Major tourist attraction in Jammu city
Govt moots scientific conservation of
Mubarak Mandi complex

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 13: The Mubarak Mandi Palace complex in winter capital of the State is in for scientific conservation and facelift to emerge as a major tourist attraction. The multi-crore project would see the complex transformed into an iconic site of the city.

The complex is a heritage site comprising several palaces, the first of which is believed to have been built by Raja Dhruvdev Singh in 1710 AD. The Dogra Maharajas later added several palaces to the site. The complex would see the major conservation job taking place in the State.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is embarking upon an ambitious plan to scientifically conserve the old Public Service Commission and High Court buildings. For conservation of other heritage structures, a global tender would be issued. The Indian National Trust for Art, Culture and Heritage (INTACH), Delhi has been engaged for documentation of the Palace complex.

The heritage complex, spread over an area of 120 kanals, is the principal venue for the Baisakhi Festival in the city.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad today convened a high level meeting and reviewed the headway made on various components of conservation of the complex. The meeting was also attended by Minister for Higher Education, Gulchain Singh Charak, Minister for R&B, Jugal Kishore, Chief Secretary, B. R. Kundal, Director General of Police, Kuldeep Khoda, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Anil Goswami, Principal Secretary, Planning and Development, M. I. Khandey, Principal Secretary, PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, A. K. Angurana and other senior officers.

The Chief Minister highlighted the need for Mubarak Mandi Palace Complex to be developed as main tourist attraction in Jammu which could divert a substantial part of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine bound pilgrims to the winter capital after the Katra rail link is complete and pilgrims start directly moving to Katra town.

He said there could be no better place in the city than the Palace Complex to foot this bill. He called for urgency in completing the conservation and development work of the complex and said that he would be speaking to Director General, ASI for deputing additional staff to ensure early completion of the job assigned to the organisation.

Mr. Azad also issued instructions for illumination of the Palace Complex, portion of Bahu Fort facing river Tawi and Amar Mahal to present an eye catching view of the city during the night.

The meeting was informed that a memorandum has already been signed by the Executive Director of Mubarak Mandi Jammu Heritage Society and Advisor Heritage Tourism, INTACH for preparation of the measured documents, detailed project report and tender documents for restoration, preservation and re-use of the historic complex.

Meanwhile, the Government offices located in the Mubarak Mandi Complex have been given a timeline to shift from there. Most of the offices would be shifted by the month end. The newly constructed buildings of offices that do not gel with the PalaceComplex would be given a facelift to merge with the character of the complex.

The monkey menace in the area and development of a circular road around the complex was also discussed in the meeting.

Treating Jammu migrants at par with Kashmiris
HC directs Relief Comm to examine cases

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 13: In a landmark judgement passed in three writ petitions filed by Jammu Province Migrant Committee and 676 migrants hailing from Doda and Poonch districts, Justice J P Singh of State High Court has directed the Relief Commissioner (Migrant) Jammu to examine all the cases and pass effective orders for providing relief.

The first writ petition has been filed by Jammu Province Migrant Committee and Others, second by Baboo Khan and others and third by Dharam Devi and others. Advocate B B Kotwal appeared for all the writ petitions.

In these writ petitions, it has been submitted that the petitioners hailing from Doda and Poonch districts belong to the poor section of the society and their livelihood was dependent on the availability of manual work at the places of their residence.

They further submitted that it was because of the activities of the militants, who had been indulging in merciless killing of innocents that they had to leave their home and hearth. Though entitled to treatment at par with those migrated from Kashmir province yet the petitioners were denied the relief.

Through the petitions, they sought directions to the respondents to register them as migrants and provide them all those facilities which are available to migrants of Kashmir province.

In an approved for reporting judgement after hearing Advocate BB Kotwal appearing for the petitioners and Additional Advocate General B S Salathia appearing for the State, Justice J P Singh observed that this Court has time and again issued directions to the State Government to treat similarly all those persons who had suffered because of the activities of the militants and to provide them requisite relief so that they are able to survive with dignity and honour while enjoying their fundamental right to life and liberty.

The Supreme Court too had issued certain directions in this behalf to the State Government for looking into the plight of those who had migrated because of the terror let lose by the militants in some areas of Jammu province, the Court also observed.

While disposing of these three writ petitions, Justice J P Singh further observed "in view of the stand taken by the State counsel and facts and the circumstances of the case, these petitions may not survive for further consideration and are required to be disposed of at this stage".

With these observations, the Court directed that all those petitioners who had found it difficult to stay at the places of their residence because of the threat perception and activities of the militants, shall file applications within a period of 7 days with Relief Commissioner (Migrants) Jammu, detailing the circumstances under which they had to migrate to safer places in Jammu and the relief to which they may be entitled.

The Relief Commissioner (Migrants) Jammu shall examine all these cases and thereafter pass effective orders on these applications, looking to the need and requirement of the applicants, the Court directed and said that all those petitioners who are found entitled to their registrations as migrant shall be provided relief as admissible in view of the policy, guidelines, instructions and orders issued by the Government in this behalf from time to time.

Cong clears 11 for RS polls

NEW DELHI, Mar 13: Four Union Ministers and an AICC office bearer were today renominated by the Congress for the March 26 biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha but there was still suspense on a number of seats.

Union Ministers Murli Deora and Prithviraj Chavan were renominated from Maharashtra while T Subbirami Reddy and G K Vasan were given Congress tickets to contest the poll from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu respectively.

AICC treasurer Motilal Vora has been renominated from Chhattisgarh.

It is still unclear whether Union Minister Suresh Pachouri, who has recently been appointed Madhya Pradesh PCC Chief, would be renominated for the fifth time from the State where the party does not have enough numbers to elect a single member.

Reddy managed to get renomination despite reports that his nephew and media baron Venkataram Reddy was a front-runner.

In Tamil Nadu, party spokesperson Jayanti Natarajan and TNCC chief M Krishnaswamy are said to be in the race for the other seat.

Others nominated are : Nandi Yellaiah (Andhra Pradesh), Mukut Mithi (Arunachal Pradesh), Bhubaneshwar Kalita (Assam), Ram Prakash (Haryana), Rishang Keishing (Manipur) and R C Khuntia (Orissa).

The party also nominated members for three legislative council seats in Maharashtra and one from Bihar. Those from Maharashtra are : Sudhakar Gangane, a close associate of Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Shivajirao Deshmukh and Jayaprakash Chhajed.(PTI)

Coalition playing divisive politics: Omar

Excelsior Correspondent

Bani, Mar 13: National Conference president Omar Abdullah today hit out at coalition alliance for playing politics of `division' saying that if the policies being adopted by the coalition Government were not checked, the State's unity would be threatened.

Addressing a public rally here today, Mr Abdullah without naming any party, alleged that they were playing politics in the name of religion, caste and region. "If the policies and attitude of the coalition alliance is not checked, the weak and downtrodden would be crushed and the State's unity and integrity would be in danger", he alleged.

Observing that the Government was instigating communal forces and creating division among various castes and regions, he said it is only National Conference which has given a balanced Government and done justice with all three regions of the State.

The forces, he said, who were playing regional and caste card stands exposed before the general public and "it was need of the hour'' that such forces be given a befitting reply.

Omar said that some parties are known for playing political cards before elections. "They evolved a class feeling amongst the people so as to create a strong block for the elections", he said.

He, however, said that polity of the State cannot be divided on the basis of race and religion. "Jammu and Kashmir has history of tolerance and communal harmony and it can be shattered by playing cheap politics", he said adding, "We are the most tolerant civilization and we cannot divide people on the basis of religion, caste and race," he said.

Mr Abdullah regretted the plight of farmers, lack of proper prices for crops, drought in various parts of the country and lack of relief measures. He spoke of the failure to provide power, roads and water in rural areas during the coalition Government and assured that his party will try to address all these issues.

He spoke on creating an atmosphere to allow the youth and entrepreneurs to thrive because youth need jobs and industrialization of the State can play a big role in normalizing the situation and meeting the challenge of unemployment.

The National Conference, he said, will soon issue its election manifesto and priority of the party will be to fight poverty, favour agriculture, employment opportunities for the youth, help to small and medium industries, decentralization and aim to ensure the benefits of progress reaches the maximum number of people.

Coming down heavily on the coalition alliance, Omar said it is unfortunate that during last more than five years the Government has even failed to provide basic amenities to general masses despite receiving huge financial aid from the Central Government.

"Most parts of rural Jammu and Kashmir still lacks roads, power, water and health care facilities", he said adding, "the Government is more concerned with creating hype and getting media publicity than delivering at the ground level".

Omar said the areas of Bani like Lohai-Malhar have witnessed a decimal development during the coalition regime and the area has completely being neglected by the coalition Government.

Those who spoke on the occasion include Ajay Sadhotra, Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Devender Singh Rana and Bimla Luthra.

Thakur Kashmira Singh, Brij Mohan Sharma, Rattan Lal Gupta, Ajit Kumar, KK Bakshi, Dhian Chand, Shakeel, Surinder Singh Bunty Bharti Sharma, JP Singh, Prem Mehta, Faqir Singh, Ganesh Dubey and others were also present on the occasion.

Enhance wages of Jammu employees: HC

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 13: In a petition filed by night chowkidars of Department of Social Welfare and offices of ICDS Projects challenging discrimination with them regarding the wages, Justice Y P Nargotra of State High Court has directed respondents to enhance the wages of the Jammu province chowkidars at par with their counterparts of Kashmir province.

In a writ petition filed by Harbans Lal and others, who were engaged as night chowkidars in the offices of ICDS Projects in Jammu province on consolidated pay of Rs 800 per month from 1987 onwards, it has been submitted that the benefit of enhancement of the wages from Rs 800 to Rs 1500 per month has been conferred upon the night chowkidars in ICDS Projects Offices in Kashmir Province but they (petitioners) have been ignored. The petitioners through Advocate Surinder Kour sought payment of wages fixed by the Government in terms of Minimum Wages Act.

The counsel for the petitioners also produced copy of an Order Number 560-DSW of 2005 dated August 11, 2005 in which sanction was accorded to the enhancement of watch and ward charges of night chowkidars working in the Programme Offices, Child Development Project Officers of Kashmir Province from Rs 800 to 1500 with effect from April 2005.

She submitted that the petitioners like the persons engaged in Kashmir province were entitled to get the benefit of enhancement of wages from Rs 800 to Rs 1500 per month.

After hearing both the sides, Justice Nargotra observed "night chowkidars of Kashmir Province and those of Jammu province are similarly situated being employees of the same department and performing the similar duties", adding "it is clear case of class discrimination, unless some order has already been passed for giving identical benefit to the night chowkidars of Jammu province".

With these observations, the court directed respondents to pay enhanced wages and benefit shall accrue to them from the date the benefit was conferred upon the night chowkidars of Kashmir Province. The arrears shall also be paid to the petitioners, the Court further ordered.

Two injured in accidental firing

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 13: Two persons were injured when a bullet went off accidentally from .32 pistol of a youth inside Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur’s office where the youth had come for renewal of pistol’s license.

Reports said Ranbir Singh alias Mantoo son of Randir Singh R/o Shiv Nagar, Udhampur had come for renewal of pistol license in the office of judicial clerk in DC Udhampur’s office. While waiting, he along with another youth Sita Ram son of Kaka Ram R/o Bakshi Nagar, Jammu reportedly fiddled with the weapon, as a result, a bullet went off and hit Sita Ram in his leg.

Lance Naik L K Reddy of Patna, who was also standing in the office, sustained a splinter wound.

A police party led by Additional SP Udhampur Anil Magotra rushed to the spot.

Sita Ram was hospitalised while Ranbir Singh was arrested by police. A case under Section 337 RPC has been registered against Mantoo.

Not Cell phones, now detenues smuggle
‘gushtaba’ ‘kabaabs’

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Mar 13: While earlier the smuggling of Cell phones, SIM cards and sharp-edged weapons was favourite with detenues especially Pakistan and Kashmiri militants lodged in high security Kot Bhalwal jail, these commodities now have been replaced with mutton delicacies like ‘gushtaba’, ‘rishta’ and ‘kabaabs’.

A number of attempts by three separatist leaders of Hurriyat Conference to smuggle the non-vegetarian delicacies, which are otherwise not available to them as per jail manual, have been foiled by Watch and Ward staff of Kot Bhalwal jail.

The smuggling of some special restaurant made dishes was, surprisingly, taking place with the help of police escorts which were bringing the separatists back to jail after court appearance in Srinagar, Budgam and other districts of Kashmir valley, according to official sources.

Only the other day, a Hurriyat leader and senior separatist Masarat Alam Bhat, on his return from court attendance in Srinagar and Budgam, was found carrying three large utensils in policy Gypsy which contained ‘gushtaba’, ‘rishta’ and ‘kabaabs’ in large quantity.

The Watch and Ward staff of Kot Bhalwal jail immediately seized three dishes and sounded senior officers of jail, who also reached the spot.

Sources said Masarat Alam Bhat, who has been detained under Public Safety Act, protested the seizure of dishes but his protests were over-ruled. Acting tough, the court authorities didn’t allow him to take any of the dish inside the jail barracks.

Sources said two other separatists G M Bhat and Meeraj Din Bangroo have also made similar attempts earlier, which were foiled by the jail staff. The trio, all of whom were PSA detenues, wanted to live a lavish life inside the jail as well for which they had even tried to bribe the jail staff but failed.

Earlier, during the court hearings, the police escorts accompanying separatists and other detenues used to take them to restaurants of their choice where both prisoners and cops enjoyed food. However, after appearance of photographs of militants in media, police authorities had issued strict directions for not stopping the vehicle carrying militants to court attendance enroute.

However, the "influential detenues" have found a unique way to enjoy delicious food inside the jail by smuggling utensils full of delicacies, purchased from restaurants, to the jail with the help of police escorts. However, these attempts of detenues have been thwarted by the jail staff.

It may be mentioned here that the State High Court has already set up a three members committee comprising Principal District Judge, District Magistrate and Chief Medical Officer, Jammu to visit the jail and report upon conditions of the inmates.

High security Kot Bhalwal jail, which had witnessed mayhem inside in December 2006, presently houses 280 detenues including 200 militants. In December 2006, jail authorities, police and para-military, in a joint operation, had removed several luxurious items from inside the barracks of the militants. A large number of mobile phones, SIM cards and sharp-edged weapons were also seized from the detenues.

Hali appointed Addl Judge HC

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 13: Advocate Sunil Hali has been appointed as Additional Judge of Jammu and Kashmir High Court.

As per the notification issued by Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, Mr Hali will be an Additional Judge for a period of two years with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office.

He will be administered oath by Chief Justice of State High Court Justice KS Radhakrishnan in the High Court Complex on March 15.

With the elevation of Advocate Sunil Hali as Additional Judge, the strength of Judges of the State High Court has risen to 11 including Chief Justice. Out of these 11 Judges, 7 are permanent Judges including Chief Justice whereas four are Additional Judges

Since the sanctioned strength of the State High Court is 14, three posts are still lying vacant.

Born on February 22, 1951 at Srinagar, Advocate Sunil Hali passed BSc in 1971 and LLB in year 1973 from Jammu University. He started practice in Jammu Courts and shifted to Srinagar in 1977. In 1990, he migrated to Jammu on account of militancy.

He started practice in the High Court, Jammu Wing and become one of the leading lawyers. He conducted many important cases including Excise, Sales Tax and Forest, in the State High Court.

Rajendra among 21 get ‘Parakram Padaks’ of JKP

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 13: Director General of Police, Kuldeep Khoda today announced 21 "Parakram Padak" Medals for various ranks of Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) in recognition of their extra-ordinary commitment while performing operational duties on anti militancy in the State.

The decision was taken at Police Establishment Board meeting headed by Director General of Police. During the meeting, nomination of all cases were examined and decision about awardees was taken with due consideration and in light of norms framed by Ministry of Home Affairs.

The awardees include IGP, Jammu Zone, K. Rajendra Kumar, DIG Trainings (PHQ), Ravinder Kotwal, S.P.Handwara, Dr. M. Haseeb Mughal, DySPs, Javaid Iqbal Mattoo and Faisal Qayoom, Inspector, Shabir Ahmed, SIs, Jatindervir Singh Chib and Abdul Hamid, Head Constable, Radha Krishen, SGCT: Sob Chand, Constables, Gharu Ram, Randhir Singh, Lakhvinder Singh, Shafaqat Hussain, Ghulam Nabi Pathan, Shabir Ahmed, Bashir Ahmed, Firdous Ahmed, Mohammad Muzaffar, Follower, Moninder Kumar and an SPO Mohammad Rafiq.

While announcing the medals, the DGP expressed satisfaction over the performance of policemen in tackling militancy and in the process protecting lives and properties of the citizens of the State. He recounted supreme sacrifices made by policemen during past 19 years of turbulence. He further desired that day-to-day policing should also seek to address problems of the people besides generating sense of security amongst them. These objectives could be better achieved by strict discipline, hard work and devotion to the duty, he observed.

Kashmir Singh refuses to disclose why he went to Pak

NEW DELHI, Mar 13: Kashmir Singh, who was released after languishing 35 years in Pakistani jails, today refused to disclose why he went to that country and what he was doing there.

"I will not say what I did there. The Government sent me there. I did my work. I did not tell the Pakistanis what I did there and where I came from," he told reporters after being felicitated by the All India Anti-Terrorist Front (AITF) here.

Singh’s remarks came following questioning on his reported claim that he was an Indian spy, a statement which he later denied.

Singh rejected the idea that the Government pressurized him to go back on his statement on spying. "There is no pressure. In fact, I am demanding that the Government should show a similar gesture to Pakistani prisoners so that they can be freed," he said.

Asked whether he plans to pen down a memoir on the time spent in Pakistan, he said he did not see himself as a hero. "There are no such plans and I do not want to be a hero," the former Punjab police constable said.

At the function, Singh was presented a cheque of Rs two lakh by AITF chairman M S Bitta, who said even if the Government ignores the services of Singh, the people of the country will be behind him.

Singh said he would not mind sacrificing the life for the country and asked his children to follow the path of service to the nation.

"Given a chance, I will not mind going through hardships like those I have undergone and I will not hesitate to ask my children to follow me," he said.

After having languished in Pakistani jails for about 35 years, Singh crossed over to India on March 4, a day after he was released from prison following a pardon by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.

He was arrested in 1973 in Pakistan on charges of espionage and was on the death row in that country.(PTI)

CAG indicts Army Chief for misusing
special financial powers

NEW DELHI, Mar 14: The CAG has indicted the then Northern Command chief for procuring stores worth crores of rupees during 2005-06 and 2006-07 by "wrongly exercising financial powers" delegated to him for meeting special operational requirements.

Incidentally, the post of the head of the prestigious Udhampur-based Northern Command during most of the period cited by the CAG was held by present Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor.

In his report on Defence Services for the year ended March 2007, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India said the Northern Command General Officer-in-Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) procured items worth Rs 6.89 crore during 2005-06 and 2006-07.

He said these stores were purchased under delegated special financial powers, which were not related to the urgent requirements of counter-insurgency operations, internal security duties, defence of Siachen glacier and other immediate operational requirements.

Most of the items procured were only to facilitate day-to-day routine duties of the Army, the CAG added.

The report said the release and usage pattern of these equipment further underscore the fact that bulk of the stores were issued to the units which were not directly and actively engaged in operations of the kind.

The Northern Command headquarters stated in July 2007 that these items were procured to save time and manpower, to maintain hygienic condition of food, and for safety and security of the troops deployed in counter-insurgency operations, it added.

"The reply is not tenable as the same cannot be related to operational requirements directly," the CAG said.

Thus, the sanction accorded by the GOC-in-C for procurement of non-standard items under special financial powers were irregular and tantamount to misuse of delegated powers, he added.

The IFAs concerned also had failed to give proper financial advice and allowed such expenditure on the pretext of immediate special operational requirements, the CAG said.

Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor was the Northern Command GOC-in-C from September 5, 2005 to December 31, 2006. He became the Vice Chief on January 1, 2007 and later took over as the Army Chief on September 30, 2007.

The Defence Ministry had delegated similar special financial Powers to the GOC-in-Cs of various commands in April 2002.

The purpose of special delegation was to facilitate the Procurement of equipment/spares/items to supplement the availability of these through central sources to obviate non-availability becoming a constraint particularly in counter-insurgency, internal security duties, defence of Siachen glacier and other immediate operational requirements, the CAG said. (UNI)