murder of his father, mother, sister and two employees.

After hearing both the sides, Justice J P Singh observed that following the notification issued by the State Government on September 25, 2006 requesting Central Government to entrust investigation of murder of members of Chopra’s family to CBI, the central agency stated to have taken a decision that the case was "local in nature and didn’t require investigation by the CBI".

"In order to examine the justifiability of the decision taken by the CBI, the process undertaken by the central agency before taking the decision needs to be examined", Justice Singh said, adding "the counsel appearing for the CBI is required to produce the record on the basis of which the investigation into the case was refused".

Justice Singh also directed the State Counsel that he shall also file the status report and produce the record of investigation as required by the earlier order passed by the Court.

Earlier, on February 15, Justice Virender Singh of State High Court restrained the State from presenting challan before the court till further orders following the apprehension of the petitioner that State agency may present the challan in near future.

The counsel for the petitioner had also requested that State agency be directed to file an affidavit responding to the specific plea taken by the petitioner in the present petition with regard to a request from the State Agency for handing over the case to CBI, as in the objections State respondents and DGP had not specifically responded to it.

Upon this, the High Court had directed that a supplementary objection/affidavit of the concerned official be filed on or before the next date.

It is pertinent to mention here that one of the accused during his Narco Analysis test has revealed that Rs 50 lakh cash and diamonds were distributed among the members of the gang for executing the killings.

Kashmir problem hasn't disappeared: Mufti

Excelsior Correspondent

New Delhi, Mar 3: People's Democratic Party (PDP) patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has reiterated the inevitability of stepping up and expanding Indo-Pak peace process for finding substantial solution to the problems of Jammu & Kashmir by addressing legitimate aspirations of its people.

The Mufti, who called on Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh here today, made it clear that turn-around in the State's political and security situation should not be misconstrued as an indication of the problem having disappeared without addressing it.

"We should not mislead ourselves about brushing the issue under the carpet as was done on earlier occasions," he said and added that with stabilization of political situation in Pakistan, both the countries must now commit themselves with political will to address all dimensions of the problem in a manner that balances and promotes enduring political and economic stability in the region.

Expressing satisfaction over commanding resurgence of democratic institutions in Pakistan, Mr Sayeed said the emerging positive political scenario in that country has offered an opportunity to amicably settle external dimensions of the issue with the new dispensation for which strong foundations have already been laid through various confidence building measures.

"The ongoing peace process between the two countries has reached a critical and positive stage and this historical opportunity must now translate into concrete measures for betterment of the people in J&K, who have suffered immensely because of the hostility in the region," he said and added that opening of cross-LoC road links must now move beyond the divided families and all traditional cross-border routes in Jammu & Kashmir must be thrown open for free movement of people and goods.

Stressing the need for simultaneously speeding up the process of addressing internal dimensions of the problem, the PDP leader said recommendations of the Working Groups have already provided a frame-work for resolving problems of the people in all regions and sub-regions of the State through various confidence building measures.

"To further reach out to the people of J&K, these recommendations shall have to be implemented at the earliest in letter and spirit," he said and added that the measures like rehabilitation of the victims of violence irrespective of their affiliation and safe passage to the boys who had gone across for arms training and are now willing to return and live peaceful lives would have significant positive impact on the evolving situation. He said the Government of India must also take measures for shifting back to the State, all the Kashmiri detenues lodged in various jails outside.

Expressing dismay over the recurrent incidents of harassment and arrest of Kashmiri students in various parts of the country, Mr Sayeed sought the Prime Minister's intervention for putting in place a mechanism so that no innocent student or businessman is put to any unnecessary trouble on security reasons. "In most of the cases such victims later turn-out to be innocents," he said and added that action must be taken against the police and security agencies in these States for falsely implicating and ruining the careers of these innocent Kashmiri students who have left their homes in pursuit of their studies. "To seek promotions and awards, the police and security agencies should not be allowed to ruin the careers of the innocent students in these States," he said.

In his 45-minutes meeting with the Prime Minister, the PDP Patron discussed in detail the prevailing political and security scenario in the State and the region and also working of the Congress-PDP coalition Government in the State.

Permanent huts, toilets for Amarnath pilgrims
SASB proposal for land at Baltal fails to get nod

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Mar 3: A proposal by Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) to acquire 40 hectares of land at Baltal and Domail for construction of hutments, toilets and other infrastructure for Amarnath ji pilgrims at the base camp has failed to get the Government nod due to opposition by a couple of PDP Ministers.

Official sources told the Excelsior that the SASB had mooted a proposal to acquire 40 hectares of forest land falling under Compartment No. 63a in Sindh forest division at Baltal, the base camp of Amarnath pilgrims for shorter route to holy cave shrine of Lord Shiva, and Domail.

The case had been considered and cleared by the Forest Advisory Committee with some terms and conditions which the SASB had agreed to fulfill.

According to the conditions, the SASB had to pay Rs 2.31 crore to Forest Department for diversion of land which the SASB was not entitled to mortgage, reassign or sub lease. The Board also had to pay Rs 19.94 lakh on account of Compensatory Afforestation to be carried over 79 hectares of land.

Sources said the SASB had agreed to all terms and conditions since the Board felt it very important to raise hutments, toilets and other infrastructure for the pilgrims for the ensuing yatra this summer.

Even the Forest Department had agreed to the proposal and submitted a detailed memo to the Government for clearance. However, according to sources, the proposal couldn’t get the Government nod as two PDP Ministers objected to it despite the fact that it was PDP’s Forest Minister, whose Department had prepared the memo for Government’s clearance.

Sources said most of the Ministers especially two veteran Congress leaders had strongly favoured the proposal and wanted it to be through at any cost as this would have smoothen the journey of Amarnath ji pilgrims.

According to SASB sources, the Board had proposed to construct 200 huts and toilets for the benefit of pilgrims as erection and winding up of temporary huts and toilets was leading to massive breakage besides turning out to be a very costly affair.

Sources said this is not the first time when Ministers of a particular party have raised hurdles in the SASB projects. Despite a senior functionary’s personal letter for constitution of Amarnath Development Authority for development of Baltal and Chandanwari, no action has been taken so far. Similarly, Katra Development Authority is also on papers notwithstanding the fact that Katra is visited by 75 lakh Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims annually. Pilgrimage to Shri Amarnath ji shrine was also around 4 lakh during just two months leading to a major economic boom for local people.

Meanwhile, when contacted, sources in Forest Department said that the Forest Minister Qazi Mohd Afzal had himself submitted the proposal for diversion of 40 hectares of land to the SASB. However, the Minister later came to know that Compartment No. 63 was a Wildlife Sanctuary area and that land couldn’t be transferred under the Supreme Court guidelines.

"Since the issue was very sensitive, we have left it to the discretion of the State Government to take a decision", they said.

According to the SASB sources, delay in allotment of land, which seems imminent, would force the Board to install temporary huts and toilets again this year for the pilgrims, which were not only very costly but had to be raised and disbanded every year leading to breakages.

Firing from Minister's pistol creates panic at Airport

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3: An accidental shot from licensed pistol of Minister of State for Technical Education Javid Mustafa Mir triggered panic at Jammu Airport for sometime this afternoon.

Official sources said Mr Mir had to fly to Mumbai in Jetlite this afternoon. As his licensed pistol was detected during scanning of luggage at the Airport, the staff asked him to unload the pistol and hand it over to the pilot, a process adopted for carrying out licensed weapons in the flights.

After unloading the magazine, the Minister downed the weapon towards floor and to make the Airport staff believe that it was empty pushed the trigger. However, one of the bullet had actually remained inside the weapon and it went off.

The shot created panic at the Airport. SSP Airport Raghubir Singh and his team rushed to the spot. The situation was controlled after the passengers came to know that it was only an accidental fire.

Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had also returned from New Delhi few minutes before the accidental fire.

The Minister later boarded the Jetlite flight for Mumbai.

SHO Satwari Arvinder Kotwal also reached the spot. Sources said no case could be made out going by the circumstantial evidence.

Farooq hails Zardari's remarks

MUZAFFARNAGAR, Mar 3: Welcoming Pakistan People’s Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari’s remarks on Kashmir issue, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today said India should develop friendly relations with Pakistan.

"India and Pakistan should take the peace process forward and his (Zardari’s) statement would bring in a new concept in the relation between the two neighbouring nations," Abdullah told reporters here.

Abdullah said both should forge unity among the SAARC nations to make the region stronger.

In a recent TV interview, Zardari had said India and Pakistan should not be held hostage to the Kashmir issue and both could wait for future generations to resolve it in a mature manner.

Abdullah expressed hope that the "democratic Government which will take the reins" of Pakistan soon will have "friendly relationship" with India.

"In the current situation, India should take steps in improving the relations between the two countries," he said.

Earlier, Abdullah also addressed a kisan rally organised by RLD.(PTI)

3 held for hitting doc on nose

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3: Three attendants of a patient were arrested by police for allegedly hitting a doctor on his nose in Ward No. 9 of Government Medical College (GMC) hospital this evening.

However, the attendants said their counter FIR against the doctor, who allegedly misbehaved with them, was not registered by the police. They said they will get the FIR registered through legal process tomorrow.

Police said Waryam Singh of Budhipur, RS Pura, Ashwani Singh of Rani Talab, Digiana and Hardesh Kumar of Rangpur, RS Pura, who were attendants of a patient Sat Pal son of Mohan Lal R/o Faujpur, RS Pura approached Dr Rajan Gupta to examine the patient, who was reported to be in serious condition.

As the doctor refused, both sides had a verbal duel after which the trio hit the doctor on nose, police said, adding the doctors threatened to go on agitation. However, a police party led by SDPO Bakshi Nagar M L Kaith rushed to the spot and arrested all three attendants after which the tension was defused.

However, attendants of the patient insisted on lodging a counter FIR against the doctor, which police refused to do. The attendants said they will approach the court tomorrow for lodging the FIR.

Hurriyat rejects 'cold storage' therapy

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Mar 3: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq-led separatist conglomerate, Hurriyat Conference, has dismissed the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Asif Zardari's recent statement as a volte face from Pakistan's traditional policy on Jammu & Kashmir.

Informed sources said that the Hurriyat held a two-hour-long meeting of its Executive Committee which resolved to carry on the "freedom struggle" to its logical conclusion in Jammu & Kashmir. Sources said that the key participants dwelt at length on the recent statement of Asif Zardari in which the PPP leader had suggested to put the Kashmir problem in a cold storage . The speakers said, invariably, that Mr Zardari's statement was a clear deviation from Islamabad's traditional policy and the stated position on J&K in the last 60 years.

Hurriyat leaders observed that the Kashmir problem could not be folded up to hibernation as, according to them, it was a major flashpoint of tension not only in the Sub-continent but also for the entire world. Speakers at the meeting expressed their concern on the "pathetic condition" of the Kashmiri detenues languishing in jails in and outside the State. It asked the people of Kashmir to register their protest to the "atrocities perpetrated on the population" on March 10th next.

Even as the people of Kashmir valley at large have not shown any reaction---negative or positive---to Mr Zardari's statement, leaders of most of the political and militant organizations have expressed surprise over the way Mr Zardari had gone far beyond Gen Pervez Musharraf's famous interview. In an interview to a television channel, Musharraf had last year remarked that Kashmir's accession to Pakistan and Azadi were Utopian solutions. He had, thus, proposed that "anything between greater autonomy and Azadi" could be acceptable to all the three parties to the dispute.

Those who have already rejected Zardari's "cold storage" suggestion in the State, include former Chief Minister and PDP's Patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed" and the opposition National Conference leader Abdul Rahim Rather.

Most terror groups have linkages in Pak, PoK: Jaiswal

NEW DELHI:Most individuals and terrorist groups operating in India have linkages with groups and agencies across the border, mainly in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir, Government told the Lok Sabha today.

Replying to questions in the House, Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal said Lashker-e-Tayyaba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami (HUJI), Hizbul Mujahideen (HM and Al-Badr were among the terror groups having international networks.

Security and intelligence agencies closely monitor the activities of such groups and networks and relevant information and inputs in this regard are regularly shared with the State Governments, he said.

Close vigilance and surveillance is being maintained on the borders to check and control possible infiltration of terrorist elements in the country, Jaiswal said.

Other measures taken to check infiltration include border fencing or floodlighting and strengthening of arrangements for coastal security, he said.

In view of the external imperatives of the terrorist activities and violence in various parts of the country, action is also being taken at the international level through bilateral and multilateral cooperation to check and counter terrorism and several institutional mechanisms have been developed towards this end, the minister said. (PTI)