Police strikes on agitating Govt employees outside Civil Secretariat
Durbar opens in summer capital with Azad's dig on Farooq

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 5: Parallel to the infighting brewing up in all the three majors in the mainstream political camp---National Conference, Congress and PDP---Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today took exception to the former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah's apprehension of rigging in the forthcoming Assembly elections and asserted that the democratic exercise would be "free, fair and most transparent".  

With an obvious reference to the NC patron's apprehensions of rigging, which he had expressed in a public speech on Sunday, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad told mediapersons that he was committed to holding not only India's but also the world's "freest, fairest and most transparent" elections in Jammu and Kashmir later this year. He asserted that all the by-elections for five Assembly segments, during his two-and-a-half-year tenure as head of the Government, had proved to be clean and free of all accusations of rigging. He said it was unfortunate that some politicians, fearing bad performance at the hustings, had begun to take refuge under the traditional allegations of rigging in the elections.

Chief Minister was speaking to press persons at the ceremonial opening of Durbar Move offices for the summer session at Civil Secretariat in the forenoon today.

Azad reminded the journalists that in the by-elections for five Assembly segments in 2006 and 2007, he had issued a stern warning to Government officials that anybody found indulging in unfair means would be thrown out of service. He said that the same warning would hold good for the forthcoming Assembly elections and his Government would not tolerate any act of malpractice in the greater democratic exercise.

He asked the political parties to fight elections on the strength of their policies and performance and expressed himself against using any force or indulgence in personal attacks of the opponents to score a point. He said that the voters should be free to judge policies and ideologies of the candidates and political parties and accordingly elect their representatives for the Legislature.

Chief Minister said that the coalition Government in J&K had created an atmosphere of peace and progress and hoped that it would be further strengthened in the next six months before the schedule of the Assembly elections. He said that situation in the terrorism ravaged State had considerably improved. He claimed that custodial deaths and disappearances had reached close to zero level and no such incident had been reported in the last two years.

Azad said that Jammu and Kashmir had witnessed a golden period of development in the last few years as resources had been mobilized and funds had flown generously from the Centre. He claimed that under his stewardship, work culture in Government offices had revived and most of the Government employees had contributed to revolutionary changes in the State's developmental scenario. He also expressed his gratitude to the common people and said that nothing would have been possible without their support and cooperation.

A group of non-gazetted employees working at Civil Secretariat shouted slogans of unity and later submitted a charter of demands to the Chief Minister and other senior Government functionaries. They made it clear that they were not part of the employees' strike which witnessed shutdown of most of the Government offices in Kashmir valley today.

Even as all offices operated normally at Civil Secretariat, hundreds of employees gathered on the main road leading to the seat of power in two hours of the CM's praise of the Government officials and began shouting anti-Government slogans. When the employees, who were predominantly from Srinagar Municipal Corporation besides Education and Health Departments, began marching towards the Civil Secretariat, Police swooped on them with batons and water cannons to break the crowds. Police rounds up a number of the activists of Employees Joint Action Committee, headed by Master Abdul Qayoom and detained them at Shergarhi Police Station.

General Secretary of another trade union, J&K EJAC, Muntazar Mohiuddin, told EXCELSIOR that it was his organisation which had called for two-day shutdown of all Government offices to press certain demands which had been accepted by the Government, either in principal or formally, but not implemented. He said that members of his organization did not participate in putting up gherao of Civil Secretariat as they had not called for such a programme. He, however, claimed that there was "hundred percent shutdown" in all Government offices, excluding those in Civil Secretariat.

Independent reports said that attendance was thin at many Government offices and a large number of offices in Kashmir valley closed down when JKEJAC functionaries visited complexes and persuaded their colleagues to shut work for two days. Sources said that JKEJAC, headed by Khursheed Alam, would take out a procession from headquarters of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department, close to Civil Secretariat on Tuesday, and reveal programme of "further action" to mediapersons at Press Enclave in the afternoon tomorrow. It is likely to submit a memorandum to the Divisional Commissioner en route to Lal Chowk.

Authorities said that Police initiated action against the agitating employees as they were attempting to march towards Civil Secretariat in violation of prohibitory orders which had been issued under Section 144 Cr PC overnight. SSP Srinagar had made it clear that Police would use force to prevent marching of the agitating employees towards Civil Secretariat.

State Government employees have been demanding age of superannuation as 60 years instead of 58 years, change of designation in favour of Helpers, absorption of daily-rated and adhoc and contractual employees into regular services, entitlement of Leave Travel Concession and reimbursement of medical claims in favour of all employees, fixing 21 years as age at entry level of services instead of the existing 18 years, reduction of working days from six to five a week besides implementation of the recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission.

195 civilians exchange sides
Record crossing at cross-LoC point

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, May 5: A new record was today set at Chakkan-Da-Bagh cross-LoC point on Poonch-Rawlakote road when an all time high 195 persons including more than a dozen overstaying people crossed Line of Control during fortnightly crossing in Poonch district.

The new record was set as Chakkan-Da-Bagh, presently the only cross-LoC point in Jammu region linking two parts of divided State after the closure of Tata Pani, was about to complete two and a half years of its opening.

The previous highest of 174 persons had crossed LoC from Chakkan-Da-Bagh six months back, official sources said.

Generally, 80 to 120 civilians cross the LoC point every fortnight from both sides to meet their divided family members and relatives on a 28 days permit.

Movement of the highest number of 195 civilians from the LoC point came close on the heels of demands from political leadership of both parts of divided State to open more cross border points in the State including Suchetgarh-Sialkot and Kargil-Askardu and launching trade from Uri-Muzaffarabad and Rawlakote-Poonch road.

Out of 195 LoC crossers, 104 persons left Poonch for Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Poonch-Rawlakote bus services while 91 came to this side from PoK, sources said.

Among 104 civilians, who left this side for PoK, only 30 were first time visitors while 74 PoK citizens returned to their houses after spending 28 days or even more in parts of Jammu region, mostly twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri.

Out of 91 civilians, who reached Poonch from PoK, 56 were visiting this part of the State for first time to meet their divided families while 35 others returned to this side after visiting their relatives in PoK.

Over a dozen PoK citizens, who were overstaying here after completing their fixed stay of 28 days, were also pushed back to PoK after they were directed to report to Poonch at any cost today. Following hardened stance by Intelligence agencies not to allow any PoK citizen to overstay in this part of the State, the overstaying citizens had reported at Poonch district headquarters last night itself. It may be mentioned here that Intelligence sleuths had during past several crossing forcibly lifted PoK citizens from the houses they had come in Mendhar, Poonch and Rajouri to push them back. Even Chakkan-Da-Bagh had to be opened unscheduled on some occasion to push back the overstaying citizens.

Eleven PoK citizens, who had come to meet the family members of MLA Poonch Jehangir Mir in Poonch, also returned to PoK after spending a fortnight here.

Matloob Khan, Ghulam Rasool Ganai, AEE and Rajinder Singh, DySP represented this part of the State at Chakkan-Da-Bagh while from PoK side Guftar Choudhary, ACR and Parvez Yaqoob, Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Hajeera were present. The LoC point remained open between 10.35 am to 5.25 pm.

Militants waiting to enter J&K: BSF DG

CHANDIGARH, May 5: BSF today said that militants across the border are waiting to enter the country once mountain passes in Jammu and Kashmir open with the melting of snow.

"The BSF has strong inputs that militants are waiting along the border to enter the country," BSF Director General A K Mitra told reporters on the sidelines of a foundation stone laying ceremony for a BSF building here.

He said along the Western border, the infiltration is presently low.

However, "once the mountain passes open, the militant activities along the border are likely to increase manifold," he said.

He did not rule out the possibility of increase in the militant activities in the wake of upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

"In the past also it has been observed that whenever elections are close in Jammu and Kashmir, attempts have been made by militants to step up violence," he said.

Mitra also said that number of training camps of militants in Pakistan had gone up but did not give out any figures.

On queries on ways to check infiltration, Mitra said certain terrains along the border were such that these were susceptible to militant activities.

He said infiltration along the border with Bangladesh is more but maintained that steps were being taken to bring it down.

He said that the level of inadvertent border crossings had decreased in the wake of bi-annual meetings between BSF and Pakistan Rangers.

Mitra said smuggling as well as constructions along the border was still in progress.

He said the BSF had dedicated this year to providing water, electricity and toilets at around 4000 Border Out Posts (BOPs).

"A major chunk of Rs 278 crore will be spent on improving facilities at the BOPs," he said adding BSF had been able to provide basic amenities to six out of total 31 BOPs which were only air-maintained.

He said the BSF personnel were "badly stressed" primarily due to election duties and that it was short of nearly 24,000 men.

He also said that he was not satisfied with the quality of personnel joining the force of late.

On the sixth Pay Commission report, he said it had not been able to fully satisfy the needs of BSF personnel. "There are a few shortcomings in its recommendations," he said.

"The BSF had demanded constabulary hardship allowance, but it has been turned down," he said, adding the force was taking up the issue at appropriate levels. (PTI)

Mehbooba meets PM, discusses self rule

NEW DELHI, May 5: Increased cross-border cooperation across the LoC will figure in upcoming Foreign Secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan, the People’s Democratic Party said today.

In a press release, it said this was conveyed to PDP president Mehbooba Mufti by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when she met him today.

The Prime Minister told her that the issue of cross-LoC cooperation through more people-to-people contacts and exchange of goods would figure at the Secretary-level talks.

Singh assured Mehbooba that his Government would lay emphasis on implementation of recommendations of the Working Groups on Jammu and Kashmir, the release said.

The Prime Minister also assured the PDP leader that he would look into withdrawal of incentives to the industry in Jammu and Kashmir.

The PDP president discussed with Singh the broad contours of party’s self-rule proposal.

Elucidating various aspects of the self-rule document, she told the Prime Minister that it encompasses practical proposals for resolution of political, economic, internal and external dimensions of issues pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir.

Mehbooba said her party’s self-rule proposal not only adequately accommodates genuine concerns of all regions and sub-regions of the State, but that of India and Pakistan as well, the release said.

Urging tangible action on making Jammu and Kashmir a bridge of cooperation between India and Pakistan, Mehbooba said the people of the State had huge stakes in success of the peace and reconciliation process.

"There are various quarters which are trying tooth and nail to sabotage the confidence-building process in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The country’s political leadership has the onerous responsibility of thwarting such designs of vested interests and give the much-needed final push to the peace process," she told Singh.

Mehbooba said there should be simultaneous movement forward on both internal and external fronts to consolidate the gains of the peace process.

"On the home front, implementation of recommendations of the Working Groups should be speeded up. On the external front, there should be a movement forward on resumption of unhindered movement of people and goods through traditional cross-LoC routes," she said.

Only then the peace process could show desired results, Mehbooba told the Prime Minister. (PTI)

MetLife unveils ‘Met Loan Assure’

SRINAGAR, May 5: In a unique quality initiative, world’s leading insurance company MetLife today launched "Met Loan Assure", which will provide life cover to the loan borrowers of J&K Bank, one of country’s fastest growing banks.

J&K Bank has about 40 lakh customers and the new product can be availed by any body taking loan from the bank. The product covers all types of loans, including home, education, vehicle and personal loans.

"Met Loan Assure is a customized product developed exclusively by MetLife for our customers, keeping in mind the growing demand of credit in the State," J&K Bank Chairman and CEO Haseeb Drabu told reporters.

The plan will add value to the customers because it will help them take loans with the safety net of life insurance, he added.

It is a specially designed group insurance plan that provides life insurance cover specifically for a loan taken by an individual. It ensures financial security for the loan holder as the insurance proceeds can be used to repay the outstanding loan amount in case of the unfortunate demise of the insured individual, MetLife MD Rajesh Relan said.

Through the product, the company want to help the loan customers achieve peace of mind so that "the asset remains an asset for the family," he added.

Explaining the key features of the plan, Relan said, all individuals between 18-60 years are eligible to this insurance. Maximum maturity age is 70 years or the day on which the outstanding amount is repaid in its entirety, which ever is earlier.

Met loan assure is a single pay MRTA (Mortgage Reducing Term Assurance) solution on a group platform and the product is designed to target financial institutions or employers who give loans.

Drabu said the bank is committed to provide its customers a comprehensive financial solution under one roof. "We have help desks set up at most of our branch offices to handle all inquiries about this product," he said.

MetLife, which earlier operated from the corporate office of J&K Bank, today opened its branch office here.

Drabu also said that the bank would float a new company, J&K Bank financial services company, in the next three months to exclusively deal with insurance, non-life and mutual fund.

J&K Bank has 25 per cent stake in the insurance company, Drabu said, adding the launch of the new financial services would further deepen the relationship between the two companies.

Giving details of the product, relan said, Met loan assure could be offered on a single life or on a joint life basis (joint life is available only for home loans) depending on the way the loan is held.

The minimum and maximum coverage terms are three years and 25 years. Premium payment mode is single premium and the payment can be made directly by the customer or it can be even financed by the bank.

The sum assured is minimum of Rs 5,000 per life and maximum is equivalent to the loan amount outstanding at the commencement of risk cover, he said, adding, it cannot exceed Rs five crore at any point.

MetLife through its bank partners and company-owned offices is present at more than 600 locations and the insurer has more than 32,000 financial advisers to help the customers. (PTI)

Non-functioning for 3 years caused Rs 100 cr loss
Chenani project ready for commissioning in 15 days

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, May 5: After remaining non-functional for more than three years and causing whopping Rs 100 crore loss to the State exchequer, the 33 Mega Watt (MW) Chenani Hydro Electric Project in the Udhampur district is all set for its re-commissioning within next 15 days.

Authoritative sources told the EXCELSIOR that work on construction of 718 meter long diversion tunnel, which got damaged about three years back due to weather vagaries and remained out of focus of the concerned authorities for quite a long time, has been completed at a cost of around Rs 8 crore to make 23.3 Mega Watt Stage-I and 2 MW Stage-II of the project functional once again.

"The complete water discharge has been allowed and testing of machinery was going on since May 1 for its synchronizing", the sources disclosed, adding "once the testing of machinery is completed within next couple of days, the project will be re-commissioned for generation of electricity".

Sources disclosed that since the closure of project on February 25, 2005, the State exchequer has suffered a whopping loss of Rs 100 crore besides keeping the available power generation potential untapped for more than three years.

The recommissioning of the project would certainly help the Power Development Department in meeting the electricity requirement of certain areas and its every unit will cost 60 to 70 paise, they said, adding Minister of State for Power, Babu Singh took keen interest in making the 37 year old project functional once again and during his visit to the project early this year, he set a deadline for its recommissioning with the warning that delay would invite severe action on the part of State Government.

The project which was inaugurated in 1971 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and commissioned in three stages with installed capacity of 23 MW of Stage-I, 2 MW of Stage-II and 7.5 MW of Stage-III, suffered first damage in 1998 when due to heavy rains the water conductor slided.

While making the project functional with temporary measures, the concerned authorities had suggested more serious support and remedial measures for stability of the affected portion but the same were never taken up by the lax authorities, the sources disclosed.

The same portion of water conductor got washed away due to unprecedented rains on February 26, 2005 shutting down the project completely and the Coalition Government in August 2005 deputed the experts from Power Development Corporation (Generation and Geological Wings) alongwith M/s Jai Parkash Associates Industries Limited to inspect the damaged portion.

The experts suggested three options for temporary and permanent solution of breached portion and the option of construction of tunnel as long term and permanent solution was considered as a viable one.

On October 10, 2005, the tenders were floated and M/s K K Chibber Engineers, the first lowest tenderer was allotted the work on March 31, 2006—after a gap of six months from the date of issue of tenders. On April 6, 2006, the work was stopped by the Forest Department with the plea that as per the Supreme Court directions, the clearance from the Forest Department was needed.

Finally, on May 27, 2007, PDC prepared forest compensation papers and paid an amount of Rs 95 lakh to the Forest Department so as to start the work.

Cabinet clears women reservation bill

NEW DELHI, May 5: The Cabinet is understood to have cleared the women’s reservation bill, aimed at providing 33 per cent quota for women in Parliament and State Legislatures, at an emergency meeting tonight.

The bill is likely to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha tomorrow.

"Whatever decision was taken today would be conveyed to the Rajya Sabha tomorrow,’’ an official spokesperson told reporters after the meeting.

The proposed bill was on the agenda of the Cabinet, she said but refused to give the details stating that the Rajya Sabha had the right to know the decision first.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had convened the meeting this evening which had the single-point agenda to discuss the bill.

The meeting took place at 2100 hrs at the official residence of Dr Singh at 7 Race Course Road.

Dr Singh had, a couple of days ago, disclosed that his Government would table the bill in the current session. He had given this assurance to CPI general secretary A B Bardhan when the Left leader called on him with a party delegation.

The bill had become controversial after some parties sought quota-in-quota for women from backward and minority communities. (UNI)

Pak visit may take time: PM

NEW DELHI, May 5: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today indicated that he is unlikely to visit Pakistan in the immediate future, stating that he would wait for the new Government led by Yousuf Raza Gilani to "settle down."

"Let him settled down. We wish them well. They have begun very well. Despite difficulties, they have shown great statesmanship" in dealing with various issues, Dr Singh told reporters at Rashtrapati Bhavan after the Padma awards function.

The Prime Minister was replying to a question on the timing of his visit to Pakistan as he had accepted an invitation from Islamabad long ago.

Asked about the demands for the release of prisoners in both the countries, he said he was not aware of the demands, but on humanitarian grounds whatever could be done to reduce the sufferings of the prisoners should be done.

To a question on the UPA-Left panel meeting tomorrow, Dr Singh said the Government was ready to discuss "whatever the issues our colleagues would like to raise."

Asked about the spiralling prices of essential commodities despite Government measures, the Prime Minister said he was confident that things would improve as the wheat production and procurement had touched an all time record. The output of rice, oil seeds and other crops was also good and the country was expected to produce 227 million tonnes of foodgrains.

Reporters also sought his response to the comments of US President George Bush and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice on the increasing consumption levels of the Indian middle class which, they said, had resulted in food shortages in their country.

"I don’t have to comment" on whatever was stated by others. "I don’t want to get into arguments with foreign dignitaries," he added.

Asked about the Opposition criticising him for maintaining a silence on the issue, he said the opposition parties were in the habit of raising allegations against him on everything. (UNI)

Hassan Mir to launch JKDP

SRINAGAR, May 5: A new political party will be launched as an alternative to the People’s Democratic Party and National Conference, expelled PDP leader Ghulam Hassan Mir said.

"The PDP was launched in late 1990s as a democratic alternative to the National Conference but the party has turned into a prototype of the later. So there is still space for a democratic alternative in the State," Mir, who was expelled from PDP for anti-party activities earlier this year, told.

The new party will be known as Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Party, he said.

Mir alleged that the PDP has turned into a fiefdom of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and his daughter Mehbooba Mufti and there was no democracy in the party.

"In 1998, people of Kashmir had no option but National Conference and so PDP emerged... Today, PDP has become what National Conference has been all along," he claimed.

Asked if he had roped in dissidents from the PDP and other political parties, Mir said "you will come to know when we launch the party on Wednesday".

Sources close to Mir, said the PDP rebel had the backing of MLA from Beerwah Sarfaraz Khan, MLC Bilal Lodhi and prominent leader G M Bawan.

Mohammad Shoaib Lone, who won the Sangrama Assembly seat in 2006 by-elections and was supported by Mir, is also expected to join the new outfit at a later date, the sources said.(PTI)

16 AAOs promoted as AOs

Excelsor Correspondent

JAMMU, May 5: The Government today promoted and posted 16 Assistant Accounts Officers as Incharge Accounts Officers in different departments.

Angrez Singh, AAO, J&K Housing Board Unit-I Jammu has been posted as Incharge Accounts Officer State Accountability Commission Jammu vice Ghanshyam Sharma. R. L. Tickoo, AAO, Finance Department has been posted as Incharge Accounts Officer Directorate of Command Area Jammu vice Hemkant Prashar.

R. L. Pandita, AAO in the office of Deputy Commissioner Commercial Taxes, Jammu was posted as Incharge Accounts Officer Directorate of School Education Jammu vice Tabassum. Abdul Rahim Najar, AAO Wangat Link Division USHP Stage-II Kangan has been posted as Incharge Accounts Officer State Accountability Commission Srinagar vice Syed Ahmed Syed Hamdani.

Trilok Singh, AAO Finance Department has been posted as Incharge Accounts Officer Resources Finance Department against an available vacancy. Khadum Hussain, AAO Irrigation Division Rajouri has been posted as Incharge Accounts Officer in the office of Development Commissioner Power vice Krishan Singh. Suraj Parkash Sharma, AAO Education Migrant Cell, Jammu was posted as Incharge Accounts Officer Directorate of Audit & Inspections vice O. P. Sharma.

Puran Chand Gupta, AAO Mechanical Engineering Division Kathua has been posted as Incharge Accounts Officer Directorate of Indian System of Medicines vice Raman Kumar Gupta. Abdul Aziz Kuchey, AAO in the office of CMO Ganderbal was posted as Incharge Accounts Officer J&K Womens Corporation against a leave reserve post. Mushtaq Ahmed Baba, AAO J&K SRTC Srinagar has been posted as Incharge Accounts Officer Govt. Dental College Srinagar vice Gh. Mohd Bhat.

Nariender Kumar Zafrani, AAO in the office of Principal Resident Commissioner, J&K Govt New Delhi has been posted as Incharge Accounts Officer Directorate of Audit & Inspections vice Janak Raj Khajuria.

Gh. Rasool Lone, AAO Mechanical Irrigation Division South Srinagar has been posted as Incharge Treasury Officer Karnah against available vacancy.

Nisar Ahmad Najar, AAO Directorate of Audit & Inspections has been posted as Incharge Accounts Officer, Directorate of Information J&K vice T. K. Boni. Jamat Ali Shah, AAO Police Construction Division J&K has been posted as Incharge Accounts Officer Directorate of Sheep Husbandry Kashmir vice Fayaz Ahmed Malik who has retired.

Gh. Ali Sadoor, AAO Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services J&K has been posted as Incharge Accounts Officer Directorate of Horticulture (P&M) J&K vice Roshan Lal Bhagati who has also retired. Tariq Ahmed Wani, AAO M&RE Division Handwara has been posted as Incharge Accounts Officer Leh Development Authority against a vacancy.

Ex-militant escapes from hospital

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 5: A surrendered militant of Hizbul Mujahideen consumed poison in Kishtwar last night and later fled from the hospital where he was undergoing treatment.

Zulafikar Ali Rather was admitted to the Kishtwar district hospital from where he fled after regaining consciousness. Rather took his medical records when he escaped. Officials were yet to ascertain reasons behind his self-immolation bid.

The surrendered militant was facing trial under section 420 of the Ranbir Penal Code at Kishtwar, official soruces said.

He was arrested along with a video camera, which he used for his assignments disguising as a photo journalist, sources said.